Player driven plot at events - can it work?

So we most often find that organisers write the plot and this is needed for smaller events where focus on individual players is possible; but what about large-scale events and fests? 

Both JB and I are fans of the Profound Decisions Empire events, they are large, fest style, but people really do turn out in a higher standard of kit meaning you can pretty much tell which nation a character is from by their look. There is effort put into marvellously written intro stories for each event so that players can chat about politics and war and there is a good structure of civil service, finance and other important persons to get involved with. BUT and this is the case for all large-scale events - you cannot go expecting to have individual plot. There may be events where you have very little in the way of plot to pursue.

This lack of plot can actually be a bonus for some players of course, they like to dress in their fineries and have a good social with their friends. They appreciate the lack of pressure from plot and can really relax and enjoy themselves.

But I do think there are a lot of keen rpers on the field who, dare I say it, are a bit...bored. This can descend into griping about the event and organisation and eventually leaving. There is an alternative - do your own plot! We know of at least one player at Empire who writes "quests" of his own and sends players off to do them. Another Darren Stocker has invented a guild for new players and writes linears for them to ease them into the hobby. So our own Editor JB decided to do something similar on the event just gone, and this is what happened...

A bit of background first - we play the "Bloody Butchers of Temeschwar" a guild structure which (no apologies given) inspired by the Borgias , we have bravos, religion, trade, bank and are respected on the battlefield. Most important for the guild is the attitude that family is the most important, those that join us have reached the pinnacle of renaissance sophistication and civilisation. (We are not very modest!) There is, within the brief for the cultures an innate distrust of the orcs who have left the barbarian hoarde and become citizens...however very few on the field actually roleplay that distrust. We decided that we would display open distrust and dislike of the orcs.

J.B. contacted via FB the leaders of the orcs and hatched a plan, others in both our guild and theirs were told that something would be happening. This was to ensure that those who did not want any confrontation would be allowed to stay out of it. Everyone plotting wanted to enhance the enjoyment of the event for others, not impact negatively on anyone at all.

It started with a gift! A letter to accompany the soap, comb, beard oil and perfume explained how to use them properly to gain the respect of their fellow citizens and to look less barbaric. We made sure another group were tasked to deliver it, to again spread the involvement. This of course inflamed tempers and a showdown was demanded, after dark in from of the tavern, At the time this happened another group where in the camp and this involved them too.

So at the appointed time a large group of orcs waited outside the Inn, gathering a curious crowd. The Butchers then appeared, strutting in formation, making time with finger clicks, much to the amusement of the crowd. The orcs began the fight characteristically for them, by one urinating on their opponents! (Great prop, if a little disturbing there guys).

The fight was very entertaining to watch, the dry conditions sometimes lending a cartoonish quality as arms and legs appeared out of the cloud of dust. At one point a butcher held an orc whilst our cardinal punched and kicked enthusiastically in his rather fine robes. Hilarious. After a good twenty minutes there was an orc cry of "scarper lads its the magistrate!" and we dispersed. Afterwards various injuries and bruises were displayed which obviously were the result of various stair-falling and bumping into things! 

THINGS WE LEARNED

The negatives - a few very drunk players could not resist joining in , and they did injure (but not seriously) some of the participants. I don't know how we could have guarded against this giddyness of a dangerous kind though!

As the events were not fully organised, not everything went like clockwork - the timing of the gift giving for example. Accepting that a bit of chaos will occur due to only very few people being aware of the plan.

Some of both guilds were very nervous that they would become embroiled in rp they would not like - you have to be sensitive and keep reassurances up.

You have to be aware of rules of the game. We let the organisers know our plan and they OKed it. We did not want to derail anything official.

We forgot to line up some photography! PAH

So the positives of creating this plot - so many people enjoyed the fight, it was a bit of ad-hoc entertainment and created some gossip and rumour that will carry on the "feud."

Both guilds involved got a tremendous kick out of doing it. many participants said it was their highlight of the weekend.

Despite no choreography and it being in thick dust and the semi-dark, most involved in the fight made a marvelous show of fighting whilst staying completely safe - excellent work guys!

A success over all and there will be more to come!