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SV's Pick of the Month User Submissions Thread

Attempting to Fulfill the Plan: GDI Edition by @Ithillid

Take control of the Global Defense Initiative's Treasury Department after the apocalyptic Third Tiberium War. Rebuild infrastructure, provide food and shelter, and restart industry - all while under threat from both the xenoforming Tiberium crystals and the global insurgency of NOD. A sci-fi take on the Planquest format set in the Command & Conquer universe.

(Resubmitting this since it's been 3 months since I previously posted it.)
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Attempting to Fulfill the Plan: GDI Edition

Lead the Global Defense Initiative into the future after the Third Tiberium War.
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Mare Internum by @Crumplepunch

Mare Internum is an Exalted Quest following an amnesiac, alcoholic agent of the colonial empire known as the Scarlet Realm, as she wakes up from a shipwreck with no memory of her identity or her very important mission and is thrown into the chaos of war as the Realm's armies seek to thwart rebellion. It's heavily inspired by Disco Elysium, a hit indie game, in its choice of protagonist (rolling car fire of a human being) and the way it portrays that protagonist's interiority as a chorus of often deranged voices which each represent a skill of the protagonist, such as her Navigation skill doing tourist guide improvisation. I would like to nominate it for Pick of the Month because:
1) Crumplepunch is a very good writer, but he only has two threads in all of SV and relatively few posts, so there's a high chance people might miss his content simply for lack of name recognition.
2) It uses a voting format that is very novel for SV, in which some votes are "consequential" and use normal tally voting, but most votes are simply decided by the first person to post a reply; this allows for a breezy update pace and small, focused updates that enable more granularity than in most SV Quests, such as replicating the feel of a video game dialogue tree.
3) It's really good! Check this out:

"What if I don't want drugs?"

INTEGRITY: You do though, you desperately want drugs. The thought of a hit of opium melting your sensory cortex into wisps of smoke fills you with longing, with need. The bitter red of rosetree honey lifting up your mind to new and glorious heights, a sample of ergot rye setting afire your nerves, a pinch of dreamfish meal filling the world with those peerless colours you long to see again.

INTEGRITY: The poisons cannot kill you, but they will make you feel alive.
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Mare Internum link.
 
A Hedge Maze is you, by @Chandagnac

A completed quest in a fully original fantasy world, full of interesting and quirky characters, genuinely dangerous enemies, and a really, really weird overall tone that just sucks you in and doesn't let go. There's also an interesting cosmology and history present that make you go, "Wait, What?" over and over again.

The main character is a sentient hedge maze. If that doesn't interest you, than nothing else will.

It also has two sequels, and the QM has also made other quests that are just as weird and crazy.
 
Omicron said:
Mare Internum by @Crumplepunch

Mare Internum is an Exalted Quest following an amnesiac, alcoholic agent of the colonial empire known as the Scarlet Realm, as she wakes up from a shipwreck with no memory of her identity or her very important mission and is thrown into the chaos of war as the Realm's armies seek to thwart rebellion. It's heavily inspired by Disco Elysium, a hit indie game, in its choice of protagonist (rolling car fire of a human being) and the way it portrays that protagonist's interiority as a chorus of often deranged voices which each represent a skill of the protagonist, such as her Navigation skill doing tourist guide improvisation. I would like to nominate it for Pick of the Month because:
1) Crumplepunch is a very good writer, but he only has two threads in all of SV and relatively few posts, so there's a high chance people might miss his content simply for lack of name recognition.
2) It uses a voting format that is very novel for SV, in which some votes are "consequential" and use normal tally voting, but most votes are simply decided by the first person to post a reply; this allows for a breezy update pace and small, focused updates that enable more granularity than in most SV Quests, such as replicating the feel of a video game dialogue tree.
3) It's really good! Check this out:
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Thanks for the recommendation. That sounds like the kind of thing that I would enjoy. I'm a big fan of Disco Elysium.

Damian45 said:
A Hedge Maze is you, by @Chandagnac
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Well, thank you. It's been several years since the glory days of A Hedge Maze Is You's popularity, so it's nice to know that it still has fans.

Damian45 said:
It also has two sequels, and the QM has also made other quests that are just as weird and crazy.
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Three sequels, actually: The Tinpot Princess and Her Many Travels, School of Sorcery, and Chosen by the Dragon God.
(Also, considering that all three 'sequels' take place years before the events of AHMIY, they could also be considered to be prequels/a reboot. It's complicated.)

I suppose you could consider School of Sorcery to be a sidestory set in the same fictional universe, but it does eventually fold into and become part of the same ongoing storyline as the other quests.

Chosen by the Dragon God is the most recent quest, which is still ongoing. Please take a look! I feel like it needs more love! :)
 
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Beauty and the Beast [NGE]

Well, this has been a long time coming. After much time brainstorming this fic and planning out...
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Beauty and the Beast by @Alex, anl Neon Genesis Evangelion fic set in an amalgamation of the anime and manga versions of the setting. The main divergence from the Canon timeline is: instead of being sent to a nameless tutor, Shinji Ikari is instead placed in the care of one of his mother's trusted compatriots and research partners: Mari Makinami.

A riveting read of unraveling ancient conspiracies, the inhumanity of humans and the humanity of the inhuman. Not complete yet, but still updating regularly, with chapter 41 having released last night at time of posting
 
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Kingdom of God: A Quest of Holy Revolution Original - Fantasy

It is the year 822 after the death of the prophet Amalgast. His Kingdom of God is failing, beset by enemies within and without that seek to turn its people to mere slaves to greed and inquity. But across the country, the winds of change are coming. In a remote corner of a remote mission, an...
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If I had to pick a word to describe it, it would be very KOGGERS.

Go read Kingdom of God, and you too will be KOGGERS every time you get the update ping.


Okay, but seriously Kingdom of God is probably some of the best stuff on the site right now, written by an old hand at questing with a deep well of history to draw on. This quest is popular, but should become even more popular. The prose is genuinely incredible, the world vivid and deep, and the characters spectacular in the best way.
 
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Honorverse AU: Honor of the Queen

An alternate universe telling of the Honorverse story Honor of the Queen.
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Straightforward self-promotion.

I started reading David Weber in high school, and I decided to write fanfiction. If you remember David Weber, I tried to keep the space battles and against impossible odds from early Weber. I feel that there's a lot of genuinely good stuff there, and I wanted to keep the parts I liked in a more morally ambiguous universe.

If you don't remember David Weber, I'm telling a story that focuses heavily on choices, consequences, and people who are generally trying to do the right thing in a difficult situation. If they can figure out what the "right thing" is. The main character is Captain Honor Harrington, a commoner who has risen to become a Captain in the Queen's Navy. A simple assignment to the backwards world of Grayson leads her into conflict with malevolent fanatics, the scheming agents of an evil empire, and the many problems caused by the rapid modernization of Manticore's subject world ally.
 
Theaceoffire's story Broken Adventure just finished/completed today... So that is 3 years of work, more than 1.3million words. I feel like a Story of the Month for the accomplishment would be a great way of showing the author that their contribution to the site, and their dedication to the story and its readers is appreciated.

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Broken Adventure Crossover

Due to something similar to cosmic Karma, an all powerful being failed to survive. The part of it trying to recover was calling forth creatures, new hosts it could consume to be reborn... Too bad it was too picky. Through shattered and alone, follow the lost soul on a Broken Adventure!
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Hic sunt Extraterrestris -- an exploration quest by @Jenny.

The year is 2002. Sixteen years ago, Earth's freedom was secured after a bitter three-year war with an alien interstellar corporation, 'Fivefold Firmament', and its human collaborators, puppets, and allies. Now, Fivefold Firmament has just gone bankrupt. The major powers of Earth have entrusted a new organization, the United Nations Strategic Exploratory Initiative (UNSEI), to explore, make allies, and generally help establish Earth's place in the wider galaxy, now that it's safer to do so.

As director of UNSEI, you will manage spacecraft, develop personnel, negotiate with alien powers and Earth's own governments, and explore an original universe.

This quest takes inspiration from the QM's former quest, To Boldly Go, with similar themes and lightened mechanics,all taking place in an original and intriguing setting.

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Hic sunt Extraterrestris -- an exploration quest Original

The year is 2002. Sixteen years ago, Earth’s freedom was secured after a bitter three-year war with an alien interstellar corporation, ‘Fivefold Firmament’, and its human collaborators, puppets, and allies. Now, Fivefold Firmament has just gone bankrupt. The major powers of Earth have entrusted...
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For The Tyrants Fear Your Might (A quest of interstellar rebellion) -- by @AKuz / Kiarael, @Amorous Intent, @clockworkchaos, @Cyanblackstone, @The Laurent, and @BiopunkOtrera

You know in Cyberpunk Dystopias when they talk about offworld colonies, and the universe beyond Earth? Well, in this case you *are* one of the offworld colonies and you've just gone into revolt against your corporate masters.

In a world where Humanity lies under the thumb of Big Mammon, as the democratic legislature of a newly independent frontier colony, you will use vigorous diplomacy, military might, clever espionage, subtle stratagems and a can do spacer's spirit to make that independence stick and make the universe a much brighter place. Or you can be smothered under the heavy hand of the imperial core's repression...

Do you like very well written prose? Intriguing hard sci-fi concepts? An upbeat, hopeful tone in a dark universe? Fighting against ultra-late-stage-capitalism? Extremely well written prose? If you like any of the above, then you might want to check out this quest.

The quest recently ended a major story arc with a gripping mega-event that had well over 100,000 words leading into its conclusion. It is by far the best end of a story arc I've read in any quest, ever.

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For The Tyrants Fear Your Might (A quest of interstellar rebellion) Original - Sci-Fi - Users' Choice!

You know in Cyberpunk Dystopias when they talk about offworld colonies, and the universe beyond Earth? Well, in this case you *are* one of the offworld colonies and you’ve just gone into revolt against your corporate masters. In a world where Humanity lies under the thumb of Big Mammon, as the...
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Derpmind said:
For The Tyrants Fear Your Might (A quest of interstellar rebellion) -- by @AKuz / Kiarael, @Amorous Intent, @clockworkchaos, @Cyanblackstone, @The Laurent, and @BiopunkOtrera

You know in Cyberpunk Dystopias when they talk about offworld colonies, and the universe beyond Earth? Well, in this case you *are* one of the offworld colonies and you've just gone into revolt against your corporate masters.

In a world where Humanity lies under the thumb of Big Mammon, as the democratic legislature of a newly independent frontier colony, you will use vigorous diplomacy, military might, clever espionage, subtle stratagems and a can do spacer's spirit to make that independence stick and make the universe a much brighter place. Or you can be smothered under the heavy hand of the imperial core's repression...

Do you like very well written prose? Intriguing hard sci-fi concepts? An upbeat, hopeful tone in a dark universe? Fighting against ultra-late-stage-capitalism? Extremely well written prose? If you like any of the above, then you might want to check out this quest.

The quest recently ended a major story arc with a gripping mega-event that had well over 100,000 words leading into its conclusion. It is by far the best end of a story arc I've read in any quest, ever.

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For The Tyrants Fear Your Might (A quest of interstellar rebellion) Original - Sci-Fi - Users' Choice!

You know in Cyberpunk Dystopias when they talk about offworld colonies, and the universe beyond Earth? Well, in this case you *are* one of the offworld colonies and you’ve just gone into revolt against your corporate masters. In a world where Humanity lies under the thumb of Big Mammon, as the...
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So I was about to say that this was a fantastic choice, and I'm happy to say that we already made this a Pick of the Month previously - and had previously told a colleague this when they brought it up - except looking back, I can't find where we did. Having a bit of a Berenstain Bears moment right now... 😅

Banners for May are intended to go up tomorrow, so it may not make it to this month, but... watch this space.
 
Skippy said:
So I was about to say that this was a fantastic choice, and I'm happy to say that we already made this a Pick of the Month previously - and had previously told a colleague this when they brought it up - except looking back, I can't find where we did. Having a bit of a Berenstain Bears moment right now... 😅

Banners for May are intended to go up tomorrow, so it may not make it to this month, but... watch this space.
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It was a nominee for 2021 Winterfest, IIRC.
 
Derpmind said:
For The Tyrants Fear Your Might (A quest of interstellar rebellion) -- by @AKuz / Kiarael, @Amorous Intent, @clockworkchaos, @Cyanblackstone, @The Laurent, and @BiopunkOtrera

You know in Cyberpunk Dystopias when they talk about offworld colonies, and the universe beyond Earth? Well, in this case you *are* one of the offworld colonies and you've just gone into revolt against your corporate masters.

In a world where Humanity lies under the thumb of Big Mammon, as the democratic legislature of a newly independent frontier colony, you will use vigorous diplomacy, military might, clever espionage, subtle stratagems and a can do spacer's spirit to make that independence stick and make the universe a much brighter place. Or you can be smothered under the heavy hand of the imperial core's repression...

Do you like very well written prose? Intriguing hard sci-fi concepts? An upbeat, hopeful tone in a dark universe? Fighting against ultra-late-stage-capitalism? Extremely well written prose? If you like any of the above, then you might want to check out this quest.

The quest recently ended a major story arc with a gripping mega-event that had well over 100,000 words leading into its conclusion. It is by far the best end of a story arc I've read in any quest, ever.

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For The Tyrants Fear Your Might (A quest of interstellar rebellion) Original - Sci-Fi - Users' Choice!

You know in Cyberpunk Dystopias when they talk about offworld colonies, and the universe beyond Earth? Well, in this case you *are* one of the offworld colonies and you’ve just gone into revolt against your corporate masters. In a world where Humanity lies under the thumb of Big Mammon, as the...
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@Skippy I'd like to re-submit this for July, please. This time at the beginning of the month, instead of at the end.
 
Derpmind said:
@Skippy I'd like to re-submit this for July, please. This time at the beginning of the month, instead of at the end.
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Half the QMs of that quest seem to be involved in running this. They probably deliberately didn't pick themselves. Or maybe they aim for stuff that's newer and has smaller readerships?
Otherwise I can't explain how they aren't already a pick. They definitely deserve it !
 
TalonofAnathrax said:
Half the QMs of that quest seem to be involved in running this. They probably deliberately didn't pick themselves. Or maybe they aim for stuff that's newer and has smaller readerships?
Otherwise I can't explain how they aren't already a pick. They definitely deserve it !
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At the moment, the fact that the Quest is in suspended animation while life runs over the main QM with a tractor probably influences things.
 
Going to throw my hat in the ring with a self-promotion. Third time's the charm, right?

For Catalyst Quest: Death Defiant by Alaric

This epic-length, dark fantasy, horror, mystery, and romance quest features a monstrously large cast of characters, decisions that carry lasting consequences, a weird and original magic system, tons of art, music with almost every update, and a psychotically dedicated QM. The thread starts off with a slow burn to help introduce new readers to the world and who inhabits it, but once the pace picks up, this high-intensity rollercoaster has no brakes! You control a compassionate but incredibly flawed anti-hero in Catalyst Quest, and over the course of the story (which begins as a mystery, but ramps up into action, adventure, and some weird relationships with the Gods Themselves), come to make your own definition of growth, recovery, and what it means to love yourself and others. On top of all of that are fun mechanics, a rich world that I've been fleshing out for 3 years, and a supporting cast with depth to spare. I also incorporate every vote that makes sense to, barring very specific situations. If you like quests where your votes are heard, come check it out!

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Catalyst Quest: Death Defiant & Catalyst Quest: Panacea Original - Mature - Fantasy - Horror

The year is 606, and in your home— the country of Corcaea— the souls of mankind belong to demons. Catalyst Quest is a dark fantasy epic that follows the adventures of a compassionate, self-sacrificing priest warped by divine power. In this original, apocalyptic setting, the Gods are real, and...
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Death Defiant has been running for several months now, but there are still two very major events in store, which will take a few more weeks to get through (and should be sensational)! We have very low voter participation despite there being many lurkers, but I suspect that having the extra visibility from Pick of the Month would do wonders for the health of Catalyst Quest. As I mentioned before, I had previously nominated two other threads in the Catalyst series: Light Sentence and Wild Growth. Hoping you guys give it a chance and take a look! Thanks for your time and consideration.

Edit: Due to the length of the second half of this thread, it has been split into two. The latter half of the thread contains Catalyst Quest: Panacea, which follows our hero on the heels of a coma as he seeks recovery and to navigate the political turmoil left in the wake of his absence. I'm still submitting Death Defiant for the Pick of the Month, since it's at the start of the thread, but because they are coupled together I just wanted to clarify!
 
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Tam Lin's Monsterworld Original - Art Quest

Follow the evolution of four species in a land called MonsterWorld
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I want to recommend this wacky artquest where we the players throw spaghetti at the wall hoping that some of that spaghetti sticks while trying to get some other spaghetti to fall off faster.
 
Impel Downer by @zarinthel
This one has an extremely memorable main character, especially by the standards of self inserts, which can get a bit repetitive. You should give it a read even if you don't like those. I think it's well written, and as someone who hasn't seen one piece, it shouldn't require too much knowledge of the setting to enjoy. It is kind of short, and maybe not recent enough to be pick of the month, but it definitely one of my new all time favorites.
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Impel Downer [One Piece SI]

Impel Down hasn't been good for Sybil's sanity, coherence, or overall ability to adhere to a goal, but that's not going to stop them from stopping one of One Piece's greatest tragedies! Hopefully. Probably.... wonderful icon art done by JGSXZ
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Bone And Amber: The Inside Story On The Return Of The Dinosaurs by @Ravenbridge

Yes I'm submitting it again since it just received a new update and I think it's on par with things that have been picked previously. :p

It's an intriguing story that documents the history of Jurassic Park from an in-universe perspective in a way that I think replicates the tone, if not substance, of the best science communication shows. Replete with explanatory footnotes and discussion of where real-world paleontology diverges with movie paleontology, it's a fascinating idea that's been executed very well.
 
king208 said:
Was there a reason all the picks are Star Trek themed this month?
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It was basically sort of a happy accident!

We knew we kinda wanted to do If I Can Reach Any Star, then @Athene's Enterprise review thread started, and it seemed like a fun idea to have two contrasting critical takes on the series. Then, as we were looking for a quest, it occurred that @DragonCobolt still had a Voyager quest running, and the opportunity to have a theme felt too good to pass up on. If there had been a Star Trek GSRP, it could have been completely themed, but alas! But Gundam Frankenreich is far too great to miss out on anyway, so it all worked out for the best I think.

I would love to claim the kind of Machiavellian forethought to have planned this, but the reality is that every month is a bit of a surprise because threads go on hiatus, new ones start, etc..
 
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