Help Forge the Future by Picking your top Guild Name
Jun 9, 2017 22:25:26 GMT -5
The One-eyed Fool and Sonicfani like this
Post by thecelticfriar on Jun 9, 2017 22:25:26 GMT -5
I sometimes have a flare for the dramatic & story ... if you want to skip the story the just scroll down past the next Horizontal Rule.
Just inside the tavern door, you shake your cloak to rid it of the few drops of rain that fell on your ride in. Earlier you received a message urging you to make haste to Kaylee's Tavern.
"Well met, young traveler." A figure in the corner beckons you to come and take a seat. As you approach the angle of the firelight exposes a man of average height but white strands of hair speckle his black beard that juts out from beneath his hood covered head. The old man opens his arms and motions to a well-worn leather chair studded with long since tarnished brass tacks. The hearth is large, made of river rock and mortar. The sound of sap sizzling against the flames heat breaks oddly loud in the cozy corner of the tavern. Your mysterious host looks to the bar and motions for the keep to send a drink. Josie, a barmaid you know well, approaches with a large mug frothing with ale and a smaller cup that has steam rising from its contents like mist over the lake on a cool morning. Josie's wearing her hair up today so the blond curls that would normally lay against her soft shoulders are now high and bouncing with her steps. While her smile is inviting, her eyes betray a hards day work and a night of too little sleep. Arriving at your chair, you reach for the ale.
"Tut!", the man's leathery hand smacks at yours, "That's mine ... you need a clear head for what we're about to discuss. The tea is for you."
He drinks too fast and some of the ale spills up and over his mustache. Drops of ale sparkle in the firelight as they fall over his beard and cloak. The cup already in hand, you turn to thank Josie but she's already gone back to the bar. She and Kaylee are frantically discussing something in hushed tones at the bar. There's an almost panic on their faces ... it could be excitement ... you never were really good at reading women, from a distance anyway. The tea, if it could be called that, smells rancid. The herb bag steeping in the hot water seems stained black with its contents.
"I think I'll pass on the tea," you reply.
He retorts, "Drink it, lest I'll be picking you up off the floor with what I've got to tell you."
Irritated, you reply, "What? Who are you anyway? And why did you summon me all the way into town especially on a day such as this."
While his eyes remain covered by the shadow of his hood, you know they are set on you as he sternly insists, "Drink."
Reluctantly you begin to sip before hearing "ALL of it" he bellows. The taste is awful but you know it best to get it down quick to shut the old man up so you can get on with your evening. Josie has always been good company, and perhaps tonight's discomforts could be eased by some conversation and breakfast in her room tomorrow morning.
"By the gods! What was that" you spit.
"Something that will keep you awake while I talk. Everyone else I've shared my news with has passed out or sat dumbfounded in that chair before having to be carried off. One fell over dead. What's happened to you young ones today ... we used to be stronger people ... we have to be a stronger people."
"Are you going to insult me and talk in riddles all night or will you shut up and tell me what it is you have to say. I'm only here because I planned on ..." you pause, searching for the right words "visiting here anyway," you coyly reply as your gaze begins to venture toward the bar.
Moving with speed reserved for wild beasts, he slides forward and is now inches from your face. His speed has pulled his hood away from his face revealing a weathered face and piercing blue eyes. A scar runs from above his left eye down to his cheek. His hair is a brilliant white, pulled back in a long braided ponytail. Before you can react he starts to speak.
With the passion of Chieftain, he speaks through his teeth, "Have I wasted my time on the likes of you! Will I share with you the news that we have long awaited for only to have you toss it to the muck while you search for the next piece of ass that's dumb enough to actually let you share their bed?!?" Recognizing him as Aldrich the Elder, a lump swells in your throat. Many stories have been told of him, the greatest of these was his age ... and his knowledge of the early years. No one knew how we got here, there were rumors to be sure, but nothing concrete.
You meek out, "Forgive my youth, it sometimes gets the better of me."
His balled fist relax, a heavy sigh escapes his lips before replying quietly "it's your youth that will be needed in the days ahead." Relaxing his face, his demeanor changes to that of a child with news to share but instructions not too. Leaning in again, he whispers "We've found it."
"Found what, exactly," you ask.
He replies simply, "home."
The night rolled on in a hushed conversation between yourself and Aldrich. Josie would bring the occasional refill, some bread, some cheese ... but other than that your conversation went on undisturbed. Finally, the night winding down ... it occurs to you, "Why are you telling me all this?"
Aldrich leaned back and smiled softly. "Because you, and a few others like you, have been chosen to return and establish a Guild. As word of this spreads there will be others ... we expect that in time ... droves of people will flood this new world. We want you to go through and lay the foundation of something glorious." Clenching his hand and pointing directly at your face, he continues, "set a firm foundation so that the others may succeed. Do not cut corners, do not let standards lax. The plum must be true. We have to get it right from the beginning."
"Why don't we all go at once, take everything with us that we need?" you ask.
"We must test this new land. If we send too many all at once then it may collapse all around us. We don't know how nature will behave if it will follow expected norms that we're used to. No, it must be tested before more can come through. But you and your comrades ... you can go through and begin building a Guild, work the land, who knows ... maybe build a city!" Aldrich waves his hands as if swatting away flies, "But I'm getting ahead of myself, first ... you must name the Guild"
Alright, folks, it's here ... and here's how this is going to work.
How it'll work:
We had so many great suggestions that we're going to first have a primary vote. Using the link below you'll select the top 3 names you like the best. Each rank has a point value. 1 = 5 points, 2 = 3 points, and 3 = 1 point. You'll also be able to select which name you like the least. Doing this will actually deduct points. When everyone has voted we'll pick the top 5 (or 6 if there's a tie) and post a poll here on the boards.
Schedule:
We want everyone to have ample time to vote so we're going to open the polls now and they'll remain open until 11:59 PM EST Monday, June 12th. We'll tally the results and get the poll posted Friday and if all goes as planned we'll have a name for our guild before next weekend!
How to vote:
Click the link and follow instructions!
www.surveymonkey.com/r/SW3P6Z7
Just inside the tavern door, you shake your cloak to rid it of the few drops of rain that fell on your ride in. Earlier you received a message urging you to make haste to Kaylee's Tavern.
"Well met, young traveler." A figure in the corner beckons you to come and take a seat. As you approach the angle of the firelight exposes a man of average height but white strands of hair speckle his black beard that juts out from beneath his hood covered head. The old man opens his arms and motions to a well-worn leather chair studded with long since tarnished brass tacks. The hearth is large, made of river rock and mortar. The sound of sap sizzling against the flames heat breaks oddly loud in the cozy corner of the tavern. Your mysterious host looks to the bar and motions for the keep to send a drink. Josie, a barmaid you know well, approaches with a large mug frothing with ale and a smaller cup that has steam rising from its contents like mist over the lake on a cool morning. Josie's wearing her hair up today so the blond curls that would normally lay against her soft shoulders are now high and bouncing with her steps. While her smile is inviting, her eyes betray a hards day work and a night of too little sleep. Arriving at your chair, you reach for the ale.
"Tut!", the man's leathery hand smacks at yours, "That's mine ... you need a clear head for what we're about to discuss. The tea is for you."
He drinks too fast and some of the ale spills up and over his mustache. Drops of ale sparkle in the firelight as they fall over his beard and cloak. The cup already in hand, you turn to thank Josie but she's already gone back to the bar. She and Kaylee are frantically discussing something in hushed tones at the bar. There's an almost panic on their faces ... it could be excitement ... you never were really good at reading women, from a distance anyway. The tea, if it could be called that, smells rancid. The herb bag steeping in the hot water seems stained black with its contents.
"I think I'll pass on the tea," you reply.
He retorts, "Drink it, lest I'll be picking you up off the floor with what I've got to tell you."
Irritated, you reply, "What? Who are you anyway? And why did you summon me all the way into town especially on a day such as this."
While his eyes remain covered by the shadow of his hood, you know they are set on you as he sternly insists, "Drink."
Reluctantly you begin to sip before hearing "ALL of it" he bellows. The taste is awful but you know it best to get it down quick to shut the old man up so you can get on with your evening. Josie has always been good company, and perhaps tonight's discomforts could be eased by some conversation and breakfast in her room tomorrow morning.
"By the gods! What was that" you spit.
"Something that will keep you awake while I talk. Everyone else I've shared my news with has passed out or sat dumbfounded in that chair before having to be carried off. One fell over dead. What's happened to you young ones today ... we used to be stronger people ... we have to be a stronger people."
"Are you going to insult me and talk in riddles all night or will you shut up and tell me what it is you have to say. I'm only here because I planned on ..." you pause, searching for the right words "visiting here anyway," you coyly reply as your gaze begins to venture toward the bar.
Moving with speed reserved for wild beasts, he slides forward and is now inches from your face. His speed has pulled his hood away from his face revealing a weathered face and piercing blue eyes. A scar runs from above his left eye down to his cheek. His hair is a brilliant white, pulled back in a long braided ponytail. Before you can react he starts to speak.
With the passion of Chieftain, he speaks through his teeth, "Have I wasted my time on the likes of you! Will I share with you the news that we have long awaited for only to have you toss it to the muck while you search for the next piece of ass that's dumb enough to actually let you share their bed?!?" Recognizing him as Aldrich the Elder, a lump swells in your throat. Many stories have been told of him, the greatest of these was his age ... and his knowledge of the early years. No one knew how we got here, there were rumors to be sure, but nothing concrete.
You meek out, "Forgive my youth, it sometimes gets the better of me."
His balled fist relax, a heavy sigh escapes his lips before replying quietly "it's your youth that will be needed in the days ahead." Relaxing his face, his demeanor changes to that of a child with news to share but instructions not too. Leaning in again, he whispers "We've found it."
"Found what, exactly," you ask.
He replies simply, "home."
The night rolled on in a hushed conversation between yourself and Aldrich. Josie would bring the occasional refill, some bread, some cheese ... but other than that your conversation went on undisturbed. Finally, the night winding down ... it occurs to you, "Why are you telling me all this?"
Aldrich leaned back and smiled softly. "Because you, and a few others like you, have been chosen to return and establish a Guild. As word of this spreads there will be others ... we expect that in time ... droves of people will flood this new world. We want you to go through and lay the foundation of something glorious." Clenching his hand and pointing directly at your face, he continues, "set a firm foundation so that the others may succeed. Do not cut corners, do not let standards lax. The plum must be true. We have to get it right from the beginning."
"Why don't we all go at once, take everything with us that we need?" you ask.
"We must test this new land. If we send too many all at once then it may collapse all around us. We don't know how nature will behave if it will follow expected norms that we're used to. No, it must be tested before more can come through. But you and your comrades ... you can go through and begin building a Guild, work the land, who knows ... maybe build a city!" Aldrich waves his hands as if swatting away flies, "But I'm getting ahead of myself, first ... you must name the Guild"
Alright, folks, it's here ... and here's how this is going to work.
How it'll work:
We had so many great suggestions that we're going to first have a primary vote. Using the link below you'll select the top 3 names you like the best. Each rank has a point value. 1 = 5 points, 2 = 3 points, and 3 = 1 point. You'll also be able to select which name you like the least. Doing this will actually deduct points. When everyone has voted we'll pick the top 5 (or 6 if there's a tie) and post a poll here on the boards.
Schedule:
We want everyone to have ample time to vote so we're going to open the polls now and they'll remain open until 11:59 PM EST Monday, June 12th. We'll tally the results and get the poll posted Friday and if all goes as planned we'll have a name for our guild before next weekend!
How to vote:
Click the link and follow instructions!
www.surveymonkey.com/r/SW3P6Z7
