Traveller's Cafe 3: Brainstorming, discussion, tea, advice

[Da Klan]

Been thinking about making an espionage-based spy RP, haven't figured out plot details yet, so um...anyone in? I figured it would be nice to work together.

Well what ideas do you have in mind? Throw em out at us! Do you want it to be team based where the players work together? Or do you want it to be like a "versus" kinda RP where spies and counterespionage factions go against each other to achieve their own goal?

[Eclius]

Been thinking about making an espionage-based spy RP, haven't figured out plot details yet, so um...anyone in? I figured it would be nice to work together.

Well what ideas do you have in mind? Throw em out at us! Do you want it to be team based where the players work together? Or do you want it to be like a "versus" kinda RP where spies and counterespionage factions go against each other to achieve their own goal?

I was thinking more of a team game, basically there will be multiple factions trying to infiltrate, and a faction (or two) trying to defend against espionage. In terms of tech, I hardly care, it can be MT, PT, PMT, FT, anything. To make it fun, I was hoping to add some mystical elements to the target of infiltration, so like, maybe a top-secret organization owned by a fictional government. Infiltration factions can be one of the following (but not limited to):

-a hostile nation
-an allied nation trying to ensure "no backstabbing"
-a neutral, subtle and mysterious nation that simply wants some intel
-Private corporations/ intel brokers (just to make it fun)
-Opposition party hired spies trying to "dig dirt"
-A cult or a secret organization
-Some sort of terrorist group (it obviously has to be like cobra from GI JOE, not like ISIS or something irl, it has to have outstanding access to technology and fund) or crime syndicate
-some sort of revolutionary/communistic organization trying to reform the nation
-Some sort of extraterrestrial force (FT only, unless plot states otherwise)

[Eclius]

To make it fun:
-Player are allowed to defect from their originally chosen side
-Double or even triple spies are allowed
-Players are to record their chosen faction in a separate place, not in the application, this is to add this guessing element to the game
-Assassinations of another player will only be permitted if mutually agreed
-Players may have access to any gadgets or technologies that corresponds to the determined tech level

[Plaats]

The primary theme I wanted to explore was how art influences society (in this RP it's done in an incredibly literal sense) and how societies respond to art i.e. censorship. In my mind, this ability has existed since prehistoric times so some cave paintings are also living art but it's only later, when you get to bronze age civilizations, that this power starts to be fully realised. I might attribute the Late Bronze Age collapse to this (the ensuing 'dark ages' lacked the previous period's extravagant artwork) and that, following this is, artists went underground. Jumping forward several centuries, when Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire, a catechism relating to living art is issued decrying it as sinful to create such artwork as it is an affront to God (or something). This is when the censors are established (although they probably weren't called that back then) to seek out and eradicate any 'subversive' artists and artwork. Let's skip forward several centuries again, during the Renaissance when the Church was sponsoring artists - some of which had this gift - the censors split with Catholicism. That's really all I've got so far, besides some rough ideas about the censors working alongside several state-sponsored agencies responsible for censorship throughout the 20th century.

Being of the faith myself I can point you in a direction; the church would be concerned with what is giving the art life. It's certainty a spirit of some kind (in this case we know it's part of the artist's emotion and soul but not everyone will be certain of that and thus comes fear of demonic influences through art). Christians, and people like myself, would be afraid of some dark spirit (we'd say demon) obtaining 'life' through this art. Imagine the harm a living image of Nero or the devil himself could cause? Such would be our deep fear, and our concern.

In modern times we'd be afraid even more due to these verses of Revelations;

"And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed."

- Revelations 13:14 - 13:15

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Here in lies the churches fear of the Artists of your setting.

Thanks, that's really useful -- I'm definitely going to use that passage, I like grounding this in reality (even though that sounds absurd) because it lends some credibility to it -- but I also want to better define the artists' abilities. Within a painting (or drawing or similar art piece) is a world that an artist's created by channeling his/her emotions and soul into it and I thought that it'd be a good idea to have these worlds connected somehow, allowing travel between different paintings (or drawings etc.). I've also been working on the main plot and here's my idea (it might be a bit cliché but I like it): an artist's son or daughter (or partner, but -- not to sound too cold -- I think a child has more emotional impact) dies of a terminal illness but the artist tries to bring them back by creating a painting depicting the lost loved one's likeness. In doing so, the artist channels his/her grief and ...rage and ...sadness to unintentionally create something terrifying. They proceed to draw this painted monstrosity into our world and chaos ensues. I also conceived an alternative plot concerning an artist/serial killer seeking a muse but there's a more clear cut good-bad dichotomy to that idea (and the stakes aren't as high) so I don't think it's as interesting.

[Harbertia]

Being of the faith myself I can point you in a direction; the church would be concerned with what is giving the art life. It's certainty a spirit of some kind (in this case we know it's part of the artist's emotion and soul but not everyone will be certain of that and thus comes fear of demonic influences through art). Christians, and people like myself, would be afraid of some dark spirit (we'd say demon) obtaining 'life' through this art. Imagine the harm a living image of Nero or the devil himself could cause? Such would be our deep fear, and our concern.

In modern times we'd be afraid even more due to these verses of Revelations;

"And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed."

- Revelations 13:14 - 13:15

---

Here in lies the churches fear of the Artists of your setting.

Thanks, that's really useful -- I'm definitely going to use that passage, I like grounding this in reality (even though that sounds absurd) because it lends some credibility to it -- but I also want to better define the artists' abilities. Within a painting (or drawing or similar art piece) is a world that an artist's created by channeling his/her emotions and soul into it and I thought that it'd be a good idea to have these worlds connected somehow, allowing travel between different paintings (or drawings etc.). I've also been working on the main plot and here's my idea (it might be a bit cliché but I like it): an artist's son or daughter (or partner, but -- not to sound too cold -- I think a child has more emotional impact) dies of a terminal illness but the artist tries to bring them back by creating a painting depicting the lost loved one's likeness. In doing so, the artist channels his/her grief and ...rage and ...sadness to unintentionally create something terrifying. They proceed to draw this painted monstrosity into our world and chaos ensues. I also conceived an alternative plot concerning an artist/serial killer seeking a muse but there's a more clear cut good-bad dichotomy to that idea (and the stakes aren't as high) so I don't think it's as interesting.

I am very pleased to have my assistance well received and utilized ^_^ It always feels great to successfully be of service.

Edit: As a bit of a bonus I'll mention that in the real world one interpretation of the passage, but not the only interpretation, is that the image will be an android built in the image of the anti-christ.

[Eclius]

Anyone interested in my espionage RP idea? Pretty please??!! I need partners to make up the plotline

[Kingdom of Tunisia]

Anyone interested in my espionage RP idea? Pretty please??!! I need partners to make up the plotline

I'm interested. I'll help you with your RP.

[Barapam]

Anyone interested in my espionage RP idea? Pretty please??!! I need partners to make up the plotline

I'm intrigued, but I doubt I have much time to help.

[Tiltjuice]

Anyone interested in my espionage RP idea? Pretty please??!! I need partners to make up the plotline

Willing to help. Feel free to TG me.

[Dayganistan]

Anyone interested in my espionage RP idea? Pretty please??!! I need partners to make up the plotline

I'd possibly be interested in participating, but I can't be of much help in the creation process.

[North Daecon]

Anyone have anything to saw about my Vietnam RP idea?

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

Anyone interested in my espionage RP idea? Pretty please??!! I need partners to make up the plotline

I have a few ideas, I'll pitch them right here:

Paris, 1815. Napoleon has returned, assembling the greatest army Europe has yet seen. The allies are in disarray. If Napoleon can successfully strike at the Anglo-Dutch-Prussian force in Belgium and take Antwerp, Britain will have no choice but to sue for peace. The Rothschild banking conglomerate, which has funded many of the allied armies during the war, cannot allow this to happen. Thus, the Crown and Rothschild have sent spies to Paris in order to find out what Napoleon is planning, perhaps even undermining his efforts during the 100 days.

Or;

Berlin, 1989. There has been much ado in the German Democratic Republic. Recent failures in border security in Hungary and Czechoslovakia have showed the inherent weakness in the Warsaw Pact. Soon, there might be no turning back from the decline of the European socialists states. Rumours are abound, however. The DDR is preparing some action, some policy, that will end their problems once and for all. A collection of NATO spies stationed in West Berlin are sent to the East in order to find out what the DDR is planning.

Or;

Saint Petersburg, late 1916. The government is shambles. Recent defeats at the German front, combined with the indecisiveness of the Brusilov-offensive and food shortages at home, have torn at the government. The position of the emperor is unstable, and threats lurk at every corner. Not even his own ministers can be trusted. His last loyal supporter, Alexander Protopopov, has assembled a team of spies to root out socialist agitators within the government, to ensure the emperor stays safe and on the throne.

There is a lot more you could do with a few different time periods, so if you don't like any of these, or if you want the story to go another way, just say the word.

[Eclius]

Also, I figured to make it fun, players may choose anytime to make a NPC and basically assassinate them (can't be a very highly ranked official from another faction, that'd be godmodding). And of course, without the need to make an application (a lot RPs ask for application on NPCs, I just find it annoying and utterly unnecessary)

[Gurori]

Would anyone be interested in a VR rp, that does not have the usual cliche and over used stuff, just people playing a VR game?

I have several ideas, one is a fantasy VR game, absed off a world i used in a previous rp, while the other is a Superhero VR game, which takes influence, from the many superhero rps and worlds i have created.

i might be interested in the former

[Harkback Union]

SHAMELESS ROLEPLAY ADVERTISING

---

Name: Between 2 Rivers
Genre/s: Survival, Mystery
Character or Faction Based: Character/Small-scale Faction
Detailed Description: A group of rag-tag exile-refugees of a collapsed, classical-era civilization find a portal to another world.

More details here: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=425810

[The Mystery Bard]

Right, so, I need some advice on what the bloomin' blazes happened here with the RP linked to you below.

Advice and constructive criticism requested please.

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=425675

[The Northern Cresent]

Hey, would anyone be up for an Undertale post-True Pacifist RP?

[Harbertia]

Hey, would anyone be up for an Undertale post-True Pacifist RP?

I've been curious about the game but haven't played it myself to know what that ending entails. As such this proposal has also caught my curiosity.

[The Northern Cresent]

Hey, would anyone be up for an Undertale post-True Pacifist RP?

I've been curious about the game but haven't played it myself to know what that ending entails. As such this proposal has also caught my curiosity.

Don't search it up, it'll almost completely ruin the experience. Just don't kill anyone, be freinds with everyone (includes some backtracking), and, upon finishing the game normally, re-open it and backtrack a little 'till you get back to the hotel/resort.
But it's basically the happy ending.

[Shadow Guard]

kek might work on a rp

[Nuridia]

Just an idea, I'm not gonna do it till later since I got some RPs and stuff right now. But how many of y'all would like a LOTR AU? Wizard academy AU, with the Istari as some of the young students? Saruman was sent there as a test because somehow he avoided the void the first time, if he pulls any funny stuff he's going to the Void, and the others are there to watch and make sure he doesn't screw up. There'll be other characters too, it'll be a mix of LOTR canon characters and our own OCs. I need some more time to completely flesh the plot out but this is what I have so far.

[G-Tech Corporation]

Right, so, I need some advice on what the bloomin' blazes happened here with the RP linked to you below.

Advice and constructive criticism requested please.

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=425675

Hmm. Offhand, you might just have had too high a bar of entry for most people. I enjoy a long application as much as the next person, but I'm an exception; most folks aren't interested in writing eighteen paragraphs to join a RP, especially in an original setting. Original settings are always hard to get off of the ground simply because people don't know enough about them to feel comfortable creating characters for them, like they do with established franchises.

[Kingdom of Tunisia]

Who's up for a Hellsing RP?

[Eclius]

Ok people, I've finalized espionage RP, to make it fun, it will be divided into chapters, and people can choose to RP with same or different character for the next chapter. The only question is, should I make counter-espionage a faction, or a completely non-playable faction?

[Eclius]

Also, I think I'll make it early FT or PMT, to accommodate intel brokers, techmongering terrorists (like Cobra from GI JOE or NOD from Command and Conquer) and other interesting factions