[ Story Info ]

Decisions and Scores (Updated 9/28/2024)

Vote to influence the actions of the lead character by commenting on chapters marked [ Open ]

Chapters are currently weekly. Not all chapters end in a choice, but choices will continue to be presented at consequential plot points. Tied votes are decided by coin toss.

Note that BAE has ended and Spoiler: Election Year is the direct sequel and ongoing story as of Sep 2024. The usual voting rules apply.

The rules behind the scenes have changed because the story has gone on a long time and some things have resolved/become obsolete, such as Analyst/Avenger, which has been replaced. Here are the original rules, which applied to the first 50 chapters or so if you're curious:

Decisions in BAE affect two hidden scores: AVENGER and ANALYST. The Avenger score represents passion, darkness, and strength. The Analyst score represents strategy and guile. Whichever score is dominant at a given time will affect the choices Barbara makes that are not in the hands of the reader. An AVENGER-dominant Barbara will use **** and give in more easily to lust. An ANALYST-dominant Barbara will trick her opponents and use sex tactically. Some situations favor Avenger solutions and others favor Analytical ones. It may not always be easy to tell which option is which, and not all values are equal.

Example: one choice that Barbara makes before going out is whether to take the car or the plane. If readers were making this choice, the Car would give two points to Avenger because it’s personal and retro, in touch with Batman’s roots. The plane would give one point to Analyst because more people would see the plane, serving Barbara’s agenda. Neither choice is wrong.

The function of the decisions and the scores: choosing the right thematic approach to a situation will affect being a winner (dominant) or a loser (humiliated). Decisions also narratively influence the flow of the story and where Barbara ends up. She can be as dark or light as she wants; she can recruit sidekicks, pursue relationships with allies, have affairs with villains, or even assemble a team.

Finally, the overall slant of the scores will influence Barbara’s personality. A dark, volatile Barbara will find herself in certain types of lewd situations while a more thoughtful and stable Barbara will be in others. The story will occasionally not so subtly signal which score is dominant. When the scores are close or in balance, Barbara will be in the zone and even more powerful and effective than Bruce.

Winning battles will reduce the level of chaos in Gotham, allowing Barbara more personal time and choice with relationships.

Losing battles will result in humiliation and build Barbara’s frustration, feeding the Avenger score and reducing her inhibitions.