Author Topic: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire  (Read 7357 times)

Offline Crion

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"City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« on: July 12, 2010, 07:21:49 PM »
Even though I'm not sure if I'll get the game going (players in this area aren't working with me), I thought I'd share the concept I shared for those who voiced interest in the Campaign Ideas Thread (http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,19185.0.html).

The idea is relatively simple: The "City" for the game will be an SCA (Society for Creative Anachronisms) Event or even a Renaissance Faire that the players will be taking part of for an extended time (i.e. full/extended weekend trip). I thought it would be a great idea for an introduction storyline before moving them into a bigger city, and if I leave the "grounds" as open year-round for those who choose to live that lifestyle longer, then so much the better.

I find it to be advantageous for the following reasons:
--No/limited technology to constantly hex
--Elder beings flow into the roles (so it's literally anyone's game)
--"Mundane Names" can be moved to the side, and only your persona actually matters

Now, in order to do this, I'm trying to flesh out the concepts and some faces. The following is what I am working with in my head at the moment, but I would like some opinions on the idea, the concepts I'm tossing out, and some opinions on/additions to the faces involved. Of course, if anyone has ideas that would fit in, or various ways of spinning this, I am more than game to listen.

Also, if anyone is a member of the SCA or has taken an extensive amount of time to participate in these sorts of events, I would greatly appreciate the insight.

So, without further ado. . .

Quote
SCA Event/Renaissance Faire "Town"

Potential Themes:
Spectres of the Past - The idea of always reliving the past.
A Place Out Of Time - This can be taken literally in two ways: as in reliving the past, or as a threat to how long this will last.
Old Ways Embracing the New - New "warriors" following Chivalry, or new methods or performing the old arts; the meshing of ancient ways with new mentalities.

Potential Threats
Supernatural Training Grounds - This one can be double edged; an old Warden/Wizard bringing apprentices to train in weapon combat, a Changeling dabbling in old forms of politics, or even a Black Court showing it's progeny the way things always were.
King of the Night - A Black or Red Court vampire steps up to usurp the "nobility," bolstering their own numbers and potentially moving it outside of the game that everyone else thinks this is.
Spectres of the Past - A bit more than the above theme; spirits of these times are coming to the fore and are becoming known, or are interacting with others far more frequently.
A Midsummer Night's Nightmare - A group of Fae haven taken to the habit of coming out every midsummer night to put on a show that no one will EVER forget.

Potential Face Concepts:
The Vanilla Mortal Knight Errant - Exactly what it says; guy who gets REALLY into character and lives the life at all times, and is far closer to the supernatural than he'd like to admit.
The King of the Night - A Black Court Vampire who is using the event as a way to determine who is fit to join his "kingdom" and fight on it's behalf, and who is just. . .food.
The White Court Courtesan - A woman working as an information broker behind the scenes, using her feminine wiles and White Court abilities to make deals behind the mask of her character. (May have something going on with "The Old Fogey/Warden" below).
The Old Fogey/Warden - An old wizard who remained very well hidden until the Vampire War stepped up a few notches and finally brought him into the Council he's always avoided. Now that Luccio and Morgan are busier than even, he's stepping up and training the "kids" in mundane combat in the best way he knows how: the way he learned.

(Note: you know you are having a long and not-so-good day if it takes you six hours to write the above. . .ugh).

More details to come later, but again, opinions and input are greatly appreciated!
"Smilies exist because no one has bothered to make a sarcasm font." Lost_Heretic
"I don't care about whose DNA has recombined with whose. When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching--they are your family." Harry Dresden

Offline CMEast

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Re: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« Reply #1 on: July 12, 2010, 11:43:50 PM »
Very nice idea, you can do lots with it from just a few random monsters to a huge conspiracy surrounding a decades-long ritual to break the sixth law and tear a hole in reality so that the SCA's dark master can arise. Lots of fun either way :)

Offline Crion

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Re: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2010, 01:15:37 AM »
Very nice idea, you can do lots with it from just a few random monsters to a huge conspiracy surrounding a decades-long ritual to break the sixth law and tear a hole in reality so that the SCA's dark master can arise. Lots of fun either way :)

That was actually one of the ideas I had, revolving around the King of the Night. I'm hoping to start elaborating a bit more tomorrow. Hopefully I'll have the opportunity to expand on it ^^;
"Smilies exist because no one has bothered to make a sarcasm font." Lost_Heretic
"I don't care about whose DNA has recombined with whose. When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching--they are your family." Harry Dresden

Offline Crion

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Re: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2010, 03:10:30 PM »
Okay, now that I'm a bit more functional today, I'm hoping to do a few scattered posts regarding this idea. It's a hectic day/week in the library, so the posts will take some time. Bear with me here, and again, feel free to toss some ideas for help.

Now, if anyone has done some city creation, I'd appreciate some input. I'm starting with the general location notes and Themes, then moving onto Threats/Story Hooks, Faces, and then how this can be reused. Locations are variable, depending on how this should be done (i.e. the kind of event/grounds), so most GMs may want to make a few changes of their own. For this project

I know it is common to work with players for the City Creation as to get the desired ideas onto the table, but as I doubt the party will be ready to give up everything and live this life, I don't have much to worry about. So the Themes will be directly from my head and onto the table.
But, in general, I haven't done city creation in , so any input to the below will be helpful. . .

General Location Overview
The "Faire Grounds" are a bit isolated in terms of distance to civilization, situated on acres of farmland purchased and converted to this cause.
There are a few buildings set up on the grounds, and they are often as historically accurate as possible (except for the tourist rest rooms; they don't count). Some of these permanent buildings are set up for "businesses" (such as the apothecary/herbalist, blacksmith/other tradesman, other options as needed/suggested), others act as more permanent housing for the die-hards and staff, and there are empty "lots" in the area for more temporary vendors (traveling tradesmen, salespeople, etc) and those who wish to camp out for a time.

Certain sections are blocked off for certain events; an arena for jousting is well cared for (which is sometimes used for certain displays of archery and small-scale combat), a smaller ring is set up for single combat, and an entire field is often used for larger-scale battles, displays, and various training.

The grounds host events throughout the summer, and even see some use throughout the year, ranging from themed parties (halloween, weddings, etc) to those who choose to follow the old ways and live to care for the grounds, assist with training new actors/staff, etc. It is not unheard of for the "seasonal" actors to come by and essentially LARP for a weekend a month, making the population something that is always in flux.

GM Note: Some of these "faceless" characters can be the Face of a location, Theme, or even a Threat. These are the characters that can fill most "in-character" roles, and are left blank for that very reason.



On my next post, I'll work on the general overview of the aforementioned themes and a few others (sans faces; more on that later).
Hopefully, I can get a post done in under three hours ^^;
"Smilies exist because no one has bothered to make a sarcasm font." Lost_Heretic
"I don't care about whose DNA has recombined with whose. When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching--they are your family." Harry Dresden

Offline CMEast

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Re: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2010, 03:28:33 PM »
If I were you I'd take my cue from some real renaissance faires.

http://www.srfestival.com/festival-map/information-booth/festival-map.html

http://www.rennfest.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=22

The maps will help players picture it and there's lots of photos to fuel your NPC creation :)

Offline Crion

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Re: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2010, 04:11:11 PM »
If I were you I'd take my cue from some real renaissance faires.

http://www.srfestival.com/festival-map/information-booth/festival-map.html

http://www.rennfest.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=22

The maps will help players picture it and there's lots of photos to fuel your NPC creation :)

I've sadly only attended one renaissance faire, and many of my friends often speak about SCA events that they have taken/are taking part of. I figured I'd make this "location" a bit more of a potential recurring ground, especially if there are those long-lived supernaturals taking control over things, so having more "year round" stuff seemed fitting.

As for the extra ground outside of the jousting circle, yeah, I can see how that wouldn't fit in with the traditional Renn Faires, but as a specialized, stand-alone, one-of-a-kind location, I thought it'd work.
But either way, opinions are welcome, so if you think this is a bit too out of it/over the top, please let me know. Or if you know of a way to make the idea a bit more conceivable, I'd gladly hear it.

I'll take a look at the links a bit more after I finished fleshing out the Themes/Threat ideas I already have on tap, and then use that to help with modifying the location and help with designing the faces a bit more.

Thanks again for the info and feedback, CMEast. I'll try to give my notes a bit more attention before my meeting today (no promises). If not, hopefully will have more notes tonight or tomorrow morning ^^;
"Smilies exist because no one has bothered to make a sarcasm font." Lost_Heretic
"I don't care about whose DNA has recombined with whose. When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching--they are your family." Harry Dresden

Offline Crion

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Re: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2010, 08:56:17 PM »
I noticed that many of the following can fall under either category of Theme or Threat, and that two of my above Threats could actually be stand-alone adventures, unless others believe they can be themes. Opinions?

Anyway, second post of the day: Optional/Tentative Threats and Themes
As always, opinions and feeback are GREATLY appreciated.

Spectres of the Past
   There are two ways to look at this. The first is to take it as the thought of people reliving the past and unable to let go (which can be reiterated elsewhere). The second is to literally have ghosts that are coming into this world for various reasons. Perhaps there is a courtesan waiting for her true love to renounce his nobility for her, or a man wrongfully murdered by his wife when she assumed he was having an affair at court, or even a peasant run down by a carriage and remains until “reparations are made.” This can be a theme as it is a slew of plot points waiting to happen, or a threat as a ghost is now bringing harm to the attendees of the events, as it views those dressed in costume as those who wronged it in the past.
   “Faces” can range from a living person clinging to the old ways of living, or a historian, or as an actual spectre that hasn’t given up its hold on the world.

A Place Out of Time
   As previously mentioned, this can take many approaches. Is the event a quaint little thing that makes you feel as though you honestly are in another time, or is it on the verge of closing down permanently? Will it be a theme to consider the place as a seat of old traditions and values that some modern folks believe as long dead (and those long-lived beings see it as either a quaint idea of the past or a way to live those ideals once again), or a threat as the party must navigate mortal and supernatural politics in order to save this place from destruction?
   Some options can be: White Council wanting to take it out since it’s a breeding ground for the Black Court, Summer/Winter using it as a staging grounds, White Court wanting to take it for its own gains via mortal emissaries who claim the land can be used for another purpose, etc. Lots of options here, even if it does involve stepping “out” of the location to do so.

Old Ways Embracing the New
   I personally see this in much the same was as new Wardens of the White Council are embracing new ideas and approaches to things. What happens when more modern techniques and materials are meshed with tried and true methods and tradition? What sort of rifts occur when an “actress” uses a mass-produced (but great looking) corset instead of one made by hand via historical methods and materials? What can be said of the new employees who aren’t as dedicated to the old, set way and decide to change things up with something more “modern?”

Supernatural Training/Stomping Grounds
   So what happens when an exceptionally old Wizard gets pulled out of hiding, drafted as a Warden for the Vampire War, and handed a pack of Wardenlets to train? He starts training them in the ways he learned, and what better way to train them in mass combat than to put them in that kind of situation?
   Or what of a new White Court Vampire that has finally come into their own while needing to learn how the system works? A changeling that wishes to emulate her parents and wishes to impress them? A Red Court Infected using the place as a drop off point with members of the Venatori?
   I can see plenty of ways this can tie in, and this doesn’t include the actual “Monsters” that may be taking advantage of the naturally weak barrier to the Nevernever in this area. . .

Other ideas I’ve been kicking around have to do with issues with the “ruling” party (whether the people who host the events or “noble corruption”), or other ties with monsters of sorts…
"Smilies exist because no one has bothered to make a sarcasm font." Lost_Heretic
"I don't care about whose DNA has recombined with whose. When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching--they are your family." Harry Dresden

Offline Bruce Coulson

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Re: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« Reply #7 on: July 13, 2010, 10:03:12 PM »
That Which Survives

There are concepts, ideas, beliefs, which have stood the test of time.  Chivalry, Honor, Courtesy, Love Hospitality, Faith, Hope...Much of what is considered 'good' or 'right' in our day started much earlier.  The Faire reminds people that much has changed...but that the core beliefs remain.

Options. A wyldfae is using the faire to 're-educate' mortals in proper courtesy.  The Fae has recruited others to the cause, offering protection in return for assistance.  Both Summer and Winter are concerned about the wyldfae's gathering power...and interested in his holding.  A Black Court Vampire shows that down is not yet out, using the Faire as a hunting grounds and base.  An Item of Power is influencing people, trying to get someone to take it up, and the cause it represents.  Its old enemies also seek it out, to destroy it.
You're the spirit of a nation, all right.  But it's NOT America.

Offline Crion

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Re: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« Reply #8 on: July 14, 2010, 06:31:22 PM »
That Which Survives

There are concepts, ideas, beliefs, which have stood the test of time.  Chivalry, Honor, Courtesy, Love Hospitality, Faith, Hope...Much of what is considered 'good' or 'right' in our day started much earlier.  The Faire reminds people that much has changed...but that the core beliefs remain.

Options. A wyldfae is using the faire to 're-educate' mortals in proper courtesy.  The Fae has recruited others to the cause, offering protection in return for assistance.  Both Summer and Winter are concerned about the wyldfae's gathering power...and interested in his holding.  A Black Court Vampire shows that down is not yet out, using the Faire as a hunting grounds and base.  An Item of Power is influencing people, trying to get someone to take it up, and the cause it represents.  Its old enemies also seek it out, to destroy it.

See, this is the kind of feeling I want to be tossing around ^_^ Thus the story arc of "King of the Night" that I originally mentioned as a potential theme.

But the item idea. . .now that's pretty interesting. I may need to swipe that for one the "Faces" I'm creating.

Anyone else have any ideas?

The next "update" I'm working on (notes are on actual paper at the moment and are still in progress) is a collection of potential faces and NPCs. They aren't going to be fully statted like PCs, but they'll have a few things worth noting.

The current list includes:
--The Die-Hard "Knight" (Vanilla Mortal)
--Ye Olde Warden and Trainees
--The White Court Courtesan and (potential) White Court Virgin Trainee
--Changeling "Nobility" (Sidhe Parentage)
--The King of the Night (Black Court) and "Escorts"

I'm also creating a list of supporting/faceless NPC options that are fitting, and will cross-reference it.


Again, any opinions and advice would be greatly appreciated!
"Smilies exist because no one has bothered to make a sarcasm font." Lost_Heretic
"I don't care about whose DNA has recombined with whose. When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching--they are your family." Harry Dresden

Offline Brimstar

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Re: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« Reply #9 on: July 15, 2010, 08:16:56 PM »
For location look to Pennsic.  SCA is going to be a more interesting choice than a Renaissance Faire (speaking as one who's done both). 

http://www.pennsicwar.org/

That site will get you basic info.  It's a major event and been running for nearly 40 years.  More than 10000 people from all over the world attending, with traditions from multiple SCA Kingdoms as well as a couple organizations that follow similar rules and function as allies in the battles throughout the week.  It's a great time and takes place over two weeks giving you a lot of time to work with.

Offline Crion

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Re: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« Reply #10 on: July 15, 2010, 08:28:54 PM »
For location look to Pennsic.  SCA is going to be a more interesting choice than a Renaissance Faire (speaking as one who's done both). 

http://www.pennsicwar.org/

That site will get you basic info.  It's a major event and been running for nearly 40 years.  More than 10000 people from all over the world attending, with traditions from multiple SCA Kingdoms as well as a couple organizations that follow similar rules and function as allies in the battles throughout the week.  It's a great time and takes place over two weeks giving you a lot of time to work with.

I had Pennsic referenced before but knew nothing of it. Thanks for the link!

Again, still on the debate if I want to make heavily based on an actual existing event, or something that will occur primarily in game so I can (literally) get away with murder.

Still something I can read for some source material. Thank you.

Any other suggestions?
"Smilies exist because no one has bothered to make a sarcasm font." Lost_Heretic
"I don't care about whose DNA has recombined with whose. When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching--they are your family." Harry Dresden

Offline Brimstar

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Re: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2010, 12:22:57 AM »
http://www3.sca.org/events.html  That's got the major wars on it for the SCA.  They're all pretty good fodder for something like this.  Pennsic is be biggest, but the others can all add a little something I'm sure.  That also gives you several major areas in the US where it can be placed as opposed to Pennsic's static location in PA.  The sites for each, plus the historical sites if you dig up those for previous years (You should be able to find the old site page for at least the last couple of any given one of these wars) should give you TONS of info for working something out.  In general I recommend the SCA for something like this just due to the way the events work.  Most of the time guests are ren faires don't hang around all that long by comparison to an SCA event where people will be there for as long as two weeks.  Makes for a more consistent cast.  There's also a ridged structure to the SCA to an extent, but with these wars multiple kingdoms are present which means you basically have multiple "heads of state" as each kingdom will have it's own rulers, knights, and other members of the peerage.  They'll also have various other subjects not attached to the royalty that have loyalties all their own. 

Offline fabulator

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Re: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« Reply #12 on: July 16, 2010, 02:42:00 AM »
This idea sounds awesome and I hope it works out for you; love what you've put together so far. You're definitely going to need some face to represent the mortal authorities/staff etc... From what I've seen of these kind of gatherings there is usually a small group of die-hards that put everything together and run everything so you'll need something to represent that. It can be different from you Pure Vanilla Knight, he looks more like a dedicated performer or even a paying customer that just shows up all the time.  Something like Faire Organizer and a location like Information Booth or Staff Booth would do it.  Also, consider that the prime season for these kind of things is roughly May through September so you're going to work out what happens during the winter months.  If you're going for a permanent location then the PC's can definitely deal with the mundane issues of keeping the site in good condition as well as incursions from the Winter Court, a rogue practitioner playing with snow-storms, ice-beasts, etc...

Offline Crion

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Re: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« Reply #13 on: July 16, 2010, 01:02:10 PM »
In general I recommend the SCA for something like this just due to the way the events work.  Most of the time guests are ren faires don't hang around all that long by comparison to an SCA event where people will be there for as long as two weeks.  Makes for a more consistent cast.  There's also a ridged structure to the SCA to an extent, but with these wars multiple kingdoms are present which means you basically have multiple "heads of state" as each kingdom will have it's own rulers, knights, and other members of the peerage.  They'll also have various other subjects not attached to the royalty that have loyalties all their own.

This idea sounds awesome and I hope it works out for you; love what you've put together so far. You're definitely going to need some face to represent the mortal authorities/staff etc... From what I've seen of these kind of gatherings there is usually a small group of die-hards that put everything together and run everything so you'll need something to represent that. It can be different from you Pure Vanilla Knight, he looks more like a dedicated performer or even a paying customer that just shows up all the time.  Something like Faire Organizer and a location like Information Booth or Staff Booth would do it.  Also, consider that the prime season for these kind of things is roughly May through September so you're going to work out what happens during the winter months.  If you're going for a permanent location then the PC's can definitely deal with the mundane issues of keeping the site in good condition as well as incursions from the Winter Court, a rogue practitioner playing with snow-storms, ice-beasts, etc...

These two posts really sum up what I'm trying to go for with this. The goal is to take what my players and I are familiar with (Renaissance Faires) with what some other friends have been telling me of the SCA and merge them together into something that can be tossed into my game as a recurring location (that is generic enough to be placed anywhere) with it's own faces, problems, and adventures. Even if it doesn't follow the same design as those major events, I just need to make it believable and enjoyable for players while remaining useful to GMs.

@Brimstar: thanks for the link on that. My group and I are at least familiar with the name Pennsic (we are all currently living in PA, after all), but few of my friends from college (who helped plant this idea) have been able to attend. I can see it now, with multiple kingdoms coming into play with multiple supernatural factions taking part of it in some way, shape, or form. . .

@fabulator: I'm still in the process of trying to come up with a decent face for the local staff (among other groups). The Knight is a die-hard who helps take care of the place, but he's still just an actor who tends to live the life more often than not. I feel as though a lot of the "mundane" stuff can be handle by faceless (or at least generic but named) NPCs who can develop over time.
As for the other season ideas: that was one of the reasons why I wanted a permanent location. I think it would be nice to know that the party can show up in the dead of winter to meet an emissary of the Winter Court, who just so happened to be the cause of all the issues plaguing the grounds during it's "off season."



Anyone else have any extra ideas?
And sorry for not getting back to the current Faces. Hit a few snags.
"Smilies exist because no one has bothered to make a sarcasm font." Lost_Heretic
"I don't care about whose DNA has recombined with whose. When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching--they are your family." Harry Dresden

Offline CMEast

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Re: "City" Creation Idea/Attempt - SCA Event/Renaissance Faire
« Reply #14 on: July 16, 2010, 02:45:56 PM »
Another thought :)

Have you ever seen the films 'The Village' or 'Silent Hill'? In the first film, the villagers believe that if they leave they would be killed by monsters and they do their best to appease them. In the second, the protagonist enters the town Silent Hill and then she can't leave, all the roads just end abruptly, broken off by a huge chasm stretching as far as she can see.

So you could do the same at some point perhaps, drop the entire village into a particularly dangerous part of the nevernever or isolate it entirely as the nefarious plan enters its final phase :)