The chatbox has been hidden for this page. It will reopen upon refresh. To hide the CBox permanently, select "Permanently Toggle Cbox" in your profile User Settings.
This chatbox is hidden. To reopen, edit your User Settings.
'Guys....stop giving me feelings... No good feels. AM DEMON.' - Cissi
I should start calling this the fortnightly broadcast - I'm so sorry I've been so utterly crap in getting this out you guys! <3 <3 <3 I promise to be better.
Right on to business! Things have been quiet on the server and the site a little this week which is totally understandable. I think that everyone is struggling with the lockdown/quarantine or whatever they have in their countries. Adrenaline and the need to get things done fuelled us for a while and now things aren't changing soon enough and we're all running on empty. I totally get that this is the case for a lot of people we have on the server <3 This message goes out to those people to tell them that it's okay and that we understand. At the same time, however, I want those people to understand that we also have a lot of members on the server who are doing the opposite. Because they have the time or because they need the break from their home life, they are becoming more active and wanting to post more. Which they can't do because the other half of the community are slowing down. Whilst I completely understand both sides of this and want to support both sides, I need people to recognise that these are uncommon circumstances. The staff team are doing their best putting together new OOC events and games and I've launched AU Events and kept IC Events to a fair minimum - boosting kingdoms only the once last broadcast with new events. I'm trying to make sure that stories don't go stale and everyone gets bored, but also that we don't leave people behind. If people hadn't noticed, I also didn't run the activity check at the end of last month (though I may have to do so for the end of this one) in order to give people a break from those stressors and in understanding of the activity difficulties some people are facing.
What I need to ask from the community is for as much positivity as possible. I know it's annoying to have to wait on people. I know that it's worrying to have things happen without you and stress that you won't catch up. But on both sides, I ask that everyone keep a positive mindset as much as they can. If you can't rp the threads you want, try reaching out to the active members on the site and start up a past thread or a backstory thread. Try some more AU ideas in our Alternate Reality board, crack rp on Discord. Find ways that you *can* write, rather than focusing on the things you *can't* do and the members who aren't here.
For those who are worried about what they might be missing or stressing that they are falling behind, please don't <3 Our community is a generous one. We are eager to help however we can. Our members aren't going to leave your characters behind to the point of unexplained continuity issues. And when you *are* ready to get back in gear with things, we have a whole mentor and staff team ready and willing to help you get caught back up. We are not going to let you fall behind or into obscurity. We're here to help <3 And the way that you can help *us* is by not worrying and just enjoying the community in whatever ways that you can at the moment - even if that's just popping onto the server and saying hi so we know you're alive and well.
Thank you to everyone who sticks it out with Aeipathy and continues to make it an awesome place to be!
New Additions Below are a list of all of our newest members to the server. Our staff team ask that, when you see them online, give them a shout out and say 'hi, how are you?' You can use our #general-chat or our #quiet-room - entirely depending on how busy our main channel is - but we highly recommend touching base and saying hello - they might be interested in making a character you're seeking for your own plots after all...
Cherry
We've also had new characters added to our accepted roster! Remember! The first member to start a thread with each of our newly accepted characters from new members get to collect Points! Give these characters a shout out in their relevant kingdom channel to get the plotting chat going! Just remember to give their profiles a read so that you can approach their writer with some fun ideas!
News and Updates
New Challenge! Gimme, Gimme, Gimme Yes now you all have that ABBA song stuck in your heads. You're welcome. Okay so this week's member challenge is one that we've done before and it worked out quite nicely. Basically it's a polite nag week. Here's how it works. You pick one thread that you have with someone and "nag" then for a post to it. It might be one you're super musey for right now. It might be one that you've waited on for a while. You post the nag and a link to the thread in the #member-challenge channel. If that person then replies (and posts a link to their reply in the #member-challenge channel you *both* get a point. But if the thread is not replied to then you get nothin'. You can nag for one thread per character that you have and you cannot nag the same *member* twice. Even if it's a different character in a different thread. No nagging the same member twice, so be careful which threads you choose. Have fun y'all! <3
OTM Award Winners: April Congratulations to all those who were nominated and partook in the voting of this last month's OTM Awards. And super congrats to our winners! Character of the Month: @silanos Romance of the Month: @marietta and @adrestus Dynamic of the Month: @nenet, @neithotep, Akhenaten H'Sheifa and @sutekh Thread of the Month:Resting on Golden Laurels Moment of the Month: When He Smiles in 'All My Love' House of the Month: Dynasteia Leventi AU Ship of the Month:Emilia of Xanthos and @lesley
Pinterest Challenge! It's a nice simple one this month that will hopefully get people feeling le musey! In your character pages, pin 150 pins! It's as simple as that! Post a link to your pinterest page once this is done and then you'll be on your way to earning a point per character! <3
Easter Event: With All My Love Congratulations to our Easter Event winners! Aly, Asteria, Dragon, Frogules, Lori, Maxie, Pam and Sunflower all were awarded 20 points for their contributions to the game and now have a swanky new icon in their awards lists! Well done everyone! We hope you had fun in the event!
New Patrons: Athene and Bandit Belated thank yous but important none the less - thanks to Athene and Bandit for reuptaking their Patron status on Aeipathy's Patreon page! We're heading back towards our next goal of a cool Translate, Please bot, or an interactive Aeipathy map!
New Award: Got This Shit Nailed Check out the new award available on our Awards page! We all love it when people write a lot of words in our NaNo events, but sometimes discipline is more important than quantity. So, here's the way it works. You post an IC post (not in AU but on the main IC boards) every day for 30 days and you'll get this award! You get a member point with each time you do it, and you can accumulate the awards! No award will be given if there is any evidence of post hoarding. This isn't about hoarding your posts and dishing them out a day at a time. It's about working to build writing discipline and writing a post each day.
Big Girl Pants and Bunny Slipper
Hey everyone! This is less a telling off and more a reminder. No-one has been doing anything wrong but some people aren't doing what they *can* do.
I know that a lot of people are enjoying the Events and the Curveballs that I post in them, but things are starting to sway in the direction where I am facilitating a large amount of an Event's drama or plans. As in, people are getting their characters into play. They are then waiting for a Curveball. They react. Then they wait for the next one.
I would like to remind everyone and reiterate that Events are for you guys to play out what YOU want to play. A lot of people are expecting Events to follow some kind of plan and yes, I do have plans for Events. BUT I would 100% rather you all led the Events how you want them to go, progress them as you would any other organic thread on the site and IF I need to Curveball something in order to get the activity moving or because people have run out of ideas I'm happy to do so. And if your characters take an Event in a completely different direction to what I had planned, that's awesome! Because it means that the plan I had in my head can be used for something else down the line. I only have a plan so that there's a safety plotting net if people run out of ideas. My plan should be the very last one that the Events come to.
Events are for you guys to have your plots intermingle. If you have two characters plotting something, have them chat at the next Court meeting in hushed voices. If they were constantly sending letters or going to each others' houses, servants would talk - people would know that they are spending time together and therefore might be planning something. BUT if they meet in a public place where they are expected to be anyway and just happen to have bumped into one another in order to say friendly hellos (whilst secretly plotting) then it rouses less suspicion. But it also allows other members to read the posts, realise something is happening and perhaps message you on how to get their own character involved. Or it opens the floor to eavesdroppers. Eavesdroppers who might be so shocked at hearing something that they literally drop something and cause a stir. Then the guards come storming in to see what the crash was and make sure it's not infiltrators to the Courts. Or perhaps your character isn't technically allowed in Court but you wanna have them try and find a way in regardless. Or perhaps an NPC yells 'Fire!'
I sit here, hand on heart and tell you *honestly* that you can do *anything* you like in an Event provide it a) makes sense to your character and b) that you have read other people's posts so that you know exactly where they are at when you throw something out there. Don't worry about interrupting a conversation - in real life, plans and talks are interrupted all the time. But you *do* have to have a good understanding of where everyone is. Don't scream that there's a blazing fire in the gardens if two characters have been merrily chatting in said gardens for the last ten minutes, for example. So, long as it makes continuity sense to where people currently are in the event, you can do *whatever* you like. Just make sure to tag more people if you're throwing out ideas that effect others in the Event.
So, to clarify. Use the Events more. Bring your character's more personal plots *into* the Events and have them develop in an open space where other members (and possibly characters) can become aware of them. Throw out changes in the Event's status quo whenever you like provided that it's not completely at odds with where people are at in the Event physically. These threads are for *you* to control. I've given you the idea to start and I've got some ideas stockpiled on how to make them more active if they need it. But honestly, my Curveballs should be the last resort. I don't physically have the time to keep going in and kicking Events up the bum because everyone is standing around waiting for me to prompt something <3 You've got this. You're all fantastic writers! Let's see them skills in action eh? ^_^
Awards and Recognition
Member of the Moment: Renya Whilst you might not have seen Renya being super duper active on the sever in recent times, it's important to point out the effort people are making behind the scenes as well as in front of others. Not only does Renya run her own forum and have small children at home, but she's also been working like a trooper on our new Colchian noble house. Whilst the House has certainly been a joint effort with other members, Renya has put forward a lot of her time and energies towards it and continues to hope to have a sister/half-sister taken on the site so that this house can get going <3 So, the next time you see the lovely Renya online, just give her some love and show that we are thankful for members like her the go the extra mile, even if it's hidden away at times <3
Our Events and Stories are large, mass threads where everyone who has a viable character for that moment or setting can partake. They are often revolving around key players in our current global plots but they also create great opportunities for characters to meet and greet rather than our site becoming cluttered with 'first encounter' threads. Our Events are voluntary, but we recommend that all members keep at least a cursory eye on what is happening in each on-going Event within any kingdom their character(s) are a part of. This way, you're always up-to-date on the latest drama in your character's homeland.
Check our the updates below for each of our current Events, provided by our Kingdom Managers. All of these Events and Provincial Stories are open so have your character dive in to any and all!
Africa
Information on African Events and Provincial Stories will be in next week's broadcast!
Athenia
Lines in the Sand The men turn to conversation about whether or not the Senate will be opened through sheer pressure from the people - whilst the ladies that have gathered discuss the sighting of the Queen! The general hubbub outside of the Senate gates is tense and excited... @marietta sparks off the first bit of gossip whilst @cicero speaks with Lord @keikelius about the way matters may soon unfold... Athenia do like their riots after all. Location: Dikastirio, Athenia. Attendance: All Welcome!
Wings of the Sea The event hosted by the family of Nikolaos has gone a little pete-tong. With one Antonis lord losing his pants and his dignity in the drink of the harbour and a lady of Marikas now housebound for shame of falling in first, the disgraces of the early part of the day have at least passed on as the nobility and royal guests have been shooed towards their prospective seats in order to judge the competition of ship-décor... As guests wonder which province and house will claim the cash prize, the judges are asked to provide their verdicts... Location: Magnestis, Athenia. Attendance: All Welcome!
Wind and Rain Athenia is caught in the tail ends of the storms furthest reaching fingers. Rain hits hard from sky to land at a slanting angle, whilst the wind tears at clothing and sets faces streaming as Athenia sees the end of summer. Many of the commonborn rush to fasten boats and nets and cargo to ensure they get to keep their livelihoods once the storm has passed, and the upperclasses have also tasked the guards to aid the fisherman, as many are caught in the storm. @hero , @ismene , @hector are amongst the ones caught - but they had not expected the likes of nobility such as Ladies @hebe and @marietta and even @sofia to be around, and especially not Princess Emilia of Xanthos - who had been thrown off her horse. Now a fainted and dazed princess on their hands for her guards had rode off back to seek for Princess Persephone of Xanthos (who is doing her best to secure the palati, but would have been bested by the storm had Lord @elias not been nearby), the youngest Xanthos princess was in the hands of those around her, as three large cargo ships are now pitching dangerously in the strong winds, threathening to capsize and destroy the mess of the Athenian harbour. Location: Northern Harbour, Athenia. Attendance: All Welcome!
Birthday Wishes The festivities to celebrate Princess Emilia's 15th birthday are underway! The guests have arrived and already are making merry! The Lady @marietta appears a little worse for wear on the wine before things have even really started! Such scandal! Especially when all the royal houses are here to witness the celebration! Location: Arcana, Athenia. Attendance: All Welcome!
Colchis
Viper's Nest With the men away the women rule the roost here in the northern most region of Greece. Ruled over by the regal and highly respected Queen Yanni, Court is held as normal, just four days after the departure of the soldiers. And why not? For with the changing mind of the crown prince, the departure of nobles left and right and the strange series of robberies in the capitol, and was that a dead corpse in the Hall of Gods? As guests stream in, whispers fly, and it doesn't help that the entryway to the Dikasitirio seemed to be a point for Thanasi and Kotas to gather alike. The sister's of the Thanasi household, Ladies @nethis , Thea , and @evras had always seemed to be close, yet if one looked closer, one would see the tense words being exchanged along with wary looks, as Prince @zanon himself escorted his pregnant wife away from the court session. Princess Athanasia of Kotas stood by her mother's side, and the Queen @yanni is further accompanied by Lady @essa - even as whispers of Lady Thea of Thanasi carrying a child of Kotas bloodline begins anew. Location: Dikasitirio Chamber, Midas, Colchis Attendance: Nobility only.
Dead Cargo A body lies floating in the waters near the capital. Will she be recognised for what she is? - a drowned slave, once employed in the Dikastirio kitchens. How interesting, too, that both the Master Informer @magnus and the eldest Thanasi daughter, Lady @nethis find themselves in the same place at the same time - coincidence? Location: Oreboea, Colchis Attendance: All Welcome!
The Fate We Bear The autumn in Colchis brings the normal trials and tribulations of the sky. Its monsoon season in Colchis and the winds are rising with ferocious speeds. The people of the capitol and most vulnerable, high up settlements are forced to board windows, lock doors and stock pile the food and water they might need to see through the days that see them trapped within their homes. Barrels and possessions are taken from yards and fixings on walls taken down and kept inside. The Colchians are used to this repeated pattern every fall but that doesn't make the storms any less dangerous a foe to face... Location: Lower Levels, Midas Attendance: All Welcome!
Heavy Weight As the fighting continues... Crown Prince Vangelis of Kotas is summoned to the first ring to fight @damocles in each their first bout of the competition. And another new fight for the next two competitors in the form of Prince @zanon and the Laconian soldier @maximus! Location: Pieria, Colchis Attendance: All Welcome!
Fire and Brimstone As a festival of light begins in honor of Hephaestus, tensions in the city of Midas rise as followers of Ares begin their own celebrations, almost in direct opposition to those of Hephaestus’ followers. In the midst of all this, several donkeys have found themselves running loose. With careful coordination, Vangelis of Kotas, @maleos, and @nike have managed to take charge of wrangling the beasts while @myrinne, @thrasius, and @magnus try to seek safety! Location: Midas, Colchis Attendance: All Welcome!
Taengea
As Autumn Falls A court session held by the newly minted Queen @theodora is held in hopes of encouraging more solidarity amongst the Taengeans amidst the death of the King of plate. Wine and gossip circulate the kingdom's ladies as they sipped and dined whilst they chatted. Lady @evangelina shows the Leventi spirit by standing up for her cousin and giving silent encouragement, yet it would seem Lady Theodora has much to fight against, as it isn’t just the new Queen, but the Leventi ladies who face gossip and rumors thrown at them from all corners of the courtroom. @basilides has made an appearance under the behest of the princess, and both the merchant and Princess @xene now joined the fray in shunning the gossips of court. As the sun climbs higher, shades and servants and brought out to protect the fairest of the women from the harsher rays of the sun, the ladies continue in their conversations until a loud wail started, and one glance would be quick to tell that one Lady Eoia of Argothia is apparently not as cheery as her companions around her... Location: Palati Grounds, Vasiliadon, Taengea. Attendance: Nobility, mostly Women.
These Walls of Stone The men of Taengea had left for a month, but with no word on progress, walls have been built and reinforced to ensure the safety of the people in Taengea. Taller than a regular ladder, they are further fortified by buckets and crates of oil and tar along with sharpened pikes on the coastline. All trees are to be cleared in the event of the need for military troops to rush to an entry in case of an attack, and the people of Taengea are restless in the face of uncertainty. Lord @nikolias and Lord Fotios of Leventi are both present to oversee the building of the walls, acting as leaders in the absence of a monarch. Lord @georgios had eventually come to join the other two royals as the Colchian troops arrive, bringing with them @maleos , Vangelis of Kotas , @silanos and @tython leading the Colchian army to refuel and refresh their victuals before continuing on the path to meet their enemies. It appears one such Colchian soldier, @damocles has met a friend in the form of @thrasius on the Taengean shores, who had formerly been conversing with @kyros …. Yet the latter doesn’t seem to happy to see their arrival. Location: Isle of Serenn, Taengea Attendance: All Welcome!
These Walls of Stone As the women gather to celebrate the festival of Demeter and Persephone, the smell of roasting pork grows strong as it is nearly time for the slaughtering and drying of the pig guts. As soon as the entrails have been removed and set to dry in heated pans, the pork becomes open for eating and the attentions turn to the crafting of phallic shaped roots and hard baked breads so in honour of the fertility they hope to bring to their fields. Just what will the ladies do with that? Location: Epirus, Taengea Attendance: Women only. All classes.
A Borrowed Freedom The race has begun! With Crown Prince Zacharias, @hesiodes and Lady @selene in the races amongst others of the province and visiting nobility, the stallion by a masked rider that is Lady Selene seems to be out of the rider's control, interfering with the other rider's! Lord Nikos of Condos watching the races from atop a tree with Lady @evangelina , along with the remaining Leventi girl's, Lord Fotios of Leventi himself and Lady @evelli from the sidelines. A quick race ends in a surprise - as Lady @selene takes the grand prize, her guise taken off as she shows her prowess with horsemanship! Yet, it would seem Lord Fotios of Leventi was not entirely happy with the win - for what would be said of the eldest Leventi girl then? Location: Macendia, Taengea Attendance: All Welcome!
Any Savage Can Dance A tutor specializing in dance welcomed into the Taengean palati has been invited to teach the younger, female members of the nobility, and Lord Fotios of Leventi has found himself with the unlucky task of herding the Leventi girls for their lesson. A gaggle of girl's made up of Ladies @evangelina , Dafni, Imma, Nana of Leventi along with the princesses @xene and @gianna, now dutifully attend the lessons. With music from a bard to accompany them, and under the tutelage of Lord Alekos (who now seems less then pleased at his students, although he hides it well), the ladies now begin to practice as their tutor has taught them - something Lady Imma of Leventi was trying very hard to do, but for a four-year old, dancing wasn’t exactly something that came naturally. And now the dance tutor wants them to perform for the harvest festival? It would seem at least Lady Nana of Leventi wasn’t having any of it. Location: Great Gallery, Vasiliadon Attendance: Nobility
A Lion's Pride The Mikaelidas offer a celebration under their matriarch Queen Elise. As the men of the family, @achilleas, Zacharias of Mikaelidas, @stephanos and @emilios turn to witness the entrance of the Leventi ladies with eagerness, it is clear that more alcohol may have exciting and socially dangerous effects on the young and the restless who have culminated here. Lady @selene seems to have returned from her momentary disappearance, and joined Lord @achilleas in conversation, whereas it is Lord @georgios and Fotios of Leventi who have found some privacy to have a brotherly conversation whilst their wives brought the brood of Lady Eirini of Leventi to pay a visit and greet the Queen Elise of Mikaelidas herself,before continuing with the festivities. Location: Isle of Serenn, Taengea Attendance: All Welcome!
New Events
Prepare For The Worst Event - Taengea
As the Taengean people settle back into normal lives, their walls higher and their beaches defended, it becomes a waiting game as to news of their King. The Colchians left soon after their arrival in their lands and have been gone from Taengean shores for nearly a week. Their forces will be half way between the green meadows of Taengea and the Egyptian sands by now. Which means King Achilleas and his men have been on Egyptian soil for three weeks.
Tensions now run high. Whilst the common born see no concern in a war campaign lasting thus long (when they could often be months or years in duration), those aware of the king's military plan to be a silent and quick dismantlement of the Egyptian forces, worry has set in. A few days would be all that was needed to complete such a task. The Taengean forces should therefore have met those of Colchis coming the other way, rendering the men of the north unnecessary and have already landed back home on the beaches of Taengea. No such ships have returned or come into sight on the horizon.
The delay in the king's return does not mean defeat. More that a conflict or complication has broken out in Egypt; that the plan has not gone as expected. This does not mean disaster. But it also does not mean clean triumph. Now the people of Taengea can only wait...
In the early dawn, a scout on the walls of Vasiliadon makes his call. For he can see a small ship on the horizon. The ship turns out to be a small and simple boat - one of the supply boats that had accompanied those filled with soldiers. It's Taengean in origin and no resources remain inside. Instead, half a dozen men are aboard. Three are already dead, having lost limbs and been sent home for recuperation but bleeding out or dying of infection on the voyage back. Whilst returning home is the safest option than staying on a battlefield, the sea has it's own dangers. The others in the boat are near dead with the heat, lack of food and water for a storm not only had them lost in the waters for too long a time - avoiding the Colchian forces as they crossed paths unknowingly - but diminished their supplies and had them all ill with sea sickness. Instead of the fourteen days aboard the vessel, they have suffered for near three weeks. Unable to give any information on how the fighting is proceeding, their timings tell Taengea only one thing... That the bloodshed - bloodshed that had been planned to be avoided entirely - began almost as soon as King Achilleas arrived in Egypt three weeks ago.
Now the leaders of the capitol have choices to be made, plans to be enacted. For one, wreaths of flowers and offerings are needed for the temples of Ares. For another, medical tents or facilities should be arranged somewhere in the city... Does Taengea rally more troops to send to their king's aid when they do not yet know if the king is in danger? Do they keep the men in the kingdom to protect the lands should Egyptian soldiers be on the heels of these Taengean war victims...? So many questions... Just who has the answers? Read More...
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
'Guys....stop giving me feelings... No good feels. AM DEMON.' - Cissi
I should start calling this the fortnightly broadcast - I'm so sorry I've been so utterly crap in getting this out you guys! <3 <3 <3 I promise to be better.
Right on to business! Things have been quiet on the server and the site a little this week which is totally understandable. I think that everyone is struggling with the lockdown/quarantine or whatever they have in their countries. Adrenaline and the need to get things done fuelled us for a while and now things aren't changing soon enough and we're all running on empty. I totally get that this is the case for a lot of people we have on the server <3 This message goes out to those people to tell them that it's okay and that we understand. At the same time, however, I want those people to understand that we also have a lot of members on the server who are doing the opposite. Because they have the time or because they need the break from their home life, they are becoming more active and wanting to post more. Which they can't do because the other half of the community are slowing down. Whilst I completely understand both sides of this and want to support both sides, I need people to recognise that these are uncommon circumstances. The staff team are doing their best putting together new OOC events and games and I've launched AU Events and kept IC Events to a fair minimum - boosting kingdoms only the once last broadcast with new events. I'm trying to make sure that stories don't go stale and everyone gets bored, but also that we don't leave people behind. If people hadn't noticed, I also didn't run the activity check at the end of last month (though I may have to do so for the end of this one) in order to give people a break from those stressors and in understanding of the activity difficulties some people are facing.
What I need to ask from the community is for as much positivity as possible. I know it's annoying to have to wait on people. I know that it's worrying to have things happen without you and stress that you won't catch up. But on both sides, I ask that everyone keep a positive mindset as much as they can. If you can't rp the threads you want, try reaching out to the active members on the site and start up a past thread or a backstory thread. Try some more AU ideas in our Alternate Reality board, crack rp on Discord. Find ways that you *can* write, rather than focusing on the things you *can't* do and the members who aren't here.
For those who are worried about what they might be missing or stressing that they are falling behind, please don't <3 Our community is a generous one. We are eager to help however we can. Our members aren't going to leave your characters behind to the point of unexplained continuity issues. And when you *are* ready to get back in gear with things, we have a whole mentor and staff team ready and willing to help you get caught back up. We are not going to let you fall behind or into obscurity. We're here to help <3 And the way that you can help *us* is by not worrying and just enjoying the community in whatever ways that you can at the moment - even if that's just popping onto the server and saying hi so we know you're alive and well.
Thank you to everyone who sticks it out with Aeipathy and continues to make it an awesome place to be!
New Additions Below are a list of all of our newest members to the server. Our staff team ask that, when you see them online, give them a shout out and say 'hi, how are you?' You can use our #general-chat or our #quiet-room - entirely depending on how busy our main channel is - but we highly recommend touching base and saying hello - they might be interested in making a character you're seeking for your own plots after all...
Cherry
We've also had new characters added to our accepted roster! Remember! The first member to start a thread with each of our newly accepted characters from new members get to collect Points! Give these characters a shout out in their relevant kingdom channel to get the plotting chat going! Just remember to give their profiles a read so that you can approach their writer with some fun ideas!
News and Updates
New Challenge! Gimme, Gimme, Gimme Yes now you all have that ABBA song stuck in your heads. You're welcome. Okay so this week's member challenge is one that we've done before and it worked out quite nicely. Basically it's a polite nag week. Here's how it works. You pick one thread that you have with someone and "nag" then for a post to it. It might be one you're super musey for right now. It might be one that you've waited on for a while. You post the nag and a link to the thread in the #member-challenge channel. If that person then replies (and posts a link to their reply in the #member-challenge channel you *both* get a point. But if the thread is not replied to then you get nothin'. You can nag for one thread per character that you have and you cannot nag the same *member* twice. Even if it's a different character in a different thread. No nagging the same member twice, so be careful which threads you choose. Have fun y'all! <3
OTM Award Winners: April Congratulations to all those who were nominated and partook in the voting of this last month's OTM Awards. And super congrats to our winners! Character of the Month: @silanos Romance of the Month: @marietta and @adrestus Dynamic of the Month: @nenet, @neithotep, Akhenaten H'Sheifa and @sutekh Thread of the Month:Resting on Golden Laurels Moment of the Month: When He Smiles in 'All My Love' House of the Month: Dynasteia Leventi AU Ship of the Month:Emilia of Xanthos and @lesley
Pinterest Challenge! It's a nice simple one this month that will hopefully get people feeling le musey! In your character pages, pin 150 pins! It's as simple as that! Post a link to your pinterest page once this is done and then you'll be on your way to earning a point per character! <3
Easter Event: With All My Love Congratulations to our Easter Event winners! Aly, Asteria, Dragon, Frogules, Lori, Maxie, Pam and Sunflower all were awarded 20 points for their contributions to the game and now have a swanky new icon in their awards lists! Well done everyone! We hope you had fun in the event!
New Patrons: Athene and Bandit Belated thank yous but important none the less - thanks to Athene and Bandit for reuptaking their Patron status on Aeipathy's Patreon page! We're heading back towards our next goal of a cool Translate, Please bot, or an interactive Aeipathy map!
New Award: Got This Shit Nailed Check out the new award available on our Awards page! We all love it when people write a lot of words in our NaNo events, but sometimes discipline is more important than quantity. So, here's the way it works. You post an IC post (not in AU but on the main IC boards) every day for 30 days and you'll get this award! You get a member point with each time you do it, and you can accumulate the awards! No award will be given if there is any evidence of post hoarding. This isn't about hoarding your posts and dishing them out a day at a time. It's about working to build writing discipline and writing a post each day.
Big Girl Pants and Bunny Slipper
Hey everyone! This is less a telling off and more a reminder. No-one has been doing anything wrong but some people aren't doing what they *can* do.
I know that a lot of people are enjoying the Events and the Curveballs that I post in them, but things are starting to sway in the direction where I am facilitating a large amount of an Event's drama or plans. As in, people are getting their characters into play. They are then waiting for a Curveball. They react. Then they wait for the next one.
I would like to remind everyone and reiterate that Events are for you guys to play out what YOU want to play. A lot of people are expecting Events to follow some kind of plan and yes, I do have plans for Events. BUT I would 100% rather you all led the Events how you want them to go, progress them as you would any other organic thread on the site and IF I need to Curveball something in order to get the activity moving or because people have run out of ideas I'm happy to do so. And if your characters take an Event in a completely different direction to what I had planned, that's awesome! Because it means that the plan I had in my head can be used for something else down the line. I only have a plan so that there's a safety plotting net if people run out of ideas. My plan should be the very last one that the Events come to.
Events are for you guys to have your plots intermingle. If you have two characters plotting something, have them chat at the next Court meeting in hushed voices. If they were constantly sending letters or going to each others' houses, servants would talk - people would know that they are spending time together and therefore might be planning something. BUT if they meet in a public place where they are expected to be anyway and just happen to have bumped into one another in order to say friendly hellos (whilst secretly plotting) then it rouses less suspicion. But it also allows other members to read the posts, realise something is happening and perhaps message you on how to get their own character involved. Or it opens the floor to eavesdroppers. Eavesdroppers who might be so shocked at hearing something that they literally drop something and cause a stir. Then the guards come storming in to see what the crash was and make sure it's not infiltrators to the Courts. Or perhaps your character isn't technically allowed in Court but you wanna have them try and find a way in regardless. Or perhaps an NPC yells 'Fire!'
I sit here, hand on heart and tell you *honestly* that you can do *anything* you like in an Event provide it a) makes sense to your character and b) that you have read other people's posts so that you know exactly where they are at when you throw something out there. Don't worry about interrupting a conversation - in real life, plans and talks are interrupted all the time. But you *do* have to have a good understanding of where everyone is. Don't scream that there's a blazing fire in the gardens if two characters have been merrily chatting in said gardens for the last ten minutes, for example. So, long as it makes continuity sense to where people currently are in the event, you can do *whatever* you like. Just make sure to tag more people if you're throwing out ideas that effect others in the Event.
So, to clarify. Use the Events more. Bring your character's more personal plots *into* the Events and have them develop in an open space where other members (and possibly characters) can become aware of them. Throw out changes in the Event's status quo whenever you like provided that it's not completely at odds with where people are at in the Event physically. These threads are for *you* to control. I've given you the idea to start and I've got some ideas stockpiled on how to make them more active if they need it. But honestly, my Curveballs should be the last resort. I don't physically have the time to keep going in and kicking Events up the bum because everyone is standing around waiting for me to prompt something <3 You've got this. You're all fantastic writers! Let's see them skills in action eh? ^_^
Awards and Recognition
Member of the Moment: Renya Whilst you might not have seen Renya being super duper active on the sever in recent times, it's important to point out the effort people are making behind the scenes as well as in front of others. Not only does Renya run her own forum and have small children at home, but she's also been working like a trooper on our new Colchian noble house. Whilst the House has certainly been a joint effort with other members, Renya has put forward a lot of her time and energies towards it and continues to hope to have a sister/half-sister taken on the site so that this house can get going <3 So, the next time you see the lovely Renya online, just give her some love and show that we are thankful for members like her the go the extra mile, even if it's hidden away at times <3
Our Events and Stories are large, mass threads where everyone who has a viable character for that moment or setting can partake. They are often revolving around key players in our current global plots but they also create great opportunities for characters to meet and greet rather than our site becoming cluttered with 'first encounter' threads. Our Events are voluntary, but we recommend that all members keep at least a cursory eye on what is happening in each on-going Event within any kingdom their character(s) are a part of. This way, you're always up-to-date on the latest drama in your character's homeland.
Check our the updates below for each of our current Events, provided by our Kingdom Managers. All of these Events and Provincial Stories are open so have your character dive in to any and all!
Africa
Information on African Events and Provincial Stories will be in next week's broadcast!
Athenia
Lines in the Sand The men turn to conversation about whether or not the Senate will be opened through sheer pressure from the people - whilst the ladies that have gathered discuss the sighting of the Queen! The general hubbub outside of the Senate gates is tense and excited... @marietta sparks off the first bit of gossip whilst @cicero speaks with Lord @keikelius about the way matters may soon unfold... Athenia do like their riots after all. Location: Dikastirio, Athenia. Attendance: All Welcome!
Wings of the Sea The event hosted by the family of Nikolaos has gone a little pete-tong. With one Antonis lord losing his pants and his dignity in the drink of the harbour and a lady of Marikas now housebound for shame of falling in first, the disgraces of the early part of the day have at least passed on as the nobility and royal guests have been shooed towards their prospective seats in order to judge the competition of ship-décor... As guests wonder which province and house will claim the cash prize, the judges are asked to provide their verdicts... Location: Magnestis, Athenia. Attendance: All Welcome!
Wind and Rain Athenia is caught in the tail ends of the storms furthest reaching fingers. Rain hits hard from sky to land at a slanting angle, whilst the wind tears at clothing and sets faces streaming as Athenia sees the end of summer. Many of the commonborn rush to fasten boats and nets and cargo to ensure they get to keep their livelihoods once the storm has passed, and the upperclasses have also tasked the guards to aid the fisherman, as many are caught in the storm. @hero , @ismene , @hector are amongst the ones caught - but they had not expected the likes of nobility such as Ladies @hebe and @marietta and even @sofia to be around, and especially not Princess Emilia of Xanthos - who had been thrown off her horse. Now a fainted and dazed princess on their hands for her guards had rode off back to seek for Princess Persephone of Xanthos (who is doing her best to secure the palati, but would have been bested by the storm had Lord @elias not been nearby), the youngest Xanthos princess was in the hands of those around her, as three large cargo ships are now pitching dangerously in the strong winds, threathening to capsize and destroy the mess of the Athenian harbour. Location: Northern Harbour, Athenia. Attendance: All Welcome!
Birthday Wishes The festivities to celebrate Princess Emilia's 15th birthday are underway! The guests have arrived and already are making merry! The Lady @marietta appears a little worse for wear on the wine before things have even really started! Such scandal! Especially when all the royal houses are here to witness the celebration! Location: Arcana, Athenia. Attendance: All Welcome!
Colchis
Viper's Nest With the men away the women rule the roost here in the northern most region of Greece. Ruled over by the regal and highly respected Queen Yanni, Court is held as normal, just four days after the departure of the soldiers. And why not? For with the changing mind of the crown prince, the departure of nobles left and right and the strange series of robberies in the capitol, and was that a dead corpse in the Hall of Gods? As guests stream in, whispers fly, and it doesn't help that the entryway to the Dikasitirio seemed to be a point for Thanasi and Kotas to gather alike. The sister's of the Thanasi household, Ladies @nethis , Thea , and @evras had always seemed to be close, yet if one looked closer, one would see the tense words being exchanged along with wary looks, as Prince @zanon himself escorted his pregnant wife away from the court session. Princess Athanasia of Kotas stood by her mother's side, and the Queen @yanni is further accompanied by Lady @essa - even as whispers of Lady Thea of Thanasi carrying a child of Kotas bloodline begins anew. Location: Dikasitirio Chamber, Midas, Colchis Attendance: Nobility only.
Dead Cargo A body lies floating in the waters near the capital. Will she be recognised for what she is? - a drowned slave, once employed in the Dikastirio kitchens. How interesting, too, that both the Master Informer @magnus and the eldest Thanasi daughter, Lady @nethis find themselves in the same place at the same time - coincidence? Location: Oreboea, Colchis Attendance: All Welcome!
The Fate We Bear The autumn in Colchis brings the normal trials and tribulations of the sky. Its monsoon season in Colchis and the winds are rising with ferocious speeds. The people of the capitol and most vulnerable, high up settlements are forced to board windows, lock doors and stock pile the food and water they might need to see through the days that see them trapped within their homes. Barrels and possessions are taken from yards and fixings on walls taken down and kept inside. The Colchians are used to this repeated pattern every fall but that doesn't make the storms any less dangerous a foe to face... Location: Lower Levels, Midas Attendance: All Welcome!
Heavy Weight As the fighting continues... Crown Prince Vangelis of Kotas is summoned to the first ring to fight @damocles in each their first bout of the competition. And another new fight for the next two competitors in the form of Prince @zanon and the Laconian soldier @maximus! Location: Pieria, Colchis Attendance: All Welcome!
Fire and Brimstone As a festival of light begins in honor of Hephaestus, tensions in the city of Midas rise as followers of Ares begin their own celebrations, almost in direct opposition to those of Hephaestus’ followers. In the midst of all this, several donkeys have found themselves running loose. With careful coordination, Vangelis of Kotas, @maleos, and @nike have managed to take charge of wrangling the beasts while @myrinne, @thrasius, and @magnus try to seek safety! Location: Midas, Colchis Attendance: All Welcome!
Taengea
As Autumn Falls A court session held by the newly minted Queen @theodora is held in hopes of encouraging more solidarity amongst the Taengeans amidst the death of the King of plate. Wine and gossip circulate the kingdom's ladies as they sipped and dined whilst they chatted. Lady @evangelina shows the Leventi spirit by standing up for her cousin and giving silent encouragement, yet it would seem Lady Theodora has much to fight against, as it isn’t just the new Queen, but the Leventi ladies who face gossip and rumors thrown at them from all corners of the courtroom. @basilides has made an appearance under the behest of the princess, and both the merchant and Princess @xene now joined the fray in shunning the gossips of court. As the sun climbs higher, shades and servants and brought out to protect the fairest of the women from the harsher rays of the sun, the ladies continue in their conversations until a loud wail started, and one glance would be quick to tell that one Lady Eoia of Argothia is apparently not as cheery as her companions around her... Location: Palati Grounds, Vasiliadon, Taengea. Attendance: Nobility, mostly Women.
These Walls of Stone The men of Taengea had left for a month, but with no word on progress, walls have been built and reinforced to ensure the safety of the people in Taengea. Taller than a regular ladder, they are further fortified by buckets and crates of oil and tar along with sharpened pikes on the coastline. All trees are to be cleared in the event of the need for military troops to rush to an entry in case of an attack, and the people of Taengea are restless in the face of uncertainty. Lord @nikolias and Lord Fotios of Leventi are both present to oversee the building of the walls, acting as leaders in the absence of a monarch. Lord @georgios had eventually come to join the other two royals as the Colchian troops arrive, bringing with them @maleos , Vangelis of Kotas , @silanos and @tython leading the Colchian army to refuel and refresh their victuals before continuing on the path to meet their enemies. It appears one such Colchian soldier, @damocles has met a friend in the form of @thrasius on the Taengean shores, who had formerly been conversing with @kyros …. Yet the latter doesn’t seem to happy to see their arrival. Location: Isle of Serenn, Taengea Attendance: All Welcome!
These Walls of Stone As the women gather to celebrate the festival of Demeter and Persephone, the smell of roasting pork grows strong as it is nearly time for the slaughtering and drying of the pig guts. As soon as the entrails have been removed and set to dry in heated pans, the pork becomes open for eating and the attentions turn to the crafting of phallic shaped roots and hard baked breads so in honour of the fertility they hope to bring to their fields. Just what will the ladies do with that? Location: Epirus, Taengea Attendance: Women only. All classes.
A Borrowed Freedom The race has begun! With Crown Prince Zacharias, @hesiodes and Lady @selene in the races amongst others of the province and visiting nobility, the stallion by a masked rider that is Lady Selene seems to be out of the rider's control, interfering with the other rider's! Lord Nikos of Condos watching the races from atop a tree with Lady @evangelina , along with the remaining Leventi girl's, Lord Fotios of Leventi himself and Lady @evelli from the sidelines. A quick race ends in a surprise - as Lady @selene takes the grand prize, her guise taken off as she shows her prowess with horsemanship! Yet, it would seem Lord Fotios of Leventi was not entirely happy with the win - for what would be said of the eldest Leventi girl then? Location: Macendia, Taengea Attendance: All Welcome!
Any Savage Can Dance A tutor specializing in dance welcomed into the Taengean palati has been invited to teach the younger, female members of the nobility, and Lord Fotios of Leventi has found himself with the unlucky task of herding the Leventi girls for their lesson. A gaggle of girl's made up of Ladies @evangelina , Dafni, Imma, Nana of Leventi along with the princesses @xene and @gianna, now dutifully attend the lessons. With music from a bard to accompany them, and under the tutelage of Lord Alekos (who now seems less then pleased at his students, although he hides it well), the ladies now begin to practice as their tutor has taught them - something Lady Imma of Leventi was trying very hard to do, but for a four-year old, dancing wasn’t exactly something that came naturally. And now the dance tutor wants them to perform for the harvest festival? It would seem at least Lady Nana of Leventi wasn’t having any of it. Location: Great Gallery, Vasiliadon Attendance: Nobility
A Lion's Pride The Mikaelidas offer a celebration under their matriarch Queen Elise. As the men of the family, @achilleas, Zacharias of Mikaelidas, @stephanos and @emilios turn to witness the entrance of the Leventi ladies with eagerness, it is clear that more alcohol may have exciting and socially dangerous effects on the young and the restless who have culminated here. Lady @selene seems to have returned from her momentary disappearance, and joined Lord @achilleas in conversation, whereas it is Lord @georgios and Fotios of Leventi who have found some privacy to have a brotherly conversation whilst their wives brought the brood of Lady Eirini of Leventi to pay a visit and greet the Queen Elise of Mikaelidas herself,before continuing with the festivities. Location: Isle of Serenn, Taengea Attendance: All Welcome!
New Events
Prepare For The Worst Event - Taengea
As the Taengean people settle back into normal lives, their walls higher and their beaches defended, it becomes a waiting game as to news of their King. The Colchians left soon after their arrival in their lands and have been gone from Taengean shores for nearly a week. Their forces will be half way between the green meadows of Taengea and the Egyptian sands by now. Which means King Achilleas and his men have been on Egyptian soil for three weeks.
Tensions now run high. Whilst the common born see no concern in a war campaign lasting thus long (when they could often be months or years in duration), those aware of the king's military plan to be a silent and quick dismantlement of the Egyptian forces, worry has set in. A few days would be all that was needed to complete such a task. The Taengean forces should therefore have met those of Colchis coming the other way, rendering the men of the north unnecessary and have already landed back home on the beaches of Taengea. No such ships have returned or come into sight on the horizon.
The delay in the king's return does not mean defeat. More that a conflict or complication has broken out in Egypt; that the plan has not gone as expected. This does not mean disaster. But it also does not mean clean triumph. Now the people of Taengea can only wait...
In the early dawn, a scout on the walls of Vasiliadon makes his call. For he can see a small ship on the horizon. The ship turns out to be a small and simple boat - one of the supply boats that had accompanied those filled with soldiers. It's Taengean in origin and no resources remain inside. Instead, half a dozen men are aboard. Three are already dead, having lost limbs and been sent home for recuperation but bleeding out or dying of infection on the voyage back. Whilst returning home is the safest option than staying on a battlefield, the sea has it's own dangers. The others in the boat are near dead with the heat, lack of food and water for a storm not only had them lost in the waters for too long a time - avoiding the Colchian forces as they crossed paths unknowingly - but diminished their supplies and had them all ill with sea sickness. Instead of the fourteen days aboard the vessel, they have suffered for near three weeks. Unable to give any information on how the fighting is proceeding, their timings tell Taengea only one thing... That the bloodshed - bloodshed that had been planned to be avoided entirely - began almost as soon as King Achilleas arrived in Egypt three weeks ago.
Now the leaders of the capitol have choices to be made, plans to be enacted. For one, wreaths of flowers and offerings are needed for the temples of Ares. For another, medical tents or facilities should be arranged somewhere in the city... Does Taengea rally more troops to send to their king's aid when they do not yet know if the king is in danger? Do they keep the men in the kingdom to protect the lands should Egyptian soldiers be on the heels of these Taengean war victims...? So many questions... Just who has the answers? Read More...
The Weekly Broadcast Tuesday 19th May 2020
'Guys....stop giving me feelings... No good feels. AM DEMON.' - Cissi
I should start calling this the fortnightly broadcast - I'm so sorry I've been so utterly crap in getting this out you guys! <3 <3 <3 I promise to be better.
Right on to business! Things have been quiet on the server and the site a little this week which is totally understandable. I think that everyone is struggling with the lockdown/quarantine or whatever they have in their countries. Adrenaline and the need to get things done fuelled us for a while and now things aren't changing soon enough and we're all running on empty. I totally get that this is the case for a lot of people we have on the server <3 This message goes out to those people to tell them that it's okay and that we understand. At the same time, however, I want those people to understand that we also have a lot of members on the server who are doing the opposite. Because they have the time or because they need the break from their home life, they are becoming more active and wanting to post more. Which they can't do because the other half of the community are slowing down. Whilst I completely understand both sides of this and want to support both sides, I need people to recognise that these are uncommon circumstances. The staff team are doing their best putting together new OOC events and games and I've launched AU Events and kept IC Events to a fair minimum - boosting kingdoms only the once last broadcast with new events. I'm trying to make sure that stories don't go stale and everyone gets bored, but also that we don't leave people behind. If people hadn't noticed, I also didn't run the activity check at the end of last month (though I may have to do so for the end of this one) in order to give people a break from those stressors and in understanding of the activity difficulties some people are facing.
What I need to ask from the community is for as much positivity as possible. I know it's annoying to have to wait on people. I know that it's worrying to have things happen without you and stress that you won't catch up. But on both sides, I ask that everyone keep a positive mindset as much as they can. If you can't rp the threads you want, try reaching out to the active members on the site and start up a past thread or a backstory thread. Try some more AU ideas in our Alternate Reality board, crack rp on Discord. Find ways that you *can* write, rather than focusing on the things you *can't* do and the members who aren't here.
For those who are worried about what they might be missing or stressing that they are falling behind, please don't <3 Our community is a generous one. We are eager to help however we can. Our members aren't going to leave your characters behind to the point of unexplained continuity issues. And when you *are* ready to get back in gear with things, we have a whole mentor and staff team ready and willing to help you get caught back up. We are not going to let you fall behind or into obscurity. We're here to help <3 And the way that you can help *us* is by not worrying and just enjoying the community in whatever ways that you can at the moment - even if that's just popping onto the server and saying hi so we know you're alive and well.
Thank you to everyone who sticks it out with Aeipathy and continues to make it an awesome place to be!
New Additions Below are a list of all of our newest members to the server. Our staff team ask that, when you see them online, give them a shout out and say 'hi, how are you?' You can use our #general-chat or our #quiet-room - entirely depending on how busy our main channel is - but we highly recommend touching base and saying hello - they might be interested in making a character you're seeking for your own plots after all...
Cherry
We've also had new characters added to our accepted roster! Remember! The first member to start a thread with each of our newly accepted characters from new members get to collect Points! Give these characters a shout out in their relevant kingdom channel to get the plotting chat going! Just remember to give their profiles a read so that you can approach their writer with some fun ideas!
News and Updates
New Challenge! Gimme, Gimme, Gimme Yes now you all have that ABBA song stuck in your heads. You're welcome. Okay so this week's member challenge is one that we've done before and it worked out quite nicely. Basically it's a polite nag week. Here's how it works. You pick one thread that you have with someone and "nag" then for a post to it. It might be one you're super musey for right now. It might be one that you've waited on for a while. You post the nag and a link to the thread in the #member-challenge channel. If that person then replies (and posts a link to their reply in the #member-challenge channel you *both* get a point. But if the thread is not replied to then you get nothin'. You can nag for one thread per character that you have and you cannot nag the same *member* twice. Even if it's a different character in a different thread. No nagging the same member twice, so be careful which threads you choose. Have fun y'all! <3
OTM Award Winners: April Congratulations to all those who were nominated and partook in the voting of this last month's OTM Awards. And super congrats to our winners! Character of the Month: @silanos Romance of the Month: @marietta and @adrestus Dynamic of the Month: @nenet, @neithotep, Akhenaten H'Sheifa and @sutekh Thread of the Month:Resting on Golden Laurels Moment of the Month: When He Smiles in 'All My Love' House of the Month: Dynasteia Leventi AU Ship of the Month:Emilia of Xanthos and @lesley
Pinterest Challenge! It's a nice simple one this month that will hopefully get people feeling le musey! In your character pages, pin 150 pins! It's as simple as that! Post a link to your pinterest page once this is done and then you'll be on your way to earning a point per character! <3
Easter Event: With All My Love Congratulations to our Easter Event winners! Aly, Asteria, Dragon, Frogules, Lori, Maxie, Pam and Sunflower all were awarded 20 points for their contributions to the game and now have a swanky new icon in their awards lists! Well done everyone! We hope you had fun in the event!
New Patrons: Athene and Bandit Belated thank yous but important none the less - thanks to Athene and Bandit for reuptaking their Patron status on Aeipathy's Patreon page! We're heading back towards our next goal of a cool Translate, Please bot, or an interactive Aeipathy map!
New Award: Got This Shit Nailed Check out the new award available on our Awards page! We all love it when people write a lot of words in our NaNo events, but sometimes discipline is more important than quantity. So, here's the way it works. You post an IC post (not in AU but on the main IC boards) every day for 30 days and you'll get this award! You get a member point with each time you do it, and you can accumulate the awards! No award will be given if there is any evidence of post hoarding. This isn't about hoarding your posts and dishing them out a day at a time. It's about working to build writing discipline and writing a post each day.
Big Girl Pants and Bunny Slipper
Hey everyone! This is less a telling off and more a reminder. No-one has been doing anything wrong but some people aren't doing what they *can* do.
I know that a lot of people are enjoying the Events and the Curveballs that I post in them, but things are starting to sway in the direction where I am facilitating a large amount of an Event's drama or plans. As in, people are getting their characters into play. They are then waiting for a Curveball. They react. Then they wait for the next one.
I would like to remind everyone and reiterate that Events are for you guys to play out what YOU want to play. A lot of people are expecting Events to follow some kind of plan and yes, I do have plans for Events. BUT I would 100% rather you all led the Events how you want them to go, progress them as you would any other organic thread on the site and IF I need to Curveball something in order to get the activity moving or because people have run out of ideas I'm happy to do so. And if your characters take an Event in a completely different direction to what I had planned, that's awesome! Because it means that the plan I had in my head can be used for something else down the line. I only have a plan so that there's a safety plotting net if people run out of ideas. My plan should be the very last one that the Events come to.
Events are for you guys to have your plots intermingle. If you have two characters plotting something, have them chat at the next Court meeting in hushed voices. If they were constantly sending letters or going to each others' houses, servants would talk - people would know that they are spending time together and therefore might be planning something. BUT if they meet in a public place where they are expected to be anyway and just happen to have bumped into one another in order to say friendly hellos (whilst secretly plotting) then it rouses less suspicion. But it also allows other members to read the posts, realise something is happening and perhaps message you on how to get their own character involved. Or it opens the floor to eavesdroppers. Eavesdroppers who might be so shocked at hearing something that they literally drop something and cause a stir. Then the guards come storming in to see what the crash was and make sure it's not infiltrators to the Courts. Or perhaps your character isn't technically allowed in Court but you wanna have them try and find a way in regardless. Or perhaps an NPC yells 'Fire!'
I sit here, hand on heart and tell you *honestly* that you can do *anything* you like in an Event provide it a) makes sense to your character and b) that you have read other people's posts so that you know exactly where they are at when you throw something out there. Don't worry about interrupting a conversation - in real life, plans and talks are interrupted all the time. But you *do* have to have a good understanding of where everyone is. Don't scream that there's a blazing fire in the gardens if two characters have been merrily chatting in said gardens for the last ten minutes, for example. So, long as it makes continuity sense to where people currently are in the event, you can do *whatever* you like. Just make sure to tag more people if you're throwing out ideas that effect others in the Event.
So, to clarify. Use the Events more. Bring your character's more personal plots *into* the Events and have them develop in an open space where other members (and possibly characters) can become aware of them. Throw out changes in the Event's status quo whenever you like provided that it's not completely at odds with where people are at in the Event physically. These threads are for *you* to control. I've given you the idea to start and I've got some ideas stockpiled on how to make them more active if they need it. But honestly, my Curveballs should be the last resort. I don't physically have the time to keep going in and kicking Events up the bum because everyone is standing around waiting for me to prompt something <3 You've got this. You're all fantastic writers! Let's see them skills in action eh? ^_^
Awards and Recognition
Member of the Moment: Renya Whilst you might not have seen Renya being super duper active on the sever in recent times, it's important to point out the effort people are making behind the scenes as well as in front of others. Not only does Renya run her own forum and have small children at home, but she's also been working like a trooper on our new Colchian noble house. Whilst the House has certainly been a joint effort with other members, Renya has put forward a lot of her time and energies towards it and continues to hope to have a sister/half-sister taken on the site so that this house can get going <3 So, the next time you see the lovely Renya online, just give her some love and show that we are thankful for members like her the go the extra mile, even if it's hidden away at times <3
Our Events and Stories are large, mass threads where everyone who has a viable character for that moment or setting can partake. They are often revolving around key players in our current global plots but they also create great opportunities for characters to meet and greet rather than our site becoming cluttered with 'first encounter' threads. Our Events are voluntary, but we recommend that all members keep at least a cursory eye on what is happening in each on-going Event within any kingdom their character(s) are a part of. This way, you're always up-to-date on the latest drama in your character's homeland.
Check our the updates below for each of our current Events, provided by our Kingdom Managers. All of these Events and Provincial Stories are open so have your character dive in to any and all!
Africa
Information on African Events and Provincial Stories will be in next week's broadcast!
Athenia
Lines in the Sand The men turn to conversation about whether or not the Senate will be opened through sheer pressure from the people - whilst the ladies that have gathered discuss the sighting of the Queen! The general hubbub outside of the Senate gates is tense and excited... @marietta sparks off the first bit of gossip whilst @cicero speaks with Lord @keikelius about the way matters may soon unfold... Athenia do like their riots after all. Location: Dikastirio, Athenia. Attendance: All Welcome!
Wings of the Sea The event hosted by the family of Nikolaos has gone a little pete-tong. With one Antonis lord losing his pants and his dignity in the drink of the harbour and a lady of Marikas now housebound for shame of falling in first, the disgraces of the early part of the day have at least passed on as the nobility and royal guests have been shooed towards their prospective seats in order to judge the competition of ship-décor... As guests wonder which province and house will claim the cash prize, the judges are asked to provide their verdicts... Location: Magnestis, Athenia. Attendance: All Welcome!
Wind and Rain Athenia is caught in the tail ends of the storms furthest reaching fingers. Rain hits hard from sky to land at a slanting angle, whilst the wind tears at clothing and sets faces streaming as Athenia sees the end of summer. Many of the commonborn rush to fasten boats and nets and cargo to ensure they get to keep their livelihoods once the storm has passed, and the upperclasses have also tasked the guards to aid the fisherman, as many are caught in the storm. @hero , @ismene , @hector are amongst the ones caught - but they had not expected the likes of nobility such as Ladies @hebe and @marietta and even @sofia to be around, and especially not Princess Emilia of Xanthos - who had been thrown off her horse. Now a fainted and dazed princess on their hands for her guards had rode off back to seek for Princess Persephone of Xanthos (who is doing her best to secure the palati, but would have been bested by the storm had Lord @elias not been nearby), the youngest Xanthos princess was in the hands of those around her, as three large cargo ships are now pitching dangerously in the strong winds, threathening to capsize and destroy the mess of the Athenian harbour. Location: Northern Harbour, Athenia. Attendance: All Welcome!
Birthday Wishes The festivities to celebrate Princess Emilia's 15th birthday are underway! The guests have arrived and already are making merry! The Lady @marietta appears a little worse for wear on the wine before things have even really started! Such scandal! Especially when all the royal houses are here to witness the celebration! Location: Arcana, Athenia. Attendance: All Welcome!
Colchis
Viper's Nest With the men away the women rule the roost here in the northern most region of Greece. Ruled over by the regal and highly respected Queen Yanni, Court is held as normal, just four days after the departure of the soldiers. And why not? For with the changing mind of the crown prince, the departure of nobles left and right and the strange series of robberies in the capitol, and was that a dead corpse in the Hall of Gods? As guests stream in, whispers fly, and it doesn't help that the entryway to the Dikasitirio seemed to be a point for Thanasi and Kotas to gather alike. The sister's of the Thanasi household, Ladies @nethis , Thea , and @evras had always seemed to be close, yet if one looked closer, one would see the tense words being exchanged along with wary looks, as Prince @zanon himself escorted his pregnant wife away from the court session. Princess Athanasia of Kotas stood by her mother's side, and the Queen @yanni is further accompanied by Lady @essa - even as whispers of Lady Thea of Thanasi carrying a child of Kotas bloodline begins anew. Location: Dikasitirio Chamber, Midas, Colchis Attendance: Nobility only.
Dead Cargo A body lies floating in the waters near the capital. Will she be recognised for what she is? - a drowned slave, once employed in the Dikastirio kitchens. How interesting, too, that both the Master Informer @magnus and the eldest Thanasi daughter, Lady @nethis find themselves in the same place at the same time - coincidence? Location: Oreboea, Colchis Attendance: All Welcome!
The Fate We Bear The autumn in Colchis brings the normal trials and tribulations of the sky. Its monsoon season in Colchis and the winds are rising with ferocious speeds. The people of the capitol and most vulnerable, high up settlements are forced to board windows, lock doors and stock pile the food and water they might need to see through the days that see them trapped within their homes. Barrels and possessions are taken from yards and fixings on walls taken down and kept inside. The Colchians are used to this repeated pattern every fall but that doesn't make the storms any less dangerous a foe to face... Location: Lower Levels, Midas Attendance: All Welcome!
Heavy Weight As the fighting continues... Crown Prince Vangelis of Kotas is summoned to the first ring to fight @damocles in each their first bout of the competition. And another new fight for the next two competitors in the form of Prince @zanon and the Laconian soldier @maximus! Location: Pieria, Colchis Attendance: All Welcome!
Fire and Brimstone As a festival of light begins in honor of Hephaestus, tensions in the city of Midas rise as followers of Ares begin their own celebrations, almost in direct opposition to those of Hephaestus’ followers. In the midst of all this, several donkeys have found themselves running loose. With careful coordination, Vangelis of Kotas, @maleos, and @nike have managed to take charge of wrangling the beasts while @myrinne, @thrasius, and @magnus try to seek safety! Location: Midas, Colchis Attendance: All Welcome!
Taengea
As Autumn Falls A court session held by the newly minted Queen @theodora is held in hopes of encouraging more solidarity amongst the Taengeans amidst the death of the King of plate. Wine and gossip circulate the kingdom's ladies as they sipped and dined whilst they chatted. Lady @evangelina shows the Leventi spirit by standing up for her cousin and giving silent encouragement, yet it would seem Lady Theodora has much to fight against, as it isn’t just the new Queen, but the Leventi ladies who face gossip and rumors thrown at them from all corners of the courtroom. @basilides has made an appearance under the behest of the princess, and both the merchant and Princess @xene now joined the fray in shunning the gossips of court. As the sun climbs higher, shades and servants and brought out to protect the fairest of the women from the harsher rays of the sun, the ladies continue in their conversations until a loud wail started, and one glance would be quick to tell that one Lady Eoia of Argothia is apparently not as cheery as her companions around her... Location: Palati Grounds, Vasiliadon, Taengea. Attendance: Nobility, mostly Women.
These Walls of Stone The men of Taengea had left for a month, but with no word on progress, walls have been built and reinforced to ensure the safety of the people in Taengea. Taller than a regular ladder, they are further fortified by buckets and crates of oil and tar along with sharpened pikes on the coastline. All trees are to be cleared in the event of the need for military troops to rush to an entry in case of an attack, and the people of Taengea are restless in the face of uncertainty. Lord @nikolias and Lord Fotios of Leventi are both present to oversee the building of the walls, acting as leaders in the absence of a monarch. Lord @georgios had eventually come to join the other two royals as the Colchian troops arrive, bringing with them @maleos , Vangelis of Kotas , @silanos and @tython leading the Colchian army to refuel and refresh their victuals before continuing on the path to meet their enemies. It appears one such Colchian soldier, @damocles has met a friend in the form of @thrasius on the Taengean shores, who had formerly been conversing with @kyros …. Yet the latter doesn’t seem to happy to see their arrival. Location: Isle of Serenn, Taengea Attendance: All Welcome!
These Walls of Stone As the women gather to celebrate the festival of Demeter and Persephone, the smell of roasting pork grows strong as it is nearly time for the slaughtering and drying of the pig guts. As soon as the entrails have been removed and set to dry in heated pans, the pork becomes open for eating and the attentions turn to the crafting of phallic shaped roots and hard baked breads so in honour of the fertility they hope to bring to their fields. Just what will the ladies do with that? Location: Epirus, Taengea Attendance: Women only. All classes.
A Borrowed Freedom The race has begun! With Crown Prince Zacharias, @hesiodes and Lady @selene in the races amongst others of the province and visiting nobility, the stallion by a masked rider that is Lady Selene seems to be out of the rider's control, interfering with the other rider's! Lord Nikos of Condos watching the races from atop a tree with Lady @evangelina , along with the remaining Leventi girl's, Lord Fotios of Leventi himself and Lady @evelli from the sidelines. A quick race ends in a surprise - as Lady @selene takes the grand prize, her guise taken off as she shows her prowess with horsemanship! Yet, it would seem Lord Fotios of Leventi was not entirely happy with the win - for what would be said of the eldest Leventi girl then? Location: Macendia, Taengea Attendance: All Welcome!
Any Savage Can Dance A tutor specializing in dance welcomed into the Taengean palati has been invited to teach the younger, female members of the nobility, and Lord Fotios of Leventi has found himself with the unlucky task of herding the Leventi girls for their lesson. A gaggle of girl's made up of Ladies @evangelina , Dafni, Imma, Nana of Leventi along with the princesses @xene and @gianna, now dutifully attend the lessons. With music from a bard to accompany them, and under the tutelage of Lord Alekos (who now seems less then pleased at his students, although he hides it well), the ladies now begin to practice as their tutor has taught them - something Lady Imma of Leventi was trying very hard to do, but for a four-year old, dancing wasn’t exactly something that came naturally. And now the dance tutor wants them to perform for the harvest festival? It would seem at least Lady Nana of Leventi wasn’t having any of it. Location: Great Gallery, Vasiliadon Attendance: Nobility
A Lion's Pride The Mikaelidas offer a celebration under their matriarch Queen Elise. As the men of the family, @achilleas, Zacharias of Mikaelidas, @stephanos and @emilios turn to witness the entrance of the Leventi ladies with eagerness, it is clear that more alcohol may have exciting and socially dangerous effects on the young and the restless who have culminated here. Lady @selene seems to have returned from her momentary disappearance, and joined Lord @achilleas in conversation, whereas it is Lord @georgios and Fotios of Leventi who have found some privacy to have a brotherly conversation whilst their wives brought the brood of Lady Eirini of Leventi to pay a visit and greet the Queen Elise of Mikaelidas herself,before continuing with the festivities. Location: Isle of Serenn, Taengea Attendance: All Welcome!
New Events
Prepare For The Worst Event - Taengea
As the Taengean people settle back into normal lives, their walls higher and their beaches defended, it becomes a waiting game as to news of their King. The Colchians left soon after their arrival in their lands and have been gone from Taengean shores for nearly a week. Their forces will be half way between the green meadows of Taengea and the Egyptian sands by now. Which means King Achilleas and his men have been on Egyptian soil for three weeks.
Tensions now run high. Whilst the common born see no concern in a war campaign lasting thus long (when they could often be months or years in duration), those aware of the king's military plan to be a silent and quick dismantlement of the Egyptian forces, worry has set in. A few days would be all that was needed to complete such a task. The Taengean forces should therefore have met those of Colchis coming the other way, rendering the men of the north unnecessary and have already landed back home on the beaches of Taengea. No such ships have returned or come into sight on the horizon.
The delay in the king's return does not mean defeat. More that a conflict or complication has broken out in Egypt; that the plan has not gone as expected. This does not mean disaster. But it also does not mean clean triumph. Now the people of Taengea can only wait...
In the early dawn, a scout on the walls of Vasiliadon makes his call. For he can see a small ship on the horizon. The ship turns out to be a small and simple boat - one of the supply boats that had accompanied those filled with soldiers. It's Taengean in origin and no resources remain inside. Instead, half a dozen men are aboard. Three are already dead, having lost limbs and been sent home for recuperation but bleeding out or dying of infection on the voyage back. Whilst returning home is the safest option than staying on a battlefield, the sea has it's own dangers. The others in the boat are near dead with the heat, lack of food and water for a storm not only had them lost in the waters for too long a time - avoiding the Colchian forces as they crossed paths unknowingly - but diminished their supplies and had them all ill with sea sickness. Instead of the fourteen days aboard the vessel, they have suffered for near three weeks. Unable to give any information on how the fighting is proceeding, their timings tell Taengea only one thing... That the bloodshed - bloodshed that had been planned to be avoided entirely - began almost as soon as King Achilleas arrived in Egypt three weeks ago.
Now the leaders of the capitol have choices to be made, plans to be enacted. For one, wreaths of flowers and offerings are needed for the temples of Ares. For another, medical tents or facilities should be arranged somewhere in the city... Does Taengea rally more troops to send to their king's aid when they do not yet know if the king is in danger? Do they keep the men in the kingdom to protect the lands should Egyptian soldiers be on the heels of these Taengean war victims...? So many questions... Just who has the answers? Read More...