I've put a lot of thought into this (okay, only a couple of hours' worth), but I've decided to run another storyline. The last one may not have been a massive success, but I'm sure it wins a couple of awards (notably for longevity). I was tempted to try to post this as the new year dawned, but decided that now would be better.
As you all saw, Rhisiart is departing, and as such, the throne of New Avalon will be vacant. The story will begin with the disappearance of Prince Preacher (already comatose), Princess Artemis, and Mage Blackdragon. I will start it soon, but I would like to invite any PCs who wish to participate to say so now.
Without an heir to Preacher and Artemis, the succession will be unclear. There will be many candidates, some worthy, some treacherous. I will do my best to make this storyline one that does not involve large amounts of battle, but instead relies on court intrigue.
There are essentially three roles available to PCs who wish to participate. The first role is that of aide to King Rolshin. Rolshin has no clear choice of nomination and so will need help discovering the worthiness of each candidate. To that end, he will be willing to hire outsiders to observe (read: spy on) the candidates. Of course, the candidates will not be told who are the agents that the king has assigned to them. Your task as an aide to Rolshin will be to earn the trust of a candidate and discover if their motivations are noble.
The second option is that of supporter to a particular candidate. If you choose to, you can throw your lot in with one of the potential princes and if he or she wins, you might be able to obtain a reward for your support. You may be required to perform the same tasks that you would for King Rolshin, only you would be reporting to your candidate about his or her rivals. Note that this position can be combined with the first; if you wish to play a double agent for your candidate, you will be able to, but the danger of such a role would be even greater.
Finally, the most challenging role would be that of candidate. If you would like to seek the throne, you would be able to. But this role not only requires you to defend against and discredit your rivals, but also to win the support of the people you intend to rule. If you do not have a favorable reputation among the subjects of New Avalon, you will not be nominated or crowned. Even if you do have their support, you must assure that no other candidate has more than you do. Rolshin is a keen monarch and knows that the power of the throne is only as strong as the respect it commands with its people. You might perhaps hire your own operatives to give you an advantage over the other candidates (as long as they aren't your own characters).
I can run the story easily with no PC candidates, so the story will definitely run if no one wants to make the attempt. Even if you would attempt it you wouldn't be guaranteed victory. And if more than one person steps forth to try, then I can work with that too.
As with every story I would hope for a high level of participation. I had a relatively large crowd for the RBS, but time led to attrition, and few finished. Kudos to them for their diligence. This story would be more open, with characters more able to come and go as they please. If you are interested, post here or mail me with what role you would wish to play.
I won't run this story quite the same as the RBS, but you will still be expected to make moves on your own. The surest way of finding out whether or not an action is acceptable, whether it's a discovery against a candidate or an assassination attempt or a move for popular support or whatever, is to mail me. I'll let you try almost anything, unless it would severely disrupt the intended ending of the story (which is flexible).
If anyone wants a list of the major candidates I intend to introduce, let me know. Knowledge of the New Avalon map will also be helpful, you can find it on the homepage.
I've said enough for now. Happy New Year everyone, let's see if we can't make it an active one here.
Torlax
Actually...there IS an heir to Preacher and Artemis: their daughter, Cassandra d'Riveroak. :) She has a grand total of one mention anywhere (no longer in print, I believe), but she does exist. Just thought you'd want to hear of it so this can be properly taken into account. Easiest solution is to have her disappear with her parents. Still no heir, and your story still works. :)
Well, since I know have to officers in the Dantimos army, I probably have to take the second choice and be a supporter. But they won't really take a big role, since Dantimos will soon come under attack by the barbarians taking advantage of the state of weakness.
Elrohir, it's absolutely incredible that you manage to keep track of these things. Sometimes I struggle to remember the names of characters that *I* only use once. But yeah, she'll be out of the picture too. I'd hate to have little details like children ruin a perfectly workable storyline.
Ravyson, send me an e-mail (I don't know your address). The barbarians have to be discussed.
Torlax
Is it not my job to keep track of this stuff, even in absentia? Hehe...
Hm... I wouldn't mind being an overly corrupt canditate... hm... that would be fun.
Just to make things interesting, I'd also want to make another canditate who will become popular but Syiona (the corupt candidate) will assassinate and frame someone else. That sounds nice...
The otehr *nice* candidate will be Grandin. He will be extremely comfortable in public and stuff and thus an easy candidate to assassinate. Hm...
BTW I'm to lazy to email u torlax
Actually, I think I'm gonna limit it to one candidate for the throne per player, though you'd be welcome to add others who would support that candidate or another as they choose. Remember that Rolshin isn't just gonna give an open call for people who want to be prince; you need qualifications and a genuine reason to be in contention. But as for your desire for corrupt characters, you will have your wish, and perhaps more than one of them, though that you must judge for yourself. I have five candidates prepared, though depending on how many others wish to take a stab at it, one of them might be dropped to the role of supporter. If you would like to put in a candidate, then pick one, and if you're too lazy to e-mail me, then post it here. For the candidates, I will need a brief description of them, their backgrounds, and why they might be chosen. For the supporters and agents, I don't need nearly as much, because they're easier to work in.
Even if your character is corrupt, you have as good a shot at winning as any other. It could be fun to have a corrupt candidate on the throne. But Rolshin is no pushover, and he will refuse to nominate anyone who doesn't meet his approval. If nothing else he will just appoint a warrior as regent until he finds someone suitable. So you will need his favor, first and foremost, and to get that you will need the favor of the people (even though the people's favor is no guarantee of your selection).
Of course, Rolshin's assent may not be the only way to the throne. Realms have been conquered before, and the Dantimian army is no longer at full strength. But we shall see what happens.
To be honest, I'd rather have supporters and agents than candidates. If you were the sole supporter of a candidate, you would have a good deal of leeway in decision-making for that candidate, especially on stuff that isn't plot-critical.
Torlax
Oh, and BTW, if you want, my AIM screen name is Ravyson. Torlax is Torlax. Go figure.
myne is thingamabob man
Hmmmm..... I might join in this storyline, but I'll have to give it another couple of days' thought. I'll have to figure out what character(s) I might have join the storyline and what roles they'll play.... I think I'll have a character supporting King Rolshin and maybe one other character supporting someone else.... I'll e-mail you Torlax when I've figured it out.