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Story Beats (Overview)

THIS PAGE IS SUPPOSED TO BE MORE DETAILED AND CONCRETE AND LESS ABOUT TIME STRUCTURE THAN THE ABOVE LINKED "timeline for story (abstract)" GOOGLE DOC 


At the beginning, our immigrant characters arrive. 
Possible endings: 
  Ending 1: the Crooked Wings and their allies succeed in allying factions, they are able to make BIG GAINS in their fight against THE ROBBER BARONS  
  Ending 2: the Crooked Wings and their allies fail in allying factions, the labor unions make SMALLER GAINS in their fight against THE ROBBER BARONS  

3 acts or 5 arcs 
Act 1 has Arcs 1
Act 2 has Arcs 2 and 3
Act 3 has Arcs 4 and 5


BEATS TO HIT FOR ARC 1 (Act 1): Weeks 1-18
    Possible themes to aim for: 'Irony and (Dark) Humor', 'Frustration and Resignation', 'Subtle Hope or Defiance'
BLOCK 1: Weeks 1-6 
BLOCK 2: Weeks 7-12 
  The party has their INITIAL MOMENT OF RADICALIZATION. They ask for help from Kechi. 
BLOCK 3: Weeks 13-18 
  The party is now FED UP with Kechi and his failed methods of change and have decided that a STRIKE is the only way to move forward. 
  When are Salamin and Sidhrin introduced? 

BEATS TO HIT FOR ARC 2 (Act 2): Weeks 19-54
    Possible themes to aim for: 'Tension and Frustration', 'Righteous Anger', 'Comedy in Chaos', 'Exaggerated Fear or Paranoia', 'Hope/Despair Switching From One To The Other', 'Solidarity'
  Salamin approves of the Crooked Wings! 
BLOCK 1: Weeks 19-24: 'Exploration (Rediscovery?)'  
BLOCK 2: Weeks 25-30:  
BLOCK 3: Weeks 31-36:  
  Salamin and Sidhrin are introduced to each other!! 
  Sidhrin approves of the Crooked Wings!  
BLOCK 4: Weeks 37-42: strengthen and solidify bonds! 
BLOCK 5: Weeks 43-48 
BLOCK 6: Weeks 49-54 
  SCANDAL DISCOVERED [comedy in chaos] 

BEATS TO HIT FOR ARC 3 (Act 2): Weeks 55-96
    Possible themes to aim for: 'Chaos and Desperation', 'Outrage and Euphoria', 'Dark Comedy', 'Catharsis and Empowerment' 
  Zikora is deployed by Tweela Banking. He soon calls in the Southstreet Boys. 
BLOCK 1: Weeks 55-60 
BLOCK 2: Weeks 61-66 
BLOCK 3: Weeks 67-72 
BLOCK 4: Weeks 73-78 
BLOCK 5: Weeks 79-84 
BLOCK 6: Weeks 85-90 
BLOCK 7: Weeks 91-96 

BEATS TO HIT FOR ARC 4 (Act 3): Weeks 97 to 102
    Possible themes to aim for: 'Bittersweet Reflection', 'Cynical Humor', 'Satisfaction with a Twist'
BLOCK 1: Weeks 97-102 

BEATS TO HIT FOR ARC 5 (Act 3): Weeks 103-108
    Possible themes to aim for: 'Ambiguous Triumph', 'Hopeful Cynicism', 'Irony of Change' 
BLOCK 1: Weeks 103-108 



TIMELINE 

CHARACTER(trait) OR INTERACTION OR EVENT OR STORY-FEATURE OR GAME MECHANIC OR DESIGN-FEATURE THEME||QUESTION||STATEMENT TO EXEMPLIFY HOW IT IS DONE  Q&T&C notes (to process)
STORY BEAT: Intro cinematic [Week 1-M?]






STORY BEAT: Soft gameplay tutorial (day cycle): Veezal & Co learn their job 'on the go' from Rrajak, Lornix, and Pryden [Week 1]






STORY BEAT: Soft gameplay tutorial (night cycle): Veezal & Co learn to allocate their nighttime activities [Week 2]






STORY BEAT: Veezal, Kaiyara, Zelrik, and Tawnette's reacting to the plight of the blue-collar workers by saying 'if we don't help them, who will?' [Week 7] 'when can an individual throw up their hands and say 'this is not my problem'?'





STORY BEAT: Veezal & Co are introduced to Sedrin by Salamin [Week 8]


















Failure Ending 1: (the labor union lacks both institutional and popular support. Sedrin and Salamin lament how the newly formed labor union is yet another creation of the existing system, a bandaid that only exists so that further exploitation can happen. [Week N]






Good Ending 1: (institutional support for the labor union is high enough, but popular support is not high enough): the protagonists and their allies rejoice! However, Sedrin and Salamin are aware that their victory is an exceedingly temporary one. The good guys are determined to defend the labor union from the attacks that are to come. [Week N]


Good Ending 2: (popular support for the labor union is high enough, but institutional support is not high enough): the protagonists and their allies rejoice! While the labor union they have formed appears weak on paper, momentum is in their favor. The good guys are determined to continue their fight! [Week N]


Good Ending(?) 3: (both institutional and popular support for labor union are high enough) the protagonists and their allies rejoice! But, they are so successful that <some antagonist> Opens The Door and now there's a giant hell-fortress in the middle of New Yirooburg. [Week N]






STORY BEAT (Good Ending 3(?) achieved): Defeat the giant hell-fortress in the middle of New Yirooburg! Everyone throws a party. Hooray!  [Week N+1]






STORY BEAT 











DARLINGS (not yet mapped in timeline) 

CHARACTER(trait) OR INTERACTION OR EVENT OR STORY-FEATURE OR GAME MECHANIC OR DESIGN-FEATURE THEME||QUESTION||STATEMENT TO EXEMPLIFY HOW IT IS DONE  Q&T&C notes (to process)
       
       
       
The Orphan Crushing Machine      
       
       
Zikora arrives      
       
       
Zikora's In Charge Now      
       
       
Good News For Zikora      
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       



how prestigious is the place where the workers are? 

how do the players participate in the labor union movement? 
  1) 'use influence (what does influence mean??)' 
  2) gather lawyers to help with legal matters 
  3) financial support 
  4) gather writers to help 
  5) gather politicians to help 
  6) just help organize directly 

Month 1: Arrival and Introduction
Beat: The protagonists arrive in Mount Girava, meet, and start their new job. Initial impressions are formed, and the environment of Cordann is introduced.
365 lunisolar:
  Week 1: 
    Day 1: 
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    Day 18: FIGHT
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M10 (Month 2: First Impressions) 
Beat: (idea? The characters start to observe and experience the inequalities and challenges in their workplace and surrounding society. Initial bonds start to form.
365 lunisolar:
  Week 1: 
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M11 (Month 3: Recognition of Common Ground
Beat: (idea? The characters begin to open up about their personal struggles, starting to understand each other’s ailments and backgrounds.
365 lunisolar:
  Week 1: 
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M12 (Month 4: Shared Experiences
Beat: (idea? A significant workplace event (an accident or injustice) acts as a catalyst, deepening their solidarity and mutual understanding.
365 lunisolar:
  Week 1: 
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M13 (Month 5: The Resolve to Act
Beat: (idea? The protagonists collectively resolve to make a difference, motivated by the injustices they've witnessed and experienced.
365 lunisolar:
  Week 1: 
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 Week 3: 
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M14 (Month 6: Planning and First Actions
Beat: (idea? The group starts planning how to effect change. They engage in small acts of advocacy or resistance.
365 lunisolar:
  Week 1: 
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M15 (Month 7: Facing Challenges
Beat: (idea? The group encounters their first major challenge or setback, testing their resolve and the strength of their bond.
365 lunisolar:
  Week 1: 
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M16 (Month 8: Deeper Connections
Beat: (idea? Characters develop deeper relationships, both among themselves and with external allies in their cause.
365 lunisolar:
  Week 1: 
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    Day 9: FIGHT
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M17 (Month 9: Significant Stride
Beat: (idea? The protagonists make a significant stride in their advocacy, perhaps organizing a larger event or protest.
365 lunisolar:
  Week 1: 
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M18 (Month 10: Consequences
Beat: (idea? The consequences of their actions become apparent. They may face backlash from authorities or their employer.
365 lunisolar:
  Week 1: 
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    Day 11: FIGHT
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M19 (Month 11: Reflection and Doubt
Beat: (idea? The group reflects on their journey, facing doubts about their future and the impact of their actions.
365 lunisolar:
  Week 1: 
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    Day 17: FIGHT
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M20 (Month 12: Resolution and Decision)
Beat: As their contract nears its end, each character confronts the decision to renew or not. The results of their year’s efforts are evident, and they must choose their next steps.
365 lunisolar:
  Week 1: 
    Day 1: 
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    Day 15: FIGHT
    Day 16: 
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RANDOM CONCEPTS, IDEAS, AND QUESTIONS: 

IDEA
  -There are analogues for Christianity, Judaism, and Islam in Birdsong. 

QUESTION
  -The calendar commonly used by Birbs has a basic equivalence to 'like the Gregorian calendar, but, minus 1350'. Is this because of plague? 
  -Do the characters meet Rrajak early? When do they meet him? 
  -What preconceived notions do each character (especially the protagonists) have? How might they change? 


TIMEKEEPING

25 day system! 

  Week 1: 
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Week 5: 
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365 lunisolar:
  Week 1: 
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 Week 3: 
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