I don't mean to rush us to the station - the three asterisks just denote a jump in time for me. Feel free to keep talking to Ben by the Blue Rose. :)
Oh yeah no worries, that's more or less what I was expecting. :) That Ben's a wily one.
Maybe I'll run into a gnome or two in the Apothecary! Unless no one is interested in that, in which case we can meet up on the train again. Either way works with me.
Maybe I'll run into a gnome or two in the Apothecary!
Sure, why not. Post up shortly.
Oh good, more people I can fight with.
Something I love about this game: We've been playing together for three months and none of our characters are even remotely friends. I hate in games where you're forced to all be buddy-buddy right off the bat for plot reasons. I'm having so much fun with this.
Yeah, I've always struggled with the whole "random strangers meet in a tavern and instantly become tight 'got your back' friends" thing. This scenario might lean a bit far in the other direction, but it's closer to how life can really be. Particularly in more brutal and less civilized times, I'd think.
Oh, you'll have to poke harder than that! :o) Finding an actual sore spot to poke at will work better for you, too. I was even generous enough to give you one.
Though unless you're looking to get your head "blowed clean off," you might want to tread carefully in that particular area. ;o)
"OOPS, collateral damage, my bad!" :oD
And just as an aside, I'm tickled silly over how many direct quotes from the original TV Loveless are dropping seamlessly into this tale. :o)
Ah, but Mallory doesn't have any idea how Loveless feels about Wen - all she knows is that she saw Jade kiss you and got bitterly jealous over it - partially because of her own prejudice. It's clear that there's a relationship of some sort there, so this is more about her seeing how you react when she expresses dominance.
As we've seen with Alistair, I figure a lot of men in this world will consider women to be their property. Mal knows that the Doc isn't one of them. She also knows now that in addition to being pretty learned, he has a set of morals. While it won't be something she acknowledges readily at this point, this exchange has given her a degree of respect for Loveless.
Also, given that Mal doesn't actually have time to go and seduce Jade before catching the train, your answer was perfect. Mal's decision to turn something she was insecure about into a show of dominance will totally blow up in her face.
I know "you" (Mal the PC) were hoping there was something going on between them and that you'd get a powerful reaction. :o) It was fun playing off of that expectation.
Doc hasn't had a shot at romance, ever; he's still young by Gnomish years and -- let's face it -- he's essentially this reality's version of a nerd. That peck on the cheek was so far outside his experience that he simply had no way to process it. While I admit your question ruffled him a bit, it also gave him a way to distance himself from that kiss. If you and Jade become... "involved"... then he doesn't have to deal with it.
<EDIT>
Mallory and Ben had done the real work.
You keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better. :oD
</EDIT>
You essentially have an entire car to yourselves... The rooms have space for 2 folks rather than 6.
GM, what's the general layout of this car? Since it's First Class, I'm envisioning smaller (two-person) compartments with a section of the car (e.g. half) open as a "common area" for meals, socializing, in-flight movies... oh wait, wrong script...
But you'll have a roomie.
Given that Doc promised Leland he'd stay out of his way -- coupled with the guilt that's gnawing at him under the surface -- the obvious pairing is to bunk Doc with Ben. Hilarity ensues...
Yeah, actually. Essentially rooms are on the four corners with a cross section common area which functions as a lounge. The rooms are technically smaller than in the lower class, but are designed for two people to bunk together rather than six. The beds are also significantly nicer.
Oh, and food and drinks on demand. Try to not get too sloshed. :-)
I'm genuinely not sure if Miss Wen is sexually attracted to Loveless. She does find him charming, genteel, and now heroic. I'm guessing she finds that refreshing, if nothing else.
Now could it turn into romance? Maybe. But it would be a slow burn, which I'm more a fan of. One of my favorite parts of West Wing was the Josh/Donna romance. It built up naturally over the seasons with just the right amount of sexual tension in the background - never featured constantly in the forefront -- which drove me nuts about Smallville...
Nope not letting this turn into a rant. But you probably get my point.
I'm much more interested in the idea of expectations. Meaning, I like the idea of Loveless wanting to live up to her naive impression of him, even if only subconsciously. Like maybe he'll want to be the kind of man she thinks he is.
Anyways, that's my thoughts on it. No plot survives first contact with the enemy -- I mean the players.
I think there's a time and a place for a party being buddy-buddy with each other. But I usually like it to be earned. The whole bonding over shared experiences thing -- fighting in the trenches and what not.
But this kind of reluctant heroism is definitely fun, too.
Last things first, I'm in agreement on the "earned buddy-buddy" thing -- that's a more natural progression and it's great when a campaign allows for that. I'm in a Shadowlands module playtest that's been going on... well, about a year now I think, I came in late as a player replacement. The characters are only now beginning to accept each other. And there's still a lot of personality-based friction. I love it.
I see Scorched Lands PCs almost as "anti-heroes" who I think may slowly morph into true heroes, forging alliances in the process and maybe a friendship or three. But I doubt we'll ever see "buddy-buddy" all the way 'round. Probably more like grudging acceptance.
I didn't mean to imply sexual interest on Jade's part, or any pending romance. I was only saying that Doc is so clueless in that area, he really didn't know how to react to that kiss on the cheek or what it might mean.
Though given that the TV Loveless had a normally-heighted female partner -- who was played by Loveless actor Michael Dunn's wife -- and I linked you to the first Wild Wild West episode to illustrate the flavor I was going for, it did occur to me you might intend Jade for a similar role. But a player quickly learns not to second-guess the GM if he hopes to survive. :o)
Personally, I'm watching to see what happens between Ben and Mal. I think there's some real (deadly) potential there. If they don't kill each other first.
Anyway, this game is very "organic" so I guess we'll just let things evolve as they will and see what happens between Doc and Jade and Mal and Ben. Who knows, it could be a double wedding. Or a double-barreled shotgun wedding...
Also, if Miss Wen considers Doc "charming," she needs to get out more. :oP
(Trivia: From Wikipedia's entry on the actor who played the first Loveless: "Dunn has been described as a ladies' man with a great deal of charm.")
... the TV Loveless had a normally-heighted female partner -- who was played by Loveless actor Michael Dunn's wife...
Okay, when I screw up I admit it, plus I don't want to spread misinformation. The above statement is incorrect. Antoinette in the TV show was played by Phoebe Dorin, a singer/actress he met in an off-broadway show and who became his performing partner. He married Joy Talbot -- a model or burlesque dancer depending on who you believe -- but that ended in divorce after a few years.
Doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but setting the record straight was important to me. Thanks for your indulgence, and I'll double-check my facts next time! :o/
Trivia: Dunn is credited with saving Dorin's life, diving underwater to tear her free when her costume got entangled in machinery used to sink a boat during the filming of one of the episodes.
Yet another great post, Mal!
But have we lost Leland?
Not lost, just busy. Things should settle down shortly.
Just assume Leland has been about doing some shopping and will be on the train when it is ready to depart.
Whew! Glad to hear it!
Speaking of being busy, I'm going to be pretty busy this weekend, so I may not get to post.
Weekends are always pretty bad for me, it seems. :(
Just checking in. I am not dead, despite my current employers attempts to rectify that fact. I hope to get posts in tomorrow.
"BTDT" -- hang in there, buddy!
At the risk of emulating the fat kid who never gets picked and winds up on a team by default, I say y'all should call dibs and pair off however you want, and Doc will take what he gets. (I'm thinking who's where may be important later, and if nothing else it's potential RP fodder.)
Normally he'd pick Leland, but given Doc's promise and his disinterest in everyone else, other than trying to finagle a room to himself he's not going to express a preference.
Trivia: Whoa, "mind=blown." I just discovered that Miguelito translates loosely to "he who is like a little God."
So frickin' apropos for Doc! :o)
EDIT: I just re-read the description and caught that their are eight cabins, not four, so I deleted a couple of sentences that didn't apply.
I don't mind who I bunk with, either. I'll get a post up soon, busy day.
Trivia: Whoa, "mind=blown." I just discovered that Miguelito translates loosely to "he who is like a little God."
Oh, yeah - Adding -ito to a word/name makes it 'small' / affectionate. Like "gato" is cat but "gatito" is kitty. Miguel is the Spanish form of Michael, the Archangel in the Christian bible.
It would probably be closer to "little one who is like God". But that's all relative.
Nice touch, Doc, with snapping at the gnome fan boy. Cool moment.
Yep. And I found several references that indicated Miguel has both Persian and Hebrew connections, and that Miguel/Michael translates to "¿Quien como Dios?"/"Who is like God?"
Add the diminutive and switch from interrogative to declarative, and it is just so Doc. :o)
I've only dabbled in Spanish, so I'll defer to the more learned among us as to the precise translation. Either one works for The Loveless. :o)
Thanks for the kind words, GM. I figure he's tired, guilt-ridden, bothered that so many lost their lives for no reason, convinced he could have done something better/different... and believes there are many advantages to staying out of the limelight. So the whole hero-worship thing is really grating on him. Especially at the moment.
It might be a day or so before I can get up a real post, things aren't going well. DMPC me as necessary.
:o( You okay there, Mal? Anything I can do to assist?
I'll be okay, thanks. Might just be a bit more infrequent over the next weeks. Working on one now, though.
This isn't particularly important, but what is Alistair's race? I thought it'd been stated, but I skimmed over the story and didn't spot anything explicit. Thanks!
I assumed he was human, but I don't remember it actually being said.
Yep. Human. I probably skipped over it. But that's because, unlike some people here, I don't see race. ;-)
No, seriously. That was my bad.
Ben would like to say no, but he's awfully tempted by all that shiny shiny coin. In other words, how do the rest of you feel about this mission?
DM: What was Vincente known for, exactly?
Mal won't commit to anything without more information. It seems to me that it's likely there will be more to it than whatever he actually tells us, but I'm not signing up without knowing what it actually may entail.
Yeah, I think it's a little early to say one way or the other; we need more information. But I can tell you that Doc's going to ask some pointed questions. He's highly skeptical/suspicious.
Though I'm guessing that describes all of us...
Basically, though Mal's even more suspicious now. She's all for killing others, but this feels more like a suicide run. It also should be of no surprise to anyone that Mallory loathes magic because she fears / doesn't understand it.
Ahahahahaha! Red Rum! Red Rum!
...ahem. Sorry.
It also should be of no surprise to anyone that Mallory loathes magic because she fears / doesn't understand it.
Just remember: "Most magic tricks are easy, once you know the secret." -- Marshall Brodien
"You always need a gnome. Wouldn't leave home without one."
HAH! High five! (Or as high a five as a gnome can manage, anyway...)
Well, I'm willing to take the bait, or not, whatever the rest of you guys want to do. I'm bendy that way. *grin*
Doc will need convincing, perhaps even some arm-twisting. But don't assume that's how the player feels. I'm cool with it; sounds exciting, in fact.
On a related note, what's up with all the gnome hatred from you two 'slingers? Doc I can see -- especially from you Ben -- but such an even-tempered, lovable soul as Leland?
I'm putting it down to tallfolk insecurity. Y'all are just unnerved that we saved your butts, and lashing out is your compensation mechanism. ;o)
Arm twisting, you say? You're wish is my command. I'll get back to you.
Hmm, you're right, Doc. Ben should have included Mal in his inner diatribe, not to mention Gulch and his lackeys (sorry, Porter). His greed is an equal opportunity other-hater. *g*
Not that he actually hates any of you, even Mr. Gulch - he doesn't know you well enough for that. Other-disliker just doesn't have that same ring to it.
Arm twisting, you say? You're wish is my command. I'll get back to you.
Hey now, that wasn't an invitation!
Besides, what happened to that whole "I put a bunch of plot bunnies out there and let the players choose which ones to pursue" thing? :op
Not that he actually hates any of you, even Mr. Gulch - he doesn't know you well enough for that.
Give it time. :oD
Though I have this weird expectation that Ben and Doc will eventually be pretty tight. Not that either of them will likely ever admit it.
Sorry guys, things have been getting worse. I'll try to have a post up tomorrow.
Do what you can and don't sweat it, Mal. Real life comes first.
I'm a bit swamped, too. Which is a problem considering I'm the DM. So relax, Mal.
On a related note, what's up with all the gnome hatred from you two 'slingers? Doc I can see -- especially from you Ben -- but such an even-tempered, lovable soul as Leland?
I didn't intend it this way, but it has worked out such that so far it just seems like Mal kind of hates men. Ben and the Doc are both growing on her, though.
Isn't it great (and a little eerie) when a PC takes on a life of its own and goes in directions you never imagined? :o)
Isn't it great (and a little eerie) when a PC takes on a life of its own and goes in directions you never imagined? :o)
I think that's most of the fun. Having a character grow and change as they adapt to the things that happen to them, to what they see and experience, it's what I truly love about games like this.
Ben has earned some points with her for saving her life, because actions are important, but he's still a pretty shifty individual. I expect these relationships to kind of ebb and flow. Like you mentioned, Loveless, it's unlikely that Ben and Doc would ever admit to being tight. I think trust is a very hard thing to come by in this world, and that it's likely that it won't always be a stable or sure thing between all of us.
It's likely that Mal herself will put off Doc more than she already has - from what we've seen she has no problem with stealing, using people, or lying. He on the otherhand seems considerably more genuine. Whether she'll find this endearing or annoying remains to be seen, but I suspect as a learned individual he may find fault with some of her actions / attitudes.
I haven't had much interaction with Leland, which I'm hoping to rectify soon.
[Doc] on the otherhand seems considerably more genuine. ...I suspect as a learned individual he may find fault with some of her actions / attitudes.
Well, "genuine" is accurate in that he's forthright and speaks from the heart. On the other hand, he tries to maintain an air of courtliness rather than telling you what he really thinks.
For example, thanks to his history he pretty much loathes "tallfolk." But he knows better than to condemn one person for another's deeds, so he does his best to be civil (until he decides you aren't worthy of that). In that sense, he's not "genuine" at all, heh... but at least it's a well-intentioned falseness.
As for finding fault with your actions, he's a borderline megalomaniac, so he's almost always right. :o) Which means everyone else is usually wrong. ;o) But that's just constant background noise he manages to ignore. Needless destruction of property or loss of life, thievery without a plan or justification... you'll garner his ire in matters of that nature.
The flip side is that he respects both intelligence and skill. Mal and Ben may not be the sharpest knives in the drawer, but you've both proven that you're very good at what you do. That goes a long way with him.
And I should mention he's not above lying, cheating, stealing or worse himself. Sometimes the end justifies the means.
I think the important thing to keep in mind about Doc is that, as Wikipedia puts it, "He is... brilliant (though insane)... a mad scientist... megalomaniac." I'm toning that down a bit so he's playable in a group, but that's essentially him. Point being, don't expect him to be totally predictable.
He is Chaotic Neutral, after all. :o)
You kids are adorable, you know that. Post coming soon. I've had a weirdly busy week.
Ray, concerning Mr. Gulch's most recent maneuver:
Besides, it would annoy the Doctor. A man had to take his pleasures where he could.
Golden. :o)
Psst! Hey Mr. GM, check your PM inbox! :o)
Ditto. :-)