Setting Notes: The Grand Republic of Whardon

One of the things I initially created this blog for was as a place where I could put my notes and ideas and concepts out there, in part to "get them down on paper" (in a manner of speaking) and thus out of my head, so that other ideas might start growing.

So, a few years ago, I got to thinking about a setting with your typical "tyrannical overlord" type, but specifically about the "faceless minions" that defend said overlord. Like, the minions were brainwashed or whatever to serve him loyally, but then the overlord is defeated, and the minions now find themselves cleared of the brainwashing. Issue becomes the defeated state of the now-executed overlord finds itself conflicted with the fact they were used, lied to, etc. I was thinking of exploring the concept in a story, and while I've not managed to get that idea to congeal into a proper story, I do still have my notes from when I was sketching things out.

While the initial concept was for a fantasy setting, as I sat and thought it over, I instead took it into a near-future modern-type setting. I spent a good week or so reading up on subjects like Hitler's rise to power, so I could try to properly construct the background of the setting. I retooled the "brainwashed minions" idea into a "super soldier" type instead, and that factored into the development of everything. Because I knew that the overlord would look askance at super soldiers that might not obey him or try to overthrow him ("superior ability breeds superior ambition"), he would need to come up with a way to ensure their loyalty.

What follows below the break are my notes on the "Grand Republic of Whardon."

Gamr Drivl: Destiny 2 Battle Royale

A couple of years ago, almost every shooter game out there was scrambling to join the "battle royale" craze, after Playerunknown's Battlegrounds and then Fortnite popularized it. There were plenty of PUBG clones out there, with their own various gimmicks to differentiate themselves. While some, like Apex Legends and Call of Duty Warzone, are popular in their own right, Fortnite remains the most popular with its evolving world and seasonal content.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a big Destiny fan. If you've been following my blog, you know this as well, as I've written various Destiny-related pieces over time. I enjoy the gameplay (PvP modes aside) and especially the lore. And, like many Destiny players, I contemplated how it might create a battle royale game mode, but never put too much thought in it.

I've never really been into the battle royale craze. It sparked some curiosity, but my dislike of most PvP game modes kept me away from it. I'll admit that a lot of this dislike comes from my lack of skill in PvP games-- and I don't have the patience to "git gud." The grind just isn't fun to me. But more recently, I got to thinking about a "Destiny Battle Royale" mode again. More below the break.

Authority's Mast

Preface: I wrote this piece a while back and just realized it never got posted here to my blog. I wrote this as I imagined various Destiny "exotic weapon lore" entries for Fallen-inspired weapons. I posted it to r/DestinyJournals, but never here for whatever reason. More details after the piece.    

Gamr Drivl: Arkham Beyond

If you're a fan of Batman video games, chances are, you've played or at least heard of the Batman: Arkham series. Created by Rocksteady Studios and distributed by Eidos Interactive beginning in 2009, they were one of the first Batman games to come close to fully encapsulate what it was like to be Batman. Besides just beating up thugs and rogues, there was emphasis on his detective skills as well. 

The games feature tons of references to the Batman comics and TV series-- more than just DLC costumes to wear-- and even some lesser-known characters were highlighted or shown off. The combat system was praised and has been seen emulated in other games (Mad Max and Shadow of Mordor come to mind) and the use of the various gadgets helped with that feel of being Batman. And it helped that he was being voiced by the man that my generation heavily associates with the character-- Kevin Conroy.

I feel that Arkham Knight was a good conclusion to the story being told, but there's still a way they can continue making Arkham games without compromising it too much. And that's to take the series to the future.

Submitted for the approval of the Gamr Drivl readers, I call this idea: Arkham Beyond.

(Spoilers for the Arkham series below the break.)

A Dawning Gift - a Destiny 2 piece

Preface: I wrote this piece back during the holiday season. In Destiny 2, there is an in-game holiday called 'The Dawning' which fills the role of Christmas, New Year's, and other assorted winter holidays. There is also a friendly Fallen who has been featured in recent lore, who has a Guardian fireteam working with him. So, inspired, I wrote a thing.

Gamr Drivl: Star Wars Bounty Hunter

There's never been a shortage of Star Wars video games. From starfighter simulators like X-Wing and TIE Fighter, to shooter games like Dark Forces, Shadows of the Empire, and Battlefront, to adventure titles like Jedi Fallen Order. The quality may vary (looking in your direction, Masters of Teräs-Käsi) or be surrounded with controversy (Battlefront II), but there's never been a lack of them.

There was a game that had been in development prior to the Disney buyout of Lucasfilm that had been tentatively titled Star Wars 1313, which would have been the first game to not feature The Force in some way. 1313 would have explored the seedy underbelly of Coruscant, the capital world of the Republic/Empire, and centered around famed bounty hunter Boba Fett and an unnamed partner. Alas, Disney cancelled the project when they took over the Star Wars franchise.

But with the success of The Mandalorian, I think we could re-explore the concept a bit.

Night Predator

You're a monster under the bed. Everyone in the house is asleep. You just heard someone break in.

Author Preface: I subscribe to the r/WritingPrompts subreddit, largely just to read some of the interesting prompts and the equally interesting responses people compose from it. I saw this one the other day, and something just came to me. Not quite keeping with the prompt, but that's how the writing process works sometimes. Story below the break.