(Summary down the bottom for the less inclined to read among you)

Okay so in the... like 5 months I've been on here the one thing that has stood out to me is the lack of any real inter factional conflict. Sure we have the odd beat up and stuff but I haven't really seen (in my limited viewing) a major conflict (which would be hard to miss). So I have had a brilliant spark of brilliance. This all stemmed from a discussion of how to improve order membership and my conclusion that a lack of conflict between factions meant people went straight for the safe bets (the good guys and the relatively neutrals (Xs and Ks))

So, what I had in my mind was an amazingly cool plot in my mind that I don't know if it's been said before but here goes.

It is current times (Post Romania) and NYC is growing to view the mutants as not so scary. But the Order wishes to change that. (My suggestions for what the factions would do policy wise are purely that, suggestions) The order start recruiting members straight off the street, no waiting around, no initiation tests, just "Hi, here's a mission". No-one thinks twice of it, but then the Order take over the city in all their evil glory, ruling with an iron fist of many deadly spikes. People step out of line, they're never heard from again, much like in Orwell's 1984. They force the X-men underground, turning them into almost a resistance group. NYC is now Order territory and they aren't letting anyone forget it. It is of course an unofficial ownership of threats and violence, but the NYPD and co are powerless to stop them, and in many cases, the commissioners/higher ups simply dismiss the cases to save their families.

The takeover alone could take some doing, but this is more a long term plot anyway. So now the order are in power and can walk through NYC fearless of any man, woman or child standing up to them. They can do as they please, and they take advantage of this.

So the X-men decide enough is enough and so the turf war begins, both groups operating from their current base of ops. The Kabal, I suppose, would be guns for hire so to speak, as could the neutrals, should any be left after the war begins. The X-men start recruiting as well, if somewhat more carefully, spy networks are formed, fights are fought and New Yorkers are caught in the cross fire. The city becomes a war zone where Morals are tested and people have to decide between their beliefs and their interfactional friends.

Summary:
• Post Romania.

• Order recruit members (who have no idea what they’re getting into perhaps?)

• Order take over NYC by threats, lies and murder.

• Order rule city by controlling politicians and law
enforcement.

• X-men forced underground- Mansion closes.

• Order do as Order please.

• Xs fight back, recruit own new members.

• Spies abound.

• Kabal do as Kabal would (Sell members as mercenaries perhaps?)
• City caught in crossfire.

• Neutrals would also be at risk from all side as both sides would want them, and rejection of an offer would be seen as supporting the opposition. Could sell selves as mercenaries if the really are that indifferent.

• Men are real men, Women are real women, and furry green creatures from around alpha centauri are real furry green creatures from around alpha centauri.


Hopefully this will result in a fun plot and possibly new members for factions in need (e.g. The order.) and also players learning a bit more about what their character would do in tough decision making situations.

((This would all take place over several months possibly longer))

Indications of interest appreciated

Well, I agree that the factions need more conflicts, maybe happening much more often and perhaps not always big ones such as the KP... But the Order taking over NYC is kind of extreme.

Maybe this would help the Order gain more members, but, on the other side forcing the X-Men underground and closing the mansion would leave all the boards at the Xavier Institute unused and I don’t think that is good.

Plus, the X-Men could no longer recruit members or do what they are known for, aka helping mutants gaining control of their powers. Sure, maybe they could recruit people on their side (or offer them protection from the Order) but that wouldn’t necessary mean they become X-Men. That’s why the X-Tryouts exist in the first place and not everyone that arrives at the Mansion automatically gains access to the team. There are a few things a member needs to accomplish before even applying for the X-Tryouts and those take time (and most likely it takes a long time).

As for the Kabal. They don’t sell their members for money. The Kabal’s purpose is – quote- to bring the world to the worst degree of peace. Therefore, I doubt that Slate would sit at the labs, sipping his tea while the Order takes over NYC and forces the X-Men to go into hiding. The X's and K's are starting to work together and if something like the Order taking over NYC happened, I believe that the Kabal would be on the X-Men's side. And that would be two factions against one. I doubt that the Order has/would gain enough power to win.

Plus, assuming that this plot takes place after it is over and the X are back doing their own thing… what would happen to the Order then? Since the Order can’t rule NYC forever. They’d be back right where they’d first started, I believe. The Order needs is to make the faction more attractive, indeed, but whatever they do, it has to be permanent and not only for a few months.

I doubt that new members would join after that thinking that ‘oh look, Order ruled NYC a while ago, they look cool’. Most likely, if members join the Order during this plot, they’d do it because the power the Order has in that moment and we can’t be quite sure that that builds loyalty and they would stay after the power is gone.

Valid reasoning, so I'll address the issues in the order they were presented.

I did not intend the mansion to be closed for business closed, more become a fortress closed, sorry for any confusion, but closed was intended as in "The gates are closed." not "This shop is closed."

The X-men could still do what it is they are known for, given this, however they would have to be more careful, I don't intend to damage the recruiting process of any faction through this plot. I understand the theory of the trials and agree that they are there for a reason. I did specify anything relating to policy was purely a suggestion. I understand that people may see this as just one of those "Let's skip try outs" things but it isn't, I was more thinking a position closer to "Honorary X-man for the duration of this fight for NYC." I would not wish to upset the system catastrophically.

I apologise for my limited understanding of the Kabal, having had no exposure to their methods on a personal level. However I do believe there is more to the quote you gave me, that would negate the 2 Vs 1 outlook. "Let the X's and O's bicker like lovers in the streets of New York City; Slate's Kabal will bring the world itself to the worst degree of peace. " As understood by the above quote, Slates Kabal wouldn't be bothered by the petty fight for NYC. The above quote suggests in fact that the Kabal would almost be a non-entity in the fight, thus my suggestion, which I apologise if it was inaccurate.

Your point on the aftermath is noted; however interfactional conflicts could still be maintained. NYC would have to be rebuilt, and I highly doubt the order would go back to just twiddling their thumbs after seeing that they CAN take over the city. With the city weakened and the Order with a recent crushing of their regime, what is to stop a very angry order taking their feelings out on those that are weaker, the humans. I hardly see the "People joining for power" as an issue, as people who join the Order not knowing about their plans and those that join for power would more than likely be the ones who would have gone with the order anyway would you not agree?

As for the subject of future order recruitment, if the conflict between factions is maintained and they work together on RARE occasions, rather than just every other Tuesday, so long as they all remained relatively equal, with spikes along the way for plot purposes etc, people would actually put more thought into the choice rather than going "Hey, Kabal work with the X-men, lets join them cos they form the power duo and are the safe bets."

For what its worth, I really like this idea though I agree with Circe's concerns that, perhaps, an entire New York takeover might be a little extreme. How feasible would it be to have a slightly smaller takeover, maybe with The Order expanding their territory into a large quarter of New York and attempting to expand further? Were this the case then I think many of the concerns Circe mentioned would no longer need be concerns. The Area of Order Control would still have to be significant, of course, but it would still feel as if the X's retained some strength and authority.

My thoughts run along the idea of splitting the influences in the city, with an O controlled half of New York and an X (or still human with X's doing what they did) half of New York. You could play it off something like the split of Germany after WW II With an east and a west and issues crossing over into the sphere of influence of one or the other.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

I second Meld's idea.

I agree with Meld actually, it's something I hadn't thought of and I like the idea. Thanks to both Meld and Circe for input of concerns and suggestions

It sounds like a really awesome idea with some definite potential. I'd personally love to hear a little mod input.

The idea seems more valid with melds idea. It sound sbetter considering theirs not really that many members and would take a alot of John does. I have no ide about the order after, i know Aura would simply follow on as she has. WHat would be interesting is if the order lost in the end (Sadly the baddies always do) would be for an order member, to end in a place of power, Like the mayor of NYC.

In any case it would be more fun then just murdering faceless gang members so often.

*sigh* as much as I love playing my cards close to the chest, I realize that with all of your help we can achieve something truly epic.

Realize that as we type the nefarious minds of Kat and Calley are no doubt brewing up a plot of their own... (last time they brewed world war three) but while they are away let us take this opportunity to dream wicked, Order thoughts. (isn't it fun to be wicked at times?) Because we all know the Order needs a boost in membership and nothing makes a faction more attractive besides action.

I believe you all know that Lori is working to solidify a stronghold of mutants only. She also has begun the rebuilding of the Pharmaceuticals company that was compromised in the KP fight. *cough* She's also started edging the humans out of the Order's area.

It's been hinted, but not directly mentioned that there is still some capacity of research to be had after Romania. (After Romania because to steal the limelight from one plot with another is just not cool. Also it gives credibility to the idea that Faust Pharm will be rebuilt enough to foster some kind of work.)

The next sort of story arc that has been pre-moderator approved is a multi-layered Order scheme and it eerily aligns with what this thread is cooking up. I would appreciate the support and ideas that might be lent to further this crazy idea.

I'll play with Cafas' bullet-point approach.

• From the bowls of wickedness, a new street drug is created: It's sort of an anti-haywire. It only affects humans and will, for a temporary amount of time, give them a weakened and random mutant power.
  
  
• Naturally, for a time the streets will be ruled by chaos as mutant wanna-be's are set loose on the city. Addicts sprout from some of the most unexpected people/places.
  
  
• Chaos is what the Order does best. It's like Wheaties to them. Chaos: Breakfast of Orderlings. With some properly applied chaos they could easily expand their "territory" as it were.
  
  
• Perhaps to stop the fast growing takeover some kind of barrier is built a-la Berlin? Who knows. It might not be wise to make it a strict barrier since for OOC play reasons, it would be best for all to not limit who could play with who.

I feel obligated to mention that the "bowels of wickedness" may or may not include kidnapping some mutants (Streak has already been volunteered as a kidnap-ee) which Lori will have to feel guilty about later.

I'm expressing interest in this plotting from the vantage points of all my characters. I think it would be feasible to try and control a larger portion of New York, though total Order takeover would limit roleplaying possibilities, short of the X-men's valiant offense against it. I can foresee several little fights throughout the site between the Xs and Os.

I can also see this plot having other subplots within it (wheels within wheels), cranking to bring all the factions into the action somehow (Ghost and Meld might be able to guess what I'm thinking here).

I like some of the ideas presented here. Especially the ones involving 'wicked bowels'. Noxious ghouls are the scarecrows of New York, and what better ghouls could we use than the Order? I'm sure they're willing to toss a few humans up on posts in their parts of the city, as well. The drug plot also has funky merit.

I have to say I really like the drug idea. That has a lot of possibilities in it. It divides the population into all kinds of fun categories: humans, X-gene mutants, junkie-mutants, dealers, addicts, mutant-haters, and all the combinations they can come up with. Would be a world of fun, and some cool NPCs too.
Especially if you can't tell what ability you are going to end up with. *Reminded of promycine in 4400*

On a similar note: I wonder how adapteds would fit into the drug scene. Would the drug affect them? Would they be able to null drug-induced powers too?...

I also want to put in my agreement about the drug plot. I think that would add all sorts of delicious chaos and excitement. Between such a drug and increased Order influence and power I think there could be all sorts of rp opportunities for all involved. And while the X's and O's are fighting it out in the streets, it could provide the perfect chance for the Kabal to make some sort of move as well.

On a slightly unrelated note I'd be happy to volunteer Juka for some kidnapping as well.

SOunds fun *wnats to further abuse Juka* As long as we get somthing moving im all good.

I think this sounds really interesting. Henrietta hasn't gotten very involved in anything. She stays at the mansion and if someone wanted to kidnap her, it wouldn't be too difficult. I think it'd be good for her to be thrown into some scary stuff.