[OOC] Interplanetary Space Friends - A Game About Space Adventures, Friendship and Fast Food

[Fancy Party]

@Fancy Party

Let me know if you find anything. I've got roughly the same situation, although I have a smallish city nearby so I can uber there at least. I'm going to try a few social apps and see what happens.

@Archmage MC

Yeah, I live 2 or 3 miles away from a small town that's basically a gas station and some pawn shops and houses. The nearest city is about 45 minutes away. Though, I'm an hour or two away from 3 different airports. So the friends I do have I can go see when I have the money to travel.

Good luck though.

[Hylozoist]

Also that duck in top hat thing sounds like Howard the Duck.

@Archmage MC

Maybe my past self was trying to warn me about never, ever, ever sitting through the Howard the Duck film again. If this is the case, it's my duty to draw a crude duck as a warning to my future-self every now and then, lest I let my guard down and watch it again.

[Archmage MC]

@Hylozoist Are you from the EU/UK? How is it over there? Guessing because of the times your on and when you say you have to work and whatnot.

Its scary, but its actually cheaper to vacation there than it is to go to Vegas. thats including airplane tickets.

[Hylozoist]

@Hylozoist Are you from the EU/UK? How is it over there?

@Archmage MC

I live in East London. It's chilly, and it's probably going to be a pretty nippy weekend as well. I'm guessing you don't mean to ask how the weather is, so let me give you my Really Quick Rundown Of London.

It's busy. It's expensive. There is nearly always something going on if you want to do something. Get familiar with how public transport works. In that way, it's probably like most other cities. I like to think that we're all very polite and tolerant folk, but a great deal of that is probably due to nearly everyone here never really talking to one another. In fact, that'd be the first rule I'd want to impart on you for a visit to London; don't try and strike up a conversation with somebody on public transport.

I say this only because there's always at least one tourist who breaks this rule on any given tube journey. I've seen it happen. The look of panic in the eyes of the person who is being spoken to, the shocked looks of everyone else, it's awkward and uncomfortable and God help you if you do it, because nobody else on that tube carriage is going to help you.

Some places in London are pretty rough. I assume this is the same for most cities too, really.

[TwelveOf8]

<Snipped quote by TwelveOf8>

Thanks! But, well, I don't really see it as criticism; this is my first time running a game for people online, and I need to make sure that we're all happy with the direction this ship is going, so to speak. Talking about what works and what doesn't is an important discussion to have. I want to run a game that makes people happy! This isn't to say that I don't have my own ideas, but "helping my players have a good time" is the first priority. Hopefully, most of the time, I get it right. Sometimes, though, I'll have to ask to make sure I get it right. And, sometimes, I'll have to be told by others when I've got it wrong.

Apologies as ever for the rambling, but, basically, don't fret at all about telling me what I can change to make this work better for you. It will be hard, at times, to juggle everyone's needs, but I've put the GM Hat on to run a game that people will enjoy first and foremost, rather than to demand people play in the sandbox we've come together to make in a certain way.

@Hylozoist

I have found that when I give my opinion on something, that some people take it as criticism. Subsequently, the reaction to the supposed criticism isn't the most receptive nor the most mature. Maybe I'm just surrounded by idiots in real life. This, in turn, leads me to be a tad bit condescending towards people when it comes to both their feelings as well as their understanding of the point I'm trying to make. I don't mean to. Again, surrounded by idiots in real life. If I come off as arrogant, then rest assured that I am the polar opposite of that. One of the things I respect the most are people who are couragous enough to be both direct with what they think and how they feel.

With that out of the way, let's move on. I love the direction the story is going and I'm more than happy to do whatever the GM wishes. You seem to be smart enough to recognise synchronicity and natural flow. So I leave it up entirely to you. I find trying to rationalise and make sense of strange happenings and goings on to be extremely fun.

One last question. Are you going to cut to another area with a transition type post? If so then I'm cool with that. I could just recap what happened with my character during the transition some time in the next story arc.

If no new posts are made in a while then I could do a filler episode type post. Just like when you introduced the insect doctor and the bear guy separate from the crew. Your thoughts?

[Hylozoist]

One last question. Are you going to cut to another area with a transition type post? If so then I'm cool with that. I could just recap what happened with my character during the transition some time in the next story arc.

@TwelveOf8

I'd like to go to a bit of day-to-day-life-on-the-ship while it haphazardly swings through space on a course for Ofromia. I realise that the IC has stalled a little, and I can step in to encourage the crew to get to the ship - I wanted to give Vonny a chance to pipe up with input on a plan for approaching the party problem. Thinking about it a little more, it might be best if I provide a bit of encouragement, and I can also use that to describe the ship in slightly better detail. It'd be less of a transition and more of a "you probably want to get back to the ship shortly" situation for people to deal with, if that makes sense.

I am spectacularly terrible at explaining things quickly, but the format for how the scenes are going to go from one to the other is likely going to end up being:

Henderson's Ribs, the current scene, ending with the crew boarding the ship. Handled in a blow-by-blow sort of style.
Life Aboard The Ship, where we see the characters going about their day-to-day life aboard the ship while they travel. More like a series of linked vignettes, rather than trying to fill in the whole amount of time the journey takes.
Arriving at Ofromia, the ship arrives. Mostly back to blow-by-blow style.

From that point on, my notes descend into scribbled pictures, descriptions of NPCs, some paragraphs setting the scene in Ofromia and a whole list of things that could need doing and complications.

If no new posts are made in a while then I could do a filler episode type post. Just like when you introduced the insect doctor and the bear guy separate from the crew. Your thoughts?

@TwelveOf8

I wholeheartedly encourage you do a "Meanwhile!" type post. I probably should have tagged people in the post where I was discussing it, because it's likely got lost in amongst everything else in this thread, but the short version is - feel free to do Meanwhile! posts, just put them behind a hider saying "Meanwhile!" so it's neat, tidy and obvious that's what it is. There's a whole galaxy to fill up, and seeing the creative efforts of others speeds that up, gives me more ideas and it helps give me a better understanding of what everyone likes.

Apologies if I've missed the mark entirely there. I think I've covered the questions.

[DepressedSoviet]

I wholeheartedly encourage you do a "Meanwhile!" type post. I probably should have tagged people in the post where I was discussing it, because it's likely got lost in amongst everything else in this thread, but the short version is - feel free to do Meanwhile! posts, just put them behind a hider saying "Meanwhile!" so it's neat, tidy and obvious that's what it is. There's a whole galaxy to fill up, and seeing the creative efforts of others speeds that up, gives me more ideas and it helps give me a better understanding of what everyone likes.

@Hylozoist

*Urge to make a Meanwhile! post that's just a copy-paste from Hitchhiker's Guide intensifies*

[Sovi3t]

Will have a post soon, it'll be a quick one addressing and moving the plot on since I'm having a light case of writer's block rn

[Squad 404]

I'd make a *Meanwhile!* post, but I'm afraid of revealing some secrets that will, hopefully, come as big surprises later.

[Hylozoist]

Will have a post soon, it'll be a quick one addressing and moving the plot on since I'm having a light case of writer's block rn

@Sovi3t

I will save the post I'm writing then for after yours, and modify it to take into account whatever you end up doing.

I'd make a *Meanwhile!* post, but I'm afraid of revealing some secrets that will, hopefully, come as big surprises later.

@Valor

It doesn't have to be about your character, don't forget. It's probably obvious to everyone but, just in case, if you're going to do a "Meanwhile!" post, please talk it through with the people involved if it's going to be about things in their background and/or character in general. This isn't to say you can't touch on those subjects, just that you should talk it through with them, and that they've got the final say in terms of whether it's okay or not. No blowing up people's home planets in a Meanwhile, you hear me, you crazy kids?

Edit To Add: Something of a heads-up; my posting schedule tends to grind to a halt during the weekends. I'll likely be able to sneak some glances at the site during the weekend, and can probably quickly dash off responses on my phone, but there probably won't be many big, meaty posts to sink your teeth into from me during Saturday and Sunday!

[TwelveOf8]

It doesn't have to be about your character, don't forget. It's probably obvious to everyone but, just in case, if you're going to do a "Meanwhile!" post, please talk it through with the people involved if it's going to be about things in their background and/or character in general. This isn't to say you can't touch on those subjects, just that you should talk it through with them, and that they've got the final say in terms of whether it's okay or not. No blowing up people's home planets in a Meanwhile, you hear me, you crazy kids?

Edit To Add: Something of a heads-up; my posting schedule tends to grind to a halt during the weekends. I'll likely be able to sneak some glances at the site during the weekend, and can probably quickly dash off responses on my phone, but there probably won't be many big, meaty posts to sink your teeth into from me during Saturday and Sunday!

@Hylozoist

So these meanwhile posts give each of us the freedom to add to the lore of the
Interplanetary Space Friends universe? I'm so into that! How do you feel about adding additional side villains? Of course we would all have to have a big group discussion before adding another main villain, just to keep things easier and more manageable for you of course. We wouldn't want the universe to be filled with ultra powerful super saiyan, vampire, Sith Lord, practically god like people of any kind. That would just break things. Neither should we add anything that would overshadow the main plot and render it pointless in comparison. Man, this is going to be a lot of work. Are you sure you want a maniac like me to have this kind of power!?

Well anyways, I'm sure we can survive a whole weekend without you. I'm not sure some of the others though. Perhaps blankets and hot chocolate will have to be handed out in order to cope. I would so be up for those things myself if it wasn't so god forsakenly hot where I am right now.

[Hylozoist]

So these meanwhile posts give each of us the freedom to add to the lore of the Interplanetary Space Friends universe? I'm so into that! How do you feel about adding additional side villains?

@TwelveOf8

That's the plan, yes! As for side villains, that's fine too; it seems like we're on the same page when it comes to needing to discuss throwing anything too ridiculously over-powered into the galaxy. These side-villains could be pursuing their own nefarious scheme that intersects with the players down the line, or perhaps they've joined up with Doctor Frosty and his ill-considered plot(s) to reclaim the Quest For Flavour, or perhaps they don't have anything to do with the crew or the ship, and they could just be somebody that we may, or may not, run into at a later date.

Incidentally, one of my favourite "indie" RPGs to play is Microscope, which is basically "collaborative world building: the game", and so it was only a matter of time before I started taking elements from that and throwing it in here. It's always fun to see people being creative, and seeing that creativity inspire more creativity. It's why I'm enjoying running a game here, because every time somebody posts something, I'm going "oh, oh, oh, that gives me an idea!" and so plots and themes and characters that I would never have thought of on my own get scribbled down to be thrown into the game when I can.

Okay, that's enough rambling, it turns out I get a bit sentimental and gushy after midnight and too much hot chocolate. I hope everyone has a good weekend; I'll probably get an opportunity to catch up and post tomorrow (Saturday) evening when I ought to be asleep. Speaking of sleep...

[Squad 404]

Did a meanwhile post. This will likely not come into play completely for some time, but I have discussed it with Hyozoist ahead of time.

[DracoLunaris]

Incidentally, one of my favourite "indie" RPGs to play is Microscope, which is basically "collaborative world building: the game", and so it was only a matter of time before I started taking elements from that and throwing it in here.

@Hylozoist

I have always meant to play that game it sounded intriguing. I am writing a series of foot notes about swarm species to add some random history to the galaxy. Not sure how interesting/funny/relevant they will turn out though.

[Fancy Party]

<Snipped quote by Hylozoist>

I have always meant to play that game it sounded intriguing. I am writing a series of foot notes about swarm species to add some random history to the galaxy. Not sure how interesting/funny/relevant they will turn out though.

@DracoLunaris

Sounds interesting anyway. Good luck.

[TwelveOf8]

<Snipped quote by Hylozoist>

I have always meant to play that game it sounded intriguing. I am writing a series of foot notes about swarm species to add some random history to the galaxy. Not sure how interesting/funny/relevant they will turn out though.

@DracoLunaris

I'm sure that whatever you come up with will be great. We've got a big universe to fill after all.

[Archmage MC]

So do I post life on the ship now or...

[Squad 404]

@Archmage MC

We've not even left the diner, as far as I can recall. I'd say wait to post ship-life stuff.

[TwelveOf8]

@Archmage MC

We've not even left the diner, as far as I can recall. I'd say wait to post ship-life stuff.

@Valor

I'm just waiting for the captain to order us aboard the ship. Either that, or something cooked up by the GM that would cause us to leave the diner and disembark.

[Squad 404]

<Snipped quote by Valor>

I'm just waiting for the captain to order us aboard the ship. Either that, or something cooked up by the GM that would cause us to leave the diner and disembark.

@TwelveOf8

I did have Vanessa request to-go boxes, though since I'm not the GM I'm not going to have Clarke deliver them myself. I'd figure that once they got to the table we'd either leave or everyone would ignore them and eat. When/If they get to the table and what else happens is up to Hylozoist.