RKMBs Forums .::Important::. Writer's Block Ok, kids, let's play a game.

You will now see in the forum a thread titled Vanguard-The Movie?!? the premise of which is Kit Piper has optioned the rights to a film about Vanguard. The studio making the film is Bastardo Productions, headed up by Louie Bastardo, a stereotypical sleazy Hollywood film producer. Characterwise he's meant to be a cross between Danny Devito and Jerry Stiller.

So, the challenge to you is to carry on the story without all the bullshit that plagues the regular stories. Posters will either acquire points or be eliminated based on what they post in the story. The poster with the most points at the end of the story will win.

So, how do you acquire points?

Carrying plot threads-25 points. Pick up and carry on a plot thread someone else started.

Characterization-50 points. Take some time and write someone's character they want them written. Not the way you want them written.

Teamwork-75 points. Show Vanguard working as a team, utilising the skills inherent to the characters involved. Adem Different is a non physical detective character for instance. Devise a way for him to use skills he actually possesses.

Causing other posters to post in the story (bribery won't cut it here, pure writing skill). If someone is excited enough by something you wrote to post in the story you gain 50 points. I'm counting on them to say so here in the talk thread for proper pointage (honesty, please, people.) If you entice the GM to post (that's me) you get 75 points. If you entice busy/burned out posters the Doctor, Prometheus, Danny, TTT, Mxy, etc. that's 100 points. If you entice the rare Chewy Walrus or Gooz to post, that's 150 points. Posters posting of their own volition to play the game does not count.

Rules of elimination. The following rules will cause instant elimination of a poster. Once eliminated, you may not post again in the story.

Killing plot threads-killing off a plot thread someone else started in pursuant of your own.

Attempting to fit the story into continuity. This is a game, let it stand on it's own.

Blatant mischaracterization. Writing someone's character so poorly off, that's it not even the same character.

Done in ones. Introducing concepts, then having your character deal with them in the same post, removing them.

Excess baggage. Delving deep into your own character's personal history, feelings, motivations, blah blah blah. No long winded explanations of Phil's feelings about his not knowing who he is, or how all of Euro's characters interrelate, as examples.

Uber characters. Making your character the star will not only result in disqualification but negative points.

Disruption of story flow. No holding off the story for something you want to do later. No pushing for the story to move elsewhere when it's going fine.

Ok, I think that's about it. Get in there and write and have fun.

Busy burned out posters LIKE DANNY?

Are you kidding?

Jokes aside, sounds very fun! It is a very good idea.

Ok, tell you what. First person that gets Danny to post (based on their WRITING) gets 175 points.

Eh.

What if I entice myself to post?

It means no fisticuffs.

Ah... now that seems painfully obvious. I was wondering how the actual detective work could be non-physical and couldn't figure that out.

Y'know, I find it kind of funny that thedoctor went from a violent character (Dirk Bell) to a pacifist character (Adem Different), while my three characters in MBL/Vanguard went from non-violent to progressively more violent: Pete was a complete pacifist (a coward, really) and just got around through luck, Chance was a reluctant combatant who fought only when necessary and disliked guns, and Mason likes any old excuse for a scrap, with any weapons at hand if possible.

It's a cool idea, but I find it especially difficult to work out the double angle of having a story happening while they basically had to develop a story. Maybe for the first time it could have been simpler.

Well, I guess I will grant points to someone if I am induced to post.

I don't understand what you're saying. It's a simple concept. They're going to Hollywood to help in a film being made about them. Pretty easy.

Grimm: 150 points.

Interesting concept and story. Might get another one out of me too.

Gooz, bastard, you made me to post!

Leave this thread headlined, please.

As GM, I collect no points.

Gooz: Picking up threads, 25 points. Caused Euro to post, 50 points. I give you bonus for actually posting, 100 points. Total points: 175.

Euro: Carrying on threads, 25 points. Brilliant turn of Euro adopting Adem in the script, 100 bonus points. Total: 125 points.

Who's next?

Mxy, 200 points for a damn funny post!

Mxy, you are the best. I am still rolling on the floor.

(But, how many sons of Ed have the deep blue hairs? )

Don't wait too long.

Okay, guys, I'm giving you each 50 points for your glimpses into the script of the film, and for carrying off of the cliffhangers. Euro: Jack Nicholson as D'Goon?! Priceless! that's a hundred points.

Gooz: 225

Euro: 275

Mxy: 250

I think I'll make a slight rules change. Instead of immediate elimination for an infraction, I think I'll deduct points. Might make things a little more fun. Thoughts?

I think that it should be done a sort of average between the post of each poster (I don't know if I am able to explain this in English, but I try).

I mean that if one poster posts much more than the others, obviously grabs a lot of points, even if his posts get no "special points".

I have posted twice, because I felt compelled by Mxy cliffhanger to post, but maybe I should have left at last two or three other poster to post before me. So, maybe, in the sum of the points the fact that I gathered them with two posts should be adressed. I am not saying that it should be divided by two, but maybe reduced a few...

It's not something important now, but toward the end, when Danny will post 33 posts consecutively, it could be of importance. Unless he finds a fucking girlfriend (I especially recommend NOT to find a non-fucking one. It would be boring.)

It came to my mind Jack Nicholson in that movie with Tom Cruise and Demi Moore.

A Few Good Men?

Euro, If such situation with Danny does occur, I will take that into consideration and distribute points accordingly.

Goozfort, causing the GM to post: 75 points. Overall post, 100 points.

Gooz: 400

Euro: 275

Mxy: 250

Goozfort jumped ahead of the pack today, gents. C'mon, show me what you got! Johnny come latelies are gonna be hard pressed to keep up.

I was joking, with Danny, if that was not evident.

And, yes, it was that movie, Grimm.

Gooz, bwahahahahahahaha!!!!

Grimm, you have created a monster.

ohhh, I'm too drunk to assign points right now. I'll do it later. good work though, guys.

Ok, picking up from Friday night's postings. . .

Mxy:
plots-25
characterization-100. love everyone sneaking in to read the script.
the whole adam sardella scene, including the bowie reference-150

Gooz:
plots-25
characterization-50
the whole vanguard league of justice scene, including continuing the Bowie ref.-150

Euro:
plots-50
character-150
a short post, but very well done.

CJ:
plots-25
characters-100
Kitty Kline-50 hilarious!
concept designs/leather nipples-100 also hilarious!


Gooz: 625

Euro: 475

Mxy: 525

CJ: 275

Good going, kids. I'm very pleased with this so far.

I can't believe I got a 150 points for boob-related posts. That would be funny if it wasn't so sad...

It was funny, that's why you got the points.

I'll add up the postings later tonight.

Are you guys ready to progress the story along, or do you wanna read through some more "scripts?"

I am waiting for that.

I was thinking of having "Chance and Pete Glover" show up as twins in one of the scripts a la Schwartzenegger and DeVito (non-identical, natch), or perhaps Pete Glover showing up as Grimm's long-lost papa, but it would probably be a bit much...

Mxy, you made me pee in my pants.

I know it's Tuesday, bear with me. Long week here.

CJ: 150 points for bringing the Gooz to post. (did I give Mxy points for that last time?)

Gooz: 100 points for Bay's Vanguard and taking shots at your own character. 50 points for your continued presence in this story.

Mxy: 200 points for Pulp Vanguard. Loved it! 50 points for enticing Notwedge into the game.

Notwedge: 300 points for the whole power armor scene. Perfectly built up and hilarious.

Gooz: 775
Euro: 475
Mxy: 775
CJ: 450
Notwedge: 300

Okay, so if my scoring's right on, Goozfort and Mxymillian are tied for the lead (if not, Mxy might be ahead) with Euro and Jackie close behind. Notwedge has entered the game strong.

I'm going to attempt to move the group into Hollywood and introduce them to Louie Bastardo in the next couple days. In the meantime, feel free to carry on. You can have them on the private plane Miss X chartered, reading scripts, talking about the movie, just goofing off, etc.

Show me whatcha got, people. You're all doing fantastic, so far.

How many points do people get for confusing me?

It depends on your state of confusion to begin with and how inebriated you are.

Are ye planning on getting back into the stories? We started an FAQ thread to help out newcomers and returnees.