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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
1. For V, I was wondering how his arrangement with Riko will work from a logistical standpoint? As I understand that he’s going to fulfill an informant role, I was wondering if instances of exchanging information would require threading out or handwaving? And if we needed to coordinate just what kind of information V would be sharing about the Displaced and what he’s learned from Gaby? Basically, I don’t want to step on any toes and have him say something that will compromise too much of the game, or shift things in the wrong direction! So maybe an overall idea of what’s expected of him might be helpful to know!
2. Also, V needs to start looking for a job, and I was wondering if there’s still any need for voice work in the city? Anything from narrating commercials, being on a podcast, reading audiobooks, recording lines for announcements, being the voice for a random NPC in a video game, etc etc? Is this something he’d be able to pursue if he did the research on how to get started, and moved forward from there? Basically just how viable is this job for a newcomer to New Amsterdam?
3. For Markus, I’d like to follow up on the art auction inquiry now that events how settled down and everyone’s back in New Amsterdam. (Original plot engagement thread for it located waaaay back here.) Peggy and Markus will definitely attend one, once they have their invites figuratively in-hand. And while they will be out of their socioeconomic depth, their priorities will be to simply leave a good impression with the company they’re in — once they’ve realized that the investment in the shrines don’t run very deep, beyond a passing interest for the elite.
To accomplish this, they will be very fashionably dressed (both have an eye for it) and know how to conduct themselves even under scrutiny. They will both rely heavily on their personal experiences from the timelines they hail from to exude a sense of expertise in whatever subject they choose to talk about. (And it will be subjects that they pointedly choose to start, not wanting to stumble into something they’re ignorant about.) This includes art, literature, music, history — mostly relating to the 20th/21st century and how its influence is seen today. Basically, they’re here to impress in idle conversation by leaning heavily on what they know, striking up intellectual conversation focused solely on this alone.
That being said, would they leave a good impression, maybe get the attention of notable NPCs? They won’t approach Maeda herself, but they’re not beyond making their names known. Secondly, would they hear any gossip about current events, especially relating to the current atmosphere of the upcoming elections? They’re here to snoop and dig up dirt if they can… but with class.
4. And finally, for Ardyn, what information would he be able to unearth about the elections and the candidates? Would his job allow for a different perspective in regards to how it might play out, who is backing whom, and if there are rumors flying around among other politicians that he would pick up on?
Thanks!
no subject
1. Riko is both hoping to unveil the mystery behind the Displaced, as well as have someone on her side who is seemingly immune to any trouble. For this reason, we'll let you work out what V would share about the Displaced to get answers and access to Riko's databases. He may want to discuss with the other characters about what questions they think they can get answered by a NAPD database. He may need to go to some shady/seedy locations for Riko, even choosing to purchase various drugs so that the NAPD can get their hands on them. That's the extent of sketchy behavior she'll ask of him, however!
2. V would be able to pursue this path! He likely won't be able to make a living off of it right away, as he'd have to gain some clout. But if he goes out for auditions and tries out for podcasts, video games and more, he'll eventually create quite the resume to land something larger. In the meantime, he may need another outlet for income. So, go ahead!
3. They will make a decent first impression at the auction, but their limited understanding of recent art will make a few of the people side-eye them. They may be encouraged to read a smattering of more recent literature, as well as familiarize themselves with what's popular today.
Many of the people there will be in the upper echelons of the big three companies, either working on the companies' boards, running some of the subsidiaries - though there will be a number who are uncomfortable, as their subsidiaries were recently absorbed but they knew they had to come to the auction for status reasons - or the adult children of many of the previous mentioned who are hoping to rub elbows with the elite as they prepare to step into positions of power at the three companies.
The overall sentiment is that they approve of Katelin Jovavich - she is a big pioneer of improving humanity's conditions. They are a little frustrated that Gill-Jade has decided not to move forward - they believed her to be the best for the city, maintaining stability at a time like this.
As for Maeda, she'll be present to greet some people there, but won't be there for long. It'll be the equivalent of "making an appearance."
4. Right now, there is an overall feeling that things are chaotic and disorganized. Everyone working in the UN wasn't expecting anything of this sort, as they felt that Gill-Jade was relatively interested in maintaining her job. Since she was connected to so many people and their positions, they are currently working in overdrive, believing that they need to make themselves invaluable for the new administration coming on.
Most of the rumors right now revolve around how the three corporations are pushing Katelin Jovavich, but they'll back Joseph Lynch if the cards move that way. They believe him to be weak - much in the way that Gill-Jade turned out to be weak. They feel that she was pressured by the big three to back down and give up her office because of how she's handled the recent crises in New Amsterdam. This isn't true - her unwillingness to maintain office definitely is a direct result of Ardyn's actions in the dreams - and the reality is that she wants to return to a more private life out of the public eye, as it's like she's been drained of her ambition.
no subject
1. Just to clarify, when you say "He may want to discuss with the other characters about what questions they think they can get answered by a NAPD database.", do you mean to the game as a whole, or the characters involved in V's initial pick-up? (Strange, Dick, Prompto.)
2. When V shares info with Riko, will it be threaded out or will I simply bring the information to plot engagement?
3. I had forgotten, until after I posted my comment, that Riko did mention compensation for V's troubles in aiding her. Would this be substantial enough to act as supplemental income in the interim of V's job hunting?
no subject
1. This is ultimately up to V! It might be best to start with those few until they've figured out what they want everyone to know. He can also ask without telling anyone why he's asking. Either way, it's up to your discretion, as we don't like to limit anything that someone wants to do, even if it's not tidy (or against Gaby's wishes).
2. Bring it here for now! If it's big, we might end up having a three-way thread with V, Riko and Dick Grayson - once Dick integrates himself with her as a friend.
3. We forgot, too! 🤣😅 Yes, that should be enough!