Hello Alliance Chicago,
The Rathfall plot team has been diligently reading PELs and listening to individual player's feedback. As a plot team in our first full season, we have kept open channels of communication, listened closely to what PCs feel is working and what isn't, and focused on the chapter growing and thriving. We appreciate the positive reactions and compliments as much as the criticism and issues. Some of the Rathfall narrative is intentionally polarizing as we feel conflict is a necessary part of some stories. However, we have noticed that some of the polarization and conflict has grown beyond our plans and expectations.
In specific, we feel the Rathfall hobling story-line is creating the wrong kind of discomfort and conflict. Second-class citizen stories have existed in Alliance Chicago before, are not unique to the Rathfall campaign, and have always been contentious. They touch on elements of disenfranchisement, class-warfare, marginalization, and are always complex, difficult stories. We introduced these elements as a means for players and plot to explore ideas in a safe, fantasy setting. However, we have heard that many players are struggling to engage and enjoy the story, and some players have even decided not to play in Rathfall. While we want Rathfall to be a challenging place full of obstacles that the PCs need to overcome and improve, it is clear the hobling story isn't being widely enjoyed.
After discussing the situation as a team, we have decided to advance the hobling story with them becoming a recognized and protected race during the upcoming three day event (September 1-4, 2023). It was always our intention to conclude this story with hoblings becoming a protected race, we are just speeding up the timeline. We have chosen to make this change organically within the story rather than simply "time wipe" away the whole story without explanation.
The most contentious elements of this story will be resolved in-game, have a lasting effect on both PC and NPC Rathfall hoblings, and include story and mechanical blight changes based on what the group is gaining and losing. The story will involve all PCs who are interested and will not simply be an “off-screen cinematic”.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to give us feedback. We know our player base is passionate and dedicated and that criticism is given out of love for LARP and the chapter. We all want a good and enjoyable game. We are immensely proud of this chapter and the community it has cultivated and look forward to building more amazing stories together.
Thank you,
-Rathfall Plot Team
The Rathfall plot team has been diligently reading PELs and listening to individual player's feedback. As a plot team in our first full season, we have kept open channels of communication, listened closely to what PCs feel is working and what isn't, and focused on the chapter growing and thriving. We appreciate the positive reactions and compliments as much as the criticism and issues. Some of the Rathfall narrative is intentionally polarizing as we feel conflict is a necessary part of some stories. However, we have noticed that some of the polarization and conflict has grown beyond our plans and expectations.
In specific, we feel the Rathfall hobling story-line is creating the wrong kind of discomfort and conflict. Second-class citizen stories have existed in Alliance Chicago before, are not unique to the Rathfall campaign, and have always been contentious. They touch on elements of disenfranchisement, class-warfare, marginalization, and are always complex, difficult stories. We introduced these elements as a means for players and plot to explore ideas in a safe, fantasy setting. However, we have heard that many players are struggling to engage and enjoy the story, and some players have even decided not to play in Rathfall. While we want Rathfall to be a challenging place full of obstacles that the PCs need to overcome and improve, it is clear the hobling story isn't being widely enjoyed.
After discussing the situation as a team, we have decided to advance the hobling story with them becoming a recognized and protected race during the upcoming three day event (September 1-4, 2023). It was always our intention to conclude this story with hoblings becoming a protected race, we are just speeding up the timeline. We have chosen to make this change organically within the story rather than simply "time wipe" away the whole story without explanation.
The most contentious elements of this story will be resolved in-game, have a lasting effect on both PC and NPC Rathfall hoblings, and include story and mechanical blight changes based on what the group is gaining and losing. The story will involve all PCs who are interested and will not simply be an “off-screen cinematic”.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to give us feedback. We know our player base is passionate and dedicated and that criticism is given out of love for LARP and the chapter. We all want a good and enjoyable game. We are immensely proud of this chapter and the community it has cultivated and look forward to building more amazing stories together.
Thank you,
-Rathfall Plot Team