Plot creation process - Revision history

Faithlilley: /* Stage 3 - Timetabling your Plot */

2023-05-24T22:32:48Z

Stage 3 - Timetabling your Plot

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:32, 24 May 2023
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	Your plot may not require any NPCs from the pool in the plot room. For example, there are existing NPCs that you may be able to make use of in your plot, such as the bards, civil servants, egregores, and magistrates. If this is the case then you can run your plot at any time, but it must still be timetabled, so that we can see when the plot is running.		Your plot may not require any NPCs from the pool in the plot room. For example, there are existing NPCs that you may be able to make use of in your plot, such as the bards, civil servants, egregores, and magistrates. If this is the case then you can run your plot at any time, but it must still be timetabled, so that we can see when the plot is running.

	We aim to run our skirmish quests back to back, so it helps considerably if quests that use similar antagonists are grouped together. This keeps the number of changes of make-up and costume to a minimum. To ensure that we get this right, if you are time-tabling a quest that needs members of the skirmish crew, then you must make-sure that you agree a time with ~~Andy Connell~~ first.		We aim to run our skirmish quests back to back, so it helps considerably if quests that use similar antagonists are grouped together. This keeps the number of changes of make-up and costume to a minimum. To ensure that we get this right, if you are time-tabling a quest that needs members of the skirmish crew, then you must make-sure that you agree a time with Tom Hancocks first.

	For more detailed instructions on filling in the plot timetable successfully, see [[Plot Timetable Instructions]].		For more detailed instructions on filling in the plot timetable successfully, see [[Plot Timetable Instructions]].

Matt at 13:53, 5 March 2018

2018-03-05T13:53:21Z

Show changes

Bug: /* Stage 6 - Assigning NPCs */

2017-02-13T18:51:07Z

Stage 6 - Assigning NPCs

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:51, 13 February 2017
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	Assigning NPCs in advance can be very effective. It means you can pick people who are familiar with the role or at least that part of the setting. You can give them the brief before the event, making things much quicker on the day and you may well find your plot benefits from allowing them to have some input and development on the role.		Assigning NPCs in advance can be very effective. It means you can pick people who are familiar with the role or at least that part of the setting. You can give them the brief before the event, making things much quicker on the day and you may well find your plot benefits from allowing them to have some input and development on the role.

	~~Katie Prior~~ is the best ~~people~~ from the team to provide help with assigning NPCs either in advance or on the day.		Kate 'Bug' Rogers is the best person from the team to provide help with assigning NPCs either in advance or on the day.

	==Stage 7 - Briefing NPCs==		==Stage 7 - Briefing NPCs==

Bug: /* Stage 5 - Makeup and Prosthetics */

2017-02-13T18:50:35Z

Stage 5 - Makeup and Prosthetics

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:50, 13 February 2017
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	==Stage 5 - Makeup and Prosthetics==		==Stage 5 - Makeup and Prosthetics==
	Empire has a dedicated make-up team that is led by ~~Agnes Eklund~~. The team have an existing store of make-up and basic prosthetics and has experience making and ordering new prosthetics. If your plot requires only standard make-up, for example orcs or characters with lineage then ~~Agnes'~~ team will usually be able to handle this for you without much warning provided they are free. If your plot requires new prosthetics or a complex make-up job then it is essential that you talk to ~~Agnes~~ early about your needs if you want her team to be able to help you at the event.		Empire has a dedicated make-up team that is led by Vicki Stephenson. The team have an existing store of make-up and basic prosthetics and has experience making and ordering new prosthetics. If your plot requires only standard make-up, for example orcs or characters with lineage then the team will usually be able to handle this for you without much warning provided they are free. If your plot requires new prosthetics or a complex make-up job then it is essential that you talk to the team early about your needs if you want her team to be able to help you at the event.

	With multiple writers, the make-up team are always in demand, but they are especially busy preparing for the big battles on Saturday and Sunday morning. It is essential to avoid time-tabling a complex make-up effect for this time unless you have special dispensation directly from ~~Agnes~~ to do so.		With multiple writers, the make-up team are always in demand, but they are especially busy preparing for the big battles on Saturday and Sunday morning. It is essential to avoid time-tabling a complex make-up effect for this time unless you have special dispensation directly from the team to do so.

	==Stage 6 - Assigning NPCs==		==Stage 6 - Assigning NPCs==

Matt at 12:51, 1 February 2017

2017-02-01T12:51:40Z

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	==Ethos==		==Ethos==
	The writer is central to the ethos for the writing and running plot at events. As a writer, the responsibility for ensuring that your plot has been approved and timetabled and the right costume, props, and ribbons are ready lies with you. We don't expect one person to do all these things, that isn't possible - members of the [[plot team]] and the [[~~monster room~~]] are here to help with every stage - but the responsibility to ensure that it is done lies with the writer.		The writer is central to the ethos for the writing and running plot at events. As a writer, the responsibility for ensuring that your plot has been approved and timetabled and the right costume, props, and ribbons are ready lies with you. We don't expect one person to do all these things, that isn't possible - members of the [[plot team]] and the [[plot organization]] are here to help with every stage - but the responsibility to ensure that it is done lies with the writer.

	We've chosen this approach for several reasons. This approach will allow us to scale what we do to run more plot by adding more writers to our team over time. However it should also ensure that the key decisions taken about a plot, timing, budget, briefing, etc - are made by the writer who created it rather than by someone else. And finally it should mean that the writer is able to drive the plot process to ensure that their plot gets approved and run at events.		We've chosen this approach for several reasons. This approach will allow us to scale what we do to run more plot by adding more writers to our team over time. However it should also ensure that the key decisions taken about a plot, timing, budget, briefing, etc - are made by the writer who created it rather than by someone else. And finally it should mean that the writer is able to drive the plot process to ensure that their plot gets approved and run at events.

Matt at 12:06, 1 February 2017

2017-02-01T12:06:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:06, 1 February 2017
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	==Stage 1 - Write Some Plot==		==Stage 1 - Write Some Plot==
	Any member of crew who wants to get involved in writing plot for Empire events is welcome to do so. Experience can help, but it is far from essential and a good knowledge of the setting is likely to be just as useful as a decade of experience writing plot for other games. What is invaluable is to make sure that you read the [[~~plot~~ style guide]] first. We hope that you will also find the [[plot tools]] useful for giving you ideas and showing you elements of the setting you can use to turn those ideas into plots.		Any member of crew who wants to get involved in writing plot for Empire events is welcome to do so. Experience can help, but it is far from essential and a good knowledge of the setting is likely to be just as useful as a decade of experience writing plot for other games. What is invaluable is to make sure that you read the plot [[style guide]] first. We hope that you will also find the [[plot tools]] useful for giving you ideas and showing you elements of the setting you can use to turn those ideas into plots.

	You can work with anyone when you're writing your plot, especially other writers on the plot team, but it is essential to discuss your plot with Andy Rafferty and Matt Pennington. Your plot can't run until Matt and Andy are happy with it. Both have lots of experience creating plot for large events and Andy is the ultimate authority for questions about the Empire setting. The best way to get Matt is to email him, the best way to get Andy is to PM him or post on the [https://www.facebook.com/groups/EmpirePlot/ Empire plot Facebook group]. If you have a skype account (or can make one) then you can grab both Matt and Andy on skype and discuss your plot with them. It is much better to discuss plot this way where possible, as you can quickly explain your plot and talk through any difficult elements.		You can work with anyone when you're writing your plot, especially other writers on the plot team, but it is essential to discuss your plot with Andy Rafferty and Matt Pennington. Your plot can't run until Matt and Andy are happy with it. Both have lots of experience creating plot for large events and Andy is the ultimate authority for questions about the Empire setting. The best way to get Matt is to email him, the best way to get Andy is to PM him or post on the [https://www.facebook.com/groups/EmpirePlot/ Empire plot Facebook group]. If you have a skype account (or can make one) then you can grab both Matt and Andy on skype and discuss your plot with them. It is much better to discuss plot this way where possible, as you can quickly explain your plot and talk through any difficult elements.

Matt at 21:51, 4 July 2016

2016-07-04T21:51:47Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:51, 4 July 2016
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	Experience has shown that plots work best when they are briefed by someone who knows the plot well. If you're not available to brief your NPCs, then you'll need to find a member of the plot team who can do that for you - and then take the time to go through the plot with them. There are some members of the plot team who specialize in briefing plot because they have good communication skills - talk to Steve Alonso if you are looking for someone who can provide help with briefing NPCs		Experience has shown that plots work best when they are briefed by someone who knows the plot well. If you're not available to brief your NPCs, then you'll need to find a member of the plot team who can do that for you - and then take the time to go through the plot with them. There are some members of the plot team who specialize in briefing plot because they have good communication skills - talk to Steve Alonso if you are looking for someone who can provide help with briefing NPCs

	==Stage 8 - Debriefing NPCs==		==Stage 8 - Get a Ref==
			If you are running a plot that has will demand regular support from a ref or needs a ref on hand to ensure that fighting is being handled safely then you need to get a ref. This is especially important if you are planning a quest, which is likely to involve any significant amount of combat. The ref desk is run by Nicholas Taylor, either Nicholas or Emma (who was organizing most our refs who were experienced at running skirmishes previously) can help you organize a ref to support your plot.

			Refs are always in high demand at an event, so make sure you speak to them as early as possible to arrange who will be reffing your plot to ensure that they are available at the right time.

			==Stage 9 - Debriefing NPCs==
	When your NPCs return to the plot room they will be asked to put a debrief of their plot on to the plot wiki. The debriefs are added using the debrief button provided by the plot template which appears on your wiki page. If you need specific questions answered by the NPCs then you will need to ensure that you are there when the NPCs get back and debrief the plot.		When your NPCs return to the plot room they will be asked to put a debrief of their plot on to the plot wiki. The debriefs are added using the debrief button provided by the plot template which appears on your wiki page. If you need specific questions answered by the NPCs then you will need to ensure that you are there when the NPCs get back and debrief the plot.

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	Debriefing is important because it allows us to track what plots ran and what the outcomes were. It is critically important for game consistency that we get good quality debriefs. Everyone involved in the plot process, writers, plot support, and NPCs should be aware of the importance of getting good debriefs.		Debriefing is important because it allows us to track what plots ran and what the outcomes were. It is critically important for game consistency that we get good quality debriefs. Everyone involved in the plot process, writers, plot support, and NPCs should be aware of the importance of getting good debriefs.

	==Stage 9 - Player Follow-up==		==Stage 10 - Player Follow-up==
	The Empire campaign specifically prohibits free text downtime - players are ''prohibited'' from trying to follow up a plot in downtime. It is worth bearing this in mind when writing a plot.		The Empire campaign specifically prohibits free text downtime - players are ''prohibited'' from trying to follow up a plot in downtime. It is worth bearing this in mind when writing a plot.

Matt at 21:47, 4 July 2016

2016-07-04T21:47:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:47, 4 July 2016
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	We've chosen this approach for several reasons. This approach will allow us to scale what we do to run more plot by adding more writers to our team over time. However it should also ensure that the key decisions taken about a plot, timing, budget, briefing, etc - are made by the writer who created it rather than by someone else. And finally it should mean that the writer is able to drive the plot process to ensure that their plot gets approved and run at events.		We've chosen this approach for several reasons. This approach will allow us to scale what we do to run more plot by adding more writers to our team over time. However it should also ensure that the key decisions taken about a plot, timing, budget, briefing, etc - are made by the writer who created it rather than by someone else. And finally it should mean that the writer is able to drive the plot process to ensure that their plot gets approved and run at events.

	==~~Nine~~ Steps==		==Ten Steps==
	We've divided the plot creation process into ~~nine~~ steps and laid them out in a rough sequential order for ease of reading. All of these stages will need addressing when a plot is created and run, but individual writers can work through the steps in the order that suits them best. Some writers like to buy a beautiful prop and create a plot around that; some writers will want to get the basics of their plot approved before spending time putting it on the wiki.		We've divided the plot creation process into ten steps and laid them out in a rough sequential order for ease of reading. All of these stages will need addressing when a plot is created and run, but individual writers can work through the steps in the order that suits them best. Some writers like to buy a beautiful prop and create a plot around that; some writers will want to get the basics of their plot approved before spending time putting it on the wiki.

	==Stage 1 - Write Some Plot==		==Stage 1 - Write Some Plot==

Matt: /* Stage 3 - Timetabling your Plot */

2016-07-04T21:25:05Z

Stage 3 - Timetabling your Plot

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:25, 4 July 2016
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	For more detailed instructions on filling in the plot timetable successfully, see [[Plot Timetable Instructions]].		For more detailed instructions on filling in the plot timetable successfully, see [[Plot Timetable Instructions]].

			===The One Hour Rule===
			It takes around an hour to get a plot ready and out of the door. It will take less time than this if everything is going well, but it is very easy to lose time at an event. Finding the right NPCs for the role, finding the lost costume or props, printing the ribbons needed, going over the complex parts of the brief, all take time. For this reason whoever is briefing your plot (either you or the person who has agreed to brief the plot) needs to be in the plot room an hour before the plot is due to go out. You will need to be on hand to ensure the process goes smoothly until you have got all the NPCs ready and the brief sorted.

	==Stage 4 - Costume and Props==		==Stage 4 - Costume and Props==

Matt: /* Stage 7 - Briefing NPCs */

2016-07-04T21:20:38Z

Stage 7 - Briefing NPCs

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:20, 4 July 2016
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	Your NPCs will need to be briefed before they can enact your plot. Written briefs are incredibly useful, as they provide invaluable documentation and help speed up briefing before the event and on the day. However you don't need to produce a full written brief if that is not your style, provided that your plot write up includes the essential details.		Your NPCs will need to be briefed before they can enact your plot. Written briefs are incredibly useful, as they provide invaluable documentation and help speed up briefing before the event and on the day. However you don't need to produce a full written brief if that is not your style, provided that your plot write up includes the essential details.

	Experience has shown that plots work best when they are briefed by someone who knows the plot well. If you're not available to brief your NPCs, then you'll need to find a member of the plot team who can do that for you - and then take the time to go through the plot with them. There are some members of the plot team who specialize in briefing plot because they have good communication skills - talk to ~~Sam Sutton or Sean Milligan~~ if you are looking for someone who can provide help with briefing NPCs		Experience has shown that plots work best when they are briefed by someone who knows the plot well. If you're not available to brief your NPCs, then you'll need to find a member of the plot team who can do that for you - and then take the time to go through the plot with them. There are some members of the plot team who specialize in briefing plot because they have good communication skills - talk to Steve Alonso if you are looking for someone who can provide help with briefing NPCs

	==Stage 8 - Debriefing NPCs==		==Stage 8 - Debriefing NPCs==