Welcome to Forum Fridays; a new weekly blog from the creative team behind the world of Ghosts of Eternity! If you are reading this, then you are among the privileged members who have been given the chance to partake in the Ghosts of Eternity forum. With the relaunch of the forum after its prolonged hiatus and the intention to improve the game and world, I felt it would be fun (and I hope a bit informative) to chronicle new updates and the like in this blog, which will be updated - as the title would suggest - every Friday for as regular as time and convenience would allow. There may be some weeks where nothing of notice might go by, or times when an update would have to wait for Saturdays or even Sundays, but for the most part I will try to stay committed to a Friday schedule.
As everyone who would have searched the site by now noticed, the game has changed quite a bit since the first incarnation over three years ago. In the spirit of this change and evolution, the story of our latest adventures will start in a region called the Shatter Isles; the broken remnants of a continent that was ravaged by the introduction of magic to the world. While most islands are independent states intertwined through alliances of trade and convenience as the need arises, there are countless landmasses - both charted and unexplored - covered with wild-choked ruins and filled with strange creatures born from the lingering energies in the air. Some islands even exist in both the world of Maendun and the mysterious world of the Fae, but none have dared to explore those lest they find themselves trapped between both worlds.
Perhaps these ruins and wonders are your reason for coming to the island-state of Ailenvaile. Or perhaps a sense of ambition fueled your departure with the intent to claim a stake in the lucrative commerce? Could the allure of the Shatter Isle's wilderness lured you in, or do you run from your past with the hopes of making your living with a fresh name and old habits?
Alas, for now whatever your hopes and dreams were within this land, they may all be for naught. For no sooner did your ship enter the waters of Havenport did the Galleon Scorpion sail out to greet you, escorting the ship you're traveling on to the ports of the Maw; the great harbor of Havenport, and by extension, Ailenvaile. To your surprise, you discover that your ship is not isolated in this situation, as every ship in the harbor is unloading its passengers and crew, with none taking on any. The Scorpion and a pair of Galleys sit at the opening of the Maw, daring ships to make their move. It is then you realize that the harbor is being blockaded, and even if you wished to leave, there is no way out.
What could have prompted such a blockade? Why has the city taken such a violent precaution? Are they striving to protect the wayward merchants, travelers and pilgrims? Or... are they trying to keep them in?
What mysteries will you uncover in your journeys? Are there great enemies to slay or conspiracies to unravel? Or are you content to stay in this city as it is, and make the best of a bad situation? The choices are yours - as are the boons and banes that come with them.
This is the set-up for this new season of Ghosts of Eternity: Tidings of the Dark Shores. Every week, I will be posting the progress of the story in this blog, including highlights, lowlights, triumphs and pitfalls for the characters.
While most of what I have said is devoted to the forum-based roleplaying game, there are many aspects to look at for the Ghosts of Eternity universe. First and foremost are the projects for GoE: the roleplaying games, the wargame, and the tie-in novel series. At the moment, I am working on the tabletop version of the Ghosts of Eternity game. There has already been one session of this game, and I hope that the group that has been gracious enough to test the game would like to continue on with that process. Although the first game was not as successful as I had hoped, it still inspired me to create a tie-in novel series following our first characters on their adventures. Last, but most certainly not in the least important position, is the wargame that is the brainchild of our forum's resident British person and my right-hand man in this endeavor; Andrew. Andrew is working on the mechanics for the wargame, while I will be contributing the lore and geography. As Ghosts of Eternity is an ever-evolving work-in-progress, I will also write about any new changes I have made or materials that expand on the universe at large.
That being said, although I am working on most of this material by myself, this is by no means a one-man crew. Indeed, this whole endeavor would be for nothing if it was not for the help, encouragement, and feedback I've gotten from my fellow GoE members. I have already mentioned the exploits of Andrew, but I would be remiss - and in a lot of trouble - if I did not mention the other crew members. Megan has been a pillar of support and ideas since the first days of the game, especially with the Mage profession and much of the history, while Chelsie has been instrumental in helping me figure out some nuances and also helping me realize GoE's design aesthetic. Everyone who has been a member has aided in the growth of Ghosts of Eternity, and for their continued support and enthusiasm, I am forever grateful.
In addition to these game updates, which may be infrequent considering I'd want to hammer them out first, there will also be new forum news and updates posted here in the blog as well. Each episode will feature the Hot Topic; a special spotlight on a thread that has garnered some popularity and discussion upon the board. Winners of the Epic Pic of the Week will be announced every Friday, and every first Friday of the month will include the new Item of the Month that will be auctioned off in the Auction House. Last, but not least will be Suggestion Box; a section devoted to addressing some of the questions, comments, and suggestions people leave in the Suggestion Box thread or write in OOC posts.
Once again, I would like to thank each and every one of you for becoming a part of the Ghosts of Eternity forum. It is because of each and every one that I get up in the morning and think, write and discuss this all hours of the day until I finally hit the pillow to dream of new plans. Granted, I may still be doing it, but not with this sort of conviction. This game and world would be nothing if not for your interest, participation and dedication. For those are things that make all the difference in the world.
To our veterans and returning players, welcome back and thank you for putting up with my delays. To our newcomers, welcome and enjoy the Ghosts of Eternity.
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