Forum Thread: https://storium.com/forums#/category/lfp/thread/bfhd2v
“He ain’t gonna to be no frontier gunslinger, killing and running in no gang though. That way’s over. Railroads and government and motor cars and everything gone and done away with all of that.”
It is 1911, near the end of the seventy-year span of the Western American Frontier. Many new and “unfamiliar” people are moving into the West on the train. The town of Blackwater has noticeable modernized differences in architecture and technology compared to other gritty towns like Armadillo and Thieves’ Landing. Electric line poles are popping up along roads.
Some people have a hard time accepting this new lifestyle, and many are willing to fight to preserve their way of life. The frustration many people have with the Federal Government and eastern folk is clearly visible. Being so far away from the modern America gave the West a sense of self-reliance, independence and order which would have difficulty complying with the Federal Government. It was inevitable, as more and more people poured in from the east, that every part of the American West would be populated.
The Old West is being introduced to technology, gaudy clothing, airplanes, and ultimately civilization. While some, like the folk in Blackwater, accept that change others do not accept it. The main two factions at the time appear to be outlaws and the government. Both sides are equally bad, seeing how even though the outlaws kill and steal to live their lives, the government takes money and fills the Old West’s heads with empty promises.
The people from the New West are brightly dressed, own motor vehicles, and are bringing in new technology. While most accept this, others want to destroy the new society. In some eyes, the world is meant to be brutal and a true fight for survival like it was in the Old West. Many think that technology, social order, and government bring nothing but corruption.
The government agents in Blackwater believe they are good even though they usually ruin and interfere with the West more than they help it. Outlaws killed and stole from the rich, but then gave to the poor. This raises the question: Is it acceptable to be evil and brutal in the present in order to achieve a better future?
The West is ending. It’s only a matter of time. This is its final Requiem.
Game Overview
Set in the fictional American West created for Red Dead Redemption. While the tale of John Masten unfolds there are dozens, if not hundreds, of other stories happening all around him. This game explores the world of Red Dead Redemption, the final days of the West, from the view point of those characters.
This particular tale begins shortly after the characters ran into a man lying in the prairie, shot in the chest and bleeding out. The man made his final requests; primarily being to bring his body back to town and not leave him in the prairie. The characters didn’t heed his dying wish and buried him where he lay before parting ways. It’s this single event that marks the crossing point of the characters, and it’s this event that will come back to haunt them in the days to come.
The main narrative will draw on inspiration from folk songs like Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie, Streets of Laredo, In the Pines, Long Black Veil, House of the Rising Sun, John the Revelator, Man of Constant Sorrow, Down in the Willow Garden and others. Though the story itself with is determinant on the cast of characters and their agendas.
Character Creation Notes
Portraits are required. No picture, no entry. Characters are from the early 1900s, portraits should reflect that.
Treat the Backstory as a writing sample. I need to evaluate what kind of writer you are to get a feel for what your moves will be like.
Card Art is all pulled from Red Dead Redemption. That trend doesn’t have to continue, but try to stay in the proper spirit.
Gameplay Notes
Tense (Past, Present, or Future) and Perspective (First or Third Person) can be move dependent. I’m not concerned with keeping a cohesive narrative, just an interesting one.
Speed is set to Normal (2-3 Scenes\week); the exception is I’m not active on weekends. I try to keep things at a steady pace, I will end scenes even if challenges aren’t completed, I will respond mid-scene to keep things moving, I will respond to challenges when they are completed, and I will wrap up scenes if everything has moved on in the narrative without everyone posting. I’m never going to wait on one or two at the expensive of the group. Players that go silent (No Moves, No Comments, No E-Mails) for a week will be written out of the game.
Communication is very important to me. You don’t have to move every day, but at least drop a note in the comments regularly so everyone knows what’s going on. I understand that Real Life happens, but if I don’t know that you’re going to be away I don’t know how to plan for your character.
Knowledge of Red Dead Redemption is not necessary but if you’re curious about locations or kinds of threats you’ll be facing http://reddead.wikia.com is a wonderful reference.
Further Questions
If you have any other questions feel free to e-mail me Rob@BS-Radio.com
Hosted and narrated by:
Rob Justice (RobJustice)
Started 07/10/14.
Scenes played: 4
License: Community License
