PLANET BUILDING CLASS

June 1 , 2008 - Instructor: Catspaws

Catspaws says, "Ok, we can get started."

Meteu points a laster pointer nears catspaws

Catspaws says, "Angelfowl had the idea last we---"

Myrrh smiles, "it's Muna, so i can keep hauling on him :)"

Catspaws stops and glances at the wall, then continutes

Angelfowl giggles

Angelfowl smiles, "Fine, fine I'll take the blame :)"

Catspaws says, "Angelfowl had the idea last week that we should do some planet building classes, since so many cookie cutter stock planets are showing up."

Angelfowl smiles

Catspaws says, "Hazed loved the idea, and felt the first class should begin with developing ideas for a good roleplay planet, and I agree with her."

Angelfowl smiles, "I think that was an awesome idea :)"

Angelfowl is a writer though... so it's easy for her!

Angelfowl will be quiet now, cause she's had one to many sodas... smiles sheepishly

Catspaws asks, "Can you imagine if I had built a Dog Pound planet or something?"

Catspaws asks, "It wouldn't really fit the character, would it?"

Angelfowl shakes her head

Catspaws asks, "or...would it?"

Jewells wonders if people will think her title as Martian Princess doesn't fit into her plants...

Catspaws drawls, "Perhaps it is my goal to cage all the canines in Fed...."

Angelfowl says, "It would, if you were trapping all the dogs there"

Angelfowl giggles

Catspaws says, "Which brings up my first point:  Look at your character, and decide what would fit well."

Angelfowl nods

Catspaws drawls, "If you are a serious player, you might..."

Catspaws stops and kicks the faerie, telling her to turn off the ticker.

Angelfowl giggles

Catspaws says, "If you are a serious player, your idea might be to go for something straightforward.  Which is fine."

Angelfowl nods

Catspaws says, "But if you have a weird sense of humor as I do, you might do something like place a mousetrap factory on a mouse's planet, as I did when I designed Mousetrap for Squeeky."

Catspaws snickers behind her paw

Angelfowl giggles

Catspaws says, "But you'll notice that even then, I tried to make sure it fit the mouse's goals."

Catspaws asks, "Mousetrap, by the way, is a modified stock planet.  How many noticed that?"

Angelfowl says, "now that you mention it :P"

Catspaws grins

Angelfowl drawls, "I recognize it slightly...."

Angelfowl says, "at least the placement of locations"

Meteu says, "I'd have to look at it."

Catspaws says, "Which brings up another point we'll develop in future discussions:  Stock planets don't have to be boring.  They can be the building block to designing your own world that fits your personality."

Meteu asks, "Can't you use them to get one in the game then swap it out later?"

Catspaws says, "Just make sure you don't forget and, say, leave a beach on a planet after you've modified the theme to, perhaps, a hotter locale."

Catspaws says, "Yes, Meteu, you can.  And it's quite acceptable."

Angelfowl nods

Catspaws says, "Some people get it in and never get around to changing it.  Which is fine.  If you really don't care and just want to haul, go for it."

Angelfowl nods

Angelfowl smiles, "I find it fun to write a planet... get some creative juices out :)"

Catspaws says, "But as RP Lead, it's my job to wheedle, coax and beg you to be a bit more creative."

Catspaws asks, "Angelfowl, would you like to take your turn discussing this topic?"

Angelfowl asks, "Uh... sure?"

Catspaws says, "Angelfowl, by the way, has just been recruited to my team."

Angelfowl smiles

Catspaws says, "I think she will be the perfect addition to the RP team."

Catspaws gives the holy chicken a hand...and a couple of feet as well

Angelfowl giggles, "Yeah, I love roleplaying, mostly cause I love writing, and being a character is just... more fun."

Jewells applauds Angel.

Angelfowl smiles and scratches the back of her neck nervously

Jewells smiles, "I hope you know what you're doing Cats :)"

Catspaws drawls, "Unfortunately....I do..."

Catspaws tries not to cry

Angelfowl smiles, "okay... so... Catspaws is right, having a creative planet is great. I mean who doesn't like to let loose and be creative... I like too, but that's me :)"

Angelfowl says, "As you see, My character is an Elf Queen... contrary to popular belief... so my planet is a medieval style planet."

Angelfowl gives Catspaws a look when she says Elf Queen

Meteu says, "its quite amusing to tour as well"

Catspaws murmurs. "Bet there's a chicken coop over there somewhere too..."

Angelfowl exclaims, "There is not!"

Meteu says, "If there was I would have found it"

Catspaws snickers behind her paw

Angelfowl grins, "Seriously there isn't... but I lost my point.... uh... oh yeah, being creative is awesome, as catspaws said, look at your character... What kind of planet can you write that'll be amazing and bring people coming back :)

Angelfowl smiles

Meteu says, "My planet, for those of you that haven't seen it is based on the town where I go to school."

Angelfowl smiles

Meteu says, "Zardoz did mine and well its like your there"

Jewells asks, "So, what is someones planet.. say my friends planet.. What if she planned on going for a theme that didn't exactly coincide with her character. If she, my friend that is, could come up with something to connect her character to her planet idea.. even if it's a VERY creative connection.. That would be okay right?"

Angelfowl nods

Angelfowl smiles, "You can make your planet anything, that's the beauty of Fed... and if it ties into your character all the better :)"

Jewells doesn't want to dissapoint The Elf Queen and the Kitty.
Angelfowl smiles, "And creativity is the best :)"

Angelfowl smiles, "if you want to go with something a little more towards RL *shudders at the words* base it off something you've seen, or done, or something you wanna see :)"

Angelfowl smiles, "Like Meteu here, he did his planet about a town where he went to school :)"

Jewells says, "I will attempt to design my planet as an exact replica of my obsession.."

Catspaws asks, "Felines?"

Angelfowl doesn't know if she wants to know what that is....

Jewells giggles.

Jewells says, "The Chronicles of Narnia"

Angelfowl giggles

Angelfowl asks, "Medieval something or other?"

Catspaws says, "A point I must bring up here:  Be careful of copyright infringement."

Angelfowl nods

Jewells smiles, "yeah :)"

Angelfowl says, "I was about to say that :P"

Jewells says, "i'm not gonna copy and paste.. promise"

Angelfowl smiles

Angelfowl asks, "okay.. um... Cats got anything to say?"

Angelfowl smiles sheepishly

Jewells says, "Jezz had some practical questions she wanted me to ask.."

Angelfowl nods

Jewells checks her e-mail.

Catspaws asks, "What should you do if you can't come up with any ideas for your planet?"

Catspaws glances around

Angelfowl smiles

Jewells asks, "um.. go exploring and get inspired?"

Angelfowl laughs

Angelfowl says, "one way to do it :P"

Catspaws says, "That's a good way, Jewells.  Not only are there the Sol planets, there are some really dynamite

player planets who can inspire you."

Angelfowl nods

Catspaws asks, "What are some of your other options?"

Angelfowl says, "I say reading, but that's me"

Jewells says, "yeah.. like Catseye.. and Siryn is pretty cool too"

Meteu says, "Ask others"

Jewells says, "and of course.. i like Kingdom a lot"

Angelfowl smiles

Catspaws says, "Friends are a good source.  So are staffers."

Angelfowl nods

Jewells says, "i like Kingdom more than Siryn actually"

Catspaws says, "There are one or two staff members who can be creative."

Angelfowl says, "If you are me, you get an idea out of no where.... ><"

Meteu says, "surf the web"

Angelfowl exclaims, "Look at pictures!"

Jewells says, "hehe angel.. i was just thinking that"

Angelfowl giggles

Jewells asks, "think of something you like a lot.. like uhh fruit.. and then try and come up with a story line?"

Angelfowl drawls, "I got an idea for my second planet when I was going to bed one night... I got it from a dream I had..."

Catspaws says, "And if you have an idea and aren't sure if it works for you, ask your friends.  They can usually be relied upon to give you some valid feedback."

Angelfowl nods

Catspaws says, "Run it by Hazed too.  She's great at listening to ideas and giving good feedback."

Angelfowl nods, "She is." smiles

Catspaws is going to get killed for sending everyone to Hazed

Catspaws snickers behind her paw

Angelfowl smiles

Catspaws asks, "What do you do if you have your planet out there, and come up with a better idea?"

Jewells exclaims, "Blow it up!"

Angelfowl laughs

Jewells asks, "Die Die?"

Angelfowl drawls, "I'd say send in an edited version..."

Meteu says, "just send in the edits"

Jewells looks at Angelfowl.. "oh, yeah.. that too.."

Catspaws says, "Be creative.  A cosmic disaster necessitated that your world be re-built.."

Angelfowl nods

Catspaws says, "Or, just send in new files."

Jewells thinks thats a less romantic way to go tho...

Angelfowl giggles, "The Sun went Nova, and the entire face of the world was wiped clean

Catspaws says, "But I like to promote a rp reason for the change.  That's me, tho."

Meteu drawls, "when you say cosmic disaster...."

Jewells says, "How about the planet owner went to asylum and was never the same again."

Catspaws says, "Your system's orbit got too close to Russia's just before another fusion generator had a meltdown on Cherbobyl."

Angelfowl laughs, "That's Mono."

Angelfowl giggles

Meteu asks, "Speaking of, where is the fire monkey?"

Jewells asks, "Cherbobyl?"

Catspaws says, "Locked into his cage."

Angelfowl giggles

Catspaws says, "Typo.  Chernobyl, DJ's bio planet."

Catspaws says, "I think he's lost three fusion generators so far.  Kind of like RL deja vu."

Angelfowl nods

Angelfowl says, "Yeah, which is kind of distrubing (sp?)"

Meteu says, "I wonder if Hazed or Bella is toying with him)"

Catspaws says, "I've wondered that as well, but they say it just happens."

Angelfowl giggles

Catspaws smiles, "I know if I had the power, -I- would do it. :)"

Angelfowl smiles

Catspaws says, "It's always fun to hear DJ whine anyway, which he'll do once he reads the minutes for this class."

Meteu says, "Once or twice would be pretty funny"

Catspaws licks her paw smugly

Angelfowl giggles

Catspaws asks, "So, what do you do if you find you simply cannot be creative and write a planet?"

Angelfowl smiles, "ask people :)"

Meteu says, "Ask Cats"

Jewells says, "Use a stock planet"

Catspaws says, "Use a stock planet, and/or as a friend to help you make it unique.  As I did for Squeeky."

Angelfowl nods

Catspaws says, "I don't think that mouse could use the workbench if he had to."

Meteu says, "Neither could I"

Meteu says, "I'd like to learn it better."

Angelfowl giggles

Catspaws says, "But don't get me wrong.  I cannot and will not spend all my time writing planets for people."

Catspaws says, "We will do a class on workbenching, to teach everyone how to use it."

Angelfowl smiles, "But giving ideas :)"

Meteu says, "I plan on designing my second planet my self"

Catspaws says, "Events are coming, and you will all need to learn how to use the workbench before they do.  That or continue to buy events with slithies if you want them."

Angelfowl smiles

Angelfowl hasn't done that yet

Meteu says, "I'll write my own thanks"

Catspaws says, "I want you to write your own.  Which is why you need to learn the workbench backwards and forwards."

Angelfowl nods

Catspaws says, "You will need to be well versed in mapping, and in message files."

Jewells asks, "is the workbench different from in clasic?"

Meteu says, "Thats why I'll be parkin my butt in that class"

Angelfowl giggles

Catspaws says, "It's a whole new concept from classic, Jewells."

Jewells says, "oh grreat"

Catspaws drawls, "The Classic workbench was a piece of cake compared to this.  BUT...."

Catspaws says, "You can do so much more with this workbench, once you get the hang of it."

Jewells says, "okies"

Angelfowl smiles

Catspaws says, "And for those of you nowhere near ready to put your planet into the game, you can still download the workbench and start desiging."

Catspaws says, "In fact, I encourage you to do so."

Angelfowl nods

Angelfowl smiles, "That gives you time if you change your mind :)"

Catspaws says, "Downloading the tools is not rank-restricted."

Jewells says, "yeah.. i've been thinking about that"

Catspaws says, "You can be a commander and start on your planet design."

Catspaws says, "Hello, Winks."

Catspaws says, "We've been discussing coming up with ideas for a planet."

Angelfowl smiles

Catspaws asks, "Do you have anything else to add, Angel?"

Angelfowl smiles, "Not really... be creative is all I have to say :)"

Catspaws says, "Ok, I'll open the floor for questions then."

Catspaws presses a button and a trap door in the floor opens

Angelfowl laughs

Jewells says, "okay.. Jezz wanted me to ask a question.. It's about directions on the planet"

Jewells says, "this is what she said, ::reads Jezz's e-mail::"

Catspaws asks, "Oh?"

Jewells says, "What id like to do is put in a crossroads where in order to go in one direction, you have to go in the others in a particular order first.. or it won't work."

Jewells finishes reading.

Catspaws says, "If I understand that correctly that would be a mapping puzzler.  But I can envision it being done."

Catspaws says, "So if you wanted to take the path to the west, you might have to go north, northwest, then south."

Jewells says, "Well that's good.. first step is finding out that it's possible."

Jewells asks, "So you'd go N, NW, then S.. then you could go E. and be back at the beginning.. THEN you can go west?"

Catspaws says, "You can give hints in the location descriptions or leave it to explorers to stumble upon, but it's possible."

Catspaws says, "Ok, what you just described would be a bit harder, and I'm not sure about, though I do know it would be an events issue.  I'd have to look that up in the events manual to see if there's a way of tracking where someone has been.  The easiest way, I think, would be to have an item they pick up or are given in perhaps the east location, so when they come back to the beginning, if they have the item in their inventory, they can go west."

Jewells asks, "Is there a way to have say.. A button.. that you have to press in one area.. and it opens a door or path in a nother area?"

Catspaws says, "That would be events again."

Jewells says, "and then you can go.."

Jewells says, "okies"

Catspaws says, "You could pay Hazed to write it up for you."

Jewells smiles, "yeah.. I think Jezz is interested in events :)"

Jewells asks, "She also had a question about death locs.. are we still allowed to have thoe?"

Jewells asks, "those?"

Catspaws says, "Again, events.  And yes, we can.  There has to be ample warning that it's there."

Catspaws says, "I had one here to test, but I took out the death part.  It's a hidden room under the Temple of Bast."

Jewells says, "hehe Okay.. and this is events too.. but i proimsed her i'd ask her questions.."

Jewells says, "Hehe yeah.. i was in that temple.. and i read the description.. but i was afraid to try anything! hehe"

Catspaws winks, "Not a problem, Jewells.  I guess you're lucky someone here is studying the events manuals ;)"

Jewells reads more of jezzes e-mail out loud.

Jewells says, ""I'd also like something that loks lie a death event if you do the wrong thing, but will move you to another location if you do the right thing.""

Jewells finishes reading.

Jewells says, "*looks like... not loks lie"

Jewells is reading from the PC and typing on the Mac

Catspaws says, "Events.  I know how that one is done, but we won't go into it.  Suffice to say it's done with events."

Jewells grins.

Catspaws says, "Bella is re-working the events tools.  Once she's finished, Hazed will put them out for testing again.  Then we'll get them."

Jewells says, "Okies :) cool"

Catspaws says, "Until then, save your slithies :)  Hazed can always be bribed to write events for you."

Jewells says, "Yeah Joe mentioned that"

Catspaws says, "Look at the ski lodge or the earth wilderness if you want to see how creative she is."

Angelfowl says, "chocolate might work better LO"

Angelfowl giggles

Jewells adds an L to angelfowls sentence.

Angelfowl says, "thanks"

Jewells nods.

Catspaws asks, "Any other questions?"

Jewells smiles, "um, nope.. i'll have to read the manual myself now :)"

Catspaws glances around

Catspaws asks, "Any last thoughts, Chicken?"

Angelfowl shakes her head smiling sheepishly

Catspaws says, "You did great, Chicken.  You had no idea you were going to help me with this class."

Angelfowl giggles

Jewells applauds the Cat and The Elf. :)

Angelfowl exclaims, "yeah 5 minutes before class I decide to help!"

Catspaws licks her paw smugly

Catspaws says, "I like the Cat and the Chicken better"

Catspaws struts past Angelfowl

Angelfowl says, "Elf"

Angelfowl smiles

Catspaws drawls, "I'm waiting to see a bootleg Kingdom Fried Chicken pop up in Kingdom..."

Meteu says, "or Kingdom Fried Cat:0"

Meteu ducks

Jewells laughs.

Catspaws says, "Secret recipe by Emperor Ming"

Angelfowl exclaims, "none of that!"

Catspaws swats Meteu with her tail

Meteu jumps out of the way

Angelfowl giggle

Catspaws exclaims, "Ok, class dismissed!"

Catspaws says, "Thank you all for attending, and make sure you go to the toilet before you leave."


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