[Nexus] OOC 23: YO MAMA never called me back.

[happyturtle]

WELCOME TO THE NEXUS!
Check your sanity at the door, please.

So, what is Nexus?

Spoiler

Well, the Nexus itself is like a rift, a single, brilliant point where all the universes in this strange thing we call 'reality' meet. Traveling to, from, and between any world or cosmology is theoretically possible here, and the Nexus itself seems to encourage this happening, often sucking beings and locations out of other universes at random, and dumping them on the world that lies at its center. It was not always like this, however. Once there were two worlds at the Nexus' heart, separate and distinct, though somewhat similar in ways. Similar enough that they slowly and eventually merged, so that only one remained. Here in this world the Nexus' influence reigns supreme, and as such the world has defied almost all attempts at classification. Here, knights of old may engage with Jedi knights. Gleaming spaceships land in Dark Age hamlets. Cowboys and samurai quest together to find holy sandwich boxes. And in the heavens above, Xi Wangmu and the Flying Spaghetti Monster meet every Woden's Day to play bowls with Pelor (it gets pretty epic). Here the possibilities are endless, and the universe without rules (except the Forum Rules, and the general FFRP rules, and the Individual Thread Rules, and oh whatever). Welcome to Nexus. Fun is had here.

Major Locales

Spoiler

For an endless world that defies all logic and classification, Nexus can be pretty darn consistent at times. As such, several locations have survived the test of time, remaining (somewhat) constant amidst the chaos of the rest of the world.

Inside - Inside mostly resembles a modern city, with high-rise buildings and apartments, alleyways and roads, though the odd Demonic Monument can still be seen rising up above the surrounding suburb, teeming with dark cultists. Inside is under the general rule of the Remnant, the remains of the once powerful Acronymian Empire, but is also headed by a Council consisting of representatives from the major ACRONYMS, as well as Magtok and Zee.

Outside - If you ain't Inside, you're OUTSIDE! Simple as that. Outside is a meta-thread for all those wildernessy type areas that don't merit their own threads, be it wood or lake or tiny shack.

Riverside - This is a completely separate city that has less law enforcement than Inside. Part of it is continually shrouded in darkness.

Underside - A sprawling network of underground caverns beneath the surface of the Nexus. The Underside is often considered a separate world beneath the feet of the Nexus, operating under strange, foreign rules and keeping its business where it belongs.

Home - Whether in the suburbs of Inside, a desolate mountain cabin, a dingy flat somewhere... this is where PCs live. This is a meta-location, as the houses themselves may be many miles apart from one another. Or in separate dimensions.

Plot Threads - Many threads exist to contain plot events, such as a dungeon crawl or a dreamscape. Always check with the GM running a plot before jumping in.

ACRONYMS - Home to adventurers, these complexes provide headquarters and occasionally living space for like-minded Player Characters. Invariably equipped with cheesy names, these structures provide a place for their various members to fight crime, cause chaos, or anything of the sort. Current Acronyms include:

• AMEN - Association for the Malicious, Evil and Nefarious. Evil aligned organization, exists to be EVIL! And sometimes Ebil.
• HALO - Heroic, Anti-evil and Lawbreaking Organization. Non-Evil aligned organization, exists to smite wrong-doers.
• GLoG - Good League of Good. Good aligned organization, exists to redeem evil-doers.
• NO - Neutralist Oganization. Neutral aligned organization, exists to perform mercenary contracts for other organizations and individuals in the Nexus without taking sides
• WATCHTOWER - You Know What? Screw It. Non-aligned aligned organization. Exists to destroy threats to Nexus, whatever form they may take.
• PACK - Perfectly Acceptable College for Kids. The local Nexus school. Class mostly occurs offscreen, though...

The Taverns
What kind of vaguely DnD-esque adventurer would you be if you didn't visit one of these places at least once? The various Taverns, Grills, Hotels, Cantinas and Restaurant provide meeting places for the Player Characters, areas for quest givers to stand mysteriously in, and also places for people to eat and spend the money they seem to have infinite amounts of. Though there are a vast number of such places in Nexus, some with their own thread and some without, throughout history three major hubs have existed, without which Nexus as we know it wouldn't exist. The Dancing Fox Inn, which is located in What used to be Town but is now another part of the Inside. Finally, there is Trog's Tavern, which is located, maddeningly enough, at every corner of the Nexus at the same time. There is also the Black Dragon's Den, it's located roughly between the docks and the slums of Inside, and is the local hive of scum and villainy.

For more information:
The first post of every thread is valuable reading. It explains the purpose of the thread, whether it's private or public, and whether there are any additional rules you should follow. It's always a good idea to read it before you post in a new thread.

General Nexus FAQs:

Spoiler

Is there a guide to getting started?
Besides this post, which you're currently reading, you should also read post 3 of the stickied FFRP Central thread. Once you've read both, you can ask any questions you ask in the current Nexus OOC thread. If you have no questions, post in the Nexus OOC anyway to introduce yourself. And welcome.

What kind of character can I make?
Any. There are no restrictions on genre, alignment, world of origin, etc.

Will my power work the way it does in the source setting?
Almost certainly not. In your setting, you may have been the Mighty Zorlox, whose power to control the world's socks was absolute, but in the Nexus, you may run across Madam Bo Peep, who controls the world's wool.

If my power goes against your power, who wins?
In combat or any type of adversarial situation, the defender has the final say. So if Zorlox tries to turn Bo Peep's wool socks purple, Peep's player gets to decide if her wool power prevails. But if Bo Peep tries to have a pair of wool socks strangle Zorlox, then his player gets to decide if his sock power wins.

Oh no! Someone's already using my character concept!
In the Nexus, all cosmologies are true. Just because someone is playing the incarnation of Death doesn't mean you can't as well. You are very unlikely to come up with a character concept that is wholly unique while remaining playable; there is nothing new under the sun, and so on.

Sometimes you'll say 'I just came up with a great character idea - they have x race and y abilities and z backstory and I'll call her Linda' and someone will say 'You mean like my character Lynda over there that I introduced last week?' No one really knows why these sort of coincidences occur, but the Nexus seems especially prone to them. When they do, the best thing to do is to fiddle with your character concept a bit to set them apart.

Where should I start? Long answer, you can start in any thread that isn't a private thread or a plot thread. Short answer, Trog's. Just start at Trog's.

Do I need to get pre-approval for my character, or fill in a registry form before I start?
Nope. You can if you like, but it's not required. And sometimes it's better to get a feel for your character first, before deciding all the details about them.

Threads can be so confusing to read! So many people are doing things! How can I help?
There are two things that everyone can do that will make threads much easier to read.

First, please put your character's name in every post, even if it's just <Character's name> said, "<Stuff that was said>". Your characters are your babies and you know them all, but the other players don't. Even the people you roleplay with regularly probably don't know the text colors of all your characters. (The only exception to the 'name in every post' guideline would be if you're in a back and forth dialogue scene with only one other person no one else posting in the same thread at that time. Then I would change it to 'put the name in every third post'.)

Second, please use [Location Tags] to say where you are, so that people can keep track of events occurring in different places. For a good explanation of how [Location Tags] work, see the first post of the Outside thread.

I'm not getting any character interaction! What should I do?
First, try initiating interaction. Sometimes everyone in the Tavern is being mysterious and aloof, and someone has to be the first person to speak up and start talking to the other person. If that doesn't work, try posting in the OOC thread that you want interaction! It's a good idea to say if you're looking for a fight, a plot, a conversation, a romance, or anything else. Most people are friendly and will work with you.

What if I disagree with another player about how the scene should go?
Talk to them, either by PM or in the OOC thread. If you've gotten angry, wait until you cool down to post. Ask non-involved players to act as mediators if needed. If it gets to the point where neither player is having fun, it's probably best to just agree on a way to quickly conclude the encounter and move on.

But I'm really mad! *ragequits and deletes all posts*
Well, first off, that's not a question, that's an declaration, Mr. Smartypants. Secondly, no one can really stop you, but it's not very courteous and makes problems for other players. Retconning out a scene can be done, but that's not the right way to do it.

So what's the best way to handle a retcon, then?
First of all, retcons should be rare. But if you really think you have a good reason for one, talk to all of the players involved in the scene and make sure they're okay with it. Remember, they all put their time and effort into roleplaying with you. Once everyone involved has agreed how the retcon will go, post a summary of the retconned changes in the thread involved and in the OOC thread so that other players will be aware.

I think I should win this fight! But the other person thinks they should win too! Should I make up a new power for my PC to win?

No. Never do this.

If you're planning on having a fight with another player's PC it's sometimes a good idea to work out ahead of time how the conflict is going to end. Especially if both sides go into it wanting to win. Because when that's the case things often spiral out of control and people get mad.

We aren't here to get mad, we're here to have fun.

So instead of getting mad save yourself some trouble and shoot a few PMs back and forth first.

Your first character (copied from FFRP Central)

Spoiler

So, you're ready to make your first character. One of the hardest things to get used to in ffrp is that you don't start out in an adventuring party, and there's no DM to push characters together. You'll have to actually find people to interact with on your own. Here are some tips (not requirements!) for making that easier on your first character:

• Don't be the quiet person in the shadowy corner. If you roleplay as someone who is outgoing and talkative, you'll find it easier to make IC friends. Someone who is curious or greedy will be more open to plot hooks and adventure opportunities. But if you roleplay someone who is shy or quiet or wary of other people, you're likely to be left alone.
• Don't be openly evil. If you walk into the tavern and start murdering npcs, you are unlikely to make a lot of friends and very likely to get jumped on by a bunch of PCs who were looking for a fight.
• Consider starting low-powered. It's tempting in a freeform system with no scores or points to decide that your character is the best at everything, but where will they go from there? They can always gain powers or magic items or skills as they go on.
• Don't be too needy. Remember in ffrp, you are not THE hero of the story. You are A hero, and there are many stories. The characters you meet at first are likely to be involved in their own affairs. Some players start by having their character immediately in need of rescue, healing, training, attention, etc. This can work well, but make sure you have a plan B in case there is no one willing to drop everything to devote themselves to being your rescuer! Can your character make it if they receive only a minimal amount of help, or none at all?
• Don't be too self-sufficient. Remember in ffrp, you are not THE hero of the story. You are A hero, and there are many stories. If you are a combat powerhouse and a healer and a master of obscure lore and a spellcaster, people are likely to get weary of their characters taking a back seat to yours and decide you can do just fine without them.
• Be aware of deadtimes and real life. Sometimes, not many people are online and active. Sometimes the people who are may only have a limited time to play and want to use it to progress their favorite storyline instead of meeting new people. Try to be patient and remember that it won't be long before you'll be the one wrapped up in your own favorite storylines. Talk to people in the ooc thread while you wait for your character to get 'stuck in'.
• Have fun! Remember this is a game, and if it isn't fun, you aren't doing it right.

Attention villains:

Spoiler

Conflict is great! It's the heart of any story, and there isn't much to roleplay without it. However, as a player to player courtesy, please check in with the players who are active at any given time before launching an attack. Not everyone wants to roleplay combat scenes, and sometimes there are other things going on that players don't want to interrupt for a random fight. Either a PM/IM to players, a short post in thread to say ((Mind if I introduce a villain here?)) or a longer post in the OOC thread if it's a larger plot is appreciated. However, taverns are usually considered fair game for a Random Encounter or general brawl.

OOC Archives:

Spoiler

[Nexus] OOC 23: YO MAMA never called me back.
[Nexus] OOC 22: ALL HAIL THE BUTT-HAT
[Nexus] OOC 21: Blackjack, But No Hookers
[Nexus] OOC XX: The Land of Pokings
[NEXUS] OoC 19: Et tu, Ninja-Pirate Zombie?
[NEXUS] OoC 18: Where the Females are Foxy and the Sirs, Superfluous.
[NEXUS] OOC 17: This Title For Rent
[NEXUS] OOC 16: Sweet!
[NEXUS] OoC 15
[Nexus] OoC 14
[NEXUS] Nexus OoC 13: Saturday the Nexteenth
[Nexus] OoC 12: Out of Cornflakes.
[NEXUS] OoC 11: The Misadventures Continue...
[Nexus] Nexus OOC X: Leave Your Common Sense at the Door.
[Nexus] Nexus OOC IX: Its Why They Pay Us The Big Bucks
[Nexus] Nexus OOC VIII: Portable Atrocities
[NEXUS] OOC VII: Where sniper cats greet you at the entrance
[NEXUS] OoC VI: Do You Think You Can Handle It?
[Nexus] OoC V: Suxen Eht Nioj!
[Nexus] OoC IV: We're All Mad Here
[Nexus] OoC III: May Contain Nuts
[Nexus] OoC II: Where Sanity Comes to Die.
[Nexus] OoC 1: The Shape of Things to Come

When the thread reaches page 50, anyone can make the new thread, but don't make changes to the OP without discussing it with the other players first.

Note: This is the OOC thread. Not a roleplaying thread. That's what the actual roleplaying threads and SMBG are for.


Nexus Character Directory
Nexus Digest

And while you're here, why not join us on Formspring?

[The Bushranger]

Originally Posted by happyturtle

Master DC or Mistress KR I just can't see working out.

What about Mistress Ilpholin?

I would have voted for British-style ranks, myself. All hail Group Captain deFault!

[happyturtle]

Spoiler

Originally Posted by Morty

Since we're at the subject of organizing things, I'm thinking that NO could use some clearer command structure and formal procedures as well. I'm not sure how many people care, but I'm going to talk about it anyway.
Right now, I have two things I think should happen: first, a probation period for every new member until they complete their first job. Second, some people in charge who aren't Dipsnig. In other words, seconds-in-command. Raz used to be one, but then RL happened. Any suggestions?

Originally Posted by Reinholdt

I'm not sure NO get enough jobs for probation type things on new members. They've been doing alright lately, but dry spells hit all the time. And how long have they been working on some jobs? Couple of months?

I always thought NO worked better loose like it is. Kept it more distinct from places like MURDER and Watchtower. Though I can understand a second in command to reduce the work load.

Originally Posted by Morty

Yeah, good point... NO's activity is sort of entirely dependent on outside factors. Jobs can take long too, especially the trickier ones. I'm not sure, really. I'd like some more firm rules and regulations to be in place, but I'm not sure what they should be.
At least one second-in-command would really be handy, though. This way, not everyone who has some business or every member inquiring about contracts would go to Dipsnig.

@ NO organization: The probation thing might encourage jobs to move along at a faster pace. And if there are no jobs, then the probation task would be to drum up business. Of course, being on probation wouldn't be likely to have any IC penalties. Maybe you get a money bonus when you achieve full member status? Something to make it a little bit meaningful, but not anything that would make you suffer if your mission plot was on a go-slow.

[horngeek]

Originally Posted by The Bushranger

What about Mistress Ilpholin?

I would have voted for British-style ranks, myself. All hail Group Captain deFault!

O.o

Incidentally, thoughts on Cathy ceasing to go by a pseudonym?

[Morty]

So. I don't have much more time so in the new thread, I'll restate my proposed changes to NO's structure:
- Dipsnig will acquire two seconds-in-command. I'm thinking Kirk and CB.
- A new member would be on probation until they finish a job or drum up a new one if things are slow, like Happy proposed above. Still runs into the problem of it being dependent on other people, leading to a person being on probation for a long time through no fault on their own.
- Some clear functions, maybe? This is just musing really, since it probably wouldn't work for NO, with it being understaffed and having a high member turnover rate.
@^ Neutral on that.

[C'nor]

If there are that many of them, it would probably be less confusing, but it's your character.

Happyturtle: That scheme has my vote for the NO organization.

[happyturtle]

Nah, you're fine, Horngeek. Unless Cathy has an IC reason to do so. I was mostly being silly when I noticed the name convergence, but the Kate character hasn't been onscreen in ages, and besides, it's really nothing compared to the Alexplosion of 2009.

[Gulaghar]

Originally Posted by happyturtle

I'm pretty sure she'll be considered 'on probation' after her antics in Hestopia, along with Adir and Sakura. Actually, it wouldn't be a bad idea for all new members to be given a probation period.

*cough* >.>

Not that being on probation is going to effect her much. She's hardly a real member of Watch at this point. Being pregnant and essentially a pacifist can do that. She does keep a beautiful garden though!

Originally Posted by Morty

- Dipsnig will acquire two seconds-in-command. I'm thinking Kirk and CB.
- A new member would be on probation until they finish a job or drum up

I'm sure he'd be happy to. As soon as he stops being dead that is. I really have to get around to making him not dead again.

[happyturtle]

I'd stuck her in a noncombatants group, but Kris had to go and make a special just-for-Butler category instead.

More about NO: There should be points given for the number of missions completed, and you get special quest rewards when you hit certain numbers. That would make Vincent so happy!

[horngeek]

Originally Posted by happyturtle

Nah, you're fine, Horngeek. Unless Cathy has an IC reason to do so. I was mostly being silly when I noticed the name convergence, but the Kate character hasn't been onscreen in ages, and besides, it's really nothing compared to the Alexplosion of 2009.

Well, I could easily make one...

[Earl of Purple]

This is a reminder to everyone involved in the Swamp of Not-Quite-Sanity.

PLEASE POST. I don't want this plot to die. Actually, I never want any of my plots to die.

Just so you remember, they were halfway over a bridge when the bridge decided to stop existing and they're all in a lake now. The causeway stops where the bridge was and doesn't continue on the other side of the lake.

The path the map shows, however, is free of quicksand, firm enough to traverse quickly and a distance away from monsters. They just need to go back to it and follow it to the castle.

[Kris on a Stick]

Originally Posted by happyturtle

I'd stuck her in a noncombatants group, but Kris had to go and make a special just-for-Butler category instead.

More about NO: There should be points given for the number of missions completed, and you get special quest rewards when you hit certain numbers. That would make Vincent so happy!

Butler gets his own special rank because it's restricted access. Can't have him in the labs or the security room, remember? >.>

Even non-combatants should be able to contribute something to WATCHTOWER. Whether it be healing, gardening, mission control, or something else. Sakura's getting a (mostly) free pass right now because she's pregnant, but she should still think of finding some role to fill.

[Gulaghar]

<.< >.> She probably should, yes. She's got a free pass for another six months at least.

I'll put some thought into it though. >.>

[C'nor]

By the way, you said something about needing NPCs like the Henchmen at AMEN, but killed less often. Does anyone have objections to summoned creatures?

[Lex-Kat]

On NO: You could also have the Probation have a time limit.

So if someone has posted fairly regularly, for let's say the last month, then they are considered full members.

And did I read correctly? You're considering the droid as a second in command? This is an outrage! Bianca is not going to be happy to be passed over, again.

[happyturtle]

Originally Posted by C'nor

By the way, you said something about needing NPCs like the Henchmen at AMEN, but killed less often. Does anyone have objections to summoned creatures?

We shouldn't make Watch npcs unless we have players who want to control them in fights. Are there players who want to control the mooks? I don't like doing it.

[Harnel]

I'd be wiling to take care of it, if nobody else picks it up

I'd actually really like to, but i don't want to step on anyone's toes >.>

[C'nor]

Since it's my character who's going to be making them, I'll do it, unless other people want to.

Edit: And Harnel can have as many of them as he wants, naturally!

[Kris on a Stick]

Statement: I see no issue with a droid being made second in command. Droids have repeatedly been proven to be superior in every way to organic meatbags, organic meatbag.

I'd be willing to control WATCHmooks, if needed. Of course, my online activity is next to nothing, so we'd need someone else.

I added the ranked membership list to the WATCHTOWER OP. And if I recall, no one had any objections to the new membership process either, so I'll be adding that later too.

What about Harnel's idea about having a badge/armband/piece-o-clothing/uniform with an emblem, and a standard issue knife (Harnel said sword but I think knife would be more appropriate as it has multiple uses besides combat everyone can use one and that includes pacifists as well) or some other thing for all the members?

Or any other changes to anything anyone would like to bring up?

@^: Wait what? Since when?

[C'nor]

HK-47? Is that you?

And that gear package with knife sounds good.

[Darkcomet]

If WATCHTOWER's going to have mooks, I can always have DC call in Evolution Security. Now that it's back up and all.

I think it'd be best if I did that, since that's what's already established and all.

[C'nor]

I offered to summon a bunch of stuff. Harin's good at that, as evidenced by the fact that there's a ten foot tall guy made of lava in WATCHTOWER's kitchen at the moment.

[Kris on a Stick]

Didn't he already do that, actually? When WATCHTOWER had people in its prison? Where are they now?

@^: True, but KR might have... issues with a new member she doesn't know summoning a whole bunch of mooks to act as security.
...
She'll probably have issues with any form of security not provided by herself, or DC, or Wenomir, or Decker.

[Rotting Baron]

I'd also be willing to control WATCH mooks.

[Harnel]

I still like the emblem and standard issue swordsknives. harnel would totally be willing to work with that, as he knows both embroidery and metal working.

[Darkcomet]

Originally Posted by Kid Kris

Didn't he already do that, actually? When WATCHTOWER had people in its prison? Where are they now?

They left offscreen, obviously.

[happyturtle]

I withdraw my objection then. I've just seen too many battles where nobody wanted to control the mooks, including one in which I had to control a bunch of Philbots because TS bailed. >.<

[Kris on a Stick]

Well, if we decide whether to have mooks or not, and what kind of mooks they'll be, it'll definitely have to be discussed IC, unlike ranks and new membership protocols that can be discreetly handwaved in, with a notice on the board or something. Especially if, as mentioned above, the new mooks are provided by someone who isn't one of the current commanders, or Decker, due to KR's trust issues needing some heavy convincing to allow such a thing.

(Changed Butler's rank from 'Butler' to 'Staff' in case we get any more people who aren't proper members, but just help run the base.)

[Reinholdt]

Baby giant dire spiders. >>
All the eyes. Fits the theme.
<<

[C'nor]

Or beholders...