Ask the Staff

[Natasi Fortan]

Please post idea proposals/questions/etc. here for review by all the staff. Once the staff has reviewed your question, additional information may be requested. We will then respond to your question once the full staff has had a chance to review and discuss.

Let the games begin!

 

[Arahael]

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

It's currently 4am for me, so I'm not sure if this is crazy, but I have more of an observation. When I was in the Republic, there were multiple branches of operations, albeit more than the First Order. One possible issue I saw there was that by dividing up the branches of operations into separate authorities, a person's scope of RP was limited more. The branches had little to no communication between each other, and from what I observed there was therefore little RP between the branches. I first tried out the army very briefly where I saw little communication even between members inside of the military. Operations seemed to go on with intuition on what to do, rather than a collective plan. I then tried out intelligence, however soon found myself limited to one contact in the senate, not interacting with anyone else. These multiple options for branches seemed to make the Republic on the surface feel alive, but really what I saw was a husk held together by the Jedi Order. I obviously haven't got many posts, but spent a couple of RP's in First Order space, where I soon found a real connection with this faction. So, naturally I defected. The First Order seems to stick together much better, maybe it's the culture here, however I still feel that for some people the kind of specialisation that separate branches give leaves them wanting more. I know that personally I want to contribute to all the areas of the First Order, however there's not always something specific for your specialty to do. For the Sith Empire and other successful factions such as the Mandalorian ones, they left olerations much more open than the Republic, with people being able to dabble in many things. From reflecting on this, I wonder how a more combined approach to operations would go in the First Order. The First Order, and really also the traditional Empire functioned basically as military juntas with monarchical flair. Perhaps looking into allowing more than one specialisation, or putting the First Order more unified ranks may go down well?
I can't really complain about this faction, this point is more of a personal opinion, but I thought it might be interesting.

 

[Natasi Fortan]

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

It's currently 4am for me, so I'm not sure if this is crazy, but I have more of an observation. When I was in the Republic, there were multiple branches of operations, albeit more than the First Order. One possible issue I saw there was that by dividing up the branches of operations into separate authorities, a person's scope of RP was limited more. The branches had little to no communication between each other, and from what I observed there was therefore little RP between the branches. I first tried out the army very briefly where I saw little communication even between members inside of the military. Operations seemed to go on with intuition on what to do, rather than a collective plan. I then tried out intelligence, however soon found myself limited to one contact in the senate, not interacting with anyone else. These multiple options for branches seemed to make the Republic on the surface feel alive, but really what I saw was a husk held together by the Jedi Order. I obviously haven't got many posts, but spent a couple of RP's in First Order space, where I soon found a real connection with this faction. So, naturally I defected. The First Order seems to stick together much better, maybe it's the culture here, however I still feel that for some people the kind of specialisation that separate branches give leaves them wanting more. I know that personally I want to contribute to all the areas of the First Order, however there's not always something specific for your specialty to do. For the Sith Empire and other successful factions such as the Mandalorian ones, they left olerations much more open than the Republic, with people being able to dabble in many things. From reflecting on this, I wonder how a more combined approach to operations would go in the First Order. The First Order, and really also the traditional Empire functioned basically as military juntas with monarchical flair. Perhaps looking into allowing more than one specialisation, or putting the First Order more unified ranks may go down well?
I can't really complain about this faction, this point is more of a personal opinion, but I thought it might be interesting.

I'm not sure what it is you are proposing here. Can you elaborate?

 

[Arahael]

I'm not sure what it is you are proposing here. Can you elaborate?

Basically allowing people to dabble in or have roles in more than one area. So, if a Knight of Rej wanted to be a part of intelligence RP, then they could do a bit of both.

 

[Progflaw99]

[member="Max Fel"] | [member="Natasi Fortan"]​

​

I believe what you're asking for is already in play. Let me explain.

As discussed in this thread (Link) you can see the Knights of Ren are a very versatile order, allowing for RP in many roles as either an augment to ground troops, a starfighter pilot, or intelligence (FOSB) gatherer - all these things the Ren are capable of RPing, though primarily they fill their own role. Likewise - FOSB/Intelligence Agents can work alongside ground troops as either mission leaders or even just subject matter experts/guides. As well - they can also be assigned to naval vessels and other duties - even working with the Knights of Ren. Additionally, our Stormtrooper Corps is much the same, a trooper may be assigned special duty on a naval ship, or as an addition to an FOSB mission.

What I'm trying to get across is that though your character may belong primarily to one organization, there's no reason why anyone should feel like they can't RP with another person or with another group, all we ask is that it stay consistent. An FOSB agent isn't going to be put in charge of a fleet - though they may be put in charge of a single ship (Though anything larger than a corvette might be questionable).

That's what kept us so versatile is our ability to weave stories as well as collaborate despite our "Department/branch" assignments. I write many characters, but Rolf has worked with Ren, with FOSB Agents, and as it stands will be working more with the Navy once assigned a permanent garrison aboard the FIV Concordia.

In short - the ideas you've expressed here are already in place, and work quite well. Reach out to people, we're all pretty open to writing people in and coming up with reasons for the branches to collaborate so you shouldn't feel like you're stuck! No one likes to be stuck without anywhere to write!

 

[Ludolf Vaas]

Hey [member="Max Fel"],

Your questions might also be partly answered by a thread I made here. What Rolf is saying is correct - there should already be significant cooperation between branches. Also, you are allowed to be in more than one branch at a time, though we ask that you be realistic about it.

For you specifically - as a government character, you already have direct control over all the paramilitary/police forces in your jurisdiction, and you should be working closely with any military members whenever we have dominions/invasions, depending on what the specific situation is. So there are several things for you to do in a military situation. It's also important to remember the primary purpose of government characters - which is to build, rather than destroy. The government characters are really the ones who should be working tirelessly to develop the planets we control and make them more than simply dots on a map. Give them infrastructure, towns, cities, shipyards, cultural centers, etc. - essentially, breathe life into our planets.

At the First Order, we don't simply collect planets for the sake of collecting a bunch of dots on a map like other factions might. We want to give our planets character - and that's the government's job.

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Populating our planets with life and culture is not the Government's responsibility -- it's the responsibility of everyone in the faction. Everyone should be looking for ways to contribute to this effort -- by developing locations, ships, equipment, etc.

Speaking of which: There are still plenty of planets available to adopt!

 

[Valius Rau]

Populating our planets with life and culture is not the Government's responsibility -- it's the responsibility of everyone in the faction. Everyone should be looking for ways to contribute to this effort -- by developing locations, ships, equipment, etc.

Speaking of which: There are still plenty of planets available to adopt!

Unfortunently, the codex is closed. Otherwise Hoth would be more fleshed out.

 

[Valessia Brentioch]

[member="Valius Rau"]

This is the perfect time to work on Codex subs, and prep them for when the Codex does reopen! If you have any questions about the Codex, feel free to reach out to me via PM or IM on Discord and I'll do my best to assist you when I get home.

Populating our planets with life and culture is not the Government's responsibility -- it's the responsibility of everyone in the faction. Everyone should be looking for ways to contribute to this effort -- by developing locations, ships, equipment, etc.

Speaking of which: There are still plenty of planets available to adopt!

I echo this, everyone in this faction can contribute by fleshing out our territory. Again, if you have any questions feel free to post them here.

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Unfortunently, the codex is closed. Otherwise Hoth would be more fleshed out.

I'm aware of that; the contest will be extended to account for the holiday closures.

 

[Valius Rau]

[member="Natasi Fortan"], okay.

 

[Natasi Fortan]

[member="Natasi Fortan"], okay.

I'm excited to see what you can do with Hoth. If all else fails we can store all our drinks there.

 

[Uhtred Kjartan]

Do we have any faction-wide Dominions, Invasions, Skirmishes or other events coming up?

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

Do we have any faction-wide Dominions, Invasions, Skirmishes or other events coming up?

[member="Natasi Fortan"]

Currently, we have a Skirmish at the Pacanth Reach (Operation: Silent Night) that you'll want to talk to [member="Rolf Amsel"] about.

We will have some Invasions coming up as we get involved in war with the Galactic Alliance, to be determined.

Dominions are in the works as well and will be announced very shortly.

 

[Kenrath]

I have a few questions for the group if I may.

Ok so I notice we have nice pretty rank structures for every branch which on the surface generates a clear cut chain of command. What plans if any are there to help translate that clear cut OOC Chain into IC coordination and logistics in our RPs.

I will even give a very specific example. In any given thread involving Navy we have several Commanders such as myself and then usually a single Commodore or above in the thread. However it seems despite said Commodore or above providing and maintaining a clear cut IC plan of attack it is still largely based on a lawless format of everybody do whatever they want.

There seems to be more of an emphasis on post count and drop it than a concise story arc. Is the plan to operate on a reach the desired post count and done or is there a plan to implement a more story driven approach to our branch and faction level threads.


So to summarize I proposed three questions.

1. Does the First Order approach RP as race to a specified post count and done or a more story driven approach?

2. If the answer to the above question is story then what steps are being planned to ensure that approach is implemented in our threads?

3. What steps are in the works if any to translation the OCC rank structure into the IC Command and Control coordination of our threads?


[member="Natasi Fortan"] [member="Valessia Brentioch"] [member="Ludolf Vaas"] [member="Rolf Amsel"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

I have a few questions for the group if I may.

Ok so I notice we have nice pretty rank structures for every branch which on the surface generates a clear cut chain of command. What plans if any are there to help translate that clear cut OOC Chain into IC coordination and logistics in our RPs.

I will even give a very specific example. In any given thread involving Navy we have several Commanders such as myself and then usually a single Commodore or above in the thread. However it seems despite said Commodore or above providing and maintaining a clear cut IC plan of attack it is still largely based on a lawless format of everybody do whatever they want.

There seems to be more of an emphasis on post count and drop it than a concise story arc. Is the plan to operate on a reach the desired post count and done or is there a plan to implement a more story driven approach to our branch and faction level threads.


So to summarize I proposed three questions.

1. Does the First Order approach RP as race to a specified post count and done or a more story driven approach?

2. If the answer to the above question is story then what steps are being planned to ensure that approach is implemented in our threads?

3. What steps are in the works if any to translation the OCC rank structure into the IC Command and Control coordination of our threads?


[member="Natasi Fortan"] [member="Valessia Brentioch"] [member="Ludolf Vaas"] [member="Rolf Amsel"]

1. It's not either/or in any case, and the extent to which it is more one or the other depends on the type of thread we're looking at. Some threads are dictated by story (see, e.g. "Boom Crunch" ) while others we are forced to be more efficient with (i.e. Dominions). There is a time pressure to complete Dominions (particularly T2 and T3 Dominions) imposed not just by monthly limits (for instance, we can do only 1 T3 per month, so in order to be efficient, we try to get a given T3 completed within that time period). Additionally, new dominion rules impose a timeliness requirement on T3 Dominions that are non-negotiable.

As with all things, participation in any thread is voluntarily. People who prefer story-driven threads need not participate in Dominions if the quicker pace is not to one's taste.

Even in Dominions where speed is emphasized, we do try to put together a story that hangs together, but once it's out there, it's the writers' responsibilities to keep it on track. We have found that Dungeon-Mastered dominions are not viable because when the Dungeon Mater becomes inactive or moves onto another project, the effort stalls.

Additionally, we have always encouraged people to finish their stories from Dominions, in separate threads or otherwise. It has never been our policy to cut off all stories once the post count has been met.

2. See above. Circumstances will vary but the staff do not impose requirements on members. We make people aware that IC actions will result in IC consequences but as to what people want to do with their characters -- whether they want to be part of the storyline proposed for the faction, or otherwise, is up to the writer.

3. An overhaul of the Navy ranks is in process. PC characters will be organized into fleets with a defined rank structure, in so that we know that Commanders A and B might report up to Commodore X, etc.

 

[Kenrath]

1. It's not either/or in any case, and the extent to which it is more one or the other depends on the type of thread we're looking at. Some threads are dictated by story (see, e.g. "Boom Crunch" ) while others we are forced to be more efficient with (i.e. Dominions). There is a time pressure to complete Dominions (particularly T2 and T3 Dominions) imposed not just by monthly limits (for instance, we can do only 1 T3 per month, so in order to be efficient, we try to get a given T3 completed within that time period). Additionally, new dominion rules impose a timeliness requirement on T3 Dominions that are non-negotiable.

As with all things, participation in any thread is voluntarily. People who prefer story-driven threads need not participate in Dominions if the quicker pace is not to one's taste.

Even in Dominions where speed is emphasized, we do try to put together a story that hangs together, but once it's out there, it's the writers' responsibilities to keep it on track. We have found that Dungeon-Mastered dominions are not viable because when the Dungeon Mater becomes inactive or moves onto another project, the effort stalls.

Additionally, we have always encouraged people to finish their stories from Dominions, in separate threads or otherwise. It has never been our policy to cut off all stories once the post count has been met.

2. See above. Circumstances will vary but the staff do not impose requirements on members. We make people aware that IC actions will result in IC consequences but as to what people want to do with their characters -- whether they want to be part of the storyline proposed for the faction, or otherwise, is up to the writer.

​At the risk of more salt being thrown my way I think you are missing the point of my questions and I find parts of your answer to that question troubling.

First Dominions are really just a small portion of Faction Role Play. Also in the manner of new site rules a lot of the more recent ones were enacted to encourage story based RP across all thread types even invasions.

Perfect example of why I asked the question and what i mean is the Resurgence development thread. A thread which started on the great story idea of testing the capabilities of not only a newer ship, the Resurgence, but of the abilities of all of the ships we have "in the field" and the ability of the writers to "Captain" those ships. A thread that was immediately dropped after 30 posts leaving some attacks unresolved, the success or short comings of the tactics used in the thread, and and the potential lessons to be learned as writers from that thread.

Not mention as it applies to my third question concerning the IC implementation of OOC ranks and positions.

​The part I find troubling in your answer is the seemingly "If you don't like how we do that type of thread then don't participate" answer. It severely limits the inclusion of writers in threads they may actually enjoy doing and fit their characters stories. In my specific case such as the development and testing of Navy technology. Also the Chaos wide concept of promotion and recognition based on activity.

Sure eventually one may reach their IC goals but taking twice as long and having to put in twice as much activity as the person beside them because they feel excluded from certain types of threads is a dangerous precedence to stand behind for the long term success of a faction. It's also creates stability based on a revolving door membership instead of a nice group of core writers tackling all comers in any given situation.



3. An overhaul of the Navy ranks is in process. PC characters will be organized into fleets with a defined rank structure, in so that we know that Commanders A and B might report up to Commodore X, etc.

With out knowing any specifics to the overhaul in progress I am not sure how to respond. So on that note I will wait until I have more information to work with and go from there.

[member="Valessia Brentioch"] [member="Ludolf Vaas"] [member="Rolf Amsel"]

 

[Roderik von Brinkerhoff]

Dev threads are handled on a case-by-case basis, depending on the intent of the person using the thread for a factory/codex submission. Some people may intend to hit the necessary post count and then move onto the next thing (similarly to how previous dominions have been handled). Some people may want to continue the thread for as long as their story is unfolding, which is great. If you would like to try to resolve the attacks and story in the dev thread you mentioned, perhaps get in touch with the originating writer, and see if they want to get back into it. Or get in touch with the writers in question, whose actions are still unresolved, and resolve them on your own in the thread, or a spin-off.

The intention [member="Natasi Fortan"] and the First Order staff is to provide avenues for all types of threads, at all different speeds and intensity levels. It is not an attempt to segregate writers or prevent participation - but rather, to provide the best opportunities for everybody. Case in point, as mentioned above, is the Boom Crunch thread, which has no concrete 'end point' as of yet.

As for the Navy overhaul - perhaps it's better not to respond at all, until all of the changes have been set in stone, and we feel like the information is ready for widespread dissemination.

[member="Norin Kellarov"]

 

[Natasi Fortan]

There seems to be some kind of misunderstanding, and while I'm happy to discuss anything, I'm really not wild about your hostility. We're a team here, [member="Norin Kellarov"], and teams deal with each other respectfully.

As I said I'm happy to have this discussion with you here, but you need to dial your histrionics down about six notches. Nothing here is "troubling". We're not talking about the future of the free world here; it's a game, and nothing that I have said -- nothing -- is insidious in any way. Maybe you don't like my answer -- I suspect from your answer that you have made no effort to understand it, at any rate -- but nothing that I have said is irresponsible or inappropriate, nor have I suggested excluding people. If you want to talk about this, my condition is that you do so calmly and without trying to mine for salt. Thank you so much for your compliance with these requirements.

Allow me to make something clear: no one on staff will be mandating requirements for threads. What happened with the Resurgent development thread is not the staff's concern. If the other members of the thread don't want to continue after the posting requirements are met, the staff will not attempt to force them to do so. If you are proposing that we somehow coerce members into staying in threads when they don't want to do so any longer, the answer is no, full stop.

As to your insinuation that I was being flippant and saying, "If you don't like it, don't do it," you have completely misread my answer. What I meant was that there are plenty of opportunities for writers to choose from to suit their tastes. You'll notice (if you read my response fully) that I used Dominions as an example, not to exclude anything else. Obviously Invasions and Rebellions, which are judged on STORY STRENGTH will have a STORY EMPHASIS. It is extremely disingenuous to pretend that I was applying the Dominion standard to everything when I clearly was not. My point is this: if a Dominion is moving too quickly for you, propose another one. We have had simultaneous dominions going on where the T3 is suited for speed, with a T1 or T2 simultaneously going on that is suited for story. Additionally, people are free to start whatever threads they want to write. Again, this is not something that staff can or will enforce.

And never, ever would I suggest that people who don't want to speed through Dominions are out of line for promotion, or would be delayed in any way. It is extremely irresponsible speculation on your part to suggest such a thing. Activity and faction contribution will count towards promotion, whether it's in a dominion or a development thread, or an invasion or a rebellion, or in other types of faction threads. Nothing I have said suggests otherwise; kindly refrain from putting words into the mouths of me and my staff.

Now, if you have some specific proposals or questions, I'm happy to discuss. What's next?

 

[Kenrath]

[member="Roderik von Brinkerhoff"]

Thank you for your input and if you are available I would like to expand on some on the points you brought up if possible in a PM or privately on Discord when you have a moment.


[member="Natasi Fortan"]

There is and has been nothing hostile about anything I have said. As far as toning down histrionics......I am sorry but I don't know what that word means. What I am trying to do is understand intent in areas specific to my interests as I am sure things have changed in the year or so since I last had a character in the First Order.

Nor have I accused you of being insidious.

I have read your reply............both of them several times. I do that with just about all OOC discussions in an effort ensure there are as few misunderstanding as possible before I post my own replies.

As it applies to this particular discussion I feel we are at an impasse. So I am going to say thank you for you time and move on.