» Fri May 27, 2011 10:22 am
I think I have more to say on the subject...
Looking at the way the other MQ-based RP's were started (End of an Era, ...But One Remains, The Imperial Simulacrum(first time around)), the planning thread is a bad idea. This is the kind of RP where you just jump in. Everybody knows the story, so that doesn't need to be discussed. And because everyone knows the story, you have to impress us with your portrayal of the introduction.
It seems that if you get a good OP, then people will more readily join. The way I see it, it would be best to start in one of three places:
Aboard the ship during the storm:
Requires no preliminary players and allows people to join as though they were always there up until the wreck, and players can be from anywhere. However, it requires not only careful pacing to keep the disaster from occuring too soon or too late, but also requires a run through Privateer Hold, which if not handled properly, can be a headache for a dungeon run so early on.
Privateer Hold:
If you get preliminary players, they can join before the IC starts as fellow castaways, and it has an urgent survival setting. However, it can lead to new-player confusion, as they either need to be fellow stranded characters, or picked up later in the cavern. It could get wierd if players start just appearing in the cave as they join.
Gothway Garden (Just south of Privateer Hold): Avoids the confusion of the shipwreck and dungeon run, and allows for native players to join. However, it can lead to the stagnation that killed both Imperial Simulacrum threads (moreso the second than the first).
Personally, I think earlier is better, but again, it can lead to pacing issues later.
EDIT: Oh yeah... Make sure it has a catchy title.