As for tying things in, I've always tried to do that. That just might be me, though, wanting things to follow a logical progression. When I first signed on to write here I was worried about writing other stories out of order a lot. I got away from that worry. Mostly because a forum does not require us to follow a timeline. No story does, really. Some of my favorite serialized stories start in the middle and work both forward and back.
All that being true, they do pick up the same characters. Like the "Bob" you mentioned. It's kind of like what I attempted with the World Map. Give a frame of reference we can all use. So, say someone creates an especially interesting npc. We could have it submitted to the 'pool' of reusable ones. Said pool could be listed under game information. So that a GM looking for an idea could go through and see if those character spark an idea or story.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
The NPC thing sounds good to me. Take a look at the thread in the GM area and see what you think of how that's set up and we can adjust from there.
As for the Faction stuff I like it, just waivering back and forth on including things like thieving skill already mentioned. Yes chances are they will have whatever the major associated skill is maxed, but maybe not.
I could go either way with it tho so if you all think its good then I'm good...
One thing, though. I am assuming here, and I don't want to speak for Grayell... But, I know he wants to keep things as simple as possible. The stack of information a new player has at the beginning of a game is somewhat lengthy here and in other games often so high it is detrimental for players to know where to begin.
I do not want to see new players scared off by the sheer amount of words they might have to read to play our game. Nor do I think we should require them to do so. I've seen people thrive in a structured environment; sometimes, I've also seen it kill a budding writer. I've always been of the opinion that creativity should not be trapped in a myriad of rules.
So, we need to find a balance. Suggestions instead of rules, choices instead of specific paths. Thoughts?
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
The nice thing about the factions is that they are optional and should be seen as a reward for good RP, not something picked at character creation. So its not something players would have to worry about right away other than to possibly set as an eventual goal. Most people will build a character that fits pretty easily into one of these molds even without knowing about them.
So as long as we keep it simple and post it where it can be seen so people can build and play with a goal in mind, we should be ok.
That being said how about the idea of treating weaponry skills the same as magic skills to add flexability to player builds?
I've read through the NPC thread. Having the information on the characters in one thread will keep the need to search for them to a minimum, so one worry is put to rest. So long as we can have each GM add such a post for recurring characters. I don't think that is too much to ask. Also I would suggest a link back to that post, obviously, for your player characters.
Any other GM's with recurring characters they'd like to see used I invite here and now for you to add them to that thread.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
Is there a rule in place for the number of factions a person can be a part of? I am assuming only one, but can't remember if I ever actually saw it anywhere.
Hoping this will drive people to want to join a faction then we can use the factions and their goals to fuel stories.
In combination with the Recurring NPC thread we should also come up with "leaders" for the factions that don't already have one or at least some point of contact for players wishing to join. (We have Gray and Kiko for Vanguard, Alec for Noctis, Marlena for Tryst, Orp for Sellswords??)
((Not official yet, just working out the wording))
Membership has it privileges! Be accepted as a member of a Faction and enjoy a bonus Talent Point in any ONE of the Skills most closely associated with that Faction. (This Bonus can NOT take you over the 5 maximum allowed for each Skill.)
Vanguard: Survival - Kinship - Liaison - Agility - Any one Weaponry Skill
The Sentinels: Martial Prowess - Brawn - Liaison - Medicine - Any one Weaponry Skill
SellSwords: Brawn - Endurance - Martial Prowess - Ingenuity - Any one Weaponry Skill
Noctis Venator: Lore - Arts - Physical Appeal - Medicine - Any one Magic Skill
The House of Galena: Survival - Kinship - Medicine - Lore - Any one Magic Skill
The Ebon Tryst: Agility - Liaison - Thieving - Physical Appeal - Any one Weaponry Skill
An alternate Skill list option building from Kiko's as a base. Too limiting to have some be only Weaponry and some only Magic?? I was trying to keep it at 4 specific and one open choice.
Trying to find that balance between being flexible without being too flexible...
Factions are not a reward but merely a means to flesh out a character. They are one means to give thw world some life and instill a sense of community in players. I'd much rather they didn't have point rewards as people will join a faction to benefit their build, rather than for story. There is also no 'hey my hand is up, gimme my points' - story driven factions means it is not as simple as that. People should earn their way into a faction through deeds, not interest alone. Or perhaps be scouted. There's just no need for one more point.
Also, "treat weapon skills as magic skills". Please clarify? I am lost.
I agree on the earned part, Wolf. But, I don't think one point is too much to get people to investigate the factions. The more they read the more chances we have to hook them on some facet of the game. Just a thought. I see the factions like Skyrim's guilds. I'd love to get people excited about them.
Oh. There is a new link in the affiliate area, if you can send me a message on how to link back I can explain it to Alex. I miss the poppet. She did all of those.
I hope she finds her way back soon.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
I agree that someone joining a faction is something that should be earned through story whether its scouting or interest on the player's/character's part. I just see this as a way of saying "thank you" for delving alittle deeper into the world and for whatever they did to get to be a member.
I will have to tackle both of these later as it requires coding and on this comp with this browser, much of our code is gibberish. I am stuck with IE and feel dirty....