Pocket Plane Group

Works In Progress => King Strohm's Tomb => Cailean => Topic started by: Eral on January 21, 2005, 09:18:52 PM

Title: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: Eral on January 21, 2005, 09:18:52 PM
... more than Kelsey. So it occurs to me to ask: when Cailean is born, will discussing Cailean be subjected to the same rules as the Anomen Flirts? Will we need an underground board for discussion, or have to wait for jc to sleep? (He may do that more often if he keeps having Jasper for dinner.)  :D

Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: Kismet on January 21, 2005, 09:26:50 PM
Heh, no you can say you like Cailean better than Kelsey without worrying about how Jason will react.  The reason for the Anomen/Kelsey rule is that Jason created both of those and to have people say that the things he did for Anomen (a character he doesn't really like) makes them like Anomen better than Kelsey (his own creation)... well I suppose it's just a bit frustrating.
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: Eral on January 21, 2005, 10:04:56 PM
I'm ready. (to start comparing Cailean and Kelsey.)

(Should we have checked with jc before completely undermining his Evil Overlord reputation? Rumours that he is generally well-balanced, warm and fuzzy could undo the work of years!)
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: jcompton on January 21, 2005, 10:09:22 PM
Right.

NPC Flirting: (basically) my idea.

So having NPC flirting (my idea) make Anomen (not my idea) better than Kelsey (my idea, which I came up with because so many people complained they didn't like Anomen) = stab in eyeballs.

Cailean better than Kelsey... not so bad. :)

Although I kinda suspect you could find a couple of SECRET NO COMRONTPI ALLOWED forums somewhere willing to host such a discussion.
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: SeanFan on January 21, 2005, 10:21:22 PM
Heh, no you can say you like Cailean better than Kelsey without worrying about how Jason will react.  The reason for the Anomen/Kelsey rule is that Jason created both of those and to have people say that the things he did for Anomen (a character he doesn't really like) makes them like Anomen better than Kelsey (his own creation)... well I suppose it's just a bit frustrating.

Hmm, I thought it was well, a joke.

NPC preferences are just so subjective there's no way any modder can expect to create a character everybody will love best of all. I love Minsc, Jan and Imoen, and I know many players can't stand them. But Haer'Dalis just flat-out annoys the crap outta me and a never play with him.  Edwin amuses me, but I find the fact that someone is making a romance mod with him rather astonishing.

I'd also argue that if an NPC can be made so much more likeable with a few flirts, (okay, maybe more than a few) the problem was not that the character was designed to be inherently unlikeable, but that the execution was flawed.

(Holding up my "hey, Anomen's not so bad" banner whenever I get the chance.)

But I'm really looking forward to trying Cailean!

/feeble attempt to include some on-topic content.
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: Eral on January 21, 2005, 11:32:46 PM
A stab in the eyeball, as your creation turns on you. Dr.Frankenstein wasn't happy about it either.

I think we see this chasm over Anomen because the romance is good, (don't scream, Neriana) but as an NPC he is a pain in the arse. Great cleric but bad, bad attitude as LG. "What is it now?" and "Quit your mouth, wench". Tsk, tsk, tsk.
(Adds SeanFan to the Team Anomen list. There are so many of us...)

Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: jcompton on January 21, 2005, 11:44:31 PM
I still say that the availability of Solaufein and Kelsey did a LOT to rehabilitate the Anomen romance.

A lot of people seemed to resent it when it was the only choice for a female PC.

Then, all of a sudden... Anomen doesn't look so forced.

(which, to get things back on topic, doesn't mean there's not a place for Cailean, naturally.)
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: SeanFan on January 21, 2005, 11:51:27 PM
A stab in the eyeball, as your creation turns on you. Dr.Frankenstein wasn't happy about it either.

I think we see this chasm over Anomen because the romance is good, (don't scream, Neriana) but as an NPC he is a pain in the arse.
(Adds SeanFan to the Team Anomen list. There are so many of us...)

Yay, team!

I agree. I think part of the flawed execution is that if you have him only as an NPC, you only see the pain-in-the-ass part, and don't see the likeable Anomen that you get in the romance.

I think he also gets a lot of hatred because he was the ONLY male romance offered in the umodded game. If that style of romance doesn't appeal to you, or if he's not the kind of guy you envision your PC falling for, it probably is frustrating. My PCs are almost always goody-two-shoes fighter types, and Anomen just seems a better fit for that character than Kelsey, for instance.  On the other hand, my 'take' on the characters is that Kelsey is a perfect match for Imoen, so I'm glad Jason included that option.

Kidding aside, I *am* looking forward to trying out Cailean. It's always interesting to see someone else's take on "the guy you could fall in love with".

EDIT: JC beat me to it. Gotta learn to type faster.
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: Operadragon on January 22, 2005, 12:11:19 AM
I think you all will really enjoy Cailean...It's the biggest single-episode voice project I've been involved with, and I've loved every minute of imaking it.

I only hope that "Team Anomen" turns out in full force to snatch up Cailean pretty soon...

With the PC initiated stuff, it adds a whole new twist to the NPC flirt.

I can't wait to see the full version in action!
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: Murdane on January 22, 2005, 12:16:37 AM
Agreed--if you take Anomen along and you don't do the romance, he just doesn't seem as likeable.  At least when you do his romance, you get to see his more thoughtful, vunerable side.

And SeanFan is right when she says that how much one likes the NPCs isn't that predictable.  Honestly, I don't utterly detest any of the NPCs, but I find Jan to be grating, and haven't even picked him up during my last few games.  I didn't think I would like Haer'Dalis (I used to think the girls clamoring for a Haer'Dalis romance were annoying, as well), but this time I actually took him into my party, and he isn't so bad--at the very least, he has a nice voice, not to mention some interesting Blade abilities.
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: Bons on January 22, 2005, 12:27:44 AM
It's always interesting to see someone else's take on "the guy you could fall in love with".

Yes, it's interesting, and I think it bolsters appreciation for well-written romance mods that work the more you experience someone else's take and it just doesn't attract you. Anomen, for all his faults, became more appealing once I had more than Kelsey to compare him with and played a couple romance mods that fell flat for me. With Cailean, my anticipation is more than he's an archer or he has a cute portrait, but the quality of writing that St. Jo and Kismet are capable of, and the amount torturous editing and care they're willing to go through to make the finished project as excellent as possible for our enjoyment. They SO rock!
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: Eral on January 22, 2005, 12:32:35 AM
Seemed to resent it? How about bitterly, indignantly resented it?

I hate to tell you this, jc,(cover your eyeballs) but I believe it was the FlirtPack that rehabilitated Ano for me. Though it was only after playing Kelsey that I realised I am an Anomen-fan, so I give you permission to continue in your beliefs. (That is not to say I do not adore Kelsey. Don't think I don't remember the KELSEYRULES bug, however much it is officially denied.)

Kelsey gave me a choice. A sweet, commitment-phobic yet falling completely in love me, I-don't-ever-say-wench choice. With a lovely colored robe. This was liberating. I like Solaufein, but not as a romance: we talk about philosophy, for goodness sake. He was never really a contender. I think those of us with a soft spot for Anomen have it because we got used to him.  

(SeanFan, be very careful when you use the words "likeable" and "Anomen" in the same sentence. There are some people who don't handle it well. Non-Team members.)
Anyway, now that the field is clear for spirited debate on Cailean vs Kelsey, I'll just wait here. Patiently. Sort of.  We know it's going to be good.
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: Veloxyll on January 25, 2005, 07:59:38 PM
I'll be in the unfortunate position of having to choose between Cailean and Kelsey. I suspect I only have 1 playthrough of BG2 left in me, but I haven't played Kelsey or Cailean (obviously). WHICH ONE WILL I CHOOSE!

If I get energetic I might roleplay it and write a journal/fanfic for your enjoyment.
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: Eral on January 26, 2005, 01:14:54 AM
Choose b/w them?  :o

You can always just pick up Kelsey and force the lovetalks and banters. Then you can save yourself for Cailean.

 
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: Kidyla on June 14, 2005, 08:08:49 PM
Ooooooo! More Anomen Fans!! *holds up fists* Hear that Anomen haters! Anomen has fans! Oops but I go off topic (whatever the topic was). I can't wait for the Cailean romance. He sounds delicious...mmmmm.
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: Kuemper on June 14, 2005, 08:44:56 PM
Right.

NPC Flirting: (basically) my idea.

So having NPC flirting (my idea) make Anomen (not my idea) better than Kelsey (my idea, which I came up with because so many people complained they didn't like Anomen) = stab in eyeballs.


I quit my first game with the Anomen romance when I found out it was completed in Chapter 2.

The Flirt Packs make him bearable and the only way I'll *ever* finish that romance. Since you came up with it, why not think of Anomen's 'flirts' as him wondering, WWKD?

Cailean sounds just as good as Kelsey. Working an archer into my standard party sounds interesting; his backstory intrigues me further.

<I pat Jason on the shoulder>
As a fan, I'd like to say I might play with those other guys - Anomen, Tsujatha, Cailean - but I'll always, *ALWAYS* have a special place in my hard drive for Kelsey.
<I pass him a freshly-baked cookie and send him back to PPG with a wave and a smile>
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: Xiao on June 16, 2005, 05:40:23 AM
I quit my first game with the Anomen romance when I found out it was completed in Chapter 2.
[hijack]This isn't entirely true.  Well, I guess it depends on what you mean by "completed," and exactly how much time you spent in Chapter 2 before going on.  If you mean "you can sleep with him by Chapter 2," then yeah, sure, but that's not the end.  He's got a "what you mean to me" talk, more development in the plot regarding his family and Saerk plus that story's completion, a Bodhi abduction sequence, a Tree of Life talk, and then it picks up again in ToB.[/hijack]
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: Kuemper on June 16, 2005, 07:05:33 AM
Xiao - yes, I completed his quests - avenge Moira. get 'Sir' title and have it out with Cor. I went  with the idea of getting strong with XP before saving Imoen. Little did I know the encounters get jacked up with your level. ::)
I was annoyed that he said nothing until Bodhi took him (chapter 6), then at ToL. I've heard the girls (Aerie, Jaheria and Viconia) are more in-depth.

And now back to someone interesting: Cailean.
Title: Re: Maybe some people will like Cailean
Post by: St. Josephine on June 16, 2005, 06:14:57 PM
Xiao - yes, I completed his quests - avenge Moira. get 'Sir' title and have it out with Cor. I went  with the idea of getting strong with XP before saving Imoen. Little did I know the encounters get jacked up with your level. ::)

Heh, I did that my first run-through.  I took forever in Chapter 2 and justified the delay by declaring that I could never free Immy being a weaking!

Quote
And now back to someone interesting: Cailean.

 :-*