I've been considering different ideas for an RP for several months. This may seem a little crazy to take so long but I hate writing up an RP for nothing. When I do something I like to do it properly. In any case I've been thinking of making an RP during the time of Skyrim but with a darker setting. The people are struggling, there is disease, the weather is harsh and the world is a horrifying and unstable place. Atrocities are common on both the Stormcloak and Imperial sides. Villages are razed, people are executed, and the people are left to fend for themselves. Dragons are fierce creatures that destroy entire communities. Over all I imagine a Skyrim that is much harsher and more difficult of a place. I remember when I first saw the screen shots of Skyrim and how they made Oblivion look like a Looney Toons Cartoon. I want that same feeling of orientation towards the "harsh." I want it to be "unforgiving." I'm looking for a group of mature and dedicated writers to share on this vision.


So what sort of RP am I thinking of creating? It will be an adventure party based RP. The basic premise is that party A will be chased by party B. The more in depth plot is that a mage by the name of Heizen took something of importance from High Rock and the some of the higher arcane social classes of the province did not take too kindly to that. This is where you come in. You'll either be part of the group chasing Heizen through this horror styled setting of Skyrim or part of Heizen's following. Party A will be bigger with the number ranging between 4 to 6. Group B will probably be smaller from 3 to 5 members and will be filled out later.

A central aspect of course would be Heizen's motivation and his character. He was born in Hammerfell in the city of Dragonstar. Those of you who know anything about the lore, it is a city divided. Heizen himself is a composite of the various ethnic groups and grew up in a very unstable environment. While from a poor family, he was found to have exceptional talent in magic and spent much of his youth through High Rock, especially Daggerfall, advancing his abilities. He transformed from a quiet introvert from the slums into a charismatic and eloquent extrovert as he proved to others and himself that he had a place in the world. That world turned out to be one of war between the Empire and the Thalmor where he excelled as a capable war sorcerer.

After the war he returned to Daggerfall and the next fifteen years were ones of increasing solitude for Heizen. He focused more and more on his studies surrounding things such as the Dwemer, the various Daedric planes...and his creations. The latter warranted a letter of warning from the local mage nobility. Heizen did not react very nicely. Striking at one of their Guildhalls, he stole a valuable artifact before sailing to Hammerfell, fleeing eastward to Falkreath. This is where most of you will come in. You're looking for Heizen for whatever reason. Either you've been hired by the mage guilds in High rock, or a cleric of sorts trying to cease Heizen's madness, or simply looking to cash out on the bounty. Heizen will bring forth the very creatures of your nightmares. He's extremely resourceful and dangerous and you'll have to work with your party to even keep pace with him.

While that character will pull the plot forth, it is still up to the writers to create their content touching upon various aspects of ethics. The goal should be to make the RP gripping. The goal is to make the RP seem like it's simply a well written fanfic by a team of writers. For now I want people to discuss the plot and put questions forth. No spots will be reserved at the time. I'll pick people based on what they can provide here.

A big goal to consider right now is how to make the group characters mesh well together. I'll have a couple "hunter" characters myself. I'm looking for variation and characters that would compliment each other. Form some balance between the three main Elder Scroll arch-types as a general guide.

Woah... that is awesome...

"The goal is to make the RP seem like it's simply a well written fanfic by a team of writers." - ImmortalBlood

This. Oh by the Divines, this.

I'll tip my hand in saying that I think this idea is brilliant. I really love your idea of a darker Skyrim.

In terms of the actual RP, it is going to be very difficult to execute with consistency, unless...

The groups really need to get together and "iron things out" ahead of time. I'm talking about spending time discussing basic group and individual dynamics before any actual RP. Now by that, I do NOT mean it becomes "scripted." Obviously there needs to be creativity, tension, suspense, and spontaneity in RP posts, to capture that true feel of good RP. That's ultimately what this is all about, at least for me. I think that everyone should have an idea of where each other is coming from individually, in terms of motives, prejudices, etc. Just to cut down on confusion during RP.

I'd love to whip something up as practice, using the darker Skyrim theme. I'm willing to do so and submit it for approval if necessary. I'd likely start working on it Sunday, as I work the next few nights.

Assuming, of course, that any of what I've posted is something for consideration, ImmortalBlood.

By all means before we even start the RP we'll discuss a lot of the basic concepts and dynamics. Even for people who won't participate as actual characters for the RP, we can all be part of the process.

As for being scripted, I completely agree. I hate the concept of working out what people will do before it is done in part because this tends to have stronger willed personalities lead the story without as much creative input from others, and also because I am a fairly conflict oriented person. I want you to want something that I want and I want the option to crush your hand with my boot if you dare come near said object. The trick is getting people who understand this concept while also being OK with it. At the end of the day it isn't a competition and I'm here to create something that will last.

There's nothing better than when an opponent maneuvers in a completely tactical and well-written way, and as badly as you don't want to be hit, you choose to accept the blow because it was just so artful.

Or when a character insults you and you actually get mad for a second, and then smile to yourself, because of their unexpected use of words.

I'm right there with you. Consider me on board. (Provided I submit a character sheet and/or writing sample that gets accepted.)