The Altera Centauri collection has been brought up to date by Darsnan. It comprises every decent scenario he's been able to find anywhere on the web, going back over 20 years.
25 themes/skins/styles are now available to members. Check the select drop-down at the bottom-left of each page.
Call To Power 2 Cradle 3+ mod in progress: https://apolyton.net/forum/other-games/call-to-power-2/ctp2-creation/9437883-making-cradle-3-fully-compatible-with-the-apolyton-edition
Episode I has been duly posted.....Friday seems to have been elected as the designated day, so Episode II will go up next Friday evening....
-=Vel=-
The list of published books grows. If you're curious to see what sort of stories I weave out, head to Amazon.com and do an author search for "Christopher Hartpence." Help support Candle'Bre, a game created by gamers FOR gamers. All proceeds from my published works go directly to the project.
Why did I post a comments thread for a story that does not exist? Because it soon will! This is my way of "advertising" the story a bit....build up some expectation, that sort of thing....
Per a discussion with both Rynn (in the Forums) and Googlie (via AOL chat), I have finally been convinced to pick up the pen and re-work and complete the old Gaian "Episodes" I started way back in May.....work continues on that now (in fact, I'm taking a break from it as I type this), and I should have some postable material up soon.
My plan is to keep the suspense up by posting only one installment per week, in true serialized format (and, I've got enough material together that if I suffer writer's block, I will be able to rely on my backlog to help me over the hard spots). Having said that, be watching for the first installment, coming soon to an Apolyton near you....lol
-=Vel=-
The list of published books grows. If you're curious to see what sort of stories I weave out, head to Amazon.com and do an author search for "Christopher Hartpence." Help support Candle'Bre, a game created by gamers FOR gamers. All proceeds from my published works go directly to the project.
I am really glad to see this story line revived. It has always been my favorite, even surpassing the Chronicles. And I love the new intro to it. Classic stuff!!
In a broader note, I am happy that serialization is making a comeback as a viable form of storytelling. The resurgance of the format can be seen as early as the late 80's in National Geographic travelogues. And with Stephen King doing the mass market try with The Green Mile, many folks have gotten more intersted in the serial. And now with the internet, authors can get immediate feedback from their readers and so we see truly collaborative efforts.
Anyway, I'll get off the soapbox. Again Vel, thanks for reviving this story!
I was wondering which of the SC'ers would see that particular tale first....and I'm glad you're liking the new material! There is much more to come! I've nearly doubled the length of it, as it existed when I stopped, and that's without adding anything beyond episode 16! LOL.....am in the process of editing that down some, but I really think it's a much more complete tale now....and yes.....I too, am QUITE pleased that the serial is making a (long overdue) comeback!
-=Vel=- (back to the writing)
The list of published books grows. If you're curious to see what sort of stories I weave out, head to Amazon.com and do an author search for "Christopher Hartpence." Help support Candle'Bre, a game created by gamers FOR gamers. All proceeds from my published works go directly to the project.
Thank you, Provost! And, I've been sorta-kinda toying with making two posts per week until I get the original 16 episodes completed.....::shrug:: dunno at this point.....just playing with the notion in my head, but there IS more on the way, and I'm also weaving bits of SMACX into the framework (even tho it meant deviating marginally from the storyline as it originally played out).....
-=Vel=-
The list of published books grows. If you're curious to see what sort of stories I weave out, head to Amazon.com and do an author search for "Christopher Hartpence." Help support Candle'Bre, a game created by gamers FOR gamers. All proceeds from my published works go directly to the project.
Thanks guys, and by the way, what do you think of the one episode per week thing? Too much time inbetween, or no?
Cotronco: As to writing dialogue, here are a couple of things I do frequently (and I'm sure my neighbors think I'm insane...LOL)
First and most important is to make the conversations seem natural. When you write something down for one of your characters to say, try it on for size. Say it for yourself to see how it sounds coming out of your mouth. If it sounds 'stilted' or unnatural, consider how YOU would say the same thing, and make changes accordingly.
The second thing is this: We all know the importance of body language in helping to convey meaning, but our readers cannot actually "see" our characters, and so must be shown what they are doing. Thus, I make frequent mention of where my characters are looking, or how they are moving (ie"....the corners of his eyes crinkled slightly as he laughed at my concern, and I knew at that moment it was all going to be okay....." or stuff like that. (of course, taken together, these two suggestions may lead to situations where you find yourself looking in the mirron at the way your face scrunches up when you yell the phrase "Anna, come back!" at two o'clock in the morning until your neighbors come knocking on your door wanting to know who the Hell Anna is and if everything's okay.....not that I have any firsthand experience with that sort of thing....::lookin' suddenly sheepish:: LOL
-=Vel=-
[This message has been edited by Velociryx (edited November 06, 1999).]
The list of published books grows. If you're curious to see what sort of stories I weave out, head to Amazon.com and do an author search for "Christopher Hartpence." Help support Candle'Bre, a game created by gamers FOR gamers. All proceeds from my published works go directly to the project.
I am humbled by your great writing skill velociryx, your writings is a great inspiration for my own thread "crossfire tales"...well me and a few others.
i really like how you conduct conversations and such.....its always been a problem for me....i could always you some pointers
like all above have said, great job, and interesting plot. I had not been here for your original story, so all this is new to me. Looking foward to next part of story
Tis nice writing, it is. An interesting and rather fresh approach to the (in my opinion) oveused Gaian lifestyle. Having read the first two episodes, I await the third instalment.
"Your reserachers have discovered Velociryx's story! This discovery stimulates a bunch of new writing for the Crossfire Tales!"
------------------
- Jasonian (back to the Drone mines)
Banned on Black Saturday in the name of those who went before him.
Realizes that no one probably remembers that event.
Jasonian: Thanks! I have tried to stick true to the "classic" Gaian mindset, but it occured to me that, in the beginning of things, they'd have no more or less empathy than anybody else with the Planetary conscoiousness.....they may be more open to it, but would still need a catalyst....someone to show them the way, so to speak.....heheh....so I figured I'd explain a bit of that....
I've also been trying to keep all the native Gaian characters true to form (Kevin's comment in episode I to the effect that his mission was "more important than some stupid regulation" was written with the Gaian Police penalty in mind).... Next installment being worked on currently....
-=Vel=-
The list of published books grows. If you're curious to see what sort of stories I weave out, head to Amazon.com and do an author search for "Christopher Hartpence." Help support Candle'Bre, a game created by gamers FOR gamers. All proceeds from my published works go directly to the project.
Am I a sucker, or what? LOL....I get a few suggestions that maybe one segment a week isn't quite enough, and what do I do? I post the segments as soon as I'm done with them.....
-Enjoy!
-=Vel=-
The list of published books grows. If you're curious to see what sort of stories I weave out, head to Amazon.com and do an author search for "Christopher Hartpence." Help support Candle'Bre, a game created by gamers FOR gamers. All proceeds from my published works go directly to the project.
Well, I have been lurking around here for many months. But this thread was enough to force me to post a reply. Im a long time fan of Vel and his writing. He told me he had posted a story here and that I should go read it sometime. I said of course. NEVER played SMAC... ummmm never heard of SMAC lol. But his episodes pulled me in and made me a regular reader of the forums.
I have still never played, but I did just tell him the other day I thought it was about time to download that demo. Of course, he graciously sent me my own copy of the Strategy Guide.:-) So now I am prepared.
I must commend you all on your writing abilities. I have enjoyed this fiction forum daily. Googlie, the Mindworm Story was wonderful. I must admit I havent attempted the Spartan Chronicles. Sorry.
But I love all of the rest. Thank you to you all.Please.. wish me well on my first SMAC Journey, coming soon.
Smiles to all,
Lady Sonya
P.S. Vel, I cant wait to get started reading, and Im so glad to see your going to them more often then once a week. I just hate the suspense between them. :-)
In talking with a number of people here, I've decided to go ahead and speed up the releases of the "old-but-revamped" story material....no specific timeframe....but I'll try not to flood too much out all at once....but these early episodes will certainly appear more quickly than the ones which fall after Episode XVI.....at any rate....I'll be posting Episode II shortly....enjoy....
-=Vel=-
The list of published books grows. If you're curious to see what sort of stories I weave out, head to Amazon.com and do an author search for "Christopher Hartpence." Help support Candle'Bre, a game created by gamers FOR gamers. All proceeds from my published works go directly to the project.
Hello Lady S! And I'm glad you came out of hiding....
Also glad to hear you've officially joined the ranks of the hopelessly SMAC-addicted....hehehe....get ready for some sleepless nights!
Good luck with the demo, and I hope the Strat. Guide serves you well....
And, here's hoping you continue posting! 'tis good to see you here!
-=Vel=-
The list of published books grows. If you're curious to see what sort of stories I weave out, head to Amazon.com and do an author search for "Christopher Hartpence." Help support Candle'Bre, a game created by gamers FOR gamers. All proceeds from my published works go directly to the project.
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