I voted for Vahid as it feels like a good while since he got centre stage. Anwen does feel sometimes like the central character, so I'd like to see the Seeker get some time in the spotlight again.
I can totally see that -- especially with the recent arc of Sessions 9 and 10. I really loved writing the Vahid spotlight episodes in Session 7, so maybe if the votes continue as they are, we'll see a bit more of that.
Lol yep 😝 no shame in my game. Total Vahid Stan for sure. I also am a huge of how Vahid plays off of the other characters. Even when he was just a nerd with a staff he presents as one with rationale council. While still being very much being fallible. I think that is why I like Pad and Vahid so much. They seem to make decisions that they believe in regardless. Where as Anwen still seems easily swayed by so much out side of herself. But I suppose that is part of her whole story she is still finding herself and what resonates with her fully.
As I'm playing and recording notes for the next episode, I discovered that I had somehow decided, with no support from the Stonetop text, that the Ustrina are little guys like Jawas, when in fact there is zero support for that in the text! So, never fear, they're not ewok-sized, nor are they ewok-shaped. :)
I’ve gone for Vahid, in part for balance, as I voted anwin last time, but also because I felt the argument for V was more compelling- A has responsibility now, but V has no such brake…
You're definitely correct about players needing to drive their characters and take risks in PBTA.
I had a chance to participate in a Sprawl game, my first active stab at the PBTA model. That game sadly drove to a halt in what seemed to be a mire of unspoken nervousness about throwing the dice and embracing the outcome. Felt that I was kicking most of the narrative doors in.
I am biased I never really liked Anwen she still hasn’t exactly grown on me. Her tale feels often that of the chosen one with lil sense of her own skills. So seeking out a friend I’m not fond of. If it is a reminder of her capabilities and a cleansing of her conscience which she seems to need often. I see little merit in how it’ll offer major impactfulness to the story. But also I’m a lover of all things magic
So Vahid is totally my choice. I can appreciate the risk he takes. It is calculated often. Yet due to the nature of what he doesn’t know he doesn’t know there is always an element of risk and gamble. Which feels more like Vahid takes control of things and is truly in pursuit of his own goals. The natural conflict between he and Padrig in how they see this threat is a beautiful balance I believe.
So, I like Anwen a lot. I big hate chosen one stories, as well as Mary Sue characters - both of which Anwen and her playbook might have become in less skilled hands, but I think Shankar is giving us a masterclass in handling this well tread ground with aplomb. Anwen is _not_ a chosen one. She doesn’t have anything she hasn’t bled for, no skill she hadn’t drilled for. Sure, she has natural talent with fighting, but hell, people are good at things. She practices, a lot, she’s immersed in warrior/scout culture, has mentorship, etc. She’s had some martial successes, but also some mixed bags that have cost lives. How many young heartthrobs would be alive today if anwen was just a tad bit better? That’d weigh on me. She really is becoming the best woman for a lot of the jobs that need doing, and not just because of her character sheet, because of her _character_; the way she challenges authority, sees things through, is willing to train in peace time so her risky bets in wartime are more likely to succeed. She feels like someone I could know, thrust into extraordinary circumstances and trying to do what’s right one day at a time. Would I, at 18-20, have done better in her shoes? More importantly, would I have done worse? Would any of us? She begs the right questions.
Not to mention, I think shes the most likely to die, from a cinematic perspective - especially after she gave that boy the sword. What is dear ol’ SGH gonna do once he kills good Oz to give the heroes time to escape? Kill battle dad Pad? Everyone is doing sad battle dad stories these days. No, no. Kill Vahid? I’d personally make sure he got canceled if he did. Someone’s gotta go, and it’s gotta be Anwen, so enjoy her while she lasts ;)
Ok so, I’m... Not a Vahid Stan. I really like the interactions with him recently, since he got all crispy and creepy, but he feels like an only decent character written really well. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - what are Vahid’ a principals? What drives him - knowledge for knowledge’s sake? Maybe, but that’s not as interesting or relatable as pad’s duty and responsibility and or Arwen’s sense of justice, and eagerness to do the right thing under duress - to meet proverbial moment. Vahid has great scenes, great moments, and says cool stuff, and now with Cirl, the story is even more _about_ him in a way it wasn’t before, but he feels sometimes like he’s being propped up by the great writing and interesting circumstances, but is otherwise not really a driver of plot himself. Maybe that’s ok! But it’s not as compelling to me as the other two :shrug:
All of that said, I voted for Vahid - or would have, if I wasn’t catching up - out of an abundance of hope and interest, and out of (maybe) black solidarity :p
I voted for Vahid as it feels like a good while since he got centre stage. Anwen does feel sometimes like the central character, so I'd like to see the Seeker get some time in the spotlight again.
I can totally see that -- especially with the recent arc of Sessions 9 and 10. I really loved writing the Vahid spotlight episodes in Session 7, so maybe if the votes continue as they are, we'll see a bit more of that.
Lol yep 😝 no shame in my game. Total Vahid Stan for sure. I also am a huge of how Vahid plays off of the other characters. Even when he was just a nerd with a staff he presents as one with rationale council. While still being very much being fallible. I think that is why I like Pad and Vahid so much. They seem to make decisions that they believe in regardless. Where as Anwen still seems easily swayed by so much out side of herself. But I suppose that is part of her whole story she is still finding herself and what resonates with her fully.
Also, get well soon, marathon not a sprint , drink plenty of fluids etc!
Also, those Ustrina had better not be ewoks in disguise, just saying…
As I'm playing and recording notes for the next episode, I discovered that I had somehow decided, with no support from the Stonetop text, that the Ustrina are little guys like Jawas, when in fact there is zero support for that in the text! So, never fear, they're not ewok-sized, nor are they ewok-shaped. :)
This week’s episode suggests more Sith Jawa…
I’ve gone for Vahid, in part for balance, as I voted anwin last time, but also because I felt the argument for V was more compelling- A has responsibility now, but V has no such brake…
I like how the Ustrina image came out.
You're definitely correct about players needing to drive their characters and take risks in PBTA.
I had a chance to participate in a Sprawl game, my first active stab at the PBTA model. That game sadly drove to a halt in what seemed to be a mire of unspoken nervousness about throwing the dice and embracing the outcome. Felt that I was kicking most of the narrative doors in.
I am biased I never really liked Anwen she still hasn’t exactly grown on me. Her tale feels often that of the chosen one with lil sense of her own skills. So seeking out a friend I’m not fond of. If it is a reminder of her capabilities and a cleansing of her conscience which she seems to need often. I see little merit in how it’ll offer major impactfulness to the story. But also I’m a lover of all things magic
So Vahid is totally my choice. I can appreciate the risk he takes. It is calculated often. Yet due to the nature of what he doesn’t know he doesn’t know there is always an element of risk and gamble. Which feels more like Vahid takes control of things and is truly in pursuit of his own goals. The natural conflict between he and Padrig in how they see this threat is a beautiful balance I believe.
You've been a Vahid stalwart since Session 1, back when he was just a nerd with a staff. Respect.
So, I like Anwen a lot. I big hate chosen one stories, as well as Mary Sue characters - both of which Anwen and her playbook might have become in less skilled hands, but I think Shankar is giving us a masterclass in handling this well tread ground with aplomb. Anwen is _not_ a chosen one. She doesn’t have anything she hasn’t bled for, no skill she hadn’t drilled for. Sure, she has natural talent with fighting, but hell, people are good at things. She practices, a lot, she’s immersed in warrior/scout culture, has mentorship, etc. She’s had some martial successes, but also some mixed bags that have cost lives. How many young heartthrobs would be alive today if anwen was just a tad bit better? That’d weigh on me. She really is becoming the best woman for a lot of the jobs that need doing, and not just because of her character sheet, because of her _character_; the way she challenges authority, sees things through, is willing to train in peace time so her risky bets in wartime are more likely to succeed. She feels like someone I could know, thrust into extraordinary circumstances and trying to do what’s right one day at a time. Would I, at 18-20, have done better in her shoes? More importantly, would I have done worse? Would any of us? She begs the right questions.
Not to mention, I think shes the most likely to die, from a cinematic perspective - especially after she gave that boy the sword. What is dear ol’ SGH gonna do once he kills good Oz to give the heroes time to escape? Kill battle dad Pad? Everyone is doing sad battle dad stories these days. No, no. Kill Vahid? I’d personally make sure he got canceled if he did. Someone’s gotta go, and it’s gotta be Anwen, so enjoy her while she lasts ;)
Ok so, I’m... Not a Vahid Stan. I really like the interactions with him recently, since he got all crispy and creepy, but he feels like an only decent character written really well. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - what are Vahid’ a principals? What drives him - knowledge for knowledge’s sake? Maybe, but that’s not as interesting or relatable as pad’s duty and responsibility and or Arwen’s sense of justice, and eagerness to do the right thing under duress - to meet proverbial moment. Vahid has great scenes, great moments, and says cool stuff, and now with Cirl, the story is even more _about_ him in a way it wasn’t before, but he feels sometimes like he’s being propped up by the great writing and interesting circumstances, but is otherwise not really a driver of plot himself. Maybe that’s ok! But it’s not as compelling to me as the other two :shrug:
All of that said, I voted for Vahid - or would have, if I wasn’t catching up - out of an abundance of hope and interest, and out of (maybe) black solidarity :p
You’ve made a strong case that they both go. Pad won’t be here for a few hours anyway, right? That’s plenty of time!
That's the kind of thinking I like to see around my table. ;-)
Yeah! I was kinda surprised by the choice, haha
I prefer the private voting, because then I am not spoiled when I read up.