Christmas Hope

In reading earlier years of "Chyna's Closet," I
came upon the post I wrote for Christmas 2009.
As I think about today, all my family & friends
scattered around the world, this post seemed
especially evocative of what I'm feeling ... and
what I'm wishing for all those I love.

Merry Christmas, everyone. 



We never saw Christmas in The Tribe. Actually we didn't see many old traditions carried into the post-Virus world.

In our Tribe-based rpg, that seems to hold true as well. The only major celebration we've had in all our game-years has been Winter Solstice. A few characters have quietly observed their own traditions. The two that come to mind quickly are Christmas & Hanukkah. Other than that ... nothing.

I think it's a bit sad. The one thing Christmas--and truthfully, most traditions--does for us is bind people together. In this holiday season, we see families come closer & count their blessings. We see neighbors helping each other more. Strangers on the street can be friendlier. Even for someone spending Christmas alone, there can be joyful moments. A card from a distant relative. A phone call from mom in Florida. An unexpected present from a friend. A neighbor shoveling your snow. A candle lit against the dark.

The Christmas season is about hope...something we can't have enough of.

To my Tribe-friends, I hope you're all well & spending Christmas with your loved ones. I don't think you can do any better than that.

Here's a virtual hug coming your way -- *hugs*

Merry Christmas, whatever world you live in.

-Chyna

[Original title: Merry Christmas, 2009"]

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Choosing Your Reality

 

In KTDARPG we deal with life, youth & the challenges of growing up while creating a way of life from scratch. Without the guidance of adults & the civilized institutions we've come to depend on, that's not an easy prospect. Most especially not easy in an rpg where the rules demand at least a semblance of reality from players who are struggling with unfamiliar territory.

Reality? Whose reality?

There's no real answer. It changes depending on who you are & what you're dealing with.

But... I found the following text on another blog. Frankly, it seemed to speak to the characters we're trying hard to establish in a game that none of us has ever had to play for real.

I think you'll see what I mean.

          After a while, you learn the difference between holding a hand & chaining a soul.

          You learn "love" doesn't mean "leaning," that "company" doesn't mean "security."

          You begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts, presents aren't promises.

          You begin to accept defeats with your head up, eyes open--with the grace of an

          adult, not the grief of a child.

          After a while, you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much. So you

          plant your own garden & decorate your own soul instead of waiting for someone

          to bring you flowers.

          You learn that you really can endure. You really are strong. You really do have worth.

          And you learn, and you learn ... with every goodbye, you learn.

Here's to all of us who continue to learn.

-Chyna

Photo source: Webshots

Love in the Time of the Virus

Just like in The Tribe, love is a challenge. Sometimes it works... other times, not so much. We had high hopes for KTDA's Lily & Rook, both young, both working to prove themselves to their older siblings or family, both at the age where they need to define themselves. Yep... reminded us a lot of Ved & Cloe.

But after a brief acquaintance, it just wasn't meant to be. Maybe it's just that boys really don't understand girls. Maybe it's just the "time of the Virus" that gets to us now & then. Maybe Rook was just too logical & Lily was just too emotional. *sigh* Whatever it was, it happened fast. One minute they were together, the next Rook was walking away. Here follows a condensed version of what went down.  O_O 


Adventures
December 2010

Rook: Maggie said you were a member of a tribe. What's that like?

Lily: The Misfits. I was a street kid scrounging for food when Arianna found me. I don't think I'd be alive if it wasn't for her. The Misfits are my family.

Rook: *thoughtful* It's rare a tribe has a girl leader. We seen tribes all over, and mostly they weren't good things. They bullied people, got power by violence or controlling something valuable like water or food, you know? *shakes his head* From what I've seen, the world'd be better off without tribes.

Lily: That's your opinion. The tribes of Fort River came together and rid the city of a common enemy. The Misfits are respected for our generosity and compassion, not for power or strength.

Rook: Well yeah, it's my opinion. But it's based on things I've seen. Lily, aside from the Misfits, what are Fort River tribes like? Can you name...I dunno, three? Three tribes not known as much for fighting as for anything else?

Lily: *sadly* You must have seen a lot of bad things in your lifetime. Hmm...let's see, there's the River Rats, and Big Sis and her kids...no I can't.

Rook: We saw a lot, especially right after the Virus. Families are great things, but mostly tribes haven't been families. They've been private armies.

Lily: *anger beginning to show* Look, I'm sure you've seen terrible stuff. I'm sure bad things happened. But this is Fort River. Have you seen tribes fighting in the street? NO! Are kids stealing, starving, sleeping in the streets? NO!

*Rook shoved his hands deeper in his pockets. He didn't understand Lily's anger.*

Rook: Lots of people sleep in the streets, Lily. And maybe there's less fighting because of that fight club over in the factory district? I heard Baz and Logan say it's a real butcher shop.

Lily: If people are sleeping in the streets, it's their choice. People who go fight in the club make that choice too. Fort River tribes don't fight over power, food or anything else. *tears begin to fill her eyes and she shouts at him* IT'S MY HOME YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. If Fort River is such a bad place, why are you and your stupid friends still here?

Rook: Why are you getting upset? I didn't say it was your fault--jeez, it's nobody's fault, Lily. That's just the way the world is. *frowns* And my friends aren't dumb, especially my brother.

Lily: *wipes at her face* Upset? You basically just said my home is a rotten terrible place. And the cause is my family, my tribe and the other tribes.

Rook: I didn't say that! Even if your tribe wiped out a whole 'nother tribe--the Grimms? *shrugs and seems at a loss for more words* It must've needed doing, I guess?

*Lily's hand goes to her throat and the fading scar from the Dealer's knife.* No, Rook, that wasn't something that needed to happen. It just did.

*Lily begins to walk down the street. Rook followed after her.*

Rook: Why are you acting like this, Lily? I don't understand.

Lily: That's right, you don't understand. You never will, so just drop it.

*Rook slowed, letting the distance grow as Lily kept walking. He watched her stiff back and shook his head.* This is wrong. This is very wrong.

*But he didn't know what was wrong, so he didn't know how to make it right with Lily. He hardly knew her. Rook stopped and took a deep breath. Then he turned around and started walking back to Home.*


-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Did you really say "Trust Me"?

Ah, my friends, Chyna truly wishes she had a dollar for every time she's heard a player say: "Trust me."

It's such a warm, cozy feeling to know you have player-friends looking out for your best interests, who want to draw you into their interesting plots & strategies & game twists and turns.

Yeaaahhh ... how stupid do I look?

I know, I know, I've said it myself. "Trust me." Trust that I have a plan in mind that you're PERFECT to help me with! Trust that we'll either succeed or else have someone to cry with when it all goes to hell. Trust that I THINK I know what I'm doing.

One of the first lessons Mom taught me was Never trust a guy who says "Trust Me." Mom would be proud--I learned that lesson well. Sure, I slip up from time to time. Forget the cardinal rules for dealing with "bad boys" & actually think I know someone well enough that I won't get trapped. Silly me. But I get over it, move on, and probably will make the same mistake again somewhere else down the road.

Bottom line? This is just a game, not world domination. And if I went through life never trusting anybody because I've been burned a time or two? Seems like it would get kinda lonely. I think I'd rather be a trusting soul than a cold one.

Oh, and just so you know ... I am generally trustworthy. At least I try to be. I'm not malicious, not vindictive, not so devious that I'll give a green-eyed smile & hope you're bemused enough to follow along just so I can use you and toss you later.

Trust me. *big grin*

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Updated KTDARPG Game/Story Summary

For those new to KTDARPG, either reading or playing, here is the updated game summary that gives a bit of game history & sets up current circumstances.


KTDARPG Game Overview
(December 2013)

"Keep the Dream Alive" role-playing game was inspired by the New Zealand tv show The Tribe. The premise of the show was that a Virus killed all the adults in the world, leaving their children alone to find their way in a desperate new world.

Ours is an "other-world," where real-world geography and history don't exactly apply. There are also no fantasy or super-powered characters here.

KTDA started play-action less than a year after our game-Virus was unleashed and the adults killed. The world's kids (generally age 18 and younger) were left alive and must deal with finding food, shelter, clothing, safety--trying to survive and build a new world for themselves out of the ashes of the old.

The city of Fort River is where most of our action takes place. It's located on a long peninsula. (See map in the "files" section.) The climate has traditional seasons. Trees, plants, crops and animals are all climate-appropriate, too. Surrounding cities include Bayview (west), Darrow (south), Vale (east) and Capital City (north).

Between battles, fires, explosions and even a hurricane, Fort River has taken a beating... but it's still home. 

In our game-world, a year has passed since the first friends met in Fort River, which makes it almost 2 years since the first Virus was released. (A second, kid-killing Virus was also unleashed and defeated.) The current citizens of our city have endured invasion, occupation, and destruction on a massive scale. Now the kids are growing and trying to move forward, finding loves, building lives and creating a city they can be proud of.

It's turning to winter again--the 2nd winter in the game--and it promises to be the worst winter we've had to endure. Old-world resources are mostly used up, and we're having to forage and scrounge more and more. We're focused on survival: surviving the winter while losing as few of our city kids as possible.

Fort River has a shelter and clinic for those in need. There's a local sort-of-hotel that serves meals and a casino for nightlife. We have a newspaper for city news and bards for news from other places. Oh, and we have electricity again!

There have been many tribes throughout the game. Right now primary tribes are Misfits, River Rats, Grasshoppers and coming new to the city is the Grey Tower Tribe.

Aside from individual grudges and rivalries, the primary bad guys have been (in order) StormRiver Tribe, the Brotherhood and the Anti-Kids...but who knows what's ahead?

Every day's an adventure, be we all work to stay tribal!

Welcome to Keep the Dream Alive.

-Chyna, Game Owner

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Keeping the Dream Alive

Thinking lately of the characters we've lost over the years, and the players who have moved on, and the friends who've drifted away because life got crazy.

The characters will forever be with us. I hope the people know, they will be too.

Happy Thanksgiving & Hanukkah 2013.

Does it fade?

Pain. Terror. Uncertainty. Fear.
Sadness. Loneliness. Desperation.

That hollow ache inside when the absolute worst happens

and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it...

Does it fade?

Is that how we survive?

Or do we just become so numb that one more thing
can't affect us ... can't touch us inside

because inside is empty.

Characters in our game have suffered and lost, time after time.

Some of them disappear. Some of them die.

Some of them hold onto some hope

that maybe things can get better.

Tomorrow... if we can just make it until tomorrow.

Does it fade?

Or do we?

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Fast-forward

In a text-based rpg with many players, we've had a single day last 2-3 months. After 9 years of play, at that speed we might be maybe 6 months away from the Virus release rather than almost 2 years.

We attribute that to one of our most closely guarded, moderator-controlled devices: the time jump. Kind of like a fast-forward for writing.

We haven't used it a lot, and always with agreement among players that this is something to be desired.

It's kind of fun too!

Example: at the end of our game's Season-1 where we destroyed a good chunk of the city and didn't know who survived, we decided not to start Season-2 as the same day/next day and what comes next. Rather, Season-2 began weeks later where we picked up with the Brotherhood in control of the city and slowly... slowly... let people know who had survived the perilous battle. We "jumped" ahead to keep from getting bogged down trying to step-by-step the aftermath.

A more recent example was the "jump" from mid-summer to late fall. Our characters were getting bogged down & we needed a fresh perspective. Ergo, voile! Harvest-time.

Our fast-forward strategy focuses on the story line & making sure we can get ourselves out of situations before we write ourselves to a stand-still.

If text-based gaming has taught us anything, the lesson is to find every way we can to be creative without sacrificing our game to gimmicks. If we over-used it, the time-jump would really have no meaning. We'd lose control of the story & the whole point of our work together.

But used discretely? Ah... creative, yes. Wicked creative. And it keeps our tribal story line fresh, exciting, and maybe a little unpredictable--which is sooo not a bad thing!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Hawk's Conscience

The world in which we play is often harsh & cold. We do whatever it takes to survive, but loss can be hard to overcome. One major lesson we've learned is that those we trust, those we love... they may go on before us, they never really leave us behind.


Hawk's Conscience
Post #28,562 - May 2009

Hawk paced the deserted camp--the mess hall, the parade area near the twisted remnants of the gate, a pile of rubble that was once a guardhouse.

It was here, Sis, we last talked. It seems so long ago. What would you say now, with all that has occurred? Bishop's death, Creed alive, the final battle against the AKs. The last time we were here, it snowed.

Words formed of themselves in the back of Hawk's brain. They were not her words, and the voice was just a memory in her heart.

[Snow made me restless, like I was forgetting something.]

"You were always restless. I wish you were here, Chyna."

[I've always been here, Hawk. I never left you.]

A flicker at the edge of Hawk's sight, maybe just a night bird following prey. "Sis?" She sighed and then shook her head. "Maybe I am starting to lose it."

[You were always the practical one. See a problem, fix it, move on. Why haven't you moved on, Hawk? Why are we here?]

Hawk looked out into darkness. "I thought I had. Mated, a babe, healing... but the path always brings me back here."

[Sounds like unfinished business to me. That's not like you.]

"Being in the city at all is not like me. Now it's worse. Death to the city if my death doesn't occur?" That was what Joker had promised.

[You always said you weren't a leader, Hawk, but you always seem to wind up taking responsibility. How did that happen?]

"Because I remembered. The training, my purpose. A guardian is not a leader but a caretaker. With Jean's death, the River Rats chose me."

[You never liked to face death. You took each one personally. That's not being a caretaker. It's acting like an owner. You can't own people, can't take their choices from them.]

"Nor would I, but they need to have real choices. This Joker has given them the choice of killing me, staying in the city and dying, or leaving in the middle of a drought. According to Joker, I am the evil monster. He is the good guy trying to help."

[Are you a monster?]

The question startled Hawk with its brutal simplicity. She closed her eyes. "You never saw, Chyna. Never witnessed the full-out berserker I could become."

The wind stirred the trees. Somewhere a wolf howled. From the distant city, now and then a voice drifted across the field.

[You were never the monster. Never the freak. That was me.]

"You were no freak. You were normal, Sister. I was the one who was scarred."

[You never saw the scars I hid inside, Hawk. Love lost. Life shattered. Hope gone. All before you and I ever met. Your scars are clean, earned in exchange for lives saved. You only knew Chyna that the Virus created. You are so alive. Life is precious to you. When I killed, I was an executioner. When you killed... you mourned. Who is the monster?]

The breeze tickled Hawk's cheek, tossing strands of hair into her eyes. Playful. Gentle.

[It doesn't matter. We're all kids. The Virus was the last monster. Remember the last thing I said to you?]

Hawk remembered. "When this battle comes, don't worry about trying to watch my back--focus on your own. And stay alive. Stay alive."

[You've lived so long for other people, the way you guarded the River Rats for me. People don't love monsters. You have always been loved.]

"Aye. Creed... I have loved."

[If you love, there is no monster. Have faith in love until you die from it. Stay alive, sister of the sword. Stay alive.]

Hawk looked puzzled by revelation. "Not a monster. Of the wild, but still human?"

[Just a girl. Surviving. Forget the past, Hawk. If anyone calls you monster, do what you have to do. You won't prove them right or wrong. Don't judge, but don't be judged either.]

Hawk chuckled. "Just a girl. You're the only one to call me that."

Another voice came out of the darkness. "You've been in the woods too long, Hawk, if you're out here talking to yourself. Either that or the heat's gettin' to you." Aeryn came farther into the open. "Is this a private party or can anybody play?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
-Chyna

Photo Source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Arianna's Journal

Our KTDARPG writers are wicked creative. Something as simple as a journal entry can be used very effectively to (a) summarize action, (b) give the story a time- or date-stamp, or (c) introduce small facts vital to setting the next stage of drama (without having to act out every detail through multiple postings) ...

My friend from Michigan does all this & more using such a normal device as a diary.



Dear Journal
Post #7008

Arianna sits alone in the warehouse writing in her journal.


April 1

Dear Journal,

It's been 3 months since the hurricane destroyed half of Fort River. Many people died, others were hurt badly. So many buildings gone, water everywhere. it doesn't look like home any more.

I'm worried. Most of the Misfits have left or disappeared. I haven't seen Rourke or Adear in what seems like forever. Breya went off a couple weeks ago, to look for her son I think. All the others except Lily and Izzy have joined other tribes. I hope those two are ok. They went out last night and haven't come back. It's sweet, those two getting together. They're a little young but who isn't these days?

Oh yeah - don't forget. I'm exactly 19 weeks today. That's about the only thing that keeps me going.

Well, that's all for now.


Arianna closes the book and puts it and the pen into a drawer next to her bed. She walks out into the empty warehouse. There she sighs, her hand on the small bump of her belly. She walks to the kitchen area and begins heating some water for tea.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Choreographing a Great Fight

Some of the hardest rpg-writing I've done has been in the construction of fight scenes -- and you know, we ALL love a good fight! But it ain't easy. It really helps if you have a good partner. For the cage-match scene we created between Chyna & Sid, I had a great partner/friend from California on the other end. (Thanks, Josh!)

I hope you enjoy reading as much as we enjoyed writing it.




The Fight
Post #1265

*Sid pushes through the crowd. He picks up a sword, swings the cage door open and walks in. The crowd starts to ambush the cage. They begin to chant and scream but Sid does not turn. His eyes stay focused.*

Jamie: (This will be one war to remember.) 

*Chyna approaches the table, picks up a sword. With a glance at Hawk and the River Rats, she moves to the door and steps inside. The metal door clangs shut. The padlock clicks. Her half-smile grows to a grin. She faces Sid, salutes him with her blade.* "Well, we have the floor and the audience--let's dance!"

*Sid stands still for a moment, then starts to jog around the perimeter of the cage. Chyna steps into him, aiming high, and Sid meets her blade. The sound of steel-on-steel crashes over the crowd. The Travelers roar their encouragement and pound on the sides of the cage.*

*Sid comes back at Chyna with a deep breath and a strong sword blow. Chyna staggers from the weight of it, slamming her back into the cage wall behind her. She recovers fast and dodges around him to get more room.* (I can't take him in a slamming fight. He's too strong--have to be faster.)

*Sid turns and she catches his left arm, leaving a trail of blood. He swings at Chyna but hits the cage and brings the blade back around, just missing her head. He raises the sword for a powerful strike downward. Chyna's blade catches his, holds it--the muscles in her arms screaming with the effort.*

"C'mon, Sid! Your fans out there expect more!"

*She breaks away and backs up, then comes in swinging at his side where he catches it and shoves her back again. Chyna dodges left, making him follow her. She moves quickly, circling him, catching Sid from behind and smashing her boot into the back of his knee, taking him down to the ground. She swings her blade wide, eyes fever-bright with violence.*

Jamie: "No--Sid! Behind you! "

Hawk: *softly* "No, Chyna. Not for you ... that's not the way." 

*Chyna screams out her fury--at being used, manipulated, played with--brings her sword forward with both hands in a powerful strike--then pulls the blow as Sid jumps to his feet. Her blade scrapes across his hip. The momentum of the stroke carries her with it until she twists aside, facing Sid. He cracks his neck and pulls his arm back, swinging hard. Chyna tries to brace herself for the blow but his sword doesn't stop until its close to her left upper arm. She meets Sid's eyes. He pushes the blade and pulls back quickly, opening up a gash on her arm.*

*She smiles coldly into those white eyes and steps into him, pushing back on the crossed blades. He laughs and moves with her. She twists left, pulling her sword down. Her blade scores his chest as she backs away, shouting.*

"That's more like it! C'mon, Sid. Just a girl here. How tough can it be?"

*She brings her sword up to block his next stroke, moving left again.* (He's not even breathing hard!) *Sweat pours down her face as she dances out of his way.*

*As Chyna starts to circle around him, Sid swings and knocks her back then rushes in and grabs her by the neck. His grip is iron as his fingers dig into the flesh of her throat. He feels her blade come up on his leg and kicks it to the ground. Chyna beats at his grip with both hands, trying to break his hold, then rakes her sharp nails across his face. Sid brings up the handle of his blade, smashing her over the right eyebrow. He lets her go and she staggers back, falling to her knees in the dirt. Sid backs up, grinning, motioning for her to pick up her sword.*

*Chyna crouches on the ground, breathing hard. She shakes the blood out of her eyes and laughs. Her hand closes on the hilt of her blade and she moves fast to the side, finding room to maneuver. Two-handed, she aims a blow at his chest. Sid parries but his blade slides and Chyna twists her strike, cutting into his side. Before she can back off, Sid swings out wildly and rips through the leather on her left leg, cutting into her thigh. He reverses his swing and pushes her back, his blade biting deep into her left side.* 

*Chyna barely catches his next swing and pushes him off. She backs away to the center of the field. For a heartbeat, they stand motionless. Chyna panting for breath as her blood stains the ground. Sid cold, ruthless, blood-stained, gauging his opponent's weakness.*

*Sid suddenly goes into motion, closing the distance between them. He swings--Chyna ducks and hits him brutally in the ribs with her fist. He staggers but brings his elbow down on the top of her head. She drops like a stone, face-down in the dirt. Sid kicks her hard in the side, flipping her over on her back. Before she can move, Sid puts his foot on her throat. His cold eyes look over the crowd surrounding the cage. The Travelers are shouting and chanting loudly, calling his name. He smiles at them, puts his thumb to his throat and slowly pulls it across, waiting for their approval.*

Nestor: Say it, Chyna! SAY THE WORDS! Don't make him kill you!

Hawk: At least make it a clean kill. She's earned that right.

*As the shouts of the crowd grow wild, Sid takes his boot off Chyna's throat. He steps over her, one leg on each side of her body, pinning her in place. With both hands, he pulls his blade all the way to his back. With every bit of power he has, Sid swings straight at Chyna's face.*

*Shouting Chyna pulls her blade forward with both hands, trying desperately to block his deadly stroke.*

*The two blades meet with a thundering force and SHATTER!*

*The concussion rocks Sid back as metal shards cut into his arms and chest. Chyna's wrist screams agony from the blow. Broken metal bits rain down all over her body.*

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ah, the course of friendship between Sid & Chyna had a lot of bumps along the way. This is a condensed version of a very powerful scene. If you want more, visit KTDARPG soon!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

In The Beginning

In the beginning, you get an idea. Boy or girl? Tribe or outcast? Dominant or submissive?

Players who join KTDARPG have an enormous task: Create Your Character. How do you do it? Where do you start? Help!

Fortunately we have excellent help for our players. When you join KTDA, you get an email with an outline that gives you all the parameters you need to come up with a smokin' new character to fit in our Tribe-related world.

==================

CHARACTER PROFILE

==================

Name:
Age (max 22):
Height/Weight:
Skin/Eye/Hair colors:
Clothing:
Face paint/Tattoos/Piercings:
Personality:
What was the character like PRE VIRUS?
What's happened to your character SINCE THE VIRUS?
  Current member of a tribe?
  Carry any standard weapons?
  Any other information you wish to include?

This is your beginning, and from there our players are wildly creative. Some stick close to the formula. Others insert their own brand of crazy. Now let me introduce you to a few of our KTDA characters, as they were submitted & approved for game-play. They are indeed unique, as all of us are. They're also great additions to the game-world where we play.

======================

RIO

======================

Rio is 16, a tall guy with dark hair/dark eyes, tanned skin, scars on his arms, chest, face and back. He rarely tells anybody what the scars are from. He's not much of a straight-up fighter but he can take care of himself. Rio travels a lot. He's usually connected to whatever underground exists. He has few scruples and will trade in anything you want. If he can't make it he'll find it; if he can't find it he'll steal it; if he can't steal it then it probably doesn't exist.

Before the Virus Rio was just a high school guy somewhere between the jocks and the stoners and the nerds. He was burned a few too many times so he wasn't so concerned about fitting in anywhere, just with making his own way.

After the Virus Rio packed up and hit the road, not interested in settling down or making friends. He figures he's better off on his own, nobody to answer to, no obligations other than the next trade.

======================

TYLA

======================

Name: TYLA   Age: 14    Height/weight: 4' 1", small, slight build. 

Skin/Eye/Hair colors: Blue eyes. Blond hair with blue & purple streaks up the front.

Clothing: Grey hoodie, black tee. Skinny jeans. Canvas Converses.

Face paint/Tattoos: Swirls coming down from her eyes.

Personality: She's the type of person who hangs in the background. She has a lot of trouble controlling her temper. She's a little resigned to people missing her or only talking to her when they want something from her.

PRE-VIRUS: She was in the popular group because she did what everyone else wanted. She was constantly unhappy. Her parents were social climbers. When they died, she left and headed further into the rougher area of Fort River.

SINCE THE VIRUS: She was picked up by a tribe for a little bit, but they kicked her out because they didn't want 'little girls'. Since she's lived on the streets. 

Weapons: Carries a small knife but wouldn't use it unless threatened. 

Other information: Small scar along her cheekbone from her old tribe. She also has one on her leg from a street fight.

======================

SID

======================

Name: SID   Age: 19   Height/Weight: 6'0", 135 lbs. Lean build

Skin/Eye/Hair: Pail white skin. White eyes. Long black messy hair down to his lower ribs, under a hard black felt bowler Hat. Semi full black handlebar mustache comes to a curl on each cheek.

Clothing: White shirt, black Victorian-style vest. Hidden silver pocket watch/exposed silver chain. Black jeans, black engineer boots with silver buckles. Black pea coat. 

Face Paint: Three inch thick black streak, reaching from temple to temple. 

Tattoos: Right Arm Spider web around the elbow centered by a green+blue handlebar mustached skull on/over the bone sitting with a cigarette in its mouth. Upper Right Arm  “TO FAST TO LIVE TO YOUNG TO DIE  Left Arm Traveler tribal mark on forearm.

Piercings: Four facial piercings two on the left side of his lip and two on the right side of his nose. All four are silver steel hoops. Both ears are pierced and are both stretched.

Personality: Brave, charismatic, unpredictable, bladesmith.

PRE-VIRUS: Sid was rebellious, constantly haunted by his father's death. His mother and brother we very dear to him, but poverty was a steady reminder of where he fit in the world. With the birth of his son Slash, he found real hope.

POST VIRUS: Sid's story is one of self-preservation, death, missed opportunity and success. Known as one of the best swordsmen and bladesmiths it has become his very definition.  

Current member of a tribe: No

Weapons: Katana with curved pommel (black hilt with amber in crested Koifish), strapped and scabbarded on left hip.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now...think about it. Who would you create?

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Gotta love a good cliffhanger!

We all know that The Tribe gave us some good cliffhangers. Who lived, who died, who escaped--the next episode was always eagerly anticipated!

KTDA is no slouch in the cliffhanger department. We put in some extra effort when we end a season & get ready for a new one.

What follows is a great example. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it!


The Brotherhood--End Game
Post #1877

*Chyna stands in front of the tribe leaders' building. The night around her grows quiet. The shooting stops. The flares stop. After the noise of battle, the silence is deafening. She smiles when she sees Xeno coming out of the building in front of her. She glances back over her shoulder and sees Prince walk out of the alley with Bishop, hurrying to safety. To her left, Fennec moves toward her. To her right, Fay and Black Jack approach with a group of small kids. All this, in a second of absolute silence...* 

*Suddenly the road jumps up and smashes Chyna in the face. Through blood and tears, she watches the building behind Xeno come crashing down. Shards of glass fill the air--in horror she watches Fennec snatch a small boy and toss him to the sidewalk--then the ground opens beneath him! A troop of Brotherhood soldiers aim their weapons at the tribe leaders and the children--limp bodies fall--soldiers are crushed under the weight of an entire building collapsing into the street.*

*Chyna's screams are soundless. The world plunges into chaos, until only one thought remains...* (I love you.) 

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*Brena comes downstairs with Xeno. She frowns thinking about what Xeno has told her--that he loves Chyna, that he cares about what happens to Brena. She walks through the door and sees, but doesn't hear? In an instant her mind connects the dots. She knows about this complete absence of noise--she's lived through it before--Brena dives to the ground yelling at Xeno! But he doesn't hear her.*

*Noise begins to grow as the building above them heaves. Brena tries to protect herself from the bricks and glass, watching Xeno and the rest of the world disappear in fire!* 

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*Xeno walks out to the street beside Brena. His thoughts are in a mess. The battle, the evacuation, what they can do to get out of this alive... Brena, Chyna, HIS choice. Chyna his love. The memory of one moment lets him hope he can finally face tomorrow with anticipation instead of guilt--Chyna told him she loved him.* 

*Something isn't right. He looks up, sees Chyna in the street--sees a Brotherhood soldier behind her, aiming his weapon at her. He screams! A column of fire explodes up, engulfing the soldier.*

*A pelting glass rain brings agonizing slivers of pain that blot out the world.* 

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*The earth heaves and explodes down the length of Merchant Street. The concrete and pavement of the street fall away into the sewer that was the last escape route... the one the wounded took to get away from the combat zone. The strength of the explosion reaches throughout the city--collapsing buildings, heaving pavement, shattering windows. The number of injuries is catastrophic, The living have to abandon the injured and dead if they hope to survive this night!*

*On every street, in every alley and down to the beaches, kids run from the nightmare of it. A brave few look back and witness the column of flame shooting into the night sky. 

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*On a distant road, a lone figure looks towards the city and sees a mushroom cloud slowly rising into the night. The figure stops and pulls out a drink and a smoke, sitting back to watch the cloud as it blots out the moon. When the moon reappears, the figure hurries on toward Fort River.*



Who lives? Who dies? What happens next? Gotta love a good cliffhanger!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"