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chadfallout76podcast · 7 months

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"Deah Shroud!: A Nick Valentine Mystery" EXPLAINED and AMA

It never occurred to me to do this last year, but a lot of people have asked me questions about our Fallout 4 play in the last year in the Discord, so I wanted to open an AMA but also explain "Death Shroud!" and some of the broader themes involved in it.

**SPOILERS AHEAD**

Part 1: Pre-production

Before I get into the story, I wanted to explain how this production even came about. Over the years after working together on some official community projects with Wes Johnson through Bethesda, we became good friends. I took a couple of his acting classes and he talked about the Fallout For Hope charity initiative I started and asked for help in organizing the gaming community for his Alzheimer's Association fundraiser. The idea was to host a month-long digital event of discussion panels, game shows, improv and a play with as many different voices of video games, film and TV as we could round up. In our second year of his VoiceAPalooza fundraiser, I wanted to do an original old time radio show and see if could bring back as many of the cast that we could from Fallout 4. It was Wes who first suggested an adventure with his Silver Shroud character (that he voiced in Fallout 4's radio plays) teaming up with Nick Valentine (voiced by the amazing Stephen Russell). Valentine is, for me, one of the best written, unique companions in Fallout lore.

So, I reached out to Stephen Russell who had joined us before for charity work and he was all in on bringing Nick Valentine back to life! After that things moved fast with Bethesda's Pete Hines and Emil Pagliarulo joining us to have some fun for a good cause. We tried to get EVERY companion from Fallout 4 that we could, but schedule wrangling is tough, and some people are just impossible to track down or find. Matt Mercer would've loved to have joined us as Macready, but unfortunately scheduling didn't work, so the best we could manage would be a holotape (the only reason our snarky gun running merc had to take the big sleep in the story).

After having everyone plugged in to reprise characters, it was time to put fingers to keys and find the story...

Part 2: The Deep Lore

The origin of this story started with a thought: how would the NPC's and characters we love perceive modification of their universe by us? We, as players aren't the true creators of this universe or these characters (Bethesda is). If anything, we the players are the equivalent of "lesser gods", reshaping it in new ways, unexpected and subjective ways, and sometimes even chaotic ways (I'm looking at you avalanche of adult mods with realistic jiggle physics and Thomas the Tank Engine Vertibird).

It started with a mental image of the small ways in which we start out modding games, or even the first mods we (using the "Engine of Creation) actually create. I had a mental image of Magnolia doing her thing, singing away sultry in a crowded and smoky third rail when she looks one way, back the next and sees new curtains. A subtle thing, something a little startling, but in a universe where recreational drug use is met with a YEEE YEEEE WHEEEE...a change you simply dismiss as being overtired or a little too juiced.

I'm a sucker for old time radio. I grew up listening to classic radio horrors like The Whistler, Suspense, and Lights Out on vinyl records and cassette tapes when I'd spend summers with my grandmother on a little island off the coast of Canada. Getting the tone, feeling and sound to stage an old-time radio show was the easiest part of this whole process...it's baked into my brain lol. The key of course is finding the right narrative voice.

Enter: Bill Lobley. If you play Fallout 76, he is the announcer for the "Tales from the West Virginia Hills" holotapes, but before that he's a prolific voice actor, maybe best known for his role as the truly vile Jeremiah Fink in Bioshock: Infinite. He has a FANTASTIC transatlantic voice for old time radio and was perfect as narrator in the script.

Part 3: What Is Going On?!?!

I had the base idea, the voices to pull it off, but what was the meaning and message of the whole thing? I always start there. From a meta experience level, the story is about dealing with subjective reality that’s being torn apart. After Fallout 4 launched in vanilla, we the players changed that world and reshaped it with mods. The small changes in perceived reality are meant for the omniscient player (us) and are not meant to be perceived by the characters themselves...and yet, what if they were? And if they were...WHY?! The answer was right in front of me: there's a difference between something born into a world and something MADE into a world.

You take someone like Magnolia or Nick, both synths, that obviously weren’t naturally born from two people. They were conceived as an idea...a human idea sure, but still they were made, not born. Without even needing to say in the script, the Trickster from the Grognak comic books who shouldn't exist yet does IS also an idea. Some MADE into a world but not born...a different world sure, but still the creation of it. Nick, Magnolia, any synth as ideas themselves would sense that the world was wrong and being changed in a way no one else would because of fundamentally who they are and what they represent.

Everything that unfolds is because Nora as a keystone event in the Commonwealth, a focal point of the causal nexus making her a unique entity in that world. A causal nexus is the link between a cause and its resulting effects and ignore the science mumbo jumbo, because here's an example of how that works:

The Sole Survivor, Nora, listened to Kent's message, chose to answer him and put on the outfit of the Silver Shroud. As a unique figure she shifted perceived reality of everyone in the Commonwealth by becoming the Silver Shroud, acting like him and making people believe that a fictional character exists.

Unfettered belief and faith in an idea = manifested reality.

Rejected belief and faith in the idea = dispels that reality.

This HAS happened before in Fallout lore in the instance of people with horrifying backstories and personal tragedies choosing to become someone else such as the Mechanist (Fallout 3 and Fallout 4) or even the Ant-Agonizer (Fallout 3). This time however it was a unique figure who did this, a figure fated and meant to reshape the Commonwealth for good, bad or ugly.

This opened a door, the door through which another figure could influence and enter a new universe provided it take the form of something already in it...a reality side-step into the form of the Mechanist. Concurrently, the moment that happened, reality counterbalanced by making the Silver Shroud who was already believed to be real BECOME real as the ying to the Mechanist/Trickster's yang.

Now at home in reality, the Trickster found himself very much alive and unbound by story but had very little power to do much at all. He needed something more, an idea and faith that already existed in the Commonwealth with the infinite universe of ideas made, but not born like himself. His goal wasn't power, it was to sow chaos, reshaping reality into a realm for any and every idea despite the consequences to reality itself.

So what did he need? The belief in the Old Gods and a focus point of belief in the idea: a staff. The universe is as adaptive as it is remarkable and where the Mechanist had its opposite: the Silver Shroud, the Trickster needed its twin: enter Sheogorath...because what better staff to tear apart and reshape reality than the Staff of Sheogorath. There is a quest added in the new Skyrim Anniversary Edition in which you can build it for yourself with a few items: Branch of the Tree of Shades, Ciirta's Eye, Fork of Horripilation. In this universe it would have to fashioned with things FROM this universe.

Two eyes were needed:

The eye of a True Believer: Kent Connolly

The eye of a True Seer: Mama Murphy

Affixed to the top of a staff of the purest heartwood from a Twice Born Tree. Living wood from Harold, born a man who eventually mutated into a living tree.

Lastly, it had to be soaked in the tears of ages end: barrels of radiated blessed waters courtesy of the Cult of Atom.

The Trickster had no magic of his own in this universe in which to act, but thankfully courtesy of some powerful allies, he was able to make contact with shadowy cults and worshippers of the old gods who gave him the name of someone truly of faith in the old magic to make all of this work: Jebediah Blackhall, who in this spin of the universe did unfortunately get his hands on the cursed book: the Krivbeknah.

Finding allies was all too easy, as the events post main quest left the Commonwealth changed. To many, the Sole Survivor and his/her companions would be hailed as heroes. To others, they would be villains, particularly in light of what Nora CHOSE to do to the Railroad to end the synth threat for good. That's a lot of blood on the hands of heroes...

As the Mechanist/Trickster, Blackall and the Lombardos began using the staff, its changes and shifts in reality rippled backwards through time, as changing one specific thing would change its entire existence. You change some curtains and the manufacturer of those curtains only every made one pattern...the world object becomes changed universally. Tapping into the Engine of Creation to make these changes, leaves anyone MADE not born aware of them as they don't fit into the design as it shifts around them. Nick, Danse, Magnolia would all feel and see it, be thrown off for a bit before settling into the changed reality state.

At the climax when everything starts falling apart and you get everyone from GlaDOS and the Joker strolling on in, the only way to end it all is to separate the Trickster from the Staff and restore the saved intended state of reality. The Silver Shroud finds himself powerless against the Trickster...only someone from this universe would be able to intercede, hard wired into the Engine of Creation itself as an existing element connected throughout its framework and history. After sending the Trickster off packing to the moon (thanks GlaDOS), but its a little too late for reality. It collapses around them, finding themselves elsewhere...the point between the mind, creation and the outcome of reality.

After the Shroud fades away, Nick has the power and choice to roll the universe, his universe back along the tapestry of choices that led him here. They all were haunted by the choices they made the first time around, something Nora couldn't live with...that ultimately led her relationship with Danse to fall apart. So Nick decides to go back further, as far back as he can go and he finds himself back in his office with Ellie waking him up.

There are consequences to what he's done, that he's not yet aware of, ones that will become clear in our next episode. The synths remember, as he remembers...Danse, Magnolia and everyone else remembers the fall of the Institute. They all find themselves at their starting point, moving towards their intended fated position to encounter the Sole Survivor. For Nick? He's starting down the path that will led him to be held prisoner and meet the Sole Survivor for the first time.

As he'll soon discover however, things don't play out the same way this time. Moreover, while he was rolling back reality to an early saved state, he made a huge mistake and completely forgot about something and someone so incredibly important...

You'll have to wait to see what that is...

#death shroud #chad: a fallout 76 podcast #chad: a fallout 76 story #fallout 4 #fallout for hope #wes johnson #fallout #fallout fanfic #nick valentine

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best-bud-bracket · 9 months

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Lots of characters have their iconic sidekick, or the friend that’s supported them no matter what. While they may get outshined by their more popular counterpart, they are loved here! Submit your sidekicks and watch them fight in this all out smackdown!!!

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Who is eligible for this bracket?

Any character that is a sidekick, best friend, or even assistant to a ‘bigger’ or ‘more important’ character. These characters are often overshadowed by the other character, either in their media, or in their fandom. This ‘bigger’ character does not have to be the main character, nor do they have to be a hero or a good person in the story.

Character examples:

For those who may be confused, here are some examples of characters that would be eligible for this bracket. (Feel free to submit them if you were planning on it!)

Tails - sidekick/best friend of Sonic (Sonic)

Fink - bodyguard of Professor Venomous (OKKO)

Okuyasu Nijimura - best friend of Josuke Higashikata (Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure)

Foggy Nelson - best friend/voice of reason of Matt Murdock (Daredevil)

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General Rules

You do not have to put other’s characters down to put yours up!!

No real people- this bracket is looking for fictional characters. Characters portrayed by real people are welcome of course! Just no celebrities / influencers for this one.

Not completely sure if your character fits the theme? Submit them anyway! If they don’t fit, there’s no harm done.

Submission Rules

Character’s name, the character they are connected to, what their role is (friend, sidekick, etc.), the media they are from. A picture is appreciated, but not necessary.

Submitting propaganda along with the character is encouraged (but not necessary.) Tell us why you think your character should win!

Submitting a maximum of 1-2 characters is suggested, though I literally cannot stop you from submitting more.

Submissions are OPEN!

Submit in the ask box

Inspiration + other cool bracket / poll / gimmick blogs;

@couldtheysurvivethestandarrow @who-do-i-know-this-man @your-old-sins-tournament @havetheyeatenpizza @haveyouseenthismovie-poll @haveyouwatchedthisshow-poll @haveyoureadthisbook-poll @moon-swag-tourney @annoyingblondebracket @most-hated-blorbo-bracket @favoritepokemontournament @foundfamilyadoptionagency @tragicsibsshowdown @ultimate-good-dog

#gimmick blog #tumblr bracket #bracket tournament #poll bracket #character bracket #best bud bracket #not a poll

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ultimate-rat-bracket · 2 years

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WELCOME ONCE AGAIN TO THE ULTIMATE RAT BRACKET!!!

You’ve all been waiting quite a while for this, and now I am pleased to announce our tournament entRATS!

So without further ado, hold onto your tails for

Quite the matchups (or should I say ratchups?) Folks! Round One will start tomorrow at 4 PM CST with Side A Group One! Links will be added here when the time comes. See y’all at the bratcket!

(Quick note: these matchups were randomly generated, please do not come at me for improper seeding lmao. Blame the computer)

Details for the Round One matchups below:

Side A Group One (March 10th):

Master Splinter (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) VS. Matt, Pat, and Nat (Barbie as the Island Princess)

Rattata (Pokémon) VS. Remy (Ratatouille)

Biggie Cheese (The Barnyard) VS. Virgil (Ride the Cyclone)

Roscuro (The Tale of Despereaux) VS. Ripred (The Underland Chronicles)

Side A Group Two (March 11th):

Rat-in-a-Hat (Bananas in Pajamas) VS. Charles Entertainment Cheese (Chuck E. Cheese)

Nigel Ratburn (Arthur) VS. Twitch (League of Legends)

Johannsen (CPU Kerfuffle) VS. Rattrap (Beast Wars)

The Death of Rats (Discworld) VS. Socrates & Ben (The Ratman’s Notebooks / Willard)

Side B Group One (March 13th):

Mad Rat (Mad Rat Dead) VS. Brick (Pizza Tower)

Templeton (Charlotte’s Web) VS. Yuki Sohma (Fruits Basket)

Steve McQueen (House MD) VS. The Giant Rat Who Makes All Of Da Rules (Jerma985’s Rat Movie)

Professor Ratigan (The Great Mouse Detective) VS. Nick & Fletcher (Chicken Run)

Side B Group Two (March 14th):

Dangerous Beans (The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents) VS. Rattus Rattus (Horrible Histories)

Rizzo (The Muppets) VS. Roddy & Rita (Flushed Away)

Ratau (Cult of the Lamb) VS. Kugrash (Dimension 20: The Unsleeping City)

Daroach (Kirby: Squeak Squad) VS. Fink (OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes)

#reblogs are appreciated y’all!!#please let me know if theres any mistakes in the post #the bratcket #ultimate rat bracket #rat bracket #bracket #tumblr bracket #tournaments #tumblr tournament #brackets #rats

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firsttarotreader · 16 days

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Laughed at how he said "devious, but incredibly loving, nothing like myself" about Fink. I mean, are you sure P? 🤣🤣🤣🤣/// Chris also called him an imp who is childish. I laughed so hard. None of us know this man, but the vibes seem accurate as hell. No wonder the 😈 comes up in his readings so much. I’ll never forget when Sarah said “I would never want him to be my dad, I just wanna hang with him” something like that. Pedro also called himself out when he said that Matt Shankman wouldn’t live with him when he saw his place 😅

I know. 🤣🤣🤣

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riseofthespacecats · 3 months

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An Eddsworld Fan-Script: Part 15

Interior - STEVE'S APARTMENT

SUPERLAD hangs his head out the window, eyes wide.

SUPERLAD Hey! Look outside, there's-

STEVE What? What could be so important-

STEVE (SuperGuy) is midway through a complex CROCHET ART. The entire apartment has CROCHET decorations.

STEVE -That you have to interrupt me? Huh? SUPERLAD ...It's just- STEVE Just what? Is it worth missing a stitch for?

SUPERLAD mumbles.

STEVE Speak up, I didn't hear you. SUPERLAD Yes you did! You always can!

STEVE takes a breath.

STEVE I'm not having this fight. Sit down, and get back to your sourdough. SUPERLAD But it's still proving!

STEVE glares at him.

SUPERLAD Fine.

SUPERLAD sighs and takes the dough out of the proving draw. He zaps it with his eyes, and it expands to full size.

Through the WINDOW, SPACESHIPS appear.

OUTSIDE - THE RUINS

CAT SPACESHIPS descend down, green light illuminating the ruined city.

RINGO Dis is all my fault. EDD No, Ringo. Don't say that. It was also Tords. RINGO Twue. But... I weally let evewyone down. EDD That's my fault. I couldn't let you do what you were doing. RINGO But it wasn't just da king and da commandew. I awso let you down. And worst of aww, myself. I shoulda wistened to my heart. EDD Well, I guess you must have, like, two of them right? That's got to be confusing. RINGO Six, actuawy. EDD Oh. Which one did you need to listen to? RINGO Usuawy it's a clawmbination of one and three, but dis time I fink my fifth heart was da wight one. EDD Why? What does it say? RINGO It says... I didn't want dis. I didn't want any of dis. Dewe was so much pwessure fwom Commandew Woden that I had to do something. Dose fat cats onwy cawed about wesults! But I don't want da power or reward fwom defeating our owdest enemy. I just wanted to stay hewe and wive a small wife, with you. EDD Oh, Ringo. You should have just told me all of this earlier. Actually, no, if you'd said anything before all this I would have freaked out. RINGO Yeah, da wast time I said anyfing I had to bwame it on Matt.

MATT gasps.

MATT So you're the one who made the shorts comment! RINGO Dey were a swutty cut, what can I say? EDD Uh. Anyway. It's too late to worry about the past, what we need to focus on is the now. Ringo.

EDD puts a hand on RINGO'S shoulder.

EDD You said you needed to listen to your, uh, fifth heart. Well I named you after one of the bravest hearts I know, Ringo Wallace. RINGO I fought my name was Ringo Wingo Prigle Tingle Fwoofy Woofy Smoochy Smooshy Baby Waby Kitty Witty Beanie Weanie Pawsie Wawsies.

MATT and TOM raise their eyebrows. EDD looks embarrassed.

EDD What? No, I've never said that! RINGO But the only other thing you call me is Stinky! EDD You're a stinky cat! RINGO And pwoud. EDD Right. But my point still stands. When the Cat King and all his soldiers come here, we can tell him...

EDD is under a spotlight, music swelling.

EDD He may take our lives... But he can never take our freedom!

EDD punches his hand in the air.

MATT I don't want him to take our lives. I only just got this second chance! TOM Yeah, I'm with Matt. He can take my life from my cold, dead hands. EDD Oh. Yeah. Fair enough. TOM I need a drink.

TOM pulls his FLASK from inside his damaged suit and lifts it so his mouth. A DROPLET falls from a HOLE in the bottom.

TOM Oh, son of a-

#eddsworld #eddsworld au #eddsworld fanart #eddsworld edd #ew edd #ew rotsc #rotsc #rise of the space cats #update #wow it took over 2 years for this update #SORRY....#THE PANDEMIC HUMOR REALLY DOESNT HIT ANY MOR HUH

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