A Realization ( Royal Members avatars style)

Ashton Gray · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 3003

I noticed a new Avatar has been submitted and when I saw his occupation, I realized something. We seem to have been getting a great influx, with the more recent Avatar admissions, of a rougher variant of newcomer. Mercenaries and fighters of all sorts. Does this strike anyone else as strange for such a town as Bon Bon or is it just me?

Shadow9808 · Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 491

Hey, I'm here because of my history! I made a vow to her I'd... ::grows quite suddenly:: I'm sorry. I shouldn't be making outbursts. Let's just say I owe it to someone in my past.

(Expect answers to my coment as Leon to follow in later chapters of Path of Darkness, Ashton.)

Tsavo · Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 130

I'm far from getting an avatar, but I guess I'd fall in with the rougher types.
When I came up with the idea I somehow went straight to thinking about a haunted soul coming to Bon Bon for sanctuary.
Not that you can really run from yourself, but that is something for another story.
Hopefully part 3 of my story will be up early next week.

Lord Nelson · Joined: 03 Sep 2007 Posts: 118

It does indeed strike me as a bit queer. I would say, however, that Bon Bon would likely not bat an eye at the matter. A certain amount of vigour is always welcome, methinks.

Marauder · Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 82

Not at all. I'd think a place like Bon Bon would be perfect for someone who wanted to retire from the rough-and-tumble life, or even just getting away from it all for a while.

Ashton Gray · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 3003

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining in the least, I'm simply commenting on the fact itself and how it strikes me as a little odd. I too doubt that Bon Bon would bat an eye at this development and it does seem like the kind of town that would seem perfect for a respite from the "rough-and-tumble" life, no matter for how long. Nevertheless, it still strikes me as odd that we would be receiving such an influx of so many "rough-and-tumble" types.

Martin · Joined: 09 Jan 2004 Posts: 446

I'm afraid that it's a "culture phase"...
People nowadays tend to look for the "Hella tuff, lived in hell" concept.
In the past one would have gone for the Sam Spade version (MoF, I think one has), earlier ones would have gone for the Doc Savage (open shirt, tall, muscular and dignified adventurer), and people from earlier would have gone for "british gentlemen" like Phileas Fogg. I think you get my drift... :D

Crimson · Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Posts: 566

to tell yo the truth i was thinking over revamping my avatar cuz of that fact.

Ashton Gray · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 3003

Martin wrote: I'm afraid that it's a "culture phase"...

I did'nt want to say it because I was'nt sure how to best phrase it but I had a strong suspicion that had something to do with it.

Tsavo · Joined: 10 Dec 2007 Posts: 130

Always preferred Marlowe to Spade, Phil seemed more caring an human.
I partially blame my character choices on Barnes and Nobles selling me a massive Conrad book for 8 bucks. Damn that Heart of Darkness.

Vanessa · Joined: 13 Nov 2004 Posts: 689

It's no secret that I prefer drawing avatars that are in syntony with the universe of PBB, meaning characters suitable for the time and style of the story. After all PBB is a love story, not a fantasy or a violent comic.
But my duty is to fulfil the requests of all the readers and make them happy. Sadly it's harder for someone who doesn't fit well in the story to appear in a cameo. That's because in PBB there's no need for mercenaries, fighters, heroes... there's only a rather hidden and discreet security, in order to guarrantee the privacy of the guests. Bon Bon is mainly a tourist-friendly area, neutral in regards to any war, not to mention a sort of tax haven, in Europe, between Austria and Northern Italy. All the Royal Members that define themselves warriors, mercenaries and the like can't just waltz into the DC in full battle gear. Therefore I can safely make you participate to nude scenes, but within the casino and in social events you must dress in a suitable way.
Remember that, if someday PBB will be printed, not all the readers will know about the matter of the Royal Members, and maybe they'll find weird to see characters that don't fit in the story without an explanation. The comic must always be coherent; nonetheless the Avatars will always be drawn the way you prefer because I love giving you what you want, but only the ones dressed in tuxedos, Civilian outfits, uniforms of the time or the like will appear dressed within the comic. For the others I'll draw the cameos and pin-ups only either as nudes or reworking the clothes, otherwise I risk going off course and confusing the readers.

Ashton Gray · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 3003

Your devotion to your story and your readers is admirable, Ms. Santato, and wholly appreciated, but I very much doubt anyone will disagree with me when I say that preserving your story, YOUR story, and it's design is more important than fulfilling any requests of ours, especially if they clash with your designs. It's your work and you should have full control over it. It's somewhat astounding you take the time and expend the energy to listen to us and do your best to incorperate us into your story in the first place, in my opinion. I can't help but wonder if someday you'll refuse to incorperate any more outside wishes into your work, simply for the sake of your design for the story and art, or someone will come along with an idea that is so unfitting that you will actually have to refuse it. Or maybe you'll just become fed up with drawing things that do not fully comply with Bon Bon. Who knows? I personally hope that day will never come but I would understand if it did entirely.

Foxonian · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 429

While I think that the BonBon Universe can have all kinds in it,I do agree with Vanessa's reasons about who can or can't appear in the comic(hoping that I will someday,btw!) ;-)

Shadow9808 · Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 491

Leon may come from a bad history, but he has sought out Bon Bon as a means to find some peace in his life. As some may agree, a man can only take so much chaos before he MUST withdraw and recenter himself in tranquility. I doubt he'll ever really carry around anything dangerous in a peaceful place like this.

(EDIT!) Granted, it would be funny to see Leon trying to shop for some more cival clothes. He always did have terrible fasion taste...

But as everyone has said, Miss Santano, please don't mind my wants too much. Your story has a tempo that I'd feel bad to disrupt.

UltimaWolf0 · Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 666

Huh that's a quite an interesting development. I just admire how our fair Vanessa sticks to her way and won't let outside forces influence things.

LabrnMystic · Joined: 27 Jul 2005 Posts: 1481

Well, your all forgetting, Mercenaries need love too. :wink:

Theres a wide variety of avatars flooding in. However, I had thought you needed to be here 6 months to get an avatar, right?

I thought there were two levels:
1) Loyal Member - Your given admittance to the barred areas of the site, such as the latest comics and other portions, like the X-ray gallery.

2) Royal Member - Your given the chance for an avatar and either a cameo or pin up.

If anything, for those who don't fit well with the story, such as mercenaries and what not, they could be given a pin-up.

Ashton Gray · Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 3003

Hm, that brings to mind another condition I seem to recall noticing for qualifying to recieve a custom avatar. Regular posting here. Does this sound familiar to anyone else or is my mind trying to trick me again?

Vanessa · Joined: 13 Nov 2004 Posts: 689

Ashton Gray wrote: Hm, that brings to mind another condition I seem to recall noticing for qualifying to recieve a custom avatar. Regular posting here. Does this sound familiar to anyone else or is my mind trying to trick me again?

you are right Ashton.
And thanks to everyone for understand me :)

Shadow9808 · Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 491

We're more than your fans, Miss Santano. We like to think we are your friends too. At least I like to think I'm your friend.

MrWolf12 · Joined: 12 Feb 2007 Posts: 400

I have to agree with Labrn. After such a hard life of battle and fighting, BonBon would be a very nice place to relax and unwind for mercs and soldiers. As long as they leave that violent life behind.