Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Ellis-ST 06 Jan 2019 23:19

It's the biweekly brainstorming thread for 01/07/19 - 01/20/19!

• Is there something you want to do with your character(s) that you need help with from other players or staff? Pitch it here!
• Interested in running something for other people? Ditto.
• Struggling with long-term character arcs or purpose? Other players might be able to help you out.
• Is there a plot or a conflict you want to get involved in and don't know how? We can probably crowdsource a solution.

Don't ever be afraid to ask for help. We're all here for each other.

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Ashilyn 07 Jan 2019 00:48

So, I have a thought, and it's more about structure of plots than any particular plot I'd like to see. If this isn't the place for that, let me know, and I can move this somewhere more appropriate.

Coming out of Volume One, there's one thing I'll be entirely honest about: Having numerous full year plots didn't quite work.

I don't know what you guys have planned at the moment for Volume II, but I'd like to offer a suggestion - I think it would be best to reduce down to one, full length overarching plot for the volume. What about other storylines? Well, I think we should take a page from the biggest influence on Heroes and, in turn, String Theory: Comic books. I think it would be best to have two-three other smaller storylines to compliment each other and the overarching storyline, but rather than have them running concurrently, run them sequentially - one storyline running Feb - May, the next June- September, and a final one October-January, each with a different lead GM. This mimics the structure of several issue long storyarcs in comics, while also allowing the overarching volume storyline to happen alongside it and possibly for them all to feed into each other symbiotically.

One storyline running a bit over or ending early doesn't create too many problems in this setup, and it allows downtime to (theoretically) be minimized while keeping plots in a succinct time-slot, preventing them from feeling overlong and make sure every story gets it's due!

Anyway, that was a thought I'd had recently, and this seemed like a good place to share it <3 thanks for listening!

Last edited on 07 Jan 2019 00:49 by Ashilyn Show more

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Ellis-ST 07 Jan 2019 00:58

Yeah, I think that is largely the plan insofar as Manhattan knows he is doing stuff with Shedda Dinu and Adam this year; I know I'm doing stuff in Providence; and Greenwich has some stuff she hasn't announced yet. Queens will be focusing on bite-sized character stories.

I can only speak for myself, but the Providence "plot" will definitely also be smaller, bite-sized stories. For example, we may do a scavenging run and the fallout of said scavenging run, then move onto the next thing. I don't have an endgame other than to let things develop organically and play everything by ear based on what people are doing — and what they request in threads like these.

It probably helps that we aren't doing alternate universe stuff this year, and everything takes place in Prime.

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Rebus 07 Jan 2019 14:12

As a new/returning player, I will also agree that the multiple-concurrent-timelines made the prospect of trying to "break into" all the plots, so to speak, more daunting. I think focusing on smaller and more linear stories may also give staff more time to focus on each one, as I know at least some of the staff must have been swamped trying to coordinate all the things going on this round. (I remember pinging staff to organize a scene for Gene to get involved in the electric rats subplot, something which never materialized — definitely no blame or anything, since I understand how hectic this season must have been, but it was a little disappointing.)

So, thanks for sharing as I'm normally too shy to communicate stuff like this on my own lol. Looking forward to the new storylines shenanigans this quarter O/

Last edited on 07 Jan 2019 14:13 by Rebus Show more

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Kimmers 07 Jan 2019 15:17

I have thoroughly enjoyed the multiple timelines. I found that crafting my own arc with the main arc made it super enjoyable. In a way I was a part of the plot, but not having to rely on staff to add more on the plate. It allowed me to examine Kaylee in different lights and helped me find a few things I hope to bring to Kaylee in Prime to make her a better character.

I recommend this to anyone. If a group of you are struggling to get into something, parallel it with your own character development plot. Communication is an amazing thing. Luther and I spent nearly everyday discussing our timeline alternate characters and what we could do with them. How would they react to things and in the process created a fun and sweeping love story in multiple timelines. We would poke staff with a detail here or there to help shape the narrative, but but mainly everything you saw was just us. We did invite Manny in at the very end of each story, but we made sure they only needed limited involvement. Doing this will free them up some to turn out amazing story and play their own characters too.

However, As one of the more active RP'ers The multiple timelines was a bit of a stretch, though I loved it so much, having to say no to things hurt. I look at Prime Kaylee's logs and think wow she didn't do much until I look at ALL timelines. Lol. She did a lot, just not all in one place. But I was trying to keep the narrative moving forward and certain things impact later scenes. Would be nice to find ways to minimize that, but RL is busy for all.

I agree. One Volume long arc and then smaller arcs that weave in and out would take some of the stress off. Maybe one staff per arc? Also maybe more focus on people looking at making their own arcs. Making sure it is okay with staff. There were lots of those back in the day.

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Baxtalo 07 Jan 2019 01:07

Right now, my long-term plan for Asi is shaping up to have her return to Japan for a little while after [thing yet to happen] before she's able to leave the Mugai-Ryu and do her own thing, whatever that ends up being.

During that interim, there's at least one scene I wanted to do in that period that would be a Mugai-Ryu mission … would anybody be interested in doing that with me? Like Mugai-Ryu NPCs or something? :)

Last edited on 07 Jan 2019 01:20 by Baxtalo Show more

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Mt Tahoma 07 Jan 2019 03:29

I'd love to see Staff play around with Weasel's background, if they haven't already — she woke up in a hospital in Calgary when she was seven, and nothing is known of who she is or who her parents are.

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Rebus 07 Jan 2019 14:22

Current plan for Gene is to get more involved in Raytech. At present she is being trained in the use of her powers so that she can get a fancy certificate thingy and then get a real job with them. Definitely would love some scenes with anyone involved in Raytech, especially those I haven't scened with yet. :3

Also, in a similar vein to Weasel, I would love to see staff possibly tinker with using Annette— Gene's sister who was abducted by the Company some years back— in some fashion. Even if it's just as a dead bogeyman who crops up as a singular mention somewhere lol. (But maybe she's not actually dead??? Who knows!!!)

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Baxtalo 10 Jan 2019 00:20

So, I've not had a huge opportunity to bring Sahara out yet … though she's still closet anti-Evo and Humanis First sympathizer there are a couple character-testing things I was hoping to do with her:

• Get some positive RP in with SLC-E to make her start changing her mind about them/questioning her views
• Eventual facetime with HF/Pure Earthers that tempt her to fall back into the habit of supporting from the background with hearth, home, and eyes

I know I've probably got a line of people who could help with the first bit! ;) But are there any other Humanis First/Pure Earth PCs out there right now?

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

pipsqks 15 Jan 2019 00:30

Tiny Captain would like to lead a crew for Archaeological digs on Pollepel island. :D

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Oracle30 15 Jan 2019 02:49

Brynn is SO TOTALLY UP FOR THIS. Even though she's a little worried about the birds and all.

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Baxtalo 15 Jan 2019 04:35

Emily: oh god this sounds like a bad idea
Emily: physically and personally
Emily: *is dragged along*

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Mt Tahoma 15 Jan 2019 05:08

Weasel is always up for exploration! As an added bonus, she can enlist the aid of some creatures for assistance with digging. Also food.

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Ellis-ST 16 Jan 2019 02:49

POLLEPEL ISLAND, YOU SAY?

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Baxtalo 16 Jan 2019 03:46

YES IT IS A VERY BAD IDEA BUT SQKS IS A FEARLESS TINY CAPTAIN

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

pipsqks 16 Jan 2019 03:54

I will lead this expedition! It is the best idea yet!

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Rebus 15 Jan 2019 21:06

Gene's up. She definitely wants to visit Pollepel for real now that she's been dragged there in a nightmare vision, lol.

(Also, since I can't delete, pretend that was in the same thread as Squeaks' thing.)

Last edited on 15 Jan 2019 21:09 by Rebus Show more

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Optimist Prime 18 Jan 2019 19:05

Hello all! Happy New Year! - Thank you for creating this forum opportunity. Going to preface this by saying, that tone doesn't translate well through text so I hope that people knowing who I am as a person will help create the tone for this being me sharing my honest experience and hopes for the future as I work on how to better intergrate as a player on the game. I have no complaints, and I am not unhappy or frustrated. This is just a summary of my observations and what I'd like to see or figure out for this year.

On String Theory, I kinda feel since aftermath kicked off and the time gap stuff wrapped up for me personally, that is where people's interest in storylines and RP involving my characters as more than the occasional side social scene, sorta ended. The plans for aftermath RP seemed to fizzle and with it the connections with the characters and factions I built connections with. I will follow this up by saying, I have been following and reading other stories with those characters and factions. And those stories have been epic as all get out, but for a minute made me feel like bringing Raquelle through timegap and into aftermath had no purpose or reason. I've had a very hard time keeping up with what's going on because there are multiple factions and multiple timelines and etc going on. I think this mainly has to do with me only being involved in one faction and one timeline. For me, this makes perfect sense so I've been trying to come up with a way or something to make Raquelle and Dequan have a point or be more engageable in 2019. If that makes sense? So my plan with both Raquelle and Dequan has always been creating interesting enough backstories and histories to always have plothooks and opportunities for character engagement and growth. And this is where my disconnect seems to be, with the amount of RP that seems to be going on all the time, what am I doing wrong?

With Raquelle, I got excited with the missing food situation in the Safe Zone, and the riot scenes and so on because it created the feel that RPing the day to day challenges and triumphs of the people trying to restart and rebuild here was storyline in an of itself with the mystery added in. Then I dont' know where I lost track, and it probably did go somewhere but it seemed like if there was RP about resolving that situation, I was not aware of it. Then it didn't appear that very much else was being done with that faction. So the question is - Are there plots/plans/interest in stirring up more RP in or with the Safe Zone Cooperation? I may have missed /a lot/ because I always do.

With Dequan, I created a backstory and started fleshing out the Native American side of that engagement because I was very excited in exploring another facet of the 'world situation' in this game's timeline. So in 2019, I am super interested in pursuing and putting all of that to work.

So, the things I am pondering/plotting for 2019 for my own characters has to be leveraged on what opportunities will exist for the type of characters I have to get involved in things.

For Raquelle: I'd like to see more Safe Zone Cooperative based RP, challenges, issues,and connections. I'd like to see and work out some more things about his daughters abilities possibly eventually manifesting, or more about their maternal sides and the questions there. Especially with Diana's mystery mother. I'd like to eventually get his shop on grid again, and sorta slowly get away from him being almost like an NPC.

For Dequan: I think I'm going to see or try to see if he can get involved in the Providence like RP, and want to thank you all for creating that new avenue for RP and storytelling.

Is there anything else that people want or would like to see from Raquelle or Dequan?

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Oracle30 19 Jan 2019 01:03

As we all talked in the lounge today, you also mentioned several other aspects of the Safe Zone that I think it would be wonderful to see appear on screen and in scenes — you mentioned a rec center and building up a network of resources for children with needs and such. I would LOVE to see a lot of that going on, and I feel like getting Megan involved in some of that would also be fun. I have put in some of her scenes how she isn't just working ER shifts at Elmhurst, that she was also running street clinics for those who are unwilling to go to the hospital or trust the government (like a lot of the homeless from the Underground and such). And of course, a lot of things that happen in the game are things that just pop up at the spur of hte moment and then you find yourself with all kinds of RP around them. Like the creator of Eleanor the Coffee Lady in the Red Hook Market. She magically gets real beans, no one knows from where, and she turns up in a HUGE number of scenes. She's become her own NPC, just because people kinda liked the idea of her and started throwing her into their scenes as flavor. Raquelle, as you get into scenes with him, has those opportunities wide open… you can say you're doing a lot of stuff and sometimes it's really only stuff you've made up on the fly for that scene but it sounds cool, so hey. :)

I think the food shortages and such are still happening; I don't recall seeing any of that resolved either. So if you'd like to do some scenes with Meg or with Brynn revolving around that kind of thing, you know I'm always around. Let me know you want to scene and my daytimes USUALLY have me able to even do live scenes if you want.

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Kimmers 19 Jan 2019 02:41

First, Raquelle. I want to deeply apologize for the lack of Cooper. Things got wonky with him and he was stuck for 6mos (mainly cause I mentally got stuck).. and me with RL. I stretched myself too thin in game and got swept up into the Forking Paths Storyline. I failed you and it’s been nagging at me. I’m hoping next volume that maybe we can doc it up some and help flesh out that friendship. Cause I still love that Cooper’s BFF is Raq. An odd pair of fellows if ever there was.

I also have Godfrey who needs help staying pretty and of course Raq’s fellow councilman Jonathan. Now that I’m not going to be stretched across 3 Kaylees and so on, I’m hoping to get those being neglected out again.

And I def I agree, I’d like to see some more SZC stuff. (Though Jonathan is signed up for something that will take him out for a short time.) I’d love to see a few foodbank raid… brazen daylight things. That would be fun. We can make up our own SCZ stuff too, we can ask permission to do too. A thought.

Re: Brainstorming Thread - 01/07/19 - 01/20/19

Optimist Prime 21 Jan 2019 03:05

I would love to start working on the special needs, theater scene, and rec center like activities for SZ citizens as well as the food and resource situations. I had RP'd that Raquelle organizes a program where people volunteer to help out the elderly or handicapped on a weekly basis off of a rotation with things like laundry, cooking, cleaning and etc. I also could/would want him to volunteer to teach music workshops and such eventually.

As a note, there is no need to apologize. At the end of the day, there are only so many hours in a day and its easy to fill one's docket with scenes when involved in a plot/storyline. I would however, love in the next volume to do some more fleshing out and character development work around that odd yet adorable relationship.

I get nervous, on ST to make up too many things involving stuff created by staff, but I always have lots of ideas if people are interested in random yet still theme appropriate idears.