The class returns to their designated seats and opens their handbooks to the "Epics" section. Alewyn waits for the class to settle before proceeding.
"Alas, we come to the part of Role-playing that is considered the very heart of our history, our 'baby', our epics. An epic is a uniform piece of structured writing that is authored by many, but as a single community. I thought that a guest speaker would be best to describe this form of RP to you, for he is a man with a knowledge that is greater than mine. Please welcome a founder of the Academy and Druid of the Order, Brother Aldar Caine."
"Good day to you, seekers of knowledge"
Please make yourselves comfortable, and open your minds to what is to be discussed this day. This is a continuation of our endeavour to impart some sort of enlightenment to you about the craft of writing. In particular, we are to speak about the writing and participation in tales that are combined efforts from several writers in a long, ongoing story that is continuously added to, via short (or sometimes long) posts by the contributors. This type of story is sometimes also referred to as role-playing tales or Epic tales.
To participate in tales of this sort is, of times, daunting to some folk. They might wonder where and how to enter the story, and they might even feel that they are unwelcome by just "appearing" in the tale and disrupt the work of those already involved. Such worries are unnecessary. Hopefully, this discussion will allow more people to feel interested, inclined and able to participate in the Epic tales - it is a truly absorbing form of writing that combines creativity and gaming and generally proves to be extremely gratifying.
Firstly perhaps we should look at the nature of Epic tales, and some of the mechanics of how it runs. This is not as complex as it may sound, however. The tale is begun with a story idea that is thrown into the pot for all to see. Those that find it interesting then write a continuation, using the characters, setting, plotline, concepts etc that has already been mentioned and thus further the story to a new point. Often yet more characters, ideas and concepts are introduced to the existing ones. Yet another person would then be proceeding with the story, taking into account the elements of all previous additions. This process can go on indefinitely, or until the participants collectively decide to end the story.
There are a number of important elements to keep in mind with this kind of writing. Having these elements present greatly enhances the story and its structure. If, however, they are not used/present, I suppose that (conventional) role-playing style writing could still be done, but it is likely to be aimless, hard to follow, and lack true depth. These important elements are:
1) Basic pre-planned plotline - remember the villain!
2) A story "leader" (Dungeon Master)
3) Strong Introduction
4) Rules for identifying the posts
5) Consistent characters
6) Keep the plot in mind
Let us look at each on more carefully:
An epic role-playing story is generally started off by someone who has a strong/powerful idea or plotline for a tale that would allow many interested people to contribute, without the plotline being lost in the ideas that the participants would undoubtedly introduce. In fact, the basic plotline or premise that the story’s initiator kicks the tale off on, is the mould that shapes the direction that all other participants would follow. This basic idea should therefore preferably be very simple. Something that is too complex might leave potential participants at a loss as to what they are expected to do with the story - thus, the first/core/base idea of the story should be easily understood, since the participants would swiftly be adding their own twists and turns to the tale and adding complexity in that manner.
When I say it should be basic, think along the following lines:
There should be some sort of problem that needs solving for some sort of urgent/immediate reason - the reason for this problem’s existence is also important to be kept in mind. The problem should be of the kind that only people with particular skills/talents/insights/ability could properly address. There should also be some sort of dire consequence should the problem not be solved. This problem is then presented to the potential participants of the story, and its up to them and their creativity to solve it.
This approach gives the following critical elements for people to use: A goal/ objective, motivation for the goal to be achieved, a cause of the problem (the villain or villains, past events etc), logical reason for characters to be introduced (the heroes) to address the problem so that the goal might be achieved.
The contributions of the participants are thus focused toward towards a common end, but the way they follow to reach that end, is left entirely undefined and left totally in their hands as to how they do it. Please keep in mind: There is no particular urgency or rush for the goal to be attained - in fact, delay the achievement of the goal, as it gives room for the participants to think up twists and turns, side plots and additional problems along the path of solving the larger overall problem. Those developments are completely up to them. The main thing to be kept in mind is not to lose sight of the main plotline. In fact, the little sidelines should be supportive of the main plot, if at all possible.
Why is such a structure an advantage? Because I feel it gives the contributors an idea of what to aim for - what the general overall purpose of the tale is, and not just some aimless pool of writing that has no point or intention of going anywhere. What is the point of reading something in any event, if not to see a story being told (beginning to end)?
Whilst Epic tales are, for the most part, completely free-form, and may take almost any direction that the participants have a mind to, I have found that the presence of a Dungeon Master (DM) or story leader to be a very strong advantage. This person helps guide the overall story - if the sub-plots threaten to overwhelm the main objective, the DM can move the focus back "in line". The DM is also the person to answer questions about the story - particularly the questions of new folk who would like to partake. The DM is likely to be the same person who started the story, and so also the person to make the "call" on particular things he/she would like in the story - the "rules of the game", to put it into simple terms.
This does not mean that the DM "rules" that particular story with an iron fist - on the contrary, he is there to help alleviate confusion and help the participants (existing and new) along the way. The DM of an Epic tale could be ANY person willing to do the job, and who has a good story-plot to kick an epic off from.
This might seem a very obvious statement to make, but the first person to post in starting off a new epic tale should spend some careful time in preparing the opening post or introduction - it will be the main story-hook for attracting participants, and setting their imaginations alight. I believe the introduction should contain a couple of important elements - the info prospective writers need to form a mental "foundation" from where their creative thoughts will start their imagination. For instance, the introduction sets the scene, the atmosphere, the setting, perhaps some of the main participants, outlines the basic problem, where the problem comes from and why it needs solving. But most importantly perhaps, the introduction should also have a clearly identifiable "open door" whereby people can jump in and write!
For example: The setting is in the middle-ages, in the mythic time when King Arthur ruled in Camelot. The King had called for a huge feast to be held in his great hall (for whatever reason), and a multitude of the people from Camelot at there, having a good time. The festivities are interrupted, however, when a knight comes staggering into the hall, battered and bleeding (perhaps almost dead), gasping to be allowed to speak with the king. He mutters about barely escaping to bring this message of warning: He and his fellow knights were patrolling many leagues to the north, when they were beset by a horde of foul undead and all but he were slain. The undead hordes were hastening on their way towards Camelot. They were coming from the north - the land of Lemuria, the fell abode of the evil sorceress, Morganna le Fey, the half sister of King Arthur...
Upon hearing this, King Arthur grimly rises, draws Excalibur, and calls out, "This evil flood must be cut off at the source, before fair Camelot is ground to dust under a foul undead heel. Who stands with me to end Morganna’s scrouge?"
This is a simple example, but I feel it demonstrates some of the points I am trying to make.
In order for the reader and participants to easily find, read and slot in their works into the developing Epic, I strongly recommend that some sort of general rule be set at the start whereby the individual post by the participants are identified. See this as giving a title to the "book" being written, and the posts being "chapters" within the book, each with their own titles. I would suggest that each and every post has the following identifiers:
The name of the "book", the "chapter" number, and the "chapter" name. As follows:
Shroud of Lemuria, Chapter 1: Undead Claws.
The name of the Author should rather appear in the main text of the story being posted.
There are also examples of how this is done in the story forums of the our guilds, and the Druidic Order, where Epic stories are identified as (for example):
The Trial of Stone, Entry 15: Ambush!
This is an interesting topic, for this is one of the aspects that powerfully binds the story together, makes it fun and interesting and gives it a special identity. Having characters (or events) that ALL participants perceive, use in the same manner, and act in the same manner, regardless of who writes a chapter/entry, is besides the main plot/goal, the single element that best links things together in the overall story.
There are at least three different kinds of characters one should keep in mind:
Keeping the player characters consistent across the various stories are perhaps the easiest, but also conversely, takes the most time to set up and get to know. A powerful tool towards this end is a "character sheet" of some sort, detailing at the very least, the character’s appearance and general attitude. If we wanted to all use a character in the stories - and this is always the case with the player characters - we should be on the same page about how that person is likely to act and what they look like to have them make an "accurate appearance" in our creations. For instance, we need some sort of reference to tell us all that Sir Lancelot is the picture of the perfect knight - tall, strong, silver armor, white surcoat etc etc. Percival, on the other hand, is a commoner dreaming of one day being a knight - his is a very large man, rough and weather-beaten from hard work, but with an open, honest face and a gentle demeanor. Knowing this info allows all of us to have Percival and Lancelot look and act consistently all through the tale.
This is important for our player characters, but very surely also apply to the villains! How would it look and work if in the one tale, the villainous Morganna is a coolly calculating person - calm and controlled in her speech, manner and cruel intent, and then makes another appearance in a tale, looking like a wild, rage-filled, wanton killer, slaughtering people at a whim and without consideration or thought? No... Carefully understanding the villain is almost as important as knowing the various player characters. Often the person who started the story (such as the DM) would also be the one defining the main villain for the rest of the participants, but it does not always have to be the case. Whoever does it, I would recommend that the other participants take careful note and use the villain(s) in a consistent manner, whatever that is designed to be.
In the same manner, participants should try to keep track of events - particularly large and important ones. If Sir Gawain died fighting the undead monsters, he is dead and it should be reflected in all contributions from there on.
As mentioned previously, where keeping track of characters are concerned, some form of character sheet is very helpful. Keeping track of events is a bit more tricky, and I would suggest two ways of doing it: Firstly (and perhaps best) - read the entire Epic from the start. Secondly, ask the DM for a brief overview of what has happened and for some advice.
With this item, I am referring to the general/overall approach one should have when writing a contribution to an epic story. To some degree (greater or lesser) one should try to further the story along the main plotline, or at least, focus on the main plotline. I am saying this not as a strict directive, but rather in the sense that, if one does not pay attention to the main plot, the story entries tend to become disjointed and separate little entities with nothing to identify it with the main story. This should not be a deterrent for people to participate - instead it should help them in giving them some sort of answer to: What should I write about?
I realize that even with all these things said, there is still a very good change that I might have missed many things that you would have liked to know, or questions that were raised during the time I spoke. Please hear me then when I say you are truly most welcome to ask your questions. I do not proclaim myself to be the foremost sage where matters of writing are concerned, and thus the chances are extremely likely that there are better ways yet of doing things than what I mentioned here. I would be very pleased to discuss it with you, and perhaps learn from you in the process.
That is all for this lesson. It is my sincerest wish that your continued path towards knowledge be fruitful - and if I may be part of that, even better still.
"Light and Knowledge be your sword and shield... Farewell."
Acolyte's Handbook
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