Behind the Scenes: Salene Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

Salene Award

No matter which "Tribe" season you choose, Salene was the perpetual mother taking care of everyone...or trying to. Problem was, she could hardly take care of herself. She was reluctant in love and when she found it, she generally lost it. Poor Salene...

In KTDA we have been known to say, "Poor Maggie." She works at Home and tries to take care of all the customers and boarders. She had a sister and lost her. She reluctantly found herself falling in love, and then he disappeared. But it's hard to keep this girl down. She works hard for a living at Home, then helps out at the City Shelter and tries to be a friend to everyone she meets. We really really hope she keeps bouncing back and, maybe, finds the right one to love at last.

We're firmly on your side, Maggie. Congratulations on winning the Salene Award.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Ryan & Salene Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

Ryan & Salene Award

They were the normal couple, the careful couple, the shy couple. Ryan was sweet, cautious, worried about treating girls the way his mate Lex did. Salene was easy to love but confused because she thought Ryan's distance meant he didn't really like her. They were both fun to watch, their normal courtship dance mixed with all the angst & chaos that Tribe world threw their way.

In KTDARPG, the sweet couple slowly discovering each other are Jenna & Icarus. From the moment Rio threw them together during the city riot, you could see the chemistry start to spark. They both have their own personal baggage to deal with, but their relationship is fun to watch develop. I think we all hope they do it right & don't let all the garbage separate them.

The Ryan & Salene Award goes to you guys, Jenna & Icarus. Good luck!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Ruby Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

Ruby Award

A real delight of "The Tribe" Season Five was Ruby. She ran her own place outside the city, cooked, served, cleaned up, and took no nonsense from anyone. Definitely her own woman, very much of the New World.

KTDA has Valentine, also very much of the new world. At this time in our game, Val has built herself quite an empire with the help of her friends and her lover Vincent. From the family-oriented Home to the crazy casino world of the Mirage, from an indoor market that helps everyone to the Fort River Shelter & Clinic that helps those most in need--Valentine is definitely the city's hostess. This lady knows how to make you feel welcome, and being in love certainly hasn't hurt her zest for life.

The Ruby Award definitely goes to Valentine. We wish her all the luck in the New World.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Ram Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

Ram Award

In "The Tribe" Season Four, the Techno leader Ram was indeed the man. He had it all + 2 wives to boot! Wasn't too long after the Technos took over the city that he added a 3rd wife so he could have a matched set. You know them, the 3 sisters -- Java, Siva, and Ebony. For my money, Ram was just a glutton for punishment! Tribe fans know how that story ended: Ebony got a divorce. Siva was kicked out & went straight to Lex. Poor Java, who really did love Ram, died in a fight she shouldn't have picked.

So...the Ram Award for having all the luck--and no luck at all--with women goes to our KTDA power czar Rio. His new-found riches may make him a chick-magnet at the Mirage but the one girl who believed in him (Jenna), he lost faith in. Then the one girl he set his sights on (Jade)...well, let's just say getting in a fight and accidentally punching HER lights out wasn't such a good way to get her attention. He seems to be building a friendship with Arianna but we advise caution and GO SLOW!

In Tribe-world, it really looks like 3 strikes and you're out!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Pride Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

Pride Award

When he first appeared in "Tribe" Season Three, he had more than one female viewer drooling. Nature-boy Pride took the show in a whole new direction. Back to nature? Can any girl forget when Pride was going to fight Lex & the first thing he did was take off his shirt & start flexing muscles? Oh my... Problem was, our Pride had woman-issues. He loved. And loved. And loved. And just couldn't seem to get it right. First Amber. Then May. Then Salene. Then May, Salene, May, Salene...you get the picture. Maybe the concrete jungle had his senses all screwed up? Maybe he just wasn't a relationship-kind of guy? Then again, maybe he just couldn't make up his frickin' mind! *sigh* And who knows? Maybe that endeared Pride to us just as much as all the rest.

So for KTDARPG, this time the Pride Award for just not knowing how to handle a relationship goes to Hawk. Such a strong woman, Hawk even stepped down as tribe leader for the River Rats--people she genuinely loved--to keep them from harm. It took Hawk a long time to find someone special to love, but now it looks like her relationship with Creed (her husband) is going south. We just hope she doesn't wind up the way Pride did, dying loved but ultimately alone.

We have faith in you, Hawk. Trust your instincts, and find your way.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Paul Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

Paul Award

Patsy's brother Paul may have been hearing-challenged but that didn't make him less of a character in "The Tribe" Season One. He was a child just like every other one--mischievous, determined, smart, and sometimes even devious. He saw everything and used what he saw. He flushed out Jack's hidden food stash, and then almost out-smarted Ryan when he found out their secret.

KTDARPG has Chidori. She doesn't speak (well...she didn't when she won this award!) but she observes everything & records what she sees by drawing in her special notebook. Like Paul she also has closely guarded secrets...some of which we're still waiting to discover.

For witnessing the world without being able to give voice to it, the Paul Award this time remains with Chidori.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Patsy Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

Patsy Award

In "The Tribe" Season One, Patsy was sometimes a harsh reminder of what the kids had to live without, especially when her hearing-challenged brother Paul disappeared and was never seen again. Fortunately it was easy for her to bond, with friends like Cloe and especially with Trudy's baby Brady. That's how Patsy became the perennial babysitter. Most times she enjoyed taking care of Brady. She even wanted it to be her full-time job for the tribe! But then...it was on her watch that Brady went missing, when the Chosen stole the baby because Zoot was its daddy.

In KTDARPG, the perennial babysitter for the Misfits tribe is Izzy. Even though he's a boy, he has responsibility and guts enough to make sure Arianna's baby Saphire is safe and protectd.

Congratulations, Izzy. The Patsy Award is all yours.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Mouse Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

Mouse Award

One of the absolute delights of "The Tribe" Season Four was meeting Mouse, the little girl Salene brought home to the Mallrats from the streets, and who immediately started winning over hearts. Mouse was one tough little girl. She weathered a lot, including the disappearance of a brother she adored. She was a breath of fresh air. Seeing Tribe-world through her eyes definitely gave us a fresh look at what was happening and how it affected people. Among her tribe-mates, Mouse also made them see how their actions affected the little ones...

Krystal received the Mouse Award this time around, and it just feels right. Like Mouse, our Krystal has witnessed a lot in Fort River. Where she is now, it seems she's following Mouse's example--turning away from the city's violence & darkness, clinging to the health & kindnesses she finds within her own tribe, the River Rats.

Krystal doesn't have Mouse's innocence, but she does share Mouse's belief in "good" & desire to find that in her own world.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Mega Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

The Mega Award

Then there was Mega, "The Tribe" Season Five's answer to an angst-ridden young man who figured he'd go out with a bang and take everybody with him. He almost did it, too.

One of Mega's special talents was pretending empathy. His personality was such that no matter how much he lied to you, he did it so sincerely that you just normally believed him. Trudy sure did...believed him right up to the point where she realized she'd given him the fugitive Amber & Jay. Amber believed him because Amber didn't believe he was lying when he threatened her baby. Taisan believed him...but, hey, Techno-Taisan is a whole 'nother story altogether. What we all remember about Mega was his incredible beyond-Ram ego and his willingness to sacrifice as many as it took.

That being said, we presented the Mega Award this time to the enigmatic Chopper. All we have to go on here is impressions--there isn't a whole lot of direct reference in KTDA to give you a total handle on what Chopper will do or say or stoop to. There's just enough...enough to let us know, you just never know when that child-like façade will fall & you'll see the psychopath behind it.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Lex Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

Lex Award

Lex was one of the most fun & most unpredictable "Tribe" characters. One day he would act like a petulant 12-year-old who couldn't get his way...and another day you'd find him being all sensitive & thoughtful. In other words, our Lex was a chameleon. He could be whatever the situation called for--bad boy, tough fighter, savvy survivor, sensitive husband, relentless enemy, faithful friend.

But he was also playful & petty, loved jokes & having his fun. Sometimes that could get pretty evil. Remember how he tried to "advise" Ryan on how to handle Salene? Yeeaahhh....

So this Lex Award is specifically for that playful petty side, and in KTDA it goes to Oliver. If anybody thinks that Rio would've been in a position to wind up punching Jade without Oliver's help, raise your hand...

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Locos Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

The Locos Award

They started out as the Locusts, but it didn't take long for that to morph into the Locos Tribe. Because that's what they were--LOCO! Crazy! With Zoot the craziest of 'em all. No moral hangups, no scruples, no fear. Ebony found that out for herself when Zoot finally made her understand what being Zoot's woman really meant. And even after Zoot died, the Guardian & the Chosen kept up his loco ways. It became a living legacy.

In KTDA, we tend to give the Locos Award for grossest game moment. We've had some doozies, too! This time, the award is given to a very crazy pair of characters. Quite honestly, we're not sure which one is more loco than the other: Blasko & Azazel. Together their scene leaves an icky feeling in your mind--poor Azazel with some genetic distinctions that will either make you stare or make you run, and psycho Blasko thinking he can actually cure Azazel of his birth defects. (Believe me, you'd have to read the thread & absorb the implications to really get a mental picture of this one...if you can handle it.)

Anyway, congratulations guys! That scene will probably be forgotten by more people who just don't want the image in their brains.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Lex & Taisan Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

The Lex & Taisan "Romantic Moment" Award

From the day she showed up in "The Tribe" Season One, you just knew it was going to happen. Do you remember those early days of the Mallrats before they even had a name? (It was actually Taisan who anointed them with it...) Lex was all angry & barky & horny & full of attitude, messing with everybody's heads including his gf Zandra's. Then here comes this new-age space cadet Taisan, who actually knew more than most people gave her credit for.

In Season One, Taisan took care of Lex "for the good of the tribe" and wound up "rearranging his chakras." By Season Three, they were in love & getting married AND dealing with the Guardian and his Chosen. Taisan became Supreme Mother to try to mitigate some of the damage the Chosen were causing to their world. What she almost did was lose Lex forever. There was a great scene...a small scene...outside, near water, where Lex told Taisan what he was thinking and feeling...and where she made him understand that her love was true and strong and forever. That's the scene the photo (at left) is from. Definitely one of those "awwwww" moments.

Our game has had a number of those great "awwww" moments too. Most recently--and I'm surprised to be saying this--the best romantic moment belonged to the psycho couple of the year: Marionette & Villa. All it took was a diamond lake sparkling under a star-studded night sky, a bit of a swim, and a lot of warmth and love...hm.

Well, just goes to show you, crazy people can be deep too.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: KC Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

The KC Award

KC came on the scene in the first first season of "The Tribe." His specialty? Hehe...you name it. KC was sort of an entrepreneur. Name a money-making scheme, and he was usually way ahead of you. Zoot's goggles? KC's got you covered (multiple times!). Need a game? How about the city's first "rat race"? It was totally hilarious when he tried to have Patsy & Cloe work for him--first you sell everybody watches; then you trade sunglasses for the watches back, and start all over again. Funny part was KC forgot to tell the girls, you have to make sure the watches actually work!

In our game, Lily is the entrepreneurial one. The minute Rio got electricity on line, Lily cornered the market on ice! Finally! Real iced tea. Real cold beer. It was genius!

Way to go, girl!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Jack Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

The Jack Award

Jack was truly one of a kind, a boy genius trapped in a world that would exploit him but never really appreciate him. In "The Tribe," our Jack figured out how to purify water, harness wind power, print a newspaper, hot-wire up old video tapes, and even supply a tricked out sound system for the local all-tribes dance party.

The nearest thing KTDARPG has to Jack right now is Rio. Against some pretty hefty odds, Rio figured out a way to get Fort River's old waterwheel working, harnessed hydroelectric power and brought electricity back to the city. Not bad that he found a way to profit from it, too...but that's our Rio.

Congrats, man.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Guardian Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

The Guardian "Creative Execution" Award

Ah, the Guardian. The first of Zoot's adherents, good old Joffa. So devoted, most especially after Zoot was deceased. He was creative, too. He knew how to solve problems without getting his hands dirty. Need someone dispatched, quick & neat? Why you just have one of your Chosen haul their ass up to the roof (preferably 4-5 stories high) and pitch them off.

In KTDARPG, it's Blackrose who seems to be our creative executioner. Executionatrix? Anyway...who can forget the great scene where Blood sent his goons to snatch Jet, who was holed up in Cecily's Herb Shop. When the goons finally forced their way inside, Jet & Blackrose were on their way out the smashed-out front window. And just as a parting gift, Blackrose lit the place up. Nobody got out alive. Very effective. (That fire also managed to get rid of some very damning "evidence" hidden in the basement too.)

Something tells me Blackrose might have fit right in with the Guardian & his Chosen. Hmm... maybe not Supreme Mother material, but who knows? Queen of the Chosen?

Congrats, BR!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Good of the Tribe Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

"Good of the Tribe" Award

Throughout the run of "The Tribe," one phrase kept the same unmistakeable meaning: For the good of the tribe.

For the good of the tribe, Bray risked his life to tell his tribe mates the truth about the Chosen. For the good of the tribe, Taisan became the Supreme Mother to try influence the Guardian. For the good of the tribe, Taisan destroyed the chemical formula for the Virus antidote & recreated it using herbs. And for the good of all tribes, the Mallrats gave away the antidote freely.

The "Good of the Tribe" Award is presented to Saber. But there's a slight problem here--Saber doesn't seem to have a tribe of her own. This skater 'n trader is also somewhat of a loner most days. But that doesn't mean she has no friends. Saber's friendships run deep. She has ties to most of the primary tribes in town & gets them whatever they need...for a price.

Saber's loyalties are strong & without question. Jade, Valentine, Arianna, Hawk, Cecily--for these people, Saber will go to extremes to be of help as she keeps proving time & again.

Congratulations, Saber. This one's for you.

-Chyna
Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: Bray & Amber Award

Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

Behind the Scenes: Bray & Amber "Happy Families" Award

All right, you'll never convince me that guys--teenage guys--don't nest. Of course they do! From the 1st time we saw Bray back in "Tribe" Season One, that's exactly what he was doing. In the middle of all that chaos, Bray was focused on finding a safe place for Trudy to have her baby (which was Bray's brother Martin's baby, lest we forget). Why else was he drawn to the Mallrats? A safe haven tucked away in the mall away from the looting and scavenging and killing and all. It was family time...the man was out to find a family. It got even worse when it was Amber who was pregnant and Bray the one who was the dad.

Being drawn to family is normal in the midst of crazies. After 7 long game seasons, it's looking like that's finally the zone KTDARPG is in. For the "Happy Families Award" this time, we have more game-couples in solid, long-term relationships than we've ever had.

• Tristan & Cecily, married with a home & business
• Vincent & Valentine, solidly, publicly in love & committed to each other as partners in everything
• Prince & Eve, living together and loving and hoping to actually build a life if Prince can get Eve back from the stranger who kidnapped her
• Zero & Jade, a totally magick couple quietly building a life in the attic at Home

For good measure here I'm going to toss in Moss & Alexis who are brother and sister who joined the game right at the end of Season-7, still close family and still taking care of each other (unlike those brothers Urick & Marionette and Blasko & Tristan, for whom I'm pretty sure they invented the word "dysfunctional"). I'm not going to pull in Hawk & Creed though, who seem like they're in the middle of a meltdown.

If strong relationships is a new trend in the game, we definitely approve.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: "Bray Award"

Behind the Scenes: Taking the Winter 2009 Tribe Awards & breaking 'em down to "Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to, then the defining moment that resulted in a character receiving this award.

Behind the Scenes: "Bray Award"

"The Tribe" Season One didn't really take off until a tall, quiet stranger came on the scene accompanied by a very pregnant girl. Bray held your attention the minute he showed up, and he kept you intrigued by his loner, brooding ways. You were never quite sure what his story was, or his motivations, or even much of who he was. That wound up being the fun part, finding it all out step by step.

The winter "Bray Award" for mystery man with a past coming out of nowhere goes to Domino. This tall, good-looking, dark-haired, one-eyed, self-described trader/smuggler apparently has been in Fort River awhile. Although hidden. He knows the city players, knows the balance of power, and probably even knows where most of the bones are buried. We've only touched the surface of the secrets he carries...like the fact that he's a father. It'll be interesting to see what's still in store for us.

Congratulations on your award, Domino, and welcome to the city. We look forward to seeing what's to come.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Behind the Scenes: "Amber Award"

I always get questions about our game's "Tribe Awards"--what they are, why characters won the awards they did? We just had award presentations for Winter 2009, so here I can get specific. For my next several posts, I'll take the winter awards & break 'em down. I'll give you "The Tribe" references so you can see what each award refers to & how our game recalls some very special people & moments from one very special show. Along the way, I hope to give you more insight into our game too, maybe encourage you to check us out?

Let's start from the top and see where these awards take us, through "The Tribe" and through the "Keep The Dream Alive" roleplaying game.

~~~~~~~~~~

Behind the Scenes: "Amber Award"

In "The Tribe," Amber was the perfect tribe leader. She cared about individuals, about the tribe as a whole, & about being fair. She wanted to see everyone get along & work together. It was funny--and oh so obvious--that she made a better Mallrats leader than Lex. It was no surprise the Ecos chose her to lead their tribe too. Later, Mega would strong-arm her into being the public "city leader" to the city kids (though he would be in the background threatening her kid & pulling her strings) because they trusted she would be fair, would tell them the truth, and would actually care what happened to them.

In our game, that pretty much describes Arianna, tribe leader of the Misfits. She didn't exactly want to be leader; the job kind of fell in her lap & she's always done the best she could. The very things that make her a good tribe leader have also made the city respect her. In the past, for example, it was Arianna & the Misfits who made sure all the city kids got the antidote when the 2nd virus was released.

Recently, Ari joined Valentine & Jade to help the kids of Fort River by opening a City Shelter & free clinic. When she isn't at home taking care of her baby Saphire & the Misfits, or when she isn't busting her buns working for a living at the Mirage, you can usually find Ari at the shelter taking care of the kids & trying to help them toward a better life.

The life of a tribe leader isn't an easy one. Our Arianna has stayed the course through 7 game seasons, and we don't see her changing all that much. She genuinely believes in the Misfits, in Fort River's future, and in the kids who will make that future possible.

Congrats, Ari! You deserved this award!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe

Hiatus

I know, I know... It's been a harsh winter in a whole lotta ways & it's kept me focused on real-life stuffs. Can't be helped. Sometimes ya just gotta deal with what is before you can get back to the fun. So nope. I'm not gone. Just on a sort of hiatus that can't last too much longer. I'll be back, guys. Promise. -Chyna