OPEN POST
Well, Edena, I vote B.
BUT.
I do think it would be nice if you kept rough approximations of our relative power level in the various technological races. For example, you could use the original Technological Arms Race chart to describe our current level of technological advancement, and keep those Power Levels distinct from other power levels.
Basically, I think we should all have a little template that looks like this:
[FactionName]
[PlayerWhoRunsFaction]
[Power Level]: And here you write in our overall PL.
[Player Character]Here you write in our PC, their rough description, their PL, and any powers of note. For example, good ol' Anny would be:
Anabstercorian, PsyWar/Wiz/Telepath/Clr/Mnk/Gundancer, PL 5. Master of the True Staff, which can blow




up good and be used to summon the Elder Ones.
[Technological Advantages]And here you write in a rough description of our tech level - WWI, WWII, Civil War, Napoleonic, Modern Day, 2020, 2040... A one word blurb. In ADDITION to that, you add a sentence describing any specific gadgets worth mentioning - For example, the Shade would read: WWII. Negative Energy Accumulator Nukes.
[Civilization]And here you write in one word blurb describing how advanced our society is: 1700, 1750, 1800, 1850, 1900, 1950, 2000, and so on. Any specific quirks could be noted in one sentence. For example, my faction, the Solistarim, would read:
1600. Absolute loyalty to superiors.
[Magical Power]And here you write in a blurb describing magic level: Magic poor, average magic, magic rich, magic inundated, or perhaps a numerical system like Magic 8. In addition, you add the highest level magic spell we can cast, or any little quirks we've got. For example, the Solistarim would be:
Magically Inundated. 9th level. The Dictum.
[Planar Connections]And here you write in one word blurbs describing our connections, and their extend. For example, the Solistarim would be:
Far Realms, mildly supported.
[Notable NPCs]And here you write in any notable NPC's the faction might have, but only the most notable ones! You could shave off the little ones. Leave in Mordenkainen, Bigby, Xaed, Iggwilv, the heavy hitters.
[Miscellaneous] And here you add any little extra that you think necessary - I.E., our Secrets.
Here's the whole Solistarim in this format, to give you an idea.
Solistarim
Anabstercorian
PL: Roughly 250
PC: Anabstercorian, PL 5 Monk/Cleric/Wizard/Psywarrior/Telepath/Gundancer. Master of the True Staff of Ancient Penumbra.
Technology: WWI. Telekinetically launched glass orbs full of Red Steel shrapnel and nitroglycerine.
Civilization: 1600. Absolute loyalty to superiors.
Magical Power: Magically Inundated. 9th level. The Dictum.
Planar Connections: Far Realms, mildly supported.
Notable NPCs: The True Staff of Ancient Penumbra.
Miscellaneous:... What, did you people think I would give away my Secret? No way! You know my Secret, Edena.
As you could see, you could probably keep track of this system easily enough - Create a folder on your computer named IR Templates. Toss in some Notepad documents with our templates on them. Edit as you see fit. Ta da.
Then, limit us to no more than 3 e-mails per turn (or 2, or 1, however you deem fit) and things should be easier for you. Armies move fast enough in a month that you don't really have to keep track of their exact position all the time - The right 100 square mile area should be enough.
What do you think, oh almighty DM?