LS.Org and the Rifter

[Cybermancer]

Has anyone ever considered doing a Rifter Article (or series of articles) on the Lazlo Society site as it currently exists?

Stuff like prominent personalities on the site, various goings on and even sub-groups that have formed or cropped up. And of course, let us not forget some of the more memorable villians.

And how about a swimsuit issue to showcase some of the ladies?

It could make an interesting colaborative effort.

[Lord Z]

I can see three potential problems. First, there are the legal concerns. It would be infeasible to gather all of the Unsolicited Manuscript Forms. A series of smaller submissions by the individual players about their own characters might work.

Second, there is a conflict between the canon and what we see on the boards. The BtS-2 main rule book describes the Lazlo Society as being a huge organization with an extensive online database at the website. Even the elite Lazlo Agency is supposed to have around ten thousand members. In reality, we have just the forums and what, three or four dozen active members? Canon characters like Mach never appear. I'm pleased with what we have (more would be a nightmare to organize), but it does conflict with canon. A skillful writer could write around that.

Third, the turn around for Rifter articles makes the submission somewhat incompatible with the fluid nature of LS.org. Personally, I hate it when a comic book cartoon finally gets to television, but what I see on the screen no longer bares resemblence to what is happening in the book.

Then again, I've been very negative lately. I could be wrong.

[Cybermancer]

It is constructive, rather than negative to point out obstacles to overcome.

Especially if it follows with ideas to overcome those obstacles.

[Beatmeclever]

This could be interesting.

Maybe, by database, they meant simply available information. I mean Chen Lung's not all that active in the adventures the group at the LS have happened on, but he's always willing to give information from his organization's database for use by the rest of the LS. Perhaps the massive supernatural DB of the LS is actually the availability of each member's individual records and information?

[Cybermancer]

I think it would have to be a voluntary basis. With each member contributing what they wanted.

Character stats, backgrounds, some of the more interesting posts/threads, perhaps polished up a bit. Show the Rifter audience what they'll be dealing with and who'll they'll be rubbing elbows with.

Also, an article on how things works might be a very good idea. Could help new arrivals like Reckoner if there were some sort of guide to the Lazlo Society. There are a lot of unwritten rules and it can be tricky for someone new, just getting started.

[Cybermancer]

I don't really think that BtS2 really does an adequate job of preparing a new arrival to deal with active posting at LS.Org. I've started composing a guide to maybe post here to help people.

I've been helping some friends I know in RL join the sight but there are some common problems that seem to be cropping up. I don't think Reckoner's experience is unique but he did draw attention to it which is a good thing.

The place can be pretty intimidating to fresh blood.

Not everyone has my blind arrogance when it comes to forging ahead in new territory.

Or stubborn pig headedness, for that matter.

Some might call these traits a willingness to try new things and persistance but I am not capable of such self-deceptions.

[Cybermancer]

A thread on that will be starting shortly.

[Cybermancer]

I personally was thinking of a "Life After Lazlo" kind of book some time ago, where the Lazlo Agency started to fall apart after the disappearance of Victor Lazlo, and would include characters and their thoughts and feelings on how things went so wrong after he left, and would include more HLS style adventures and plot devices than fully fleshed out adventures. I wanted the focus to be on the narratives and the way the organization changed after Victor Lazlo vanished. I never got very far with it, but I think this could be a similar endeavour.

My understanding was that there really wasn't an agency until after he disappeared. Just a loose network of affiliates that banded together to form the agency because of his disappearance.

Perhaps work reflecting the change would be the opposite? How everyone came together, how the agency came to be and how it became what it is today? It still shows change and would work in much the same way, I think. There could even be a feeling of 'falling apart' even as they close ranks and become united.

[Cybermancer]

That's an interesting way of looking at it. Each would have a personal story of Victor Lazlo to tell as they worked to carry on the mantle of the Lazlo Society/Agency. I still like the title "Life after Lazlo" to keep the focus on how each individuals life was changed by Victor.

Oh, I agree, absolutely.