THOUGHTS., and also planning and probably silliness

[Orpheus]

So, uh. Hey to my last few remaining members! Since we were thinking about restarting Paradigm Drift [for the second time. o___o;] I figure it would be best to have a thread to sortof flesh out ideas in. So, let's see how many things I can find that need fixing...

the whole...plot story thing..
well, originally, the shifters were all to start out unawakened, but I think this has been a cardinal flaw in PD's design. it stifles roleplay and etc and generally just has to go. i'd like to keep the concept of every shifter having to see the node (did you like its incarnation as the Rock or the Spine better?) to shift the first time, but if you guys think there's a better way, do tell.
and also, I had originally intended for some sort of cult/society/commune thing to be centered around the 'node,' and everyone has nifty 'code names' and things are pretty awesome. unfortunately, that never happened, probably because there was no rallying idea, no cause, no purpose to have a little cult-thing besides "oh, we'd all really just prefer living with other shifters instead of smelly humans"
meh. i'm rambling, but hopefully something in my rambles will jumpstart a brilliant brainstorm somewhere. ;;

the board itself.
it, well, needs a facelift. I'm really starting to hate this skin, and we need one that looks...paradigm drift-y? i'm not sure how to go about this, but if either of you have any experience with skin-finding or skin-making, i'd be supremely obliged.

the rp areas.
i feel like there should be more of them. you know. more sub-boards and places to meet up and things, but I have no idea what they should be. ideas? anything you would've liked to have had when rping? something other boards have that we don't?

the setting.
it was originally near yellowstone near a backwoods town near wyoming because...i had recently returned from a trip there and it was convenient and i was (and am!) in love with the area. the flaw was that marine shifters were sort of...technically welcome but logistically impractical. i changed it to cali because there was ocean there, but seriously i hate california and i'm sure you two can think up somewhere better. right? right. :]

other stuff.
feel free to chuck out crazy ideas and etc. nothing is set in stone atm, so go nuts!

[Tsukiyo]

I don't understand how you'd want to have us be aware without being capable of shifting. I did like the idea of having to find the spire before going mad though.

One way to give shifters a rallying point, so to speak, is to have an overall plot to draw them together. Easiest way to unite people is to give them a common enemy, the villain. Perhaps the villain can be someone who didn't make it to the spire in time and has gone mad. As a consequence s/he is out to destroy the other shifters. S/he doesn't know where the spire is, but is collecting her own band of other shifters, who failed to make it during the time line. This group will set out to destroy shifters who have made it.

Something else I was thinking was that perhaps the spire should be necessary to control the transformation rather than trigger the first transformation. From puberty and onwards perhaps they start partially shifting. Nails turn into claws, sprouting fur, wings, etc. but only for a few moments before turning back to normal. This would also help with the whole going mad thing. Still keep it where they dream of the spire as well, but need a guide to reach the spire. Guides could be... a sort of elite shifter group. Made up of some of the first to transform and shift. By elite I simply mean that they will have the greatest knowledge having known what they are for the longest, and this group will seek out other shifters and take them to the spire. Course this would require some manner that one shifter can recognize another. Something in the eyes, a certain pheromone given off, etc.

The transformation would get worse the longer it takes the person to find the spire. The shifts would lasts longer and become more painful. The dreams would become more frequent giving them an idea of the general direction they need to head in to find the spire.

Feel free to shoot any of this down. I thought most of it up as I was writing.

[ursaraven]

*pounces on everyone* I am SO glad to be back! =) Anyhow.

First, I'm not gonna lie, I loved the Rock. Mostly because I adored the Lion King. *halo* Though it was really fun playing on the beach. =D

I do like the idea that everyone needs to see the node to shift properly, but you're right. It's really hard starting everyone off from the beginning, especially when there aren't enough people active on a regular basis to get characters to the node. I do like V's idea of the elite shifters or what have you, who've been around for a while, know what's going on, and can help people out. The thing is, we'd need people who would be able to guarantee that they'd be active, who understand the premise of the site and the plot, and who are good roleplayers. And if this node has just been activated, how would they have been around long enough to figure anything out? Unless, of course, there were other active nodes and they'd somehow sensed that this node would be activating and people would be needed here, etc ad nauseum.

Also, how -would- characters be awakened without being able to shift? Unless, of course, they just thought they were mad, in which case...well, that could work, but a whole lot of shifters would be in mental institutions.

I like the idea of the shifters forming their own society around the node, and I see your point that there needs to be some kind of reason for it. But I don't know about the villain idea. It's very difficult to pull off properly. We'd need people to play the major villain and all his/her followers, and...well, it could work out with a lot of people, and I think it would probably be a very good idea for when there were a lot of active members, introducing the plot if the site grows enough. But for starting out--trust me, it's hard to pull it off. Later in the game, however, it would be very useful. And I like the way you set it up, a should-be shifter gone mad, gathering others like him together to wreak havoc on the regular shifters and/or humanity in general.

Perhaps if the existence of shifters were slightly less secretive, if people knew about it and either hated or feared them (which isn't too terribly improbable, sadly), they would have a reason to band together and form communities around the nodes that triggered their powers. But then we again have the problem of how people know. If there have been other nodes that have activated, it becomes a bit more probable, but if not, then no one would have had a chance to spill the proverbial beans.

I agree, we need a new skin for the site. I have no experience with Invisionfree skins, so I'm not sure how it would work, but I'd be willing to look into it. No promises, and any suggestions toward theme/colors/etc would be appreciated. And once I figure out GIMP, I could do graphics if they aren't too horribly complicated. I like playing with pictures. =)

The only problem with having tons of RP areas is that...well, when there aren't tons of people around, it's so -empty-. It might be easier to have fewer boards, with threads for specific places. Or fewer boards with more description as to what you can find there. Again, I'm sure tons of boards would be helpful when the population is huge, but starting out...it just looks so barren. =\ But I can definitely try to figure out a few more interesting places people could go, boards we might need, etc. =)

Have you considered the East Coast? Maine, for example, might be nice. Plus, it has more coastline than California.

*UPDATE* Okay, I created a board to test skins and whatnot, and I found a very helpful forum. But I don't know what look you're going for. =) So if you could let me know as soon as possible, I'll try to work on a new skin. Or rather, on finding a new skin. And on figuring out GIMP so I can make a banner and/or some graphics, etc. Unless someone else has that covered, in which case I'll stop. =P Colors/general feel/pic to go off of/etc. Let me know. =)

[Tsukiyo]

I agree that areas should be added as we have more people to play in the areas. Until then less is better.

I hate computers and all learning geared towards such. I will be happy to look at and criticize or praise different ideas though.

Perhaps for the start we should begin building the team of elite shifters. The first shifters who begin to hear the call of the spire/node/rock whatever. I'm not really picky on an incarnation of it.

This way when we do start getting more members there will be others in place to pull the newbies into the action. As for the villain, I can start working on the creation story of the villain so that, that will also be in place for when we get enough players.

Also, hopefully having something to reach towards will encourage more people to join.

Since there's only the three of us right now we can create our three shifters individual journey until they reach the node, at which point they can shift successfully and then there will be at least us three to guide the others. Once we've reached a point we're satisfied at with that, we can do small time jump. Accordingly I think all the first shifters should be on the young side. Otherwise it'll limit their time to learn and then pass on said knowledge.

The reasoning for shifters to form a society around the node, in the beginning at least could just be to learn. After all people will just be figuring out that the world isn't quite what they thought and thus would be inclined to stay near those who understand what's going on. Another point for having experienced shifters.

Actually perhaps we should have the first shifters be wanderers, travelers, whatever who are on the node when it first sparks back to life. That would help explain why they are the first to turn before others start to hear it's call so to speak. Perhaps once the node first awakens it will need time to gather power and slowly exert it's influence globally. Unless having multiple small nodes it the idea we'd rather have.

Besides having any activity at all will make people more inclined to join. If necessary I'm sure we can run the two time lines simultaneously if others want to join right away.

As for having others know, thats a possibility. The shifters could also form a community because society as a whole hates them. If they had issues with random uncontrolled shifting, I'm sure that would be a major news story. This would also interest scientists who want to study the shifters and not all scientists are exactly morale in their pursuits. The government would not protect the shifters as it wouldn't really see them as being human, but instead as being OTHER. And everyone knows that OTHER is dangerous, scary, and out to hurt normal people.

And now I've lost my train of thought and will end for the time being.

[Orpheus]

Oh, geez. When was the last time I told you guys that I love you? :]

To get the easy stuff out of the way first...the skin in the past has been whatever looks good. There's a rumor among site admins that light skins generally attract more members, but I'm very skeptical of the validity of that pseudo-statistic, so...something that is characteristic of the site I guess. Nothing gothy or scene or cute and fluffy? But that's not the sort of thing you'd go for anyway, I think, so I'll probably be happy with whatever seems good to you. ;

As to the node, I loved the Rock, too, but it felt like it needed some kind of shelter-like thing. With the Spine I tried a cavern-type thing, which never got used. The shifters are animals, but they're people, too, and people like at least a measure of shelter on rainy/cold nights...Maine might be a good idea, or it doesn't have to be in the US at all. England or continental Europe might be fun...France, or Spain or something. Or South Africa? I had a thought that the node might be radically different in a place like this. Something like tintern abbey?

I really like Tsukiyo's idea of the node controlling shifts as well as or instead of sparking them. This really would add to the sense of "gah! I'mgoingmad!" for the new shifters. The "elite" would be fun, too, but we'd have to think of a way for them to identify the ickle ones. As for guaranteeing that the players of such important characters were going to stick around, we can require that they have established themselves with one character. That way, the board won't be overrun by elites with no newbies to guide to the node.

Also, in retrospect I really have no idea what I was talking about, shifters being aware but not able to shift. I think I may have been babbling. *blush*

The evil villain thing is great, but I agree, we need to kick that off once a decent level of activity has been established. I do really, really like the "shifter gone mad" plotline, though. I can see that going places, but it needs to happen later. You're very welcome to begin construction on it, Tsu, I know it'll be awesome.

As to people knowing...that could be fine, but I wouldn't want it as a major news thing. Instead, perhaps there have been other nodes at different points in history, and other nodes in different parts of the world now, so it's the sort of thing that most people have never heard of, but a few nonshifters do, through family ties and etc. Maybe there is a small band of nonshifters who are jealous and pick off stragglers every now and then, and the society in the shadow of the Rock (or whatever) is primarily because there is safety in numbers? And perhaps the whole reason for this mob of angry civilians is because of the "shifter gone mad" wreaking havoc? *rambles*

So, this "elite guard" thing as a precursor to the other shifters seems to be a fetching idea. The original three (*ahem* our characters) could have just been there at the right time a few years (or months) before the node was truly active...to use a volcanic metaphor, they were caught by a trickle of lava before the mountain actually erupted?
Meh, a bad parallel, but hopefully that makes sense. That way, they'll have a good sense of what they're doing, already have relationships established with each other, and hopefully have discovered a way of sensing the "shiftiness" in their fellow freaks. :] The two time lines, as Tsukiyo said, can run separately, but it'll be a little tricky to maneuver around what has and hasn't been said.

More thoughts! This brainstorming is what I should've done originally. Damn. :/
also, since Tsukiyo mentioned it, my AIM address is
"at 221b"
if you would like to do more one-on-one real-time brainstorming.

[ursaraven]

Okay, I'm thrilled to have creative license, but...well, some color suggestions are always appreciated. *hint hint* To subtly undermine the rumor, I tend not to like white or light grey as the main color, and I dislike pastels in general.

Location: Oooh....there was this island thing...it was a peninsula at low tide, an island at high tide...can't think of where or what or...well, anything like that. But something like that would be cool, too. =D Or, you know, thoroughly impractical. It sounded like a good idea in my head. But yes, I see your point. Shelter of some sort is helpful. O_O I made some kind of half-hearted attempt to look into ley lines and that kind of theoretical nodes of power...but the language was loaded with jargon and over my head. Mrf...it's a thought, anyhow.

If you don't want it to be common knowledge that shifters exist, then safety in numbers and being together for the sake of learning about their powers is a much more convincing reason for gathering around the node, especially if it helps in controlling the shift (which, by the way, I like). Would it be that it helps one gain control initially, or would one need to be near the node to maintain control in general? The longer one has been shifting, the longer one can maintain control? Then too, that limits the character's future significantly. =\ Well, just another thought. Regardless, I like the uncontrolled shift/partial shift idea, too. Perhaps the list of "symptoms" could include the dreams and/or a degree of uncontrolled shifting? Give the players the option of just mental symptoms or both? Or, of course, have both be a given.

Three initial elite shifters (gee, I wonder who'd play them...), with the option for new people to be gradually introduced to the elite "team"? For instance, it would be hard to add new elites after we were bringing in members, but if a player proves him/herself ready to handle the responsibility of having an elite character, the current elites could sort of...recruit their character to help them? Something like that...*shrug*

Erm...I don't have any clever ideas about how the elites could "sniff out" the ickle newbies, but when I think of something, I'll get back to you.

I get your volcano metaphor, no worries. But rather than running the two timelines separately, it might be easier if we just semi-write the old one, so that everyone knows what happened, that sort of thing, and start out in the new timeline. And I'm sure once we figure out a location, we'll figure out a plausible reason for our three characters to be there at the same time. Though I might recommend that there have been more than just the three involved in whatever was going on, or that there was a shifter-related reason for their presence...and I'm going to stop rambling now.

My AIM sn is RealityComplex04. I'll try to be on AIM whenever I'm actually on the computer, instead of forgetting to sign in. ;D

UPDATE: Still have to change: white, grey, some of the font colors, border colors, banner. Oh, and the forum images. But if you want to see what I've got so far, feel free to check out The New Skin. And give me opinions. O_O Suggestions, things you want changed, etc. Keeping in mind the list above, where I mention what I still plan to change. =P

[Orpheus]

Alrighty-- I'm going to start tweaking the rules and backstory, so watch those for changes, but nothing is set in stone yet, so keep the ideas coming in!

I'm still really open to ideas about what/where the node is, so if you guys have any ideas, please do share. I've got some sketchy ideas, but nothing fully formed.

The idea that they rely on the node's power to control their shifting is a good one, especially with the more experienced being able to get away somewhat. If there are no objections, I think we might keep it. The shifters originally sortof had to stay reasonably close to the Rock, and I suppose we can keep the radius of the node's power fairly wide, so that the shifters can still, you know, have jobs and whatnot.

An elite team sounds nice. It can start with us and more can be added, perhaps as replacements or just as extras, as time goes on.

How they'll identify each other is still in the air. I think we were headed in the right direction with some energy-field aura-type thing.

and omg! the skin is AMAZING! I'm so excited to see the finished product! *glee*

[ursaraven]

I've still got nothing when it comes to location of the node. But I'm all for the changes you outlined below...or above, since when this is posted it'll be above. At any rate. I like the aura-energy-something thing we were talking about, but I think we need to figure things out in more detail (obviously). And I'm glad you like the skin. I'll still be making minor changes and tweaking things, and I'm pretty sure I'm getting nowhere with GIMP. So if you have time, Orph, it'd rock if you could work on a banner. I'm thinking my pic-playing is going on hold 'til I get PSP back. Which could be a couple of weeks. Also, if you guys have any suggestions or requests for the skin, let me know. It's still a work in progress, and I'm open to changing things. If I can figure out how.

[Orpheus]

sure thing. :] What size would you like it?

EDIT:
Brainwave! How about the node be somewhere in New Zealand? It's isolated but not uninhabited, has a neat mystic/exotic feel, is gorgeous, and has mountains and ocean everywhere. If I knew more about the place I'd suggest a particular location...can you guys think of anything? Maybe Kahurangi?

[ursaraven]

...oooohhh...I like it! I have no specific knowledge on the area, but I'll ask a friend who's going to study there for a semester, and I'll gladly look into it.

Also, thus far everything's at 760-ish pixels width for the skin. Height...erm...the one I have up is 200, but whatever looks good is cool with me.

[Orpheus]

Hm, alright, another opinion question. The last time I resuscitated PD, I erased the posts and moved the old profiles to an old character forum. Since the changes to this version of PD will be more drastic, do you think I should more or less do the same thing, or what? Perhaps stick the old threads in an Old Thread forum..? But I wouldn't want to confuse newcomers either. :/

I think with you two here, I've lost the ability to make decisions on my own. XD

[ursaraven]

I still really like reading the old posts. I say keep them in an old threads board.

[Tsukiyo]

It shouldn't be confusing if you have all the old posts in their own locked forum. Plus it might help new comers decide how to get started or get an idea for how to create a character.

On a different subject, for feeling out other shifters... how obvious do we want it to be? We've decided to have it be related to auras.

I was thinking maybe, a little shock, sort of like a static shock in winter when one shifter comes into contact with another for the first time, and then for a shifter and a non-shifter, people can just feel uneasy about them. The more... intuitive side of them realizing these people aren't quite normal. Or did we want something a bit bigger and more obvious?

[Orpheus]

I like the "static shock" idea for all shifters, and then the aura deal for shifters who've been taught to see them...the auras being in the shape of whatever form the shifter isn't in. I suppose one of our "elite" characters should have this ability innately, so to teach the others.

As for having certain special non-shifters than can 'sense' them, that could be very fun indeed. I'm not so sure about having everyone else feel uneasy around them, though. Unless you've got some ideas about it that would convince me?

Oh! And since the initial RP areas are up, feel free to begin making characters. You're both welcome to skip the approval process and put them straight into the Biographies section, since when people start joining you'll be reviewing new profiles & etc. :]

[Tsukiyo]

I don't mean have them be uneasy all the time, but just when they first meet them. Get a sort of uneasy feeling from the more primitive part of their brains. That most will push aside and forget. Or dismiss by saying they were having a bad day or something. But a few humans, the more intuitive ones who don't ignore their instincts will constantly be aware.

I'll start making my base characters, and thinking about making an evil character. So we're setting the node up in New Zeland?