Talk:Collaborative Writing Project: The Fading Light: A Tale of Zan

Different Story
Hmmmm. This story appears to be somewhat different from how it was described in the video. (Anonymius (talk) 17:15, September 23, 2013 (UTC))

Indeed. --ScorpionTail (talk) 17:22, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

But still, let's make it as interesting as we can make it!! Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 17:25, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

Deva Zan
http://www.darkhorse.com/Books/20-138/Deva-Zan-HC Looks like we know where Zan comes form now. --ScorpionTail (talk) 18:44, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

Awesome, now we have a point of reference. We don't have to follow his story, but at least we know what the author has in mind. So that means that, at some point, we will need to introduce companion characters for the final fight against a timeless villain, whom we will also have to conceive. Besides that, we'll need a few time travel arcs where Zan meets his companions and then at least one back to feudal Japan, where he can get in touch with his roots and perhaps that is where the enemy is rooted as well. Fun, sounds like this is going to be fun.

Thanks for the investigation, Scorpion

No problem. --ScorpionTail (talk) 20:28, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

We've already got Ryuunosuke as a possible candidate for the feudal japan companion or ally Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 23:09, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

We already have a villain, it's chataway. And just because that's how he did the first one doesn't necessarily mean we have to follow the same structure this time round. (82.28.146.233 08:16, September 24, 2013 (UTC))

Zan's Current Location
Considering a contribution, a little confused as to whether he is in Victorian England or in the future (as one post seemed to have suggested, the one with the paper cranes)

He's in Victorian England at the moment. The one with the paper cranes was a vision.

Does anyone know how old this guy is? Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 19:48, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

I don't know, but we need to research Deva Zan before we do anything big with Zan as a character. --ScorpionTail (talk) 19:50, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

Has anyone read the book? Or at least the preview? (Anonymius (talk) 17:05, September 25, 2013 (UTC))

Indeed I have. --ScorpionTail (talk) 17:39, September 25, 2013 (UTC)

So, should we find some way to incorporate the info from the preview into the story? (Anonymius (talk) 18:10, September 25, 2013 (UTC))

That would be a very good idea. --ScorpionTail (talk) 18:15, September 25, 2013 (UTC)

Question for Forest Dragon Slayer
Hi Forest, just curious, but when and where does Ryuunosuke exist? If its in the Victorian setting, you may want to consider changing his name. If you don't, that's absolutely fine, you have artistic license and all that, but perhaps to better integrate him into the setting. Jottie22 (talk) 19:58, September 23, 2013 (UTC)Jottie22

Well, since the story was about samurai, I thought 'maybe all of it's in japan during that time period.' I didn't know that the story would have all of these locations at first. Maybe Virginia had to use an emergency escape taking her to that time and place. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 20:06, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

Alright, only confirming. So we're going to say that Virginia has time travel capabilities as well? If that's the case, you may want to clarify Ryuunosuke's exact location (time and place). If not, then you may want to change his name. Jottie22 (talk) 20:11, September 23, 2013 (UTC)Jottie22

Okay, Virginia time traveled to Ryuunosuke's time which is probably around feudal japan. (the time of samurai) and now Ryuunosuke is going to be time traveling with Virginia to find Zan. Well, he's insisting. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 20:26, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

Just to say, Ryuunosuke is supposed to be a carefree and gentle character that doesn't get overly surprised. The only time he will get serious at the moment is when he's in a fight. Please don't stray too far from that. Amyar I'm talking to you!! and your character is too long! Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 20:56, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

While you did create Ryuunosuke, by introducing him into the public sphere you've surrendered ownership of him and so other contributors do reserve the right to interpret his character. Jottie22 (talk) 21:20, September 23, 2013 (UTC)Jottie22

Got it. Sorry about that. I sort of lost control a little. BUt still, Amyar made a way too long paragraph. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 21:12, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

I agree, besides the fact that he or she overstepped the six-sentence rule, he/she also very unfairly and singly determined both Zan's origin and the ultimate enemy, both very important plot points that the collaborators should all come up with together. But the admins will take care of it, for now it is probably best to consider it non-canon.

By the way, while one action is ongoing (Zan in Victorian England), it is very confusing to jump to Virginia and Ryuunosuke in feudal Japan. Right now, it is being treated as a flash-forward, so could you focus on the matter at hand. The story will move forward and then we'll all be on the same page as Virginia and Ryunnosuke, but we can't keep jumping. Jottie22 (talk) 21:20, September 23, 2013 (UTC)Jottie22

Understood, I will focus on Zan for the time being. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 21:27, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

Shotora
Didn't the staff members say that we can't have other projects referencing each other? So why is a character from TAO here? --ScorpionTail (talk) 22:41, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

That's correct, we're working on changing that, thanks!

Kate 00:09, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Don't forget to go back and change the fairy king's name in TAO: Rize of the Ying-yang. I don't want Hiromoto-san getting in trouble for using a character belonging to someone else's project. --ScorpionTail (talk) 00:14, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

his name is different enough, don't get him into trouble by actually bringing this up!

WHoever posted this, please listen. The staff memebers said not to reference other projects. I'm just making sure everyone follows the rules. Understand? --ScorpionTail (talk) 16:24, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Hello! I changed the name in this story to Shokuro, please use that from now on when referring to the fox/man and please let us know if other names from TAO or Red Bat appear in the story! Thanks again for letting us know. Grace (profile)•(talk) 16:46, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

No problem. Also, Arborius is kind of referenced in TAO: Rize of the Ying-yang. I worry that the character Hoth Arboriusson II might be too big a reference to Reb Bat. Do you think you can change that just in case? --ScorpionTail (talk) 16:49, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

The names are different enough where we can leave it, but thanks for letting us know! Grace (profile)•(talk)

Thanks for telling me. I'm glad that everything has been taken care of. --ScorpionTail (talk) 17:31, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Concept
This is completely different from the original concept! Why did the Wikia staff make a totally different story? I had a ton of fantastic ideas for a pure, LOTR/Amulet-style high fantasy/fantasy fiction adventure in an original universe! What happened to the original concept?

TheReturnOfTheKing - O_o I'm watching… 23:30, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

Please keep in mind that these are the concept and art given to us by the Masters themselves, we are working with the concept that is given to us and keeping it as authentic as possible.

Kate 00:10, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Well, I was really looking forward to the original idea. You know what? Maybe I won't contribute here. I've lost track and interest of the story. I'll spend the rest of the project on fanart and perfecting the wiki. I suppose I'll see you all next writing project. Bye!

TheReturnOfTheKing - O_o I'm watching… 19:39, September 26, 2013 (UTC)

Kana
I was wondering if we could bring up Kana again in this story. For those who haven't watched the video, Kana is the main character from the original concept. She's from hell. --Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 23:44, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

Yeah, the two of us thought perhaps later, someone could write that she was one of his time traveling partners until they got separated and after they got separated she continued to search for him. until she finds him at some point with no memory. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 23:49, September 23, 2013 (UTC)

I just had an idea, maybe Kana could become Zan's love interest. I think it could tie in with the above idea. Tell me what you think. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 04:26, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

That's interesting. So Kana forgets Zan, and Zan is trying to get her to remember him. So this becomes some kind of love triangle? Like Zan's in love with Kana, and Virginia's in love with Zan. That sounds pretty good, omg, now I really want to get Kana into the story.--Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 04:49, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Now that I think about it, we should add in Ryuunosuke in the mix. I did sort of start something between him and Virginia. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 05:01, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Oh, yeah. Gosh, everyone's in an unrequited love.. Um, Kana -> Ryuunosuke -> Virginia -> Zan -> Kana.. Is this how it's going to work lol--Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 05:03, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Yeah except Ryuunosuke has never talked to Kana enough for love interest. I thought of it more like this...

Ryuunosuke<-->Virginia<-->Zan<-->Kana Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 05:12, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Wait, sorry little bit confused. Um, so Ryunnosuke likes Virginia, Virginia likes Zan, Zan likes Kana, and nobody likes Ryuunosuke?--Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 05:17, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Notice how the arrows point both directions. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 05:21, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Right.. -_-" Those are complicated relationships. Ok, it could work but nobody's saying anything about whether they're okay with it or not.. --Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 05:25, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

We'll just have to wait for their opinion.

To the other people what do you think? Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 05:32, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

I think should have just kept it simple, and just have Zan and Virginia be the love interest! Which is gonna be difficult since one's gone back to victorian london and the other was made a 12 year old girl! And wasn't it Zan who was described as from hell? (Anonymius (talk) 08:21, September 24, 2013 (UTC))

So I gather you don't agree with introducing Kana. Okay, what do the other people think? --Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 10:58, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Well no she can be introduced- I just don't want this story to get too convoluted. (Anonymius (talk) 11:16, September 24, 2013 (UTC))

Oh right. Sorry for the misinterpretation. --Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 11:26, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

I still think that love square between Ryuunosuke, Virginia, Zan, and Kana would be interesting. But to not complicate things, let's not add anybody else. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 13:54, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Virginia
I've added a description of what Virginia looks like. I'm not sure if I should've discussed this with you guys first, so if anyone's not happy with it just tell me.--Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 02:54, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Mate, you're allowed to write any description you like, you don't have to ask people's permission or check with them beforehand, that's not how this project is supposed to work. as long as it doesn't create any plothole or contradict what a previous entry stated. (Anonymius (talk) 08:23, September 24, 2013 (UTC))

Ahaha, thanks. It's my first time contributing so I wasn't sure. --Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 10:52, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Character ages
I want to clarify how old are these characters. at least a general age. I've been imagining Zan at least 25 and Ryuunosuke and current Virgina to be about 16 or 17. anyone else's opinions? Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 03:06, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

I imagined Zan approx 25, but I thought Virginia would be like 20. I'm not sure..--Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 03:08, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

I seriously did think that present day Virginia was a teenager.

They don't say, so we should probably decide ourselves?--Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 03:17, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

True. But I think I already said that she's a teenager in one of my posts. I'm not sure how well that sits with people. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 03:24, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Oh. Well, my bad anyway, I thought women in Victorian Age would marry earlier, so I thought Virginia would be older since she hasn't married. But I just looked it up and it says they marry late teens to early twenties, so yeah, she probably is a teenager still. My bad >__<--Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 03:50, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

It's fine. no need to sweat about it. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 04:04, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

So if she's a teenager during the time that she is Ryuunosuke. That means she is younger in the Victorian Age, due to the fact that she does not know about her father's plan, nor does she know Zan. So we got 12 year old Virginia, younger teenage Virginia, and older teenage Virgina. So many :O  DragonKnight99 the  07:34, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Sigh, I knew I should have explained my idea before I went to bed. See, originally it seemed that Virginia was in Victorian England, then suddenly, she was in Japan for some reason, and someone else wrote that she had just escaped from her father when he's in Victorian England. So my idea was that there was still a Virginia in england, who followed Zan and ended up getting pulled into Japan along with her father (who seems to still be around in victorian england even though I clearly wrote that he was pulled into the time portal with her when he clasped her arm), and through the time portal Virginia would see visions that would change (I'm sure I mentioned that as well) and disorient her, with her father trying to explain only she would run away, and that was how she met up with Ryuunosuke, and so we would have caught up. Instead we now have a 12 year old Virginia, and a much older virginia and a father looking for his daughter despite the fact that he got pulled into the time portal with her! This was not my intention when I wrote that (Though hopefully i can resolve the inconsistency with her father!). (Anonymius (talk) 08:34, September 24, 2013 (UTC))

Okay, so more confusion. What's her father's plan, anyway? And it appears we have a conflict on where Lord Chataway should be. Thoughts, anybody?--Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 11:01, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Her father's plan can be whatever people want it to be- just as long as no post contradicts any other (although so far I think it involves a fish demon called ma'riana and Zan, the 'hero of ages'). As for where Chataway is, I don't want to give anything away, but I can resolve it. I just need to be able to write a couple entries (Which does depend on three other entries being posted and three after that) (Anonymius (talk) 11:19, September 24, 2013 (UTC))

Well, the current turn of events is what has me asking questions. Because Lord Chataway is in London the post before yours, but in your post you are saying he's in Japan. I don't understand how he managed to turn up in Japan - as in, how does the previous scene relate to your scene?--Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 11:24, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Read my post before which has Virginia being pulled into the time portal along with Zan and Panther, where her father was being described as grabbing her arm when that happened (Anonymius (talk) 11:28, September 24, 2013 (UTC))

So, the previous contribution has been disregarded? --Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 11:34, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

And like I said, I can resolve it. I just need to write a couple of entries in order to do so. Although, if perchance the past Virginia was to disappear along with Zan into another time period, that can speed up the process. (Anonymius (talk) 11:42, September 24, 2013 (UTC))

I'm not disregarding the previous contributions, I can work the two in together. (Anonymius (talk) 11:43, September 24, 2013 (UTC))

Ah okay. I'm sorry if I sounded accusing or anything, I was just thinking maybe you had done that. No offence was intended.--Alleyworkings00103 (talk) 11:46, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

That's alright (Anonymius (talk) 11:53, September 24, 2013 (UTC))

I'm a little curious if the deep sea fish-like character, Mar'riana, got his name from the famous Mariana Trench; the deepest part of the world's oceans? The connection seems too obvious to be a coincidence. :) Stefan (Shikai - &#34;Rust &#38; Shatter&#34;) (talk) 19:52, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

You've done your homework, Stefan, and I'm glad that you figured it out. :D --ScorpionTail (talk) 20:16, September 24, 2013 (UTC)

Shotora/Shokora
Zeromaro, the name was changed by an administrator because the rules forbid the use of any pre-existing character. This was already mentioned before on this page. Heck, we've had this issue brought up on every talk page for every one of these projects. You can still keep the character the way he is, he just can't have the exact name of a character from another project (Anonymius (talk) 15:13, September 25, 2013 (UTC))

Recap
I think that's pretty much it, although the elder Virginia has not met up with the younger virginia and she has not used up Zan's origami panther. His panther is not an origami panther and is still with him otherwise he would be unable to travel through time without his panther. I wrote it so that young virginia found the origami around the time she was taken again away from her father and it just happened to turn into a panther with the same abilities as Zan's. Also although Shokoro was watching young Zan, I don't think he is at the moment.

Also I know that I'm the one who introduced extra messages after our entries in this particular project, but I think anything too long that people want to mention is best to type on the talk page rather than the story itself (Anonymius (talk) 16:59, September 25, 2013 (UTC))

Some Ideas
So firstly, great job on the story so far. In my opinion this one is the most well put together and fun to read, so it's exciting to see how everyone has improved with this unique type of story writing. I came up with some ideas, but it's not the right time for them in the story. They would be for the final confrontation between Ryuunosuke, Zan, and Chataway, and since it might be difficult for me to get online and edit, I wanted to throw these ideas out there, and if you guys like them you could use them. So as far as I understand, Mar'riana can transport objects out of the Sea of Time into the regular world. And since Chataway is part of the Order of Mar'riana what if Mar'riana could transport Chataway in and out of the Sea of Time. So for the battle between Chataway and Zan, Mar'riana could hurl Chataway out of thin air into Zan, and he would latch onto Zan so that Mar'riana could transport him as well. And the two would keep jumping through space and time as they're fighting. My other idea was that when Ryuunosuke battle's Zan, Zan could convince Ryuunosuke that they're actually the same person by cutting Ryuunosuke and having him watch as the same cuts appear on Zan, (because Ryuunosuke is Zan from the past, yes?) So what do you guys think? --Pikapwn (talk) 02:09, September 26, 2013 (UTC)

Not sure if Zan would get the same cuts. I mean this time travelling thing is kind of confusing, so I might not understand it completely; but Ryuunosuke has become Zan of a different timeline, as he lost his memory in a different way and he regained it. So right now they're two different Zans, so I don't know if when Ryuunosuke gets cut, Zan will appear with the same one. Since ya know they're from two different timelines.  DragonKnight99 the  02:25, September 26, 2013 (UTC)

I see. Yes, you're right. --Pikapwn (talk) 02:31, September 26, 2013 (UTC)

I had the impression that there was only really one timeline rather than the potential for a bunch of alternates.

Just one question about Chataway. If Mar'riana can transport him through time, why didn't he transport him back to his present instead of Chataway going through all the trouble of returning to 16th century and hibernating for the next few centuries? (Anonymius (talk) 09:21, September 26, 2013 (UTC))

Well there was a Chataway who peeled off his skin and became younger. And as I understand it, that Chataway is in Victorian England. Maybe in that form he could have some ability that lets Mar'riana move him in and out of the Seas of Time. But then again, that means could just be sent to hibernating Chataway and save him. Maybe that pothole could be covered up by saying having Chataway meet another Chataway would cause a time paradox? --Pikapwn (talk) 11:42, September 26, 2013 (UTC)

Confused
Who else is confused by this story? Not even Red Bat was this screwy. --ScorpionTail (talk) 02:43, September 26, 2013 (UTC)

red bat never had time travel (Anonymius (talk) 09:16, September 26, 2013 (UTC))

True, but Red Bat fumbled the ball around the ending. This is all over the place and I have no idea what to do besides add onto what Mar'riana is doing. --ScorpionTail (talk) 09:44, September 26, 2013 (UTC)

From what I can tell (At least I think that's what's happening):

Zan is in feudal japan looking for Chataway, only to come across that knight.

Young zan has been tricked into thinking zan has kidnapped virginia, and that he needs to rescue her, being accompanied with Chataway.

Older Virginia is somewhere in victorian London. (Anonymius (talk) 09:58, September 26, 2013 (UTC))

Just to ask, is Zan good or bad because someone had the idea of Zan fighting Ryuunosuke Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 14:15, September 26, 2013 (UTC)

Zan is good. Ryuunosuke has been tricked into thinking that he has captured Virginia. (Anonymius (talk) 14:32, September 26, 2013 (UTC))

Now I'm back to being confused about who's really the main 'Zan' because they're both from different time lines I think. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 22:04, September 26, 2013 (UTC)

The Ryuunosuke Zan is a younger Zan from an earlier point in his life. (Anonymius (talk) 07:51, September 27, 2013 (UTC))

Yumoa Good or Bad?
Yumoa saw an unknown man, walking away from the scene where Zan and Ryuunosuke were fighting, and killed him on the spot; even though the man never showed any hostility. This "assassination" makes me question if Yumoa really is one of the good guys? Stefan (Shikai - &#34;Rust &#38; Shatter&#34;) (talk) 01:00, September 27, 2013 (UTC)

I would say his intentions are good, but perhaps he goes about them in a not so pure and good manner. --CenturyOfChaos (talk) 07:02, September 27, 2013 (UTC)

Artwork
I was wondering about adding artwork to the story. I would upload something but I don't want to draw the character wrong in which people pictured the character to be, even though no one owns the character.  DragonKnight99 the  00:21, September 28, 2013 (UTC)

Personally I wouldn't worry about it. I mean everyone here surely has a different image of the characters and settings (Anonymius (talk) 08:03, September 28, 2013 (UTC)).

Original artwork is welcome as long as it is related to the story! Just remember "No other pre-existing characters or universes can be referenced, anime or otherwise." Grace (profile)•(talk) 20:58, September 28, 2013 (UTC)

The star.
After Talking a bit, I discovered that their is a bit of confusion going on as to what the Star really is. Im not going to say what the star should be, i'm just going to say what's going on:

On the one hand, I proposed that the star was a gem that gives Mar'rina his powers. On the other hand, someone else proposed that the star was a a fallen angle : Virgina.

I want your thoughts on how we should progress: can we mix ideas, or should we go one way. Thanks. --Amyar (talk) 13:38, September 28, 2013 (UTC)

There can still be one star that gave Mar'riana (And later Chataway) his powers. Virginia is just this different star. (Anonymius (talk) 14:30, September 28, 2013 (UTC))

Story problems
What the heck was with that last paragraph? it's like a to be continued ending! And why is Ryuunosuke left behind? Also too long. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 20:14, September 28, 2013 (UTC)

I'm glad someone realized that besides me. The way Zeromaro put Zan and Virginia worked together to fix the paradoxes sounded like an ending. And Ryuunosuke is probably left behind because who else would protect the young Virginia? Unless somehow someone can reply to what Zeromaro said in a way to where Younger Virginia joins Ryuunosuke on the journey with Zan and Virginia or find someone else to take care of the younger her.  DragonKnight99 the  20:22, September 28, 2013 (UTC)

I got an idea, what if Ryuunosuke returned younger Virginia to her own time and then went with Zan and present time Virginia? Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 20:33, September 28, 2013 (UTC)

-Isn't Ryuunosuke meant to be a past version of Zan? (Anonymius (talk) 20:41, September 28, 2013 (UTC)) Once again Forest Dragon Slayer; we need to find someone to take care of Younger Virginia. Isn't Chataway gone since Mariana is gone? They fused so that means Chataway dies along with Mariana. Also Anonymius, Ryuunosuke is now an alternate version of Zan. Which means even though they're the same person they're alternate versions of each other. So it doesn't matter if Ryuunosuke goes with them since they are no longer the same "Zan."  DragonKnight99 the  20:44, September 28, 2013 (UTC)

That's true. Yeah I guess Ryuunosuke could bring her along. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 20:51, September 28, 2013 (UTC)

Order of Mar'riana
Does the order of Mar'riana no longer exist now? If they're still around and are just a group without a leader, maybe we could use them to keep going with the story. --Pikapwn (talk) 02:47, September 29, 2013 (UTC)

We should definitely continue using them. --ScorpionTail (talk) 02:57, September 29, 2013 (UTC)

I'm definitely happy with that idea as well. (Anonymius (talk) 09:04, September 29, 2013 (UTC))

I think they could be very useful later on, so i'm in. (Amyar (talk) 12.55, September 29, 2013 (UTC))

I'm confused. Is Ryuunosuke wanting for the chaos and such to happen? cause he's sounding evil right now. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 04:04, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

Fuzen was the one who was saying the evil stuff about the order of Mar'riana. Sorry, the way I wrote it, it seemed like Ryuuonosuke was saying that, but I fixed it. --Pikapwn (talk) 04:15, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

Great, thanks for that. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 04:24, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

Deux Ex Machina
A Deus Ex Machina is when some new event, character, ability, or object solves a seemingly unsolvable problem in a sudden, unexpected way. If the secret documents are in Russian, one of the spies suddenly reveals that they learned the language. If the writers have just lost funding, a millionaire suddenly arrives, announces an interest in their movie, and offers all the finances they need to make it. If The Hero is dangling at the edge of a cliff with a villain stepping on his fingers, a flying robot suddenly appears to save him.

The term is Latin for god out of the machine (pronunciation: Day-oos eks MAH-kee-nah) and has its origins in ancient Greek theater. It referred to scenes in which a crane (machine) was used to lower actors or statues playing a god or gods (deus) onto the stage to set things right, often near the end of the play.

Note that there are a number of requirements for a sudden plot development to be a Deus Ex Machina:


 * 1.Deus Ex Machina are solutions. They are never unexpected developments that make things worse, nor sudden twists that only change the understanding of a story.


 * 2.Deus Ex Machina are sudden or unexpected. This means that even if they are featured or referenced earlier in the story, they do not change the course of nor appear to be a viable solution to the plotline they eventually "solve".


 * 3.The problem a Deus Ex Machina fixes must be portrayed as unsolvable or hopeless. If the problem could be solved with a bit of common sense or other type of simple intervention, the solution is not a Deus Ex Machina no matter how unexpected it may seem.

"Coincidences to get characters into trouble are great; coincidences to get them out of it are cheating."— Emma Coats

Source: Stefan (Shikai - &#34;Rust &#38; Shatter&#34;) (talk) 08:32, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

Ending The Story
Who is supposed to end the story, and when is the deadline? I've noticed that the contributions have dwindled lately, and if this continues there might not be sufficient time to complete a proper ending. Stefan (Shikai - &#34;Rust &#38; Shatter&#34;) (talk) 13:00, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

I'm not sure when the deadline is. You can check with the administrator, but it could end at any time today, even as late as 9 utc. I intended my previous entry to be my last post, giving it something of a conclusion yet at the same time allowing the story to continue (Although if there are a couple of entries after this one I might do another). (Anonymius (talk) 13:59, September 30, 2013 (UTC))

Come on people we've gotta get in those entries. the deadline is soon. and how do you want to end the story? By the way, to the person who drew Ryuunosuke, great job although I wouldn't imagine him half naked. But good job all the same. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 17:55, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

I say Virginia takes out Lady Chataway, who turns out to be some kind of demon, then we cut to the fight between Fuzen and the old man, who is just about to be beaten, but before Fuzen delivers the killing blow, Zan comes to his aid, and they fight which eventually leads to Zan killing Fuzen and the destruction of the fortress, with all the characters going their separate ways, but mentioning that although scattered members of the order of Mar'riana are still out there causing chaos and it is the job of time riders like Zan or the others to stop them and maintain peace and order in the timeline. (Anonymius (talk) 18:05, September 30, 2013 (UTC))

Then how is Ryuunosuke involved? Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 18:10, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

Isn't he supposed to be a time traveller now? (Anonymius (talk) 18:15, September 30, 2013 (UTC))

Oh right. I almost forgot about that. hahaha Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 18:18, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

Also I've just spoken with the administrator, and she said that this is meant to be closed around 10 am pst, so can someone please hopefully wrap this story up when they can because I'm worried we may run out of time. (Anonymius (talk) 18:20, September 30, 2013 (UTC))

I'd like to do that but I need someone to post before I can again. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 18:28, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

So older Virginia will take out Lady Chataway. How about Amaterasu sends younger Virginia to a time line where Chataway never finds the statue and she can be happy with her father? --Pikapwn (talk) 19:24, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

That would be nice. It would add to a happy ending. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 19:33, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

Do you think we could ask the staff to temporarily make it every two other posts you can post? I'm only suggesting this because I will not be here for the rest of the deadline AND we are running out of time... --CenturyOfChaos (talk) 21:34, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

Well it seems like you, me, and Forest Dragon Slayer are all here, so if we could get just one more user we could end this fast. Maybe an admin might want to jump in and end it with us? --Pikapwn (talk) 21:43, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

Well I think I've done it now, I've given the story a conclusion. But I think people can still elaborate on what happened to our heroes afterwards if there's still time. (Anonymius (talk) 21:45, September 30, 2013 (UTC))

Great job Anonymius, that ending works well. Although, didn't admins invite users to officially end the stories? Either way, I feel that you should be the one to end it. I'm going to ask an admin to see if this'll be our official ending. --Pikapwn (talk) 22:10, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

Someone will be ending the story tomorrow, feel free to keep adding to the writing project until then :) Grace (profile)•(talk) 23:02, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

I don't know what else we could put into this story. I already have this 'the end' feeling for it. Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 23:19, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

You're welcome to continue the story but we won't be closing it until tomorrow so please do not end the story.

Thanks, Kate 23:43, September 30, 2013 (UTC)

Do you think it'd be good to have an epilougue where Ryuunosuke/Zan is married to Virginia? Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 01:20, October 1, 2013 (UTC)

Sounds fine to me, and maybe cover what happened to the other characters as well? No matter what happens, I see potential in this story; both in the setting and the main cast. If a manga of Zan, The Vagabond Samurai were ever published, I'd definitely read it. :) Stefan (Shikai - &#34;Rust &#38; Shatter&#34;) (talk) 01:49, October 1, 2013 (UTC)

I'm no good with time zones, so I have no clue when the deadline is, but I left a window open for anyone who wants to elaborate on Zan's and Virginia's impending marriage. Stefan (Shikai - &#34;Rust &#38; Shatter&#34;) (talk) 14:38, October 1, 2013 (UTC)

That might be a good thing to elaborate on Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 16:27, October 1, 2013 (UTC)

Do you think this is good enough to end now? Forest Dragon Slayer (talk) 17:54, October 1, 2013 (UTC)