A Clockwork Romance: Dr. Aeon's Challenge

A Clockwork Romance
Arc ID: 344816
Level: 15-20
Keywords: Solo, Canon Related, Romance
Description: The Clockwork King will stop at nothing to be with his beloved Penelope Yin. Where do you draw the line?


This arc was written at great speed to be submitted to Dr. Aeon's challenge: 'write an arc where a hero is forced to do evil for the greater good'. I think I managed to accomplish that goal without crossing any borders of taste or stupidity. Hopefully the simple story isn't too bad either. Comments are welcome even if the arc is marked "final".

Submitted already?

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Yes, last night when I finished it.

Very nice, Fredrik. Great ending. GL with the contest.

Eco.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samuel_Tow [The Incarnate System is] Jack Emmert all over again, only this time it's not "1 hero = 3 white minions" it's "1 hero = 3 white rocks."

An interesting arc it is, you worked the arc up towards the moment of choice. Only at the end of the second mission did it become obvious what had to happen.

The last mission was hectic. Glad that I have a fast (ahem) computer, I managed to finish the mission with a few seconds to spare. I am curious how this one will do in Aeons challenge. Because in the end it is not a decision the hero takes alone and it is as much a noble sacrifice as it is steering away from the high road of morality from the heroes part.

A review from Sister_Twelve's One A Day thread.

Just finished playing this arc, I couldn't resist after having just finished my submission that deals with the Clockwork as well.

My thoughts on the arc, please skip if you want to avoid spoilers:

Mr Yin does have that Phipps thing going. It looks to be an unfortunate side-effect of MA always making characters taking that dominating stance, and the lighting that always shines from above for that campfire spooky effect.

I found the Clockwork to sound pretty out of character, they usually don't speak all that much, and even when they do, it isn't fluently but oddly enough, in that classic robot-speak style (I say oddly, as I think the robo-speak clashes with their background).

The arc definitely gets abrupt a few times. I know it's final now, but I really think this arc could do with some additional pacing.

I found the whole situation in mission 2 to be pretty amusing, I was wondering what was going on as I kept running backwards and forwards looking for Penny.

In the end I picked saving the other girls. As heartless as it is, I can at least count on the King won't be trying to 'dismantle' Penny any time soon. And who knows, I may even get a Mr Yin TF out of it to save Penny back.

Thanks for playing my arc!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangler I found the Clockwork to sound pretty out of character, they usually don't speak all that much, and even when they do, it isn't fluently but oddly enough, in that classic robot-speak style (I say oddly, as I think the robo-speak clashes with their background).

They usually don't speak at all, that's true. In one of the few canon cases where they do speak everyone seems really surprised about it. It's a mission where the Clockwork are luring you into a trap because you are a hero and the King hates heroes. I decided to have the Clockwork King talk through his minion because he wouldn't have a prepared written statement to give you at this point, and it was important enough for him to deign to speak with a filthy hero in order to save Penny.

I agree that mission two is confusing at first but hopefully everything is clear enough by the end of it.

Review posted in my new thread. I felt it was a bit rushed, and ranked about 3 stars (taking a note from Glazius and rated a 5 becuase I did enjoy it though).