Duffy
12-04-09, 05:19 PM
So...things have been discussed or agreed upon behind the scenes of your glorious hobby Althanas, that Scara Brae needs a bit of a revamp. In essence, I want to present some of the new factions/mission boards that are in the works, to get some feedback and to see if there's anything you'd all like to see represented in the city as it's brought to life.
Although it will remain the 'noobie' city, we want to involve newcomers with more than generic storylines and a blank slate - we want to give voices and places names and things to live and breathe, so, I present:
Factions and Divisions in the Hierarchy of the Right Honourable Scara Brae
Favour Points And The Pendulum of Power: With each location/board, there will be a show of hands and a constant track of faction power. The effects of missions being completed, and favour being shown to one faction over another will have a direct effect on new missions that appear, and the circumstances and rewards. In essence, you will be moulding the future of Scara Brae, and should one faction win, you can see the effects of your hard work as civil war ends, marriages and lives begin, and buildings and districts are swept away into nothingness. A city that never sleeps after all is one of constant change. These points, when earned, are added to your profile/character, as well as to the general pool for that faction, displaying factor prominence for the character and overall impact that faction has within the city.
• The Order of Milieus Cordeaux
There was once a time in Scara Brae’s frivolous history when magic was openly practiced in the streets, in fact, such practitioners were welcomed and revered, both as artisans of ancient practices and conjurers of cheap tricks and unearthly songs. Time is a fickle thing however, and the street mages of the roving troupes were castigated and outlawed, until the saint of modern magical academia, Milieus Cordeaux challenged the nobles house of the city, a challenge which gave rise to a sanctioned and ‘stable’ environment in which magic could be taught as a subject to willing and often financially wealthy individuals.
Now students of the magical arts live in the city and dwindle their days chained to rigid timetables and studious pursuits, traversing the long halls and regal chambers in chase of the glory of the ancient sorcerers. All the while, such adventures are rigidly watched by the templar scholars, who ensure that the magic learnt is not misuses, and that its students do not fall prey to evil or malicious thoughts.
1. Three buildings, one in the docklands, one in the noble district and one near the market district.
2. Dockland Observatory has astrological buildings, dueling fields and practical halls.
3. Noble District is a vast gothic cathedral and chantry, where theory and accommodation is found.
4. Market District is reception/administration and lecture rooms/library/study chambers.
5. Consider the Unseen University meets the Circle of Magi.
Joining the Order can be done by applying in the normal fashion, through quest or solo, and a test of mettle/aptitude will be conducted. If you wish to undertake any of the quests below, how you come to find yourself doing so is up to you. Perhaps you are already a student, or an outsider performing ‘ontological functions’ for the university’s staff, it is up to you to creatively weave yourself into the paranoid and eternally tyrannical realm of the faithful over watching the magical.
Current Assignments: (Each will have a primary faction alignment, but can be turn tailed or betrayed, depending on your character’s chosen side. Remember, that often, such moral divisions will not be black and white as they first appear.)
Discovering the Firmament – as magical theory develops in the mind of a student; it represses the desire to undertake magical acts, as one becomes distinctly aware of the risks involved in the practice of the magical arts. A recent theorist, Callus Maxis has written a paper on the development of stringent magical indoctrination in societies where gold is paramount, and status is everything. Such a paper has yet to be delivered to the University Academic Registry, where it would otherwise be assessed, considered and published in the true manner of all dissertations. Certain parties within the Templarite do not wish for this to come to light, and have requested aid in silencing the matter. Although no edict has been given as to how you are to do this, Callus is such a prominent figure in the university; his outright death would draw far too much suspicion if one were careless…
Goal: Prevent, misconstrue or alter the delivery of the research paper to the Academic Registry. (No restrictions other than this, there will be additional information as the thread progresses, and creativity will be rewarded upon thread completion, at the judge’s discretion).
Reward: 100 gold has been slated as a reward, and a favour point per full ten points scored over 50 from the Templarite Order. If you chose to help, or perhaps aid both parties, suitable deviation from these will be considered and applied.
Availability: Any format you so desire. If it is requested and three or more people take part, GM assistance will be provided in the form of either a Templar contact, or Callus Maxis himself.
A Lesson in Semantics – a magical lesson requires magical teaching, and often, with such a practical subject, it requires a demonstration. It is midday, and classes of final year thaumaturgists have gathered in a sparse and somewhat charred lecture hall by the docklands for their pre-exam mock. Be you a student, or a ‘willing volunteer’ taking part in the dueling and sparring that will follow, fate has decided that there will be fire, and there will be bloodshed, and maybe, just maybe, one of you might pass the course!
Goal: The above description is your brief, how you interpret it and how you respond is up to you. I’d suggest a group or one or two engage in a magical duel of sorts, or perhaps go into a dialogue on thaumaturgical theory if you wish, it’s up to you. Perhaps you are even a templar knight observing the lecture, standing vigil and defiant and deep in thought?
Reward: None, although a greater focus will be applied on approving a magical ability should the thread demand or satisfy the requirements of a good, strong and creative reply to the mission. Any such ability will only be approved as knowledge, and would require further practice beyond that before manifesting to any great degree.
Availability: As a student, magical ability preferred, as a volunteer, no requirements. For you to be a Templar, you will require the relevant initiation and favour points, or to be enrolled in a university course to be a participating student of course.
A New Semester, A New Beginning – enrollment for the next academic year has begun, and you are to attend a day of welcome and open doors to explore and witness the glory of the university first hand. There is celebration, talk and visual feasts, countless pamphlets and indoctrinated speeches to see, and plenty of free food to consume. Are you perhaps looking for lore, knowledge and exploration of the beyond?
Goal: Attend, discuss and chose a course of academic study from one offered (to be discussed in thread). Enroll or slate down a name with the Academic Registry.
Reward: Ability to accrue favour points for the University and an invitation, pending assessment of interview/qualifications/experience to study full-time.
Availability: Anyone, although interview and relevant experience or aptitude may be required, depending on the course interested in. This mission will be permanent, undertake able by anyone should they so wish. Once completed however, you will only be able to take part in the sequel introduction thread with a group of prospective students and an NPC (myself or another) to welcome you.
• The Noble Houses of Scara Brae
Noblemen and women and household acquaintances seldom live a comfortable life, not in the true sense. Although they are content in their ways, lineaments and luxuries, mental and emotional turmoil is always seething beneath a cool illusion of perfection. Your house is your own to represent in this constant bureaucratic power struggle, forge a future of your own demising and perhaps alter the social hierarchy of the city forever! The noble district is a clean and sweeping and mansion laden town centre, every bit like the medieval cul de sac you imagine it to be. Here there are parties, balls and debutant entrances, as well as small minded conversation and petty ignorance.
Unlike the other locations, the Noble Houses are about personal expression and building your character’s ascent into courtly life. Before starting out with any of these missions, you must first chose a house name, rough sketch of the family members and the like; all are permitted a small and modest house, not particularly wealthy nor poor – your obscurity is your only failing, and through working in the circles you slowly begin to find yourself in, you can ultimately carve out your name in the city streets. The ultimate reward for gaining 10 faction points for your house name is to gain a modest mansion and smallholdings, offering a slow supply of wine, food and modest clothing and furniture; this house of course, can be expanded upon as you trick, deceive and maim your way to the ultimate prize – to be the First Dance at the Summer Ball!
A Little Less Conversation – It is your niece’s debutant ball this eve, and although you get along famously with her and the distant relatives that are invited to the occasion, you have little desire to discourse with any of them beyond fragmented pleasantries. Do you best to avoid them, or to misdirect their attempts to communicate blindly with you – they seem to be intent on catching up, and will follow you seamlessly as they just don’t get it!
Goal: Dialogue and situational comedy is abound, although violence is not permitted in plain sight, a desert tray to the face in a dark and silent part of the mansion might not be out of the question!
Reward: A night of contentment, favour for your house both for attending and acting without incident, and of course, the usual methods of satisfaction, free wine, free food, good company and gold. If one accomplishes the act of avoiding the relatives of your niece and does so with writing that achieves a dialogue score of 8 or above, they will receive an additional reward for being so orderly and astonishingly captivating within the social circles of Scara Brae.
Availability: Solo or small groups.
My Mother’s A Whore – It is true. Although you do not oft admit it, your matriarchal head of the house has been seen, heard and caught in the act with a man not of your father’s description. Such an act is impermissible, both in social law and family honour; your father has decreed she be silenced, and the task has fallen on his firstborn child. You must either denounce her, or show her deed to the circle, or…’deal’ with her in whatever way you see fit. These rumours will be the death of somebody, one way or the other!
Goal: Display an aptitude with moral fluidity and show character development outside of generic skill gaining and action. Your father does not wish to remain married, but cannot do so without because, so it is up to you how you deal with it, as long as the situation is…resolved.
Reward: Your father’s heir ship, and of course, the rights to claim you are his favoured child. Those who show aptitude and originality in dealing with the situation, either through compassion or calculated brutality and deviance will receive an additional reward, as well as additional faction points for their household.
Availability: Promiscuity is not solely your own house’s downfall, as such, this is available in any format, and will be available to more than one player to undertake.
A Cut Above The Rest – the young whippersnappers and far too handsome sons of the Noble houses meet under the cover of darkness around discarded tavern tables or in wine cellars often enough to be familiar with the game of poker. Such a game and such a proximity to alcohol make for opportunistic card shark and gambler heaven! On this particular evening, it is Lord Lucian’s turn to host the event, and although his mansion is amply stocked, you know full well he cheats, and it’s about time someone spoke up about it…if only he wasn’t such a good duelist…
Goal: It’s poker, it’s rough, there’s cheating, drink, men and of course, a brawl, be it with words or fists. The rest is up to you, stir up some trouble in the lower echelons of the social circles, kick start an inter house feud, fleece your friends for all they’re worth!
Reward: Depends how good you deal!
Availability: To any and all.
Although it will remain the 'noobie' city, we want to involve newcomers with more than generic storylines and a blank slate - we want to give voices and places names and things to live and breathe, so, I present:
Factions and Divisions in the Hierarchy of the Right Honourable Scara Brae
Favour Points And The Pendulum of Power: With each location/board, there will be a show of hands and a constant track of faction power. The effects of missions being completed, and favour being shown to one faction over another will have a direct effect on new missions that appear, and the circumstances and rewards. In essence, you will be moulding the future of Scara Brae, and should one faction win, you can see the effects of your hard work as civil war ends, marriages and lives begin, and buildings and districts are swept away into nothingness. A city that never sleeps after all is one of constant change. These points, when earned, are added to your profile/character, as well as to the general pool for that faction, displaying factor prominence for the character and overall impact that faction has within the city.
• The Order of Milieus Cordeaux
There was once a time in Scara Brae’s frivolous history when magic was openly practiced in the streets, in fact, such practitioners were welcomed and revered, both as artisans of ancient practices and conjurers of cheap tricks and unearthly songs. Time is a fickle thing however, and the street mages of the roving troupes were castigated and outlawed, until the saint of modern magical academia, Milieus Cordeaux challenged the nobles house of the city, a challenge which gave rise to a sanctioned and ‘stable’ environment in which magic could be taught as a subject to willing and often financially wealthy individuals.
Now students of the magical arts live in the city and dwindle their days chained to rigid timetables and studious pursuits, traversing the long halls and regal chambers in chase of the glory of the ancient sorcerers. All the while, such adventures are rigidly watched by the templar scholars, who ensure that the magic learnt is not misuses, and that its students do not fall prey to evil or malicious thoughts.
1. Three buildings, one in the docklands, one in the noble district and one near the market district.
2. Dockland Observatory has astrological buildings, dueling fields and practical halls.
3. Noble District is a vast gothic cathedral and chantry, where theory and accommodation is found.
4. Market District is reception/administration and lecture rooms/library/study chambers.
5. Consider the Unseen University meets the Circle of Magi.
Joining the Order can be done by applying in the normal fashion, through quest or solo, and a test of mettle/aptitude will be conducted. If you wish to undertake any of the quests below, how you come to find yourself doing so is up to you. Perhaps you are already a student, or an outsider performing ‘ontological functions’ for the university’s staff, it is up to you to creatively weave yourself into the paranoid and eternally tyrannical realm of the faithful over watching the magical.
Current Assignments: (Each will have a primary faction alignment, but can be turn tailed or betrayed, depending on your character’s chosen side. Remember, that often, such moral divisions will not be black and white as they first appear.)
Discovering the Firmament – as magical theory develops in the mind of a student; it represses the desire to undertake magical acts, as one becomes distinctly aware of the risks involved in the practice of the magical arts. A recent theorist, Callus Maxis has written a paper on the development of stringent magical indoctrination in societies where gold is paramount, and status is everything. Such a paper has yet to be delivered to the University Academic Registry, where it would otherwise be assessed, considered and published in the true manner of all dissertations. Certain parties within the Templarite do not wish for this to come to light, and have requested aid in silencing the matter. Although no edict has been given as to how you are to do this, Callus is such a prominent figure in the university; his outright death would draw far too much suspicion if one were careless…
Goal: Prevent, misconstrue or alter the delivery of the research paper to the Academic Registry. (No restrictions other than this, there will be additional information as the thread progresses, and creativity will be rewarded upon thread completion, at the judge’s discretion).
Reward: 100 gold has been slated as a reward, and a favour point per full ten points scored over 50 from the Templarite Order. If you chose to help, or perhaps aid both parties, suitable deviation from these will be considered and applied.
Availability: Any format you so desire. If it is requested and three or more people take part, GM assistance will be provided in the form of either a Templar contact, or Callus Maxis himself.
A Lesson in Semantics – a magical lesson requires magical teaching, and often, with such a practical subject, it requires a demonstration. It is midday, and classes of final year thaumaturgists have gathered in a sparse and somewhat charred lecture hall by the docklands for their pre-exam mock. Be you a student, or a ‘willing volunteer’ taking part in the dueling and sparring that will follow, fate has decided that there will be fire, and there will be bloodshed, and maybe, just maybe, one of you might pass the course!
Goal: The above description is your brief, how you interpret it and how you respond is up to you. I’d suggest a group or one or two engage in a magical duel of sorts, or perhaps go into a dialogue on thaumaturgical theory if you wish, it’s up to you. Perhaps you are even a templar knight observing the lecture, standing vigil and defiant and deep in thought?
Reward: None, although a greater focus will be applied on approving a magical ability should the thread demand or satisfy the requirements of a good, strong and creative reply to the mission. Any such ability will only be approved as knowledge, and would require further practice beyond that before manifesting to any great degree.
Availability: As a student, magical ability preferred, as a volunteer, no requirements. For you to be a Templar, you will require the relevant initiation and favour points, or to be enrolled in a university course to be a participating student of course.
A New Semester, A New Beginning – enrollment for the next academic year has begun, and you are to attend a day of welcome and open doors to explore and witness the glory of the university first hand. There is celebration, talk and visual feasts, countless pamphlets and indoctrinated speeches to see, and plenty of free food to consume. Are you perhaps looking for lore, knowledge and exploration of the beyond?
Goal: Attend, discuss and chose a course of academic study from one offered (to be discussed in thread). Enroll or slate down a name with the Academic Registry.
Reward: Ability to accrue favour points for the University and an invitation, pending assessment of interview/qualifications/experience to study full-time.
Availability: Anyone, although interview and relevant experience or aptitude may be required, depending on the course interested in. This mission will be permanent, undertake able by anyone should they so wish. Once completed however, you will only be able to take part in the sequel introduction thread with a group of prospective students and an NPC (myself or another) to welcome you.
• The Noble Houses of Scara Brae
Noblemen and women and household acquaintances seldom live a comfortable life, not in the true sense. Although they are content in their ways, lineaments and luxuries, mental and emotional turmoil is always seething beneath a cool illusion of perfection. Your house is your own to represent in this constant bureaucratic power struggle, forge a future of your own demising and perhaps alter the social hierarchy of the city forever! The noble district is a clean and sweeping and mansion laden town centre, every bit like the medieval cul de sac you imagine it to be. Here there are parties, balls and debutant entrances, as well as small minded conversation and petty ignorance.
Unlike the other locations, the Noble Houses are about personal expression and building your character’s ascent into courtly life. Before starting out with any of these missions, you must first chose a house name, rough sketch of the family members and the like; all are permitted a small and modest house, not particularly wealthy nor poor – your obscurity is your only failing, and through working in the circles you slowly begin to find yourself in, you can ultimately carve out your name in the city streets. The ultimate reward for gaining 10 faction points for your house name is to gain a modest mansion and smallholdings, offering a slow supply of wine, food and modest clothing and furniture; this house of course, can be expanded upon as you trick, deceive and maim your way to the ultimate prize – to be the First Dance at the Summer Ball!
A Little Less Conversation – It is your niece’s debutant ball this eve, and although you get along famously with her and the distant relatives that are invited to the occasion, you have little desire to discourse with any of them beyond fragmented pleasantries. Do you best to avoid them, or to misdirect their attempts to communicate blindly with you – they seem to be intent on catching up, and will follow you seamlessly as they just don’t get it!
Goal: Dialogue and situational comedy is abound, although violence is not permitted in plain sight, a desert tray to the face in a dark and silent part of the mansion might not be out of the question!
Reward: A night of contentment, favour for your house both for attending and acting without incident, and of course, the usual methods of satisfaction, free wine, free food, good company and gold. If one accomplishes the act of avoiding the relatives of your niece and does so with writing that achieves a dialogue score of 8 or above, they will receive an additional reward for being so orderly and astonishingly captivating within the social circles of Scara Brae.
Availability: Solo or small groups.
My Mother’s A Whore – It is true. Although you do not oft admit it, your matriarchal head of the house has been seen, heard and caught in the act with a man not of your father’s description. Such an act is impermissible, both in social law and family honour; your father has decreed she be silenced, and the task has fallen on his firstborn child. You must either denounce her, or show her deed to the circle, or…’deal’ with her in whatever way you see fit. These rumours will be the death of somebody, one way or the other!
Goal: Display an aptitude with moral fluidity and show character development outside of generic skill gaining and action. Your father does not wish to remain married, but cannot do so without because, so it is up to you how you deal with it, as long as the situation is…resolved.
Reward: Your father’s heir ship, and of course, the rights to claim you are his favoured child. Those who show aptitude and originality in dealing with the situation, either through compassion or calculated brutality and deviance will receive an additional reward, as well as additional faction points for their household.
Availability: Promiscuity is not solely your own house’s downfall, as such, this is available in any format, and will be available to more than one player to undertake.
A Cut Above The Rest – the young whippersnappers and far too handsome sons of the Noble houses meet under the cover of darkness around discarded tavern tables or in wine cellars often enough to be familiar with the game of poker. Such a game and such a proximity to alcohol make for opportunistic card shark and gambler heaven! On this particular evening, it is Lord Lucian’s turn to host the event, and although his mansion is amply stocked, you know full well he cheats, and it’s about time someone spoke up about it…if only he wasn’t such a good duelist…
Goal: It’s poker, it’s rough, there’s cheating, drink, men and of course, a brawl, be it with words or fists. The rest is up to you, stir up some trouble in the lower echelons of the social circles, kick start an inter house feud, fleece your friends for all they’re worth!
Reward: Depends how good you deal!
Availability: To any and all.