It was fun playing Valentina. Stepford smiler, Ara Ara oddball, former child soldier who resents the rich elite while having to make nice with them to survive. It was a fun concept. She clicked pretty quickly, but I'm still not quite sure I pulled her off. I wanted her to be quirky, but capable. I hope others enjoyed scenes with her as much as I enjoyed scenes with you all. Tasty food and drink threads, fun spars, learning to dance better (she is +9 now!) and the heist were all highlights. Much appreciated. She did pretty well out of the trip, made some useful contacts and she likely has a good paying gig with Sal for the next year doing what she does best.
Thoughts, comments and questions here.
Cordial Bodyguard - Valentina Q&A
Cordial Bodyguard - Valentina Q&A
Solo * Medtech * Bodyguard for hire * Stronger than she looks * Will throw you * Polite
Carries: Heavy Pistol, Stun Pistol, Medpack, Agent, Medications, Cryopump
Street name: Veil
Carries: Heavy Pistol, Stun Pistol, Medpack, Agent, Medications, Cryopump
Street name: Veil
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Isis Marlowe
- Posts: 712
- Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2023 4:44 am
Re: Cordial Bodyguard - Valentina Q&A
1. Biggest curveball the game threw you?
2. Biggest curveball Val threw you?
3. Interested in reprising Val in a future game?
4. Any character who didn't drop you wish you'd interacted with more?
5. Biggest missed opportunity?
6. Any background details that never came up that you wouldn't mind sharing?
7. How satisfied is Val with her time at the Crystal Palace?
2. Biggest curveball Val threw you?
3. Interested in reprising Val in a future game?
4. Any character who didn't drop you wish you'd interacted with more?
5. Biggest missed opportunity?
6. Any background details that never came up that you wouldn't mind sharing?
7. How satisfied is Val with her time at the Crystal Palace?
Fixer * Not Into Flashy Displays * No Cyberware * On the Make
Always carries her Agent. Is she armed? Probably!
Always carries her Agent. Is she armed? Probably!
Re: Cordial Bodyguard - Valentina Q&A
Err, ok! Let's see...
1. Biggest curveball the game threw you?
This particular game: Probably the whole thing with Alt and Rache. Didn't expect that whatsoever. Big names to drop in and to have their own agendas. I'm still not quite sure OOC what they intended either, so it's an interesting mystery. IC wise, Valentina has all that very low on her radar so she wasn't much bothered even after learning they were about. For her I think the biggest curveball was the full year job offer from Sal followed by how stable and secure the station was. There was officially only one person missing and no murders or cyberpsychos. She knew that was a lie of course, but compared to Night City (which has active combat zones), it was incredibly quiet and peaceful.
Game system wise: How to apply a drug to someone without just stabbing it into them or putting an airhypo in front of their mouth. The system could benefit from rules for slap patches, drugging drinks and food, using drugs instead of poison or biotoxin on weapons, etc. I'm glad Birb figured something out as I knew what I wanted to do, but there weren't rules covering it!
2. Biggest curveball Val threw you?
Tina played out like I expected - much as I envisioned really. A little more emotion was displayed than intended for the complete Stepford Smiler package, but she was pretty dead inside apart from a loathing toward major corporations. The glimpses of other emotions were spite toward lawless murderers (she has a don't kill innocents thing going on), wanting to help children (who she was very sympathetic to) and loyalty toward those she worked with. I knew she had a bit of a follower mindset, as while she's smart and capable she isn't used to giving orders. She's learning to use her own initiative more. However, she really did defer to others a lot for decision making. She would have been easily steered by a good face on things. She's not street smart.
3. Interested in reprising Val in a future game?
I'd certainly consider it. She only went up to the Crystal Palace to make contacts and perhaps some money. She wanted to find a rich patron she could work for so she had stability. That would then let her find some stability for other survivors of the group she was part of. I don't think that story has played out.
4. Any character who didn't drop you wish you'd interacted with more?
Valentina only got to meet Sapphire on day 4, and the scene progressed slowly. I think they could have bonded with a lot of anti corp stuff. She never got to meet Jorsalfar, who she probably would have gotten along well with.
5. Biggest missed opportunity?
Probably meeting Angel by chance or being introduced to her. The whole drug thing could have been avoided and she likely could have helped Angel with her plans, and would have respected her as an employer. I don't think Valentina would have enjoyed working with the other auction VIPs much, but would have. Perhaps Magenta, but she already had a bodyguard with Jean.
Being able to show off her crime scene knowledge and deduction would have been fun. She was well educated too. Exploring that or someone persistently asking about her past so she opened up would have been interesting.
6. Any background details that never came up that you wouldn't mind sharing?
Practically all her background never came up. She was corp property from as young as she could remember and trained by Lazarus along with others like her. She got to see their numbers dwindle and be exposed to a lot of things a kid shouldn't be. She was luckier than others however, as she was smart and well behaved, so she ended up assigned as a child bodyguard and playmate to an executive's child. This led to her getting a better education and likely also her medical training, while others from her group were in warzones or primarily doing wetwork. She only had to do that sometimes. Then the corporation she worked for, IEC, went out of business and so suddenly all of the surviving members were effectively free. I think exploring what then happens to child soldiers turned adults with no other skillset and little knowledge of day to day life would be interesting. Valentina was so bizarre as she's used to being around corporate types and she's seen a lot of their materials about the rest of the world (and normal life), but not lived it. She's learning to make her own decisions and do her own thing, but it's a lot more precarious than she lets on. She doesn't know how to let her hair down as she was 24/7 on the job for nearly all her life. You can imagine how this made her feel about the girl, even if she didn't let that on.
7. How satisfied is Val with her time at the Crystal Palace?
Very satisfied. She ended up making good money working with Showtime to blackmail the Collector. She worked multiple smaller jobs successfully, and did her part in the Heist. So, she would feel content in her capabilities. She got better at dancing. She learned more about fashion. And music. And the net. It was all very eye opening to her. Then she also had a job offer for afterwards from Sal, which opens up a lot of possibilities for her and benefitting the other survivors, so that makes her peachy. Additionally, she made useful contacts - maybe even possible friends - for her life in Night City. I think she also learned valuable lessons around not necessarily being so forthcoming/showing good will to people that behaved like her and seemed to have similar values, as that isn't necessarily going to be reciprocated, and in making her own decisions more. She's exploring what she likes. Having a bunch of money so she doesn't have to worry about merely surviving, but enjoying things, will be new to her. This whole trip was what she saved for, so if unsuccessful she wanted to at least say she lived in luxury for a week and ate well all from her own hard work, so she doesn't die with regret. Instead it ended up working out really well for her future.
1. Biggest curveball the game threw you?
This particular game: Probably the whole thing with Alt and Rache. Didn't expect that whatsoever. Big names to drop in and to have their own agendas. I'm still not quite sure OOC what they intended either, so it's an interesting mystery. IC wise, Valentina has all that very low on her radar so she wasn't much bothered even after learning they were about. For her I think the biggest curveball was the full year job offer from Sal followed by how stable and secure the station was. There was officially only one person missing and no murders or cyberpsychos. She knew that was a lie of course, but compared to Night City (which has active combat zones), it was incredibly quiet and peaceful.
Game system wise: How to apply a drug to someone without just stabbing it into them or putting an airhypo in front of their mouth. The system could benefit from rules for slap patches, drugging drinks and food, using drugs instead of poison or biotoxin on weapons, etc. I'm glad Birb figured something out as I knew what I wanted to do, but there weren't rules covering it!
2. Biggest curveball Val threw you?
Tina played out like I expected - much as I envisioned really. A little more emotion was displayed than intended for the complete Stepford Smiler package, but she was pretty dead inside apart from a loathing toward major corporations. The glimpses of other emotions were spite toward lawless murderers (she has a don't kill innocents thing going on), wanting to help children (who she was very sympathetic to) and loyalty toward those she worked with. I knew she had a bit of a follower mindset, as while she's smart and capable she isn't used to giving orders. She's learning to use her own initiative more. However, she really did defer to others a lot for decision making. She would have been easily steered by a good face on things. She's not street smart.
3. Interested in reprising Val in a future game?
I'd certainly consider it. She only went up to the Crystal Palace to make contacts and perhaps some money. She wanted to find a rich patron she could work for so she had stability. That would then let her find some stability for other survivors of the group she was part of. I don't think that story has played out.
4. Any character who didn't drop you wish you'd interacted with more?
Valentina only got to meet Sapphire on day 4, and the scene progressed slowly. I think they could have bonded with a lot of anti corp stuff. She never got to meet Jorsalfar, who she probably would have gotten along well with.
5. Biggest missed opportunity?
Probably meeting Angel by chance or being introduced to her. The whole drug thing could have been avoided and she likely could have helped Angel with her plans, and would have respected her as an employer. I don't think Valentina would have enjoyed working with the other auction VIPs much, but would have. Perhaps Magenta, but she already had a bodyguard with Jean.
Being able to show off her crime scene knowledge and deduction would have been fun. She was well educated too. Exploring that or someone persistently asking about her past so she opened up would have been interesting.
6. Any background details that never came up that you wouldn't mind sharing?
Practically all her background never came up. She was corp property from as young as she could remember and trained by Lazarus along with others like her. She got to see their numbers dwindle and be exposed to a lot of things a kid shouldn't be. She was luckier than others however, as she was smart and well behaved, so she ended up assigned as a child bodyguard and playmate to an executive's child. This led to her getting a better education and likely also her medical training, while others from her group were in warzones or primarily doing wetwork. She only had to do that sometimes. Then the corporation she worked for, IEC, went out of business and so suddenly all of the surviving members were effectively free. I think exploring what then happens to child soldiers turned adults with no other skillset and little knowledge of day to day life would be interesting. Valentina was so bizarre as she's used to being around corporate types and she's seen a lot of their materials about the rest of the world (and normal life), but not lived it. She's learning to make her own decisions and do her own thing, but it's a lot more precarious than she lets on. She doesn't know how to let her hair down as she was 24/7 on the job for nearly all her life. You can imagine how this made her feel about the girl, even if she didn't let that on.
7. How satisfied is Val with her time at the Crystal Palace?
Very satisfied. She ended up making good money working with Showtime to blackmail the Collector. She worked multiple smaller jobs successfully, and did her part in the Heist. So, she would feel content in her capabilities. She got better at dancing. She learned more about fashion. And music. And the net. It was all very eye opening to her. Then she also had a job offer for afterwards from Sal, which opens up a lot of possibilities for her and benefitting the other survivors, so that makes her peachy. Additionally, she made useful contacts - maybe even possible friends - for her life in Night City. I think she also learned valuable lessons around not necessarily being so forthcoming/showing good will to people that behaved like her and seemed to have similar values, as that isn't necessarily going to be reciprocated, and in making her own decisions more. She's exploring what she likes. Having a bunch of money so she doesn't have to worry about merely surviving, but enjoying things, will be new to her. This whole trip was what she saved for, so if unsuccessful she wanted to at least say she lived in luxury for a week and ate well all from her own hard work, so she doesn't die with regret. Instead it ended up working out really well for her future.
Solo * Medtech * Bodyguard for hire * Stronger than she looks * Will throw you * Polite
Carries: Heavy Pistol, Stun Pistol, Medpack, Agent, Medications, Cryopump
Street name: Veil
Carries: Heavy Pistol, Stun Pistol, Medpack, Agent, Medications, Cryopump
Street name: Veil
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Showtime(Andre Gold)
- Posts: 420
- Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2023 1:03 am
Re: Cordial Bodyguard - Valentina Q&A
Terri or Showtime?
Netrunner • Techie • Always Wears Sunglasses • Wants To Bum A Smoke
Visible Cyberwear: Interface Plug(Left Wrist)
Equipment: Agent, Cyberdeck, Medium Pistol (Concealed), Kibble Pack, Rucksack(occasional)
Visible Cyberwear: Interface Plug(Left Wrist)
Equipment: Agent, Cyberdeck, Medium Pistol (Concealed), Kibble Pack, Rucksack(occasional)
Re: Cordial Bodyguard - Valentina Q&A
Both?
Showtime for netruns. Terri for fashion.
Solo * Medtech * Bodyguard for hire * Stronger than she looks * Will throw you * Polite
Carries: Heavy Pistol, Stun Pistol, Medpack, Agent, Medications, Cryopump
Street name: Veil
Carries: Heavy Pistol, Stun Pistol, Medpack, Agent, Medications, Cryopump
Street name: Veil
Re: Cordial Bodyguard - Valentina Q&A
Lazy! Self-made is the new hotness.
Anyway, now that I've caught up to everyone else. I saw in her convo with Alrik a brief mention of her tragic romance, but I never saw her go into detail about it. Or did you, and I missed it? If not do you have the backstory for that developed? Mind sharing?
(Sappy crap like that is my bread and butter)
Rockerboy that's famous to corpos and infamous to everyone else
Never far from his hat
Carries an agent, a pocket amp, a heavy pistol, and a smile
Street/Brand name: Sal
Never far from his hat
Carries an agent, a pocket amp, a heavy pistol, and a smile
Street/Brand name: Sal
Re: Cordial Bodyguard - Valentina Q&A
A tiny little bit tragic, but not a big deal in the grand scheme of things and Valentina is past it. So, likely not very tasty bread and butter! I rolled up that she had an ex that she lost as a rival cut her out of the action. Perhaps another survivor from her unit? That's all I had in mind.
Solo * Medtech * Bodyguard for hire * Stronger than she looks * Will throw you * Polite
Carries: Heavy Pistol, Stun Pistol, Medpack, Agent, Medications, Cryopump
Street name: Veil
Carries: Heavy Pistol, Stun Pistol, Medpack, Agent, Medications, Cryopump
Street name: Veil
Re: Cordial Bodyguard - Valentina Q&A
Booo!
Lol, kewl kewl! Thought I'd ask
Lol, kewl kewl! Thought I'd ask
Rockerboy that's famous to corpos and infamous to everyone else
Never far from his hat
Carries an agent, a pocket amp, a heavy pistol, and a smile
Street/Brand name: Sal
Never far from his hat
Carries an agent, a pocket amp, a heavy pistol, and a smile
Street/Brand name: Sal