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PLOT ENGAGEMENT
What is Plot Engagement and how does it work within Meadowlark? This is the page where players can come discuss with us how to facilitate plots within the setting. However, there will be occasions where a plot doesn't work within Meadowlark's world, and we'll suggest alternative routes. For small worldbuilding or gameplay details, please direct your question to the FAQ. If you're ever not sure if you're at the right page, don't worry—we'll help you get it sorted out. We know we have a load of info!
In addition, you do not need to have a complete plot in mind when you come to us. We aim for plot engagement to be more of a conversation between us and our players. If we propose a plot angle and it's not to your liking, we're more than happy to work with you to come up with something more to your tastes.
WHEN WILL YOU HEAR BACK?
◉ All Plot Engagement answers go out on Sunday, except during events.
◉ The deadline to submit a question and ensure you'll hear back from us on Sunday is 11:59 PM UTC on Saturday.
PLOT ENGAGEMENT INCLUDES
◉ Player plots! If you'd like your character to become a mafia boss, this is your place to start. Typically, this involves anything that could impact the setting or other player characters.
◉ Character career advancement that gives the character additional power or status within the setting.
◉ Metaplot exploration and information! We plan all events to give characters something to explore after the event ends. This is the place to do it!
SUBMISSION TIPS
◉ Specify what your character is looking for when they're investigating. What questions are they asking and what angle are they trying to explore?
◉ If you have a specific goal in mind but don't know how to reach it, please let us know.
◉ If you link a thread to us, please summarize it! That helps us process the plot in question.
◉ Don't worry about not knowing the setting like the back of your hand before you submit the plot—that's up to us! We're here to help you with any adjustments to get you on the right track.
◉ Plot engagement is meant to help with IC play so that characters can continue to interact. If you're not sure how to loop in others, let us know so that we can work with you on it! While this page is meant to be a conversation between players and mods, we know that the fun part of a plot is how it can change character arcs, spice up CR, and more.
NOTES & THINGS THAT YOU CAN HANDWAVE
◉ Characters always start out in entry level positions. Characters can update their skill sets to the 2512 standard through paid apprenticeships or internships.
◈ If a character is advancing within a major corporation (as noted on the Setting or Locations page) or one of its subsidiaries, we will need to approve this advancement.
◈ If a character becomes a supervisor at a local bar or other small business, we do not need to approve this advancement.
◉ Joining the police force within a city requires three months of IC training (six months OOC). There will be instances where this changes, and we'll keep you looped in on that.
◉ We'll approve whether someone has social media fame, but we will not be providing social media follower counts. Once you have a plot for how to use those followers, that's where we step in!
◉ All Morningstar business goes on our Morningstar page. Please feel free to discuss specific plots here (including joining), and go there for signups and anything else.
◉ Characters getting jobs, finding apartments, participating in the fighting rings, getting married, making workplace friends, the creation of minor NPCs, etc. do not need to be run by us. Please let us know if these expand into player plots or other plot bits!
QUICK LINKS
◉ Archived Plot Engagement: Previous Plot Engagement.
◉ FAQ: For small worldbuilding or gameplay details.
◉ Setting: Our setting page! We'll update as needed.
◉ Jobs: A reference for who's working where!
◉ Locations: Both major and minor locations within New Amsterdam, as well as outlines for other megacities.
◉ Mod Contact: For wider game concerns.
◉ The Story So Far: Gamewide plot events up to current (your CTRL+F best friend!).
◉ NPC page: Includes NPC blurbs and inboxes.
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no subject
As per Jason's Callout Post, Jay has to start working on taking down everything he's ever worked for. Jason thinks this is CR, but really, it's my chance to fuck up the gangs plot.
I'd like to start with a small thing, to see how quickly he could get an ID masker. If it means working odd jobs to get the money, that's fine. Jason's not above doing that.
But mainly, I'd like for him 1) to start tracking down the various ways to get something to mask his identity, and then 2) start following the gangs to figure out the right faction to focus on for challenging for a leadership role. he's gonna slow walk his way as necessary.
Thanks!
no subject
When it comes to masking identity, he'll need to get one of the Morningstar scrambler masks (since it's proprietary Morningstar technology). This does mean he'll need to get in with either El, Gaby, or other agents of Morningstar and go from there, and either earn their trust or find some other means of convincing them. A possibility is that El could have Jason do some jobs to sort of prove himself and thereby earn access to the tech. If you're interested in that, you could always send Jason to El's inbox to see how that plays out.
As for the gang stuff, we would say check out what we gave to Jessi over here. Jason may be able to exploit Durcell's hold over the gangs, possibly by getting in with them and then making use of that connection and relationship. Let us know what you think his approach might be based off of that information, or if anything in particular stands out to you that he would seize on.
no subject
Jason will probably tackle trying to get the scrambler mask, yeah. So I'll start a thread there.
As for the rest, just to make sure I'm understanding the overall gist correctly:
* Durcell is traumatized, and thus losing his touch.
* As part of the event that traumatized him, he has lost control of a significant piece of territory to the rebels.
* And therefore, there's a potential leadership vacuum if someone can come along with a stronger vision and case for leadership?
no subject
Just for clarity, Durcell does use they/them pronouns! But going ahead from that, here is some of the history and context surrounding Durcell for your reference:
Durcell was trying to get a strong foothold in the criminal underground because of their political ambitions (running for New Amsterdam governor), and hoped to have the crime groups find a stake in the space colonies rebelling because they wanted to use them for their own purposes. In order to become a bigger player after losing the governor election, Durcell moved to take over the Outlaws in Jason's absence in order to scoop up power/security. The Outlaws members accepted this because they were seeking a powerful figure after Jason ghosted on them (even if they don't know that it's unintentional).
The power vacuum mainly has to do with the space colonies, as there is the issue of distance there. However, Durcell themselves and the Outlaws are also shaken because of the events of the Aerie. It's up to you how Jason might approach the situation. Would he come in trying to seem like a friend who's there to support them, only to try and draw people over to his side? Or would he try to find ways to undermine Durcell by pointing out weaknesses? Or both, or something else entirely?
Does he have any interest in the space colonies, or would he be more invested in finding a foothold within the Outlaws? The Outlaws are basically a result of the other Jason's hard work, so we understand if this Jay is looking to get in on that for the sake of spite or whatever else.