Malia walks in...it's NOT quite a waddle yet, with her arms full of notes.
These are thumped down on a table near the head of the class, and she
turns to face her apprentices.
[Keal(#5714)] Keal watches the Craftmaster attentively.
[Kisha(#5476){Halden}<-(#9476)] Kisha lets out a loud chirp as the notes
land on her tail. She turns on Malia and starts chittering angerily at her.
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle is sitting in one of the front row chairs as
Malia and most of the others enter.
Malia shoos the firelizards away, mumbling something about ingrateful
pests, before starting. "I've a lot to cover about commissions today. I
have divided my notes into sections. When I've completed a section (this
will be a lot of typing) I will say "Any questions?" Page me if you'd like
to ask one, and I'll call on you"
[Kisha(#5476){Halden}<-(#9476)] Kisha flutters to one side.
Malia leans against the table, crossing her arms, and begins "What is a
commission? A commission is a product someone pays you to make for
them to their specifications. It is a commonly RP'ed scenario with crafters,
especially in a craft like ours."
You say "Any questions?"
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle holds up her hand
You say "Yes Jaynelle"
[Qinan(#9036)] Qinan opens the door, letting letting the loud noise of the
Workroom filter in before the door closes.
[Qinan(#9036)] Qinan has arrived.
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle says "It seems as though we sometimes help
handling commissions for j'man: such as handing over an order (the product)
or helping with the bookeeping. right?"
Malia nods "That is right, because as apprentices, you learn so much from
working with Journeymen to finish commissions. And since J'men are busy
people, apprentices are handy to help with deliveries and other little, though
important, things in order to handle the commission properly.
You say "Does that answer your question Jayne?"
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle Nods
You say "Any others?"
[Krystyna(#8591)] Krystyna raises her hand.
You say "Yes Krysty?"
[Krystyna(#8591)] Krystyna says "When we get a commission how do we
know what price to charge?"
Malia smiles "I'll get to that in just a bit"
[Krystyna(#8591)] Krystyna nods.
You say "Any other questions about my definition of a commission?"
Malia moves on "If there's no more...next. Where do I get a commission?
Commissions come to us in many ways..."
Malia says "Qinan and I are sometimes contacted by another character with
details of a commission. We will then post the offer of commission on
the +bb. If you want the commission, contact us."
Malia says "Number 2: A player will come to you at the hall or at your place
of posting. Players who know they have a woodcrafter posted in their area often
discover a wild need for woodcrafted items."
Malia says "Number 3: Manning the tent at a gather. Someone will come in
looking for something that is not available in the tent. You can offer it as a commission."
Malia says "Number 4: You may be paged or contacted by another player who
sees you online...a person who just wants to RP...and will come over to make a commission."
You say "Any questions? :)"
[Keal(#5714)] Keal pages: Question.
[Keal(#5714)] Keal raises his hand.
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle says "Are we allowed to 'advertise' for
commissions?"
Malia answers Jayne, then will get Keal's question... "Please do so, if you'd
like, on your @doing. Commission_ok...usually works. I wouldn't put it on the
general +bb...but if you're posted, feel free to post to the area's +bb introducing
yourself and noting you're available for commission"
You say "Keal?"
[Keal(#5714)] Keal says "If a customer came to us and wanted something
made out of, say, a fruit tree, or some kind of wood that an app wouldn't
generally have access to, would we need to refer him/her to a jman or master?
Or, say, if they wanted something that would be out of an apprentice's skill level?--
and would we have to make a judgement call on what's 'beyond an appy's level'?"
Malia grins and thinks Keal is reading ahead in her notes. :) Yes...you can refer
commissions to another higher ranked woodsmith...and it would be a judgment
call on your part"
You say "Does that answer your questions, Keal and Jayne?"
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle nods.
Malia will be answering Keal's question more in a bit
You say "Any other questions?"
[Keal(#5714)] Keal nods, and settles back, secure in the knowledge that he can
read Malia's mind.
Malia grins "Just don't tell people what you find there, Keal :)"
Malia moves on to RP'ing the Commission.
**Always treat your customer nicely and with respect. Use titles where
appropriate...or 'sir' and 'ma'am'
**Oftentimes, the customer comes to you with a vague idea of what they want. I've
had many people come to me saying "I need a cradle". The important thing to
remember about commissions is that they are to the /customer/ specifications.
Don' t say to them. "A cradle? It'll be ready next week"...and then desc a cradle on
your own. Asking a few questions colors RP, and makes it easy for you to desc the
object. Ask questions and offer suggestions.
Questions to ask:
-Do you want a particular wood? A lot oof people will say skybroom, because that is
the only tree they know in canon. But skybroom isn't used on a lot of products. You've
read the tree guide (I hope). Use it to offer suggestions (in a polite way)
-Light or dark stain?
-Size?
-Carving? Ask if there's anything aboutt them that can be used as a theme in carving.
Riders often like their dragons featured. FL's are also a common theme. WARNING: DO
NOT PUT FL'S ON AN OBJECT UNLESS YOU'VE ALREADY GOTTEN THE OK FROM YOUR
CUSTOMER. A lot of people play their characters anti-FL. Suggest to a healer to carve
healing herbs...a vintner, grape vines. But don't carve anything without them ok'ing it.
-Any painting on the piece.
You say "Any questions about RP'ing commissions?"
Malia taps the mic "Is this thing on?"
[Qinan(#9036)] Qinan nods. Kewl to him "You can also rp 'sketching' out a rough
idea if you want. Getting input from the customer is very good, makes your job
a lot easier. :)
Malia grins at Qinan "It really does :) Sometimes they practically desc it
themselves...but it's goes for good RP"
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle raises her hand.
You say "Yes Jaynelle?"
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle says "OOC: given the quota's here, aren't most
objects VR rather than desced items?""
Malia grins and hides her notes "Now Jayne's reading them :) Yes...it's a decision
made between you and the person commissioning. Whether to have an actual
object, or just the desc itself"
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle has another question along those lines.
Malia nods "Yes?"
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle says "What if my coding skill is not good enough
for what they want?"
You say "Just ask another woodsmith, who does know how to code, how to do it.
You learn how to code in the process. Or you can make it a joint commission...
the both of you working on it. Or just pass the whole commission over to
someone who can code it."
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle nods
You say "Any other questions about RP'ing commissions?"
[Keal(#5714)] Keal has a question that sorta relates to Jaynelle's.
Malia nods to Keal.
[Keal(#5714)] Keal says "I've heard that there have been coding classes in the
past--are there any logs of these? 'Cause I know next to nothing about code,
but I'd rather do my own, rather than having to pass an object off to someone else."
Malia nods "I believe someone held a class...a long time ago...when I was first
CM...on coding and I don't think there's a log anywhere of it...since the person
who gave it no longer plays. But I believe Flint said he'd like to give a coding
class...and I know /I/ want to make sure a coding class happens soon."
[Keal(#5714)] Keal nods.
You say "Any other questions? :)"
Malia says "If there aren't any...I'm moving on to PRICES!! :)"
[Keal(#5714)] Keal cheers!
**The price depends on many things, just like RL. Affecting price is:
-Size of object
-Type of wood
-Amount of wood used
-Hours spent in crafting
-Additional/Decorative Add-ons (carvingg, paint, stain)
-Complexity
**And the biggest thing affecting price. YOUR RANK!
Apprentice made objects are cheap...since IC'ly, an apprentice would not know enough
to make top quality items. Some players may come to you wanting a Master quality
work. Then you pass the commission on to a Master. If you feel what a customer is
asking for would be beyond your ranks abilities, pass it on to a higher rank. However,
when passing it to another WoodCrafter, ask if you work on it too . It would be a great
RP opportunity for the both of you.
***CHARGING
This is a gray area...since IC prices aren't really established. 'news prices' has a
sort of guideline for you. Remember to start out high...a lot of players like to
bargain...and this can be the real fun of commissioning...haggling over price.
***Prices at Postings
At a posting, you fulfill the needs of resident without charging. Basic
woodcrafting needs (furniture, etc) are done for free...(not really free...you
are paid by a salary, room and board)
However...extraneous items...carvings and personal items like mirrors, combs,
accessories...are chargeable.
You say "Ok...any questions?"
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle tries to think about this for a moment "A comb
would be about a mark so you ask 1.5? What is the current markup for bargaining?"
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle says "Is there a better guideline for prices?"
You say "It's all basically up to you. Price isn't as important, since marks
don't change hands...and nothing is given or paid to you. That guideline in
'news prices' is straight from the DLG. There is a 'pricelist' command in the
gather tent...of what people would charge for their items."
You say "Sometimes you'll meet a player, who'll start paging you...saying "That
price isn't right for Pern...too high" Just be polite and offer to bargain it down.
The price is just a RP point to argue over with the customer."
Malia hopes that answers your question?
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle nods
Malia smiles "Any other questions about price?
You say "Like I said...it's a /very/ gray area...we basically leave it up to you.
The things that affect price...that's a little guideline for when you're bartering.
You can say...well...if you want wood from a fruit tree...that will be more.
Or "I'm adding a lot of carving, and that will be extra""
Malia thinks that about covers it...and moves on to OOC Commission stuff...
**Would the player like an object with codes? Or a +mail'ed desc? A lot of players
would rather have the +mail'ed desc to add to their rooms. Others don't mind the
quota waste. Make sure you page this question to your customer.
**Delivery. IC'ly either you would deliver the project, have it delivered, or they would
pick it up. Page them and ask if they want to RP the delivery..and to work out a time.
You say "Any questions about those two OOC decision thingies?"
Malia moves on to her last item...that didn't really fit in anywhere else...
** What if it's out of my SUBCRAFT??
Generally, you'll know how to make it. Each woodsmith is taught enough in each
subcraft to function at a posting. JM in carving, tools, processes and forestry
find that most of their commissions involve carpentry. You IC'ly know enough to
fulfill needs of a hold, hall or weyr.
However, some woodsmiths enjoy RP'ing as not very good in a particular
subcraft...for instance...not good carvers. So if this is the case for you, think
about a double commission with another woodsmith. Or pay another woodsmith
to carve it, and figure that into the cost.
This is also a good chance to RP with a fellow woody in a pertinent subcraft.
Carvers can come to a Carpenter and RP with them doing the commission, asking
questions and working together.
You say "Any questions on this?"
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle shakes her head.
Malia says in a monotone "Anyone? Bueller?"
[Keal(#5714)] Keal chuckles.
Malia thinks we need an NPC appie named Bueller
[Jaynelle(#15119)] Jaynelle laughs
[Krystyna(#8591)] Krystyna grins.
[Devon(#14458)] Devon thinks two brothers. Ferris and Bueller.
Malia hmms "No questions? C'mon...gotta have questions...."
[Devon(#14458)] Devon does! "When is this class over?"
[Keal(#5714)] Keal hmms. "I didn't miss anything, did I?" And eyes Ferris and
Bueller. "Nothing important, at least?"
Malia flunks Devon
Malia nopes to Keal
[Thaniel(#13322)] Ferris grabs Devon and throws him out the window..
Malia stops the fighting poses..."Ok...class dismissed!"
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