Descendants of Time - Discussion Thread

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Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer
This is the thread where users may discuss the plot, characters, and other things related to the Descendants of Time RP. I'm making this thread since a few wanted to use it, but I really hope it's put to use. Mind you, this is still a bit of an experiment. If the thread dies out early, I'm probably not making more discussion threads for my future RPs.

Any posts or comments are welcome as long as the subject pertains to the RP itself (or anything related to any RP).

On that note, we're looking for readers, especially those who may post comments and critiques on our more recent writings.

Can't say we're really looking for comments on our old writing styles (our writing definitely improved since the past year) but any plot-based comment and criticism is absolutely welcome.

And yes, feel free to talk shit about any characters. Particularly Claudia and Aleksander.
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Fallan Kamen Rider Cheeki
First for Michael's mentor

Forum Image: https://puu.sh/n4Qu4/1c144b70bc.jpg
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Second!
Spoiler:
Mentor dead btw


About what I've read so far in Act 6
Jesus fight was cool (yes, if you haven't read act 4 yet but decided to open this spoiler anyway, Jesus is in this. And he's a piece of shit). The part where Michael gets a hit in was very satisfying. I also enjoyed the Mary fight, although it dragged just a little bit for me. Strangely enough, the part immediately following that fight got me to root for Claudia to do something for I think maybe the first time ever.

I'm not sure on why Jesus left Mary behind when the Queen made him gtfo.

After all that crazy shit went down, the scene involving Michael and Charlotte at the cemetery was also really nice. I like how it explored their relationship more and revealed more about Michael's backstory. I can't help but question however why he took her to the cemetery in the first place. No reason really given, even Michael himself at one point goes, "Why did I bring us here?" or something like that.

From what I've read of Svetlana's scenes so far, when she picks out her new maids, it hasn't really been explained why she picked Evelyn and Katya yet. I'm hoping that gets explored at least a little bit at some point though it's not that big of a deal.

That's all I gotta say for now. And yes, Rise made me post this, not that I'm complaining too much. The guy has put in so much effort, we all have, but none more than him. Speaking as one of the players, he has continually impressed me with all the shit he keeps coming up with to throw at our characters. I think it's fair to give him some comments.
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I'd like to first point out that we had Alek for the sole purpose of talking shit about him only.

Secondly, a warning for whoever would dare come to this thread; don't read any of Claudia's stuff before act 4. All that was around two years ago, back when I had the writing style of an edgy teenage shitlord. In hindsight, I feel as if I tried a bit hard to nitty gritty and made Claudia a Kaneki expy with all the finger cracking and shit. I apologize for that cancer.

Lastly, holy shit, Rice—holy shit. This whole limb losing phase/running gag you're making me endure is fucking toxic.
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Fallan Kamen Rider Cheeki
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
Second!
Spoiler:
Mentor dead btw


Press F to pay respects
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I finished off another decent sized chunk of Act 6, so I figured now would be a good time to post some more comments.

There's a Svetlana scene that stretched for at least 10 pages that I'm going to call shopping hell because Svet goes shopping, and it's really boring. Seriously, almost nothing happens. There's no plot progression, I don't feel as if I know any of the characters better after reading it, and there's only a tiny bit of worldbuilding at the end when they go to a shop that sells magical items. I'm sure the scene was fun to write, but as a reader, it was really hard to get through. The other Svet scenes I've read in this act so far are much stronger, especially during the King's court sequence. Svet's interactions with her maid Julia are amusing. Half-demon commoner turned noble X noble turned lazy maid.

Michael was the other PC who got scenes in what I read. I don't have too much to say about them. It was interesting though getting Michael's thoughts on Princess Louise and seeing how he interacted with her. Act 5 more or less portrayed her as a despicable person, but as we've been told before, she also has a charming side to her and as far as I can recall, this is the first time it's really come through.
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Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
It was interesting though getting Michael's thoughts on Princess Louise and seeing how he interacted with her. Act 5 more or less portrayed her as a despicable person, but as we've been told before, she also has a charming side to her and as far as I can recall, this is the first time it's really come through.


To be honest, I didn't intend to do that. Kinda just happened now that I look at it again. It's cool to know she's a bit more likable in general though. I don't really want villains to just be jackasses you can hate, there's always that different justice thing I like to pull.
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Fallan Kamen Rider Cheeki
Cinia Pacifica wrote...
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
It was interesting though getting Michael's thoughts on Princess Louise and seeing how he interacted with her. Act 5 more or less portrayed her as a despicable person, but as we've been told before, she also has a charming side to her and as far as I can recall, this is the first time it's really come through.


To be honest, I didn't intend to do that. Kinda just happened now that I look at it again. It's cool to know she's a bit more likable in general though. I don't really want villains to just be jackasses you can hate, there's always that different justice thing I like to pull.


I could think a few reasons why she would appear bitchy to some at the start, mostly it was spurred by a few interactions. But interacting with them normally, we can see a different side to them that makes them redeemable, and even likable.

Basically I blame Snickers.


Also Jeebus and King can go rot in maggotland.
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Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer
Fallan wrote...
King can go rot in maggotland.


Why the hate? He is a perfectly cool guy, usurping the throne, fucking his daughter and shit.
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Fallan Kamen Rider Cheeki
Cinia Pacifica wrote...
Fallan wrote...
King can go rot in maggotland.


Why the hate? He is a perfectly cool guy, usurping the throne, fucking his daughter and shit.


MAGGOTLAND!!!!!!!!!!!

Whew. Hoping for Act 6 to be posted and be finished soon, so it won't be spoilerry to discuss shit from there.
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Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer
Fallan wrote...
Cinia Pacifica wrote...
Fallan wrote...
King can go rot in maggotland.


Why the hate? He is a perfectly cool guy, usurping the throne, fucking his daughter and shit.


MAGGOTLAND!!!!!!!!!!!

Whew. Hoping for Act 6 to be posted and be finished soon, so it won't be spoilerry to discuss shit from there.


Eh, I doubt anyone cares enough to read our posts, or the story, as much as we wish to kek.
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For some reason I feel like now would be a good time to give more thoughts on what I've read. So . . .

Spoiler:
I think the big thing I've read since I last posted was the big fight in Saudi Arabia so I'm just going to start with that. To be honest, it seems like the vampires made quick work of the king and all his guards. It makes me wonder why they waited this long to hand their asses to them. There weren't really any moments where I thought they might lose. There were just a move or two the king got off that seemed like it might turn the tide, but then the Countess quickly got back on top of things.

The action was described well for the most part, but as I mentioned before on Skype, it was difficult for me to get into the scene because it follows Claudia and the vampires who I don't like, and I think that I probably won't be the only one who has a problem there. It's hard to root for someone who gets enjoyment out of chasing down and murdering innocent women. In fact, I found myself hoping Abudllah and Majed would come out on top despite the fact that it didn't seem likely. I also mentioned before how I'm not a fan of people riding on top of jets. Yeah I know, it's possible because magic. That doesn't change how insane it is though.

Claudia v Rose was kinda the same. Good action, but it follows a character I don't like. It's nice though seeing Claudia care for one of her comrades. It adds a little bit of humanity to her and makes her not a complete asshole.

DDD was a fun character to interact with during the Boundary busting thing. I don't know what I was expecting him to be like, but that wasn't it. And it was fun watching Roland be dumb and pick up a warded gun and get his hand frozen.

The other thing that I really want to bring up is Roland's exploration of the moon shard. Another thing that was mentioned before in chat, but if you've been paying attention up that point and you know the lore, right away before the characters even start speculating on what they're seeing, you can guess at what it hints at and it's just one of those moments where I went holy shit.

I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff, but that's it for now.
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Fallan Kamen Rider Cheeki
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
Spoiler:
It's nice though seeing Claudia care for one of her comrades. It adds a little bit of humanity to her and makes her not a complete asshole.



Haven't read it all yet but, like what I said before in the chat, there was still like a step Claudia is not taking to make me think like she's a damn badass. Those first few acts did have a high impact on how I view her, but now she feels like she has changed; it's just that I think there's still something more. Dunno what though.

tee hee pero

Spoiler:
That hair color switching per act is totes tumblr though.
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Spoiler:
Honestly in my opinion, this would probably have to be the best act Claudia's had in years, from the day this RP first began. Looking back from act one, to now, I, as her creator admits she was a stereotypical edgy yandere shit. I vehemently regret even making her like that—or at least at all, looking at the reactions she often gets. But this act differentiates act one Claudia from the current one. Yes, she is still shit. But you could argue that she developed well, if not a little.

Compared to her first try with the Countess, my heart skipped a beat when she actually acknowledged Claudia's fixation with her. If there is one highlight I would note at all this act, it would be that.

I thought the fight with the Saudi Prince and King was well done, even showed Countess in action, which I feel we don't get enough of.

I've yet to read everyone else's experiences this act, but for Claudia, I'll give it a B+ for character development.
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Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
For some reason I feel like now would be a good time to give more thoughts on what I've read. So . . .

Spoiler:
I think the big thing I've read since I last posted was the big fight in Saudi Arabia so I'm just going to start with that. To be honest, it seems like the vampires made quick work of the king and all his guards. It makes me wonder why they waited this long to hand their asses to them. There weren't really any moments where I thought they might lose. There were just a move or two the king got off that seemed like it might turn the tide, but then the Countess quickly got back on top of things.

The action was described well for the most part, but as I mentioned before on Skype, it was difficult for me to get into the scene because it follows Claudia and the vampires who I don't like, and I think that I probably won't be the only one who has a problem there. It's hard to root for someone who gets enjoyment out of chasing down and murdering innocent women. In fact, I found myself hoping Abudllah and Majed would come out on top despite the fact that it didn't seem likely. I also mentioned before how I'm not a fan of people riding on top of jets. Yeah I know, it's possible because magic. That doesn't change how insane it is though.

Claudia v Rose was kinda the same. Good action, but it follows a character I don't like. It's nice though seeing Claudia care for one of her comrades. It adds a little bit of humanity to her and makes her not a complete asshole.

DDD was a fun character to interact with during the Boundary busting thing. I don't know what I was expecting him to be like, but that wasn't it. And it was fun watching Roland be dumb and pick up a warded gun and get his hand frozen.

The other thing that I really want to bring up is Roland's exploration of the moon shard. Another thing that was mentioned before in chat, but if you've been paying attention up that point and you know the lore, right away before the characters even start speculating on what they're seeing, you can guess at what it hints at and it's just one of those moments where I went holy shit.

I'm sure I'm forgetting stuff, but that's it for now.


Thanks for the comment.

I've been wondering, but what do you think of the characters themselves?
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I just finished another huge chunk of the current act, the Russian section of the act to be exact, so here're are my thoughts.

Spoiler:
I found it kinda difficult to get into most of the revolution stuff. We're seeing it all through Michael's pov, and he doesn't really have much of a reason to be doing this stuff beyond Dana told him to. One of the more exciting parts was the first Mary clone fight because Michael had a deeper connection to it.

Another problem I have with the revolution is overall it just felt too easy for Michael and the others. I didn't really start feeling tension until Andrew's punkass showed up and killed Xenia, which was a cool scene. Took me completely off guard as I mentioned in chat. After this scene is when I feel the tension really starts mounting.

This brings me to another issue I have. Michael seems so strong now, which isn't a bad thing itself. The problem I have is everyone's telling him he's got so much more room to improve that despite how strong he is, and I'm just like, "Okay. If you say so." I know that he does in fact have a lot of room to grow, but the way his strength is portrayed in the writing is at odds with these moments like when Michael literally moves faster than the speed of sound. That seems pretty damn strong to me. Granted, there's more to strength than speed, but still. It's stuff like that doesn't match with people telling him he's actually not that strong in the larger scheme of things.

As I already said, the tension starts to pick up after Xenia dies, and I started getting much more engrossed in it after that. The tower at the end was a cool set piece, but I can't help but wonder what purpose it serves. Did Lenin really have to build a giant tower in the middle of some other realm to create a clone of a Descendant? Also, it was difficult to take Lenin seriously despite how much ass he was kicking. He was very much a stereotypical evil villain.

Dana killing the fake was awesome.

I also enjoyed the alternate lives Michael got to experience during the trial. I feel like maybe they dragged on too long, but on my first time reading through them at least I knew something was going to fuck his shit up at some point but not when, and it was fun guessing when that moment was gonna happen. It was also interesting to see these what-if scenarios.
2
Fallan Kamen Rider Cheeki
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
Spoiler:
I found it kinda difficult to get into most of the revolution stuff. We're seeing it all through Michael's pov, and he doesn't really have much of a reason to be doing this stuff beyond Dana told him to. One of the more exciting parts was the first Mary clone fight because Michael had a deeper connection to it.



Sometimes, this is why I feel like I am going ooc, or directionless with him. This being my first RP, this is one of this first times for me to encounter a scenario where my chara is an outsider with no stakes in the conflict aside from WAIFU. It was an educational experience, at least.

d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...

Spoiler:
Another problem I have with the revolution is overall it just felt too easy for Michael and the others. I didn't really start feeling tension until Andrew's punkass showed up and killed Xenia, which was a cool scene. Took me completely off guard as I mentioned in chat. After this scene is when I feel the tension really starts mounting.

This brings me to another issue I have. Michael seems so strong now, which isn't a bad thing itself. The problem I have is everyone's telling him he's got so much more room to improve that despite how strong he is, and I'm just like, "Okay. If you say so." I know that he does in fact have a lot of room to grow, but the way his strength is portrayed in the writing is at odds with these moments like when Michael literally moves faster than the speed of sound. That seems pretty damn strong to me. Granted, there's more to strength than speed, but still. It's stuff like that doesn't match with people telling him he's actually not that strong in the larger scheme of things.



Generally, in my inclination to just make cool shit up, I make it harder for me to write his fights down the road. It makes me think things like, "if he is this fast, why isn't he attacking at this moment?" and those times where he's not doing an action in a while feels so jarring. Basically, writing those battle parts is still something I have to learn.

d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...

Spoiler:
As I already said, the tension starts to pick up after Xenia dies, and I started getting much more engrossed in it after that. The tower at the end was a cool set piece, but I can't help but wonder what purpose it serves. Did Lenin really have to build a giant tower in the middle of some other realm to create a clone of a Descendant? Also, it was difficult to take Lenin seriously despite how much ass he was kicking. He was very much a stereotypical evil villain.

Dana killing the fake was awesome.



Gonna steal Lenin's gun.

d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...

I also enjoyed the alternate lives Michael got to experience during the trial. I feel like maybe they dragged on too long, but on my first time reading through them at least I knew something was going to fuck his shit up at some point but not when, and it was fun guessing when that moment was gonna happen. It was also interesting to see these what-if scenarios.


DoT is where you see something happy happening and just see it as a prelude to tragedy.
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Cinia Pacifica wrote...
I've been wondering, but what do you think of the characters themselves?


Not sure who to even begin with.

I don't know what it is about Maria, but there's just something about her that made me like her almost instantly.

Victoria Jr gives off this feeling of someone who used to respect and expects it, but at the same time she enjoys hanging out with people. She comes off as a classy lady who prefers to let others do the work but doesn't shy away from getting her hands dirty when she has to.

I can totally see Leopold as one of those guys who seems so perfect in every way, he pisses you off without even trying. On the surface, he's everything you'd expect in the ideal prince, but there's been hints that he's not so perfect and moments like after the Italy fight that keep him balanced.

June's always been pretty fun to interact with. With my character at least, his attitude makes it very easy for her to get along with him when they're not fighting. I have no idea how he went from being mundane to finding out about the Crystal Paladins and joining them in a year. That was all glossed over, but it's not important in the bigger scheme of things so I was able to ignore it.

Queen is Queen. I think you did a good job of making her someone you don't wanna mess with.

Louise and Beatrice, I wanna see both of them die in a fire especially Beatrice. What she did to my character could have happened to anyone and I still would have hated her.

Not sure what to think about Countess. I don't dislike her but I don't really like her either. She seems very competent. As far as I know, she doesn't excessively engage in fucking with other people's lives. She does what she has to for her goals. Most of those are bad goals I can't sympathize with at all, but I don't hate her. I did not imagine her as a loli at all by the way.

I liked what you were doing with Elizabeth before, being someone who the Society managed to get claws on and they're using her and trying to corrupt her. I don't know about now though. So far she comes off as just another evil asshole.

I'm starting to like Virgo more and more. I still think what she did in Act 4 was dumb, but she's gotten a lot more characterization since then to balance that out like that scene with Xenia.

I like Charlotte, but when I first found out she was a Rep, that kinda came out of nowhere for me. I like the thing going with her and Mary. I got mixed feelings about all of Virgo's Reps to be honest. They all seem like cool doods more or less but they've done some shit, no fucks given and will probably do more. Except Samurai. That's guys always kind of just there. His personality is almost non-existent. Granted, there are a lot of characters and they can't all get the same exposure.

Jesus is just an asshole.

May not be the deepest thoughts, but there's so many characters. Just this took me almost an hour. I know I also left out a lot and there's some I'm forgetting. If there's anyone else I didn't mention that you'd really like to hear thoughts on, let me know.

Fallan wrote...
It makes me think things like, "if he is this fast, why isn't he attacking at this moment?" and those times where he's not doing an action in a while feels so jarring.


Yeah, definitely something to watch out for.

Gonna steal Lenin's gun.


I didn't know Michael swung that way.
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Fallan Kamen Rider Cheeki
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
Gonna steal Lenin's gun.


I didn't know Michael swung that way.


SWINGS GO BACK AND FORTH.
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Cinia Pacifica Ojou-sama Writer
d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
I found it kinda difficult to get into most of the revolution stuff. We're seeing it all through Michael's pov, and he doesn't really have much of a reason to be doing this stuff beyond Dana told him to. One of the more exciting parts was the first Mary clone fight because Michael had a deeper connection to it.


I don't know, I always try to give the players personal reasons to get more into such arcs. Sometimes at the start, sometimes after the start, but it usually comes around in some kind of a conversation or a revelation.

For instance, Claudia got into the Saudi arc to prove herself to the Countess. Yes, that was simple and she wasn't truly involved. I honestly wish she'd learn to become a part of the real agenda of the vampires, but she just feels like a pawn who has no idea why she's doing what she's doing.

Anyway, that Mary clone was my way of trying to get Michael more into the Soviet arc, because I thought he'd be that much more enraged at the Soviets for making a clone of his mother, and in particular the implications it had of human experimentations with whatever essence they may have had of Mary. It was strange, but I didn't really talk to Shiki about it.

This was one of those moments my expectations didn't follow through and Michael just gets more doubts and blames his dad instead of wanting to destroy the Soviets and burn their cloning methods to ashes so such tragedies couldn't be repeated. Since that didn't happen, I didn't get to reveal more about their experiment hijinks, and just chose to gloss over them.

But yeah, that's also a fun of GMing, though it makes sense when you put it that way.

d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
This brings me to another issue I have. Michael seems so strong now, which isn't a bad thing itself. The problem I have is everyone's telling him he's got so much more room to improve that despite how strong he is, and I'm just like, "Okay. If you say so." I know that he does in fact have a lot of room to grow, but the way his strength is portrayed in the writing is at odds with these moments like when Michael literally moves faster than the speed of sound. That seems pretty damn strong to me. Granted, there's more to strength than speed, but still. It's stuff like that doesn't match with people telling him he's actually not that strong in the larger scheme of things.


Dunno, Charlotte can sorta match up to him without Chrono Phantasma. In the end, Michael's CP is a crutch to match up to his seniors (even Shiki argues with me with that point), while his seniors have centuries of training and experience to back them up. So, from their perspective, it's only natural to treat him like a learning child. Michael is strong, but it seems this strength is sometimes over-described when he trashes the mobs, but as Shiki said, we just wanted to make it look cool. He's a Rep now, he has to look cool, anyway. Otherwise, WHY ELSE IS HE HERE?

d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
As I already said, the tension starts to pick up after Xenia dies, and I started getting much more engrossed in it after that. The tower at the end was a cool set piece, but I can't help but wonder what purpose it serves. Did Lenin really have to build a giant tower in the middle of some other realm to create a clone of a Descendant? Also, it was difficult to take Lenin seriously despite how much ass he was kicking. He was very much a stereotypical evil villain.


There was an opportunity to find out, but it was missed. You'd find out one day, I guess.

d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
Dana killing the fake was awesome.


o 3o That shit was a lot of work. I want to write more stuff like that, but it probably won't happen much after.

d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
I also enjoyed the alternate lives Michael got to experience during the trial. I feel like maybe they dragged on too long, but on my first time reading through them at least I knew something was going to fuck his shit up at some point but not when, and it was fun guessing when that moment was gonna happen. It was also interesting to see these what-if scenarios.


Dunno, they didn't seemed to drag too much for me. At least individually, that is. I don't think the scenes would build up in the same way if I make them smaller... but maybe that Laura shit, I should've made that one smaller. Too many unnecessary chattering.


d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
Not sure who to even begin with.

I don't know what it is about Maria, but there's just something about her that made me like her almost instantly.


It's something about DDD and DDS but they really are just those fun people, it seems.

d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
I like Charlotte, but when I first found out she was a Rep, that kinda came out of nowhere for me. I like the thing going with her and Mary. I got mixed feelings about all of Virgo's Reps to be honest. They all seem like cool doods more or less but they've done some shit, no fucks given and will probably do more. Except Samurai. That's guys always kind of just there. His personality is almost non-existent. Granted, there are a lot of characters and they can't all get the same exposure.


I have trouble fleshing out her Reps, especially Samurai. I wanna put him with Mike one day but that will have to wait for now.

d(^_^)(^_^)d wrote...
May not be the deepest thoughts, but there's so many characters. Just this took me almost an hour. I know I also left out a lot and there's some I'm forgetting. If there's anyone else I didn't mention that you'd really like to hear thoughts on, let me know.


Hmm... what about Julia? Or Alicia? Or Calamity? Or anyone else you can remember. o 3o
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