Storytellers
The pyramid* above depicts how the Storytellers are ordered in the ULAG troupe. The game, of course, is above all of the Storytellers; their duty is to that game first and foremost. Though Storytellers are not expected to give up their lives for a mere roleplaying game, they do put more personal time into this game to make it more enjoyable. They should be respected for that effort. That said, this webpage is to review what the responsibilities and privileges of the Storytellers are. However, as the pyramid graph above portrays, there are multiple tiers of Storytellers. The higher the rung, the greater the responsibility and thus authority.
Head Storyteller
This person is required to run regular plotlines geared towards the entire troupe and manages the entire troupe with the aid of the other Storytellers and pro-active players. This Storyteller has final authority over the entire troupe and also approves all characters. The Head Storyteller often defers authority to a Troupe Storyteller, however, depending on the circumstance.
Troupe Storyteller
These five individuals are the heads of each of the five "sub-troupes" of the ULAG troupe: Mage, Changeling, Werewolf, Demon Hunter X/Mortals, and "Rinji" (which includes Wraith, Vampire, and Mummy). Their duties must include running regular plotlines. They manage their troupes often with the aid of Assistant and Group Storytellers. Individual player-Storyteller interaction is available here at a limited level. These persons have near-final authority over matters regarding their own "sub-troupe".
Assistant Storyteller
There is no set number of Assistant Storytellers in the ULAG troupe. Each Assistant is attached to a certain "sub-troupe" and aids that Troupe Storyteller manage the group. Like Troupe Storytellers, Assistant Storytellers are required to run regular plotlines. Individual player-Storyteller interaction is available here at a limited level. These persons have semi-final authority over matters regarding the "sub-troupe" they are attached to.
Group Storyteller
These individuals are in charge of a small group corresponding to one of the "sub-troupes". That is, a Group Storyteller is the person who manages and runs a certain Cabal, Hui T'ung, Sentai, Team, or Circle. Unlike Troupe and Assistant Storytellers, Group Storytellers are not required to run regular plotlines. They may run plotlines for their group as desired. Individual player-Storyteller interaction is available here at appropiately intensive levels. It can be considered a primary task of Group Storytellers to offer their players individual attention. In such a large troupe like the ULAG, without this sort of organization such interaction is often lost. This is something we wish to fix.
Fringe Storyteller
See the Fringe Troupes webpage for more information on what the Fringe Troupes are. The Fringe Storytellers are fully responsible for the management and control of their groups. They must insure that their groups do not get out of hand and attempt to overshadow the primary troupe, the CoIA. They should also strive to grant their players appropiate levels of intensive Storyteller-player interaction. They are not required to run regular plotlines. In this manner, they are not unlike Group Storytellers.
Limited Storyteller
Limited Storyteller is the title awarded to players who wish to run a one-shot Story or two. Their Story idea is approved by the Head Storyteller and they are given temporary status and authority equal to an Assistant Storyteller. Their authority extends only to their Storyline, and ends when their Storyline ends. Players are encouraged to be pro-active and bring their ideas to the Head Storyteller. Only the most outlandish plots will normally be turned down -- and one doesn't know what qualifies as outlandish until one asks!
Buddy Storyteller
This system of Storytelling is especially for those players whose time is so limited and/or erratic that they cannot attend any of the many ongoing Stories. It's simple -- the player simply find a fellow player of the CoIA and request he or she run a single, possibly private, Story for that particular character. Of course, the other player is by no means under obligation to comply. This form of Storytelling is entirely optional, and is recommended as a superb way for raw Storytellers to hone their skills. Its parameters otherwise conform to the Limited Storyteller explained above. Please heed them.
All Storytellers have ultimate directive authority when running their own plotlines. It is a belief of the ULAG troupe that this authority is compromised on most of the White Wolf site due to the illusions of a functional "perpetual crossover consensual roleplay environment". The ultimate authority of a Storyteller is found of course in application of, when appropiate, the "Golden Rule"! According to most veterans on White Wolf, the "Golden Rule" does not apply online. How one can strip the game of one of its most fundamental concepts and expect none of the problems that constantly plague the official White Wolf site is beyond this roleplayer.
* This pic was developed by Chris Eggers. Thanks!
Current Storytellers
Head Storyteller: Cam
Troupe Storytellers
Mage: Similarian
Changeling: Soren
Werewolf: Shooter
Demon Hunter X/Mortals: Jim
Rinji: Chaz
Assistant Storytellers
Mage: Chaz
Changeling: none
Werewolf: none
Demon Hunter X/Mortals: Mai
Group Storytellers and their contact addresses can be found on the Inner Circles page. Fringe Storytellers can likewise be found on their own webpage, here.
Storytelling Schedule
For everyone's convenience, the Head, Troupe, and Assistant Storytellers are each awarded a certain slot to run their plotlines. This should help prevent overlapping scenes and allow more people to participate in more Stories. Most Storytellers will begin their scene around prime time (mid-evening) CST/American time. If more than one Storyteller is slotted on a day, that means one starts their scene before the other and should hopefully finish before the other Storyteller has begun. This schedule is fairly constant; Storytellers who need to change their day whether permanently or temporarily need to work it out with the other Storytellers. They should not just run their scene until they're positive they aren't "stealing" someone else's time. Unfortunately, in any case a specific hour cannot be given, only the day. Most Storytellers do not begin on the hour. Most wait for an adequate number of players to arrive to participate.
Sunday: Similarian
Monday: open
Tuesday: Shooter
Wednesday: Chaz
Thursday: Soren
Friday: Jim
Saturday: Cam & Mai
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