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Topics - Carillon

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1
General Discussion / A Fond Farewell
« on: January 08, 2011, 11:39:05 am »
Hi everyone,

I have to say ... it's been a great run! That said, this post is to let the community know that I have just stepped down as a GM. The decision to retire was actually some months in the making, but I stayed on a little longer to make sure my work with Center rolled out smoothly, and to finish off my last commitments to CDQ requests.

Time. If only we all could have enough! But with my university days over and my full time job becoming more full time by the day, I know in my heart that I don't have the time for the responsibilities of GMing anymore, and it is time to step aside.

My deepest thanks to the community. You are what makes GMing here worth the time we give up. So thanks, for your commitment and passion to the world, for your creativity on quests and during every day roleplay, and for all the support you give the GMs as we try our best to weave stories for you, puppeteer a dozen NPCs at once, and keep the monsters on a short enough leash that you can at least try to solve the world's problems in a non-combative fashion. Mine were always a little unruly, and apologies to whoever they took a swipe at accidentally during a quest. I do seem to recall a few strand refunds during my tenure ... ;-)

I can say with honesty, it has been my sincerest pleasure to eavesdrop on all your RP conversations, snoop through your character's backpacks and leave the occasional surprise, bash you on the head with the XP wand from time to time, and torture your characters through development quests!

Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

~Carillon

2
Poetic License / Dragon Stories
« on: July 11, 2010, 09:03:53 pm »
//Please feel free to use this thread to post your stories from the Dragon Storytelling Night, for those who couldn't make it to enjoy.

3
The Dragon Storm Campaign / Opportunity for Information Sharing
« on: July 11, 2010, 01:00:19 pm »
//Attention Players and Plotters!

  • Are you interested in getting involved in plot events, but not sure what's going on?
  • Are you interested in making a difference in Layonara, but don't even know where to start?
  • Do you want to learn more about dragons and their lore, and the famous dragons of Layonara?
  • Have you been involved in plot events, and want to pick up the pieces again, and refresh your memory on what is going on?
  • Do you have unique information or a story to share with your fellow players about the current Dragon Storm plot?
Well if the answer to any of those questions is yes ... you should come to the Dragon Storytelling Night!

(Note: this is meant to be an opportunity for information sharing, storytelling, and fun RP. It's a player-organized event, not a DM-run quest, but there should be fun and food for all, and maybe even some RP XP, so please join us if you're interested or you have something to share.)

4
Rumour Has It / Storytelling Night: Dragons
« on: July 04, 2010, 06:11:39 pm »
Before the time of elves and men
Before the dwarves first worked in stone
And halflings wandered desert sands,
One creature called the world its own

First as gods, then fearsome beasts
These mighty serpents roamed the world
And those who glimpse them, even now
Stand in awe at wings unfurled

Scalding breath and wicked fangs,
Claws and teeth and flashing scales
By these we know the mighty dragon,
Subject of a thousand tales

Wyrmlings hatching from an egg,
Wicked beasts and fearsome foes,
Saviors calling heroes forth
And heralds of the greatest woes

Lords of ice and kings of fire,
Wreathed in mystery and lore--
You may know a hundred tales ...
But would you like to know one more?

Poets, storytellers, bards
And any with a myth or song,
Join us where Twin Dragons ward
For dragon stories all night long.
[/B][/I][/font][/size]






//Join us for an RP night of stories about dragons, that may or may not be plot-related, or include information relevant to the current plot.

Please consider bringing a story, myth, tale, legend, song or poem about a dragon to share. However, if you really can't think of one, don't let it stop you from coming to enjoy the RP. Just please don't bring any copyrighted material from other sources, obviously!

See calendar event here for more details sign up.

5
Wild Surge Inn / A Priestess With A Rumor
« on: March 12, 2010, 08:06:36 pm »
A priestess of Ilsare taking supper at the inn is heard talking with her dinner companion of an odd diary page she and her friend stumbled across when settling the dead to rest in the Krandor crypts. It seemed to be all riddles, with something about the number five, and she could make no sense of it. She remarks on its strangeness before turning the conversation to the pleasant late summer weather and the excellent bard performing that night.

6
Character Stable / Piper Hornblower -- READY
« on: March 01, 2010, 05:11:17 pm »
Name: Piper Hornblower
Race: Halfling
Class: Fighter
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Age: 22
Gender: Male
Deity: None, but some devotion to both Deliar and Prunilla, as most halflings have.

Description: This halfling man has the tanned skin of the desert tribes, though his face is still young and smooth and bears no sign of weathering. Bright eyes take in everything before him, and he greets strangers with a wave and a cheerful grin. His traveling clothes look comfortable, and have a number of small pouches on them. A sling and a pouch of ammunition is often slung through his belt.

Biography:

Piper scanned the horizon from his hidey place behind the big rock and its brush. Nope, still nothing. He patted the carved warning horn at his side, reassuring himself for the seventeenth time it was there, and then went back to sorting his pebble collection.

Green one, flecked one, speckled one, one that looked like it had Deliar's face on it ... there were some real treasures there. No matter where they set up camp for the night, he could always find a couple of interesting rocks. Trinkets and other curiosities might catch his eye, of a certainty--what halfling could possess so little curiosity as to pretend otherwise?--but the pebble collection, started when he was a child, was his favorite pastime. Of course, he probably shouldn't be playing with his pebble collection when he was supposed to be watching ...

Guiltily, he tucked the pebbles back into his pouch. Well, alright, one of about two dozen pouches on the comfortable traveling leathers he was wearing. Couldn't wear uncomfortable armor, not when you were moving around all day, not when you'd probably have to sleep in it that night! Not that he had any regrets about his decision to become a caravan guard. What more could you ask for? Always on the move, always getting to see a bit of the world, new people to talk to whenever you stopped, and new stories and a good pipe by the fire every night. Life was meant for living, and he was living it just as he wanted. For now.

No, Piper had no regrets about his decision to join the trading caravans, moving all over Mistone. He missed the Spirit Dunes when they were far away, but even there he hadn't been part of a clan with a permanent home, so he was used to being a wanderer. It felt right, and since he'd learned early he was quicker with a sling, a dart, or just about anything else he could throw than his fellows, well spending a couple of years as a guard had made sense. He might not be as brawny as the tall folk, but only tall folk would think size was the most important part of a fight.

Why, if a wild animal were to come over that hill right now, he'd have it down with a stinger dart before it knew what hit it, and the caravan would be gone before it even woke up. And if a goblin were to come over that hill right now, he had his sling and his pouch of ammunition pebbles (not to be confused with his keeper pebble pouch for his collection!) and he could hit it where it mattered and have it down in no time. And if a patrol of gnolls were to come over that hill right now ... well, that wouldn't be so good, since gnolls were definitely big and he was small. But that's what the horn was for--he'd signal the others, they'd find some way to distract the gnolls (maybe more of that choking powder fog stuff they had traded for back in Spellgard?) and they'd be gone before the gnolls finished wheezing and got around to looking for them.

Yep, he was a good guard. Give him a shortsword or a sling and he could take down anything his own size, and quite a few things even bigger! But he had the good sense the Couple had blessed him with too, and the stories of his Clan Mother to keep him from trying anything foolish if he was confronted by something bigger than him. Sure, he liked the story of the halfling who felled the giant with a sling and a pebble as much as anyone--had that been the beginning of his pebble obsession, he wondered suddenly?--but he also knew just how hard a giant's head was, and that the Storyteller hadn't meant they should go picking fights with giants when she told the story. No, she had been talking about something else. About how the giant had underestimated the halfling, and how the halfling had used that opportunity.

Piper felt an unexpected wave of homesickness, suddenly realizing how much he missed the kindly face of the Clan Mother of his childhood. And he knew that only another halfling would ever really understand that feeling. Tall folks wouldn't get how much he missed this woman who hadn't birthed him but had been a second mother, had bestowed upon him and all the children of his clan the wisdom and stories that made up their history. Yes, he missed the clan, and he knew he'd go back one day, but not yet. These were his wandering years. Maybe when he passed the century mark he'd settle down, find a woman who'd take him as a husband, and have some children of his own. For now, there was simply too much exploring to do.

Soft footsteps startled Piper out of his thoughts, and he tensed and crouched, one hand on a dart. Ah, but no, he recognized the tread--it was only Morris, come to relieve him from his watch and let him go catch a wink back at the camp. He gave his report, then headed off through the night back toward where he knew the caravans were, until he saw that welcoming glow and heard the friendly greetings.

His traveling companions made room for him by the fire, and someone handed him a plate of supper, and a pang of guilt hit him in the belly. He hadn't had the heart to tell them yet, but he'd made up his mind. The next big city they reached, he would part ways with the caravan for a while, and strike out on his own. It wasn't that he didn't like the life he was living--he did! But there was something fascinating about those bustling human cities, with tall folk hurrying everywhere. It was like looking at a bee hive or an ant hill. There was so much to see! But always they were moving on before Piper felt he'd had time to explore, so maybe it was time to take his cut of the pay and do a little wandering of his own. He could always meet up with them again later, or find another caravan ...

Yep, the next big city, he'd part ways. He hugged the thought to himself as he settled down by the fire that night. He'd be alone, but he was sure he had some distant cousins in a human city somewhere, so maybe he could track them down for a visit and a taste of home if he got too lonesome. And in the meantime, he'd be free to explore whatever he wanted, not having to follow where the caravan wanted to go.

The next big city, he thought to himself as sleep tickled at the back of his mind. He wondered which one it would be, and drifted off to dream of the excitement it would surely hold.

7
Layonara Server / Please Welcome To The Team ...
« on: February 15, 2010, 07:13:42 pm »
The Layonara Team is pleased to welcome three new Gamemasters and four new Lore editors onto the Team!


Please join us in congratulating and welcoming our three new Gamemasters: Aerimor, thedagda and Lance Stargazer. We have every confidence they will succeed in their new positions and we will see some great quests from these individuals once they are finished their mentoring period! We are very excited to be inviting them on board.

Please also join us in welcoming and congratulating our new Lore Editors: Cinnabar, cbnicholson, Asmodean and Spike. We look forward to working with all four of you, and we are thankful for your help in making the LORE site as accessible and up-to-date as possible.


Thank you to all who applied. The Team was gratified by the enthusiasm from the community, and we feel fortunate to be a part of a community with so many membres who are eager to give back in any way they can.

Sincerely,
~Carillon

8
Layonara Server / Layonara Team Applications Now Open!
« on: January 24, 2010, 06:15:13 pm »
Do you desire to be a part of a fantastic team? Then now is the time to read through the public version of our GM Primer here and apply to the Layonara Team as a gamemaster, or perhaps as part of the LORE team. Please reply to this thread with your application if you are interested. You will also need to send a sample quest in a PM if you are applying as a Gamemaster, as specified below.

For those who are interested in applying as a Layonara GM or to another team position but are hesitant because they feel they may lack experience, please know that we will offer apprenticeship and mentoring as needed. We don't just throw you to the wolves! So if you think you have what it takes, then give it a shot.

If you are applying as a GM, please make sure to answer questions 1-9. If you are applying for the LORE team, please answer questions 1-6 and 10-11. If you are interested in both teams, you can just answer them all! This round of applications will close on Sunday, January 31th, 2010 at 5 pm PST.

Quote
Gamemaster Qualifications:

• Has been a community member in good standing for at least four (4) months
• Works well on a team but can also take independent initiative
• Acts responsibly both individually and within teams
• Understands both the rules and the spirit of the server  
• Enforces the spirit and rules of the server when necessary
• Communicates well in text in an online environment.
• Can commit to perform GM Duties as either a part time or full time GM


Quote
Gamemaster Duties:

• Run impromptus, CDQs and quests, reward RP, assist players in game, or otherwise be active in game with your GM avatar (Part time: 1 hour/week ; Full time: 2 hours/week)
• Spend at least 2 hours per month working to help the team and community on IRC or forums (e.g. Character approvals, disputes and grievances, answering questions, providing other assistance)
• Participate in GM team discussions
• Write up quests after they are completed with detailed information for tracking.
• Keep appropriate records of character profiling, player interactions, quests, CDQs, etc.
• Communicate with individual players who may need help understanding the rules or spirit of the server.
• Check the forums regularly (Part time: at least 2  times/week ; Full time: at least 5 times/week)


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LORE Team Duties and Qualifications:

The LORE Team is responsible for keeping LORE content up to date with game events and rule changes, editing current content for errors (grammatical or content errors) and creating new pages and adding the content that isn't up on LORE yet.

Qualifications:

• Organized, responsible and reliable individual
• Strong writing skills and the ability to write in a professional tone
• Strong proofreading skills and knowledge of English spelling and grammar
• Patience and the ability to coordinate with the rest of the team via the forums and IRC
• Good knowledge of lore is an asset but not required
• Prior knowledge of Wiki Markup or a willingness to learn (It's not that hard! We promise!)
• Able to spend a couple hours a week on LORE editing and tasks



Application Questions (All applicants):
(please answer in a response in this thread)

1. What position are you applying for? (Gamemaster or LORE team member)

2. How long have you been a member of Layonara? You need to have been an active community member in good standing for at least four months to qualify.

3. Why do you want to be a GM or LORE team member in Layonara?

4. What characteristics make you well suited to the position of GM/LORE team member?

5. Please read through the GM/LORE team duties and qualifications, if you have not already. In light of these obligations, what other responsibilities (either Layonara-related or real life) could affect your Team performance and how would you balance these?

6. Are you a member of any other Layonara teams? If so and you are accepted as a GM/LORE team member, how do you plan to balance your new role and your current role?


Gamemaster Applications Only:

7. Please describe any DM/GM experience, including any NWN GMing experience. Please note that GMing experience is not required for an application to be considered.

8. Are you applying as a part time or full time quest GM? (Please note the GMing time commitments as specified under GM duties.)

9. Please submit an example quest in a PM (addressed to Leanthar, Harlas Ravelkione and EdTheKet). Your quest should have both a start and a plot with one or more expected conclusions. Your summary should include any side things that a party can do within the quest, as well as how you would handle any anticipated situations within the quest. Your sample quest summary should be between 300 and 500 words in length.


LORE Team Applications Only:

10. Please describe your English writing and editing skills, and any relevant experience you have with proofreading and/or Wikis.

11. How much time per week do you have to devote to LORE editing?



All qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview which will take place in IRC or in game by February 8, 2010. Successful applicants will be notified by February 15, 2010. Good luck!


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Important! Special Note About Author-Publisher Agreement
[/B][/U]
All successful applicants will also be asked to sign an author-publisher agreement releasing the work they do while in the position to the Layonara IP. All Team members must sign an author-publisher agreement before they run any events, do any writing or editing, or otherwise create content. This is for the legal protection of the Layonara IP. Regrettably, we cannot accept anyone onto the Team who does not sign the author-publisher agreement, because of the potential legal ramifications.

9
Ask A Gamemaster / GM Roster
« on: March 06, 2017, 11:24:35 pm »
GM Roster and ActivityLayonara has a diverse and busy team of GMs. You can read more about them in their introduction threads in this forum, where you can also find out out more about what they are doing in the Layonara world and community. The list below reflects our current GM roster, and the current status of each of our GMs:GM Avatar: Æther
Forum Name: Dorganath
Status: Active Forum GM; unavailable for quests, CDQs and WLDQsAvatar: Amris /Ivy/Tacoknight
Forum Name: IceDragonDuvessa
Status: Project Team Non-GMGM Avatar: Atlas
Forum Name: orth
Status: Active Administrator; unavailable for quests, CDQs and WLDQsGM Avatar: Brewmaster Bob
Forum Name: Lonnarin
Status: Active Quest GM; available for quests GM Avatar: Leanthar Spellore
Forum Name: Leanthar
Status: Active Forum GM; unavailable for quests (occasional impromptus though!)GM Avatar: mouse
Forum Name: Acacea
Status: Active GMGM Avatar: Rowana
Forum Name: Rowana
Status: Active Forum GM; available for CDQs and WLDQsGM Avatar: The Heretic
Forum Name: EdTheKet
Status: Loremaster, Active Forum GM; unavailable for quests, CDQs and WLDQs (sometimes comes out of hiding with a series though)GM Avatar: The Troll King
Forum Name: miltonyorkcastle
Status: Active Quest GM; available for quests and CDQs
 

10
Ask A Gamemaster / Stickied Threads Updates!
« on: December 11, 2009, 09:43:09 pm »
Hey Layonara lovers,

Just a note, you may have noticed that there's a new sticky in the CDQ forum. And hey, where'd the old one go?? Heh, well just in case you were wondering what's going on, we decided that the old sticky needed some love (cause it hadn't been updated since it was written in 2005!) and rolled out a new one.

You can expect to see at least a couple more of these revamps and rewrites in the weeks and months to come, as we do a little forum "spring cleaning" in an attempt to make sure things are up to date, and also to make especially the forums new players will be accessing as welcoming and easy to use as possible.

That's all for now!

12
Poetic License / The Ballad of Finnias McPhee
« on: December 05, 2009, 08:29:50 pm »
Written for the charity pie event for the Port Hempstead Orphanage, by Jaelle Thornwood.


The Ballad of Finnias McPhee

Ladies and gentlemen, sit back and relax
Enjoy all this pie and your sweet pastry snacks
But lend me your ears for a moment or three
And I'll tell you the tale of Finnias McPhee

My tale is of Finnias William McPhee
And a nicer young man one might never see
He had but one weakness, all would agree
And this is his tale as it was told to me.

You see, lads and lasses, an addict was Finn
No bones about it, one thing did him in
All sweets he'd resist, couldn't tempt him one bit,
Save for one treat, and even he would admit

That Finnias McPhee was addicted to pie
There wasn't a flavor that ol' Finn wouldn't try
He'd eat them by dozens, 'till at last he'd cry
“If I eat one more bite I think I might die!”

Yes, pie was his weakness, the chink in his shield
There wasn't a pastry to which he'd not yield
He'd hem and he'd haw and say “No I can't”
But he'd cave in the end, and then we'd all chant:

“Finnias McPhee, you're addicted to pie!
There isn't a flavor or type you won't try!
You may protest all you like, Finn, but it isn't a lie--
To all manner of pastry you'll always say 'Aye!' ”

A right connoisseur was my friend McPhee
A more knowledgeable piester there will never be
Peach, cherry, blackberry—he knew them all
And there wasn't a pastry that couldn't enthrall

Berry pies, sugar pies, flaky and sweet
Savory sausage pies stuffed full of meat
Bubbling desserts set to cool on the sill,
He'd ravish them all until he'd had his fill

And it got him in trouble, gods know that it did
He'd go after them even if outright forbid
And when the poor baker went to serve her dessert
Her face would turn scarlet 'till at him she'd blurt

“Finnias McPhee, I'm gonna kick you sky high!
I bet you think you're so cunning and sly
Sneaking into my kitchen and stealing my pie ...
That's it, you're cut off! Kiss my pastries goodbye!”

Poor Finn he'd be sorry and full of regret,
But no matter how bashful—or how dire the threat!--
The next time his nose caught a tempting aroma
He'd eat himself into a pie-induced coma!

And so it went on, Finn and his pies
And when Finn was in town every chef had his spies
They had to, you see, for when Finn caught a whiff
Of sweet golden pastry, it'd be gone in a jiff.

Say what you will, but no one will deny
Except for the pastries, Finn was a great guy
But sometimes I worried he just couldn't stop
And there might come a time when old Finn would just pop

Sure enough, there came a fateful spring day
When I found old McPhee at a pastry buffet
How many pies? I don't think they'd kept score
But he'd had at least twelve and was reaching for more!

“Finnias stop!” was my heartfelt war cry
“Put down the fork! Step away from the pie!”
But Finn couldn't stop, didn't even bat an eye
Just reached for the next as I heard myself sigh

He got through two more, but halfway through the third
The inevitable end at long last occurred:
He took one bite too many and let out a bellow,
And burst at the seams--though died a happy fellow

So you see lads and lasses, you can't overindulge
At the worst you'll explode and the least get a bulge
But in moderation, there's no finer treat
Than a pie, any kind—fruit, berry or meat.

13
Rumour Has It / Disease Outbreak at Palden Lake!
« on: November 27, 2009, 05:21:17 pm »
Travelers in the area of Palden Lake are warned that the area is currently afflicted by several strange diseases, apparently carried by mosquitoes and other insects from nearby infected Karst. Travelers are cautioned to be careful when passing through the entire region of Palden Lake, to watch for deranged and diseased animals, and to avoid drinking the lake water, which is no longer safe to drink.

Druid Trouble Tempest has been given the responsibility of overseeing the area. He is now druid of Palden Lake, and can be seen assessing the problem and making plans with fellow druids.

Those passing through the area notice that clouds of mosquitoes hang in the air, that the lake water is cloudy and murky, and that many of the animals have become deranged or sickly. It is becoming a far too frequent sight to stumble across the corpse or gasping body of an animal, lying in its own bile as it heaves its last few breaths.

14
Rumour Has It / In Tsunami-Wrecked Karst ...
« on: November 14, 2009, 06:16:36 pm »
*After praying to her goddess, it is to tsunami-wrecked Karst that a young aasimar priestess of Ilsare travels. The sight of the devastation and the hundreds of dead make her pale, and tears shine in her blue eyes.*

"Oh goddess ... surely not so many? Why? I know there are reasons, and reasons beyond reasons, but ..."

*Words fail her as she glimpses a pile of small, child-sized bodies awaiting mass burial or burning.*

*Finally, after collecting herself up, she sets about to work trying to stave off plague and disease, casting spells to ward against disease and blessings to purify on common sources of food and water, blessing the drinking waters, and gathering as many of the sick together as possible to treat them as best she can, both with simple healing supplies she brings with her, potions, and prayers to the Heartsong.*

15
Rumour Has It / In The Wake of the Hempstead Tsunami ...
« on: November 13, 2009, 02:41:16 pm »
Hundreds sought shelter from the storm within the sturdy walls of the Port Hempstead Tower Academy on Apreal 23, 1457. Inside, an elven sorceress, one of the faculty, converted classrooms into refugee accomodations and large open lecture halls into infirmaries, and cauldrons meant to teach alchemy were filled with boiling water and healing herbs from the Tower supplies.

Once the waves finally passed, the Tower once again opened its doors, but to an unfamiliar Hempstead. Ships were wrecked all over the city, buildings collapsed and smashed like children's toys, thousands wounded and dead, and the city in chaos. Many steeled themselves against the sight, though, and began dealing with the tragedy, refusing to bow down to the force of the storm and give up. With many others, Jaelle headed out into the flooded city, to spread the word that the Tower Academy was being used as a base and to aid in the efforts.

For hours, she and other adventurers and citizens secured supplies, ferried injured through the cold seawater, healed who they could with both magic and mundane means, and tried to keep the city from panic. Eventually, once word had spread through the city and the first waves of injured had been brought back to the Tower, or to the temple of Deliar which was serving as another hub of relief in the city, Jaelle returned to the Academy to oversee things from there and to continue planning the relief of the city.

The Tower, always intended to serve the city, now does so in a very literal sense. The lobby and third floor are full of injured people. The few skilled healers treat the worst off, while less skilled but willing volunteers do what they can for others. Much needed supplies have been brought into the Tower, secured from places throughout the city in controlled loots, and the upper floors turned into temporary refugee camps where hundreds of frightened, bruised and battered citizens huddle. Many still evacuate through the portal, though this is slow going and for a long time there seemed to be more coming into the Tower than leaving it. Jaelle addresses a crowd of brave volunteers and adventurers who may have come into the city after the waves passed:


"Alright, listen up please! I know this seems overwhelming now, but we are a strong city, and together we can handle this and continue to weather this storm and find our feet, but to do so we all need to shoulder the burden and work together.

"Some of you have already been working for hours, I know, out there in the floodwaters bringing people in. If you need to, take a rest. There is no shame in it, and we need to settle in for the long haul rather than burn ourselves out and collapse within the first day. Those of you who have just arrived or are able to keep going, here is what is going on:

"We have turned part of the Tower into an infirmary. Those with healing skills would best serve there. There are still many who need critical attention, and hundreds of less serious wounds that need to be washed and bandaged. Disease is going to hit hard--it always does after a storm, and we need to do our best to stave it off. If you can't heal, you can still help. It does not take much skill to wash a wound, and if you can't stomach that there are hundreds of frightened people who need someone to tell them it's going to be okay and they can get through this. There are two or three floors packed with refugees up there, so you have no shortage of patients.

"For those of you who want to work out in the city, there are some other tasks that desperately need attention. The foundations of the Tower were somewhat damaged by the waves, so if we want to keep using this as a base we need carpenters and builders to assist in reinforcing them. Timulty Keel is starting to clear the docks, in golem form, and we need more people on that effort too. Aid is being sent down from Leringard and other places, we hope, but we need at least one working dock to receive it. Right now we are cut off.

"Beyond that, we still need people to collect any healing supplies, food, potable water or drinks, blankets or other supplies left in the city that can help us. There's some looting going on, so be careful and try to keep it from disintegrating into madness, but right now without supplies people are going to start to get sick. There is often a second wave of deaths after a storm like this, when infection sets in. And that, I fear, will be the worst of our tasks, so if you've a strong stomach or are used to battlefields, we need you there--I've started sending teams of some of the ex-soldiers and guards who were stranded here out to collect the dead once the injured were mostly brought in. If we do not want a plague to rip through the city or a horde of restless undead, we need to work quickly to gather them up too. They are being taken to Allurial's square, where the ground is a bit higher, and collected in pyres on the city walls. A few clerics are saying mass rites, to try to give them as much peace as we can offer.

"It is terrible, I know, but it is what needs to be done. The priests and priestesses are already overwhelmed tending to the living, and we do not have the resources to raise them all, even if they could all be brought back. In order to help the most people, we need to be willing to set ourselves to these hard tasks and pull through together. If you need anything, if you need a job, if you aren't certain where to start ... I am here, as are the others. We are in this together."


Jaelle goes back to her duties, healing the injured, managing the refugees, firing pyres of the dead, and trying to keep up people's spirits in the wake of the devastating tsunami.

16
//This will be the thread used to track rebuilding efforts, materials, and aid when the time comes. For now, the embers are cooling, the smoke (literal and figurative) is clearing, and people are taking stock before what will be needed to rebuild becomes clear.


After the fire, dedicated patrons and true lovers of the Arms are seen picking through the rubble, either for lost possessions or for anything salvageable--all under the watchful eye of a small detail of Blackwatch guards who, depending on who you ask, are there to make sure no one is injured poking through the unstable structure or are there in case the errant steward shows his face.

A few long-time patrons talk amidst themselves as they begin to salvage any useable stone, tile, small pieces of unburnt wood, etc. that wasn't ruined completely in the blaze, and talk of incorporating these materials into the inn when it is rebuilt. It is generally agreed that the first thing to do once all has been salvaged that can be is clear the site so things can be started fresh, ready to incorporate pieces of the old and the inn's long history into a new building.

17
Rumour Has It / Extra Blackwatch Patrols in Leringard, Homes Searched
« on: November 09, 2009, 08:49:08 pm »
Shortly after a devastating fire burns the Leringard Arms nearly to the ground, extra Blackwatch patrols throughout the city can be seen, searching for its steward, the blue-skinned tiefling known as Steel.

The houses and places of business of any known allies in the city are searched. Any wishing to try to deny entrance to the brutally efficient guard force who has been with Leringard nearly as long as the city has been in existence might think carefully about their actions.

The Blackwatch are insistent but not violent unless provoked, and do not break or steal anything from within the homes. They simply search for the wanted man, then leave again, though often a guard or small force is left to keep watch over places they suspect Steel to seek aid. Any concerned about an unlawful search are tersely informed that in Leringard, the Blackwatch is the law ... or so you are told.

Homes and places searched or where guards are left outside the door include but may not be limited to: 124 Leringard, 125 Leringard, 129 Leringard, 130 Leringard, 131 Leringard, the Leringard Orphanage, and the Twin Dragons Inn, which offered aid to the Arms patrons after the fire.

A watch is also quietly kept over the burned structure of the inn.


//PM me if you think you both have a place of residence in Leringard that might be searched AND you cause a considerable fuss about having your home searched. However, please be prepared to deal with the consequences of your actions if your character does in fact resist!

18
Rumour Has It / Leringard Arms Destroyed!
« on: November 08, 2009, 07:14:50 pm »
Rumors abound out of Leringard! The well known inn and tavern, the Leringard Arms, and its adjacent card emporium, were completely destroyed in a fire. The building is considered too damaged and structurally unsound to be accessed at this time and the charred structure that remains after the devastating fire has been completely closed to the public.

Thus far it is known that there were some casualties in the fire and that more than one person died from inhaling smoke, though the number and identity of those lost remains unknown at this time. Many of the patrons of the inn were treated for burns.

Plans for rebuilding are unknown at this time. One bystander judged that it was likely the entire structure remaining would have to be completely torn down, and things started fresh.

Thankfully, the fire did not spread to the entire city block, and only a few adjacent homes and structures were burned in the blaze, which was quickly doused by an unseasonably heavy rainshower. A cleric of Mist were seen near the inn shortly after the heavy rains started, but when asked whether he had brought the rains he simply shrugged. Another priestess of the faith claimed that the storm had already been on its way. Whether luck or action from the Misties, all agree the rains and limited damage are good fortune.

19
Character Stable / Stable vs. Library: What's The Big Difference?
« on: November 03, 2009, 11:19:06 pm »
If you've glanced over the different forums but haven't had time to read the stickies in detail, you may be wondering what the difference is between the Character Library and the Character Stable. They're both forums full of prewritten characters for use, right? Well, sort of! There are a few important differences between the two forums, so here they are:


1. Purpose:

Character Stable: The Stable is intended for players who do not want to go through the regular submission process for whatever reason. Because it contains pre-written and GM-vetted characters, these characters have been pre-approved for use so new players, young players, or players with a low proficiency in English or who otherwise are struggling with the Character Submission process can get in game.

Character Library: The Library is intended for all players, but especially more experienced players or players who do not mind going through the regular Character Submission process. It is a place to share great ideas, and a goldmine for creative character concepts for those players looking for a fresh idea.


2. Content:

Character Stable: The stable contains simple submissions only, and there are many restrictions on what can be submitted here, as we want submissions that are ideal for those brand new to an RP world. As such, you will only find Barbarians, Rangers, Rogues and Fighters here, of standard races only (Human, Dwarf, Elf, Halfling, Gnome). Character Stable submissions can also only be of the five unrestricted alignments (Lawful Good, Neutral Good, Chaotic Good, True Neutral, Lawful Neutral), and should be fairly simple, straightforward stories that contain clear, concrete biography details.

Character Library: The content within the Character Library can be as diverse as anything else submitted through the regular character submissions process. (Similarly, it must also adhere to the regular guidelines for what is permitted on these forums, so no profanity, overt sexuality, or extremely graphic violence please! Keep it family friendly.) Any of our basic classes or combinations of classes are available (still no PrCs on submission though), and biographies here can be of any of the eight permitted alignments (sorry, still no Chaotic Evil characters!) and any of the normally available races or subraces. Please be aware, though, that while you can write a biography you don't qualify for, like a brand new player writing an evil biography, the player who intends to play the character must meet any restrictions for alignments, etc.


3. GM/Character Approver Involvement:

Character Stable: The Stable is a place for pre-approved characters, and as such the Character Approvers and GMs take a very active role there. Biographies submitted to the forum will be read, edited if necessary, then flagged as ready by approvers.

Character Library: Other than monitoring the forum for appropriate content, similar to our job with any of the forums, the GMs and Character Approvers will not be taking an active role in this forum, except as players. This is a place for player-to-player exchanges of biographies, and sadly we do not have the time to read, comment on, or in any way pre-approve the biographies in this forum--so please don't ask! When the biography is submitted to Character Submissions, we will happily give you any feedback there.


4. Author Agreement and Role:

Character Stable: Players and GMs are welcome to donate to the Character Stable, as per our submission guidelines, which we ask you to read carefully before donating! Donating to the forum comes with its risks, though--by handing over your character, you agree to let us edit it if necessary to bring it in line with any lore issues, areas of ambiguity, etc. Also, you are granting permission for anyone to use the biography. As the author, you do not get a say in whether a player can or cannot use your biography once it is posted here, nor do you have any control over how they play that character once it is submitted. Think carefully before donating a character concept that you are particularly attached to, or submitting a family member of an existing PC, and be prepared for the worst: that your biography may remain unused, be played for a short period of time and then abandoned, or be played in a different way than you imagined.

Character Library: Again, any player or GM can donate to the Character Library ... though just because a GM may write a submission and put it here in no way guarantees pre-approval! Everyone submitting to this forum stands on equal ground, as they do when submitting to the Character Submissions forum. However, here an author retains a little more control over a biography once it is submitted. If someone wishes to use the biography, they must ask the original author and be granted their permission, so authors do get some say over who uses their characters. We ask you to keep in mind the spirit of this forum, though, and an open mind about letting players you might not know well play a character concept you wrote--especially if it will only sit idle otherwise. The only exception is if a player is known to be inactive and has been away from the forums for an extended amount of time, any request not answered within ten days will be considered the author's tacit approval. The reason we do it this way is so even players leaving the community for one reason or another can leave something behind for others to use. If you know you will be away from the forums for an extended period of time and do not want someone else using your characters, please remove them from the forum before you leave by deleting them. Once a character has been submitted, however, that character belongs to the player who is playing him or her and you will not get to have any special say over how the character is played just because you wrote it!


5. How To Submit A Character For Play:

Character Stable: Make sure you read the directions in the Character Stable forum, but basically post in one of the threads flagged as "READY" showing you wish to use the character, and it will be moved over to the Character Submission forum for approval. If you have edited nothing in the biography, it will be approved the first time a CA or GM has a chance to do any approving work. If you wish, you may edit the name, biography details (within the submission guidelines for content), or the deity (but must provide added support), but any edit you make will be subject to review, which could slow your approval. You may not edit or change the class, alignment, race or subrace.

Character Library: Again, make sure you read the stickies in this forum, like this one and the guidelines for use. Post in the thread of the biography you are interested in, and wait for the player to answer. After that, it is up to you and the author to work things out. When you have reached an agreement, you may then post the biography to the Character Submissions forum. After this, the biography will go through the regular review process by the character approvers, who may ask clarifying questions or for something to be edited. Please note, the Library is not in any way intended to be a shortcut to the Submissions process, but rather a place for players to share and exchange ideas and biographies.


We hope this answers many of the questions you might have about the Character Stable and the Character Library, and that you enjoy both of these forums.

Sincerely,
The GM and Character Approver Teams

20
Ask A Gamemaster / Introducing: The Character Library!
« on: November 03, 2009, 11:14:16 pm »
Hello all,

The GM and Character Approver Teams are pleased to bring you ... The Character Library!

Similar to the Character Stable, the Character Library is a forum full of pre-written submissions. The difference is that the Character Library does not have the restrictions for simplicity that the Stable does, and is intended for any player to write for or borrow from! Players can write biographies that they don't have time to develop, leave half-finished ideas for characters, or even submit completed biographies that don't quite fit with the Character Stable philosophy of simplicity. (Of course, players are still welcome to write for the Stable as well, within the guidelines for submission.)

Where is this all coming from? Well, when we developed the Character Stable, we were pleasantly surprised by the generosity and creativity of several players who submitted biographies to it, but sometimes those biographies did not fit what we needed, like biographies for magic classes or those with special, unique and challenging backstories. We began to realize that we needed a place for players to post, exchange and share these great ideas so they didn't just gather dust, and hence the Character Library was born.

We see the Character Library as hopefully becoming a place where authors can share and trade ideas, character biographies can be developed, and players can browse and look for interesting ideas they might want to try out themselves. This is intended as a player-to-player forum, so the GMs will not be taking an active role in it, except to monitor content for family friendly appropriateness as we do with all the forums and perhaps to participate as players. (Yes, we are still players too! Heh.) While it is not in any way a shortcut to the character submissions process and GMs and CAs will not be looking over, commenting on or pre-approving characters in any way before they are submitted through the usual channels, we truly hope it serves and fulfills the need we saw in the community for a place to share these ideas.

Please take a look at the Welcome To The Character Library sticky, or the sticky explaining in more detail how the Library and Stable differ for more information.

Also, this is your opportunity: still confused? Not sure what this means? Have a comment or question? Ask here! We know the forum is new and might take some getting used to, so we will happily answer all questions here, or receive and consider any comments.

Well that's all for now, except to say we hope you get lots of use out of this forum and that it has even a tenth of the potential we saw in it. To horribly paraphrase Casablanca, we hope this will be the start of a beautiful friendship ... between you and the Character Library. ;)

~Carillon

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