Random Stuff VIII: The Admin Special

[A Joe in the Bush]

Am I making this right? I dunno. I'm sure an Admin will be along to fix it If i made it wrong.

 

Yay! New Random Thread!

 

In response to Voidus, Skylar says she wouldn't have a superhero identity. She's just be Skylar. Since I'm the Token-evil teammate, I'll just keep my name as well. (And We're a theatre troupe. Of course we have costumes.)

Edited March 12, 2016 by The Only Joe

[Zathoth]

Skylar would be a really cool Super Hero name...

 

This means I must start my evil planning! But I have o idea what my goal is, I have no interest in world domination...

[Curious Anamaximder]

Hey! How about pug avengers!

[Edgedancer]

Am I making this right? I dunno. I'm sure an Admin will be along to fix it If i made it wrong.

 

Yay! New Random Thread!

 

In response to Voidus, Skylar says she wouldn't have a superhero identity. She's just be Skylar. Since I'm the Token-evil teammate, I'll just keep my name as well. (And We're a theatre troupe. Of course we have costumes.)

That only means the media will get to name you. Don't give them that power!

[Curious Anamaximder]

That only means the media will get to name you. Don't give them that power!

How about Skylark?

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles]

The Great Sasquatch Rebellion of 1892? Seriously, Rowling? In Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, you said they were just another name for yeti, and now they're distinct species that's also wildly out of character?

Edit: And Thunderbirds are not "closely related to the Phoenix"!

Edit edit: And allowing wizards to drink during the 1920s did not "make them conspicuous in a crowd of sober No-Majs"! Have you never heard of speakeasies? Al Capone? BOOTLEGGERS???

Edited March 11, 2016 by TwiLyghtSansSparkles

[Quiver]

In response to Voidus, Skylar says she wouldn't have a superhero identity. She's just be Skylar. Since I'm the Token-evil teammate, I'll just keep my name as well. (And We're a theatre troupe. Of course we have costumes.)

I can't help but see "evil teammate" and misread the name as Sylar. Sorry.

The Great Sasquatch Rebellion of 1892? Seriously, Rowling? In Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, you said they were just another name for yeti, and now they're distinct species that's also wildly out of character?

Edit: And Thunderbirds are not "closely related to the Phoenix"!

Edit edit: And allowing wizards to drink during the 1920s did not "make them conspicuous in a crowd of sober No-Majs"! Have you never heard of speakeasies? Al Capone? BOOTLEGGERS???

This...sounds disappointing. Especially since urban magic in the 1920's would be so cool. I remember a friend of mine who once posited the idea of doing vampires in Prohibition, which was cool...

But damnation. Sounds like you are especially unhappy with this worldbuilding.

I wonder how much Rowling is being tied by the studio, though? Since this trilogy started as a movie, rather than a book...

Doesnt excuse her, of course...but I'm curious how much of this was her idea, and how much comes from them.

[Orlion Blight]

Rowling is in a position to assert as much creative control as she wants, I imagine. This is probably 100% Rowling.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles]

I can't help but see "evil teammate" and misread the name as Sylar. Sorry.

This...sounds disappointing. Especially since urban magic in the 1920's would be so cool. I remember a friend of mine who once posited the idea of doing vampires in Prohibition, which was cool...

But damnation. Sounds like you are especially unhappy with this worldbuilding.

I wonder how much Rowling is being tied by the studio, though? Since this trilogy started as a movie, rather than a book...

Doesnt excuse her, of course...but I'm curious how much of this was her idea, and how much comes from them.

I wanted to be happy with it (see my previous entries)....but it just seems like not a lot of research was done. And some things just don't fit, like No-Majs being harder to fool and more skeptical toward magic, yet American wizards operating under a greater deal of secrecy. If No-Majs are notoriously skeptical, why not let Americans be less secretive and trust that anything from a Patronus to an Unforgiveable can be passed off as swamp gas?

I feel like the whole Rappaport's Law thing was added because someone--the studio or Rowling herself--wanted America to be more secretive about its magic and so that reason was given.

Plus, MACUSA is so not "less tolerant toward ghosts" and other spectral creatures. Look up any site you want. America is lousy with hauntings.

[Edgedancer]

The Great Sasquatch Rebellion of 1892? Seriously, Rowling? In Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, you said they were just another name for yeti, and now they're distinct species that's also wildly out of character?

Edit: And Thunderbirds are not "closely related to the Phoenix"!

Edit edit: And allowing wizards to drink during the 1920s did not "make them conspicuous in a crowd of sober No-Majs"! Have you never heard of speakeasies? Al Capone? BOOTLEGGERS???

If they rebeled than did we at least get a new peacful and fluffy government out of it?

[Quiver]

How far has she covered in years? It sounds like she's missing an opportunity to really play with fun conspiracy tropes which are -if not quintessential, then at least more- American than British.

I mean...am I the only one imagining magic as an X-File?

[Orlion Blight]

How far has she covered in years? It sounds like she's missing an opportunity to really play with fun conspiracy tropes which are -if not quintessential, then at least more- American than British.

I mean...am I the only one imagining magic as an X-File?

The aliens from Roswell could have been magical creatures from another dimension!

[Zathoth]

Imagine if you will a world where famous fantasy writers actually do their research.

 

You have entered The TwiLyght Zone.

[Kobold King]

How far has she covered in years? It sounds like she's missing an opportunity to really play with fun conspiracy tropes which are -if not quintessential, then at least more- American than British.

I mean...am I the only one imagining magic as an X-File?

 

 

It's always been my headcanon that The X-Files and Buffy the Vampire Slayer exist in the same universe, just from the different perspectives of characters on either side of the masquerade.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles]

If they rebeled than did we at least get a new peacful and fluffy government out of it?

 

Evidently not. 

 

And seriously, Sasquatches are peaceful creatures. Rarely violent. I guess there was a random battle in Oregon in 1892 for no real reason, which could've been caused by some idiot No-Majs ticking off a band of Sasquatches, but they would not go into full-fledged rebellion mode. 

 

How far has she covered in years? It sounds like she's missing an opportunity to really play with fun conspiracy tropes which are -if not quintessential, then at least more- American than British.

I mean...am I the only one imagining magic as an X-File?

 

She went from the 1300s to the 1920s. So, quite a bit of time and not a lot of detail. And yes, I agree that the whole thing was a lot of wasted opportunities. Even if she weren't to touch any of the Native American stories, that still leaves her a lot of urban legends to work with. La Llorona! Hodags! Mothman! The Jersey Devil! 

 

The aliens from Roswell could have been magical creatures from another dimension!

 

They could have.

 

Imagine if you will a world where famous fantasy writers actually do their research.

 

You have entered The TwiLyght Zone.

 

Aw, shucks. 

 

It's always been my headcanon that The X-Files and Buffy the Vampire Slayer exist in the same universe, just from the different perspectives of characters on either side of the masquerade.

 

*adds both to the List of Shows Twi Wasn't Allowed to Watch as a Kid and Must Now Catch Up on As An Adult*

Edited March 11, 2016 by TwiLyghtSansSparkles

[Quiver]

Can I take a second to recommend something that is stellar at world building, has fascinating characterisation and plotting, is very LGBT friendly, and manages all of the above while being based on a franchise and universe that has existed for nearly 30 years?

Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye.

That comic is fantastic, and more people should read it.

[Edgedancer]

Evidently not. 

 

And seriously, Sasquatches are peaceful creatures. Rarely violent. I guess there was a random battle in Oregon in 1892 for no real reason, which could've been caused by some idiot No-Majs ticking off a band of Sasquatches, but they would not go into full-fledged rebellion mode. 

 

 

She went from the 1300s to the 1920s. So, quite a bit of time and not a lot of detail. And yes, I agree that the whole thing was a lot of wasted opportunities. Even if she weren't to touch any of the Native American stories, that still leaves her a lot of urban legends to work with. La Llorona! Hodags! Mothman! The Jersey Devil!

Maybe they were actually talking about the Jack Links Beef Jerky commercials?

 

From what I've heard about it so far it sounds that these history posts have way to little substance to even be worth typing down, even if they were accurate.

Edited March 11, 2016 by Edgedancer

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles]

Can I take a second to recommend something that is stellar at world building, has fascinating characterisation and plotting, is very LGBT friendly, and manages all of the above while being based on a franchise and universe that has existed for nearly 30 years?

Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye.

That comic is fantastic, and more people should read it.

 

I've never found mechs all that interesting, but your description intrigues me.  

 

Maybe they were actually talking about the Jack Links Beef Jerky commercials?

 

From what I've heard about it so far it sounds that these history posts have way to little substance to even be worth typing down, even if they were accurate.

 

Maybe.  

 

Yeah. They're also pretty short, so I don't know why she bothered. The part about Rappaport's Law was the most detailed, and it sounded more British than American. 

[Kobold King]

Evidently not. 

 

And seriously, Sasquatches are peaceful creatures. Rarely violent. I guess there was a random battle in Oregon in 1892 for no real reason, which could've been caused by some idiot No-Majs ticking off a band of Sasquatches, but they would not go into full-fledged rebellion mode. 

 

 

There is backing in Sasquatch lore for human kidnappings and attacks, and I wouldn't mind a magical explanation for these incidents, but these are rare and I find it unlikely that any kind of organized warfare could emerge in the creatures cryptozoology and Native American lore discuss.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles]

There is backing in Sasquatch lore for human kidnappings and attacks, and I wouldn't mind a magical explanation for these incidents, but these are rare and I find it unlikely that any kind of organized warfare could emerge in the creatures cryptozoology and Native American lore discuss.

 

I came up with a magical explanation for their more violent and sinister moments. Can I PM it to you for opinions? 

[Quiver]

I've never found mechs all that interesting, but your description intrigues me.  

Huzzah! I could talk for ages about it, but I'll just saw look up "The Transformed Man" series on Comics Alliance. The guy blogged his way through the series, and that enthusiasm is what got me reading it.

Anyway. Harry Potter.

It sounds like the American side is a whole different universe. Not necessarily a bad idea, but I don't know how intentional that is...

Isn't Fantastic Beasts set in the 50's or something though? I wonder how much of the inconsistencies can be explained away as "X happened later as a result of these films". It doesn't explain everything -case in point, 'Skinwalkers'- but other stuff might be explainable that way? Like No-Maj's becoming more skeptival coinciding with the 90's and the ruse of absurdist conspiracy theorist types, or the 50's having the magic equivalent of a Red Scare to explain the magic secrecy clamp down and No-Maj paranoia...

Actually, there's a thought: does America have it's version of 'The Two Ministers'? How would a No-Maj president react to the magical community in the McCarthy years?

Or have American wizards basically segregated themselves from muggles, so they don't trust them enough to reveal themselves to the government? Might explain the extreme secrecy if they are, effectively, an underground government...

[Kobold King]

I came up with a magical explanation for their more violent and sinister moments. Can I PM it to you for opinions? 

 

 

Yes please.

[The Invested Beard]

Kinda feel like this right now:

 

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles]

Huzzah! I could talk for ages about it, but I'll just saw look up "The Transformed Man" series on Comics Alliance. The guy blogged his way through the series, and that enthusiasm is what got me reading it.

Anyway. Harry Potter.

It sounds like the American side is a whole different universe. Not necessarily a bad idea, but I don't know how intentional that is...

Isn't Fantastic Beasts set in the 50's or something though? I wonder how much of the inconsistencies can be explained away as "X happened later as a result of these films". It doesn't explain everything -case in point, 'Skinwalkers'- but other stuff might be explainable that way? Like No-Maj's becoming more skeptival coinciding with the 90's and the ruse of absurdist conspiracy theorist types, or the 50's having the magic equivalent of a Red Scare to explain the magic secrecy clamp down and No-Maj paranoia...

Actually, there's a thought: does America have it's version of 'The Two Ministers'? How would a No-Maj president react to the magical community in the McCarthy years?

Or have American wizards basically segregated themselves from muggles, so they don't trust them enough to reveal themselves to the government? Might explain the extreme secrecy if they are, effectively, an underground government...

 

I think I will. 

 

I think the American side of the magical community should be an entirely different universe. We have different legends, different lore, different magic, so it makes sense that things should be different over here. Just….not like this. 

 

 

Fantastic Beasts is set in the 1920s, and as of that time, MACUSA has been functioning independently of the American government for centuries. So while it does explain the secrecy, and I do like the idea of MACUSA acting entirely apart from the US government, the way Rowling portrays it just seems….off. Like, okay, everyone in America has to get a wand permit so the government can trace illegal magic back to the wand's owners. Obviously an analogue to gun permits. But if that's so, why doesn't Britain have permit law? Does Rowling just think British wizards are naturally more responsible with magic than their American counterparts? 

 

Arrrgh. Maybe I'm reading too much into this. 

 

All that aside, while I like a few things about the worldbuilding, other aspects just don't feel right. 

 

Yes please.

 

PM forthcoming.  

[Quiver]

I think the American side of the magical community should be an entirely different universe. We have different legends, different lore, different magic, so it makes sense that things should be different over here. Just….not like this. 

 

 

Fantastic Beasts is set in the 1920s, and as of that time, MACUSA has been functioning independently of the American government for centuries. So while it does explain the secrecy, and I do like the idea of MACUSA acting entirely apart from the US government, the way Rowling portrays it just seems….off. Like, okay, everyone in America has to get a wand permit so the government can trace illegal magic back to the wand's owners. Obviously an analogue to gun permits. But if that's so, why doesn't Britain have permit law? Does Rowling just think British wizards are naturally more responsible with magic than their American counterparts? 

 

Arrrgh. Maybe I'm reading too much into this. 

 

All that aside, while I like a few things about the worldbuilding, other aspects just don't feel right. 

That's why I wonder how intentional it is. Britain and America are different, in very many ways; but it doesn't necessarily sound as if Magic!America...feels right?

Not sure how to put it. There's a difference between a different "universe" in terms of tone, people, myths and legends and cultural reactions, and a straight up different universe, and it kinda sounds like this is the latter?

Like, if it weren't Rowling writing it, it would necessarily be Harry Potter so much as another urban fantasy story.

...incident my, wizard cowboys. Was that mentioned at all? Because that could be interesting, if the American wizards are more paranoid because they have a longer history of vigilante-ism than the British ones do.

(Though, the Brits seem to take potential Wizard Vigilantes like Dumbledore and Harry and bring them into the establishment...not to mention making "wizard superheroes" a government sanctioned thing in the firm of aurors).