SWG: Inner Circle Advancement- Rimarath - 29 March 2002 -[ Other SWG Commentary ][Version 1.1: Updated based on Shug's skill terminology post.][Version 1.0: Drafted from dev board post.]
MotivationI've been toying for a while with an idea about recognition for skill mastery. I'd like to introduce a concept of recognition for true masters of certain skills -- something analagous to the Jedi council, but for any profession at all: an Inner Circle of the best of the best in each profession.This could be anything from a Miner's Guild to the Trade Federation to a Sharpshooter's Club. Any crafting or trade profession can easily have a master's guild, combat professions could have elite training organizations (a sort of non-denominational Delta Force, if you will), etc. For reference on the inner circle for fighters, check the backstory of your average console fighting game, which usually features something like an inner circle where the setting is described as a tournament of selected champions.
Ceremonial, not FunctionalJoining the inner circle would be largely ceremonial, but would be appealing to many (including myself) for the recognition/fame aspect. It might, however, also allow you to finally advance the last 1% or 0.1% in certain skills associated with that profession -- perhaps by opening up a final skill or title in one of the disciplines -- just to make it have some practical impact as well. Another contributor (Mabo) suggested a badge to symbolize the fact that you have mastered that profession, or a special piece of equipment that only the best of the best could wield (which need not have any additional features, aside from being unique in appearance).ImplementationAt first I would think the inner circle would be run by NPCs who select based on skill level, a nomination/application process, and so on; but I would eventually like to see it run by PCs who can select new entrants. It's possible that nepotism would be rampant in the player-run system, but that itself has some potentialy for cool gameplay, especially if the system allowed for the possibility of a coup in the inner circle.Having player involvement significantly increases the potential for interesting and unique developements in each inner circle. It's a great opportunity to let players influence the game, and since it's almost entirely ceremonial, any strange things that happen as a result of players being in charge is okay, because no one gets hurt.
Rim |