Story arcs (hear me out on this one)

[zeke]

I've given this a lot of thought, and i've come up with what i think is an interesting idea that could expand the capabilites of role-playing on the board.

What i mean by a story arc is where at least 5 members organize in advance a group storyline, where they all team up and take on the corporal punishment system in some way, with their opponents and various events controlled by a mod or co-admin, or even the principal himself. It would have various benefits, such as mass character development, and exciting stories for other members to read later.

Essentially, there would be a Section of the site titled "Story Arc section". It would be divided into three parts:

1: Story arc requests.
the first step to making a story arc begins here. The group (between 5 and 8 people) would have one of the members of the group post a story arc request form. it would contain the following information:

First, the name of the story arc.

Second, the number of members taking part, and their names.

Third, the inital plot summary to the storyline. (a summary of how the story would start off, not the whole thing. Everything would be open to change after the first few posting rounds.)

Essentially, mods would then check the form, and see if it is a story arc that would be worthwhile and interesting, and if they themselves had any interest in controlling the opponents. If they do, they would reply to the post and say it is accepted.

Which brings us to the second part of the section:

Story arcs in progress.

This would be where all story arcs would be placed for posting.

Members of the Story arc would alternate posting (in the order they were listed in the request form) and the mod or co-admin would go last. Battles would be just like normal PVP battles, and the winner would be decided the same way as well. The story arc would end when the normal members are defeated, or when they accomplish their goal.

At which point they would be moved to the third part of the Section:

Completed Story Arcs.

This would basically be an archive of all completed Story arcs in the past, for members to view.


That's my general plan. let me know what you think!

[Conner]

The way it seems to work on here is, there's one basic story arc, and everyone's own personal story arcs can go through it.

Want to do something big? Do it out in the open.

Edit: My advice to you Zeke, is wait and see exactly how things work here before swarming with all your suggestions.

[zeke]

Okay, I accept that advice. I would like to see what everyone else thinks first, though.

[Director Troutman]

Everything that happens on this board is fundamentally part of the main story. The only true exceptions are the actions of the Principal (considering that his actions are, for the most part, the sole driving force for what members react to in terms of storyline advancement, his threads are unchallenged for canonicity, though that's also because the basic plot is constantly in discussion and is generally given positive feedback) and a handful of the top members whose connections to other characters is so inextricably linked that whatever they do affects characters around them.

For example, any thread involving the general 'We hate Kvist' club can affect or be linked to around thirty or forty members in one way or another.

Yes, we could keep things separate by stating -THIS IS STORYLINE- and all that, put it in another section, but there are occasions where threads that begin quite inoccuously develop into rather important things to return to for information. This board is one big story that carries on, even if the action, per se, takes a break. It's not my place or anyones here to say ideas aren't 'appropriate' for storyline because, quite simply, some of the biggest story arcs on this board started out as rather random threads.

In other words, I'll also second Conners remarks...I appreciate and understand the enthusiasm, but I'd advise you to write a few more OPEN threads (so far the only threads of yours I've spotted --with a couple of exceptions-- are closed ones), get your bearings here and see what this board is like as it is before you start suggesting things.

[Kyukaku]

I completely agree with the bossman.

For clarification, the only reason I'm posting this is at Zeke's request to see what my thoughts were on the matter.

[zeke]

And thanks for that.


I understand what all of you are saying. I just thought that an organized section with various group escapades would be interesting, But now that i hear your side, I guess I didn't put enough thought into it.

[Leon Loire]

This suggestion reminded me of two things: the Quest System on the Stat based boards, and World of Warcraft. Now, I'm not going to explain why I'm reminded of the latter, but I think anyone dumb enough to ever waste time on that blasted MMORPG will know what I'm talking about when they compare the idea to Party raids on dungeons for "experience."

However, I don't want to be bashing your idea. Like your other suggestions, it's respectable, and it is honestly refreshing to have new members toss their ideas to the wind as soon as they jump on to the board. It shows that you not only care for enjoying your own roleplaying, but that you want to help develop the board. That's the signs of a good potential VIP member, so keep that in mind for the future. However, the reason most new members do not do well with suggestions is because they don't know too much about what goes on around the board in the first place. Much of what you've suggested either already exists in some other form or in a parallel method, or it simply doesn't fit with how we do things on this board.

For example, we don't plan out character developments and storyline arcs necessarily in the OOC. Sure, there's speculation and ideas tossed around about how the storyline's foundation is set, but once the setting is made, and the protagonists or antagonists are seen, we allow the true aspect of roleplaying to take over. We allow the board members to react as they want to, and then we go with what happens. Planning out a storyline arc step by step is somewhat similar to how the other boards work their Quest System. They set up a scenario, set up special characters, enlist members to join, then lead the members through the event to gain experience.

(Note: I may be wrong on how they do Questing, since I just joined Mugen Hall, and they have not had a Quest yet.)

To say the least, this board doesn't plan out storyline arcs in the way you've suggested. Members come up with ideas, post them, have their friends join, play it out. Or, we suggest an idea in the VIP to follow, a particular group prepare the foundation, then the entire board gets involved. That's practically how we do things here. So, in this reference, your idea isn't really necessary.

However, there is one aspect of your idea that I truly like. It reminds me of an irk that my friend Ryan (our Captain) has been having issues with for a while now.

Your idea gives board members - every board member, no matter their status on the board - the chance to make a storyline of their own, to plan it out, and to get others involved. The problem with our system of doing things is that the "Elites" tend to be the ones that plan the storylines, and other members simply join in. It is rare for everyone to be a part of the storyline's foundation, so your idea could help change that.

But, as I've said, perhaps it's better you get to know the board first before you push for new ideas and suggestions to change the board. While it's respectable, understand that you're new to a board that has existed for nearly three years (well, one year under this address by Christmas, and three years in terms of the storyline of the board by November). So if you want to help us grow, make sure to have a bit of experience under your belt, get to know some of us in character and out of character, then make your push for political influence.

After all, I was like you when I first joined, full of ideas and what not - and I'm sure the older veterans remember that with a roll of their eyes. But to say the least, I grew, eventually became a Moderator, and now I'm where I am. Just a sign of where you could end up if you stick around.

[Director Troutman]

leonhart said:

After all, I was like you when I first joined, full of ideas and what not - and I'm sure the older veterans remember that with a roll of their eyes.

The nightmares still haunt my sleep, Loire..... T.T

[zeke]

"But, as I've said, perhaps it's better you get to know the board first before you push for new ideas and suggestions to change the board. While it's respectable, understand that you're new to a board that has existed for nearly three years (well, one year under this address by Christmas, and three years in terms of the storyline of the board by November). So if you want to help us grow, make sure to have a bit of experience under your belt, get to know some of us in character and out of character, then make your push for political influence."

I'll remember that. Thanks a lot, that really cleared things up for me. I'm glad you liked at least one part of it, though. and now that i mention it...

good god, it does remind me of group quests in MMORPGs. (I wasn't thinking about that though.)