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SOTG FEBRUARY 2024
Feb. 1st, 2024 10:47 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
expiationmodsAC RESULTS
| pricelesstearsfrozenblossomsgotbrainsthanatoastshadowofpridenullificates |
WHAT'S NEW?
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CALENDAR IS UPDATED HERE.
AC CHANGE FOR NEW PLAYERSIn months past, we’ve allowed for new players to pass AC without linking comments or placeholders. However, because of the rearranging of the app cycles, from here on out we expect that new players accepted in the app cycle meet AC. For example, players accepted in February’s cycle will be expected to make AC for March. But as usual, backtags to TDM threads are still allowed. Backtags made during the month of AC will always be accepted.
CAST CAPElise was supposed to put this in the last SOTG but didn’t dummy, but the mod team has discussed a cast cap and has decided to go through with one for the Persona series. It was a difficult decision, but at the end of the day we don’t want the game to be overwhelmed with one canon. So as of now, there will be a cast cap of 15 for this series. Currently, there are no other cast caps planned and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Currently the Persona cast is at 9/15.
SENTENCINGAutomatic sentencing for the month goes to Vi (turned in by Silco), Scott (destruction of property) and Knives (murder of NPCs). We will be opening five slots this month. If there are more than five who would like to be Sentenced, we will RNG the results. Sign-ups close and Sentencing will go out on the 6th. If you were part of the Sentencing for the last round, if you sign up again, you will not be picked unless there aren't enough signups. We'd like as many people as possible to experience the mechanic if they so desire.
POST-EVENT POLLAs a reminder, the post-event poll is here, which wraps up the event and effects on the game!
THIS MONTH IN ALDRIP
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PLAYER PLOTEarly in the morning of February 1, something explodes.
Those in Aldrip will hear it from a distance along with a blue light that shoots straight into the sky, and soon, smoke billows from the horizon to the south. It smells like burning wood and stone. Anyone closer to the south, from the forest to Rumpitur, will be able to trace the smoke to Ketsora; the locals will still not let anyone close enough to investigate, but it seems to be fires from several sources, and some structures within the walls of the city seem to be damaged.
Rumors spread quickly. Rumpitur has gone to war with Ketsora. Aldrip seeks retribution for Ketsora's complacency. Ketsoran technology has malfunctioned and caused wanton destruction. Eventually, the truth comes out: one of the Chosen seems to be responsible.
Locals in Aldrip get to work quickly, sending a representative to the city as a peacekeeping measure. A few tense days will go by. In early February, the end result is announced: talks between Aldrip and Ketsora were tentatively positive, but more will need to be done. Aldrip locals have invited a small Ketsoran delegation to the city in an attempt to keep the peace. This visit will take place from February 19-23.
HORNY TOADSWell. Because someone decided to start cooking some of the frogs that were shooting at people in December (Dara) and eating them (Vi, Jinx), there are some toads that are looking to make some vengeance on Aldrip.
Instead of shooting at people, they’re contaminating food and drink. Of course they can be seen around near the scene of their crimes, but it’s not extremely obvious that they’re up to some mischief unless someone puts two and two together after a while and figures out that they’re definitely the ones behind the strangeness.
Effects include, and aren’t limited to, the following:
PHYSICAL:
- Seeing things that aren’t there
-chattier/happier than normal
EMOTIONAL
- Confusion
- Compulsion to tell the truth
- Crave the closeness of another person (does NOT have to be physical – it could be that someone is simply satisfied spending time in the same room with someone)
MENTAL
- Compulsion to serve others (think Ella Enchanted)
These guys? Yeah, they’re going to be around all month. Have fun with that.
PLAYER PLOT PT 2Mitama will be hosting a Charity Date Auction for fundraising efforts in helping rebuild Aldrip! Stay tuned for that!
WEATHERThe weather stays much the same as it did in December, but not quite as intense. There’s still periods of snow, but not quite blizzard conditions like it was in December.
LOOKING AHEAD
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The mod team has decided that we are going to lean into the sci-fi aspect of the game a little more than we had before while also keeping the fantasy setting, as is described in the summary of the game. That means that there will be some changes in 2024, and that means more than ever as these changes take place that we welcome feedback! But for now… what happens is a mystery.
SO MUCH LOVE,
It’s been a year since Expi officially started! And it’s been a crazy year to say the least, with a lot of changes, but we are so extremely glad for everyone here. We sincerely hope that everyone has a good February, and if there’s anything anyone would like to talk to us about, let us know!
SOTG JANUARY 2024
Dec. 28th, 2023 10:28 pmexpiationmodsAC RESULTS
NO ONE... beautiful!! |
And these characters are eligible for a free small item regain! Go ahead and comment below and claim your prize, should you want it:
| izanagisorphnelaserguybeshackledwhatsamadabulletingconflictresolutiondrugsnotclubsheir_conditioned |
WHAT'S NEW?
THIS MONTH IN ALDRIP
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Around the beginning of the month, characters will begin to notice the same corruption that was affecting the soil in Rumpitur seems to have made its way into Aldrip. At first, it seems only to be affecting the land where crops are grown, but over the course of a few days, it begins to affect more things, too. Chosen will notice that the monsters surrounding the town become more aggressive, their extremities blackened by this same corruption. Plants and even some building foundations seem susceptible to it, too, becoming weaker at points where this mysterious rot has seeped in.
Some characters may find themselves affected as well. What does this look like? Affected characters will find dark black streaks lacing their arms, beginning at the tips of their fingers and toes, but growing over time. This rot may weaken powers somewhat, but what it does more prominently is cause rot within their minds, making them excessively aggressive, breaking down their inhibitions, or even causing excessive sadness.
Those who took glowing rocks from the caves will notice that any corruption those rocks comes into contact with seems to subside, at least temporarily.The aurora borealis, or something similar to it, appears above the caves at night. Some of the Aldrip natives even mention that it looks like it's beckoning people towards the caves... Aldrip locals stand watch day and night at the paths leading to Rumpitur, and warn both Chosen and locals alike that those paths are closed for the forseeable future. In Rumpitur, Aldrip locals ensure that the Rumpiturians are not allowed out of town, out of an abundance of caution and suspicion. They attempt to turn people away unless they're really stubborn about it, and even Silco gets a cold re-welcome if he comes back after being taken to Aldrip himself...
As for holding them accountable for their actions beyond that, opinions are still split between punishment and leniency. This thread may be interesting to those who weren't involved in the original question!As if all of this isn't enough, the weather takes a turn for the worst. It's not quite blizzard conditions, but snow showers are pretty much a constant throughout the month with ranging intensity. The snow flakes are even tainted with that blackened rot that's been taking over the ground too. Make sure you can get out of your house before the snowdrift gets too high, if you have one!
LOOKING AHEAD
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HELLO HELLO 2024!!! Things will be starting off on a slightly quieter note to wrap up the current story arc, but after that we have another exciting arc coming up!
If anyone would like to contribute to a player plot this month, or wants to take any initiative in investigating things further, drop us a line! Nothing else really new to take note of, for now!
SO MUCH LOVE,
This month marks a whole year since Expiation has been open!! We'd like to thank everyone who's kept it going and helped the modteam with their momentum and enthusiasm. As we keep going down the line, we wanna always encourage you guys to talk to us, pass along anything we can do better or what you'd like to see more of! We wouldn't be here without you!
SOTG DECEMBER 2023
Nov. 29th, 2023 01:44 pmexpiationmodsAC RESULTS
| fatalismmotifshemovoreindividualizedscythedancenobetawedielikexxfeathersxx |
WHAT'S NEW?
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WE HAVE UPDATED THE CALENDAR / APP CYCLE SCHEDULING. This is a test run for an app cycle that might be more feasible, especially in December. With this current plan, we have 18 days between when the TDM goes up and the time that apps close. We as a modteam wanted to experiment with this, because we felt like the current TDM > apps closing pipeline was a little too smushed and rushed together.
That being said, we will not have separate posts for mingles on app months anymore. Instead, we're going to keep some of the spirit of them into the TDMs themselves, and open the posts to the whole game instead of just newbies. Again, the modteam is trialing this as a way to consolidate and streamline our cycles and encourage the use of player plots in game. We have a lot of plotty players, and TDM months in-game would be great times for you guys to do things without feeling like you're stepping on our toes.AC THIS MONTH WILL BE CHECK-IN. Those of you who make AC will get a small physical reward of your choice, however. At this time, we're not going to be doing lore drops as a reward. SENTENCING
Sentencing will happen this month! We have Quentin (vandalism) and Silco (bribery of a public official) as automatic pools. We will be opening up five slots this month for random characters to be rnged in. If you were part of the Sentencing for the last round, if you sign up again, you will not be picked unless there aren't enough signups. We'd like as many people as possible to experience the mechanic if they so desire.
THIS MONTH IN ALDRIP
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EVENT AFTERMATH
After the 4th and the battle with the monsters and its babies, it'll fall back into the ocean. Any further investigation will conclude that there's no sign of it returning... almost as if it's disappeared into thin air.
For now.
The question that remains now is: what do the Chosen want to do about the Rumpiturians who perpetuated the kidnappings? We have a comment HERE for any characters or players who would like to put forth a suggestion.
After the Rumpiturians are dealt with, or even before, the Chosen are encouraged to go back to Aldrip. The wagons gifted by Rumpitur are theirs to keep and use as they will.ALDRIP LOCALS
On finding out what really happened to their brethren, the Aldrip locals will be sobered and grieving for the people who would've died a pointless death. At least for now, they'll be also more compassionate to the Chosen, when they learn that there were losses and injuries on their side as well. There may be a couple here or there that might be a little suspicious still, but they're in the vast minority for this month.RUMPITUR LOCALS
After the ordeal on the island and the subsequent disappearance of the monster, the people in Rumpitur seem scared. They're scared of the Chosen almost as much as they were of the monster, and they may even seem apologetic in an effort to placate them. After all, some of them may have gotten injured or once when several of the Chosen got angry...
But! Due to Silco's aid with medical supplies and Ethlyn attempting to help wounded, as well as others among the Chosen who showed charity and goodwill to the locals, some of them are cautiously hopeful with the Chosen around and the monster gone.WEATHER
The weather this month is going to get colder still, and it'll even start to snow! It almost seems peaceful, especially after everything that happened.MONSTERS
There's a con for every good thing though, as the monsters that are typically hanging around Aldrip are moving in closer to the city. Those that aren't as prone to attacking the Chosen may find themselves in the houses or in the inn, and it's up to the Chosen on what they'd want to do with the more innocent monsters.SECRET SANTA
Lycoris, the player of Mitama will be hosting an IC Secret Santa this month for the people of Aldrip! Keep your eyes peeled soon for more details on it!
LOOKING AHEAD
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With December and 2023 ending, this ends the first year of our little game. January will be a year since Expiation has opened! And we really, really would like your opinions on what you liked and didn't like about this year. We've incorporated a few new mechanics -- group rngs, random rngs, pt.2 events, etc, that we wanna know if our playerbase likes it or not!
With January coming up, we're hoping to focus more on the overarching story of Expiation and figuring out how characters and players can help us shape where the game goes in the future. What we want to hear from you guys is what you'd like to see more of: events, plots, the types of hints and lore drops that work for you, the mechanics, NPCs, and plot twists you've loved. You can even take stabs at figuring out what's going on behind the scenes before we get there! We love seeing everyone's theories. We're still getting to our first major plot points, so even in spite of October and November totally clotheslining the entire mod team, we're still going strong and really excited to start dropping new plot hints all over the place. Here's looking forward to 2024 and beyond!
SO MUCH LOVE,
We really would like to hear from you about how this event went this month! Did you all like the two part-er to the events? Did you like the signup rng with not knowing what you're signing your character up for? Did you like the investigation and pacing with that? It might've been a little stilted because we started the month behind, but if it's something that's liked, we can smooth it out for a better event next time!
I can't believe it's December lmao, but here we are kids. This mod team couldn't ask for a better playerbase, with how creative and patient and ready to go you guys are. This game wouldn't be nearly the game it is without you! As we close this month and year out, we're going to keep beating all y'all with love and support with everything rp and irl-wise. We love you guys!!
SOTG NOVEMBER 2023
Nov. 1st, 2023 09:54 amexpiationmodsAC RESULTS
| papartnerdadinsidelightthedarknessparasaitoplagiaristsscowlishmooglebowafflatusexarch |
WHAT'S NEW?
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The four new locations from the October mingle, as well as the Casino/event center from August, have been added to their corresponding location pages. These locations are open for use, but have nothing else new in them, and any ghostly features from the mingle (like seeing spooky shadows or reflections) are no longer in effect.
The Haunted House and Stone Circle are listed on the Aldrip area page. The underground grotto and abandoned bunker are on the overworld page listed in the section about Pessiria Forest.
What used to be the Casino has been reopened as a general Event Center, and is listed in the NPC Businesses. It’s not open very often, but Chosen are welcome to use it to organize their own events, if they so desire.
THIS MONTH IN ALDRIP
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NOVEMBER EVENT
This month’s event will focus heavily on travel, exploration, and investigation. Even though it’s an event month, a lot of people are beginning to gear up for the holiday season–that means things get busier IRL, so we want to be mindful of that, especially since we may also be busy! We’ll reveal more details closer to the time of the event, but considering the success of recent RNG/lore-dropping mechanics, we might include a similar element for the November event as well. Stay tuned!
TRADE AND TRAVEL
The Rumpiturians are soon going to be opening a new trade route between Aldrip and Rumpitur. Because travel can be tricky and sometimes dangerous, this will be a joint effort, and Rumpiturians–currently less wary than Aldrip’s citizens–welcome the Chosen to get involved by protecting cargo and travelers, bringing their own wares, or finding other ways to get involved.
MISSING NPCS
Locals continue to be wary of the Chosen, especially with the missing shopkeepers and other residents still missing. There are no further signs of the missing people, for now, but keep an eye out, as we will return to this plot point soon.
STATE OF ALDRIP
Weather continues to move into fall territory, with cooling temperatures and browning leaves. Still mostly sunny days ahead, but with the occasional chilly rain shower as well.
The Chosen will continue to find wariness from the locals, especially those who have abandoned their charms. And remember the statue gardens and shrines from so long ago? They’re no longer maintaining those, either. Statues can be defaced or removed, and indeed, many already have. Whole sections of the statue garden have been repurposed into a lovely little outdoor area.
Monsters continue to give characters a wide berth, but with temperatures beginning to drop, who knows how long that will last? Keep an eye out.
As we said above, business owners continue to be missing! Any Chosen who’d want to take over a specific business need only ask. Silco seems to have taken over several restaurants, Claude has started running the apothecary…there are still locations left in town for other enterprising businesses, though–a few restaurants, and plenty of other things.
LOOKING AHEAD / REMINDERS
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SENTENCING
For those who were picked for sentencing, please get those in by November 10!
REMINDERS
- Anyone taking over businesses, please update that info on the PLAYER BUSINESS PAGE.
- December’s AC will be a similar check-in to what we had in July during the mod changeover.
- Just a general heads up that we love seeing what you all have planned in our fair city of Aldrip! Player plots can be directed at THIS PAGE, please let us know if there’s something you would like to do that would impact the town/NPCs and we’ll see how we can help make it happen.
- If you would like to submit plants or animals/monsters from your characters’ worlds, we are always open to that! Please use the forms on the corresponding pages if you’re interested.
SO MUCH LOVE,
October was quite a month, huh? We had a ton of stuff going on, thanks in no small part to our amazing players. Thank you all! Please let us know if you have any feedback on recent mechanics, events, etc. We’re looking forward to things to come–and we hope you are, too!
SOTG OCTOBER 2023
Sep. 30th, 2023 05:35 pmexpiationmodsAC RESULTS
| treesistanceoracledrivendarkdisgracegundamnedcouldntsaveone |
WHAT'S NEW?
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SENTENCING
- We are pleased to introduce the sentencing mechanic this month! Along with the incoming NPC, we will be handing out “sentences” to those that have done crime. Those that are committing crime will automatically be lumped into it on months we do it, and we will be supplementing via rng those that would like to oocly volunteer their characters for this mechanic. This month we have ten slots, and slots may vary as interest is gauged and general goings-on in the game. We don’t want to overwhelm ourselves as mods, and since this is an off-event month mechanic, there may be players that want to do something less plot heavy or more TDM heavy through those months. Which is fine! This is your game, and we want everyone to play as they’d like to.
As the cycle goes, on the 6th, we will leave a message on your character’s inbox with our new NPC to meet him at City Hall for incarceration and to meet the council to get their punishments. If characters don’t go willingly, they will be brought by force by said NPC. Once there, he takes them into the “council room”, where they will receive their punishment. These punishments will be tailored to the crime committed or the crime characters have come into this world with. They will have until the 10th of November to complete these tasks, or it will result in punishment. Again, these will be tailored to the individual characters who have refused these crimes. While characters don’t remember seeing or talking to the council, they will remember their punishment as well as the reward for completing it: to change their crime to another on their “list of crimes”, or to be rewarded in another way. The other way won’t be specified, but OOCly we will tell you it’s a small lore drop on completing their punishment.
Proof of compliance of the punishment must be threaded out and sent to the mods for characters to receive their reward. These threads don’t have to be complete, but there must be evidence that characters are working towards it in the thread(s) that are sent in. If real life comes up and you’re unable to make a thread, and it’s IC to finish it, please approach the mods and we will work with you on that on a case-by-case basis.
- As always, this is opt-in. If there’s a player of a character that automatically is entered in the sentencing cycle via crimes in Aldrip that doesn’t wish to participate, please contact the mods and we will work with you on that as well.
- This month, the automatic pool includes Dazai, Jinx, Fyodor, and Saito. That means we have six slots left for the voluntary rng!
- Repetitive crime behavior will be handled on a case-by-case basis for other months. We would like for everyone interested in this mechanic to be able to participate, so there may be a month that an automatic character gets skipped if they commit a crime again. Ex: Saito completes his sentence this time around, but if there are more crimes committed between now and the December cycle, he will only be added in if there’s a slot to be filled. That is to say, if there isn’t enough interest in those months to fill the slots assigned, they will be added back in if the player wishes to do so.
If there have been crimes committed that we don’t know about, please contact us! This is also partially for what the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly entry is for in your Activity Check comments. We will work in past crimes from the beginning of the game and on into December’s (or February’s since December is gonna be A Time for a lot of us) sentencing mechanic!
- If this mechanic is a popular one and there are a lot of players who’d like to participate, we may choose to work this into event months as well in 2024. But for now, the reason why we chose TDM months is so that players still have a bit of plot outside of the TDM prompts to participate if they so choose. For now, we felt as if doing them on event months would potentially overwhelm our playerbase, especially as we’re leaning towards more plotty event months, especially after 2024 begins.
- Signups for RNG sentencing will close at 11:59 PM EST on October 4th to give the modteam time to rng and complete sentencing for characters by the 6th. Please sign up under the comment after this entry!
NPC INBOX
- There is now an inbox for expiation NPCs! Right now, the only one that’s contactable is Jerry, but… y’know, that might change one day. This is how players will submit their sentencing proofs when they’re ready, however! For now, this isn’t IC knowledge to find him here, as he hasn’t technically been introduced yet.
But he will be soon. :)
THIS MONTH IN ALDRIP
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HAPPENINGS:
- Reminder that some things have already changed, and can be found here!
- The fog is starting to roll out, but some of the creepiness remains in the atmosphere. There’s some wailing sort of noises that come from the forest every now and then… and maybe at night a Chosen might hear something they’ve heard in the maze outside their window. Well. That’s probably all in their head.
- The sun is starting to set earlier and rise later, and a fall-like chill is in the air. The leaves in the forest and some of the native trees are starting to change colors, but the crops still seem to be doing just fine.
- Some more of the Aldrip locals will start to disappear here and there. Some of the inhabitants from Tresed start trying to take over the businesses and restaurants that have been abandoned. The two that take over Rin’s shop are doing very well for themselves – actually, they’re excitedly making what looks to be Halloween costumes! If there’s something that a Chosen would like to have specifically, they’re more than happy to make it for them.
- Why are they so excited? Fliers will start to circulate through the town about the festivities that are going to be held on the 23rd of October – an annual Trick or Treat and Witch Hut will be held that evening. More details to come then.
- Back to the poor NPCs. The residents that came from Tresed are more of an artsy, construction sort, and they’re not that great at maintaining businesses that aren't anything like that. So when some of the Aldrip natives start to disappear from the restaurants and from the inn, well… food gets worse. It’s burnt, over/under-seasoned, or just not cooked through at all. Or a mix of all of them! They might need some help, or just be shuffled out and away from the kitchens before they set a restaurant on fire.
Which just might happen.
- In a couple of the abandoned businesses, an observant Chosen might find a paper with a date and time that have already passed, asking them to meet with Those Who Were There at the edge of the forest. That’s pretty sus, if you ask me. If they investigate further and along the edges of the forest, they might find some markings of a small gathering, but otherwise it just seems as if they vanished along the tree line.
- TDM prompts will be on the CR meme/EMP meme! We are also combining this and an EMP/ATP into the post as a test run!!
LOOKING AHEAD / MISC
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HOLIDAYS
- The modteam is very much aware that the holidays are coming up. December is going to be a check-in month, with a reward in mind for those who make AC anyway, similar to how we did for everyone in July. November will have AC as normal, but if issues arise and something comes up for you guys, please let us know. We’re letting you all know in advance to ease some concern we’ve been seeing. We see you, and understand that this is going to be a crazy time for everyone.
SO MUCH LOVE,
Got any feedback? We’re all ears! The modteam has officially gotten the game on track with their vision for it, so if there’s anything we’re missing, let us know. If there’s something you’d like to see more of or if you have any player plots in mind, hit us up! November’s event won’t be nearly as intense, so if anyone has anything they’d like to do, that’d be a great time to do it. But if everyone would rather take it easy over the holidays, that’s fine too. We love you all, and let’s have another great month!
SOTG SEPTEMBER 2023
Aug. 30th, 2023 02:30 pmexpiationmodsAC RESULTS
| midlifecryseasfoundheartcaregiveskiseijuusuperstringtouchofcashmerealethiologicaldialetheismillusionbreakerhimbomb |
WHAT'S NEW?
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PAGES
- We're just about finished overhauling our pages! Here is the new info page, and here is the new rewards page! Please take a look, as we've added to and adjusted quite a bit to everything, and some of it is very important!
HOUSING
- There are now houses in Aldrip! The default houses are one bed, one bath homes. These are customizable to an extent, though some of the major construction will be able to be attained via the rewards page. Characters may have to go on some short quests to build their expansions, so please read carefully!
TABLETS
- The cranky NPC from the casino was working on something very important: making the tablets live and connected to the same network that the charms are on. He will be running a tech shop now in Aldrip, so if your character needs their charms or tablets fixed, for a small fee he will do so. Now, Chosen are able to use the tablets and the charms to communicate on the network. Obviously, there's a little bit more functionality to the tablets, but they are able to choose what they use. The following apps are live:
- mAPP - it's a digital version of the World Map..
- snake / solitaire
- notepad
- contacts - almost like a contact list on a smartphone, with the characters names automatically programmed into it
- paint
- camera
Notepad, paint, and camera items are able to be sent on the network if saved to a Chosen's tablet.
AC TEST
- The modteam has been discussing the weight of character actions in game. We obviously can't stay informed of every action that characters take, so we are going to be adding a space to the html to include actions taken outside of events. We will still be keeping the polls of course, so there's no need to mention what characters do over the events. We will be asking for criminal actions- ex: stealing, murdering, beating of other characters of npcs. Whatever constitutes a crime in the normal world is something we're looking for here. On the other side of that, if your character has done something good- ex: saving another character, running a donation drive, etc, please put that in the comment as well. We want characters and players to guide the game and environment to the best of our ability.
This is an optional summary. When you submit your AC, merely delete the line that mentions the actions taken by your character for the month if you don't wish to fill it out.
SMALL APPLICATION CHANGE
- Going forward, we are going to specify that a player pick one crime on apping to the game. We are also going to be putting renewed emphasis on crimes characters have committed, so this will affect gameplay. For players who would like to change their crimes, there will be opportunities to do so in the future.
SENTENCING
- The mod team has decided that we're going to shift the sentencing to off-event months. One reason is because we're still working through the mechanics of it, and the second reason is so that characters already in the game have some light plot-relevant things to do on off months. Starting in October we will be running them on the TDM months, so stay tuned and we appreciate the patience while we settle this out!
THIS MONTH, IN ALDRIP
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HAPPENINGS:
- There are some construction NPCs hanging around for smaller projects around the house that isn't part of the rewards page. They will be more than happy to help out with minor projects for a little bit of money. They're saving up to expand the blacksmith's shop and open a carpentry shop, so give them some work to do!
- The casino is now closed and a couple days later, the building looks like a normal event center. Characters are more than welcome to hang around inside and see what's up, but as it's going to be used for events or celebrations... you might not want to get too comfortable, or you might get kicked out. For now though, it stands empty.
- As mentioned, the tablets are now live and able to be used instead of and alongside the charms. Characters who ditch the charms completely might find themselves getting the cold shoulder from the Aldrip locals, though the NPCs from the desert really don't seem to care either way. The locals might mutter amongst themselves or act slightly passive aggressive, but that's fine. Everything's fine.
Right?
- Fog starts to roll in starting on the 1st of September. As it gets closer and closer to the 11th, it starts to thicken and become more eerie. Characters may see things in the fog for a brief second, themselves at another age, a loved one, or an enemy. Blink or look harder, and it's gone. These incidents will become more numerous leading up to the event, with the addition of whispers from said ghosts in the fog. Despite the foggy and kind of chilly atmosphere, it doesn't seem as if the plant life or animals care too much about it. Just be sure you don't bump into something that'd want to fight you.
- In addition to seeing weird things, characters may notice that leading up to the event, they find buildings moving around or walls where they shouldn't be. These are all very real, so keep aware, because you may run straight into them!
- Due to the length of the event summaries, they will be on the plot with me post!
LOOKING AHEAD / MISC
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FUTURE EVENT MECHANIC
- We would like to pitch the idea to you all to have timed threads on some event posts. This isn't a mechanic we would see in every event post, but may come up a couple times a year.
The plan would be like this:
In the State of the Game post when we post our event summary, we'd have signups to do a specific, bigger task in said event. We would have a limit on how many people would be in this group, so... say we're only going to do a group of 5 and we get 10 signups. We'd then RNG for the final group and post them before the event goes up so everyone can plot amongst themselves. When the event goes live, we would have from the beginning of the event until the State of the Game for the following month to wrap and conclude this thread, as it would have an effect on the next mod post. That would give a minimum of two weeks to wrap these threads.
We would condition that players who sign up be able to keep up with the post if they were selected to participate -- and for participants we would offer a reduced AC for those who might be wary of having to focus on one thread for that timeframe. This is a mechanic that most likely won't be used until after the start of next year (because holidays is Not The Time), so we have plenty of time to iron out the details and get everyone's feedback!
If the majority of the feedback is BOO THIS SUCKS, we merely won't implement it. This is just an option to break up the routine of a general event post!
- We would like to know how everyone liked the mechanic on the casino mingle log! It was kind of a test drive in of itself as well, and we are considering other ideas like it -- such as having the opportunity to let us rng a result of a thread mid-thread or something of the sort. Again, this is something we wouldn't work into every event, but these are just ideas and we would like to be transparent with you all!
SO MUCH LOVE,
Thank you so much for the participation and excitement for the TDM and the Marianne and Claude player plot. We've completed month two (can you believe it lmao) of being mods of this wonderful game and player base, so much love from us to you on the effort you all put forward. Please feel free to let us know how we're doing as we've done a full event / TDM cycle now, anything you'd like to see changed or tweaked in the future, and we will open a conversation about that. The goal now that we're settled is really to mold the game around your interactions and ideas for this game, so here's to a new month and a new event!
bc Bekka wanted frogs on the sotg post
SOTG AUGUST 2023
Jul. 29th, 2023 03:42 pmexpiationmodsAC RESULTS
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LORE / FREE REGAIN
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WHAT'S NEW?
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PAGESWe’ve been working on overhauling some of our pages! We now have a calendar, flora / fauna page, business / Aldrip page, and a navigation so players can see all the links in one spot. We’re still working on some of them, and if anyone would like to contribute or add anything, let us know! We’re also working on a map, references, and other things like that so everyone can visualize the game. So stay tuned! We’ll announce more updates in state of the game posts, but you might see some new links added to the nav every now and then in the meantime.
HOUSING
As of this post, we have additional npcs who are helping out to make new housing for the Chosen. These will be completed by September, so feel free for characters to assist as needed so they can get in something that’s not the cramped inn. The housing is going to be the barest minimum, small single bedroom/bathroom housing for now, and details on how to customize or make the houses larger will be in the September state of the game post. But for now, we gotta build them before making any sort of upgrades.
TABLETSThe npcs from the desert accumulated the pieces of tablets, chargers, batteries, and other parts and brought them to Aldrip with them. Characters are welcome to tinker with them, clean them up, and charge / put them back together, but they won’t get much to happen for now. The new npcs aren’t sure how to fix it, and Aldrip npcs certainly don’t know how to fix it. But maybe we’ll get some more information about them during the mingle log, after the app cycle…
For a more extensive overview of what’s changed in Aldrip, please check the event result post here.
SMALL AC CHANGEAs of this app cycle, we’re getting rid of the rule of using only one thread from the TDM for ac. You are allowed to use multiple TDM threads now, which hopefully will encourage tagging out to new players who want to voice test. The TDM is semi-canon, which means players can take or leave what they want from the TDM. Strange things happen in Aldrip all the time, after all.
SMALL POLL CHANGEInstead of only a week for the polls, the modteam has decided to go to a ten-day poll cycle to give players a few more days to absorb the event before voting. The reason why we’re only extending it a few more days is so that players and characters who might want to move on from the event or weren’t involved can move on if they’d like. This is also something we’re going to be monitoring however, so if it’s necessary to extend or shorten it back to a week, we will adjust accordingly.
THIS MONTH, IN ALDRIP
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TDM / HAPPENINGSAs we’ve said, the TDM is semi-canon to the game. While we are still going to have the separate overall log for new players in the meme comm, characters who are already in the game are free to make their own posts or logs in the normal expiation comms to interact with the scenarios, if they so choose. The TDM goes up on the 7th, so posts and things could be interacted with after that date.
As for the TDM:
FESTIVAL OF THE SUNIt’s time for what the locals call “The Festival Of The Sun.” It’s kind of a lowkey festival, and with the new npc additions to the city, more artsy. The new locals have regained their love for art, so crafts, paintings and sculpting will be additions to the festival. Characters might get roped in to help decorate!
There will be a sandcastle building contest, a seashell hunt, and boat racing contests. Other contests that Chosen would like to put on will just enhance the festival! Small food prizes will be awarded for these events.
THIS IS ECOLOGYThere’s been new additions to the flora and fauna (as seen on the new page). There will be the ability to make friends with and keep some wildlife for travel or other uses.
On the flipside, there will be wildflowers blooming in the fields next to Aldrip that will have status effects– such as sleeping, confusion, temporary loss of sense (sight, touch, taste, etc), powerlessness, forgetfulness, or inability to speak. Think rpg status effects! So long as they’re not game breaking, they’re free game.
STRANGE MACHINATIONSAs said above, there won’t be a whole lot that can be done with the tablets for now. If characters are able to get it working, there will be a whole lot of beeping and error messages. In between that, characters might be able to see a glimpse of some apps on the home screen: mAPP, snake, solitaire, calendar, notepad, contacts, a paint-sort of program, and what looks to be Aldrip’s version of a news app. Trying to tap on most of this will give more error messages, almost as if it’s not connected to a network… at least, until they realize that the tablets are beeping. Wandering around may provide an insight as they seem to beep louder or more often at random points- that is, until they find another tablet. Characters will find that they can send text messages and photos while they're close, but get too far away and it'll disconnect again.
The world might seem more odd throughout the month. The locals stop in place more often, forgetting what they’re doing. The animals come around looking abnormal in various ways, almost mutated. Chosen will also hear voices outside at night… but everything’s fine. Right?
LOOKING AHEAD / MISC
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AC
We did receive in our first mod posts some suggestions about the AC. The modteam is still keeping an eye on things as they are right now, but we haven’t ruled anything out as of yet. This is just something we’re monitoring.
QUEST BOARDWe are still working towards a quest board! That was something that was mentioned as well, to make more use of a day-to-day life in Aldrip. Look for that in the coming months as this mod team continues to settle in to their positions!
AC REWARDSThis is something we will be revamping in August! We are going to take a look at what’s available and what can be saved up for, including additions to housing and things of that nature. Goal is to be finished by the mod post in September.
INFO / FAQ PAGEThis is another thing we will be revamping in August! We are going to realign it to reflect the way the current modteam would like the game to go, and hopefully clarify some things at the same time. If there’s anything you guys would like to see in particular, let us know either in the comments or in the info post!
SENTENCINGThose who have sentencing this month, don’t forget about it!!
CALENDARWe also readjusted some of the dates for the calendar again. Bear with usThe link is further up in the post, so please peruse at your leisure! We went ahead and finished it up for the rest of the year, but as things come up and potential player plots happen, we can still add it into the calendar later.
GET ON WITH IT ALREADY,
Thank you to everyone who gave feedback, and who’s still shown enthusiasm for the game in this period of change. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but we hope to have our plans going soon. As always, use the comments below to let us know how we’re doing, if there’s anything we’ve forgotten (because this month has been A Lot), or if you’ve just got questions that you’d like answered. Here’s to another month!
