First, I would like to apoligze for vanishing these last few days. Though it's been weeks since I've recovered from my operation, my work had been backed up due to the time I was away. Were it not for a timely donor, I don't know if I'd still have a job or even be alive. So I apoligize again for my lack of activity here, and I thank [@Hekazu] for being so generous as to let me stay around.

Looking over the OOC, I'll admit that I personally like a fair slow pace IC and even OoC simply because RPing, while an enjoyable hobby for me, generally does not take a high priority because I have to take care of my family and business, something that only me wife and myself can deal with. I often get lost when things move quickly IC, or if there was something important discussed OoC, without someone giving me a run down so I can be informed. But if things don't move on but there still is sign of activity, I generally don't show up simply because it takes a load off my mind knowing that I still have "time" to make a post and am not in any rush. I know this doesn't work well with others, but unfortunately I can't really change my schedule or life to accommodate the playing styles of others. All I can do is ask for your patience and do my best.

[@The Harbinger of Ferocity]

As I mentioned above, I'm slow. Yes, it does seem absurd that it's been nearly a year in real life, but maybe just around five hours at most IC. If this was a real live tabletop, this entire scenario would be done in one, maybe two sessions. Twenty hours at most, if we take time dallying about. Again, I don't really see a problem because to me that just means that I can afford to relax and not feel rushed trying to get a post up while confident that this RP will still live. I'm not a very active Rper and I'm sorry if you don't like that.

As for our character's development, that I don't agree with. You have to consider that this is all happening in one night, and it was our own characters who decided to do everything in their power to help (Frighten as they may be in Parum's case). But that doesn't always mean it's enough. I really do think that maybe we've gotten in over our heads trying to face off against an entire bandit horde without any plan or preparation, or even facing an adult dragon, but honestly? This sounds exactly like the sort of situation a main character would go through in a fantasy RPG. For some like Kyra, that's exactly what's happening. A quiet little village suddenly besiege by and unstoppable army that no one can stop? Our interpreted heroes, willing and determined to fight but simply too weak to make a difference? Classic stuff right there. Sure enough, this is only the beginning. And while we have dwelled on it for far too long, it's still in chapter one and will likely remain that way regardless of how long it takes us to progress.

Even for our characters, I don't think we've really developed them so much as showed who they are. Parum has always been a bit naive and underestimates the sheer reality of being a heroic adventurer and the dangers it involves. Just because she's seen this and is suitably horrified doesn't mean she's developed a lot of character. It certainly opens a lot of doors for development, but she hasn't gotten any braver, and despite how much she tries to justify or encourage herself in her own mind, she hasn't done anything to change. She [i]wants[/i] to change for the better, but she hasn't yet. To be fair, the reason she hasn't is because I haven't written a lot for her because I'm a slow RPer, but IC Parum hasn't done much to develop, just to reveal and perhaps give her the chance to grow.

Also, this is the first tabletop RP I've ever been in. I don't really know what is suppose to be a "regular" pace for it. I joined because I hoped that it would have a relaxing pace where I don't feel obligated to quit just so everyone could go ahead of me, and because I have a good friend who's willing to keep me up to date about the going ons in the RP. In all the other RP's I've been in, even the longer running ones tend to be slow pace with a group of understanding friends who's willing to put the RP on hold for the others to catch up when life prevents them from playing the game. Perhaps it's unfair for me to assume that the rest of you would be so willing, and for that I apologize.

As for your question about character death, I'd assume we'd treat it nearly the same as the other three or four characters who had joined us but left. Granted, some may be easier since they haven't done much, and honestly? Our characters aren't too endeared to one another either. Kyra obviously sees everyone else as just an outsider. Parum is more scared of her own life than for everyone else. Orchid seems to be more interested in action than interaction. Brannor is aloof and distant, and Torag is enigmatic. While I'm sure if any of us die right now, we would certainly have a few things to say and perhaps mourn. But regardless if we die or if our characters simply left the group, that's not going to stop the story. Short of a total party kill, one or two people dying or leaving isn't going to stop the RP. At worse, we'd have to figure out a way to introduce a new character into the party.

All in all, I don't really have a solution to your problem, Harbinger, because the way I see it I am the problem; I can't always be around to chat or post, and frankly I should have been kicked out of the RP months ago due to my inactivity. That being said I do rather [@Gordian Nought] idea of being able to use the OOC to discuss IC plans because one thing I always have a problem with is conversing with other characters, since usually my only response will be a verbal one, and I'd rather not post a one-liner. It might get a bit odd meta wise, but it'll also feel more true to a tabletop experience if we could use the OoC to discuss things such as combat strategy or a plan of action before we put them into the IC. You know, when some of us are actually around to say anything about it.

I'm working on a post right now.