Kushiel's Debut

[Sunny]

It would be SUPER AWESOME if someone would pick Naia up. The character is all made, she just needs a player!

[Sunny]

The recent post by staff on the game about what they want...

FALL STAFF WANTED

Welcome to all of our players, both new ones joining us and old ones returning from breaks. We're glad to have you and now that we do there are chances to turn up the heat on some plots we have had simmering, as well as put pieces in place for new ones! With that, I am posting another seasonal staff-wanted update! As ever what we want most is for players to play characters that they find interesting and think they will get the most out of on grid. However we often get asked what the game needs or is looking for, so we try to keep some updated suggestions. Sometimes we even add an xp incentive to encourage filling out certain areas in the game. Here goes!

Nobility: What we mostly look for in nobility is characters willing to get involved in political roleplay. There are various ways to do that, many outlines on our wiki, and they can vary from cutthroat competition and PC enmity to working together with others towards a common goal. We also appreciate filling out noble families with social characters as well, or social characters that dab in politics and political characters that frequent high society. Just be prepared to be visible and mingling both within the other families from your province and the other courtiers. Here are some particular areas we are looking for.

Siovale: (Particularly Perigeaux, Rocaille, Montreve, Verreuil) Siovale is the province of the scions of Shemhazai, known for their pursuit of intellect and knowledge. The province has faced upheaval of many types in recent years, providing opportunities for the development of many different types of characters. While some titled characters are listed as pregenerated, that does not mean that a different concept for those titles cannot be discussed with staff. Noble characters from Siovale, or other Siovalese characters with political aims, can begin with +20 to xp.

Eisande: (Mereliot, Rousse) Eisande is not hurting for population, but both of the Ducal houses are presently low on active membership which can make politics in the area tricky. Being the major port city of Terre d'Ange, there are opportunities for hooks of all kinds, be they with trade or merely an appreciation for fine things. Eisheth is also the Angel of art, music, and healing, so patrons of the arts and healers are valued among her people. Noble characters from Mereliot and Rousse receive a +15 bonus.

Kusheth: We seem to have a growing Morhban sector, and if you choose to join it that is wonderful, there's so much opportunity in Kusheth. It is Shahrizai who are active in court intrigue and politics that we are presently short on. New characters that create Shahrizai to get involved in such things receive a +20 xp bonus.

Namarre: There is a decently populated if scattered population in Namarre, however a few more members of the ruling family would be useful. Therefore we're looking for members of House L'Envers, and offer a +10 to any who create for us with an interest in politics and society.

L'Agnace: For the plot we have been working on there, it would be helpful to see some politically active members of Houses Chalasse and Somerville. There is a lot of intrigue and maneuvering going on in this particular provinces storyline at present, so if that is an interest of yours do check it out. If you need help, many players on channels as well as your staff are happy to assist, and you'll have an extra +20 xp to play with at chargen.

Camlach: The ruling house of d'Aiglemort could use a few more members, and the other houses of the Allied families would also do well to be fleshed out a bit. While many Camaelines are 'off at war' currently, the war will not last forever, and getting acclimated to court life again and continuing to see what new threats are posed to Terre d'Ange can be entertaining for those who enjoy drama and strategy along with political play as well. +10 to new Camaelines.

Non-nobles: While there are several different concepts that are not nobility that people have tried out and had fun with, currently staff are looking for these in particular.

Courtesans of all sorts: The Mont is far more interesting when it is populated, and this can allow for more than just the social and romance rp that many expect, but also intrigue between the houses and intrigue with nobles as well. I am not currently offering an incentive for House courtesans but I do encourage them, especially those with experience who are fully marqued.

Dowaynes: Dowaynes in as many Houses as possible are also necessary for this inter-house rp, and can even find themselves getting involved in religious rp as well. At this point I am not offering incentives either, but note there are several free merits offered to Dowaynes to help assist them in the political and social position they hold.

LAST:

Older characters: While being young and beautiful does have its appeal, there is something to be said for an experienced character, wise in the way of the world. Whether it be a Dowayne on the Mont, or a noble of any rank in a position to advise his or her family, these are the patriarchs and matriarchs of any sophisticated society. Play a character that is 40 or over, and you get +40 bonus points to begin with.

[Arkandel]

I never got into the books, and it sounds like quite a bit of OOC knowledge about its nations and political situation is pretty much required to play well. It's my barrier to entry or I might have given it a try.

Maybe after I'm done with the Malazan series.

[3543thrh67]

@Arkandel If it helps.. I only know, mainly, what I learned from the wiki about the game. The wiki seems to be pretty explanatory about everything.

[Sunny]

The wiki is pretty helpful, yeah -- I wouldn't recommend a Dowayne coming in cold, but most of the other concepts can be swung with what's on the wiki.

[Ganymede]

What kind of non-nobles are you looking for? I surmise you aren't looking for farmers.

[3543thrh67]

@Ganymede I don't think there is anything in specific. Kushiel's Debut seems more social aspects than anything else so probably things that facilitate that. Servants for nobles, shop owners, 'craft' types, etc. Bodyguards, and so on. From what I can tell players in general are open to anything and make up reasons for 'em. I would looooooooove a Dowayne (Basically a pimp) for my Courtesans House (Which is the house of innocents)

[Ganymede]

I don't think I have the right mindset to be a pimp. A madam, maybe.

[Echx]

There's several Very Official positions that have opened up as well, many of which wouldn't require noble backgrounds. Openings for Commander of the City Guard, Master of the Treasury, and Foreign Exchequer have all been outlined on the wiki recently, if you want something requiring less specific know-how about the religious portion of society.

Alternatively, while I don't need a giant Babadook there......

[Misadventure]

The wiki is really helpful as the setting is advanced in time from the books. The articles can describe the direction they are imagining instead of every little detail.

[Sunny]

@Ganymede said:

What kind of non-nobles are you looking for? I surmise you aren't looking for farmers.

Courtesans (including a couple of Dowaynes, which are not pimps omg Muse), the royal court positions. There are some spy positions, or a couple of houses have good openings for non-nobles attached to one of the many many families. I don't usually recommend non-noble PCs for new players to the game (though Ash and I do disagree on this point), but @Ganymede you'd be fine with as much of a self-starter as you can be. It does take a little more work to get involved, but not so much that it'd make much of a difference for you. Shopkeepers and such, too.

Non-noble wise, what you're looking at is still wanting a PC that can and has reasons to interact with the nobility, so a service/good that they'd be in the market for, really, is fairly necessary. Your average farmer, not so much. Yet, a farmer concept could be made to work.

Edited to add: Also, city and/or royal guard are great concepts for commoners. In addition to the Royal Court positions which I mentioned already but am mentioning a second time.

[Ganymede]

@Echx said:

Alternatively, while I don't need a giant Babadook there......

Everyone could use a gigantic Babadook, or brutish priest. That's, like, a given.

I'll look at the wiki and probably harass you and @Sunny later.

[Sunny]

These are the crash-course links I share with folks who are trying to figure out the theme:

http://www.kushielsdebut.org/index.php/New_Player_Quick_Guide
http://www.kushielsdebut.org/index.php/Timeline#Present
http://www.kushielsdebut.org/index.php/Nobility
http://www.kushielsdebut.org/index.php/Night_Court
http://www.kushielsdebut.org/index.php/Religion
http://www.kushielsdebut.org/index.php/Temple_Orders
http://www.kushielsdebut.org/index.php/Where_We_Are_Not_Going

[Misadventure]

That sort of link list would be awesome to see in ads for new places.

[3543thrh67]

@Ganymede OMG! BE ALYSSUM! I want a Dowayne! Especially since my goal is to be the Alyssum Second. LOVE ME ENOUGH TO BE MY DOWAYNE.

PS @Sunny They totally remind me of pimps! I want a pimpppp.

[Gingerlily]

Hi! Glad to see there are some people interested in checking the place out who have not before. As was said earlier in the thread, reading the novels can help players who want to get deep into the religion aspects of game rp...but it isn't necessary at all to play, we have many players who haven't read them, and I staff pretty effectively having only read them through once...not returning to them over and over like Bibles to guide my storytelling decisions.

Though rp has been pretty central to the 'court' rp and the nobles (and the Night Court/courtesans on a lesser scale) we've been attempting to open up court rp in different ways so that it can include a more diverse cast of characters. Like so.

http://www.kushielsdebut.org/index.php/Monarchy

Most of these positions are not filled by PCs, and all that are filled by NPCs are there only to have a name to refer to in play, the NPC will be joyfully kicked out when a PC is ready and willing to take up the spot. So here we have places for court artists (the Royal Poet) and masters of ceremonies of various kinds...the head the the treasury...the commander of the city guard...all positions that could be held by nobles or by members of the merchant (or even commoner) class who were deemed qualified (And it would give the nobles something to grumble about too)

Think of your favorite trope from historical dramas, or even actual history, and there's likely a way to make it fit into this setting with minor adjustments (Except the Catholic priests/heroes of the Reformation...that part would be much harder to work out)

[Ganymede]

@icanbeyourmuse said:

@Ganymede OMG! BE ALYSSUM! I want a Dowayne! Especially since my goal is to be the Alyssum Second. LOVE ME ENOUGH TO BE MY DOWAYNE.

I don't get the feeling that the Dowayne are pimps, actually. They are groomers, instructors, evaluators, etc., in addition to make arrangements for the courtesans. At least, this is my sense of things.

I'll probably pitch at @Sunny this weekend. I have an idea in mind for a member of the court.

[Sunny]

@Ganymede said:

@icanbeyourmuse said:

@Ganymede OMG! BE ALYSSUM! I want a Dowayne! Especially since my goal is to be the Alyssum Second. LOVE ME ENOUGH TO BE MY DOWAYNE.

I don't get the feeling that the Dowayne are pimps, actually. They are groomers, instructors, evaluators, etc., in addition to make arrangements for the courtesans. At least, this is my sense of things.

I'll probably pitch at @Sunny this weekend. I have an idea in mind for a member of the court.

Fantastic. I'm looking forward to talking to you about it! Exciting. I'm thrilled with how things have been going lately. Yaaaaaaaaay. It makes me super happy that you're going to come poke around!

[Ganymede]

@Sunny said:

Fantastic. I'm looking forward to talking to you about it! Exciting. I'm thrilled with how things have been going lately. Yaaaaaaaaay. It makes me super happy that you're going to come poke around!

The little man in me laughed when you said this, given the game's theme and Carey's reputation.

[Sunny]

@Ganymede said:

@Sunny said:

Fantastic. I'm looking forward to talking to you about it! Exciting. I'm thrilled with how things have been going lately. Yaaaaaaaaay. It makes me super happy that you're going to come poke around!

The little man in me laughed when you said this, given the game's theme and Carey's reputation.

Why are we not doing phrasing anymore, Lana?