NPC interactions
waiting times more specifically.

1) I am extremely proud of and grateful to the mods/admins (all the staff we have) for their time and dedication, and appreciate that they put a lot of time and effort into this. I definitely could not do a better job myself, honestly.

2) this is not a personal attack on any member of staff or the staff in general.

Those out of the way, what I want to say.

As of lately I've been noticing that the NPC's I've been meaning to interact with have simply not been animated. Don't worry I'm patient and always wait up to 30 minutes before giving up, and repeating my requests to talk to them, in form of talking directly to them asking for an answer ("Hey, do you have a moment", "Hey doc, I really need to be treated.")

To be specific (disclaimer these are estimates, and my timekeeping isn't great, I may be wildly out, apologies if they are!) :

NPC1: Poked once every ~20 mins I think for 3 hours really needed to talk to them. Got a reaction after about that long.

NPC2: poked about 5 times for about 40 mins. gave up

NPC3 poked about 5 times by me and another character for 20 mins or so, gave up.

Admittedly this isn't too short a time, I only felt the need to mention it because those are my interactions between NPCs in this game in consecutive order.

Am I simply too impatient, should I be expecting to wait longer? Or are the staff too busy or we need more? Perhaps I was just unlucky I don't know.

Before people think I'm complaining about the staff see points 1) and 2) I just think that the times I've experienced waiting for npc's in this game is too long, especially as the particular NPCs I've needed to talk to have been important.

Please put me in perspective!

And I knew as much for doctors, but thanks for the help!

Really, im new here, but I've read through help files and am aware of @notes.

Its probably best to include a note in there if your trying to communicate with a NPC in that way, I think!

@ rikern - even to get admin animation, you have to form it in the to -name- or GMs won't notice you're trying to get the NPC' attention. (again - I believe that's what the Staff have said - I could be wrong.)

Tell the NPC (ICly) how best to contact you, then leave it in your @notes that you did as such. That would probably help the most I think.

https://www.sindome.org/bgbb/game-discussion/game-problems/talking-to-an-npc-195/

http://www.sindome.org/bgbb/open-discussion/theme/how-to-open-a-conversation-with-an-npc-123/

In the above one, Slither mentions:

When speaking with NPCs please consider that it is very possible the GM that is puppetting is unfamiliar with the exact circumstances that have brought your character to this specific NPC. That means that the burden of bringing the GM puppeting the NPC up to speed on the current situation in a brief, effective and IC manner is a VERY important skill for you to develop.

And one last thing you might like to read:

http://www.sindome.org/bgbb/open-discussion/theme/npcs-are-people-too-137/

Hope that helps! :)

Target your NPC with a message that tells us exactly what you want, and if you get no response, feel free to repost every ten minutes or so. That is the best way to get our attention. This isn't rocket science.

eg: "Hey doctor, I'm feeling really ill, can you see to me?"

and continue sending that until you get a reaction

or is it better to say "Hey doc I'm still feeling ill here.. .any chance you can come and see me yet, it's been ages?"

Thanks for the advice!

Ask away. Also, use the 'xgame' function in game for some community help as well as the search option.

It's a good group here so poke us when you have a question.

Don't do this:

To NPC: Hey, I need help

@addnote Talked to NPC's name

I tried to talk to NPC's name about my coughing blood, hair loss, and hallucinations. My name is: my sic is: my gridmail is:

With that situation, you didn't actually give the NPC any of that information and they aren't psychic.

Or there might be 4 GMs on, who might ALL already be right in the middle of puppeted scenes with several of the 30-40 other players who are on at the moment.

GMs might be declining to react for IC reasons. Think about the effectiveness or soundness of what you're saying to them? Does the NPC have "ambient" business which you're simply intruding on, without giving them a compelling reason to stop what they're ambiently doing and divert their attention to you? Are you just saying to them, "Hey can I talk to you?" withhout a @note or any "say to" content to cue the GMs with the necessary supporting information to pick up the puppet?

But mostly, just understand that even when you're doing everying right and unquestionably deserve a puppet, GMs are spread thin and you meed to be ready to persevere.

If you keep trying and aren't getting anywhere, leave a second @note stating that you've been making the effort and will be back. Let the GM/NPC come to you, by telling "to" them how to cntact you (SIC, gridmail, phone) and leave that reminder note.

And then, go put and find PCs who can help your character get somewhere. There are shitloads of players who do great, have wicked fun, develop their characters' careers, make money, run plots, deal gear, engage the authorities, make RP for others, employ henchmen or minions, etc wtc wtc without ever talking deliberately "to" any NPCs. Ideally there would be PCs who can do ANYTHING for you that a NPC could. That's a fantasy but it's still a place to start.

Is there a PC who jas a relationship with, or another way to influence, the NPC you need to talk to? RP with *that* character, in between NPC approaches.

And just be prepared to persevere. Keep trying. Make the GM's job easy, provide all the necessary info. Show how your plan will affect other PCs around you, for better or for worse. Make the NPC (and the GM) WANT to listen to you - develop your angle of persuasion or leverage. Because that's what successful players are doing and that's sometimes how puppet priorities get chosen.