Why are we back to this same circling debate about the value of fleet identities? I thought how to proceed regarding this had been made clear before. I'd like not to have to lock this thread due to circuitous bickering.
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In my plot, I spent some time having my PCs go to one of Yamatai's moon, Luna Bianca. Give them ideas of what's around, have them do things in there, from wandering around spaceports, staying in restaurant/hotels, taking trains to visit the shipyards nestled in the craters of the moon. For one part, I was describing something that had never - to my knowledge - really been described. As GM, my ultimate payoff for that was when I used it as a combat venue, like I am presently. To me it has more value in that role because it had already gained some life in the minds of my roleplayers.
I kind of see the attachment that seems built in individual fleets in that light. Overtime, effort was put into organizing and fleshing out something that serves as a backdrop. The effort of putting a house in order, and then calling it your own. I understand the people that feel that attachment. I understand why other people may feel that it's silly to make a big deal out what seems like so little.
What I am going to do is encourage two things:
- Try to be open-minded and respectful of the things other people care for and appreciate. By all means air your position, but be mindful that the next conversation might be about something you care about that others will care less for: act in a way you hope other people will act towards you. Try not to belittle what they love; even though it sometimes runs at cross-purpose, passion is a large part of what makes SARP alive. The fact that they care is not bad.
- Remember that this addresses the Star Army of Yamatai, an organization that is for Wes to manage as Faction Manager. Like any GM, there is a certain experience that Wes wants to provide across this thing which is the namesake of the roleplaying community he founded. Don't dig your heels; listen and see if there's a way for you as GMs to carry out these hopes he is entertaining. Are there ways it can be played along? Is there good roleplay that can result from this? Wes is reticent to let bad things happen to his faction and he was critiqued for that... but considering the arguments raised, might this not be a double-standard? I know my best scenarios have always come through my willingness to break eggs.