Proper Villains was my last choice in the pilot poll, and I've definitely enjoyed it more than I thought I would! But Stonetop just holds more interest for me - there seems like more there to comment on, about where we want the characters to go and how we see them developing. They seem like they have more varied directions. Vahid could go full villain, for example, as he becomes a storm lord. Events could put Padrig in charge of the Delve, in fact if not in name. Anwen's legend could take any number of forms. I'm not really seeing that type of possibility with these characters, even though they're interesting and fun to read about.
I felt the Stonetop characters were all very lovable, and there was an element of wonder and discovery as they explored the world.
In Proper Villains, only Emma gets that reaction from me, and only the Burnt King plot really has me waiting to see what we learn next. The rest of the world is clearly drawn and has a strong vibe, but it feels like if I just guess “depressing and classist with no mobility”, it’s close enough to right. The score and recover cycle also feels really ponderous in writing.
I’m still pulling for That Devil, Sam Crow over here. 😂
I'm enjoying Proper Villains; it was my second vote after continuing with Stonetop. That was mostly cause Blades is the game I'm next most interested in trying to run after Stonetop. I do think it's a harder system to turn from tabletop into written narrative, just given some of the design conceits. I think it's also a challenge, as some people name in other comments, in that the PCs are scoundrels, even if they have some redeeming and underdog characteristics, and they're trying to scrabble for survival in a very dog-eat-dog world. That's just gonna have a specific vibe and flavor.
I'd still be most in favor of returning to Stonetop, both for continuing to see how you run the engine and because you've written such compelling characters! Proper Villains would still be my second choice to continue, because I do enjoy it! Though, for whatever it's worth, it's not quite at the level of "drop everything and read" that the Stonetop arcs have been for me. I don't think that's for any lack on the content's part, just some of that is just a current state of busyness of my own life as well, and how much I adore the OG Stonetop setting. Still very much enjoying it though and plan to continue to read, whichever arcs and settings you experiment with.
Proper Villains was also my last choice, but like Ananda, I’m enjoying it more than I thought too!
You’re a great writer so once I get reading I’m into it, but overall the lengthy exposition and tone of the overall story can feel heavy so it takes me a bit to open Substack and read each week. I want the story to move forward a bit more than it currently is but like others mention, the depressing feel of it all makes me wonder what it moves forward to?
I’m definitely excited to see what Emma chooses and how it unfolds so I must say I really liked the cliffhanger of the last episode!
I've been following since near the end of your Stonetop season and I've been enjoying reading the Jesseks, for me personally I like to wait a little bit then binge read when I get some time free so I don't catch things as they happen.
I imagine I'm not your typical reader, however. And I really empathise with how the tighter structure of Blades can constrain fiction writing, sometimes it feels like the game is almost pushing back on how you want to write.
I heartily recommend continuing the Jesseks' journey because I'm invested in reading the tale that will come out the other end.
Proper Villains was my last choice in the pilot poll, and I've definitely enjoyed it more than I thought I would! But Stonetop just holds more interest for me - there seems like more there to comment on, about where we want the characters to go and how we see them developing. They seem like they have more varied directions. Vahid could go full villain, for example, as he becomes a storm lord. Events could put Padrig in charge of the Delve, in fact if not in name. Anwen's legend could take any number of forms. I'm not really seeing that type of possibility with these characters, even though they're interesting and fun to read about.
I felt the Stonetop characters were all very lovable, and there was an element of wonder and discovery as they explored the world.
In Proper Villains, only Emma gets that reaction from me, and only the Burnt King plot really has me waiting to see what we learn next. The rest of the world is clearly drawn and has a strong vibe, but it feels like if I just guess “depressing and classist with no mobility”, it’s close enough to right. The score and recover cycle also feels really ponderous in writing.
I’m still pulling for That Devil, Sam Crow over here. 😂
I'm enjoying Proper Villains; it was my second vote after continuing with Stonetop. That was mostly cause Blades is the game I'm next most interested in trying to run after Stonetop. I do think it's a harder system to turn from tabletop into written narrative, just given some of the design conceits. I think it's also a challenge, as some people name in other comments, in that the PCs are scoundrels, even if they have some redeeming and underdog characteristics, and they're trying to scrabble for survival in a very dog-eat-dog world. That's just gonna have a specific vibe and flavor.
I'd still be most in favor of returning to Stonetop, both for continuing to see how you run the engine and because you've written such compelling characters! Proper Villains would still be my second choice to continue, because I do enjoy it! Though, for whatever it's worth, it's not quite at the level of "drop everything and read" that the Stonetop arcs have been for me. I don't think that's for any lack on the content's part, just some of that is just a current state of busyness of my own life as well, and how much I adore the OG Stonetop setting. Still very much enjoying it though and plan to continue to read, whichever arcs and settings you experiment with.
Proper Villains was also my last choice, but like Ananda, I’m enjoying it more than I thought too!
You’re a great writer so once I get reading I’m into it, but overall the lengthy exposition and tone of the overall story can feel heavy so it takes me a bit to open Substack and read each week. I want the story to move forward a bit more than it currently is but like others mention, the depressing feel of it all makes me wonder what it moves forward to?
I’m definitely excited to see what Emma chooses and how it unfolds so I must say I really liked the cliffhanger of the last episode!
I have enjoyed this a lot.
I think the pacing and the crunch might be a bit of a tougher fit.
I'd be cool moving on to another game after another session or so... I was persuaded by your Hearts of Wulin idea.
I've been following since near the end of your Stonetop season and I've been enjoying reading the Jesseks, for me personally I like to wait a little bit then binge read when I get some time free so I don't catch things as they happen.
I imagine I'm not your typical reader, however. And I really empathise with how the tighter structure of Blades can constrain fiction writing, sometimes it feels like the game is almost pushing back on how you want to write.
I heartily recommend continuing the Jesseks' journey because I'm invested in reading the tale that will come out the other end.