ApocalypticaGM

Your Political Ideology

Most of my ideals focus on social wellness, a government that clearly serves us, and individual equality. Party lines do not bother me so much, but attitude and voting histories do. I have unfortunately never found a candidate I wholly supported because of the latter, especially. The notion of a candidate who can speak well and says exactly what they mean is generally attracting, but I know that how one speaks and what they've pledged support to first tells the story of their intentions and second where pressure may bend them. In my voting life I can honestly say that so far I haven't voted for many right wing politicians of any position -- loads of otherwise though.

My political beliefs mirror my hopes for my daughter. I want this to be a country she can be proud of, that she can support and that will support her in her ambitions. I care deeply about anything to do with rights, question laws that clearly impact the poor and people of colour negatively, and would fight to increase our support of education. In the latter I would hope we would better educate our youth about politics and the impacts they may or may not see on their own lives. I don't believe our government does not respond to us simply because of corruption, though that's a significant concern, but also because so few are politically active. Protesting comes with a strange, dismissive stigma and unfortunately politics may not feel important to young voters.

Basically, I'll support whatever group that will better educate the masses, underscore human rights, and challenge the devaluing of minorities and the poor. You know, I want a government I can be proud of.

Suicide, Tragic or Selfish?

I think it's interesting that we categorize death. Yeah, I often bring that ethereal liberalism perspective, but genuinely, don't you find it to be an intriguing thought? If someone drinks regularly, we look down on it, but do we see it as a slow suicide? Drinking and smoking do receive negative attention, but not as bad as suicide. Is there a great difference though -- perhaps killing yourself over a decade or more is more acceptable than in one motion. As if watching someone die over a long while is more comforting than dealing with the sudden shock.

Really though, we introduce chemicals into our bodies, our air, and our water that we know will give us cancer. How is our slow suicide, a thing which we can reject, pay money and vote against, more selfless than taking one's self?

This conversation has been had in the Guild and recently. A lot of us shared very personal stories and some of who often argue came together over our shared sufferings. What a lot of us found was that this isn't a simple answer, nor I guess is it really complex. We make a large thing about the abstract notion of suicide and yet the actual thing is an experience entirely different. Some of us have had friends and loved ones take themselves out of this life. But the fact is that while we may suffer, clearly the ones we lost suffered greatly first. So great in fact that they felt death their salvation. They chose. I often declare that choice is the one thing that scares me to lose. I defend that, choice, and I keep a respect for those who choose in good conscience. Suicide is a choice and I can't say I feel right labelling it a right or wrong, tragic or selfish thing. It's a decision I simply hope those who're attracted to it do so with careful consideration.

More importantly I think we should listen to people. We're so often caught up in our personal dramas and resentments and passions that we ignore the loving and writhing people all around us. We ignore them and condemn them for needing our attention. Everyone wants to be accepted, just validated if only by one. I think it's more important to listen and consider others than it is to cast judgements about abstract notions. People are absolute. They're here, in health and in pain.

Night Kiss

My post is up and, as usual, I don't expect any great rush from either of you. Just be sure to keep in contact here if those computer troubles become all too taxing. I'm sure we can something out to help you manage.

I also just wanted to note that, despite our size, I find this an especially easy group to write with. I am genuinely glad you all applied and stuck this through.

Night Kiss

The phantom's song echoed throughout the night city. Knowing his partner meant for the sound and aware of her abilities did not help Simeon. His partner said dash, but the otherworldly shriek drowned her out with one instinctual message, run. Suddenly the chilling numbness spreading from the rubies in his hands fell from thought. There was only now and the shriek and the shadows twitching in fear.

Simeon smiled as four failed shots fired far off target. No troop carried too many rifles and experience suggested maybe two left primed. He palmed Samantha's left shoulder enough that they veered in their run together. Another volley, this time two shots and an arrow flew close by killing an unsuspecting barrel. The two ran through the cloud of wood dust and ale before again drifting aside. By his count Simeon expected the more seasoned nearly finished loading the next volley. Despite the thinning cloud and the dark he could see lights pacing the outline of the Sogna just forty yards ahead.

At thirty yards the ground shifted from packed dirt to weathered stone. Barrels, crates, nets, and unattended wooden stands littered the terrain making a challenge of just running to safety. Heart pounding high in his throat, Simeon struggled to maintain long, deep breaths. Samantha appeared out of breath too, but youth favoured his companion. With the report of a single rifle a nearby stand lost a support, its awning collapsing immediately. Several small, dark balls descended from the stand and rolled out ahead of the two. Simeon jumped over a small grouping of them alongside Samantha. Before the two landed barrels behind and beside them burst, vomiting plumes of dust and spilling their innards. Fifteen yards and every shot seemed closer to their mark. The hull of Sogna glistened in faint light of Arberth. What were floating lights at
forty yards transformed into gathered torches standing ready at the rails. Hope and power just a moment's sprint away.

Not ten paces after the thought, Simeon's shoulder jerked forward and he stumbled. Before Samantha could register the cause, he exclaimed gruffly, "To cover!"

In one fluid motion the Wisp hopped over a curving section of the stone rail that fed into the wooden portion of the dock. Quite unlike her, Simeon met the section head on, merely rolling over shoulder and landing hard beside her. Simeon sat further ahead of the wall than her and took a deep breath. It was dark, but as he looked to meet her gaze he saw only an arched brow as if to say 'and this is him?' Pursing his lips, Simeon opened his fists and dropped the rubies in front of Samantha. He felt the burns in his hands where they'd touched, but paid them no mind as he reached for his shoulder. With a skill not unlike the Wisp's dive, Simeon gripped arrow protruding through his shoulder and snapped it in half. Wincing, he slouched forward with a hand tucked at his side as if exploring within his cloak.

"A thirty count until they're on us, is that fair?" Simeon asked, straightening himself once more and drawing out from his cloak. The pistol curved out from his hand with a circular gears on both sides and black veins running along its entire length. He could see the recognition in Samantha's eyes and wondered just how deeply she'd looked into Master Nazeek. "One of the Master's twin wheel-locks, indeed, and I'd be happy to tell you all about them -- later. I need you to form something to glow. Something that I can shoot and will flash above us. If you honestly can't manage that I suggest you take arms."

Night Kiss

Don't be! I'll get a post up sometime tonight or tomorrow evening.

Oh, and a reminder, can everyone send me your emails so I can grant you access to the Google Doc? When people get separated out into mini groups in the future it will be a great tool to just work on a post there and allow your partner to add bits or modify them -- basically team writing. Sounds strange at first, but trust me, it opens a lot of fantastic possibilities.

[Request] Facebook Cover graphic

I'd throw out there that he can probably commission an artist to do a book cover and use that as a graphic for the Facebook Cover. If he's not rolling in the money, however, he could still do this, but target student artists or those trying to build their portfolios. That would allow him to get a book cover for reasonably little expense, while still getting a quality image -- plus he'd help another artist just trying to make it!

That said, if that's a path he's thinking of going I would be willing to talk with him. I'd be happy to produce a little work and hear about his ideas to create a cover, plus a bit of imagery to use as he sees fit.

Apocalyptica

Slap'em ahead into the Google Docs if you like. Everyone's very kind and, honestly, it's a bit easier to point out anything out if necessary. Um, also maybe post a little something in here to give us the heads up it's there, you know, just in case ;).

Apocalyptica

Proser said
I'd guess anyone who can reliably get fuel for them would be able to use generators for electrical stuff, too. Cool, I was just trying to get a good idea of what people are working with since it's not like all of humanity's been knocked back to the Paleolithic by the looks of things.

The havens we've visited have largely been fortunate and had time to establish themselves. It's sort of the blessing of a haven, these luxuries, and the potential to create wind-farms or gather solar energy using naturally heating water and the like. These places also have governance that may restrict or commodify such resources too, though. You start getting into the curses of havens in this area and, of course, there's more too that may make the living situation less enticing.

Out of havens, power is probably way less likely in force. Groups like the 1007th and Legion probably have solutions for this, likely using alternates like oil collected from animals or otherwise. A big thing to consider is that this is a world where all the past discoveries were at peoples' fingertips just 5 years ago. You might not remember the exact recipe for something you got off google, but you probably remember enough to give you a quick head start. Plus, you know it exists, unlike the original creators who were likely dabbling and hoping.

Gender Roles in Fantasy/Historic Roleplay, where to draw the line

Is this like, where is the line between perpetuating a horrible thing that drags us down still today in Roleplay, or using such to create learning lessons while also mirroring the beast? Ah, also a bit of how much can history bend despite its more overt failings -- good question, all of it.

In my roleplays I intentionally target social norms that reproduce inequality. I use authors like Brent Weeks, brave enough to not only make women more magically inclined, but to place greater ability and value onto people of colour, as reference in my own creations. In my fantasies, women are often matriarchs or have strong representation on shared governance systems. Additionally, these women often are 30-70, powerful, across the board in relation to physical appearance, and, frankly, I use heroic women as inspiration for their attitudes and actions. I also include patriarchal powers, because equality does not mean dominance, but I recognize that men are already viewed as powerful creatures (they really don't need a title to be considered able to change the world).

Historically speaking, I would play with inequality to make a point. I'm doing this in a novel I'm working on and, honestly, it exposes this new perspective to a times we all think we know. By posing a question in a historical roleplay, such as a changing the gender power dynamics in medieval times for example, is a way to explore those worlds too, not necessarily changing history in some sweeping motion.

Hm... I'm feeling super unclear this morning. I'll probably check this out again after work to make sure that all made sense.

Night Kiss

Has anyone heard from WindWind? Doesn't look like they've posted anywhere on the forum for nearly a week.