P2TM Training RP Think Tank [Portal's End]

[Tiltjuice]

Point being that the plot should not be compartmentalized.

True; I'm not conceding that. But two different arcs can flow/merge into the same larger umbrella story. I think that's the ideal.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

My two cents are that we'll likely figure things out as we go along. We don't need to worry too much. Just be quite good at Xanatos Speed Chess.

[Nationstatelandsville]

Point being that the plot should not be compartmentalized.

True; I'm not conceding that. But two different arcs can flow/merge into the same larger umbrella story. I think that's the ideal.

Arcs?

Why arcs?

I seriously doubt we're producing enough content to fill more than 130-some pages. This is a training RP, not a two-year-long commitment like Excalibur Squadron or Elfen High. PL may go through IC's quickly, but it is of a much more free format, not to mention having many, many more players than we can handle in a training RP.

My two cents are that we'll likely figure things out as we go along. We don't need to worry too much. Just be quite good at Xanatos Speed Chess.

That's all well and good with plot; but we all need to be on the same page here with how this will actually work.

But I definitely agree we shouldn't be wasting too much time on a "think tank" when all that really needs to be done now is get everyone together in a secret cavern far away from here to discuss plot.

[Tiltjuice]

'Arcs'...loose term. Mini-stories, etc.; apply your own. *nods*

[Nightkill the Emperor]

True; I'm not conceding that. But two different arcs can flow/merge into the same larger umbrella story. I think that's the ideal.

Arcs?

Why arcs?

I seriously doubt we're producing enough content to fill more than 130-some pages. This is a training RP, not a two-year-long commitment like Excalibur Squadron or Elfen High. PL may go through IC's quickly, but it is of a much more free format, not to mention having many, many more players than we can handle in a training RP.

My two cents are that we'll likely figure things out as we go along. We don't need to worry too much. Just be quite good at Xanatos Speed Chess.

That's all well and good with plot; but we all need to be on the same page here with how this will actually work.

But I definitely agree we shouldn't be wasting too much time on a "think tank" when all that really needs to be done now is get everyone together in a secret cavern far away from here to discuss plot.

It's irritating for me that you and Tilt can't just join us in the Mentor's subforum. But we can all just TG.

[Nationstatelandsville]

'Arcs'...loose term. Mini-stories, etc.; apply your own. *nods*

Subplots.

An arc is traditionally used to refer to an entirely separate thread.

Arcs?

Why arcs?

I seriously doubt we're producing enough content to fill more than 130-some pages. This is a training RP, not a two-year-long commitment like Excalibur Squadron or Elfen High. PL may go through IC's quickly, but it is of a much more free format, not to mention having many, many more players than we can handle in a training RP.


That's all well and good with plot; but we all need to be on the same page here with how this will actually work.

But I definitely agree we shouldn't be wasting too much time on a "think tank" when all that really needs to be done now is get everyone together in a secret cavern far away from here to discuss plot.

It's irritating for me that you and Tilt can't just join us in the Mentor's subforum. But we can all just TG.

IRC.

[Tiltjuice]

'Arcs'...loose term. Mini-stories, etc.; apply your own. *nods*

Subplots.

An arc is traditionally used to refer to an entirely separate thread.

Meh. We're not too formal about that.

IRC.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

'Arcs'...loose term. Mini-stories, etc.; apply your own. *nods*

Subplots.

An arc is traditionally used to refer to an entirely separate thread.

It's irritating for me that you and Tilt can't just join us in the Mentor's subforum. But we can all just TG.

IRC.

I will destroy your life and soul.

[Swith Witherward]

This was the initial story... before revamping the RP.

"Lalala look a new school and I'm a student!" We give them a few days to settle into the IC. No classes. Just get to know a few teachers, register for classes, and other dull things that give them plenty of time to sit inside the school and get to know each other IC. Let them form bonds and perhaps even a few cliques. They go through one training exercise where they learn how to spar, which teaches players how to do combat rounds, how to temper power with intelligence, and how to not enter into godmode. We can call it "tryouts" for some team. Those who don't want to try out can see get a feel for how rounds are done in an RP.

Time skip to the first Friday of the semester. Everyone settles into a classroom and then BLAM! There's an explosion that sucks the class in. Injured teacher, nervous students. The students have to navigate a sort of alternate reality where they're challenged to find a way back to the school. We already know the character's weaknesses and flaws. We guide them towards working as a team and towards analyzing things so that, in future RP, they've already figured out that they can't always be the star in every scene. The characters eventually discover a way back after getting their asses handed to them.

Time skip. An afternoon on the town. A few characters gain insight (via gossip) of some past history. No one really knows what happened to all the prior students, teachers or headmaster. Players are given a few clues. It's up to them to do a little research. This teaches players the importance of conveying information IC.

Teachers and students are now aware of something that needs to be stopped. A few more odd things happen. Fun things but all of it ties in, and all it involving going into the portals to gather information. And then people begin to vanish. Teachers first, then older students and then ProPlayer characters. The noobs have to organize themselves and confront the entity in order to save everyone and themselves. Alone... no experienced players to bail them out. If they can manage this, they can manage to play in any RP.

It's basic. It covers the primary elements to gaming, and it's very adaptable. We don't want this to turn into a long-term game.

I scrapped this plot sketch it because people wanted to focus more outside of the school.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

This was the initial story... before revamping the RP.

"Lalala look a new school and I'm a student!" We give them a few days to settle into the IC. No classes. Just get to know a few teachers, register for classes, and other dull things that give them plenty of time to sit inside the school and get to know each other IC. Let them form bonds and perhaps even a few cliques. They go through one training exercise where they learn how to spar, which teaches players how to do combat rounds, how to temper power with intelligence, and how to not enter into godmode. We can call it "tryouts" for some team. Those who don't want to try out can see get a feel for how rounds are done in an RP.

Time skip to the first Friday of the semester. Everyone settles into a classroom and then BLAM! There's an explosion that sucks the class in. Injured teacher, nervous students. The students have to navigate a sort of alternate reality where they're challenged to find a way back to the school. We already know the character's weaknesses and flaws. We guide them towards working as a team and towards analyzing things so that, in future RP, they've already figured out that they can't always be the star in every scene. The characters eventually discover a way back after getting their asses handed to them.

Time skip. An afternoon on the town. A few characters gain insight (via gossip) of some past history. No one really knows what happened to all the prior students, teachers or headmaster. Players are given a few clues. It's up to them to do a little research. This teaches players the importance of conveying information IC.

Teachers and students are now aware of something that needs to be stopped. A few more odd things happen. Fun things but all of it ties in, and all it involving going into the portals to gather information. And then people begin to vanish. Teachers first, then older students and then ProPlayer characters. The noobs have to organize themselves and confront the entity in order to save everyone and themselves. Alone... no experienced players to bail them out. If they can manage this, they can manage to play in any RP.

It's basic. It covers the primary elements to gaming, and it's very adaptable. We don't want this to turn into a long-term game.

I scrapped this plot sketch it because people wanted to focus more outside of the school.

It doesn't seem too bad to me. I'd say it gives enough focus outside the school, what with the alternate dimension and having to go through the portals and all. The tryouts and the classes sound like a good idea, to me. It's not as if we shouldn't use the school, after all.

I wouldn't be opposed to this at all.

I'll say more later. Have to give my cat medicine.

[Swith Witherward]

Story arc - the overarching thing. In television, it can last for a season or multiple seasons. Minor stories/subplots can be interwoven with it and be part of it or else stand-alones. PL, for example, has a major story arc that players occasionally stumble upon but aren't completely aware of yet. Nearly everything Cer and I introduce ties into this arc but we also allow minor things in order to keep too much focus on it. It's been building for eight threads. It's what holds the entire PLverse together. There are smaller arcs completely apart from the main arc which are player-run. These at times touch upon the main PL arc but are not married to it. The PL arc always takes precedence.

Our PE arc is only for one thread and one story. Start to graduation. Nothing more. There won't be many minor stories because we don't have time to focus on them. Each thing we introduce thus ties into the arc.

The thing I want to avoid is continuity lock-out. Continuity keeps us on track but if a player takes a break for a week, they should be able to pick up again without having to study a hundred pages. The KISS or "Keep it simple, stupid" principle.

[Camicon]

Story arc - the overarching thing. In television, it can last for a season or multiple seasons. Minor stories/subplots can be interwoven with it and be part of it or else stand-alones. PL, for example, has a major story arc that players occasionally stumble upon but aren't completely aware of yet. Nearly everything Cer and I introduce ties into this arc but we also allow minor things in order to keep too much focus on it. It's been building for eight threads. It's what holds the entire PLverse together. There are smaller arcs completely apart from the main arc which are player-run. These at times touch upon the main PL arc but are not married to it. The PL arc always takes precedence.

Our PE arc is only for one thread and one story. Start to graduation. Nothing more. There won't be many minor stories because we don't have time to focus on them. Each thing we introduce thus ties into the arc.

The thing I want to avoid is continuity lock-out. Continuity keeps us on track but if a player takes a break for a week, they should be able to pick up again without having to study a hundred pages. The KISS or "Keep it simple, stupid" principle.

Continuity lock-out is one of the main reasons I've not thrown my hat into Elfen High, or PL (though it's partly my own neuroses as well. While I'm fully aware that I don't need to know all past events, I feel too unsettled joining mid-way unless I do). If these are going to run in a contained, one-off format, then we don't need to worry about it as much. But if Portal's End is going to be episodic in nature then it needs to be avoided at all costs, or there will be a good portion of new blood that feel too intimidated to join.

[EDIT] And I just thought of something else. One skill I really think should be taught is how to introduce a new character into scenarios within the RP. I can't count how many times I've seen someone say "Hey, my dude is sitting over here with nothing to do, can someone go talk to him?" or some variation thereof. It's something that becomes especially evident when people create moody, introverted characters, and really play up the moody and introverted traits. Even something as simple as "Broody McEmoPants was walking along with his head down and bumped into Jumpy von Jellybean". Anything to get RPers to introduce themselves into the story, rather than wait for someone else to come along and drag them in.

[Altito Asmoro]

This was the initial story... before revamping the RP.

"Lalala look a new school and I'm a student!" We give them a few days to settle into the IC. No classes. Just get to know a few teachers, register for classes, and other dull things that give them plenty of time to sit inside the school and get to know each other IC. Let them form bonds and perhaps even a few cliques. They go through one training exercise where they learn how to spar, which teaches players how to do combat rounds, how to temper power with intelligence, and how to not enter into godmode. We can call it "tryouts" for some team. Those who don't want to try out can see get a feel for how rounds are done in an RP.

Time skip to the first Friday of the semester. Everyone settles into a classroom and then BLAM! There's an explosion that sucks the class in. Injured teacher, nervous students. The students have to navigate a sort of alternate reality where they're challenged to find a way back to the school. We already know the character's weaknesses and flaws. We guide them towards working as a team and towards analyzing things so that, in future RP, they've already figured out that they can't always be the star in every scene. The characters eventually discover a way back after getting their asses handed to them.

Time skip. An afternoon on the town. A few characters gain insight (via gossip) of some past history. No one really knows what happened to all the prior students, teachers or headmaster. Players are given a few clues. It's up to them to do a little research. This teaches players the importance of conveying information IC.

Teachers and students are now aware of something that needs to be stopped. A few more odd things happen. Fun things but all of it ties in, and all it involving going into the portals to gather information. And then people begin to vanish. Teachers first, then older students and then ProPlayer characters. The noobs have to organize themselves and confront the entity in order to save everyone and themselves. Alone... no experienced players to bail them out. If they can manage this, they can manage to play in any RP.

It's basic. It covers the primary elements to gaming, and it's very adaptable. We don't want this to turn into a long-term game.

I scrapped this plot sketch it because people wanted to focus more outside of the school.

It's surely will able to provide the newbies with experience and insight of role-playing skills.

[Swith Witherward]

Continuity lock-out is one of the main reasons I've not thrown my hat into Elfen High, or PL (though it's partly my own neuroses as well. While I'm fully aware that I don't need to know all past events, I feel too unsettled joining mid-way unless I do). If these are going to run in a contained, one-off format, then we don't need to worry about it as much. But if Portal's End is going to be episodic in nature then it needs to be avoided at all costs, or there will be a good portion of new blood that feel too intimidated to join.

[EDIT] And I just thought of something else. One skill I really think should be taught is how to introduce a new character into scenarios within the RP. I can't count how many times I've seen someone say "Hey, my dude is sitting over here with nothing to do, can someone go talk to him?" or some variation thereof. It's something that becomes especially evident when people create moody, introverted characters, and really play up the moody and introverted traits. Even something as simple as "Broody McEmoPants was walking along with his head down and bumped into Jumpy von Jellybean". Anything to get RPers to introduce themselves into the story, rather than wait for someone else to come along and drag them in.

PL continuity? "Once upon a time, there were Drones. They blew up everything. We rebuilt. The end." We have a nifty formula for introducing new players there because we get so many noobs. Anyway...

Good point about learning the nuances of introducing a character into scenarios, Cami.

[Nationstatelandsville]

I like Swith's idea of gradually removing more experienced players; though it could also go unbelievably fucking wrong.

Perhaps we should introduce a "Pro Player" tag to the OP? Someone not there as a student, but an instructor. We don't want the RP flooded with Pro Players though, so we should either handpick them (difficult) or set a limit.

We should also have a student cap; I'm thinking 12?

[Zarkenis Ultima]

So, a bit late, but here are some opinions regarding all of this.

First of all, powergrids. I think they're an useful tool, whether to compare the capabilities of different characters or to flesh them out somewhat. Most roleplays don't incorporate them, so we should not put too much emphasis on it lest our trainees become dependant on the existence of a powergrid to flesh out their characters properly, but it could be a useful tool, to teach them how to limit their characters and such. Thus, I am in favor of having one.

The boggart-y type thing does sound better than the emotion gate thing, if only because the latter might force emotions into a character that would not happen in that specific scenario or would otherwise be rare, whereas fear does not come with that problem. Unless we accept the "I fear nothing!" types, which I doubt.

Continuity lock-out shouldn't be a problem here judging by how we've agreed we're going to be running this thus far. As far as I can see, what we'll be doing is a single story arc, a single thread, and we'll be having a specific time period for sign ups. If no players will be allowed to join after that, then everyone will be in the loop from the start, unless they have to be absent for a time, and if that happens to be the case, they can be briefed easily. Perhaps they wouldn't even have to be, if their characters missed something. Maybe they were sick and had to skip classes. I don't know, it's a school, even if there won't be a lot of focus on it.

Keeping things simple is good.

Limitations. Those are important. For the time being, I think those outlined in themockup secondary post will do just fine, though maybe throw in a bit that says characters can't call for outside help or anything such, so as to avoid having someone create characters with supposed 'connections' that would in theory help. They won't, but dealing with it might still be annoying.

The app, to me, looks fine. Maybe remove the RP sample bit? We are going to be training people after all, I don't think one of those will be necessary, though others might disagree. I do concede that if some trainees have played on NS before having an idea of their skill level might help. Also, maybe add some underline codes in the fields? I for one can hardly tell bold apart from regular characters sometimes, but that's just me, so meh.

Hope this helps.

I like Swith's idea of gradually removing more experienced players; though it could also go unbelievably fucking wrong.

Perhaps we should introduce a "Pro Player" tag to the OP? Someone not there as a student, but an instructor. We don't want the RP flooded with Pro Players though, so we should either handpick them (difficult) or set a limit.

We should also have a student cap; I'm thinking 12?

For the underlined part, wut?

Limits are good, we don't want to overextend ourselves. For student caps, twelve or maybe fifteen. For Pro Players, if we're going with 12 students, maybe four Pro Players, and five if we're going with fifteen students?

[Nationstatelandsville]

For the underlined part, wut?

"OP" should be "app".

Anyways, fifteen seems a bit much - most RP's have about eight-to-twelve participants, so I think twelve is a good number. Fifteen is passable, though probably the upper limit.

Otherwise, everything sounds good.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

For the underlined part, wut?

"OP" should be "app".

Anyways, fifteen seems a bit much - most RP's have about eight-to-twelve participants, so I think twelve is a good number. Fifteen is passable, though probably the upper limit.

Otherwise, everything sounds good.

Ah, alright then. If we are adding a Pro Player field we'll need to keep the RP sample thing, then.

Yeah, I was thinking of fifteen as an upper limit.

[Nationstatelandsville]

"OP" should be "app".

Anyways, fifteen seems a bit much - most RP's have about eight-to-twelve participants, so I think twelve is a good number. Fifteen is passable, though probably the upper limit.

Otherwise, everything sounds good.

Ah, alright then. If we are adding a Pro Player field we'll need to keep the RP sample thing, then.

Yeah, I was thinking of fifteen as an upper limit.

RP samples may only be required for Pro Players.

[The Soviet Lunar State]

Emotion and limits should definitely be tackled somehow here.

I've seen people RPing battles who were completely fine with slicing the necks of baddies and then spout a one-liner like "You messed with the wrong people." I'm not talking about soldiers here neither. These are first-time civilians who've turned into Rambo because their dad died or something. In most battles in RPs, I don't even kill anything. Even when I'm a 32 year old war veteran. I focus on how scary it is to be in battle. Something to avoid. My characters start shaking and quivering, staying behind the best cover possible and blindly firing. No crazy stunts or wall running maneuvers in slow mo.

[Tiltjuice]

Emotion and limits should definitely be tackled somehow here.

I've seen people RPing battles who were completely fine with slicing the necks of baddies and then spout a one-liner like "You messed with the wrong people." I'm not talking about soldiers here neither. These are first-time civilians who've turned into Rambo because their dad died or something. In most battles in RPs, I don't even kill anything. Even when I'm a 32 year old war veteran. I focus on how scary it is to be in battle. Something to avoid. My characters start shaking and quivering, staying behind the best cover possible and blindly firing. No crazy stunts or wall running maneuvers in slow mo.

I support this idea.

Ah, alright then. If we are adding a Pro Player field we'll need to keep the RP sample thing, then.

Yeah, I was thinking of fifteen as an upper limit.

And this one.

Also, I'm convinced as far as powergrids go, and the original story idea sounds good to me.

I like Swith's idea of gradually removing more experienced players; though it could also go unbelievably fucking wrong.

Would there be any problems as far as reintroducing experienced players' characters if the need arises? There could be, but it being late means I can't think.

[Mincaldenteans]

Emotion and limits should definitely be tackled somehow here.

I've seen people RPing battles who were completely fine with slicing the necks of baddies and then spout a one-liner like "You messed with the wrong people." I'm not talking about soldiers here neither. These are first-time civilians who've turned into Rambo because their dad died or something. In most battles in RPs, I don't even kill anything. Even when I'm a 32 year old war veteran. I focus on how scary it is to be in battle. Something to avoid. My characters start shaking and quivering, staying behind the best cover possible and blindly firing. No crazy stunts or wall running maneuvers in slow mo.

I support this idea.

Ah, alright then. If we are adding a Pro Player field we'll need to keep the RP sample thing, then.

Yeah, I was thinking of fifteen as an upper limit.

And this one.

Also, I'm convinced as far as powergrids go, and the original story idea sounds good to me.

I like Swith's idea of gradually removing more experienced players; though it could also go unbelievably fucking wrong.

Would there be any problems as far as reintroducing experienced players' characters if the need arises? There could be, but it being late means I can't think.

Perhaps rotating the pro-players? Every so often the selected would be tasked to helping with whatever current plot, subplot or objective. This does not exclude other non-involved pros from continued over all participation and helping, they're just not directly involved in the current event in IC. Their characters would be available for assistance/advice in the academy still. Then we rotate again. We already have the mentors established, the co-ops also, but I think the pros could be a bit more fluid, as not all players would respond the same way or method when assisted.

[Alleniana]

I support this idea.



And this one.

Also, I'm convinced as far as powergrids go, and the original story idea sounds good to me.



Would there be any problems as far as reintroducing experienced players' characters if the need arises? There could be, but it being late means I can't think.

Perhaps rotating the pro-players? Every so often the selected would be tasked to helping with whatever current plot, subplot or objective. This does not exclude other non-involved pros from continued over all participation and helping, they're just not directly involved in the current event in IC. Their characters would be available for assistance/advice in the academy still. Then we rotate again. We already have the mentors established, the co-ops also, but I think the pros could be a bit more fluid, as not all players would respond the same way or method when assisted.

I like this. I can't really speak for anyone, but I personally wouldn't have the willpower or time to be permanently here, even if I am interested in the fate of the project as a whole. It sounds like a good scheme to get the whole gamut of RP styles and specialities in on the scene without the risk of too many cooks ruining the soup.

[Altito Asmoro]

Emotion and limits should definitely be tackled somehow here.

I've seen people RPing battles who were completely fine with slicing the necks of baddies and then spout a one-liner like "You messed with the wrong people." I'm not talking about soldiers here neither. These are first-time civilians who've turned into Rambo because their dad died or something. In most battles in RPs, I don't even kill anything. Even when I'm a 32 year old war veteran. I focus on how scary it is to be in battle. Something to avoid. My characters start shaking and quivering, staying behind the best cover possible and blindly firing. No crazy stunts or wall running maneuvers in slow mo.

Well, I keep my characters at limits. If my character can't parkour, he cannot does stunts. If a normal civilian, stabbing a person is a best accomplishment.

[Nationstatelandsville]

I support this idea.



And this one.

Also, I'm convinced as far as powergrids go, and the original story idea sounds good to me.



Would there be any problems as far as reintroducing experienced players' characters if the need arises? There could be, but it being late means I can't think.

Perhaps rotating the pro-players? Every so often the selected would be tasked to helping with whatever current plot, subplot or objective. This does not exclude other non-involved pros from continued over all participation and helping, they're just not directly involved in the current event in IC. Their characters would be available for assistance/advice in the academy still. Then we rotate again. We already have the mentors established, the co-ops also, but I think the pros could be a bit more fluid, as not all players would respond the same way or method when assisted.

Hmm.

I don't know if that's necessary. We could establish that as a possibility from the very beginning, so as not to surprise and annoy our Pro Players, but I really think we should wait until we've had some experience before we implement such a program.