Showing posts with label General. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General. Show all posts

Saturday, January 30, 2016

I should never make promises I can't keep...

...yeah, it's been a lot longer than those "next few days" that I promised in my last post. But I got a call from my friend Greg yesterday, who's been writing his own stories in this "universe." It gave me a bit of motivation to get cracking again.

I spend a lot of my time in Hearthstone or Star Wars: The Old Republic anymore. But both of those are getting frustrating in their own ways. HS because I simply can't win consistently and SWTOR because it's an MMO and once you hit a certain point when playing solo, it's just grind. So I need another distraction.

Alright, right now, as soon as I hit publish on this post, I'll put up what chapters I've finished so far and then I'll dive into writing some more. We'll see what comes of that.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Where the hell have I been?

I pretty much dropped off with PbN after February. A number of things happened to contribute to this.

First, I got super-busy with work.

Second, because I got super-busy with work, I got super-stressed-out.

Third, because I got super-stressed-out, I triggered a massive flare-up of my chronic illness. Put me in the hospital for a week and into a months-long period of recovery.

Well, I'm back now and I beginning work anew on PbN. Reading over my last blog posts from February, I don't remember if I've done any of the proposed edits I spoke of here. But I have begun moving the story forward and chapters 4 & 5 of Act Three should be up in the next few days.


Monday, September 1, 2014

Chapter Titles Philly by Night Act One

Now that all of Act One of PbN is up, I can do my little explanation post as to why I chose the songs that I did for the chapter titles. As before, these may reveal spoilers for chapters you've not read.

Closing Time by Semisonic

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." The tagline of this late-90s one-hit wonder is a perfect description of where unlife is going to take Michael over this new story.

Sick of Myself by Matthew Sweet

Michael is "sick of himself" as he realizes how far he's fallen from his lofty heights of power in the vampire world.

Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls

"I don't want the world to see me, because I don't think they'd understand." Something of a cheesy choice, but it fits Michael's encounter with his old family and old city.

Torn by Natalie Imbruglia

This song is chosen as a good description of Deborah's feelings, still heartbroken as she is over the loss of Rebecca and her quarrel with Michael.

Temptation ('98 remix) by New Order

Not only is this dance remix the song Michael uses to signal the arrival of his nemesis to Nightstyles, but its lyrics also describe what he's doing. "I'll find my soul as I go home."

Like a Prayer by Madonna

Madonna might seem a little too "pop" for a Gothic story, but the video to Like a Prayer definitely has a Goth vibe. "Your voice is like a prayer..." is also a good description of our the debilitated Sarah reacts to Michael's return.

Dragula by Rob Zombie

No way I could avoid Rob Zombie's horror novelty metal music forever. Dragula's aggressive lyrics are a good descriptor of Max's secret weapons, the infamous Brute and Spy who begin their torment of Michael in this chapter.

Barrel of a Gun by Depeche Mode

Virginia by Night's chapters were named frequently for tracks off of DM's "Songs of Faith and Devotion" album, which I consider their most "vampiric" release. Ultra, which came out in 1997, is probably their #2 most vampire album and the songs off of it are going to show up a lot in PbN. With Maximilian in ascendance in their power struggle, Michael is definitely feeling that he's under "the barrel of a gun" in this chapter.

The End is the Beginning is the End by Smashing Pumpkins

This song didn't get its due until well into this century as one of the soundtrack songs for the movie "Watchmen." But it was originally released back in the late 90s as a B-side. The title is, of course, prophetic as Michael discovers his "return" to Tidewater was really just prelude to his real destination: Philadelphia.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Good news everyone!

I'm probably only about six paragraphs from finishing Act One of PbN 1999. Woohoo.

While I'm thrilled at my progress this summer, I'm also a bit intimidated by the next few steps in the story. As some of my comments throughout various posts have implied, I'm trying very hard to avoid playing to stereotypes (thus far, particularly about homosexual persons).

That's going to prove a little tricky in the chapters to come. Philadelphia is a majority-minority city (i.e. most of its population is people of color.) I'm a white guy from the mountains of WV and while I did live in Philadelphia for the better part of four years (not coincidentally around the same time as our story here), I'm far from an expert on things urban. I know only the barest hints of what life is like for an urban black or Latino person and yet I'm going to start writing about it as background and window dressing for this story.

My problem to solve, but it may slow my progress a bit.

On another note, I'm still playing that anime game I mentioned a few posts back and I've got some more lovey-dovey screenshots for you.


Michael and Deborah (These are from a different save game than the last, so Michael looks a little different.)


Michael and Leigh Tyler (You can probably guess what he's doing with his hand. I did mention the game was a bit on the risque side.)


Michael and Rebecca.


And, of course, my favorite couple of the series: Michael and Sarah. (Spoilers if you haven't read the chapter I just posted a few minutes ago.)


Friday, May 9, 2014

It's done!

After nearly four years! Hundreds of pages! Thousands of words!

Virginia by Night
is
finished!


And there was much rejoicing.

However, we're not done. As promised way back, we'll soon be moving from Virginia by Night to Philadelphia by Night. The Requiem of Michael Allens continues.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Chapter Title Guide Acts Three and Four

Act Three

Twilight Zone by 2 Unlimited
This staple of the clubs in the early to mid 90s is very fitting for a chapter that centers on the Fox Club and its new owner.

Walking in My Shoes by Depeche Mode
The fourth track off of "Songs of Faith and Devotion" (yes it is my favorite DM album), it seemed fitting for Act Three's "slice of life" chapter.

Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears
The reasoning behind this is somewhat convoluted. It comes out of the conversation between Michael and Sarah about the nature of his sins. Given that the first sin in Christian understanding is "to be like God" (Genesis 3:4), Sarah is implying that Michael has made this error in his own life, demanding the world work the way he thinks it should. In a sense, trying to "rule the world."

Girl Can't Help It by Journey
Sarah reveals the full extent of her sexual side in ways that Michael finds disturbing.

Walk Like an Egyptian by the Bangles
Okay, an obvious one here. Michelle's club is Egyptian-themed and she is the leader of the Servants of Typhon (Typhon being a god in the Egyptian mythos.)

Wendy Time by The Cure
Michelle offers herself to Michael in exchange for his allegiance in much the way Wendy offers herself up in the lyrics of the song.

Into the Fire by Sarah McLachlan
The lyrics of this song are all about gaining power through experience. Michael seeks an education in being a player instead of a pawn in this chapter.

Round and Round by New Order
Another complicated one. Imagine the lyrics of the song being sung by Michael and either Ernie or Damian as his opposite/rival as they go "round and round" in this chapter.

Rooster by Alice in Chains
Michael goes on the offensive as his enemies gather around him, seeking to "snuff the rooster."

Killing in the Name by Rage against the Machine
The conflict in Tidewater escalates with the arrival of the Mad Bishop, one who "kills in the name" of his God.

Dead Souls by Joy Division
Couldn't miss at least one song from the soundtrack of the mother of all Goth films (The Crow). I'm using the original JD version here, but either way it fits in with this chapter as Michael begins the hunt for the dreaded lich, a soul-destroying monster.

Cuts You Up by Peter Murphy
The Mad Bishop comes to hit Michael where it really hurts, showing that for all the power he's gained, life can still "cut him up."

Come Undone by Duran Duran
Leigh has been murdered and Michael is now "come undone."

If I Ever Lose My Faith in You by Sting
The Disciples, a Lancea Sanctum coterie based on a twisted version of Christianity, finds their faith in their own leader, the Mad Bishop, a bit misplaced.

Crazy by Seal
As things escalate between Michael and his enemies to a fever pitch, the only solution is a frontal assault. "We're never going to survive unless..."

Act Four

Justified and Ancient by KLF
The chapter is all about Mathias, an ancient kindred who sees himself as justified by his twisted religious beliefs.

Love You to Death by Type O Negative
We're introduced to Michael's new consorts, his harem girls, in this chapter.

Halo by Deep Blue Something
Halo was the second release by this one-hit-wonder band and was obviously not their one hit, but this song about ghosts and obsessions fit nicely with the rising threat of the hunters, seeking vengeance for those they've lost.

1979 by Smashing Pumpkins
Imagine this rather nihilistic song as Julia's point-of-view, her expectation to die by Michael's hand forgotten and ignored by all the world.

The Beautiful People by Marilyn Manson
Julia is embraced and comes into a world of beautiful monsters.

Flood by Jars of Clay
The hunters crash down on Tidewater like a Biblical flood.

Here's Where the Story Ends by The Sundays
My all-time favorite song. It's bittersweet tone fits Michael's mood as his romance to Sarah comes to its tragic conclusion.

Why by Annie Lennox
Sarah's death devastates Michael. It's easy to imagine the lyrics of this song running through his head as he grieves his loss.

(Warning: Spoiler hints to follow for chapters as yet unposted.)

The Reflecting God by Marilyn Manson
Michael's grief turns to rage at his enemies in Roanoke.

I'll Fall With Your Knife by Peter Murphy
I see this song as being about the friendship of Michael, Boar, and Mitch. Michael begins his own revenge by helping Boar get his own for Ami's death.

The Desperate Things You Made Me Do by the Magnetic Fields
More rage from Michael, much of directed at Rebecca.

Sacrifice by Danzig
Imagine Michael singing this to The Djinn or Boar to his former werewolf tribe.

Sleeping Satellite by Tasmin Archer
As Virginia by Night comes to its end, Michael comes to realize he's really won nothing.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Chapter Title Guide Acts One & Two

Alright, if you're wondering about which songs I'm actually using for chapter titles and why, here you go.

Act One
Tom Sawyer by Rush
This one's kinda obvious. The song is meant to describe Michael, the "modern day warrior."

Pictures of You by The Cure
My break-up song with the real life inspiration for Rebecca, so it's a bit of foreshadowing to what's coming for Michael and Rebecca.

She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult
A song about drowning your sorrows in the arms of another woman is quite fitting for Michael giving in to Deborah's relentless pursuit of him after Rebecca gives him the heave-ho.

Bloodletting by Concrete Blonde
Concrete Blonde's chilling description of a vampire on the hunt is a great soundtrack for Michael's embrace.

Teacher Teacher by Rockpile
A song about getting an affair between a teacher and a student fits nicely with Michael becoming both Deborah's disciple and lover.

Regret by New Order
This bittersweet song, one of my all time favorites, fits nicely as Michael begins to leave his mortal life behind.

Dead Man's Party by Oingo Boingo
Another obvious one. A party of vampires during a football game is pretty much the definition of a "dead man's party."

In Between Days by The Cure
This chapter was a bit of "slice of life" for Michael and his cohorts. Surely, an "in between day."

Peace and Love, Inc. by Information Society
InSoc's critique of commercialism-as-religion fits nicely with Michael and Kris's visit to Ernie's cult.

Desire (Come and Get It) by Gene Loves Jezebel
Imagine this song sung from Kris's point of view and you'll see how it fits her coming to terms with what Michael truly is.

Act Two
In Your Room by Depeche Mode
This dark song by Depeche Mode really sets the tone for Michael's life at this point. Is he slave? Is he master? Does it matter if the slavery is this pleasurable? (FYI, avoid the remixes and remasters. The album version is by far the best for the atmosphere I was looking for here.)

Every Breath You Take by the Police
Most people think this is a love song, but it's actually about obsession. As Deborah tries to turn Michael's obsession over Rebecca into a weapon to keep him in check, it seemed fitting.

Peace Sells by Megadeth
War is ratcheting up between vampire and werewolf.

Sympathy for the Devil by the Rolling Stones
Rebecca comes looking for Michael out of a sense of remorse or perhaps sympathy. (Given this one showed up, covered by GNR, on the "Interview with a Vampire" soundtrack, it was bound to show up sooner or later.)

Mysterious Ways by U2
Newly embraced, Rebecca reveals a side of herself previously hidden, moving "in mysterious ways."

I Feel You by Depeche Mode
This song about dark love is one of the ones performed by Michael's band in this chapter.

Are We Ourselves? by The Fixx
The title drops a big hint that not everyone who appears in this chapter is who they seem to be, especially since we already know Ernie can disguise himself.

Disintegration by The Cure
Everything falls apart. You can probably guess whose "kiss of treachery" in the chapter fits the song.

Not Enough Time by INXS
Michael's torpid dream ravages his mind and reminds him of all his past betrayals and mistakes, particularly the loss of Rebecca who he'd finally "won" for himself and then immediately lost.

Lady Marmalade by Various
This song appeared prominently on the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Given Solomon spends some time during this chapter talking about his days at the famous Paris nightspot, it fit.

Red Barchetta by Rush
Michael flits about the fringes of the underground racing scene in Tidewater. Rush's love song to one of the greatest Ferraris ever built seemed fitting.

One Caress by Depeche Mode
If you haven't guessed already, I pretty much consider DM's "Songs of Faith and Devotion" to be their vampire album. This is the third track from that album that's appeared as a chapter title in this Act alone. It's a song about hungering for redemption in the arms of another, as Michael seeks to do with Leigh here.

The Killing Moon by Echo and the Bunnymen
This song is about being trapped by fate, which Michael comes to realize is true as Max and Solomon explain how he's become a cog in the wheel of a much larger conflict in the vampire world.

Alive by Pearl Jam
Seems some people that were thought dead are not.

Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple
Fire at an oceanfront location is a pretty central element of this chapter's plot.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Well, we're off...

It looks like we're moving forward with the campaign. It's an interesting setup; using Skype for voice, some online die rollers, and the GURPS 4th Edition rules set.

I've posted a couple of background pages below. Should give the curious some meat to chew on for both plots (We're going to swap GM duties throughout the campaign to mix things up) and for character concepts.

Looking forward to this.