Question 2

[Kobold King he/him]

MV probably wouldn't even realize that was an attempt at mocking her to be honest

 

Well, we've made Backtrack suffer a little more. That's the main goal of the campaign, right? "What Happened to Backtrack's Self-worth"?

 

 

You should be. 

 

 

Carved into a stone wall somewhere in CorpseMaker's territory, the following words were found inscribed:

 

"I'm the S to the I to the B and Y and L,

And I got out of town before the whole state went to hell.

I'm Sibyl-licious."

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

Well, we've made Backtrack suffer a little more. That's the main goal of the campaign, right? "What Happened to Backtrack's Self-worth"?

 

 

 

Carved into a stone wall somewhere in CorpseMaker's territory, the following words were found inscribed:

 

"I'm the S to the I to the B and Y and L,

And I got out of town before the whole state went to hell.

I'm Sibyl-licious."

 

More like "What Happened to Backtrack's Sanity and Peace of Mind."  

 

I'm the F to the U to the big N Times 

I eat maple syrup as I'm making these rhymes 

And I like my vanillas cause they're nicer than you

​And—what, it was only supposed to be three lines? 

That's lame! Funtimes does what Funtimes wants! 

[mail-mi he/him]

Oh, he's despicable enough. 

 

Can I factor him into some more of Koschei's flashbacks? I'll send you the Google Docs to write in his dialogue, but he's too despicable to just leave as "Koschei spoke with Reader and then left the room, thinking on what Reader had told him." This level of foulness has to be shown in all its horrible detail.  

 

Of course

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

Of course

 

Sweet. Ready to traumatize Backtrack some more?

[mail-mi he/him]

Sweet. Ready to traumatize Backtrack some more?

Ready as I always am

Edited October 7, 2014 by mail-mi

[Kobold King he/him]

More like "What Happened to Backtrack's Sanity and Peace of Mind."

 

I'm the F to the U to the big N Times 

I eat maple syrup as I'm making these rhymes 

And I like my vanillas cause they're nicer than you

​And—what, it was only supposed to be three lines? 

That's lame! Funtimes does what Funtimes wants! 

 

That sounds like Funtimes.

 

 

What are Autumn Glass's thoughts on Reader? Does she tend to avoid him?

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

That sounds like Funtimes.

 

 

What are Autumn Glass's thoughts on Reader? Does she tend to avoid him?

 

Autumn tries to get along with everybody, Reader included, but his habit of trying to get under her skin (and sometimes succeeding, when he mentions how happy she was to finally leave home, guilty as she feels about thinking that way) drives her to avoid him when she can. "Kill 'em with kindness" only works until you want to kill them with sharp pointy things. Regardless, when she's around him, she makes an effort to treat him with the same friendly courtesy she'd show anyone else, and get out of there before he wears her down. 

 

Speaking of, I think I've finally gotten her properly ponified. 

 

[Kobold King he/him]

Autumn tries to get along with everybody, Reader included, but his habit of trying to get under her skin (and sometimes succeeding, when he mentions how happy she was to finally leave home, guilty as she feels about thinking that way) drives her to avoid him when she can. "Kill 'em with kindness" only works until you want to kill them with sharp pointy things. Regardless, when she's around him, she makes an effort to treat him with the same friendly courtesy she'd show anyone else, and get out of there before he wears her down. 

 

Speaking of, I think I've finally gotten her properly ponified. 

 

 

Reader really is an unpleasant person. It seems that his entire life is centered around making himself comfortable, and everybody else as uncomfortable as he can manage.

 

Still though, kudos to Autumn Glass for her attempts at kindness to everyone. And she has a seriously sweet and awesome pony.

 

Mailliw, what were you planning for Edgerunner to do right now? I was considering introducing Glamour, and I remember you mentioning your plan to have Edgerunner speak to him.

[mail-mi he/him]

Reader really is an unpleasant person. It seems that his entire life is centered around making himself comfortable, and everybody else as uncomfortable as he can manage.

 

[Seonid he/him]

And there is now a Paladin post up! These things take longer than I expected. I think I'm going to write in advance all the way up until my characters get into The Dalles, and then just post periodically.

 

Also, I decided to start with Dark!Paladin first (contradicting earlier plans, I know). We'll see his lighter side in The Dalles, but I wanted to start by showing him at the worst he's been so far (which hasn't come off in this post, but should in one or two future ones) before showing his redeeming qualities.

 

The next flashback was going to be from Remington's perspective, narrating the aftermath of the church massacre. A likely survivor would either be one of the children (who Koschei left alive for blackmail purposes) or a police/National Guard officer sent to secure the area once the news came in.

 

That sounds good. Quick question. When Koschei dies, what happens to all the vanillas he'd gifted with healing power? Do their wounds automatically re-open?

 

Second question - how thorough were the Epics gunning down the folks in the church? Would they have checked all of the bodies to make sure they were dead, or could one have slipped through?

[Kobold King he/him]

And there is now a Paladin post up! These things take longer than I expected. I think I'm going to write in advance all the way up until my characters get into The Dalles, and then just post periodically.

 

Also, I decided to start with Dark!Paladin first (contradicting earlier plans, I know). We'll see his lighter side in The Dalles, but I wanted to start by showing him at the worst he's been so far (which hasn't come off in this post, but should in one or two future ones) before showing his redeeming qualities.

 

Nice--I like Paladin. He's scary in the same way Dark!Prof is scary; somewhere inside of him is a man who's fighting for the right cause, but wrapped in a corrupted, terrifying shell. It'll be very interesting to see how Paladin interacts with other characters from the RP.

 

 

Icon I'm considering using for Glamour, if I end up writing many POV scenes with him:

 

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

And there is now a Paladin post up! These things take longer than I expected. I think I'm going to write in advance all the way up until my characters get into The Dalles, and then just post periodically.

 

Also, I decided to start with Dark!Paladin first (contradicting earlier plans, I know). We'll see his lighter side in The Dalles, but I wanted to start by showing him at the worst he's been so far (which hasn't come off in this post, but should in one or two future ones) before showing his redeeming qualities.

 

 

That sounds good. Quick question. When Koschei dies, what happens to all the vanillas he'd gifted with healing power? Do their wounds automatically re-open?

 

Second question - how thorough were the Epics gunning down the folks in the church? Would they have checked all of the bodies to make sure they were dead, or could one have slipped through?

 

I'm excited to see more of these three. I'm also working on ponifying Guardian, because your default profile icon is really starting to bum me out.

 

He has to consciously withdraw his power for their wounds to reopen. When he died for good, those he'd gifted remained healed. Each time he dies temporarily, those he gifted remain healed until he decides otherwise. 

 

They were extremely thorough. After they had killed all the adults, they went through and shot or slit the throats of all the children so Koschei could use them as blackmail. If an adult did survive, they would have been shot immediately. However, the police and National Guard swarmed the place shortly after, so someone could have survived that, or could have been a relative of someone who died in the massacre. There were also plenty of other opportunities for survivors—the church massacre was just the opening salvo. (I don't have a ton of things set in stone yet—I have the ending written out, and I know a few key events that happened, but not everything—so if you had an idea for another horrific event that someone could've survived, PM me.) 

 

Edit: Guardian Mark I, open for criticism. 

 

Edited October 7, 2014 by TwiLyghtSansSparkles

[Seonid he/him]

Sounds good. I will PM you tomorrow, after I'd had a chance to think it through.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

Sounds good. I will PM you tomorrow, after I'd had a chance to think it through.

Cool. I'll give it some more thought, and come up with a few more scenarios. Basically, Koschei would have used Reader to go after the town's heavy-hitters (Vondra, the police chief, anyone with power or influence) by targeting who they loved most. Schools would have also been high on his list.

[Kobold King he/him]

Schools would have also been high on his list.

 

Schools would also have been high on his list.

 

0.o

 

Some day, I'd like to hear just one fact about Koschei that's uplifting or decent. Or you know, something that doesn't involve or imply harming small children.

 

(I love that Guardian pony, by the way. )

 

I think I wrote in Vondra's biography that his adult son died when Koschei took the town. Was it an accidental battle fatality, or is it likely that Koschei deliberately killed him to make a point? Forgive me if you've already answered this.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

Schools would also have been high on his list.

0.o

Some day, I'd like to hear just one fact about Koschei that's uplifting or decent. Or you know, something that doesn't involve or imply harming small children.

(I love that Guardian pony, by the way. )

I think I wrote in Vondra's biography that his adult son died when Koschei took the town. Was it an accidental battle fatality, or is it likely that Koschei deliberately killed him to make a point? Forgive me if you've already answered this.

Um....his real name was pretty badchull? And...uh....he had nice hair. And excellent villainous fashion sense. And....yeah, I got nothing.

(Thanks! )

Oh, no. The adult son of the local National Guard Commander? That killing would have been extremely deliberate. Probably in front of Vondra, if Koschei could have managed it.

Edited October 7, 2014 by TwiLyghtSansSparkles

[Kobold King he/him]

Um....his real name was pretty badchull? And...uh....he had nice hair. And excellent villainous fashion sense. And....yeah, I got nothing.

Oh, no. The adult son of the local National Guard Commander? That killing would have been extremely deliberate. Probably in front of Vondra, if Koschei could have managed it.

 

"Koschei the Deathless was known as one of the most terrifying Epics to ever set foot in The Dalles. Among his common habits were healing, ruling the city with an iron fist, ingesting poisonous plants when he thought no one was looking, and rocking a wicked tiara."

 

Remington Springfield sighed. "No, Sam. It was a circlet."

 

"Whatever," Sam replied airily. "I think a grown man has the right to rampage Oregon in whatever ridiculous headgear he wants. Isn't that right, professor?"

 

Lightwards continued banging his head against a nearby table. "I hate you."

 

(Actually, the circlet and the cloak are pretty badchull. Way better than a lime green bowler hat. )

 

 

I've always thought Vondra would have put a bullet into Koschei's skull on his way out of the city. Or tried to, at any rate.

[Seonid he/him]

I like the Guardian pony. Definitely on board with that vision.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

"Koschei the Deathless was known as one of the most terrifying Epics to ever set foot in The Dalles. Among his common habits were healing, ruling the city with an iron fist, ingesting poisonous plants when he thought no one was looking, and rocking a wicked tiara."

Remington Springfield sighed. "No, Sam. It was a circlet."

"Whatever," Sam replied airily. "I think a grown man has the right to rampage Oregon in whatever ridiculous headgear he wants. Isn't that right, professor?"

Lightwards continued banging his head against a nearby table. "I hate you."

(Actually, the circlet and the cloak are pretty badchull. Way better than a lime green bowler hat. )

I've always thought Vondra would have put a bullet into Koschei's skull on his way out of the city. Or tried to, at any rate.

Lightwards sighed. "Doctor, if I may ask a favor--"

"No."

"You didn't even let me finish!"

She giggled. "You were going to ask for a circlet."

Lightwards' eyes shifted nervously. "No. I mean...no..."

(Thanks again! I almost feel bad, using that badchull ensemble on someone so terrifying, but oh well. )

It's a definite possibility. Koschei would have been after Remington by that point, so Vondra offering a shot to the head as a distraction would have been very helpful and satisfying.

Edit: Glad you like it, Seonid! Anything I should change? I still have the code.

Edited October 7, 2014 by TwiLyghtSansSparkles

[Edgedancer he/him]

Just another thought, what if Big Al joined the Empire of Light? This would give Lightwards and endless supply of genetically altered pig warriors!(and chicken as well, if the mcmuffins have egg)

 

Trying to figure out where to put another Fade or Sandman post.  Not really sure what's on the Empire's immediate agenda right now. Suggestions?

Nothing died for Al to create McMuffins (I hope) so there should be nothing to resurect.

 

Wow. Reader really is a slontze. Upvote!

 

 

Off topic... but is anyone else familiar with the "Twilightlicious" phenomenon?

 

Well, I am.

 

 

I am so, so sorry.

I´m the the V to the O to the ID-gaze

I make my own waffles and date Big Al

I´m Voidgazelicious!

 

That sounds good. Quick question. When Koschei dies, what happens to all the vanillas he'd gifted with healing power? Do their wounds automatically re-open?

I would like to note that Remington still risked the death of countless small children for his revenge... our hero everybody!

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

Nothing died for Al to create McMuffins (I hope) so there should be nothing to resurect.

 

I´m the the V to the O to the ID-gaze

I make my own waffles and date Big Al

I´m Voidgazelicious!

 

I would like to note that Remington still risked the death of countless small children for his revenge... our hero everybody!

 

My big twist is that Remington is actually a barely-likable antihero. See, the heroic thing to do in that situation would have been to let Koschei set himself up as Oregon's Steelheart, eventually inflicting mortal wounds on every child statewide, rather than attempt to stop him early and let a few dozen die.  (This will be addressed, don't worry.) 

[Kobold King he/him]

Nothing died for Al to create McMuffins (I hope) so there should be nothing to resurect.

 

Every time Big Al uses his powers, a koala bear somewhere in the world dies of a heart attack. And its flesh mysteriously evaporates off its bones...

 

 

My big twist is that Remington is actually a barely-likable antihero. See, the heroic thing to do in that situation would have been to let Koschei set himself up as Oregon's Steelheart, eventually inflicting mortal wounds on every child statewide, rather than attempt to stop him early and let a few dozen die.  (This will be addressed, don't worry.) 

 

It reminds me of a kill or let die dilemma. The dilemma is often illustrated with the scenario of a train hurtling off the tracks, on a path that will kill three people. However, you have access to the switch that changes the train's trajectory, so that it will kill one different person instead of the three.

 

It's also rather similar to Megan's arguments against deposing Steelheart; while Steelheart was a tyrant, there was the potential for a great deal of suffering to be caused by his government's collapse. Ultimately, I would have to take the side advocated by David Charleston and Remington Springfield: it's worth the risk.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

It reminds me of a kill or let die dilemma. The dilemma is often illustrated with the scenario of a train hurtling off the tracks, on a path that will kill three people. However, you have access to the switch that changes the train's trajectory, so that it will kill one different person instead of the three.

It's also rather similar to Megan's arguments against deposing Steelheart; while Steelheart was a tyrant, there was the potential for a great deal of suffering to be caused by his government's collapse. Ultimately, I would have to take the side advocated by David Charleston and Remington Springfield: it's worth the risk.

In this case, the only government to depose is the existent human government in The Dalles. Allowing Koschei to tear down that one and install himself as dictator certainly would have brought a sort of stability to the region, but the price would be too high.

Of course, there is the argument that allowing Koschei to take The Dalles without a fight could minimize the number of lives lost. But after The Dalles, it's the next town, and the next city, and so on until Koschei has as much land as he can rule under his thumb. And I don't exaggerate when I say he would have killed every single person who resisted, even in a small way like refusing to call him a god. Everyone who refused to renounce their religion, every person who shot back, would die as soon as he could arrange it.

Stopping him there would lead to deaths. But the cost of appeasement would have been far higher.

[Kobold King he/him]

In this case, the only government to depose is the existent human government in The Dalles. Allowing Koschei to tear down that one and install himself as dictator certainly would have brought a sort of stability to the region, but the price would be too high.

Of course, there is the argument that allowing Koschei to take The Dalles without a fight could minimize the number of lives lost. But after The Dalles, it's the next town, and the next city, and so on until Koschei has as much land as he can rule under his thumb. And I don't exaggerate when I say he would have killed every single person who resisted, even in a small way like refusing to call him a god. Everyone who refused to renounce their religion, every person who shot back, would die as soon as he could arrange it.

Stopping him there would lead to deaths. But the cost of appeasement would have been far higher.

 

Absolutely. Koschei would have steadily turned Oregon in a wretched dystopia, sentencing thousands--and potentially millions, factoring in subsequent generations--to live according to his twisted vision. It'd be worth any risk to keep that from happening.

 

This does make me wonder, though... how would the Oregon RP have thus far played out if Koschei hadn't died? Koschei would have taken The Dalles with little difficulty, and it seems probably that all the current Epics there would have ended up in his service. But what would he have done once he reached Portland? How would Altermind and CorpseMaker have responded to his attempt at conquest? How long could they hold their own against him?

 

What about the Epics who arrived later in the timeline--how would Doctor Funtimes have viewed Koschei? Would she have judged him a baby meanieface before turning his circlet into a diamond-studded tiara? Without room for the Empire to make a start, would Lightwards have been forced to ally himself with Koschei? Heaven forbid, would Nighthound have ended up as Koschei's lieutenant?

[Seonid he/him]

This does make me wonder, though... how would the Oregon RP have thus far played out if Koschei hadn't died? Koschei would have taken The Dalles with little difficulty, and it seems probably that all the current Epics there would have ended up in his service. But what would he have done once he reached Portland? How would Altermind and CorpseMaker have responded to his attempt at conquest? How long could they hold their own against him?

 

What about the Epics who arrived later in the timeline--how would Doctor Funtimes have viewed Koschei? Would she have judged him a baby meanieface before turning his circlet into a diamond-studded tiara? Without room for the Empire to make a start, would Lightwards have been forced to ally himself with Koschei? Heaven forbid, would Nighthound have ended up as Koschei's lieutenant?

 

Corpsemaker would have just killed him. Simple - suppress resurrection or healing ability. 5 second stare.

All done.