An alternative idea

[Stella]

Today a few of us were in chat talking about things and we kind of came up with some ideas. Most of this is Lex, Ani, and some myself. Lex was supposed to post this but she’s had to head off to work so I thought I would get the ball rolling since I have nothing else to be doing right now. She may have more to add once she has read this post since it was mostly her idea.

Everyone seems really taken with the idea of everyone being storytellers. While I agree that it will be nice for everyone to have a say in what goes on it might be a bad idea to let everyone go crazy with the storytelling. I think if we are all in control of the plot that it’s just going to become a mess and really make no sense.

So today it was proposed that we do have one or two storytellers. The idea was that we would have a forum where plots could be suggested and then the STs would implement them into the story. That way everyone could do what they wanted but there would be a bit more order to things. Also the STs could add twists and things to the plot so that none of you knew what was coming, it would still be a surprise. The characters would obviously still be allowed to interact with the world around them without having to ask the STs every post if they could do something. No one would really be limited at all in what they would or couldn’t post. The Sts would just be in charge of the large plot changing things. And if you wanted a plot to be secret you could totally contact the STs and talk to them about it.

It seems our current STs now just don’t have time for this which is totally understandable. An RP is a lot of hard work. I did offer myself up for the job. I’m currently without a job and have tons of time on my hands. Even when I do get a job it will be an office job where I will have access to the board and can still post. I should have time for ST-ing for quite awhile in the near future.

Lex has also said she has more then enough time to step up into a storyteller position as well even though she doesn’t feel she deserves it after all that went on. But if everyone is willing to give her a chance she would be more then happy to do it.

Ani has said she really doesn’t have much time to ST anymore but she would be happy to look in on us and give us her input when she felt it was needed

Don’t get me wrong this idea isn’t going to limit the RP at all. In fact, if anything, its going to make it more lose and casual because you guys will be able to do pretty much anything you want to. The STs will just be there to make sure that things still move smoothly and that the overall plot is still on course.

It, of course, has to be a board wide decision. This was mainly introduced because we were all worried about the RP getting really confusing and pulled about in so many directions. It might get itself buried. When this RP slows down it usually grinds to a halt and that is the last thing we want now that we’ve gotten momentum back. So it is just an idea and we would really like to hear your input on it.

[Lex]

It's probably a good thing you did the post. I don't think I could have put it in words quite as well.


I don't have much to add, but I guess I'll throw in the thoughts I have on this as of right now.

If we're going to continue on for a sequel, we need to keep two crucial things in mind: keeping it running, and keeping it interesting. There's a saying... "Too many hands stirring the pot ruins the soup." Or something along those lines.

So far... I'm the only one who has suggested an idea for what the plot of the sequel could be. There have been several comments made about that idea, but not really a whole lot added to it. And I know it could be changed and made into something much better, with all of our heads put together and everyone on it. But it seems like a lot of people are busy enough keeping up with posting for their characters, and don't really have a whole lot of time for things like plot development and story direction. I really just threw that whole idea out there offhandedly, as something we could work on. Now it's in kind of an ambiguous state, because I get the feeling it isn't something we have necessarily decided on, but so far we have nothing else because nobody has had the time to really make a proposal.

I'm not trying to sound like I'm complaining, like I think it should have gotten more of a response, or anything like that. Like Al said... it's totally understandable that people just don't have the time. I just brought that up because I feel like it might be an example of what is to come. We aren't always going to have the time to communicate every idea we all have to each other and come to agreements on things, and then on top of that, write it all out in-character. And what may very well happen is, some of us will fore go the communication process and throw twists into the story that may directly conflict with an idea another person had in mind, without communicating everything first, and then where does that leave the story? Without a central voice that brings everything together, I can see the plot turning into a tangled mess. Which would lead to a standstill, since we will have so much going on that we probably won't know how to write ourselves out of it.

The purpose of having (an) appointed ST(s) would be to make sure the plot stays on its course, everyone is involved, and the RP lives. And I am totally in favor of the "everyone having influence" thing. Yes. I think we should have a forum specifically for plot development. Everyone should have a place to discuss what should happen next, share ideas, etc. As Al mentioned, with this plan, it wouldn't be a "wait and see what the ST does with your charrie," kinda deal. (Unless that's how you want it.) The ST would be there to guide things along, to keep everything centralized and smooth and tie the plot twists together in a coherent way. But your characters fate would rely mostly in your own hands. You work with the ST to make sure what you want to happen, happens. The ST is there to bring your plot ideas into the story in harmony with everyone else's ideas. To make sure things don't get convoluted and messy.

I really think this would be a more casual and carefree style of RP, because we wouldn't have to check with each other on everything. And I mean, your character is your character. If it is in their nature to do something in a certain situation, make them do it. Let the ST handle the fallout. It's as much the ST's job to take surprises from the RPers, as it is the RPers to take surprises from the ST. So you don't need to worry about your post being too crazy or whatever, I mean as long as you aren't killing a major NPC or something, then it should really be the ST's responsibility to improvise and adjust things to fit with whatever course of action your character chose to take.

Anyway, I'm getting a little ramble-y here (me? ramble-y? heh. never.) and losing my direction, so I guess I should wrap it up. I just think this should be thrown out, just as the title implies, as an alternative idea. It is really a board-wide decision, and I will go along with whatever everyone else ultimately decides to do because everyone being happy and having fun is really the most important thing to me.


As far as me being a potential ST if we go with this method, Al is right. I have the time, I have the enthusiasm... but I really don't feel like I deserve that position. Just as the idea is a board-wide decision, so is my eligibility to work on ST stuff.

It's all up to you guys!

[jaimelewis]

Well this seems like a better idea, at least there's better control.

The reason that the other idea (with multiple STs) was appealing to me is that the RP wouldn't get stagnant cos anyone who has the time can contribute to the storyline. Instead of stopping when the STs in charge had no time to move the plot, which was what kinda happened before Lex had joined (well plus the addition of her charries was also a catalyst ). And when the RP becomes stagnant, even if it does move again, sometimes the rest of the RPers might lose motivation to post, it all becomes a vicious cycle.

But since that can be solved with what is proposed above, I raise four limbs in agreement to it. And I did tell Lex the other day that it'd be really great to have someone with time on their hands to help with the STing.

Aaaand I think I'm more accustomed to be RPer than ST contributing ideas is fine and dandy but when it came to ST posts I found it hard (not to mention the lack of time). So I'm more than glad to for someone far abler to replace me.

[Lex]

Thanks so much for the input Lil! o.o Wow, I am glad that you agree so whole-heartedly.

Haha and if you're talking about me when you say "abler," idk about THAT... >.>

[ani]

Haha I know Mama G's gonna say the same thing XD

Besides, I can't think of a better way to explore other characters' pasts other than having an ST organizing it instead of the RPer. -_- Also, do you have any idea on what to do with the NPCs? I kind of still want to have each of us to have our own NPCs XD

[Lex]

Well, NPCs are essentially supposed to be "Non-Playable Characters." They are really the STs most important tool, because it is through them that most of the major plot twists are brought out. This applies especially to the villains.

If everyone is an ST, the idea of everyone having an NPC makes sense. Because if everyone is ST, everyone needs a certain measure of influence. But according to this method, with only one or two STs, I think we would have to scrap the idea of everyone getting NPCs and let the ST use most of them. I mean, if RPers are using NPCs, that is basically taking the ability to develop the plot away from the ST. And the ST's responsibility is to constantly develop the plot. It negates their role.

If Weiss is your concern, I'm positive an exception could be worked out so that you could continue to write for him, though, Ri. I mean, he's really yours. Or, yours and Lil's. I know he holds an important role in the story. And like you said last night, you would be interested in keeping an eye on the ST side of things. Maybe Weiss could be your own personal ST tool? haha

Anyway, this is my take on things. :\

[ST]

I'm not really hell bent on controlling Weiss. ^.^ But I know I still want to help out with the ST posting once in a while, like a backup, you know?

Oh, yeah and we can have everyone voice what they want to do with their characters' pasts and stuffs like that. Cuz I know these characters' have a lot of exploring to do.

Ash (if you're on by chance XD), Bun, Myacu! What do you guys think?? >_<

[Bun]

I'm for it. Not like I can really write much else explaining why, because common sense pretty much explains why I'm for the idea, and Al had a point about the RP becoming very confusing if everyone were involved. If anything I know that everyone here has a lot of different ideas when it comes to roleplay so I think it's a good idea if we could contribute but not necessarily bend the story to our whim. The plot remains more important than anything since it's the structure we base our characters upon.

[Lex]

Myacu! Let us know what you think!

And Ash you too, whenever you get back from vaca and get a chance!!