Nation Building BeckonCall's Fantasy Nation-building RPG thread

[Beckoncall]

@Elendithas @Leusis : + Everyone who sees this...


Leusis may have lost the thread of the RP due to somehow not getting notifications (unlike me who reads everything obsessively he may only read posts that specifically @tell him, and who knows if he missed some notifications somehow.


In any case:


1) Elendithas: Can you check in with your bro and make sure he's still happy with the game? It's not a crime if he's not, and if he wants to take a break it may be very easy to contrive a means to temporarily put him on hold.


2) Leusis: Even if you're super busy or whatever else, just drop in and say hi! I can't be the only person that misses you, you chitin-covered dead-eye badass!

 

[Elendithas]

I'll see if he's still interested. Also, I believe after a certain number of posts go unchecked by an individual they stop receiving notifications in that thread. That may be why he hasn't received notifications in a while.

 

[Beckoncall]

Which is why I think that giving them the required number of heads as well as any live captives we can muster should be the ideal goal.

We really must get you on the mainland where your little squeaky voices can express their concerns. I'll put additional effort into progressing the island storyline to help maintain that timeline.


@SpiralErrant / @Leusis : Bear in mind that whatever any characters are doing, until you say otherwise, all free labor is going towards the relocation/cultural exchange between Tyren and Wood Elf factions/cultures. If left long enough it could have a significant impact on race relations/harmony -- but the project alone of relocating all elves to Harun'Taran and seeding a Great Glade may not be enough time to accomplish this.


Ideas like "Language Squares" and other Forums (as well as a central governent) are KEY to promoting a default trend towards growing harmony. Don't think all Attolians think EXILES are good neighbors. Don't think High Elves are much more than KURT to most folk they pass without business.


I don't even want to THINK about how enthused ANY exile or most attolians will feel about meeting ratfolk... if these concerns aren't addressed, they're going to evolve on their own... Be warned.

 

[SpiralErrant]

@Beckoncall Noted. Though it's a little tricky at the moment to get these things underway when less than 24 hours have passed in universe since they started.

 

[Beckoncall]

I'll see if he's still interested. Also, I believe after a certain number of posts go unchecked by an individual they stop receiving notifications in that thread. That may be why he hasn't received notifications in a while.

I really appreciate the effort. If he's busy or has fizzled out, I'll make my peace with that -- if something about the game is unsatisfactory to him (or could be made more satisfactory) I would love to try to accommodate him.


Please keep me looped in, as I like to stay ahead of these things when I can. The game will remain strong no matter what, but tendency for forum RPers to vanish or Slloooooooowllyy vanish is a natural element of forum roleplay, but the sooner I know, the better. I have plans involving players (especially Leusis!) that are no fewer than TWENTY MOVES AHEAD... if a player isn't going to be in the spotlight down the line, I have to make changes to the story and likely events so that somebody else is standing in their place when that spotilight comes on.


....Otherwise hilarious stuff happens like : "As envisioned in the prophesy, when the banner of stolen victory lay prime for capture on the stricken field, and all hopes turned to (hero) ... that hero made a sandwich and quietly lamented or had completely forgotten about the battle."


(dramatic music comes to a skipping halt)

 

[Beckoncall]

@Beckoncall Noted. Though it's a little tricky at the moment to get these things underway when less than 24 hours have passed in universe since they started.

Time is a little elastic to me in games like these -- while the official proclamation may have been very recent, many organizers and folk may have already been in the know and making plans. At the present time the relocation is further along than might be obvious -- there is a persistent train of people and material (like an ant-trail) between the two settling areas, since the conclusion of the mining disaster...

 

[Beckoncall]

@Leusis @SpiralErrant :


And just a reminder -- it was an ATTOLIAN geologist that raised the alarm that you were basically building a sand castle that was going to fall on your real "castle" -- extremis and relief is still high at the disaster being averted -- but props for attolian geology/goodwill might be in order -- if they are not recognized, this may become an interesting sticking point of resentment for some attolians... word gets around.


Of course, having so much going on that subtleties, graces, and significant events go by the boards is PROMISING to be part of the fun. I'll try not to give too many reminders in OOC -- unless people let me know they appreciate them.

 

[SpiralErrant]

Time is a little elastic to me in games like these -- while the official proclamation may have been very recent, many organizers and folk may have already been in the know and making plans. At the present time the relocation is further along than might be obvious -- there is a persistent train of people and material (like an ant-trail) between the two settling areas, since the conclusion of the mining disaster...

... well I did not know that.

 

[SpiralErrant]

@Leusis @SpiralErrant :
And just a reminder -- it was an ATTOLIAN geologist that raised the alarm that you were basically building a sand castle that was going to fall on your real "castle" -- extremis and relief is still high at the disaster being averted -- but props for attolian geology/goodwill might be in order -- if they are not recognized, this may become an interesting sticking point of resentment for some attolians... word gets around.


Of course, having so much going on that subtleties, graces, and significant events go by the boards is PROMISING to be part of the fun. I'll try not to give too many reminders in OOC -- unless people let me know they appreciate them.

Again. Hard to do when the only characters that would be bale to do this without god modding are in the battle sequence.


Like once that started everything else just sort of got put on hold for a while. I mean Leusis may not have posted because we haven't actually gotten any update posts on how the relocation is going so until we actually have an idea of what's happening at Hrun'taras in character then we're just assuming things or ripping control away for ourselves.

 

[Beckoncall]

@Elendithas :


Why did I get an "Awwww!" rating for a battle-scene?! xD


Just curious. I am SUPER greatful for every Rating given to a post - it's how I gauge player investment over time, find out who reads what, and who likes what. There might not even be a Weome/Shul minutae if @SpiralErrant didn't make some indicator it was appreciated on some level. Feedback will not only help me make the game better, it can help me make the game better for you --


-- and of course positive reinforcement is one of the things that is the beating heart of any labor of love. xD

 

[Elendithas]

Reminders are appreciated if either myself or others aren't putting things in their posts that are accurate to the race or group of people. It's easy to forget sometimes.

 

[Beckoncall]

... well I did not know that.

Put simply, if events fixate on another part of the stage, I'm not letting anybody get screwed by that.


Secondly, My envisioning of when the alliance truly started wasn't approx. a day ago by my reckoning... but even if it was -- Belanor has been hanging out learning the language of your people. He's been talking to his counsel... the writing is on the wall, man...

 

[SpiralErrant]

@Beckoncall Still it would be useful if there was an official update of how the relocation is going so that we have an accurate picture of how things were progressing. That's what I was waiting on at least before having the shaman continue doing things in case it would be considered jumping the gun/cheating. Meanwhile there's all this talk of stuff we have to do like building infrastructure which people would like to do but it's impossible to do that until the battle's over (same stuff went for the gnoll attack and the rock slide).


I really don't want to come across like I'm complaining, the RP has been the most fun I've had on this site but sometimes the OOC seems to get ahead of what's happening and it sounds like you're being told you're failing for reacting to emergencies as they happen.

 

[Beckoncall]

@SpiralErrant : It should not be untoward for any player to state what their people have been doing yesterday, or even tomorrow just because a big thing is going on someplace else. If things somehow things contravene... then a reverse-continuity could be employed, but it is quite fair and possible that you and Leusis go plumbing along with your guys into the future beyond the battle... because a lot of what your folk are doing won't matter to what your heroes/characters WILL be doing.


I'd *HATE IT* if the game grinded to a halt for some factions just because other factions are having a good time. Keep playing -- I'll let you know if problems or concerns come up.


Ie: SHUL can still go places. Nothing is stopping him -- he may even move up the timeline way past the battle, as what he's doing is likely not related. Same thing for you and Leusis' settlement plans. The daily lives of the average Harun'taranian will not be disrupted much past news of fighting in the 'platz.

 

[Elendithas]

I gave that rating because I saw it at the bottom and thought 'that's not even remotely appropriate for a murder-fest.'. So instinctively I clicked it.

 

[Beckoncall]

I'm sorry -- for the record I was pretty sure I posted at least a minor update on the relocation to elicit such a response let me see if I can find and link it... or if I didn't post it, find it in word and post it promptly.

 

[Beckoncall]

I gave that rating because I saw it at the bottom and thought 'that's not even remotely appropriate for a murder-fest.'. So instinctively I clicked it.

This can only hurt or confuse me. My affection for you as a great RP'er is such that I might let you put a cigarette out on me -- but don't mess with my ratings... that's my sonar for whatever the hell I am going to do to keep things interesting...


...When I saw that "Awwww!" the only thing I could think of is that you SOMEHOW had an emotional investment about how a Tyren Lady seems to be pining her forbidden love for a Shaman in her clan. Do YOU want star-crossed Aymaran lovers to be an element of your story arcs? Because messing with the ratings is going to get that for you. xD

 

[Elendithas]

I'ma so sorry, I can go and change that rating if you want, but for the love of The Great One, PLEASE don't make a crocodile-man love story!

 

[Heyitsjiwon]

For the mental health of all in this RP. Please, have mercy.

 

[Beckoncall]

@SpiralErrant :


MAJOR CROW EATING!


I had fully intended to post a progress report on "Green-Nation" relocation in the overall colony report. Somehow between grading papers, Discussion in PM, and Discussion in OOC, it got drafted in word and not posted.


IT IS COMING UP NEXT, at it is largely already written, and if I can't find it fast I'll re-write it up.


This is a great learning opportunity for me, and for you guys to help me -- if you ever think an order has gone by the boards or you have fallen out of spotlight.... POKE ME ABOUT IT.


I assure you Spiral that I have been thinking more vividly about the relocation than you can possibly imagine, I only wish the game reflected that... and as soon as I walk my dog and buy my wife some orange juice, I plan to do just that.

 

[Beckoncall]

I'ma so sorry, I can go and change that rating if you want, but for the love of The Great One, PLEASE don't make a crocodile-man love story!

I promise NOTHING.


"Quetanka blinked at Sulthis, her scarred hide bearing the patina of as many love-bites as gruesome war-wounds... he licked her dorsal scales amorously, suggesting wordlessly that she was as delicious as the smaller lizard they had both eviscerated earlier that day..."

 

[Prince Vaethorion]

I have so many thoughts that I am unsure where to begin:


1) Part of me wants to go after the Mud Elves and destroy them. I think if we do not, we will be constantly looking over our shoulders. On the other hand we will only be strengthening the Gnolls by doing so. However, the Gnolls seemed in some ways more reasonable than the Mud Elves, which surprised me. However, the knowledge that the Witches are Dark elves and the High Elf hatred of Dark elves, I would rather deal with despicable Gnolls than hated Dark Elves. This is all dependent on how many casualties the Colonist sustained. It should be noted that we do not know yet how they traversed the river? Also, while retreating the river would slow down their retreat.


2) I kind of wish the Tyrren and the Wood elves, the Tactician and his highborn were in a position to strike at the retreating Mud Elves, because fresh troops at this stage would be a great advantage. However, it seems they are unaware of what went down.


3) I am not totally on board (character wise) with appeasing the Gnolls. I would have to look back at the posts and see what the context and benefit of doing so was? That said, the only ones that could stop the Amayran from eating the heads are the Cunnings. This might be worthwhile. I think from an RPG perspective, the High Born would find all of this distasteful. Perhaps I needed to be reminded as to the benefit of handing over heads to the Gnolls? I would also add, that I hope that the dead Mud Elves killed by High Born act as a final payment (indirectly perhaps) for the labor of the Amaryan for building the dock. Not sure how much Mud Elves sell for by the Lbs? In regards to the Gnolls, it seems relatively harmless to hand them the sculls since we already killed them anyway, but in my mind this would be to send a message (as someone pointed out).


4) the Timeline has also been a source of frustration for me. I have been following this game since December and it took me awhile to get my Faction up and running. Partially, this was because I had newborn twins and partially because I had to work in the framework of Beck's more realistic guidelines as to what the faction could do and not do. I then spent a lot of time writing elaborate backstories for the entire Race (which I never posted) but just needed for my own playing and for the Prince (which I also did not post). I might post it at some point once I figure out the spoilers. In terms of the timeline, Beck has persuaded me to take it easy and look at the events as more fluid. I have been frustrated that my faction has not explored and done more. I feel like they just arrived and ended up in a battle (that's not the case), but that's how I feel. I wasted time with long posts like this. (this is all still new to me and brevity is not my talent clearly). That said I like that it is fluid and that we can look back at events or forward.


5) there is more but I need to change a poopy diaper lol.

 

[Beckoncall]

@SpiralErrant :


If you read about half-way down post #250 you'll see I've already given nod to serious merger movement.


I will post further elaboration on your post #243... which goes into greater detail on the details of your merger.

 

[Prince Vaethorion]

5) Here is a suggestion and it's just a suggestion. I am not sure how it would be implemented (in terms of tools available). I wonder if we can distinguish between longer term/futuristic plans and in the moment turns (like the battle). That might be useful. I have seen it in strategy video games. The battles are played out turn to turn, but the greater events are accelerated. This is a challenge clearly, because we do not want one group to be much further ahead than the other. Perhaps, it's just good to know that the greater plans are being completed, while the day by day battles and minutiae are being dealt with. I think by necessity we felt that everything was frozen until the battle was completed (epic battle btw). Meanwhile, this was not so fair to Leusis an Spiral Errant who had less vested in the battle.


6) Some other ideas to put on the table is to have more uniform posts by the players to signify what our orders are. A somewhat universal format. I admittedly have been winging the posts and trying to emulate other's. I was asked to not post so many orders, or give personalities to so many minor characters. I did not know better at first since I am new to this.


7) and last (for now). My reading comprehension ability does not always notice every detail, and when I post later, I do not always remember every detail. There have been misunderstandings because of this (for example not noting that I was spoken to in High Elven). It would be useful for me and perhaps others (not sure if practical), if the more important details were in bold, italics or highlighted in some manner. Perhaps, that goes against convention, but might help in avoiding misunderstandings. Alternatively, the misunderstandings make the game and relations more of a challenge and dynamic. Just thoughts...


I'd like add that Beckoncall is doing a great job. That last battle scene was so intricate, and interesting that I think I need to read it a few more times to process what happened. I still have this image of the Bard grabbing on the Witches ankle for dear life as to not get eaten by brutes....


I also want to add, that I have enjoyed reading all of your writings. I am very impressed by the level of creativity and good writing this group has exhibited.

 

[KamiKahzy]

@Beckoncall


Question about Illythera: are they a man or a woman? You referred to them as both "him" and "her", and I wanted to know if that was on purpose or a typo.