//Guys and Girls, just to share a quick few points to give a Q&A for those who may or may not know what's going on.
I ask that any OOC questions be PMed to me directly, to keep this thread as in character as possible.What is the aim of the Vanguard?The aim of the Edonil Vanguard is to eventually succeed the current individual academies (magthere/sorcere/VDVM/PC spiderguards) with a single, consolidated heirarchy to better assist us with organising events and to better utilise the space we have around Edonil.
The Vanguard also allows Dusty or any designated DM to become involved on a more day-to-day/everyman's level instead of always possessing spiders if they so desire.
Naturally this process isn't happening overnight as both the Magthere and Sorcere have very different structures, but we hope that the process happens sooner rather then later and that it happens smoothly for the enjoyment of everyone involved.
Why are we replacing the academies?This is a tough one to answer.
I've been playing Drow on and off since 2006 so I've seen firsthand that the individual academies have always been recognisable features in Drow Role Play, dating back to Udos Dro'xun and even Arelith before it. I also know that many people have spent lots of time and put lots of effort into the academies with their role play over the years so I can understand that some people would be pretty pissed at the Vanguard's implementation.
But over time, particularly recently due to timezone differences and reduced players, its become quite challenging to effectively run, manage and coordinate 2 - 3 separate academies, particularly when those academies are vital in the decision making process. This puts a significant delay on the implementations of decisions which directly impacts our enjoyment. Nobody is to blame for this so don't be pointing fingers, its just the draw back of having players spread across the entire world: no time is perfect for everyone.
The principle we are aiming to achieve with the Vanguard is "less equals more." If we can cut down on the number of cogs in the decision making process, we can action stuff more quickly (Matron council *hint hint*
) and hopefully create more enjoyment for all involved.
If everything goes smoothly, the level of role play you would find in the individual academies should not change in the Vanguard: I've designed the Herald positions to maintain resemblances to the old hierarchies for that senior mentoring for the different roles, whilst also encouraging integration and mixed team tactics between the different specialties to solidify that unity between them that the Vanguard represents.
Everything mentioned above may seem like a spit to the face for the current academy folks, particularly the academy leaders but please be assured that this is not the intention. Current academy leaders are being given candidacy preference for the Herald positions to help assist in this transition phase to the consolidated Vanguard: As experienced faction leaders, P Three and Equaliser I can certainly use your experience and advice, if you wish to take the positions.
Why is the Vanguard structured as so?The easiest way to explain the structure is simplicity.
I have kept the structure basic for now (big thanks goes to Genar, as the structure is heavily influenced by the layout of the Obsidian Vanguard as well as Ultrinnan's NPC Vanguard) while it is first getting implemented and depending on the feedback I get, I may add a few more steps in between to expand the hierarchical chain a little more. But for now simplicity is key, especially while we transition across.
The Lord Commander position is to streamline the Vanguard with most of Amia's modern factions, placing a single individual in charge to make the decisions. No surprises there.
The Queen's Whip position is not necessarily part of the Vanguard so to speak as they aren't directly part of the Hierarchy chain; they represent the Temple's eyes and ears over the Vanguard and act as an advisor to the Lord Commander and the heralds. They're also a source of inspiration for the rest of the Vanguard. Imagine their role very similar to a 40k Lord Commissar in a Guard Regiment. (except without the summary executions... unless there's a good reason!)
It also gives the Temple a hands on approach to the Vanguard to tie in that RP connection.
The heralds serve three major purposes:
1) They are the backup plan if the Lord Commander is absent/unavailable/disappears without trace. If the 2 PC heralds are also absent at the same time as the Lord Commander, or for some scary reason can't agree on a particular decision or over whose in charge, the DM's herald then takes charge; creating a backup plan to the backup plan until the PC Heralds get their shit squared away. That way someone is always there to make a decision be it player or DM.
2) Secondly, The Heralds are the subject matter expert in their specialist field similar to the current academy leaders, moreso then the Lord Commander who has to look at the greater picture and deal with the politics. They're the mentors of the Vanguard below them as well as the advisors to the Lord Commander above them. Their role is probably the most important in the Vanguard itself. And finally,
3) To inspire fun. One person can only do so much as we all know. I know I'll be encouraging my Heralds to run events independently.
The Vanguard is everyone else at this stage. As I mentioned earlier, for now the structure is quite simple to help us transition across, but if the feedback I get is positive or constructive I may add a few more steps to the Hierarchy down the track.
What is the Role Play justification for this implementation:See
here, here, here and
here.We've listened to all your problems, opinions and frustrations both ICly and OOCly and this is the first step in addressing those issues from a player level. At this stage its not perfect... but its a start. If this works, we can implement further change.
When do you aim to implement this Vanguard by:As soon as possible, provided everyone's happy with it and the transition from the academies goes smoothly.
I'm not sure about a few things, who do I ask to specify further:Send a PM to Malios Darkblade or the Fierane Havenstar with your questions and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please don't post any OOC questions or statements in this thread.So... any questions?
[edit] Fierane, you can remove the Backup Herald positions. They are the back up positions for the Lord Commander with the DM acting as the failsafe protocol should something go awry: there's no need to have backups for the backups so to speak.
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