Extraordinary PCs Bio Approval (Split from PT Proposals)

[Wynna]

Extraordinary Characters

While all PCs are different, players may, at times, wish to make a PC that benefits to an extraordinary degree from their background. Commonly, this might be an unusual race or a specific link to the canon history of the Forgotten Realms. The desirability of players being able to introduce such interesting and rewarding concepts into our game-world is well recognised. However, there is also a competing need to ensure that such concepts are treated in both a consistent and balanced matter. In recognition of these demands, a pre-creation screening mechanism has been put in place. All players wishing to play an Extraordinary Character are required to submit a biography of their PC for approval, prior to creation.

What is an Extraordinary Character?

There are two basic types of PCs that qualify as being Extraordinary:

* PCs with a significant canon history; and,
* LA race PCs.

Significant Canon History

This category is intended to cover any PC who has a link to the canon history of the FR that is likely to provide significant in-game benefit. Thus, it is not intended to include a PC who has links to a canon organisation, but it would be intended to include a PC who was a relation to a significant NPC.

Example: the biography of PC B, a rogue, states that he spent his teenage years running in a street gang controlled by the Shadow Thieves of Amn. After a falling-out with the gang’s boss, he fled to Waterdeep, at which point the PC is Live. There is no need for this PC to get pre-creation approval; the biography adds flavour and motive to the character without loading him with any significant advantage

Example: the biography of PC C, a ranger, states that he spent his teenage years running in an adventuring crew including King Bruenor and Drizzt Do’Urden. He maintains a friendly relationship with both NPCs. There is clearly a need for this PC to get pre-creation approval; the biography, while adding flavour and motive to the character, clearly represents a potentially game-changing benefit for the PC, the merits of which would have to be carefully assessed.

LA Race PCs

While ALFA permits the creation of LA race PCs, a full list of which can be found [link], in recognition of both the special canon significance of these races and the special game mechanic benefits that they gain, pre-creation biographical approval is needed. The purpose of the biography in this case is to demonstrate that the player of the intended LA race PC has a proper understanding of their chosen race, and – particularly – their place in the Realms.

Example: the biography of PC D, a svirfneblin, details his flight, as a young child, from the ruin of Blingdenstone, to the surface, his capture by slavers, eventual escape, and current arrival in Waterdeep. His reactions to life on the surface and, in particular, his deep suspicion of all other people are recounted, as are his motivation for his new life, which is now focussed on trying to find a suitable new home for the deep gnome people and gathering what survivors he can locate to bring them there. He has chosen Waterdeep as he has heard that it has the greatest collection of different peoples and races in all of Faerun and he proposes to make a start to his search there. This biography is well-researched and plausible, demonstrating an understanding of the nature of deep gnomes and their place in the Realms and might be accepted.

Example: the biography of PC E, a drow, details his flight from inter-house warfare in the Underdark to the surface, where he settled in Beregost, converted to the worship of Ellistraee, before heading for Waterdeep to preach in her name. Little or no comment is made on, for instance, the difference between life in the matriarch, theocratic drow society of the Underdark and surface society, or how he was able to settle peaceably in a surface town. This biography lacks an appreciation of the place of surface drow in the Realms, the near-total mistrust surface races have for them, and facts such as the denial/ignorance of Ellistraee’s existence by almost all surface society and should properly be rejected.

Applying

A player wishing to play an Extraordinary Character must submit a biography to the HDM of the server on which they wish to create their character prior to creation. That biography should explain how and why they are an Extraordinary Character, and be accompanied by a statement of what being allowed to play an Extraordinary Character will bring to that server and ALFA.

Reviewing

In order to promote inter-server consistency, decisions about Extraordinary Characters will be taken on an ALFA-wide basis. To that end, if the HDM receiving the application would be prepared to have that PC created on the server for which they are responsible, they may bring it before the HDM corps for discussion. The Extraordinary Character will be approved or not on the basis of a HDM vote. The support of a majority of HDMs will constitute approval.

An application may be rejected in two manners. Firstly, the HDM corps may outright reject the application, in which case re-application is not encouraged. Alternatively, the HDM corps may highlight areas in which the application could be improved, and the player may be given an opportunity to submit an amended biography for reconsideration.

Example: the biography of PC F, a tiefling, identifies a named arch-devil as being the PC’s father. Although the rest of the biography is of good quality and demonstrates the knowledge and understanding required for approval, the HDM corps are unhappy with the proposed blood relationship with an NPC of near-divine power. The application is rejected, but with the proviso that an amended application – with a different ‘father’ – might be accepted. The player may then consider whether they wish to re-apply.

Criteria

The following criteria will guide HDM decisions on Extraordinary Character applications:

* player knowledge of the appropriate Realms canon;
* application of that knowledge to their particular PC concept;
* explanation of how the concept will fit into the selected server;
* recognition of the potential pitfalls on the selected server;
* relative frequency of Extraordinary Characters on the selected server;
* relative frequency of Extraordinary Characters across ALFA;
* prior knowledge of the player; and,
* any other reasonable considerations.

[Mulu]

My only concern would be response time. HDM's aren't always the most responsive bunch, and unlike a PrC where you can play in the meantime the player is left in the lurch potentially for months waiting for a "yea" or "nay" on a pre-approval to play the game. Sure, they could roll up an alternate PC in the meantime, but chances are most wouldn't.

Perhaps a "if not responded to in 15 days approval is automatic" clause or something.

[Veilan]

One problem I see is creating a potential "wishlist", if we have stuff like this, perhaps a lot more people will want to apply for the special benefit - after all, it's free and can't hurt to try. Then, even if it was just a "well, might as well see if I can get my PC to be noble...", there is going to be a feeling of favouritism if someone else got it approved, but that player had it rejected.

Hopefully just a minor aspect, but something to mention nevertheless... in fact, I don't think we should give out tangible and intangible special benefits in DM attention and the like for sending in bios.

[Dorn]

Just a note, some of these things should work the other way as well. Being part of a 'special' clique often comes with increased risks.


If somsone want's to be a Zhent it comes with a safehouse and a supplier of cheap weapons maybe. But it also means a lot of folk are giong to be out to kill you.

If you're a noble, local thief gangs are giong to know you're loaded and target you place over the bakers. Or they may target you on the road between towns now that you've decided toleave the protection of daddies guards.

If you're Cult of the Dragon, you don't want to wake up in the morning and throw open to the door to an aasimar paladin of bahamnut about to cut your head off.

If your a teifling...well enough said.

If you're just a fighter off the farm, you probably don't have a readimade set of things trying to kill you (unyil you make some enemies).

So the DMs are committing not only to ensuring the player plays properly, and giving them a nice house in the middle of town, but also to placing him her in potential greater risk of not making level 3 or being made destitue by fraudsters/thieves.

So long as these are side plots and don't consume DM time from the 'larger' player population then there shouldn't be a problem. I've seen it done many a time well in ALFA1. I've also known Dms to say 'sorry there's too much on and i dont have time'.

I think the DMs are able to make this call. If theya already have 2 characters in 1 timezone with very different special needs that might be all their willing to take. If they have 6 who all want to be Zhents....then that's probably a yes as they can be DMed as a group. If there are only 2 players and a DM ina timezone....the Dm can do as he pleases:)

But i do think the HDM and EADM should be asked to make sure it fits in with his idea of the direction of the server. And sure there might be a wait, but that's fair enough as things woudl need to be set up anyway on the server no doubt. If the HDM doesn't make a call within a few days maybe EADM or anotehr senior Dm can answer.

[Mikayla]

In general, I believe this should be the province of the DMs, not a centralized committee, even if comprised of ALFA's HDMs. In addition, history tells us that getting all the HDMs to vote on something is notoriously difficult. Thus, this would set a bar that would likely not get met because the HDMs fail to vote on it, rather than the player's fault. If there must be an application system, I think it should go straight to the HDM of the server involved, and should stop there. The DMs should really have control over this I believe, and even more so for the "extraordinary" character who is different not because of race, but because he or she is noble, or whatever. Those kind of role-play focused attributes are precisely what we have DMs for. This seems like added regulation addressing a non-existent problem.

[Rick7475]

Hmmm, where is the PA in this?

I think PA should have a committee of DM's or HDM's to approve an extra-ordinary PC, not just HDM's, other DM's as well, but must include the HDM of the server the Ext PC is applying to.

BTW, I typically have divided my server team up into areas of expertise:
one DM who knows evil, one DM who knows goodie goodies, a DM who knows dwarves, elves, whatever, with some taking on different roles.

I delegate.

BTW, if I (and I am guessing other HDM's) don't get back to you, PM again (save your bio somehwere before sending so you don't have to write it again). Sometimes when live HDM'ing we get 20 -30 PM's a day.

[Zelknolf]

I'm inclinded to agree with the statements of "Just let the relevant DM team decide," but I'm noticing that those who have such a stance don't seem to be responding to Rusty's (I think highly believable) hypothetical of a rejected character being brought to a neighboring server, being approved there, and then hopping to the originally-desired server.

It seems like it would be an option for the team to simply not DM the character they rejected, but it also seems like the presence would at worst put pressure on the team and at best create awkward situations if such was the plan. I imagine the less-beaurocratic solution would be more favored if there was a plan for our quasi-rejectable server hoppers.

[Mikayla]

Zelk:

I'm inclinded to agree with the statements of "Just let the relevant DM team decide," but I'm noticing that those who have such a stance don't seem to be responding to Rusty's (I think highly believable) hypothetical of a rejected character being brought to a neighboring server, being approved there, and then hopping to the originally-desired server.

I think the ability to apply for an extraordinary character on multiple servers is a good thing - if your extraordinary character (EC) is denied on one, you can try again elsewhere. As for then going to the server which turned you down, that DM team has (and always had) discretion on who to DM and how. The newly minted EC cannot force the DM team to DM them.

By allowing each team to decide for itself, you allow Players multiple chance to play what they want to play, and you allow DM teams control over who they DM. Its a win-win situation.

[Rotku]

Hmmm, where is the PA in this?

She's busy with Real Life this week, I believe.

I think PA should have a committee of DM's or HDM's to approve an extra-ordinary PC, not just HDM's, other DM's as well, but must include the HDM of the server the Ext PC is applying to.

I would also suggest three subcommittees, formed under the purview of this committee, each specialising in a different section - PT, UD and Other. Then we would need another subcommittee, responsbile for the appointment of DMs to each of these three committees, and a super-committee, with authority over all the committees, to over see and provide a check.

To provide some feedback slightly more seriously, I agree with Mikayla. To add to that, it is in the PCs benefit to provide a bio to the DMs. There's nothing worse than having this great concept, which the DMs don't want to DM. Ask an Underdark player if they'd think it would be a good idea to play an UD PC on the surface without first passing it by the DMs.

[Dorn]

If a player gets denied on server A. Then goes to server B and applies (without telling server 2 staff he/she was denied before) and gets accepted. And then comes back to server A.

Well I doubt the DMs would give them much attention making the 'special' nature of the character irrelevant. They may even be asked to leave the server (DMs perogative). And if they caused trouble/whinged, their deceptive actions in getting the approval would make it reaonable for the HDM/DM to speak to the PA and get some ass whipping done.

Oh and another thing, if a player has a known questionable past and has been up to trick and games with DMs or/and other players that border on illegal....i'd not put them in a position with any additional benefits as they could abuse them and quite frankly don't deserve them.

[Veilan]

I'm not sure, but going around applying to different servers until you finally get approved seems a bit like finding a sympathetic DM for your PrC quest after you've been rejected by the DMs that know you well and play with you. Now, while HDMs have full right to deny you to come to their server even if you were approved on server B, that's just not really in the spirit of ALFA being one community, let's not even talk about possible immersion breaking IC effects. Also, experience has shown that once you have something established, people will not really enforce their prior rejection.

Centralised, universal application really seems the best way.

But then, we should also consider and entertain the thought whether or not our application to ALFA in the first place is exactly that, if you are allowed into the community, maybe it should be assumed you are allowed to play every legitimate character concept on every available server, until your actions say otherwise. To keep out problems like "I'm a noble with claim to inherit vast armies" or "I actually discovered Maztica", we could simply put up a comprehensive guide about what is and isn't available within reasonable bounds. I never much liked the profile neuroticist notion that your background somehow gets to be stacked with goodies asking for extra DM time and benefits because you, somehow, must be more special than the next unique character.

[Thangorn]

What about a forum accessible to all DMs that has every characters bio in server subforums. Where each characters bio is held the each DM that DMs them logs key bullet points of things that have occurred while DMing them.

We've had PC bios available to all DMs server side before but never before have we had PC bios and histories available to all DMs.

Actually it was a nice idea until I my sleep deprived brain just remembered that DMs play aswell and we can never trust our compatriots with meta information because there have been too many abuses in the past or something..

Perhaps if you play on a particular server you don't have access to the bios from that server or something.

Anyway.. I'm just throwin' it out there.

[Misty]

Keep it simple.

Admission to ALFA comes with the privilege of playing here. The opening message on the website stresses the point that playing here is a privilege, and not suitable for all players.

Yes there have been, and always will be problem players. But punishing the whole player body, and I would even venture to add DM body, for these few seems excessive. Requiring an extra layer of approval for a certain idea, contingent on all or a majority of DMs to agree upon, even if they have no plans to interact with a particular concept, seems punishment.

A centralized, all-DM accessible list for 'special' PCs, like we have for 10+ and PrC quests should be enough. That way all DMs can comment on Joe Blow the tiefling- whether he stinks, needs mentorship, special accolades for playing the difficulty of getting by with flaming hair, whathaveyou.

[Veilan]

Of course, in a PW, we have to keep thinking along the lines of balance. Relevant advantages to a PC must be purchased - with an ability point buy point, or with a feat slot, or with skill ranks, or level-ups. While I agree with Misty in that I earlier said that application to ALFA should be enough qualification to play all eligible ALFA PCs, we do need to make it clear that you cannot have benefits without paying some balance for them. For that, we could, for instance, introduce background feats again or something the like. I'm just saying, I'm as opposed to someone starting with tangible benefits in interaction with DMs or access to wealth and the like, as I am opposed to someone playing with 45 point-buy points, or 2 extra feats at start-up.

Most people want to have some special tangents to their character, we should just make sure that all they do is provide flavour and motivation, not benefits only.

[Zelknolf]

For that, we could, for instance, introduce background feats again or something the like.

I'm not sure I'd be on board with this particular idea; I liked the notion of a document that says what is and isn't fair for a character's history more. Perhaps a list of things that we think are fair to assume for any PC, some things that aught to require various levels of approval, and things that are crazy enough to not be tried. Background feats seem like they would be ways for people to build characters for DM attention and likely frustrate themselves (if no one tries to pick up the plot) or DMs (who may feel leveraged by the expenditure of a feat on something that needs a DM). Granted, the latter doesn't seem much an issue (how many PCs do we have with item creation feats? how many PC made magic items are there out there?) but I think the former situation can shoot us in the foot.