Past Lives (The missing Positron/Numina story)
By
Arcanaville,
Posted on: 2012-09-07 07:29 in CoH and CoV General Discussions
Quote:
Numina isn't dead, War Witch very much is.|
Originally Posted by Raith
I always thought CoH subscribed to the idea, you could only get a Rez if you died "Naturally" thus souls like Numina and War Witch were hands-off for their deaths were really less death and more change of physical state. Neither are dead, per se.
- Raith |
She got half her face melted off.
The reason she's still around probably has something to do with the whole Witch thing. There were apparent similarities between kheldians and whatever WW and her coven were. Something to do with weird psychic energy. And alien ghosts.
Though my memory may be fuzzy.
Quote:
Oh gawd, lol.
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Originally Posted by Zortel
Necromantic Rod - He's Dead Stiff
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Blue
American Steele: 50 BS/Inv
Nightfall: 50 DDD
Sable Slayer: 50 DM/Rgn
Fortune's Shadow: 50 Dark/Psi
WinterStrike: 47 Ice/Dev
Quantum Well: 43 Inv/EM
Twilit Destiny: 43 MA/DA
Red
Shadowslip: 50 DDC
Final Rest: 50 MA/Rgn
Abyssal Frost: 50 Ice/Dark
Golden Ember: 50 SM/FA
Quote:
Their respective stories...|
Originally Posted by Mad Grim
Numina isn't dead, War Witch very much is.
She got half her face melted off. The reason she's still around probably has something to do with the whole Witch thing. There were apparent similarities between kheldians and whatever WW and her coven were. Something to do with weird psychic energy. And alien ghosts. Though my memory may be fuzzy. |
War Witch, per the Blue King comics, was murdered by Requiem, after he'd committed the heinous crime of destroying the spirits of her 'coven'. (On the psychic plane, there existed several women whose knowledge and abilities War Witch could tap into with enough effort and with their permission. War Witch referred to them as her 'coven' sisters, fellow witches throughout history who were guiding her on her path toward becoming a hero.) She died in Apex's arms, but her ghost rose, transcending the bonds of mortal flesh and becoming a spirit like her coven.
Numina, on the other hand (according to her bio), had 'possessed' via astral project the body of a supervillain to prevent him from destroying the world... unfortunately, her physical body was destroyed in the process, so she had nothing to return to. She remained trapped inside the Red Threat until he was killed during the Rikti War, thus setting her astral form free. As such, unlike War Witch whose spirit continued on after death, Numina's soul never got that far in the first place.
During the events of the first 3 Top Cow comics ("The Day the Powers Went Out"), Numina lost her powers as well (her ability to resurrect, as well as her ability to become corporeal) until Positron released the Flames of Prometheus back into the world, restoring her power.
*****
All that being said, in Issue 19 of the Top Cow comics, Positron was working on a means of reversing War Witch's condition. Ironically, it would have been more appropriate for him to do that for NUMINA, as she was the one trapped in intangibility, while War Witch was actually a ghost. Which might explain why he was unable to find a way to 'reverse' her current condition - he was coming at it the wrong way.
*****
You'd never guess I was a lore junkie, would you?
Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite
Dark_Respite's Farewell Video: "One Last Day"
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
Thank you! This would make an awesome TF or SSA. Looking forward to the day when City of Heroes is safe and secure and the fine development team at Paragon Studios are all back on the job, full-time, bringing us Issue 24 and all the other nifty things you had planned.
aka @Kristoff von Gelmini, leader of small SG bases (Infinity/Victory/Virtue/Protector), member of The House of Tera (Justice) and various others (Champion/Infinity/Victory/Guardian/Freedom).
Quote:
Which, by the way, is a very roundabout and tangential Origin of Powers problem, my favorite backstory problem. How and why powers work in City of Heroes is something I've always felt should be fully thought out and consistent, whereas its always been treated as eh, whatever.|
Originally Posted by Dark_Respite
All that being said, in Issue 19 of the Top Cow comics, Positron was working on a means of reversing War Witch's condition. Ironically, it would have been more appropriate for him to do that for NUMINA, as she was the one trapped in intangibility, while War Witch was actually a ghost. Which might explain why he was unable to find a way to 'reverse' her current condition - he was coming at it the wrong way.
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If Numina's condition is fundamentally non-magical, its potentially scientifically resolvable. If War Witch's condition is fundamentally magically induced, it would be completely outside Positron's expertise. The question is whether we can say that Numina's astral projection, which can be achieved through non-magical means, is thus produced by magic, but not fundamentally magical. City of Heroes' lore is extremely hazy on how to resolve a question like that, except to say "whatever you want it to be."
One of these days, if we had more time, when I felt I could finally take a break from being involved with the powers team**, I would have switched to trying to work with the writing team, because I do love to write (can you tell) and I love the idea of writing stories, and building a consistent lore. I would have loved to be able to sit down, across from the writers, with the lore bible in my hands ...
... and beat them senseless with it until they made a consistent origin of power backstory.
** As a rule, I tended to focus on powers and not the stories in things like testing because if I got involved with tested both the powers and the story content with the devs, there would be no game left for me to play like a regular player. I had to keep something back for me to just sit back and play and enjoy, and the scripted content of the game was that for me. Which, for the most part, I did in fact enjoy.
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In one little corner of the universe, there's nothing more irritating than a misfile...
(Please support the best webcomic about a cosmic universal realignment by impaired angelic interference resulting in identity crisis angst. Or I release the pigmy water thieves.)
Quote:
I'm glad I'm not the only one who wants the Origins of power answered. I asked about it in one of the AMA google docs. Even the arc explaining it doesn't do much to clarify anything.
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Originally Posted by Arcanaville
How and why powers work in City of Heroes is something I've always felt should be fully thought out and consistent, whereas its always been treated as eh, whatever.
... I would have loved to be able to sit down, across from the writers, with the lore bible in my hands ... ... and beat them senseless with it until they made a consistent origin of power backstory. |
Quote:
You and me both, Doyenne. I'll hold them down, you thrash them. Though I reserve the right to take a turn doing the thrashing myself. |
Originally Posted by Arcanaville
One of these days, if we had more time, when I felt I could finally take a break from being involved with the powers team**, I would have switched to trying to work with the writing team, because I do love to write (can you tell) and I love the idea of writing stories, and building a consistent lore. I would have loved to be able to sit down, across from the writers, with the lore bible in my hands ...
... and beat them senseless with it until they made a consistent origin of power backstory. |
Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite
Dark_Respite's Farewell Video: "One Last Day"
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
Quote:
His battle cry would almost have to be:|
Originally Posted by Zortel
Necromantic Rod - He's Dead Stiff
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"Rigor mortis gets me hard!" No?
Approve. This is the kind of romance I like. Getting along, shiny armour, and zombies.
In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo.
Quote:
Now, that's got to be frustrating... The double-edged sword of 'if you're doing it right, she can't concentrate, but if she can concetrate...'|
Originally Posted by Positron
The closest thing was the Tier 9 Mecha Armor.
As for Numina's corporealness... It was never said one way or another if she could become solid if needed, and interact with the world. It's only inferred that she's permanently stuck incorporeal... so I emailed Sean Fish to get his take (since it was a key element of the story) and he said "sure, she can do it with enough concentration." |
Okay, I have a headache now, and I feel very sorry for both of them..
I get that it's one of those heroic 'pure love' things, but dayum.
On the other hand, if anyone can understand what it's like to exist but be untouchable, Posi can. It makes a certain ammount of sense in terms of their relationship...
And the Necromantic Rod could have tied into the Haloween event with the Zombie invasions... That would have been really cool. Of course that wouldn't be a 'desired effect' but could have been a product of it. You take that and make it part of the Gamester's ongoing plan, and that would have been a neat side story that you could have built upon...
Anyway... woulda', coulda', shoulda'.
Now I know what to ask about as far as lore. The Gamester really knew something...
"I play characters. I have to have a very strong visual appearance, backstory, name, etc. to get involved with a character, otherwise I simply won't play it very long. I'm not an RPer by any stretch of the imagination, but character concept is very important for me."- Back Alley Brawler
I couldn't agree more.
Based on what Posi himself said about the DRS-03 Mark II, I decided I'd pop onto Beta with all the parts I had available and mock up a look for it. It's worth noting on the Paragonwiki page there's a picture of what Posi's design was circa 1991, and I tried to incorporate elements of that into the design. I kept the green/blue color scheme, and I'm going to forward this as a PM to Posi as well for inspiration, perhaps.
Here it is:
I'm pretty sure most people will recognise the parts, though the spine is from the Cybertech set that's on Beta. I thought about some Tech Knight stuff, but this seems to suit the heavier, more 90's design for the armor. What does everyone think?
S.
Part of Sister Flame's Clickey-Clack Posse
I find it a bit uncanny since an idea I had had for a Positron redesign was very similar:
Back:
Also, I realize what's been wrong with my Positron armor revamp ideas. I keep thinking Positron's energy emissions are more of a teal than full on blue.
Click here to find all the All Things Art Threads!
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Samuel_Tow
City of Heroes is a game about freedom of expression and variety of experiences far more so than it is about representing any one theme, topic or genre.
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Crud, no way for me to purchase Mecha and Tech Knight on beta. I've got an idea or two and now I can't make them.
Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite
Dark_Respite's Farewell Video: "One Last Day"
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
Quote:
I could send ya demo files for the sets if ya need Michelle.
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Originally Posted by Dark_Respite
Crud, no way for me to purchase Mecha and Tech Knight on beta. I've got an idea or two and now I can't make them.
Michelle aka Samuraiko/Dark_Respite |
Dark_Respite's Farewell Video: "One Last Day"
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
Actually, hubby's account had it, so I just borrowed that instead. 
Link in case it doesn't appear.
I figured that Crey would be a bit less concerned with looking heroic, and be more toward functional. So the fabric look underneath could be all-weather insulation (and hopefully fire/acid/whatever-proof), while allowing a bit more flexibility than a full-on tank-style suit of armor.
Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite
Dark_Respite's Farewell Video: "One Last Day"
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
Not showing here, Michelle. Can you reupload your pic?
S.
Part of Sister Flame's Clickey-Clack Posse
Quote:
I added a Twitpic link in the post, though it shows for me just fine. Weird.|
Originally Posted by SuperOz
Not showing here, Michelle. Can you reupload your pic?
S. |
Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite
Dark_Respite's Farewell Video: "One Last Day"
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
Oh, sweet armors.
I kind of got a big-chested, blocky, silvery feel from the description in the story (it looks 'obsolete' but "sexy"). I wasn't sure if it would have a full helmet or a headset-with-visor/HUD... I was imagining the latter.
Quote:
Guess it's a glitch or something....I like that design, but as Jack_NoMind said, I got the impression too that it was a bigger, bulkier version of his current. Which follows the Iron Man armor philosophy of constantly streamlining the design (like the Mark I to the Mark II, for instance), at least in my mind. I love the faceplate, though. I didn't have all the Tech Knight pieces unlocked, else I would've tried those...but I was still trying to suggest an evolution of design whilst keeping the basic look.|
Originally Posted by Dark_Respite
I added a Twitpic link in the post, though it shows for me just fine. Weird.
Michelle aka Samuraiko/Dark_Respite |
S.
Part of Sister Flame's Clickey-Clack Posse
Quote:
probobly because it was still in your browsers image cache Michelle.|
Originally Posted by Dark_Respite
I added a Twitpic link in the post, though it shows for me just fine. Weird.
Michelle aka Samuraiko/Dark_Respite |
I feel... unconvinced though; probobly because its not gold and glowie blue like I've always come to associate with "You all con grey to me"
Hey, I'm not saying my version is THE RIGHT ONE and everyone else can go hang. I just like it as a prototype. (And I tried to get that coppery/teal effect on it, but it just wouldn't work (grumble).
Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite
Dark_Respite's Farewell Video: "One Last Day"
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
THE COURSE OF SUPERHERO ROMANCE CONTINUES!
Book I: A Tale of Nerd Flirting! ~*~ Book II: Courtship and Crime Fighting - Chap Nine live!
MA Arcs - 3430: Hell Hath No Fury / 3515: Positron Gets Some / 6600: Dyne of the Times / 351572: For All the Wrong Reasons
378944: Too Clever by Half / 459581: Kill or Cure / 551680: Clerical Errors (NEW!)
Will you be doing the coffee talk tomorrow?
This sounds pretty interesting. I hope we get a lot of good luck and you can actually publish in this game. (ie it's saved. Reminds me I need to write some hand written letters)
More Medieval Polearms for Staff Fighting!
Quote:
It ends with a kill all, kill count, delivery, glowie, kill all, chatty boss... |
Originally Posted by Mad Grim
So, how's it end?
|
Just kidding!
If we save the game, can we see that TF project rebooted?
@Draeth Darkstar
Virtue [Heroes, Roleplay], Freedom [Villains], Exalted [All Sides, Roleplay]