Posted by Arantomir, Bitch of Hilaene on August 01, 1999 at 08:36:09:
In Reply to: Farewells posted by Corrado on August 01, 1999 at 07:10:42:
There's been enough bullshit slung about over the past few days to spend a year wading through. Corrado, you've slung most of it. Here's your problem... for all the Sylvan rhetoric, you're an arrogant, whiny punk, and I mean that in the best possible way, really. All your characters have demonstrated that trait to some extent, and it isn't going to get you the results you apparently want (note that I didn't know who you used to play until now, when you posted that you were Gouin). Now, to be honest, when I first spoke to you, I actually convinced Hilaene to induct you, against her better judgment. It's something I regretted. I liked you based on our little chat, but after just a few days, I found myself actually wincing every time you said anything at all over cabal channel. You weren't disliked because of any Forum posts you made (I certainly didn't remember that thread you mentioned below) or because you've complained. You were disliked because you said and did utterly foolish things time and time again. Talking about how you were going to "go ape" on someone over CB was a nice touch, too, heh. What it really boils down to, is that you were a knowitall who never really accepted criticism or thought about questioning your actions/beliefs. It's a problem endemic to people who consider themselves "old-school Sylvans." Here's the thing. Sylvan is *NOT* the same cabal it was a year ago. Thinking to yourself, "I've had X Sylvans, or a leader, or whatever in this cabal, so of course I know my shit. I'll just stroll in and say the magic words, wow 'em in the interview, and I'll be cruising." That doesn't work. People complain that the interviews don't talk about Sylvan, but about "random crap." Well, see, that's because it doesn't take half a brain to spout the typical lines and get inducted. This is not like getting into Battle ("Magic bad, me smash.") or Empire ("Power. Powerpowerpowerpowerpower.") A role that includes developed personal beliefs is required. Don't expect your interview to include questions like "What do you think about duergar?" and "Do you like Nature?" Expect to be asked "how" and "why" a whole lot. Expect to have your interviewer play devil's advocate with you. Just because a leader asks you "How can you possibly believe X, given that Y is so plainly obvious?" why should you back down? Your character is honestly going to change a belief that's been fundamental to his entire life because one person questions it momentarily? Furthermore, you have to be able to explain why you believe what you do, up to a certain point. "I protect nature because it's good." doesn't work as a basis for your character. Why is nature good? Why did you devote your life to it, and not to something else? Why why why? The best current Sylvans are in almost all cases people who have not previously played a Sylvan. The most promising applicant is one who comes to the interview eager to learn and humble, rather than exuding that "I'm an elite player watch me blow you away with my awesome RP and knowledge" attitude. That'll work with a lot of cabals, but not with Sylvan as it is today. Perhaps the best applicant I've seen thus far, one who was inducted by Hilaene in about 20 minutes flat, is probably someone who's played lots of characters before, but who approached the entire process with an attitude of "I wish to learn." On the other hand, another player who obviously knew a shitload about CF, had to go through something like 4 hours of interviews because he took the opposite approach of "Let me teach you." Furthermore, I find it rather amusing, albeit somewhat frightening, just how worked up people have gotten over Hilaene and related topics. Are you really so fragile that you have to come to the Forum and let the world know, "Mommy, mommy, she was mean to me"? Yes, Hilaene's character is arrogant. I'll bet there aren't 2 people in the whole game who've actually bothered to ask about the background of her character, since they'd find out that there's a reason for it. I could go on and on about how the current quality of the cabal is better than any single cabal I've ever witnessed in my time playing CF. And in fact, now that you're gone, there isn't a single person in the cabal that isn't simply superb. But, I won't. This is long enough.