Looking for Yamataian Game Master(s)

[Wes]

Most of the ships in Yamatai are getting rather crowded and we're still taking on new members all the time. I would like to see some new ships that could take on players transferred from the Eucharis and other overcrowded plots, as well as new players.

If you're interested in being a Game Master for Yamatai, please let me know so we can get things set up. The number one requirement for a GM is that you have to be reliable, because players will be depending on you to keep things moving.

Ideas:

- Small starship plot (YSS Eucharis/YSS Aeon style)
- Ground forces unit (Century)
- Base or space station

 

[Fred]

I'll bite.

I can do the YSS Hoshi plot. I can also use Kotori as my GM NPC to command it.

The premise might be...

• Kotori, under Yuumi's wing, has tried to involve herself in diplomacy. However shortly after she attempts to deal with a case of unrest, trouble rears its ugly head.
  
  One of the Miharu plot's loose ends, the former-SAINT director Kikyo, made good on an agreement to assassinate Kotori.
  
  Kotori survives, but the novelty of being a target wears thin and that motivates her to take up a starship command once again. To do that, she has to renew her ties with the Star army.
  
  But Kotori's ties with the Star Army are tenuous since it is clear she was greatly discontented about how the Battle of Yamatai was handled. She has too much prestige as a war hero and her actions owes her the benefit of the doubt, but she's a wildcard. There are things she has done, that she can do, which are worrisome.
  
  You keep your friends close, and your enemies closer... and it's not clear which Kotori might be. Whatever crew the Star Army provide would be just as much to watch her as to monitor her.
  
  People from plots like Eucharis (for example) have great track records and are likely considered staunch loyalists to the Empire. Rather than let SAINT pick whom keeps an eye on Kotori, it could be in Hanako's interest to send people she trusts. Both because they will get the job done, and to support her clan sister.

If I was on the Eucharis, Aeon, or another plotship, I'd expect to be comfortable and happy where I am. I wouldn't want to move to 'clear space' for newer additions to the site. That's why I think it's important to make it more into "an important mission only they can be trusted with" rather than a "sorry I have to transfer you" due to OoC reasons.

As for the YSS Hoshi:

• Hoshi was Miharu's auxiliary ship. In this plot, she's going to be significantly uprated to fulfilling a Command Destroyer role - though in capabilities she'll be pretty close to what Miharu was able to do (Miharu never really was a cruiser anyhow)
  
  I've been actually building a 3d model by myself without plans to submit it for SARP... but I'm rethinking that. Here are a couple of early sneakpeek renders:
  http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll27 ... e_view.jpg
  http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll27 ... dorsal.jpg
  
  Submission-wise, I don't believe I can make this a complete submission in time... so I'd ask to be given the benefit of the doubt until I can refine it into a more finalized product.

How I'd handle it:

• Miharu delivered on its promise to be an epic storyline, but it was organized with a linear structure that brought people as much joy and it brought grief.
  
  So, a more episodal storyline with overarching elements seem like a wiser venture this time around. Direction, but also flexibility.
  
  Another issue I would like to solve is my handling of player roles. Too often I felt I brought about situations where certain players were more involved than others. I liked my bridge crew/senior officer interaction... but when I did that infantry and techs twiddled their thumbs. But when I did ground stuff, other people ended up twiddling their thumbs. It was very hard to get a good common ground that didn't make me feel like I was failing in entertaining some of my players.
  
  Wes dislikes people having alt characters in his own plot. Me, I'm wondering if it's not the answer to my problem. On the Miharu plot, Blas had his 'main PC' Nyton serving as tactical officer, but also had two NPCish caretaker nekos and a nurse that he took up from time to time. As a result, Blas rarely ever seemed to be bored or not have something to do. This might be something I'd like to explore.

My plot launch window would require me to complete a series of JPs I've been working with Doshii Jun, and to wait until the plots that plan to allow character transfers to finish their missions. That done would allow a smooth transition to begin said plot.

 

[Kai]

I've also been working toward starting another Yamataian plot. This time, instead of focusing around a starship, I'll be focusing around the Fifth fleet's Pride and joy- It's Infantry.

Unlike most plots where Power armor have been reserved for special engagements, and been used as more of a higher-powered resource for the characters, The Power Armor will be the heart and soul of the plot, with the twist that it's constantly coming up against evenly matched foes. Rather than being something special, the armor is absolutely essential for a character's survival.

To further differentiate the armors, instead of simply getting assigned an armor, Players will be able to select what armor they want from a much broader pool, and as they progress through the plot, they will be able to modify, customize, and power-up their armors, allowing players to specialize and individualize themselves, rather than simply being a faceless squad of Daisies or Mindies.

The Beginning of the plot will be the Fifth Fleet's invasion of Tatiana, their effort to retake the planet by force without destroying its environment or its cities, something that requires attention on the personal scale rather than the use of heavy weaponry like starships or artillery.

Unlike a starship plot, which has several different groups of individuals- the engineers, the bridge crew, the infantry, this will be simplified to just the soldiers, fighting a war on foot, face-to-face, close up and personal.

Currently I'm waiting on a couple of pieces of tech to be finished, but I have almost everything I need to start the plot off.

 

[SSharp]

I would totally love to be in another Kai plot. Genesis may move slow, but it's a really good plotship.

 

[Kyle]

I've made some waves about a plot idea I had for the Yam, though this was before I started up my own faction. The idea centers around the aftermath of the Battle of Yamatai and involves a Yamashuto Class Colony Ship whose task is to follow the military around and help recolonize and rebuild planets that were either destroyed by the NMX Invasion or help those inhabitants rebuild.

The ships goals would be many, from recolonizing planets, inspecting derelicts, constructing fabrications, and transporting personnel but also has some combat in it. The majority of the ship, however, would be character development with combat being secondary while exploration and social development is primary.

The main enemies for this ship would be pirate faction who would be taking advantage of these planets to strip them of anything the NMX didn't destroy, or to take advantage of the population and blackmail them.

Most of this plots combat would be ground based, with space based combat mostly relegated to NPC vessels (The colony ship isn't combat oriented, so it'd have an escort group with it)

What I would like, is for this to be a combination of a military and origin based plot though.. but that's up for debate. Of course, I'm not entirely certain I CAN GM a Yam plot given I already GM one for my faction.. so I guess that's up to Wes.

 

[Aendri]

You can GM in any faction the FM says so, no limits there. When you say Origin plot though, are you talking about something along the lines of Genesis, where it's SAoY and Origin staff together, or...?

 

[Sigma]

I've also been working toward starting another Yamataian plot. This time, instead of focusing around a starship, I'll be focusing around the Fifth fleet's Pride and joy- It's Infantry.

Unlike most plots where Power armor have been reserved for special engagements, and been used as more of a higher-powered resource for the characters, The Power Armor will be the heart and soul of the plot, with the twist that it's constantly coming up against evenly matched foes. Rather than being something special, the armor is absolutely essential for a character's survival.

To further differentiate the armors, instead of simply getting assigned an armor, Players will be able to select what armor they want from a much broader pool, and as they progress through the plot, they will be able to modify, customize, and power-up their armors, allowing players to specialize and individualize themselves, rather than simply being a faceless squad of Daisies or Mindies.

The Beginning of the plot will be the Fifth Fleet's invasion of Tatiana, their effort to retake the planet by force without destroying its environment or its cities, something that requires attention on the personal scale rather than the use of heavy weaponry like starships or artillery.

Unlike a starship plot, which has several different groups of individuals- the engineers, the bridge crew, the infantry, this will be simplified to just the soldiers, fighting a war on foot, face-to-face, close up and personal.

Currently I'm waiting on a couple of pieces of tech to be finished, but I have almost everything I need to start the plot off.

The mechanics... sound exactly like 4th AASP Fleet.

 

[Kai]

I haven't read or looked at the 4'th AASP; this is only compared to other Yamataian plots, which tend to show PA as uber, or at least a general advantage.

 

[Wes]

That plot sounds great, Kai. The Star Army is in need of a ground focused plot. We get a lot of infantry characters created but they tend to end up on ships so far.

 

[AWanderingMage]

Yeah I've been longing for a ground based plot for awhile but I've already committed Lolion to a ship. Ahh well maybe I can make a medic for Kai's plot.

 

[Wes]

Can you guys please set up your plot wiki pages and send me the details for your forums tonight? I want to get things started.

 

[Kyle]

You can GM in any faction the FM says so, no limits there. When you say Origin plot though, are you talking about something along the lines of Genesis, where it's SAoY and Origin staff together, or...?

Sorry Aendri, I didn't notice yer message when I looked into this thread a week ago :shock:

To answer your question, I would like it to be a combination of SAoY and Origin due in large part to what the plot involves. However, it doesn't need to be, but having civilians on might be a good idea given that construction and rebuilding is part of the plot as well.

 

[ShotJon]

Your plot does sound interesting Kyle.

 

[Wes]

Fred's plot is up and running!

Kai has gone on hiatus though, so I'm assuming his plot is not happening. In addition, it looks like the YSS Genesis is closing too.

 

[raz]

Okay. So I've been mulling things over since my return and I just need to write. I think I'll go with an infantry plot, if that's okay and there is sufficient interest. A Yamataian infantry plot.

My first choices for setting would be the invasion of Tami (since I was supposed to before I disappeared), Tatiana (same), or HX-13 (it's a cool, established hellhole that'd provide a good backdrop). But the first is in Kai's hands, the second my 9th fleet is apparently auto-ing, and the third is being handled by Sigma's bros.

But then I looked at the admiral's thread and, while I was gone, the 9th was assigned to retake the Yuukan system. Cool! From there I looked at the wiki and there are actually really cool worlds to re-take there in a planethopping campaign-fashion. Now, I'm only suggesting Yuukan because it's "mine" according to IC stuff and people seem to care about that (which is why I'm not demanding another system). Thusly, I don't particularly want to use the 9th Fleet in roleplay other than in a support role and I'll need a Legion/Century formation to use.

So, if there's any interest, I can run this campaign starting as quickly as I have characters. At no point would the plot be closed (unless I feel overwhelmed) and it'll focus on bog standard DAISY fireteams. Closed plots are the bane of a good story because people tend to quit, leaving a small core of people while everyone else on the site just watches, and it happens too much. What makes each soldier unique won't be their LOL CUZTOMIZED ARMOR KIT but rather their specialization, ability and personality. We'll hop from occupied planet to planet, experiencing each environment and what that means for combat. There'll be invasions, patrols, missions, sadness and victory.

Let me know if you want this, Wes. And people can PM me if they want to participate. If not, that's cool too. Interest makes the RP, not the GM's willingness to run it (and this won't diminish my focus or interest in the Byakuren).

 

[Wes]

It sounds great to me and I like the idea of a plot people can join anytime.

As for Yuukan, last I heard Task Force Lantern (Gallant's plot) was doing an operation there. We should talk to Sigma and see if there's room for your plot on HX-13, perhaps putting the plot in the 12th Legion. I think it's an ideal place for it, and that multiplayer plots should take priority. But if he doesn't like it, we could still find someplace else.

 

[raz]

Other than the Star Army Command thread assigning the 9th to Yuukan, the last IC mention was a Eucharis post from Dec 29, 2010. At this point, it's preferred because it's literally been untouched for about 2 years and I can get something going within the week, pending player interest and character approval.

But if that's a problem because of more "it'll come someday" plans, I wouldn't mind doing HX-13 as part of the 12th Legion. But if I'm going that route, I don't want any oversight from the organization manager.

 

[Fred]

Raz, some ideas:

If you want to run your own thing, I'd suggest cobbling up something entirely apart from what other people are currently handling. That way, little chance for conflict or inconsistencies.

I see three ideas worth exploring.

The first is how you can choose to portray in your plot the time-displaced members of the Second Draconian fleet... whom number-wise may account for a third of the Star Army's present fighting strength. But they aren't represented much.

The story for them is that they are the survivors of a million-strong fleet that left to fight in the Draconian Wars, but a massive use of transposition weapons as opening salvo caused a rip in space that trapped the fleet in some dimensional pocket where time was still and aether power could not be sustained to keep the CDD bubbles active. So they got frozen in time and were considered lost.

Until villains Eve and Melisson found out how to access them and free them. However, the Miharu plotship stopped them, and under Kotori's leadership, they returned to the Empire to help free Nataria from the NMX and then helped defend the homeworld in the Battle of Yamatai.

But then nothing else. Their 3000+ ships have likely been divided in separate fleets. Doshii is handling one of those... but that's likely not the only one. So, if you wanted to represent another part of them, it could offer you different dynamics for your NPCs and perhaps an undercurrent impression of them trying to adapt and reclaim their place.

The second idea was that Andrew's plot and fleet was settled around the Cellondora system... but when Andrew's plot died, it became sort of a loose end. Perhaps one thing your plot could accomplish is define what happened over there as Andrew's plot went inactive and give you an excuse for action in that locale.

The third suggestion there's currently no IC using and portraying the Sharie-class battleship. If you planned on going from place to place, it might serve as a good homebase for your PCs.

 

[Wes]

The Second Draconian War soldiers are around, but it should be noted that their ships (and bodies) were replaced with newer models, mostly Super Eikans in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th Fleets, IIRC (the ones with the bloated ship counts right now). The Star Army Organization page has a complete list of what ships are where.

We have a ship for infantry units, the new Kagai-class which is more suitable than a Sharie, which is more of a Battlestar type of ship (hybrid battleship and fighter carrier).

I don't see what the interest is in Cellondora. It's an empty world that only served as a pit stop for 7th Fleet until they moved on.

Talk to Gallant and Sigma in the IRC about Yuukan and HX-13 tonight and we'll see what we can get worked out.

 

[Fred]

Huh. Would've thought the 2nd Draconian Fleet would've stayed in their Yuis and Irims - considering the bulk of it consisted of those and that they were capable of being refitted to more recent versions. Seems more practical and consistent from a supposedly resource starved interstellar military than investing in the time and materials needed to cobble up newer heavy cruisers - especially if winning against the NMX required to maintain momentum.

As for Cellondora/Andrew's plot, it's a loose end. I like filling out loose ends. My success as a GM was practically made out from filling out your loose ends, Wes.

Anyhow, those were my ideas.