Plot Most Wanted!

[houseofcardsmod]

We were discussing how sometimes it can be hard to figure out things for our characters to get involved in or maybe we're not sure what to do to develop meaningful CR with other characters...hopefully this will help.

Basically, the idea is:

1. Post a comment with a list of whichever characters you'd like to develop some kind of plot or CR for.
2. Make sure to put in what you're interested in doing if you've got any ideas
3. Look around other people's comments and if you see something you'd like to get one of your characters involved in...discuss!
4. Make a connection and make the magic happen. :)

Disclaimer: no obligation to do this, just trying to get the juices flowing. :)

So, here's what I've managed to run down in the discussions below. Trying to summarize them all more or less to give folks an idea of what's been come up with and maybe what they can see about getting involved in and just making it easier to remember what was discussed. If I made a mistake or need to add/remove/change something, you can leave a comment here or PM the mod account or whatever floats your boat. :)

• Julien
  • Possibly doing upper-level training for Amy and Sophie (and pissing Säde off by showing Sophie some moves that exploit Säde's theoretical weak points).
  • Sparring with and keeping an eye on Jordan's budding intelligence network (and dropping a line to Katya about the latter).
• Elani
  • Pierre "accidentally" letting her know all the gory details about his "jobs" off-Deck and her reaction to this darker side of being a Face and dealing with it. Elisha possibly linefacing all of the place at Pierre.
  • Learning BSL with Cadogan. (and it occurs to me now: she could practice on/with Sophie? Others?)
  • Possibly learning firearms from Cadogan. Which might get an interesting reaction from her and everyone who knows her and her aversion to martial things. (and again occurs to me now that since the firing range is Maggie's that that could lead to interesting conversations with her too?)
  • Issues with Alasdair regarding trust (the Tess thing, possibly her coming back from Outside-vacation gushing about Evan's lovely roomie, Phillipe that Alasdair can throw back at her. Also the whole 'finding out he's a successful author and has been keeping this a secret from her' thing).
• Justin
  • Somebody's informant. I think we were rolling with Maggie?
  • Also threads with Blythe where she's keeping an eye on him for Theo. May also have similar something happening because of Rowan and head of security and Queen-ness? (should he feel honored by all the attention?)
  • Gets into fisticuffs with one of the older Xiu kids. Has to work for Iggy for a while to make up for it.
• Alasdair
  • Keeping something secret with Tess, thus leading to misunderstandings with Elani about the nature of their relationship. Helping her with her dyslexia? Talking about a vet character for one of his books? Something about getting a service dog for his father?
  • People discover Alasdair's secret successful mystery writer career. Evan, Rita, and Iggy involved? (Riley already knows but also involved somehow?)
  • Teaching/helping Cynric to learn to read.
• Cadogan
  • Because of the sekrit-whatever between Alasdair and Tess mentioned above, also has to work out the nature of his relationship with her.
  • Training Sophie in All the Things?
  • Possibly something with Tess and Thyme having kittens. Or ducklings imprint on her? All the crazy animals go to Diamonds.
• Tess
  • Something about a learning disability and Alasdair and Evan helping? Dyslexia?
  • Some kind of "tired of being the go-to person for the family" thing with Iggy?
  • Learning about serial monogamy with Cadogan.
  • Would like to see her no-account wastrel father (PB'd by Richard Gere?) show up in the game if anyone is interested in playing him.
• Johnny
  • Having to actually have a real relationship with someone. Possibly Rowan. Who can call him on all his bullshit and he has to deal with it. Possibly having girls from his past show up and screw that up for him because he's a hearbreaker, etc. (bonus points if somebody brings in Alasdair's sister, Amelia, and does that).
  • On that note: Cynric calling him on his bullshit and them making a deal that Johnny will help him with reading if Johnny works on growing up.
• Elisha
  • Choosing an NPC Queen of Clubs in June because it's gotten ridic that it's taken him this long to find one. Probably choosing out of the pool of people that have been helping Elani. High-ish Card. Named Lucy Morgan? And then whoever eventually plays the Queen of Clubs can either app her, or app like she's challenging her, or something. And Gideon will be giddy.
• Jordan
  • Building up an intelligence network. Possibly by intercepting returning field-agents when they come back from Outside. Probably keeping Clive in the loop and Katya but also watched by Julien. Possibly Jordan also screws something up in the process of this and drama for all. Getting advice from Maggie.
  • Challenging to Nine in a few months.
• Zoe
  • Uncovering people from several places in the Deck embezzling money. Working with Säde, Iggy, Rita, Monty, and Katya.
  • Finding out details of what Victor does on his work-trips off-Deck and fallout from that.
  • Getting into trouble with Sophie?
• Teresa
  • Gideon helping her with a raccoon cat pisky problem.
  • Family drama?
  • Raphael has to work in the coffeeshop for a while due to working off Cynric (and Johnny's?) coffee bill.
• Leigh
  • Discovering her sexuality. Crushing on Avery. Eileen linefacing about feeling like she's losing her bestie. Säde has a minor freakout. Riley helps her muddle through.
• Cynric
  • Learning guitar from Dillon. And they start a band?
  • The Strad gets scratched and Cynric has a crisis in the middle of Teresa's coffeeshop? Probably with Johnny commiserating. And Raphael dragging Cynric out of the coffeeshop by his ankles and tossing him in the ocean.
  • Harpsichord shopping with Sophie.
  • Fawning over Katya and her bandura?
  • Maggie recognizing him as his twin brother. Or that once upon a time he was a Spade. Or something.
• Eileen
  • Learning more about the Eicheln branch of her family. Getting Rachel to tell her about them.
  • Sees Julien laying a harsh lesson on a younger, female student. Is slightly disillusioned by her mentor seeing him in action in that fashion since she's actually been a little sheltered from seeing it.
• Evan
  • McCartney's come soon to visit for a couple of days him at school. Beginning of June he drops the bombshell that he's moving back to the Deck in July. Much conversations along the lines of, "BUT WHAT ABOUT YOUR ~DREAMS~?!?!?! D:" with Elani. Possibly an actual argument between the siblings ensues.
  • Before he comes back for realz..."one last run" to South America (or somewhere) with Monty. Gunshot wounds happen. Family finds out about Evan's sordid adventures Outside (finally).
• Katya
  • Possible Challenge or assassination plot because Old Deck Families don't really actually approve of an upstart-from-Outside Queen who was chosen for the position instead of earning it?
• Sophie
  • Starting a museum for the Deck. Possibly in the tower at the center of the Green (with the option for expansion). Possibly in chateau Berthier. Possibly somewher else. /handwave. She can petition the various Suits for support, etc. Getting help on the subject from Jordan.
  • Training with Julien.
• Maggie
  • Working with Rowan regarding Heart security. (Hence the need for informers like Justin?)
• Rachel
  • Getting in a relationship for real? (with Ben?)
• Rowan
  • Family drama in that the secret about her family's thieving past gets out? In-Suit drama regarding her suitability as Queen of Hearts?
• Adrien
  • Proposing marriage to Sophie.
  • Challenging to Seven.
• Blythe
  • Keeping Justin in line.
  • Fight with Monty about the adventure he has with Evan?

Comments

[civilizedpoison]

I don't really have distinct plans for most of mine. I'm also about to make myself a liar.

Alasdair: I would like someone to discover his secret successful mystery writer career but I'm not sure how to make it happen - I don't really think it should necessarily be Elani that does it, though, he does have friends who should be noticing a certain frantic writing lately. Also, Riley knows and could conceivably let it slip at some point. BUT IT NEEDS TO COME OUT HALP.

Elisha: Is choosing an NPC Club Queen next month because it's been forever, it's becoming ridiculous, and it's not really fair to blame him for not picking a Queen when he's had no choice in the matter. XD She will only have a name in case someone actually ever wants to apply for Queen at some point. That's all I have for him, really, though I wouldn't say no to someone plotting against him.

Jordan: Is depressed, kind of hates his job, and has basically been spinning his wheels since becoming a Spade. I would really like that to change, and THIS IS MY PLAN. He is going to start building his own intelligence network by intercepting Cards returning from Outside and extracting information. This information will go to Clive and Katya, because Jordan is loyal when it suits him to be, but I would love it if someone got irritated at his presumption. He will also be challenging to Nine in the next several months.

Zoe: Is happily married, in the job she's wanted since becoming a Spade, and now has nothing to do. No ambition to advance further and nothing causing turmoil in her personal life. She needs conflict, and I'm coming up dry.

[theacethatmatters]

Alasdair: Just. Relationship growth with him and Elani, I suppose, since mostly they've just had the fluff so far. I'm not positive how to make that happen either, beyond just. Straight up srs convos? Discussing where they want to go with the relationship?

And yeah, it would probably be better if someone else discovered the writer thing. I mean, she could. She's definitely aware of the frantic writing, but it would be cool for someone else to be able to, too.

Elisha: Elani and her little cadre of helper Tens thank you.

Jordan: We're already sort of discussing this up above.

Zoe: I still personally kind of like the "uncovering several people in different Suits collaborating on stealing money" thought for her to work through. Gives her something to do and a reason to go interact with other folks that's not just, you know. Shoe shopping. :) Doesn't really provide her direct conflict with another player character though unless somebody wanted their character to be involved in the theft. :|a

[intotherough]

They've needed some relationship growth for a while, I think, but it's tough to come up with a reason for it. Disagreements and arguments, maybe; they're not necessarily fun to write, but kind of important for the growth of the relationship. Alasdair's not really in love with Elani yet, though, and I think part of that is just that they've pretty much only done fluff.

...I assume you mean naming one of the Helper Tens?

My only hesitation with the embezzlement plot is that the last time I tried to do one of those - which admittedly was a year and a half ago - pretty much no one cared. XD But I'll ask a couple of other people if they'd be interested in doing anything.

[theacethatmatters]

Yeah...that's kind of where I've been with it. They both hit the 'easy' comfortable spot and haven't gotten out of it. Disagreements could happen. The Tess thing mentioned elsewhere. Maybe particularly if it happens about the same time as it gets out about his big authoring secret? Like a whole "he's been keeping secrets/doesn't trust me" kind of thing? Hell, it could even be something she does to make him upset and they can both have reason to argue. I will have to think on that one some more.

I just meant that if they've been picking up a lot of the Queen-slack they'll be glad to give it to an actual Queen. Unless you meant that whoever the NPC-Queen is is someone who's been helping?

I think you're discussing this one elsewhere so I will let it go. ;)

[intotherough]

I think the whole secrets thing could make for a really interesting conflict for them, because...he has a lot, especially for someone who appears to be so open.

Yeah, I was just saying that Queen Lucy (so dubbed by Qi) could be one of the ones who was helping Elani.

[theacethatmatters]

Which would be weird for Elani because she. Uhm. Is actually so open. (which might also work with the Pierre thing if she's suddenly got this thing that she can't just go shouting to the world about even if it upsets her)

And I gotcha now. That would be good. It would make sense.

[sirforawhile]

We already said this in chat but both Säde and Iggy are up for the embezzlement plot.

[intotherough]

\o/ I will run it past the Qi as well.

[lowtohigh]

And I will agree as well this thing Rita yes words.

[lowtohigh]

So in all of those words I hear "Evan and Rita should be involved in ruining Allie's secret identity." :|a

Can I vote the NPC name being Lucy Morgan or am I not allowed.

And I would. Tentatively say Declan might be a little displeased about Jordan mucking with the natural order of things, but. He probably wouldn't do much about it, so that might. Not be help at all.

[intotherough]

I LIKE THIS IDEA YES. We should come up with ways for it to work. Possibly Iggy could also be involved in figuring it out, since the Stacy Wheelock books are published by the Xius.

I came up with Grace Lincoln, but I like Lucy Morgan too. Also, everyone loves Queen Lucy, yes?

HE IS JUST TRYING TO HELP CLIVE, CHIVES. Mild displeasure might be fun. Chives can't adore all Spades as much as Mrs. Fox.

[messire_messer]

I could go with this! Maybe Iggy has to deliver some stuff and ends up misplacing it around where either of them can find it.

(Queen Lucy the Valiant \o/ )

[intotherough]

THEY WERE MEANT TO BE ACCOUNTING FILES BUT INSTEAD RITA AND/OR EVAN GET....Stacy Wheelock and the Secret in the Tower with a note from Eve that says "Dear Alasdair, great work as always. Maybe you should consider throwing a wrench into Stacy's romance with Justus?" :|a

[lowtohigh]

What this sounds like to me is three-way line-facing. Line-facing straight to hell. Particularly when they find out Riley is involved in this lie of lies.

See, then we have a secret Lucy Pevensie AND my mission to name an NPC after every member of Dexys Midnight Runners will be one step closer to complete.

He lets you into his heart and this is what you do, Novak. There might even be hissing.

[intotherough]

ALL THE LINEFACES. And Elani's confused puppy face, because WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME, ALASDAIR? I'M SO PROUD...WAIT WHY AREN'T YOU HAPPY?

QUEEN LUCY MORGAN ARRIVES IN JUNE. And kicks Elisha out of his office.



That is all.

[thecutdiamond]

Entirely unhelpful but YAY Queen Lucy /o/

[onlytolerable]

Alasdair - Sophie's my most likely one to figure it out, but I like the other ideas already mentioned here. You know, you mentioned needing some sort of tension for Elani and Alasdair. Maybe Tess could be part of that. He and Tess could be doing something innocent on the sly but that needs to remain secret for now. Not sure if Elani (and I guess we should run that by Qi also) would read things wrong?

Jordan: I know we talked about where that's going. The problem is that Katya plays her cards close to her chest most of the time and hasn't told him she's seeing what he can do. He could chafe under the "boring" assignment and they could argue?

Zoe: there's the ultimate of her finding out more about Victor's unsavory doings, but that's probably not what you're looking for. Katya would be very interested in embezzlement. Monty could help her sound people out since he deals more with unsavory stuff?

[intotherough]

Alasdair - I definitely wouldn't object to Tess being part of that. They're both Deckbabies somewhat close in age (Tess is 26, right? Alasdair's turning 32 next month) so they certainly know each other. If we can come up with something for them to work on together, I'm game.

Jordan - I think that's a good idea. He's sort of at the point where he's just going to go out and do his shit on his own here, which...she might admire his initiative if he doesn't screw stuff up? I vote for screwing stuff up, because he is only 26 and that makes for more fun drama.

Zoe - I don't mind Zoe finding out about everything but the cannibalism, and that's mostly because Victor keeps that under such tight wraps regarding that. She does know, generally, what he does when he goes off-Deck. Not specifically, though, and that might be interesting.

As for the embezzling, I imagine Katya and Michael will likely be the Faces she goes to with this, as she doesn't know Ethan particularly well and Clive is not really a finance guy.

[onlytolerable]

Eep. I thought I'd replied.

Alasdair: I think it could be fun and open up other areas for Elani and him to butt heads about. I know it's more comedy of errors than actual problems, but it can be a start?

Jordan: Agreed. Screwing something up is far more important. I can see it now. Katya: "You...solved this little problem?" Head desk. "It never occurred to you I know about little problem and am waiting for little problem to do X so I have this on them?" Something like that you mean? Or he can screw stuff up and she can say FIX IT. I absolve all knowledge of you. And then she can go hit things. However you want to do it is fine by me. Definitely screwing up, though! Xd

Zoe: I really don't have a lot of ideas for her, but I know what you mean. Sophie really lneeds something, too. Maybe we should implement the, people retiring to the Arcana at some point and they could be part of the ambassadors? Heck. I really don't know.

How does Zoe get on with Ethan? I know she doesn't like Jordan much.

[intotherough]

They do need it, Ana and I agreed, because the relationship is stagnating.

Zoe and Sophie clearly need to get into trouble together. It's the only option.

I think Zoe and Ethan are polite? Emma usually tags Avery and Jordan, so they haven't really interacted at all, but I've gotten the impression that he thinks she's sweet.

[intotherough]

BAH I MEANT TO REPLY TO THE PART ABOUT JORDAN.

And yes, I think that sounds fabulous. And I think he should have to fix it because otherwise he will go back to frowning at the archives and hating his life. In many ways, Jordan is sort of stuck at age 16. Emotional growth was not a hallmark of his upbringing. XD

[lowtohigh]

This is tangential to everything but.

I just remembered what I wanted to do with Cynric that got derailed because of drops, so I am here to ask a you. If Cynric came to Alasdair asking for help with the learning to actually read, would he help? :|a

[headfollowheart]

HE WOULD DO THIS THING. Cynric would need to tell him what the issue is though.

[lowtohigh]

The issue is he doesn't know how to read. And he doesn't want people to know.

Unless I'm not understanding what you mean by 'issue.'

[unsungheart]

Phone replying kills my clarity. Yes. Basically Cynric needs to tell him he doesn't know how to read. Alasdair I believe...suspects it but doesn't know.