Firefly/Serenity Revisited. OOC Thread/Casting Call.

[marauder13]

I think we definitely need an Alliance ship captain who has a particular interest in Serenity and the Tams. It may be that you're called on to play other Alliance officials that we run into or steal from but I think there should be a specific Alliance character gathering intel to be used (unbeknown to him) by an Operative. He's likely frustrated and insulted that he's on a permanent stake-out and that the powers above him won't send him in to retrieve a 90lb teenage girl. Later on you will be able to play the Operative but we don't want to go into the whole Miranda thing or triggering River until further into the SRP.

If you want a hot female subordinate to play with, I'm sure I can oblige.

An alliance ship captain.... goes back to view the few examples they had in the series and extrapolate I think I can give you one of those. "I was in charge of a goram Alliance Cruiser, and now what am I doing? Bird watching some teenage girl with a brain disorder!!"

Oh, I get to play a YAAO? (Yet Another Alliance Operative) Oh goodie...

I'll get back to you on the hot female subordinate... I'm thinking of some other possibilities on the hot female aspect

hmmmm.... how can I make their lives interesting with this character.....

 

[SiaKlynn]

I'm all for starting off on a day after a mission and/or shore leave. Looking forward to writing with you all!

 

[DemonLove]

What about this:

Marauder 13 plays a the captain of an Alliance ship,but he is some sort of rogue. He no longer takes actual orders from the Alliance but he was once one of the higher officials. His pull with some of the higher officials makes him untouchable but his apparent madness makes him a liability. The Alliance would prefer that he kept himself out of official business,and he has.

By making for himself an horrific pastime.

His ship now houses compartments for the training of low level sex slaves for deployment to the least savory sections of the new frotierlands.

These are not the highly cultured and regarded Companions we've seen in the series. They are kidnapped and unwilling. If they cannot be broken they are given over to his "crew" for decimation. I want to say that they are Reavers. And how does he walk among them without harm?

There is someone with him. Not quite at the helm,but a playmate who pretends to understand his insane ramblings. Someone he absconded with during his last visit with sane people. A complete sociopath who was brought to his attention while he was blackmailing the warden of a certain prison. She had knocked her husband unconcious while stealing an antique gun.

He needs her to follow him as he strides randomly through the ship. Out of necessity,he has taught her how to walk without harm through the ranks of the Reavers...

 

[DemonLove]

What if he will be granted immunity from the consequences of some impulsive act if he finds Rain?

Does he have some way (related to the brain experiments) of calling to her that not even she is aware of?. Perhaps he could find the Serenity onland while half of the crew was involved,during their last day of R+R, in a barroom brawl.

What if Book,after frantically chasing Rain (who had bolted towards the Alliance ship) awoke onboard said ship (which had been renamed "The Crucible") to face a gleeful madman who had known him during his days as an operative?

 

[Ahren1]

If our villain is going to be a madman, then I'd hope he has good reasons. The 'insane just for the hell of it' villains are rather one dimensional.

They definitely shouldn't be Reavers. They're way too feral and animalistic to be truly organized. While we never really got to see a lot of 'development' about Reavers, it seemed pretty clear that separated them from men was their pure rage. Anyone organized as much as you're explaining is still a man, even if he is evil and somewhat insane, and I'm sure his crew, if they're following him, wouldn't be opposed to raping and killing on their own without being related to the Reavers.

The idea of an ex-Alliance captain going rogue to do whatever he wants isn't really a bad idea. Your second post is confusing though. Who is Rain?

 

[marauder13]

Your second post is confusing though. Who is Rain?

Maybe he meant River Tam?

 

[Lilybean]

*happy dance*

 

[dragonrazor]

let me know when we've reached a decision *doesn't feel like discussing plot, but should do some research on Wash*

 

[DemonLove]

If our villain is going to be a madman, then I'd hope he has good reasons. The 'insane just for the hell of it' villains are rather one dimensional.

They definitely shouldn't be Reavers. They're way too feral and animalistic to be truly organized. While we never really got to see a lot of 'development' about Reavers, it seemed pretty clear that separated them from men was their pure rage. Anyone organized as much as you're explaining is still a man, even if he is evil and somewhat insane, and I'm sure his crew, if they're following him, wouldn't be opposed to raping and killing on their own without being related to the Reavers.

The idea of an ex-Alliance captain going rogue to do whatever he wants isn't really a bad idea. Your second post is confusing though. Who is Rain?

Yeah. The Reavers thing is,at present,an enormous hole. It's the reason that I'm still referring to this whole thing as an "idea" instead of a "plot".

I've a reason for kind of "wanting" it to be Reavers though,and I'll make that apparent soon.

I really need help with this part,Ahren,because I've seen the series but I've not yet seen the film,nor have I read the graphic novels. I'll remedy this,but I've been very busy the past few weeks. I need to know everything available about the origin of the Reavers,not because I'm stuck on them,but because the full scenario I have in mind cannot be properly presented unless I exhaust every avenue in making the Reaver thing work.

As far as their organizational capacities go,though,let's remember that they can still pilot spacecraft. If this shadow of memory remains,other things may still be there too. And,no the Captain himself is not a Reaver.

I am a multi-faceted villian who is insane for no good fucking reason.

Seriously though,he is insane because of a new type of parasite based venerial disease that has a degenerative effect on the brain similar to that of syphilis. It's a rather fascinating
malady that is non-contagious in its later stages. I was actually going to wait to discuss it with Marauder when e got the chance.

Pair this disease with the fact that he never got that bicycle he wanted as a child and...well we all know how THAT shit works out. Makes ya shudder.

 

[DemonLove]

Maybe he meant River Tam?

Yes,I meant "River". I have a friend whom we call "Rain". How's that for some Freudian shit?

 

[DemonLove]

*happy dance*

I LOVE happy dances. Can you do the "Snoopy"? Palms and eyes towards the heavens,feet tapping the floor so rapidly that they blur...

 

[Ahren1]

You really do need to watch the movie, I think. It would help some of your confusion and possibly affect how you develop this idea. Not to mention certain similarities have been presented. I don't want to point them out or explain my issues because it would kinda spoil the movie and if you haven't seen it yet, I'd prefer not to do that.

I think you should perhaps save any ideas you have revolving around Reavers until we get to the Serenity part in the RP, since if we use them before, then deal with the movie stuff, that's a lot of plot devoted to Reavers and it would be nice to keep things a bit balanced. Just having nutcase ex-alliance guy out there could be a pretty good way to start things off.

I'm unsure why he'd want River though. The Alliance does (and/or the rather unexplained Blue Sun organization). Unless he wants her bounty like Early did.

 

[DemonLove]

I'm unsure why he'd want River though. The Alliance does (and/or the rather unexplained Blue Sun organization). Unless he wants her bounty like Early did.

First sentence of post #129.

 

[VelvetDarkness]

Ok...

I also have reservations about the Reaver ship idea. If you did see the movie DL, you'd know that the Reavers were a small percentage of a planet's population that was maddened by a drug introduced to the atmosphere to make people calm and peaceable. They are reduced to a semi-animal state and each atrocity they commit removes them further from the human they might have been. Their impulses are base and immediate so they're very loosely organised and opportunistic. They hunt in a pack rather than operate a hierarchy and so I doubt they'd acknowledge Marauder as a leader or even understand the concept of leadership. Reavers carry the mutation in their blood and they cut and mutilate themselves. This means that contact with a Reaver's teeth, nails or blade will turn a person into a Reaver in a matter of hours.

I think the Reavers need to remain the big wild bogeymen without being marshalled and controlled. I do like the idea of Marauder as a rogue agent though and I think that could work very well. He has some information on the Tams and finds out how much the Alliance want River back. Whether he wants reinstatement or a pardon I'll leave to Marauder. I don't think he should have any knowledge about what the Alliance were doing to River however or what she is capable of. He wants her so he can ransom her off to his former bosses and if they also have an interest in her brother to tie up loose ends, so much the better. Saffron could be helping him track Serenity, probably while screwing him senseless and robbing him blind. The sex slave idea is interesting and that could be a lucrative sideline of his, providing less palatable services to people too rich and prominent to risk seeking them on the planet they inhabit. I'll leave it to Marauder to decide whether he wants to take that route however. My thoughts are that Marauder contacts the Alliance and asks what they'd be prepared to pay for River Tam. Once he realises just how bad they want her, he'll be inclined to keep tracking the ship and attempting to abduct her. Serenity is a good target for him anyway, what with the ship, any cargo and the attractive female crew members. I'm thinking we can generate some real animosity between Marauder and Mal, enough to make it personal and to make Marauder determined to outsmart Serenity's arrogant captain.

Marauder could then get wise to Saffron, leading her to switch sides with her usual effortless grace. She can then swan onto Serenity as a knight in tarnished armour and tip them off to Marauder's imminent snatch and grab. Unfortunately, as the resident baddie, Marauder is likely to be thwarted a time or two but it will hopefully put Saffron in an altruistic light for 5 minutes, leading Simon to maybe speak in her defence when Mal tries to dump her on the nearest rock. River I imagine will see straight through Saffron so I think she should feel some genuine nostalgia for Serenity and the captain who tried to defend her 'honour.' Could be she's been a while in the black without seeing a familiar face or calling a place home.

Thoughts?

 

[marauder13]

Ok...

[snipped]

Thoughts?

Yes, lots. Once I have had a chance to process it all, I'll put forward my thoughts and ideas... or I can just surprise folks.

 

[Ahren1]

First sentence of post #129.

Ah okay, I missed that during the name confusion. Yeah, I could see that being a possibility.

 

[Lilybean]

Ok...

I also have reservations about the Reaver ship idea. If you did see the movie DL, you'd know that the Reavers were a small percentage of a planet's population that was maddened by a drug introduced to the atmosphere to make people calm and peaceable. They are reduced to a semi-animal state and each atrocity they commit removes them further from the human they might have been. Their impulses are base and immediate so they're very loosely organised and opportunistic. They hunt in a pack rather than operate a hierarchy and so I doubt they'd acknowledge Marauder as a leader or even understand the concept of leadership. Reavers carry the mutation in their blood and they cut and mutilate themselves. This means that contact with a Reaver's teeth, nails or blade will turn a person into a Reaver in a matter of hours.

I think the Reavers need to remain the big wild bogeymen without being marshalled and controlled. I do like the idea of Marauder as a rogue agent though and I think that could work very well. He has some information on the Tams and finds out how much the Alliance want River back. Whether he wants reinstatement or a pardon I'll leave to Marauder. I don't think he should have any knowledge about what the Alliance were doing to River however or what she is capable of. He wants her so he can ransom her off to his former bosses and if they also have an interest in her brother to tie up loose ends, so much the better. Saffron could be helping him track Serenity, probably while screwing him senseless and robbing him blind. The sex slave idea is interesting and that could be a lucrative sideline of his, providing less palatable services to people too rich and prominent to risk seeking them on the planet they inhabit. I'll leave it to Marauder to decide whether he wants to take that route however. My thoughts are that Marauder contacts the Alliance and asks what they'd be prepared to pay for River Tam. Once he realises just how bad they want her, he'll be inclined to keep tracking the ship and attempting to abduct her. Serenity is a good target for him anyway, what with the ship, any cargo and the attractive female crew members. I'm thinking we can generate some real animosity between Marauder and Mal, enough to make it personal and to make Marauder determined to outsmart Serenity's arrogant captain.

Marauder could then get wise to Saffron, leading her to switch sides with her usual effortless grace. She can then swan onto Serenity as a knight in tarnished armour and tip them off to Marauder's imminent snatch and grab. Unfortunately, as the resident baddie, Marauder is likely to be thwarted a time or two but it will hopefully put Saffron in an altruistic light for 5 minutes, leading Simon to maybe speak in her defence when Mal tries to dump her on the nearest rock. River I imagine will see straight through Saffron so I think she should feel some genuine nostalgia for Serenity and the captain who tried to defend her 'honour.' Could be she's been a while in the black without seeing a familiar face or calling a place home.

Thoughts?

I LOVE IT...you are a genius..mmm saffron!

 

[Vail_Indigo]

I LOVE IT...you are a genius..mmm saffron!

mmmmm saffron indeed!
*swoons for the badgirl*
Anyhow, this basic story opens up a lot of places for variation and kinds of play, I think.

 

[Lilybean]

I'd agree it makes everything plausible/possible/do-able!

 

[VelvetDarkness]

My thoughts are that Marauder contacts the Alliance and asks what they'd be prepared to pay for River Tam. Once he realises just how bad they want her, he'll be inclined to keep tracking the ship and attempting to abduct her. Serenity is a good target for him anyway, what with the ship, any cargo and the attractive female crew members. I'm thinking we can generate some real animosity between Marauder and Mal, enough to make it personal and to make Marauder determined to outsmart Serenity's arrogant captain.

Thinking further on this, I can see a flaw. If M13 was to ask the Alliance how much they would be prepared to pay for River they'd probably warn him off approaching her and insist on sending their own people... wouldn't they? Can we make that more plausible?

 

[Vail_Indigo]

Thinking further on this, I can see a flaw. If M13 was to ask the Alliance how much they would be prepared to pay for River they'd probably warn him off approaching her and insist on sending their own people... wouldn't they? Can we make that more plausible?

Not to be, y'know, lax, but I'm not convinced that the storyline has to be perfect to that level of detail.
Am I alone on this?
(if I am, I'll hush)

 

[VelvetDarkness]

Not to be, y'know, lax, but I'm not convinced that the storyline has to be perfect to that level of detail.
Am I alone on this?
(if I am, I'll hush)

Noone's gonna hush you.

 

[Vail_Indigo]

Noone's gonna hush you.

LOL
you haven't spent enough time with me

 

[VelvetDarkness]

LOL
you haven't spent enough time with me

We digress anyway. I suppose that as M13 is to play a rogue anyway it's just as likely he'll ignore all warnings about defenceless little River and go after the bounty.

 

[Vail_Indigo]

We digress anyway. I suppose that as M13 is to play a rogue anyway it's just as likely he'll ignore all warnings about defenceless little River and go after the bounty.

Exactly.
And, lets face it, FF/S is about characters, they are driven by who they are, not what they should be doing.