w e l c o m e.

[primogencouncil]

I've already mentioned this to Nerissa and hinted at it in my last Frost post, but I have a bit of a different take on the Wild Hunt. I see the unmourned dead rising from their graves and angry ghosts screaming out of haunts to join the ranks of the Hunters, unwary people stolen away as they walk down lonely streets to be either prey or join the Hunt, angry black clouds forming out of nowhere to cover the sky, lacy frost covering windows in spite of the warm weather, every dog in town howling, every predator in the zoo set loose, and every other animal in the city cowering in whatever hole they can find.

And all because the Hunt is coming. In short, I'm thinking of the coming of the Wild Hunt as affecting the entire city and every character, whether they see or hear the Hunt proper or not. Everyone will know something big, bad and scary has come to town and it will probably stir up the mundies and the authorities something fierce.

So, Mods, players- what do we think about this version of the Wild Hunt?

[Barinthius]

Anything in that scale would wreck the town completely, and after the mess that happened due to the blackout I really don't want to deal with that amount of damage control. Also, there would be people that would be resentful of having to deal with their character having to choose a side, either hunt or be hunted. The freedom of choice would be taken away completely and that is not what this game is about. That said, something that big cannot and will not be ignored, unless you want to be a cornball and simply not post for a few months.

In the myth, it was only those people that were brave enough or stupid enough to be outside that were affected. People with common sense stayed inside and huddled by the fire, and in doing so they weren't fucked with or fucked over. That said, if some player wants to join the hunt, more power to them. If they want to be hunted, so be it, although the possibility of death may or may not have to be ironed out (say, if they can last until the morning dawn as per the myth). As for the mortals and the authorities, what could they do, honestly? You can't stop a hurricane from hitting the coastline, and although the Hunt was summoned by desire, this is pretty much a force of supernature (is that an official word...) due to the fact that it has to run its course. There's nothing the National Guard (for example) could do but either get out of the way, hunker down in the best shelter that they could find or get swept up in the storm... which would be rather amusing actually. President Bradley would have a major black mark on his record if he chose unwisely.

Also, say if somebody really has to get on the other side of town. They should have leeway on that without somebody saying no, you got caught in the middle, you're now dicked and you HAVE to make a choice. Likewise, not everybody is going to want to write a few hundred words about how they're shitting themselves in fear. Again, scenes here last months, and I for one would get very tired of having to post that sort of thing constantly. At the same time I wouldn't want people to be upset that I blew off their big event. The trick is to keep it flexible and compromise as best as one can. Big Spooky Thing? Oh fuck yeah, and you'll notice for sure. Having absolutely no choice but to lock step and join the mess? That's kinda shitty in my opinion.

[Bethany]

I second Eric on this issue.

City shaking events have a tendency to create friction amongst players. Not everyone will want to put a reference to the Wild Hunt in their RP, whereas others may wish to make it the entire focus of the post, while in the past we've had issues where the player who put the event in motion has been upset at the lack of response to it; it's an awkward situation.

As a background event it can add a great deal of colour and interest, but within the context of a largely free form game, I agree should that players should have the option of staying out of it if they wish.

With that in mind perhaps a more focused Hunt would be a better option. It has a specific target and New York City is a very big place after all. Certain areas on the route to the Diablo HQ (which I understand is where the Hunt is headed?) would become dangerous as the Hunt passed through, but if you were on the other side of town from the Diablo territory, you might hear some strange noises in the distance but otherwise be largely unaffected.

I'd be interested in what others have to say on this issue.

[RaeAnne_MacManus]

Well, since first mention of the Hunt, I always pictured it as this chaotic cyclone sort of thing that tears into the Rotting Apple by night and takes its revenge... With such events it's hard to judge (especially in our business) just how much should be thrown into the posts the Hunt will consist of in the end.

It's a facet of an already existing plot that is on the major-league list right now, and so it should not be passed over by any of the players. But we've all seen what happens when something on this scale breezes through the city. Court was a prime example. Everyone has their favorite moments (sending my girl flying through the air and into the middle of the mess tops all for me *smirk*) but if I'm not mistaken it took several months to complete.

We're at a point within the game where we are trying to pull in new people, get the blood pumping again, and I think we need to create plots and scenes and events that cater to all kinds of writers. To leave room for new players to develop their characters in a comfortable manner. Leading them in in the midst of a make-or-break scenario might leave people with a bad taste in their mouths. And of course, for those of us who've been kicking around for a bit of time now, the backlash is tough to juggle.

So I think it should be an option, the level of involvement in the Hunt. As Eric said, I think players should have the choice. It should be felt all over the city though. And, as Bonnie suggested, it might be a good idea to focus the effects a bit. Lessen the chance of snagging a player who may not be interested it making the Hunt their world for the next year.

But, in closing, I can't wait to see what happens. And, uh, yeah. That's my two cents. See you guys around.

-Rae

[Nemesis]

I have to admit I'm a bit biased - I've got bad memories of city wide events we've had in past in the game.

The last real city shaking event I remember caused quite a bit of OOC friction, especially when writers began either ignoring the implications of the event or writing in solutions to it. The original creator of the event then became upset and while it wasn't exactly a flame war, there was some snarkiness and general bad temper.

With that as my prior experience, I'm in favour of taking things steady with the Wild Hunt. Level of involvement should be an option, not a dictat. Writers who want to be in the thick of it, more power to you, but give those who aren't so interested a chance to play out their own stories in peace. (At least, as much peace as you get in PM )

BTW Cool avatars. Although the baby one is a bit....odd.

[Barinthius]

I think the term you're looking for is "disturbing and creepy"

[Nightwalker]

I wonder how this will effect Nightwalker as he has just infiltrated Citadel Towers seeking to take down Dominic Diablo. Is he in big trouble?