confessionmod (confessionmod) wrote in londonconfess, @ 2008-06-16 05:46:00 |
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Entry tags: | mod post, ooc, setting |
Setting
The London Confessions is a game centered around the interactions between various people of different social classes in Victorian London. People are involved in the lives of other people in many different ways, even ways they don't expect or think about, daily. We may all give deference to a prince, visit the friendly local barber for a chat and a haircut, buy tonight's dinner from the butcher, or give a few pennies to a bum on the corner. We are all involved in one great pervading story that connects us all and becomes the story of our nations.
In the Victorian era, people liked to stay in touch with others through the lost art of handwritten letters. They wrote them for any and every occasion -- to offer well wishes on holidays, to confess love, to confess hatred, to invite to events, to say goodbye. They also kept diaries of their lives, leaving us touching and astounding accounts that still affect us today. These two concepts will be very important to play.
Another important article will be the newspaper. Newspapers and magazines were important for local news, world news, artistic reviews, caricature and political cartoons, and of course political and social commentary. That means that things your character does might end up on everyone's front doorstep tomorrow! We will be having a regular newspaper in which players will be allowed to submit their own content. See the rules for more details and what you can submit.
In order to play here, you also need to understand a little something about the social climate of the era. It was a time of great change, when many people were migrating from rural farms to the big city in search of jobs in the new, booming industrial environment. Everyone was looking for their place in society, and perhaps a place in fame. The new reign of the machine meant that more people had a chance at getting rich, and maybe quick!
Those who were already rich had one primary goal: to keep out those who wanted to be like them. They were comfortable in their ways and shunned 'new money'. Their occupations led them all over the world, but once a year these butterflies of society returned to their nest for the greatest event of the year: The London Season, when every summer everyone who was anyone came home to throw massive balls, attend artistic and sporting events, and form new alliances. It was possible for one of a lower station to join their ranks, if he or she had the money and power, but it was a long, hard road.
How will you work your way to the top?
Other notes:
The London Confessions is "AU", meaning it is not an exact replica of Victorian London and we do not expect anyone to know every single detail. We may even encourage making worthwhile changes to reality, though we do ask that you not do anything too crazy, so that everyone can stay on the same page. That means no magic, no rocket ships, no killing the queen, no flooding Ireland, etc. However, you are free to invent your own famous actress, booming business, or anything else your mind can dream up.
Keep in mind that social mores and conventions are very tight. This means you must always appear to follow the 'code of society'... at least outwardly. Just remember the golden Victorian rule:
Everything is grand... JUST DON'T GET CAUGHT!
Highly Suggested Reading Material:
Fashion:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1880s_in_f
http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/i
Etiquette and Culture:
http://www.logicmgmt.com/1876/intro.h
http://www.literary-liaisons.com/articl
Architecture and Places
http://flickr.com/photos/ddtmmm/sets/72
Feel free to post your own relevant links!