Chrono Compendium

Bend of Time - Inactive Projects => Darkness Beyond Time - Dead Project Discussion => Project ZEAL => Topic started by: V_Translanka on September 28, 2004, 05:21:18 am

Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on September 28, 2004, 05:21:18 am
So then, the people of ZEAL won't be involved in this right yet? Introduced as in what they've done/do? But not physically who they are...?

Well, perhaps we should open it with a bang, some major event much further down the line from Toma's discovery. Some big disaster or big change like a war. Buildings crumbling, people falling like flies, blood turning the seas red, ect ect...Obviously there would be some differing implications with the King of Guardia (XXXIII I believe is Nadia's father, right?) and Yakra/Chacellor. Perhaps the King would fall and all of this would create another Mystic War.

Something like that would obviously make Gasper backtrack to where the change originally occurred.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on September 28, 2004, 05:05:09 pm
Well, the idea is that Zeal is interested in tinkering with "what if" scenarios - so if they start by wrecking a timeline entirely, they can't do anything more with it.

Futhermore, if we screw up the timeline right off the bat, all characters will come from the seriously altered timeline, making it a little more difficult to coordinate everyone's history.

Ideally, each subplot will attempt to alter the timeline in increasingly more drastic ways.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on September 28, 2004, 05:54:03 pm
That brings up a question I've had about the characters we're creating/using/whatever...What are the restraints set upon these characters? Are they supposed to be from the Ideal Timeline? At what point in this timeline? Or does any of that matter?

I now understand about the drastic change, that makes sense...But then, if we change that little part, then the people we/Gasper see(s) are then from this new altered Toma-Ideal Timeline? I can see also how the finding of the Rainbow Shell would be a minute detail, and like was said, ZEAL is supposed to change small things at first (I had forgotten)...but eventually, even the smallest of changes must radically alter the future down the line, right? Like chaos theory almost, right? Although I like the idea that Gasper could find/see a small flaw in the timeline and know something was up, like a fine craftsman looking into a slight imperfection.

Well, either way, I need to know what the deal is with the authored characters...although, I guess I'll ask that in the character sketch thread...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on September 28, 2004, 06:01:17 pm
Yes, even small events could alter a timeline to an increasing degree the farther one peers down the line. At ~1000 AD however, it shouldn't be too drastic a change to render it unrecognizable.

Initially, I believe the plan was for all characters to be from the timeline in question. (Or from Zeal, if that's the role you want to play. Granted, not everyone should be Zealian, for they're the villian here...) The only way I could see someone else getting tangled up here from another timeline would involve them perhaps being first captured by Zeal and then escaping to Keystone - which is entirely plausible, I'd say. ZeaLitY might be the appropriate authority on that matter, though.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on September 28, 2004, 06:32:24 pm
Alright, that's good, I just needed that cleared up before I could make a decision about my character and where I wanted him...Also, speaking of ZEAL...Since they've basically perfected their time travel & such, it was said that they basically achieved eternal life, so then K. & Q. Zeal both still exist along with a ZEAL-version of Schala & Janus (maybe not Janus...)?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on September 28, 2004, 06:39:49 pm
Immortality is a fairly new advancement in Zeal, one discovered long after anyone we're familiar with in CT died. At this point in time, the oldest citizens of Zeal are pushing ~1000 years of age, so that puts the advent of Zealian immortality somewhere around Keystone's rise of Guardia.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on September 28, 2004, 09:56:05 pm
Based on what we have so far, I'd like to propose that the beginning main scenes might go like this:

-ZEAL comes off the tail-end of destroying another timeline. V Translanka's Glenn might be a captive from this timeline.
-ZEAL finds the Keystone Dimension.
-ZEAL effects changes in the form of giving Toma the Rainbow Shell.
-Gaspar notices these and calls in the heroes.

This is just a skeleton structure. We need character sketches! Once we have the heroes and other characters, we can really get into it, and finally insert scenes such as

-Edgar sits on the pier, contemplating the loss of his state and title
-Gaspar calls in the heroes
-Edgar leaves the End of Time puzzled
-Back at ZEAL, bleah

Some good ones exist already in the Sketch thread, so check them out. Create a hero, or some other characters! It's entirely up to you.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on September 29, 2004, 07:00:57 am
Waitaminute...Edgar? Is that Gaspar you're speaking of (you mention leaving the EoT, so I assume that's correct)?

Also, I've pretty much scratched that version of Glenn from possibility for now (I dun like him or the idea of him yet, he's still a sketchy idea for my fanfic really)...but I like the idea of having someone captured...If possible, could I substitute my version of Glenn, for my version of Magus/Gil? Hell, I could practically incorperate such an event into my Magness fanfic!
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on September 29, 2004, 10:47:40 am
Edgar was just an example name of an author-created character.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on September 29, 2004, 12:53:32 pm
Quote from: V_Translanka
Also, I've pretty much scratched that version of Glenn from possibility for now (I dun like him or the idea of him yet, he's still a sketchy idea for my fanfic really)...but I like the idea of having someone captured...If possible, could I substitute my version of Glenn, for my version of Magus/Gil? Hell, I could practically incorperate such an event into my Magness fanfic!


I found your twisted version of Glenn to be promising, actually - I wouldn't have problem with that because Glenn really isn't the same character as Frog. To me, while familiar, that seems pretty original. Magus on the other hand... everyone is going to want to write as him. I really hate to curb someone else's creativity, but it would be a shame if we ended up with a horde of "Hey, this is Crono from another timeline!" entries.

Still, this is a community-wide project and give-and-take is the only way its going to work. If you'd like to incorporate your Magus/Gil into this somehow, then that can be worked out - however, let's not have such characters be the focus of the story.

I suppose its worth clarifying what is generally meant by "major" characters here. While originals are certainly encouraged, if you think you've got a hot idea for someone established in CC, then take a shot at writing them. (The exceptions being Serge, Kid, Harle, and Lynx. Most characters in CC were as shallow as a kiddie pool. These are the ones I think are okay to tinker with.)
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on September 29, 2004, 05:55:23 pm
Oh, I didn't see a authored characer called Edgar, I guess it was just an example though...It just made me think FFVI Edgar there for a second.

Also, I was thinking of a way to properly incorperate any of the characters from Magness. By the end of the alternate dimension which Gil finds Glenn (& before him an alternate Lucca[I call her Elle] & afterwards an alternate Flea), he possesses both the Pendant & a Gate Key. He obtains these items to have access to the End of Time (with his party of Marcy from a Keystone future 1020, his alt Lucca, alt Glenn, & alt Flea).

I thought that if he came upon Gaspar as or slightly before he comes to know about the ZEAL Project, that Gil would immediately want to seek out ZEAL, his main goal being to find his sister or to find a working Time Egg to change things. I thought that this way, he (and probably Flea) would be captured by ZEAL...Marcy, alt Lucca & alt Glenn would either stay in the EoT or possibly travel to into the new Toma-Keystone timeline. I would be very open to killing of Flea & Glenn down the line in the story for some purpose or another, but Marcy & alt Lucca are important for Gil's later story.

Either that or I'm sure I could even work out Marcy & alt Lucca beforehand somehow. If I were to have Gil, I don't think he'd have much of a big part in the story. He basically would be a prisoner. Especially with how powerful the ZEAL people seem to be, it would be hard for him to escape.

I could imagine using my Glenn, but this seems like a real possibility for how he gets there in the first place...I wasn't sure about him because I really haven't written his part out yet...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 05, 2004, 12:23:07 pm
I've just added my character to the sketches thread. If it's possible, she could be worked into this chapter. Otherwise, I'll adjust her bio and have her be captured from a different time/place.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 05, 2004, 05:34:11 pm
That shouldn't be a problem.

However, we've got three people captured by Zeal and escaping in the first chapter. It would seem pretty outlandish to me if all three were totally unrelated, so I figure it would probably be a good idea if all three people involved (Translanka, Leebot, and RD) coordinated the escape scene.

Furthermore, I don't think we need any more captives after this. New characters should be through-and-through Keystonian.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 05, 2004, 06:38:52 pm
That shouldn't be much of a problem; Sigma's going to need someone to rescue her. There might be a problem with the time involved, though. As I have her bio, it should take quite a while for her to reach the point where she's ready to break out (somewhere between a couple of weeks and a month). The other characters may have to spend some time cooling their heels before an opportunity arises to escape.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 05, 2004, 06:55:26 pm
Hmm.

From my understanding, RD's character - Argus - will be making his soon almost right off the bat.

Translanka planned on Gil being detained by Zeal and having him escape somehow. I'm not sure of any further details right now.

We need one huge jailbreak, with everyone being detained at the same place, more or less. Three people from three separate places all slipping through the cracks and escaping into Keystone - evading the wary eyes of Zeal in the process - seems a little unbelievable. You'd better believe that people would be sacked and security increased after one incident, much less a second - and there is zero way to physically overpower your way through.

However, there will be several groups of people travelling from Zeal to Keystone to tamper with the timeline, among other things. Once Argus makes his escape, Sessimine & Naomi will be taking a friendly trip to Keystone to hunt him down. (For reasons to be discussed...) Both Gil and Sigma could accompany them on "offical" grounds if that works out better. (Again, reasons for which to be discussed...)

Sound like a plan?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Radical_Dreamer on October 05, 2004, 07:08:49 pm
Could work, although I was planning on having Gil provide (if only temporarily) Dreamstone for Argus to help make his escape. And yes, his plan is to get out of ZEAL like a bat out of hell, just as soon as he can find a way. If Gil is also a captive, they can escape using Gil's Dreamstone. Sigma can be released a scenario down the line when people start going back in to ZEAL to infiltrate.

The question is, if they take Sigma with them, how does that work within the timeline? I'm fine with doing that if it works out from a story perspective.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 05, 2004, 07:30:53 pm
That might not be much of a problem if Argus and Gil don't arrive in the prison until a couple of weeks after Sigma was brought in. Otherwise, I don't see much possibility of ZEAL trusting Sigma on any sort of official business. If you can think of a good idea, however, let me know.

Another possibility is that while in prison, either Gil or Argus hears a rumor of a girl resistant to magic, and later decides to rescue her. The problem with this is that security would probably have been raised at that point. This problem might be solved if we say the stasis chambers are in an ultra-low security area, as no one expects them to break out. (Aside: This stasis is the same technology as was used on Crono's party)
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 05, 2004, 09:15:06 pm
Ah, I misunderstood. I wasn't quite sure if you meant weeks/month in story-related time or actually not being ready to post until then.

Keystonian incursions into Zeal won't happen until much later down the road. Essentially, that's the second phase of the project. The subplots will more or less end and Keystone's attempt to return fire begins.

The idea of Sigma (and possibly Gil, depending on how Translanka wants to work this out) being "officially" returned to Keystone wouldn't be a simple release. After Argus flees Zeal, the Council is going to be pissed - after all, one of the brightest students that they chose to become a member of the Temporal School just decides to jump ship and screw up their plans - and then successfully escapes. So they don't look incompetent, they'll dispatch Nanashi to track him down and brutally put and end to his life; however, they're curious fellows. The Council is going to want to know why Argus did what he did and learn as much about him as possible so that they don't make the mistake selecting someone similiar in the future. For that task, they'll ask/demand Sessimine to hunt Argus down and throughly dissect his mind before the Nanashi wipe him out.

Conveniently, there also happens to be someone detained in a previous excursion in stasis - who is believed to be a member of some underground resistance movement and who has demonstrated an unusual resistance to magic for a simple Keystonian - from the very era Sessimine will be heading to. Sigma could be dragged along for the purposes of trying to get more information out of her and so forth.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 05, 2004, 09:49:06 pm
Just a thought: If Sigma escaped first, before Argus, perhaps ZEALians could use Argus and Gil to track them down and then A & G could attempt an escape using Gil's Dreamstone...

Although I'm cool with the other way too...Perhaps A & G's escape plan (I'm guessing with both of their Magical abilities, it's going to be a big rucus), disingages Sigma's stasis pod-deal.

I don't really see Gil offering to help out Sigma just because she may or may not be Magic-resistent (or whatever) from some rumor they hear in prison. That seems outlandish...But perhaps the release of Sigma's stasis leads to the three of them finding one another. I imagine such stasis pods would be near the prisons (basically have the same function after all)...So that doesn't seem too bad...Or perhaps they would release others as a smoke-screen for their own escape...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 05, 2004, 10:09:40 pm
How or why Sigma is able to escape at the same time as Argus and Gil can easily be resolved. I see the timing of it all as much more important issue.

Argus should have been executed on the spot - its an administrative fluke that he lives. Zeal isn't going to use him to hunt down someone else, especially someone he has zero relation to.

If you're all going to escape at once, then your idea of releasing everyone in an attempt to divert attention seems to be a good one. For some reason or another, one of your characters notices Sigma and takes pity on her... who knows. Argus seems to be a character discovering a new sense of morality, so maybe as part of his "penitence" for his hand in distorting other timelines he sees Sigma and drags her along.

Remember, you guys are crossing dimensions here - that's not something even the most experienced temporal mage is going to be able to do on a whim. In the ensuing chaos, Argus makes his way to the laboratory where all of the experiments go on and uses his access to the facility to manipulate a dimensional gate there - without Argus, no one's getting in there without permission.

Now that we seem to have confirmed that Argus and Gil will be escaping together, I suppose Leebot needs to decide whether he wants Sigma to flee with the two of them or follow Sessimine & Naomi later. (Or perhaps some other option, but these seem to be the most viable to me.)
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 05, 2004, 11:03:08 pm
I've been thinking...I've stated that I want my alt. Flea to be there...And so far it's as if we're treating her as dying beforehand...But perhaps we could use her as part of the escape plan (perhaps devoid of the other's knowledge at first). Flea stays behind to distract, and meets her end that way. I think this sounds plausible and it would greater ensure G & A's escape. Flea is, of course, very Magically inclined, and she also has confusion magic (I've forgotten the name of the spell exactly...but you get the picture), which would be very helpful in a planned escape, regardless.

I see your point though, Gil needs Argus to escape. Then perhaps Argus is the one to insist on helping Sigma...Gil would basically have no choice in the matter...He doesn't know his way around, he doesn't know the exits...He's too unfamiliar, where Argus has experience with this version of ZEAL.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 05, 2004, 11:27:49 pm
Flea can meet her end here too if you like. Sounds like you've got a lot to accomplish rather quickly.

Yeah, Argus is really what makes escape from Zeal possible. No one's just going to be nice and open up a gate to Keystone for a random intruder. Argus is going to do the dirty work himself, knowing there's pretty much no looking back.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 05, 2004, 11:31:13 pm
Yeah, I guess I kinda was lost as to where ZEAL was...For some reason I was thinking there was some actual physical ZEAL presence in the Keystone timeline...I think I was thinking of something else...But yeah, that all makes some kind of sense now that I think about it *heh heh*

Also, in the Introduction thread, are we all supposed to/allowed to introduce our Keystone Characters? So far, I only see ZEAL stuff, so I was wondering if I should post some little bit for Hunter Deschain yet...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 05, 2004, 11:44:52 pm
Actually, I'd originally meant that the stasis pod failed as yet another instance of Sigma's resistance popping up. How about this, assuming they all escape at the same time: Sigma's stasis pod fails. ZEAL doesn't bother with a full-time guard on the stasis pods, so she's free to make an escape attempt. Having no experience in sneaking around or combat, she's soon cornered by guards. At this point, Argus (possibly with Gil) rushes into this room, defeats the guards (I'm assuming that he is sufficiently capable to do so), saving Sigma in the process. She then latches on to him.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 05, 2004, 11:49:41 pm
Go right ahead if you like. Ideally, we should try and clump Zeal posts together and Keystone posts together to achieve a greater degree of continuity, but that's not always possible. Don't let that hold you back from posting.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Radical_Dreamer on October 05, 2004, 11:52:33 pm
Should the Gil and Argus perspective stories start out in Gil's dimension? To give a little back ground information. Or should they (or just one) start out in ZEAL after whatever goes down in Gil's dimension, and then refer to those events later, for a bit more mystery?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 06, 2004, 12:05:56 am
Well, you don't want to drag on and on in the introduction. Remember that you're aiming to appear in front of Gaspar eventually. The longer you make that journey, the more you have to write. I think it would be best to start with the jailbreak as your first scene, that way Argus' motivations can be revealed later. It would make him appear to have more depth if his origins and story are revealed to the rest of the party later.

Remember that while we can see the outside discussion here, when we eventually post this as a single body of fanfiction, the readers aren't going to know all these details we're explaining in these threads.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 06, 2004, 07:01:04 am
Yeah, that sounds good...Gil can either give a brief synopsis of his situation, if Argus inquires...or things can be situated later, when Gil makes it back to the EoT, where Elle & Marcy await to continue their journey, and Glenn sets apart into Gasper's crew (that is, if the Glenn situation is figured out).
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 07, 2004, 12:44:20 am
Alright, I've got a chapter written out which covers the time from when Sigma awakens in prison up to her being put into stasis. I'm not sure where I should post it, though, as the main story thread hasn't even reached to beginning of the Toma operation, yet. I'm thinking that maybe I should start a new thread to cover the jailbreak subplot. Does this sound like a good idea?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 07, 2004, 05:02:23 pm
Don't create a new thread for it.

See the one that says "Story Thread: Introduction"? Post it there. Everything leading up to the first meeting with Gaspar belongs in that thread. After that, one titled "Story Thread: Toma Subplot" (or something similiar) will be created and further posts will be placed there. New threads for the beginning of each subplot will be posted more than likely.

If everyone started creating their own story threads, establishing any sort of continuity would become rather difficult, and a hassle to keep track of to boot.

Also, remember that you don't have to post everything at once. You don't have to get to the End of Time in a single post.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 07, 2004, 07:53:59 pm
Ok, things are off to a good, rolling start. After Leebot's scene, what's next? Eventually I'm going to post a scene depicting Roget Parrion tidy up the destroyed timeline, and going through the motions for accessing the Keystone Dimension. This will precede the big breakout, so post here so we can get these scenes structured.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 07, 2004, 08:28:26 pm
So how are we dealing with Gaspar knowing/finding out about ZEAL? Because my Gil/Magness people go directly to the EoT first, and then Gil & Flea leave for ZEAL...and even that I'm not sure how I should go about doing...I need to first clarify that, or else I'll skip that part and have Gil & Flea already captured, I guess? Did I already decide that...? Damn my forgetfulness...

:evil:
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 07, 2004, 09:07:58 pm
For the sake of keeping things simple, I'd recommend starting with Gil captured.

At some point in the Introduction, ZeaLitY will write a piece about Gaspar noticing alternations within time. (Or at least I'd assume he is.)

Now that I think about it, that needs to happen before the jailbreak, doesn't it? That would mean Zeal has already started its experiment on Keystone before the jailbreak... otherwise, the breakout will happen and then those characters will have to escape Zeal to Keystone and then go back to the EoT.

Right? Let's cement the order of events quickly before we start writing ourselves into a corner.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 07, 2004, 10:06:42 pm
Just a thought: If we have four or more people escaping Zeal via a time gate, it provides us with a really good way to get to the End of Time. So far, we have Argus, Sigma, and Gil for sure. If Flea (or someone else) comes along, we're set.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 08, 2004, 04:44:12 am
I always assumed that Gaspar was to find out about ZEAL before the jailbreak...because, as I said, my Gil (and his Magness crew) was supposed to be coming from the EoT.

Also, I figure that after Argus, Sigma & Gil get to Keystone (I'm against Flea making iit myself...), one of two things could occur...Both being relatively the same and depending upon what Gil tells Marcy & Elle to do (I'm for the first).

1. The three of them find one (at least) of the other characters from Keystone and that person joins them (perhaps on suggestions from Gil who knows 3+1 or more=EoT).

2. Gil splits off back into his own adventure (and to reunite w/Marcy & Elle) and Argus & Sigma find at least two of the other characters...

Like I said, I'm more for 1 because I want Gil to go back to the EoT where he'd have left Marcy, Elle, & my Glenn. Glenn will stay behind as one of the heroes for Gaspar...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 08, 2004, 09:38:25 am
Alright. Then we need one more character involved in the jailbreak so that they've got an easy trip to the End of Time.

Until we hear from ZeaLitY, let's wait to actually post the jailbreak scene until something involving Gaspar and the alterations to Keystone's timeline are noticed. Or at least, don't actually go and make a run for the gate.

(And yes, #1 seems like an easier setup to get Glenn into the story.)
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 08, 2004, 10:15:15 pm
I don't know about that...although I suppose since this (the jailbreak) is happening later on, but I don't know if they should so quickly gain access to the EoT...I mean, if someone's got a character they think should be imprisoned, then that's great, but to just pick someone up and throw 'em in ZEAL? I was getting the impression that it was a little implausible for three people to escape, let alone four...

I figured that it'd be a good way to get one (or more) of the Keystone characters to the EoT if they go there first...It would also give some interaction between the characters and possibly give us some greater insight into them as individuals. Like you said, the people reading the ZEAL Project, won't have the knowledge of either the Character Sketches or any of these threads really...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 08, 2004, 10:36:00 pm
Oh cool; that might be interesting to have them be siphoned out of ZEAL in maybe two trips, so they end up a Keystone first. This could give a description of some of the scenery (Guardia, Fiona's Forest) and later have them all use a Gate and end up at the End of Time.

It works however you'd like to do it, though. Their arrival from ZEAL directly into the EoT might give Gaspar the initial reasoning to check out what the heck exactly is going on.

I'll post my Roget scene soon.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 09, 2004, 02:33:59 am
The reason I figure getting everyone out of ZEAL at once works best is that dimensional travel is something that can only be done by manipulating Zeal's technology - namely, that at the Centre of Dimensional Research or whatever we decide to name it. After one group successfully breaks free and is able to access the gate, having someone else do the same seems totally implausible - especially even the fact that the only reason the first jump was possible was that Argus, someone who worked there, was part of the escape group.

Maybe they don't have to all go to the EoT at once, but as for leaving ZEAL... I mean really, that's like someone breaking into Fort Knox and three days later someone else breaking in, after security has been amped up even more.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 09, 2004, 04:24:17 am
Gaspar can be negligent and forgetful at times, so we may not need to expressly worry about that. I'm going to go ahead with the Roget scene and make a reference to Argus's betrayal and the capture of Gil.

Before I do Roget, I need to know--

V Translanka, the timeline Roget's going to come off the tail end of destroying is Magness's alternate dimension?
Who are the prisoners from this dimension (Gil, Flea, Glenn)?

I'll reference the prisoners being taken from the dimension before it falls to apocalyptic ruin, but we need a headcount. Sigma might come from this dimension as well, but it is plausible that she comes from Keystone, found by the earliest exploration team sent in.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 09, 2004, 04:26:49 am
Yeah, ZeaLitY...The only thing is, Gil is supposed to be there (ZEAL) after coming from the EoT and finding out from Gaspar about ZEAL and what it's been up to...That's why Gil's there in the first place...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 09, 2004, 11:44:09 am
Quote from: ZeaLitY
I'll reference the prisoners being taken from the dimension before it falls to apocalyptic ruin, but we need a headcount. Sigma might come from this dimension as well, but it is plausible that she comes from Keystone, found by the earliest exploration team sent in.


Actually, I'd originally planned for her to be from Keystone (specifically Choras of 600 AD), and have been captured by one of the first ZEAL teams to be sent int.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 09, 2004, 01:03:37 pm
Quote from: V_Translanka
Yeah, ZeaLitY...The only thing is, Gil is supposed to be there (ZEAL) after coming from the EoT and finding out from Gaspar about ZEAL and what it's been up to...That's why Gil's there in the first place...


Hmm.

Would it be plausible to suggest that for some reason ZEAL had taken an interest in Gil and detained him?

Although, having the Gaspar scene first would solve everything neatly. We could start the jailbreak and have the Gaspar scene somewhere in the middle, but make a point of it that Gaspar has been witnessing these changes for some time. Perhaps that will give him a better point of view to speak from rather than just seeing the alterations for the first time.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 09, 2004, 02:10:41 pm
Ok. Under this structure

-Keystone was found around one month ago, perhaps just left on a queue of dimensions to be investigated
-Sigma was captured by the first reconnaissance team sent in to survey Keystone
-Gaspar noticed slight ripples in time due to the entrance of these teams, leading to his beginning research
-Gil somehow returned to Keystone from Magness, and spoke with Gaspar
-Gil shadows Nanashi, eventually returning to ZEAL and being captured
-Argus betrays the project after learning of horrors done to the Magness Dimension
-Roget Parrion oversees the final destruction of the Magness Dimension
-Argus is detained with Alt. Flea, Gil, Sigma, Alt. Glenn
-JAILBRAKE LOALZ

How does that work?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 09, 2004, 06:05:58 pm
That works fine, from my perspective, at least.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 09, 2004, 06:47:44 pm
That seems perfect...Aside from two minor details...

1. Gil & Co. don't really touch down on Keystone first, they come straight to the End of Time using the 3+ party combo via the Magness alternate dimension.

2. My alt Glenn/Kaeru wasn't supposed to be part of the ZEAL deal (yet at least), I wanted him to stay around in the End of Time for a while, perhaps gaining more information about what exactly ZEAL has been up to. Perhaps talking with other Keystone people that finally make it to the End of Time (if there is any that arrive before Sigma, Gil, & Argus). That way, greater heightening his resolve to do something about ZEAL.

Plus, if Glenn/Kaeru went with Gil & Flea, then they'd eventually head straight to the End of Time when Argus creates his portal. Seeing how I want Flea to be killed (or further detained), it would just be Sigma, Gil & Argus going through Argus's gate, and thusly into the Keystone Dimension...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 09, 2004, 07:27:46 pm
Alright, now we just need to decide scenes. Should we have Gaspar notice things right now, immediately followed by V Translanka writing about Gil and then Roget? Argus will come in eventually, but perhaps he can do most of the jailbreak scene. If Symmetry wants to, he can also depict Nanashi checking stuff out.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 09, 2004, 07:59:40 pm
There are other possibilities for a fourth person; perhaps a prison guard is chasing them down while they go into the gate and goes in with them. Otherwise, we'll have to figure out where and when they're going to in Keystone, and then how they get to the End of Time.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 09, 2004, 08:56:25 pm
I thought it would be easier to have them go to Keystone so that some of the Keystone characters could have an 'easy-in' to the End of Time by coming with them.

I was thinking that perhaps it could start with either Gil getting captured and maybe then Argus getting holed up, or the break occurring...and then we could have Gil explain what Gaspar told him in greater detail later, in Keystone...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 10, 2004, 12:43:00 am
I don't think there's any mechanic that justifies this, but we could always go with the simple solution of Gaspar just summoning everyone involved. That eliminates the need for everyone to find four people before getting sucked into a gate.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 10, 2004, 05:47:54 pm
Problems that just occurred to me -

First of all, can a dimensional jump even lead directly to the End of Time? I don't think anything in the Chrono Series even hints at this. Perhaps we don't even need to worry about how many people are involved in the jailbreak for gate purposes - their destination is whatever time it is on the other side of the gate, not the EoT...

Secondly, if direct jumps to the EoT were possible, don't you think ZEAL would have come into contact with it already? Surely they must have sent more than three people through a dimensional gate at once....

Thoughts? Maybe we do need to head to Keystone from ZEAL before reaching the EoT.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 10, 2004, 06:31:41 pm
The technics of the jailbreak, to my understanding, is that the escapees will storm the Centre for Dimensional Research. Argus will know how to operate the object-stimulation to exploit a dimensional Gate that will take them to the Keystone Dimension. However, since its a form of foreign temporal displacement of objects in Keystone, Conservation of Time Theorem will kick in once the dimensions are crossed and route them to the End of Time.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 10, 2004, 08:12:50 pm
Alright.

That still presents us with an interesting (Perhaps someone else considered this before - I certainly didn't.) problem. Surely ZEAL must know of the End of Time, which means it would be difficult to use the EoT as a safe haven for Gaspar & Co. (Personally, I had been visualizing it as such.)
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 10, 2004, 09:13:12 pm
Only thing left now is to plan out the stuff before the jail break, and the jail itself. I suppose Translanka will need a scene to set up his characters in ZEAL, and Radical Dreamer might do the betrayal. Before the actual jailbreak, I'll do Roget Parrion's scene, and then you can decide how to split up the real break scene itself.

I retract some of my earlier statements; CoT is really limited to Entity-made Gates. Thus, the guys might really come into Keystone regardless of the number coming through. You thus might have them come into Keystone and have some comic relief as they try to figure out what time they're in; Gaspar will beam them up soon enough. 1stoftheLast, later you might have a scene to introduce your character as well, as he'll be beamed up with the rest for the briefing.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 12, 2004, 11:00:18 pm
Oh and 1stofthelast, you can jump in at anytime.

RD, V Translanka, Leebot if you wish -- you've all got a greenlight. Just don't do the jailbreak YEEET, but go ahead and set it up.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 13, 2004, 12:04:24 am
Well, I've already written all of Sigma's story up until her section of the jailbreak, so I'll hold off for a bit.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: 1stoftheLast on October 13, 2004, 02:17:53 am
Zeality I have a question.  Can I write my character's intorduction with him already being contacted by gaspar and told that he would be needed?  Or should I hold off and just introduce him without any interruption to his usual routine?  I ask because I figure he wouldn't be seen again untill he was "beamed" up with the rest and was wondering if Gaspar was talking to anyone one before assembling them?  But I don't want to mess with the plot if thats not the case.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 13, 2004, 02:22:11 am
Hm. I'm sorry if this is stepping on your toes, but go ahead and have him at the Earthbound. Gaspar won't really know whats up until those guys come in from the jailbreak, and tell him who these weirdos traveling through Keystone are. He'll then activate the Hero-Signal, and they'll convene at the End of Gotham.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 14, 2004, 01:21:53 am
About Getting Gil & Flea in ZEAL:

Okay, at first I was thinking it'd be easy to allow them access by simply following the Nanashi (or whoever) that take Sigma from Giant's Claw...But as it's been said so far, that is how Gaspar finds out about them...Although, I've noticed in ZeaLitY's scene, that Gaspar never outlines this (he's fairly vague about what he knows so far, just that there's messing abouts)...So I was wondering, could it be that Gaspar somehow finds out at some earlier time than the capture of Sigma? I'm guessing yes...but need this okayed...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 14, 2004, 01:45:54 am
Oh, I'm not sure where that was said. It's perfectly okay for Gil and Flea to follow the Nanashi without Gaspar ever really noting it. I was going to have him learn of the entire situation via Argus and the other jailbreak guys, who would explain what they saw.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 14, 2004, 06:41:32 pm
But that totally messes with how Gil knows about ZEAL in the first place...My plan was that Gil & Magness Co. come directly into the whole ZEAL Project storyline via the End of Time, Gaspar tells about ZEAL (or 'someone', he's not sure about) messing with time, Gil is obviously interested for personal reasons, and he and Flea leave the End of Time to shadow the Nanashi back to ZEAL.

I just didn't know when Gaspar knew or what he knew...

I suppose I could make it so that Gil follows the Nanashi from another point aside from the capture of Sigma, but really Gil has to find out about ZEAL via Gaspar...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 14, 2004, 07:00:04 pm
That should work out fine.

Gaspar has been watching ZEAL's appearances in Keystone for some time now, right?

So Gil learned about ZEAL through Gaspar, traveled to ZEAL, and ended up being captured somehow. Just start your posts with the jailbreak scene and how precisely he got there can be described later. ZeaLitY's scene with Gaspar didn't assert that this was his FIRST time seeing a temporal alteration, did it?

Have we resolved whether or not direct travel from ZEAL in a group of four would lead to the EoT?

I think that's problematic. The EoT needs to be a safe haven of sorts - otherwise ZEAL would have stumbled upon it already. ZEAL's power over time should be great enough to overcome the weaknesses in the Entity's gate system. (Only being able to send three through time at once...)
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 14, 2004, 07:09:57 pm
How about we say that travel from ZEAL won't trigger it, but while they're in Keystone, Sigma, Gil, Argus, and whoever stumble across a gate subject to the Conservation of Time Theorem, or which leads directly to the End of Time anyway (perhaps placed there by Gaspar).
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 14, 2004, 07:38:13 pm
Yes, that's the idea. Because Gaspar's chosen are using Entity-created gates within Keystone, the Conservation of Time Theorem does apply to them.

Thus - if some Zealians were to travel through time within Keystone using Entity gates, they too would wind up at the EoT - although they really have no reason to be using one. Hence, their failure to stumble across the EoT.

Is this agreeable to everyone?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 14, 2004, 08:32:04 pm
I've been thinking of rough ideas for the scene in which Toma actually locates the shell. Ybrik Metaknight will be handling this. Thus far, I've brainstormed that maybe two Nanashi can escort Toma through the Giant's Claw, defeating enemies and ripping the Rust Tyrano in half. It'd give us a chance to see a fight scene without going gung-ho action so soon.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 14, 2004, 08:49:42 pm
That would be pretty cool. I mean, hey - a little "oilshed" to get the crowd going...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 14, 2004, 10:11:28 pm
That Gate situation seems about right. Either: 1. ZEAL wouldn't risk sending 4 or more through a gate at a time because of the CoT (why risk going to some Temporal location of least resistence when they know nothing of it or of its safety) because they can simply create another gate and send 3 more through or 2. ZEAL's gates simply aren't subjected to CoT, only Entity Gates are.

I'm kind of parshal to the first, but either works for me, really...

As for Toma...I think it'd be better for the Nanashi not to escort Toma, but perhaps to simply go through Giant's Claw before Toma and whipe everything threatening to Toma out of commission. You wouldn't want Toma to know about ZEAL so directly, right? Little changes first.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 14, 2004, 11:56:35 pm
Good call.

Then having a scene with the Nanashi kicking arse alone might work.

Any takers?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 15, 2004, 06:03:07 am
Uh, not it...Sounds cool, and I want to read it so I know more about what these Nanashi look like...

But I've got enough on my plate as is: Magness, Project ZEAL: Hunter & Amy, Project ZEAL: Gil & Flea Jailbreak, Project ZEAL: Kaeru, A Writer's Story (another co-auther project/contest over at FFInsider.net), and whatever the hell else I happen to be writing...Oh yeah, and a couple classes (Business English & Contemp World Probs) too...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 17, 2004, 05:23:58 pm
Not to step on anyone's toes, but it would be nice if whoever is starting the whole jailbreak scenario would go ahead and get the ball rolling. A lot of people's future posts (Well, everyone involved, really!) are kinda hinging on this one event.

Remember that you don't need huge posts everytime, especially if someone else is writing about the same event you are.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 17, 2004, 06:32:19 pm
I believe Radical_Dreamer is the one who'll be starting the jailbreak scene.

On a related note, I'm working on my first Backer post. The way I have it, it will end with him finding out about the Rainbow Shell, so it should lead in well to the Toma scenario.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Radical_Dreamer on October 17, 2004, 08:04:46 pm
Quote from: Leebot
I believe Radical_Dreamer is the one who'll be starting the jailbreak scene.

On a related note, I'm working on my first Backer post. The way I have it, it will end with him finding out about the Rainbow Shell, so it should lead in well to the Toma scenario.


Fair enough. Has a conclusion been reached on exactly who is getting sprung along with Argus?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 17, 2004, 08:21:09 pm
Sigma, definitely. I don't think we've clarified whether both Gil and Flea or just Gil will be there, or how they'll end up in the prison in the first place.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 18, 2004, 07:51:43 pm
Yeah, I thought I was going to post them already in jail...Gil & Flea...I was going to have them shadow the Nanashi that captured Sigma...and then they would be captured themselves upon arrival in ZEAL...

I'm pretty much done with it and I'll post it either later today or tommorrow...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 19, 2004, 05:38:36 pm
I was sitting in Economics class, and

(http://www.lifeinlegacy.com/2003/0920/GozHarryCaptainMurphy.jpg)

A Koala Bear crapped a rainbow in my brain!

I've been thinking about how we can give everyone the most artistic freedom while still having the plot move on. I was also thinking of some of the issues Toma finding the Rainbow Shell could cause, and realized:

Every action can cause nameless civil wars, deaths of kings and such, etc. and its better that we don't generalize the effects like this. Sometimes we don't even have a reason to change things save to preserve time from unnecessary outside influence.

Next, I've been thinking of how we can do everyone's characters and keep it fresh and free. For instance:

Gaspar doesn't know where the changes originate immediately, instead locating particularly big points of change in time and dispatching heroes there. For Toma:

2329 A.D.

Gryph and Backer sent to investigate political matters preventing the reestablishment of Chronopolis (Backer keeps Gryph in sane line :) )

1003 A.D.

Juan and Sigma are sent to explore rumors of wild, prismatic Element use in El Nido; Juan knows El Nido like his backyard, while Sigma is a contigency for the use of these prismatic devices against the two.

607 A.D.

Alt-Glenn and Jack Nova sent to search strange phenomena around the mountains; Glenn because he knows the time period, and Jack because he's a superior outdoorsman and they'll be traveling in Denadoro.

Such a model would give everyone a chance to develop chemistry between characters and write their own scenes. Eventually we might all converge back to one central point of issue for resolving subplots, but in the meantime we can have everyone dealing with things in their assigned time periods. As you can see, different characters might hit up different areas due to skills in those places.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 19, 2004, 06:14:21 pm
Having multiple subplots go on at once instead of one at a time. Why didn't we think of this earlier?  :o

I like it - although we shouldn't try to have too many going on at once. Perhaps we should try and end up with ~3 in each subplot group?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 19, 2004, 06:27:19 pm
Sounds good. These cats will usually travel in groups, too. Of course, the royalty vs. Council subplot will always be hanging over everything.

by the way, really important thing I forgot --

Since we've set it up so Gil has already come in and learned about Project ZEAL from Gaspar, who no doubt has figured it out through observation, we probably need to go back in time and substitute the scene where the Nanashi clear out the Giant's Claw and Toma finds the Shell before V Translanka's post so that we're chronologically correct. I'll ask Ybrik if he's up for stringing something. I believe we can still retroactively add it.

I suppose in other news, Radical Dreamer and I (Gaspar) are up. I'll hold off Roget until something gets going, unless anyone has good advice. I've already been thinking of what Gaspar will say, and I have a pretty good speech planned that justifies the coming of all these guys to the End of Time.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Radical_Dreamer on October 19, 2004, 06:44:41 pm
Look for draft one in the writting critique thread. If it gets the ok, I'll post it in the main story thread.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 19, 2004, 07:04:00 pm
This gives me an opportunity to use Roget. I'm going to do his scene right now before the jailbreak, ending it with a few bangs down the hall or something before the guys are sprung. Any objections/clarifications to this?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Radical_Dreamer on October 19, 2004, 07:19:30 pm
Go for it. I wanted to do this scene as a set up, to build a little tension before the actual escape. After this, Argus and Gil will escape, and spring Sigma with them. Sound good?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 19, 2004, 09:12:33 pm
The splitting sounds good...although my other two (Keystoners) have been left out...I still need to finish up on their introductions...

The Argus & Gil escape sounds good though...go for it...I hope I haven't limited anything with my descriptions of the cells...After I realized I couldn't possibly have them detained in a single cell, I had to make a way for Gil's Pendant to get to Argus...so I made the weaknesses in the energy fields (for food or whatever) to compensate...I dunno which sounds more unlikely, them getting locked up together, or the fields having holes...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 21, 2004, 11:00:02 am
Well, after my most recent post, Backer's immediate future is indeterminate. If Argus takes the escapees to 1021 AD (time-wise; location-wise I could do El Nido, Choras area, or Medina area easily), it would be a good way to get Backer involved.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 21, 2004, 07:20:53 pm
Interesting, I had planned for my other two people (Hunter & Amy) to be around those same places (most likely El Nido) in 1025AD, although I could change the year easily enough to cram in the whole lot of them...I really like the character of Backer...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 21, 2004, 08:54:59 pm
Backer does indeed seem pretty kickass. I wasn't sure what to make of him from your sketch, but your post establishes him as a unique character very nicely. He reminds me a little bit of Presea, if you're familiar with Tales of Symphonia.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 23, 2004, 06:45:55 pm
I've got one possible effect of the Rainbow Shell's being found thought up. Since the Rainbow Shell never travels in time, it is truly absent from Guardia. While Chrono Trigger would still occur as it did, Marle wouldn't have really reconciled with her father, and the entire plot would not have taken place. This leaves it open for the chancellor to try something, or Marle's father to die earlier than he should have, possibly leading to the Mystic overtaking of the kingdom or an earlier fall of Guardia. Once we figure it out exactly, someone can write a scene depicting the fall, death of the King, or something.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 24, 2004, 01:14:53 am
I think a "Mystic Revolution" would be a little much to start with. A slightly earlier fall of Guardia works, but we don't want anything too drastic at this point, right?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on October 24, 2004, 11:09:16 pm
Yeah, the way I see it, everything basically still occurs in Trigger as it was, only minus the Rainbow Shell sidequest...

Then things happen in Porre because of the Rainbow Shell...Although...Now that I think about it...It wasn't Porre that hired Toma, was it? It was that one village between Guardia & Porre that dissapeared sometime between 600 & 1000...Hmm...What was the name of that place again? Perhaps they would become a third kingdom of power on Zenan...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on October 24, 2004, 11:52:21 pm
That would be Dorino; I used it as a Porre military base in my second Backer post. The history I implied was that because of the Rainbow Shell, Dorino didn't fall off the face of the earth, but was eventually annexed by Porre, giving them possession of the Rainbow Shell and enabling Backer's existence. For now, I don't think we have to do many other alterations to the timeline from this event; remember that it was supposed to be minor.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 24, 2004, 11:55:14 pm
Okay,

We have two issues we need to decide upon.

1. The general results of the Toma alteration upon Keystone.

2. The other subplot that will be taking place at the same time as the Toma plot.

With this in mind, let's try and focus our discussion.

For the most part, I think alterations to Keystone should be pretty minor and ultimately inconsequential at this stage. (IE, 500 years from the alteration, little should be different from the pre-alteration timeline.) As Translanka suggested, perhaps Dorino (That was the village's name, correct?) hangs around instead of succumbing to whatever finished it off - however, I think the rise of a third power might be a serious long-run alteration. Maybe Dorino could survive, only to be usurped by Porre as time progresses. Thus, Dorino might serve as a Porrean outpost.

Nothing springs to mind right now for a second subplot.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on October 24, 2004, 11:56:09 pm
Quote from: Leebot
That would be Dorino; I used it as a Porre military base in my second Backer post. The history I implied was that because of the Rainbow Shell, Dorino didn't fall off the face of the earth, but was eventually annexed by Porre, giving them possession of the Rainbow Shell and enabling Backer's existence. For now, I don't think we have to do many other alterations to the timeline from this event; remember that it was supposed to be minor.


Great minds think alike, huh?  :D

I was writing my post at the same time. (In all probability your Backer post conjured up those ideas in my own mind without me realizing it.)
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on October 25, 2004, 02:22:52 am
How'd the jailbreak scene going? Like a joint writing or what? I've got Gaspar ready in my mind to write.

Oh, and --

I like Chrono Trigger.

WHO KNEW
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: chronotriggerfreak on November 09, 2004, 10:02:08 pm
Quote from: Leebot
That would be Dorino; I used it as a Porre military base in my second Backer post. The history I implied was that because of the Rainbow Shell, Dorino didn't fall off the face of the earth, but was eventually annexed by Porre, giving them possession of the Rainbow Shell and enabling Backer's existence. For now, I don't think we have to do many other alterations to the timeline from this event; remember that it was supposed to be minor.


This would actually fit with my ideas for Garg: Porre, either because Garg gains more popularity than Toma or just because of some innate military aspirations, eventually confronts their political "enemies," and this results in at least the annexation of Dorino. Whether the Rainbow Shell is gained in this process or not is not up to me, but I personally think that the Kingdom wouldn't leave such a precious thing in a city as it is invaded.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Dunsparce on November 10, 2004, 04:26:07 pm
Quote from: ZeaLitY

Next, I've been thinking of how we can do everyone's characters and keep it fresh and free. For instance:

Gaspar doesn't know where the changes originate immediately, instead locating particularly big points of change in time and dispatching heroes there. For Toma:

2329 A.D.

Gryph and Backer sent to investigate political matters preventing the reestablishment of Chronopolis (Backer keeps Gryph in sane line :) )

1003 A.D.

Juan and Sigma are sent to explore rumors of wild, prismatic Element use in El Nido; Juan knows El Nido like his backyard, while Sigma is a contigency for the use of these prismatic devices against the two.

607 A.D.

Alt-Glenn and Jack Nova sent to search strange phenomena around the mountains; Glenn because he knows the time period, and Jack because he's a superior outdoorsman and they'll be traveling in Denadoro.

Such a model would give everyone a chance to develop chemistry between characters and write their own scenes. Eventually we might all converge back to one central point of issue for resolving subplots, but in the meantime we can have everyone dealing with things in their assigned time periods. As you can see, different characters might hit up different areas due to skills in those places.


What about Jai? It feels like I'm being completely ignored because I don't want to release any important info on Jai's character or motivations. Or is it that I don't post much? (For your information, I check this site every weekday. It's just that I don't post much) Or is it that he hasn't entered the story yet at that point? No has told me what I can do for the time being. I feel like a sitting duck right now, waiting for who knows what reason.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: chronotriggerfreak on November 10, 2004, 05:23:02 pm
Make yourself a part. For example, in an average day of Jai's life, what would he be doing? Write an introductory portion in the (gasp!) Introduction thread that would show this sort of thing, so we can get used to his character. Or even write a portion describing some extraordinary day to get things rolling and show us how he handles under pressure.

Plus, quite frankly, I could care less about what you want to keep secret. If you want to do that, you keep it secret in-character only. We shouldn't bother keeping plans from each other out-of-character, because all it does is to create a mess. If you think we can better make plans for Jai's future if we knew certain things, then you ought to tell at least Zeality or Symmetry, if not just post it flat-out. Really, we're not your final audience.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on November 14, 2004, 10:38:29 pm
In preparation for the Gaspar scene, I need questions that your heroes will ask him. That way I can formulate answers and such; also, having heroes converse with each other in between answers is fine. This'll be a large, joint effort. Examples include "What is this place," "Why are we here," "Who are these people," "Why is Project ZEAL doing this," "Who the hell are you," etc.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on November 14, 2004, 11:53:18 pm
Let's see... Sigma will probably be too overwhelmed to speak out.

Backer, on the other hand, will probably be the only one who came to the End of Time of his own will, and coupled with the knowledge he'll glean from the Frozen Flame, he won't need to ask much besides "What do you need me to do?" He might also be interested in learning what exactly ZEAL's done that justifies his action.

A little elaboration on Backer's origins: He's something of a non-entity who wasn't supposed to exist in this dimension. Originally, his body was supposed to die in that experiment. However, a deity-like being (think an alternate dimension's FATE) intervened and exploited the circumstances to sculp a hero (explaining why his psyche seems computer-like). I plan to continue his story after this fic and reveal more, but that's about all that'll come into play in this fic. One possible extension of this could be Gaspar not expecting him to arrive (I'm not sure exactly how Gaspar's looking for heroes, but he might inconveniently miss Backer, who fortunately turns up on his own.). Or, maybe Gaspar noticed him, but didn't summon him as he would turn up on his own (bringing along Hunter and Amy).

Anyway, I plan to cover up through his arrival at the End of Time in my next scene.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Radical_Dreamer on November 15, 2004, 03:34:03 am
Argus would probably want to know what happened to the Zeal of the Keystone timeline, of any other significant historical events that might be of some use or that ZEAL might try to exploit, and what he can do to help.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on November 15, 2004, 06:03:54 am
Gil, having already been to the EoT prior, will mainly want to know when the whole ZEAL situation will end and what exactly the end-result will be...If such isn't already explained through conversing w/Argus. He will want to stay as far out of the entire situation as possible (the same for Marcy & Elle, who are also in the EoT). Mainly, he will want to wait the whole situation out until the end.

Kaeru, having been in the EoT (w/Marcy & Elle) will want to know what happened to his dimension and if it would be possible to go back (Elle might also wonder this). Since he won't, he'll want to help take ZEAL down for their atrocities against the Chrono Multiverse.

Hunter & Amy may wonder specifically about the Frozen Flame, whatever's decided happens to it in the end...Amy will be somewhat excited...Hunter cautious, a little confused, and really, I want a scene where he goes to the healing bucket and drinks some of the elixer, commenting on it possibly being somewhat alcoholic in flavour (just an idea) Amy would also benifit from a dose of the healing bucket (her hand's been f***ed up a bit).

I think the bucket might be a common spot for some of the travelers after either long battles or strenuous trips in getting to the EoT...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: ZeaLitY on November 15, 2004, 02:29:12 pm
Alright, this is good so far. I've also been thinking about the evaluation of the heroes capacities; before sending them on missions, Gaspar would like to know to an exact degree their abilities and limitations. Notwithstanding, Spekkio will have to confer magic on a few of them or open up the floodgates for that ability completely, so we may throw in a few training regimens. One such would be physical fighting, without magic; this would come in handy against the fragile citizens of ZEAL. Physical strength, endurance, etc. could also be tested, as well as magic prowess in certain areas. This can also be comedic, as Spekkio isn't one to let the time pass by dully.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on November 15, 2004, 06:22:34 pm
Just an idea.

Since we have a little variety in the degrees of talent between the characters, it might be interesting if Spekkio's form is slightly different to certain people. (He's supposed to mirror one's inner strength, right?) For example, Sigma might see Spekkio as a Kilwawa and Backer might see him as one of his other forms.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on November 16, 2004, 03:56:33 am
Actually, isn't Spekkio seen as the most powerful person in the party...or wait, isn't it the least powerful? Like even if Crono & Lucca were Lvl ** and they had Magus at Lvl 95 he wouldn't be the Pink Nu, he'd be the Masamune thingy, right?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Dunsparce on November 16, 2004, 07:36:47 pm
(First, I've been absent due to people hogging the computers at the Library where I get on the net. I'm very sorry for not having a working modem at this moment)

Jai would probibly listen to the queations and answer pateintly before speaking up in wantong to know what part he plays in the affairs of man (even though he secretly would love to be one himself, for personal reasons that hopefully will be explained in the future)
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on November 16, 2004, 10:18:38 pm
Quote from: V_Translanka
Actually, isn't Spekkio seen as the most powerful person in the party...or wait, isn't it the least powerful? Like even if Crono & Lucca were Lvl ** and they had Magus at Lvl 95 he wouldn't be the Pink Nu, he'd be the Masamune thingy, right?


Well, the game can only display one image of Spekkio at a time. I still think it would be a neat little tidbit for him to appear differently to different people, so take the idea or leave it as you so desire.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on November 28, 2004, 11:51:29 pm
I realize this past week the forums were down and its been a holiday, so the lack of posts recently doesn't surprise me. However, I'm still curious as how writing is preceeding on everyone's part.

The holidays are hectic for everyone, but I'd like for everyone to have gathered at the End of Time (who needs to) and for the big Gaspar scene to have taken place by the end of the year. I think this is a pretty reasonable goal for a month, no?

That means the party will actually have "begun" the Toma Subplot. Think we can accomplish this much?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on November 29, 2004, 03:42:40 pm
Well, as far as I know, Sigma and Backer won't be seeing any new chapters until the End of Time. I believe only the following episodes need to be continued before we can start at the End of Time:

-Claado's Gryph and Serian
-The Toma incident
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Claado Shou on November 29, 2004, 03:59:05 pm
I only need two more posts to get there, but since I was the last one to post in the story thread, I think I should wait for somebody else to post first.  Or should I?

Question: can somebody post two different characters' stories back-to-back?  Or is that considered hogging?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on November 29, 2004, 04:09:12 pm
Claado -

By all means, grace our fair project with as much writing as you like.

In theory, I'd say its best to hold up and refrain from flooding ZEAL with posts, but sometimes there are lengths where no one posts and you've got more to say; however, we don't seem to have a problem with one person totally drowning out everyone else with posts, so that really isn't a big concern.

If you'd like to post now, go right ahead. If you'd prefer to wait a little, I should have another post up by midweek and I believe Aitrus and ZeaLitY will follow up that soon after.

Leebot -

If you don't have anything else you need to say but are still interested in writing something, a short scene with Backer exploring the End of Time before everyone else arrives and it gets all busylike might be nice.


Also, what's the latest on the jailbreak? Last I remember, it was underway, but I don't think its been completely escaped yet. Radical Dreamer and Translanka are the only people involved with that now, right?
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Leebot on November 29, 2004, 04:39:29 pm
I see no problem with posting back-to-back; we can always rearrange the order of chapters later.

As for the jailbreak scene, we were planning to have Sigma reflect on how it ends in one of the first posts of the next thread, but if things are getting dull, I may write it up sooner.

I guess I could do a post like that for Backer, but he's currently with Hunter and Amy, and VT should be the one to explain what had happened to them from their encounter with the Frozen Flame. Now, if they ended up in different areas of the End of Time, it would work (given the violent nature of their arrival, this isn't unreasonable). I'm kind of envisioning the End of Time as a whole lot of malleable space that can be shaped by the mind to some extent (see my QC-like explanation in my article), with the area seen in CT being just a small part of it that Gaspar shaped. If this is reasonable, I'll work on it that way.

Now, if you really want more on Backer, I'll have Chapter 3 of my fanfic up pretty soon.
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: V_Translanka on November 29, 2004, 07:32:15 pm
I'm currently Out Of Commish til I get my comp fixed (probably a week or so)...If you're going to have Backer do some stuff in the EoT, have Hunter & Amy just still be knocked out for however long it takes...But also note that Kaeru, my version of Frog/Glenn & Elle, my version of Lucca & Marcy (slightly older version) are there as well...
Title: 1. Toma and the Rainbow Shell
Post by: Symmetry on November 29, 2004, 11:49:32 pm
I haven't gotten around to reading your article yet, Leebot, but offhand, the idea of having and End of Time with more to it than what we see in CT is interesting. Spekkio has his own room that seems mysteriously connected to the rest of the EoT through that door behind Gaspar, so maybe everyone in the party could have a doorway in the EoT leading to some private space where they chill out in their downtime or something.