Hiya,

Just some observations. And little (I hope) constructive criticism, with some suggestions. Please do not take any of this badly or personally.

The CD is a fun place, with a lot of high-level RP. Violent stuff, mellow stuff, funny stuff. Even kinky stuff. People who RP in SL, or hope to, often know of the CD, and of the good RP it is supposed to have. However, it seems quite a few talented RP-ers go check it out, maybe once, maybe twice, sometimes much more than that, and then give up on it. Not because it is not there, the good RP, but because they feel that if it is there, they cannot get in on it.

Obviously, the CD attracts a lot of tourists. Some people in newbie skins, bumping against everything, staying nearly completely silent, the folks with the babblers, the army of potential rape-victims, etc. Not all of these visitors offer much by way of high-level RP. Sometimes they do not offer anything at all. And I can understand some of the regualr RP-ers not feeling like going out of their way to provide all of these with RP. However, the CD also attracts visitors, men and women, who are quite good at RP-ing, don't go for powergaming/godmodding, seem intelligent, like the setting, are pleasant to talk to, have a sense of humour, and are willing to make a bit of an effort.

One guy, whom I have noticed is a fine RP-er, said to me that though he has spend a lot of time in the den over two weeks or so, he gave up on it. Of course, he had no problem finding CD innocents and such to RP-with. But the more seedy side of the Den, the gangs, the intrigue, all that, seemed closed off to him. He said he tried to engage some of the 'inner circle' in RP, talking to them, but that the only thing he got, generally, was an indifferent reaction, one he could not fault RP-wise, but one which did effectively stop him from getting into RP with the very people whose RP the CD is praised for.

I have been RP-ing infrequently in the den for a long time, and had a home there for a year. I also noticed the 'cool indifference' from some people (was a bit different when the Den was new, of course, but you get that when places are new), which seems to go beyond just their character, sometimes. Some people really do have this aura about them that says "Yeah, yeah, seen it already, now go away, buddy" to just about anyone who isn't one of their old RP-buddies. This certainly does not go for everyone, and it is not necessarily a wrong attitude. But when I am in the CD, and I see maybe 2 or three other people around actually RP-ing (not counting the people sitting or standing somewhere apparently afk or in IMs) and I see in the CD OOC chat that there are loads of CD people around somewhere, I do wonder if it is not a pitty that some of these able and eager RP-ers are given a cold-shoulder. Especially during Euro-times, the CD could use some new active RP-ers.

I have noticed that if you persevere, keep at it, you are likely to find people more willing to open up to possible RP with you. I did not mind doing that. I am not too proud to cope with feeling some disdain from others, or being mostly ignored and still do my best. However, I think that many, perhaps men especially, generally don't much enjoy that kind of treatment, intentional or not. I have had IM conversations with people fairly new to Hathian, and they often seemed to comment on this (again, especially the men). I have spoken to some other more long-term CD residents, and it seems that they had similar experiences with friends, good RP-ers coming over to the CD, at their recommendation, but leaving again, because they are unable to connect with the regulars. Maybe that is their problem. But maybe, them leaving again is a bit of a loss for the CD.

So, here is my suggestion: perhaps it would be good of the 'inner crowd', the gang-leaders, the VIPS, the old crowd, the dealers, the shakers and the wheelers, to consider paying a little more attention to new-comers, to note how they RP, to offer them a little bit more reaction at times, perhaps. Or perhaps to actively toss some RP their way. A gang-member or dealer might ask that back-packer to do a little job for him, perhaps, for some cash, deliver a package. He may not bite or he may promise to do it, but not do it. But if he does do it, he may be someone to be invited into a group, brought 'within the fold', so to speak, and become one of those that create the RP the den is known and loved for.