[@KatherinWinter] I apologize for not directly @ mentioning you in posts, makes it take longer for you to realize you've been messaged.

[quote=@KatherinWinter]
When I created this plot the idea was to a Beastkind to lose their child and need a human to help them.  

I put in a character that seemed to fit what you were looking for. Liz's personality presents many challenges. She is shy, has no confidence, inexperienced. But she will fight for others. But Bastian hasn't needed her only strength, besides healing.
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Even when we we were in the discussion phase of the story. I mentioned my character is a good fighter. The reason he needed a human plot-wise was certain sections/places had restrictions on Beastkind. Obviously needing someone resourceful, cunning or social to do what he couldn't do in those areas. So, I'm fine with the challenges Liz put into place. (Because I made my own IC challenges, in form of a curse. I also hoped that my character could help push your character out of some of those weaknesses. As I intended the same.) But you should be aware giving the antithesis of what he needed would lead to IC complications. 

Her strength is fighting for others? How so exactly? She's already been in several situations were Bastian needed her to do something likely out of her comfort zone. Or times where standing up for injustice could have happened, but didn't. 

We've established she doesn't actually know how to fight. When people attacked the horses at the stables, she really didn't say or do much. (granted it was a swift action.) She froze when confronted with people robbing Bastian's cart. Which again, was fine and made sense. 

But she's hardworking, and was given one task that he required her for. (That was inevitable.) Going to this city which restricted Beastkind access. Then you told me in OOC, that action was impossible and couldn't be done by your character. The one action that very much required your character's help. Helk, even when Bastian was being too temperamental toward the stranger beastkind (your npc) Elizabeth could have been a bit assertive and persuasive in convincing Bastian to accept his help. Fighting for someone (verbally) that clearly needed it. But didn't, and she still behaved very passively and stayed out of the way.

[quote=@KatherinWinter]
Generally the beast knows who took their kids. They have a trail to follow but Bastian doesn't which is fine. 
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My question would be, if you were a child-napper. The one with those kids in question is seemingly blood thirsty, fast and powerful. Would you attempt to take those child right in front of his face? Or when he was gone/away? And if away, would you be foolish enough to leave a note explaining who you were in great detail? Especially, in a world of magic. The fact that Bastian doesn't have all the answers. Not only is better for drama/story sake. But it just makes more rational sense to me, especially since that lack of information gives him the desire to seek help in the first place. But I digress.

He always had a trail. It just wasn't as straight forward. But we were at the point where I actually was going to give us that trail, but at the same time I wanted to introduce the romance aspect and push the curse further. (If/when we continue, you'll see.)

[quote=@KatherinWinter]
I can lead but I don't mind following if I understand the world. Ideal I prefer both parties to take turns but I know that isn't always possible.
[/quote]

Here's the thing. I've purposely tried giving you several points that I left vague, in order for you to branch into your own world-building and designing your own scenarios and characters. Elizabeth going to the Northside by herself. In IC, it made sense for it to happen. The story was built for this, it wasn't random. And OOC, it gave you a perfect opportunity to craft the story how you wanted and change the story and move it to an unexpected direction. But you absolutely rejected the idea and seemed to completely give up on the idea without having an IC fix.

If you didn't think she could do the task given to her. Another option you had aside from talking to Bastian about it. Is to have something else happen instead. Have someone connected to my kidnappers somehow be here, and attempt to kidnap you too. It would force me in (OOC) to change the stories direction. And in IC, Bastian would reasonably go to a restricted area to rescue her. There's so much, in many parts of the story that you could have added something like that. But consciously decided against it.

[quote=@KatherinWinter]
I don't mind you building a world. But many of the elements seem to have no role so it seems like a waste of time and effort.
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Almost everything I've created has had purpose/builds the world. Here's things I've added thus far. (in simple terms.)

1. A long-time friend who has given Bastian the trail to find his kids, useful supplies and learning about the slave trade which he used to acquire you. (I also even gave a plot reason for him to be in that city, because he was babysitting his mad brother.)

2. A cursed item/necklace. (A character flaw, a way to progress through challenges and create problems, and plot related. Also possibly will add to romance.)

3. Assassin Guild (Plot/Character related. Pushed plot forward. Tied into the curse, his friend and my character's father. Can use tunnels in story for quicker access to far away areas.)

4. Character that changes face/appearances. (Gives an even stronger push against why "Bastian should just know his kidnappers on the spot." So only supports my case, and it also is an element in just about every magical fantasy story. So not exactly out of left field. Also was going to use this character to get concrete information on Bastian's kidnappers.)

5. An uprising between Beastkind versus humans? (Makes perfect logical sense given how the world seems racist and exclusionary. I'd argue based on history and how most fantasy stories tend to work out. It would be outright stupid for this not to be apart of the eventually plot. Even if only used a backdrop.)

What elements specifically feel like a waste to you? If you get into specifics, that may be more helpful. So I can rationalize them and we can come to an understanding...

[quote=@KatherinWinter]
Worldbuilding isn't something I have a lot of experience with. It isn't that I don't like what your doing. I just don't always understand where you are going with your post. If I don't understand what is wanted or needed, it is hard to react. 

I don't expect you to control everything but I also don't want to take control since your character is leading mine.
[/quote]

Well I didn't have problems with you not doing a lot of world building. I didn't have problems with a typo here and there. I've said plenty of times, if you add or contribute in a way that's going in a different direction. I'd be more than happy to follow along and work with it in IC. (at least how my character would react to it.) I'm easygoing and can pick up the slack and still try to make the story/RP an enjoyable experience.

The problem comes in, when I feel things are questioned. But not in any curious way, that just comes across as rebuking ideas without actually coming up with solutions or suggestions of one's own. Like telling me that you think less of the character, for not knowing his kidnappers. Which seems a touch cruel.

But if it was you, and if it was actually a criticism of how I built the story. I think I've done more than enough in IC/OOC to justify that position. And really, the only counter was "this is how it was done before." But it didn't tell me how similar the rest of the story was, and why it would make sense for him to know his kidnappers with detailed information. Yet despite having such a wealth of information, not have already stopped them/be in hot pursuit and have the time/thought to randomly grab an inexperienced slave to assist him?

Or when I was told that you didn't think I was reading or properly reacting/acknowledging your posts. So that implies, I'm at fault for something. (Which I'm fine with concerns or mistakes, but they need to be well explained.) 

But I was essentially accused of not putting in the basic effort required to roleplay. By not reading your posts carefully enough. Which also implied that you were reading your posts. But when my thought is, "Actually, I am putting in effort to reading the posts enough to notice all these grammatical/spelling mistakes." So, it feels like a kick in the teeth when I'm being told I'm not putting in basic effort to read the posts, when I question if they're being reread. Because if they were, I figured some of these mistakes would be edited out.

I hope you understand why/how I'm concerned in this roleplay. I want to know that we're both putting effort into this, because were enjoying ourselves. If you have something holding you back. I want to eliminate those barriers. So far, it really seems like you've had trouble going along with an introduced plot element that hasn't been outright explained. Which is why I suggested a less vague and focused/detailed narrative that has most the plot laid out. And, if it helps. I probably have an answer for just about every question you may have...if you want to know before it happens in IC. You've asked before, and are free to ask again.