[FFML] Quantum Destinies - any heroes?

[DB Sommer]

On 3/20/2012 5:20 PM, Matthew wrote:
> So with all the recent list traffic on Quantum Destinies, I decided to go back and read the first chapter.  I wasn't really a follower of QD when it first came out, though I read a few chapters here and there.  Anyway, I wanted to ask- do the characters ever get likable or become people you can cheer for?
>
> In the first chapter the characters range from being merely self-centered and concerned with their own ambitions to being outright evil.  They live in an oppressive empire that openly exists for the sole benefit of the wealthy and powerful,


% Not quite. The Empire exists to perpetuate the Empire. The wealthy and 
powerful are only allowed to be such as long as they serve and are 
effective to the Empire. Should they fail to be they are thrown down 
from grace and others become the new wealthy and powerful (this is 
mentioned in later chapters). Even some Emperors have met untimely ends 
when its been deemed they do not serve the best interests in the Empire, 
usually by being counter-productively brutal, or trying to consolidate 
too much power. (The Empire must exist beyond the lifetime of any 
single  Emperor, after all). Achievement is heralded in the Empire (and 
ruthlessness not seen as a bad thing, so long as it is not counter 
productive).
  Mind you, they aren't good guys any more than Rome was. They are very 
much an expansionist empire and brutal as they deem necessary. There is 
a societal pecking order as well among citizens, and non Imperials are 
very much treated as second class citizens. And they do exploit what 
they conquer.  They're bad guys, but the cast as they are now reflect 
that mentality. It does change over time.

ruthlessly exploiting all other nations and people for sport. They have televised blood matches in the arena,



% The arena is strictly composed of volunteers who seek fame and 
fortune. No one is there involuntarily. It's a (far) more brutal form of 
football/soccer. The participants are regarded as heroes like athletes, 
regardless of their background. I delve more into the inner workings in 
my side stories.


>   Basically they're all kind of horrible.
>
> As I recall the original plot, Ranma (and later other characters) start getting brain downloads from their counterparts in other realities.  They pick up various new abilities and skills and emotional connections and ambitions and all that.  But do any of them ever become... well, better people with some sense of morality?

% Yes. It also become more highlighted when they get set up against real 
bad guys, rather than infighting with one another and have a chance to 
'shine' so to speak.

>
> I'm not just talking about one character developing feelings for another.  I mean like developing the idea that hurting other people to benefit yourself is wrong.  That ambitions should be sacrificed if the cost is too high.  That a stranger in trouble should be helped at cost to oneself.  Do any of them ever become the sort of people who would look at Nabiki and Akane's behavior in the first chapter and say, "This is wrong and I won't allow it to go on."?
>
> I mean, I know the characters in canon Ranma 1/2 aren't all that nice, it being a comedy series and all.  But it's at least possible the look at canon Akane and Ranma and believe that they have basically good hearts, just kind of thick headed and stubborn and young.  QD Ranma is a genius, and the scene where he watches Nabiki and Akane act like gangsters to some desperate schmuck without the slightest inclination to help- that's where he lost me.
>
> I vaguely remember a lot of cool stuff in QD.  I'm just hoping that some protagonists pop up whom I actually have reason to cheer for.  So is it worth my while to read the other 22 chapters by that criteria?
>
> *I know by historical standards the Empire is hardly the most brutal nation to have existed, but I judge them by modern day standards.

% It also helps when you get well defined bad guys for them to go up 
against.