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Post by Mishael on Jul 3, 2014 7:35:25 GMT -8
Call the Doctor! The Cybermen are coming!  That was awesome, Lenor. I echo Kaiser's sentiment. It was a lot of fun to read, and I can't wait to find out more! |
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Post by mk on Jul 3, 2014 19:36:15 GMT -8
I have already mentioned privately how wonderfully brilliant your character is, Louisa. Hats off to you! I'm very interested to trace Brandia's arc through this story.
Also, I have no idea how it appears on everyone else's screen - but I would like to call attention to the fact that we have a PAGE 2 on this board, and most of it isn't randomness! (Randomness which I've contributed to and will contribute heavily towards in the future. You're welcome.) Huzzah for us!!!
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Post by Iron Kaiser on Jul 3, 2014 20:53:13 GMT -8
Also, I have no idea how it appears on everyone else's screen - but I would like to call attention to the fact that we have a PAGE 2 on this board, and most of it isn't randomness! (Randomness which I've contributed to and will contribute heavily towards in the future. You're welcome.) Huzzah for us!!! Yes! A great first step for us all as we begin to open up the world of Talland proper! As we all know, the game technically begins tomorrow, the fifth! However, as a little fourth of July gift, I've gone ahead and posted Chres' first contribution to the story proper! ("What a lame gift!" I hear from somewhere in the audience.)Seriously though, I thought I'd post a story piece in advance to give everyone a sense of what to actually expect in terms of "playing the game." In that regard, I've probably blown it on a few counts. Most of this piece was really dedicated to simply getting Chres on the road, rather than doing lots of fun stuff and advancing the story, which is what we'll be doing most of the time. You don't have to put a title to your chapters, and you definitely don't have to put up little music pieces to go with the chapters (It's something I'm personally experimenting with, as an author. If everyone thinks background music ruins the purity of the reading experience, I'll probably cease doing it.) But, this post does show off the typical size of your average story contribution. For the record, with my chapter, I'm not signaling to everyone to meet Chres at the inn. He's doing his thing, and everyone should do their own thing! If that means they happen to be at/head to the inn too, fantastic! If you're already in Ridgewood, or heading there along a different path, great! And this brings me to another point, and this is one of the key aspects of this RP - if you do happen to go to the inn, feel free to use Chres in your chapters! Maybe he's just a background element, or maybe you want a dialogue with him to take up most of the chapter! I'd love to talk with you about how he speaks, or what he might do or say in a situation, but that's just because I am an excited roleplayer. You can have him talking and doing things in your story without telling me at all. I only need to know and authorize Chres-related stuff if you're planning on doing something to him, changing him, trying to advance his story/unearth his backstory, or otherwise doing anything dramatic. (And vice versa, too! If you come to Ridgewood, expect your character to show up in my future posts, maybe without my telling you beforehand.) Happy Independence Day, everyone! PS: I forgot to add: While both my snippet and this backstory are very much tied to Chres' background, I'm going to be looking toward the current story for most of the near future. I'm not chomping at the bit to delve into all kinds of secrets about what happened back years ago. Chres' focus is instead on Ridgewood, and the story happening now. Just FYI for my fellow writers, so you know where I'm going with my character. All the delicious background secrets will come in due time. |
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Post by mk on Jul 4, 2014 10:07:33 GMT -8
I call for another huzzah! We have begun!
Well, Kaiser has, anyways.
I'd like to echo his comment on using his character. In fact, please reference and use Lenzen in your posts. It'll be really boring if our characters just kinda coast around in our individual stories. I'm looking forward to interacting with you all and seeing Lenzen through your character's eyes. Also, don't hesitate to PM me if you want to team up or do something specific with Lenzen. Adventure is out there!
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Post by Mishael on Jul 5, 2014 12:48:37 GMT -8
Since there are few details on the Winter Mages, I discussed a few possible characteristics for them with Kaiser a little while ago.
The Winter Mages are tall and lean, with pale skin and snow-white hair. Typically their eyes are either blue or grey, hard and cold. They wear a solemn expression often bordering on fierce, as if there is a great rage bubbling just below the surface of a carefully maintained composure. They have long memories and no mercy, which is probably why practically everyone is an enemy.
Is everyone ok with that?
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Post by Drahcir on Jul 5, 2014 12:55:34 GMT -8
Sounds fine and proper to me. ^_^
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Post by mk on Jul 5, 2014 13:11:09 GMT -8
Sounds great! Very in keeping with their names. Only, you should know that the white hair and pale skin would basically classify Lenzen, and Vehrians in general, as Winter Mages (see my chapter). I didn't realize that the physical characteristics would matter enough to clear it.
However, the overlap is cool by me if you don't mind some possible confusion throughout the story. I'm all for adding obstacles, misunderstandings, and frustration for Lenzen. What'ya think?
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Post by Cyphir on Jul 5, 2014 13:19:37 GMT -8
Huh, I always thought the Winter Mages was just a group. I suppose it makes sense that over time they started to tend to look a certain way, though I personally object to them all being tall, lean, pale skinned, white haired, plus having solemn expressions/hard and cold eyes. Again, a good deal of them could look like that, but my personal vision of the WM was that they were largely a clandestine organization. Walking around grinning evilly at people, surprisingly enough, is not a good way to get what you want. =P
As it stands, I don't really have any objections beyond the whole "they all look like X." In fact, the ripples from this will be rather interesting. I mean, for one, most peoples are going to at best be distrusting of albino-looking folks, and at worst actively violent, whether they are a Winter Mage or not. Lenzen's a perfect example of this, in fact, and I do like the conflict this causes.
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Post by Mishael on Jul 5, 2014 13:31:47 GMT -8
They could also have converts from other peoples who would be trained in infiltration, and I'm sure when necessary the "pure blood" can change/cover their typical appearance to accomplish their purposes. And mk, I'm fine with it if you're fine with it.  It could make for an interesting conflict. I admit I didn't know what Vehrians looked like when I thought of it. |
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Post by Iron Kaiser on Jul 5, 2014 15:06:40 GMT -8
First, new posts! Reviews!
Kaiser you are awesome you tell the best stories ever!
It's been a long time since we've heard from Aether, considering that he was one of the very first characters to get his character snippet onto the board. Drahcir, as always, your writing is loads of fun. With this post, we get more insight into Aether's backstory and motivations, which is very helpful in fleshing out the character in my mind. Some very interesting questions are raised. And whoever that devilishly handsome man Aether is following is, he must be very important! :{p But seriously, great job. I can't wait for our characters to start interacting.
Mikayla, you already know how much I love Lenzen's character. You've done a great job transitioning from character snippet into story chapter. I'm on the edge of my seat wondering how he's going to deal with the mechanical assassins chasing him, not to mention how he's going to influence the Ridgewood situation. Eleonara sounds like the key to both, but who knows? Either way, Lenzen gets a bit of respite, but I suspect it won't last long. Like Aether, I suspect I'll be interacting with Lenzen very soon, and I can't wait!
You're both stopping at the Riverside Respite. So we've got three player characters all in the same place. And where three or more are gathered, interesting things may just start happening. :{) Again, that doesn't mean everybody should congregate there. You'll have more control of your character if you're elsewhere, and it'll be a more interesting read if we've got multiple parties all making their way to Ridgewood then if everyone falls into one focal point.
Re: Winter Mages
I have no particular opinions. In designing the world, I purposefully left certain aspects open so that the players could fill in the details themselves. That just so happens to include the physical features of both the Vehrians and the Winter Mages. As I envisioned them, the mages were not originally an ethnic group, but more an almost cult-like, shadowy force of evil composed of people around the world, dedicated to causing destruction and spreading havoc throughout Rigna and its successor states. But given their cult-like, isolationist nature and their bastions and centering in the North, it makes sense that over the many centuries, uniquely "Winter Mage" racial traits should arise. My personal suggestion would be that the Winter Mages remain in the present day a global force, somehow enticing people from across Talland. Thus, there's nothing keeping a "Winter Mage" from being a red-haired, olive-skinned Ryn fighter. You could be surprised by any stranger suddenly revealing they are a powerful Winter Mage, and they want you dead! However, the majority of Winter Mages today come from the north, where converts may enter but no one may leave. Thus, the most commonly seen Winter Mages, and the ones most easily identified, do carry certain racial traits (to be determined by whoever is so inclined). How's that sound?
As to potential similarities between the Winter Mages and the Vehrians, it's okay with me if it's okay with you all. I've already suggested in the world document that many Tallandians suspect there is a connection between the Winter Mages and the Vehrian Empire.1 I had meant merely politically, as if the latter were somehow funding or empowering the former, but if there was a physical resemblance, that would only further fuel the fire.
Either way, the main thing is that you are all hashing this out on the forum, which is perfect! Exactly what I desired. Keep it up.
1I'm going to go ahead and change the Vehn Empire to the Vehrian Empire in the world document. Vehn will remain the noun/name of the land, but the adjective and the racial name will be Vehrian. It seems that's stuck well with people. Any objections?
Last Bit of News
I just heard from Aquinas a little bit ago that something has come up for him, and he'll be unable to participate in the forum for a little while at least. Aquinas is a fantastic author, and Sylvester is an outstanding addition to Talland, so I certainly hope that he'll be able to join us again soon. My prayers go out to him, that God will comfort him and help him resolve the situation.
As a reminder, (to use Aquinas and Sylvester as an example), it's A-OK if you aren't able to participate for some period of time. Just please be sure to tell us in advance, and we can plan accordingly. In Sylvester's case, he's not even a part of the main story yet, so we can press on and he can introduce himself whenever Aquinas is able to. Or with Mikayla, she's going to be unavailable from July 15-29. If she lets us know in advance, she can do all kinds of things. For example, she can team up with another author to have Lenzen follow around another character. That way, Lenzen can have a presence in the story even while she's gone. Or she can have him disappear for a few weeks, whatever works best for her. Just let us know in advance.
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Post by Iron Kaiser on Jul 7, 2014 6:30:38 GMT -8
Guess what time it is?!!!
Double post time! Review time!
You know, you start to see so much creativity packed into one story that you begin to think to yourself "Is there any more room in Talland for another fantastic, creative character that is equal parts unique and amazing?" Well DB, you've proven that yes, there's room for at least one more! Victor Thresh is awesome. He's an ambitious character, reaching into another part of the world that no-one has touched yet. He's a Greenwood Ranger, which is a group no one else has really colored in, and his primary opponents are the wild monsters themselves. His backstory is neat. What's the ward, and the posts? Where's the monster heading? What's in Ridgewood that's so important to protect?! Can I be any more excited?! GAAAH!
Home run, good sir. Home run.
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Post by Iron Kaiser on Jul 8, 2014 18:12:46 GMT -8
Hey, is anyone who hasn't yet posted to the story in the process of working on a contribution? I'll go ahead and begin working on another post if no one else is working on it, but I'd really like to see a few more story posts before I toss my next one onto the board.
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Post by Mishael on Jul 9, 2014 6:54:01 GMT -8
Oh yeah, I was going to post something. It might not matter if you post first, though.
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Post by Cyphir on Jul 9, 2014 9:23:11 GMT -8
Hey, is anyone who hasn't yet posted to the story in the process of working on a contribution? I'll go ahead and begin working on another post if no one else is working on it, but I'd really like to see a few more story posts before I toss my next one onto the board. I am. I know what to write, I just need to sit down and do it. It won't involve anything near the inn, though, so feel free to go ahead. |
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Post by Iron Kaiser on Jul 10, 2014 9:24:16 GMT -8
Okay! I've heard from a lot of the other players, both on and off the forum, and it looks like everyone's got ideas flowing or is in the process of writing posts, but they just haven't finished yet. And that's great! I'll wait and post after at least one story piece is posted on the board.
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Post by Drahcir on Jul 10, 2014 16:44:16 GMT -8
*refresh*
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Post by mk on Jul 11, 2014 6:48:14 GMT -8
AHA! Someone breaks the silence! Bravo, Cyphir - bravo! I think it's the lightest (as in, humor) post yet, a very nice break to all the mystery.
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Post by Iron Kaiser on Jul 11, 2014 9:31:13 GMT -8
Fantastic post, Cyphir. As always, I'm in particular awe of your command of dialogue, as well as your ability to communicate so much and paint a scene with only a few lines of text. Very funny, and I can't wait to see what you post next.
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Post by Drahcir on Jul 11, 2014 17:06:06 GMT -8
I was intrigued by the symbolism inherent in the narrative. A truly breathtaking mix of juxtaposition and stark contrast. The characters were definitely saying words which brings to mind instantly the idea that a conversation was occurring. I hope you continue... um... to write more!
Additional:
Also, hats off to everyone who's been contributing so far. I've been enjoying each part immensely and look forward to reading additional contributions. ^_^
*Blue Lazor Voice* "Right, write on!"
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Post by Iron Kaiser on Jul 11, 2014 22:08:26 GMT -8
Re: Westle. I forgot to mention, though, that there's still a lot of mystery about him! What's he and Issa doing? What's his motivation? It's all so mysterious to me and AAHH!
Mish, fantastic post. Kamina's strength is her perspective. While everyone else is an adventurer of some sort, Kamina's just a woman finding herself and her family in the epicenter of this growing catastrophe. You really play up to that strength, to a very effective degree. The sense of personal travesty and the wrongness of what's happened is vivid. Great all around. But what's she going to do in Ridgewood?! What's coming next?! AAH!
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It could make for an interesting conflict. I admit I didn't know what Vehrians looked like when I thought of it.