TGOD OOC Thread.

[Robert Walper]

And Sauron sees what coming? My offer for an alliance is an honest one. It was that or be obliterated by Borg forces. One Ring of power or not, he's not exactly going to be stopping orbital bombardment or my character's defined abilities.

That would be great, if that's what you showed instead of the "Melkor killed your pappy, come work for me!" "Okay!" Crap.

Alright Frigid. Being somehwat of a stickler for keeping characters consistent with their portrayal, I made an additional post to clarify/slightly alter what happened. Hopefully it's more up to the image of Sauron you feel I violated? ;)

[Robert Walper]

For future reference (again), I'd like it if participants refrained from controlling either Borg, Walper or Sauron forces as I have my own plans for using/directing them in the STGOD. Thanks.

[Dark Silver]

KAN, if you have AIM, msg me man

need to discuss things about the Guardians I need cleared up

DarekSteele or DarkSteele

choose either one to msg me on.

Allen

[Ra]

There were NEVER Guardian ships in my space, not even when Khardem showed up. The Guardians are invading the Empire, and I never allied with them. You were determined to invade my space, and now you will see the consequence of that unfortunate act.
- Ra

[Destructionator XV]

Wait a minute: what just happened?

[Destructionator XV]

Keep in mind I didn't kill Khardem and locked down the base is I still want to use him and his weapons against the Borg. The biolasers are still useful, and the guardians are still powerful.

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

There were NEVER Guardian ships in my space, not even when Khardem showed up. The Guardians are invading the Empire, and I never allied with them. You were determined to invade my space, and now you will see the consequence of that unfortunate act.
- Ra

Actually my intention was to emphasize the point that Guardian-Empire war is highly destructive to other nations as well (like the Shadow War in Babylon Five). After all, why the army of lights should have any interest to stop the war if the Empire is the only one who suffers?

By the way, I didn't imply that the Goa'ulds are allying with the Guardians; they were just using your space for temporary base after attacking the small Imperial fleet (in extra-dimensional terms, I mean. See, the realspace co-ordinates of the Bioships is on the Goa'uld space). Of course the Goa'ulds could not detect the presence of Guardian ships in their space, because they don't have the AEGIS network. At least not yet (*cough*CaptainMcKenzie*cough*).

My original intention is like this; the Guardian's, being extra-dimensional, have the luxury of having their realspace coordinates everywhere (Goa'uld space, A'millan space, Troll space, Borg space, etc). Only the Empire, having the AEGIS network, is able to pinpoint the correct realspace coordinates to 'yank' the Guardian back to the realspace. Alas, those coordinates can be anywhere. That's why the battle can happen in Goa'uld space or A'millan space; wrecking great destructions and taking casualties among innocent nations. That's why the Army of Light seeks to stop the war.

But Ra's reaction (in-universe Ra) is accurate. He, after all, would not take such things lightly. There would be diplomatic tensions between the Empire and the Goa'ulds. I don't know if Galadriel can keep Ra's head cool, or decides to go her own way.

[Ra]

I get it now, I accidentally got the impression that the Guardians were supposed to be our "allies" or something.

The battle was destructive enough. I probably lost a good portion of my fleet just trying to slow them down, and I lost plenty of civilians. Remember, this is supposed to be a general war going on; the Goa'uld and Trolls have been fighting the Guardians (on the borders, mostly) for quite some time. The Empire's move basically ensures that you won't see many Goa'uld offensives for awhile.

And yes, there will be diplomatic "tensions". If the Goa'uld had been more powerful, they would have declared war over such a stunt. Anyway, look for Ra to be even more frantic to try out his Shep Solution on the Guardian uber-nexus.

Now, I know I'm not in control of the Guardians anymore, but I had been trying to direct them to do this: The offensive drives on, right toward the Death Star, where you are. Despite a huge fleet, and the superlaser, they manage to disable the superlaser, and actually get in close. Then you see Galadriel's vision (from waaaaaay back in like Chapter Two) come true: The Guardian battleship hovers over the Death Star screaming "RELEASE KRESHNA TO US!". Just trying to keep up with continuity.
- Ra

[KAN shitty bandwith. ARGH]

The battle was destructive enough. I probably lost a good portion of my fleet just trying to slow them down, and I lost plenty of civilians.

Dunno', last time Admiral Capwell noticed, there are only Goa'uld civilian ships heading into the middle of the fray. I don't think that one battle should cost many Goa'uld ships. Also, I guess the planet is lightly armed.

Remember: the Empire did not seek to destroy the Goa'ulds. Yes, they were invading Goa'uld space, but their goal is the 'realspace coordinates' of the Guardian vessels. In fact, Admiral Capwell even warned the civilian ships to stay away.

I'm not saying that Ra should NOT be angry, though. He has every reason to be mad, even though the Empire stay clear from firing on Goa'uld ships. The fact that the Empire invaded Goa'uld space alone should be more than enough to make Ra angry. The Empire did not wait for Ra's permission to hyperspace into Goa'uld space; that reflected the Empire's arrogance as the superpower, and Ra should be mad because of it.

(by the way, the reason behind my post that the Ambassador failed to meet Ra on the Goa'uld's capital is because the System Lord is aboard his ship after the meeting with Captain McKenzie. I guess Goa'uldian high ranks could not tell the Imperial Ambassador where Ra is, because the meeting was supposed to be secret, right?)


However, Ra, your post about the Guardian ships did not exist contradicts my previous post about the Guardians being yanked back to the 'real space'. Perhaps you want to edit it?

Remember, folks. Please keep up with continuity. We don't want to see too many DC Comic-esque retcons here! :P

Remember, this is supposed to be a general war going on; the Goa'uld and Trolls have been fighting the Guardians (on the borders, mostly) for quite some time. The Empire's move basically ensures that you won't see many Goa'uld offensives for awhile.

Um, don't have to. You can send as many as Goa'uld ships as you want to attack either the Empire, the Guardians, or the Borg. :D But please keep up with continuity.

And yes, there will be diplomatic "tensions". If the Goa'uld had been more powerful, they would have declared war over such a stunt.

Mind you, even though the Goa'uld is less powerful than the Empire, they MAY declare war to the Empire outright. Remember: even small countries have their own national pride. Just because the Empire is a superpower nation doesn't mean that other countries will just cower in fear while their space is violated frequently.

Suppose the United States frequently violates Iraq airspace and causing great destruction while doing so. Will the Iraqi just sit there and accepting the fact with a wry smile? Nah. At least they would protest, and eventually they may shot down every USAF aircraft violating their airspace.

By the way, that's why I love the game Total Air War because it is politically realistic. If I send too many aircraft violating the airspace of neutral countries, eventually those countries may declare war and become enemies as well.

Alternatively, the Goa'uld can declare strict neutrality while firing upon any Imperial (or Guardian) ships that violate their space. The don't have to declare war to do such thing. IIRC during World War II, the Swiss air force shot down both Axis and Allies aircrafts that violate their airspace.



By the way, that's why I love the way the story is progressing; it is not simply two-sided 'A vs B' or 'Blue vs Red'. The Goa'ulds, for example, can be hostile to both Guardians and Imperials. The Empire is at war with the Guardians. The Borg is still an ally to both the Goa'ulds and the Empire. International politics is not simply, is it? ;)

Anyway, look for Ra to be even more frantic to try out his Shep Solution on the Guardian uber-nexus.

Or probably the Shep Solution on the Phoenix would be his higher priority? Realistically, what Ra would do?

Now, I know I'm not in control of the Guardians anymore, but I had been trying to direct them to do this: The offensive drives on, right toward the Death Star, where you are. Despite a huge fleet, and the superlaser, they manage to disable the superlaser, and actually get in close. Then you see Galadriel's vision (from waaaaaay back in like Chapter Two) come true: The Guardian battleship hovers over the Death Star screaming "RELEASE KRESHNA TO US!". Just trying to keep up with continuity.

Agree. I don't know when Dark Silver is going to attack Darth Kreshna's Death Star, though. But remember: the Death Star is VERY powerful. Remember ANH: the Death Star is more powerful than half of the whole Imperial fleet.

In Mike Wong's Conquest, even the Eclipse superlaser can't do much against the Death Star's shield. I know it's only a fanfic but perhaps it is reasonable to assume so?

Perhaps the Guardians (through an agent or such) would need to sabotage the Death Star shielding first? So the Guardian Planet Killer 'death and decay' weapon could have noticeable effect on the Death Star? (although I guess it'll be harder to decompose dense armor than planet's surface). So after the shielding is disabled, then the Planet Killer would close in and broadcasting the "RELEASE KRESHNA TO US!" message?

Well, on my original post, the Guardian's PK is merely 80 kilometers-long. So it is smaller than the Death Star. In order to make the scene more 'eerie', how about making it larger than the Death Star? Say, 1000 km-long? (The Death Star is 600 km in diameter, mind you.) However, to maintain continuity, how about we make it that the Guardian Planet Killer can actually grow? (so it won't contradict my previous 80 km-long post; the destruction of Ibizan, remember?)

[Ra]

That was what I thought, that the Planet Killer kind of envelops the target planet, like the Shadow Planet Killer, only without the control nodes to shoot. Thus, it would expand exponentially.
- Ra

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

That was what I thought, that the Planet Killer kind of envelops the target planet, like the Shadow Planet Killer, only without the control nodes to shoot. Thus, it would expand exponentially.
- Ra

A strong planetary shield (like the Empire's) can resist the Guardian Planet Killer. However, once the rotting has started on a spot, then it will spread and nothing can stop it. Raising the shield after the rotting has started is ineffective. At best, it will slow the spreading, since it would stop further 'emission' to reach the planet's surface, but it will not stop what has been spreading on the first place.

[frigidmagi]

Suppose the United States frequently violates Iraq airspace and causing great destruction while doing so. Will the Iraqi just sit there and accepting the fact with a wry smile? Nah. At least they would protest, and eventually they may shot down every USAF aircraft violating their airspace.

Ah... Walper... We did do that... For over 10 years, they had problems even getting togather to shot at our craft and when they did they got smacked even harder. Did you forget the no-fly zones already?

Clinton even kicked off Operation Desert Fox (during his impeachment...Hrmmmmm) which consisted solely of flying over Iraq and bombing them. You might want to pick a better example.

[Robert Walper]

That wasn't my quote there Frigid...

[frigidmagi]

Oh Sorry.

*Ahem* KANWe did do that... For over 10 years, they had problems even getting togather to shot at our craft and when they did they got smacked even harder. Did you forget the no-fly zones already?

Clinton even kicked off Operation Desert Fox (during his impeachment...Hrmmmmm) which consisted solely of flying over Iraq and bombing them. You might want to pick a better example.

[Dark Silver]

I am going to take over the Guardians now.....

fear for your souls

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

I am going to take over the Guardians now.....

fear for your souls

I guess we can skip the Congress hearing part then. I guess people are probably less interested in a diplomacy/political STGOD compared to action parts (like space battles or characters adventure).

For example, I didn't expect Galadriel would walk away from the meeting with Captain McKenzie. I thought Ra would present pseudo-arguments (in-universe debate) to convince McKenzie to stay, but Galadriel chose to leave and then Ra declared neutrality and such....

But then again, that was the fun in playing STGOD: not all events evolve like we expect, since each player should have their own interests and agenda. Yes, we have basic agreement about the backstory and the general plot, but like Robert said; it wouldn't be fun to play an STGOD where everyone is agree about everything. :sad:



Back to the hearing, I still don't have any idea yet how the result would be: would Darth Kreshna's fleet actually dissolved? Would he retain his fleet? Would he retain his feudal Sith authority? I guess people would be interested to influence the result: hence my proposal for a political STGOD where players (as Guest, because they play NPC) become various interest group in the Congress... I mean the Imperial Council.

If nobody's interested in playing the political STGOD and move along to the war part, then I alone would be the one to determine the result. If anyone is still interested to bash Darth Kreshna in the hearing, your time is short!


I noticed the pace of the game is getting slower. Is the game become less interesting? Particularly because everyone has agreed about the solution? Well, I guess I'd like to make some points. I hope we can make this game more fun, or at least as fun as in early phases:



(1) The Solutions

Let's take a look at our story so far: at present, there are two solutions to end the war:

a) the genocidal solution, where Ra would find a way to eradicate the Guardians, probably using some kind of virus. And of course Ra is motivated to kill the Phoenix as well (perhaps he's even more inclined to prioritize the latter! ).

b) the peaceful solution, where Galadriel is going to find a Jedi to peacefully host the Phoenix.

Some people may think that our game is not fun anymore, because the solution (and the ending) is already known......

....BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE!

Let's take a look on the genocidal solution. All Ra has is nothing more than clue about some 'psychic virus' ('Spiritual Biology', anyone?), but how is he going to apply them? Futhermore, can he really sure that the virus will work? Particularly in its state of development?

Would Ra gather more information? Or would Ra decides to go ahead and infect the Guardian Nexus with the virus, based on his assumptions about the functionality of the Nexus? But if he choose to go ahead, would he succeed, or would he fail? Furthermore, if he fails, would he completely abandon the solution, or try to improve the virus and take a second chance? Of course, taking second chance would be more difficult because then the Guardians would be **really** hostile to the Goa'ulds!

And let's take a look on the peaceful solution. Yes, Galadriel, being a true benevolent character, would choose the solution (not to mention Ra has been doing excellent jobs to potray differences between the ambitious Ra and the wise Galadriel :thumbsup ). However, first she has to find a Jedi yet (although may be solved by cloning the Twi'leks which DNA was stolen by Amy Lee). And then, how she would transfer the Phoenix Entity? Would she fail? Would she succeed?

See, my point is: this is still game after all. Again, like Robert said, it wouldn't be fun to play a game where everyone is already agree about everything; particularly how the game would end. So even when the good guys (the Army of Lights: Goa'ulds, A'millans, Trolls) already have two alternatives on hand, the success of the solutions still depend on how we play the game.

And who knows, both solutions would fail and there would be a third (or fourth, or fifth) solution that we all never think of. But then again, that's the fun of playing the game.



(2) The Motivations

Why the Army of Lights want to stop the Guardians? Um, because the plot says so. But will it be fun to play TGOD that way? See, what you need is motivations. Alas, it is something we don't have much because nobody played the Guardians, so we played the Guardians in turn in our own posts. Even I, as the Empire, is not very motivated to fight the Guardians because I too, was playing them myself.

But here's the good news: Dark Silver is now playing the Guardians. Yes, we have agreed about the war, but now the war is going to be **really** destructive because the Guardian is now played by a dedicated player, instead of becoming a whipped NPC in our self-wanking post!

Now we're not sure anymore what the Guardian's next move: probably they would be real nasty in invading the Empire, making me more motivated to play the game and defending the Empire. Probably the Guardians would rampage smaller nations like the A'millan, the Goa'ulds, and the Trolls, **really** motivating the Army of Lights to STOP THE GODDAMN WAR!!

And how about the Borg? Right now, Lord Walper is still busy with his own agenda with Sauron, but what if Borg space is being invaded by the Guardians? Then Lord Walper would have no choice but defending his nation! (thus being more involved in the game)

I'm not saying that he should refrain from his own plan, though. He can still pursue his own agenda with Sauron, but now he also has a pressing matter at home. And who knows, his conquest over Mordor can actually help him in fighting the Guardians. And that's the fun of playing the game.


Note: the Borg is still vulnerable to the Guardian's song. Hey, it's nobody's fault! They were not around when the Psychic Nullifier was deployed. But don't worry, the Empire and the Borg are still allies. Perhaps, after being initially slaughtered by the Guardians, the Borg would contact the Empire in hurry. Or who knows, it will be the Empire who would contact the Borg first, asking their help in fighting the Guardians while offering non-wanking upgrades like the Psychic Nullifier and the AEGIS Defense System.

(I guess upgrading the Borg with turbolasers or upgrading Stormtroopers with adaptive shielding may reduce the fun, because everyone would have uniform weapons and it will kill the diversity and the distinctiveness of each fighting force.)



(3) The New Players

Yes, who says new players cannot jump in and affect the course of the game? While I often urge everybody to keep the continuity (ergo: not making post which contradicts previous post; otherwise we would have a lot of DC Comics-esque retcons), how the future will evolve can (and *should*) be affected by the actions of the players, let alone new players!

Who knows Josh may be back and bring the Imperium of Man (WH40K) into the war? Perhaps the Imperium of Man would side with the Empire? Or side with the Guardians? Or help the Army of Lights with their superior tech? Perhaps the Imperium of Man would be opportunistic, exploiting the events while trying to draw power of the Phoenix or the Guardians? And how about the Golden Throne? Who knows it will bring some more plot elements to the story?

And now Nitram is in the game. What his role would be? His character is quite powerful. Will he challenge the Phoenix? How it would affect future plot development? Or probably Nitram's character, being powerful and all, actually knows some darker secret about the Phoenix and/or the Guardians?



(4) The Unknowns

By the way, anyone remember about the allcaps UNKNOWN I wrote in one of my previous post? It is actually a mark for unexplained events that either I don't have any idea yet, or I still keep for secret (to be uncovered later in the end of the game). After all, I don't think it wouldn't be fun to play a game where the players already know how the ending would be.

To be frank, I already have the idea how the plot will end. And no, I ain't sharing it with anyone, not even Ra. What I've been doing now is nothing more but giving hints and general reminders, but how the story would evolve still (and should) depend on the actions of the players.

In fact, the reasons why I keep the ending secret are:

a) Of course it would spoil the fun to reveal the ending while the game is still on.

b) There are things I still have no idea on what to do with them. For example; why Palpatine's actions in the past drove the Guardians into genocidal maniacs? (yes, Ra already knew why, but how did Palpatine do it, exactly? And how did his action will help him his goal? Moreover, where is Palpatine now? We thought he was already killed on Endor, wasn't he?)

c) Even my exact ending is not even finished yet, because it will be influenced by the player's actions. What I'm thinking now is not exactly what will actually happen in the end of the STGOD.



(5) The Ending

"Oh, my! The STGOD will end!"

I hope nobody will be discouraged by the fact that the Phoenix War would come to an end. Yes, any war should end eventually, but does it mean the end of the game? I don't think so. In fact, Babylon Five did not end after the Shadow left the galaxy, didn't it?

We still have our characters to play: the Borg, the Goa'ulds, the Trolls, the A'millans, the Empire. Who knows we would make a new story after the Phoenix War ends. Furthermore, probably other parties like the Imperium of Man would return after the war?

And who knows, the seed of further stories after the war could be unintentionally 'planted' during this Phoenix Chapter? The incoming of Nitram's character? The conquest of Mordor? The Organization? The possibility is limitless.

And frigid has been monitoring the OOC thread. Frigid, probably you would jump into the Phoenix War as well? A new party? Or an old party? By the way, everybody still remember about the Daleks? Who's playing them now?




(6) Final Words

I hope I did not sound like trying to lecture everyone about how to play an STGOD. In fact, this is actually my *first* STGOD.

I just noticed that this one STGOD is getting slower in pace... That's too bad, because I believe we have fun moments at the early phase, notably during the first phase of Darth Kreshna's insanity when the Phoenix started to be active, and the Guardians made their first attack (during the skirmish on the Death Star).

Probably it was my fault, uncovering too many plot elements? Actually I didn't mean to having too much things being fixed. They're just general premises, but how the story would evolve should depend on the actions (and motives) of the players.

I just noticed several things in our STGOD, and I hope we can again have a lot of fun like we had, notably in early phases. I still remember the skirmishes on the Death Star; the blazing turbolasers, the Daleks suicide attacks, and the Guardians came in to slaughter everyone. I still remember Ra investigating Pluto while being attacked by the Trolls; trying to uncover ancient mysteries and dark secrets while being caught surprise by the Trolls. I still remember Ra was being picked from Dathomir by Imperial Venators; firing upon the Trollish frigates while the Trolls just evaded the barrage because they wanted a truce.


A final note: I guess we should refrain from concluding too much in our post. For example, in writing a dialog, we better write our character's part, and let the counterpart to make the answer, instead of playing other's character and make the answer ourselves!

An example is my post when Captain McKenzie challenged the result of Ra's mission of Coruscant; he just made his points, then I ended the post; letting Ra to write Ra's and Galadriel's answer. Of course the answer was unexpected (Galadriel's walk out, and Ra's declaration of neutrality), because I thought Ra was going to convince Captain McKenzie to stay. However, I do believe that's the fun of playing STGOD.

Another is when Commander Flotsam had to pay large sums of tax for his Daleks: I thought Flotsam would try to either pay the tax, or bribe the Imperial Costum Official. Dartzap's reaction, however, is unexpected: he chose to beat the Officer with his stick! But that was also the fun part, because it opened new plot possibilities, like Flotsam being a criminal fugitive, being chased in the bar, and eventually thrown to jail and met the neurotic guy who told him about the Nightsister Millenium.


I know sometimes it is unavoidable to play other's character, particularly in an alliance when the particular player is not present while being slaughtered, so we play as her/his forces to defend against the attack (Frankly, I asked Ra to play as the Empire some times when I was attacked while not around!). Other possibilities is probably when we have to cut down convoluted plot. But I guess we should keep ourselves from overdoing it, right?



Happy STGODing!

[Robert Walper]

I like the slower pace of the STGOD actually. Gives me time to think up my posts and contributions. I don't like it when it proceeds so fast I can't keep up. That's one of the reasons why I tend to stay away from the bigger plot aspects, sticking to my own. Not enough time to read it all and participate. Not that I don't change my plans and actions based upon what's going on, but I tend to limit my interaction lately.

[Ra]

I agree with Walper, although the slow pace is sometimes frustrating.

Anyway, KAN, I've posted under "Senator Darren". I would have posted earlier, but my new fanfic chapter (which was a total rewrite, BTW) had been occupying most of my thoughts. The debate begins!
- Ra

[Destructionator XV]

Dark Silver, Khardem is still in an A'milliam prison and the base is locked down!

However, it is established that he has a strong telepathic bond to the Guardians, so he may be physically imprisoned but mentally meeting with his overlords.

[SirNitram]

I am the one-man siege of Mordor.

[Dark Silver]

Thanks for the clarification there Adam...

so umm...yeah...Khardem is mentally meeting, it all happened in his mind....

sorry about that

[Robert Walper]

I am the one-man siege of Mordor.

I hope you're familiar with Lord Walper's established abilities in this matter...

[SirNitram]

I am the one-man siege of Mordor.

I hope you're familiar with Lord Walper's established abilities in this matter...

I'm quite certain I'm up to dealing with whatever you can throw out.

[Robert Walper]

I am the one-man siege of Mordor.

I hope you're familiar with Lord Walper's established abilities in this matter...

I'm quite certain I'm up to dealing with whatever you can throw out.

Did you read my established abilities, or do you want a quick run through?

[SirNitram]

I hope you're familiar with Lord Walper's established abilities in this matter...

I'm quite certain I'm up to dealing with whatever you can throw out.

Did you read my established abilities, or do you want a quick run through?

The tenpenny tour would be lovely.