While we're not yet at the point of just giving up on chapter 3 (yes, it is wheezing and limping, but not dead this very second), it would still be smart and responsible of us to begin planning some things for chapter 4.

I don't wanna tell you guys what's in it just yet. It's kind of a surprise, sorta. Not a big one, maybe a predictable one, but still. Thinking about it actually has my interest in RP revitalized, because I think we've got a genuinely interesting idea, and I hope you guys are gonna like it. In other words, I'm feeling stupidly optimistic about this, and I hope my dumb enthusiasm can leak out all over you guys (in a less gross way than that sounds).

Here's what I can tell you:

• We're going to be open to heavy official character usage again
It's been a long time since we had officials in the cast in a major way. We are going to again be open to them, and will try to utilize them as best we can, but this part honestly depends on whether or not you guys want to use them. If you've ever wanted to play an official, now's the time to speak up. There will be virtually no restraints on how much they can show up or how important they can be to the story in this chapter.

We don't have any officials we particularly need more than others.* Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are kind of prerequisites, but if nobody's interested in playing them this chapter, then whatever. It doesn't matter. (FWIW, I might try taking up the Sonic mantle again, if no one objects. It's been a long, long time since I've done it, and I'm feeling sentimental. If it's someone else's burning passion to play him, though, I can step aside whenever.)
*Eggman isn't available this time, though—sorry.

• We're going to need some strong, bold, leading original characters with active, enthusiastic players
I don't want to throw the mighty heft of the Leadership Ball into any one person's unsuspecting grasp this time. I would ideally love to see several people step forward and say, "Yes, my character can be The Hero"—I especially say this because some of our regular protagonists will no longer be available to fill that role following some scripted events toward the beginning of the story. (I don't think I'll even have a protagonist character this time around. If I do, it'll be an official character, as mentioned above, or a minor character.)

What does being The Hero involve when I'm running a story? Posting a lot, being imaginative (suggestions for story direction are welcomed and adored), and dealing gracefully with some OOC nudging and suggestions of my own for what your leaderly character should do next. In other words, it's give and take.

• Getting some fresh blood again would help, too
This chapter will probably be one of the easiest to get involved in, and one of the most classic-themed. Should make it a good time to get new folks in.



This topic probably should have gone in the discussion forum instead of the announcement forum, but I didn't want it to be overlooked. I run this board, I can do what I want with its organization, IT'S MY PARTY. That being said, feel free to reply and discuss anything about this here in this thread. Definitely reply if you have any interest in officials, or playing a "leading" kind of protagonist. And, if there are any questions, I'll try to answer them without completely spoiling what few little surprises we've got.

I am willing to volenteer either Badge or Ivan as leaders, if anyone is willing to follow them.

And on the note of official characters, I would like to request control of Metal Sonic. He's a pretty easy character to write in, if the need for conflict ever arises(barring this chapter, I guess), even if Eggman isn't around. Can't really think of any other Officials I'm dying to play since SOMEONE took Knuckles.

Metal Sonic is a-okay for use this time around, so sure thing.

As far as Knuckles goes, could wait and see if Greens is still interested in playing him this next go-around.

I think I can easily throw out Geoff out there for a probable leader character if others approve. I think the potential character development I have for him in the current arc could help out in setting him up for such a role, anyways. And hey, I'm active enough to pull it off, I believe.

As for officials... well, the ones you have mentioned seemed to been already taken. Doesn't mean I don't want to try to play as one, but until I see a fuller list of who could appear, I may have to hold back before making a request.

I have a character in development that I believe would fill the aforementioned leadership role well, and given that she is still being fleshed out, she can kind of be molded to suit the needs of the story.

You know I've been chomping at the bit to write something, lately, and I'm definitely game for more active involvement both behind the scenes and in them. Just throwin' that out there.

I'd be Tails if that's cool.

Knock knock, it's Knuckles.

I'm in.

I'm sure what limit there is to how many The Heros there can be, so I'll probably hold off on putting Ace in that spot, since I'm sure I'd get plenty of action with the new porcupine on the block anyhow. Not decided-- but that's how it looks.

We saw how badly it turns out when spineless ol' me tries to lead already Mostly because I don't even know what's going here or there with anything and chapter 3 has left me in a whirlwind of confusion, I'm sorta lookin' forward to this, but hey, Iunno.

Enough whining-- as for officials
...
Well, Ben already called Metal Sonic, so
if for some weird reason we need Big for anything, dibs. As if anyone else would want to play him. But... Hurr. I'm not his biggest fan by any means, but if we need Shadow for some reason, I can probably step up to base if nobody else wants to.

Metal Knuckles and the quasi official Honey the cat, If there's opportunity to use her. I like Jack in her leadership role, and I don't have anyone else suited for it so..yeah.

I would like to get involved with Apex if there's no problem with that.

Ember can be the hero.

Also, I'm thinking already about submitting a new character.

For extra if needed.

Don't worry—didn't forget about you. Figured it would be a given we could get you involved with this next arc, since the other arcs were... kinda closed-off. I just wanted to throw this out there for information's sake, and to make sure people knew that officials were gonna be more open and available.



That said, everybody else: just to clear the air of any uncertainty, know that official characters will not be needed for this story. They're just ripe for the picking as you want them this time.

Well, then faboo. Then let me state it this way: if either is ever applicable, Big and-or Shadow it is. Or just Big, since we know me and my horrible case of alt-itis, but I don't know how horribly-involved Big could even get. It's just not his style, yo.

Anyway, we'll see.

So, been discussing with Kazz, and we shall like to inform everyone that we're currently in a debate which mainly concerns the duo of Shadow and Omega. Either of us may decide trying to play either of them, but in the end, chances are we're going to stake our claims on them, no matter which way our decision goes. If that's cool, that is.

So hurr's the plan, as it looks like.

I'm going to be playing Big, come hell or high water. If it looks like he's going to be a lower-deck character, I might play one or the other of the characters that Sheff and I are ~*debating*~. If he looks like he actually might be prominent, or if they're not too relevant or needed, or if I have some other reason because I'm just a big ol' bag of mysteries, I won't.

And either way I am probably going to at least put Rodolf at least partially in the backseat at least in the ~*early days*~, and Murdoch probably won't show up much unless he really damn well needs to be there. So I can focus on Mako again, because I miss playing my stupid shark actively.
And that's the last damn word I have to say on this subject.