OOC chat thread (Participants only pls)

[LynMars]

Yes, I notice Rebis hasn't shown up since Martin took him to walk the Pattern...I tend to not use former PC chars myself. When I restarted my 7th game, losing 2 players, I had their characters get swept overboard, and Trey's character become amnesiac awhile when he got lost with them. Then he was found by the new PC, and they had merry adventures until the 3rd PC found them again (a lot happened during downtime, and prelude for the new guy). Finding them, or at least honoring their memories and raising the son of one of the chars, became a focus of the campaign for a little while.

And by the way, if I haven't mentioned here: I've gotten switched from computer customer service to cellphone business customer service at my job, so am in training classes 5 days a week from 4pm-1am for the next 5 weeks. Plus a 2 hour long writing class with a -lot- of reading and writing assignments, also five days a week, followed in July by a history class. I'll still be able to post some, but there may be times I'm just too swamped/tired to manage it. Speaking of which, I'm gonna go grab food and head for work!

[Shutter]

I'm now logged on from the user facility where I'm doing my experiment this week. My brain is bouncing around trying to figure out where Roland and Merlin met, but so far all I'm getting is domain patterns and hysteresis loops...I don't know if it matters much. I'll post when I find good wording.

[Thanos]

So far Gray seems fine to me :-)

I would really hate to see her go, as the character was a defining one for our group in general, if not maybe for the story as a whole. I found it challenging, in a good way, to have to work around her frailty and incorperate her strengths into the group as best as we could. Perhaps one of the reasons that Heldrik likes her is because she seemed innocent and was not full of the intregue that most of the others seems to carry around them like cloaks sometimes...

[Shutter]

Huh...I replied to Heldrik's post but completely failed to remember Merlin. I'll go back and edit something in for him in a moment.

[Wired*Nun]

I'm now logged on from the user facility where I'm doing my experiment this week. My brain is bouncing around trying to figure out where Roland and Merlin met, but so far all I'm getting is domain patterns and hysteresis loops...I don't know if it matters much. I'll post when I find good wording.

I don't know if they met IC, but they would have met probably at least once pre-prelude, since Roland was not a "secret son." It would be de rigeur for the King of Chaos to at least know who every open Amberite was including familial relationships.

[LynMars]

...So I just reread "To Live and Die in Avalon", after talking to Aaron about his character and ideas for backstory and Amberite stories in general.

I think I got a guess on Vela's ID now, after going back over Lintra's retelling.

Hrm!

...I also just realized, we all read that story In Character as well, back in Jorden, when the two groups met, if it -does- have any bearing at all.

[Wired*Nun]

Yep. Good digging, and if Raevyn puts it together, bravo to her as well.

[TreyKincaide]

Yeah, this would be one of those times that the player now knows more than the character--Landon wasn't at the meeting. Irony. How it mocks me! ;)

Ever get that sinking pit in your stomach when you puzzle out geneology?

[Shutter]

I don't know if they met IC, but they would have met probably at least once pre-prelude, since Roland was not a "secret son." It would be de rigeur for the King of Chaos to at least know who every open Amberite was including familial relationships.

I thought Roland was a bit on the secretive side, and had met only Caine before the game began?...I'll dig through my character notes and see what I can find.

Good catch on Josh's mom, LynMars.

[Shutter]

Ever get that sinking pit in your stomach when you puzzle out geneology?

Not usualy, no.

But in this game....Ugg...more and more.

[Icebird]

That's a lot of threads to look at... Especially on a slow dialup, where each page takes longer to load than to skim. I just realized that I don't have a trump list for Arrotel. I'll try to assemble one next time I have high speed. Bad time to realize that, nearly two years after it became important!

[LynMars]

At the very least, Arrotel should have the current PCs, minus Gray and Heldrick, I think--Rae didn't get working Trumps of them set up til after the group meeting, I believe. That thread you could probably roll through easily, though i don't recall exactly which trumps were handed out then. Maybe a common family deck, although I know he's got at least his dad in there.

[Shutter]

I think Gray is the one Trump we do know he has...Unless she demanded he return it while I wasn't looking.

[Thanos]

Arrotel has the only copy of Gray that Asmundson made...I know that because Heldrik gave it to him and I have it listed as 'on loan to Arrotel'.

[Wired*Nun]

I thought Roland was a bit on the secretive side, and had met only Caine before the game began?...I'll dig through my character notes and see what I can find.

Good catch on Josh's mom, LynMars.

Could be...if so, that was just a GM mistake...or....(he says archly,) Merlin knows EVERYTHING!

Yeah, yeah, that's the ticket!

Actually not that unbelievable, as as soon as Roland went public, spies could have reported it to the Crown of Chaos, which include Ghostwheel as a data-storage device.

[LynMars]

The party where Joss was killed was also, I think, the formal presentation of Kat and Roland, too. Roland was introduced to Gerard and Vialle in this thread (http://online-roleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3467) and they had no idea. But in the days that followed, it became pretty much common knowledge. I forget all the details of what happened between now and then, and who all Roland's met, but it really isn't inconceivable, with the lines of communication between Amber and Chaos (open and clandestine), that Merle'd know by now.

Also, Roland does tend to look the part of a steady, reliable fellow in the midst of a lot of action, someone to talk to. Least to me. Not always the case (like trying to handle an unstable Dunstan, which Rae ended up doing), but often enough.

[Shutter]

Yeah, don't have Roland handle the crazies.

[LynMars]

I am confused by Heldrik's post. Especially the end.

Also, Lans sent me a folk-style song by his aunt, Cecilia Eng. Her cds are available online. She writes songs based on books, rpgs, movies, myths...I'm stuck on the lyrics for the Amber song. Dammit.

[Shutter]

I'm not certain how to deal with the current Heldrik / Raevyn conversation. Roland isn't going to say much of anything if Gray is involved in the conversation, and Dave's not on to make it clear what she's up to. So...For now presume he's hanging back, but I might insert some retro-comments later on.

That work for you two?

[LynMars]

Sure. Dave'll prolly retro-active convo, too. He has before. I'm supposed to be paying attention to CS training anyway. ;)

[Shutter]

Bah. Paying attention...Overrated!

[Shutter]

So luxurious having a mouse with a little scroll wheel again. Stupid lab mice...

[LynMars]

I hate the mice at work for that reason. The ones in the training room, though, those have wheels, and it rules.

[Shutter]

Wheels were a good thing in 1218 b.c.e. and by golly they're a good thing now.

[Wired*Nun]

Im not able to post much right now, least until I get the next big thing at work done...probably. One never knows...but don't hold your breaths.

[Pygysys]

Heya all,

Exams are over, I'm free!

Glancing at Dave's post though ... it seems I have bad timing. At least I can catch up in my thread.

Woot!

[Wired*Nun]

Yeah I'm buried in my final stuff at work before I outprocess. I'll be in Germany next week doing it, then after that I'll be free but the week after that we'll be out of our house so internet will be spotty, except as I stop in at work.

[LynMars]

Yay, Outprocessing! Followed by...Inprocessing at the new post! Always so much fun. Yes. I sympathize.

Could be worse. Could be Final Outting. I know people who've re-uped briefly just so they didn't have to Final Out from an overseas post. Which strikes me as kinda crazy, but hey...

[Wired*Nun]

I'm back from Germany. I'll do complete postings today and/or tomorrow. On Sunday we are off to Poland for a shopping trip until Wednesday.

[Wired*Nun]

When in the course of human events...anyway, we're not going to Poland, and I didn't post. Sorry. Should get to it today. So much to do, so much to do...

[Thanos]

Thanks for the update Dave, hope things turn our for you :-)

[Shutter]

I'm assuming the contact is off in my post there.

[Wired*Nun]

We kind of crossed posts, so I'll wait a bit to see what get posted.

[LynMars]

Simul-posting! Editted mine. Needed to anyway, cuz I'd initially reply-with-quoted to be able to see the pertinent part to respond to.

[LynMars]

For a minute, I thought Rae'd forgotten about not Trumping out of a public Shadow place...then I remembered that we kinda appeared anyway, and it is a magic-tech world. Oy. My brain wants breakfast.

(Yes, I know it's after noon. So?)

...The really sad part is, I just remembered that I did have breakfast already. Double Oy.

[Shutter]

Should I just go ahead and post that Roland then heads off to Amber? Whatever Heldrik says, that's what he's doing. And it doesn't tie things up.

[LynMars]

*Steals some of Shutter's coffee. Knows he has some!*

[Shutter]

Oddly enough, I don't actualy have any coffee today. Haven't had any since tuesday...Disturbing really...

[Shutter]

Josh is about to make his move...I can sense it.

[Wired*Nun]

Should I just go ahead and post that Roland then heads off to Amber? Whatever Heldrik says, that's what he's doing. And it doesn't tie things up.

Sounds good.

[Wired*Nun]

Josh is about to make his move...I can sense it.

Shows what you know. I'm sure Lyn can tell you what Josh's next move might be.

[Wired*Nun]

And lest I be misunderstood, I only mean, she's a woman, she will know.

[LynMars]

Roland didn't get them the large bottle of alcohol mentioned on IRC, Shutter. :fun:

I was gonna say something else here, but now I'm distracted. It's okay, though, my coffee's done now! Whee!

[Wired*Nun]

Well, interesting news. I just got notified I was

*not*

selected to be promoted to Lt Col.

Waah.

That changes things a bit. I can expect this next assignment to northern Virginia will be my last (military) assignment. So, I have 2 years or so to figure out the next move.

Any suggestions :)?


Now I have to go somewhere and mope. Prolly in the bathtub with a hard cider.

[Wired*Nun]

Oh, what was that about a bottle of alcohol?

[Shutter]

Sorry to hear that Dave. :(

Good luck with the hard cider. The bottle of alcohol was the one I planned to have Roland lock in a room with Josh and Rae at some point...

[LynMars]

Those punks! Nevermind you were doing the job of one for awhile, weren't you? Military logic for ya. Sorry to hear that, Dave.

And yes, Shutter once said on IRC that Roland really wants to take a bottle of alcohol, Rae, and Josh, and lock 'em in a closet or something. Meanie. :roll:

[Wired*Nun]

Thanks for the sympathy. I'll come to terms with it. Have to get a real job, and all. Probably find GS job, sell my clearance and suck on the government teat for a few more years...I dunno. I really want to try writing. Maybe after 2 years and the middle child is graduated, I'll really give writing a go. Make my wife use her degree to chip in, hehe.

Least I'll have more time for conventions.

[Shutter]

If he's not making a move I need my eyes examined.

Oh..that reminds me I do actualy need to call the optomitrist...

[Wired*Nun]

There are moves and there are moves...

As for Roland, feel free to summarize, I'm not trying to make you re-report everything in detail. E.g., "Roland reports everything that happened from..."

[TreyKincaide]

You're up late chief. Sorry to hear about being passed over.

[Wired*Nun]

Jah. Thanks. I'll get used to it.

[Wired*Nun]

Hey what are Werren? You talking about the Garrow?

[LynMars]

Finally posted! yay! Had to think awhile on that one. Shutter isn't helping. Making me giggle, in fact, with his running commentary about wanting to see my character get hooked up.

[Wired*Nun]

Hooked up or knocked up...

[LynMars]

Meep! :∙

I dun think Rae's ready for that yet. And hey, Dad told her not too long ago (game time, anyway) not to get into that too soon anyhow. ;)

[TreyKincaide]

Gah. Garrow. Werren are a somewhat similar Moreau race from Alternity/d20 Modern. Got my wires crossed.

[Shutter]

About to head to California for another business thing. I'll try and get my brain to post something intelligent before I go, but I've got a bit on my plate at the moment. We'll see.

Did I mention how happy it makes me to see Katarzyna's thread moving again? :)

[LynMars]

I missed Kat :)

[Shutter]

Re-scanning the cathedral scene to get Roland talking intelligently to Random. Interesting that Josh's mom had no Trumps on her. Sure it'd be needed for deep cover. But I'd think folks like that (Chaosites, Amberites) would feel naked without a couple Trumps for an emergency...'less she can access them mentaly via advanced Trump...Ooh, maybe she trained Caine in Trumps in the first place....See, this is why I don't play the paranoid supposition game much.

[TreyKincaide]

Maybe she hides them in her body with shapeshifting?

[LynMars]

Corwin's first inclination was to get a set quickly yeah...but Flora kept hers locked in a desk drawer on Earth. Maybe it depends on the situation. Besides, Asmundson and maybe one of the others would likely notice those pretty quickly, unless she kept them hidden elsewhere. Or they were in her purse, which may have gotten left on the cathedral floor.

[Shutter]

That's a heck of a shapeshift to block a pattern lens...

Edit: and yeah, I was assuming she went without to remain properly incognito. Man that sounds stressfull.

[Wired*Nun]

Yes, I imagine it was...but you have to take some risks when you go undercover, and she did have other powers.

[Wired*Nun]

Although I'm here, I'm working on getting the house in order, so don't hold your breath about posting. I'll get to it, but probably after a few hours when the sun goes down and my wife runs down...she's in the "do it til ya drop" phase.

[Shutter]

I know this phase well. I also know how tiring it can be when you the partnet are not also in such a phase.

[Wired*Nun]

Landon is back! He said it's ok to move the thread back public.

[Wired*Nun]

Trey, wait to post pls, I'm getting my brain tangled up.

[TreyKincaide]

Didn't see that. I'll leave things as is until you tell me to change things or..

[Wired*Nun]

OK now. I think I crossed a plotline before I edited it.

[LynMars]

Did Landon end up in the same Shadow where Roland grew up, or is one the Shadow of the other? :)

Nice use of the Tecys from Guns of Avalon. Gotta watch the name-dropping in this game; it's like a mix'n'match game on it's own!

[Wired*Nun]

It's the same, fleshed out quite a bit from what Shutter established. That is, unless he strongly disagrees...in which case it can be a shadow. I envision it, though, as a protected place where Benedict and Julian, perhaps others, can send people for safekeeping, training, etc.

And I like to connect things...kind of a cameo to canon.

[LynMars]

Coolness. I liked it and thought it was kinda spiffy myself.

In other news, Trey's a sweetiehead who came over and got the standalone CoH Toon Creator to work on my computer (had to make it read English instead of Korean). I put some images up in her description, as I've been playing with the thing this afternoon.

[Pygysys]

Kat just wanted me to let you know, she's happy to be back and looking forward to catching up with Roland and Rae as soon as she can. :)

[LynMars]

The photo-Trump of Rhona Mitra as Katarzyna seems to have a broken link now. No longer have the pic/webhosting?

[Pygysys]

Ah yes, forgot about that, what actually happened was the server crashed and burned. So I lost everything, the bittersweet taste of not backing up files on my own computer. I have access to the picture I use for Kat though. What I'm really distraught about is losing the files that I set up for the Changeling game website. I must rebuild it, I have the technology, I just wonder about the patience.

I also have a new kitten that is more demon than angel. :)

Note: The link has now been repaired so to speak and the picture is back up and accessible. Kat has a face once more.

[Icebird]

Sorry about you getting passed over, Dave. Ever read "Bring me the Head of Prince Charming," also my Zelazney? In the book, hell drowning in bureaucracy, while heaven has none whatsoever.

[Wired*Nun]

Yes, that was a good one.

Theres an old standard European joke that goes like this.

Heaven is where the cooks are French, the lovers are Italian, the police are British, the engineers are German and the bankers are Swiss.

Hell is where the bankers are French, the cooks are British, the lovers are Swiss, the engineers are Italian, and the police are German.

[Pygysys]

I've never heard that one before but I like it!

[Shutter]

It's the same, fleshed out quite a bit from what Shutter established. That is, unless he strongly disagrees...in which case it can be a shadow. I envision it, though, as a protected place where Benedict and Julian, perhaps others, can send people for safekeeping, training, etc.

And I like to connect things...kind of a cameo to canon.

No disagreement here. I like what you've done with the place. Roland will be a mite jealous, but that's good for him I reckon.

[LynMars]

Are we gonna be playing the "No, it's my Shadow!" game, boys? ;)

[Shutter]

I wouldn't be surprised if it goes a long while before Landon and Roland notice anything actualy.

[LynMars]

Looks like I'ma be waiting on Heldrik for a little bit here :) All good though. D&D tonight! Yay!

[Icebird]

I wish I had a game tonight... The only group I can find in my new area is the RPGA, and (at least the way it's played here), it's more of an roll-playing-game than a role-playing-game.

[Wired*Nun]

Whenever I go to a new area, I hit all the game and comic stores I can find, posting copied notices all over the place (there is usually a bulletin board) - something like "looking to play or run (game name), role-playing rather than hack-and-slash style," etc etc. Also, check the net for conventions, talk to the game store owners or clerks if they are gamers, ask when they might have groups playing in the store, talk to people...I've even resorted to surreptitiously stuffing copies of contact info into the RPG books in the stores so that when someone buys it or peruses it they see it...you just gotta get out there and pound the pavement, man!

[Wired*Nun]

Hello, folks. They are boxing up my stuff around me as I type. Glad they are doing the work and not me.

[Pygysys]

I keep telling myself that when I move again I will employ removalists. Of course I told myself that last time too. Still provided everything goes to plan there will be only one move occuring at the end of 18 months; graduation and relocation.

Hopefully your move will go off without a hitch, Dave. :)

[Thanos]

Good Luck with that Dave. I have done things similar to when I was out of luck finding something the easy way...through friends.

[Wired*Nun]

Somewhat romantic?

[LynMars]

I've been playing around more with that stand-alone character maker from City of Heroes. I may mess around more. But for now, I think I've procrastinated on homework long enough. Got some stuff up in Contributions now, though. Rae's not missing, she's just linked in her desc already. >.>

[Shutter]

In california on business. spotty access until monday.

[Thanos]

Heldrik didn't exactly get to plan out a wonderful evening riding through impressive scenary in shadow or arranging for live performances of Gray's favorite music. Instead she will have to survive on digital sounds, from the suite's sound system, for them to dance to and some good old fashioned love making before and after the inroom dinner.

[Wired*Nun]

I had a really cool post that this computer ate. I'll have to start routinely copying my posts and pasting into a doc before hitting post.

Summary,

Heldrik, you're rich! Have a service do it all. Think rich!

We're done cleaning house, will be able to post regularly starting the next few days.

[Wired*Nun]

Well, we had a hideously hot spell just as we were getting most things done. The big stuff is finished - house, bills, security deposits, shipments, giveaways of stuff too valuable to toss but not suitable to ship (220 volt appliances for example).

Let's hope that gives me time to post. We also have a round of dinners with everyone who wants to have us over one last time.

[Shutter]

Welcome back to a sane life Dave. Hope you get to stay a while.

(Oh, and I'll post a reply soonish, once I think of something other than Roland says "Ooh, neat.")

[Shutter]

Sorry for the delay Dave. Roland doesn't do much in his next action, and I usualy find those harder to write. .....I guess I'll just put up a placeholder for now, maybe fill it in later if I can.

[Wired*Nun]

It's OK, don't strain.

[Wired*Nun]

Hah. That read a little wierd. Josh isn't anyone's daughter...

[LynMars]

I was wondering about that... :fun:

Editted appropriately.

[Wired*Nun]

See everyone later, don't rush your posts.

[LynMars]

Aw, you can't do that! I hate cliffhangers! :smiling:

[Wired*Nun]

One of the perks of being the GM...but really, I had to go.

[Wired*Nun]

Hey, lans, I'm going to try to get you started soon.

[LynMars]

I'm guessing Fiona drug Roland with her to the hospital, then, and we're about to go to Amber? Dunno how they came through the Trump otherwise...Just making sure I'm clear. :)

[Wired*Nun]

No, Fiona stepped through to Raevyn, did her bit, and is now waiting for Roland to bring her and possibly Raevyn back to Amber, since the patient has since departed. This presumes Raevyn and Roland kept the link open the whole time. Feel free to re-edit to reflect this, sorry not to be clear.

So, to recap, Raevyn is in Trump to Roland, with Fiona on one hand and Lester in her other arm. Fiona is in the contact as well, and reaching for Roland to pull her and/or Raevyn through.

[Shutter]

I think that might have been the first time Roland has recieved a Trump call when I have utterly no idea who might be calling. Only read Arrotel's thread after. Neat.

[LynMars]

Roland's the popular guy, apparently. ;) First Rae, then Arrotel, and it looks like Kat's gearing up to call. Someone else playing Trump-operator!

[Shutter]

Weighing Roland's actions against metagaming at the moment. Icebird, are you going to be online for a while?

[Icebird]

Apparently not, since I didn't get this until now. :) I'll try and check in today a few more times, to catch you when you're on.

[Shutter]

Ah, no worries, looks like their conversation is about to be over anyway.

Oh, and general notice, I'm heading on a research trip again for a few days, so my access will be odd. Maybe better, maybe worse. Who knows?

[Icebird]

I'm going up to Denver, so same here. I might be really bored and checking every few hours, or really busy for days on end; probably both, at different times. I'll be up there from tonight until the 23rd.

Amusing trump triangle we have here. Arrotel calls Roland, Kat calls Roland, Arrotel drops the connection to call Kat. It's a good thing trumps are stable, and not prone to exploding during bouts of extreme coincidence.

[Wired*Nun]

We've arrived in Virginia, staying at the hotel. Only one internet machine here - I may break down and get a laptop with wireless and stuff. So much to do right now - flying out on Tuesday to Denver to get our daughter set up at college. However, given jet lag, I may be able to make use of being awake at 4am and do some posting.

Hey, Ice, if you get chance, post a contact phone number and I'll call you, maybe we can do lunch or something in Colorado.

[Icebird]

*Dances* As of yesterday, I am now 18. I can sign a contract, have a bank account in my name, be taken seriously by people who don't already know me, and vote. Yay!

[LynMars]

Yay Ice! Only thing you can't do yet is drink legally...which still makes no sense to me, really. Made our German friend sad when he came to visit, too, being only 19, and coming to a college/military town with a lotta bars.

[Wired*Nun]

I'm in Colorado, wiped out...zzzz been up for 18 hours now....Ice, I left a message with your mother...

[Icebird]

I've just been talking with Dave... He's got the flu again. He'll probably be sleeping the majority of the next 24 hours. I hope he gets better soon. Sounds pretty miserable.

[start rant]
I agree about the drinking age. It's like "You're can do everything, except this." Of course, drinking then gains the allure of the forbidden, causing people to either break the law and drink, or store it all up for a massive binge as soon as they turn 21. If the age were 18, drinking might be just another thing you can do, instead of something extra-special.

Not that I plan on either drinking early or going on a massive binge in three years. I'm just speaking in behalf of everyone else in my age group becasue most of them are too drunk to speak for themselves.
[/end rant]

Probably shouldn't have this discussion. But she started it! [Points at LynMars, sticks tongue out]

Growing old is manditory. Growing up it optional. :)

[Pygysys]

Actually coming from a country where 18 is the legal drinking age I can tell you that it doesn't deter people from underage drinking. I didn't really have my first big drinking session till I was 17 (we'll ignore the time I passed out drunk at 8) but these days it isn't uncommon at all for 15-17 year olds to get their hands on alcohol in some format and binge drink. It's also not the kids doing the worse binge drinking either, that tends to be the late teens-early twenties mob.

Personally I think there needs to be a lot more in regards to alcohol education no matter where you live; alcohol tends to = the accepted drug in a sense.

[LynMars]

This is true too. The German friend who visited me thinks his country does a decent job of it; decent education it's everywhere, and they're allowed beer and such at 16--but can't drive til they're 18. They can also buy harder liquors then. So by the time one learns to drive, theoretically, you've gotten some of the bunging out of your system. You're also not under the impression, like a lot of Americans tend to get, that the drinking won't affect driving, cuz you've been doing it for years before legally drinking anyway.

[Thanos]

I like the German drinking 2 years before you can drive kind of idea, it does get a bit of the mystic out of you and helps keep your 'judgement' unfettered. However, I also think that getting a drivers license in the US should be about half as hard as getting a Flying license...a lot less people on the roadways to start with and relatively few that don't have the discipline to not drive drunk.

I think one of the main modern reasons that drinking isn't legal till 21 is because kids are usually still in highschool when they are 18. I was just turning 19 when I started college. Given 2 years to make up my mind on what I wanted to be in college without being half out of my mind on the weekends (let alone during the week) is a GOOD THING. Get the foundational work on a career done before you go get stupid.

As for the massive number of kids drinking now days I think its the same thing as sex before marriage. It all has to do with parents due to disinterest, laziness, or lack of time (unbalanced priorities) as both work outside the home. Having the latest 'things' or any things at all will never make up for good old fashioned time with dad and mum.

[Wired*Nun]

I've always said that a car is a lot more dangerous than a sixpack. Having lived in Europe and Japan for an aggregate of about 12 years, I say the European system is better - start drinking when you're young, demistify it, make driving special and more restricted.

And, I'm up and around, but not feeling very well...human, anyway. Since I'm on limited time here in Colorado I have to do things when I'd normally just be in bed. Hopefully I can get Steph a car today or tomorrow, register it etc, maybe get up to Denver to see Peter/Ice, then persuade the airlines to fly me home early. We have a lot to do there in Virginia setting up house and so on.

[Wired*Nun]

Kat and Roland feel free to continue conversation, Raevyn's Trump call is in to Heldrik. Is there anything else I'm missing from anyone?

[Shutter]

Apologies, I spaced out on the game thinking I was waiting for replies. Posted now.

[LynMars]

I'm kinda waiting to see if Thanos does have Heldrik answer. If not, as I have posted in my last post.

[Thanos]

He wont answer, but shortly later Rae will (upon approval) get a trump call from Heldrik.

[LynMars]

Okay, as said before then, if Rae can't get through to Heldrik, she focuses on trying to contact Landon next.

[Wired*Nun]

Had a nice lunch with Icebird yesterday. Good kid, I think he'll be ok. We talked physics and philosophy. Maybe sometime I'll get to mee the rest of you! Anyone planning to go to any cons upcoming?

[LynMars]

Hehehe. Check out the ORP Flavored MTG Action (http://online-roleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4679) thread up in Uncognitive Cackling. Dave has a card. Along with several other ORP members, GMs, Admin, and games. And random silly things. Fun stuff, especially if you know anything about Magic:The Gathering (which I don't, actually).

[TreyKincaide]

I'll make it to GenCon, Origins, and Dragon Con some day. >.>

[Shutter]

Dave's card is awesome.

[LynMars]

I could theoretically make it to DragonCon. Have some net-friends it'd be fun to meet, and have relatives in Atlanta I could stay with, maybe. Possibly. Would have to visit anyway.

[Icebird]

I'm still here... I've just been lacking insperation recently. I'll post soon.

[Thanos]

Only thing that I will ever have a chance at any time soon is The ComicCon in San Diago....:-( which was way cool in 2004...

Anyways, I will have to think about making a card or something sometime, when I have time and am not trying to pack to go get married.

ANNOUNCEMENT
I will be gone from August 2nd to August 12th and I will be unable and unwilling to post while I am on my honeymoon!

[Wired*Nun]

Still sick and getting on plane fro home soon. See you all in a couple days.

[Wired*Nun]

Getting well; hang in there, folks. Got ourselves a car, turned in the rental, bought a bbq grill, getting the house livable, etc. Typing on this laptop isnt much fun, and wireless cellular internet is slow. But it will do for a while.

[Wired*Nun]

Hey, it occurs to me that I ought to establish a policy that is I'm out of the loop for long (more than a couple of days) that you guys can make Trump calls to each other without my moderation or approval. I'd rather you be able to continue roleplaying without me if I'm unavailable, than hold things up. If one of you is blocking, just say so IC or OOC, and handle it yourselves. You're all expert roleplayers and everyone but the newest two are very familiar with my MO.

[Wired*Nun]

Some/most of the "older" players have preludes and private threads that I would like to get out into the public realm, if there are no objections. Please review your own and let me know if you want anything held back or redacted. I can put partial copies out if necessary.

I'll put out Gray's now, since it doesn't look like she will every be rejoining us (the offer was permanently open, but it's been over a year...). It's not much without Landon's, who I hope will consent.

[LynMars]

I think all my threads are public, barring some brief stuff in my Comms thread. Neptune House is already public.

[TreyKincaide]

Sure chief. No problem here!

[Wired*Nun]

Maybe I'm forgetting to remember. Getting old and all.

[Wired*Nun]

I just got around to looking at that MTG thread...too funny...is this a cult? I guess I'm not up on all the scuttlebutt about my own game...

[TreyKincaide]

"The night time is the right time..."

[Wired*Nun]

Posted Landon's formerly hidden stuff, don't think you all saw it until now...

[LynMars]

Landon in Landon is already out and has been seen; it's slipped down to page 2 of this forum. Landon Reborn I don't think has been seen before (though I may have read it either way, so can't recall).

[LynMars]

This (http://online-roleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6533) could be right problematic to getting a new edition of ADRPG. If it's true. But the way things are looking...

[Wired*Nun]

Maybe this is what I should do when I retire - see what it will take to get the rights to Amber DRPG and do it myself (with help of course).

[Thanos]

Right there behind you Dave ;-)

I was just thinking of a few friends that could perhaps get some money rolling for publications. Another friend is a first rate Editer and has already published a highly detailed Martial Art Game with some contacts of his (I think the run was 10k, but it got slashed due to some kind of glue binding issue).

Anyways, if anybody gets serious about this kind of thing drop me a line!

[LynMars]

ADRPG Motivational Posters (http://forum.rpg.net/showpost.php?p=6091253&postcount=3837) anyone? :D From a 400 page and counting thread with a variety of motivational posters, all RPG/game inspired.

[LynMars]

Can we get a reminder that unless folks have been spending at least 15 points on Trump Identification (and we haven't advanced in well over a year, at least I haven't), only the folks with that power can know who's calling them? Unless someone's doing something goofy with one of the other powers somehow to mimic it (and there's been little indication of that so far that I've seen).

Lately, it seems to be edging toward everyone knows who's calling who. I understand if the wording from the GM is made that way to ensure we know it's our contact going through, and not some wonky one like when Landon got attacked, but it seems like it's starting to bleed over to the players assuming they know. Unless there's a really good IC reason for them to know that I'm unaware of as a player, in which case, I'll retract this particular gripe.

[Wired*Nun]

Rae is the only one whom I consistently give Trump ID to (and more) since she bought it.

Sometimes I tell people who is calling because it will speed play and I'd rather the players go ahead and play.

Also, as I said recentlly, if players want to call each other and do things without the GM, that's fine too. I don't need to arbitrate every call.

Players can assume they know all they want. I figure it just lulls them into a false sense of security. Then they will get zapped.

One of the grand strengths of Amber IMO is the ability to run separated but not isolated. I don't mean to devalue Trump ID, but I'd rather things were loose and flexible with communication in the interest of better game play.

That reminds me about advancement...please update your wish lists, I am going to give everyone except Haefen advancement points, as appropriate.

[LynMars]

The player can know everything and anything to facilitate game play, sure. It's the character who doesn't get to know, and must be played as reacting appropriately. The player can know who's calling, and in many cases maybe ought to, to keep things moving. If they choose to block, though, since No IC-contact was made, the character does not know who was trying to reach them unless they have Trump ID. I'm just noting some are getting a little fast and loose on that count, due to the fact that it's being said now who's trying to call them in order to keep that moving-things-along bit going, for if someone does take the call.

[Thanos]

Since this is more than likely about Heldrik I am more than willing to answer.

If you go back and look at many of my posts I leave ordered trump calling lists of who Heldrik will call in what order when he is trying to get ahold of family. This is to help facilitate the game and allows players and Dave to easily OOC or IC rejections. Days (RT) before Rae called Heldrik, I already had a list in my private thread on who Heldrik was going to be calling once he was finished with a certain project. Rae (For Josh situation), Roland (For his report to Elders), and Landon (to see if he was alright) were on that list.

Paraniod of a power that you have not been able to research and know very little about? That would be Heldrik who, for all of his mastery of Pattern, knows almost nothing about the other powers and is thus very cautious of them.
Every time that somebody Trump's Heldrik he can break it down into very small groups of people. 1) People who don't know he will block every contact and thus try in ignorance. 2) People who know he will block every contact.. These can two can be broken down further. 1.1) People who want to harm Heldrik. 1.2) People who do not want to harm Heldrik. 2.1) People who think its important to try on the off chance Heldrik will be around somebody who he trust to take the contact with. 2.2) People who think its important enough to try so that maybe Heldrik will start calling people in the family at random like he has in the past.

Obviously the people who want to harm Heldrik (1.1) will only ever get an answer to a Trump call when he has reinforcements. 1.2's will still get Heldrik and can possibly be set off balance by having somebody else there, thus giving Heldrik a possible advantage in the encounter with presumably a stranger. 2.1's know its possible to get him, just not as likely as other family members and while it might be annoying, Heldrik's personal servival is more important than just about anybody else's annoyance. 2.2's have to know Heldrik pretty darn well and for all intents and purposes have to be family (because he only has trumps of family) or they have to have somehow gotten into his shadow pocket and rummaged through his trump deck and placed a trump trap (or something) in it and hope that they can get Heldrik to trigger it by calling his family.

Heldrik is some 200 years old subjective and was born over 2000 years ago in Amber to a father that assumably was the first child (or 2nd depending on your interpretation) of Oberon. He was kept secret and hidden away in what turned out to be a prison for most of his life. The fact that his own father kept him secret (assumably) from his own Grandfather and his other siblings has to say a LOT about the universe at large. His natural instincts are to be paranoid, cautious, and pragmatic. Given the example of Martin, the legiondary family infighting (scrying, Trumps of Doom, trump traps, Ghostwheel's temporary insanity) and the just recent assualt on Landon (by shadow dwellers!) it certainly seems like this Trump thing has a lot more negatives than possitives.

To Heldrik, answering a Trump is like placing a loaded six-shooter to your head and hoping that when you pull the trigger the chamber is empty.

Hope I was clear, if not consise.

[LynMars]

What I find interesting is that the majority of the Trump Powers--including Advanced Blocking and Trump ID--don't require one to have Artistry. Theoretically, if one wanted to spend the points on Principles--and Dave allowed it after the bouts we've had with Trump and Sorcery--One could get any of those abilities, with some time and training, to maybe get some of that understanding. Just have to ask someone able and willing to teach it, most likely (and, again, the GM allowing it).

And it's not just Heldrik, though that was the most obvious recent one. I did ask if there was an IC reason for him to call Rae so quick after blocking her call, as I hadn't found it (I know a call order was said at some point, but thought it was earlier than the timeframe in question, and didn't find it again), and got very inconclusive answers back (partly due to the bad timing on it, maybe).

I'm just being a nazi about the IC/OOC barrier, mainly, especially if there is going to be a shift toward letting the players know who's calling them before the characters can know, so we can get the communications done faster.

[Wired*Nun]

The player can know everything and anything to facilitate game play, sure. It's the character who doesn't get to know, and must be played as reacting appropriately. The player can know who's calling, and in many cases maybe ought to, to keep things moving. If they choose to block, though, since No IC-contact was made, the character does not know who was trying to reach them unless they have Trump ID. I'm just noting some are getting a little fast and loose on that count, due to the fact that it's being said now who's trying to call them in order to keep that moving-things-along bit going, for if someone does take the call.

If I as GM say "X gets a Trump call from Y," this means for whatever reason X thinks they know it's from Y. The player can proceed as if the PC thinks they know it's from Y. If X thinks it's from Y, one of three things is happening: 1) It's really from Y, 2) someone is faking Y, 3) X screwed up on the ID of Y.

In any case, proceed under those assumptions. 99% of the time it will be Y, unless I as GM either want to pull something on the PC, or some other factor is interfering.

Again, please don't get upset when someone seems to get a freebie while your PC paid for it. This is akin to complaining because X won a swordfight against Y, when Z thinks he has more Warfare than X.

Someone else's good fortune does not equal your bad fortune. The thing you paid for will always be worth much more than any occasional freebies. And, I'd put game flow and ease of play above metagaming issues, most of the time.

Now to reiterate: if you are calling each other, and OOC are pretty sure you can take the call without interference (e.g., both in safe, known locations in ordinary circumstances), then go ahead without me.

If either of you are in less ordinary circumstances, and feel it's better to wait for ajudication, then wait.

Obviously, for NPCs you will mostly have to wait for me.

Without dismissing your concerns, Lyn, I'm still not sure what the real issue or problem is here. I don't think anyone has gained any particular advantage or messed up any play by anything recently; maybe you can express your concern either more concisely or more directly to me in private comms if you feel some one player abused the system, or clarify more for us.

[Pygysys]

This (http://online-roleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6533) could be right problematic to getting a new edition of ADRPG. If it's true. But the way things are looking...

I truly hope that some day someone gets the rights to the game and does it justice by putting it back out there. This stop/start stuff with Amber really bites big time and it is such a shame.

Perhaps the drawback to the game does come down to the niche market but it has so much potential to expand; it just needs to be given a chance to grow.

It would also be very nice to be a part of it somehow. We need to get a band of Amber fans together to form the Amber DRPG company to procure the rights, fix it up and publish it again along with supplements.

Now if I could just win the lotto...

[LynMars]

Apparently Wujcik is looking into getting a proxy while he's still in China to shop the game around again. Hopefully he finds one who wants to do it justice.

MacKinnon finally spoke up, since GRRM forced his hand. Erick was among those he thanked, for giving him the chance to carry the torch, even if it didn't pan out, to paraphrase. It's on GoO's website now. He also ended the letter with "Good-bye and Hello, as always." He really wanted Amber; his company name was even inspired by an Amber game he played in once. I hope someone with half as much love for the series picks it up again.

[Pygysys]

Yeah I just read that over at the GoO forum. It is a big shame. Unfortunately stuff like this happens. It's just a shame because I think there is so much that can still be done with Amber; namely supplements. Plus I do love the game that it would be sad if it could of died in publication. Imagine people scouring second hand bookstores trying to get themselves a copy of the game as that will be the only way to grab it legally I suspect.

[Thanos]

That will be my last post for a while boys and girls. See you after I am a married man ;-)

[Wired*Nun]

Congrats, and don't hurry back. Take your time.

[Wired*Nun]

I intended to get more posting done but we are leaving to go whitewater rafting in WV, see you tonight or tomorrow.

[Wired*Nun]

Interestingly, I am now sitting in a little pizza place in Harper's Ferry, WV, getting lunch with my boys before going rafting. Ain't laptops grand?

[Shutter]

Huzzah for connectivity. Good rafting trip? My wife and I went this weekend too, nearly killed some passersby with our boat's incompetence. Good times.

[Wired*Nun]

Got back...boooring. Beginning trip, not enough white water. Call it brown water rafting. We will have to find a higher class of water I think.

[Shutter]

Too bad about the trip Dave. Maybe you should have just poked a hole in the raft to make it more exciting?

Oh, and I finaly posted. I didn't notice until today that it'd been my turn for about a week. Sorry.

[jedric]

Away vacationing for a week or so, back on the 25th.

[Wired*Nun]

We went rafting again in a better location, much more fun. We went in Richmond, which is touted as the only place in the country where you can do whitewater rafting directly through a city, on the James Ruver. It is kind of neat, rafting over rocks between skyscrapers.

I've been posting intermittently lately, always one more RL thing. We bought a nearly new "certified" toyota, supposed to have had evertything checked. Two electrical problems right of the bat, then they screw up the window tinting and need to send it to a tinting shop (their dime)...next shipment came, more boxes and furniture. Going to Home Depot a lot. Have to take the van to the shop to get the back seat removed because I can;t do it with my own tools. Trying to get Beth's ex to pay up his obligations for the oldest daughter's college. Etc, etc.

RL sucks.

[Pygysys]

Sorry about the posting delay, uni started up again and I've been adjusting to the new timetable and work schedules for both jobs. Back on board again now.

[Lans]

Rafting, huh? Thats great fun, I used to live really close to a lot of good rafting spots. Tended to be on the long side, but they had enough rough spots to be fun, with enough calm spots for everyone to stop and grab a beer(Or in my case, soda), or even carry a cooler along for a picnic.

[Icebird]

Though I haven't been doing much of anything for a week, I will now be undable to do anything for a while. I'm off to college, and as I have no idea what it is really like, I don't know how long it will take me to be back online. I'll be leaving tonight, then gone at least until the 25th. I guess Arrotel will just have to sit and wait while everyone else catches up with the time he spent napping.

See you all (metaphorically speaking) in a week or two.

[LynMars]

Should be able to find computer labs on campus to get in on stuff, between and after classes--for homework and otherwise. I'm going back next week myself; full time schedule, with Trey hopefully helping me through algebra. Also, I've signed up for fencing classes once a week; count toward one credit hour, even.

I can't wait. Was supposed to do some travelling these two weeks, but my parents mixed up scheduling, and other weirdness. I'm kinda bit-chomping now.

[Thanos]

I understand the bit-chomping. I couldn't wait to get out from under my mothers thumb when I went 1500 miles away to college.

Icebird,
Just be careful how much time you spend doing things other than classwork and make sure that you give yourself a workable schedule. Over 80 hours per week and I can tell you that you will burn out.
Count up the hours you will be in class or lab as 1 hour each. Then for every 4 credit hour class you will have about 16 hours of homework (including projects and papers). Every 3 hour class you will have 9 hours of homework. Every 2 hour class will have 4-5 hours of homework. Every 1 hour class will have 1-3 hours of homework.

If you have 4 three hour classes thats 12 hours in class and 36 hours of homework. Add in 3 two hour classes and that is another 6 in class and 12 out of class. Thats 66 hours of work/classtime every week. It is only 18 credit hours, but its like having a full time job and a part time job at the same time.

The reason I know this is because I had over 100 hours of work my first simester in college and it was not fun at all.

[LynMars]

My problem isn't parents. I live alone right now, and rather like it that way. But I'm not working either, and the tabletop games I normally attend, which are the main socializing I do, have been cancelled often lately, leaving me nowhere to go and nothing to do. I was supposed to go to PA for a little bit, but my parents somehow mixed up timeframes and didn't get tickets bought as they usually do. And I'm not driving 20 hours. I may be able to afford tickets myself, but my Dad knows where to find discounts, so he usually handles it.

And the hours of schoolwork really depend on which classes you take, and how much you need to do to keep up. I've not yet had much problem balancing classwork and freetime, and previously, I was attending three-quarters time so I could work part-time. Now I've cut out the job and increased the class hours, to 14 with the once-a-week fencing.

Given I recall Ice saying he was taking enough college class credit to be a three-quarter time student while still in high school and having extracurricular activities on top of it, I'd say he's probably going to be okay as a freshman or even sophmore, so long as he doesn't overload. I really don't recommend going over 14 credit hours until you get the hang of it anyway, and if you're working to help support yourself, don't go over 12 at all. If you find you can handle more, by all means, inch it up a couple more hours. There's no law saying you have to get through college in 4 years, and summer classes, while intensive due to the shorter timeframe, are well worth it and can help play catch up if you really feel you have to. Also keeps you busy over a long, boring summer.

[Wired*Nun]

Checking in from work (first day). Access is not blocked (important!). Lunchtime. Laterz.

[Wired*Nun]

In the interests of fairness, I wanted to tell you all that I am overwhelmed with stuff right now, and don't have the energy or time to post. I am not sure how long this will last. Hope it will be only a week or two until I get an idea of what's going on at work. They are throwing a bunch of training at me, and I am driving myself to work with an hour commute right now, until I can find a vanpool. I'm exhausted coming home from work and the house is far from being set up to live in.

But don't fear it will be permanent; I retain my interest, and even think about scenarios before I go to sleep. I just can't generate the concentration needed to post.

So, do what you can, and take a break.

Of course, ironically, often when I say something like this, something will change and I will end up posting...

[Shutter]

Take your time Dave, good luck on settling it all down. We`ll be here.

[LynMars]

Not like we haven't lived through a break or three before :) We understand!

[Thanos]

OK, well I wont hold my breath then...I would be rather blue after 2 weeks ;-)

Good luck and give our love to Beth.

[Wired*Nun]

An update for everyone - I've joined vanpool, which is a mixed blessing - have to get up earlier, get back earlier, don't have to stress over the traffic.

We are also working on getting some form of home broadband (just have this wireless laptop right now), which is hard because we are outside of suburbia. Once that happens, I will be able to pack the laptop in to work, post during the commute to and from (an hour each way most times), and/or have the home internet with a fullsize keyboard to reduce post frustration.

So, hang in there a little longer, we will get back on track I expect in a week or two, perhaps less.

Dave

[Wired*Nun]

Anyone have word from Ice?

I'm GMing an FTF game for the first time in years, hooray. I may post highlights here if anything particularly amusing results.

[Wired*Nun]

Heres an interesting link if you want virtual rulebooks, including ADRPG.

http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/catalog/index.php

Not sure how it all works, or if the file can be shared or copied or what.

[Icebird]

I'm still here, I swear. Just waiting for calls from other charicters, and for the dinner. Nothing really to do until either of those things happen.

Anyways, I'm here at college and it's wonderful. Time for class now, though.

[LynMars]

Yay, more updates! Hrm, I'll have to go back to ice's thread and make sure I wasn't one of the people trying to get called. I don't think I was, but...

Also, just to be sure: Dave, you asked us a few weeks ago to make Exp Wishlists. There hasn't been movement on mine, at least, and wanted to be sure in the shuffle and bustle that wasn't forgotten either. :)

[Wired*Nun]

Yeah, I will have to look at everyone's. Certainly by the time the meeting breaks up, all earned experience will be applied. Keep reminding me if you think I'm forgetting.

[Wired*Nun]

Here is what Arrotel was waiting on, I think:

Ok. So, first to look for support, then to rack those spells. Then to sleep a bit, if there's time left over.

Arrotel pulls out his trumps and shuffles through, pulling out the ones for Roland and Katarzyna, then sipping a bit more of the champaigne. He then tries first Roland, and if that fails, Katarzyna.

I figured you guys would do the conversations during the break, then I forgot about them.

So, I will post the call formally. I suggest you post the conversation in Roland's thread, so as not to disrupt the flow of Arrotel's.

[Shutter]

Admitedly I've got a fever at the moment, but I think Roland already had his Arrotel conversation.

[Wired*Nun]

Well, then I don't know what Ice was referring to when he said he was waiting for calls from other characters...I guess he is speaking in a general sense that Arrotel is waiting for time to catch up.

[Shutter]

My understanding was that he's waiting for people to call him back. But, for Roland at least, I don't see that happening.

[Icebird]

I thought that Roland and Kat had both agreed to call him back at soon... But anyways, time also needs to catch up with his nap, so he can go to dinner and Alamor can show up and they can get going with their silly little plan to go after the enemy that Landon is going to assasinate... Unless I've forgotten something. Sounds like fun, but not until after dinner.

[Pygysys]

I figured Kat still had time yet, so could get her stuff with Roland and Naals sorted before sending Naals back home to gossip some with Roland, then look up Arrotel before heading to dinner... or something along those lines.

[Thanos]

Ah how I love Amber :-)

[LynMars]

Here's (http://online-roleplaying.com/forums/showthread.php?p=207129#post207129) an interesting debate up in one of the public forums about diceless versus diced. I figured some here may also have something to weigh in. :)

[Thanos]

I will have trouble with internet access till monday night. I had to drive around the neighborhood to find an unsedure wireless with my wifes small slow laptop just so I could post this....

[Wired*Nun]

Ick. We should be getting (hugely expensive) satellite internet next Tuesday, then my posting should pick up.

[Thanos]

Well I got back online Tuesday....just been hanging out ;-)

[Wired*Nun]

Sorry not to have posted for a while, I am having trouble generating enthusiasm - so many other things to be done in my life right now.

My hope and intent is to make a push over the holidays (through the new year) and wrap up that chapter, and resolve some of the outstanding mysteries I've posed for the players. The storyline should look something like



Meeting (and exp points, I haven't forgotten)
Official Action Agreed
Official Action Initiated
Conflicts
Resolution
Wrap-up

After that, I will have to see if I want to go on GMing this game or shelve it for a while.

So, bear with me, and we will have a flurry in the next couple of months, I promise.

[Shutter]

Sorry to hear this isn't so much fun for you anymore. Thanks for giving us a heads up.

I'm looking forward to the flurry, even if it proves to be the last one.

[Thanos]

*has cute little unhappy face*

Its been a frelling good run regardless. One of the best games I have played in! I would love to continue, but understand if it doesn't.

[Wired*Nun]

It's not exactly about fun...It's more like something I really love to do that I somehow can't face right now - like, I love to backpack, but I don't have the energy to prepare for it physically, take the time off, etc. I'm also starting to think there is something physical going on. It may be just stress, but I'm making an appointment to see the doc pretty soon.

Maybe it's just old age :disa.ed: .

[Thanos]

I hear that stress part, I had a horrible weekend and even up to today with a stomach bug, and the demand of my boss to perform beyond my best or get fired. Always interesting out here in Vegas!

[Wired*Nun]

Blood work and other unmentionable tests later (anything involving latex gloves...ewww...)...they still don't know. Nothing serious but it involves fatigue, low-grade fever that comes and goes, stomach issues...sigh. Not an excuse, just a reason.

[Shutter]

That sucks man. :(

[LynMars]

Perhaps if medical testing isn't finding an answer, checking with emotional/spiritual counceling may help find something, or at least offer a place to talk or even vent. A lot of mental stressors can affect physicality if not dealt with, and sometimes they just need worked out. Or maybe time off that doesn't involve anything that -has- to be done, just relaxing, either at home or somewhere nearby for the change of scene. I do hope you get to feeling better soon, though, whatever's up.

[Thanos]

[Sorry if this is not exactly what you want to read about...skip if your not into conditions and problems]

Sounds like the after effects of high levels of stress. Thats about how I feel after I have been under a lot of stress. I know that my body reacts by not paying attention to my stomach (or over attention not sure which) and it doesn't digest things correctly...which gives me bowel issues and I tend to get hot when I need to go, but can't, ect.

[Wired*Nun]

Lol. That's pushing the line towards "too much information."

I know that some of it is stress related, but not all. I have had more stress for longer, I believe.

Part of it is trying to find my place and niche. This game was a refuge and a retreat for a goodly period of time and really helped me through some tough times, but right now I don't feel in need of a retreat. In fact, my spiritual/emotional life is better and getting better. Combine those two and I am actually unmotivated to continue. I am hoping it will pass.

I really appreciate everyone's friendship and steadfastness in any case, I feel as if I have let you all down. I hate to fail to follow through. On the other hand, this isn't like taking out the garbage, I have to have creative energy.

I'm having a good time FTF GMing for the first time in about ten years (I never realized it had been that long until I started counting...)...

[Shutter]

I feel as if I have let you all down.

Gave us a few years of a good game Dave, even if you stop it now. So don't feel that way.

[Lans]

I don't think you've let anyone down, you've given it your best and kept the game going for years despite being busy with a lot of stuff in that coocky real world things. Everyone's had a good time and gotten a lot out of it. 's gotten a good run and maybe someday you'll pick it up again, no one knows the future is hardly set in stone.

I' m glad things are getting better for you , hope it continues. =)

[Wired*Nun]

Thanks. I really feel and predict that I will come back, at least for one final burst to finish out this story. It's one that has been bubbling around in me for along time, ever since I read Merlin's chronicles. There is so much to be filled in, and this is just one aspect of trying to figure out how a multimillenial institution like the Courts could operate for so long, and continue to do so, without too much change - and what would be the counterforces to all that power?

I thought (as I was reading an rereading) about what selfish bastards most of the characters in the books are, even while being likable and sensible, from their own point of view. It's a nice illustration of incidental evil, where mere negligence and unenlightened self-interest can lead to monstrous horrors. I'm sure that early slaveowners, from Washington and Jefferson on down, didn't think of themselves as evil or what evils they were perpetuating by their practices; yet nowhere in history, if you added it all up, was slavery of one people or race by another so institutionalized, organized and abusive. There have been greater horrors for short periods - whole peoples wiped out and the remnant taken as slaves, such as the Carthaginians by the Romans, or the Holocaust. Whole nations have been held captives, such as the Hebrews by the Egyptians, but families weren't broken up, rape wasn't widespread, and their culture wasn't systematically dissolved. When we hear that "6 million Jews" number, I wonder how many Africans and South Americans died to feed the early American, British, French and Dutch, Portugese and Spanish hunger for manpower in the Americas, over modern slavery's 200+year institution?

I'm sure most of us in the military and government don't see ourselves today as evil or even midguided, but I also see the results of flawed policy that enable unintended misery and suffering around the world, all because we aren't smart enough, or brave enough, or farsighted enough, to make better decisions. The road to hell is truly paved with good intentions, badly executed.

Sorry to get on my soapbox; I'm not a bleeding heart, but I guess I've seen enough stupid injustice around me based on race, nationality or culture, demonizing the different, to be angry about it in the only way I know how, which is to inject it into my writing. Beth and I are dealing with a certain amount of it because her daughter Stephanie is pre-engaged to a man of mixed race...from the reactions of some people even within the family, we aren't all as enlightened as we think we are. Hopefully, those emotions will serve me well later on as I begin to write traditional fiction.

And I still believe that I am regenerating my interest sufficiently that over the holidays we can make a lot of progress, even finish this chapter out nicely. I am starting to look forward to it. I just need a few days off to decompress and focus.

Will any/all of you be posting/postable during the holiday season?

[Icebird]

I'll still be available. Not as regularly as during school, but still here. The fact that I havn't posted in my thread for months doesn't mean I'm gone; just that I can't think of anything to add at the moment.

[Shutter]

Except for a day or two to wallow in commercialism and eat too much food I'll be just as able to post as ever.

[Thanos]

I may be in TX for a weekend or a week depending on my job situation, but I will be able to get online even there... :-)

[LynMars]

I'll be around and doing nothing but playing WoW and other video games most likely. :)

[Lans]

Availability's nickname is Lans.

[Pygysys]

My last exam for the year is next Tuesday so after that I will be readily available.

[Wired*Nun]

Sounds great. Holiday mentality will set in after 15 Dec, when a spate of exercises will conclude.

[Wired*Nun]

Just wanted to notify everyone that, though the entire family is sick, I will be starting to post soon. I should have time over the holidays.

[Thanos]

Tell Beth and the kids that they have people praying for them!

I will be around in the evenings PST a lot, but during the day or anything past about 8pm is just not a possibility with my work schedule.

[Lans]

We told you to invest more in endurance! but noooo, you just had to have that extra point in evil GMing...

Hope you folks get well soon.

[jedric]

Thought I'd better raise my head above the parapet, yep I'm still here.

Hope all your family get well soon [trite but true].

[Wired*Nun]

Thanks. Looks good, I should do some posting tomorrow. Hopefully one for evryone. We are recovering. Thanks for well wishes and prayers.

[Wired*Nun]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. As you can see, I haven't gotten to it. I don't blame you all if you despair. I make no promises, but I still hope to catch up. Good intentions, and all that...

[Lans]

If you do stop by hell, can you pick me up some fries? I hear they are to die for.

[Icebird]

Well, I've got another game on these forums, so I just check to see if there're any new posts here whenever I'm on.

And the charicter in that game is on the road to hell (or a good approximation thereof), so I'll see what I can do about those fries for you.

[Wired*Nun]

I think the time has come to face up to the expectation that I'm not going to get back to this, and close it up. My life has morphed in too many ways, and contemplating running this seems too much like work to generate enthusiasm in me.

I hate that it has turned out this way, but there it is.

What with my return to FTF gaming, and a frankly much busier pace of life and job here in the DC area, I'm just not into it.

I used to be in love with the game, pouring heart and soul into it, but it's just burned itself out within me and I don't have that heart any more.

Again, I really appreciate everyone here, I consider you my friends, and friends deserve honesty and forthrightness. I really thought PBP was a great match for me, but like everything, it was circumstance-dependent. Maybe like all good art it derived from pain and my pain level has lessened of late.

I'd still like to play in some PBP, obviously it doesn't take quite the level of concentration and passion to play one character as it does to run the whole thing. I was having a good time in a Serenity game until it seems to have died, I guess GM burnout is a hazard of the trade.

Now I need to at least generate enough dedication to download most of this to my hard drives, that what we did do will be preserved.

All this being said, vagaries of life being what they are, I can't rule out the possibility of suddenly regaining interest. I'll check and post this thread from time to time, feel free to keep in touch. Perhaps when the oldest at home departs the house, perhaps when I retire from the military in a couple of years (both possible as of next summer) I will suddenly have more time rather than less, and things will change.

Goodbye, and hello, as always.

[TreyKincaide]

We had a hell of a run. My hat's off to you, sir.

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

[Lans]

Thanks for the game, its been fun. Good luck in future endeavors.

[LynMars]

Been a wild ride, and this forum ended up being the largest on the site. Maybe we'll do it again sometime. ;)

I keep thinking of running something myself, but the time, energy, and creative demands are rather daunting. But I'll letcha know if it comes up.

[Thanos]

I wish I had something cool to say, but the only thing I could come up with is "May the Unicorn be with you!"

Like Corwin, we all seem to want something, but when we have it or the chance to really have it happens it just doesn't seem as alluring as it did when it was unattainable. This is technically the only long running game of Amber that I have ever gotten to play. Others did happen, but 3-4 weeks of even FTF just don't let plots wind up and shoes drop. I will remember this game for a LONG time to come!

My compliments to all of you for an excellent read game well played and well done.

[Shutter]

Thanks for all the great times Dave. I'll be a lucky man if I ever manage to find a game this good again.

[jedric]

Dave good luck and no hard feelings from me.

I completely understand where you're coming from, this is the final online I'm involved in following numerous changes in my own life no doubt not as strenuous as your own. :?

My only regret is that I never got to meet the other PCs!

[Wired*Nun]

How about we all post/repost our current contact information now, to whatever level you are comfortable with, in case we want to contact one another. Also, remind me where you all reside. I am starting to travel quite a bit with the job, and who knows, I may be able to look someone up like I did Peter/Icebird.

Dave van Dyche, Major, USAF
30 Stafford Ridge Road
Stafford, VA 22554

(just north of Fredericksburg, VA)

Contact (Cell) 540-834-3466

wirednun111@yahoo.com

[Thanos]

Travis White
Las Vegas, NV

Thanos_infinity@yahoo.com


And Dave, clear out your private messages for a few days ;-)

[Wired*Nun]

Travis White
Las Vegas, NV

Thanos_infinity@yahoo.com


And Dave, clear out your private messages for a few days ;-)

Done.

[Icebird]

Well, it's been fun. See you all (or not) in other worlds.

Peter Frauenglass
1160 Camino Cruz Blanca
Santa Fe, NM 87505

icebird3333_is@hotmail.com

[Pygysys]

Let me echo the sentiments of essentially everyone; it has been fun and I certainly enjoyed the game and playing with you all. It's been grand. :)

[LynMars]

Alicia Dodson
Manhattan, KS

karina.amber is my gmail account (I get enough spam without putting the whole thing up for dataminers to find; you're all smart enough to figure the rest out, I think). lynmars is my livejournal account if you have/watch that. I'm often on IRC on sorcerynet in the #GamingGuardians chat and related rooms, as either Karina or Soveh. Also on the GG forum fairly often. And I'm sticking around here, too, so PMs will find me. If coming into the area, just contact me via one of those methods and I'll get you the nitty-gritty details then. ;)

[Shutter]

Conor Buechler
conor.buech@gmail.com (semi-nomadic grad student life leaves gmail about as reliable as it gets.)

It's been a pleasure everyone. The game was amazing. I'll still be hanging around these parts so PMs will certainly still work.

[Pygysys]

Basically continuing on from the stuff in the other comments section but I'd like to know the guilty parties!

So who really was behind all the stuff? Dave you've got to let us know the real villain/s of the piece. :)

Actually I really want to know why Delwin and Sand blew up Corrilaine... and if they were involved in anything else.

Out of curiousity though; what were the big questions on everyone else's lips that they wanted to ask or better yet wanted answered?

[LynMars]

Josh and his mom; that whole thing really got to me.

Dunstan and the Maze.

Also, in the Visitor thread, BRR suggests opening up the subforums. My only misgiving on that is the OOC stuff in the Comms threads that may be GM-player confidential and non-game related--or game related, but still confidential. However, I ended up with a lot of RP stuff in my Comms thread, too. Would really depend. Or mean going through and moving/deleting the more private posts.

[Pygysys]

All that could be avoided if we convinced Dave to post a full revelation post of some kind?

[LynMars]

True, yes, but I think BRR's point was, not only letting folks see some of the inter-character behind-the-scenes, but also to let other readers actually see the workings of ORP's largest RP forum. He seemed less concerned about full revelation of plot than to show what all was going on, that at the moment, only Dave and the Admin can see.

[Thanos]

I certainly don't mind if mine goes pulbic. There isn't a lot of stuff there in the first place, me getting in here a bit later, and certainly not a lot of plot revieling stuff. Most of the plot was encircled about the characters that started the game...Heldrik was just sprinkles on the icing ;-)

[Wired*Nun]

Basically continuing on from the stuff in the other comments section but I'd like to know the guilty parties!

So who really was behind all the stuff? Dave you've got to let us know the real villain/s of the piece. :)

Actually I really want to know why Delwin and Sand blew up Corrilaine... and if they were involved in anything else.

Out of curiousity though; what were the big questions on everyone else's lips that they wanted to ask or better yet wanted answered?

My idea of Delwin and Sand was always that they were the first and most major instance of the brother-sister marriage that drove Oberon to prohibit such things outright. Obviously there were lots of cousin-marriages and offspring in the Courts. Oberon had a love-hate relationship with the courts, it being the place of his early upbringing.

In my vision, they had been working for some time against Amber, but not out of any great hatred. Rather, they wanted Amber diminished as a threat to themselves, and more opportunity for Correlaine to dominate the areas around it. As a sorcerer to rival Fiona, Delwin knew that as Power waned, sorcery ascended.

The introduction of the Maze was just one iron of theirs in the fire. Brand never completed Luke's education, so Delwin did it. He also assisted in the construction of the Maze as a tamer rival to the Logrus and Pattern. Delwin and Sand were the hidden guiding hands behind the majority of the Maze plot thread. The Maze as a power source eventually swept up a number of independents such as Dalt and Deela and shadow sorcerers such as Asmundson, forming a loose and fragmented association of users. Think of it like the German states of the Napoleonic era - sharing common language and culture, divided by politics and constantly shifting alliances among the greater powers.

Delwin and Sand were foresighted enough to realize that there would have to be a blowup before any accomodation - that Amber would probably move against the Maze and any disruption of its power networks. As good as the Elders were at digging, they would eventually be found out, especially if Luke or Jasra were directly put to the question.

Of course, they wanted Katarzyna to have the benefits of an Amberite education anyway. The only way they saw to do that was to not let her in on the conspiracy, so that her hands and mind would remain clean. They removed Correlaine to a place deep inside the storybook lands, and covered it up by obliterating everything around it with shadowstorms and AP effects, so there was no way to find it again.

The one clue they left was the book for Katarzyna, which was the Wizard of Oz - follow the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City, after all. This hsould have eventually prompted her and/or other PCs to investigate the Storybook Lands further and find the Yellow Brick Road to Oz, now supplanted by Correlaine.

The Storybook lands are special shadows formed, kind of like Luke's Alice in Wonderland dream, from the collective minds of all shadow-dwellers who have even a drop of Chaos or Amber blood in them, or other Power (Demons, etc.). In them you would find a facsimile of pretty much any story ever written. They follow their own rules and are hard to bend or shift in, because they are supported by the collective visions of may people rather than by the real of infinite possibilities.

[Wired*Nun]

Josh and his mom; that whole thing really got to me.

Dunstan and the Maze.

Also, in the Visitor thread, BRR suggests opening up the subforums. My only misgiving on that is the OOC stuff in the Comms threads that may be GM-player confidential and non-game related--or game related, but still confidential. However, I ended up with a lot of RP stuff in my Comms thread, too. Would really depend. Or mean going through and moving/deleting the more private posts.

I've moved most private stuff public already. I could probably find some more material never seen by more than one person. I'll do that if I can get to it.

The plotline of Josh and his mother is actually lifted almost whole from my earlier tabletop Amber game back when James Connors was playing Josh. His mother Varlise Hendrake, Dara the Younger's mother, daughter of Dara the Elder, had been sub rosa for many years, especially as she felt betrayed by Swayvill, who discarded Joshuwan Hendrake out of hand after his instabilities manifested themselves. One of the greatest of Chaos' recent sorceresses, she nevertheless found that her love for her firstborn outweighed anything else, especially after the death of her secret husband Caine of Amber. After that, she devoted herself to him and to making their shadows some of the most secure in all the multiverse, as well as masquerading habitually as other personnas, such as Vela and Mrs Hendriks (Hendrakes, get it?).

As Mrs. Hendriks, I thought she would be one of the most innocuous and unlikely-to-be-hindered hangers-on. It shocked me greatly when Landon hacked her down as he did, but it made for great drama.

Dunstan was of course Luke's half-brother by Dalt and Jasra. He wasn't taught sorcery but rather tied to the Fount. Jasra (the usual scheming bitch) envisioned him as a permanent guardian of her source of Power. However, even someone born to that power was made unstable by it, rather in the mode of Charlie (Star Trek) - that is, giving an adolescent great power with little restraint is a dangerous thing. As long as mom was around to control him, everything was all right.

The Maze needed a constant and large power source, so the Fount was a natural for that (this brought Jasra and Delwin together, and others around them).

[Wired*Nun]

It's a lot easier to answer questions as I get them, which allows me to ramble along until I grind to a halt. Please, ask away.

[LynMars]

So now, if trey won't ask, I will--Landon's torture, Corwin's involvement, Rome, Helena, Coral and the Jewel.

And I still think the Flora-Landon "who's my mommy?" scene was awesome RPing from both of you. :)

[Wired*Nun]

Why thank you (*bows*).

Random and Corwin conspired on a reprogamming regime for some of the problem youngers. Corwin thought his time in the dungeon had a lot to do with him losing a lot of his innate selfishness, and nothing is as true as what's true for oneself...

Random wanted to use it on Martin, but he wanted to test it on others and prove the process, and/or refine it. However, the Crown's hands had to stay completely clean, except for the private conversations and impetus. Corwin, who had learned about the blue cave complex from Merlin's chronicles, used Aurora to locate it. He then needed someone to play concentration camp guard. He had had some overtures from Canthus's lot from time to time, and so obtained the services of a demon to be the torturer. It relished its role, but was constrained to do only so much.

Corwin set The Eric to supervise the process. He also wanted to further the development of the ghost's personality, and see what effect the whole thing would have on a reconstruction of Eric. It was a gamble, but since Corwin ultimately had control of The Eric through Aurora (if necessary, but with effort) he thought this a worthwhile gambit.

Rome and Helena was the overt and hopefully effective way to both test the results of the program, and to tie Landon to something that should further a sense of responsibility and and awareness of others' needs. Helena was custom-made to appeal to Landon, as far as Corwin knew, with help from Random and Coral. In fact, there were a dozen or so potentials that Landon met, and Helena was the one that clicked.

Once Landon had something outside himself to be responsible for, and to live for, he was supposed to begin settling down and become more tractable and useful for the Crown and Amber in general, especially as soon as Helena became with child in the time-honored inevitable fashion.

Corwin removed the Jewel as soon as he could, over Dworkin's objections. Corwin and Coral lived as brother and sister, waiting for the day that she could join her real love, Merlin, as Queen of Chaos. Obviously she couldn't have the jewel implanted in her head there. She would have been assassinated in short order by the servants of the Serpent, the better restore the Left Eye.

Also, Corwin wanted to use the Jewel, rather than have it use his sister. So, he removed it himself with Aurora's help and concurrence. After that, things get murky...

[LynMars]

Nifty.

Ah yeah; Martin. That scamp. What was he up to? Was he the one who stuck Rae in the Chaos prison with Kat? Why? What was his connection to the Hendrakes at this point? Was Elress just a rebellious pawn? And whose kid was she anyway?

[Shutter]

Wow, somehow my email only told me this thread updated today, completely missed the week old material. 'Course, now I'm half asleep and can't find the remaining questions I had rattling around in my head.

I guess I'm still not clear exactly on who killed Joss and why him. And what was up with the funky aura Heldrik was seeing that night on people?

[LynMars]

I was gonna get to that one eventually. My questions are generally prompted by something else in one of these answers.

[LynMars]

Also, btw, if this game is to be archived, the GM and/or other players are to request such in the thread up in Proclamations. Although itches already voted for it, too. That way the thread is safely backed up on ORP's server for future reference.

[Wired*Nun]

Nifty.

Ah yeah; Martin. That scamp. What was he up to? Was he the one who stuck Rae in the Chaos prison with Kat? Why? What was his connection to the Hendrakes at this point? Was Elress just a rebellious pawn? And whose kid was she anyway?

Marin and Elress were of course the two in black and red. Yes, they threw Rae in with Kat, to get her out of the way. Martin had delusions of becoming King of Amber, with Chaos' help, as he agreed with the general Chaos contention that Order was too strong, and that Primal and Aurora should both have their wings clipped. In the time-honored manner of disenchanted princes everywhere (see: Osama bin Laden) his resentment led him to all manner of stupid and destructive conclusions. In fact, lacking a strong father figure, he let a series of women influence him unduly, starting with Moire, who convinced him that Rebma should obtain equality with Amber (in fact, she wanted primacy) and that with Martin on the throne of Amber with Rebman support, they could rule their two kingdoms equally and more justly than Random did. Yes, Amberites can be youthfully naive...

Martin was another dupe of Dara's. Dara seduced him as she did Corwin and others, for the breeding program. In fact, there are a couple of Martin and Dara's kids that he doesn't know about tucked away back in Chaos. Martin thought he was using her, when it was the other way around. Remember in canon when Random met Martin and Corwin asked about Dara... So Dara fully concurred and supported Moire's interests, knowing a divide Order was better for Chaos. Ultimately, if Martin could be placed on the Throne of Amber, Dara could take her place as queen and true ruler, and backstab Rebma later.

Elress was just what she appeared to be, badly used royal trash with a tragic twist. She was Alan Martinsen's character in my original Amber campaign back in Japan. Alan's personality was such that Elress actually reflected him a lot - he was the type of guy that was always making the easy and bad decisions that got him into stupid scrapes in life. He got into a realy bad car accident there and was in the hospital for about 3 months, which straightened him out some for a while. He was one of those friends you want to help, that always asking advice, nodding and sincerely intending to follow it but always managed to choose the wrong path...so in the game, Elress was the one doing things like using the lava blast spell under water (imagine that effect if you will). She had lots of bad stuff...

And she was Fiona's, but Bleys agreed to claim her to keep Fiona less susceptible to blackmail, given her position in the Court. The whispered rumors of Fiona's liaison with Bleys (or, some said, Brand) were actually useful, as many believed they would have to deal with both of them if Elress were threatened in anyway. Neither of those two was much of a parent, though, and Elress ended up feeling placeless and disconnected, to naturally fall in with Martin.