FenrisUlf Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? It's time for me to get started on our next Champions supplement: The Book Of The Empress' date='[/i'] which will take an in-depth look at Istvatha V'han (the same way previous "Books of" have detailed Dr. Destroyer and Mechanon). As currently envisioned, BotE will include such things as: --a history of V'han and her rise to power as a dimensional empress --detailed info on V'han herself, including an expanded character sheet, psychology and motivations, her powers and abilities, and so on --what V'han might be like in other genres --the Imperial Legions, including (a) the Imperial Battalion (her several thousand superhuman soldiers, bodyguards, etc., with character sheets for half a dozen or so and notes on dozens more); ( her navies and armies; © her military equipment; (d) her starships and ground vehicles; and (e) her D-Soldiers (of many, many varieties) --a look at the Multiverse of the CU (this will largely be reprinted from TMW, but will be expanded upon as needed and tweaked to be a bit less mystic-centric) --the V'hanian Empire itself -- how it's organized, what its laws are like, and what territories it includes (with descriptions of a bunch of sample dimensions) --how V'han goes about conquering other dimensions and expanding her empire, including the various administrative, bureaucratic, logistical, social, and strategic concerns that prevent her from simply steamrolling Earth (or any other dimension) --V'han's specific plans and intentions toward Earth --major enemies of the Empire (Skarn, Tyrannon, and more more more!) --GMing Istvatha V'han, including a general discussion of dimensional campaigning and related matters That's it in the broad outlines, at least. So... what do you want to see in BotE? :hail: This sounds like it's going to cover everything I could possibly want to see. I am eagerly looking forward to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenrisUlf Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Another quick idea: maybe we could get a plot seed that involves the heroes getting approached by some refugees from one of I-V's conquests begging for political asylum on Earth? Of course, Her Nibs follows with the troops and demands the return of these "traitors" for punishment; and maybe some of the refugees aren't such nice people themselves. Heck, maybe some of them were supervillains where they came from! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enforcer84 Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Thanx for the suggestions so far, everyone! Keep 'em coming! Just remember, this has to all fit within one reasonably-sized, reasonably-priced book that I write in a reasonable amount of time. Unlike Istvatha V'han, I don't have any time travel powers to make my life easier. Stop crushing our dreams! This is awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enforcer84 Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? V'han Needs Men! Her back isn't gonna massage itself... Gets in line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
death tribble Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? What we really need is a bit discussing fashion with V'han pictured in various outfits. Then we need information on her dietary and keep fit programs and how these sell in her conquered dimensions. We also need to hear about the sale of her action figure. And the propaganda wing showing her great moments in her life. (I mean that latter certainly worked for Stalin.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenrisUlf Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? And the propaganda wing showing her great moments in her life. (I mean that latter certainly worked for Stalin.) Istvatha V'Han rules several hundred entire dimensions. I doubt she really NEEDS to inflate her accomplishments to impress people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
death tribble Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Neither did Stalin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndianaJoe3 Posted July 16, 2011 Report Share Posted July 16, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Istvatha V'Han rules several hundred entire dimensions. I doubt she really NEEDS to inflate her accomplishments to impress people. Neither did Stalin. Stalin needed something to distract people from the fact that he was a mass-murdering thug. Does Istvatha V'Han? Drifting back towards the topic, contrasting looks at the Empress's biography would be interesting, if there's room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Neilson Posted July 17, 2011 Report Share Posted July 17, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Stalin needed something to distract people from the fact that he was a mass-murdering thug. Does Istvatha V'Han? Whatever she's using seems to be working - she's got IndianaJoe snowed The various ways she is portrayed (likely embellished by her supporters and denigrated by her detractors), the manner in which varous groups perceive her, as well as where the truth lies, seems like something that would merit a bit of coverage in a book of this nature. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsatow Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? I'll just put in my list of what I'd like to see rather than rereading this thread. Steve can as usual take and drop what he pleases. I'd like to see what the interaction of herself and her empire is like with the other transdimensional characters and organizations in the universe. A paragraph or two would suffice per interaction. Not all imperial politics have to be directly related to her, but I would like a general idea of the politics of her empire and especially those trying to curry her favor. Again, may be a page or two. As big of a threat as she is, I'd like to know what defenses earth has been using against her. Maybe Until has a division working with what little it has on info on her. Again maybe a paragraph or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Liaden Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Note that Steve announced in his last weekly update that he's begun writing the book, so if there's anything more anyone would like to see included they should probably post it pronto. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Long Posted July 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Stop crushing our dreams! So, I don't get to have any fun at all? That hardly seems fair! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Long Posted July 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? We also need to hear about the sale of her action figure. Her action figures -- it's a product line with hundreds of individual items -- sell quite well. Collecting them is a common hobby in many parts of the Empire, and a complete collection is worth (in Earth terms) tens of thousands of dollars. At "V'han-Con" every year, there's a special competition for presentation of collections, in which the Empress herself does the judging and awards the prizes. Better yet, many of the action figures come with built-in mini-computers and cameras. They keep watch all around themselves and are able to report illegal or seditious behavior immediately, thus ensuring that children learn proper behavior from an early age! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Long Posted July 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? so if there's anything more anyone would like to see included they should probably post it pronto. Well, no need to get too worried about it yet. Writing the whole thing is going to take weeks (especially with GenCon getting in the way), so it's not as if I won't have time to incorporate new suggestions that come in. That point will come, but we're not there yet. However, the more I write, the less likely I am to take further suggestions, since once things are "down on paper" it's not usually worth the extra work to change 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Neilson Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Her action figures -- it's a product line with hundreds of individual items -- sell quite well. Collecting them is a common hobby in many parts of the Empire, and a complete collection is worth (in Earth terms) tens of thousands of dollars. At "V'han-Con" every year, there's a special competition for presentation of collections, in which the Empress herself does the judging and awards the prizes. Better yet, many of the action figures come with built-in mini-computers and cameras. They keep watch all around themselves and are able to report illegal or seditious behavior immediately, thus ensuring that children learn proper behavior from an early age! See, now, THIS belongs in the book! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix240 Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Her action figures -- it's a product line with hundreds of individual items -- sell quite well. Collecting them is a common hobby in many parts of the Empire, and a complete collection is worth (in Earth terms) tens of thousands of dollars. At "V'han-Con" every year, there's a special competition for presentation of collections, in which the Empress herself does the judging and awards the prizes. Better yet, many of the action figures come with built-in mini-computers and cameras. They keep watch all around themselves and are able to report illegal or seditious behavior immediately, thus ensuring that children learn proper behavior from an early age! Does this count as a preview? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? I find the idea of V'han-Con quite amusing. Do hobby conventions exist in her empire? Does Hero Games exist in her empire? An even more interesting question, does Steve Long have analogs on worlds under her control? What are they like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenrisUlf Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Her action figures -- it's a product line with hundreds of individual items -- sell quite well. Collecting them is a common hobby in many parts of the Empire, and a complete collection is worth (in Earth terms) tens of thousands of dollars. At "V'han-Con" every year, there's a special competition for presentation of collections, in which the Empress herself does the judging and awards the prizes. Better yet, many of the action figures come with built-in mini-computers and cameras. They keep watch all around themselves and are able to report illegal or seditious behavior immediately, thus ensuring that children learn proper behavior from an early age! See' date=' now, THIS belongs in the book![/quote'] So, what, they sell the "My Little Empress: Fanatical Loyalty is Magic" toys in the empire? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt the Bruins Posted July 18, 2011 Report Share Posted July 18, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Oh! Another thing I'd like to see is a piece of artwork depicting the sort of propaganda one might run across in her empire. Would it be like Maoist China, with murals and posters of the Empress everywhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FenrisUlf Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Oh! Another thing I'd like to see is a piece of artwork depicting the sort of propaganda one might run across in her empire. Would it be like Maoist China' date=' with murals and posters of the Empress everywhere?[/quote'] I double this. It sounds like it'd make for 1-2 great pieces of art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Miles Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Well' date=' no need to get too worried about it yet. Writing the whole thing is going to take weeks (especially with GenCon getting in the way), so it's not as if I won't have time to incorporate new suggestions that come in. That point will come, but we're not there yet. However, the more I write, the less likely I am to take further suggestions, since once things are "down on paper" it's not usually worth the extra work to change 'em.[/quote'] Weeks? You're Steve Long, it'll take two days at most... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Long Posted July 19, 2011 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Oh! Another thing I'd like to see is a piece of artwork depicting the sort of propaganda one might run across in her empire. AAMOF, I spec'd out just such a thing on the art list (well, as part of a larger illustration, but still, it's there). Comes complete with 1984-style slogan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Certified Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Is there room for a Flash to her Ming? (Okay, just reading that sentence makes me smile.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megaplayboy Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? Is there room for a Flash to her Ming? (Okay, just reading that sentence makes me smile.) "That's a rather personal question, sir." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prometheus Posted July 19, 2011 Report Share Posted July 19, 2011 Re: THE BOOK OF THE EMPRESS -- What Do *You* Want To See? I'm showing up very late to the game, but there's three things (or at least three answers) I'd like to see: 1) Is there any advantage that comes from a multiverse that includes V'han? She's obviously a foil to Skarn and Tyrannon, but is her policy of extermination the only thing keeping the Elder Worms in check across dimensions? Or anyone else, for that matter? V'han doesn't have to be a force for good, but the Necessary Evil is the stuff of Plot Seeds. 2) How does V'han interact with heroes (specifically the PCs) on a personal level? Darkseid would be much less interesting if all he did was start shooting when Superman showed up. Does V'han have a grudging respect for superheroes capable of resisting her? Secret attraction? Unwavering hatred? Maybe matching herself against the heroes is the only thing she finds stimulating anymore. Or are all beings far below the notice of the Empress? 3) Who does the Empress trust? Barring that, who is she at least willing to delegate to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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