Talland - Discussion Thread

I can't currently think of a name idea for the mountains, but I think both those suggestions are great! And I approve of any and all Lord of the Rings references.

A while back (way too far back), I said my first story post wouldn't be in Ridgewood…oops. I'm skipping the stuff I'd planned to do in Kennisalia, and the post I'm working on is about to take Brandia into the monster-infested story hub. However, it still shouldn't directly affect anyone else. Except for one thing: Is anyone writing a scene including the registration of monster-hunters that Kaiser described on the Basic Facts page? I'm planning to include some of that in my post, and if someone else is doing the same, I don't want to accidentally describe a completely different process.

Kaiser, you asked a few questions about Brandia shortly after I posted my character snippet, and I failed to respond! Shame on me! 
This might be a clumsy way to wriggle around the Wesslingstock/Ryn enmity, but here we go… To start, Brandia's father was the Kennisalian, and her mother was the Ryn. I've made up a political group (they don't have a name yet, and might never need one) that was gaining prominence a couple decades before Kennis' take over. They were a bit nontraditional, in that they wanted to end the bad blood with Ryn. Brandia's father wasn't a man of convictions––he went where there was power to be gained, and this rising friends-with-the-Ryn group seemed the way to go. To help his standing with the group, he married a Ryn girl. The ascent to power was very short-lived, and after several years, the group started dying away, but Brandia's father (maybe I should name this guy…) didn't know where to transfer his political affections. Enter Kennis. I'm not entirely sure what happened with the mom, but I think Unnamed Dad divorced her and sent her back to Ryn to stay in favor with Kennis. Yes, Brandia experienced the ill effects of being half Ryn, especially when she was younger. They became less as she grew up, though. Her Ryn mother was gone, her father was a loyal supporter of Kennis, and she became more and more Kennisalian (first by her father's design, and then by her own). No one actively shuns or attacks her anymore, but her relationships with fellow aristocrats go no further than appropriately polite acquaintanceships (which is fine with her, as she doesn't like any of them!). P.S. Both her parents are dead now.
Shadowy operative! Although, if needed, she might play the 'rich Lady Brandia' card here and there.
Neither, actually (which may have become apparent in the edited character snippet). She's extremely reluctant to entrust herself or her secrets to anyone. She's covertly aided both resistance groups, but that's the extent of it. Only Cler and Gyldan have her confidence.

Does any of that blatantly disregard the way you've set up Talland? Tell me if it requires alteration! Most of this was thought up in response to your questions, as I'd failed to thoroughly think it all through (Ah, alliteration!).

I've neglected to say much of anything about others' posts, for which I apologize! I'll try doing better in future, but for now, a few tiny little things…
    -Westle scares me. The whole knives-and-closing-the-door-first-and-no-sounds-escaping-and-eying-trinkets thing… *shudders*
    -Aether certainly doesn't seem as confident as he pretends to be. I wanna know this guy's story (the locket he wears but doesn't want to mess with?!)
    -We're turning Sylvester Millingville into a dangerous sorcerer? *grabs popcorn* I need to see this. I do hope Aquinas can join us again!
    -I love Kamina's personality and motivations! Her essence equipment sounds beautiful, too––can't wait to see her in action.
    -As afore stated, MK, it's so fantastic, the way you've thrown scientific Lenzen into the dangerous life of a hunted outlaw. And he's Vehrian, to boot, poor guy. I really enjoyed the extra insight into his character you gave in your story post.
    -This hunch is probably completely wrong, but I'm not sure Maxwell Walken (from the Chres Harwick snippet) is trustworthy. Tada. Chres' is a very enjoyable character, and I join the others in wondering what happened between the first and second halves of your story snippet…
    -Yay––someone's a Greenwood Ranger! Your Victor posts are very intriguing, Docboy, especially as Victor apparently has some idea of what the monsters are up to. Humm…

TTFN, everyone! (That's 'Tata for now,' for any of you who didn't grow up on Winnie the Pooh.)

*uses a Phoenix Down on the story*

So, it appears that we have hit a bit of a snag on the story? I have a post mostly ready, but it requires a slight furtherance of the current group plot that has been going on for a spell. That being said, for any off you not currently working on a collaborative portion, have you any thoughts on something you'd like to add for your character?

I think this story is excellent and the characters intriguing. I'd hate to see this project wither. Thoughts, questions, opinions, suggestions?

*revives, uses health potion.*

Ask, and ye shall receive! Posted.

I want to apologize to everyone on the board. Particularly Drahcir and mk, but really everyone who has been waiting on me. I could've gotten this out a lot sooner, and I'm sorry to have kept everyone waiting!

Having said that (in response to Drahcir's post), let me reiterate again that I love Talland and all of the characters you guys have created. I've also got a great story in mind for Chres and Talland, and I'm committed to telling it. I want to have everyone involved and telling stories too, and letting those stories interact with one another! So please get involved, because it all really inspires me! But either way, buckle your seatbelts, because the story's only going to take off from here!

On that front, how's everyone doing, character-inspiration wise? Do you have an idea of where you're taking your character? Would you like any advice, or need help envisioning part of the world?

Speaking of my chapter, I'm really not confident in writing action scenes. I know I made a lot of mistakes, though I dare not postpone the chapter any further to touch up everything I'd like to. It's part of the point of Talland, though: improving one's writing ability. I'd really appreciate any feedback you might have.

Mish, lovely contribution to the story! It really brings me back into the spirit of things! I loved the writing, the history between these characters, the soft, subtle moments. It's really lovely (and a nice change of pace from what I've been writing!). I really can't wait to see what happens next with Kamina (and who she might be running into).

Looks just fine to me, Kaiser. Action scenes are tough, and you got yours down a lot quicker than I did. Kudos!

And of course Mishael - I'm really liking the progression of your story. I feel that I'm most familiar with her character (with the exception of Lenzen), because she's probably the most fleshed-out character so far in terms of motivations and background - though I'm sure you still have some surprises in mind!

I second Kaiser - I'm very excited to move forward with this story. I have lots of plans in store for Lenzen/Meinhard and, like Kaiser, I'm committed to telling his story in Talland.

Thoroughly enjoyable posts from you all! Kaiser, I thought your action scene was great, and I loved seeing the bracers in action. Drahcir, you're doing an excellent job with Aether's character! I especially enjoyed the recurring mask concept in your last post. Mishael, bravo on the way you brought Kamina into Ridgewood! You gave her some support through Jarren and Tessa, but through awkwardness, et cetera, kept it from being too easy. Much applause. =)

Oy, and I forgot to answer your question about Armond Dray, Kaiser! You know just about as much about him as I do. *sheepish grin* He IS an advanced automotonics engineer, and Kennis IS sending him to Ridgewood. But I know nothing else about him, or how he'll fit in. He could even, unbeknownst to Brandia, be in a resistance group. I'll, erm, figure him out later. =) If you've an idea for him, have at it! I've got a question for you…In your character snippet, the Ryn character was Anavaile Galereaper. Did you intend 'Galereaper' as a title of Anavaile's, or as a Ryn surname? I tried to use the same style with Brandia's alias, but if 'Galereaper' was a title, I'll switch 'Raingazer' to something else.

Lenor, I did intend Galereaper as a surname, and that's honestly one of the things I loved most about your latest chapter. You paid attention to that little detail and implemented it into your own writing. Fantastic!

This does bring up an interesting question, though. Why is Brandia traveling under a Ryn name? Ryn tend to be a minority outside the Ryn desert, and often as not bring uncomfortable tales from home. It may be conspicuous for someone trying to sneak around to use a Ryn name. But then again, perhaps there is a reason? Maybe the Ryn, and Brandia, have certain facial/skin tone distinctions that make it necessary for her to admit to the heritage? Or maybe there are some people she's trying to meet in Ridgewood, which could only be done with a Ryn cover? Or maybe being Ryn simply isn't as conspicuous as I first envisioned. I don't know, let's have a conversation! What do you think?

New mini-post is imminent.

I'm more concerned about the "imminent" part of it.

*waiting*

Too be fair, I also have some input that I've yet to provide for Kaiser. The cause of the delay is also school related. I will try to get my part submitted as soon as I get a breather. Timeline is likely to be a week or so too.

True. I just didn't want to call you out. :{)

I won't proceed to submit that part of the story down without Drahcir's feedback. However, I think this story has gone far enough without another chapter! So I've posted part of part 1 of my newest contribution.

For the record, the town square of Ridgewood doesn't reflect Ridgewood proper, but rather the influx of all these outsiders coming in. Chres might just get a better taste of the "real" Ridgewood in part 2 (which I hope to have up rather soon).