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Post by Ghost Bear on Dec 19, 2008 3:11:21 GMT -5
There are two big problems with threads is closure. As it is now, it's easy to say 'when the Chapter reaches x number of posts, we'll launch a new one'. I'd like to be able to carry this on, because it stops threads (and thus the storylines) getting big and unwieldy. I don't see any good way of doing this with individual story arcs. Presumably the people who create the story arcs will have a vision of how it will end, and wouldn't appreciate the moderator saying 'OK, stop now'. The other problem is that this discourages free form roleplaying - the stories will have to be moderated somehow.
The second problem is what if someone doesn't want to join in any of the threads? What if their particular story doesn't fit in?
I'm not saying I'm completely against threads, and the problems can be solved (I've seen it done before, and I'll chip in with some solutions of my own later when I don't have to rush to work!). But I'm also interested in others' thoughts on these problems.
-GB
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Post by zipp on Dec 19, 2008 15:12:31 GMT -5
Good points, GB! I'm glad the idea is being given serious consideration.
I'll have to think on this a bit.
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Post by Beowuuf on Dec 19, 2008 16:13:15 GMT -5
Also, how is an over-arcing story like the battle of toran going to be handled? I thought a reboot was also supposed to allow for a unified set of storylines?
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Post by zipp on Dec 19, 2008 19:45:53 GMT -5
Main Plot ThreadThinking about GB's points, I'm not sure with the new system we'd need chapters. Things would be more based on storylines, and when one ended, that would be the end of that thread. Certainly the characters would continue on to new stories, but I'm not sure there would have to be chapters. If you think about it, the only reason we have chapters now is to keep down the number of posts in a single WW thread and to give us a spot to put a new synopsis. Also, how is an over-arcing story like the battle of toran going to be handled? I thought a reboot was also supposed to allow for a unified set of storylines? Of course, if we wanted there to be chapters, one of the story threads could be designated the "timeline" thread. This could deal with the most overarching plot (for example, Xog, or a battle against the Kai at the Monastery). This thread could also dictate when a new chapter began, as things became resolved. Plots taking place in other parts of the world or with unrelated plots could be so labeled. For instance, if Aguila Saber isn't at the Kai Monastery, but instead has some side plot going in the Maakenmire, that would be its own sub thread, and anyone could join in on that who didn't want to be part of the main thread. Similarly, if Aguila is in Sommerlund, but somehow has no connection to the events going on, she could have her own thread (though it's hard to imagine being in Sommerlund during war and not have some connection). However, if Aguila is off in the Maakenmire, but she's spying on a contingency of Gourgaz who are poised to strike the Monastery during the battle's climax, she would remain part of the main thread (since she's connected to those events). This would give a lot of people what they want. For those who want to continue on the old style of WW, this would provide one thread that was similar to that style. It would also give everyone one major plot to jump in on, if they wanted to feel part of a large group or a major event. It lets us roleplay a bit with our characters, as we'll decide how much of a part they play in the history. For those who weren't interested in the main plot and wanted to do something off to the side (like me and Beowuuf and a slew of other writers usually did), we would have our threads to do that. And I'm willing to bet that a lot of us "rebels" would band together under one or two of these threads, rather than all of us creating new threads for each story. It's much easier to write with others, after all. The nice thing about having a "main plot" thread is that it provides a further layer of organization to the WW. There will be one event that we all know is going on, and that would keep us all on a similar timeline (which was the other MAJOR problem with the WW's organization). Basically, this main plot thread would set the time period for everyone's posts. If a war is going on at the Kai Monastery, then any posts written during that "chapter" take place at the same time (if not neccesarily the same location). As to what that event is, it could be voted on by members of the site (adding yet more participation chances) prior to a new chapter, with the options being decided by BC and GB (as WW mods) based on what's going in the previous chapters.
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Post by Black Cat on Dec 20, 2008 9:55:15 GMT -5
I'm not too sure about having multiple threads in the WW, but I agree that we need one big event that will link all the story arcs together (like the war in the Sommerlund. It started up with an attack of the Darklands Navy and various members joined in for the main fight at Toran). In fact, this is something that I've been thinking of for a while, but I thought that I would wait for the end of the current stories to put this idea forward. Since we are going to start a "new" WW (we all agree that a reboot or a move in time would be beneficial), I think it would be the right time to do so. Of course, the current storylines in the "old" WW will need to come to an end first... which makes me think that I have a story to complete.
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Post by Maerin on Dec 20, 2008 12:20:43 GMT -5
Since a part of this has kind of wandered off the previous subject:
One of the hardest parts about "major events" (especially since the plural is almost inevitable) is trying to seam the continuity together. It can be an awkward question to answer how, suddenly, after thousands of years of history of "major events" being rather scattered to see a slew of them suddenly packed into a very short timeframe. Lone Wolf, of course, sets the bad precedent for this.
So one idea would be to disconnect "major events" from other storytelling where continuity is a must. That way, it is possible for the widest number of writers to all collaborate together on a "major event" without having to necessarily also "explain" the improbable or impossible (like "how did your character end up involved in this?"). This would permit people to portray other, more appropriate characters in a group event; especially an event they have less individual investment in than the ongoing stories of their "primary" character (which means each writer is more likely to actually contribute to that "major event"). Finally, it allows such "major events" to be spaced in a fairly realistic fashion (both chronologically and from a storytelling plot standard). Take this from a long time RPG GM. Campaign games are definitely fun, but they are not an absolute "Gold Standard". Often times, a "one-shot adventure" (particular a big one) is every bit as fun.
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Post by Aguila Saber on Dec 20, 2008 13:59:22 GMT -5
Some reflections
For threads for stories to work, thread ideas should be posted in a separate part of the forums. Not take up place in the story thread itself. The istory dea thread can take up interests and sign-ups from other players. Story ideas should detail things such as rough timeline start location and a short background of the events leading up to the story, as known by the PCs.
Stories would be shorter than the chapters are today. My guess is that most will be between 15 and 100 posts on the forum.
I recommend a separate forum where players can create one user per character they can play, LW RPoL style. If we do not do this we will likely throttle new plots and stories because there will never be enough available players wanting to join a plot, since most of them are always tied up in existing plots. Alternatively, all plots will be 1 character and player, which we see a lot of today.
Some moderation will need to be done. For new plots we can always respond to story ideas, but there are also some consideration in trying to limit character power and character possessions. The type of thing a GM for a campaign would strive to do.
Powerful characters can still be used and written to introduce story elements and more and I'm sure there would be some plots which are meant for mainly high power PCs as well. Who is selected for a mission often depends on the perceived difficulty of a mission.
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Post by Aguila Saber on Dec 21, 2008 5:50:35 GMT -5
Incidentally, I don't seem to be able to create topics in this forum.
Could someone with the proper rights please create a topic about the "Recovery of the Encyclopedia / Wiki" in this forum where the discussions can be kept.
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Post by eviltb on Dec 21, 2008 5:53:36 GMT -5
Done
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Post by zipp on Dec 22, 2008 3:37:00 GMT -5
Well, I've pretty much said my piece(s). At this point I'm just waiting to see what the decision is. Maybe there should be a poll to gather user opinions?
I guess it's all very much speculative anyways, until we get a better sense of whether or not there will be a new website.
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Post by joshua on Mar 5, 2009 18:33:11 GMT -5
Hello everybody.
Here i have listened something about the Kai´s death. And that idea connects with one thought i´ve been studying:
Are we dead? Are we talking souls with no life erranding in a confused dimension? And those voices at the other side that we believe they are dead ...in fact they´re alive...alive oh!
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Post by Balgin Stondraeg on Mar 15, 2009 10:19:30 GMT -5
Imagine my shock to log in today only to discover that aside from a few threads, the last message posted on the boards was nearly a week ago! As I posted elsewhere, I keep losing the link for these boards. Also I had extensive computer problems throughout the autumn. After 5 months of bother my computer finaly perished for about 3 weeks in October/November. I've spent some time getting things back into shape on the new computer and reorganising links and stuff and this one always avodis me when I seek it.
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Post by Beowuuf on Mar 15, 2009 11:28:33 GMT -5
Good to see you back around!
You don't need to remember the number of the link, just daziarn and proboards
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Mydnight
New Member
I zaps you with me lighting bultz
Posts: 49
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Post by Mydnight on Mar 19, 2009 10:02:36 GMT -5
Ahh maybe this the time for the Brotherhood to take over... *zaaapss*
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Post by joshua on Mar 19, 2009 10:13:52 GMT -5
Ahh maybe this the time for the Brotherhood to take over... *zaaapss* Do you think LW fan groups are a real union?
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