And now, the end.

[sickjoke]

Alas, the time has come. This hiatus is becoming a drop - finals are next week, life shows no sign of letting up, and next semester I begin hardcore creative thesis work. My creative mentor and I had a long talk about priorities, and so... This is it. The bells are tolling.

I've spent over seventeen years in this hobby. Moved across various platforms -- forum, MU*, journal. I've done it all, see it all, watched the gross behavior of one platform travel to another, seen people act no better than animals in some cases and been a little saddened by it. But there are always gems, if you'll pardon the pun, places where people are full of win and awesome.

Ruby definitely lives up to being that. You've always handled yourself awesomely, your staff's full of win, and everybody here's been pretty swell over the eight-nine months I've been here. So, good for you, Ruby City. Pat yourself on the back as you go into the holiday season, and keep on being fantastic examples of what people in this hobby can be.

Me, I've got to go survive finals, start dialing back some online involvement, and keep on keepin' on.

State of the City

[rubycitymods]

Environment

Weather

Full Weather Report | Threat Report

Though the sun is making more of an appearance through the occasional showers of rain and rare snow flurries, the temperature is still showing a steady decline as winter continues to roll on. The fog hanging over patches of the city in the early mornings can now be found to be icy cold when walked through, leaving frost clinging to clothes and hair alike. It isn't as easily brushed off as normal frost, but with a bit of stubborn patting or a warm room to melt it, it doesn't pose that much of a concern.

Days are short, cold and no doubt uncomfortable for those used to warmer climates. Now is the season of wrapping up warm and making sure there's plenty of wood for the fire.

City News

The patrols would be well advised to keep an eye out at the city borders over the course of the coming week. Cold weather and sparse hunting has left some of the creatures living closer to the city desperate, and they're moving in closer in the hopes of snagging an easy meal. They're hungry and they won't be easy to chase off, but an organised group or two should be able to keep them at bay until they decide that maybe it might be worth trying on another day.

Supplies in the general store are still sparser than would normally be comfortable, but that just means people need to get a little more inventive with their cooking. The occasional bottle of mulled wine is appearing on the shelves, but also the ingredients to make your own should anyone know what they're looking for. Remember, sharing is caring!

By now, the rivers and forests are mostly silent. Any attempts to rouse the spirit residents will be met with at best a disgruntled response from one or two light sleepers, and they won't be too pleased at being disturbed. Even the Mer have retreated to their base in the bottom of the lake as the edges of the lake begin to freeze.

The latest 'event' to befall the city brought with it another face, calling himself Ariel Slavkov, and the another to count themselves amongst the newcomers - Mercy Holt. They have yet to confirm exactly what they are, but with the options narrowing, it shouldn't be too difficult to work out.

OOC Information

Player News

Suggestions Post

Permanent Links
Phoenix Wright’s Records
Clinic Recruitment Post
Patrol Information Post
Spiral Training School Information

Anything you want us to know about? Give us a heads up in the comments below.

Current and Upcoming Events

The event that announced Ariel's arrival and subsequent spat with Ratter has drawn to a close, and our next event will begin on December 14th. Make sure you keep an eye on the Calendar to keep abreast of what we might have planned for you!

Some people may still be feeling the effects of Ariel's game, depending upon their personality and how easily they will shake off the lethargy or increased irritation (or both). Feel free to play with that as much as you like over the next week or so, before the effects wear off entirely for the city as a whole.

Miscellaneous

The December CR Meme is now up for all your plotting needs, and the December test drive is also available!

Please remember that the next activity check will begin on Friday, December 5th.

As stated above, the Calendar is now being properly maintained and will be updated as the months go by. Give it a look now and then to see what might be in store for the future!

December is set to be an exciting month for us. The new game mechanics that will be involved with the opposing forces set against the Virtues of Temper Vale and his kin will be fully revealed in due course and we hope that you enjoy playing with them as much as we have enjoyed plotting them out.

There is also a new mechanic added to the Drop procedure. Names of any dropped characters going forwards can be found on the Wall of Remembrance. As this is a new feature, the names of all dropped characters aren't listed, however if you would like to see one of them there, please let us know.

Finally, please remember that we have NPC Contact available for most NPCs! You don't need special permission to use these, so knock yourselves out c:

[December] CR/Plotting/Handwaving Meme

[rubycitymods]

Time for another of these! You all know what to do by now, and we all love some good CR, don't we? You can either ask for/offer CR you'd like to play out... Or you can discuss what may or may not already have happened!

INSTRUCTIONS

♥ Post with your characters, one per comment or a catch-all. If you have any CR in particular you'd like to rally, mention it here!

♣ Go around to other characters and discuss ways your characters may have interacted in handwaved settings. This could be casual meetings at the pub, patrols they may have gone on together, hikes and explorations, or just whatever strikes your fancy!

♦ Come up with some backstory for friendships that might not have gotten played out as fully as you'd have liked. These guys are trapped on a floating island together, 24/7... You know they bump into each other! New CR is highly encouraged - you never know what might happen.

♠ Have fun!

<b>PLAYER:</b> <b>CHARACTER(S):</b> <b>CURRENTLY:</b> (What are they up to? It may help others to know where your character usually hangs out or what they're spending their time doing.) <b>CR YOU'D LIKE:</b> <b>CR YOU WOULD <u>NOT</u> LIKE:</b> <b>ANYTHING ELSE?</b>

December Test Drive!

[rubycitymods]

Thinking of apping a character but not sure they'll fit in the city walls?

Have no fear, a meme for you is here.


Directions:

Post with your character with their name and canon on top!

Choose a location and prompt or wait for someone else to tag.

If you'd like, leave contact info for people to get in contact for plotting and other such shenans.

Tag around! Make friends. Don't be afraid to chat OOC while tagging.



Locations:

1. Train Station: New arrival, or waiting to welcome people? Either way, the train comes in, but you still can't ride it out.

2. Cathedral: Looking for redemption? Just doing a little sight-seeing? Or just getting a little shelter?

3. The Beach: You can almost forget you're trapped, in a place like this...

4. The Black Stallion Saloon: You were told the burgers were great here-- but maybe you just came for the beer.

5. The Library: You came to do a little research, but it looks like all of the information's just out of your reach. Though, you can always find a way to pass the time here.

6. The Coffee Joint: A lovely place to have a chat and a bite to eat.

7. The Forest: Not a great place to be caught alone, but are you alone?

8. Wildcard: Pick anything from our list!


Scenarios

1. Just walked in: You intended to get here, and you made your way in; but now someone's caught your eye and you'd like to have a chat.

2. Been here all day: You've been sitting around minding the time. Maybe you didn't notice them at first or maybe you were just working up the courage to talk-- either way, they know you're here and you know it too.

3. Bad weather: You're here because you've gotten rained in. This wasn't your choice, but at least it's dry-- right?

4. Wild card: Got something better in mind? Well screw these prompts, try it out yourself!


Have fun, guys!