limit break

[Kai]

Hm. ._.

<insert commentary on Atropos>

I am back now, as you know. I dunno about everyone else...

Oh and I will burn Photoshop for you today. ---- from the response in the 'All That Remains?' thread

... ._. Hm. Where to even begin? Or maybe it's better stated as, finding the end of the beginning, since it sure feels like it is far beyond the beginning of the end. ... Of course, that sounds about as unproductive as the rest of it. ...That's rather amusing, while poignant. I think I'll stick with that.


Foreshadowing of the future, the nature of the present, and repeated repetition of the past.


I think that sums it all up... succinctly.

Suffice it to say, I do believe I have reached critical. Or, to respond to the first 'quotes' (since I didn't feel the need to copy and paste the two responses), I don't know when or if there will be abilities listed or if I will actually respond to the limited commentary provided. I'm not feeling it. In fact, even contemplation on the subject is depressing at this point. And if that's a surprise... Heh. I may or may not be surprised.

I mean... taking a look at the site... I see a whole lot of... me. In fact, if it were not for that lone saturation, the rest that exists could easily be physically described as debris that happened to be swept in on an internet breeze. Limited discussion not on the board notwithstanding... any visitor to the site - assuming there were any - could definitely be justified in pondering if there was anyone else here at all. Of course, those 'in the know' could equally be justified in pondering as to whether or not the 'true' identities of the other names on the board were, in fact, Thomas, and not who the labels might claim to be.

._.

To explain the overall emotion exuding here, I should give the general overview of the progression. Last game ends, quick, dedicated response time is employed to create a whole new setting, while encouraging character creation and discussion for the purpose of creating an active, enjoyable writing environment, with as little lay-over time and as little 'keeping people waiting' as possible.

Limited, generally one-person environment discussion occurs in a hit and miss basis... and two not-me profiles appear to be put into action. Exceptional resistance is somehow elicited from another.

Self-character and general world finished, with the question posed as to what needs to be added. Reception is limited, the rest remains the same. Then, a 2+ week lull of complete silence.

Recon/board lurking occurs as normal, with a rather distressing lack of other names and, even, number of 'guests.' And any physical/non-internet or text pushing for activity is met with the kind of turn-around employed on dad when he starts talking about politics. In fact, having a focus at all on this makes me... more or less, irresponsible and 'bad.'

...Thanks for that.

Oh, and a villain got partially finished. And contemplation on completely scraping the moveset and super identity of the one completed character was also entertained, very strongly anticipated, and then melted with the rest of the following.

And then I got to wondering... hasn't this happened before? Which, of course, turned into - why, yes. All the time. ... Every. Time.

And I see quote number 2 from above, as the only non-me activity appearing on the board, late, over this period.

... And the only part of it that's actually true, based on experience and observation, and compounded with 'the unlucky number' (which is my own doing) is the burned cd.

If it wasn't there before, the depression fully set in with that. Obviously, something is wrong. This is the third or so world I have been a part of or the major creator of... and, going on with the fact that a) this is supposed to be something one likes to do, b) this is something one is inclined to participate in for one's own benefit, c) the responsibility accepted on intended participation is one that includes ... participation for the benefit of the others because it can't function with only one involved, and d) that said participation should be self-initiated.... I began to try and take stock of things.

Between some of the PMs received from an exiled member during the fall of the last game, and an inquiring conversation for criticism I had with a person that was on the boards but never an actual player in the past, I tried to see if I could figure out what might be wrong on my end. The only useful commentary from the PMs would be the one that indicated that others should have more active control.

... I don't think that one applies, at the moment.

The other conversation, on the other hand, was a bit enlightening. Too much center stage for my characters - which was intended to be rectified with Zoey prior to the conversation - was definitely observable in the previous. In this mode, I put forth that my characters tended to be too similar, all cut from the same cloth, ideas stolen, more or less, from the same source materials. There's also always the 'too much' or 'too little' when it comes to words, and I tend to harbor on the former rather than the latter. I was kind of working on that... I thought.

And then, from there, applying it to the current situation... 'it' must, partially, be from a complete inability to spark an interest or, should a spark have occurred, maintain that interest to any useful degree. Perhaps it's the subject matter, perhaps it's the aforementioned longevity of material, perhaps it's something a bit less specific... diluting it down to just the writing itself overall. Whatever 'it' actually is, what 'it' indicates is pretty easy to put forward in a single word: failure.

Really and truthfully, it's about time I just went ahead and accepted that notion. It's sort of been going on since the start, in some form or fashion, directly or indirectly. To use the current board and, as an extension, the end of the previous one as the primary example, it has gone like this:

I put stuff out. With the exception of brief 'super posting' periods of activity, the responses come as: 1) periods of silence, and/or 2) pointed resistance, and finally, 3) crisis posting. As an adjunct to this, there tends to be at least some non-board related brain-storming or discussion about things that tapers off semi-quickly.

Does any of that actually sound good to anyone else? It sure as hell doesn't to me. 1) and 2) are just... regardless... and 3)? That utterly defeats the point. It's completely worthless. It isn't supposed to be forced. It isn't supposed to be frustrating. It isn't supposed to be depressing. It isn't supposed to come as an after-thought, to spit out in an 'oh hay its been awhile i should post somethin b4 i get bitched at again.' As a mod, I'm not supposed to be a slave driver. The whip is supposed to be reserved for those causing active problems. Not in conjunction with begging participation.

...There shouldn't be any begging for participation. It should happen spontaneously. The idea of a 2-post-per-week limit is supposed to be a low ball restriction that is scoffed at because... why, or perhaps better said, how could you completely avoid something you liked so much so that it reduces you to such a number within a week?

._. I don't know. Maybe that's part of my problem. It's finals time. I've been studying almost non-stop. ... But I've still managed to find time for... nearly everything that I'd consider 'normal.' The only thing I could think of that was missed was 'which' video game got played in uncoiling downtime, seeing as how I have about 10 to choose from right now that I haven't finished (or need to get better in for competitive play in terms of the fighting games.) No shows missed, +1 on overall social outings, actually, and... ?

I suppose the point is, I just don't get it. For this stuff, I can't stand making anyone wait. I had to get it all done. The rest of you were, presumably, waiting on me. But that's how I feel every time. That's how I take it, anyway. I have that responsibility. It has to be done because if it isn't, folks are disappointed, get frustrated... the whole thing suffers. But the pattern just repeats itself.

And so, after taking a good look overall, I find myself in the position of not wanting to write anything at all, RPG related or otherwise. There isn't any point in it. It never goes anywhere, doesn't amount to anything, can't keep anyone interested in it. Ha, I mean... look at who it is that I was currently begging for activity from. If that doesn't have some impact, personally, then nothing would. That being said, in a way, if it weren't for the fact that they were guilty of disappearing themselves, I could possibly develop a sympathy for part of the Joshes issues at the end of that particular RP board.

...Of course, the hypocritical part of it kind of ruins that sympathy.

...But the bottom line is... I can't do this. I can't ride this roller coaster. I can't expend this energy to have nothing come back in return. I don't want to be the villain for asking for activity anymore.

Right now, I don't want to do anything anymore, reading or writing.

I don't know if this mood will lift or not. I'll keep lurking, for a while, probably, because I'm sure I can't help myself... but its mostly just trying to grab ghost strings. Does anyone actually think any recruitment could come on this? ... If there actually might be a reason to pay attention... someone notify me. Because I'm all out of energy.

[Steff]

In my opinion, nothing has been or is wrong on your end. Nor do I think you have any level of "inability to spark an interest" in what you write, be that in-character or out-of-character. On the contrary, for me, you always spark my interest and keep me going--I just cannot unfortunately balance my life as proficiently as you seem to balance yours. I've verbally noted on at least one occasion that I can't understand how you find the time and energy to do it all. I try to keep up with everything I have to juggle in life, but lately I've fallen so behind because I have been sick and struggling to get back to 100% health for at least three weeks now.

I, personally, appreciate all that you do and with the speed at which you do it--it has always amazed/impressed me and I try to be as proactive as you but, obviously, am far below. I can of course understand your "limit break" because the cycle does apparently repeat itself despite any efforts taken to make the game continue. I love writing, and our RPGs are the only creative writing outlets I have, but unfortunately it has been a slow-go for me in getting up to speed to start this game. I know that but figured we were all, outside of yourself, more-or-less on the same page: slowly piecing together what we could to get this started. In my opinion, I don't think it is a lack of inspiration or motivation or creativity in getting things going; it is just a lack of time and energy to balancing our lives in such a way that we can keep up at the same rate you do.

In any case, I am sorry the repetitive failures to keep the boards active has put you in such a foul mood, but I'm sure it is not pleasant or enjoyable for any of us to not be able to get fully involved, as much as we'd like, in something we all enjoy.

[Kai]

-_- If, by 'same page', you mean to say that the board is conditionally an afterthought that has no focus, then perhaps you'd be correct - insomuch that this thread itself, combined with the All That Remains? thread emphasizes exactly that. Again, no board activity in log ins or guests... and with the views and responses on this thread, well ... there's you. That's it. The other views are myself, with 3 or 4 of them being credited to showing Thomas my little rant as the explanation for why, when he was here a few days ago, I made the offhand comment that I was in writing boycott mode. The activity isn't slow - it's like the writhing of the body of a snake after it has lost its head; like the spasms of a lizard's tail after it has detached; like the twitching of the lost leg of an insect. There's limited animation from time to time, but there's no life in it. This thread was started 5 days ago. My asking for a status update was posted 10 days ago.

Unless, of course, the others are communicating something else to you via other channels. And if that's the case, then it reinforces the other things I stated in the opening thread.

[Steff]

The others communicating something else to me via other channels? Besides having gleaned from Facebook status messages that Steph, too, has been swamped with school and work, and has been sick, I would think that the others would mostly communicate with you via other channels. Besides the blatant fact that you and Steph are brother and sister, and thus must be in regular contact, I thought you and Monet were in regular contact as well. I thought that, if anything, you were the central figure who knew where everyone was at in regards to the game, regardless of who logs in or doesn't.

I haven't had a clue as to where Steph is at in her character creation, aside from the last piece of information you gave me: that once-upon-a-time she decided to snag up Mars and go a mad-scientist-like route with him. As for Monet, I have no idea where she is at with Venus, besides the fact that she never responded to my last comment or added anything onto his profile in the last month. In regards to my profile for Moon, continuing that has mostly been halted for the past couple of weeks being as I have been striving to regain good health while 1) struggling with a horrible virus and two resulted colds, 2) falling behind in school yet trying like mad to keep up with midterms and paper-projects, 3) being obliged to, obviously, hold my job and work, and 4) dealing with life's unexpected events, like my Grandmother winding up in the hospital and having on-going health problems because the doctors either over- or under-medicate her.

Regardless of my defense as to why I have not had more activity on the boards in the past couple of weeks, I suppose I wrongly assumed that you have always had contact with and thus known where Monet and Steph are in regards to the game. Concerning the fact that we are four interested in the site, plus, apparently, Thomas, did Monet ever exploit the web site connection I think you once told me she had that could be used as an advertisement tool? Now that I think my health is finally stabilizing again, the only tool I can look into are SM-related Sailor Moon communities, but I almost hesitate to do too much advertising there because, from all of the communities I remember, the writers involved are of low-quality, unfortunately. But, nevertheless, I can look into it and see what I can do about that...

Being as you're in contact with him, what does Thomas think about this all?

[monet]

Mm, I'm not sure of what to say at all. I have no defense other than being busy with work and other crap. I know Matt and I occassionally text to keep in touch, though recently my cell service was interrupted ::embarrassment:: So I'm sure whatever messages I got, I actually... didn't get. I did respond via email a few days ago, mentioning this to Matt.

As far as Venus goes, it's been iffy. I got a lot of inspiration from you Steff, of what you have given me but all of you know my issues with this character. I'm still wrestling with him, having trashed a secondary profile, and in some aspect third (as having a female version), and have been left very sore, and sucked dry. I figured if I removed myself from him for a while, I could recover and go at it again.

So I floated around for abit, making commentary on game updates here and there. ...And that was it.

I completely understand your frustration Matt. As far as your saying there's really no point, things never go anywhere, never amounts to anything - I hit that point a long, long time ago. During and pretty much post blue legacy. Any or everything afterwards just verifies it and there's really not much that can be done as everyone has something or some things thats pulling on them time-wise. Even games that I've participated in on other sites - the same happens. Actually I've only been in one game in my life that actually had an ending and that was due to myself and one (1) person pushing it, where our 3 characters finished and had 'The End' stamped within the last post.

It's rare.

Steff actually voices my amazement on your ability to make time for everything you need and I've been amazed at this since I've known you. If you're left feeling high and dry, I'm really really sorry, Matt and understand if you completely throw your hands up (which, I'm sure, you have already). I don't think it's done purposefully or out of spite but in relation to matters of importance it's probably not ranked very ...significant. As such, in the back of my mind I was kinda hoping that the game would be light and not too heavy involving, cuz I already knew this would happen -- although... it's kinda early for it. =(

Lastly, regarding other venues to which to recruit, I was gonna wait until the game filled out a little more, but perhaps... that's what we need. Recruitment. If possible. Fresh blood. Meat. That sort of thing, so I will ask those I know.

Before I've been compared to Thomas, which sucked at the time and really annoyed me in past games cuz I thought I was at least halfway decent in participation before. Now, I just feel sad and pathetic. I'll try my best to send people this way. I cannot completely vouch for experience or committment but as far as I'm concerned maybe activity > level of writing, at this point. That's about all I can do and try to at least deliver a finished product if nothing else.

[steph]

Sorry. I've been admittedly lazy. Or, to be more accurate about it, uninspired. I think I've mentioned this before - and I have a half-finished profile lurking about on my desktop staring me in the face - but the format of this RPG is not something I'm used to, or even comfortable with, entirely. I say that because it's hard for me to get started in terms of creating a fighting style, or abilities - I'm primarily a basic character creator. This kind of thing is not natural to me at all and the entire idea of it just gives me an overwhelming sense of dread. I guess that's why I have had a hard time connecting from the beginning, even though I've tried to make fun characters. It's supposed to be fun, it's supposed to be something I'm looking forward to - but instead I feel like oh god, I have to fight in this thread and I really hate writing fight scenes, or oh shit, I have 5 more abilities to come up with and only stupid ideas. It becomes more of a chore and less of an amusing thing, and that's my own fault for seeing it that way, so I've gotten myself into a funk. I love reading what you guys do... I just can't stand my own, so there is that.

I've left my plans alone for a few weeks, because of school and sickness and work (which you know) and that general sense of blah brought about by having to create more abilities because the RPG rebooted again, but for someone like me who isn't good at it it takes a lot more effort than I'd expect you who are used to it and like it to understand - Matt especially, because you can churn out ideas faster than anyone else. I sometimes wish I were that efficient/proficient, but I'm really not - and at least I'm admitting that out loud now.

I'm not fast at RPGs, and getting started is the worst part for me - especially because each and every time in this particular game I've gotten to the toe-dipping part and had to start all over from scratch. I think, Matt, that perhaps you end up stressing people in the game out more by posting so much in succession because you feel responsible - that's why I always tell you that you should be doing other things when you are going to post yet again, just to give people who aren't as speedy time to catch up. It just makes us, I think, feel guilty as a whole for not being as fast - which is essentially what happens with you if you DON'T post, and it's a vicious circle of blah.

Of course, I've been remarkably lazy and pretty much a burden to the game for the last half of the last one and for all of this one so far, and I can't promise that I'll get used to the format and immediately decide to love creating abilities or anything like that... but I can try? I guess that's all I can say about that. I think we do need some new life in this game, but I know no one who'd be interested and I left LJ a long time ago. -_-

[Steff]

Monet~ If you are having that much trouble trying to create a character whose alter ego is the Senshi of Venus, then I think you need to abandon your choice of Venus and choose from Earth or Mercury. We obviously cannot get inspired or enthused enough to get this game rolling if we do not pick characters we like and look forward to playing. Being as you have tried so hard to plunge yourself into character-creating, and then removed yourself to try and gain perspective, and yet still find yourself unable to be inspired and content with whatever you come up with for the Senshi of Venus, I think you should find new, different inspiration for either Earth or Mercury, because obviously your goal of creating a character for the Venus slot is not working out.

Steph~ I am not good at creating abilities or writing battle scenes, either. I can become intimidated by it because I feel discontent with my writing/contribution, much like how you feel, I suppose. But what keeps me motivated and writing are the fun characters, great plot, and exciting scenes we all play together. I play because I love to write, and I look at our games as a way to improve my imagination, creativity, vocabulary, and general writing skills. I suppose that is what keeps me going even if I feel as though my characters and writing abilities lag in comparison to all three of you.

As for 'being a burden' on the last half of last game and so far in this game, I completely disagree! I had a lot of fun writing with you last game, and I personally thought we had a nice posting-rhythm going on, when posting with Matt, too. Don't cut yourself down too much. Besides, getting games started takes time- especially considering how thorough ALL of us are. I, for one, am an anal perfectionist and that is partially why getting through my character-creation for Moon is taking so long.



Generally speaking, though, I am happy to know I am not the only one impressed/amazed by Matt's ability to create, write, and post so much, so quickly, and so thoroughly, while still balancing everything going on in his life so proficiently.

As for the life span of RPG's... they all do come to an end sooner or later. It all depends upon the players and what posting-rhythm they are content with and can keep up with. I successfully ran a RPG for over four years before my players and I finally called it quits. We had gotten through various slow points, had repeatedly committed ourselves to the story, contributed as we could, when we could, and got as far along in the storyline as we could go before shutting down. Even if we didn't get through everything we had mapped out, we all enjoyed the writing atmosphere before it's life span could go no further. I think everything just took a lot of patience (for getting through those slow periods) and flexibility, but we all enjoyed writing and posted when we could. I agree that there should be a minimum number of posts per week set to ensure that players do contribute, but patience and understanding are needed, too, because life can get difficult and hectic and bury us at times. I personally consider our RPG to be something fun, something to relax me, a hobby. It is not my absolute priority to constantly keep up with it for the sake of other players if I find myself swamped by school and work, because those are more important priorities I cannot literally afford to slack in, but keeping up with the plot is something I am happy to do because I enjoy writing so much. I definitely don't want to feel stressed or worried about the game, because it is just that- a game- and my view on it is that we should all have fun writing together. If the fun is taken out of it, then what is the point?

[monet]

Well, yeah. Venus-in-the-making is frustrating me; I've never had a character give me such a hard time. But I wouldn't exactly say my goal of creating a Venus character isn't working out, ya know. I have a profile up and quite of bit of it filled in. It's the small details that marks a very thin line between fabulous and flaming~! ^___^ ...Maybe *fabulous* isn't a good goal either...

At any rate, I've thought about Merc and Earth and I'm so deep into Venus, there's no way I can scrap it all and start completely over. It must be Venus. I'd consider myself a perfectionist, maybe not an anal one, but I would like to just be satisfied and comfortable and maybe that's why it's taking me so long as well.

[Steff]

Oh~ I hadn't realized you had so much of a Venus profile completed. I guess I got confused from your previous comment and thought that you had scrapped most of what you had come up with thus far. If you have most of it done and are just working on the details, then by all means~ continue! I had just gotten the impression that you were getting no where at all, but I'm glad to know that you are advancing =D

[Kai]

Just a note that I have been lurking, watching this develop a little. I just don't really have any real responses right now. I will say that it doesn't make any bit of sense to try coaxing anyone on board at this point. Also, as one might notice looking further up the board, I moved Zoey back into the 'In Progress' section. Because of the extended duration of the starting lull, I have reworked her in my head to be any one of the open slots. As such, if anyone wishes to take the Jupiter slot instead of the one they have already claimed, go ahead.

Then again, on the nature of abilities and battle scenes... for Monet and Steph, I presume the issue comes from the previous experience. The Final Fantasy 4 characters had pre-existing movelists, so there was no need for describing them, and we played off of a hit-or-miss dice rolling system, so even the in-scene descriptions were left un-described, since randomness determined success or failure. Again, with a pre-existing movelist, Steff, your experience as Pluto has generally been limited to the canon, which is also pre-determined.

With ability creation, my process isn't 'creation from scratch.' From anime, to fighting games, to RPGs, to comics and movies - every bit of media that involves some kind of 'special' ability or magic is a source from which ideas are taken, then molded to fit the purpose. I feel disinclined to go through that diatribe again, though, since I think I've said that before. In any case, it's all a matter of pulling from what you know... or maybe just poking around on youtube or something for some examples.

On the other hand, perhaps it could be said that this just isn't the venue, isn't the setting, isn't the set of character archetypes we really want to be playing with. Sailor Moon is inherently problematic for an RP in terms of the much too large protagonist list to properly manage, especially given downtimes in activity. I know I've said that at least once. And, as I was telling Thomas when he was over, this whole world creation thing is not really 'forced' into the Sailor Moon archetype. It can be applied to a variety of things; other themes, other 'universes' ... I just don't know what might be appealing. However, a 'fire mage', who doesn't transform, and casts a short-range burning hands, a mid-range flame strike, and a long range, area of effect fireball, certainly seems easier, to me, in terms of ability creation and application, than the Senshi-special abilities.

Just something else to think about.

[monet]

Yup, Steff I have a lot of it done. And most of it was due to your inspiration in describing the perfect metro-sexual. ^_^ Still trying to get to that point.........

However, a 'fire mage', who doesn't transform, and casts a short-range burning hands, a mid-range flame strike, and a long range, area of effect fireball, certainly seems easier, to me

Matt! ....Your describing the fire mage like that totally sounds boring though like you said easier. u_u I just hadn't thought of it like that. Even though I had began to gather ideas about a 'class' type character in a D&D setting when we were texting. In fact I have a number of characters already pretty much made from my role-playing before in Baldurs Gate and Forgotten Realms RPGs. (Kalisto was a Prestige Class embermage before being recycled into Mars -- perfect fit!)

Oi... I don't know....... I wish we could play in the Rainbow Brite realm. I would be Indigo! Meh.

[Kai]

I don't know what everyone knows, in terms of realm/setting, ect. The world that was made is flexible enough ... or rather, non-specific to the Senshi enough to be able to work elsewhere, probably. But if anything is to happen there needs to be some kind of consensus.

[Steff]

For whatever we do/not do in relation to the Senshi and this particular setting, I am glad in any case that I was able to help you, Monet, in shaping Venus. I apparently had completely misunderstood your previous comment and thought that although my ideas had initially helped you, you then became frustrated again and scratched everything. So thanks for clarifying what really happened, haha.

As for Sailor Moon perhaps not being the type of protagonists we want to play with due to the 'inherent problem' of their being too large a protagonist list, my first question is this: if we do change character archetypes, what would 'prevent' there from being too many protagonists in any other venue we take? How could/would there be a limit of how many 'good' guys versus how many 'bad' guys there would be? I thought we had begun to set a limit by restricting the cast to the Inner Senshi + Earth for a total of six. In my mind, if we change the venue, who/what is to prevent us from having at least six 'good' characters?

I suppose the question would be /what/ venue we take. Would it be along the lines of magi, summoners, casters, etc.? Would we want to take the turn of faeries, vampires, werewolves, etc.? And then what would the storyline and setting be? Either way I wonder what kind of character balance we would want if we change the character archetypes, being as it has been and is being said once again that the Sailor Moon venue = too many protagonists. I personally think it would be a shame to not use the setting Matt came up with; I really LIKE it, so perhaps we could explore what else we could do outside of the Senshi? Or perhaps we /change/ the concept of what the Senshi are? Maybe what they are has inherently changed after 1000 years. For example, instead of having transformation items and phrases, maybe they /are/ summoners and casters; individuals blessed by celestial bodies who have inherent powers that come out/are to be used in different wants than the canon. Maybe ways that inspires us all and makes the notion of battling more appealing/comfortable to /everyone/? Maybe some of these monsters from these 'tainted areas' are faery-like, vampire-like, werewolf-like? We could totally have new species that could make diverse, interesting NPC, protagonist, or antagonist types.... getting us out of this strict Senshi or Villian or Normal Human character choice we've had going.

Just spur-of-the-moment ideas I am typing out as I think of them, meant to inspire and instigate talk of what we are doing, where we are going, and what we want in this game. I suppose I am essentially proposing a 'mixing' and 'merging' of ideas/elements from different backgrounds. Obviously I am open to new character/game dynamics, so as Matt said, for whatever we do, we just need to agree on what we could all enjoy.

[Kai]

Well... changing the 'identity' of the Senshi to that pretty much makes them not Senshi anymore, right? Sailor Moon is Sailor Moon, with the defining feature being the transformation-ful, magical girl focused character class archetype governed by the planets. If it isn't that... it really isn't SM anymore.

In terms of the 'too many', it's primarily done via slot restrictions on base and, as can be seen at this very moment, number of players. See, the thing with SM is, even if we do like we are/were to do here - i.e. restrict it to the Inners + Earth - someone, at some point, will go... hey, wait. What about the Outers? They exist and were active in canon, ect., ect., ect. There is an inherent argument and, more or less, a need, to expand the 9/10 (with Earth) number of 'good guys.'

Say, for instance, we take a look at the anime series Ronin Warriors (Yoroiden Samurai Troopers), though. It was on in America about the same time as SM. Total number of protagonists is 5. There are 5 sets of good guy armors, and that is your max canon good guy group. Essentially half that of the SM. There isn't any built-in argument for expansion and as such, it's more easy to control. With SM it feels like we HAVE to get to the 'right number'... then again, with anything that already exists, it feels like one needs to get to the canon number. 5 > 10, in terms of usability, in this case.

Not that I mean we should use Ronin Warriors. e_e Just an example, likely used because my friends and I named out fantasy baseball leagues Ronin Warriors or some derivative thereof.

[Steff]

I wasn't exactly thinking of changing their 'identity', per say, just more like their powers and how they manifest themselves. Each senshi would still keep their alter-ego name, but the way they come into their powers, how they use such powers, and thus how they battle could be manipulated to better suit everyone so that we are all comfortable battling? For however that would be done, the senshi would still be blessed by their respective celestial body... -.o I don't know, really; just had the idea that maybe some aspects of the senshi would be manipulated to make us all more inspired or invested or something.

I've been kind of waiting to see what Monet or Steph would say about it, but they haven't been around for the past week so maybe that is the answer in itself: not interested. Unless, of course, you've been in contact with them and know more than me?

I can understand that SM inherently has a full cast of 10 protagonists, but it would seem that no matter what path we go down regarding character archetype, someone could always ask why there is a limitation on the number of protagonists and then push for a higher limit. Either way, as of right now? I hardly think that is the problem being as games take time to develop and right now we just need to balance things (like we are/were going to do in having the first 'arc' be focused on the Inners + Earth) and get things going.... if anyone is still interested as is. If and when we get through a single arc, then we can worry about the Outers... and that is providing, yet again, that we stick with SM and not go a completely different route.

But then again, I say that if we decide to change the entire character archetype instead of tweak things to make us all happy with this game, then my vote would be to at least keep the awesome setting you came up with. And then to decide from there what character archetype we /do/ want to play with.

But maybe in all actuality no one has the time, energy, or interest to veer off and do something new yet again. Maybe we should just all admit that we really should just "abandon ship", even if I love writing with you guys and will/do miss it.