A plot ((An RP Discussion Thread for my benefit))
By
A_Random_Thing,
Posted on: 2008-12-09 14:21 in Roleplaying
Emily One knows Infitron, but really I'd prefer to leave Emily fade away, she's just detached and Apercu does that so much better!
I'd happily bring along Soaring Horizon if it was a saving the city plot, or bring in the Lab Bunnies if it's lower scale. I tend to not get involved in plots that the whole fate of the world hinges on, mainly because I don't really have a character that's in that scale of power and they always feel massively out of depth. Not that it doesn't happen in comics, just I don't like playing it as it leads to me thinking 'Why don't I just go get someone who can deal with this?' and it makes my character look a bit of a twit for not doing just that.
Open plots are fun, but if you've anything complicated planned I'd keep it away from open. Mainly because it quickly gets very busy and that makes it hard to keep intrigue and suspense going!
Big fights in the city are great for open. Everyone loves punching things in the head. As are puzzles, bomb hunts and the like.
Closed is usually best if you want things to simmer down in spots or have a complicated mystery with researching, clues and people off doing their own things now and then. Communicating with the players OOC not only gives you better control, but makes them feel more involved. It's also nice to know you'll get back and the thread won't have gone on without you too far.
Stories seem good for characterization and doing things that might be too long or dull to roleplay fully, but are nice to write about. Especially as you can skip location and time a lot easier without having to wait for people to wrap up.
Endings? Not really sure what you mean by Alternate endings sorry!
Open RP seems good. Though there is Semi-Open, like. Could go for that?
bring in the Lab Bunnies if it's lower scale. <- Fans
THey shall do small things for SCIENCE!!
[Union Roleplayers]Kiken: Tick the off in your Observer Book of Lesbians
[Union Roleplayers]Nitro v. IV: we need a perma-man feature
[Union Roleplayers]Nitro v. IV: I'd trust you more if you did it in front of me
Gotta love dem dere RolePlayers
Really need to get an idea of numbers of people interested.
The scale of the threat wont be city destroying, but will be pretty devestating if left unchecked. There will be a time and place for all types of toons, from investigative characters to superstrength uber heroes.
The tone may well end up being quite serious at points; but due to my character it will be difficult for me to totally remove humour.
I need responses here and possible characters so i can develop the idea in my head; if i dont get that i might have to shelve it, or take it down a completely different line in my head.
Thanks in advance,
Inf.
Do you mean to have the plot on the forum, or in game, or a combination?
The last open RP threat I joined, I was the 5th on the scene. I hold a personal limit of 6 players for forum threads to keep things managable, so when it eventually ended up to be about 18, I opted out, made a reply or two more to try and keep up, but eventually just gave up on the flood of posts.
But that's a personal take on it.
It sounds like there are various stages in your plot.
Different stages having different themes? Different styles of doing them?
[ QUOTE ]
not everyone 'gets' where the 'director' is taking the plot
[/ QUOTE ]
As plot GM (or director) it's handy for yourself to have the start defined, a few (possible) check points and of course a 'best case' and a 'worst case' ending. (though don't be surprised if the players manage to exceed even your 'worst case' senario)
Basically, don't have a script, just have an idea, an rough outline. Take each step along the way as a new situation. Let players have impact on the plot, for better or worse. Let characters make mistakes (in your eyes) and try to correct them. Don't make something impossible, but don't shy away from making something hard.
As for my involvement?
I'm not sure. I have but one character that knows Infinitron and isn't impressed. I do have a few 'save the day' heroes, though.
But I also have a bit of plot-o-phobia, though I'm trying to get past that.
It also depends on how, where and when you'll do it.
So, will I join in the plot?
Short answer: Entice me and I may.
(said enticing should be just with the introduction of the plot.)
@ShadowGhost & @Ghostie
The Grav Mistress, Mistress of Gravity
If you have nothing useful to say, you have two choices: Say something useless or stay quiet.
Joining: Yeah none of my characters know Infinitron though Leah has a strong moral guidelines and, if anyone from my character list would help it'd be her. Entice me.
[Union Roleplayers]Kiken: Tick the off in your Observer Book of Lesbians
[Union Roleplayers]Nitro v. IV: we need a perma-man feature
[Union Roleplayers]Nitro v. IV: I'd trust you more if you did it in front of me
Gotta love dem dere RolePlayers
For me, there is only one maybe three characters that would know or know of Inf. Mostly from the RP post of mine which of course would mean they would attempt to help out in their own way once they could.
Would need it to begin and such for me to say for sure which and who, so I'll see how it goes.
I have had in my head for a while a plot for my main Character, stemming off the end of Seans A Last Stand plot.
Now I am in several minds about how to go about it, and will need the entire RP communities input here, as I don't want it to fall flat on its face.
First off I would like to know who would get involved in the plot - i feel it will be quite open to most characters.
Without spoiling anything, I will require 3 groups of people.
1) People who are acquainted with and (to a degree) like Infinitron.
2) People who aren't too fond of him (he's a showoff, and a bit of a renegade, so shouldn't be too much of a stretch)
3) General heroes who want to save the day.
Hopefully many people will have characters that fall into that.
Now how to go about my plot, again i have several options and want your feelings on them, as they have advantages and disadvantages each:
1) Open RP - most open to everyone, people can write their characters in their own style, with direction from me.
Problems; hard to keep in check sometimes, and not everyone 'gets' where the 'director' is taking the plot.
May use this to get the players together in an opening plotline.
2) Closed RP - This way i know who is 'playing' as it were, and can individually give people ideas of what is going to happen with their character (i won't dictate, i will merely guide) to progress the plot along the lines i imagine.
Problems: Don't want to force people down lines they dont feel natural for their character (would avoid this as much as possible, but could happen). Also closes off the story to many people who will not even read the thread if they see closed RP.
3) Write it as one story myself - This way everything goes exactly how I imagine it.
Problems: Other peoples characters, i wouldn't presume i would ever know anyone well enough to write as their characters.
Possible solution: Careful writing and contact with characters involved (via PM or email) to gauge their appropriate reactions.
Endings - alternate endings, how do people feel about this - i have a theory on how to explain this.
Hopefully my lack of information on the actual plot doesn't put you off from replying here - and every opinion is welcome, be it that of a veteran RP'er or a newcomer, i want everyone to get involved if it fits (obviously closer to the plot characters can change their minds, the plot is such that this will be easy - as will become evident).
My deepest regards,
Inf.