The Issue of Thread Continuity

[[Lord] Cutler Beckett]

An issue that might be popping up on the boards, if it has not already, is the one pertaining to 'thread continuity', meaning that what happens in one thread will affect (or is supposed to affect) another thread, and the threads following. This may be confusing for some members (and potential members) who see this as a generally 'AU' board. This may be an even further issue for people who want to plot outside of the 'currently established' AU plot (so basically, an AU of an AU, if that makes any sense), who then would be reprimanded and all Hell breaks loose. Figuratively.

A suggestion I have to straighten this issue out (and perhaps make the board a bit more organized) would be to create 'plot tags' so certain threads can be categorized in a certain plot while the others are outside of it and not constrained by that plot.

What are plot tags?

Say two threads, A and B, are part of an AU plot where mermaids kidnap Norrington and hilarity ensues (terrible, absurd, but oddly pleasant example). Both threads would be tagged in the title with a short name for the plot, most likely an abbreviation or one/two words. Say the plot name is "Hilarity Ensues" (I DON'T KNOW). Then both threads would, after the title, have "[HE]" to represent the fact that the plot would take place in the universe where Norrington indeed was, once upon a time, kidnapped by mermaids, and everything that followed would branch from that event. On the other hand, if someone wanted to thread with Norrington and they DIDN'T want the plot to have anything to do with being kidnapped by mermaids, and they wanted to pretend it simply didn't happen, then the thread wouldn't have "HE" in the title, but a different tag, or perhaps no tag at all if it would be a "oneshot" thread.

Are you still lost? Here are some examples:

With the aforementioned plot about Norrington, we have four threads:

"Norrington is Captured by Mermaids"

"Norrington Begs the Mermaids to Release Him"

"Norrington is Released by the Mermaids"

"Norrington is Friends With the Mermaids"

Since they all relate to the same AU plot (Norrington and the mermaids), they can all have the "Hilarity Ensues" tag, or "[HE]"

"Norrington is Captured by Mermaids [HE]"

"Norrington Begs the Mermaids to Release Him [HE]"

"Norrington is Released by the Mermaids [HE]"

"Norrington is Friends With the Mermaids [HE]"

However, there are two kinds of plots that do not (however, they can if they indirectly relate, or are in a universe that is affected by these happenings) have to have the [HE] tag:

- A plot involving Norrington where the whole situation with the mermaids did not happen (so OOC-wise, hilarity did NOT ensue)

- A plot about something completely unrelated with someone entirely different (this being more able to be affected by the exception), such as "Beckett Will Never Find a Girlfriend".

If this idea is successful, then there would also be a sitewide list of plot tags, so one isn't accidentally used for another plot or if one wanted to look back upon it for reference of the different plots.

I want to hear your personal opinion on the matter. I think it would be a good idea to help to organize the site a little more, RP-wise, but I want to hear what you think. Yes, you. If you don't like it, feel free to tell me why and if there's anything I can do to improve it. I only want the best for this RPing experience, and this idea is no different. I'd like to expand on this a little more, but my Blackberry is running out of charge, so I'll stop here. However, if you have any questions about either thread continuity or the idea, feel free to post and ask!

- LCB

[Admiral James Norrington]

I love the idea of thread continuity!





...also, can we have Norrington be kidnapped by mermaids and the ensuing hilarity? :3?

((You only posted to say that, didn't you? |D (-LCB)))

[jacksparrow]

Yes i like this idea Lord Beckett it makes the site more
organized and not as much of a confusions happens.

And if James get kidnapped by Mermaids
Jack Sparrow will find a way to save him, with
some help from his loyal crew and Master Gibbs.

[[Lord] Cutler Beckett]

Glad everyone likes it so far! I'd like to hear a few more opinions on it before it becomes official, though, so I'm not too hasty about it.

[Lydia Daliono]

I wouldl like to agree on that too..but im one of the few ppl who didnt see the new POTC movie

[[Lord] Cutler Beckett]

Don't worry - I am too. =)

.... Felt like replying. >>

[Lydia Daliono]

Then how are we suppoaed to plot from it?

[[Lord] Cutler Beckett]

OST in itself doesn't have anything to do with the AU plotting, other than the fact that the threads can take place from all different timelines. In the case of both of us who have not seen OST yet, we would likely refrain from making plots or participating in plots that take place during OST. However, CotBP, DMC, AWE, and pre/post movies are still fair game. That's the fun thing about the plot tags - they give you flexibility in where and when your thread takes place, while at the same time providing a structure for the whole plotting system so no one gets confused.

And say after you've watched OST, you want to plot during that timeline or involve concepts or characters from that movie, you can go right ahead with a separate plot.

So long story short, just because we're expanding the range of timelines doesn't mean we have to explore all areas of those timelines, so you're fine even if you haven't seen OST. Does that answer your question?

[Lydia Daliono]

Yes it does thanks

[[Lord] Cutler Beckett]

So if we're all mutual on the idea of plot tagging, should I post the official list and call it a test run?

And by the way, it's not too late to post opinions~