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OCTOBER CR & PLOTTING MEME
PLOT WORKSHOP
GUIDELINES
In lieu of a CR meme, Metaheroes will be holding bi-monthly plot workshops. These memes are designed to help players brainstorm, develop, and shape their character arcs and personal plots into something that engages them. (If players feel that this meme is not serving the function of a traditional CR meme and would like to see the inclusion of a more traditional CR meme in the future, please reach out to us!)
Players with player plot and character arc ideas — no matter how pie in the sky or early in development — should post top levels to this entry using the form below. These posts will include character hooks and motivations, general plot ideas, and potential roles in others' plots.
Your ideas can be as specific or as general as you want — e.g., "I want my character to start pursuing politics" or "I want to run a plot where Spider-Man takes down a serial bank robber who's funding meta-drug experiments on children." This is not the place to censor yourself! Put it all out there!
What we do want to impress is more specific posts will make plotting smoother. Try to avoid 'down for anything' posts and comments — if you do not feel you have specific ideas to throw out, we encourage you to simply tag around and collaborate with others. This meme can't succeed without both posts and replies!
In addition to player replies, the mods will have two top levels.
The first, MOD QUESTIONS, is a space for players to ask clarifying questions about things like player plot tier of certain ideas and the ability to impact aspects of the setting or world in substantial ways, or event related questions and sign-ups. We can provide quicker approvals on these memes to help get things rolling to a player plot submission.
The second, SETTING IMPACT, will have a form for players to pitch larger-scale plots (including those that they may not want to run themselves, or that they don't have a character who can spearhead). This section is for players to brainstorm and collaborate on big ways to engage and alter the setting. We encourage players to think creatively! We will also offer our two cents where possible, but if you feel something needs our attention, feel free to drop a direct link to the comment in the 'mod questions' header too.
Players with player plot and character arc ideas — no matter how pie in the sky or early in development — should post top levels to this entry using the form below. These posts will include character hooks and motivations, general plot ideas, and potential roles in others' plots.
Your ideas can be as specific or as general as you want — e.g., "I want my character to start pursuing politics" or "I want to run a plot where Spider-Man takes down a serial bank robber who's funding meta-drug experiments on children." This is not the place to censor yourself! Put it all out there!
What we do want to impress is more specific posts will make plotting smoother. Try to avoid 'down for anything' posts and comments — if you do not feel you have specific ideas to throw out, we encourage you to simply tag around and collaborate with others. This meme can't succeed without both posts and replies!
In addition to player replies, the mods will have two top levels.
The first, MOD QUESTIONS, is a space for players to ask clarifying questions about things like player plot tier of certain ideas and the ability to impact aspects of the setting or world in substantial ways, or event related questions and sign-ups. We can provide quicker approvals on these memes to help get things rolling to a player plot submission.
The second, SETTING IMPACT, will have a form for players to pitch larger-scale plots (including those that they may not want to run themselves, or that they don't have a character who can spearhead). This section is for players to brainstorm and collaborate on big ways to engage and alter the setting. We encourage players to think creatively! We will also offer our two cents where possible, but if you feel something needs our attention, feel free to drop a direct link to the comment in the 'mod questions' header too.
EVENT PREVIEW
To facilitate your plotting for the coming month, here's a quick preview of the October event!
As mentioned last month, RETURNING HOME will finally become an option during this month! When the technology is finally tested and proven safe, the Guilds will quickly jump on this potential solution to all the recent unrest surrounding Confluence metas. The Alliance sends out the call - everyone should report to Guild HQ in Central City to be returned to their home dimension as soon as possible. It is understood that many of you probably have business to wrap up in this dimension, though, so no one's being rounded up just yet. For now, you can go in or not at your leisure.
For those who are willing to attempt the return trip, they'll find themselves ushered into one of many basement levels that serve as workshops and lab spaces at Alliance Headquarters. First, you'll need to be scanned by the scientists, who will then take a little time to locate your dimension of origin. While that's happening, there's a decent waiting room for all of you to hang out in it! People will be called back as their coordinates are determined.
When it's your turn, you'll be led into a large warehouse with a glowing, circular portal machine. It's big enough to walk through, and that's that! Say goodbye to this world, the Confluences, and the whole mess!
Or not. The scientists will provide you with a small handheld device that can bring you back here, if something goes wrong with the trip. Even if you don't trigger that yourself, though, you're likely to find yourself unceremoniously returned to this world before too long. The longest anyone can manage to stay in their world is two weeks. Once they become aware of this issue, the Guild scientists don't seem to have an immediate solution...this may require even more work.
That doesn't stop people from at least visiting home briefly, though. Moving forward, the dimensional travel mechanic will be available as described in the Arc Two preview here. The FAQ and other reference materials will be updated with this information shortly.
October is typically a fraught time in Sunset Falls.
At this time of year, magic tends to be more powerful, as the separation between the natural world and the supernatural grows ever smaller. It's easy to find out information about this phenomenon; anyone who lives in Sunset Falls can tell you that the occult will reach the height of its power towards the end of this month.
Despite this, Sunset Falls tends to make the best of the season. Halloween is a huge deal here, celebrated not only with trick-or-treating for children, but with a huge street festival that starts in the afternoon and lasts into the early hours of the following morning. Costumes are encouraged here as well, the more elaborate and realistic the better. Some say that this old tradition began as a way to allow the town's more supernatural residents, and those who may slip through the boundaries between worlds, to enjoy themselves freely among their human neighbors for one special night.
This year, however, things do seem a little off. While many of the more ordinary locals haven't noticed, those who have contact with spirits, including people living in the haunted Guild lodgings, will hear from their dearly departed friends that things on the other side have grown disquiet. It's natural for the veil to grow thin at this time of year, but all the recent damage to the borders of this world have caused damage there as well. Parts of the veil may even be tearing. Those with the senses for it can feel a strange, otherworldly energy slowly beginning to seep into the world of the living.
The leaks begin slowly at the beginning of the month, and become more widespread as Halloween approaches. Most people can't tell they're happening. But anyone with the misfortune to cross paths with this energy will find themselves transformed. Characters will find themselves taking on the form of monsters, either one that they were already dressed up as or a random one. While this effect begins in Sunset Falls and is centralized there, it's possible for one or two stray wisps of energy to slip through in other locations and affect people there.
It's up to player discretion how extensive the changes are. These things affect everyone differently. Maybe one person just grows wolf ears while another becomes a full-blown werewolf. They can also be merely cosmetic, or extend to the mental as well. A character can look like a vampire without actually experiencing a thirst for blood...though others may not trust that this is the case, because some people are definitely becoming monsters in earnest.
Characters will transform back to their regular selves when October ends.
As the power of the Underworld grows stronger in this world, the Hellmouth underneath Sunset Falls High School will begin to yawn wider. Wide enough to allow the living to step through and see what lies beneath their feet.
Guarded by Cerberus (a familiar friend to some of those among us) the doors to the underworld are tightly shut. The guardian has not noticed the gaps in the seams which are allowing the power of the world of the dead to flow past it. Should he like you, he'll let you investigate the doors and pass through them. Should you have angered him in the past, though, he'll chase you away. Better hope you were on team Save the Dog back in January.
The Lord of the Dead, Hades - no relation to anyone present - will answer any questions he can if you manage to make it to his throne room. But beware - the realm of the dead is no place the living, and if you die here, you'll be lost until someone comes to find you.
Many of these threats will seem familiar to anyone versed in Greek lore. You'll have to cross the River Styx to enter; the ferryman, sensing that something is amiss, will waive your payment this time, but you'll have to contend with the shadowy hands reaching up to try and drag you into the water on your own. On the other side, you're faced with quite the long walk. Here, you may be approached by shades, some of them even familiar from those who experienced March's Confluence. Here, they seem far more themselves, and there are friendly individuals who will help guide you. There's also villains who might attack you, hoping to kill you and take your spot on the ferry back to the other side.
The path is long, arduous, and mostly dull barring any attacks. At some point, you'll come across another river. Hopefully someone can tell you not to drink from the Lethe, or you may walk away missing some of your memories. In addition, the concentrated energies down here may drive those who are still transformed into monsters deeper into the mentality of their new shape, even to the point of attacking their companions.
Anyone who reaches Hades' throne can beg for him to lift these effects from themselves or others. He may ask for some payment, such as a dramatic retelling of your journey or some other story; it can get very dull down here, managing the affairs of the dead. But despite his reputation, he seems a generally courteous fellow, and will be mostly obliging after the trouble you've gone to. As long as at least one party reaches him to inform him of the trouble at the borders of his kingdom, he will seal the cracks and end the effects on the living world by month's end.
As mentioned last month, RETURNING HOME will finally become an option during this month! When the technology is finally tested and proven safe, the Guilds will quickly jump on this potential solution to all the recent unrest surrounding Confluence metas. The Alliance sends out the call - everyone should report to Guild HQ in Central City to be returned to their home dimension as soon as possible. It is understood that many of you probably have business to wrap up in this dimension, though, so no one's being rounded up just yet. For now, you can go in or not at your leisure.
For those who are willing to attempt the return trip, they'll find themselves ushered into one of many basement levels that serve as workshops and lab spaces at Alliance Headquarters. First, you'll need to be scanned by the scientists, who will then take a little time to locate your dimension of origin. While that's happening, there's a decent waiting room for all of you to hang out in it! People will be called back as their coordinates are determined.
When it's your turn, you'll be led into a large warehouse with a glowing, circular portal machine. It's big enough to walk through, and that's that! Say goodbye to this world, the Confluences, and the whole mess!
Or not. The scientists will provide you with a small handheld device that can bring you back here, if something goes wrong with the trip. Even if you don't trigger that yourself, though, you're likely to find yourself unceremoniously returned to this world before too long. The longest anyone can manage to stay in their world is two weeks. Once they become aware of this issue, the Guild scientists don't seem to have an immediate solution...this may require even more work.
That doesn't stop people from at least visiting home briefly, though. Moving forward, the dimensional travel mechanic will be available as described in the Arc Two preview here. The FAQ and other reference materials will be updated with this information shortly.
MONSTER TRANSFORMATIONS
October is typically a fraught time in Sunset Falls.
At this time of year, magic tends to be more powerful, as the separation between the natural world and the supernatural grows ever smaller. It's easy to find out information about this phenomenon; anyone who lives in Sunset Falls can tell you that the occult will reach the height of its power towards the end of this month.
Despite this, Sunset Falls tends to make the best of the season. Halloween is a huge deal here, celebrated not only with trick-or-treating for children, but with a huge street festival that starts in the afternoon and lasts into the early hours of the following morning. Costumes are encouraged here as well, the more elaborate and realistic the better. Some say that this old tradition began as a way to allow the town's more supernatural residents, and those who may slip through the boundaries between worlds, to enjoy themselves freely among their human neighbors for one special night.
This year, however, things do seem a little off. While many of the more ordinary locals haven't noticed, those who have contact with spirits, including people living in the haunted Guild lodgings, will hear from their dearly departed friends that things on the other side have grown disquiet. It's natural for the veil to grow thin at this time of year, but all the recent damage to the borders of this world have caused damage there as well. Parts of the veil may even be tearing. Those with the senses for it can feel a strange, otherworldly energy slowly beginning to seep into the world of the living.
The leaks begin slowly at the beginning of the month, and become more widespread as Halloween approaches. Most people can't tell they're happening. But anyone with the misfortune to cross paths with this energy will find themselves transformed. Characters will find themselves taking on the form of monsters, either one that they were already dressed up as or a random one. While this effect begins in Sunset Falls and is centralized there, it's possible for one or two stray wisps of energy to slip through in other locations and affect people there.
It's up to player discretion how extensive the changes are. These things affect everyone differently. Maybe one person just grows wolf ears while another becomes a full-blown werewolf. They can also be merely cosmetic, or extend to the mental as well. A character can look like a vampire without actually experiencing a thirst for blood...though others may not trust that this is the case, because some people are definitely becoming monsters in earnest.
Characters will transform back to their regular selves when October ends.
THE UNDERWORLD
As the power of the Underworld grows stronger in this world, the Hellmouth underneath Sunset Falls High School will begin to yawn wider. Wide enough to allow the living to step through and see what lies beneath their feet.
Guarded by Cerberus (a familiar friend to some of those among us) the doors to the underworld are tightly shut. The guardian has not noticed the gaps in the seams which are allowing the power of the world of the dead to flow past it. Should he like you, he'll let you investigate the doors and pass through them. Should you have angered him in the past, though, he'll chase you away. Better hope you were on team Save the Dog back in January.
The Lord of the Dead, Hades - no relation to anyone present - will answer any questions he can if you manage to make it to his throne room. But beware - the realm of the dead is no place the living, and if you die here, you'll be lost until someone comes to find you.
Many of these threats will seem familiar to anyone versed in Greek lore. You'll have to cross the River Styx to enter; the ferryman, sensing that something is amiss, will waive your payment this time, but you'll have to contend with the shadowy hands reaching up to try and drag you into the water on your own. On the other side, you're faced with quite the long walk. Here, you may be approached by shades, some of them even familiar from those who experienced March's Confluence. Here, they seem far more themselves, and there are friendly individuals who will help guide you. There's also villains who might attack you, hoping to kill you and take your spot on the ferry back to the other side.
The path is long, arduous, and mostly dull barring any attacks. At some point, you'll come across another river. Hopefully someone can tell you not to drink from the Lethe, or you may walk away missing some of your memories. In addition, the concentrated energies down here may drive those who are still transformed into monsters deeper into the mentality of their new shape, even to the point of attacking their companions.
Anyone who reaches Hades' throne can beg for him to lift these effects from themselves or others. He may ask for some payment, such as a dramatic retelling of your journey or some other story; it can get very dull down here, managing the affairs of the dead. But despite his reputation, he seems a generally courteous fellow, and will be mostly obliging after the trouble you've gone to. As long as at least one party reaches him to inform him of the trouble at the borders of his kingdom, he will seal the cracks and end the effects on the living world by month's end.
FORM
Please use the form below to pitch your character-specific plots and ideas.
Player Name & Pronouns:
Preferred Communication: Plurk, Discord, DM, etc.
Character Name & Journal:
Guild Affiliation:
Plot/CR Hooks: What kinds of things does your character get up to that might throw them in the path of someone else's plot, or that you would like other players to engage with?
Character Motivations: What does your character want? You can list short term and long term goals, but also emotional needs that aren't being fulfilled.
Potential Roles: What role does your character play in their canon plot? What role might they play in others' plots, and what would it take to get their attention? Are they an antagonist, a researcher, a tech whiz?
Plot Ideas: What plots do you specifically want to run with your character in them?
Roles Needed: What kind of CR and skills do you need in order to make that plot happen?
Event Plans: What are you interested in doing with the event?
Player Name & Pronouns:
Preferred Communication: Plurk, Discord, DM, etc.
Character Name & Journal:
Guild Affiliation:
Plot/CR Hooks: What kinds of things does your character get up to that might throw them in the path of someone else's plot, or that you would like other players to engage with?
Character Motivations: What does your character want? You can list short term and long term goals, but also emotional needs that aren't being fulfilled.
Potential Roles: What role does your character play in their canon plot? What role might they play in others' plots, and what would it take to get their attention? Are they an antagonist, a researcher, a tech whiz?
Plot Ideas: What plots do you specifically want to run with your character in them?
Roles Needed: What kind of CR and skills do you need in order to make that plot happen?
Event Plans: What are you interested in doing with the event?
Locations | Teams | The Guilds | Plotting Post | Mission Board | Mod Contact
NETWORK COMM | LOG COMM | OOC COMM
EVENT QUESTION
no subject
no subject
Chris is gonna have a terrible time.