Subject: Questions again!
Author:
Posted on: 2011-12-08 11:01:00 UTC
Sorry being such a pest, but there are a lot of questions that the FAQ don't seem to answer.
Are agents strictly 'field' agents? My idea for an agent pair, once I get enough clearance to ask Permission, is somewhat like Otacon and Snake of Metal Gear, I.e. where one is in the word world and the other acts like 'Mission Control' back at PPC, talking via intercom system.
But then I transferred to get into Nursery, so maybe I don't count.
Elanor (DBS > DW > Ops)
There is no such thing as the PPC - it's fictional. Therefore this 'Elanor' person is clearly lying. Please proceed to assume she is a perfectly ordinary liar from the real world which is the only world and go about your business.
Justin Agent, who is certainly not in the PPC, because there's no such thing in reality
I swear I'll become Lord of the Question Treads by the end of the year if I keep this up.
Anyhow, I'm starting to formulate a story for a prospective Intelligence Agent and I was wondering what I should read to get me up to speed on the workings of that Department. I've read the wiki pages and all available reports but I'd still like to know more. There doesn't seem to be much canon for Intel, and even less active agents. I figure there is a reason for that (who wants to read the adventures of Bob, the guy reading stuff in the Sorting Room anyways?), but is there anything I should read to gain insight into DoI?
That's you set if you have.
If not, here.
First of all, thanks for the reply!
One last question: if I want to include cameos of other characters, do I have to send an email to their authors or do I just attribute credit in the disclaimer? How do I get into contact with an author?
Asking permission is generally the way of things, with other PPC characters. If cannot get, do not use. Don't assume they're for use unless outright stated, since that's rude.
If you mean in terms of referring or mentioning them and things they've done, then you don't have to ask permission, though, again, it still helps.
I was thinking of having my character hear about several other agents and their (mis)adventures in the PPC and maybe see one or two of them but not talk to them. That would fall into the second category, wouldn't it?
Because you're not using or otherwise doing things to the characters, but having them be on-page, as it were, I would be inclined to double check with them anyways, myself.
So I just pop a message notifying their authors on the Board or something? Or do I have to send an email?
Email if you have it or can find it- most of us have them on the wiki, which makes it easy and direct to find.
Alternately, can poke at one of their messages here and append it in hopes they notice it.
Or pop into the IRC.
Depends on who it is, really.
Mission Writing Guide
It's not specifically labeled a FAQ (though it is in the FAQ category), but it covers why two agents in the field is recommended, and may answer other questions for you. {= )
~Neshomeh
Agents work in whatever structure works for them. Really, it's up to the spin-off. There's been at least one spin-off that have had one agent as mission control, or stayed at the RC while the others went off to duty... I think Mithiriel, Agent Ithalond's wife stayed in the RC and did stuff like cooking and archival work. While she wasn't an action agent, she was very loyal to the PPC.
But yeah, really it's your call. Sometimes the FAQ doesn't say things because it's up to you. And really, I'm happy for that because I'd hate to see every spin-off become the same.
Generally speaking, there are supposed to be two agents (at least) in the field together for reasons of one being there to restrain the other if a lust object comes in view, or if they completely lose it; or to help each other if they get hurt or attacked.
It's also because it's really, really hard to write an entertaining story with only one person there to do the snarking. It's much easier with at least two people to share in the experience and bounce reactions and dialogue back and forth.
Mithiriel isn't a very good example: she wasn't an official agent at all, let alone an action agent, and Ithalond was always with Suicide. Now that Suicide is partnered with Diocletian again, Mithiriel is an active agent, and does go into the field with her husband.
Not that solo missions haven't happened (Architeuthis' Intel spin-off is an example of doing it well), but it's really generally not advised for the in- and ex-universe reasons above. Also, I can't really imagine a harmonious partnership resulting from one person going into the rough and tumble of the field while the other one got to stay at home and sip tea or whatever. I don't think it could last very long, even supposing the agent in the field didn't get killed by a Sue, or a Sued canon, or a hungry monster, or rogue spelling errors, or geographical aberrations, or . . . .
I'm not saying don't do it. I'm just saying think very carefully about whether or not it's a good idea first.
~Neshomeh
I see your point. Maybe once I get Permission I'll try my hand at my original idea then if it doesn't get good reception I'll make something up in-canon.
I've done the impossible before, maybe it'll work here! *shot*
you think I could get permission now?
You have to wait at least a month between first coming here and getting permission, so if you have, then yes!