Interesting.

Hi again, with a link which may amuse! by Fractal Dawn on 2014-11-04 19:12:00 UTC Reply

First off: hi guys, one of these days I'll actually get good at even just lurking on the Board. But anyway, hi--to those who are new since last I looked in, welcome a-Board and hopefully I'll get to know you; to my old friends, nice ta see you guys again.

Here, everyone, have chocolate raspberry cheesecake!

Also, this thread on a game forum was brought to my attention, and I figured I ought to share it with you guys because, well, appropriate: The Most Noble League of Mary Sues (Or: Violating Canon for Truth, Justice and Less Crappy Settings!)

I Need o Play That Setting by sjosten on 2014-11-06 17:19:00 UTC Reply

Once we finish the current campaign, I'll definitely bring the idea to the GM.
Mind if I tack on a link, too? by doctorlit on 2014-11-06 14:03:00 UTC Reply

This is an interesting little comic I found examining some of the things that the Wizarding World strangely doesn't do in the Potterverse.

There was a very small bit NSFW language in there somewhere:
"It's a Kind of Magic"

Okay, I just had to show that to my whole family. by Iximaz on 2014-11-06 22:55:00 UTC Reply

Needless to say, we all got a kick out of it.

But seriously, the guy makes a point- all the untapped potential to be had! And the wizards just spend their energy hiding from Muggles! Sure, it's to keep up The Masquerade because there wouldn't be a story without it, but... oh man, the Plot Bunnies are starting to breed.

Interesting. by Huinesoron on 2014-11-05 09:25:00 UTC Reply

(Hi, you)

O'course, much like the crew of the USS Eminence, their use of the term 'Mary-Sue' doesn't match with the PPC's: they're apparently using it to designate any OC. I guess it could be a protest against the label being slapped on characters willy-nilly - at the least, it's a protest against all OCs being dismissed out of hand - so there's that.

The most interesting idea in there is the notion that some canons need fixing. They talk about plotholes being filled by fanfic, which I think we can all get behind - but they also talk about aspects of canon which are 'unfair':

See this machine hood? Yeah, in my native Fabric, it's the only way to keep sane and safe from these marauding evil spirits that grant me completely necessary powers; I don't think any native-born of that fabric would mind if I made said power a little safer for everyone.

And that's something the PPC would not accept (the organisation, not the community); a canon is inviolate, regardless of how bad it is. And while I might be personally inclined to agree with the idea of 'fixing' dodgy canons - it's impossible to actually alter the original, so the PPC's viewpoint makes more sense. ;)

hS

Oh, absolutely. by Fractal Dawn on 2014-11-05 20:20:00 UTC Reply

(Hi, you)

I thought it was interesting how much this forum's definition of Mary Sue differed from ours, despite the shared feeling of 'Mary Sues make fanfiction terrible!' I also thought it was interesting just how much the attitude towards what to do with them differed.

Then again, this is also a gaming forum; the point of it isn't nearly the PPC's of commentary and analysis and general 'Please, this is how you do it right.' It's of how to make an entertaining tabletop game. I kind of wonder what it is about the different definition and goal that makes it seem like a more entertaining premise than, you know, Kill The Sue as a campaign, Stop The Sue Distorting Reality, etc.

And yes. Alas that we cannot actually fix dodgy and/or eternally inconsistent canons, but Canon is Canon.

Anyway, I figured it was something we could all enjoy reading and thinking about, as 'definition of a Mary Sue' has been a discussion before and I don't know, maybe it's a good thing to know how others define it in case someone accidentally ends up discussing it with one of them. Mutual understanding of terminology is important. (Alas for a lack of consistency.)

Hey! Glad to see you're still about! (nm) by doctorlit on 2014-11-05 02:05:00 UTC Reply
Hey! Hi! by eatpraylove on 2014-11-05 00:05:00 UTC Reply

I know I've seen your name before, but I don't remember where; did you do something with Huinesoron at one point...? Whatever it was, welcome back and thanks for the cheesecake! *puts in fridge*

Hallo! by Fractal Dawn on 2014-11-05 01:44:00 UTC Reply

Probably in connection with the London Gathering this summer, seeing as I was there.

And that cheesecake refrigerates very well, so that should keep for a goodly while that way.

I remember you! by Iximaz on 2014-11-04 22:32:00 UTC Reply

It's been a while, hasn't it? I accept your ~~sacrifice~~ gift of cheesecake and return the favor with a lovely batch of Honeydukes fudge.

How have things been?

I remember you! by Fractal Dawn on 2014-11-05 01:40:00 UTC Reply

(At least slightly, my people memory can be abysmal.)

Oooh, fudge! Thanks!

Things have been fairly busy, but good! How 'bout yourself?

Pretty good altogether. by Iximaz on 2014-11-05 12:30:00 UTC Reply

Senior year in high school can't get much more relaxed than this. We get so little homework (my AP English Lit class is kind of a joke, to be honest) that I can spend my afternoons playing World of Warcraft and alt-tabbing to the Board. I'm rewriting my next mission while at school because we have so much free time.

If busy's what you like, then that's great! I'm so lazy, if I don't get lots of downtime I go a little nuts.

Hey Fractal! by firemagic on 2014-11-04 22:11:00 UTC Reply

What's up? Have some welcome-back Schrodinger's Cookies (may or may not contain chocolate.)

Heya! by Fractal Dawn on 2014-11-05 01:43:00 UTC Reply

So long as the Schrodinger's Cookies do not have peanut butter, we're good. :)

Life is very life-like, much to my eternal disappointment. How've things been with you?