Hello,
I wanted to throw this out there, and see if anyone has interest/support to this, willing to change it up and/or put their game time into the Idea.
So what is the Idea? Well, initially it is to join up with 15 Players in total (minimum) that want to spend the next year, 2018, developing and playing a Character that is put-into-action for Role-play and Conflict (character-versus-character) type storytelling. Like, serious conflict-oriented RP, where there are actual winners and losers.
First thoughts are that this Player Campaign/Storyline would last for just 2018, but...it could continue, if your Character SURVIVES (!!!! ) and/or the Story must go on...like.
The format would be: 5 Characters banded for Good-ish action, 5 Characters banded for Evil-ish action, and 5 Characters banded together as Neutral action trying to either sway one or both sides, or just simply "funding the war/manipulating the conflict" between the 2 sides, for personal or whatever gain/loss.
All 3-sides get an artificial construction to be "banded" together, which can be worked out by the 5 Players dedicated to playing in a "Faction." However, the base artificial construction is that each Faction knows of each other from the get go—perhaps only marginally, but more or less known existence if not out right identity—and are trying to "gain" something by the overcoming/eradicating/conversion of the other side to Your sides "ways." Thus, just PvPing is not the only answer nor means for "winning" in this Player Campaign/Storyline.
For the most effect, I assume it would be best to start off with Level 1 Characters, and enjoy the coming year leveling them. A structure for limits to Leveling speed could be installed, or not—I'm really not to care about this. For example, we could say that Jan.–Mar. is Levels 1 to 10, April - July is Levels 11 to 20, and August to December is Levels 21 to 30. But that depends on how others feel about it. Maybe some Characters never make it past Level 10, but...they STILL are part of each Faction, and have a solid Role in each Faction (this is a challenge to RP, but hey...we're masters of RP these days, yes?!?).
What I like about this is that though our 15 Characters would have this artificial construct of existence around their Existence (lol), it would not prevent us from interaction with the many wonderful PCs of all Levels that already exist. Which, I would say, would also be important...though we, as Players, OOC, need to be considerate of "pulling in" outside Powers that would be otherwise unfair to the Concept. But then again...that might be super interesting!?!? Can't say for sure either way, but better to get the idea out there.
Now, for sake of argument, this idea of 15 Characters divided up between 3 Factions could be done with existing PCs, but...what this Player Campaign/Storyline is based on is CvC conflict, and thus...wait for it...Permadeath. We can decide what constitutes a fair and sense-based reason to say "this death is REAL death." Could be 3 mechanical strikes. Could be that at every mechanical or RP death, the Player needs to roll at 1d4 and if they roll a 1, the PC is really dead.
If enough Players were willing to put their existing Characters into this Player Campaign/Storyline, then great! But what I'm trying to do here is bypass any existing emotional investment that could come from previous YEARS of RP, and create something loose, but serious in attention and enjoyment.
Whew!
So what started as a short "testing the waters" ended up a bit long winded, so...if you're interested in this, obviously, speak up! In my opinion, it would be cool to have this last a year, but that's just positive hope. However, maybe in the process of having fun with it, some major events will happen and some real changes to the environment can be made!
So I'm all for CvC, Permadeath basically what I needed to read and went I'm game. My only thing I am seeing possible issue which I may have missed reading is Time Zones.
I think each 5 should be relatively mostly close in TZ. As for the other groups if it can't be done where everyone is on at the same time, maybe then rely on like 'journal' entries or rumor posts of this group had done XYZ. say evil caused this and good is trying to do this Neutral trying to do this
May be a little rough to coordinate but who knows without trying.
So I would like to be in, what's one more character in my many but idk what side just yet.
Do you enjoy the embrace of the darkness?
Do you still suffer from the loss of a loved One?
Or are you seeking magical secrets, beyond normal understanding?
If you can get the idea off the ground, I would be interested. Especially if we agree to suspend PvP rules between the factions. Not sure how a neutral faction fits in though. Maybe just good vs evil. The classic formula for conflict development.
Former DM Creo 2017 CC Appointed Jul 27 2016 Removed May 21 2017 Sara Denton "Ashley"Fled the Swords Coast Macgar BlackbrewReturned to Tribe Raymar Belladonna (Dead) Once Captain of the Dragonwing Outlaw, Pirate & Friend NrocLiving a life at sea
Hello! Nice to read that there is some interest. Even nicer to read that the majority of interest so far is in taking up a role on the Evil-ish Faction, which I had assumed would be the most difficult to fill.
Obviously, some more interest is needed to make this happen, but we have some days before committing to anything...for a year! lol.
But, to reiterate some issues and suggestions:
- Reduce Neutral Faction to 3 PCs: I think this is fine, however, I did feel that a Neutral Faction should be able to counter either the Good or Evil, in terms of members and might. Considering how this may go in RP, both the Good or Evil factions could manipulate the Neutrals to act or react, and it would be a pity if the Neutral Faction did not have the numbers to "defend" itself. So, let's see how this goes in general.
- Restrictions: So far the a) starting Level restriction and b) Leveling speed restrictions seem plausible, if not agreeable to those with interest so far. If there are any more comments on this, let's read it.
- Permadeath: Like I tried to suggest in the OP, there has to be terms outside of just PvP mechanics win, when it comes to Permadeath. Just to be simple about it, we could have a 2-part system, like: a) after 3 PvP mechanical deaths and/or mob deaths, a Character needs to roll a 1d4 every following death, and on a 1, they are Permadead; b) if an non-mechanical Death (RP death, like hostage or something), then the Character has to roll a public 1d4 and if a 1, the PC is Permadead. I'm assuming we are all going to take RP death and such interactions with cooperative view. TBC.
- Goals: My thoughts on this is something along these lines: during the first few months, each Faction has the goal of establishing a "base of operations," which is also something to negotiate with the NPC world. I can imagine that the Evil-ish Faction need to establish a Base in the Upperdark/near Surface + Surface realm. The Good-ish need to find a safe haven in an accommodating village or town. The Neutrals need to find a Base where they can trade freely with both sides. This can also be moments were each faction makes collaboration with existing Guilds/Factions. For example, the Evils might find making a deal with the Zhentarim to use Darkhold as a place of business, by paying a tax for it. Or lying about allegiance. Or, equally make such a move with the Captains of Roaringshore. Etc, etc.
The middle-half months is about confronting, manipulating and posturing positions against the opposite groups. Who knows...in the first months, maybe Evil finds a way to lure the Neutrals more to their side...and the Goods have to "win them back" to at least Neutral, in order that the balance is fair...for if Evil grows in size, that has dire conseqeunces for the Goods!!
The final third of the year is the actual achievement or "win" over the other Side(s), which is a Big Goal yet to be determined. If anyone has a suggestion, I'd like to read it. I'm so far thinking about some Capture the Flag-like goal, or, find a Secret Artifact Goal, or Convert 2 members of the opposing Faction goal (or their permanent destruction). Essentially, there exists a clear cut goal that all Factions know about, but...there is a question about whether just Goods or just Evils can attain it without help (re: neutrals come into play), or using trickery/faith/persuasion to establish political power.
Let's not forget to mention the probably interest and justified desire to have a large Melee PvP affair, between Factions, at a certain point (or multiple points). This is were taunts, calling out honor, hunts, direct challenges and Lawful/Chaotic morals all come into play. Have fun with it, thinking up ways to manipulate Characters into a position that benefits the mindset of your own Character!
Of course, the internal Factions are created thus to support this, and we Players simple OOC agree to accept a type of "glue" that holds the individuals together. We could just accept a "vision" that binds, or a Curse that binds (even more fun! lol).
- PvP Rules: I think it is possible to "suspend" these Rules among our Characters, if we also take up a Level restriction timeframe, and we have clear Permadeath rules. I would say that instead of an RP out—though still possible, if you can be that persuasive with your RP—we have a "run to transition you're safe" rule. Fleeing is something that should be respected, but...fleeing has a big time "loss of face" aspect to it, that WILL become known (at least, used against a Faction...bunch of yellow bellied chicken babies!!! muahaha). Any more ideas on how this can be best put into practice, I'm interested in reading.
An idea Steve could be something that is common in most stories, but carries little weight in bgtscc. Gold. Not only limiting our levels but our gold. This would need honest selfmonitoring, but could go a long way in setting the table for our conflict. We can use gold to reward PvP and rp wins. And the final outcome could come from who has the most gold at the end of the event.
aaron22 wrote:An idea Steve could be something that is common in most stories, but carries little weight in bgtscc. Gold. Not only limiting our levels but our gold. This would need honest selfmonitoring, but could go a long way in setting the table for our conflict. We can use gold to reward PvP and rp wins. And the final outcome could come from who has the most gold at the end of the event.
That might be a good objective / goal for the early levels. Or, there could be an artificial Gold Goal, something tallied through our player events or in the event that a DM creates a challenge for the Factions. The “winning” of a challenge could collect a gold reward, kept by a 3rd party or DM, and this “pot” would have special purpose power??? Like, monies for paying off/ donating to NPCs for favor, just as an example.
What personally don’t want to do is monitor other Players gold and items and stuff. Monitoring our Levels is enough “limits,” for me at least. However, if things appeal to a majority, im game to abide!
So, I'm I correct in counting 9 interested players, myself included?
That means we're almost there...with the additional issue of which Faction will you RP?!? That said, I'm interested in playing a Neutral-ish faction Character, not a merchant or coin collector, but a Character that would have direct interest in whether either Good or Evil faction dominated. More of a "if the balance is off, work to bring it back inline...which could go soooo many ways.
But, if there is a larger hole to fill elsewhere, I can swap my character idea for another.
Just an FYI, if any on the evil and usually I prefer evil, just cause I like conflict, if there are Drow still have to follow the rules of going up to the surface. Cannot be up there for unknown periods of time etc etc. So I would say Races should be figured out for both sides. (Since their are 'good' Drow and other races normally seen as evil)
ValerieJean wrote:Just an FYI, if any on the evil and usually I prefer evil, just cause I like conflict, if there are Drow still have to follow the rules of going up to the surface. Cannot be up there for unknown periods of time etc etc. So I would say Races should be figured out for both sides. (Since their are 'good' Drow and other races normally seen as evil)
This is why I think those that would choose Evil Faction can decide if they want a "base" in the Upperdark, or something related to it, since that means that a Drow could conceivably be in that Faction.
) and/or the Story must go on...like.
