[OOC] (Genkai) Princess Werewolf (Purplemouse)

[Genkai]

General Plot:

In a medieval kingdom, a princess' most anticipated day is usually her wedding day. Particularly when she's to be wedded to her dearly beloved prince of a neighboring land, thus ensuring peace and prosperity for both. Everything is set to go off without a hitch, until a jealous unknown rival, wanting the prince themselves, curses the princess with lycanthropy. Devastated and fearing for her life, she flees, a mere fortnight before the royal wedding is set to take place. Not wanting to risk the kingdom's alliances and of course, wanting her daughter returned, the ruling Queen puts out a plea: anyone who can find and return the princess safe and sound (and cured) in time for the wedding will receive a grant of fertile land, wealth enough for the rest of their lives, and the royal family's eternal gratitude. Naturally the competition is intense - the problem is, no one knows where the princess has gone, and how one gets a wolf-woman home without losing one's own life is a whole other challenge, too. With everyone from common sellswords to wizards, witches, and warlocks on the prowl for the bride-to-be, it's a race against time to find her and a spell to break the curse. Of course, nothing in the royal decree said the reward could only be for one person...

General Chatter:

Okay, so we've established that you'll be the princess and rival and I might take on the role of prince. For now, these roles aren't needed. We'll both be playing about two main roles in the group itself, with either others coming and going as they please. The princess' transformation is permanent until resolved. The RP itself will not be long lived as the end goal shouldn't be forgotten. Even so, other smaller plots or quests may come up, depending on how the group works together. For now we can discuss direction and hopefully get this started. I think once we're off the ground, I'll feel more comfortable. Should you wanna plot or give me a heads up about anything, it might be easier to use this than our PMs since I'll be offline, I'll be able to keep tabs on progress, rather than miss a PM that was important. Or something.

In terms of roles, I was aiming to make a male herbalist and archer, along with my female witch.

I should ask about magic, since it will be a major factor in travel and fighting. Is it spells? Runes? Aura? Or is it pretty much up to the writer to decide how they want to use magic in the world?

[Purplemouse]

Yo, thanks for making the thread. Okay, so your characters sound good. I'm going to have a male mage, and I'm thinking a sellsword as well. Really rag-tag group; also the pairing of a mage and witch will serve to highlight the magic caste system.

Speaking of which: magic is all based on the user; people are born with an innate level of magical energy (from none to nearly superhuman, in a typical bell curve distribution). This reservoir is drained by casting spells and refilled over time by rest. Types of magic include elemental (fire, water, air, earth), healing/modification (heal wounds, repair damage, cure diseases, alter appearances), environmental (levitation, teleportation), creation/destruction (usually in conjunction with elemental magic), intrapersonal (mind reading, mind control, magic-enhanced interrogation or persuasion), necromancy (reanimation of dead bodies), attack/defense (creation of magic shield or weapons), plus miscellaneous others. No spells are inherent, but must be learned, however, many spellcasters are self-taught. Although common, magic is treated as any other tool or weapon: if you use it wisely, most people will have no problem. If you abuse it, expect the pitchforks to come out.

Magic is practiced by multiple discrete groups: Mages, Witches/Wizards/Wixes, Warlocks, and Petty Magicians. Your average person falls into the petty magician caste; usually they can do one or two minor spells (light a small fire, heal a minor wound, levitate a rock) but not for long durations or multiple times. Wixes are usually mid to high-mid levels who are self-taught and organize in very small groups if at all, and use magic as part of their living (either doing magic work for those with less ability or using their magic to aid in a non-magical job). Warlocks are almost universally individuals practicing magic for their own purposes, usually nefarious, and frequently dabble in 'banned' (or generally unaccepted) types of magic like mind control and necromancy, and tend to be high-mid to high level. Mages are groups of high-mid and high level spellcasters that are usually well-organized and frequently work together to study magic, train and hone their spellcasting, and generally sell their services to agents of power (anything from kings and queens to mayors).

Any individual of any level can be in any caste, however, generally speaking one's innate level of magical ability determines which caste one can potentially join - those with low levels of magic rarely become mages, those with high levels rarely live a life making minimal use of their magic. There is no easy way to determine one's potential except trying it - every possible form of magic is open to anyone with even a drop of magical ability, but the level determines how much/to what degree they can cast a spell. As well, mid-and-above level spellcasters tend to practice a range of magics, but not all do; specialists are not uncommon either.

Now.. any further questions or is the magical context about set (and are there any glaring inconsistencies I've somehow overlooked)?

[Genkai]

Hello hello!

Oh goodness, that was a lengthy but otherwise very helpful read. Thanks.

With that in mind *gestures to the above post* it should be safe to assume that those lending a hand to help the princess would be at least at the intermediate level/caste of magic and should be able to hold their own and by most accounts, know a handful of tried and true spells. I would then like to assume (if I haven't already, sorry) our ages would be in their middle twenties to middle thirties or forties. I'm more keen to play those who are adults in this concept because they seem more likely candidates unless the other three roles (prince, princess, rival) are oddly young but then again, that shouldn't effect our group anyway.

So I think I've got a better picture in mind but I'll still need to jot down some traits and skills for m roles so I can keep them in line. I know you're not one for sheets but I'll probably stash general bullet points somewhere in the OOC. If you wanted to write the IC, be me guest and I'll follow suit unless I have some questions for you. I'm hoping to get to a steady point where I don't feel like you're the GM and I'm not contributing anything. ^^

[Purplemouse]

Yeah, I definitely want to avoid that feeling, of me being the GM I mean. Just remember, I only have one defined plot-point past the start, and it's basically impossible for you to over-write it. So once I get the initial post done, you're pretty much in equal standing to me in terms of author power.

I think I'll jot down some details about my two as well, and make the first post tomorrow most likely.

Also, as to your suggestions for the magic level of those involved and respectives ages, I'm fine with all that. Sounds brilliant, actually. Now, there's no reason the two non-magic-users have to be capable (even on a low-medium level) but since your average person can do some magic it's likely that they'll have one or two spells, even if they're not much alongside the witch and mage.

One more important thing - did the post length bother you? I know the first post is going to be kinda long, so I can insert more intentional paragraph breaks if that'd make it easier on you. Please don't hesitate to ask if you need something.

[Genkai]

Your world/concept is so nicely thought through, I just hope I can adjust and do it justice.

Okay, no rush. I should have time tomorrow night to take a look and possibly get something up before the weekend is over.

If some lower level people were trying to join, I assume their reasons would be more full of hope if they need the money and possible recognition, despite maybe not being as well suited for travel and combat. It could be interesting but I see weaker players in that case, being more harmful and might not be accepted by say, some of our more better skilled folks.

Post length doesn't bother me. I sent someone 8-9 paragraphs for an intro because they said theirs run long, apparently that was too long for them. I would prefer breaks every say...9-13 sentences just so it doesn't look too bulky. I also do space them according to cadence and tone but I haven't really run into problems unless someone doesn't down a double enter and the paragraphs are still connected without the space between them, then that gets to become an eyesore...

[Purplemouse]

*blushes* Wow, you flatter me way, way too much..

And yeah, I figured the alliance between all four of the hunting party is going to be somewhat shaky - not least of all because the reward would be hard to split! So some tension is totally acceptable. But since our characters are archer, witch (yours), mage, sellsword (mine), we can safely assume that they're all fairly capable of combat - excepting perhaps the witch, but that's at your discretion. However, for the mage and witch to look down on their less-magically-able companions wouldn't be surprising - mages in particular tend to be a bit snobbish around low-level wixes and petty magicians (as well as clique-y but that comes with the territory).

As for the paragraph length - I understand. I actually asked because I've known people who have difficulty reading very long paragraphs or posts without breaks in them, and was like 'Shoot I need to be more accommodating if that's something Genkai needs, too' and so asked. Never hurts to be mindful of others.

[Genkai]

It would be fun to have some sort of discrimination between magic and non magic users in the issues of fighting. I'm sure someone of non-magic use could say they're more pure and less reckless, while those with magic could accuse non-magic users of being lazy and not very creative. There would be room for disagreements and that could be quite interesting when a life is on the line.

Awesome, well if you wanted to check out my other posts around here, the breaks used are what I'm used to dealing with. And you might spot one of the 'eh' examples I mentioned in terms of a partner not spacing things out nicely. Though for them, I don't nitpick it since it seems trivial despite the eye sore. I do have low vision so break also help take strain away when I'm not trying to figure out where one paragraph ends and the next begins. Haha.

[Purplemouse]

True - no doubt we'll see something like that play out.

I did skim through a few of your posts and can strive to make breaks as often as that, and/or do double-spacing between paragraphs to help break them up even more and make it easier on your eyes. Let me know what works for you. Also, unfortunately a post is unlikely tonight as I owe 3 people posts but I do intend to get it done tomorrow if at all possible.

[Genkai]

Don't worry about getting something up tonight, we're on a nice track with talking so I'm not too worried or feel pressed for urgency. Thanks for accommodating me, if I do have any trouble, I'll try to say something but I don't foresee anything too troubling but once we sort things out in the IC, format wise, I think we'll be okay.

[Purplemouse]

Alright. But do let me know if there is anything - like making more breaks or double-spaced breaks or whatever else you might need.

I feel plenty ready to start, it's just a matter of making the time! But it has to be tomorrow, because Monday I have jury selection duty. Oh no!

[Genkai]

Thanks, if I ever need a break from reading/writing, a nap usually eases any strain. Naps-they cure almost anything. :3

Jury duty, lovely. I have yet to be called, I'll try not to take it personally. Hopefully you get passed over since I'm sure you'd rather be doing something else.

[Purplemouse]

Haha, naps are awesome, agreed. Except I tend to 'nap' for 4-6 hours.. oops.

Yeah.. see, I don't know if I want to get selected or not. Due to a sudden change in my work schedule, this Thursday I'll have to work 8 straight days in a row. And of course it's split along the week division just right so that I won't make a drop of overtime. Yaaaay. So if I did get selected I might get a break from some of that nonsense. On the flip side, I'd only be making $45 a day (compared to the $75 I usually make), but on the flip-flip side, jury duty is easy as pie and my job is not.

Basically I'm just going to go, be honest, and if I get picked I get picked and if not, oh well.

[Genkai]

Those naps can be a bit disorienting if they're that long! I commend your bravery.

Tell me if you get selected, there are pros and cons just as if you didn't get selected. I know most people don't want to go because it means taking time off their normal work so it sounds like you can take it or leave it, which is an attitude not a lot of people have when they're called. Either way, it's a nice change from the normal hum drum daily grind.

[Purplemouse]

Okay.. I apologize sincerely, but life happened. I will do my damndest to post tomorrow.

Oh, and I got picked for jury duty. Which is why I did not post today.

[Genkai]

That's fine, I understand life sometimes getting in the way! No pressure, I look forward to seeing it when you have the time haha. ^^;

[Purplemouse]

Thanks Genkai. You're a sweetheart. I hate having to delay but I'm just so stressed out today.. I just can' settle down enough to write the kind of good opening you (and the story) deserve.

[Genkai]

Don't worry about it. The more you worry the more it becomes a chore. We'll be able to kick things up soon and when we get things going, it'll be pretty fun! I can wait, I'm happier being in the loop than out of it anyway.

[Purplemouse]

Alright so I completely failed to address a major concern:

No doubt we'll be utilizing in media res, but where exactly are we going to start? I don't think it's reasonable to say as early as 2 days after the Princess is turned into a werewolf that our four could've already run into each other (and no doubt other groups are forming already as well), because the announcement is going to be immediate and widespread - both with typical and magical means. So everyone in the royal city would know the same day, surrounding cities by day 2, outlying cities no later than day 3-4.

As well due to the time constraints I imagine anyone who's serious about the reward would've begun searching immediately.

How would you feel about me writing us up from the incident itself to when at least 2 of our four first bump into each other - let's say on day 2 or 3?

[Genkai]

If you want to write about the incident itself, you're welcome to but I don't know if it's really needed right away, you could always filter in with flashbacks since it's just you translating information that we can't really use or reference (our character weren't there, I mean). I think on the second or third day would be fine. And for the easiest means, I don't see my characters living too far away because there's no point and it might just complicate things further anyway. In terms of the general group (us) meeting and combining forces, would we illustrate that in our first 1-2 posts?

[Purplemouse]

I would say the entire group should be formed fairly quickly - at least within the first six posts or so. There's going to be a lot of people out roaming around and people will naturally group together (power in numbers) and four's a good, solid choice - not so few that they can't, working together, handle a werewolf, but not so many they're extremely conspicuous, you know?

But your suggestion is just to jump right into it, eh? I'm down with that. I think I'll go ahead and start working on it now. Also, I do agree that everyone should either be from the royal city or one of the immediately surrounding cities, and group up en route to the last good direction that the princess was known to have gone.