Now that the election is over...
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Well, again this is just harping on the 'rushed' point, but most of the improvements (imo) would be with NPC involvement with the factions, what their support means - even maybe outright saying that this entire election was King Azoun taking his axe to the nobility tree - might have been helpful for certain players who aren't so learned canon/history wise.
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@vagabond3103 Yes, definitely fair points there. The rushing was, I personally think, the largest problem there.
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From the outside looking in, I was actually surprised when the voting was over to learn that the various factions didn't play a role. The rush part has been explained so I don't need to touch on that but I thought these were a push to correct that and add in NPC involvement with the factions:
- https://nodebb.cityofarabel.com/topic/40653/the-citizen-supports-myron-o-connor
- https://nodebb.cityofarabel.com/topic/40654/mamma-supports-elodie
- https://nodebb.cityofarabel.com/topic/40652/narfel-smith-supports-elestra-thundersword
- https://nodebb.cityofarabel.com/topic/40651/albon-supports-elodie-ledoux
- https://nodebb.cityofarabel.com/topic/40650/house-fezznick-supports-lord-foril-bhaliir
- https://nodebb.cityofarabel.com/topic/40649/house-lhal-supports-elestra-thundersword
- https://nodebb.cityofarabel.com/topic/40648/house-mertoi-supports-lord-foril-bhaliir
- https://nodebb.cityofarabel.com/topic/40647/house-wyvernspur-supports-lord-foril-bhaliir
Imho, if this was used and enforced really means that the candidates aren't just campaigning for other players in an IC way but the city as a whole in an IC way.
I think the week time was perfect, my character saw all that Lord Bhaliir had publicly done for the city and was going to vote for the Lord but he had his mind changed in game, that part was perfect.
But again to see the results and realize that who really looked, ICly, as the front runner, basically see all the public NPC support kind of confirm this and then it turns out he was a distant third was shocking to me.
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How I would improve matters for the next time would be to assign a set number of votes for certain blocks based on interests. So an influential noble might be worth 20 votes, which could be divided among those who gained its favour etc. So that way you have to actively be doing something to gain favour outside of the adventuring community.
Though admittedly the current voting system will be a lot better if the next setting moves away from an npc centric setting. It just doesn't work so well for Arabel.
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Hmm. Improvements.
- A short on the settings and some clarification so player base see how the election makes sense in the settings and how the King is trying to go toward democracy and less noble/monarchy rule.
- Perhaps a more elaborated debate? With a series of questions asked to each and giving them the time to elaborate a bit more than just one sentence. Could be this can involve PCs that do an interview with each candidates and asks said questions then reports the interview with the population. Just something that can give players a better idea what the candidates want to do and maybe even make them nervous with surprise questions?
- NPC vote should count as well but not to the point PC vote wont matter. Perhaps divide them in several groups like Old Town, Downtown and Citadel commoners, Downtown and citadel merchants, each nobles houses individually, PD, Militia, etc. They can either all have 1 point that goes toward the candidate that convinces them the best to vote for him or they can have several points that can be split between candidates as they influence the population. Something to think on carefully.
- 7 days was a good number. Though I would suggest moving the debate over the weekend so more can attend, and make sure those who cannot attend get an IC summary of it. Campaign starts midweek, debate on weekend, votes can be cast only after debate, then finish campaign the next midweek and vote the day after? Something along those lines.
- Clear definition of the role and what power that comes with it. Also, if we do not want the Chancellor to pick the Militia warden or the judges, open election for those as well. Else let the Chancellor pick those without interference from the Warden of the North. (unless of course they try to put Myron in one of those positions or a know criminal. Common sense and all.)
- No trolling NPCs trying to be candidates. (actually no NPCs at all. Since the point is to have PCs running things)
Hm... that's about all I can think of right now. The election was interesting to watch and it will be entertaining to see how it all unfolds. Hopefully, with all the feedback, the next election will be more organized and a lot more fun for everyone.
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I thought it was done well. With an election, I would have suggested agents of the crown overseeing it directly. Making sure characters were obeying the law. Someone who could step in and cry foul if needed. I know we like conflict and intrigue and this was a great experiment, I give it 4/5 definately. Some of the happenings were a little outrageous but nothing unforgviable happened as nothing made the event less entertaining to me.
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@people I like this suggestion a lot, maybe even an in game ballot box with a script to record who votes so you can vote twice and it captures the account name so DMs can check no one is spawning new characters to vote but then it’s surrounded by Purple Dragon Knights who explain what’s happening and why, so those that play in game but don’t frequent forums or discord can also vote, etc.
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@mister-moosh said in Now that the election is over...:
@people I like this suggestion a lot, maybe even an in game ballot box with a script to record who votes so you can vote twice and it captures the account name so DMs can check no one is spawning new characters to vote but then it’s surrounded by Purple Dragon Knights who explain what’s happening and why, so those that play in game but don’t frequent forums or discord can also vote, etc.
Yes, we wanted that--no one had time to script it. If any player did, that would be fantastic!
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@mr-moloch said in Now that the election is over...:
Wow, I feel I need to clarify some setting factors that people apparently miss ENTIRELY!
1). King Azoun V is a supporter of democracy and the removal of aristocratic rights. Cormyr is not, never has been, a medieval setting. Historically, its a copy of 18th century French/British absolutist monarchy--and Azoun V is canonically a king who wishes to see the monarchy transition into a democracy. So an election actually makes perfect sense if you understand the setting. People should have seen it IC for what it was, an attack on the nobility pushed by the King himself.
knowing that this stuff was relevant would have been useful prior to the election, probably as background info when the idea was floated ooc. (my druid still wouldnt have cared though)
I know nothing about canon, or indeed anything other than stuff i have learned here in game. i havent read any FR books and havent played pnp dnd in the FR either.
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I tried my best to make it obvious the crazy idea was coming from the king and hawklin hated it, guess I needed to try harder. Also, hawklin is heading to suzail while the king is off fighting shadovar, so the reasoning actually does make sense from an ic standpoint. Overall, good feed back, and a lot of what you guys said we already decided I screwed up already.
And yes, the wonky curveball at the end was my fault. Mol suggested it and I loved it but instead of waiting for the rest of the team to chime in I went ahead with the announcement because I said it would be at such and such time but didn't want to make you guys wait any longer. My bad!
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I’d like the voting to be done in game next time, so I can alter votes in game. Or add some kind of in character reaction to people on their way to booths. I’ll edit this later and add my thoughts :3
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@gruffman said in Now that the election is over...:
I’d like the voting to be done in game next time, so I can alter votes in game. Or add some kind of in character reaction to people on their way to booths. I’ll edit this later and add my thoughts :3
I -ACTUALLY- Icly accompanied people whom I convinced to vote. I just imagined the booths to be there somewhere, and shown them the way to it, then I sent them a tell explaining how to vote on the forum or discord.
:D
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@gruffman said in Now that the election is over...:
I’d like the voting to be done in game next time, so I can alter votes in game. Or add some kind of in character reaction to people on their way to booths. I’ll edit this later and add my thoughts :3
@mr-moloch said in Now that the election is over...:
Yes, we wanted that--no one had time to script it. If any player did, that would be fantastic!
Basically this, we all wanted an IG means, but it was done in a short window and no one with the know how was available.
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I thought things were really good:
If you're going to leave it all for player vote a fun experiment to try would be(this seems like a viking/orc election but just an idea- think of it as a way you can respect the setting being in transition from a more medieval approach to a more democratic system. ):
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It's not a secret "vote" but a public declaration of who you/your faction supports. If you don't have the balls to back a candidate in this way, you don't get a vote. Like collecting "Bannermen" as GoT goes or the seafaring people's election process (Sorry- I don't watch the show and read the books like 5 years ago at least-- but I can;t think of another example people will get).
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list itemLords/commanders/official heads of clergy/mercenary company leaders vote for all members of their faction. They debate behind closed doors on who they'll support, but in the end the faction comes forth and says we give x votes to this candidate and has 100% of our support. In this election Lord Bahliir could force Elodie to vote for him, and any faction she controlled publicly, and anyone associated with him or who wears his colors. This means player factions who build themselves up can hold sway in the power system, but they can also burn themselves by backing the wrong candidate. Once again, you gotta have the balls to vote.
This is less of a popularity contest of individual characters and a power play between factions who then can try and convince independents to side with them as well. Individuals would still be wooed by candidates but it's more time consuming and holds less sway.
I'd cut this down to 4 or 5 days campaigning and 2 days to post you support at most. No changing your vote.
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Agreeing with much what was said.
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Would of liked to see a larger window in the voting. It did feel slightly rushed. If a Canidate backs out or get's DQ'd like Myron, people should have the opportunity to recast their votes. Thundersword lost by 1 vote for example, and Myron had 2 votes. This could have tipped the scales.
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I understand this was just a test so they weren't really counted, but I'd like to see NPC voting matter in future elections. My entire plan if I -did- run was to win via popular vote of the city and it's inhabitants, promising more taxes from the nobles and raising the bar for the lower class and adventurers.
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I enjoyed seeing small updates of which NPC's were in favor of whom, AND small little hints at what level of support people were getting as the election proceeded.
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For Future elections, I think votes should be turned in and based on groups or factions, not individual players. Militia, Purple Dragons, influential factions that app and are okay'd to vote by the DMs. There would only be one collective vote from "everyone else" that's not a part of a group, faction, or are flying solo. If a guy in a faction runs vs random Joe and the faction has 5 members in it, that's a guaranteed 5 votes vs Joe's 1. This way, Joe and the Noble house as a whole will only get 1 vote, and will then be forced to convince other people to vote for them in order to win.
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Likewise, make it so anyone who actually runs are not allowed to cast a vote, or better yet MUST vote for another candidate.
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Needs a tie breaker for those just in case scenarios.
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Tie breaker fight to the death - No magic, no armor, only pit picks
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So I know everybody is advocating for longer elections, I think it’s important to see the flaw in that. Longer elections means characters will be less crafty/assertive in their vote gathering. Longer elections also means votes can be weighed longer by PCs. Short is stressful, but it’s also makes people do shit other than post on the forums. I’ll post more later when I’m not in class/at work
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I am against longer elections. The elections seemed to go on forever. I recommend:
- Collecting the list of candidates secretly so they are announced at the same time and no campaigning before then.
- An election sub-forum in IC Discussion rather than a thread for each character in IC Discussion.
- The IG poster piles should include all candidates in one spot with very short text.
- "Courting" NPC factions with IG actions could cause a set list of factions to have a public opinion. Players should be encouraged but not forced to consider the will of faction(s) they care about. Disinterested players can base their vote entirely on their faction rather than following the campaigning. This avoids giving votes to NPC's while giving a reason for IG actions by candidates.
- Current election length (or shorter) provides long enough for everyone to see the candidates interact, but not so long that it becomes taxing on the candidate's player nor gives them time to be slack in their campaigning.
- Short elections will be easier now that people understand the process.
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Also, definitely no OOC campaigning. Keep that IC.
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How often would you like to see elections take place?