As most people are aware of, this site has been slowly chugging along recently due to a myriad of factors. While the admins have discussed different ways to remedy this, we have all come to an agreement that it is because there are easily accessible alternatives available along with some other factors.
I've listed some of the potential changes we could make and would really like to hear your opinion on it.
Lessening the harshness and severity of the applications. We originally wanted Maelstrom to be a place where strong characters were developed but we understand that the applications that currently exist may take too long to complete and thus dissuade people from joining (especially considering the ease in which they are able to join other communities).
Allowing Champions to start anew within reason. This has always been a big feature which sets Maelstrom apart from others. However, we know that it has caused problems for many people and the idea that consequences must be followed does not appeal to everyone. If this change is implemented, it will not be a full retcon of a Champion's history if it affects too many other plots.
Adding new site-wide antagonists. Currently, there are very few real antagonists that roleplayers are against at the moment and having to make your own can be tedious. We have discussed the likelihood of serving pre made antagonists into Maelstrom's plot which we hope will spice things up.
Changes in the plot. The plot in which Maelstrom was following was a little under the radar and we feel like the members would benefit more knowing what is going on rather than it all being kept a secret. Again, this will be something to be discussed as adding a site wide plot would not be an easy task to execute.
Additional site features. With the continuing development of v5, more and more features have been introduced along with new skins and such. This will not be a priority as I feel like the aesthetic of the forum is the least of our concerns.
These are only a couple of changes and we have also discussed the possibility of starting Maelstrom anew. I know a lot of people have stopped logging in with their interest drained but we would really appreciate if you could take some time to express ANY concerns with the system. We do love this place and would really like to see it thrive once again.
Post by Bronzie(I'm too lazy to login) on Jun 2, 2014 21:39:37 GMT -5
I personally stopped hanging around because I'm not very good at character creation in the first place and I found the strict changes to character development to be far too overwhelming for me, so lightening up on it would be a pleasant change for me.
I also didn't like that the plot literally seemed to be going nowhere. I actually like what of the plot that I do know and prefer the rest being kept a secret from me until it happens, it makes it seem more realistic, but the site's current state is kind of....frozen. As far as I know, not many big events that were planned out have actually happened in quite some time, so it's a bit dull.
Overall though, it seems like a good set of changes. Just don't overwork your self over a matter such as this site, please. The list of changes seems like quite a lot to handle.
Post by Suggestions from Adel on Jun 2, 2014 21:42:12 GMT -5
[2:34:57 p.m.] Adelheid: Reducing the hardness and the time of getting a response would improve it I think.(maybe pointing some non mods to exclusively read and evaluate the applying? ) also thinking along some antagonism and villains would be great since villains tend to move the plots. There is a void that the iow left behind at the beginning and that was a place for easy interactions for champions who wouldn't otherwise interact with each other under normal circumstances.
[2:37:24 p.m.] Adelheid: Maybe creating a pseudo iow or something like the united nations?
Post by Liana Rainsword on Jun 2, 2014 21:46:32 GMT -5
I agree with lessening the harshness of the applications, it typically scares people away when they have to do that much work or it makes them too tired of the character before they even start to RP. It also feels as though you are expecting way to much of your members, there is always a limit to how much one person can do.
I will leave the champion thing out of my opinion.
Perhaps it is a good idea to add site wide antagonists, perhaps allow some people to make a few organizations to help make it more then just the shadow Isles and Void. It would make things more interesting than a select few city states get hit but another select few don't. Everyone needs to have an enemy.
The plot should be more shattering of Runeterra rather than the Rise of the all mighty powerful Noxus under the command of Swain.
Post by The Judicator on Jun 2, 2014 21:48:51 GMT -5
1: Yeah, I agree that the apps are a little bit too much that almost borderline on elitism. I'm not saying that apps should not be here, applications are a good thing to show case what a RPer can do, but I feel like having them right now is not really a good idea. At the very least we need to shorten them. The reason behind this is that we're not exactly swimming in RPers, and the apps do in fact dissuade people. I think once we get a good amount of people the current apps would be fine, but as it stands, something needs to be done.
2: Champions starting new is kind of a double edged sword. People shouldn't have to follow something they don't want too, but a plot shouldn't get too mucked up because of it. I think within reason would be fine
3: Premade antagonists are not a bad idea. It would give people a cause to fight against and would most likely spark up other antagonists
4: As far as plot goes, back when I RPed here back in the day, it felt very rail roaded. That's something I personally disliked
5: I don't have much to say about 5
6: ??
7: Profit!
Last Edit: Jun 2, 2014 21:51:27 GMT -5 by The Judicator
Post by MORE BRONZIE INPUT on Jun 2, 2014 21:50:48 GMT -5
One more thing from me....if you're going to add villains that are noticeable, you might want to allow them to be stronger than average OCs. It makes them more threatening. Perhaps have higher character building requirements on them to make sure there aren't too many or something.
Post by The Shadow of War on Jun 2, 2014 21:51:12 GMT -5
OPINION STUFF STARTING
I was more of a fan with our initial form of Champion acquisition, it only became a problem when a few certain people decided to exploit it and push the process to where it is now, I think it'd be better if we found a middle ground in that area where champions are relatively quick to pickup but the dedication to them must be shown.
I can feel the second reason most definitely, attempting to pick up a Champion that's already tied up in plots felt more like 'clean up' than Roleplaying since the character isn't actually yours until the past Rp'ers threads are taken care of which can take weeks or even months. I can agree on the change though as long as there's communication in what's going be changed when the Champion is picked up by someone else
Everyone pretty much recognizes Swain as 'The' antagonist of Maelstrom but there's not anything anyone can do to confront them or prepare against them because with the way it's written there's little to no reason to feel they're going to just WREQ us later unless we're insanely paranoid about them from the start. I think there's already a decent amount of 'antag' characters, they just never put themselves in that kind of spotlight. And that's me speaking as a Shadow Islander because there's nothing someone like Hecarim can do alone to feel like a rival to a city-state outside of a drive-by reaping, but that just gets him kicked out of the LEague and we see how well that's gone for him and the Isles.
We've got characters like Aatrox and Lissandra in Freljord, Viktor and Singed in Zaun, Zed, Syndra and even Yasuo in Ionia, there's plenty of antagonists. We just need players on them and they need something to work with in terms of development for their goals otherwise they're just solo people against the rest of the world. And we all know how that ends, one man armies don't exist.
I've got nothing for site-wide plot, unless it's a GLOBAL Void invasion the entire forum doesn't have a reason to react.
One more thing from me....if you're going to add villains that are noticeable, you might want to allow them to be stronger than average OCs. It makes them more threatening. Perhaps have higher character building requirements on them to make sure there aren't too many or something.
Back when the Void invaded Freljord, there was this one OC that could take on three champions at once and generally felt ridiculously cheap. It was very unfun to RP against him.
I do agree that a big villain needs to be threatening, but should never feel cheap.
Post by Adel trying with her sis phone on Jun 2, 2014 22:57:45 GMT -5
Here is my little grain. Each city state has their particular brand of heroes and so each city should have their particularly type of villains ok villains and antagonists need to be menacing but in the end not everyone is a world eating bug. I think it would be a good idea to create an ecosystem of antagists for each city that could create and stir different and more deep conflicts that could show some character development or show a new side of many people. How would Garen react to an overzealous justice freak? How would Zac deal with ecology driven terrorists? In Piltover if Jinx where to suddenly free all the scum Caitlyn and vi look away how what they would think of their city tendencies of holding for a hero? And about obstructive politicians or corrupted cops? How about bandl? Creating a more radical isolist group that seeks to separate yordles from humanity? A group that is against all young brilliant minds leaving the city? I believe that with some effort and care we can construct a more realistic depiction of a world with all kinds of problems and with some more pressing that others but above all a world where every rper can feel like the protagonist of their own story and not just a side character even if they are
Post by The Half-Dragon on Jun 3, 2014 0:39:46 GMT -5
Well, I don't have that much to comment on, what you've written seems fine and I agree with most of it except for the Visual changes, Maelstrom is flashy enough as it is and looks fine.
Although, I think I can say that we want to know what is going on in Runeterra. Swain mentioned a plot line several times before but we never got to know what Plot line was which was quite misleading in my opinion.
Post by The Iron Ambassador on Jun 3, 2014 3:25:02 GMT -5
As everyone is stating, Swain is seen as the big antagonist... but one problem with that, is that our Birdmin Swain has not been posting since February, yet there's been no opportunity for anyone to take over from what it's seemed. With Swain's absence, activity in Noxus has ground to a halt. Yet, despite over 3 months of inactivity, Swain as a champion has never been available for anyone to pick up. I don't feel like it's prudent for a champion to be locked indefinitely, just because an admin was the one playing it :/
The plot should be a bit more visible indeed, as well as needing more antagonists.
Post by Lucas Brightshield on Jun 3, 2014 3:36:01 GMT -5
Lessening the application burden is a fine start. I have some other ideas which will end at the end of this page.
Starting over is a bad idea in my opinion. No death skipping please, consequences are what gives life to our actions. However, please allow us to let died out storylines(especially with OCs who went to other places.
Site wide antagonists. Well, we had the Ruined King. Then he left. There's the void. I agree that some strife would do the RPs good.
Changing the plot, I abstain. I'm not that good of a writer, even though I'm on here. There's some weird spots in the plot I'd rather have removed, for instance, everyone just casually walking out of the League. But most of those are entwined in other plotlines now and this would amount to a full reset.
I honestly can't see any site feature that the admins can develop that I would specifically want. The only thing currently on my wish list is unified message boxes, and that's in Proboards' hands.
Right, I have an idea. As we all know, we could use more people. It's hard to get a champion, however. You have to have the luck that there's a application waiting, and then you have to spend days filling it in. This could, and should, be streamlined. However, what we also could do, atleast for now, is give those who filled in such an application a chance when they should post a little more. Perhaps, instead of totally making their account void, we could reduce them to temporary status? This would still allow other people to take over the champion, but it could keep storylines going long enough to finish them. And I think people would take comfort and hope in the fact that atleast they could finish what they started.
I am a Pathfinder. I will do what everyone else thinks below him, because someone must do it. Call me dishonorable for it all you want. I serve justice, not honor. And Demacia, ofcourse.
Post by The Half-Dragon on Jun 3, 2014 3:54:48 GMT -5
Hi again, when it comes to applications I feel that we should probably return to the system we had before, or close to it so you don't have to write 1 or 2 pages of material for a champion you don't get
Post by The Half-Dragon on Jun 3, 2014 4:07:20 GMT -5
Also, combat between nations like Zaun and Piltover would in my opinion also spice things up. Instead of people instantly shutting down ideas that include a terrorist attack, what originally drew me to Maelstrom was the Shadow Isles invasion, as it showed how you guys dared to do things other communities didn't, which was War.
Post by The Lady of Luminosity on Jun 3, 2014 4:41:51 GMT -5
I really like Shyvana's idea of tension between nations e.g. Piltover v Zaun. That in turn could provide motive for intrigue and plotting and the like.
When I originally joined, I was under the impression that there was some sort of fracturing going on in Valoran, politically or otherwise. However, all the states seem to be by and large quite detached from one another. In that sense it would be nice to have some sort of common enemy to unite said states. I really don't have any quarrel against the plots. I just feel that they are not clearly linked to eachother (if they are) - basically, they're too ambiguous for people to get involved. I for one would like to get more heavily involved in whatever is going on, but the thing is that there are too many little things and I can't really tell what or how these things are contributing to the larger issue.
While it would be nice to perhaps have an idea of what's going on plotwise, at the same time I don't want to know anymore than I should, because I like surprises (but then that is my own problem). Still, an idea of what is happening behind the scenes would be useful.
As said before, I would like a common enemy - but I wouldn't like to change what has happened in the past. I quite like the plot as it is. I just feel that it needs clearer allies and enemies so that it is easier to roleplay and make decisions in terms of what one wants their character to do next.
I actually like elements of the application process. Then again, I wasn't around long enough to see the previous one. Some things include submitting roleplays in certain scenarios, and what your character thought of something that had happened in their life - it's important to see how one perceives their character, and how they can get into their muse's head. However, there is too much detail required - too many questions, and people can feel that the bar is set too high to reach. It's extremely daunting.
I quite like the site appearance as it is. It's snazzy, as I would put it. There's nothing that needs to be fixed there.
I have nothing to say in terms of letting champions start anew. I'm don't know what to think about it.
Welcome to Maelstrom, Original Characters, Summoners and Champions alike. We are a divergent setting roleplay forum for the ever-popular MOBA by Riot, League of Legends. This means we are based in Riot canon, but your characters' actions can have a real, lasting impact on the world. Together, the Maelstrom community endeavors to bring the League of Legends setting and characters to life through collaborative storytelling and meaningful development. We welcome you along for the ride.
Hang out in a citystate, visit the Institute of War, explore the uncharted recesses of Runeterra. Whatever you decide, good luck, have fun and happy writing.
hello new skin yes. gonna work out some kinks but let me know what you guys think. it's not all that flashy but i didn't really like the tabs so the side bar is back. oh and the cbox has also made it's appearance. -rurin.
Maelstrom was created by Swain. Written content is copyrighted to their creators on this site. The skin is created by Wolf and mini-profile template by Kuroya of Gangnam Style. The board and thread remodel is by Kagney and has been heavily edited by Rurin. League of Legends is owned by Riot Games. Maelstrom does not claim ownership to any images used unless stated otherwise.
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