NPC Appointments Secretary.

[bilbous]

Just throwing out this idea to see if it sticks to the wall or whatever but what about having some kind of npc which could be used to apply for various town positions such as Chief Magistrate, Captain of the Guard, Tax Collector, Watch Captain etc. If the society is meant to have elected politicians will there someday be some voting mechanism? What positions could be made available to players and what powers would these positions have?

It seems to me that some kind of self-regulating system could be put in place to assist the GMs in their duties although it might just create more work for them which is not the intent.

[Karyuu]

I think such a thing is quite far in the future, and not every detail of the setting is planned out right now (such as positions and how many will be available to players).

What do you mean by a self-regulating system?

[Nikodemus]

Such NPCs would be also helpfull in PC guilds, as a treasure guard, or librarian. These jobs can be played by PCs and they should, but sometimes it is good to have near this also NPC who is there 24/7. I believe it doesn't stop PC's from doing these jobs, so i don't see negatives

[bilbous]

What do you mean by a self-regulating system?

I mean players being responsible for themselves. Not everything a GM does requires a GM, changing names and bans and such certainly do. Admonishing players and settling disputes doesn't always. If there was some sort of quasi-official counsel of players that could hear cases and make recommendations to a GM panel it might be helpful. It also might be more trouble than it is worth...hard to tell for sure.

[Croconil]

Such NPCs would be also helpfull in PC guilds, as a treasure guard, or librarian. These jobs can be played by PCs and they should, but sometimes it is good to have near this also NPC who is there 24/7. I believe it doesn't stop PC's from doing these jobs, so i don't see negatives

Thats an awesome idea, Niko.

I love the idea of having a guild treasurer, and the librarian. Its an amazing idea. Also a good idea as a npc, as they can always be there.

[Karyuu]

GMs are OOC entities, so if a group of players are roleplaying a council and settling disputes, they'd either have to have everyone roleplay with them, or they'd need some sort of power to enforce their rulings. I'm having a bit of trouble thinking of what sort of powers such a council would need - any ideas?

[bilbous]

GMs are OOC entities, so if a group of players are roleplaying a council and settling disputes, they'd either have to have everyone roleplay with them, or they'd need some sort of power to enforce their rulings. I'm having a bit of trouble thinking of what sort of powers such a council would need - any ideas?

That is the $64 question. A council channel would be a start so that they could deliberate privately. This channel would have to be one to which the accused had access to for the duration. The council would need the ability to squelch the accused if he was uncooperative while leaving him able to still listen. This seems to imply the ability to detain and possibly a council chamber that cannot be exited.

That is a start anyway but perhaps it is already too much.

[Karyuu]

I'm intrigued with such ideas, but ultimately I suppose fleshing out the details are better left for a day when player-positions within the governmental structure are more possible, and warranted. I myself have no clue what direction the team will take (missing some settings) but it's safe to say that several such positions will be possible. While a player won't exactly get to become Octarch, there should be plenty to reach for below that level. I think Talad himself said once that in the beginning these positions will be filled by NPCs to flesh out the system and show how things are run, and then slowly given over into player hands once things are more stabilized. I think one of the most important features to advance is the NPC system, since it will be a tremendous aid here - imagine being able to control NPC guards under your Captain command, or control the merchants in a certain town. We have quite a way to go until then

[Croconil]

That is the $64 question. A council channel would be a start so that they could deliberate privately. This channel would have to be one to which the accused had access to for the duration. The council would need the ability to squelch the accused if he was uncooperative while leaving him able to still listen. This seems to imply the ability to detain and possibly a council chamber that cannot be exited.

That is a start anyway but perhaps it is already too much.

You could just make a group and use that channel, instead of making a whole new one.

[bilbous]

I thought about that but it didn't seem to be enough to me. I was thinking that the council channel logs could be published as the minutes of the meetings. If the council was its own channel that would allow for various factions within the council to have a group channel to discuss strategy apart from their rival factions while keeping official debate open to logging. Obviously I have not given a great deal of thought to this idea and am making it up as I go along. Just spitballing, if you will. Throw up more objections and I'll try to counter them as I go along.