The Hard Stuff

In our "Keep the Dream Alive" rpg we've had lots of wars, lots of deaths, even lots of babies. Most of us have survived fire & flood, hurricane & blizzard, fall 'n winter 'n spring.

But for our writers of all ages and all backgrounds ... it seems like the hardest thing to find, develop and survive is ... love.

And I guess that makes our game not so different than the show that inspired us to start this up in the first place.

Love, affection, emotion -- that was always the hard stuff in "The Tribe." Amber & Bray didn't happen overnight. When Lex first asked Taisan to marry him, she turned him down. Selene 'n Ryan? Pride & May? Even Zoot 'n Ebony. Nothing was ever easy. And the unrequited love was everywhere.

Ah, but "The Tribe" writers were adults, interpreting the world for teenagers from their adult perspectives. In our game, there are no Powers That Be guiding the game & writing scripts. We're on our own here. And love, affection, emotion? Still the hard stuff.

We've had a few good attempts over the years. Chyna & Xeno (who both died), Arianna & Judge (Judge was killed), Arianna & Prince (unrequited love), Bishop & Brena (wounded souls), Jade & Tom-F (he died).

In today's game, things are stirring. It looks like Arianna & Scarecrow might have a chance. Hawk & Creed are solid. Krystal & Jason are going through a rough patch. Marionette & Villa are two of a kind who'll either wind up in love or killing each other. Ace & Eris, but Eris needs more confidence in herself.

In the midst of hardship and struggle for survival, people tend to cling together. Whether as a tribe, in a bar, at a market or just groups on the street finding common ground ... it's human nature. But protraying emotion, affection, love in our game has never been an easy thing to do.

Cheers to those brave enough to take a stab at it.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"