Mod Requests and You
So, let’s say you have an idea for a storyline you’d like to pursue at game. Alternatively, your character might have skills (such as Master level Sailing or Criminal) that allow them to make special mod requests. It might even be high time for your character to request a new Professional Focus Achievement!
But what kind of information do the DR:MI writers need from you to successfully complete these kinds of requests? Here, we will break down the types of plot requests and what to include in your submissions so that we can deliver a satisfying scene.
Before we crack into specific requests though, here are some general rules to follow:
Submit your request as early as possible! This will give our story team time to assign and write your request. Ideally, requests are submitted at least one month in advance - anything submitted too late may be denied or delayed until the following event.
Include an appropriate amount of detail, formatted in a way that is as easy to approach as possible. This can be difficult, we know! But think of it like this: when you walk into something like, say, a tattoo shop, most people typically have at least some expectations they need to communicate to the artist. Leaving the artist with no direction can result in not only a lot more conceptual work for them to do, but also anxiety about producing something you’d like! So, even if you aren’t sure exactly what you’d like to happen in the course of your mod, thinking outside the box and answering other types of questions can help a lot. (We’ll dive more into examples for details you can include later on in this post!)
Remember that the story team can deny any requests, or combine multiple mod requests using the same skill into one scene. Requests may be denied because of submission time, ability to run such a scene (theatre of the mind can only go so far), or outlandishness of the request (i.e. suddenly becoming the head of a major financial faction).
With that, let’s get specific!
Master Skill Requests
There are Master level skills within Dystopia Rising: Evolved that allow you to submit requests each month based on that skill. These skills are Master Criminal Influence, Master Financial Influence, Master Sailing, and Master Hunting. Usually, the modules from these requests end with the PCs gaining a tangible economic benefit, such as currency or vouchers that can be used at the relevant skill buylist.
Keep in mind that these requests are not tools to bring out NPCs for personal RP. Each event has many attendees to entertain, so mods will be designed to (hopefully) include and interest appropriately-sized groups of people!
What we want to know:
The Master Skill you’re using
Your character’s goals and hopes for the outcome of this module
What NPCs/creature/faction this scene is interacting with
What you hope to gain out of this scene on an out-of-game level (physically, emotionally, thematically, etc.)
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Example Submission
Name: Holly
Player #: 12345
Email: thegooseisloose@gmail.com
Character: DeeDee LaGoose
Month: June
Time: Saturday Morning between 11 am and 2 pm
Other players: Cyrus Mercer Anastasia, Cam Nucks, Darby Mercer, Copper Rivetts, Andromeda Langley, Inari Willow, Thomas, Hephaesta D’Gratiot
Character Backstory: Does not tie into a character backstory
Has the Cast involved in this story ever entered play before? Yes
Story so Far:
DeeDee has been working with the RAU to build a shelter for refugees
Now, using Master Financial Influence, she would like to talk to the Fords about funding this shelter
Her and the Fords have not been friendly before, but she wants to put her best foot forward and thinks the characters listed could help.
Thomas has a basic membership to the Ford faction, and knows Vic.
What is the focus genre of this module?
Drama
Mystery
Themes:
Money negotiations
War consequences
Guidelines: We would like to convince the Fords to help fund the shelters. We understand this may be a difficult task, and are willing to walk through negotiations. Thomas might have to take the lead at some point.
Would you like to opt into any of the following:
Highly Intense Emotional “Breaking Point” Roleplay
Location: The recreation room on the left side of the lodgext goes here
Professional Focus Achievement Requests
Professional Focus Achievements- or PFAs- is a rank of achievement awarded to a character after experiencing a related “test” in-game. At DR:MI, the goal of these tests is not to gatekeep or be extremely easy to fail- rather, it we hope to encourage players to think about developing RP representative of the PFA, and help them feel as though they accomplished something to achieve the rank that’s a little more exciting and satisfying than buying it off their sheet.
To earn a PFA, your character must first have spent 100 Build in total, have raised the appropriate skill to at least the Proficient level, and be able to spend 10 Build (the cost of a PFA). Then, you can submit a plot request so that writers can craft a scene relevant to that PFA.
What we want to know:
A short description of your character
What kind of goals or struggles have your character currently been dealing with at trades? What’s going on with them - good or bad?
What kind of scene are you interested in?
If you’re not sure about plot specifics, here’s where other details can pick up the slack. For example, what direction of character development do you want to provoke? What themes do you want to explore? What problems does the character care about and want to solve?
What has your character already been doing to work towards this PFA?
What has their journey been like?
Why do you think this PFA suits them?
What does this PFA look like/mean to you?
Any other relevant information you think we should know
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Name: Holly
Player Number: 12345
Email: thegooseisloose@gmail.com
Select: Pernicious Savior (Proficient Faithful Spirit)
Plot Request Instructions:
DeeDee is a priestess of the local cult, the Harpies. She loves fighting and is quite positive, but has recently had struggles with her faith.
DeeDee has been struggling to come into her own as a Harpy Priestess alongside Hephaesta. She wants to not be a carbon copy of her friend.
She also does not know who her parent truly is after giving up parentage to Aphrodite
Unbeknowst to her, it is Ares
This module could combine the revelation of her true godly parentage and how she is able to lead her fellow cult members
While Hephaesta is the voice of the cult, DeeDee is the blade. Whether a cult member steps out of line or needs physical protection, she will be there
I’ve been taking inspiration from stories of the Amazons, who in some stories are daughters of Ares, to direct her character behavior.
I am happy to do a mod that is either roleplay or combat heavy.
Action Requests
Sometimes, you just have a module that you want to see run, or want to go on. Or, you may need to perform something like a Mortis procedure, which requires some preparation on the part of game runners. You can submit requests for these reasons too! As long as it works with the story team’s current goals for the event and setting, we will work with you to create something cool.
Again, keep in mind that these requests are not tools to bring out NPCs for personal RP, and will be written so multiple people can participate!
What we want to know:
Your character’s goals and hopes for the outcome of this module
What NPCs/creature/faction this scene is interacting is with, if any
What you hope to gain out of this scene on an out-of-game level (physically, emotionally, thematically, etc.)
Why you would like to see this module in play
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Name: Holly
Player #: 12345
Email: thegooseisloose@gmail.com
Character: DeeDee LaGoose
Month: June
Time: Saturday Morning between 11 am and 2 pm
Other players: Cyrus Mercer Anastasia, Cam Nucks, Darby Mercer, Copper Rivetts, Andromeda Langley, Inari Willow, Thomas, Hephaesta D’Gratiot whoever else wants to join!
Character Backstory: Does not tie into a character backstory
Has the Cast involved in this story ever entered play before? Yes
Story so Far:
This group of characters are just a gang of best friends
They have been searching for a long vacation away from Mourning Glory
Professor Banting is a huge jerk and has sent the Dominion to ruin their vacation
They have to defeat the Dominion with a volleyball match, and then probably deadly force, to vacation in peace
What is the focus genre of this module?
Action
Comedy
Horror (visceral)
Themes
Beach episode
Lighthearted
Maybe a little gory- zombie head as the volleyball?
Guidelines: We would like a fun module to take down Dominion soldiers a notch. This is open to anyone else who wants to join too. We think it would be a bit of fun with all of the horror happening.
Would you like to opt into any of the following:
Splatter Module
Terminal Grade Combat
Voluntary Character Death (Self Only)
Story that Involves Fractures or Disease
Location: A nice grassy field by the water!
We hope that these explanations and examples help with any future Action or PFA requests you have. The story team looks forward to reading your ideas as you grow both your character and their place in the settlement!
