Well, I was out of the country for a large chunk of that time....and I'm still, alas, playing catch-up at work....it's looking like new material won't be up until about the middle of the week.

Thanks for the interest, and I'm sorry to keep everyone in limbo for so long.  But once I get over this hump, we'll be back to regular updates and the story will kick into high gear!!!

I think the problem is that there are so few photonovels out there that it's not the kind of forum that people are likely to seek out that often, so updates may get passed by unless there's a notification about it in another thread....and, if that's the case, why bother?

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of a separate page, but it seems like too much of a small niche....

Thanks for the reply, Chewie.

I really hope that some of the great players who have retired from certain other websites will find the game here and continue with their terrific participation.

Okay, gang, wonderful work, as always.  (As always, responses pooled from various websites).

Unfortunately, this update comes to a somewhat anticlimactic stopping point and leaves you to re-consider a decision you already all made.

The only reason I did this is time.  I wanted to write the next bit, as well, when you guys actually do go to the planned meeting with "Blondie", but it took me forever just to get this section done and I don’t want to keep you guys waiting too long for an update.  As it is, it’s been more than a week!

So consider this more informational than interactive.  At the end, you are faced with the decision of whether or not to continue to your planned meeting.  Granted, some new developments may cause you to re-evaluate that decision (well, if you’re a wimp they will).

Otherwise, if you guys just want to keep the existing plan of going to the meeting a (and getting there early, as many of you suggested), then you don’t have to write detailed replies, just indicate that you’d like to "proceed" or "continue".

However, this isn’t to discourage you from coming up with new ideas, if you like, or talking to the bartender some more.  As usual, new and creative input is always welcome!

Now onto the new stuff!

First thing’s first!  Both Ling_Ster and Sith Lord Chaos were in favor of drinking the fizzy glug!  Don’t worry, Chaos, Dr. Pepper is non-alcoholic in the SW universe just as it is in our own!

There was complete unanimity in the decision to go make the meeting with "Blondie" (as she will be known until you learn otherwise).
 
Ling_Ster wanted to go 15 minutes early, scope the place out and await trouble, possibly in an alcove or concealed space.  Those sentiments were echoed by Sith Lord Chaos who also suggested putting the poncho on first to further disguise yourself.  MurderWeapon also suggested leaving early and putting on the poncho.  And Ling_Ster and Findswoman both suggested checking out the stormie belt once you are free from prying eyes.  If you all opt to go ahead with the plan, these existing suggestions will be implemented.

Now, with regards to the bartender, most people seemed to be suggesting a polite declination of her invitation.  Actual dialogue here was provided by Findswoman, with Sith Lord Chaos adding that you should definitely exchange contact numbers.

Both Chewie and MurderWeapon suggested a promise of returning to the bartender later, while CorranHorn and Darth Delicious seemed to suggest taking her up on her offer.

So I opted for an "open ended" approach, gently declining the offer of work for now, while promising to stay in touch, keeping the possibility of changing your mind later.

Findswoman also suggested more conversation with the bartender before leaving, asking specifically about the security chief she mentioned.  Chewie said you should mention your meeting to her and MurderWeapon suggested you ask her about Blondie’s friends.

I think Ling_Ster speaks for the whole group when he says ignore the prostitute.

And a gold star to CorranHorn for coming up with our character’s alias, "Deak Starkiller" and for also making sure to get for the bartender’s name, as well! 

Now, despite the overwhelming consensus in favor of ignoring the Twi’lek-in-distress (Findswoman, Sith Lord Chaos, MurderWeapon and CorranHorn all suggested leaving well enough alone), here is one instance where I am going to overrule the majority and go with…Chewie’s chivalrous suggestion to intervene!  It’s much more fun to do something than nothing, so, in this case, majority be damned!  You can all blame Chewie for what happens…















































You are at the bar in the Gateway Saloon, chatting with the bartender, pondering whether or not to proceed with your meeting in light of the Trooper's warning...

Inventory:
toolkit
hold-out blaster
backpack containing -
change of clothes
bottle of booze
dirty poncho
control pad for ship
data pad with technical schematics
comm link
73 credits
stormtrooper belt

Nearby:

Adult beverage
seemingly forgotten credit stick (as noticed by Findswoman)

WHAT DO YOU DO? 

Hey, guys...

Sorry I have been remiss in keeping this thread current here at JD...

The story has moved forward a litttle, so I'll bring you all up to speed and you can feel free to jump in!

Here are some older scenes which have already been "played"
















and we continue...
















and one more...





























And here's the current scene!

As always, I tried to use as much player input as possible, but there were a few suggestions that got left out, notably Ling_Ster and Famine's suggestions about the Rodian (mostly because the Rodian didn't do anything of note during the new scene).

Almost everyone who wrote suggested chatting with the bartender, including Chewie, Famine, and Ling_Ster.  Both Findswoman and Sith Lord Chaos suggested telling her about your missing uncle.

And actual dialogue was provided by Findswoman and TheMurderWeapon, with his brilliant opening line!  Well-done, you guys.

And speaking of dialogue, there were two prior encounters to the bartender which were both suggested by Chewie, the conversations with the Empire-discussing trio and "Violet".  Great job, Chewie.

For the sake of clarity, both those two conversations take place prior to the bartender encounter.  Basically, everything happens in the order laid out in the previous scene, as you move from person to person in the bar.   In this case, you guys collectively decided to talk with only three of the various people/groups. 

Well, except for the Aqualish...A few had expressed a desire to do something in that situation, but I held off, pending the bartender's input.  Now, that decision is again on the table at the conclusion of these new scenes.

Continuing your chat with the bartender is also an option, I'm sure you can come up with more to discuss if you want.  Feel free to revisit other characters in the bar if you like or to leave and do whatever else you want!

So, without further preamble, here we go...
































You are at the bar in the Gateway Saloon, chatting with the bartender, distracted by the Aqualish creep...

Inventory:
toolkit
hold-out blaster
backpack containing -
change of clothes
bottle of booze
dirty poncho
control pad for ship
data pad with technical schematics
comm link
73 credits
stormtrooper belt

Nearby:

Can of fizzy glug

WHAT DO YOU DO? 

Wow, gang, I was thrilled with the responses during this last round.  Everyone who participated came up with some great ideas, any one of them would have made for an exciting continuation of the story.

But since we had so many diverse suggestions, I tried to find the commonalities between them and combine them as best as possible.

A recurring theme was making up a story to tell the Trandoshan & Co.  and avoid telling them about your uncle.

So I combined elements from the suggested lies by several players, including Chewie, 187_Maul, Darth Delicious, and MurderWeapon.

Additionally, both The Spectre and Darth Delicious suggested going back to the room to get the control pad, so that's what I did after that. 

Again, thanks for the great input and let's keep this baby rolling!  So without further delay, here is the NEW SCENE -






















Inventory:
Hold out blaster
Backpack containing -
73 credits
comm link
ship control pad
data pad with technical schematics
bottle of booze
change of clothing

At this point, your choices seem clear - stand your ground or bolt...

and whatever you decide, it had better be quick!

WHAT DO YOU DO??

Hey Quazar,

Now that's a great idea...  Interactive storylines.  I love it and enjoy going along with the story.  That's an ambitious project you have going on and really nice customs in it too, right off the bat, plus you take the time to make the settings surrounding them interesting and realistic.

You took the photonovel concept to a whole new level, and deserve recognition for that!

You should take your story over to www.ffurg.com and their new forums.  I know you'd have a lot of appreciative followers checking it out there.  Just say hi when you're there if you'd like to join in on it.

I look forward to a lot more of your story, it's definitely a great concept since I think the interaction maybe will draw in the outsiders from the customizing world too.  I'm gonna keep up with it for sure.

Thanks man, for sharing this with us!

Jesse,

Thank you very much for the kind words. I'd love to take the story over to the legendary ffurg.  (Chewie had suggested as much, but I never got around to it.)

What thread do you think it would belong in?  The customs or custom diorama thread?

Frankly, the bigger an audience this thing gets and the more input we have, the better the game/story will be.

It's great to be here on jedidefender.  Thanks for making me feel welcome and don't forget to write in with your ideas for how the game should unfold!

-Lance Quazar

Lance, your work is amazing (but you already know how much I like it) - I really think it is cool that you have come up with something so creative and different from the norm.  Very cool.

I hope all of the customizing junkies here appreciate what you are doing, as much for us as for yourself. 

Check these out guys, they are very, very cool.  And there are some really nice and unique customs in them.

And Lance, welcome to the forums here at JD.com.  This is such a great community here - feel free to please join us in discussions on the "ROTS" section and others, and visit the "Newbie" section to introduce yourself to everyone.   

 

By the way, Chewie, I am deeply humbled and honored by your effusive compliments, especially since I am so much in awe of your boundless customizing and photonovel writing talents.

However, as much as I appreciate your support, I hope you will actually jump in and PLAY the game!!  Your compliments are always appreciated, but I'd love to hear some suggestions for what you think our character should do and how the game should unfold!