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.
