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...