Summer Tribe Award: Best Writer

Breaking down the Summer 2009 "Tribe Awards" presented to KTDARPG players by the votes of their fellow players, with tributes to the show that continues to inspire us!

Category: Best Writer

Winner: Chyna -and- Eris_the_beginner

Runner Up: Joseph Charles Smith

This is a hard category to gauge. Everyone who plays in our KTDARPG game-world is by definition a Great Writer. Their ideas & words build the landscape, create the characters and bring the game to life.

Such a life!

Our players have created loves, laughter, anger, rage! Fort River has experienced amazing highs like the Winter Solstice Celebration ... and amazing lows like the lynch-mob scene that was brutal and horrible and real. They don't shy away from the hard calls. Sometimes the words they put into their characters' mouths are equally harsh but very representative of what kids would say in these circumstances. The love scenes are romantic and warm and memorable. The death scenes are also memorable (and thank goodness they don't happen as often). Everything in between is LIFE.

That's what our players and their writing skills do best. Bring everything to LIFE.

So when the votes were in, I was very proud & humble to have been honored with first-place along with a partner of mine, Eris_the_beginner. Readers know Eris as the creator/author of "Tristan" (our Most Zoot-like Character). Readers know me mostly for the characters "Valentine," "Jade," and the ever-insane "Villa."

Our runner up is relatively new to the game & a fast-riser. Jow's characters are noteworthy. The possibly psycho tribe leader of the Moths "Crux," the blind soldier among The 100 "Luz," the brave soul who tried to protect his sister then lost her and his life only to be resurrected as "Novus." There's more. I'm thinking, with Jow, there will always be more/better/stronger.

The truth of it is, every single player in KTDARPG earns the title "best writer" every time they post. You're all fantastic. Thank you!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe

Summer Tribe Award: Fantasy Fight!

Breaking down the Summer 2009 "Tribe Awards" presented to KTDARPG players by the votes of their fellow players, with tributes to the show that continues to inspire us!

Category: Fantasy Fight

Winner: Nicola v. Villa

Runner Up: Hawk v. Urick

All right, gotta admit, some of the greatest scenes in The Tribe were when kids decided to stand up for themselves & fight. Usually we were focused on the Mallrats. Mallrats versus Tribe Circus. Mallrats versus the Chosen. Mallrats versus the Technos.

Because the show gave you all the visuals, you didn't have to imagine the action the way we do in a text-based rpg.

We've imagined some great ones! Fort River vs. the Brotherhood. Birds of Prey vs. the Anti-kids. Ok, so you had to be there. Take my word for it. If those scenes were videotaped, they would be riveting!

We asked our players to tell us who they'd like to see mix it up. There were quite a few suggestions. Here are the top 2.

Nicola v. Villa

Oh, boy. Ok, guys, don't you think this would be just a little one-sided? I mean, we've seen Villa in action many times. Against men or women, this girl is hot. Probably because she's just plain crazy, all the usual inhibitions are gone. Villa goes all out. It's like she's playing a game and having the best time of her life! Nicola is new in town, so she's untested. Sure she has a great rep and seems like she knows how to handle herself, but... Come on, Villa? Just my opinion, of course, but Nicola would get murdered! Who knows, maybe one day we'll find out.

Hawk v. Urick

All right, this one is just weird. We have 2 strengths going--one light, one dark. There are also 2 loyalties. Hawk has built her reputation & showed her expertise for a lot of years in-game. This Bird of Prey is a hero of 2 wars and a force of nature. She's served as tribe leader of the River Rats & stands strong for justice, fair play & protecting the weak. Urick? Oh, he's definitely a force of nature. Like a hurricane. Or an earthquake. His loyalties are first to Tristan, second (we think?) to Blasko & The 100. This man is a maniac barely--just barely--leashed. If he and Hawk squared off? Damn...I coudn't call this one.

Hehe... I think my game-mates just have sick fantasies.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Summer Tribe Award: Most Zoot-like

Breaking down the Summer 2009 "Tribe Awards" awarded to KTDARPG players by the votes of their fellow players, with tributes to the show that continues to inspire us!

Category: Most Zoot-like

Winner: Tristan

Runner Up: Constantine

Is there anyone more iconic from The Tribe than Zoot? In many ways, he typified the post-Virus world the rest of the kids inhabited. He was ruthless, focused on survival of the fittest in a world that was brutal & violent. But that wasn't the whole story. All you have to do is remember the picture of Zoot with his newborn baby in his arms. This was a man who, had he live, may have changed beyond our wildest dreams ... or not. His reach was long, his followers "devout," and even after his death all the things he had set in motion kept affecting the world he left behind.

Can the same, perhaps, be said of Tristan?

What we as the audience see may be quite different than what the player who created Tristan meant or implied. Still, with an incredible 77% of player votes, there are a lot of parallels to be drawn between Tristan and Zoot. The ruthlessness that seems to have a purpose we can't quite define is a very big part of it. His leadership qualities, the way his "followers" (such as Urick and Blackrose) call him Master or Sensei and obey him completely really takes us right back to the devotion of the Guardian and his Zootists. There's also his amazing - and somewhat puzzling - other side, a tender side he has shown intimately and consistently to Cecily ... his wife. This man is about power and influence and what else? Like Zoot, will his influence continue to spread outward beyond the city? Beyond even his death when it comes?

Time will tell.

Runner up in this category is Constantine (15% of votes). Constantine can be chilling, cold, hard, ruthless, violent without feeling or apology. Where Tristan has evolved, Constantine feels like Zoot at his beginning. Like Zoot figuring out his world and the correct responses to it. We also know that Constantine can be tender because he, like Zoot, had another name once upon a time. Where Zoot was also Martin and in love with Trudy, Constantine was also Scarecrow and in love with Arianna.

Personally, I hope Constantine doesn't go the way of Zoot. There seems to be so much more to this Constantine of ours ... hope, maybe. Another chance at love, if he hasn't given up on it.

Good job, guys. Your characters have some very raw impact that affects all those around you.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "the Tribe"

Summer Tribe Award: Best Bitch

Breaking down the Summer 2009 "Tribe Awards" presented to KTDARPG players by the votes of their fellow players, with tributes to the show that continues to inspire us!

Category: KTDARPG'S Best Bitch

Winner: Villa

Runner Up: Jet

Don't let them fool you. Every female has an "inner bitch" just waiting to come to life & either mess up your day big time or give you an adventure you won't soon forget.

The Tribe had more than its fair share of examples!

Remember the sweet, dingy, sincere little Cloe from Season-1? And how she grew up into the angst-filled, rebellious teen that you loved to have by Season-4? Or how about dear Trudy. That girl could keep your head spinning, she'd change so fast from human being to bitch and back again! Amber had her turn at that wheel but mostly she was the patriotic martyr-type. Salene was the sacrificial lamb most days, but just ask Ryan about those mood swings of hers. Ellie, Ebony, Moz, Ruby, May, Patsy, on and on and on ... yep, lots & lots of examples.

The best ones raise bitchy-ness to an art form -- and KTDARPG has some of the best!

The best of the best is Villa (31% of votes). From the second she came on the scene, Villa has been a constant source of ... well, hmm ... surprise? laughs? outrage? craziness? It's hard to typify this girl. Outa control is probably a kind way of describing her. From the game, we know why she is the way she is. Sorta. Kinda? But we can say with absolute certainty that, with Villa around, you will so definitely NOT be bored! Just ask Marionette!

Right on the heels of first best is second best: Jet (25% of votes). To all appearances, Jet is a cold, hard bitch with a royalty complex. Maybe she comes by her ruthlessness honestly. She was tribe leader of the Vamps until they were massacred. Who are we to judge?

Ah, where would we be if all our characters were sweet and honest and loyal and true. Sometimes it takes a bad girl if you wanna have fun!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Summer Tribe Award: Fave Male

Breaking down the Summer 2009 "Tribe Awards" presented to KTDARPG players by the votes of their fellow players, with tributes to the show that continues to inspire us!

Category: Favorite Male Character

Winner: Prince

Runner Up: Llysander

Runner Up: Marionette

Usually a person's favorite "anything" is the thing he or she is most familiar & comfortable with.

That's probably why Jack was always a favorite in The Tribe through all its years. You could say the same for KC until he disappeared (then they teased us with his reappearance briefly in Season-5!). Of course there's always the exception. Slade was definitely exceptional & an instant favorite when he appeared on the scene in Season-5.

The winner of this category, Prince (9% of votes), proves the attraction of familiarity. We've watched Prince grow & go crazy through 8 seasons of KTDARPG. We've seen his strengths and weaknesses and loyalties. We saw his love grow for his wild Bird of Prey ... and we were with him when he lost her. We know why he wears a piece of broken sword, and we know how important the Misfits are in his life. We may not know how far he'll go, but we definitely know how far he's come.

Marionette (7% of votes) is also familiar. He's fought everyone including himself, and he just keeps on fighting. He's a complex man with a horrible past, but he's trying to atone & do the right thing. He always tries to do the right thing. Outside his circle of Death Seekers he has few friends but counts Valentine among them. And love? Ah, love with the wild Villa who brings out the best in him even while he tries to tame the beast that torments her.

Llysander (7% of votes) feels instantly familiar. New to KTDARPG, he's so open with everyone, never false. His words and actions ... match. Llysander is a man with a mission but he's also a man able to appreciate those who try to help him or whose kindnesses put them in his path. From what we've seen so far, Llysander is also a man whose passions are not on the surface. They run deep & harsh. Unleashed? Well ... that's something we'll wait and see.

Congrats, guys! You rock!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Summer Tribe Award: Fave Female

Breaking down the Summer 2009 "Tribe Awards" presented to KTDARPG players by the votes of their fellow players, with tributes to the show that continues to inspire us!

Category: Favorite Female Character

Winner: Jade, Maggie, Valentine, Villa

Runner Up: Hawk

Your favorite is just ... well, your favorite! Don't gotta have a reason for what you like or don't.

Watching The Tribe, you have people who liked Amber and people who thought she was very one-dimensional. You either loved Trudy or you hated her. There were fans who booed May for breaking in between Pride & Salene and others who cheered her guts in declaring her own feelings for Salene. (It got kinda tangled.) Love Ebony or hate her. Think Mouse was an annoying little brat or applaud her not-so-innocent views of her world. Ellie, Ruby, Java, Moz, Moon -- they all had their fans & anti-fans. Reasons didn't seem to matter.

And so it is with KTDARPG.

We asked our players to vote their favorites. They voted themselves right into a 4-way tie!

The winners were:

• Jade, the honey-blonde former-slave singer who has found true love (again?) with the mysterious Zero.


• Maggie, the mousey ex-slave server at Home who's had it rough enough in love that we wouldn't blame her for giving up on it altogether.


• Valentine, the sable-haired former anarchist-turned-entrepreneur with a stream of lovers and maybe, just maybe, one true love.


• Villa, a psycho ice-blonde with more than just tendencies toward violence, all calmed down in the presence of the very enigmatic (and probably also psycho) Marionette.

Congratulations, ladies! Your fan clubs applaud you!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Summer Tribe Award: Best Male Primary

Breaking down the Summer 2009 "Tribe Awards" presented to KTDARPG players by the votes of their fellow players, with tributes to the show that continues to inspire us!

Category: Best Male Primary Character

Winner: Llysander

Runner Up: Rio

When you go back & watch episodes of The Tribe focussing on primary males, the hallmark of the best ones are their predictability. The character can be as far from the real-life of the actor as day and night, but the character takes on a life of his own to the point that you KNOW what he will do because of who he, the character is.

Ok, that was a little convoluted. Let's just say the male characters are alive on the screen when you watch them. You know what they will do because of what they've done in the past. Even when there are surprises, those surprises are within the realm of what that character could possibly do. Make sense? I hope?

Like the females in their category, the male "primary" is the character a player invests most of himself (or herself!) to during the growth of the game. And the voters stayed true to the definition of what a primary should be: Predictable.

Llysander was the clear winner (38% of votes). As new as he is inside our game-world, Llysander has set up a pattern that keeps repeating. It's even evident in his speech patterns. He has some very solid views of life & how you treat people, any people but most especially women. When honor is involved, you know you can count on this one to do what honor demands. He constantly expects to be duped or cheated, and he's grateful when he finds the people he meets are as genuine as they seem. It will be interesting to see what effect Llysander has on Fort River ... and vice versa.

Our runner up is also--and always--extremely predictable. When it comes to Rio (25% of votes), you either love him or hate him. There is seldom any in between. It's hard to know whether to define Rio as a pervert, a misogynist, or just a punk. He's shown that he can be a good strategist when it comes to business. But when it comes to friends? I dunno, this guy has got me bamboozled too. So I guess you can predict him but you'll have a hard time categorizing him. Anyway, he impressed enough people to come in #2 in this part of our poll.

Congratulations, guys!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Summer Tribe Award: Best Female Primary

Breaking down the Summer 2009 "Tribe Awards" presented to KTDARPG players by the votes of their fellow players, with tributes to the show that continues to inspire us!

Category: Best Female Primary

Winner: Katara

Runner Ups:

Krystal, Terra, Valentine

In The Tribe, we were given many examples of unique women. Their strengths were many, and they shared one in common: they were all truly survivors. Even after characters like Patsy, Danni & Taisan vanished from Tribe-world...you always wondered where they wound up, whether they ultimately lived or died.

In KTDARPG, a primary female character is your number one--usually the one you develop the strongest, the one you invest most of yourself in, the one you "live" in.

The winner of this category, Katara (30% of votes), has been in our game less than 6 months. That she won this category should tell you that her creator/player has done an outstanding job of bringing Katara to life & giving her a very strong persona. I could go into that persona here...but you know what? Katara is so unique & so full of surprises that I really don't want to spoil it for anybody. Guess you'll just have to drop by our game & see for yourself. Use the link at right and come on over!

Our runner ups (each with 18% of votes) are also very well-drawn women who have had--and are having!--an impact in the game. Krystal is a former Diablo turned River Rat, a healer who saves lives & yet kept a special sweetness that is rare in our game. Terra is what you might call a child of nature who's left that green world on a special mission: to find & punish those who dared to kill a mighty river. Valentine has guts, the kind of guts that have kept her alive when those closest to her died or left, the kind that keeps her coming out on top against some pretty heavy odds.

Our game-world has become a living thing after almost 5 years. It's because of the players growing in strength & confidence in their gaming skills...and because the women (and men!) they've created have taken on lives of their own.

Congratulations to all of you. It's a pleasure to be among you.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Summer Tribe Award: Believeable

Breaking down the Summer 2009 "Tribe Awards" presented to KTDARPG players by the votes of their fellow players, with tributes to the show that continues to inspire us!

Category: Most Believeable Character

Winner: Arianna

Runner Up: Everyone!

One of the things I always appreciated about The Tribe was how strongly the characters were drawn. Within the world the Virus created, the actors brought their characters to life in amazing fashion. They were real. They lived. You sympathized with their problems & burdens. You cared about what happened to them.

Our winner in this category is Arianna (8% of votes), tribe leader of the Misfits, a character who has lived & grown in the game since its first days almost 5 years ago. As any girl, Ari has had her share of ups & downs, challenges & triumphs, romance & heartache. She's a teenager who knows how to fight--and has fought for her life & the lives of others!--and she's also a mom. Day by day, Ari has grown right in front of our eyes. We know her. That's a very good feeling.

The voting gave us a 4-way tie for runner up, each with 7% of votes -- Alexis, Krystal, Llysander & Prince. Two characters who've been with our game for many years, and 2 that joined us in the past several months. Krystal & Prince...well, we know them like we know Arianna. They're friends of ours. Alexis is new & has developed right before our eyes in just a few short months. A baby was revealed, a father found, a brother lost, and now the effort & trust to create a new family is needed from her. We find ourselves rooting for her to succeed. It's a similar thing with Llysander. New in Fort River, searching for a sister savagely taken from him, trying to help others as he can but also holding himself apart from feelings or a possibility of happiness ... tragic stuff. How could we not care?

The voting in this category was really a triumph for KTDA -- every single character listed as a nominee got a vote. Jade, Villa, Marionette, Sypher, Madam, Jet, Icarus, Vincent, Crux, Domino, Balthazar, Amy, Pandora, Cecily, Chidori, Mist, Hawk, Kite, Rio, Tristan ... bravo, all of you. And especially to your creators, bravo! You've brought some special people to life & into our lives. We care about them. That's some pretty amazing magick.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Summer Tribe Award: Questionable Morals

Breaking down the Sumemr 2009 "Tribe Awards" presented to KTDARPG players by the votes of their fellow players, with tributes to the show that continues to inspire us!

Category: Best Character of Questionable Morals

Winner: Prince

Runner Up: Rio

All right, maybe first we need to decide what "questionable morals" means -- especially since our KTDA character who actually runs a house of ill repute didn't win this thing!

In The Tribe, in case you hadn't noticed, it wasn't uncommon for characters to...um...sleep around. Didn't matter if you were "good" like Amber (who actually had 3 maybe 4 lovers in 5 seasons) or "bad" like May (who kept switching it up way too much for us to keep track). In this way, in a big way, Tribe characters broke from Old World morals & made their own rules. This also was definitely morals, not "virtue." I could make a very long argument that some of Tribe's characters were actually extremely virtuous despite all the bed-hopping going on. But we'll leave that for another time.

Prince winning this category (42% of votes, a very strong showing!) startled me. Ok, so my characters kinda grew up with Prince in KTDA. Hm...and now I'm remembering it was our Prince who had the game's first nude scene. And Prince has always been about the ladies, though no one special until his first Bird of Prey & then his current season love interest. He can definitely turn on the charm when the right woman catches his eye. Way to go, babe!

Runner up was Rio (25% of votes), and he is a Lothario in the truest sense of the word. Not sure that love-em-and-leave-em accurately describes his attitude towards women, but it comes close. He's not one to be found often without a lady on his arm...or 2...or 3?

Blackrose, Madam, Sypher and Valentine also received votes in this category. Making up our own rules...maybe we aren't too far off the mark from The Tribe, after all.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"