larkers | PLOT ENGAGEMENT (ARCHIVED)

PLOT ENGAGEMENT (ARCHIVED)

> PLOT ENGAGEMENT (ARCHIVED)

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!

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.

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).
◉ 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

◉ 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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> NAVIGATION

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Hi!

Clarke is going to be taking another round of samples, this time blood ones to hand off to Morningstar. Since it's for Markus and Connor - both Morningstar members - she thinks it'll be ok.

She wants to test Markus' blood for any biological agents that might be dormant, IE "Did they use these three new people as biological warfare that's waiting to be triggered?" Clarke knows there's a chance that something wouldn't come up, but she'd want to look for peace of mind.

She also wants to run tests on both Connor and Markus' blood to see if anything unusual comes up (any weird levels in their blood, any signs of increased iron because ... once robots sort of, etc.) because they've been transported to android bodies, as well as if they have any allergies now that they're in these bodies. This last bit was Markus' idea (ICly), but she'd want to see if maybe they were made perfect or even imperfect when transferred over.

She'd also want to ask if there's some way if they can test if both of Markus' eyes have the same DNA, but she wouldn't have the means to do that yet.

Thanks!

Hi Jenna! Thanks for your questions.

1. For specific company names, we're happy for players to come up with these themselves! We'd suggest for Daisy's specific interests, she would look for one of Vyonation's subsidiaries, focussing on neural implant applications - advancements in digital art, security, and functionality. She will need to start out in an entry level position, as she will need to learn the technology and Morningstar will not be able to provide any higher qualifications without her having the skills to back them up.

2. Though Morningstar have many fingers in many pies, they're unfortunately unlikely to let any of the new arrivals know about any of their existing contacts or agents until they've developed more trust. Daisy wouldn't be missing out, though - due to the dangers of being found out as a Morningstar agent, providing assistance to help someone get further in a company isn't something that one would risk doing.

3. If Daisy's interested in working for Morningstar, she will need to express this interest to one of the NPCs (this can be handwaved)! This will then be passed to their higher ups, and Daisy will be tapped for jobs. If you do decide to have Daisy go this route, we will let you know as and when these jobs come up, and whether they're a short, one-off task, or a more long running thing which you can play with over time.

4. Unfortunately Daisy would have a hard time stealing anything of value off anyone in this world! Everything - from car keys to bike lock keys - are all stored on or controlled by neural implants. Anti-theft tech has also made significant advancements, meaning that many stolen items or vehicles are often tracked down very quickly, making re-sale or the basic of just getting away with the theft incredibly difficult. She may have some luck with jewellery, but most worn is not worth much or is unique enough to be tracked down easily.

Morningstar does provide a stipend to the newcomers, prior to them gaining proper employment, but if she's looking for ways to earn some money on the side of a job, she'll most likely need to look into other work or the organized crime culture in the city.

Hi Glass! Thank you for your questions.

1. Scott can express his interest in helping Morningstar to either Gaby or El, and they'll pass his name on to the higherups. They'll start tapping him for jobs, which he will need to complete successfully in order to earn more trust from the organization.

2a. Please could you clarify which site? We're not sure if you mean the site of the large creature's carcass, the wall where it broke through, or elsewhere - our answer will obviously depend on which one!

2b/c. Universities are very few and far between, and there are none in New Amsterdam! Most students seeking higher education do it through the internet instead. As such, research facilities are largely associated with corporations or the government. For the specific of the monster research, Scott will find that he won't be able to get his hands on any information about the ongoing research, or which corporations are leading the charge. It's all shrouded in quite a bit of mystery, and even if he asks Morningstar, they will say they're working on finding out who's involved, but haven't been able to find any solid leads as yet.

As for Scott's employment, you can feel free to assume that El forged the certification for him to become a plumber. El would absolutely recommend that Scott take the certification course online if he's never done this work, as it'll be very obvious if he doesn't know what he's doing. El would recommend that he gets in with a plumbing service that aids a lot of the larger corporations, and would provide the information needed for this route.

3. In order to successfully pursue vigilantism, Scott would have to get his hands on some of the technology used to scramble neural implant tracking and facial recognition, such as the masks Morningstar use. Unfortunately Morningstar are unlikely to provide these outside of their specific operations, and getting his hands on anything similar elsewhere would be incredibly difficult. However, many of Morningstar's activities do border on vigilantism, if not the type typical for superheroes, so he may be able to get his fix through that avenue if not being a general do-gooder citizen on the streets.

As you expect, vigilantism is not encouraged either by the government or Morningstar. The assault on the giant creature was considered to be an act of vigilantism by the local police, and Morningstar, while grateful for them helping the city, considered in an extreme risk in potentially exposing their presence to the public.

Hi Mal! Thanks for the questions.

The tests for the tentacle and blood will come back suspiciously non-conclusive, despite several rounds of samples taken and examined by the lab. Within the samples' DNA, there were genetic markers for crabs, snails, canines, and several that could not be matched with anything on record. These genetic markers were both linked and disparate in their presentation, as if they had not fully evolved into one creature. All of the samples showed signs of DNA degradation.

Tests on the venom showed signs of some biological similarity with snail venom and black mamba venom, but also included many unknown genetic markers.

Hi Alison! Thanks for the questions.

Markus and Connor's blood will come back without any signs of allergies. They are both universal donors, as well.

Additionally, Markus' blood would have no traces of any biological agents. The only thing that Morningstar's lab contact would be able to find is the same components of the drugs that were in the first batch's systems, indicating that they definitely came from the same location.

hey! rey and a few others are interested in robin hooding some supplies to the emergency shelters as discontent increases.

(1) are there supplies being provided to those in hostels/hotels/better-emergency-housing at all or in greater quantities than to the emergency housing shelters?

(2) would morningstar be willing to provide supplies and/or those fancy masks in order to facilitate a robbery of A) emergency services backstock B) nicer housing supply drops, or C) some other supplier in order to get supplies to bring to the emergency housing shelters?

(3) what is the security like in the emergency housing shelters and what's the distribution look like? i.e., how apparent would it be if someone were to bring in extra supplies and pass them around, or would anyone try to stop it?

Hi mods! I've got some questions for you regarding Loki's shapeshifting abilities.

Since Loki physically changes, brain and all, how would it affect his neural implant? The initial seed shapeshift will be female presenting, which would most likely not match the information within Loki's current neural implant. As Loki works further to continue expanding on the shapeshifting, it may extend to different animals or other forms.

Thanks!

Sliding back in here. First of all a very belated thank you for all these wonderful answers! They were incredibly useful in helping me figure out what the heck I'm doing. Unfortunately for y'all it's now time for the next round hahaha

Stephen's going to have got himself a job as a research assistant in some neurological/neurotech facility. Could we hash out what sort of project he may have been hired on to assist with? It'll help a lot to have a solid idea just in case it's anything I can interact with directly/have him discuss with others - or any career progression path I can plot around it.

Also, how quickly will Stephen realistically be able to gain trust within the company/gain permission to use equipment for his own research etc? If he's constantly proactive and clearly a lot more experienced with neurological research than his job role gives him credit for.

I'm tailoring his history (if this is okay) to suggest he completed his training in neurology with a view to later undertaking medical training to become a wetware surgeon specialising in the neurotech field but that this path was interrupted by an accident in which he badly damaged his hands - and then didn't get them fixed. If asked he'll elaborate that this is because he wanted to chart how his brain interacted with/was affected or changed by the injury & recovery given that extended nerve damage-related research is so rare now due to the advances in medicine. SO. That's the bullshit story of a daring eccentric neuroscience nerd that he'll be giving to anyone who sideyes him at the office, but - and here's question 2 - is it reasonable to assume provided that I plot this out with the characters in question that we can design our own apps etc via the implant? And if so would it be feasible that they whip up a programme that would allow Stephen to falsify the data he's supposedly collected? (By feasible I mean does it cost Money to design things like that as an independent or if you've got the expertise can you just dive straight into coding things?)

If faking the data with a little help from his not-quite-friends isn't possible and he instead approached Morningstar about it, would they help him with this?

That's it for this round of questions, I'm so sorry I didn't even manage to number them or really even separate them out from the text walls of my musings this time. Thank you so much you're wonders and I deeply appreciate your time and all the effort

Hi Veronica! Thanks for the question.

The neural implant would not be able to shapeshift with Loki's body. As a result, Loki would have to keep that in mind with whatever shapes he chooses. Additionally, you can have Loki listed as non-binary to get around the complicated nature of moving from male to female form and back. When it comes to taking on other shapes or even impersonating people, Loki would just need to be mindful of security checkpoints that would scan his neural implant. It will complicate things, but won't prove to be impossible. We're happy to help you get around this realistically for plot reasons.

A quick question with something that probably won't become relevant for a little while, at least:

Damian and Jason are definitely going to try and cut open Jason to figure out what the blue glowing thing in their chests are. They don't have the tools to manage that yet, but are uh. going to be working on that. What would Damian find inside Jason, in the approximate location of the glow? Or is it too deep to get to safely without high tech surgical equipment?

Hi Tifa! Thanks for the questions!

1. Yes, the displaced citizens currently housed in the hotels and hostels are receiving a slightly better quality of and access to supplies. Nothing is being rationed for these citizens, and those in the hotels are also able to get room service if they'd like.

There are supplies being granted to the tents, shelters, and otherwise, but the quality isn't high and delivery can be inconsistent.

2/3. While Morningstar wouldn't be able to provide masks for robbery, they are able to provide supplies for these emergency setups should anyone hope to deliver them. By now, the city isn't monitoring the emergency shelters as much as the hostels/hotels/etc., so providing additional supplies wouldn't be that suspicious. It would be more surprising that anyone cared to do so, as the treatment toward the people here is more a symptom of neglect than deliberate cruelty.

Hi Jessi! Thanks for the question.

Once they get into Jason's chest, they won't find anything there. In fact, the blue glow seems to be emanating from the inside of Jason's sternum. It may prove to be too difficult to get to his sternum, but it will be abundantly clear that there's nothing "installed" in his chest, so to speak.

hello hello!! i have some questions.

1. kara is pretty damn dedicated to her superheroing/vigilante thing and will probably try to do it regardless of consequences, at least at first. what would the consequences be if she was noted as helping in something like the upcoming event? is there enough going on in the city that she could potentially fly under the radar if she stays away from cops?

1b. she's got a techy/science background that deals with programming. i'm totally cool with it being off the table entirely, but she'd icly try to get her hands on something like an implant scrambler. would that be something she could get and/or build with some time?

2. are there any truly ridiculous jobs that are like. unique to new amsterdam/the game setting?

2b. how much training/certification would someone need to be a bartender or mechanic or tattoo artist?

Okay I'm sorry it took me so long to get back to this, I have had...a really jampacked last two weeks with work and it took some time to dig out my own thoughts on this and get back into game focus. It won't happen again!

2a. Ideally, what I had pictured was the place where it arrived, specifically to do some detective work. But I imagine that there might be a logistical problem to that. The place where it fell might also be ideal.

What Scott essentially wants to look for are clues to how the monster got here- its origins, in other words. Is it something somebody made, or did it come here from another dimension? With Kylo's report out it's clear that something funky is going on wrt its origin. His assumption will be either radiation accident, or intentional construction, in which case searching the sites for stuff that might lead back to something (some poorly stored radioactive waste, some left behind gear or trace chemicals from the clean-up that could be followed back to someone.)

2b/c. My poor academic little heart breaks to hear of this set-up. Corporate-driven research, the stuff of my nightmares.

If he can just use the plumbing aspect to ferret out/get access to those companies or labs directly in some way (as the on-site maintenance man or whatever) that would work for me.

But if it's not currently feasible to find the people specifically conducting the research on it right now for plot reasons...idk, this is where I'm stumbling a bit with what to do, so maybe you can help me figure out the right direction. Do those corporations/labs contract with people to do cleaning, or specifically haz waste/biological materials that would mean a third-party was involved in cleaning up chunks of monster or cleaning up those laboratories? (I'm asking because that's how we do it in my university- cleaning anything is outsource to third-party contractors so there's not a bunch of idiot researchers forgetting to take out their haz waste or doing something stupid with it. It's my understanding that this is industry standard, too, with corporate bio/haz research. So it'd occur to Scott to pursue this line investigation if possible.)

Also El is a peach. I'm pretty sure even Scott can manage to pull off coveralls.

3. Okay, this is all good information. I think Scott will stick to helping Morningstar for now, and then maybe transition to acting more on his own as he becomes familiar with the city or identifies some specific issue that he feels he has to address ~~in costume~~.

Once again, I'm very sorry this took me so long to answer (I definitely should have hiatused these last two weeks.) Thank you for your patience.

Edited 2018-10-16 04:08 (UTC)

hi guys,

on the gambling/illegal front:

1. are there any notable clubs/casinos/dens of iniquity worth investigating. i'm looking for names, locations and possible gang affiliations.

2. what kind of card games/general games of chance are fairly common in these places? is there anything unique to the setting?

3. how would you get involved in the fighting rings? would you require someone to sponsor/vouch for you?

4. what about vr gaming? are there parlours? competitions, etc. think something in the vein of ready player one.

WOW I MISSED THIS so thank you and hello again!

1. With regards to engineering, are there any corporate jobs that would provide access to tools and workspaces, or is he better off going on a mechanic-style route? In canon, Fitz designs and builds gadgets/weaponry/tech, and I’m trying to find the best way for him to work toward doing so in game, so any advice or suggestions here are welcome!

2. What is the public availability of basic tools and materials for personal use?

3. I'm definitely keen for Fitz to convince one of the botfight mechanics to teach him and become involved that way! Which of the gangs is he likely to cross paths with there and/or become involved with, if he begins assisting with maintaining the robots?

4. What is the status of research on interuniversal travel/spacetime? Is it still considered theoretical out there on the implant-internet or at the hololibrary?

5. Are there any records of superpowered individuals out there? News stories about anomalies or bizarre occurrences on a tinfoil-hat conspiracy board, etc.

Hi Gee, thanks for these follow up questions!

We would prefer to leave Stephen's project up to you to decide! That way, you can determine which path is most interesting for you and Stephen.

As for his advancement once he has a project - assuming Stephen is able to help with insights and breakthroughs, you can have him start having more time to himself in the labs within a couple months. As he will still be a lab tech, he'll have to touch base with his employers, but good work will grant him more independence as they come to trust him.

When it comes to developing an application and falsifying research, Stephen and other characters would be able to create apps for the implant. However, the key here is expertise. Anyone involved in this project would have to bring themselves up to date with the world's technology, which would take time, and then they would need to find a way to utilize the application so that Stephen's research information looks legitimate. There would be a number of steps in pulling this off, but it is certainly feasible!

Hi mods! Just one note and a quick question.

1. For posterity, Marcos would have expressed interest in working with Morningstar within the first week or two.

2. He'll be looking for work at a not-so-fancy bar, probably a seedier one that gangs are more likely to hang out in. Would this be fair game, or do some gangs micromanage hiring at their "locals"? If he can get a job as a bartender, what kind of general chatter might he be able to pick up on? Would this be an easy way to learn more basic stuff about the gangs (names, pecking order, favorite hangouts)? Could he pick up on any gossip regarding rivalries or other information that's a little more specific and potentially useful?

If there's nothing super useful, any colorful rumors or tidbits on specific gangs or people would still be helpful/fun to play with.

Thank you!

Hi Lyn! As your first question is specific to the current event, please move it to the questions thread on the OOC Event Post. Plot engagement questions are for engagement in the game independent of events, and typically take us at least a week to get back to, which may be too late for you to incorporate the information in your plotting!

Hi Mal! Thanks for the questions.

1. We'd need more information about what Kylo Ren would be investigating in order to answer this for you! Is there anything in particular that he would be looking for? Some insight into his motivations in exploring these gaming dens will help us tailor the response you'd like.

2. Equivalent to modern times! There aren't any unique to the setting.

3. We cover a bit about the fighting rings here! He would first have to learn about the fighting rings, and would gain notoriety over time.

4. We have a write up of sports - including esports - here. This includes VR gaming. We aren't familiar with Ready Player One, but from our understanding, we would say that while there are many competitions going on in the multitude of gaming communities at any one time, there is nothing quite as big or influential as the competition featured there.

Hi again Lyn! We've skipped your first question as we've answered it on the event post - thanks for moving it over there for us.

1b. Yes, with time, she would be able to build it, but she would need to first learn about the technology, and possessing an item like this would be seen as highly suspicious. She would need to be very careful about pursuing this path! You can feel free to have her work towards this over time, but please touch base with us when you'd like to have this set in stone.

Alternatively, Morningstar already hold some technology like this. They won't lend these out to player characters in the immediate, but if she works with them and earns enough of their trust, she could eventually gain free access to one.

2. Jobs unique to New Amsterdam would be the industry around the false river, including tour boats, party boats and other event arrangements. Otherwise most jobs are likely to be variations on ones available in modern times - just give them a tweak to the setting, and it probably exists!

2b. Bartending is available as an entry-level service job, requiring no certification and training provided on the job. Of course, this depends on the bar itself - a more expensive and exclusive bar, or cocktail bar, is likely to want significant experience and a proper mixology certificate. Mechanics will either need experience as an apprentice, or a training certificate and then time as an apprentice, and tattoo artistry would require a long apprenticeship, much as it does in modern times!

Hi Melissa!

1. Thanks for letting us know! His name will be passed up within the organization, and he'll be tapped for jobs and tasks over time to earn more trust.

2. That's totally fine! Many of the bars preferred by the gangs aren't necessarily run by them, so he'll still be able to get a job much like at any other bar. It would definitely be an easy way to get an ear on any of that basic information. We don't have any specifics for you right now, but you should feel free to make up any rumors to play with yourself.

Hi Glass! Thanks for the follow up questions.

2a/b/c. It would be difficult for Scott to get to the site of the monster's arrival, as it was available through the wall at a point that is far more secure. However, if you would like to have Scott begin to piece together which corporations are working on the monster over time, we would definitely be interested in helping you toward that.

Hi Laura! Thanks for the follow up questions.

1. He's likely to have more open and free access to tools and workspaces if he goes in a tech or mechanic role, but there are a number of corporate jobs that would also offer Fitz this access! He would need to begin at an entry level position and work up, but depending on his work, he would be able to start at a smaller subsidiary that acts as a "start up" and begin to establish himself further.

2. The availability is more based on whether or not someone has the money to purchase them! People are allowed to have projects at home, but again, it would depend upon whether or not Fitz would have the credits available.

3. He is likely to cross paths with the Hi-Jacks or the 66, as they focus on illegal bot fights. If he shows enough promising knowledge, he could be accepted as an apprentice.

4. It is definitely considered theoretical, though with the growth of space travel and colonization as an industry, a lot of corporations have created dedicated fringe research projects to look into the possibility and potentials of it.

5. No, there are no records of any superpowered individuals that might be considered "legitimate." Conspiracy boards are filled with things like this, but for the most part, these references are doctored, edited, or even digitally created. Any exhibited powers would be unique to any and all of the player characters.

Hi,

Okay, so for #1 what I was really just looking for was specific names for bars/clubs/etc. I know the setting is large enough that I could make something up if needs be but thought it might be better to ask first. I didn't want to feel like I was stepping on toes. I figured if there were places already established within the setting I could just use those.

For numbers #3 and #4 this is perfect. So basically in terms of the gaming competition side of things it'd be roughly on a par with what we have now with esports? Perhaps a little smaller/less visible.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

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PLOT ENGAGEMENT (ARCHIVED)

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