Ren'Py Desert Stalker [v0.17.1.2 Steam] [Zetan]

[Penumbral Evanescence]

Power over life and death. She is finally in control of something. I'm not saying it's healthy but I think you're right about Zaton and Shani's influence

Yeah, that's a good point. The Queen kind of wants to relish that power of what being in control would feel like. Especially since she's been kinda sheltered most of her adolescent life and the priests were kinda holding a lot over her head in terms of expectations and whatnot.

So now the Queen's kinda like a 'kid lost in a candy store' doesn't know what she wants and is just looking to try out and experiment with everything. For better or for worse. That's why she needs some structure and guidance along the way, which is where Zaton the MC plays a role in that father-figure mentality that she's particularly craving.

This could also explain why Merneith envies Shani a bit as Shani can be so close to Zaton and probably fantasizes about what it would feel like to live with Zaton as another one of his daughters, as she is (presumably) around the same age as Shani.

 

[Lordroedor]

I agree with everything you posted but one thing. I do think the queen is a bit of a sadist but I think it's born out of her frustration at despite being a queen she feels largely powerless and trapped by traditions those that are using her and actually rule like the priesthood etc.
When she punishes criminals she has true power. Power over life and death. She is finally in control of something. I'm not saying it's healthy but I think you're right about Zaton and Shani's influence.
Even more we potentially see Zaton becoming more and more prominent politically and if he's a supporter of the queen as a powerful warlord...well things could change quite dramatically in a positive way for her in the future.

Sadism is often transitional. Many teenagers are sadistic as fuck, but that's because they are learning to experience those emotions, they are getting to know themselves. As they gain experience and their frontal lobe developes (it can complete its development at 23 years or even more, in boys) those tendencies usually disappear. Living secluded or very strict early lives delays the development so I have no reason to not believe that the queen is a sadist, right now. But I think it's a phase, stupid as it sounds.

If you think about that, probably many of you will remember a time when you enjoyed imagining torture or similar to others, maybe once or twice, when younger. Now imagine that you were a monarch with absolute power, back then. What would you have done?

 

[xapican]

If you think about that, probably many of you will remember a time when you enjoyed imagining torture or similar to others, maybe once or twice, when younger

I still do that today, when i read "those trolling" posts
serious I agree whole heartly with your post

 

[Xythurr]

Sadism is often transitional. Many teenagers are sadistic as fuck, but that's because they are learning to experience those emotions, they are getting to know themselves. As they gain experience and their frontal lobe developes (it can complete its development at 23 years or even more, in boys) those tendencies usually disappear. Living secluded or very strict early lives delays the development so I have no reason to not believe that the queen is a sadist, right now. But I think it's a phase, stupid as it sounds.

If you think about that, probably many of you will remember a time when you enjoyed imagining torture or similar to others, maybe once or twice, when younger. Now imagine that you were a monarch with absolute power, back then. What would you have done?

Well damn. I'm glad I missed that phase. I've always felt guilty after I hurt someone even just another kid who was an asshole I got into a fight with.
My power fantasies were always about being a rockstar that chicks clamored for.

 

[evaw]

Quite interesting VN, looks like Hot Sand of Antarctica.

 

[Lordroedor]

My power fantasies were always about being a rockstar that chicks clamored for.

That's so cute XD

 

[Penumbral Evanescence]

looks like Hot Sand of Antarctica

Only a 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000x better

 

[GetOutOfMyLab]

Quite interesting VN, looks like Hot Sand of Antarctica.

Only a 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000x better

Not to mention, this one came first. So Hot Sand of Antarctica looks like Desert Stalker.

 

[Lordroedor]

No telling if the dev has put that much thought into it. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if he has, though. He seems to have put thought into the story line so far.

There is the potential for Zaton to be a guiding influence on the Queen. On the other hand, his influence may attract the attention of the court, forcing the queen to turn on him. She has already voiced her suspicions about people manipulating her for their own purpose. It might not take much for her to turn that paranoia on Zaton.

You are probably right but good writers have good understanding of people. That's why they are good writers. Even if he doesn't have the information, he probably understands that sadism can be associated to youth. He makes Zaton say something similar: "She is exploring the limits of her power" or something like that. He may not know the exact data but he understands that teens are freaking dangerous because they still didn't have time to know their limits, their real desires remain unknown for themselves, they keep clumsily walking in the dark. And they tend to hurt people in the process. That's why highschools can be like hell on earth.

I don't think She is gonna turn on zaton. It could happen, but Zaton would have to be very clumsy. In reality, I think she is more immature than Shani (that secluded life). She has been forced to mature intellectually, but her emotions haven't developed equally. We are being told once and again how easy she is to manipulate. By her guards, by her priests and by Zaton. At the end of the last update Zaton has her in his fist. He just had to show care. Interest in her. And that's all. That girl is incredibly needy.

 

[evaw]

Not to mention, this one came first. So Hot Sand of Antarctica looks like Desert Stalker.

Anyway, they are very similar

 

[Master of Puppets]

There is the potential for Zaton to be a guiding influence on the Queen. On the other hand, his influence may attract the attention of the court, forcing the queen to turn on him. She has already voiced her suspicions about people manipulating her for their own purpose. It might not take much for her to turn that paranoia on Zaton.

You think that her disliking the bureaucrats using her and being suspicious of them makes her more likely to fall for them tricking her into turning on the one guy who actually cares about her and isn't trying to get anything from her (except her body)? That's a pretty hot take. I can certainly see them trying to do that, but I really can't see it working.

 

[Xythurr]

You are probably right but good writers have good understanding of people. That's why they are good writers. Even if he doesn't have the information, he probably understands that sadism can be associated to youth. He makes Zaton say something similar: "She is exploring the limits of her power" or something like that. He may not know the exact data but he understands that teens are freaking dangerous because they still didn't have time to know their limits, their real desires remain unknown for themselves, they keep clumsily walking in the dark. And they tend to hurt people in the process. That's why highschools can be like hell on earth.

I don't think She is gonna turn on zaton. It could happen, but Zaton would have to be very clumsy. In reality, I think she is more immature than Shani (that secluded life). She has been forced to mature intellectually, but her emotions haven't developed equally. We are being told once and again how easy she is to manipulate. By her guards, by her priests and by Zaton. At the end of the last update Zaton has her in his fist. He just had to show care. Interest in her. And that's all. That girl is incredibly needy.

So what I'm reading on that second part is she has serious daddy issues and since being a stripper is obviously out she'll have to settle for some sexual healing from Big Daddy Z's magic dong? I agree!

 

[Walter Victor]

The one thing I see that could make her turn on him is an attack on her self image. Her vanity & upbringing makes her extremely concerned with public perception. She has publically allowed Zaton to have sex with an on duty palace guard, no longer holds him to a standard of deferrance & submission, & spends time alone with him in her quarters. Should the elders start telling her that "others" are questioning these liberties as a sign of weakness...

Tell us how that plays out. Would that not be a 'game over' situation?

 

[slightchance]

There are so many ways this could play out.

1. She could deny him entry to the palace or the city even and only permit the women of the household to enter.
2. Have the elders removed and find people who are less concerned about what happens in her bedchambers.
3. Affirm the positions of those in power who are worried about being replaced or overlooked.
4. Make Zaton send his women to the elders as a sign of goodwill.
5. Send a naked Zaton into the arena where he needs to wrestle and nut into a woman while they try to suck him off instead.
6. Have Zaton flogged and run through the streets.

 

[Walter Victor]

Not necessarily. There is the mutant faction seeking both revenge & acceptance, raiders, the Decayed. Other forces are at play. A setback for the MC, even a retreat, wouldn't have to spell the end. There are a lot of ways it could go, some more likely than others. A good story often has twists & turns of fate, surprises, & victories snatched from the jaws of defeat.

Sure, but it would seem that you are adding a very large branch to the story, with all the problems that implies. Doable, but not without significant effort placed on developing this route.

 

[wildride69]

Sure, but it would seem that you are adding a very large branch to the story, with all the problems that implies. Doable, but not without significant effort placed on developing this route.

What? You think it may be a bad idea to add a route that will probably take 2 years to complete with no further advancement of the story until it's done.

Shock I tell you I am Shocked!

 

[PaxHadrian17]

Sure, but it would seem that you are adding a very large branch to the story, with all the problems that implies. Doable, but not without significant effort placed on developing this route.

I'll add - it also does not account for the amount of time the dev would have to take away from developing other parts of the story.

I suspect that if the dev ever held a vote on Patreon/SS asking his $ supporters where they would like him to emphasize his efforts - slowing down development of all the 'in the works' parts of DS from the latest dev log would not be a favored choice.

This would negatively impact development of most to all of the rest of the current story arcs just to add in a new, complicated branch that impacts the future main story and multiple other story arcs downstream.

As a $ supporter myself - I would take a hard pass on that, and I've seen no hue and cry for more complicated branching than we already have.

The vast majority of comments I see are asking/hoping for planned content more quickly not more slowly.

Cheers!!

 

[Walter Victor]

What? You think it may be a bad idea to add a route that will probably take 2 years to complete with no further advancement of the story until it's done.

Shock I tell you I am Shocked!

People keep coming up with scenarios that, if implemented, would take decades to complete. *sigh*

Thankfully, none of them are going to happen.

 

[GetOutOfMyLab]

you all should see the #story-ideas channel on discord...

 

[PHIL101-YYouPPHard]

Not necessarily. There is the mutant faction seeking both revenge & acceptance, raiders, the Decayed. Other forces are at play. A setback for the MC, even a retreat, wouldn't have to spell the end. There are a lot of ways it could go, some more likely than others. A good story often has twists & turns of fate, surprises, & victories snatched from the jaws of defeat.

Sure, but it would seem that you are adding a very large branch to the story, with all the problems that implies. Doable, but not without significant effort placed on developing this route.

Wouldn't be surprised if there's a planned route with the Queen/Palace where you get on their shit list; this could easily loop into that. And even better if it's toward the conclusion of the VN; it doesn't need to be a big, huge sub-plot undertaking imo. It could be more of a sub-ending.