DATE: 02/04/13

PROPOSAL BY: Aspen Normandy

GROUP NAME: Ronin

FORUM ID:Aspen Normandy

MEMBERS: Aspen Normandy, faye.woodsheart, etchasketchy.resident, phoenixx.button

BACKSTORY: Hathian is full of corrupt cops, rampaging gangs, and depraved individuals of the worst caliber. There are a few people who are no longer satisfied with the status quo, who want to hit back against those who prey on the citizens of Hathian. To deliver street justice, because the order of law has failed, in Hathian. They want to make Hathian a safer place, by reminding those dark souls that there are consequences for their actions. Blood for blood. Our organization will be that of a council of the founding members, unique recruitment practices wherein full members can take on one apprentice at a time that they will be responsible for training up, the intention being to ensure that the new member has active RP involvement. As for our tags, color and apparel, that's still being decided. It will likely be something more formal or professional looking, like a symbol that shows up on some piece of jewelry, because the group doesn't really consider itself to be a street gang.

UNIQUE: The atmosphere of the group will be that of antiheroes. Not knights in shining armor by any stretch of the imagination. They are meant to be ruthless judges, intending to inspire fear through their retribution. Such a faction is an inevitable reaction to the things that happen within Hathian. Thematically, it is a good fit for storytelling. Villains shine their best when they have opposing protagonists, and a protagonist flourish in the face of villainy. We will be a group committed to ensuring that attacks and such don't simply fade away in silence, but have an opportunity to follow a story arc up to a climax and then back down.

EXP:I've been a tabletop roleplay gamemaster, and have played online for over 10 years and have an appreciation for conflict play. I realize that such play requires delicate OOC trust and cooperation between both parties, and am eager to work through the give and take of it, and to back down and let go of play if it becomes too much, which does happen on occasion. That said, the faction's IC leadership will be spread across the founding members, operated more like a council than a single authoritative leader. This is intended to soften the blow when any one of us is taken out, so there is no void in direction for the group.

FLAWS:There are many flaws with such a group. The Ronin will, by their nature, have many powerful enemies, and are often going to be outnumbered and outgunned. They'll also have to pretty much be responsible for their own income because it isn't about making money. Occasionally an attack may pay off, due to hitting a wealthy criminal, but that can't be relied on.

WORK WITH OTHERS:As a vigilante group, we'll be open to offering up actual protection to legitimate businesses, if they so desire it, as well as hitting gang-backed businesses. Other gangs and factions, we will, by our very nature, be at odds with to varying degrees. We see ourselves more as a supporting role in storylines, since most of our play as a gang will be reactive. If our involvement is desired, we can be approached to help deliver justice. If it isn't wanted, we can be cautioned off OOCly and will respect that. (Extended answer about the question of working with HPD): In several past cases, we even have a history of turning ourselves in. Playing either alongside or opposite the HPD will be one of the most interesting tightrope walks, since there are likely to be some cops sympathetic to our cause, and some which hate us with a passion. And still others, who we will actively work against, for their own offenses.

IDEAS:One thing we may do at some point, if things go in that direction, is establish a People's Court. Aside from that, we would be thrilled to work with other gangs in full on, proper gang fights or raids and that kind of thing. For newcomers, CD can be a daunting place, and we have been (and will continue to) give them a little bit of orientation on the who and what of Hathian. We will actively spread the rumors of infamous figures, and in that way, validating the bad things they have done.

OTHER DETAILS:It's our belief that this dynamic, this particular angle of play, is currently lacking in the CD roleplay landscape. It's our intention to enhance the overall atmosphere of Hathian through this. The creation of the faction is simply a formality, as it has been formed through roleplay and is actively being carried out in character already. We just aspire to actually make it official.