***Please note that much of the following information is subject to change, as new ideas are still being developed. There is alot to digest. Please read carefully.***
What is the Role-Player's League?
The Role-Player's League is a game that will challenge RPers to work together in order to tell compelling stories. Teams will compete against one another in order to gain weekly points. How, you ask? Read on...
The Commishioner and the Judges
In this game, I will be assuming the role of Commishioner. My duties will be almost identical to the duties of the game's 3 judges: Byrd Man, Master Bruce, and twylight. We will do all the things you'd expect from Gamemasters, and then some... but we'll get to that later. In order for this game to work, we will need at least 16 other Players to commit to it.
Players and Team Captains
Once at least 16 people have agreed to take part in this game, 4 Team Captains will be selected randomly by myself and the Judges. These Team Captains will be responsible for many things, including keeping their team well organized.
The Draft
Once the Team Captains have been randomly selected, a Draft will be held. In this Draft, the Captains will take turns selecting Players to be on their teams. It will take 3 rounds to draft the remaining 12 Players. We will then have 4 teams of 4.
The Game Itself (Initial Scenarios)
After the draft, we will be ready to begin playing. The first thing that will occur, will be the creation of an Initial Scenario. Initial Scenarios are created by myself and the 3 Judges. They are brief overviews of stories. Each week, a new Initial Scenario will be written, and one Player from each team must write their version of the events being summarized in the Initial Scenario.
Initial Scenario: Simplified Example
John is waiting in line at a bank with his wife.
The bank is suddenly robbed.
John has super-strength, but his wife does not know this.
John must stop the bank robbers without revealing his abilities.
Posting
Only one Player from each team will post per week in the IC thread, based on a pre-determined, rotating schedule created by the Team Captains. This relaxed schedule will ensure that everyone ought to have time to participate in this game, without having to drop out of others. Players may make suggestions and give advice to their teammates whose turn it is to post, but that Player ultimately has the final say.
Posting: Example of a Team's Schedule
Wk1 - Plr1
Wk2 - Plr2
Wk3 - Plr3
Wk4 - Plr4
Wk5 - Plr1
Wk6 - Plr2
Wk7 - Plr3
Wk8 - Plr 4
Conditions
Every week, each new Initial Scenario will have conditions that relate to the story that is to be told. Players will have to incorporate each of these conditions into their version of the story if they hope to win points for that week.
Conditions: Simplified Example
John's wife must die. How and when is up to you.
One of the robbers must also have a super-power. What is up to you.
John knows one of the robbers. How is up to you.
One of the customers is in on the heist. Who it is will be up to you.
Judging
The 3 Judges and I will be responsible for judging the posts at the end of each week. We will be looking at things like overall quality, entertainment value, surprising twists, gripping action sequences, good characterization and creative choices. Each of us will be awarding 2 points each week (for a total of 8 points). We may award both points to a single team, or divide them between 2 teams.
Winning the Game
The team with the most points at the end of a season will win the game for that season. Seasons will likely last 4-6 months, which will allow each team to make 16-24 IC posts (at least 4 posts per player per season). A short break will take place between seasons.
The Reserve List
If someone would like to join the game after a season has begun, they will be placed on the Reserve List. This must be done in order to ensure that all teams have an equal amount of Players, and because creating a new team would put that team at a disadvantage due to having missed weeks of play. If a Player goes missing from a team, they may replace that Player with someone from the Reserve List. If there are enough Players on the Reserve List to be distributed evenly amongst the existing teams, a Draft of these players will be conducted.
Trades
During a season, Trades can only take place between two teams if both Players being traded agree to the transaction, and if both Team Captains agree to it as well. During the offseason (the short break between seasons) Team Captains will be able to trade freely, without needing the consent of the Players being traded.
Trades: Example of a Trade during a Season
I am on one team, but would like to be playing on another.
I ask my Captain to see if they'd be interested in having me.
If he is okay with me going, he will ask their Captain about it.
Their Captain will ask his team if anyone is interested in being traded.
If someone is interested and their Captain is okay with it, he will notify my Captain.
If my Captain likes the Player who he'd be getting in return, he can finalize the trade.
Offseason Draft
If a significant number of people would like to join the game prior to a new season, another Draft would be held using just these new Players.