Sunshine OOC

After several months of work and many hours of writing, we the mods are finally ready to present you guys the masterpiece that we mods have named the Point System. A simple name, we know, but it has been a labor of love that we believe that you all might appreciate.

It's by no means going to ever be a requirement, now nor in the future, but we've set up a new system for scoring shinobi abilities that is a bit more comprehensive, and much less confusing, than the one in canon. We've already added the link for it to the FAQ, but we'll go ahead and give it to you here so you don't have to hunt for it.

The Point System!!!!!

What makes us so excited about this?

Well, one example of what this system will give us is a solid idea on a scale of 1-100 that encompasses exactly what a character can do. It has all manner of categories... but we think it might be easier to show you than tell you, so we'll use the same example in the post linked above, which happens to be Peter Pettigrew's stats.

Taijutsu		Ninjutsu		Genjutsu		Fuinjutsu		Weapons		Fitness		Speed		Stamina		Intelligence		Hand Seals		TOTAL
5.0		4.5		4.0		7.0		4.5		5.0		4.5		5.5		6.0		4.5		50.5
Offensive	2.0	Chakra Control	3.5	Detection	2.0	Creation	4.0	Range	2.0	Dexterity	3.0	Body Speed	4.5	Physical	3.0	Tactical Ability	2.0	Hand speed	2.5
Defensive	3.0	Jutsu Strength	1.0	Usage	2.0	Removal	3.0	Melee	2.5	Strength	2.0			Chakra	2.5	Emotional Control	4.0	Seal Recognition	2.0

We want to know what you guys think!

And for those of you already enamored with the idea of having one of these on your character's history page... well, we went ahead and gave everyone the option. Just comment with whatever your stats are on this post and we'll be sure to add them!

Basic list without any HTML, for those who don't want to fuss with the complicated stuff but wish to have one:
Total Scoring: Taijutsu: - Offensive: , Defensive: Ninjutsu: - Chakra Control: , Jutsu Strength: Genjutsu: - Detection: , Usage: Fuinjutsu: - Creation: , Removal: Weapons: - Range: , Melee: Fitness: - Dexterity: , Strength: Speed: - Body Speed: Stamina: - Physical: , Chakra: Intelligence: - Tactical Ability: , Emotional Control: Hand Seals: - Hand speed: , Seal Recognition:

If you'd like to mess with all the fancy HTML though...
<raw> <table cellpadding=3px width=100% cellspacing=0px style="font-size:10px;" bgcolor=#efaf71> <tr align=center style="font-weight:bold;color:#faeedc;font-variant:small-caps;text-transform:uppercase;border-bottom: 1px solid #CC6600;"> <td bgcolor=#5c3d1e colspan=2>Taijutsu</td> <td bgcolor=#5c3d1e colspan=2>Ninjutsu</td> <td bgcolor=#5c3d1e colspan=2>Genjutsu</td> <td bgcolor=#5c3d1e colspan=2>Fuinjutsu</td> <td bgcolor=#5c3d1e colspan=2>Weapons</td> <td bgcolor=#5c3d1e colspan=2>Fitness</td> <td bgcolor=#5c3d1e colspan=2>Speed</td> <td bgcolor=#5c3d1e colspan=2>Stamina</td> <td bgcolor=#5c3d1e colspan=2>Intelligence</td> <td bgcolor=#5c3d1e colspan=2>Hand Seals</td> <td bgcolor=#5c3d1e><b>TOTAL</b></td> </tr> <tr align=center style="font-weight:bold;color:#faeedc;font-variant:small-caps;text-transform:uppercase;border-bottom: 1px solid #CC6600;"> <td bgcolor=#8c4600 colspan=2>#</td> <td bgcolor=#8c4600 colspan=2>#</td> <td bgcolor=#8c4600 colspan=2>#</td> <td bgcolor=#8c4600 colspan=2>#</td> <td bgcolor=#8c4600 colspan=2>#</td> <td bgcolor=#8c4600 colspan=2>#</td> <td bgcolor=#8c4600 colspan=2>#</td> <td bgcolor=#8c4600 colspan=2>#</td> <td bgcolor=#8c4600 colspan=2>#</td> <td bgcolor=#8c4600 colspan=2>#</td> <td bgcolor=#8c4600><b>#</b></td> </tr> <tr align=center style="color:#000"> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>Offensive</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>#</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>Chakra Control</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>#</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>Detection</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>#</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>Creation</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>#</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>Range</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>#</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>Dexterity</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>#</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>Body Speed</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>#</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>Physical</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>#</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>Tactical Ability</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>#</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>Hand speed</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>#</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71></td></tr> <tr align=center bgcolor=#ffe2c6 style="color:#000"> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>Defensive</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>#</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>Jutsu Strength</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>#</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>Usage</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>#</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>Removal</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>#</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>Melee</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>#</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>Strength</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71># </td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6 colspan=2></td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>Chakra</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>#</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>Emotional Control</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6>#</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>Seal Recognition</td> <td bgcolor=#efaf71>#</td> <td bgcolor=#ffe2c6></td></tr> </table></raw>
Anywhere with a # is where you would put a number, and each column of numbers is one row across the table, so it's pretty simple to check which goes with which. If you want to speed it to your history page, give us a textarea box for it too!

Have questions or concerns about the game? This post is where they go!

In interests of making sure that this remains a secure and open environment, we will be enabling both Anon and Screening to allow maximum cover for those who might prefer it. If you wish for your anon comments, or even non-anon comments, to be answered where they can be seen, simply put a yes in the subject line and we will unscreen the conversation as it develops.

In addition, we can be contacted through the mod email sunshinemods@gmail.com or through AIM or Plurk.


Skeren- AIM; horneddesire, Plurk; Skeren, Skype, skerendreamera
Youko- AIM; Youkofox13, Plurk; Youkofox13
Penbee- Plurk; Penbee, Skype; eternallyyouth
Rynne/Mele- AIM; noyuichan Plurk; Yusagi, Skype; darkbunnyrabbit

Alright everyone, there is a lot, and I do mean a lot of confusion over how this game works. Some points we were worried over was how plotting should work, and NPC account... lack of use shall we say.

The war, for instance, we've been trying to get going since last year. Due to events, every time a thread seemed to be going in a direction where it might happen, the character was dropped or the thread got handwaved. We kept throwing out opportunities at the players anyway in hopes one of them would carry through.

People seemed to have trouble making up their own missions that weren't the plot related ones, so we put ones that could be relevant to the plot or not, depending how it was handled, to the players. That helped, but people were still acting like their characters weren't taking missions outside those, and in some cases probably not realizing that was so. Characters are not landlocked to their villages if they don't have missions handed down by mods guys, we're sure they're doing missions between those.

As for the broad big plots... there really isn't anything specific mapped for the future save a few particular big outliers that players will have plenty of warning about.

Because of that, there is no such thing as stepping on the toes where plot is concerned. Most of the plot missions? Made up on the spot only after people claimed them. The rallying cry for 'more details!!'? Again, made up on the spot usually when people asked for them.

Yes, we had some under tensions prior to the war kickoff, and Otogakure, at least, was trying to keep themselves off the grid when the game started. In game stuff changed that, and now, we as mods have forced the war plot into action to try and get people more active.

This post is the War Update post. It is the current situation in game, as well as all plots that we, as the mods are aware of that affect more than one character. We made it to hopefully clear up confusion, and keep you guys updated on what we're doing. We also hope that you'll tell us your plots so that we can be kept updated on what our players are doing.

All we need is a heads up and a quick 'hey I want to do this' and players can get an answer, or even help, in fleshing out the plots that come to mind. They'll also be added to that post.

If people want to bounce off villains, or any other assorted NPCs really, then use sunshinenpcs. We made it to be used, and will have more details to help with that later. The password is in an entry only members of the game can see, so anyone can use it at any time, and you don't need to wait for mod permission.

NPC means any character not played officially by a player. This could be anyone from Minato, to Bee, to that guy who sells water on the side of the road, or maybe even random kid #4 who is giggling at you from around the corner. They do not have to be canon fleshed out characters, nor do they even have to have names if it's not important to the thread.

If players wish to post entries to the journal with NPC details? Be it broad types or an idea you have for how certain groups in the war fight, maybe something about the fashion choices of the people in an unnamed group in the middle of nowhere? We are more than okay with that. We just ask that you leave the navigation entry alone, and no one change the password. We trust you guys so we figure those go without saying though.

So please, everyone. We mods are here to guide you, not be the dictators that tell everyone how everything must be. Talk to us. If something won't work, we'll tell you, and tell you why, but it's unlikely that you will need to worry about that happening often at all. If you need clarifications on how something works, we'll get the information out there. We made a whole page about how Scrolls work because of one such concern even!

Above all though, talk to each other. The NPC account was created for you all to take things into your own hands, and the plot is open to the players making what they will of it.

But, if none of that is your cup of tea, you don't have to do any of it. We want you to have fun, above all else, because that's most important.

Thank you.

OKAY so I'm sure some of you remembering me chattering about updating the map with terrain.

Well, I did.

Then another mod decided to give it a go and we decided that hers was even more awesome, and we added common roads, and all kinds of awesome details we hope you guys might enjoy using.

Like scale. YES, WE NOW HAVE DISTANCES!!

The Map is here if you'd like to look at it.

We also have updated the FAQ so that it has information on what indicates someone who activates travel seals, and distance and travel. I will copy and paste it here so people don't get lost trying to find it:

Under "Interacting with other villages":
-All seals are marked by golden explosions on the world map and can be used as per details in a question below. Long travel takes a few weeks, seal travel moments, so please take this into account when moving from place to place. The people at the seal points will have a Purple armband with a mark for 'travel' on them, regardless of country.

Under "How do you get to other villages?":
You can always travel on foot, which can take several days, or weeks, depending what villages you're moving between. However, if you manage to tick off the seal NPCs (or happen to be a civilian/missing-nin) this is the way to go.

Travel speeds go as such: Shinobi can run up to 40 MPH/64 KPH, when in excellent condition, genin are slower, not taking into account things such as tree hopping which can bring them almost to 45 MPH/72 KPH.

Civilian speeds tend to not be faster than 3 MPH/5 KPH at a walk, 20 MPH/32 KPH at a sprint, though this is not sustainable. If they are taking a wagon, they can get up to speeds of 10-12 MPH/16-19 KPH and hold it for a duration.

Questions? Comments? Feel free to put them here and we'll do our best to answer.

Unlike in canon this war will not be one where there is a single brief, if admittedly overpowered, conflict and then everything settles. No, instead it will be a series of cascading events that will drag out over months, maybe even years, affecting how promotions get tackled, and how much trust is really held between the various countries.

There have been hints layered throughout the various news posts that have been put up over the last year, careful bits and bobs that mention seemingly random disappearances, countries blockading or hiking prices on goods that they normally wouldn't, and otherwise unusual behavior that has little to nothing to do with the weather acting up. It was set up, and was the unification of those discontent on the main continent of the Elemental Nations.

Current Alliances in Place
Alliances are subject to change, and any countries with a /name mean that they have a hidden village of that name on their land, with the exception of Nadeshiko which is only their village.
'

Kage Alliance	Neutral Nations	Unified Alliance
- Land of Earth/Iwa	- Land of Iron	- Land of Bears /Hoshi
- Land of Fire/Konoha	- Land of Bean Jam	- Land of Birds
- Land of Lightning/Kumo	- Benisu Island	- Land of Claws/Moya
- Land of Water/Kiri	- Land of Fields	- Land of Demons
- Land of Wind/Suna	- Land of Forests	- Land of Fangs
- Land of Sand	- Land of Hills	- Land of Frost /Shimo
- Land of Swamps	- Land of Honey	- Land of Grass/Kusa
- Land of Waves	- Land of Ice	- Land of Hot Water/Yuga
- Land of Whirlpools/Uzushio	- Land Island	- Land of Keys/Joumae
	- Land of the Moon/Getsu	- Land of Mountains/Kagerou
	- Nadeshiko Village	- Land of Rice Paddies/Oto
	- Land of Noodles	- Land of Rivers/Tani
	- Land of Rain/Ame	- Land of Sky
	- Land of the Sea	- Land of Snow/Yuki
	- Land of Tea	- Land of Stone/Ishi
	- Land of That	- Island of Tsuki/Tsuki
	- Land of This	- Land of Valleys/Tanima
	- Land of Woods/Yume	- Land of Vegetables/Yusai
		- Land of Waterfalls/Taki

As you can see, there are three core factions to the way the world is split.
-The Kage Alliance is what Obito put in place with the Travel Seal Network, and that dragged in a few smaller countries who had been Allies to them predating their larger treaty.
-The Unified Alliance, which is composed entirely of smaller countries that do not have Kage, and have been actively recruiting over the last year, attempting to sway other countries to their cause. It is to be noted that there is no formal treaties between these countries, as the entire thing is set up on temporary treaties between select countries in a staggered pattern.
-Neutral Nations are what it says on the can. These countries either know, and refused to participate in the Unified Alliance, or were not approached at all. They are also countries that have no overt binding treaties to any of the Kage nations.

These factions are subject to change after the war gets going! This is simply the opening placement of all countries as of April of this year, and it will be updated as things happen in the game going forward.

What We Need From You
Anyone who has an ongoing player plot, please comment here and explain what it is! This includes, but is not limited to: Getting Students, Political Plans, Marriages, Cross Village Romances, Player Run Missions! Anything! Anything at all that is relevant to what is going on in your character's life, please put here. We'll have a top level comment dedicated to this.

Also, this is a post where you can contact a mod if you wish to see about a method to maim or kill your character, and this option will be offered going forward with every War Update post if you wish to organize your character going out in a blaze of glory or something similar sometime in the future. Please note that this is not intended as any kind of requirement whatsoever, and even if you choose to say you'd like it you can change your mind up until it actually happens! Also to be noted, such an arrangement does not mean it will happen within the next month. You could request it here and not have it happen until six months from now as well. It all depends on what you, the player, might enjoy doing. Another top level comment will be dedicated to this.

We also need Volunteers! That's right, there will be several 'this is going to happen' situations in the next section of this post, and we are going to dearly need people to volunteer to get caught up in the mess. There will be a dedicated comment below New people, you can jump in here the moment you see it too, don't be shy, you're a player now, and we want you!

What is Going On?
Please note that all situations that you can volunteer for will be happening within the first week of May.

We'll start off the situation with Konoha. Sasuke Uchiha, in the middle of April, is going to be kidnapped while in the midst of investigating the situation that has been increasing in urgency over the last year outside of Konoha's borders. It is the same situation that led to him having to kill a household of innocents, and the same one that caused the chaos of the chakra bound kidnappings the year previous, to say nothing of the very recent assault that led to numerous, almost taunting, body switches. Sasuke going missing, unlike when Kushina's assistant while she still ran Uzushio, was noticed fast enough, and with enough of an idea of where he could be, that he will be recovered and returned to his home village in early May. While Konoha is going to lock down borders, other kidnapping attempts will be made. The only reason they aren't going after Obito directly is the sheer lack of accessibility. Anyone who is seen with the Hokage regularly who would like to be involved in a kidnapping plot, please comment to the Volunteer comment below.

Next up is Kirigakure. The situation here has been increasingly unstable due to civilian pressure and internal strife between the bloodline and non-bloodline users. Unlike in Fire, where the civilian faction will be largely left alone, in Water the situation will be more intense, with an assassin going after the Daimyo, even as a group within Kiri manages to make an opening for Yagura to be killed, leaving the village in immediate desperate need of finding a new jinchuuriki before the man dies, since his injuries will be severe enough he will not survive. Anyone wishing to be part of the group that initiates the takedown, comment in the volunteer section. Alternately, those interested in getting control of the power gap, also please comment.

From there will be the situation in Sunagakure. Unlike either Kiri or Konoha, Suna's issues with their own Daimyo will be part of their problem, with the man having an active hand in luring out the Kazekage into an ambush by sending someone to request him personally. He will be attacked in a suicide run that will take him down before he can reach his destination, and the Daimyo himself will be severely injured to keep him quiet, leaving the entire country with a lack of leadership since no one can set up to run the country with the man alive, and the Kazekage will have been brought down. Please volunteer if you wish to be involved in the fight itself, or in taking up the power gap in the wake of it.

Kumo will have attempts on their leadership as well, but unlike Kiri and Suna, they will not be successful. However, they will have severe injuries to several prominent shinobi, and anyone who wishes to be involved in this situation please comment below.

Iwagakure is the last of the villages that will get a huge insurgence of attack, and Onoki's apprentice to the Tsuchikage position will go missing in the wake of the chaos of a false assassination attempt to catch the man's closest in a trap while forces are distracted elsewhere. Again, anyone who wishes to participate in this plot, please comment below.

There's More?!
One last thing. Plot. Mingle below and use this post to sort out plans with each other. If you have suggestions, or war related events you want to see in the upcoming months, we'll have a comment for that as well that you can tap into. Share them with us! We want to know your thoughts and we want this war to be as intense or as intrigue filled as you want it. If you want to play with Ciphers and information puzzles, we can do that, if you want mindscrews and terrible genjutsu, we can do that too. Just let us know! This is an opportunity for you to tell us how you want this war to go.

Also, please keep an eye out, we might open minor apps for non-AC plot characters (with the caveat that they have a much higher mortality rate than normal characters) but this is for the future, and has yet to be fully decided.

Have a great night everyone and don't be afraid to speak up.