I used to blog all the time. And honestly, I need to pick up that habit again. Not only is blogging a really good way to warm up your writing, but it also gives you a great feel for what mood your in when you decide to sit down and post. As a writer, blogging gives me a release from trying to find the all important character voice. Back when I was just a simple PC and not a moderator, it was easy to slide into character to write up a post. But when you become a moderator, suddenly the crowd in your head becomes sometimes overwhelming and everyone wants attention or needs development and there simply isn't enough time. I'm the type that demands every NPC have a back story, a set of rivalries, a tragedy, or even perhaps a smidgen of romance in their life. Is the messanger boy secretly the son of the blacksmith and not some nameless faceless sloth who left his mother, the baker, for adventure and parts unknown? Is that why the blacksmith often takes extra time with the boy, showing him things and sometimes offering him gifts? He didn't have to give him the new coat last winter just in time for the heavy snows. But he did? Why won't he tell the boy? What is the secret there? I'm always looking for the angle... the edge. Every city has a thousand of them, these little microdramas. Some are bigger than others, like the corruption on the city counsel, but some move me more than others - the old woman who pushes the flower cart needs a new roof and has no money for one.

I want PCs to be interested in these sorts of things. I want them to find out. I just don't want them to have a cardboard cutout interaction and walk away feeling that they have just visited the McD's drive-throu and the guy taking their order was actually an automoton. There's no pleasure in that for me.

Good development takes time. It also takes good note taking. With the wiki, we have a giant notebook full of interesting facts and exciting things that could spawn a thousand more exciting things. As a designer (which is just secretly a codeword for Admin who has no love of technical issues), there are certain things that fascinate me more than others. I love religion, and how passionate people are about it. This goes for real life as well as the game world. Sometimes games leave people lacking in religious aspects because there's no truth or consequence to maintain standards unless good mods are roaming around. I love stories from the bible for that very reason, especially the old testament. God laid the smack down. People had to go on blind faith. He required things. He demanded things. And he gave amazing rewards for a job well done. Now, theres some good stories on an epic level.

Now, that being said, I'm not a christian. I respect Christians enormously, but raised as a Native American, my faith is grounded more into nature. That doesn't mean I don't believe in higher powers and stronger beings. I also understand the power of faith. I don't mean to say that as an apology. It isn't. I just simply haven't done more than read the bible as a 'What's all this fuss about?". I could no more give up Moon Woman, Raven, and and our beloved Coyote. My all time favorite story is how Raven turned black. Once, when the people were young and the earth was new, Raven was white. I bet you didn't know that? We, as the Shoshone People, love Coyote so much that instead of saying we pray to The Gods, we actually go Talk to Coyote... or Coyote Talk. Christ has no place in our faith because he's someone that a whole bunch of miraculous things happened too an incredibly far distance away. For some of you, that might be sad news, but I'm telling you that out on the northern plains of Idaho, into Montana, and throughout parts of California Nevada, and Utah.. we really had never heard of the guy for hundreds and hundreds of years and we did just fine. But for those of you who are seriously impacted by his presence in your life - I'm thankful. Just like I'm thankfully you have Mohammad or Buddha or *giggles* Tesla for you uber nerdy types. Yes, you know who I'm talking about.. the ones stuck in the lab coats and feeling weird not wearing them out on the street.

Why am I saying all this? I want faith and religion to have a real impact on Mizahar. So far, I think we've designed this really well. If anything, some of the Gods are all to human in some ways if Ivak's reaction and the whole Valterrian are to be judged. But I appreciate PCs that rp faith, that truly believe in something enough to want to serve it. Time will tell, however, if those deities can live up to the expectations and honor their followers weigh them down with. I have high hopes for Rhysol and Yahal. I can't wait for Nysel to make an appearance, or Wysar to start identifying his purposes... he has some nifty ones. It will be fun to see how storm seasons work out so that Zulrav's followers finally have something to do. And I'm completely interested in seeing how a timeless Nuit can worship the Goddess of Time and make that go. I'm hoping secretly that she won't stop at talking to a scholarly priest, but will demand an audience with the lady herself. Not that I have any idea if she will grant it at all.

One holdover I do have from my many days of tabletop is the love of dice. Sometimes you have to give the decisions of your writing over to someone as tricky as Coyote so you yourself can sometimes be surprised as to what is actually going to happen.

And as for me? I'm going to begin blogging again now that the crazy busy days of August are over. Work will pick up for me, and that will slow me down somewhat (I'm already working 6 days a week!) - but I have a million chicken stories to share! Do you know my roosters are crowing now? Even Goblin, who has the softest most gorgeous crow ever. I'm sure all of you will groan and roll your eyes at another chicken blog... but seriously. Chickens are the best. My husband has always wanted a pet eagle, but baring that, he now has a rooster that will ride around on his shoulders or perch on his fist and spread his wings... and I swear that chicken is just as cool.