RedTimberWolf's Den

[RedTimberWolf]

Noticed a couple of other threads people start for themselves to record ideas and maybe a gather a comment or two along the way. Seemed like a good idea.

I'm put in mind of the beginning of The Hobbit as a setting for this den. With apologies to Tolkien:

In a den in the ground there lived a wolf. Not a nasty, dirty, wet den, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy den with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a wolf-den, and that means comfort, and occasionally the smell of wet wolf.

If you'd like to drop me a note, feel free. Otherwise, I'll randomly drop ideas in here so I don't lose them.

In that vein, here's a link to a couple of ideas I've already posted looking for a co-writer:

Stolen Discovery and The Hunter's Hunter

 

[RedTimberWolf]

Some half formed ideas without much of a story to go with them:


Underground Medicine

Some sort of doctor or researcher works in a bad part of some future city. All sorts come to him for check-ups or treatment because he's willing do illegal (or immoral) things that no one else will touch. Perhaps he'll remove tracking implants, or splice illegal hardware, or change your fingerprints, or even your retinal prints... But some of those who visit can't pay and so he finds a different way to make it worth his while. Perhaps he implants them with an experimental device that messes with their chemistry or hormones so they just can't be sexually satisfied any longer unless they pay him off physically.

Reluctance, humiliation, control all seem to play as themes here.


Dream Catcher

Through some dark arts it is possible to trap someone in their dreams, even turn their dreams against them. And being dreams, time is indistinct, possibly even instantaneous, so instead of waking up they end up living out days or weeks or longer trapped in a land where a wrong thought can plunge you into a nightmare.

Could be many things, but supernatural entities, captivity and force seem to fit here.


Lost Homeland

There was a cataclysmic war but we lost. And now those who remain are enslaved, hiding, or running as part of some last ditch resistance. The resistance is both trying to survive and free those who have been enslaved, though there may be some complexity over that; perhaps the slaves gave themselves up and became "willingly" trapped in some sort of mechanism of control; perhaps they might even be considered to be traitors to the homeland, now lost.

Actually, feel like there's more story here. This could work well in dark fantasy or as science fiction depending on what the homeland was, who the invaders were, what the means of enslavement/control was, etc. The characters would be in the resistance, most likely. This might even work as a group thread (though, honestly, I don't know how well that would work). Potential for a lot of ground here.

 

[RedTimberWolf]

Was struck by a hankering to do a consensual, (mostly) real world, D/s thread this evening, which is a little unusual for me but I blame Shiniez @ DeviantArt entirely.

Also, after a short PM exchange, been musing on a modern day fantasy outline. Sandman was mentioned as source material but my Sandman is fairly rusty. Yes, I should be shot. But preferably not today.

For my own part, was put in mind of the first trailer for The Secret World MMO most keenly. Purely looking at the visuals and ignoring anything said by Funcom on the matter, it seems that the girl depicted is something of a monster hunter in modern times. Where these monsters come from, why they exist, who knows...

Also put a little in mind of Preacher (with less Arseface) for fantastical powers in a modern setting.

 

[Cheska]

Was struck by a hankering to do a consensual, (mostly) real world, D/s thread this evening, which is a little unusual for me but I blame Shiniez @ DeviantArt entirely.

Also, after a short PM exchange, been musing on a modern day fantasy outline. Sandman was mentioned as source material but my Sandman is fairly rusty. Yes, I should be shot. But preferably not today.

For my own part, was put in mind of the first trailer for The Secret World MMO most keenly. Purely looking at the visuals and ignoring anything said by Funcom on the matter, it seems that the girl depicted is something of a monster hunter in modern times. Where these monsters come from, why they exist, who knows...

Also put a little in mind of Preacher (with less Arseface) for fantastical powers in a modern setting.

So that's Secret World..Very extremely cool.

 

[RedTimberWolf]

So that's Secret World..Very extremely cool.

Yes indeed. There's a few more trailers but they're homing in on what they intend to release as a game (if said game actually ever materialises). The first trailer, though, is full of mystery and promise. Why has she got a sword? What is the importance of the tattoos? Why on earth is the monster after her? Love it.

And welcome to the Den, by the by. Not much here, just yet, but y'know... getting there.

 

[Cheska]

Yes indeed. There's a few more trailers but they're homing in on what they intend to release as a game (if said game actually ever materialises). The first trailer, though, is full of mystery and promise. Why has she got a sword? What is the importance of the tattoos? Why on earth is the monster after her? Love it.

And welcome to the Den, by the by. Not much here, just yet, but y'know... getting there.

Thank you, an yes.. Secret World is very Modern Fantasy.. be interesting to see a combo of that an your Shiniez idea.. but that's just me thinking..

 

[RedTimberWolf]

Thank you, an yes.. Secret World is very Modern Fantasy.. be interesting to see a combo of that an your Shiniez idea.. but that's just me thinking..

Oh man, that'd be just about the perfect thread for me right now. I accept your challenge, so very much!

So... *starts thinking hard*

Need a cup of tea for this. Back shortly. Tea all round, I hope? Can do coffee too, if you like...

 

[RedTimberWolf]

So, the challenge: combine Shiniez with something ala The Secret World.

Game on.

First, setting. Don't want to get too constrained with needing to know a particular place so, instead, make the place "the city" and let it take on suitably malleable form made up of places all over the world. It'd benefit from being cosmopolitan but also dark.

Next, mythos. It's handy to have some idea of what kinds of things might come into play so that co-writers can both contribute to the mythos. On the other hand, it's also useful for it to remain somewhat open so that it doesn't become too difficult to play with; don't want to have to refer to the "rule book" before posting, though honestly I'd tend to read back through relevant posts before making a substantial addition on the fly.

I like talking away from the usual words one puts at these sorts of things so that they can take their own shape. For this, I currently favour The Light and The Dark but I don't necessarily think they're so different. I'm put in mind of Night Watch and Day Watch for groups that are diametrically opposed and yet so very similar.

So, let's say that maybe The Light are vaguely angelic and The Dark are somewhat demonic. That'd give them handles to start with, even if we figure that there's no necessity for them to obey any particular doctrine.

What's their beef with each other? In this, I'm feeling fairly straight-forward (and this fits with Sandman's idea of primal forces nicely). If The Light are guardians of the day and The Dark are guardians of the night, they'd simply be. Indeed, if one took that a step further and assumed that day and night were, in a primal way, maintained by their existence then we might arrive at the right scale of conflict.

So, fine, they don't like each other. So what?

One has to assume that such primal forces achieve some sort of balance or, in all likelihood, it'd all have fallen down already. So, if their was balance, what makes it interesting? The balance must have been upset.

Enter humanity, up stage centre, pursued by their own mortality. In the beginning, when mankind dwelt in caves, there was no problem. But gradually, mankind sided with The Light (perhaps unwittingly, perhaps accidentally, but also, perhaps, by deliberate design) and sought to banish the darkness. Little by little, over thousands of years, mankind has brought more and more light into the dark places of the world. At night, overhead lights mark every street, every house has light available at the flick of a switch. The world is already out of balance and the only way The Dark can bring things back into order is to sweep mankind away.

But it's not in the nature of a primal force to move all in one direction, nor to answer to a single leader or idea, nor even to go to war with the world of which it is a fundamental part. Instead, it is aspects of The Dark that make war on man to bring the world back into balance.

But, for mankind's part, they have no intention to be plunged back into medieval times simply to appease The Dark. Indeed, for most of humanity, the idea of primal forces and natural order is something of a quaint notion worth of idly mockery over coffee at lunch. They're not about to give credence to the idea that the world needs to be balanced, just that it's their for the taking.

The Dark becomes more insistent, more insidious, more dangerous. Worst of all, it becomes more organised, and starts to sow the seeds of mankind's demise. It subverts, it corrupts, it undermines and, where it must, it kills. One life, one hundred lives, one million lives... all of no consequence. Balance must be restored.

And, for the most part, The Light doesn't care. Why should it? After all, humans are not part of its plan and while it appreciates the gesture of more lights, more bright places, it has no more need for that than humans themselves. Balance will be restored and that will be that.

So, where are humans left? In the middle, between two forces, one of whom wants to destroy them, one of whom will just sit by and watch.

I can't imagine that humanity is likely to take that lying down...

So, it starts with a few who discover what is happening and the oncoming end of all things. They gather and they resist. They try to tell those around them but people refuse to accept things when there's hard evidence in droves if it'll put them out a bit. There's no evidence of this end if you don't already know how to see it. So they're laughed away. And then, a few of those who tried to spread the word vanish or turn up maimed and killed. The Dark found them through their public activities and tore them down to keep its plan on track. Just sweeping away resistance.

The resistance goes underground, but their numbers are few and their methods scattered and their powers (however derived) are weak. Doomed to fail.

Except that a few of The Light take note and unlike their kindred they decide to get involved in the affairs of man. In secret, they contact members of the resistance, or humans who have a certain spark, or just those who are in the wrong place at the right time. They bind the humans to their powers and, in doing so, allow the humans to channel their light in fantastical ways but, most importantly, in Dark vanquishing ways.

So (here's the Shiniez bit), The Light are really offering a pact: give yourself to me and you may survive and fight. Fail us and fall.

Binding... I see a huge number of possibilities in this. First, it's an obvious D/s angle, with servitude and submission to The Light's wishes as paramount for the provision of its powers (almost alliteration there... ).

Second, there's probably a whole line in trying to keep a particular Light's attention. I'm imagining that they take a corporeal form, probably even human(ish) initially, but most assuredly not human inside. Still, corporeal, perhaps they become interested, even obsessed, in the sensations of the physical form, or even experiencing those sensations through one who is bound to them. Sex would surely be a strong sensation for them, especially as a primal force probably had no need/experience of it before getting involved.

There's possibilities for training. Think: blind fighting. Think: pain management. Think: controlling one's actions/emotions/senses.

There's absolutely no reason for any individual Light to really care too much about an individual human except through what that human can offer to them. It's all about the receiving, for them. After all, their gift of light should be payment enough for everything, shouldn't it?

I guess they're demons, in a way. They're all demons, on both sides, just one set are actually intent on ending humans, where some on the other side might just be interested in helping humans... for a price.

And while we're looking at The Light's growing involvement, wouldn't The Dark employ the same tactics eventually? Human agents working for The Dark on the offer of being spared when the end comes and living like kings and queens 'til it does.

So...

We've got the opportunity for people with powers.

We've got some primal mythos.

We've got a reason for BDSM, willingly or otherwise.

How're we doing?

 

[RedTimberWolf]

Hmm, is that idea post-able as is? I fear the effects of a wall of text so maybe I need to trim that into a more reader-friendly format. Also, needs some idea of what characters might be appropriate.

I'm thinking that this is a two writer story and in a D/s style I'd want the D end of it. That'd naturally put me in the shoes of a manifestation of Light.

It's probably a story of various parts, too. It could even start at the beginning, so to speak. I'm thinking that this might be a good way for someone to write themselves in, explore the mythos a bit, and gradually get in deeper.

I do think it's a tale with a lot of option for action. I say option. Probably a requirement for action, but that's good with me. I guess, in that circumstance, I'd want to offer up the other side of the equation: the forces of Dark, both human and primal.

Hell, I'm up for a world here. Likin' it. Better get to drafting an ad.

 

[RedTimberWolf]

Need to sleep fairly shortly so I'll just draft up a possible ad for that story (and then give Cheska first dibs by virtue of being instrumental in setting me off this way).

~

In the times before man, there was balance between the primal forces of Dark and Light. In the day, Light held sway and walked idly over the world frolicking in the sun. Then, as night fell, the Dark came out to play. Like yin and yang, neither could exist without the other. Like day and night, they simply existed. There was no other why. And they existed in balance.

Then mankind came. The first men and women were little more than the animals that Light and Dark already knew. They paid them little heed. But mankind grew and as he grew he found ways of pushing back the darkness of night. Fire illuminated and extended the reach of Light. Still, the balance wasn't really upset, just nudged. Thousands of years passed and mankind spread further. Then the industrial revolution, the discovery of electricity, and suddenly light was everywhere. Balance: upset.

Primal energies just exist, but to think of them as some uniform force would be a gross simplification. Aspects of The Dark woke to the imbalance and began to push back against the encroaching light. Through subversion, sabotage, and deadlier strategies, The Dark started an invisible crusade against the imbalance brought on by humanity. Advances were lost and humans died. Still no one really noticed.

Well, not actually no one. A few, a mad few, recognised the danger and began to investigate. Some researched, some fought, and some proclaimed the dangers to all who would listen. Few would listen, and most of those ignored the warnings as insanity, even impossibility. Then those who spoke out publicly started to disappear or die. The Dark found them and silenced them as it would any resistance to its inevitable march towards balance.

So the resistance went underground. Disorganised, unfocused and ultimately outmatched by a force beyond real comprehension, they fought and, for the most part, lost.

All the while, The Light just sat by. Their nature is to find balance also and that The Dark sought to bring about the natural balance of things was ordinary, expected, inevitable. But, just like their counterparts, The Light was not a uniform force, undifferentiated. Some aspects of Light took interest in the struggle of humans against The Dark. Their curiosity piqued, they descended, then intervened.

Dark and Light do not struggle with each other. They are opposite, opposing, but naturally balancing. As one pushes, the other recedes, and vice versa. But, through humans, their natural opposition can be channelled.

To those still fighting, those who should be fighting, and those who simply attracted interest, The Light offered a pact, a binding of energies. Each pact was different but the effects were similar. Subservience to an aspect of Light conferred the ability to fight the Dark on equal terms, primal power against primal power. But the price was steep for aspects of Light, even curious ones, are fickle beings and their attention brief if their interest is not sustained. Descended, temporarily corporeal, they amused themselves with pleasures of the flesh, games with human minds and bodies. To continue to fight, even just to survive, one must serve The Light body and soul. Great power at great cost. To falter in service, to lose the interest of their primal guardian, is also to lose that power. And The Dark knows your name.

Characters:

You - a human in need. Perhaps you're one of the last of the resistance. Perhaps you're simply sensitive to the doom approaching. Perhaps you're just in the wrong place at the right time. The Dark has noticed you, however, and your doom is approaching with alacrity. What will you do to survive?

Me - one of the Light, descended from curiosity, need or some other purpose to "rescue" you. But to say it is Light does not also mean it is kind or angelic. In many ways, just a different demon, but with an interest in your survival more than your destruction. You wish to fight? Survive? Protect others? All you need to do is serve.

I anticipate fighting, fleeing, discovery of dark truths, moments of terror, and moments of valour. I anticipate a D/s relationship between The Light and your character. From there, the fickle attentions of The Light are likely to call on greater and more perverse pleasures to keep its attention. And, of course, if there can be servants of Light, why not servants of Dark too...

PM with questions or interest, please.

~

That doesn't seem too bad, though it's still a bit of a wall. Happy for thoughts if anyone cares to, or I'll review and post tomorrow.

 

[RedTimberWolf]

My brain hasn't been far from this thread idea all day (okay, except when it was entirely full of code, but that doesn't count).

I'm kicking about around four character concepts with the intention of playing at least one of them as a main (a Light, unsurprisingly) and having the others play greater or lesser parts. I count two Lights, one Dark and one other Light-bound.

Hmm, is that what I'd call humans who serve the Light? Light-bound. Dark-bound. Could be. I'll have a muse on that and see if any other names come up.

I have to admit that I'm just a bit reluctant to start posting character ideas in advance, partly because, for myself, I like going into a story spoiler free. Now, sure, it's role-playing and it's not the same deal as reading/writing a book or watching a film. Still, I've run more than my fair share of games/stories over the years and I still like having the option on a few tasty secret morsels that, when know, make it all make sense but need to come out through the course of play.

If people really want to know what I'm thinking in advance, that's fine. I can give a no-BS as-it-is-at-that-time info dump on any given subject. But not knowing can be so much fun, can't it? Mmm, delicious.

Anyway, got to sleep. Need to be in the office tomorrow.

 

[RedTimberWolf]

Hmm, so I suspect that posting a wall of text (even reduced as it was) to the ads thread wasn't such a good idea. May have scared people off...

I'll give it to the end of the weekend and think about how to make it a lot shorter (or maybe I'm just being impatient?).

In the meantime, I've had another thought on Lost Homeland, which has had me off thinking in a vaguely Valkyria Chronicles vein. Hugely enjoyed the game but that's not what I'd want to recreate exactly, but the mixture of a partisan militia, WW1 technology and techno-magic is quite appealing.