Learn how to spot and defeat your inner Mary Sue with Pox RP workshops

The thing that makes Pox RP workshops great is that they bring together a surprisingly large chunk of community. I've heard the workshops get up to 100 attendees, and that's a lot of people to help you pick up the skills to be an elf. It's a great way to learn some nice RP tricks and meet new people to play with.
This weekend, on May 7, Pox will be covering the infamous Mary Sue. A Mary Sue is a character who essentially is an idealized projection of the author's self, serving as a sort of fictional wish fulfillment. Mary Sues run rampant in roleplay and are nearly universally hated. They're not great characters, and they tend to disrupt other people's fun.
The Pox roleplay workshop is at 6 p.m. Mountain time at the Thunder Bluff campfire on Shadow Council (US-H). If you've not attended one of these roleplay meetings, make sure you check it out now. This is the last workshop until August, since Pox will be taking the summer to relax.






Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Amaxe May 6th 2011 8:28PM
I can't wait to bring out my character... the love child of Varian Wrynn and Aggra, who is a secret Ethereal
...what are you looking at me like that for?
Iirdan May 6th 2011 9:03PM
Shryn (Pox's guild leader) often has us (the Pox crew) drum up some non-examples for the workshops. One of our previous ones, about character descriptions, led to some very interesting results. We had a troll who "sparkled like the noonday sun, ensuring that all who lay eyes upon him instantly loved him."
Rai May 6th 2011 9:09PM
I'm not looking at you - because this helmet I stole from the incinerated remains of Bolvar Fordragon is blocking my view.
Also I'm a gnome.
Saeadame May 6th 2011 8:41PM
I should definitely try to go, 6 is do-able provided a hurricane doesn't blow in an ground my plane. Hope to see other people there =)... I'll be level 1 since I don't have any characters on that server, haha.
Shryndael May 6th 2011 8:51PM
Any latecomers can send me a tell to arrange for pickup :)
Fefferman May 6th 2011 11:20PM
I've been thoroughly enjoying these workshops! Wish I could make it to the one tomorrow but apparently family functions take priority over these things. Who knew!:)
Evelinya May 6th 2011 11:44PM
As a member of Pox, even I have found these workshops interesting! If you are unable to make it to one of the workshops, you are able to view the minutes on www.wearepox.com. Check those out, too! If you have any questions Shryndael is always happy to help as well as anyone within Pox. Hit us up!!
Elyonis May 7th 2011 12:08AM
Woo I love when they use this picture, I'm the orc hunter with the boar on the second row of the middle section. I was really impressed with how Pox handled the workshop, I'll definitely try to make it tomorrow!
poggg May 7th 2011 2:19AM
Can YOU spot the glaring RP issue in the above screenshot?
If you said "there's a Felguard in the middle of Thunder Bluff", you win!
Dreyja May 7th 2011 4:20AM
I would have voted on that but... let's face it. There isn't an Alliance RP in the mix.
Mega GRATZ to everyone involved. It seems like an awesome idea.
You can call foul on a lot of stuff but, If demons are more welcome than fellow druids then... ti's the same ol' same Ol'
I love the idea of the tutorial though! I wish there were ways to deal with other imbalances is all.
Sintraedrien May 7th 2011 9:48AM
As a member (on an alt) of Pox, I do have to respond to the incorrect assumption implicit within this comment. Whilst correct in that it is a violation of convention to have a felguard present in the middle of Thunder Bluff, these workshops are not In Character. Given the point of them is to discuss parts of the Role Playing experience from a perspective that contains the RP within, it would be impossible to maintain such conventions, and still be able to discuss them.
Thank you,
Sintra E'Drien of the Ebon Blade, né Sindorei (I'm tired of fighting, I'm going to pick flowers)
Ps. I thought the goal was to avoid being a Medan-Sue. :p
Kadamon May 7th 2011 5:44AM
Is your character related to anyone famous within game?
You are a Mary Sue.
Do you have extremely cosmic powers with no drawbacks?
You're a Mary Sue.
Do you garner attention for just standing around while everyone seems to love you and atoll your greatness?
You're a Mary Sue.
Are you a guy?
Well, you might just be Marty Stu instead.
*snerks*
The worst part is that I still run into silver-haired pretty boys with a tragic past every time I log in.
Bart May 7th 2011 6:40AM
We need an event like this on the Venture Co EU...
Snuzzle May 7th 2011 7:13AM
These events are a ton of fun! Unfortunately I've missed two of them due to having to work late but this week I should be able to make it again! Yay! The last one was fun with the little "ad lib mingling" bit. Maybe we'll get to mingle as Mary Sues? ;)
If you're thinking about coming, I highly suggest you just roll a level one cow and stay for a few minutes to see what all the fuss is about. You won't regret it.
Shryndael May 7th 2011 3:16PM
Snuzzle, starting next week, we'll be re-running the workshops every Monday at 6 p.m. for those who couldn't make them. Then, we're intending to take a summer break :)
Kiomi May 7th 2011 8:15AM
I want to see this, but i'm from EU :(
kdiddy May 7th 2011 9:20AM
Shadow Council for the win. That is all.
Shryndael May 7th 2011 11:46AM
We've ha eu people use trial accounts to join us before. Not sure how that works.
Iirdan May 7th 2011 10:34PM
Massive turnout. We love you guys!
connie bauer May 19th 2011 5:01AM
A Mary Sue is not defined by a single trait; rather, she is the sum of her parts. Personality really dictates the Mary Sue more than anything else.
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