Tiny Plots

Here is a brief, quick description of Tiny Plots, and what one can do when interested in pursuing something.

What is a Tiny Plot?

Tiny Plots are structured scenes that are centered around a group of characters and may include a sequence of events that span over several days or more. Typically there is a planned outcome that provides some form of long term impact to one or more of the characters involved.

This sort of structured RP can come in three varieties:

• Events - These are typically a single scene that has a certain theme to them. They generally last one day/night.
  
• Plots - These are a string of multiple scenes that are linked together by an overarching theme and may involve multiple players throughout or only in specific points in the plot. These may last several days or up to a couple of weeks.
  
• Global Plots - These are tiny plots that involve multiple scenes linked together by an overarching theme, and include the a significant portion of the MUSH as a whole. Individual scenes are less structured, but there must be solid ‘beginning’, ‘middle’ and ‘end’ scenes that will be run on a schedule to allow for the plot to be properly driven along to it’s conclusion. These at a minimum last a week, and may span multiple weeks or even longer.

Which Tiny Plots need Staff Approval?

Whether or not you need to have Staff approval of Tiny Plots comes down to a couple of factors. Most RP that mirrors events that could reasonably be seen as having occurred on the show during a non-two-parter episode does not require approval from Staff to run, so long as the players involved consent to the scene. On the other hand, consider seeking Staff approval for any ‘plot’ that involves the following:

• Will the plot result in the addition of a significant new resource or ability for one or more of the characters involved?
  
• Does the plot add a significant new resource or piece of lore to the MUSH? Are aspects of MUSH lore that comes from other players, and not show canon, needed or impacted long term?
  
• Does the plot involve elements that might be considered questionable in light of the theme of the MUSH? This could be settings or general thematic pieces.
  
• Will the plot have any potential for significant disruption of public RP?
  
• Does the plot require the use of one or more NPCs? Quick rule of thumb: If an NPC required for a plot is used only once, it may be possible to do so without Staff approval, such as a ‘Monster of the Week’, but if it will be used multiple times, has a name, or a back story and/or agenda, it likely needs to be passed by Staff before being @emitted/puppeted/etc.
  
• Do you require the assistance of Staff? Staff are always willing to assist in both the creation and running of plots.
  

A couple good examples of planned roleplay that do not require tinyplot approval would be the following, so long as the above factors are not involved:

• Typical Socializing or Meet-and-Greet style RP.
  
• A Party or other simple gathering of characters.
  
• A one-time ‘Monster of the Week’ style scene using an @emited generic NPC monster.
  
• Small group plots that involve travel or gathering characters together for extended scenes that may require time spent ‘off the grid’, so long as the setting is generally within theme.
  

On the other hand, a couple examples of planned roleplay that would require tinyplot approval would be the following:

• Any plot that results in a significant change in a character’s skills or abilities, such as ‘ascension’ to a new race (Fae, for example).
  
• Plots involving recurring NPCs such as villains or monsters that may be used multiple times and have an agenda.
  
• Parties or other events that include possible Theme questionable settings or events that occur during the plot. For example, a beach or forest is within Theme, but travel to another Dimension or a land not seen in the show would require approval.
  
• Overarching global events that would directly disrupt the day to day RP of other players in public locations, such as Discord taking over Ponyville.
  

Some basic rules of thumb to use are that if it is going to last more than one day, or if it is going to involve people in something that is not spontaneous, or if it is going to involve the whole game or large portions of it, or if it is something that you have a definite goal in mind to build upon, it has a good chance of needing to be defined as a Tiny Plot. Situations that evolved out of spontaneous RP can certainly turn into a tinyplot, but if the circumstances warrant beginning something major, the player can start the ball rolling and submit the plot. If you're not sure, any members of plot staff can assist.

Players who would like to create a Tiny Plot must have the Tiny Plot approved before it may begin but players are not required to turn every plot twist into a Tiny Plot. If you are ever in doubt as to whether an idea of yours is a Tiny Plot or not, check with the those involved in the Tiny Plot approval process beforehand. If it looks like planned roleplay to the staff involved (try using the +plot alias to ask those questions), then they will tell you 'go ahead', or ask you to submit a full summary. When writing a Tiny Plot proposal, send @mail to the +plot alias with the entire event outlined, the purpose, who is involved, the goal, and any other vital information to the tinyplot.

How do you apply for a Tiny Plot?

+PLOT METHOD

The Quick-Reference Guide

1. Enter in “+plot/new” to create a new +plot!
2. Enter in “+plot/title (title name here)” to name the +plot!
3. Enter in “+plot/type (type here)” to classify the type of +plot, see List A for Types! Note that there can only be ONE (1) type.
4. Enter in “+plot/addtag (tags here)” to add what kinds of activities will go on in the +plot, see List B for Tags! (If you muck up and add an incorrect tag, just enter in “+plot/remtag (tags here)” to take the incorrect tag(s) out!)
5. Enter in “+plot/numplayers (how many players here)” to specify how many players are expected to be involved! This can be done with words and numbers (ie, at least five, 5, etc.)
6. Enter in “+plot/summary (brief summary here)” to give folks a brief glance at what this plot is about!
7. Enter in “+plot/details (detailed description here)” to give a more detailed synopsis of what this plot has in store for players!
   (If at any point before submitting your +plot, if you want to erase it to either start over or just give up, enter “+plot/clear” to erase the +plot entirely.)
8. Once you’re settled on the first seven steps, enter in “+plot/submit” to send it to plotstaff for review! A member of plotstaff will claim it, review it, possibly ask for more details or revisions, and then get in touch with you regarding its acceptance. If accepted, you’re ready to go! If denied, follow the plotstaff’s guidelines for corrections and revisions before resubmitting it.
   (If at any point after submitting your +plot you decide you don’t want to do it, just enter in “+plot/abandon” to be rid of it.)

Example +plot Schematic
+plot/new
+plot/title (enter title here)
+plot/type ONESHOT/MUSHCANON/GENERIC (Choose one of the three)
+plot/addtag ACT ADU ADV COM DRK MAG SAD SOL V (Delete unneeded tags)
+plot/numplayers AT LEAST XX/EXACTLY XX/NO MORE THAN XX (Choose one of the three, replace XX with number of players)
+plot/summary (brief summary here)
+plot/details (detailed description here)
+plot/submit

List A: Types of +plots
ONESHOT - Plots to which a certain character or item is central, that will have no lasting effect on the MUSH's world and are too specific to be re-used.
GENERIC - Plots that are generic frameworks that can be reused or modified to provide RP ideas or prompts for people who are having trouble coming up with one. These plots are what the +plotgen command chooses from.
MUSHCANON - These plots are plots that are going to have a noticeable effect on MUSH canon in some way, be it establishing a new location or country, establishing important new lore about how the world works, causing drastic changes in the landscape, etc.

List B: +plot Tags
Action (ACT) - Plots with this tag are going to have a significant amount of action. This could be anything from chasing down a runaway apple cart, or stopping a stampede all the way up to outright combat.
Adult (ADU) - This plot contains adult themes and situations. While this is often taken to mean 'things that go on in the bedroom' it can also refer to things such as drug-use, excessive harsh language, and other things that might take the rating of the plot beyond PG-13.
Adventure (ADV) - Plots with this tag often, but not always, take place in locations outside the usual everyday confines of Ponyville, Canterlot, and the like. Usually there is an amount of travel and dangers associated with such included.
Comedy (COM) - This is the tag for silly, crazy, or otherwise unusual antics.
Dark (DRK) - Plots carrying the 'Dark' tag can often overlap with those carrying the 'Adult' tag, but don't always do so. Dark plots feature places and characters that are grittier, dirtier, and generally much less pleasant than the standard fare.
Magic (MAG) - Plots having a focus on magical content will contain this flag. It will involve unusual types of magic, magic on a massive scale, or some other magical event that is above and beyond normal standards. Sad (SAD) - Sad plots are exactly what the tag implies. They contain subject matter that has the potential to bring the people involved to tears, or downright depress them.
Slice-of-Life (SOL) - The standard fare of RP for this MUSH. If your plot is one that would appear to be right at home within the bounds of a normal MLP:FiM episode, then it probably should get this tag.
Violent (V) - Violent plots can, but won't always, intersect with plots tagged 'Action'. Plots with this tag feature elements that may result in grievous injury to a character, or destruction on a massive scale.

OLD METHOD

To apply for consideration of your Tiny Plot, please fill out the following information, and then send your message to +plot by @mail. Sending @mail to +plot results in your message being sent to all plot staff.

1. What is the name of your tinyplot?
   
   • Be creative, be original, have fun!
     
2. Please give a summary of the end goal of your tinyplot.
   
   • What do you wish to be the prospective ending, what do you wish to achieve or accomplish?
     
   • Will this be a change in your character's standing, or abilities? What are the highlights of the plot, and how will they be achieved?
     
3. What are the names of other characters who will be involved in this tinyplot?
   
   • Is this a public or private Tiny Plot? Are there any characters that will be critical to the completion of the tinyplot?
     
4. Please give an outline of how your tinyplot will progress.
   

A good rule of thumb is to break it into 'acts'. The most common act framework is 'Build-up' 'Revelation' and 'Climax', though you do not necessarily need to use that framework or even limit yourself to three parts.

For each 'act' or segment of your Tiny Plot, please detail out important background information, and what should happen. Remember to keep it flexible, because just as no plan survives contact with the enemy, no plot will stay on track once other players become involved.

Try to follow this framework for each act:

• Act or phase #.
  
• Important background information for this act.
  
• What is the setting? What will happen, what events will occur, what events are necessary?
  
• What is the desired goal?
  

Thank you for this information, and happy roleplaying!