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Arc System Guide Guide Outline While we have firmly outlined systems on site for professional and physical development, until now we have not provided a structural framework for people to keep track of their character's social development and non-mission/training plots. The creation of this system hopes to help reward players for their character development as well as create an easier system for NPC Moderators to keep track of character's non-shinobi abilities when writing their missions. This system is optional. Characters are not required to complete arcs in order to maintain traits that they were written to have. The Arc System merely helps players document character traits that they find sufficiently important, allowing them to wear completed character arcs like a badge of honor and provide people reading their profiles a more complete image of the character. This guide will outline what a Character Trait is, provide an overview of types of Arcs, and explain the appeal process for submitting an Arc Completion. Character Traits Character Traits are developed/learned character skills and abilities which exist outside of the usual shinobi structure. Most players on site gravitate away from social SAs, preferring to dedicate their Special Abilities to things that are more helpful on missions. Character Traits take this into account and break the two apart, allowing individuals to develop social abilities through play without having to dedicate one of their limited SAs to it. Traits are not things which provide mechanical leverage in battle, but rather things that might give someone an advantage in other mission situations. For example, one can develop a Character Trait which gives them boating knowledge, allowing them to effectively take command over a ship during a crisis. Characters do not start with Traits at any rank and exclusively earn them through roleplay. Traits are earned through Arc Completion. Arc Types In order to provide a structure and clarity to this system, we are going to provide a general outline of types of arcs that can be completed here. While this is not a total sum of all possible arc types, most will generally fall into one of these categories. Expertise Arcs: Expertise Arcs are arcs about gathering knowledge in a field outside the shinobi career. If a shinobi dedicates their time to an external hobby, acts as student to a master, and comes to appreciate and excel in a craft, this would allow them to earn a trait which states they have knowledge in this area. A character who earns a Fishery Master trait might not find use for this trait in combat, but may find use for it in a situation where the migratory behaviors of fish are relevant to discovering a mystery. Explorer Arcs: Explorer Arcs are arcs about learning about a very specific environment. Many shinobi know about their homes or the village they’re from, but they don’t necessarily have a perfect lay of the land in every city. If a shinobi dedicates their time to visiting a location, getting to know the locals, exploring the culture, and becoming familiar with the environment, this would allow them to earn a trait which states they have detailed knowledge of that village. A character who earns a Kashiwa Local trait might not find use for this trait in combat, but may use it for remembering locations where a missing child might hide out in the forest. Loyalty Arcs: Loyalty Arcs are arcs about either proving your commitment to another person or group or betraying their trust and proving your disloyalty. In either case, they are stories about changing the way individuals view you forever. A shinobi who dedicates time to following orders, meeting expectations, going above and beyond, and bonding with others deeply, might earn a trait which states that people of their favored group stand with them or trust them more with others. A shinobi who dedicates time to disobeying orders, stabbing in the back, or getting into arguments might earn a trait which notes the tension between them and the group they have dealt with. A character who earns a Noble Guardian trait might not find use for this trait in combat, but may use it when a testy noble needs to be persuaded to listen to their instructions. Growth Arcs: Growth Arcs are arcs where a character has an influential experience or confronts a fundamental belief and either changes in some way or comes to a new conclusion about their view of the world. A character who spends time facing an ingrained belief, gathers more information about it, approaches different perspectives, and comes away more thoughtful, this would allow them to earn a trait which reflects their new view. A character who earns the Second Chances trait might not find use for it in combat, but may face an interesting philosophical quandary when faced with a sympathetic opponent. Overcoming Arcs: Overcoming Arcs are arcs where a character manages to finally overcome some trouble or turmoil that has been plaguing their life. This could be a fear, as simple as a fear of the dark, or a tormenting figure, such as a personal arc villain. A character who dedicates time to working through their issue, facing it head-on, and ultimately overcoming it would be rewarded with a trait that expresses this new strength. A character who earns the Never Again trait might not find use for it in combat, but it could bring up interesting conflicts with NPCs who remind them of their foes. Arc Completion In order to have a Character Trait added to your application, you must submit an Arc Completion appeal. These appeals are a Level 1 appeal, requiring only one moderator's approval. There are three levels of arc completion complexity. Threads required vary by level, though these thread counts are guidelines and not absolute rules. Minor: Minor arcs take approximately 5 threads and reward Minor Traits, which impact almost nothing. These would be small features like getting really good at hacky sack, or becoming closer with a teammate you were already expected to work closely with. Moderate: Moderate arcs take 15 threads and reward Moderate Traits, which have decent impacts. These would be medium features like being recognized for your work in an area, being able to navigate most of a village by memory, or gaining loyalties from a group with decent sway. Major: Major arcs take 20 threads and reward Major Traits, which have significant impacts. These would be large features like being a defector or double-agent, befriending a very influential group, or being a widely known expert in an area. When you submit your appeal, you must provide the following information. Participants in the arc: Type of arc: Level of arc: Threads labelled as beginning, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution: Summary of arc: Trait developed: There is currently no limit to the number of traits that can be developed. This may change as the function of this system becomes more apparent. Those who currently have Social SAs will be encouraged to keep them. Social SAs will still be recognized and maintain their current impacts. If someone truly feels their Social SA would be better served as a Trait, they may complete a Major Arc to convert it, then must train a replacement SA. Example Let’s start with an imaginary character. This character is young, maybe 12, and is a street urchin criminal. They undergo a character arc where they’re caught for their crimes by a shinobi, face repercussions in the form of serving time or perhaps engaging in community service, develop a dynamic with the shinobi who caught them, learn their lesson, join the academy, and graduate into a new lawful life as a Genin. This might be a Growth Arc of the Moderate or Major, a story where they learn that their actions are wrong and begin on a new path in life. Completing this narrative arc might earn them - Former Urchin: This shinobi knows what it’s like to live on the streets and undergo the process of cleaning up their act. For this reason, they can relate more to the underprivileged and criminal. When facing bandits/criminals, their enemies are more likely to hear them out.