New RP Restrictions?

[Embri]

That is by far the best description of Mantis so far - exactly right - they rely on weapons, tools or technology (weather scientific or spiritual - the word "technology" can mean the development of knowledge for practical purposes, not just of a scientific nature) without which they are not effective characters for the most part.

Cirral's Naine would be a prime example - without his suit, he would have a hard time even surviving.

[addman]

[Netdroid9]

Sure, I may be able to tell the ATM pin number of a simian's mother from the scent of week-old freshly-thrown thrown poop, but I'm no match for Addman. Fort, maybe, but not Addman .

[3kul]

*attempts to forcibly tattoo the words 'Possible Monkey-Sensei' on Addman's back*

But if Addman doesn't want it, that makes you more than a match for him by default, Net . To be honest, I'd thought of you as more of a Mantis-class RPer, but you also fit into the new Monkey-class really well. I'll leave my nomination entirely up to you Net - you can either have my nomination/vote as one for the Kamakiri-Sensei (Mantis-Sensei) or the Saru-Sensei (Monkey-Sensei), I think you'd probably fit both well.

EDIT: I spoke to Ashen Rain about this, because I think that she also might make a really good Sensei, and she said she'd be fine with it, so I'm adding her to my list of possible Kumo-Sensei.

Just to sum up the nominations so far, we've got the following people as fairly-definates:

* Tora-Sensei (Tiger) = TheSensei/DP
* Kamereon-Sensei (Chameleon ) = GBE
* Kitsune-Sensei (Fox) = HisLordship

And the following positions are a little less definate:

* Kamakiri-Sensei (Mantis) = 3kul, Netdroid9
* Fukurou-Sensei (Owl) = Micheal_Rawlings
* Saru-Sensei (Monkey) = Fort, Netdroid9
* Kumo-Sensei (Spider) = Embri, Shaon, Ashen Rain

I've probably missed a few nominations, and I'm pretty sure that there's bound to be more than just that, so feel free to correct me and alter the list as you see fit. We should probably stick up a poll or something for some of these positions at some stage, if we can't make up our minds.

[LordPsycho]

anyone else want to start suggesting/discussing names, or should I start assigning people at quasi-random?

I disagree with the choice of Rawlings as a sensei, based on the fact that he is not a real character. He is a NPC that belongs to the board and is currently used by another moderator. IT would be like putting The Evil Angel up for a position, which isn't going to happen.

[3kul]

I'd suggest putting polls up for some of them, but with the current lull in activity I'm not sure if that'd achieve much. I don't really mind quasi-random assignings, but other people might (if you do, I'd speak up pretty quick about it).

Not that I disagree with your opinion on Rawlings, but I really struggle to think of other people who'd fit so well into the owl style.

[Danikat]

Who is controlling Rawlings right now? Or is that confidential information?

Either way I agree with DP that he's not really a candidate for sensiship. But then who else can we have in his place?

[3kul]

Alright, nothing seems to have happened with these Sensei positions for a little while, so I've taken a bit of my own initiative and stuck up polls for the ones with multiple nominations. If this doesn't suit you in some way DP, feel free to delete them, as I only posted them hoping to get this idea moving a bit more than it currently is. Polls are up for Kamakiri-Sensei (Net or myself), Saru-Sensei (Fort or Net) and Kumo-Sensei (Ashen, Embri or Shaon), since these are the only positions left with more than one nomination.

As for the position of Fukurou-Sensei, since nobody seems to be able to think of a candidate for it, it's probably best if you just assign this role to the person that you feel would suit it best DP.

[LordPsycho]

I had just had a thought while talking to Embri and Shaon.

I had previously stated that earning your blackbelt should be the basis for Entrance to the Master's Guild.

I'm thinking I going to reconsider that.

I've noticed that DP doesn't fit cleanly into any cast of character. He is a combination of three of the styles. Being a God, he is very much a tiger. But even when that is striped away, he still has the weapon and technical know-how to hold his own in a battle, similar to those of the Mantis. And his character allows me to throw curves into a plot (which 3kul is finding out right now), making him part Spider too.

On top of that, my other two characters/saragate characters are very different characters. Blackfoot is very much a tiger, depending almost exclusively on his powers as a Gargoyle to overcome all solutions. Monica, on the other hand, uses guns and weapons as opposed to any kind of power (exception shadow travel), a Mantis at heart.

Because of this, once they new system is in place, I'll be working on Mantis/Spider belts while teaching those of the Tiger style.

I've noticed this in several people I'd consider masters. Danikat is normaly a Mantis, relying heavily on Kyr. But she won't hesitate to go Tiger and use her telepathic link to those dragons/Armadillos to do an opponent/prblem in.

Shaon uses a combination of Spider, Tiger, and Monkey styles in her characters and RP's.

I can go on and on. So here is my point. With this new system, I propose these be the requirements for entry to the Master's Guild

Have at least two (maybe three?) black belts from distint styles, or one Chameleon Black belt.

Complete Shaon's "RP test"

Approval by the Majority of the Sensei's

I know these requirements are wicked hard. I mean non of us, not even myself, will reach them when the system is first in place. But lets face it, being declared a Master of RP shouldn't be a cake-walk. You should have to work and strive for it, want it, crave it, and work for a long time towards that goal. I want people to gasp when they see a "Master" badge, mainly because they know that the person wearing it earned it and is every bit what it says they are. I know I'd be willing to undertake the challenge, as I'd hope any Dojodian would want to.

Any objections?

[3kul]

So there's going to be a distinct difference between Masters and Black Belts? By definition I'd think that they'd be one and the same, but I suppose that under what you seem to be aiming for DP they are different. So, correct me if I'm wrong, but would I be right in assuming that a Master is someone to be considered as 'above' a Sensei of a particular style in terms of skill and rank?

Personally, I don't have any qualms with the requirements. I don't see myself as a 'Master' despite my ranking as one, and so I guess it's a good thing that I don't make these new requirements. The only thing I find kind of weird is that Shaon has such a major say in all of this - I don't mind myself, but I'm sure that there'll be people who have a problem with this.

[Shaon]

It's because I'm an immature sore loser, and I know how immature sore losers think.

Also, my one monkey character literally dropped it and fled for the spider belt.

Para's somewhere between a spider, owl, and fox.

Shaon (when you're lucky enough to find her) is probably either a monkey or fox.

Churitsu could *possibly* be considered a tiger, more tiger/mantis because she doesn't often fight nor use Fenrir (who is also a monkey).

Con's flat out mantis

... hmm, six styles. I believe this fits a chameleon rank, does it not?

[Embri]

Should you choose to pursue it, yes it does fit....

I agree that the Masters Rank should be held above and beyond our current standards, and that all of us should begin when the belts are finalized at (probably) the Green Belt in our chosen group if accepted by the Sensei for that belt.

Essentially, we are not going to rest on our previous deeds. If we are indeed worthy of these new ranks, it shouldn't be hard for any good RPer to earn them. I personally look forward to the new challenge!

I also propose that each belt must be earned non-concurrently. One belt at a time, basically, as many may well have similar requirements.


I am unsure about the proposal that the Chameleon rank would be an acceptable single qualification for Mastery... it will depend on how difficult and time consuming that clan's belt requirements are. If they are as difficult as earning two or three black belts and take as long, I agree.

[Danikat]

[Embri]

It's a non-issue. It doesn't matter who handles the Sensei jobs, because the actual belt changes have to be done by an Admin.

i.e. me or Au'Marui.

The Sensei's are those who we know have both proven teaching ability and who are very good at RPing in their chosen style. After all, it doesn't matter what the teacher's rank, so long as they can handle their duties. That said, I would expect the Sensei's to be among the first to earn their black belts.

As well, they must be active members of Blackstar, as they will be handling a lot of PM's and requests, more likely than not, and compiling a weekly report for the admins about who has earned what belt.

[3kul]