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[LP CYOA] Epic
- Thread starter treave
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2008
- Messages
- 11,370
The game ends then and I roll a new character... like what happened here.
a cut of domestic sheep prime
Guest
You...you are right:
Flopping to E.
Baltika9
Arcane
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2012
- Messages
- 9,611
That was ill-spoken, I meant his (seemingly) inborn supernatural capabilities like tentacles, bullet ti
me and "shatterpoint."
a cut of domestic sheep prime
Guest
So, really the only paths we had to continuing to play as Ean were skipping the streaks and teaming up with Shulgi, or letting Dio become the great idea?
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2008
- Messages
- 11,370
His physical abilities are already at their limit, so mere training and hard work won't be able to improve that any further.
Mentally, well... most of that depends on the Codex, doesn't it?
For the supernatural powers, he's already as good as he's going to get with the tendrils because of his innate intelligence, while the time limit on his other abilities he has will gradually increase whether they are used or not. You can cause drastic leaps in power by forcing him past his limit all the time, but the consequences aren't pretty and there's no in-game reason to do so unless he's in a wangsty destroy everything mode.
So, in the end, I suppose what you should be asking is this:
Will E make him adopt a more resourceful mindset since he will be on his own?
He's already quite resourceful, and each of the choices will test his ability to adapt to a new environment, teaching him new things and tricks in the process, as in all choices other than D, he starts off penniless, homeless, wanted by the authorities, and with nothing to help him but the clothes on his back, while in D itself, there's a whole different set of challenges, such as "How do I advance my own goals while not advancing particular goals of people who aren't on my side while at the same time not being found out by them, they are monitoring me but I can find a way to use that against them in a campaign of misinformation, etc.)
So, the answer is that it will, but so will the other choices, in a way.
Mentally, well... most of that depends on the Codex, doesn't it?
For the supernatural powers, he's already as good as he's going to get with the tendrils because of his innate intelligence, while the time limit on his other abilities he has will gradually increase whether they are used or not. You can cause drastic leaps in power by forcing him past his limit all the time, but the consequences aren't pretty and there's no in-game reason to do so unless he's in a wangsty destroy everything mode.
So, in the end, I suppose what you should be asking is this:
Will E make him adopt a more resourceful mindset since he will be on his own?
He's already quite resourceful, and each of the choices will test his ability to adapt to a new environment, teaching him new things and tricks in the process, as in all choices other than D, he starts off penniless, homeless, wanted by the authorities, and with nothing to help him but the clothes on his back, while in D itself, there's a whole different set of challenges, such as "How do I advance my own goals while not advancing particular goals of people who aren't on my side while at the same time not being found out by them, they are monitoring me but I can find a way to use that against them in a campaign of misinformation, etc.)
So, the answer is that it will, but so will the other choices, in a way.
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2008
- Messages
- 11,370
Or you could've played Dio during the interim instead of letting him do as he wishes.
But yeah, your options were a bit limited because you woke up (or were waken) at the time that you could possibly do the least damage to his plans. He couldn't have taken out Naram-Master without your interference so he needed you there, but he chose to delay the awakening until he could try to corner you into a few bad choices.
a cut of domestic sheep prime
Guest
Well, there's a great reason not to pick D - the codex generally sucks at these sorts of things. Remember back at the beginning of the LP when everyone was all "Let's play a brainiac!" And a few were like "Um, didn't we suck with Dio?"? Look how that turned out. We ended up playing an Ean Jr anyway and almost getting killed several times in the process. Let's just go with the cooler, more heroic option from the start this time and not bite off more than we can chew again.
edit: Also,
Baltika9
Arcane
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2012
- Messages
- 9,611
Well, if character consistency is a concern, we must keep in mind that our boy Senya is now Man Senya. Approximately this much Man:
He's changed, and so too did his morals and views on the world. We have the chance, right now, to shift his character and personality. Here is how I see it from a character perspective
A- possibly, he was a petty thief in his youth, though given the recent events, I don't see him taking up larceny just like that, especially on so grand a scale.
B- cool as it is, I just can't imagine him taking up crime, what with his selfless heroics since we ASSUMED CONTROL (we should open a boarding school, bros, and bring up the applicants like we do our characters. The world will be better for it.) and all. He's fine with killing bellugerents and his enemies (and even then, not always, as the Gallardo situation established), but the civilians he almost gave his life to protect? No way.
C- Possibly, if only because it will help Kyrie in the long run and is probably the fastest track to finding her. He does have an attachment/budding love for her (look at all the shit he's done for her), and no small amount of distaste for the Empress, I'm sure.
D- considering that Azo is Shulgi's man, and Senya doesn't trust the guy all that much (and tried to beat the shit out of him), probably not. And I also don't see him as wanting to get into politics and Mr. 47 stuff (although one thing this has going for it, I admit, is a "Hitman: Blood Money" campaign GM'd by treave, holy shit yeah), since Azo will be having him run "wetwork" for him. On the other hand, the man does like screwing around with arrogant assholes and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty.
Recent events accounted for, though, I don't see it.
E- very much an option, all the recent events considered: risked life to save the emperor, protected his boys on sorties and fought valiantly himself, stood up to the Empress' authority on matters where she overstepped her competence and was generally a cool guy. Risked his life to save many tens of millions and is still kicking and ready to go.
F- I just don't see it, he's not a quitter type.
Uh-huh, so all this time Senya was drinking Ean's Golden Goo. And apparently Ean did "pollinate" humanity with superpowers, if us, Rei, Gallardo and "Framekiller" Camna are anything to go by. Maybe Shulgi wanted the catastrophe to awaken their powers or something. I suppose we'll see.
Edit: oh, and very much what Lambchop said. You guys know we won't last long on such delicate matter. Batman is right up our alley.
I propose this false name for Senya, should we go with option E:
Adam West
His superhero name should be kraken.
Adam West
His superhero name should be kraken.
ScubaV
Prophet
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2011
- Messages
- 1,022
Come on lads! Think of all the booty and wenches we'll plunder, the solar wind at our backs, freshly recycled air in our nostrils, and where else will we have a chance to capture a CF and sail the great void once more! Dread Pirate Roberts, Scourge of the Endless Sea, shall rise!
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2008
- Messages
- 11,370
Sample A
"A lone target detected on the starboard side, Captain."
"Aye then, let's have at it, you maggots! Set course for our prize! Push the engines to full!" screams Captain Garland while slamming his fist on the arm-rest of the captain's chair. He seems to have been quite taken with pirate films since we began our little unsanctioned adventure. The Spirit of Adventure (II) is a far faster freighter than its predecessor - well, we did some dirty work to get it classified as a freighter in the ship manifests, but underneath the hulk of rusting steel that camouflages its true appearance lies a sleek, top-of-the-line space vessel with engines rivalling the fastest cruisers the military had to offer. Captain Garland had weaseled his way back into command of one of these beauties under the recommendation of Grimrock. That lasted all of five days, when I met him by accident on the moon; an hour later, the ship was commandeered by its commander for a bout of privateering.
"Captain, that's no freighter, that's a Federation warship!" screams the bridge operator. "They're launching torpedos!"
"So, uh, First Mate Senya... you're the tactician here. What do you propose we do? Should we disengage?" asks Garland. I make a show of thinking it over, before nodding sagely. "That warship would still be a good prize, so..."
I take a deep breath.
"Damn the torpedos."
"Damn the torpedos?" His eyes brighten up.
"Full speed ahead."
"Full speed ahead?" A grin spreads across his face.
"You heard me, Captain. I'll shoot them down for you. Just concentrate on doing what you do best. In this scenario, I would advise ramming action."
Garland turns away from me, staring manically at the wide viewscreen, where our sensors have indicated the torpedos are about five kilometres away. They are large, lumbering missiles, probably meant more to scare us away - but I can't chance it hitting the ship. I break into a run, heading for the CF hangar while putting on my pilot's helmet. In the background, I hear Garland yelling, "Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead!" The ship lurches forward, and I feel the inertia even in zero-G. We really are going for full speed. It's a good thing that the Spirit of Adventure (II) had been modified for maximum ramming. As I reach the hangar, I push off against the floor, waving at the technicians who are scurrying away from my black CF. It's a customized jet-black Onuris, a golden skull and crossbones painted prominently over its torso. I sink into the cockpit and quickly strap myself in, activating the frame. All of the systems light up, indicating that the frame is ready for duty.
I tap the intercom, sending my voice out to the entire hangar.
"This is First Mate Senya to all pilots. I'll be sortieing to shoot down the incoming torpedos. Follow my lead afterwards and prepare for frame-to-frame action. We have a big prize ahead of us." That warship will definitely launch frames of its own, but that is a trivial matter. With a grin, I rub my eyepatch and add, "It's Federation."
As the pirate crew cheers fearlessly, excited at the prospect of their first real fight, the Black Nightmare launches, catapulted into the void of space where plunder awaits.
***
"A lone target detected on the starboard side, Captain."
"Aye then, let's have at it, you maggots! Set course for our prize! Push the engines to full!" screams Captain Garland while slamming his fist on the arm-rest of the captain's chair. He seems to have been quite taken with pirate films since we began our little unsanctioned adventure. The Spirit of Adventure (II) is a far faster freighter than its predecessor - well, we did some dirty work to get it classified as a freighter in the ship manifests, but underneath the hulk of rusting steel that camouflages its true appearance lies a sleek, top-of-the-line space vessel with engines rivalling the fastest cruisers the military had to offer. Captain Garland had weaseled his way back into command of one of these beauties under the recommendation of Grimrock. That lasted all of five days, when I met him by accident on the moon; an hour later, the ship was commandeered by its commander for a bout of privateering.
"Captain, that's no freighter, that's a Federation warship!" screams the bridge operator. "They're launching torpedos!"
"So, uh, First Mate Senya... you're the tactician here. What do you propose we do? Should we disengage?" asks Garland. I make a show of thinking it over, before nodding sagely. "That warship would still be a good prize, so..."
I take a deep breath.
"Damn the torpedos."
"Damn the torpedos?" His eyes brighten up.
"Full speed ahead."
"Full speed ahead?" A grin spreads across his face.
"You heard me, Captain. I'll shoot them down for you. Just concentrate on doing what you do best. In this scenario, I would advise ramming action."
Garland turns away from me, staring manically at the wide viewscreen, where our sensors have indicated the torpedos are about five kilometres away. They are large, lumbering missiles, probably meant more to scare us away - but I can't chance it hitting the ship. I break into a run, heading for the CF hangar while putting on my pilot's helmet. In the background, I hear Garland yelling, "Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead!" The ship lurches forward, and I feel the inertia even in zero-G. We really are going for full speed. It's a good thing that the Spirit of Adventure (II) had been modified for maximum ramming. As I reach the hangar, I push off against the floor, waving at the technicians who are scurrying away from my black CF. It's a customized jet-black Onuris, a golden skull and crossbones painted prominently over its torso. I sink into the cockpit and quickly strap myself in, activating the frame. All of the systems light up, indicating that the frame is ready for duty.
I tap the intercom, sending my voice out to the entire hangar.
"This is First Mate Senya to all pilots. I'll be sortieing to shoot down the incoming torpedos. Follow my lead afterwards and prepare for frame-to-frame action. We have a big prize ahead of us." That warship will definitely launch frames of its own, but that is a trivial matter. With a grin, I rub my eyepatch and add, "It's Federation."
As the pirate crew cheers fearlessly, excited at the prospect of their first real fight, the Black Nightmare launches, catapulted into the void of space where plunder awaits.
***
Yeah, well, that's damn tantalizing that is. You tease. 
The added benefit of being in space is that we'd be at the frontlines once the Masters arrive.
Still, batman...
The added benefit of being in space is that we'd be at the frontlines once the Masters arrive.
Still, batman...
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2008
- Messages
- 11,370
Sample B
I blink my eyes as the hood is removed from my head. It looks like they've tied me securely to my seat - something that is to a chair as a lion is to a cat; large, plush and liable to swallow you up should you let your guard down. The room is brightly lit. The floor is carpeted with royal red, the walls a rich wooden panelling, and all around hung lavish portraits of near identical grim, jowled men with a receding hairline and a stuffed business suit. It is the room of a man who fancied himself a king, and certainly Don Fanucci thinks himself king of all he surveys, the matter of life and death hanging upon a single utterance from his lips.
The don himself is seated before me, his hands clasped and his elbows resting upon his large mahogany desk. He bears an inimical resemblance to the men in the portraits around the room, the latest in a long line of powerful men who are influential enough to straddle the line between legitimacy and illegalities. On his lapel is pinned the red rose crest of the Fanucci, lined with gold to indicate his status as the head of the family. Don Fanucci stares at me, his grey eyes attempting to pierce into my soul and ferret out all the crimes and sins I have committed.
I smile back at him.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Don Fanucci."
"The pleasure is not mine, boy. Do you know why you are here?" speaks the Don in a heavy Etrurian accent.
I'm unable to turn my head, but I'm sure that somewhere behind me are the two bouncers who invited me somewhere for a 'talk'. I nod, keeping that smile on my bespectacled face. It's a wonder what a pair of glasses can do to change your looks.
"Your men are impeccable, Don Fanucci. They managed to catch me swapping out the cards in... oh, the sixteenth round."
The don's jowls deepen as he frowns.
"You have cheek. It has been twenty years since the last swindler dared to visit La Rosa d'Oro. What I did to him ensured that this place was cheater-free... for only twenty years, it seems. You would make a good reminder to the world."
I know this casino is the Don's favourite - The Golden Rose. It was bequeathed to him as his first property by his father, and in his rise to power he often used it as his headquarters. Don Fanucci takes everything that happens in the casino personally; this is why I am now sitting before him.
"Aren't you interested in how I managed to fool your croupiers for fifteen rounds?"
"Regardless of how smart you think you are, boy, you are not smart enough. You got caught. Simple as that. My men will be more alert next time." He says that last sentence with a growl, looking somewhere behind me. I hear an audible gulp from one of my captors.
"Ah, that is true. I suppose I did get caught... at Twenty-one Points." I sigh. The don's eyes narrow. I continue, looking up at the ornately painted ceiling. "You might want to check the slot machines. The roulette table. Baccarat. Craps. Oh, and I think I managed to pocket a few thousand at bingo too."
At that, it is now my turn to stare at him. "The fact of the matter is, your casino - your legacy - is insecure, Don Fanucci. Why did you think I hung around Twenty-one Points for fifteen rounds, when I spend less than ten at each of the tables?"
"Get to the point, boy." whispers the don.
I grin.
***
I blink my eyes as the hood is removed from my head. It looks like they've tied me securely to my seat - something that is to a chair as a lion is to a cat; large, plush and liable to swallow you up should you let your guard down. The room is brightly lit. The floor is carpeted with royal red, the walls a rich wooden panelling, and all around hung lavish portraits of near identical grim, jowled men with a receding hairline and a stuffed business suit. It is the room of a man who fancied himself a king, and certainly Don Fanucci thinks himself king of all he surveys, the matter of life and death hanging upon a single utterance from his lips.
The don himself is seated before me, his hands clasped and his elbows resting upon his large mahogany desk. He bears an inimical resemblance to the men in the portraits around the room, the latest in a long line of powerful men who are influential enough to straddle the line between legitimacy and illegalities. On his lapel is pinned the red rose crest of the Fanucci, lined with gold to indicate his status as the head of the family. Don Fanucci stares at me, his grey eyes attempting to pierce into my soul and ferret out all the crimes and sins I have committed.
I smile back at him.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Don Fanucci."
"The pleasure is not mine, boy. Do you know why you are here?" speaks the Don in a heavy Etrurian accent.
I'm unable to turn my head, but I'm sure that somewhere behind me are the two bouncers who invited me somewhere for a 'talk'. I nod, keeping that smile on my bespectacled face. It's a wonder what a pair of glasses can do to change your looks.
"Your men are impeccable, Don Fanucci. They managed to catch me swapping out the cards in... oh, the sixteenth round."
The don's jowls deepen as he frowns.
"You have cheek. It has been twenty years since the last swindler dared to visit La Rosa d'Oro. What I did to him ensured that this place was cheater-free... for only twenty years, it seems. You would make a good reminder to the world."
I know this casino is the Don's favourite - The Golden Rose. It was bequeathed to him as his first property by his father, and in his rise to power he often used it as his headquarters. Don Fanucci takes everything that happens in the casino personally; this is why I am now sitting before him.
"Aren't you interested in how I managed to fool your croupiers for fifteen rounds?"
"Regardless of how smart you think you are, boy, you are not smart enough. You got caught. Simple as that. My men will be more alert next time." He says that last sentence with a growl, looking somewhere behind me. I hear an audible gulp from one of my captors.
"Ah, that is true. I suppose I did get caught... at Twenty-one Points." I sigh. The don's eyes narrow. I continue, looking up at the ornately painted ceiling. "You might want to check the slot machines. The roulette table. Baccarat. Craps. Oh, and I think I managed to pocket a few thousand at bingo too."
At that, it is now my turn to stare at him. "The fact of the matter is, your casino - your legacy - is insecure, Don Fanucci. Why did you think I hung around Twenty-one Points for fifteen rounds, when I spend less than ten at each of the tables?"
"Get to the point, boy." whispers the don.
I grin.
***
ScubaV
Prophet
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2011
- Messages
- 1,022
Perfect theme song for the pirate path: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGPLMkZqepQ
Or maybe this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNxBdISDM5g
Do it bros!
(band is Machinae Supremacy if you were curious)
Or maybe this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNxBdISDM5g
Do it bros!
(band is Machinae Supremacy if you were curious)
Bloodshifter
Educated
Lol he cheated at Bingo?
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2008
- Messages
- 11,370
Sample C
It seems that bars have been a permanent feature in the Skanish landscape for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Many bottles line the bar's shelves, and all of them are brand new. From what I have observed, alcohol is one of the favourite pastimes of Skane, the others being - in order of popularity - bitching about the weather, tinkering with machines, and anarchic wish-fulfilment... though given that alcohol itself still features prominently in all three, I suppose you could say that it is the favourite pastime of Skane. As the clock strikes twelve, the doors are pushed open. A ragtag band of a dozen fair haired young men and women walk into the bar, looking around nervously. I lean back in my seat, waiting for them to notice me. One of them does - a man with a spotted headband. He whispers to the others and points at me. They hesitate for quite a while before approaching.
"You're the one that called us?" says Mr. Headband. I recognize his voice; he's their leader.
"That is so," I say, my voice distorted and deepened by the voice-changer that I had built into the black motorcycle helmet. "It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Mr. Karloff, and the members of the Resistance." Well, they were members of a resistance at least. There's plenty of those groups popping up in Skane nowadays, like mushrooms after rain. They just happened to be the first ones I came across.
"So, you're... that guy? The one from yesterday?" asks one of the girls, staring at me intently. I remember her from yesterday - Astrid, I believe.
"Yes. You may call me... yes, Krake will do nicely."
Karloff frowns. "That's not a very nice word. What is it, a codename? It's poorly chosen, if it is."
"Think of it as representing what will befall your foes." I shrug. "Come, let us discuss matters of more import."
"Why don't you show us your face before we talk?" asks Karloff.
"My face is unimportant. What is important is the service I offer. You have had a first row seat to judge my abilities yesterday. What do you think?"
"That was great, but we can't trust anyone who doesn't trust us enough to show us his face." Karloff refuses to be sidetracked from the subject matter. He is more stubborn than I had expected. I shake my head as I chuckle.
"I have personal reasons for being unable to do that, and I apologize. The only thing I can tell you is that this mask I have to wear is forced upon me by the Federation. I assure you, however, that I am every bit as passionate as you yourself are. I desire for Skane's freedom from the tyranny of this so-called world government as much as you do. That is why I acted yesterday. I saw the yearning for justice and independence in all of your eyes, and I knew, then, that you are the ones that are worthy of my assistance. I am a patriot, just like all of you." Probably not a single word in there is true, but if I pretend to believe it, so will they.
Astrid walks up to me, clearly convinced. "I believe in him, Karloff. Any man who would save us while putting himself in danger is no spy for the Federation."
She must be about my age, and yet she is so naive. Perhaps it is a bit of hero worship, after I rescued her personally in the gunfight. She is right in that I am no spy for the Federation, but...
"He must want something in return." says Karloff, unwilling to believe me yet. I nod.
"I understand. You need proof of my sincerity. Yesterday was insufficient... Very well. I will deliver to you the town of Jarlthon by the week's end. It will be the staging point from which we take back Skane from the corrupt politicians, and subsequently declare our independence from the Federation."
I steeple my fingers, smiling at them from underneath my helmet's visor.
"Then, I will name my price. You will find it a price that you are most willing to pay."
***
It seems that bars have been a permanent feature in the Skanish landscape for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Many bottles line the bar's shelves, and all of them are brand new. From what I have observed, alcohol is one of the favourite pastimes of Skane, the others being - in order of popularity - bitching about the weather, tinkering with machines, and anarchic wish-fulfilment... though given that alcohol itself still features prominently in all three, I suppose you could say that it is the favourite pastime of Skane. As the clock strikes twelve, the doors are pushed open. A ragtag band of a dozen fair haired young men and women walk into the bar, looking around nervously. I lean back in my seat, waiting for them to notice me. One of them does - a man with a spotted headband. He whispers to the others and points at me. They hesitate for quite a while before approaching.
"You're the one that called us?" says Mr. Headband. I recognize his voice; he's their leader.
"That is so," I say, my voice distorted and deepened by the voice-changer that I had built into the black motorcycle helmet. "It is a pleasure to meet you at last, Mr. Karloff, and the members of the Resistance." Well, they were members of a resistance at least. There's plenty of those groups popping up in Skane nowadays, like mushrooms after rain. They just happened to be the first ones I came across.
"So, you're... that guy? The one from yesterday?" asks one of the girls, staring at me intently. I remember her from yesterday - Astrid, I believe.
"Yes. You may call me... yes, Krake will do nicely."
Karloff frowns. "That's not a very nice word. What is it, a codename? It's poorly chosen, if it is."
"Think of it as representing what will befall your foes." I shrug. "Come, let us discuss matters of more import."
"Why don't you show us your face before we talk?" asks Karloff.
"My face is unimportant. What is important is the service I offer. You have had a first row seat to judge my abilities yesterday. What do you think?"
"That was great, but we can't trust anyone who doesn't trust us enough to show us his face." Karloff refuses to be sidetracked from the subject matter. He is more stubborn than I had expected. I shake my head as I chuckle.
"I have personal reasons for being unable to do that, and I apologize. The only thing I can tell you is that this mask I have to wear is forced upon me by the Federation. I assure you, however, that I am every bit as passionate as you yourself are. I desire for Skane's freedom from the tyranny of this so-called world government as much as you do. That is why I acted yesterday. I saw the yearning for justice and independence in all of your eyes, and I knew, then, that you are the ones that are worthy of my assistance. I am a patriot, just like all of you." Probably not a single word in there is true, but if I pretend to believe it, so will they.
Astrid walks up to me, clearly convinced. "I believe in him, Karloff. Any man who would save us while putting himself in danger is no spy for the Federation."
She must be about my age, and yet she is so naive. Perhaps it is a bit of hero worship, after I rescued her personally in the gunfight. She is right in that I am no spy for the Federation, but...
"He must want something in return." says Karloff, unwilling to believe me yet. I nod.
"I understand. You need proof of my sincerity. Yesterday was insufficient... Very well. I will deliver to you the town of Jarlthon by the week's end. It will be the staging point from which we take back Skane from the corrupt politicians, and subsequently declare our independence from the Federation."
I steeple my fingers, smiling at them from underneath my helmet's visor.
"Then, I will name my price. You will find it a price that you are most willing to pay."
***
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