The First Sith: The Plot System

[Sreeya]

The Plot System
​

Our last announcement was centered around Non-Force users and levels. This announcement will introduce you all to the new plot system:

What is a plot?
A plot is a story comprised of a series of threads that gets a character and its supporters to a specific goal. The goal can range from something small (i.e, buying a warehouse) to something large (i.e., overthrowing the existing Exile Leader). The thing that sets plots apart from regular threads is that at the completion of the plots, staff will review the threads and reward credits as warranted. Rewards will always vary on a case-by-case basis, so no two stories will have the same outcomes.

The concept of the plot is being introduced to encourage you guys to submit stories for your characters that have goals and would like to grow as individuals. Complex plots, where a character wants to take over a faction or have extensive fame, will require other PCs to be involved in the plots so the ascension is realistic. The character will not rise without the aid of actual support.

Note: While members can RP just fine without ever submitting a plot, rising through the ranks in the main factions will have plot requirements to show that the member can lead stories and truly make an impact in the faction with supporters who’ll back them.

Do I have to do a plot?
It is not mandatory to do a plot! Plots are just a great and more effective way to have a bigger impact in the story. If you want to simply do low-key threads that don’t heavily tie into the main factions or overarching story, you can keep doing regular threads and gaining the credits for them. Plots will be mandatory if you want to greatly impact the story or if you want your character to be important in the overall galaxy and interact with high level NPCs.

Yes, you can get to Level 4 solely by RPing on your own and never submitting a plot; however, you will not be able to obtain official ranks within a faction or be widely recognized in the story. For example, if you’re a Level 4 bounty hunter, who has never done a plot, you will be known (somewhat), but you likely won’t have any impacts at all on the overall story.

How does a plot differ from my personal stories that I don’t submit?
Once again, it’s not necessary to submit a plot. However, plots are generally different than regular roleplay threads because they must have a clear story objective. It could be to defeat someone in power, to take over something, to establish something, to gain supporters or resources, etc. Your plot submission will include your objective and what you plan to do in order to get to it.

Interactions with important NPCs controlled by staff will always need a plot submission as no character will willy nilly be able to bump into them. Rising through the ranks will also involve plots to show that the member can take on leadership roles and successfully drive a story.

Personal social threads, though great for character growth, don’t necessarily need to be submitted for plots. Plots are mainly to allow characters to make a difference in site canon and story.

Note: If there are successive threads done as part of a story and it ends with an objective, members are free to retroactively submit these as part of a plot. If they can show that there was a clear beginning to end with reaching an objective, staff will review the threads and award credits if warranted.

How will plot submissions work?

Before you start a plot, you need to fill out a template for plot submissions and submit it to a special forum, which will be linked and announced after release. You may not begin your plot until you have the green light to start. This is to ensure that no plots get too far along and need to be restarted. It will also help with cohesion.

When your plot is completed, you will need to submit the plot for evaluation by staff. We will announce where to submit plots for submission closer to release of the new timeline. Please be sure to include links to all threads in the plot, a summary of the events of the plot, and a list of all characters involved (supporters and opposition), with links.

Remember, all threads need to be completed in order for them to count. Completion is marked by a clear conclusion at the end of the thread.

What if my plot needs to interact with an NPC?

Since we will be reviewing all plot outline submissions, we will let you know how your plot can weave in an npc and whether your idea works.

Some plots will have required NPCs for opposition. For example, if you’re plotting to become an Exile Lord, chances are you’ll have PVP scenarios to fight through. If there is another player pursuing the same goal, we will notify them and they will have an opportunity to interject into your plot. Plots around rise to power or gaining influence will need some measure of challenge and staff will help work with you on how that might look.

Remember - the more ambitious the goal, the more risks might be involved. The plot might not go your way. If you’re planning to assassinate an NPC, they might have ways to thwart your plans organically. Your end goal in this case is not guaranteed. This is why each plot will be reviewed case by case. If your plot is deemed to warrant an interjection from opposition, you will be notified of this before your plot starts. Opposition does not automatically mean pvp, as it could also mean political counter-manipulation and other scenarios. It is your responsibility to notify staff when you reach the point in your plot where you were told an NPC would interject. If you do not do so and your plot was flagged for NPC intrusion, you will not get credit for your plot.

Your plot may get credits for completion even if the outcome doesn't go your way.

We will have another announcement following shortly regarding Main Faction plots, ranks and events so stay tuned!

As a reminder, please keep all questions related to this announcement, such as clarification on anything mentioned here. In some of the other announcements, we're seeing a lot of tangents and derailments occurring and we would like to keep things on topic. Please thoroughly read the responses others have made before asking a question, to see if your question has already been answered. Thanks!

 

[Marcus]

This is an excellent way of handling things - way to go. Would the first few "writings" happen via social threads and/or this Plot system? As more "stuff" gets released, we could start thinking of plots to get our characters going.

The alternative or additive would be Main Faction plots and such, and you don't have to address that obviously.

 

[Loco]

 

[Nor'baal]

@TAC
It begins.

 

[gibbypoo]

I'm new so bear with me and ignore if need be.

But maintaining a subaccount and levels, submitting a request for plot and getting it approved, roleplaying out said plot and then resubmitting for another approval to simply have an impact on this game seems a lot. What was the need to introduce the extra hurdles?

 

[Stratus]

 

[Wit]

Just a clarification, when you say plots may get credits even if the end goal is not achieved, you mean the bonus credits right? The basic word count credits will always be rewarded, right?

 

[Sreeya]

Just a clarification, when you say plots may get credits even if the end goal is not achieved, you mean the bonus credits right? The basic word count credits will always be rewarded, right?

Yes, bonus credits for doing a plot. The wordcount credits get auto-added at all times.

 

[Sreeya]

I'm new so bear with me and ignore if need be.

But maintaining a subaccount and levels, submitting a request for plot and getting it approved, roleplaying out said plot and then resubmitting for another approval to simply have an impact on this game seems a lot. What was the need to introduce the extra hurdles?

Considering that everything you mentioned is automated or handled by staff, the only thing needed to be 'maintained' is if a member chooses to run a plot. They can ignore this system entirely, so I'm not sure what you mean by 'hurdle'. Subaccounts have existed before and we only got rid of them temporarily due to a forum hack.

Outside of that, the only people impacting anything before were people that pvped or fought in battles. No matter what staff or anyone else has tried, it was hard to see all out plots come to fruition because there was no concept of an overarching story everyone cared about. With these new systems, we're hoping to have a big story everyone would like to be a part of. If it's too much of a pain, simply don't do it :)

 

[Marcus]

...Outside of that, the only people impacting anything before were people that pvped or fought in battles. No matter what staff or anyone else has tried, it was hard to see all out plots come to fruition because there was no concept of an overarching story everyone cared about. With these new systems, we're hoping to have a big story everyone would like to be a part of. If it's too much of a pain, simply don't do it :)

Can I just say "win" here? This is so awesome and I love this as yet another focus on story and char dev rather than not just combatrawr.

 

[Stratus]

How would an NPC in a regular thread be handled then, if they need to be 'applied' for, for a plot? Would you need to contact an admin, or would you just be able to use them without consent etc.?

 

[Loco]

How would an NPC in a regular thread be handled then, if they need to be 'applied' for, for a plot? Would you need to contact an admin, or would you just be able to use them without consent etc.?

Typical NPCs shouldn't be a big deal- plot NPCs would be, for example, important people in main or NPC factions, major opposition characters, etc. You won't need to submit a request for an NPC to play the unremarkable bartender in a social Cantina thread. The plot system is for "impactful" stories.

 

[Vosrik]

Is there any particular limit to how many can participate in a plot, or is that something to be dictated by the writer?

 

[Arcangel]

Is there any particular limit to how many can participate in a plot, or is that something to be dictated by the writer?

No limit. The more the merrier.

 

[Nor'baal]

Probably a really obvious question -

Can plots benefit more than one players advancement if completed successfully?

 

[gibbypoo]

Considering that everything you mentioned is automated or handled by staff, the only thing needed to be 'maintained' is if a member chooses to run a plot. They can ignore this system entirely, so I'm not sure what you mean by 'hurdle'.

I'm asking about plots since this is the plot post.

I get that we can play with ourselves in our own corners without these extra steps but I was just interested in why the extra steps were a thing. If it was keeping everyone aligned with an overarching story or something else.

Thanks.

 

[Loco]

I'm asking about plots since this is the plot post.

I get that we can play with ourselves in our own corners without these extra steps but I was just interested in why the extra steps were a thing. If it was keeping everyone aligned with an overarching story or something else.

Thanks.

With these new systems, we're hoping to have a big story everyone would like to be a part of.

In a word- cohesion.

 

[Sreeya]

Probably a really obvious question -

Can plots benefit more than one players advancement if completed successfully?

They can, but if the plot fails, the other person would have to submit their own plot to lead the idea from start to finish. No one gets a big leg up, per say, and they'd have to face their own challenges. In terms of racking up credits and whatnot, they'd collect all that yup.

 

[1new6]

So I love this system so far, but i do have a few question about NPCs and how they will work in and out of plots (If this is planned to be elaborated on in a future update you can stop me here).
First of all, for the main three factions (I'm going to use the Jedi as an example, but I see it being important in every big NPC run faction), will we have some sort of canonical list of NPCs in important positions? Like, will we be getting a run down on the current council members, the grand master, and perhaps a couple of normal masters in important positions, which we can use as NPCs? For anyone who wants to play the political game, especially early on when not many players are in important leadership positions, this information is going to be integral.
Second of all, I wanted to know if we were able to use such NPCs outside of plots, and if so how much? So, if you were to do just some random thread in the Jedi temple (if there is a Jedi temple next TL), could you use one of these NPC’s in that thread? Could you run an entire conversation between them and your character? Or just a passing mention such as “As Mehmeh passed Master Blahblah in the hall the man gave the young knight a long glare, as if daring him to step out of line”?

 

[Sreeya]

So I love this system so far, but i do have a few question about NPCs and how they will work in and out of plots (If this is planned to be elaborated on in a future update you can stop me here).
First of all, for the main three factions (I'm going to use the Jedi as an example, but I see it being important in every big NPC run faction), will we have some sort of canonical list of NPCs in important positions? Like, will we be getting a run down on the current council members, the grand master, and perhaps a couple of normal masters in important positions, which we can use as NPCs? For anyone who wants to play the political game, especially early on when not many players are in important leadership positions, this information is going to be integral.
Second of all, I wanted to know if we were able to use such NPCs outside of plots, and if so how much? So, if you were to do just some random thread in the Jedi temple (if there is a Jedi temple next TL), could you use one of these NPC’s in that thread? Could you run an entire conversation between them and your character? Or just a passing mention such as “As I passed Master Blahblah in the hall he gave me a long glare, as if daring me to step out of line”?

1. Yes, we are in the process of writing out the key NPCs right now actually. There will be a list of important faction NPCs available and how they fit into the story and what they're like. We will have little bio blurbs to give context in case people want to appeal to them.

2. No, you won't be able to whimsically use influential and key NPCs without staff permission. It's fine if you briefly mention them in terms of things like 'Grandmaster and his Council were passing by in the distance', but you wouldn't be able to interact with them or write their dialogues for them without permission. We'd look at these case by case, so if you have a really good reason to be in a thread with an NPC, you may have a dialogue granted.