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Damsel in Distress Unlikely Hero

Charro6 🚫

Not so typical hero.

Hero qualities
Loyalty
Strong since of Justices
Hatred of bullies
Very high IQ
Not so hero qualities
Robin Hood justices
Strike first Strike hard
Bad qualities
Cheater
Thief
Humorous qualities
Short
Ugly
Small dick
World's worst lover

This Hero would need to stay within the limits of the rules to continue being a Hero for several trips

He should get the ring and portal honestly either by taking them away from the people who killed the last Hero or an inheritance from a very distance relative.
He needs enough basic fighting skills to survive first rescue. And enough smarts to get more training on Chaos or before next trip.

No woman of Cassandra wants him as her Hero even trying to get away from him after her rescue.

Ferrum1 🚫

@Charro6

Not sure it's something I'd read since it seems more of an "anti" hero kinda thing.

As I remember the universe, the damsels don't have any say in the matter, going into something like a rut or heat phase when they're rescued. They might not like the guy, but they'd certainly want him.

The small pecker? Meh. The few stories I read were enjoyable in part because that wasn't a "big" factor. I think that the guys were realistic is one of the key points I really liked about the DiD universe. A couple authors went overboard, imo, but the original stuff was fantastic, imo.

blackjack2145309 🚫

@Charro6

Being only semi familiar with the "Damsels in Distress" universe i think any writer would have to get creative to write an interesting story.

Does anyone know if the original author wrote the rules for this universe?

I think overall though, going a little DC universe kind of dark wouldn't be a bad thing.

Maybe i've been reading too much isekai manga, but i think there are plenty of options.

Replies:   Keet
Keet 🚫

@blackjack2145309

Does anyone know if the original author wrote the rules for this universe?

The Damsels in Distress universe was created by Lazlo Zalezac. Ernest Bywater wrote the book Damsels in Distress Universe Rules. Also available as a free download on Bookapy: Damsels in Distress Universe Rules.

blackjack2145309 🚫

@Keet

Thank you Keet.

awnlee jawking 🚫

@Keet

Just to check, isn't 'Damsels in Distress' a public universe that doesn't require permission?

AJ

Replies:   Keet
Keet 🚫
Updated:

@awnlee jawking

Just to check, isn't 'Damsels in Distress' a public universe that doesn't require permission?

As far as I know the Damsels in Distress universe doesn't have a review board and strict regulations like The Swarm Cycle universe has. So far most stories have followed the basic rules with a few with slight diversions or added 'features'. Unfortunately Lazlo isn't among us anymore to give his approval on new stories and/or new developments. I guess it's up to the author's integrity to keep within the canon as much as possible if he wants to explore new insights into the general story lines. Ultimately Lazeez could probably place a story outside the universe if too many authors and readers complain about it getting too far of canon and not belonging in the universe. I don't know if such a situation has happened before.

Replies:   redthumb
redthumb 🚫

@Keet

ALL the discussion in the DiD universe had been about the hero going to Chaos. However there is a story 'A New Portal: Crossroads' by Ringmaster posted in 2007 that takes the hero to a completely different place. Several of the same rules apply. I think that it would be interesting for more stories to follow this path.

BTW, the memtiones story says is had Lazlo's permission

blackjack2145309 🚫

@Charro6

Hmm, after reading Lazlo Zalezac's rules on the DiD universe, they seem pretty rigid...

Honestly, i can't disagree this universe needs to experience an interesting curve ball....

My first thought is that i'd like to see a DiD story with a slightly BS monster girl like theme.

I mean why not something like the first few minutes of the first episode of the original goblin slayer? :P

I know i know, "i didn't need that visual you pervert."

But still i wear the title of pervert with pride! :P

Replies:   Ferrum1
Ferrum1 🚫

@blackjack2145309

Hmm, after reading Lazlo Zalezac's rules on the DiD universe, they seem pretty rigid...

They wouldn't be rules if they weren't rigid. If this was a pirate story, calling them 'guidelines' might work.

Honestly, i can't disagree this universe needs to experience an interesting curve ball....

But then it wouldn't be DiD. What makes the universe work is that everyone plays on the same field and future writers can reference the works of past writers.

Though, that one story about the lawyer getting chosen as a hero did throw a lot of wrenches in the works, imo. I'm still not sure how I feel about that.

One of the things I never liked about the universe is this lack of iron... but then everyone running around with swords and armor like it was the the Middle Ages or some fantasy novel. You don't get that much iron without a significant mining and refining operation, which necessarily means decent levels of that industry as well as the industries that support it and are supported by it.

It was one of those pesky little details that I thought Lazlo got wrong. He was trying to prevent guns from being developed, and the Chaos getting too modernized. While I can appreciate that.... it made for some big inconsistencies that really stood out to me.

Replies:   blackjack2145309  Remus2
blackjack2145309 🚫

@Ferrum1

Yea, tbh if you want to keep guns from being developed i'd say keep the explanation simple and tell them "gunpowder can't be used in this universe because (blank)

Because that if anything i think is more than enough to prevent the development of guns in DiD universe.

I also stand by what i say previously that this universe needs to experience curve ball.

Hell even some intrigue that goes across all the dimensions would be interesting in this universe.

anyway which story involves the lawyer?

Replies:   palamedes  Ferrum1
palamedes 🚫

@blackjack2145309

Yea, tbh if you want to keep guns from being developed i'd say keep the explanation simple and tell them "gunpowder can't be used in this universe because (blank)

So as long as there is no gunpowder .....

Guess we can use air rifles, pellet guns, and B.B. guns then
;)p

blackjack2145309 🚫

@palamedes

So as long as there is no gunpowder .....

Guess we can use air rifles, pellet guns, and B.B. guns then
;)p

You have a point i admit, maybe i should add "coil springs" to that statement.

Then again "coil springs" could become a hot black market commodity in the world of DiD. i'd argue that if the level of blacksmithing technology is where it is in DiD universe you could only make a spring so small.

Replies:   Remus2
Remus2 🚫

@blackjack2145309

i'd argue that if the level of blacksmithing technology is where it is in DiD universe you could only make a spring so small.

You might be surprised there. Do some research on Swiss and German clockwork springs from before 1800.

Replies:   blackjack2145309
blackjack2145309 🚫

@Remus2

Honestly I think the technology level of the DiD universe is one of those debatable plot points in it.

First i admit Remus you have a valid point about swiss and german clockwork springs.

To me, assuming for a second some inventor in this universe comes up with the idea for coil springs it would take years to come up with a process to make them small enough to be practical for a projectile firearm.

Replies:   Remus2
Remus2 🚫

@blackjack2145309

To me, assuming for a second some inventor in this universe comes up with the idea for coil springs it would take years to come up with a process to make them small enough to be practical for a projectile firearm.

If I'm not mistaken, other technologies made there way to the planet via some of the earth based heros. I see no reason it couldn't happen again.

Ferrum1 🚫

@Remus2

I seem to recall one of the bigger tales revolving around how a group of bad guys from earth somehow got access to Chaos and were causing bunches of.... chaos.

I don't know how far it went, but I remember that they were somehow able to bypass the rules in a lot of instances either because they had a traitor in Crossroads or just because they could. They're bad guys doing what bad guys do.

The story I tried to write kind of revolved around that idea, the bad guys mining Chaos for resources, wealth, women, etc. I went rather dark and explored things that aren't covered in the main DiD universe.

Replies:   hiltonls16
hiltonls16 🚫
Updated:

@Ferrum1

I seem to recall one of the bigger tales revolving around how a group of bad guys from earth somehow got access to Chaos and were causing bunches of.... chaos.

Shiloh by The Scot is probably the one you're thinking of.

Ernest Bywater's Chaos Calls series about Al Adams links in, with the Aryan Brotherhood and Klu Klux Klan involved on Chaos.

https://storiesonline.net/s/66230/chaos-calls-01-the-learning-visit

https://storiesonline.net/s/68709/chaos-calls-02-the-first-rescue

https://storiesonline.net/s/70026/chaos-calls-03-the-dragon-dilemma

https://storiesonline.net/s/14025/chaos-calls-04-behind-the

https://storiesonline.net/s/17462/chaos-calls-05-island-girl

https://storiesonline.net/s/17504/into-the-heartland

blackjack2145309 🚫

@Remus2

If I'm not mistaken, other technologies made there way to the planet via some of the earth based heros. I see no reason it couldn't happen again.

It's true, it seems to me depending on the story you read from the DiD universe a whole slew of technologies end up on Chaos.

How far these technologies spread or whether or not they are replicated by the locals i think is open for debate.

I guess my attraction to the DiD universe started after i saw that anime called "outbreak company"

Not a bad premise mind you, but then again the Japanese government in that anime obviously hasn't heard of star trek's prime directive :P

Radagast 🚫
Updated:

@palamedes

Yep. The Girandoni air rifle used on the Lewis & Clarke expedition would become the new high tech. 22 shots, .46 caliber, effective to 100 yards.

According to the expedition records Captain Lewis waved it as he gave the "Alright you Primitive Screwheads, listen up! This is my Boomstick!" speech to each new tribe they encountered.

Replies:   Dominions Son
Dominions Son 🚫

@Radagast

Yep. The Girandoni air rifle used on the Lewis & Clarke expedition would become the new high tech. 22 shots, .46 caliber, effective to 100 yards.

Actually, it was not new tech at the time of the Lewis & Clarke expedition. The Girandoni air rifle was invented in 1779 so it had already been around for more than 2 decades before the Lewis & Clarke expedition.

Ferrum1 🚫
Updated:

@blackjack2145309

anyway which story involves the lawyer?

Found it!

Come and meet Hero John. He is not your average hero, he is of all things a lawyer on earth. One who looks for the loop holes in the agreements. Watch him turn the world of Hero's, Companion's Caretakers and Chaos on it's preverbal ear when he changes the rules of the game.

https://storiesonline.net/s/58938/time-waits-for-no-one

Remus2 🚫

@Ferrum1

He was trying to prevent guns from being developed, and the Chaos getting too modernized. While I can appreciate that.... it made for some big inconsistencies that really stood out to me.

Same here. It makes it hard for me to read the stories as the back of my mind keeps throwing logic flags.

Replies:   Ferrum1
Ferrum1 🚫

@Remus2

Logic flags can really kill a story for me. As long as it's reasonable within the confines of the tale, I don't mind a lot of things -- aliens, magic, super science, whatever.

Tons of swords and armor in a world that doesn't have much iron or the huge manufacturing infrastructure that'd be required to turn ore into plates and bars? That's just as hard to believe as a guy being able to tend to a handful of hotties for hours at a time, day after day.

Replies:   Dominions Son  Remus2
Dominions Son 🚫

@Ferrum1

Tons of swords and armor in a world that doesn't have much iron or the huge manufacturing infrastructure that'd be required to turn ore into plates and bars?

Neither armor nor swords require steel.

In the real world swords existed in the Bronze age, made of bronze rather than iron/steel.

Armor can be made from bronze or even leather and other non-metallic materials.

China had a type of scale armor made from rice paper that has had modern attempts to recreate and test it, and it is surprisingly effective.

https://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-other-artifacts/ancient-chinese-paper-armor-put-test-you-won-t-believe-how-strong-it-021369

Replies:   Ferrum1
Ferrum1 🚫

@Dominions Son

High, thank you for the history lesson.

In the context of this conversation, the DiD Universe, we're talking about steel.

Remus2 🚫
Updated:

@Ferrum1

Tons of swords and armor in a world that doesn't have much iron or the huge manufacturing infrastructure that'd be required to turn ore into plates and bars?

A huge manufacturing infrastructure is not necessary. Bog iron was the first iron used, not iron from ores. No true infrastructure was needed for that.

Replies:   Dominions Son
Dominions Son 🚫

@Remus2

A huge manufacturing infrastructure is not necessary. Bog iron was the first iron used, not iron from ores. No true infrastructure was needed for that.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel#Origins_and_production

Steel was known in antiquity and was produced in bloomeries and crucibles.[18][19]

The earliest known production of steel is seen in pieces of ironware excavated from an archaeological site in Anatolia (Kaman-KalehΓΆyΓΌk) and are nearly 4,000 years old, dating from 1800 BC.[20][21] Horace identifies steel weapons such as the falcata in the Iberian Peninsula, while Noric steel was used by the Roman military.[22]

Replies:   Remus2
Remus2 🚫

@Dominions Son

The difference between steel and iron is trace elements and carbon content. Bog iron was the first source of iron used, not ores.

Replies:   Dominions Son
Dominions Son 🚫
Updated:

@Remus2

Bog iron was the first source of iron used, not ores.

Yes, but the first steel goes back farther than most people realize.

And today, even wrought iron is considered a form of low-grade steel, as the forging process, particularly with a coal forge, ends up causing the iron to absorb a little bit of carbon.

Smelted bog iron probably has some carbon in it from organic inclusions.

Replies:   Remus2  Remus2
Remus2 🚫

@Dominions Son

And today, even wrought iron is considered a form of low-grade steel

Cite required as every text book I have from my metallurgy classes says that's bullshit. The same goes for online sources.

Remus2 🚫

@Dominions Son

Steel is hardenable. Wrought iron is not. You're comparing apples and oranges as well. Early metallic armor and swords were copper, bronze, or iron. Steel was late to the game even though there were some one off early examples.

Replies:   Dominions Son
Dominions Son 🚫
Updated:

@Remus2

Cite required as every text book I have from my metallurgy classes says that's bullshit.

Steel is hardenable. Wrought iron is not.

There are other mild steels that are not hardenable.

Can't find one source.

https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/what-is-mild-steel/

Mild steel is a type of carbon steel with a low amount of carbon – it is actually also known as "low carbon steel." Although ranges vary depending on the source, the amount of carbon typically found in mild steel is 0.05% to 0.25% by weight, whereas higher carbon steels are typically described as having a carbon content from 0.30% to 2.0%. If any more carbon than that is added, the steel would be classified as cast iron.

Less carbon means that mild steel is typically more ductile, machinable, and weldable than high carbon and other steels, however, it also means it is nearly impossible to harden and strengthen through heating and quenching.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrought_iron

Wrought iron is an iron alloy with a very low carbon content (less than 0.08%)

Combining those two sources, it certainly seems to me that at least some wrought iron would qualify as mild steel.

Replies:   Remus2
Remus2 🚫
Updated:

@Dominions Son

seems to me that at least some wrought iron would qualify as mild steel.

So it was you're opinion being expressed as a fact.
Quoted again for clarity and context.

And today, even wrought iron is considered a form of low-grade steel

Replies:   Dominions Son
Dominions Son 🚫

@Remus2

So it was you're opinion being expressed as a fact.

No, not just my opinion, I've seen it somewhere, just can't remember where at the moment.

Of course not even an effort from you do dispute that wrought iron does meet the quoted definition of mild steel.

Replies:   Remus2  Remus2
Remus2 🚫

@Dominions Son

Of course not even an effort from you do dispute that wrought iron does meet the quoted definition of mild steel.

Apples and oranges again. You've obviously never worked with wrought iron if you're seriously making that argument. I would not even attempt to justify an orange as an apple.

Remus2 🚫

@Dominions Son

There is a reason I haven't commented in the linked thread.
https://storiesonline.net/d/s2/t9348/heif

It is not my wheel house, not even close. I don't make a habit of reading Wikipedia and thinking I suddenly know something about it. I've been reading it and learning from it and the links, but an expert I am not.
You stepped into my wheel house on this subject. I've been working with metal all my life, my education is metallurgy and materials science.
If you tried to make your argument among metallurgist, you'd be horse laughed out of the room, just like I would if I tried to argue either way on jpeg, vs heif among computer and software experts.

blackjack2145309 🚫

@Charro6

Or even better still, how about a malfunctioning portal sending the damsel back to earth naked? :P

Vincent Berg 🚫

@Charro6

No woman of Cassandra wants him as her Hero even trying to get away from him after her rescue.

See Ed Warren's "The Richard Jackson Saga". While the protagonist is a superhuman hero from day one, complete with unnatural abilities and without a shadow of a doubt, he's continually rebuffed by women who are either drawn to him by him wealth or fame, or can't handle his lifestyle and end up abandoning him.

It's a tremendous story dynamic, especially given the otherwise 'comic-book' motif, as the two extremely really play well off of each other.

However, what I suspect that you're really looking for are the 'everyman' hero stories, where a reluctant hero hoping to avoid confrontations feels himself forced to defend others, only to be swept into a greater conflict, dragging his heels the entire way. It too is a common motif, which you don't seem to be fond of, but it's a common enough story element you can find a TON of great stories based on the premise.

Of course, then you get into the typical 'male' vs 'female' oriented stories, as the 'reluctant hero' generally does NOT appeal for the vast majority of female readers, who make up the majority of readers (at least in terms of literary publishing), so those of us who write those stories are essentially cutting off our noses to improve our looks.

A decent alternative isn't the anti-hero, but the 'damsel' in hero's clothing, who's tired to listening to males gloating about their own skills and eventually take things into their own hands, acting in a largely male role and taking charge from the largely incompetent males in their lives.

That IS a very popular, though a fairly rare book theme, but since it's diametrically opposed to the premises of 'female-oriented' fiction, it's essentially playing against those it's hoping to appeal to.

Those types of stories can usually be found by searching for 'strong women' or 'leading female' stories, as I've written a few of those myself, and have always enjoyed them (though they sell like shit!)

Replies:   JoeBobMack
JoeBobMack 🚫

@Vincent Berg

A decent alternative isn't the anti-hero, but the 'damsel' in hero's clothing, who's tired to listening to males gloating about their own skills and eventually take things into their own hands, acting in a largely male role and taking charge from the largely incompetent males in their lives.

If the female is talking, negotiating, encouraging, challenging, even conniving or manipulating - basically, leading - then fine. If she is doing it physically defeating her make opponents, then there had better be a fantastical element in the story to explain why. Anytime characters go way outside the bound of human capabilities and behavior, I need a justification such as magic, super powers, ESP, or something. To situate a female in reality as we know it and have her routinely fighting young, fit, trained males and beating them ends up making the reader assume a fantasy element that is not made explicit in the book. "Oh! This must be a world where the physical differences between men and women aren't as great as in the reality in which I live." I don't like being asked to fill in that big of a hole for the author.

Of course, the same applies to most harem and incest stories. This is my greatest reservation about The Swarm universe. The pretext of "aliens made me do it" isn't sufficient to cover the behaviors of the characters. What I see in many of the later Swarm stories is an attempt to write more believable responses.

Replies:   Remus2
Remus2 🚫
Updated:

@JoeBobMack

To situate a female in reality as we know it and have her routinely fighting young, fit, trained males and beating them ends up making the reader assume a fantasy element that is not made explicit in the book. "Oh! This must be a world where the physical differences between men and women aren't as great as in the reality in which I live."

It's not so much them winning the fight, it's how it's fought. Toe to toe, based on brute strength alone, they lose. Women need an edge, in training or methods to bridge the gaps between brute strength and size. The author should address that if their goal is anything nearing reality without insertion of fantisical means.

Radagast 🚫

@Charro6

Author of The Richard Jackson Saga is known as Ed Nelson on Amazon, Banadin on SOL.

Replies:   richardshagrin
richardshagrin 🚫

@Radagast

Earl E. Nelson, the author, is never late. His SOL pen name shows he doesn't like loud noises, he will Ban a din.

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