Post by m i c h a e l on Oct 25, 2006 8:54:56 GMT -6
Shortly after I took over Magneto, I considered writing something like a “Brotherhood Code of Ethics”…but after thinking more about it, I don’t think we need anything that formalized. However, I want to share my thoughts and expectations so there is no misunderstanding where I want the Brotherhood to go.
As Magneto was in the process of being approved, NC posted a synopsis of the character’s motivations that really stuck with me:
Though I may not be totally successful, I want to play Magneto with that philosophy. I want him to be a very deliberative, calculating character who’s more concerned with his overall, long-term goals, and he’ll do whatever is needed in the short term to help. It stands to reason that Magneto’s group would be a reflection on what he is, what he wants to do.
I don’t want to sound like I’m knocking any previous incarnations of the Brotherhood at MU, but I think a lot of people (myself included) have viewed us as something akin to a street gang – grouped together for mutual protection but pretty much focusing on just causing random violence. That’s what I want to change.
To my thinking, the Brotherhood should be nearly as organized as the X-Men or the Avengers, but simply with different goals. We should have the mindset of being part of a team, with each member being able to contribute their strengths and cover up each others’ weaknesses. Magneto is the driving force behind it all, coming up with plans and “directing traffic,” so to speak. Magneto is not always forthcoming with his plans, and he plays with his cards close to his chest. This means that he may direct the Brotherhood to do things that seem counter-intuitive…such as preventing mutants from attacking humans or assisting the X-Men or the Avengers against a major threat. If he does so, be assured that it’s in furtherance of his overall goals.
That being said – make no mistake: we are the bad guys. We are not a pacifist group. The Brotherhood is beholden to no laws other than our own. Unlike the X-Men or the Avengers, we are under no obligation to be “nice” or “gentle”, and if humans get harmed in the cross-fire, so be it. If you wear the tags in the room – and if you’re on the roster, you should – expect to be the object of suspicion or even overt hostility. I want people to be nervous when they see two or more Brotherhood members together. When people don’t know what to expect from you, when they can’t count on you to be simply an engine of carnage when you’re in the room, it can lead to some very interesting roleplays…at least, that’s my hope.
So, with all that, what do I expect of you?
1) Be responsible. That’s the number one thing for me. Most of the time, Magneto wants the Brotherhood to keep a low profile – that makes it easier for his plans to move forward. We’re not about random carnage; there’s time enough for fighting as various RPs unfold. We’re also not about proving how big our e-genitals are…people ignore or forget lameness, but they talk about good storylines for months or years afterward. This also means things like don’t bring non-Brotherhood members to the secret base, etc. Common sense stuff.
2) Be true to your character, even if it sometimes conflicts with #1. As a player, I positively loathe being told what I can and can’t do…so I can’t in good conscience do the same thing here. If your character is a berserker or insane or whatever and you’re unable to keep a low profile, I don’t want you to quell that – but be aware there may be in character repercussions.
And I’d hope that you can find some way be responsible even if you go berserk.
3) Communicate with me and each other. If you’re bored, let me know. If you have an idea for an RP, let me know (or just go ahead and do it). In case you haven’t figured it out, I love these boards and I do a lot of planning in PM. I don’t want anyone to feel left out, and I’d very much welcome suggestions and ideas for new plans and schemes.
I would like for each of the current members to reply to this, indicating that they understand what I want. Prospective members will also need to sign off – that will be as extensive as the “application” process will be for now. I reserve the right to change that at any time.
As Magneto was in the process of being approved, NC posted a synopsis of the character’s motivations that really stuck with me:
He is also a very deep man. He is not a simple psycho out to kill everyone he can find, not out to destroy the world. He has gone from arch villain to leader of the xmen and everything in between. He isn’t evil, very far from it. He’s just had a rather rough route in life, and is not as strong as the professor so he usually succumbs to the easier road.
He is however rather racist, or speciest if you would like. He's a mutant guy, he is all about mutants. He has very little time for humans, even humans who can help him. He also isnt stupid enough to join up with any other mass murdering apocalypto who could further his cause. Magneto is for mutant supremacy (at times even just equality), an would be just as likely to smack down on most of the villains around as the good guys.
He is however rather racist, or speciest if you would like. He's a mutant guy, he is all about mutants. He has very little time for humans, even humans who can help him. He also isnt stupid enough to join up with any other mass murdering apocalypto who could further his cause. Magneto is for mutant supremacy (at times even just equality), an would be just as likely to smack down on most of the villains around as the good guys.
Though I may not be totally successful, I want to play Magneto with that philosophy. I want him to be a very deliberative, calculating character who’s more concerned with his overall, long-term goals, and he’ll do whatever is needed in the short term to help. It stands to reason that Magneto’s group would be a reflection on what he is, what he wants to do.
I don’t want to sound like I’m knocking any previous incarnations of the Brotherhood at MU, but I think a lot of people (myself included) have viewed us as something akin to a street gang – grouped together for mutual protection but pretty much focusing on just causing random violence. That’s what I want to change.
To my thinking, the Brotherhood should be nearly as organized as the X-Men or the Avengers, but simply with different goals. We should have the mindset of being part of a team, with each member being able to contribute their strengths and cover up each others’ weaknesses. Magneto is the driving force behind it all, coming up with plans and “directing traffic,” so to speak. Magneto is not always forthcoming with his plans, and he plays with his cards close to his chest. This means that he may direct the Brotherhood to do things that seem counter-intuitive…such as preventing mutants from attacking humans or assisting the X-Men or the Avengers against a major threat. If he does so, be assured that it’s in furtherance of his overall goals.
That being said – make no mistake: we are the bad guys. We are not a pacifist group. The Brotherhood is beholden to no laws other than our own. Unlike the X-Men or the Avengers, we are under no obligation to be “nice” or “gentle”, and if humans get harmed in the cross-fire, so be it. If you wear the tags in the room – and if you’re on the roster, you should – expect to be the object of suspicion or even overt hostility. I want people to be nervous when they see two or more Brotherhood members together. When people don’t know what to expect from you, when they can’t count on you to be simply an engine of carnage when you’re in the room, it can lead to some very interesting roleplays…at least, that’s my hope.
So, with all that, what do I expect of you?
1) Be responsible. That’s the number one thing for me. Most of the time, Magneto wants the Brotherhood to keep a low profile – that makes it easier for his plans to move forward. We’re not about random carnage; there’s time enough for fighting as various RPs unfold. We’re also not about proving how big our e-genitals are…people ignore or forget lameness, but they talk about good storylines for months or years afterward. This also means things like don’t bring non-Brotherhood members to the secret base, etc. Common sense stuff.
2) Be true to your character, even if it sometimes conflicts with #1. As a player, I positively loathe being told what I can and can’t do…so I can’t in good conscience do the same thing here. If your character is a berserker or insane or whatever and you’re unable to keep a low profile, I don’t want you to quell that – but be aware there may be in character repercussions.
And I’d hope that you can find some way be responsible even if you go berserk.3) Communicate with me and each other. If you’re bored, let me know. If you have an idea for an RP, let me know (or just go ahead and do it). In case you haven’t figured it out, I love these boards and I do a lot of planning in PM. I don’t want anyone to feel left out, and I’d very much welcome suggestions and ideas for new plans and schemes.
I would like for each of the current members to reply to this, indicating that they understand what I want. Prospective members will also need to sign off – that will be as extensive as the “application” process will be for now. I reserve the right to change that at any time.