Avast! editing guidelines
From Create Your Own Story
Anyone who wants to help me write this story is welcome to do so (that's why I'm posting it on this wiki, after all). This said, I must confess I'm a fussy person, and I have a pretty low tolerance for other people's way of doing things. If you wish to edit Avast!, here a few guidelines.
1. Don't start a plot you're not prepared to finish, because I'm unlikely to finish it for you: I will even delete any plot thread that has been abandoned for too long. Of course, it always helps to know more or less where you're going from the beginning. Ideally, a good plot should lead back to a point where the player has access to other plots. Right now, such a point is the high seas, which will serve as a crossroads for "quests".
2. Keep the plots plausible and coherent. Avast! does not take itself too seriously, but this is not an excuse for plot holes, contrived coincidences, blatant deus ex machina's and other signs of poor writing. Also watch out for any inconsistencies that might be caused by the multiple ways to reach the same point.
3. Give Authority Points sparingly. They are never free, arbitrary or without risk : they are a reward for making the right decisions. Therefore, making the wrong decisions should somehow penalize the player, either with death or with the loss of Authority Points. Also be careful not to reward astoundingly stupid or reckless decisions with Authority Points. The player must be able to strike a balance between daring, caution and common sense.
4. Keep it PG-13. Of course we can expect a certain amount of violence in a pirate story, but let's not go overboard, no pun intended. Also remember that comedic violence is more acceptable. The pirates forcing captives to walk the plank? That's funny. The pirates gang-raping a female captive? Sorry, not in Avast!. Same goes for sex: keep it implicit. I may give the green light to an erotic spinoff in the adult section, but please contact me first.
5. Watch your grammARRRRRRR !
(This list is not complete: more guidelines will be added over time.)
