Collaborative Story Of Perspectives

[The Blue Collared Philosopher]

Hey, everyone.

I want to start a collaborative story, where everyone that joins the story has their own character. I'm going to set up a world with adventures and a slight identity, but what happens in the story is up to us. I will write a narrative to give everyone a basis for the world and a heads up into what things will be like. However, specifics are once again up to those writing. And i will post something called "The Wall" which will be a note about a specific problem going on in the world or kingdom creating a "mission." This note will be what sort of directs the story so that it isn't utter chaos with random story lines intersecting in random places.

So here are the guidelines for writing in this story.

(Writer Character is referring to the character that is only controlled by a specific writer. Story Characters are added in and controlled by anyone contributing to the story.)

1. In dialogue you can only speak and express for your writer character and any story characters.

2. You may control minor actions for other writer characters. Such as describing what's going on, battle scenes, etc.

3. You must stick to the relative "mission" that i will post.

4. Creatures in this world are unlimited. But i ask if you create a new creature, please give enough description and back ground about the creature so the rest of us can also write about it without ruining the story or creature.

5. Anyone can join the story at any point. Even if the "mission" is half done, you can still jump in without your writer character knowing what the "mission" is. However, i ask again, that if you do this, do not run off into some other storyline, keep to the "mission" and mini missions that the larger "mission" presents to the characters.

6. Don't write anything completely contradictory to what someone else has already stated.

7. If a dialogue fails to continue within a week, then i will either respond in place of the other writer or delete the dialogue, whichever helps the story continue.

8. Your writer character does not have to be on the "good" side. If you wish, your character could be a mercenary or even the "bad" guy. If you are a character with an agenda against everyone else, please use your plot line carefully since it will greatly affect the "good" sides’ mission.

9. You are not allowed to "kill" another writer character. Unless it is your own character and you wish to stop writing or wish to create a new writer character. Despite this, please do not frequently change characters for the sake of keeping the story straight. You can "kill" a story character. If you are a "bad" writer character, and in combat with a "good" writer character, talk amongst yourselves before you decide the outcome of the conflict.

10. You cannot have more than one writer character at a time, but you can add in other story characters whenever you need. Other writers will be able to speak and control these story characters. And everyone please write in 3rd person. 1st person would get too confusing.

11. Your writer character must be one of the humanoid creatures that I will mention in the Narrative. Occupations and histories however are only limited by your imagination.

12. If we succeed in finishing this "mission." Then I will post a new note on "The Wall" for everyone to begin an additional mission.

13. Also, if the "mission" is completed, during the time that no "mission" is in play, feel free to explore the world with your writer character on his own until the next note on "The Wall." However, don't get too distracted in a side story, only write to further the depth of and present new possibilities for the world.

14. If there are any problems or difficulties that occur in the story, please send me a message so i can address it. I will do my best to make sure this works, but after all, the story will be built by all of us.

15. Last but not least, have fun creating your writer character! Your character's past, current life, and future are all in your hands!

Here is an example of rules 1 and 2 with me (Gredruin) writing about another writer character (Amanda):

Gredruin's Post:

The night was late and the moon waned in the sky. Amanda sat on a log next to the fire trying to stay warm from the cool air. Wrapped in a blanket, she stared blankly at the flames. Gredruin shifted his footing, uncertain of what to say. Silence ate away the minutes and no one spoke. "It's a nice night," said Gredruin trying to come up with anything.

(Then i would have to wait for Amanda to post her response.)

Amanda's Post:

"Yes, it is, but i'm still chilled from this weather," she said almost unhappily.

Gredruin's Post:

"I'm sorry."



And so on.

This will be tricky, but i think it will be fun. Please join in!

[The Blue Collared Philosopher]

Narrative:

The wide world of Eursica is heavily populated. The nations ever clash against each other seeking to gain for their own interests.

Travelling from the eastern deserts to lands of humans, the orcs live in clans, always fighting and raiding each other and neighboring nations. While some of have lost the blood lust, many still stick to the old ways of war. Their ways may be wild and barbaric, but even they have a love for music and songs.

Confident that they have the world in their hands, humans build proud cities that tower throughout the lands. Their cities stand in almost every part of the world. Peaceful for the most part, yet when provoked, defend themselves without mercy. Hard humans live in the east from persistent attacks by the orcs. In the peaceful western lands, great cities hold libraries full of elderly scholars learning the mysteries of the gods.


Keeping to themselves, the fair elves live in the western forests too deep and enchanted for mortals to tread. Few are seen in these late days as the sun fades and the old things wither away. To see an elf travelling is often a sign of troubled times. They sing and dance and are more merry than any other race. Magic courses through their veins imbuing them with unnatural powers and gifts. The fair folk they are rightly called, for none are like them.

Mountain ranges to the south ring with the hammer of the dwarves. Pounding away in their mines and tunnels, the haughty dwarves rule with an iron fist. Caught up with their jewels, they pay little attention to the outside world. The politics are deep and the grudges of the dwarves are not easily forgotten. Internal strife plagues their taverns and homes. Deep in the mountains, the stocky dwarves have almost become as hard as the stone around them. Many can be found wandering about looking for new places to mine or new home.

Constantly looking for something new gnomes dedicate their lives to the construction and science of machines. Masters of technology, they make up their size with their smarts. Their home was destroyed by the orcs in wars long past. As a dying race, they travel from city to city selling their inventions. Determined to regain their respect in the world, they are easily angered when people mock their diminutive size and overly large, pointy ears.

[The Blue Collared Philosopher]

The Wall

His royal majesty, King Tyrin III of Ascyta and governor of Durboena greets you.

Of late, the commerce between our city Durboena and the dwarven cities has been disrupted by an unknown cause. Our merchants have set their caravans out to their cities and haven't returned. This would not be unusual if it had just been a few months delay or a handful of caravans missing, but it is far more than that. Everyone is long past their return date and not a word or sign of anyone returning can be found. The dwarven ambassadors and merchants that linger here in our city do not know why this has occurred. Our reputation as the greatest city of trade is being ruined by this dilemma. We must take action before the other nations decide to reconsider trading with us in fear of losing profit. Since our ambassadors in the dwarven cities are silent, I, King Tyrin III have hand picked a company of envoys to travel to the dwarven halls and see what has transpired. The road will be long and dangerous and they cannot go alone. Any man willing to travel as guards will receive full payment upon completion of the task. Seek a captain in the king's guard to see further details regarding employment.

May the peace of Yaway rest upon you.

[The Blue Collared Philosopher]

(This is the first post to this story. Please post the name of the character, from whose perspective we are reading. Like I will do below.)

Veilza:

King Tyrin’s throne room rang with endless voices. All bickering and complaining about what must be done. A circle of stone chairs were carved into the walls of the room. Every chair was full of advisors, ambassadors, generals, and high pay merchants. The debates had lasted hours. No compromise seemed to exist. Veilza sat quietly, waiting for a time to speak or leave; whichever seemed more appropriate.

On the throne, Tyrin listened coldly and watched all with hard eyes. For being a young king, he had seen much. Veilza remembered when he took the throne from his dying father. No one expected much from Tyrin, and many of the lords and nobles planned on manipulating him for their own causes. Tyrin had proved more intelligible than anyone thought; he quickly forced everyone to give up manipulation and let him rule as a free king.

The debates concerned the subject of the missing merchants and caravans. Almost a year had past since any contact with the dwarves had been made. Everyone sent to the dwarven cities did not return. Even the dwarven ambassadors were concerned but not eager to find a solution. After many councils and arguments, everyone decided either the dwarves were in danger themselves or they had turned hostile towards the caravans. Perhaps some crime had been committed by one of the merchants. Either way, no one knew. The only way to find out was to go to the dwarves.

Tyrin had hand picked Veilza as an ambassador to the dwarves. Veilza was trusted by everyone in Tyrin’s family line and had a long history of serving Ascyta’s kings. Almost everyone knew Veilza or had heard of his many feats. Even though Veilza was an old man, nobody doubted his abilities. He was a wizard and very powerful. Few knew of his gift, but it was obvious he wasn’t completely human.

Veilza leaned rested his chin in his hand. After a few more hours maybe something interesting would happen; but little hope of that. Bored, Veilza’s thoughts wandered to the dwarves and the road ahead. No matter what anyone said today, the venture to the dwarves was inevitable. Something had to be done. A dwarf ambassador stood, Veilza groaned. Getting up he left the hall, maybe a cup of wine would be good before he went back.

[devilwarrior]

Aldred: Aldred heard lots of voices, loud and bickering, he could see neither point nor purpose. Nor did he see any end in sight. As he often did in these situations Aldred retreated into the sanctity of his mind.

"Why, oh why, must I be here?" He thought miserably.
"I am High Priest to the Great god of Fire Kal-akar and High-Priest of the Great Western City of Nadim. Surely they could have found someone else to listen to these horrid bickering voices and sit in these uncomfortable stone chairs."

But he knew why it must be him who go. The council of Nadim was very open to the idea of forming alliances and trade routes with Ascyta. If word got out to the people caravans between the Dwarves and Ascyra had stopped caravans would stop going there and we would lose a major trading partner.

"Of course," he pondered, "that's not what they told them." The council had told the people of Nadim that Kal-akar sent them a message, to send one of his priests to Ascyra.

He was the only acceptable one, the rest of the priests of Kal-akar had just entered the priesthood and sending them would have been an insult.

"Well," he thought to himself, "you knew what being a high priest would be like, and after you went through all you did to get here."

He suddenly felt the notion that he was being watched, he looked over and saw the young king looking at him. His eyes were surprisingly intelligent for a lad his age.

He looked at him with, could it be, suspicion?

"No!" he though quickly to himself, "nobody could know about that." He must be getting paranoid in his old age, that's all.

He hoped that either somebody would solve the matter or the meeting would end soon, he wanted to leave these horrid Eastern lands and go back to his beloved city of Nadim and away from the boy king with the suspecting eyes.

"Kal-akar" he thought quietly to himself in contrast with the roar of arguing around him, "help me."
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How was that?

[Heather Titus]

Cherle:

Cherle looked up at the castle walls and frowned. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Pashan barely glanced at her. He shuffled forward impatiently. "Yes. Just think of it, Cherle! We'll travel to the dwarvish lands! It's farther than we've ever gone before. I think it will be a great adventure."

Cherle bit her tongue before she could reply that his last "great adventure" had landed them in the sea when the ratty ship he'd purchased had sunk. "If I ever get my hands on the sailor who sold us that piece of junk..." She sighed.

"Come on!" Pashan scuttled across the drawbridge.

Cherle followed slowly, adjusting the vambraces on her forearms. They walked into the courtyard. Cherle spotted the group around a man in a guard's uniform and, briefly, thought about turning around. "No, Da trusted me to take care of Pashan. I can't turn back."

As they drew nearer, the captain stopped speaking. Some of the men glanced over their shoulders. Their glances became stares. Cherle knew they were looking at her. She felt a steady heat creeping up her neck and ears. "Pashan, why does this always happen?" she muttered.

He grinned.

The captain stepped forward. "Yes? Can I help you?"

"We're looking for employment on the guard for the ambassador's trip to the dwarf lands," Pashan answered.

The captain's eyes cut from Pashan to Cherle and back. "Yes. And why is she here?"

"I can speak for myself," Cherle answered. "I'm here for the job. My brother and I work together."

"I hope you realize that..."

"I can prove myself." Cherle pulled a coiled bowstring from the pouch at her side and began stringing her bow. "What target?"

"I don't think..."

"What target, captain?"

The man finally gave up trying to protest and pointed over her shoulder. Cherle glanced back. A small, triangular pennant fluttered at the top of the guard tower beside the drawbridge. She looked at the captain.

He smirked.

Cherle selected an arrow from her quiver, nocked it, and sighted. It was a small target, but she knew she could easily hit it. The man needed a better demonstration of her skills.

The pennat fluttered in just the right direction, and Cherle released her arrow. It hissed its way to the top of the guard. Even in the courtyard, Cherle could hear the satisfying thunk as it pinned the pennant to it's pole.

She turned back to the captain.

He cleared his throat. "I guess you're in."

[The Blue Collared Philosopher]

Veilza:

The guards saluted him as he stepped out into the fresh air. The city spread out below him gloriously. Durboena was the center of the trade world. The elaborate designs and grand houses made evident its wealth. Few cities he had traveled to could compete with Durboena. Yet, despite the grand aura of the city, Veilza never forgot the poor and weak. Everywhere he turned, he always tried to help those in poverty. Sometimes they deserved how they lived, but who was he to cast judgment? If his travels had taught him nothing else, he learned that he was only responsible for his own actions, and he would help those in need regardless of how or why they got there.

A loud crash disrupted his thoughts; angry shouts and pounding feet rushed towards him. Curious, Veilza waited to see who approached. After a moment, two panting guards stopped in front of him.

Half choking on saliva, one of the guards asked, “Have you seen a boy?”

Veilza shook his head, “No, the only people that have come this way are yourselves.”

The guard growled a curse, “We were right on his trail.”

The other guard laughed at his companion’s frustration, “Looks like he’s evaded us again.”

“Who are you looking for? And I’ll keep an eye out for him,” said Veilza.

The first guards grumbled, “We don’t know his name. But he’s a street thief. He is always causing us trouble. Somehow he manages to get into the king’s private kitchen and steal some of his best foods. He has been sneaking around the throne room the past couple of days. We don’t know what he’s doing, but it can’t be anything good.”

“Haven’t you tried catching him in the kitchen before?” asked Veilza slightly amused that a boy could outsmart all of the king’s guard.

“Yes, but somehow he always slips out before we have him.”

Veilza genuinely intrigued about the boy, promised the guards he would make an effort to find him and put an end to his raids. They left with their spirits encouraged and hopes that soon their little problem would be solved. Thinking back on his boyhood, memories of his own raids filled his mind. Catching the thief wouldn’t be a problem, but what to do with him afterwards was another issue. He would deal with that when the time came.

He made his way to the training grounds and found the captain speaking to a young boy and girl. Veilza couldn't quite tell how old they were, his old age always seemed to make everyone look young. The girl strung her bow. And in flash let an arrow fly into the air. At first Veilza thought she had completely gone astray, but a thunk told him he was wrong. The arrow stuck out of the pennant's pole at the top of the guard tower. Veilza grinned, she would do well for this trip.

"Captain," said Veilza.

The captain came quickly to Veilza and bowed. "Yes, my lord?"

Veilza rolled his eyes, "Kirik, you know I don't like it when I'm called that."

The captain nodded, "Forgive me, Veilza."

"Have you gathered a company yet?"

Captain Kirik looking around, "There are a total of seven of us at the moment. The job of missing caravans hasn't gathered as many as I thought. The seven include: yourself, me, the young girl and boy, Cherle and Pashan I think are there names, and the other four are representitives from the other races, a dwarf, an elf, an orc, and a gnome."

Veilza nodded slowly, "Yes, a good company I suppose. Considering we don't really know what we are getting into. Let everyone know that in a day from tomorrow we will meet to discuss our plans."

Captain Kirik nodded and pounded a fist on his chest, then marched back to the grounds.

[choosybeggar]

Jalgar:

Ignoring the bustling crowds about him, Jalgar perused the wall on which all sorts of notices and advertisements were attached. There seemed to be nothing that would interest him. But wait! A royal note with a seal. Hmm. King Tyrin III...Durboena...caravans...seek a captain. And it mentioned Yaway. Aha! This might be just what I am looking for. And maybe a time for me to try out my special abilities!

Jalgar stepped back and collided with a passerby. It was a fat merchant, who gave him a dirty look before hastening away.

No wonder the man gave him no respect. Jalgar was dressed as a simple soldier, and a young one at that. Though he was tall, his face had no distinctive or noble features. He owned nothing but his sword and buckler, clothing and purse and light chain mail. No one would look twice at him, especially if he put his mail hood up and looked down. And that was exactly how he liked it.

He made his way to the castle, saluting the guards on the walls. They ignored him. Once inside, he spotted a group of war-like individuals, one of which appeared to be a captain. He approached, and the captain accosted him.

"Are you another volunteer for the job of caravan guard?"

"Yes, sir."

The captain looked him up and down. For a moment he vacillated, but at last he spoke. "You're hired. Join the others here."

Jalgar joined the group, which contained a variety of races. He almost trod on the toes of a gnome, who snarled.

"A-watch wheer you're goin' wi' those big boots a-yourn!"

"Sorry," he mumbled.

Was this all the note had gathered? Jalgar looked around at the others. There were representatives of each race, the captain, a mischievous-looking boy, and a girl with a bow. She was giving Jalgar an outraged stare. What did I do?

Evening drew near, and the captain addressed the group.

"Come back early the day after tomorrow to meet and discuss plans. For now, dismissed."

Jalgar waited behind as the others left. He had a question. "Sir, what if anyone else wants to join? Is this the limit for the size of the team?"

"No. If I find more volunteers, I'll gladly add them. We were hoping for a larger company."

"Thank you." Jalgar nodded and headed out, looking for an inn.

[The Blue Collared Philosopher]

Veilza:

Veilza walked home that night under the starlit sky. Everything was peaceful for the moment. He had gone back to the council after his visit to the training grounds. Nothing had really gotten an further. Politics; that's how it always went: all words and no action until the world was falling in on their ignorant heads.

He followed the path as it entered into the woods far outside the city. His remote home was frowned upon by most of the upper class. He didn't care, he wasn't one of them; even if he did wear the nice clothes and prance about the king's halls as if they were his own.

The path ended at a little hut that was tucked neatly into a tiny corner of the woods. He strode up to it and opened the unlocked door. With a touch of magic a few candles bloomed into a flickering light. It was a humble home. It had a kitchen, living area, and a bedroom. Simple enough and all that one man really needs, but not something you'd expect from the king's adviser.. Many promises of wealth, fame, and fortune had been given, but Veilza had denied them all. He preferred the quiet places of the world. The few that still existed.

After taking a shower and cleaning up a few rogue items, Veilza sunk into his bed. His body moaned slightly from the days work, then sighed as all came to relax. Thoughts of the next day came quickly to Veilza's mind, but he shoved them out. He'd get to tomorrow soon enough. The only thing he knew he needed to do tomorrow was: deal that the boy stealing the kings food. Then, maybe relax the rest of the day. If relaxation could be found.

The next morning Veilza woke up bright and early. He was into the city before even the merchants were bustling about. The boy would probably try to sneak the food later that night. But, it was worth getting up early to investigate how to catch him. Veilza strolled around the kitchen checking out the best way to get in and out without being seen. Trying to be discreet, the cooks and servants all gave him odd looks and glances. Veilza chuckled to himself about it. And old man, of great importance, walking around a dirty kitchen in the middle of the day was somewhat amusing.

After scouting out the area, Veilza was slightly stumped as to how the boy got in. The back door, the most obvious, led to an thin alley that led to no escape route. The windows, the few that existed, were in main areas that would been seen by even the most clueless person. And other than the front door, no other way in seemed available. Veilza didn't bother himself with anymore scouting and decided to come back later that night and just wait in the kitchen for the boy. He'd find him if he knew anything about how hungry boys thought.

[devilwarrior]

Aldred: Aldred was worried.
The king and his advisor Veilza had watched him for too long, longer then others, or was he just seeing things? He worried that it was not a trick of the mind and indeed those two had noticed him as different.
He had seen many people at the council but remebered few of them for he was worried the king knew his secret. He quickly returneded to the small house on the outskirts of the city where he was temporarily staying and spoke to his bat familiar Azop.
"Azop," he said "follow the Boy King and that impudent advisor of his, screech thrice if indeed they suspect."
The bat hastened to his master's command.
"With any luck," he thought to himself, 'with Kal-Akar's favor we shall solve this problem soon."
And with that he went outside to continue on his personal needs.

[Heather Titus]

Cherle:
As Cherle exited the inn where she and Pashan had passed the nigh, she noticed one of her team members standing a few feet away. It was the young man who had joined last, the one who had given her a funny glance.
Cherle huffed. On more man she had to prove her skill to.
Pashan dashed past her.
"Pashan! Stay with me!" she shouted, but as usual, he ignored her.
He ran up to the young man and stuck out his hand. "Hiya. What's your name? Think we'll start out today?"

[onceuponatime]

If you're still doing this and I can join:
Tilka:

As she walked along the busy market street, people turned to look at her. Her beauty, grace, and pointed ears branded her as an elf. The aspen bow, quiver of arrows, and simple lute slung over her slender shoulders did not seem to weigh her down at all. She had spoken to the town crier who informed her of the mission about to set out. So she was going to the palace courtyard to speak to the captain of the guards. He looked at her gruffly and a bit annoyed. "Don't tell me you can shoot the pennant too!" What was the man talking about? "Pick a small target and hit it or leave."

"Do you see that fruit hanging over the wall over there?"

"What fruit?" The man asked, looking around like he expected it to be right under his nose.

In an instant she unslung her bow, cocked an arrow, and shot. There was a satisfying thump."That one."

He stared in shock then told her where to wait. As she walked off she heard him mutter "Looked like a cherry to me." She would have to discover what a cherry was.

[choosybeggar]

(Oh, this is still going? YES! Oh, wait. I have to finish what I started?)

Jalgar:

Jalgar stretched, breathing deeply. What would he do with this morning? It was one while day with no orders to come or go or anything, before the meeting tomorrow. What to do?

Just then the boy he had seen in the volunteers earlier dashed up and stuck out his hand.

"Hiya. What's your name? Think we'll start out today?"

Jalgar felt his reaction was a bit slow. He shook the proffered hand, noticing the girl behind. She was glaring. Again, what did I do?

"Hello. I'm Jalgar. Uh, no, we're not doing anything until a meeting early tomorrow. The captain might still be recruiting today, but we're off as far as I know. Who are you two?"

[onceuponatime]

Tilka:
She reached the inn and saw the three people outside. A human boy was talking to a man while a girl glared at the man. She approached softly.

[Heather Titus]

(Yes, Choosy, you have to finish. )

Cherle:

Cherle sighed. Now Pashan was forcing her to be polite. Wonderful. She opened her mouth to answer Jalgar's question, but as usual, Pashan beat her to it.

"I'm Pashan. This is my sister Cherle. She's kind of a grouch, so don't mind her too much. Thinks all men are too sure of themselves and too ready to dismiss her talent."

Cherle growled and turned away from the two men...boys...whatever. A young woman stood only a few paces behind them. Cherle noticed her pointed ears. An elf. A female elf with a bow. Was she also a recruit?

"Hello," she muttered.