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[freeformschooler]

Spoiler: Map: Aqua Resort (click to show/hide)

Pfffheh... Sorry, but you are quite amusing right now Balancer. I take it that I am seeing one of your friends here? If you can hear me, then hello.

He gave a wave in reply to the blue figure, seeing that Bradley had left the room and he could do so safely.

"Heh, underground. Nice one. Anyway, it seems like you are looking for some kind of lance, and I haven't seen anything around here that looks like that, so my apologies. I'll keep an eye out for it though. So, back to why I came in here, I was wondering if you know why Ochita seemed in such a rush? Did he tell you anything?"

Take a moment to think over the description of the weapon she just told me and see if I can remember anything that matches it's description in history. It must be important for the princess to come here looking for it in person!

: "Do not waver. The world's clock is ticking."

... Zelda nervously scratches the back of her head at the mention of Ochita. Meanwhile, Zach thinks back to any weapon he might have seen or heard of matching Zelda's description. ... However, he can't remember any weapon like that.

That's... not helpful.  So Crank decided to ignore it.

SCREAM while resting.

... Crank yells out, wincing as pain shoots through his foot. This adventure has not been kind to him. He sits down near the dark shards of broken sign to rest, the soft hum of a harmonica - the warming strum of a harp - the loud clink of stone against forgotten stone keeping him aware, awake as he kicks back against the shadowy room's eastern wall.

Make haste.

Crank feels a healing light wash over him. He regains the will to fight once more. Crank is healed for 3 HP and 4 MP!

((OK, so crazy holiday antics are more or less over for me, so I'll hop back in whenever ffs has the time.))

Somebody hasn't been taking their pills. Again. Re-focus yourself, and see where you've wandered off to in your stupor.

Dirk examines his surroundings.



He's still in the top-level hallway. The large object with moon-like crevices is no longer there, and a light shines from the east wall to the west one. There's doors on both sides of him. The Catsone is missing its ears.

Fuzz was sad that he wouldn't get to see Red or especially Oomph, but his current mission was just as important (if not more so) than his old one.

Go down the pipe.

Fuzz heads down the pipe to find Zelda. His ... COMMON SENSE ROLL allows him to hear her talking to someone in the room to the west, so he skirts around the Angry Sun Room and heads to the next one over.



Fuzz sees a GREY-HAIRED HIPSTER moving in on his woman.

[FuzzyZergling]

Spoiler: Answers (click to show/hide)

Question 1: would you prefer to keep the detailed "mapsprites" and have slower but more detailed updates or would you prefer to go back to the icons and have slightly faster but more abstract maps?

I would prefer more detailed maps, if it's not too much trouble. If you use more abstract maps a detailed description of the room would be necessary, and I think that would be just as much work.

Question 2: would you prefer to have a full, spoilered map dump at the start of every post with all the relevant positions listed? Would you prefer to have only the relevant updated maps shown while in action? Or would you like both?

Map at the start would be preferable, I think.

Question 3: if you could improve the maps in some other way, how would you? Note: I am highly flexible!

I can't think of any suggestions.

Question 4: do you understand the game system as it stands? If not, what do you not understand about it? Is there anything that makes sense but only partially and you would prefer clarification on?

I'm fine. Pretty sure I understand everything, and if I didn't I'd ask.

Question 5: if you could improve the game system in some way, how would you?

Can't think of anything here.

Question 6: do you enjoy the flash games and cutscenes in the game or feel it would be better without them?

I enjoy them.

Question 7: if enjoyed, what type of flash game/cutscene would you like to see/have more of? Point and click adventure? Platformer? RPG battle? Full game?

If I had to choose between any kind of flash, it would be a turn-based tactical RPG. But don't feel like you have to change anythng on my account.

Question 8: if you could improve the flash games and cutscenes in some way, how would you? Remember: highly flexible.

Nothing to say here, they're of exceptional quality.

Question 9: is there anything else about the game and how it's run that's buggin you a little or a lot?

Nope, you're doing a fine job.

CLINGY PUPPY MODE ACTIVATE

"Yay Princess I found you! I saw some of my friends one of them is a ghost and the other is also a ghost I think but he's all dark and doomy and that room was pretty boring but-

Fuzz sees a GREY-HAIRED HIPSTER moving in on his woman.

Hey how did you get here, and who are you, and why are you looking at the princess like that!?
Stand behind Zelda and inquire about Mister Hat-'N-Shades.

[SeriousConcentrate]

Spoiler: Questionairre (click to show/hide)

Part 1: Maps

Question 1: would you prefer to keep the detailed "mapsprites" and have slower but more detailed updates or would you prefer to go back to the icons and have slightly faster but more abstract maps?
Faster updates plz. I care more about playing and the story than the flash accompanying it, although I won't lie: I do appreciate the effort and skill you put into the graphics.

Question 2: would you prefer to have a full, spoilered map dump at the start of every post with all the relevant positions listed? Would you prefer to have only the relevant updated maps shown while in action? Or would you like both?
Uh, I dunno really. I like the map at the beginning of this turn if it helps any. Maybe use that style with some icons to show where everyone is?

Question 3: if you could improve the maps in some other way, how would you? Note: I am highly flexible!
That one seems good and clear to me. The pipes are clear and everything's well-labled.

Part 2: Mechanics!

Question 4: do you understand the game system as it stands? If not, what do you not understand about it? Is there anything that makes sense but only partially and you would prefer clarification on?
It's like D&D using 2d10 as I understand it, with skills leveling up on crits and level-ups providing a choice of perks. So sort of like D&D + Fallout + CvRTD (but actually thought out better on that last one ).

Question 5: if you could improve the game system in some way, how would you?
Don't ask me that question. I'm shite at game mechanics as I've damn well proven.

Part 3: Multimedia!

Question 6: do you enjoy the flash games and cutscenes in the game or feel it would be better without them?
I enjoy them, but damn do they slow things down. I'm thinking save them only for important things. Like, the Zach exploration flash was kind of cool, but that could have been handled quickly as a series of miniturns and such, so flash should be saved for plot events and so forth.

Question 7: if enjoyed, what type of flash game/cutscene would you like to see/have more of? Point and click adventure? Platformer? RPG battle? Full game?
I'm fine with just cutscenes.

Question 8: if you could improve the flash games and cutscenes in some way, how would you? Remember: highly flexible.
What I would do is completely different from what, say, Ochita would do. What you're doing seems to work for everyone and that's good enough. ^^^

Part 4: Miscellaneous!

Question 9: is there anything else about the game and how it's run that's buggin you a little or a lot?
Well, there was that long hiatus after getting here to the Aqua Resort - additionally, it seemed like a lot of plot happened in other threads that I didn't read - so I really have no clue what's going on (beyond trying to get the Aqua Star) or what I should do. That and I'm sort of bad at puzzles anyway.

Bradley decided to follow Fuzz back and aimlessly mill around Zach for awhile.

[Taricus]

((SC, you cannot, in any way, be worse than me. Trust me ))

[SeriousConcentrate]

(That's completely irrelevant. )

[freeformschooler]

Spoiler: Response to the questionairre responses - especially SC (click to show/hide)

Okay, first off, I appreciated everyone's responses, but especially SC's for his criticism. The last response brought my attention to something I was afraid of, re: not understanding what's going on.

The big freaking problem as far as I can tell: every player character has their own little plotline and known goal, and these plotlines are the main meat of MKW's plot and gameplay.

Bradley, Joe: Finding the Aqua Star for their Kingdom. It's pretty simple and hasn't changed.
Zachary: Finding out more about the end of the world and the "spirits" he's able to see - including his old friend who is currently lording over the Neverwas. This is one I really regret as I basically tooled Zachary into a plot device when I ran Zachquest, but I did come up with it for him specifically since he's an "archeologist" by trade.
Dirk: Figuring out where he actually is and who the shadow girl that he saw when he woke up is.
Fuzz: Questing with Zelda to find a Starlance and, eventually, combat Kamek for control of her friend's stolen weapon. Also, infiltrating the Koopa Troop hideout.
Ochita: The shadows and his time in the Neverwas.

Only difficulty? There's information from each that only that player knows, or only a couple, or only the two-three that read the (very brief) story segments in LQ.

Basically, I don't know how to fix this. Would it help to make a "plot dump" of what every player, so far, has seen throughout the two threads (yes, there's only two)?

EDIT: I also would like to thank everyone for slapping me upside the head about Flashes. I will admit I take a lot of GMing knowledge from my time reading Homestuck, of all things, and once Dex taught me Flash animation/programming I got really excited to start putting interactive segments into the game. However, it's mostly novelty as SC pointed out about the Zachary exploration, as well as the fact that I love entertaining people. But a game that updates is more fun, so I think that I'll stick to what I'd done yesteryear and save them for chapter starts/ends or particularly key points.

EDIT 2: It does appear that unfortunately I've gotten conflicted responses on the map detail, and that's a pretty key feature right now. I think I'm going to, uh, uh, uhhh I don't know, keep doing what I'm doing now without the Mapsprites because they were a lot of work and not really necessary.

[SeriousConcentrate]

(As much as I hate to say it, a plot dump may indeed be necessary. As far as I'm aware the main goal was to get all the stars, but now I'm pretty much completely lost on what's supposed to be happening. ^^^;)

[TherosPherae]

(I think that I've got something of a handle on most of the plot, mostly because of SUPER SRS SECRET GM COMMUNICASHUNS*. But a plotdump would be nice, as would a puzzledump of notable features in the rooms we have access to. The maps are nice, but my brain is dumb and has trouble connecting the dots between different map segments.

* Not actually that secret or srs.)

[Zako]

Zach gave a little start at the sudden enterance of Fuzz and seeing how protective he was of the princess, he must be a bodyguard of some sort.

: "Oh, hello! I'm Zachary, but you can just call me Zach for short. The princess and I were just talking about things, so there's no need to worry. I take it that you were once travelling with Bradley and Ochita before, seeing how you know their names? I'm currently with them looking for the stars as well, which is why we are here, trying to figure out this big puzzle."

He took a quick moment to think out a message to the blue spirit again.

Ahhhh, so I can communicate with more than just him. Interesting... And I have no intention of letting the world end. Not while I still breathe.

Zach scratched his forehead and turned back to the princess again. Talking on two fronts like this was taking some getting used to...

: "Anyway, I'd really like to know what was wrong with Ochita, since I am travelling with him after all and we kinda don't have time to worry about less important things. Can you tell me please?"

((FACIAL SPRITES!! SQUEEEE))

[Toaster]

Crank sighed as he prepared to move.  He wasn't completely ready to go, but for whatever reason the voices were urging him on.  Since they were likely the only reason he hadn't been stomped by now, he had better oblige.  The only issue was this trap... how to get past it?

Perhaps it's time to rely on the shield again.

Head south, then fire up the Abjuration Sphere and use that to pass the laser.

Spoiler: Questionnaire (click to show/hide)

This is from the perspective of someone who hasn't actually been a player for as long.

Part 1: Maps

Question 1: would you prefer to keep the detailed "mapsprites" and have slower but more detailed updates or would you prefer to go back to the icons and have slightly faster but more abstract maps?

Not 100% sure what you mean by mapsprites, but I'll assume you mean like one of the Crank update panels.  They're nice, but you don't need one for every single update.  Accentuate the big points, zip through the minor ones.

Question 2: would you prefer to have a full, spoilered map dump at the start of every post with all the relevant positions listed? Would you prefer to have only the relevant updated maps shown while in action? Or would you like both?

Big map dumps are nice (like the last one) but hardly needed in every post.  One like that is really something like every ten turns, player request, or major change.  If there's a recent full update, figuring out the changes from there shouldn't be too hard.

Question 3: if you could improve the maps in some other way, how would you? Note: I am highly flexible!

Going off the most recent map, there are a couple places where it isn't obvious (by the map) where the doors are, especially the lower level where most players are right now.

Part 2: Mechanics!

Question 4: do you understand the game system as it stands? If not, what do you not understand about it? Is there anything that makes sense but only partially and you would prefer clarification on?

Yes.  I'm not sure if not showing the DC of an action is intentional or not- is it a safe assumption that if no DC was shown, it's DC 10?

Question 5: if you could improve the game system in some way, how would you?

I haven't played it enough to give a solid answer, but I must say I'm a bit paralyzed with fear currently by the closeness of death.  I'm not sure what the real problem or fix would be, but it's causing me to play slowly.

Part 3: Multimedia!

Question 6: do you enjoy the flash games and cutscenes in the game or feel it would be better without them?

They're nice, but don't feel like they're required.  Similar to the above- accentuate the big points.

Question 7: if enjoyed, what type of flash game/cutscene would you like to see/have more of? Point and click adventure? Platformer? RPG battle? Full game?

RPG battle/full game would be a bit silly in the context of this game since it takes the GMing out of your hands.  The adventure ones were probably the best, since they presented information in a new format.  Ditto with the movies- lots of pictures in a compact space, with mood music.

Question 8: if you could improve the flash games and cutscenes in some way, how would you? Remember: highly flexible.

Hm.  Nothing to add here.

Part 4: Miscellaneous!

Question 9: is there anything else about the game and how it's run that's buggin you a little or a lot?

The only issue I have is referenced in question 5.  I think the "problem," if it's even really a problem, will go away once some sort of party unification happens, but I think railroading that to happen (or railroading through the dungeon) is the wrong solution.

[FuzzyZergling]

: "Anyway, I'd really like to know what was wrong with Ochita, since I am travelling with him after all and we kinda don't have time to worry about less important things. Can you tell me please?"

"I, uhhh, actually don't know. He went off with one of the others, way back in the Piranha's Forest, and disappeared. If I were you I'd ask Bradley, he's the only other one I've seen from our original group.

[EmeraldWind]

As a non-player but avid follower, I like everything so far.

One thing you could do if you have the time. In between chapters (or whatever), you could possibly draw a couple select scenes from the chapter. Then tag a quick run through the major events. (Sort of like the end of chapter summaries from Paper Mario, but with pics.)

Though things are already busy enough as it is, but I'm suggesting it anyway. Mostly because it is always cool to see a few scenes get the royal treatment.

As far as all the little plot lines, it keeps things interesting as each player has their own goals. There is a little bit of irony in SC's comment about not knowing what is going on. The irony is that honestly Bradley would be in the same situation himself. He's caught in the middle of what is basically a much bigger train wreck than he could realize. This gives Bradley a rather unique position in the story. Perhaps the plot dump could basically be handled as Bradley getting a handle on the situation.

[CJ1145]

Spoiler: Questionairre (click to show/hide)

Part 1: Maps

Question 1: would you prefer to keep the detailed "mapsprites" and have slower but more detailed updates or would you prefer to go back to the icons and have slightly faster but more abstract maps?

I like the little details, but I'm loathe to demand work from anyone when they'd rather not do it, so while my preference is for the new status quo, I'm all for going back to the old style if you'd like to.

Question 2: would you prefer to have a full, spoilered map dump at the start of every post with all the relevant positions listed? Would you prefer to have only the relevant updated maps shown while in action? Or would you like both?

Liking the former option, getting a big picture right off the bat sounds nice.

Question 3: if you could improve the maps in some other way, how would you? Note: I am highly flexible!

I have yet to discover a reason for change.

Part 2: Mechanics!

Question 4: do you understand the game system as it stands? If not, what do you not understand about it? Is there anything that makes sense but only partially and you would prefer clarification on?

Yes, I believe it makes sense.

Question 5: if you could improve the game system in some way, how would you?

N/A

Part 3: Multimedia!

Question 6: do you enjoy the flash games and cutscenes in the game or feel it would be better without them?

I enjoy them.

Question 7: if enjoyed, what type of flash game/cutscene would you like to see/have more of? Point and click adventure? Platformer? RPG battle? Full game?

Point and click adventure. Battles, I think, could mostly be relegated to the game.

Question 8: if you could improve the flash games and cutscenes in some way, how would you? Remember: highly flexible.

N/A. Any kinks I think are just things that need to be ironed out with time and experience.

Part 4: Miscellaneous!

Question 9: is there anything else about the game and how it's run that's buggin you a little or a lot?

Nnnnnope.

Dirk looked around the hall he'd blundered into, coming to his senses with a sudden jolt and a very disappointing swell of confusion.

: "Oh, badger, I'm lost again? Ohhh... where did everybody go? I keep spacing out like this, why is that happening. And why do I feel like I should know this place?"

Um... head down that pipe? Did you just come up that pipe? Goodness, this is horrible. Yeah, the pipe.

((Only partially inspired by my own bad habits in keeping up with this thread, I might start playing Dirk as a partial anterograde amnesiac.))

[freeformschooler]

The HP-MP upgrade has been applied. Everyone's resources have increased a little depending on their level.

I don't really expect anyone to reach a level past five over the course of MKW due to the EXP curve I've been using since the start of my suggestion game.

Hey how did you get here, and who are you, and why are you looking at the princess like that!?
Stand behind Zelda and inquire about Mister Hat-'N-Shades.

Bradley decided to follow Fuzz back and aimlessly mill around Zach for awhile.

Zelda shakes her head.

: "Calm down, Fuzz. I've got a strange feeling about this one. Now, if you don't mind, I'm gonna head back up and look into the room west of the waterworks."



Zelda quickly walks away, leaving just Fuzz and Zachary. Bradley, meanwhile, floats back around to the two.

((Minor notes.

Sercon: at a bit of a loss as to how to do your new Facesprites what're supposed to fit with the others. If you had a preference, what would it be? Zoomed in on Bradley's face like the last ones? Showing his full body? Front, diagonal, side view? Also, I think I may have been writing your HP in wrong. Due to Star Boon, it should be 12 HP (-1 from CON, +2 from SB, +1 from level), not 11 (-1 from CON, +1 from level, +1 from ). Whatever, I'll catch it later if I did this wrong too.))

Zako & others - if you want your facesprites to appear more compact like they do in the spoilers in the OOC thread, just use img width=100 instead of just img when linking them. I don't care either way.))

Spoiler: Zachary (Zako) (click to show/hide)

Name: Zachary "Zach" Jones
Level: 2 (0/20)
Race: Human
Element: Neutral
Health: 11/11
Magick: 7/7
Status:
Attributes: STR 10 (+0), DEX 10 (+0), INT 12 (+1), WIS 10 (+0), CON 10 (+0), CHR 10 (+0)
Secondary attributes: Armor Class 10, Move 3, Damage Resistance 2
Inventory: Unsettling Papers, Wall Torch
Equipped: Refined Bronze Sword, Bronze Armor, Catena Aevitus
Active abilities (mouse over to view details):
Power Strike I
Fireball I
Inspection I
Stabilis Vitae
Passive abilities:

Spoiler: Fuzz (FuzzyZergling) (click to show/hide)

Name: Fuzz
Level: 2 (0/20)
Race: Human
Health: 16/16
Magick: 5/5
Status:
Attributes: STR 10 (+0), DEX 8 (-1), INT 8 (-1), WIS 8 (-1), CON 10 (+0), CHR 12 (+1)
Secondary attributes: Armor Class 10, Move 3, Damage Resistance 1
Inventory:
Equipped: Bronze Platemail, Cute One
Active abilities:
Power Crush
Protector's Oath (Off)
Fireball I
Passive abilities:
Thick-skulled

Spoiler: Bradley (Serious Concentrate) (click to show/hide)

Name: Bradley Oliver Oakes
Level: 2 (0/20)
Race: Boo
Element: Dark
Health: 10/12
Magick: 10/14
Bonuses/penalties:
Attributes: STR 8 (-1), DEX 12 (+1), INT 13 (+1), WIS 10 (+0), CON 8 (-1), CHR 10 (+0)
Secondary Attributes: Armor Class 11, Move 3
Inventory: 400 coins, Red Mushroom x2, The Origin Story
Equipped: Flashing Spellbook, Frostknife, Shy Guy Mask
Active abilities (mouse over to view details):
Darkness I
Magiflash I
Magiflash II
Passive abilities:
Star Boon
EEEK!
Ambient Siphon
Special abilities:

Crank sighed as he prepared to move.  He wasn't completely ready to go, but for whatever reason the voices were urging him on.  Since they were likely the only reason he hadn't been stomped by now, he had better oblige.  The only issue was this trap... how to get past it?

Perhaps it's time to rely on the shield again.

Head south, then fire up the Abjuration Sphere and use that to pass the laser.

Crank fires up his Abjuration Sphere, siphoning off most of his remaining MP. He then heads south and attempts to run past the laser eye turret once again.



... A searing light shoots toward Crank, but he holds his ground. His spell remains strong enough to totally reflect the energy of the laser back at the eye turret, causing its head to blow to bits and scatter about belowground.

Spoiler: Crank (Toaster) (click to show/hide)

Name: Crank
Level: 2 (11/20)
Race: Gloomba
Element: Neutral
Bio: Crank's lifelong dream was to become the most famous alchemist in his tribe, deep underneath the Mushroom Kingdom.  After the fourth explosion that obliterated the town alchemist workshop, he was exiled and cast out from the underground.  Though he is a mere wanderer now, he longs to return home with proof that he has improved his skills beyond where they were when he left, and that he is worthy to work again.  Until then, he intends to learn what he can.
Health: 6/10
Magick: 1/15
Bonuses/penalties: Abjuration Sphere 3 turns remaining)
Attributes: STR 10 (+0), DEX 10 (+0), INT 14 (+2), WIS 12 (+1), CON 8 (-1), CHR 6 (-2)
Secondary attributes: Armor Class 10, Move 3
Inventory: Green Rupees x36, Worn Iron Dagger, Bloodied Note, Instrument of Compassion
Equipped: Admix Almanac: Click to open
Active abilities:
Alchemical Knowledge
Passive abilities:
Elemental Survivalist
Magic Grip
Deep Blue Magic

Um... head down that pipe? Did you just come up that pipe? Goodness, this is horrible. Yeah, the pipe.

((Only partially inspired by my own bad habits in keeping up with this thread, I might start playing Dirk as a partial anterograde amnesiac.))

Hit the P-block.

Dirk heads back down the pipe just in time to see Ochita take a ... quick jab at the P-block across the water with his lance.



The bridge across the water disappears again. The Nep-enut, alerted to the commotion, speaks up.

: "HAVE MOONROCK?"

Spoiler: Dirk (CJ1145) (click to show/hide)

Name: Dirk Valio
Level: 1 (6/10)
Race: Human?
Element: Null
Bio: A young, down on his luck cabbage salesman from Boston, Dirk was taking an ordinary trip to the bathroom when he slipped on a banana peel and fell in, spiraling down into the Mushroom Kingdom.
Health: 5/10
Magick: 0/0
Bonuses/penalties:
Attributes: STR 10 (+0), DEX 10 (+0), INT 10 (+0), WIS 10 (+0), CON 10 (+0), CHR 10 (+0)
Secondary attributes: Armor Class 10, Move 3
Inventory: Wall Torch, Red Key
Equipped: Wooden bow
Active abilities:
Longshot I
Passive abilities:
Run Like the Wind

Spoiler: Ochita (Ochita) (click to show/hide)

Name: Ochita
Level: 2 (0/20)
Race: Human
Health: 10/10
Magick: 6/8
Status:
Attributes: STR 8 (-1), DEX 10 (+0), INT 14 (+2), WIS 10 (+0), CON 8 (-1), CHR 12 (+1)
Secondary attributes: Armor Class 10+1, Move 3
Inventory: 400 coins
Equipped: Iron Lance, Flowing Robes
Active abilities (mouse over to view details):
Magical Experiment
Power Strike I
Fireball I
Passive abilities:
Lingering Darkness

[FuzzyZergling]

"Oh hey again Bradley! So I guess you guys are here looking for the Aqua Star?"