I said I'd have the adaptation today but that's clearly not going to happen. The character was initially written for a start immediately after Shiganshina which means I actually don't have that much if I cut those bits out.
Sierra Member
The Dark Lord
STATUS: For those wondering where I fucked off to ... the apple iphone 14 pre-order launch is this thursday and I work software dev for a cell carrier. Been a lil slammed. 4 yrs ago
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For those wondering where I fucked off to ... the apple iphone 14 pre-order launch is this thursday and I work software dev for a cell carrier. Been a lil slammed.
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4 yrs ago
As someone who once unironically used grey-on-black text .... don't. Its impossible to read on OLED screens, which include most modern phones.
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4 yrs ago
Sometimes I feel like this site is a Thai buffet. I'm sure there's delicious things here, but for the life of my I can't find anything that really speaks to me right now.
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4 yrs ago
When not prepping for my D&D table, I should spruce up some of my stuff here. Not all of my old content is the garbage I presumed it was. But some things I wrote we won't talk about ....
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4 yrs ago
Reflections on characters past: "Adi really was a spoiled brat. How did I ever think her motivations were compelling?"
Bio
Peace is a lie. There is only passion.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.
Through passion, I gain strength.
Through strength, I gain power.
Through power, my chains are broken.
The Force shall free me.
Most Recent Posts
Whatever I just read was cool, but I'm still not sure exactly what I did just read.
Last time I did one of these was like 2 years ago on discord and it died from too many people powergaming. I still have the sheet lying around so I might work up an adaptation tomorrow.
Is this really in the category of things worth arguing about? I didn't even press my FTL grievances and I would consider this to have far less bearing on the roleplay at large.
@Willy Vereb I wanna nail on a few of your points because I think you raised some good issues that I have a take on.
You're right about the consistency, but the consistency is applied inconsistently. Weapons, species, every other technology aspect isn't even bound to half-realistic physics, led alone given any consistency. When you see how slowed-down its supposed to be, as well, you get this one random element that seems to completely contradict the whole sci-fantasy space opera construct the RP is going for. (It's also a tech aspect for which I've developed no less than 6 systems for my own work that I greatly dislike throwing out without very good reasons and so far I am unconvinced.) It also has an interaction problem in that - unless the RP works on greatly accelerated timetables, which is not implied - players are rather limited in who they can interact with to only relatively nearby neighbor factions.
For one I would not consider scale to be one of the things Mass Effect handles comparatively well either but I digress. The estimation on semi-habitable star systems also is way low and modern astronomy has brought that number up from 1:100 to closer to 1:5 but I digress again.
You're kinda being slightly contradictory. "This RP has a problem with scale." "We should disregard scale entirely." Your points are both valid, but pick one. I sense you're leaning towards the second statement as a proposed solution which I think is somewhat fine. I think invoking scale where relevant is important, but scale should also not ever be a hindrance to gameplay/story progression. (This can also be brought full-circle into another argument against the FTL thing earlier.)
Similarly I don't feel the FTL is really something you'd consider slow, albeit limiting to only these two is a good idea to help making a more consistent setting.
You're right about the consistency, but the consistency is applied inconsistently. Weapons, species, every other technology aspect isn't even bound to half-realistic physics, led alone given any consistency. When you see how slowed-down its supposed to be, as well, you get this one random element that seems to completely contradict the whole sci-fantasy space opera construct the RP is going for. (It's also a tech aspect for which I've developed no less than 6 systems for my own work that I greatly dislike throwing out without very good reasons and so far I am unconvinced.) It also has an interaction problem in that - unless the RP works on greatly accelerated timetables, which is not implied - players are rather limited in who they can interact with to only relatively nearby neighbor factions.
I think this game still has the problem with scale. Being limited to "just the Milky Way" still means 400 million star systems out of which at least 4 million of them are somewhat habitable, not to mention technologies which could allow you to settle on lifeless star systems.
There are a myriad of sci-fi stories that fail to take the sheer scale of the galaxy into account. Why should we? I'll try to think of this more like Star Wars than say Mass Effect or especially anything more serious.
For one I would not consider scale to be one of the things Mass Effect handles comparatively well either but I digress. The estimation on semi-habitable star systems also is way low and modern astronomy has brought that number up from 1:100 to closer to 1:5 but I digress again.
You're kinda being slightly contradictory. "This RP has a problem with scale." "We should disregard scale entirely." Your points are both valid, but pick one. I sense you're leaning towards the second statement as a proposed solution which I think is somewhat fine. I think invoking scale where relevant is important, but scale should also not ever be a hindrance to gameplay/story progression. (This can also be brought full-circle into another argument against the FTL thing earlier.)
What is the plot significance of the rules around FTL? Given the ramification such a stringent limitation will have on the way the roleplay will progress, and the amount of things it would require the temporary retcon of in my sci-fi lore, I expect it's very important to the story.
@Romero I like the take. I think he's sufficiently interesting as a character that I want to read more of him. I'm actually willing to slap an APPROVED on this as-is but I there are some minor criticisms I have that I want to air for your consideration.
The notion of manipulation others, particularly through mystical means, is one of those things that's in a tricky place in power level (it can be too good to the point of boring very quickly, or neutered to the ground with minimal effort). I'll allow it with the corollary that the combination of Legionnaire and chosen makes an individual uncontrollable (i.e. no controlling the other party members), though I would make note that I think excessive use of this will get boring real quick. I personally wouldn't lean on that as a main character gimmick but you very well may; your discretion.
Fire is an interesting choice of element to pair with hammers. I am of the mind there's underutilized potential there for some earthshattering abilities (bad pun intended) but if you wanna stick to fire then stick to fire. There's no real limits on the elemental aspects of aetheric powers.
If you were to tone back/rework the manipulation/enslavement, I think your character would actually end up underpowered. If that's something you pursue in a revision, then that's something you should think about. Now that said, I also said I'd consider this APPROVED as-is and any revision pass is ultimately optional. I'd encourage it, but these are ultimately my thoughts on the character not yours. Proceed as you see fit.
The notion of manipulation others, particularly through mystical means, is one of those things that's in a tricky place in power level (it can be too good to the point of boring very quickly, or neutered to the ground with minimal effort). I'll allow it with the corollary that the combination of Legionnaire and chosen makes an individual uncontrollable (i.e. no controlling the other party members), though I would make note that I think excessive use of this will get boring real quick. I personally wouldn't lean on that as a main character gimmick but you very well may; your discretion.
Fire is an interesting choice of element to pair with hammers. I am of the mind there's underutilized potential there for some earthshattering abilities (bad pun intended) but if you wanna stick to fire then stick to fire. There's no real limits on the elemental aspects of aetheric powers.
If you were to tone back/rework the manipulation/enslavement, I think your character would actually end up underpowered. If that's something you pursue in a revision, then that's something you should think about. Now that said, I also said I'd consider this APPROVED as-is and any revision pass is ultimately optional. I'd encourage it, but these are ultimately my thoughts on the character not yours. Proceed as you see fit.
@Romero That's definitely a yes (there's a slot list in the zero post in IC). As Templar said the delayed arrival will either require a different form of entrance that should be worked out, or if you get your CS and starter in really freaking fast then we can actually handwave you in for the impending melee.
Woo that's a colorful post! It is way too late at night but I said it would get done and it got done, even working around con schedule.
DESTINY ARRIVES
Special thanks to Whoami, Silver Carrot, and Templar Knight for collaborative work.The night's biting chills had begun to set in. The cold always brought with it the most beautiful, star-speckled skies. There was a time long past when Adrianna was enamored with the night sky, but no longer. The new moon bore no light upon the world, leaving only the guiding light of the campfire to show her the way. 'Be weary!' came the urgent voice.
Adrianna jolted, unprepared for Kassandra's whispy tones, 'Do not startle me like that!'
'Forgive me child.'
Adi grimmaced at the mention; she hated being belittled in such a fashion, especially by someone who lacked a physical form which she could hit back. It was no doubt a peculiar sight, a woman in a commoner's robes and a warrior's staff standing alone in the dim flicker of firelight having a silent argument seemingly with only herself. The notion went completely beyond her until something by the fire, someone of the many around it, startled her out of her embarassing performance.
Fay, ironically, was startled by Adrianna's outburst, and turned to see that they had another visitor. From the way they talked to themselves, they too must be a Legionairre's chosen. Fay noticed that she was a common-looking woman, and sick of the coversation of warriors and former nobles, stood up to greet their visitor, and approached Adrianna. 'Be extremely cautious!' Quoris hollered inside Fay's head. 'This woman has been chosen by Kassandra Malistare! I don't know what she could have in common with such a twisted individual, but I pray it is not her bloodlust, or excessive fixation on their own vices and desires over the will of the Legionaiire!'
"Hello! Please, come by the fire and warm yourself!" Fay offered the stranger with a concerned yet friendly expression, ignoring Quoris' advice for the time being in favour of courtesy. "It is late and you must be chilled to the bones! My name is Fayvre. May I ask yours?"
Gwynne's attention was focused on her wound. She was glad that proper aid was given to it, but the pain was still there for her. She let out a quiet sigh, knowing she'd have to let Topesh do much of the heavy lifting when it came to commanding the orb. She wasn't very fond of giving Topesh too much freedom with the orb, and preferred to command it directly. But with the limited motion she had with her arm, she acknowledged that it was the best choice. The orb continued to float around the camp site, as if allowing Topesh to size up the party of chosen. The light emanating from the crystal would either glow brighter or dimmer depending on the chosen. Gwynne preferred to keep it a secret that the glowing had to do with Topesh's impressions of the individuals.
Gwynne was the first to hear Adi coming. She caught Fay's movement out of the corner of her, and followed the other woman's gaze to see what the interest was. The orb floated over to Adi, "Hm~ Another weary traveller. Certainly, it is no coincidence that you have come here. Do tell us your name, girl. That one over there is Gwynne. Though Apostate is a more fitting name." The orb shone a beam of light directly on Gwynne, causing her to raise her hand and shield her eyes from it.
"Give the girl some space, Topesh... And I hate being called Apostate. Why must you keep reminding me?" Gwynne sneered at the orb.
"Simply because it is what you are~ Pigs never chose their ungraceful name as a species. So why must you choose what you call your place in this world?" Topesh let out a chuckle, which caused the orb to pulse in timing with him.
"Indeed; for certain I did not dress for weather such as this." Adi mused, "I am Adrianna Corvello-"
A floating orb whizzing into her face derailed her thoughts. She leveled a confused and judgemental look at the glowing ball, though it disappeared before her coiled hand could distance it from her personal space.
'Yes I know who you are," her gaze hastily turning to Gwynne, "anyone who's lived in the Imperium knows who you are. Had our paths crossed a year ago I ... lets just say 'twould be less friendly a relationship."
That wasn't the right way to start that conversation. She should have known better than that. "I apologize, I was too ... callous."
Her choice of words tonight was lacking the grace she was so vigorously taught. Nonetheless she felt compelled to correct the speaking orb. "Your place in this world is what you make it, Gwynne Lancet. The world is nothing if not a cruel mistress which rips from you anything it can without mercy or hesitation. Never be ashamed of who you are; never let anyone take your future from you," a strange amalgamation of prideful determination and its mirrored shame penetrated Adi's voice, "what has been given to us is the power to right the wrongs we have suffered, carve out our place in the world and finally have that which has been denied to us."
Adrianna jolted, unprepared for Kassandra's whispy tones, 'Do not startle me like that!'
'Forgive me child.'
Adi grimmaced at the mention; she hated being belittled in such a fashion, especially by someone who lacked a physical form which she could hit back. It was no doubt a peculiar sight, a woman in a commoner's robes and a warrior's staff standing alone in the dim flicker of firelight having a silent argument seemingly with only herself. The notion went completely beyond her until something by the fire, someone of the many around it, startled her out of her embarassing performance.
Fay, ironically, was startled by Adrianna's outburst, and turned to see that they had another visitor. From the way they talked to themselves, they too must be a Legionairre's chosen. Fay noticed that she was a common-looking woman, and sick of the coversation of warriors and former nobles, stood up to greet their visitor, and approached Adrianna. 'Be extremely cautious!' Quoris hollered inside Fay's head. 'This woman has been chosen by Kassandra Malistare! I don't know what she could have in common with such a twisted individual, but I pray it is not her bloodlust, or excessive fixation on their own vices and desires over the will of the Legionaiire!'
"Hello! Please, come by the fire and warm yourself!" Fay offered the stranger with a concerned yet friendly expression, ignoring Quoris' advice for the time being in favour of courtesy. "It is late and you must be chilled to the bones! My name is Fayvre. May I ask yours?"
Gwynne's attention was focused on her wound. She was glad that proper aid was given to it, but the pain was still there for her. She let out a quiet sigh, knowing she'd have to let Topesh do much of the heavy lifting when it came to commanding the orb. She wasn't very fond of giving Topesh too much freedom with the orb, and preferred to command it directly. But with the limited motion she had with her arm, she acknowledged that it was the best choice. The orb continued to float around the camp site, as if allowing Topesh to size up the party of chosen. The light emanating from the crystal would either glow brighter or dimmer depending on the chosen. Gwynne preferred to keep it a secret that the glowing had to do with Topesh's impressions of the individuals.
Gwynne was the first to hear Adi coming. She caught Fay's movement out of the corner of her, and followed the other woman's gaze to see what the interest was. The orb floated over to Adi, "Hm~ Another weary traveller. Certainly, it is no coincidence that you have come here. Do tell us your name, girl. That one over there is Gwynne. Though Apostate is a more fitting name." The orb shone a beam of light directly on Gwynne, causing her to raise her hand and shield her eyes from it.
"Give the girl some space, Topesh... And I hate being called Apostate. Why must you keep reminding me?" Gwynne sneered at the orb.
"Simply because it is what you are~ Pigs never chose their ungraceful name as a species. So why must you choose what you call your place in this world?" Topesh let out a chuckle, which caused the orb to pulse in timing with him.
"Indeed; for certain I did not dress for weather such as this." Adi mused, "I am Adrianna Corvello-"
A floating orb whizzing into her face derailed her thoughts. She leveled a confused and judgemental look at the glowing ball, though it disappeared before her coiled hand could distance it from her personal space.
'Yes I know who you are," her gaze hastily turning to Gwynne, "anyone who's lived in the Imperium knows who you are. Had our paths crossed a year ago I ... lets just say 'twould be less friendly a relationship."
That wasn't the right way to start that conversation. She should have known better than that. "I apologize, I was too ... callous."
Her choice of words tonight was lacking the grace she was so vigorously taught. Nonetheless she felt compelled to correct the speaking orb. "Your place in this world is what you make it, Gwynne Lancet. The world is nothing if not a cruel mistress which rips from you anything it can without mercy or hesitation. Never be ashamed of who you are; never let anyone take your future from you," a strange amalgamation of prideful determination and its mirrored shame penetrated Adi's voice, "what has been given to us is the power to right the wrongs we have suffered, carve out our place in the world and finally have that which has been denied to us."
A new, domineering presence stole away the attention of all those attendance. The barely-living fire roared to new life without provocation, a deep, throaty growl emanating from the flames. "At last ..." the guttural, inhuman voice boomed from the burning centerpiece of the gathering of chosen, "I have not seen a gathering of power like this in five centuries."
The conflagration pulsed on every syllable, as if drawing breath as a human would. A more fearful variation of the same confused look that Topesh garnered spread across Adrianna's face, now staring towards the speaking bonfire. One hand slid towards her knives as if somehow that would harm whatever supernatural power had taken hold of the blaze. "Who are you?" she demanded, clutching the short blade.
"I am the God of war Aktorr Xurtas. My brothers and sisters and I once beleived in the power of your predecessors. It was to our great dissapointment that in their defeat they cheated death for their own ends. Despite their ultimate failure they were once considered heroes in my realm."
"And what changed? Adi's studies in diplomacy made the conclusion inevitable, though the correctness of her assertion apparently was irrelevant.
"Silence mortal!" the campfire erupted into a towering column of flame from the God's displeasure, "My brothers and sisters have since turned their backs upon the legends of the great Legion of Shadows that once razed Avalon. Even in my adoration I grew impatient with thier discordance. Perhaps you, their mortal chosen, will wield our gifts to the world with greater coherence."
"What would you have us do?"
"You are an audacious one it seems. Perhaps in time I will come to admire that when my patience is not being tried," Aktorr scorned, "This world is one of hypocracy. Its leaders claim many a thing will lead them to salvation but only mediocrity and toil come in lieu. Man is led away from us, taught that my brothers and sisters are the root of all evil. Evil is a construct unique to mankind. Show them the error of their ways. Rid the world of its heretical leadership and bring this world together under a single banner, our banner."
The elder diety allowed his words to permeate the minds of the mortals. Most seemed dazed and intimidated by his presence, as he felt they should.
Dorian looked on at the spectacle in somewhat stunned silence. He'd never seen much magic in action, and had never actually been much of a religious man, and this was the first "God" he had ever seen in action. Vardun chimed in within Dorian's mind.
"One of our benefactors, a God from Below. I sincerely hope I don't need to tell you not to piss him off. Ask him what you will, I have what I sought from him and his kin long ago when first we struck our bargain with them."
Dorian steeled himself before daring to ask a question, the War God was more ferocious though no less imposing than Vardun despite being merely a fire. All the same, he felt he may as well as a God something while they had its attention. Even so, his uncertainty spilled into his question.
"Is there . . . any advice or boon you can grant us? I mean, I wager most of us wouldn't know where to start in terms of bringing down empires . . . Or more simply, what would you have us do to not repeat the mistakes of our . . . predecessors?"
"I appreciate your agreeableness, mortal, though you will find it is not a trait well suited for the battlefield. In time your power shall grow to contest even the great armies of the Imperium without difficulty, provided you survive that long. Your predecessors may struggle to maintain their focus, as they did centuries before. Do not lose sight of your goals whatever they may be, and do not turn your backs upon each other ... or you too shall arrive in our realm as failures," the bassy tones of the God's voice warned intimidatingly.
"For now you all must all rest while you have the opportunity. The forces of this world will not give you many such. As they grow aware of the return of your predecessors they will pursue you without relent. Men are already on the march here. Enjoy this calm while you have it. On your journey you will have my blessings, but this time that is all you will receive."
As spontaneously as he appeared, the campfire returned to its normal, docile state signalling the departure of the God. For every question now answered, there existed at least twice that still without.
'What did he mean by 'this time that is all you will receive' Kassandra?'
'A story for another time, Adrianna. For now Aktorr is right. We must rest, for we do not know when danger will inevitably find us.'
The conflagration pulsed on every syllable, as if drawing breath as a human would. A more fearful variation of the same confused look that Topesh garnered spread across Adrianna's face, now staring towards the speaking bonfire. One hand slid towards her knives as if somehow that would harm whatever supernatural power had taken hold of the blaze. "Who are you?" she demanded, clutching the short blade.
"I am the God of war Aktorr Xurtas. My brothers and sisters and I once beleived in the power of your predecessors. It was to our great dissapointment that in their defeat they cheated death for their own ends. Despite their ultimate failure they were once considered heroes in my realm."
"And what changed? Adi's studies in diplomacy made the conclusion inevitable, though the correctness of her assertion apparently was irrelevant.
"Silence mortal!" the campfire erupted into a towering column of flame from the God's displeasure, "My brothers and sisters have since turned their backs upon the legends of the great Legion of Shadows that once razed Avalon. Even in my adoration I grew impatient with thier discordance. Perhaps you, their mortal chosen, will wield our gifts to the world with greater coherence."
"What would you have us do?"
"You are an audacious one it seems. Perhaps in time I will come to admire that when my patience is not being tried," Aktorr scorned, "This world is one of hypocracy. Its leaders claim many a thing will lead them to salvation but only mediocrity and toil come in lieu. Man is led away from us, taught that my brothers and sisters are the root of all evil. Evil is a construct unique to mankind. Show them the error of their ways. Rid the world of its heretical leadership and bring this world together under a single banner, our banner."
The elder diety allowed his words to permeate the minds of the mortals. Most seemed dazed and intimidated by his presence, as he felt they should.
Dorian looked on at the spectacle in somewhat stunned silence. He'd never seen much magic in action, and had never actually been much of a religious man, and this was the first "God" he had ever seen in action. Vardun chimed in within Dorian's mind.
"One of our benefactors, a God from Below. I sincerely hope I don't need to tell you not to piss him off. Ask him what you will, I have what I sought from him and his kin long ago when first we struck our bargain with them."
Dorian steeled himself before daring to ask a question, the War God was more ferocious though no less imposing than Vardun despite being merely a fire. All the same, he felt he may as well as a God something while they had its attention. Even so, his uncertainty spilled into his question.
"Is there . . . any advice or boon you can grant us? I mean, I wager most of us wouldn't know where to start in terms of bringing down empires . . . Or more simply, what would you have us do to not repeat the mistakes of our . . . predecessors?"
"I appreciate your agreeableness, mortal, though you will find it is not a trait well suited for the battlefield. In time your power shall grow to contest even the great armies of the Imperium without difficulty, provided you survive that long. Your predecessors may struggle to maintain their focus, as they did centuries before. Do not lose sight of your goals whatever they may be, and do not turn your backs upon each other ... or you too shall arrive in our realm as failures," the bassy tones of the God's voice warned intimidatingly.
"For now you all must all rest while you have the opportunity. The forces of this world will not give you many such. As they grow aware of the return of your predecessors they will pursue you without relent. Men are already on the march here. Enjoy this calm while you have it. On your journey you will have my blessings, but this time that is all you will receive."
As spontaneously as he appeared, the campfire returned to its normal, docile state signalling the departure of the God. For every question now answered, there existed at least twice that still without.
'What did he mean by 'this time that is all you will receive' Kassandra?'
'A story for another time, Adrianna. For now Aktorr is right. We must rest, for we do not know when danger will inevitably find us.'
The battalion had made camp for the night, but the battalion commander did not sleep. He stood a silent vigil over his troops in their slumber, the hot embers of fires speckling the encampment. The caw of a raven drew his attention. Its obsidian feathers invisible in the moonless night, the spectre descended gracefuly onto a pedestal, revealing itself in the lantern light of the commander's tent. The officer removed the message the bird carried from his detached cavalry group.
The commander smiled, and turned back towards his tent with its multitude of maps and model tables.
Commander Geisler,
~ Captain Riquer
We have made camp early in the day and are a meager distance from the Ruined City. We intend to break camp well before first light and ride swiftly towards our destination. We should arrive shortly after dawn. If the incarnates have made camp as you have suspected, we will catch them unprepared with our arrival. We expect moderate resistance, though I have confidence in my soldiers and your intelligence that our targets are both unprepared and untrained. Our numbers will ensure a relatively decisive victory. We will report back when we have captured the incarnates and are en route towards your encampment. Please extend my thanks to Inquisitor Valdi for his assistance in this matter.
~ Captain Riquer
The commander smiled, and turned back towards his tent with its multitude of maps and model tables.
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