Breedables Database Babble!

Post by **Dray** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 3:56 pm

Out of curiosity, how would people who've submitted dragons to the database feel if I used some to run some actual clutches--similar to accepting dragons for flights at ones own dragonry, but without having to wait for people to send in dragons? o_o' I suppose it would be similar to Phe's synth donation bank, but a bit more universal?

I dunno, I was just wondering, since I'd like to give away some of my own template-drawings in a non-giveaway style. o.o Would anyone be opposed (or prefer that they get the offspring of their dragons to distribute as seen fit instead?) If so I won't touch your babies for said purposes. ^^;

Xalia · Post by **Xalia** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:07 pm

I'm fine with you using my pair, or my singleton for an official clutch...means less work for me! I just want to be able to claim a baby if you use them!

Xenoqueen · Post by **Xenoqueen** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:08 pm

I thought the declaration here was that these breedings are kinda OOC? Hence why they're done as pseudo-giveaways rather than actual clutches, and asking "permission" is just a courtesy, rather than a requirement...

Well, since a "real" clutch would be that much more official, as long as you cleared it with me beforehand so I could give character input and the like (you know, things that don't matter much when the only thing you're doing is drawing XD), I'm fine with that if you wanted to use any of my submissions.

Post by **Dray** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:13 pm

^_^ I'd ask permission before using any pairing, o'course, I just wanted to know what kind of response that kind of question would get.

I've just been vaguely frustrated in seeing all of these great dragons going out in draws and exchanges, where on the one hand it's hard to nab one, but on the other hand there doesn't seem to be as much to back the creatures up in way of personality and the like, which makes paging them difficult. XD I just keep getting a 'copout!' feeling in the back of my mind, even though I love drawing the random pairings, and recieving dragons from pairings that others have drawn! I'm not sure what to make of it... so maybe holding some actual clutches out of a list of dragons that I'd actually /like/ to draw the babies from would help, on my part?

:\ I just don't want to start (or restart) an official agency and have to draw dragons that I really have no interest in. Your getup seems to work really well, but I don't want to steal it! XD

Kitsuneko · Post by **Kitsuneko** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:17 pm

Fell free to use any of my pairs or singles, Dray, I don't mind. ^^

JKatkina · Post by **JKatkina** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:19 pm

Use mine all you'd like, hun. X3 Just tell/ask me first.

Xenoqueen · Post by **Xenoqueen** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:30 pm

It wouldn't be stealing. XD I mean, I only set things up as they are after watching and listening to you grumble whenever you had to draw images you weren't interested in! My getup is nothing but me acting selfishly, which is certainly not a trademarked system. XDDDD

I can't decide if I like the giveaway system or not, myself. XD To the point I'm thinking that any images I draw from this, I'll give out in a manner similar to the AOBP (but with freebies for the parents). As fun as it is to see so many types of images going out, some days I feel like I'm the only one still running and releasing REAL clutches. XD

So... yeah, I approve. XD </ramble>

Xalia · Post by **Xalia** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:31 pm

I'd put out real clutches if I were getting any candidates...kinda hard to get up the inspiration to draw hatchlings that no one really seems to want!

Post by **Dray** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:09 pm

That's part of the problem, I think... Unless you've got a really awesome gimmick, why write up candidates for dragons when you can just as easily get them by filling out a quick form or slapping in an unbonded other dragon when someone announces a draw? (>_>" That's what I've been doing lately, anyhow. XD) I'm not trying to say that I dislike giveaways, they just feel vaguely overpowering at the moment.

Phe, you run a very nice 'real clutch' agency. :P I aspire to set one up that runs as nicely as yours!

Myrror · Post by **Myrror** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:17 pm

If I had any up there, I'd say go for it. Wouldn't mind one bit. I'd rather have the artists give the dragons out anyway--to me, it's kinda saying 'you can draw these, but you can't say who gets them our how they're given out...' Which is why I really haven't been participating in it

LakotaWolf · Post by **LakotaWolf** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:19 pm

Does anyone want me to add some Schattarneki to the BDatabase? >_> Lately I've been feeling like they're just so vanilla-plain, I didn't think anyone would want any ;_; They don't have that many features...

that sounds so emo XD But I'm serious, they are kind of simple in appearance...

Post by **Dray** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:21 pm

They seem fine to me! They certainly aren't featureless, Lakota, I just haven't seen that many out and around the Nexus!

^_^' I think the database is supposed to be for people who just want to draw whatever (...which suits my purposes perfectly. XD), but I was never really clear on what was to be done with the dragons afterwards... I think that that was just something that the artist and owner was supposed to talk about before the images were finished.

Starburst · Post by **Starburst** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:24 pm

Schattarneki rule!

I'm practically vibrating with excitement, waiting for Glyff-ti's flight to fill so I can draw some half-Schattarneki fuzzbutts. I really do love them.

Myrror · Post by **Myrror** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:28 pm

And it gets really confusing when you're using two different people's dragons too. Personally I don't want the responsibilty of giving out someone else's dragons, and it gets confusing for my file system (do I add these to people's count for the FAP or not? Are they EverRealm-breedable or just outer realm breedable?)

And Lakota--they're FURRY. That's a major feature right there. You want featureless, you get a old-worlder.

Lazulith: And then worry about the bonding when you want to take an offspring home. ^.^

Xalia · Post by **Xalia** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:28 pm

There'd be more half-Schattarneki out there if people would send candidates to Kilandaia...I've got one hatchling image all ready to go I just need reason to work on the other!

Shiolar · Post by **Shiolar** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 5:40 pm

Dray, you're more than welcome to use any of mine in the Database for real clutches, so long as I get input. I've been really wanting to start doing proper clutches myself... the issue is getting Candidates, of course.

So far, I've not really had a problem letting someone else run the giveaways of the dragons I've drawn. I'm lazy, so it's kinda nice to just dump the images and (sometimes) the stats into someone else's hands to deal with.

Lakota, put some Schattarneki in now. They're fluffy. And they'd breed really well with a Mirus dragon, I think...

Rachael · Post by **Rachael** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 6:29 pm

:: plots, revising the Lvarians for their re-release unto the Cyberverse... ::

I have really liked playing around with the IF, because I got some say in the pairings up of interesting looking creatures. I'm also going to get them all hatched out, since it is silly for them to be waiting this long because of me. >__>;;;

Randomly brought to mind by this last tangent - Dray, pending when I get the organization of my pages up, any dragon(s) I submit would be open for an IC anything, and I'd love to contribute to making it IC.

I, have a dream... That I will talk about later. XD

Neishai · Post by **Neishai** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 1:06 am

I just wanted to say something... I've only read the last page here on the subject, but my problem has been that with all these giveaways, I have candidates in the works that I'm not sure I want to put in for a free dragon. I've worked hard on them, or, at least... I've schemed much, and they're quite beloved to me, and even though time and effort is put into the making of even giveaway dragons, I don't know... At least with an agency, there's a real chance that (if no one else) the writer of the hatching would read at least the first part of my story. No, I'm not just writing it just for them, but... It's always been impressed to me that theres a give-and-take. The better your story, the "better" your dragon. If not the image, or color/rank, then the better you are paired up with your dragon. Sometimes, I don't know... my candidate just clicks with a dragon that wouldn't happen with a giveaway. Why? because if anything with a giveaway, I have to alter the character to fit the image, or personality, of the dragon (otherwise, I may not be able to snag the image ^^; ). Not the other way around.

I'm not saying that I prefer one over the other, but there is just something very special and enjoyable about writing candidates for a hatching, then seeing what comes of it. There's an interaction there that doesn't happen in a giveaway, or even in an on-the-spot RP.

So yeah, I know there were some of you who were worried about nobody being interested in your agencies. Perhaps the problem is that there are simply too many giveaways attracting people. They're flashy ('ooh, pretty...!'), they're lovely, they're easy. And yet, some people are just better artists, or would rather just do the art! Perfectly reasonable that an artist give their art away to anyone they want, as often they want. I don't want to take sides. I do want to express my confusion and feeling of being overwhelmed. @.x;

Eh heh... yep. ^^; *hides*

Shard · Post by **Shard** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 2:03 am

No, don't hide. I agree that a lot of us who *are* trying to run "apply and waits" are getting pushed away by glitzy giveaways. They're great fun though, I love every single one that I've bid for or gotten this way. I *love* reading candidate stories, though, and that's where I will usually put my best works. When I'm inspired by one of the giveaways to do a good story that's kinda rare. It is why I suggested we do a 'candidate writing month' last year, which was pretty much ignored.

I haven't run much more than the Alabaster/Blackstone giveaway here, I'm still waiting on candidates promised to me for the Swim, the You Walk Into a Weyr, etc. though.

I agree that I don't feel right putting effort into paging a freely given away dragon. It's why a lot of mine are winding up with random stats and classes at Carramba, instead of with a proper bond or story about how they got to my world. there's no hatching stories any more, which is a disappointment. I loved reading them, and writing them, but with the huge activity i feel almost intimidated by the numbers, in order to get out dragons that should have gotten more attention (naughty clutch a good example, geperna another - both could and should have been much better stories in my opinion).

Ah well. I don't think it'll slow much down, but I would certainly like to see people putting half the effort into getting candidates on a page *before* they get a dragon, instead of *after*.

Neishai · Post by **Neishai** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 3:05 am

Swim, gah! But you know what, I got a Giveaway dragon that should fit wonderfully into my Swim story, oddly enough. Oh yes...

But yeah, seriously, I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of giveways and their hatchlings. Not that they're a bad thing, I love them.

But honestly, since my long hiatus that, let's face it, went even before I lost the internet, I really missed out on all that's happened. I am only piecing together a lot of what everyone's taking for granted - new rules, new styles, everything. It's fun, it's mildly confusing, it's just plain new. So yeah. That's why the *hide* ^^;

hksherra · Post by **hksherra** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 9:17 am

-_- Yeah... I kinda agree with the whole giveaway thing. I kinda figured it was because I was an oldtimer (relatively speaking for this community... been around for about 5 years...).... I dunno... I guess I just agree with Neishai. The giveaways are wonderful and you can get beautiful dragons... but then I know I spend all my time paging them instead of writing candidates... So agencies don't get candies...

Generally, the more I write for a character the more I become attached to them and their future bond. Since I don't have to write at all for giveaway dragons they don't feel as... special! ^^ I guess I just like working and knowing that I deserve something, not just getting it because I'm lucky...

>_> Not to say that I'd be against winning the lottery or something and not having to work...

Yeah... that was all over the place...

But I was thinking...

Maybe we should institute like... a month long break from giveaways and free draws? Or even a week?

It might give people the time to catch up on paging those draggies and writing again...

Myrror · Post by **Myrror** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 10:50 am

it seems we're back to the 'giveaways are bad' circle.

I was wondering--during this proposed month, should I shut down the EverRealm? Because, you know I run my agency like huge giveaway...

Xalia · Post by **Xalia** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 11:04 am

I'm sorry guys but I have to disagree with the whole 'take a break' theory. We've tried it before and it just ended up stifling people who only do giveaways and it didn't really seem like anyone got anything done. If you don't want to do giveaways don't do them, don't participate. But why punish people who like doing giveaways and like receiving dragons from them just because you can't seem to focus with all the giveaways going on?

Seems to me if you want a break from giveaways then /take one/ but don't enforce it on the rest of us at the same time!

hksherra · Post by **hksherra** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 11:16 am

-_- Sorry... Didn't mean to bother anyone... Just trying to figure out a way to help the candidate-based agencies out there...

Shard · Post by **Shard** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 11:31 am

Myrror wrote:it seems we're back to the 'giveaways are bad' circle.

I was wondering--during this proposed month, should I shut down the EverRealm? Because, you know I run my agency like huge giveaway...

No, none of us are saying that in the slightest, Myrror. We *know* you don't write. But the bulk of us *do*.

I've purposefully kept out of some giveaways because I do want to encourage people to still have apply-and-waits here. That's what the Nexus was originally intended to do, connect folks who need candidates for their agencies. Giveaways are *terrific*, they're fun and easy, and they show off art. But they're not how (obviously) some of us want to do 100% of our paging.

I would never say, at this point, because we *have* tried it before, that a 'cold turkey' month or whatever would be viable. But I'd really like to see the folks who are turning out lots and lots of giveaway dragons *send candidates* to the agencies who need them, to at least make an attempt to fill a clutch or a flight with a paged *story*.

I'm not trying to attack any giveaway, so please don't pigeonhole my opinions. But I *want* agencies to continue running online for candidates and hatchings, story-based. Remember that is how we as a group *met* and interacted. There are still people out there who have never heard of the Nexus, but might have run across an old candidate or image and may yet apply to an agency. If they're the only ones out there doing that, they're never going to get a clutch hatched, there just aren't that many of em. But we have over 100 members here, that's more than enough for us to make 1 or 2 candidates for agencies to remain open, in addition to making a ton of giveaways for quick image-gratification.

Myrror · Post by **Myrror** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 12:03 pm

It's not that I don't write, Shard--however would I be getting Abstract Destiny critters if I didn't?--I'm saying my agency is run like one big giveaway/draw. You send in your forms, you get a chance at a critter. No canidates, no writing, just stick the critter on a page. And heck, you could even use these critters for canidates, be a good way to flesh them out if one was so inclined.

On the flip side, it seems a waste to write out canidates, send them to places, and then just have them SIT there. Another reason why I like the Destiny--there's a set time, and you know the hatching's gonna happen soon after the deadline. You know the canidate you worked hard on isn't gonna just sit there and rot for months, perhaps years. (That, and I have Phe fooled into believing I can accually write halfway decently)

JKatkina · Post by **JKatkina** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 12:16 pm

That is part of it. Semi-instant gratification.

I really don't have much intelligent to add. >.> I like giveaways, but I also like clutches, and I do my best to get into both! But I write too slowly for anyone to be satisfied with, really, so giveaways are.... like little treats to keep me interested while I slog through a candidate taking me for-evar. ~.~

hksherra · Post by **hksherra** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 12:17 pm

Maybe we should have a NaCaWriMo... National Candidate Writing Month? ^^ In which everyone is still free to do giveaways but they try to get out as many candidates as humanly possible?

Shiolar · Post by **Shiolar** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 12:17 pm

I can see both points of view, really... Giveaways are fun, and I've both received some wonderful dragons and given out images I'm really proud of through them. But it's taken time away from Candidate writing, which is a bad thing, because I enjoy the writing, and there's so many places out there to send Candidates to... And, you know, some of these images I'm drawing, I want to do proper clutches for...

Obviously, stopping everyone from doing giveaways is just pointless, not to mention rather unfair. But there's no harm in some of us taking a break from them to write some Candidates, finish paging previous giveaway dragons (ohhh, I have so many...), and hatch some regular clutches...

I'm taking a break, for one... If only because I have my Ryslen Flurry guy to write, and a billion other ideas, and some images I want to run a proper hatching for. Good enough reason as any for a break...

Myrror · Post by **Myrror** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 12:19 pm

On both parts. The person that's recieving the critter goes 'squee!' and the person giving them out is happy that the person liked them. ^^