I like the two day idea. I would also be ok with a three day.
I agree with much of Jewels' reasoning, particularly the emphasis with plot. It's not a problem if people go absent during a school day, but if we're having a specific event with people interacting it's difficult to "step over" people when things are taking place.
If you're going on vacation for a week, that's a thing you
know is happening, and I think it's inconsiderate to expect the entire RP stop and wait until you get back before moving on. It's discouraging to know that the entire story will stop because a person doesn't show up. If I were participating in a conversation with a character like that, I would be frustrated because it would mean I cannot interact with other parts of the RP until the present thing wraps up.
Here is an example:
Hellene and Vinnie lost in the catacombs beneath the school. That took roughly a day and a half to complete. If I had never replied, what is Vinnie supposed to do? Does she have to stay in the catacombs until I come back? The two characters are involved in a time-specific plot point and neither can move forward without the other. The two/three day rule would be a "get out of jail free" card. No one
has to take advantage of it, but if people want to move on they should be able to.
I have unpredictable work schedules. I don't always know when I am able to get online. One thing I've tried to make sure of is that if I don't know when I can come back, I'll log in and try to wrap up anything other people are dependent on me for. I don't want anyone to have to wait for me because I know I am monopolizing their time and character(s).
Take the above example. Now imagine it had been Hellene, Vinnie, Jewels, Kai, Dashner, and Glen. At that point, Hellene was the one driving the plot. If I hadn't logged on, I have essentially trapped 5 other characters in the catacombs because they need me in order to move forward. I understand people might be discouraged that the RP has moved forward, but how is it fair to the 5 other people say they
have to wait on you?
Even just a quick line would allow other players to keep going. It doesn't have to be super creative, every post doesn't have to be Shakespeare. This is all a learning experience. This is the first time I've role-played like this. It's actually the first time I've
really role-played in a long time. I think we'll become more comfortable with this style and with generating ideas if we're not afraid to just throw stuff out there.
But that can't happen if we have to spend a week waiting. You'll note too that plenty of people have posted in this thread when they think they're not going to be able to attend to the RP, and then they jump back in when they're able. I like that. I like that people were kept informed about when/if they could participate, so that no one unintentionally dragged a less active character into a very active scenario. Then the handlers came back and we were all able to keep having fun because they could jump right in without worrying about tying up a loose end they may have forgotten about.
I think there's room for negotiation in the length. I'd be ok with three days. Unexpected things can happen, holidays, etc.
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