Greetings. I am sampling interest for a story and idea I've recently caught interest in. So I am intrigued if people would actually be willing to experience such a thematic story. [b]It will include some of the following:[/b] - [i]Story and character interaction intermixed between cinematic and background mechanical battles involving army-sized engagements where troop movements are defined by roleplayers (and I will present the outcome of those actions based on my understanding of medieval tactics and formation crafting, etc). During these battles, characters may choose to take to the frontlines or manage it from the back.[/i] - [i]Two Superiors (High Generals) of which you may affiliate with at the start of the story, the choice deriving largely from the story's first narrative element: a mock military engagement used by your affiliated country to display its splendour and utilize its awe and majesty to intimidate and coerce its neighbours into beneficial trade agreements and diplomatic treaties. This engagement will be supervised by the two superiors, one managing each side of the battle.[/i] - [i]The world involved is well developed already, and something I've spent some time on (my own opinions of course), so it will be a rather narrative experience, with some cool action involved in variety of different fashions and displays. As it is a narrative experience, I will try my best to portray the real impact that your orders will have on soldiers, during your times in the war room, and grant you adequate freedom when you decide to take to the battlefield and carve a name for yourself in the bodies of your foes.[/i] - [i]It will likely explore a variety of different tones of life; from gloom to glimmer. I am not fond of shying away from the brutalities of war, nor am I too adversely definitive in merely making a world one-dimensional in its darkness. Even if war and conflict may be a powerful aspect of any military story, and whilst I generally enjoy darker settings myself, I am not the type of person who makes everything darker than black. Some happiness will undoubtedly be had.[/i] [b]If there is anything else you are curious of,[/b] simply ask away here. I do not 100% know what to say in all honesty to perhaps make it seem more interesting, or if I have not properly presented it, and how to rectify that merely on my own. So asking questions, and making suggestions are highly appreciated. Of course, if you are not interested in the idea, but still wish to give me tips, I will probably ignore you. I am not new to GMing. [hider=Archive of Questions] [b]1. [/b][quote=@Jasper19] [@Archetype Zero] a question would I role play as a soldier or the whole army in this rp? [/quote] Ah, I see I was not clear enough in my presentation. I apologize. In this roleplay you will begin as an advisory role to one of the two High Generals, and will therefore have greater strategic impact on the outcome of the battle. You will be tasked then to formulate battle stratagems IC through think-tanking with other writers and their characters, as well as the aid of your superiors (at least for the first section of the story). This does not mean you need to be a hands-off type in general, though. [b]2. [/b][quote=@krismer22] So what kind of fantasy are we talking of? Medieval? Sci fi? [/quote] Fantasy as in the common sentiment of it. Magic and pre-modern swordplay, with a more mythic magical spin a-la LoTR. I find it the more interesting field to explore personally, even though I do like SCI-FI, but I feel a lot less people agree with my SCI-FI than they do with my Fantasy, frankly speaking. Making it a more fantasy setting also alleviates the complexities involved in modern and futuristic make-believe tactics and strategy, and also garners me a far more suitable and expansive repetoire of reference material when describing strategic and tactical progress. Amongst other aspects. [b]3. [/b][quote=@pugbutter] Yeah, could we see some of the setting? Even if it's just a couple of aesthetic photos you pinned to a Pinterest board, visual care is a big indicator of overall quality to me. What levels of magic, monsters, and the supernatural will this Fantasy setting put on display? What precautions are you taking, if any, to deter your players from minmaxing? How do you intend to assure they will prioritize good storytelling over "winning the war"? [indent][/indent] Finally, I don't ask because I am wary of you or your abilities in particular, but because I am wary of roleplayers in general ... this language could suggest to someone (me lol) that this RP is more of a fleeting "craving" than an idea to which you will be truly dedicated for months or even years. For my own peace of mind could I receive some assurance that I'll be in this game for the long haul once I've put the appropriate effort into being accepted with a character who meets your standards? Thank you. [/quote] [b]I will answer your questions in association with when, in your post, they were mentioned:[/b] I have provided some visual stimulation in the form of arthurian knights; I am a great fan of the general plate aesthetic of the common fantasy soldier. As for some hints to the setting itself, I can note some things. I do not wish to take up my time properly presenting something if it does not end up gaining traction sadly. But yes, the nation in question that we will be starting off in, as an Empire with numerous tributaries, and vassal states under its political sphere of influence; they have an important ally, which is currently in a state of civil war, and three notable rival powers across the landmass they all encompass within their radiae of domination. The Empire will be further presented, historically and geographically, should the roleplay hit it off, so to speak, with enough interest. I am a forward person, so if you present your interest, I will be expecting your interest. The Military presentation is the result of 10-year-long traditions, since the first military reformation by the Empire, to both bolster its military's professionalism, and expand its capabilities, but also to awe their puppets and subjects, foreign and domestic. It is an immensely important precident, which is why two of its five foremost generals will be taking up the task of maintaining its cohesion and ensuring its success (of course the Imperial royal family will also atend. There're numerous personality clashes involved, of course, as there always is, but that is a bit of a spoiler. Next question, and its associated answer, will be that the fantasy itself will be rather mythical in and of itself. Do not expect it to be part of common life, and instead hailed and protected as trump-cards for any force they may associate. Magicians and Wizards therefore are quite prominent social individuals in the eyes of the masses, but are bound by obligations far in excess to true ordained knights who uphold the romanticized value of knighthood and the chivalry it accompanies. Monsters? I hate dragons, abhor them with all my might, there will be no dragons. Ever (ever). Other fantastical biodiversities are nothing I plan to shy away from, though. Third question's response: I will not be taking any immediately apparent precautions against it besides the fact that there will be no stats involved for players to directly min-max (that is to say that the stats involved are in the background, and will be managed by me). The second, probably most prominent aspect, is that I will be the narrative process by which a story progresses. If I feel an action would not lend well to the story, I may pervert its meaning through "lacking cohesion within the chain of commands," or "chaotic situations," where urgency may be presented where there otherwise might not have been any. Overall, I wish for this to be a good story, and all I ever strive for is that, no matter if I lose or if I win. I am a hands-on GM when it comes to it, and if I feel someone needs a correction in perspective, I will take it up, and tell them what I think they would benefit to hear. I have no reservations whatsoever, which is a good and a bad thing, depending on who it is I talk to. Last question; best question: Excellent perspective, and commendable attitude. I cannot assure you of anything, of course, aside from the fact that this is no fleeting muse. I have had periods in which my activity has dipped, but it has been due to IRL health-related issues of which I have recently learned how to properly deal with. Should I be forced, however unlikely, to leave for an extended period of time, I will either A, delegate the story to someone else to manage in my absence, or B, initiate a sandbox initiative for the story to dynamically progress without any definitive aim aside from, mayhaps, a goal. As for the world itself, it is no muse, and is developed. I am very bad at presenting things to others, unfortunately, which is why I need time to properly reword my documents and make them more publically accessible for others to understand. This interest check is how I determine whether I should be doing that or not. Right now, my documents include perhaps 50 pages of trivia, obscure lore, characters, and myths, all intermixed in an unorganized mess. [/hider]