I agree with Muffy. We could probably wrap it up in this thread since there really isn't enough players left to warrant a whole new one.

The next thread will be starting soon. We'll probably be skipping ahead, getting past the dull stuff to the thick of the plot where they actually attack the command center.

Most everyone by this point knows that Seven's plan relies on connecting three computers to terminals across Eggmanland, yada, yada, yada. However, that's not what our story will be following. Instead, we're going to be following the characters who aim to subvert Seven's plan by going to the command center themselves to head him off, while other offscreen characters take care of connecting the computers and delivering the virus.

That being said, here's the setup as I know it:

Tabitha, Midian, Tails, and some NPCs will be taking care of planting the computers, and will not be seen in the next thread.

Ace, Geoff, Coop, Mako (or Rodolf), Shadow, Rouge, and Big (an interesting fill-in for Omega) have been confirmed to appear in the command center thread. Ember and Desmond are the only unconfirmed characters, but I'm hoping you guys will have them come along, too.

Hopefully I'm not forgetting anybody. Regardless, we'll just assume that the characters regrouped, made their preparations, and set out for Eggmanland. We'll pick up the story again beginning when they arrive.

Just for a heads up, I'm a bit bogged down with sudden school projects. I should still be able to post, but most decisions for my character will probably need to be pm'd to me, as I probably won't be able to go into a chat.

Those decisions are yours to make. This thread coming up will probably be the finale of this chapter. It's a good time to cement the character as an official part of the cast, so to speak, but it's fully understandable if you're too busy to participate. Just letting you and everyone else know what's coming up.

If you choose to be a part of it, feel free to dive straight in when the thread gets posted.

Ch. 5: Day 2, pt. II has been posted. It's a new thread, but it's not meant to replace the old thread. Ch. 5: Day 2 will continue until there is some sort of logical conclusion and the cast decides what it's going to do next. This new thread is mostly just for Charles, Ben, and Rachel to show us a little about what's going on with the other side of this mini-story.

Could someone tell me the story so far in a nutshell? I'm kinda having trouble taking it all in.

Story update thread

This contains information on chapters 1-4. The only thing it leaves out is the conclusion of chapter 4. Read there, then come back here.



Alright. Done? To put it in the tightest nutshell possible, the Eggman Empire has faltered and the world is on its way back to normal. However, as you know, G.U.N., which has been at the center of a lot of controversy and trouble in previous chapters, is trying to rebuild, while another new organization called Chimera is interfering with them. It's hard to tell who the good guys are at this point, because Chimera is purportedly responsible for stopping the empire and is currently helping rebuild, but they're also being very oppressive toward G.U.N. and have thus far been responsible for a ton of destruction and losses. Maybe there aren't any good guys.

Now we have Chapter 5. The cast of characters here consists largely of those who were involved in fighting the Eggman Empire in the finale of chapter 4. Something happened, however, and they ended up stranded in Chun-nan, thousands of miles from their homes. They've been trying just to get home, but they're getting embroiled in yet more conflicts along the way. It's kind of a mini-story more than a full-fledged plotline, involving some kind of Chunese crime boss and a potentially-dangerous artifact he's after. It's still a mystery to most of the characters, though, so it's probably best I don't overexplain it here, either. Just suffice to say that everyone's in Sonic-world China, trying to get home, and running afoul the Sonic-world Triad. Some of the characters here have vendettas against Chimera, so that may be relevant to you, but at the moment, that organization's not yet any focal point in the story—not to say it won't end up being a little later on, though.

Capiche?

Do we know where we're going with the current thread? I mean, as individuals.

I try not to direct things too much because I want you guys to just play your characters doing what they would really do, but after a couple conversations, I get the vibe that no one really has much of a plan (or isn't trying to make it happen imminently if they do). Like, if I understand it correctly, none of the attackers entered with any kind of plan for getting away, and the defenders are just sort of confused and seem to want to fight to the death rather than escape or figure out what's going on.

These are RP characters. If both you and your opponent do not want to lose and do not want to run, then we will all be here forever in a stalemate battle. So, unless you guys just really like writing about Guys Fighting Each Other for an IRL-month at a time, you should probably talk to one another and figure something out.

Okay, so, the fight's done. Awesome. However... opening a thread for Ace/Tracer/Archer didn't mean we were closing the previous thread for everyone else. I'm not entirely sure why everyone stopped posting all at once.

That thread may be winding down, but the fact of the matter is that it ends with most of the characters sitting on their hands. I'm not going to decide for you what your characters will do, so you'll want to either discuss it OOC or keep posting.

Now to discuss...

WHERE WE GOIN'



We're in the middle of a big fat action thread, and we've had quite a few big fat action threads lately. What you may not realize is that this thread will likely be the end of the first "part" of this chapter. That is to say, this may be our last Chun-nan thread, if all goes according to plan. This leaves us with a few choices based on how a few things play out.

First, I'll go ahead and spoil something: Li Fang has the mirror and some important information. He's about to flee the country and head for South Island. Here's what can happen.

1. Ace is not rescued. He is dragged along on a flight to South Island. The mirror may end up being tested on him, finally showing what it really does. The others are pretty much obligated to continue pursuing Li Fang. They may end up getting some more help on the way; GUN may actually become a player.

2. Ace is rescued. The immediate threat to the group is finally done with, and they can return home, though they are left with the uncertainty of just what Li Fang is going to do with the mirror, and what it's really capable of doing in the first place. Some may want to continue to pursue him anyway, or others may decide they have more important business elsewhere. There's still the possibility for GUN to get involved, also, but mostly if they decide to continue pursuing.

3. Ace is rescued AND Li Fang is stopped. Li Fang does not get a chance to escape, the mirror is recovered, and chapter 6 ends. This is the "I don't want to have to deal with this guy ever again" option.


What this amounts to:

1. keeps us forcibly on the track of the current story. It continues directly, and we get to its resolution in a few more threads. Expect continued action and combat on this route, perhaps not constantly, but regularly, until resolution.

2. gives the characters some more freedom and lets them decide whether or not they all want to keep chasing after this bad guy. If everyone decides to let him be, then maybe he will reappear again someday later as a greater threat. This is the option if you think your characters have more pressing issues or are just tired of being involved in the affairs of a superstitious triad boss.

3. lets you abort chapter 6's story entirely by smacking down the bad guy and being done with him. At the very least, the mirror could appear again later in another foe's hands. I'm not too crazy about this option because of how abrupt it is, but I'm leaving it out there for you.



Thoughts?

I'm in favor of Option 2. Sounds like the best option to me, Option 1 just kinda feels like railroading; it's important to offer some freedom to people. Kinda let's things slow down a little, too.

I would like 2, I think it would be nice to try and get more character role playing and such, I'm worried the thread might stall out without the clear cut motivation option 1 gives. :/

Agreed on option 2, but like Rach pointed out, a lot of things could bring the story to a halt, per say. It would need much member involvement (which I agree would get), but reasons for charaters staying as a group seem vague... Unless G.U.N involvement would have them lead into some sort of "reunion". It's all in my opinion though, but 2 does work.

with either option returning to south island means I'll be playing Jack again, which may help unify some of the group, but I can't speak for everyone...

I... kinda like option 1. Sorry Greens. I like option 1 because it obligates the cast to continue pursuing Li Fang without giving them an out, without pretty much going "Let him burn". Also, once Ace is rescued, the good guys could finally know what the mirror does. Maybe it is railroading, but we've seen how too much freedom can lead to dead end threads. A little push towards story elements is not a bad thing.

Also, I'd like to think this is a good opportunity to insert Ivan if I could. He could be their transportation back to South Island. I don't think he's acquainted with Ace enough to care about being involved...but I'm certain the promise of loot or booze could pursuade him..if anyone would care to have his help, that is.

If not Ivan, then Wild Badge would be easy enough to involve. I pretty much figure he's hard at work thwarting evil in South Island during such chaotic times. I could just have him run into the group, and hear about Ace, who he would consider a friend and would be more than willing to assist.