The Longest Thread (Misadventures)

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

Just now, Ookla the Arbiter said:

clemency is old, but you were around when it was made. Do you remember when Platypus went to the Dreamsmith?

"I did? When? What did I say?"

Kinda, yeah.

Just now! You said you wouldn't hurt us only if we didn't fight you!

[Immortal Platypus]

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

Kinda, yeah.

Just now! You said you wouldn't hurt us only if we didn't fight you!

it's his result from the Dreamsmith

"That's not what I said. I said I can guarantee that he isn't harmed if you two don't fight. I would like to avoid hurting him, but if he tries to stop me, I can't guarantee that no harm will befall him."

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 minutes ago, Ookla the Arbiter said:

it's his result from the Dreamsmith

"That's not what I said. I said I can guarantee that he isn't harmed if you two don't fight. I would like to avoid hurting him, but if he tries to stop me, I can't guarantee that no harm will befall him."

Okay then

She sighed.

Sorry. Just- I don't want anyone to get hurt. What exactly is your goal here?

[Immortal Platypus]

1 minute ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Okay then

She sighed.

Sorry. Just- I don't want anyone to get hurt. What exactly is your goal here?

"I'm afraid I can't share that is such a public setting. All I can say is that Feanor was right."

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

27 minutes ago, Ookla the Arbiter said:

just as a key to this post, in general, anything in just italics is thoughts but if it's in italics and quotes it's him projecting his thoughts.

Platypus smirked as Rebus disappeared. A metaphysicist Narrator he may be, but he no longer has Magnificent Bastard. And I've fought plenty of Narrators in my time. "I do think that brute force can beat prep," Platypus calmly stated. "Fortunately, I don't have just brute force. I took have had time for... preparations. I've been gathering important artifacts since before you were even found by the Ennullers."

Bacon's shard, instead of hitting Vengeance, zipped to Platypus' feet, just like Lady Bug's had.

Platypus laughed. "You do realize I can speak telepathically too, right? Many more have claim upon Protagonist than you few. Many would argue I am one of them, as would be Hacob. Even if you had Protagonist, you would have no guarantee of victory."

"Oh, and by the way. I have no need for Nullite tricks. I have no need for tricks in general. You cannot stop my plans from coming to fruition. I will finish what Feanor started."

"Lady Bug! Symbol! Would you care to test your hand against me? All at once? Perhaps you could even convince that coward Rebus to return! Shoe could join too! Tam?"

votes do not a Protagonist make  

Alright (though since his only targets with the telepathy are Narrators, there's not much of a difference). 

By disappeared, you mean moved too fast to see directly towards him? "Really. No-selling your exact methods (which I am established as being able to use) is preparation? You're strolling around god-modding everything and calling it skill, and you believe a Plotblade is the defining cause of planning?" 

Rebus is holding it, though. I guess Platypus could pull it out of his hand, though he does have enhanced strength. 

"I am not the one failing to realize other's capabilities here." 

"No need for tricks? What do you call what you just did? Your plans do not need stopping - someone with true skill can use them instead." 

Rebus is literally still there, actively attacking him. 

What would you do, if you were to decide whom the Thread's protagonist is? Simply declare it yourself? 

Edited April 19, 2025 by Dragonheir

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

7 minutes ago, Ookla the Arbiter said:

"I'm afraid I can't share that is such a public setting. All I can say is that Feanor was right."

Tam went looking for whatever it was Feanor had thought/said.

[Immortal Platypus]

2 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Alright (though since his only targets with the telepathy are Narrators, there's not much of a difference). 

By disappeared, you mean moved too fast to see directly towards him? "Really. No-selling your exact methods (which I am established as being able to use) is preparation? You're strolling around god-modding everything and calling it skill, and you believe a Plotblade is the defining cause of planning?" 

Rebus is holding it, though. I guess Platypus could pull it out of his hand, though he does have enhanced strength. 

"I am not the one failing to realize other's capabilities here." 

"No need for tricks? What do you call what you just did? Your plans do not need stopping - someone with true skill can use them instead." 

Rebus is literally still there, actively attacking him. 

What would you do, if you were to decide whom the Thread's protagonist is? Simply declare it yourself? 

sorry, I misread and thought he and bacon had switched places

"God-modding? Impudent child, around here, we call that Narration. Besides, I do not call Narration, nor any other reality-changing ability, skill. Simply a trait of a Character." Platypus effortlessly fended off Rebus' attacks. "A Plotblade is not the defining cause of planning, but I find it bold you would claim to outplan the wielder of Master Plan."

holding what? Magnificent Bastard? He's not anymore. He hit the shard with it, and it Splintered into the daggers that surrounded Platypus when he appeared. sorry if that was unclear. I thought I had made it pretty clear. if you're talking about the shard, Platypus controls them, so it wouldn't be hard for him to take it from Rebus.

"What would I call what I just did? I didn't do much of anything, actually. I sent you all a calling card, to keep you busy, but when a better opportunity presented itself, I showed up. I would agree that my plans do not need stopping, but I suspect many here would disagree."

I would say that it depends. The trouble with declaring a protagonist on TLT is that there are so many plotlines, and each has a (or multiple) protagonists. I would say that everyone but one person (or two, if you count the antagonist) would have to stop thinking of themselves as the protagonist.

1 minute ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Tam went looking for whatever it was Feanor had thought/said.

"You won't find it on the Thread. It was something he and I talked of privately, a long time ago. It was before we knew who he really was, and before I killed him."

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

29 minutes ago, Immortal Platypus said:

"What exactly did I steal?"

good luck silencing Platypus

"That's a good question. I don't suppose there's really any reason you should. Honestly, I figure that my whole goal here would be easier without engagement, but someone will inevitably try to stop me, and I'd rather cut it off at the start than have them be a thorn in my side throughout."

"You stole his Plotblade. Or your Author did, on your behalf." 

Oh, it won't be hard.  

Bat bit his lip to stop himself from calling Platypus names.

28 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Really? What is Clemency, then?

No- no, guys, don't.

. . You okay? Tam asked.

She felt cold.

You expect me to believe you're not evil? You just threatened us!

She rolled her eyes and sent him to the middle of the ocean.

-

She smiled happily.

Of course.

oh no

Symbol nodded. I'm fine. I'll be all right... Stay here. I'lll... I have something for Nemesis. To make him more interesting. Maybe to generate more engagement in a slightly more moral way. 

-

Bat took a deep breath. If I fight him now, I don't win. He's too stubborn. So... I have to try something else

12 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

Alright (though since his only targets with the telepathy are Narrators, there's not much of a difference). 

By disappeared, you mean moved too fast to see directly towards him? "Really. No-selling your exact methods (which I am established as being able to use) is preparation? You're strolling around god-modding everything and calling it skill, and you believe a Plotblade is the defining cause of planning?" 

Rebus is holding it, though. I guess Platypus could pull it out of his hand, though he does have enhanced strength. 

"I am not the one failing to realize other's capabilities here." 

"No need for tricks? What do you call what you just did? Your plans do not need stopping - someone with true skill can use them instead." 

Rebus is literally still there, actively attacking him. 

What would you do, if you were to decide whom the Thread's protagonist is? Simply declare it yourself? 

Symbol smiled at Rebus' heavy-handed criticisms. 

2 minutes ago, Immortal Platypus said:

sorry, I misread and thought he and bacon had switched places

"God-modding? Impudent child, around here, we call that Narration. Besides, I do not call Narration, nor any other reality-changing ability, skill. Simply a trait of a Character." Platypus effortlessly fended off Rebus' attacks. "A Plotblade is not the defining cause of planning, but I find it bold you would claim to outplan the wielder of Master Plan."

holding what? Magnificent Bastard? He's not anymore. He hit the shard with it, and it Splintered into the daggers that surrounded Platypus when he appeared. sorry if that was unclear. I thought I had made it pretty clear. if you're talking about the shard, Platypus controls them, so it wouldn't be hard for him to take it from Rebus.

"What would I call what I just did? I didn't do much of anything, actually. I sent you all a calling card, to keep you busy, but when a better opportunity presented itself, I showed up. I would agree that my plans do not need stopping, but I suspect many here would disagree."

I would say that it depends. The trouble with declaring a protagonist on TLT is that there are so many plotlines, and each has a (or multiple) protagonists. I would say that everyone but one person (or two, if you count the antagonist) would have to stop thinking of themselves as the protagonist.

"You won't find it on the Thread. It was something he and I talked of privately, a long time ago. It was before we knew who he really was, and before I killed him."

I disagree. A Protagonist should be the one everyone's rooting for--- not the one nobody understands. Obviously I'm biased since Bat's the current favorite, but he's the favorite for a reason. 

"Why don't your plans need stopping?" Bat asked. "What are you planning?" 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

7 minutes ago, Immortal Platypus said:

"You won't find it on the Thread. It was something he and I talked of privately, a long time ago. It was before we knew who he really was, and before I killed him."

She sighed.

Wonderful.

[Immortal Platypus]

1 minute ago, Bird Furious said:

"You stole his Plotblade. Or your Author did, on your behalf." 

Oh, it won't be hard.  

Bat bit his lip to stop himself from calling Platypus names.

 

I disagree. A Protagonist should be the one everyone's rooting for--- not the one nobody understands. Obviously I'm biased since Bat's the current favorite, but he's the favorite for a reason. 

"Why don't your plans need stopping?" Bat asked. "What are you planning?" 

"I did not. I claimed the unbonded pieces of a Plotblade. He corrupted and broke the Plotblade, along with his bond, attacking the shard."

I would disagree with that. There are a looooooot of protagonists that I have not rooted for, and actively rooted against.

"TLT is flawed Bat. Feanor was right when he said that. As it is, I can't reveal too much more. I've probably said too much already. But I don't particularly want to fight you, or anyone else. But, duty calls. And I must answer, as no one else will."

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

She sighed.

Wonderful.

There were probably some context clues, but Platypus couldn't be sure.

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

4 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

Symbol nodded. I'm fine. I'll be all right... Stay here. I'lll... I have something for Nemesis. To make him more interesting. Maybe to generate more engagement in a slightly more moral way. 

-

Bat took a deep breath. If I fight him now, I don't win. He's too stubborn. So... I have to try something else

He's too weak, she offered. He's going after powerful people when he has no power himself. Why is he doing that?

-

Is he talking to her?

6 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

I disagree. A Protagonist should be the one everyone's rooting for--- not the one nobody understands. Obviously I'm biased since Bat's the current favorite, but he's the favorite for a reason. 

I actually agree with this line of reasoning. I think it's the Authors' perception of the characters that can determine a singular protagonist, not the characters'.

[Immortal Platypus]

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

I actually agree with this line of reasoning. I think it's the Authors' perception of the characters that can determine a singular protagonist, not the characters'.

I could be persuaded it's more about the Authors than the characters, but I don't think a protagonist is determined strictly by if you're rooting for them. If it was, many series I've read wouldn't have a protagonist, or the antagonist would actually be the protagonist.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

3 minutes ago, Immortal Platypus said:

"I did not. I claimed the unbonded pieces of a Plotblade. He corrupted and broke the Plotblade, along with his bond, attacking the shard."

I would disagree with that. There are a looooooot of protagonists that I have not rooted for, and actively rooted against.

"TLT is flawed Bat. Feanor was right when he said that. As it is, I can't reveal too much more. I've probably said too much already. But I don't particularly want to fight you, or anyone else. But, duty calls. And I must answer, as no one else will."

There were probably some context clues, but Platypus couldn't be sure.

Perhaps. But it definitely shouldn’t be a random character or someone who hasn’t been set up for the rest of the Thread to see. 

“Your shard.”

-

“A duty to WHAT?”

3 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

He's too weak, she offered. He's going after powerful people when he has no power himself. Why is he doing that?

-

Is he talking to her?

I actually agree with this line of reasoning. I think it's the Authors' perception of the characters that can determine a singular protagonist, not the characters'.

I don’t know, Symbol replied. But my Author has an idea, and I’m willing to play along and deliver her gift to him. 

-

Yeah, Bat to Tam

1 minute ago, Immortal Platypus said:

I could be persuaded it's more about the Authors than the characters, but I don't think a protagonist is determined strictly by if you're rooting for them. If it was, many series I've read wouldn't have a protagonist, or the antagonist would actually be the protagonist.

That’s true. It’s a bit more complicated than that. How would you choose the Protagonist? 

[Immortal Platypus]

1 minute ago, Bird Furious said:

Perhaps. But it definitely shouldn’t be a random character or someone who hasn’t been set up for the rest of the Thread to see. 

“Your shard.”

-

“A duty to WHAT?”

of course not. but there are plenty of characters that meet those qualifications that aren't being considered. Personally, I would argue Butt Venture could be considered the protagonist.

"So he attacked my belonging, and I get blamed for the consequence? Where is his responsibility?"

"A duty to right the wrongs."

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

2 minutes ago, Immortal Platypus said:

I could be persuaded it's more about the Authors than the characters, but I don't think a protagonist is determined strictly by if you're rooting for them. If it was, many series I've read wouldn't have a protagonist, or the antagonist would actually be the protagonist.

Fair. If not collectively, then, perhaps the character who most strongly opposes a main antagonist?

1 minute ago, Bird Furious said:

I don’t know, Symbol replied. But my Author has an idea, and I’m willing to play along and deliver her gift to him. 

-

Yeah, Bat to Tam

What gift?

-

I agree. Later.

[Immortal Platypus]

1 minute ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Fair. If not collectively, then, perhaps the character who most strongly opposes a main antagonist?

What gift?

-

I agree. Later.

then how do you determine the antagonist? 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, Immortal Platypus said:

then how do you determine the antagonist? 

I guess you could say it's whomever the character is that poses a threat to the most people, short-term or long-term.

[Immortal Platypus]

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

I guess you could say it's whomever the character is that poses a threat to the most people, short-term or long-term.

wouldn't that just be the strongest character? Almost any Narrator poses the biggest threat to the most people. Whether it will be actuated or not is a different thing.

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

Just now, Immortal Platypus said:

wouldn't that just be the strongest character? Almost any Narrator poses the biggest threat to the most people. Whether it will be actuated or not is a different thing.

The person who is actively, openly planning to hurt the most people, then.

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

4 minutes ago, Immortal Platypus said:

of course not. but there are plenty of characters that meet those qualifications that aren't being considered. Personally, I would argue Butt Venture could be considered the protagonist.

"So he attacked my belonging, and I get blamed for the consequence? Where is his responsibility?"

"A duty to right the wrongs."

"Your belonging you basically attatched to him! You clearly intended it to happen." 

-

"What wrongs?" Bat huffed. 

2 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

Fair. If not collectively, then, perhaps the character who most strongly opposes a main antagonist?

What gift?

-

I agree. Later.

A lens. 

-

Bat slipped the shard of Nullite back into his bag. We need to do something productive. Can you take me to the Nullite caverns? Maybe to where my compass is?

Just now, Immortal Platypus said:

then how do you determine the antagonist? 

It's mostly perception in the Thread. I'd argue that here, since it's run by the people, it should be the way the Thread-people generally perceive it. I'd say you're an outlier, honestly. 

[Immortal Platypus]

Just now, Through The Living Glass said:

The person who is actively, openly planning to hurt the most people, then.

does it have to be open? Also, Platypus isn't planning to hurt people, but I'd still say he's the antagonist right now.

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

1 minute ago, Immortal Platypus said:

does it have to be open? Also, Platypus isn't planning to hurt people, but I'd still say he's the antagonist right now.

We'd have to know they were planning something, somehow.

Well, he could be the Antagonist, but that depends on his goals.

And since you're the only one who knows them . . .

Edited April 20, 2025 by Through The Living Glass

[Through the Living Heir he/him]

1 minute ago, Immortal Platypus said:

sorry, I misread and thought he and bacon had switched places

"God-modding? Impudent child, around here, we call that Narration. Besides, I do not call Narration, nor any other reality-changing ability, skill. Simply a trait of a Character." Platypus effortlessly fended off Rebus' attacks. "A Plotblade is not the defining cause of planning, but I find it bold you would claim to outplan the wielder of Master Plan."

holding what? Magnificent Bastard? He's not anymore. He hit the shard with it, and it Splintered into the daggers that surrounded Platypus when he appeared. sorry if that was unclear. I thought I had made it pretty clear. if you're talking about the shard, Platypus controls them, so it wouldn't be hard for him to take it from Rebus.

"What would I call what I just did? I didn't do much of anything, actually. I sent you all a calling card, to keep you busy, but when a better opportunity presented itself, I showed up. I would agree that my plans do not need stopping, but I suspect many here would disagree."

I would say that it depends. The trouble with declaring a protagonist on TLT is that there are so many plotlines, and each has a (or multiple) protagonists. I would say that everyone but one person (or two, if you count the antagonist) would have to stop thinking of themselves as the protagonist.

He brought Bacon to him so he could have another shard. 

Rebus hadn't been making any attacks, other than his attempt to take vengeance by shattering Vengeance. "You are not planning. You're magically corrupted and steamrolling past any opposition that has the decency to follow the rules. As for Master Plan, there's a reason Magnificent Bastard is a separate blade - which keyed off of my archetype, I may add." 

Rebus was attacking at several literally hypersonic speeds, using a shard that hadn't been there before. If Platypus can steal seven Plotblades before Rebus - who uses ansibles and utility fog to dodge things going at lightspeed - could react, I don't see how Platypus can turn around and no-sell the same tactic. If we want a stubbornness contest, though, that's fine with me. 

"Your calling card is barely related to you and yet has the potential to destroy the strongest magics here. You obviously engineered it, since if it existed before someone else would be using it, and you sent it to every Narrator in the Thread. That is a threat, and quite frankly I was justified in trying to break the thing that had showed up in my inner sanctum, sent by the person who had just killed me when I tried to talk to them. Listen to yourself, Platypus! There was a time where you fought people because you thought it had to be done - not because they attempted to talk to you!" 

The thing is, up until a couple days ago there was only three or four active plotlines left, and only three or four Authors. 

25 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

Symbol smiled at Rebus' heavy-handed criticisms. 

If only Platypus was listening to them. 

[Through The Living Glass She/They]

4 minutes ago, Bird Furious said:

A lens. 

-

Bat slipped the shard of Nullite back into his bag. We need to do something productive. Can you take me to the Nullite caverns? Maybe to where my compass is?

What for?

-

She jumped, not having previously realized he was holding that.

Um . . . are you sure? That didn't go very well last time . . .

[Bird Furious she/her/un/important]

5 minutes ago, Immortal Platypus said:

does it have to be open? Also, Platypus isn't planning to hurt people, but I'd still say he's the antagonist right now.

4 minutes ago, Through The Living Glass said:

We'd have to know they were planning something, somehow.

Well, he could be the Antagonist, but that depends on his goals.

And since you're the only one who knows them . . .

I'd agree. It doesn't make sense for him to just show up and say "guess what, everyone, I'm important". In my personal opinion. You need the buildup. That's what this thread is all about! It's kind of the soul of TLT. Planning, building up to it, in spite of or at the behest of other players, using fair methods and not sheer stubbornness as manpower. I dunno. It does'nt sit right with me when I've been building up Bat for hundreds of pages now, and the buildup Nameless (before he vanished) and Dragonheir have done for Antagonist. Yeah, Platypus is the antagonist right now, but I think he lacks the scope to be the Antagonist, at least right now. 

4 minutes ago, Dragonheir said:

He brought Bacon to him so he could have another shard. 

Rebus hadn't been making any attacks, other than his attempt to take vengeance by shattering Vengeance. "You are not planning. You're magically corrupted and steamrolling past any opposition that has the decency to follow the rules. As for Master Plan, there's a reason Magnificent Bastard is a separate blade - which keyed off of my archetype, I may add." 

Rebus was attacking at several literally hypersonic speeds, using a shard that hadn't been there before. If Platypus can steal seven Plotblades before Rebus - who uses ansibles and utility fog to dodge things going at lightspeed - could react, I don't see how Platypus can turn around and no-sell the same tactic. If we want a stubbornness contest, though, that's fine with me. 

"Your calling card is barely related to you and yet has the potential to destroy the strongest magics here. You obviously engineered it, since if it existed before someone else would be using it, and you sent it to every Narrator in the Thread. That is a threat, and quite frankly I was justified in trying to break the thing that had showed up in my inner sanctum, sent by the person who had just killed me when I tried to talk to them. Listen to yourself, Platypus! There was a time where you fought people because you thought it had to be done - not because they attempted to talk to you!" 

The thing is, up until a couple days ago there was only three or four active plotlines left, and only three or four Authors. 

If only Platypus was listening to them. 

Agreed. Symbol vanished, promising to return after she gave Nemesis a little level-up to provide alternate engagement for those who did not wish to stick around for the stalemate.