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[The Call to Adventure:]

#21

Off the Record / Re: Fun with ChatGPT (Deserves...

Last post by Syt - Today at 12:53:50 AM

Addendum:

Based on this premise, draft a plot outline (hero's journey) for Mia, following the events at the shop. Add locations, characters and concepts as needed. Make a separate list item for each part of the hero's journey.
ChatGPT

Hero's Journey Plot Outline for Mia:

The Call to Adventure:

Mia receives a distress call from an underground activist group known as the "Hope's Embrace," dedicated to rescuing abandoned children from the corporate orphanages.
They reveal the existence of a hidden facility on the outskirts of Forgehaven called "Sanctum of Innocence," where they provide genuine care and support for the children.

Refusal of the Call:

Mia initially hesitates, torn between her loyalty to SSS Corporation and her growing discontent with the oppressive system.
She fears the consequences of defying the corporation and worries about the potential danger to Ember and the other children.

Meeting the Mentor:

Mia encounters a seasoned activist named Jonah, who has witnessed the horrors of the corporate orphanages firsthand.
Jonah becomes Mia's mentor, sharing his experiences and knowledge of the underground resistance, strengthening her resolve to bring about change.

Crossing the Threshold:

Mia makes the decision to join the underground movement, determined to rescue Ember and expose the dark truth behind the corporate-run orphanages.
With Jonah's guidance, she infiltrates the corporation's data center to gather evidence of the corruption and mistreatment.

Tests, Allies, and Enemies:

Mia faces various challenges, navigating the labyrinthine corridors of corporate power while evading security forces.
She forms alliances with other dissidents, including a skilled hacker named Aria, who aids her in uncovering classified information about the orphanages and the corporate cover-up.
Mia also encounters formidable adversaries within the corporation who are determined to protect their secrets and maintain control.

Approach to the Inmost Cave:

Mia and her allies uncover a shocking revelation—the corporation profits from the exploitation of the orphaned children through forced labor and illegal experiments.
They learn of a clandestine operation called "Project Phoenix," where the children's potential powers are harnessed for corporate gain.

Ordeal:

Mia and her team plan a daring rescue mission to liberate the children from the oppressive grasp of the corporation.
They must navigate treacherous security systems, confront heavily armed guards, and overcome the corporation's ruthless resistance to protect the innocent.

Reward (Seizing the Sword):

Mia successfully rescues Ember and the other children, leading them to the safety of the Sanctum of Innocence.
The children experience genuine care, education, and a chance to heal from their past traumas.

The Road Back:

Mia realizes that their fight is not yet over. They must expose the truth to the people of Forgehaven, sparking a revolution against the corporate tyranny.
With Ember and the other children as living proof of the atrocities committed, Mia prepares to rally the oppressed citizens.

Resurrection:

Mia confronts the CEO of SSS Corporation, revealing the evidence of their crimes and the exploitation of innocent lives.
The CEO, driven by self-preservation, attempts to eliminate Mia and the evidence, leading to a climactic battle for justice.

Return with the Elixir:

Mia emerges victorious, exposing the corporation's dark secrets to the public.
The people of Forgehaven rise up against the corporations, demanding change and fair treatment for all.
Mia becomes a symbol of hope, inspiring others to challenge the oppressive system and work towards a more just society.

New Equilibrium:

Forgehaven undergoes a transformation, as the corporations are held accountable for their crimes.
The Sanctum of Innocence becomes a recognized safe haven for orphaned children, offering them a chance to heal and thrive.
Mia continues her fight for justice, working towards dismantling the remnants of the oppressive system and building a brighter future for all.

Note: This is a generalized plot outline, and you can further develop each stage with additional subplots, twists, and character development to create a more detailed and engaging story.

(Emphasis mine)

#22

Off the Record / Re: Fun with ChatGPT (Deserves...

Last post by Syt - Today at 12:46:14 AM

I've given ChatGPT a few hints at a settings - a corporate run refinery on a moon orbiting a mining world. Dingy, but corporate. With a few refinements it came up with a decent description of the location. I asked it for a description of what life might be like for workers, managers, and execs in the settlement. Also to describe the life and challenges for a family of four living there.

Based on that I gave it a prompt to write flash fiction (700-900 words) about a corporate security officer being called to a shoplifting incident with a young orphan and the officer torn between responsibility towards corporation and human compassion. This is GPT's second draft.

As the sun dipped below the jagged horizon of Forgehaven, casting long shadows across the sprawling settlement, Mia's comm device buzzed with an urgent message. She clenched her jaw, feeling the weight of responsibility settle upon her shoulders. Mia, a young woman working as a security officer for SSS Corporation, was well aware of the ruthless corporate dominance that governed every aspect of life in Forgehaven.

The message informed Mia of an incident at a dilapidated convenience store nestled amidst the forgotten corners of the settlement. A homeless orphan had been caught stealing meager nutrition bars. Mia's heart sank at the mere thought of another child facing the harsh reality of survival in this unforgiving world. The corporation's response was swift—punishment and restitution. But as Mia trudged through the dimly lit alleys, her footsteps echoing a sense of purpose, she couldn't help but question the cruel mechanisms at play.

Entering the store, Mia was met with a scene that etched itself into her memory—a weary shopkeeper, Mr. Chen, pointing a trembling finger at the frail figure of the young thief. The child, their clothes tattered, eyes haunted by deprivation, clutched the stolen bars as if they were the only lifeline in a sea of indifference. Mia's gaze shifted to the shelves, stacked with abundance, each package bearing the mark of the corporations that dictated life in Forgehaven.

Suppressing her frustration, Mia knelt down beside the child, whose name she soon learned was Ember. The air was thick with the scent of despair, mingled with the distant promises of a corporate-run orphanage—a place Mia had seen firsthand, its walls painted with the facade of care and opportunity, but its halls echoing with neglect and exploitation.

"What led you to this, Ember?" Mia's voice trembled with a mix of empathy and simmering anger.

Ember's eyes flickered with vulnerability, yearning for understanding. "I... I just needed something to eat. I couldn't stand the hunger anymore."

Mia's heart clenched, the corporate machinery grinding against her conscience. She couldn't turn her back on Ember's plea for compassion, for a glimmer of hope in the depths of despair. It was time to challenge the system that perpetuated such suffering.

Turning to Mr. Chen, Mia's voice was firm yet tinged with an unwavering resolve. "There must be a different way, Mr. Chen. Ember's stolen bars are a symptom of a deeper problem—an insidious cycle perpetuated by a system that ignores the cries of its most vulnerable."

Mr. Chen's weariness clashed with a spark of curiosity. "And what do you suggest, Officer?"

Mia's gaze shifted to the corporate-sponsored orphanage looming in the distance, its facade crumbling like the dreams it falsely promised. "Let us break this cycle, Mr. Chen. Forgehaven's corporate orphanages may claim to offer solace, but they are mere factories of neglect, breeding grounds for broken spirits. Ember deserves a chance to rise above the shadows."

A flicker of hope danced in Ember's eyes, mirrored by a glimmer of realization in Mr. Chen's worn face. The shopkeeper's voice trembled with a newfound determination. "Yes, Officer. Let's find a different path."

With renewed purpose, Mia set in motion a plan that defied the cold calculations of the corporations. She contacted a network of underground activists, working tirelessly to protect the abandoned children of Forgehaven. Together, they crafted an alternative—a haven where the echoes of suffering were replaced by the laughter of resilience, a place where children like Ember could find love, care, and a chance to thrive.

Mia knew the road ahead would be treacherous, challenging the very foundations of the corporations that governed their lives. But she refused to let her compassion be stifled by the iron grip of power. With every step, she would strive to dismantle the chains that bound the innocent and give rise to a future where humanity triumphed over profit.

In the shadows of Forgehaven, a small spark of rebellion was ignited—a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a defiance against a system that had long forgotten the true meaning of compassion and justice. And Mia, armed with compassion as her shield and empathy as her sword, would lead the charge, knowing that change, however daunting, was within their grasp.

So yeah, it's pretty cliché. But tbh, if I was still running the Serenity/Firefly RPG with friends, this might be a pretty decent resource for a DM to flesh out locations and characters.

#23

Off the Record / Re: I TOLD YOU SO!

Last post by Barrister - June 02, 2023, 11:21:09 PM

12th anniversary.   

12 Years? LV is half that and has been stanly cup contenders. What's your excuse?


kidding. Congrats.

Las Vegas is my excuse.  Those fuckers, eliminated the Jets twice from the playoffs.

#24

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by viper37 - June 02, 2023, 08:47:57 PM

Russian forces tried to blow up my men, says mercenary boss Prigozhin

All is going well in Putin's master plan.

#25

Off the Record / Re: I TOLD YOU SO!

Last post by viper37 - June 02, 2023, 07:29:40 PM

Isn't there question to relocate the team? 

Nah.  The old franchise is moving from Arizona, possibly, but not BB's team.

#26

Off the Record / Re: I TOLD YOU SO!

Last post by viper37 - June 02, 2023, 07:27:50 PM

12th anniversary. 

[It appears that both women were back in their home nations and obviously had some form of sexual encounter."]

#27

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by viper37 - June 02, 2023, 07:27:27 PM

The Roman Catholic Church has launched an inquiry after two nuns came back from their missionary trips pregnant

A church source told Italian news agency ANSA: "There is consternation at this news. It appears that both women were back in their home nations and obviously had some form of sexual encounter."

Ah. 
Reminds of another thing like that, a woman having a baby without any sexual intercourse. If it happened on Tatooine, it could happen in Africa.

#28

Off the Record / Re: Weather WTF

Last post by viper37 - June 02, 2023, 07:25:25 PM

Thursday: 30C.
Friday: 10C.

Fuck it.  If Arizona could make their hockey a success, I think I'd move there.

#29

Off the Record / Re: Hungarian Politics

Last post by Oexmelin - June 02, 2023, 05:08:46 PM

... I should have added "recently".  It was tongue in cheek.

Kettling is by now a pretty standard form of police response, deployed especially, as noted, against targets which police feel are easier to deal with.

#30

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Sheilbh - June 02, 2023, 04:37:23 PM

Apparently the issue from Labour HQ was that he hosted an "in conversation" event with Ken Loach, which was condemned by the local Jewish Labour Movement (for Loach's past issues) and refused to apologise.

My suspicion is that's probably a pretext and they want rid because he's on the left.

I've been thinking I should post something about this but there's not really been a big enough story. But it's been the case all the way through selections for metro-mayors and also MPs, Starmer is being incredibly ruthless and getting rid of the Labour left. There's always a bit of a fix going on with Labour selections but this level (Michael Crick has been reporting on this from the MP perspective) seems unprecedented. The last count I saw from Crick was that of all target seats, the left candidate had only won one (and she was the candidate in 2019). It's largely being achieved by party HQ not even allowing people to get onto the long list.

Similar examples include the regional chair of Labour in the North-West (and close ally of Rayner) who wasn't selected for a seat neighbouring Rayner.

Apparently a lot of it is being driven by Labour's Campaign Director, Morgan McSweeney (from Cork), who came up through some very factional battles in South London local government - weirdly also what Peter Mandelson was doing before he got moved into the leader's office

I'm not convinced all the candidates of the left are that good. But from what I've read a lot of the candidates being picked by the leadership are overwhelmingly local councillors - I'm sure they'll work hard for their constituencies, but it also sounds like a lot of lobby fodder which is probably not great for Labour in the long run. It seems like the priorities are that they're a local candidate, that they've no association with the left and that they've experience following a party line. I could be wrong, but it feels like that's not going to produce many future cabinet ministers.

This is the sort of thing that moderates feared the left would do (and some were pushing for) when Corbyn was in charge - but the left were out-organised in a way that Starmer hasn't been. They're taking it as well as you'd expect. There's a part of me that is almost impressed at the ruthlessness of Starmer in ditching all of his leadership pledges and wiping out the Labour left but....also not.

I'm not that sympathetic to a lot of the left of Labour but this and Starmer's general rigging of selections (same happened in the constituency I used to live in) seems like it's at ridiculous levels - especially Driscoll who, from all I've seen, is a pretty decent mayor. Also if the left ever win control of the leadership again, they're definitely going to try to purge the centrists.