I got a quick question for you about Minecraft story mode.
What are your thoughts on hadrian as a character and a villain? And do you think the game utilized him well? And what are some things you do to improve his character?
Hadrian is a character who made a very strong initial impression on me as an antagonist! I think there's a lot of reasons why, but Jim Cummings vocal performance and his written personality did a lot of heavy lifting in my mind. I grew up on Sonic and Jim Cummings also voiced Robotnik in the old SatAM cartoon, so I think I was a bit predisposed to enjoying his performance as Hadrian LMAO Hadrian's more boisterous but in a good way for his character. I also really like his concept--I think there's something especially ominous when a villain is ultimately just like. A Greedy Man. It's simplicity/grounded flawed humanity lends to it's effectiveness, at least for me.
Putting a cut here bc I have more than a few thoughts LMAO
I think he was used fairly well considering, I certainly hated his ass while playing and did everything to piss him off LMFAO but of course there are some things that I think could've been executed more effectively + I think Hadrian as a villain would've been a great overarching villain as the obvious Ring Leader of the remaining Old Builders. If he had somehow been more of a consistent bother throughout the Portal Arc with episode 8 being the culmination--where you take the fight to his home turf--I think some of the scenes with him would've been more effective, such as his offer, his chat about Tim, and his kidnapping of Axel and Olivia. I'd have to think a bit more on how that kind of thing would be implemented since Hadrian seems very content to remain in his world overseeing the Games, but it's a fun thought experiment! He's a character that I think would've benefited more from a longer arc with some more conflict outside of just the Games. Also being able to get more info out of him such as about Cassie and/or Soren would've done numbers for him. I think he has potential to go further in his effectiveness as a villain.
I think, in tandem, the whole Tim subplot could've been handled a bit better to make that reveal hit harder. Again, I'd have to think a bit more on how because yapping about it is one thing and executing it is completely another thing and obv I'm not like the main target audience here, but I digress. I think, with a little more tact and some added details or encounters, it could help show how much power Hadrian truly has in that world to be able to manipulate the narrative so effectively and begone with anything that could put it at risk without anyone really knowing. It'd be fun if there was more exploration into Tim and dismantling his legend rather than just going "ehhhh idk man sounds fake :/"
Additionally, unfortunately, I think the final fight with him was a bit ehhh. It starts strong! And I do love Hadrian and Mevia ganging up on Jesse and actually getting him downed only for him to get help from the others and to hop back into the fight with the new armor, but I think the way Jesse finally gets to Hadrian could've been executed better LMAOOO 😭 Listen man, I'm a Kingdom Hearts diehard--I live and breathe My Friends Are My Power. But Hadrian just stopping in the middle of a fight bc a bunch of guys are standing around just like lightly heckling him when he KNOWS he's in danger just felt a bit contrived. I like the idea of the others helping! But I think they could've done that like. LITERALLY. instead of just being like "boooo we hate ur pussy!!" and Hadrian responding "SHUT UPPPP OMG SHUT UPPPP 😡"
Also! And I know there was limitations on the devs when it came to returning characters so this is no shade on them at all, but it's sad that we didn't get any chance to explore the dynamic between the Old Builders and the Admins in s2 as I'm sure there was something brewing there. I think, aside from Soren, Hadrian would have been a very interesting character to hear from regarding that dynamic as I'm sure he'd be VERY opinionated on the matter. I can't imagine that he and Romeo would've gotten along well, hell Hadrian probably would have been the type to envy the man and seek to gain that power himself. But while prideful and having an inflated ego, I think Hadrian would (begrudgingly) understand where he lies on the foodchain compared to Romeo and know how to stay in his lane in order to avoid the Sunshine Institute, which could likely contribute to his obsession for control and power over the Games--it's the closest he'll ever be to being the god he'd like to be.
I'd like to write/explore more with Hadrian at some point! He's insufferable and I can't stand him but the fact he evokes that response in me shows that there's a lot of fun potential to explore there!
Are you ever going to draw THE enderman(tm), he sounds terrifying.
YEAS I have plans for it <3 gonna be a bit down the line bc I've got a few other things to include with him but absolutely I gotta. I cannot WAITTTT to do more with him because he's still got some surprises left <3
Have you thought of making a discord server for answers
I have, and previously a small one was attempted but admittedly I didn't follow through with it because frankly ig I feel a little uncomfortable with the idea??? Not uncomfortable with discussion! I ADORE getting to chat with you guys and love love LOVE to hear about ur thoughts on the fic and the writing etc!! That's why I love asks and comments sm!! But rather like. I consider myself and my readers as peers?? And creating a space dedicated solely to my fic when in a community so filled with creative and talented folks makes me feel like idk like im putting some gaudy, shiny crown on my head 😭💀
If there's any more public servers yall would rec I'd join tho I'd love to hear recs! I don't really know where the community likes to talk these days and am awkward at just like posting yapping posts of my own LMAO 💀
Kind of a random ask but I really really love how you write Aiden in your fics. I always hoped the blaze rods would get some kind of redemption (rip blessed be their souls in telltale purgatory) and you’ve kinda satiated that especially because he’s not exactly a fan favorite.. how you write their friendship with Jesse urgh it’s just delicious thank you
OUGH OMG TYSM!!! 🥺💖 I'm so glad it's scratching that itch for you!
I'm of a similar mindset definitely--I think there was definitely more potential that could've been explored with them especially given that like. They WERE Lukas' best friends and yeah what we see of them isn't in great light bc it's over Jesse's shoulder and as rivals and antagonists in episode 5 especially, but i guess my mindset is like??? Lukas is a good guy. I trust Lukas. And Lukas seems to be a pretty good judge of character so like, he obviously saw SOMETHING in them that made them his friends and I kinda want to explore from that angle!! They don't have to be saints to have had good qualities and I think they're a set of characters who would've probably been easiest to get back on a better track post-episode 5 tbh!
I don't think they're inherently evil characters or smth, but they're not flawless either. They've got a lot of pride and ego issues and Aiden ESPECIALLY has some kinda inferiority complex going on that got exacerbated post-Witherstorm and leading up to 1-5, but even Petra mentions that they're acting way differently than they normally would in that arc. Not to like psychoanalyze them suddenly but LMFAO it just compels me and I think there's definitely more that could be explored and it's fun to dig into characters like that and especially in a situation they normally wouldn't be in--like when getting along with someone they once fought tooth and nail against! :]
OOOOO YES !!! Elle Fontaine was my first oc ever! Tho she used to go by Lily Smith and was 10 year old me's ninjago oc in 2011 😭🫶💖
She has come a LONG way since 2011 (happy 14th bday to her btw thats CRAZY) and was actually the reason I started getting more into drawing—little me wanted to do her proud!! I still have most of the stuff I made back then, both traditional progress and the old classic pics made with MSPaint, deviantart anime bases, and a dream LMAO
While I dip in and out of bouts with keeping up with Ninjago I still use her pretty actively! I've pulled her along through most fandoms I've been in in some form! She's kinda my ol' reliable if I need a pc and don't have any strong ideas and I'm glad for that! It's fun to consider how she'd fare in different settings and such!
it's a crime that I haven't drawn her recently, but I DO have some pics of her sim and the version of her I used when playing FO4 recently LMAO
(Don't mind the ass quality of FO4 i was fighting for my life 😭😭)
One thing that's stayed pretty consistent with her character for years however is that she's always been very independent, a little stoic, and a mechanic/handyman type whose main modality are rollerskates and a motorbike! (This is a common trait she shares with two other of my top ocs LMFAO can u tell im a STEM major at heart 😭) Even as a Ninjago oc, despite being an elemental (Wind since 2011 shoutout to Morro bc little me felt so scammed seeing bro show up LMFAO) she always remained a more fringe elemental who owned her own garage and made due through odd jobs :]
I still love her very dearly and she will likely continue popping up all over my projects and gameplay if I can so help it <3
i think that instead of calling them zone cops we should call them zops
I was literally thinking about Zonic and the No Zone crew again today and just talking to a mutual about them a few minutes ago so the timing of this ask is INSANELY uncanny in the BEST way
And that's SO funny and absolutely something Sonic would coin for them 1000% 🫶💙
I recently (like feb) reread your mcsm fic and since then ao3 said I've visited it over 170 times. That's how you know the rereadability is off the charts
DUDEEEEE ANON TYSM !!! 🥺💖💖💖THAT'S SO CRAZY TO THINK ABOUT BUT TYSM,,,, I'm so glad that you're able to get such enjoyment out of it that it's wroth revisiting so often!!! I hope I can continue to deliver that kinda satisfaction especially as we reach some bigger reveals here!!!
I'm still working towards it but life has hit me upside the head a little lately so Im catching my breath for a sec here but I'll be back at it!! :] 👍💖
