Heroica RPG General Discussion

[Cutcobra]

Heckz had many relationships before. He dumped them all because they only liked him for his gorgeousness

[posades]

What's this about appearing in a calendar? And do we get a percentage of all sales?

[Myrddyn]

Oh, thought the gold was a typo and you meant to sell the bones. I'll fix it in a bit.

Oh, I'm fine either way. I didn't notice that the bones were gone.

[Palathadric]

Docken's in Bric'lin?

[Brickdoctor]

Docken's in Bric'lin?

Maybe he is there, maybe he isn't there; but either way, he already knows what's happening in Bric'lin.

[Dannylonglegs]

Sylph's married... to the job.

And Masson has never been in a relationship before this one. Yaaay?

Also, 70ers, Briar is indeed the final battle! He will be a far cry from a boss, however.

See, I know he's not supposed to be, but I get the feeling that the Masson is quite mentally ill. He's somewhere between 20-30 years old, never had a girl-friend despite not being asexual seemingly, obsessing over Karie after briefly meeting twice and contemplating giving up his obsessive grand plan for said "Love." and ultimately completely willing to mind-rape countless individuals in order to create his idea of a perfect world, creating a "cult" around himself and his method and plan... I know Sylph's has his fair share of "Well intention extremist"-isms, but I don't condone his methods. I think If I was playing a normal character (one who I personally can relate to more), and I encountered the Stealer, I'd call him out on this. If Sylph encountered the Stealer, he probably wouldn't have said much.

Hey! This is the second time in a row this has happened to Karie!

~Insectoid Aristocrat

[Endgame]

See, I know he's not supposed to be, but I get the feeling that the Masson is quite mentally ill. He's somewhere between 20-30 years old, never had a girl-friend despite not being asexual seemingly, obsessing over Karie after briefly meeting twice and contemplating giving up his obsessive grand plan for said "Love." and ultimately completely willing to mind-rape countless individuals in order to create his idea of a perfect world, creating a "cult" around himself and his method and plan... I know Sylph's has his fair share of "Well intention extremist"-isms, but I don't condone his methods. I think If I was playing a normal character (one who I personally can relate to more), and I encountered the Stealer, I'd call him out on this. If Sylph encountered the Stealer, he probably wouldn't have said much.

Actually, your analysis isn't that far off. He is indeed 25 years old, but the reason for him not having a girlfriend was self-imposed: he is intellignet, caring, and one handsome devil but he has a fear of them getting hurt. All of his loved ones died around him, and he blamed himself (despite it being out of his control) - he thought by alientating himself and burying what made him "human", everyone was better off. Basically, he thinks/thought (he's getting better) that he was worthless.

Due to his life crumbling around him and the world generally just not making sense, he buried himself and became obsessed with the rational and constant: Numbers are absolute, they don't change. Science is logical, reliable. Etc etc.

And thus, his obsaessions, compulsions, and fears led to an agonizingly slow descent into madness. (He even questions his own sanity in his journal.)

Despite being at his most furious at the end of 56, he came to realize that his anger was speaking then - and he soon, of course, blamed himself for what happened there. He knew Karie got scarred the most, and offered a chance to repent. In the process he let his guard down, and soon realized he had feelings for Karie. We all know where this leads now.

He didn't want anyone else to go through what he did, and thus his vision of a perfect world was born. In defense. most of the poeple he used The Harvester on were happy at the end, even if they acknowledged the tamperment.

Karie really became the only one who could peentrate through The Stealer of Senses to find Masson (Maybe he has mild schizophrenia too, but smashing the Harvester pretty much cured that. ) and thus was the only one who could convince him to pursue a quiet world through better means.

So, behind his descent into insanity, Masson is really just a caring (and loving, as he and Karie have demonstrated ) and intelligent individual who wants the best for everyone.

Pyschologically speaking, this quest has worked wonders for Masson. He finally allowed himself to have a catharsis, and is ready to live life (alongside Karie ) again.

Edited July 7, 2013 by Endgame

[Dannylonglegs]

*Snip*

I love your characters.

I wonder what will happen if he and Karie break up. I could see him becoming Phantom-of-the-Opera-esque.

~Insectoid Aristocrat

Edited July 7, 2013 by Dannylonglegs

[Flipz]

Sylph's married... to the job.

See, I know he's not supposed to be, but I get the feeling that the Masson is quite mentally ill. He's somewhere between 20-30 years old, never had a girl-friend despite not being asexual seemingly, obsessing over Karie after briefly meeting twice and contemplating giving up his obsessive grand plan for said "Love." and ultimately completely willing to mind-rape countless individuals in order to create his idea of a perfect world, creating a "cult" around himself and his method and plan... I know Sylph's has his fair share of "Well intention extremist"-isms, but I don't condone his methods. I think If I was playing a normal character (one who I personally can relate to more), and I encountered the Stealer, I'd call him out on this. If Sylph encountered the Stealer, he probably wouldn't have said much.

Hey! This is the second time in a row this has happened to Karie!

~Insectoid Aristocrat

Actually, your analysis isn't that far off. He is indeed 25 years old, but the reason for him not having a girlfriend was self-imposed: he is intellignet, caring, and one handsome devil but he has a fear of them getting hurt. All of his loved ones died around him, and he blamed himself (despite it being out of his control) - he thought by alientating himself and burying what made him "human", everyone was better off. Basically, he thinks/thought (he's getting better) that he was worthless.

Due to his life crumbling around him and the world generally just not making sense, he buried himself and became obsessed with the rational and constant: Numbers are absolute, they don't change. Science is logical, reliable. Etc etc.

And thus, his obsaessions, compulsions, and fears led to an agonizingly slow descent into madness. (He even questions his own sanity in his journal.)

Despite being at his most furious at the end of 56, he came to realize that his anger was speaking then - and he soon, of course, blamed himself for what happened there. He knew Karie got scarred the most, and offered a chance to repent. In the process he let his guard down, and soon realized he had feelings for Karie. We all know where this leads now.

He didn't want anyone else to go through what he did, and thus his vision of a perfect world was born. In defense. most of the poeple he used The Harvester on were happy at the end, even if they acknowledged the tamperment.

Karie really became the only one who could peentrate through The Stealer of Senses to find Masson (Maybe he has mild schizophrenia too, but smashing the Harvester pretty much cured that. ) and thus was the only one who could convince him to pursue a quiet world through better means.

So, behind his descent into insanity, Masson is really just a caring (and loving, as he and Karie have demonstrated ) and intelligent individual who wants the best for everyone.

Pyschologically speaking, this quest has worked wonders for Masson. He finally allowed himself to have a catharsis, and is ready to live life (alongside Karie ) again.

Now see, that's not so different from Arthur. Explains why Arthur was willing to reach out to him (and why he'd think the Watch would be willing to reach out to him--personal experience).

[Kintobor]

Sylph's married... to the job.

See, I know he's not supposed to be, but I get the feeling that the Masson is quite mentally ill. He's somewhere between 20-30 years old, never had a girl-friend despite not being asexual seemingly, obsessing over Karie after briefly meeting twice and contemplating giving up his obsessive grand plan for said "Love." and ultimately completely willing to mind-rape countless individuals in order to create his idea of a perfect world, creating a "cult" around himself and his method and plan... I know Sylph's has his fair share of "Well intention extremist"-isms, but I don't condone his methods. I think If I was playing a normal character (one who I personally can relate to more), and I encountered the Stealer, I'd call him out on this. If Sylph encountered the Stealer, he probably wouldn't have said much.

Hey! This is the second time in a row this has happened to Karie!

~Insectoid Aristocrat

Well Karie's not the most stable of people neither. Birds of a feather!

It'll be interesting watching this relationship actually, since after 70, I have semi-full reigns over Masson. The relationship isn't my biggest concern as of right now in terms of Karie's progression. Romance is great, as long as it's not the focus. I do intend for Karie and Masson to have their strolls through the park, but she's still a Heroica member first, and not a Bella Swan.

As well, BAAAAAM! I think I out-stole a quest from Flipz!

[Flipz]

As well, BAAAAAM! I think I out-stole a quest from Flipz!

I knew before I signed up that this Quest was going to be about "Karie and her allies versus the Stealer of Senses", not "the Heroes versus the Stealer of Senses". That was made very clear upfront, and it was the right thing to do as far as the storyline was concerned as well. In this case, it's justified.

When I hijacked 53, on the other hand, that's not the Quest everyone else signed up for. Did I have a greater connection to the villain and subject matter than some other characters? Yes. But not to the degree of the history the Stealer had with Karie, and I didn't handle it as well as you did, either. I kept Zeph in the dark (we were both trying to surprise each other with spontaneous RP, something that's good in theory and good in certain interactions but very bad if you and your QM aren't on the same page with how far it's possible to go), which ended up causing everyone problems. In restrospect, it probably would have been better if Arthur had fled the Master of Regret and directly joined forces with Wren (the way Karie did) rather than staying with the party until the end. Zeph gave me a chance to sit out the rest of the Quest at that point (not specifically to join Wren, but in retrospect that's probably what he was planning), and I should have taken it.

Edited July 7, 2013 by Flipz

[Endgame]

At the same time, however, I hope no one else got excluded in the quest. I put in goodies for almost everyone, I hope. Karie did get an exclusive sidequest (She got to view the Syndicate from the insdie, while the rest got the out) - but that is about it. Really, I don't consider a unique relationship with the big bad, romance, in this case, to be hijacking. You all served to wear him down on a mental level quite a bit, but Karie was really the only one who could've delivered the "coup de grace", so to speak.

Fun fact: minus any attraction element, anyone who wanted to join up with the Syndicate basically would've gotten the same sidequest Karie did. (Yes, anyone could've joined him at any time.)

Edited July 7, 2013 by Endgame

[Dannylonglegs]

Well Karie's not the most stable of people neither. Birds of a feather!

It'll be interesting watching this relationship actually, since after 70, I have semi-full reigns over Masson. The relationship isn't my biggest concern as of right now in terms of Karie's progression. Romance is great, as long as it's not the focus. I do intend for Karie and Masson to have their strolls through the park, but she's still a Heroica member first, and not a Bella Swan.

As well, BAAAAAM! I think I out-stole a quest from Flipz!

True, but She's one of the more "normal" characters, being a fun-loving relatable person. She's not a badass mercenary who's killed before and drops badass one-liners before offing the big bad, and she's not a depressed, sulking woobie who wears a hood and drinks her troubles away. She's just a silly, realistic girl in a really mad world. It actually makes sense that you can't see Masson's clearly obsessive behavior for what it could be.

I think you did. It's a nice turnabout though. Very fitting.

Given that Karie's overcome her antagonistic relationship with the Stealer, and has seemingly developed a desire to fix-up Eubric, I can't wait to see how she interacts with Fleur, an obsessed cynical woman who wants to metaphorically burn everything down to sell the ashes and turn a profit, when they meet again. 76 has nothing to do with her, but Karie might want to get on the quest after it (although, I don't think that will be Fleur's demise.)

~Insectoid Aristocrat

[Endgame]

I love your characters.

I wonder what will happen if he and Karie break up. I could see him becoming Phantom-of-the-Opera-esque.

Masson probably has had the most planned pyschological tics out of all of my baddies, yeah.

Aww, don't do that to the guy. Also, dangit Danny, stop reminding me I have too many good pieces of media/literature to catch up on.

I do intend for Karie and Masson to have their strolls through the park, but she's still a Heroica member first, and not a Bella Swan.

Nor does Masson want you to be. I can see them as the kind of couple that just kicks back together after saving the world or something. The couple that slays together, stays together.

[Dannylonglegs]

Masson probably has had the most planned pyschological tics out of all of my baddies, yeah.

Aww, don't do that to the guy. Also, dangit Danny, stop reminding me I have too many good pieces of media/literature to catch up on.

Really? REALLY? I know that musical by heart. I adore the Phantom of the Opera! How have you not seen so many great things?! It's like you spend all of your time in a forum playing an online RPG. Or a dentist's office.

~Insectoid Aristocrat

[Flipz]

Speaking of the demise of villains, I'm now wondering whether or not I should be involved with any more. I'll still probably sign up for Zepher's last Quest, simply because I have unfinished business with his friendly NPCs, but for someone like The Regret? Or Ulric/Baba? I don't know. The Regret has singled out Arthur twice, and Arthur's current employer is pretty much devoted TO the takedown of the latter, but I don't know. Maybe it'd be interesting for him to hear about those villains' demise secondhand, further convince him of his uselessness. Can't let it happen TOO much, though, or he'll off himself.

Nor does Masson want you to be. I can see them as the kind of couple that just kicks back together after saving the world or something. The couple that slays together, stays together.

Like Mr. Incredible/Elastigirl!

...actually that's...surprisingly appropriate for Karie/Masson.

[Kintobor]

I knew before I signed up that this Quest was going to be about "Karie and her allies versus the Stealer of Senses", not "the Heroes versus the Stealer of Senses". That was made very clear upfront, and it was the right thing to do as far as the storyline was concerned as well. In this case, it's justified.

When I hijacked 53, on the other hand, that's not the Quest everyone else signed up for. Did I have a greater connection to the villain and subject matter than some other characters? Yes. But not to the degree of the history the Stealer had with Karie, and I didn't handle it as well as you did, either. I kept Zeph in the dark (we were both trying to surprise each other with spontaneous RP, something that's good in theory and good in certain interactions but very bad if you and your QM aren't on the same page with how far it's possible to go), which ended up causing everyone problems. In restrospect, it probably would have been better if Arthur had fled the Master of Regret and directly joined forces with Wren (the way Karie did) rather than staying with the party until the end. Zeph gave me a chance to sit out the rest of the Quest at that point (not specifically to join Wren, but in retrospect that's probably what he was planning), and I should have taken it.

I actually planned none of that! Endgame baited me with a trail of bread crumbs and essentially dropped the question: Would you like to join the Syndicate? I have a lot to say about 70, but I'll hold it in until the quest is finished, but I will say this so far: Endgame, I think this is your masterpiece quest.

True, but She's one of the more "normal" characters, being a fun-loving relatable person. She's not a badass mercenary who's killed before and drops badass one-liners before offing the big bad, and she's not a depressed, sulking woobie who wears a hood and drinks her troubles away. She's just a silly, realistic girl in a really mad world. It actually makes sense that you can't see Masson's clearly obsessive behavior for what it could be.

I think you did. It's a nice turnabout though. Very fitting.

Given that Karie's overcome her antagonistic relationship with the Stealer, and has seemingly developed a desire to fix-up Eubric, I can't wait to see how she interacts with Fleur, an obsessed cynical woman who wants to metaphorically burn everything down to sell the ashes and turn a profit, when they meet again. 76 has nothing to do with her, but Karie might want to get on the quest after it (although, I don't think that will be Fleur's demise.)

~Insectoid Aristocrat

Karie's only real flaw is actually similar to Masson's: she blames herself for just about everything that happens to her. It gets even more messed up when you realize that she may be responsible for the death of one of the two people who died in her monologue on the five people who cared for her.

And yes, I'd love for Karie to meet Fleur a second time, essentially since both are at this point very connected characters. I'd put Fleur on Karie's list of people she has a vendetta against, but she thinks she's residing in Davy Jone's Locker!

Like Mr. Incredible/Elastigirl!

...actually that's...surprisingly appropriate for Karie/Masson.

I think so too! You know, you provide me with so much content Flipz, I should just ask you how to play Karie!

"Oh Magic Flipz Ball, what do I do now!"

Nothing

"The Magic Flipz Ball has spoken!"

[Endgame]

Issue here is: The Regret can't die. And was the second time actually canon, or just meta?

I know I said Progg 0 was after Stealer 2, but... I'm probably going to do a one off first. I've set up my quests to basically lead up to one grand finale one (that concludes any saga I've started) - and this set of quest's current grand finale, currently going under the title of The Eternal Reaper, but that is about 3-4 quests away.

"Oh Magic Flipz Ball, what do I do now!"

Nothing

"The Magic Flipz Ball has spoken!"

Funny, my magic conch only gives one response:

Be as devious and cruel to your PCs as possible to the point where they still somehow like your quest!

Is it working?

[Dannylonglegs]

I actually planned none of that! Endgame baited me with a trail of bread crumbs and essentially dropped the question: Would you like to join the Syndicate? I have a lot to say about 70, but I'll hold it in until the quest is finished, but I will say this so far: Endgame, I think this is your masterpiece quest.

And yes, I'd love for Karie to meet Fleur a second time, essentially since both are at this point very connected characters. I'd put Fleur on Karie's list of people she has a vendetta against, but she thinks she's residing in Davy Jone's Locker!

You say that because you weren't on 48.

When they meet again, if Fleur recognizes Karie, Fleur will shake her hand and thank her for showing her the light, and proving her philosophy correct. No hard-feelings whatsoever for burning half her score. Revenge is a suckers' game.

~Insectoid Aristocrat

[CMP]

Speaking of the demise of villains, I'm now wondering whether or not I should be involved with any more. I'll still probably sign up for Zepher's last Quest, simply because I have unfinished business with his friendly NPCs, but for someone like The Regret? Or Ulric/Baba? I don't know. The Regret has singled out Arthur twice, and Arthur's current employer is pretty much devoted TO the takedown of the latter, but I don't know. Maybe it'd be interesting for him to hear about those villains' demise secondhand, further convince him of his uselessness. Can't let it happen TOO much, though, or he'll off himself.

Don't involve yourself in them period. Let them involve you.

[Flipz]

Issue here is: The Regret can't die. And was the second time actually canon, or just meta?

I know I said Progg 0 was after Stealer 2, but... I'm probably going to do a one off first. I've set up my quests to basically lead up to one grand finale one (that concludes any saga I've started) - and this set of quest's current grand finale, currently going under the title of The Eternal Reaper, but that is about 3-4 quests away.

I'm running on the assumption that yes, it is canon--it fits with the logic presented for the Spirit Pools, and there are plenty of opportunities time-wise for it to fit in. (Heck, I half-expected Round 3 after Arthur went to sleep in that hotel room. Arthur's due for a nice set of awful nightmares anyway--I've been digging through quotes looking for snippets to throw into a good nightmare sequence to take place after the conclusion of 70 anyway.)

Good. Gives me time to get in Doc's Quest and hopefully Byblos as well.

Don't involve yourself in them period. Let them involve you.

I'd love to do that, but the problem is I have to choose to sign up for them or not. I can't just say "Arthur walks down the street from the Hall to the Apothecary" and a QM swoop in and say "Ohey, Baba Yaga swoops in and kidnaps him." Well, I mean, I guess technically that's possible, but given the basic setup of Heroica, it's unlikely.

Oh, and if I can make a suggestion, Sandy: I think there should be a note in the first post explaining that originally Rules and Discussion were both in this topic but that they were split in July 2013, lest unsuspecting new users become mind-bogglingly confused by the seeming rule-violations littering the previous thousand pages.

[Endgame]

Off the top of my head, I can think of The Stealer's "You'll find me before you find yourself" quote (he actually meant that with no malice, but still plenty nightmarish) and anything The Regret has ever said to you.

The Regret is appearing in Progg 0. He'll be doing what he does best: physically and mentally abuse people, haunting them, torturing them, and making them crave the sweet, sweet release of death. How's that for a Round 3?

[Flipz]

Off the top of my head, I can think of The Stealer's "You'll find me before you find yourself" quote (he actually meant that with no malice, but still plenty nightmarish) and anything The Regret has ever said to you.

Eh. The Stealer quote, definitely, but The Regret...not so much. Taunting and cruel? Yes. The stuff of nightmares? Eh, maybe in real life, but not so much for a nightmare sequence. He lacks poetry.

[Dannylonglegs]

Off the top of my head, I can think of The Stealer's "You'll find me before you find yourself" quote (he actually meant that with no malice, but still plenty nightmarish) and anything The Regret has ever said to you.

The Regret is appearing in Progg 0. He'll be doing what he does best: physically and mentally abuse people, haunting them, torturing them, and making them crave the sweet, sweet release of death. How's that for a Round 3?

Oh, the Regret's going to be there? How delightful. Sylph may find his way onto the Quest... Maybe...

~Insectoid Aristocrat

[CMP]

I'd love to do that, but the problem is I have to choose to sign up for them or not. I can't just say "Arthur walks down the street from the Hall to the Apothecary" and a QM swoop in and say "Ohey, Baba Yaga swoops in and kidnaps him." Well, I mean, I guess technically that's possible, but given the basic setup of Heroica, it's unlikely.

Just don't force it. I like Atramor falling into hating someone (such as Wren, or the Wolfgang of Quest 23) and then just going against them again when he can, don't just choose the Quests where you meet a big bad and then get personal with him/her, you'll miss out on a lot of great, smaller Quests.