What Dasaria has taught me

[Wired]

I had some drunken idea of what I might say here, but then I grew tremendously more interested in what YOU might say.

What have YOU learned from Dasaria that you'd like to pass on?

[Domina]

What I learned from Dasaria is...

1) Neutrality is king.
2) Master multitasking! ((communication during fights is essential!!
3) Master Keyboarding!
4) There's always a way!
5) I love playing with outfits way too much.
6) Rob is a beast <3
7) Clean your computer often or you overheat/slow comp.
I learned creative writing because of Dasaria.
9) I learned how to spend 20 hours designing a character before producing it in game hahaha.

[Lollegag]

1 - English grammer, a whole lotta it.
2 - Friends can appear everywhere. Even in a game
3 - A good story can appear trough a game (I wasn't a roleplayer before I started in here)
4 - Don't use it too much, you'll get addicted
5 - Leveling can feel like punching your face sometimes.
6 - Goals are easiest go gain with others. (when we're talking Rp)
7 - Don't make typo's, Ark is a typo hunter AND will post anything embarresing at the forum
8 - It's the perfect way to relax after a rough week at work.
9 - Some of the best plays are found when characters are in opposition.
10 - Roleplaying is awesome. =)
11 - Utu is a jerk!

[Karma]

Dasaria taught me that even though sometimes you think the time is past, it can live again.

It taught me that there are always good people and good friends out there to be found.

It taught me that good things take time.

[Sahji]

1. Communication with people is a complicated, but important process. (Especially considering non English speakers)
2. Cultures can affect perceived temperament. Some cultures find it more acceptable to be blunt than others!
3. I discovered texturing and 3D modeling, in a much more refined way than pixel art.
4. A lot of technical things about D&D!
5. Goals and effort are always worth it, even if it seems an uphill battle.
6. There are people like me out there.
7. Not all gamers are unauthentic.
8. It's not always something you do, sometimes people just rub each other the wrong way. And that's okay.
9. Fiction is that much more meaningful when it is a shared experience.
10. Shared fiction is a great way to explore mindsets and try things.
11. Greatness is a team effort, and individuals are flawed and beautiful.
12. To Laugh at myself, and give the benefit of the doubt.

A lot of these things you can chalk up as vague or stuff that schools or public television ingrained in my head, but the truth is, while I heard such things growing up, it was Dasaria that gave those words meaning. It provided me with the experiences to give it context. And in complete honesty, it gave me confidence where I lacked it. A struggle but I eventually found my way, with the tentative steps here. But you all don't need another Sahji soapbox so I'll just stop while I'm ahead. Hahaha

[Wired]

My friends are both smarter and more creative than me... the best thing I can do is to give them that 'who's line is it anyway?' moment so they turn it ON.

[Ramblinwomble]

• Write it, read it, rewrite it, then accept there will still be typo's
• The best roleplay happens when you least expect it, normally as you're about to log off for the night to try and grab 3 hours sleep.
• You can do your day job with a lot less sleep than you thought, for a while.
• In game, type fast and keep it short. If you try to write a novel the conversation will leave you far behind.
• A bad plan executed with enthusiam is more fun than a good plan that never happens - except in Pandemonium, then you need a good plan.
• It's never all about me, (though my character may disagree), always make time for other players to have their moments.
• Sometimes your part in the story is to lose.
• Immersion isn't about the graphics.
• *Emote*
• I also like outfits a bit too much.

[Jain Zar]

- I learned what online roleplaying and gaming really is, as Dasaria was my first (long and sole) experience in that regard.
- I (think I) learned quite some english thanks to the story writing and the interaction with you people.
- I had a lot of fun with creating characters and backgrounds, and experimenting with how to express them and how to try and 'get away' with certain things (pretty much like writers I think).
- I learned what it means to be addicted to something.
- I learned I can grow emotionally attached to a specific character (whether that is good or bad I leave in the middle, but I guess it's like when reading a book and you discover this favorite character and wish nothing but the best for it?).
- The customizing (indeed Dom) of character's outfits and houses, trying to get close to a certain picture I have in mind. (Not sure what I learned there though)
- I learned that I can be creative in all this as well, and by rping and writing that I can channel certain stuff (work and other rl stress) in myself and bring peace to my being. Humm, not sure if I expressed that well but I guess that's how it feels?
- I learned that it's never too late to learn something, and that later on no one can take that away from you. (Maybe I should try chinese as next? Hah!)
- I learned that there is still a lot to learn.
- I learned that roleplaying can be some sort of social experimenting/testing for a few 'cases' later on in real life.

Cheers

[rohenna]

So good to read everyone's answers here. Wow. Dasaria was literally life-changing for me. Let's see...

1. It taught me to separate myself from a character. I used to make my characters ME, but working with Shayde taught me to think like someone else would. Man she made some stupid choices! I grew to understand that loving/being attached to my character and being my character were two very different things. "WWSD" became my motto.
2. It taught me how to write again. I am 80K words into Shayde's story and 25K words into another story revived from my teen years. THANKS DAS!
3. It taught me how to SHOW, not TELL.
4. It gave me access to some amazingly creative and intelligent people across the world. Some of whom remain my friends even though I don't RP anymore. Thank you technology!
5. It taught me to test limits and boundaries of what was "sensible". And she was often NOT sensible!
6. It taught me that sometimes the story takes on a life of its own, and you can't help but watch it unfold, from Shayde's drinking nights with Karis through to the wonderful co-operative stories we all participated in both on the forums and in game, to the ongoing saga/romance of Sam and Shayde that just HAD to run to its conclusion even when nobody knew what that was going to be. (HI RW I MISS YOU!! They were SUCH awesome drinking nights.)
7. To let go of the outcome. There was a bunch of people who, when we RP'ed as a group or one on one, could make RP magic. I took to calling it "alchemical RP" because once we all let go of control and let things unfold organically, our characters often came away utterly transformed.
8. It taught me that if you want a storyline, GO MAKE IT HAPPEN! Which ultimately became a motto for my life
9. It taught me a few tough lessons about going with my gut instinct (or not).
10. There were a whole lot of things Das showed me that I was missing IRL. I won't bore you with the details, but it became a kind of launching place for my real life, which is NOTHING like it was (in a really good way) over four years ago when I downloaded Das 2 one cold winter night "just to see what was there".
11. MOST IMPORTANTLY...ALL THE PRETTY PRETTY CLOTHES! Hours and hours lost in there.

You guys helped get me through one of the hardest times in my life, and I'm so thrilled and honoured and grateful to have been part of it all for that time. I really do miss those days, and wish that there was still a whole lot more life in the server, and a whole lot more time in my life!

[rohenna]

Now Wired, we would like to hear from you please

[Wired]

Dasaria taught me not to take myself too seriously.

It also taught me that it's best to just go out and bootstrap something for yourself rather than wait for somebody else to fix things.

These have helped me immeasurably in the real world.
...

Edit: If that sounds un-humble, implicit in this is that we all stand on the shoulders of GIANTS.

[Atharin]

Dasaria taught me that it's best to just go out and bootstrap something for yourself rather than wait for Wired somebody else to fix things.

....

don't hurt me

Serious post:
It taught me that some people are a lot more emotionally invested in the fictional worlds we built together, and that's okay and I shouldn't try to "fix" them.

[Rheia Althia]

Wow, I sat here for some time thinking of what to say here. I've known some of you for years and even a decade and longer. Some have gone and never returned, and some I am lucky enough to still speak with on a near daily basis. I've met some of my closest online friends here, those who even though we have yet to meet, I am in contact with every day and consider among my most trusted.

I was only 18 when Falcon introduced me to Dasaria 1. I had only just started dating my now husband of 10 years, and was soon starting college. I'm now 32 with two beautiful sons, and hitting up my 10 year wedding anniversary in October. To this very day I think often about Dasaria, and everything it made me feel. There were amazing times, and there were hard times. There were absences and homecomings. There were old friends, and so many new friends each time I played. There was so much laughter and certainly a fair amount of tears. Dasaria was there over so many different parts of my life, and through each one it taught me something.

When I was young, it taught me confidence. It taught me that even though we were not in the same room, we were all on the same page. I was bullied in school, and even ended up with an eating disorder, and Dasaria made me feel worth it.

It kept me writing, even though I didn't know what I wanted to write. And now, years later I have written two books, the second I'm currently editing and getting ready to query to publishers for the first time. It was an escape from the stressful constraints of hard times, and it taught me how to think outside of the box to deal with those hard times. It taught me to step out of my shoes and see through the eyes of another. It was one of the reasons my brother and I are so close and such good friends.

It taught me that no matter where you live in the world, you can always connect. The fact that people are still here and posting is exactly what is incredible about Dasaria. We can't quit this place, even if we don't play or RP. We're always here in some capacity, if only memories for some.

There were a couple hard times, I won't deny that.

Those are just the RL things. In writing Dasaria taught me how to stir the pot, how to let my characters run free. It taught me how creative and wonderful my friends are and how talented you guys all are. Even though I write nearly every day, I miss the collaborative writing of RP very much. Dasaria taught me how to deal with certain plot issues, and most of all, Dasaria taught me how to write dialogue. There is nothing like years of writing what people say to cement that in your mind.

****, this is long. I'm sorry, but Dasaria taught me a lot. I think of this place, and of you all often. There are so many memories both recent and distant.

I guess I should stop typing...heh.

Love you guys lots, and I wish you well!

Rheia

[Wired]

I started playing Dasaria2 in the fall of 2006.

That was nearly 10 years ago and I recently introduced by eldest son to the game.

(So ehem, a reminder that we ARE an all-ages server).

[Alterity]

Dasaria taught me...

1. That some players are their characters and that some characters are their players - it can be a sad affair to see them die or leave, so appreciate them while you can
2. Everyone values results and the process differently - some prefer a long road, others prefer the short and some prefer no road at all
3. There is an upper limit to the amount of factions you can lead/be in (oops) - also applies to real life, there is a limit on the number of things you can do before you burn out or simply don't have time
4. Wax symbols look great in forum signatures, although you can have too many; and a good screenshot makes a great avatar
5. There is no limit to the amount of characters you can have, but there is a limit to the amount of story each can be a part of; there is a maximum amount of story you as a writer/player can have and it is divided among the characters (that said, not all characters need story, sometimes its fun to have a storyless character that is easy to play)
6. When playing someone that is a Knight of the realm with the surname 'Loremaster', the title 'Archmage' be prepared for a lot of characters to want lore and mage advice and for you to help them
7. The best roleplaying tends to happen when you have to go (to sleep, for dinner, to work), be prepared for the lack
8. There are a lot of great people out there, and generally more great people than crap people
9. Not everyone will get along, and it isn't always something that you can fix; sometimes its better to just not get involved in disputes between people (character and player)
10. Death/loss is rarely the end, but tends to be a beginning of its own - it is up to you to make the death worthwhile for your character and others. Some of the most radical development for a character is when they lose something/someone important to them, as it is in the real world.