VN Ren'Py The Neverwhere Tales [v0.5.0] [Ceolag]

[Elduriel]

Was Kate the barmaid? If so, she is involved with it, is she not? Her uncle is really part of everything?

don't think herself is actually involved, the uncle most likely

 

[nitkonikic]

I like this take, and mentioned before that I wouldn't mind an early ending with a nice girl like Kate that has nothing to do with all the bullshit

In theory (wouldn't be much of a game though), as soon as MC got his dad back, he could have just said "fuck all this shit", burned bridges with family, move city and move on.
Granted, since we knows there's 3rd party involved, it would have been bad choice (he's still potential target for them), but in my opinion, perfectly valid one.

His dad needed saving, he was involved because of that, did what had to be done, now he goes back to normal life. Neverwhere is incredibly dangerous place, so no reason to wish to know more about it or get involved with it.

And the whole potential war thing? Not his problem.
Templars and Alfar existed for hundreds of years before, battled sometimes.

Why should he, a normal civilian, be responsible for bringing peace?

 

[Elduriel]

In theory (wouldn't be much of a game though), as soon as MC got his dad back, he could have just said "fuck all this shit", burned bridges with family, move city and move on.
Granted, since we knows there's 3rd party involved, it would have been bad choice (he's still potential target for them), but in my opinion, perfectly valid one.

His dad needed saving, he was involved because of that, did what had to be done, now he goes back to normal life. Neverwhere is incredibly dangerous place, so no reason to wish to know more about it or get involved with it.

And the whole potential war thing? Not his problem.
Templars and Alfar existed for hundreds of years before, battled sometimes.

Why should he, a normal civilian, be responsible for bringing peace?

agree with all of that, and the answer is the plot requires it

 

[Maviarab]

I like this take, and mentioned before that I wouldn't mind an early ending with a nice girl like Kate that has nothing to do with all the bullshit

Still spelling Anissa wrong....*le sigh*

 

[Wolfram99]

Why should he, a normal civilian, be responsible for bringing peace?

I guess the theme of the story is that with great power comes great responsibility(yuck).
The whole shenanigan with his spidey sense, and how favorably everything seems to happen to him.
If the story transitions more to the:

Great power does not come with great responsibility. Nobody can force you to take responsibility. Great power comes with fear. If there is someone stronger than me in the universe, they can take everything I hold dear. Living without that fear is real happiness.

Then it would be atypical to the usual hero trope around these parts.

 

[Dessolos]

lol this talk of the MC leaving to live a normal life makes me imagine him rolling a few D20's to check if he can haha

 

[ModiThorrson]

lol this talk of the MC leaving to live a normal life makes me imagine him rolling a few D20's to check if he can haha

That trope has always annoyed me, so many superhero types in media always whining that they just want a "normal life" screw that I want to be a ninja werewolf demigod thanks.

 

[Dessolos]

That trope has always annoyed me, so many superhero types in media always whining that they just want a "normal life" screw that I want to be a ninja werewolf demigod thanks.

can't find a good meme but close enough I think was looking for something with Matt Mercer

 

[MiltonPowers]

I want to be a ninja werewolf demigod

That's a lofty and worthy goal my friend.

I'm cheering for you.

 

[ename144]

It's only been a ~week since the start of the story(discounting the elven adventure), and going from office worker to demon killing "Hero" takes a bit longer than that. What other way to broaden the MC's horizons than actually dive head first into the unknown for him?
If he became a Doom slayer from day 1 then this story could only continue for a few chapters.

My issue isn't with the MC's lack of heroics, it's to do with his lack of basic curiosity. It doesn't take any "chosen one" credentials to want to understand what the hell is going on around him. What the fuck do the Templars do? How does that bring them into conflict with the elves? Who exactly is enforcing all this secrecy and why? How much danger is he really in? That sort of thing.

Yet the MC shows zero interest in any of that. Even after Kari convinces him to act like he's a chosen one, he still does so without trying to validate her advice, much less doing the ground work that might improve his odds of success. The MC very much goes wherever the plot points, and our main input so far is on how bitter he is at his parents (and Kaija) while he wanders over there.

I'm hopeful that now that the MC is getting more involved he'll also start asking pertinent questions, but I do worry that he's just going to be pointed towards bigger threats without any meaningful answers.

I dont expect him to be a "Doomslayer" or any hero, but anyone who has been chased and shot at and had family members kidnapped who thinks he can ignore it all and just go back to work isn't very smart. Clueless is fine, he's in a new situation, stupid isn't. Playing the initial release, he hadn't made it to any level of comprehension yet, I asked if he ever did.

To be fair to the MC for a moment, the morning after he learned he was in way over his head he was also assured (by his mother and the visiting Templar) that his safety was temporarily secure thanks to the elves promising not to act until they'd met to 'negotiate' their return of the MC's dad. Given that assurance - and how rapidly all of this was thrust on him - I can see why he might try to ignore it all and go back to normalcy for a couple days. It wasn't a great idea, particularly given how little trust he had in his mom and the Templars after the big revelation the night before, but it's not suicidally stupid either... based on what he knew at the time.

Now in retrospect, we've learned that the Alfar claim not to have had any plans involving the MC before they actually met at the negotiations; the Templars were either lying about the MC being safe or were just so incompetent that they didn't consider the possibility the elves might not have infiltrated Earth enough to hire human mercenaries. (The Shield of Humanity, everyone!) Learning this SHOULD have raised a ginormous red flag for the MC, but as I covered above, he's not one to rock the boat.

 

[Wolfram99]

I'm hopeful that now that the MC is getting more involved he'll also start asking pertinent questions, but I do worry that he's just going to be pointed towards bigger threats without any meaningful answers.

Ceolag mentioned that there will be a 2nd talk with parents about templar invasion into his private life.
Sweeping issues under the rug doesn't seem to be Ceolag's style.

 

[Yokanzo]

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View attachment 4155376

I wasn't all that motivated to go for Fiona. But you put a girl in "the pose" and have their soles all scrunched up with their panties caught between their toes like that and I'm fucking sold. Damn me for being so into feet.

 

[e6mill]

I wasn't all that motivated to go for Fiona.

I find her quite interesting actually. In a "Danger! Danger Will Robinson!" sort of way - or maybe more like an air raid klaxon...
I mean, she can't be all bad, a dog likes her.

 

[Grumpy Old Aussie]

Ceolag mentioned that there will be a 2nd talk with parents about templar invasion into his private life.
Sweeping issues under the rug doesn't seem to be Ceolag's style.

I do like that about him.

 

[Grumpy Old Aussie]

My issue isn't with the MC's lack of heroics, it's to do with his lack of basic curiosity. It doesn't take any "chosen one" credentials to want to understand what the hell is going on around him. What the fuck do the Templars do? How does that bring them into conflict with the elves? Who exactly is enforcing all this secrecy and why? How much danger is he really in? That sort of thing.

Yet the MC shows zero interest in any of that. Even after Kari convinces him to act like he's a chosen one, he still does so without trying to validate her advice, much less doing the ground work that might improve his odds of success. The MC very much goes wherever the plot points, and our main input so far is on how bitter he is at his parents (and Kaija) while he wanders over there.

I'm hopeful that now that the MC is getting more involved he'll also start asking pertinent questions, but I do worry that he's just going to be pointed towards bigger threats without any meaningful answers.



To be fair to the MC for a moment, the morning after he learned he was in way over his head he was also assured (by his mother and the visiting Templar) that his safety was temporarily secure thanks to the elves promising not to act until they'd met to 'negotiate' their return of the MC's dad. Given that assurance - and how rapidly all of this was thrust on him - I can see why he might try to ignore it all and go back to normalcy for a couple days. It wasn't a great idea, particularly given how little trust he had in his mom and the Templars after the big revelation the night before, but it's not suicidally stupid either... based on what he knew at the time.

Now in retrospect, we've learned that the Alfar claim not to have had any plans involving the MC before they actually met at the negotiations; the Templars were either lying about the MC being safe or were just so incompetent that they didn't consider the possibility the elves might not have infiltrated Earth enough to hire human mercenaries. (The Shield of Humanity, everyone!) Learning this SHOULD have raised a ginormous red flag for the MC, but as I covered above, he's not one to rock the boat.

The MC had home, family and work. He was told he was temporarily safe. Home was a painful empty place. His family were the cause of his pain. So the MC went to work, a safe place with his good friend Elea to talk too. It makes sense to me that the MC would go to the one place familiar and safe.

 

[Yokanzo]

I find her quite interesting actually. In a "Danger! Danger Will Robinson!" sort of way - or maybe more like an air raid klaxon...
I mean, she can't be all bad, a dog likes her.

She's heavily involved in whatever is going on somehow. I'm curious too. I'll probably end up picking her. I just meant aesthetically I was more into the coworker, boss and to some degree I also really like Kaija but only because I'm a sucker for women who are strong enough to protect their men.

With Fiona she was intriguing from a mystery perspective but I've mostly been letting aesthetics guide me and aesthetically shes hot as fuck in that pic.

 

[ename144]

Ceolag mentioned that there will be a 2nd talk with parents about templar invasion into his private life.
Sweeping issues under the rug doesn't seem to be Ceolag's style.

I don't really care about another confrontation with the parents regarding their past decisions. We can forgive them or not, which is nice and all, but there's really nothing more to discuss on that front; they were hopelessly incompetent when it comes to how they treated the MC (and Jessica), end of story.

I would, however, very much like answers on what the Templars do and how that matters to the Alfar. Those are questions that could potentially help us work out WTF is going on, and the MC's parents might have meaningful insight on those topics. Unfortunately the MC has steadfastly refused to ask those questions so far. It would be nice if Finnabair's death finally drives him to get some real answers, but I'm not holding my breath.

The MC had home, family and work. He was told he was temporarily safe. Home was a painful empty place. His family were the cause of his pain. So the MC went to work, a safe place with his good friend Elea to talk too. It makes sense to me that the MC would go to the one place familiar and safe.

I believe I made that exact point in the second half of my post. The MC's actions made some sense at the time.

But that time didn't last long, and no one has gone back to revisit the issue. When Medb walked out of the meeting without involving the MC in her demands, that raised the obvious question of why he was at the meeting in the first place. The MC didn't ask. When Medb claimed the Alfar never tried to kidnap the MC, that begged the blindingly obvious question of why they'd grant him safe conduct until the meeting. The MC didn't ask - not the Templars, nor the Alfar once he went to visit them.

Now the Alfar are going to declare war on the Templars for supposedly murdering Finnabair. That begs even more questions, but I'm afraid he's going to run off half-cocked to bitch at the Templars for being big stupid meanies rather than take a step back and recognize all the holes (if not outright contradictions) in the things he's been told.

 

[Grumpy Old Aussie]

I don't really care about another confrontation with the parents regarding their past decisions. We can forgive them or not, which is nice and all, but there's really nothing more to discuss on that front; they were hopelessly incompetent when it comes to how they treated the MC (and Jessica), end of story.

I would, however, very much like answers on what the Templars do and how that matters to the Alfar. Those are questions that could potentially help us work out WTF is going on, and the MC's parents might have meaningful insight on those topics. Unfortunately the MC has steadfastly refused to ask those questions so far. It would be nice if Finnabair's death finally drives him to get some real answers, but I'm not holding my breath.

I think there is more going on there with the parents. Just how much have they secretly interfered in his life. His job for starters. If Elea is Linnae's daughter than you have to ask if that company is a setup for Templar kids left in the dark. Just how much more did they interfere in his relationship with Kaija and so on. I think more needs to be said and that there is more to come out.

I believe I made that exact point in the second half of my post. The MC's actions made some sense at the time.

You did, I was supporting you, well that was my intent.

But that time didn't last long, and no one has gone back to revisit the issue. When Medb walked out of the meeting without involving the MC in her demands, that raised the obvious question of why he was at the meeting in the first place. The MC didn't ask. When Medb claimed the Alfar never tried to kidnap the MC, that begged the blindingly obvious question of why they'd grant him safe conduct until the meeting. The MC didn't ask - not the Templars, nor the Alfar once he went to visit them.

Now the Alfar are going to declare war on the Templars for supposedly murdering Finnabair. That begs even more questions, but I'm afraid he's going to run off half-cocked to bitch at the Templars for being big stupid meanies rather than take a step back and recognize all the holes (if not outright contradictions) in the things he's been told.

All great points you have raised and I look forward to those answers.

 

[ename144]

I think there is more going on there with the parents. Just how much have they secretly interfered in his life. His job for starters. If Elea is Linnae's daughter than you have to ask if that company is a setup for Templar kids left in the dark. Just how much more did they interfere in his relationship with Kaija and so on. I think more needs to be said and that there is more to come out.

I put nothing past the MC's parents, but I'm skeptical we'll learn anything that moves the needle at this point. Yeah, maybe the MC's job is a Templar front (as opposed to the business being legit and the Templars simply being one of the major stakeholders), but what practical difference would that make? Is controlling his life 83% of the time instead of 57% of the time a meaningful distinction? Is adding hidden nepotism to the rap sheet really the straw that will break the camel's back?

Unless we learn the MC's dad is actually a Hellspawn who staged his own kidnapping as part of an elaborate gambit roulette scheme to force Jessica to work at the Pussy Twister or something similarly outrageous, I think we already know enough to form our own conclusions.

You did, I was supporting you, well that was my intent.

Oh, I see. Err, carry on then!

 

[Grumpy Old Aussie]

I put nothing past the MC's parents, but I'm skeptical we'll learn anything that moves the needle at this point. Yeah, maybe the MC's job is a Templar front (as opposed to the business being legit and the Templars simply being one of the major stakeholders), but what practical difference would that make? Is controlling his life 83% of the time instead of 57% of the time a meaningful distinction? Is adding hidden nepotism to the rap sheet really the straw that will break the camel's back?

Unless we learn the MC's dad is actually a Hellspawn who staged his own kidnapping as part of an elaborate gambit roulette scheme to force Jessica to work at the Pussy Twister or something similarly outrageous, I think we already know enough to form our own conclusions.


Oh, I see. Err, carry on then!

You're right, it probably doesn't make a different as far as a decision goes, but I'm curious, and would like to know more about that situation. I can be OCD about details in stories I love. You should have seen how I was with the Witcher games lol.