I know a few people have had this happen before, a few 'famous' cases, so on and so forth.

For some time now, even with my absence-due-to-moving-house, I've lost a lot of interest in playing Iola, my main character. This is exacerbated by the fact that playing Tacita, my second, has become so awesome (thanks to the Harbingers/Glom, mostly) that most of the time I would rather play her.

However, I really love the people I get to play with as Iola, especially a particular few family members (Lendren, Arix, Solanis, Serella, Lisaera) and I don't want to lose this. Even if I just pop in for an hour a week. What I'm struggling with is whenever I log into Iola I constantly go oh god, I have so much to do - like actually doing something as OH, or sewing for people, or a million other things - so I don't enjoy the time I -am- there. It feels like I am letting some people, Lisaera especially, down by dropping my play time.

I think it's becoming clear that my main and second are going to switch, but I'm not certain on how to deal with that. I'm not hideously upset/panicky/worried about this, in fact I've not got time to be, but it's affecting the time that I do get to play and that irritates me.

Help? Experiences?

I totally understand if you want to switch to Tacita for awhile. Just, you know, come back eventually

If your responsibilities as Iola are stopping you enjoying the short time you spend playing her, then find some other people to take over your positions.

One thing I've learned (not from switching characters, but more from switching games) is that no single individual is irreplaceable. Some people are harder to replace than others, sure, but the game does balance itself out and people will move in to fill any gaps you leave by being less active. The polite thing to do, however, if you know that you're going to be unable to fulfill your duties is to let others know as early as possible to make the transitions easier.

I didn't think that the sewing thing was like that for you or I would never have brought it to you. I specifically brought my sewing to you because I thought you wanted it. Sorry

Actually, people can become irreplacable, or rather people can become complacent with the people they do have and feel lost without them. (See: Thoros, Daevos.) Honestly, you're playing this game to have fun, and if it's not fun, you should do what you can to make it enjoyable again. Don't feel obligated to play, or it'll be like having another friggin' job instead of something to do to relieve stress.

To be honest, I'm happy to do that - there's just a part of me going 'but I worked damn hard for OH' that I have to tell to STFU :S (Especially as I've been a really :censored: OH lately). I've no issue with dropping guild sec, there are plenty of people to do my relatively small job.



I don't think I could ever leave properly, even if I only play an hour a week I'll still be here.



It was mostly something that came to my mind because I'd just done it before posting this It's by no means a big issue. Just another thing contributing, y'know?

Admittedly there is a bit of a gap in the Order you've been leaving lately. Been a bit unhappy having put you forward for the position and then always seeing you on an alt. I can understand wanting something different if this isn't as fun for you anymore. But you really should step back from any positions if you can't properly fill them. It's the more graceful thing to do.

To be fair I had a month that people were aware of where I moved house and had no internet. But I totally accept that beyond updating scrolls here and there and keeping an eye on my own order proteges, I've done nothing It's just bringing myself to stepping down that's hard, as much as I know it's the helpful thing to do.

Well what's important for you is just having fun, it's a game. And RL reasons always trump everything else. I get all that. Hard to give stuff up, but it might be what's best for everyone having fun, even you. The worst part about even temporary inactivity is always the guilt. (at least for me) If it's permanent surely it's got to be all but driving you off at this point.

Perhaps you didn't read all of what I wrote.

I said it can be difficult to replace certain people, but eventually others will fill in those gaps and new leaders, fighters, whatever will rise in their places.

I agree completely about the "don't make Lusternia into a job when it should be fun" sentiment, though. I left Achaea for primarily that reason, and even after having played Lusternia for a longer time, I still don't feel it's a job.

I dropped my main character to go play a monk for a while, because it was fresh and new, and really caught my interest. It took me about three months before I realized I missed my Ur'Guard and ended up going back to him full time anyways.

Makes me wonder what would happen to SS if Lendren left/went inactive. :\\ Honestly, I could be all "someone would surely replace him and try hard," but in reality, Lendren is the super-quality oil that makes the guild run like no other I've seen. Not to undermine everyone else's efforts (intentionally), but to me, he is irreplaceable in one sense of the word.

OT: I know Iola and Hadrian haven't conversed much (mainly because Hadrian is the silent type and doesn't feel comfortable starting a conversation), but I do love what I've seen of her and hope to get to knew her more eventually. (insert subtle come-back-soon hint here)

From personal experience, I stop playing Lusternia or make an alt when playing stops being enjoyable. If playing Tacita is more enjoyable than playing Iola, then it's your decision to switch! It feels guilty to abandon responsibilities and all that, but people understand and usually are fine with that. As long as you don't randomly go inactive with no warning.

...that said, I still miss seeing Iola around

Btw, I actually kinda switched from my main to an alt, then back again (as Harbingers may have noticed :S).

I see how it is, Iola. Hmph.

Hrm, I wonder if I should start an alt somewhere. Sounds like a good idea to help recapture the imagination.

All the cool alts are in Celest, Jigan :D:D


But I have found that often, alting renews my enjoyment of the game, getting to talk to people I can't as a Celestian. Usually, in my case, I find that it is my RP that has become stale and boring, and it starts to feel like a trap. That may be why the alt is so enjoyable, because you don't have years of roleplay chaining you down. One issue, is that I always alt outside of Celest, and it makes it harder to hate on Taint when you are also thinking, "Man... he is a nice guy, probably got drafted into this raid against his will, bet he wishes he was still chilling with his novices right now..." or something similar.

MY problem with alting, is that my alts are always really cool, and I end up wanting their skills (since Simimi has trans Resiliance/Planar), as the alt will never be as "good" as Simimi would be with the same skillset, but Simimi will never have the same roleplay as the alt. Kind of a Catch 22.

I say you should enjoy the alt while you can. It won't last forever methinks, as there is just something nice about the old standard comfort zone. Don't feel bad about it, everyone does it, but I do think you should give up on positions if you feel you can not do them justice.

Dude.

DUDE.

I totally didn't miss you off the Most Important list. I was looking at family at the time. ICly I think a lot of the time Iola misses Casilu the most, she keeps her sane.

...perhaps this is the problem...

Which Casilu are we talking about?

She probably won't be sane for long, then.