Time skips:I've noticed that most conversation posts revolve around the conversation which often makes it difficult to advance physically because people are hesitant to godmod other characters. There are times, however, when it's perfectly okay to move someone's character. Min, Tilt and Swith probably had a conversation here or in TG which went:
Should we move them to the ship? Sure, next post. The result is a seamless transition rather than a jarring time skip:
Mincaldenteans wrote:It didn't take as long as Mezran thought it would to haul their cargo into the S.U.V. and something Rudolf had referred to as Hammerspace. Though the Klingon was curious how such a space existed and what dimension it was from to store so many large items, the Mezran didn't ask in the end, content in knowing that some things were just best left unasked. As long as they got their belongings and he could share a goblet of bloodwine later with his friends, the Klingon was content. He took a few pieces of targ meet from one of the smaller cases, it was lightly salted and cured, wrapped in thin paper and still moist when he bit into it. He offered it openly to his companions as he chewed happily while the S.U.V. thrummed its engines ready for lift off. The S.U.V. had taken off quickly and silently, and no Klingon would ever see it as he ascended into orbit where the
Strumpet stayed, waiting for them.
Once in, their cargo was taken out of the incomprehensible space fold and the S.U.V. as well and Mezran stretched his legs a bit before following the rest to the bridge. The silent hum of the vessel was a familiar and pleasant sound and as much as he liked visiting Qo'Nos during its formative years, it was good to be back on a space vessel. He wondered what happened to his own vessel, the
Hegh'Ta; perhaps one day he'll find out.
Maybe they're back home, he mused as he stared out into endless space of countless stars,
maintaining their vigil for the glory of the Empire. If only they knew the adventure they were missing out here...
Another example is a "leading post" in which one character moves and it's up to the other player to pick up on it and physically move their character to follow. This is what often stalls our IC. A character moves. Two other people remain in place and pick their noses (express their feelings or look at the walls, or perhaps start a new topic!) In this instance, Dani moved. It was up to me to pick up that movement and advance my characters to follow her.
The Drone Empire wrote:Dani acknowledged FUBAR's warnings, hesitating for but only a moment before making a rapid sprint across the water, watching her steps with caution as she crossed the chilled subterranean pool, towards the cave. She could feel her dirtied white dress soaking with water; the chill of such a deep, dark space was awakening, that much was certain, but she still felt the need to find warmer places. She yet again cursed her human nature, exposing her to such environmental hazards.
She made it to the entrance of the cave, looking back at the bank. She felt a strange discomfort behind her, paranoia warning her of some beastly creature, or horde of monsters, that would rush from the dark and swallow her whole. She turned back, but there was nothing but black.
The thing to remember is cap-move-recap or advance.
Mincaldenteans wrote:Swith Witherward wrote:[snip]...Let's go before anything else crops up."
“Bah,” Mezran responded with a dismissive gesture at the thought of timeline contamination, “Even if we did, we are hardly a page in the history books. Those
tehqeq’pu are everywhere and it would be another century or two until the vermin is completely eradicated. And as for the fool,” he paused for a moment, giving though to the consequences of the fight and his actions against the old fool. In the end Mezran gave shrug and made an unpleasant face for a moment, “Maybe the
petaQ will think twice to wax on false stories with that oily tongue of his. His punishment will by the guild and his own house will be enough. At least Ru’Hoff stayed my hand,” he grunted in admission; he would have slain the coward. Although living in shame was still a fate worse than death for a Klingon, Mezran would just have to take comfort in that knowledge.
Making their way out of Varth was uneventful. Already the streets were busy as usual, the city’s guards were lined on the walls, always at watch, and the citizens of the fair city were setting up shop while the children were dragged to whatever class they had to attend before noon. The air was crisp and light, the previous night's temperature lingering, though that too would turn to a humid as the day wore on. Mezran almost regretted having to leave the planet, but this was not his home, no matter how much he naturally fit in. Even if he stayed, he would have to be a recluse, caution to every action he took (tribble slaying not taken into account whatsoever) – and ultimately it would be too much, the Klingon would die in such exile. No, it was better he went back to his new home with his comrades and forge a history there.
“Tell me, my friends,” Mezran spoke up again as they exited the gates of Varth. The statues gleamed in the morning light, its bronze sheen gave a soft glow, “Do you have a metalsmith of sorts back home?” He was careful to leave out the name of Bielefeld in case any of the passing Klingons overheard them...
In that example, Min has capped the current conversation, moved the party, and then offered dialog that the other players can respond to in their next posts. The scene progresses or advances while still carrying the story's overarching thematic feel.
The trick to making it work is to read the posts, pick up on details provided, and react rather than trying to continue whatever the conversation was before a major relocation. There are times a character can harken back to a prior topic, but do so only if it benefits the story or group.
Marcus surveyed the cheerful clubhouse and Giovenith's welcoming smile. He settled onto the floor with the rest of the group and began to cut out paper shapes according to the godling's instructions. Something still niggled at the back of his mind, though. It was something she'd said in the lobby, and it weighed on him. He brushed aside the glitter littering the floor and then slid closer to her.
"Giovenith?" he ventured. "You mentioned [insert prior topic here]..."