Discussion Be the change - A new faction perhaps?

[Kitter Bitters]

The recent Rebel Alliance faction started on a perceived groundswell of rebel interest but didn't really take off, probably because it didn't evolve organically, and the loudest driving force behind drumming up interest completely flaked out on it at a speed that was impressive, even for them. I chalk it up to a lesson learned ...

The recent rebel alliance faction had TWO threads, the first of which waited almost a week for a response so naturally stalled. The forum was never organized, no information was thrown up, the art I volunteered was ignored and the discord went dead. The group had two threads (that I know of) and they lasted barely a week or two before they went dead.

as for the "loudest driving force behind drumming up interest," I flat out told the entire group I did not want to lead the faction and in no way wanted to be a driving force. You volunteered for that position. Not me.

I love you, Nash, but don't come at me with that crap.

 

[Aether Verd]

Aight so we have the rough wishlist brewing of factions folk would like to see, now comes the fun part:

Who's running 'em?

We know that building a faction via committee doesn't work in the current economy (e.g., various rebel factions) We also know that clicking create faction and being the right genre doesn't guarantee success. (e.g., various Imperial factions)

What does tend to work is when the potential MFO has maxed out their charisma stat, posts like hell, and isn't a flake.

So for all these ideas/themes/etc that folk would like to see, who's got that iron in them?

 

[Kitter Bitters]

I am not faction leading material and I don’t think I could really commit. I’ve got flakiness in bundles.

BUT

I’m happy to help with art or writing up information and stuff if anybody needs help. <3

 

[Joy]

While the topic is about the creation of a new faction I would like to suggest that, perhaps, reviving an old faction could be a great way to create roleplay and drum up interest. I've seen mentions of a rebellion faction. In 2025 a rebellion faction went Major called the Tingel Arm Coalition. While it seems that the writers (who created TAC) are now into the Farworlds Alliance (and trying to get that faction to go Major) perhaps a new group of writers could takeover where TAC left-off and if there is enough momentum perhaps the FA writers (who used to be in TAC) would have interest in writing their old characters again.

I have seen mentions of a new Imperial faction. As someone who has been involved in, perhaps, nearly every incarnation of an Imperial faction over these past two and a half-years I think it might be best to look to the past. The New Imperial Order, despite closing a few years ago, remains a prevalent reference to Imperial roleplay all this time later. Could it not be a good thing to try and revive the NIO to what it used to be? Like TAC it could entice players (who I know have since left the board) to come back at the idea of writing for NIO again.

It is also worth pointing out that we have a Galactic Empire that could be revived as well. Certainly I feel the Sith Covenant would enjoy a storyline of a resurgent Imperial force trying to retake their Empire that was taken from them.

There are also a large list of former Majors that could have an interest of being revived. Top of that list would be the Galactic Alliance. This is a faction that has gone Major and then gone Minor quite a few times over the past ten years. Perhaps it is time for the GA to comeback. Certainly if there is a certain viewpoint that the Jedi Order (in the High Republic) isn't quite filling that niche which other Jedi roleplayers want and crave for.

A final suggestion could be to join the Major factions currently up and live on the board. Get together with your friends and reach out to the staff of Iron Cov, Sith Covenant, Sith Order, the Mandalorian Empire, or the High Republic. Put together a story you want to tell and tell it in those factions.

Sometimes it is better to join the herd then to try and make your own.

 

[Koda Fett]

There are also a large list of former Majors that could have an interest of being revived. Top of that list would be the Galactic Alliance. This is a faction that has gone Major and then gone Minor quite a few times over the past ten years.

I think because of this, we should allow it to stay dead.

There's merit in revisiting old faction ideas more so than the factions themselves, or to use them as a launching point for new factions. Example being, members of the old Galactic Alliance have since taken up arms in a rebellion faction now.

I definitely encourage people to join the pre-existing factions and tell their stories in those established, larger communities. If the story you want to tell suits, that is. If not, take a chance and make something that does suit. Even if it's a faction of just you, it still gives you the chance to create your own narrative backdrop more concretely than to have it all tucked away inside your head.

 

[Joy]

If the story you want to tell suits, that is.

This line of thinking is why I think the board feels stale. Major factions are suppose to be a house that have many people and therefore a space for many different types of stories. If we continue to limit what people feel that they can write in established Majors (or new ones) because it differs to what staff team's want to write then I think that is really bad.

For example, if someone put together a group of friends to write a story centralized around one Sith Lord, in the Sith Covenant or the Sith Order, who wants to become the Dark Lord of the Sith, then I think that is 100% okay. However, it feels like in the current culture on the site, such a person would be told OOC that they cannot roleplay this and if they were to try and do something like this IC then they would be banned from the faction.

 

[Liin Terallo]

There's where the collaboration is key. Being told no is far more common than being told yes. Or maybe later sometime down the road.

I've been told that I'm great at worldbuilding, but that's something that's usually done by myself. Some may like to read it, but participation is minimal.

I'm all for Rebels fighting against the Empire kind of thing, but in no way do I have the clout or the reach to be able to pull such a thing off. I am unfamiliar with board events or how they operate as I've not been here for long. But the idea of one sounds neat!

 

[Koda Fett]

This line of thinking is why I think the board feels stale. Major factions are suppose to be a house that have many people and therefore a space for many different types of stories. If we continue to limit what people feel that they can write in established Majors (or new ones) because it differs to what staff team's want to write then I think that is really bad.

For example, if someone put together a group of friends to write a story centralized around one Sith Lord, in the Sith Covenant or the Sith Order, who wants to become the Dark Lord of the Sith, then I think that is 100% okay. However, it feels like in the current culture on the site, such a person would be told OOC that they cannot roleplay this and if they were to try and do something like this IC then they would be banned from the faction.

I understand. I said the above with the idea of it being suitable with regard to the core identity of the faction, as in not joining the Sith as a Jedi. I can't speak to what would happen if someone ran the hypothetical plot you mentioned as I'm not involved enough to comment on any faction at this point, but I do think people should broadly be allowed to write whatever they want. Factions should be able to incorporate the personal plots into the overarching narratives, which they may or may not do now. I can't speak to that, as I said earlier. At some points in the past, not so much, and others, yes.

 

[Avelion]

Agreeing with Koda, I say let the old factions stay dead, but take the core idea and make something fresh.

Yes, making and maintaining a faction isn't a cakewalk. But resilience is a thing. We have budding projects and Im crious to see where they go.

What needs to stop is finger pointing and naysaying right out the gate. That is not how Positive Change is achieved.

I know some feel that you don't have the makings for leading and that's ok. But don't ever feel that you can't do something because clout.

Clout is bs. We are writing on a fanfic site for goodness sake.

I'm the most controversial person in this room. I'm just stubborn enough to not care and I march to my beat. March to your own beat - there will be people that draw inspiration from it and follow.

For the lurkers - I know one of you have had an idea in the back of your mind. I beg, nay, challenge you to make that idea a reality. But rewire your mind when you do - don't fear the salt. That era has passed. So don't tiptoe around the perceived idea of it. Yes, there will be uphill climbing - don't delude yourself to think it won't. You'll have to work for it. But there will be a core few that want to write what you do - don't let THEM down. Double down and push it - the rest will come with time if make it engaging enough and give people a story to latch onto and slot in with.

I know there are some that will say "no" to your idea. Let them, shrug it off, and keep in marching. I know veeeeeery well how it feels to have doors closed in your face. But you have a story to tell, so tell it.

I pledge my support at least in what capacity I can give it - advice, art, a character, any support you need. I back your idea. Bring it to life. Shrug off the naysayers and double down.

 

[Mercy]

I was content to just read along the thread but otherwise not jump in, because I am one of the people who doesn't really see the issue that is being identified here and in the previous thread. But I am not gonna tell people there is no issue if they are feeling it in their bones, that seems unfair.

That being said, I do have to respond to this.

or example, if someone put together a group of friends to write a story centralized around one Sith Lord, in the Sith Covenant or the Sith Order, who wants to become the Dark Lord of the Sith, then I think that is 100% okay. However, it feels like in the current culture on the site, such a person would be told OOC that they cannot roleplay this and if they were to try and do something like this IC then they would be banned from the faction.

I find it frankly concerning how confidently you make a sweeping statement like this about a faction you do not belong to.

The Sith Covenant as a group is entirely open to people coming in as nobodies and build their power base through IC stories. I have always encouraged people to challenge Mercy for instance, if they ICly believe their characters would and could.

People will never be banned from the faction for challenging the status quo ICly. But this is key: you have to be OOCly respectful and actually cooperate with the other writers of the faction.

Other than that, I am enjoying the read and I'm looking forward to seeing what ideas will spring up out of the discussion.

The more factions on the map, the better in my opinion.

 

[Liin Terallo]

I've only been speaking of experiences, which haven't been positive among the Majors. That's why I say that I don't have the clout or the reach. It's not any BS. But there are sure to be many others that have had more positive experiences. Otherwise those factions won't exist, ha ha!,

When my stories die right away, I blame myself for it not being engaging enough for anyone else. And while ideas burn in the back of my mind (like liberating New Cov!) they aren't worth much if others don't feel inclined to participate. But again, that's on my own lack of skill and ability to keep people engaged. For some it comes automatically, and for others, it's always a struggle.

But we underdogs carry on, regardless, ha ha!

 

[Srina Talon]

My two credits worth is that "I want to see this type of faction, please make it" doesn't work. There needs to be an organic interest and a good core working team to develop it, grow it, and drive it. The recent Rebel Alliance faction started on a perceived groundswell of rebel interest but didn't really take off, probably because it didn't evolve organically, and the loudest driving force behind drumming up interest completely flaked out on it at a speed that was impressive, even for them. I chalk it up to a lesson learned but I'd hate to see someone put a lot of time and effort ntto spinning their wheels for something that seems to be built by consensus which people won't end up supporting because it was built by w committee that isn't going to do the writing within it.

By all means if you feel passionately about something, make it happen.

So for all these ideas/themes/etc that folk would like to see, who's got that iron in them?

This is also completely valid. We can throw out as many ideas as we want, but it takes someone really feeling passionate about a faction to lift it up and make it progress positively. As mentioned before: I can't start a faction just because of how the site rules work. If I could?

Echani, Echani, Echani all day every day, eat, sleep, and breathe angsty space elf amazon lady warriors.

That being said, I don't think there's a problem with community brainstorming because perhaps talking about it may bring it into focus for someone, and the idea will take root. It should still be an organic process, not a forced one, and certainly not something anyone should do out of "guilt" or "obligation" because THAT is what creates a stale atmosphere. Some poor soul just going through the motions.

I also agree that letting most former major factions stay dead is the respectful play; however, there are some rare exceptions where it might work out. Common canon faction names like "The Jedi Order/The Sith Empire/Galactic Empire/Confederacy/Galacic Alliance" will always circle back because that's BIG for Star Wars fans. Just because you've experienced it before doesn't mean that everyone has, and there might be something in it for them that super jives.

If we want people to throw their hat in the ring, we need more than lip service; we need to do more than ignore the salt. Actively change it. Follow the thread title both publicly AND privately, or we're just falling into the same cycles. Saying "There is no salt in Ba Sing Se" doesn't make it true.

MFO's need to feel comfortable being an MFO OOC so they can stay engaged and involved IC. That starts with potential MFO's feeling comfortable and confident as members. None of this exists in a vacuum. TLDR:

If someone likes one of these ideas, by all means run with it. But if you don't.... Don't. Don't do that to yourself.

 

[Aether Verd]

Brb making CIS 3.0

 

[Srina Talon]

Brb making CIS 3.0

That is all you take from this lmao...You're killing me.

 

[Quinn Varanin]

Echani, Echani, Echani all day every day, eat, sleep, and breathe angsty space elf amazon lady warriors.

Mother has spoken.

 

[Darth Apophion]

You need more than passion, you need someone who can make all the visual drip and do all the Faction factory/codex stuff.

Then you need a staff core to direct the faction and help maintain activity.

Then you need a solid amount of writers who want to actually write together.

For a big canon faction like The Jedi that's a very tall order.

 

[Aether Verd]

That is all you take from this lmao...You're killing me.

B-B-B-But purple is your favorite color!

 

[Liin Terallo]

You need more than passion, you need someone who can make all the visual drip and do all the Faction factory/codex stuff.

Then you need a staff core to direct the faction and help maintain activity.

Then you need a solid amount of writers who want to actually write together.

For a big canon faction like The Jedi that's a very tall order.

Exactly that! I'm sure that it's a tall order for many, not just Jedi.

 

[Quinn Varanin]

B-B-B-But purple is your favorite color!

So purple banners on Eshan got it!

 

[Aether Verd]

You need more than passion, you need someone who can make all the visual drip and do all the Faction factory/codex stuff.

Then you need a staff core to direct the faction and help maintain activity.

Then you need a solid amount of writers who want to actually write together.

For a big canon faction like The Jedi that's a very tall order.

Above I said: What does tend to work is when the potential MFO has maxed out their charisma stat, posts like hell, and isn't a flake.

Let's carry the two:

• Graphics & Factory/Codex: Charisma
• Staff Core: Charisma, Post Like Hell, & Don't Flake
• Minimum of 5 Writers: Charisma + Post Like Hell

If you can communicate your vision in a way that brings people in and makes them part of the picture - not just a viewer of the picture - you can gain their interest. If you write a damn good story with them, then they'll look forward to writing your story more and more.

And if you stick with it? The map will have your name on it somewhere. Simple as.