Scorpiox

I can sort of see what you mean, but I will have to respectfully disagree. In Quest #28, Haldor didn't want to kill the vampires, and he ended up with three moral choices to. First, he could just step aside and let the vampires be killed, worse he could have joined in. This would be impossible to justify in-character, so I just couldn't take that option. Secondly, there was the choice of offering himself up instead of the Hinckwell bloke to be bitten. Mechanically, the party wouldn't have liked me slapping a load of status effects on Haldor, and also, it makes no sense for a nord to do this. No nord asks to be bled by a vampire, it is only something that happens if they are chosen. The third and final choice was to not do anything, which manifested itself in me requesting Zepher have Lawrence sock Haldor. I recognise this was essentially in-character dodging, as being forcefully removed so that I didn't have to make a decision. I tried to rectify this by posting Haldor's thoughts as the battle went on. For all that, all Skovgaard received was no level-up, but it was worth it for some interesting character moments. It wouldn't have been fair for WBD to reward Haldor for abstaining from the fight, or else everyone would be doing it left right and centre. The vampires were meant to be fought, and not doing so meant that Nordy chose to forsake the battle experiance because of his beliefs. What I'm trying to say is this: a character is able to do nearly anything in a given situation, which makes the player completely free to do what they like. But it can't be expected of a QM to reward off-the-cuff decisions that a character takes, as this would unbalance the game; if players realise that they can be granted bonus experiance for punching the Emperor instead of hearing what he has to say, everyone will do it. Soon, the quest objective would become a loose guidline of what could transpire in a scrample for players to free-roam and mess about in quests. There is no point in even bothering with a storyline if a hero can gain the same bonuses from chickening out as diving head-first in, as one would simply go for the easy option to receive similar perks. This is the key point here; you as a player can do what you like, but to go against the grain will be breaking away from the path and forgoing the rewards lain upon it. This is something that one has to accept when making an unusual roleplaying choice: the other players may not like it, and you will have to sacrifice certain privelleges to stray from the route you are expected to take. It's like a fixed charge, really, one has to pay a fine before one can do something drastic. This is fair, as it encourages actually doing what you were hired to do, as is the fundimental ethos of Heroica. Bringing it back to the vampires; I acknowledge that I wouldn't be paid for doing nothing. Instead of going with the flow, I exchanged any possible rewards for some character building. So there you go, I was not restricted to doing anything I didn't want to that quest, but I had to accept that my free will would come at a price. This is how it is, and how I believe it should remain. EDIT: Crikey, that was a wall of text and a half!

Haldor blinked as Arthur disappeared. Saying nothing, he instead waved for yet another drink and downed it as soon as it arrived. "Aye, that they are. To us, they are known as the Valkir, brave warriors chosen by the gods to act as their agents on the mortal world. In the the times of old, they would arrive at the scenes of great battles and take the blood of fallen warriors, easin' their spirits' passin's onto the halls of Valhalla. They are noble creatures, and killing one is a sacrilege against Wartan himself. I admit, these southern vampires are a little rougher, and perhaps more lawless, but they are kin of the old Valkir and should be revered as such. That ain't too hard to understand."

I want to congratulate Flipz on how brilliantly he's played Arthur and shown his reactions to the events. The angry parts... well, anyone can demonstrate anger in a character, but I'm finding it less and less possible for Haldor to in-character keep hating him. Although a bit of a bastard now and again, Haldor is a nice enough guy, and the suberb play by Flipz is really appealing to his humanity as if they were both real human beings. It takes true roleplaying skill to show emotion in the way that Arthur did in that final post, it completely disarmed nordy's ability to make snarky comments. :thumbup:

Much of Haldor's irritance had abated, but he wasn't finished yet. "No, this ain't a court or trial we find ourselves in, I am not here to ponder on the ideas of human decency and the fairness of life. What you did that quest was hateful, selfish and ruined my faith in you, that is set in stone. But I see how you turned quickly after, and I know first-hand of the witch's powers of persuasian...I do not place you wholely in blame, but that does not put me any closer to forgivin' you. I will not kill you for this, and that is your reward, but nothin' changes. I do not stand before you clean of sin, but such a thing I have never claimed neither. What happened with the vampires, as you so apparently read, is far removed from the events of Zoot's temple. The vampires are sacred to me, and were posin' no threat to anyone other than the quarry they hunted; they are noble creatures, and should not be killed, that is the truth as I fairly stated then. The contrast is obvious, you bretrayed us by refusin' to fight the creature that stood ready to destroy the city, such a thing I would never do." The nord gradually became less hard as he progressed, and perhaps there was a glimmer of understanding in his eye. "I know, I cannot take judgement in you, not with the guilt that I also hide. Perhaps I will share it with you, but you will truly have to prove your worth to me first. I could not find it in my self to forgive what you did, but there are other ways to come to terms with things."

It appears that I'm just a miserable scrote then.

'Brother', ever been angry at someone? That's what it's like in real life. :

Haldor turned, more annoyed than anything else. "You know, boy, you shouldn't eavesdrop, maybe you'll be less offended by things you don't have to hear. Get off the table, before you start pissing Scheherazade off. First off, let's not pretend that you know anything about real people's relationships, but supposing that it was any of your damn buisness, no, I've never asked anyone about dating advice whilst prancing around declaring your infatuation, not that this has any correllation with the situation. And to put second, you don't know what the hell you're preaching about. Hypocrisy, I wonder who is the one spouting that out in the room? You've just judged me, sunshine, so nice work on your self-righteous speech. I accept mistakes readily as they come, but I fail to see what I ever did in our long torturous battle against the witch. any blinding, unaccepted ones that I made. I will also make it clear that nothing you do now is a reflection of myself, I was never like you, nor am I now. You see, I think it too great a step to downright betray my friends in a dire situation such as that one, but you clearly are not burdened with the same moral code. Oh, and while we're at it, shall we discuss learning from our mistakes? You should have done so in the Valley of Ennoc, realised your stupidity, but yet you continued; too blind or too stupid to rectify your mistakes, despite the many chances you came accross. Shame that other, better people had to pay for it, eh? And as one final, bitter truth to finish this now; your last point is utter, utter bollocks." The nord winked, and turned away towards the rest of the hall. "Sorry about that, mates, some people just don't get real life."

Get on it and watch that thing; it's hilarious! Arthur reminds me a lot of Mr Blonde... well, if you count the fact they're both psychopaths.

Plus, David Bowie is in it! Win-win situation! Have you seen Reservoir Dogs? I take a lot of inspiration for Haldor's speeches and rants from Mr White and Mr Pink respectively. Damn, someone needs to ask Skovgaard his view on tipping.

Too true, that programme was worth watching simply for Hunt's words of wisdom and the select 80s music. Gene Hunt could be considered a badarse... but no, he's so much more than that. 'Today my friend, you diary entry will read "Took a prozzie hostage and was shot by three armed bastards".'

Haldor raised his tankard along with the military veteran. "Yeah, here's to sanity. We have our sense and judgement, even if we're devoid of anything else. I know Skrall, he's wise about many aspects of the world, poor beggar's lived through a good lot of it. But one thing I don't understand; Arthur's been parading around with Lexie for a good while now, proclaimin' his undyin' love or whatever bollocks at every turn, yet apparently he needs advice on love from a haggared old ogre? Perhaps so, maybe he'd learn that stealing your former friend's girl isn't on in this little band. Althior, that was his name (a good friend of mine, don't know where he got to), it took most of my charm and wit to convince him to stay in the city after everyone's chum Arthur stepped in to get some of it after they'd had a row. Typical really, Alexis was so crushed by the ordeal she turned to anyone who would help, and the scumbag himself took advantage for a bit of lovin' that no-one else was mad enough to touch with a barge pole." The nord sighed. "You see, it's hard to find someone he hasn't done over in this organisation, if I were a Veteran, I'd have him out on the double. A real slimy bastard, if I ever knew one. Oh, and Haldor's the name. Haldor Skovgaard, but don't trouble yourself on the surname, pleasure to meet someone so... relatable." The conversation was interupted by the arrival of a strange man. Although appearing strange and foreign on the outside, it didn't take the nord long to see through the facade. "Nur! Wondered where you'd been hiding lately. What's this then? Begging for cash from your old friends? 'Weathered traveller', my big behind. I'd call you a liar and cheat, if I didn't know you so well. Looks like you've gone downhill since we last met."

Guess you won't like Reservoir Dogs or Pulp Fiction then...

"Every town has its pretentious bastards, but none of this degree." Haldor pointed with his ale. "I've known that particular one for a long time now, and he never once shut up about chaos and order, as if every damn thing in the world fell into those two catagories. There was no chance for him, everything was bloody fated to happen. It all came to a head last quest, when we were battlin' for the fate of the city underneath this very hall. Once we were nearing the close, the irremediable cad downright betrayed us for his supposed nutjob 'goddess'. A lot of good people died that day, and all because of him, if he hadn't been so pious and self-centred, better people than him would still be livin'." The nord looked Sarge in the eye, with an extremely serious face. "He's also bloody annoying, and has a stupid stubbly grinning face." At this point, Haldor burst out laughing and nearly choked on his beer. "Ya' seem like a sensible chap, what's your name, besides your rank?"

Seriously? Ashes to Ashes is many things, but it certainly ain't philosophical! In actual fact; I quotes Nietzche at some point in Quest #38, and Abraham Lincoln in the hall just yesterday.

To be honest, this was brilliantly played on the part of the staff. The premise itself was hilarious, but the REAL joke was just how outraged and riled up some members got; it became more and more hilarious as time went on. As for those who believed it be real, and were irritated by it; did you seriously think that Eurobricks who do such a thing? The server is even hosted by Bonaparte, a European member. Americans who found the banner 'too offensive' ought to learn to laugh at themselves a bit more, it was only light-hearted fun. As for the fellow non-Americans who grew mad, the joke was so overt that I'd think you could have got even a brief smile out of it; I'm English, and not afraid to say 'Yeeehawww' and make toaster jokes.

As for backstory... it is something I've heavily tried to move away from over my Heroica career. In the past, Haldor was very much dominated by his past, and I believe that I relied on it too greatly to roleplay actions and build relationships. Now, I prefer to drop hints to past events whilst moving ol' nordo's personality on with the use of reactions to current situations and opinions of people and events; and I would say that it suits me far more so than my old methods did. Concerning flashbacks... I would say that I hate them. As Zepher so eloquently put, they're basically 'playing with yourself', which I don't enjoy in terms of development. I find it a tad lazy, to just move along your own story by yourself because other players are too unpredictable, and I consider the same sentiment for planned roleplay events. At the end of Quest #38, I gave one a try to see what I thought of using them, and it turned out awefully. I would have much rather introduced Leif and Gerdur more subtly over a longer period, as such would build interest for their characters up until I was ready to do something with them; as they are both possibilities for my second character at level 50. Thoughts?

Haldor is running a total of two philosophical quotes used in Heroica, and more will follow! Bonus points for identifying what they were.

Haldor hung back against a post, drinking from a tankard. He remarked to himself: "Gods, for all the supposed knowledge this runt holds, he sure is a dense one. Guess it'd be wishful thinking to hope he'd shut up, before he runs his mouth off and assures everyone of his inexperiance. What was that quote again? Oh, 'Better to stay quiet and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.' Think that's what old Abe used to say, anyhow."

Wow, are you aware that you just fed En Sabeh Nur a load of gold?

I half expected it to be based on an episode of Lost and Ashes to Ashes.

Haldor took a brief look at the questboard on his way past, noticing a new entry. "Duplovia, eh? Sounds nice enough, but not something for me. Come to think of it I've never left the city, well certainly not the island, since coming here... now's not the time to start, not while there's still work to do." The nord turned around and continued out of the door, he needed some fresh air. "Perhaps I might encounter some sane people in the big wide world, now that'd be novel."

I'm going to break American character here to appreciate the music. Argh... must resist... must stay American... cannot return to British roots...must not love Freddie Mercury... YEEEEHAAAAWWWW!

Nah, no need, we're all Americans here anyway! YEEEEHAAWWWW! You know, I'm not sure that Robbie Williams is American... How about this instead:

Tell me about it! The slogan is so apparently offensive and stereotypical that I can't help but drive around in my pick-up truck!

I've just noticed how it has become a running joke how many times Arthur and Dyric have called each other 'brother'.