Ideas for Roleplay Theme(s)?

Sorry for moving slowly with this RP forum thing, just want to make sure that it goes smoothly. I'm hoping to open it up soon, though. First, I'd like to ask, what sort of a theme should be RPd? I'll start off with a few requirements, but other than that, I'm interested to hear your opinions.

1. It must be based on the Secret of NIMH, or Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
   
2. It should not follow NIMHmuck's continuity. I'm not interested in seeing "competing" rp.
   
3. I'm willing to consider multiple continuities, if enough interest is expressed in more than one idea.
   
4. If your idea involves Feature Characters (i.e. the characters from the book or movie), I reserve the right to handle the application process for those characters.
   [/list:u]
   
   So, thoughts? I'd love to hear them.

Hmm.... well, here's a couple of ideas:

First off, I'd rather like to see Janner up and running again; he was and still is my favorite character. Perhaps his daughter (my char) and his followers find him in time to save him? :) Though I don't mind if this is decided against; I may form my own NIMH RPG. ;)

Also, I like the idea of OCs being able to have stones, though I strongly believe they should be kept under strict control. No twinkage. ;)

Hmm... I'm sure I have more planned, but that's all I can think of ATM. :)

Eh, I'm not the one to have preferences for a theme, as long as its engaging for everyone, and doesn't pick favorites and other such nonsense I've witnessed on MUCKs before. One thing I'd like to see though is NIMH playing a strong role in the lives of the rodents of NIMH.. And please, no restricting NIMHmouse chars. . as that in my opinion would ruin the experience for a lot of people, myself included.

--Tzol

I second Marilyn's idea. I want to see Jenner back. He's so much fun. :D

Hmm, I'll have to think about this more. But yeah. Jenner, yo!

--Meg

I'll give it a try here, regardless. I like your plans, and figure I have nothing left to lose. I'll just need to be careful to leave myself the option of leaving should it not be what I expected. I've already made that mistake once.
Worst case scenario is I don't like it and I leave. But I'll take any chance of fun I can get at this point.

I guess the ideas of a portal system could be in place if we're going to deal with multiple continuities. Also, I think tie-in's with other "furry" franchises might make things interesting. A good example would be something like a Redwall/N.I.M.H. storyline.

I guess the ideas of a portal system could be in place if we're going to deal with multiple continuities. Also, I think tie-in's with other "furry" franchises might make things interesting. A good example would be something like a Redwall/N.I.M.H. storyline.

Hm. I've heard good things about Redwall, but I don't know how much I care for the idea of crossovers. I was once part of a NIMH RP board years ago that had every crossover known to man--NIMH was spliced with Lord of the Rings, Sailor Moon, and I can't remember what else. Suffice it to say, it was kind of a mess. That's what makes me leery about crossovers in general.

But what does everyone else think?

I personally can't see Redwall and NIMH mixed; completely different in every way. Nah, I think those two should be left as-is. ;)

I guess the ideas of a portal system could be in place if we're going to deal with multiple continuities. Also, I think tie-in's with other "furry" franchises might make things interesting. A good example would be something like a Redwall/N.I.M.H. storyline.

While I wouldn't forbid a crossover, I'd also prefer not to do it unless there's a clear majority of people that want it. They're very hard to get right, even if they do kinda make sense.

Completely understandable. Now that I think of it, a Redwall crossover is a little iffy. The timelines are way too different. NIMH is mostly set in the 60's/70's while Redwall is in medieval times. Maybe something would be good but like you said Simon, it depends on what the others want.

I think it might be cool to have a NIMH-Redwall crossover. Unfortunately, unless the rats discover the secret of time travel and manage to go back to the Redwall times, it doesn't sound feasibly possible.
Not that I'm against the idea, it's just making it work would likely mean complicating everything so much no one would understand it. Unless someone wants it to also crossover into Back to the Future.
Bottom line: nice idea, but probably not worth the trouble.

Well, would'nt necessararily have to involve time travel, since Nimh and Redwall are seperate universes.

Now that you mention it, there are no humans in Redwall.

There were none mentioned, but Cluny's cart in the first book /had/ to be human-made. I doubt any Redwall characters could have made something like that or managed to hook the horse up to it. My guess is it came from a human port and Cluny's crew boarded and stole it.
Just because Brian didn't specifically mention humans doesn't necessarily mean they don't exist in the universe.

Ah but Redwall was also the first book in the series. Brian Jaques might've had intention of including humans but later decided against it. But now we're off topic.

Well, it doesn't seem that far off. We were discussing having a NIMH-Redwall crossover, which ultimately is probably not easily feasable, when you mentioned there were no humans in Redwall.
For all it's worth, let's assume there are humans in the Redwall universe and Brian wanted to keep them out of the stories to prevent severe complications in them.

Alright, that seems good. But seriously, how do you guys want to do this RP thing, mechanics wise?

Personally, I'm against the idea of any crossovers. I'd really prefer that we didn't do things this way, since it's largely a headache and a lot more complicated than it's worth. So mine is a nay vote in this instance.

(Okay, and there's also the fact that I've never read Redwall and probably never will, but let's not go there.)

The vague idea I have is this: Six months after the events of the film, Jenner's still alive and plotting to take over the colony and very likely kill Justin. Slowly. He's managed to get himself a few followers, some from the colony and some ferals that he talked into helping him. This has managed to create a huge problem for Justin (speaking of headaches).

The idea's pretty vague, like I said, but I think it invites room for everyone to get involved. And that's really the most important thing.

--Meg

That sounds good. I guess will have to see if Simon okays it.

The vague idea I have is this: Six months after the events of the film, Jenner's still alive and plotting to take over the colony and very likely kill Justin. Slowly. He's managed to get himself a few followers, some from the colony and some ferals that he talked into helping him. This has managed to create a huge problem for Justin (speaking of headaches).

That's a good start, though I'd like to know who else this RP might involve other than Justin and Jenner. I wonder why he'd recruit 'lesser' ferals?

What if they weren't ferals? ;)

They could be some of his olf followers from the rose bush that hid somewhere with Jen until he was well enough to travel to thorn valley. :) I know my character, Jenna, would take part in it; damn daddy's girl. ;P

I think we can all agree on the crossovers: don't do them here.
Though bringing back Jenner is interesting, I think the idea's already been started to a similar extent on the Thorn Valley RPG forum. But that's Marilyn's territory and I won't discuss that subject.
So if Marilyn and Simon don't mind, I'm all for that idea. Gives everyone room to think and employ their characters.

I like the idea with Jenner. I also have this vague idea that these FBI agents are helping NIMH catch the Rats and they are much more ruthless.

That sounds like a good idea. Perhaps NIMH also devolped more rats that act as F.B.I. agents?

Yes, perhaps NIMH made FBI rats to destroy the others to keep word from leaking out about the superintelligent rats. Just think of what the ASPCA would say if they found out what NIMH did. :shock:

I was actually thinking of human agents. See I have this idea that there are two sets of enemies: Jenner and his rats, and the humans of the FBI/NIMH.

Interesting. Better than the muck (then again, my muck experiences have been less than enjoyable). An unusual idea.
But I think there is one slight problem. Wasn't Thorn Valley chosen by the rats because of its inaccessibility? I remember all air and land vehicles are illegal in the area, and I think the valley is surrounded by dense forests and vines that would turn away most every human.

Well, you know the FBI could get permission to go there, and I doubt the terrain would stop them, and there is always the cance of a rebellous youngster wandering off.

Kinda like what happened in R.T., Margerate(sp?), and the Rats of N.I.M.H.? To be honest though, I didn't like how that story sounded.

Actually, maybe I shouldn't join. Just so others can. But don't get me wrong, there seems like a lot of good to come from this.

hmm i like the jenner idea. heres an idea what if jenner tries to recreat the experements on ferals. you know to gain forces.what do you guys think.

Now Lee, that is a great idea! Though Jenner doesn't strike me as the scientific type, he might have a few mad scientist allies that work for him. That could work really well!

Not that this concerns me anymore but. Wouldn't it be difficult for him to gain human allies? Especially scientists who may want to do more experiments on him?

That's why I feel a group of rat foes and a seperate group of human foes would be more effective.

I think we have enough for a decent RP topic now.

well jenner could try and steal the formula from scientist. with a group of his followers

ehhh, misty's from redwall time, but i dont think that a nimh redwall crossover is a good idea. :?

Heh, not sure if anyone's really going to look at this, BUT!!!!

I thought of an idea a while back that wouldn't fit on NIMHMUCK, and... ... I guess I might as well throw it out to see what peoples reactions would be and if it could be done here on the forum and such if people wanted... but... here goes!

How about a plot based before the actual occurrence of the Secret of NIMH movie? Rather than starting off either right after Nicodemus died and the Brisby family moved, why not try to start RP off right either after the rats of NIMH escaped NIMH or right when they moved to the Fitzgibbons' farm?

I think most RP would consist of discovering Dragon, building the colony, stealing supplies, fending off other creatures that may be curious about them, establishing a council and government and of course, avoiding humans.

Anyways, I'm curious what you think. Good idea or bad idea?

I think its a great idea. :D

Heh, not sure if anyone's really going to look at this, BUT!!!!

I thought of an idea a while back that wouldn't fit on NIMHMUCK, and... ... I guess I might as well throw it out to see what peoples reactions would be and if it could be done here on the forum and such if people wanted... but... here goes!

How about a plot based before the actual occurrence of the Secret of NIMH movie? Rather than starting off either right after Nicodemus died and the Brisby family moved, why not try to start RP off right either after the rats of NIMH escaped NIMH or right when they moved to the Fitzgibbons' farm?

I think most RP would consist of discovering Dragon, building the colony, stealing supplies, fending off other creatures that may be curious about them, establishing a council and government and of course, avoiding humans.

Anyways, I'm curious what you think. Good idea or bad idea?

I think its a fascinating idea and would definately be interested in it

liPlease Ignore this post,thank youli

Honestly, I think as a crossover Mouse Guard would work far better than Redwall. In that comic they have a less refined society which is closer to what we see in the movies. Which isn't to say I like the idea of any crossovers. It's hard to make something like that work and be true to the source material. Even in Mouse Guard they have metal weapons and technology closer to what one would expect to see in Thorn Valley.

Everyone seems to like Jenner, and there's certainly ways to have him make a return for a plot. What if NIMH were to create clones from tissue samples taken from their modified rats so that they could replicate their most promising subjects and try to breed them into even more intelligent beings? That's certainly one way to bring Jenner back, though without any memories. Without the other rats I could totally imagine him gathering allies and trying to become a tyrannical dictator of sorts over the farm, perhaps attempting to introduce the concept of currency to the beasts there as a way to further control them. Interestingly, we know Mr. Ages either remained on the farm (since the sequel, to my mind is completely non-canon) or left all his equipment behind. It's very possible Jenner and company might try to use it to recreate the NIMH formula. According to the books at least it also increases the subjects in size and strength, that alone is bad news for the beasts of the farm.

One aspect I've always wanted to see explored more is The Great Owl. He is the scariest character in that film, I think and it's not just for the glowing eyes, sharp beak and big claws. As a child you don't tend to realize things like this... but watching the movie as an adult actually made him far more terrifying. When you realize he could speak to Mrs. Brisby, that opens up a whole can of worms. The fact that he can speak to mice and that he preys on them, means that he can understand their cries of terror and pleas for mercy. That's pretty freakin' dark. But why didn't he just gobble up Mrs. Brisby? We assume it's her connection to Johnathan... but the question remains. Why didn't he just eat Johnathan? Does the Great Owl have some twisted moral code like a Predator? (from the movie by the same name) Does he only kill while on the hunt? And furthermore... Can other predators understand different species as well? As far as cats go is Dragon just developmentally stunted, with his intelligence stuck at a feral level? Lots of questions RP could address, and it has the potential to make predator species all the more evil and frightening.

What if the experiments by NIMH left the rats and mice predisposed to some kind of illness? It's certainly not unheard of that a drug or genetic abnormality leaves one predisposed to illness. One could take a number of angles when sculpting a plot around it, either Mrs. Brisby learning of it and trying to help create a cure before it might effect her children thanks to their father passing on the same modified genes to them... or from the point of view of the Rats of NIMH where they be fighting against time to find a cure while a plague grips Thorn Valley. It introduces the concept of making their gifts a double-edged sword and giving some power back to ordinary beasts like Mrs. Brisby who the work would partially fall on to help as they would be almost entirely immune to the same illness that might be fatal to one of the NIMH-modified rats.

Anyway, just a few of the plot ideas I've had rattling around while looking for a place to RP in the SoN world!

[Edit for a few more plot ideas]

What about crime and punishment in Thorn Valley? If a rat committed an unforgivable offense, what would become of them? I imagine the rats would believe themselves too sophisticated for something like a death sentence. I think those criminal rats would be banished, forced to wander the forest as exiles. Maybe they would form their own little community outside of Thorn Valley like a small penal colony. How they might add to a plot? Well they could be general baddies, or more sympathetic antagonists. What might a pair of compassionate parents among them do to make sure their innocent child had a chance at a good life inside Thorn Valley? Would they be willing to wrong others to reach that end?

This one may be a bit unpopular, but in the book it's highly implied that Justin died helping to save Brutus from the tunnels when NIMH came to exterminate the rats. That happened after the movie's climax and Mrs. Brisby explained that she had given the stone to Justin. If Justin did actually succumb to the gas in the tunnels what became of the stone? What if another creature found it?