QnA for... uhm. March? April?

Anyway it is here! Sorry for the delay!

...

Was reading previous Q&A and something came to mind: will we be able to see any ROs, particularly Ortega, have a crash out? By crash out I mean lose it in a moment of unfiltered rage.

I think that is more than likely. Ortega, Argent and Herald are the most likely to do this.

Can you tell us more the puppet? Like what make him want to kill us ? How many Couse will affect his attitude to us?

I don't want to get in too deeply due to spoilers. This is something you will have to explore in game. I have not yet finalized the impostor/puppet equation exactly, but it is a combination of many things, not just one choice and that's it.

This question might be a bit weird considering he is a RO but could be grow to have a Parent - Child relationship with Mentor Daniel like Ortega had with Hood? The 'reluctant parent figure' potential is too much to not be acknowledge

Nope. Not even a little.

For the funsies, will Sidestep "don't notice me" trick ever be brought up to the ROs? If not, then what would they think of the trick especially when realizing it was the main reason why attractive/charming Sidestep oddly never seem to catch people's attention (Not like many people knew their face but anyhoho)

I think Ortega already 'knows' if not the exact details of how and why. Daniel and Chen are close to figuring it out. This will be dealt with in game.

So who in the main cast listens to NSYNC? My brother's been annoying me with them since their first album.

I needed to look them up... huh. I dunno who would listen to them. I really don't. Maybe Ward would do it ironically?

Who's a metalhead? And what kind of metal?

Chen did canonically listen to metal/hard rock back in the days. Nothing too heavy, in the Black Sabbat/Iron Maiden tradition.

Does Danny go Bigfoot hunting from time to time? I want to know if my headcanon of him taking vacations to hunt cryptids is actually canonical.

You know what. That actually sounds like something Daniel would do. Or at least wish he had time to do. He works too much.

When discussing Herald's black eye from training during coffee, we have the option to have faked an opening. Does Herald realize if we did? If so, how does he feel about it, considering the opening was a throat punch?

I don't think Herald realized that. He feels really conflicted about the rough training in general.

What does Ortega think if Sidestep has a better relationship with Herald than with Argent? Does their suspicion change anything?

I think Ortega would think of it a bit like it was with Anathema. That Herald might have enough golden retriever vibes to let Sidestep lower their guard somewhat. If they are suspicious that Sidestep is the villain Ortega will be more on guard. But also hope that maybe Herald will rub off on them. Will feel a bit guilty for not sharing their suspicions too.

You've mentioned in past Q&As that Ortega still holds some resentment towards Chen for delaying them from saving Sidestep, and that if they could do Heartbreak over they would stick close to Sidestep, but Chen would die. If Ortega and Anathema has switched places, would they feel any resentment towards Sidestep for Chen's death? Do they feel any resentment towards Sidestep now for Anathema's death, because Sidestep fell behind?

Heartbreak is a whole load of tangled up emotions for Ortega. Yes, though they might not admit it openly, Ortega does resent Sidestep a bit. Both for accepting the mission, and for not sticking close enough to the dampeners. Blame. Guilt. Too much swirling around at the same time. Ortega didn't want to blame the dead, but now Sidestep is alive and everything is raw once more.

So far, blinded and Argent marks are treated as the same except for flavor text. Will that continue to be the case? On that note, neither the henchman/mob boss team nor Vera & Arde comment about it, so what do they think happened?

They will be split off once I expand more on variables. For example, there will be the option of eye replacements. At the moment people are assuming that Sidestep got hurt in the crash, another injury among many. Since the face/eye/cheek is bandaged, the claw marks won't be obvious until it heals enough to come off.

How did Armadillo communicate with Vera before they taught her the Re-Gene language?

Gestures and a word here and there. Armadillo understands and can speak English, they just don't like it.

Does Ortega listen to music when riding his motorcycle and if so what kind?

Hmm. No. Music is for the car. I think Ortega likes vibrations and sound of the motorcycle, and the sharpness that comes with it. No distractions.

In "Telenovela 1.1.1", when Argent jokes with Sidestep saying "from what I've heard you don't mind ${his} hands", does that imply Ortega told her because they're in a polyamorous relationship? As in, Ortega shares those kinds of details with Argent due to their open communication and agreement within the relationship? Or is it something Ortega would also share with other people she's close to? Did she mention it to Argent casually in a conversation where the topic just came up, or did she intentionally bring it up because she specifically wanted to talk about it?

This is specifically because that scene is written from a poly perspective. I would assume that at that point people have started to talk a bit. Also, I think Ortega has shared a lot less than Argent is implying, she just likes to tease. So she makes a hen out of a feather if that makes sense.

When Argent started a relationship with Sidestep—despite having avoided it for a long time—were there reasons beyond just the chemistry between them and the whole fighting dynamic? Considering that, unlike Ortega, Sidestep tends to avoid physical contact and sometimes disappears for a few days, did that make it easier for Argent to maintain the distance she feels more comfortable with, whether because of the nanovores or other personal reasons?

I would say that Sidestep's distance do make it a lot easier for Argent. This is why it could never work out with Herald. Too much, too close. And, though this might sound ruthless, Argent feels that Sidestep can handle themselves if she goes out of control. They handled the nanosurge. So she feels she can relax a little more than normal. Also, when she got interested in the villain, she saw them as expendable. If the worst happened... well, they're not an innocent civilian. So much of argent's life is a calculation of risks.

Will there be a poly V route with Steel and Julia?

Yes.

Will Sidestep need to be saved in every route, or will they be able to jump to another body and save themselves in some of them? If not, then was it because they were saved before they were desperate enough to do so?

It all depends on how many alternative starts I have the patience writing, I have an option with Sidestep manipulating an escape on their own but so far it remains unwritten. BUT, one of the big problems here for Sidestep is that they can't switch bodies outright right now. Something has changed. And the first part of the book will try to resolve that. They can telepathically manipulate and control people, but no bodyhopping.

In a past Q&A, you mentioned that Anathema didn’t know how to make the acid stronger. But considering how Heartbreak made her do exactly that — and what Sidestep later did with Blaze and Jake — did Sidestep subconsciously learn to mimic Heartbreak, or was it something they developed naturally? And was it the same thing Heartbreak did, or just something similar?

Whatever happened at Heartbreak will be explored in this book!

Will we be able to choose the gift we're going to give Ortega for her birthday?

You will get alternatives, yes!

Can it be a new mug?

Yes, that is one of the cute options.

Ace said when shroud killed them .... someone will revenge for them .....now it seems like is sidestep i wonder how much future Ace can see ? Like how far and how much details when Ace used their power? Will we learn more about Ace in book 3? Shroud said Ace is a lonely soul no one will miss him if he die, is that true?

You will learn more about Ace in this book! Normally Ace would never be able to see that far, but the situation was close enough to a traumatic boost response that this single vision broke through.

I really want to see how things will going will sidestep being given the option to help the Ros? Like paying debt using the regeneration to help them? Could it help to regain arms and legs for chen?

A Sidestep with money will have options to spend it. The question is whether the RO's will accept it or not. The regeneration machine won't be able to help Chen, it's not that powerful. But with enough money and time for healing, Chen could slowly get vat-grown replacement limbs. But that would take long enough to be outside the scope of the game and might come with some ethical concerns of their own.

You’ve said in the past that HG has to reenforce the threads of people with strong minds more frequently. Chen has strong mental defences, so how do they go about reapplying the threads without Ortega noticing or being tipped off?

Oh you will learn that in game ;).

The Guardians are Alvarez’s attempt at creating an alternative symbol to the Rangers. Discounting circumstances related to Sidestep’s actions in the future books, would the Guardians ever cause the powers above the Rangers to make adjustments to re-cement their position in LD? And what would they do?

Oh the Guardians are absolutely seen as a possibly disruptive threat by the powers above the Rangers. The question is what could be done, and if doing something will be worse than leaving it alone.

If Heartbreak had stopped in an area under another Ranger team’s territory would they have called Ortega in due to the telepathy resistance or gone in on their own?

I think they would have gone in on their own as a first option. If/when that failed, they would have asked for help.

If Ortega had gone would they have been able to bring the same team with them or have to work with the people already from there?

Ortega would have to work with the locals.

Given Resolution 32 is due to end soon have any of the Rangers considered that their status as a government entity might put them into conflict with or make them a threat to LD?

Chen absolutely have.

In a past Q&A you said Ortega told Chen, who told everyone else Sidestep is the villain in guilty paths. If Chen is also the one who breaks Step out and the two are working together what would Chen do if Step blames Ortega for not helping them escape/holds Ortega solely responsible for their arrest? Would it change if Step admitted they no longer trust Ortega because of it?

Hmmm. I think I will have to write that out in game. I'm not entirely sure how that conversation would go.

Would Ortega’s willingness/unwillingness to support Step’s cause affect how Chen would handle it?

Yeah, that would definitely be a factor.

How are other countries aside from America doing with enhanced people? Do they have hero teams similar to Rangers?

I think we have to separate other countries in two different categories: Countries with strong government control, and countries with weaker government control. Countries with the first (like the EU, China, the USSR) enhanced people are seen as loose cannons, and risks. There might be some military uses, but the drug is strictly controlled, and heroes are dissuaded or under government oversight. Vigilantes are seen as villains. Even if we go to the US, the east coast is a lot more controlled. No big bright hero teams like the west.

Countries with less governmental oversight (like the free economic zone on the west coast, southeast asia) have a lot more enhanced people, especially boosts. Here actual hero teams exist, sometimes state sponsored, sometimes independent. Vigilantes are common, and in many cases step in where local police might be underfunded or corrupt.

How are international threats taken care of? Like if a villain goes from America to another country like France or China.

Interpol is still a thing, and most countries have specific task forces to hunt down threats like that. They might be military or civilian.

Is Step the first villain Argent's had a relationship with?

Yeah, the first one that has gone this far. She's flirted with others, but nothing more.

Are there any villains/heroes that you wish you could introduce but you know wont be?

OH yeah. Absolutely. Anything not based around Los Diablos will sadly have to be background material.

What was Ortega’s first mission back post-HB like?

Easier and more violent than anticipated. Good to be back on the horse. No need for therapy afterwards. Absolutely not. And what are you complaining about? The villain lived.

If telepathic dampeners are mechanical, if there were any would technopathic dampeners be organic?

I love that thought!

Does it bother Ortega that a once-friends-with-Ortega is now a ghost of the past relationship? Do they think Hollow Ground is involved and/or did some brain? washing?

Of course it does. And Ortega blames everyone except themselves (and sometimes they do that in the middle of the night when nobody is looking.)

Also have you seen the wooly mice? They're adorable

They are adorable and I want to cuddle one!

Did you know how to code before making an IF?

Nope! All I know is basic html and a bit of CSS from... well, twenty years ago. Just read the instructions on the site and worked out the rest from there (and questions in the forum).

Did HG's mother blame the other two for the middle brother's death?

Not openly, but I think part of her did. It's complicated.

The vibe seems to be that Nocturne is mostly running things these days, but HG's power is the linchpin holding the whole empire together. Is Nocturne afraid that HG would refuse to see someone who can unravel the whole thing as a threat?

You're not wrong about the vibe, and on the concerns that Nocturne might have about a Sidestep insinuating themselves a bit too closely. That's going to be a conflict...

Could Sidestep make someone perceive that they are seeing and talking to a physically present Sidestep? Would any characters prefer that to a disembodied voice in their head?

Yeah, Sidestep could do that. A bit more effort, but not much. I have to think about this a bit whether people would prefer it or not. It might be more disconcerting in some ways, at least of they are concerned with looking strange by talking to thin air.

Are companies that offer same-sex reproduction services fronts for the Farm?

Nope.

Is it possible for Sidestep to not hate Regina?

I would say that it will be possible for Sidestep to have complicated feelings for Regina eventually. Hate. Fear. Even understanding, and in some cases gratitude. Like it or not, they would not have become who they are without her. I'll explore that in game. There will be options.

We've seen from the books and a few of your lore posts that a lot of Rangers seem to have their own personal issues, and our current batch of Rangers have room for doubts and may even potentially switch sides. And looking into their characters, it seems all of them needed to join the Rangers due to all the baggage they carry. Which makes me wonder, has there been any Rangers that joined the team because they genuinely wanted to help people, above all else? Or has that always just been a positive side effect?

I mean one might argue that Herald is one!

Given the irl time passed between Rebirth and Retribution, was the line “Luckily, your legs work fine” in Rebirth an ironic piece of foreshadowing for the car crash in Retribution? Replaying Rebirth and seeing it always makes me laugh.

Oh absolutely! Book one when it was a novel had the crash, so I always knew that one was coming. Had a bit of fun here and there referencing it.

How does Chen feel about being one of the longest continuously serving Rangers (since Dave's been around since the Rangers were founded) since he's been a Ranger from 2001 (to clarify, it was 2001 right? if so that also means there was a year between him joining to Ortega also signing on) to the present day?

Oh Chen doesn't like to think about that, that makes him feel very, very old. And also lucky to still be alive, so there's that. And yes, Chen joined the Rangers before Ortega, because Ortega was still undergoing surgery/modding/healing at the time.

who could "engage" better with the core--argent, with her technopathy, or sidestep with their telepathy?

Oh boy. Now that's a nightmare scenario. Possibly Argent, if by better you means safer. Not as effective though.

Did Void blood affect animals at all? What about non mammals?

I would say it has an effect on animals, though that would be seen as blasphemy. No experiments was made, because this was an elevating humans thing, not wasting it on beasts. It would have similar effects to boost drugs, so mammals and birds might be affected.

Would the imposter have "woken up" even if Sidestep didn't get hit by truck-kun?

It was a matter of time. All it took was one brutal incident, if it wasn't truck-kun, it might have been something else later.

Considering how compartmentalized information is for the Regenes, how did the collective group not only find out what an armadillo is, and come up and agree upon with a word for it? (Wondering how Arde knew what amradillos were)

There are armadillos in Nevada, they probably have issues with them burrowing under the fence and stuff.

Since Dark Script is basically evil Bitcoin(so just normal Bitcoin), do NFTs exist in this timeline?

No, NFT's would be stupid in any timeline.

Argent has a bad time with heat and fire, but does cold and freezing also hurt the nanovores?

Not in the same way, but it can impair them.

What are Dove's opinions on pigeon fighting?

Yeah that's not going to happen.

How much physical surface area contact does Shroud need to drain and kill someone? Hand size? Fingertip? Pinching a single hair?

I would say hand-sized is comfortable. She prefers both hands, but one hand works. A fingertip would work for a small nibble, but a hair is too small.

Has Mortum been through a hostage situation before?

Hmmm. I would say yes. No idea of the details.

What was their life in Port-au-Prince like before they went to university? How did the adoption happen?

We'll get into it in the books, but basically Mortum grew up on a poor farm in the countryside, but did very well in school, and a teacher arranged for them to be sent off to work for a wealthy household in Port-au-Prince as was the tradition. They were very smart, and the family saw that and sponsored their further education, and eventually adopted them. Mortum feels ambivalent about this, they know they would never have got these opportunities otherwise, but they also know they were essentially trafficked. They weren't unhappy with their life in the city, but there was always the knowledge and expectation that they had been given a gift, and now owed loyalty and support to their new family. Studying was easier than dealing with the emotions.

Is Abelard their adoptive family's last name, or the mother that gave them up's?

The adopted family name.

Does Chen have any facial paralysis with his facial scars making his smiles crooked?

Not paralysis per se, but I would say that he's lost some sensation there, and the skin is stiffer so it tugs weird.

Do Bo/Rosie & the crew read the villain contracts or at least skim them for keywords like “sacrifice” or “immortal soul” before they sign?

Ahaha probably. You never know with these freaks.

How many times has Ashfall/Pyroclast (pre-getting his bespoke suit) just entirely lost his clothes after going ash form, either from forgetting where they were or someone stealing them or his backpack spares?

More often than he'd like to admit. It's just something you have to learn to deal with.

What's the sleeping situation in the puppetstuck but with Mortum + revealed paths at their lab like? If they're still dating after the identity reveal, are they sharing a bed? Relegated to the couch? How does Mortum feel about the fact this is the first time (if applicable) the Puppet is actually sleeping in their lab/staying the night?

We are going to go into this in game, since it can vary. I would say that sharing a bed is not an option at the start, the couch will definitely be a thing (at least for those without broken legs.) Mortum is dealing, but there will be consequences.

if there was a regene that couldn’t be affected by colloidal silver, what would the farm do? Keep them on the farm? Extend the tattoos so they can’t pass? Try their best to make them a cuckoo?

Extend the tattoos. That is the simplest option.

We know that aside from presumably the sun most if not all of the visuals we associate with LA’s iconicity are gone (beaches ravaged, Hollywood sign destroyed, etc) but what’s replaced them aside from superheroes & villains? What are some of the natural & man made features people wax poetically about & tourist sites call “must sees” of LD?

That is something you are going to learn about soon! I have a cool project bubbling behind the scenes (waiting for some deadlines to be done first) that will go into depth on Los Diablos and a few other things.

Why did Hood never readopt his family name after not using it for a long while?

It made him sad.

Was Ortega's interest in motorbikes something that preceded meeting Hood, or only began after? Did Ortega and Hood bond over being motorbike enthusiasts? Go for drives together?

It was there beforehand. It's been there since Ortega was a kid, with BMX bikes and dirt bikes. I think that was one of the first things Ortega and Hood bonded over. They'd go on a lot of drives together.

Would Spoon like Regina?

Hmmmm maybe. Spoon is pretty accepting.

Does Regina like animals?

You know what, that is a good question. I think I will have to answer no.

What kind of coding/stylistic things have you adopted/picked up from reading other IFs to use while writing Fallen Hero? Do you look at other games' code? And the inverse, what lessons have you taken from reading other IFs NOT to do (aside from the swear variable to avoid a 'slugger' situation from Heroes Rise)?

I have never looked at another game's code! I don't want to ruin my fun or start over-analyzing things. I read other IF's for pleasure, not work. I don't think I have any other things I have picked up, but I have taken note of some things that are cool but wouldn't fit how I write FH. I do like the switching viewpoint for battles in I The Forgotten One, that gives a nice grounding. Another thing I have taken note NOT to do, is to lead people into bad builds they can't undo. Replaying/guides to get achievements or niche outcomes is fine, having one or two viable builds to get through the next games not so much. Also, to focus on not dragging things out, and letting things happen fast and figure out what happens afterwards instead.

Once things settle down for you and you've progressed further into writing Revelations, will you be requesting more playtesters? Do you have criteria/requirements for them? Will recruitment be more selective to ensure that routes get equal attention as the project's scope creeps further outward?

Once we get to the closed beta, I will be putting out the same call as always. The criteria will be that people should play more than one build, but I can't read people's minds, nor do I have any way of making sure to have the same amount of playtester attention on each path. I can ask, but people are people, and naturally the most interested in the things they like. The harsh truth is that playtesters are a rare and wonderful breed, the time they can put into a project will vary, and this is something I am asking of them for free! Sure, they get content and to make inputs, but seriously, it is a gift to the author. There is no drawer of perfect playtesters where I can pick specific tastes to fill out what is lacking, I can only ask. And sometimes I will overlook things, and not even think of asking. Each playtester is different, some read code and check for bugs, others play and replay and pick up inconsistencies in scenes. Others have specific tastes and like paths few others do (love them) and find holes where content is lacking. I take what I can get with gratitude!

can we impress nocturne with our ability to drink malört without choking on it? or would that be locked behind alcohol!vice steps?

I think that might be locked, but we'll see. I need a drink/dinner scene somewhere.

Does Mortum prefer music with or without lyrics when they're working? Classical?

It depends on what they are working on. If it requires deep focus and reading, something without lyrics. Classical is good, they probably have a list of stuff (I personally have my Beethoven playlist for proofreading) that works. Otherwise I think it is familiar music, the kind where they know it and doesn't have to think about it.

Are we ever going to visit Mortum's apartment? How securely protected is it?

You will visit it once I figure out how it looks. I seriously have NO idea how the good doctor lives yet.

Given that psychics are an actual thing in FHR, how has the psychic/seance industry held up? Are there more scam artists claiming to have the power to read minds or talk to the dead? Or has the industry collapsed because it's not considered "special" enough nowadays? Have any psychics been disappeared?

I would say that the majority are still scam artists preying on the vulnerable, but now there is a more legit grounding to why people might believe it to work. The talking to the dead is the most profitable one, if someone has the slightest amount of mind reading, that can be very lucrative. I would say that a few psychics have disappeared as well.

We know all of Steps batchmates died in the boosting process but have they tried to make a new one with all the same donors considering they were Regina’s project & she’s the director now?

I would say no. Sure, it worked, but also, oh boy were there issues. Better to try to adapt and make something new. Hopefully more malleable/obedient. There are just some.... issues. (spoilers)

How tall was Hood exactly? We know he was pretty damn tall but was he around the same height as/a bit taller or towering over Ortega? He's also described as pretty massive and having shaggy hair in Sticks and Stones too, so how would you describe his hair, like, 90s rockstar? What was his build? Stocky?

I would say that Hood was around 6'5 (195 cm) or so. His build I would say was a bit pro-wrestler, but the hair was not at all fancy rock star. That's more Sky-Raider. It was just overgrown and not cut very well. Think more hockey player.

What Mod category does Porthole fall under?

I would say that Porthole is pretty much a Type A military mod. Though it might vary a bit depending on loadout.

More Laios coded thoughts: Which person does Shroud remember as the tastiest? Who were they and what was their Boost? How does Ace rank on her list of tasty Boosts absorbed?

Ace was pretty middle of the road, not very memorable, but tasty. But who whould be the tastiest. Hmmm. I don't know the name, but I think something like an energy generating boast would be very tasty. So Lord Ember would be a five star menu.

How does Chen feel about Elena and the fact she sees him as almost family, given he's estranged from his own mother? Does interacting with her make him wistful?

Oh yes it does. Chen always gets wistfully sad about families.

Preface: this was prompted by a big debate about Argent's dishwashing habits and letting her nanovores eat the organic matter off her crockery and cutlery being unsanitary or not - are the nanovores food safe/can they pass on diseases or germs? Does she wash her plates at the Rangers break room??

Nanovores are food safe. But Argent still washes the dishes in the Ranger's break room the old-fashioned way. When she does it...

Do they have Kamen Rider in Japan still? Would there be a real licensed company hero Rider or is it all strictly regulated to acting?

I love Kamen Rider, so I say yes. It is strictly acting, but there are issues with people infringing on the copy right and taking on very similar identities.

More Laios coded thoughts, would a Boost that the Catfiend finds tasty to eat also be tasty to Shroud? Do their Boost-eating palates share conditions for tastiness?

Hmmmm. No. I would say that they are not the same. For the Catastrofiend, part of it would be how "fresh" the boost is. So recently boosted people would be tastier.

Would any of the countermeasures meant for telepathy also work on Argent’s technopathy?

No. It works entirely differently.

Could Anathema survive in space (at least for a little while) if they have no issues with extreme temperatures and can go for a long time without oxygen? How about a black hole?

Anathema could survive in space, and survive re-entry. I think their powers would definitely break down when it comes to things like being tossed into the sun, let alone a black hole. There are limits.

When Sidestep has the told_horrible conversation with Daniel, they feel like it struck a nerve with him. There was also a few lines about him and Josh and 'skeletons in the closet' that made him and Josh desperate enough to take a way out. It's apparent him and his brother were both victims of abuse, but if he was implying there was SA happening, was that referring to him, or to Josh, or both of them?

This will be dealt with in the books, but Daniel was talking about his brother.

If Sidestep is very picky about movies would Argent see it as a challenge to find ones they like?

No. In her view, Sidestep should shut up and accept a balanced movie diet and expand their views. She might settle for one movie for one movie deal, but she's not really the type to try to appease.

What effects do dampeners have on trying to possess someone? We know that dampeners don't affect Sidestep when they're possessing someone (eg. the Puppet), but what about trying to possess someone within dampener range? Does it matter more whether Sidestep/the possessor's body is under the effect of dampeners, or the possessee? Equally?

Dampeners would make the contact very difficult. So the act of starting to possess one would be even harder than trying to read their mind. It wouldn't matter which body was within the field.

Is it still canon Finch treated HB survivors and is experienced with treating telepathic trauma from these answers here and here?

Yeah. I think that was one of the reasons why Ortega suggested her.

Also, you've said Finch was divorced in 2022 and has two daughters, then in 2023 that she's a lesbian and has a slightly rocky marriage with her wife - are the children from her previous marriage or been retconned entirely?

I always saw Finch as having been one trying to have a normal life. Probably marrying quite young, having kids, going to her own therapist, living the dream. But somewhere along the road that grew too much. She finally got a divorce from her husband (an amiable one, they have shared custody of their daughters) and it was only after that she started exploring the fact that one of the reason why she had not got her marriage to work was that she liked women. That wasn't something I had planned from the start, but something that came when I was going over character details to see where she will be in book three. So, right now, a few years after the divorce she met and married her current wife, but the marriage is not very smooth. Finch still works too much. She tends to psychoanalyze her wife (who hates it) and there's a fair bit of tension since she still is distantly tolerant of her husband. I wanted her to have sympathies and a bit of understanding about living double life, and the kind of tensions that can happen when one person moves on and the others don't. How hard it can be to try to fit in and be what everyone expects you to. How hard it can be to leave something like that behind even if you know that it will destroy you. How complicated a new life can be, even if it's better. It might evolve more before it makes it into the book, it is possible. Characters don't start out fixed for me, they often change as I write.

Even for Los Diablos Sidestep has an unusual cocktail of trauma. Is Finch really equipped to help a Sidestep willing to work with her or is she more of a sounding board character?

I think that would entirely depend on the Sidestep. Nobody is really equipped for Sidestep, to be fair. And this is not a game about therapy, but she might be helpful to give some pushes to certain people.

Given mods are often disabled (eg. military vets like the clientele at the bar Chen can take Sidestep to), and Los Diablos has a high proportion of mods, what is the LD disabled community like.

I think it's not one community, but several. They might be based around cause/profession, like military veterans, ex-henchmen, or the Heartbreak support group. Some are based around culture (language, social standing, heritage) while others might be tied to the local area, a community center, or outreach program. Some of these communities receive no aid other than support from their friends and fellow members, others have charitable stipends from companies or organizations, while others gets payouts from the government (like veteran's organizations) or their local community. Since there is little help from official sources, the grassroots community work tends to pull people together.

How do they get around? What proportion of the bus network is wheelchair accessible? Are there curb cuts?

I think the major bus network are wheelchair accessible. The issue becomes the smaller lines, the ones usually run by local communes, mostly meant for people traveling to work. They often have smaller buses, without the space, and they are built for worse roads which means they might need higher clearing. Bus routes in general is a lot more common/fancy than in the current US. The modern areas of the city has curb cuts, and many buildings are wheelchair accessible, but there are no rules that they have to be. Ironically enough, poorer areas are more likely to be adapted, since the citizens there would not have as affordable access to mods that could help get people up and walking rather than use a wheelchair or a walker.

Is there any accessibility fund for the city within the municipality fund? If so, is it being pocketed by one or more of the Council? Or is it not a priority at all because it doesn't directly benefit the corporate interests?

I would say that there is a small accessibility fund, but that is mostly focused on public projects and buildings, like libraries, museums, stadiums, bus lines and the like. There are no rules that private business must do something, but some still do, especially shops. In many parts of the city it is consider good press to be "veteran friendly" and adapt their stores accordingly. Veterans tend to be paid a (by Los Diablos measure) generous pension, so it might be worth courting them.

Are larger proportions of disabled citizens living in the independent cooperative suburbs as a result?

Oh yes. Absolutely. Those communities can have their own rules, and can be fiercely protective of their citizens.

What do disability rights look like on the West Coast? Is this different to the Heartlands and the East Coast?

Much like human rights, there is no single codified thing. Nobody HAS to be given rights. However, the complete lack of state control/support have left the stage open for local efforts, and where activists/groups have been successful, things can be pretty good. There are more formal codes in the heartlands/on the east coast. However, it has not been seen as a priority since marshal law was enforced, and it is in many ways treated as an afterthought. There is more tolerance for deviation from the norm in the west, and many retired/disabled military veterans who has spent time there prefer to retire in the west rather than go back east. They feel they stick out less there, and that there is more room for them.

Has anyone been motivated to become a villain (or been seen as one) because of inaccessibility and hostile architecture?

I like this idea! I might have to steal it.

What are the views of the New Flesh and the Green Sky on disability? Disabled boosts?

If it is a successful boost, they don't see it as a disability, just a variability. The boost is what is important, not that everyone should conform to the "human norm."

Considering that HG has to at least semi consistently re-thread steel, have they ever noticed his shock/apparent recognition when they’re face to face with him? Since they don’t know about sidestep, what do they think that is?

HG has been convinced it is Steel being close to connecting all the threads, and sees the recognition as a recognition of themself, no connection to Sidestep.

Was the Void brought into the New Flesh as a tween before they split off to found the Green Sky?

No. Void was an adult as they joined the New Flesh.

Does Chen ever lapse into a Queens accent when tipsy or drunk?

Not by accident, but I can see him doing it for a laugh.

What kind of drunk is Mortum?

A very, very careful one. Preferse to be lightly tipsy, no more.

What’s day-to-day life like for Green Sky/New Flesh members that live in the compound?

I haven't really thought about it, I imagine it would be quite cult-like, but also focused on running the place, all the tasks needed for that.

Mortum seemed kind of against Puppet getting modded when it was brought up in conversation. Would that carry over to a Step they have a positive relationship as well?

Possibly. Mortum knows the drawbacks that can come from unnecessary modding.

How many telepathic animals other than the Rat King are there out there?

I haven't decided! I know Snowball is at least sensitive and can pick things up, though not truly telepathic.

Does having a pain gate qualify you as a mod? And ergo all Re-Genes with pain gates are inherently mods? Or is it more complicated than that?

Yeah, that would qualify them as a mod! But so would technically someone with a hearing aid as well. In practice, nobody gets called a mod unless they have a substantial amount of modifications done.

Is foreign media still as prevalent as it is in the real world? And if so are the countries that get the most attention different or roughly the same (Japan, Korea, UK, etc.)?

Not as prevalent. Remember, satellites are a new thing (and still mostly military) so satellite TV was never really a thing. Just cable. I would say the foreign media the most popular in the west coast comes from Mexico/south america (lots of spanish speakers). There is also some from the EU/UK, and southeast asia.

If Marcia, Savannah and Clair met, who would they want Sidestep to be in a relationship the most with? Would they think any of the Rangers/Villains would make a good couple?

Oh that would depend entirely on the Sidestep! And I don't think they would agree among themselves either.

Is Halabi Argent's therapist friend? Read something in the server saying she was Argent's therapist but I have no idea if that's actually true still, or just a mix-up

If you are talking about her physical therapist mentioned in Rebirth, no she isn't.

What would Dread Reactor sound or feel like to Argent? Would it acknowledge her?

Ahaha oooh that will be Interesting. I have plans. Book four plans.

Half-joke question, if Nazar had the option to either bring The Void or Anathema back who would he choose?

Oh hell I was about to write Anathema of course, but then... you know... I'm not sure.

Has there been any serious talk of provinces/states seceding from Canada, Mexico, or the US? If so has the existence of the FEZ been a major influence on those movements?

There has been a lot of discussion in the US. Texas in particular have been vocal, and some of the northern one has been working very close to Canada. This is not encouraged in the US, and has been the cause for a lot of arrests and pressure in the past. The FEZ is a major destabilizing presence, and something both Canada, Mexico and the US are having a lot of debate over.

How is the FEZ seen by the general public outside of North America?

A bit like the old wild west. Almost fictional, and at the same time a projection for everyone's ideas what the US is really about. The rumors are wild, and yet they are somehow not as wild as the truth. It is fictionalized in a lot of TV series and movies, but few would want to live there.

Will we ever get to see Chen’s investigation into HB or his initial reaction to the autopsy photos? Either as a lore post or in-game?

Probably. It's half written in my brain, just a question of when it decides to come out.

Why do tacticians get guaranteed reputation increase during the Chapter 1 Psychopathor sequence regardless of if you telepathically distract the Rat King or jump out into the open, but fighters only get a rep increase with the latter?

I can't remember my exact reasoning, but I think it was something along the line of fighters being seen as aggressive and forward, so to hang back and not risk themselves physically would be seen as less impressive, maybe even cowardly.

For that matter, why does the leadership choice with the cop in the Heartbreak memory not also give reputation?

I honestly don't remember exactly what moment you are talking about. Is it the one when you choose to shout to one of the others to take them down before they shoot themselves? If so, I think I saw it as less of a moment of leadership, and more as playing into the sidekick role and shout for help. Both of these choices has to do with how the outside world and the media perceived Sidestep, not which role they held and what competences they had.

How would HG react if Sidestep presented them with food they made and an expectant face? (The Sidestep in question has negative cooking skills)

Oh HG can still tell someone their cooking tastes like shit, family can drag each other.

Has Daniel ever considered legally changing his last name from Sullivan to something else? If so/relevant, what's stopping him from going through with it?

No. It's his name.

How did the situation where Daniel crashed one of Ortega's cars happen?

Ortega didn't know Daniel was a bad driver, and handed him the wheel while Ortega climbed on the roof to jump to the other car. Like you do. Ortega made the jump, but Daniel panic-crashed soon after. Nothing brutal, just went in the ditch and messed up the suspension. Danny's powers probably saved him from worse.

For Chen and you: loose leaf or tea bags?

Loose leaf if you can get the good kind. Tea bags for laziness and comfort. That goes for both of us.

What's Mortum's dumbest/weirdest fear? (eg. spiders, jellyfish, clowns)

Hmmm. It's not a weird fear because it can kill them, but Mortum is terrified of alligators. There are none in Los Diablos, but that is still something they keep an eye on if close to water. Yes, even the ocean. Did you know that there are salt water crocodiles in Australia?

How does Mortum feel about their birthday and their age?

Irrelevant. They are trying to ignore it. The closest thing they have to a birthday these days is the day they officially came out as trans. A much better day to remember (also makes them feel a lot younger).

Does Mortum have autism and/or ADHD between their forgetfulness, multiple trains of thought, occasional aversions to eye contact and checking in about initiating physical contact?

I mean I never planned to write them as such from the start, but absolutely on the autistic spectrum. Put myself too much in them I suppose.

Aside from the named flyers we know of (Herald, Sky-Raider, Bumblebee and Sentinel), how many flyers are there in Los Diablos?

It is a fairly common boost power, I would say maybe two dozen or so? And a lot more flying armors. I mean they're basically helicopters.

Since there's a long running movie tradition of villains being associated with cats, how is Mortum with cats? The regular ones, not the Fiend kind. Presumably not in the lab, right?

Mortum respects cats. If they had a pet, that would be it. Alas, working too much.

Back in the August 2024 QnA you said that the Olympics don't exist in the Fallen Hero world, but prior you'd said several times Elena was planning to be an Olympic gymnast before she had to quit, that the 1980 Olympics still happened, and you'd said a few things about enhanced being unable to compete and instead had a separate Uranium League for exclusively boosted and modded competitors (which was later deprecated). So my question is, have you decided against the existence of the Olympics? Or did it dissolve at some point after Elena stopped wanting to go? And what about the enhanced sports league?

This is a matter of me being tired when I answered the question I think. I couldn't think of anything interesting to say about the olympics and how it affected Los Diablos. It's like the occasional mention of atomics, despite there being no atom bomb or nuclear power. Some things are just in the words themselves, in the way we speak of other things using deprecated symbols. I had not thought about the olympics in general when I said Elena wanted to be an olympic gymnast, it was just a symbol of her dreams. Same with the discussion of boosted/modded sports. I am still a bit unsure how I want things here. But Uranium league wouldn't work due to the lack of atomic associations. Now that I sit down and have an actual think I would say that the Olympics did definitely exist once upon a time. And there was huge scandals with doping/boost drugs, just like with the whole eastern Germany business. I think the tradition will have continued, if nothing else because it is a useful way for larger nations to compete without resorting to war. The FEZ are not allowed to compete, they are considered to be US. I do think that the Military Games are a more showy event in the FH world, since that is where both mods, armor and robots will be showcased.

How are both Mortums' makeup skills?

Average.

How does Mortum recognize and deal with toxic/problematic patterns in their relationships, platonic and otherwise?

Not easily. Mortum is not the best at interpersonal relationship, or how to keep them healthy.

Would it be easier or harder to telepathically control/influence somebody who's disassociating? What about outright possessing them?

I would say it would be harder. Potentially a lot harder.

One of the civilian personas Hollow Ground likes to use is “therapist”… is this how they know Dr. Finch? Does HG have any friends in the fields of their civilian personas or are they just straight bullshitting all the time?

That is indeed how they know Dr. Finch, just the most casual of acquaintances. I would say that HG has VERY few close friends. They are too used to bullshitting.

Where's Sunstream/what's she doing during the 2010 Psychopathor flashback scene? Themmy and Sentinel are accounted for, but Ortega never mentions her (guessing this was before you canonized her as a Ranger?)

I think I had her name in the background, but yeah, I hadn't have her in the details. I wasn't sure when or where she joined or left, I just knew she had a role to play in the Nanosurge. She was most likely busy elsewhere at the time.

Since the Nanosurge & Heartbreak technically aren’t acts of villainy, is there a general consensus on the worst act of villainy that took place in LD?

I mean terrorist attacks could be seen as acts of villainy, and that is how many civilians thing of them. I don't think there is a consensus. Not really. Many see the nanosurge because of the potential, sure, a lot of people died, but it could have been a LOT worse. On the other hand, the Catastrofiend has been shown doing some gruesome acts on live television, and other villains have done things like blow up trains, hold schools hostage and other terrible deeds. Like... what is the most villainous thing done in the US of our time? That's hard to come to a consensus about.

Is Nehal completely modless or is she like ZaZa & just isn’t visibly modded?

I think she probably has some small things, but not enough to count as properly modded.

Does Argent have a canon favorite video game like how Phenomena is her favorite movie?

I'm gonna be a nerd and say Legacy of Kain because that was the first one that popped up for me.

How often are Rangers selected from the military/government positions like Chen was? Is there a lot of push for or against it?

I would say about thirty percent or so. It is important to have a presence, but never enough to be seen as a truly military operation.

Is Dr Mortum the type of nerd that talks about scientific accuracy/possibility while reading/watching fictional things?

I am sad to report that yes. Yes they do.

Is the “80’s Nostalgia” trend in American pop culture still a thing in FHR or has it been replaced with something else due to The Big One?

It is the "60's nostalgia" trend. The eighties were never fun due to the big one at the start, and the seventies were rife with conflicts. The 60's is seen as fun and "pure".

Since we have the exact birthplaces of the rest of the henches & crew what part of Canada/Mexico are Pelayo & Ward from?

Ward is from Manitoba, a small unnamed town. Moving west to British Columbia first, and then to the Free western territories was a great decision. Pelayo is from Nogales, just south of the border.

Direct question for you, Malin, who's your favorite superhero?

Oh shit. I can't choose. No. Wait. Hmm. It will vary depending on what I read last. And what would count as a superhero. And. Many would vary depending on who the writer is at the moment. Because some are great in one run and bad in the next. BUT. I am going to do a deep cut, because he is endlessly fascinating to me: Vril Dox.

Is Haiti any different in the Fallen Hero world compared to ours?

I would say a bit, but I don't know the details. But just out of principle I know they never had to pay the money to France for daring to break free from them.

Does Argent know her technopathy is her power or does she think it related to the nanos?

Oh Argent knows.

What's the typical size for a Ranger team? What's the largest team size been, and which of the teams?

I would say the ideal team is between 4-6. I think at one point the San Francisco one was up to ten people or more, and there are talks of splitting the current one in two since it is still large.

Something in Rebirth that I've been wondering about for a while regarding Daniel changing out of his suit and tie into his Ranger suit: why does he bother to get changed and give Sidestep time to do stuff rather than say, immediately prioritize rescuing/evacuating civilians or going straight for the villain as soon as he got wind of what was happening?

Oh this is sad, really. You remember that he had a past as a corporate hero, right? One of the things that was drilled into him was that the first thing you did (unless a life was REALLY on the line) was to change into your suit. You needed to show the trademarks, and who your sponsor was. Also, that gave you some armor and protection ina fight, a bit like putting on your own oxygen mask before helping someone else. That has become such an ingrained part of him that it is still a basic reflex. If he is ever confronted on it, that will actually shake him. He hasn't even considered why he does it, it's just a reflex by now.

Do you need a degree/to pass the bar in the FEZ to be a lawyer or will they kinda just let you be one if you’re good enough?

Yeah, you still need to pass the bar. Keeping control of things like certain professions is important, same reason why degrees and stuff exists. Companies like those things.

Does the answer to this question apply to other jobs that usually require some form of certification IRL? IE Could HG & Sidestep really just be psychiatrists/therapists if the mood struck them?

It depends. Let's say the lawyer we talked about earlier. The thing there is that a lawyer needs to appear in court, and be recognized by the court (and the city council, and the judicial system) as legitimate and one of them. A therapist on the other hand has no official duties, unless hired under special circumstances, like being attached to the Rangers, or the police. There is nothing to stop anyone from opening up an office and be a therapist. Hell, there's nothing to stop someone from opening up an office and calling themselves a lawyer either, as long as they do things like offer contract advice, or help in divorce proceedings. So, a driver's license is really easy to get, but if you want to drive a truck for a company you need a proper truck licensed from an accredited provider.

In a universe where the SD Rangers teamup had gone better, would it have been plausible (or at least more likely) that it would become more routine? rangers bolstered by backup regenes?

Not really. They were created for different purposes, it's not often their tasks would overlap.

How vulgar does Nehal get with her curses when she’s driving? Will we ever be able to prank her by suddenly responding in fluent Farsi?

Ahaha I am going to try to remember that. That would be funny.

Would the catfiend have any interest in five pennies pennies? what would happen if it ate them?

Oh they ABSOLUTELY would. Five Pennies would be... heheehehehe.

Was it an intentional choice for Mortum, The Rangers, & Sidestep (I think Ben & Vera too? I forgot if their situations have been talked about) all had little to no autonomy when it came to getting boosted/modded?

Let's see: Sidestep had no choice. Mortum was dosed without their knowledge. Daniel agreed, but was pressured into it. Argent and Dove is [redacted]. Ben and Chen are mods, but willingly joined the army. Ortega took the bargain to get back on their feet. Anathema was in a cult. Hood and Sentinel took the drug voluntarily. I am exploring a lot about choice, circumstance and what you do with it. Many of the character echo parts of Sidestep, one might see it like I am exploring a story rather than a single character. Everyone is a facet of a whole.

Do non-epileptic seizures affect one's susceptibility to being possessed or telepathically influenced? Or just the epileptic kind?

Yes they can. It depends a bit on where in the brain it is located, which is actually also true with the epileptic kind.

Very important question: when is our best boy Spoon's birthday?

Chen doesn't know. But the day he got him was June 6, so that is his birthday now.

Have Anathema or Herald killed anyone before? And in Anathema's case was it before or after leaving Green Sky or both?

Both for Anathema. Reluctantly. I would say no for Herald.

Crocodilians are the closest living relatives to birds, which Sidestep can read the minds of. Can they read the minds of crocodilians?

Maybe Mortum's nightmares will come true and we will find out! So far Sidestep hasn't tried.

What are the Farm's sources of genetic material? Do they take from, for example, fertility clinics run by their parent company GeniTech at all? How do they determine if it's useful for their aims?

Mostly military, but with some hospital samples/research materials on the side. They have certain genetic markers they look for as useful, but another thing they keep an eye out for is relatives of surviging boosts.

Also, are there any cult-like corporations that have developed in or moved to the FWT because of less legal oversight? (tangentially related, have you watched or heard of Severance?)

I've heard of Severance but not watched. But I would say that weird culty companies absolutely exist there.

If the farm got sidestep back, would they make plans to feed them colloidal silver since they would likely never be used on missions again, so that a 3rd escape would be even harder for sidestep to hide their blue skin in public?

Bold of you to assume Sidestep would live long enough for that.

On a similar note to the above question, was the SD still intending to use Step as a cuckoo after their capture? If not did anyone suggest paralyzing/maiming their body so it’d be harder to escape the facility?

Spoilers.

What’s the political climate of LD like? Particularly what are the issues common people are concerned with & what ideologies are (un)popular?

I will get into that eventually, but I would say that the biggest issue now is corporate oversight. And by that I mean corporations growing too large and pressuring the independent areas. LD is growing smaller, and all the people who went there to just live their lives as they please have started to realize that maybe the companies dreams are not their own. So freedom is at the core. But people are also worried/scare of a return to the wild and lawless warlord years before things calmed down, so there is also a push for security at all costs.

In the therapy session Step says activists aren’t well liked in LD, is there any sort of McCarthyism/Red Scare going on or is it for lack of a better term seen as just cringe? Does the fact the Cold War is still going play a part in that?

The cold war is still going. One reason activists are disliked is that they are seen as stirring up trouble, the companies have gone a long way of making people like anarchists, labor activists, or local spokesmen out as threats and rebels, future warlords to be.

Since Ricardo had half his mustache saved for stitches after the gala fight, did a Ricardo that chooses to keep the 'stache shave the other half and let it all grow back at once or had half a mustache for a while while the other side grew back?

He had half a mustache there for a while, it looked kind of manly and showed off his healing scar.

If Hood were alive what would he have made of Argent and Herald? If he was still the Marshal would he have chosen them for the team?

Hood would have picked both of them for the team. Probably would have liked them too.

What would Hood have thought of Chen as Marshal? Was he preparing Ortega for the role or would he not have picked them?

Hood would not have picked Ortega as Marshal. Chen would have been the obvious choice if Sentinel was too obstinate. He would be quite proud of Ortega stepping up and learning how to play the game instead of giving the finger to whoever annoyed them.

Since the FEZ is no longer a part of the US proper what happened to treaties that recognized the sovereignty of Native American nations on reservations within the region? Are any of them still recognized & maintained or have they all been treated as null & void? If so is there any official intent to recognize them again after the FEZs planned dissolution?

Well, some say they are as null and void as every other law in the FEZ, but the common view is that since they are technically their own nations, the US had no right to include them in the FEZ. Like some other parts, they have become increasingly independent little nations, now with a lot more power and less oversight than they used to have.

What animals do you associate with Mortum (you've done this for them once already but I want to see if it changes), Nocturne, Jake and Ben? (we already know what Vera's and HG's are lol)

I don't even remember. It varies depending on the moment. Nocturne is leopard, Jake is raven, Ben is sea-lion and Mortum is raccoon.

Also, I don't think this one's been asked before, does Mortum have any opinion on Ricardo's facial hair (or lackthereof if he shaves it off)?

No, it can be made fun of either way.

could you do the successful heartbreak experiment to someone twice? Would there be any immediately obvious distinction to doing it once?

Ehehe look. I. Won't. Tell you.

Does Shroud's draining touch work on animals? Do the Boosted animals taste different than Boosted people?

Not on normal animals. It might work on boosted animals, but she has never tried.

Was Farm era Sidestep allowed to eat the food/drink on missions at fancy events?

Yes. Gotta fit in.

Can Mortum sing? How are they at karaoke/do or would they enjoy it?

Hmmm. I would say that Mortum is a pretty ok singer, but needs a drink for karaoke.

Is Vincent Marino a different name to the one Blaze went by growing up?

Nope.