Foreign Languages.
Do you speak any other language than your native one?
Do you want to learn another language?
Throwback Thursday Continual Soirée by Taibhrigh
Title: Continual Soirée
Author: Taibhrigh
Summary: Two people’s lives change when one walks into a bar is Absaroka County, Wyoming.
Link to Archive
Sylum Essay Series: Recycling
One of things you’re going to start seeing in the Sylum Universe is how the Vampires interact with their environment.
Since the Manor doesn’t actually exist, their impact doesn’t show in where they’re located. If you look at images of Oak Alley Plantation the house is quite small compared to what Sylum Manor is described … actually Oak Alley would be the front room, beginning of the grand staircase, and maybe Nico’s Manor Office … that’s it. The Manor itself is 8 to 10 times the size, and that’s not including the outlining buildings: Garage, Stables, Barn, Lab, Medical Facilities to name a few.
Because Sylum Manor is so much bigger, it impacts the surrounding areas, like Vacherie. For us the town is a larger town, and sustainable by their own shops, smaller farmers in the areas, and employment at the Manor.
All the Clans are similar. Where the Clan base is located the town nearby would be subsequent chosen ones and working mostly for the Clan. There would be generations who would know the Vampires, and would have had jobs in and out of the main houses, work locations and just making sure no one asks to many questions.
The longer the Vampire lives the more likely they’ll see their impact on the world. Some of it would be socially, politically, and even environmentally. The Vampires would be the first to look for ways to reduce their footprint, especially if they are trying to cover said ‘footprint’.
They would also have the capital to invest into new ideas, and for some re-invest in old ideas. Sylum Manor had indoor heating way before most people, since they used old Roman techniques.
The Manor itself kept a large portion of their wetlands to make sure they didn’t get flooding. They would’ve planted their crops in old Medieval versions instead of the new ways, which led them to not being affected by the Dust Bowl.
They would recycle everything they could, have a compost heap in the back, have their own vegetable and herb gardens, and likely livestock up until the modern era (accept pigs because Tony despises the creatures … pigs aren’t allowed on the Manor property and pork is not cooked when he is in the area).
Artemus would like get solar panels onto the Manor the moment it was feasible. He would also be looking into getting bio-domes to go over the Aviaries instead of the netting. As electric cars become more prominent they would like switch some of the Manor Vehicles over.
Also put money into science, research, and how to find better ways to conserve. Some of these Vampires would remember some of the best air quality to some of the worst. Just talk to Jake and Evie about London in the late 19th Century.
So are challenge to you!
Not all of us can do solar panels or have a compost heap.
But we all can do our part for the Environment, even if it’s just looking to see if that package is recyclable. Or separate out your garbage or maybe walk instead of drive. We all can help, even by doing just one thing.
Book Project: Sylum Timestamp
A while back I asked for help on a book project to help market Conversations in Real Time (If you still want to help just click on the link) for those who did I promised a timestamp for Sylum of a character they chosen from the Sylum Wiki.
This one is for Maria who asked for Nathan Algren … I do apologize for this being so late.
Title: Did That Statue Just Move
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: PG-13
Summary: He swore they were screwing with his mind.
Sylum Timeline: 1872 AD
Author’s Note: This is very raw, basically the idea finally came to me and I sat down and wrote this up … it will get cleaned and edited.
***
Nathan was pretty sure that the Hunters were screwing with him.
He settled outside his and Katsumoto’s room and began his meditation. It was the one thing that had helped him through the past months, especially with all the changes in his life.
Or now undead life.
He had come to Japan expecting a cushy job, at first he had found nothing but death. He had taken one look at the young men … no boys, and knew they would die. Just like the boys under his command at Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and the last of them at Petersburg.
No one had listened.
He sat on his horse watching them be slaughtered by trained warriors. He had rode into battle, to save as many as he could.
Only to be saved himself.
Katsumoto had dried him out, made him face his demons.
Even now, being Mated and settled with the strength of their Bond around him, there are moments the screams of his men have his hands shaking, desperate for a drink to drown the noise out.
But he was stronger than that.
He knew that now.
So they trained him, made him a Samurai.
The Red Samurai.
He found himself and rode into battle next to Katsumoto, trusting his own instincts and that of his men.
Losing Katsumoto had almost did him in, but he honored his death and carried his sword to the Emperor. Told him the story of a true warrior.
Then returned back to the village, to live out his years fighting next to his fellow warriors.
Only to be even more shocked to discover that Katsumoto wasn’t as dead … well dead was the right word for it. Before he could even react he was pulled into Katsumoto’s rooms, told about Vampires and Mates, while be stripped down, washed and prepped.
Instinctively he knew that was were he belonged, so he didn’t fight it. Instead he gave himself over to his Mate.
And never regretted.
Until now.
Because he knew for sure the Hunters were fucking with him, and his Mate was in on it.
He took deep breathes to settle his mind. After a few moments he opened his eyes, and it had changed again.
“Who the hell is doing it?!” He growled moving to stand.
“My dearest…”
“Don’t you even!” Nathan glared at his Mate. “Your Hunters are screwing with my head. You know I got it when I was an arrogant drunk, I deserved it. But, this is now annoying.”
Katsumoto reached out running his hand through is Mate’s longer locks. He had contemplated having the woman cut it when they prepped him, but he was glad he didn’t. Nathan was beautiful, hair windblown, eyes flashing in suspicion and righteous indignation.
“Han is having some fun.”
“I’m kicking his ass during training later.” He muttered stalking across the small garden in the middle of the Clan houses.
He knew they weren’t the permanent Clan home, Katsumoto promised to take him in a few years, he wanted at the time being to stay close to the old tribes. Which Nathan could understand, he wasn’t quite ready to leave the area. They were isolated and this was where he found himself, he wasn’t sure if he was ready yet to … move on.
As he got to the other side, there on the edge of the garden was a dragon statue. It was elegantly carved, the body curved, and front right paw was posed to strike.
The problem.
He swore the dragon was facing East yesterday.
And the day before it was the left paw lifted off the ground.
He stopped in front of if and stared at it.
“You stare long enough it will move.”
Nathan turned quickly, hand reaching for the dagger he carried. He didn’t recognize the man before him. He was tall, wearing traditional clothing, the robes flowed around him in a way that gave him full movement. He was leaning against a large staff, though he was facing Nathan, his eyes were focused over his shoulder.
He realized that he was blind.
“Of course that is only legend. I’ve stared at it for hours, never moved once.”
Nathan snorted. “I am Nathan, we haven’t been introduced yet.”
“Sifu.” He nodded his head. “We had heard Katsumoto had acquired a Mate, so we wanted to come see. Well my Mate can later describe you to me.”
“Who is your Mate?” He looked around the small garden not seeing anyone around.
“Marco.” Sifu moved closer to the statue, letting his hand wander over the curves. “He was an explorer at one time, still gets lost.”
“I do not.”
Nathan was surprised to see a Western face, he had thought Kensei was the only other Westerner.
“I am Marco, see you’ve met my asshole of a Mate. Watch it, he’ll have you searching for butterflies in the field…”
“Even when there aren’t any?” Nathan snickered. “Han pulled that one already.”
Sifu huffed.
“Where are you from? If you don’t mind me asking.” Nathan realized that he had slipped into English not even realizing it.
“Italy, along with my father. He’s away with his Mate at the moment, traveling to Syria.” Marco glanced to the statue. “Is there a reason we’re staring at it?”
“The Hunters keep moving it, or exchanging it. I swear it moves…”
Marco opened his mouth, only to have a hand cover it. “Marco! Sifu!” Han Shizhong smiled at his fellow Clan Members. “Welcome back, I’m sure our esteemed Clan Leader will like to talk with you about your travels.”
Nathan’s eyes narrowed at the other warrior.
Han just smirked, leading the two away.
“Stare long enough, my friend, and all will be revealed.” Sifu called out as they were pulled out of the garden.
Nathan bent down and looked the statue in the eyes, then felt like an idiot. He straightened up, and headed for the stables, he wanted to go for a ride to get rid of the bent up energy.
***
“You need to stop!”
Nathan came to a halt, sliding up against the wall.
“I am testing.”
“You can only go so far, before Katsumoto will get upset, because Nathan is upset.” Kensei sounded annoyed. “This isn’t one to tease…”
“Go now.”
Nathan moved around the corner to see Kensei standing by himself, hands on his hips glaring out towards the garden. He sighed and startled when he saw Nathan.
“So they are messing with me!”
Kensei eyes shifted, looking for help that was wasn’t coming. “Nathan how was your ride?”
He just gave him a look.
“My dearest.” Katsumoto stepped up to his Mate, kissing his temple, trying to calm him down. He could feel the irritation and underlying hurt. “Come with me, lets get you in a bath.”
He let himself be led away, and as they passed the dragon statue, he was damn sure its tail was flipped upwards instead of down like this morning.
“How are they doing it?” He asked as they entered their rooms.
“Tomorrow.” Katsumoto stripped him out of his robes, running his hands over the lean body making sure there were no injuries. He still didn’t like how thin Nathan was, and would make sure Kensei added more food to his Mate’s meals.
Nathan leaned into the soothing touch, giving himself over to his love.
***
The next morning he did his meditations, clearing his thoughts and settling his emotions. When he opened his eyes, he was staring at the dragon statue, which was closer than it was the previous days.
“Okay, lets do this.” He stood then moved across the small space, settling back down in front of the statue. “If I stare at you long enough, you’ll move right.”
He sat there for what seemed like hours. He knew members of the Clan were moving around him, but he was not giving up his quest.
There was a whine.
Nathan leaned forward, lifting his hand and poked the statue.
It suddenly dissolved and fell to the ground, rolling onto its back with an over exaggerated sigh. “Fine you win!”
“Holy shit.” He actually hadn’t expected it to move, he wasn’t sure what he had expected. “What are you?”
“Dragon.” The creature wiggled until it’s head was in Nathan’s lap. “And I declare you my human.”
“Ahhhh.” Nathan reached out and began to touch the red scales.
It was beautiful.
Long, over six feet in length. Sinewy, he could see how he posed as a traditional oriental Dragon. The scales were mixed of the reds, and were soft yet hard. There were long whiskers coming from it’s snout, and the ears were laid back against the back of its head.
“What’s your name?” He asked slowly petting the creature.
“Mushu.”
“So it was you messing with me?” He pinched the dragon, who squeaked scurrying up until was able to look Nathan in the face.
“Testing. I saw you when you arrived.”
“Not my best,” he admitted.
“But you conquered your fears. This is a great strength.” He moved around Nathan resting his head on his shoulder. “I claim you as my human.”
“What does that mean?”
“I watch over you.” He flopped down head on Nathan’s lap again. “And you give me pets.”
He laughed lightly, giving the dragon what he wanted.
A shadow fell over them.
Nathan glanced up to see his Mate smiling down at him. “I see you finally met Mushu.”
“You could have told me.”
“It’s how he test those in the Clan. See which ones will sit down and stare at him, or others who ignore.” Katsumoto settled across from there, getting a tail in his lap. “Only one who sat down in front of him the first day, was Sifu.”
“He saw past what Mushu wanted him to see.” Nathan looked down at the now snoring dragon.
“Niccolo leaned against him to read, while Marco sat and stared at it.” Katsumoto shrugged. “He scared the crap out of Han, and Kensei still hasn’t forgiven him for messing with his kitchen.”
“And you?” He asked with interest.
“He was the one who told me, I would find my destiny when I saw the white tiger.”
Nathan reached over and took Katsumoto’s hand.
***
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Sylum Inspiration: Inigo Montoya
Passion/Inegridad Kin Clan: Hunter
Inigo was raised on a farm, had every intention to follow his father’s footsteps, marry a good woman, have kids and be a farmer.
It was destroyed when his father and family was killed. He set out for revenge, learning along the way how to fight and ended up becoming a mercenary in many ways.
He finally found the man who killed his father, and when confronted him ended up working with a Frenchman. Afterwards the man was dead, Turned to dust in front of him, but he didn’t care. As he fell to the floor bleeding, the Frenchman asked him to live.
Update: Nicholas J. Finch
Working on the 2nd stage of the next book!
Lots of notes, character development, and adding to the first outline.
Recently went downtown LA to do some Location Scouting.
Over all it’s all coming together!
#thepresidentandthesuit
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If you haven’t yet make sure to get: Conversations in Real Time
Format: Epub, Mobi, PDF, iBook … etc
Price: .99 cents
Where:
Smashwords (Note: For those who have Kindle – you can find Mobi Format at Smashwords.)
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Location Scouting
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Coffee House Friday: Audition Friday
So lets discuss Sylum for this Coffee House Friday.
We put out a call for auditions for Sylum Characters a few weeks ago, and we’ve got a few suggestions and we’re looking for more!
The goal for this year is the addition of more Woman and People of Color Characters. They can be from fandom, historical, even mythology. But we really want to increase the amount of woman characters and fill out more of Medjai, Ghost/Darkness, Shogun, Sanguen & Kin Clans.
Fill out the form below with character name, clan, position, and relevant links/info.
We’re taking auditions up to August 30th.
If we have further questions we’ll email you directly.
Throwback Thursday: Sylum Trailers
Last week we put up a Memorial for Chester Bennington Lead Singer of Linkin Park. With the statement that much of their music has been an influence on Sylum. Yesterday’s post weirdly showed how long they’ve been an influence!
I know we showcased the Sylum Music Room just a few Throwback Thursday’s ago … but I wanted to showcase Videos/Trailers made for Sylum that used Linkin Park’s music. To show how they really have become Sylum’s Soundtrack.
Trailers/Videos
Lost Son 10th Anniversary Video
Into Winter Teaser Trailer
Roads Untravelled Trailer
CSI: Anthology Trailer
Sylum’s Hackers (Mike Shinoda)
Clan Travel Brochure
***
Fanmixes w/Linkin Park Songs
CSI: Anthology
10th Anniversary Vol 1
10th Anniversary Vol 2
Clan Travel Brochure
Graphic Gecko Once Upon A Time Playlist
***
5th Year Anniversary of Sylum Blog
Happy 5th Anniversary: Sylum Blog
The first post on the blog was July 29, 2012 …
okay so now officially 5 Years and a few days 🙂
It was fun to look back at those first few posts!
There were posts from Bob, Bob 2, Alien and Continuity Hamster!
The beginning of Demons & Angels
With in a few days we had posts for Mike Shinoda and Linkin Park … which really shows how much Linkin Park has been an influence on Sylum #RIPChester
*Raises Glass*
So here’s to 5 more years! And many more posts, teasers, and sylum!
Sylum Inspiration: Westley
Passion Kin Clan: Lead Hunter
Wait – why are we getting 2 Inspirations? Well because the 1st of the month fell on an awkward Tuesday 🙂
Westley started off as a simple farm hand, who fell in love with a girl. When she finally realized he was in love with her, and fell for him, he set out to make a fortune so they could be together.
Only to be caught by Pirates, then trained to be a Pirate Captain.
When he returned for her, he discovered she married another, and died while having his kid. Not sure what to do, he ended up wandering the countryside robbing people. He ended up trying to rob Marek, who had him begging for mercy in seconds.
(Dilios Note: Not that Westley wanted to admit that)
He gave the Pirate Captain a new chance at life.
Sylum Inspiration: Álvaro de Bazán
Integridad: Hunter
Álvaro de Bazán was born in Granada, southern Spain.
His grandfather, Álvaro de Bazán, took part in the conquest of Granada in 1492, and his father, Álvaro de Bazán the Elder, took part together with Giovanni Andrea Doria and others marines in the recapture of Tunis in 1535, and was distinguished in the service of Charles V, by whom he was made general of the galleys or commander-in-chief of the Spanish naval forces in the Mediterranean.
The future admiral followed his father in his youth, and was employed in the high command of the Spanish navy at a very early age. At the age of eight he was appointed “Military Governor and captain of the fortress and city of Gibraltar”. His command however was via his father who was in commands of the galleys of Spain. It has been speculated that this unusual appointment was intended to show Charles V’s confidence but the commander of the galleys did not share that confidence and he suggested to no effect that Gibraltar’s Line Wall Curtain be extended to the southern tip of the rock. He was a member of the Military Order of Santiago (St. James). In 1564, he aided in the capture of Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, and commanded the division of galleys employed to blockade Tetuan, and to suppress the piracy carried on from that port. The service is said to have been successfully performed. Bazán certainly earned the confidence of Philip II, by whom he was appointed to command the galleys of Naples in 1568. This post brought him into close relations with John of Austria, when the Holy League was formed against the Turks in 1570.
During the operations which preceded and followed the Battle of Lepanto, Bazán was always in favor of the more energetic course. In the battle he commanded the reserve division, and his prompt energy averted a disaster when Uluj Ali, who commanded the left wing of the Turks, outmaneuvered the commander of the Christian right, Gian Andrea Doria, the nephew of his old comrade Andrea Doria, and broke the Allied line. He accompanied Don John of Austria at the taking of Tunis in the following year.
When Philip II enforced his claim as heir to the crown of Portugal in 1580–1581, Santa Cruz held a naval command. But António, Prior of Crato, an illegitimate representative of the former Portuguese royal family, who conducted some popular resistance to the crowning of what was seen as a foreign king, continued to hold the islands of the Azores. António was supported by a number of French adventurers under Philip Strozzi, a Florentine exile in the service of France. Santa Cruz was sent as “Admiral of the Ocean” to drive the pretender and his friends away in 1582. Badly outnumbered, he won the Battle of Ponta Delgada off Terceira Island against a loose confederation of Portuguese, French, English and Dutch adventurers and privateers, which decided the struggle for the Azores in favor of the Spanish Habsburgs.
Santa Cruz, who recognized that England presented a grave threat to Spain’s empire, became a zealous advocate of war. A letter written by him to King Philip from Angra do Heroísmo in Terceira, on August 9, 1583, contains the first definite suggestion of the Spanish Armada.
Santa Cruz himself was to have commanded. His plans, schemes and estimates occupy a conspicuous place in the documents concerning the Armada collected by Don Cesário Duro. The hesitating character of the king, and his many embarrassments, political and financial, caused many delays, and left Santa Cruz unable to act with effect. He was at Lisbon without the means of fitting out his fleet, when Francis Drake burnt the Spanish ships at Cádiz during his 1587 expedition. The independence of judgment shown by Santa Cruz ended by offending the king, and he was held responsible for the failures and delays which were the result of the bad management of his master. His death, which occurred on February 9, 1588 at Lisbon, was said to have been hastened by the unjustified reproaches of the king.
For More Information Contact the Vampire Council Library
Álvaro was a bit shocked to see his enemy Francis Drake show up at his door. Drake smirked and gave him an opportunity, he knew Álvaro had a future and was smarter than the political idiots.
Reminder: Ask A Pirate!
As we’re prepping for Pirate Appreciation Day, we’re looking for question for our resident Pirates!
So who exactly are our resident Pirates?
Captain Jack Sparrow (The one and only)
Captain Hector Barbossa (Technically)
Captain Warrick Calhoun (Pirate!)
Captain Edward Kenway (Fights like a Devil dressed like a Man)
So please send the Vampire Gazette your questions and we’ll herd the Pirates (be something akin to herding cats) together to have a panel discussion to answer your questions.
Don’t make me keelhaul all y’alls!!
And for some incentive – sneak peek at some new changes to the 2nd story in the series!
***
“WILL!” Elizabeth ran to him then stopped as he passed right by her.
Will walked straight to Jack, and pulled him into his arms kissing him fiercely. He knew he probably shouldn’t have, but they both needed the reconnection. He felt the Bond settling, soothing their aching souls.
Jack stepped back, eyes dancing with mirth and passion. “How did you escape?” he asked casually as if they were the only two on the beach.
“Sea turtles.” Will answered, an old joke between them.
“Hard buggers to tame aren’t they?” Sparrow rolled his eyes, hand reaching out, wanting so much more, instead a finger rested on the hidden item under Will’s shirt.
“Kinda like you.” Will removed the key from his neck. “Is that the chest?”
“Aye, did you see ye father?” Jack asked as they moved back toward the item.
“Yes, I did.” Will nodded ignoring Elizabeth behind him. He really didn’t care what she thought of the situation. “Now that we have the heart we can kill it and free you and him.”
Jack noticed Norrington going for his sword. “Not so fast.”
He looked up at his Mate. “Jack?” Will shifted to see Norrington of all people sword drawn. He had no idea what the former commander was even doing there. He stood, moving next to Jack, hand resting on his own sword.
“I’ll be taking the key, Mister Turner.” Norrington pushed the two away from the chest. “At least now I understand why you left Port Royal.”
“I told you once before Norrington.” Will stepped closer, voice dark and menacing. “My place is between you and Jack.”
***