Play@YSDC

Posted: **Sun Jul 17, 2016 4:49 pm**

Feel free to discuss anything out of character here.

Character generation thread now open.

Opening chapter posted.

Posted: **Mon Jul 18, 2016 11:50 pm**

I'll try to get my character fleshed out this week. Things are a bit hectic this week as the government is finally opening a few official camps.

Posted: **Tue Jul 19, 2016 2:33 am**

Take your time. I myself will be gone from late on the evening of July 18, then back from late on the evening of July 23 until early on the morning of July 24th, then away again until the afternoon of July 27th, then I should around for ten or eleven days. (Yes, I work weird days and hours.) This is all Eastern time here in the USA.

Posted: **Fri Jul 29, 2016 2:12 pm**

I will be away from Sunday 31st till Aug 5th. Camping in the Lake district, so my internet access will be fairly limited. feel free to move Duncan on as you see if needed.

Posted: **Fri Jul 29, 2016 7:57 pm**

Very good. Have a good time!

Posted: **Sun Jul 31, 2016 6:54 pm**

I have opened the second chapter.

Let me assure DrPeterson and all other potential players that this does not preclude them from joining in. Edits will be made to the text as necessary.

Posted: **Mon Aug 01, 2016 10:27 am**

Hi Victoria, and hi everyone else from a first-timer, I posted my character in the creation thread and providing everything is okay will begin catching up later today.

Posted: **Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:11 pm**

Excellent!

I would suggest that you make some sort of response to Chapter the First, then I have something in mind to bring you into Chapter the Second.

Posted: **Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:35 pm**

Great, will do. And thanks again for the introduction. Hoping not to embarrass myself.

Posted: **Mon Aug 01, 2016 10:16 pm**

Had to do a quick edit of that last post in chapter two when I realized I'd slipped into past tense instead of present. Sorry! Please tell me if I make any mistakes.

Posted: **Mon Aug 01, 2016 10:57 pm**

Don't worry about it. Past tense will work fine also.

You're doing a great job!

Posted: **Tue Aug 02, 2016 12:09 pm**

Sorry about vanishing. Refugee situation is a bit more demanding than I anticipated. I'll pick up next week if that's still possible.

Posted: **Tue Aug 02, 2016 7:12 pm**

DrPeterson wrote:Sorry about vanishing. Refugee situation is a bit more demanding than I anticipated. I'll pick up next week if that's still possible.

Please feel free to join in at any time.

Thank you for all your good work.

Posted: **Wed Aug 03, 2016 4:34 pm**

I really appreciate your guidance Victoria. Hopefully I managed to get my first dice roll right but I see in other posts that the roll mentions which attribute it's checking against, but I can't figure out how to include this. Sorry.

Posted: **Wed Aug 03, 2016 5:10 pm**

Wruter wrote:I really appreciate your guidance Victoria. Hopefully I managed to get my first dice roll right but I see in other posts that the roll mentions which attribute it's checking against, but I can't figure out how to include this. Sorry.

Not to worry. That could just be added as a comment within spoilers.

This is all just for fun, so no problem!

Posted: **Sun Aug 07, 2016 6:10 pm**

Just a note to say that I will be away from the computer for a couple of days.

I would also like to mention the fact that everyone is doing a wonderful job of roleplaying, and that this is the most fun I have had in a long time.

Posted: **Sun Aug 07, 2016 6:20 pm**

Thank you, and thank you for running it. I'm really enjoying it too.

Posted: **Sun Aug 07, 2016 7:04 pm**

Likewise.

Posted: **Sun Aug 07, 2016 9:58 pm**

Thank you for the kind words.

If DrPeterson, and/or Qman, or any others who have expressed interest wish to join in at any time, I will be happy to arrange matters to allow them to participate.

(This post edited to make allowances for a change in the time line of events.)

Posted: **Mon Aug 08, 2016 4:19 pm**

Hi guys, I'm back after a slightly extended trip.
Looks like things are moving along very nicely. I will have a read and a catch up with events and should hopefully have some time to post tomorrow.

Posted: **Wed Aug 10, 2016 7:29 pm**

Welcome back!

Posted: **Thu Aug 11, 2016 3:31 am**

I got a nice message from the creator of this system when I made a comment about it on the website where it is found.

. I’ve checked out your game, and I’m delighted with how you are running it. I’m especially happy to see Ghastly Affair so well adapted to Play-by-post. Your game is an exciting read, and I’m definitely keeping up with it. Kudos to you and your players!

Posted: **Thu Aug 11, 2016 1:59 pm**

Posted: **Sun Aug 14, 2016 1:49 am**

You can listen to what Miss Carrow's song would have sounded like here:

https://archive.org/details/PlaisirDamo ... ouriLyrics

(Click on number Ten)

A different version, mostly in English, with different lyrics:

https://archive.org/details/JoanBaez-PlaisirDamour_970

A music video of the song, with a man singing, and the lyrics translated (sometimes a little awkwardly, to judge by the English) into multiple languages via subtitles:

https://archive.org/details/PlaisirDamour

Posted: **Sun Aug 14, 2016 2:20 pm**

Very nice. And very inspiring. Thank you.

I know this is probably a bit of a cliche but I've begun toying with writing a story about my character, Lila Davenport. Here's a bit of the rough WIP so far:

[REDACTED]

Posted: **Sun Aug 14, 2016 4:26 pm**

This is really good. Great sensory detail, excellent psychological depth. Good job!

Posted: **Sun Aug 14, 2016 7:19 pm**

You are very kind. I only have 2.5k words so far and no real plan but I see a potential novel and hope something comes of it.

I can't thank you enough for the positive effect you've had on my writing. Playing Lila has forced me inside her head and for the first time I'm thinking in terms of a character I want to write about rather than genre or plot. I'm interested in what makes Lila tick as a person.

Anyway, thank you for the inspiration and I'm really enjoying your game.

Posted: **Sun Aug 14, 2016 11:09 pm**

Excellent work. I hope you keep it up and I will look forward to reading more.

Posted: **Mon Aug 15, 2016 10:18 am**

I totaly agree. I find myself amongst role players and thinkers of the highest calibre

Posted: **Mon Aug 15, 2016 2:12 pm**

Thank you both, very much appreciated.

Posted: **Tue Aug 16, 2016 1:30 am**

I might mention that our own Wruter has also just won, by a wide margin, a 75-word writing challenge held at the SFF Chronicles website.

The votes:

https://www.sffchronicles.com/threads/565083/

The story is the sixth one down here:

https://www.sffchronicles.com/threads/564742/

Posted: **Tue Aug 16, 2016 5:17 am**

Yes, that was very good! I also like writing background stories for some of my characters, when I have time (which is rare).

Posted: **Tue Aug 16, 2016 2:48 pm**

Thank you Mr. Handy, and I hope you find more time to have fun with your stories. And Victoria, you're making me blush!

Posted: **Wed Aug 17, 2016 5:45 pm**

Strange, I included some text in my earlier post with the dice roll but when I checked back just now the text had gone. It might just be the dementia setting in unless it was deleted because I did something wrong? Anyhow I managed to duplicate what I'd written before.

Posted: **Wed Aug 17, 2016 6:36 pm**

Wruter wrote:Strange, I included some text in my earlier post with the dice roll but when I checked back just now the text had gone. It might just be the dementia setting in unless it was deleted because I did something wrong? Anyhow I managed to duplicate what I'd written before.

I think I may have messed it up while I was trying to edit my own post. I had no idea that I could edit someone else's post. I'll have to watch out for that.

Posted: **Thu Aug 18, 2016 1:46 am**

Yes, all Keepers can edit any posts in their boards. I accidentally did something like that once, only worse. I was trying to reply to a player in my game's character sheet that he had just posted while was extremely sleep-deprived, and I must have hit Edit instead of Quote. I ended up erasing the whole thing. Fortunately, we were able to reconstruct it.

Posted: **Fri Aug 19, 2016 4:53 pm**

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm glad Wruter was able to save that post despite my goof.

For those who might be interested, the printed version of the Player's Handbook for Ghastly Affair is now available as print-on-demand.

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Ghastly-Affair-P ... 1535235063

CreateSpace:

https://www.createspace.com/6416247

Posted: **Fri Aug 19, 2016 7:53 pm**

I will be away from the computer for three days, so please feel free to continue engaging in conversation, sending each other private messages, and any reasonable actions for your characters.

Posted: **Wed Aug 24, 2016 5:16 pm**

Sorry guys having severe laptop issues at the minute. Hopefully will be sorted by the weekend. I will make a breif post for now.

Posted: **Tue Aug 30, 2016 10:27 am**

Problem with my laptop not solved as easily as I hoped. Will have to go a bit frankenstein and try surgery

. I will just have to cope as best I can with my phone for now.

Posted: **Tue Aug 30, 2016 6:22 pm**

maelstrom wrote:Problem with my laptop not solved as easily as I hoped. Will have to go a bit frankenstein and try surgery . I will just have to cope as best I can with my phone for now.

I am very sorry to hear that. Good luck with that.

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2016 2:10 pm**

Hope you manage to sort out the laptop.

Really enjoying the game, Victoria and everyone. Thanks for having me.

Well, I wrote the opening 18k words of a novel about Lila in just over a week before my brain crashed and nothing since. (This is normal for me.) I'm afraid it's very much a pulp romantic horror story but if nothing else it's been a great exercise in character development. Rather than abandon it I'm going to tidy up and post what there is here in bits, maybe just for archival purposes but maybe it will shake something loose and I'll find a way to continue. This carries on from the first bit of the beginning posted previously.

[REDACTED]

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2016 3:31 pm**

This is quite compelling. Great atmosphere, good building of suspense, fine sensory appeal. Good job!

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2016 5:35 pm**

I will second that. Excellent work, I will look forward to your next installment.

Posted: **Wed Aug 31, 2016 6:42 pm**

Thanks so much both of you, I'm glad you don't mind me sticking this stuff up here, I'd probably delete it otherwise.

Posted: **Thu Sep 01, 2016 4:01 am**

I agree, it's very good. I look forward to reading more. It's just as well that you post it a little at a time, as I probably wouldn't have time to read it all at once anyway.

This site also has a fiction section here, but it hasn't been used much in a while.

Posted: **Thu Sep 01, 2016 12:52 pm**

Thanks Mr. Handy! I did see the fiction section. Maybe once the complete first part (about 10k words) is tidied up I'll post it there.

This is the end of the introductory chapter of the draft. Sorry if it gets a bit hairy. By the way Victoria (if you read this) if any of this contradicts anything you had planned for the game please feel free to ignore it as 'alternate universe'. And thanks again.

[REDACTED]

Posted: **Thu Sep 01, 2016 1:54 pm**

Wow. That was powerful. Tastefully erotic, very emotional.

Posted: **Fri Sep 02, 2016 12:30 pm**

I am very grateful for the encouragement you've given me Victoria. Your opinion means a lot to me, I admire your writing and commentary hugely (to anyone else reading this I know of Victoria's wonderful work from another site not just the game). I am now determined to finish the book. I'll tidy up the first section, posting here as I go along while I try to figure out how to continue.

[REDACTED]

Posted: **Fri Sep 02, 2016 3:46 pm**

Nicely done. A good contrast to the last section. You allow us to see some strong characterizations. The setting is as vivid as always.

Posted: **Fri Sep 02, 2016 8:51 pm**

I will be away from the computer again for three days. Since we are at a tense and dangerous junction, you may wish to discuss the situation with your fellow players via private messages and decide on a group plan of action.

Posted: **Sat Sep 03, 2016 2:36 am**

I didn't have a chance to post between the time Lila went for the door and it actually opened. Can I have my pistol already drawn?

I think our best bet is for Rachman to try to use Daze on Violette. If that works, the rest of us will have a free turn to act while she is stunned.

Posted: **Sat Sep 03, 2016 8:29 am**

Well we are certainly not going to hand over Elizabeth. So if Henry has his pistol to hand then yes I think casting daze and rushing her us our best option. With Duncans charisma and his unsettling presence talking her down would not be a good option.

Posted: **Sat Sep 03, 2016 9:30 am**

At this point Elizabeth may faint again (it's what she does

). So I pray that you brave gentlemen and Lila protect me in my time of need.
Of course the act of fainting may provide a needed diversion?

Posted: **Sat Sep 03, 2016 9:47 am**

Ah, great ideas. I was expecting Doctor North to be the first to leap to Elizabeth's defense, but if she faints would he have to catch her? And if Rachman's spell fails ... my only idea was using the manuscript as leverage but now I see your point that talking might not work.

Posted: **Sun Sep 04, 2016 2:28 am**

That's a good point. Elizabeth might not faint, depending on the roll, but it might be a good distraction to pretend to even if she succeeds. Even if I don't have the pistol in my hand, I'm still holding my cane and should be close enough to use it.

Posted: **Sun Sep 04, 2016 10:42 am**

I cannot see why Elizabeth might faint, but she could pretend too. She could step back from the doorway as she falls and shout "Antoine!", maybe the mention of her brother's name might help the distraction?

Posted: **Tue Sep 06, 2016 4:36 pm**

I am back, so you may proceed with your plans.

Posted: **Wed Sep 07, 2016 1:41 pm**

[REDACTED]

Posted: **Wed Sep 07, 2016 8:46 pm**

Great scene. Good metaphor for London as an animal with fleas. GREAT ending. Looking forward to more.

Posted: **Thu Sep 08, 2016 12:28 pm**

Thank you once again for all the encouragement you give me. I'm still trying to figure out how to tackle the second half of the book but revising and getting the opening out in bits like this is really helping me get a handle on things. And I hope you're enjoying the game as much as I am.

[REDACTED]

Posted: **Thu Sep 08, 2016 6:49 pm**

Very powerful emotions here. I quite like the realism of the supernatural events. The notion that Richard is fighting off his vampiric tendencies with a large amount of alcohol is an interesting one, and makes the addictive nature of it seem very real.

And, yes, I am having a blast with the game.

Posted: **Fri Sep 09, 2016 12:41 pm**

Ah, you're brilliant! I knew there was something lacking from the scene but couldn't think what it was, then your mention of him using the alcohol for that purpose (a detail I'd barely considered) brought it to me straight away and I've added the paragraph -

At that moment she also noticed a small furred shape lying on the floor next to him. Peering down in the moonlight Lila realized with a sickened jolt that it was the carcass of an animal, possibly a stoat or a weasel; one that was macerated and shrivelled almost beyond recognition, as though its innards had been completely drained.

Which brings out what you said in a much more visceral way. Thank you!

[REDACTED]

Posted: **Fri Sep 09, 2016 6:24 pm**

Very good. I very much like the conflicted emotions that Richard is experiencing.

Posted: **Sat Sep 10, 2016 1:49 pm**

Thank you. I keep wanting to apologize for how pulpy it is because I know you're a far more refined writer than I am. Anyway, the direction of the book finally clicked in my brain last night and I'm still determined to do a complete draft and take it from there.

PS regarding current events in the game, if Lila dies I will never forgive you! (Joking.)

[REDACTED]

Posted: **Sat Sep 10, 2016 5:05 pm**

Good stuff. Not pulpy at all, but a very good dark fantasy. Vixen is a fine character, and the ending is great.

(I have no intention of killing off any of the characters in the game, unless one gets into very, very bad trouble, but even so resurrection is always possible.)

Posted: **Sun Sep 11, 2016 12:10 pm**

Thank you. Well, this is the last part of the opening section of the draft and I'll leave off the tidying and posting here with this in order to focus on starting writing again. Let me say again how grateful I am for all your comments and if I do finish the book it will be in no small part due to the encouragement and inspiration you've given me.

[REDACTED]

Posted: **Sun Sep 11, 2016 4:35 pm**

Very good. Another fine character created. Good sense of place, too.

Posted: **Mon Sep 12, 2016 9:01 pm**

Bit of a howler not one of us getting the roll for the dreams. Looking forward to the next chapter.

Posted: **Tue Sep 13, 2016 12:44 am**

Wruter wrote:Bit of a howler not one of us getting the roll for the dreams. Looking forward to the next chapter.

Yep, that didn't quite go the way I expected. But this game is supposed to surprise me as much as anybody else.

Posted: **Tue Sep 13, 2016 4:59 pm**

Victoria I am mortified to discover I've been using the wrong gender fiancee through the entire draft and I apologize for my stupidity. I think I'm going to quit writing because I'm clearly too dumb.

Posted: **Tue Sep 13, 2016 7:12 pm**

Wruter wrote:Victoria I am mortified to discover I've been using the wrong gender fiancee through the entire draft and I apologize for my stupidity. I think I'm going to quit writing because I'm clearly too dumb.

Don't be silly. That's a trivial matter, one that can be corrected during the revision process. (Obviously you did catch it!) Keep going! You've got the heart and soul of a writer.

Posted: **Wed Sep 14, 2016 11:10 am**

You're right of course and thank you, your words are a great comfort to me.

Posted: **Fri Sep 16, 2016 4:30 pm**

Very exciting Victoria!

Posted: **Fri Sep 16, 2016 10:25 pm**

Thanks.

Once again I will be away from the computer, this time for four days, so carry on.

Posted: **Fri Sep 16, 2016 11:06 pm**

Great game, Victoria. enjoying this alot.
Really wasnt quite sure which way the dagger was going to go untill I posted.

Posted: **Sun Sep 25, 2016 9:55 pm**

Our game wins praise from the creator of the system:

https://engineoforacles.wordpress.com/2 ... ctual-play

Posted: **Mon Sep 26, 2016 12:28 am**

Congratulations Victoria, one and all.

Posted: **Wed Sep 28, 2016 3:49 am**

I will be away for another week. Can't wait to get back!

Posted: **Wed Sep 28, 2016 11:08 am**

Can't wait to have you back!

I have to confess to being a bit stumped as to what action to take here apart from attacking the beast and hoping to knock it unconscious or something, unless Rachman has another spell up his sleeve. Maybe if Elizabeth arrives she can do something?

Also I really should have included a pistol in my list of equipment...

Posted: **Wed Sep 28, 2016 12:56 pm**

Im afraid to say im in the same boat. Im really not sure what to try next, as we dont want to kill the wolf. Lets hope one of our other companions has some cunning plan.

Posted: **Fri Sep 30, 2016 9:12 pm**

The best laid plans of mice and me . . .

So somebody got sick at work and here I am, working 1 pm to 7 am. That should give me time to come up with something.

Posted: **Sat Oct 01, 2016 4:12 am**

Evil Shewolf that you are.

. But we're not going down without a fight.

Posted: **Sat Oct 01, 2016 4:17 am**

maelstrom wrote:Evil Shewolf that you are. . But we're not going down without a fight.

I did back you into a corner, didn't I? But that was an excellent post you made, and deserves to be rewarded.

Posted: **Sat Oct 01, 2016 10:11 am**

Whew, yes, quite a surprise from maelstrom there. Thanks for the pistol Mr Handy. Victoria, my sympathies (and to the sick person of course).

Posted: **Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:23 pm**

You're welcome!

I can empathize about that situation. I was just out sick this past week, and it probably wasn't pleasant for my co-worker who had to fill in for me. Then I'll have to catch up on things after returning, which will also be unpleasant.

Posted: **Sun Oct 16, 2016 12:07 pm**

I should have tried to catch the fox myself. I keep thinking too realistically.

In other news I'm still plugging away bit by bit on the Lila novel. The (very) rough draft is maybe 75% done with just the final section, which is set in France, left to write. I'm thinking of taking a break from drafting for the rest of the month and editing what there is though, as it's a mess. Half of it is handwritten as I tend to switch to pen and paper to get going again if I'm stuck - which means a lot of typing afterward. Strangely enough, there's a fox running around in the book too.

Anyway, enjoying the game hugely (and receiving an education at the same time).

Posted: **Mon Oct 17, 2016 1:51 am**

Glad to hear that the novel is progressing!

Posted: **Mon Oct 17, 2016 2:12 pm**

Thank you so much. I've decided to spend the next few weeks on revision then look at tackling the final section in November. I was actually thinking of putting the opening up for critique at SFFC but ... I'm scared.

I'll just put one more bit here, this is the scene I tidied up today. It's intended to show Lila doing what she does as a hunter.

[REDACTED]

Posted: **Mon Oct 17, 2016 7:11 pm**

Vivid and exciting. Good stuff.

The folks at SFFChronicles are good critics, so I'd advise posting something there.

Posted: **Mon Oct 17, 2016 8:36 pm**

Thank you once again and I will take your advice.

I'm glad Priest got that second roll, it would have been a shame otherwise.

Posted: **Mon Oct 17, 2016 11:04 pm**

Keep it up. I really am enjoying reading your tale, I would love to be able to write as well as this, it's not as easy as it looks.

Victoria. With regards to my familiar. If we are staying somewhere near I will leave him to look after himself in my room, window open of course.
It would be a last resort to bring him to a a high society soiree, that would be cruel and unusable and as you said draw unwanted attention.

Posted: **Tue Oct 18, 2016 11:46 am**

Your kind words are very much appreciated maelstrom, half the battle is overcoming self-doubt and such encouragement gives me a real boost.

I would love to be able to write as well as Victoria!

Posted: **Thu Oct 20, 2016 2:41 pm**

Sorry guys real life seems to be playing havoc with my free time at the minute. My posting my be a little more erratic than usual for the next week or so. This game seems to tick along at a pretty good pace, so if at any time you need to push Duncan along to keep things moving,rather than let the game stall, please do so.

Posted: **Mon Oct 24, 2016 9:45 am**

Good idea, Mr. Handy! I was stumped.

Victoria--I know you're probably tired of me thanking you by now but I just wanted to say how very right you were and how very glad I am that I took your advice and put the opening up for critique. Since you (and others) said it basically works as an opening (which was my biggest fear, that the scene itself would be deemed redundant) it's given me a lot more confidence knowing that any issues, such as the historical errors, are fixable.

Posted: **Mon Oct 24, 2016 5:45 pm**

Thank you! And definitely keep writing. No first draft is perfect, which is why it's good to get feedback so we can correct these things.

Posted: **Wed Oct 26, 2016 1:58 am**

I will be away from the computer for several days, so have fun!

Posted: **Mon Oct 31, 2016 1:00 pm**

Nice tale maelstrom! The diversity of our characters - not to mention the great writing - is one of the things which makes this game so wonderful.

Posted: **Sun Nov 06, 2016 1:51 am**

What the Mozart aria sounds like. I think you can appreciate the difficulty.

https://vimeo.com/8401340

Posted: **Sun Nov 06, 2016 1:43 pm**

Whew, yes.

Posted: **Wed Nov 09, 2016 4:04 am**

I will be away for a week or so. Carry on.

Posted: **Sat Nov 19, 2016 3:37 pm**

I think we missed a chance for a humorous interlude when one of us could have suggested to the general to test the love potion by trying it himself and then he falls in love with Doctor North or someone.

Or perhaps not.

Posted: **Wed Nov 23, 2016 4:26 am**

Away again for a few days.

Posted: **Wed Nov 30, 2016 12:34 pm**

I hope Victoria is okay, she usually leaves a message if she's away, unless the previous one still stands? Anyway I hope she's okay.

Posted: **Wed Nov 30, 2016 10:43 pm**

I'm fine. Just forgot to say I was away.

Posted: **Wed Nov 30, 2016 11:28 pm**

Sorry Victoria, nervous disposition. (And that blog post you wrote about water shortages where you live didn't help.)

Posted: **Wed Dec 07, 2016 4:21 am**

We got our water tanks filled up, but then had to get a new water pump, and now the new one is noisy. Oh, well. At least the extreme drought has broken, with some very welcome rain showing up.

More importantly, I will be away for a week, as far as I know right now, so fee free to fill in the details of the wedding scene.

Posted: **Wed Dec 07, 2016 1:39 pm**

Glad to hear it, and I hope things continue to improve.

As always, I look forward to your return.

And whew, this game never fails to surprise and delight - great stuff, everyone.

Posted: **Sun Dec 11, 2016 5:56 am**

The best laid plans . . .

I got called back in to work for two nights, maybe three, so I'll be around a bit.

Posted: **Sun Dec 11, 2016 1:53 pm**

You don't have a computer at home? That's quite remarkable in this day and age.

Posted: **Mon Dec 12, 2016 4:37 am**

We have one at home, but, ironically, the only place where I have any time to do an y of this fun stuff is during my work nights. The one at home is almost entirely used for buying things we can't buy in person.

Posted: **Tue Dec 13, 2016 10:31 pm**

Ah, quite. I count myself lucky to have been able to switch to part-time earlier this year - it's why I've started taking writing more seriously.

I think the breaks have been good for pacing the game though - I'll be bereft when it ends.

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2016 3:00 am**

It seems that maelstrom has not posted anything in this forum for more than a month. I hope that this is not because of some bad news. Real life has a way of interfering with things like this, so I hope that it is doing so in a benign way.

If the situation continues, I will take control of Mister Rachman in what I hope will be a logical way.

Posted: **Mon Dec 19, 2016 1:15 pm**

Agreed and acknowledged.

Posted: **Fri Dec 23, 2016 11:45 am**

Well, this morning, after a month of delays due to real life I finally finished the draft of the Lila novel, just in time for Christmas. I still have a fair amount of typing and editing to do but the story is complete and that makes all the difference. I'll take a break and start the revision process in the new year. I don't know if it's any good but at least it now exists and I've gained the experience. Let me thank you all again for your early encouragement which gave me a massive boost to get through the test of stamina which is novel-writing, and not least for the inspiration and enjoyment of this game.

Hope you all have a happy festive season.

Posted: **Fri Dec 23, 2016 2:40 pm**

Congratulations!

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2016 2:17 pm**

Thanks, Victoria. Have you ever written a novel, or do you focus exclusively on short fiction? I can't imagine a writer of your skill being unpublished.

Posted: **Sat Dec 24, 2016 3:41 pm**

Thank you for the kind words.

Many years ago I made two feeble attempts at novels. One SF, one fantasy. Both about 40,000 words, and badly padded to reach that length. I am more comfortable at shorter lengths.

I've had short pieces published here and there over the years in small press markets. My story in The Haunting of Lake Manor Hotel just earned me an Amazon gift card of $26.00, which is the most money I've ever made from writing.

Posted: **Sun Dec 25, 2016 3:26 pm**

Interesting. If I've learned anything from you this past year it's that writing can be for fun as much as for anything else though.

Posted: **Fri Dec 30, 2016 5:28 pm**

How's it going, Victoria? Hope all is well out there on the frontier.

I fractured my big toe a few weeks ago. Tripped outside of a health center, ironically. So that's what's going on with me. Weather is cold and grey but that's pretty much all-year-round here.

Hopefully Priest will be back soon. I'm just letting you know I'm still here (whether you regard this as a good thing or not.)

Posted: **Fri Dec 30, 2016 8:47 pm**

Yikes! Best wishes for a swift and full recovery.

I'm doing fine. Working a lot extra. (Somebody is out having a baby, somebody else had to be admitted to the hospital with chest pain while at work -- one advantage of working at a hospital -- and other people just want time off.)

Always glad to see you here. I'm just trying to figure out what comes next.

Posted: **Sat Dec 31, 2016 9:13 pm**

Thanks, expected healing time is about six weeks.

That scenario at work is a familiar one, believe me.

I just hope we haven't scared Priest away. Hopefully s/he will be back in the new year.

Posted: **Sun Jan 01, 2017 9:54 pm**

I'm here so fear not, just been Christmassed. Is everyone waiting on me?

Posted: **Sun Jan 01, 2017 10:11 pm**

It would be of great help if you would indicate what action Miss carrow might take, now that the intruder's attention is drawn to her.

Posted: **Sun Jan 15, 2017 8:12 pm**

Today I completed revisions on the novel. It's as good as I can make it without help. Which might not be saying much but there it is. I didn't think when I started playing this game that I would end up with a book a few months later but somehow it happened. Again, thank you for reading those awful, error-ridden first draft excerpts and still managing to find nice things to say.

The critique I got of the opening was very helpful, especially in highlighting the extent of the historical innacuracies. The revision involved looking up the etymology of so many words and phrases on top of everything else -- e.g. 'fiance' wasn't even in use then, replaced with 'betrothed'.

After previous failed attempts at novels I finally have something I like enough to want other people to read. Clearly this game was a big inspiration for me so thank you.

For a title I'm torn between The Ballad of Lila Davenport and Hunter's Song.

I'm not sure what to do with the book yet. As far as I can tell selling them is more difficult than writing them. But I'll look around and try to figure something out.

In the meantime I look forward to seeing how the game unfolds!

Posted: **Sun Jan 15, 2017 8:21 pm**

Personally, I like Hunter's Song better.

Congratulations on finishing the novel! That's a huge achievement.

Posted: **Mon Jan 16, 2017 11:11 am**

Hunter's Song it shall be.

Thanks. I've learned a lot.

And I hope you're not getting too buried at work.

Posted: **Wed Jan 18, 2017 4:54 am**

Off for a couple of days, then back briefly for one day, then off for a couple of days, then back briefly for one day, then off for a day, then I should be back to normal.

(Irregular work schedule, and a trip to North Carolina to purchase the inventory of a book store. Should be the start of an interesting project.)

Posted: **Wed Jan 18, 2017 10:50 am**

Wow, I look forward to hearing more about it.

Posted: **Sat Feb 04, 2017 10:18 am**

Everything okay, boss?

Posted: **Sat Feb 04, 2017 2:16 pm**

Doing OK. I was waiting to see if Miss Carrow wishes to send Lucky out tracking or not.

Posted: **Sat Feb 04, 2017 2:32 pm**

Previously Elizabeth Carrow said: So saying she puts the small animal on the ground and with a loving stroke of the foxes head whispers, "Take care my sweet love, now go seek Mary"

I did

Posted: **Sat Feb 04, 2017 2:37 pm**

Well that's weird. I always look for "new posts." How did I miss that one?

Thanks.

Posted: **Wed Feb 08, 2017 11:16 am**

I've put the Lila novel Hunter's Song up on Amazon Kindle Scout for 30 days:

https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/FZPT37SSZJDA

Anyone with an Amazon account can nominate it for publication.

Posted: **Wed Feb 08, 2017 8:17 pm**

Done!

Good luck with this project!

Posted: **Thu Feb 09, 2017 4:56 am**

I nominated it too. Good luck!

Posted: **Thu Feb 09, 2017 9:32 am**

I've nominated it too! Good luck

Posted: **Thu Feb 09, 2017 12:05 pm**

Done, good luck.

Posted: **Thu Feb 09, 2017 3:09 pm**

Wow, thanks guys, I really appreciate the support!

Posted: **Wed Feb 15, 2017 4:40 am**

I will be away for a couple of days, back just for a bit on Friday, then away again until Wednesday.

Posted: **Wed Mar 01, 2017 10:40 am**

Victoria was having problems accessing the site so has asked me to let you know that she will be away for a few days.

Posted: **Tue Mar 21, 2017 8:04 pm**

Well, the Kindle Scout route wasn't to be for the book. I can't say I'm not disappointed but now it's a case of keep on looking, keep on trying.

Thank you all for your support in the attempt, Victoria, Mr. Handy, Lee, Priest.

Posted: **Tue Mar 21, 2017 8:08 pm**

Oh, and thanks also to Daniel James Hanley, the creator of Ghastly Affair, who gave the campaign a mention on the "Engine of Oracles" site.

Posted: **Mon Mar 27, 2017 8:19 pm**

SunlessNick has been observing our game and sent me a message about it. I have invited him to join, either taking over the role of Mister Rachman or creating a new character. I told him I would ask your opinion one way or the other.

Posted: **Mon Mar 27, 2017 8:52 pm**

Very happy to have SunlessNick aboard - we've met before at Engine of Oracles, I believe.

If a new character is preferred perhaps Rachman could say farewell and sail back to the East on the ship we visited yesterday in the port.

Posted: **Tue Mar 28, 2017 4:03 am**

I'd be glad for SunlessNick to join us too.

Posted: **Tue Mar 28, 2017 5:11 am**

I too would have no objection. Perhaps he may be able to work out the answer to this damned riddle

Posted: **Thu Mar 30, 2017 7:35 pm**

I will be away from the computer for several days.

If our new member shows up, please help in character creation and whatever else is necessary.

Posted: **Thu Mar 30, 2017 7:39 pm**

Looks like Priest is away for a week too, so at least SunlessNick has plenty of time.

Posted: **Fri Mar 31, 2017 10:59 pm**

The post reply button has appeared on my page display, so Hi, and thankyou for allowing me to join in. (Though I'm afraid I would have been no help with that riddle - my own theory was that it was intended as a mocking characterisation of Dr North himself).

Anyway, Victoria said there was a choice between my playing Dr Rachman or a new character. The new character I have in mind is of the Gypsy Class, Ines Maya:

Ines is the daughter of a functionary from the Spanish diplomatic mission to the British Crown (whose name I haven't come up with yet, and is well out of Ines's life anyway) and his Gitana mistress Lucia - she was born in Spain, and brought to England with her parents. Spain's support for the American Revolutionaries caused many among the mission to return to Spain - among them was Ines's father, who knowing that he had to establish a new niche for himself quickly, decided that a Gypsy mistress and daughter would be disadvantageous, and abandoned Lucia and Ines without looking back - worse was the fact that Lucia had taken ill with consumption, and died not long after, leaving Ines alone.

She didn't want to find herself in an orphanage or similar institution, so for the last ten years - by now, she'd be in her early twenties - she's been making her way as she can, moving from city to city. She hasn't been able to join any of England's Gypsy bands, as her Spanish side is a black mark even to them. The only reliable livings available to a girl like her would be entertainment, petty crime, and whoring - she's managed to avoid the latter, thankfully, and is a good enough singer and dancer to benefit from the former - the middle one, well, happens sometimes. As a Gitana, she's not blind to the presence of weirder things in the world, and will be intrigued by those who know of them too.

Personality: Watchful - alternates between extravagently extrovert when she's performing, and unobtrisive otherwise, with little in between - a streak of honour that might be surprising to see in someone like her. I rolled 3d6 for Perversity and got 14, which doesn't seem inappropiate.

As you have no doubt discerned, however, Ines is hardly the sort of person that would naturally join the existing company, which means there'd be a bit of work for Victoria to write her in. I had suggested that she be in trouble with the next suitable supernatural villain, and either join you to see it dead, or if it's killed at the time, to help you with your own troubles in repayment. Do any of you have better ideas?

If nothing seems workable, then I could take over Mr Rachman instead. While I want to get my "beautiful girl whom dark forces are want to imperil" opportunity while I can

, Mr Rachman is a character I find interesting, and playing him would also be fun.

If everyone likes the sound of Ines, I'll take this to the Dramatis Personae and work on more detailed stats. I have a copy of the game, and obviously Victoria's rules are also in that thread.

Posted: **Sat Apr 01, 2017 3:05 am**

Welcome! You couldn't post in this board earlier because you need to have your account validated. Usually new users post in the Game Recruitment area, and I validate them when I see their posts. Then they can post in the game boards. Since I knew you were joining, I went ahead and validated you. Any Keeper, Global Moderator, or Administrator can validate someone, but I don't think the instructions have been posted anywhere convenient (a sticky in the Keeper's Lounge might be best).

Ines sounds great to me!

Posted: **Sat Apr 01, 2017 4:07 am**

Ah, thankyou, on both counts. I've corrected the omission and posted on the welcome board now.

Posted: **Sat Apr 01, 2017 9:18 am**

Ines sounds good to me too. Had you considered that there could be some link with the Gypsy we already have associated with the party - Magda?

Posted: **Sun Apr 02, 2017 8:14 pm**

Actually, scratch that last thought regarding Magda - it's probably something for Victoria to decide.

Posted: **Mon Apr 03, 2017 3:29 am**

Wruter wrote:Actually, scratch that last thought regarding Magda - it's probably something for Victoria to decide.

If there was a connection, the easiest option would be if Lucia was from the same band rather than a Gitana and left them when she took up with the Spaniard. Not much would have to change about Ines but her dancing style and languages she knows. It's vanishingly unlikely she would recognise Magda, though Magda might recognise her resemblance to her mother. It'd be a heck of a coincidence, but that's hardly out of genre. I agree though, Victoria's call.

Posted: **Wed Apr 05, 2017 11:18 pm**

The new character is fine. I will come up with some way to introduce her to the party.

Posted: **Fri Apr 07, 2017 4:24 pm**

SunlessNick I put your picture in a reverse image search and it looks like the above tiny one is the only other version online.

Posted: **Fri Apr 07, 2017 8:09 pm**

Thankyou very much.

Posted: **Wed Apr 12, 2017 3:59 am**

Away for a day, then back for a day, then away for three days, the n back for several.

Posted: **Wed Apr 26, 2017 3:41 am**

More schedule craziness:

Away for a day, then back for a few days, then away for a few days, then back.

In other words, expect irregular posts for a while.

Posted: **Sat Apr 29, 2017 2:06 pm**

Just to keep you guys in the frame, I'm preparing to go the indie-publishing route with the Lila novel and hopefully get it out very soon. Does this cover look okay to you? (The white border isn't part of the cover, you have to click on the image to see it fully.)

Posted: **Sat Apr 29, 2017 5:11 pm**

I like it. Will it be an ebook only, or paper?

Posted: **Sat Apr 29, 2017 6:08 pm**

The picture seems blurry to me, and it's hard to make out the details. Is that intentional?

Posted: **Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:37 pm**

SunlessNick wrote:I like it. Will it be an ebook only, or paper?

Great! There will be a paperback but please allow me to send you (or anyone) an eBook or PDF file if desired.

Mr. Handy wrote:The picture seems blurry to me, and it's hard to make out the details. Is that intentional?

Er, yes, it is intentional. Hmm, the image is full resolution (though shrunk to quarter-size to post here) but it's a worry if people might see it as low quality. The idea is a kind of eerie artistic effect to capture the gothic horror element. You're the only one to mention it so far but perhaps I'd better seek a few more opinions.

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

Posted: **Sat Apr 29, 2017 7:53 pm**

Wruter wrote:Great! There will be a paperback but please allow me to send you (or anyone) an eBook or PDF file if desired.

I'll be getting the paperback, but I wouldn't say no to a PDF; thankyou!

Posted: **Sat Apr 29, 2017 8:12 pm**

You're welcome, and thank you. I'd be happy to have a PDF!

Posted: **Sun Apr 30, 2017 1:43 pm**

Mr. Handy, is it possible to send a pdf file as an attachment in a pm? Whenever I try to attach I get -

Bad Request

Your browser sent a request that this server could not understand.

Posted: **Sun Apr 30, 2017 8:42 pm**

I thought you could attach a PDF to a PM, but I've never actually tried it myself that I can remember. I'll PM you my email address instead. I'm sure you can attach a PDF to that.

Posted: **Mon May 08, 2017 7:50 pm**

Mr. Handy, I wonder if it's possible to change my username? I just think 'Wruter' is such a rubbish non-word.

Posted: **Tue May 09, 2017 5:57 am**

It is possible. I've seen a user change his own name, though he is a global moderator. I'm sure I can change yours. What username would you like instead?

Posted: **Tue May 09, 2017 8:46 pm**

Thanks but I've been racking my brain all day and can't think of one so maybe I'd better stick with this. I'll change my avatar instead.

Posted: **Wed May 10, 2017 3:52 am**

Away for a couple of days, back for a day, away for three days, then back.

Posted: **Mon May 15, 2017 10:13 am**

Just wanted to share with you the final cover for the Lila book. I had to scrap the previous one but did what I should have done in the first place and hired a professional designer. This is what it looks like before the barcode etc. goes on.

Posted: **Mon May 15, 2017 1:43 pm**

I liked the previous one too, but this is fantastic.

Posted: **Tue May 16, 2017 3:57 am**

This cover is much better!

Posted: **Tue May 16, 2017 9:13 am**

Thanks SunlessNick and Mr. Handy, I'm glad you think so.

Posted: **Sat May 20, 2017 9:11 am**

Well, that's it, the book is out. We'll see what happens. I'm grateful to all of you for all the encouragement you've given me along the way. As you can probably tell I've found a lot of inspiration here. I've even got an outline and the first 2k words drafted of a second book about Lila (but whether I write it or not remains to be seen). Either way, it's been a blast, so thank you.

Posted: **Sat May 20, 2017 2:47 pm**

Rah! Setting up an order now.

Posted: **Sat May 20, 2017 7:04 pm**

Nick, I'm touched and astonished that you should wish to read it, still less own it. I have yet to see a paperback myself. Anyway, I very much appreciate your taking an interest.

Posted: **Sun May 21, 2017 3:04 am**

I've had the best of proofs that the lead character is interesting.

Posted: **Wed May 24, 2017 4:03 am**

I am away for a day, then back briefly for a couple of days, then away for four days.

I know that Priest has been posting and even running a game, so I don't know if the recent absence means a loss of interest in this game or some other factor.

Posted: **Fri May 26, 2017 7:57 pm**

Just a reminder that I will be away for four days.

The players may wish to come up with a plan in advance as to how they are going to locate the missing Antoine Dupray when they arrive in Paris.

Posted: **Sat May 27, 2017 12:10 am**

We certainly have little but time while we're walking to Dunkirque.

The big problem any plan has to deal with is that Miss Davenport is the only one who speaks French, which means no following different lines of enquiry at once. Do we know which port he arrived in?

Posted: **Sat May 27, 2017 8:11 pm**

On the other hand the English are viewed with suspicion and possibly only Ines and Ivan could pass for other. We could ask in the port about Antoine, maybe also the coach company. Searching possibilities once we get to Paris besides Dr. North's idea of the mail office could be the Lamont letter if they're an influential family who have connections or maybe Ines asking around in street taverns where she dances about any odd new arrivals. Just a few ideas.

Posted: **Sun May 28, 2017 12:01 am**

As I had Ines suggest, Antoine is for his sister, so he's going to have to do some of the same things as we are.

Posted: **Sun May 28, 2017 3:53 am**

A couple of unexpected nights here at work, so I will be around for at least two evenings.

Posted: **Fri Jun 02, 2017 11:15 am**

Sadly, and I hate doing this, I think I will have to bow out of this game, as I am struggling to keep up with the action (probably a timezone thing). However I have had a real blast playing in this story alongside you all. Victoria has done a wonderful job running this system, and I look forward to playing alonside you in some other guise.

Posted: **Fri Jun 02, 2017 11:45 am**

Very sorry to hear that. For what it's worth I don't think it's been any problem posting Elizabeth at the rate you have been doing anyway and she would be a big loss.

Posted: **Fri Jun 02, 2017 12:08 pm**

I'm sorry to hear that too.

Posted: **Fri Jun 02, 2017 8:24 pm**

I certainly understand the time problem. It happens to us all sometimes. I wish you the very best, and certainly feel free to jump back in at any time.

Posted: **Sat Jun 03, 2017 5:19 am**

I'm sorry you're leaving too, and I hope you'll have time to return. Maybe if the pace of the game slows down a little. I can usually only post once per day, and I often find that the game has moved quickly, though I've always been able to catch up and post.

Posted: **Sun Jun 11, 2017 10:52 am**

Away a couple of days.

Posted: **Mon Jun 12, 2017 3:22 am**

Victoria Silverwolf wrote:Away a couple of days.

Disregard that. I'm working more nights than I thought.

As a reward for covering for another person on an emergency basis, I was given an Amazon gift card, which I have used to purchase the illustrated Player's Guide and Presenter's Guide for Ghastly Affair.

I might as well mention here that I have started reading Hunter's Song and it is very good indeed. Written on a professional level, vivid, fast-moving, and with fully realized characters.

Posted: **Mon Jun 12, 2017 10:14 pm**

Thank you, I'm flattered beyond words. And I hope things aren't too hectic with work.

Posted: **Tue Jun 13, 2017 2:47 am**

I finished Hunter's Song. Thank goodness it's not one of those modern, bloated novels you have to slog through. This was a pleasure to read, with plot twists I didn't see coming and plenty of action.

Posted: **Tue Jun 13, 2017 9:38 am**

Again, I'm flattered and unworthy. Structurally I planned it as a deliberate homage to the pulp fantasy paperbacks of the 70s/80s that I grew up reading - think the kind of stuff Ace published - so, as you say, it's not long (I share your despair with the massiveness of modern books), it's action-oriented and is essentially an heroic coming-of-age sort of tale in the guise of gothic romance. If nothing else I stuck to a simple plan and achieved what I set out to do with not a little help from you above all and several others, for which I'll always be grateful.

Posted: **Wed Jun 14, 2017 3:14 am**

I've always liked long, epic books. As a case in point, I'm currently reading Outlander. I'm almost finished, but I have Dragonfly in Amber lined up to read next, followed by the entire rest of the series so far. It's also (mostly) an 18th century setting, though somewhat earlier than this. I'm not sure when I'll be able to read Hunter's Song, but I hope I can squeeze it in somewhere since it isn't too long.

Posted: **Thu Jun 15, 2017 6:40 pm**

It has been pointed out to me that each of you should have had the opportunity to increase a Basic Ability by one when you were increased to level two. Please feel free to do so.

Posted: **Fri Jun 16, 2017 4:43 am**

I'll increase my Intelligence.

Posted: **Fri Jun 16, 2017 10:50 am**

I've made a note that my Charisma was increased to 7 however I believe Lila is back to Level 1 following the encounter with the Wraith.

Play@YSDC

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