All That is Permanent Is Here...

Hey All,

Well I don't really know what's going on with the reset since I've been in la la Sandhill Crane land. I am really curious though....


What are your plans for the reset? Please let me know!


Cheers,

That Sandhill Crane girl...

This music video is eerily close to a background scene I played out of Katalina's mortal years.

The fruit, the Grecian attire, the visions, the 'nightmare effect...' Fuck, the lyrics even fit! So, if this isn't Katalina, then who is it? : )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY5dZwcm_dE


Thoughts?

I agree that a reset could be hard on new players.

New players could benefit from an exp reset, but they could
also suffer depending on the pains they went to get exp in order to
make up for having less MC. What's more is IC ties, networking, and
story building would be lost in a hard reset. Characters may not have
very much exp, but if they've busted moves to earn the shelter of the
most prestigious characters in the game, they'll still stand to
benefit in terms of story, networking, and standing. Those elements
are still time, energy, travel etc. people put in to build their
characters, and for that reason, I don't think its really fair to
judge 'fairness' based solely on mechanics, approvals, or how much EXP
players would or wouldn't have in light of a reset. Given that, I
think choosing to reset or not to reset won't change anything in terms
of 'what's fair' for the players, to be honest.

I think the reset has two unavoidable faults and I think these faults
would weaken the current chronicle as a whole.

1. A reset would create a ton of pressure not just on Global, but on
the ENTIRE Storyteller (and perhaps coordinator) chain, what with
handling new approvals, creating new plot, new npcs, new city
settings, etc. I would much rather our storytellers attempt to put
that energy into the current plots, and try to fix what problems we
have tonight through plot and fine tuning.

2. Planning a reset is going to divert storyteller attention away from
current plot in order to prepare for the reset. I think the current
plot will weaken as a result of this. If I were a storyteller, I'd
feel inconvenienced by all the 'next chronicle' planning, approvals
etc. As a player, I would probably not want invest as much time into
the current setting because it wont matter: they're going to reset so
why invest the effort? This would weaken chronicle play for those who
wanted to participate.

I would much rather continue with the quality of the current chronicle
than have to play in a chronicle of compromised quality for a year and
a half. Likewise, I think the ST's could get as much (if not more)
done by dealing with improving the quality of what we have, and how to
deal with current issues like too many custom approvals/devotions,
than they could with mastering the mountain of work a reset naturally
would cause. Then again, that's me speaking, and I'm not a
storyteller.

My problem with the reset is that it doesn't really change anything in
terms of fairness and creating a level playing ground for all. I see
two sides of it:

1. I would probably welcome a reset if I had been an elevated MC
player playing from start of the current chronicle, with a successful
and heavily involved pc that had a fair amount of approvals on her
coming in, I might want a reset now because I very well could be bored
with my current concept, uninspired to make another because I've
already 'been there,' and 'done that' with this chronicle. Though a
new character would see everything with fresh eyes, I as a player,
would not have a fresh outlook to the game due to what I learned as my
last character. A reset would be refreshing and a great and
challenging way to 'go there' and 'do that' again.

2. I would dislike a reset if I were a middle ranged player who was
new at the start of chronicle, and if I busted my but in going to
games and doing downtimes, I might be just getting to the point where
I know enough about the characters and have enough networks in order
to 'go there' and 'do that.' A reset in the next year and a half
would really put me at a disadvantage because everything I tried to
achieve in the last year and a half would not manifest for this
character after all the hard work I put into it. Certainly a 'new
start' would allow me to start as an 'elevated MC player,' but the
work and outcome of the story I worked on for the last three years
might seem unfinished because I was just on the brink of really
playing the character I made at the point when the reset occurred.

Right now, I'm actually in the middle. I've gotten to a point where I
can really play my character because of all the work I've put in over
the last few years OOCLY, but I'm also oocly 'somewhat bored with the
scene' only because of what I know. Let's face it, without a reset,
nothing will be as exciting or fresh for me like it was 3 years ago
when I finally realized I was stuck in the web of hypercoloured crazy
string that was the 2005 Invictus Political Landscape. Now, I'd
probably be bored when met with the same web but I could have a lot of
fun approaching it differently if I kept an open mind about it.
Finally, I am beginning to feel skilled enough both ICLY and OOCLY in
order to do what I want this character to do (I just need a few
pointers, but now I have a better idea on how to get them), however I
probably know enough people that I could logically create a well tied
character should we 'reset.' So really, for me, a Reset would be as
beneficial as it would be hurtful.

Point is, players are working with the chronicle we have at hand, and
I think it can get better with the right ST guidance, and with ST
guidance that isn't preparing to throw everything we have out, and
start afresh. I think things like canon conflicts and too many custom
approvals can be solved through creative plot, role-play, st guidance,
and the reality that some of that will either die or lose steam over
time.

I guess the questions I'm asking are as followed: Is a reset that
marginally seems to adjust fairness truly worth it when so much work
would result in it? Are we willing to further weaken the quality of
the chronicle we have in order to allow storytellers the time to
prepare for a reset? Is a reset really necessary when certain
elements such as customs and conflicts with canon could be sorted out
in other ways?

I don't know but I would love your thoughts... These were mine : )


Cheers,

Kylee H.
US2004071585

This journal is a serious attempt to have an in character blog (No really, I promise!). It is historical, present and potential. It includes scenes that have been played out, letters, stories that were 'briefly discussed,' thoughts, fragments, art, inspirations, phone calls, screen plays... It might be written in first person, third person, first person plural, second person plural, second person pluperfect aorist passive, eighth person imperative, no person all fish... who really knows, but I guess we'll find out.

This means there is content on this journal that is fiction from my head alone as I can't play out every second of my pc's life and there are a lot of stories I want to tell. The system also allows me to do this because of the Fog of Eternity. Yet, in truth, I'm exploring a fictional character and playing with story that has a substantial foundation.

This also means all information in this journal is ooc only. If you take ooc stuff in character, you might be taking stuff that happened in Katherine's head as a dream. If you would like to know if something truly happened, or if you would like to make a possible story actual, or 'official' let me know and we will chat : ).

I am also thinking of having *Interactive* historical posts where people can reply with plot if they choose. These posts would be custom, clearly marked as potentially *interactive,* and filtered to the people involved until the story is complete. I really have to think on this one however. Feel free to post your thoughts.

Last and most important, this journal is also friends only and all comments will be screened before approved. This is mostly because I don't want to have to explain 'role-playing' what 'in character exposition' is and 'why I'm not really sleeping with your significant other,' to some poor soul who is illiterate in geek-speak and sees their lover's pc mentioned in my stories.

I also have to make a note on credit here. While I really want to credit players who are in scenes with my pc - I feel disinclined to do so due to privacy issues. If you see one of your characters mentioned and want to be credited, please let me know and I will credit you. Otherwise, know I will not take full credit for anything written here. I can't. White Wolf won't let me! I will credit artwork, lyrics, philosophy, poetry and already published material if I use it to enhance a piece if I can.

All that said, if you want to be added and won't freak out if my character kills your girlfriend's character's litter of puppies in one of my stories, let me know if you want to be added and I'll add you. : ).