The Legonater

I'm still not entirely convinced the quest is over. I want to say first and foremost that for the most part, I did really enjoy Quest #1. I love the micro-world of the Boreal Express, it felt very fleshed out and alive. I just regret that: A) I was playing a less-talkative character than Dyric, who I'm sure would have tried getting to know everyone on the train, and B) the pacing brought us to a point where I, as a player, really just wanted to move the plot along rather than visit with all the characters. Even still, there's something satisfying about entering a world where you know there's more secrets lurking around the corner, and just don't have the time to go visit them. We didn't even step into the Crew Quarters! On that note, I really liked how open-ended this one was; something you've always excelled at is is creating an environment where the players can really take their own lead, and this is no exception. We were basically just told to plan a heist, and go wild - a really fun concept! Regarding the cube in energy containment, I definitely had my suspicions, though I'm not convinced Soren did. If he did, he had bigger things on his mind at the time than worrying about the cube anyways. Overall, I really enjoyed the first two 'acts.' I had a lot of fun bouncing Soren off the NPCs - I think the interactions with Kish and the engineers are probably highlights for me from this quest? The bits of genuine downtime with Zaria and Yelana were quite nice as well. Once we got into the final combat, my general enjoyment definitely began to tank. That's not a disparagement on the combat itself; both fights this quest were a lot of fun, and I really love the flexibility our new combat system allows. It's just that was the point where the real-world pacing slowed to a halt, and the party dynamics totally collapsed. That final combat sequence took nearly a month to get through. I feel a little bad for the way I had Soren go about handling the cube at the end, in general, it went a lot less smooth than I had in my mind and continued to exacerbate the length of the quest. Mostly I just genuinely forgot to come up with a good alibi, and I didn't anticipate Yelana would grill Soren as hard as she did. I think you resolved it very clearly though, WBD, and I'm happy for the chance to explore Soren through such wild circumstances. Kintober (Zaria): I really like Zaria! She's a very cool shift from Karie. I appreciate the balance between being a broadly good-focused character who still has a clearly unique moral framework and approach to situations. I think you had to test that a lot this quest, but it really made her into a well-rounded character. The first 1.0 parallel that comes to mind is maybe Nerwen? Someone who's clearly wise, mature, and collected, but also has very much her own way of going through the world. I'm excited to see where she goes, she seems like a really solid mainstay for Heroica. Soren has a decent amount of respect for her, I think, and knows she's someone he can count on when the chips are down. Yelana (Captain_Spaceman): WBD and Kint have said the meat and potatoes of it, so I'm going to try and not add too much. First the positive: you've really built a hell of a character in terms of core stats. Yelana hits like a truck from a distance and is an incredible support character in close-range. I do also appreciate your core resourcefulness; there's a certain way of looking at an RPG world that you kind of lose with experience, and I do like that 2.0 has a lot of room for unique situations to complex problems. On a character level, though, I find Yelana a little confusing? Essentially, what she does and says often do not line up - which is cool, if it's intentional, but I'm not sure I get the impression that's the case. Yelana talks a big game about being an experienced, pragmatic spy, but in practice, she tends more towards diplomacy, even beyond reason. In fact, she seemed more willing to cooperate with our enemies than her allies much of the time. I tried to poke at this a little bit with Soren, hoping that it would lead to cool underlying character choices, but for the most part it seemed to brush off Yelana and as a result I feel like I still don't have a good sense of who she is or what she's about. Like Kintober said I think Yelana has a self-perceived "coolness," but that often doesn't fully come across in action, and instead she often reads as self-centered or entitlted. Which, if that's the character, alright! I just want to make sure Yelana isn't coming off that way unintentionally. Again, a lot of this has been said, but I have two core morsels of player advice I want to leave you with. First: as a player, it is fine to be either combative or inactive, but it doesn't really work to be both. I have no problem with genuine character conflict or alternate approaches to a problem, in fact, I welcome it. I also have no problem with people being inactive for periods; life happens, and Heroica shouldn't be a priority. But when a character is both combative and inactive, it dramatically slows down the pace of the quest. I was on several quests in 1.0 where players would disappear partway through, and while that was unfortunate, you essentially keep going without feedback from that character. In this quest, however, we regularly found ourselves in situations where the rest of the party had made a decision, and then Yelana would come in a real-life day later opposing that decision, and we'd have to spend the next day or so finding a consensus. When the ideal is to roll a round of combat a day, this really slows down a quest, and was the reason for a lot of our pacing issues. This is a really nuanced point so I want to be clear that I do appreciate players coming up with creative alternative approaches, it just quickly becomes frustrating when those approaches are in direct opposition to already agreed-upon decisions. Second, if a character's nature is to go against the party, I'd recommend that player re-workshop that character. This is also a really nuanced point, but essentially I'm echoing what Kint has already said in that RPGs are collaborative games. A lot of the time (in say, D&D or Pathfinder or the like) you'll be physically sitting across from your fellow players. As a result, these games really don't work if one player is trying to have a single-player experience. I played D&D once with a group and one of the players straight-up stood back and let a beloved NPC die, saying "it's what my character would do." As a result, nobody really liked that character, and the party all kind of resolved to make sure that sort of thing never happened again. Each character should definitely have their own goals and motivations, but if those are consistently coming diametrically against the other party members it quickly becomes frustrating. Note what Zeph said about Soren and Zaria at the end - they were working towards a similar goal, even if they were doing it in different ways. That's good conflict. Good conflict isn't just stealing from the party for kicks, it's when different worldviews and experiences come crashing against each other in interesting and dynamic ways, and the party tries to figure out how to progress through that. Sometimes that will come to blows, but hopefully that isn't the majority. This is also obviously easier to achieve with well-established characters, which is hard to do on Mission 1. It also goes in-line with what I said earlier about Yelana - I get that she's selfish and has other objectives than Heroica, I just don't understand what those are. I as a player and Soren as a character can't know very much about this other organization Yelana is working for, and so neither of us can bounce off of it very well. For that matter, we've established individual comms aren't really a thing in this world, so I'm not sure how she's talking to the Triad in the first place? Like Kint said, we are your fellow players and we'd love to interact with you, but it's hard when your character is on a mic half the time doing her own thing and ignoring the others. All in all, I do see a lot of promise for both you and Yelana in the future. I look forward to seeing how you grow as a player over the course of GATS! The Legonater (Soren): Oh hey, that's me! My goal with Soren was basically to create the flip side of the coin from Dyric, and so far I've had a lot of fun with it. Dyric was earnest, likable, diplomatic, and frequently long-winded, with a detailed and comprehensive backstory to match. Soren is, in contrast, blunt and to-the-point, cynical, and far more interested in the present moment than anything else. He's definitely kind of a dick, but hopefully in a way that's entertaining and amiable rather than being an obstacle. As a result he is a very different experience to play, and it's been a decent task to keep myself in Soren's head. With Dyric I used my natural voice a lot of the time, and played a character who generally would do the same sorts of things I would do - Soren is a change of pace, but a very fun one. I'm still obviously working on finding a consistent voice for him, but this quest did a lot to explore his edges and help find where that center might be. I also love the way he plays in combat. Dyric never dabbled in magic, so I'm excited to have someone who will play in that field a little more. I also enjoy how constrained his magic is? I can't wait to see how far he can go with ice abilities. All-in-all, Soren is a blast and I'm very much looking forward to developing him further. Thanks yet again WBD - you have the patience of a saint and you're a superstar for carrying us through all the way!

Hands stuffed in his pockets, Soren strolled to the Bazaar. He couldn't deny he'd been eyeing up the power of Yelana's rifle all quest, and if he was going to be getting into shoot-outs, his equipment needed to be on par. He didn't need to invest too much in what else the Bazaar had to offer anyways, at least not yet. Soren sells his Standard Vibro Knife and Tactical Leathers (210+50+50=310 credits), then upgrades his handgun from standard to calibrated (310-300=10 Credits). Satisfied, the pilot twirls the weapon in his hand. Now that was a sidearm.

After dropping off his bags, Soren steps into the Training Center, still pent up from the train ride. He takes in an icy breath of air, trying to cool himself down. His magic needed realigning; of course it did. The more transcendent aspects of casting tended to evade him. Soren switched his Arcane proficiency to a Nature proficiency, and then switched out Entropic Mending to Mystic Binding. Concentrating, he summoned an icy pillar to envelop a dummy from across the room. There. While mending had been useful in a pinch behind a cockpit, he didn't want to risk someone getting away from him again if he could avoid it. Especially if he was going on the hunt again. The pilot's nerves still ached at him, though. Pulling out his handgun, Soren fired shot after shot at the now-frozen dummy. If he wasn't going to be behind the stick, he was going to have to prove himself useful in other ways. Besides, there was no way he was going to let someone like that so-called spy show him up again. It was going to leave him vulnerable in some areas - especially in the armour department. But, that was life. Start: +5 CP Short Range Weapons: 1 -- 2 (2 CP) Skill: 2 -- 3 (2 CP) (+1 CP remaining)

I believe Soren should have an extra 25 credits from when he looted Kish.

Naturally, Irgonstead. We'll take the 25. No further questions from us.

I jus' know when to cash out, is all. I was going to edit this into my previous post, but you replied before I had the chance. In full transparency, I'm mostly trying to help wrap things up at this point. Soren gave a pitch, and Irgonstead conceded - we know through Soren's insight check that he's not likely to cave to strongarming, so trying to argue for a full refund probably won't work. Moreover, after waiting a full day for a reply, I'm really just not interested in debating this one out. We're right at the finish line, 25 credits will be fine.

Soren held up a hand. I wouldn't argue with your employer. It tends not to go well. The extra 25 will be jus' fine.

Soren nodded, satisfied. 'Pleasure doin' business.

Soren leaned further back in his seat, weighing options. Look, I'm content enough with the 50. But you seem like a reasonable businessman, and business 's all about investments. You were prepped and ready to invest 10 Grand into Blackguard, and they failed you. Not only did they fail you, they also screwed us, and thereby lost your power source, nearly destroying a train in the process. 'Sounds to me like you might want to cut ties with them and invest in Heroica instead. We've already proven more successful than them. Consider this a down payment. You pay us well, we put in a good word to future heroes, and you get better jobs down the line. Everyone wins, y'know?

Soren carefully eyes Irgonstead from behind his sunglasses, trying to gain insight as to how likely their employer is to be coerced into raising their pay.

I recall you tellin' us that gettin' the cube was a second'ry objective. I ain't about to risk lockup for a thing like that, nevermind an investigation that could trace back to you. I'm liable to think we should be gettin' extra for still coming back to you with somethin' despite Blackguard's interfer'nce, 'specially with how much you're payin' them just so they could sell you short.

Just a quick note before I sleep, but Yelana can’t pick up the journal in the shuttle because she shouldn’t know it exists until Soren gives it to Irgonstead.

We weren't able to nab the energy source itself, but we were able to grab all sorts of info on it. Soren pulls out the Project File Folder, dropping it on the table with a satisfying smack. This is an official document with core technical information about the cube and some safety p'rameters for transportin' it. We picked up some equipment designed specifically for use with this device, so we can pro'ly hand that over, too. Then, Soren pulled out Kish's Journal, and dropped it beside the file folder. And this is a journal from one of the scientists directly involved with the project. They list some notable dangers with the cube, 'gets real spooky. The scientist also included details for potential hopes on how the technology could be used well and ethically. 'T's some good stuff, I'd take an honest look at it if I were you. Satisfied, the pilot leaned back in his chair, glancing at his questmates. I think that was about everything?

Weary of all the debate and conversation, Soren again bundled up his jacket behind him and laid down for the remainder of the journey.

Soren gives a half-smirk. Maybe by that point, you'll get in the mood for piloting.

Soren fell into a seat in the Dining Car, weary from yet another dust-up from ISPs. His thoughts drifted to the baggage car as his fingers danced around the key in his pocket, but at this point, he mostly wanted off this ride. He couldn't afford to be incriminated any more than he already had been. The tired pilot glanced up at Zaria. Long day, huh?

Soren pointed a thumb over to Zaria. She's got it right. I 'eard about the cube from Kish, and when I saw Blackguard blowin' holes in trains, likely harmin' passengers and stealin' Kish's property, I figured I was handy 'nough with a gun it was only proper for me to put a stop to them. They came back after the others had gone tryin'a finish what they started, but I'd already hidden the cube back where Kish had stashed it. 'Got roughed up a little trying to cover for it all 's you can see, but eventually Blackguard was warded off and the cube remained safe.

The pilot defensively slinks a little back into his jacket. Time's are hard, my man. I figured a place like this could use a guy who knows what to do behind the cockpit. Freighting and moving equipment and that jazz. 'Appreciated, Kish.

Soren Aelous, just a pilot looking for work in Con'stop. Zaria is a traveling companion, 'felt safer having a disciple of travel with me. You can thank us for that, Kish. Blackguard showed up and wanted their hands on it.

Soren exposed his whole plan for Yelana for no reason except so that they could start being honest with each other. Yelana responded by saying he was an idiot and accusing him of selling them out. But at this point we're veering into an OoC conversation and the quest is almost over - we can discuss all of this in the MM thread when we're done.

I'm not sure why you would assume Soren would go along with Yelana's plan when she basically spat in the face of his attempt at peace? He's not going to play along for this one.

I'm not going to play out retroactive deals when the Space Police is already in the car with Soren and Yelana, but suffice it to say that Soren is probably not going to cut a deal with someone as they're calling him an idiot.

Catching Zaria's look, Soren tilts his head towards Yelana and then gives a baffled shrug. At this point, the pilot was pretty exhausted with ruses for the day.

He's pretty deceased, yeah. I take it you're the ISAs? If y'all are here about the cube, I reckon it's safely in the energy chamber where it belongs, but I recommend a secure scan to make sure.

I don’t know? And neither do you. I’m not going to have a conversation about pragmatism with someone who tried to flirt and chat with the people killing us.