Post by Reno on Jan 7, 2006 2:36:27 GMT -5
I had some ideas tonight that could take the game in a new direction. But before I implement them, I'd like to present you all with a choice.
For awhile now, I've noticed something about this game that I don't like. While it's overall been pretty fun for me (and I hope for you as well), the campaign has suffered from a lack of centralized plot. Most everything that's happened has been a series of unrelated adventures, involving different subgroups within our group at different times. And most disconcerting of all (to me), a couple of the characters don't seem to fit well into the group.
What I have in mind will be a more centralized story, with more direction and more direct connections between one event and the next. This sounds all well and good, but it may have a few other effects on the campaign, and this is why I bring it to your attention before implementing these plans:
1. The leveling-up process will likely be slowed. This will be due to a combination of less combat and my figuring the XP slightly differently. So far I've been giving the Encounter total XP for each enemy in the encounter, which I don't believe is how it's supposed to be.
Slowing down the level-up process could be frustrating to several (or maybe all) of you, mostly those who look ahead to the next level in anticipation of gaining a feat, stat increase, new skills or a new ability. On the other hand, it would allow me to make the campaign last longer, create more well-balanced encounters, and it won't stretch believability as much in that you won't quickly become the most powerful characters in the universe, easily outstripping the likes of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Boba Fett.
2. You will have to think more, both in and out of character. In order for the plot to advance, you will need to figure things out by picking up clues of various kinds, such as: things people say, who could have known a particular fact, what is in a room, and things like that. Seemingly unimportant or random things might actually be extremely important, and you'll have to listen to my descriptions and dialogue carefully.
Fear not, for I will give hints, give you some information through Intelligence checks, and if everyone is clearly stumped I won't let you just sit there for three hours without going anywhere. But I don't want to lead the characters around by the nose, either. You will have to reason things out, and use all the resources at your disposal (gear, money, abilities, people you know, people that work for you, devious tricks, etc.).
3. Once this plot gets going, I'm not going to allow anybody to change characters unless their current character gets killed. And by "gets killed" I mean by accident or bad luck. Not shooting yourself, jumping off a building or deliberately charging into a room full of E-Webs to kill off your character and get a new one. So if you want to play a different character, I suggest you speak to me soon about arranging it.
Anyway, in conclusion, I want to know whether you'd rather continue as we have been, or whether you want to try this deeper, more involved plot I'm cooking up.[glow=red,5,500]
DO NOT ANSWER RIGHT AWAY. [/glow]I want you to think about this for a little while, and when you do answer, send me a PM instead of posting here. That way I can get everybody's individual thoughts without anybody feeling like they have to go along with what others say.
If you have any questions or clarifications about what I've said above, go ahead and ask them here, though.
For awhile now, I've noticed something about this game that I don't like. While it's overall been pretty fun for me (and I hope for you as well), the campaign has suffered from a lack of centralized plot. Most everything that's happened has been a series of unrelated adventures, involving different subgroups within our group at different times. And most disconcerting of all (to me), a couple of the characters don't seem to fit well into the group.
What I have in mind will be a more centralized story, with more direction and more direct connections between one event and the next. This sounds all well and good, but it may have a few other effects on the campaign, and this is why I bring it to your attention before implementing these plans:
1. The leveling-up process will likely be slowed. This will be due to a combination of less combat and my figuring the XP slightly differently. So far I've been giving the Encounter total XP for each enemy in the encounter, which I don't believe is how it's supposed to be.
Slowing down the level-up process could be frustrating to several (or maybe all) of you, mostly those who look ahead to the next level in anticipation of gaining a feat, stat increase, new skills or a new ability. On the other hand, it would allow me to make the campaign last longer, create more well-balanced encounters, and it won't stretch believability as much in that you won't quickly become the most powerful characters in the universe, easily outstripping the likes of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Boba Fett.
2. You will have to think more, both in and out of character. In order for the plot to advance, you will need to figure things out by picking up clues of various kinds, such as: things people say, who could have known a particular fact, what is in a room, and things like that. Seemingly unimportant or random things might actually be extremely important, and you'll have to listen to my descriptions and dialogue carefully.
Fear not, for I will give hints, give you some information through Intelligence checks, and if everyone is clearly stumped I won't let you just sit there for three hours without going anywhere. But I don't want to lead the characters around by the nose, either. You will have to reason things out, and use all the resources at your disposal (gear, money, abilities, people you know, people that work for you, devious tricks, etc.).
3. Once this plot gets going, I'm not going to allow anybody to change characters unless their current character gets killed. And by "gets killed" I mean by accident or bad luck. Not shooting yourself, jumping off a building or deliberately charging into a room full of E-Webs to kill off your character and get a new one. So if you want to play a different character, I suggest you speak to me soon about arranging it.
Anyway, in conclusion, I want to know whether you'd rather continue as we have been, or whether you want to try this deeper, more involved plot I'm cooking up.[glow=red,5,500]
DO NOT ANSWER RIGHT AWAY. [/glow]I want you to think about this for a little while, and when you do answer, send me a PM instead of posting here. That way I can get everybody's individual thoughts without anybody feeling like they have to go along with what others say.If you have any questions or clarifications about what I've said above, go ahead and ask them here, though.
