Brainstorming 101

[houseofcardsmod.livejournal.com]

Brainstorming is a group or individual creativity technique by which efforts are made to find a conclusion for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas spontaneously contributed by its member(s).



Ladies and Gents, may I have your attention. Today we, the modly ones, would like to hear all those wacky, zany, serious, morbid, romantic, sweet, horrid, and any other adjective you can come up with- Ideas. More important we want these ideas for a plot, as the Arcana plot will be coming to an end, and we need something else to help drive the future of them game.

The results of this exercise will be the next major plot (which with luck will not drag on quite as long). It will be player created and player driven! So that means that we need you. We need to you blow this place up for the next week. No idea is a bad idea in this exercise. See something you like? Hash out more details with the others (here, please don't do it in chat. We all need to be able to see this.)

The more ideas we produce, the better the material we have to work with. At the end of the week, all the ideas with been gathered up and another post will be made for all players to vote on the idea(s) they like best. You'll have the chance to vote for up to three ideas. The top three will be then taken by the mods and molded into a workable plot, then AGAIN you get to vote. Then, once the final tally is made- we will have our next plot.

In short? This needs Players to take part to work. Everyone together.

Things You Should Do

1) Any ideas should be something that is large, and game wide.
2) Suit Centric, so long as it would shake the whole deck.
3) Be Crazy.
4) Post as many ideas (in separate comments) as possible for +180 exp.

Things You Shouldn't Do

1) Suggest ideas centered around one character/small group of characters.
2) Be afraid that people will mock your ideas.
3) Mocking any idea here, calling it bad, or otherwise being rude.
4) If you are a punk, I'll deduct 180 exp, and drop you to level one again.

Comments

[headfollowheart.livejournal.com]

Weather event: a series of serious thunderstorms hit the Deck, bombarding it with heavy rain, lightning, thunder, and hail, and knocking out the power for several days. Characters may get trapped in other Castles or in Town, and duties have to be carried out without modern conveniences - accounting has to be done by hand, cooking has to be done over a fire, etc. Event should last one week.

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

Outsider scare. We're do for one, I think. I feel that a group of people have been sloppy and we could probably blame the Arcana fear for that, focusing on what's there rather than what could be.

Just adding a comment that occurred to me when I read this :)

[acethatmatters.livejournal.com]

Might be cool if it was like, a smallish group of "Authorities" (Police? Detectives? FBI? Something) who found the Deck by investigating a 'crime cartel' without realizing what they were actually stumbling into. And then the Deck denizens have to figure out what to do with them: imprison them so they can't go back and tell others, kill them out of hand so they can't go back and tell others (though really both of these just mean someone else will have to follow them to find out what happened to their compatriots), or actually attempt to work with them somehow to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.

Does any of that make sense/even approach what you were thinking about doing? I'm about to be throwing myself at bed so can't guarantee coherency.

[fallenpips.livejournal.com]

I've actually thought of playing an investigative character who was pretty much taken prisoner when he found the Deck, so this idea definitely rings some bells for me.

[suitedtofolly.livejournal.com]

I doubt the Deck would have remained hidden all this time without the help of some Arcana magic; not with the all the technological developments that have taken place on the Outside over the past couple of centuries. Think radar, satellite imagery, the Internet etc. Perhaps we can link the conclusion of the Arcana plot with the next major plot?

As the people of the Deck learn more about the Arcana, the magic that has been shielding the Deck may start behaving erratically. If there is a barrier that separates the Deck from the Outside, it may start weakening or leaving openings on the Outside on a more regular basis? It could loose its discerning nature so it may start letting in undesirable individuals, such as government agents.

I am getting ahead of myself now. I've barely been here two months so I don't know what has been established when it comes to the entryway/s into the Deck. I picture it being a bit like the wardrobe to Narnia. One day a doorway is there; the next, it is gone.

+one and a bazilion willion kittens!

[awearytraveler.livejournal.com]

I can imagine the Deck's protection failing can relate heavily to the conclusion of the Arcana when (if) they fully draw away from the Cards to their own devices. Literally to their own devices since they're not needed anymore.

What from I understand about the entryways of the Deck, they come and go. They behave oddly as it is, with most Cards shrugging it off as 'Eh, life' so this could be fun to play with. The entryways start behaving more oddly, people stumbling in and out when not wanting to and chalking it up as 'Eh... life?' at first before OH SNAP WAIT WHO ARE YOU NOW-- and such.

[rough-karat.livejournal.com]

I think that might work out. I PM'd Jordan a few months ago about informing her that Meghana does try to make sure the FBI and the like don't happen to stumble on online activities of the Deck. But if FBI or just deputies stumble upon it physically, there's not a lot that can prevent that.

[civilizedpoison.livejournal.com]

I like this idea, actually, maybe with it being a few agents, as Ana suggests, investigating a cartel and then discovering the Deck. I know Elisha and Ben (though he's now an NPC) both have ties to Interpol, for instance, so it could even be someone going "just where the hell did [x person] go?" and investigating long enough to stumble in. That's actually how Abby found it, so it's definitely possible.

[maidenthespade.livejournal.com]

Cooper, too, has investigative and undercover experience if we do something like that.

[civilizedpoison.livejournal.com]

Also, another thing we could do is a plot involving the chess set. It's been referenced a lot, and it's supposed to be the Deck's usual antagonist - so why not have a plot involving it? Perhaps the Chess Set approaches the Deck to form a treaty to end hostilities. That's something that would take a while, and there could be "delegates" for the Deck members to interact with.

There could also be some kind of mystery to solve, like the Andrew plot, but preferably without another murder. Maybe an object of some sort that needs to be found?

[thediamondqueen.livejournal.com]

Along those lines-- we also discussed a Checkers group that would be breakoffs from the Chess Set. Maybe some of them could come by and try to convince the Deck to go to war with them against their "former oppressors/common enemy"?

Or we could bring in the Suit of Booooooones :P

[awearytraveler.livejournal.com]

I really like this, actually~ Maybe both groups, Checkers and Chess, come to the Deck with different intentions: Peace or more war and the Deck has to choose sides or sort through the truth and lies from both factions.

Same hereeeeeee.

[ishineon.livejournal.com]

I support this, mostly because it's really maddening talking around them as a conversation topic.

[karatofquality.livejournal.com]

/still volunteering a Red King, yes

I love this. We've talked about this so much in the chat and I CAN'T SAY NO OK

[acethatmatters.livejournal.com]

A fun plotty thing that we might could do in between all the Serious Stuff is have somebody get a bunch of people to play at a Deck Scavenger Hunt where they have to go around with a list of things to do or find and get people in all the different Suits and in the Castles and in the Town to help them so there's more association across the Deck. Maybe it would help people get out and meet new folks (whether they're the "hunting for something to complete the list" contingent or "has something the scavenger hunters need to do" contingent) and it could sort of continue along for a while until somebody completes the list.

[somuchheart.livejournal.com]

I would totally be up for this. Scavenger hunts are fun! And depending on the list of things to do, it could last for a while. 8D

[onlytolerable.livejournal.com]

This. I liked Briony's challenge to dance with the Ace of Spades. It could also be that sort of scavenger hunt (perhaps providing proof). Something silly. Will there be a prize?

It's me again.

[uncutclarity.livejournal.com]

Maybe something we could do is have the Deck magic start to go a little wonky. A series of events could occur:

- Major weather systems contrary to the Deck's usual fairly calm and mild weather (yes, this would tie in my weather event idea)

- People not ending up where they're intending to when they go outside (ending up in Paris, Texas instead of Paris, France, for instance)

- ....other things?

And people start to wonder/investigate if something is wrong, and it's then discovered that they need to find some sort of historical magical object and "recalibrate" it or the Deck will fall apart and re-merge with the Outside world.

[somuchheart.livejournal.com]

I think it would be interesting if the first thing to go out of whack is the distances. Like it suddenly starts to take longer and longer to get where you want to go, and the castles start to make minute changes and shifts on the inside, just enough so that familiar 'landmarks' don't lead you where you want to go anymore. If that makes sense at all.

[ishineon.livejournal.com]

In addition to major weather systems, maybe bizarre weather as well? Rains of fish, frogs, blood?

[trainingwreck.livejournal.com]

Locusts, wild animals, darkness...you sound awfully biblical, there.

Which is interesting since I'm still kinda thinking of the first Joker as the God of the Deck, who ascended when He was no longer needed to be present to spread the Great Joke.

[onlytolerable.livejournal.com]

I would like a more light-hearted plot. The magic going wonky isn't a bad idea, but does it need to be entirely dire? Maybe just silly things happening? What if you opened the door to your rooms and found yourself in another castle (or woke up there)?

Yin's new guy (sorry Yin) and Sophie had an interesting conversation about collars on migratory animals and what happens when these birds (for instance) "disappear" off the radar and then return. We could always be beset by scientists (with the best of intentions) who naturally are backed by the evil mob/money/cartel/government people.

I want us to "acquire" beach front property somehow. XD

[ishineon.livejournal.com]

I forgot about that conversation! Iggy was just thinking out loud. We could really spin it into something big. (I can't help feeling sorry for the scientists, though.)

And yes, the Deck needs a beach. \o\

[mightbedrunk.livejournal.com]

An epidemic. No, no hear me out. Many of the deck live in rather close quarters, which is basically the playgrounds of everything that is dirty and rotten and begging to make life suck.

[heart-the-art.livejournal.com]

I like this one. It can be the flu or it could be something... worse. Maybe something that Outsiders might of had shots for but not many Deckbabies?

[cipherspeak.livejournal.com]

My personal preference/opinion is for something between the flu and, you know, the bubonic plague. :) It could be one of those nasty strains of the flu that have hit the news in recent years. Or maybe rubella?

[rough-karat.livejournal.com]

Rubella might be interesting! It will convince more people of vaccines?

[heartsthespades.livejournal.com]

It might! And rubella is rarely fatal, but distinctly Not Fun to get, plus there's the increased danger to children.

[maidenthespade.livejournal.com]

Rubella would be bad because of the impact on expectant mothers (Urania anyone). Maybe chicken pox or mumps or regular measles (I had those at nineteen--talk about embarrassing).

I suggested chicken pox because cards would have associations with Lindsey's demise from the same disease.

You know, we don't take "childhood" diseases seriously, but kids die from them. Anyway.

The entire Deck could come down with Mono. ;D

revolution de la Résistance!

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

I mean. Revolution in the Deck?

Don't kill the upper classes, David does so love being alive ;;

But still, a revolution for equality among the Cards, an uprising, coming from the lowest (...middle?) echelons of the Suits and a charismatic leader leading the charge for a democratic way of life~

[awearytraveler.livejournal.com]

I like this actually! I can imagine a lot of Cards, especially Spades and Diamonds for some reason, being sick and tired of how the Deck works and how they can be pushed around and bullied by other Cards. How some Cards just seem destined for their roles and how they don't have a voice. How brutal force and harsh punishment (like beatings and snapped amything, etc) are used reinforce rules at the expense of Cards' health and safety. I can imagine Outsider-based Cards or a long-controversial Card or maybe even both pushing for this.

[cardpuncher.livejournal.com]

Noel could stir things from the shadows. Because she would, really.

[spysinspades.livejournal.com]

That could be lots of fun!

[acethatmatters.livejournal.com]

In the "Deck magic goes wacky" category:

Nobody can leave to go Outside. People can still enter (so those already Outside at the time can return, and/or new characters can still arrive) but until the cause (whatever it is) is figured out and fixed...no one can actually leave.

[karatofquality.livejournal.com]

...this. Forever. XD CHIVES WILL DO ALL THE CELEBRATES. Until someone needs to go rescue someone and...can't. Yes this.

[cardpuncher.livejournal.com]

Like, totally late, but I'm currently trying to put my brains together to finally finish the couple of drafts of "Noel screws with the Deck and tries to kill people everyone" plot. Which is probably just a part of something like an Arc, but I don't have the mind capacity to be ambitious right now. Soon, though.

Seeing as how it would probably end up being a Deck wide "event" of sorts, it's going to need a lot of OOC plotting and talking and I love that, so it's okay. I've skimmed over the other ideas and maybe there are ways to mix them. or to give them a better context if we pull a "someone is pulling the strings" for some that might be a bit harder to explain.

But yeah, can haz no brain right now D: