Introduction to Storyteller-Led Threads

[Rena]

Storyteller-Led Threads

Introduction

Veritas Falsus is a little different from most places in that it has both storyteller-led threads and regular, freeform posts. Neither encroaches on the other. In other words, if you would like to post in a normal thread with normal threadmates, then you certainly can—no one will stop you from doing that. Should you want to do a storyteller-led thread, you can do that in place of, or alongside, a similar freeform thread.

Storyteller-led threads allow you to fully immerse yourself into the realm. We as staff have noticed that it's often difficult for a player to grasp exactly what the creators have intended and constructed, and what better way to help the players out by interacting with them as storytellers and game masters directly?

There are a few key parts of a storyteller-led thread. As a participant, you must not control major NPCs or dictate your environment. This is the job of the storyteller. All you are doing is controlling your character. His or her responses, speech, emotions, actions, thoughts, et cetera. Do not close your actions. For example, if you are shooting at a Walker, do not say that your character hit it; you can only say that your character took aim at the Walker and fired. You can only post what your character can control. In short, the storyteller does all the storytelling, and you provide all the in-character acting.

The storyteller's job is to fill in the rest. They will tell you about your surroundings. They will say what your character can see or hear. At times, they may also dictate what happens to your character (for example, they may say that your character was gripped with fear, or that he or she felt tired from walking). If the storyteller says this, it is your job as a character to respond. They will tell you the outcome of your actions. If you attack a Walker, they will write out the outcome of that attack and what happens next.

In short, a storyteller-led thread is very similar to a "Choose Your Own Adventure" type story. The storyteller tells the brunt of the story, and your character reacts and makes important decisions that will influence the outcome of the events. Depending on how you react, the course of the thread could change drastically.

Storyteller-led threads offer you the possibility to get a "real" sense of what the Veritas Falsus world is like. While players can talk about Walkers and hegemons and gangs and scout parties and what-have-you all they want, we feel that the uncertainty and suspense of a storyteller-led thread is the most surefire way you can experience the VF effect first hand. It is one of the best ways to get the full richness and depth of the experience.

These threads are also a great way for your character to progress through the game. Through storyteller-led threads, they may gain valuable experience, possessions, or come in across unusual situations and individuals. You may even use this as a device to meet other characters in-character. The result of a storyteller-led thread may be to unite a character with their group, or to successfully secure shelter or food.

What You Should Know

Storyteller-led threads operate a little differently than freeform threads. Within a freeform thread, you have limited control of how you describe your environment, NPCs, creatures, and so on (within reason of course). By signing up for a storyteller-led thread, you agree to forfeit some of this control in the effort to experience a richer and more dynamic story. You recognize that you will not be in complete control of the direction of the story, and that things can happen.

You will also recognize that your character is not immune to all hazards. Part of the fun of Veritas Falsus is the uncertainty, and that your characters are not all invincible. We despise Munchkins here at VF, and we are not afraid to punish them. If you want to charge into a legion of hegemon elites armed with only a spork, you should not be surprised if the storyteller dumps your character on his or her arse, or worse.

By signing up for a storyteller-led thread, you understand a few things. First, while a storyteller will never intentionally try to kill your character without your approval, if your character gets in a situation where death seems imminent, you better start preparing that eulogy. It's up to you to respond to the challenges proposed in a storyteller-led thread with some common sense and effectiveness. The whole point of having a storyteller is to create a story, and it simply doesn't make any sense if your character can do whatever the hell he or she wants without suffering any consequences.

Secondly, storyteller-led threads take place within a distinct point in our continuity. That is, if something happens in a storyteller-led thread, it happens in your character's life. If you successfully hunt game, you can roleplay later that your character is eating it. If you get injured in a storyteller-led thread, we should see your character nursing that injury in a later thread. Things that happen within a storyteller-led thread occur within the in-character timeline and is treated as canon. Please respect that.

Some Rules

1. Please be respectful of all storytellers. They are not infallible. They are doing their best based on what your character is like (according to your application) and the events of the thread, as well as any past threads. Still, storytellers may be wrong, but this does not mean you can hurl abuse at them.
2. Multiple players can join one storyteller-led thread. If characters are simply interacting with each other, the storyteller probably will not interfere too much. Feel free to talk amongst yourselves during a storyteller-led thread. In fact, having multiple people in one storyteller-led thread may be more fun.
3. Inevitably, differences in vision may occur. If you need something clarified, or if you don't understand something, or if you feel that the storyteller misinterpreted your post and gave you a bad scenario, you may PM the storyteller and privately ask them to address it. However, in disagreements of vision, the storyteller's version is the canon and "proper" one, so if you feel that it is wrong, you should contact them about it.
4. Be reasonable. Try to obey the realm physics and dynamics. If a Walker is bearing down on you, your character probably isn't smoking a cigarette and listening to his iPod. Playing smart will be rewarded in storyteller-led threads. Blatantly disregarding what is reasonable will just earn the ire of the storytellers.
5. Storyteller-led threads are all about experiencing the range of events that can happen on Veritas Falsus. Yes, shit happens. No, your character may not always like it. Don't take it personally, and go with the flow.

Why You Should Have One

Storyteller-led threads are very useful. You should have one because it allows you, as well as your team (if applicable) to interact in a meaningful and permanent way. It also allows the player to see some lasting canon changes in the way the game may unfold for them. For example, if a group of stragglers is forced to relocate, that affects the future threads for all members of the group, and it provides a unifying strand to tie them together.

It also allows the players to experience the reality of the roleplay directly from the source. Storytellers are either staff members who helped build this realm or experienced players that know it like the back of their hand. This gives players, new and old, the opportunity to interact with the world itself. There may be events and nuances and pieces of our plot that we unfold through storyteller-led threads, and if you participate in them, you will get to take part in the excitement and enjoyment of the VF realm.