Don't Cry Wolf!

[∬: Rafael Z. Wolfram]

I know I already have a thread open for plotting and development ideas, but I thought I would start a fresh, because the past week or two of being back, a lot of plots have fallen through or failed to take off.

With the recent mentioning of Episodes and quite proudly being one of the members who've taken part in one of the most popular episodes here; Alongside Strumfelder, Vlakte and a few others (Luther, Erik, etc...). I would like to begin planning another very deep episode in Wolfram's life and those surrounding it.

• Chapter One/Episode One:
  Heirrliches Munchen (Glorious Munich), Wolfrick was brutally killed, Wolfram and Strumfelder bonded, Vlakte spiralled out of control from the events and soon fled the Axis -- A whole manner of things happened. That have turned Wolfram and Strumfelder into menacing souls, quite devious to say the least.
  
  
• Chapter Two/Episode Two:
  Nicht Blinden Alarm schlagen! (Don't Cry Wolf!)
  
  Now I'm completely open for discussion on this next chapter I have in store and I do understand a lot of people have their own stories progressing right now, but I have been standing on the sidelines for a little while now and I would like to get things progressing again for my own character - Wolfram.
  
  A couple of ideas I had in mind, that could contribute to other people's characters somewhere, are the following;
  
  - Wolfram recieves a strange letter with attached photos of his belated grandparents (who were killed at the beginning of Chapter One, during a village being attacked by Slavic rebels) and even worse, childhood photos of Wolfram himself.
  
  The letter mysteriously dictates he must be at a shop known as "Marionettenspielsachen" (Puppet Toys) *Address attached* in two days time, alone, precisely at nine o'clock at night.
  
  Immediately, Wolfram is fearing for the rest of his family (Sister and Father are still alive) and his own life. The letter could mean a whole array of things; An assasination attempt, black-mail, etc... So this is where I get some feedback from everyone else and see what you guys think? This way, the plot is open to Axis and Allied in neutral RP terms.
  
  The two days leading up to the meeting, Wolfram could confide in a number of Axis people; Strumfelder, Luther, E.McMillan and so forth.
  
  I'm not big on the idea of Wolfram being greviously injured if this was to be an assasination attempt (be odd though, when you think about it), but I would like a dark sinister twist to emerge. Perhaps the person is an informant? Found some crucial information on the Slavic Resistance (the group that had his son murdered) or maybe it could be an unknown relative of Wolfram's? A brother... A cousin...
  
  Many different options to go through, that could lead to a very thick plot.
  
  
  
  - My second idea was;
  Wolfram recieves orders from the top, to oversee the transportation of a thousand slavic prisoners to a camp in Poland for manual labour. The transportation of the slavic prisoners would take one whole week, travelling across rough terrain in trucks, as the railway into Poland was under construction to repair bombing damage.
  
  During this time, Wolfram learns there are several men amongst the prisoners who may be responsible for the Munich Riots and possibly his son's death - Enraged by the rumours, an inner turmoil of anquish arises and Wolfram had old wounds pulled open again.
  
  Contemplating on the thought of searching for his son's murderers amongst the prisoners and possibly going against orders to wreak justice; Wolfram finds himself delving deeper into the abyss and with one week to spare, does Wolfram decide to "off the lot of them?" and make the biggest mass execution of Slavic Prisoners in the name of justice? Or does he widdle out the few men who are responsible for the deaths in Munich...
  
  You may be thinking - This seems very Wolfram orientated, but with a week's journey across unknown terrain, a whole manner of issues could arise. The prisoners fight back!? Some go missing? Wolfram devises a plan to kill the lot of them... Or maybe the convoy came under attack by the Allies and Wolfram (other Axis players) found themselves on the run or taken prisoner themselves?
  
  There are loads of options and again, this is where you guys come in to offer your verdict.
  
  So what do you think? Anyone interested in one or the other plot, have any ideas of your own - please share. Although I would love for this entire website to become involved, I'm only looking at a possible three Axis placements and if things turn out well enough, maybe more or even some Allied member connections if allowed (won't be hostile in a battle sense).
  

- Raf

[∬: Felix Odegaard]

I like the idea of blackmailing, it has always struck a dark note in my heart. Perhaps the assasination could go wrong, Wolfram saved by luck or a apperance of a fellow SS man?

[∬: Rafael Z. Wolfram]

Mmm... The blackmailing isn't really a great position I'd like to put Wolfram in, plus, be blackmailed over what? Unless there was a good option, I don't think I'd put Wolfram into into a senseless art of being manipulated for no real apparent reason.

As for the assasination, it's possible.
Everyone seems to be liking the first plot idea so far, probably because it means taking a shot at Wolfram. Lol. Do remember guys, these are just to get the storyline moving, these two plot ideas I mentioned, obviously the storyline would mould and change as threads progressed. So these are simply "starter blocks".

Thanks Felix for the feedback.
- Raf

[Nathan Whyte]

I very much like the second idea, Raf, perhaps Luther could be one of the guards on the train? Perhaps Part One of that story line could be loading the Slavs on to the train where we meet, part two could be beginning of a plot, part three putting it in to effect? We did want Luther/Wolfram to get to know each other, and being trapped on a train for a week works.

[Nicholas Ealing]

As an outsider, I think the second storyline is the best; I like the idea of the prisoners overpowering the guards; that could be pretty cool: All power corrupts but absolute power corrupts absolutely. (My weekly attempt as appearing intellectual, there. )

[∬: Rafael Z. Wolfram]

I just read through my post again and the second option does sound better and sure Nathan, I had plans on having a storyline with you as Luther, but I wanted our storyline to be something more meaningful than just a random thread here or there. So I would be happy for you to be apart of this storyline and perhaps play a leading role beside Wolfram.

So that makes two of us, any other takers on either being an Axis guard or associate on the trip? I did initally mention the transport being trucks Nathan, but it would work out better if we were on a train. Gives us far better leeway in moving around, talking to one another and dining in the more glorious part of the carriage during the journey.

The train could also make refuelling stops in between, where we check up on the prisoners and stretch our legs. This could add to the storyline, as maybe we could discover a few escapees or whatever. If not, maybe the railway line could be sabotaged and the train has to come to a halt, where the engineers have to spend a whole day working on the tracks. During this time, the prisoners could be devising a plan and when the train gets back on track, by nightfall, the entire train is under siege (in mid motion of travelling still) and a massive firefight could break out between all the carriages.

One thousand prisoners (mainly un-armed), up against something like, fifty/seventy-five well armed guards. This is where we could decide to make Wolfram and Luther captives, although, I think this could be silly, as the prisoners would have them killed rather than take them capture; Or we flee the train, having to jump from it with a small band of men still alive and basically flee. If the Axis win the battle against the prisoners however, if you don't fancy the whole running or being captured part, maybe this is where Wolfram, Luther and any other senior ranked members in this episode devise a plan to kill all the prisoners.

Of course, this would be going against the orders of delivering the work load to the labour camp, but having just been fighting a mutiny and barely surviving it, they could take their anger out on destroying the rest of the prisoners and making it seem like the railway came under fire by Allied forces - thinking the Germans were hauling troops across Poland. This would obviously be a lie, but it would be a plausible excuse that could save all their skins when questioned on the incidents that unfolded...

I'm just exploiting ideas here, so feel free to have your own say.

I'm totally open to any suggestions or ideas yourself and I'm trying to think of a way to get either neutral or Allies characters involved into this plot. Without it seeming like a hostile battle. If any Allied or neutral members were happy to be taken prisoner (with Slavic/Jewish/Eastern European descent), then you could have a part to play in this. Perhaps you could end up being the lone survivor if plan B happens, where the prisoners are executed out of spite for causing a mutiny and uprising on the train OR you could very well be apart of the Slavic forces that capture the Germans, but you would have to be against executing us, so obviously the storyline could continue to flow...

- Raf

[Niamh Dunlevy]

Wolfie, may I add something?

Perhaps someone could also volunteer for a minor power struggle against the guards. Wolfram the character's been in self-imposed exile for a month, so maybe some of the Nazi forces are getting too big for their britches, thinking he's starting to crack? Thus, to add to the plot, maybe as well as having to worry about the prisoners, Wolfram would also have to keep an eye on a few of his men...?

Just a thought. It sounds like you're fleshing it (the plot) out quite nicely.

[Stephen Colly]

Joe is a Jew...but I think he is caught up in another plot...

[∬: Rafael Z. Wolfram]

Thanks.

Yeah, that sounds possible. When you say;

Perhaps someone could also volunteer for a minor power struggle against the guards.

What exactly do you mean? As in a neutral/allied character opposing the prisoners against the guards or are you talking about Wolfram and possibly his close knitted group facing the suspecting guards who may not really be listening much.

Yeah, as I've said, the possible option of the guards not really respecting Wolfram or his authority could be another attribute to this storyline. I would completely understand their unguiding trust in Wolfram, due to his disappearence for a month and sudden return; Rumours and stories are bound to spread, particularly when he was seen drinking and looking rough before he left on a self inflicted exile to get away from everything.

I would like to advise anyone taking part in this thread, who will be on the German team (playing as a guard or otherwise), Wolfram may earn the trust back out of an unpredictable chain of events or actions. I have made Wolfram very unorthodox and quite merciless when ignorance is displayed. So if you planned on being apart of the group that may oppose Wolfram's judgements, I would like to warn you and possibly ask for your permission to physically hurt you. LOL!

No seriously, Wolfram has changed substantially and if a mutiny amongst the guards were to arise, to the point they displayed such attitude openly, Wolfram wouldn't standby and linger. Although, you're more than welcome to talk behind his back and so forth; Any remarks or actions made towards him and I can't say you wasn't warned, if you found yourself suddenly shot in the foot and stripped of your rank where you stood. He's just that type of guy now.

But no, Addie is right and I do expect Wolfram to have a very wavering line of respect for a while, but if it's member orientated, then try to reframe from showing the ignorance to his face.
- Raf

[Niamh Dunlevy]

Blech, I meant to say amongst Wolfram and his guards. @_@

The suspecting guards, of course. And who knows? Maybe a guard will try and distract Wolfram with the prisoners, and end up releasing a few onto the train. That might be an idea...but I'm just throwing things out for you to consider.

[∬: Rafael Z. Wolfram]

Yeah, I'm completely open to ideas. Keep them coming.
Does sound very interesting, but I do fail to see the logic in why a guard or two would release a few prisoners if they risk the chance of being killed in the process. Unless some sort of pact' was made, it would make perfect sense for the guards to do such a thing.

Ok, so we have the terrain sorted.
- Train & Polish/German terrain.

Main storyline so far.
- Transporting, roughly, one thousand Slavic prisoners to a labour camp; Then an uprising amongst the damned occurs (by the guard's help or pure determination of their own? Yet to be confirmed) and a nice big long thrilling firefight would follow. Whether the prisoners would win or the Germans would regain control, is yet to be confirmed also.

If the prisoners won, then a further few threads would spin-off from it. I'm assuming Wolfram, Luther and whomever else involved would flee the train, into unknown territory. Possibly hostile (should be in Poland by this point) and the thrilling story of the small band of men making their escape back to German borders or even finding a German held town would be their top priority.

Whether the prisoners decided to hunt them down or just simply escape into the opposite direction, well, this would have to be confirmed. Either way, if the Prisoners did win and Wolfram, along with whomever else, had to flee across a baron and possible hostile country, would still make a fantastic storyline to play out.

Assuming the prisoners did win and overrun the train, escaping and Wolfram with his dwindling party made it back to safe grounds. Another possible thread of explaining themselves would most likely come about; Whether they lied about being overrun and plumped for a story to use, so the situation looked rather grim, than foolish, as in the Russians/Allies spotted their train and attacked or the train was sabotaged by several spies on board... Who knows, the humiliation of being overrun by detained prisoners would mean the chopping block for their heads, as failures.

Again I'm throwing a spanner in the works here. Just eager to get this rolling.
- Raf

[Niamh Dunlevy]

Ack. >.< -facepalm- Once again, I meant to say, "to try and make Wolfram look like a complete imbecile for letting prisoners escape." No offense meant to the RPer, of course.

Another plot twist you could have is Wolfram discovering he has a Slavic/Jewish/Russian/etc. cousin or family member. Ties a bit into idea number one, but it might make something interesting happen, like if Wolfram was hiding in that family member's village. Once again, throwing random ideas out here.

Otherwise, your plot is coming along quite nicely. ^.^

[∬: Felix Odegaard]

I would also like to be a guard on the train, since Felix is a lowly Corporal, maybe he could have a job doing dirty work?

[Heiko Alkema]

This could be the perfect opportunity for Alkeav and Anatkin to bust on stage. Perhaps the prisoner revolt could be triggered by a Soviet ambush? They could attack the train with a small force but are repelled by the guards and the damage they cause allows the prisoners to escape. If the uprising is crushed and you kill all of them then you don't have to fabricate an entire story about an enemy attack, you'll just have to twist the truth a little.

[Edward"Butcher"McMillan]

Well if there turns out to be a hostile battle from this, sweetness.

Should the train be delayed or ambushed, I wouldn't mind possibly being the relief with my men at the next station so that not all of the guards are on the train the entire time, rather depressing, and then when you guys don't make it there for whatever reason you come up with maybe myself and another member could have a neutral thread about going in search down the tracks for what happened?

Just a thought.

-JT