Dancer Archive

There's a lot more to be said, but I felt obligated since I mentioned El'lisa's name, whom I consider a teacher and a friend, to post this here too.

http://forums.station.sony.com/swg/board/message?board.id=Kettemoor&message.id=2913

Its really just the line about the Cantina suggestions I want to bring up. People come into the Cantina to support OUR roleplay as a profession, we need to do the same with them. We as entertainers have a tighter community feel with our profession. We can do a lot more to set the stage for good or spontaneous roleplay then we're doing. I know its a bit soon and I'm sure this will start happening more as we settle into our professions but keep in mind how you react to patrons and situations in the Cantina more.

What are your politics? Where are your sympathies? What is your perception and awareness like for what is happening around you to other entertainers and patrons?

If you're with a group of dancers regularly you might want to hammer out some coordinated reactions to things like Bar fights, Imperials or Rebel overt presence, problem characters, etc. Doesn't mean you're all roleplaying the same but you know what to expect from the other dancers and NOT ignore the situation.

I'd be interested in hearing people's ideas about roleplaying as an entertainer in the larger scheme of the guerilla war and not as a microcosm in the Cantina.

Tandaava
Kettemoor server

I have always tried to RP on things beyond dancing. I do not think, however, that many dancers feel obligated to, or should. I'm not sure where you perceive a problem to lie, though, unless it's based on server?

On Starsider, I know a very high number of Entertainers who are in PAs that are factionally aligned. They fight, on occasion, but more importantly, they provide information to those around them. I've seen very few OVERT entertainers, but I think that would be unwise, at any rate, as most of us only train at a token level in any sort of combat.

Personally speaking, my character preaches complete neutrality. The reality, however, is a different story. <g> Keep in mind, that as Entertainers, we are often best to play DOWN any sort of alignment, as that allows us to often become close with 'the other side'. There have been RP interactions around everything from the standard factional warfare to slavery in our cantina. Some dancers are more vocal than others. Not speaking up out loud, however, does not mean there is no RP or alignment there, merely that if someone has leanings toward one side or the other, getting close to a customer who is active in the other side can be quite advantageous. You'd be surprised the things people share with their favorite entertainers <g>

To some of the specific things you mentioned, I've stopped dancing for certain patrons, with fellow Entertainers. I've had customers attempt to break up fights. We regularly work to bring customers who desire and can provide services or products together, etc.

I guess the point I'm making is that I see this on a large scale, all over the galaxy on starsider, so I'm wondering if it's related to server somehow, or if I"m not seeing your point.

Ah no, I didn't explain my point very well. There is nothing in my post indicating I think entertainers should join factions and be overt.

I'm not saying there's any problem. I'm recommending that entertainers, including dancers, should advocate more awareness in the Cantina and consider roleplaying options more thoughtfully because we're in a unique position to do so. We're missing opportunities to help the roleplay.

If you're not a roleplayer then the post won't be applicable. Although you might enjoy considering some of the possibilities.

Things happen in the cantina all the time, things that entertainers don't necessarily have control over. People don't just come to the cantina to have battle fatigue healed or to see the dancers and musicians, or if they do they might well also come for additional business. They come to socialize, to trade, to train, to find people for business and to roleplay who "they" are.

I am saying that it is unrealistic roleplay to ignore that and just keep dancing pretending nothing is happening. Furthermore, when an event or situation occurs that is roleplay in the Cantina that would have had an effect in the movies or universe we're trying to be part of, then entertainers should consider ways that they might react appropriately. That includes things like large groups of bounty hunters or Imperials or rebels walking in at the same time.

Makes the Cantina more real, more meaningful for those who see entertainment as a profession and not just the latest skill to acquire.

Additionally, because entertainers are tight as far as professions go, they have opportunities to further, support and participate in roleplay of a much grander scale. We can allow things like an Imperial raid on a Cantina to look for someone, and cooperate in a realistic manner. Or if you're in a town with rebel sympathies allow the Imperials in and put up some resistance. But roleplay it.

This isn't something that would happen all the time. Most of the time its flourish, flourish, emote, conversation etc. But when someone comes in with a story, or needing help, or being officious then people should respond to that. If a bunch of cops busted in to a real bar dancers and musicians do not keep going and ignore what is happening. People are naturally curious. Maybe you can add to someone elses drama and become part of it.

Random events occur but I think it is more suitable to have "arrangements" with roleplaying groups you know you can trust for these sort of things. Agree to respond to Imperial presence when a PA needs a cantina seen or event. I think private cantinas will overtake this but I think something could be considered in a public cantina too.

At the very least if you consider yourself a roleplayer dancer who cares about the people around them, then you should react thoughtfully when something "occurs" even if it disrupts dance time.