Wow, kat...just wow.

Another reason why I like the ditto story so much...all the different authors contributing various ideas. (And the fact that I've been reading the time travel thread, and watching time-travel episodes in Lost, reminds me of how much fun time travel can be).

Either option would be really fascinating to pursue...full of implications and plot twists for the inhabitants of our little town.

Well, after what has to be well over two months, I am back in the Ditto Story! This seg should catch everyone up on what's been happening, but more importantly, there's going to be more about how the whole structure of the Star Defenders works. I won't explain everything right away, though... see what you can figure out on your own.

And yes, that's a lot of new Star Defenders. Don't worry; for the current arc, only two of them will be of particular importance and will be focused on. The rest will get their day in the limelight in future arcs or side arcs.

Other than that, I will likely be pressed for time now that I'm at where I'm at, so bear with me if segs take a while to get written...

...I shall leave it up to ya'll to see where this particular angle ends up.

Would it be fair to say though, that if the first option were chosen, Dittotown would no longer exist, or would be under total control of the Org? I would assume that they would still have been interested in the fountain. (Or to put it another way, I vote for the second option.)

I agree. Trying to affect all of the effects of Option 1 would be so...involved. Not that it wouldn't be fun, but it might be a bit of a strain.

Nice to see you (and your Star Defenders) about, stardf!

A few more thoughts on the 'reset' in kat's post:

- the extra-dimensional characters (like the Star Defenders and the gargoyles) were not in the Ditto World at the time of the reset and thus might not be affected. This could introduce some fun complications.

- a while back we discussed the prospects for a unifying, overarching plotline for story 8. Perhaps this reset and its consequences could be such a plot - or perhaps be a big part of it? It certainly could take a while to explore all the side effects if we're so inclined.

"begins thinking about what would have happened to his characters if the Org had conquered Ditto Town*

Wow...that would be fun! *now blames gazer for more story ideas*

Hi! I'm kind of new to the forum, so I've just been poking around. I haven't had time to read much, but I'm very interested in roleplaying, although I'm worried about it getting in the way of schoolwork and sleep. Is there any way I could get maybe a summary or something of the story? And about how often should I post? (If I decide to join, that is). I've only roleplayed once, though, and that was with one other person, so I don't really have much experience with it. Wow, look at the time...I better go to bed.

Hey FireFairy! Welcome to the forum! Sorry its taken so long for one of us to post a reply.

The Inn Between is a bit more in depth than the other role playing threads. Ours usually run a year or more before wrapping up depending on the speed of the writers. Right now, my characters are making their way back after being stranded in another dimension. While another set of my characters are just going about their daily business in town. We are still in the middle of setting up our storyline for this story so now is as good a time to jump in as any.

You might call this more of a round robin story. I write something, stargazer writes something, etc. We try and build on what the other is writing.

If something a bit faster paced is what you are interested in, the other role play threads might be more your style.

I don't mean to make it sound overwhelming. Sorry if I am describing it poorly. All of us would be glad to answer any questions you have about jumping in and getting involved and we would love to have you.

Thanks, starkat. It all sounds very intruiging. I might consider the faster-paced stuff, but that's only because I've only roleplayed once, and with one person, and it was in that style. The only problem is that most of those stories seem pretty far into the plot, so I'm a bit lost as to what's going on. I really like the idea of the Inn Between, but I'm still a little confused as to how it works. When I was reading some of the posts in the Inn Between, it seemed to me that they were each their own story. Is that simply because it's early in the story, and the characters haven't met up yet? And another thing I'd like to know is if there is a specific direction this story is going. And it would also be nice to know a bit of background info. Again, thanks for answering my questions.

Hi Fairy Fairy! I'll offer a slightly-belated welcome to this thread.

I'll echo what starkat has said and offer a few comments on your latest questions:

You're right: the current posts in the Inn Between look like independent stories, primarily because this chapter is just getting started. As this is the 8th chapter/installment of the story, some of the characters have known each other for a long time while others are brand new and are just being introduced.

Should you decide to take a stab at joining us (and you're certainly welcome to do so!), an introductory segment would introduce us to your characters and get things going. If you like, you're welcome also to write up a bio of your character(s) and post it in the Census Bureau (a template is included there, or you may adapt it if you wish). Feel free to reveal as much or as little about your characters and their backgrounds as you like - it can be fun to gradually reveal things about your character as the story goes on rather than telling all at the beginning).

There is a lot of background to the story, though I think it's possible to get involved without reading all the past installments (should you want to read all or some of them to get more of the 'flavor' of the story and its setting, they're all linked on starkat's site (see her signature) under "ditto archives"). A lot of background information is also available, in a shorter form, in the 'history' sections of the Census Bureau entries. Writers have also created two Ditto Story Indices, which are linked in the first post in the Inn Between thread. That post also includes a few comments on allowable characters.

A few other things to keep in mind:

Your characters need not be native to Ditto Town or even its world (mine are examples) but most of the story will be set there (again, there are some exceptions; for example, Erik and Abby just met Katherine and Gwanuig in their home world rather than Ditto Town). So possible introductory segment(s) could include the tale of how your characters get from their home to this one.

Writing interactions between your own characters and others in the story is fun! If someone's characters interest you, send them a PM with some ideas. It may be their characters can meet you right away, or it may take some time (if they're busy somewhere else).

As far as the overarching plot of this story, we're still discussing those sorts of things here. Previous chapters have included a group known as the Organization as the antagonists; the Nine mentioned in this story may be related to that group. Once we get going we'll likely see more of them.

So to sum up, this is a good time to join because we're just getting underway in this chapter. There is lots of information, to be sure! We're pleased you're interested in the story and are eager to help answer your questions; please continue to post them here and we'll do our best to give you the information you need.

Thank you so much, stargazer! You have been very helpful. I think a roleplay will be good for me. I need to write more, even if it's not in my novel, and perhaps something like this will also help me get out of ruts in my novel. And it will be good for me to see other people's writing styles. I'll start dreaming up a character or two, and maybe I'll start writing!

Please forgive me for three things:

1) I disappeared. The problem is this: LIFE! And I know you guys will understand. That leads to:

2) I haven't posted anything. I will, trust me, some day... And also:

3) Reset? This is confusing me - who is "she"? I am sorry - should someone PM me, or is this something that can be explained here? I will try to be on more often!

Anyway, Kat, your posts are awesome! I love how you and Gazer have been writing in flashbacks.

I have been waiting for Molly's hatching since summer of '05. Wow, finally! (Gazer, do you remember Abby in human form plugging a hair drier into a currant bush to dry Erik in lamb form?! Inn Between)

Do you think Loren would like to work at the Power Plant? Maybe he is one of the computer techies?

The Phoenix plot line is amazing! I can't wait to read more!

Well, as I said, I hope to be on more. I would like to know how I can get the DeHonds involved more intricately with the main plot. Any ideas?

Miss you all!

-
Sonny
-

Glad to see you stop by, Sonny! I look forward to seeing more of you (and your characters).

I can't speak for the owners/operators/writers of the power plant, but suspect Loren's skills would come in handy there. They may also come in handy depending on how the 'reset' plotline unfolds, which could lead to increased involvement for your characters in that part of the story.

I enjoyed writing the hatching stuff in flashback form, and it worked well with the 3-month gap between chapters. That reminds me...your characters are expecting a little one as well. It might be fun to write up a baby shower segment (or several) for them; if Loren goes to work for the power plant it could be included in there as well. Or you may prefer to go right to the birth of their child. (We just need a little time to get my characters, and kat's, back to Ditto Town ).

(I do recall that hair dryer bit. Once upon a time we had a "Calvin Ditto Ball" which was a lot of fun. Some of it is still saved on my computer).

I've written my first post for the Ditto Story! What I would like to know is, is anyone interested in having one of their characters meet mine? I would prefer someone who's currently in Ditto Town. My next post kind of depends on having a character to interact with. PM me if you're interested.

I've got some ideas for some other characters, though, and I'll post as soon as I get a better idea of what I want to do!

Welcome to the Ditto Story Fire Fairy! I hope you have a blast writing in our slightly convoluted story. I'd be interested in meeting your character, but alas, all my characters are preoccupied at the moment. Well actually, I don't know what to do with some of them. See below...

Okay starkat, I have a question for you. Is the Org now in charge of Ditto Town? Can I write a post for Erica and Val like everything is normal? Should I go back and change Lucid's post since he obviously wouldn't be out happily job hunting if the town looks like the apocalypse hit and is under the thumb of evil? I guess I'm actually quite confused how this is going to work into the story.

And didn't Olivia just create an impossible time loop since she stole the water that gave her her powers in the first place? This is a really fun idea and I think we can build around it for the entire story, I just need to know the actual effects of her actions are.

Nice to see you post again stardf! It's been a long time. Looks like your star defenders are up to something.

And nice to see you too Sonny! I would LOVE for Loren to work at the Power Plant. I created it so that Lucid could have a job, but with the intent that it was public property. Use it all you like.