I'm not sure how to explain... I mean, Niku covered some of the reasons, but also, I think there's two things: first, I'm better off in a group. I just feel more motivated when I have someone to bounce dialogue and ideas off. A back-and-forth can keep things moving. Second, I think I'm getting mixed messages here. I thought that the gnome, the Shadow Guard and Fenwick were Important Things. I thought I'd investigate, but this post:
I am starting to get the feeling that asking us, or at least asking me, to take narrative (as distinguished from strategic) initiative will be a fruitless endeavor.
There's a difference between asking you guys to drive the narrative of the story and asking you guys to have even a passing interest in any part of it. Or, honestly, asking you guys to even bookmark the active thread and check it once per day.
I mean, I could just skip time ahead immediately to the Council Hearing, but I was sort of hoping the entire year of build-up and the reveal of a bunch of plot in the Labyrinth arc might have motivated anybody to do some proper preparation against Firebrand. Or to even have the give-a-fuck to inquire as to how to purchase a plot for a mountain. Or much of anything, really.
seems to indicate that I'm not investigating the correct Important Things, so I'm feeling hesitant.
I'm pretty sure the Gnome, Fenwick and the Shadow Guard have been
largely ignored, but I have all the plot ties and many events in mind for them if pressed.
They are important things. Almost anything you press and investigate is an Important Thing, the difference will be what it leads you towards and whose side it could put you on. My complaint was against people not investigating anything at all and hoping I'd feel fit to, I dunno, railroad them if they post every so often to acknowledge that they're alive. But if you're worried about investigating "interesting but not important thing" while Important Thing goes to Hell, I won't let that happen except in cases of incredible apathy or ignorance. If you're investigating something, you're on a right track among many.
If you're better in a group, don't let people be passive or "polite." Simply grab somebody and force them along with you to what you're investigating. Bertram would have been a fine fellow to lasso in to your current task. If somebody is feeling camera-shy, throw their ass into the spotlight. You can even be bold and assertive, it's easier to correct an overreach then to sit back and wait for an under-achiever to get anywhere. Bump into Tikka and draw her into your story or have a plan that involves somebody else's talents or wits.
Also Buge you're one of my favorite actors but you seem to have the slowest posts, updating once per week on average(like right now, where you're up to bat in Final Countdown in 4 days and counting!) I'd really appreciate it if you could try to check and post once every 1-2 days!