OOC Class: StoryWeaver Info taught by Cedar 11/2/2015

[18:05] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): Alright then. Storyweavers!

[18:05] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): This staff position is a relatively uncommon role in roleplay sims. It's not new but it's not seen or utilized in secondlife as much as it should be. I'm sure some of you have not seen or even heard of them before coming to Valesk, but that's why we're here today.

[18:05] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): What is a Storyweaver?
Storyweavers are staff members dedicated to being "Life" on sim. While you may see them managing sim wide events at some points, you will also see them in brief and random "interactions" with just the regular average player. Storyweavers will not only take the shape of various NPCs such as, A robber, Mugger, A random little girl tugging at your skirt, a shop keep, or a Deer in the woods, but also may be the cause of that tree branch falling on your character or perhaps just narrating or setting the scene. "Atmospheric Presence" per se. They give a scene, and our sim, a lot more... allowing a lot more to happen than you'd typically find anywhere else for we are the lore preservers, the keepers, the plotters - something that is very important in traditional roleplay settings.

In a lot of ways, Storyweavers are almost like Dungeon Masters in a tabletop game. Both are very similar.

[18:06] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): Looking around right now, the SWs who are here in this class are myself, and Alyxz Marenwolf, Grant Kirax, and Alistair Greymyst all SW from time to time as either they /have/ time or I ask them to.

[18:07] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): StoryWeaver Titles
The StoryWeaver Team consists of people with varying titles. In the effort of reducing confusion, I'll run through them all briefly.

[18:07] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): StoryWeaver: A full fledged StoryWeaver. Their priority is to be the life of the sim, making stories for the playerbase. A StoryWeaver can run plots, play NPCs, create lore, aid in plot idea generation, aid in system creation, offer guidance (to other SW staff) on handling issues, answer questions, and give feedback/critique.

[18:08] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): StoryMaker: A StoryMaker is a member of staff that has other responsibilities within the sim. Storyweaving is not their priority, however they can assist. A StoryMaker can run plots, play NPCs, create lore, aid in plot idea generation, aid in system creation, offer guidance (to other SW staff) on handling issues, answer questions, and give feedback/critique, yet they go through the Junior StoryWeaver phases.

[18:08] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): Junior StoryWeaver: A new StoryWeaver starts as a Junior StoryWeaver. They are essentially a StoryWeaver with training wheels. They may be a Phase 1, Phase 2 or Phase 3 depending on how far along they've come, with each phase allowing them different abilities and privileges, and must work their way up to become a full fledged StoryWeaver.
[18:09] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): We also have Consultants, but they work with the StoryWeavers behind the scenes and do not play NPCs.

[18:09] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): Are there any questions?

[18:09] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): (am I going too fast?)
[18:09] The Den Mother (ValerieVixxen): ((Oh no bby plz faster ;D))
[18:09] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): lol

[18:10] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): What do StoryWeavers do?
At this point many of you have seen StoryWeavers play villains, narrate and direct dice rolls for solving puzzles and deciphering clues, large game to be hunted, beasts to be slain, enigmatic and benevolent beings, the answers to your divinations, or even the goddess Valeska herself. Most of you are aware we create and fuel sim plots, aid Leads when requested with their events, and try to fill your ordinary roleplay by playing ordinary NPCs.

[18:10] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): StoryWeavers also provide a way for criminal activity to occur on sim. If members/leads cannot be present when a break-in, theft, or vandalism is to take place, StoryWeavers can roleplay out the NPCs that guard or work to even the chances, letting roleplay continue to move forward. They're also able to help out with character progression - whether it's facilitating required quests or NPCing a sparring partner, their help can make progression easier. And if you need to scry or divine information that can't be gained from another player, StoryWeavers can assist you.

[18:11] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): Not everything done with a StoryWeaver is meant to make roleplay easier however. In fact, making your IC easier is not their job at all. They are meant to enrich the story that surrounds you and at times provide challenges to stir the pot. While this sometimes results in NPCs that aid your character or the defeat of Boss Villains, or rewards, it also sometimes results in failures, confusions, defeats and more. A StoryWeaver is always trying to determine what outcome leads to better story, so if your character does not come out on top it's safe to say there's better roleplay to be had for the fact they didn't. Remember, we all like winning and rewards but oftentimes failure and defeat gives you more roleplay after (and who doesn't dig being the comeback kid, better, faster, stronger, to take down or solve that challenge they could not before?).

[18:12] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): Finally, Storyweaving is also done to keep everyone on their toes in a way. To expect the unexpected. We are here to entertain and add depth to your own personal stories that you hadn't planned on ever having. Because that's life. You never know whats around the corner (:

[18:12] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): Are there any questions?

[18:13] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): StoryWeavers and NPCs
Any "character", that is, any person, creature, animal, beast, etc. that a StoryWeaver plays, is considered a NPC. At times you may even find a StoryWeaver playing multiple NPCs in the same interaction. They can play any race of creature that is allowed the general player, but StoryWeavers are also allowed to NPC monsters and other creatures that cannot be a PC.

[18:14] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): Players are allowed to roleplay NPCs in their scenes to a limited extent. Things like shopkeeps or barmaids, a crowd moving through the square or growing rowdy in the tavern, sick and injured on infirmary beds - these are all considered background life in Valesk and can be included by any player in any scene they wish. There are a few things to keep in mind however.

[18:15] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): n general, these background NPCs cannot be made to attack or defend on anyone's behalf, unless it is done by a StoryWeaver. Named NPCs for groups (like Damien in the Magic Shop or Helga in the Tavern) can attack or defend for themselves /if/ the Lead or a SW is there to roleplay them out. The NPC guards for the Faction Leads can defend, but one successful hit takes them down. For both of these situations any rolls that are needed use the standard d20 dice as well. There are of course certain skills, spells, or gifts that grant a PC a NPC that can attack or defend, with specified damage and ranked rolls to be used as well as HP, but they follow their own set of rules and are considered an exception to this.
[18:15] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): In*

[18:17] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): When a StoryWeaver enters a scene where NPCs are roleplayed, players often grow confused as to what is and is not allowed. Very simply, StoryWeavers are the NPCs. If a NPC is present, the StoryWeaver can take over control of it regardless of who was roleplaying their actions before. The only exception to this are the NPCs gained by spells, skills, or gifts. All other NPCs are subject to StoryWeaver control.

[18:17] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): Are there any questions?

[18:18] Lily Rose (LilyRoseHolly): Not yet.
[18:18] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland):

[18:19] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): StoryWeavers and PCs
At times StoryWeavers may menace, fight, or put your character through a gauntlet. They are not here to 'hunt' PCs though and time and thought is put into every hostile NPC prior to an interaction. Hostile NPCs are given trait ranks, damage, HP, etc. And dice is required to be used by both parties during. StoryWeavers also require following post order rotation during their interaction, whether it is hostile or not.

[18:20] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): StoryWeavers must have CONSENT in order to KILL or MUTILATE your character. Because of this you may find some events come with a notice/waiver informing you your "right to life" must be left to chance if you wish to participate. This is something rarely done but the idea here is the greater the glory, the greater the risk. Though StoryWeavers require consent, remember Valesk is a sim that follows Consequences for Actions (ICA=ICC). If you stick your head in a monster's mouth, for example, expect it to be devoured and character death enforced.

[18:21] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): While StoryWeavers come onto sim and meddle in the roleplay of their own accord (or with a StoryWeaver agenda), players are also able and encouraged to request a StoryWeaver if they come to a place in their own roleplay where they realise one is needed or would be handy. To do so, you must make use of our forums. We have a subforum in the ISO section, found here: isleofvalesk.boards.net/board/97/request-storyweaver . (Please read the Sticky Post before creating a thread or if you have not done so before.) When posting a request for a StoryWeaver, try to give us as much information as possible for the purpose of the request, and also as much time as possible. If you post a request the day of or the day before, it might be impossible for a StoryWeaver to assist you.

[18:22] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): Are there any questions?

[18:22] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo): Why not impliment a story weaver paging system in world?
[18:23] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo): Like small IC inconspicuous items... a rock or something that can be clicked to ask for a SW to help your scene.
[18:23] Cailean One-Eye ‧ the Crowbane (Alistair Greymyst): not enough manpowerrrr
[18:23] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo): Scripting it is easy
[18:24] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): It isn't the scripting that is the issue.
[18:24] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): To be honest, at this point in time we don't have enough SWs to be capable of taking on every request the very moment it's thought of.
[18:24] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): So the forums are used so those who do SW can pace themselves.
[18:24] Batman (Grant Kirax): perhaps if we get more and are able to have on calls, that could be something we'd consider
[18:24] OoC SW Admin (Cedar Ashland) nods.
[18:25] Lucias Lexenstar: make us all SW's, we'll have a blast.
[18:25] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): ^^
[18:25] Batman (Grant Kirax): apply for it

[18:25] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo): Are players allowed ti impliment their own ststa to their dice rolls?
[18:25] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo): Stats*
[18:25] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): How do you mean?
[18:26] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo): Like in combat, if you want to add your modifiers and shite, do you need an SW to dictate the outcomes of your rolls?
[18:26] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): Oh no.
[18:26] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo): Or roll vs. roll basis
[18:26] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): it is roll versus roll basically. You determine your rank to roll with - which is your base stat plus any bonus points from gifts/spells/skills etc. The higher roll wins.
[18:27] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo): Right, i was asking if SWs need be present for such an event.
[18:27] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): No.
[18:27] ++PE++ Sad Elf -Tribal-: Your time to choose an option has expired.
[18:27] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo): But you answered my uestion vicariously.
[18:27] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo): Question*
[18:27] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): lol sorry.

[18:28] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): Are there any other questions?

[18:29] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): So now you're all a bit more savvy on StoryWeavers, their purpose, and how they work. I know many of you are already fans of your times spent with them, and for those not yet familiar we look forward to catching you down on sim. >:] As you can imagine, StoryWeavers are fairly frequently needed and requested. If you have any interest in NPCing for your fellow players, or helping to create plots and events, take a look at our application: isleofvalesk.weebly.com/staff-application.html . We could certainly use some more hands on board!

[18:29] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): (that's the end of the info class.)
[18:30] Mikachu (BurningHeatIIDX Mikado): Thanks! That was wonderful ^_^
[18:30] Lily Rose (LilyRoseHolly): Huzzah!!!
[18:30] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): Thank you.
[18:30] Lily Rose (LilyRoseHolly): Wonderful information!
[18:30] The Den Mother (ValerieVixxen): LOL SO SOON?

[18:30] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): If you guys think of any other questions later you can always send me an IM.

[18:30] The Den Mother (ValerieVixxen): Wow, half an hour class!@
[18:31] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): LOL I tried to make the points as clear and concise as possible.
[18:31] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): No one likes things drawn out.
[18:31] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo): Well i mean...
[18:31] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo) clears throat
[18:31] Cathartic: Thank you!
[18:31] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): xD
[18:31] Cailean One-Eye ‧ the Crowbane (Alistair Greymyst):
[18:32] Lιттle Ƭree (Cedar Ashland): Alright o/ thanks guys. Enjoy your RPs.
[18:32] Mikachu (BurningHeatIIDX Mikado): \o/
[18:32] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo): Soooo
[18:32] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo): Now we all go smoke opium
[18:32] Taeryn (Kiiama Insoo): right?