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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/47254
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Okay, there is some preliminary information for you to be able to answer this question: There is a sword of great power, a McGuffin, and a _destined one_ who wields it. The _destined one_ has two companions. These three we'll call **Gang 1,** for simplicity.

Then you have the King's Guard, who want to retrieve the sword (it was stolen from the treasury). But also, the leader of the King's Guard wants revenge on one of the members in **Gang 1.** We'll call these people **Gang 2**.

Then there is this crime boss, who also wants the sword, for power. Him and his men we'll call **Gang 3**. He also has a bit of a grudge to someone in **Gang 1**.

Then we have another crime boss, though he is of a prominent crime family, and he sends his sons on this mission. This is **Gang 4** , and he is in a feud with **Gang 3**. Also, one of his sons are one of _the destined one's_ companions. So, his sons want to not only take the sword, for power, but they also want to retrieve the son in **Gang 1.**

Then you have _the destroyer_, who has hired a crew, so he can destroy the sword, both due to conviction but also personal motives. He and his crew is **Gang 5.**

Within **Gang 5** is someone who is a bit more educated, and therefore knows the power of the sword, and therefore decides he doesn't want it destroyed, but rather in his hands. So, he stages a mutiny within **Gang 5** , which will be **Gang 6**. He also has personal motives involved in this, as he wants to fill his fathers shoes of being a captain (this all happens at sea, like a big ship battle, boarding, fighting, etc.)

Then you have the captain of the boat **Gang 1** is travelling with. He sails for a travelling company taking people from one dock to an island, and then further from that island to two different countries. But he takes his job very seriously. His motto is "I always get my passengers to their destination". He and his crew is kind of **Gang 1** , but also kind of another gang, **Gang 7**. Whatever, it is for you to decide.

Then you have the knight, who is wanted and has been through hell. He knows _the destined one_, and is kind of a failed mentor to him. He was supposed to guide him on his quest, but they were separated. Now he is coming back to help him. Despite being one man, we will refer to him as **Gang 8.**

Then you have the renowned, super-skilled bounty hunter, who is coming to retrieve the wanted Knight, or **Gang 8.** We will refer to him as **Gang 9.**

And finally, we have _a powerful being_ who guards the mortal realm. There is a threat to the mortal realm, _an invading God_, which is why **Gang 1** stole the sword to begin with. But _the destined one_ within **Gang 1** is merely a child, and _the powerful being_ believes the sword is better in his hands, as he is a more capable fighter. We will refer to him as **Gang 10.**

And that's everyone. I am a big fan of _Lock stock and two smoking barrels_, and the way those kinds of narratives play out, when all the subplots, with all their unrelated characters, meet in a messy, complex confrontation. But I'm wondering, can this kind of stuff be too complex? Too complicated? Too disorienting?

Just so it is clear, all these characters have had sufficient time to have their stories told and their motives made clear.

Original score: 8