The Principles of Unnatural Selection
Lore forum
Posted on Feb. 7, 2019, 8:54 p.m. by DemonDragonJ
Here is this week's story; has everyone here actually lost interest in them? The story was posted over a day ago, and no one made a thread about it.
Again, I am annoyed with the usage of first-person perspective in this story, as it prevented the readers from learning the name or sex of the main protagonist; I do hope that, after this series of stories (one for each guild) is concluded, the writers return to using third-person perspectives.
This story was not the best of the one-shot stories that have been posted, recently, but it still was enjoyable. This is now the second time that a member of the Orzhov guild has appeared in the story, and, both times, they were antagonists, so I hope that, when there is finally a story that focuses on the Orzhov, it gives a positive portrayal of its members.
RicketyEng says... #3
I think these stories just aren't inspiring in us that same hot desire to discuss and debate their details. I remember back at the Oath of the Gatewatch we all debated and predicted details for how they would finally defeat the eldrazi. These stories give us a few small insights into life on Ravnica and maybe snippets of how the atmosphere is evolving as we get nearer to the upcoming war, but they don't give us very large handholds to grab and run with like we're used to.
As for this one, I did like the insights we got into the two sides within the Simic. There are the adaptationists who get themselves upgraded as per traditional Simic style. There are also the merfolk who came up from the oceans in between the first and second Ravnica blocks and joined the Simic. This story showed us that some of them would prefer not to get upgraded.
All of these Ravnica stories are by the same author: Nikki Drayden. The first person narration is part of her writing style. It's not my favourite either.
February 8, 2019 9:19 a.m.
I think that side stories that are building a world we already know so much about arenot really going to be very prone to discussion, as they are just that - side fluff.
February 8, 2019 9:42 a.m.
landofMordor says... #5
Yeah, even though these aren’t hot topics to discuss, I enjoy reading each week’s — thanks for beginning the thread!
I quite enjoyed seeing the structure of the Combine. Zegana got a lot cooler in my mind, and now all the “Krasis” cards make much more sense! Also, this story is the origin of Mesmerizing Benthid ...
February 8, 2019 10:31 a.m.
RicketyEng: I, for one, am a writer who utilizes first-person as well. It's nice because you can really see into the mind of the person whose perspective you're writing from. I tried third person, and found that it really wasn't for me.
That said, I felt some sympathy for that Orzhov guy...until the chest was opened. He got what he deserved.
February 8, 2019 12:25 p.m.
I think the stories work in this case for first person just because they're not the Planeswalkers heroes or main villains being presented, just random people watching as Ravnica falls into chaos.
Truthfully, I didn't like this one as much but like these have been more illuminating to what's happening in Ravnica (though subtly) than just telling the story as they did in other ones. Although it's hard to make predictions, suddenly were seeing how the guilds are devolving slowly in each story. Which is interesting.
February 8, 2019 12:28 p.m.
triproberts12 says... #8
"Fine current you've got here, Medge," he says to me, flexing his new body parts and fishing for a compliment.
"Step aside," the guardian says to my students. "This merwoman has destroyed a priceless artifact."
Also, there haven't been any Orzhov characters, yet. The Azorius were the villains in the Rakdos story, and the Selesyna were the villains in the Gruul story. I think it's your reading comprehension that needs work, dude.
February 8, 2019 5:19 p.m.
RicketyEng says... #9
DDJ was referring to the Selesnya story where the antagonist was an Orzhov creditor.
February 8, 2019 6:15 p.m.
triproberts12 says... #10
Ah, forgot about that, but it still seems true to character for the Orzhov. It would disrupt Teysa's whole story arc if they weren't corrupt from top to bottom.
Mostly, though, I just don't want to hear whining about these stories, in case someone from Wizards is paying attention. They've put in the care to contract professional authors, and we've finally gotten a break from the Jace-tice League. I wouldn't want writers from the next set to be hamstrung because Drayden chose to write in the first person.
If you need proof that the writing is vastly improved since they switched to outsourced authorship, look at the stream of consciousness awfulness from the Amonkhet storyline.
February 8, 2019 9:45 p.m.
triproberts12: And Battle for Zendikar's.
"Oh Ashaya, Ashaya! Where are thou Ashaya?"
Flooremoji says... #2
I forgot why, but I belive it was a girl.
The story was less interesting for some reason, and I feel it didn't contribute much to the plot. (It still contributed a little though)
Like you said, it was still enjoyable.
February 8, 2019 1:22 a.m.