View source for May 4, 2026 Plot Workshop

Subject: Plot Workshop


Do you have a lot of ideas but need a little shove to get going? Do you have no ideas and are looking to workshop some? Do you wanna find out what people are into right now and don't want to get accused of door to door canvassing? Well, I've noticed it's been a while since we did one and therefore think it'd be a good idea to do a little workshop to help people get going.

The idea is simple: Help people come up with ideas for plots, and help people get those plots going. Some of us have been at this for a while, but some of us need a little push from time to time, or might not know where to start. I can't promise answers but I can at least try and help, and I know folk here would be the same.

To that end, with a week's notice time, I will be holding this on Monday, May 4, at 9:30EST (About 6:30Server?). Questions can be directed to me, and we'll hold it somewhere in city hall, I'm sure we have a good spot fore this sort of thing. I hope to see you there!

--=

Mako shouts "Bingeley Bongeley Beep! It's 9:30, do you know where your plot details are? ... no, really, they got out and I think they're plotting something. We're doing a plot workshop! Need help getting stuff started? Getting ideas? Want to just shoot the breeze? We do that too. Come to city hall! 'ch'"  (Public-shout)

SHOUT: 23 folks heard that.

Parka arrives from elsewhere via the City Hall exit.

Parka has arrived.

Ping arrives from elsewhere via the City Hall exit.

Ping has arrived.

Ping bounces in.

Ping waves.

Casimir arrives from elsewhere via the City Hall exit.

Casimir has arrived.

Ping waves to Casimir.

Casimir nods hello.

Kiree shouts "Come see the plotting and you will have blueprint for the RP?"  (Public-shout)

Mako waves as people trickle in

Rifter chirps, "One moment, getting a plot-relevant item."

Rifter goes home.

Rifter has left.

Rifter arrives from elsewhere via the City Hall exit.

Rifter has arrived.

Amy arrives from elsewhere via the City Hall exit.

Amy has arrived.

Ping waves to Amy and Rifter.

Mako waaaver

Vahno arrives from elsewhere via the City Hall exit.

Vahno has arrived.

Vahno pops into existence.

Mako hmm... give it a minute or two, but thinks we might have as many as we're like to get.

Vahno says, "Oof..."

Parka floop.

Mako wheels in the concessions cart. :3

Amy says, "alas that this had to be a monday, i think were all dead"

Parka raises hand. "My deaditude is unrelated!"

You say, "It was the best date available! :P"

Tss'Renia .wavs, "Narcolepsy is a common concern with me, but yeah, on a weekday before an in-office day at 10pm local time, yeah :D"

Ping is fairly out of it, yes, but this seems to be a regular occurrence lately, so... :/

Vahno flops on Parka.

Parka ackpth

RufusJr says, "Hello!"

You say, "So! The idea here's to help people get some plots going. Find out what they need, what people want.... apply a few tasers, you know how it goes"

You say, "We have a few regular faces, I run, casi is runnign something, moriar... but we can use more!"

Vahno looks to Pata

You say, "Pata has also run stuff!"

Patashu grins, wing waves hello

Parka wiggles out from under Pata.

Parka under Vahno, rather

Tss'Renia .wavs, "I have a few in mind. After the spingboard, I want to try to see if there is interest in a containment failure of a mostly harmless apex predator roleplay."

Somewhere on the muck, Kandra has connected.

Tss'Renia .wavs, "There is the ferrets who kidnap Mitsuki, because they did not get the memo that they are no longer the mayor."

RufusJr says, "Is the roleplay harmless or are the predators harmless? I assume the former- if it were the latter they wouldn't be very good predators."

Tss'Renia .wavs, "There are a few staff losses I need to clean with Patashu."

Tss'Renia .wavs, "Clear*"

Amy says, "i've been suffering from plot paralysis lately.  i have simple ideas and think about them until I ruin them.  like, I want people to go ghost hunting in the caverns beneath the secret base.  simple enough.  but what form should that take?  standard ghosts seem kind of lame.  I could bring out the changeling again, but people have seen that one a few too many times.  or maybe it's one of them dungeon cores and the area down there is warping?  but into what?  i plot out a more traditional dungeon then decide that's lame.  rinse and repeat."

Casimir says, "One way to un-lame 'standard ghosts' is to build them up 'till they're not so flat. Make a few with backstory, give them themes that shape the environment they're found in, some unfinished business or intrigues that could be made into puzzles..."

Casimir says, "They're ghosts, they must be hanging around for -some- reason."

Amy says, "when I do that, they tend to become nonenemies."

Vahno says, "Changeling?"

Casimir says, "Most of them probably should be non-enemies unless you're looking for an arcade run, in which case having 'boring' enemies doesn't matter much as long as they make a good combat challenge"

RufusJr says, "Luigi's Mansion!"

Niny'ah says, "That's a tricky one, Amy"

Niny'ah says, "Overthinker's paradox/Analysis Paralysis"

Parka grins at Amy. "Happened to most of the villain-characters I've played elseMU*."

Rifter chirps, "I'd maybe be up for hosting a session but I also am having trouble with how do I be a good host."

Niny'ah says, "also the  'Spindizzians befriend everything even if it's currently trying to kill them (and often succeed)' "

Rifter chirps, "I do know what type of session I'd be up for and that's some sort of robotic session. Why not?"

Parka says, "What do you mean by 'robotic' session?"

Tss'Renia .wavs, "Robots?"

Tss'Renia .wavs, "Half of spin is robots, sometimes."

Rifter chirps, "Maybe some sort of sci-fi setting? Something on a starship of some sort."

Niny'ah says, "I'm even sort of one sometimes"

Rifter chirps, "Actually that's a better base to start from."

Niny'ah says, "Full Kit or Short Kit, Rifter?"

Tss'Renia . o O ( I am so robotic I shit floppies )

Rifter ?s at Niny

Niny'ah says, "because uh. most SDians are pretty high level with an extensive bag o tricks "

Rifter chirps, "There is a specific feel in mind that I was thinking but I cannot put into words how it goes"

Vahno says, "Ayup. Full is like... uh... how an RPG inventory looks after a long play session with no inventory limits."

Niny'ah says, "some of Mako's more memorable and engaging plots have been Short Kit or situations where your Kit doesn't apply"

Rifter chirps, "Ah short kit it would probably be then"

Niny'ah says, "good way to put it Vahno"

You say, "I can't remember who it was but I once read someone saying that after a while, you get two options for a character. You either find ways to limit wat can be used, or you go to politics, and I can't write politics for junk"

Niny'ah says, "My full kit is uh. I'm not nearly as powerful as some here but just straight person-scale combat is just a speed bump for most of the Regulars"

Rifter chirps, "Okay so I have a sort of idea?"

You say, "Go on?"

Casimir says, "Rifter, there is a starship sitting around in PI available for public plots"

Rifter chirps, "Oh noted!"

[OOC] Casimir says, "Been a while since I've seen it used"

Amy says, "there is?  what is it?"

Casimir wait we don't need OOC here

Casimir says, "Uh... I forget, one sec I'll send my main over to look"

Rifter chirps, "If someone has an idea for any sort of space-y sessions send them my way"

Tss'Renia has left.

Amy says, "oh, is it that millennium one?  we never could agree who captained that after the last fracas"

Casimir says, "The Millennium, yup."

Rifter chirps, "I have initial broad ideas but cannot find a way to refine them ."

Amy says, "I have space antagonists if anyone needs them."

Casimir says, "Been a while since I've seen those too, Amy"

Mako Shuffles papers. Okay, let's see....

Vahno says, "I have An Idea I've been poking at, but I get So Anxious running things..."

Rifter chirps, "Oh do share your idea!"

Amy says, "I haven't been able to find ways to apply them."

Niny'ah idle

RufusJr says, "I'm still hoping to establish some kind of Toontown or Toontown-like setting. I've made a list of some of the general types of locations that should be in it, but haven't really thought much about the specifics yet."

Vahno says, "Eh, well... not gonna spill all the beans, but I'm thinking of a road trip or something, tech limits on part with Mako's Golden Empire stuff."

Casimir says, "Rufus, there are some 'toon related sectors around on the map you could probably take over and develop for that"

Casimir says, "And Vahno... I was actually thinking vaguely of something like that too. Granted a lot would depend on the setting you'd be touring around"

You say, "We have a lot of possible venues, yes, though another is never a bad idea. If there are abandoned spots i'd liek to think it'd be possible totake over and renovate em."

Rifter chirps, "Boarding a starship and exploring an abandoned space station to discover the secrets within sounds like a fun premise."

Rifter chirps, "Trying to flesh out my potential session more"

Vahno says, "Mmm. I do know of one toonish area. The person who use to run it is... no long around."

Amy says, "oh, definitely!"

Parka ponders. "I do want to get Jinxwile's plot in gear, but mostly it's a matter of the fact that I'm kind of Exhausted~ Renia, would -- oh Renia left."

RufusJr says, "Might be worth checking out then."

Rifter chirps, "Now what would be inside the station is the next question."

Amy says, "my thought on that was ghosts ;p  but look where that got me."

Rifter chirps, "Perhaps some rare research?"

Rifter chirps, "And so some space research group could send you off to look for anything of value."

Amy says, "...of course the question is also, how does one *fight* ghosts.  man my plan had a lot of weaknesses"

Parka says, "Raresearch"

Rifter chirps, "I also want to have an excuse to use rolling."

Rifter chirps, "For example:"

Parka hmms. "I suppose we could throw together *something* for ghostbusting ... I say, from the charbit which one of my better-equipped to do so ..."

>> Rifter is rolling 2d8:

<nowiki>-----------------------------------</nowiki>

<nowiki>*</nowiki> 1d8 =>  6

<nowiki>*</nowiki> 1d8 =>  1

<nowiki>-----------------------------------</nowiki>

> Total = 7

Rifter chirps, "And these numbers would... do something, I think."

Casimir says, "Instead of a space station, you could look at something like a space exploration probe, something built specifically to generate research, something that might need some help being recovered"

Rifter chirps, "Ooh that would be cool!"

Amy says, "I might honestly go back to simple monsters, with some sort of more complex ringleader"

Rifter chirps, "But I also like the idea of checking out someplace abandoned."

Rifter chirps, "Exploring an abandoned space station that is suspected to be hiding valuable secrets inside would make a cool session."

Parka ponders. "I've been playing Transiruby, so the first thing that comes to mind for 'generic bad guys' are the Dark Materians -- monsters who all share a black-and-red color scheme, and don't appear to be sapient and -- yeah basically like Amy said."

You say, "The Mook-And-Leader concept has a longstanding history. :P"

Casimir says, "An alternative thought to research: visiting a station that's been busted up and plundered by pirates, and the plot's about sleuting around to help local forces find who they are and where they went"

Rifter chirps, "Okay THAT's cool."

Vahno says, "Good idea."

Amy says, "whoa, yea."

Vahno says, "One thing I wanna consider is, well... take a small, mundane chore... and blow it up into an adventure."

Casimir says, "Vahno, I think Lightspill used to do those"

You say, "Vahno, that is a very good concept. I've done that before, just not here"

You say, "Actually I think I've done one of those too. :x"

Amy says, "you've done a LOT of those XD"

Rifter chirps, "'You've been recruited by a space force to fend off some thieves attacking a space station. Get them out of there quickly and efficiently, but figure out who they are and what they're doing here first.'"

Mako Begins typing, she's gonna list the stuff she has taken note of that she thinks people ought to know or keep in mind. In no real order...

Vahno says, "I've done that once before. Remember when we had to water the plants?"

Casimir says, "That was a while ago; if I remember, it was pretty fun though."

Parka says, ">"

Parka says, "?"

Vahno says, "Eh, way before you"

Parka nodnods.

Amy says, "I had to miss that but it sounded fun!"

You say, "It WAS fun. And is why I keep telling you you oughtta do more. :P"

Vahno says, "Long story short, 'watering the plants at a park' turned out to be 'make your way to the center of a massive biosphere and repair the localized weather control system'."

Parka nodnods.

Vahno says, "SO! take a simple chore, and make it as big and wild as you can while still Technically what you say it is."

Niny'ah deidle

Parka grins..

Mako okay, typing. LEsseee... So, here's what I've learned, at least. One, you don't necessarily have to prep but it does help. Two: Keep in mind how many people you can handle. 

You say, "I've found that it helps immensely if you have a vague idea what you want out of the plot in general."

Vahno says, "Yeah, start smaller."

Casimir says, "One thing I've felt with my current plot is that I feel compelled to visit the entire map, but I'm not sure I'll run the plot -that- long. I made a lot of places on that map."

Niny'ah says, "for a first run, I'd say.. definitely not more than 3 Playercharacters. even that can start to get unweildy if they're lively enough"

You say, "Yeeah, never assume it's gonna work the way you want it to. :P"

Parka hms. "What I have in mind for the Jinxwile plot is 1. fairly straightforward Magical Girl Show Season, and 2. episodic rather than continuous."

Niny'ah says, "the one plot idea I've got simmering is the kind of scenario that would probably work best with new-rolled characters without a deep emotional tie to the design for the players because it'd be TFy"

Niny'ah says, "Also possibly Very Horny TFy but that part's not a locked in part of the idea"

Parka grins. "Oh, so like The Last City?"

You say, "Oh yes! Pata's shown that a roll-from-scratch campaign can work too, but it will be al ot more work. :X"

Parka says, "..."

Parka says, "The 'roll from scratch' part, I mean."

Amy says, "I am both interested and worried I might crash out a la last city"

Niny'ah says, "The blurb of it is, "Unwise urbex in a human* setting with Nasty Secrets" *humanity not guaranteed by the end"

Casimir says, "The issue with rolling from scratch is it takes time for players to get attached to their characters, so that'd be better as a long run one"

Niny'ah says, "yeah; that's the Big Harder Part"

Casimir says, "I -did- have one solution in mind though"

Casimir says, "That could make it work with a shorter plot"

Niny'ah says, "go on?"

Casimir says, "Soul and/or mind transfering pre-existing characters into new bodies, possibly with partial memory blocks. I had this in mind for a potential plot involving Malakai recruiting 'test pilots' to be his subjects"

Casimir says, "This way you can be your favorite character, in a disposable* body and situation somewhere completely different with connections to build anew (or rediscover)"

Niny'ah hmmm

Casimir says, "Asterisk* being that your character might not have the memory that they have another body waiting"

You say, "So let's see... ideas is something we clearly don't have shortages of."

You say, "What we need is some impetus and maybe some organization"

Niny'ah says, "My idea also needs characters who aren't as Genre Savvy as our mains tend to get"

Parka says, "Yeah, my Sleep Problems have been getting in the way of preparation since, like, less than a year after I joined Spin. ^^;"

Niny'ah says, "throwback to Vahno yanking that fuse RIGHT back out in one of Vic's plots because He's Played Horror Games And Knows How That Goes"

Niny'ah says, "That was one of the best NOPE!s I've ever seen"

You say, "Regrettably one of the few things I cannot offer help with, parka. :x"

RufusJr says, "That body hopping idea sounds fun."

Amy says, "i am quite willing to play amy at any power level, but genning characters is **HARD** for me.  takes me twice to three times as long to make a post.  usually.  the mecha day thing was a rare exception where I had a blast running a different character"

Rifter chirps, "Wait mecha day?"

Niny'ah says, "I feel like the body hopping idea could be A Whole Thing Itself and postentially distract/detract from the intended arc"

Amy says, "mecha day"

Niny'ah says, "Mecha day: Robots? Robots."

Patashu rumblesqueaks, "Rifter, type `holidays`"

Casimir says, "Fair, Niny'ah. Well if I run the Malakai tests then we'll see how that goes"

Casimir says, "And also, one solution to genre savviness is to either roll with it and make genre savviness a part of the plot, or subvert more tropes"

Niny'ah says, "that takes Some Skill as a GM"

Rifter chirps, "i see!"

Casimir says, "On the side, another one of the things about that idea of mine I'm not sure of, the idea of Difficulty for the players / characters"

Casimir says, "Most plots are built with the understanding that victory is guaranteed for the players, even if the character don't realize it. But would people actually play a plot where they might actually lose (either with a chance to retry or a willingness to eat that fate), or possibly end up having bad things happening to them that cost their characters in some way in general... on the side that might be one way of getting rid of inventory bloat"

Rifter chirps, "That reminds me that I'm in a TTRPG where consequences do happen to the players."

Rifter chirps, "So a plot with a bit of uncertainty of winning might be fun."

You say, "I've got a couple ideas for that, but they're harder to do."

Niny'ah says, "I like having character-altering Stakes, but not character-Loss stakes"

Niny'ah says, "Like, the Alicorn suit getting shot full of magic"

Niny'ah says, "for the newcomers it sounds fairly tame, but the veterans know how much 'part time unicorn' has become part of Nyn's narrative fabric"

Parka nodnods.

Rifter chirps, "Character-altering sounds fine."

Parka says, "(... and now Bevel, who is Very Self-Conceptual, sometimes gets worried about something similar happening to *her* ...)"

Patashu rumblesqueaks, "When it comes to major stakes, I think that's the kind of thing you should ask about OOCly up front. Like, here's the kinds of things I would expect to have happen, which of these are you OK with, which of these are you *interested* in. Sometimes you can work with your players to have something specific happen - then everyone gets what they wanted for sure, and you still get to surprise with the exact whens and hows."

Niny'ah says, "it also broke me out of a character stagnation groove I'd gotten caught in for ... felt like years"

Vahno says, "Good."

Casimir nods to Pata. "I was thinking of basically putting CWs on the plot post, but a session zero to make sure it'll all work would be good on top of that."

You say, "Yes, anotehr good point. I find it helps people know upfront what they're looking at. I CW my plot posts now, within certain reasonableness"

You say, "It helps people know what they're in for"

Niny'ah says, "in re that to my plot idea, Pata, "Humanity Not Guaranteed" being a good draft title, You(GM) would want to work out if anyone has a specific Inhumanity they OOCly want to end up with and you can guide the events to make that land"

Parka nodnods.

Parka says, "(Communication Is Key! ... Speaking from experience.)"

Niny'ah says, "it helps to know if you're getting Skulduggery and Intrigue, high Flying Wuxia Action, This Is Just Myst, or (etc)"

Parka nods!

Parka says, "Also, definitely Content Warnings."

Niny'ah says, "and Vahno, your Water The Plants would fall under "This is just Myst" as a reductive category in that roll"

Vahno says, "I suppose!"

Niny'ah says, "and I mean that in a playfully complimentary way"

Niny'ah says, "just as a show of hands, who Would be interested in me pushing forward on Humanity Not Guaranteed?"

Patashu rumblesqueaks, "I don't think I've seen you DM much - I'd be curious to see your style"

Amy raises a hand.  assuming I can invent a character concept in time that doesn't disintegrate on first use

Vahno says, "Sure."

Casimir raises hand

Niny'ah says, "it would fall under Skullduggery and Intrigue, and This Is Just Myst, with warnings of potentially adult moments, body horror of the Furry TFy variety, and anything that links all those together"

Parka nodnods. "I'm the 'tired' equivalent of 'so full I don't want to make dinner plans for next week', but I'll probably be there when the time comes."

Vahno . o O ( Potential Segue into a Mutants in the Now Campaign? )

Niny'ah looks that up

You say, "I'm potentially interested, though TF is one of my turn-offs, situationally"

Casimir says, "I have no idea what I'd do for it but 'suddenly a dire adventure unfolds' sounds fun"

Amy says, "tf is a problem for my established characters.  I don't want to ruin a character I have."

You say, "Now, as for some of the ideas people have already had....."

Niny'ah says, "that's why I'd want new-rolls for this, Amy. also most folks here don't usually have human-to-start characters they can slot in"

Rifter chirps, "None of my characters are human from the get-go."

Rifter chirps, "One plane, one bird of the robot variety, and one bird of the normal variety."

Rifter chirps, "So unless I was willing to craft one up real quick..."

Casimir says, "Hmm... would this end with characters possibly being available for reuse ala TLC? Because I am now toying with the idea of a backstory for a villain character"

Niny'ah says, "That wold need me to figure out a Post-Endgame Export protocol, Cas. Not a No, but "needs workshopping""

You say, "Idea for those lacking spoons to roll up someone new. Your character as played/playing an actor. :x"

Parka eh. "You'll be fine, Niny, Pata didn't even have Dark Matter planned until we started working on Maia behind the scenes."

Casimir nods to that

Amy says, "i'm gonna start thinking on it early, niny.  what's the hook?  why are these people here?"

Niny'ah says, "Pata went into TLC with at least a sketched idea of Postgame Export Protocol, I don't see an easy way for this idea, being s 'fairly standard if kinda crappy human world' unless The Crew manages toget hold of a Spin-reachable starship"

Amy says, "the lost city kinda needed it, because really, they were absolutely fucking doomed"

Niny'ah says, "You know how some people do Abandoned And Urbex [Urban Exploration]? "

Amy says, "mhm?"

Niny'ah says, "the hook is your Character needs to be that kind of person"

Amy nodnods!

Casimir says, "Niny'ah, one idea that came to mind for an export protocol- we're TFing into things that might be immortal. This opens the door to some suspended animation shenanigans or the like"

Niny'ah says, "And you start Making Discoveries. And then Things Go Wrong Or Get Weird."

Rifter chirps, "Out of the loop what's an Export Protocol?"

Casimir says, "A way to take your alter-universe characters and put them on main SD"

Rifter chirps, "ah noted!"

Casimir has different backstory ideas for said villain character so if there is no export for Niny'ah's plot, no big deal

Niny'ah says, "for The Last City, it was An Afterlife 'Verse"

Niny'ah says, "so Resurection was the Export"

Niny'ah says, "Post-Postgame evens have actually made a Bridge bwetween TLC and Spin Proper"

Niny'ah says, "events"

Vahno says, "That was fun. And a bit wierd."

Casimir says, "Heck, a return there with different characters is another avenue to TF"

Niny'ah says, "so I'll start full cooking on Humanity Not Guaranteed, and I've got 4 Interested, and I know your various 'tones' so that'll help me shape the ideas"

Somewhere on the muck, Kandra has connected.

Niny'ah says, "fair warning: Intrigue is *not* my strong point, as Cas can probably attest"

Niny'ah says, "so this'll be A Learning Experience "

You say, "So for other ideas. Rufus: Toontown is absolutely a Do. Look around, I know htere are spots and I know you've been exploring, you might find a spot to take over, otherwise you can claim a spot and make it, though that is more work. We got a lot of toony types."

You say, "Rifter: We got a ton of beepies around here. Adn a space station exploration is totally our jam. :P"

Vahno says, "N6 e0 and N6 e1 had some toonstuff. "

RufusJr nod

Vahno says, "...We could also just... ya know, add a new district to neopolis."

Casimir says, "Niny'ah, one nice thing about your idea"

Parka says, "Toonopolis ... wait no"

RufusJr checks the map. "Yeah, those could be worth checking out."

Casimir says, "You've got a team of folks who are into urbex- which means they're also fit for more classic adventuring. So if the intrigue falls through you can fallback to action here and there"

You say, "Amy: Maybe start with what hte end goal is. You seem to be waffling on what to do with the ghosts and how to approach it. So... work backwards?"

Amy says, "I've known what the end goal is all along.  get rid of the dungeon generator thingy."

Amy says, "but that is simple and stupid and dumb."

You say, "And?"

You say, "Simple works"

Casimir says, "Simple doesn't mean 'stupid and dumb'. It just means you're leaning more arcade, and a good few folks like arcade style plots"

Casimir . o O ( Bad Enough Dudes )

Niny'ah says, "Oh I'm expecting a BIT of action, but a lot lower level than most Spin action. a gunfight in HNG would be Crisis Level Shit Gone Wrong"

Niny'ah says, "not full "Counting ammo", but you won't be rattling off entire mags like an action movie"

Niny'ah says, "Think more Splintercell than Rainbow Six"

Casimir nods. "I'm just saying the group's adaptable so if you botch the intrigue you can dump it and go with a number of fallbacks until you can reconnect things

Niny'ah says, "yeah IGU"

Amy says, "the basic character concept i have is 'pizza dude'.  he'd be lucky to have a bat."

Niny'ah says, "... oh god does this crowd even know Splintercell?"

Casimir says, "Heard of it, never played it"

Amy says, "no"

Parka doesn't, nor Rainbow Six!

Niny'ah says, "it's like the First Great Modern Sneak Game"

You say, "Ive played it. Surprising nobody"

Amy says, "i thought that was the snake game"

Niny'ah says, "Tom Clancy's Splintercell, and then Splintercell: Chaos Theory if you want to look it up"

Niny'ah says, "Metal Gear is a Very Looney Tunes Sneak Game"

You say, "Metal GEar is Stealth Played Fantastic, Splinter Cell is Stealth Played Straight"

Niny'ah says, "Splintercell is.. well you're switching to IR visor to track where security cameras are looking."

Niny'ah says, "Well put Mako"

Niny'ah says, "and you'll pop a light fixture to distract guards either Away from The Objective, or to where you can quietly gig them"

You say, "Lessee..... Niny: I'd lovet osee this get going anyway, never seen you run a thing. Me: I have Too Many Ideas and Not eNough Time, been planning a few one shots again..."

You say, "Casi already has ideas.... Pata: Got anything in the pipe?"

Niny'ah says, "this is apparently from the Multiplayer mode (Spies vs Mercs) <nowiki>https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oVfl2hgo-HM</nowiki> but it gives you an idea of how it plays out"

Patashu has disconnected.

You say, ".... guess not. o.o"

Rifter chirps, "Oh yeah niny re:Humanity Not Guaranteed id be up for that if i had a human-to-begin character on me"

You say, "Vahno: You really should do more. I know you get nervous. I cannot provide a taser but I can keep needling you to do it. :P"

Casimir says, "Taser wouldn't help nervous anyway. The only thing I can think of that would help is doing it with people you can trust will be kind if you -do- mess up, so you can try it without having to worry about that until you get more comfortable"

Niny'ah says, "yeah no need to rush your character concept, but start it cooking. This probably won't happen Super Soon. I know Mako and Pata will simmer an idea for A While "

Niny'ah says, "So I should add you to my Interested list, Rifter?"

Vahno says, "I... may need a co-dm."

Niny'ah says, "which puts me at 6 Interested. I'm not closing or anything, just be aware I may start to fall apart with a group that large"

You say, "If people need help I'm happy to attempt. Or peanut gallery, as necessary"

You say, "Same goes for you, parka. Energy I cannot provide, springboards I can. :x"

Patashu has connected.

[OOC] Patashu says, "back, laptop crashed"

[OOC] Casimir says, "Welcome Back"

Casimir says, "If Mako doesn't co-dm with you Vahno, I could perhaps. Admittedly I've never really co-dm'd before"

Parka nodnods.

Niny'ah says, "just had a brainwave into my notes:"

Casimir says, "And, Mako was wondering if you have any plot ideas of your own coming down the pipe, Pata"

[OOC] Mako re-wav

Niny'ah says, "> but solid bus service (stealth hazard, mobility opportunity)"

[OOC] Mako says, "I also have a short term repeating (Not quite episodic but...) thing I wanna do, but I'm not sure how to approach it. I may have to ruin some of the fun upfront only because I REALLY do not need people haring off on this one."

Vahno says, "Maybe."

Parka says, "Remind me, were you there for the gazebo? I feel like I could do with some help with the Bystanders(tm) ..."

Amy says, "help how?"

Vahno says, "Gazebo..."

Parka says, "Oh, running the bystanders who need to be protected/kept away from the action"

Parka, directing that at Mako

Casimir also wondering what Mako means by 'haring off'

Patashu says to Mako, "I tend to be a single tasker kind of person. Right now I'm DMing a TTRPG and I don't think I could mentally handle *also* doing a longterm here at the same time. We'll see what the future holds... I am also open to helping with anything the Mayor or anything else works on, of course."

Niny'ah says, "Derailing"

You say, "OH. Yes, I was there. Having someone run the background npcs is not a bad idea"

Parka nodnods.

Niny'ah says, "I'm glad I was able to run Civvie Interference on that one. Felt useful without fighting"

Parka says, "Yeah! Exactly why I had that aspect, Niny -- for people who want to participate but aren't fighty-types"

Niny'ah says, "I appreciate the foresight"

Parka nod!

Casimir says, "Also if you want to share your thought, Mako, you can always see if we can come up with something workable as a base, then change it around to 're-hide the spoilers' later"

You say, "Oh, I have the base already worked up and started, it's just that I really need people to NOT rush off to Thwart The Villain."

Parka grins.

Casimir says, "The easiest way to do that is to make the villain physically inaccessible until the desired fight. Hard to do this without it feeling like a video game invisible wall- because that's what it would be let's be honest, but it can work. If you want something a bit less artificial feeling, you could engineer the situation so that confronting the BBEG would be a Bad Idea until the desired moment"

Casimir says, "If you want people to not embark on the Thwart quest -at all- until later, the best way would be to hide the villain behind the scenes until you want the main thread to start"

Niny'ah says, "In Re to that, and your thoughts about a The Villain for HNG, I hadn't even go that far to if there even would be A Villain for it. open to ideas either direction"

You say, "Actually, now's a good time to bring it up, I guess"

Casimir says, "Leave the cause behind the bad stuff obscure until the time's right"

You say, "I'm the one behind the new Femashu bit, which I'm sure people could work out. I tend to have A Style. But I ahve a Very Specific Thing going here. Saturday Morning Villainess at best."

Casimir wasn't even aware there was a new Femashu bit

Parka oof body is saying 'lie down NOW' -- wait what do you mean 'new femashu bit'

Mako blankets PArka. "From just before you came here, I think.

Casimir asides to Niny'ah, I guess it depends if you want a more directed plot. Villains and specific problems make for discrete goals. Not having one works but would make things more open ended

You say, "TLDR: Patashu's Evil Genderswapped Twin."

Parka prrrr. "No I know who Femashu is.'

Patashu rumblesqueaks, "Mako's been dropping hints about it here and there..."

Patashu rumblesqueaks, "But it hasn't fully launched yet"

Parka nodnods.  o.o

Parka anyway: AFK @.z

Casimir says, "I'm curious! Alas, I must've not been there for any mention of it"

Parka says, "same"

You say, "I dropped hints for a while and then did a reveal but clearly those who were there didn't notice. :X But yes."

Casimir asides, speaking of villains... I'm in a bit of an odd place with Grozzy. Kinda want to use him as one, but hard to do that in a way that wouldn't make the whole planetoid want to either yeet him or exterminate him

You say, "But point being, she got splatted. My version is going to be run different. I want a gokarting with bowser class villainess that can be re-used. Egotist, selfish, but not completely stupid nor evil. And I don't want nor need people running off to shoot her in the face."

Niny'ah says, "noted!"

Casimir says, "Sounds... actually kinda like what I wanted to do with my new villain thought"

Niny'ah is doing a bit of Cooking on HNG

You say, "And the hints I was using were perhaps a bit of Too-Clever-For-My-Own-Good."

Casimir says, "The good news is, most people here aren't the shoot-first type"

You say, "Like, you might have noticed kobolds coming up with items pata clearly didn't order but..."

RufusJr has disconnected.

Niny'ah says, "I have two main directions it could go, unless I want to Porque no los dos? it, and have two different things going on."

Niny'ah says, "Option one: TMNT style Anthromutants. Option two: Living Latex type suits, horniness negotiable"

Casimir says, "You could also mix the two, kinda like slimefolk but more solid... that's actually what I originally thought you had in mind"

Niny'ah says, "that's a 4th option: split the difference"

You say, "All of the above!"

You say, "Cas, and yet people seemed... uh... overeager? I see it as a problem that doesn't need Solving in a permenant sense"

RufusJr has connected.

Niny'ah says, "Oh god, my writing would suffer if I went 'all of the above'"

Casimir says, "What was the situation where people were overeager?"

Niny'ah says, "There's definitely going to be a lot of MacGuffinite going on, no matter how I slice it"

Niny'ah says, "and my notes app autoprompted a New Page when I wrote LikeThat"

Vahno says, "Well, which one would you prefer?"

Niny'ah says, "the Living Latex option actually lends itself to some of the specific body horror beats I want to hit"

Niny'ah says, "lends better"

You say, "It just felt like people were a little too gung-ho on going after her in a way I can't handle. Though given people don't seem to recall I may be overthinking it. I can at least tell people to take it easy if they get too much"

Rifter has disconnected.

Casimir says, "I don't think I was there for it, Mako, unless I was?"

Casimir says, "And, Niny'ah, makes sense- though is it really TF if it's a suit?"

[OOC] Ping needs to be getting to bed...

[OOC] Ping hugs you each. "See you all later."

[OOC] Mako says, "Bed well"

Ping snugs any who'd like, and crawls off to bed.

Ping is glommed down and swept away by a plastic hippopotamus mouth.

Ping has left.

Casimir says, "The reason I ask, Mako, is I'm thinking there might've been a specific line she crossed that got people in a weapons hot mindset. Either that or it being Femashu in general. In retrospect I think I kinda wound up nudging Femashu into a lot more hardcore territory than Pata had intended..."

You say, "Yeeeah, that was what I was feeling"

You say, "I don't wanna knock it, but the reason I wanna run her like this is because I think it fits the idea better. But that's me. :X"

Casimir says, "If it's the latter case, then maybe you could get people to chase her into a revelation that she isn't really Femashu."

Casimir says, "Or... hmm. I think I owe Pata apologies on that one"

Patashu toothy grins

You say, "Oh, it's a femashu all right."

Mako to quote her own idea, "But weren't you dead?" "It's very simple. You see, *REEL MISSING*.

Vahno says, "As I recall, Femashu started dabbling with some Serious Mind Control stuff, to the point we couldn't leave it alone anymore."

,Kandra arrives from elsewhere via the City Hall exit.

,Kandra has arrived.

Casimir says, "You could frame it as a backup of Femashu made before all that happened. With a chance of her to be confronted with all that stuff and go 'Wait I -what-?!'"

[OOC] ,Kandra peer.  ...was extremely distracted.

Casimir says, "That might help reset things"

You say, "The ultimate point is that "Under new management" and "Writers waving hands, nothing to see here." :P"

Niny'ah says, "Cas - to your earlier comment, lemme whisper an example of the tone I want to hit"

Amy has disconnected.

Casimir nods. "The core thought though is having a situation pop up where your rendition sees the mess the previous made and recoils from it- making it clear that yours isn't that edgy and people can take her less seriously."

Vahno says, "Hrm..."

[OOC] Parka mrf. Not-well-rested, muscles are twitchy @.x

,Kandra tilts her head a bit.  o.o  ...Is Niny'ah proposing to take over Femashu? That would be a...new one

,Kandra might be getting the wires crossed.

Casimir says, "Mako was I think"

Niny'ah says, "eh? no, I'm brainstorming for a plot I'm tentatively calling "Humanity Not Guaranteed""

You say, "I'm taking over. :P"

Amy has connected.

,Kandra oh.  ... oh o.o

Vahno says, "Hrm..."

Rifter has connected.

You say, "We're well past time at this point, are there other ideas or questions or whatever?"

Amy says, "thanks for tonight"

Amy goes home.

Amy has left.

Rifter chirps, "Okay so I was away from the MUCK for a good bit so Mako would you mind getting a log of the event up somewhere so I know what people were ideaing?"

Casimir says, "Yeah. Anyone have any thoughts for anything plot-wise I could do with Grozzy? As it stands my current plot's an opportunity to put him on a bus, thinking of it"

Patashu hmmm @Cas

Rifter chirps, "Also as a good indicator for what to look for later on should I ever send a poke to rpread."

Patashu rumblesqueaks, "You could come up with a plot excuse where his inclinations lead him to do good"

Casimir says, "Have him go 90s antihero mode?"

You say, "I will get the log up, might be tomorrow. :x"

Patashu thumbs up to Mako, ty

Casimir would need a villain edgy enough to justify it- and then that villain would get yeeted quick, but it's a thought to mull on, thanks

You say, "I have to stitch a log together out of my logs cause of how they log things"

Patashu says to Casimir, "Yeah, and definitely whoever the target is is gonna get bullied hard :B"

You say, "Thaat's actually an idea"

You say, "I have a plan for a.... gothamy place. I've referred to it a loooong time but I never got aroudn to making it"

Casimir says, "I get the feeling though most people here don't want edginess though"

[OOC] Niny'ah says, "OH SWEET <nowiki>https://youtu.be/OIuCpbOWWhk</nowiki>"

Casimir says, "Well there is rimville..."

[OOC] Niny'ah says, "stick around to the end, there's a Heartwarming"

You say, "Rimville's wrong feel for what I'm thinking"

Parka hm. Jinxwile's plot might go places, Cas ... though those places are still going to be more 'magical girl villain' than 'edge' ...

You say, "I don't /do/ grimdark edgy, I prefer... cyberpunk by way of batman:TAS. And not the killing joke kind, if that makes sense. Cari is... about as close as I get and she has Standards. :x"

You say, "As for Grozzy..... Yeah, I could see them going a kind of antihero mode. Very... Punisher but more fun. I can't remember the character."

Parka says, "(And I mean, Sailor Moon season 1 ends with a total party kill, but.)"

Parka says, "Deadpool?"

Rifter chirps, "I should probably get to bed soon."

Rifter chirps, "Thanks for the night everyone! Even though I only was really there for maybe a half or three quarters of it."

You say, "Bed well when you do, and thanks for coming out. :P"

Casimir says, "This is why I'm thinking it might be better to let Grozzy move to Agnoss or something, I don't think folks here would enjoy the kind of plots dark enough for Grozzy to be the hero in either."

You say, "Hopefully it helped!"

Casimir says, "And indeed, rest well!"

Rifter chirps, "Honestly I thought this would itself be an RP in disguise. Somehow."

Parka ruffles Rifter

Rifter chirps, "At least I got to share ideas though!"

Parka says, "But yeah. G"night!"

You say, "I was tempted but I'm not sure there was enough brain present. :P"

You say, "I'm kinda sad none of final's crew got here."

Rifter satisfied wingflap, flying off to bed.

Rifter goes home.

Rifter has left.

Vahno says, "Same."

You say, "Before I really begin winding down, would having these regularly be helpful, do you think?"

RufusJr says, "I'm going to go check out those locations people suggested."

RufusJr says, "And yes I think it's a good idea to keep doing this."

Casimir says, "As for your 'gothamy' idea, Mako, it makes sense. You could take it more classic batman plotwise"

Niny'ah says, "ABSOLUTELY"

RufusJr is carried away when a runaway sputnik rams into him.

RufusJr has left.

Niny'ah says, "HNG's idea was just kind of a hot ember before this really started expanding on it"

You say, "Casi, for an example, Cari's backstory has her coming from a city on the Underside of spin. It's kinda a mix of gotham and cyberpunk with lots of Gangster vs Ganger vibes. Plenty of opportunity for a proper Supervillain or two. >:D"

Casimir says, "And, I think this worked well. Something to do seasonally-ish?"

Vahno hugs Niny.

You say, "That was what I was thinkin, cas."

You say, "Alongside my Night Market."

Casimir says, "A thought, Mako. Have this city be flipside from Neopolis. So the two cities are like nega-mirror reflections of each other."

Casimir had thoughts at times 'what about the folks who can't live up to the Neopolis shine' and 'they go down the tunnel to -this- place' is a nice answer.

Mako ooh, I do likes me some symmetry

Niny'ah :eyes:

,Kandra's ideas ...realistically aren't happening based on how her mental health has been going.  ("Health?  What do you mean, 'health'?  Are you making a joke, buddy?  Do you think this is *funny*?  Do you?")

Parka pat Kandra. "Settle." o.o

,Kandra mew

Mako has ideas too now. EVeryone wins! :D

You say, "But yes, thanks for coming out."

[OOC] Casimir says, "Thanks for- well, this still counts as hosting. It's been fruitful"

Parka nodnods, goes to. laundry. z.z

,Kandra says, "Good luck,,"