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Character Development Thread--Discussion

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desdendelle Hooded Crow from Land of Milk and Honey (Sergeant) Relationship Status: Hiding
Hooded Crow
#13176: Dec 11th 2012 at 4:42:31 PM

Explanation time, then. The PPC is basically an organisation whose purpose is to eradicate the menace to the universe that is Mary Sues. Its Agents go into bad fanfiction and set things right - disentangle badly crossed-over continua, assassinate Mary Sues, exorcise Possessed Canon characters, etc. I currently write a pair of Agents, and one of them is going to end (about fifty or so years hence, from his PoV) as a, well, ghost, possessing a suit of armour not unlike the rightmost one in my current avatarnote . However, how did this affect his personality I've no idea, so he needs fleshing out before I can write this version of him.
Hopefully this clears things up a bit.

On empty crossroads, seek the eclipse -- for when Sol and Lua align, the lost shall find their way home.
nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#13177: Dec 11th 2012 at 4:47:18 PM

...I think I left out a "nor do I need to".

Although now that you mention it, it should probably be pointed out that we don't break the fourth wall in these threads.

edited 11th Dec '12 4:48:11 PM by nrjxll

KillerClowns Since: Jan, 2001
#13178: Dec 11th 2012 at 4:58:48 PM

[up]A few face! Welcome! Okay... let's see... first, in regards to Nrjxll's comment, while your character can certainly try breaking the fourth wall, people will probably look at them like they're bonkers. (I'm sure your character has dealt with that before, though.)

Anyways, need a quick summary of what the area your character is likely to arrive in will look like, or can you piece it together from the last few pages? Mostly, see the first post, but there is also the bit about what characters are where.

nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#13179: Dec 11th 2012 at 5:07:07 PM

while your character can certainly try breaking the fourth wall, people will probably look at them like they're bonkers

To be honest, I find even this very annoying and prefer that it be avoided, although I don't think it's an actual "rule".

CrystalGlacia from at least we're not detroit (Living Relic)
#13180: Dec 11th 2012 at 5:20:04 PM

Either way, questioning the integrity of the universe in a 'meta' manner during a CDT isn't advisable for simple story purposes- it draws attention away from the characters, who are intended to come first and foremost. Maybe our characters would be breaking the fourth wall and stuff more often if the majority of CDT writers were writing metafiction, but, well, we're not.

And, from what little I know about the PPC-verse, it doesn't seem especially advantageous from my perspective for your characters to be bringing up metafiction concepts in earshot of other characters while on missions.

"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
Night The future of warfare in UC. from Jaburo Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Drift compatible
The future of warfare in UC.
#13181: Dec 11th 2012 at 6:27:53 PM

Also if you get too metafictional there's a real danger that some character might decide they're at risk from PPC agent and off you. Not they would be aware of being a fanfiction character, but they might not want to take the risk.

Not all of these people are particularly nice.

edited 11th Dec '12 6:32:47 PM by Night

Nous restons ici.
nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#13182: Dec 11th 2012 at 6:34:17 PM

I just think it's kind of trivializing.

Edit: On the advice of Killer Clowns, let me clarify that I'm referring specifically to the CDTs and similar works with this comment, not metafiction in general.

edited 11th Dec '12 7:25:28 PM by nrjxll

Ryuhza Brother from San Diego County, California Since: Feb, 2012 Relationship Status: Tongue-tied
Brother
#13183: Dec 11th 2012 at 10:14:09 PM

I'm so bored...

I don't think I'm going to wait for Fang much longer. It's been nearly a week since she's posted anything on the forums, so I'm guessing something's got her held up.

Might post with Rune too. Just to get that ball rolling again.

edited 11th Dec '12 10:15:22 PM by Ryuhza

They'll turn your world around
Elfhunter NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP! from India Since: Mar, 2015 Relationship Status: My elf kissing days are over
NO ONE SUSPECTS THE LAMP!
#13184: Dec 11th 2012 at 10:44:07 PM

wait wait wait wait...Just wait another 6 hours before you post for rune. I'll make a post then. Can't wait for tehpillowstar to edit her post anymore.

If I knew how I know everything I know, I'd only be able to know half as much because my brain would be clogged up with where I know it from
Ryuhza Brother from San Diego County, California Since: Feb, 2012 Relationship Status: Tongue-tied
Brother
#13185: Dec 11th 2012 at 10:46:57 PM

That's fine. Was planning to give Fang a little more time too, so no biggie (fries).

They'll turn your world around
desdendelle Hooded Crow from Land of Milk and Honey (Sergeant) Relationship Status: Hiding
Hooded Crow
#13186: Dec 12th 2012 at 8:21:37 AM

Well... Aside from Swan's Egg, which I'm not participating in (because philosophical rants tend not to be funny), the Agents' fictional background just hovers in the background. And anyway it's not that part I need to test. I need to see how he bounces off other characters.
RE environment: I'm sure I'll be able to patch something up from the last few pages and the first post.

On empty crossroads, seek the eclipse -- for when Sol and Lua align, the lost shall find their way home.
PsychoFreaX Card-Carrying Villain >:D from Transcended Humanity Since: Jan, 2010
#13187: Dec 12th 2012 at 8:37:28 AM

HOW DO I GET PRISHA WINTER OUT OF MY MEMORY AND ONLY PRISHA TYRAN? HOW? HOW?

Help?.. please...
desdendelle Hooded Crow from Land of Milk and Honey (Sergeant) Relationship Status: Hiding
Hooded Crow
#13188: Dec 12th 2012 at 8:56:15 AM

OK, let's back-paddle for a bit. I get that the group's divided to people in an armoury, in a pit, a room of paintings, a lair, and at the tomb's entrance... can I please get those places' descriptions, or a link to them?

On empty crossroads, seek the eclipse -- for when Sol and Lua align, the lost shall find their way home.
KillerClowns Since: Jan, 2001
#13189: Dec 12th 2012 at 4:49:44 PM

[up]Sorry it took so long, but... well, there's this silly map thing I whipped up. The main complex is pretty much all underground.

I'll mention places if/when it becomes necessary, but let's start with the basics. The outside, like I said, is described in post 1, 'cept who is there. You've got, floating around the entrance, Moonlit Blossom, Marion, Elisif, Minister's Harry, Nrjxll's Harry, Krajn, Roe, and the Armor.

  • Moonlit Blossom: A scrawny, bald, Ambiguously Brown woman wearing a silk skirt. Isn't aware of local nudity taboosor any other sort of taboos or social codes, for that matter.
  • Marion: A seven-foot humanoid dragon in practical khaki. The leader of the expedition and pretty much the Only Sane Woman. If your character is following the job offer in the OP, she's the woman you want to talk to. Suffers fools poorly.
  • Elisif: A gun-toting woman dressed in the manner of a professional merc. Snarky, jaded, and generally fun times all around. Comes from a world with both guns and magic — a useful mix of skills.
  • Minister's Harry: An Englishman raised by Bedouins, dressed in their style. Has experience with time travel, doesn't like officers. (Fair warning, though: Minister's been quiet lately.)
  • Nrjxll's Harry: Recent entrant to the thread. So far seems a fairly mundane human — might have the usual lightweight cybernetics you'd expect from a man of his sci-fi era, but don't quote me on that.
  • Krajn: Imagine one of The Greys, but with reptilian features and red eyes and you've about got her look. Presently discussing the number of ways a spaceship can fuck up a tomb of Sealed Evil in a Can, so fun times.
  • Roe: A cheerful woman in a pea coat. Immortal, and has some other powers, not all yet revealed. In contact with other, immaterial entities.
  • The Armor: A profesional soldier in Powered Armor with plenty of firepower, including some non-lethal options. Currently sharing the Only Sane Man role with Marion.
  • Samuel Belial: Some sort of interplanetary smuggler, I think, unassuming in appearance save for a long coat. (Fair warning, though: Rohlo's been quiet lately.)

First room you'll see if you enter the tomb is that room labeled "Painted Entry Hall". Egyptian style tomb paintings that inexplicably incorporate aspects of other cultures — most noticeably, a Chinese-style dragon.

edited 12th Dec '12 4:59:44 PM by KillerClowns

Ryuhza Brother from San Diego County, California Since: Feb, 2012 Relationship Status: Tongue-tied
Brother
#13190: Dec 12th 2012 at 5:04:59 PM

So, the thread has been moving like molasses for a few days now.

What's everyone up to?

They'll turn your world around
LeungBaiFang (ʘ‿ʘ✿) from California Since: Oct, 2012
(ʘ‿ʘ✿)
#13191: Dec 12th 2012 at 5:12:21 PM

I'm so sorry. School is just balls right now. How do I get back in?

Let's not go there. *flails noodle arms*
Gault Laugh and grow dank! from beyond the kingdom Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: P.S. I love you
Laugh and grow dank!
#13192: Dec 12th 2012 at 5:13:27 PM

I've got a fuckton of work to do, and not much time in which to do it. I'll try my best to move the thread along.

yey
Ryuhza Brother from San Diego County, California Since: Feb, 2012 Relationship Status: Tongue-tied
Brother
#13193: Dec 12th 2012 at 5:25:11 PM

[up][up]

Well, Knives and Tucker haven't moved since your last post, but some talking has gone on. I suggest just catching up on that bit and coming up with some justification as to why Knives hasn't spoken in that time.

They'll turn your world around
Masterofchaos Since: Dec, 2010
#13194: Dec 12th 2012 at 6:04:01 PM

...I've been preparing for finals.

-breaks down in tears-

CrystalGlacia from at least we're not detroit (Living Relic)
#13195: Dec 12th 2012 at 6:28:50 PM

It's school for me, too. I also have programming assignments to do, a goddamn song to write for soc, and now a research paper between now and when I go on break next Saturday.

[up][up][up] And, yeah, I've been waiting on you or someone else in the lair. Take your time, though; there's no guarantee I'll get around to responding before all my other shit is done.

edited 12th Dec '12 6:31:43 PM by CrystalGlacia

"Jack, you have debauched my sloth."
nrjxll Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Not war
#13196: Dec 12th 2012 at 6:45:40 PM

I'll be able to start posting freely after Thursday or Friday, but right now I'm knee-deep in essays.

Yomegami Since: Jan, 2011
#13197: Dec 12th 2012 at 7:50:20 PM

To confirm Elfhunter's suspicions, I've indeed decided to drop out. On top of the previously-mentioned "this character just isn't clicking" issue, I also don't think this environment was the best place to throw Madeline into, and I've also found that I'm just not finding the thread's overall subject matter interesting (pretty much the only thing that was interesting to me was the Lich and the subplot leading up to its unsealing).

My apologies, Elfhunter.

That said, I'll probably drop into the casual thread should the idea for it ever get off the ground (though I'm personally of the belief that there really isn't a need for one, considering how the last two went).

Edit: Since everyone else is posting about their school status; I actually completed my last final this morning, so I'm more or less free until the last week of January (6-week Christmas Vacation FTW).

edited 12th Dec '12 7:51:20 PM by Yomegami

Icon by Civvi the Civilian!
Ryuhza Brother from San Diego County, California Since: Feb, 2012 Relationship Status: Tongue-tied
Brother
#13198: Dec 12th 2012 at 8:07:02 PM

I've got a final tomorrow, and one on Monday, but I'm very bad at being a good student, so those probably wont affect my activity.

They'll turn your world around
Tehpillowstar Giant alien spiders are no joke. from the remains of the Galactic Federation fleet Since: Jun, 2012 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
Giant alien spiders are no joke.
#13199: Dec 13th 2012 at 12:02:20 AM

I've got nothing.

I did edit the post some time ago. I just cut out the Kaidza part.

I may remind you Killer Clowns that Haruka is still at the edge of the Pit.

"Life is eternal; and love is immortal; and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight." - R. W. Raymond
desdendelle Hooded Crow from Land of Milk and Honey (Sergeant) Relationship Status: Hiding
Hooded Crow
#13200: Dec 13th 2012 at 6:56:35 AM

So, I'll drop our suit of Jian armour somewhere around the entrance of the tomb. Now let's see...

On empty crossroads, seek the eclipse -- for when Sol and Lua align, the lost shall find their way home.

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