|
Post by Ego Trip on Oct 24, 2009 23:02:00 GMT -5
Alright, here's what I have so far, working on the Tenets and Ideals of the Prodigy, and similar things to that.
Read it, tell me what you think. I plan to add more. Offer suggestions, all that stuff.
What is the Prodigy: On the surface, the Prodigy is the name chosen by a group of Teenage Superheroes, who work together, fighting crime just as any other adult Superhero team typically would.
More then that, Prodigy is also a youth movement among certain strata of the Teen Metahuman and Vigilante community. Those teens who identify themselves as members of “The Prodigy” are saying several things with their involvement.
A) They don’t need, or want, the Help or Mentoring of the “Older” Adult Superhero community. (Not to say, they will spit in the face of good advice, just Prodigy members actively believe they can handle most things on their own)
B) They’re representing the hopes and dreams of a Generation. The Prodigy is an experiment, to show the youth of the world should have a voice, and is responsible enough to take their place among the adult superhuman community.
What are the Tenets of the Prodigy?
Not just anyone can join The Prodigy. While they keep their doors open, and are willing to at least talk to every Youth who’s somehow caught up in the Superhuman world, The Prodigy has a few Rules (Ironic for a somewhat rebellious youth movement) they live by.
1) There is an age requirement. Right now “The Prodigy” does not accept anyone under the age of 13, or over the age of 19. 2) The Prodigy is a SUPERHERO group. The members of the group are not here just to hang out and have a good time, while avoiding “The man” (Though they all love a good time.). The Group is rebellious yes, though firmly believing the world needs to be saved, and they are the Heroes to do it. 3) Personal Freedom. The Prodigy are great believers in personal freedom. To this end, they do not require their members to register under ASPRA and actively hide youths who do not wish any involvement with the government. This further extends to a stance on no prejudice being allowed for members of the Prodigy, regardless of color/creed/sexual orientation. 4) Responsibility, the old adage “With Great Power comes Great Responsibility”, is one members of The Prodigy abide by. Members of the Prodigy do not kill (There is always the possibility of accidents happening) they also believe in not wantonly destroying the environment in their fights. 5) KICK ASS! The final Tenant, is if were not having fun, and showing the Geezers how it’s done, or thumbing our nose at the Goody Two shoes kids, and adults then what’s the whole point?
|
|
|
Post by Ego Trip on Oct 25, 2009 14:34:54 GMT -5
I need Feedback before I start putting this stuff up on our PRIMUS Database!
|
|
|
Post by @Wilycat on Oct 25, 2009 17:08:58 GMT -5
Dude, It was only 15 hours between posts and most of that night/morning for those of us in the continental US. Don't start panicking until at least monday. I will make one suggestion now that I've read it again since we talked about it last night. from "they also believe in not wantonly destroying the environment in their fights." to something like "they also attempt to keep property damage to a minimum when they fight." Not a big change, but "environment" makes me think of forests and things, and we're not really greenpeace or the like. The original statement feels like a "try not to blow up cars and knock down buildings" sort of thing, so perhaps the change of wording will be a little more explicit to the intent.
|
|
|
Post by theshamrock on Oct 25, 2009 19:18:56 GMT -5
I like it. Sounds good and shows good promise.
|
|
|
Post by theshamrock on Oct 26, 2009 15:53:09 GMT -5
Not just anyone can join The Prodigy. While they keep their doors open, and are willing to at least talk to every Youth who’s somehow caught up in the Superhuman world, The Prodigy has a few Rules (Ironic for a somewhat rebellious youth movement) they live by. 1) There is an age requirement. Right now “The Prodigy” does not accept anyone under the age of 13, or over the age of 19. 2) The Prodigy is a SUPERHERO group. The members of the group are not here just to hang out and have a good time, while avoiding “The man” (Though they all love a good time.). The Group is rebellious yes, though firmly believing the world needs to be saved, and they are the Heroes to do it. 3) Personal Freedom. The Prodigy are great believers in personal freedom. To this end, they do not require their members to register under ASPRA and actively hide youths who do not wish any involvement with the government. This further extends to a stance on no prejudice being allowed for members of the Prodigy, regardless of color/creed/sexual orientation. 4) Responsibility, the old adage “With Great Power comes Great Responsibility”, is one members of The Prodigy abide by. Members of the Prodigy do not kill (There is always the possibility of accidents happening) they also believe in not wantonly destroying the environment in their fights. 5) KICK ASS! The final Tenant, is if were not having fun, and showing the Geezers how it’s done, or thumbing our nose at the Goody Two shoes kids, and adults then what’s the whole point? Okay moving back over here then, Run. I'm trying to reconcile how we're having problems in the SG chat with the above. It says in all caps that we are Superheroes. Then it says again that we are "Heroes". That to me ~implies~ a lot of things but among them a certain respect for the "big picture laws", those being prohibitions on torture, murder, kidnapping, etc. It says that we have adopted the "great power/ great responsibility" philsophy. That would ~imply~ to me that people who are not taking that responsibilty seriously wouldn't fit. Characters who see their powers as a game, or who prioritize drugs over the common good wouldn't fit with the group well. Part of what brought back here was trying to reconcile Goth Gal's comment in the discussion of the com channel (which I felt was sliding away from talking about the channel as much as it was the group) about how we're supposed to be rebellious and that means who cares about laws and rules and stuff? I want to say again I haven't RPed with Goth Gal so I'm not trying to pick on her at all, I'm just taking a 'worst case scenario' here, and I wanted to ask, hey, are we still staying true to our initial vision for the group and if we're not is that why we're having conflict now? I don't know. Maybe I'm trying to hard to see where to go with all this. I don't want anyone to feel excluded but I also don't want Prodigy to feel like it's on the edge of turning into a Brotherhood of Mutants. It's a very fine line between being rebelious heroes and turning into Anti-heroes or worse, anti-villians. And I'd like to see us stay on the heroic side of the hero/anti-hero slash so I'm trying to think of ways to see to that. And I want to say again, I cant' comment on Goth Gal directly; I've never RPed with her so I have no idea how much her coccaine addition factors into her RP, or into how she interacts in the group. This could be totally worrying about stuff that's not even relevant. Shamrock
|
|
uno
New Member
Posts: 7
|
Post by uno on Oct 26, 2009 22:33:29 GMT -5
I think in a way it's all about ensuring that the core values of the IC group are a good roleplay measuring stick. Most characters should be as close to this ideal as possible, but some might be a bit towards the 'edge' , falling a little outside this ideal. We'll have to do our best to judge some of this stuff on a per person basis and use some common sense.
Examples of People on the Edge: -Goth Gal is basically a hero, follows all the ideals, but has a drug problem. -Stratum uses guns and has already talked about putting bullets between someone's eyes. Killing is out in this group, and if he IC kills someone, there will either be a talk or expulsion. -Uno Select, while physically and mentally about 15 or 16, is technically only four years old. Shakey ground, but easily crossed.
Now, as far as what on the edge type behavior makes it so someone can't join the group, needs to be thrown out, or is providing good RP fodder is a judgment call. Plenty of edgy characters can have a little RP plot line around them to try and deal with their problems- killing, emotions, super illnesses (like psychic damage), drug addiction, etc. It will be on the part of the the player, not the rest of the SG, to ensure whatever 'edge' content they have makes for good roleplay rather than become a sticking point in the RP.
|
|
|
Post by @Ceadol on Oct 27, 2009 1:13:36 GMT -5
I don't know. Maybe I'm trying to hard to see where to go with all this. I don't want anyone to feel excluded but I also don't want Prodigy to feel like it's on the edge of turning into a Brotherhood of Mutants. It's a very fine line between being rebelious heroes and turning into Anti-heroes or worse, anti-villians. And I'd like to see us stay on the heroic side of the hero/anti-hero slash so I'm trying to think of ways to see to that. This. A thousand times this. I'm the one who mentioned in another thread that it feels more like we're the Brotherhood than the Titans. It's starting to feel like that even moreso now. There is a difference between rebelling against the norm and becoming rebels without a cause. In fact, I believe it is that exact word that is causing some of the problems we're seeing. "Rebel" "Rebelious" or any other form. People are seeing those words and they mean different things to different people. To some, it makes them think of the Nightwing archtype. The kid who goes out to prove he can do things his own way and become his own hero without being in the shadow of Batman. To others though, it seems more like "I'm going to do these things simply because I'm not allowed. I'm a rebel." Personally, when I joined the Prodigy, I was hoping it was going to be more like the first group. That's the Prodigy I want to see. Now, as for the drug abuse situation... My vote is to let her stay. That has the potential for a fantastic RP. It may not be legal, it may even cause problems down the line for the group as a whole, yes. But why are we playing heroes if not to help people? Should we turn out backs on our own when they have a problem? No. It should galvanize us even more to help that person through a difficult process. We're heroes. Even if it means putting ourselves in danger, we still help. Regardless of the cost. Throwing someone to the wolves for a drug addiction and saying "Well you're no longer in our group because of this" isn't very heroic. And neither is disallowing topics like that to be talked about in general. That's my view on it anyways. Also, I completely agree with the tenants.
|
|
|
Post by theshamrock on Oct 27, 2009 6:42:27 GMT -5
Should we turn out backs on our own when they have a problem? No. It should galvanize us even more to help that person through a difficult process. We're heroes. Even if it means putting ourselves in danger, we still help. Regardless of the cost. Throwing someone to the wolves for a drug addiction and saying "Well you're no longer in our group because of this" isn't very heroic. And neither is disallowing topics like that to be talked about in general. True but there is also a point where you stop and say "this isn't going to work. For the good of the group we have to ask you to leave". Or to save more lives, one person has to step asside. I think that being a hero is more than just sticking by your guns, it's making the tough choices, sometimes having to sacrifice yourself, for the good of the many. There may come a time when someone's killing, drug addiction, or other 'edginess' becomes a liability to the group and no longer good story telling. Especially if we see more than one or two edgy characters. It's not something I can see a hard and fast rule on, myself. I don't think we're well served to have a "no drugs" rule, but likewise I don't think a "laws are meant to be broken" rule helps either. It's a big shadey area of gray that requires that everyone "get it" when it comes to the group vision. Shamrock (and can someone kick me some karma, that -3 is kinda depressing and I'm not even sure how it happened)
|
|
|
Post by Ego Trip on Oct 27, 2009 12:14:14 GMT -5
I don't see the group as the Brotherhood at all, I'm sorry Ceadol but I have no idea where your getting that from. Of course I wasn't on Ego at all yesterday so I don't know..
But the core of the group is not anyone who kills or anything like that, at least nothing I've seen. Perhaps you could explain to me where your seeing it more as the Brotherhood, because I simply don't see it.
|
|
|
Post by @Ceadol on Oct 27, 2009 13:12:05 GMT -5
Well first, I was referencing the X-Men Evolutions version of the Brotherhood. Also, Just to get it out of the way, I don't mean the villainous/bad guy part. But look at the groups side by side.
Brotherhood/Prodigy: A bunch of rebellious kids who don't want help from anyone. Brotherhood/Prodigy: They live in a rundown 'flop' most of the time. Brotherhood/Prodigy: The members are sarcastic, constantly fighting amongst themselves. Brotherhood/Prodigy: Have no real leadership amongst the group. (Technically we do, but they're just the guys who got their first. And it hasn't actually had an impact in game yet)
I could keep going, I'm sure. There are tons of similarities.
Now try to look at the Titans. The most iconic Teen SG I can think of.
Live in a nice, well kept base. (Individual living quarters are somewhat dirty depending on the occupant of course. They're teens.) Willing to band together with whoever they have to in order to take out the bad guys, whether it be adult heroes or other teens. Have a clear leader in the group (TV show was Robin, can't say I've read the comics) Slight squabbling but overall they work like a well oiled machine despite their differences.
That's just off the top of my head. I'm sure some of you will dispute these and that's fine. But I'm just saying that's how I see it so far. We're still a young supergroup, just coming into our own. We'll fix these problems eventually I'm sure, we just have to work on them. Getting adults to play Teens is hard because half of them play by stereotypes. I think that's a big part of where our problem is coming from as well.
|
|
|
Post by Quickshot on Oct 27, 2009 14:02:16 GMT -5
I think the main thing we need to do is choose a better hang out. 'The flop' was an instant decision by someone to hang out there. I don't even think of it as a living space, just a place to meet up.
As far as leadership goes, I'm trying to get Quick to step up. NOT be a 'tell you what to do and how to do it' leader, but a person who's keeping the others from fighting amongst themselves.
As far as the sarcasm goes, Shifter is one of the most prominent sarcastic members we have, you've only yourself to blame on that one.
Plenty of the Prodigy members are willing to help each other, and others not in the group. We're still growing, still finding out how the group will mesh together.
|
|
|
Post by Ego Trip on Oct 27, 2009 14:17:52 GMT -5
I dunno, Ego's been able to keep most people from fighting with one another while he's around, and Quick seems to be doing that too.
The two of them just aren't being Dominant Tyrants telling the group what to do.
I'd like to see in game a story of us requiring a better base, just like how Ego got a Spaceship for the team.
Not everyone is sarcastic, and most of the group seems willing to team up with one another.
The group is NOT the cartoon Titans and this is a Good thing. I like this.. they are much more like the Comic Book Titans, they pull together and help one another out, but their not whitewashed, and Milk drinking wholesome, their more real.
|
|
|
Post by @Ceadol on Oct 27, 2009 19:38:03 GMT -5
I think the main thing we need to do is choose a better hang out. 'The flop' was an instant decision by someone to hang out there. I don't even think of it as a living space, just a place to meet up. As far as leadership goes, I'm trying to get Quick to step up. NOT be a 'tell you what to do and how to do it' leader, but a person who's keeping the others from fighting amongst themselves. As far as the sarcasm goes, Shifter is one of the most prominent sarcastic members we have, you've only yourself to blame on that one. Plenty of the Prodigy members are willing to help each other, and others not in the group. We're still growing, still finding out how the group will mesh together. Oh, I know Shifter is a smartass. A big one. I'm actually trying to tone it down a lot. It kind of started out as something else and took on a life of its own. He's sarcastic and always quick to make a joke but he'll be there the second someone needs him. Even the people he doesn't get along with. IC he's put himself in the line of fire for quite a few people socially, even if he doesn't know them. Please don't get me wrong. I enjoy the SG so far. I just think we have some work to do in order to flesh things out a bit better. You guys are doing a fantastic job as leaders so far, getting people together and being 'one of the guys'. Ego and Quick anyways. I don't really know who the other Firsts are, to be honest. Haven't had any IC interaction with them. We're getting there, we just need to work through the initial problems of starting a new SG.
|
|
|
Post by Ego Trip on Oct 27, 2009 19:46:36 GMT -5
To be honest as well, this is something Psi and I have been talking about. The only "Firsts" that are on with any regularity are myself and him, and we may need to do a leadership restructure because of this.
|
|
|
Post by Bottle Fairy on Oct 27, 2009 19:47:02 GMT -5
Bottle of course is always ready to lend a kind word or a helping, techy hand.
She's persistently cheerful (Or worryingly thoughtful, one of the two!)
|
|