Sci-Fi Setting Discussion

[Mallory]

Hey, everyone!

There have been a couple of recent discussions in our Discord server's lobby about the addition of a sci-fi play channel, and we've seen a lot of interest during those discussions. In addition, a member of our community, Kira, took the concept of a space elevator called Yggdrasil that was brought up in one of those discussions, and fleshed it out into a shared setting in Atlas Rhydinica. If you haven't already, take a look!

What I want to do with this thread is gauge the community's interest in adding a sci-fi setting, why or why not, and if so, what kind of setting they would like to see. A space elevator or a specific location within or around it, such as those described in Kira's post, are good examples of directions we could go in. Idun's Apple in particular stands out to me: a casino has built-in play hooks (card and dice games and roulette!), and it would be unique among our existing settings. Or any other thoughts or ideas that people have, I would love to see!

As a result of a setting discussion we had two years ago, we decided to add a sci-fi setting called The Anchor in southern Dockside. We shelved the setting early last year due to inactivity. I bring it up as an example of a type of sci-fi setting that we tried and that did not work for our community's needs.

So would you all like to see a sci-fi setting, and if so, what kind of setting? I appreciate you reading along, and any input you have. Also, thanks again to Kira for that Yggdrasil post!

[BardGallant]

Bring back Star's End!

[Rachael Blackthorne]

Bring back Star's End!

I second the motion to bring back Star's End. It's a setting that is actually designed to have conflicts happen in it, given the original idea of SEB being loosely based on the Cantina from Star Wars.

[Kira Adia]

I’ll lead with my tl;dr. I’d like to see a sci-fi setting in the Discord. I know for sure I would use it.

Would I love to see Idun’s Apple or another Yggdrasil setting be adopted? Absolutely. I’m biased like that. World building is my shtick and I want to see others enjoying it.

That said, I can definitely see the appeal of bringing back a setting like Star’s End, with a long history and an important place in the lore of RhyDin. It will all be new to me with my characters.

In any case, I’ll be there.

[PrlUnicorn]

I'd like to see Star's End back in use!

[Rissa M]

I don't get in here much, but just to add my voice, I'd also like to see the return of Star's End.

[Eden Parker]

When I first joined DM, I was excited that SEB was there. I had pretty much always only ever played my character in that setting back on AOL. But on DM I quickly realized that it was hard to get engagement going there as most people gathered in the RDI and used that as their favored bar setting. So my character moved to Rhydin and I was able to forge many character connections and played there for a pretty long time. Since our player base hasn't significantly grown since then, as much as I love SEB as a setting and continue to refer to Star's End with my chars, I sort of feel like we might wind up with the same situation. I think I'd rather a Sci-Fi setting that offers a different kind of backdrop than a bar.

[Tippletoe]

I second Eden's thoughts. The Anchor was a bar setting that didn't get traction. I don't know if SEB will really bring people in, even with the name familiarity.

But I would love to see something Sci-Fi regardless. And if it is a SEB, or something else, you bet I'll be bringing Mosen, Annie, and a few others there.

[Canaan]

I'm with Eden and Tip's players here. I have no interest in adding a third bar; I don't think it would see much use. The Anchor went almost entirely untouched while we had it for exactly that reason.

Personally, I'd like to see Kira's setting officially adopted. And more than that, I'd love to see it in action as more than one room. A space setting as its own category with two or three channels. For instance, maybe one that's just open space (like the Wilds) and another for Aquila Station and the third be Vanaheim Alley. Or break it down even further by simply listing the Grand Forum Mall and Iddun's Apple. I truly am of the opinion that more rooms simply encourages more play, not the other way around. I don't think it would be too much or too cluttered, and those who don't like it can always collapse the category

[PrlUnicorn]

A couple things to consider. Player created settings are historically the exception not the rule when being added to the chat offerings. Offers were made in recent discussions to add things like the Momus Athenaeum ( a library/bookstore) and Rhydin Observatory Complex and Botanical Garden ( a multiuse setting), but the reasoning given is that it was preferred that player created settings not be used.

Years ago, I remember a discussion where objections were raised to child/teen characters being played in bars. This discussion still crops up from time, but I digress. Eventually, someone asked the million dollar question, "If every official room in the forum is a bar or has a bar then where in the forum are those characters supposed to be played?" It was one of those pin drop moments because no one realized that was, in fact, the case.

No matter what new setting comes to be used, a bar (alcoholic or not) and/or some sort of food service will end up to be part of it. Be it by design or player addition, that's just how things work.

[Canaan]

It would obviously have to be given up as that player’s sole property. In much the same way I gave up ownership of Winter Wonderland when it was adopted as an actual server setting. That would ultimately be up to Kira first and then the staff to work out. It was my understanding the reason those other offers were turned down in the past was because they didn’t want anything player owned. For obvious reasons, that just makes sense.

And of course food & drink will end up in whatever setting they decide on. It’s a given. I still think having a third dedicated bar is excessive.

[Strawberry]

While I love SEB, I don't think we need another bar (as evidenced by the lack of engagement in the Anchor). But I do think we need a Sci-Fi setting and I'd love to see Stars End in general, like having a generalized Stars End channel (akin to the Streets). That way people can use more than just the bar and grill while still having the option to use it if they want. I don't think we need multiple channels for it, not at first at least. I'd want to see some sort of use for a test run space before doing anything more than that.

[PC]

I like the idea of a multi purpose Stars End that nods in a brief part of the description about the bar and other such places in the space port.

Then maybe I'll finally make that Neo Zeon character.

[PrlUnicorn]

While I love SEB, I don't think we need another bar (as evidenced by the lack of engagement in the Anchor). But I do think we need a Sci-Fi setting and I'd love to see Stars End in general, like having a generalized Stars End channel (akin to the Streets). That way people can use more than just the bar and grill while still having the option to use it if they want. I don't think we need multiple channels for it, not at first at least. I'd want to see some sort of use for a test run space before doing anything more than that.

That's a very good compromise! Stars End Bar and Grill was a location near the spaceport. Status messages are a good tool for noting locations within the larger area. I don't know if I have any of the original maps or floor plans archived, but I might. I think Michelle's mapping skills could bring something like that to life.

[PrlUnicorn]

It was my understanding the reason those other offers were turned down in the past was because they didn’t want anything player owned. For obvious reasons, that just makes sense.

Just to clarify, Tass made the offer of giving the Athenaeum to the people here.