Planning "Sokka's Eleven" - Part 1

[loopy777]

So, I was reading Star Wars: Scoundrels this weekend, a story that could have been retitled "Han Solo's Eleven" and it wouldn't be any less apt. I personally recommend the book to people who like Star Wars, Han Solo, or complicated capers, but that's not what this post is about. I enjoyed the book so much that it revived my enthusiasm for an old

Comments

[fairladyz2005]

Please write this. I think you had me at steampunk casino. Though the idea of Sokka's mid life crisis had me laughing already. As for rounding out your "11" I think June might be interested in any caper that involves money, heck money just interests her period. And what's former criminal Chit Sang up to these days?

[loopy777]

You know, I had considered Chit Sang for the original roster, but kicked him out because he didn't fit with the overall feel of the rest of the group. But considering the makeup of my second attempt at a roster, he'd blend in a lot better. Thanks for the suggestion!

[ljlee]

Steampunk casino! *salivates* To make this something the Gaang might conceivably get into with some level of believability (though the wackiness is obviously built into the premise), maybe the casino has some kind of criminal connection and the heist is the only way to gather evidence, steal back something the criminals stole, etc., while keeping the real police clean of the questionable methods used. That's not to say it has to be completely straight-laced--maybe the characters are just kidding themselves that it's "for the greater good" and they're really looking to act out. The tensions and questions about their methods and goals could become increasingly clear throughout the story until it comes to a head, obviously at the least convenient moment

[loopy777]

Our thoughts align. Sokka does indeed have a "moral justification" for this robbery, but it might be more personal than he's letting on, and by the end of the story even he might have reason to doubt the righteousness of his cause. Developing the owner of the casino as the antagonist is going to get its own blog post.

Interesting thought on Hama. She fills the Waterbender role and Old Person slot, but I'm thinking that Sokka would have to be pretty hard up for someone with those skills before he considers Hama, even if she is rehabilitated. Not that I think Sokka would consider Bloodbending a moral line that can't ever be crossed, but he tends to take it personally when people mess with his family. And we do have some prominent Fire Nation war-heroes in the group, which could be a major complication. (Not that I'm saying tension in the group is bad, but this seems a bit overpowering.)

Don't worry, I've got ideas for her slots.

[loopy777]

I've already got my Old Man in mind for the second revision of the roster, so we're right on the same track. As for your other suggestions, believe it or not, I had already considered all of them. No, really. June was rejected from the first group for not fitting in with the overall feel, but I looked at her again for the second revision. The Cabbage Merchant was considered for the second group but then rejected as I got a better idea for him.

I considered Meng for the first group, even noting that she "does a mean Toph impersonation," but couldn't really come up with a good reason to get her involved. You've got a very interesting idea for her, and I'm actually thinking of her now for some of the open slots I have in the second roster.

[fairladyz2005]

Cabbage Merchant and Meng are great suggestions. Hama could be interesting, seems a bit dark to me, but maybe playing such a dark character for comedy is the appeal of it in and of itself. I wonder if Pakku might be a good include, he fits the older character slot and could give Sokka bonding time with his new grandpa.

[loopy777]

Dang, I didn't think anyone was going to guess him. XD