OOC: Falling into the Woods - Group Thread

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Falling into the Woods - link to story thread



Hello everyone and welcome to the OOC. I couldn't think of a title that worked as well as the original story idea.

Edited: FoundWe are looking for one more male writer, this will make our group a full 8, (if all that PMed me post here that they are still interested). IF one more male is interested please PM me before posting any bios for your proposed character. For those that haven't written with me, it's nice to meet you and for those that have, it's nice to see you again.

Please read the long spill below and post a character bio. I recommend making your bio something you can come back to and add/take away as needed. This way everyone can reference back to it. I'll post links to everyone's original bio after they are made. Characters can be from our world, having been pulled into this alternate world, or they can be characters that already exist in the alternate world. IF your character is going to travel from our world to the other then you'll need to post their getting there. IF they are already established in that world, but came from our's then later on you can write how they came to be. IF your character was born in and has always been in the other world, then you've got the easy part. The other world is your hometown.

The setting is NOT full of dragons, trolls, mythical critters like faries, unicorns, etc. This is a Medieval type setting, the folks can have stories, legends, superstitions of such characters, but I don't want to see these things actually showing up. Witchcraft is acceptable to a point, since during this time witchcraft was a true fear by people, but again, watch how much witchcraft you're using. I will god-mode this story if I have to, but I don't want to.

With a group this size I think it is very important to lay down a foundation concerning how we all interact with each other. I am a direct person. I will do my best to work out any issues via PMs between everyone, or even IMs if necessary, but I'm not a miracle worker, so please before differences become public let's try to work them out in private and let's nip them in the bud before they escalate to drama.

This is the OOC and all communication that needs to be done concerning the plot of the story needs to take place here, or in a PM between the co-writers and myself. Please do not post any OOC in the story, not even at the end where you may figure; Hey I'll just leave this one line saying... "I'm offline for a couple of days." or "Sorry my post is so short." Again, that's why we have an OOC. Call me anal, but I'll ask you to edit your OOC out if you leave an OOC in the thread.

Also, I'd like to offer a time limit for us to decide if a writer has abandoned a thread. I propose 2 weeks. This means that if the writer has not posted in the OOC, or on the thread, or PMed me 2 weeks after their last post then I will write them out of the current scene their character is in, but I will not write them out of the thread. Then if they are able to return then they can write themselves back in. I will PM the writer no more than 3 times, asking if they are planning on continuing the thread before I write them out, and one more time after the fact. For those experienced here at Lit, we all know that threads get abandoned for one reason or another.

If I disappear for 2 weeks without notice then I am sorry, it would be beyond my control to not get word to someone here on Lit. Whomever I am writing with, when I last posted, has my permission to move my character out of the scene and place my character anywhere, whether it be in danger or safe at home sewing a poncho. This 2 week limit does not include folks that do post that they are going to be gone for more than 2 weeks. Example being vacations. I have one June 5 - 15.

Before "moving" another person's character or trying to interperate what the character of another person will feel/do, please don't do it. Always check with your partner(s) before moving or writing for their character. The only exception to this rule is IF all writers involved are okay with their partner(s) writing for them.

During times of back and forth dialouge there may be times when posts have to be small. From the PMs I've gotten from everyone, we all want to have decent posts with descriptive paragraphs, however, everyone should make exceptions during the times when we are doing a lot of back and forth dialouge. There are ways to write paragraphs and still do great dialouge, but not everyone is used to that type of writing. I just ask that one-three liners DO NOT become a habit and litter the thread.

This thread is not a "Fuck Fest". If you're looking for a quick fix to your sexual needs, then this is not the thread for you. This story should have a beginning, a middle, and eventually an end. Yep, an SRP with an end. It happens. I think it would be great if once this thread is over other threads take off from it, like mini-stories, perhaps couples find their part in the story has gotten so well developed that they would like to leave the thread and start a sub-thread.

So... I'm sure I'll rattle off more later, but for now this is what I have.

Reference Links:

Original SRP thread idea post:

Original Story that SRP idea came from: Chap. 1-2 & Chap 3

Bio links to characters:

DarkEmpress's: Elizabeth Hartley
zerohour20xx's: Ryan Summergale
RedHairedandFriendly's: Falls Britian
asktralkiss's: Lady Athalia of Wight
slowandeasy's: John Audeway
Little_Miss_J's: Cassandra "Cassie" Ravencrest
MrAdam's: William de Reynaux, Lord of the Manor

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Entrance into the Woods...

Feel free to come up with your own unique way of "Falling" into the woods. It doesn't have to be the way the original story told, it can be something simple or something tramatic, complex, etc.

 

[DarkEmpress]

Elizabeth Hartley

Age: 21
Height: 1.67 m
Weight: 65 kg
Long and glossy mahogany hair
Dark Eyes
Pale fair skin
Time Zone: Born and bred in the alternate time

She is a feisty young lady who was married off to an oppressive old geyser at the age of 18 to give her greedy parents a foothold on the adjoining property. Thankfully her husband passed away 3 years later, leaving her rather well off, an independent woman and free to do as she pleases with her own property and means of making a living.

She has a bit of a reputation for being a no-nonsense girl and does not comply with 'current' ideologies surrounding women and their place in society.

Elizabeth is well versed with the use of a sword, one of the benefits of growing up with three older brothers who made it their mission to make life impossible for their youngest sister. She is an experienced horse rider with quite a few people that will vouch for her being downright dangerous if she wanted to.

The stately stone manor that belongs to Elizabeth is one of a few neighbouring properties that are adjacent to the woods. Elizabeth's manor and the others were the scenes of extravagant social gatherings on many a night. Her name on a guest list often added an extra level of stature to the event.

 

[zerohour20xx]

Ryan Summergale

Age: 19
Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 170 lbs.
Short brown hair
Whiteish blue eyes
Average skin color
Born in our world

Backstory: When Ryan was 13, his parent died in a car accident. He had been an only child and did not have any living relative nearby so he lived alone. Before his parents' deaths he had been a martial artist. He had been quite good for his age and had won a medal or two while competing in competition. But just because he was strong didn't make him dumb. No, he was a B average student all around except for medieval history in which he got A's. Ryan also was a collector of medieval weapons, shields, clothes, etc. But his greatest and most cherished possesion was his clan ring. Ryan's family had originally been from Ireland since before for the clan wars had started. It was said that the ring was blessed by a goddess and that whoever wore the ring would be destined for greatness and happyness. Of course at this point it was simply the last link to his family.

One year later, Ryan had given up mostly on life as it had become the same shit but a different day. Ryan had quit martial arts though he practice every one in a long while. He decided that he would take a walk in the woods to the other side to either find some peace or find a reason to live. As he walk farther into the woods he didn't notice that the trees had changed. He walked for hours when he finally got our. He looked around and everything looked normal except for...the medieval town? That was 5 years ago...Now he was a blacksmith in his free time making the swords and jewelry he used to collect. He was also a fighter when the soldiers got drunk and tried to hurt the ladies in the bar. Since being in this "other world" he had opened up a bit and devekoped a sense of honor and chivalry.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Falls Britian
Age 18
Redhair, Blue eyes, approx 5'6"(if she stretches)

Falls attended a carnival with a group of friends. She was celebrating her 18th birthday. While at the fair a gypsy, whom her friend's paid a session with, read Falls palm, as well as foretold that she was "the one." However she did not elaborate on what this meant. As Falls was leaving she was handed a gift, a small ivory box with intricate carvings of constellations/planets. Unbeknownst to her these carvings were not of our universe, but of another, one she would eventually travel to.

When she arrived home her mother's boyfriend attempted to assault her, claiming that now she was 18 it was time he "taught" her a lesson or two. Her mother came to her aid, only by throwing her out. Falls bio-logical father was killed when she was just five years old and her mother had never been able to recover. Her mother fluttered from boyfriend to boyfriend, usually until they tired of supplying her with illegal drugs.

The night of the attempted assault Falls runs deep into the woods behind her home. In her possession is her purse, which contains, the gift from the gypsy, her wallet (with the usual "wallet" type things: pictures, ID, some cash). She has a cellphone, brush, some gum, candy, pens, and being a girl, she's got that one spare, emergency maxi-pad.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

I've added the links to the newest bios.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

A nice bio there, it's been added as well. Just so everyone knows I don't expect this thread to be a quick write, especially with so many writers, so we'll have to expect delays sometimes. Hopefully we'll get everyone's bio up by the end of the week or at least the beginnin of the weekend and can start the thread.

 

[slowandeasy]

John Audeway
Poet, wandering minstrel.
Rumor has it that he was once a priest but disillusioned by the churches obvious double standard has left the sanctuary of its walls for the open road to sing and dance and in rebellion, cavort and frolic with the many voluptuous damsels who flock around him as he charms them with his witty and seductive rhymes. He is no medieval chauvinist swine however and inside is as gentle as a lamb. Whatever pleasure he receives, he gives back ten-fold.

If you should chance to meet him in or near the woods and hear him talking to himself do not turn and walk away but rather follow him for he is a poet and perhaps he has much to teach you.

Tall, lanky with an abundance of rich brown shoulder length wavy hair
Blue eyes that seem to pierce your very soul
Rugged suntanned face and upper torso
His exact birthdate is unknown to even him
He looks to be in his mid thirties but looks can be deceiving
A poet by any other name is just as poor

borne and lives in the alternative time

 

[Little_Miss_J]

Cassandra "Cassie" Ravencrest
Aged 20 years
Long, deep black hair, eyes emerald green.
Skin is fair, easy to blush or bruise.
Stands about 5 foot 7
Weight 130 pounds
Voluptuous figure
Born in our world, now living in alternate

Young Cassie had been raised in a small village/town. Her mother had died during childbirth and her father, Desmond Ravencrest, resented her. He believed she had caused his beloved to die. As such he kept her locked away until the day she turned sixteen.

There had been rumor's in the village/town of people leaving and never returning. Hoping that to be the case, the man took his daughter there. She was left in a small cave. He had given her a drink, only to let her sleep. When she woke he hoped it would no longer be in his world.

Just what her father wanted, happened. Cassie woke cold and alone. She stumbled into a village/town similar to her own yet so very different. Finding work at a tavern, she spent her time alone. The owners mistress took her under her wing. The young girl caught on quickly and soon became a well sought after woman.

She know owns her own establishment and has made a name for herself as an actress. She has several girls under her care but has not been anyone's mistress in a very long time. Cassie seems to know many of the secrets surrounding the townsfolk yet there is one that always has haunted her.

How she got there? How she could get home? Most of all, would she want to?

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Great bios, both of you and both have been added to the first post.

 

[MrAdam]

Okay, here's my first go at a character and some thoughts about setting. All these are just my thoughts - nothing set in stone, and I'm happy to change things. One thing I'm not keen on is the name - I've been to the Isle of Wight, and it's... well, it's a nice place to visit, but it doesn't do it for me as an exotic or mysterious setting. Could we call it something else?


Name: William de Reynaux, Lord of the Manor.
Age: 26
Appearance: Close-cropped dark brown hair with increasing amounts of grey, clean shaven. His steely blue-grey eyes and thin, unsmiling lips give him a rather forbidding demeanour, and his natural expression is a frown. He is a little over average height, broad shouldered, and muscular. He might be considered handsome by some in a rough way, but he shows little care or interest in his appearance, dressing in simple - though well made - practical clothing.

Story so far:
The de Reynaux family have ruled here since the settlement was re-established about a hundred years ago. Although his lands are surrounded by dangerous wilds (which some hold to be cursed or enchanted), the soil is very fertile and many rare plants, herbs and spices grow in abundance here that will scarcely grow at all elsewhere. This is a source of great wealth to the land, but the ruling family is forbidden from participating in direct trade for fear of monopoly, and so much raise funds via taxation. This means that although the de Reynaux family rules, they are beholden to others for income, much of which goes on defence. By no-one's standards are they poor, but in spite of their rule they are not the richest family in their own land.

William took control of the lands four years ago after the death of his father, Richard. Last year he married a noblewoman he hardly knew, Lady Helena, but it was not a good match, and she returned to her homeland a mere three months later. Rumour has it that she missed courtly life, and regarded the colony as too provincial and uncivilised.

Personality:
The burden of rule weighs heavy upon his shoulders. He tries to be a fair and benevolent ruler, but struggles to balance the needs of commerce with the need for security, the needs of ordinary people, and the needs of his family. He fears attack from without and greed and unrest from within. The fertile land is virtually a license to mint coin, which makes his land a tempting target for foreign foes and ambitious usurpers.... and whoever or whatever it was that wiped out the previous settlement on this site.
This leaves him prone to melancholy, short-tempered, snappy, and prone to restlessness and worry, which can sometimes cause terrible insomnia. Those who know him are used to his ways, however, and know not to take a loss of temper or tirade of frustration too much to heart. He's generally respected as a fair man and a dutiful ruler, but he's considered by many to be too conservative and old fashioned, scared of change or innovation as a potential source of instability.

Opinions on other characters: (this bit's a bit presumptuous of me - post below or IM me if I have your character wrong or if you have a better idea)

Elizabeth Hartley - He'd like to dismiss her as a spoilt, silly, lippy upstart who needs a new husband to keep her in line and remind her of her place. Irritatingly, however, she's not always entirely wrong....

Ryan Summergale - Knows him through discussions about arms and armour for the guard. Funny accent. Is fairly sure that he's lying about his origins, but doesn't much care - the quality of his work is of the required standard. As long as he doesn't repeat whatever crimes he ran from again here, that's fine.

Lady Athalia - Devoted to his sister. Has given up searching for a cure for her condition, and now just tries to make sure that she's happy and well looked after. Sometimes when he's having a really bad day he'll go and talk his dilemmas through with her... or rather at her. But hearing his own voice helps him as much as any answers or advice she gives. He knows his moods scare her, and so finds it easier to control himself around her.

Cassandra Ravencrest - William makes sure a blind eye is turned to most of whatever it is that's going on in her establishment. Probably Cassie's information has proved invaluable on more than one occasion, and much as he doesn't like it, he needs her. Ideally he'd cut no deals at all, or if he must, he'd rather one of his advisers made the contact, and/or that the contact were male, as men are cleverer, more trustworthy, more reliable, and a much better judge of what information he needs. But perhaps Cassie insists on dealing with him personally so she can be sure that he'll keep his side of the bargain.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Nice bio and it's added. I have no qualms about the name change. As I've stated before this thread doesn't have to, nor do I expect it to follow the orginal. I believe only astral has named the isle in her bio, so if she's fine with changing it then I see no problems.

So does anyone have a good name for this imaginary land?

 

[zerohour20xx]

Just some possible names for the world:

Etherelm (other realm)
The world through the woods

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Just some possible names for the world:

Etherelm (other realm)
The world through the woods

I think you may have misunderstood. I have a title for the thread... Falling into the Woods, which yes is the same. I think we're looking for a name for the land/country itself.

 

[zerohour20xx]

Oops =p My bad. How about Lischuin (li-shoe-in)

 

[slowandeasy]

Good morning all (from my neck of the woods lol) just read Red's story, "Fallling into the woods and loved it. have a couple of questions though.

Is this story to be a sort of tongue and cheek/ comic/tragic genre ?(btw. love your saracasm in the story Red.)

Should I give John a history from the begining or can I sort of bring it to light as the story evolves? I'd like him to be someone new in this imaginary world but don't mind that Mr Adams character William has heard of him, I will fit that information in, in the IC at the appropriate time and place.

I have no idea of what this place should be called it would be fun for me to have it in a rather pastoral setting with the abundace of nature and lots of sunshine trees and cute birds and butterflies and flowers and...and wine or mead ....

midsumer nights dream anyone?

Have a good day, looking forward to starting
S&E

 

[Little_Miss_J]

Cassandra Ravencrest - [LMJ - how would you feel about CR being on my character's payroll as a spy/informant in return for money/something else?]

I believe being an "informant" would make for some very interesting writing. Payment, I'm thinking, would be something to do with her establishment. Giving her an extra amount of leeway in the way she runs it. There are also could be a tension between the two, a sexual tension that plays into their relationship.

***

Name wise I haven't a clue. I'm agreeing on the type of place. Would fit in with what I was thinking. I'm kinda easy though in that aspect and will just go with the flow, whatever the majority thinks.

I look forward to the story.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Oops =p My bad. How about Lischuin (li-shoe-in)

Since you're the only one that could come up with a name for our country/land, then Lischuin it is. This will be the name of the "kingdom" that William de Reynaux, Lord of the Manor, will be Lord of.

Good morning all (from my neck of the woods lol) just read Red's story, "Fallling into the woods and loved it. have a couple of questions though.

Is this story to be a sort of tongue and cheek/ comic/tragic genre ?(btw. love your saracasm in the story Red.)

Should I give John a history from the begining or can I sort of bring it to light as the story evolves? I'd like him to be someone new in this imaginary world but don't mind that Mr Adams character William has heard of him, I will fit that information in, in the IC at the appropriate time and place.

I have no idea of what this place should be called it would be fun for me to have it in a rather pastoral setting with the abundace of nature and lots of sunshine trees and cute birds and butterflies and flowers and...and wine or mead ....

midsumer nights dream anyone?

Have a good day, looking forward to starting
S&E

Thank you S&E, I am very glad you enjoyed the story, and thanks for taking the time to read it.

The idea that this could be a fun/sarcastic story would really depend on how everyone writes their character. I know I plan on writing Falls as close to the original story as I can. She's not a dumb girl; she's a typical 18 year old woman, who just isn't getting it right away. Who would if you were thrown back in time or tossed on some other world that was eerily familiar with your own?

Does anyone have an opinion on the way they see the story?

Also I'm going to send a PM out to emraoz to see if he's still on board or not. If not then I'll advertise for another male.

 

[MrAdam]

Lischuin works for me - good name.

S&E - I'm happy for William not to know John Audeway at the start. If he's new, William almost certainly wouldn't know him and wouldn't be particularly interested in him unless there's some good reason. I'll remove the entry on John from my character's bio post.

LMJ - that sounds good. She supplies information, William makes sure a blind eye is turned to most of whatever it is that's going on in her establishment. Probably Cassie's information has proved invaluable on more than one occasion, and much as he doesn't like it, he needs her. Ideally he'd cut no deals at all, or if he must, he'd rather one of his advisers made the contact, and/or that the contact were male, as men are cleverer, more trustworthy, more reliable, and a much better judge of what information he needs. But perhaps Cassie insists on dealing with him personally so she can be sure that he'll keep his side of the bargain.

I like the sexual tension idea. William needs her information and can't help desiring her, but doesn't really want to deal with her and knows she's not suitable even as a mistress. His need for intelligence and his lust give her the power to flirt and tease him all she likes, which is all the more infuriating for him because pretty much everyone else treats him with respect and deference. Does this sound on the right lines?


On the tongue-in-cheek question, I'm happy either way. The original story has some nice meta-humour about 'Rosetta Stone' and 'daughter of Stoner'. I've no problem with playing a few writerly word games and so on. I think that would be fun, but I don't think we should try to force it, or let it interfere with the plot.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

*took a few things out of quoted post see orginal for entire post*

Lischuin works for me - good name.

I like the sexual tension idea. William needs her information and can't help desiring her, but doesn't really want to deal with her and knows she's not suitable even as a mistress. His need for intelligence and his lust give her the power to flirt and tease him all she likes, which is all the more infuriating for him because pretty much everyone else treats him with respect and deference. Does this sound on the right lines?


On the tongue-in-cheek question, I'm happy either way. The original story has some nice meta-humour about 'Rosetta Stone' and 'daughter of Stoner'. I've no problem with playing a few writerly word games and so on. I think that would be fun, but I don't think we should try to force it, or let it interfere with the plot.

I don't think we should force anything either. Just let it come naturally, like I said Falls is going to be herself, she's going to misunderstand reactions, words, and just be lost pretty much, unless someone approaches her and let's her in on this world, or it dawns on her on her own time, which may happen.

No word yet on emraoz. I'll give him till Sat. and then make an appeal for another male character to come on board, unless I or someone hears from him before then.

 

[zerohour20xx]

We just need that last guy to get started. Does anyone have any idea's on how your characters will view and interact with mine?

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

We just need that last guy to get started. Does anyone have any idea's on how your characters will view and interact with mine?

Morning, if you scroll a bit down MrAdam edited his bio post and had an idea on how he would enteract with some characters.

I've not decided yet. I kinda like to wing it, because I know a lot of things depend on how a person's character's personality interacts with anothers on how they view them.

 

[slowandeasy]

Good morning, thanks to all for the updates.

I'm fleshing out my character and understand the need to just sort of let it flow. John will be a free thinking, minstrel/poet with a sense of humor and a bit of the devil in him I will do a backdrop so that you all can get an idea of how he will act and react... however...he may surpise you along the way ( I tend to "Fly by the seat of my pants.")

MrAdam: thanks for editing. My intro and maybe another post will be mostly background, waiting in the wings so to speak to see how the other players interact and then, when I see the opporunity, making my entrance.

 

[MrAdam]

Morning, if you scroll a bit down MrAdam edited his bio post and had an idea on how he would enteract with some characters.

I've not decided yet. I kinda like to wing it, because I know a lot of things depend on how a person's character's personality interacts with anothers on how they view them.

Yep. I think what I've tried to do is to set out what my character would think about the characters that he would already know. They wouldn't necessarily know that's what he thinks of them, and it wouldn't preclude developments/changes in the story proper. I don't think it's absolutely necessary to do this, but I think it helps me develop my character and hopefully helps others too. As I said in my post, it's a bit presumptuous of me, but I'm open to changing anything that doesn't fit with people's ideas of their characters.

I haven't said anything about the characters he hasn't met yet - that's still to come - but I think it's handy to sketch out a few things for characters who would already know each other.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Good afternoon everyone. It was a busy weekend, hope you all had a good one.

Emraoz is in the middle of some real life stuff, so he's unable to commit 100% to the thread at this time, so if we don't find another male by the time he is ready then he'll come on board, until then though he said he'd understand if I looked for another male, which I'm going to do.

I'll work on the opening post in the meantime.

Everyone have a good rest of the day!