Brainstorm with me...

[Aesalon]

I've been away for a while, and upon my return 3 things struck me: How quickly 3 years can fly by, how much I missed writing in this format and most importantly: "Holy God in Heaven, they are STILL running Sephiris: The Price of Peace !!??!! "

Anyway, the second one is the one that I would like to deal with here. The problem being is that I don't really know what I want to do, and being away for so long I am hoping for some input for something that hasn't been done in a long while, or maybe hasn't been done here on FOG at all.
help me please!

[Digital Muse]

I know many of us keep wishing for something SteamPunk-related, but nothing that's started survives beyond the initial round of posting.

Perhaps adding a fantasy element to it could make it more inviting?

[Gadreille]

I would be on board with that if I'm allowed to toss in a western feel

And three cheers for sephiris!

[Aesalon]

Okay...how about this: Alternate timeline, steampunk world. Wild West, gothic fantasy horror....Think Ravenloft in Tombstone with a lot of brass!
(...or maybe work has fried my brain and i'm talking crazy...)

[Digital Muse]

@Gadreille - I knew you'd be tempted if the words Steam Punk cropped up. LOLs

@Aesalon - You know what? That doesn't sound as daft as you might think. Look up a tabletop game called Deadlands by Savage Worlds. It sounds very similar to what you're describing. There's also Deadlands Noir set in the early 1900s which looks like an intriguing setting too.

[Guest]

I've been away for a while, and upon my return 3 things struck me: How quickly 3 years can fly by, how much I missed writing in this format and most importantly: "Holy God in Heaven, they are STILL running Sephiris: The Price of Peace !!??!! "

HAhhahahaahahah!

Only by the hairs of its chiny-chin-chin... I'm hoping to find a Phoenix Down though. Should you find your time here as enjoyable as you remember, you should consider making a character!

[Knifey Keith]

I would be on board with that if I'm allowed to toss in a western feel

And three cheers for sephiris!

Me too if I can play a crazy Cossack-Esque dude.

[Gadreille]

@Digi, how could I not??? Haha!

I don't know what Ravenloft is but from what I understand, the setting sounds pretty amazing. If Aesalon is on board with running this, I'm game.

[Aesalon]

Okay, sounds like a plan - I'll get enough worked up this weekend to get people started on characters earlynext week.

[Aesalon]

Here is what I want to do with this: The year is 1887 (September), the location is Tombstone Arizona. Tombstone was a silver boomtown attracting prospectors, business people (legitimate or otherwise) and any number of other elements from all over the world.
The twists...
#1: I will write as 'Narrator' who is telling the story a year later in 1888 (I may also run a standard character as well, but that will depend on how many we have who are interested.
#2: Steam & Clockwork / spring technology is greatly advanced (of course) but is still rare and often will draw unwanted attention from the masses. Most ideas for this are accepable, except manned flight is restricted. (outside of actual technology of the day, such as hot air balloons for example)
#3: While the silver from the mines has continued to flow to the outside world, the last three years in Tombstone has seen a rash of strange events, unbelievable sightings and strange disappearances.

As for character possibilities: Anyone who would be in a frontier boomtown in the mid 1880's is acceptable. There will also be some members of a secret society that are there to investigate the strange happenings. (If this is of interest to you message me and I will give you more details.)

Please let me know if I missed any important information - I will plan to start the OOC pretty soon if there are no objections.

[Digital Muse]

I like it a lot thus far! I have a vague idea for a character....hrms.

Will historical characters also be in Tombstone? Like the Earp brothers and others?

Would the large mining operations be using the latest in steam technology in their operations at this point? Or would the really 'fantastical' stuff be limited mostly to very large cities or Empires, like Great Britain?

[Gadreille]

I'm curious as to the answers of digis questions. Also, I get that the plot is strange events, but I guess I'm wondering what sort of strange events.

[Aesalon]

-At this point in time the Earps would have left Arizona and I believe still had arrest warrants and never returned ("Texas" John Slaughter is the sheriff of Tombstone and he will make appearances). The local outlaws are still called "Cowboys" and they continue to be a general pain to legitimate businesses and lawmen alike.
-One of the differences in this timeline is that the railroad was built through Tombstone in 1880.
-The Mines begin to flood in 1880 & 1881, many prospectors sell claims - by 1887 all have been bought (cheaply) by a European businessman. (Many of them have even resumed operation by this time.)
-Only three mines continue normal operation by bringing in 'Engineers' to build pumps to keep the water at bay. (So yes, there is room for other 'steam tech' to use in the mining operations just nothing really flashy.)
-Strange events: Disappearances, mutilations (human & livestock) and a rash of bizarre rumors have steadily increased in Tombstone in the last five years or so - decent folk shutter windows and bolt doors at dusk. Blame has been placed on everyone from Apache rogues to outlaws to a rabid pack of wolves, even the vengeful spirits of the Clanton gang.

Hopefully this clears up the questions so far.

[Knifey Keith]

So what about Cossacks n shit?

Many kinds of people immigrated to the United States in the 1800's.

Whats your stance on Sabre wielding Cossacks who have thick Slavic accents and a violent hatred for Gypsies?

[Aesalon]

So what about Cossacks n shit?

Many kinds of people immigrated to the United States in the 1800's.

Whats your stance on Sabre wielding Cossacks who have thick Slavic accents and a violent hatred for Gypsies?

There are a number of reasons that you character could be in Tombstone - as a prospector as hired 'muscle' to one of the independent mine owners or as a member of the secret society. (And I'm sure there are others as well.)
The 'violent hatred for Gypsies' part may be an issue - not unplayble, but there is a chance that it could create problems. The Romani population of Tombstone in this timeline is much greater than you would imagine. Up to you if you want to tweak that down a notch from violent to simmering, or if you want to navigate those waters.

[Knifey Keith]

So long as he gets to spit on them in passing.

[Kathryn Lacey]

Okay. So, I'm totally going to have a character who is a vassal of the Order in this. I realized I voiced interest privately to Aesalon and no one else knew except for Keith (and maybe Gadreille?)... soooo...

[Digital Muse]

Yay, Kathryn! Hopefully, I'll finally be able to RP with you and Gadreille in an extended RP!

[Aesalon]

Great! I will start to get the OOC together today and try an organize the bits & pieces that I have been throwing out to people the last few days.

[Syrena]

Is it too late to show any interest in this?

[Aesalon]

Is it too late to show any interest in this?

Nope, there is still room, watch for the OOC soon!

[Aesalon]

OOC is up!!
Most of it is a collection of information from this thread and some PM communications, but it is a start!

[Gadreille]

I'm torn between a cowgirl and a crazy Chinese laundry person with some awesome steam powered contraptions XD

[Kathryn Lacey]

Why can't you be a cowgirl working for a crazy Chinese laundry person? =D

[Gadreille]

Haha. I'm just saying. SOMEONE best have a Chinese laundry person with a pumped up steam powered something...cause laundry is the perfect excuse for producing a bunch of steam!

[Kathryn Lacey]

Maybe your character is the daughter of a crazy Asian laundry service person, and she's a cowgirl in the meanwhile?

[Gadreille]

Hmm, maybe...

[Digital Muse]

@Gadreille: This is for you

Steam Powered Giraffe

[Aesalon]

Welcome to Boot Hill!

Anyone who is planning on joining please mark a post in the OOC to place your character sheet when you complete it. (If you have not already done so.) I would like to have all of them at the beginning before we get into plot discussions and whatnot.

[Digital Muse]

My character sheet is up.

Suggestions or change requests are welcome.

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