Project Ascendance | Attention: KO, Mandragora, FUs!

[Malok]

P R O J E C T​

A S C E N D A N C E​

To our Obsidian Knights and soon-to-be-Obsidian Mandragora!

I'd be remiss to call the group's attention to anything without first giving a standing ovation to Scherezade, Adron, and Veronika. Scherezade and Adron have been carrying the Obsidian torch for months now and I cannot thank them enough for everything that they do! And Veronika has recently been taking the initiative to introduce the Mandragora to our newest witches. Thank you all so much for your time and effort, it is highly valued!

Now, I've gathered you all together to discuss the state of the Force Progression inside the faction. We pride ourselves on being a come as you are, free flowing gathering, and I adore that about our numerous branches! We function beautifully, both in and out of character, and I truly love seeing how we have are enjoying the Obsidian sandbox. Presently, as the board has evolved past the previous system of requiring starting at an apprentice rank and working up, the faction "necessity" of implementing a progression system has been outdated. Everyone grows and ascends at their own pace. So.

What I wanted to ask you all are your thoughts on progression within the Knights Obsidian. How do you feel about progression as it currently stands - what would you add or change? Would you like to create an in character tradition(s) for when characters are ready for Knighthood or Mastery? Would you at all be interested in IC tests of readiness, in a similar vein to Mandalorian Verd'goten or Jedi Trials? Are you perfectly fine with the way things are currently? Etc. Let me know your thoughts!

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

I honestly think there should be something for those who want it. Currently I couldn’t tell you if we have a ranking system or not and I’m staff, so I’ll assume we don’t. (Other than what’s listed in the KO resource thread, but that addresses structure...)

I also think how the KO would handle this is different than the Mandragora. While we are smooshing them together the traditions would fit the vibe. KO more about skill... Mandragora more a spiritual or magic thing...

Personally... I’d love to see some lore here.

[member="Darth Metus"]

 

[Kurenai Yumi]

I have to agree with Gerwald on the matter, I personally like the idea of there being some ceremony or story line for when a person wants to progress in their force rank. Not to certain about set trials but I think accomplishing certain tasks in faction threads dom and invasion should serve as a kind of 'accomplishment' that makes you work towards ranking up.

Though that is my personal choice that I chose to do due to IC stagnation of training

 

[Scherezade deWinter]

[member="Darth Metus"]

Personally, I don't really see a reason to add in Force Progression to be part of the web that makes the Knights Obsidian. A character's Force Rank has no bearing on what they can't or can't do in terms of KO-hierarchy, and that's something I'd personally like to keep intact.

I'd also add that not everyone who wishes for a Force Progression (trial, test, ceremony, whatever) would necessarily be interested in doing it as part of their KO activity. We accept a lot of different IC cultures and some handle it differently.

So what I'd do – is make sure once a month (random time decision, can be once an X) we let all the members of KO know that if they want a Force Advancement thread – the leaders of KO are there for them to help them get it on how they envision it happening.

We do our best when we work together and not just stating when is what. So let's keep on working together in this as well

 

[Veronika Fleischer]

Going to steal an idea from the Je'daii Order, created by the wonderful Kalyn Shif aka Libby.

Here's what the Je'daii Order did. Force ranks follow Chaos, characters can choose any rank they like. In the Je'daii Order, there is a separate three tier rank that does not tie to the Force ranks in Chaos. A Jedi Master who wants to train with the Je'daii starts off as a Jedi Master / Je'daii Padawan. To "level up", there are a series of nine trials created to let this Jedi Master become a Je'daii Knight.

Each trial can be a trigger for a writer to develop the character. For example, one of the trials may suggest that a writer learn weaponsmith or item creation. The writer can do it in many ways, such as writing a thread to develop a new Force imbued item and then submitting it to factory. Or the writer can decide to write a story about learning from a blacksmith. Or the writer can discover an precious material and decide to seek someone to help craft it into an item. Possibilities are only limited by the character's imagination.

Effectively, the trials are not challenges or a burden to complete, but a list of possible ideas and plot points for the characters to grow. So perhaps we can do something similar. Have a set of trials / lessons / classes available and tie them to things like:

• Factory submissions for new items created. Can be a personal item or for the KO / Mandragora
• Create a new company that can manufacture stuff for CIS
• Establish new lore for CIS
• Develop new robotics / droids / technology
• Plot idea to learn new spells / powers / teach a class
• Plot idea to have a sparring session / fleeting class
• Join a dominion or invasion

I think you get the idea.

 

[Ithiel Vi'Dreya]

The ceremonies could be pretty cool. I miss them myself. A private thing for the faction, and for us to show off a bit of imagery for the more creative scene setters out there. I always start force users as paddies, acolytes etc and then promote them for that one big thing, or when they've had enough knocks/experience.

Though I would personally leave it down to the writer still. Keep it free form. On that note, [member="Veronika Fleischer"] - YES
Try to find things people do anyway, and enjoy doing, so that its not a chore for them.

They just do what they like doing, and ontop of that get a fancy thread about them. For some of us, Ithiel, i'd like it to be a very small thing. Pat on the back from dad, quick handshake with the order, and done. (Maybe with a quiet few drinks at the bar) If I had a character here like centax for example, a larger ceremony would be great.

So, if you were doing it that way. Small Ceremony - Big Ceremony picks, would be great. I'll dm you something else as well.

 

[Muad Dib]

A monthly check-in thread for any who wish trial/training/ceremony.

And a staff member to keep an eye on the thread and handle it if/when it arises.