[StLee]

Mailbag time:

Q: StLee, your dynasty is the most awesome thing I have ever read in the 1000-year history of the internet. I don't have a question but wanted to tell you I think I love you.

A: I know.

Q: How do you determine your news stories?

A: I have made myself a little system of daily dice rolls in the universe. Every universe day, I roll four dice. If there are any of the following combinations--four straight numbers (minor), two pairs (medium), three-of-a-kind (major), four-of-a-kind (super major)--then there is a league event.

I then use a random number generator to select which team has the event. From there, I use the random number generator to determine which player receives the action. In the case of super major events, I roll a die to determine if there is one or more players affected.

Number rolls:
Four in a row. Roll again. First number from that sequence is the event selected.
Two pairs. Roll again. First number from that sequence is the event selected.
Three-of-a-kind or four-of-a-kind. Number is event selected.

Sometimes events are based on my tasks menu. For instance, #1 has been limited in some cases. Sometimes I had to make up an event when a team I had no plans for was selected.

The numbers:
1 - Team or league event. This has been used for such events like changing a team name or some political crisis in the area.
2 - Trade. Minor = only reserves/minor leaguers. Medium = only reserves/minor leaguers/back ups. Major = any player. Super major = only top 5 players.
3 - Stats boost. League is young and players stats are all around bad. In time, there will be a roll for positive or negative stats boosts.
4 - Player incident. Roll for if player is aggressor, agressee, accident victim, causes other accidental harm, damages property.
5 - Player leave. Sometimes intersects with #4 but this means the player must miss some time.
6 - Creature attack. Use a random number generator to determine which creature attacks.

For #s 4-6, roll once to determine severity. Pair of sixes = player death, pair of ones= player lucky escape. Any other combination equals roll for length of time missed.

Once I know the event, the team, and the player, I make the story related to the player. In some cases, I mark that the story needs a follow-up. In most cases, I don't mark stories for follow-up. They are tough to keep up with. I have a huge Excel file with several sheets where I am trying to organize things, but it is cumbersome!

There you have it. My system!

Q: How do you have time to write all this?

A: I don't. Well, right now, I do since I am on break until August 10 although work seems to keep sneaking in these meetings (one yesterday, one tomorrow, one next Tuesday, one next Wednesday). On August 10, my time will be limited, but I will try to schedule some daily/weekly time to write.

That is why I decided to scrap a few creative stories and some features for Year 2, like the DCR and WRVR previews and post-series shows. They take a while to prepare and feel redundant. Instead, I will start posting news recaps for the teams people follow most and have a few featured series stories each week.

I think I will like the speed of the season better for Year 2. We know the teams and players. Now let's play some ball.

Q: Are there more places you're going with this Fallout universe?

A: Story in March!!! Stay tuned! Beyond that, yes!