The curiosity of a Storyteller
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This has been asked in the past, and I am sure those answers are still good, but I feel like getting a fresh set of answers. Tastes evolve, new things come up, and some want to try new things.
SO!
Out of curiosity,
1- what sort of story would you like to see?
2- what sort of event would you like to do?
3- what sort of foes would you like to fight?
4- do you like puzzles, riddles and none-combat mysteries?
5- do you prefer serious tales, funny and light, wild and ridiculous?
6- what sort of areas would you like to adventure into?
7- can you think of anything new that could bring entertainment to the server?Thank you.
Your local Matriarchal Storyteller.p.s. Please do not write a novel. Simple and clear answers please, for our sanity's sake.
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- Competition between allied interests
- Story-based
- More powerful martial enemies...that don't generate spell FX lag
- Puzzles/Riddies YAAAAAS
- Serious as well as funny/light
- Forests, water
- Nothing new. Need to fix lag.
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I think story tellers are different from DMs but anything which adds to the setting and brings npcs to life.
For evil pcs the opportunity to rob, steal, pillage, plunder, etc. Lann ran a good event or two slong those lines
For militia/goodly i think storytellers should think smaller scale. A murder mystery would be interesting.
Failing that weird is always good. Liked tge crumbling tower, Argent Brothethood, and lycans (although when there was three different demons all fighting each other k lost track of what was happening!)
For DMs, they should focus on big server wide plots which could change Arabel permanently.
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Honestly, I could be wrong, I am actually a lot less involved than I want to be, however, so far as I understand it, Storytellers absolutely are DM's, and could surely make server affecting stories happen in game.
Admins (which are the DM's not referred to as Storytellers) are just the folk silly enough to deal with boring. well, admin tasks, as well as running things in game when they can.
Any server wide changing events would of course, as they always have been, be run past, and agreed by the team of DMs though, one DM going off on a tangent without anyone else knowing can get a little messy :)
Anyway, that's my understanding.
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@Zool said in The curiosity of a Storyteller:
Honestly, I could be wrong, I am actually a lot less involved than I want to be, however, so far as I understand it, Storytellers absolutely are DM's, and could surely make server affecting stories happen in game.
Admins (which are the DM's not referred to as Storytellers) are just the folk silly enough to deal with boring. well, admin tasks, as well as running things in game when they can.
Any server wide changing events would of course, as they always have been, be run past, and agreed by the team of DMs though, one DM going off on a tangent without anyone else knowing can get a little messy :)
Anyway, that's my understanding.
Zool is correct.
From the original post City of Arabel WiP
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We've created a new DM position called Storyteller. These Storytellers were drawn from the player base for their ability to, well, tell great stories with their PCs. We're empowering them now with DM tools to breath life and FUN into the server. They'll be running plots, spicing quests, helping players tell their story without having to worry about the admin/scripting/policy type stuff. Stay tuned for announcements from them.
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We've also created an Admin DM position. These are the current DMs who will carry on with the overall running of the server and support the Storytellers with their efforts and bringing the Fun.
Now back on topic of the OP.
Happy gaming.
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1 Always a fan of the classic Good vs Evil
2.Plot-based or PC plot-based
3. BIg boss battles, as long as there is no dispel spam.
4.Yes, love riddles and puzzles.
5.Serious, but with humor still.
6. Deserts. Underdark.
7.Nothing new, just keep up the good work! -
1- what sort of story would you like to see?
A story in which Arabel is pitted against the city itself; perhaps some sort of powerful tyrant seizes control of Arabel's borders and is pretty successful at keeping the Crown at bay while keeping PC's in Cormyr for some reason.
2- what sort of event would you like to do?
Smaller events. Limited group size. Balanced encounters with RP, intrigue/strategy and multiple ways to solve said event.
3- what sort of foes would you like to fight?
Intelligent enemies, not ones that just overwhelm you with numbers/force.
4- do you like puzzles, riddles and none-combat mysteries?
Yes.
5- do you prefer serious tales, funny and light, wild and ridiculous?
I like all three, though if I really had to pick one it would be serious tales.
6- what sort of areas would you like to adventure into?
More canon areas. Literally anywhere in Faerun that makes sense. Places teeming with personalities.
7- can you think of anything new that could bring entertainment to the server?
I can think of nothing save for lag reduction, because the lag definitely lowers the fun and entertainment. -
Some bluntness incoming that'll no doubt not earn me any favors >.>
> 1- what sort of story would you like to see?
Right now, i want to see less one offs and more plot. We currently have NO metaplot and the city really just feels like it's "there". Aside from the wererat thing (which has gone on for too long now imo) there's nothing going on. Every storyteller is off in their own corner and nothing feels connected and nothing feels alive and responsive.I want to see more stories that when you dig into it, reveals more. The gasp when you find out X is connected to Y because of Z and was necessary for this and that to happen. Right now, the server is SO stale, we need something.
> 2- what sort of event would you like to do?
Anything fun really. Too much these days is just a linear path from start to destination, killing reds in between.> 3- what sort of foes would you like to fight?
Classic D&D foes. Tough orcs, werewolves, bandits in their lair etc. Seeing characters going in game counting how many dragons and Balors they've killed and not needing a drink from the trauma of the memory of the asskicking they received from one is boring!How are you going to top those? It feels as if there's no sense of continuity in most event designs when it comes to things like this. It' one uber loot after another and one uber foes after another and noone takes a step back and thinks "let's chill... if we do this, how are we going to top or even equal it in the future? Who's going back to fighting goblins in the sewers if they're killing dragons and demigods"
So, classic foes with thoughts put into it.
> 4- do you like puzzles, riddles and none-combat mysteries?
God yes please, more of these. I kind of suck at these myself, but it gives less combat oriented chars a much needed chance to shine> 5- do you prefer serious tales, funny and light, wild and ridiculous?
I'm someone who likes a bit of -OCCASIONAL- silliness when it makes sense. But i can't STAND the immersion breaking trolling that goes on constantly. It's as if people who do it are in desperate need of some sort of attention. It kills immersion and ruins any seriousness going on!!!Again, IC silly when it makes sense (such as with the halfling squad as an example) can be brilliant, but overall, the trolling is out of control and has been for a long time and absolutely butchers immersion time and time again
> 6- what sort of areas would you like to adventure into?
An old recently uncovered tomb, a fortress held by orcs/bandits etc. As long as the theme is right, any area will do> 7- can you think of anything new that could bring entertainment to the server?
-Please start to tie storyteller plots together in some way. Everyone in their own corner doing their own thing feels like we're just there, have no direction and every event is made on the spot with no intention of continuation.
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@CitizenBane said in The curiosity of a Storyteller:
Some bluntness incoming that'll no doubt not earn me any favors >.>
> 1- what sort of story would you like to see?
Right now, i want to see less one offs and more plot. We currently have NO metaplot and the city really just feels like it's "there". Aside from the wererat thing (which has gone on for too long now imo) there's nothing going on. Every storyteller is off in their own corner and nothing feels connected and nothing feels alive and responsive.I want to see more stories that when you dig into it, reveals more. The gasp when you find out X is connected to Y because of Z and was necessary for this and that to happen. Right now, the server is SO stale, we need something.
> 2- what sort of event would you like to do?
Anything fun really. Too much these days is just a linear path from start to destination, killing reds in between.> 3- what sort of foes would you like to fight?
Classic D&D foes. Tough orcs, werewolves, bandits in their lair etc. Seeing characters going in game counting how many dragons and Balors they've killed and not needing a drink from the trauma of the memory of the asskicking they received from one is boring!How are you going to top those? It feels as if there's no sense of continuity in most event designs when it comes to things like this. It' one uber loot after another and one uber foes after another and noone takes a step back and thinks "let's chill... if we do this, how are we going to top or even equal it in the future? Who's going back to fighting goblins in the sewers if they're killing dragons and demigods"
So, classic foes with thoughts put into it.
> 4- do you like puzzles, riddles and none-combat mysteries?
God yes please, more of these. I kind of suck at these myself, but it gives less combat oriented chars a much needed chance to shine> 5- do you prefer serious tales, funny and light, wild and ridiculous?
I'm someone who likes a bit of -OCCASIONAL- silliness when it makes sense. But i can't STAND the immersion breaking trolling that goes on constantly. It's as if people who do it are in desperate need of some sort of attention. It kills immersion and ruins any seriousness going on!!!Again, IC silly when it makes sense (such as with the halfling squad as an example) can be brilliant, but overall, the trolling is out of control and has been for a long time and absolutely butchers immersion time and time again
> 6- what sort of areas would you like to adventure into?
An old recently uncovered tomb, a fortress held by orcs/bandits etc. As long as the theme is right, any area will do> 7- can you think of anything new that could bring entertainment to the server?
-Please start to tie storyteller plots together in some way. Everyone in their own corner doing their own thing feels like we're just there, have no direction and every event is made on the spot with no intention of continuation.
Uh, yes, this too. These points really do make a lot of sense so far.
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Shit. I wrote a novel.
TL/DR in progress.This has always been my view of Arabel, it's sort of "Leaf on the Wind" roleplaying.
There is the story of Cormyr, and our region
(consists of overarching boundless stretching events consisting of war, high court activities, regime changes, but largely things you might over hear, or have the Warden of the North report to the people. Stuff we RARELY interact with directly, beyond simple touches of the story)The story of the city of Arabel
(consists of faction wars between noble families, insane necromancers trying to affect the city, or rival nations planting spies, religious organizations attempting to gain power, that nature, but stuff a character would strive to affect or at the least, have a passing interest in)The story of my Faction/Group
(this is basically your main focus, stuff your character is trying to accomplish in an attempt to be productive, a paladin hunts undead, a wizard hires mercenaries to get artifacts of power. Halflings decide they're strongest together.) Its important to understand that this CAN exist because player decides it does. A player (or group) and decide things without a DM, though there are always consequences to our actions.My characters Story
We've all got motivations. Why did the paladin decide to start that faction? why did the rogue create a gang of thieves?The point is a DM weaves the story. The DM connects these dots, influences these changes by providing a player choices. Left/Right, Good/Evil, yada, yada. Do we attack the orcs? Or do we try reason?
When I'm asked what a DM should focus on, all I want is to be provided a choice with repercussions. I like riddles, I like depth, but every once in awhile its fun to just kill an orc, or beat a straight forward necromancer, just make me feel the choice. Spice is delicious, there are few feelings equivalent to a DM taking control of a monster and making the world feel more alive.
1- what sort of story would you like to see? I like plots involving lines in the sand between friends. I like emotion in my choices. Sometimes its nice for everyone to not know who is right or wrong, yet be forced to make a decision.
2- what sort of event would you like to do?
Long term: If I was king of the world? I like city attacks. I think Arabel adventurers poke the bear often enough, I think religious organizations should be alittle more fanatical and cause us to question our allies. Brutal paladins who do not tolerate evil. Necromancers who raise the corpses of our fallen friends and send them back at us. This stuff doesn't happen overnight. This plot needs to build.
Short Term: I prefer riddles and puzzles in small events. like we're building a puzzle. Or maybe strategy-based missions.
3- what sort of foes would you like to fight?
DROW INVASION, THOUSAND Orcs, Undead ARMIES, Dragons, demons, devils, beholder thralls, mindflayer-masters. I love the classics.4- do you like puzzles, riddles and none-combat mysteries?
YES! They are few and far between. I must have riddles.5- do you prefer serious tales, funny and light, wild and ridiculous?
I prefer serious, but sometimes its nice to have fun and light/wild ridiculous.6- what sort of areas would you like to adventure into?
I like forests and the Underdark. I havent been in an underdark adventurer in years. DROW INVASION.7- can you think of anything new that could bring entertainment to the server?
We've never been occupied by an evil power like the DROW.
With our current numbers, and the world serpent, it would be interesting to see a supreme evil faction take control of the city for a few weeks, and have the players operate outside the WSI for a month. -
@Matriarch said in The curiosity of a Storyteller:
1- what sort of story would you like to see?
2- what sort of event would you like to do?
3- what sort of foes would you like to fight?
4- do you like puzzles, riddles and none-combat mysteries?
5- do you prefer serious tales, funny and light, wild and ridiculous?
6- what sort of areas would you like to adventure into?
7- can you think of anything new that could bring entertainment to the server?-
I like everything, from a simple quest spice to something huge. I'm just happy with anything not scripted, the unpredictability is what makes it fun. That said, a cool idea would be DM events with two Storytellers, each one watching some players as they compete against each other (doesnt need to be pvp, even some kind of Escape rooms!)
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I would like to see more interaction with "famous" NPCs. Fighting the ultimate evil is always good, but nothing makes me happier than having some kind of impact that even NPCs can recognize you for that. And that doesn't need to be fight-oriented plot, could be investigation, social events, politics, anyway more plot that make us involved with NPCs.
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I think we had enough of openly evil enemies, we could use something that could be open to interpretation, savages seeking revenge for something terrible the city has done to them in the past? Something that you have no pick a side not because it's necessarily good or evil, but because that makes more sense to your char. So, avoiding undeads, dragons, orcs, goblins would be cool.
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Add investigation as well!
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Both, I think short-time quests, funny and light are the best. But long plots I like the drama =)
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Naval battle, pirates!!!
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@Matriarch said in The curiosity of a Storyteller:
1- what sort of story would you like to see?
Gothic horror, Ravenloft style!
2- what sort of event would you like to do?
Events with a twist. Dread Pirate Roberts style events.
3- what sort of foes would you like to fight?
Standard foes with a twist. Possessed humans, twisted devas, cultist warforged, blighter druids, angry goodly dragon, etc
4- do you like puzzles, riddles and none-combat mysteries?
No puzzles or riddles BORING. Adventure and smashing FTW.
5- do you prefer serious tales, funny and light, wild and ridiculous?
Serious and dark.
6- what sort of areas would you like to adventure into?
Haunted castles, twisted forests, and pirate ships
7- can you think of anything new that could bring entertainment to the server?
Finish the Moonshaes
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@Matriarch said in The curiosity of a Storyteller:
1- what sort of story would you like to see? Stories where the server population is forced to work together
2- what sort of event would you like to do? something light and fairly short (my time is not always the best, many times having to leave before the conclusion of the event, when i do tag along, lately i have been lucky and my time to leave has lasted just slightly longer than the expedition)
3- what sort of foes would you like to fight? easy ones, i do not really like fighting (that is what allies are for)
4- do you like puzzles, riddles and none-combat mysteries? i do prefer these personally, but the server has to prosper, if these can get people in, but i think more people prefer action
5- do you prefer serious tales, funny and light, wild and ridiculous? funny and light, and even wild and ridiculous (i abhor tales where there are helpless victims we are powerless to aid, those events, i simply will turn around and walk away, there were some in the past i found offensive, especially in v3 where children and powerful villains were involved, those i HATE, the one event very nearly had me quit the server)
6- what sort of areas would you like to adventure into? i personally prefer wide open areas (i like avenues of escape available)
7- can you think of anything new that could bring entertainment to the server? perhaps a return of the arena events in some form, this always seemed popular with many of the players and do draw a lot of people (i do not like participating, i am ok with watching, it is pretty evident i am really weak in combat, so for me to participate is really out of the question, i tried a long time ago and failed miserably, that left a sour taste in my mouth, but i have noticed others having a lot of fun in these events, and i did mention i am ok watching)
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@Matriarch said in The curiosity of a Storyteller:
1- what sort of story would you like to see?
Political stories causing several parties to conflict over shared interests.
2- what sort of event would you like to do?
Events that stir up conflict between different parties.
3- what sort of foes would you like to fight?
Enemies with significance to the city, rather than random monsters.
4- do you like puzzles, riddles and none-combat mysteries?
Sure, why not
5- do you prefer serious tales, funny and light, wild and ridiculous?
Serious, I dislike immersion breaking events.
6- what sort of areas would you like to adventure into?
Anything with a lore and history behind it.
7- can you think of anything new that could bring entertainment to the server?
More faction conflicts, a new "old town" area. PvP seems to be almost impossible at the moment.
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@Voss_ said in The curiosity of a Storyteller:
@Matriarch said in The curiosity of a Storyteller:
1- what sort of story would you like to see?
Political stories causing several parties to conflict over shared interests.
2- what sort of event would you like to do?
Events that stir up conflict between different parties.
3- what sort of foes would you like to fight?
Enemies with significance to the city, rather than random monsters.
4- do you like puzzles, riddles and none-combat mysteries?
Sure, why not
5- do you prefer serious tales, funny and light, wild and ridiculous?
Serious, I dislike immersion breaking events.
6- what sort of areas would you like to adventure into?
Anything with a lore and history behind it.
7- can you think of anything new that could bring entertainment to the server?
More faction conflicts, a new "old town" area. PvP seems to be almost impossible at the moment.
+1