New Campfires

[ldyphoenix]

-A grandmother who sidelines as a weapons dealer in the evening. She'll poison you over a nice cup of tea. She also has a five-year old granddaughter who delights in stuffed animals and killing people as a hobby.

-A former veteran who joins a program to become a super-soldier, doesn't necessarily get any upgrades as it was an experimental program, but has the necessity to sleep removed. (Yes, I stole this part from an X-Files episode.) While she doesn't need to sleep, they discover that when it is induced by meds, she can see a bit of the future.

I've got a couple more, but I thought I would just throw these out there.

[Aldersmaine]

I'd like to take part in a CF that has no human racial characters lol. Like a completely different race for everyone to be a part of and the societal complications of the race to play with.

Humanoid sure but just not that normal Human race in a world with all kinds of races. lol I wanna see a world without the normal Human factor lol

[Quaddy]

Well, I can't say that what I'm about to post has exactly what you want, but give me a minute to type it up...

[Aldersmaine]

I suppose i could give you a minute... at least ONE. lol

[Quaddy]

OK, a number of years ago, I was entrusted by a very good friend of mine with a story entitled "Pandora's Redemption" because he wanted me to run it as a campfire instead of him because I was (long ago) known for being a stickler for running campfires. Anyway, the campfire never got far, but I went back to my friend a couple years ago and asked him for complete rights to the story. He graciously gave them to me, but since then I have done little but plan. And I mean PLAN, so Mynt, I'm not sure if you'll want to be involved in this...

But basically, I want to turn this story into a comic. Well, a graphic novel (perhaps a trilogy or something)...the kind that ends. Not like Batman, which goes forever...but, like, Sandman, which has a definite end (for now). So basically, it would be an overall story arc that can be broken up into discernible sections (like acts 1-2-3). I don't exactly have an artist yet, but I need you guys to help me write this thing. I think the campfire style works really well for a comic, as it would create easily dividable mini arcs for the purposes of individual weekly comics.

Anyway, like I said, I have the storyline plotted out, but this is the background information from the original campfire:

For the past half of eternity, absolute good and absolute evil have dominated over all else. Eventually, however, the forces of Heaven and Hell left, shattering the old order irrevokably. Once Heaven and Hell left the mortal races to decide their own destinies, even in the spiritual realms, confusion and chaos arose to fill the void. Hoping to take control of the power vacuum left in the multiverse, new factions and nations have arisen within the past few centuries- each with their own improvised governments to replace Angelic and Demonic law.

As these new states struggle to survive and compete to prove their set of laws to be the correct one, the only ones to truly prosper are the criminals and thieves who prey on their corruption. Upon the endless silver seas of the Astral Realms, pirate fleets sail unopposed by any navy, plying their trade and perpetuating the anarchy to fill their own pockets.

Unbeknownst to anyone- especially themselves- the desperate crew of one old astral frigate is about to change the course of the history of existence forever. This is the story of the ship called Pandora’s Redemption.

The Rise of Mortals:

Eons ago, the Eternal War between Angelkind and Demonkind escalated to such a scale that entire planes became vast battlefields of horrors and bloodshed. Within less than a century, the infinitely vast Astral Realm was emptied of all presence of both good and evil. Entire planes were laid to waste, reduced to untamed wilderness.

Suddenly aware that their masters had either died in battle or abandoned them, the countless mortal races of the Astral found themselves very alone. Some allowed themselves to devolve into savage animals or brutal barbarians, denying themselves true intellect in favor of primal instinct. Some chose extinction preferable to the absence of definite purpose and lack of any visible higher power to watch over them. But a few, rallied to unity by strong leaders promising not only survival but prosperity, chose to equate crisis with opportunity.

Centuries passed. Cities, countries, and empires rose and fell throughout the planes. Now, however, is an age when no civilized country is truly dominant, but all struggle against each other for control. Now is the golden age of the thief, the rebel, and the pirate.

The Planes:

The ‘planes’ are as much places as they are concepts. The thought, feeling, or concept is, therefore, the plane itself- and can be anywhere from the size of an infinite universe to the size of a small closet.

The Plane of Fire, as an example, isn’t simply world where everything is made up of fire. It is the concept of fire- the thought of what fire is in its purest essence and everything that fire is in its elemental ideal. The Plane of Fear is the emotion of fear itself in its purest form. The heaven-like plane called Elysium is made up of the philosophy that it doesn’t matter if one follows the law or their own moral compass, just so long as he does so with the intention to help others and do what he feels is right out of pure love. The hellish plane called Gahenna is made up of the philosophy that survival only comes through dominating others and the weak are meant to suffer. There are no visible borders between the planes, nor can any plane be mapped out in relation to any others. One cannot simply walk from one plane to another. Most, however, can be reached by magick or meditation. Sometimes enchanted portals can be found leading between planes, and some require long ritual ceremonies to access. Some can be reached through more unusual and often complex means. Sometimes to reach a specific place it becomes necessary to die.


The Races:

Though the number of sentient species- both mortal and immortal- that inhabit the multiverse is nothing less than infinity, the following is a list of the most common and most powerful races of the Astral Planes. This list is only provided to give a basic idea- a participant in this campfire may feel free to create their own race within the bounds of common sense (when in doubt, please ask). The planes are infinite.

Note also: Angels are not in included here because they are bound to serve Heaven’s law and thus cannot take on a criminal profession such as piracy. To do so would make them Fallen Angels or Demons. Demons are not included for a similar reason- they must be evil and seek to make others suffer, for to commit any act of love would contradict their natures.

Terrans: The most common breed of human, these beings are identical in every way to the humans that inhabit Earth- except that Terrans inhabiting the planes have the potential to become very powerful in the use of magic. They can be found in any plane where it’s possible for them to survive.

Stygians: Through the planes of Hell winds the River Styx, which eventually falls to form a vast sea of ice. Bordering this sea is the frozen hell known as Stygia, throne of the Stygian Empire. The Stygians are the second most common breed of human. Don’t bother ever trying to find ones like these on Earth- only Hell could breed beings possessed of such a penchant for evil and death. Demons consider them to be expendable front-line fodder in their war against Heaven, but all other beings consider them to be ruthless oppressors rightly feared. The entire species is obsessed with an eternal unholy crusade to extinguish all life from the planes that refuses to bow down to their demon masters. Stygians look mostly like Terrans except that their skin is always albino- as white as the snow that blankets their homeworld. Their hair can be either black or red (or both), and their eyes are either blood-red or ice-blue. Every Stygian has at least elementary knowledge of necromancy and demon magick.

The Zae: These are the third common human breed and the last of them worth mentioning here. Originally from a world called Caer, they came under constant attack from demons who sought to turn their world into a giant war camp. When their heroes and champions in battle defeated demonkind, Hell ordered the Stygians against them. The Zae defeated them, too, and even mounted a failed attack against Stygia itself. Seeking vengeance for millions of lost lives, the entire Zae race invaded Pandemonium- a hell of chaos and madness- and claimed it as their new home. Having left their ruined world of Caer behind forever, they evolved into the race of demonslayers they are today. As they have forged their empire within the depths of Hell itself, the Zae are constantly at war with the armies of the unholy. They believe equate evil with weakness, and thus consider demons- though powerful and fearsome- to in essence be weakness personified. Though most Zae will readily think of Angels as their friends and allies, some angels look down on them because most Zae have trouble understanding such concepts as mercy and forgiveness. Zae for the most part resemble Terrans except that their skin ranges from dark tan to almost black, they have glowing orange eyes that burn like fire in their sockets, and are usually taller, more muscular, and physically hardier. Every Zae is trained from childhood to fight demons.

Dreamlings: These are the inhabitants of the Dreamworld and the Nightmareworld, the bringers of dreams. They are lighthearted pranksters who revel in causing mischief, often becoming thieves and outlaws simply for the fun of it. Seldom serious, Dreamlings are both loved and hated for their casual demeanors. Most serve either the Greek god of dreams Morpheus or the Aztec god of nightmares Chach’ahoul. They are vaguely humanoid, tall and slender with small frames. They have silver skin and hair of any color imaginable. Their eyes resemble multicolored whirlpools of light in their sockets. They have no noses or mouths, since they don’t need to eat or breathe. They communicate through images and subconscious symbolism- the same way they send dreams- and feed off of emotional energy transmitted by other races across the planes. They have razor-sharp claws, as well, sharp enough to rend stone.

Fallen Angels: Also known as Dark Angels, these are angels who have broken or turned away from Heaven’s law, yet still abhor Hell’s wickedness and refuse to give in to Demonhood. They are no longer angels, but may still serve the cause of goodness and love in other ways. Most choose to either serve Heaven still in a ‘mercenary’ fashion or to follow their own independent views of what’s good and right. No longer blessed or protected by Heaven’s light, nor enveloped by Hell’s all-consuming corruption, they can be killed as easily as any mortal being. They can be evil, true, but this would set them down the path towards Demonhood- in which all they know is hatred and suffering. They usually resemble humans with glowing eyes and black feathery wings. All other details are more an individual matter, as are the powers they possess.

Elementals: Are the manifestations of a basic elemental concept. These may include the four basic elements (earth, air, fire, water) as well as- much more rarely- more abstract elements (electricity, stone, shadow, love, sorrow, apprehension, honor, etc.) All details of appearance, personality, and powers vary depending on the element they embody- which are as limitless as the planes.

Animal Spirits: These are, of course, the sentient spirits of animals, such as shamanic spirit guides. They are closely tied to nature, primal instinct, and the typical traits of their species.

Now, just to give you an idea of what I have in mind...in the end, Elysia and Tartarus (Heaven and Hell) are locked firmly into their own Planes, a half-Stygian Demon is on Samael's Throne, and he feels like he's been cheated by a Fallen Angel (my character) with whom he had fallen in love but who ultimately abandoned him to go back to Heaven and her Angelic lover (Michael). Said half-Stygian Prince of Tartarus wants revenge against said former Fallen Angel and is convinced by his top adviser that the way to get his revenge is through the newly created Mortal Planes (our world), to which the Astral Realms are connected via dreams/souls/subconscious/etc. and which God has created only recently as part of the armistice treaty between Heaven and Hell. A new world for the Terrans to live free from the influence of gods, spirits, Fallen Angels, etc. And in reaching into their subconscious, they can begin the war between Heaven and Hell again through humanity. Then the adviser reveals himself to be Loki, who's been nudging things in both directions throughout the entire story.

That'd make more sense with more background information, wouldn't it?

[Mynt]

Hah, I know where I'm not wanted.

(I add face so you know this is joke.)

[Quaddy]

I love that you added the message to tell me that the face was so I knew you were joking...

[Aldersmaine]

this sounds both interesting and monumental. It's kind of a scary task.

How strict will the writing be? What guidelines will our characters be force to follow? and would it be better if we didn't group together in the story like in many of the other more party quest scenarios we have in the CFs?

[Mynt]

Can never be too careful on the interwebz.

[Quaddy]

The storyline is plotted out for the most part, but a lot of details are vague. Alexian (my original character name, which might change) fell on purpose as part of a plan by God to stop Hell from attempting to circumvent the current ceasefire through their domination of Stygia. She and her crew on the Pandora's Redemption are invited to join another pirate captain to fight for a Stygian revolution against Demonhood and this brings them to the attention of Prince Vlaaghan, the half-Stygian Prince of Hell, who is torn with regard to this rebellion but stands against it in order to save face with his Demonic family. Alexian et al meet Vlaaghan and bargain with him: if he will aid the rebellion and abide by God's decree, they will put him on Samael's Throne (the Throne of Hell), which is actually what he wants. His brothers want to take Hell and use it to destroy the peace and throw the planes back into war with Heaven, but Vlaaghan's half Stygian blood actually (much to his chagrin) has a tendency to make him feel sympathy for the people who will be destroyed through this war (particularly the Stygian race, which will likely be annihilated in any war. Alexian (though Michael's Consort) and Vlaaghan begin a romance (which Alexian uses to soften him toward her needs) throughout the story and Alexian promises that she will stay with Vlaaghan at the end (as his prize, so to speak, not that she is an item...). Eventually, the Stygian rebellion is used to put Vlaaghan on the throne and Vlaaghan meets with God to form an ironclad treaty that will keep Heaven and Hell out of the Astral Realm and will create a realm for the Terrans (who feel the brunt of the chaos and the war in the realms) into which denizens of the Astral Planes cannot travel (except via the subconsciousness of humans in this realm). Alexian will be given the chance to go back to Heaven and will choose to do so (and go back to Michael) despite genuinely caring for Vlaaghan and promising to go with him. What I described earlier is, in fact, the last scene. Throughout the story, the god Loki will appear in various disguises (with only bright green eyes to mark him to the reader) to help/hinder both sides of the war. In the last scene, he convinces Vlaaghan to take the war to the human subconscious (which will create chaos...which is good for Loki). The last pane of the planned comic is just a black background with only a pair of green eyes visible.

OK, so I spelled all that out...YAY! Basically, I want this to be the absolute OPPOSITE of our "let it ride" campfires. I want everyone to create characters for themselves (their base characters) and then I want to plan as much as possible (almost like we're plotting a novel) and then post that outline in the forums (I would create one for this story, obviously) for everyone to follow. That way, if someone has to skip or can't write, the next person can just look at the outline and contribute to the plot via their own character (or Vlaaghan, Molly Quill the Pirate Queen, Stygian #1, Terran #27, etc). I know it sounds weird this way, but basically I just want to use the campfire to write a group story. A true novel-like story that people only have to contribute two once a month (or whatever) instead of writing the whole thing themselves. So we do all the legwork up front and then write.

We would, as I said, have one character (a member of the crew) to write for and mold and even plot for (character development, their addition to the overall plot, to the plot details, etc), especially as the best comics often change POV characters to further the story, although they often have an omniscient third narrator, as well. Well, actually...they don't usually delve into peoples' thoughts. If they have to get into a person's head, they usually have them write or have a conversation, or something. Which is fine. We'll make it work. But we all have to be willing to write for multiple characters as the plot requires.

[Quaddy]

And this is why I thought you might not like it, Mynt.

[Quaddy]

Also, we would have to make sure to give prime character development time--entire portions of the story telling the back story of each character--interspersed throughout the main plotline. Alexian might not get a single story and neither would Vlaaghan. They would probably get mini-stories instead of one, long story. ALSO, stories showing the history of particular realms and one or two to show the backstory (the war, the devastation visited upon the Astral Planes, etc) and do world building.

[Mynt]

If I actually get to be involved instead of all the planning being done for me, I wouldn't mind. I would suggest posting the outline somewhere that isn't as open to anyone who happens by though. x:

[Quaddy]

Perhaps we can create a group on W.com and make the outline Private to that group? And YAY, I'm glad you want to be involved.

Now, there are characters from the first round that I can post if people want them, but so long as there's a good variety (also...only Alexian gets to be a Fallen Angel...that's kinda important) I don't mind. The first round had a Zae, a Terran of unknown but mysterious abilities that rendered him rather important (and which we never actually figured out), a Sorrow Elemental, and Coyote.

[Mynt]

Coyote? Like the trickster? Can I be Coyote?

[Mynt]

Also, I think the group sounds like a good idea.

[Aldersmaine]

The elementals like Sorrow and Honor how would they work as characters if by their very nature they are of a singular element?

[Quaddy]

They are the essence of their element embodied, such as a Sylph for air or an Undine for water. If you've ever read The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson, they're like the spren. Whether they cause something or are caused by something no one knows, but they are whatever it is that they represent. An Honor elemental is the essence of Honor in a physical form. If I recall, the Sorrow elemental from the first go around looked a lot like Marvin from Hitchhiker's Guide (the recent movie) only black...

And yes, you can be Coyote. He was actually Wolfie's character the first go around.

[Mynt]

Lol, nice.

[Aldersmaine]

I meant how would a elemental of sorrow play into the plot beyond being a depressing sidekick? lol

[Quaddy]

Well, we hadn't gotten there yet. But him being kidnapped led to our introduction to Vlaaghan...

[Aldersmaine]

And interesting thought. I might want to take the character on. Maybe explore other aspect of sorrow.

[Quaddy]

Cool beans. We have a pirate ship to crew, demons and Stygians to write for, Vlaaghan to work on, and a cast of so many extras it's ridiculous...YAY!

[Mynt]

Is there anything particular you're expecting from the Coyote character? Or am I free to make him my own?

[Aldersmaine]

If we are going to do this by to book, as in by the plot outline, I'd like to see it detailed heavily, lol. And expect great discussion with me as to what scope each scene i'll be writing will fall into. I am determined not to mess this up.