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What Type of Storylines Would You Like to See?
Mystery 2 (33.3%)
Action 0 (0%)
Adventure 4 (66.7%)
Total Votes: 6
What Do You Want to Play?; Storylines and Plot Hooks
Topic Started: Jul 1 2014, 12:53 AM (260 Views)
Storyteller
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Ancilla
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Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to check in and see what people were feeling in regards the types of stories they want the staff to tell. The Victorian Era did seem to lend itself to the more supernatural scares, the slow atmospheric and psychological frights, but with the penny dreadfuls, there was a time and place for gore and the more visceral type of horror.

That being said, we want to know what you guys enjoy. Likely, there will be a mix to suit everyone's tastes, but if everyone seems more inclined to one genre, we'll try and focus more heavily there. A poll has been added with a few options, below are a little more detail on what we mean by each:

Mystery - Investigation heavy storylines that involve twists and turns, red herrings and suspense. Think along the lines of Clue, Sherlock Holmes and Call of Cthulhu.

Action - Combat heavy storylines that involve kicking ass and taking names. Think along the lines of Underworld, Resident Evil.

Adventure - A balance between the two; combat and mystery. Think along the lines of Indiana Jones and Pulp genre novels.

Here are some other things worth discussing:

-Should we try and focus on smaller storylines (singular thread plots that have a definite conclusion) or should there be a more over sweeping story arc with lots of smaller plots connected to it?

-Should multiple storylines be run at the same time?

-Should social and political drama mainly be dictated and directed by the characters, rather than NPCs and other outside forces?

-Does romance play a role in any of this?

-How do you feel about character driven storylines?

-Is there anything that people feel uncomfortable exploring?
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Helena Serieux
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Methuselah
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Personally, I prefer less action heavy and more mystery. Still some action, even for less physical characters like Helena it's good to remind them IC that they can get their butts handed to them.

I always preferred longer plots lasting multiple threads. Especially if there's a way to do that where smaller threads are revealed to be linked later on. That being said, a peril of this form of roleplay is that when the threads become too long they lose impetus and interest wanes. I say that as a concern, not a reason against this type of plot line.

Players should be involved in any plot. Of course NPCs are required to run them, but a large factor in determining events should be the players involved, not NPCs involved.

Woot for romance. If it works and fits it adds another dimension to the rp.

I don't think we should have many plot threads running concurrently, for those with less spare time it may end up too hard to keep track of what important stuff is going on.

Character driven stories can be some of the very best stories. They may be very niche, but I definitely think they are worth running.

Finally, I am uncomfortable exploring issues involving abuse and sexual violence, and would be less likely to join or potentially even read such threads.

Hope that all helps.
Merits: Well Traveled, Refined, Natural Leader, Occult Library, Manor, True Love
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Flaws: Vengeance, Driving Goal, Infamous Sire, Sire's Resentment, Vengeful Childe/Jilted Paramour
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Thaddeus Augustine
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Neonate
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-Should we try and focus on smaller storylines (singular thread plots that have a definite conclusion) or should there be a more over sweeping story arc with lots of smaller plots connected to it?

I would say small storylines interspersed with the occasional large storyline.

-Should multiple storylines be run at the same time?

Probably not at first. Allow everyone some time to adjust to the board, and then go from there.

-Should social and political drama mainly be dictated and directed by the characters, rather than NPCs and other outside forces?

I would prefer social and political drama to be entirely player run, though sometimes it does require a boost here or there.

-Does romance play a role in any of this?

Sure, why not? Most vampires are striving to remain human, and romance is generally part of being human.

-How do you feel about character driven storylines?

I like them.

-Is there anything that people feel uncomfortable exploring?

I'm pretty okay with most things, though I usually am not a fan of children involved in sexual scenarios.

Merits: Entrepreneur, Coldly Logical, Magic Sensitivity, Hideaway, Occult Library

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Amelia Bradbury
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Childe
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I'm definitely favouring Mystery! That's not to say I hate the idea of action though! A mix of both with lots of suspense and intrigue, with the occasional bit of action would be idea for me as I like the stories we create more than simply trying to kick ass.

I think an over sweeping story arch would be fun, but with the branches of smaller stories intermingled - smaller stories, with definite conclusions, the overall arch should be ongoing, or the conclusion leading straight into another story arch.

I don't see why a few smaller stories shouldn't be run at the same time, it mostly depends on the time of the storyteller(s) and interest of the player base, I guess, as to how many are running and how they intertwine.

I think social and political drama definitely should be dictated by the PCs as it allows for a more diverse world and power struggle instead of NPCs and outside forces being needed so much/often. Or leaving scenes at a stand still whilst the players wait on the NPCs.

Yeah, why wouldn't Romance play a role in this? It's just another way to form alliances (or break them! ;) )

I think character driven storylines would be great - If I am understanding it correctly, it might help things move along faster and in unexpected ways if there isn't always an NPC or story teller around. They are great ways to help keep the plot on track and give it a new burst of life if things stagnante?

Finally, I am a little stuck on how to answer this 'Is there anything that people feel uncomfortable exploring?'

I am sure there are topics I'd dislike but I can't think of anything in particular - as long as it is all relevant with the context of the plot I don't see there being much of an issue. Also it depends on the depth and detail used in such scenes. For example - I tried to write about potentially triggering issues in as tasteful and non-graphic way as possible in my bio yet still get the point across.

That said, I suppose a warning or something could be used in potentially triggering posts/storylines so people can just opt out.

Maybe there is a way to make the text the same colour as the background so you have to select it so see certain details? Urgh! I don't know! (Can you tell that I am trying to be helpful but really have no idea! Hehe!)

I hope that was of some use and not just a waste of the few minutes it took for you to read this! :D
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Caleb Lance
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Fledgling
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I prefer a balance, mostly because I think it put less limit on what can happen in a story.


Now the Questions:

-Should we try and focus on smaller storylines (singular thread plots that have a definite conclusion) or should there be a more over sweeping story arc with lots of smaller plots connected to it?


I like both, but I like when stories emerge from smaller basic stories by the characters and their goals. So I hope that will happen also.


-Should multiple storylines be run at the same time?

I don't think a character should be at 2 places at once if that is what you mean but otherwise why not?

-Should social and political drama mainly be dictated and directed by the characters, rather than NPCs and other outside forces?

Absolutely, NPC outside forces are more for when things are stagnant IMO and shouldn't interfere with the Drama the players create in the global setting outside of the storyline.

-Does romance play a role in any of this?

Yes, bad romance all the same.

-How do you feel about character driven storylines?

If you mean emergent stories characters fall into I love these.
If you mean stories that center on a specific characters it depends how fluid things are (Mass effect-style multiple "choice" is kind of redundant in my eyes) if the characters can really take it to where they want I think its great.

-Is there anything that people feel uncomfortable exploring?

This is an <insert immature pun here> but yes I think I'm the type of player that feels uncomfortable when bad things are forced upon my character for no reason. For example if a storyteller would tell me that my character sinks to infernalism without any leading circumstances that cause the situation to evolve.

TLDR: I hate when my character falls victim to bad Deus Ex Mechina : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex_machina

I think most of the other stuff was already covered by others
Edited by Caleb Lance, Jul 1 2014, 03:01 PM.
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Storyteller
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Ancilla
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Hey Caleb,

Because of the forum format - Characters can be in multiple threads at once. Sometimes this skews with the timeline a bit, but since it's really all creative writing, we just encourage people to play their characters appropriately.

This might lead to people doing multiple storylines at the same time.

There's actually a 'Note' section in your profile where you can keep track of your threads in order of the timeline.

Some of that is covered in the FAQ, which you can find HERE
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Caleb Lance
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Fledgling
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Does it mean that the consequence of one thread cant impact another or are they predetermined?
I know forum format can drag things on for ages but it still seems strange to me.

I guess it can work if Story-lines are completely unrelated to eachother or we are careful enough not to refer to unresolved parts of these story-lines but it can also create a space-time paradox when cause-and-effect are concerned. For me the chronology of cause-and-effect are part of the exploration that makes writing interesting.
Edited by Caleb Lance, Jul 1 2014, 08:30 PM.
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Helena Serieux
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Methuselah
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It means one of three things happen. The threads do not have a significant impact to your character, you know in advance what is roughly going to happen (like Helena meeting the prince here) so you can mention that without worry or panicked editing and chats when something unexpected, yet huge goes down.

I found it weird too at first and was reluctant to enter multiple threads, but when the forum gets going you'll see it pretty much works out on its own.

I was pondering making an official timeline tracking what happens in character on the board, would that help at all?
Merits: Well Traveled, Refined, Natural Leader, Occult Library, Manor, True Love
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Flaws: Vengeance, Driving Goal, Infamous Sire, Sire's Resentment, Vengeful Childe/Jilted Paramour
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Administrator
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Administrator
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It can get a little complicated, that's for sure. I've been in eleven threads at once - some of them lasting nearly two months in length. Ultimately, everyone is reading what everyone else is doing, so if something impacts things in a major way, it's really just a matter of having a conversation with them or the staff if needed.

As for the forum-wide timeline, it isn't really necessary at this time. Once we have a couple of months under our belts and new people join it might not hurt to have a summary of the things that have happened that they may or may not know about, but otherwise we don't really see the value in it.

Players are responsible for keeping track of their own personal timelines and how one thread may/may not affect another.
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Elizabeth Jones
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Fledgling
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- I'd say let's start slow and see how much we can handle. I am fine with multiple story lines, both big and small, unless they get tangled and you lose control of them. Also, NPC-driven political drama can be useful, but as soon as the PCs get more active I think most of the subplots will develop naturally. I think NPCs and oustide events can give a shake when needed, but if we do get to have character-driven stories it's much better.

- Romance. Not my main goal but why not. Also forbidding it is kind of silly. It must be character-driven, though, otherwise I don't see the point of it.

- I don't really have taboos. Or - okay, I do have them in terms of things that both I and my characters won't tolerate, but it doesn't mean I can't face them in the setting.
Edited by Elizabeth Jones, Jul 2 2014, 07:06 AM.
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