A Series of Preternatul Events (Winter Solstice 378YE)

Nations Wintermark
1

Ey up folks
I just thought I’d quickly drag your attention to The Strength of Tradition and The Eldest Swamp.

They’re the write-ups of two situations that are in effect in Wintermark.

[size=150]THE STRENGTH OF TRADITION[/size]
The first one effects everyone in the nation. We’re hoping to have enough little effect cards to go round, but watch this space - it might not be feasible in which case I’ll update that section just before the event with details of the INFLUENCE. It’s not a secret among the Wintermark what it does - just a matter of how we deliver the info - but I didnt want to put it up on the wiki because it would then be obvious what it does to non-Winterfolk.

While it’s causing strife in Wintermark, the effect is actually that it just makes people more comfortable around their own tradition - the Suaq feel happier with other Suaq for example - it’s just that a repercussion of this has been a slow widening of the gaps between the traditions.

If you bump into a Winterfolk who hasn’t got the effect on them it is almost certainly an oversight rather than proof they are interlopers. I’m sure I can count on your assistance in making sure they know the effect.

[size=150]THE ELDEST SWAMP[/size]
This one is restricted to Kallavesa at the moment, but after some discussion we decided it would be useful to make sure we tell everyone what is going on. With this, you can know as little or as much of what is written there as is appropriate to your characterisation. Nobody has lost any actual crystal mana yet … but hopefully it’s clear from the write-up that the situation is likely to get worse if not dealt with.

[size=150]AT THE EVENT[/size]
With both these situations, there should be ample opportunity to explore what is going on at the event - either through roleplaying or through the use of divinations (or mind altering drugs in the case of the Kallavesi :wink: ). They’re not written to the same format as the Winds of Fortune - but that doesn’t mean that we don’t intend players to interact with the problems and work out how to “solve” them (or, indeed, make them worse).

I can answer questions here, or on the facebook group, if you have any.

2

I did a few posts about the effect on the Wintermark facebook and I’ve grabbed the relevant ones here:

*** With regards to how extreme the effect is**
At the moment, the INFLUENCE is more about feeling comfortable with your own tradition rather than forcing dislike of the others … but that basic effect should go through the filter of your own character.

For example, some people might well get “worked up” that by suggesting one tradition is better than the others they are damaging the core of Wintermark. Still, what do you expect from (NOT MY TRADITION), those people were never as committed to our shared ideals of (CUNNING / WISDOM / HEROISM) and (MY TRADITION) is.

*** In reponse to a question about new players from Oz Mills:**
I’m hoping the egregores will be able to help aye, they’ll be much more aware of what is “going on”. The effect is not something that dominates peoples’ characterisation mind. So it would be entirely on-message for someone to view the company of their own group’s Suaq as preferable to that of a strange Steinr they’ve never met (for example). At this stage it is a gentle urge, a low-key effect that just suggests you might want to stick with “your own” (with some mechanical stuff to back that up as it happens).

For new players expecially, I think all they need to focus on is that there is something up and play with it to the degree they are comfortable. This is categorically not mind-control, in that we’re not telling people how to play it; it’s also pretty much certain it is a supernatural effect rather than (say) an OOC attempt to change the brief.

Get them to look at profounddecisions.co.uk/…/Roleplaying…. in particular - it’s aprt of the rules everyone should be at least on nodding acquaintance with it.

The important bit to get across is that they are not cheating by hanging out and being pally with their friends, whatever their tradition might be. One way to look at it might be that the effect is reinforcing any ties they have to other people of the same tradition - so if they have a friend of the same tradition and one of a different tradition they might always give their first friend the bigger slice of pie.

If it goes well, the negative effects will arise from the positive roleplaying as all the Suaq friends get narked they are getting smaller pieces of pie

Finally, stress that if someone is a bit of a dick at them IC then it is almost certainly because of SINISTER INFLUENCE and not because the people of Wintermark are dicks!

Also what (Catriona Richards) saynhis is a great opportunity for the traditions to be welcoming to new members. And also a great opportunity for those so minded to try and fight the INFLUENCE by being extra-welcoming to any Wintermark.

*** And finally, the indomitable Clare Evans said:**
I run the New player team and am happy to help with any problems you have with your new players or questions about stuff. New.player@profounddecisions.co.uk if you need anything.

I also happen to be a Suaq civil servant.