Hello players, in addition to upcoming plot changes we wanted to focus on how we approach player stories on all levels, singular, inter-character, and world wise. With that in mind I have come up with the Arc System which will be detailed below.
Let me start off by saying this system is optional even once it leaves beta. The idea is to give people more understandable goals for plotting and how to achieve them, while also giving room for creative interpretation and adaptation to plot.
Read the system and examples and if you would like to test it out please post below saying you would like to opt in to test. Anyone and everyone is allowed to participate, and where this thread will be used to sign up and take feedback on the system.
Let me start off by saying this system is optional even once it leaves beta. The idea is to give people more understandable goals for plotting and how to achieve them, while also giving room for creative interpretation and adaptation to plot.
Read the system and examples and if you would like to test it out please post below saying you would like to opt in to test. Anyone and everyone is allowed to participate, and where this thread will be used to sign up and take feedback on the system.
- The Arc System:
- The Arc System
Overview- In an effort to cut down on the amount of work plot staff has to do dming and also tackle the issue of players understanding the level of plot required to get their specific goals in mind completed for their character. With this in mind the arc system inteads to help players figure out their plot, how to achieve goals in multiple ways beyond job chains, earn rewards, as well as keep an overall narrative track of their character’s long term stories and categorize them. The system taking name from the idea of character and plot arcs, and by allowing players to set up arcs for their characters can set up narrative paths and be rewarded for it.
In the over all idea players would first start by setting up a plotter essentially, either in their vault or we could set up a new thread boarding for it. This would serve as a place to keep track of arcs as they are completed as well as turn in completed arcs for rewards. Players would either set up arcs for approval, or ask for help with a plot mod who will help them fill out the beginning template. There will be two templates, one for the intial post that links to all your arcs in the thread so the code doesn’t get broken being kept in one post. Then a second thread for individual arcs as they are completed.
In general here is how the idea is supposed to work, Character arcs are supposed to represent over arching stories or goals in the characters life. People will post their arc and trackers in a page similar to a vault. Where instead they will post their arc tracker.
In order to represent freedom on site and in liquid time arc requirements are not required to be done in specific order as you fit them into your story as needed.
In intention the system will work as so, players will post arcs for approval with their goal and hopeful award like its a job chain. Then either on their own or with suggestions players will come up with plot requirements for the arc to be finished/reach its conclusion. The thing is these requirements only need to be met and can be done with any thread social, pvp, event, and so on. So long as it completes the requirement or shows that you have done so it will count.
For each arc there should be a keystone requirement, a less inflexible requirement that is determinate to the story. However, these requirements can be more flexible in the sense that they can also be failed for the arc to complete. While not enforced for best story this should be the first or last thing done in my own opinion.
Arcs should take some time to complete, but should offer rewards that help push the players plot in the direction that it goes or be something that adds to their character or story. While players will have a selected reward based on their hopes and dreams for the character it will also be up to as plot to give them extra rewards plot wise to push them were needed.
Arcs will be tiered and you can only complete an arc of your tier, with the arc having better rewards and requirements depending on the rank.Arc Requirement amount
D-tier: 1 keystone 1 regular requirement
C-tier: 1 keystone 2 regular requirement
B-tier: 1 keystone 3 regular requirement
A-tier: 1 keystone 4 regular requirement
O-tier: 2 keystone 4 regular requirement- Arc Tracker Template:
- Code:
[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Tier:[/b]
[b]Current Arcs:[/b]
[b]Completed Arcs:[/b]
- Arc Template:
- Code:
[b]Arc Name:[/b]
[b]Arc Tier:[/b]
[b]Arc Type:[/b]
[b]Arc Description:[/b]
[b]Supporting Character(s)[/b]
[b]Goal/reward:[/b]
[b]Requirements:[/b][list][*][b][i]Keystone Requirement-[/i][/b]
[*][b]Requirement 1-[/b][/list]
- Example(s):
- Example 1:
- Arc Name: The White Vial Rises
Arc Tier:C-tier
Arc Type: Story arc
Arc Description: The development/founding of a Medical factions to operate around the world and help with rising plagues
Supporting Character(s)- No one
Goal/reward: Establishment of White vial as a world health organization
Requirements:- Foundation of the White Vial- Form the white Vial medical faction
- Speciality of medicine- Secure a special medicine, treatment, specialist, or some other thing to set yourself apart.
- A matter of trust-
Earn the trust of either a nation or a fellow faction through medical services provided. - Foundation of the White Vial- Form the white Vial medical faction
- Example 2:
- Arc Name:The Greatest Boxer in the world
Arc Tier:A-tier
Arc Type:Character Arc
Arc Description: Prove that amongst all boxers you are the best of them, from technique, strength, speed, and endurance combined
Supporting Character(s): Sanders the trainer
Goal/reward:Special Title + Plot recognition + Challenger plots
Requirements:- Keystone Requirement- Hold and compete in the World Boxing Championship
- A Feat of Strength- Go beyond your normal limits and show how you are the strongest boxer.
- A Feat of Speed- As a boxer you must be fast, and prove that your speed is in the top tier.
- A Feat of endurance- Every boxer has got to be able to take a hit, give it your all and show a moment where you survive when no one thinks you can.
- A Feat of Technique-Develop a technique, and use it in an important fight showing off your skill
- Keystone Requirement- Hold and compete in the World Boxing Championship
- Example 3:
Arc Name: Baddest Bandit in Town
Arc Tier: D-tier
Arc Type: Character
Arc Description: Develop a reputation in your small town as the most fearsome bandit
Supporting Character(s) Kuwa- The Red Fang
Goal/reward: D-tier Plot Companion
Requirements:- Banditry Lessons- Complete a successful raid on a camp or something similar to acquire goods and currency.
- Brothers in Blood- Lose blood in combat alongside Kuwa in an act of sacrifice to show your bond.
- Banditry Lessons- Complete a successful raid on a camp or something similar to acquire goods and currency.
- Example 4:
- Arc Name: The rise of Clever Magic
Arc Tier: Omega Tier
Arc Type: Story
Arc Description: The gathering and training of False mages into an elite organization that spreads their will through rapid growth to change the current power structures.
Supporting Character(s) Ansel the The Right Hand, Greta The Left Hand
Goal/reward: The False Mage Society Faction, B-tier Trait and two B-tier plot companions
Requirements:- JCoven of the False- You must join the order by having a magic implant placed into your body. A simple function that grants great diversity with your magic. You must show your proficiency with it to unlock it for further use.
- Bless the Wicked- You must convert one individual, either a player or companion by having a magic item inserted into their body by Ansel and Greta.
- Purification- One must rid the land of the wicked, of those who speak to the rukh, you must publicly execute a magician.
- Preaching Gospel- You must preach the gospel, that magic must be earned, that through their order better people shall spread the blessings of magic
- The Obsidian Hand- Ansel is a closed-off individual, you need to get his guard down and offer his undying loyalty.
- The Ivory Hand- Greta is unreconceivably violent, be her anchor, and show you can keep her calm enough to prevent catastrophe.
- JCoven of the False- You must join the order by having a magic implant placed into your body. A simple function that grants great diversity with your magic. You must show your proficiency with it to unlock it for further use.