- Joined
- Sep 22, 2007
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Hello, everybody. I'm sure that maybe, like, one or two of you all of you have noticed my recent inactivity. Alas, I've been very busy — and though some of this time has been spent on private writing projects, I really would like to get back into the swing of things here.
So here's the plan!
Soon enough, I'm going to post a roleplay under premise and rules described here. Said rules have since undergone some adjustments, but the core concept remains intact: The mad author Spurius — who writes with a thousand voices, in a thousand different languages — will soon be investigated by the Library of Story-Keepers. His/her works will be scrutinized diligently, even as they rewrite themselves before our very eyes.
We'll read about intrigue and murder, romance and rivalry, war and peace...
First, however, we must ask ourselves an important question:
Which book will begin the Library's investigation?
I have some choices laid out for consideration. If any part of the project interests you in the slightest, please vote! Please comment! If nothing but the frame story appeals to you, say what kind of RP would interest you.
Now, if you'll all excuse me, I need to play catch-up on my active RPs...
All of you who are waiting on posts, I can assure you that they're on the way.
So here's the plan!
Soon enough, I'm going to post a roleplay under premise and rules described here. Said rules have since undergone some adjustments, but the core concept remains intact: The mad author Spurius — who writes with a thousand voices, in a thousand different languages — will soon be investigated by the Library of Story-Keepers. His/her works will be scrutinized diligently, even as they rewrite themselves before our very eyes.
We'll read about intrigue and murder, romance and rivalry, war and peace...
First, however, we must ask ourselves an important question:
Which book will begin the Library's investigation?
I have some choices laid out for consideration. If any part of the project interests you in the slightest, please vote! Please comment! If nothing but the frame story appeals to you, say what kind of RP would interest you.
Spoiler ShowTHE LAST QUEEN
or
The Nightmare of the Ivory Manse
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Setting: The world of KHI Fables, long before the kingdom of Arnaud Dragonsbane. A pseudo-Medieval fantasy kingdom, ruled by a wise enchantress.
Status: Complete, ready to begin.
Premise: The Queen, wakened by news of an attack, left her chambers in the Ivory Manse to join the military council in Fort Londe. Through the gates, across the demesne between the manse and the fort, past the royal chapel and cemetery…
…she rode into their snare without a moment’s hesitation.
The council chamber was locked from without, sealed by magic, and she was left alone with them. The conspirators. The child she bore by her late husband; the hierophant who governs the holy Church; the merchant whose coin fills the royal bank; the Green Knight, a lauded champion of the realm; the chamberlain who advised Her Majesty for many years; and the spellcaster who treated with demons on their behalf—together these six conspirators moved against the Queen.
Aided by the powers of midnight, they performed an unholy rite upon Her Majesty’s person. Her soul was expelled from her body, and supplanted by a ghost of Hell—a demon who would prepare the way for the conspirators’ new order. O! what a terrible light came over her eyes, no longer her own to move or blink!
The six rejoiced in their success, but their celebration was suddenly cut short: Her Majesty’s guardian, the archangel of the royal family, arrived to the succor of her disembodied soul. Disrupting the conspirators’ ritual before its completion, the angel whisked Her Majesty’s soul out of their foul clutches—and out of the fort! Outside, all of the royal demesne—from Fort Londe to the Ivory Manse—was overrun with demons and wicked men; flight was the Queen’s last remaining avenue.
The royal army has been commandeered, and purged of dissenters…
The knightly orders are scattered, unaware of the calamity that has befallen the Queen…
…or else they are themselves allied with the conspirators.
The clergy, slowly but surely, are taking pacts with demons—preparing to preach the new order…
The aristocracy is blissfully unaware of the conversion taking place at its core…
The demon-queen holds court in Her Majesty’s name…
…and the true queen, now but a soul, has only the archangel to serve her in exile.
Her archangel, and the vengeful spirits of the slain. Until their dubious return, the kingdom shall remain in endless night, beset by the forces of Hell.
Godspeed, Majesty.
Spoiler ShowUNDERTOWN RISING
or
The Great Riots of 207
Genre: Mystery/Horror
Setting: The "Dickensian dystopia" of New Limerick, a walled-off city that lives in fear of the surrounding wasteland. Unbeknownst to most of its citizens, another city — a slum city of impossible size — lies beneath their feet.
Status: Complete, must be adapted for Spurius format
Premise:
THE WEST WIND- FINAL METRO EDITION -
November 18, 206 F.
'UNDERTOWN' PHENOMENON GIVES NO YIELD[/CENTER]
For more than a year past, the name “UNDER-TOWN” has appeared sensationalist literature throughout New Limerick. The appeal seems to be the product of rumor and superstition, altogether lowly in character, but evidently valuable to a wider audience than the buyers of ha'penny literature.
William Thornton's controversial novel, “The Wild Ones”, is seen not only in the hands of working men, but tucked carefully in the handbags of society ladies. They gather in reading circles to discuss the latest serial chapter, following the adventures of protagonist Robert Tracy through the catacombs of Under-town. Despite the novel's conclusion having yet to be published, a theatre adaptation of “The Wild Ones” is already being drafted by playwright Fitzgerald Urse, to the great anticipation of Thornton's followers.
Such an emphatic cry from the public leaves one begging the question—what is this “Under-town”? The sensation, despite its widespread popularity, has already developed a negative connotation: Vandals paint “Under-Town Rises” on the sides of factory dormitories, accompanied by the symbol of a triply-slashed “U”, reprinted below. The insignia is smattered across the city, from public squares to private alehouses.
This all is accompanied by a sudden leap in city crime: In the past six months, the number of reported thefts, assaults, and murders has ascended to a record height.
The New Limerick Police Dept. has yet to release any commentary on this phenomenon; evidence of any true correlation has yet to be produced. It is, however, undeniable that the city's culture is currently undergoing a dramatic shift...
"Murder! By G—, he's been murdered!"
Spoiler ShowJIM BARNHAM'S LAST WILL
or
The Fantastic Journey of the Barnham Clan
Genre: Adventure/Historical
Setting: 1930 — starting in America, and spanning every continent known (and unknown) to man!
Status: Conceptual stage, major points outlined
Premise: What an ugly mess. What a damned, dirty, ugly mess!
Where to begin...
I'm sure you've heard of my father, yes? Jim Barnham — millionaire, businessman, self-titled explorer? Of course you have. Though it was never made public, he retired some ten years ago, and left me to run the company in his name. Yes, you heard correctly; he left long ago. For ten years, I do all his work, and he gets the credit.
Do you want to know what he was actually doing? Of course you do.
The old man hired himself a dog sled team, one of those Eskimo types, and traveled the frozen north.
For the first two years, that is. Then he went to Russia, then India, then some spit of an island off of West Africa. We kept in touch through mail and telegraph. It was hardly a ... two-way correspondence, if you understand me, but we communicated well enough to keep this company afloat.
And then we received word that he was dead.
It pisses me off, it really does — but what's more, we finally get a peek at his will. A five-man legal team presents this thing with all the pomp and circumstance in the world, and assures us that they have the power to back it up. What a bunch of clowns...
Here! See for yourself:
The Last Will & Testament of James Tiberius Barnham said:I, James T. Barnham, being of sound mind and healthy constitution, here bequeath my estate and express my final wishes.
My estate — including the house, its grounds and contents, the collections of my travels, the South Sea Institute, and Barnham Enterprises and its subsidiaries — shall be given in full, undivided, to one of my family who can fulfill the following conditions:
(1) To visit one of the locations specified on the enclosed map, (2) To retrieve from said location the "Right Eye of Manu," a diamond matching the "Left Eye" in my collection, (3) To deliver both diamonds to the Mūrkhatā Temple in Kāñci-pura, India, where my final instructions await.
No other conditions will be accepted for the title to my estate. As of the writing of this will, I do not know which location houses the Right Eye; that is for you to determine. If the statute of limitations for this quest — fifteen (15) years — has lapsed before anyone has completed it, all of my possessions will be donated to the respective cities in which they lie; Barnham Enterprises will be divided and sold.
Any branch of the Barnham family, near or distant, will be rewarded for a successful attempt.
Proof of familial relation will pass through my attorneys, Alston & Grimes (and associates).
I have ever considered myself an adventurer. All my titles and accolades — businessman, humanitarian, millionaire, father, brother — stand behind the thrill of seizing the world's treasures with my own hands. We, the inheritors of this glorious twentieth century, have a duty to unearth the past for the benefit of the present. I will entrust my estate only to one who will fulfill that mission.
I have the fullest faith that one among you — my grasping, dull-witted relatives — can accomplish it with gusto.
What a way to say goodbye, eh?
I mean, our family is no bunch of slouches — whatever he says! We've got doctors, lawyers, writers, star athletes, world record holders; you know, the cream of the crop! If anybody's up to the task, I'd say that we have a pretty firm grasp of it.
But even so, what a task...
How'll I explain this to the wife?
Bah, it can't be helped now. If I have to rob all the tombs from India to Timbuktu, so be it!
Now, if you'll all excuse me, I need to play catch-up on my active RPs...
All of you who are waiting on posts, I can assure you that they're on the way.
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