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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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no subject
They would definitely be interested in helping, but Morningstar would only be able to provide a small amount of resources for the displaced to get them started. If they go for a loan, for instance, Morningstar will provide the downpayment that's necessary to get them started. They'll give some information on contractors - Morningstar contacts, to be more specific - in other cities likely to travel to help the displaced despite everything that's happened.
Primarily: if they're going to utilize two of the three for themselves, Gaby will ask that the safehouse under the business be set up and ready for operation if there's ever a need for people to go into hiding there. She'll also recommend that they don't open a coffee shop - unless someone has a supplier for beans and a system for roasting them, it likely won't go well.
no subject
After giving some time for the community to vote here, it looks like Markus and Stephen will be going with the sports bar location as the business front, and choosing the hoverbike repair shop as an ancillary second location for now!
Some notes/questions:
—It’s understood that they’ll be looking into a small business loan to get things started, pending approval. It’s stated that they’d need to pitch a thorough convincing business plan in order to be approved, and while they can’t do anything about their line of credit or employment history (unless Morningstar is willing to help tweak their backgrounds a little to aid in this), Markus and Stephen have had approximately one IC month to research and come up with a singular business plan. It would outline their financial goals, how they wish to attain them, and the timeframe in which they would be achieved; it would be presented accordingly. In other words, they would approach a bank very prepared to answer questions and sell themselves as responsible individuals who have given thought to their hopeful endeavor, ready and willing to do what it takes to get a fledgling business off the ground. They’re both capable of being very professional and articulate to gain confidence, and Markus will even crank up the charisma to eleven if needed.
—Thus far, it appears that this site won’t be exclusively utilized as a sports bar. Though they would be located close to the stadium, and therefore would be remiss to not host large watch parties/promotional events when they do happen, it might not be financially viable to cater specifically to only the sports crowd — especially when most people consume this entertainment through their implant, unable to afford tickets to the stadium itself. Markus and Stephen would be sure to ask Gaby’s opinion on the matter before deciding on this, however. They’d be curious as to the reasons why the previously location closed their doors, too, since they’d want to avoid any similar missteps.
—As per Gaby’s request, the section beneath the sports bar will be outfitted to act as a working safehouse, regardless of the business front up top. They’ll be relying on volunteers among the displaced to aid with the initial set-up, with the understanding that it’ll be perpetual group effort to keep everything running smoothly for the foreseeable future. The second safehouse, the hoverbike mechanic shop location, will also be given attention; the focus for this site is to function only as a safehouse for now, avoiding the same level of foot traffic that the bar would perpetuate. They would want to get both functional ASAP, but if forced to prioritize, likely focus on the bar first.
—The bar would need a name! Was there already one in mind, or do Markus and Stephen get to pick?
—FINALLY, I realize this is hot on the heels of the dream event, and I think it would be neat to iron out any “difficulties” with the business (getting a loan, getting the safehouse organized, bringing in customers, etc.) via the dreams! This is not something that has to happen, but might be simultaneously fun to explore and helpful if they stumble across a particularly troublesome hurdle in this on-going process.
no subject
re: business loans: El would be able to finesse some recent credit history to make it obvious that they're ready to handle a business loan themselves. Again, Morningstar would be happy to provide some extra financial help to make it seem as if this loan would be more of a supplement to their income. In terms of explaining why they'd like to open a bar to any kind of loan officer, we feel that Markus would have a more compelling explanation given his line of work and interaction with the upper echelon.
re: the sports bar's closure: There is still a lot of money to be made in holding watch parties. Even if everyone is viewing their favorite events on the neural implant, there's still a sense of camaraderie in enjoying it with strangers. The reason why the bar closed a few years ago was mostly mismanagement: bad food, unsafe working conditions, mistreating employees according to city regulations and things like that.
re: setting up the safehouses: Gaby will be calling in Morningstar-affiliated contractors from another city to come in and help set up a lot of the actual safehouse and their needed technology. This includes any needed surveillance and masking. The masking itself will be attuned to the IDs of the Displaced and set up during the four-day grace period. This is an alternative to the masking that's in place now that's more generalized.
re: the namere: the dreams: We agree that this is a great idea, and also set up the log in such a way to already draw on this.
no subject
no subject
re: the name: Go wild!
re: the dreams: We agree that this is a great idea, and also set up the log in such a way to already draw on this.