Play-by-Post

This is a two-parter, inspired by my curiosity.

First part is, how did you come up with your username? What's the story behind it? I guess, what's your origin story?

Second question, I've noticed a lot of us repeat character names. Do you? How did you choose it? How do you choose character names, in general? What inspires you?

I think most people know my username used to be vulgarkitten (I've heard some people think that's supposed to be a secret - it's not). I got it from an ex boyfriend IRL when I was trying to come up with something funny. He told me I should just pick two things I liked and smash them together. Thus, swearing and cats.

I changed my username to Hella to reflect moving away from that place in my life and back to what felt better to me. Hella is a spin on my minecraft username and what all my SMP friends call me, and have called me for 10+ years. For me, it's just a happier, better fit.

As for MU character names, I think the one I'm most (in)famous for is Catriona. I used it for years and years on Road to Amber, and then again on The Reach after the previous player gave it up. I chose it because I think it's a pretty name, simple as that. Also, I love that it shortens to 'Cat'. I'm a big fan of names that have convenient short forms (see: Monique 'Mo'). I think, though, that Catriona was the only name I ever reused a bunch across multiple MUs. The others have just been names that I thought were pretty and inspired me to build characters around them.

That's my story. What's yours?

What are your tips for generating artificial played-by's for your characters? What kind of tools are you using? And more importantly, has anyone figured out how to get it to listen to the eye colour you want???

I've used Midjourney in the past but the cost is a barrier and it will generate more of an overall "vibe" while ignoring any individual details you include. Also everybody has these luscious supermodel faces with huge lips that is somewhat off-putting.

@Macha AI is a tease. I always feel like I'm 1 edit away from generating the perfect image but never quite get there.

Admitting I didn't read most of the discussion between here and the initial post.

PBs of real people's faces has always come off as a little strange to me and I have always preferred digital art because it doesn't feel like I'm using someone's likeness without consent. AI image generation has been a huge benefit although it still has a lot of kinks to iron out regarding ignoring instructions in favour of stereotypes. And there's ethical considerations with generative content, although it's not like I was ever paying digital artists for their work or making money off RPing so I don't think it matters much.

I was once witness to a particularly gnarly incident where an RPer created an entirely separate character and Discord identity to catfish this one guy, marry, and ERP him. And later manipulate him into forgiving her original identity because by the way he fucking -hated- her.

So yeah. I respect stranger danger, especially identities that seem unestablished/dropped in. Because when people have complete anonymity at their fingertips, the only thing holding them back is not being a fucking psycho.

It goes against our desire to connect with each other, but really, don't share anything if you can avoid it. You never know who your new friend really is.

@faraday said in Stranger Danger?:

Where I've landed after all these years:

• I stick to friendly co-op games.
• I don't do PVP or TS.
• I enforce firm boundaries on IC relationships. (Though even that has proved exhausting enough that I am now leery of romantic RP with anyone I don't already know and trust OOCly.)
• I'm choosy about the games I play on - usually either my own or ones from people I trust.

I feel bad that you've had such horrible experiences, though, because I have made several life-long friends through MUSHing. Not just "oh they RP well so it's fun to play a game with them" but true friends. Yes, we must be cautious and sensible with any interactions on the internet, but I don't think we need to be so paranoid that we cut ourselves off from meaningful interaction.

All of the above, though one slight alteration. I enforce firm boundaries, period. IC, OOC, all the boundaries, everywhere. And if there's even the slightest hint of a red flag, I just say so and move on. It has led to a world of difference for me, and I can genuinely say the friends I've made, I feel honoured to have made.

@Derp said in I owe a lot of people some apologies.:

@Hella

You say this and then you end up with Dirty My Little Pony. Careful what you wish for.

No, please.

@faraday said in I owe a lot of people some apologies.:
That's not to say my games are happy unicorn utopias

... okay, but could you make a happy unicorn utopia game, pls? Asking for a friend.

@faraday said in I owe a lot of people some apologies.:

@Tapewyrm It largely depends on where you play. Good people still exist. I've been on games that were pretty chill. This is not to discount Ghost's experiences, which are wholly valid, but I think we run in different game circles and have had very different experiences.

I concur with Faraday. There are definitely still good people/games out there. For the past year-plus, I've been somewhere that has been amazing, with people who are some of the best people I've ever had the pleasure of playing with/knowing. They're out there. And when you find them? It's worth the rest.

Just checked my heartbeat! 75bpm, still seemingly alive. Welcome