Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Sysane Apr 06, 2005 8:54:27	I was digging thru my DS archives (several boxes tucked in my closet) and came across a journal entry that one of my players wrote for his Mul Ranger in my old 2e DS campaign. It was made shortly after the events of CbtSS. I thought I'd share it here. Enjoy. Giustenal. The very name sends shivers down my spine. Its seems that fate will twist us together yet again. It is the place on Athas that I fear the most, the place where I have lost the most, the place where I found... my purpose. I remember the days before the Order of the Claw, they have a dreamy quality to them. It was a time more carefree than now, a time before responsibility. Before the burden. What is this burden, you ask? It is knowledge. Giustenal is a place of secrets. It is not an easy thing to bring secrets from the earth, and a heavy toll must be paid for their uncovering. The toll has been paid in lives. There are those who have fallen, and the few that remain, our lives now given to the quest. Giustenal is a place of peril. It is the lair of the Caller, who steals the souls and minds of those who dare use the Way. I have seen its' power, but luckily not heard its' call. It is the home of the Dread King, the being who is so determined to gain control over the surface world. He seeks a revenge he can never attain, those who had wronged him are all dead now. He wants to become a god. The truth is, he is already a god, or as much of a god that Athas has ever known. He is worshipped by his minions, the dray, and will soon spill forth to claim even more. How can one such as I hope to stand against this near divine being? I know there are those who have stood against him in the past. Those who will stand against him again. Giustenal has given some of its secrets to me. I know now what has come before. I know of the time before our world was a blasted desert, devoid of life it was once so richly full of. Giustenal has given me... hope. -From the journal of Anoch of the Wastes.
#2 pringles Apr 06, 2005 10:16:03	I give 500Xp for every page my player write about there character. Likebackground story, journal, etc
#3 dawnstealer Apr 06, 2005 12:08:00	That's a good idea. I don't give quite that much, but I also reward them if they sketch their character, even if it's a stick figure. I've noticed people get more attached to what they can see.
#4 Sysane Apr 06, 2005 12:38:14	I'd give awards of creative as well (i.e. drawings, stories, painted figures, etc..). Doesn't seem to work that way in my group though.
#5 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Apr 06, 2005 13:19:10	I give XP to my players for roleplaying - even more if they keep track of what they have done of any significance through a session. I also award them for developing backstories and other details. All of this can result in about 1/3 to even 1/2 of a character's total XP through the game - all part of my attempt to reinforce roleplaying.
#6 Sysane Apr 06, 2005 13:50:17	This wasn't quite the way I thought this thread was headed, but its cool either way.
#7 zombiegleemax Apr 06, 2005 14:22:57	the only problem with that journal entry is- aren't people from Athas illiterate? I don't care, I still liked it. Thanks for sharing.
#8 Sysane Apr 06, 2005 14:49:08	the only problem with that journal entry is- aren't people from Athas illiterate? I don't care, I still liked it. Thanks for sharing. Literacy is rare but not unheard of in the Tyr Region.
#9 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Apr 06, 2005 16:06:06	In the cities controlled by Sorcerer-Kings mostly, only the "nobility" (and/or Templarate) are really allowed to be literate. Cities like Free Tyr are a bit more open now in that regard.
#10 zombiegleemax Apr 09, 2005 6:52:30	Being literate and being publicly literate are two entirely different things. ;)