Post by Dustin on Jul 16, 2014 15:02:42 GMT -8
There were things Sean and I disagreed with but his numbers are undeniable. We believe we can run great story with the rules set that we have now without a reset. I am not saying we don't believe some fine tuning won't need to be had, now that we have an opportunity to play test the rules; however, the staff's focus will be plot, player enjoyment, and improving staff to player communications with faster turnaround time.
Our platform is player empowerment. We want to empower the players to have control over their own game. We will provide Accountability, Consistency/Fairness, Communication, Community, Growth, Transparency, and Trust.
We feel that there is some thought that should go into approvals and we need to work from a story base as much as possible.
We will bring back news articles. Most of the times these were just be for laughs but they can also be a powerful tool the staff can use for plot hooks. Be aware that not all news articles are anything.
I, personally, intend on working on documenting the house rules into one downloadable/updatable/reviewable document. This will not only help the PAs but will make locating rules easier in general.
Here are some of the things we are looking to clarify:
Non-staff roles
PA (player advocate):
The roll of the PA is advocate for players by being intermediaries between players and staff as well as coordinate rules updates for vote. The PA will be requested to provide frequent updates on where they are at with any meditations or rule discussions. We feel advocating rules is also advocating for the players.
PC (player coordinator):
The roll of the PC is to work with players and staff to coordinate events. We are looking for at least an event every three months. The PC puts together, or oversees, events. The PC(s) are expected to communicate if they are in need of anything.
We would also like a coordinator to put together one or two community events such as the "blanket drive" of previous years.
PN (player narrator):
The roll of the PN is to primarily run personal plot for players at the PA convenience; however, the PN can run any type of scene if needed. The PN will need to communicate to staff if any of their scenes income elements with potential impact on the game world. Any acquisitions through a PA need to have staff approval. The narrator will be requested to run at least one player scene a month but can run as many as they want
Player combat specialist and player rules specialist:
It is nearly impossible for any one person to know all of the rules in the many books or to make sense of the chaotic and sometimes contradictory story lines in the white wolf books. Although I don't see needing more that maybe three totally between the two, their necessity is undeniable.
Staff Roles
The staff plan on improving communication at game by keeping walkie-talkies on their person.
AST (assistant story teller):
I see the roll of the AST to be that of scenes and at the moment rule calls. They will help facilitate the player needs, directly.
HST (head story teller):
I see the roll of the HST as being more administrative and not necessarily needing to be who the players go to for everything: if an AST can handle it, we should let them! If the players can handle it, there is no need to involve an ST unless they want to. The HST will facilitate the ASTs in doing their job. The HST will steer staff meetings, run paper table, and answer emails.
General Stuff
Plots:
But Dustin, what about plot? Once I am elected, current plots in play will remain in play until their natural end and will begin implementing new plot. Since plot is a big part of what we will be doing, we will ask the players what they want. I want to know where the players see the game going.
Rules Changes:
Rule changes will require a vote. All rule changes will be initiated by PAs by the will of the players or at the request of the staff. A total minimum signature count will be required to initiate a vote (it will be 10 or 15) and a super majority, or 2/3 majority, is required for any rule change. A total of two or three options will be placed forth for vote: the current Rule (no change), the PA version, and a Staff version, if staff feels the necessity. If the staff feels something is game breaking, they will send it back to the PAs to reevaluate.
We feel that if the rule cannot get a 2/3 majority vote, it is not the will of the players. This will also help avoid flip/flopping rules in the long run.
*This does not preclude a reset, should the players want it. This is specifically designed to facilitate it if the players want it.
Scenes:
Scene are to be ran by ASTs and/or Narrator(s)
In a disagreement, unless clearly stated in the rules, the AST or PN will make a call favoring the player on all PVE situation. The disagreement will be discussed at the next staff meeting and PAs will be brought in if it looks like a rule change or clarification will be needed. Any needed rule change will be handed of to the PAs.
Paper Table:
paper table will be overseen by the HST with help from the ASTs. All spends can be handed to ASTs or the HST who will compile them for addition to grapevine.
At this time, we are planning on running the paper table for three hours a game night to give the HST time to sync with the ASTs and make sure their needs are being met. This may change but we will make an announcement to communicate this to the players
Aside from the standard "standing in line for potentially an hour" or handling the xp spend over email, there is also the options that any spends can be handed to ASTs or the HST on a 3x5 card which we will compile for addition to grapevine. The XP request will be put into the players folder with a date stamp and a note it has been entered.
Turn-around time:
Once an email is sent in, the staff has +3 days to respond saying it has been received and when it will be discussed. The staff has +4 days (=7 days) to let the player know the next steps. The staff will have the issue resolved in 14 days; if extenuating circumstances arise and the resolution is pushed back, we will communicate with the player.
We will be setting email statuses to things such as "opened", "reopened", "in discussion", "closed", etc..., for easier identification of where something is at, at all times.
Custom Stuff:
There are a lot of concerns by players about overpowered custom things in game. Once elected, we will start by evaluating the current custom stuff in game to make sure their power level matches stuff already in the books. If needed, we will be breaking apart custom stuff into smaller pieces so that we can achieve balance. We will be then asking the PAs to work on evaluating the rules for custom things in game.
NPCs:
We will be taking on the "less is more" attitude with NPCS.
NPCs can be suffocating to a game if over used or not used properly. They serve an occasional purpose and can be the center of a plot but they should never take front stage over players. Most of the NPCs will work through players that have them on their sheet. We plan on running some "just passing through" NPCS.
Oracular:
I have been asked about oracular and oracular type abilities.
Oracular type abilities help bring plot to players. They are, however, frequently misinterpreted and unclear, more like a magic eight ball than a set in stone "this will happen". Oracular type abilities will continue to be a part of the game. We are only looking to "jazz" them up and sometimes make them a bit more vague.
Votes the staff would like to be brought to the players
XP
1) The system stays as is.
2) This is too complicated so lets tap the PAs to take this.
3) 3XP per night +1XP for Player or ST nom
4) 4XP per night. Nominations will become "prop only" and is story time to tell of the awesome that has happened.
Mod Dot
We are hearing a lot of mod dot discussion and thought we would put this up for vote:
1) System stays as is.
2) This is too complicated so lets tap the PAs to take this.
3) We use dice and approved dice roller sites
4) We use mod dot but move to "divide by 3" instead of "divide by 2 round up"
Our platform is player empowerment. We want to empower the players to have control over their own game. We will provide Accountability, Consistency/Fairness, Communication, Community, Growth, Transparency, and Trust.
We feel that there is some thought that should go into approvals and we need to work from a story base as much as possible.
We will bring back news articles. Most of the times these were just be for laughs but they can also be a powerful tool the staff can use for plot hooks. Be aware that not all news articles are anything.
I, personally, intend on working on documenting the house rules into one downloadable/updatable/reviewable document. This will not only help the PAs but will make locating rules easier in general.
Here are some of the things we are looking to clarify:
Non-staff roles
PA (player advocate):
The roll of the PA is advocate for players by being intermediaries between players and staff as well as coordinate rules updates for vote. The PA will be requested to provide frequent updates on where they are at with any meditations or rule discussions. We feel advocating rules is also advocating for the players.
PC (player coordinator):
The roll of the PC is to work with players and staff to coordinate events. We are looking for at least an event every three months. The PC puts together, or oversees, events. The PC(s) are expected to communicate if they are in need of anything.
We would also like a coordinator to put together one or two community events such as the "blanket drive" of previous years.
PN (player narrator):
The roll of the PN is to primarily run personal plot for players at the PA convenience; however, the PN can run any type of scene if needed. The PN will need to communicate to staff if any of their scenes income elements with potential impact on the game world. Any acquisitions through a PA need to have staff approval. The narrator will be requested to run at least one player scene a month but can run as many as they want
Player combat specialist and player rules specialist:
It is nearly impossible for any one person to know all of the rules in the many books or to make sense of the chaotic and sometimes contradictory story lines in the white wolf books. Although I don't see needing more that maybe three totally between the two, their necessity is undeniable.
Staff Roles
The staff plan on improving communication at game by keeping walkie-talkies on their person.
AST (assistant story teller):
I see the roll of the AST to be that of scenes and at the moment rule calls. They will help facilitate the player needs, directly.
HST (head story teller):
I see the roll of the HST as being more administrative and not necessarily needing to be who the players go to for everything: if an AST can handle it, we should let them! If the players can handle it, there is no need to involve an ST unless they want to. The HST will facilitate the ASTs in doing their job. The HST will steer staff meetings, run paper table, and answer emails.
General Stuff
Plots:
But Dustin, what about plot? Once I am elected, current plots in play will remain in play until their natural end and will begin implementing new plot. Since plot is a big part of what we will be doing, we will ask the players what they want. I want to know where the players see the game going.
Rules Changes:
Rule changes will require a vote. All rule changes will be initiated by PAs by the will of the players or at the request of the staff. A total minimum signature count will be required to initiate a vote (it will be 10 or 15) and a super majority, or 2/3 majority, is required for any rule change. A total of two or three options will be placed forth for vote: the current Rule (no change), the PA version, and a Staff version, if staff feels the necessity. If the staff feels something is game breaking, they will send it back to the PAs to reevaluate.
We feel that if the rule cannot get a 2/3 majority vote, it is not the will of the players. This will also help avoid flip/flopping rules in the long run.
*This does not preclude a reset, should the players want it. This is specifically designed to facilitate it if the players want it.
Scenes:
Scene are to be ran by ASTs and/or Narrator(s)
In a disagreement, unless clearly stated in the rules, the AST or PN will make a call favoring the player on all PVE situation. The disagreement will be discussed at the next staff meeting and PAs will be brought in if it looks like a rule change or clarification will be needed. Any needed rule change will be handed of to the PAs.
Paper Table:
paper table will be overseen by the HST with help from the ASTs. All spends can be handed to ASTs or the HST who will compile them for addition to grapevine.
At this time, we are planning on running the paper table for three hours a game night to give the HST time to sync with the ASTs and make sure their needs are being met. This may change but we will make an announcement to communicate this to the players
Aside from the standard "standing in line for potentially an hour" or handling the xp spend over email, there is also the options that any spends can be handed to ASTs or the HST on a 3x5 card which we will compile for addition to grapevine. The XP request will be put into the players folder with a date stamp and a note it has been entered.
Turn-around time:
Once an email is sent in, the staff has +3 days to respond saying it has been received and when it will be discussed. The staff has +4 days (=7 days) to let the player know the next steps. The staff will have the issue resolved in 14 days; if extenuating circumstances arise and the resolution is pushed back, we will communicate with the player.
We will be setting email statuses to things such as "opened", "reopened", "in discussion", "closed", etc..., for easier identification of where something is at, at all times.
Custom Stuff:
There are a lot of concerns by players about overpowered custom things in game. Once elected, we will start by evaluating the current custom stuff in game to make sure their power level matches stuff already in the books. If needed, we will be breaking apart custom stuff into smaller pieces so that we can achieve balance. We will be then asking the PAs to work on evaluating the rules for custom things in game.
NPCs:
We will be taking on the "less is more" attitude with NPCS.
NPCs can be suffocating to a game if over used or not used properly. They serve an occasional purpose and can be the center of a plot but they should never take front stage over players. Most of the NPCs will work through players that have them on their sheet. We plan on running some "just passing through" NPCS.
Oracular:
I have been asked about oracular and oracular type abilities.
Oracular type abilities help bring plot to players. They are, however, frequently misinterpreted and unclear, more like a magic eight ball than a set in stone "this will happen". Oracular type abilities will continue to be a part of the game. We are only looking to "jazz" them up and sometimes make them a bit more vague.
Votes the staff would like to be brought to the players
XP
1) The system stays as is.
2) This is too complicated so lets tap the PAs to take this.
3) 3XP per night +1XP for Player or ST nom
4) 4XP per night. Nominations will become "prop only" and is story time to tell of the awesome that has happened.
Mod Dot
We are hearing a lot of mod dot discussion and thought we would put this up for vote:
1) System stays as is.
2) This is too complicated so lets tap the PAs to take this.
3) We use dice and approved dice roller sites
4) We use mod dot but move to "divide by 3" instead of "divide by 2 round up"
