commments on "The Spartan Chronicles" (vol. 3)

[edgecrusher]

hey... i just realised that we're over the 150 post limit for the comment thread. better not incite the wrath of dan or mark.

------------------
i've become impossible
holding on to when
when everything seemed to matter more
the two of us
all used and beaten up
watching fate as it flows down the path we
have chose

[LightSniper]

Very Impressive Post Hydro.... you did a great job of showing a down pilots problems... even on a foreign planet... simply awesome.

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Life is Awesome

[Hydro]

LightSniper,

Thanks! It is amazing what a little quality time in the yard on Sunday will do. It started when I wondered what it would be like to be the victim of a mindworm attack. Would that person know what was happening? I figured probably not - he or she would be consumed and incapacitated by their worst fears, like poor Nans.

On another topic, I've decided (gulp) to continue with the SC Timeline. It is useful for both authors to see where we have been, for long-time readers to review the past in a timely manner, and for newcomers to understand where SC has been. In my previous edition I only made it through the first Book of Spartan Chronicles, so it is high time I get my butt in gear. So, now is the time for suggestions on:

Format
Content
Structure

I will copy Googlie's SC Books (currently 1-5) for its structure unless someone has a better idea. For format, I envision a chronological timeline (imagine that!) indexed by date. Content is a bit trickier, since I have found that not all posts are necessary to understand the plot. There are a few 'atmosphere' posts, and, sadly, some posts that just hang there and that I know don't go anywhere. The choice is between an outline, like my draft is now, or a complete blow-by-blow dissertation.

I'll have to spend a day or so printing and organizing, since the posts have to be numbered sequentially or I'll go not so quietly insane. Now's the time to chime in!

Hydro

[This message has been edited by Hydro (edited May 23, 2000).]

[edgecrusher]

::hands hydro a big bottle of amphetamines::

here... these might come in handy.

------------------
i've become impossible
holding on to when
when everything seemed to matter more
the two of us
all used and beaten up
watching fate as it flows down the path we
have chose

[korn469]

here is a post for you guys to read

quote: Hey everyone, Our SMAC site is finally ready for public consumption. Apologies to all, it was actually ready last week and I just forgot to let everyone know. Check it out at: www.firaxis.com/smac We've got a fully-implemented online version of the datalinks, some cool concept art for some native lifeforms that never made it into the game, full downloadable versions of the Journey to Centauri stories, faction profiles, and more. I'm always looking for fan submissions as well. If you have original stories, fan art, or a fansite you want us to put up, please feel free to email it to me at webmaster@firaxis.com. Regards, Dan Magaha Web Wizard Firaxis Games, Inc.

i did some promotion for the Spartan Chronicles...who knows maybe firaxis will read it (or at least finally know about it)

korn469

[senatus]

Hydro: great "mini" with Nans and his death at the hands... er, coils, of the mindworms. The revelation at the end of story where Nans actually was, and what was happening, was very "Serling-eqsue". Creepy!

[LightSniper]

well i posted my lastest chapter to the chronicles.... hopefully its abit better than the junk ive posted before. (going for the sympathy vote here..lol) Again, im always looking for help and recommendations.

Also, Hydro, you hear anything about them putting the chronicles up on smac's new website?

[Hydro]

LightSniper,

First, your contributions to SC are hardly ‘junk’. Second, your characters and your squad are just getting started, so give it some time. One tactic that can generate more history and empathy by the reader for your characters is providing more background. Flashbacks are good for this, or you can let the bits and pieces come out with the story (which is what generally happens). Just don’t be surprised when events overtake and overwhelm your storyline. I know it has happened more than once to me. In other words, be flexible.

I haven’t heard that Firaxis is interested in SC, although they might be. SC has quite a bit of depth, and has it has explored territory that hasn’t been touched by the official stories or datalinks. Its main problems are its length and the fact that it isn’t complete. If we get a few more advocates like Korn maybe one-day we’ll get an e-mail or post from Firaxis! You never know…

Hydro

P.S. – Thanks for the attaboy, senatus!
[This message has been edited by Hydro (edited May 30, 2000).]

[senatus]

OK, I've been reading these for a while - great stuff. Would anyone object if I dropped my occasional contribution into the Chronicles? I'm thinking of how to get Miriam helping her rescuers, by creating a Believer probe network to serve Sparta. Edgecrusher, mind if I make use of your character for a bit?

[Hydro]

senatus,

I wouldn’t mind at all! Just work the details out with edgecrusher, since I do think his probe teams freed Miriam. Captain Kirk started a thread on Miriam (check back to January 30th and March 23rd). Another detail is that freed factions get a colony pod to set up their new empire. Neither Miriam nor Zak has a city yet, and there is lots of unoccupied land in SC land…

Hydro

[senatus]

quote: Originally posted by Hydro on 06-06-2000 05:13 PM senatus, I wouldn?t mind at all! Just work the details out with edgecrusher, since I do think his probe teams freed Miriam. Captain Kirk started a thread on Miriam (check back to January 30th and March 23rd). Another detail is that freed factions get a colony pod to set up their new empire. Neither Miriam nor Zak has a city yet, and there is lots of unoccupied land in SC land? Hydro

It'd be pretty funny if their colony pods ended up on the same landmass :-). But, I was assuming that Santiago will gift her with her former bases that are now Leader's Horde and Great Clustering. Where can I find the map, BTW?

To Edgecrusher - I'm a bit confused by the edgecrusher team - or is it just the individual known as Archon? If so, is he truly a Cyborg, or independent? Can you pass me some details, and I'll see how to work it in?

[Googlie]

Senatus:

Clik on my homepage above, where you can download the original map and the 'six months later" map.

Note that there is an active believer resistance in both bases, and in fact their return was part of the Santiago Ultimatum to Yang that re-ignited the war.

I've dabbled with the believer resistance (principally Shauna and Kurt) but have stayed away from Miriam.

Googlie

[senatus]

Goolie: Thanks! Just did the first installment, and I hope it passes the muster. Formatting seemed a bit screwed up, though - I cut and pasted from the source composed by Netscape composer. Is there a better way?

[Googlie]

Senatus:

Most of us just compose in word and copy/paste to the forum post window - no real formatting is necessary (other than the italics and bolds which you have obviously mastered)

G.

[VulturesRow]

ACtually is kind of screwed up. The posts are really wide , so I have to scroll horizontally to read the story..its very distracting and I have given up trying to read it for now even though I was really enjoying it. Dont suppose there is any way to fix that is there?

Chris