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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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In Meadowlark's world, marriage is seen strictly as a contract. It may seem a little unromantic, but it ensures that all parties are protected under the law. There are no religious figures that can receive ordainment to practice under the law, and this all happens at City Hall and specific offices designed to streamline this process. All marriage licenses must be issued in the city of residence, and there is a necessary period of notice that's required for all that are petitioning to be under the court's consideration. There are no fees for the issue of a marriage license, as it's seen as a civil right for all persons to enter into a union. That said: shotgun weddings are out of the question due to the aforementioned period of notice, making it so that two individuals must wait at least a period of two weeks to get their license. Some people can expedite the process, but they'll need some help to grease the wheels on this.
There are many kinds of marriage licenses, but the most common is a fixed term marriage contract. A fixed term marriage contract ensures a union of common property between two (or more, depending) parties for a fixed amount of time, no less than 2 years, but up to 10 years max. After the term period has ended, the couple may return for a contract evaluation and renewal to extend it if they're still happy together. The contract includes clauses on how to split financials and possessions if the marriage doesn't work. If the contract is broken before the fixed term is up, then there it acts as a guide for the proceedings, but can come with a hefty court fee (situation depending). Divorce is a thing of the past, and there is no social stigma around breaking a partnership by either a natural contract end or a premature contract recission. The more affluent the partners, the more complex the contracts can get. Politicians, public figures and others with more to lose generally contract a lawyer to draft their marriage licenses before petitioning the court. Aside from financials and properties, there are other partner rights that come with entering a marriage contract, including: end of life and after death care, marital inheritance, and governmental approval for a child, among many others.
As you might expect of a socially progressive world, these contracts aren't limited to couples. As long as everyone within a partnership agrees to it, these contracts can include multiple people long term, allowing for polyamory. The key thing here is consent and mutual agreement. No one's taking five wives without them all being in agreement. Arranged marriages are a thing of the past, too - though there are political and marriages between people with money, though mostly determined by the people entering that arrangement. No one can get married unless they're considered financially independent and able to consent under the law, which is at 18 years of age.
There are no formal weddings, no ceremonies, no churches, and no vows. All that's needed is a notary (usually supplied by the court) and a witness to the proceedings. Most that receive a marriage contract don't really do large receptions, but smaller parties to celebrate their union if they see fit within their budget. Those who have a lot of money generally hold more extravagant parties, some of which are even streamed live.
There's always more to it, of course, so feel free to ask any follow-up questions!