Slayer count

[Bittersweettwit]

Hi everyone! I thought that it was time for me to start a thread on a topic that I am sure that various members of the board will have difference in opinion over for numerous reasons. For the slayer count which do you prefer the current set up of numerous girls all over the world, or the original version with 1 or 2 girls in all the world? I want to look at this in a number of different mediums rather than just canon.

For Buffy Season 8 canon which do you prefer multiple slayers in the world or would you rather see it go back to Buffy and Faith alone holding the power?

If you were to write an alternative universe fanfic, or a spin-off either of which didn't depend on you sticking to canon. Would you prefer to write your slayer character as the only one or one of many?

If you were to join a roleplaying community within the Buffy verse. Would you rather only a handful of members got to play slayers, or would you like for slayers to be opened for everyone provided they weren't the only type of being played?

If Buffy had of been one of many slayers from the start do you think that the show would have been as great as it was, or would it have made the character of Buffy appear less special, or her difficulties seem much easier to cope with if she had other slayer backup?

I hope to let some other users answer these questions before replying with my own thoughts on each of the questions provided.

[Nina]

I wouldn't want this story to go away because it's a great source for new stories and problems. I just want it to be written well and not another writer fiat for Buffy. I want to se how they fix this, how Buffy deals with her new power and if she will be corrupted by power. I love to see how the scoobies handle this and if their friendship will survive this.

I will answer the questions another time.

edit:
If you were to write an alternative universe fanfic, or a spin-off either of which didn’t depend on you sticking to canon. Would you prefer to write your slayer character as the only one or one of many?
If I would create a character, I prefer a story with more slayers. But I'm also a person who loves canon ... I've trouble with AU fics and/or OOC characters.

If you were to join a roleplaying community within the Buffy verse. Would you rather only a handful of members got to play slayers, or would you like for slayers to be opened for everyone provided they weren’t the only type of being played?
ehh, I think that you need some non-slayer characters. Just to show the importance and power of a slayer. So, I would have rather a couple of slayers and a couple of non-slayers.

If Buffy had of been one of many slayers from the start do you think that the show would have been as great as it was, or would it have made the character of Buffy appear less special, or her difficulties seem much easier to cope with if she had other slayer backup?
I don't know, it's speculation. But a part of Buffy is the fact that she feels alone and special. And it would be less strong if there would be more slayers from the start. Besides, she would be part of an army and not have the attention she had. Buffy wouldn't be 'our' Buffy.

[KingofCretins]

Hi everyone! I thought that it was time for me to start a thread on a topic that I am sure that various members of the board will have difference in opinion over for numerous reasons. For the slayer count which do you prefer the current set up of numerous girls all over the world, or the original version with 1 or 2 girls in all the world? I want to look at this in a number of different mediums rather than just canon.

At this point, I prefer the Season 8 canon of the Slayer organization and its greater sense of scale. I could see Joss deciding to revert it at some point, but it wouldn't happen soon or without a high price. And if he did it, he'd probably still make sure that there were at least a dozen or so Slayers.

If you were to write an alternative universe fanfic, or a spin-off either of which didn't depend on you sticking to canon. Would you prefer to write your slayer character as the only one or one of many?

Oh, no question -- the fanfic options are so much greater with the high number of Slayers in the Buffyverse. For one thing, a writer would no longer need to come up with a really dubious reason that their character is a Slayer, she can just be one of the affiliated or unaffiliated Slayers.

If you were to join a roleplaying community within the Buffy verse. Would you rather only a handful of members got to play slayers, or would you like for slayers to be opened for everyone provided they weren't the only type of being played?

I think the Slayer spell made a role-playing game setting, particularly an MMO, actually sound legitimate. You could now legitimately use Slayer as a character class. In an MMO, it could be unlockable (and not in the crappy, random, one shot only way that Jedi are available in "Star Wars: Galaxies"). In a table-top game, a good GM would just make sure that not *every* player plays a Slayer... they won't all want to anyway.

If Buffy had of been one of many slayers from the start do you think that the show would have been as great as it was, or would it have made the character of Buffy appear less special, or her difficulties seem much easier to cope with if she had other slayer backup?

Well... being the Slayer is never what made Buffy special. We see that in Season 8 by the fact that she's more the leader than she ever was, even though she's now less "privileged" (think of Anya's argument in "Empty Places") to be leader than she ever was.

That said, it would be a completely different show altogether, would have had to be more BSG or some other show setting where the heroes are all in that sort of "one of many" soldiers on the front line type context.

[Bittersweettwit]

I wouldn't want this story to go away because it's a great source for new stories and problems. I just want it to be written well and not another writer fiat for Buffy. I want to se how they fix this, how Buffy deals with her new power and if she will be corrupted by power. I love to see how the scoobies handle this and if their friendship will survive this.

Yes I got to agree the slayer spell and the consequences of it both good and bad have definitely been fun to watch so far and will continue to be. The one thing I love about this season is that Buffy is still struggling against her new opponent twlight. I mean honestly when I first heard about the Season 8 comics I was worried they were going to become boring with all of their opponents easy to beat off now that Buffy has the power of hundreds of slayers behind her. I am so glad I was proven wrong.

If I would create a character, I prefer a story with more slayers. But I'm also a person who loves canon ... I've trouble with AU fics and/or OOC characters.

Yeah I know what you mean. One thing I can't stand when reading fics is characters that are acting out of characters its so annoying. I think its interesting though you'd want to write their being multiple slayers. What would you do then to make your character a unique slayer? Why write about them rather than the slayer down the street? Sorry I am just curious about this type of thing.

I don't know, it's speculation. But a part of Buffy is the fact that she feels alone and special. And it would be less strong if there would be more slayers from the start. Besides, she would be part of an army and not have the attention she had. Buffy wouldn't be 'our' Buffy.

Exactly I gotta agree with this. I think that had Buffy been one of many from the start. She wouldn't have gotten the chance she had to develop her skills as both a slayer and a leader. She truly would have been one of many after all could you imagine the Buffy who was called as a slayer in LA becoming the leader of an army of slayers. I certainly couldn't. Honestly had Buffy not been the only slayer at the start. I think that we would all be fans of a show called The slayers rather than Buffy the vampire slayer.

Oh, no question -- the fanfic options are so much greater with the high number of Slayers in the Buffyverse. For one thing, a writer would no longer need to come up with a really dubious reason that their character is a Slayer, she can just be one of the affiliated or unaffiliated Slayers.

I am sorry but I am confused what you meant by that. Why would the author need to give a detailed explanation of why their character is the slayer particularly if it is based after the death of Faith. All they have to do is simply say she was the chosen slayer, or where you referring to a scenario in which both Buffy and Faith are still living?

Well... being the Slayer is never what made Buffy special. We see that in Season 8 by the fact that she's more the leader than she ever was, even though she's now less "privileged" (think of Anya's argument in "Empty Places") to be leader than she ever was.

Yes your right, but as I said previously. I don't think Buffy would have been the leader. After all she wouldn't have had the time to develop from the vain spordelia she describes herself as in her old high school to the leader that we know she has become in Season 8. So while being the slayer isn't what made Buffy unique. It's the experiences she has as one before the other girls are called that makes her truly the slayer of these girls.

That said, it would be a completely different show altogether, would have had to be more BSG or some other show setting where the heroes are all in that sort of "one of many" soldiers on the front line type context.

Yeah I agree with what you are saying, but BSG? I don't recognise that acronym lol.

[Nina]

What would you do then to make your character a unique slayer? Why write about them rather than the slayer down the street? Sorry I am just curious about this type of thing.

I don't know, there is a reason why I don't write fanfic.
But I think that if you write about one slayer, she will be unique. Just like every person is unique. Or I write about a slayer who isn't in an army but alone somewhere. Maybe a girl who still has a watcher or she doesn't want to leave home ...

[Bittersweettwit]

I don't know, there is a reason why I don't write fanfic.
But I think that if you write about one slayer, she will be unique. Just like every person is unique. Or I write about a slayer who isn't in an army but alone somewhere. Maybe a girl who still has a watcher or she doesn't want to leave home ...

Ooh very interesting and certainly an idea that could easily be explored. Especially since we have canon knowledge which states sometime to the effect of "We have over 2000 slayers. 500 of which have chosen to work with us" So certainly I could see how one could write one about a young girl who is new to her destiny who doesnt wish to leave home, but instead would rather stay in her own local area and be its protector without being apart of the slayer agency. Thats what I would do at any rate But like you I haven't written Buffyverse fanfiction in quite a while.