Discussion Be the change - A new faction perhaps?

[Judah Lesan]

Judah Lesan well said! That is very true.

I meant more like I’ve seen people be on board for an idea but then pull back because “I don’t like writer x.” But then we get small groups with the same ideas that won’t play together.

I understand wanting to only hang out with people you like. This is a hobby. I just thought maybe it was worth noting maybe try to give someone a chance and see if maybe you really end up having fun in the faction, even if the brains behind it was not your first choice cup of tea.

I hope that made sense. I think I’m rambling.

Ahhh gotcha. I mean some people aren’t as bad as you think they are… some factions are cooler when you give them a chance. That’s a good perspective.

I’m just her prisoner…

 

[Jasem va'Quickstep]

Something I think is worth mentioning about clout.

I’ve noticed sometimes ideas don’t even get off the ground because of who started them. Maybe we could be a little more flexible and give folks a chance.

I’m not taking the trouble makers and I do not mean staff and MFO choices. Those are above my pay grad.

I just mean maybe support the members with “less clout” at the minor stage. That might help the ideas grow.

What ideas?

 

[Kitter Bitters]

What ideas?

Well I think the latest rebel factions are a good example. When I was wrangling people to try and start something I got a lot of “it depends on who leads it.”

I get that to an extent but at the same time I feel like if we gave people a chance we might be surprised.

Does that make sense?

 

[Braze]

Exclusion is the enemy of us all.

I wanted to ask staff for some guidance on what advice we should give writers who are struggling to establish themselves or find consistent roleplay within the community.

Communities naturally form friendships and familiar writing circles, and no one can be expected to participate in every story, accept every character concept, or respond to every request. At the same time, some writers have told me that they struggle to find connections even after posting advertisements, joining open threads, approaching factions, responding to planning discussions, or reaching out to other writers.

My interest is in helping foster a welcoming environment where writers have a fair opportunity to share their ideas, meet potential writing partners, and become involved in ongoing stories. I would also like to help people distinguish between ordinary difficulties finding compatible partners and situations where they may need to change how they are approaching the community.

I have tried to contribute by creating additional storytelling opportunities, inviting less-established writers into discussions, encouraging people to share their ideas, and redirecting conversations away from general complaints and toward practical solutions.

What specific advice would staff recommend giving writers who have made repeated efforts but still feel overlooked? For example, should they be directed toward particular forums, faction spaces, roleplay advertisements, open threads, community events, or methods of approaching other writers?

Are there also common mistakes that may make it harder for someone to receive responses, such as unclear advertisements, overly narrow concepts, joining too many threads at once, or approaching people without enough information about the story they would like to propose?

I would like to make sure the guidance I offer is practical, constructive, respectful of everyone's personal boundaries, and consistent with the site's expectations.

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.

The FA is a continuation of the natural roleplay progression of the characters involved in TAC. I also have documented roleplays showing that the same core group of roughly five to seven writers has been telling stories together since before TAC and continues to do so now.

We intend to continue building narratives and writing together regardless of whether the faction ever gains a place on the map. We are also actively reaching out to other groups and writers to plan collaborative threads, shared plots, and cross-faction storytelling opportunities.

 

[Srina Talon]

Well I think the latest rebel factions are a good example. When I was wrangling people to try and start something I got a lot of “it depends on who leads it.”

I get that to an extent but at the same time I feel like if we gave people a chance we might be surprised.

Does that make sense?

I can see this both ways, to be honest. I'm 100% for giving people a chance, but I do NOT blame writers for this perspective. I won't invalidate what someone else has been through, nor will we as Staff ever dictate who people "can" and "can't" write with outside of the obvious behavioral issues. There have been times when we have had to tell members to stay away from each other because they mix like oil and water.

But I feel the sentiment you're putting forward in my bones. Some people won't write with me just because I primarily write Sith, or the most common reason: My username is blue. So, I get it. It's just that, unfortunately, most people who have that perspective just aren't ready to move on yet. We can't force them, or we're inviting drama/arguing/reports that could be just as detrimental.

Just because someone is ready to be forgiven doesn't mean that the community is ready to forgive. It takes time - if ever - and it's with that in mind that everyone should have the right to choose who they do and do not want to interact with.

 

[Jasem va'Quickstep]

Well I think the latest rebel factions are a good example. When I was wrangling people to try and start something I got a lot of “it depends on who leads it.”

I get that to an extent but at the same time I feel like if we gave people a chance we might be surprised.

Does that make sense?

Yes, but I think for some people the chance (and the second and third and fourth chances) have come and gone already. There are people who are fundamentally not compatible, and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Still, in a perfect world?

 

[Kitter Bitters]

I agree with you both. I get it. I really do. I’m guilty of it too. It’s just one of those maybe if you can try? But if you can’t then trust your gut.

 

[Darth Avida]

I’ve noticed sometimes ideas don’t even get off the ground because of who started them. Maybe we could be a little more flexible and give folks a chance.

I don't think the takeaway from this should be that it is personal, although I am sure there are examples of individuals with personal issues with other individuals, it is that you build a reputation here and if your reputation doesn't lend itself to a consistent and active presence you aren't going to draw much support from people because that is the bare minimum requirement to run a faction.

I also do not think this is actually even true. Most of the LFG threads I have browsed over the last month, specifically those looking to start new groups, have largely had most people inquiring about the specific nature of those groups - like an LFG I responded to a week or two ago about rebel stuff. None of them had any posts of "who is running this" aside from maybe looking at what characters are involved to get an idea on what sort of things such groups will be up to; largely because every LFG thread I've read has failed to actually disclose anything specific aside from "this will be an X faction/group".

 

[Srina Talon]

I wanted to ask staff for some guidance on what advice we should give writers who are struggling to establish themselves or find consistent roleplay within the community.

Apologies, I was already writing another reply and didn't see this one. I didn't mean to skip you.

So - Please bear with me...But I don't think there's a singlular/fix all answer I can give because "I'm struggling to find roleplay" can mean a lot of different things. Sometimes it's simply a matter of finding the right fit. Not every character, concept, or writing style is going to mesh with every other writer, and that is perfectly normal. Sometimes it's an issue of visibility. A member might have posted an advertisement a few times, but they haven't really put themselves into conversations, events, or ongoing stories where relationships can naturally form over time.

Connections can ALSO spring from the most unlikely of places. For example: I didn't know anyone on SWRP in 2017-2018, and I almost left the site because I couldn't find anyone willing to write with me. I posted in threads and got unintentionally ignored with my aspiring Jedi Padawan Srina (the irony) until one day Aether Verd butt dialed me, and I picked up. I had no idea what MFO's were and thought they were site staff, so I thought I'd done something wrong...But nope.. Just a butt dial. That one accident turned into a long-term writing partner.

It can really hinge on a lot. Sometimes it's presentation. Concepts offered might be difficult to engage with, and if the LFG is hard to suss out, I'm afraid it might get left behind. Being careful not to expect the other writer(s) to do all the heavy lifting when it comes to planning is also key. We want others to feel involved but not overwhelmed with needing to cater and carry a story arc.

And then sometimes, even, despite doing everything right, a member might just have had the unfortunate luck of joining during a slow period or before they've had a chance to really connect with others. Life might get in the way of plans that seemed like they might take shape but then fall to the wayside. That isn't anyone's fault at all.

I think the best guidance I can reasonably offer would be:

• Encourage people to participate in faction threads (any, not just majors) because that is where you'll meet more writers by sheer quantity.
• Use the First Reply Feature & Public Threads.
• Keep reaching out. Don't be discouraged by a few unanswered PM's or dropped storylines.
• Don't be afraid to ask for feedback on a character concept or advertisement if they feel like it isn't landing. If they don't have anyone to ask and don't want to drop it in public, they can always reach out to an Admin or RPJ. We're literally here for you guys - Not the other way around.
• Try to get people hype for an idea that makes their character the star of the show. It requires personal sacrifice...But the long-term benefits pay off.
• Ditch the idea that "older writers" are required to kowtow/bend for newer writers and/or let their characters die for them on a whim. (This is exclusionary)
• Ditch the mindset of someone not being "Jedi" or "Sith" or "Mando" enough. (This is exclusionary)
• Ditch the thought that newer writers can't come out with a bang. (This is exclusionary)
• The last thing would be to encourage people to "police their brass" and be very careful to leave negative comments and toxicity out of conversations. Often, people judge others by the company they keep, and if that "group" starts being known for trashing the community, they might find it very hard to find reception even when met with the best of intentions. This counts for PM, DM, Site, Discord, and especially Voice Calls.
• Oh sorry last last thing...Remember that we're all human beings deserving of respect and patience.

At the same time, as I mentioned above, I don't think it's realistic or healthy to expect everyone to write with everyone else, no holds barred. Writers should absolutely respect personal preferences and boundaries regardless of their ambition.

The goal should be making it easier for people to find compatible partners, not creating an expectation that every invitation must be accepted. ​

Ultimately, I believe that fostering a welcoming community (avoiding snark, salt, and general maladaptive internet behavior) is less about guaranteeing roleplay and more about making sure there are plenty of visible opportunities for people to connect. Making sure that newer writers know about LFG, First Reply, Public Threads, and that there is no stigma to joining ANY faction, major or minor, is the best path forward. At the end of the day, we just keep trying our best. Eventually, it sticks. But we have to give ourselves time and others patience.

TLDR: Chin up - Keep Trying.

 

[Kitter Bitters]

Darth Avida I have witnessed it mostly in discord, where people say an idea is good, but then when they find out who steps up to lead they back away.

I do completely agree with what you are saying though that people build up a reputation and that can really influence if people want to join. I for example, am a notorious flake who doesn’t stick to ideas long term. It would be difficult for writers to commit to a faction I make because they don’t want to waste effort on something that won’t last at least a small time. It’s a legitimate concern and not personal at all.

I was more just saying generally people might surprise us and to try to be open if we can, but as you and others have pointed out there are completely understandable reasons to not want to be involved with a project because another writer is.

 

[Kitter Bitters]

Srina Talon are you saying we have Aether Verd ’s butt to thank for having you here with us?

Best butt on Chaos 2026?

 

[Srina Talon]

Srina Talon are you saying we have Aether Verd ’s butt to thank for having you here with us?

Best butt on Chaos 2026?

I hate this with fire, but uuuuh yes. You do indeed have his backside to thank xD

 

[Braze]

Srina Talon
Thank you for such a thoughtful response. I really appreciate the practical advice and the care you put into explaining it. This was genuinely helpful to read, and it’s given me a lot to consider. Much appreciated ♡

 

[Srina Talon]

Srina Talon
Thank you for such a thoughtful response. I really appreciate the practical advice and the care you put into explaining it. This was genuinely helpful to read, and it’s given me a lot to consider. Much appreciated ♡

You're very welcome! Anytime.