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kumir_k9...but I thought I'd share the major highlight that ran the entire course of my Madrigal weekend, from Friday night through Sunday morning, brought to you by the evil genius team of Tim Barry, Bob Hess, Beth Fallon and JJ McGill. I have shared most of these pieces with many players IG, so if you're afraid of meta-gaming any of this knowledge, you may assume I talked to you about it IG.
While the timeline of reporting may seem a bit strange, the chronology is important, so if it seems I'm jumping around, there's a reason.
create_universe, there's a lot of romantic crap here. You might want to skip it. ;-)
This one little plotline just made my whole weekend. The fact that four evil geniuses worked so hard to make my weekend just floors me. I'm told they had a very specific timeline of what had to go out when to get maximum emotional impact. They succeeded well. I can't wait to see where this goes.
This obviously will get huge accolades in my PEL, which is still forthcoming. Sorry all, I haven't had time to write it yet.
While the timeline of reporting may seem a bit strange, the chronology is important, so if it seems I'm jumping around, there's a reason.
create_universe, there's a lot of romantic crap here. You might want to skip it. ;-)
First, some history (in brief):
All of his young life, Zephyr was claustrophobic. He hated living in the Roots, completely surrounded all the time. It was a real social stigma for him. He was an orphan, raised by a very old Eurvein troubadour who died when Zephyr was 16, leaving him alone in the world.
About 25 years ago, Zephyr had a love affair with a woman named Tandra Vistaria. Zephyr was a wandering musician and they would get together whenever his travels took him through her part of the root. In the years they were seeing each other, she refused to tell Zephyr much about her family and background. He was in love. He didn't really care. They talked of leaving the roots some day and seeing the surface world together.
On his final night in the Root, when Tandra was supposed to meet Zephyr, a rather distinguished, older Eurvein, obviously of some importance, approached Zephyr after his performance and told Zephyr who he was and why he was there. He was Tandra's father, one of the leaders of the Root. Tandra had been sneaking away for these rendezvous with Zephyr but had managed to raise suspicions and was followed. She was part of an arranged marriage and her relationship with Zephyr was going to have to come to an end. To ensure that, her father was having Zephyr sent out of the root with strict orders never to return, on penalty of death.
Her father had Zephyr sent to an Eurvein outpost in the Gryphon Peaks where he spent much of his time during the next 25 years when he wasn't traveling the lands entertaining. During this time, he never got over his love and often wondered what became of her. He was living their dream, only without her. (Tragic, isn't it? Makes you wonder how he can be so happy-go-lucky.)
Zephyr's primary goal in going to Shadowfane was to work with the Heroes of Shadowfane (TM) because he'd heard they'd returned and were already having some luck in fighting Wickford. Zephyr figured he could join them and in so doing, perhaps have a chance to find out what happened to Tandra. Ok, enough history. On to relevant IG setup info.
All of his young life, Zephyr was claustrophobic. He hated living in the Roots, completely surrounded all the time. It was a real social stigma for him. He was an orphan, raised by a very old Eurvein troubadour who died when Zephyr was 16, leaving him alone in the world.
About 25 years ago, Zephyr had a love affair with a woman named Tandra Vistaria. Zephyr was a wandering musician and they would get together whenever his travels took him through her part of the root. In the years they were seeing each other, she refused to tell Zephyr much about her family and background. He was in love. He didn't really care. They talked of leaving the roots some day and seeing the surface world together.
On his final night in the Root, when Tandra was supposed to meet Zephyr, a rather distinguished, older Eurvein, obviously of some importance, approached Zephyr after his performance and told Zephyr who he was and why he was there. He was Tandra's father, one of the leaders of the Root. Tandra had been sneaking away for these rendezvous with Zephyr but had managed to raise suspicions and was followed. She was part of an arranged marriage and her relationship with Zephyr was going to have to come to an end. To ensure that, her father was having Zephyr sent out of the root with strict orders never to return, on penalty of death.
Her father had Zephyr sent to an Eurvein outpost in the Gryphon Peaks where he spent much of his time during the next 25 years when he wasn't traveling the lands entertaining. During this time, he never got over his love and often wondered what became of her. He was living their dream, only without her. (Tragic, isn't it? Makes you wonder how he can be so happy-go-lucky.)
Zephyr's primary goal in going to Shadowfane was to work with the Heroes of Shadowfane (TM) because he'd heard they'd returned and were already having some luck in fighting Wickford. Zephyr figured he could join them and in so doing, perhaps have a chance to find out what happened to Tandra. Ok, enough history. On to relevant IG setup info.
Earlier this year, Zephyr met an Eurvein named Lenelle who has lived most of her life on the surface world. She has been helping Eurvein refugees who have escaped from Wickford to find placement on the surface. Last event, I asked her if she could attempt to find word of two people among the refugees, Tandra's father and Tandra. I specifically asked about the father because I didn't know if Tandra would still have the last name, so I explained to Lenelle their relationship and put the two names on a slip of paper for her to investigate.
Last event, Zephyr received a note from Lady Alexandria D'Tira inviting him to accept her as his patron of the arts, offering financial backing so he might be able to devote time to writing music. Cutting to the relevant part
...I am dazzled by your flute-work and remember fondly the wild woods and glorious displays of nature found in the lands around Shadowfane; my own feeble attempts to describe the beauty I saw for my firends here to the south have utterly failed. If you were so inspired to create a work which might better capture the natural beauty of Shadowfane, or even that of your beloved Root before it was so desecrated by the Liche King, i would be terribly appreciative...
...I am dazzled by your flute-work and remember fondly the wild woods and glorious displays of nature found in the lands around Shadowfane; my own feeble attempts to describe the beauty I saw for my firends here to the south have utterly failed. If you were so inspired to create a work which might better capture the natural beauty of Shadowfane, or even that of your beloved Root before it was so desecrated by the Liche King, i would be terribly appreciative...
I sent her back a response via courier (between events) accepting her generous offer and again, cutting to the relevant part of Zephyr's reply:
...I can't speak to the beauty of the Roots, as the only beauty I ever found there was that of a woman. If you truly wish me to bore you with that story, I will, but I feel it more appropriate at this time to discuss your other topic, the beauty of Shadowfane...
...I can't speak to the beauty of the Roots, as the only beauty I ever found there was that of a woman. If you truly wish me to bore you with that story, I will, but I feel it more appropriate at this time to discuss your other topic, the beauty of Shadowfane...
Cut to Friday night of this past weekend. Lenelle came to me and explained that she was able to find information. Tandra's father had died of old age 10 years ago. Her husband had died fighting Wickford three years ago. Tandra, who went by her husband's last name, Leron, had been lost and no one was sure what had happened to her. So, she may still be alive and she's no longer married and her father is gone. All is right with the world all of a sudden, right?
A large group of us, including most of the Eurvein, travel down into the Root to fight Wickford's minions. We fight a nasty battle. There's angst and woe for one of the other Eurvein down there over a personal matter and we get out with a letter that was taken from one of the undead we fought. This letter was read aloud to us by the person who got it. It essentially said:
...My lord Wickford, we have cleared the Eastern tunnel... We have deciphered the runes protecting it... We have figured out how to remove them... We've found where there were families and where they were mining gems...
In essence, it was from a traitorous Eurvein that was serving Wickford against the Eurvein people. It was signed, Your servant Tandra Leron
I recognized the name from Lenelle's briefing. The woman I love is betraying us to Wickford. I guess I had a pretty bad visible reaction. Upon being asked if I knew her, I answered, "She's the woman I almost married". Hours of angst and woe and cool roleplaying with fellow PCs as I try to resolve my emotions on the subject. I finally dig myself out of the emotional hole and I'm sort of back to my normal cheery self when Saturday morning comes along.
I get a note from Lady D'Tira about her patronage along with a stipend.
My dearest, most talented Zephyr, ...I am honored and humbled that I could provide you inspiration;... Of course I shall be present for the premiere performance!... I must admit, however, that I am wholly intrigued by your mention that the only beauty that you ever found in the Roots was that of a woman. Such a woman she must be! And what a terribly romantic and pleasant notion, made all the more woesome by the cruel fate that the Root now suffers! Pray, do not seek to simply tell me the story, but instead choose to sing it for me once you have completed your first work - I can think of no finer topic upon which to base a ballad, and my second commission!
Killing me. Plot stuck the knife back in and twisted it along with a slice of lemon and some salt. This seemingly innocent follow up on the patronage letters was so evil. In retrospect, I'm really impressed, but at the time, it was all I could do to hold back the tears.
So this provided ample roleplay opportunity (TM) for quite a while longer and I managed to get over this latest emotional blow. I even decided that I would try to find the best possible outcome from all this angst. So I bought a pair of earrings from my fellow Eurvein jeweler, thinking that maybe everything would work out and I could give them to Tandra at some point if/when I found her to show her that I still love her, even if I have to kill her for the horrible things she's done. I'm trying hard to be an optimist because that's what Zephyr is.
Sunday morning, Lenelle comes to me at breakfast. She tells me that an Eurvein who had been enslaved to do work for Wickford has escaped and found her way to the refugee shelter. This Eurvein slave told her about the Eurvein who working for Wickford and how she has been asking for more slave labor than she needs and letting some of them get away. She covers it with cave-ins and other such accidents. She had given a note to this particular Eurvein slave and helped her get out, telling her to see that the note found its way to Zephyr. Lenelle then gave me this note:
To Zephyr
I do not know into whose hands this might fall, so I cannot speak as plainly as I would wish.
I saw you two nights ago as you traveled into a place most have abandoned. I was with the one who controls that place now and he saw you as well.
I know you must think the worst of me, but all is not as it seems, and what I do, I do to protect my people. More lives than just mine rest on me being where I am now.
It was a shock to see you again, and I recognized you in an instant, although your appearance has changed. I have never forgotten you, not in all the years we've been separated. I would pray that you have not completely forgotten me, for I still love you.
So I give you the only gift I am capable of now, and that a poor warning that you were observed. I'm sorry it is so little.
-with love
T
Oh, the pain. I went and got the original letter and compared the handwriting just to be sure it was from the same person as the Friday night note. It was. More fun angst and woe roleplay with all the people who had previously given me advice.
A large group of us, including most of the Eurvein, travel down into the Root to fight Wickford's minions. We fight a nasty battle. There's angst and woe for one of the other Eurvein down there over a personal matter and we get out with a letter that was taken from one of the undead we fought. This letter was read aloud to us by the person who got it. It essentially said:
...My lord Wickford, we have cleared the Eastern tunnel... We have deciphered the runes protecting it... We have figured out how to remove them... We've found where there were families and where they were mining gems...
In essence, it was from a traitorous Eurvein that was serving Wickford against the Eurvein people. It was signed, Your servant Tandra Leron
I recognized the name from Lenelle's briefing. The woman I love is betraying us to Wickford. I guess I had a pretty bad visible reaction. Upon being asked if I knew her, I answered, "She's the woman I almost married". Hours of angst and woe and cool roleplaying with fellow PCs as I try to resolve my emotions on the subject. I finally dig myself out of the emotional hole and I'm sort of back to my normal cheery self when Saturday morning comes along.
I get a note from Lady D'Tira about her patronage along with a stipend.
My dearest, most talented Zephyr, ...I am honored and humbled that I could provide you inspiration;... Of course I shall be present for the premiere performance!... I must admit, however, that I am wholly intrigued by your mention that the only beauty that you ever found in the Roots was that of a woman. Such a woman she must be! And what a terribly romantic and pleasant notion, made all the more woesome by the cruel fate that the Root now suffers! Pray, do not seek to simply tell me the story, but instead choose to sing it for me once you have completed your first work - I can think of no finer topic upon which to base a ballad, and my second commission!
Killing me. Plot stuck the knife back in and twisted it along with a slice of lemon and some salt. This seemingly innocent follow up on the patronage letters was so evil. In retrospect, I'm really impressed, but at the time, it was all I could do to hold back the tears.
So this provided ample roleplay opportunity (TM) for quite a while longer and I managed to get over this latest emotional blow. I even decided that I would try to find the best possible outcome from all this angst. So I bought a pair of earrings from my fellow Eurvein jeweler, thinking that maybe everything would work out and I could give them to Tandra at some point if/when I found her to show her that I still love her, even if I have to kill her for the horrible things she's done. I'm trying hard to be an optimist because that's what Zephyr is.
Sunday morning, Lenelle comes to me at breakfast. She tells me that an Eurvein who had been enslaved to do work for Wickford has escaped and found her way to the refugee shelter. This Eurvein slave told her about the Eurvein who working for Wickford and how she has been asking for more slave labor than she needs and letting some of them get away. She covers it with cave-ins and other such accidents. She had given a note to this particular Eurvein slave and helped her get out, telling her to see that the note found its way to Zephyr. Lenelle then gave me this note:
To Zephyr
I do not know into whose hands this might fall, so I cannot speak as plainly as I would wish.
I saw you two nights ago as you traveled into a place most have abandoned. I was with the one who controls that place now and he saw you as well.
I know you must think the worst of me, but all is not as it seems, and what I do, I do to protect my people. More lives than just mine rest on me being where I am now.
It was a shock to see you again, and I recognized you in an instant, although your appearance has changed. I have never forgotten you, not in all the years we've been separated. I would pray that you have not completely forgotten me, for I still love you.
So I give you the only gift I am capable of now, and that a poor warning that you were observed. I'm sorry it is so little.
-with love
T
Oh, the pain. I went and got the original letter and compared the handwriting just to be sure it was from the same person as the Friday night note. It was. More fun angst and woe roleplay with all the people who had previously given me advice.
This one little plotline just made my whole weekend. The fact that four evil geniuses worked so hard to make my weekend just floors me. I'm told they had a very specific timeline of what had to go out when to get maximum emotional impact. They succeeded well. I can't wait to see where this goes.
This obviously will get huge accolades in my PEL, which is still forthcoming. Sorry all, I haven't had time to write it yet.
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no subject
Date: 2007-10-31 05:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-31 09:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-31 01:58 pm (UTC)Silway
no subject
Date: 2007-10-31 02:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-31 03:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-31 03:55 pm (UTC)Last night I was in bed when I thought I woke up. I got up out of bed (the cat mrow'd at my inquistively), feeling not right, like someone was in the house, left my bedroom (which is next to the spare bedroom and near the bathroom), checked the front door which was still locked.
Then I walked back to my room and looked at the door to the second bedroom which was strangely open.
"That's not right, who opened this?"
Suddenly you were there dressed as zombie Zephyr (I could tell by the hat and the blood coming from the sides of your mouth).
"I did Kim"
I screamed and woke up with a start. in my bed. feeling like something wasn't right. the cat mrow'd at my inquistively.
No idea why zombie Zephyr was in my dreams, but when I did actually wake up it felt exactly like the first time.
no subject
Date: 2007-10-31 04:54 pm (UTC)I hope that isn't some form of quasi-IG foreshadowing and that you haven't just given plot some horrible ideas, because that is just the sort of thing Wickford would do. I don't want Zephyr to be a zombie.
no subject
Date: 2007-10-31 05:00 pm (UTC)Non-pulsed?
Date: 2007-10-31 06:06 pm (UTC)Re: Non-pulsed?
Date: 2007-11-01 01:28 am (UTC)Let me say this..... :)
Date: 2007-11-01 01:31 am (UTC)And I swear there was more I was gonna say, but I am a Wolf of Little Brain!
Re: Let me say this..... :)
Date: 2007-11-01 11:47 am (UTC)Why? What have I done that any good player of the game shouldn't also be doing?
Re: Let me say this..... :)
Date: 2007-11-01 03:10 pm (UTC)ha! One of many reasons why you are adored. (Thanks for posting that publicly, there will totally be a bonus in your next check!!)
hee hee hee.
Re: Let me say this..... :)
Date: 2007-11-01 07:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-01 02:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-01 11:25 am (UTC)