Letho's Blitz: The Second (R)Evolution

[The Cinderella Man]

Howdy, folks. Well, after taking a breather after the first Blitz (that turned out to be rather successful, much to my surprise), I think I'm ready for another, only this time with good ole Padre Callahan. The basic concept, much like the last time, is simple, and in the spirit of the restarted Civil War in Corone, it's related to the general idea.

Basically, we'll be hired by the Commander of the Radasanth City Watch to apprehend or otherwise eliminate certain individuals in the Corone Capitol which are designated as enemies of the Empire, spies for the Rangers, conspirators, just general nuisances for the government. Now, obviously it is desirable for your character to be on the Empire's side or a neutral party looking to make an easy buck (note: it probably won't be an easy buck in the end:P), but if you're leaning more towards the Rangers, we could possibly work something out as well. Your character could try to foil our mission or betray us at some point, which would only make the entire thing more fun. But keep in mind that I plan to get most of our targets in the end. Also, like the previous Blitz, this will probably be action oriented instead of trying to weave some heavy yarn.

On a further note, if you're having trouble getting your character to do a mission for the "evil" Empire because your character is a good guy, keep in mind that Victor is also generally a good bloke. And while people that rule the Empire might be evil, down in the gutters its wartime and when you're sitting in a foxhole, wrong or right doesn't really matter much. On top of that, the propaganda in the Empire, especially in Radasanth, will paint the Rangers as bad folks instead, because that's what happens in wartime. You're never wrong because you don't believe you're wrong.

Anyhow, that about covers the story. Now, about joining the quest. I have only one prerequisite so to speak: that you are unafraid to bunny other participant, and naturally to allow yourself to be bunnied in return. If there is one thing I absolutely hate it's breaking the flow, and without being able to have the back-and-forth dialogue between characters and move the story forward without waiting for three separate people to write the exact same thing only from their perspective, the flow turns out to be shitty. Of course, I'm not saying that we should bunny each other straight off the bat, because you need some time to get adjusted to the characters. And I'm not saying that we should bunny all the time, because there's no need for that. But I do expect from people that join this thing to be able to pick each other characters up after a while and use them as if they were their own in some instances.

Lastly, there are the rules of the Blitz. In the first one, the original rules turned out to be flawed, which was unsurprising considering I came up with them in like five minutes. I've updated them a bit, but it's still very simple. You must post within 24 hours of the person before you (the first three posts will dictate the posting order for the remainder of the thread, but that can be changed if the participants agree, mostly the person posting after you). If you miss your deadline, you lose 1/4 of your GP total and you get one strike. Once this happens you can choose to pass on posting and let the person after you post, or you can choose to post anyways in which case the timer is reset and you get another 24 hours. Second time you miss the deadline you lose the other quarter of your GP total (bringing it to 1/2 of your bankroll) and you get the second strike. Third time you miss your deadline, your character dies, possibly in some gruesome manner. How you deal with the continuity of your character's death is entirely up to you, though I figure that most will choose to ignore it.

That's about it. Whew, that's quite a read. :P Post here if you're interested or have any questions or just want to drop off an odd redhead in my lap. That also works. :cool:

EDIT: Oh yeah, I forgot, I'm looking for two people for this. And it's not first come, first served. Unless you're a chick. Then it probably is. ;)

[Requiem of Insanity]

*Cough* Finish your previous quest with Requiem and Rayse *cough* not like they can't edit to make shit make sense *cough, cough* seriously *cough, cough*

Ugh...damn, sorry, didn't mean to disturb you. :)

[The International]

Haha! I JUST put up a thread using your blitz format(gave you credit of course).

I think I'm going to challenge myself and see if I can't do two Blitzes at once. I need to work on writing faster and this would be a great opportunity if you'll have me. If not that's cool. If so then I'll be using my npc Esme Villeneuve.

[The Cinderella Man]

*Cough* Finish your previous quest with Requiem and Rayse *cough* not like they can't edit to make shit make sense *cough, cough* seriously *cough, cough*

Ugh...damn, sorry, didn't mean to disturb you. :)Seeing as you two already put effort into writing me out, I would absolutely hate to undo your efforts. :P Also, I'd probably end up not posting again. :(

Haha! I JUST put up a thread using your blitz format(gave you credit of course).

I think I'm going to challenge myself and see if I can't do two Blitzes at once. I need to work on writing faster and this would be a great opportunity if you'll have me. If not that's cool. If so then I'll be using my npc Esme Villeneuve.You're in, even if you won't be using a chick character. Which is a bit sad. But it's also awesome to get a chance to write with you again. The first attempt was sort of stillborn thanks to me (even though the idea for that quest in Alerar was pretty awesome), so hopefully we'll actually write together this time around. :D


Nobody else keen to do some wetwork for the Empire? We need one more. I'll keep this open another day or two, and if nobody else registers, it will be just the two of us.

EDIT: Some update on the story I've been tossing around in my head. I was thinking that it would be pretty unrealistic for a bunch of random mercs to be given a rather delicate task of eliminating Rangers' spies even if these spies are rather low in the food chain. So I was thinking that the two/three of us will be added to a small squad of the Radasanth City Watch as assistance. But in our first encounter with one of the spies (and his cronies), most of the CIty Watch dudes gets killed, leaving just the two/three protagonists (and maybe a NPC or two) who decide to go through with the mission. Or something along those lines.

[Amen]

...well if nobody else is going to volunteer, I want in.

[Letho]

And in you are. Thanks for joining, guys. For a moment I feared that my less than stellar activity as of late would chase everybody away. :(

Anyways, I'll have the thread up tonight. Since we'll be establishing the posting order in the first turn, you don't necessarily have to post within 24 hours, but once the last of the three of us posts, the rules of the Blitz will be applied until the end of the thread. Any questions or suggestions, post here or send me a PM. I'm always open to suggestions.

[The Cinderella Man]

The thread is up! (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?23047-To-Us-These-Streets-Belong&p=186204#post186204) Looking forward to writing with you two.

If one of you wants to do the briefing, that's fine. Just make it so there are three people to apprehend or eliminate, they are potentially dangerous and one of them can be found in the brothel (the other two locations I leave up to you). I was thinking that that would be our first confrontation during which the Watch guys get killed (because they didn't expect that much resistance), leaving only the three of us to carry out the mission.

[The International]

Posted. Let me know if there's anything I need to change. I'm using Esme (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?20831-Esme-Villeneuve-(NPC-level-1)&highlight=Esme+Villeneuve), but I kinda set it up so that Alix can jump in if need be.

[The Cinderella Man]

I apologize for a rather crappy post. I wasn't feeling very well today and it just wouldn't come out right.

I hope you guys don't mind I made it so there are three groups going for the objectives. I was thinking that it would be pretty dumb to go with just one, because once we hit the first guy, the other two would probably get alerted and run. Which couldn't happen if we hit them all at once. Now, I also thought that we all get ambushed one way or the other. I was thinking of a good old fight in the brothel, and maybe the other groups would walk into a house that blows up or get shot by archers. Apparently, there is a snitch in the City Watch and it alerted the spies to our coming. So we get our asses handed to us. But we manage to catch one of the spies and he tells us that they are using all of this to strike at the City Watch. The way I figure, the spies find out about the City Watch making a move on them. They plan an ambush. They kill a bunch of watchmen. So now the City Watch has to send even more people to settle the issue. And by doing that they are leaving their home base lightly defended. So the spies' ultimate goal is to destroy the City Watch HQ. And we have to stop it.

Just an idea, though. Nothing is set in stone and whenever any of you have an idea, don't be afraid to implement it. :)

[The International]

That's fine by me. You know we could also connect this spy network to something Amen mentioned in his first post about how spies for each Viceroy favored members of certain occupations.

Also is it alright if I send Esme to the kitchen, and get the hostilities started?

[Amen]

I'm under the impression the "bad guys" here trying to bring down the City Watch are the Rangers, but oh man, it would be politically intense if it turned out to be one of the viceroys, or a viceroy manipulating the Rangers.

I mean, I'm not really pushing for that or anything (I'm perfectly happy as long as the Empire is getting some storyline love where they aren't just tyrannical bastards), I was just following TI's line of thinking. But how fucked up would that be.

[Letho]

That could work, I like that. We could make it so Leeahn is in favor of one of the viceroys, and the other one wants to make him look incompetent so he would install his own man at the position of the Commander of the Watch. So this viceroy leaks info to the Rangers and their spies in the city, revealing when the Watch will be most vulnerable and the best way to attack it.

The International, feel free to start the fun. I'll bring Victor in through the front door once you get the action rolling.

[The International]

I might be like twenty minutes late on this one. lol

EDIT: Never mind... Esme's an ass.

[The Cinderella Man]

Haha, well that's what you get when you hire a bunch of strangers to do a job, I guess. An odd knife in the back is to be expected. :P

Anyways, my post is up. If anybody makes their way to the main room where Victor is, feel free to bunny him firing from cover, maybe even use the attention he attracted to stab a bunch of bastards in the back and whatnot.

Also, a side note. Most of my posts have a number of errors when I first post them. That's because I do my editing when I sit down to write my next post. That's when I read my last post, edit if necessary, read your posts, and then begin to write my next post. Just so you folks don't think that I don't proofread or something. ;)

[The Cinderella Man]

International, do you still want to post next or should I go ahead and post?

EDIT: Also, do you guys agree that we tolerate if someone misses the deadline by an hour or two? I figure if the point of the Blitz is to force you to post on a schedule and keep the story moving forward, we still achieve that desired effect even if someone is a bit late.

[Amen]

I would be a hypocrite if I didn't think that was a good idea. I always seem to get my post up an hour or two after the deadline no matter how early I start writing it.

[The International]

I'm still here. We had a powerful thunderstorm last night and my power went out. If you guys want to skip my post this time that's fine by me.

[The Cinderella Man]

It's all good, man. I posted since I was in the writing mood. :) You can jump in after me if you wish, or just wait the regular turn after Amen, whatever works for you.

By the way, Amen, I did some bunnying of Marcus in my post. If you don't like anything let me know and I'll edit promptly.

Anyways, I lit the place up. The roof might not be on fire, but the ground floor sure is. :P

[The International]

I'm going to be posting in a few. May I bunny everyone to get us upstairs?

[Amen]

Bunnying is perfectly fine by me, belatedly.

[Letho]

As I mentioned in my recruitment, as far as I'm concerned bunnying is not only allowed, but desirable. So it's cool with me.

[Amen]

I'm doing my best to get a post up tonight. Holiday weekend is kicking my ass.

[The Cinderella Man]

Yeah, I figured US people would be busy over the holiday. :P Are you guys in favor of striking this 4th of July weekend off the boards and resuming with regular schedule on the 5th? I know the Blitz has its rules, but this isn't a job so there should be some wiggle room.

[Duffy]

Independence is not an excuse.

[Amen]

Alright, back on track, I think!

[Letho]

I'll have my post up later today, guys. I had it all planned out for yesterday, but something came up. I guess that leaves all three of us with about one strike. :P

[The Cinderella Man]

I got a bit carried away with my post, guys. Hope you're cool with it. Let me know if I need to fix something.

[Amen]

No complaints here.

[The International]

Where would you like for me to take it from here?

[Letho]

I was thinking something along these lines. We follow the clue and go check on this Sam Hunnington and his shop in the Bazaar, only to find it abandoned for years. Empty shelves, dust everywhere, you get the drift. But we also find signs of recent activity, and upon further examination, we find a trapdoor leading to a tunnel. Only the tunnel doesn't lead in the direction of the city walls to serve as a getaway. Instead it goes towards the City Watch Headquarters. I figure Rangers and their spies had this plan in the works for a fairly long time and now they're finally executing it. I also figure one of you (possibly Erick/Esme) will be able to connect the dots, as Victor isn't a highly observant deep thinker of the group, if yo know what I mean. So we go down the tunnel, reemerge in the HQ where the fighting has already begun and the Watch is outnumbered. So we enter the fray and have some fun saving the day.

Also, I'm thinking that the young Lieutenant is not dead, regardless of what Victor believes. I mean to have him make a return during the climax, possibly saving our assess if that's alright with you guys.

Lastly, this is just the story I have in mind, and it's definitely subject to change if you guys have something different in mind, something you think might work better. I'm always open to suggestions. :)

[Amen]

Sounds good to me so far. I also vote for Esme to be the one that puts the pieces together. Marcus is growing into a fine detective, but complex plots would go right over his head. And besides, Esme has done this sort of thing for a living since forever.

[The International]

I'm on it.

Damn. I'm going to be broke by the end of this. It's teaching me a lesson though, and that's what I did this for.

[Letho]

You can't really go broke, as at most you can lose half your dough. Getting killed, though... ;)

But yeah, I know what I mean. I set the Blitz up primarily to challenge myself to more regular posting, and though it helps, it's also a responsibility.

[The Cinderella Man]

I again took some liberties with your dudes, so let me know if something is amiss. I apologize if I put you in a sticky situation, International. But I didn't really know what kind of tricks/magic Erick can do, so I thought I better left it to you. I figured a sly man such as yourself can come up with a way to kill off these six before we reach the ground floor. ;)

As always, feel free to use Victor as needed.

[The International]

... spy's... fucking... dream

[The International]

Posted. Do you guys want me to take that battle further or do you want to handle it, Amen?

BTW Esme's Profile (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?20831-Esme-Villeneuve-(NPC-level-1)&highlight=Esme+Villeneuve)
He's a bit of a supernatural detective, but his most battle ready skills are his song magic, which he's now used to enhance his party's abilities and skills.(x5 to be exact)

[Amen]

Completely up to you. I probably won't post until tomorrow, so if you've got ideas go ahead and edit and keep going. I'm very amused at what you did there, I'd be happy to see it go on. If not, I'm comfortable handling it from where it is, I think.

[Amen]

Post is going to be late, but it will be done tonight.

aargh, unexpected job interview tomorrow makes me a liar. Sorry guys, I'll post as soon as I can tomorrow.

[Letho]

It's all good. Seeing as we're drawing near to the end, I was thinking of suspending the Blitz rules for the remainder of the thread. No need to keep pushing it since it's already likely that we'll finish this quest up. Just as long as it doesn't take like three or more days to get a post up. Agreed?

[The International]

Agreed.

[Amen]

Much appreciated!

Edit: It's six AM and I'm not happy with it, but it's done goddammit.

[Letho]

Sorry for the delay, guys. The post will be up today.

[Letho]

Sorry for the delay, guys. The post will be up today.Yes, quoting myself. :P The post should've been up yesterday, but the guests that have been staying at my place decided to stay an extra day, foiling my plans. But they're gone now, so the post will definitely be up today. Again, apologies for the hold up. Good thing we abandoned the Blitz rules, or else I'd be dead by now. ;)

EDIT: Am I the only one who hates these new smilies? There's barely a difference between :D and ;) and they're all fucking yellow. Well, except that pink/red angry one. Before, the regular smiley was yellow, the winking one was blue, the wide grin was green... Those were better.

[The Cinderella Man]

And the post is up, finally.

I hope you guys don't mind I brought the Rangers in. I figured, they were spread outside the compound, undercover, as assurance. If the mercs failed (which they did), they go in and clean the mess. I figure they mainly want Leeahn and would let the rest go if we lay down our weapons. I thought that it would be cool if Leeahn and the elven Ranger faced off. Just keep in mind that Leeahn's style of fighting is clinically precise (I actually had him beat Letho in one of my earlier quests, though Letho was weaker then), even though the elf should have the upper hand when it comes to speed. Oh, and don't kill Leeahn. I kinda need him for future quests. :P

Oh yeah, another thing that could be cool. Like, when the Ranger gets Leeahn on the ropes, Lieutenant Trefell comes bursting through the door with some help. I always planned for him to gather the rest of the Watchmen all across the town and bring them back to help. So he can turn the tide back to our side again. At least that's the idea I had. Let me know what you think.

[The International]

Awesome, and me no likie new smilies either.

[The International]

Double posting... but I posted a few days ago. Guess I shoulda said something huh?

[Letho]

Not necessarily. I read it. I hope that Amen did too.

On a related note, I figure after Amen and myself post, one post from each of us should wrap this thing up. It really slowed down at the end, didn't it? ;)

[The International]

lol sure did.

[Amen]

I promise I'm still here.

[Amen]

Doublepost, 'cause I posted! It's a freakin' miracle! Yaaay!

Let me know if there are any issues, I have no doubt I'm covered in a fine layer of rust. Obviously it's not more Rangers out there, but Marcus doesn't know that. I just wanted to leave the awesome turn-around to Letho.

[The Cinderella Man]

It's all good, man.

My post is up. International, I left you the sweet task of ending the Marshal with Leeahn. I was thinking something along the lines: he'd be distracted for a moment by the gates (and the wounded Lieutenant bursting through them with more men of the Watch), enough for Erick to press him and attack (you can use the shotgun if you want to), and when his attention turns to Erick, Leeahn can sweep in from behind and cut his head of or something. Or something else you had in mind. I'm certain you'll figure out something cool to wrap the battle up. :D

[The International]

I don't like what I've been doing at all with my writing as of late, but I've posted.

[Amen]

I'm finally caught up with my official duties after that shameful period I'm calling Amen's Great Stumble of 2011.

I will post tomorrow or Friday. Very sorry (again) about the wait.

I guess we're on our final posts now!

[Letho]

Hey, you stumbled and were still able to judge and post from time to time. Last time I stumbled I nearly left Althanas for good. So it's good in my book. Let's wrap this thing up and put the some points up for the Empire on the scoreboard. :cool:

[Amen]

I posted! The whole last third is probably not at all relevant to your interests, but is rife with foreshadowing.

OoOoO.

[The Cinderella Man]

That post was perfect, man. I plan to do a follow up to this one as well, and the whole Viceroy scheme ties it all up awesomely. I'll post either later today, or first thing tomorrow, and then International can wrap it all up.

[The Cinderella Man]

My concluding post is up. International, you have the honors. :D

[The International]

If you hated the smilies before. I really hate them now. I'm going to be a follower and try to tie it all in.

[SirArtemis]

I read your story, guys. Really a fun read. I got the chills twice. Though I'll admit, I think I caught a typo in EVERY post, so if you find the time, you should go back and give your own parts a quick twice-over.

This one by Letho particularly tickled my fancy. I almost giggled aloud:

"Victor snorted a laugh, but Leeahn, never a man known for a sense of human, didn’t respond in kind."

[Letho]

Haha, yeah I reckon there's quite a few in my posts. I'm lousy at proofreading. I'm more of a spur of the moment kind of writer, so once I get rolling, I don't look back all that much. :P



Anyways, guys, the thread is submitted for judging. It was great writing with you both and I hope you had as much as I did.

EDIT: And yes, these smilies suck the fucking nads.