The Bear Tavern Awarded Royal Warrant by Lord British!

All,

As many of you now know, The Bear Tavern was recently awarded a Royal Warrant by Lord British in recognition of its service to the community. This is a monumental achievement, one that validates the open and welcoming ethos that we continue to strive for since our founding. This recognition simply would not be possible if it weren’t for the drive, determination and fortitude of many across the community, whom have gone to great lengths to making a difference in the wider world. This ranges from those who have run and managed the events for which we have received praise or, to those who have maintained active involvement in discussions that continue to shape New Britannia. I cannot begin to state how proud I am in the achievements we have made together, as well as in our growth from humble origins to become a solid and steadfast community.

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The Bards of Poets’ Circle to settle in Beran’s Reach

To all,

After a progressive discussion, The High Council of Beran’s Reach is delighted to announce that the Metropolis will be playing host to the Bards of Poets’ Circle Guild, run by Sir Holt Ironfell, their Grandmaster Bard and leader. Poets’ Circle has been awarded one of the few Royal Warrants by Lord British, and Holt is part of the Order of the New Britannian Empire.

The Poets’ Circle will be one of the first guilds to formally establish itself within the settlement, providing a landmark to entertain both citizens and visitors alike. As the foremost musical college, Poets’ Circle hopes to provide the local community with abundant opportunities to become involved in more creative events, culture, arts and, of course, good old fashioned bardic partying. 

This will be a grand addition to the already substantial array of crafts, businesses and communities (within the neighbourhoods of Beran’s Reach) that are set to arrive.

This is an exciting turn of events, but we are far from finished. We have plenty of space for everyone, from those looking for a home to those looking to found their own guilds and businesses. At our current pace, the Metropolis of Beran’s Reach will become a striking attraction for both travellers and those looking for a place to call home. 

Fancy joining us? Due to the generosity of our community the Metropolis has already been secured. New arrivals need not pay a penny. Simply contact me for details, or, apply today at http://www.thebeartavern.org/housing . Regardless of whether you intend to join us or not, our doors our always open, we look forward to seeing you all in future releases!

Yours,

Vallas

SotA Community is Rockin’ It!

Last week we introduced you to some of the exceptional music from our community of composers that is showing up in Shroud of the Avatar. If you had not noticed in that first group of musical compositions we showcased, the titles I requested for the compositions were also a description of what I wanted the pieces to sound like.  While the composers were also allowed to provide a few sentences to describe the piece, I had really hoped that the musical pieces would sound like their names and vice versa.  This naming standard also helps us keep track of what is done, and what remains. This week, we showcase 5 more of the musical compositions that you are already hearing inside SotA:

Kobold Industry: https://soundcloud.com/kailef/the-clockwork-storm-final-sota-kobold-industry-submission
Another masterful piece from Jarrod Kailef, perfectly captures the sound environment we are looking for when players discover the cleaver constructions of the Kobold race. Humans in our world owe a lot to the industry and intelligence of the Kobolds.

Loss of Honor: https://soundcloud.com/doug-yassen/loss-of-honor-shroud-of-the-avatar-final-mix
Douglass Yassen created this wonderful piece which will be found in one of the ruins of ancient Britannia. Sad indeed that the virtues have been forsaken. The loss of Honor is but one of the deep tragedies of the new world.

Mysterious Cavern: https://soundcloud.com/peter-boiko/mysterious-cavern-3
Peter Boiko has crafted a great track here that nicely blends the environmental ambiance we are looking for in mysterious caverns, while also having a captivating and mysterious melody!

Over Hill and Round the Mountain: https://soundcloud.com/richarddaskas/over-hill-and-round-the-mountain-final-version?in=richarddaskas/sets/shroud-of-the-avatar-sota
Richard Daskas perfectly captured this exploration and discovery piece which players will hear as they explore new Britannia. The sun is shining and the world is growing in wonder, what will we find round the next bend or over that far hill?

The Garden of Sorrow: https://soundcloud.com/tinottt/the-garden-of-sorrow
Faustino Sanchez II’s garden of Sorrow will sound perfect in the Necropolis, while players explore this underworld meeting it undead gods and unrestful spirits.

We have so much more to share with you, I am overwhelmed by the creativity and quality of music created for Shroud of the Avatar by YOU, our amazing community!

- Lord British

On Story Question, 3 Act Structure & Hero’s Journey

What is my story ‘about’ (ie. the story question)? Two easy but essential exercises.

  1. Write 10 minutes, and quickly:

 

When people read my novel i want them to feel ______________ at the end. That’s because to me, novels are ___________.

  1. Simple:

 

My lead is a _________________.

His objective is to ____________________.

He is confronted by _____________________ who oppose(s) him because ______________.

The ending will be a knockout when ________________.


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What Makes a Guild Powerful?

The year was 1997. My minotaur crusader on Dark and Shattered Lands MUD had brought a handful of mercenaries into the guild Eclipse, and performed a mutiny. The Guild was in bad shape, possibly the worst in the game. By the time I was through with it, we had poached the top members of all the other ‘evil’ Guilds, and dominated PVP. The staff had to reset banks because we were so rich.

I’ve been leading Guilds ever since then, so lets imagine I might have thought of a few things about what makes a guild ‘powerful’. I also tend to recruit ex-Guild Leaders as officers, using them as knowledgeable advisers. I’ll try to share my strategies with you, so you can understand the viewpoint of a Guild Master, or if you are one yourself, share in the wisdom of leadership.                

I’ve always considered the prime role of a Guild Master to be one of making the Guild as powerful as possible. Personal agenda must be replaced by what is good for the Guild. But “powerful” has man definitions. What exactly does that mean to say, ‘powerful’. in this case?

What qualities make a Guild powerful? Have you been in a powerful Guild that had a unique strategy?

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