hollowIncalmo

I'm an Actual Excrucian Strategist, first of all. And I'm a fluffy butch writer who is obsessed with Chuubo's Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine . Also, I'm really really into slice-of-life and shoujo manga and anime.

[jennamoran]

The Horizon Campaign (21)

Link to the Chuubo’s Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine RPG, on DriveThru

Link to Fortitude: the Glass-Maker’s Dragon, on DriveThru

Let’s talk some more about the Horizon campaign(s)!

Previously,

We worked on our set of Main Characters and concepts, tied them to Arcs and colors and archetypes, built Rinley’s storyline, and got most of the way through their quests.

Today, let’s build the fifth quest in their set!

Keep reading

[jennamoran]

The Horizon Campaign (20)

Link to the Chuubo’s Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine RPG, on DriveThru

Link to Fortitude: the Glass-Maker’s Dragon, on DriveThru

Let’s talk some more about the Horizon campaign(s)!

Previously,

we built some connections between prospective Main Characters and Egyptian deities.

Then, we looked at what characters the campaign would have to have, pulled some out into a possible secondary campaign, and worked on assigning starting Arc colors.

Then, we explored some possible new characters for the secondary campaign, including the Mystery Typhon… but even after two different takes on her, we weren’t quite there.

Then, we finalized something like a concept there and looked at gender-balancing the default versions of our sets of eight characters.

Then, we assigned Arc colors and archetypes to the characters in the secondary campaign, and started talking about Rinley’s first story in that campaign.

Then we made a first stab at that story … and failed!

So we tried again!

and then did a couple more Rinley stories

and a couple more …

and took a brief break to sum up what we had.

Then, we sketched out the corresponding quest set.

Then, we figured out its metadata.

Then, we worked out the first quest!

Then, we started our work on the second, but, because I went into real detail on the design of the quest options, didn’t actually finish it.

Then, we just kept going!

And finally finished.

Then, we talked a bit about how to simplify the quest.

And did!

Then, moving a bit faster: the third quest, in regular and simplified form.

And the fourth!

Can I get the fifth one done today?

Keep reading

[jennamoran]

The Horizon Campaign (19)

Link to the Chuubo’s Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine RPG, on DriveThru

Link to Fortitude: the Glass-Maker’s Dragon, on DriveThru

Let’s talk some more about the Horizon campaign(s)!

Previously,

we built some connections between prospective Main Characters and Egyptian deities.

Then, we looked at what characters the campaign would have to have, pulled some out into a possible secondary campaign, and worked on assigning starting Arc colors.

Then, we explored some possible new characters for the secondary campaign, including the Mystery Typhon… but even after two different takes on her, we weren’t quite there.

Then, we finalized something like a concept there and looked at gender-balancing the default versions of our sets of eight characters.

Then, we assigned Arc colors and archetypes to the characters in the secondary campaign, and started talking about Rinley’s first story in that campaign.

Then we made a first stab at that story … and failed!

So we tried again!

and then did a couple more Rinley stories

and a couple more …

and took a brief break to sum up what we had.

Then, we sketched out the corresponding quest set.

Then, we figured out its metadata.

Then, we worked out the first quest!

Then, we started our work on the second, but, because I went into real detail on the design of the quest options, didn’t actually finish it.

Then, we just kept going!

And finally finished.

Then, we talked a bit about how to simplify the quest.

And did!

Then, moving a bit faster: the third quest, in regular and simplified form.

Today, let’s do the fourth!

        Keep reading

[jennamoran]

The Horizon Campaign (18)

Link to the Chuubo’s Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine RPG, on DriveThru

Link to Fortitude: the Glass-Maker’s Dragon, on DriveThru

Let’s talk some more about the Horizon campaign(s)!

Previously,

we built some connections between prospective Main Characters and Egyptian deities.

Then, we looked at what characters the campaign would have to have, pulled some out into a possible secondary campaign, and worked on assigning starting Arc colors.

Then, we explored some possible new characters for the secondary campaign, including the Mystery Typhon… but even after two different takes on her, we weren’t quite there.

Then, we finalized something like a concept there and looked at gender-balancing the default versions of our sets of eight characters.

Then, we assigned Arc colors and archetypes to the characters in the secondary campaign, and started talking about Rinley’s first story in that campaign.

Then we made a first stab at that story … and failed!

So we tried again!

and then did a couple more Rinley stories

and a couple more …

and took a brief break to sum up what we had.

Then, we sketched out the corresponding quest set.

Then, we figured out its metadata.

Then, we worked out the first quest!

Then, we started our work on the second, but, because I went into real detail on the design of the quest options, didn’t actually finish it.

Then, we just kept going!

And finally finished.

Then, we talked a bit about how to simplify the quest.

And did!

Today, let’s speed things up a bit.

Keep reading

[ghostmiracles]

quest development: the spiritual journeys of reika titov (6)

and this is the last part! (meta-data still pending, and at this point it might end up its own separate post when i put it together)

Keep reading

[ghostmiracles]

quest development: the spiritual journeys of reika titov (5)

these could probably stand to be edited a bit better for clarity. that is probably something i should be doing in general when i post notes.

Keep reading

[ghostmiracles]

quest development: the spiritual journeys of reika titov (4)

this is coming along relatively nicely, i think ^_^

Keep reading

[ghostmiracles]

quest development: the spiritual journeys of reika titov (3)

and now for the second quest! my apologies again for the lack of meta-data. i will probably be going back and editing it in later on these posts. ^_^

Keep reading

[ghostmiracles]

quest development: the spiritual journeys of reika titov (2)

today we will be focusing on the first quest of this quest set.

i apologize in advance if these notes are hard to read, or are boringly redundant with stuff you read in the first post. i kind of copy-pasted bits and pieces of the arc stuff to help with the quest building, but that stuff is definitely structurally important here since dissecting the arcs i wrote is a big part of this process, you know? ^_^

also, these are all going to lack some of the meta-data, because i am really bad at meta-data, and will probably end up putting that in way later.

Keep reading

[ghostmiracles]

quest development: reika titov, the warlock (1)

this post is kind of gigantic, but for the purpose of this series, moving through the arc development is best, since we have already covered arc development with theia, but for this series we need to establish what this character’s arcs are like for the quest set development i am about to do to make very much sense.

so without further ado… ^_^

(tw/cw for abuse and lesbophobia)

Keep reading

[jennamoran]

The Horizon Campaign (17)

Link to the Chuubo’s Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine RPG, on DriveThru

Link to Fortitude: the Glass-Maker’s Dragon, on DriveThru

Let’s talk some more about the Horizon campaign(s)!

Previously,

we built some connections between prospective Main Characters and Egyptian deities.

Then, we looked at what characters the campaign would have to have, pulled some out into a possible secondary campaign, and worked on assigning starting Arc colors.

Then, we explored some possible new characters for the secondary campaign, including the Mystery Typhon… but even after two different takes on her, we weren’t quite there.

Then, we finalized something like a concept there and looked at gender-balancing the default versions of our sets of eight characters.

Then, we assigned Arc colors and archetypes to the characters in the secondary campaign, and started talking about Rinley’s first story in that campaign.

Then we made a first stab at that story … and failed!

So we tried again!

and then did a couple more Rinley stories

and a couple more …

and took a brief break to sum up what we had.

Then, we sketched out the corresponding quest set.

Then, we figured out its metadata.

Then, we worked out the first quest!

Then, we started our work on the second, but, because I went into real detail on the design of the quest options, didn’t actually finish it.

Then, we just kept going!

And finally finished.

Then, we talked a bit about how to simplify the quest.

                            Let’s finish that up!

Keep reading

[jennamoran]

The Horizon Campaign (16)

Link to the Chuubo’s Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine RPG, on DriveThru

Link to Fortitude: the Glass-Maker’s Dragon, on DriveThru

Let’s talk some more about the Horizon campaign(s)!

Previously,

we built some connections between prospective Main Characters and Egyptian deities.

Then, we looked at what characters the campaign would have to have, pulled some out into a possible secondary campaign, and worked on assigning starting Arc colors.

Then, we explored some possible new characters for the secondary campaign, including the Mystery Typhon… but even after two different takes on her, we weren’t quite there.

Then, we finalized something like a concept there and looked at gender-balancing the default versions of our sets of eight characters.

Then, we assigned Arc colors and archetypes to the characters in the secondary campaign, and started talking about Rinley’s first story in that campaign.

Then we made a first stab at that story … and failed!

So we tried again!

and then did a couple more Rinley stories

and a couple more …

and took a brief break to sum up what we had.

Then, we sketched out the corresponding quest set.

Then, we figured out its metadata.

Then, we worked out the first quest!

Then, we started our work on the second, but, because I went into real detail on the design of the quest options, didn’t actually finish it.

Then, we just kept going!

And finally finished.

                              When we left off, we were talking about how the length of these quests … 45 and 40 XP, respectively … was probably acceptable because, well, simplified versions (will) exist.

In fact, let’s put one together while the quest is still fresh!

                            Keep reading

[jennamoran]

The Horizon Campaign (15)

Link to the Chuubo’s Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine RPG, on DriveThru

Link to Fortitude: the Glass-Maker’s Dragon, on DriveThru

Let’s talk some more about the Horizon campaign(s)!

Previously,

we built some connections between prospective Main Characters and Egyptian deities.

Then, we looked at what characters the campaign would have to have, pulled some out into a possible secondary campaign, and worked on assigning starting Arc colors.

Then, we explored some possible new characters for the secondary campaign, including the Mystery Typhon… but even after two different takes on her, we weren’t quite there.

Then, we finalized something like a concept there and looked at gender-balancing the default versions of our sets of eight characters.

Then, we assigned Arc colors and archetypes to the characters in the secondary campaign, and started talking about Rinley’s first story in that campaign.

Then we made a first stab at that story … and failed!

So we tried again!

and then did a couple more Rinley stories

and a couple more …

and took a brief break to sum up what we had.

Then, we sketched out the corresponding quest set.

Then, we figured out its metadata.

Then, we worked out the first quest!

Then, we started our work on the second, but, because I went into real detail on the design of the quest options, didn’t actually finish it.

Then, we just kept going!

                        Today, let’s finish this quest up!

          Keep reading

[jennamoran]

The Horizon Campaign (14)

Link to the Chuubo’s Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine RPG, on DriveThru

Link to Fortitude: the Glass-Maker’s Dragon, on DriveThru

Let’s talk some more about the Horizon campaign(s)!

Previously,

we built some connections between prospective Main Characters and Egyptian deities.

Then, we looked at what characters the campaign would have to have, pulled some out into a possible secondary campaign, and worked on assigning starting Arc colors.

Then, we explored some possible new characters for the secondary campaign, including the Mystery Typhon… but even after two different takes on her, we weren’t quite there.

Then, we finalized something like a concept there and looked at gender-balancing the default versions of our sets of eight characters.

Then, we assigned Arc colors and archetypes to the characters in the secondary campaign, and started talking about Rinley’s first story in that campaign.

Then we made a first stab at that story … and failed!

So we tried again!

and then did a couple more Rinley stories

and a couple more …

and took a brief break to sum up what we had.

Then, we sketched out the corresponding quest set.

Then, we figured out its metadata.

Then, we worked out the first quest!

Then, we started our work on the second, but, because I went into real detail on the design of the quest options, didn’t actually finish it.

           Today, let’s continue!

Keep reading

[ghostmiracles]

arc development: theia mezereon, the princess of apocalypse (5)

part 1. part 2. part 3. part 4.

barring a decision to scrap a bunch of this and rewrite it (which is, of course, possible), it is feeling like this is the end of this series. theia swaps over from accursed to become somebody at this point in her story, because the basic structure of her narrative really needs to change for this final part to work the way i want it to. there is also some messy with the quest mapping, but i kind of shoehorned some stuff together in a way that makes sense in my head. hopefully it makes sense to you all too.

Book 5: An Ever-Changing Apocalypse

5► You know what you have to do, and you even know why you haven’t done it!

This book is the story of how Theia makes herself into a person, how Theia finally puts it all together and takes it all apart and becomes. This book is very pastoral and is especially internal. She has mostly withdrawn from school politics, but of course still has her friends. This is the story of how Theia learns who she is.

Quest 1: This quest is about the evolution of Theia and Lee’s genuine friendship as he helps her figure out how to construct herself, how to get away from all the lies and confusion and figure out a truth that works. Together, they investigate Ramayana House and find that it is the echoes of the past. This is a very slow exploration of how Theia makes her first baby-steps towards figuring out who she is.

Quest 2: This quest is about Theia’s lack of experience at being herself. It’s about the fact that it’s easy to fall back into the old ways. It’s easy to call herself the leader of Apocalypse. It’s easy to see herself as the Princess and the Lion. Theia is trying desparately to navigate her life and figure things out, but is plagued by the fact that she’s deeply afraid people can tell how nervous she is, how new to this she is. Because like, who gets to age 17 without understanding themselves on any level? That’s embarrassing, right? This quest ends when someone asks Theia about herself, and she actually has something to tell them.

Quest 3: This quest gets into Theia struggling against Glass Spider. This happens at pretty much the same time as when she decides to get back into School’s social scene, just in a different function. Owler refuses to see her as anything but the Princess of Apocalypse, and Owler has even taken over as leader of Apocalypse and turned them into a dangerous group to try to draw Theia back in through duels and drama. This quest culminates in a duel with Glass Spider, with so much on the line. If Theia wins the duel, Glass Spider has to disband Apocalypse and leave her alone. If Glass Spider wins, Theia has to take back her position as leader of Apocalypse. This quest ends when Theia wins the duel against Glass Spider, getting rid of his awful iteration of Apocalypse.

Quest 4: After her duel with Glass Spider, Theia retreats from School’s social scene again, wanting nothing more than to hide and be afraid. The duel with Glass Spider scared her, because the whole duelist thing reminded her of how easy it would be to fall back into that life. This is the slow day-to-day of Theia’s life as she comes to grips with the fact that she has fond memories of her experiences in Apocalypse, even though there was so much bad. She reconciles with the fact that finding herself is going to be hard, but that it’s going to be worth it, and that it isn’t the end of the world if she makes mistakes sometimes. This quest ends with someone (probably Lee) really acknowledging how much Theia is changing, how much of a person she’s becoming.

Quest 5: This quest is essentially a hugely metaphorical version of Theia finding peace in her progress, being happy with who she is today, even though there’s still quite a lot more to be added. There will always be more to understand, because no one can ever be sure of who they will end up as. Theia definitely meets with Owler in this quest, and helps them move forward in their own recovery. She graduates from School and moves on in her life. I imagine this quest (and Theia’s story) ending with a scene several years later where she has lunch with a group of friends in a restaurant called Cafe Apocalypse, with a ritual akin to the Apocalypse ritual.

This book is best played using Literary Medal Bait, I think, but I’m having some trouble with the fact that Action! doesn’t fit at all with what is going on here. I am thinking that maybe the ideal way to run this is going with Literary Medal Bait for Knight 1-4, and then swapping over to the Knight 5 quest from a Heroic Journey (Apotheosis). It is a bit clunky, but it works much better than trying to shoe-horn in the experience of Action!, if that makes sense.

[jennamoran]

The Horizon Campaign (13)

Link to the Chuubo’s Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine RPG, on DriveThru

Link to Fortitude: the Glass-Maker’s Dragon, on DriveThru

Let’s talk some more about the Horizon campaign(s)!

Previously,

we built some connections between prospective Main Characters and Egyptian deities.

Then, we looked at what characters the campaign would have to have, pulled some out into a possible secondary campaign, and worked on assigning starting Arc colors.

Then, we explored some possible new characters for the secondary campaign, including the Mystery Typhon… but even after two different takes on her, we weren’t quite there.

Then, we finalized something like a concept there and looked at gender-balancing the default versions of our sets of eight characters.

Then, we assigned Arc colors and archetypes to the characters in the secondary campaign, and started talking about Rinley’s first story in that campaign.

Then we made a first stab at that story … and failed!

So we tried again!

and then did a couple more Rinley stories

and a couple more …

and took a brief break to sum up what we had.

Then, we sketched out the corresponding quest set.

Then, we figured out its metadata.

Then, we worked out the first quest!

    Today, let’s start work on the next!

Keep reading

[ghostmiracles]

arc development: theia mezereon, the princess of apocalypse (4)

part 1 here. part 2 here. part 3 here.

we are getting pretty close to the end of this! hopefully the rest will come this smoothly too.

Book 4: The Heart’s Apocalypse

4► You’ve put the pieces together. You know what you have to do.

Theia challenges Lee to a Duel for the Past and Future, a legendary type of duel that is said to forever change the world around you and the participants in the duel. This duel is Theia’s attempt to extract the answers from Lee. Her goal is to extract Lee’s heart and pull the answers out of it using Entropic Deterioration Engine that she is in the process of building.

This is, of course, not something functional, but that doesn’t mean Theia isn’t going to stake everything for it!

Quest 1: This quest begins with Theia issuing the challenge to Lee, and centers on the preparations for the legendary duel. School is in a bit of a flurry over it, and for now, Theia has some modicum of peace and stability in the proceedings. She builds the Entropic Deterioration Engine for Lee’s heart to be housed in when she wins the duel. This quest closes when she closes off Apocalypse, no longer accepting new members, and sets them to work focused on the Entropic Deterioration Engine.

Quest 2: This is the ramp up towards the duel, and Theia getting more and more obssessed with the peace she believes it will bring her. She throws herself into the preparations, and into the building of the Entropic Deterioration Engine, to the detriment of her health and relationships and the like. This quest ends with the Duel for the Past and the Future, which Theia wins and separates Lee’s heart from his body and installs it in the Entropic Deterioration Engine. As she examines it in the Engine though, she realizes that she isn’t sure if she’s comfortable with what she did.

Quest 3: This quest is focused on Theia’s impatience as she has to live her normal life while she waits for the Entropic Deterioration Engine to do its work as it extracts Lee’s memories and emotions as a dark, soupy oil. She is haunted by Lee’s ghost (or perhaps a version of Lee projecting from his heart in the Entropic Deterioration Engine, which is similar, but not quite the same thing). This quest focuses a lot on that experience, and ends when Theia drinks the first extract from the Entropic Deterioration Engine, realizes that a lot of her contextualization of Lee’s “creation” of her was wrong, but decides she has to see the rest before she can do anything deeply concrete.

Quest 4: Theia drinks more of Lee’s extract and starts to more and more deeply understand him. This brings out a lot of revelations that she isn’t comfortable with – for instance, the fact that Lee legitimately cared about her and was trying to help her – that change her perspective of him. This quest is realistically centered on experiences with the oil, as her opinion continues to change, and Theia realizes how deeply wrong she was when she cut his heart from his body and wired it into the Entropic Deterioration Engine. She shuts down the Entropic Deterioration Engine, and removes Lee’s heart from it. But what does that do for her?

Quest 5: Theia rebuilds a body for Lee from bits and pieces of astral dust, and when Lee is whole again, Theia forgives him for the mistakes he made, and he forgives her for her mistakes. This quest ends with Lee giving Theia his honest advice, all the veils taken away. He tells her that he thinks what would be best for her is for Theia to step down from her position as the leader of Apocalypse and focus on herself. And Theia realizes that Lee is right.

This book is played best as a Heroic Journey.