Storm Plot

[Topaz]

I always want to make sure that no one on Rocky is forced or coerced into posting, and that this site is relaxed, laid-back, and enjoyable for everyone. However, in my opinion, when it's a site-wide plot that's at stake, things need to be cranked up a little. It's been well over a month now that this one plot thread has being slowly going on. There is so much more that needs to be done and put together to finish it, and I feel like if it continues to go on, we'll be here until September still posting in it.

As with all major site decisions, I want all of our members input. Below is further explanation of the poll choices..

"Let it go as long as it needs to." - Pretty self explanatory. This also means that all other plots will be put on hold until this one is completed.

"Make a deadline. No posts by then, end the plot." - The deadline would be in 2-3 weeks from now, I think. Once that deadline is reached, and the plot has not ended or is not close to ending, it will be archived. I will also make a final post in it, summing up the basics of what would have occurred. That will include any new weyrfolk that were picked up and decided to stay in the Weyr for whatever reason. It can also include, as a side note, any major character interactions. For example; near death experiences, fights, or deaths.

"End it now." - Again, pretty self explanatory. Once ended, it will be archived, and I will make the same post that I described in the previous explanation.

"I don't know/don't care, whatever." - Yuh. Self explanatory.

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Please make sure to vote, and comment with any extra ideas or input.

[shadowreine]

Well. We haven't even got to the town yet. Which means I haven't been able to participate... However, I'm going to be gone a lot over the next couple of weeks, so...

[PhazonDragon]

Just a little warning... I hate being harsh and frank, but I feel like this reply is going there, so this is a disclaimer... I don't want to provoke anyone, so I'll do my best to keep this as neutral as possible.

I'm leaning towards the deadline option.

However, might I offer another solution? I've seen this done before on various weyrs, and I think this might be best for Rocky, where activity and posting isn't as... Err required? I lost the word, but something like that. Like, it's not as fast-paced.. Yis. Anyway, maybe if all major plots opened with a post describing the start of it, but after that, under a divider or something, a summary of what is going to/does happen is given as well. That way, members are allowed to post to their heart's content, and when they want, but the plot isn't left hanging waiting for members to catch up so the plot can finish... If that makes sense. Then the thread could be archived when members just stop posting in it for x amount of days/weeks/what-have-you.

But I think my vote's going to rest on the deadline option. Before I vote though, I want to listen to what others have to say... When it comes down to it, can't there be multiple plot threads going on at once? I mean, IC wise, if the threads start on different dates in RL, then they start on different dates IC. For this reason, I have no objections to multiple plot threads at once, especially even posts come at one or two every few days. Just maybe a limit of three at once? I dunno. Say what you want about it, but keep it civil. ;3

Quite frankly though, we're not going to get anywhere if we leave each plot thread to just finish up on it's own. We'll be posting in it until September, and passed up the opportunity for other plots to come along as well. Look at the hatching. It's been going for how many weeks now? Either the members need to step it up a notch and post in the plot, or I think we need some leeway in the number of plot threads at once. I've kinda given up on Z'volm's little plot too, with no one posting in it anymore. I had a few other things planned for it, but leaving around a thread for a while leaves your muse to flounder.

Kinda another reason why I think there should just be a deadline for plot threads. Threads can be around for a while, but once people get bored with it, they don't feel like posting... And the thread stalls. As I keep typing here, I keep leaning towards the deadline option. xD

Yet, I still like the summary option I mentioned...

I feel like I missed something, but I can't think of it. Anyone else have opinion...?

[Topaz]

I'm a little confused about your summary idea. Is that like what I described in the explanation of the poll choices, only in the beginning of the thread?

As for the multiple plot thread idea.. if I understand you correctly, that's what we had planned. Each wing would have their own thread and they would pick up the new characters, as well as other random NPCs, and then drop them back of in the main thread,(or maybe another thread entirely, for those other weyrfolk that stayed behind). I had been waiting for all of the dragons to take off in the original thread before beginning the new ones for the wings, and so on. Do you mean to just have those go on right now, as if the wings had left already?

[PhazonDragon]

Yes. :x Thats a bit of what I forgot to mention. XD Yeah, it'd be like summary in option two, only put at the start of the thread, so characters have free reign over what they do without being held up by a lack of posts. This also allows for multiple things going on at once without a time restraint. It might get a little hectic with so many things going on at once in one thread, but it'd be kinda like a big hatching, or party... When it comes to that, I like to title my posts with "Weyrling Ku'rt to Rider Nomics" or "Lawrence to L'gar" or whatever. Everyone I've roleplayed with ends up doing it different ways.. -shrugs-

Actually, what I meant is that while the storm plot is going on, say in the past, that doesn't mean we can't have another thing going on right now, say an earthquake plot. Or a hatching. The whole different times thing would allow for different activities to go on at once, without fear of them overlapping. Like the sands being flooded while eggs are hatching. :S On another note, I do like that idea you had for the storm plot. Very organized. -nods-

And what I meant to say in my previous post... I don't mean to offend anyone; I know different members are on different schedules and times, and not everyone can be around 24/7... I understand that. Also, I'm not speaking as a mod, but as a fellow member. I'm a mod to make things pretty, not enforce the rules. You've got Topaz for that. ;3

:s I don't remember what else I was going to say, but I swear I'll remember them sometime. Maybe I should babble more.

[Topaz]

So, correct me if I'm wrong.. The riders can just take off whenever they're ready, and then start their wing thread? And similarly, those staying behind can go grab stuff from closets and whatnot, to prepare for the arrivals, without needing to wait for Kain's direct instruction? ..I rather like that. If that is what you meant, maybe I could post again in the thread, letting everyone know that they don't need to wait? I suppose the power-posting rule could be loosened for the time being, if people just need a single post or whatever to send their characters off to the other threads. Hm?

As for the second thing, the multiple plots at once thing.. what concerns me is character relations. There might be some kind of interaction between characters in plot#1, later on in the thread. But then if plot#2 begins before plot#1 is over, there's no telling how those characters should react to each other in plot#2, regarding what happened in plot#1. Does that make sense? xD

[PhazonDragon]

Yes, yes, that's what I'm saying. :3 Give everyone the benefit of the doubt in that instructions have been given, so they are free to do what they wish, within reason. Their character can't run off per se and start a game of checkers while the storm's going on, of course, but then they don't have to wait for Kain. To give them instructions, they can assume Kajn told them to do so-and-so, and that's their job. With this method, you could even mention in the first post who has what jobs, who's in charge of what, etc. Any information that would be helpful to keep the thread moving.

And power posting was the other thing I wanted to touch on, but forgot. Again. Hah. Yes, it's hard to wait for others to post before you're allowed to continue your miniplot, but I think if members were to start their posts with a little who's talking to who, power posting could be giving a little leash. But for plots only? That's up to you and Faizah, as well as your mention of another post in the plot. C: but yes.

The relationship thing's kinda what comes with the territory, if you ask me. XD I've always been warned, and warn others, that if you can't keep up with multiple times, then I'd suggest not to put your character into those threads.. But with plots, it's kinda hard, yes. If you ask me, that's kinda the fun and risk that you have to take when roleplaying. xD in that case, I would suggest that for serious relationships between characters (meaning hatred, love, distrust... Etc) should be decided upon before hand. At least, that's what I would do.. I mean, at least figure out how the two characters would react anyway... That'd be up to the roleplayers.

And I'm not trying to appear uncaring at all... .3. But rather than just have plots be pushed out one after another, at least give one ample time to get somewhere before the next one starts. And if this were to be combined with a summary at the start of the thread, one isn't going into the next plot with no understanding of how their character's going to react...

But yeah, this really is all up to you and Faizah. I'm just throwing out ideas to bounce them around...

[Topaz]

I don't think you're being uncaring. :3 I like your ideas. They make sense. I don't think anyone would be that easily offended. ^-^

So, since Faizah may not be on for the next few days, due to health reasons, I will go ahead and do all of that which we just discussed. According to the poll, no one is against this, so I'm assuming the rest of you are for it, or don't mind either way. ^-^ -goes to post-

[PhazonDragon]

I'm glad I could offer my opinions and ideas, and that you don't think I sound uncaring. n_n;; Tone of voice doesn't carry well of the interwebz--but you knew that. -slinks away-

[FaizahPandora]

*looks around* Wow. I miss a lot. And Im fine now. Just unable to get to a computer. But anyway. If Im not too late for this I would like to suggest for the plot that we summarize for now and skip to the actual saving part. And if thats what Phazzy\Topaz already said then i apologize. My mind doesnt absorb a conversation as well on a cellphone than on a computer. :\

[Topaz]

What we've done is just allowed everyone's characters to go about their duties as if they had already been told to. So the wings can take off whenever they please and those staying behind can post in the new thread i made for them, and collect supplies from around the Weyr. Power posting is also allowed now, only for plot threads, so we cn avoid people being held up by others.

Glad to hear you're doing well though! ^-^

[Houka Ryuu]

Sorry if this is rather late. But I also voted for having a deadline.

Anyways, just FYI, Guin still needs to be rescued in said storm plot. So, he shouldn't be given Kitchen Duties in that summary that Topaz posted in the Eye of the Storm plot thread.