Hello, my lovelies... This is an important post, so please make sure you read it and add your thoughts.

Olencia is a fantastic site. We have some awesome people here and some great writers (if a bit inactive *cough* me). I think that everyone would agree that it's an awesome RPG, and that overall, we're generally a good community.

However, you might have noticed that we've really been inactive lately. Part of that stems from the admin team - mostly me - disappearing. The truth is, I really don't have inspiration right now. I haven't been active on my RP sites all year. I'm starting to come back, now that I have a study hall at school, because I really miss writing. But I'm not at the point that I used to be at, and I don't foresee going back to that over the summer. I'm really enjoying my last couple years at home, and I've already got really bad wrists... so spending a bazillion hours RPing is not really an option at this point. Even more than that, the upkeep of two sites is really hard for me right now, even with awesome admin teams... And my first priority is always going to have to be Aftermath simply because of it's age, active & constant member base, etc.

I love you all dearly, but some changes are going to need to be made. Lucan & Shem, the people Ori RPs with, have not been active lately, and so it's difficult for me to be involved because I like those threads. Penril's gone, and I don't really enjoy RPing the King, especially if that plot isn't moving along.

The point is, Olencia might have to close. I might have to step down as the head admin whatever I am... because I'm really not doing a good job. I don't know. I don't really have time to keep up at this exact moment. But I want to hear what you all think. Otherwise, someone else could recreate the site else where and try and run it. It would certainly be easier for me to RP if I didn't have to keep everything in line. We could be run by ourselves as a community? I'm not really sure. I just want to hear what you have to say before I make any life-altering decisions. :)

I had to bring this up with Ori.

I really love this place, I do. I don't want it to die, but like Ori said, time is really the problem here. Currently, I'm a junior. Junior year means all sorts of fun stuff involving college and AP tests and ACT and SAT, along with my normal homework and part-time job. Plus, I get to play with a huge pile of paperwork dealing with my study abroad thing next year. Which brings a whole other problem into this, being the fact that I have no clue if I'm going to have internet access abroad. So if Ori and I both aren't here, we may have some major issues.

I don't want this place to die, but that's certainly a possiblity at this point. And if you guys are only checking up here because you feel obligated to, then we probably should close it.

Any thoughts? Comments? Questions?

I have failed too...:(

But i just havent had time for Olencia, and while i was hoping to come back within the next few weeks....I cannot support this site alone...I dont even want to try...

I for one would like to apologize to you for not being active. Yes I've had some troubling things in real life happen, but that can not excuse all my inactivity. I would like this rp site to keep going because it is a great rpg. I can make extra effort and will do so if it sticks around. Even if it becomes a community I'll stay. Again I apologize for my inactivity, it will cease as of today.

Anyway i'm here from now on. You tell me where you want to go with this. I'll back you either way.

I for one would post more if other people were here more. I think it would take a commitment from EVERYONE to keep this place going. I'd hate to see it die, too, but if that's what happens, I certainly won't hold it against anyone.

wow I forgot this site existed :/

For what it’s worth, I think I should throw in my input, my two cents so to speak, and let people spend them as they may.

First and foremost, I can honestly say I really enjoyed this site, even though I wasn’t the most active on the board by any means. Still, I found its concept quite appealing; it struck me more as a magical fiction setting that was more down-to-earth, in a sense, yet with enough fantasy for good tastes; it had a decidedly unique feel to it. More than that however, I think Olencia had a terrific member base, in my opinion. There were a number of people I found to be quite excellent and engaging writers.

That said, it’s always disappointing when a site slowly dies off, especially one that perhaps had a great deal of potential. I’ve been on a few sites where such a situation has occurred, and even one of which was made by myself. It taught me a few things to go on, however—important lessons to be learned, so to speak. Everyone may or may not already implicitly understand these, but since I’m sharing my thoughts on the matter, I might as well share most of them.

Above all else, I’ve found that a constant Admin presence is necessary. Whether it be the actual creator, or co-admins and the like, when admins disappear many members seem to vanish as well. That authority figure to answer questions, work on story related material and continue further development of a site, approve character applications/biographies—and essentially every other little minor task that occurs—helps foster the prospect of activity, and seems to generally need to be a relative constant. Site’s tend to lose direction without someone there “at the helm” on a regular basis.

Now, I don’t mean this as a particularly specific reference to yourself, Ori. It’s mostly just a simple observation. Of course I realize that real life and personal stuff takes precedence—hell, it’s the reason why I went inactive on the site I had created, and why it died off—and that can usually leave something as “superfluous” as an RP board to become neglected and inevitably stagnate.

As well as Admin activity, I’ve found plots are an absolute must. This goes hand-in-hand with Admin activity as well, considering a person in authority on the site needs to be around to implement site-wide plots, sub-plots, and general maintenance and management of such things and ideas. This, in my opinion, was the one thing really lacking from Olencia—and subsequently why it didn’t really do as well as it could have. The “Wedding of Dhoom” was an interesting idea, but too little too late, more than likely. Had something like that been implemented earlier, which could have been turned into an interesting site-wide event and plot, it could have easily allowed for a great deal of RP’ing, could have branched off and incorporated any number of member-specific or multi-member subplots and events; in short, greatly fostering a lot of activity.

Plots, sub-plots, Mod or Admin managed or moderated—“narrated,” per se—events, and really any and all Admin-controlled events are all paramount to an active site. Even if there is a plot set-up and in place, it can sometimes become neglected. I can’t really stress that enough, as far as I believe: staff “meddling” makes a great deal of difference in activity. While the concept of setting up a “history or basic and general plot” for a site, and then having people join and just go off RP’ing is all well and good, without something else, activity dwindles.

I apologize if this makes me sound like I’m riding a high-horse, or I'm all special and know a bunch of crap (=3), because by no means is that my intention. I’m just trying to share my thoughts. Personally, I thought you made a good Admin, Ori, and real life can sometimes cause even the most diligent to neglect some things.

I know it was probably a mouth full, but those are sort of my thoughts on the matter. While my points about the activity might seem inconsequential, I still felt I should express my views on the subject—and in part what I see as reasoning as to why Olencia went inactive, at least in part.

At the core of it, however, I can honestly say I’d like to see get back up and going were such an occurrence in the realm of possibility. Hell, I’d even offer my services in doing more than just wishful thinking on the subject, now that I’m currently in a position when activity is no real problem.

Anyway, that’s how I see it, all in all. I should hereby apologize on my own behalf for my own inactivity. Still, if Olencia was resuscitated, I’d be all for it.

*wanders aimlessly away*

Quite honestly? The thing that gets me is the post length.

Granted three hundred words isn't a terrible amount, but when you're having a converstation with someone else and the only thing your character needs to say is that no, they'd never do something like that or yes, they do think going down the forest path would be a good idea then filling it up with character thought process and such gets to be a little tedious.

I kept finding myself sitting at my keyboard trying to find something in the room Shem or Ori hadn't described yet or some part of the converstation that Shem hadn't analyzed. Maybe it's because I'm more partial to dialouge/actions and less to talking in depth about my character's emotions...

...or maybe I'm just a weenie

I demand the site switch to FULL FAMILY TREE MODE. ALL FAMILY TREES, ALL THE TIME :ph43r:

In other words, I have just gotten back from a band trip and have 4 days of online stuff to take care of. I'll think tomorrow.

Olencia's been a great place for me. Really, really great. See, before Olencia, I had no concept of post length. Ever, but now....finding myself most of the time online and alone on Olencia is disturbing.

But we all have to face the facts. x_x

I wish I could say something constructive, but I can't think of anything that hasn't been said already. :look I haven't been here long, but I like my character and other people here. If this place is given another chance, I'll be here. :D

I'm disappointed in what is happening. As soon as AP tests are done, I can step up my commitment. I may even be able to take over for Ori if she lets me. The transfer could be relatively painless because we know each other personally. I am more than willing to do this to keep this great site going. (P.S. Ori I am willing to type up dictations if you want because I hope we see some of each other over the summer)

I forgot to add...if Olencia stays i will work harder too...

I am to blame for some major plots inactivities
._.
School is eating me alive, but when I do find the time to go on, mostly I find myself alone and my inspiration goes to waste.

But there are indeed times that I can't post anything at all.
Gah, what am I saying? x_X;

But yeah, I can still move about a bit, if the site stays open...

Okay. Well, it sounds that everyone generally *likes* Olencia. Some changes might have to be made, but since everyone seems to want to be here... and likes the site... I think that we should stay open. I really do love my character, and I really do love Olencia. And I love you all, of course. :)

Unfortunately, there are a few things that I would like to see also though... I really don't want to lower the post length because that's half the reason I made the site. I like long descriptive writing... and I wasn't seeing that on many other fantasy sites. And I really need some better organization of things too... that's mostly my fault since I haven't had a chance to read through a lot of things yet... Gah. I'll catch up slowly.

And I might mess around with a few other things too... Different forums... blah blah. You know what I mean.

In the mean time... I'll try to think of some more good stuff for Olencia. Let me know if you have any brilliant plans, ok?

Well, you know me, Ori. I'm always around should you need help.

As for activity, I am always willing to do anything with anyone. If you have an idea, just let me know. If it requires me making a new character, I'll do it just so we can get some stuff posted. Actually, I probably won't go so far as to make a new character, but you get the point. :look

And I'll try my best to be here. The next month or two is going to be a little iffy though.

For me too. Ick. AP tests.

But I'll be thinking about things.

Would anyone be opposed to having a restart? I'm not saying like demolish the site and get rid of all our content... but like... I dunno. Re-submitting applications (which could be the same, whatever) in a more organized fashion, blah blah?

Restart?

As in restart all the rps as well or what... What do you mean by restart?

I actually do have an idea...but ill post it on aftermath, as it more pertains to there...


>.> <.<

The reply is there also Valandil... :errr:

Not a restart in RPs. We'd still start from the same line... I don't really know how to explain it. I'll make a post when I figure it out.

We could always restrict the scope somewhat. Just focus on a certain city or some such. Some of us would have to modify characters or make new ones, of course, but such is life. New family trees could be made :D

XD You and your family trees. Yeesh.

I have no objections to either of the two interpretations. Restarting with cnaracters completely might be good, but then that would require me to have enough inspiration for a new character, and that's not happening.

Oh geez, I didn't mean COMPLETELY restart with new characters. I love my character.

And I love everyone else's characters too. I think Olencia is a small enough world that we can keep the scope we have...

I'm brainstorming during my freetime... or calc time... at school. :D

I'm for a restart. Then I can cut it down to Blyth and the Archivist, who is needed a lot more than my current second character.

I think I'd also cast my vote for a "semi-restart," so to speak, along with the other ones who've already voiced their own agreement of the idea.

I'd like to get Joscelyn back up and going, maybe with a little re-vamping. Err, and finish this character too, if I have the wherewithal to.

Would this restart also include maybe a slight renovation of the forum itself? Rearranging forum sections and organization a tad, and such? I'd love to actually lend some assitance to writing up descriptions of areas, brainstorming new areas -- all that sort of stuff.

Honestly... from what I see... we don't need a restart. But a continuation. All we need is a nice plot, that isn't too complicated, and really is run smoothly.

How about we skip ahead 5 years?
The current plot is done with... and we restart basically 5 years later? or continue is the better word for it.

I told Ori... that I am working on a new skin. which I am.

As for new areas... Don't think we need em. Descriptions, if you would like to make improved ones, guess it wouldn't hurt. Organization if you ask me (i've been around rp forums too long) is simple and it works.

What we really need... is to rp ^^ (if you ask me)

The above was not meant to shoot anyone down... or be a pessimist. Just giving my 2 cents off of other people's suggestions.

I think i agree more with Lucan, but i will wait till I see Ori's idea..before i cast my vote..

Oh, geez... Restart is a bad word for it... I didn't mean COMPLETE DEMOLISH RESTART again... I meant like... Me going through character applications and RPs, just seeing what's going on... Gah, I'll get a better description of it later. You could still keep your charries and your RPs and your plots. :P I love Ori too much to do anything too drastic.

*Shrugs* I'll do anything. I can make just about anything work with my characters at this point. Just tell me what to do.

I don't understand what's about to happen, but I'll go with whatever you guys decide.

Uhhh, I believe Ori is going to just dig through all we've got and then try to limit the scope of the roleplay so we can have more activity centered in one place or another?

Just a guess.

Not even so much limit the scope... I like that we have a variety of characters.

I'm just going to dig through stuff and organize. Better?

I like organization :look

Sounds communistic...are we going to be loosing our rights? And having to distribute wealth?

I am also for community *cough* communism *cough* :look

No, no one is losing their rights. (Or gaining any. Mwaha.)

I'm just going through and making sure I like everyone's chronicles (since I haven't read them all) and organizing things and *hopefully* creating a website to put everything on. :) Don't freak out on me. ;)

I reserve the right to freak....comrade...

Guys...this is sort of freaking me out. But I think that's just because I watched V for Vendetta last night. Which was really good.

So, Ori's going to go around organizing while the rest of us sit on our butts? I WANNA HELP! :look

I want to help too! (I <3 V for Vendetta)

*has no idea how to help* So...yeah. Sitting on my butt will do. :look