Shepard Quest Mk V, Base of Operations (ME/MCU)
- Thread starter Esbilon
- Start date
First of all, yay. Secondly a bit of a (very overdue) explanation on the math issue.
Firstly, you can mostly ignore math itself, at least the process, only looking for results. Now, why do I put the math out here? There are several reasons:
1) To me it's fun, as I do it for my personal amusement.
2) When I read lots of pieces of fiction, especially fanfiction, some things make me cringe, due to how technobabble used to justify them is inconsistent, or plain stupid. Now, I know that I am one of the more educated perusers of fanfiction. However, this doesn't mean that there aren't others with the same, or higher levels of education. So, when proposing something, I like to have a solid backing for my ideas, so, even if they aren't taken, they wouldn't look stupid (and, thus, irritating) to others who care about such things
3) I like to munchkin. I derive pleasure from working the system, finding its exploits and achieving unexpected results with the tools given to me. This requires a lot of lateral thinking, which I hope I have, and actual thinking and research. Math is a great tool that helps me here. By doing math on the subjects I want to explore in the setting, I can discover effects that I didn't even expect. In essence, I enjoy doing science, and math allows me to do science on this thing. Just in this quest (which was one of the best for me, really, in terms of ability to munchkin), attempting to provide some backing for a stealth system led me to discover a physical effect that allowed for creation of thermal annihilator down the line.
4) I am always ready to admit that I am wrong and have screwed up somewhere. I am also always ready to receive help or for others to take my ideas beyond what I thought possible. In this spirit I put out the math so anyone can go over it, spot any errors I made, make their own conclusions, and perhaps develop it further or use it for their own goals.
So, if one doesn't wish to look into it, it's absolutely no problem. That's why I put Tl;drs in my math / idea posts. Math is there as an argument, not the endgoal.
I can't fully agreed with this. I, personally, quite enjoyed tech-speak and development ideas. Now, I know that I am not a representative choice of a human being and that my interests often don't coincide with those of others. But still, actual tech development was a very fun part of the quest for me too, as well as developing plans on where to take it.
Khaos
Baguette, wine and cheese
I didn't say taht you shouldn't munchkin, nor that tech-speak is fundamentally uninteresting.
But rather that in this quest, it took a much more important part than I would have liked.
I would have like more personal stuff, and not in the form of two paragraphs dealing with us learning how to pilot a suit but stuff like the few interesting moments dealing with Conrad.
Other mini-quests like:
- managing the rising tension between the security forces and the scientists,
- dealing with the kidnapping of the head of XX department be kidnapped.
- trying to have the local mayor replaced because he's corrupt as fuck and trying to milk us for construction rates.
- helping Liara to put together a few clues to find a Prothean ruin.
- trying to convince a researcher to stay despite their SO not liking Mindoir (find out why their SO feels this way)
And tons of other stuff.
Ah, ok. As I said, it's difference of tastes. I enjoy this kinda stuff rather a lot.
Personal stuff is interesting and should be there, but it should arise organically.
What? Why would there be tension? Seriously, security is easy to understand.
Why would we need to deal with it? We have security forces for that.
We could just take our business elsewhere, reallu.
This could be fun, yes.
Would have to be a research hero for that, really.
Mini quests could be fun, yes. Still, one limitation is the pace of the quest. I mean, right now we are going a quarter of a year per turn, and this gives us a decent pace - a lot happens in that quarter. Slowing the updates down... Well, that would definitely change things.
Khaos
Baguette, wine and cheese
That's a task for the GM.
Because some people don't? Others are really obnoxious?
For example, the planetary governor wants the police to intervene rather than your security forces and will only negotiate with you (and not your head of security).
Maybe we are attached to Mindoir sentimentally, or maybe we'll move, it's still a story to write.
This is what is assumed, even above with the kidnapping.
It's not an immutable format, for example six months turns with research bonuses depending on how well we perform in the miniquests is a possibility.
Van Ropen
Angry, angry about elves.
I could get behind that - generally simplifying the management of PI, and focusing more on Revy. Have research be ongoing, influenced by what is happening in-story.
Brings to mind what Roarian is doing in his Stark Quest, where it is all about Tony's narrative but tech points are accrued as the story progresses. It also allows for the business decisions we make (like where we talked about pushing gene-modding) to be explored since they happen in the main story line.
I think what @Khaos is trying to get at is that at this point we've kind of devolved into a milleu-only story: world building with no real conflict. Let's look at the current arc, for example. It's there any serious doubt we'll win the Mako competition? The rest of the Alliance is still reeling from the Arc Reactor, and we've already left that far behind with repulsars and advanced combat VIs. There is no real competition there, only us steamrolling everyone, just like the last time where we brought full-bore power armor to a hardsuit competition.
The story needs another leg of the MICE quotient to stand on, either a character conflict as suggested above, or an ideological one, like entering the AI debate early, or an event like the Reapers coming early.
The story needs another leg of the MICE quotient to stand on, either a character conflict as suggested above, or an ideological one, like entering the AI debate early, or an event like the Reapers coming early.
Eh, really shame. Thanks for all the work Esbilon.
Hopefully someone picks this up. It's times like this, when I really hate that I didn't take writing seriously while at school. Teacher said I got some talent.
Anyway, all possible future candidates, don't worry about math talk and engineer porn people put up here. It's not really heavy part of the story, also I'm quite sure Auks and Esbilon don't mind to share their notes and give pointers.
Hopefully someone picks this up. It's times like this, when I really hate that I didn't take writing seriously while at school. Teacher said I got some talent.
Anyway, all possible future candidates, don't worry about math talk and engineer porn people put up here. It's not really heavy part of the story, also I'm quite sure Auks and Esbilon don't mind to share their notes and give pointers.
- Location
- Dual citizen of SV&SB
I honestly have no idea what to do when two people offer to take the quest.
Though, to clarify: Your goal is to make sure the quest doesn't die, right? So are you saying you want to be Dm, You'll Dm if Torrmercury decides not to, You'll Dm if we get no other takers?
Dangit, I wish we could show body language over the internet... Augh! My Brain!. Nevermind, I just thought it through.
Shadows
Sacred Priestess of the Benevolent Dice Gods
- Location
- USS Civilian, DDG-214
- Pronouns
- She/Her
If Tormercury decides not to, I'll give it a shot.
Well darn.
I'd be really tempted to step in, but I'm not going to claim my writing is the best.
On the other hand I was thinking of stating a quest, ESP as my IRL gaming group has mostly moved out of town. Though my idea was[Exalted/ME] But I do like this one so I'd be tentatively willing to run this quest instead to keep it going. If the others here think I could do an acceptable job. Tough a beta would be nice.
Real challenge will be keeping thing interesting while, keeping the same flavor.
I'd be really tempted to step in, but I'm not going to claim my writing is the best.
On the other hand I was thinking of stating a quest, ESP as my IRL gaming group has mostly moved out of town. Though my idea was[Exalted/ME] But I do like this one so I'd be tentatively willing to run this quest instead to keep it going. If the others here think I could do an acceptable job. Tough a beta would be nice.
Real challenge will be keeping thing interesting while, keeping the same flavor.
Van Ropen
Angry, angry about elves.
ShepQuest is eternal, the pinnacle of evolution and existence.
- Location
- Dual citizen of SV&SB
Lies! ShepQuest is the Path To the pinnacle!
torrmercury
Necromancer
- Location
- Chicago
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Wait, so does this all hinge on me at the moment? 
As in these two are only willing to take over if I decline? Way to put the pressure on!
I'll give a final answer by Friday.
Super I HAVE A PLAN Edit: Actually I'm going to decline running the game. However, I would not be averse to co-QMing/being the editor for the game. That way either of the newer (I'm assuming cause you both said that you lack supreme confidence in your writing skills) writers can take this over to hone their craft while I make sure quality is up. OH GOD WHAT IF THE QUEST IS CO-QMED AND I'M THE EDITOR?? WHAT MADNESS IS THIS
Also I feel like "I have a plan" is becoming a recurring thing with me on SV..... I've posted those words no less than 3 times now in completely different contexts.
As in these two are only willing to take over if I decline? Way to put the pressure on!
I'll give a final answer by Friday.
Super I HAVE A PLAN Edit: Actually I'm going to decline running the game. However, I would not be averse to co-QMing/being the editor for the game. That way either of the newer (I'm assuming cause you both said that you lack supreme confidence in your writing skills) writers can take this over to hone their craft while I make sure quality is up. OH GOD WHAT IF THE QUEST IS CO-QMED AND I'M THE EDITOR?? WHAT MADNESS IS THIS
Also I feel like "I have a plan" is becoming a recurring thing with me on SV..... I've posted those words no less than 3 times now in completely different contexts.
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Leingod
Immaculate Blooming Lotus
I'd really love to see more Exalted/ME stuff; I don't know why, but it always seemed like a fantastic combination to me. And yet the only good example of it I've ever seen (any other promising ones I found were like 1 or 2 chapters and long abandoned) is Glorious Shotgun Princess. I actually kind of wished they had gone with some more Exalted elements in that story, actually, maybe make it a full fusion fic instead of a crossover, but that's entirely a matter of personal opinion and such an undertaking would likely be incredibly difficult.
Although, I think if you were willing to overhaul a lot of the universe (and in some cases completely change or add things) to blend the two together, you could have some really interesting stuff. The Leviathans and Reapers could become analogous to the Neverborn and Yozi, for example. Maybe in addition to Husks the Reapers could have analogues to Demons, some of whom (blood apes) would be just more cannon fodder and some of whom would be able to infiltrate organics (just imagine it: Neomah with indoctrination powers), or maybe make the stronger Husk-constructs like the Praetorians and the Brutes the demon-analogues.
Amberion
Mighty #9
It has no beginning; it has no end. It merely is.
Wait, so does this all hinge on me at the moment?
As in these two are only willing to take over if I decline? Way to put the pressure on!
I'll give a final answer by Friday.
Super I HAVE A PLAN Edit: Actually I'm going to decline running the game. However, I would not be averse to co-QMing/being the editor for the game. That way either of the newer (I'm assuming cause you both said that you lack supreme confidence in your writing skills) writers can take this over to hone their craft while I make sure quality is up. OH GOD WHAT IF THE QUEST IS CO-QMED AND I'M THE EDITOR?? WHAT MADNESS IS THIS
Also I feel like "I have a plan" is becoming a recurring thing with me on SV..... I've posted those words no less than 3 times now in completely different contexts.
It was more that I was willing to if others though I'd do a good/okay job. Or in other words, my hats in the ring but I'll step down if another really wants to do it.
On another note, a good idea man, beta, and general support man would be very useful.
And well it's nice if you have a plan, just make sure they're not cunning plans. Baldric (sp?) is not a good example to follow.
I had two ideas of how to do the crossover, one was creation went boom (Yozi/ED trash the place, neverborn drag it all into oblivion, and then the fae take what's left for theater props). One of the surviving exaltations wanders and finds ME universe/reality. Very low Exalted material, but the PC gets to play OOC problem. This also would allow me to keep the broken arts of craft and manse binding under control. Maybe multiple exaltations might show up if they had connections (Solar/Lunar pairings or perfect circles for example).
Option two was more a fusion. When creation was about to go boom, a crazy genius solar activates a N/A class artifact "The Forge of Creation" and basically re-writes creation. Mind this solar had concluded that it was "High-powered bullshit" that caused it all to fuck up in the first place, so the new setup has low obvious magic. (Hint hint it looks like the base ME setting, on the surface at least). However the exaltations are still roaming around, some other items failed to get reformatted properly; oh and the Yozi/neverborn got to inject their on bit of fun aka the Reapers (Expect reapers to be upgraded yeah?). Toss the newly exalted PC into that and the fun begins.
Was thinking more the first I tend to like doing one or a small number of OOC problems vs a big problem, but your comments did remind me of the second idea I had stashed away. 2.5ed rules with mods for a sci-fi setting and a dash of material from shard 'cause I'm lazy. On the other had this quest is already on going so I'd be more inclined to keep it going.
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- Location
- Dual citizen of SV&SB
Augh! Both you and Shadow are saying "If nobody else will do it, I will."
Though Shadow reads to me as more "I want to see this quest continued."
Ah well. Hoyr, you have my vote. You've written a few omakes here, IIRC, and have been participating in the quest for a long time. (Can't remember if you were there at the start.)
Sorry shadow, but I've never read anything you've written. :/
Though Shadow reads to me as more "I want to see this quest continued."
Ah well. Hoyr, you have my vote. You've written a few omakes here, IIRC, and have been participating in the quest for a long time. (Can't remember if you were there at the start.)
Sorry shadow, but I've never read anything you've written. :/
I joined in during late tread two IIRC. About when the PA Competition was going on.
And well I don't know if its a voting matter but it nice to hear that you don't think I'll fuck it up.
Sadly I also know nothing about what Shadow has done so I can't comment on his work either. Nor the amount of time he has to commit to this.
I'll let the weekend pass and see what other have to say (as well as double checking stuff IRL, I'm fairly certain I have the free time to do this. One update a week is a reasonable schedule no?), and then move forward. Assuming the current GM is okay with handing it off to me.
Possible things I may include if I GM: (To be read as an advertisement or an election speech as your sense of humor allows)
News headlines regarding the effect of your actions/tech!
More politics! Sadly the price of power/money is dealing with masses of blood sucking insects. (Though I hope that the players willing are to keep that nasty IRL stuff out of it)
More action scenes/events! (I'll try to keep these plot relevant and not have them clog up the quest, events can range from War Games with your security team to people actually trying to murder you. In addition I'll try to offer some character development rewards for actually doing them.)
More character development! (maybe, assuming you don't science all the time and/or events as noted above)
Your usual dose of SCIENCE! and some of the more normal science.
Your regularly scheduled Industry!
Suggestions welcome.
Also there are a few items that I'd consider adding/discussing but I think discussing them should come later as they'd be a bit distracting right now.
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I'm glad to see that people have stepped up, wanting this to continue, you guys rock!
I have no problem handing over the reins to either of you, and would be happy to offer my assistance as well. Of course, I have a very slight bias against Hoyr since if he doesn't run ShepQuest, he might run one of those Exalted things, and they sound awesome
I have no problem handing over the reins to either of you, and would be happy to offer my assistance as well. Of course, I have a very slight bias against Hoyr since if he doesn't run ShepQuest, he might run one of those Exalted things, and they sound awesome
