Guenevere (WIP)

[derekmetaltron]

Congrats on your new puppy jeantown! You pretty much obliged to call him or her after one of the puppy name options in the game. I would pick Tristian.

Just also wanted to say how impressed I was at playing Part 2 again and discovering an entirely new section of gameplay with the Doppelgänger plan in the boat with Morgana. And the Wolf segment since it seems like I always got the carriage segment until now.

Was just wondering if you ask Lance to get the Sword whether that locks you into wanting to control it. I want to be able to have a scene where I get to destroy the sword right in front of a defeated Meligaunt just to show my Guen is a better person than he is. Oh and maybe the option of convincing Arthur to kill Meligaunt if he hasn’t done so, though I don’t know if I would pick that choice, it just seems like a logical option to have.

[derekmetaltron]

Well the reason why I hadn’t had the Doppelgänger choices before now is because my Guen had been too polite and agreed to Arthur’s idea of staying in their room when the doppelgängers appeared rather than investigating Meligaunt’s room and discovering the spell. Shows what you can miss in this game at times and the large number of options available.

[NJG]

@jeantown, I must agree with @Elfwine, you should do puppy-chasing first. I apologize if I asked way too many questions.

@jeantown

No, the only way to change Arthur’s personality is through personal influence – but that can make a big difference.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! slaps forehead in frustration WHY???

Also, Ranulf and Camden’s orders are “watching the Queen’s window”, right?

If Arthur were to do a modern-day IQ test, what would his score be?

Is Arthur always very happy to see people who tried to murder him? If so, I don’t think that’s normal human attitude.

When Meligaunt attacked Arthur, and Arthur won, why didn’t he arrest Meligaunt for attempted murder? Surely there are laws regarding attempted murderers.

Is the Camelot guard captain alive?

Lastly, what’s a “Mordred”? I think I saw that while I was checking the “notes on the future of the game” area.

[Elfwine]

My personal hopes/answers:

Somewhere between “Guen, you’re funny.” and “I will make you beg for the sweet release of death.” for Morgana.

Merlin would probably just say some bizarre non sequitor.

What do IQ tests have to do with anything ever?

How did

“It’s about Sir Meligaunt,” he says,
nodding toward the crowd of brightly-dressed nobles in the Camelot banquet hall.
We’re standing just outside the doors, about to make our entrance.

I can see Meligaunt through the open doors. He’d be impossible to miss, considering that
he stands more than a head taller than the next-tallest person in the room.
Rumors say his mother was a giant.

“Do you think you could welcome him personally?” asks Arthur.
“I want him to know how glad we are to have him here.”

turn into “beaming with joy” or such language? Did I miss a scene?

Most polite, friendly people make a point about being “glad to see ______”, especially when expressing good will is important.

Arthur is optimistic, not (in the sense of psychology) delusional. If he thinks Meligaunt has changed in the last seven years, and comes with good will (both of which he does), he probably would be more than just “diplomatic”, but he’s still not exactly coming off to me as outPinkie Pie-ing Pinkie Pie.

For those who aren’t into FIM: Pinkie Pie is ridiculously friendly. As in, her purpose in life is making others - almost “any and all others” - happy.

Rushing up to Meligaunt saying she’s thrilled to see him and does he want a cake or maybe a pie or maybe this special desert she spent all afternoon making is her thing.

[OtherGrimm]

@jeantown already said dark magic CAN’T change a person’s personality. Trying to pay people to do it won’t change the fact that it’s not possible. And I agree with @Elfwine - either one of them would probably be more likely to kill you than turn on Arthur. (Not that they’re going to kill you, but you’d probably piss them off.)

[regent]

I’ve been lurking on these forums forever, but just wanted to add my two cents to this interesting debate regarding Arthur. I don’t think Arthur is stupid, in fact, I think he’s very smart at times. His optimism can be… too much, but you have to have people who think the best of others. Or else the world would be much darker than it already is.

And in the case of Meligaunt, I agree with @Elfwine . I don’t think Arthur was overjoyed to see him, I think he was dealing with his presence by asking his Queen to greet the man the way you’re supposed to greet an ambassador - esp. one who was very obviously sent as some sort of message. That’s both part of Arthur’s personality AND a political tactic. Meligaunt is an ambassador - you can’t offend the ambassador especially when trying to achieve peace. And, although I always make Arthur have the rooms searched, it’s actually in the world of diplomacy a really poor idea to do that when trying to reach peace. Anyways, I distrust Grimald more than Meligaunt. Anyone that slick is trying to catch some flies.

And I agree with @Elfwine (again), IQ tests are notoriously inaccurate in terms of measuring intelligence.

As to your question regarding Mordred, he is a character from Arthurian legend. I don’t want to spoil too much and I’m not entirely sure of @jeantown’s plans for him, but he’s definitely very important and very powerful.

Anyways, my opinion is that Arthur does need to sober up to the world around him, but I don’t think he’s stupid, especially since he recognizes that he does need people of other opinions in his council. His advisors are definitely not all wide-eyed optimism and he does, in fact, listen to them, at least that’s the way it seems. But like a true leader, he makes his own decision in the end - for good or for ill.

[jeantown]

Okay, everyone, here are some general words of advice from Jean: NEVER get a puppy and move house at the same time. (We didn’t intend for the timing of everything to work out this way, but this is how it happened, and I do not recommend it.) Fortunately, the puppy is adorable, but he did not come with an off switch.

@derekmetaltron Tristan would be a great name for him, but he ended up being named after a different (but still somewhat knightly) hero, St. George the dragonslayer. Thus far he has lived up to his name by thoroughly slaying an octopus-shaped squeaky toy. Anyway, I’m glad you enjoyed the previously-unseen segments of the game. I did want there to be some different things for people to discover on repeat playthroughs, and I’m probably going overboard with that in the Camelot branch right now. As for destroying the sword, yes, I definitely want that to be an option. I hadn’t thought of doing it right in front of Meligaunt, but that’s an interesting idea and I’ll keep it in mind. Likewise for getting Arthur to kill Meligaunt himself; I have to wait and see exactly how the final confrontation of the Michaelsmount branch works out, but maybe that will be an option (rather than just letting Guen or her non-Arthur designee kill him).

@NJG Don’t apologize; I love questions!

@NJG

slaps forehead in frustration WHY???

Because that level of mind-alteration is just too much power for anyone to have?

@NJG

Also, Ranulf and Camden’s orders are “watching the Queen’s window”, right?

By part 2, Ranulf and Camden have been promoted from courtyard guards to chamber guards.

@NJG

If Arthur were to do a modern-day IQ test, what would his score be?

If you’re asking for an Intelligence stat for Arthur, it’s higher than most people think. Maintaining an outlook like his is actually rather difficult.

@NJG

Is Arthur always very happy to see people who tried to murder him?

Not exactly. You may recall that he did not attempt to make friends with the assassin at the wedding in part 1. (Admittedly she was there to murder Guen rather than him.)

@NJG

Is the Camelot guard captain alive?

Yes, he survived the Night of the Doppelgangers and has a brief appearance on the Camelot branch.

@NJG

Lastly, what’s a “Mordred”?

heh heh heh such innocence… I suggest Wikipedia. Once you know who he is, you might also want to check out the FAQ on my blog if you haven’t already.

@Elfwine

Somewhere between “Guen, you’re funny.” and “I will make you beg for the sweet release of death.” for Morgana.

Merlin would probably just say some bizarre non sequitor.

Is this going back to the question about Guen being able to make Lancelot dedicate his victories to Morgana or Merlin? Did I answer that? Sorry if I didn’t. Lancelot is going to be made to change his lifestyle / general MO by the end of part 2, so in some ways it may become a moot point, but I do want to expand Guen and Lance’s discussion of that issue if I can.

@OtherGrimm

And I agree with @Elfwine - either one of them would probably be more likely to kill you than turn on Arthur.

Oh, wait, no, it was about asking one of them to change Arthur’s personality using magic. That makes more sense, sorry. @OtherGrimm is (as always) correct; even if it were possible, neither Morgana nor Merlin would ever do such a thing.

@regent Thanks for delurking! I think you understand Arthur well.

[CaesarCzech]

Would you mind me Cyber-enhancing your puppy with comatose off switch ?

EVIL LAUGHT

BTW better name the octopus toy The Kraken.
Relase the kraken for Saint George.
Kraken for saint George.

[Drakeye]

they do come with a off switch you just have to run around with them for a hour or two till they get tired and turn off problem is by then your in the off switch too and they reboot faster

hope the puppy brings you many years of happiness and the house moving goes well

[skulls]

Weird question. Instead of being hardened what are the chances of Arthur actually having a mental break-down?

[SwanMaiden]

Hah. Arthur, the Mad King. Made insane by his wife’s constant cuckolding and backstabbing machinations.

Long may he reign!

[NJG]

@jeantown

@jeantown

Okay, everyone, here are some general words of advice from Jean: NEVER get a puppy and move house at the same time.

Uhh, I’ll remember that when I’m in a situation like that. Thanks.

In Book III, are there options for the MC to improve the army? You know, better equipment, better horses, better training, etc?

In the Camelot area of Book II, if the MC won, can the MC order the army to loot corpses to raise morale and loyalty?

@jeantown

heh heh heh such innocence… I suggest Wikipedia. Once you know who he is, you might also want to check out the FAQ on my blog if you haven’t already.

I checked Wikipedia and your blog FAQ. That was… interesting.

Does Meligaunt, Grimald and Ragarund have “plot shields”? I hope they don’t.

Do privateers exist in the Guenverse? If they do, can the MC pay them to attack civilian targets in Frankmarch?

Anyway, can dark magic be used to manipulate nature cough transform normal clouds into cumulonimbus clouds which can target Frankish Army commanders cough?

[buggygirl11]

@jeantown This is probably pretty far in the future, but…since arranged marriages are the norm for royalty in Guen’s world, if she does have a child, will Guen have to make the decision whether or not to sell her child into a political marriage (the way she herself was sold)?

Also, congrats on the house and the puppy…and good luck dealing with both at once!

[Illmaster]

Will there be a scene for lance and elaine’s wedding? And which book have you planned to be set in Avalon and why?
And I also have a question about guens child. Will he/she turn against guen if she chooses to side with mordred in a camelot takeover?

[jeantown]

@CaesarCzech

Would you mind me Cyber-enhancing your puppy with comatose off switch

I would LOVE to have a cyber-puppy. Can he be switched into different modes in addition to “off” – like “cute and cuddly,” “energetic,” and “defend?”

@CaesarCzech

BTW better name the octopus toy The Kraken.

The octopus toy has officially been named The Kraken. Thank you for this enhancement of my domestic life.

@Drakeye

they do come with a off switch you just have to run around with them for a hour or two till they get tired and turn off problem is by then your in the off switch too and they reboot faster

So we’ve learned. Thank you for the good wishes!

@skulls

Instead of being hardened what are the chances of Arthur actually having a mental break-down?

I don’t have plans for that right now, but I suppose things might change as I develop his character. He’ll certainly be able to have some moments of emotional devastation, but mental breakdown, I don’t know.

@NJG

In Book III, are there options for the MC to improve the army? You know, better equipment, better horses, better training, etc?

Probably not, since book 3 takes place in Orkney and an enchanted forest, so the army won’t have anything to do with the plot. Maybe in book 5.

@NJG

In the Camelot area of Book II, if the MC won, can the MC order the army to loot corpses to raise morale and loyalty?

I’ve already written one little part, at the end of the optional initial skirmish, where Guen’s soldiers automatically loot corpses. It’s expected; there’s no reason to let all of that gear go to waste. Morale does go up after that, but more because of the skirmish victory (if there is one) than because of the looting.

@NJG

Does Meligaunt, Grimald and Ragarund have “plot shields”? I hope they don’t.

Meligaunt and Grimald do not have plot shields. Radagund doesn’t necessarily have one, but at the moment nothing in the Frankmarch branch can result in her death, only her being deposed.

@NJG

Do privateers exist in the Guenverse? If they do, can the MC pay them to attack civilian targets in Frankmarch?

That would be fun, but too far off-track from the game’s intended themes. I have enough scope-creep issues already!

@NJG

Anyway, can dark magic be used to manipulate nature cough transform normal clouds into cumulonimbus clouds which can target Frankish Army commanders cough?

Merlin might be able to do something like that if he were so inclined, but unfortunately he’s at DruidCon forgetting to get the queen a t-shirt.

@buggygirl11

if she does have a child, will Guen have to make the decision whether or not to sell her child into a political marriage (the way she herself was sold)?

I do plan on including exactly this. It’s a long way off, but it seems so appropriate to the story’s themes that I expect it will be an option. It would be interesting if, at the end of the final book, Guen made a choice to stabilize the kingdom by arranging a marriage for her child – or made a choice not to.

@buggygirl11

Also, congrats on the house and the puppy…and good luck dealing with both at once!

Thanks… I need it!

@Illmaster

Will there be a scene for lance and elaine’s wedding?

Probably not (sorry). Their marriage will be a bit unusual and won’t involve a traditional wedding.

@Illmaster

And which book have you planned to be set in Avalon and why?

Book 4 will be in Avalon. In many ways, it’s the pivot-point of the series. Arthur will come into the full power of his Pendragon blood, and Guen will likewise gain access to knowledge and magical abilities that only the Pendragon queen can use. After that, the story will start to shift more fully into political issues, with Mordred rising into his role as antagonist (with Cornelia Saxonica no longer the main villain).

@Illmaster

And I also have a question about guens child. Will he/she turn against guen if she chooses to side with mordred in a camelot takeover?

I do intend for it to be possible for Guen’s child to end up on the opposite side from Guen in the final conflict (or on the same side, depending on circumstances).

[faewkless]

I’m curious.
Why is dark magic.
“Dark” is it thought to be evil or what?

[NJG]

@jeantown

@jeantown

I’ve already written one little part, at the end of the optional initial skirmish, where Guen’s soldiers automatically loot corpses. It’s expected; there’s no reason to let all of that gear go to waste. Morale does go up after that, but more because of the skirmish victory (if there is one) than because of the looting.

I assume that the MC can’t loot because it’s weird for a queen to loot?

@jeantown

That would be fun, but too far off-track from the game’s intended themes. I have enough scope-creep issues already!

So what the game’s intended themes?

@jeantown

Merlin might be able to do something like that if he were so inclined, but unfortunately he’s at DruidCon forgetting to get the queen a t-shirt.

But, but, I thought you said that t-shirts don’t exist in the Guenverse. Did Merlin order a tailor to make a t-shirt based on what he saw on his day visions?

Edit:

Since Cornelia Saxonica isn’t the antagonist later, is she murderable? I would really like to kill her then give her body to cannibals.

[derekmetaltron]

@jeantown Oh awesome, Saint George is a cool name (and very Turkish for an English Dragon Slayer, heh). I can sympathise with the desire to include as much as possible, so feel free to carry on doing that if it’s doesn’t get immensely complex to design! I thought it might be a nice idea to do it with front of him, Guen saying something like ‘You used that sword to hurt my pet and endanger my husband, I could take it for myself, make you mine to command, but then I would be no better than you are. And no one should have this sort of magic sword.’ And the getting Arthur to kill Meligaunt option would seem like a suitable means of solidifying any player’s desire to harden him, though it could also be considered by a Guen who simply fears letting him live is a continued threat to Arthur’s life, especially after the last time.

I was wondering in regards to hardening Arthur - my Guen admires his optimism and desire to do good and work towards his vision, but wishes at times he might not be so naïve or totally trusting of certain people’s motives. So might it be possible to separate hardening optimism and trust for Arthur?

[buggygirl11]

@jeantown

Book 4 will be in Avalon. In many ways, it’s the pivot-point of the series. Arthur will come into the full power of his Pendragon blood, and Guen will likewise gain access to knowledge and magical abilities that only the Pendragon queen can use. After that, the story will start to shift more fully into political issues, with Mordred rising into his role as antagonist (with Cornelia Saxonica no longer the main villain).

(glances at timeline) So Mordred will begin his scheming at…age 6?! Wow, he’s not wasting any time!

Although now that I think about it…he communicated with Antisocial Guen in Book I, which means he technically started before he was even BORN!

[Illmaster]

Aw I was hoping for a scene where guen could blow a kiss at lance and then shoot daggers at Elaine​:expressionless:. Or at least visit lance on his wedding day before he got married or get him a gift.So their marriage will be a spur of the moment type of thing? How will guen find out ?