Another fiction post everyone. Same character as before.
I lay on the chaise in my long formal dress I wore to a few events in the late '20s. I have no shame in wearing classics again. I've been certain to keep my clothing classic so that I can look regal for decades rather than mere months. Also shopping for clothing at night was harder to do when I first started out as a kindred. It was easier to be practical, short of tricking a designer into your orchestra.
Above me I watch molecules bond to each other in a rhythm, reminding me of the Rites of Spring. I remember when modern dance was new and I saw a performance, but dance never truly entertained me. I preferred the symphony. I've kept the song in symphony, performed by the atoms that pair off. They light up above in a soft light. I am keen and comfortable.
The bonds lose their defining lines, and the lights begin to stay up, and are bright gold like incandescents. The chaise is sinking into grass, yellow blades dimmed by nightfall. I look down and the dress... is no longer there. I am clothed into something I can only describe to civilized individuals as a hand-sewn sack. In the old standards this was beauty. In the current standard it feels like a costume. I'm itchy.
I sit up. In front of me is a fire subsisting on nothing, lighting up the field as if it's mid afternoon. I back away before standing up. This is rare. This small remembrance comes twice a decade, not in a true pattern. I am no longer startled by it. I merely hate that I must waste my time with it.
In the corner of my eyes I sense the shadows that sometimes linger. I never truly catch them in my sight in front of me, so I do not try to catch them. They're short, slight dark figures that just stand and stare back at me. As I walk to the fire they follow me, still in the edges of my sight. If they're not going to leave, I'll keep them at that difference.
Just by walking to the fire, it shrinks rapidly, until it is the size of a dime when I'm only a couple feet away from it. I grin.
"Merely an exothermic process."
"Precisely," I hear Abel confirm. He doesn't show, he is only heard. "One that is hard to control, unfortunately, and can damage, but nothing unknown."
There is a part of me that wishes to touch it. I don't wish to be used to that fantasy. It won't be useful after my time in eclipse.
Suddenly the sky crashes around, pushing me on my back again. I find myself in the long black dress I began my eclipse in, the irises and roses surrounding me. the room is dimly lit. I realize I can blink at will and the image stays the same.
Leaning over me is Lady Quinn, the dips and raises on the side of her face highlighted by the lighting. She is dressed in a suit, but her hair is not pulled back. I lick my lips and raise my brow.
"I apologize, Lady Quinn. It is necessary."
I pull my shoulders back into the silk covered pillows I rest on. "Understood. Is it time?"
"This is... early, but brief."
"It is acceptable. We are up to date on events?"
"There is a report on changes that will be pertinent for this brief summit."
"That is understood." I pause. "We still serve at the pleasure of the Prince?"
She cocks her head to the side. "Of course."
In relief I close my eyes. "Then this will pass quickly."
Showing posts with label LARP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LARP. Show all posts
August 8, 2014
July 21, 2014
Fiction: As Lady Quinn Rests...
Yes it has been quite some time since I paid attention to this blog. I'm trying to get back to my old writing habits, so while I try that please try to enjoy this fictional piece that is of on of my LARP characters. P.S. if you're still reading after 8 months of no updates, thank you, I really appreciate it.
"Well please, Miss Moreaux, please show us the savage dance that will bring your land the rain!"
A scene I have repeated multiple times. Partially for my amusement, partially to make it right. I smirk to Lady Tatar, in her blue dress and dripping jewels. Abel told me she only recently became a lady, and many believe she didn't deserve it.
This time around, I don't just stand there politely. Survival in this space is no longer an issue. I have survived. This time, I respond with a smirk and I approach her slowly, my low heels clicking and my stride steady. I put a hand on her hip and take her free arm up, and as her amazement manifests on her face I waltz with her in front of everyone at the gathering that night. Suddenly I hear a Strauss movement swell around us, and all of the people around us laugh in amazement.
This time the victory dance only lasts a moment before I become a fluid body floating down to the small lab I shared with Abel over a century ago, when we settled in the city. Before the fire.
He grins at me. "You have too much fun with this Lady S--"
Even in this deep rest I bring up a finger and raise my brow. "Excuse me, Baron Abel."
He nods as I land to the floor. "You are excused, Lady Quinn. Though I should apologize. I am glad you have found a way."
I try not to remind myself that I merely imagined that. The walls turn into enlarged, flat representations of some of my favorite compounds--lithium aluminium hydride, psilocybin, clove oil--which glow and give some needed light to the scene. I see Abel as I last saw him, in his jacket, slacks and boots before he ran into our haven and I could not run after him. I'm currently in the long dress and understated gold jewelry that I entered my rest in.
I look to the table to see words intermingle in the flasks and the tubes, bubbling in the beaked patiently waiting me to write down a result. But it's not time for me to, so I ignore it. "I am glad as well. Our work has helped me greatly."
"I'm glad I picked you well. Kindred don't like to admit that lineage is important sometimes, but I found it vital. If I hadn't picked you..."
"Abel, I'm not certain if you are my ego or not."
"Can I be?"
"I don't know, I'd ask Freud."
Suddenly a little rustling as the compounds shift slightly and change color--a light purple. It causes Abel to look ghostly. I feel a grin grow not only in my dream, but just softly as I rest.
"What could it be, Lady Quinn?"
"They've changed the flora around me. I'm assuming lilacs. That's a rarity."
I let Abel fade, and I float back onto a chaise in a silk sheath dress, my hair down. I lift my feet up and wait to see if it is Lord or Lady Quinn who will be reading me new poetry this evening. I feel lucky that I occasionally can even hear it.
Though part of me wishes they'd ghoul someone who was a francophone native. However, I'm not in a position to complain, so I lie. And I wait. And I enjoy.
"Well please, Miss Moreaux, please show us the savage dance that will bring your land the rain!"
A scene I have repeated multiple times. Partially for my amusement, partially to make it right. I smirk to Lady Tatar, in her blue dress and dripping jewels. Abel told me she only recently became a lady, and many believe she didn't deserve it.
This time around, I don't just stand there politely. Survival in this space is no longer an issue. I have survived. This time, I respond with a smirk and I approach her slowly, my low heels clicking and my stride steady. I put a hand on her hip and take her free arm up, and as her amazement manifests on her face I waltz with her in front of everyone at the gathering that night. Suddenly I hear a Strauss movement swell around us, and all of the people around us laugh in amazement.
This time the victory dance only lasts a moment before I become a fluid body floating down to the small lab I shared with Abel over a century ago, when we settled in the city. Before the fire.
He grins at me. "You have too much fun with this Lady S--"
Even in this deep rest I bring up a finger and raise my brow. "Excuse me, Baron Abel."
He nods as I land to the floor. "You are excused, Lady Quinn. Though I should apologize. I am glad you have found a way."
I try not to remind myself that I merely imagined that. The walls turn into enlarged, flat representations of some of my favorite compounds--lithium aluminium hydride, psilocybin, clove oil--which glow and give some needed light to the scene. I see Abel as I last saw him, in his jacket, slacks and boots before he ran into our haven and I could not run after him. I'm currently in the long dress and understated gold jewelry that I entered my rest in.
I look to the table to see words intermingle in the flasks and the tubes, bubbling in the beaked patiently waiting me to write down a result. But it's not time for me to, so I ignore it. "I am glad as well. Our work has helped me greatly."
"I'm glad I picked you well. Kindred don't like to admit that lineage is important sometimes, but I found it vital. If I hadn't picked you..."
"Abel, I'm not certain if you are my ego or not."
"Can I be?"
"I don't know, I'd ask Freud."
Suddenly a little rustling as the compounds shift slightly and change color--a light purple. It causes Abel to look ghostly. I feel a grin grow not only in my dream, but just softly as I rest.
"What could it be, Lady Quinn?"
"They've changed the flora around me. I'm assuming lilacs. That's a rarity."
I let Abel fade, and I float back onto a chaise in a silk sheath dress, my hair down. I lift my feet up and wait to see if it is Lord or Lady Quinn who will be reading me new poetry this evening. I feel lucky that I occasionally can even hear it.
Though part of me wishes they'd ghoul someone who was a francophone native. However, I'm not in a position to complain, so I lie. And I wait. And I enjoy.
January 14, 2013
I've been cheating on this blog with backstory!
So the real reason I haven't written since November of last year (seriously? I can't believe I did that but that happened) is because I have been caught up in the excitement that my LARP group has for our next chronicle.
What's the next chronicle? Well our national LARP group, Mind's Eye Society, resets the setting (aka pseudo end of the world stuff) and begins anew so that characters and the cities don't stagnate into an old boys club, among many other reasons (rules resetting are also kind of a factor). Many of us take this opportunity to make new characters. I am continuing my writing and research that I originally did for this blog and making a character for next chronicle, which will start officially in June. Her name is Anahita McGregor.
I don't want to reveal too much about her out in the open right now, but I can give you a taste of her nuances in this soundtrack I made:
I am hoping to find time to sit down and write about the last couple of months nerd adventures. We have a lot of catching up to do.
What's the next chronicle? Well our national LARP group, Mind's Eye Society, resets the setting (aka pseudo end of the world stuff) and begins anew so that characters and the cities don't stagnate into an old boys club, among many other reasons (rules resetting are also kind of a factor). Many of us take this opportunity to make new characters. I am continuing my writing and research that I originally did for this blog and making a character for next chronicle, which will start officially in June. Her name is Anahita McGregor.
I don't want to reveal too much about her out in the open right now, but I can give you a taste of her nuances in this soundtrack I made:
September 5, 2011
My New Sabbat Character
The last LARP game I wasn't able to go because I had twisted my ankle at work, driving to and from LARP wasn't going to be easy with two crutches. I realized I missed my peeps too much so I decided to try Sabbat, knowing that I would probably get pulled into going every game and now gaming 3 weekends out of the month. Is that such a bad thing? No.
So up to the night before I wasn't sure what to make for a character. Luckily a friend of mine told me a general idea of Sabbat. It's not related to my Vampire: The Requiem character or world at all. That's new World of Darkness, with different rules and a different setting. New World of Darkness doesn't have the presence of Sabbat, just the Camarilla with smaller sects of off groups that go against the, like the Brood and Seven. Old World of Darkness had the Camirilla, a group of Vampires who were extremely hierarchical by age and were about being hidden from mortal society by almost hiding in it, and the Sabbat, who were about freedom and earning your status and being proud of the fact that you are Vampire and not hiding it. You still couldn't reveal to mortals you were a vampire and make it obvious, but killing a mortal when drinking or eating them is not a bad idea. Ripping people's faces off with your brute vampire force is cool if you know the fucker is going to die and not tell anyone. Have some fun, just don't be stupid.
Now with this in mind I decided that for once I wanted to play a character who could actually kill somebody. I love Ellen, she's a brilliant quiet power player who kind of fell into being Seneschal of Chicago (and gladly), but she is not a fighter and she rarely uses any of her powers. With that in mind I made a character that wouldn't mind getting her hands dirty. Also, my friend asked me "what kind of monster do you want to be?" And my reply was "motherly". With that, and mostly on the car ride over to game, I figured out the story of Rose, my Sabbat vampire.
Rose had always lived in the woods, near a river and a bog, always lived off the land. Her parents were originally from city life and decided to rough it in the woods. Rose was an only child, and her family was extremely isolated in there cabin. They were self reliant and knew only a few neighbors. They were pretty happy with only the three of them.
Rose had seen her father hit her mother sometimes, but only after her mother had been hysterical. Rose never thought much of it, so when she finally married Peter from three houses down, she tried her best to be a team with him. At nineteen she was happily married with child, and still able to talk to her family. Peter didn't start hitting her until after the boys were born, beautiful identical twins with blond hair and brown eyes. Rose named them Andrew and Anthony. She loved them. Peter was jealous of the attention, something Rose never really thought about until she was already embraced.
Any time Peter felt that the boys were coming before him, or that Rose wasn't listening or moving fast enough, she would get some sort of hit. Possibly to the face, but usually on her torso. When the boys were just one her mother asked about a bruise on her arm. Rose didn't tell, but that was when Peter insisted she didn't see her parents anymore. Letters would have to suffice.
Rose was alone with the boys a lot, gathering food and water while they were nearby. She didn't have the internet or even a telephone, nor did she have any news outlet. She hadn't been to the town center since she married Peter, with him pleading that he could not live with her that far away. Rose didn't know any better, and her only comparison was now shut away from her.
When Anthony and Andrew were four, they were little explorers. They would touch anything that Rose didn't already say don't touch four times. So it wasn't any surprised that Anthony found an old thing of Peter's to play with. Rose never remembers exactly what it was, but it was something Peter had treasured since he was a child. Rose can only imagine the rage that Peter had after coming back from butchering a chicken to see Anthony had broken one of his favorite things, in pieces on the floor.
Rose heard the screams and rushed inside to see Peter had swiftly chopped Anthony to pieces in the kitchen, his butcher knife spraying the blood along the walls. She feared to make a sound, just rushed over to Andrew, covered his eyes and looked away. When Peter was done, he took the pieces of their son out and burned them. Rose tried to wash the walls, but she was thinking. Would Andrew ever survive this life? When would be the next time Peter would snap? Rose had no problem with dying by Peter's hand, but she only wanted the boys to go in her arms if they had too.
The next morning Rose took Andrew out to the bog. She told them that they were going to take a nap under the water, something no one had tried before. They laid in and Rose kept him under. His nature caused him to struggle, but Rose held him tight and close under her until he stopped, whispering "Trust me". She stood there for hours, grieving, crying. When her eyes were dry enough and her nose stopped running, she went back to the house and cooked dinner. She stayed away from Peter, who made a stand for his butcher's knife.
That night noises came from outside. Peter always slept like a rock, but Rose shot up and got a lantern to look out. She walked around, first to the chicken coop, then south of it into the forest. She saw shadows moving, trying to follow them. Who knew they were here? Not even the mail man came by more than once a week, who would stop by here? And then suddenly she was knocked back into a tree. The lantern went out. She felt the blood leaving her, a pain in her neck, a hand holding her on her waist. She passed out.
She awoke abandoned in the middle of the night, a pain coming over her entire body. She knew something was different, something was wrong. She felt hungry, but nothing she knew would satisfy her. She went back to the house, and she saw Peter, sleeping. Instinct that had never been there before kicked in. She jumped on his back and chomped on his shoulder. She held on as he tried to get up. She was stronger than before, the blood was helping. He struggled, she sipped. It wasn't a lot, but she didn't want much from him. She jumped back and ran out the house. Peter yelled out to her, threatening to get the knife. She knew he couldn't kill her though.
Right before sunrise she made a shelter, but as the sky lightened it was now obvious what she had become. She dug swiftly into the earth and made a canopy of leaves and dead branches. It worked. The next night she decided to head west. Her mother always hinted the west was where people seek freedom. Rose didn't know if she needed freedom, but she knew she had it.
Rose would walk or run for miles, trying to stay near wooded areas and follow highways. She would run when she knew no one could see. When she was starved nearby animals would be ripped apart and sucked dry. Hunting them kept her focused. She got to route 66, and stayed outside a rest station, where she heard somebody arguing. He was saying something about being a Cainite, being more than human, needing to protect that. And that's when Rose came up to him, explained her story, explained her urges, and hoped he understood. He did
He was the leader of a pack, a ductess they called him. They were The Defensive Line, fighting against anything that threatened the Sabbat. What was the Sabbat? Vampires who were proud. So we are vampires? Yes, didn't your sire tell you? What is a sire? The vampire who made you this way.
The pack taught her everything she needed to know. What to avoid, how to hide, and even what her lineage was--Lasombra. Everyone seemed confused that she was left to fend for herself and that she survived as well as she did, but they were happy to help. And she was happy to help them when they said they would help with the siege of Chicago.
Rose had never been in an urban area before but she fought well. Her newfound comrades, however, were cornered in the fight and all perished. Afraid of what was to become of her, once again Rose fled, finding the nearest wooded area and sleeping there. She got out to feed once in a while, hunting animals, keeping to herself. Was there more sabbat?
After a year she went out to hunt only to careless miss a human that had been looking around the area late at night. She didn't need him to know she was there, so she feed on him. It was much more satisfying sucking his life out of him than it was a bird or a coyote. But the woods didn't have enough people. She decided to find the Sabbat again, maybe find some other pack. Did they still need fighters? What if all of the Sabbat perished? What if she could've stopped that.
One old contact was still around, a Revenant named Zoey. And with her help Rose came back to find that the Sabbat was still around, but fighting petty fights amongst each other over hats and still quibbles. But maybe she can still help. There are some that need some guidance, some that need some teaching. Maybe she can help. It still seems to be better than being alone in the woods forever.
So up to the night before I wasn't sure what to make for a character. Luckily a friend of mine told me a general idea of Sabbat. It's not related to my Vampire: The Requiem character or world at all. That's new World of Darkness, with different rules and a different setting. New World of Darkness doesn't have the presence of Sabbat, just the Camarilla with smaller sects of off groups that go against the, like the Brood and Seven. Old World of Darkness had the Camirilla, a group of Vampires who were extremely hierarchical by age and were about being hidden from mortal society by almost hiding in it, and the Sabbat, who were about freedom and earning your status and being proud of the fact that you are Vampire and not hiding it. You still couldn't reveal to mortals you were a vampire and make it obvious, but killing a mortal when drinking or eating them is not a bad idea. Ripping people's faces off with your brute vampire force is cool if you know the fucker is going to die and not tell anyone. Have some fun, just don't be stupid.
Now with this in mind I decided that for once I wanted to play a character who could actually kill somebody. I love Ellen, she's a brilliant quiet power player who kind of fell into being Seneschal of Chicago (and gladly), but she is not a fighter and she rarely uses any of her powers. With that in mind I made a character that wouldn't mind getting her hands dirty. Also, my friend asked me "what kind of monster do you want to be?" And my reply was "motherly". With that, and mostly on the car ride over to game, I figured out the story of Rose, my Sabbat vampire.
Rose had always lived in the woods, near a river and a bog, always lived off the land. Her parents were originally from city life and decided to rough it in the woods. Rose was an only child, and her family was extremely isolated in there cabin. They were self reliant and knew only a few neighbors. They were pretty happy with only the three of them.
Rose had seen her father hit her mother sometimes, but only after her mother had been hysterical. Rose never thought much of it, so when she finally married Peter from three houses down, she tried her best to be a team with him. At nineteen she was happily married with child, and still able to talk to her family. Peter didn't start hitting her until after the boys were born, beautiful identical twins with blond hair and brown eyes. Rose named them Andrew and Anthony. She loved them. Peter was jealous of the attention, something Rose never really thought about until she was already embraced.
Any time Peter felt that the boys were coming before him, or that Rose wasn't listening or moving fast enough, she would get some sort of hit. Possibly to the face, but usually on her torso. When the boys were just one her mother asked about a bruise on her arm. Rose didn't tell, but that was when Peter insisted she didn't see her parents anymore. Letters would have to suffice.
Rose was alone with the boys a lot, gathering food and water while they were nearby. She didn't have the internet or even a telephone, nor did she have any news outlet. She hadn't been to the town center since she married Peter, with him pleading that he could not live with her that far away. Rose didn't know any better, and her only comparison was now shut away from her.
When Anthony and Andrew were four, they were little explorers. They would touch anything that Rose didn't already say don't touch four times. So it wasn't any surprised that Anthony found an old thing of Peter's to play with. Rose never remembers exactly what it was, but it was something Peter had treasured since he was a child. Rose can only imagine the rage that Peter had after coming back from butchering a chicken to see Anthony had broken one of his favorite things, in pieces on the floor.
Rose heard the screams and rushed inside to see Peter had swiftly chopped Anthony to pieces in the kitchen, his butcher knife spraying the blood along the walls. She feared to make a sound, just rushed over to Andrew, covered his eyes and looked away. When Peter was done, he took the pieces of their son out and burned them. Rose tried to wash the walls, but she was thinking. Would Andrew ever survive this life? When would be the next time Peter would snap? Rose had no problem with dying by Peter's hand, but she only wanted the boys to go in her arms if they had too.
The next morning Rose took Andrew out to the bog. She told them that they were going to take a nap under the water, something no one had tried before. They laid in and Rose kept him under. His nature caused him to struggle, but Rose held him tight and close under her until he stopped, whispering "Trust me". She stood there for hours, grieving, crying. When her eyes were dry enough and her nose stopped running, she went back to the house and cooked dinner. She stayed away from Peter, who made a stand for his butcher's knife.
That night noises came from outside. Peter always slept like a rock, but Rose shot up and got a lantern to look out. She walked around, first to the chicken coop, then south of it into the forest. She saw shadows moving, trying to follow them. Who knew they were here? Not even the mail man came by more than once a week, who would stop by here? And then suddenly she was knocked back into a tree. The lantern went out. She felt the blood leaving her, a pain in her neck, a hand holding her on her waist. She passed out.
She awoke abandoned in the middle of the night, a pain coming over her entire body. She knew something was different, something was wrong. She felt hungry, but nothing she knew would satisfy her. She went back to the house, and she saw Peter, sleeping. Instinct that had never been there before kicked in. She jumped on his back and chomped on his shoulder. She held on as he tried to get up. She was stronger than before, the blood was helping. He struggled, she sipped. It wasn't a lot, but she didn't want much from him. She jumped back and ran out the house. Peter yelled out to her, threatening to get the knife. She knew he couldn't kill her though.
Right before sunrise she made a shelter, but as the sky lightened it was now obvious what she had become. She dug swiftly into the earth and made a canopy of leaves and dead branches. It worked. The next night she decided to head west. Her mother always hinted the west was where people seek freedom. Rose didn't know if she needed freedom, but she knew she had it.
Rose would walk or run for miles, trying to stay near wooded areas and follow highways. She would run when she knew no one could see. When she was starved nearby animals would be ripped apart and sucked dry. Hunting them kept her focused. She got to route 66, and stayed outside a rest station, where she heard somebody arguing. He was saying something about being a Cainite, being more than human, needing to protect that. And that's when Rose came up to him, explained her story, explained her urges, and hoped he understood. He did
He was the leader of a pack, a ductess they called him. They were The Defensive Line, fighting against anything that threatened the Sabbat. What was the Sabbat? Vampires who were proud. So we are vampires? Yes, didn't your sire tell you? What is a sire? The vampire who made you this way.
The pack taught her everything she needed to know. What to avoid, how to hide, and even what her lineage was--Lasombra. Everyone seemed confused that she was left to fend for herself and that she survived as well as she did, but they were happy to help. And she was happy to help them when they said they would help with the siege of Chicago.
Rose had never been in an urban area before but she fought well. Her newfound comrades, however, were cornered in the fight and all perished. Afraid of what was to become of her, once again Rose fled, finding the nearest wooded area and sleeping there. She got out to feed once in a while, hunting animals, keeping to herself. Was there more sabbat?
After a year she went out to hunt only to careless miss a human that had been looking around the area late at night. She didn't need him to know she was there, so she feed on him. It was much more satisfying sucking his life out of him than it was a bird or a coyote. But the woods didn't have enough people. She decided to find the Sabbat again, maybe find some other pack. Did they still need fighters? What if all of the Sabbat perished? What if she could've stopped that.
One old contact was still around, a Revenant named Zoey. And with her help Rose came back to find that the Sabbat was still around, but fighting petty fights amongst each other over hats and still quibbles. But maybe she can still help. There are some that need some guidance, some that need some teaching. Maybe she can help. It still seems to be better than being alone in the woods forever.
May 19, 2011
Ellen Peters: married to the Carthian Movement
I know some of you are aware of my LARP goodness. But something big happened in the Chicago Domain in general, and in turn something big happened to Ellen Peters, my former boston socialite turned prim and proper Mehket Carthian.
To be honest, Ellen Peters was somewhat of a laid back Carthian. She was more invested in the heroine trade she became a part of when she first found harbor in the South Shore. With that in mind, she invested most of her time into her business, building up her gang and expanding her territory. She gained some respect in the city, making strange allegiances and gaining the South Shore as her domain. She participated in Carthian affairs around Chicago, but usually stayed back. She was named Prefect by accident.
Throughout all of it, she looked up to one of the most prominent Carthian in the city, Marten Flagg. When Prince Grace Hartford was named, Marten was named first Harpy, then Seneschal. However, Ellen was most impressed by his vast influences in the mortal world, keeping himself informed about news that would affect vampires, and how vampires were influencing the world around. This helped keep these worlds separate. In many ways, even though Flagg did not rule Chicago, he owned Chicago. That was something he admitted to Ellen once as he tried to take her under his wing, teaching her about ways to invest in mortal projects.
He was the Carthian with the connections, and no one ever stopped to think how far behind the Carthians would be without him.
During the Midwest Prince meeting (the non-con Chikalb), Marten Flagg, along with Prince Hartford and Lady Cassey Twain, was murdered, receiving final death in a mysterious set of circumstances. Ellen did not receive the news until the next night, having been distracted in the South Shore with business (I was moving that weekend).
Almost instantly Ellen felt lost and adrift. She had never been close to anyone who had experienced final death. Politically not only had she lost a Prince that she knew to be egalitarian regardless of political beliefs, which is very important for a Carthian in an Invictus ruled city, she lost one of the strongest members of her convenant. Personally, she felt guilty that she had not been there to be observant during the Midwest Prince meeting. Maybe she could've seen something and prevented all of it. Particularly to save Marten, who she knew she wasn't particularly close with, but had always looked up to.
And then came the overwhelming guilt. She knew she had the power before to make the Carthian Movement stronger so that if something had happened, they wouldn't have lost the one vampire with the best resources. She should've seen that weakness, and as Prefect she had sat idly by while her heroine empire continued to grow. Never had Ellen thought she would've felt so mortal after turning, or so weak after leaving the Invictus in Boston.
On saturday was the memorial service. Ellen dressed appropriately but wasn't as particular about her look as she had previously been. She wore sunglasses to hide her eyes. She tried not to cry and through most of the service was able to hold back, especially when a kindred decided to set himself on fire in the middle of the service. She followed he instincts and ran to the Cradle where the ceremonies were. She thought about was Marten would've said about the whole dramatic event. She got teary.
She tried to keep a level head after a while, knowing that this was the perfect time for a Carthian meeting. She now had to rally the troops, build up what they lost. They had to make up for everything Marten had done for them. She went around to every Carthian she could find, which wasn't many during the meeting. Meanwhile keeping up banter, though she was more curt than usual.
Then Evengii called for her for the new Prince Donovan McQuin. She had not expected anything from the Prince. Maybe she's finally be officially recognized as Prefect. Maybe he would promise to let her keep the South Shore as her domain. Maybe he would take it away. Ellen thought she was prepared for anything.
Prince McQuin merely held out a ring with a single diamond on it and said "Marten Flagg."
Ellen gingerly took it, almost sobbed, and with more gratitude than her voice conveyed, spat out a shaken "Thank you," before rushing out of the Cradle to cry. It wasn't a long cry, it wasn't a loud cry. She never though she would cry again after she turned, and there she was, feeling grief and in mourning.
She couldn't replace Marten Flagg now. She let herself becoming a selfish black market dealer instead of a good Carthian.
After a moment, Ellen put the ring on her right hand and went back. After thinking about it, she felt more appropriate to put it on her left hand. She was still upset, but now was not the time to dwell. She had to get the covenant together, she wasn't sure of the speech she would make. But now was the time to sink in their connections, to move forward. Now was the time to regain anything and everything they had lost with Marten, and then some.
It was time to be a better Carthian.
To be honest, Ellen Peters was somewhat of a laid back Carthian. She was more invested in the heroine trade she became a part of when she first found harbor in the South Shore. With that in mind, she invested most of her time into her business, building up her gang and expanding her territory. She gained some respect in the city, making strange allegiances and gaining the South Shore as her domain. She participated in Carthian affairs around Chicago, but usually stayed back. She was named Prefect by accident.
Throughout all of it, she looked up to one of the most prominent Carthian in the city, Marten Flagg. When Prince Grace Hartford was named, Marten was named first Harpy, then Seneschal. However, Ellen was most impressed by his vast influences in the mortal world, keeping himself informed about news that would affect vampires, and how vampires were influencing the world around. This helped keep these worlds separate. In many ways, even though Flagg did not rule Chicago, he owned Chicago. That was something he admitted to Ellen once as he tried to take her under his wing, teaching her about ways to invest in mortal projects.
He was the Carthian with the connections, and no one ever stopped to think how far behind the Carthians would be without him.
During the Midwest Prince meeting (the non-con Chikalb), Marten Flagg, along with Prince Hartford and Lady Cassey Twain, was murdered, receiving final death in a mysterious set of circumstances. Ellen did not receive the news until the next night, having been distracted in the South Shore with business (I was moving that weekend).
Almost instantly Ellen felt lost and adrift. She had never been close to anyone who had experienced final death. Politically not only had she lost a Prince that she knew to be egalitarian regardless of political beliefs, which is very important for a Carthian in an Invictus ruled city, she lost one of the strongest members of her convenant. Personally, she felt guilty that she had not been there to be observant during the Midwest Prince meeting. Maybe she could've seen something and prevented all of it. Particularly to save Marten, who she knew she wasn't particularly close with, but had always looked up to.
And then came the overwhelming guilt. She knew she had the power before to make the Carthian Movement stronger so that if something had happened, they wouldn't have lost the one vampire with the best resources. She should've seen that weakness, and as Prefect she had sat idly by while her heroine empire continued to grow. Never had Ellen thought she would've felt so mortal after turning, or so weak after leaving the Invictus in Boston.
On saturday was the memorial service. Ellen dressed appropriately but wasn't as particular about her look as she had previously been. She wore sunglasses to hide her eyes. She tried not to cry and through most of the service was able to hold back, especially when a kindred decided to set himself on fire in the middle of the service. She followed he instincts and ran to the Cradle where the ceremonies were. She thought about was Marten would've said about the whole dramatic event. She got teary.
She tried to keep a level head after a while, knowing that this was the perfect time for a Carthian meeting. She now had to rally the troops, build up what they lost. They had to make up for everything Marten had done for them. She went around to every Carthian she could find, which wasn't many during the meeting. Meanwhile keeping up banter, though she was more curt than usual.
Then Evengii called for her for the new Prince Donovan McQuin. She had not expected anything from the Prince. Maybe she's finally be officially recognized as Prefect. Maybe he would promise to let her keep the South Shore as her domain. Maybe he would take it away. Ellen thought she was prepared for anything.
Prince McQuin merely held out a ring with a single diamond on it and said "Marten Flagg."
Ellen gingerly took it, almost sobbed, and with more gratitude than her voice conveyed, spat out a shaken "Thank you," before rushing out of the Cradle to cry. It wasn't a long cry, it wasn't a loud cry. She never though she would cry again after she turned, and there she was, feeling grief and in mourning.
She couldn't replace Marten Flagg now. She let herself becoming a selfish black market dealer instead of a good Carthian.
After a moment, Ellen put the ring on her right hand and went back. After thinking about it, she felt more appropriate to put it on her left hand. She was still upset, but now was not the time to dwell. She had to get the covenant together, she wasn't sure of the speech she would make. But now was the time to sink in their connections, to move forward. Now was the time to regain anything and everything they had lost with Marten, and then some.
It was time to be a better Carthian.
October 5, 2010
15 Games That Will Always Stick With Me
I got tagged for a facebook note that goes like this:
The rules: Don't take too long to think about it. 15 games you've played that will always stick with you. List the first 15 you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes. Tag fifteen friends, including me, because I'm interested in seeing what games my friends choose.
Problem is I hate tagging people for this stuff on facebook even if I like talking about it. Luckily the person who tagged me knows this blog, and I guess in a way I'm tagging you guys... don't feel obligated though.
So what's my list? Here it is (in no particular order) with explanations:
1. Mass Effect 2
This is one of my favorite video games of all time. I particularly love it because it is so well written! I know a lot of people were disappointed because it wasn't as monumental plot-wise as the first game, but you have to understand it's setting up the end of a trilogy. If you look at it that way, the set up is AWESOME. Good characters, and in general the good guy versus not-so-good guy choices made it totally replayable. In fact, I plan on replaying it soon, and this time, my Shepard is going to kick ass and take names later.
2. Dungeons and Dragons
I remember when I first was introduced to the game by a friend and her dad, I knew I had to run a game of it. And I did, but of course actual learning as a kid got in the way. But college brought me back to it and it was totally worth coming back to. I ran a game for three years with the success of an entertaining time had for all, and I'm doing it again. I will always have a soft spot for it, even if later incarnations prove to be not what I grew up with.
3. Hex Hex
Fantastic card game that involves you screwing over everyone else at the table. I have great memories playing this with a good number of my college friends late into the night while drinking. Adding awesome house rules made it even better. I bought it for myself and to have back home, and it's always deviously fun to play.
4. The Sims
I have an addiction to the Sims 3. I must want to be God. Is that a big issue?
5. Settlers of Catan
To be honest, I was never the best at this game but I love it anyway. It's a great strategy board game that involves monitoring your resources, so my economist sensibilities gravitate toward it. Another game I played a lot in college.
6. Unknown Armies
Again, discovered this in college and it's modern, urban, dystopia themes are fun to play. If you really want to get into the game, play someone who's obviously crazy to everyone else but himself. The focus on conspiracies and deep plots also making it great, giving a fantastic setting that's malleable enough for any good GM.
7. Dragon Age
I could say it's the good story (which is good) or the kind of gameplay where I get to micro-mange or the awesome friendship system. But I'll be honest with you: I still have a crush on Alistar. And I think I will for a while.
The Boyfriend also doesn't mind this, which works out great.
8. Tetris
My grandmother has, on a kid's standards, the most boring house. We used to visit a lot so my mom could help take care of the house, and my brother and I would bring our gameboys because there was nothing. else. to do. Tetris saved me from bordem. I played that thing for hours, causing my mom to be haunted by that music for the rest of her life. She doesn't mind too much.
9. Kirby's Adventure Land (real title?)
Another gameboy game that saved me from boredom, and introduced me to the awesomness that is Kirby. He's just a fantastic protagonist, super cute but he'll swallow your soul. Kinf of like chibi cthullu.
10. World of Darkness games
LARPing is one of the first activities I did as an adult on my own in Chicago. World of Darkness was a great way to start the hobby because I was able to do a character driven story where I can be as important or unimportant as I want. I like the new friends I've made and I like the worlds I've played in.
11. Monopoly
My family used to play this, all four of us, on the weekends. One thing you have to understand about my parents is that they didn't go easy on us. My dad had multiple monopolies, and would trick you into selling your properties to him so he could have an empire. I was 10 mostly when we played. Good family memories though, and I kind of appreciate that my parents didn't make it easy. Means I had to earn my winnings.
12. The Game that can Only End in Sorrow
In college, it was our version of Truth or Dare when we were doing a late night of drinking. Only it was only truths, you'd roll a die to see who'd get asked the next question, and then the rest of the group would think of a question to ask. Less damaging than Psychologist, and more laid back.
13. Left 4 Dead Series
My first real online game, as in I played the game with strangers online. Also, who doesn't like killing zombies?
14. Pathfinder
When I heard about Pathfinder, I knew I had to experience it. I was hoping D&D 4.0 was what Pathfinder is now. I like the system, because it cleaned up the things I thought needed to be cleaned up in 3.5 but kept the stuff I thought was worth having in.
15. The Boyfriend's Current Development Project
I can't say much about it, but the reason that I am so psyched about it is because 1) it looks like it's going to be great and an indie game for those of us that like RPGs with great stories and world and 2) it's the first video game I'll get to see in the production process.
The rules: Don't take too long to think about it. 15 games you've played that will always stick with you. List the first 15 you can recall in no more than fifteen minutes. Tag fifteen friends, including me, because I'm interested in seeing what games my friends choose.
Problem is I hate tagging people for this stuff on facebook even if I like talking about it. Luckily the person who tagged me knows this blog, and I guess in a way I'm tagging you guys... don't feel obligated though.
So what's my list? Here it is (in no particular order) with explanations:
1. Mass Effect 2
This is one of my favorite video games of all time. I particularly love it because it is so well written! I know a lot of people were disappointed because it wasn't as monumental plot-wise as the first game, but you have to understand it's setting up the end of a trilogy. If you look at it that way, the set up is AWESOME. Good characters, and in general the good guy versus not-so-good guy choices made it totally replayable. In fact, I plan on replaying it soon, and this time, my Shepard is going to kick ass and take names later.
2. Dungeons and Dragons
I remember when I first was introduced to the game by a friend and her dad, I knew I had to run a game of it. And I did, but of course actual learning as a kid got in the way. But college brought me back to it and it was totally worth coming back to. I ran a game for three years with the success of an entertaining time had for all, and I'm doing it again. I will always have a soft spot for it, even if later incarnations prove to be not what I grew up with.
3. Hex Hex
Fantastic card game that involves you screwing over everyone else at the table. I have great memories playing this with a good number of my college friends late into the night while drinking. Adding awesome house rules made it even better. I bought it for myself and to have back home, and it's always deviously fun to play.
4. The Sims
I have an addiction to the Sims 3. I must want to be God. Is that a big issue?
5. Settlers of Catan
To be honest, I was never the best at this game but I love it anyway. It's a great strategy board game that involves monitoring your resources, so my economist sensibilities gravitate toward it. Another game I played a lot in college.
6. Unknown Armies
Again, discovered this in college and it's modern, urban, dystopia themes are fun to play. If you really want to get into the game, play someone who's obviously crazy to everyone else but himself. The focus on conspiracies and deep plots also making it great, giving a fantastic setting that's malleable enough for any good GM.
7. Dragon Age
I could say it's the good story (which is good) or the kind of gameplay where I get to micro-mange or the awesome friendship system. But I'll be honest with you: I still have a crush on Alistar. And I think I will for a while.
The Boyfriend also doesn't mind this, which works out great.
8. Tetris
My grandmother has, on a kid's standards, the most boring house. We used to visit a lot so my mom could help take care of the house, and my brother and I would bring our gameboys because there was nothing. else. to do. Tetris saved me from bordem. I played that thing for hours, causing my mom to be haunted by that music for the rest of her life. She doesn't mind too much.
9. Kirby's Adventure Land (real title?)
Another gameboy game that saved me from boredom, and introduced me to the awesomness that is Kirby. He's just a fantastic protagonist, super cute but he'll swallow your soul. Kinf of like chibi cthullu.
10. World of Darkness games
LARPing is one of the first activities I did as an adult on my own in Chicago. World of Darkness was a great way to start the hobby because I was able to do a character driven story where I can be as important or unimportant as I want. I like the new friends I've made and I like the worlds I've played in.
11. Monopoly
My family used to play this, all four of us, on the weekends. One thing you have to understand about my parents is that they didn't go easy on us. My dad had multiple monopolies, and would trick you into selling your properties to him so he could have an empire. I was 10 mostly when we played. Good family memories though, and I kind of appreciate that my parents didn't make it easy. Means I had to earn my winnings.
12. The Game that can Only End in Sorrow
In college, it was our version of Truth or Dare when we were doing a late night of drinking. Only it was only truths, you'd roll a die to see who'd get asked the next question, and then the rest of the group would think of a question to ask. Less damaging than Psychologist, and more laid back.
13. Left 4 Dead Series
My first real online game, as in I played the game with strangers online. Also, who doesn't like killing zombies?
14. Pathfinder
When I heard about Pathfinder, I knew I had to experience it. I was hoping D&D 4.0 was what Pathfinder is now. I like the system, because it cleaned up the things I thought needed to be cleaned up in 3.5 but kept the stuff I thought was worth having in.
15. The Boyfriend's Current Development Project
I can't say much about it, but the reason that I am so psyched about it is because 1) it looks like it's going to be great and an indie game for those of us that like RPGs with great stories and world and 2) it's the first video game I'll get to see in the production process.
September 14, 2009
I totally LARP now.
This Saturday I did something I thought I would never do before... and I liked it.
I LARPed.
For those of you unaware, LARP stands for Live Action Role Play. For those of you that are aware, you may understand why when I first heard of this past time, I was skeptical. In high school my standard image of someone who LARPs, a LARPer, is someone who does live-action Dungeons and Dragons in the woods with boffer weapons and ren faire costumes. This not only gets costly, but awkward if you do it in a state park where hikers and campers see you pretending to be something you're not. But this isn't what turned me off. What turned me off from it back then was the stereotypical LARPer idea of someone trying really hard to escape their loserdom in real life by pretending to be an 18th level barbarian in the woods. Later on I heard about the stereotype of goth kids being vampires in the woods too, which in some ways was even creepier. Anyway, secondhand knowledge of what LARPing supposedly was turned me off from it. I never pursued it.
I went to college and there wasn't much LARPing going on over there either, even though some alums of my sci-fi/fantasy group used to. Anyway, meeting cool people like you do, I met a LARPer and she was (to my surprise at the time) a normal well adjusted young woman. I will say I found out she LARPed after we became friends and when she told me about it, I could see myself doing it. However, once again she LARPed in the middle of the woods in costume. I didn't and still don't have the money to get the kind of costume I'd love to wear at an event like that, even though I'm sure as a first timer I would be forgiven. Also, I'm not as interested in role-playing a person from the past, just not my thing. But at least I learned LARPing is not fully of weird people... at least people not too much weirder than I already am.
When I was told there would be an event by a new found friend of mine last Saturday of Mage, I jumped to the opportunity. Not the biggest fan of White Wolf's system, it's ability to help make a fantastic setting for present day fantasy games can not be ignored. I tried to play in Mage before but general college busy-ness got in the way. I already had a character concept in mind so I was excited to try it out.
I have to say it was really fun, although it's one of the things that's a little more fun reflecting on it afterwards. My character can be a bit of a prude and although she doesn't want to seem she's on a moral high ground, she really is, so that made some character interaction very interesting. If you're wondering, my character is a Texan assistant funeral director up who works and lives in the north side right now. She is a perky former cheerleader who is Christian and well read. She has a thick accent (grew up about 30 miles away from Corpus Christi) and came from a family where here dad was a dermatologist and her mom stayed at home and stayed active in the PTA. She has a younger brother, is in her mid twenties and isn't breaking out as a wild child like her mother was afraid she would.
Anyway, the game was fun and interesting, and there are definitely a lot of interesting characters out there other than my own. I am definitely sticking to the Mage game, definitely going to join the Changeling game, and I am on the fence about joining Vampire but we'll see what happens. I like pretending to be other people (hence some of my RPG love) and I love hanging around cool nerdy people, so I approve.
If you're interested to see what the White Wolf LARPing community is all about, check out the Camarilla fan page here. If you're in the U.S. you can even try the 6 months free trial to see if it's for you. I totally encourage it!
I LARPed.
For those of you unaware, LARP stands for Live Action Role Play. For those of you that are aware, you may understand why when I first heard of this past time, I was skeptical. In high school my standard image of someone who LARPs, a LARPer, is someone who does live-action Dungeons and Dragons in the woods with boffer weapons and ren faire costumes. This not only gets costly, but awkward if you do it in a state park where hikers and campers see you pretending to be something you're not. But this isn't what turned me off. What turned me off from it back then was the stereotypical LARPer idea of someone trying really hard to escape their loserdom in real life by pretending to be an 18th level barbarian in the woods. Later on I heard about the stereotype of goth kids being vampires in the woods too, which in some ways was even creepier. Anyway, secondhand knowledge of what LARPing supposedly was turned me off from it. I never pursued it.
I went to college and there wasn't much LARPing going on over there either, even though some alums of my sci-fi/fantasy group used to. Anyway, meeting cool people like you do, I met a LARPer and she was (to my surprise at the time) a normal well adjusted young woman. I will say I found out she LARPed after we became friends and when she told me about it, I could see myself doing it. However, once again she LARPed in the middle of the woods in costume. I didn't and still don't have the money to get the kind of costume I'd love to wear at an event like that, even though I'm sure as a first timer I would be forgiven. Also, I'm not as interested in role-playing a person from the past, just not my thing. But at least I learned LARPing is not fully of weird people... at least people not too much weirder than I already am.
When I was told there would be an event by a new found friend of mine last Saturday of Mage, I jumped to the opportunity. Not the biggest fan of White Wolf's system, it's ability to help make a fantastic setting for present day fantasy games can not be ignored. I tried to play in Mage before but general college busy-ness got in the way. I already had a character concept in mind so I was excited to try it out.
I have to say it was really fun, although it's one of the things that's a little more fun reflecting on it afterwards. My character can be a bit of a prude and although she doesn't want to seem she's on a moral high ground, she really is, so that made some character interaction very interesting. If you're wondering, my character is a Texan assistant funeral director up who works and lives in the north side right now. She is a perky former cheerleader who is Christian and well read. She has a thick accent (grew up about 30 miles away from Corpus Christi) and came from a family where here dad was a dermatologist and her mom stayed at home and stayed active in the PTA. She has a younger brother, is in her mid twenties and isn't breaking out as a wild child like her mother was afraid she would.
Anyway, the game was fun and interesting, and there are definitely a lot of interesting characters out there other than my own. I am definitely sticking to the Mage game, definitely going to join the Changeling game, and I am on the fence about joining Vampire but we'll see what happens. I like pretending to be other people (hence some of my RPG love) and I love hanging around cool nerdy people, so I approve.
If you're interested to see what the White Wolf LARPing community is all about, check out the Camarilla fan page here. If you're in the U.S. you can even try the 6 months free trial to see if it's for you. I totally encourage it!
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