July's vacation QnA! (Patreon)

Alright, I am still on vacation, had a massive car ride yesterday traveling back and forth over the cascade mountains, through the passes and the dry terrain on the other side. My first trip to that side, and it was inspirational and cool. Here is the QnA, will be a little late with the rest depending on our schedule (today is rest and recuperation, my foot is messed up).

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When was the last time the ROs cried and what was it about?

Ortega: Depends on the path, but post crash was traumatic for everyone. Ortega is not afraid to cry.

Chen: He would say he doesn't remember, and he might be right.

Argent: She's unable to since her "accident".

Daniel: Definitely post crash, either from relief or anger or worry depending on path.

Mortum: If the puppet reveal happened, that was definitely it afterwards, in private.

Has the omega label already been tossed around by the boost categorizing ... people? Department? Committee? How does that work anyway? Is it just a casual thing or do boosted heroes have that on their ID?

It has been tossed around as a possible thing. Currently, the classification is mostly handled by the military and technically classified, but enough has leaked that civilians also finds it useful. It's not on their ID, but it is on their files with the military and police.

Also, the CB initials, do they stand for Cuckoo Batch? How did you come up with the name Cuckoo for infiltration units?

Nope, it does not stand for that! I used the name cuckoo because of the bird, whose parents infiltrate their eggs in other birds nests. Pretending to be the real thing but not.

Can step still send telepathic messages to a romanced argent? Like warnings or combat tips/plans? Or is she just completely blocking all telepathy? And In a previous ask, a onesie was proposed as a good safety device for some argent cuddles. Does that mean her nanos cant go thru non-living things? Also will a romanced step help her with that in later routes? If in a poly route with ortega?

For a romanced/friendly Argent, you will be able to send her messages and things. That kind of surface communication is different from manipulation, a bit like talking to someone compared to grabbing them and throwing them on the ground. And nope, her nanos can't go through inorganic things. We'll see what kinds of help that Argent will be open to with Sidestep, both alone and in a relationship with Ortega. There are things that can be done if the trust is there.

Did the younger sibling enjoy spending time with their mother ? What did they like to do together?

I will assume this is about Hollow Ground's youngest sibling. And since they were in their early teens when they were arrested, I would say things were complicated. It's not easy being a young teenager when your siblings are a lot older than you are. Being the designated baby might be nice when you are an actual kid and doted on with things like trips to the arcade or the aquarium, but towards the end I think the sibling was very tired of "baby things". So there would be arguments about how they are old enough to do things, be a proper adult. I think the last year was filled with conflict, and repeated attempts to reconnect. You know, teenage things.

What did the HG oldest brother think of HG? What kind of leader he would have seen them?

HG's older brother didn't see them as a threat, or in fact as a very strong leader. HG was always too clever with words and ideas, so they were the perfect diplomat and assistant. They got along well.

Just how strong were HG oldest brother's powers? Are his powers also the reason why there appears earthquakes around Los Diablos?

They were strong, and getting stronger. Volatile. And yes, they might be a part of why the earth around Los Diablos was and is so restless. It takes a long time for messed up fault lines to calm down. I would say that towards the end, his powers were probably greater than Hood's, though not as focused.

And considering HG survived the boost drug and was secretive of their powers, what did their family theorize as their new powers?

It took a long time for HG to figure out their powers, and they never really got how they worked until the rest of the family had already passed. People were thinking it had something to do with charisma or reading people, but everyone imagined it was a small thing. One of those marginal little boost powers where people should be happy they lived, but also, what a consolation price.

What does Nocturne like about her powers? Are the some aspects of her powers she finds frustrating/annoying?

Nocturne is slightly frustrated at the lack of precision and versatility. She can do one thing, and does it well. But, it's a defensive thing, and she would like to be more proactive. She's working on figuring out the base parameters, but she's also a very busy woman, so she has other things on her plate.

How often Jake talks with his family?

I would say weekly, sometimes more.

How does Jake get along with his older sister?

Very well now that they are on opposite sides of the ocean. She can run things there, and he can be his own man without someone looking over his shoulder and questioning his decisions.

What is the general public opinion on dissolution of FEZ?

It hasn't really sunk in yet for most people. In fact, many don't even know. It's not a big subject in the media, which is interesting come to think of it. Almost like some people don't want it talked about.

Has Shroud heard anything about Sidestep as a re-gene?

Yes.

How long did it take to Armadillo to trust Vera?

Years. Vera knew them only in their armored form for quite some time.

Does Mortum have any alternative plans if they fail to get their gun?

No. It's a one of a kind. They will get it somehow.

Do regenes have any kind of age system? I remember Sidestep thinking they found human age thing weird  so do regenes have different kind of counting how regenes age?

Not really, the weird thing is children and growing up, as well as the really old and wrinkly. Both are stages that regenes don't experience. The first because they are decanted, the second because it's a somewhat new process, and most regenes die before growing old.

Kinda heavy question but I think you previously mentioned in another qna that the Farm scientist have they own way of trying to avoid regenes killing themselves. I'm wondering how do regenes deal with suicides among themselves?

It is a complicated thing. In one way, many regenes sees this as the final way to regain control. This is something they do. for themselves. Empowering. On the other hand, usability and strength is something priced within the regene community, and suicide is a way of rendering yourself useless. Which is failure. There is no one thought about it, but it is seen as something that concerns regenes, not humans.

Considering Ace saw a vision that hinted for Shroud's death. Can some Sidestep's to use this piece of knowledge to save Shroud or just plainly making sure Shroud dies?

If Sidestep is stuck in Ace's body, that will definitely be something that comes up.

What is usually victims fate in HB experiement?

Madness and death.

Rosie is said to be invulnerable to bullets. Is her power more similiar to Themmy in a way that she doesn't feel the pain or more similiar to Argent that she feels everything?

More similar to Themmy. She feels the impact, but it's not painful. More like someone throwing marbles at you.

Does Armadillo have any opinions on Sidestep's villain careers?

No. They are picking their path, which is fine.

How are cuckoos raised to act like humans? Like classes or acting out different scenarious and learning how to act?

First, they are implanted with a new batch of more diverse memories. And yes, then there are human classes. They interact with psychologists and scientists, and then taken on increasingly larger field trips to experience the human world. The small towns closest to the Farm theories that there's some sort of mental treatment facility out there where the patients can occasionally come out and enjoy a walk or a trip to the store. They would be clocked as stiff and weird during these first outings, and possibly seen as autistic or something similar.

What had Armadillo heard about Sidestep as a regene? (Excluding Sidestep's last escape)

That is something you'll find out in game.

What do the teacher re-genes find most enjoyable part in their work? And the worst part?

Being allowed decisions and a measure of autonomy, as well as doing something for their fellow regenes. The worst part was failing people.

Does San Francisco have they own Rangers team? If so, do they have any option on Los Diablo's Rangers team?

They do have their own Ranger's team. The founding Marshal was called Armstrong, and was an ex-military mod. The physical kind, not the armor kind like Chen is. He died a decade or so ago and was replaced by Kaleidoscope, who is a boost with light powers (hypnotic, blinding and lasers). She's a beta level, but quite experienced. Their most notable member is Pyroclast (formerly Ashfall) who is the most powerful member of the team and rumored to be gunning for the Marshal position when Kaleidoscope retires (or messes up). I haven't detailed the other yet. They are one of the top three strongest Ranger teams. There is some rivalry between LD and SF, but a lot of that is personal rather than institutional. Pyroclast has views on how his former friends have handled things, and he doesn't agree with many of the decisions. And then there's Lady Argent...

And I think Sidestep has thought it a couple of times that they almost died in their first cuckoo mission. Just what happened in that mission?

I haven't decided yet! Maybe it will be a flashback eventually.

Who would be better at controlling unfamiliar nanovores, Sidestep or Argent?

At this point? Sidestep, though it's close.

Could Sidestep's nanovores eat Ashfall?

Technically in his transformed state, but it would be hard to get in more than a nibble before they would be destroyed by the heat.

Do any of the Rangers recognize Sidestep's armor as Mortum's work?

Yes, at least to the point of having that as the most likely option.

Is Sidestep's exponential power growth solely due to trauma boost response, or is their something specific about Heartbreak that caused it?

Hmmm. Good question. Mostly the former.

Is there... Something more going on in the fallen hero universe? Like with the Void, kinda eldritch feeling? Cuz I get those vibes sometimes.

I mean it would all depend on how you defines eldritch. There's some weird shit out there, but exactly what's going on is unclear.

Also, how ya doing? Hope you're good :)

I am! I am enjoying my holiday, been traveling a lot, bought a lot of books, meeting people, eating American junk food and planning stuff. I woke up at 2 am one night and had an idea, and now I have 30 000 words written on a TTRPG supplement. So it is getting back into gear. This has been so good for me, I can't wait to get started properly on Revelations when I get back home at the end of august. I am starting to get that wonderful tingle of anticipation, which is what has been lacking for a long time.

When you get the Oops achievement in Rebirth, the woman says, "We had enough wild goose chases last year." Was it anyone specific? Or just some random runaway re-genes?

Hehehehe yeeeah. That comment. Nice. Not gonna answer.

Will Step ever find out that the SD found them by accident after HB?

Maybe in book four. Not sure yet.

Would the Rangers (whether it's the main crew or the people that run the show) prefer it if Herald was more of a fighter? Or do they like that there's a more support-oriented hero?

Herald has exactly the role they want. Not everyone needs to be a murder machine.

Could the Rat King control the nanovores by themselves or do they need the base of Step doing it to work with them?

They need Sidestep and the suit to do that. They might be able to do the little neutered colony on their own, but I doubt the girls would take the chance and let them out. Wouldn't want to risk getting the armor or their containment unit eaten.

What's the maximum power the strength armor upgrade can get to? We know it can pick up a van but could it pick up a semi-truck?

The hardest thing with a semi-truck would be getting a good grip and not having it break apart in your hands. The honest answer is that it is as strong as I need it to be for the story.

When the Rat King "possesses" Step, like in the fight with Jake after the auction, can they make facial expressions? Like intentionally? I'm assuming they can't speak because you know, they're rats, but would expressions just come naturally or would Step just not emote? Also, did they enjoy controlling an actual human body instead of just the armor?

I think some facial expressions would be there, because so many of them are almost involuntary. Like grimacing when hit, or crying out in pain. But there would certainly not be many of them, though I think some Sidesteps are bad at emoting anyways so there might not be a big difference. I think the girls felt that a human body was a LOT of responsibility, the armor is easier.

Has Heartbreak gone through a traumatic power increase in the past?

Yes.

You've said Ortega doesn't wear a helmet (except for special occasions) but do they wear a mask most of the time? Idk why I got the impression that they just went around bare faced in their hero suit. Or is people not recognizing Ortega as Charge a "Clark Kent/Superman" situation?

Charge never really wore a mask. It's very much a Clark Kent/Superman situation, though not fully. For Ortega, I think that the Charge personality is something they keep wearing in civilian mood most of the time. It's more like a famous actor rather than a secret identity, sometimes you do see a Hollywood star going out for a drink if you live in LA, and that's where a lot of Charge sightings come from. Ortega would never deny that they were Charge if someone asked for a picture or an autograph.

When Ortega do want to be anonymous they dress down, grab a helmet and their bike, and drive elsewhere. Or puts on a cap and some glasses and do the slouching thing. In a way, spending time with Sidestep was wonderful for Ortega, because Sidestep's "don't notice me" powers also meant that few people bothered Ortega. They enjoyed that spillover a lot.

Does HG still have an inkling that Step could be their sibling even if you don't go into their mind at the meeting? They seem to based on their reaction. If so, why did they immediately jump to "kill them" if you refuse their offer? Were they too panicked over someone seeing their face to think about that option or did they think, "Well, my siblings dead and they wouldn't have refused me so it definitely can't be them."

I think it was a combination of "shit, they saw my face," and the uneasiness of "they remind me too much of family, this is a dangerous loose end", in combination with "it can't be my sibling, they're dead, and I can't show weakness."

Since no one at the farm has a concrete answer on how Step got out the second time, could you tell us any of the theories they have had? I'm assuming possession could be one of them or mind control or maybe a mole in the farm helping Step out. Also, what happened to the person/people that Step possessed to get out?

Mind control and/or sympathetic staff. There were several people on staff purged after the escape, and the people Sidestep possessed were some of them.

How messed up is a person's body after Shroud "eats" them? Ignoring the mind, if Shroud were to eat someone and then you immediately jumped into that persons body, would you still be able to walk and function properly or would it be a struggle to move?

It would be a struggle to move. It's not exactly the same, but it is a bit like having had a massive stroke. You might be able to relearn lost skills and train your body, but it will take time.

Why did Ortega always feel the need to be in a relationship? Was it just because it got them more publicity or was there something deeper there?

I think Ortega is genuinely uncomfortable with being lonely. They like people. They like family. They like friends. They like sex and intimacy. And due to their work and personal tragedies and failures, they have fewer and fewer people to share their time with. Their mom lives in the countryside. Some of their friends have retired or died. Their surrogate dad died. The Rangers are the closest thing to friends/family they have, and it's easier to get a boy/girlfriend than make a new platonic friend at that age. At least if you've got the kind of smile Ortega does.

Imagine if Step was not a re-gene, just a regular telepath. After HB, would the SD still have spent all the resources to keep them alive after they jumped? Would they have kept them alive indefinitely after for testing or would they have "gotten rid of them" when they got what they needed?

They would have spent just the same amount of resources keeping them alive.

Also, in the Dignity is Overrated snippet, is Step just like full ass out in a hospital gown when Vera picks them up on her shoulder? That's rough lol

It is indeed rough. I might need to add a blanket... maybe.

So I recall you having said that Argent's nanovores can get irritable and excited by any strong emotions not just anger, if I am remembering that correctly then I just, I'm really sorry but I feel like it needs to be asked; there is a greater than zero percent chance the nanovores eat you when Argent orgasm's yeah?

Argent thinks so.

Besides the immediate current Rangers team, has anyone else been told that Sidestep is still alive? Or have they all been very good at keeping it hush? Thinking ex-members such as Luis who knew Sidestep, or people like Owl who know Ortega really well and have seen them at their lowest because of, in part, our “death”.

I would say they are good at keeping things hush, but at this point we know that some of them likes to run their mouth and information keeps leaking... It's fair to say that some people close to the Rangers know by now.

Would the Rangers be less trustful of a revealed step who used terrifying armor, even if they weren't an active killer, just due to fear? Or would actions override armor choices by that point? Especially for Ortega and Herald who can have the “afraid” status from the museum fight.

If they knew the truth, the design of the armor wouldn't matter as much. Sure, the effect would still be there, but lessened. Herald might have more trauma about it than Ortega.

Are the Rangers, notably Chen and Ortega, curious about what our character is doing for money/work nowadays, and has that curiosity been strong enough to lead them to go snooping? Or do they assume it's likely illegal and are preemptively turning a blind eye?

We all know that Ortega at least has probably gone snooping, if nothing else because they think that it's probably related to HG. Chen is more likely to assume it's illegal and stay away.

What do re-genes typically wear when they are at the Farm? Is there a type of uniform? Does it differ between cuckoos and combat re-genes?

There is a uniform, and how it looks varies a bit depending on the "level" of regene. Newly decanted ones have loose clothes, more reminiscent of scrubs or hospital clothes. Easy to put on or take off for tests. They are uncomfortably thin. Experienced regenes have skinsuits in their battle colors. These have no arms and short legs on the farm, and is more reminiscent of an old-fashioned bathing suit. Regenes who are being trained have white or gray coveralls, again with no arms and short legs. There's an uncomfortable degree of infantilization with much of the clothes, they are made to make the regenes seem inhuman, and not adult. Cuckoos are the same.

So we’ve got a little bit of an idea now about how Ortega handles Step’s regene reveal on the voluntary reveal path. I’m curious, if sidestep had worked up the courage to admit the truth pre-heartbreak, would Ortega’s reaction be any different? Better? Worse?

It's hard to say. It might have been worse without the trauma of having lost Sidestep once. I really don't know.

Can regenes get sick (from viruses or pathogens etc, not motion sick like Step gets)? Cancer? They’re made up of organs, but everything was lab grown, so were there any precautions taken to make their immune systems better/stronger?

Regenes can get sick, just like regular people. There's a slightly increased rate of cancer due to the boost drugs, but the immune system is pretty much the same. There has been no attempt to remove any genetic markers for certain kinds of inherited disease or things like that, mainly because nobody is sure how that would affect the boosting process. So regenes gets sick, just like everybody else.

Hello! I hope you're enjoying your vacation, I wanted to ask if argent had any fun indulgences planned for if she no longer has to rely on the nanovores. sunbathing? move to a place with windows? try rollerskating?

Sunbathing would be wonderful. As would having windows and a balcony. And an outdoor pool.

Second; did tinfoil hat ortega ever think about their and HG's (apparently) mutual grief over sidestep; related, their commonality in spending years thinking they were dead only for sidestep to turn up alive? or is their hatred of HG so immense that they can only think of them as an enemy? Thank you!

Those thoughts have snuch into Ortega's mind on more than one occasion. Not something they talk about.

Can Lady Argent blush in her current form?

No.

How do you keep track of and organize all your characters and their respective connections to the overarching Fallen Hero world? Do you have characters that just exists for the sake of existing, or do they all have to be intertwined in some ways?

I... huh. How do I do this? For me, characters serve the story first and foremost. The exceptions are characters I talk about and make up for lore or faqs, often they didn't exist until the moment I answered the question. It's a fun way to build the world. So those characters exists just because. Most people in the story has a function for the story. Not everyone is entwined with each other, but sometimes backgrounds and events match closely enough that it's fun to connect them because it adds to the whole. It's really what would serve the story best.

In the recent POV story for Ortega, Ortega mentions that Chen breaks keyboards over filling spreadsheets and pretends to hate computers. How many keyboards has he broken? lol

I would say a couple of dozen by now.

How did Chen go about managing his injures (i.e. when he lost his legs and arm)? Like, yeah his place was adapted for his injuries, but was he just on his own (No Ortega or Luis) or did the Rangers program people get him extra help? 😢

Chen had professional help for a year or two afterwards. He didn't want to rely on his friends, and the Rangers paid for medical/assistance staff. He's still getting help on occasion when things are bad.

Is Argent more of a 'waits till the movie is over to talk about it' kind of movie buff or a 'pauses the movie every 10 mins to talk about it' kind of movie buff?

Pauses while talking about it unless the other person really dislikes it, or she already have seen the movie like five times.

Do Vera and Sky Raider have any particular opinions on Sidestep (the vigilante), or this that something they don't really have any thoughts on?

I don't think either of them had any big thoughts, but we'll see when I start writing them more. Things often comes out as I write.

What do they think of a villain who kills, either selectively or indiscriminately?

That's up to them. I don't think there are any big thoughts yet. We'll see. It would be more of a matter of why.

We know that Vera likes pigeons, but what does she think of rats? ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ??⊂(◉‿◉)つ??

I don't think she's fond of rats. They can be a dangerous pest around birds, especially caged ones.

Will using the regenerator make Argent less powerful? Would she lose her nanovores?

It depends a bit to what level the regenerator is built, but it will likely make her less powerful.

Is the regenerator a one-use-only thing or will multiple people be able to use it?

It would depend on how well it is put together, but it was not intended as single use.

Do Chen, Ortega and Argent consider themselves to be disabled?

Argent and Chen does, Ortega doesn't.

SI vastly enjoy the theme of identity in this IF. Would you say any of the heroes are who they imagined they'd be from children to now and if they could say one thing to their younger selves what would it be?

Hmmm. I would say that Ortega and Herald are the closest to being that. Chen certainly isn't, and neither is Argent. Ortega would tell their younger self to appreciate the people around them because they will not be there forever. Chen would say that keeping in touch might not be a bad thing. Argent would just say to stay the fuck out of the water. Herald would tell himself to stand up for himself more.

Will there be banter around an ortega present on whether we spent "clean" or "dirty" money on them? Does it matter to Ortega?

I honestly don't think it would matter very much to Ortega, but they might tease a bit.

In an earlier q&a you wrote that ortega did in fact find it hot that the revealed MC was a villain and they hooked up. Does that tension continue if you don't reveal yourself? And for villain ROs do they feel a similar sentiment.

The tension will continue! And I need to think more about the villain RO's to be sure about that. Mortum is a special case as well.

i noticed that sidestep has a distaste for pigeons, does this affect their opinion on Vera, if i remember correctly she'll be a romance option does it affect their romance noticeably, does she realise sidesteps reservations about her animal or do they hide it.

Sidestep has better learn how to get along with pigeons, and Vera have better learn how to get along with rats. Sometimes you need to do a bit of growing.

What’s Nocturne’s relationship to wealth/fanciness/opulence things? She’s dressed to the nines in gold, likes her food to look elegant, designs everything to give off the right vibe, but tries to avoid fancy parties? Does she ever think it’s too much/tacky? Did she always want to be surrounded by that luxury? Would she have still gone for a more luxurious style if she never had a reputation she had to play into?

Nocturne loves luxury. She didn't grow up with money, and she will make the most of it now. It doesn't matter if others see it, she's the one she's dressing and decorating for.

What exactly did the reporter ask that Five Pennies killed them for?

Spoilers.

What did HG’s empire look like before Nocturne became part of the picture? What sort of businesses were they dealing in?

It was focused around gambling, boost drugs, other drugs and protection. Sure, those things are not illegal in LD, but there's still a big market for it. It was, however, very local. In fact, HG's first attempt to reach out to other cities through real estate was what caught Nocturne's eye as an IRS agent in Chicago.

What exactly has been negotiated between the HG trio in terms of their relationship? What’s their relationship like? Is Jake free to pursue anyone he wants outside of it romantically or sexually? (Thinking of Umbral’s girlfriend. What’s the story there?)

It is in theory an open polyamorous relationship. All three of them are allowed to pursue outside agents, at least sexually. If it becomes romantic, that might be a different problem. Sex is sex, but the heart is important. That's what dragged Jake into this, Nocturne saw it as more of a fun adventure in bed, and then everything became more real and she had to have a talk with HG about it. If it happens again, who knows how it will be resolved?

In practice, HG is focused almost solely on Nocturne, and Jake is fun now and then, especially all three together. They have no interest of finding or sleeping with new people. Nocturne spends her time more equally between HG and Jake, and care for them both. She will, on occasion, sleep with others because she likes being wanted, but it's not a big part of her life these days. She was doing it a lot more before Jake, because she was still riding the high of having dealt with her many mental issues. Jake is mostly focused on Nocturne, but will have fun with HG, though there's more tension there. He will quite often date others, and in up in bed with them, but he doesn't keep people around. More than half is because of clout anyway, and because he wants to be seen as an independent man.

Chen has been the place filler for plenty of hookups and lovers pining over someone else, but has he ever been the subject of being pined after? Has he ever been the subject of unrequited love, turning down someone else?

I bet he has, and he didn't like it. It's the worst feeling, when someone wants something from you that you can't return. He's blamed his job on more than one occasion.

How did Blaze feel about Ortega nearly destroying themselves in the wake of Heartbreak + resigning?

It was sad, in that particular way when a washed-out boxed doesn't know when to quit the ring, and then they do and it becomes even worse.

Did Chen actually see Blaze as a placeholder for Ricardo when they were still hooking up? Or was that all in Blaze’s head?

That was all in Blaze's head, and his insecurities didn't really help their relationship.

Back to the Nocturne facade threat question- what about with someone whose threat levels weren’t known/considered to be average/low like any other? Still the same?

Hmm. I would say it would be similar.

I remember the open beta of Retri, and some parts you cut out. Was there any reason why you cut out who to prioritise first between Steel/Handyman/Argent?

Yeah, I realized that I couldn't follow up on it, so I decided to remove it.

One of the details that makes FH ring most true-to-life for me is how different characters have not only different thoughts, but entirely distinct *ways* of thinking. The way that Chen tends to think in words/with an internal monologue, for instance, or that Mortum thinks in an ADHD-esque nonlinear rapidfire. Is this a facet of characterization you specifically think about, given that you're writing from a telepath's PoV, or do the differences in thought process come naturally once you have a handle on the character?

It comes naturally. Once I get a character talking in my head while driving, their personality is pretty much set. Until they have reached that point, everything is still in flux.

Is it possible for Hollow Ground to accidentally thread people? That is, is the use of their powers voluntary, or does physical contact automatically turn their orders into telepathic compulsions?

It is automatic, so HG needs to be very careful with his words. However, it need to be an intentional statement. For example, "you love me" would thread someone, "do you love me?" or "I love you" would not.

Considering what an elaborate trainwreck healthcare is in the real U.S., I'm always curious how the whole mess looks in the FEZ—different, largely similar, the same but worse...? For instance, does the lack of regulation on health insurance make it even more precarious to be poor and/or disabled in the West? Is quality control an issue? Is it an improvement over the mainland in some ways—e.g., is "move to the FEZ where there's no controlled substances" a last-ditch survival option for people denied their meds, or is that sort of thing not possible?

I would say it's a similar trainwreck to the current US system in that it is very much dependent on employer coverage. However, as you say, there are no controlled substances, and cheap generic drugs can be bought, much of it over the counter. So for a diabetic, it would be better and cheaper, but if you needed cancer treatment or heart surgery, it would be pretty much the same. Many smaller communities have pooled their resources and have a local doctor, just like they have volunteer firefighters. This works well for smaller injuries or disease, but anything big and complicated is still at the mercy of the big hospital giants.

ROs most likely to cheat?

In general? Ortega. On Sidestep? None.

Given that HG seems to strongly value family and grieve about what happened to their little sibling, have they ever considered having children?

Yes, but they are a boost, as are Nocturne and Jake, so it would have to be adoption.

Back in the day did Ortega assume Step wouldn't let things progress beyond kissing to keep their relationship casual or did they understand it was due to their deep aversion toward their clothes off?

They assumed it was to keep it casual and Ortega at arm's length. They might have got a vibe that sexual things were an issue, but it was never talked about.

Do any of the main characters smoke weed?

I think Chen has done a bit of that, as did Herald when he first moved to LD.

Was the order to kill Hood issued by the Hollow Ground we know or the original Hollow Ground?

The HG we know today.

In a prev Q&A you mentioned looking forward to playing I, The Forgotten One. Have you had a chance to play it? I really enjoyed it and you were the reason I found it.

I have! Worked quite well too, nice success in battle, the cute beginnings of a romance between messed up people, and my sister on the throne with a small taste of jealousy puttering beneath.

Does the old man need help getting around??

No.

What’re the HG trio (independently and as a whole) confident in? Can we, say, start targeting those to start sewing doubts and fears into their own capabilities? 👀 And what might happen to them?

Here is the issue. If you are around Hollow Ground, you will not lack confidence. There's just a constant string of low level affirmations like "you're beautiful," "you can do this" and things like that. Doubt and fear will require some clever thinking from Sidestep if that's gonna work. But, Jake is slightly insecure about his manhood in certain instances, and worried that he's nothing but a goon in others. Nocturne is perfect. HG is worried about getting the people they care about hurt.

Say if Ortega meets Step’s hypothetical found family, who are completely oblivious to their hero past (by Sidestep themself choosing to keep them in the dark)- or that they even used to be Sidestep. Would they feel tempted to tell them Step’s wonderful exploits as a hero? 👀 Would they do it?

They would be tempted and would do stupid hints until Sidestep told them to shut up.

On a similar note, what exactly did Ortega tell Argent and Danny about Step when they were reminiscing? Would either of them feel curious about the more dark, gritty parts to the past if they think Step would possibly tell them about it? Or are they content with the happier parts of what they know?

Oh they are both VERY curious about Sidestep's part of the story. And they will dig eventually.

Knowing what he does now, would Chen have changed anything about his actions back when he first found out the truth behind Sidestep?

Yes, of course he would.

How often do the LD Rangers contact Nazar in San Francisco, for any reason?? Would our dear Nazar be able to help hide, say a Sidestep who fled from LD, trying to escape their notice and being caught by them/the Farm?

I think there's contacts at least a couple of times per month. And Nazar would be able to help, but the question would be if he wanted to...

How much communication is there between the SD and the Rangers, especially in regard to high profile/threat villains? Like when they take Psychopathor in in the first game did they tell the Rangers (either directly or by making it seem like a different organisation like LDPD) that he was captured or do the Rangers just think he’s gone quiet?

There is no communication outside of what is needed for certain missions. They would let the Rangers know about the Psychopathor, but it would be seeded through the LDPD. The less anybody knows what they are up to, the better.

Would the SD tell the Rangers if they they captured Sidestep’s villain persona; or would certain circumstances like being a known telepath change this?

Sidestep is a special case, the moment they find out who is beneath the helmet if Sidestep is captured, that's when everything goes dark. Witnesses might be scrubbed as well.

You’ve previously said it will be possible to get some hero’s to support Sidestep as a villain but what about getting any of the villainous characters to support a more heroic/anti-hero Sidestep. Probably not getting them to be hero’s themselves but for example having Mortum more supportive of a political Step’s goals or helping a Sidestep who tries to avoid casualties and keep people safe?

Oh yeah! One of the things with this game is the fact that the line between hero and villain is blurred, some villains are better heroes than the heroes are, and some of the heroes are true villains. The only thing separating black from white is the thin line of the law, and in Los Diablos, that depends a lot on what the companies want. I can see Mortum supporting a more heroic villain, though they would shake their head and caution them not to be too wrapped up in pesky ideals. Vera is more focused on her community, she sees herself as much of a hero as anybody in this city, so she'd be in. Sky-Raider is very much about the money, so the question would be how well it paid.

If any of the villainous RO’s would support a less villainous Sidestep how would they fall on a scale of most likely to change their MO/behavior to least likely?

Hmmm. Changing their behavior. I would say from most likely to least: Sky-Raider - Mortum - Vera.

Would any of the Rangers be willing to work with Sidestep’s villain persona without actually knowing who they are? And if so who would be the most likely?

Depends on what they do, but I can see that being possible due to certain... events in the future. Likely to least: Argent - Charge - Steel - Herald - Argent. Yes, Argent would be at both ends depending on the villain.

And since the release of the series has there been any fan theories or speculation that you’ve seen that you’ve thought was particularly outlandish, so wrong or just plain weird that it’s made you wonder how people came to that conclusion? (you don’t need to say what the theories are if you want to avoid confirming or denying any theories in case of spoilers)

No, you are all very good at coming up with ideas! Some are wrong as hell though, but considering the fact that I fill the story with mysterious clues I can see how you'd get there.

How does Vera's control over her pigeons work exactly? Can she communicate with them?

She can communicate with them, though it would be seen as more of an emphatic thing, with information exchange. It's not like she can sit down and discuss the latest movie, but she can learn about events and people. She can also look through their eyes with a bit of focus, though she can't control them as she does so. Which can be a bit frustrating.

What was Vera's reaction when she realized she could control pigeons?

Oh that is a spoiler!

Does Vera herself feel any different when she's in a pigeon form? Does her senses work differently at all?

Yes, she feels different, and her senses work differently.

Has Armadillo attended the villain parties with Vera or would they consider it too risky?

I think Vera would invite them, but Ardee would see that as too big a risk.

How does Vera's family feel about her being a villain? Do they know she's a villain?

None of the people in her immediate area really see her as a villain. She does good for her community, and at times her community's needs go above such things as private property. She would be seen more of the Robin Hood type.

What did HG think about their mother's wish for youngest sibling to go legit and get an education?

I mean... it's a nice dream, but the world doesn't work that way.

What kind of dynamic does Argent have with Chen and Herald?

It's slightly tense with Chen, not unlike how it was with Sidestep back in the day. There is respect and trust (she saved his life) but there's also that unspoken bit of mystery that Chen picks up on but she won't touch. He knows something's up, and suspect it's something shady. She doesn't deny that, but says it's none of his business. Herald on the other hand wanted to get close, and she likes him, but so does her nanos and that's... dangerous. He's too touchy, so she tries to keep her distance. She also doesn't think he should stay a Ranger, that will break his heart. He disagrees with her, and that's a big tension between them.

How do Chen, Lady Argent, and Herald potentially feel about fighting against the villain who is a known telepath?

Chen has the worst case of deja vu, this won't end well. Lady Argent is annoyed, but working on countermeasures. Herald doesn't really know how to feel, it's weird, but is it really worse than things like a big laser cannon?

What was Vera up to during Nanosurge and Heartbreak Incidents?

She was in town, but not directly involved. Just an onlooker, like so many others.

Is there decided year for when Vera and Sky-Raider debuted as villains?

Dunno their timelines yet. They've been at it for a while.

If Steel managed to retire, what would he want to do?

Might volunteer at a dog shelter, or work with veteran outreach or something.

Were the nanovores saying anything during the potential scene where Argent either scarred or took an eye from Sidestep?

KILL. EAT. KILL. SAFE.

What was HG's and Nocturne's reactions to the attack on the diner Ortega (and Puppet potentially) went to spy on Jake?

Worrying. Not surprising but an annoying escalation.

What would Nocturne do if HG were to be killed, considering her red-threads would disappear? Has she ever thought about what she would do or made plans in case of such an event?

She won't allow that to happen, that's the extent of her plans.

Has Nocturne met Armadillo? What would her instincts say about them?

Nope. Not met yet.

Are Vera and Sky-Raider masked or a public villains? How recognizable each of them would be on the street in their civilian guises?

Both masked. Sky-Raider has his armor, and Vera tends to wear a mask or be a pigeon.

What kind of lives do Vera and Sky-Raider have outside their villain personas?

Still working on that, we'll find out as I write.

What kind of family or past does Sky-Raider have?

Very much a working class background, single mother, broke, lost most of the family things when volcanic ash decimated the midwest. Joined the army because that was a solid way to earn a living, and it meant he didn't have to sleep on his mother's couch in their tiny little evacuation trailer. Yep, people still live in those temporary accommodations.

How do HG, Vera, Sky-Raider, Nocturne, and/or Jake potentially feel about Sidestep being a telepath?

I think Sky-Raider is potentially the most weirded out, but also the most innocent about it in the sense that he really won't know exactly what is going on. HG and Nocturne trust their defenses, Jake would be cautious as hell.

What impressions does Mia have on Sky-Raider and Vera?

Sky-Raider is kind of cool, Mia has only seen him from afar. She wants to interview Vera, but is convinced that the whole pigeon thing is just done with trained pigeons.

Would Mia had any particular impressions on Nocturne and HG if they had been public villains?

I feel that she either would think they were cool, or that they were trying way too hard.

In one q&a it was mentioned both Nocturne and Jake would have hated being public villains, what would both of them have hated about it?

The whole performance part for Jake, the unease of being percieved on that level for Nocturne.

What kind of life did HG wish for their younger sibling?

A successful career in the family business.

Would the nanovores Sidestep acquired talk or feel different to Lady Argent?

Oh yes. VERY.

What kind of reputations Vera has sown around herself? Which of her reputations she considers to be true and which false?

You can get away with a lot of things as long as you have the right reputation, and Vera doesn't mind being a little bit infamous. The way most people talk about her is as a thief and mercenary, which she agrees with, though she thinks it's for a good cause. She has been working with other villains in the past, infiltrating things and getting access for other, heavier hitters. This changed after she started working with Armadillo, because now she has less need of muscles. During those years, she was tied to things which she was only partly involved in, and got a bit of a reputation as an assassin as well. She's more conflicted about that, she has killed people, but she thinks that might reflect badly on her community, so she tries to play it down.

So I had high suspicion with Ortega where after the crash they always clock my Sidestep as a villain upon waking up in headquarters, but I decided to do everything the same except this time offer to help with HG and that led to innocent upon waking while changing nothing else; my question is does Ortega still have that high suspicion or did it lessen/disappear once their theories were shown to be wrong? Or do they still have them but are currently distracted by the Regene reveal and haven't been able to focus on it yet?

You obviously slipped right under the suspicion threshold for Ortega, there's still suspicions bubbling under there, just not enough for Ortega to be sure and force a confrontation.

Inspired on the Ortega hang out ask from last QA, what would HG like to do with a new sibling? What kind of villainous or civilian activities would they enjoy?

The inner HG in my head bluescreened at that. I honestly din't think HG has thought that far yet, they are like a dog who managed to actually catch the car they were chasing and now went... oh shit. What now?

I'm thinking about how blue of Sidestep's uniform is the exact opposite of orange on the color wheel. Was this a conscious design choice?

Yep!

Why wasn't Hollow Ground that interested in Sidestep when they were a vigilante/hero? Considering Sidestep was a telepath who was very close to Ortega they do seem like a good leverage.

Because there were a million little vigilantes out there, and Ortega was busy enough being Marshal at the time that they didn't need to be too severely dealt with.

What happens to Arde's hair when their armor comes out?

Tufts still stick out between plates here and there, while other bits are stuck under. It's not very comfortable, but it is a conscious fashion choice.

In the Farm, who were Sidestep's targets during the experiments? Re-genes? Kidnapped humans? Both?

Re-genes and Farm staff.

Sidestep says it's been too long since they've used Re-gene language. Does that mean they haven't used it on their second capture?

They were mostly kept isolated from the other Re-Genes at that point, first due to health reasons and later due to experiments.

I think I've made mention of this before but I still find it a little confusing, why does everyone refer to HG and Step as being 'siblings.' Is this just because of the presumed connection Step has to the youngest sibling from their past? An assumption that HG will want to treat Step as a kind of 'found family?' [Especially in the case of a 'protected' Step.]

I think it's just a useful shorthand, because it's a single word, encompasses all gender variants. It is assumed that HG will act on that, which I have done nothing to dissuade with my answers. It is also a lot shorter than "Sidestep might possibly share some genes with HG's dead younger sibling, and a lonely HG with a love for family might decide that is enough to treat them as family." So yeah, your last assumption is correct.

One of my favourite add-ons from Retribution, small as it was, was Ortega making mention of your tongue if it's pierced and commenting they like it. Is there plans to integrate these kinds of things more in the future? [Similarly for the type of clothing you tend to wear, since I believe currently that only ties in with HG if you show up in what you 'normally would wear.']

It shows up in a few other places too, but mostly if you wear outliers. Like Ortega assuming you have money if you dress nice, and not if you don't. I will continue using it in the future, but just like height, I do it in situations were commenting on clothes or piercings might come up, I don't like to force mentions of things because that often looks awkward in the text.

Is there a possibility in the future to add an option to just ask Daniel's name in between the option to tease him out of it and asking at the dinner? [I only realised after teasing it out of him in the first dozen or so playthroughs that apparently it's the only way I noticed to find out for a very long time.]

I think it's funnier this way though.

I recognize this could be spoilers, [and may have been asked before, though I don't remember]. Does the Scar from Heartbreak impact the identity of the figure whom takes over your body and/or takes over the body of the Puppet?

Spoilers! You'll know soon enough, the code will be out there...

Something that kind of bugged me for a while was the fact that if you admit to Ortega being the boogeyman, they will always reveal you. I was wondering if this was a result of a drugged up stupor, a sense of justice, or the rawness of the betrayal still running deep, perhaps a mix of all three? Or was it just that the recording made it difficult to avoid? [The blurriest part for me is the 'villainous' Steps who border on anti-hero like those training the heroes or being anarchist due to corruption in the system.]

That is Ortega feeling betrayed and overreacting. They will kick themselves afterwards, but they had just been in a car crash, was running on painkillers and panic, and had just had their worst fears realized, and some new ones planted there. Ortega makes rash decisions when becoming emotional. This had nothing to do with justice, this was drugs and hurt feelings. There's a reason why Ortega breaks some Sidesteps out nearly immediately.

When it comes time to choose Sidestep's Re-gene name, will there be an option to decide which of their names Sidestep prefers internally? (Even if actually going by the Re-gene name isn't actually feasible)

That sounds like a good idea!

Rangers vs. Rangers: which city's team comes out on top, and would the result surprise people? Or if this question is rendered moot by disparities in team size, what would be the fairest way to group all six teams into two evenly-matched sides? (Everyone vs. San Francisco??)

I would say San Francisco, because they have the biggest team 8w9th subteams) due to several population clusters in the area (San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Stockton, and Sacramento), though a lot of it would come down to how the battle is fought. The Seattle Ranger Rivergrass is very powerful near water, as is Captain Columbia. The San Francisco team doesn't have one, so that would be an equalizer.

To group them in two even teams would be hard since people arenot used to working together, but a working three-way split would be something like:

Los Diablos and San Diego (used to woring together) with Sentinel out from retirement.

San Francisco with all the sub teams.

Seattle and Portland (also used to cooperating) with Portland bringing some power and Seattle sneakiness.

Reno won't get involved with that bullshit, Dave might agree to be judge.

On a related note, how well do fans' power rankings of heroes and villains tend to measure up to reality? Excluding mysteries like Hollow Ground, is there anyone in the cast whom fans greatly over- or underestimate, or whom nobody can agree on the right ranking for?

Oh the fans can never agree. And so much depends on circumstances. Think of it like comparing sports stars from different sports. It's really hard to judge a soccer player vs a hockey player, or a sprinter vs a pole vaulter. The only true lists are the one based on perceived facts, like how much has someone been seen lifting, or how fast have they been clocked while flying and so on. I would say that Charge is one of such controversies, because they shouldn't be that successful, yet somehow they are. And so many accusations of fangirl/boys have been thrown around, with accusations of being seduced by the hotness.

It's been stated that Mortum and HG (if they're somehow open with it) know that Ortega is dating Sidestep. How many people (villains, politicians, media or heroes) know Sidestep and Ortega are together? If Sidestep dates any other ranger does it become known too by anyone else outside them?

Some on the team have a hard time keeping certain secrets when they are happy. There's a handful, but I won't specify due to spoilers.

Will we potentially have the option to dox the HG trios’ residences/faces via telepathy? 👀 Or share information about them (and their relationship to each other) in that matter?

Sounds like a good plan if you can pull it off. Though there is the small matter that it might be like showing pictures of the Loch Ness monster, if you believe it's not real, it's probably a log.

We know the Rangers as a whole agree that Ricardo with a beard makes him look more mature than he really is, but what about the other options? Shaved and moustache?

I think at this point everyone is used to the mustache, so if Ricardo shaves it off, people think it's because he's trying to recapture his lost youth with Sidestep. So... slightly sad (but Danny feels he looks better though.)

What’s Nazar’s opinion of each of the Rangers? What about the past ones? (E.g. Hood, Anathema, Sunstream, etc.)

See. Nazar didn't idolize Hood, but he respected the man. Didn't meet him, but he's watched footage. Anathema always made him a little uncomfortable once Void had been defeated, there was that look every time. He liked Sunstream, and was sad to see she quit, but not surprised. He always felt she was quite brittle. I won't speak of the current Rangers, because of spoilers.

What languages does Pyroclast know?

Probably just English and Spanish, he doesn't strike me as a big language guy.

How did Ortega become good at detective work?

Occasional hyperfocus and a refusal to let things go. Ortega was always smart, school just didn't agree with them. And since they are good at reading people, they quickly learned how to spot when people were lying to them or making up things. Poker helped too. Other than that it's just knowing a lot of people, and be trusted enough that people share information. Learning from Owl and other vigilantes too.

What are the Rangers favorite movie genre?

Ortega: Seventies action movies.

Steel: Documentaries.

Argent: Horror.

Herald: Science fiction.

Between all the current rangers who's killed the most people?

Hmm. Steel probably.

What would be Elena's reaction to Sidestep punching/beating Ortega?

Depends entirely in the circumstances of seeing or learning it, and what happened.

Was Ortegas father physically abusive toward Ortega or just emotionally?

Physically too, though not majorly.

Which ranger has the best shot/more experience with guns? Moreover, who is the best martial artist?

Steel is the best with a gun and has the most experience with them in real life. On a shooting range, Herald could give him a match. I would say the best martial artist is probably Ortega. Argent can give them a run for their money though.

What approach would (or do) the Rangers and Dr. Mortum take in games with roleplaying choices?  E.g., would they stick to the "good" options, find it more fun to play an evil character, try to be an edgy antihero but can't bring themselves to be mean to fictional characters…? Are they the type who chooses whichever options they personally agree with, a ruthless pragmatist who picks whatever optimizes rewards, a dedicated roleplayer only concerned with "what my character would do", or something else?

Ortega: What is the most fun in the moment, mostly roleplayer with a drive towards chaos. "But what if I..."

Chen: Mostly pragmatist until he gets emotionally invested, and then everything becomes a moral quandary.

Argent: Sticking to the good options, why not?

Daniel: Would try to be evil and badass, then would have a crisis about it, then something might happen and he would be all in because he's angry.

Mortum: What would make a more interesting story.

On a related note, would any of them behave differently in a group TTRPG, where the others can see and be affected by their choices, than in a private single-player game?

No.

Why did mortum first think the puppet was a goldigger? What attracted mortum to the puppet?

The puppet was smooth and fancy and worked as a liason for an unnamed villain. That to Mortum felt like someone wanting to become important, who would latch on to whatever famous/powerful person they ran across and try to work their magic to their own advantage. What attracted Mortum was the inability for the puppet to stay in character, and reveal their deep cynism about how the world and villains worked.

What are mortums thoughts on chargestep?

It makes sense, but also what a self-destructive streak in both of them..

Why does Ortega have undying loyalty toward Sidestep no matter what they do?

Because that's the way they are. I don't know how else to explain it, it's a kind of relationship hyperfocus. But it is not no matter what, that bond can break and that won't be nice.

Will Sidestep have the opportunity to take out the Handyman sometime in the future?

The Handyman will return, is all I am saying.

What was Ortega doing with a gun at the gala? Did they suspect an attack or does they always carry a gun?

Ortega took the gun from one of the security guards, Ortega doesn't usually carry one.

What made the Dr think the puppet was dangerous?

Vibes. Something in the eyes. That certain aura around certain people.

Between the dr and each ranger who exercises the most each day and for how long? What does their daily diet each consist of?

Ortega is leading by a mile there. Probably as much as Chen and Argent together (which are the two in second and third place). Ortega doesn't have a diet, but they eat a lot of varied protein, and several supplements.

What was Elena's thoughts on Sidesteps and Ortega age gap if they're in a romantic relationship?

She didn't. They're both adults.

Why did Ortega flirt with Argent when they met if they were still grieving Sidestep?

Because Ortega was trying desperately to stop grieving. To move on. Yep, the flirting with Argent was as close to a rebound as it can get, probably one reason it never went anywhere.

Will we have the opportunity to meet Dr.Mortums ex or any of Ortegas exes in the future?

I don't think so, but who knows?

What were the cliques of each ranger and the dr during high school? Did they join any clubs/sports?

Chen was in the chess club, and was caught in that awkward spot of being good at sports (especially baseball), but more of an outsider/nerd at heart. Right before he got kicked out, he had started growing his hair out and listening to hard rock and meeting people who liked metal and punk.

Ortega was popular, athletic but was bad at team sports, did some track and field instead, and did a lot of skateboarding and bmx biking after school. Didn't last long in clubs/teams, but was always the center of the party.

Argent was a computer club nerd who liked video games and wanted to be president of the video club because everybody elses taste sucked. She had older siblings in the same school, which also sucked.

Daniel played lacrosse, just like his older brother, and was quite good at it. He was more part of the art clique, and was a talented, popular if rather shy young man.

What are each of the rangers signature move? Ex:Uppercut, Back Kick, Sweep Kick, Jab

Ortega: Sweep kick.

Argent: Stab.

Chen: Jab.

Herald: Ram.

Are any of the rangers or the dr fans of soul food? If so which are their favorite?

Hmm... I do think Ortega would be a fan, would probably have eaten a lot of that growing up in Texas. Not sure what would be a favorite, since the definition of exactly what counts as soul food seems to vary a lot.

Near the epilogue of retribution Sidestep has the option to loose something? What is it?

Hehehehe. Yep. We'll see about that.

If you're stuck in Sidesteps body will the dr notice anything different about the puppets behavior/personality?

In most cases, yes.

Does Nocturne ever worry or think about her dependence on HG’s red threads? It’s known that she still has some issues occasionally propping up despite them being in place, so either they’re not doing as well as they should, or they still need HG’s continuous attention to keep them sturdy. Neither of these sounds like good news for her.

She loves and needs them, the threads were done voluntarily and at her suggestion. However, it is still something which needs upkeep and reinforcement, which is something on her mind. She doesn't like being vulnerable.

What exactly happened when Jake called Nocturne ‘Nocky?’

Got "nocked" on the head.

Who among the HG trio can dance?

I think all three, though neither of them are experts or outstanding.

Can HG thread someone if either they or their target are drunk? What about if they both are? What if their target is unconscious?

It works while drunk. Not when unconscious. Need to hear and understand the words.

First off thanks mate, as an LA born Californian I love the character of Los Diablos though I can't really believe or see how the name would have changed to this since I've researched why & how the valley was named.

Blame me for that, I wanted the name change to force people to not immediately see modern LA. It might not be realistic, but neither is this story ;) And also, it was not the inhabitants which named it, it was the media, and as we all know, they don't always make the best decisions.

My two questions are: 1 how would people in the Los Diablos valley react to an event exponentially worse than heartbreak I mean black plague level catastrophe, especially the telepaths.

Maybe you will see... though, disregarding that glib answer, it would vary. If you're talking of a physical disaster, it is complicated. On one hand, the inhabitants are used to being self-reliant and take action. On the other hand, there's no central government to coordinate and assist. This can go both good or bad. As for being a telepath under those circumstances... it would be bad. REALLY bad. Probably run out into the desert to stay away from people bad. If you are talking about a telepathic disaster, then it would be wild panic and flight. Just get out of there as fast as you can.

Could Argent actually survive an uppercut that throws her into the Hollywood H from city hall, no electricity or power hax just a clean hit that's stupidly strong leading to a k.o. or K.I.A. I'm writing something for myself to explore a character I made learning about telepathy from my sidestep. Sorry for the short story I tend to drone on.

She could survive. The nanovores would form a protective shell/carapace, and would help stabilize her afterwards. She might be hurt for real though, most likely a bad concussion, broken ribs or internal bleeding. It would probably be a k.o.

Would Sidestep be able to enact possession of people if they didn't have Void's blood?

See... that is impossible to know for sure. I would not say it would be impossible to grow into that regardless, but the void blood sure helped to kickstart something.

Where does the SD’s income come from are they paid for jobs or funded by Genitech or the govt? Do they have insurance to cover regene breakouts/property damage or is everything handled in house?

They are funded by several sources. The core is from the military budget, but several companies are pushing huge sums of money into their research as well. They also sell research and body parts, Genitech is technically not connected, but behind the scenes it utterly is. Everything is handles in-house, no insurances of that sort.

It's established that Re-Genes are generally bald. However, a bald person -ESPECIALLY one presenting as a woman- would be somewhat notable/memorable, not to mention the fact that it would be a dead giveaway to anybody who knows about cuckoos. So, do cuckoos just wear wigs while they're on a job?

Some cuckoos are allowed to have hair, others work in wigs, especially at the start.

Sidestep keeps calling Ortega an idiot, and we've yet to see Ortega fire back since Rebirth. Where there any specific choice words that Ortega used to refer to Sidestep back in the hero era that they've stopped using since their return from the dead?

I think "you're such an asshole" was quite common, but other things might have been too depending on your Sidestep. But good spotting that Ortega is afraid to push back...

Would Step feel it if there was a drastic change in the state of their body while possessing the puppet pre-imposter shenanigans?

No.

Do the RO’s have differing goals or opinions on marriage/life partnership with Sidestep, or is that up to reader headcanon?

Up to headcanon, that will mist likely not come up in game.

It's obvious why Chen never told Ricardo he's gay but why not tell Julia? Especially when in some scenarios she's openly bi? And is there a chance she might still find out even if Step doesn't romance him?

Because then Julia would start trying to hunt of boyfriends for him, and that would be even ore embarrassing than the girlfriends. Chen is private, and he suspects Julia would do her best to "help out". She might still find out.

If we got Joshua fired in Rebirth... is there a small possibility we could recruit him in the future?

Maybe!

Has Dr. Mortum ever been dosed with Void blood?

Such a straight out question, did you really think I would answer that?

Did locus know that old era Sidestep was a telepath?

She might have suspected it.

Do Armadillo and Shroud know each other?

They at least know of each other.

Could Shroud recognize sidestep if she saw their face? What's her opinion of them? (If she has one)

Probably not. Her opinion is unknown at this point.

Followup to my question about whether or not arde was inspired by stories of other escapees: does arde specifically know the story of Sidestep, their first escape and their career as a hero?

Yes.

Is it possible to recruit(possibly only for mob bosses) other members of existing mafias? Like stealing Jake from HG by leveraging the fact he was unknowingly threaded? Or poaching Shroud from Francis by revealing you're also a Regene?

Yes.

More broadly, will Mob!Steps be able to expand their organization with new names faces?

Yes.

Would the regenerator also remove the blue-skin of a blue-gene?

it is possible.

Can sidestep offer the regenerator to arde, once they have it up and running?

Yes.

How many other boosts are out there with powers similar to Vera’s? Are there any at the farm?

Hm. Similar. Not as many as you'd think, Vera is... weird. Not any at the farm, luckily for them.

What would happen if the Farm suddenly got wind that their property has an entire secret and self-aware culture hidden under their noses? Would this spark new research opprotunities or ethical concerns? Would there be schisms in the staff? A mass liquidation of all assets? Would the Farm even survive?

It is very unlikely that the Farm would survive, such as it is currently structured under this leadership.

Can Shroud "starve" to death if she's given enough physical food and hydration to meet bodily needs, but hasn't death-touched someone in a while? I.e. is the "life energy" she steals from others, necessary for her own survival? Or is it, for like of a better term, a recreational form of consumption?

It is necessary, her powers are eating her, that is the only thing that slows it down.

With enough biological material, could Argent create something similar to an autonomous drone that she controls via technopathy? Or would the risk of a separate cluster going rogue be too much?

She could but would not risk it.

Will we get to meet Sentinel's family one day?

Not sure.

Could psychopathor give the Rat King enrichment activities? Or was his psi-sensitivity too weak to allow for that?

Not knowingly, but they were strong enough for the rat-king to have fun tagging along anyway. Just more like looking over someone's shoulder rather than being involved in a conversation with them.

Did the Farm know that Sidestep was a telepath before picking them up at the HB site? Would they have settled for any survivor or did they grab a hero specifically?

They would have grabbed any survivor.

Did the Farm have any staff who were fans of Sidestep before HB? Did the higherup then censor Sidestep fans after the HB incident and finding out they were a lost cuckoo?

I don't think there were Sidestep fans at the Farm, they have a rather cynical view on heroes and vigilantes.

If sidestep is trans would that also make HGs little sibling also trans since Ortega saw their records and didn't make any connections to sidestep being trans

HG's sibling is not trans. Ortega assumed HG would have had powers to get records changed back then, as well as puberty blockers and stuff, once they thought about it post apartment talk.

What did an unromanced Ortega think of Sidestep's dating life back in the day? That there wasn't one to speak of or that they were just really private about it?

Could be either, but Ortega would have bet money on none.

Any chances of Ortega finding out the pressure ended before the bomb went off? Whatever that means?

Ortega knows.

Neither Ortega nor Chen saw Themmy die, but did either of them see Themmy's corpse?

No.

Has Shroud used her powers on a psi sensitive person before?

Not a true telepath.

Is the organization who created the rat king also responsible for whatever threat the farm thinks is coming?

No.

Are there any activities Arde would like to try but hasn't been able to because they're blue?

Yes, but they're also quite shy about being seen among people. So they might not do them anyway. Also, remember that the vestigal arms really complicated things more than just the skin.

Is there anything about the human world that Arde finds especially strange/puzzling? e.g. the concept of gender, nuclear family, money, etc.

Gender is weird. Family is understandable. Money is as well. Babies are precious and confusing.

We know a decent number of Regenes have escaped the Farm, but have any been captured then escaped again like Sidestep?? Any that have escaped not just twice, but multiple times?

I don't think so.

Does Vera know (of) more escaped regenes aside from Armadillo and Sidestep?

No.

Does Vera's community know about Arde? Do they think she just has a reclusive partner or are any of them privy to the full truth?

They know about Arde, but they don't know they're a regene. They think they are just a reclusive boost with ptsd.

Would it be feasible code/story-wise for sidestep to develop additional vices? Or have a 'counter' on certain decisions like tw alcoholism  drinking to avoid problems/thinking that may influence flavor text?

I have been playing with the thought. It's certainly possible, but would the effort be worth what I can use it for is the big thing-

Will we be able to sniff out the mole for HG in order to gain their trust?

Perhaps.

Does Arde have any ambitions/plans to take down the Farm or are they content with staying away and remaining free?

Taking down the farm is like blowing up the moon. Too big to consider.

What would Arde stats (as sidestep) be? Daring ruthless ect.

Dunno yet, I need to write them more first.

We know how the rangers feel about memes, but what do the HG trio, Mortum, Sky-raider, Vera and Arde think about them? Do they understand them? Use them/like them?

I think Arde likes and understands them, they are a useful shorthand for a confusing human world that can be distilled down to repeatable core components. I think the rest doesn't really care one way or the other.

If Nocturne wasn’t in the picture to intercept Ortega’s plans, how much damage can they do to HG’s empire?

Might have brought it down already.

Considering the physical dangers some of them can face, what medical training does each RO have (accredited or not)?

Pretty much between a firefighter and an army medic. They can handle emergencies. Ortega has the most, because they have voluntarily gone out to learn it since they were young due to accident prone hobbies. Chen learned in the army. Argent needs to know how bodies work. Herald knows the basics, but is also the one who has to use it a lot since he is the one first on the scene for disasters and similar. Dr. Mortum knows a lot but resents having to use it.

Was sidesteps face revealed to the public after heartbreak? If not how was mortum able to recognize sidestep when they meet face to face

No, it was not. Dr. Mortum has contacts, and did some Sidestep research for... reasons.

Was Locus ever targeted by the Farm? If so, is the reason why they want her the same reason they went for all those now-missing telepaths?

Yes and yes.

You said that Mortum and Herald would fare just about as well as Argent with the nanovores. Why?

A strong core self of control and responsibility as well as empathy.

And what would their relationship with the nanovores be like?

If we consider similar powers and events, I think Dr. Mortum would see them as machines, and would see themselves as a true cybernetic organism. I think Herald would see himself more like a prison guard, and would be rather miserable.

Do the Rangers know about Daniel’s rich kid past? How much, if they do? Did any of them ever ask why he’d leave such a ‘comfortable’ life for heroism?

They do know the general story, it is not a huge secret. Most of them chalk it up to guild over his brother.

Ortega's mind's currently inaccessible but could they take a trip into Sidestep's mind if Step pulled them in?

Not at this point.

When Joe warned/gave advice to the puppet about Jake looking for the puppet, was that Joe paying back the puppet for Ace warning him about the hotel fire in the past?

Yeah.

Before anything romantic developed between Herald and Step, did Ortega know that Herald had a crush on his idol?

Ortega suspected it, yeah. Herald is not that good an actor.

We know the rangers have preferences over the villain path that sidestep chooses. Does Vera and Sky-raider have a preference too?

Probably, but I need to write them more to be sure.

Does Argent technopathcially hear anything when Sidestep uses their nanovore gauntlet near her? Do her friends?

No. The Rat-King runs interference for the armor. Can hear chitter, nothing more. Just like Sidestep doesn't immediately pick up on her nanovores.

Did Argent ever flirt with a villain before the chance with Sidestep? Did she ever get in trouble for it?

Yeah she did, it's fun. And she got slightly in trouble for it, but also Charge... so, nothing new.

If Boosts are infertile because of the drug causing DNA damage, do Boosts have a higher chance of contracting cancer?

A slight increase, yes.

Ace is a boost, do they have any cravings? Is it whiskey/alcohol?

Ace liked whiskey, but that was a choice, not a craving. They didn't have any if you don't count the gambling addiction.

What did Snowball's mindscape look like when Sidestep pacified her?

It was a locked cage with electrified walls, and Sidestep broke them down and let her out and showed her what freedom tasted like.

Can Argent re-wrangle the nanovores back under control if she lets them out for a feeding frenzy?

Yes, but it is an effort. If the swarm grows too much, there might be issues...

Is Revelations gonna be the book in which Step will finally be able to (unreasonably) accuse Ortega of having abandoned them after HB, plus irrationally blame them for everything else?

Yes. There can be some heartwrenching arguments there.

Does Steel have an opinion on the Ortega mustache debate for male Ortega's?

No, but he is secretly very amused at Ortega's insecurity. "The mustache is fine for fuck's sake. What's wrong with looking your age?"

The heartbreak site still gives bad vibes even after HB is long gone. Which means strong enough telepaths can permanently affect the psychic plane... Could a strong enough telepath in theory etch their consciousness into the psychic plane and become immortal in a sense?

Yep. In a sense.

If Nocturne and HG kept thinking about telling the truth of the fact they threaded Jake, does that mean HG can undo a threading?

Yes.

Extending on the concept of spare parts... Would/has the farm experimented trying to make "spliced" regenes? If they got a regene with regeneration say then tried to splice crab claw arms from an otherwise undesirable regene onto them?

OH yes. That's just sound science.

‘You don’t feel retired.’ What exactly was it about Sidestep that made Steel get these vibes, irregardless of Ranger relationship/telepath status?

Still had the wariness, the way of treating everyone like a prospective enemy, every room like a possible ambush site.

In the faker path Ortega says "I know what they can do with bodies. Clones. Fakes. I just didn't know they could do memories". How does Ortega know they can clone people?

Ehehehhehe yeeeeah. That is a VERY good question. One might wonder what conspiracy boards they have been hanging on, or whether they have seen something...

Will we find out what Mortum and Hollow Ground were discussing at the end of Rebirth?

Maaaaybe.

Beyond Steel, do the rest of the Rangers have Ortega facial hair preferences?

Herald thinks Ric looks nicer without, Argent kind likes it.

How old would hollow grounds younger sibling be if they were still alive?

In their thirties or so.

When Ortega catches step leaving parkfield and step is revealed as a re-gene but still innocent. What does Ortega think step was doing there now that their sibling theory was busted

Helping out with tracking HG even though Sidestep might have said no or not even asked. Ortega is like that.

What would happen if Sidestep used their nanovores on Argent?

Maybe you'll see.

If Sidestep lets Blaze push them through the window and the rat King ends up saving them, what does Blaze tell Chen? What makes Blaze "sympathetic" towards sidestep?

I won't say yet, that might be a fic eventually.

Is the old man still in Los Diablos?

Sort of maybe but not quite.

Will we be able to flirt with any of the other Rangers while in armor?

Why not? It's fun.

When’s Five Pennies’ birthday?? Wanna celebrate this rancid man 😈

12 January 1970.

Does shroud's death touch trigger TBR? Did Ace get TBR'd when they died?

Normally it kills people, but in Ace's case, yes that happened.

What would Danny think of Across the Spiderverse’ art styles? Any favourites he has? Any styles he wants to try?

I mean the Spider-Punk style is really cool.

What’s Danny’s mindscape look like?

The sky, with clouds and grand vistas. Normally sunny and warm, until things gets bad.

What was the WolfPack's juicy gig that was coming up in rebirth?

Working for Psychopathor, he pays well.

Who sees Barbie, who sees Oppenheimer, and who sees both/neither?

Argent drags the Rangers to see both, no argument.

Is Chen aware of the extent of Ortega's reliance on tw painkillers? And if so, has he tried broaching the subject with them?

Yes and yes.

Is there any particular reason you mentioned a Cessna in rebirth? Have you ever been in one, or did you find out about them while researching small planes?

Never been in one, but flying small planes is a bit of a hobby for many in countryside sweden, and that's the one I've always heard talked about so I grabbed it out of thin air.

Will we be able to reconcile with Mortom if they betray us when we're sidestep stuck?

Yes, if you want to.

Can we be friends with whatever or whoever took control of either of the body's?

Depends on what or who it is.

Would Arde be open to sibling hugs/hangout time with Step?

We'll see. Other regenes are complicated.

Following up on that, how does Arde view other regenes, both escaped and unescaped? Do they consider them siblings, former comrades-in-arms, strangers with similar experiences? Did they feel the same toward cuckoos?

It depends. It can be all of them, just like one human can have different views about other humans. But cuckoos are dofferent, they were always in a weird spot in the farm.

Will the regenerator also regenerate the nanovores? Are their biological components considered whole?

It won't really affect the nanovores that way.

you mentioned unromanced!danny might have a crush on someone in b3. is it vera? 🕊️

Not saying yet.

If Argent ran into her family while she was out and about, and they were interested in speaking with her for whatever reason, what would she do? Try to avoid them/escape? Pretend she doesn't know them and interact with them like they were random civilians?

Pretend she doesn't know them.

How does she feel about it afterwards? Happy to see them, however brief? Saddened that she has to maintain some distance?

She would be sad and depressed.

If Sidestep hasn't been discovered how likely do the rangers think the new villain is locus? I'm guessing Argent hasn't considered it since she can flirt with the villain.

Not very likely, due to the fighting style. Locus was never that physical.

Don't remember this being asked yet, we've seen glimpses of Sidestep's nightmares, but what about the rest of the cast? On both sides of the law.

Sidestep might learn of them in book three, but all of them got nightmares. Not gonna out them here.

What made Ortega go "Huh", while they were spying on Jake at the dinner? Was he discussing plans of inviting the new villain to Hollow Ground?

Hehehe a very good guess.

Did Arde and Shroud escape the Farm around the same time?

Yeah.

We know what Chen's family thinks of his sexuality and can make a guess about Ortega's but what about Danny, Argent and Mortum (double for the latter cause of gender identity)? Are all their families in the dark? Would they take it well?

Argent really didn't show any interest back then, so their family is in the dark. Mortum's family is VERY much in the dark, about the transition as well. Danny's family would have suspected something like that, they didn't talk, but oh boy, they were worried Danny was one of "them".

What prompted Vera to get boosted?

It was an accident.

will there be chances for us to tell characters that we were sidestep? minus mia, perhaps, but not saying who, are there chances for very strong reactions to that bit of info?

I think there will be more chances to open up in the future. And there would be some strong reactions.

We know that in Mitchell's files, there's usually a recorded conversation/letter/video of that specific subject. If sidestep was an independent hero back in the day, what kind of content does Mitchell have of them?

Probably surveillance camera footage.

Back in the day, when sidestep was living in the street, did they perhaps end up sleeping in the independent suburbs Vera comes from?

Maybe, they squatted all over town.

During sidesteps vigilante days if them and Ortega were flirting was their relationship ever speculated about in the media? By gossip mags or fansites?

Oh yeah, though it was always more of a "crack pairing" since it wasn't deemed too likely, and why would you ruin a good friendship?

What’s the mob bosses crew presentation scores? And what's their style choices?

I think they're all in the 20-30's, ZaZa being the highest, and Ward the lowest. Not sure exactly what their style choices would be, none of them really stand out that way for me.

Exactly what kind of imprisonment for Five Pennies are we looking at here? 👀 Is Gerard mandated to go through experimentation, or to work? Is he just imprisoned in max security and kept in isolation from other prisoners, given what happened?

From what Sidestep knows, it was max security prison, probably with a bit of isolation there since he was a former hero.

I don't know how to ask this, Vera in her pigeon form shits on people?

No. But she might ask other pigeons to.

Will we get to see the FEZ charter expire within this series?

It is planned to end before that.

Who were the six heroes besides Elyise who died during the Nanosurge?

I don't know! It's just a number.

How many vigilantes were killed in the nanosurge? How many civilians? Officially reported or otherwise.

Probably a handful of vigilantes at the most, while helping with evacuation. I would say about 400 people or so were reported dead, but considering the fact that there's no good statistics for inhabitants in LD, and that there will be no bodies, the number should be seen as a minimum. It could be a lot higher.

In a previous ask, you said "HG goes out more often, but rarely as themself" What kind of facade/persona/disguise does HG project? Who do the people that know them as a civilian think they are?

HG has several... personas? False identities? They like to portray themselves as an academic, often a therapist, or a local historian. Something they can bluff easily with a few threads, nothing science related. On several occasions they have used Tina's Aquarium as an "employer" since they know a lot about fish and aquariums.

What were the demands that Sky-Raider was shouting at the LDPD? Does he shout demands often?

I think that might been about backing off and letting him take the armored van and leave. He likes to be loud, and has speakers.

If you're puppetstuck and Sky-Raider breaks the puppet out from the hospital, it's mentioned in the text that Ortega actually gets there. Did they manage to do something or just helplessly stare at Sky-Raider while he was flying away

Spoilers.

If not spoilery, how does Sky-Raider's armour work/look like? I'm trying to imagine it but I'm picturing Dr. Octopus' ironman version

Hmmm. I am bad at designing, I leave that to the artists.

Since Sky-Raider is kinda a social butterfly, do we know any of the villains/friends he usually hangs out with?

Still working on them.

Who should Sky-Raider be more concerned about, the Marshal or an Ortega whose datefriend has been kidnapped (or any kind of Ortega rlly)?

Both. Why not both?

Should a Dr. Mortum that kidnapped step be concerned about Ortega?

Oh yes.

Argent worries about what Sidestep's reaction will be when she regains her original face? She thinks they won't find her beautiful anymore?

She won't look like she does now, so yeah, she's worried about that. She built her ideal face, to her nothing can live up to that.

there's a scene in rebirth where step reminisces in the gala about a memory that they are quite sure isn't their own, where they are talking with a psychiatrist asking them questions as they stare at the sky. is step being an Unreliable Narrator(TM), and this is actually one of their own memories? and have we met this psychiatrist/have they been mentioned in any lore?

Good question. You won't get a clear answer. But I will say that Sidestep does have transplanted memories as a regene that were not spoken of in Rebirth.

Did the kingpin before HG took over also "make the ground crack under the feet" of some of those they wanted dead?

If you are talking about the kingpin before Hollow Ground's oldest brother, no. If you are talking abut the current Hollow ground, yes.

Question about a theoretical situation. If we show up in Chen's footage after Argent's bodysnatcher incident and Ortega never runs into us in the cafe. Would Chen ever see us while reviewing the footage? If so what would he think/do? Or would he never review the footage until he sees us at the dog park?

Chen would have something bothering him about it, but it would only be after the dog park it would click into place and he might review the footage.

What does Sky-raider actually know about the person who broke out from the hospital? Did he recognize the tattoos instantly?

Sky-Raider knows about Re-Genes...

Will we ever get to read what Chen wrote for the HB funeral speech?

Maybe, if I feel sad enough to write it.

Could Dr.Halabi recognize step as Ortega's friend? Or she doesn't know their face/how they look like

Dr. Halabi knows things.

If step was mortumnapped and the rangers (Ortega) are freaking out big time, is she gonna stay quiet as a mouse or may she hint they're okay.

Now see, that's a big moral quandry for her.