hobbygamers ~ View topic

So I'm trying to come up with a new godstone, a new land (somewhere in south of Daemonscar), and a new story. Basically I'm trying to come up with a Paragon threat here, temporarily known as Helix Emperor.

Since I'm not good at storytelling, I'll be posting this as an outline. Will be requesting help with fluff team if convulsions come up (and most likely it would) and in cleaning this up. I asked help from Acid Blue for the early parts. It's my first time so please be gentle Very Happy

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Origin of Helix Emperor:

1st part: Discovery of Spiral Godstone (about 15 years before present)
*there is a constant war for resources in the Playground (CRACKLEPOOP-ism for the south lands) from different cities/estates.
*a squad of humans had an encampment on a certain oasis
*They were ambushed by opposing force (could be any race), deliberately ruining their camp
*The lieutenant survives, and rides back to home city
*While escaping, a sunstorm came in, and he had to find shelter
*He stumbles on the Spiral Godstone (on a cave/shelter), he got a shard and kept it; he continued journey after sunstorm
*Upon the vicinity of the city, he sees that the city is being invaded by the same opposing force who ambushed them; he finds a way in the city and tried to help in defending
*During his attempts in defending, commanding a squad who's leader has been down, the godstone gave him boost, showing great prowess against enemies; It encourage the troops against invaders
*They fended off invaders; he was seen as a hero and got promoted

2nd Part: The Take Over (5 years before present)
*He soon led the battles against other forces, winning each one of them, thanks to the godstone 'blessing'
*He soon rose up in the ranks, becoming a powerful and renowned commander
*Using his troops, he excavates the main godstone from the cave (where he took shelter) and kept it in the city, but not revealing it to public
*Eventually, they took control most of the Lower Lands, gaining possessions of many resources (oasis/mines)
*Though the war have gone down, his lust for battle is still there, incited by the godstone's blessing/curse
*His paranoia led him to a plan to seize control on the city, and try to incite war against other cities, taking control of them as well
*Upon his reign, he reveals his true source of strength (the godstone) and used it as a threat to other factions, and those who oppose him
*with the blessing of the stone to him and his whole army, they were an unstoppable force taking over almost all of the Lower Lands
*Soon, he gained fanatics/worshippers, believing that he is the unbeatable avatar of battle, naming him the Helix Emperor.

3rd Part: The Present
*He created a spiral tower in his city, and fortified it as well. (Spiral Fortress)(think of Sauraman Tower here)
*Although the Helix Emperor has control most of the Lower Lands, there is still a few cities that oppose the threat (possibly an alliance?)
*This is where PCs come in
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There are many details left out here, and loop holes as well. And I'm still trying to write up the god where the Spiral Godstone came from (Or if my "ideal godstones" pushed through, it might just be that). He's probably Kord-like, except he doesn't deal with storms, and is associated with force type magic.

Also, there might be great typos/grammatical errors here, I posted this early morning, so please bear with me. Embarassed

Comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Very Happy

BJ: CRACKLEPOOP-ism

After some thought, this might be too ambitious. I'll probably revise this sometime next week, fix name problems as well.

Interesting, actually. Talk to TBC or AAS about this and bounce around a few ideas and revisions. I'm still busy working on the Quickstart Guide.

Thanks for the comment Very Happy

I was actually planning a Spiral "kingdom", sort of, but I believe we're trying to avoid that, though not entirely sure why. Maybe I'll change the present part to "they're trying to take over the Playground" from "they already took over the Playground", so war and chaos ensues. Twisted Evil

I'll accept anyone's help for now, as i'm not really good at detailing-stories stuff, I'm usually the synopsis guy during high school Laughing

BJ: CRACKLEPOOP-ism

We're trying to avoid kingdoms because the shattered landscapes of Creation simply can't support a wide-spanning multi-city kingdom. At most, the land can support the creation of powerful city-states built around important resources like farmland, water, fonts of magical energy, etc.

See the DMG Chapter 9, especially "The World is Mysterious" and the "points of light" concept. Each city-state is a flickering point of light in the darkness of Creation. In the case of the Nagthari lands, this is quite literal.

Well, my idea was whenever the "Spiral Empire" conquers a city, he doesn't claim it, rather forces it to become allies with it, therefore it will not be the Spiral Empire's responsibility to feed it, but if it needed armed forces, it should gladly give it to them. It's not sort of a kingdom, rather "forced alliance".

Then the Spiral Empire is really more of a faction, as opposed to a kingdom.

Can we support another (secret?) faction? I think we have enough, but then, that's really the fluff team's call.

Interesting. I assume it's called the spiral godstone because it's a... spiral-shaped godstone. Laughing

Also, if we're going to roll with this, I can strangely see the helix Emperor as a Death Knight, whose real name is Alazlam. Twisted Evil

Very Old Dragon Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 693

Actually, Erwin...that's precisely what a kingdom is...a clump of alliances that has lords that feed the people and provide arms to the king when needed... There's just the illusion of someone at the top of it all...

This makes the idea...well...somewhat problematic...especially since we can probably consider godstones as something akin to nuclear weaponry...overreach and everyone else will exterminate you...and it kind of sounds a little too noisy for a secret faction.

Wait, it's a secret faction? I think I missed that part. @.@

I'd rather have him as an open threat. He currently can't expand his power base asides from what he already has (due to one reason or another), but he is powerful enough that no one really dares to try and eradicate him as a threat.

Sort of like Alazlam in Pharagos. He practically owned the Pharagos Daemonscar, but none of the other nations were nterested in kicking his ass. He was too far to be an actual danger to them.

What BJ said. I had no intention of it being a secret faction.

Well, I wouldn't make him a death knight, he's just some human "chosen" by the Spiral godstone (and yes, it's spiral-shaped, and every time you attune your shard to it, your shard will become a spiral Laughing

). This is inspired by Gurren Lagann's Lord Genome, the Helix King, though his power is from his own, not given to him by some power source.

The idea of him waging war even though his "home city" was already consistent in resources is that the power is overcharging him, sort of short circuit, that he had to let out that surge of power. Since they were already fearsome by the time they sort of settled, instincts tell him

What's to stop a cheap ass military dictator from calling himself emperor regardless of how big his actual "empire" is. Razz

We'll need a better name for the "Playground."

Also, the title "Helix Emperor" has a nice ring to it, but be careful about lifting too much from Gurren Lagann. Remember what happened to Pharagos? It would be an interesting starting point, but take it further. Of course, this could just be my bias against that particular form of anime action comedy, but what the hell.

BJ: CRACKLEPOOP-ism

There's an anime character called Helix Emperor?

Burn it.

You didn't declare CRACKLEPOOPism. But don't fret.

*puts on enforcer cap*

Until further notice, the Lands Down Below shall be called, "Playground".

The god is dead, and as such its former identity is irrelevant. Basically, I'm saying you could define the god if you want to, but it is not required of a godstone. These fonts of power should rightly be mysterious.

As for the name, spiral is generic enough, so that one is acceptable. The king/emperor nomenclature is what I'm concerned about.

I say we just call him Alazlam. Twisted Evil

Hello erwin. How's this one going?

It doesn't have to be "Alazlam" per se, but any specific name should be good enough (well, except names that sound similar to characters from TTGL). Add the King/Emperor title, even, if that helps. Then, as sort of an inside joke, we could just kinda hint at his being called the Helix Emperor before, but having changed it after his faction was disbanded/defeated/whatever.

E.g.
"All these lands are under the control of the He-!"
"Shh! Don't let him hear you say that!"

Something like that. Just an idea Razz

Well, he supposedly has a name, but doesn't recognized it anymore. In flavor, he used to have a name. But it didn't matter during his reign, as he preferred his new title,*insert cool adjective + awesome noun*, which his followers call him anyways. Sort of lost, or rather discarded.

Helix Furor
Thunder Helix
Helix Master
Helix General
Lightning Helix
Roaring Helix

Names i thought at the top of my head. Fave is Roaring Helix Cool

Comments and suggestions are appreciated.

Old Dragon Joined: 04 Oct 2007 Posts: 431

ORIGIN OF THE HELIX KING

Written by the Helix Emperor's Historian:

Walking the place that's soon to be called the Spiral Lands, the soon to be Great Ruler idly walked upon the land when he stumbled upon someone very badly wounded. From his armor one can easily tell that he is the powerful warrior. He didn't understand his judgment, but he suddenly helped the fallen one and tended his injuries. After a few days, the warrior woke up, and he saw the Great One training outside. The warrior woke up, the thanked the Great One. He asked if there was something he could do to repay him, and the Great One simply said, "Fight me in even battle, for you seem to be a worthy opponent." The warrior gave out a wicked smile, and agreed to his request.

They fought for days without end, each blow with an intent to kill, until the 7th day where the Great One found the smallest of chances and swiped the warrior off its feet. With his mighty spear aiming at the heart, the warrior grinned, his defeat apparent.

"I yield," said the warrior, only the slightest bit reluctant. The Great One gave a nod, and set his spear aside.
"I was right," he said. "You are a formidable opponent."
"Though not so formidable as you, it seems," said the warrior with a smile.
"I would know your name, sir," said the Great One while extending a helping hand. "I know the names of all the warriors I respect."
The warrior's smile did not fade, but it did seem to sadden. "Names... are not as important as all that, my friend."

He stood then, his visage slowly changing, beams of light slowly beating down upon his face. The Great One could see it, then; this man was godlike, to say the least.

"That, I am," replied the warrior, as if seeming to read the other man's mind. "One of the old, one of the nameless." At this the Great One knelt in reverence, but the god would not have it.
"My friend, if anything, I should kneel to you."
The Great One stood then, and the god went on.
"That was an enjoyable battle, yes? I would fight you again, if that is alright."
"I... yes, of course. Although, I fear I'm in no condition--"
"Not now, of course," said the god, smiling. "Next time, I shall set the terms."
"Yes. Fair enough."
With that they both chuckled, and bid their farewells.
"May you live until we meet again," said the god.
"I will certainly try."
"Well said, my friend. Now, I must be on. Candy Mountain awaits."
The Great One nodded his agreement.

"Candy Mountain awaits."

b_b edit: cracklepooped

Use CRACKLEPOOPism. Garhalla won't do.

Just so we're clear, Candy Mountain is the former never-ending-battle plane (can't remember it's actual name) in the Astral Sea.

With this story, Helix Emperor is not aiming to conquer the world, rather to be strong enough to enter godhood, and fight the god (which is now dead). But since he's dead, he's now aiming for the plane itself.

The story doesn't stop there, I hope juaberman or b_b continues it Very Happy