RPG Requests

[UndeadRaptor]

Ah well, close to my idea, anyways...

[dinoman666]

If the characters end up splitting up at some point, that can add some extra spice to it as well...

[Doc 42]

Good ideas.

I'm a bit iffy about the rules though.

1. No powerplaying (no characters who are incredibly powerful and capable of killing everything in their path). Hopefully, since the characters will be almost exclusively modern humans, this won’t be a major issue.
2. No single sentence posts will be allowed unless they are useful to another player (ex: conversations that need the player being talked to to respond).
3. No player is allowed to kill off another player's character.
4. When writing in OOC, you MUST include some in-game writing about your character as well.
5. Only human characters are allowed. Dinosaurs are more realistic in this RPG than in ones like ISS. They are strictly NPCs.

As this is a limited life RPG, we have more freedom with rules, what I'd like to talk about specifically is the no dinosaur characters and the killing of other player characters.

One major point I'd like to propose is there being no limitations on killing other characters. When somebody is murdered or defeated in a fight or whatever, the RPG's participants should judge on whether or not it was legit, ie: was it physically possible, was the post up to standard etc. This would prevent stupid kills which could easily be countered, but allow for a degree of danger and tension that isn't present in most RPGs. A player will be less inclined to disregard the others in favour of themselves if there is the possibility of being shot in the back. An RPG with players on the same team and being unable to kill each other becomes a sandbox to some degree. Also, knowing that your allies COULD be pricks leads to more meaningful team work.


Secondly, I'd like to talk about the player structure and allowed races etc.
Firstly, the RPG should start on the merc's ship, with them preparing for the mission and gathering their gear. Once their chopper leaves the ship, there is no more new players allowed. No more mercs suddenly appear out of nowhere mid mission. If demand was high enough or if there was an opportunity, extra players could be added as survivors on the island, though this too would only be up to a certain point. Finally, as there will probably be only a handful of Mercs, we should allow everyone who does not have a human character (ie: non participants in the RPG) to take the role of a dinosaur or a pack of dinosaurs to attack the humans party. This is simply because PvP is FUN. Far more fun than fighting enemies of your own imagination. These dinos would basically be 'ninjas' (Ninjas are the old ISS term for groups of random unskilled NPCs introduced just for the propose of fights.) They wouldn't be able to control them individually as characters, but in the same way that people control NPC's in other RPGs (like armies in SEW) Furthermore, characters who have been killed off could continue to participate in the RPG with these 'mobs'

The goal would be to provide a more game like structure to the RPG, where the progression is more chaotic. I find what makes an RPG really fun, is not having the freedom to make what ever you want, but the challenge of interacting with and reacting to the actions of other players. Rules, would obviously be have to be placed on the what the NPC controllers can or can't do, but you get the picture.

[dinoman666]

Actually, you make some good points. I'd be happy to fix that later.

1. The fact that they're mercenaries, not part of the U.S. military, will make them more inclined to act independently, depending on the character, and cause more tension. My character, the OBS employee, will add extra conflict to the situation as well (he's practically a plot device and source of exposition for the mercs, really). There will also be my second character, a U.S. Army Lieutenant, who will temper the chaos by providing a bit of leadership (at least temporarily).

2. Starting on the ship makes sense, you're right, and controlling dinosaur packs if you aren't controlling a character is a good idea as well. The RPG is going to be sort of "episodic" anyway: the players will have freedom to do certain things at points, but eventually will come across a situation or fight that triggers a plot point or boss fight type scenario, where I will probably be controlling the bigger dinosaurs ("Sue," Spino, Deinosuchus, etc.) and Ninjas can participate as well, depending on the situation, to add more chaos.

Since you seem to be the most interested mod in this RPG, Doc, I'd appreciate assistance in making it, if you'd like (if it gets made, of course). This is still relatively new, and any assistance or suggestions to improve upon it during both its creation and during the course of the RPG itself would be much appreciated.

[Doc 42]

what do you think about no new players once they leave? And the ok to killing other characters?

[dinoman666]

I figured the no new players rule was kind of a given (might throw in a couple survivors on the island if possible). As for killing characters? Like you said, as long as it's realistic, well moderated, and not constant, it'll be okay.

[TyrannoTitan]

I dunno...My vision of a limited-life RPG is that of something that is still freeform, but will come to an inevitable end. Having it choreographed from the start by the creator would be annoying. Case in point:

...but eventually will come across a situation or fight that triggers a plot point or boss fight type scenario...

It makes it seem more like a linear game then an RPG, especially with characters you control acting as puppeteers for the rest. I would think the idea of "bunch of mercs stranded on island full of dinosaurs" would be more focused on survival with an eventual solution (IE they all die or escape).

And the saurian idea is just f*cking weird. It reminds me of the rumored premise to JP4, and that is not a good thing.

[dinoman666]

The characters won't really be holding their hands, if that's what you mean. They'll be giving advice, but it's really up to the players to make a final decision (the Army Lieutenant is actually going to die pretty early on anyway, to suddenly throw the mercs into a situation where they don't know exactly what to do. That, or he I just won't include him).

As for the boss fights: they'll happen at certain points, but not exactly in any particular order. If they happen to enter a certain situation, something that'll advance the overarching plot will happen. Again, it's ultimately up to the players to deal with the situation in whatever way they feel they should do it.

As for the Saurians, I can always leave that up to a vote as well. Just thought it would add some craziness to the RPG. If you don't like it, oh well. To each his own.

[UndeadRaptor]

I has 'nother idea for this RPG idea! How about, during the end of it, the characters run into a sort of situation where a character will have to sacrifice themself for the others in the group?

[dinoman666]

That'll just have to be something that happens by chance. If you want your character to do that at the end, go right ahead.

[TyrannoTitan]

I can understand the act of controlling the flow of enemies they have, to make it seem realistic, but to arrange "boss fights" is a bit silly. But again, you seem intent on this being plot based rather then survival based, so...

[dinoman666]

I'm trying to balance plot with survival. Like I said, any advice to help me accomplish that is much appreciated.

[Godzilla Forever]

I think it's be better if we have our characters be scattered across the island, then maybe meet up sometime in the story. At the end, we'll try & escape. We will either radio for help and escape or die before we succeed.

Just tossing an idea in.

[dinoman666]

Actually, that could be a good idea. How they wind up that way is another matter entirely, though. Maybe the two choppers can get separated when a storm hits the island, or they can all scatter during an attack?

[Godzilla Forever]

I think a storm would make more sense, because unless they're spooked easily (which I doubt they would be), they probably wouldn't scatter. but then again, wouldn't you be scared sh*tless by a T. rex barreling towards you?

[dinoman666]

Yeah, a storm makes sense, but I doubt one would just drop on top of their heads without any warning en route to the island...

[Godzilla Forever]

Hmmm.....

Maybe the storm rolls in from the distance. Maybe you can make subtle references to the storm, like that there's a high wind, clouds are visible from off in the distance, etc...

[dinoman666]

They'll be starting out on a military aircraft carrier. They'd see the storm coming, and chances are, they'd hold off on the investigation until it passes.

However, if it is going in a different direction, then abruptly changes course while the choppers are en route to the island, they won't see it coming...

[Godzilla Forever]

Sounds like a good plan, DM. We'll just have to see what the admins/ moderators say, though.

[UndeadRaptor]

How about the storm just delays the operation so more people that join could play as mercs, than they all get split up by some big-a** tyrannosaur or a huge pack of raptors?