Fallen Hero - Update 18 December 2016

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1053

@Sneaks - I will admit that is just going on old hero tropes. If the hero gets the time, they can always defuse the bomb no matter how alien or advanced. He is the hero after all, and you are the villain.

That being said, I want to avoid things that tears people out of the story if I can, and I could just as easily have had him fly away with the bomb and toss it into the sky (although now I am picturing a Batman '66 moment, some days you just can’t get rid off a bomb.)

How do other people feel about situations like this? There are choices when the museum is going to fail to be blown up because of various choices/stats/reasons, but how Herald stops it is not set in stone.

Are the classic hero tropes too awkward when they are used against your character?

1054

A combo of choices, armor stats and high personal stats (or having kept your ace in the hole). Not everyone is capable of knocking Lady Argent out, that’s just the way things are.

1 Like
1055

I think, personally, it’s like a tastefully done sort of meta-gaming. You’re playing a villain who knows the tropes- because they were the hero once upon a time. But they also know the things that cause failure (heartbreak incident, anyone?) - so it’s like if they get caught by one of the tropes, it’s their own fault. They set theirself up for failure. I get the sense that our MC is in a sort of mental war with theirself, anyway, so this actually comes across as kinda brilliant. Because when you -are- careful, and act like a paranoid evil genius, you -do- succeed. And that feels great~ better when there’s a chance for failing by making a mistake or not being careful and meticulous.

3 Likes
1056

I feel your story redefines the tropes and that is why I love it.

With regards to the bomb … having him get it to the bomb squad for diffusion (or purposeful detonation in a bomb-proof tank) would work if he is given too much time…

Make Herald stop the destruction in your modern realistic trope usage way, not the DC/Marvel roll-your-eyes type of way.

1 Like
1057

I had a feeling that ace would have made the difference there, but I just really wanted to keep that in my sleeve.
I guess taking a hit in this fight is worth it if it helps with the long-term plan.

Although now I’m wondering, which benefit is more worth it? Keeping my primary powers a secret (and having a temporary back-door into the arguably biggest threat the enemy has), or getting a DNA sample of said arguably biggest threat.
This requires further analysis. To the war room!

2 Likes
1058

I think a hilarious form of bomb diffusion would be Lady Argent pulling a Captain America with it. Cover the blast with her own body. It could take the blast, right? :stuck_out_tongue:

2 Likes
1059

I’m keeping my nanos a secret as long as possible. even crushing the sewer pipe wall could be explained by strength alone and not the nano use.

Honestly if you use them within Argent’s view and she recognizes it as them being used she should put 2+2 together between you and the robbery you forced her to do.

1060

You can do both.

@Mxm124 you need to fight her physically and have a high daring.
Or attack her mentally with either 70 of Strength, 70 of subterfuge or the telepathic booster.

1061

Telepathic booster is sooooo handy!

1062

I got the telepathic boosters and had 70 subterfuge, but I’m so terrified of using telepathic powers on anyone (unless we’re alone, in a sewer where nobody can see or hear or smell us, and they immediately die afterwards before they can spill the beans to anyone else. Unfortunetely we only have 2 out of 3 of that criteria met.)

It’s starting to seem like the only safe way to use that backdoor in Argent’s head is to make sure Argent dies immediately afterward. I’m starting to realize how Turing felt. "Great, we got this awesome new weapon that could win everything for us! Now we just have to make sure to never use it!"

I think Eiwynn has the right idea. There’s too much risk that I would much rather just accept partially losing the battle than to possibly lose the entire war.

4 Likes
1063

Then you have what you need. If you go for the subterfuge she will not even perceive it.
She will only know that you use telepath if you try to do it forcefully.

1064

I can say that one of my main song quotes for inspiration is this one:

I am in need of nothing else
but rope enough to hang myself
Laughing through the gates of hell I go

So yeah, there are consequences to all of your choices, and risk managing is essential.

EDIT: But, equal fun can be had from failing. Sometimes being perfect might not be the coolest choice. It’s all how you picture your character.

2 Likes
1065

Honestly, it’s partly because that’s just easy to take care of, and party because it never stands out in a crowd.

It’s partly.

1066

I understand the bomb failing to explode from a gameplay standpoint as a failure on the player’s part, and I love the idea of classic hero tropes being used against the villain PC, but the way this was written kinda broke immersion for me. Herald figuring out that there’s a bomb, finding it, and defusing it or otherwise preventing the explosion from causing harm should be done in realistically plausible ways imho.

1067

I loved the update @malinryden :relieved: I cant wait for my MC to go evil xD :yum: Also if you dont mind me asking: Will there be a scen where ones MC can just unmask himself and say “Its me Ortega, it was me all alone” with an evil smirk :joy:

Character Information
Damon
Secret Identity: Cyrus Becker
Identifies as: Male
Description: An average, white, man in his thirties with blue eyes and short and wild wavy blond hair.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 68%
Subtle Manipulations: 63%

Power Suit
The Damon suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores functionally similar to having a disintegration touch, as well as being equipped with reinforced armor and telepathic boosters.

Physical State
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel tired.
Injuries: You are fine, with no major injuries.
Wealth: You are comfortable.

Infamy
Infamy: 49% Obscurity: 51%
Arrogance: 73% Anonymity: 27%
Ruthlessness: 66% Empathy: 34%
Daring: 68% Cautious: 32%

Main Puppet
Name: Dylan

Description: A short, arab, man in his twenties with green eyes and short and neat straight auburn hair.

Allies and Enemies
Cyrus’s friendship with Ortega: 88%

Dylan’s friendship with Ortega: 72%

Dr. Mortum’s goodwill towards Dylan: 60%

1 Like
1068

Just a thought regarding the Argent DNA sample: Rather than the ‘Good Dr’ using it to boost the suit, perhaps they can whip up something to boost the MC, with interesting consequences of course…

6 Likes
1069

Oh my stars. It updated O:

(Very welcome news given how chaotic this week has been)

So I did a quick run and holy moles. My character still upholding the “no killing” rule even with Argent (she’s not going to allow her to drown, as much as she’s “in the way”). She’s more mad at the system and oh man I can’t wait to see how Ortega will handle this bit of info. If he starts digging just to see if there’s any credence – ESPECIALLY IF HE HAS INKLINGS THAT THE MC IS THE NEW VILLAIN – //braces heart for feelings.

ANYWAY. EXCITED FOR THIS UPCOMING HOSPITAL SCENE SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW UPDATE

1070

Oh dear god, yes.

Poor Thea’s about ready to die with guilt. If there’s not a way to get there “Early” and just nonchalantly hold Ortega’s hand, I’m going to be a wee bit disappointed. Then again, this WIP has made a habit of repeatedly shattering expectations.

Argent will be fine, if a bit battered. Thea’s too fast for her!!! Hee~

1 Like
1071

I like playing this game as an Anti-Villain (like Ozzymandias from Watchmen and Loghain from Dragon Age), someone who has to do bad things to save everyone. Choosing to expose the truth in the motivation part was perfect for my character.
Another thing that I like about this WIP is how pragmatic the MC can be, like robbing the gala to have the funds that you need to continue your plans (hopefully we can use the money to upgrade the armor). And because my character is pragmatic he choose to romance Dr Mortum to have a more power over her.

Character Information

Sovreign
Secret Identity: Cyrus Becker
Identifies as: Male
Description: An average, white, man in his thirties with hazel eyes and shaved curly brown hair.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 59%
Subtle Manipulations: 71%

Power Suit
The Sovreign suit is tall and imposing, a conqueror ready to take on the world.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores functionally similar to having a disintegration touch, as well as being equipped with enhanced strength and telepathic boosters.

Physical State
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel rattled.
Injuries: You are fine, with no major injuries.
Wealth: You are poor.

Infamy
Infamy: 71% Obscurity: 29%
Arrogance: 19% Anonymity: 81%
Ruthlessness: 20% Empathy: 80%
Daring: 17% Cautious: 83%

Main Puppet
Name: Yasmin

Description: A short, arab, woman in her twenties with black eyes and long straight brown hair.

Allies and Enemies
Cyrus’s friendship with Ortega: 91%

Yasmin’s friendship with Ortega: 58%

Dr. Mortum’s romance with Yasmin: 76%

@malinryden Just reporting a minor thing, if the mc steal the jewelry (setting jewelry true) or fill the bag fast (setting muchmoney true) there is no mention of the bag in the next chapter, only if you steal only the money (setting money true) the bag is mentioned.
The same happened when the character hides the money on the park.
So maybe those two should set money true too?

1072

@malinryden

i love the Sidestep villain name.
such hidding in plain sight. Rofl
Ortega reaction is what really self it throught.
anyway will it be possible for my MC to pretend freakout if ortega mentions it. as in make him and others think that someone si gunning for him out of grudge. and that he barely survived ?