Question 4

[Edgedancer he/him]

Ahh, you assume he would eat one. In fact, he will be way too suspicious and won't even touch one and will try to discourage the others from eating one too.

He could mentally order them not to eat any. that should be discouraging enough

 

Oh, and if you guys are interested, Altermind made a guest appearance in my last post In the current Sanderson Elimination game.

Now I just have to go and read that game.

 

She uses her powers too much to be bothered by much but the most gruesome acts he commits.

I was thinking about something along the line of slowly and cruely torturing/dismembering people in the most messed up way possible.

 

Koschei: The benchmark for pure evil

Nighthound: The benchmark for creep evil.

Reader: The benchmark for Slontzy evil.

I think Steelheart should get an axis, dropping Koschei to a mix of him and Nighthound with a little bit Reader.

 

Just a note on the geography of The Dalles. If it doesn't work as written for the Panda Invasion , we can always write up an Epic that left the area covered in trees.

 

In fact, here's one right now - Arboreta

 

She was a middle-power Epic with a penchant for forests and a love of small furry animals. Enough of a love that she tended to murder people who disturbed them. She covered the whole area north of The Dalles with forests (her power was growing trees), before she was killed by Koschei.

 

 

Also, The Panda's theme song should be "Do You Wanna Be a Panda?" sung to the tune of "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?" from Frozen.

That sounds like the perfect solution for that problem

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

Just a note on the geography of The Dalles. If it doesn't work as written for the Panda Invasion , we can always write up an Epic that left the area covered in trees.

In fact, here's one right now - Arboreta

She was a middle-power Epic with a penchant for forests and a love of small furry animals. Enough of a love that she tended to murder people who disturbed them. She covered the whole area north of The Dalles with forests (her power was growing trees), before she was killed by Koschei.

Also, The Panda's theme song should be "Do You Wanna Be a Panda?" sung to the tune of "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?" from Frozen.

And the next few Koschei flashbacks give him the perfect reason to kill her: people fled north and his followers had difficulty finding them in the thick trees. Also, Koschei didn't take kindly to her murdering the people he wanted to rule.

In defense of Koschei remaining a benchmark for pure evil: Steelheart controlled through a combination of fear and cleverness. Koschei, had he succeeded, would have controlled by systematically killing off everyone who attempted to resist through force, brought the children of ideological opponents directly under his thumb through the wound-and-heal routine, and more likely than not taken children as servants and called it an "honor" as he slit their throats in front of their parents.

I think Steelheart should be the benchmark for either classic evil or dictatorial evil, because for all it's wretchedness, Newcago wasn't that messed up.

Edited November 14, 2014 by TwiLyghtSansSparkles

[Kobold King he/him]

My sister walks in while I'm looking at this, goes "ugh bronies" and leaves

 

Every time I ponify a character my younger brother is the first to hear about it. He rolls his eyes at me every time.

 

 

Oh, and if you guys are interested, Altermind made a guest appearance in my last post In the current Sanderson Elimination game.

 

0.o

 

I see Altermind's, uh, doing well for himself in an alternate universe.

 

 

And the next few Koschei flashbacks give him the perfect reason to kill her: people fled north and his followers had difficulty finding them in the thick trees. Also, Koschei didn't take kindly to her murdering the people he wanted to rule.

In defense of Koschei remaining a benchmark for pure evil: Steelheart controlled through a combination of fear and cleverness. Koschei, had he succeeded, would have controlled by systematically killing off everyone who attempted to resist through force, brought the children of ideological opponents directly under his thumb through the wound-and-heal routine, and more likely than not taken children as servants and called it an "honor" as he slit their throats in front of their parents.

I think Steelheart should be the benchmark for either classic evil or dictatorial evil, because for all it's wretchedness, Newcago wasn't that messed up.

 

It's rather ironic that the healing Epic tries to rule by brute force while Evil!Superman actually uses his noggin.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

It's rather ironic that the healing Epic tries to rule by brute force while Evil!Superman actually uses his noggin.

The healing Epic used his noggin, and his noggin told him brute force, abject terror, and a healthy dose of a god complex was the way to go.

Did I mention his noggin was pretty messed up, too?

[Edgedancer he/him]

And the next few Koschei flashbacks give him the perfect reason to kill her: people fled north and his followers had difficulty finding them in the thick trees. Also, Koschei didn't take kindly to her murdering the people he wanted to rule.

In defense of Koschei remaining a benchmark for pure evil: Steelheart controlled through a combination of fear and cleverness. Koschei, had he succeeded, would have controlled by systematically killing off everyone who attempted to resist through force, brought the children of ideological opponents directly under his thumb through the wound-and-heal routine, and more likely than not taken children as servants and called it an "honor" as he slit their throats in front of their parents.

I think Steelheart should be the benchmark for either classic evil or dictatorial evil, because for all it's wretchedness, Newcago wasn't that messed up.

 

What was that about backshadowing?

 

I can agree with him setting standard for pure evil, I just think that pure evil shouldn´t be it´s own axsis but the pinacle combining all other forms of evil.

It's rather ironic that the healing Epic tries to rule by brute force while Evil!Superman actually uses his noggin.

Don´t underestimate the strategic benefits of brute force.

Edited November 14, 2014 by Edgedancer

[Kobold King he/him]

Don´t underestimate the strategic benefits of brute force.

 

Brute force, when applied intelligently, can make all the difference in a conquest... but seeing as Steelheart ruled unopposed for ten years and Koschei barely lasted a winter, I think we can divine whose strategy was more effective.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

What was that about backshadowing?

I can agree with him setting standard for pure evil, I just think that pure evil shouldn´t be it´s own axsis but the pinacle combining all other forms of evil.

Don´t underestimate the strategic benefits of brute force.

Hindshadowing through a flashback character who was created to hindshadow another character's hatred of a current player character. Hindshadow-ception?

If it works, it's terrifying.

[Voidus]

Brute force, when applied intelligently, can make all the difference in a conquest... but seeing as Steelheart ruled unopposed for ten years and Koschei barely lasted a winter, I think we can divine whose strategy was more effective.

When in doubt always go with the plan that doesn't involve fighting someone whose name consists entirely of guns.

[Edgedancer he/him]

Brute force, when applied intelligently, can make all the difference in a conquest... but seeing as Steelheart ruled unopposed for ten years and Koschei barely lasted a winter, I think we can divine whose strategy was more effective.

What made Steelheart the unopossed ruler was an initial display of force in beating down all his competition. Afterwards it was less him and more that he could use Conflux as a battery and his transfersion power protecting the city from major damage. The propaganda afterwards was mostly for covering his weakness.

 

If anything Koschei acted smarter than Steelheart, what puts him behind was a lack of offensive powers and his weakness being revealed.

Edited November 14, 2014 by Edgedancer

[Kobold King he/him]

When in doubt always go with the plan that doesn't involve fighting someone whose name consists entirely of guns.

 

Words to live by, truly.

 

 

Hindshadowing through a flashback character who was created to hindshadow another character's hatred of a current player character. Hindshadow-ception?

If it works, it's terrifying.

 

Now throw in foreshadowing, and all sense of reality ceases to make sense in this game.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

When in doubt always go with the plan that doesn't involve fighting someone whose name consists entirely of guns.

This is true. Chicago outlawed guns even before Steelheart, leaving him without a Ruger Baretta or someone similar to oppose him.

Maybe Koschei should be the benchmark for deranged evil, moving Steelheart to the benchmark for pure or clever evil.

[Edgedancer he/him]

This is true. Chicago outlawed guns even before Steelheart, leaving him without a Ruger Baretta or someone similar to oppose him.

Maybe Koschei should be the benchmark for deranged evil, moving Steelheart to the benchmark for pure or clever evil.

Didn´t David´s dad have a gun?

 

Talking about Steelheart made me wonder, if there were any major Epics in the Dalles, given that a lot of time passed until his power grab.

[Voidus]

What made Steelheart the unopossed ruler was an initial display of force in beating down all his competition. Afterwards it was less him and more that he could use Conflux as a battery and his transfersion power protecting the city from mayor damage. The propaganda afterwards was mostly for covering his weakness.

Mayor damage? I wasn't aware that Vondra was planning a trip to Newcago

[Edgedancer he/him]

David's Dad didn't have a gun, he took one off of a dead person.

Gotcha. I guess that was one of the guards then. Although, I´m not sure if keeping a weapon ban would make sense after the Epics appeared.

 

Mayor damage? I wasn't aware that Vondra was planning a trip to Newcago

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

Didn´t David´s dad have a gun?

Talking about Steelheart made me wonder, if there were any major Epics in the Dalles, given that a lot of time passed until his power grab.

Yes, but I'd imagine that with all the uncertainty regarding Epics, the laws banning guns would remain the same on paper, but many police officers and judges would probably look the other way. Either they'd be too busy dealing with Epics and the fallout from that, or they'd decide ordinary citizens needed some way to protect themselves.

None that lasted very long. I'd imagine some powerful Epics came and went, though many probably preferred large cities like Portland or Salem. Bigger cities=more subjects. With a National Guard installation right there, The Dalles at least had a sporting chance against more powerful Epics.

(This tempts me to name drop an Epic from Funtimes' backstory into The Dalles thread. )

[Voidus]

I propose that in the AU where Vondra's an Epic his name should be Mayor Damage.

I have been wondering why it hasn't been scooped up, I guess most Epics who could take it over wouldn't take the time for it, all they'd get is a chunk of land with a lot fewer people since they'd have to kill a lot of them to conquer it and a lower percentage of Epics than anywhere of comparable size.

[Edgedancer he/him]

Yes, but I'd imagine that with all the uncertainty regarding Epics, the laws banning guns would remain the same on paper, but many police officers and judges would probably look the other way. Either they'd be too busy dealing with Epics and the fallout from that, or they'd decide ordinary citizens needed some way to protect themselves.

None that lasted very long. I'd imagine some powerful Epics came and went, though many probably preferred large cities like Portland or Salem. Bigger cities=more subjects. With a National Guard installation right there, The Dalles at least had a sporting chance against more powerful Epics.

(This tempts me to name drop an Epic from Funtimes' backstory into The Dalles thread. )

I have been wondering why it hasn't been scooped up, I guess most Epics who could take it over wouldn't take the time for it, all they'd get is a chunk of land with a lot fewer people since they'd have to kill a lot of them to conquer it and a lower percentage of Epics than anywhere of comparable size.

Makes sense.

 

I propose that in the AU where Vondra's an Epic his name should be Mayor Damage.

The same one with Prof Cardinal and Michael leading a Reckoner cell?

[Kobold King he/him]

Yes, but I'd imagine that with all the uncertainty regarding Epics, the laws banning guns would remain the same on paper, but many police officers and judges would probably look the other way. Either they'd be too busy dealing with Epics and the fallout from that, or they'd decide ordinary citizens needed some way to protect themselves.

None that lasted very long. I'd imagine some powerful Epics came and went, though many probably preferred large cities like Portland or Salem. Bigger cities=more subjects. With a National Guard installation right there, The Dalles at least had a sporting chance against more powerful Epics.

(This tempts me to name drop an Epic from Funtimes' backstory into The Dalles thread. )

 

The Dalles has a survival strategy similar to the porcupine: it's a very prickly prey, and there's not a lot to gain from it. There are enough Epics and trained soldiers there to be a major thorn in the side of any invasion, but there's a much lower population than in nearby cities and no valuable resources to speak of.

 

(I'd support that.)

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

Makes sense.

The same one with Prof Cardinal and Michael leading a Reckoner cell?

Or the one where Nathan is an Epic, Remington is a coward, and Doctor Funtimes is called Doctor Frowntimes?

[Kobold King he/him]

Or the one where Nathan is an Epic, Remington is a coward, and Doctor Funtimes is called Doctor Frowntimes?

 

Or the one where Backtrack and Jingleberry team up and take control of Newcago?

 

(We have a lot of AUs. )

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

Or the one where Backtrack and Jingleberry team up and take control of Newcago?

(We have a lot of AUs. )

Maybe we should combine them all into one big, strange AU where Doctor Frowntimes, fleeing Newcago after Backtrack and Jingleberry take over, brings healthy snacks and a dose of snark to Michael Jäger and Thomas Cardinal, her Reckoner contacts who are currently trying to defeat Server with a Crossbow, a cruel High Epic (given name Nathan Sperry) known for attacking restaurants and casinos and leaving only the staff alive.

[Kobold King he/him]

Maybe we should combine them all into one big, strange AU where Doctor Frowntimes, fleeing Newcago after Backtrack and Jingleberry take over, brings healthy snacks and a dose of snark to Michael Jäger and Thomas Cardinal, her Reckoner contacts who are currently trying to defeat Server with a Crossbow, a cruel High Epic (given name Nathan Sperry) known for attacking restaurants and casinos and leaving only the staff alive.

 

Plot twist: Server with a Crossbow isn't actually an Epic. Thomas Cardinal is so outraged that a normal man could perform such atrocities with a clear conscience, that he physically punches the man in the chest with Doctor Frowntimes' full support.

[TwiLyghtSansSparkles she/her]

Plot twist: Server with a Crossbow isn't actually an Epic. Thomas Cardinal is so outraged that a normal man could perform such atrocities with a clear conscience, that he physically punches the man in the chest with Doctor Frowntimes' full support.

 

He wheezes a laugh. "You think I did this without provocation, Cardinal? Do you think I forgot your visit to Newcago—when you camped out at my table all night—all sparking night—and didn't even tip?" Thomas Cardinal is so horrified that he treated a server (who he knows have terrible jobs) that way that he breaks down in tears. 

 

Doctor Frowntimes clocks him in the head with an apple and says "Here's a tip—take an anger management class, you freak." 

[Left he/him]

Greetings dear questionairs! The clans and guilds are having a party at the Raven Throne and Newcago and BT thought to extend an invitation, would you like to appear? All powers and ponies welcome.

[Kobold King he/him]

Greetings dear questionairs! The clans and guilds are having a party at the Raven Throne and Newcago and BT thought to extend an invitation, would you like to appear? All powers and ponies welcome.

Ain't no party like an Epic pony party.

 

(Thanks for the invitation. We should warn you though that the majority of Epic ponies aren't pleasant company. )

 

Unrelated, but I had the Doctor Funtimes pony up on my computer screen a minute ago. My three year-old sister actually squealed with delight upon seeing it, and immediately asked what pony that was.