Anvil's Ascent - Just who and what are we?

[Adjanah]

Right! I want some SPECIFICS now, since we're starting to reach a size that makes us need a proper description of us. Arch's entry yesterday put some things into relief...I sort of blew my top because he assumed certain things about us, which didn't mesh with what we'd built up over the last week. But then again, Arch had no way of knowing, since we haven't put anything down in writing (although I wish you'd asked, but nevermind that, it's more or less settled ^^ ).

Wulf has so far handled the actual backstory of the whole thing, and so far it is niiiiiiice. I have a few pointers I'd like to make in regards to the TONE of the whole thing and setting though. Something I *am* going to use my hobnailed army-boots to grind into position as well, since it is one of the main reasons I left LotRO:

- Lighthearted, not stupid.
What I mean by "lighthearted" is NOT to make characters that are merely jokes, characters that are deliberately stupid and not working in a group. We are going for a TEAM-feeling here more than anything. What is meant by "lighthearted" is this: More gung-ho adventure, less drama. If the drama level reaches critical mass, expect spankings, and not the nice kind. Apart from the little drama that is sure to evolve all on it's own, I'd REALLY like for the big drama to stem from villains only if at all possible, and even that in lighthearted fashion. Please keep it in mind when you develop your character. And if you have great doomy plans, please consult with me or Wulf first. Which brings me to the next point:

- Camp, but with class.
What we have going here should be based on the old superhero comics. Pretty, rather than sexy. Dastardly, rather than evil. It's adventure, not horror or adult-theme. If you want inspiration, have a look at the old Batman series (or as Sayv pointed out, which is even more precise: The Incredibles). While the Batman-series is TOO camp even for us, it still serves as a nice reference of do's and don'ts when it comes to old-style four-color superheros/heroines.

- We're a Team, not The Confederation of Assembled Superheroes.
Meaning, FEW members. If at all possible, just us from LotRO that want something different. As far as I'm concerned, we're ALMOST too many as it is. If we're going to add new members, they need to be EXCEPTIONALLY good. Just because somebody is a good roleplayer doesn't mean they should join us. That's what you have friendlists for. We are NOT aimed at twinked-out max-level raiding. We are SOLELY meant as as an rp-place, for as long as it lasts. This fun may only last a couple of months, but so far it is VERY much worth it in my book. Have had a LOT of fun.

The above is just a depiction of MY feelings towards all this. If you disagree, let's talk about it and reach a compromise.

Wulf, if you could etch up the publicly known details of the backstory, and whatever secrets you want us to OOC'ly know?

[Haelewulf]

One or two little details to iron out, then I'll have the general backdrop scene all ready and posted. *grins*

[Archibold]

Yes. I came there with a hero created just for a laugh. Not serious at all.
I had no idea you are so far up the "concept" lane.
Got Jetflare quite pissed

Anyway

Hope you guys post some background story sketch, so we can better make fitting heroes

[Sayvara]

Well... I must say that I was pretty turned of about going into an "old Batman" style game... until I came to think about "The Incredibles". That - for me - is an excellent setting and a perfect way of looking at this whole excursion. Cheered me up conciderably and actually got me into the game without too much kicking and screaming.

Oh... and the movie - The Incredibles I mean - is great. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

/S

[Haelewulf]

I too lend my support to the Incredibles. It is in my top ten films, for being awesome.

[Archibold]

Incredibles are great, but shame is that we didnt go with more modern approach to superhero comics

Like Mike Allreds - Atomics



Or X-Force



It is just a very fun approach , where there is multitude of superheroes , who are are always in media spotlight and are threated as pop superstars , and fight for ratings and marketing spots . It is a parody on today superstar crazed society

Thus , admitedly also the concept for Mr Perfect

[Haelewulf]

I gotta say, Archie, I still vastly prefer the Incredible approach... particularly on the basis that the game-world is geared far more in that direction.

Besides, I happen to detest celebrity culture. *chuckles*

[Adjanah]

Hear, hear. I have Jet hand out a few autographs on occasion, but he's no mediastar...even if he WANTS to be one. ^^ Just too many heroes around.

[Archibold]

Besides, I happen to detest celebrity culture. *chuckles*

It is meant to be a parody on celeb culture

[Adjanah]

Well, one still needs to find it funny to play on more than a "hur, let's make joke characters tonight!"-basis...we're likely going to play this for months, and I for one like what we have so far.
I would, however, not be opposed to MAKE characters like that for a single run only. As npc's, even I can find it funny. *nods*

[Archibold]

Still I really recomend reading some real good material.

I would suggest classics like

Dark knight returns, from Frank Miller
The Watchman, from Michael Moore
And above mentioned Mike Allred comic that give definetly post modernistic spin on
superheroe genre.

When i talk about wack characters, like Mr Perfect, i more base it on stuff like
The Tick , cartoon or Mystery Man movie

[Adjanah]

Dark Knight Returns and the Watchmen are awesome comics and very much on my hitlist as well. I heartily recommend them too, even if you're not into superheroes. I haven't read the Atomics, but from what I can see it looks real nice and might be something I pick up at some point.

That said, don't feel like you can't make the character you want to play, Arch. All of us have made characters that just seemed fun to play, and so far it has all fit together nicely.

But I do recommend basing our characters on what is actually going on in the setting we have here. Style-wise, Dark Knight is too dark and Watchmen is simply too serious for CoH. It would sort of like making a WoW character in LotRO because they're both "fantasy".

As for the CoH universe, it is based on more or less on 50s-style four-color superhero comics. It's a universe of mad scientists, killer robots, monsters from outer space, and so on and so forth. Base the character on that basis, just like we based our characters more or less on Middleearth in LotRO.

But if you really want to, you *can* play a character that would fit nicely in Watchmen or Dark Knight here. The only thing I really ask for is a character that can find a place in the group, and that does not take certain things for granted, like for example being a media-superstar unless everybody in the group is game on allowing you that perk. I for one would be opposed, since I feel it would simply be giving the character too much power compared to the rest of us, AND undermine part of the foundation behind Jet.

The thing about the CoH universe is that there is a LOT of heroes (and villains). Generally we're all some of those up-and-coming folks - even if some of us play older and more experienced characters anyway. That does not make us Superman however. We're mighty, but we're not invincible. Not yet, anyway... ^^

For comic reference that points DIRECTLY at CoH, I recommend reading the actual CoH comic, which can be downloaded here: http://www.cityofheroes.com/comic/download.html
It's not Shakespeare, but it does the job of conveying the atmos nicely, I think.

[Archibold]

The only thing I really ask for is a character that can find a place in the group, and that does not take certain things for granted, like for example being a media-superstar unless everybody in the group is game on allowing you that perk. I for one would be opposed, since I feel it would simply be giving the character too much power compared to the rest of us, AND undermine part of the foundation behind Jet

Sure. This is anyway character on trial account, and is temporary. more like NPC