Re: [GRIMDARK] Fallout Equestria: Project Horizons Discussion

[Vinylshadow]

I think I meant bemused

be·muse
bəˈmyo͞oz/
verb
puzzle, confuse, or bewilder (someone).

[Icy Shake]

all the others are waiting for her and Shy

Don't forget Rarity, most of her soul is still trapped.

But at least there was enough of her for her to have a star.

I'm still amused by the fact it's RARITY'S soul that's in the figurines, yet it's been shown that mentally, they've all shown the images of the pony they represent (Pinkie's figure being Pinkie Pie).

By mentally, I mean when LP and BJ have those "the little pink earth pony/purple unicorn/etc pointed out something" moments.

But wouldn't that require the corresponding soul to inhabit the figure?

Although it's pieces of her soul in the figurines, she had gotten soul imprints of her friends, and used those to overwrite her own pattern with theirs.

[SilentCarto]

I'm still amused by the fact it's RARITY'S soul that's in the figurines, yet it's been shown that mentally, they've all shown the images of the pony they represent (Pinkie's figure being Pinkie Pie).

By mentally, I mean when LP and BJ have those "the little pink earth pony/purple unicorn/etc pointed out something" moments.

But wouldn't that require the corresponding soul to inhabit the figure?

If you recall, when BJ was under the effects of moonstone (ch. 64), the head-ponies looked like recolored Rarities.

[Meleagridis]

Dash is functionally immortal...

Had questions about this but moved them to the setting thread.

[Guest]

all the others are waiting for her and Shy

Don't forget Rarity, most of her soul is still trapped.

But at least there was enough of her for her to have a star.

Yes, conveniently enough for Rarity a 43rd of a soul is enough to create a star.

[Somber]

Sorry things are taking so long with the next chapter.  It's an utter pain, and this time the problem is all me, not the universe screwing me.

[Vinylshadow]

If you recall, when BJ was under the effects of moonstone (ch. 64), the head-ponies looked like recolored Rarities.

Just like 15% of original characters...

I'm still amused by the fact it's RARITY'S soul that's in the figurines, yet it's been shown that mentally, they've all shown the images of the pony they represent (Pinkie's figure being Pinkie Pie).

By mentally, I mean when LP and BJ have those "the little pink earth pony/purple unicorn/etc pointed out something" moments.

But wouldn't that require the corresponding soul to inhabit the figure?

Although it's pieces of her soul in the figurines, she had gotten soul imprints of her friends, and used those to overwrite her own pattern with theirs.

Ahh

Really need to get around to rereading PH, but there's so many other great fanfics I'm perusing at the moment on top of that...

[Vergil]

Fret not, Somber. I suspect it will be judged worth the wait.

[Derpmind]

Sorry things are taking so long with the next chapter.  It's an utter pain, and this time the problem is all me, not the universe screwing me.

I'm afraid that you have become the universe. The screwing shall last forever!

[JadedPony]

Remember, break it down into little bits so it's not overwhelming. Just out of curiosity, what does Somber use to write? yWriter? That Mac program with the index cards? I use yWriter. It's easy to chop things up into manageable chunks. I could only imagine how massive Project Horizons would be just using a word editor.  I can not function any more without yWriter5 but I'm always looking for the newest, hottest thing.

[O. Hinds]

Okay, mission from Somber! What ought Blackjack's IF-88 to be named? It hadn't occurred to me that it wasn't named Ayup (which I still favor), but Somber apparently didn't intend that as the name. When the question arose, it was decided to open it up to the forum's decision. Close of voting is whenever Somber feels like it. Good luck!

[Valikdu]

A (semi-)serious offer.

Spoiler:

[Downloaded Skill]

I think given BJ's other named weapons, Vigilance, Duty, Sacrifice, etc, and given Big Mac's characterization I think "Guardian" might be a good name while fitting the theme of the rest of the weapons.

[decumos]

Just remembered this poster. "Perseverance" sounds good, doesn't it?

[Scienza]

Okay, mission from Somber!  What ought Blackjack's IF-88 to be named?  It hadn't occurred to me that it wasn't named Ayup (which I still favor), but Somber apparently didn't intend that as the name.  When the question arose, it was decided to open it up to the forum's decision.  Close of voting is whenever Somber feels like it.  Good luck!

-Memories
-Unbroken
-Resolution
-Mine's Bigger
-Suck it, Steel Rain
-Citizen's Arrest
-Eye Tentacle Penis

[Icy Shake]

I think that ideally it would reflect a goal or motivation like many of the other named weapons from that era. Duty and sacrifice, and the guilt over his class's failure to uphold them, were the reasons Vanity joined the army. Doof wanted to be taken seriously, and one of his problems was that violence was his only means of persuasion. Sniping was both Psalm's sin (even before Shattered Hoof Ridge) and her penance. As the head of security, vigilance was characteristic of the role Card Trick and her line were expected to plan in helping to bring the ponies of Stable 99 safely through to the future.
Big Macintosh's reason for joining up was pretty basic, to protect his country

If ya’ll don’t mind my sayin’ so, Equestria’s a lot more than its soldiers.  Every single one of us loves this country.  Sure, none of us are like your guards.  I’d like to be in the south acre right now.  But Equestria needs me to fight for this land more than it needs me harvestin’ apples.  So I’ll learn whatever I need to to do it.  The south acre will be there when I’m done.

and the major thing he offered was predictable, calm stability even in the heat of battle

And the foundation of that rock wasn’t the hill itself or the fortifications.  It was Big Macintosh.  He moved constantly but did not retreat or hide behind cover.  He never swore or shouted at the enemies fighting their way up.  With the rifle he fired precise and disciplined bursts of fire.  When the enemy came too close, the shotgun would come into play with a deadly barrage of shells.  Some zebras, running more swiftly than I thought physically possible, attempted to attack him with their bare hooves!  Yet Big Macintosh remained atop that hill and took them down with awe-inspiring discipline and courage.  Some ponies were wounded.  Some ponies died.  But while Big Macintosh stood, they would not break, even as the zebra line crawled closer and closer to their fortifications.

and in the end he died, not to try to win a battle or a war, but to save a pony who didn't deserve to die

Big Macintosh wasn’t a hero for saving Celestia.  He was a hero because he’d have tried to save anypony who didn’t deserve to die.

So in all seriousness, I think you could do a whole lot worse than Security. Because it's what he wanted, it's what he gave those around him, it's what he died for, and even if the motto didn't exist at the time, Security Saves Ponies. It would also make for one motherfucker of a reveal, and be a reminder of/connection to how Blackjack isn't just Twilight's great^n granddaughter, but his as well, since (let's be honest) the story has, for very good plot reasons and Blackjack's magic-use development, focused much more on Twilight as her ancestor than Big Macintosh.

"Guardian," per Downloaded Skill, would also be good, but I think doesn't fit with the others as well because a guardian is a person or substantial thing, rather than a concept like the rest.

[Dekshuduph]

Just remembered this poster. "Perseverance" sounds good, doesn't it?

I second this idea.  (It's the only suggestion so far that seems to match the other weapon names)

Edit: Didn't notice the next page, I also second Icy Shake's post. The only qualm I have with Security is that I think the other weapons were named by their previous bearers, so it should be the same way with the shotgun. That's assuming we can feign Blackjack not having noticed an engraving on the shotgun, edit the last chapter or have her learn about it some other way.

[Icy Shake]

Just remembered this poster. "Perseverance" sounds good, doesn't it?

I second this idea.  (It's the only suggestion so far that seems to match the other weapon names)

Edit:  Didn't notice the next page, I also second Icy Shake's post.  The only qualm I have with Security is that I think the other weapons were named by their previous bearers, so it should be the same way with the shotgun.  That's assuming we can feign Blackjack not having noticed an engraving on the shotgun, edit the last chapter or have her learn about it some other way.

Interestingly, perhaps, I feel just the opposite (not about the mechanics of the name reveal—that is an issue I wasn't particularly thinking of): Perseverance is probably one of the best names possible . . . for Blackjack to give to a gun (if she's being serious rather than playful or silly at the time) (and I was assuming that the name was one given by Big Mac, prompted I think by O. Hind's post with AeupAyup). I think that perseverance was more her thing than Big Mac's, and if he got the Ironpony towards the end of his life, he may already have been thinking about leaving the army after his tour of duty wrapped up. Granted, I suppose it could work in the sense that he just needed to persevere through the end of it, plus his one last mission, but I do think it would be more appropriate for someone who wanted to be reminded of their intention to push through to the end of the war, come hell or high water, regardless of—or for the sake of—who and what they had waiting for them on the home front.

[O. Hinds]

Ah, sorry about the confusion; it seems I forgot to mention something: yes, unless we edit an earlier chapter or the name is Ayup, Blackack would be the one doing the naming. I'm not sure if editing the earlier chapter is on the table, but, given that it would be changing one word, it presumably would be if Somber liked the prospective name enough. The default is that Blackjack gives it any non-Ayup name, though.

[CD]

Boomstick, because Blackjack is the ponification of Ash Williams.

[Dekshuduph]

Ah, sorry about the confusion; it seems I forgot to mention something: yes, unless we edit an earlier chapter or the name is Ayup, Blackack would be the one doing the naming.  I'm not sure if editing the earlier chapter is on the table, but, given that it would be changing one word, it presumably would be if Somber liked the prospective name enough.  The default is that Blackjack gives it any non-Ayup name, though.

So it seems Icy's big reasoning spiel is for naught, if this is the case. Ah well.

Hey, if there comes to be multiple suggestions and we can't all agree on one, would you do the honors of making a poll? I know it probably goes without saying, but I would hate for Somber to pick a suggestion that the majority disliked.

[Icy Shake]

Ah, sorry about the confusion; it seems I forgot to mention something: yes, unless we edit an earlier chapter or the name is Ayup, Blackack would be the one doing the naming.  I'm not sure if editing the earlier chapter is on the table, but, given that it would be changing one word, it presumably would be if Somber liked the prospective name enough.  The default is that Blackjack gives it any non-Ayup name, though.

:(
Oh well. Glad it'll be (re-)named, though, because although I can see where Ayup's coming from—Macintosh is an uncomplicated, humble character and that fits him well—and it works individually, and I could even see breaking the cycle for that because of it, but I just don't really want to read narration with stuff like "I fired Ayup" or "I was running out of ammo for Ayup."

Boomstick, because Blackjack is the ponification of Ash Williams.

Already done with an IF-84 Stampede riot shotgun in 65.

So yeah, one of the things I was thinking after I started on the line of thought that led to "Security," but before I think I got around to the battle scene quotation, was "Okay, it can't be too close to Vigilance. And his whole this was protecting ponies, I mean, I'd like to work the Hoss thing in somehow. But there's no way I'm suggesting Big Macintosh name a gun 'Protection'!"

[SilentCarto]

Okay, mission from Somber!  What ought Blackjack's IF-88 to be named?  It hadn't occurred to me that it wasn't named Ayup (which I still favor), but Somber apparently didn't intend that as the name.  When the question arose, it was decided to open it up to the forum's decision.  Close of voting is whenever Somber feels like it.  Good luck!

I like Valikdu's suggestion of Victory.

However, Mac seems like a simple, sentimental type. So I'm going to suggest Miss Maripony. Granted, it's maybe more of a fighter plane name than a gun name.

Edit:

Ah, sorry about the confusion; it seems I forgot to mention something: yes, unless we edit an earlier chapter or the name is Ayup, Blackack would be the one doing the naming.

Oh! Well. Um. In that case I'm just going to second Valikdu. It's her alleged talent, after all.

I don't like "Ayup" at all (or my preferred spelling, "Eeyup".) It seems to suggest Mac isn't thoughtful at all and just named it after that thing he says a lot.

[O. Hinds]

...I kind of like "Victory", actually.

[Silver136]

I thought "Perseverance" sounded good, especially given PH's reoccurring theme of "get up and do it again." However, just to throw it out there, I thought "Diligence" sounded good too, because Blackjack is "Security", the defender of those who can't defend themselves.

[Luminous Lead]

I brought up the locker of Big Macintosh.
Password Clue: Where the heart is.

... Is it weird that I kind of want it to be called "Heartbreaker"?

The locker clicked open. Inside was a large black case with a note on the top. I leaned over and read it. Thought you should have the prototype, Cupcake, since it was made for him. Sadly, anti-machine rifles are more effective against zebra robots and infantry. Might roll out a model for power armor. Hope you can use it to inspire others to follow in his hoof steps. Braeburn.

Or, you know... it would be terribly embarrasing to be killed by "Cupcake" XD

[Captain Stramash]

Hey folks been donkeys since I last commented =)

Hmm... I like Perseverance most out of whats been suggested so far.

Personally I think "Steadfast" "Endeavor" or "Hope" would be symbolic of the story. However...something humorous would certainly be in line with her character.

anyway thats my two bits on the matter.
Keep up the good work nearly there now=)

[decumos]

However...something humorous would certainly be in line with her character.

I for one believe that giving a humorous name for her gun at this point, when the story is so close to its conclusion, would be extremely anticlimactic. This weapon could be the one that kills the last standing bad guy, thus it must have a serious and symbolic name.
That is why I also don't like variants like "Ayup".

[Evilgidgit]

There are lots of good potential names there. For reference, I'll list all of the names here for everyone:
-Victory (Valikdu)
-Guardian (Downloaded Skill)
-Perseverance (Decumos)
-Memories (Scienza)
-Unbroken (Scienza)
-Resolution (Scienza)
-Mine's Bigger (Scienza)
-Suck it, Steel Rain (Scienza)
-Citizen's Arrest (Scienza)
-Eye Tentacle Penis (Scienza)
-Boomstick (CD)
-Diligence (Silver136)
-Heartbreaker (Luminous Lead)
-Steadfast (Captain Stramash)
-Endeavor (Captain Stramash)
-Hope (Captain Stramash)
-Forgiveness (Icy Shake
-Foundation (Evilgidgit)
-Inspiration (Evilgidgit)
-Tarot (Evilgidgit)
-Brevity (Evilgidgit)
-Turkey Call (Evilgidgit)
-Humility (Evilgidgit)
-Good Samaritan (Evilgidgit)
-Macintosh's Shadow (Evilgidgit)

[tylertoon2]

There are lots of good potential names there. For reference, I'll list all of the names here for everyone:
-Victory (Valikdu)
-Guardian (Downloaded Skill)
-Perseverance (Decumos)
-Memories (Scienza)
-Unbroken (Scienza)
-Resolution (Scienza)
-Mine's Bigger (Scienza)
-Suck it, Steel Rain (Scienza)
-Citizen's Arrest (Scienza)
-Eye Tentacle Penis (Scienza)
-Boomstick (CD)
-Diligence (Silver136)
-Heartbreaker (Luminous Lead)
-Steadfast (Captain Stramash)
-Endeavor (Captain Stramash)
-Hope (Captain Stramash)

And for my own contributions:
-Foundation
-Inspiration
-Tarot
-Brevity
-Turkey Call
-Humility
-Good Samaritan
-Macintosh's Shadow

I vote Perseverance

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