#i like that you can have unique dialogue with the elementals as a druid

[3gremlins]

i love this kobold merchant and their cute, jaunty little hat, like 10/10 no notes

(okay one note, i would like them to come join my camp please)

[pandoricpies]

SSO Horrors

A post diving into how dark this franchise’s storyline gets and ideas for a horror game that will never actually be created. SPOILERS for the SL books and SSO storyline.

This idea originally came to me after reading the second book of the SL trilogy, The Legend Awakens. Props to Helena Dahlgren for the Pine Hill Manor scenes in that book; I was completely left on the edge of my seat the entire time. Linda’s whole experience was definitely an unexpected thriller for the children’s genre; cutting her leg on a broken window, exploring an old creepy mansion owned by the centuries-old psychopath that was targeting her, her friends, and their horses, being chased down halls and having to barricade herself in rooms to be protected from the apparent non-human dark riders (not to mention the way Dahlgren describes the animal sounds and scratching that they made, chills), and, to top it all off, nearly dying from sepsis due to her cut becoming infected.... if that’s not horror game material, I don’t know what is.

If you can’t already tell from the title of this post, I am a huge fan of the horror genre. The suspense-packed and often deep moral stories are always a fun watch/read. I personally am currently making my way through some classic Stephen King books that I haven’t read yet which was sort of what inspired this post.

Taking a look at SSO’s storyline on the surface level, we see a classic dark vs. light story, with horses and female heroines as the main points. However, there are quite a few darker elements hidden among the story quests, most of which would only be noticeable to the eye of the older audience of the game. The potential for this plot to be upped to a more mature level as far as darker themes go is definitely there. Regardless, the already existing underlying themes have some heavy themes...

- Teenagers, around the ages of 15-19, have been tasked with saving the world from a demonic entity. They have been granted special powers to do this with. These powers however can be extremely dangerous, as we see with both Alex and Catherine with their Lightning Circle incidents, in which they almost killed living beings. These factors combined would no doubt take some sort of psychological toll on the Soul Riders, as they are so named.

- Brainwashing and cult-mindset was a huge theme brought up with Justin’s kidnapping. He was abruptly cut off from the outside world, had his memories removed, and his mind artificially filled with thoughts of Garnok and world domination. It’s clear when he is rescued and goes back to his home that he’s depressed; his Midsummer dialogue a year back was “My dad thought it would be good for me to get out. I don’t do that much anymore” (not exact but close enough). When he talks to his mother during the memories quests the first thing he jumps to seeing her pregnant with him is “I wonder if she’d would be so excited if she knew all the terrible things I did”. To add to that, upon getting Justin back home, Thomas tells our character “If he keeps having these dark thoughts, I’ll have to turn to the druids.” That in itself was pretty unsettling. All this dialogue was put there to draw attention to the mental affects of literally having your brain tampered with.

- Elizabeth’s story was probably one of the saddest in my opinion. She had to stand by while her friend group fell apart, one going on to die, one going missing, and the other two continuing to split away from her. She then felt it was her responsibility to make up for her sisterhood’s failures, staying with the druids and eventually helping recruit new Soul Riders. Seriously though, imagine that. She saw what pain the magical war brought to her and her friends; knowing that she was pushing four more kids into a situation like that would’ve been devastating (here comes the morals vs. duty idea). Our character must have been a whole other level of that feeling. She saw what Catherine went through with her magic - the fear, the near madness. Then of course she goes on to imprison her close friend’s son (it appeared from the quests that she was closest to Catherine so that just adds to the pain). And to end it all, she sacrifices herself to save a girl who she considered a daughter.... jeez. - Catherine is another issue here for obvious reasons. A teenage girl is entrusted with goddess-level powers, then nearly goes psycho from the inability to control them. You can clearly tell from her last few diary entries how exhausting that was and how happy she was to finally have a somewhat normal life with her husband and son.

- And finally of course we have the DC gang. Mr. Sands is a basket case all on his own, a man who has used mind control (arguably in my opinion one of the creepiest forms of dark magic out there) on numerous victims including his own grandson, a man who legitimately worships a demon, and not to mention has it out for a bunch of teenagers. His whole backstory with Rosalinda made me feel some sort of sympathy for his character (he watched her nearly be drowned to death), and I’m actually quite curious as to where they’re going to take that. Also, The Nightmare Institute? That could be a horror game within itself. All we know so far about that place is that humans and animals are tested on with dangerous materials (ex. Mr. Anwir). Let’s not forget to mention the dark riders who apparently have animal qualities now? (as it was described in the SL books) Ok so we can clearly see that SSO’s storyline gets a bit dark. But just imagine; a Pine Hill Mansion first-person POV game, where you’re in a situation similar to Linda’s, or even one in DC or the Nightmare Institute. Honestly this entire storyline could be turned into some Resident Evil plot lol.

But that being said, as much as it’s fun to speculate these types of things, I enjoy SSO’s storyline just the way it is. It’s enjoyable for me as an older player, but it’s also filled with great moral stories and motivation for young children, especially girls. I love the atmosphere of female empowerment, and it’s especially unique to SSO because around the time of it’s initial release, that wasn’t seen much in video games.

Might start during these ‘chat’ or ‘random things that come to my mind’ posts more often.

[retiredhq]

ACCEPTANCE NOTES REGARDING THE ROLES CAPTAIN KICK, BABYDOLL, DRUID, MORTICIAN,  STARSCREECH, & TALLAHASSEE. UNDER THE CUT. 

Congratulations Ana, you have been accepted to play Captain Kick. 

This application was phenomenal and I could go on for a ridiculous amount of time about it. But the headcanons were what really sold me. Particularly the headcanon about depression and taking anti-depressants struck me. Specifically, because it made me realize how far we’ve come in terms of the culture surrounding mental health and treatment over the past seventeen years. (We still have a ways to go). But it was something that I felt captured an aspect of the early 2000s that I never would have thought of yet is so important to consider. Fun fact: You literally made me cry reading your para sample. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced that before: crying because of an application. But you so perfectly captured that fear and worry int eh space of silence. How sometimes it can be worse to not know about something tragic than it can be to actually get the news. And guess what? I had already written that one of our flashback weeks would be threads about that moment so you are ahead of the game! I am so excited to explore that more and read more of your writing because I am truly astounded!

Congratulations Jenna, you have been accepted to play Druid.

You really captured what I was trying to do with the skeleton for Druid and I could tell that you understood the character. It was almost strange to read what you’d written because it felt like what I would have written if I tried! You read my mind! It was really hard not to fall in love with Benji as he perfect maintains that balance between distancing himself and desiring human connection. I think you captured really well how isolating it can be to be different from others, even when it’s just small aspects that set you apart. Additionally, your headcanons made me so excited to see you start writing. There is so much about Benji that I am excited to explore through the narrative but him reconnecting with the people who made him feel like a person is so important and I can’t wait to see that brought to life on the dash!

Congratulations Rach, you have been accepted to play Babydoll

This app was so compelling. I could really feel the love and thought behind it. I was so drawn in by the image of a woman who tries so hard and aspires to perfection but is restricted to human limitations. I was fascinated by her connection to Pendulum. I like the idea of Zia gravitating to the other woman on the team even though Evelynn was quite distant. And I also love the thought of the two of them bonding through sparring. So many aspects of your para sample fascinated me, especially the aspect of her not being able to choose her own outfit for the funeral.  I think you captured the feeling of being controlled but still keeping her head held high. You brought so much dignity and detail to Babydoll and I’m so excited to see more!

Congratulations Harper, you have been accepted to play Starscreech.

First off, your lore was fascinating. I love how you created an entire society that Starscreech came from one that I felt was unique and captivating. It also really helped me to understand the motivations behind Starscreech’s altruism and desire to help the earth. I love the idea of Starscreech almost posing a threat to the moral superiority of his people. I think that you incorporated the inhuman aspects of the skeleton very well and the idea of being human presenting while still totally otherworldly. Plus, I found the idea that he’s been trying very hard to understand metaphors. There were so many little details of inhumanity that almost made him feel more human in the sense that he was so detailed and thought out.

Congratulations Kael, you have been accepted to play Mortician

This app really sent me through the wringer of emotions. I think you summed up the push and pull of what it means to be a hero but also a pawn in a game. There were so many lines that hit so hard and really resonated with the melancholy and pessimism fo the character. I can’t choose a favorite but, ‘Fail, and these people suffer. Fail, and families are torn apart. Fail, and it is your fault’ really stood out to me. There was a lot of pressure put on all the Exemplar but I think that the weight of it all fell on Mortician in a different way, as they weren’t supposed to play the role of optimist which allowed them to sink even deeper into despair. What really sold me on this application was the fact that Mortician is a father now. I think it makes sense for his character to move on, find a family, and give himself something new to protect. I am so excited to see the ramifications of having a tie back to his daughter play out in the narrative!

Congratulations Jester, you have been accepted to play Tallahassee. 

With a last-minute throw, you tossed your app into the ring and I am sure glad that you did. The more I read the more I realized how deeply you understood Tallahassee’s character and what it means to be the fun-loving, gun-toting wild child of the team. Not only the elements of it which can be exhilarating but the aftermath, like coming down off a high. I was particularly drawn to the idea of Addy never really being able to make friends again and turning to animal companionship. When you said that she worked as a dog trainer afterward sit just clicked with me and I felt like that was the right answer even if I never would have thought of it! Especially now considering the fact that our The Creature will be dog-like it brings special resonance to this decision. I’m also fascinated by the idea of a woman playing a sort of ungendered role on the team and how that impacted team dynamics. Especially when it’s considered in dialogue with the Babydoll and Monarch feud. Your app was really the final puzzle piece that I think connected a lot of threads between other skeletons and apps.

Be sure to create and submit your character account within the next 48 hours!

[brokehorrorfan]

Blu-ray Review: Warlock Collection

The Warlock trilogy is an interesting one in that every entry is essentially its own standalone film. Each one puts a unique spin on the same concept, involving an evil Warlock from the 17th century time traveling to the present. The franchise launched with Warlock in 1989, followed by Warlock: The Armageddon in 1993, and culminating with Warlock III: The End of Innocence in 1999. All three films are now available in a Blu-ray box set from Lionsgate as part of the Vestron Video Collector’s Series.

Looking back at the original Warlock, it's a bit surprising that it launched a franchise. Although perfectly enjoyable, it's not a particularly memorable effort. Director Steve Miner (Halloween H20, Friday the 13th Parts 2 & III) and writer David Twohy (Pitch Black, The Fugitive) put a genre twist on a fish-out-of-water setup with a film that evokes The Terminator and Highlander. Although released internationally in 1989, it didn't open in the US until 1991; New World Pictures had filed for bankruptcy and Timark Pictures eventually picked up the rights. It was only a modest success in its limited theatrical run, but it went on to do well on home video.

The film opens in Boston, Massachusetts, 1691, when an evil warlock (Julian Sands, Arachnophobia) narrowly escapes his execution with the aid of Satan himself. He's transported to the present day, crash-landing in the Los Angeles home of Kassandra (Lori Singer, Footloose) three centuries later. He's soon followed through the time portal by witch hunter Giles Redferne (Richard E. Grant, Bram Stoker's Dracula).

The warlock is attempting to collect three parts of an ancient book at the behest of Satan, the reward for which is being named the all-powerful "one begotten son." Kassandra and Redferne must team up and follow him across the country to bring an end to the evil and return to their normal lives. Ham-handed comedy and budding romance ensue between the free-spirited modern chick and the straight-laced traditional man.

The tone is an uneven mix of action/adventure, fantasy, horror, and comedy, leaning more toward the former genres than the latter. I wouldn't classify the film as an outright comedy, but it has a healthy sense of humor, ineffective as it may be. In addition to the humor inherent in a fish-out-of-water tale, there are moments of camp and slapstick comedy, though they rarely land. I'm surprised the slasher angle wasn't played up more, especially considering Miner's strong background in the genre.

Warlock was reportedly New World's most expensive production at the time, but the concept is still bigger than the budget would allow. Although it has a couple of cool set pieces, it's one of those movies that played better as a kid, as it looks rather cheap to adult eyes. When the warlock curses Kassandra to age 20 years a day, for example, she simply slaps on a wig and some light old-age makeup as if she's a Saturday Night Live character (though this is reportedly due to Singer not wanting to undergo more makeup).

Singer is grating in the lead role, but Sands and Grant's commitment to the lunacy make the film worthwhile. B-movie darling Mary Woronov (The House of the Devil) steals the scene in which she appears as a kooky psychic. Kevin O'Brien plays Kassandra's gay roommate, quite an about-face from his role as a biker gang member in Miner's Friday the 13th Part III. Kay E. Kuter (The Last Starfighter), Ian Abercrombie (Army of Darkness), and Anna Levine (The Crow) briefly pop up as well.

The talent behind the camera is even more impressive, even beyond Miner and Twohy. Jerry Goldsmith (Alien, The Omen) composed an effective and memorable score, though the theme is repeated quite a bit throughout the film. David Eggby (Mad Max) serves as cinematographer. Carl Fullerton and Neal Martz (The Silence of the Lambs) heads the special effects. The practical effects look good, while the visual effects suffer.

Miner has recorded a new audio commentary, during which he confesses he hasn't seen the movie in a long time and never watched the sequels. He also admits and takes responsibility for the film's faults, like the flying scenes, and occasionally questions if the audience is able to follow the story. Additionally, he sits down for a video interview, which features a lot of overlap with the stories he tells on the commentary. But fans will be happy to have him participating in the extras, as he has been involved in so many cult classics yet is rarely heard from.

Sands is the subject of a 25-minute interview, beginning with his early days as an actor in Richard III, which went on to inform his performance as the warlock. He reveals that Sean Connery nearly played Redferne, which would have really elevated the film. He discusses both the original Warlock and its first sequel, in which he also appears - so I suggest waiting to watch this special feature until after you see Part 2. He was approached for the third film, but found the script "feeble," yet he remains open to returning to the franchise if the script lives up.

Fullerton and Martz discuss the special effects. Fullerton dishes on the "disastrous" old age makeup, citing the fact that Singer didn't want to wear the more elaborate prosthetic they had planned. He remains dumbfounded by the film's success. Archival extras include: behind-the-scenes footage, interview segments with cast and crew, vintage featurettes on the make-up effects and visual effects, two trailers, TV spots, and a still gallery.

Despite Sands reprising his titular role, Warlock: The Armageddon is essentially a reboot of the original film. introducing a different, overly-complicated mythology. Despite only having a fraction of the budget granted to the first Warlock, the sequel puts every cent on the screen. It boasts a larger scope, complete with a bigger cast, more varied locations, and much better special effects.

Rather than travel through time, the warlock (Sands) is literally birthed into the modern world - in what is perhaps the franchise's most memorable scene. Now known as the son of Satan, the warlock has six days to obtain sacred stones scattered across the country in order to unleash the devil on Earth. Kenny Travis (Chris Young, The Great Outdoors) finds himself responsible to stop the impending armageddon upon learning that he is a druid warrior with Jedi-like powers destined to protect earth from evil.

Unlike the first film, The Armageddon really embraces the horror elements, complete with cool creatures and gooey practical effects. Warlock is painted as more of a loquacious slasher villain that toys with his victims, and Sands proves that he's worthy of being mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Pinhead and Wishmaster. He's eager to dispose of anyone who gets in his way, resulting in some creative kills.

The script - written by Sam Bernard (Rad) and Kevin Rock (Howling VI: The Freaks) - suffers from pacing issues, such as a melodramatic subplot involving Kevin's relationship woes with his girlfriend (Paula Marshall, Cheaper by the Dozen). Director Anthony Hickox (Warlock, Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth) is the film's saving grace, with his signature sense of humor a welcome addition to the proceedings. His bonkers sensibilities play a lot better than the first film's broad approach and limp attempts at levity, helping to make Warlock: The Armageddon a rare sequel that's more entertaining than its predecessor.

The only new extra is an audio commentary by Hickox, who begins by stating that the film is "not one of my proudest moments." While it may not be a highlight of his filmography, there's plenty to be proud of, and he goes on to share several fond memories. A vintage making-of featurette (complete with cheesy "testimonials" from people who have encountered a warlock) and extended interview snippets from the same session are also included, along with the trailer, TV spots, and a still gallery.

The good news is that Warlock III: The End of Innocence is a straight horror movie. The bad news is that it's a terrible one. The Armageddon may have ignored the mythology established in the first film and adopted a different tone, but it still felt like a Warlock movie. The End of Innocence, however, does not. Like several later entries in popular horror franchises, it seems like they took an existing, unrelated script and shoehorned in the warlock character to exploit a marketable title on video store shelves.

The picture's low budget is apparent from the very beginning, with its 1673 New England period opening set in the woods rather than a village - saving money at the expense of production value. Cut to present day, where we meet college student Kris Miller (Ashley Laurence, Hellraiser). She learns that she has inherited an old house that has been in family for hundreds of years. The convinces a group of friends to join her in exploring the abode, where creepy things occur.

Succumbing to all the pitfalls of late-'90s direct-to-video horror flicks, the film embodies a time when going straight to DVD was synonymous with bad, low budget movies. It reeks of its time in style, tone, editing, and effects; the latter is doubly insulting after the previous installment's charming practical effects work. The script, penned by director Eric Freiser and Bruce David Eisen, is riddled with overwrought exposition attempting to explain the mess of supernatural nonsense.

With big shoes to fill, Bruce Payne (Dungeons & Dragons) brings a bit of charisma to the role of the warlock, but he lacks the charm of Sands' portrayal. It's nice to see Laurence in a rare non-Hellraiser leading role, but she's forced to recite some horrid dialogue. And, as lovely as she is, she's a bit old to play a rambunctious college teen. The same can be said of Rick Hearst (Brain Damage), who plays a sadomasochist. Robin Boti Bliss (CSI: Miami) is a highlight as a modern witch.

Understandably, no new special features were produced for this entry, but it does carry a whopping 43 minutes of archival interviews with the cast and crew, along with behind-the-scenes footage, the trailer, a promo video, and a still gallery.

Warlock is an unlikely franchise that had no business receiving any sequels, yet it spawned Warlock: The Armageddon, which is arguably superior to the original. Even the low point of Warlock III: The End of Innocence has its charms, particularly looking back with modern eyes. The series is reminiscent of the Wishmaster franchise - a box set of which was also recently released in the Vestron Video line - in sensibility, quality, and trajectory. All the films look and sound great in high-definition, so I suggest picking up both sets and binge-watching them, and hopefully one day Lionsgate will give us the crossover movie we deserve.

Warlock Collection is available now on Blu-ray via Lionsgate.