Clan Battle | Gamma (Vern) v. The Blade Mercenaries [SPAR]

Started by: Vern | Replies: 24 | Views: 3,157

Vern
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Sep 25, 2015 5:42 AM #1405516
Quote from Chaotic Penguin
I thought you were finished and therefore didn't want to keep you waiting. Turns out you actually finished after us XD.


I had actually finished a week or so before you did, but halfway through I reread the battle and found quite a few things I was disappointed in, and because of IRL issues I only got around to fixing those this week, so yeah...
Haru
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Sep 25, 2015 9:43 PM #1405602
Alright, to explain Mr.Super Fists.
He was supposed to be the caller, what we planned was making whoever read it think it was Gamma, then at the last second he reveals that he is not, and then Gamma appears epically.
Didn't execute it well.
Also, Vern, Each of us did our own character in the story, and Gamma was switched around.
ErrorBlender
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Sep 26, 2015 6:52 AM #1405633
Hey guys, will try to deliver some CnC.

Lets go with the Mercenaries first:

[spoiler=]

A bit of nitpick?

Spacing. You need to space the dialogue out. Granted it happens on the first part only which means you know of it but why leave the spacing out of the first part?

You also have a weird stray quotation mark. xD


“Ugh. I hope he’s not related to that Omega guy.” Catena grumbled. “Where is this… Gamma located at?” She continued. “Jackson street East is the last place he was seen” declared Shado. Catena’s mind drifted as she imagined all the great foods that could be purchased there. “What’s the reward?” Shado grinned. “Managed to get us 10 million each.” Catena spun around, startled. “T-t-ten million?!” Catena had not eaten too well in the last few days, and the thought of suddenly being a millionaire excited her. “Kiro did you hear that? 10 million! 10 million!” She proclaimed. Shado stood there, still grinning at her excitement. Kiro opened one eye, and mumbled, “Say that again?”



You could split up the dialougue between these people. From what I observe from novels (this may be wrong since I have not read ALL books) that most paragraphs will have only one person speaking in it, consisting of what happens during his speech, what he does and some reactive movements on the part of the other characters or environment. It can get confusing otherwise. Its like this: I'm reading person 1 talking then immediately move on to his next dialogue, only to realize after that dialogue is a tag that says its person 2. This makes me backtrack a bit to revisualize this dialogue said by person 2. If you do it by separating them into paragraphs, the separation allows the reader to wipe person 1's turn of dialogue out of his mind and grants the next (person 2) to speak without confusing him.


"...Lastly, I don’t smell a man at ease...his scent give every indication of one who was anticipating combat, though not anxious of any immediate threat. This is Shado, out.”


I believe this was taken with Shado having a glimpse of Gamma from the screen. So I am confused how he smells gamma's scent. Though this might just be entirely metaphorical and something sort of a lingo for him since he's a wolf but I doubt you can see that much from a cctv camera at that distance.


“Ten Million, you idiot!” Kiro sat up, now mildly interested.


No need to capitalize the 'million' part.


“Of course, 10 million probably means that the target will be very dangerous. We don’t know what to expect, so be on your guard.”


Keep it consistent. If you use 'ten million' use it here too but anyway while on the topic of numbers, it is better to word it out instead of using its numerical form.


“Alright.” Kiro glanced at Catena.


'Alright' is not the end of the sentence. 'Kiro glanced at Catena' is. Its: "Alright," Kiro glanced at Catena. But I think you know this already since I see most of the dialogue used correctly (and then some not). Proofread then?

I think there might be some formatting error? Was this taken from GDocs or copy pasted directly?


“Permission Acquired, Shado.” Kiro gritted his teeth.


I believe its 'permission granted' since Kiro is giving them permission and not the one recieving it.


“I’m in range.” She heard Shado grit his teeth.


I'm not sure how you could hear it unless she was real close or the microphone was very sensitive to it. I mean, it is kind of a weak click unless Shado used every available force for it slam it hard enough for her to hear. He might have smashed a few teeth if he did too. Just nitpicking.


It successfully worked, and the man back, surprised and disbalanced.


...and the man back? I'm confused. What does this mean?

Okie doke. Over all the story seemed alright. Though I felt the battle was a bit lacking, especially when Kiro and Gamma went in close. It needed a bit more suspense? The feel of danger wasn't there, it was as if you were telling instead of showing. I suspect it was Gamma himself that set them up, trying to test the Mercenaries but I could be wrong.

There are things that this piece could use some work on. The plot itself was okay, I mean its kind of out there to have the target of the protagonists turn it around, making them the prey instead of predator. All good and stuff. Transitions were a bit weird because of the spacing and dialogue confusion. Combat could be improved too in terms of its overall goodness. Some say story MUST come with wRHG battles because of its 'w' component but its also needs the 'RHG' component. The fight must be good too.

It needs improvement but its in the right direction. Kudos to you guys for this piece, its good.

[/spoiler]

Now for Vern:

[spoiler=]

For a bit of nitpick:


He had no time to see whether it had hit or not, all he could do was make a run for the building. The door was but a few meters away but he could hear gunshots in the distance already, soon followed by the rumbling that signified the eruption of the chains. None of it managed to hit him, however, and with a mighty blow of his shoulder the old, rusty door flew out of its hinges and clattered against the building’s cold, concrete floor.

The interior was surprisingly well lit, only now did he see the great rows of windows near the building’s roof. But now was not the time to inspect the surroundings. His pursuer could be here any moment now and he had to buy himself more time until he’d know what he’s up against.

His eyes darted around searching for something, anything, to help him, and stopped when they saw one of the many rusty iron rods lying around. In a matter of seconds he retrieved the thing and blocked the door. He had barely finished before he heard the bang of someone trying to breach the door like he had. Fortunately, this one wasn’t as successful as he had been.


All I imagine are iron rods blocking the doorframe. The door is currently lying on the concrete floor right? Nothing is said he that he was able to place the door back in its place and lock it with the rods. Anyways, moving on.


Most importantly, however, what else was chasing him?


I feel as if this is a weird statement. He kind of told himself that the lycan is tied to the chains and his engine melting. I think the correct statement would have been: Was there anyone else? I dunno. He knows only one currently chasing him and ties all the powers to that one guy, saying 'what else was chasing him' implies he saw another person alongside the lycan which in the previous moments, he didn't.


Her head was still spinning and a terrible headache had now taken the place of the sneering pain that had been shooting through the side of her head ; She was suffering from a concussion, and she couldn’t focus.


No need to capitalize the first word after the semi-colon.


With a flick of her hand, countless slithery metal chains sprouted from the ceiling, stopping just before hitting the ground, simply dangling up in the air instead. And yes, but a few seconds later her plan paid off as she heard the chains rustling to her far left. In an instant sharp, thin chains shot from everywhere where the sound originated, trapping anything nearby like a spring trap.


...and yes what? I feel as if its not supposed to be there. Like it serves no purpose or there was supposedly something before the 'but' that would make the 'and yes' part right? It just leaves my confused is all.


In a bloody pulp they digged their way right through Gamma’s hand and sent his weapon flying.


I don't think you meant it like this but its as if Shado's bullets were 'in a bloody pulp' and then digged their way through Gamma's hand. Like, it came out of the barrel with flesh coated around it.

Alrighty then.

All in all, wonderful piece. It has enough action to keep you on your toes and done with good vocabulary. The length isn't really daunting for me, since it was paced well and done right. Long battles are okay as long as they give the reader a good time which is what this did. There are the small plot holes like I've said above, but overlooking them the story is fine. It is sort of similar with the mercenaries but you guys could have collaborated on what type of setting there should be.

Good job, Vern.
[/spoiler]
Chaotic Penguin
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Sep 26, 2015 8:47 AM #1405638
Thanks Error for the feedback. I think part of the inconsistency is because this was a clan collab XD
ErrorBlender
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Sep 26, 2015 9:05 AM #1405642
I don't know, as a clan, you have more proofreaders which allows you to clean more thoroughly and keep everything consistent. You'd have to agree on something on how to write as a cohesive team. That's my two cents on collab projects. :)

Anyway, no problem. I like to provide feedback. Its just that I have less and less time to do so...
Chaotic Penguin
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Sep 26, 2015 10:23 AM #1405648
I'm a victim to turning stuff in too early.

And to not proofreading.
roBEAT
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Sep 27, 2015 4:28 PM #1405836
Quote from Vern
If you're yet to read my part, then please do so. I know the length may be intimidating but I do hope you'll like it.

When it comes to canon-wise, I highly doubt Shado would have been able to survive either encounter with Gamma, and personally I think it's more befitting to the character to pass away in the presence of his clanmembers, so they already have that covered and need not waste time on someone no longer worth investing time in (EG : By making a reaction story because your version was seen as canon). Haru and Chaotic stated that they doubted they'd be able to take me on (I'm yet to be the judge of that, but it's a spar now anyways) so when it comes to that I guess I'll have to dictate his fate canon-wise. I'll read both of your battles and then appropriately judge which one I myself would like most to be the canon, you're free to throw in your own opinion as well though, I mean I'm not entitled to be the absolute judge of another person's character anyways.


Alright, I never wanted to not read your part and I did it now so don't worry.
What was really great about both battles was, that they made me want to continue reading (although i didnt read your part in one reading session, Vern). And in my opinion that's the best thing you can say about any literature. So good job guys.^^

About who killed Shado: The problem with such a spar as the one you did, is that it is impossible for both of the competing battles to be canon. (Gamma and Shado died in one and Kiro and Shado died in the other.) If you consider the mercenaries' battle canon it means that you say Gamma is dead. If you make your version canon you essentially killed Kiro and I think Haru still wants to use him.
Therefor none of your battles could have happened (unless someone abandons his character). It would mean, that they remain fiction in the wRHG world (which is also fiction. Inception?).
I wouldn't mind if this was a counting battle with a voted outcome but as it is now, I'd say Rage is still the one who killed Shado.
Even if you might have posibly given him a better end and even though your battles are better written than mine, I still stand my point. By logic Rage is Shado's cause of death.
Haru
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Sep 27, 2015 9:24 PM #1405864
Quote from roBEAT
Alright, I never wanted to not read your part and I did it now so don't worry.
What was really great about both battles was, that they made me want to continue reading (although i didnt read your part in one reading session, Vern). And in my opinion that's the best thing you can say about any literature. So good job guys.^^

About who killed Shado: The problem with such a spar as the one you did, is that it is impossible for both of the competing battles to be canon. (Gamma and Shado died in one and Kiro and Shado died in the other.) If you consider the mercenaries' battle canon it means that you say Gamma is dead. If you make your version canon you essentially killed Kiro and I think Haru still wants to use him.
Therefor none of your battles could have happened (unless someone abandons his character). It would mean, that they remain fiction in the wRHG world (which is also fiction. Inception?).
I wouldn't mind if this was a counting battle with a voted outcome but as it is now, I'd say Rage is still the one who killed Shado.
Even if you might have posibly given him a better end and even though your battles are better written than mine, I still stand my point. By logic Rage is Shado's cause of death.


Both Vern and I are not switching characters. We'll either make something out, or consider this not canon.
Vern
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Sep 27, 2015 9:52 PM #1405866
Look, both of you are looking way to hard into this canon business. Let me tell you, the only thing that matters is what you, as the writer, decide is canon in your universe. You'll try to pick something that goes along with others' canons because that makes working with that writer a whole lot easier in the future, but in the end you just gotta have to pick what goes best with your own story. Just because someone "won" the battle doesn't mean you have to pick their version as the absolute canon, and neither do draws or spars mean a thing is non-canon from the getgo.

So what does it mean for this spar then? Well the most obvious points are that everyone but Shado pulls out alive. That's your canon, whatever happened in between is up to you to fill in. Unless I will be working with Haru in the future, I myself will remain 100% true to my own battle's canon, and while this may create continuity errors with Haru and robeat, I can easily re-mold my canon to keep Kiro alive, and I don't see myself working with robeat in the near future, and even if I were to I'm pretty sure the detail over who exactly killed Shado isn't going to be that big of a deal.

So yeah, you can continue squabbling about what's canon or not, but I'm sticking with my version for my own canon, and the fact that everyone but Shado pulled out alive for possible future continuity. I've used the opportunity I have gotten in this battle to tie it in with future writing and I'm not gonna scratch that over something as trivial as this.
ErrorBlender
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Sep 28, 2015 1:33 AM #1405886
Canon of anything is decided by the writer not the winner. If you need to collab with a person with a clashing canon then simply avoid the topic that references the clashed event or if it does surface into the story, make it vague. I've done this with some stories in the past.