I can hardly remember my problems, it's been so long... for one thing, I was unhappy with how easily the party and Pylos suddenly decided to work together. I don't think either side would have trusted the other just like that. I was also unhappy with the way Syne returned... it wasn't dramatic enough. :P Unfortunately I only have a vague memory of these things and I don't know if I have time to re-read it all.

Yeah. ALL the part outlines will need to be swept for "TW" and "ore" references and replaced with eumonetics. But that's just housekeeping stuff.

And I do have all the copies of the outlines, but they're on my home computer, and usually the only time I have to post is here at work. I figured the commentary would be only marginally useful anyway if we're going to overhaul some of this beyond recognition.

Temp and I have had countless deadend conversations about how to go about delivering the events of Part III effectively. For the problem of the party's willingness to help Pylos, I tried having Miriel promise to bring Syne back in exchange for their help. But that ruins the suddenness of Syne's return (and it's so contrived to the point of hardly making sense).

My current ideas would switch the contour of the plot around a little. Nimbus would be similar, but Enna would not accept a truce at the Pylos Labs. Why they would then proceed to Serribis, I'm not sure, but that'll still probably be the next point of major conflict when Tyrus starts wreaking havoc with Epsilon. Unfortunately, it doesn't make sense that Brooke and Rush would still be with Tyrus as he wreaks said havoc. I still like how the party gets broken up so Rush and Enna go to Io, Dell and Ko wind up with Tyrus on Epsilon (that one's pretty definite), and Syne, Cade, Brooke, and Rheya are left to help Pylos get Epsilon back. If we can establish the details up to those events, then we'll probably be set for a new Part III version.

But like I said, the big problem is figuring out where, when, and how to bring Syne back.

::sigh::

Any ideas?

...yea, I think so. Not much of the first paragraph there made sense...talking about Cade and Enna and Dell being "guests" and suddenly free to go after the Epsilion...yea, a wee bit confusing. Could you slow down just a teeny bit? Sorry.

I like Dev's idea, but I think it should be changed a bit (as I have already discussed with him):

It seems a bit contrived for Rheya to drag Syne's unconscious body all the way to the battle. I thought it might be just as effective if Syne were to wake up in a cell still at Pylos labs. After he wakes up, he sort of sits there wondering what is going on and whether this is the afterlife and whatnot for a bit, until Rheya comes bursting in the door. She makes him leave with her quickly without answering any of his questions. They then have to find their way through the Pylos labs (puzzle scene), which is in "red alert" mode with guards and employees running all over the place. Eventually they get to a flier and fly off towards Serribis, where they join the others.

The player is left confused for some time, since as soon as Rheya busts in it becomes pretty clear that Syne is alive, but they are given no explanation since there are more important things to do.

Well, when Enna eventually "somehow" gets washed out to sea (or otherwise separated with Rush to Io), she gets very contemplative when she thinks that she's about to die. We could have some sort of surreal flashback/dream-like sequence there. That might be a little out of context, since Enna doesn't know Syne is alive, but we do at that point. I guess we could just play up the irony.

But my first paragraph of idea is still confusing? It isn't that much different than the way Part III is written now. Dantalian takes the party down from the mountain to Pylos Labs, where he probably tries to strike a deal with Enna (to make sure she doesn't act up against them). Cade convinces her otherwise. While there, they observe the little mishap where Epsilon doesn't dock as scheduled, but just goes sailing right on by.

One detail I forgot to mention (that you might have assumed) is that the eumonetic navy is no longer based in Titan City but rather in Serribis. This is why the party heads there to cause more trouble (as well as get the Eastern Wake back). The eumonetic ships that survive the party's bombing run as well as Tyrus' assault will probably limp up the river to Titan City for repairs and then serve their function versus Tyrus later on.

Does that help at all?

Or maybe you're mistakenly thinking this is all written in stone already. ;D

Seriously, I didn't specify either way, though I agree Pylos probably still doesn't trust them all that much. It might be fun to have a big complicated set of puzzles and/or battles or something that the player needs to go through to break out of the labs. I think I remember some criticism saying there wasn't enough gameplay opportunities in the latter two part outlines.

Note that I didn't say confusing, I said it makes no sense. As in "What the!? Syne!? UGH! Mako pit, and now we're in Cloud's head? Eh?"

Just to clear that up.