Hey everybody, how’re you doing?

As my interest in role-playing has sparked once again, I’ve been browsing this section of the site attempting to find something that tickled my fancy. But seeing as nothing really jumped off of the page and caught my interest, I’ve come up with a bit of a... unique idea. Typically in role-plays on this forum, you have your GM, who creates a world and a plot, and asks for specific types of characters. Obviously not every single role-play on the forum is set up in this fashion, but you all get what I am trying to say. I’m looking to create something captivating and entertaining, but in a bit of a different way.

I’ve created a city. I want to find three or four dedicated and creative writers, and just... Have a fun time. I want to create our characters, point us in a general direction, and just... Create the world as we go along. Basically, if one of the players comes up with an idea of something they’d like to do, they’d just have to say so in the OOC. The other players would come to agreement on where they wanted the party to go next, and we could all take turns creating quests, and countries, and creatures and cities and ruins. It would just leave so much room for exploration and character development. We would never have the knowledge of what is to come. Until we make our imagination reality.

I’m looking for this role-play to fall into the medieval fantasy genre. Mythical creatures, bows, swords and even magic are all a factor here. So technology levels are lacking in most areas. As previously stated, I’ve created a city. It’s on the coast of a major land mass, and is a major trading hub; that’s all you really need to know about it for now. I’m looking for characters that want a fresh start in their lives. Men and women that have no money, no direction in life, and... Honestly, whatever you want them to be. As long as they have no cash and nothing to do. My character is looking for a little help on a business venture of his. But before anything can be done, he needs a favor.

Okay, okay, I know. This post has been pretty scatter brained so far. But if you’re following the words on this page, the basic preparations for my mission have been completed.

SUMMARY: All of us are the GM, and I want to create the ultimate fantasy sandbox role-play without anyone godmodding or power playing. I’m sick of all of this organization, and need a little bit of unpredictability in my life. Medieval Fantasy. Dragons. Fire everywhere. Castles and wine and elves and dwarves AAAAAAAAH YOU GET IT.

So, if anyone would like to partake in this (probably unoriginal) project, feel free to express your interest and ask any questions that you can think up. I'm game for suggestions. If I get enough interest, I'll throw up an OOC thread and we'll get the ball rollin'.

You were supposed to tell me before posting, dammit. But I shall join this! Also, Mr. Dylan, I don't think I told you yet, it's been a while since we've chatted, but I moved to New York a week ago!!! I'm back working as editor now, too, no longer a teacher. I'm in the States, officially, for like the next two years. This city is fucking awesome. O_O

Interest noted, and I didn't realize you moved over this way. I kind of assumed you were teaching children in China.

The year ended and I got a little... Well, let's just say teenagers aren't my thing.

Hey Dylan. This is exactly the sort of play style I'm interested in, so jot down my name on your list.

Definitely noted, nice to see interest gathering. Welcome aboard.

I've done this before. It's sometimes called a collaborative, or if there is a regular swap of the GM role, a round-robin. What you need to make it realistic is some essential theme or framework that helps tie people's disparate ideas together. If you just go full-on free-for-all then everyone will wind up shoehorning in the idea they personally want rather than thinking of how it makes sense in the world. The result is always a tumescent pile of clashing and self contradictory concepts that feel nothing like a coherent and believable setting.

tl;dr A city on the coast with high fantasy elements is not enough for player creativity to build on and have the results appear to belong in the same setting together. A good world has that special trademark that sets it apart and manifests in many, if not all, aspects of the world.

If you give me some coherent theme then I'm in. If not, I'm afraid it's just going to be a random salad of every player's favorite trope and magical realm.

Oh, trust me. I have more information than I'm letting on right now; I just didn't want to give it away in the interest check. I most definitely have a few things that make this universe unique in it's own sense. I'm just kind of looking for, as you said, A collaborative work; Something where there isn't just one person coming up with all of the ideas and acting as the shepherd to the pack of mindless sheep.

The general theme of this roleplay is simple, though. All of our characters need a new beginning in their lives; new faces, new places, new stories to tell. We'll work our way from adventurers who are skilled at our craft to heroes, even legends. But it's all about the experience.

EDIT: If I misunderstood you in any way, I apologize.

EDIT OF EDIT: A recurring theme throughout this roleplay will actually be this city in particular, because it's highly contested over as a result of it's location and influence in the region. There are ambassadors from multiple regions and kingdoms attempting to gather political influence among the local populous, and the biggest goal of each individual ambassador is to convince this city to declare their loyalty to their home nation.

Consider me interested.

@Dylan What I'm talking about is metaphysics, mood and culture. How does magic work in the world. What is the mood or general tone, grimdark, noblebright, etc? What are the cultural universals? If this is a single continent then cultures are going to be similar, do they have a more European or a more Eastern flair or are they something more unique. If these three elements are not defined, people's creations won't look like they belong in the same setting together. Cowriting is more than just a bunch of people coming up with ideas. You need that shared skeleton to make sure the ideas mesh with one another and the end product is a believable and immersive setting.

I'm sorry for my skepticism, but the last one of these I got involved with began with the GM posting a picture of his centaur character which was some erotic, equine abomination straight out of the darkside of furcadia. Defining the theme doesn't restrict creativity, it just makes sure your players are interested in designing a world together and not just in shoehorning or magical realming.

You have captured my interest. Consider me intrigued, even.

I have to support both Dylan and Too Old.

While Dylan has a base idea, Too Old is correct in saying that there has to be a baseline for everyone to base their ideas off of. Dylan, I'll be glad to give you a PM or even, magically, give you a call since I'm on an American phone plan now and help you out! :DDDD

But calling you would of course lead to long talks about how sexy I am and I don't have time for that. PM AWAY!

Hey guys, sorry for the inactivity in this thread. Yesterday was my birthday, and the day before that just involved a lot of sleep. I'd rather not get into it.

Regardless, it's time to answer a few questions.

Too Old 4 This said
@Dylan What I'm talking about is metaphysics, mood and culture. How does magic work in the world. What is the mood or general tone, grimdark, noblebright, etc? What are the cultural universals? If this is a single continent then cultures are going to be similar, do they have a more European or a more Eastern flair or are they something more unique. If these three elements are not defined, people's creations won't look like they belong in the same setting together. Cowriting is more than just a bunch of people coming up with ideas. You need that shared skeleton to make sure the ideas mesh with one another and the end product is a believable and immersive setting. I'm sorry for my skepticism, but the last one of these I got involved with began with the GM posting a picture of his centaur character which was some erotic, equine abomination straight out of the darkside of furcadia. Defining the theme doesn't restrict creativity, it just makes sure your players are interested in designing a world together and not just in shoehorning or magical realming.

1) I'm in the process of creating a logical and (at least slightly) unique magic system, as well as a format in which other roleplayers will be able to put fourth contributions to that magic system. To put it in it's simplest terms, the driving force behind magic in this world is consistent, but the way different races and cultures have learned to manipulate it are different. For example, one group of people discovered that using certain incantations in conjunction with specific bodily movements can create a fireball. However, another group of people (which have no contact with the first group) discovered how to create a fireball by using their concentration to force the essence of their spirit outward into the form of fire.

TL;DR: Magic itself is an omnipotent force of nature, but there are different methods of manipulating it's energy to achieve a similar end.

2) The tone of this particular roleplay will be dark, though lighthearted. In the geographical area our characters will begin within, tension is high, and rising to a breaking point. There's a huge political war going on in between the nations I've created, but life is still going on as it normally would within the walls of the city. One could say that the citizens are almost blissfully ignorant in regards to the severity of their current situation. I'm sorry if this one isn't really explained that well, I'm trying to put fourth as much information as possible without spoiling what's in the OOC thread.

3) There are a mix of cultures in this particular world, but for the most part they resemble that of medieval Europe, as well as Feudal Japan and even bits and pieces of the Middle East thrown in. It varies by species, mostly. I have one nation per race in this roleplay, so the easiest way to structure things was to base each nation's culture off of one that already exists. Though each has slight variations for the sake of creativity.

4) That character sounds scary.

Now, I know I originally said that I had only created a single city, but as Too Old For This so graciously pointed out, there needs to be a bit of a shared skeleton for this kind of roleplay to inevitably be successful and fun. So I'm taking a bit of extra time on the OOC thread to make sure that I have the proper amount of detail added to this world to get us started. As things look right now, I should be able to have the OOC thread ready later tonight, or tomorrow afternoon. (if not earlier) Sorry again for the inactivity, just know I'm working hard on this, and I deeply appreciate the interest which has been put fourth.

I am interested...

I know it's not original, but I had an idea of an Assassin-like character that is running away from his Guild to start a new life after... some sort of trauma or another. Would that be acceptable?

I'm really liking this idea as well. Count me in.

same here bud

Apparently, Dylan, more people care than I thought. Welp, herpderp. Let's get this OOC going, dammit. Blindness and birthdays are no excuse!

I'm interested as well, but Too Old 4 This made great points that I want to be seen done as well.

Go home, Ruarc, you're drunk.