It’s been some time but this project hasn’t been forgotten or abandoned, I’ve just been busy. Now I would like to take some time to explain some of the unique ideas that we’ll be investing into House Haillenarte FC, in order to create a fun and engaging RP experience for everyone involved. Let’s take this one thing at a time.
Linkshell Chat/FC Chat: This is something we’ve changed. Previously it was arranged so that the LS was IC for the FC members only, and the FC chat was OOC. We’ve reversed that, and the LS is now open to anyone who would simply like to stay in contact and RP with us, regardless of membership or not. Kaylenn originally asked about this, and I’m happy to say that we now have a place where he and players like him can stay in contact.
IC Ranks: IC ranking has been streamlined a great deal, and it’s no longer based upon any sort of merit system. We’ll discuss a bit later how we want to equip players with the tools to tell fun and expansive stories, and part of that is to allow them a certain degree of freedom. In other words, now characters can start and be any rank they want, so long as it follows 2 simple guidelines. The first is that it must be realistic and justified - meaning that you can play the captain of the guard, but you need the backstory to give it merit. Obviously, things that can’t reasonably be justified couldn’t be played. The second guideline is that as a rule we discourage players from playing actual Haillenarte characters. Meaning, a character with the name Haillenarte. This second rule isn’t set in stone, but that name carries influence, so anyone playing a Haillenarte will be held to a much higher standard.
IC promotions are handled the same way as IC ranks. Your character may advance to whatever rank as you feel it’s appropriate, so long as you can make it believable. So, your captain of the guard can raise to whatever rank is higher - like the Mac Daddy of the Guard - when you feel it’s right, as part of your own narrative.
Obviously, this will take some respect on the part of the players. If there’s already a Captain of the Guard, naturally you can’t play the Captain of the Guard to the same House.
OOC Ranks: OOC ranks remain the same as before. There’s only 3: Director, Officer, and Patron. They have absolutely nothing to do with IC standing. An Officer can play a low ranking character, and a Patron can play the Mac Daddy of the Guard. I’m the Director and my own character will not be anywhere near the top. The purpose of these ranks is for OOC assistance, moderation, and making valuable resources in the FC Bank available to players who need them. The rank of Officer will also be kept modest, so as not to get confused with any overwhelming authority. Meaning we plan for there to be 2 Officers as a base, and then an additional 1 Officer per 10 active players.
FC Structure: So, as the IC rankings make clear, we’re not terribly worried about a long slog for anyone to start as a serf and eventually rise to the lauded rank of lord. What we’re interested in is creating a place for people to tell their stories in a way that includes others, and so we’re taking special care to create an environment where story elements can be submitted and collected for others’ view and use. For example, Dwayne Johnson plays The Rock the Roegadyn, who is the Mac Daddy of the Guard to House Awesomesauce, a vassal house of Haillenarte, and in telling his story he generates and narrates an NPC called Biggen Grumbles, who is a rather surly lalafel trader who frequents Awesomesauce. Dwayne Johnson would be able to submit Biggen Grumbles into a dedicated place on the forum, where NPCs created and used by players in their narratives will be collected. Later, Paul Ruebens, who plays Pee Wee the lalafel, can read about Biggen Grumbles and work him into his own story. Now, 2 unassociated players are using the same NPC, without contradictions made since Dwayne Johnson defined the NPC, and there didn’t need to be a GM present to make this happen.
This will be a common theme of the House Haillenarte FC, with less of a focus on structure and rank and earning one’s place, and more of a focus on collaborative storytelling. Naturally, we understand that this lenient approach isn’t for everyone, there’s likely to be those who misunderstand the purpose, and there’s going to be those who abuse the system. We’re aware and prepared for this, but we don’t feel it’s such a large threat that this unique attitude can’t be attempted.
FC Type: I think it’s fairly obvious to say that this is going to be an RP FC, however that doesn’t preclude the rest of the game’s elements. We’re also interested in playing the game, and helping those who aren’t as far along as others in terms of XP, know how, and item level. So, we’re going to be dedicated to those things too. I think right now it’s fair to say that the FC will also cover: Leveling, Dungeons, Guildhests, Trials, and Raids. You’ll just have to stand by for any word on Casual, Hardcore, and PvP.
FC Interaction: Everyone is welcome to interact with us! Whether you’re an FC member or not, whether you’re into Ishgardian themed RP or not! If you want to RP, find us, RP with us, we’ll love you for it. We might kidnap you and take you home to meet the family, have dinner, and a friendly game of Twister!
FC Theme: And finally, the big one. As we’ve been discussing the FC with others, there’s one theme that’s come up again and again, and it’s made people clap and cheer and throw us parties and give us money and name their children after us. And ice cream. There was ice cream once. We’ve been told each time we mention this little caveat that we should have started with it, so here it is…
Game of Thrones! Ishgard is essentially medieval England, except with silly elves with goofy French names. And dragons. Anyway! It has nobles and knights and priests and politics out the hoo-hah! House Haillenarte will be doing its utmost to strike an atmosphere not unlike Game of Thrones. Politics, intrigue, controversy! People might even die! (If the player wants to kill their character. (We understand that character death isn’t up to us. (And we’re not assholes. (Most of the time.))))
Alright, there it is. It’s by no means finished. We’ve still got a little over a month to develop, and we’re still only FC Rank 6, but we’re determined to be 8 by the time we launch. As usual, anyone interested in getting in early is more than welcome, as long as they understand that we aren’t holding any FC related RP just yet. But we’re leveling, gearing up, getting ready, and we like new friends!
Feel free to share thoughts, concerns, questions and suggestions. We just ask that they be pertinent to the topic.
Linkshell Chat/FC Chat: This is something we’ve changed. Previously it was arranged so that the LS was IC for the FC members only, and the FC chat was OOC. We’ve reversed that, and the LS is now open to anyone who would simply like to stay in contact and RP with us, regardless of membership or not. Kaylenn originally asked about this, and I’m happy to say that we now have a place where he and players like him can stay in contact.
IC Ranks: IC ranking has been streamlined a great deal, and it’s no longer based upon any sort of merit system. We’ll discuss a bit later how we want to equip players with the tools to tell fun and expansive stories, and part of that is to allow them a certain degree of freedom. In other words, now characters can start and be any rank they want, so long as it follows 2 simple guidelines. The first is that it must be realistic and justified - meaning that you can play the captain of the guard, but you need the backstory to give it merit. Obviously, things that can’t reasonably be justified couldn’t be played. The second guideline is that as a rule we discourage players from playing actual Haillenarte characters. Meaning, a character with the name Haillenarte. This second rule isn’t set in stone, but that name carries influence, so anyone playing a Haillenarte will be held to a much higher standard.
IC promotions are handled the same way as IC ranks. Your character may advance to whatever rank as you feel it’s appropriate, so long as you can make it believable. So, your captain of the guard can raise to whatever rank is higher - like the Mac Daddy of the Guard - when you feel it’s right, as part of your own narrative.
Obviously, this will take some respect on the part of the players. If there’s already a Captain of the Guard, naturally you can’t play the Captain of the Guard to the same House.
OOC Ranks: OOC ranks remain the same as before. There’s only 3: Director, Officer, and Patron. They have absolutely nothing to do with IC standing. An Officer can play a low ranking character, and a Patron can play the Mac Daddy of the Guard. I’m the Director and my own character will not be anywhere near the top. The purpose of these ranks is for OOC assistance, moderation, and making valuable resources in the FC Bank available to players who need them. The rank of Officer will also be kept modest, so as not to get confused with any overwhelming authority. Meaning we plan for there to be 2 Officers as a base, and then an additional 1 Officer per 10 active players.
FC Structure: So, as the IC rankings make clear, we’re not terribly worried about a long slog for anyone to start as a serf and eventually rise to the lauded rank of lord. What we’re interested in is creating a place for people to tell their stories in a way that includes others, and so we’re taking special care to create an environment where story elements can be submitted and collected for others’ view and use. For example, Dwayne Johnson plays The Rock the Roegadyn, who is the Mac Daddy of the Guard to House Awesomesauce, a vassal house of Haillenarte, and in telling his story he generates and narrates an NPC called Biggen Grumbles, who is a rather surly lalafel trader who frequents Awesomesauce. Dwayne Johnson would be able to submit Biggen Grumbles into a dedicated place on the forum, where NPCs created and used by players in their narratives will be collected. Later, Paul Ruebens, who plays Pee Wee the lalafel, can read about Biggen Grumbles and work him into his own story. Now, 2 unassociated players are using the same NPC, without contradictions made since Dwayne Johnson defined the NPC, and there didn’t need to be a GM present to make this happen.
This will be a common theme of the House Haillenarte FC, with less of a focus on structure and rank and earning one’s place, and more of a focus on collaborative storytelling. Naturally, we understand that this lenient approach isn’t for everyone, there’s likely to be those who misunderstand the purpose, and there’s going to be those who abuse the system. We’re aware and prepared for this, but we don’t feel it’s such a large threat that this unique attitude can’t be attempted.
FC Type: I think it’s fairly obvious to say that this is going to be an RP FC, however that doesn’t preclude the rest of the game’s elements. We’re also interested in playing the game, and helping those who aren’t as far along as others in terms of XP, know how, and item level. So, we’re going to be dedicated to those things too. I think right now it’s fair to say that the FC will also cover: Leveling, Dungeons, Guildhests, Trials, and Raids. You’ll just have to stand by for any word on Casual, Hardcore, and PvP.
FC Interaction: Everyone is welcome to interact with us! Whether you’re an FC member or not, whether you’re into Ishgardian themed RP or not! If you want to RP, find us, RP with us, we’ll love you for it. We might kidnap you and take you home to meet the family, have dinner, and a friendly game of Twister!
FC Theme: And finally, the big one. As we’ve been discussing the FC with others, there’s one theme that’s come up again and again, and it’s made people clap and cheer and throw us parties and give us money and name their children after us. And ice cream. There was ice cream once. We’ve been told each time we mention this little caveat that we should have started with it, so here it is…
Game of Thrones! Ishgard is essentially medieval England, except with silly elves with goofy French names. And dragons. Anyway! It has nobles and knights and priests and politics out the hoo-hah! House Haillenarte will be doing its utmost to strike an atmosphere not unlike Game of Thrones. Politics, intrigue, controversy! People might even die! (If the player wants to kill their character. (We understand that character death isn’t up to us. (And we’re not assholes. (Most of the time.))))
Alright, there it is. It’s by no means finished. We’ve still got a little over a month to develop, and we’re still only FC Rank 6, but we’re determined to be 8 by the time we launch. As usual, anyone interested in getting in early is more than welcome, as long as they understand that we aren’t holding any FC related RP just yet. But we’re leveling, gearing up, getting ready, and we like new friends!
Feel free to share thoughts, concerns, questions and suggestions. We just ask that they be pertinent to the topic.
