| From: | "Michael R. Goldberg" <mrgoldbe@**.NETCOM.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Toxic shamans |
| Date: | Tue, 28 Jul 1998 21:20:47 -0500 |
with you.
lyndon@*****.com pointed out that FA$A already has a precident set with
one of its novels. While I even vaguely remember the novel that FA$A
did it in, I have some reservations with what they did. I'm not
necessarily looking to retread old ground, but rather write a
satisfactory story that once all written and finished will let me and
others on the list (I certainly hope at least) say, "Wow. Cool story,
Mike."
I just hoping you all don't delete my posts out of spite. *grin*
"Frank Pelletier (Trinity)" <jeanpell@****.QC.CA> pointed out that
while I could pull the redemtion bit (a la Star Wars Trilogy), he asked
if that is really satisfying?
My answer to that comment, is that it would be satisfying if it was
done correctly and not made sappy at the end. The truth is, there is
little that DE/Pestilence feels is worth saving. Right now, it is a
list of three major characters (not all mine) and perhaps a certain
class of people that aren't really portrayed on the list that much that
he views with any positive emotions. With that weak of a list, it
makes it hard for him to even see a reason to change from his current
path.
I do agree with Frank that there are very few outright evil characters
on the list. My crew (ignoring the potential represented by Death and
Pestilence) are either in the hero or anti-hero category. Not outright
evil villians. The hard part about a good villian is that if they are
to be re-occuring for well over a year, they have to a hell of a
network to survive on the list. The sheer amount of resources the
various characters can bring to a hunt is just astounding.
In short, it doesn't encourge anyone from running long-term villians.
In matter of fact it intimidates them.
Jeffrey Mach <mach@****.CALTECH.EDU> and Avenger
<Avenger@*******.DEMON.CO.UK>, raised very valid points about what the
path of redememption would be like. I have to agree with them. Given
where Pestilence is currently, and what is likely to happen sometime in
the future (whenever I feel it is time to be quite blunt), I would be
surprised that if he crosses the line that he would even try on his
own. I agree with what Pete said on what life after the crossing the
line and back again would be like.
In short, I basically heard everything I was thinking about on the
topic. It is good to know that I'm not in left field on this one,
because, at least for this list, it isn't exactly a commonly tread
ground.
(And I do thank you for all your feedback on this matter.)
---
Now. A bit of a warning on this story. It will have to be a matter of
opinion on when Pestilence approaches the final line in the story. I
won't say on plot-d or on the list, "Gee I think he is toxic." I
personally don't believe that there is a nice and easy indicator button
(either through astral perception or an astral quest) that tells a
person what another person's beliefs are. You are only going to be
able to figure out it by his actions.
That's is what makes both Death and Pestilence bastards to tackle. The
characters that go up against them or work with them are always
questioning whether or not they have crossed that line and if so, what
should be done. As most players can attest to, the easiest thing to do
is to kill them. In Death's case, that raises the ugly question of
what might happen afterwards. In Pestilence's case, there is the
thought that he wasn't that far gone, and perhaps he was redeemable.
If the characters have half a conscious, I suspect it will be a very
tough call.
And as usual, if people want in, you better speak up. Otherwise, I
tend to just keep plowing along. (I am extremely good at that. Notice
Atlanta and the whole JICES going public.)
Later,
Mike
