RPing Questions? Ask Here!

[Welgium]

I have a steam punk nation. Land vehicles are powered by steam, aircraft all powered by rockets.

As a result, land based vehicles are much larger, heavier and especially taller than normal, real vehicles would be. I have posted sketches of two vehicles with some background information in the vehicle thread of tracked armored vehicles. I could place a link if you want further details.

My land based forces rely mostly on SPA's and uses its tracked armored vehicles more as a shield for my artillery than for doing the bulk of armored warfare.

Welgian tanks are a little bit awkward. Because the seam engine and boiler takes up so much space the designs are not as practical as those of real modern tanks.

Power to weight ratio and fuel economy and range is very good. Also they are faster and more maneuverable than you would expect for such huge vehicles.

The airforce is the total opposite. Welgium never invented the internal combustion engine or the jet engine so propeller aircraft are out. Welgian airforce uses rocked-powered aircraft which gives them great speed, the ability to fly at very high altitudes, awesome acceleration, short take off capability but very poor fuel economy and short range.

Even our helicopters are bad at lingering around or flying at very low speed. They have rockets at the end of each blade, fueled from the hull itself through the blades. They suffer from the same speed limitation as real helicopters but their fuel consumption is huge and their range very poor.

For sure the weakest part of the Welgian air power.

Navy is pretty much normal. Our ships perform about as well as real modern warships.

So, this is not MT. Not intended to be advanced enough to be PMT for although our steam and rocket tech have some advantages, they have drawbacks as well. In general they perform about as well as MT but with fantasy tech. I have not given my vehicles super specs.

I have used the term fantasy tech myself but now I read that that is totally different.

What should I name my tech style? It is intended to be MT compatible.

[Kylarnatia]

I have a steam punk nation. Land vehicles are powered by steam, aircraft all powered by rockets.

As a result, land based vehicles are much larger, heavier and especially taller than normal, real vehicles would be. I have posted sketches of two vehicles with some background information in the vehicle thread of tracked armored vehicles. I could place a link if you want further details.

My land based forces rely mostly on SPA's and uses its tracked armored vehicles more as a shield for my artillery than for doing the bulk of armored warfare.

Welgian tanks are a little bit awkward. Because the seam engine and boiler takes up so much space the designs are not as practical as those of real modern tanks.

Power to weight ratio and fuel economy and range is very good. Also they are faster and more maneuverable than you would expect for such huge vehicles.

The airforce is the total opposite. Welgium never invented the internal combustion engine or the jet engine so propeller aircraft are out. Welgian airforce uses rocked-powered aircraft which gives them great speed, the ability to fly at very high altitudes, awesome acceleration, short take off capability but very poor fuel economy and short range.

Even our helicopters are bad at lingering around or flying at very low speed. They have rockets at the end of each blade, fueled from the hull itself through the blades. They suffer from the same speed limitation as real helicopters but their fuel consumption is huge and their range very poor.

For sure the weakest part of the Welgian air power.

Navy is pretty much normal. Our ships perform about as well as real modern warships.

So, this is not MT. Not intended to be advanced enough to be PMT for although our steam and rocket tech have some advantages, they have drawbacks as well. In general they perform about as well as MT but with fantasy tech. I have not given my vehicles super specs.

I have used the term fantasy tech myself but now I read that that is totally different.

What should I name my tech style? It is intended to be MT compatible.

It's Steampunk-MT Crossover, like you said from the very beginning, which does count as it's very own tech here on NationStates and has quite a sizable following.

Like I just said in my recent answer: The one important thing about tech levels is that you can define them however you want to yourself, so long as everyone you roleplay with is comfortable with that definition and what form of technology you think belongs in it. What I've told you is what I personally believe each tech level means.

I hope this helps. :)

[Astholm]

join a region wtih more people

On a more serious note, I would recommend fleshing out your RP idea. Most posters aren't hard enough up for projects to jump into and build a random RP, so giving us a premise is an excellent first step.

I have actually given it more detail as of today; see the link above.

[Imperial City-States]

So I am an avid sci-fi reader and like RPs but I don't know where to start here I like modern and future tech can someone help me get started ?

[Tiami]

So I am an avid sci-fi reader and like RPs but I don't know where to start here I like modern and future tech can someone help me get started ?

Getting started is the hardest part of NS RP, in my opinion. As such, what I would advise for you to do is to join open RPs or set up closed RP's with friends, other RPer's, or Mentors; however, if you choose to join an open RP, try to avoid any one-line RP's or posts that contain very little detail.

As you stated, you are an avid sci-fi fan, so I would suggest you look at Future Tech. Overall though, I would advise divulging in all types of RP's. That way, you have experience in each tech, but you will also have your own opinion on which tech is the best.

Whatever it is you choose, try to make the best of it. Always give each post your best effort. ^.^

~Tiami

[Delmonte]

So I am an avid sci-fi reader and like RPs but I don't know where to start here I like modern and future tech can someone help me get started ?

"What is NationStates?"

NationStates is a writing based game. You're probably thinking: "Writing based game? What does that mean?" First of all, don't interrupt me. Second, it means that in NationStates, your nation exists as you want it to. Meaning that if you want your nation to be founded on the concept of publicly available hummus, it can be. The only person who gets to decide what your nation is and what happens to it is you.

"Does that mean I can do whatever I want?"

Yes. However, NationStates exists on the premise of an agreement, an unwritten contract if you will, among players. Because just like you get to decide what happens to your nation, other players get to decide what happens to theirs. If you roleplay your nation as having taken over the entire world, other players don't even have to acknowledge your nation as existing. This agreement is what we call "canon" and it is the very foundation of NationStates. It is the embodiment of cooperation. In general, your writing will be fine to other players if it follows these two rules:

If you are writing about your own nation, is what you're writing reasonable? If what you are writing seems unreasonable, other players may not accept it. Examples of things that other players may take issue with include certifiable miracles by your "God" (it would effectively disprove the existence of their God and ruin their entire canon), technology that seems unreasonable, and logistics that seem unreasonable (You cannot feed an entire army with a single fish unless you're Jesus Christ, and even he had some bread to go with it).

If you are writing about others' nations, are the assumptions you are making reasonable? It's generally a good idea to avoid assumptions about other peoples' nations, but some assumptions are just reasonable and, indeed, if they call you on them they would be the unreasonable ones. For instance, assuming that the nation imports and exports things is usually a safe bet, you can usually assume that they have people, and that they drink water and eat food. Very very basic things. Assumptions are one thing. Doing things, such as attacking, other nations is an entirely distinct matter. If you are DOING something to another Nation, you ought to have their permission, to uphold the "canon". If they say no, it means no.

"How do I get started?"

Good question. According to Frank's Law, most people in society are generally decent. Try asking someone. The worst that happens is they say no. Some players are squeamish about writing with new players. Try writing short posts in response to open threads (they will say OPEN somewhere in the title) styled as a response to something a nation has done. Look at other people writing similar posts for inspiration. It's reasonable for people to expect you to demonstrate writing capability before they will write with you. You can also hit up the Mentors, the fellows with the fancy green names, because it's kind of their job to help new people. And if they say no, shame them publicly and enact your vengeance on their firstborns and their firstborns' firstborns.

"What if I'm not good enough?"

Writing well is tenable for anyone. Some people just need to put more time into it.

"I want to write FT."

Good. You know what you want. That immediately makes you better than cats, dogs, and some women. FT and MT (Future and modern tech) exist in two completely separate universes, separate "canons". FT nations stay in FT. MT nations stay in MT. And never the twain shall mix.

"Can I write MT AND FT?"

Yes. You will effectively have two separate nations, each existing in its own universe, each with its own canon.

"Can I make one nation the future version of the other nation?"

Yes.

"Why is Delmonte so awesome?"

Because #yoloswagg, of course.

EDIT: I would also be willing to invite you to one of my MT threads, provided you demonstrate that you are a competent writer, if that would be to your liking.

[GHawkins]

So I am an avid sci-fi reader and like RPs but I don't know where to start here I like modern and future tech can someone help me get started ?

"What if I'm not good enough?"

Writing well is tenable for anyone. Some people just need to put more time into it.

I'd like to add on this that foremost, you should enjoy writing a story. Writing just to "beat" the other writer is something I wouldn't recommend. It usually ends up with a conflict of interests and it pulls the story down.

[Dragomere]

Are airships like the one here PMT?

[Kylarnatia]

Are airships like the one here PMT?
(Image)

What you think belongs in each tech level is up to you, and you can use that definition so long as everyone your roleplaying with is in agreement with you.

So, personally, I'd say that is PMT. However, someone else may have good reason to believe it's FT.

Cooperation is paramount on NationStates. If you can't all agree on which tech level in belongs in, it might just be best to drop it completely. For if you can't get on together and agree on things together as yourselves, the roleplay will surely fall through the cracks.

[Darussalam]

I'd like to comment a bit in Delmonte's post: FT and MT indeed could mix. Allanea, for example, is a multi-tech nation. He uses both FT and MT in same canon and timeline. The Ctan, a FT nation frequently roleplays with many MT countries. As well, the roleplay group I'm in, 'Screw Realism' encourages the acceptance of all techs. The only thing important is consent. And coperation, of course.

[Delmonte]

I'd like to comment a bit in Delmonte's post: FT and MT indeed could mix. Allanea, for example, is a multi-tech nation. He uses both FT and MT in same canon and timeline. The Ctan, a FT nation frequently roleplays with many MT countries. As well, the roleplay group I'm in, 'Screw Realism' encourages the acceptance of all techs. The only thing important is consent. And coperation, of course.

I was talking about FT canon and MT canon. Which are treated as two separate universes. So unless you're opening up wormholes, I don't see how they could ever meet.

[Oaledonia]

I'd like to comment a bit in Delmonte's post: FT and MT indeed could mix. Allanea, for example, is a multi-tech nation. He uses both FT and MT in same canon and timeline. The Ctan, a FT nation frequently roleplays with many MT countries. As well, the roleplay group I'm in, 'Screw Realism' encourages the acceptance of all techs. The only thing important is consent. And coperation, of course.

I was talking about FT canon and MT canon. Which are treated as two separate universes. So unless you're opening up wormholes, I don't see how they could ever meet.

Underlined.

Anyways, they could be treated as two separate universes, but it is not a solid rule.

[Delmonte]

I was talking about FT canon and MT canon. Which are treated as two separate universes. So unless you're opening up wormholes, I don't see how they could ever meet.

Underlined.

Anyways, they could be treated as two separate universes, but it is not a solid rule.

Yeah, they could be in the same way that people could breathe and they could drink water. It happens. It's true. It's a fact. You see those little tags people put in the subjects of their RP's? "MT" or "FT"? Yeah? That's what those are. Sure, you can use some tech that's questionable and probably overpowered, but you're still MT. Does Allanea accept the existence of spacefaring races that have intergalactic empires? If not then he is not a part of the FT canon. Period. If we are being completely fair, 99% of the time what I said applies and the mixing of canons is infrequent and really only serves to confuse new players. Such as this one. That I was trying to help.

[Oaledonia]

Underlined.

Anyways, they could be treated as two separate universes, but it is not a solid rule.

Yeah, they could be in the same way that people could breathe and they could drink water. It happens. It's true. It's a fact. You see those little tags people put in the subjects of their RP's? "MT" or "FT"? Yeah? That's what those are. Sure, you can use some tech that's questionable and probably overpowered, but you're still MT. Does Allanea accept the existence of spacefaring races that have intergalactic empires? If not then he is not a part of the FT canon. Period. If we are being completely fair, 99% of the time what I said applies and the mixing of canons is infrequent and really only serves to confuse new players. Such as this one. That I was trying to help.

First of all, your post was so edgy I cut myself.

Yet I still see mix tech nations producing rather interesting RPs

[Delmonte]

Yeah, they could be in the same way that people could breathe and they could drink water. It happens. It's true. It's a fact. You see those little tags people put in the subjects of their RP's? "MT" or "FT"? Yeah? That's what those are. Sure, you can use some tech that's questionable and probably overpowered, but you're still MT. Does Allanea accept the existence of spacefaring races that have intergalactic empires? If not then he is not a part of the FT canon. Period. If we are being completely fair, 99% of the time what I said applies and the mixing of canons is infrequent and really only serves to confuse new players. Such as this one. That I was trying to help.

First of all, your post was so edgy I cut myself.

Yet I still see mix tech nations producing rather interesting RPs

That's not to say they can't produce good writing. I took objection to your saying what I said "could" be true because in almost every case it is true. I was edgy (well within the limits of NS's rules), you're right, for two reasons. First because this discussion seems inane to me. It's like calling someone out when they say hand sanitizer kills 100% of germs to say "No, it only kills 99.9999%!" Second, I tried to do a service for a new player and I have people nit picking at something that I said that was hardly objectionable or controversial. You didn't have time to help him, but you sure have time on your hands to confront me over something I said that is almost universally true. I'll be honest, it bothers me.

[Oaledonia]

That's not to say they can't produce good writing. I took objection to your saying what I said "could" be true because in almost every case it is true. I was edgy (well within the limits of NS's rules), you're right, for two reasons. First because this discussion seems inane to me. It's like calling someone out when they say hand sanitizer kills 100% of germs to say "No, it only kills 99.9999%!" Second, I tried to do a service for a new player and I have people nit picking at something that I said that was hardly objectionable or controversial. You didn't have time to help him, but you sure have time on your hands to confront me over something I said that is almost universally true. I'll be honest, it bothers me.

That's nice, though you made it seem like the concept was impossible. If you did say "Well it kills 100% of the germs" then he's going to be inclined to buy that brand of sanitizer instead of viewing all the options available, in turn limiting the possibilities presented to him. Honestly I'm unsure weather to be perplexed or amused by the fact that such a simple statement by me could provoke such an immature response, regardless it's hardly helpful. As for anything being "hardly objectionable or controversial" again, this could be true, but what fun is that? Honestly, half of the people on this thread, you included, seem inclined to inadvertently brainwash new players into believing that only FT can play with FT or FanT can't play with MT. This is half the reason that those silly tags, which you seemed so inclined to childishly point out, are needed in the first place. Sure, there are still people that want only MT with MT in their roleplays, and I can respect that, but just don't tell others it's impossible to have a nice blend.

[Delmonte]

That's not to say they can't produce good writing. I took objection to your saying what I said "could" be true because in almost every case it is true. I was edgy (well within the limits of NS's rules), you're right, for two reasons. First because this discussion seems inane to me. It's like calling someone out when they say hand sanitizer kills 100% of germs to say "No, it only kills 99.9999%!" Second, I tried to do a service for a new player and I have people nit picking at something that I said that was hardly objectionable or controversial. You didn't have time to help him, but you sure have time on your hands to confront me over something I said that is almost universally true. I'll be honest, it bothers me.

That's nice, though you made it seem like the concept was impossible. If you did say "Well it kills 100% of the germs" then he's going to be inclined to buy that brand of sanitizer instead of viewing all the options available, in turn limiting the possibilities presented to him. Honestly I'm unsure weather to be perplexed or amused by the fact that such a simple statement by me could provoke such an immature response, regardless it's hardly helpful. As for anything being "hardly objectionable or controversial" again, this could be true, but what fun is that? Honestly, half of the people on this thread, you included, seem inclined to inadvertently brainwash new players into believing that only FT can play with FT or FanT can't play with MT. This is half the reason that those silly tags, which you seemed so inclined to childishly point out, are needed in the first place. Sure, there are still people that want only MT with MT in their roleplays, and I can respect that, but just don't tell others it's impossible to have a nice blend.

A nice blend? There is a very good reason it is not advisable to mix FT and MT. Because if there's a space faring race that an MT nation knows about, it's difficult to justify that MT nation worrying about anything but that. If, in the real life universe, we discovered an advanced alien species capable of traveling to Earth, do you think our leaders would be hosting dinner parties, weddings, and masquerades?

[Oaledonia]

A nice blend? There is a very good reason it is not advisable to mix FT and MT. Because if there's a space faring race that an MT nation knows about, it's difficult to justify that MT nation worrying about anything but that. If, in the real life universe, we discovered an advanced alien species capable of traveling to Earth, do you think our leaders would be hosting dinner parties, weddings, and masquerades?

No, but again it points to the realism entrapment. I would make any other analogy between NS and RL, but will avoid t due to straw men. Anyways, How about all of those Encounter RPs? Or "Bittersweet Melancholy"? Or even ANYTECH? It all boils to one thing, this is far from real life. This is NS, where cut Pizza with a knife could lead to nuclear warfare, where wild Bacon roams around, where sentient ponies reign, and yet there's still dinner parties.

[Kylarnatia]

Guys, this discussion should really be taken elsewhere now. Thank you. :)

[SquareDisc City]

Are airships like the one here PMT?
(Image)

Early PMT, if not MT. Prototype hybrid airships, albeit less sleek than this picture, have flown, and the case could fairly be made that it's economics not technology that has prevented production service.

[Pharthan]

Where precisely do Rail Guns fit into on the Tech Scale?
Large ones, the size of small warehouses, and EMALS, would undoubtedly be MT, even if quite expensive.
But rail-guns functional as, say, main battleship weapons (i.e. Having 9 to 12 guns in turrets?) The US Navy has abandoned much of their rail-gun research, as they don't find it a viable application on their Zumwalt, of which the keel isn't even being laid, and they have few plans for ships capable of carrying such a weapon. I could see it as maybe possible for an MT Nation if they've just thrown an unreasonable amount of money and manpower into it as no IRL nation would.

[New Tyran]

Right, how far and descriptive can I make torture scenes or anything else horrific in that matter? I can be a sick and twisted c**t when it comes to writing but I do not want to get myself into trouble with the mods over what I post if it violates any rules or guidelines on this site. I also do not want to offend other readers even if I think they are at least old enough to handle mature themes.

[Tiami]

If the torture includes anything rape-related and you are describing the rape with a lot of detail, then preferably, don't write it. The P-13 rule will come into effect. Now, overall, if something you believe is not Pg-13, then it probably is not worth writing.

Many RP'ers will do mature RP's, which general have a spoilered warning such a this:

This is to warn younger readers and those who can not handle graphic images, as such posts may make some of the readers sick to their stomachs. These RP's are at the tip of PG-13, and may even exceed PG-13.


I hope this helps a little bit.

~Tiami

[Darussalam]

Until this limit, perhaps? Some players have managed to get away with goreposts, as long as the quality itself is above the lolgore I think it's fine.

Rape of course will get a bit...some more attention and negativity. I'd suggest you to avoid writing it, unless you have something very, very important regarding the rape for the storyline itself.

[New Tyran]

Alright, thanks for the advice people.