Unplugged! - "Salene Award #1"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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 #1

From the beginning, Salene was forever "tribe mom." Whether it was baby-Brady or any of the younger ones, she was always trying to take care of people. This is how Charlie & Mouse came to the Mallrats in Season-4. Salene found Mouse on the street & offered her a safe place to stay; then Charlie tagged alone.

In our game, a character who's getting a bit famous for bringing home strays is HAWK, the sometimes-tribe-leader of the River Rats. Most recently she brought home those loveable wilders Ulquiorra and Erin, introducing them to the city & to tribe life. It was a very Sal-thing to do.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Ryan Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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 Award

Every show needs a Ryan. His was the sweetest soul, almost innocent despite everything that happened to him. Too bad Salene never did really appreciate him until he was gone. Nobody seemed to appreciate our Ryan. He was kind-hearted, dependable, a stand-up friend that would do anything for the people he cared about. Lex was his best friend, and it seemed like Lex stabbed Ryan in the back every chance he got. Ryan got to marry the girl he loved...even if she didn't love him. He almost got to be a daddy too...before the Guardian made him disappear. We'll never know what happened to Ryan, but we hope he finally found the happiness he deserved.

Kind-hearted, dependable & a stand-up friend also describes 2 current KTDARPG characters. ICARUS came outa nowhere, got caught up in the Merchant Street riots & wound up protecting Jenna who hired him as her bodyguard. He's turned into a loyal friend who takes his job seriously. SABER also fits this bill quite nicely. Valentine has rarely known a truer friend than this skater 'n trader. Her kindness to those in need is legendary.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "the Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Ruby & Slade Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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 & Slade "One-Off" Award

It was spontaneous. Hot. Electric. It was part of what made "Tribe" Season-5 different - the chemistry between Slade & Ruby. She didn't play games. He said he didn't, right up until the next night when he wanted their one-off to be maybe a two-off ...

Our game's recent version of this very hot, one-off relationship goes to NYX & JOHNNY OHM. Johnny was disappointed with a girl and frustrated. Nyx was on the prowl, and he IS a good-looking guy. We can't say it made a whole lot of sense but when you're lonely, any port in a storm? Congrats, guys!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Ruby Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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

Ruby was "The Tribe"s ultimate businesswoman. She ran a clean hotel, served good meals, didn't water down the booze, and had enough muscle around to keep the trash out. She was smart, funny, shrewd, and realistic. In the crazy post-Virus world, she was one person who had truly gone on to make a life for herself. She had a home, a trade, a purpose...and a heart of gold. Ruby took in strays like Lottie & helped to feed and shelter refugees from the city that passed her way. She also wouldn't let Lex cheat them, no matter how hard he tried. Ruby's taste in men wasn't always the greatest but at least she'd found her way to move forward and build a future.

KTDARPG has its own version of Ruby in VALENTINE. After a couple of seasons now, Val has put together quite a business enterprise. She started with "Home," a safe & cozy place to rent a room, get a meal, and stay off the mean streets. Then she added "The Mirage" casino with a little boost from Ace & other friends. Any night its doors are open for good music, good company, a drink & a bit of gambling that is totally not rigged. Lately, Val has added her support to create a city Shelter for stray kids, a free Clinic for basic medical care, and an indoor Market so we don't have to wait for the traders' fair that only happens once a week. A home, a trade, a purpose, and also a heart of gold for the city's needy. We have to say that so far her taste in guys has been better than Ruby's. (hehehe...) Not bad for a girl from outa town who started out as an anarchist, hm?

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Pride Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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

Pride was our roving Eco, a man of nature totally out of place in the steel & concrete of the city. He was also a lot more than that. He was kind to children. He kicked Lex's butt in a 1-on-1 fight. He was respected for his hunting & tracking skills, and was apparently in line to be the next Ecos Tribe Leader right beside Amber...er, Eagle. That was his other natural talent - the ladies couldn't seem to leave the guy alone! Bray actually had the guts to ask Amber if the baby she was having was his or Pride's. Salene was totally smitten with him, and May was all over him.

In the natural talent department, our game has OLIVER. His strong point is the bow, no questions asked. What this guy aims at, he hits. The little bit else we know about him, he's also kind & funny & sort of a loner. He rescued Jazzy from the street riots & gave her a safe place to stay. He teases Amy the bartender at Home without mercy. He has friends ... but mostly he kinda keeps to himself. We don't exactly know if he has any of Pride's other talents, but Oliver's definitely a guy we want to know more about.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Paul Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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

We didn't know very much about Paul. He was Paty's brother, and he was only in the show for a few weeks in Season-1. He was also deaf & unable to speak, communicating by reading lips or using sign language. Paul was pretty much the only time "The Tribe" made a serious effort to show what a catastrophe could mean for a physically challenged kid. What we saw of Paul showed that he was just as much trouble as a regular kid. Mischievous, fun-loving, scared & trying to be brave - but we only knew him a little while before he "disappeared."

In our game-world, this different view of life is given to us by CHIDORI. A beautiful little girl with a troubled past & a wicked present, Chidori can't speak. Instead she makes beautiful drawings & finds other physical ways of expressing herself. She's linked to The 100 somehow, and to a very large gross man named Auron ... and that's pretty much what we know for now. It should be interesting as we find out more.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Patsy Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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

From Season-1, Patsy was one of the little ones that challenged our perceptions of "kid." She cared for her hearing-/speech-impaired brother & mourned when he disappeared. Cloe was her best friend at a time when friends could help you stay alive. She had her own share of duties & was always a vital part of the team, especially as a babysitter after baby Brady was born to Trudy in the Mall. Patsy dreamed; she feared; she tried; she helped; she experimented; she was in a hurry to grow up & get a boyfriend. In other words, she was like a lot of people we know. She made mistakes, one of which led to the kidnap of Brady and propelled all of us into the Guardian & "Zootism" & Supreme Mother-ism.

In our game - a lot like Patsy, especially with his babysitting specialty - we have IZZY. Izzy is Misfit Tribe & he seems to be tribe leader Arianna's right arm when it comes to taking care of baby Saphire. And you know, Izzy seems good with that. He's not so worried that taking care of a baby threatens his status as "man of the tribe". He doesn't resent being left behind when Arianna is working at the city shelter or at her job at the Mirage. Another tribe member, Lily, is also out peddling ice & helping support the Misfits. If this is his appointed place for now, then Izzy is man enough for the job. Maybe just man enough to ensure this is one tribe baby who won't be kidnapped and start an earth-shattering incident. You're the man, Izzy!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Mouse Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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

From the moment she came on the scene in Season-4, Mouse was a gentle little girl with fire inside. She was fiercely loyal to her brother Charlie & devastated when he disappeared. Mouse transferred that loyalty to Sammy, trying desperately to protect him from himself when he got addicted to Paradise. This little girl endured a lot, even going up against Ved & the Technos to get food to Ellie when she was arrested and "sent away." Ultimately the city took all her young life had to give. Finally Salene gave in to Mouse's determination and took her to live with the Ecos where she could grow up safe & strong.

MAGGIE has Mouse's gentle soul. Despite a hard life we wouldn't want to wish on anyone, Maggie still focuses on others. She works at Home & helps out at the city shelter. She misses her young sister Kitty who disappeared ... We predict that somewhere there may be a warm fire burning inside this girl, something that still gives her hope in a world where we couldn't blame her for giving it up. You remain one of our favorite characters, girl. We've all got our fingers crossed that things turn around for you real soon.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "the Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Locos Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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.

Locos Award

Zoot & his tribe the Locos were the baddest muthas in the city. He pretty much had one prime directive - the strong survive. To strengthen his tribe, Zoot went in for some pretty bizarre stuff. One thing stayed in your mind as it stayed in Ebony's, a nightmare that held her pretty tight. Zoot had locked her in a closet. He gave her a box, her "lunch" - a live mouse. She refused. He told her that Zoot's woman would never refuse.

Tristan must definitely be inspired by Zoot. To parallel Ebony's nightmare, CECILY takes the award for grossest moment in the game. Honestly, Tristan ... making the girl eat raw snake meat? AND telling her if she threw up, she'd have to eat that too? Jeez! Definitely Locos-worthy.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Lex & Taisan Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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 & Taisan Award

They were fated. From the first time Taisan went to Lex's bed "for the good of the tribe" & then he discovered he understood her less than ever ... it was fated. She didn't believe in marriage. Most of us would've sworn he didn't believe in love. Together they were strong. She brought out the best in him. Because of him, she resisted the lure of ultimate power as the Supreme Mother. Because of her, he risked everything the Technos could throw at him to find her. But there was one perfect romantic moment: when Lex humbly proposed marriage to her, and when she tearfully accepted.

JADE and ZERO came from very different places. She was a slave with no hope left. He was a ninja who'd lost his love & hardened himself to the future. Fate brought them together. For the sake of one he had lost, Zero made her strong & took away her fears, one by one. Jade gave him tenderness, trust, and her heart. When it seemed like fate or their own reluctance to believe would forever keep them apart... well, we hope that the fade-to-black scene meant that these two had one terrific & special honeymoon. They truly do deserve each other, and they deserve to finally find some happiness.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Lex Award #2"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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 "Cover My Ass First" Award

Ahh, Lex. Our "sexy Lexy." He was most definitely practiced in the fine arts of "I didn't do it!", "It's not my fault!" and the ever-popular "I'll get somebody right on that!" I'd call it survival, in that screwed up post-Virus world. Whatever it takes. Even ridiculous costumes and fake mustaches so Ebony's & Java's crazy people won't realize who it was they'd thrown into their zoo-jail.

In our game it really looks like that roll falls to BLOOD. There's a little place called "Blood's Bar," but he doesn't own it ... but they kinda can't run it without his connections. He apparently had a sweet thing going with Jet, leader of the Vamp Tribe, and walked out on her ... AND believes whole-heartedly that she'll take him back? Hmm... Well if the bar is his life and his life is the bar (as he's been known to say), just like our Lexy, Blood has turned duck-n-cover into a fine art.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Lex Award #1"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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 "When Law Enforcement Goes Wild" Award

One of the best things about Tribe Season-3 was Sheriff Lex. He went all out for this one - especially when he recruited deputies in velvet cat suits (aka the Mozzies). Lex definitely had his own ideas about a sheriff's duties. For example, he was more than willing to provide protection for the street vendors in town ... for a fee, of course. It didn't matter who was city leader. Even working for Ebony didn't present too much of a challenge. Lex was very good at combining his talent for finding money-making opportunities with his new civic responsibilities.

URICK wasn't exactly elected sheriff of Fort River. More like self-appointed, because a great interest of his tribe The 100 is keeping the peace & making the city a safer place. Pickpockets, break-ins, random fights & murders - there's so much to occupy a city sheriff's time. Can he help it if self-styled vigilantes decided to lynch a suspect in a rash of city murders? Fort River is a very big place - is it his fault that a small riot just happened to start on Merchant Street when he was someplace else? They just don't appreciate the pressures on you do they, Big Guy?

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "KC Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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.

KC Award

He'd sell you Zoot's goggles or a "diamond" ring. There was a great scene where he had Cloe & Patsy selling sunglasses for him - you trade one pair of sunglasses for one watch. Only, you really had to be sure the watches actually worked, girls! KC was a scoundrel or an entrepreneur, depending on your definition. He always had a scheme going. Seems his ingenuity really knew no bounds when it came to surviving.

It's been fun to watch LILY grow in that direction. One of the younger Misfits, Lily was in danger of going the same way as "teenage Cloe" - then Rio turned on the power in Fort River. Seems Lily knew just what to do. This girl found a way to make & sell ice during the hottest summer on record! Way to go, girl!

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Good of the Tribe Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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

A lot of things happen for the good of the tribe. Taisan "realigned Lex's chakras" to keep peace among her tribemates (and keep him from outright attacking Zandra). Bray risked death to tell the Mallrats to fight on against the Guardian. It's a definite rephrasing of "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one."

ACE knew that particular lesson very well and illustrated it again & again. There've been many "Ace" personas since the Virus; each one has died for a cause, usually the continuation of his tribe the Death Seekers. Our most recent "Ace" was Alister, the love of Eris's life. For the good of the Death Seekers as well as the city, he took on a no-win fight with Tristan & died gloriously. It was a helluva fight. When the dust settled, a new Ace took up where the old one left off. For the good of the tribe...

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Ecos Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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.

Ecos Award

When "The Tribe" introduced the Gaians aka the Eco Tribe in Season-3, most of us wondered what took so long. It made sense that somewhere, someone decided back-to-nature was the way to go. There are a lot of memorable scenes from when Pride took Ebony, Lex, Bray & Dal to meet his tribe for the first time ... and their tribe leader "Eagle." But what we're focused on here is something Ebony said, about how good the Ecos ate "and not a tin-opener in sight."

In our game, the Ecos' way of life is mirrored in the EVANS FAMILY TRIBE. We don't know too much about them yet other than they came from another place, settled into the Agricultural Center & began to make things grow. Now they're out 'n about in Fort River giving away samples of what their farm can provide, working to be part of the life of the city and help by providing food for trade. It's good to know that "city kids" aren't all we have left.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Ebony Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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.

Ebony Award

From Season-1, Ebony was the exotic one, the one nobody could predict or take for granted. Zoot showed her the meaning of strong & that she couldn't measure up because she wasn't willing to do "anything" without reservation. Without Zoot, this girl created her own definitions & followed her own passions. To hell with what anybody else thought. Tribe leader. City leader. Queen of the Technos or just a girl on the run with the man she loves ... Ebony was totally unique.

Ebony and BLACKROSE probably would've totally hated each other, mostly because they have so much in common. But Blackrose did Ebony one better - Blackrose is, indeed, willing to do anything to get what she wants or to protect who she loves. That love is Tristan, and Blackrose still tries her best to win him back though he's married & actively recruiting another beauty to his side. Like Ebony, Blackrose never gives up hope. Exotic beauty? Definitely. Unpredictable? Totally.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Dal Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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.

Dal "Little Trees" Award

Dal was special. In the post-Virus world, all he wanted was to stay with Amber & have a little farm so he could raise food for everyone. He was easy to pass over because he didn't do big spectacular things. But he had a truly spectacular heart. He knew that oaks grew from acorns, that the smallest good deeds could have big effects. His small good deed - leading the Zootists away from Amber & the others trying to defeat the Guardian - led to his death. His dying words to Amber were a reminder about "little trees." He sometimes seemed the least of them, but his courage was undeniable.

Sometimes JADE reminds us of Dal. She yearns for simple things, somene to love, a life of helping others and just being happy. When she learned Zero was going to infiltrate Saint's slave operation, that Ace thought Zero'd probably die in the attempt, Jade volunteered herself in Zero's place. She escaped the horrors of slavery with Zero's help, yet she was willing to risk that horror again for love of him. That girl is stronger than she gives herself credit for.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Drunken-Bray Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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.

Drunken-Bray Award

Through the run of "The Tribe," Bray was usually the steady one, the one you counted on in a crisis. Whatever he felt, he generally kept it to himself & stayed strong for his friends. Then came Season-3 ... Trudy & a very pregnant Amber disappear. Everything Bray does to find them yields nothing. So what does he do? Our boy loses it. He goes walkabout. He winds up at a bar, drunk to the gills, hitting on every waitress or single girl in the place. He gets thrown out of the bar & is found by the Mozzies on the street, who kick the crap outa him. This is about as low as we've ever seen our hero. He's just in self-destruct mode.

Definitely reminded us of RIO. Rio's got it all. He's the power czar in Fort River since he found a way to get the hydroelectric power back on line. This guy wants for nothing ... so what does he do? He fights with the only friend he's really got (that would be Jenna) then proceeds to the nearest pub to drink, laugh, flirt & generally pretend nothing's wrong to anybody who'll listen. We think it can only get worse before it hopefully starts to get better.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Amber Award #2"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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.

"More Guts than Amber" Award

Don't get me wrong here. Amber had lots of guts & showed that constantly throughout the run of "The Tribe's" 5 seasons. But mostly she grew into that resolve & courage. In the early parts of Season-1 especially, she was still confused & finding her way, same as everybody else. She had to grow ... and she hadn't grown so much when Sasha came on the scene. I still have NO CLUE what the attraction was there - especially compared to Bray! - but obviously they had feelings for each other. They spent nights together & we were left to imagine what that meant. When all was said 'n done, when Sasha was leaving the city to see the world & find truths the city didn't offer, he asked Amber to come with him. She said "no." The obvious answer was she felt she "had a job to do" and couldn't abandon her tribe. Another answer might've been that she found it hard to leave the security & friends she had found, even if that was for love.

So from our game, we decided KRYSTAL, who was willing to take such a chance, truly did have more guts than Amber in the same situation. Well, almost the same. We're not sure love was involved, when Sid asked her to adventure with him & leave the city. But Krystal took a shot and left her tribe and city behind for a new place with Sid. That definitely took guts.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Unplugged! - "Bray & Amber Award"

AWARDS UNPLUGGED: Where we take the Summer 2008 awards & break '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.

Bray & Amber "Happy Families" Award

"Happy Families" is a card game whose idea is to collect whole families. There was also a short-lived UK tv-series by the same name. It was a familiar bit, hearing Ebony sneer at Bray or Amber & ask if they were just gonna sit around playing "happy families." But in a way that's what they were doing - trying to take the odds 'n ends of a shattered world & build a family from it. In the early days they were pretty good at the "mom" and "dad" roles. But as it turned out, the early days were the easier ones. By the time Bray & Amber were playing the role for real, with the impending birth of baby Bray, everything else had pretty much fallen apart.

For this award, we had a 3-way tie.

TRISTAN & CECILY are the unlikeliest of all but they're also the only quasi-traditionally married couple we have, building a life in the city with a home & a respectable business. It's just...behind closed doors..."happy families" isn't exactly what they're playing here.

VALENTINE & VINCENT are Fort River's "it" couple. Wildly successful in New World terms, they recently declared their love for each other & decided to partner in all of Val's city businesses (which are considerable). They've settled into a nest in the Mirage, and life is good.

PRINCE & EVE have been our surprise couple this season. Old high-school friends who lost touch after the Virus, they spent the spring re-discovering each other. They live together & seem content with the life they're building.

What's truly surprising is the relationship-building going on throughout our game. The focus has definitely shifted from survival/fighting/competition to survival/building/finding someone to build a life with.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe

Unplugged! - "Amber Award"

Wow, feedback. It's a wonderful thing. I've had lots of questions about our game's "Tribe Awards" - what the awards are, how they're determined, and exactly why characters won the awards they did? So ... guess we need to get more specific. Not a problem, guys.

Welcome to AWARDS UNPLUGGED.

I'm gonna take the Summer 2008 awards list & break 'em down. I'll give you "Tribe" references so you can see what each award title refers to. Then I'll describe the defining moment or scene that resulted in a character receiving his/her award. This is gonna take a bit of time, one per day, so stick with us. Maybe this'll give you some more insight into our game too ... maybe encourage you to check us out. ((Yep, always with the ulterior motive.))

So let's start at the top.

The Amber Award

Amber always seemed to be the "reluctant leader," first of the Mall Rats then the Ecos and then a recognized leader of the city itself. But she was known to ditch all that & split to follow her conscience. This is a direct reference to Season-3, after she & Bray were reunited in the city. Still she left to go & try to pull together tribes outside the city to fight the Guardian. Seemed the city's needs came before her own.

HAWK is perfect for this award, a reluctant leader to the River Rats though they elected her & enthusiastically followed her. She did the best she could & moved them into the heart of Fort River so they could be part of something more. But then she turned her back on that, stepped down as leader, disappeared into the city. Hawk has bad vibes about the things happening all around them - and this girl pays attention to her vibes. This is a parallel "needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." Hawk figures what's good for the city will ultimately be good for her tribe ... but there's still that pesky reluctance. We know she wasn't comfortable as leader. Anyway, Hawk & Amber definitely would've been friends. They have a lot in common when it comes to leadership style & doing what's right.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe

Tribe Style

"The Tribe" had a very unique style. Actually that was one of the best bits, seeing what the characters would come up with when it came to shoes, outfits, hairstyles & colors, and makeup.

That's where television made life interesting. Do you know how hard it is to create, describe and visualize the kind of detail "The Tribe" could do instantly with one photo-clip?

But our players do the best they can, and we try to reinforce each other's descriptive creativity where we can.

Details that come instantly to mind...

• Silver-blonde hair - as worn by Villa & Eris.
• Chocolate brown eyes - how Tristan sees Cecily.
• A green crescent moon tattoo - Jade's slave mark.
• Full ninja dress - Zero's trademark.
• An angel tattoo across his shoulders - more than one girl has noticed that about our resident rock star Vincent.
• A missing eye - even if Hawk has recently started using a replacement.

These are just a few of the many details our players work on when it comes to character attributes. They also include manner of dress and choice of weapons. Things change up occasionally and that's fun too!

If we can't take pictures, we can certainly paint them with words.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Pain

Pain. It makes an impression.

Pain is a universal concept. If it's alive, it's felt pain to various degrees.

Doesn't matter if your world is normal or, like our game-world, a bit apocalypic. The bitch of it is, we tend to do it to each other. If there are no adults around ... seems the kids are quite capable of dealing out the pain all by themselves.

Physical.

Mental.

Emotional.

Pain comes in all colors & sizes. It's in our game-world too because, hey, universal remember? If you create a fictitious world and it's gonna have any semblance to reality at all, there will be pain.

Examples are easily come by.

Heartbreak? Arianna has lost 3 lovers in less than a year - 2 to war and 1 who walked out because he couldn't deal with her brand of New World justice.

Physical pain? Tristan has made that an art form, subjecting Cecily to methods of torture that she wouldn't have imagined possible ... or imagined that she could survive.

Mental pain? Valentine was kidnapped by a madman, immobilized and stashed in a dumpster where she lingered for days and still has nightmares from.

These are the tip of the ice berg. The characters in our game are truly survivors. Fortunately pain can be offset with pleasures, some as simple as a good meal or a hug or as vital as love.

In "The Tribe," Lex almost died from a simple toothache in Season-4.

Pain. It's universal.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Fade

Does it fade?

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

That hollow ache inside when the absolute worst happens

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

Does it fade?

Is that what happens?
Is that how we survive?

Or do we just become so numb that even

one more thing can't affect us...can't touch us

inside because inside is just cold and empty.

The characters in our game have

suffered and lost, time after time.

Some of them disappear.
Some of them die.

Some of them find a well of hope

that maybe things can get better.

Tomorrow...if we can just

make it until tomorrow.

I think I know how that feels.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

One more Award...

Special Note from the Council of Tribes:

There was one KTDA character we had a difficult time qualifying so we didn't include in the Summer '08 round of awards published yesterday. However upon further consideration, we have created a new award category that recognizes when a character has the guts to take a chance, even if that effort doesn't end in success. Trying counts.

So, the "More Guts Than Amber" Award is presented to KRYSTAL.

Amber didn't take a chance and take a new adventure when Sasha offered it. When Sid offered Krystal that chance, she took it! That took guts, girl. It was a brave experiment. Congratulations!

[posted by Chyna, Game Owner, for the Council]

KTDARPG: Summer 2008 "Tribe Awards"

Welcome to the Council of Tribes TRIBE AWARDS, tipping our hats to the great show that gave us our start. You've all done a GREAT JOB! Here are highlights of the last 6 months from the Keep the Dream Alive rpg & the characters who brought them to life.

... and the winners are ...

• Amber Award -- Hawk
• Bray & Amber Award -- Tristan & Cecily, Val & Vincent, and Prince & Eve
• Drunken Bray Award -- Rio
• Dal "Little Trees" Award -- Jade
• Ebony Award -- Blackrose
• Eco's Award -- Evans Family Tribe
• "Good of the Tribe" Award -- Ace/Alister
• KC Award -- Lily
• Lex "Cover my ass first" Award -- Blood
• Lex & Taisan Award -- Jade & Zero
• Lex Award "when law enforcement goes wild" -- Urick
• Locos Award -- Cecily
• Mouse Award -- Maggie
• Patsy Award -- Izzy
• Paul Award -- Chidori
• Pride Award -- Oliver
• Ruby Award -- Valentine
• Ruby & Slade Award -- Nyx & Johnny Ohm
• Ryan Award -- Icarus and Saber
• Salene Award #1 -- Hawk
• Salene Award #2 -- Eris
• Sasha Award -- Jenna and Teller
• Taisan Award -- Zoey
• Top Hat Award -- Hellstorm (aka Vincent)
• Tribe Circus Award -- Alice
• Tribe Flashback Award -- Tristan
• Tribe Style Award -- Jet
• Trudy Award -- Lady Arianna
• Zoot & Ebony Award -- Villa & Marionette
• Zoot Lives! Award -- Tristan and Blasko

Congrats to all our winners. If you were disappointed this round? There's always next time, especially for the newer characters. Lots of game still to come! And if you aren't familiar with KTDARPG, stop by our game-site and read the full text of the awards including commentary. (The commentary is always the fun part!)

Chyna, Game Owner

reporting for the Council of Tribes

[artwork courtesy of Pride!]

Harsh

One thing every world or country or city or society or family faces post-apocalypse is harsh reality. By its very nature, an apocalpyse changes things drastically . . . and usually for the bad.

For Tribeworld and our gameworld, that "bad change" was the death of all adults over the age of 20.

Domino-effect: No adults means no government. No manufacturing. No advanced knowledge (mostly). Things begin to break down. Nobody's refining oil for gasoline. Food resources and delivery become very localized.

Violence is on the upswing. Anarchy is rampant. Survival of the fittest.

School's out, kiddies.

In a lot of those ways, our game has mirrored our inspiration. Over four years now, we've dealt with short rations, finding safe places to live, tribe wars, slavery, fighting to survive, even unwed mothers making their way with the help of tribe and friends.

We've taken the good with the bad and made the best of it. In addition to bullies and thieves and gang leaders and warlord-wannabees, some of our characters have shown charity, generosity and genuine concern for their fellows. Many our characters have shown courage, ingenuity and long-term planning . . . so nobody talk to me about how kids can't think ahead and work to make the future what they want it to be!

Still, life's harsh under the best circumstances . . . and these certainly aren't the best.

It's a challenge. One our players have set to with a lot of creativity.

Harsh?

Yes. But harsh can bring out the best in us. It can also bring out a lot of other things too. I think we call that the fun part.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Party!

If there's one thing our friends on "The Tribe" knew how to do, it was to have a good time!

Any occasion for a party, they took advantage of.

Dance Party.

Tribe competitions.

Even rat-races!

Oh yes, life NEVER has to be dull.

In KTDA, we know how to party too.

You can catch the show each night at the Mirage. You'll probably find Vincent and his rock show or maybe Jade who has her own special style.

If big crowds aren't your style, then try Home. Right now there's a storytelling marathon beginning, between Jenna the Bard and the River Rats' very own Teller.

You can probably find more fun on the beach or at a house party somewhere like the Peachtree Mall.

Whatever you do - have fun!

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

The wait is usually killer.

Calm before the storm.
Christmas Eve.
Cliffhangers.
The 8th month.
Episode 2.

Yeah...things that make you wait. Patience may be a virtue but it's a damn uncomfortable one. It feels like life is one big set-up to make you wait whether you're a patient person or not. Even games do it to you.






A country-wide drought, the damming of StormRiver, accusations of tribe-genocide, Jet's training and her lust for vengeance, the latest Death Seeker plot, Ace's relationship with Blackrose, the storytelling marathon between the Teller & the Bard, Johnny's return and how Maggie reacts, the next rock-star show, the truth about The 100 -- KTDA has so many plot spins & twists coming & we have to WAIT!

Ok, Ok ... no worries.

What we're waiting on is totally worth it. Yeah, I'll admit "anticipation" tends to add to satisfaction when you finally get delivery. What we're waiting on is real-life. Our game players have lives & obligations & other interests, especially this time of year. We spent all spring building up to the good stuff. Now it's just a matter of waiting on delivery.

So ... we wait.

-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Brooding

It's a human thing.
When events
or emotions
or confusions
or people
affect you
deeply...
you brood.



If you don't
allow yourself


to feel
what you feel,


you'll never
ever
get past it.


Feel it
all of it
then
move on.




-Chyna

Photo source: copyright Cloud-9 "The Tribe"

Bit Parts

You know them well, those throw-away characters who show up for a few episodes or a season and then...vanish!

"The Tribe" was filled with them. There was a whole city affected by the Virus, not just a handful of primary characters. Here are a few of my favorites.

Sasha was the first. He came out of nowhere and landed first with slavers, then with Amber. Believe me, that stirred up a whole lotta crap...especially a very jealous Bray. But Sasha also showed Amber that she had choices and alternatives in her life, even when she didn't think so. Ultimately he asked her to leave with him. She made a choice, and she made it for the right reasons. Then Sasha was gone. Purpose served.

Next there was Spike. Spike was a Loco, one of Zoot's lieutenants then one of Ebony's after Zoot died. He challenged her for the tribe, chased her out, captured & tortured her and was just nasty in general. But he was a catalyst for Ebony's growing relationship with the Mall Rats. His ultimate death was blamed on Ebony when the Guardian was setting her up to discredit her.

Tribe Season-3 got harsh. Amber was kidnapped and Bray was helpless to find her. The stress got so bad, he abandoned the Mall Rats and went walkabout. When the Horse Traders found Bray beat up and passed out in a ditch, they took him with them and Moon took very good care of him. What Moon did was give him back his sense of purpose. She offered him options--asked him to leave the city and stay with her--& he realized where his responsibilities and his heart really lived. Moon and her people went on with Pony Joe and were never seen again.

Then there was Mouse. Salene found Mouse when she came back to the city after searching for Ryan (whom she never found). Sal took Mouse to the Mall and from there everything fell into place. Mouse was a kid, and we saw things develop through her eyes. It was a great perspective. Finally Mouse knew the city was just too big & scary a place for her. Salene took Mouse back to the Eco-Tribe so that she could live in fresh air and sunshine and grow up in a good place.

There were lots of bit-players in "The Tribe." They each had their brief appearance...but their impact was very real. It's fun to remember them, who they were and what they did. I know that Spike died but we don't know what happened to the others.

I hope they lived long lives in Tribeworld.

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