llewella_r2a: Faiella discussed with Julian
veronica_rta: A day of house keeping
dirk_rta: Father and I almost spoke.
emma_rta: Dear diary,
maereina_rta: No musings
maereina_rta: Musings on a Sword
walter_karm: Caine vs Walter
veronica_rta: Journal Entry (and OOC Commentary)
benedict_rta: The Procession

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I'm having Benedict do a walk-through of the Palace each day, as part of the day's activities. This will provide a way for people who could not otherwise see the King to be around him, petition, attempt assassinations, etc. I can't stress enough that he'll be in public areas and that the etiquette of the court says that he can be approached. There is a certain sort of reflected glory available even for a new King on a shaky throne - the courtiers who think Ben will succeed will be there.

You do not need a strong IC reason to be there. The thinnest of excuses will be accepted, and you get to see things like Culver Feldane being deflated a bit. (It's not like that can happen all at once.)

benedict_rta: "You are not cruel enough to take his place. Just me?" He spits. "Amateur!"
benedict_rta: Executive orders I am not signing
benedict_rta: Reasons to be in the Palace
gerard_of_amber: LONG AGO: Between a Roc and a.....

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* Prince Caine's petition to declare his underpants are dress uniform.

* Gerard's petition for an all-Amazon navy.

* Anything that uses the words 'on the other hand'.

* Lifing the Import Ban on Lovelace Protective Adventuring Codpieces.

The Palace of Amber should be a nexus for RP, especially political stuff. A lot of interesting direction-changes take place when people bounce off each other in court, and giving yourself the chance to do that is rewarding. Take a look at http://wiki.roadtoamber.com/amber-palace if you're unsure as to why you might be in the Palace, but here are a few ideas.

* Going to get the gen. Picking up the gossip so you can tell other people.
* Going to find people to persuade of your point of view. If you have something to say, then saying it in the palace, where you are likely to be able to use social and people gifts, is a good thing. Persuading the NPCs present can sway PCs too.
* Going for company. The social life of Amber, the Ton, gathers here. If you know anyone in Amber, you probably have NPC friends who are happy to show off to you. If not, then it's perfectly allowable to try to make those friends. NPCs are not the heros of the story, but they are a very handy hook.
* Trying to find someone and failing. Looking for Prince Caine, to offer him your latest deal? You can still talk to Gerard, and the drinks are likely to be better. The Great Houses all have suites in the Palace - you can fail to find them there.

Some of these reasons also work elsewhere, but the long and short of it is, the palace is a public place for place. Feel free to be there, and handwave the reasons.

veronica_rta: (No subject)
zhaoyi_rta: JAD-PO One Pale Orchid
zhaoyi_rta: Scrolls Home
veronica_rta: [OOC] Journal Maintenance
walter_karm: Notes for a Lab Rat
maereina_rta: What a day...
benedict_rta: Dear Diary

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Day 2

Hand aching from paperwork.

Still King

veronica_rta: Day of Researching
benedict_rta: Dear Diary
robin_rta: Dear Diary
benedict_rta: OOC stuff about being King
maereina_rta: Musings on Trumps

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0 Miles to Kolvir.

One hand.

Still not King.

At last.

It wasn't nearly as bad as I feared it might be. There's much still to do, of course; but it seems more possible now.

And I am now quite thoroughly convinced that my initial evaluation of S.K.P. was badly wrong. Ah, well. At least I found that out before doing anything I'd regret.

There is one point I'm going to have to note about Ben as King. His player is not in an American timezone, and that means there will be no /regular/ court. However, you're encouraged to attend court far more often, and talk to people /at/ court. RP around intrigue should be free and easy, and besides, the food is free.

As far as playstyle goes, this means far fewer jaunts out to the edges of civilisation to kill interesting new life-forms and then meet them. I'll be putting that energy into driving palace and city RP, however.

I'll also underline what Helix posted on. Some of you may be a little bit aware that I am also Scholastica. I admit it. I'm the Saint. But I am not a shoo-in for the throne, in any OOC way. Feel free to challenge me, but understand that you'll get challenged back if I feel it necessary. And have fun.

veronica_rta: That was disturbing...
caine_r2a: IC | The Throne is Mine. Also, Your Camelias
benedict_rta: Boc says, "I'd like to ask your help in marrying the Diji over there..."
maereina_rta: Musings on Emma & Favors
celeste_rta: around and around we go....
liam_rta: Thought Pile
maereina_rta: Musings on Winter

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After the hoopla of the next several days settles down, I am going to pack my bag and go to Ashe Cairne for a few days and try to convert Drama and Angst into Productivity. I should hang around to make an appearance and be supportive -- and put on better pants -- but after that it is time to step away.

When I come back, I don't really know. Yet Another Court I'm out of favor with. I guess we'll start taking a look at the Tanus Shadowpath.

veronica_rta: Meeting Imre...
benedict_rta: ...I will not brook the destruction of value.
petruspitello: Serminian Pro-tip: Gift-horses
petruspitello: (No subject)
maereina_rta: Musings on John & Erika
fiamme_rta: IC Journal
kirra_rta: Dark Whispers
liam_rta: Ask the Baronet!
nimue_rta: Bit of Poetry
nimue_rta: Hectic Days
emma_rta: Dear diary,

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I hear you don't like Chaos. Why is that?

I'm totally not into this year's fad. I know I'm being unfashionable but I'm going to wait until this one goes and the next one comes in. I'm hoping it's purple!

I love books. I live in and around and with books. I don't see how something designed to break down order and turn it into whatever is compatible with the fundamental structure of the novel. The ending first! Forget dramatic tension! We don't even need verbs! Fly little words, fly! Be free! All books shall turn into Finnegan's Wake!

And that's not even the physical structure of the book. I'm a big fan of pages going in order instead of going in whatever order the pages themselves want to be in. I like the narrative to be comprehensible. And in an actual language.

I'm holding out for purple. I look good in purple.

You're not a fan of Order right, correct?

Have you ever gotten into an argument with my Dad over the utility of the split infinitive rule? He's utterly pedantic on the topic. It's insane. He believes splitting the infinitive is cause for a beating. (But luckily he's slow and I can run fast.)

I don't see how having the words lining up in tiny little perfect orderly rows with rigidly enforced grammatical rules is any better than the words and pages arranging themselves into whatever order they feel natural in. Words need a flow and a style, and that is not always compatible with putting little letters and words into a perfect brilliant matrix.

Again, purple. I have this purple doublet with slashed sleeves revealing white silk all picked out.

What is your opinion on the current political situation?

Can I take the fifth?

The fifth what?

The fifth of anything. The fifth of whiskey. The fifth of a doughnut.

I prefer to be the observer and not the observed. Right now I am firmly in the observer category. Drama is great fun when it happens to someone else, and I am fully drama-powered. Without drama I am nothing! But I prefer the drama not to happen to me or where I sleep. Drama needs to happen over... there and this is coming way too close for comfort.

It's great grist from the writer's mill. I am taking copious notes.

You're now the Baronet of Ashe Cairne. How is that working out for you?

I have my very own title! Sure it's a little tiny one and it comes only with a house on a rocky beach but it is mine and I am no longer some vague 'Lord.' The house has a stable for Rutabaga and a small dock for the Carrot and it is 112 square feet larger than my Dad's cottage! It has a tiny staff! I love it. I'm thrilled beyond words. I'll be moving my typewriter and pens and notebooks in post haste.

However, my Dad has 3 sq. ft. more bookshelf space and this must be rectified. This must not stand! I am shaking my fist!

Also, parties. This party will be very pro-Niklas Shadowdancer not wearing a shirt.

It's great! It's a little ride into the city but it's great! House!

maereina_rta: Musings on Emrys
veronica_rta: A lot happened in the last day...
maereina_rta: Musings on John
rta_culver: "And the best part -- it's free of charge."
rta_culver: "This isn't. Your moment."
veronica_rta: [OOC] Restarted Journal
veronica_rta: Settling in and Reading
veronica_rta: Adjustments and Letters
veronica_rta: Meeting with Duke Cyrus of Chantris
veronica_rta: Meeting Kestrel and Exploring Amber
maereina_rta: Musings on Emrys
maereina_rta: Musings on John & Erika
maereina_rta: Musings on Real
maereina_rta: Musings on Celeste
maereina_rta: Musings on Too Much Rum
maereina_rta: Musings on Manzanil
maereina_rta: Musings on Sailing
maereina_rta: Musings on Benedict
maereina_rta: Musings on John & Winter

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veronica_rta: Progress towards finding Nathan
road_to_brand: The High Priestess
benedict_rta: Away!
deirdre_rta: Amber Court 11-20-09

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I'm off this weekend. Benedict is ICly unavailable, or ICly not where you happen to call. Or asleep. Or listening to loud music. Somewhere.

veronica_rta: [Log] Search for Nathan (part 2)
veronica_rta: [Log] The Midnight Sirocco
veronica_rta: Picture Uploaded to Montevalno Wiki
gerard_of_amber: Captain's Log: Camaron Association of Retired Pirates
veronica_rta: Montevalno Wiki Entry Created

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boc_rta: I Shed Some of My Mysterious Aura
veronica_rta: [Log] Breakfast and Flirting!
veronica_rta: [Log] Search for Nathan (part 1)
rta_culver: "Unpopular choices, I will grant you."

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liam_rta: [LOG] The First and Last Lyonesse Shadowpath Node
rta_martin: Don't Let Your Friends Play With The Mushroom Bag ---

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In which a castle is restored through the help of Strange Men from Shadow, refugees from New Lyonesse and Malachi's men, a Tapestry is Hung, a Feast is Gathered, a King is Crowned, and a Skald Tells a Tale.

Note: This is the completion of the full Lyonesse Shadowpath Packet which comprised 5 research sections and 10 TP sections for an ungodly amount of focus. Thank you to all who participated in this plot -- Dominic, Malachi, Lucius, Niklas, Celeste, Deirdre and Einkil! The Heroes of Amber will be immortalized in the Songs of the Skald!

( Malachi discreetly pretends not to be related to Liam every time he walks through the hall. )