[MLP] Roleplaying is Magic: The Broken Road.

[BlasTech]

"Ahead is life and its longing,
Its trial, its trouble, its sorrow,
Beyond is the Infinite Morning
Of a day without a tomorrow."


Roleplaying is Magic: The Broken Road

This is the recruitment of character thread for MLP RiM: The Broken Road. The game will start when everyone is ready.

As a foreword, this will be only the second PbP I’ve GM’d for, although I have played several as a PC. Consequently, there will likely be a few teething issues, so please bear with me but also please feel free to let me know if you have any concerns or issues with how things are going.

Players:

Balmas - Dive Bomb (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13979818&postcount=162)
One Tin Pony - Grease Spot (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=13982161&postcount=164)
Amish Pirate - Crown Cork (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14288744&postcount=550)
Ravian - Soot (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=14019620&postcount=191)

IC thread is HERE (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=257960)
IC thread number two is HERE (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=279761)

OOC thread number two is HERE (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15350632#post15350632)


The Tone

"What's the tone of this PbP?" is a question I get asked alot. Despite the rather melencholy music and OP poem, this RP is not intended to be "dark" or "grimdark", but rather a tale of journeys and exploration that sits one or two steps above the show in terms of maturity. It may indeed be "sad" but only in the sense that being away from home can be sad.

I personally am aiming for a level similar to that of the fics "Dangerous Business", "One last quest" and "Off the Edge of the Map" (particularly the last one).

If you haven't read these, the best analogy I can think of is LOTR without Sauron or the Orcs. A general rule is no blood. Broken bones are a rarity. But the characters do need to consider "serious" issues like lack of food, shelter, and exposure.

House Rules:

One post a day minimum is ideal. Doesn't have to be a good post, just keep the ball moving. Three days is the upper limit unless you have a reason, after which point your character will revert to GM/communal control until you return. If you have any long absences coming up please let us know.

Feel free to exchange as many IC posts as you want without my input. I'll keep conversations, small talk and minor events going even if only one person is online, but nothing important or any scene transitions will happen without everyone getting a chance to weigh in. I will do my best to make sure no one gets left behind.

If the group splits up, each thread will happen at its own rate until the group re-unites. For players waiting for others to 'catch up', it's easy to kill time in a PBP with conversation.

Other Rule changes:

Willpower does not regain through rest or by spending XP. The only way to regain willpower is through embodying your guiding element of harmony or by rolling a critical success on a Special Talent. This may restore multiple points if the action is sufficiently meaningful.
All Colts and Fillies will gain a bonus 1xp each time XP is granted, this is similar to, and stacks with, the Earth Pony racial “Quick Learner”.
Foals suck, you probably don’t want to be a foal.
Unicorn and Earth Pony racial attribute bonuses have been modified (See below)
Laughter and Loyalty Elemental affinities have been switched (See below)
No dragons, the dragonheart mechanics are still a mess. A provisional “maybe” to other races as all will have to be houseruled and balanced.
Rules on Second Winds and Inspiring Faith have been changed (See below)


Posting Format:

Posting is generally handled in one of two methods, depending on the type of action going on;

Narrative mode is for the general RP aspects of the story. In this mode, conversations and things proceed at a slower pace. E.g. Walking around town.

Cinematic mode is for the “action scenes” and generally involves a more structured turn order (GM’s and players). This is normally only enacted when the party is in combat or facing time constraints. E.g. Fighting a manticore or rescuing ponies from a rising river.

In these scenes, the GM will take first turn; typically by introducing the trigger for Cinematic mode. This will kick off a series of “reactive” checks as players defend themselves from the hazard, and “active” checks as they then respond in kind. Player turns happen collectively in response to GM actions.



Task Checks:

All task checks are resolved by rolling a D20 and adding appropriate modifiers against a GM determined DC. Typically, excluding resistance checks, all checks will use Body, Mind or Heart as a base. Resistance checks use the corresponding secondary attribute.

For Roleplaying is Magic, the rules operate as follows;

Exceeding the DC of a task results in a success. If the player beats the DC by a significant margin, the GM may incorporate additional benefits.
Meeting or barely failing the DC may still result in a partial success.
A natural 1 or 20 results in an automatic critical fail or success as appropriate. (This may be modified by character traits.)
Spending a point of willpower provides a bonus of your current willpower score to a roll. (e.g. a character with 7 willpower, can get a +7 bonus by spending a point of willpower. The next time he does so it is +6 etc.)
XP may be spent to boost a specific roll (2xp for a +3 bonus, 3xp for a +6). Literally using life’s lessons to help you achieve success.


This is a bit difficult for an online game because it means that you can't roll unilaterally. That's as much a feature as a bug, though, so it stays. When you intend to make something a contest, include at the bottom of your post a box like;

[McLegitimate is trying to convince the Guard to leave his post by bluffing an emergency; Heart (5) + Con artist (2) + Quick Talking (4) gives an 11 bonus to the roll].

I'll then respond with a post along the lines of [Given how dodgy you look, -2 penalty to the roll. DC is 20.]. Only then do you roll the dice; if you achieve a success feel free to narrate the nature of your victory (within reason).

An alternate way to handle this is to narrate the success but leave the ultimate outcomes vague. Continuing the example above, the PC could narrate the guard swallowing the bluff and walking off. If the DC was beaten significantly, I may have him take the rest of his squad with him or drop some additional information about shift times before he leaves. Or you can just narrate the lie itself and I’ll handle the effects.

Also note that once you've committed to an action, you can't back out if the penalties or DC are higher than you'd expect. If you spend a little while talking to a guard and get his measure you might be able to make an assessment of how high the DC may be, but you might not always have the luxury of time.

I'm sure you lot will be honest with your dice rolls. The use of the forum dice roller is not necessary, but do tell me the outcomes so I can determine critical/partial successes.

Special Mechanic: Harmony Bonuses

A big mechanic in RiM is the ability of friends to help a given PC with a task check (up to a +15 bonus). Typically, for this bonus to apply, the other players must use their action to do nothing except assist the pony in question. This takes one of two forms depending on whether we are in Narrative or Cinematic mode.

In Narrative mode; the player assisting must have collaborated prior to the check in order to add their bonus (e.g. by assisting with the players disguise, providing words of encouragement, setting up the party etc etc.)

In Cinematic mode; the player assisting need only offer physical or emotional encouragement during their turn.

As an added bonus, when friends are assisting a Unicorn pony in improvising a spell, they can each spend a willpower point to allow the Unicorn temporary access to one additional magical aspect for each friend assisting them.

Special Mechanic: Second Winds and Restoring Faith

If a character is sidelined due to a secondary attribute falling to zero, they have a once per scene ability to revive themselves through gaining a second wind. When used, they pick a secondary attribute to focus on, this increases by the lowest of the contributing body/mind/heart scores (or highest if the attribute is in tune with their guiding element).

Continuing on from the value of teamwork, characters may also inspire faith in a sidelined teammate by spending a point of willpower. Functionally this works the same, although the encouraging pony’s guiding element is used for reference.

Elemental affinities are;
Courage: Honesty, Laughter
Fortitude: Kindness, Generosity
Energy: Loyalty, Magic

Bolded elements have been switched.

Additional Houserule for Second Winds/Inspiring Faith

Cinematic Mode
During Cinematic Mode, each player has one Second Wind for free. Players may also Inspire Faith to another player by spending a point of willpower.

Narrative Mode
Second Winds do not function during Narrative Mode. Once per game day, a player may Inspire Faith in a teammate by spending a point of willpower. This is in addition to the limits for Cinematic Mode.

Other Setting/Game Notes


The Setting

I don’t want to give away too much about the initial hooks for the story, suffice to say that the story is very much a “walk the world” one, and that the characters will be spending a significant amount of time in various nations outside Equestria. The world is largely drawn from the “Where the World Ends” wiki, although I reserve the right to make changes. (Think of the Wiki as the university textbook version of what is actually out there; a good guide, but it may not be 100% up to date or accurate)

A world map is here:
http://mashupforge.com/929/j6qC50FQVTWO6fFxG3s2gyKdbvvz4p/#x=-5.96575367&y=1.75781250&z=2

Technology

Technology levels are generally low fantasy, particularly with the less magical races (e.g. Gryphons, Zebra, Camels etc). “Modern” Equestrian tech is the exception, running primarily on magical energy rather than electricity. Gunpowder exists and is used for fireworks as in the show, but some other races (primarily the less magical ones) make use of primitive firearms and explosives too.

Skills vs Jobs

Conceptually, a Job is a suite of skills related to carrying out a task. While fairly general, there are limits as to how wide a Job can be; e.g. Science is too broad a subject, but Chemist is fine. In thinking of these, one may consider a job to be the equivalent of a university degree.

Skills are typically narrower in focus and, using the above analogy of university, may be considered as individual subjects in a given course. Here, Chemistry would be too broad, but Potions Mixing or Herbology would be appropriately specific.

As the rules are intentionally vague on this front, feel free to constantly ask OOC questions here. PLEASE do so. The whole idea of this thread is to workshop these issues out ahead of gameplay.

In game - You can also get a lot of free information without making rolls based on your character sheet - someone with relevant skills or talents will get free information by asking (e.g. skills related to politics will provide additional detail on international affairs).

Spells

Spell creation is intentionally vague. Typically a good spell accomplishes a distinct task, but can be applied to multiple (but not all) different situations. “Start a fire” is an appropriate spell task, “Start a campfire” would be too narrow. “Create Heat” might be too broad, because you could do this underwater, in space etc.

XP:

XP will be provided every time the party rests at the end of a day.

You will get XP every time
- You do something dangerous.
- You complete a quest or help somebody.
- You can articulate a lesson learned. (Letter to the Princess style!)
- A flaw, if you have any, causes problems for you.

You will also get additional XP based on finishing scenes, overcoming challenges, or exceptional roleplaying. Largely, PC’s will have similar XP totals with differences coming from racial/age modifiers and flaws.

Some things cannot be immediately purchased with XP. These are typically traits and abilities where a character spontaneously developing them would not make narrative sense; e.g. jobs, skills, pets.

In such circumstances, some narrative justification will need to be given for this to be applicable. E.g. Levelling up your bargaining skill by quickly discussing tricks of the trade with a merchant would be sufficient.

XP costs summary:
Increase a primary attribute 10 xp

Increase a pegasus flying skill ability 5 xp
Learn a new Magical Aspect 5xp
Learn or increase a new spell (Highest of spell difficulty or new spell level) xp

New Job 10 xp
Increase a job (New level + 2) xp

New Skill 5 xp
Increase a skill (New level) xp

New Talent 15 xp (page 38-40 for talents)

New ability 5-20 xp depending on the ability (See page 104-108)

Music:

Cribbing off of Thanqol’s use of music suggestions, I had a few myself for this one, largely instrumental;

Under the Stars (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOf78z3Hi4U)
Guild Wars Factions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I17ZUalbY9s)
The Crystal Chamber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tx783Z5gso)
Christmas Star (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnPXVpgHEKk")

I Will Always Return ("http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bba8fqQs_pk)

PMV for the heck of it.

Geopolitics:
Equestria itself continues to prosper despite the attack by Discord last year and the Changeling invasion of Canterlot three months ago. The news of these incidents is only well known in Ponyville and Canterlot respectively, and has not had much time to spread beyond the borders of Equestria except in distorted rumours.

On the flip side, Equestrians are relatively insular and, as such, are not fully aware of what has been happening in other nations. The only exceptions are the Gryphons, the Buffalo and the Gildedale Ponies due to their proximity to Equestria’s borders.

Gildedale, a previously isolated nation of Earth Ponies to the northwest, has begun opening relations with Equestria. They’ve even taken the unprecedented steps of allowing Unicorns and Pegasi limited access to their lands (previously these ponies were not welcome except on official diplomatic business). When asked, they only respond that it is “due to services rendered” by some nameless Equestrians.

Rumour has been flying in Canterlot about the state of affairs in the Gryphon Kingdom following the recent death of King Guntram. These range from whispers of a potential invasion of Equestria, to an orderly transition of power to one of the three ruling Jarls. So far, the Princesses appear unconcerned.

By contrast, the Buffalo have been improving relations with Equestria after the land dispute at Appleloosa. Although they remain proudly traditional, they have begun offering hospitality and guides to Equestrian travellers who wish to see the frontier.

Public knowledge on other races is very limited and can be summarised thusly;

Zebra are spooky
Boars are mean
Dragons are scary
Camels are tricky
Deer are friendly
Elk are haughty
Never heard of the rest of them.


Topics for Discussion:

Home and Hearth

A big part of this RP is going to be the effects of being removed from your homes and it is going to be a long time before you see either house or family once again. As such, I think it vital that each player give sufficient thought to what exactly it is that they are leaving behind, even if they don’t know it in character yet.

Some questions for the PC’s; What is your family like, do you have parents, siblings, spouses or children? Where were you born and raised, what was growing up like for you? What may your character have taken for granted that it may miss? What are some things that will make you homesick? Has your character travelled much or been away from home for any significant time before? If so, did they correspond with anyone? What are your social connections like in the place where your character lived?

These are the things that are going to motivate your character throughout this RP. Getting them sorted out beforehand will hopefully ‘ground’ their goals and help provide a framework for how they may approach problems.

Group Dynamics

This game is going to start with an introductory scene in Canterlot, however your characters may not be from in town or may never have met before. There will be a brief opportunity for you to have some initial discussions before you’re all going to be dumped far from home by circumstance and left to fend for yourselves.

Initially, survival and the communal drive to get home are going to be the main causes for party cohesion. However, once immediate needs are met, your characters need a legitimate reason to stay together rather than striking off in opposite directions the moment they find civilisation again. I would much prefer it if the party had this strength because they were actual friends and genuinely cared for each other rather than relying too much on the bonds of shared hardship. You don't have to get along all the time, but you have to be a coherent group.

I also do not trust this to happen smoothly without assistance, so I'd very much like you to work out your party dynamic before the game starts. What will your characters think of the others, and how will they interact? How do their skills complement each other?

Once the introduction is completed, there will be opportunity to get to know each other and befriend one another. But having some ways of slotting the team together worked out beforehand will make the whole thing go much more easily.

Summary of Races for character creation.

Earth Pony
Foal: 1 Attribute Point, 10 xp,
Filly/Colt: 2 Attribute Points, 35 xp
Mare/Stallion: 3 Attribute Points, 60 xp

+1 to Body, +2 to Heart

2 Talents
2 Job Points
(1.5 x Mind) Skill Points

NB: Racial abilities discount all XP costs by 1, even during character creation. (Min 1 xp)
Unicorn
Foal: 1 Attribute Point
Filly/Colt: 2 Attribute Points, 25 xp
Mare/Stallion: 3 Attribute Points, 50 xp

+1 to Heart, +2 to Mind

2 Talents
1 Job Point
(Mind) Skill Points
(Mind) Magic Aspect, +Telekinesis
(2 x Mind) Spell Points
Pegasus
Foal: 1 Attribute Point
Filly/Colt: 2 Attribute Points, 25 xp
Mare/Stallion: 3 Attribute Points, 50 xp

+1 to Mind, +2 to Body

Aerobatics = Body
Weathercraft = Mind
Add Heart to Either Aerobatics or Weathercraft
2 Talents
1 Job Point
(Mind) Skill Points

Here is an example starting pony
Name: Big Bang
Race: Unicorn Pony Stallion
Job: Chemist
Guiding Element: Generosity
Special Purpose/Cutie Mark: Improving ponies through SCIENCE/An explosion


Mind: 6
Body: 3
Heart: 1


Energy (MB): 9
Courage (MH): 7
Fortitude (BH): 4
Willpower (MBH): 10/10

Talents: Smart, Creative.
Abilities: Capable Companion – A pet monkey.
Jobs: Chemist (5)
Skills: First Aid (3), Cleaning (1), Cooking (1), Public Speaking (3), Painting (1).
Flaws: Fraidy Pony

Prime Effects: Telekenesis
Magical Effects: Diminish, Reveal
Magical Subjects: Heat, Energy, Plant, Body

Known Spells:
Dampen Fire (Diminish, Heat) (8 ranks); Instant, Line of Sight – Difficulty 3
Absorb Energy (Diminish, Energy) (2); Persistent, Self – Difficulty 4
Locate Energy Source (Reveal, Energy) (1); Concentration, Area – Difficulty 3
Analyse Plant (Reveal, Plant) (2); Concentration, Contact – Difficulty 1

XP spend;

+1 to Mind (10xp)
Capable companion (10xp)
+4 to Job (18 xp)
+1 to Analyse plant (2 xp)
+2 to First Aid (5xp)
+2 to public speaking (5xp)

Total; 50xp

Bio; Big Bang is a mad scientist pony with a pet monkey, what more is there to know?

[BlasTech]

A full list of rules can be found here: http://www.mlprim.com/s2e/

The Where the World Ends wiki is located here: http://wtwe.wikia.com/wiki/Where_the_World_Ends_Wiki

(Take this wiki as a guide, but not gospel law)

Ponychat IRC is located here: http://client02.chat.mibbit.com/?channel=%23ponythread&server=irc.sorcery.net

Gameplay Cheat Sheet:

Task check modifiers
- Primary Attribute
- Job
- Skill
- Spell Level
- Equipment 1/2/4 (Categories: Item/Device/Equipment/Location/Vehicles)
- Harmony
- Willpower (Current WP before spend)
- Experience (2xp +3, 3xp +6)
- Dice Roll (Talent Roll again, Special purpose add 50%)
- NB: Talent negates a critical fail, but results in a roll of 1.

Magic Guide
List of Magical Aspects
Effects
Animate
Combine
Deceive
Diminish
Forge
Modify
Reveal
Separate

Prime Effects
Channel Friendship (Restricted)
Move the Heavens (Restricted)
Telekinesis

Subjects
Air
Animal
Body
Construct
Earth
Energy
Force
Heat
Light
Magic
Mind
Plant
Sound
Space
Time
Water
Weather

Note
The Magical Aspects a character knows, and the Spells a character knows, do not have to be related. Known Magical Aspects allow a character to improvise magic, giving them flexibility in spellcasting; whereas known spells allow a character to practice magic more safely, and develop specific uses of magic, giving them stability and power. In terms of classic fantasy roleplaying, a Unicorn Pony is both a ‘Wizard’ and a ‘Sorcerer.

Spell Difficulty Modifiers
Aspects

Each aspect used: Difficulty +1

Range

Contact (Touch/Self): Difficulty +0
Amniomorphic (Line of Sight): Difficulty +1
Spectacle (Area): Difficulty +2

Duration

Concentration: Difficulty -1
Instant: Difficulty +0
Temporary (1 scene max): Difficulty +1
Persistent (Until cancelled): Difficulty +2

Spell Creation

Decide on a task to be done
Decide on appropriate aspects to be used (minimum one subject and effect)
Pick Range/Duration
Calculate difficulty (This is minimum xp to learn spell and minimum mind score to safely cast)

Improvising a Spell

Follow the Spell Creation guide using only Aspects that the Character knows.
Cast the Spell, this costs one point of Willpower.
The character then "forgets" the spell, needing to repeat this process to cast it again.


Spell Failures
Known

If a known spell fails, compare the difficulty of the spell to the mind score of your character;
If the difficulty is lower, then nothing bad happens, the spell just fizzles.
If the difficulty is higher, then the spell fizzles but the character loses a point of willpower.
If the spell critically fails (roll of 1), then the character loses a point of Willpower and suffers an additional negative effect in relation to the botched spell.

Improvised

If an improvised spell fails, lose a point of Energy, and Willpower equal to the difficulty of the spell
If an improvised spell critically fails, lose the above Energy and Willpower and be prepared for magical mishap shenanigans.


Talents

Generally, if a talent applies to a given roll, the PC may roll again and use the higher of the two results. Talents also negate the negative effects of a critical failure, but still result in a roll of 1 (you don't get to roll again). Multiple applicable talents do not stack. The list of talents is;


Strong
Tough
Fast
Agile
Wary
Smart
Adaptable
Creative
Charismatic
Sensitive
Willful
Tireless

[SiuiS]

Wow, man. That Is a heck of a first post!

I'll reserve full posting or input from other ponies, but I am considering maybe using Thistle, probably with just the Pegasus rules.

Any ideas from the rest of you on what you'll play?

[One Tin Soldier]

Well, I'm still interested. Especially since I just started reading Dangerous Business.

I was thinking of playing a mechanic named Grease Spot. Originally I wanted her to be an earth pony, though given the magical nature of technology a unicorn might be better. On the other hoof, it might be fun to have an earth pony well versed in magical theory.

And I agree, that is an awesome first post.

[BlasTech]

Thanks guys, hope it was worth the wait.

I'm trying to condense or summarise as much as I can from the RiM rulebook into the OP and 2nd post above, look for updates as the OOC thread progresses. Kinda hoping we can get one of each type of pony, if only for equality's sake. :smalltongue:

You'll have to tell us more about Thistle, Siuis (She's a gryphon right?). I'm happy for her to either use the base pegasus stats or to have a slightly modified template. One I saw on the RiM forums gave Gryphons higher base attributes than Pegasi, but in exchange meant they couldn't manipulate weather as well.

Anywhoo, I think the bigger issue at hand/hoof/talon would be working on her backstory. The WtWE Wiki (http://wtwe.wikia.com/wiki/Where_the_World_Ends_Wiki) might help or hinder in that regard, there's plenty of backstory in there on Gryphons to either leverage off or work around.

Anyway, I'll be on the IRC (http://client01.chat.mibbit.com/?channel=%23ponythread&server=irc.sorcery.net) as often as I can if anyone wants to chat. Or hit me up via PM.

[Balmas]

Well, I'm in. I'll just need to draw up some stats for Dive Bomb.

Here's what I have so far for his backstory:

(Mostly irrelevant due to new updated version)

Pegasus
Cloudsdale native
Intense desire to learn everything, prompted by seeing Sonic Rainboom and asking himself what caused it. (Depending on what time period we're working in, it could have been either the young flyer's competition or RD's first.)
Some skill with Chemistry and improvised explosives
Acts kind of like Twilight Sparkle pre-ponyville: Studious, devoted, and socially awkward. Part of that is arrogance, some of it is inexperience.
Guiding Element: Laughter. He's a bit goofy, but the way he sees it, life is easier with a smile, especially when others smile with you.

[TheAmishPirate]

Augh. My common sense tells me joining another PbP is a bad idea. But at the same time, you've described the setting using some of my favorite ponyfics of all time. And it's just one post per day minimum...

I need to give this some thought, look over the rules a little, then I think I can get a solid yes/no on this.

[One Tin Soldier]

Well, I'm in. I'll just need to draw up some stats for Dive Bomb.

Here's what I have so far for his backstory:


Pegasus
Cloudsdale native
Intense desire to learn everything, prompted by seeing Sonic Rainboom and asking himself what caused it. (Depending on what time period we're working in, it could have been either the young flyer's competition or RD's first.)
Some skill with Chemistry and improvised explosives
Acts kind of like Twilight Sparkle pre-ponyville: Studious, devoted, and socially awkward. Part of that is arrogance, some of it is inexperience.
Guiding Element: Laughter. He's a bit goofy, but the way he sees it, life is easier with a smile, especially when others smile with you.


It's set 3 months after the Changeling invasion.

As for Grease Spot:

Her Special Purpose is keeping the world running smoothly, represented by her cutie mark of an oil can
Practical and hardworking, enjoys simple pastimes
Very rarely seen without her saddle/toolbags
Befriends her regular customers (which is most of them since machines are so rare)
Canterlot native, lives with her brother (an artist). Parents have retired, moved to a nearby small town (maybe Ponyville?) along with her sister.
No steady relationships, though there are a couple stallions she's got her eye on. Her parents nag her about this.
Mare age group


Since you said to think of what our characters have at home, I cooked up a couple of things. I would prefer to have her be friends with at least one of the other characters. Dive Bomb, for example, might have some machinery that she takes care of. In fact, I thought of the concept after you said you were interested in playing a scientist pony.

[BlasTech]

Yesssss. Yesssss. Let the character collaboration flow through you!

Not in relation to anything you guys have said, but just pointing out that it would be good if at least one person went down the Heart-focused route. As this is MLP, beating something over the head is only one of three ways to defeat an obstacle, and is often the least effective. (RD vs dragon anyone?)

Heck, if the Mare in the Moon taught us anything it's that you can be a fashion designer and chances are you'll come across a metrosexual sea serpent before too long. :smallbiggrin:


Augh. My common sense tells me joining another PbP is a bad idea. But at the same time, you've described the setting using some of my favorite ponyfics of all time. And it's just one post per day minimum...

I need to give this some thought, look over the rules a little, then I think I can get a solid yes/no on this.

Yay! *hugs*

As Thanqol would say. If you want to do something, then you do it. It's not a matter of not having the time, but simply having the mental dicipline to make the time.

Oh also, I'm planning to have some recurring NPC's to accompany the party to overcome an issue with "walk the earth" RP's (namely persistance of characters).

[SiuiS]

Heart is a path worthwhile for two of my three choices, actually. Thistle and Gerry. Gerry would actually be a change of pace for me, so I think a pony engineer is a good idea

Gerry Rig
Earth pony engineer
Competencies: engineering, frat boy socializing
Likes: home improvement, clear routines/duties, opera
Dislikes: philosophy, snake oil
Cutie mark: iron ring
Special talent: applied sciences (mcguyver)

Does this sound like something y'all would be interested in hanging out with? Leader type, strong guy. Pretty swell, home gown.

Alternately, there is Schema, a unicorn lady who likes to take notes an gather info.

Schema
Unicorn pony technician
[i]Competencies:[i] evaluation, abstract thought application
Likes: beer tasting, salsa dancing, cheesy movies
dislikes: keeping one's head down, the tv show Bones
Cutie mark: ???
Special talent: magical scanning and slight minifacturing ability (omnitool)

[Beacon of Chaos]

Just saw this in Ponythread. Kinda sorta maybe interested. I'll need to look over the rules and stuff, but I do want to play in a pony game at some point.

I have no plans or character concepts at the moment, I just wanted to post saying that I'm thinking about it.

[SiuiS]

"And I'll form, the HeadUnicorn!"
Reading over the whole thread again, I have to say I'm liking the idea of bringing Schema into this. She and Divebomb share a love of knowledge, although she will probably find his narrow tastes quaint. Grease spot would be an excellent companion, since she can develop schematics and analyze things, but not really build them. Oh, but the programming end, that she could do!

Blastech, could you link the related fanfics? Blasphemy, I know, but I haven't read them. My browser is finicky. I am going to find them, but bookmarks and such are hard to implement with google docs and all... Or I could try FiMfiction, actually. Hadn't thought of that...

AmishPirate, From what I've seen of Chuck I think you'd be able to make a good fit, but don't stretch yourself too thin. Especially not with that Traveller's Stomach you're rocking over there~

Diego Havoc, Elixer would be an easy insert if you need one. And if we have no dearth of science ponies, I could easily switch in Thistle. She has little ties to the griffon side of her heritage but would open up interesting diplomatic oportunities.

-

Speaking of which, I truthfully have no idea what the setting entails quite yet. You mentioned growing political tensions, but also that Equestria is really insular. So which of the fics should I go for first?

[BlasTech]

Wow, so many initial character concepts. I'm glad you guys are enthusiastic about this, part of me was afraid I'd just get a "meh" reaction from everyone :smallredface:


"And I'll form, the HeadUnicorn!"
Blastech, could you link the related fanfics? Blasphemy, I know, but I haven't read them. My browser is finicky. I am going to find them, but bookmarks and such are hard to implement with google docs and all... Or I could try FiMfiction, actually. Hadn't thought of that...

-

Speaking of which, I truthfully have no idea what the setting entails quite yet. You mentioned growing political tensions, but also that Equestria is really insular. So which of the fics should I go for first?

Here are the three, in the order I recommend you have a look at them.

Off the Edge of the Map (http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/story-off-edge-of-map.html)is the primary inspiration for this PbP and matches almost exactly the tone I'm after for the first act.

Dangerous Business (http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/04/its-dangerous-business-going-out-your.html)is by far the best fic of the three, it's lengthy, but it is very much worth the read. This is the fic that contains the setting for this PbP.

One Last Quest (http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/story-one-last-quest.html)captures part of the tone as well, that of ponies thrust out on a journey against their will, but managing to succeed due to their diverse talents. An Adventurer, a Nurse, a Teacher and a Working Mom all band up to save the world.

---


Couple of notes on the characters proposed so far;

First up, you'll notice this after reading Dangerous Business, but the setting is primarily a fantasy setting and I've noted that the party is forming up to have a very strong science lean. It's far too early to say no to any particular character concept (although Omni Tools will need reworking, and I have not yet seen a TV in Equestria), but I want to make sure we're all on the same page regarding the "Hardness" of science in Equestria.

Remember this is a place which has mythical creatures, ponies who can communicate with animals, literal spirits of chaos, millenia spaning prophecies and magical amplifiers that run on friendship power.

By virtue of the setting, the party is going to have to deal with those things on a regular basis. A Chemist (as we use the term) will have trouble in defeating a rampaging manticore, but a Chemist (In Equestria) would probably be able to use a potion brewed from collected herbs to generate a smokescreen.

A second thing is one that I've already mentioned to Siuis on the IRC; namely that a narrow party focus has both plusses and minuses. The plus being that it's alot easier for this group to get along as friends given the common interests, but the downside being that the party will have less flexibility in dealing with some social or political situations.

I do encourage you to think about the variety of pony professions out there, I mean just within the Mane6 we have a Librarian, a Animal Caretaker, a Party Planner, a Farmer, A Fashion Designer etc etc. There are also chefs, bakers, politicos, philanthropists, entrepeneurs, racers, sculptors, musicians, poets, photographers and so on and so on.

Hope this doesn't discourage anyone, I'm just trying to stoke the ideas fire here. For now, the best things to focus on are the answers to the basic, high level questions;

- What gender and species is my pony
- How old is said pony
- What is said pony's Purpose in life. (This meshes very well with Thanqol's typical "Ideal" for the pony. Try to think of what it is that your pony is striving for. What would an ideal world look like to them? What is the core idea they believe in?)

This last point is both incredibly hard to work out, and key to character creation. We have plenty of time to figure it out, but i strongly encourage you to think hard on this. And maybe to hit up the IRC and catch me so we can bounce ideas.

[One Tin Soldier]

"And I'll form, the HeadUnicorn!"
Reading over the whole thread again, I have to say I'm liking the idea of bringing Schema into this. She and Divebomb share a love of knowledge, although she will probably find his narrow tastes quaint. Grease spot would be an excellent companion, since she can develop schematics and analyze things, but not really build them. Oh, but the programming end, that she could do!

Sounds decent to me, though I'm not sure what part of "Mechanic" translates to "plans but doesn't build." :smalltongue:
Yes, she would need a unicorn to do any spellcasting necessary, and do the actual work with magical components, but I think she could take care of the purely mechanical stuff fine on her own.



Blastech, could you link the related fanfics? Blasphemy, I know, but I haven't read them. My browser is finicky. I am going to find them, but bookmarks and such are hard to implement with google docs and all... Or I could try FiMfiction, actually. Hadn't thought of that...

AmishPirate, From what I've seen of Chuck I think you'd be able to make a good fit, but don't stretch yourself too thin. Especially not with that Traveller's Stomach you're rocking over there~

Diego Havoc, Elixer would be an easy insert if you need one. And if we have no dearth of science ponies, I could easily switch in Thistle. She has little ties to the griffon side of her heritage but would open up interesting diplomatic oportunities.

-

Speaking of which, I truthfully have no idea what the setting entails quite yet. You mentioned growing political tensions, but also that Equestria is really insular. So which of the fics should I go for first?

So is Thistle a hippogriff then?


Well, I'm going to give full character creation a shot, though not with all the skills quite yet. I'll leave some XP to work with, depending on how everybody else is looking.

Grease Spot
Earth Pony Mare
Guiding Element: Generosity
Special Purpose: Keeping the world running smoothly
Cutie Mark: Oil can

Mind: 5
Body: 4
Heart: 3
Energy: 9
Courage: 8
Fortitude: 7
Willpower: 12

Talents: Strong, Sensitive
Jobs: Mechanic 4
Skills: Magical Theory (x)
*
*
-6 initial skill points
Advancements: Toast of the Town (Canterlot)
Extra Talented (Strong)
XP: 40/60 spent

Notable Possessions: Her toolbags, which contain a variety of wrenches, screwdrivers, lubricant, and other tools necessary for her job. She is rarely seen without it.

[SiuiS]

Here are the three, in the order I recommend you have a look at them.

Off the Edge of the Map (http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/story-off-edge-of-map.html)is the primary inspiration for this PbP and matches almost exactly the tone I'm after for the first act.

Dangerous Business (http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/04/its-dangerous-business-going-out-your.html)is by far the best fic of the three, it's lengthy, but it is very much worth the read. This is the fic that contains the setting for this PbP.

One Last Quest (http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/07/story-one-last-quest.html)captures part of the tone as well, that of ponies thrust out on a journey against their will, but managing to succeed due to their diverse talents. An Adventurer, a Nurse, a Teacher and a Working Mom all band up to save the world.

Cool. I'll try to get the reader on this thing working. :)


Couple of notes on the characters proposed so far;

First up, you'll notice this after reading Dangerous Business, but the setting is primarily a fantasy setting and I've noted that the party is forming up to have a very strong science lean. It's far too early to say no to any particular character concept (although Omni Tools will need reworking, and I have not yet seen a TV in Equestria), but I want to make sure we're all on the same page regarding the "Hardness" of science in Equestria.

Remember this is a place which has mythical creatures, ponies who can communicate with animals, literal spirits of chaos, millenia spaning prophecies and magical amplifiers that run on friendship power.

By virtue of the setting, the party is going to have to deal with those things on a regular basis. A Chemist (as we use the term) will have trouble in defeating a rampaging manticore, but a Chemist (In Equestria) would probably be able to use a potion brewed from collected herbs to generate a smokescreen.

A second thing is one that I've already mentioned to Siuis on the IRC; namely that a narrow party focus has both plusses and minuses. The plus being that it's alot easier for this group to get along as friends given the common interests, but the downside being that the party will have less flexibility in dealing with some social or political situations.

I do encourage you to think about the variety of pony professions out there, I mean just within the Mane6 we have a Librarian, a Animal Caretaker, a Party Planner, a Farmer, A Fashion Designer etc etc. There are also chefs, bakers, politicos, philanthropists, entrepeneurs, racers, sculptors, musicians, poets, photographers and so on and so on.

An understandable concern, but also why I'm focusing on Schema. I'll try and clarify;
The likes and dislikes and such are more handles for personality. I think a professional lady, businesslike, who spends her free time salsa dancin, being a beer connoisseur and rolling her eyes at shallow drama, and who happens to be skilled with metaconstruction, is a more in depth character than the initial write up presents. Part of the problem are the specifics, though, so I'll address those.

Technician, as a 'job', I was using as an abstract. To use a D&D reference point, a rogue can be a thief, who picks pockets, locks, and steals, and such, or it could be a chassis with broad technical knowledge, low resilience and decent melee output. In the same way, rather than working at pony MIT, I'd see Schema being a technician in the abstract sense; she analyzes overarching structures to find out how things tick. She can make parts and small fixes, and she can draft plans, but she can't build a machine, or enact. She could get intel and brainstorm but would leave the action up to the rest of the party.

Omnitool was a shorthand because I like the pictures of Quarian ponies. Rather than being a real omnitool, I would give her a spell that creates an omnitool like hologram, and the skill that lets her use her horn as the perfect tool; in the same way Green lantern makes a giant green fist instead of just blasting suckers. It's for fun and aesthetic, not a device I'm stuck on.

Dislikes BONES, is because at a certain level Schema resembles its protagonist. But where Bones is a sociologist who is detached from
Humanity, which is bogus, Schema is more likely to be a parent smiling knowingly at kids, than like a scientist studying some new creature or culture. Dancing, it's a universal component. Bees dance, ponies dance, griffons dance. It's fun, an fits into the social blueprint she has in her head. Schema, schematics; she works easily in the theoretical, but like any dreamer doesn't always do so well on the follow through. Dancing is a success. Sampling the world's cuisine, likewise. But they are both part of conscious life choices, because one day she made a list of things, and developed a blueprint for her future. This included such high-function laws and regulations as how sociology applies to groups and subgroups. The habit of bones to not consider herself a person (or of sociologists in general to discount social notes because they've seen weirder) is silly. It's why Dive Bomb is nice, but misguided. He applies his curiosity to scientific pursuits, as if other avenues were beneath him.

Wow. Considering I made her up two days ago, she's come a long way >_>

Hope this doesn't discourage anyone, I'm just trying to stoke the ideas fire here. For now, the best things to focus on are the answers to the basic, high level questions;



This last point is both incredibly hard to work out, and key to character creation. We have plenty of time to figure it out, but i strongly encourage you to think hard on this. And maybe to hit up the IRC and catch me so we can bounce ideas.

I'll say. Man that is tough. Uh... We will get back to you.


Sounds decent to me, though I'm not sure what part of "Mechanic" translates to "plans but doesn't build." :smalltongue:
Yes, she would need a unicorn to do any spellcasting necessary, and do the actual work with magical components, but I think she could take care of the purely mechanical stuff fine on her own.

Sorry, that was a mistake on my part :smallredface:. I meant;
Grease Spot will be a good friend for schema, because Schema will plan, but not build. Grease spot could build from her plans. They go together like Hoof and Shoe. Make more sense?



So is Thistle a hippogriff then?


Yes! She is a pretty hippogriff too :3


Well, I'm going to give full character creation a shot, though not with all the skills quite yet. I'll leave some XP to work with, depending on how everybody else is looking.

Grease Spot
Earth Pony Mare
Guiding Element: Generosity
Special Purpose: Keeping the world running smoothly
Cutie Mark: Oil can

Mind: 5
Body: 4
Heart: 3
Energy: 9
Courage: 8
Fortitude: 7
Willpower: 12

Talents: Strong, Sensitive
Jobs: Mechanic 4
Skills: Magical Theory (x)
*
*
-6 initial skill points
Advancements: Toast of the Town (Canterlot)
Extra Talented (Strong)
XP: 40/60 spent

Notable Possessions: Her toolbags, which contain a variety of wrenches, screwdrivers, lubricant, and other tools necessary for her job. She is rarely seen without it.


Nice.

Why Generosity? Why not Loyalty (always get the job done. ALWAYS.) or Honesty (doin' a hard day's work is worthwhile in itself), or kindness (no, it's no trouble, we'll have this fixed in a jiffy!)?

Ooh, need to reread that section, but I think I just pegged Schema as Magic.
I'm gonna sleep on it. Right now, it's still fluid, I can change. But if I get attached it will complicate things~

[One Tin Soldier]

An understandable concern, but also why I'm focusing on Schema. I'll try and clarify;
The likes and dislikes and such are more handles for personality. I think a professional lady, businesslike, who spends her free time salsa dancin, being a beer connoisseur and rolling her eyes at shallow drama, and who happens to be skilled with metaconstruction, is a more in depth character than the initial write up presents. Part of the problem are the specifics, though, so I'll address those.

Technician, as a 'job', I was using as an abstract. To use a D&D reference point, a rogue can be a thief, who picks pockets, locks, and steals, and such, or it could be a chassis with broad technical knowledge, low resilience and decent melee output. In the same way, rather than working at pony MIT, I'd see Schema being a technician in the abstract sense; she analyzes overarching structures to find out how things tick. She can make parts and small fixes, and she can draft plans, but she can't build a machine, or enact. She could get intel and brainstorm but would leave the action up to the rest of the party.

Omnitool was a shorthand because I like the pictures of Quarian ponies. Rather than being a real omnitool, I would give her a spell that creates an omnitool like hologram, and the skill that lets her use her horn as the perfect tool; in the same way Green lantern makes a giant green fist instead of just blasting suckers. It's for fun and aesthetic, not a device I'm stuck on.

Dislikes BONES, is because at a certain level Schema resembles its protagonist. But where Bones is a sociologist who is detached from
Humanity, which is bogus, Schema is more likely to be a parent smiling knowingly at kids, than like a scientist studying some new creature or culture. Dancing, it's a universal component. Bees dance, ponies dance, griffons dance. It's fun, an fits into the social blueprint she has in her head. Schema, schematics; she works easily in the theoretical, but like any dreamer doesn't always do so well on the follow through. Dancing is a success. Sampling the world's cuisine, likewise. But they are both part of conscious life choices, because one day she made a list of things, and developed a blueprint for her future. This included such high-function laws and regulations as how sociology applies to groups and subgroups. The habit of bones to not consider herself a person (or of sociologists in general to discount social notes because they've seen weirder) is silly. It's why Dive Bomb is nice, but misguided. He applies his curiosity to scientific pursuits, as if other avenues were beneath him.

Wow. Considering I made her up two days ago, she's come a long way >_>

Sorry, that was a mistake on my part :smallredface:. I meant;
Grease Spot will be a good friend for schema, because Schema will plan, but not build. Grease spot could build from her plans. They go together like Hoof and Shoe. Make more sense?



Yes! She is a pretty hippogriff too :3



Nice.

Why Generosity? Why not Loyalty (always get the job done. ALWAYS.) or Honesty (doin' a hard day's work is worthwhile in itself), or kindness (no, it's no trouble, we'll have this fixed in a jiffy!)?

Ooh, need to reread that section, but I think I just pegged Schema as Magic.
I'm gonna sleep on it. Right now, it's still fluid, I can change. But if I get attached it will complicate things~

Ah, ok, that makes much more sense.Yes, I think the two of them will get along very nicely.

I don't have nearly as much on Grease Spot as you do on Schema, but I was struck by inspiration as to what her family dynamic is like.
She gets along very well with her brother Brush Stroke (obviously, since they're living together even as adults), despite having total opposite professions. She admires his dedication to his craft (art is hard work), and he admires her for similar reasons, as well as generally looking up to his older sister.
Her kid sister, though, really gets on her nerves. Grease thinks that she is irresponsible and spoiled. I actually kinda want to say that her sister is Berry Punch, though I'm leery of being that closely connected to even a fanon character. Either way, the sister is a bit of a party animal, and Grease doesn't really like it.
She's friendly with her parents, with their only real point of contention being their insistence on grandchildren coming soon. I haven't really thought through their personalities, though they were probably craftsponies like their two oldest children.

As for her guiding element, I said Generosity because she's the type of pony to dedicate her life to helping others. After all, somepony's got to keep all those chariots, wagons, and science doohickeys running. But now that you mention it, Loyalty might be a better fit, both loyalty to her job and loyalty to her friends and family. It might come down to a coin toss.

[Ravian]

Umm.. I'd like to play, I mean if that's ok with you...

I've got a character concept

Soot:

Unicorn filly

Grew up an orphan in manehatten, never knowing her real parents
Raised by a group of fellow ponies down on their luck who generally got by with petty thievery
Named for her patchwork grey and black coat that makes her look perpetually filthy (which is usually the case anyway)
Cutie mark is a black cat and special talent is going about unnoticed
Knows a few camouflage magic tricks that help her with her work
Element is kindness having acted as a maternal figure for the others in her group ever since she started becoming the most successful thief of the lot
Used to hardships and generally acts suspicious of those she doesn't know but doesn't try to be unnecessarily cold
Also has a touch of kleptomania, pretty pretty shiny shiny...

So yeah, I know I don't get involved with the threads alot but I was looking for a game that was fairly rp heavy rules light, especially since the playtest I was in decided that it would be better to go full combat. I believe I can keep a daily post going fairly regularly even if every post may not be as big as some.

[BlasTech]

Thanks for all the additional info Siuis. I'll ... well I won't stop panicking, but now I can just panic less :smalltongue:

Got quite a few meetings on this morning, but I'll be on the IRC later this afternoon in case anyone wants to chat. (About 3-4 hours from now)


Umm.. I'd like to play, I mean if that's ok with you...


Hi Ravian, welcome to the ooc thread! ^^

I'll jot you down as a reserve for now if that's okay, at least until Amish and Diego sort out whether they want to play. I'm rather reluctant to increase the number of PC's due to a mix of my inexperience at GM-ing and because I think the smaller player dynamic helps in maintaining the flow of posting at a controlled rate. :smallredface:

[SiuiS]

I'll actually be willing to step out, if needed. I've got four games I'm already invested in, and a fifth they're trying to get me to run, so it's not like I, personally, an in dire need of a pony game. If Ravian wants to play an RP heavy game, this is a perfect go.

I'd still suggest waiting for either Amish or Diego, and that y'all not just post your characters you have done, but also go out of your way to interrelate them. You NEED a dynamic. Games that fail in the firs week are games full of individuals, not a party.

[One Tin Soldier]

I'd still suggest waiting for either Amish or Diego, and that y'all not just post your characters you have done, but also go out of your way to interrelate them. You NEED a dynamic. Games that fail in the firs week are games full of individuals, not a party.

That sounds like a good idea to me. I guess one thing we could do is think about what our characters would like and dislike about each other. (With the dislikes being just as important, if not more, than the likes.) If everyone can be on the IRC it would be much easier. Though I have noticed that we seem to be split between radically different time zones.

Regarding Grease Spot, I was thinking about the science/tech level she's made for, and it occurred to me that a "mechanic" in Equestria wouldn't just work on metal machines the way we think of them. She would also get a ton of work repairing simpler machines, like farming equipment* and carriages. So really, she might be considered somewhere between a blacksmith and a mechanic. Though she prefers working on the more complex machines, so she would refer to herself as a mechanic.
*(Ok, probably not actual farming equipment since she's in Canterlot, but the equivalent type of thing.)

Anyway, I guess I should give a more in-depth description of her personality, so you guys can work off of it. As I already said, she's a hardworking kind of mare. Her tastes are similarly down to earth - she doesn't read anything more fanciful than the occasional romance novel or going to thrilling events like Wonderbolt shows. That's not to say she doesn't have fun - she understands the value of taking a break - but if it's her choice she'd rather chat with a friend over a drink or play a casual game of hoofball. She also tends to avoid extravagance. (Of course, she doesn't always get to decide these things.)
As for the type of pony she likes, she puts great stock in personal responsibility and effort. She likes those who put business before pleasure.

As for her flaws, the obvious one is that she expects everyone around her to have a work ethic as strong as hers. She will often get frustrated with ponies who shirk responsibility, or who spend too much time thinking about things other than what's in front of them. She won't, however, go out of her way to avoid them, so she winds up on their case instead.
She realizes her flaws a little bit, and she knows that in most cases it's none of her business, so she will work with such a pony and even be friends. But she won't just accept their lack of responsibility.

After thinking about this, I have decided to change her Guiding Element from Generosity to Loyalty, and her Sensitive Talent to Adaptable.

Like we said before, I think that Schema would complement Grease Spot pretty well. Though as long as you are planning to stick around, I would like to ask what Schema actually does for a living, since her Technician "job" is more of a personality description.

Right now, I can't see her being all that close to Dive Bomb, given the age gap. I can imagine her pointing out unnecessary risks in an experiment, though. Or encouraging him to come out of his shell by sharing his work with other scientists. But then I'm making assumptions about the character, so...

As for Soot... it's good to see more variety in the character concepts, but the only relationship between her and Grease Spot I can think of is a parental figure/mentor one, which doesn't really fit, nor does it appeal to me.

I'm noticing more fillies and colts than mares and stallions here. It's possible I could adjust her down to that age group to fit the social dynamic and power level. Though I think being older fits her better. *shrug*

...and that post has been long enough...

[BlasTech]

I'd still suggest waiting for either Amish or Diego, and that y'all not just post your characters you have done, but also go out of your way to interrelate them. You NEED a dynamic. Games that fail in the firs week are games full of individuals, not a party.

Yep.

Way I see it is "work out the high concept", then "do word association" then "Conscious and unconcious reactions to teammates". Tweaking all the way.

[One Tin Soldier]

I'm available to chat on the IRC regarding character stuffs now.

[SiuiS]

I am personally waiting for Diego and Amish (and Ravian) to chime in so I know whether I am participating or not.

[BlasTech]

I am personally waiting for Diego and Amish (and Ravian) to chime in so I know whether I am participating or not.

Do you want to play though? :smallredface:

How's the fanfic reading going by the by?

[Balmas]

Right now, I can't see her being all that close to Dive Bomb, given the age gap. I can imagine her pointing out unnecessary risks in an experiment, though. Or encouraging him to come out of his shell by sharing his work with other scientists. But then I'm making assumptions about the character, so...

Well, I've been doing some thinking based off that question: What is your ideal world? Dive Bomb's personality has changed a lot from that; instead of being "Blow stuff up to see how it works," his motivation is more "catalog everything, learn everything, and apply that knowledge to make the world a better place." This is Dive Bomb after he's knocked around a little and has had his edges worn off.

Personality:
Really, all that Dive Bomb wants is to make life easier for other ponies. His drive, his baby, his goal in life, is to one day have a compilation of knowledge so complete and thorough that problems can be diagnosed and prescribed a solution in short order. He's curious about everything and has an intense desire to see all of the world.

It is that desire that led him to leave his home and small pharmacy in Cloudsdale to travel abroad. He's the type of medic who'd take a picture of your fractured leg before, during, and after setting it.

DB comes off as slightly awkward to other ponies. He always has an opinion, but seems to have trouble voicing them. It frustrates him no end to know what he wants to say, but be unable to fully convey it. The only real exceptions to this are when he finds something he's never seen before or when he's dealing with injured ponies.

Skills / Jobs
Dive Bomb has a knack for chemistry, one which he plies two ways: medicine and explosives.

DB uses bombs mostly as entertainment or distractions. He has very few lethal explosives, preferring instead to either run from or talk to problems. The great majority of his IEDs are smoke bombs, noisemakers or sparklers, with three or four sticks of dynamite.

He also keeps small vials of simple cures: headache remedies, flu medicine, pony pox cures, etc.

Stats:

Dive Bomb

Pegasus stallion
Special Purpose: Gather knowledge
Cutie Mark: Blue dictionary with A~Z printed in gold on the cover
Guiding element: Kindness


Body: 3
Mind: 6
Heart: 3

Energy: 9
Courage: 9
Fortitude: 6
Willpower: 12

Talents: Wary, Tireless
Flaw: Clumsy

Job: Chemist 4
Skills: Explosives 3, pharmaceutical medicine 5, Cooking 1
Aerobatics: 5
Weathercraft: 7


Looks: Fairly average Pegasus, though perhaps a bit stockier than normal. Light green coat, navy blue mane.
Personal possessions: a pair of saddlebags not large enough to interfere with his wings—the right bag contains pills, the left one explosives; A notebook stuffed full of information and recipes.

Character Advancement:

Toast of the Town (Cloudsdale): Stallion.
XP spent:

30XP to bump mind +2, heart +1
12 XP: +2 levels of chemistry
5 XP: +1 level of medicine
2 XP: +1 level of explosives


2 XP remaining.

I still have to read those fanfics, though as I just went to college, my schedule may be a little hectic for a week or so.

[SiuiS]

Do you want to play though? :smallredface:

How's the fanfic reading going by the by?

I want to play, but I'm being realistic. I have eight possibilities. Ravian has this one. I am not willing to screw over a friend when I have a glut. That's all. It's not you, it's that I would be happier letting someone take my spot if they want it. Y'know? Wouldn't feel right to be that selfish.

[BlasTech]

I want to play, but I'm being realistic. I have eight possibilities. Ravian has this one. I am not willing to screw over a friend when I have a glut. That's all. It's not you, it's that I would be happier letting someone take my spot if they want it. Y'know? Wouldn't feel right to be that selfish.

Fair nuff. *hugs*



I still have to read those fanfics, though as I just went to college, my schedule may be a little hectic for a week or so.

Nice to see the development going along. I've just been chatting with OTS in the IRC. So if you guys want to join us we can workshop some ideas now.

Regardless, I would like to catch you sometime Balmas for a 1 on 1 chat in the IRC. Preferably sooner than later but no rush if you're busy with college etc.

[One Tin Soldier]

Before I go to bed, I thought I'd record the 5 words to describe Grease Spot that Blas and I cooked up. Efficiency, Frustration, Family, Responsibility, and Flexibility.

[Beacon of Chaos]

I haven't had a chance to read those fanfics. I'll try and have a look at the during my lunch break at work and tonight. I'd rather do that and get a feel for the campaign before I give I definite yes or no. I'm leaning towards yes, though.

[TheAmishPirate]

I'm noticing more fillies and colts than mares and stallions here. It's possible I could adjust her down to that age group to fit the social dynamic and power level. Though I think being older fits her better. *shrug*

...and that post has been long enough...

That might actually be a neat concept for the group dynamic; mostly younger ponies, with one or two playing the surrogate parent-leader types.

And it's that idea that made me remember a little story that I wrote up for some contest of Thanqol's. One that doesn't fit the character archetype that I always play. If the group is mostly fillies/colts, I think he'd make an interesting addition to the cast as mentioned above.

All I've got right now is the story of how he got his cutie mark, but I think there's enough there to not only make a character, but add a little bit to the world too with the family business:
The Cork family had been in the bottled drink business for longer than most ponies cared to remember. The current head of the family, Pop Cork, was a virtuoso of juice; mixing and blending flavors into masterpieces of beverage came to him as easy as breathing. So sure was he that his son would follow in his hoofsteps, that he even named him for the peculiar bottle caps his drink bottles so often used. Crown Cork, as fate would have it, had other ideas. Ever since he could hold a brush, he'd always found a special sort of peace when he was putting paint to paper. And in terms of technical ability, he was a prodigy. Nopony could match his skill for painting exactly the picture he meant to paint. Just one thing kept him from the easel cutie mark he was so sure he deserved. His attention to detail was so meticulous, that he took days to finish what other artists could accomplish in minutes. Ages of practice, practice, and more practice, and he never could manage to improve enough. His flank was still blank.

His father took this failing as a sign from Celestia herself. Why else would his artistry fail, if not to drive the young colt to the family business where he belonged? Despondent from his lack of a cutie mark, Crown soon found himself believing his father's words and took up work putting on the very caps he was named for. The bottled drink business held none of the magic of a paintbrush, but he couldn't turn down the promise of discovering his talent. He likely would've kept on this miserable path, were he a little less clumsy. While forcing on a particularly stubborn cap, Crown managed to nearly bend it in two. He was about to throw it away, when something about about the plain metal cap caught his eye. The way the metal bent, the way it half-caught the sunlight, it ignited an inspiration in him he hadn't felt in ages. Immediately he tore upstairs and grabbed his leftover paints, only to remember he hadn't bought proper paper in months. With no other option, he plucked out his tiniest brush and set to work on the cap itself.

The next morning, when Pop Cork came to check on the latest batch of Sunrise Lemonade, he found an amazing sight. On each and every one of the caps, he saw a miniature portrait of the sun rising above a sparkling lake. And at the end of the hallway, he found his son, sleeping amidst a pile of spilled paints and bottle caps just like the ones adorning his flank.

[Ravian]

finished the stats for Soot (btw thank you SiuiS, I didn't want to take anyone's place but I was keen on participating)

Stats:Soot
Unicorn Filly
Body- 2, Heart-2, Mind 5 (+1 mind from egghead)
Fortitude- 4, Energy- 7, Courage 7, Willpower 9
Cutie Mark: Black Cat
Special Talent: Going unseen and unnoticied
Job: Thief (level 2)
Skills: Stealth 1, Sleight of horn 1(telekinetic pickpocketing), Lockpicking 1, Cooking 1(Somepony needs to keep the others fed and fits the maternal aspect of her backstory)
Talents: Agile, Wary

Magic:
Aspects known: Telekinesis, Animate, Light, Body, Deceive, Diminish, Forge, Reveal (+1 from new magic trick)

Spells known:
Sneak in the Shadows
Level 3
Deceive, Light
Range- Contact, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 3
Soot shrouds the target (usually herself) to make light bend around them, making them invisible to normal sight

Follow the Shiny Light
Level 2
Animate, Forge, Light
Range- Anmiomorphic, Duration- Concentration
Difficulty- 3
Soot conjours a mote of light and direct where it goes

Hush now, Quiet now
Level 2
Diminish, Body
Range- Anmiomorphic, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 4
Soot saps the energy from a target, making them very sleepy

Lights Out
Level 1
Diminish, Light
Range- Spectacle, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 5
Soot coats an area in a blanket of darkness, obscuring everything within

Detect Life
Level 1
Reveal, Body
Range- Spectacle, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 5
Soot is able to sense the locations of sentient creatures in an area, useful to avoid guards, not so much for their dogs

Flaws: Low Society

Element: Kindness

Advancements:
Egghead (+1 Mind) 10 pts,
New Magic Trick 5 pts,
Uplifting Attitude 5 pts,
On-the- Job training (+1 level to thief) 4 pts,

Devices: set of lockpicks, saddlebag

Background:Soot never knew her parents, nopony but an old stallion named Rusty ever took care of her on the mean streets of Manehatten, Rusty named her and taught her a few tricks for a unicorn to go unnoticied. He was there when she got her Cutie Mark by hiding from an angry shop keeper she took a few pastries from. But nopony can live forever and Rusty was an old pony to begin with. Soot never forgot how he treated her like his own and soon found a herself with a gaggle of her own orphans and ponies down on their luck, assuming a sort of matriarchal position among them. She usually gets her family by through odd jobs and a bit of thievery, though she wished there was a way that everypony could live so none had to have less than they needed

Likes:Taking Care of others, Foals, Shiny things and the thrill of a job well done

Dislikes:Suffering, Rich snooty ponies who've never felt what it's like to go hungry, cleanliness

Personality:Often sarcastic but always kind when somepony needs her. Suspicious of those she doesn't know, past experience having taught her that trust must be earned. Quick to protect or stand up for her friends, often in a maternal fashion.

Appearance:Soot looks like she considers a chimney to be a suitable substitute for a shower, which is unfair (she doesn't use anything for a shower). She's not actually that filthy, since her coat is a patchwork of greys, but it is hard to tell what's coat and what's just dirt. Her mane and tail are similarly messy, a light grey with a black streak running through them. Her bright yellow eyes are the only colorful thing about her. She's leaner than most ponies, and generally has an underfed look about her.

[Beacon of Chaos]

Okay, I read Off the Edge of the Map. Brilliant fic, and gives me a good idea of what this is all about.

Character-wise, I think I'll avoid Elixir. I'd like to get a chance to play him, but in my mind he's a seasoned adventurer (perhaps not a great one, but he knows how to fight) and so I'm not sure if he'll fit the tone.

I do have a vague sort of idea for a character, though. City Slicker, a tour guide for Canterlot or maybe Manehatten. Probably an earth pony. He knows the city like the back off his hoof, knows everypony, street smart, always very sure of himself. Away from the big city, he'll be out of his depth, but might make a good fast-talker for when the group reaches some form of civilization. Will probably have a cockney accent.

He might know the group because he took them on a tour once, or maybe he just met them at some event. Cutie mark would be something like a hoofprint on a cobblestone path, or possibly a city skyline.

[One Tin Soldier]

finished the stats for Soot (btw thank you SiuiS, I didn't want to take anyone's place but I was keen on participating)

Stats:Soot
Unicorn Filly
Body- 2, Heart-2, Mind 5 (+1 mind from egghead)
Fortitude- 4, Energy- 7, Courage 7, Willpower 9
Cutie Mark: Black Cat
Special Talent: Going unseen and unnoticied
Job: Thief (level 2)
Skills: Stealth 1, Sleight of horn 1(telekinetic pickpocketing), Lockpicking 1, Cooking 1(Somepony needs to keep the others fed and fits the maternal aspect of her backstory)
Talents: Agile, Wary

Magic:
Aspects known: Telekinesis, Animate, Light, Body, Deceive, Diminish, Forge, Reveal (+1 from new magic trick)

Spells known:
Sneak in the Shadows
Level 3
Deceive, Light
Range- Contact, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 3
Soot shrouds the target (usually herself) to make light bend around them, making them invisible to normal sight

Follow the Shiny Light
Level 2
Animate, Forge, Light
Range- Anmiomorphic, Duration- Concentration
Difficulty- 3
Soot conjours a mote of light and direct where it goes

Hush now, Quiet now
Level 2
Diminish, Body
Range- Anmiomorphic, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 4
Soot saps the energy from a target, making them very sleepy

Lights Out
Level 1
Diminish, Light
Range- Spectacle, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 5
Soot coats an area in a blanket of darkness, obscuring everything within

Detect Life
Level 1
Reveal, Body
Range- Spectacle, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 5
Soot is able to sense the locations of sentient creatures in an area, useful to avoid guards, not so much for their dogs

Flaws: Low Society

Element: Kindness

Advancements:
Egghead (+1 Mind) 10 pts,
New Magic Trick 5 pts,
Uplifting Attitude 5 pts,
On-the- Job training (+1 level to thief) 4 pts,

Devices: set of lockpicks, saddlebag

Background:Soot never knew her parents, nopony but an old stallion named Rusty ever took care of her on the mean streets of Manehatten, Rusty named her and taught her a few tricks for a unicorn to go unnoticied. He was there when she got her Cutie Mark by hiding from an angry shop keeper she took a few pastries from. But nopony can live forever and Rusty was an old pony to begin with. Soot never forgot how he treated her like his own and soon found a herself with a gaggle of her own orphans and ponies down on their luck, assuming a sort of matriarchal position among them. She usually gets her family by through odd jobs and a bit of thievery, though she wished there was a way that everypony could live so none had to have less than they needed

Likes:Taking Care of others, Foals, Shiny things and the thrill of a job well done

Dislikes:Suffering, Rich snooty ponies who've never felt what it's like to go hungry, cleanliness

Personality:Often sarcastic but always kind when somepony needs her. Suspicious of those she doesn't know, past experience having taught her that trust must be earned. Quick to protect or stand up for her friends, often in a maternal fashion.

Appearance:Soot looks like she considers a chimney to be a suitable substitute for a shower, which is unfair (she doesn't use anything for a shower). She's not actually that filthy, since her coat is a patchwork of greys, but it is hard to tell what's coat and what's just dirt. Her mane and tail are similarly messy, a light grey with a black streak running through them. Her bright yellow eyes are the only colorful thing about her. She's leaner than most ponies, and generally has an underfed look about her.

Looks pretty good to me. Though the question is, what is she doing in Canterlot? She doesn't sound like the type to go travelling a lot.
And why would she stick around with a bunch of middle-class ponies?


Okay, I read Off the Edge of the Map. Brilliant fic, and gives me a good idea of what this is all about.

Character-wise, I think I'll avoid Elixir. I'd like to get a chance to play him, but in my mind he's a seasoned adventurer (perhaps not a great one, but he knows how to fight) and so I'm not sure if he'll fit the tone.

I do have a vague sort of idea for a character, though. City Slicker, a tour guide for Canterlot or maybe Manehatten. Probably an earth pony. He knows the city like the back off his hoof, knows everypony, street smart, always very sure of himself. Away from the big city, he'll be out of his depth, but might make a good fast-talker for when the group reaches some form of civilization. Will probably have a cockney accent.

He might know the group because he took them on a tour once, or maybe he just met them at some event. Cutie mark would be something like a hoofprint on a cobblestone path, or possibly a city skyline.

I like it.

[BlasTech]

I haven't had a chance to read those fanfics. I'll try and have a look at the during my lunch break at work and tonight. I'd rather do that and get a feel for the campaign before I give I definite yes or no. I'm leaning towards yes, though.

And thus my cunning plan is discovered. This whole PbP is just a ruse to force more people to read those.

[Balmas]

Okay, I read Off the Edge of the Map. Brilliant fic, and gives me a good idea of what this is all about.

Character-wise, I think I'll avoid Elixir. I'd like to get a chance to play him, but in my mind he's a seasoned adventurer (perhaps not a great one, but he knows how to fight) and so I'm not sure if he'll fit the tone.

I do have a vague sort of idea for a character, though. City Slicker, a tour guide for Canterlot or maybe Manehatten. Probably an earth pony. He knows the city like the back off his hoof, knows everypony, street smart, always very sure of himself. Away from the big city, he'll be out of his depth, but might make a good fast-talker for when the group reaches some form of civilization. Will probably have a cockney accent.

He might know the group because he took them on a tour once, or maybe he just met them at some event. Cutie mark would be something like a hoofprint on a cobblestone path, or possibly a city skyline.

Agreed. I could see DB taking a tour once, though he'd have been too quiet to merit much notice.

[Ravian]

Looks pretty good to me. Though the question is, what is she doing in Canterlot? She doesn't sound like the type to go travelling a lot.
And why would she stick around with a bunch of middle-class ponies?


I was thinking she was doing a quick job for somepony, sort of "I'm busy mind if you bring this package to Canterlot? I'll pay for your train fare" type of thing. While she would originally stick around because of safety in numbers, she warms up to others quickly when they prove they deserve it, and after that friends are more valuable a commodity than food on the streets or anywhere else, and she's protective of them.

[One Tin Soldier]

I was thinking she was doing a quick job for somepony, sort of "I'm busy mind if you bring this package to Canterlot? I'll pay for your train fare" type of thing. While she would originally stick around because of safety in numbers, she warms up to others quickly when they prove they deserve it, and after that friends are more valuable a commodity than food on the streets or anywhere else, and she's protective of them.

That sounds fair.

As for knowing Diego, Grease wouldn't be the type to go on tours... Except on a family vacation or something of the sort. Though unless he really stood out I doubt she would remember him any more than vague recognition.

[TheAmishPirate]

Alright, taking that little story and getting it more into an actual character idea, here we go:

Crown Cork, Earth Pony, son to the Cork bottled drink "empire" (as far as pony businesses can be called empires), whose main talent is painting the pictures that go on the bottlecaps. As the story says, he was previously groomed to be the successor to the family business, before he discovered his talent. Ever since then, the topic of who would succeed his father never really came up, though he always meant to talk to him about it. Right before the campaign start, he and his father are on a business trip to Canterlot where his dad was planning on making a "big announcement". Figuring it was about who would take over the business in his stead, Crown promised himself to talk about it. Naturally, he never gets the chance before the adventure starts. In addition to his family and his business, he'd also have a special somepony of several months; the daughter of one of the farmers they get strawberries from for their sodas.

The main concept of the character is that he's very much like a noble; used to being recognized, used to having money, not terribly used to physical hardship and trouble. While the Corks don't actually have a noble title, their sodas are at least known throughout the whole of Equestria. If your last name is Cork, it's good odds ponies have a decent idea of who you are. The Cork family is also known for being hard-working, however, the soda business isn't exactly a physically demanding job. So while he may be used to staying up all night trying to balance the books, a day of rough hiking is new to him.

I know it seems like I'm just listing traits and occupation stuff, but a lot of the character is already there in my head. I just need to get it down on paper. I haven't quite done the word association bit, so some of this might change, but I did have a few thoughts for the group so far:

Ravian: Here's a thought; how would you like Soot to be Cork's go-to errand runner? The guy keeps pretty busy, and the family isn't into keeping personal servants, so it's not too far-fetched that he'll need somepony to get him things. To further add hilarity to it, he could be completely in the dark about her thieving ways. This time, it could be that his special somepony requested something from Canterlot, and he wanted to spend all day with his father, thus he needs Soot to go get it for him.
Balmas: Best I can figure; the Cork family might contract Dive Bomb out for chemicals used in their soda-making business, and he and Crown have at least met professionally.
One Tin Pony: Same sorta deal, only Grease is contracted out to fix their soda-making equipment.
Diego: Crown would go to Canterlot often enough that it wouldn't be too far-fetched if he knew some of the tour guides by name.

(I suppose this mess means that, yes, I am formally interested in a spot in this. Five people in the party may not be such a bad thing, as that still leaves us with four should somepony find they can't keep up with this.)

[SiuiS]

So we have Ravian, Diego Havoc, One Tin Soldier, Balmas and theAmishPirate. I officially bow out of this game.

Before you feel bad, par o that is I'm being asked to run a game elsewhere, which requires TONNES more energy. I probably wouldn't e able to participate all that well anyway. :smallsmile:

I'm ping to lurk your threads to figure out the system though.

[One Tin Soldier]

Alright, taking that little story and getting it more into an actual character idea, here we go:

Crown Cork, Earth Pony, son to the Cork bottled drink "empire" (as far as pony businesses can be called empires), whose main talent is painting the pictures that go on the bottlecaps. As the story says, he was previously groomed to be the successor to the family business, before he discovered his talent. Ever since then, the topic of who would succeed his father never really came up, though he always meant to talk to him about it. Right before the campaign start, he and his father are on a business trip to Canterlot where his dad was planning on making a "big announcement". Figuring it was about who would take over the business in his stead, Crown promised himself to talk about it. Naturally, he never gets the chance before the adventure starts. In addition to his family and his business, he'd also have a special somepony of several months; the daughter of one of the farmers they get strawberries from for their sodas.

The main concept of the character is that he's very much like a noble; used to being recognized, used to having money, not terribly used to physical hardship and trouble. While the Corks don't actually have a noble title, their sodas are at least known throughout the whole of Equestria. If your last name is Cork, it's good odds ponies have a decent idea of who you are. The Cork family is also known for being hard-working, however, the soda business isn't exactly a physically demanding job. So while he may be used to staying up all night trying to balance the books, a day of rough hiking is new to him.

I know it seems like I'm just listing traits and occupation stuff, but a lot of the character is already there in my head. I just need to get it down on paper. I haven't quite done the word association bit, so some of this might change, but I did have a few thoughts for the group so far:

Ravian: Here's a thought; how would you like Soot to be Cork's go-to errand runner? The guy keeps pretty busy, and the family isn't into keeping personal servants, so it's not too far-fetched that he'll need somepony to get him things. To further add hilarity to it, he could be completely in the dark about her thieving ways. This time, it could be that his special somepony requested something from Canterlot, and he wanted to spend all day with his father, thus he needs Soot to go get it for him.
Balmas: Best I can figure; the Cork family might contract Dive Bomb out for chemicals used in their soda-making business, and he and Crown have at least met professionally.
One Tin Pony: Same sorta deal, only Grease is contracted out to fix their soda-making equipment.
Diego: Crown would go to Canterlot often enough that it wouldn't be too far-fetched if he knew some of the tour guides by name.

(I suppose this mess means that, yes, I am formally interested in a spot in this. Five people in the party may not be such a bad thing, as that still leaves us with four should somepony find they can't keep up with this.)

So then Cork could be the mutual... not friend exactly, but point of contact that keeps the party together. That's a pretty good thought.


So we have Ravian, Diego Havoc, One Tin Soldier, Balmas and theAmishPirate. I officially bow out of this game.

Before you feel bad, par o that is I'm being asked to run a game elsewhere, which requires TONNES more energy. I probably wouldn't e able to participate all that well anyway. :smallsmile:

I'm ping to lurk your threads to figure out the system though.

Farewell then, and best of luck!

[Balmas]

@Ravian: Well, Dive Bomb will probably be exactly what the filly hates in an adult. He's fairly well off, and if he learns of the filly's thieving ways, he'll see it as his duty to interfere. He'd have a somewhat patriarchal sense of duty to try to care for her, since her status is probably fairly obvious from her looks.

@TheAmishPirate: I remember when this guy was a prompt from Ponythread... He seems like a good party face/leader, if only because of his connections. DB has a respect for the soda mogul, although he feels that it was somewhat inherited instead of earned. He tries to maintain good relations regardless, since his jobs provide a nice bonus to his pharmacy.


So we have Ravian, Diego Havoc, One Tin Soldier, Balmas and theAmishPirate. I officially bow out of this game.

Before you feel bad, par o that is I'm being asked to run a game elsewhere, which requires TONNES more energy. I probably wouldn't e able to participate all that well anyway. :smallsmile:

I'm ping to lurk your threads to figure out the system though.

Well, best of luck to you. Stay awesome!

[TheAmishPirate]

So we have Ravian, Diego Havoc, One Tin Soldier, Balmas and theAmishPirate. I officially bow out of this game.

Before you feel bad, par o that is I'm being asked to run a game elsewhere, which requires TONNES more energy. I probably wouldn't e able to participate all that well anyway. :smallsmile:

I'm ping to lurk your threads to figure out the system though.

Best of luck in your game! If there are any hard feelings about this, feel free to have Chryssie give Chuck a shoulder-punch at some point. :smalltongue:


So then Cork could be the mutual... not friend exactly, but point of contact that keeps the party together. That's a pretty good thought.

Didn't actually realize this, but yeah, that's basically how it turned out.


@TheAmishPirate: I remember when this guy was a prompt from Ponythread... He seems like a good party face/leader, if only because of his connections. DB has a respect for the soda mogul, although he feels that it was somewhat inherited instead of earned. He tries to maintain good relations regardless, since his jobs provide a nice bonus to his pharmacy.

Connections, and the fact that he was somewhat groomed to take up his father's place. It's not his talent and he finds it generally a pain to deal with, but he does know some economics and politics.

As for the party leader bit, I think he'll probably assume that role if only because of all that pressure to assume responsibility. Despite his own wishes (which I admit he's not even sure of at this point), if his Dad announced "Crown Cork is going to be the next head of the Cork family", he'd take the job without a fuss. And it's pretty much what everybody he's met thinks he's going to do too. So when plunked in with a group of semi-random ponies, I think he's going to instinctively go for a leadership-type role.

[SiuiS]

My only regret is that this party is awesome.

[One Tin Soldier]

My only regret is that this party is awesome.

Indeed! We've got the artist/businesspony, the chemist, the mechanic, the thief, and the tour guide. I'd say that's a pretty diverse group.
So now I'm wondering what notable skill sets we might lack. Since one of Grease Spot's five words is Flexibility and earth ponies get ALL OF THE XP, I was planning on using some of her remaining skill points to round it out. As long as they don't contradict her character, of course.
Yeah, it's possible to say that it's a tad too soon for such final touches, but I would like to get an idea sooner so that I can figure out how/where she learned these skills. I already have ideas brewing about how she went about learning magical theory.

[Balmas]

Well, let me see how I understand the group dynamic based on tasks we might face:

Infiltration is fairly well covered. Soot can sneak in, Dive Bomb can create a diversion, Crown Cork could probably grease his way in with his influence.

Dive Bomb covers medicine, and he and City Slicker can probably figure out navigation.

Grease Spot can probably figure her way around a trap, unlock doors, or figure out how to trap enemies.


The only real issue that I can see is direct combat. I'd probably be limited to chucking a stick of dynamite and then trying to snipe stuff with lightning bolts.

[One Tin Soldier]

Well, let me see how I understand the group dynamic based on tasks we might face:

Infiltration is fairly well covered. Soot can sneak in, Dive Bomb can create a diversion, Crown Cork could probably grease his way in with his influence.

Dive Bomb covers medicine, and he and City Slicker can probably figure out navigation.

Grease Spot can probably figure her way around a trap, unlock doors, or figure out how to trap enemies.


The only real issue that I can see is direct combat. I'd probably be limited to chucking a stick of dynamite and then trying to snipe stuff with lightning bolts.

Yeah, and Grease would likely be limited to bucking or hitting things with a hammer. However, I think that given our backstories, none of us really should have experience with fighting (with the possible exception of Soot). It seems like the kind of thing that we would pick up with earned XP during the adventure.
How about social situations? I can imagine having to deal with unfamiliar and/or unfriendly people on the way. Crown Cork seems to be the most social, though since we'll probably be outside Equestria his influence wouldn't be much help.

[BlasTech]

As mentioned to Balmas, I'm definitely interested in having one on one chats with all players to step through some character development exercises. (Yikes, do I really have five of those now? I don't know if I can cope :smalleek:)

I'm a bit too busy today, but Saturday is coming up soon down here, so in about 17 hours I should be able to idle in the IRC chatroom and hopefully see some of you there.

[Ravian]

I've never actually been on the IRC. How do I go about getting on it?

[One Tin Soldier]

I've never actually been on the IRC. How do I go about getting on it?

You just need to click the link that Blas posted early in the thread, and put in a name. Very simple. (I would repost the link if I wasn't posting from my phone)

[One Tin Soldier]

Just finished Dangerous Business. That is really, really good fanfic. Manly tears were shed.

[BlasTech]

I've never actually been on the IRC. How do I go about getting on it?

Link added to the 2nd post


Just finished Dangerous Business. That is really, really good fanfic. Manly tears were shed.

MUHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Excellent (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKUOB8MN4Kc).

[One Tin Soldier]

Ponychat IRC is located here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtLMNrlzoBU&feature=g-all-u


I'm pretty sure that's the wrong link.

[BlasTech]

I'm pretty sure that's the wrong link.

It's still worth clicking on!!

(Link fixed)

[SiuiS]

You can actually set up your own channel for this game and design the link to go there, specifically. Doing so would mean the game could be played on the IRC, though it's probably nr a good idea given the time zone spread.

[TheAmishPirate]

You can actually set up your own channel for this game and design the link to go there, specifically. Doing so would mean the game could be played on the IRC, though it's probably nr a good idea given the time zone spread.

To be fair, that'll only apply for another four weeks to the day. :smallsmile:

[One Tin Soldier]

To be fair, that'll only apply for another four weeks to the day. :smallsmile:

You're not the only one in an awkward time zone. I'm pretty sure that Blas and I are on the opposite sides of the Atlantic.

[TheAmishPirate]

You're not the only one in an awkward time zone. I'm pretty sure that Blas and I are on the opposite sides of the Atlantic.

Whoops. Well then I spoke much too soon then, sorry 'bout that.

BlasTech: I'll try and catch you in the IRC sometime.

[BlasTech]

Yep, I'm about to head off to bed, but should be in there and idling again in about 12 hours.

Had a good chat with Balmas about character creation today. Not sure we got completely to the end, but it was good progress :smallbiggrin:

I still have to figure out how/if this story can accomodate a fifth player. I had the whole setup figured out for four. :smalltongue: I just need inspiration to strike me really, but it's never there when I need it :smallsigh:

[Beacon of Chaos]

I will make an effort to get on the IRC tomorrow. I'm afraid I haven't had time to think about the game lately though. Stuff came up.

[BlasTech]

Have set up in the IRC, I'll be idling there for most of today while I do some study so if I don't respond immediately just ping me (type my username) and I'll respond soon after.

[SiuiS]

Yep, I'm about to head off to bed, but should be in there and idling again in about 12 hours.

Had a good chat with Balmas about character creation today. Not sure we got completely to the end, but it was good progress :smallbiggrin:

I still have to figure out how/if this story can accomodate a fifth player. I had the whole setup figured out for four. :smalltongue: I just need inspiration to strike me really, but it's never there when I need it :smallsigh:

Well, how would having a fifth player mess things up?

[BlasTech]

Well, how would having a fifth player mess things up?

Feng Shui :smalltongue:

[SiuiS]

Feng Shui :smalltongue:

Gesundheit.

[One Tin Soldier]

So then, a couple people mentioned developing character stuff over IRC. Care to share?

[SiuiS]

So then, a couple people mentioned developing character stuff over IRC. Care to share?

Aye! Logs can be cut and pasted wholesale. And it's great for insight.

[Balmas]

Well, BlasTech and I chatted for about an hour about DB's motivations, backstory, and key words. Here's what we came up with.

Long post is long.
Ultimately, Dive Bomb wants to make the world a better place. He is a motivated, disciplined pegasus whose ideal is, "I will perfect the world." He is proactive, seeking out new knowledge, especially as it pertains to the field of medicine and disease. He dreams of a future where disease and unnatural death have been all but eliminated because of the knowledge accrued. There is really only one fly in his ointment:

Ponies.

Ponies, to him, don't make sense. There is no universal rule, no constant, and no real sense to what they do. Even the same pony, placed in the exact same position at different times in his life, would do different things. He doesn't even understand himself; how could he understand everyone else? Accordingly, he's more than a little awkward, tending to remain silent rather than risk offense.

Knowledge and the search thereof are incredibly important to him. Having the world be perfect isn't enough: he wants to understand it, know what makes it tick, be able to hold it in his mind and shake it around a bit. It's so important to him that if there was a button that would make everything perfect, but only if no-one studied it or tried to understand it, it would pose a huge moral dilemma. Eventually, he'd push the button, but hate himself for it. His curiosity is as much vice as it is virtue.

This drive for knowledge also drives him to move around a lot, both mentally and physically. He is constantly on the move between projects, accumulating more knowledge, finding the next big thing.

The thing is, the reason he moves around so much is something he won't admit even to himself. He's running from his own past, his own mistakes.

See, his parents were both big stunt flyers. One of his ancestors was even a Wonderbolt, way back in the depths of history. His older brother looked like he was going that path as well, but DB was always more interested in the field of medicine.

When the doctors diagnosed DB's brother with a rare, but terminal disease, DB refused to accept it. He threw himself into his studies even more, desperately trying to find a cure. In effect, he was trying so hard to cure his brother that he ignored him as he slipped away. He didn't even know his brother had died until his parents came to his apartment a day after the funeral. Harsh words were exchanged on both sides, and there's still a bit of bad blood between them.

He's just too stubborn for his own good. He's proud, stubborn, and usually quite sure that he's in the right. He's too stubborn to admit that he might have been wrong, because, well, that implies he might have been wrong in the past.

As is, DB has recently left his home in order to seek more knowledge. After all, there's only so much you can do in Cloudsdale, and Equestria's a'waitin'.

The five words we cooked up to describe DB are Knowledge, Inquisitive, Adventure, Principles, and Awkward.

[BlasTech]

Still hoping to catch the others in there. OTS and Balmas, see if there's anything in the stuff we've talked about that might impact how these two will work together?

[TheAmishPirate]

Still hoping to catch the others in there. OTS and Balmas, see if there's anything in the stuff we've talked about that might impact how these two will work together?

I tried to catch you on IRC yesterday, but you were afk. How long will you be on today?

[BlasTech]

I tried to catch you on IRC yesterday, but you were afk. How long will you be on today?

Oops, should've just typed "BlasTech" it pings me with a "your name mentioned" message

I should be on most of the next 6 hours (excluding a break for lunch)

[TheAmishPirate]

Oops, should've just typed "BlasTech" it pings me with a "your name mentioned" message

I should be on most of the next 6 hours (excluding a break for lunch)

Alright, I'll be sure to pop in sometime then.

[One Tin Soldier]

Still hoping to catch the others in there. OTS and Balmas, see if there's anything in the stuff we've talked about that might impact how these two will work together?


Well, BlasTech and I chatted for about an hour about DB's motivations, backstory, and key words. Here's what we came up with.

Long post is long.
Ultimately, Dive Bomb wants to make the world a better place. He is a motivated, disciplined pegasus whose ideal is, "I will perfect the world." He is proactive, seeking out new knowledge, especially as it pertains to the field of medicine and disease. He dreams of a future where disease and unnatural death have been all but eliminated because of the knowledge accrued. There is really only one fly in his ointment:

Ponies.

Ponies, to him, don't make sense. There is no universal rule, no constant, and no real sense to what they do. Even the same pony, placed in the exact same position at different times in his life, would do different things. He doesn't even understand himself; how could he understand everyone else? Accordingly, he's more than a little awkward, tending to remain silent rather than risk offense.

Knowledge and the search thereof are incredibly important to him. Having the world be perfect isn't enough: he wants to understand it, know what makes it tick, be able to hold it in his mind and shake it around a bit. It's so important to him that if there was a button that would make everything perfect, but only if no-one studied it or tried to understand it, it would pose a huge moral dilemma. Eventually, he'd push the button, but hate himself for it. His curiosity is as much vice as it is virtue.

This drive for knowledge also drives him to move around a lot, both mentally and physically. He is constantly on the move between projects, accumulating more knowledge, finding the next big thing.

The thing is, the reason he moves around so much is something he won't admit even to himself. He's running from his own past, his own mistakes.

See, his parents were both big stunt flyers. One of his ancestors was even a Wonderbolt, way back in the depths of history. His older brother looked like he was going that path as well, but DB was always more interested in the field of medicine.

When the doctors diagnosed DB's brother with a rare, but terminal disease, DB refused to accept it. He threw himself into his studies even more, desperately trying to find a cure. In effect, he was trying so hard to cure his brother that he ignored him as he slipped away. He didn't even know his brother had died until his parents came to his apartment a day after the funeral. Harsh words were exchanged on both sides, and there's still a bit of bad blood between them.

He's just too stubborn for his own good. He's proud, stubborn, and usually quite sure that he's in the right. He's too stubborn to admit that he might have been wrong, because, well, that implies he might have been wrong in the past.

As is, DB has recently left his home in order to seek more knowledge. After all, there's only so much you can do in Cloudsdale, and Equestria's a'waitin'.

The five words we cooked up to describe DB are Knowledge, Inquisitive, Adventure, Principles, and Awkward.

That is some good stuff, especially the part with his brother. Very informative. I'll see how well I can explain the things that I got worked out.

As I mentioned a couple times, Grease Spot values Efficiency. It is her special purpose to get the world to run smoothly, whatever that may mean. She takes this fairly literally with her job, maintaining the various machines and devices that ponies rely on. If those ponies can use their machines without worrying about their functionality, then that's more time they can spend doing important things.

Her ideal world is one where everyone cooperates. She believes that if everypony cooperates, doing everything they need to in a timely manner, then they can accomplish anything. Or, to condense it, "Teamwork drives perfection."

So her "perfect world" is quite a bit more pragmatic and attainable than most, which makes it all the more frustrating that it is still so far away. There are quite a number of ponies out there who are deadbeats, lowlifes, and hanger-ons. She usually personifies ponifies this through her sister. (Who still may or may not be Berry Punch.) Her sister, living away in a small town with their parents, is basically the town drunk. She's not a bad pony, per se. She's certainly friendly enough, and she has a thriving social life. But she's been spoiled by their parents, and she lacks a sense of responsibility. The way Grease sees it, her sister expects the world to just hand her everything she needs without giving anything significant back in return. In a way, she thinks that these ponies are even worse than the kind who deliberately sabotage teamwork, because at least society doesn't defend them like they do the lazy ones.

That kind of pony frustrates Grease to no end. It's obvious to her that ponies like that drag everyone else down with them. And when ponies like her have to spend time picking up the slack, that's less time they can spend getting important things done. So, Grease often finds herself wanting to push other ponies into picking up their responsibilities.

This is her flawed ideal, "I must drive perfection." She thinks that her way is the best way, and has to fight the urge to correct others when they "do it wrong."

Of course, she does recognize to an extent that this attitude is bad. She knows on an academic level that there are a number of ways to contribute meaningfully to the world, though only her way makes sense to her on a gut level. Besides, ponies don't like it when you tell them that they're doing it wrong, and getting ponies mad at you is the surest way to put a halt to teamwork.

So, she often finds herself with an internal struggle whenever she deals with ponies who she thinks are lazy or irresponsible, her desire to work well with others fighting with her desire to make things work right. Thus, her second big word is Frustration.

Her third word is Family. Despite the friction she has with her sister and the lesser friction with her parents, she loves her family totally and without reservation. She legitimately couldn't imagine her life without them, and often thinks about her world in terms of her family. (This is partially why she uses her sister as a symbol of the things she dislikes about other ponies.)

This extends to a lesser degree to her friends, too. She is always willing to spend time helping a friend, no matter the inconvenience. And she is willing to put aside her distaste for a pony's methods for the sake of their friendship. She is not perfect at controlling herself, but she truly makes the effort, which is very important.


As for the interaction between her and Dive Bomb:
She can definitely appreciate the desire to make the world a better place, and she can definitely appreciate his drive to succeed.

However, she would/will find his approach to be a bit too esoteric to be truly helpful. Understanding the world is important, yes, but not as important as the application of that knowledge.

I can see her being a grounding influence on Dive Bomb. She'll be the one to say "Ok, that's interesting, but how does that help us?" She will take his ideas and help him make something useful out of them. I can also see her encouraging him to spend more time with other ponies. After all, one can't do everything on their own.

And in return, I can see Dive Bomb getting Grease Spot to think beyond the "how" and into the "why." Her ideal world is one where every pony works together for a common goal, but she doesn't give nearly as much thought to what that common goal would be. Dive Bomb can provide her with a bit of that.

[TheAmishPirate]

BlasTech, I don't suppose you (or anypony else) has the chat logs from today? I went and closed Pidgin before snagging them. I still remember the salient points and all, but still, it would be a big help to have the logs.

Sorry. >.<

[BlasTech]

BlasTech, I don't suppose you (or anypony else) has the chat logs from today? I went and closed Pidgin before snagging them. I still remember the salient points and all, but still, it would be a big help to have the logs.

Sorry. >.<

Sorry I have no idea how to log things in mibbit :smallfrown:

[SiuiS]

Sorry I have no idea how to log things in mibbit :smallfrown:

Gotcha covered like a quilt!

Go to chat dot Mibbit dot com. Look for this in the top right corner;

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/examples/04A71FAD-4394-4165-8EA7-70075B245EF3-8643-000008F3E094600B.jpg

And create an account. This is an account for MIBBIT, not for any IRC servers.
Once you do that, there will be a list of options user your user name. One of those option tabs includes keeping logs of all channels, and all PMs. You can also set it to not only store channels for you, but also auto-log in to them when you sign on to Mibbit. That's how you keep separate channels handy.

[TheAmishPirate]

Sorry I have no idea how to log things in mibbit :smallfrown:

Nuts. Well, just to confirm, the final question was something like: Does he pursue leadership and why? And how does he lead?

[BlasTech]

Gotcha covered like a quilt!

Go to chat dot Mibbit dot com. Look for this in the top right corner;

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee468/WizardPony/examples/04A71FAD-4394-4165-8EA7-70075B245EF3-8643-000008F3E094600B.jpg

And create an account. This is an account for MIBBIT, not for any IRC servers.
Once you do that, there will be a list of options user your user name. One of those option tabs includes keeping logs of all channels, and all PMs. You can also set it to not only store channels for you, but also auto-log in to them when you sign on to Mibbit. That's how you keep separate channels handy.

Thanks Siuis. How does it log things? Is it on the mibbit server or does it start saving text files to your computer somewhere?


Nuts. Well, just to confirm, the final question was something like: Does he pursue leadership and why? And how does he lead?

More or less. I think my words were "Why would he pursue leadership and, if he does, how?"

Remember, this all comes back to trying to determine the ideal.

Internal/external in what he sees as important (does he lead for himself or for others?), proactive or reactive in chasing them (does he seek out leadership or does he prefer to let it come to him if he's needed?).

If leadership is his most important trait, then the differing styles of how and why he does that leading will be borne from different ideals.

[SiuiS]

It saves them on Mibbit. You can check them without logging in to the channels. You can also download everything in bulk in a .ZIP file, and read them in plain text on the server itself.

[Beacon of Chaos]

I was on the IRC yesterday evening, but I didn't see you BlasTech. I suspect that time zone differences may be to blame. Could you let me know when you'll next be online?

Also, you guys have put a lot of thought into these characters. I feel like I'm lagging behind. :smalleek:

[One Tin Soldier]

Nuts. Well, just to confirm, the final question was something like: Does he pursue leadership and why? And how does he lead?

I gotcha covered. Here it is in its entirety!

00:14 *** OneTinSoldier joined #brokenroad
00:14 +++ aesir.sorcery.net set the channel to mode +n
00:14 +++ aesir.sorcery.net set the channel to mode +t
00:15 *** BlasTech joined #brokenroad
00:16 *** TheAmishPony joined #brokenroad
00:17 OneTinSoldier Hey look everyone's coming back at the same time
00:17 TheAmishPony Woohoo
00:17 TheAmishPony Bike ride home took a mite longer than I thought
00:17 TheAmishPony but now I have delicious rice
00:17 OneTinSoldier Ah, I know how that goes
00:18 OneTinSoldier Sounds yummy
00:18 BlasTech Unfortunately my connection seem a bit iffy here today
00:19 BlasTech Managed to lag out earlier, not sure how long it's taking for my replies to appear now
00:19 OneTinSoldier Ah, so that's what was happening
00:19 OneTinSoldier I've been having similar problems
00:19 TheAmishPony No worries
00:19 TheAmishPony Now I know it's lag and not something I said
00:20 TheAmishPony So, do you want to handle the character stuff here, or in an IM?
00:20 TheAmishPony Or rather, OneTin, would you mind if we character'd it up in here?
00:20 OneTinSoldier No, I don't mind at all
00:21 OneTinSoldier In fact, I'd like to watch
00:23 BlasTech Auck
00:23 BlasTech An audience!
00:23 BlasTech cowers
00:23 OneTinSoldier chuckles
00:23 OneTinSoldier I won't interrupt if you don't want me to
00:25 TheAmishPony Don't worry, I can fix it!
00:25 TheAmishPony glues confidence to BlasTech's head
00:29 BlasTech Ooh, new hat.
00:29 BlasTech Righto, well lets get cracking then, my typing may be interrupted by having to get up and talk to people here but.
00:30 TheAmishPony S'cool, my typing might be interrupted by general work
00:32 BlasTech ... this thing still on?
00:32 OneTinSoldier YEp
00:32 TheAmishPony Got that one
00:33 BlasTech Right, well a bit of character generation theory to kick off then.
00:33 BlasTech I've found during fiddling with a few different rulebooks that the character creation prompts that are often suggested are often poor at making real characters. They just make stats that you put a name to.
00:33 BlasTech So for now, forget any stats and forget any of the RiM mechanics you may have read. We'll start with the high concepts first.
00:34 BlasTech Because the better and more fleshed out you make your character, the more you'll both enjoy and be able to understand what actions they'll take. And overall enjoy the RP more.
00:35 BlasTech Or to quote ... "RP's succeed or fail in the character generation stage" - Thanqol 2012
00:36 TheAmishPony This should be easy, as I've hardly read the rules as is
00:36 TheAmishPony is always one step ahead
00:36 *** Balmas joined #brokenroad
00:37 OneTinSoldier chuckles again
00:37 TheAmishPony Not to mention that I find whenever you wing a character, you tend to just model them after yourself
00:37 TheAmishPony No matter what you had originally intended for them
00:39 Balmas To tell the truth, Dive Bomb is me taken up to 11, plus a side of tragic backstory.
00:39 OneTinSoldier Grease is a bit of an odd case, in terms of me
00:40 OneTinSoldier She started out fairly similar, but she wound up being someone who I really wouldn't get along with
00:40 Balmas Though, DB is more Twilight Sparkle, and I'm more Pinkie Pie.
00:40 OneTinSoldier Because I'm lazy as Tartarus
00:42 OneTinSoldier Anyway
00:42 OneTinSoldier Carry on
00:50 BlasTech Sorry, was just talking to manager
00:51 BlasTech Right, well based on personal experience, I've found that the easiest way to make a good character is by building them around an ideal.
00:51 BlasTech characters are basically expressions of ideas anyway.
00:53 TheAmishPony So what do I do when I've already got the basis of the character down?
00:53 BlasTech Well then you need to ask yourself, what is their "Ideal"
00:54 BlasTech This ideal is generally a simple powerful expression, something that they value inherently or that, to them, would result in a perfect world
00:56 TheAmishPony Hmm
00:57 TheAmishPony I think the main ideal that I'm playing with here
00:57 TheAmishPony Is something regarding responsibility
00:57 TheAmishPony Responsibility and obligations
00:58 BlasTech Characters tend to express it differently, Rainbow dash may have hers as "I can do anything". Or Pinkie Pie's "Everyone deserves to smile".
00:59 BlasTech What would be Cork's perfect world?
00:59 TheAmishPony What do you mean by "perfect world"? To me, that's a rather broad statement, and can cover many different worlds
01:00 TheAmishPony Like, is this a realistic perfect, or an idealistic one?
01:00 TheAmishPony Or maybe I'm just overthinking the concept
01:00 BlasTech Idealistic, remember we are talking ideals here.
01:01 TheAmishPony OKay
01:01 BlasTech His Ideal existance. What is it's core trait. What is the thing that most separates it from reality?
01:01 BlasTech its*
01:02 TheAmishPony Ohh, existance, not a literal world
01:02 TheAmishPony rather, Equestria, in this instance
01:03 BlasTech spelling blah
01:04 TheAmishPony Thinking....thinking...
01:04 BlasTech Sorry
01:04 BlasTech But yeah, sometimes a good starting point for the ideal is finding out a way to express the character's thoughts on how to end the sentence: "In a perfect world ... X"
01:04 TheAmishPony "In a perfect world, I'd have all the time I need."
01:05 TheAmishPony It's vague, but it's the first thing that came to mind
01:06 BlasTech hmm, why does he need more time?
01:07 TheAmishPony Because there's always a time limit that he's bumping into. He can't ever finish a painting on time because he spends so long fussing over the details. He waits and waits to talk to his dad about the family business, and now he has to rush a decision before one is made for him.
01:07 TheAmishPony I guess to boil it down more
01:08 TheAmishPony it's because he's never satisfied with anything less than perfection
01:08 TheAmishPony and he's never sure if that's what he's got
01:08 TheAmishPony *perfection from himself, rather
01:09 TheAmishPony well, no, I don't want to constrain that too early
01:10 BlasTech I think chat lagged then, my question was meant to be asked before you elaborated ...
01:10 TheAmishPony oh, whoops
01:10 BlasTech so I guess he's a bit of a self-demanding perfectionist then. Does he expect the same from other ponies? Or is it more internal values?
01:12 TheAmishPony I'm thinking of going external, too many of my characters have that internal perfectionism going on
01:12 TheAmishPony or rather, high internal standards
01:13 TheAmishPony Can you give a bit to think? I'm not sure I'm satisfied with how I boiled it down
01:13 TheAmishPony *give me a bit
01:14 BlasTech Yeah sure
01:14 BlasTech That is the whole point of these convos lol, getting people to think! XD
01:15 TheAmishPony I think I might be seeing where I steered wrong. It isn't a "my work isn't perfect, argh!", it's a "my work isn't yet perfect, give me a bit more time"
01:16 TheAmishPony So the motivation is kind of flip-flopped: He wants perfection in his work, has a vision of how to get there, he just never has enough time to follow through
01:17 TheAmishPony So he is satisfied with what he's done
01:17 TheAmishPony But he just wants to do MORE
01:17 BlasTech I'm getting kind of mixed messages here I think.
01:18 BlasTech The difference between a "my work isn't perfect, argh!" and a "My work isn't perfect yet, give me more time" is the difference between one person struggling for his self acceptance, and a person struggling to comply with authority/imposed rules
01:19 TheAmishPony I think you've got it more pegged than I do
01:20 BlasTech Both of those I'd probably see as internal values style ideals
01:20 TheAmishPony Guess a few more cooks does not ruin the stew [/zecora]
01:20 BlasTech Both are "I want to do the best work I can", it's just that one has someone external preventing him, while the other has his own sense of self worth fighting him
01:21 BlasTech External values ideals would be like "I want to give others the chance to be the best they can be" or something similar.
01:21 TheAmishPony takes notes
01:22 BlasTech lol @ zecora
01:22 TheAmishPony So now I need to think
01:22 TheAmishPony as planned
01:22 TheAmishPony more on external vs. internal
01:23 TheAmishPony Yeah, despite my best efforts, it's an internal
01:23 TheAmishPony which actually weren't much in the way of efforts, but oh well!
01:23 TheAmishPony I can do another internal character, it's what I know, at least
01:24 BlasTech muahaha
01:24 BlasTech Up to you lol XD
01:25 TheAmishPony Well, since I've got more than one brain to pick here
01:25 TheAmishPony how would we turn this into something external?
01:25 OneTinSoldier For what its worth, we already have a character with an external issue of "I must make others perfect"
01:25 OneTinSoldier In Grease Spot
01:25 TheAmishPony Oh, we do?
01:25 TheAmishPony right
01:26 TheAmishPony has a million things going on right now, apolgies if he derps
01:26 OneTinSoldier returns to lurking
01:26 BlasTech For reference, I think Grease spot's ideal is external, while DB is more internal so far.
01:26 BlasTech It doesn't matter so much which you pick, but it's important to get the distinctions down pat for your character, as it drives different behaviours.
01:27 BlasTech While we do, there can be multiple ways of being able to do perfect others.
01:27 OneTinSoldier Indeed, didn't want to imply there wasn't
01:27 BlasTech Anyway, to continue your example from above, a way of externalising the "my work isny perfect yet, give me more time" way of thinking is by having the character believe that ponies simply need time and encouragement to accomplish anything
01:30 BlasTech Turns the character into a more laid back, supportive one than a self-demanding perfectionist.
01:30 BlasTech Alternatively, you can take the self-demanding side and project that onto others in a "if only everyone held themselves to high standards" way.
01:30 BlasTech This course may or may not turn out to give you a jerk as a PC
01:30 BlasTech "to my* high standards"
01:30 TheAmishPony Yeah, I don't want another jerk
01:30 TheAmishPony Played one for a full year, and my Changeling character is a half-jerk as a result
01:31 TheAmishPony I do like the idea of the laid-back, supportive type
01:32 TheAmishPony I like it a lot, actually
01:32 Balmas So, in this case he'd be more the kind to help others?
01:33 TheAmishPony Yeah, I think so
01:33 TheAmishPony Just to get it out there
01:33 BlasTech To my mind, it turns him into a bit more of a hippie "You don't get anything good by forcing it out of others" style
01:34 TheAmishPony one of the things I wanted to play with was that whole responsibilities vs obligations thing with him and the family business, which then gets transferred over to the leadership of this little group
01:35 TheAmishPony And it seems to me that going with HippieCork would make that much less of an issue
01:35 OneTinSoldier Maybe not
01:36 OneTinSoldier I mean, anyone who can be described with the word "hippie" seems like they would be uncomfortable in a leadership position
01:36 TheAmishPony True
01:36 TheAmishPony And it may be that he is how he is simply because of that conflict in his upbringing
01:37 TheAmishPony Hmm, I think I need to think a lot more before I type, I keep misspeaking here
01:38 OneTinSoldier That's ok, I almost never feel like I convey my thoughts properly
01:39 BlasTech I think it depends on whether they lead from the front, the top or the back
01:40 TheAmishPony What I mean to say is that he was pretty much groomed to take over the family business, even though his father was never overly cruel or forceful about it. It was just something that was expected of him. After he earned his cutie mark, that expectation was never challenged.
01:40 TheAmishPony And he never was really comfortable with the realities of running a business.
01:42 BlasTech Top down leadership is your typical corporate manager. Sets deadlines, micromanages people, doesn't really get their hands dirty. (Very un-hippie)
01:42 TheAmishPony What about leading from the front?
01:42 TheAmishPony I'm trying to also get a mental peg on the father, as that's a HUGE figure in Crown's life
01:43 BlasTech Leading from the front is one that wades in, gets stuck into problems themselves and expects others to catch up. (Also rather un-hippie, but not as much as top down and /can/ work with certain styles of character)
01:43 BlasTech More like a "cmon guys, this is fun check out what we can do if we try this"
01:43 BlasTech Leading from the back is the kind of person who prefers to stay out of the spotlight, offer advice and moral support, may or may not be technically proficient but who all the people running with tasks would feel comfortable coming to talk to for help.
01:43 TheAmishPony His dad is absolutely a front-leader
01:44 TheAmishPony Somepony who probably works the soda-making stuff almost as much as some of the workers
01:45 TheAmishPony And would bring up his son the same way
01:45 BlasTech Doesn't drive the outcome, so stuff may or may not get done, but is always there trying to encourage it if needed.
01:45 BlasTech That's a bit more hippie style
01:45 BlasTech Think "team mom"
01:46 TheAmishPony That's the style Crown would probably use
01:46 BlasTech From what you said, and this is just how it sounds to me, it seemed like Cork is a back-leader who is stuck in a top-leader's job.
01:46 BlasTech And he would probably /hate/ that
01:47 BlasTech (now to sit and wait while chat lag sorts itself out)
01:49 TheAmishPony Okay, I think it's sorted
01:49 BlasTech cool, so. your thoughts?
01:50 OneTinSoldier Well I'm starting to see an interesting character dynamic with Grease
01:50 OneTinSoldier She would likely misjudge him at first because of his reluctance to lead
01:51 OneTinSoldier And only later figure out that he does want to contribute, just not from the spotlight
01:51 Balmas DB would probably sympathize with the parent wanting him to be something that he's not.
01:51 BlasTech Depending on where we end up with the ideal though
01:51 Balmas This is true.
01:52 OneTinSoldier True
01:52 TheAmishPony My thoughts: Dad still seems like a front-leader, with some elements of a top-leader as well
01:52 TheAmishPony I think the fact that this is a family business
01:53 TheAmishPony and there is no option to not getting your hands dirty
01:53 TheAmishPony is throwing me off a bit
01:54 BlasTech Does it have other employees?
01:54 TheAmishPony At this point? Yeah, I think it has to
01:55 BlasTech I thought you said it was a fairly renowned one in Canterlot so I was picturing a substantial size (I might be wrong, or hey we can change it! XD)
01:55 TheAmishPony ^exactly
01:55 TheAmishPony But for some reason, I keep seeing him as the type to get personally involved with some of the process
01:56 TheAmishPony Like, soda-brewing is his cutie mark, he's got to do it at least a little
01:56 TheAmishPony or something like that
01:56 TheAmishPony Yeah, I think you've got it: Top-down leader, but still willing to get his hooves dirty
01:56 BlasTech For the dad?
01:56 TheAmishPony aye
01:57 TheAmishPony Which then means that's how Crown is brought up
01:57 TheAmishPony Here's a thought:
01:57 TheAmishPony Maybe the reason Crown might actually bother with any sort of leadership
01:58 TheAmishPony Is because he thinks he can do it better when he's in charge
01:58 TheAmishPony Or something like that
01:59 *** Balmas quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
02:00 TheAmishPony Just a thought
02:03 OneTinSoldier I'm guessing Blas is just away for a moment
02:03 OneTinSoldier or lagging
02:03 BlasTech It all comes down to why he might think that but. Actively pursuing leadership is something that would run counter to a laid-back deadline hating pony probably.
02:05 TheAmishPony True, but then again, he's not really actively pursuing it
02:05 TheAmishPony just sort of letting it maybe happen at this point
02:06 TheAmishPony and only getting spurred into action by the sudden trip to Canterlot
02:06 TheAmishPony Do you think we should move on to getting some things set in stone? Or should we keep speculating on the character like this?
02:08 BlasTech speculating on the character is valuable, and I'm happy enough if it just leaves you with some food for thought to mull over till our next irc chat
02:08 TheAmishPony That may be for the best, as I really have some work I should be doing
02:09 BlasTech the key question is unresolved in my mind, which is if he is going to be a leader, how would he lead, and why would he want to lead?
02:09 BlasTech active/passive, internal/external
02:09 BlasTech it'll all drive his ideal
02:09 TheAmishPony I'll give that some thought
02:09 TheAmishPony map out those, and see which one is the character I want to play
02:10 TheAmishPony or something like that
02:11 BlasTech And that's the important thing to figure out right.
02:11 BlasTech anyway, if you need to go for work, I'll catch you next time!
02:11 BlasTech (or rather, it will all shape his ideal)
02:12 TheAmishPony later!
02:12 *** TheAmishPony is now known as TheAmishAFK
02:13 BlasTech yeah
02:13 BlasTech find out which one you like most!
02:13 BlasTech Cause you won't enjoy the RP if you don't enjoy the character after all.
02:13 BlasTech cyas
02:15 OneTinSoldier I'm gonna head to bed now, since you guys are done for the night
02:15 OneTinSoldier or day for you, i guess
02:16 *** Balmas joined #brokenroad
02:16 OneTinSoldier Goodnight
10:19 system You have disconnected from the server

[TheAmishPirate]

I gotcha covered. Here it is in its entirety!

*snip*

Oh thank goodness. You sir, are a lifesaver. :smallbiggrin:

[One Tin Soldier]

Oh thank goodness. You sir, are a lifesaver. :smallbiggrin:

Welcome! Glad to help.

[BlasTech]

I was on the IRC yesterday evening, but I didn't see you BlasTech. I suspect that time zone differences may be to blame. Could you let me know when you'll next be online?

Also, you guys have put a lot of thought into these characters. I feel like I'm lagging behind. :smalleek:

Yup, Timezones. I was sleeeeeeping.

Have set up shop in the IRC again now and should be there for most of the next six hours. But am rather busy today so likely to be afk for long sections (hopefully no more than an hour at a time).

Anyway, see you if I see you!

[One Tin Soldier]

I'll be hanging out in the IRC too.

[SiuiS]

I'm telling you man, set up a broken road channel, register it and turn recent chat on. It makes it do that as long as anyone from Mibbit is on, any other Mibbit users have access to a backlog from before they joined the channel. It's pretty boss.

[Ravian]

Yeah but the IRC doesn't seem to work as well on my Ipod, which is what I'm really relying on if I want to keep up with the 1 post per day minimum

[BlasTech]

I'm telling you man, set up a broken road channel, register it and turn recent chat on. It makes it do that as long as anyone from Mibbit is on, any other Mibbit users have access to a backlog from before they joined the channel. It's pretty boss.

I shall make this a thing when I get home.

Edit: off for lunch. Will log back on later.

[One Tin Soldier]

Balmas and I just cooked up a little bit of character ideas for Dive Bomb, Grease Spot, and possibly City Slicker.

00:17 OneTinSoldier Yeah, well Blas is out for an hour
00:17 Balmas Yeah, I saw that.
00:18 Balmas So, what do you think of our characters so far?
00:18 Balmas Right now I'm getting a feel for DB a bit more, and he's saying, "Make me a colt."
00:19 OneTinSoldier lol
00:19 OneTinSoldier I'm feeling some good things
00:19 OneTinSoldier I've got Grease pretty much fully formed in my head
00:19 OneTinSoldier Aside from her collection of skills
00:20 OneTinSoldier I feel like I should have a short little story for each one
00:20 Balmas Okay, what do you have in mind?
00:20 Balmas She knows magical theory: how?
00:21 OneTinSoldier I'm thinking that she took a few night classes at the Canterlot Community College
00:21 OneTinSoldier or whatever the appropriate equivalent would be
00:22 OneTinSoldier She was the only one there who wasn't a unicorn, for obvious reasons
00:23 OneTinSoldier Ooh, now I've got more idea
00:23 OneTinSoldier Naturally, the unicorns there thought it a bit odd
00:24 OneTinSoldier The nicer ones asked her why she was there a lot
00:24 Balmas Because of tribalism, or just because she wouldn't use it much?
00:25 OneTinSoldier The not so nice ones decided that she was "a dumb earth pony who thinks she's a unicorn"
00:25 OneTinSoldier Just a typical jockish reaction
00:25 Balmas Bet that went over well.
00:25 OneTinSoldier with a little bit of upper-class closedmindedness thrown in
00:26 OneTinSoldier I think that one night she was out at a bar when she ran into some of her classmates
00:26 OneTinSoldier The not-so-nice ones
00:27 Balmas Go on...
00:27 OneTinSoldier They were a bit on the tipsy side, so they got a bit rowdier than they normally would
00:27 OneTinSoldier ...and if we had another PC around her age, this would be a great place to throw them in
00:28 OneTinSoldier Like I said, I only had the idea just now
00:28 Balmas I'm thinking this would be a good spot for the tour guide one.
00:28 OneTinSoldier Yeah, that could fit
00:29 Balmas What's his name? City Slicker?
00:29 OneTinSoldier I think so
00:29 OneTinSoldier Yeah, that's it
00:30 OneTinSoldier He helps her out of the jam, however Diego thinks would be appropriate
00:30 OneTinSoldier And now, years later, they'll still probably remember the incident
00:31 OneTinSoldier Maybe they'll have even stayed friends
00:33 Balmas So what impact would this have on your character? Does she harbor any feelings towards unicorns or stuffy people?
00:33 OneTinSoldier Not any more than they bother anyone else
00:34 OneTinSoldier She certainly isn't going to dislike all unicorns because of a few drunks
00:35 OneTinSoldier Though it might inform her opinions of drunks
00:36 Balmas What about the drunks?
00:36 Balmas Did they ever grow up?
00:36 Balmas Are they and Grease Spot friends?
00:36 OneTinSoldier Hmm
00:37 OneTinSoldier I'd say they probably went their seperate ways
00:37 OneTinSoldier Grease Spot doesn't know what became of them, and doesn't particularly care
00:39 OneTinSoldier Whatever happened that night, she would have gotten them to stop bothering her
00:39 OneTinSoldier At least, bothering her directly
00:40 Balmas Ideeeeaaa!
00:40 Balmas Dive Bomb has a very poor grasp of magic.
00:40 OneTinSoldier Yes, go on
00:40 Balmas To a certain extent, he feels it's cheating to violate the laws of physics so blatantly.
00:40 Balmas Maybe Grease Spot could educate him a bit?
00:40 OneTinSoldier Absolutely
00:41 OneTinSoldier That's one of the reasons I like the idea of Grease Spot knowing magical theory
00:41 OneTinSoldier Because chances are, she'll know more than most unicorns do
00:41 OneTinSoldier In terms of academics, of course
00:42 OneTinSoldier So she can help him think up spells and ways to improvise with his magic
00:42 OneTinSoldier Maybe even teach him how to get better
00:42 Balmas He's a pegasus, so not much chance of spellcasting.
00:43 OneTinSoldier Oh, right
00:43 OneTinSoldier I derped
00:43 Balmas However, I like the weak student-teacher dynamic we've got going.
00:43 OneTinSoldier facehoofs
00:43 OneTinSoldier Yeah, I like it too
00:45 OneTinSoldier I know for sure now that I want to come up with little stories for all of Grease Spot's oddball skills
00:47 OneTinSoldier Now I just have to figure out what they are
00:48 *** Balmas quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
Diego, how do you feel about City Slicker bailing Grease Spot out of a barfight years ago?

[BlasTech]

Well I had rather rotten luck with IRC today, connection keeps dropping me out.

I'll keep trying to idle in there as often as possible to help with Chargen during the week, but otherwise it should be better come the weekend where I'll be online for most of the day while I study.

[Beacon of Chaos]

Yup, Timezones. I was sleeeeeeping.

Have set up shop in the IRC again now and should be there for most of the next six hours. But am rather busy today so likely to be afk for long sections (hopefully no more than an hour at a time).

Anyway, see you if I see you!
"Posted at 11:54PM"
That's a little late for me unfortunately ^^: I'll be on the IRC tomorrow, though if you're having connection trouble I can wait until the weekend.


Diego, how do you feel about City Slicker bailing Grease Spot out of a barfight years ago?
Sounds like a plan.

[BlasTech]

"Posted at 11:54PM"
That's a little late for me unfortunately ^^: I'll be on the IRC tomorrow, though if you're having connection trouble I can wait until the weekend.


Sounds like a plan.

*Does a mental calc.* Are you in the uk Diego? If so. Best bet is either tomorrow morning your time (tonight mine) or sat morning for you sat night for me.

I'd be on now but I'm on the train into work lol

[Beacon of Chaos]

Yeah, I'm in the UK.

Tomorrow morning I'll be at work, but I can do Thursday or Saturday morning.

And now off to bed :smallredface:

[Balmas]

So, I was walking down the street when I realized that I was actually talking with a mental construct. And Dive Bomb was actually answering. And somehow, this felt natural. I fear for my sanity.

But, DB wasn't so much talking as he was whining, saying first off, that in his opinion, unicorns have it really easy. I mean, they get to violate the laws of physics on a daily basis, which of course makes his job that much harder. Not only is he going to accumulate all the physical and medical knowledge, now he has to deal with bloody magic. He admits that unicorns are useful, and life in Cloudsdale would be difficult without them. (Yeah. Cloud furniture is useful, but plates and stuff like that needs enchanting.)

So, yeah. I now have an alternate mini-me, who may be a bit rascist. Tribalist. Whatever you call it. Joy.

[BlasTech]

This might be an opportune time to mention that I've updated the second post in this thread with the summary version of the magic spell creation rules.

Note that spell difficulty may also be modified by the GM, so I encourage discussion about proposed spells. As a general rule, I'd only really consider modifying anything upwards if its purpose is to directly affect the mind or body of an unwilling participant (e.g. A brainwash spell).

Downwards would depend on the spell.

That said, I still think we need to work out characters before we get hung up on the nitty gritty of statting them out. :smalltongue:

[SiuiS]

So, I was walking down the street when I realized that I was actually talking with a mental construct. And Dive Bomb was actually answering. And somehow, this felt natural. I fear for my sanity.

But, DB wasn't so much talking as he was whining, saying first off, that in his opinion, unicorns have it really easy. I mean, they get to violate the laws of physics on a daily basis, which of course makes his job that much harder. Not only is he going to accumulate all the physical and medical knowledge, now he has to deal with bloody magic. He admits that unicorns are useful, and life in Cloudsdale would be difficult without them. (Yeah. Cloud furniture is useful, but plates and stuff like that needs enchanting.)

So, yeah. I now have an alternate mini-me, who may be a bit rascist. Tribalist. Whatever you call it. Joy.

Unicorns (and magic) don't really mess with physics so much as thermodynamics specifically. They don't alter reality, they use reality in unique ways. They don't produce fire, they cause combustion. Etc. it still takes energy, and all that.

[One Tin Soldier]

So, I was walking down the street when I realized that I was actually talking with a mental construct. And Dive Bomb was actually answering. And somehow, this felt natural. I fear for my sanity.

But, DB wasn't so much talking as he was whining, saying first off, that in his opinion, unicorns have it really easy. I mean, they get to violate the laws of physics on a daily basis, which of course makes his job that much harder. Not only is he going to accumulate all the physical and medical knowledge, now he has to deal with bloody magic. He admits that unicorns are useful, and life in Cloudsdale would be difficult without them. (Yeah. Cloud furniture is useful, but plates and stuff like that needs enchanting.)

So, yeah. I now have an alternate mini-me, who may be a bit rascist. Tribalist. Whatever you call it. Joy.

Conversations with mental constructs are fun. It's proof that your character is more alive than a bunch of numbers on a sheet.

I sort of had one of those with Grease a few days back, and I found out something amusing about her. Though I kind of want to save it for when someone asks about her love life in game.

EDIT: Balmas, I think you planted something in my head, because now I'm going around campus imagining Grease Spot next to me, having conversation. It's actually quite enjoyable.

[BlasTech]

*sniffs*

It's so beautiful when abstract concepts gain sentience. :smallsmile:

Anyway, little update from me for today, but I'm likely to be out of the office for most of today and thus not on IRC with any great regularity.

Tomorrow will be better, but the day after will be pretty much all day due to me being deskbound at home with study.

[SiuiS]

Man. Internet relay is handy and all, but it sure makes this the second most boring character gen session I've seen in a thread XD

I'm curious: how close are you to beginning?

[BlasTech]

Oh shush you ... RPs are made or lost in the character creation stage! We'll take the time it takes.

Not soon, in other words. :smalltongue:

Still to do;


Finish character creation exercise with Diego, Amish and Ravian.
Double check how Balmas is going
Finish sorting out thoughts about other team members
Come up with some excuse as to why each player is partaking in the introductory scene.

[One Tin Soldier]

Sounds like a plan.

Cool.

I was thinking about the scene in more detail so we could hash it out once you did more development with City Slicker. Anyway, I wound up with this: (warning, it's is kind of long)
Grease Spot looked up at the clock hanging on the bar wall. It read 8:30. It’s officially been an hour since he was supposed to be here, she thought. Glumly, she turned forward and took a long drink. I’ve been stood up. Again. She took her mouth off the straw and eyed the drink. Now she regretted getting another refill. She hated to waste a perfectly good (well, not horrible) drink, so she was stuck here until she finished.

She dutifully sucked away at the beverage. I can’t believe I went and got dressed up for this, she thought, considering her attire. The dress was simple and practical, as far as such things go, but it was one of her favorites. Not that she had many dresses. Hay, I even did up my hair for this date. And what does he do? Fail to even show up. She sighed, propping her head up on a hoof. Oh, well. He didn’t have much promise, anyway. Way too curious about my choice of bars. Next time I see him, I’ll just tell him not to bother with a second try. Now I just have to look forward to another long night of…

“Hey guys, check it out!” a loud obnoxious voice interrupted, cutting its way across the background noise of the busy bar and Grease Spot’s resigned thoughts. She turned her head to see a green unicorn with sunglasses for a cutie mark standing a few yards away, flanked by two other unicorns. He pointed a hoof directly at her, marking her as the object of his exclamation.

“Hey yeah, it’s the earth filly,” said one of his cronies, a powder blue colt with wide shoulders. He spoke in a deep, slurred voice, betraying how much he had to drink already that evening. “What’s up, girl?”

Grease rolled her eyes and groaned as obviously as she could. She knew who these colts were, and she really didn’t want anything to do with them. Her evening had gone badly enough without getting questioned for the millionth time about why an earth pony was taking collegiate courses about unicorn magic. Unfortunately for her, it seemed that the group’s brains had been addled enough to take that as encouragement. The green unicorn swaggered up with the kind of confidence only alcohol can grant.

“So what’s a mare like you doing in a place like this?” he asked, the smell of cheap hay beer carried by his overly loud voice.

“Drinking,” Grease said shortly, adding you dolt in her mind.

“All by yourself? You sure you don’t want some company?” said the third member of the group, a skinny orange colt with a horse-you-not backwards ball cap on his head. There’s a fashion that can’t die fast enough. He plopped himself down on the barstool next to her.

Grease grunted unpleasantly, completely failing to affect them. They completely surrounded her now, making her feel distinctly uncomfortable. Now she was starting to reconsider abandoning that drink.

“Ya know, I’ve been wondering,” the green unicorn said casually. “I’ve been wondering why you’re in unicorn school. Like, you’re an earth filly, right?”

“It’s not just for unicorns,” she said in exasperation, immediately regretting it when Sunglasses Dude’s eyes lit up. Now that she had engaged in the conversation, it would be much harder to escape with any kind of dignity.

“Well yeah, like, there’s no rule that says only unicorns take magic class,” he said, seizing on her argument. “But, like, no one actually does it.”

Grease Spot did have a good reason to be taking magic classes. She worked with machines, and just about all of the really interesting ones were run by magic. Learning how that magic worked was more or less vital to being able to repair them. But she would go to Tartarus before she explained her life story to these bozos.

“It’s none of your business,” she said, before turning and waving to the bartender. “Check, please!” she shouted. The bits she paid for the drink weren’t worth any more time in that bar.

“Hey, whatcha leaving for?” Ball Cap whined. “We only just got here.”

“Yeah, that’s not an answer,” Broad Shoulders said in turn.

Grease Spot didn’t respond, instead pulling a hoofful of bits out of her purse and passing them to the bartender. She got up to walk away only to be blocked by Sunglasses. “Come on, stay a bit,” he wheedled. “We just wanna know.”

Grease gave in to her temper. “Would you flicks get out of my way? I’ve got places to be.”

Broad Shoulders guffawed, then narrowed his eyes in thought. Grease could practically hear the gears turning in his head. “I thought flick was just a unicorn insult,” he said slowly, before chuckling. “Guys, maybe she thinks she’s a unicorn.”

Sunglasses laughed. “Dude, that’s crazy. Where do you even come up with this stuff?”

“Nah, dude,” Ball Cap said. “He’s right, she’s gotta get back home so she can put her horn on.”

Sunglasses spoke again, not giving Grease a chance to interject. “No need for that. I’ve got enough horn for both of us right here.” He smirked at her suggestively.

Grease’s mouth fell open in anger. This had officially gone too far. She shoved her way past Sunglasses, deliberately knocking his leg as she went. Sunglasses stumbled awkwardly, giving Grease a small grin of satisfaction. That grin vaporized a moment later as Broad Shoulders barreled into her, causing her to stumble even harder. For a moment her head spun. Dang, didn’t realize I was getting tipsy.

“You want to fight now? Huh?” Broad Shoulders slurred loudly and lowered his horn. The chatter around them began to quiet as the other patrons took notice of the growing altercation.

Ball Cap, at least, seemed to realize what was going on. He placed a hoof on Broad Shoulder’s shoulder. “Dude, lay off. It’s not like she’s important.”

Grease Spot’s eye twitched involuntarily. She lowered her head for a charge. Time to do something I’m going to regret in the morning.


I swear, I'm not trying to get so far ahead of myself. These things just keep coming to me.

[SiuiS]

Conversations with mental constructs are fun. It's proof that your character is more alive than a bunch of numbers on a sheet.

I sort of had one of those with Grease a few days back, and I found out something amusing about her. Though I kind of want to save it for when someone asks about her love life in game.

EDIT: Balmas, I think you planted something in my head, because now I'm going around campus imagining Grease Spot next to me, having conversation. It's actually quite enjoyable.

I think it says something about society that having an imaginary friend is so alien that we find it novel, despite them still being in popular media for children as early as five years ago.

I think it says something better that such Thigs are slowly coming back. They seem like an integral part of the human psyche, to externalize things, and then to anthropomorphism those externals. To empathize and find a point of similarity. It's refreshing :smallsmile:

[One Tin Soldier]

I think it says something about society that having an imaginary friend is so alien that we find it novel, despite them still being in popular media for children as early as five years ago.

I think it says something better that such Thigs are slowly coming back. They seem like an integral part of the human psyche, to externalize things, and then to anthropomorphism those externals. To empathize and find a point of similarity. It's refreshing :smallsmile:

Sure, I remember having imaginary friends. Over a dozen years ago. I guess I forgot how much fun they could be.
Though Grease Spot mostly just got annoyed that I spend so much time on the interwebs. :smalltongue:

[Beacon of Chaos]

....

This again? Am I the only person on this board who doesn't get these mental constructs?

It's almost enough to make me think that I'M the one who's crazy. I'm just kidding guys. :P

---

I've given a little thought to City's character. It's still all very rough but I'm thinking of him as being a natural lier. Not lying out of malice or anything, but he just makes stuff up as part of his job. Like, if he were showing ponies around the Canterlot gardens he'd say things like "This statue represents Victory. Most believe it refers to the battle against Discord all those centuries ago, but the truth is that it refers to the secret war against the mole-ponies, which lasted over 200 years and ended when the Grand Chieftan Mole-pony was assassinated with a giant blancmange."

More of a quirk than anything, but just something fun to throw in. :smallsmile:

[BlasTech]

*arrives in the IRC*

Will be here for most of today, although will be afk for a while in about 2 hours.

[SiuiS]

....

This again? Am I the only person on this board who doesn't get these mental constructs?

It's almost enough to make me think that I'M the one who's crazy. I'm just kidding guys. :P

Oh, dammit. You got me. XD



I've given a little thought to City's character. It's still all very rough but I'm thinking of him as being a natural lier. Not lying out of malice or anything, but he just makes stuff up as part of his job. Like, if he were showing ponies around the Canterlot gardens he'd say things like "This statue represents Victory. Most believe it refers to the battle against Discord all those centuries ago, but the truth is that it refers to the secret war against the mole-ponies, which lasted over 200 years and ended when the Grand Chieftan Mole-pony was assassinated with a giant blancmange."

More of a quirk than anything, but just something fun to throw in. :smallsmile:

Huh. That would be interesting.

[Balmas]

In between textbooks and assignments and (this is probably the largest part) other MLP fics, I finally finished Off The Map! On to Dangerous Business!

[TheAmishPirate]

Just to touch base, I have been doing some more thinking about Crown Cork, but things have been a mite crazy on my end. I'll try and pop in the IRC when I can.

[BlasTech]

Just to touch base, I have been doing some more thinking about Crown Cork, but things have been a mite crazy on my end. I'll try and pop in the IRC when I can.

Give me a heads up here before you do and I'll hop on (If I'm awake, but given you're in Japan our timezones should be similar right now).

I'm on and off this afternoon because my connection keeps dropping out without me knowing.

[Balmas]

Okay! Got a PDF of Dangerous Business, converted it to Epub for use on the nook, and looked at the page count: 828.

http://lunachan.net/site/src/132304949714.gif


Yeah. May be a while.

No, wait. It's only 351. Might as well get started!

[TheAmishPirate]

IRL update: My roommate here in Japan had to have his appendix taken out yesterday. Went to go visit him today, only to get caught in the rain on the way back. Between that, work, and some other things, I'm likely not to get into the IRC today. Sorry for all the delays, I'll just keep thinking about Crown on my own for now.

[BlasTech]

In about 12 hours, I'll wake up on a Saturday morning. At this point I'll probably open my CA textbook and start idling in the IRC. I should be there for most of Saturday so this is probably the first best chance to catch up where the connection wont drop out lol.

Lets make this happen! :smallbiggrin:

[One Tin Soldier]

I'll be there for the morning (for Blas at least), when I'm not watching a movie.

[BlasTech]

Well, one hour later than promised, but I'm here!

Balmas, Ravian, Amish, Diego ... Just ping me in chat. If I don't respond, then post here. Just get my attention and I'll be active within 30 mins (about how often I am checking the IRC updates)

LETS DOO THEES

[BlasTech]

*pokes Ravian*

Is your IRC still on?

[BlasTech]

Phew, productive day!

Here's the chat logs for Ravian/Soot


02:22:16: <BlasTech> Aww ... what did I do? D:
02:22:38: <Ravian> Hey BlasTech!
02:23:23: <BlasTech> Hi Ravian, so where were we up to with soots? I think we had a good discussion about her goals last time?
02:23:44: <PastelStreaming> I was hoping for a Fallout Equestria RP. ^^
02:24:09: <BlasTech> Lol, there's one of those going on in the FFRP section of the forums, orrr just go make your own :P
02:24:42: <Ravian> I think we had decided her ideal was a world where everypony cared about each other, one without selfishness or poverty
02:25:22: <BlasTech> That's right, I think we were just trying to work out a way she might word it.
02:25:31: <BlasTech> At which point I started singing Nickelback songs :P
02:25:42: <Ravian> Oh yeah...
02:26:12: <TheAmishPony> The bane of all RP discussions...
02:26:37: <BlasTech> "If everyone cares then nopony cries" was kind of relevant to the discussion! :P
02:26:59: <Ravian> I will agree to that
02:27:28: <BlasTech> But yeah, from what I remember. Soots emphasises empathy with others, her ideal is an externally focused one in that it's something she seeks to either encourage or bring out in other ponies.
02:28:01: <BlasTech> Justify for me then, in her words, why does she steal stuff from ponies?
02:28:13: <BlasTech> (hopefully an easy question)
02:29:00: <Ravian> Well she does it to take care of her "family", figuring that they need it more than those she steals from
02:30:39: <Ravian> She generally picks her targets very deliberately, for example she's not going to rob some little family-run store blind
02:31:44: <Ravian> but a few apples from a big grocery store is fine in her eyes
02:32:40: <BlasTech> Sooo ... would it be a sort of "If they don't care, then they won't miss this?" kind of mentality?
02:32:58: <Ravian> Sort of
02:33:58: <BlasTech> Only 'sort of'? How better then?
02:35:12: <BlasTech> (Also, Amish are you still here?
02:36:27: <BlasTech> "If they won't care, I won't either?"
02:36:48: <Ravian> Well she does take a certain amount of enjoyment from stealing from those that fit her description of what's wrong with the world
02:37:34: <Ravian> For example if she had the opportunity to rob somepony like Blueblood blind she would do it in an instant
02:37:52: <BlasTech> yup yup, but you're just telling me stuff about the character
02:38:01: <BlasTech> try to think of how she might say it to herself
02:38:09: <BlasTech> in /her/ words
02:38:34: <BlasTech> or do you need some examples?
02:40:53: <Ravian> I guess "If they won't care, I won't either" is a good description
02:43:58: <Ravian> She's had to live low her entire life, so in her eyes they already have more than enough and shouldn't be so stingy with it
02:44:31: <BlasTech> Ok, so that's interesting
02:44:46: <BlasTech> Basically, what we're moving towards here is an expression of her "flawed ideal"
02:45:26: <Ravian> I guess it is pretty hypocritical of her
02:45:27: <BlasTech> So in a perfect world for her, everyone empathises with everyone else, they look out for each other, they take care of each other.
02:45:38: <BlasTech> Flawed ideals can be like that
02:45:59: <BlasTech> basically, the distance between the flawed ideal and the ideal gives you the path of growth for that character
02:47:03: <Ravian> Ok, so what you're saying is that she's using her ideal as a justification for her own less than noble ways?
02:47:43: <BlasTech> in a way. Basically the premise of the flawed ideal is taking the actual ideal, and then simply tainting it by exposing it to reality.
02:48:38: <BlasTech> In soots case, she'd believe deeply in that everpony has to care for each other, but in the real world people have a finite limit to how much they can really care for
02:49:04: <BlasTech> being in the underclass as a result, she could then use their apathy to justify her actions against them
02:49:13: <BlasTech> in turn becoming a bit tainted by that apathy herself.
02:49:44: <BlasTech> the fight between making sure she cares, and not caring that she's taking things from other ponies, would then be the theme of the character.
02:50:37: <BlasTech> and it's a valid one for a thief character in the MLP verse
02:51:56: <Ravian> Okay that sounds about right, especially when I think about her maternal side and how she tries to care for others as well
02:52:36: <BlasTech> Yeah, I mean this puts a bit of a more negative spin on her character, but offers more opportunity for growth as a result
02:52:47: <BlasTech> in this case, she's stealing because she's been hardened against caring for her victims
02:52:55: <BlasTech> by circumstance
02:53:40: <BlasTech> if, for example, you'd thought of the flaw as more along the lines of "If they don't care, then I'll make them care", she'd be more about stealing stuff to teach a lesson to her victims. (but this is not as tightly tied to her idea of maternally looking after her gang)
02:54:52: <Ravian> Yeah that sounds about right, so is there anything else?
02:55:40: <BlasTech> Well are you happy with the phrasing of the ideal? "Everypony has to care"? or "If Everypony cares then nopony cries?" :P
02:55:55: <BlasTech> or something else? what would feel it fits best for you?
02:56:05: <BlasTech> (I kinda feel like I've been putting words in your mouth a bit here)
02:57:10: <Ravian> Yeah frankly the Nickelback one sounds the best whenever I think about it :P
02:58:46: <BlasTech> Hah, cool. Okay so her ideal is "If everyone cares then nopony cries." Her flawed ideal is "If you won't care, then I won't either" (don't or won't? hmm)
02:59:19: <Ravian> Probably won't
02:59:27: <BlasTech> cool
02:59:39: <Ravian> It implies something more deliberate in my mind
03:00:05: <BlasTech> Okay, the next step before getting into background questions is to pick five key words to sum up Soots. Then you pick five more related to each of those first five, so you have a word box of 25 words describing soots
03:00:35: <BlasTech> a good rule of thumb is to pick at least one "negative" key word, usually tied to the character's vice
03:00:58: <BlasTech> from what we've discussed, I think Empathy should definitely go on there. but the rest I'd like to hear from you
03:01:39: <Ravian> Ok let me think here, I suppose the negative one would be "Jaded?"
03:02:25: <BlasTech> Sure!
03:02:44: <BlasTech> and already you can see an internal conflict in the character :P
03:03:25: <Ravian> Other ones I think of are Protective
03:05:35: <BlasTech> Empathy, Jaded, Protective
03:05:57: <BlasTech> two more
03:07:05: <Ravian> One of the traits I think of is that she kind of needs companionship, trying to figure out how to put that in a single word
03:08:39: <BlasTech> Alone?
03:08:51: <BlasTech> Lonely?
03:09:08: <Ravian> Lonely sounds good
03:11:57: <Ravian> The other thing is that she kind of puts up a tough front to hide behind whenever things get tough, like she feels she has be strong for others
03:12:57: <BlasTech> So, strength then?
03:13:37: <Ravian> That sounds good. Empathy, Jaded, Protective, Lonely and Strength
03:14:21: <onetinsoldier> Hey, guys
03:14:36: <Ravian> Unfortunately I might need to hold off on coming up with the others because it's getting late where I am
03:15:06: <BlasTech> that's fine
03:15:12: <BlasTech> work on the next five, but consider this
03:15:52: <BlasTech> As a character who is jaded - this probably runs counter to the idea that she has an "ooh shiny" attention defecit disorder, and more like she's a bit reserved and introverted.
03:15:57: <onetinsoldier> Hold on, I'm gonna connect with my actual computer
03:16:11: <BlasTech> and second, as a character focusing on empathy. What guiding element do you think she might have?
03:16:20: <BlasTech> especially when you take it into mother/caretaker mode?
03:17:19: <Ravian> Yeah I suppose the add is a little off, and Kindness seems to be the right one out of them all for her
03:17:30: <BlasTech> Yup, that was what I was thinking too
03:17:34: <BlasTech> Soots - the Kind Thief



And DiveBomb/Balmas

03:27:50: <BlasTech> which brings us back to dive bomb
03:28:53: <Balmas> Well, I had a chat with him today
03:29:02: <Balmas> (And I really hope that doesn't sound too crazy)
03:29:13: <OneTinPony> Not to me
03:29:30: <Balmas> about his family, and how he feels towards his family.
03:30:24: <BlasTech> Lol, all good.
03:30:38: <BlasTech> Anyway, Dive Bomb is mostly there in terms of his ideal, and keywords.
03:30:43: <Balmas> Yup.
03:30:47: <StarryNotions> *lurk*
03:31:03: Balmas throws mad milk on Starry Notions.
03:31:13: <BlasTech> But I still feel like we need to sort out how those then drive his backstory. So for this bit, I just want you to tell me about him. His likes/dislikes. What foods or books he likes. How he gets on with his family.
03:31:42: <Balmas> Well, let's start with his family, since that's the part that I've felt out the most with him.
03:31:53: <BlasTech> (also, can you remind me what words we settled on for his flawed ideal? his ideal was "I drive perfection" if i recall right)
03:32:25: <Balmas> His ideal is "I will perfect the world." His flawed ideal is "Life isn't perfect."
03:32:42: TheAmishPony boops Starry's nose
03:32:57: <BlasTech> Hi Siuis
03:33:59: <Balmas> Anyway, both his parents are stunt flyers. Not wonderbolts material, but not slacks either.
03:36:37: <BlasTech> So what does he think about their flying skills?
03:36:54: <Balmas> He admires them from afar, and is no slouch in the department himself.
03:37:05: <Balmas> However, he feels that his destiny lies elsewhere.
03:37:30: <Balmas> His mom is okay with this, but his dad wants him to carry on the family tradition.
03:37:30: <BlasTech> yup, that sounds good
03:37:58: <Balmas> Let's not mention the fact that his dad is just as stubborn as he is.
03:38:10: <Balmas> He gets a lot of his temperament from his dad, to tell the truth.
03:39:06: <BlasTech> hmm
03:39:12: <Balmas> This all got worse when his brother died.
03:39:16: <Balmas> Rather, it came to a head.
03:39:33: <BlasTech> point of order here
03:40:21: <BlasTech> clarification needed, DB has accepted that life is imperfect, that sometimes he can't find the answer and has to move on when it relates to ponies?
03:40:37: <BlasTech> how does this tie to having his father's stubbornness?
03:41:16: <Balmas> He's kind of accepted that he doesn't understand ponies, and so has shelved it for now.
03:41:35: <Balmas> He's more stubborn about personal things.
03:41:45: <Balmas> Like, if he feels he's right he will stand with it to the last.
03:42:12: <Balmas> If he's ever in a shouting match (which, really, isn't likely to happen) he will give as good as he gets.
03:42:39: <BlasTech> ok, so principles, self worth driven stubbornness. but less likely to stick with a course if, all things equal, it resists him?
03:43:08: <Balmas> That seems about right.
03:43:22: <BlasTech> ok, continue.
03:43:23: <Balmas> He's content to follow unless he feels that the leader is doing something wrong.
03:43:55: <Balmas> Anyway, when things came to a head with his father, words were said in anger, and he left in a huff.
03:44:07: <BlasTech> Yeah, a sort of "go with the flow, unless I feel that this is evil/wrong."
03:45:13: <Balmas> Now, this is weird: I haven't put much thought into what kinds of foods he likes, but I still have an inkling what they are.
03:45:24: <Balmas> For example, he likes milkshakes--strawberry is best.
03:45:35: <Balmas> He's got a sweet tooth to him.
03:46:18: <Balmas> Favorite fruit: apples, when he can get them.
03:46:29: <Balmas> He likes potatoes and carrots as well.
03:46:49: <Balmas> Personal likes are stuff like reading, flying, and observing.
03:46:58: <Balmas> Oh, he loves to fly.
03:47:18: <Balmas> It's what makes him different, sets him apart, and yet makes him the same as any other pegasus.
03:47:43: <BlasTech> Ask him who his hero is? :P
03:48:14: <Balmas> Funnily enough, his dad.
03:48:39: <Balmas> It's very complicated.
03:49:05: <OneTinPony> Is that who he would say his hero is, though?
03:49:06: <Balmas> He hates what his dad is trying to do to him, hates being forced to submit, but at the same time craves his approval.
03:49:54: <Balmas> Other role models are Soarin' and this world's equivalent of Newton.
03:50:18: OneTinPony tries to think of a pony pun for Newton
03:51:21: <Balmas> As for dislikes:
03:51:30: <Balmas> Ponies who try to push him around.
03:51:43: <Balmas> Complacency, both in himself and in others.
03:52:08: <Balmas> He doesn't like butter. Odd little quirk.
03:52:52: <Balmas> He dislikes magic for two reasons:
03:53:24: <Balmas> First, it messes with the laws of science as he understands it.
03:53:43: <Balmas> Second, he doesn't understand it very well, having lived in Cloudsdale all his life.
03:54:17: <Balmas> Okay, four reasons: He feels powerless against it, not having any real defenses besides dodging.
03:55:13: <Balmas> Fourth reason: it takes away what makes pegasi unique. He did attend the Best Young Flyer's Competition, after all.
03:56:19: <Balmas> For these reasons, he feels a mild resentment towards unicorns, especially if they do easily something that he had to struggle to learn.
03:56:22: OneTinPony chuckles
03:58:16: <StarryNotions> Wait
03:58:18: <StarryNotions> Objection
03:58:49: <StarryNotions> Science, in a pony universe would have grown up with and around magic. So that's not like a RL scientist disliking mysticism.
03:59:11: <OneTinPony> He didn't say that Dive Bomb was right
03:59:11: <StarryNotions> It's like a chemist disliking an engineer. Or a photo it's disliking a geologist. It's a separate, equal science.
03:59:51: BlasTech thinks he gets what Balmas is saying here, but will let him articulate it
03:59:54: <Balmas> He's hardly ever gone out of Cloudsdale, and so has had very little contact with unicorns or magic.
04:00:13: <Balmas> It's foreign to him, and he's somewhat suspicious of it.
04:00:39: <StarryNotions> I know. I just wanted to make sure you grokked that a unicorn would probably think your flight was the same.
04:01:20: <StarryNotions> I mean, you don't need to even learn the math! Just beat your wings and fly, hike I have to struggle just to get airborn?! How unfair is that!
04:01:20: <Balmas> Yes.
04:01:40: <Balmas> I know that, and you know that.
04:01:44: <StarryNotions> But if it's an established prejudice, that's oil.
04:01:49: <StarryNotions> Cool*
04:02:03: <BlasTech> Yep that's fine, it's basically just an inter-dicipline rivalry thing I think
04:02:13: <BlasTech> Like an artist dissing a chemist or vice versa
04:02:46: <Balmas> There's an element of that, but there's also an element of fear.
04:02:53: <BlasTech> or at least that's what I'm hearing lol
04:03:17: <OneTinPony> Ok, gonna be off for a while
04:03:38: <OneTinPony> I shall return before too long
04:03:50: <BlasTech> bye OTS
04:03:56: <Balmas> See you later.
04:04:03: <StarryNotions> Peace.
04:04:05: <BlasTech> ok, so maybe an artist and a olympic marksman or something?
04:04:14: <BlasTech> I dunno :P
04:04:28: <StarryNotions> But yeah, magic basic theory would show up in grade school text books, it seems.
04:05:03: <Balmas> Not really. After all, Grease Spot had to go to a community college, didn't she?
04:05:49: <StarryNotions> Maybe. But kids hear about Newton's apple early on.
04:06:16: <StarryNotions> Stuff like basic magic and basic Pegasus flight skills would probably be told, poorly, to children.
04:06:51: <Balmas> I mean, he's heard of it, unicorns cast spells on furniture, he knows unicorns do magic, but doesn't kno wmuch more than that.
04:06:56: <Balmas> *much
04:07:42: <StarryNotions> But that's all surmise on my part.
04:09:08: <StarryNotions> *curtsies* I'm out of here. Peace, friends.
04:09:19: <Balmas> See you later! Peace!
04:10:01: <BlasTech> cyas siu ... aw
04:11:07: <BlasTech> Well as for the current discussion, I can see a low level of prejudice potentially existing, particularly if it's mostly just driven by lack of understanding. But even if he's a chemist, he'd have dealt with less hard science things than a RL chemist. so Magic can't really be that alien to him.
04:11:35: <Balmas> Exactly.
04:11:39: <BlasTech> I mean, he'd probably have heard about the medicinal properties of Hearts Desire plants for example during class. Or Poison Joke. Or other things.
04:12:09: <BlasTech> The idea of a magi-vascular plant (that absorbs magic through its root system and then has certain effects) would also be something he's dealt with.
04:12:55: <BlasTech> he might have some resentment that Unicorns can use it so easily, and so flexibly, but the idea that he'd think Unicorns were violating physics might be a bit far?
04:13:07: <Balmas> Perhaps so.
04:13:08: <BlasTech> given that's how physics in Equestria seems to work
04:13:21: <Balmas> Resentment sounds like an accurate statement.
04:13:36: <BlasTech> welcome back Amish
04:13:44: <BlasTech> that was fast?
04:13:52: <Balmas> Heh Amish.
04:15:39: <Balmas> But you understand what he's feeling then?
04:15:50: <Balmas> Moderate resentment and dislike of casual magic?
04:16:03: <BlasTech> I think so, it's just more of a "quit rubbing my face in it" perspective
04:16:15: <BlasTech> I guess?
04:16:51: <Balmas> Kind of. He's not entirely sure about it himself.
04:17:09: <Balmas> Kind of a Crossed-forelegs-Hmph kind of deal.
04:17:11: <BlasTech> hi again Amish
04:17:17: <BlasTech> yeah I think so.
04:17:19: <Balmas> Hello hello!
04:17:39: <Balmas> That's really all I've got for him so far.
04:17:48: <Balmas> Oh, and one more thing he likes: recognition.
04:18:21: <Balmas> Sure, he wants to perfect the world, but he also likes a pat on the back now and then.
04:19:39: <BlasTech> hmm, I still don't feel like I have a full handle on his character yet.
04:20:02: <BlasTech> Okay, he wants to perfect the world. He wants to do this by understanding how things work ... then what does he do?
04:20:14: <Balmas> What would you like to know?
04:20:54: <Balmas> Well, he wants to document it and find ways to implement it.
04:20:57: <BlasTech> Give me a few examples of him actually following through on this?
04:21:15: <Balmas> Okay, if he finds a new plant, he'll see if he can't find a use for it.
04:21:18: <BlasTech> Like, what times during his life would this have come up so far?
04:21:34: <BlasTech> okaay
04:21:49: <Balmas> For example, his explosives?
04:21:56: <Balmas> Reworked stunt flyer chemicals.
04:23:31: <BlasTech> is it mostly around things which he can break down in chemistry terms? or does he apply this mental framework elsewhere?
04:23:57: <Balmas> Mostly chemical / science stuff.
04:24:13: <Balmas> I mean, he keeps his eyes open on other things, but it's mostly chemicals.
04:24:17: <BlasTech> like, with a filing system, or the management of a school
04:24:37: <BlasTech> would he really pay attention to those, or would he instead be thinking about the cool plan he has in a beaker back at the lab?
04:24:47: <BlasTech> plant*
04:25:03: <Balmas> He wouldn't really be interested in management at all.
04:25:34: <Balmas> He's more interested in documenting what he considers science: chemicals, medicine, experiments, and so on.
04:25:41: <BlasTech> okay
04:26:08: <Balmas> Hey, Pastel.
04:26:50: <BlasTech> He just seems like a very internally contradictory pony to me sometimes, is that intentional?
04:27:32: <Balmas> To a certain extent. He's still finding his way in life, trying to work out how it works.
04:27:58: <Balmas> He's comfortable with science and chemicals, where usually things go according to plan.
04:28:07: <Balmas> Ponies, not so much.
04:28:24: <Balmas> He's trying to understand medicine most of all, to help others.
04:29:15: <BlasTech> I mean, he's inquisitve and adventurous... except in the realms that he's deemed too hard like magic and socialisation. He's driven to perfect the world, but only focuses on perfecting the narrow band of "science" that he has defined.
04:29:47: <BlasTech> it's like he's two different characters welded together sometimes
04:30:45: <Balmas> I can see your point.
04:30:47: <BlasTech> I guess I just need to think about it a bit
04:30:53: <Balmas> Same here.
04:31:02: <BlasTech> not sure if my continued problem is my fault or something that needs fixing with DB lol
04:31:54: <BlasTech> Hmm, you want to take a break for here today? I don't know what questions I need to ask.
04:32:31: <Balmas> Sure, lets.
04:32:46: <Balmas> To be honest, I have noticed that he does a lot of contradictory stuff.
04:33:24: <Balmas> He dislikes his father, but at the same time craves his approval.
04:33:48: <Balmas> He doesn't like ponies telling him what to do, but has no problem with telling others their problems.
04:34:02: <Balmas> DB, no offense, but you're a bit of a jerk.
04:34:06: <BlasTech> lol
04:34:19: <BlasTech> Maybe he's just embodying his Flawed Ideal; Life is Imperfect eh?
04:34:29: <Balmas> Lol.
04:36:01: <BlasTech> He's also going to hate alot of this trip honestly. You read Off the Edge of the Map right? What would he think if he faced that island god? or the village that burned?
04:36:22: <Balmas> He'd be freaking out wondering what the heck was going on.
04:36:34: <Balmas> He'd try to make sense of it till he burned out.
04:37:11: <Balmas> Heh, he might try to interview the island god if he wasn't scared of it.
04:37:22: <BlasTech> That'd be fun.
04:37:37: <Balmas> He says, "Don't you dare."
04:39:02: <BlasTech> Sorry DB, you're the one living in this world of fantasy and spirits :P
04:40:49: <Balmas> Nuuuuuuu!
04:41:02: <Balmas> Heh. Anything else you want to talk about?
04:42:23: <BlasTech> Not right now, although I'm trying to get my head around DB's character. Grease Spot and Soots are more straightforward in that they are built around core premesis rather than contradictions lol
04:43:06: <BlasTech> premises*
04:44:28: <Balmas> He seemed so straightforward until he got a life of his own!
04:44:50: <BlasTech> Sadly they do, although from time to time you might need to remind them who they are :P
04:44:57: <Balmas> How did he go from an awkward pharmacist exploring equestria to... this?
04:45:21: <BlasTech> I don't know actually. Just yell his ideal at him till he settles down :P


And finally, Diego's character

08:03:21: <BlasTech> so yeah, tell me about City Slicker?
08:05:36: <DiegoHavoc> Uh... I think you know as much as I do really. He's a tour guide... knows about the city... perhaps a bit of a fast talker? That's all I've got.
08:05:37: <BlasTech> Even if you have no clue about him lol :P
08:05:56: <DiegoHavoc> No clue is a pretty apt description.
08:05:58: <DiegoHavoc> XD
08:06:16: <BlasTech> heh, in that case you have a fully blank canvas to work with =D
08:06:30: <BlasTech> why did you want him to be a tour guide?
08:07:16: <BlasTech> or rather what kind of character were you thinking of playing, a socially focused one? (seems to be) and why might that be?
08:08:16: <BlasTech> or do you want to do something else?
08:10:54: <DiegoHavoc> I don't know. :/ I started with the name. I thought about what character might be interesting to be thrown into the wilds of Equestria, and one who was more used to the comforts of a big city seemed like an interesting thing to do. So I named him City Slicker and went from there.
08:11:53: <DiegoHavoc> I don't know where the tour guide thing came from. I guess because it's a job where you frequently go around a city, perhaps meet a lot of people? I admit I'm not attached to the idea.
08:12:18: <BlasTech> But you like the idea of the whole "fish out of water" aspect is it?
08:12:51: <DiegoHavoc> I guess so. It seemed like it would fit the campaign.
08:13:45: <DiegoHavoc> Though, what I don't really want to do is make a character who complains a lot. No whining about how terrible this is and how life in the big city is so much better etc.
08:15:08: <BlasTech> so maybe a sort of one who might be excited by the prospect, even if they never intended it?
08:16:52: <DiegoHavoc> Yeah, that could work. Perhaps he thinks of himself as a bit of an explorer. He just usually explores allyways and parks.
08:18:18: <BlasTech> So sort of the city kid, who has never really had the means or motivation to travel afield?
08:18:39: <BlasTech> sounds like maybe a bit of a dreamer?
08:21:19: <DiegoHavoc> Perhaps. Maybe he's been reading all those Daring Do books and wants to be like her. :P
08:22:35: <BlasTech> I was kind of getting that sort of image. A colt that spends a fair amount of time in the library or bookstore :P
08:23:46: <BlasTech> or a filly, whatever you want to play? :P
08:24:18: <BlasTech> If we're going back to blank canvas, race and gender might make a good initial decision
08:25:44: <DiegoHavoc> Well, initially I just went with Male earth pony. I'll stick with male for now, but race isn't fixed.
08:28:10: <BlasTech> fair nuff.
08:29:05: <DiegoHavoc> So, he fancies himself an adventurer, but stories are his only frame of reference. So his "adventures" are him wandering around Canterlot (or another city, perhaps Manehattan) looking for neat stuff. A shop that's out of the way, an old statue in a park, a place with a cool view. Whatever he can get.
08:29:35: <BlasTech> Yep that works.
08:30:58: <BlasTech> So he has a bit of wanderlust then.
08:31:08: <BlasTech> Any other thoughts?
08:34:33: <BlasTech> Well how about this, if he's wandering around looking for excitement and adventure, i'm guessing his life must normally be rather mundane.
08:35:54: <DiegoHavoc> I suppose that's true, yeah.
08:37:01: <BlasTech> So as a tour guide, maybe that's why he makes up stories about places to the foals he leads around?
08:38:23: <DiegoHavoc> Yeah, it's his little way of making life a bit more interesting.
08:38:40: <DiegoHavoc> BRB
08:38:57: <BlasTech> kk
08:44:59: <DiegoHavoc> Back
08:45:31: <BlasTech> yay!
08:45:59: <DiegoHavoc> ^^
08:46:24: <DiegoHavoc> Alright, where do we go from here?
08:47:02: <BlasTech> well we have the core of a character who is a bit of a dreamer, finds the world around them a little bit mundane for their liking.
08:48:02: <BlasTech> has a bit of a desire to get out of his life, get away and see new things.
08:48:49: <BlasTech> can either build around this more? or try to figure out what his ideal might be.
08:49:17: <BlasTech> oops, I gotta hop off for dinner. I'll be back in about 30 mins?
08:49:37: <DiegoHavoc> Sure, I'll think about what I want to work out next
08:49:56: <BlasTech> sounds good!
09:13:24: <BlasTech> I'm back!
09:13:29: <BlasTech> any luck?
09:19:23: <DiegoHavoc> Oh hey, sorry, was on youtube...
09:20:38: <DiegoHavoc> Uh, lesse. I'm still not entirely sure of this ideal. Closest I can come up with is just "Life should be more exciting" but I don't know if that's what you're looking for.
09:22:00: <DiegoHavoc> Hey there Amish!
09:22:14: <BlasTech> Hiya Amish!
09:22:19: <BlasTech> how goes?
09:27:36: <BlasTech> And for the ideal. I had a think.
09:28:24: <DiegoHavoc> Oh, yeah?
09:29:08: <BlasTech> We only really have a very basic idea about this pony right now, that may change if you feel like there's some other way you want to play them.
09:29:26: <BlasTech> but as it stands, the ideal is fairly simple to pull out;
09:30:15: <BlasTech> This is a pony that seeks escape in his imagination. So really, it's along the lines of "Imagination sets you free"
09:31:09: <TheAmishPony> Hiya
09:31:21: <DiegoHavoc> Alright, I think that can work.
09:31:27: <DiegoHavoc> Heya!
09:31:43: <TheAmishPony> Just got back from a day of wandering around Osaka
09:32:17: <DiegoHavoc> Cool. How was it?
09:34:21: <TheAmishPony> Very nice! It only rained a bit at the start of the day, and it was bright and sunny the rest of the time
09:34:36: <TheAmishPony> Also put on my iPod for the first time in forever, nostalgia'd over all the old music on it
09:34:41: <TheAmishPony> It's a first-generation shuffle
09:35:20: <BlasTech> I think I only saw about 1% of osaka lol. Just about 500m from the train station to a canal
09:40:45: <TheAmishPony> Woop, and the floodgates have opened
09:40:55: <TheAmishPony> Osaka is huge
09:41:05: <TheAmishPony> I've probably only seen maybe 2%
09:42:40: <BlasTech> or, maybe I'm rounding up then
09:43:03: <DiegoHavoc> So anyway, character discussion. If the ideal is "Imagination sets you free" then the flawed ideal is something like "Imagination is not reality"?
09:43:23: <TheAmishPony> (nah, I just see places other than Osaka too. That, and I really only see the area around the train station)
09:43:57: <BlasTech> Actually, I think this guy is a perfect match to something like "You can't survive on dreams" :P
09:44:19: <BlasTech> which is an ideal Amish and I rejected earlier.
09:45:14: <DiegoHavoc> Oh I see. I get the second hand reject ideals. I see how it is. :P
09:45:32: <BlasTech> Only if they fit! :P
09:46:33: <DiegoHavoc> Sure, okay then. So now what?
09:48:42: <BlasTech> well normally we'd start discussing word association, but I want to hear what you think about the character so far, because it almost feels like I've made it rather than you this afternoon :3
09:48:56: <BlasTech> do those ideals sound right to you? is this the sort of character you want to play?
09:49:21: <BlasTech> any other thoughts or quirks or attributes you want to fiddle with before we think of this set in stone?
09:49:28: <BlasTech> need more time to consider? :P
09:50:14: <DiegoHavoc> Yeah, I think I'm going to need some time to think
09:51:06: <BlasTech> yup, so lets park it here for now then.

[Ravian]

Can't get on the IRC right now, but was wondering does the 25 word box total included the original five key words you come up with?

[BlasTech]

Can't get on the IRC right now, but was wondering does the 25 word box total included the original five key words you come up with?

Technically, no.

[Ravian]

Alright just checking

[BlasTech]

Take two at Divebomb today (Balmas)

06:24:58: <Balmas> So, yeah.
06:25:18: <Balmas> I hve been thinking a bit about DB and his contrariness, the resolving thereof.
06:25:30: <BlasTech> that's great ^^
06:26:00: <BlasTech> I've been trying to resolve it in my head, but no luck so far. I can't figure out the thread that connects all the different things you mentioned yesterday.
06:26:00: <Balmas> Shouting his ideals worked. ^^
06:26:24: <BlasTech> so what new developments did that bring?
06:26:31: <Balmas> Mostly it's come down to thinking about the character without thinking about his ideals.
06:27:34: <Balmas> And that leads to new, interesting ideas that really don't fit.
06:27:50: <BlasTech> This is good insight =D
06:28:22: <Balmas> So I've been shaking around the ideas to see where they lead.
06:28:52: <Balmas> So, this is what I've come up with after chatting:
06:29:04: <Balmas> He still dislikes magic.
06:29:14: <Balmas> But, it's more a friendly rivalry kind of thing.
06:29:40: <Balmas> He hasn't had much chance to observe it in person, for obvious reasons.
06:30:34: <BlasTech> ok, that seems a bit nicer
06:31:09: <Balmas> He still wants to learn more about it, but feels, if anything, jealous of it.
06:32:04: <BlasTech> right that kind of works.
06:32:15: <BlasTech> What about other ponies?
06:32:55: <Balmas> He kind of despairs of finding an answer on that question. He wants to, but it's low on his list of priorities.
06:33:56: <Balmas> He wants to find cures for diseases, find and document new things, and those things take priority.
06:34:52: <BlasTech> oh-kay
06:36:02: <Balmas> In his mind, chemistry and medicine are much more concrete than social interaction, and more progress will be made by focusing his efforts in those directions.
06:37:04: <BlasTech> But if the opportunity for socialisation comes up, how does he react?
06:39:10: <BlasTech> I think you might have hit the nail on the head saying that some aspects of the character were added on in isolation to the ideal, but one of those I'm still grappling with is his inherited "determination" from his dad
06:39:14: <Balmas> It's a nagging annoyance of his, a small pet peeve, that ponies refuse to fit in an orderly fashion.
06:39:14: <Balmas> "They quite stubbornly refuse to make sense. The only uniform rule is that there aren't any."
06:39:14: <Balmas> Is this making more sense?
06:40:08: <BlasTech> see, if he's so driven to find the answers to everything, so that he can perfect the world, I don't think he can really just satisfy himself with that kind of an answer
06:41:55: <BlasTech> I can see him having a bit of an inferiority complex about it, if he keeps getting it wrong. But I can't see him just stopping.
06:42:23: <Balmas> He's not satisfied.
06:45:04: <Balmas> I can see your point.
06:45:04: <Balmas> From his point of view, the world is big, and other things take priority. It's a back-burner project for im.
06:45:04: <Balmas> *him.
06:46:07: <Balmas> If I could describe a word to describe his emotions towards the whole pony problem, it would be "Frustrated."
06:46:51: <Balmas> So, in order to rework it closer to his ideals:
06:47:46: <Balmas> He wants to find the solution. He will figure it out, he's determined to do so.
06:48:05: <Balmas> However, also going with what we have, we know he doesn't like acting without knowing what is best.
06:48:17: <Balmas> So, he holds back unless he knows what it is.
06:49:38: <BlasTech> So he's sort of the awkward observer in a social environment?
06:49:51: <Balmas> Yes.
06:50:09: <BlasTech> Ok, that I can see working.
06:50:28: <Balmas> Of course, this also would logically lead to him having few friends.
06:51:29: <BlasTech> And I think it means he'd be a little unsure of himself until he thinks he's worked out problems generally.
06:51:54: <BlasTech> so maybe not quite as "bullheadedly determined" as his dad?
06:51:55: <Balmas> Thus his contentment to follow unless he knows what to do.
06:52:10: <BlasTech> Or did I get the wrong message there?
06:52:43: <Balmas> Maybe.
06:52:58: <Balmas> When I said he's stubborn, I was referring to emotional stuff.
06:53:11: <Balmas> Let's talk about his emotional development.
06:54:19: <Balmas> He tends to be calm, bottling away any irritations.
06:54:28: <Balmas> So, he comes off as very quiet, sometimes cold, to other ponies.
06:54:44: <Balmas> However, that bottled away stuff stays.
06:55:15: <Balmas> He guards his feelings well, so it doesn't show much, but it's there.
06:55:56: <Balmas> He's stubborn about what he wants to do, and refuses to be told what to do by others.
06:56:16: <Balmas> So, he's determined to get answers, but he's most stubborn when he's butting heads with othersw.
06:57:03: <BlasTech> Stubborn vs content to follow unless he knows what to do?
06:57:45: <Balmas> Both apply, but the second is more accurate.
07:00:14: <BlasTech> I think you need to pick one or the other really =/ Either he's rather awkward and hesitant to make tough decisions until he assures himself five ways by gathering data, or he's stubborn and will continue to defend a position or theory against criticism and evidence. (Of course there can be a moral exception, but this is for just dealing with other ponies)
07:00:53: <BlasTech> the idea that he's both awkward and stubborn is one of those which makes him feel like he's trying to be two opposing things at once to me
07:02:27: <BlasTech> I should rephrase. Yes, he can dig his hooves in if he's pushed too far (like if someone keeps walking over him a la fluttershy), but I couldn't see someone who is described as awkward and hesitant suddenly switching over to soapbox mode simply because someone tells him to move his stuff for instance.
07:02:51: <BlasTech> or that he has to set up shop in position X
07:03:32: <BlasTech> he'd be "oh, okay. I guess I'd better see how good this X is, *checks out his notes, then goes to do a cost/benefit analysis of trying to get a better spot in the lab*
07:04:24: <Balmas> Oh, see, that's where you're right.
07:04:24: <Balmas> He's only really stubborn about big things, like life path or life or death situations.
07:06:31: <Balmas> So, if someone were to say, move your stuff, he might bristle a bit, but he'd pack up.
07:06:41: <BlasTech> So how far do you have to push him before he digs in?
07:07:31: <BlasTech> The way I see it, where you set the slider for minor-major issues on that question, needs to be consistent to his treatment of social situations in terms of his research priorities
07:09:17: <Balmas> He's fairly easy-going. He'll only start digging in if you're constantly pushing at him or if you start doing something that's clearly stupid or wrong.
07:11:35: <BlasTech> can you 1-10 it for me, 1 being doormat, 10 being iron will?
07:12:25: <Balmas> So, to set an example:
07:12:25: <Balmas> With his dad, it took years of constant nagging for him to finally explode.
07:13:16: <BlasTech> hmm ok
07:13:23: <Balmas> They'd had fights before, neither wanting to back down for pride and stubborness.
07:13:31: <BlasTech> so ... 2? 3?
07:13:52: <Balmas> Out of ten?
07:14:04: <Balmas> Let's say 3.5.
07:14:09: <BlasTech> wait, they both fought before? so he was stubborn while getting rolled over?
07:14:15: <BlasTech> lol
07:14:43: <Balmas> There was tension between them.
07:15:08: <Balmas> The dad would make off-hand comments, he'd snap back with a witty retort, and so on.
07:15:32: <Balmas> But never stuff like shouting, insults, accusations, like after his brother died.
07:21:45: <BlasTech> Ok, so the retorts were mostly just joking back or something?
07:22:33: <Balmas> More irritation than joking.
07:23:04: <Balmas> He acts very differently with his dad than with everyone else.
07:24:03: <BlasTech> Have to be careful with that I guess, if he's actively insulting back or something that makes it more resistance than acceptance I think.
07:24:42: <Balmas> The irritation did come after long periods of nagging, though.
07:25:25: <Balmas> He's not going to come out with both barrels blazing for most people, because they just don't annoy him or nag him all that much.
07:26:58: <BlasTech> ok
07:27:09: <BlasTech> so more a specific psychological break regarding his dad
07:27:35: <Balmas> Yeah.
07:27:51: <Balmas> He craves his approval, wants to make him proud.
07:28:01: <Balmas> At the same time, he wants to live his own life and study the world.
07:28:05: <BlasTech> Even after pushing him over the edge?
07:28:15: <Balmas> Even after pushing him over the edge.
07:29:00: <Balmas> After his brother's death, he's even more determined to find the answers, to cure diseases, to prove to himself and his father that he was right and it wasn't a mistake.
07:29:32: <Balmas> He worshipped his big brother growing up.
07:29:34: <BlasTech> Ok, so he's basically hiding a very deep insecurity behind his quiet exterior and his drive.
07:29:42: <Balmas> Basically.
07:30:22: <BlasTech> Fair enough.
07:31:11: <Balmas> (I should probably flesh out his family a bit more. Names would be a good starting point.)
07:31:24: <Balmas> How are we coming on his development, do you think?
07:32:29: <BlasTech> Well, this discussion has made me feel alot better. I think the most difficult part about playing DB is going to be maintaining that restraint of emotions when dealing with others in a way that's true to a 3.5 on that 10 point scale.
07:33:04: <BlasTech> At the same time, I think he could thus be a bit more inquisitive about social interactions, rather than shelving them completely as if he were a 1 on the scale.
07:33:44: <BlasTech> Definitely hesitant, definitely unsure and definitely expecting to get it wrong, but still likely to have a soft go at asking questions.
07:34:02: <BlasTech> but might get put off if people tell him to butt out
07:34:07: <Balmas> That fits.
07:34:19: <Balmas> Kind of a shy, awkward pegasus who wants to learn more.
07:34:43: <BlasTech> The shy scientist then.
07:34:56: <Balmas> Yep! ^^
07:35:28: <BlasTech> Ok, given this view on him, I would suggest taking another stab at the five keywords.
07:36:24: <BlasTech> In particular the one on "adventure" because I think that puts him as a bit braver than he seems to be after this convo.
07:36:45: <Balmas> Okay, let's take a look.
07:36:50: <Balmas> Awkward remains true.
07:37:00: <BlasTech> Inquisitive does
07:37:12: <BlasTech> (or at least I think it still does :P)
07:37:13: <Balmas> Either Learning or Knowledge could be true.
07:37:27: <Balmas> Oh, right, still have inquisitive.
07:37:47: <Balmas> So, Awkward, Knowledge, Inquisitive...
07:38:10: <BlasTech> Is learning or knowledge better?
07:38:22: <BlasTech> ah nevermind
07:38:26: <Balmas> Well, learning kind of fits under inquisitive.
07:38:30: <BlasTech> I guess if Inquisitve is there it kind of fits under ... yeah that
07:39:50: <Balmas> Principles remains true, or at least I think it does.
07:40:09: <BlasTech> Ok
07:40:18: <Balmas> Let's replace adventure with Driven.
07:40:40: <Balmas> No, that falls under principles as well.
07:40:41: <BlasTech> I think that's a bit too active again?
07:40:46: <BlasTech> that too.
07:41:23: <Balmas> Vulnerable falls under awkward...
07:41:48: <Balmas> Not that that's a bad thing...
07:42:46: <BlasTech> I think you need something that hints at his rather reserved nature, to differentiate him from a monologuing maniacal scientist who makes bad jokes
07:43:14: <Balmas> You mean, his future self? ^^
07:43:20: <BlasTech> EEyup >>
07:43:34: <BlasTech> :P
07:43:51: <Balmas> Reserved... word association time.
07:44:09: <Balmas> Reserved -> quiet -> Shy
07:45:01: <Balmas> (My mind has a weird train of thought, because it somehow linked Shy ->Himura Kenshin -> swordsman)
07:45:14: <BlasTech> Reserved -> Introspective -> Quiet -> Shy -> Flutter ... wait
07:45:43: <Balmas> (Flutter ->Flutterdash->OTP...)
07:46:02: <Balmas> Actually, reserved is probably the best keyword.
07:46:20: <BlasTech> ... well that was easy! :P
07:46:32: <Balmas> So:
07:46:53: <Balmas> Knowledge, Inquisitve, Reserved, Awkward, Principles.
07:47:52: <BlasTech> Reserved can also incorporate some aspect of witholding judgement until he has evidence so yeah, that workks
07:47:53: <BlasTech> works*
07:48:07: <BlasTech> Now just go make five more words foe each of those, include a virtue or a vice or something :P
07:48:21: <BlasTech> but I do feel like it's a bit more clear to me now than it was before.
07:48:44: <Balmas> I also have to work on his family, have something besides vague concepts and personalities.
07:48:50: <Balmas> Names would be a good start.
07:48:52: <BlasTech> Yep.
07:48:59: <BlasTech> Well, keep those keywords and ideals in mind
07:49:15: <BlasTech> just try to ask yourself. "Ok, I have this pony. What kind of upbringing would result in this pony"
07:49:46: <BlasTech> "One that has a loud parent or a quiet one? One who's mother coddles them or who believes in booting them out of the nest?
07:49:49: <BlasTech> whose*
07:50:07: <BlasTech> One who had a big brother who cared/protected/hated/picked on them?
07:50:19: <Balmas> Let me review what I have so far:
07:51:04: <Balmas> Father: authority figure, high discipline, order, sincerely wants what's best for his children, very paternal in the ethical sense of "I know what's best for you."
07:51:24: <BlasTech> So a bit domineering, a bit pushy, but still loves them.
07:51:40: <Balmas> Yep.
07:52:14: <Balmas> Mother: Caring and nurture figure, loves children, but supports the father. United front and all that.
07:52:27: <Balmas> She's more accepting of different wants.
07:52:47: <BlasTech> A port in the storm?
07:52:55: <Balmas> Yes.
07:53:15: <Balmas> A shoulder to cry on and from whom to receive council.
07:53:58: <Balmas> The brother was one of his heroes, though this image may have been idealized a bit by his absense.
07:54:05: <Balmas> *absence
07:54:19: <Balmas> Strong, caring, protective.
07:54:34: <BlasTech> so tell me about zhur brother *dons spectacles*
07:54:56: <Balmas> Well, Sigmund, my brother was always a caring and supporting figure in my life...
07:55:30: <Balmas> He absorbed a bit of the fatherly proddings, and was destined for stunt-flyer stardom.
07:55:43: <Balmas> (As in, he was actually trying to get into the wonderbolts.)
07:56:31: <Balmas> He was also protective of DB, keeping bullies away.,
07:56:42: <Balmas> Supportive of DB's dreams.
07:56:52: <BlasTech> a confidante purhaps?
07:56:58: <Balmas> Totally.
07:57:11: <BlasTech> did zhey play togeather as the foals hmm?
07:57:31: <Balmas> So, you can imagine DB's distress and denial when the doctors delivered the diagnosis.
07:57:49: <Balmas> Yeah. Imagine a pegasus version of Shining Armor.
07:58:00: <BlasTech> is true, ver sad. Ze BBBFF iz not forever
07:58:52: <BlasTech> Zho how does monsieur dive bomb feel without his hero now?
07:59:19: <BlasTech> would he be, ow do you say, adrift?
07:59:28: <Balmas> Adrift, and a bit betrayed.
07:59:36: <Balmas> How dare he? How could he die?
07:59:40: <BlasTech> betrayed? by 'o?
08:00:06: <BlasTech> och I see, I see. 'tis a failure in the perfection innit it?
08:00:16: <Balmas> Exactly.
08:00:43: <Balmas> Suddenly, someone who was always strong, always protected him, was always a barrier between himself and his father suddenly... wasn't.
08:00:49: <Balmas> In the worse possible way.
08:01:21: <BlasTech> Da, veri good. This is makeink good sense now comrade.
08:02:36: <Balmas> Well, with that said, I think I ought to head to bed. I have a meeting in seven hours, and I'd like to spend six of those asleep.
08:03:18: <BlasTech> Aiyah, go to bed go to bed! We see you in morning. Bright and fresh!
08:04:00: <Balmas> See you then!
08:04:01: <BlasTech> I'll save the chat logs to the OOC thread so you can revisit em when yer upright, alright mate?
08:04:21: <Balmas> Alright.
08:04:27: <Balmas> Night, mate!
08:04:30: <BlasTech> G'night!

[Ravian]

Well me and BlasTech have finished the character exercises for Soot, and here are the general results

Her ideal is "If Everyone cared then Nobody'd cry" (yes it's from the nickelback Song) in that her idea of a perfect world would be one without selfishness or poverty

Her flawed ideal is "If they won't care, I won't either" she doesn't see her stealing as hurting anypony since she only steals from those who have plenty while she and her "family" starve

Her key words are Empathy (Nurturing, Peacemaker, Patient, Listener, and Accepting), Jaded (Sarcastic, Cynical, Suspicious, Hypocritical, and Envy), Protective (Maternal, Possesive, Teammate, Defensive, Caretaker), Lonely (Vulnerable, Sadness, Haunted, Unappreciated, and Dependent), and Strength (Bravado, Endurance, Sacrifice, Willful, Determined)

As far as interactions with Grease Spot (who seems the most finished) go
She would definately relate to her ideal of a world where everypony worked together, though she doesn't see the value of machinery as much, not having alot of exposure to it in any personal sense. The types of ponies they both dislike is also rather similar although Soot dislikes Apathy more than really laziness. one of the interesting things I noticed is that likely Grease Spot knows more about magical theory than Soot does, being university educated, while Soot treats magic more like a couple of useful tricks, basically more of a Sorceror than a Wizard (Both mostly Rogue)

The other thing though is most likely Grease Spot and Soot wouldn't feel much in common with each other looking at one another's covers. Grease Spot would seem alot like the kind of bossy adult she normally deals with (usually while running from their stores), while from what I'm getting from your description Grease Spot might chalk Soot down as a non-contributing member of society since she steals for a living.

Would be interesting for them to dislike each other before realizing how similar they really are.

What do you think about this OTS?

[One Tin Soldier]

Well me and BlasTech have finished the character exercises for Soot, and here are the general results

Her ideal is "If Everyone cared then Nobody'd cry" (yes it's from the nickelback Song) in that her idea of a perfect world would be one without selfishness or poverty

Her flawed ideal is "If they won't care, I won't either" she doesn't see her stealing as hurting anypony since she only steals from those who have plenty while she and her "family" starve

Her key words are Empathy (Nurturing, Peacemaker, Patient, Listener, and Accepting), Jaded (Sarcastic, Cynical, Suspicious, Hypocritical, and Envy), Protective (Maternal, Possesive, Teammate, Defensive, Caretaker), Lonely (Vulnerable, Sadness, Haunted, Unappreciated, and Dependent), and Strength (Bravado, Endurance, Sacrifice, Willful, Determined)

As far as interactions with Grease Spot (who seems the most finished) go
She would definately relate to her ideal of a world where everypony worked together, though she doesn't see the value of machinery as much, not having alot of exposure to it in any personal sense. The types of ponies they both dislike is also rather similar although Soot dislikes Apathy more than really laziness. one of the interesting things I noticed is that likely Grease Spot knows more about magical theory than Soot does, being university educated, while Soot treats magic more like a couple of useful tricks, basically more of a Sorceror than a Wizard (Both mostly Rogue)

The other thing though is most likely Grease Spot and Soot wouldn't feel much in common with each other looking at one another's covers. Grease Spot would seem alot like the kind of bossy adult she normally deals with (usually while running from their stores), while from what I'm getting from your description Grease Spot might chalk Soot down as a non-contributing member of society since she steals for a living.

Would be interesting for them to dislike each other before realizing how similar they really are.

What do you think about this OTS?

Yeah, that sounds about right. I think we can definitely have some good RP with the two of them getting to know each other. Looking forward to it.

Actually, I haven't gone through the secondary 25 words for Grease yet. I'll think about it, see what I can come up with. Now that I have an example to work off of, I should be able to think of something.

[BlasTech]

Hey Diego, are you around? Still hoping to catch you on the IRC regarding character creation, had any ideas yet?

[Beacon of Chaos]

...I'm sorry BT, but no. I've got nothing.

I dunno, I'm just not really feeling it anymore. I don't even know what I want to play.

May try and come up with another character idea or may just drop out altogether. I haven't decided yet. Sorry to mess you about and waste your time like this. :smallfrown:

[One Tin Soldier]

...I'm sorry BT, but no. I've got nothing.

I dunno, I'm just not really feeling it anymore. I don't even know what I want to play.

May try and come up with another character idea or may just drop out altogether. I haven't decided yet. Sorry to mess you about and waste your time like this. :smallfrown:

Aw, that's a shame to hear. Well, whatever you decide make sure it's something you'll enjoy. This is an RPG, not a job.

[BlasTech]

Pretty much this ^ :smalltongue:

Let us know what you decide in the end, no pressure! :smallbiggrin:

[Balmas]

I'm sorry to hear that. Well, have fun!

[Balmas]

Blastech and I have finished up the character exercises for Dive Bomb. Here's the 25 association words I've come up with. I'll have a fuller write up later on.

Knowledge: Medicine, Intelligent, Record, Science, Applied.
Inquisitive: Curiosity, Question, New, Learning, Attentive
Reserved: Quiet, Shy, Judgment, Apprehensive, Withdrawn
Principles: Morality, Method, Overcome, Proud, Driven
Awkward: Inexperienced, Insecure, Unsure, Alone, Follower

[BlasTech]

I should mention that the 25 words are not intended to be a difficult exercise. They are there to put a bit of flesh on the bones of the core character idea, and to encourage you to think a bit beyond the basics of job description and race.

Yes, you can use the same word multiple times, or variations on the theme. It just means that that characteristic will be more "dominant" in that character.

You can also have somewhat contradictory terms (like I mentioned to Balmas' above with "shy" and "pride"), so long as you work out a framework for determining how to resolve that internal conflict of the character.

Anyway, this marks three characters close to done. Once the backstory stuff comes up you guys can work on how Divebomb will fit in with Grease and Soot.

I know Amish is rather busy with his project until the end of the month, so we're probably looking at an October start time at this stage. Take the time to read the recommended fanfics if you haven't already, and or to start bouncing ideas off each other and me in terms of statting out the characters in RiM mechanics in light of any changes from the chargen process.

Can you also please point me towards any final stats once you've done the above, I think I do need to at least eyeball them to see if they follow the mechanics set out.

[SiuiS]

It should also be noted that this is a tool for helping you, not a formula. You could hve a perfectly clear character and not e able to shoehorn them into this formula.

That said, it is a damned good formula.


Blastech: so you guys are settled on the four PCs right? Tinsel, Amish, Balmas, and .... Uh... Ravian! Wow. Your name is hard to remember, mate. I'll have to hang out with you more to fix that!

[BlasTech]

Yep, looks like we've got our crew. I did make some alterations to the story to accomodate a fifth player. Now that they're in there, it should be easy to tweak back to four or five depending on Diego's decision as whether to play ot not. (I'm assuming not at this stage, but he has till the RP actually starts to say otherwise)

[One Tin Soldier]

All right, then, I only have a few words left before I'm done. I'll put what I have here, and maybe I can work some of them out by the time I'm done this post.

Efficiency: Teamwork, Punctual, Simple, Practical, Prepared
Responsibility: Maturity, Dependable, Judgmental, Professional, Society
Frustration: Repression, Pride, Romance, Laziness, Snobs
Family: Loyal, Exemplar, Nagging, Siblings, Love
Flexibility: Variety, Generalist, Connections, Friendly, Synergy

For clarification, not all of these words relate the same way. Some are subsets of the main word, some contribute to why the main word is important to her character, and some are things that don't describe her, but still relate to the main word. Most of these are under Frustration. (Her Pride and her Romance life cause her frustration in different ways, while Laziness is an attribute of other ponies that frustrates her.) If I need to clarify more, I can do so.

At any rate, it seems that I at least got 25 down.

[TheAmishPirate]

I know Amish is rather busy with his project until the end of the month, so we're probably looking at an October start time at this stage. Take the time to read the recommended fanfics if you haven't already, and or to start bouncing ideas off each other and me in terms of statting out the characters in RiM mechanics in light of any changes from the chargen process.

Thank you very much. I've been meaning to come and post that I'm a bit swamped at the moment. I'm trying to think of that fifth word every time I've got the mental cycles to spare, but so far I've got nothing. I think this is telling me that there's somewhere that I can add a bit more to the character, seeing how right now he's summed up in four words (Family, Leadership, Pride, Perfection). The coding part of the project is supposed to be done on the 30th, and I come back on the 6th (literally arriving home an hour before I leave), so sometime after that should be good.

@Diego: Sorry to hear that, but don't stress yourself out over it. RPs are, at the end of the day, a game.

[BlasTech]

Hmm ... didn't he get his cutie mark through art?

[SiuiS]

Thank you very much. I've been meaning to come and post that I'm a bit swamped at the moment. I'm trying to think of that fifth word every time I've got the mental cycles to spare, but so far I've got nothing. I think this is telling me that there's somewhere that I can add a bit more to the character, seeing how right now he's summed up in four words (Family, Leadership, Pride, Perfection). The coding part of the project is supposed to be done on the 30th, and I come back on the 6th (literally arriving home an hour before I leave), so sometime after that should be good.

@Diego: Sorry to hear that, but don't stress yourself out over it. RPs are, at the end of the day, a game.

Family, Leadership, Pride are all neutral words. Why?
Perfection generally always has a connotation. Is it positive or negative? Is it a goal to strive to? A thing to maintain?

Also, you don't have to be a good person. Your perfect self can be an attractions, evil ****, he's just the perfect atrocious evil ****. You can Also elaborate on a negative trait that is important to the character, such as isolation, aggression, greed, and the like

How would people describe him? So far if I go to a party and ask someone about him, they will say "who, that guy? Yeah, he's pretty stiff. Likes to do his best, a perfectionist. Really proud, kids full of himself. Totally dedicate to his family." is there any trait his buddies in the dorm would relate that's not there?

[TheAmishPirate]

Family, Leadership, Pride are all neutral words. Why?
Perfection generally always has a connotation. Is it positive or negative? Is it a goal to strive to? A thing to maintain?

Also, you don't have to be a good person. Your perfect self can be an attractions, evil ****, he's just the perfect atrocious evil ****. You can Also elaborate on a negative trait that is important to the character, such as isolation, aggression, greed, and the like

Aye, though Pride was meant as his flaw. That, combined with Leadership, puts him a tier above the rest of the world. He'd be the sort of person to work off of the assumption that he knows best, and you'll have your work cut out for you proving him wrong.


How would people describe him? So far if I go to a party and ask someone about him, they will say "who, that guy? Yeah, he's pretty stiff. Likes to do his best, a perfectionist. Really proud, kids full of himself. Totally dedicate to his family." is there any trait his buddies in the dorm would relate that's not there?


Hmm ... didn't he get his cutie mark through art?

I think this is where I can get that last word. After all, he was the pony who, when he got a vision in his head, went and painted it on bottlecaps because he lacked paper. For lack of a better explanation, I think I can put a bit of Rarity's sense of drama in him, driven from that underlying artistic passion. Puts him as a character who lives more in the moment, and finds the dilemmas of the here and now to occupy his thoughts. That also ties into his Perfection; he can only see the incomplete painting in front of him, not the three hours he's already spent fussing over the sky.

In that case, perhaps Passion would be a decent contender for the fifth word, though I think I might be able to find a better one.

[SiuiS]

Passion is an intense and barely controllable emotional response. Passion also comes from 'pati', to suffer. I think it's a fine wine-red word. Works beautifully and really ties the other four together.

I am bu one not-so-humble opinion though :smallwink:

[Beacon of Chaos]

Aw, that's a shame to hear. Well, whatever you decide make sure it's something you'll enjoy. This is an RPG, not a job.

Pretty much this ^ :smalltongue:

Let us know what you decide in the end, no pressure! :smallbiggrin:

I'm sorry to hear that. Well, have fun!
Thanks guys, 'preciate it.

After much thinking I've decided that I'm not going to continue. This isn't what I'm really looking for right now. Thanks for putting up with me though. :smalltongue: I look forward to seeing how you guys get on.

[Ravian]

Well hope everything goes well for you, sorry you won't be able to join us but it's not your fault.

[BlasTech]

It's miiiiiiinnneeeee D:

Seriously though, sorry to hear that, but I hope we can entertain :3

[BlasTech]

Hey guys, while we wait, can you link me to your latest stats for your characters so I can add them to the OP?

Was thinking we could have another look at those, hopefully with people getting a bit more time to read over the mechanics and get a feel for any changes their character may have gone through over the last few weeks.

[Ravian]

Stats:Soot
Unicorn Filly
Body- 2, Heart-2, Mind 5 (+1 mind from egghead)
Fortitude- 4, Energy- 7, Courage 7, Willpower 9
Cutie Mark: Black Cat
Special Talent: Going unseen and unnoticied
Job: Thief (level 2)
Skills: Stealth 1, Sleight of horn 1(telekinetic pickpocketing), Lockpicking 1, Acting 1(Generally for alibis)
Talents: Sensitive, Wary

Magic:
Aspects known: Telekinesis, Animate, Light, Body, Deceive, Diminish, Forge, Reveal (+1 from new magic trick)

Spells known:
Sneak in the Shadows
Level 3
Deceive, Light
Range- Contact, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 3
Soot shrouds the target (usually herself) to make light bend around them, making them invisible to normal sight

Follow the Shiny Light
Level 2
Animate, Forge, Light
Range- Anmiomorphic, Duration- Concentration
Difficulty- 3
Soot conjours a mote of light and direct where it goes

Hush now, Quiet now
Level 2
Diminish, Body
Range- Anmiomorphic, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 4
Soot saps the energy from a target, making them very sleepy

Lights Out
Level 1
Diminish, Light
Range- Spectacle, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 5
Soot coats an area in a blanket of darkness, obscuring everything within

Detect Life
Level 1
Reveal, Body
Range- Spectacle, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 5
Soot is able to sense the locations of sentient creatures in an area, useful to avoid guards, not so much for their dogs

Flaws: Low Society

Element: Kindness

Advancements:
Egghead (+1 Mind) 10 pts,
New Magic Trick 5 pts,
Uplifting Attitude 5 pts,
On-the- Job training (+1 level to thief) 4 pts,

Devices: set of lockpicks, saddlebag

these are Soot's current stats, I made a couple of changes from the original, namely swapping Agile for Sensitive to represent her empathy, and adding a skill at acting, since Dive Bomb has cooking covered and it would help in her way of life to pretend to be somepony she's not.

[One Tin Soldier]

Ok, here's my stats, copied from earlier in the thread. I'll mark any changes I make with bold text

Grease Spot
Earth Pony Mare
Guiding Element: Generosity
Special Purpose: Keeping the world running smoothly
Cutie Mark: Oil can

Mind: 5
Body: 4
Heart: 3
Energy: 9
Courage: 8
Fortitude: 7
Willpower: 12

Talents: Strong, SensitiveAdaptable
Jobs: Mechanic 4
Skills: Magical Theory 1
Metalwork 1
Sewing 1
Repair 1
- 6 initial skill points (4 spent)
Advancements: Toast of the Town (Canterlot)
Extra Talented (Strong)
XP: 40/60 spent

Notable Possessions: Her toolbags, which contain a variety of wrenches, screwdrivers, lubricant, and other tools necessary for her job. She is rarely seen without it.


I changed her Sensitive talent to Adaptable, like I said I would earlier on in the thread. I decided to keep her Guiding Element as Generosity, though, to show her attitude of spending her own time and talents to aid the rest of Equestria.

I used up her starting skill points, as well. I gave her Metalwork because I figured that she regularly has to modify her tools or create new ones. Sewing, similarly, came to mind because she made her signature saddlebags by hoof. Repair is simply an area of focus in her job that she's particularly good at.

I still have 20 XP which I plan to spend on skills (along with 2 skill points), which again will mostly be based on what skillsets we think the party is lacking.

[Balmas]

Okay, here's Dive Bomb, version 3.0, hopefully the final version.


Dive Bomb
Pegasus colt
Guiding Element: Kindness
Cutie Mark: Blue Dictionary with gold A-Z
Special Purpose: Record the knowledge of the world

Body: 3
Mind: 5
Heart: 1

Energy: 8
Courage: 6
Fortitude: 4
Willpower: 9

Talents: Wary, Tireless
Flaw: Shy.

Job: Chemist 3

Skills:
Pharmaceutical medicine 3
Research 2
Explosives 1
Cooking 1
Weathercraft 5
Aerobatics 5

XP spent: 25/25
Egghead
On the job training (Chemist)
Skill up medicine (level 3)
Skill up research (level 2)
Awesome Aerobatics

Possessions: two small saddlebags--one contains practical medicines, the other small amounts of explosives and chemicals. He's also never without his notebook and pen.


It's interesting; when it came time to spend XP, I actually looked at it and was going to spend it on something different. Then, I looked at the awesome aerobatics, and said, "Yeah. That's something he'd have."

[BlasTech]

Phew. I've gone through the character stats you guys posted and have a bit of feedback on areas I think might need another looking at. More than happy to discuss, particularly if you think I got a calculation wrong ... it can happen!

One point for clarification; I read through the rules, and strictly speaking any XP spend on the Mind attribute does not confer additional skill/spell points at creation as XP spending occurs last in the flow of character creation.

I assumed that if you had increased your mind score, you used your attributes at creation to do that, and any subsequent attribute increase came from XP at the end, it only really impacted Dive Bomb because of how high he pushed the mind score.

Specific notes for each character are below;

Soot

Soot still has one unspent skill point, and one unspent spell point.
"Telekinetic pickpocketing" is too narrow for a skill, just "pickpocketing" is fine!
A question I had while looking over this; Is Mind the dominant talent of Soot? She may be relatively quick thinking or inteligent (in which case take the appropriate talent), but has to contend with a lack of education. Surviving as she has on street smarts and guile, maybe her heart score higher? Also consider physical acrobatics being body based. (Sneaking, breaking into a house etc etc). Finally, thief skill seems appropriate only for a petty thief at that level, a professional would have a few more ranks in it.
Soots special purpose sounds a bit narrow. (Remember, this is special purpose, not just talent). Maybe stealing from the rich, or "ensuring equitable distribution of wealth" is something better? Happy to discuss.
29/25 XP spent, largely due to additional aspect I think.

+1 to Body (10xp)
+2 Magical Aspects (Forge, Reveal) (10xp)
+1 to Thief skill (4xp)
Uplifting Attitude (5xp)



Magic Spells:

There is one extra magical aspect up there that's unaccounted for (start with 5, bought 1, but have 7?)
Sneak in the shadows; If Soots intends to cast it on other ponies or objects, it needs an additional aspect to represent the step where she affixes the illusion to them (e.g. body or creature). This is fine if she only casts it on herself.
Hush now Quiet Now, should have a mind aspect and higher difficulty to represent overcoming resistance of other ponies. (likely a +1 difficulty given it is only temporary)
Detect life spell can be concentration based if you want (makes spell easier, but other checks, such as lockpicking, harder while in use). Correct in that it will only pick up sentient creatures without an additional aspect.





Grease Spot

2 unspent skill points ... yeah, I got nothing. You got the skill points thing right and remembered that all earth pony XP spend is discounted by 1 ... I can't find anything wrong with Grease Spot.


+1 to Mind (9xp)
+2 to Body (18xp)
Toast of the Town (0xp)
Extra Talented (4xp)
+2 to Mechanic (9xp)


Dive Bomb


Feel that “Explosives” skill may be too broad, are we talking manufacture, using them or disarming bombs etc?
Similarly, cooking is too broad but I assume you mean home cooking, and not gourmet or the like.
Special purpose may be too narrow? Can get away with a bit more broad focus of “discover knowledge” not just record.
guiding element is kindness? That's surprising? Can you please explain the choice? (I had him pegged as magic personally)
Overspend on XP, largely due to skills I think. 31/25xp spent by my count.


+1 to Mind (10xp)
+2 to Medicine (5xp)
+1 to Research (2xp)
+2 to Chemist (9xp)
+1 to Aerobatics (5xp)

[Balmas]

Dive Bomb


Feel that “Explosives” skill may be too broad, are we talking manufacture, using them or disarming bombs etc?
Similarly, cooking is too broad but I assume you mean home cooking, and not gourmet or the like.
Special purpose may be too narrow? Can get away with a bit more broad focus of “discover knowledge” not just record.
guiding element is kindness? That's surprising? Can you please explain the choice? (I had him pegged as magic personally)
Overspend on XP, largely due to skills I think. 31/25xp spent by my count.


+1 to Mind (10xp)
+2 to Medicine (5xp)
+1 to Research (2xp)
+2 to Chemist (9xp)
+1 to Aerobatics (5xp)

Most of these were caused by my own misunderstanding of the system.




I had assumed that you started with one job and one job point which could be used to either advance the job you had or create a new one. Upon looking at the rules, that is not the case. Let's put Chemist at 2, then. (XP 4)
Explosives means improvised explosives. For example, he can take some chemicals and rig it up into a smoke bomb, a flashbang, or a very small-yield explosive like a firework. Most of this comes from his experience with stunt flyer chemicals. He would be able to improvise something if he has the right things, but application would be limited to chucking it at something; he usually couldn't demolish a building or disarm a bomb. (If he did, it would be an accident or pure luck, respectively.)
I didn't know that the Egghead bonus doesn't apply to skills. Strictly speaking, this also means that his Weathercraft score drops to four, since that is based off of Mind.
Yeah, cooking is home cooking. After all, cooking is just applied chemistry with a subtle twist, right?
I picked kindness because all he really wants is to perfect the world, to help ponies, make sure that they don't get hurt. With that, it comes down to either kindness or generosity. Actually, rereading the descriptions, he's probably more generous than he is kind, since he's not particularly sensitive to other ponies' feelings. But magic also applies... Gah. This is where asking the mental construct comes in handy.
You're right about his special purpose. So, working on the guidelines: "My special purpose is to discover, recover, and record knowledge."


Revised stats:

Dive Bomb
Pegasus colt
Guiding Element: Magic
Cutie Mark: Blue Dictionary with gold A-Z
Special Purpose: Discover, recover, and record knowledge.

Body: 3
Mind: 5
Heart: 1

Energy: 8
Courage: 6
Fortitude: 4
Willpower: 9

Talents: Wary, Tireless
Flaw: Shy.

Job: Chemist 2

Skills:
Pharmaceutical medicine 3
Research 1
Improvised Explosives 1
Home Cooking 1
Aerobatics 5
Weathercraft 4

XP spent: 24/25
Egghead 10 xp
On the job training (Chemist level 2) 4xp
Skill up medicine (level 3) 5 xp
Awesome Aerobatics 5 xp
1 xp remaining.

Possessions: two small saddlebags--one contains practical medicines, the other small amounts of explosives and chemicals. He's also never without his notebook and pen.

[One Tin Soldier]

Grease Spot

2 unspent skill points ... yeah, I got nothing. You got the skill points thing right and remembered that all earth pony XP spend is discounted by 1 ... I can't find anything wrong with Grease Spot.


+1 to Mind (9xp)
+2 to Body (18xp)
Toast of the Town (0xp)
Extra Talented (4xp)
+2 to Mechanic (9xp)



Yay! I didn't fail!
I think I will now do a bit of my XP expenditure, though I will still save 2 skill points and some XP for additional skills.

Grease Spot
Earth Pony Mare
Guiding Element: Generosity
Special Purpose: Keeping the world running smoothly
Cutie Mark: Oil can

Mind: 5
Body: 4
Heart: 3
Energy: 9
Courage: 8
Fortitude: 7
Willpower: 12

Talents: Strong, SensitiveAdaptable
Jobs: Mechanic 4
Skills: Magical Theory 3
Metalwork 3
Sewing 1
Repair 4
?
?
- 6 initial skill points (4 spent)
Advancements: Toast of the Town (Canterlot)
Extra Talented (Strong)
XP: 52/60 spent

Magical Theory +2 (3 XP)
Metalwork +2 (3 XP)
Repair +3 (6 XP)

Notable Possessions: Her toolbags, which contain a variety of wrenches, screwdrivers, lubricant, and other tools necessary for her job. She is rarely seen without it.

[Ravian]

Third try: I generally read the mind stat as more of natural cunning then education since it covers more broad subjects then the talent: Smart, like instincts, perception and the like.

Basically I read the stats as:
Body= Strength, Constitution and Dexterity
Mind= Intelligence and some parts of Wisdom (like Perception)
Heart= Charisma and the other parts of Wisdom (like Insight)

However I did decide to give her more heart instead of Mind to help her with her Empathy. Taking your advice for the Robin Hood style Special purpose, but now am wondering if a cat is eintirely appropriate for a cutie mark seeing as how independent they are. For the low level in thief, I intend to improve it, but bear in mind that Soot is definately closer to a petty thief then Catmare right now.
Didn't like the acting skill so decided to change it to Scavenging (finding all sorts of perfectly good things that people will throw away without a thought)

As far as the Magic goes, I read in the rules that Animate is granted for free, I guess since it's an exstension of natural Telekinesis or something. Because her mind is lower and I can't afford to get some of the aspects for some of the spells I'm going to wait until she has more experience and instead specialize in some and make the most with what I have. Removed the Light conjuration spell and the sleep spell and instead added a more personal version of the Lights out spell, afixing a darkness illusion to somone's eyes to blind them.

Stats:Soot
Unicorn Filly
Body- 2, Heart-3, Mind 4 (+1 heart from advancements)
Fortitude- 5, Energy- 6, Courage 7, Willpower 9
Cutie Mark: Black Cat
Special Purpose: Redistribution of Wealth so that those without are cared for
Job: Thief (level 2)
Skills: Stealth 1, Pickpocketing 1, Lockpicking 1, Scavenging 1
Talents: Sensitive, Wary

Magic:
Aspects known: Telekinesis, Animate(Granted Free according to the rules), Light, Body, Deceive, Diminish, Reveal (+1 from new magic trick)

Spells known:
Sneak in the Shadows
Level 3
Deceive, Light
Range- Contact, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 3
Soot shrouds herself to make light bend around her, rendering herself invisible to normal sight

Shrouded Sight
Level 2
Decieve, Light, Body
Range- Anmiomorphic, Duration- Concentration
Difficulty- 3
Soot binds an illusory darkness to a target's eyes, rendering them blind as long as she concentrates

Lights Out
Level 1
Diminish, Light
Range- Spectacle, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 5 (costs 1 willpower if it fails)
Soot coats an area in a blanket of darkness, obscuring everything within

Detect Life
Level 2
Reveal, Body
Range- Spectacle, Duration- Concentration
Difficulty- 3
Soot is able to sense the locations of sentient creatures in an area, useful to avoid guards, not so much for their dogs

Flaws: Low Society

Element: Kindness

Advancements:
+1 Heart 10 pts,
New Magic Trick 5 pts,
Uplifting Attitude 5 pts,
On-the- Job training (+1 level to thief) 4 pts,

24/25 experience spent

Devices: set of lockpicks, saddlebag

Is this alright?

[One Tin Soldier]

Third try: I generally read the mind stat as more of natural cunning then education since it covers more broad subjects then the talent: Smart, like instincts, perception and the like.

Basically I read the stats as:
Body= Strength, Constitution and Dexterity
Mind= Intelligence and some parts of Wisdom (like Perception)
Heart= Charisma and the other parts of Wisdom (like Insight)

However I did decide to give her more heart instead of Mind to help her with her Empathy. Taking your advice for the Robin Hood style Special purpose, but now am wondering if a cat is eintirely appropriate for a cutie mark seeing as how independent they are. For the low level in thief, I intend to improve it, but bear in mind that Soot is definately closer to a petty thief then Catmare right now.
Didn't like the acting skill so decided to change it to Scavenging (finding all sorts of perfectly good things that people will throw away without a thought)

As far as the Magic goes, I read in the rules that Animate is granted for free, I guess since it's an exstension of natural Telekinesis or something. Because her mind is lower and I can't afford to get some of the aspects for some of the spells I'm going to wait until she has more experience and instead specialize in some and make the most with what I have. Removed the Light conjuration spell and the sleep spell and instead added a more personal version of the Lights out spell, afixing a darkness illusion to somone's eyes to blind them.

Stats:Soot
Unicorn Filly
Body- 2, Heart-3, Mind 4 (+1 heart from advancements)
Fortitude- 5, Energy- 6, Courage 7, Willpower 9
Cutie Mark: Black Cat
Special Purpose: Redistribution of Wealth so that those without are cared for
Job: Thief (level 2)
Skills: Stealth 1, Pickpocketing 1, Lockpicking 1, Scavenging 1
Talents: Sensitive, Wary

Magic:
Aspects known: Telekinesis, Animate(Granted Free according to the rules), Light, Body, Deceive, Diminish, Reveal (+1 from new magic trick)

Spells known:
Sneak in the Shadows
Level 3
Deceive, Light
Range- Contact, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 3
Soot shrouds herself to make light bend around her, rendering herself invisible to normal sight

Shrouded Sight
Level 2
Decieve, Light, Body
Range- Anmiomorphic, Duration- Concentration
Difficulty- 3
Soot binds an illusory darkness to a target's eyes, rendering them blind as long as she concentrates

Lights Out
Level 1
Diminish, Light
Range- Spectacle, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 5 (costs 1 willpower if it fails)
Soot coats an area in a blanket of darkness, obscuring everything within

Detect Life
Level 2
Reveal, Body
Range- Spectacle, Duration- Concentration
Difficulty- 3
Soot is able to sense the locations of sentient creatures in an area, useful to avoid guards, not so much for their dogs

Flaws: Low Society

Element: Kindness

Advancements:
+1 Heart 10 pts,
New Magic Trick 5 pts,
Uplifting Attitude 5 pts,
On-the- Job training (+1 level to thief) 4 pts,

24/25 experience spent

Devices: set of lockpicks, saddlebag

Is this alright?

Personally, I find it most helpful to think of the attributes in terms of World of Darkness attributes, with Mental, Physical, and Social attributes. It just falls easier that way. (Though I'm guess you're just familiar with D&D.)

Also, according to the spell rules, you don't have to have all the aspects of your spells to know them. Having an aspect means you can improvise with that aspect. You can have a "rote" spell with an aspect you can't improvise with, but you couldn't adjust that spell on the fly like you could with one where you have all the aspects.
Or you could just read the way the book itself puts it:

Magical Aspects and Spells
The Magical Aspects a character knows, and
the Spells a character knows, do not have to
be related. Known Magical Aspects allow a
character to improvise magic, giving them
flexibility in spellcasting; whereas known
Spells allow a character to practice magic
more safely, and develop specific uses of
magic, giving them stability and power. In
terms of classic fantasy roleplaying, a Unicorn
Pony is both a ‘Wizard’ and a ‘Sorcerer.

And personally I thought that Acting fit well, but hey, it's your character.

[BlasTech]

As far as the Magic goes, I read in the rules that Animate is granted for free, I guess since it's an exstension of natural Telekinesis or something.


Colour me corrected then! As for the other changes, they all look good, although I'll have to impose a +1 difficulty modifier on the Shrouded Sight spell for similar reasons as before (namely you're doing something involuntary to another pony).

Up to you on the particular of the skills choices, both looked fine to me.


Also, according to the spell rules, you don't have to have all the aspects of your spells to know them. Having an aspect means you can improvise with that aspect. You can have a "rote" spell with an aspect you can't improvise with, but you couldn't adjust that spell on the fly like you could with one where you have all the aspects.
Or you could just read the way the book itself puts it:


And personally I thought that Acting fit well, but hey, it's your character.

This is a pretty good point to clarify, and I'm going to add this to the OP Magic Guide.

[SiuiS]

Also, according to the spell rules, you don't have to have all the aspects of your spells to know them. Having an aspect means you can improvise with that aspect. You can have a "rote" spell with an aspect you can't improvise with, but you couldn't adjust that spell on the fly like you could with one where you have all the aspects.
Or you could just read the way the book itself puts it:


And personally I thought that Acting fit well, but hey, it's your character.

Yup. So things you want your character to be a master at no matter what should be known aspects, but things you want to do, specifically, you aren't bound by aspects. Rarity can trasnform fabric, but she can only do so to create an outfit; This is a known spell but she doesn' have the aspects to wing it.

Twilight Sparkle seems to have a slew of rotes, and a few core aspects.

[Balmas]

So, I've been working with Dive Bomb to figure out a bit more about him, specifically his mannerisms. As noted before, he is a very cautious, reserved pony, and it carries over to his speech; he usually doesn't say much at all, preferring to observe until the ideal time. When speaking, his voice is calm and quiet unless he's stressed or angry, when he develops a stammer.

His body language is much more expressive, since most of it is instinctual. His wings play a large part in that when he's on the ground; they bristle when he's angry, droop to his sides when he's sad, flare out when he's startled, and raise halfway when he's beginning to get irritated with someone. He's also acquired the habit of hovering in place when he's thinking about a difficult question.

He is very protective of his personal space, though usually this just takes the form of him avoiding people who encroach thereon. Touching him, and touching his wings in particular, are good ways to rapidly earn his dislike and ire respectively.

He likes all kinds of music, though he has a special fond spot for the great pegasus military anthems and other bombastic tunes. (Think Sousa and the 1812 overture.) He'll often hum along to such music, perhaps closing his eyes and 'conducting' for a bit. He doesn't know how to play any instruments, but admires those who do.

[BlasTech]

I like. Good luck remembering it all XD

Gotta say I appreciate the imagination you guys have put into tertiary aspects of your characters.

[Balmas]

For reals. I once played a cleric in a three-year long campaign. We wound up saving the world from the God of death, ending at level 19, with all stats in the upper twenties.

Dive Bomb is more fleshed out than he was.

[One Tin Soldier]

All part of my continuing trend of increased thought that I put into my characters. I don't have much in the way of Grease's mannerisms, but it occurs to me that I haven't yet shared what she actually looks like. So, here we go.
Grease Spot is about average height for a mare. She is solidly built, a result of years of regularly lifting and pulling machinery, aided by her hobby of playing hoofball.
I suppose this means one of my two remaining skills should go towards this. What do you guys think would be a good skill for it, Athletics? Sports? Hoofball? Kicking Round Things? :smalltongue:
Her coat is denim blue, with a dark grey patch on her chest. (Which is, incidentally, how she got her name.) Her mane and tail a lighter shade of grey, and her mane is cut to a practically short length.
Last but not least, her eyes are colored golden yellow.


And while I'm thinking about it, I'll put down a bit about some miscellaneous behavior, too.
Grease is a fairly composed pony. Whatever is going on in her mind, she is usually pretty good at putting on a smile for professional or social situations. Even when a pony is irritating her, she will try polite correction before argument. Of course, she can be pushed past her limits, and when she is she can be as irrational as anyone else.

Her music tastes are best described as inoffensive. She'll listen to basically whatever is playing, though if it's her choice she'll go for pop music. She will, however, avoid music that she considers loud or obnoxious. (For example, she would back away pretty quickly from Skrillex or punk rock.)

[BlasTech]

In my mind athletics is fine, covering running around and stamina etc from hoofball as distinct from acrobatics which would cover jumping and climbing.

As far as things go, character background wise, the most important question from me is "are you guys comfortable with your characters yet?" Do they feel fully formed at this point? Or is there more work to be done this weekend on the IRC?

[TheAmishPirate]

In my mind athletics is fine, covering running around and stamina etc from hoofball as distinct from acrobatics which would cover jumping and climbing.

As far as things go, character background wise, the most important question from me is "are you guys comfortable with your characters yet?" Do they feel fully formed at this point? Or is there more work to be done this weekend on the IRC?

I think I may need some help coming up with the five sub-words, but other than that, I'm good. I think I can make the time for some IRC.

[Balmas]

In my mind athletics is fine, covering running around and stamina etc from hoofball as distinct from acrobatics which would cover jumping and climbing.

As far as things go, character background wise, the most important question from me is "are you guys comfortable with your characters yet?" Do they feel fully formed at this point? Or is there more work to be done this weekend on the IRC?

Pretty sure I'm good. How much detail do you want for the family? Name and cutie mark? Coloration? Light motivation/history?

[One Tin Soldier]

In my mind athletics is fine, covering running around and stamina etc from hoofball as distinct from acrobatics which would cover jumping and climbing.

As far as things go, character background wise, the most important question from me is "are you guys comfortable with your characters yet?" Do they feel fully formed at this point? Or is there more work to be done this weekend on the IRC?

I think Grease is pretty much fully formed. The only thing I have left to do is figure out what her last skill is. Speaking of which, I will now put down her updated stats:
Grease Spot
Earth Pony Mare
Guiding Element: Generosity
Special Purpose: Keeping the world running smoothly
Cutie Mark: Oil can

Mind: 5
Body: 4
Heart: 3
Energy: 9
Courage: 8
Fortitude: 7
Willpower: 12

Talents: Strong, Adaptable
Jobs: Mechanic 4
Skills: Magical Theory 3
Metalwork 3
Sewing 1
Repair 4
Athletics 3
?
- 6 initial skill points (5 spent)
Advancements: Toast of the Town (Canterlot)
Extra Talented (Strong)
XP: 55/60 spent

Magical Theory +2 (3 XP)
Metalwork +2 (3 XP)
Repair +3 (6 XP)
Athletics +2 (3 XP)

Notable Possessions: Her toolbags, which contain a variety of wrenches, screwdrivers, lubricant, and other tools necessary for her job. She is rarely seen without it.

[BlasTech]

I think I may need some help coming up with the five sub-words, but other than that, I'm good. I think I can make the time for some IRC.

I'll make sure to idle online this weekend again then. Should be easy, It's a long weekend! :D


Pretty sure I'm good. How much detail do you want for the family? Name and cutie mark? Coloration? Light motivation/history?

There's no maximum limit on how detailled you need your character's family to be. See the "Home and Hearth" section of the OP in terms of what you should at least give thought to. I'm sure there will be opportunity to flesh out such details in conversation with others.

[Balmas]

Vots dat, Dive Bomb? Make a character portrait of dubious quality! Good idea, Dive Bomb!

http://i.imgur.com/YALWZ.png

Credit for the background goes to Breadking, the flower is by 3luk, both on deviantart.

[BlasTech]

I'm meant to be holding you to something aren't I Balmas? :)

Anyone seen Ravian recently? Seems to be a bit quiet.

[Ravian]

I'm still here, haven't gotten on the IRC of late but still working out the magic bit, the aspects vs. spells things gave me alot more wiggle room for Soot's magic, probably still won't use Hush now Quiet now though, the current difficulty would be around 6, so I couldn't just cast it without much problems. Might bring back the dancing light spell. However don't know when I can work out the final details since I'm going to be on a trip for the next week. I think I can get WiFi with reasonable regularity though so it shouldn't be too much of a problem

[Balmas]

Dive Bomb: The Complete Collection


Portrait:
http://i.imgur.com/YALWZ.png[/img]

Details:
Name: Dive Bomb
Aliases: “D. B.”
City of Birth: Cloudsdale
Occupation: Chemist/researcher
Ideal: "I will perfect the world."
Flawed ideal: "Life isn't perfect."

How does one describe Dive Bomb? Well, let’s imagine that you’re at a party. You see that pony at the center of everything, whooping it up, encouraging everyone to “getcher hooves in the air,” and moshing with the best of them? That’s not him. In fact, he’s not even at the party. Odds are that he’s actually back at home with his muzzle in a book, or examining the chemical uses of a dandelion.

Physical description: Dive Bomb is not very striking physically; he’s of average build and size for a Pegasus—that is to say, a light, agile frame, covered with a dusting of light green fur. Piercing, intelligent sea-green eyes peer out at the world from beneath a mop of navy blue hair. A blue dictionary almost the same color as his mane sits gently on his flank.

Personality: Perhaps two words can be used to describe Dive Bomb succinctly; the first is “curiosity.” He wants to learn everything there is to know about Equestria, record it, and use it to make a better future. He tries to see the good in everything, though he has a snarky inner side to him. He dreams of a future where ponies have all but eliminated war, poverty, and death through anything but old age.

The other half of his personality could be summed up with the word “reserved.” He very rarely rushes into a confrontation, or a conversation, to be honest. It’s not so much that he’s shy as he is inexperienced. He doesn’t want to offend people, and hesitates to act when he’s not sure what the best course is. (This means that he misses some opportunities, due to indecision.) He comes off as being awkward and cold to people who aren’t his friends—so, pretty much everyone.

The fact is, he wants to understand everything. The problem is that ponies refuse to be categorized or make sense. Thus, he usually hangs back until he's sure of a course.

Family: Dive Bomb’s relationship with his family is an interesting one. His father, Thunderhead, is a stunt flyer. His mother, Aurora Wind, is a stunt flyer. His brother, Nimble Bolt, was a stunt flyer. You could say that stunt flying is in his blood; one of his great-grandparents was a Wonderbolt, and he’s distantly related to Spitfire. The only problem is that Dive Bomb doesn’t really want to be a stunt flyer.

He and his father have clashed in the past over this, since Thunderhead is a very paternal father. However, with Nimble Bolt’s support and his mother’s neutrality, nothing really happened apart from some tension between the two. DB was content, and things only improved once he moved out and started studying seriously.

All this went south when Nimble Bolt got sick with an as yet unknown disease. The doctors didn’t know what to make of it; it was resistant to all known forms of medicine, and eventually told the family that they’d done all they could.

DB refused to accept this, and threw himself into his studies, desperate to find a cure. He was working so hard, he wasn’t there when Nimble Bolt slipped away, or when he was buried. His parents came looking for him, and found him amongst a sprawl of papers, notes, and books. Things with his father finally came to a head, and angry words were said on both sides.

He hasn’t been back since.

Despite this, Dive Bomb really does love his family, and his father really does love him. His father’s approval means a lot to him, and one of the secondary reasons he’s out in the world is to prove to himself and his father that he was right. No-one will die to disease ever again.

Likes: Learning, the color blue, flying, carrots, apples, potatoes, reading. Strawberry shakes, Burned Jewels (scifi author), military marches and other bombastic music

Dislikes: Awkward / social situations, people who impose on his life, being touched, losing control of a situation or himself, weepy music

Mannerisms: As noted before, he is a very cautious, reserved pony, and it carries over to his speech; he usually doesn't say much at all, preferring to observe until the ideal time. When speaking, his voice is calm and quiet unless he's stressed or angry, when he develops a stammer.

His body language is much more expressive, since most of it is instinctual. His wings play a large part in that when he's on the ground; they bristle when he's angry, droop to his sides when he's sad, flare out when he's startled, and raise halfway when he's beginning to get irritated with someone. He's also acquired the habit of hovering in place when he's thinking about a difficult question.

He is very protective of his personal space, though usually this just takes the form of him avoiding people who encroach thereon. Touching him, and touching his wings in particular, are good ways to rapidly earn his dislike and ire respectively.

Skills: There are a few areas where Dive Bomb really excels: chemistry and learning. His experiments with chemicals first began when he found his way into his father’s stunt flying chemicals as a child, and almost blew a wall off their house. He’s since moved onto more useful applications such as medicine, but has retained a fondness for things that explode. He also knows a few basic recipes; after all, what is cooking but a different flavor of chemistry?

His other skill comes from his memory. He can remember most anything he comes across, and so finds learning especially easy.

The Book of Numbers
Dive Bomb
Pegasus colt
Guiding Element: Loyalty
Cutie Mark: Blue Dictionary with gold A-Z
Special Purpose: Discover, recover, and record knowledge.

Current XP total: 11

Body: 3
Mind: 5
Heart: 1

Energy: 8 (Currently at 8)
Courage: 3
Fortitude: 4 (Currently at 2)
Willpower: 9 (Currently at 5)

Talents: Wary, Tireless
Flaw: Shy.

Job: Chemist 2

Skills:
Pharmaceutical medicine 3
Field Medicine 2
Research 1
Improvised Explosives 1
Home Cooking 1
Aerobatics 5 +2 Winged Victory
Weathercraft 4

XP spent: 31
Egghead 10 xp
On the job training (Chemist level 2) 4xp
Skill up medicine (level 3) 5 xp
Awesome Aerobatics 5 xp
New Skill: Field Medicine 5 xp
Skill up Field Medicine (level 2) 2 xp
+6 situational bonus (fight with griffons) 3 xp
Winged Victory


Possessions: two small saddlebags--one contains practical medicines, the other small amounts of explosives and chemicals. He's also never without his notebook and pen.

Journal Entries:
Dear Princess Celestia Journal No. 1
Well, today I bid Canterlot farewell. It was an interesting city; I got to peruse the royal library, and made some interesting advances into the changeling invasion of three months ago. It was a bit difficult, but I even got to talk to the top medical pony of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. (A bit odd, that; you'd think a ruler that combines the best aspects of all races would have a school that's a bit more inclusive. Then again, we have the Commander Hurricane military academy, so...)

Ran into the three most interesting ponies today at the train station; some griffon ambassador was there, so the trains were all shut down. While I waited for the trainsponies to get things settled, I talked with these three other ponies: two earth and a unicorn.

Then, there was a bit of darkness that I haven't figured out yet. I want to say that it was magical, because a sparkler didn't do much to dispel the darkness. In the confusion, two baby foals disappeared: a pegasus colt and a unicorn filly.

Much as I'd like to take the credit for finding them, I'm afraid that would be lying. (And Dad always hated liars. Probably still does.) No, the credit goes to this obnoxious, bossy earth stallion named Crown Cork. Man, he curls my feathers.

But, at the same time, he helped to get the job done. We all worked together to get the job done. I couldn't have gotten into the ambassador's room to check for the foals if that unicorn foal, Soot, hadn't stolen my bits and distracted the guards. I wouldn't have known to look in the next room over if one of the ambassador's aides hadn't used magic (ugh) to show the pegasus' passage through the wall.

They needed me, too. If it hadn't been for me, they could never have caught the little guy; he evaded two of Equestria's finest, which makes a sad statement about the level of athleticism required to become a solar guard.

Only by working together could we do what needed to be done. Truth be told, I'm actually feeling somewhat connected to this odd group; maybe there's something to this whole friendship and teamwork business.

In any case, it bears investigation.

Signing off,
DB.
DPC #2
Ugh… Dive Bomb's eyes cracked, and then shot open. Trapped! Too small! There was no sky! No… A jolt of pain shot up his spine, and he clutched at his wing, stopping his thrashing.

"Ow," he murmured, glaring at the offending rock. He rubbed the aching spot on his wing, and peered at it; yeah, that was going to be a bruise.

So, cloth. Tent. Rock. Immense, dry heat. Slowly, the events of the previous day filtered back into his understanding, and he scowled. With this heat, he'd be lucky to get back to sleep.

He lay head on hooves and stared at the wastes before him. If he had a bit for every grain of sand he trod on in this desert, he'd still want to be gone as quickly as possible. Course, the history in the area was very tempting; if they had more water and supplies, he could happily spend a week or so digging around Sanctum City. By necessity, he'd have to move on in order to cover more ground, but in a week he might be able to scratch the surface of the ancient city.

He flipped over onto his side and stared at the cloth before deciding that he liked the sight of the desert better; at least the desert was open.

Counting cumuli proved fruitless, as did attempting to simply slow his bodily functions through slow breathing. He'd do a few laps of the area, but they were trying to sleep so that they could have enough energy to push on at night. Besides, he grumped, it's too hot out. Gimme the stratosphere any day. Preening his wings took a while, but didn't do anything for his inability to sleep.

Well, if he couldn't sleep, he might as well do something useful. He pulled his pen from the saddlebags, and flipped his journal upside down, to the journal section in the back. It had been an eventful day and a half; where was the best place to begin?

He smiled, and lowered his head to touch pen to paper.


Dear Journal,

I really don't know where to begin this entry; my beliefs about reality have been challenged no less than thrice. I've been breathed fire on, sent to a desert Luna-knows-where, been assaulted by a mass of stone, and entertained myself in a dreamworld.

So, I suppose since this is such a long days entry, I should cut it down just a bit, and focus on the highlights. That takes care of a boring day spent napping in the heat of a desert sun, and a somewhat more boring night walking under a desert moon.

Anyway, I've mentioned the desert. Remember how we went to sleep in a train? It was attacked in the middle of the night by some kind of dark beast that breathed green fire. My initial thought was that it was a dragon. Still is, but there are still a few questions; for example, why did it send us to a desert? Why did some things fuse and melt, and others just come along? How the hay did it send a train, complete with train tracks so far? And above all, why?

By my calculations, we're at least three days' walk or a couple hours' flight from anywhere. The area is arid, and has very little water. I've made a map of the area on page 34 of the main log.

Normally, I'd just pick a direction and fly until I ran out of land or came across something interesting. However, there are six others here, and I think I may be warming up to some of them. There are two griffons, Rinda and the Ambassador; Soot, a unicorn, and two earth ponies, Grease Spot and Crown Cork. I rather enjoy talking with Grease, but Cork just rubs me the wrong way. He seems to believe that he is the leader of our little party; this wouldn' t be so bad, if he were capable of also believing that perhaps he's wrong.

Anyway.

We found ourselves in a desert, and most of us did our part to prep for the journey ahead; I scouted out the area, made a sled, and helped care for the Ambassador, who'd been knocked out. Grease helped create another sled to carry our supplies.

Course, all that went out the window the minute we set out. I found a set of glowing rocks, and started poking at it to find out why they glowed. Turns out, as an investigative method, "Poke it until something happens" leaves something to be desired, especially when 'it' happens to be alive. Though, it's somewhat debatable whether a golem counts alive.

See, that's what we found there. It seemed to be some kind of guard; it spoke several languages, among which was an ancient dialect of Equestrian. I'm glad that my parents were so insistent that I take that course; otherwise communication would have been very difficult.

As it was, it accused me of meddling with it, and put me under arrest. I might have been able to fly away, but couldn't leave these ponies alone with it.

You know, reading over that, I feel a bit like I'm bragging. Really don't want to do that, but somehow I doubt that I'll be putting this particular part of my journal into the Compendium. It reads like something out of Burned Jewels. (Not that this is a bad thing; I love his story about sending a mare to the moon with an oversized party cannon. Delightfully offbeat.)

I'm rambling, aren't I? Remember, Dive Bomb; paper is cheap and easy in Equestria, but we're not there.

Anyway, Cork proved that he's not entirely useless; somehow, he made a peace offering that the guardian liked. It stopped threatening me, and started leading us towards a city.

I'll admit, I'm excited. An ancient city, with ancient technology. I mean, how often does anypony get this kind of chance? I could find out lots of new things! That is, if we weren't stuck in a desert with limited food, and even more limited supplies.

Now, that's two new things I've learned today, and I'd have to close there if it weren't for one more thing. The rocks in this desert are capable of storing magic. In our case, it was a memory spell. By touching them, we came in contact with the memory of three dead ponies, and a griffon. Kahlin, a unicorn foal, cast a spell to preserve the memory of his parents Kahdar and Amelias, taken away by a creature of shadow and green smoke.

I'll be honest; I messed up. I was insensitive towards them and dug up their house. I suppose that using minor weather effects to dig up what amounts to a grave could be construed as disrespectful. I didn't think things through in my desire to learn more.

Truth to tell, that's gotten me in trouble twice today. It isn't so much that I intend to hurt people; it's more that by focusing too much on getting the knowledge, I can lose sight of why I want to learn this knowledge. I want to help ponies, to make them happy, to perfect this world. I can't help ponies if I ignore their feelings in pursuit of knowledge. I have to be more careful when I'm talking to others, when I'm investigating. In order to avoid hurting others, I need to ask myself how such a question would make me feel in their situation.

After all, I'd hope that they would do the same for me.

Dive Bomb's eyes went to his right saddlebag, the burgundy one with the sapphire triple-lightning bolt clasp, and smiled wanly. Maybe that was part of the key to understanding other ponies. It almost felt like a betrayal of all that he was fighting so hard to achieve. After all, knowledge was the key to understanding the universe, and the key to saving ponies' lives.

So why was he smiling?

He looked at the journal, and frowned; something was missing. Ah, there it was. He jotted down a short sentence, tucked the pen inside the notebook, and plopped the journal back in the saddlebag.

Though his wing still throbbed, as he drifted off to sleep, he smiled again at the last note in the journal:

"I dreamed of home last night."

[BlasTech]

Dive Bomb: The Complete Collection


Portrait:
http://i.imgur.com/YALWZ.png[/img]

Details:
Name: Dive Bomb
Aliases: “D. B.”
City of Birth: Cloudsdale
Occupation: Chemist/researcher
Ideal: "I will perfect the world."
Flawed ideal: "Life isn't perfect."

How does one describe Dive Bomb? Well, let’s imagine that you’re at a party. You see that pony at the center of everything, whooping it up, encouraging everyone to “getcher hooves in the air,” and moshing with the best of them? That’s not him. In fact, he’s not even at the party. Odds are that he’s actually back at home with his muzzle in a book, or examining the chemical uses of a dandelion.

Physical description: Dive Bomb is not very striking physically; he’s of average build and size for a Pegasus—that is to say, a light, agile frame, covered with a dusting of light green fur. Piercing, intelligent sea-green eyes peer out at the world from beneath a mop of navy blue hair. A blue dictionary almost the same color as his mane sits gently on his flank.

Personality: Perhaps two words can be used to describe Dive Bomb succinctly; the first is “curiosity.” He wants to learn everything there is to know about Equestria, record it, and use it to make a better future. He tries to see the good in everything, though he has a snarky inner side to him. He dreams of a future where ponies have all but eliminated war, poverty, and death through anything but old age.

The other half of his personality could be summed up with the word “reserved.” He very rarely rushes into a confrontation, or a conversation, to be honest. It’s not so much that he’s shy as he is inexperienced. He doesn’t want to offend people, and hesitates to act when he’s not sure what the best course is. (This means that he misses some opportunities, due to indecision.) He comes off as being awkward and cold to people who aren’t his friends—so, pretty much everyone.

The fact is, he wants to understand everything. The problem is that ponies refuse to be categorized or make sense. Thus, he usually hangs back until he's sure of a course.

Family: Dive Bomb’s relationship with his family is an interesting one. His father, Thunderhead, is a stunt flyer. His mother, Aurora Wind, is a stunt flyer. His brother, Nimble Bolt, was a stunt flyer. You could say that stunt flying is in his blood; one of his great-grandparents was a Wonderbolt, and he’s distantly related to Spitfire. The only problem is that Dive Bomb doesn’t really want to be a stunt flyer.

He and his father have clashed in the past over this, since Thunderhead is a very paternal father. However, with Nimble Bolt’s support and his mother’s neutrality, nothing really happened apart from some tension between the two. DB was content, and things only improved once he moved out and started studying seriously.

All this went south when Nimble Bolt got sick with an as yet unknown disease. The doctors didn’t know what to make of it; it was resistant to all known forms of medicine, and eventually told the family that they’d done all they could.

DB refused to accept this, and threw himself into his studies, desperate to find a cure. He was working so hard, he wasn’t there when Nimble Bolt slipped away, or when he was buried. His parents came looking for him, and found him amongst a sprawl of papers, notes, and books. Things with his father finally came to a head, and angry words were said on both sides.

He hasn’t been back since.

Despite this, Dive Bomb really does love his family, and his father really does love him. His father’s approval means a lot to him, and one of the secondary reasons he’s out in the world is to prove to himself and his father that he was right. No-one will die to disease ever again.

Likes: Learning, the color blue, flying, carrots, apples, potatoes, reading. Strawberry shakes, Burned Jewels (scifi author), military marches and other bombastic music

Dislikes: Awkward / social situations, people who impose on his life, being touched, losing control of a situation or himself, weepy music

Mannerisms: As noted before, he is a very cautious, reserved pony, and it carries over to his speech; he usually doesn't say much at all, preferring to observe until the ideal time. When speaking, his voice is calm and quiet unless he's stressed or angry, when he develops a stammer.

His body language is much more expressive, since most of it is instinctual. His wings play a large part in that when he's on the ground; they bristle when he's angry, droop to his sides when he's sad, flare out when he's startled, and raise halfway when he's beginning to get irritated with someone. He's also acquired the habit of hovering in place when he's thinking about a difficult question.

He is very protective of his personal space, though usually this just takes the form of him avoiding people who encroach thereon. Touching him, and touching his wings in particular, are good ways to rapidly earn his dislike and ire respectively.

Skills: There are a few areas where Dive Bomb really excels: chemistry and learning. His experiments with chemicals first began when he found his way into his father’s stunt flying chemicals as a child, and almost blew a wall off their house. He’s since moved onto more useful applications such as medicine, but has retained a fondness for things that explode. He also knows a few basic recipes; after all, what is cooking but a different flavor of chemistry?

His other skill comes from his memory. He can remember most anything he comes across, and so finds learning especially easy.

The Book of Numbers
Dive Bomb
Pegasus colt
Guiding Element: Magic
Cutie Mark: Blue Dictionary with gold A-Z
Special Purpose: Discover, recover, and record knowledge.

Body: 3
Mind: 5
Heart: 1

Energy: 8
Courage: 6
Fortitude: 4
Willpower: 9

Talents: Wary, Tireless
Flaw: Shy.

Job: Chemist 2

Skills:
Pharmaceutical medicine 3
Research 1
Improvised Explosives 1
Home Cooking 1
Aerobatics 5
Weathercraft 4

XP spent: 24/25
Egghead 10 xp
On the job training (Chemist level 2) 4xp
Skill up medicine (level 3) 5 xp
Awesome Aerobatics 5 xp
1 xp remaining.

Possessions: two small saddlebags--one contains practical medicines, the other small amounts of explosives and chemicals. He's also never without his notebook and pen.

Added to the OP. In fact, if any of you guys want to do something similar it makes things alot easier if you compile it all into one post :smalltongue:

[One Tin Soldier]

Dive Bomb: The Complete Collection


Portrait:
http://i.imgur.com/YALWZ.png[/img]

Details:
-snip-


Added to the OP. In fact, if any of you guys want to do something similar it makes things alot easier if you compile it all into one post :smalltongue:

Well that's... intimidatingly thorough. I'll see if I can measure up to it. :smalltongue: It will probably take a little while so I can figure out some names and such (not to mention working around schoolwork), so expect revisions and additions.

Description:
Name: Grease Spot
Nicknames: Grease
Hometown: Canterlot
Ideal: "Teamwork drives perfection."
Flawed Ideal: "I must drive perfection."

Word Association:
Efficiency: Teamwork, Punctual, Simple, Practical, Prepared
Responsibility: Maturity, Dependable, Judgmental, Professional, Society
Frustration: Repression, Pride, Romance, Laziness, Snobs
Family: Loyal, Exemplar, Nagging, Siblings, Love
Flexibility: Variety, Generalist, Connections, Friendly, Synergy

Personality:
Grease Spot is a very driven kind of pony. She believes that the only way for the world to become a truly better place is for everyone to contribute and do their part. This is part of why she became a mechanic. The job of a mechanic is to keep other ponies' things running smoothly so that they can do their own jobs better.

Of course, not all ponies think this way. From her point of view, many feel content to ride on the efforts of others while giving back only the minimum required of them. This attitude frustrates her, because clearly everything would be so much better if everyone followed her philosophy. As such, she often finds herself nagging those around her, trying to get them to work harder and spend less time on trivial things. Almost as often she has to stop herself from becoming unpleasant while doing so. After all, constant nagging is more detrimental to teamwork than it is helpful. To this end, she has put a fair amount of effort into her socializing skills.

Physical Description:
Grease Spot is about average height for a mare. She is solidly built, a result of years of regularly lifting and pulling machinery, aided by her hobby of playing hoofball.
Her coat is denim blue, with a dark grey patch on her chest. (Which is, incidentally, how she got her name.) Her mane and tail are a lighter shade of grey, and her mane is cut to a practically short length.
Last but not least, her eyes are colored golden yellow.

Family:
Grease Spot is very close to her family. Her parents, like the parents of many ponies, did quite a bit to shape her into who she is today. Her father, Silent Vigil, used to be a member of the Royal Guard. She learned of her ideas about responsibility and duty to society from him, especially since he expected her to be a role model for her two younger siblings. Her mother, Hammer Hoof, was a blacksmith. It could easily be said that Grease's affinity for working with her hooves comes from her, whether learned or inherited. And whether she's willing to admit it or not, she most likely picked up her tendency to nag at ponies from the same source.
Grease's younger brother is Brush Stroke, the middle child. As his name might suggest, he works as an artist, though he actually works better as a sculptor than a painter. Grease and Brush get along very well, despite their seemingly opposite professions. They get along so well, in fact, that they still live together in Canterlot, even though most city ponies their age would have moved away from family years ago.
This is definitely not the case with Grease' youngest sibling, Berry Punch. Berry, being the youngest child, has always been a little bit spoiled. In Grease's opinion, she's been spoiled rotten. To her, Berry is a representation of the kind of freeloading pony that drags society down so much. Despite their arguments, though, Grease still cares for her sister and wants her to make something of hr life. Berry moved out to Ponyville with Hammer Hoof and Silent Vigil several years ago when they retired, and since then has gained a bit of a reputation as the town drunk.




Stats:
Grease Spot
Earth Pony Mare
Guiding Element: Generosity
Special Purpose: Keeping the world running smoothly
Cutie Mark: Oil can

Mind: 5
Body: 4
Heart: 3
Energy: 9 (7)
Courage: 8 (2)
Fortitude: 7 (4)
Willpower: 12 (10)

Talents: Strong, Adaptable
Jobs: Mechanic 4
Skills: Magical Theory 3
Metalwork 3
Sewing 1
Repair 4
Athletics 3
Socializing 3
Jury-Rig 3
Hooficuffs 1
- 6 initial skill points (all spent)
Advancements: Toast of the Town (Canterlot)
Hoof-to-Hoof Combat [makes hooves Appropriate Tools for combat]
Extra Talented (Strong)
XP: 73/81 spent

Magical Theory +2 (3 XP)
Metalwork +2 (3 XP)
Repair +3 (6 XP)
Athletics +2 (3 XP)
Socializing +2 (3 XP)

Notable Possessions: Her toolbags, which contain a variety of wrenches, screwdrivers, lubricant, and other tools necessary for her job. She is rarely seen without it.



And for something new*, recent backstory!
Grease has been very busy for the past couple months, helping reconstruct after the damage caused by the Changeling invasion. While most of the cosmetic damage and vital infrastructure were repaired very quickly, there were all kinds of less prominent things to be fixed, and after that she had to deal with the huge pileup of her regular work. [S]It was only last week that she was able to caught up enough to take a short vacation to visit her parents in Ponyville. While the usual nagging about her love life was not quite as relaxing as she would have liked, she finally feels like she's back into the rhythm of everyday life in Canterlot.
It is only now that she feels caught up enough to take a week-long break to visit her family in Ponyville and relax after all of her hard work.

*By "new" I mean I thought of it weeks ago and am only sharing it now.

[Balmas]

Well that's... intimidatingly thorough. I'll see if I can measure up to it. :smalltongue: It will probably take a little while so I can figure out some names and such (not to mention working around schoolwork), so expect revisions and additions.

Description:
Name: Grease Spot
Nicknames: Grease
Hometown: Canterlot
Ideal: "Teamwork drives perfection."
Flawed Ideal: "I must drive perfection."

Personality: Grease Spot is a very driven kind of pony. She believes that the only way for the world to become a truly better place is for everyone to contribute and do their part. This is part of why she became a mechanic. The job of a mechanic is to keep other ponies' things running smoothly so that they can do their own jobs better.

Of course, not all ponies think this way. From her point of view, many feel content to ride on the efforts of others while giving back only the minimum required of them. This attitude frustrates her, because clearly everything would be so much better if everyone followed her philosophy. As such, she often finds herself nagging those around her, trying to get them to work harder and spend less time on trivial things. Almost as often she has to stop herself from becoming unpleasant while doing so. After all, constant nagging is more detrimental to teamwork than it is helpful. To this end, she has put a fair amount of effort into her socializing skills.

Physical Description:
Grease Spot is about average height for a mare. She is solidly built, a result of years of regularly lifting and pulling machinery, aided by her hobby of playing hoofball.
Her coat is denim blue, with a dark grey patch on her chest. (Which is, incidentally, how she got her name.) Her mane and tail a lighter shade of grey, and her mane is cut to a practically short length.
Last but not least, her eyes are colored golden yellow.

Family:
Grease Spot is very close to her family. Her parents, like the parents of many ponies, did quite a bit to shape her into who she is today. Her father, Silent Vigil, used to be a member of the Royal Guard. She learned of her ideas about responsibility and duty to society from him, especially since he expected her to be a role model for her two younger siblings. Her mother, Hammer Hoof, was a blacksmith. It could easily be said that Grease's affinity for working with her hooves comes from her, whether learned or inherited. And whether she's willing to admit it or not, she most likely picked up her tendency to nag at ponies from the same source.
Grease's younger brother is Brush Stroke, the middle child. As his name might suggest, he works as an artist, though he actually works better as a sculptor than a painter. Grease and Brush get along very well, despite their seemingly opposite professions. They get along so well, in fact, that they still live together in Canterlot, even though most city ponies their age would have moved away from family years ago.
This is definitely not the case with Grease' youngest sibling, Berry Punch. Berry, being the youngest child, has always been a little bit spoiled. In Grease's opinion, she's been spoiled rotten. To her, Berry is a representation of the kind of freeloading pony that drags society down so much. Despite their arguments, though, Grease still cares for her sister and wants her to make something of hr life. Berry moved out to Ponyville with Hammer Hoof and Silent Vigil several years ago when they retired, and since then has gained a bit of a reputation as the town drunk.




Stats:
Grease Spot
Earth Pony Mare
Guiding Element: Generosity
Special Purpose: Keeping the world running smoothly
Cutie Mark: Oil can

Mind: 5
Body: 4
Heart: 3
Energy: 9
Courage: 8
Fortitude: 7
Willpower: 12

Talents: Strong, Adaptable
Jobs: Mechanic 4
Skills: Magical Theory 3
Metalwork 3
Sewing 1
Repair 4
Athletics 3
Socializing 3
- 6 initial skill points (all spent)
Advancements: Toast of the Town (Canterlot)
Extra Talented (Strong)
XP: 58/60 spent

Magical Theory +2 (3 XP)
Metalwork +2 (3 XP)
Repair +3 (6 XP)
Athletics +2 (3 XP)
Socializing +2 (3 XP)

Notable Possessions: Her toolbags, which contain a variety of wrenches, screwdrivers, lubricant, and other tools necessary for her job. She is rarely seen without it.

And for something new*, recent backstory!
Grease has been very busy for the past couple months, helping reconstruct after the damage caused by the Changeling invasion. While most of the cosmetic damage and vital infrastructure were repaired very quickly, there were all kinds of less prominent things to be fixed, and after that she had to deal with the huge pileup of her regular work. It was only last week that she was able to caught up enough to take a short vacation to visit her parents in Ponyville. While the usual nagging about her love life was not quite as relaxing as she would have liked, she finally feels like she's back into the rhythm of everyday life in Canterlot.

*By "new" I mean I thought of it weeks ago and am only sharing it now.


It's weird; I am a college student with tons of homework, yet I am suddenly filled with a desire to illustrate for other people. Why is this?

Also, do we know where and how we meet up? It might be awkward for underage foals to meet in a tavern.

[BlasTech]

Well I decided to mix it up a little, the inital plan is for you all to be heading somewhere on the same overnight train out of Canterlot (up to you whether or not you are actually travelling together or to different destinations on the same line.)

*Insert Railroading joke here*

In other news, due to renovations I've been booted from the room in our house which has the internet connection. Working on wifi now and hoping it holds up.

As an update on character progress. I've been chatting to Amish for the last two days and we've made pretty good progress on his character. He flys back home next weekend, and given that Ravian gets back from his trip at the same time, this seems like a good goal for a start date.

The following items need resolving first;


Cork needs his stats
Soot needs her spells
OTSneeds a discussion with me on Grease's age. Cork, Soot and DB are all colt/filly age, i.e. young adults like Twilight and crew. Grease would be the only character approaching middle age (i.e. Mayor Mare, Fleur de Lys, Mrs Cake).


(Everyone being the same age makes it a bit easier on my part in terms of standardising power levels, but I'm happy to have the disparity if the age gap would be an integral part of the character and everyone else is comfortable with that.)

[TheAmishPirate]

The following items need resolving first;


Cork needs his stats
Soot needs her spells
Grease needs a discussion with me on her age. Cork, Soot and DB are all colt/filly age, i.e. young adults like Twilight and crew. Grease would be the only character approaching middle age (i.e. Mayor Mare, Fleur de Lys, Mrs Cake)


(it makes it a bit easier on my part in terms of standardising power levels, but I'm happy to have the disparity if the age gap would be an integral part of the character and everyone else is comfortable with that.)

I'm comfortable with a gap in power, this isn't exactly D&D we're playing here.

As far as stats go, I should be able to have something up later today. Still struggling with the Special Purpose, but I'll have to think of that after work.

[Balmas]

Well I decided to mix it up a little, the inital plan is for you all to be heading somewhere on the same overnight train out of Canterlot (up to you whether or not you are actually travelling together or to different destinations on the same line.)

*Insert Railroading joke here*

As an update on character progress. I've been chatting to Amish for the last two days and we've made pretty good progress on his character. He flys back home next weekend, and given that Ravian gets back from his trip at the same time, this seems like a good goal for a start date.

The following items need resolving first;


Cork needs his stats
Soot needs her spells
OTSneeds a discussion with me on Grease's age. Cork, Soot and DB are all colt/filly age, i.e. young adults like Twilight and crew. Grease would be the only character approaching middle age (i.e. Mayor Mare, Fleur de Lys, Mrs Cake).


(Everyone being the same age makes it a bit easier on my part in terms of standardising power levels, but I'm happy to have the disparity if the age gap would be an integral part of the character and everyone else is comfortable with that.)

Okay, first off: *Choo chooo*

I'm down with a week's time. It gives me a couple days to finish that third fic.

I'm also okay with the age gap between DB and Grease Spot--in my mind, she's a semi-mentor figure who may help him learn some social skills.

[TheAmishPirate]

Okay, first pass for Cork's stats:


Name: Crown Cork
Earth Pony Colt
Guiding Element: Honesty
Cutie Mark: A trio of bottlecaps, freshly painted
Special Purpose: His special purpose is highlighting what makes things special.

Body: 2
Heart: 3
Mind: 3

Energy: 5
Courage: 6
Fortitude: 5
Willpower: 8

Jobs
Soda Tycoon - 2
Painter - 2

Skills
Painting - 4
Sketching - 2
Politics - 2
Finances - 2
Soda Brewing - 3

Talents
Creative
Charismatic

Abilities
Flash of Inspiration (14 xp)

XP Spent: 32/35
Soda Tycoon +1 (3 XP)
Painter +1 (3 XP)

Painting +3 (6 XP)
Soda Brewing +2 (3 XP)
Politics +1 (1 XP)
Sketching +1 (1 XP)
Finances +1 (1 XP)

As for the train ride, here's what I figured: The big Cork press conference is tomorrow, and Crown was psyching himself up the whole day to talk with Pop Cork about where his place was in the future of the company. Right as he's about to knock on his dad's door, Pop bursts out in a tizzy. Apparently, he left some key papers back at the family estate, and he doesn't have the time to go fetch them due to tons of preparatory work he has to do tonight. Cork, cursing his foul luck, volunteers to head out on the next overnight train, grab the papers, and be back before the press arrive tomorrow evening. Pop wraps him up in a tight hug, saying how he can always count on his son, and how proud he is of him.

Needless to say, Cork doesn't expect he'll be getting any sleep on the train.

[One Tin Soldier]

Well I decided to mix it up a little, the inital plan is for you all to be heading somewhere on the same overnight train out of Canterlot (up to you whether or not you are actually travelling together or to different destinations on the same line.)

*Insert Railroading joke here*

In other news, due to renovations I've been booted from the room in our house which has the internet connection. Working on wifi now and hoping it holds up.

As an update on character progress. I've been chatting to Amish for the last two days and we've made pretty good progress on his character. He flys back home next weekend, and given that Ravian gets back from his trip at the same time, this seems like a good goal for a start date.

The following items need resolving first;


Cork needs his stats
Soot needs her spells
OTSneeds a discussion with me on Grease's age. Cork, Soot and DB are all colt/filly age, i.e. young adults like Twilight and crew. Grease would be the only character approaching middle age (i.e. Mayor Mare, Fleur de Lys, Mrs Cake).


(Everyone being the same age makes it a bit easier on my part in terms of standardising power levels, but I'm happy to have the disparity if the age gap would be an integral part of the character and everyone else is comfortable with that.)

Yeah, I was having similar thoughts, but Grease Spot's age is important to her character. I can adjust her to fit if the rest of the party has a problem with it, but that doesn't seem to be the case. It might also be worth noting that the points where she has her most ridiculous diepools (Like repairing machines, where she should be consistently getting +15 and her cutie mark bonus) are best suited to support work.

Also, with that beginning scene I think I'll adjust her recent backstory and say she's just leaving to visit Ponyville.

[TheAmishPirate]

Oh right, forgot to post Cork's words:
Ideal: A pony for every place, and a place for every pony
Flawed: The best fit with what we have.

Perfection: Details, Time, Fussy, Gift, Dissatisfaction
Family: Father, Fate, Expectations, Love, Foundation
Obligation: Leadership, Inability, Social, Monotony, Direction
Passion: Ham, Vision, Sissy, Burning, Joy
Pride: Superiority, Insecure, Overreaching, Faith, Confidence

[Balmas]

Hmm. Why is DB on a train out of Canterlot? He's going to go look at stuff in the Everfree forest, try to find and record new discoveries.

[BlasTech]

Right, looks like the age difference for Grease is here to stay then! *checks off the item from his checklist*


Okay, first pass for Cork's stats:


Name: Crown Cork
Earth Pony Colt
Guiding Element: Honesty
Cutie Mark: A trio of bottlecaps, freshly painted
Special Purpose:

Body: 2
Heart: 3
Mind: 3

Energy: 5
Courage: 6
Fortitude: 5
Willpower: 8

Jobs
Soda Tycoon - 2
Painter - 2

Skills
Painting - 4
Sketching - 2
Politics - 2
Finances - 2
Soda Brewing - 3

Talents
Creative
Charismatic

Abilities
Flash of Inspiration (14 xp)

XP Spent: 32/35
Soda Tycoon +1 (3 XP)
Painter +1 (3 XP)

Painting +3 (6 XP)
Soda Brewing +2 (3 XP)
Politics +1 (1 XP)
Sketching +1 (1 XP)
Finances +1 (1 XP)

As for the train ride, here's what I figured: The big Cork press conference is tomorrow, and Crown was psyching himself up the whole day to talk with Pop Cork about where his place was in the future of the company. Right as he's about to knock on his dad's door, Pop bursts out in a tizzy. Apparently, he left some key papers back at the family estate, and he doesn't have the time to go fetch them due to tons of preparatory work he has to do tonight. Cork, cursing his foul luck, volunteers to head out on the next overnight train, grab the papers, and be back before the press arrive tomorrow evening. Pop wraps him up in a tight hug, saying how he can always count on his son, and how proud he is of him.

Needless to say, Cork doesn't expect he'll be getting any sleep on the train.

Stats look good. No errors I could see. When you're solid on the words up above, can you combine them into a single post with these stats and any background info you want collated into your character sheet?

[Balmas]

So, let me see if I understand Crown Cork's relationship with his family. He's what might be called the heir to the soda empire, having been groomed for the position. He accepts this, and would be good at it. However, he doesn't really want to go in to management, preferring to lead from the side. How close am I?

[TheAmishPirate]

So, let me see if I understand Crown Cork's relationship with his family. He's what might be called the heir to the soda empire, having been groomed for the position. He accepts this, and would be good at it. However, he doesn't really want to go in to management, preferring to lead from the side. How close am I?

Rather close.

Cork was being groomed to take over the company after his forays into art failed dramatically. Once he got his cutie mark, the question of whether or not he was to lead the company was never brought up again. On his side, he felt it was still expected of him, and so because he didn't want to let down the family, he kept at it. On the father's side, he saw his son continue to push himself towards leadership, so he had no reason to question it.

Cork accepts this, and would be good at it if he could figure out how to not view the monotony of management as "work". He can't stand all the meetings, the boring finances, the humdrum of just making sure everything is running well. And with his Ideal/Flawed Ideal - which he can thank his Father for - he's not the best at nurturing ponies for their roles. Rather, he places them where he thinks they'd best fit, and just leaves them there until a better fit opens up. So he's not the best leader currently, but he does okay.

I'm not entirely sure what leading from the side means, to be honest. I think you may be right, but what exactly do you mean?

[Balmas]

By "lead from the side" I mean he's much more comfortable working side-by-side with people than he is watching them. He'd prefer to work with the ponies than sit in a corporate office and issue edicts.

[TheAmishPirate]

By "lead from the side" I mean he's much more comfortable working side-by-side with people than he is watching them. He'd prefer to work with the ponies than sit in a corporate office and issue edicts.

Yeah, I think that's how he turned out. Except he's been brought up to lead from the top, so, yeah.

[Ravian]

4th try's the charm?

Description: Name: Soot
Nickname: Thief (Stop Thief! Get back here you little Thief!)
Hometown: Manehatten
Ideal: "If everyone cares, then nobody cries"
Flawed Ideal: If they won't care, I won't either

Personality: Soot's attitude is largely determined by who she's with. While with friends she's a very social pony, loving a good laugh and quick to lend a hoof to help with or a shoulder to cry on. She is very attached to her friends and works to help them any way she can. She often acts in a maternal role and will often take it upon herself to settle a dispute or work out a problem. While she'll often snark and be sarcastic, she never does it out of cruelty and is quick to realize when such an attitude is not appropriate. When her friends are in danger, she'll often go into a sort of momma bear mode and will go all out when against the threat.
Around others, she puts on a suspicious face. Life has taught her that charity is not easily found and there are many unscrupulous individuals who would feign it for their own advantage. She is quick to look the gift horse in the mouth and is distrustful of strangers. Only a clear show of trust will shake her into acceptance. She takes betrayal particularly hard.
While alone her suspicion is also clear, but she also gets paranoid as well. Quick to see things that aren't there. She'll often talk to herself in vain attempts to keep her spirits up. During any extended time alone her paranoia hits a high and she will often start to go a little crazy (Not Pinkamena crazy, more like Rainbow Dash anxiety).

Family: Never knew her parents so her closest thing to a parental figure was a kind old Unicorn named Rusty who lived on the streets like her. He taught her how to get by and treated her like his own, until the day he didn't wake up after a particularly cold night in the Winter, she still blames herself for not being able to help him even if there wasn't anything she could do. Since then she has formed her own band of young street ponies who she acts as leader and caretaker for. Drizzle, Scamp, Olive, Penny, and Whisper. Drizzle, the next oldest, is a Pegasus colt who she typically leaves in charge whenever she's off scavenging or doing a quick job. While he's good with the foals, he's not nearly as street savvy as her. Scamp is a rambunctious young Pegasus who idolizes Soot and her thievery, often getting himself into one stick or another. Olive and Penny are a pair of Earth Pony twin sisters who generally scavenge and beg but also have an eye for design, as their cleverly built hideaway will suggest. Soot thinks the two are very creative and wishes the world had been kind enough for them to use their talents elsewhere. Finally Whisper is a shy little Unicorn colt who barely ever speaks above a mumble, Soot worries about him because he only recently ran away from his home and doesn't speak at all about the experience. She's not even completely sure if Whisper is his real name and worries if she should try to bring him home or not.

Physical Description: When ponies look at Soot the polite phrase they might use is scruffy, those less inclined to sugar words usually prefer filthy if they're not feeling very creative. Soot's coat is a patchwork of mottled greys supplemented by all sorts of actual soot and dirt she has contracted from a life with lots of dirty streets and not alot of showers. Her mane and tail are likewise messy and tangled, grey with a black streak running through the them. Her eyes possess some of the only real color in her body being a catlike yellow. While of average height she is fairly thin, and generally has an underfed look about her.

Likes: Foals, helping others, a good practical joke (usually with some snooty noble at the butt end of it), manehatten tofu dogs

Dislikes: Suffering, snooty rich ponies, cold, being alone

Mannerisms: Soot tends to hold herself lightly as if she's ready to run at a moment's notice, her eyes generally look around the room taking in details or else focus on a single thing and everything about it. She oftens ***** her ears in a similar fashion. She often uses gestures with her hooves when she talks, pointing at or empasizing certain things. When she needs to be silent and communicate, these gestures are particularly handy.

Skills: Soot is first and foremost a thief. She has learned to become incredibly stealthy with or without magic and has learned everything from how to lift a purse to how to open a lock with a few scant improvise tools. She is also particularly good at scavenging, and is often amazed at what kinds of things ponies will throw away.


Stats:Soot
Unicorn Filly
Body- 2, Heart-3, Mind 4 (+1 heart from advancements)
Fortitude- 5, Energy- 6, Courage 7, Willpower 9
Cutie Mark: Pale gold heart with white wings
Special Purpose: Redistribution of Wealth so that those without are cared for
Job: Thief (level 2)
Skills: Stealth 3, Pickpocketing 1, Lockpicking 1, Scavenging 1
Talents: Sensitive, Wary

Magic:
Aspects known: Telekinesis, Animate, Light, Body, Deceive, Diminish

Spells known:
Sneak in the Shadows
Level 3
Deceive, Light
Range- Contact, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 3
Soot shrouds herself to make light bend around her, rendering herself invisible to normal sight

Shrouded Sight
Level 2
Decieve, Light, Body
Range- Anmiomorphic, Duration- Concentration
Difficulty- 4 (+1 from attack against defenses)
Soot binds an illusory darkness to a target's eyes, rendering them blind as long as she concentrates

Lights Out
Level 1
Diminish, Light
Range- Spectacle, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 5 (costs 1 willpower if it fails)
Soot coats an area in a blanket of darkness, obscuring everything within

Detect Life
Level 1
Reveal, Body
Range- Spectacle, Duration- Concentration
Difficulty- 3
Soot is able to sense the locations of sentient creatures in an area, useful to avoid guards, not so much for their dogs

Follow the Pretty light
Level 1
Animate, Forge, Light
Range- Anmiomorphic, Duration- Concentration
Difficulty- 3
Soot conjures a mote of light and directs where it goes

Flaws: Low Society

Element: Kindness

Advancements:
+1 Heart 10 pts,
Uplifting Attitude 5 pts,
On-the- Job training (+1 level to thief) 4 pts,
Skill-up (Stealth to level 3) 5 pts

(Will finish the rest soon, getting late where I am)
24/25 experience spent

Devices: set of lockpicks, saddlebag

[BlasTech]

Huzzah We Have Forum Power Again!

[One Tin Soldier]

Huzzah We Have Forum Power Again!

Huzzah! I was just about going crazy.

[Balmas]

Huzzah! I was just about going crazy.

I've been there for a while, but the absence of forum made it much more noticable.

[One Tin Soldier]

So is there anything left to do before we get started?

[Balmas]

Well, I've read the recommended fics, have most things figured out, and am eager to start.

[TheAmishPirate]

I'm almost ready, I'm just having trouble coming up with a special purpose. Going to try and catch BlasTech on IRC tonight.

[Ravian]

I've got a little left to work out, some on the IRC (cutie mark in particular) but I don't know when I can get to that. Latest probably Tuesday evening.

[BlasTech]

Just proofreading the OP now and I intend to deploy it sometime today. Amish, Ravian, I dont think there's anything left outstanding for your characters that precludes us starting, but if so just yell out here.

I'll be on the IRC for the rest of today, barring drop outs due to my house's dodgy wireless connection (Yay for renovations). Can plug the wired back in this afternoon when the builders go home.

[BlasTech]

Ravian, Amish, can you guys let me know when you're ready to go? ^^

[Ravian]

Probably not today, just got back from Europe so I got the Jet lag to figure out. Will probably go to sleep now and will most likely wake up early from the lag (around 5 am eastern US time most likely) and I may be able to get on the IRC then. Sorry I can't do earlier, really exhausted right now.

[TheAmishPirate]

Okay, so BlasTech and OneTinSoldier helped me get my Special Purpose sorted out: "highlighting what makes things special." Thanks for the help, and I'll edit that in later. Anyhow, this means I'm 100% ready.

[BlasTech]

I'll try to stay up tonight to talk to you Ravian.

If you don't see me on after about 7am eastern US, I'll probably be asleep. (Assuming I did the timezone conversion correctly :smalltongue:)

[Ravian]

Alright finished

Description: Name: Soot
Nickname: Thief (Stop Thief! Get back here you little Thief!)
Hometown: Manehatten
Ideal: "If everyone cares, then nobody cries"
Flawed Ideal: If they won't care, I won't either

Personality: Soot's attitude is largely determined by who she's with. While with friends she's a very social pony, loving a good laugh and quick to lend a hoof to help with or a shoulder to cry on. She is very attached to her friends and works to help them any way she can. She often acts in a maternal role and will often take it upon herself to settle a dispute or work out a problem. While she'll often snark and be sarcastic, she never does it out of cruelty and is quick to realize when such an attitude is not appropriate. When her friends are in danger, she'll often go into a sort of momma bear mode and will go all out when against the threat.
Around others, she puts on a suspicious face. Life has taught her that charity is not easily found and there are many unscrupulous individuals who would feign it for their own advantage. She is quick to look the gift horse in the mouth and is distrustful of strangers. Only a clear show of trust will shake her
into acceptance. She takes betrayal particularly hard.
While alone her suspicion is also clear, but she also gets paranoid as well. Quick to see things that aren't there. She'll often talk to herself in vain attempts to keep her spirits up. During any extended time alone her paranoia hits a high and she will often start to go a little crazy (Not Pinkamena crazy, more like Rainbow Dash anxiety).

Family: Never knew her parents so her closest thing to a parental figure was a kind old Unicorn named Rusty who lived on the streets like her. He taught her
how to get by and treated her like his own, until the day he didn't wake up after a particularly cold night in the Winter, she still blames herself for not being able to help him even if there wasn't anything she could do. Since then she has formed her own band of young street ponies who she acts as leader and caretaker for. Drizzle, Scamp, Olive, Penny, and Whisper. Drizzle, the next oldest, is a Pegasus colt who she typically leaves in charge whenever she's off scavenging or doing a quick job. While he's good with the foals, he's not nearly as street savvy as her. Scamp is a rambunctious young Pegasus who idolizes Soot and her thievery, often getting himself into one stick or another. Olive and Penny are a pair of Earth Pony twin sisters who generally scavenge and beg but also have an eye for design, as their cleverly built hideaway will
suggest. Soot thinks the two are very creative and wishes the world had been kind enough for them to use their talents elsewhere. Finally Whisper is a shy little Unicorn colt who barely ever speaks above a mumble, Soot worries about him because he only recently ran away from his home and doesn't speak at all about the experience. She's not even completely sure if Whisper is his real name and worries if she should try to bring him home or not.

Physical Description: When ponies look at Soot the polite phrase they might use is scruffy, those less inclined to sugar words usually prefer filthy if they're not feeling very creative. Soot's coat is a patchwork of mottled greys supplemented by all sorts of actual soot and dirt she has contracted from a life with lots of dirty streets and not alot of showers. Her mane and tail are likewise messy and tangled, grey with a black streak running through the them. Her eyes possess some of the only real color in her body being a catlike yellow. While of average height she is fairly thin, and generally has an underfed look about her.

Likes: Foals, helping others, a good practical joke (usually with some snooty noble at the butt end of it), manehatten tofu dogs

Dislikes: Suffering, snooty rich ponies, cold, being alone

Mannerisms: Soot tends to hold herself lightly as if she's ready to run at a moment's notice, her eyes generally look around the room taking in details or else focus on a single thing and everything about it. She oftens moves her ears in a similar fashion. She often uses gestures with her hooves when she talks, pointing at or empasizing certain things. When she needs to be silent and communicate, these gestures are particularly handy.

Skills: Soot is first and foremost a thief. She has learned to become incredibly stealthy with or without magic and has learned everything from how to lift a purse to how to open a lock with a few scant improvise tools. She is also particularly good at scavenging, and is often amazed at what kinds of things ponies will throw away.


Stats:Soot
Unicorn Filly
Body- 2, Heart-3, Mind 4 (+1 heart from advancements)
Fortitude- 5(4), Energy- 6(3), Courage 7(3), Willpower 9(7)
Cutie Mark: Pale gold heart with white wings
Special Purpose: Redistribution of Wealth so that those without are cared for
Job: Thief (level 2)
Skills: Stealth 3, Pickpocketing 2, Lockpicking 1, Scavenging 1
Talents: Sensitive, Wary

Magic:
Aspects known: Telekinesis, Animate, Light, Body, Deceive, Diminish

Spells known:
Sneak in the Shadows
Level 3
Deceive, Light
Range- Contact, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 3
Soot shrouds herself to make light bend around her, rendering herself invisible to normal sight

Shrouded Sight
Level 2
Decieve, Light, Body
Range- Anmiomorphic, Duration- Concentration
Difficulty- 4 (+1 from attack against defenses)
Soot binds an illusory darkness to a target's eyes, rendering them blind as long as she concentrates

Lights Out
Level 1
Diminish, Light
Range- Spectacle, Duration- Temporary
Difficulty- 5 (costs 1 willpower if it fails)
Soot coats an area in a blanket of darkness, obscuring everything within

Detect Life
Level 1
Reveal, Body
Range- Spectacle, Duration- Concentration
Difficulty- 3
Soot is able to sense the locations of sentient creatures in an area, useful to avoid guards, not so much for their dogs

Follow the Pretty light
Level 1
Animate, Forge, Light
Range- Anmiomorphic, Duration- Concentration
Difficulty- 3
Soot conjures a mote of light and directs where it goes

Ghost Sound
Soot fabricates an illusory sound of anything from hoofsteps to a Dragon's roar to emanate from empty air
Deceive, Sonic
Range- Anmiomorphic
Duration- Concentration
Difficulty- 2 (2 elements+ 1 Range - 1 Duration)

New Spell:
Light Beam (AKA totally cribbed off of Celestia in Canterlot Wedding)
Tricks are all well and good, but sometimes a blinding ray of light can win out when subtlety fails.
Forge, Light
Range- Anmiomorphic
Duration- Instant
Difficulty- 4 (two elements + 1 range + 1 for affecting opponents)
(a less subtle version of Shrouded sight, more useful for self-defense since it doesn't wear off as soon as she focuses on something else)

Flaws: Low Society

Element: Kindness

Advancements:
+1 Heart 10 pts,
Uplifting Attitude 5 pts,
On-the- Job training (+1 level to thief) 4 pts,
Skill-up (Stealth to level 3) 5 pts
Horn Hocus-Pocus: Treat Horn as an appropriate tool

38/38 experience spent

Devices: set of lockpicks, saddlebag

[BlasTech]

And with that, I do believe we are finished with the character generation!!

Well done everyone! I've got to say ... even if this RP ends in tears after only the first six posts. I think we've managed to get a cast of pretty darn engaging characters. If nothing else, you can look at the life and personality you've given them and be satisfied at a job well done. I hope they can get good mileage both here and anywhere else you might seek to use them.

The only minor things outstanding still:


Need a rationale for why Soot is catching a train out of canterlot.
Amish needs to consoldiate his stats and background in one post for me to easily add to the OP.


Now the timing is probably not optimal, since I'm just about to head for bed. But if ya'll can wait eight hours for me to respond, then you can stew over the opening post for a bit:

Yes, that's right, you heard me correctly. We have an IC thread now. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=257960)

[One Tin Soldier]

Wooooooooooooooo!

*runs off to IC thread, hands waving wildly in the air*

[Balmas]

Le's Dewit! [/Demoman]

[SiuiS]

And with that, I do believe we are finished with the character generation!!

Well done everyone! I've got to say ... even if this RP ends in tears after only the first six posts. I think we've managed to get a cast of pretty darn engaging characters. If nothing else, you can look at the life and personality you've given them and be satisfied at a job well done. I hope they can get good mileage both here and anywhere else you might seek to use them.

The only minor things outstanding still:


Need a rationale for why Soot is catching a train out of canterlot.
Amish needs to consoldiate his stats and background in one post for me to easily add to the OP.


Now the timing is probably not optimal, since I'm just about to head for bed. But if ya'll can wait eight hours for me to respond, then you can stew over the opening post for a bit:

Yes, that's right, you heard me correctly. We have an IC thread now. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=257960)

I am honestly hoping this characterization carries over. I would like for Divebomb to, say, have more motive in ponythread when he comes up. Or maybe see Soot every once in a while :smallwink:

Even if the game doesn't work out (unlikely as it seems), this is all good mental work. And it's been fun to watch, too!

[Balmas]

I am honestly hoping this characterization carries over. I would like for Divebomb to, say, have more motive in ponythread when he comes up. Or maybe see Soot every once in a while :smallwink:

Even if the game doesn't work out (unlikely as it seems), this is all good mental work. And it's been fun to watch, too!

The future Dive Bomb of Ponythread is somewhat of a dystopian worst case scenario, where he's stopped caring and is just doing science for its own sake. Rather, he's somewhat conflicted due to his own awareness of this fact. However, he's still doing science for power instead of knowledge.

[Ravian]

For Soot's reason for being on a train.
I believe Amish suggested sometime earlier that she could be Crown Cork's go to errand runner, and I like this idea. So most likely she was adequately paid by Crown to take a train into Canterlot and do some errands while he was at the business thingy and she is now returning home to Manehatten by train.

[TheAmishPirate]

For Soot's reason for being on a train.
I believe Amish suggested sometime earlier that she could be Crown Cork's go to errand runner, and I like this idea. So most likely she was adequately paid by Crown to take a train into Canterlot and do some errands while he was at the business thingy and she is now returning home to Manehatten by train.

Well, that's going to make things a mite awkward with Cork taking a train out of Canterlot as well. :smalltongue:

(Not saying it's a problem, it's just amusing.)

[BlasTech]

Great guacamole. You guys are posting up a hurricane.

[Balmas]

Are you kidding? We've been working on this for a month or so; we're chomping at the bit, to use a horse metaphor.

[One Tin Soldier]

Are you kidding? We've been working on this for a month or so; we're chomping at the bit, to use a horse metaphor.

I couldn't have put it better myself. Now our characters actually get to interact with each other in a situation that encourages small talk.

[One Tin Soldier]

So I just found this, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH8Ri2VULHo&feature=channel&list=UL) and it seems to describe Dive Bomb and Soot oddly well. Not to mention the name of the song itself...

[Balmas]

So I just found this, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH8Ri2VULHo&feature=channel&list=UL) and it seems to describe Dive Bomb and Soot oddly well. Not to mention the name of the song itself...

My feels! Why do they hurt?

Seriously, I'm honored, and this makes me want to play Dive Bomb better.

[Ravian]

So I just found this, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH8Ri2VULHo&feature=channel&list=UL) and it seems to describe Dive Bomb and Soot oddly well. Not to mention the name of the song itself...

Huh I must have listened to this song dozens of times but I never realized that Soot fit it so perfectly. It is very appropriate though and I've always loved it.

[Balmas]

I just realized that I've been mistaken about Soot's age the entire time. When I hear filly, I think Applebloom and Scootaloo, so I had forgotten that in this game, filly means Mane six age. Whoops!

[One Tin Soldier]

I just realized that I've been mistaken about Soot's age the entire time. When I hear filly, I think Applebloom and Scootaloo, so I had forgotten that in this game, filly means Mane six age. Whoops!

I thought that was the case. Just chalk it up to how skinny she is, I guess. Call it accidental roleplay.

[BlasTech]

I sense a running gag in the making

[Balmas]

What monstrosity have I created? And should I perpetuate it?

[Balmas]

So, just out of curiosity, do we want to do this in present tense or past tense? Each has benefits; past tense has a greater degree of familiarity and narrative, while present tense has a greater degree of feeling attached to it.

The original post is in present tense, and we've been following that prompt, but I keep wanting to slip into past tense. (Plus, Blastech is posting in past tense.)

[BlasTech]

Use whatever feels more comfortable. For my part, I think I have a tendency to use present tense more when doing scene setting, but past tense for interaction or dialogue.

I'll try to stick to past tense more I think, feels better for this.

[One Tin Soldier]

Well then, do we want everyone to do past tense then? I've been doing present because it seems to be the RP convention, but sometimes past tense flows more smoothly.

Also, Amish, I get the feeling that I'm going to enjoy every post you make in this RP. Every single one. No pressure.

[BlasTech]

Past It Up then!! The GM doth decree!

Now watch as I completely forget to follow my own rules and post present tense on occasion :smalltongue:

[Balmas]

Blessed freedom to post in the past tense, how I love you.

Also, holy crap. We got Cakes inbound at three o'clock, 1-o'clock Mountain time.

[SiuiS]

Why hello there! Lookin' good, angel bunny. Lookin' real good.

[BlasTech]

Maybe not quite as fabulous as you Rarity.

But it seemed an appropriate time to ... change. :smallamused:

[TheAmishPirate]

Also, Amish, I get the feeling that I'm going to enjoy every post you make in this RP. Every single one. No pressure.

Um...er...I...gosh...durr...uh....well...

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120919141555/mlp/images/7/74/Applejack_blush_S02E14.gif

..sh-shucks.

[Balmas]

Hah. I am enjoying Cork's own brand of melodrama very much.

[Balmas]

I kind of wonder what the Cakes and guard make of the brawl in the station right now.

[TheAmishPirate]

I kind of wonder what the Cakes and guard make of the brawl in the station right now.

Yeah. I would post, but I think it's about time we got a reaction from the NPCs.

[BlasTech]

And speak of the devil ... sheesh I go away for 1 hour and you guys are throttling each other! :smalltongue:

[Balmas]

Well, you know it's not a good RP if the PCs aren't trying to kill each other by the second page.

[BlasTech]

The ironic thing is you've beaten to me to the skill rolls, I haven't even deployed my first challenge for you all yet. XD

Well, truth be told, there was a heart based challenge if any of you bothered asking that poor teller what was causing the delays, but since he has run off for therapy you all get to discover it as a surprise :smallbiggrin:

[One Tin Soldier]

The ironic thing is you've beaten to me to the skill rolls, I haven't even deployed my first challenge for you all yet. XD

Well, truth be told, there was a heart based challenge if any of you bothered asking that poor teller what was causing the delays, but since he has run off for therapy you all get to discover it as a surprise :smallbiggrin:

Rule 1 of GMing, the PCs never do what you expect them to. Well, surprises are fun.

[BlasTech]

Rule 1 of GMing, the PCs never do what you expect them to. Well, surprises are fun.

Ive got a bad feeling that I'm going to be repeatedly taught an object lesson in this. Ill breathe easier when i get you all off the train again.:smalltongue:

[Balmas]

Ive got a bad feeling that I'm going to be repeatedly taught an object lesson in this. Ill breathe easier when i get you all off the train again.:smalltongue:

To tell the truth, I kind of debated whether Dive Bomb should offer his services as a courier for Cork, fetching the papers he needs. I decided it would be out of character for him, and that you probably wouldn't appreciate splitting the party before it's even formed. :smalltongue:

[BlasTech]

To tell the truth, I kind of debated whether Dive Bomb should offer his services as a courier for Cork, fetching the papers he needs. I decided it would be out of character for him, and that you probably wouldn't appreciate splitting the party before it's even formed. :smalltongue:

Yeah, I appreciate the thought. One of the nightmares I have with four characters is the risk of splitting the party gets much higher :smalltongue:

Also, I'd really hate to have to use the old "canterlot airspace is currently closed too" schtick. XD

Ugh, this'll be easier when I get you off the train. The railroading part of the story should literally end there.

[Balmas]

Also, I'd really hate to have to use the old "canterlot airspace is currently closed too" schtick. XD

Ugh, this'll be easier when I get you off the train. The railroading part of the story should literally end there.

Who cares about Canterlot airspace? He just knows better than to go flying off on a fool's errand in the middle of a snowstorm. (At least, I assume it's snowing. Maybe that's just my idealized perception of Hearth's Warming Eve.)

Also, I don't think there's been any railroading at all. We've all been playing fairly nice, grouping up. The hard part will be giving us a motivation to stay together.

[BlasTech]

Well, yeah. It's closed for the snowstorm ... what did you think I meant? *shiftyeyes*

XD

[Balmas]

Aaand Action!


I just realized I'm playing an artificer...

[One Tin Soldier]

Of course the action starts while I'm doing my homework.

EDIT: Ok, it's decided now. Grease Spot gets really snarky when she's annoyed.

[BlasTech]

And while I'm out to lunch lol.

[One Tin Soldier]

Looks like we have a regular pony Sherlock Holmes here. (Sherclop Holmes? EDIT: Or Fetlock Homles, apparently)

[Balmas]

I was thinking more Jack Sparrow. "Nopony move! . . . I dropped my brain."

[BlasTech]

I'm a little worried that my heart challenges are a bit too subtle at the moment. Generally, I will ask for the roll only at a critical juncture of a conversation so that you can take the time to roleplay the initial part of the conversation to get a feel for the difficulty and any modifiers.

I'll throw you a bone here. There's a heart based check possible to appeal to the door guards to let you through. It will be hard though, as they are on duty, but there are some modifiers you can set up depending on how you play it.

(hint; make sure you read their dialogue closely.)

[Balmas]

I'm a little worried that my heart challenges are a bit too subtle at the moment. Generally, I will ask for the roll only at a critical juncture of a conversation so that you can take the time to roleplay the initial part of the conversation to get a feel for the difficulty and any modifiers.

I'll throw you a bone here. There's a heart based check possible to appeal to the door guards to let you through. It will be hard though, as they are on duty, but there are some modifiers you can set up depending on how you play it.

(hint; make sure you read their dialogue closely.)


Doh. Now I realize what has to be asked, and how to get a positive modifier, but I can't because it would be out of character to do so. Curse you and your month of character-building. And curse my habitual avoidance of metagaming.

The guards said, "No foals passed this way." So, either the foals went a different way, or somepony else passed this way.

"No admittance, except on guard business." So, we can come in if it's on guard business. If only we had a guard there to help us...


Also, I just now realized that Dive Bomb and Crown Cork are opposites in many ways: Reserved vs. melodramatic, Shy vs. Bossy, Self-made vs. Inheritor... about the only thing that would draw them together is the fact that they both have father issues.

[BlasTech]

Mwahahaha.

I'm sure there are more ways to boost the applicable modifiers too, but I'll leave that to your imagination.

[Balmas]

Ah, diplomacy, that most underused of PC tools...

We've got a problem.
Can we kill it? Y / N
If it cannot be killed, can it be bribed? Y/N
If it cannot be bribed, can we run away from it? Y/N

Somewhere around item twelve on that list is, Can we talk to it?

[Ravian]

The problem here is Soot also would be out of character in assuming the law enforcement would work with her on anything, and so would prefer something a little more creative.

My first thought was actually to throw them into confusion with Light's Out, but that seemed like it would cause too much commotion and be harder to play off.

[Balmas]

I didn't say you're wrong. I just thought it was funny.

[BlasTech]

Sorry for delay guys. A bit too much going on for me to post via phone. Will have to wait till I get home and can consult/compare stuff more easily.

Edit, okay done.

The way I reckon this stuff works in practice.


Generally casting a spell requires a skill check, DC is commensurate with the difficulty of the spell (10 for easy up to 20 for hard or higher, at difficulty 3 - Soot's spell is probably a DC 15 check to cast successfully)

Once cast, using the spell in such a way as to evade NPC's results in a separate sneak check. As this check is now for "dodging running guards while invisible" as opposed to "losing alert guards while visible with no cover", the DC is much lower than normal. No modifier was added to Soot's sneak roll, which is body based.

For dodging a PC, it's an opposed check, but rather than adding a modifier for Soot, the invisibility makes it harder for DB to spot her (counting as a superior tool/disguise on her part).


Anywhoo, long story short. She's gone and led two guards away on a merry chase. Definitely not the way I expected this challenge to be overcome! ^^

NB: Based on my reading of conditional tasks, only some spell usage requires a seperate "use" check. If you just wanted to shoot a fireball, for instance, it would only need the one check to cast and fire as the task is "shoot a fireball"

For this one, it is "become invisible, if this works, then dodge guards" thus requiring two checks.

[BlasTech]

Hey Balmas, isn't Dive Bomb staring at the same door Grease Spot just knocked on?

[Balmas]

Indeed he is. So courage, brethren, and on! on to Victory!

[One Tin Soldier]

I did catch the bit about "guard business," but I figured Grease would just try telling them about the missing foals before bringing the bumbling guard into the equation. And then Soot went and did that. Which Grease is totally going to give her a talking-to about.

And I get the dubious honor of being the first PC in this game to fail a roll. Yay?

[Ravian]

Well be grateful it wasn't something with graver consequences. 3 points of courage is less of a problem then getting tackled to the ground and arrested by guards.

[TheAmishPirate]

Okay, does that Heart roll qualify for Charismatic and a second roll? I just dropped XP on that mess and it flopped. Naturally. :smalltongue:

[TheAmishPirate]

Okay, leaving for the evening again, so to not hold anything up, I'm just going to make the second roll here. BlasTech, please make your ruling before looking at the result, don't want to bias it or nothing:

[roll0]

*sweat drop*

[BlasTech]

Force of persuasion, so yes. Charismatic does apply :smallsmile:. Talents allow you a second roll as long as the first wasn't a 1.

Anywhoo, I'll have the next post up later this morning.

[Balmas]

I would just like to say that I think Soot is very funny when she's being evil like that.

[One Tin Soldier]

I approve of Legend of Zelda references. Also, this is the third 4 I've rolled in a row. :smallyuk:

[BlasTech]

Here's hoping one of the others has better luck lol.


So I just found this, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH8Ri2VULHo&feature=channel&list=UL) and it seems to describe Dive Bomb and Soot oddly well. Not to mention the name of the song itself...

Neat song.