Hello hello again, Alvads!
There are several things I'd like to talk about today, so I'll just go ahead and dive right in after saying: Happy Spring! I hope you're all having a wonderful season both IC and OOC! With allergies, graduations, summer almost just around the bend, and probably a plethora of ponderous predicaments, pleasures, and platitudes I can't bring to mind, life can certainly get busy. I hope you're all managing your time well and have been able to enjoy Mizahar this season!
Jobs!
So,
most of you should have your jobs ferreted away into your Storyteller Secrets thread. If you don't have an SS thread, PM me and we'll get that sorted out! For those of you who do not have jobs yet (Mayra aside), please submit a form into my office using the appropriate format (I believe it's the first one), and I'll get cracking on those to make sure you all have a source of income for this season.
Another thing that was brought up about jobs: moderated threads. You do not need a moderated thread in which your PC gains their job unless I inform you to the contrary. Most jobs (clerks in a store, couriers, buskers, et cetera) don't need a moderated thread, however if you
want a moderated thread involving your job, please don't hesitate to ask! Currently I can't take on any more threads as I've committed to several (of which not all are currently posted but will be), but that doesn't mean I can't begin planning threads with those of you who would like a thread in the future!
New Locations
So, after much time for one and a little bit of time for the other, we now have two new locations!
Impawsible Pets is a new business owned by a reclusive and wise Jamoura, operated by a very talkative, very friendly human. Looking for pets? Stop on by! Looking for pet care? Also something they offer! Looking for love in all the wrong places? YOu might find love. More likely, you'll find fleas. (Just kidding! The animals are mostly flea free!). If you're feeling more like a garish adventure down by the Patchwork Docks, check out
The Mischief! It's a bit of a strange location in that it's only around for a set number of days per year, but when it's around, it's a party! Alternatively, this ship is a second chance for people who might not have passed the first. Want to be a performer but can't quite make it in the Crooked Playhouse? Dream of sharing your musical talents with the world? Tired of the ever-changing streets that never let you juggle in peace? Hop aboard
The Mischief and chase after your dreams! Of course, you'll still have to be talented enough to get there, and you won't be travelling for free. Everything comes with a price, don't you know!
Magic!
So, I wanted to just clarify and reiterate a few things about magic in Alvadas. Firstly, the crackdown that the Womiyu initiated this season was specifically on shops and other blatant uses of magic. This does not mean that you can't have a clothing shop with clothes animated to sing a little song every bell or a stall selling trinkets that are incredibly (some might say unnaturally) durable. Alvadas is a city of illusion, and while the average wizard might find himself gaining both distrust and disdain from the native peoples of the city, a clever wizard might make his reimancy indistinguishable from an illusion, a morpher may find his eyes occasionally migrating across his face eliciting joy and terror from a giggling child. Alvadas is a magical city, but its magic lies in clever deceptions, sleight of hand, an twists of reality.
Random people teaching you magic within the city is not going to happen. You're not going to find a dusty old man with crazy eyes who'll teach you the secrets of voiding while simultaneously inducting you into projection and reimancy. In a less hyperbolic manner, there will be very, very few people willing to share their magic, for one: it's not magic, it's just an illusion, right? Think of this way: OOC, magic is exciting, interesting, and fun to write. IC, magic is incredibly dangerous, socially unacceptable, and above all, it's not a hobby. If anyone
does teach you magic, it is not on a whim. They may only teach one lesson or two (and if that, it's unlikely it would be a practical one, most likely it would be theory or other "lore" related teachings), but it will never ever be with the understanding that what they're doing is teaching you a fun new way to spend your time. It's a serious matter. If you're going to be learning from an NPC (which I will not forbid you because it is possible in the city), I will be expecting to see the proper IC steps and work put into creating a firm relationship with the teacher in question, displaying your trustworthiness and abilities to handle the magic in question.
Please note, that any time a PC is going to try to learn a magic from an NPC, it cannot be self-moderated without permission.Now, there are other ways to get magic in Alvadas. I've discussed with a few people alternative methods, but I won't share them here. If you want magic, be creative! There is nothing you can't do, but there are many things that can get in your way ICly. I want all of you to enjoy your experience on Miz, and I personally think that magic is a very fun part of the system. If you want a more straightforward way to gain magic, there is always Sahova. If you want to jump through hoops, tumble across chasms, and cling for dear life to the Alvads' style of magic? Then by all means, I'll be watching (and hopefully smiling) as you make that journey!
A side note on that: I cannot forbid people from starting with magic, and I don't particularly want to. If you're creating a magical character in Alvadas, please, please, please keep the city's lore and style in mind. It would be very much appreciated.
Living Expenses!
The average lifestyle in Alvadas is Common. Poor is a potential, but keep in mind you probably don't own a house in that case and you won't be buying anything but food (and even then it would be sporadic). If you wish to purposefully be paying Poor even when you are earning more, please take into account the IC repercussions of that - there is more to money than just hoarding it. Squalor, however, is very uncommon in Alvadas unless you're stuck in the Underground beneath the boot of the Prince in the Gibbats. If you are living in Squalor, your PC is starving, malnourished, filthy, and is much more prone to illness and injury. Whatever you decide, please make sure that these living expenses are reflected in your writing. Most of the people I have read thus far are living at the Common level. If you wish to pay Poor, please write in Poor as well, thank you!
Race Relations!
I'm going to be doing a write on this soon(ish), but I just wanted to point out that Alvadas is a center of trade for Kalea as well as the main face of trade with Sylira and Taloba for the region as well. It constantly has an influx of various races, and with the constant presence of illusions always affecting reality, Alvads are relatively open-minded people. A Zith may or may not be a Zith all the time. A Symenestra one day might be an Isur the next. That state of never quite knowing doesn't rid people of bigotry or racism, but it does often leave a question in the back of people's mind. Just thought I would dangle that out there for those who might find that interesting.
Have Fun!
I really and sincerely hope you're all enjoying both Alvadas and Mizahar in general. I'm always moved to say that I really do just have a wonderful collection of players, and I'm very grateful to all of you for making my life all that much more easier.
If any of you have any questions at all, feel free to ask them here or send me a PM! Have a wonderful day!
by Trista on March 9th, 2015, 4:38 pm 
I'm new and I wanna RP ( god, this is awkward sounding ) 
