The Arken And You

[Wumpatron]

Due to frequent occurrences of people saying things such as "Down with Rikkira" and forming a general mob chant when in the presence of the Arken, I feel like a thread explaining what is wrong with this was most beneficial then correcting it OOC every time it comes up, or what should happen, correcting it IC.

The Arken are here as a Progression Device. They are meant to create a reflection of an environment in role play and further a sense of immersion. The Arken are immensely powerful beings that possess magics that cannot be conceived by even the most knowledgeable scholars in all of Aloria. They should not be provoked.

As it pertains to the present Progression that is occurring in-game, the Arken are the direct enforcers of Rikkira and are meant to drive role play into a player narrative of the Dragon Sung, those loyal to Rikkira, and those who are a part of a resistance who want to kill the Arken and stop Rikkira. As such, the Arken spread fear and influence. They should not be provoked.

When players yell blatant insults about Rikkira at the Arken, even insulting the Arken themselves then they are downplaying the effectiveness that the progression is meant to be. This is meant to be mass fear role play. No one is brave enough to taunt the Arken because of the sheer power that they possess. Ever since they became played IG, we have been lenient to the reactions people display. However, we are going to have to stress the rules now that it is becoming more widespread with each action the Arken take.

• Arken are to be feared.

If Rikkira or the Arken are insulted in a form that is meant as a way of ridicule or downplaying the role play they are generating, maim perms will be lifted. If this action continues, then kill perms will be lifted. Expect those portraying the Arken to offer a clear OOC message if things go out of hand. They will act accordingly as these situations occur when they are portraying the Arken.

• Ridiculing Rikkira or the Arken when in the presence of an Arken will result in lifting of maim/kill perms at the discretion of the one portraying the Arken.

Note: This also extends to blatant chants of the "Empire will Win" or similar as it is literally an insult directed to the Arken and Rikkira. Do not look for loopholes in this.

 

[Posidem]

Semi-related question: Does attacking Arken lift kill and/or maim perms as well?

 

[nath_n]

Thank you

 

[Wumpatron]

Semi-related question: Does attacking Arken lift kill and/or maim perms as well?

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Dependent on the situation. Because inevitably the Arken are to be killed so they will have to be attacked at some point. But if one person with a sword runs at the Arken then assume maim perms to be lifted.

For example, if I am in the tavern, causing a magical disturbance of cockroaches and mass decay then someone comes up behind and 'stabs Arken+' then I will do something about it, not to extreme levels like dismemberment, but something will be done to let people know that they shouldn't go solo on the Arken.

 

[celticwitch]

Do we know the players who 'are' the Arken beings? I find it difficult to identify any.

I am just curious and will obviously not use this outside of just being ooc information.

 

[Wumpatron]

Do we know the players who 'are' the Arken beings? I find it difficult to identify any.

I am just curious and will obviously not use this outside of just being ooc information.

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@Eccetra @Rochelle_ @Wumpatron

It's a matter of looking for the queues as they cast magic IG.

 

[Suzzie]

one psa of my own

STOP TRYING TO ROMANCE THE ARKEN, IT ISN'T FUNNY.

ok that is all

Seriously though, we'll actually kill your character. Screw off with that nonsense. It ain't good.

 

[NZ_Nix]

one psa of my own

STOP TRYING TO ROMANCE THE ARKEN, IT ISN'T FUNNY.

ok that is all

Seriously though, we'll actually kill your character. Screw off with that nonsense. It ain't good.

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/rolls to seduce

 

[HodlinG]

Seriously though, we'll actually kill your character. Screw off with that nonsense. It ain't good.

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Is that a joke or do people flirting with Arken just get insta dead?

 

[Wumpatron]

Is that a joke or do people flirting with Arken just get insta dead?

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It will result in the appropriate IC punishments. But not death.

 

[Conflee]

It will result in the appropriate IC punishments. But not death.

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To be honest I could see Jochund or James trying this because they are a bit crazy but I can see how it degrades the narrative a bit so Ill avoid it.


Personally my main limitation at the moment is that it feels like most people dont care enough about whats going on. Arken show up and then a little mob will form but outside of those instances I think there are maybe 10 players max actively trying to resist. Its hard to formulate a plan with two players that would work or be accepted even given the fact that we explicitly need large groups to make it work.

Im hoping people can rally together finally now that the Arken are taking a more active role in disrupting the city. Fingers crosseeeeddd.

 

[leafnosedbat]

I thought we were, as a server, trying to move past the Vices (now brought back as "Arken") as anything other than characters for world progression posts? If all the NPC villains are too powerful for anyone but NPC heroes, where does that leave me, the player?

And in case this comes across wrong (which I certainly hope it doesn't, but you never know):
This isn't meant as an attack on anyone playing the Arken. I don't really know them, other than Eccetra (who's a real stand-up person).

 

[Jovee]

I think it's silly that it even needs to be addressed.

 

[Conflee]

I thought we were, as a server, trying to move past the Vices (now brought back as "Arken") as anything other than characters for world progression posts? If all the NPC villains are too powerful for anyone but NPC heroes, where does that leave me, the player?

And in case this comes across wrong (which I certainly hope it doesn't, but you never know):
This isn't meant as an attack on anyone playing the Arken. I don't really know them, other than Eccetra (who's a real stand-up person).

Click to shrink...

The Antagonists of this plotline are the Dragon and the Arken Generals. While the Dragon is as far as I am aware only going to be resolved with progressions, the Arken are explicitly not Immortal. They are powerful, and taking one down will require a lot of cooperation and planning among the Resistance groups, but it is possible, and staff intend for us to do it. If we fail its not because they are too strong its because nobody bothered to make it happen.


Antagonists are needed, and the only things powerful enough to constitute major challenges (barring a player being incredibly lucky and skilled and working up to some level like that) are reserved for use specifically for this sort of thing.


The Vices and Virtues were also far more... overpowered... in some respects. Arken are more like fragments of power. Still mortal, and still very vulnerable. Vices etc came off as more literal gods. I've always been in favor of their use in plotlines, though I do somewhat wish that more pre-prep was done with the Arken Generals. It would have been far more interesting for me if the Arken characters had been played for a few months or LONGER before this all began. Knowing characters, and having those relationships built up only for the reveal to be that they were Arken would have been more rewarding in my opinion, and Im hoping more build up and plot threads are used in the future.


I think we need some kind of solid antagonistic group in the background to hint at and imply certain connections to make these end-of-the-year events feel more like a continual plot rather than a series of things that just happen to all take place at the end of every year because reasons. I understand why it is that way from an OOC point of view but looking at the last 5 years of Regalian history from an IC perspective it really looks suspicious and suspect af.

My personal want for that antagonist group would be something already established as well. IE Making the dragon the Midnight Court's fault. And from there have subtle hints towards their actions in the next year, and slowly build up a new antagonist/plot line for next years event with more pre planning etc.

 

[Wumpatron]

I thought we were, as a server, trying to move past the Vices (now brought back as "Arken") as anything other than characters for world progression posts? If all the NPC villains are too powerful for anyone but NPC heroes, where does that leave me, the player?

And in case this comes across wrong (which I certainly hope it doesn't, but you never know):
This isn't meant as an attack on anyone playing the Arken. I don't really know them, other than Eccetra (who's a real stand-up person).

Click to shrink...

In truth, they aren't too powerful, but have a limited set of powers which were discussed prior to them being implemented IG. Each one also has a weakness and a proposed plan on how they are to be killed themselves. They are designed to not be killable by a single player, but a group.

Where does that leave you as a player?

Be involved. Find like minded people and plan and execute a scheme to defeat each Arken. It may take multiple attempts, but eventually you will be successful. It is meant to be a rewarding experience. Problem solving, community involvement, just working together to figure out what harms the Arken and create a plan to defeat them. Consider some of their powers to be ways of protecting their vulnerabilities.

 

[_Grimmy_]

Consider some of their powers to be ways of protecting their vulnerabilities.

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Spiders in your clothes, they must have a deadly allergy to flies.