MOD POST ↠ January Updates

[faderifting]

MOD ANNOUNCEMENTS: JANUARY

ORGANIZATIONAL/OOC UPDATES

For a full list of events IC and OOC, check the new 9:44 Calendar and this month's IC news updates. Upcoming OOC dates:

Native Applications: Open indefinately

Rifter Applications: January 1-5

Next TDM: February 20

Next Mod Plot: January ~15 through early February

Next Deadline for IC Leadership Applications: January 31

Projects

Applications for any vacant project leader posts will be accepted through the end of the month. This includes the Base Operations project, which is available to be headed if anyone aspires to be Seneschal of the Gallows. (It's got a nice ring to it, don't you think?)

We also want to clarify that all members of projects are all free to propose and run player plots that further the interests of their projects and work toward solving--and do solve--the mysteries or problems that those projects are designed to address. The projects are subjects that we work into mod plot, but our plans are usually flexible, and we don't want anyone to feel that they have to hold off on proposing plots that get at the heart of their project goals for fear of stepping on mod toes.

For instance, characters in the Red Lyrium project are presently plotting and RPing their way toward the IC discovery that lyrium is alive. This is kind of a big deal IC, and while we did require that this discovery take time and RP and investigation by PCs, that key revelation will have been totally driven by player/PC initiative, not mod-run plots.

This is a good example of the sort of discovery that you might assume we as mods want to keep hold of and implement ourselves through mod plots or mod events, but which in reality we're happy to let you guys drive at through player plots if you'd like. The projects exist and are player-run in order to allow PCs to advance (or not advance) the main plot as they choose, and to reap the rewards or consequences of their own efforts. There may be times that we have to say no to an idea because it jumps too far too fast or conflicts with something else that's in the works, but you should always feel free to ask us, and most of the time we're likely to say yes.

Cast Caps

As a reminder, beginning in January we've instituted a cast cap for rifters: no canon/franchise can make up more than 25% of the total number of rifters. At our current numbers, this means a cast cap of five. The only cast that is currently capped is the Tolkien-verse cast.

Future changes to that cap will be announced on the application page prior to rifter application periods. We’ll make adjustments based on the number of rifter characters in the game one week before rifter apps open. The cap will not fluctuate during app periods—it won’t go up based on received applications, and it also won’t go down if any rifters are dropped less than a week before apps open.

January/February Mod Plot

Info about this month's mod plot will be posted around mid-month after the next batch of Rifters arrive, in order to allow everyone to participate. While we won't be revealing much about it just yet, we do want to make everyone aware that the plot this month will take a different form from our usual model of optional travel to another part of Thedas. This mod plot will take place in Kirkwall and will include many characters being confined to the Gallows for at least a couple weeks, possibly through the beginning of February. Please take this into account when making your plans for the month, and don't assume that it will be possible for your character to be traveling outside the base after January 15.

IC UPDATES

Nevarran Relations

The Inquisition stay in Nevarra went well overall--right up until the end. The Inquisition's presence at court caused plenty of whispers and consternation, but general good behavior even from its more controversial members began to at least quiet the loudest complaints (if not the most substantive ones). The Inquisition's standing was particularly improved among the small group closest to King Markus, who appreciated the organization's assistance in achieving the old king's dream of slaying a dragon.

Unfortunately, the mass destruction at the Grand Necropolis has resulted in an uproar of ill-feeling against the Inquisition, with Nevarrans of all stripes condemning the desecration of that sacred place and the revered dead within it. More than ever, the Inquisition is now considered a foreign interloper that does not understand or share Nevarran values. Naturally, Inquisition leadership has explained to the Nevarrans that the Inquisition was merely defending itself against an attack, but with no attackers to hold to account nor explanations for how the attack happened, that excuse hasn't gone over especially well. Popular consensus--stoked by several anonymous broadsheets distributed throughout Nevarra City and Cumberland in recent weeks--is that the alleged attack is a lie to cover up Inquisition carelessness and disrespect, or even a concerted effort to destroy Nevarran practices that don't conform with Chantry orthodoxy.

The good news is that those in power in court largely believe that there really was an attack on the Inquisition. The bad news is that they think the Inquisition should have been able to handle it without wreaking havoc in the Necropolis. With that failure in the forefront, some now claim it's part of pattern, pointing to the Inquisition's failure to seal the rift in the Nevarra City Circle without allowing the building to be destroyed, and failure to repel the attack in Perendale without substantial loss of life and damage to the city (not to mention the levelling of Haven, the chaos at the Winter Palace, etc., etc.). Even if its intentions are good, many now agree, the Inquisition brings with it more trouble than it's worth.

The end result is that while diplomatic relations have not been formally cut off, they are presently very strained, and no one in the Nevarran court is inclined to stick their neck out to speak up for the Inquisition in this present climate. Players are welcome to propose plots addressing this situation.