# A new "Finish the" story will start this Wednesday, use this thread for Q&A **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 29, 2004, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090 "2004-08-29T15:03:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2004, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/81 "2004-09-18T17:54:39Z")
I did that with the first two stories also. If anyone wants to do that, under **Thread Tools** is an option _Show Printable Version._ The first two complete were only 166 kb. I could save that much to my cell phone! šŸ™‚ Iā€™m pretty sure all the authors are saving their individual posts, too, so if the boards completety die, we can always finish up on NIFSTD, Fathom, or Una. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2004, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/82 "2004-09-18T18:38:36Z")
NCB, what is NIFSTD? Another board? Iā€™m registered at both Fathom and Uns, but Iā€™m not familiar with the first one. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2004, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/83 "2004-09-18T18:47:35Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > NCB, what is NIFSTD? Another board? Iā€™m registered at both Fathom and Uns, but Iā€™m not familiar with the first one. See sig ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2004, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/84 "2004-09-18T19:02:26Z")
Well duh! :smack: ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/85 "2004-09-20T02:52:20Z")
I was doing some basic figuring of my own the other day.\* If Forsetti is honeycombed all thru the core, it could have virtually 100 times the surface area of simply the land masses on the surface of a terrestial (partly water) planet. In fact, without having structural loads to consider, the enterior could be almost the volume of Ringworld! Well, not quite. (wink) Forsetti is 2 1/2 times the diameter of Earth. But Ringworld is the size of an orbital plane. HUGE difference. Plus, it needs to have structure, machines, power plants, engines, farmlands, maybe even oceans. Since they use gravity generators, the question of usable surface area grows almost exponentially! Each of the Downs would be like an inside out planet. \*donā€™t ask me to show my work. I didnā€™t save it. Besides, my half remembered formulae are probably wrong. Still, Forsetti has loads of usable surface area. Especially now that gravity generators are canon. Yeah, thatā€™s precisely why I added that bit about the Downs to the story in the first place. And, now that they exist, I really want to use them! ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/86 "2004-09-20T19:46:09Z")
Darn! I left something out of my latest post. I meant to have Jade Innison thinking to herself as she ran from the mob. ā€œForsetti-Plane of Eternal Peace my ass!ā€ Oh well, considering that this riot is not yet over, I may get it in yet. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2004, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/87 "2004-09-20T19:49:46Z")
Hoo! Thatā€™s a riot! šŸ˜› ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/88 "2004-09-21T02:27:47Z")
Geez, I go away for a little while, then I come back and there are three new story entries! Gotta love it All different in style, and all good. ---
**Author:** ![Corner\_Case](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/corner_case/32/234_2.png) [@Corner\_Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corner_Case)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/89 "2004-09-21T15:22:27Z")
I love the idea of the Downs. I was thinking at some point to have a big lake of water in zero-G - or in this canon, gravity generators - and having a fight where you dive in, swim through, out the other side, dive back, etc. The idea of the Kes is that crystals are inanimate in our space, but are living creatures/beings in another space; perhaps not non-space, but maybe anti-space. The Kel are twins, we have space and non-space, so perhaps there are other pairings. Kathy and Tobe would be sad to learn that when they use the crystals to communicate or jaunt that they are really draining the life of one (or more) Kes. The Kes, however draw upon the life force of their Xavvian/Human Courier. But then maybe if they all learn to communicate then they can work in concert and be more powerful and symbiotic instead of parasitic. Xol might be mildly peeved. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/90 "2004-09-21T15:47:53Z")
Itā€™s an enjoyable twist, **CC**. As with the last story, tho, I feel compelled to remind all of us that we are now deep into the story. Any additions of new things should be able to fit into what has become a story about murder, political intrigue, religious fanaticism, and racism. I humbly suggest we work within the framework we have established so that things donā€™t get hopelessly confused. Please? (pre-emptive suggestion only, nothing more) Yes, the Kes idea fits nicely in that framework. Now, letā€™s get working with what weā€™ve made. There are still several mysteries in play: Did Mā€™Artel really commit murder? Or was he possesed? Or was it a Kel in his form? Why does Xol want war? Who is Cowd in league with? Same question for Grivvy. Why are the Tharn so specist (racist) towards Xavvians? What the frell is going on with the Voss? And will Jade figure it out in time? Will Kathy S. Channing act as an agent of Forsetti? (see end of Story II) Who is in control of the conspiracy? Xol? Or someone else? Good writing, everyone. Iā€™m goping to write working on the assumption that we are about 1/3rd way through. ---
**Author:** ![Corner\_Case](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/corner_case/32/234_2.png) [@Corner\_Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corner_Case)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/91 "2004-09-21T16:17:35Z")
ā€¦ Will Mother Marcus ever stop meddling? Will Marianā€™s long-lost twin sister really turn out to be her possessed nieceā€™s hairdresser? Tune in tomorrow for, ā€œAs the Stomach Turnsā€ ā€¦ See **Baker** - be obsequious and worry about introducing something into the story that muddles things up - and ya get yelled at by **NoClueBoy**. :rolleyes: :smack: šŸ˜‰ šŸ˜ƒ [sub]At least I got it in. Nanni nanni boo boo. _ducks and runs_[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/92 "2004-09-21T16:29:05Z")
Hoo, boy! Ifā€™n I were yellin, youā€™d know it! šŸ˜ƒ I was simply taking the oppotunity to state what to me is an obvious: late additions to an established story need to fit. Adding things for the sake of adding things mess up the flow. Your Kes fit. Even if added in the last chapter of the book, it fits. I _was_ using your addition to make a point, tho. We are always in danger of mucking up the story line in the otherā€™s heads. Thatā€™s why I created this discussion thread. If just posted out of the blue, the Kes post would be a major WTF. However, your explanation of HOW THEY FIT turns it from a WTF to an Ooh, cool! And now they can be worked into the big picture of the main story. Please donā€™t take my comments as a censure. ā˜¹ ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/93 "2004-09-21T16:42:13Z")
Take **Jeff** ā€™s Forsetti from Story II, for instance. Though he confused (and Iā€™ll sheepishly admit, somewhat annoyed) me with what he added, he already had an idea of what was behind the addition. Once he explained it, it took off like a wildfire. Shucks, this third story itself wouldnā€™t have come to mind if not for his addition of Forsetti. Thanks, and sorry all over again, **Lute**. I over reacted, I think, then, but it all worked out. Iā€™m not reacting at all now. You explained your addition very well. And it doesnā€™t need my approval anyways. You are sharing authorship, as am I and three other darn good hacks, I mean, writers. Iā€™m just wanting to make sure we are all on the same page. Hence, this discussion thread. Itā€™s not my story. Itā€™s OURS. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/94 "2004-09-21T16:54:16Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Take **Jeff** ā€™s Forsetti from Story II, for instance. Though he confused (and Iā€™ll sheepishly admit, somewhat annoyed) me with what he added, he already had an idea of what was behind the addition. Once he explained it, it took off like a wildfire. Shucks, this third story itself wouldnā€™t have come to mind if not for his addition of Forsetti. Thanks, and sorry all over again, **Lute**. No harm, no foul. šŸ™‚ Iā€™ve emailed Tuba again about my name change; I probably should ask someone else while Iā€™m at it. ---
**Author:** ![Corner\_Case](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/corner_case/32/234_2.png) [@Corner\_Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corner_Case)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/95 "2004-09-21T16:59:58Z")
No censure taken. šŸ˜ƒ Iā€™ll be a sheep too, and just say that Iā€™m awed by all of your (you alls) ideas and just want to keep up. Itā€™s funnier if you knew that I voiced my concerns to **Baker** and was just encouraged to ā€œjust do what feels good, or like what fitsā€ and ā€œI donā€™t think you have to worry about anythingā€ šŸ˜ƒ And _Really_ **Baker** , thanks for the encouragement and support! šŸ™‚ I agree about no new additions now - Iā€™m confused enough as it is. e.g. I still canā€™t get a bead on Cowd. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/96 "2004-09-21T17:05:07Z")
Aw shucks, twernā€™t nothinā€™. I just want to say Iā€™m having a good time. When too long goes without an entry I get shaky! šŸ˜› ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/97 "2004-09-21T17:07:29Z")
> [@Jeff Olsen](#): > > Iā€™ve emailed Tuba again about my name change; I probably should ask someone else while Iā€™m at it. And to think, I knew you when you were a mere random grouping of midichlorians. ;j ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2004, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/98 "2004-09-21T17:13:17Z")
Now nowā€¦ Itā€™s not ā€œno new additions, period.ā€ Itā€™s more of a ā€œmake them fit and tell us whyā€ if you do. Iā€™ll admit, though, too many people and too many places make my head spin. I enjoy a complicated story, but not a convoluted one. šŸ˜› On a related note, how many of the Fab Five (us, w00t) are absolutely addicted to writing? [raises hand] ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/99 "2004-09-22T16:54:57Z")
Geez, I just took a look at all the typos in my post of yesterday. I was hurrying along, as I was typing on my lunch break, but stillā€¦ :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2004, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090/100 "2004-09-22T19:43:45Z")
**Lute** , I have one question and one comment. Is the room the plants are in the one where our principals are gathered? Also, having a plant that looked like a sculpture could either be a _great_ method of espionage, or it would drive me into paranoia! šŸ˜› [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-new-finish-the-story-will-start-this-wednesday-use-this-thread-for-q-a/262090.md?page=6)