[OOC] Epic City: Starburst

[Old Amsterdam]

@Banana
That's where Spectrum and Traveler are, FYI

[Feisty-Pants]

@Regitnui
Got it. Time to sit in a cafe and watch the fight unfold.

@Banana

The contest of Heaven and Hell? Oh jeez.

[Regitnui]

@Feisty-Pants, Spoiler Alert from the High Prescient. They end up in bed together.

[Feisty-Pants]

@Feisty-Pants, Spoiler Alert from the High Prescient. They end up in bed together.

@Regitnui

LOL WHAT.

I didn't know the Prescient was a comedian!

[Regitnui]

@Feisty-Pants, What the Prescient is, is really, really bored.

I'll be available for the next couple of hours, but OA is likely to only be available in about 8 hours. We can leave y'all unattended for that long, right?

[Override]

I've got a direct line to OA if need be.

[Feisty-Pants]

@Feisty-Pants, What the Prescient is, is really, really bored.

I'll be available for the next couple of hours, but OA is likely to only be available in about 8 hours. We can leave y'all unattended for that long, right?

@Regitnui

Sure.

I've got a direct line to OA if need be.

@Override

The floor is yours. ^_^

[Gardevoiran]

@Regitnui
I promise I won't start anarchy until you guys get back.

Not that I could anyway.

[thewizardguy]

@Regitnui

Sure, let's turn this into Guilt vs the Island.

Let me ask you a question. Do you really dislike Guilt's personality? You have now made two separate attempts to make Guilt abandon her ways and turn into a normal, friendly civilian. In both cases you used the GM Banhammer, the High, in order to do this. In the first case you even went so far as to imply that the Clairvoyant was using her psychic powers to directly change Guilt's personality. Now the Island is basically threatening her into changing.

If you really hate the way I play Guilt, I can just leave, or create a new character or whatever. But at this point the sheer amount of attention the High are paying to Guilt has become silly.

[Flamelord]

Man, now that I actually take a moment to think about it, all these people willing to be violent/murderous towards criminals is really making me regret my choices right about now. And I'm not even personally in danger yet.

[Regitnui]

I had a short discussion with OA about the Hugh's individual personalities. Might come in handy for you all, so I'll paraphrase it here.

{High Island} is laid back and calm. He's noninterventionist, but prefers to act before his siblings escalate things in their own way. Of course, that would require him noticing a problem first.

<High Clairvoyant> is both meddling and motherly. The only thing stopping her from being everyone's helicopter parent is the sheer number of people she's chosen to shepherd. She is one of the more active High, just because she likes helping people.

#High Venom# is insane. She's gone so far insane that she's come around and started approaching sanity from the other side. When she acts, she acts decisively and without regard for anyone or anything under her care.

∆High Electric∆ is a businessman and a gambler. If the Laws of Thermodynamics are a game, he's learning how to cheat. This wrestling with the basic laws of reality is why his interaction with the city is limited to providing power; it's what he does subconsciously.

~High Prescient~ is bored. Really, really, really bored. Einstein said God doesn't play dice with the universe. He was right, if only because the Prescient has designed their own game played on a level that confuses even the other High.

[AtomicNut]

This guy is long overdue. Couldn't resist making him a bit viking-crazy.

Generic Character.

Dainslef

Name: Fritjof Eriksson
Alias (if any):Dainslef, the cursed Sword, AKA Slayer of Epics

Age:37

Faction: Kryptonites.

Personality: Dainslef's personality is subservient to his obsession: Getting rid of the Epics in the world. He bears profound emmity towards them, and he doesn't even try to justify his actions against them, nor gain the moral upper ground. Past this conviction, however, Fritjof is a quirky man, almost endearing with his odd hobbies, and who likes science and progress, not to mention culture and history. Nevertheless, he is also enthralled by Viking heritage, and is specially fascinated by Norse mythology and the idea of a Valhalla. He is thus, also a dedicated and consumate warrior, finding as much glee in the battlefield as inside the lab.

Appearance: Tall and built as a brickhouse, Fritjof casts an enormous presence with his fiery red hair and bushy beard, with small but penetrating green eyes. One can almost picture him carrying a daneaxe and invoking Odin, but his manners are often more paused, if not bumbling at times. Fritjof usually likes to wear his scientific attire, even though he's sometimes challenged by the small sizes of the labcoats. Of course, when the chips are down, he still wears his custom combat armor and tools of the trade, even if the flags and allegiances have been scratched altogether. A helmet with inbuilt mask functions and communication functions usually obscures his visage during the campaigns.

And of course, he carries an ax if the bullets aren't enough.

Background: Fritjof knew from an early age he was special, in a sense. A child prodigy not only mentally but physically, he appeared in the local newspapers of his native Stockholm when he managed to win a children running tournament while at the same time solving a complex mathematical formula. At age 7. They always called him the wonder Swede...until the Starbursts happened. In the span of days, the world itself flipped upside down, and he was no longer special. Just another human. It stung him that he had been vastly outclassed overnight by these incomprehensible monsters and the empowered humans.

It even stung more when one of his fellow childhood rivals, emboldened by his Epic powers, decided to practice shooting with the remaining members of his family. And he forced Fritjof to watch. Ever since, something died inside the young man, and even though he tried to hide it, his sanity was probably forever shattered in that moment.

But it didn't become apparent until much later. Fritjof, like many others, volunteered for the various militias that made a last ditch effort to become humanity's spear. His natural talents made him persevere and survive where others failed, his battle skill growing as well as his knowledge. Eventually, his skill was such that he could take on the monsters or epics that nobody sane would ever attempt.

Turns out he wasn't the only one, but he was the best at it. So he led a team with others, of different creeds and nations. Things seemed to finally turn towards humanity side. But... the few goverment powers that still existed bent their knee. To those on High. Dainslef never forgave that sign of weakness and treachery. For deep in his heart he believe only a world without Epics could make things great again.

It was then when the rumour of a certain anti-Epic organization called the Kryptonites reached his ears...

[Regitnui]

@thewizardguy, I did say in the beginning this was going to be about the people, not the powers. Guilt has set herself up in opposition to the High. You've said as much several times. She's pressing against the boundaries of the City. What else is supposed to happen but the enforcers of those boundaries start pushing back?

Guilt is, by her own admission, a weapon designed to kill Epics. She has set herself the goal of killing the High, or at least bringing them down to normal. She's declaring herself a player in a game she doesn't even fully comprehend. Island isn't being adversarial. He's trying to be nice. So was the Clairvoyant. They are, by all judgement, gods. And you thumbed your nose at the nicest of them.

Guilt's arc, as I see it, is her either healing from the experiments inflicted on her as a child, like River Tam from Firefly, or revelling in the monster they made her to be, until her powers become too strong for her to control. I would go with a normal person trying to redeem her, but I've had very little time with Guilt being anything other than a vengeful black hole. Did I pick up the wrong plotline for you?

[Override]

Quick question. How powerful are her swords? It's not defined really in your character sheet @Feisty-Pants just that you could probably harden them past normal swords. That's neat and all but Devil's shields can stop most mortal ammunition. I say most because other than a small explosion would break through. I don't see swords, however hardened, piercing them. So before I finish up this post, I was just looking to get some clarification.

[Regitnui]

@Override, individually, I'd say he safe. Considering she's conjured a rough hundred of them that she could target at the same spot, I would rule on the side of Devilstrider being injured rather badly. Not fatally, but certainly enough to bleed and perhaps need medical attention.

[Override]

Well I posted and he isn't going to just sit there. He'll move if need be, so he won't take them all at once.

[Regitnui]

@Override, it's just DM guess. I'd not override @Feisty-Pants without a good reason.

@AtomicNut, thanks. I'll put him in the proper place shortly.

[Override]

Well. I'm going to pass out for a couple hours. I'm really tired. I'll check this later.

[thewizardguy]

@Regitnui

Guilt hates the High, that is most certainly true. She's a soldier who fought for the lives of humans outside the City, against armies of monstrous Freaks. To her the High are monsters for refusing to protect the world, despite their abilities. Beings who spend their time in the lap of luxury, instead of fighting to protect the people. Those who would be happy to watch the world burn as long as it didn't bother them personally. If you gave her a button capable of killing the High she'd press it without a second thought. But the same can be said about anyone who hates the High, ranging from the Kryptonites to the superpowered criminals. She doesn't think she can beat the High, and does not intend to hunt them down and kill them. She has made no intent to attack them, nor their allies. She has even avoided killing those who represent the High, going out of her way to spare them.

From my perspective Guilt isn't pushing on any boundaries. She has done nothing I don't see other people do. And yet despite this the High are ganging up on her, forcing her to change by threatening or manipulating her. Despite the High having virtually no interaction with others, much less actively attacking or manipulating other players, two separate High have taken a personal interest in my character.

Clairvoyant was fun. I was surprised that the High Clairvoyant would be interested in my character personally, but it gave me a chance to have my character interact with someone really powerful in an interesting way. And Claire, the subconscious 'morality', was an interesting twist. But I hated the idea of the Clairvoyant actively reaching out to directly change Guilt's personality. That's not character growth, that's mind control. And it's not fun.

Then the Island intervened, enforcing a law I didn't know existed. Instead of informing Guilt of this law she was unaware of he immediately decided to attack her, threatening and bullying her into submission. And that's fine, I imagine the High are used to pushing people around like they're nothing. But the fact that the Island decided to pick on Guilt as opposed to any of the other people who commit murders or destructive acts kind of irked me.

Now you have the Island personally locking up Guilt, and refusing to let her go unless she becomes a 'better person'.

While I agree with you that Guilt can either become a hero or a monster, I want her to straddle the line for a bit. She was intended as an anti-hero, and even if she becomes more of a good guy (stops the murdering) she'll remain a soldier at heart. A warrior more than a hero. And yet it seems like the world is intent on shouting at her until she betters her ways. Not by gently encouraging her to reconsider her views but through threats and manipulation. Again, that isn't character growth.

I envision Guilt meeting up with Traveller a couple more times. Maybe getting to know some of the other heroes. Becoming slowly less harsh as she realises that perhaps she isn't actually solving anything by being a brutal vigilante. Beginning to use her powers more constructively, and instead of acting as a spirit of vengeance talking to people about the situation outside the city. Asking other heroes for help, to improve the world at large.

Instead the High have only managed to convince Guilt that they are immense assholes convinced of their own omnipotence. That they have no issue with shattering the privacy of others, attacking anyone they don't like, and breaking other people's possessions out of an idea that they're just 'better'. I'm fine with the High being morally questionable, in fact I like them being morally questionable. It makes them people instead of plot devices, it adds depth to the idea. Power corrupts. And even if they have the best of intentions access to that much power would give them a superinflated ego. But I dislike the fact that they keep picking on Guilt in particular. She's being reprimanded when others get a free pass.

In short, the High are royally pissing off Guilt as a character, and I feel unfairly persecuted as a player. While I can continue playing like this I suspect that the logical response from Guilt (spitting in the face of the meddling God) is going to just get her more punished, and she's going to spend her time getting beat up by unstoppable godlike characters until they force her to change. Which is not an idea I enjoy.

[AtomicNut]

@Regitnui

Guilt hates the High, that is most certainly true. She's a soldier who fought for the lives of humans outside the City, against armies of monstrous Freaks. To her the High are monsters for refusing to protect the world, despite their abilities. Beings who spend their time in the lap of luxury, instead of fighting to protect the people. Those who would be happy to watch the world burn as long as it didn't bother them personally. If you gave her a button capable of killing the High she'd press it without a second thought. But the same can be said about anyone who hates the High, ranging from the Kryptonites to the superpowered criminals. She doesn't think she can beat the High, and does not intend to hunt them down and kill them. She has made no intent to attack them, nor their allies. She has even avoided killing those who represent the High, going out of her way to spare them.

From my perspective Guilt isn't pushing on any boundaries. She has done nothing I don't see other people do. And yet despite this the High are ganging up on her, forcing her to change by threatening or manipulating her. Despite the High having virtually no interaction with others, much less actively attacking or manipulating other players, two separate High have taken a personal interest in my character.

Clairvoyant was fun. I was surprised that the High Clairvoyant would be interested in my character personally, but it gave me a chance to have my character interact with someone really powerful in an interesting way. And Claire, the subconscious 'morality', was an interesting twist. But I hated the idea of the Clairvoyant actively reaching out to directly change Guilt's personality. That's not character growth, that's mind control. And it's not fun.

Then the Island intervened, enforcing a law I didn't know existed. Instead of informing Guilt of this law she was unaware of he immediately decided to attack her, threatening and bullying her into submission. And that's fine, I imagine the High are used to pushing people around like they're nothing. But the fact that the Island decided to pick on Guilt as opposed to any of the other people who commit murders or destructive acts kind of irked me.

Now you have the Island personally locking up Guilt, and refusing to let her go unless she becomes a 'better person'.

While I agree with you that Guilt can either become a hero or a monster, I want her to straddle the line for a bit. She was intended as an anti-hero, and even if she becomes more of a good guy (stops the murdering) she'll remain a soldier at heart. A warrior more than a hero. And yet it seems like the world is intent on shouting at her until she betters her ways. Not by gently encouraging her to reconsider her views but through threats and manipulation. Again, that isn't character growth.

I envision Guilt meeting up with Traveller a couple more times. Maybe getting to know some of the other heroes. Becoming slowly less harsh as she realises that perhaps she isn't actually solving anything by being a brutal vigilante. Beginning to use her powers more constructively, and instead of acting as a spirit of vengeance talking to people about the situation outside the city. Asking other heroes for help, to improve the world at large.

Instead the High have only managed to convince Guilt that they are immense assholes convinced of their own omnipotence. That they have no issue with shattering the privacy of others, attacking anyone they don't like, and breaking other people's possessions out of an idea that they're just 'better'. I'm fine with the High being morally questionable, in fact I like them being morally questionable. It makes them people instead of plot devices, it adds depth to the idea. Power corrupts. And even if they have the best of intentions access to that much power would give them a superinflated ego. But I dislike the fact that they keep picking on Guilt in particular. She's being reprimanded when others get a free pass.

In short, the High are royally pissing off Guilt as a character, and I feel unfairly persecuted as a player. While I can continue playing like this I suspect that the logical response from Guilt (spitting in the face of the meddling God) is going to just get her more punished, and she's going to spend her time getting beat up by unstoppable godlike characters until they force her to change. Which is not an idea I enjoy.

@thewizardguy

Nothing a couple of puds and old war stories cannot fix, mate.