Fresh Fish and Somber Cats

Audrey Ashgrove smiles at Alice as she watches the barmaid dry some goblets and place them back in the corner of the bar. 

There had been quite a lot of traffic yesterday through the Sword and the Shield Tavern, merchants and townfolk getting their daily chores and shopping done, stopping to exchange news or just enjoy the warm weather and a cooling ale.
The morning was still fresh, but Audrey always rose early and it had become a habit to pop into the Tavern to gather news and hear the gossip from her friend, Alice.
"I better go see if Gabriel is up and wanting of anything now, Alice", she gets up from her stool by the bar and thanks her friend for the chat. "I will fetch you that fish from the fishmonger at the Market in Cheshire if you want. I will be heading into town in a bit."

Alice (NPC) beams: "Aye, that would be grand, Audrey. Here is some coin, but mind he gives you only the freshest catch from today. That fishmonger is a sly one!"
Audrey Ashgrove laughs, taking the coin and moving towards the door, "Do not fear... I will charm him into giving me a fish that is just breathing its last for you, my dear!"
She heads outside, around the corner and down the stairs towards the home she now shares with Gabriel. After such a long time of hiding their feelings under the eyes of her watchful father, it was exhilirating to live freely and finally work at becoming a Mage. Her father would never allow it, but Gabe was not so covetous with his knowledge. It would take a good long while until all the jumbled bits of learning that she had gleaned from watching her father, the ArchMage, began to make real sense to her, but she was happier than she had ever been.

Audrey Ashgrove enters the house to find Gabe already at his desk, nose deep in his books.
"Good morning, darling. Did you sleep well?", she wraps her arms around him from behind and pecks him on the cheek. "I thought I would head for Cheshire and see if I can get some fresh eggs from Farmer Can for your breakfast."
She looks amused as Gabe murmurs his greetings without raising his head, smiling at the intensity he brings to his studies, knowing that once he has mastered something new, he will pass on that knowledge to her.
Grabbing her short cloak, she tugs at his ear in passing, giggling softly, and closes the door noislessly, leaving Gabe to his books and ingredients and instructions for concocting some new brew or salve. She had gathered thyme and the bark of a young oak sapling at dusk last night according to his wishes, but still had to find the elusive mugwart when the sun was at its highest peak.
Audrey Ashgrove pushes a strand of hair behind her ear and heads off under the imposing arches of the Citadel walls towards Cheshire.

The path winds down along the coastline and she breathes in the salty air, her steps light and her mood cheerful. Soon she wanders under the canopy of branches in the woods outside of the Cheshire town walls. She waves at Lisbeth in passing, shouting a greeting to the young girl coming out the door of the small cottage nearby, "Hello Lisbeth, I will visit on my way back home to get some bread from your Gran if she has baked any today."
Audrey Ashgrove waves back as Lisbeth salutes quickly before turning her attention to her hound, laying lazily in the sunshine.

Crossing the docks, she emerges from the main entrance to Cheshire, returning the nod of the guard at his post and taking in the early morning activity of the awakening town. 
Moving around the lake, her eyes fall on the strikingly white cat sitting forlornly on a barrel outside the Inn. Usually quite friendly and busy trailing any townspeople who might spare it some scraps, it watched her approach without a twitch.
Audrey Ashgrove stands near the snowy cat and croons softly, "Greetings fair feline, why so somber on this lovely morn?"
The cat seems to sag into itself, neither meowing its sorrow, nor moving away. It's shrewd eyes appear filled with sadness.
Audrey Ashgrove furrows her brow, surveys the Market stalls and suddenly heads directly to the fishmonger's stall where she smiles winingly, before enquiring about the freshest wares.
The Fishmonger rubs his sleepy eyes, tired from a night of fishing... too tired to bother with cajoling the young woman into buying the remainder of yesterday's catch.
Audrey Ashgrove passes the man the coins and takes the wrapped fish for Alice, pleased at its pungent aroma, sure she has made a good buy. 
Then, on a whim, she passes him another coin, points to a mid sized fish among his wares, "I'll take that too, thank you."
The Fishmonger hands over her purchase, a smile curling his lips as he wishes her a pleasant day.

Audrey Ashgrove returns to the cat, passes it by and enters the Inn, returning within minutes, a plate in her hand. 
Unfolding the fish, she places it on the plate before the drooping cat, her voice soft and inviting, "Come, my snow-white friend, have some breakfast. The cook from the Inn just told me your camerade, the Cheshire Cat, is feared missing. She thought I might have seen him. I guess that explains your glum mood."

She watches the cat sniff at the fish, its small pink tongue tentatively tasting for freshness. The cat scutinizes Audrey as she kneels before it, its gaze unreadable, but when it lowers its head once more, it begins tearing at the fish with its paw and teeth.
Audrey Ashgrove grins with delight, rising slowly, "there you go, nothing is as bad as it seems and I'm sure your ginger friend will come scampering around the corner before you have a chance to finish that morsel. It's up to you if you want to share it then though!"

Walking briskly across the town square towards the bridge leading to the farm belonging to Farmer Can, she wonders at the concern of the cook... and even the cat... about the missing mouser from the Cheshire Cat Inn. Cats went off hunting and marauding all the time. Audrey Ashgrove shrugs, "no need for such distress, surely. People do get so attached to their pets!"

But as she makes her way over the bridge and along the well worn path to the farm, hoping to purchase eggs for Gabe's breakfast from Farmer Can, she finds herself peering among the bushes and up trees for the meandering ginger feline and even as she enters the farmyard, her eyes still roam among the assorted animals for a glimpse of orange fur....


To be continued...

Unity Pouch System is Here!!!

   That's right folks. We now have Warwick Falconer's Unity Pouch (Harvesting) scripts!!!!

   Today, Warwick made available to the folks on GCG, the Unity Empire Harvesting and Potion System. 
Already, you can pick up your free tRLs Unity Pouch at our Welcome Area. 
And each pouch has 20 copper coins, starter money for buying food on Market Day.

   What does this mean for tRLs you ask? Well, you have tRLs coins to pay for your scripted food at Market. 
But wait!!! 

Soon, you will be able to buy scripted food from an NPC and you will be able to sell some items to NPCs to make coin. And now, we can charge rent for your IC homes, maybe a silver a week.

   Already, you can go to Can's farm just outside of Cheshire to collect apples, eggs and raw meats, items which when touched go into your pouch. 

Simply wander to the farm and let your mouse hover over possible "collectables". When you click on some items, you will receive the message that "raw pork" or "eggs" have been added to your pouch!

Once an item has been clicked on a certain number of times, it will disappear for a short period of time and can only be collected again after it's reappearance.

Above we can see that the pig has "reappeared", but the apple is still missing.

Click on the photos for a better look...

When you click on the pouch you can choose INVENTORY to view all the items you have collected and that may be used to create further items.

Over the next few days, more items will be added around the Lands, as well as a scripted oven in which you can use these items to make food that goes directly into your pouch. Then, you can click on your pouch and eat it and add stats to your F (Food stat) on the Unity Meter.
   We will have a cauldron in which you can make potions for healing and stamina and many other things. The possibilities are only as limited as our minds. Those ingredients will have to be gathered as well and will be scattered throughout the lands - things like sage and chamomile. These potions, when made, will go directly into your pouch and you can use them to raise stats such as health or stamina. Though the potion could be something that would have a negative effect as well (villains alert)!

   Again, so many possibilities...

   There will be deer, elk, animals that you can hunt with your Unity weapons. These animals might give you meat or hides that could be used in cooking food or even making a leather shirt.
   Now, these scripts can benefit all manner of roleplay communities in CGC and other grids. Please feel free to drop by the River Lands Medieval Fantasy Roleplay Community Welcome Area and pick up a free pouch. 
And don't hesitate to IM me with questions at any time. 
Sometime, next week, I will be doing a class on the Unity System for anyone interested in learning more and getting acquainted with this awesome roleplay immersion tool... no doubt many classes in future!
   Huzzah!!

Saphira Mistwalker Promoted to Rogue Guild Leader

Saphira Mistwalker, Rogue Leader of tRLs

   Sometimes, if you are lucky, someone really unique and gifted shows up in your lands. And that is what happened several months ago when Saphira walked into the River Lands. She turned in her application and said she wanted to roleplay with us. I was awed with her app, others were too. And it was a given, Saphira was going to join us.
  What we did not expect was the level of expertise she brought to our lands, the gentleness of the spirit the typist had. And having roleplayed a rogue with much experience, it was clear that eventually I would ask her to lead up the Rogues in tRLs.
She said, "Yes" and I was, and all our other members were just elated.
   At the Market Day event last evening, when I asked her and the announcement was made, someone asked her what a rogue was. She said simply, "It depends on the sim, but in general rogues tend to play on the edge of what is legal. Some outright break the law, some skirt close to it. All tend to be chaotic."
   If you are interested in more information about the possibilities of playing a Rogue character, then send Saphira a message and she can tell you more! We will let her take the lead with the Rogue Guild, we trust in her completely.
And personally, I am honored to called Saphira family. Huzzah, Saphira.

Jaekob Searches for the Cheshire Cat

A little history for those unfamiliar with the River Lands and it's great port city of Cheshire. Cheshire was named for the port city of Cheshire, England which existed in medieval days and exists yet. Our Inn was named the Cheshire Cat Inn for an Inn that existed in Cheshire in medieval days and exists yet. And, of course, the Cheshire Cat Inn, had a Cheshire Cat. In Medieval days, it was believed the cat was magical and could vanish at will. So our Inn has always had a Cheshire Cat, sort of an Icon for the Inn and the River Lands. ICly Jaekob is very fond of the cat. And, everyone assumes it is just his gentle nature and his love for nature and all animals. But, there is more to it surely. And now, the cat has vanished. And Jaek in having noticed its absence has grown a bit worried. Today, begins the storyline, "The Missing Cheshire Cat."

Jaekob searches the Cheshire Cat Inn for the Missing Cheshire Cat

Jaekob Faolan: "But, the Cat has to be here somewhere, Betha" the Druid says nervously looking at her. "When was the last time you saw him?"

Betha Bronagh (NPC): "The cat has simply vanished, Jaekob. He was here last week before Market Day and I have not seen him since. But, oddly, we found several rat carcasses about the Inn. They seemed to have been killed and ripped apart."

Jaekob Faolan lets out a low growl, glancing over to the cat's food bowl which has been untouched for days. " That is odd hmmm? Why would there be dead rat carcasses about? Have you seen anyone.... well strange?"

Betha Bronagh (NPC): " No, Aran, no one. There is a new hobbit living upstairs, but he arrived after that," she says curtsying.

Jaekob Faolan: "Well I have to find him, I HAVE to.... find him." And he storms out of the Inn heading toward the gathering at the Market.

Jaekob Faolan approaches the group, "Has anyone seen my er.... the inn cat? He seems to be... missing," he stammers without noticing the stranger or being cordial.

Fiesty Lotus: "This be a new hobbit that has come to the lands."

Fitheach Eun bows slightly: " Nice to meet you Tangles; I am Fitheach but everyone calls me Fit."

Fiesty Lotus: "He be Tangles BarkFellow."

Tanglefoot BarkFellow: "I travelled from a far away Shire. A very small one."

Sunbeam Magic: "Not I Master Druid Jaekob"

Fitheach Eun: "Welcome to The River Lands, Tangles."

Saphira Mistwalker: "Greetings Lord Jaekob. No, we have not seen the cat."

Fiesty Lotus: "Tangles- meet me sister Druid Fitheach."

Talia.Sunsong: "I like to pet kitties, but I didn't take him."

Fitheach Eun: "Where have you looked Jaekob?"

Fitheach Eun: "And no, I have not seen him, but I have not been here in a week."

Fiesty Lotus looks at the Master Druid in alarm.

Tanglefoot BarkFellow: "Thank you for the most warm welcomes."

 Fiesty Lotus: "What be the matter Master Druid?"

Juste Rivers startles at the Druid's unusual behavior.

Fitheach Eun: "Indeed milord King, I think you owe us an explanation."

Tanglefoot BarkFellow: "Master Jaekob I have not seen the cat, although I did hear it scratch at my door earlier."

Jaekob Faolan: "The Cheshire Cat is..... is.... gone," he stammers. "Betha, says she has not seen him  since last Market Day."

Tanglefoot BarkFellow: "Oh. Perhaps that was something else scratching then."

Fitheach Eun: "Gone for a week then? That is not good."

Jaekob Faolan looks at Tangles, "When, where..... I need to go check and see if it was the Inn cat."

Tanglefoot BarkFellow: "The night I arrived here. That was four days ago now."

Saphira Mistwalker: "I will certainly keep and eye out for it as I wander through and above the forest Lord Jaekob. At least, it should have things to catch and eat if it is out there."

Talia.Sunsong: "We should make a catnip trap for the kitty."

Jaekob Faolans shows excitement over the male hobbit saying he saw him and he looks from one to the other, "Betha saw.... well.... cleaned up.... some dead rat carcasses around the inn the same night."

Fitheach Eun: "More than one rat carcass?"

Fitheach Eun: "That is unlikely to be all the work of the one cat."

Fitheach Eun: "Perhaps he has run off with a lady friend?"

Saphira Mistwalker: "Aye, not one that is well-fed."

Fiesty Lotus looks at the Druid worriedly.

Tanglefoot BarkFellow tries.. really tries to worry about the cat, but .. .there is food stuffs about ..

Sunbeam Magic: "If I come close to the cat I will begin to sneeze," sighs.

Meanwhile, Jaekob pulls Fitheach aside to talk with her privately while the Market Day chit chat continues.

Fitheach and Jaekob Talk Privately

Jaekob Faolan: "Fit, this is very serious. Ches is not just any cat," the Druid whispers to her.


Fitheach Eun raises my eyebrows: "Oh?"

Fitheach Eun: "What is he then?"

Jaekob Faolan glances around nervously, "The cat was......well," and he swallows hard.

Fitheach Eun looks concerned and waits quietly.

Jaekob Faolan: "He was a someone I knew long ago. He.... he was bespelled and has been under my protection. He is a.... human."

Fitheach Eun: "Ah, that put a whole different complexion on it."

Fitheach Eun: "Do you think he was kidnapped or harmed?"

Jaekob Faolan bites his lip hard, "He has been in this form for.... well since I was a student Druid. Some foul Mage," he growls. "I really don't know. But Betha said the day he vanished, there were rat carcasses about the inn so it sounds like mischief of some sort."

Fitheach Eun: "It does sound suspicious."

Jaekob Faolan: "Fiesty needs to know as well," he sighs. "I have got to find him."

Fitheach Eun: "We will help of course."

Jaekob Faolan nods, "For now, return to the market. I will keep looking and hopefully......"

Fitheach Eun: "Let me go bargain for some eggs and I will try to tell her we need to talk?"

Fitheach Eun: "Saphira's help would be very useful, too; she is a master hunter."

Jaekob Faolan nods, "Let's keep this between us three for now hmmm. But, maybe the others can help us find him."

Jaekob Faolan: "Maybe we should tell Saphira hmm?"

Fitheach Eun: "We can tell them just that you are very attached to your pet."

Jaekob Faolan: "Oh and another thing," he sighs.

Fitheach Eun: "There is more?"

Jaekob Faolan: "I had a visitor recently in Calenhad. He came with word that there are rogue Unseelie in nearby lands. Nothing serious, just causing some havoc."

Fitheach Eun: "Unseelie?"

Fitheach Eun lets out a long sigh; "I am so tired of mischevious fae."

Jaekob Faolan nods, "Yes, but I have seen none in these parts so am not overly worried. But, we should keep a watch for them."

Fitheach Eun: "We should indeed."

Fitheach Eun: "Ummm Jaek, those rats Betha found...."

Jaekob Faolan nods to the group, "Yes, what about them?"

Fitheach Eun: "Teeth marks in them at all? What killed them?"

Jaekob Faolan whispers: "I....I did not think to ask, Fit."

Fitheach Eun: "I will find out after I talk with Fiesty,"

Fitheach Eun: "We should go back or at least I should."

Jaekob Faolan: "You go, I will continue looking for the cat."

Evienne, Smeagol and Fish

Evienne duLac flutters her wings and leaves her refuge behind, intent on further patrolling the waters flowing through the Lands. She hears before she sees a clan of Undines frolicking under the waterfall near the entry to the Elven City.

She nods a greeting to the lovely water spirits, but speeds on her way, not intending to indulge in their penchant for singing sweetly all day and playing with the fish. She was Guardian of all Waters and had much better things to do.

Evienne duLac shakes her long blonde locks and says with determination, "I will start where the steppings stones cross the river... there is some form of pond in the ruin nearby, I do believe"

Evienne duLac rises above the water line and appears out of the water, suddenly freezing as she hears faint chat nearby.

Smeagol Shade stands in the murky little pond, hidden within the ruins. He had slid down the slippery bank into the foul pond and stood there, water up to his knees as he dipped Fish into the water, taking a moment to scratch his broken and crusty nails into his stomach, now mostly healed but still scabby and irritating.

Smeagol Shade: "Us will take a bath and that will make Us all better," he murmurs to Fish, dipping him into the water again.

Evienne duLac floats silently towards the source of the thin, low voice.

Smeagol Shade moves Fish through the water, mimicing the movement of other fish he had seen. "Does Us likes it?"

Evienne duLac arches an eyebrow and wrinkles her pert nose, "Goodness, but what is that pitiful creature? I'm sure I never saw his like before!"

Evienne duLac stops abruptly, her eyes narrowing dangerously, "What is that creature doing?"

Smeagol Shade makes something of a giggling sound and sits down on the rock beneath him, letting the cold, but dirty water cover most of his body. "Us is taking a bath like the big people do," he grins at Fish.

Smeagol Shade: "Us gonna be clean when Us sees Friend again," he says to Fish.

Evienne duLac shudders, "It is polluting my water with some disgusting thing that still holds the last remnants of a water critter"

Evienne duLac swoops unseen towards the pool and the scrawny being crouched at its edge
Smeagol Shade swims Fish about in the water, much like a child playing with a toy wagon and then suddenly clutches him to his chest, "But Us is my BEST friend," he states with a nod of his head.

Evienne duLac arches her eyebrow as she hears its pathetic chitchat and realises that he is talking to the rest of a rotting fish, combined with material of some kind and tied together with string,

Evienne duLac sways towards the water, careful not to disturb the creature mumbling and crooning nearby.

Evienne duLac sighs, "aah, the pool is fed by rainwater, not a clean source... thus it's dirty aspect. The creature is innocent of heinous crimes against the Lady of the Lake and her Waters."

Smeagol Shade reaches his large, but boney hand into the water, scooping it up and splashes it onto his face with a bit of a giggle. He continues to move Fish slowly through the water, back and forth. "Us will look good when Us sees our Friend," he says before suddenly beginning to scratch at his chest frantically. "Us still hurts some."

Evienne duLac cocks her head to listen to the wee being again, suddenly overcome with the sensation of wanting to help him... totally out of character for her... so that she flutters her wings in irritation and glides out of the arched entry to the ruins.

Evienne duLac slows and turns once again, but prior to reentering the ruins and before she can reconsider her decision, she dives towards the riverbed, recovering a small stone and with one flick of her hand, she is holding a small item in her palm.

Evienne duLac smiling she returns to float above the pool of water, but now she pulls at a low branch, causing the leaves to rustle and a few to fall hastily to the ground.

Smeagol Shade startles, hearing the noise, and quickly begins to scuttle up the steep bank of the pond. In his haste, his bony fingers let Fish slip into the waters. He moves quickly to hide behind a wall in the ruins.

Smeagol Shade: "Us dropped Us," he moans to himself, realizing Fish is not in his hand. Yet, he hunkers down in the rocks, terror overtaking him.

Evienne duLac watches as the pitiful creature scurries up the bank. She sways languidly, enjoying the breeze from the river, no fear that she will be seen.... rarely has any other creature the clear sight to actually envision her... not unless she allows it.

Evienne duLac giggles as her plan works better than imagined, as the rotting Fish-friend sinks into the murky waters of the pond.

Evienne duLac swoops down gracefully and places her gift for this strange creature on the banks of the pond.

Evienne duLac wonders at herself for this charitable deed, but shrugs it off as the whims of a Fae, which she quite rightly deserves to indulge now and again.

Evienne duLac pirouettes and flies back up towards what is left of the walkway halfway up the ruined walls.

Evienne duLac gazes at the spot where the creature had vanished.

Smeagol Shade listens for more sounds as he stays secluded, balled up in a fetal position, his bony frame, trembling. He was worried about leaving Fish behind and slowly he uncurled himself and moved enough to peer around the wall.

Smeagol Shade sees nothing, sees no one and slowly slips from behind the wall, moving toward his pond.

Smeagol Shade sees Fish, laying there and quickly moves toward him, his eyes wide. He drops down on all fours, his bulging eyes staring at Fish. He pokes at him with a bony finger. "Us was lost," he says, his face taking on a worried look.

Evienne duLac sweeps her arm in a large circle, sending all the leaves fluttering gently within the ruin, her gaze intent on the creature as he wanders towards her gift, prodding it carefully.

Smeagol Shade bends down and smells Fish, "Us smells....different." Then he smiles big. "Us had a bath? Maybe us is....." and he looks around curiously, slowly picking Fish up to stare at him.

Smeagol Shade: Finally, he picks Fish up and holds him tight to his chest, "Us needs to find Us Friend. Us IS different."

Evienne duLac's lips curl into a smile, "poor thing seems really very alone, but that dreadful fish-hybrid-monster is no companion and quite unhealthy. Now he should be content and hopefully less prone to skin irritations."

Evienne duLac scrunches up her nose at the dirty rashes covering his greying skin.

Evienne duLac waves her hand towards the pool and covers the rotten fish in the scum at the base, "We can't have that morsel floating to the surface one day."

Smeagol Shade begins to hum a bit as he cuddles Fish against his chest, the softness of Fish feeling good against him. "Maybe Us needs to find Druid Friend Fiesty. Maybe Us been enchanted with something magic. Maybe Us...." and he ponders a moment, looking around. "Maybe Us is Magic NOW?"

Evienne duLac's laughter is like the tinkle of bells as she hears the creature wondering about his new friend and the possibility of magic lying in the air.

Evienne duLac casually glances one last time over her shoulder and elegantly skims her toes along the water's surface as she flies back towards the town along the river's run.

the Unity System, Part II

What is the Unity system?
It encompasses many things. The most integral part is the meter. This is a HUD which you wear. It allows you to choose your sex, your race, class and rank within a guild or the community.
Well, you choose your sex and approved race. Your class and rank within the River Lands Medieval Roleplay Community is determined by guild affiliation within a class.
   The Meter offers many class options, many of which are not used within our community. Some will be integrated as time moves forward, others simply do not fit our genre. But, some of the classes you can choose from are such things as Farmer, Gypsy, Merchant and Sailor. Your rank begins at the lowest and progresses depending on time and roleplay experience in the community. As your character grows, your rank rises. It's simple. It's fair. Just like in real life, you begin at the bottom rung and work your way up.
   The Meter monitors stats - Health, Stamina, Food and Air. Depending on your chosen race, your stats vary. The default stats on the meter are H 100, S 120, F 100 and Air 100. Okay, you are wondering what is the point, eh?

The Unity Meter

It is all about immersion.

   The Unity system offers weapons. At the moment the system's creator, Warwick Falconer, is working on weapon availability. Swords seem to have an issue on our grid, but there is a working bow.
 Now let's say you and John Doe get in a squabble and take it to the next level, an actual fight. You use your weapons to duke it out, solve your differences (of course, all fighting must be agreed upon by both parties in IMs. You will not simply be attacked or attack). Each arrow you shoot that hits John Doe will substract points from his Health. And, if you lowered his health substantially, he would fall unconscious. His avatar would not be able to move until a healer used a potion to raise his health. And because John Doe was injured so grievously, he would probably end up in our infirmary for a couple of days being very bored. But, hey, it's all about living the life and that would be realistic!
A lesser injury (say his health went down ten or twenty points) might just get some bandaging and he would be sent on his way.

Now let's talk briefly about "F" Food. It automatically decreases as you go through your day. You have to eat because you can starve and fall unconscious when the F stat hits 0. There is free scripted food in the inns in Cheshire and in the infirmary. No doubt as we move forward with the new Food Scripts Warwick Falconer has brought to GCG, there will be more options. Or you can attend our weekly Market Day and buy plates of scripted food from the merchants. No, MCs are not involved. We use realm coin which at the moment we do not have (that involves waiting for the Pouch system). So we roleplay having the coins and passing them to the merchants. However, because we have the Food Scripts, the player actually gets the plate of food which he or she can rez and eat to raise the Food stat. How cool is that eh? Pretty damn cool if I say so!
Again, it is all about immersion and realism.

Unity Meter Vendor and examples of Unity Food

When you click on the available free food you get a message such as this:
[10:06] You have improved your health level by 1
[10:06] You have improved your food level by 1
Depending on the nature of the food, it may increase Health and Food. Or drinking a cup of ale will decrease your Stamina and not improve your health. The food scripts allow us to affect any of the stats, positively or negatively. So, yes, the healers can use them to make Health potions to heal the sick (raise stats on meters after or even during a fight).

The Unity Pouch system (which is not available yet in GCG) allows you to gather items and later use them for trading or creating other items, like potions or recipes for food. You simply go to the farm or wander the lands in search of herbs, ores and such. You click on them and that item goes into your pouch. Then there is a downtime, usually a few minutes depending on the rarity of the item, and it reappears for gathering again. Now, once this system is in place, you will be able to take the food items and create your own scripted food which will go directly into your pouch. Then when your food level lowers, you simply click on your pouch, choose the option to eat and consume the food you choose.

Pouches... the system itself, is great for roleplay. When you click on the pouch you will get a blue box with options. Inventory shows you the contents of your pouch. GIVE allows you to give an item to another player who is wearing a Unity pouch. USE will allow you to mix raw ingredients you have harvested to make food, potions, etc.

I will not go into greater detail about potions.  But know that like in days of old, we want you to go out, find the ingredients and experiment with the making of potions in the cauldron. You will not just be given the recipes. Though along the way, as you struggle and roleplay the task, you may happen upon a kind soul here and there that will give you a bit of aid. Ingredients, by the way, will be scattered throughout the lands. Collect any you come across for later use. Or if they are not useful to you, you can barter for food at the Market or with other players.

Warwick Falconer is the creator of the Unity System. I used it in SL, I taught weekly classes on it and often times had as many as 25 folks in attendance. When I moved to InWorldz and could afford my own roleplay community, Unity was not available and we used the only available system, Lewt. It served its purpose. But when Unity arrived in IW, I quickly switched over. Unity is tested and proven. It is, in my opinion, the best roleplay system available.

Then I moved to GCG. I was willing to start over, recreate the River Lands in this new frontier which I quickly came to love. There were no fancy frills, there were no weapons or pouches for roleplay. We did it the old fashioned way - we just roleplayed everything. We pretended we had swords and rolled dice to see if the strike hit. We pretended we had meters and food.

And, now, we all sit back and say "Wow". We have Unity meters, we have scripted Unity Food.

Unity Meter available at our Welcome Area

No, we don't have pouches yet, we can't make our own food from recipes and cook them in scripted ovens. But, a kind and good fellow appeared here recently, bringing his Unity Meter, then the bows, then the Unity Food Scripts. Because of Warwick Falconer, the creator of Unity, our roleplay community is more immersive, more viable.

I certainly have not covered every aspect of the Unity system, I certainly have not been in depth. What I wanted to do was give you a inkling of what Unity is about and let you know what it can do for you and your community. You don't have to be roleplayers to enjoy making food, Heck, you might just want to create that perfect dish for that perfect someone. Unity is in GCG and will be an asset to our community. So Huzzah, Warwick, and thank you.

In a future article, I will be sitting down with the creator of Unity, Warwick Falconer, for a one on one interview

Amethyst Visits Calenhad

The Enchanting Elven city of Calenhad

Amethyst McMahon raises her head and her eyes pass over the monumental sculptures standing guard and slide up the long, steep stairway leading to the Haven of the River Land Elves, Calenhad.

Amethyst McMahon sighs and begins the ascent. She rarely enters Calenhad... the Elves were a solemn and aloof race and she felt terribly shy around them, although those she knew always treated her with kindness and respect.

She squares her shoulders and continues climbing, losing herself in thoughts of the Druid, the reason she had decided to go to Calenhad on this morn, before the day had fully dawned. 

"I wonder what is the cause for Jaek's long hours with the Elven Council now? Surely nothing is amiss in the Lands...," she pauses, catching her breath as she reaches the utmost step and Calenhad reveals itself in all its surreal beauty. 

Amethyst McMahon hesitates, searching the courtyard and pavilions for movement. Enchanting music wafts across to her, but its source remains unknown. Unsure of where to look for the Druid, she turns right, passing the bridge between the Elven residences, trying to move noiselessly across the marble courtyard.

Amethyst Arrives in Calenhad

Calenhad appears unsettlingly quiet, aside from the music fading with each step she takes, the rippling of the waterfalls and birdsong from the giant trees swaying gracefully in the light breeze.

Amethyst McMahon stops abruptly as she reaches the pavilion where the Elven Council meet. Standing in a tight circle she recognises Feanor, one of Jaek's most trusted Rangers, with him two Elven women and a stranger, all deep in conversation. She smiles shyly as they turn and Feanor acknowledges her with a curt nod. 

Amethyst McMahon opens her mouth to speak, but decides against it as she notices the stranger is wearing a travelling cloak and carrying a staff. A hat covers his long hair, but even without catching a glimpse of Elven ears, she realises the unknown man is no Elf, his aged face marks him as a human.

She quickly turns to continue on her way as Feanor leans towards the man, speaking in soft tones impossible for her to hear and she feels the strangers gaze follow her as she walks away.

Amethyst McMahon lets out a breath, murmuring to herself, "No sign of Jaek, but I guess I'll just have to wait at home." 

She stops to take in the magnificent view over the Lands from Calenhad, although she unconsciously begins chewing on her lip. 

Amethyst Views the Lands from Calenhad

Tension lies inexplicably in the air as she returns to the stairs and begins wandering down them again...

A Foul Wind in River City

Windy Ravenfeather, Unseelie Fae, Resident of Mirkwood

Windy Ravenfeather, unseelie Fae and resident of the Mirkwood Forest best known for the terrors that it holds, has ventured into River City again, to observe and gather information about the locals. She hovers and hides in the shadows of the large tree next to the tavern. She can see a small gathering of folks over by the market stalls. The scents of their food, carried through air offends her nose, making her face scrunch up in disgust.

Windy Hides and Watches

Windy: Yuck! Their food is every bit as foul as they themselves! All that sugary sweetness, like honey nectar found in flowers. How can they stomach it!

She spots a spider web nearby hanging from one of the tree limbs and grabs it, spider and bugs in tow, then smiles a crooked smile before stuffing them into her mouth with an audible crunch as she bites down on the bugs. "Mmmmm, now THAT is good eating." She keeps her eyes and ears open hoping to gain more information about the people. Her eyes glow in the darkness, more akin to seeing in very low light, she squints trying to examine the people as they go about their business. She scans the crowd carefully.

"Hmmm, it appears the Druid King is not in attendance. Where has he gone off to, I wonder?" She ponders his whereabouts for a moment. Hearing nothing but idle chit chat she loses interest in the townsfolk and moves closer to the tavern. She can hear the rats scurrying about the walls and grins at the opportunity for a more substantial meal. A low growl-like giggle escapes her lips as she hides in a corner behind the tavern and pounces on a rat grabbing it with her little hands, immediately tearing at it's flesh with her tiny sharp teeth, letting the blood run down her chin.

She sees a large cat come around the corner, its eyes locked on hers as she eats the rat, tossing it aside as she quickly grabs another. The Cheshire cat hisses at her, its fur standing on end as it confronts the dark fae. Windy narrows her eyes at the creature, growling at it from the depths of her small body, with such fierceness that her eyes seemed to glow brighter and more frightening. The cat stood its ground. Windy tosses the second rat on the ground, having finished her meal. She stares the cat down as she ponders what to do with it.

Windy and the Cheshire Cat

"I've seen you with the Druid, haven't I you mangy beast?" She stalks the cat as a predator would its prey, then suddenly a wicked smile dances on her lips. "I bet the Druid would REALLY miss you, wouldn't he?" She giggles as she realizes a great opportunity has presented itself. "I suppose if you were gone, he'd go looking for you." With a glint in her eye and an evil laugh beginning to echo through the air, she pounces quickly grabbing the cat and taking flight.

"Don't you fuss! I'm taking you to the Mirkwood Forest. There you can hunt spiders, or, perhaps they will hunt YOU" With that she flies away into the darkness, her giggles bouncing through the air as her dark feathery wings carry her and her prey home.

Market Day in the River Lands, Unity Food, Part I

Market Day in the Port City of Cheshire

 So every week I send out announcements, "It's Market Day in the River Lands. Come join us!" I guess you wonder what this thing called Market Day is all about and so I am going to enlighten you.
Yes, you have undoubtedly seen blurbs on the blog and even some pictures of us all gathered around market stalls. But, what exactly is going on? Well, it's simple, Market Day is a weekly event where roleplayers in the community gather to buy scripted Unity Food from the Hobbits. Market Day is a time to hear the latest gossip and, even, start some rumours.
   Scripted Unity food you ask? Well, I intend to do a four part series to explain the Unity system and how it fits into our roleplay. ICly, it begins with the hobbits who make scripted foods to sell for play realm coin. It is only recently that we got the food scripts, courtesy of it's creator Warwick Falconer, and it is only today that we actually have food to sell to the shoppers. Now here is a scenario you might see at the Market.

Fiesty Preparing Her Stall for Market Day

Juste Rivers: "Heys der, Welcomes to da Market Day, Missy Druid Fit. Mees got some fresh pies for da saling. Mees gots some pie wif da apples," takes a deep breath, "and some pie wif da berries and one of dem punking pies all da peoples likes." No, Juste isn't a child. He is a full grown hobbit, though his speech and his mannerisms may appear childish.

Fitheach Eun: "Ah pumpkin; I love those."

Juste Rivers: "Mees got some punkings from Mistah Can's farm. Da pies is very fresh."

Fitheach Eun: "Ah yes he said he was growing a fine crop of pumpkins this time."

Scripted Pies That Are Sold For Play Money

   And so, it goes on like that. Eventually, Fit will ask how much the pies are. And Juste will tell her they are five copper coins. At this point, she will roleplay giving him the coins which he stashes in his pouch and then he will pass her one of the pies.
   Now, thanks to Warwick we actually have pies to pass to the player. The pie goes into her inventory and she can place it in her home to be eaten later.

   Now why exactly does one need scripted food? It's simple. We use the Unity Meter system to make our roleplay more immersive. We wear the Unity meters which monitors our stats, food being one of them. And as the day moves forward, the food stats lower. To get them up, one must eat scripted food which basically feeds the meter. And if one lets the food stat drop to zero, they will literally fall unconscious, falling to the ground immobile until he or she eats again or a healer heals her.


   Now the food scripts are just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak. There are items we are hoping for in the future. There is a pouch with which you can gather food items, potion items and even use to keep your play realm money. So, when we have all the Unity pieces, folks will be able to chop wood to earn coins which go into their pouch. Or they might dance at the inn.  Some folks will receive weekly wages for their positions in the lands. And, in turn, when they go to market, they can actually pass the copper coins to Juste for the pie (from their pouch to his). His income is dependent on selling and eventually you will have to work, not only to buy food, but to pay rent for your IC home.
   So, yes, it is all about immersion and making the roleplay as realistic as possible. With the pouch system, you will be able to collect foods from the farm or berries and apples from the wilds and use them to make your own scripted food in a specially scripted oven. Immersion, living the life - that is what we do in the River Lands Medieval Roleplay Community.

   And that is what we do at Market Day in its basest form. And, thanks to Warwick our roleplay has been enhanced considerably. In the next article I will explain Unity - the Meter, the weapons and the pouch system. We are well on our way to being fully immersive. And we welcome everyone to join us for our events or just to drop in for a visit. IC (In Character) events do require medieval attire, but there is a selection at our Welcome Area and at the stores in our medieval mall.

Juste Moves to Hobbit Shire

Juste Headed for Hobbit Shire

Jaekob Faolan nods to his little friend, a smile curling onto his lips. "If you are sure, lad, then I give my leave for your move," he says hiding a bit of sadness. Juste had been at his side for as long as he could remember, lived near him and tended to all of his needs.

Juste Rivers: "Mees needs to be wif da other 'obbits, Mistah Druid Jaekob. And Missy Druid Fiesty done gived me da invitation to live at 'er house," he says all puffed up, proudly. Yet, his shoulders have a sense of slumping. "Mees will still do da tending of you, Mistah Druid Jaekob. But, you gots da Missy Ametwist now. And.... and...

Jaekob Faolan kneels down on one knee, his hand on Juste's shoulder, "I know lad. Things have changed and you want to be nearer family. I do understand," he says softly, patting the fragile little shoulder.

Juste Rivers: "But, mees will still do da cooking for da peoples. Mees will always do mees jobs and help wif da caring for da peoples Mistah Druid Jaekob."

Jaekob Faolan nods and stands up, "I know my little friend. Now, let me assist you in loading the wagon hmmmm?"

Juste River's eyes get watery and go wide, "Oh no, dats not da kind of work for da Baran. Mees will do it," he says going toward the door with a bag of possessions on an oaken branch.

Jaekob Faolan chuckles, "I insist, lad." And the Druid follows behind the Hobbit, measuring his steps not to overtake him.

   The hobbit stands at the bridge that crosses from Cheshire to Hobbit Shire. He holds the branch with his few meager clothes bundled at the end and looks at the large cart beside him. Everything he owned, mostly of a kitchen nature was packed into the wagon.
   His stove was left behind, it being too large for him to move. But, it would be brought along later. For now, he had a table and chairs and a bed. Not that he used the bed overly much; he was comfortable curling up wherever he might have ended his work day. Well, as long as he had a plate of food, maybe a turkey leg or two. They were his favourite.
   He surveyed the contents of the wagon one last time. He had flour and salt and pepper. He had a large barrel of apples as Apple Pie was one of his favourite things to cook. "A good beginning," he thought to himself, grabbing an apple to munch on as he waved the peasant and oxen onward.

Juste Rivers: "Mees gots a new 'ome," he began to sing as he skipped and danced behind the laden wagon as they crossed the bridge. "Mees gots a best friend and a new 'ome and mees is 'appy to be 'ome wif da 'obbits."

Juste Moves Into his New Home

The Beginnings - How I Began to Roleplay: Fitheach Eun

This is the fourth in a series of posts where our members discuss their first memories of role play. Here, my good friend and Druid Sister talks about her beginnings. I remember well her first visit to the River Lands. I was immediately taken with her gentleness of spirit. She joined tRLs and soon after joined the Druid Guild. A year later, she was promoted to Arch Druid of the lands. I worked her hard and she never faltered. She did each task with seeming ease and this may be a case where the student outgrew the mentor. I am very proud to call Fitheach my friend and my Druid sister. 

Long, long ago in another virtual world beyond the mysts, Fit’s typist yearned to be an elf. Steeped in fantasy and SciFi books and finding myself in a world where almost anything was possible, it seemed within reach. A new friend took me to Elf Clan’s drum circle and I discovered that there were roleplay groups in SL. Now Fit’s typist was and still is a shy and solitary person. I had never played online games or spent time in chat rooms even though I had been on the net since the early 90’s. Roleplay sounded like fun, but where to start?

Fitheach Eun

For years I explored roleplay sims and hung around the fringes of multiple roleplay groups in SL. I read the rules and charters and was only more intimidated. I tried to join ongoing roleplays quietly but mostly never spoke. When I asked questions, they went unanswered or were sometimes blown off impatiently by people with no time for novices. After a while I stopped trying.

I moved on into IW and enjoyed the pioneering atmosphere; people were nicer; there were less of them. Then I saw a notice for some roleplaying groups and thought I would try again. Luckily for me I found The River Lands with a really supportive and laid back atmosphere. I got to watch experienced rpers in action, attended classes that were offered and began to feel comfortable inside Fit’s skin.

 She has evolved into a snotty high elf with a druidic sense of compassion and I have learned to fit into the ongoing stories and work within the rules. I have worked hard to advance in my guild and still constantly learn from my new family. Roleplay is street theater to me; I love the evolution of the stories we build and I could not have found a better group to learn from.

The Otherworld - Evienne duLac

Evienne duLac glides gracefully towards the entrance to the Otherworld, her laughter announcing her arrival before she enters the sanctuary she had long ago chosen for her home.
Evienne duLac: "That Elf Druid shall provide me with much amusement in future, I do declare!", she recalls the embarrassment and peevishness exhibited by the proclaimed Protector of the Lands during their meeting and lets her laughter fill the cave with mirth... a rare occurance.
She twirls slowly on the spot, surveying her most secret refuge, a place she had only once allowed a mortal to visit, an unwanted memory sparked by her deep blue eyes skimming the sword and apple resting nearby.
Evienne duLac stamps her foot, her hands unwittingly beginning to shake and quickly wraps her arms around her slim frame. "Never shall my judgement be clouded by base emotions again. I am the guardian of life-giving water and I shall bestow its abundance, MY protection...," her gaze skims the sword again, "... and the powerful magic I control only to the most worthy of individuals, in time of greatest need."
She moves towards the lounge and arranges herself elegantly against the pillows, the smile returning to her lips as she comes to rest and her attention is captured by the magnificent swan gliding across the pond's surface nearby...

The Beginnings - How I Began to Roleplay: Amethyst McMahon

This is the third in a series of posts where our members discuss their first memories of role play. Here, my beautiful mate. tells us how she began. Ame is the love of my life, the human behind the elf. I was a good man before we met, but I am definately a better man with her in my life.

Once upon a time, in the dense mists of another world, I was minding my own business, blogging stuff for newcomers to that grid, helpful pointers to quality freebies or interesting places to visit. I happened upon an invitation to an Open Day at a medieval fantasy realm and just having the perfect gown in my closet, I got myself all dolled up and stumbled unawares into the roleplay cosmos...

I was greeted most kindly, but was loathe to speak a word, so simply sat myself down and studied the gathered group of experienced roleplayers. I was fascinated. There were elves, mages, druids, minstrals, humans and even a tiny fae present. They conversed about things I knew little about, but strived to include me in their chat. 

I beat a hasty retreat.

I wandered the rest of this gorgeously decorated region, took many photos and wrote my blog piece. The owner of the region contacted me and thanked me, inviting me to visit again soon. I did. I was enchanted. Here was a group of folks who loved literature, a well read bunch who enjoyed delving into the past and living out fantasies only visualised in film. 

To cut a long story short... I came, I saw, I was conquered. 
But it took a very, very long time for me to participate in ANY roleplay. I had participated in roleplay at a Harry Potter themed region a while back, but I knew my stuff there.
So, I pulled out my old Lord of the Rings books, researched on the net a little, began attending events where IC and OOC chat was mixed, visited the varied roleplay classes held by the talented roleplayers who made up this fantasy region, until I felt at ease enough to join in my first roleplayed episode... even if it was simply a brief, "Amethyst McMahon looks on in wonder"! 

It's only been a little over a year since then. I still find myself constantly looking up things on the net, reading as much about the Middle Ages or drow culture or faerie lore as I can. I think out roleplay scenarios and sometimes even have the courage to ask other members of the Lands to play them out with me. No one is born a roleplayer...it's a learning process, but the "family" we are building in the River Lands Medieval Fantasy Roleplay Community on the Great Canadian Grid is populated with so many friendly, generous folks who are all more than willing to take time to help newcomers feel welcome and find their feet in this magical roleplay cooperative.

No risk, no fun, I guess! *grin*

PS: Truth be told... I should also mention that on that first journey to the Open Day event, a certain red-headed Elf-Druid caught my eye, soon enough won my heart and was probably quite responsible for tempting me back to his roleplay region again and again! 

Scenes from Cheshire with Audrey Ashgrove

Audrey Ashgrove leans against the window ledge, straining to see what is causing the commotion in the town's square below.
Audrey Ashgrove widens her eyes as she takes in the barking dog, quacking ducks and...
Audrey Ashgrove gasps as she watches a man, a sailor by the looks of him, yelling over his shoulder and brandishing a bottle towards a young woman following him out of the Tavern across the way, not watching his step, distracted by the scampering dog and tumbling unceremoniously into the lake before him.
She hesitates, not sure whether to run down to help the man, but suddenly Lady Amethyst emerges from the carved portal leading into the Cheshire from the woods and runs toward the spluttering sailor, offering him her outstretched hand.
Audrey Ashgrove watches as the young woman, who she thinks works at the Tavern, and Amethyst exchange words and although she cannot hear anything through the window, she can tell that the woman has some bone to pick with the sailor. "Perhaps he has taken his fill, but has not the coin to pay," she muses, her gaze returning to the pile of books on the long table behind her.
Audrey Ashgrove: "I must get on with listing the properties of these fungi, however dull it may seem. Gabe is waiting to see what I have accomplished."

She looks back out the window as a man's voice shouts loud enough to reach her through the glass pane and she begins to giggle as she watches the barmaid call her mutt to order, gesturing and scolding towards the sodden man and Lady Amethyst scratching and shaking her head in amusement as the sailor plops himself down in the water, salutes the two women, raises his bottle to his lips and downs the rest of his ale leisurely as his other hand slaps the water, sending droplets flying in all directions...