The Grail Works Mission Dossier (Discussion & Ideas)

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

Heh...eheheheh.....ahahahahahahaha!

I've always hated writing a story without actually knowing how it will begin and end. But with Trev's idea for a beginning, I finally got hit in the face with a solid plot lying in bed last night! Vagrant Story's plot has left no loose ends (that need to be resolved), and Demon's Souls is also pretty plot-lite, so I've been trying to come up with my own. And I think I've got it!

God I wish I could have had my laptop then, I'd have been taking notes from that burst of inspiration all night. But I really think it'll work! It will give suitable screentime to everyone if I work the angle right, and let me set up a number of surprises and 'oh shit' moments! And all I need to do is successfully sell a few key moments to the audience to make it work.

Gotta finish outlining, setting the stage, and my five themes prompt (I hate leaving work unfinished), but otherwise I think I'm almost ready to start writing.

Kieran, I need you to answer a question though. Given how absurdly dangerous Demon's Souls is, I don't see Ilya holding back her best assets. It seems like a situation Saber would be sent in for, possibly Kurai as well. The biggest question I have, which may have to be answered over PM is....what form is Saber in? Should I write her as Dragon!Saber? Because that could work, OP as she is. Servant!Saber? Excalibur is a real bitch to work around. Human!Saber, but without her Noble Phantasms? Really easy to work in.

If I'm to use Saber, and I see no reason why Ilya wouldn't send in the big guns at some point, what should I do?

Also, if anything I think Ilya would try to hide the Boletaria's situation because while UBW is a fantastic ability, Shirou's essentially a glass cannon. He doesn't have much prana, he's not Servant level in physical ability, so unless I'm missing something he's a pretty big liability. His arsenal is useful, no doubt about it, but Shirou does not know when to sit down and stay put. Ilya knows that when, say, Saber or Kurai to go fight a Demon and tell Shirou that he is not to follow in no uncertain terms, there's a better than even chance that he'll follow and get them in trouble.

Shiki's probably not going to show up for the same reason: glass cannon. Top tier human ability don't mean shit when dragons are strafing you. Also, I've never played Tsukihime. So Aruceid and Ciel won't show up, even though I'm much more open to them. If people really want them, are willing to advise me and present a convincing argument I'll consider it.

No Sakura/Rider team because Sakura is a giant liability. At least Shiki and Shirou are combat worthy, Sakura's magic just ain't gonna cut it in a world that's a credible threat to Heroic Spirit level warriors. And since I do not think Grail Works Sakura has infinite prana on account of Shirou making a wish on the Grail to make Grail Works, Sakura's normal reserves to sustain Rider are not suitable for a long, protracted battle in hostile territory with bodyguard duties. Also, I don't want to. So nyah!

No maids for the same reason: they go squish! And they don't even have a statuesque lady who can glare people into solid granite.

And should any of these reasons fail to hold water....the people are busy. Done!

So I'm thinking the team is going to start with Saber, maybe Kurai, and other people get sent as reinforcements when it becomes clear that something big is going down. Shirou and Shiki could show up, but only if it turns out that Saber and/or Kurai need the back-up.

Thoughts, comments? If you got 'em, speak now while my muse is singing!






EDIT: GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Well I found my first plot hole to fill. Can I assume that Grail Works has something that lets them communicate with people from different worlds and times?

And if the Maiden in Black is as old as she seems (which I assume is pretty damn old), how is she speaking in a mostly recognizable dialect? I figured she was as old as the Monumental, but maybe not...

[Kieran]

PMed, for those of you following along.

[Incarnite Azurnum]

Comparatively, Demon Souls should be a breeze for Servants. From what I understand, a normal human completed the game. Granted it was a human with access to magic and infinite revives but when I look at his feats objectively, the only ones which really stand out are killing a Dragon God (and he freaking lands himself in a spot where there are two MASSIVE ballistae aiming at him. Go figure.) and the other one was killing a very very large sky manta ray which shot... harpoons, homing ones that were very large.

Then again, the conventions of the world make humans very VERY squishy. Hmm, makes me wonder who's being sent to Demon Souls.

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

Comparatively, Demon Souls should be a breeze for Servants.

Three words: New Game Plus.

My goal is to believably turn the world of Demon's Souls into a killing ground credible to even Heroic Spirits.

From what I understand, a normal human completed the game.

Well....maybe they were a normal human at the start. By the end of the game that normal human probably grafted several hundred thousands souls to themselves in order to increase their abilities. Or at least sacrificed that many.

So I wouldn't be calling the Player Character a bog standard human in the end. Especially not after they're been nomming and using Demon Souls to create enchanted weapons and powerful spells.

Granted it was a human with access to magic and infinite revives but when I look at his feats objectively, the only ones which really stand out are killing a Dragon God (and he freaking lands himself in a spot where there are two MASSIVE ballistae aiming at him. Go figure.) and the other one was killing a very very large sky manta ray which shot... harpoons, homing ones that were very large.

You may rest assured that the characters in my story will not get such convenient aid. The Dragon God was one of the biggest disappointments ever. Since I'm calling the shots though and not hindered by the video gaming medium, this could very well edge into Shadow of the Colossus territory. At very least I'm tepted to use it as inspiration.

Killing those bastards is going to be hard, hard work.

Then again, the conventions of the world make humans very VERY squishy. Hmm, makes me wonder who's being sent to Demon Souls.

Saber and Kurai are on the short list. A crossover with Vagrant Story is locked, with Ashley Riot taking the place of the Player Character. Feel free to lob suggestions my way. I'll take them under consideration.

Finally, I solemnly promise to make as many waves and FUBAR'd situations as possible with the material given to me. The setting of Grail Works demands no less.

[reborn214]

Out of curiosity for the demon's souls cross will the demon's be the same one in the game or will there be new stronger demons, and when will Saber be arriving during or after the fog sets? Also how big a role will Maiden Astraea and her knight play in this?

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

Out of curiosity for the demon's souls cross will the demon's be the same one in the game or will there be new stronger demons,

Probably mostly the same. If I can fit new ones in, I will. Suggestions are welcome.

and when will Saber be arriving during or after the fog sets?

After.

Also how big a role will Maiden Astraea and her knight play in this?

Without giving away details, they're currently slated to be in multiple scenes. They have too much backstory and potential to be squandered. What I'll use them for and how large a role they'll have is still being worked out, but they'll have a speaking role. That's more than others get.

I can't promise more than that, but if enough people like them I'll see what else I can do with them. I'd love to give them more screentime, if possible.






And oh ye gods, when I was deciding who stays and who goes I forgot me beloved tsundere Rin! I'm sorry Rin, Beast's Lair has corrupted me to the point where I preempt accusations instead of paying attention to the characters I truly love! It ain't my fault, I promise!

...Sadly, Rin is probably not going to get much of a role, if at all. Her gems are good, and she might be able to hold her own against the rank and file, but she's as squishy as every other human. I probably can't even use her as mission control since such a foreign magic system would take time for her to acclimate to. I'll tentatively list her as back-up. Who knows, maybe Saber will need a prana exchange ritual.

[Incarnite Azurnum]

Her gems are good, and she might be able to hold her own against the rank and file, but she's as squishy as every other human

Read: dies in 5 or less hits from anything.

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

Read: dies in 5 or less hits from anything.

I wouldn't give her three. Not in that outfit.

[reborn214]

Rin would probably be robbed by Trusty Parches if she went their. Look their is treasure in this hole, I don't know why but I feel oddly compelled to work in to this trap.

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

Rin would probably be robbed by Trusty Parches if she went their. Look their is treasure in this hole, I don't know why but I feel oddly compelled to work in to this trap.

...Hmm. If all treasure shined an appealing golden glow like it does in the game, that could actually happen.

Not sure what to do with Patches actually. Hmm...

[Fafnir]

Shadow of the Colossus

You, sir, are awesome.

[Kieran]

EDIT: GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Well I found my first plot hole to fill. Can I assume that Grail Works has something that lets them communicate with people from different worlds and times?

And if the Maiden in Black is as old as she seems (which I assume is pretty damn old), how is she speaking in a mostly recognizable dialect? I figured she was as old as the Monumental, but maybe not...

Um, are we referring to a need for a TARDIS-ish telepathic translation circuit?

And oh ye gods, when I was deciding who stays and who goes I forgot me beloved tsundere Rin! I'm sorry Rin, Beast's Lair has corrupted me to the point where I preempt accusations instead of paying attention to the characters I truly love! It ain't my fault, I promise!

...Sadly, Rin is probably not going to get much of a role, if at all. Her gems are good, and she might be able to hold her own against the rank and file, but she's as squishy as every other human. I probably can't even use her as mission control since such a foreign magic system would take time for her to acclimate to. I'll tentatively list her as back-up. Who knows, maybe Saber will need a prana exchange ritual.

Read: dies in 5 or less hits from anything.

I wouldn't give her three. Not in that outfit.

*cough* Tailor-made excuse to introduce the Kaleidostick! *cough*

[Incarnite Azurnum]

Hmm, well here's the projected stats for the costume

Kaleido Ruby costume set:

Phys
20*(magic+int)/20*(magic+int)/20*(magic+int)/20*(magic+int)
Mag
20*(magic+int)^2
Fire
20*(magic+int)
Bleed
20*(magic+int)
Poison
20*(magic+int)
Disease
20*(magic+int)

Weight: Negligible

Set Bonus:
All enemies who can see the wearer incur a 30% miss chance, 30% slow, 20% damage debuff, 10% defence reduction due to laughing too hard.
Wearer gains a 30% bonus physical/spell damage, 100% increased attack/casting rate, 300% mana regeneration and pool increase due to the mixture of rage and embarrassment.
Wearer is stunned when attacked and grappled by tentacles.






Wait.. I think I mixed up mechanics from another game.......

[Hymn of Ragnarok]

You, sir, are awesome.

*tips hat*

Thankee.

Um, are we referring to a need for a TARDIS-ish telepathic translation circuit?

Might not be a bad idea, unless English or Japanese just happens to be the universal language. The Japanese bit might fly for FFX since it was made by Japan, but everywhere else?

Vagrant story in particular has a language called Kildean, with its runes scratched throughout Lea Monde. I always assumed that the country more or less would have its own unique language, with English used for the benefit of the players. If that makes any sense.

Bah, maybe I'll just say Ashley really does speak faux Shakespeare. Saber understands Ye Olde English and Kurai can puzzle it out himself.

*cough* Tailor-made excuse to introduce the Kaleidostick! *cough*

....That's a good point.

It'd be really, really silly, but there's a time and place for that. Perhaps even in a world as depressing as Demon's Souls.

Hmm, well here's the projected stats for the costume

Kaleido Ruby costume set:

Phys
20*(magic+int)/20*(magic+int)/20*(magic+int)/20*(magic+int)
Mag
20*(magic+int)^2
Fire
20*(magic+int)
Bleed
20*(magic+int)
Poison
20*(magic+int)
Disease
20*(magic+int)

Weight: Negligible

Set Bonus:
All enemies who can see the wearer incur a 30% miss chance, 30% slow, 20% damage debuff, 10% defence reduction due to laughing too hard.
Wearer gains a 30% bonus physical/spell damage, 100% increased attack/casting rate, 300% mana regeneration and pool increase due to the mixture of rage and embarrassment.
Wearer is stunned when attacked and grappled by tentacles.






Wait.. I think I mixed up mechanics from another game.......

Not seeing Stamina or Wisdom, so yes, I believe so. It is a funny idea though.

[PhoenixAct]

Um, are we referring to a need for a TARDIS-ish telepathic translation circuit?

Now I want to see a fic where The Doctor runs across Grail Works.

[Kieran]

Might not be a bad idea, unless English or Japanese just happens to be the universal language. The Japanese bit might fly for FFX since it was made by Japan, but everywhere else?

Or, this just happens to be one of the dimensions where the dialogue/common language is English - as opposed to those where it's Japanese, French, German . . .

Vagrant story in particular has a language called Kildean, with its runes scratched throughout Lea Monde. I always assumed that the country more or less would have its own unique language, with English used for the benefit of the players. If that makes any sense.

It sort of does - I can think of a couple of settings like that, Zelda included. But it might be overthinking things a bit, since there's usually a Basic/Common language in most settings (the default being English, for our benefit). Clients from another dimension like that might just be surprised that the Works' agents speak their language.

Bah, maybe I'll just say Ashley really does speak faux Shakespeare. Saber understands Ye Olde English and Kurai can puzzle it out himself.

The player's a Shakespeare fan, and the druid in the gestalt is effectively circa medieval Europe. Unless Ashley's speech is really stilted, Kurai will be fine.

....That's a good point.

It'd be really, really silly, but there's a time and place for that. Perhaps even in a world as depressing as Demon's Souls.

Or especially then and there.

Now I want to see a fic where The Doctor runs across Grail Works.

Depending on which one, that might be arrangeable.

[ItsaRandomUsername]

Grail Works and Final Fantasy VI.

Now there's something else worth making a story of.

[whosaidthat]

Kaleido Ruby costume set:

Phys
20*(magic+int)/20*(magic+int)/20*(magic+int)/20*(magic+int)

If my math is right...

20* (magic+int)/20 * (magic+int)/20 * (magic+int)/20 * (magic+int) =

[(magic+int)^4]/400

[Incarnite Azurnum]

Bah trying to make it in a layout similar to Demon Souls. Each Slash represents different types of physical attacks.

[Nightblade]

Kieran are there Drow in Dragonlance.