Starting a story arc

[Deanna Askeladd]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the board so I thought I'd check to see what everybody was interested in.

Anyway, I'm starting a story arc that focuses a little more on economics and politics than fighting or the like. Unfortunately, I don't know if anybody would like this, since there's a lot of gung-ho combat technicians in the accepted character files.

I'm not against combat, but I am wondering what it is people like to do here. Anyway, answer the poll as honestly as you can. I promise a little anonymity at least.

As for the actual story arc, it is a story about hunting for a metal so rare it has become legend (based off the Ulfberht crucible steel in the middle ages). The metal bends but does not break, is strong enough to cleave through lesser metals, and is a mineral so pure and elusive as to be called "orichalcum". It's going to involve a lot of exploration, world building, and politicking between rival nobles and guilds. They may send assassins or soldiers, but beating the crap out of them isn't the goal. Anyone interested?

Any thoughts or ideas you want to add would be welcome as well.

P.S. the poll lets you pick the top 3 choices you like to see, so feel free to pick as many as you like.

[Jude]

Jude's a scrapper above all else, but I'd hate to make a character so shallow that his only merits lie in combat. Count him in.

[Edrick]

That definitely sounds like an interesting proposition, although adding a new metal like that may have to require Mod consent. Although I am a bit interested in the idea.

[Deanna Askeladd]

Thanks for showing the interest, Jude and Edrick. I'm looking forward to getting this started.

The description is a bit exaggerated, but it's a metal I think will be good for the overall story of Bern's revival as a military nation. I wasn't expecting an actual game mechanic to be built around it, although that would be really nice and completely unexpected for a new member.

I included a link to the full documentary below (hour long documentary by Nova). It is just a base for the story though, but it's a fascinating piece of history that explains the mythos of magic swords in Europe.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWDgcPTlVJQ

[Hal]

How many characters are looking to have the thread, also where will it take place?

[Deanna Askeladd]

I think a party of 4 or 5 would be ideal. There's various ways for players to sneak on board later too if the story gets popular.

The story itself will focus mostly in Lycia, Nabata, and Bern. It's still really nebulous so it might change as things solidify.

[Jude]

As a suggestion, on this site particularly, you want to avoid 5 person threads. They'll die quickly. Four can work, if you're in good company.

IMO, 2-3 is the golden numba.

[Deanna Askeladd]

Good to know. Guess we'll stick with 2 or 3 for now then. We can increase it as we go.

[Jude]

Solid idea.

[Donovan]

A 4 person thread for a major arc is the most fun! Probably best to do 2-3 people threads for your any non-major plot threads, though. Only having 2/3 people in a thread like you're describing will limit the flavor of what you are able to do. 5 is too many, though, generally.

The only thing I'd say plotwise is that the metal you're describing sounds a lot like a regal sword, minus the anti magic effects - especially if the ore's super rare.

[Remus]

It's a shame Valcrist isn't around. His character would likely be very interested in such topics. Adding to what the others say, numbers have advantages and disadvantages. The more people you add to a thread, the more diversity you have and feel from the topics. However it also increases the time it would take for things to get done. If you aren't rushed to get the topics over, simply go with as many as you personally feel like. Because heavily populated topics, depending on the members, could still go by swiftly. However all it takes is one or two people getting busy to grind things to a halt for a bit.

Though yeah, seems like the metal could be the stuff that Regal weapons are made of if you are looking for a practical application of it to the FE verse. It's a shame most of my characters are tied up, else I'd join you as this does seem like a fun endeavor. Kudos to you by the way for thinking of something different/trying something outside the box for a story arc idea.

[Kazeroï]

Well, I am late. If you would like a young Nabatien to accompany you in your journey, I would love to invest myself in politics, since Blaze is basically pure on this point due to his origin.