Time for a Friday Update.
House tracking/sheets/trading/purchasing is up and running. Trades work, but its not a total system, there is no counter offers, bantering, etc. That is left to RP, the system is the end product to interactions between houses and house members on the grid; not a replacement for RP.
We’re delving into the heart of theme at present. Taking a closer look at Vindicti, the art of formalized vendetta for our game. A good quote from Encyclopedia Britannica, near the heart of day to day play; politics, alliances, vendetta.
These divisions [conflicts of nobility often along political lines of Guelf and Ghibelline] in fact largely reflected personal, economic, or quite local political rivalries—all inflamed by ideals of chivalric honor and an everyday acceptance of the traditions of vendetta.
It is highly more formalized for dramatics of play, named Vindicti. Vindicti is not unlike Kanly in Dune (based off a similar real world concept from the near east). We’re taking careful steps as we work this out for now. Our intent is not to make it simply some form to allow excuse of PK, to the point directly killing someone in another house is not honorable. Dueling is a highly accepted form of conflict, something like the final escalated conflict in Vindicti. For those not familiar with Pendragon, drawing swords is a little more than pretend fun time, even pulling blows for half damage, can be deadly and have lasting repercussions with a potential slim chance of dropping someone for good (armor/shield/hp dependent). Killing someone in a duel will come with investigation by the judiciary council to determine intent and recompense between houses. Not only does the offending house in a death have to pay the recompense, but the individual will suffer a tarnish which requires IC atonement; not some spiritual blessing, but the physical act of atonement whether to simply show publically, or for personal reasons to feel better, just that its a hit on reputation.
Other forms of conflict are more acceptable as well. Means of sabotage, social slander, even capture/ransom. Our goal is not coded systems for this, with statistics tracking behind the scenes, our focus is RP, we’re just giving more attention to Vindicti both in formal IC law and OOC policy/theme to assure its an RP tool only. This will most likely play into the idea of politics as discussed, such as the wooing of needed political NPCs for alliance and to sway votes/politics in Matora and abroad. Part of the sabotage could affect attempts to form/gain alliances or the attempts to gain favor/rep/info as well.
We will then further define the religious spectrum in the game which is reflective of the real world theme we are borrowing and altering. This was a big debate on Realms that we do not wish to get into, we’ll define more up front, from hierarchy on down. This will be a basis for religious groups, knighthoods and perhaps other groups with agendas that could be anti-religion (illuminati-esque). This is needed before we fully flush out neighbors in the city states from aristocratic cities that are probably supporting patrizio in our city in attempts to oust/remove nobility from their positions, or risen ventura (our condotieri), many also cavalieri/knights with no land holdings thanks to the numerous wars and entrada (crusades).
We will offer a number of houses, with heads open to app. Dependent on growth, we could open more but are going to offer group entrance/applicaiton to form new houses as needed as well. From the Conte level, which our opening houses start at, on down. While we will start play with an NPC at the level of Duca/Duchessa, the intent is not to keep it this way. This is an elected position and the intent is after play is established, to hold the next election for players to move into and rotate in this position to control the thrust of what our city does, leaving its success and failures in the hands of the players and the player houses.
The rest of the world will act, giving focus for the players to react to and, depending on player action, the world will react accordingly. Note that while it is very lightly fantasy and there could be some potential of real divinity of some sort, this is not a focus. There is no invading shadows or scary stuff coming, there are no end of the world/save the day/save the world plots. There is a socio-political focus on working together even while being enemies and rivals and making the overall success relevant to the city itself. Or, being enemies, removing enemies and changing the political landscape. We will offer challenges, dilemmas, hurdles and obstacles.
All said, we’re nearing that point of opening, knowing code may be added or altered to reflect need and want by the players, the basics are laid out to get there. Its is near, but I can’t say a time as that my jinx such a deadline, just we are getting closer.
