Post by Tzauri on Jul 8, 2015 5:36:22 GMT
Liquid Time Explanation
Downtime uses a liquid time system; that is, a system operating on events rather than location. For example, Jack, Jill, and Peter go to the Diner for dinner, then go to the movies. This would all be handled within the same thread, which would follow them; moreover, there is no limit to how many downtime threads a character can be in at once, as they're not necessarily concurrent.
Threads are GMed by players rather than moderators or the admin. Lore questions, of course, can still be fielded to them.
Stats and Character Impact
Fate Points, Stress, and Consequences
Characters generally start a thread with no stress or consequences, and with a number of Fate Points equal to their refresh. If, however, a character wants to keep consequences from a recent thread in the main RP or another downtime thread, they may. Similarly, the person running the thread may elect that a character starts with more than their usual number of Fate Points. None of this requires GM approval, as any impact from this is limited to the specific downtime thread.
Items and Equipment
Characters may purchase, find, or craft items and equipment during these thread. They generally stop existing after the thread they are gotten in, although they may be carried over to other Downtime threads if the person starting them wishes. Keep in mind that it should still be realistic for a character to get such an item. A character going to a gun store and buying a Desert Eagle, for most characters, would be realistic. A character with high enough resources or craft might even be able to buy or make a heavier weapon, like a machine gun. Plans that can be summed up as finding a vorpal sword at a yard sale capable of OHKOing Vishnu, however, should be shelved.
It is, however, possible that an item gained in these threads can be moved to the main thread, with GM permission. Under most circumstances, simple items that give fluff benefits but no stats can be moved from these threads to the main RP without much questioning. A gold locket or a smartphone, for example. Approval of these items can be done by either the Admin or any Global Moderator.
For items that give a statistical benefit, however, it becomes more complex. To get it, you make a resource and/or craft roll to get it, after the item itself is approved by Mitch, the Admin. You can invoke traits and advantages to get it. You can invoke situation aspects for an advantage, but you can't get more than +2 from situation aspects or a good rolls. 'Money Is No Object' cannot be used. If you spent Fate Points to activate any aspects or advantage for that roll, you also have to pay those Fate Points in the main RP to keep the item.
Rewards
While not the main point of these threads, under special circumstances, your character may receive Fate Points or even XP for use in the main story from things they do in the thread. This isn't typically from all of the same things you'd get them for in the main RP. There are two main categories of ways you can get rewards.
The first is through awesomeness. This isn't simply done through a roll, although a high roll could possibly be used to justify why said character can do what they're doing in the first place. It doesn't, however, even need to be from a roll. It could be a matter of looking a villain in the eye and explaining exactly why they suck and looking cool for it; alternatively, they could do something so sweet that
nobody can look at it without feeling lots of warm fuzzies. The reward here is almost always Fate Points.
Second is through character development. Perhaps your character got over an old phobia. Perhaps they've made peace with a hated rival, or acknowledged a weakness and work towards correcting it. Perhaps they've even learned the true meaning of Christmas. Genuine character development may be met with Fate Points as a reward, or even XP if it's strong and well-done.