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Category: <span>Sylum Information</span>

Sylum Inspiration: Gimli & Legolas

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Gimli & Legolas

We’ve introduced Merry & Pippin along with Aragorn and Boromir.   Figured it was time to introduce Nico’s section of the Fellowship of the Ring.

Legolas is a golden retriever and Gimli is a Basset Hound.  The two mostly stay in Nico’s personal office/study and guard the door.  If Nico doesn’t want anyone into his study, leading to his and Warrick’s personal room, they don’t let them in.

Gimli is talented at slamming his heavy weight against the door to stop any intruders.

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Sylum Inspiration: Mona Lisa

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Mona Lisa

The inspiration of many artists, writers, musicians, thieves…

As we have Leonardo DaVinci in Sylum it was only fitting to have his famous masterpiece.  Well that and Mona Lisa herself still bitches about the painting.  And we won’t mention how many times Raphael stole it, forged it, or just annoyed Leonardo about it!

For More Information: Mona Lisa

Sylum Inspiration: Invisible Dog?

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Y’all are probably scratching your head going – why is an empty leash this weeks Sylum Inspiration.  I mean after all… it’s well… it’s empty!

Today’s Inspiration is all about Billy!! Murdock’s pet dog that has been his loyal companion for a century!!

Wait…what?

Billy is very special, he’s Murdock’s guide to know who’s friendly and who isn’t.  There are those beyond Murdock who can see Billy, and even interact with him, making them part of Murdock’s world.   Billy’s important in Sylum not because it’s the ‘visual joke’ or ‘reference to the TV Show’, he’s important because he represents those Vampires that see the world different from others.  He showcases the vast spectrum of type of characters and people in the Sylum Universe.

So the question is …

Can you see Billy?

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Sylum Inspiration: Lincoln Memorial

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The Lincoln Memorial

As one who has been to DC a few times, this monument is awe inspiring.

The Washington Mall where it’s located has been described in a variety of Sylum stories, and will be the back drop of many more.

It’s also important as Abraham Lincoln has a major roll in the Sylum Universe.

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Sylum Inspiration: Terracotta Warriors

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As I’m working on Shogun Clan – I thought be interesting to showcase the Terracotta Warriors.

The Terracotta Army or the “Terracotta Warriors and Horses” is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210–209 BCE and whose purpose was to protect the emperor in his afterlife.

The figures, dating from approximately the late third century BCE, were discovered in 1974 by local farmers in Lintong District, Xi’an, Shaanxi province. The figures vary in height according to their roles, with the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots and horses. Estimates from 2007 were that the three pits containing the Terracotta Army held more than 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which remained buried in the pits nearby Qin Shi Huang’s mausoleum. Other terracotta non-military figures were found in other pits, including officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians.

My father had the privilege of visiting the museum last year.  He was in awe of the vast amount of warriors and the history surrounding them.

For More Information: Terrocatta Army

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Sylum Inspiration: Sylum Manor

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Sylum Manor

I figured since we just had the 10 year anniversary, it would be fitting to showcase Sylum Manor!

Actually Sylum Manor is based on two plantations:  Oak Alley Plantation and Monmouth Plantation.  The outside of Sylum Manor is based on Oak Alley, as location and the surrounding acres of lands.

Sections of the grounds of Sylum is also based upon Monmouth Plantation.   Design, interior, and their gardens.

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Through my travels and studies through Natchez, Mississippi and New Orleans, Louisiana – I’ve explored and studied both areas and plantations.  Giving a strong bases for Sylum Manor.

Sylum Manor actually doesn’t look like the two Plantations.  It’s larger, more extensive and well a home for a lot of Vampires.   To best put it in perspective of how big Sylum Manor is.   Oak Alley Plantation … itself, the whole building – is Sylum’s front lobby.

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So the building you see here, is only a small portion of how big Sylum Manor actually is.  This is where you would walk into the main lobby, after coming up the oak drive way, pull around the circular drive way, parking in front of the entrance.  You would walk up three steps onto the veranda, porch that wraps around to the back of the house.  Go through a set of double doors, and step into the front lobby, that showcases the grand staircase.

What you see in this photo is that area.

This doesn’t include, the side wings that lead to the Manor Offices and Speed’s Library on the right hand-side.  Or the Dining Room, Ballroom, and kitchen on the left-hand side.  Let alone the 2nd floor that holds: Nico, Tony and Speed’s personal wings – some of them having a 3rd story added into their areas that accommodate: The Art Gallery, the Library, and Personal Suite.

And now for some extra visuals that have inspired Sylum Manor.  These come from both Monmouth and Oak Alley.

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Sylum Inspiration: Irish Wolfhounds

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Irish Wolfhounds: Aka Professional Rugs

Wolfhounds have been through the Sylum stories.   They are large lovable animals, but they are called Wolfhounds for a reason.   We introduced them in Clan War with Boromir and Aragorn, and then later had Faramir and Eomer.  The Vampire namesakes were not to thrilled.

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Sylum Inspiration: Sydney Opera House

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I figured it was appropriate since at the moment I’m working on Oceania for the Sylum Wiki.   There have been stories in and around Oceania Clan, as the wiki is built – it’s history and how it works is starting to develop.

The Sydney Opera House is a famous landmark for Australia, which means it would be center point in Oceania Clan.

For more information: Sydney Opera House

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Sylum Inspiration: Assassins Creed

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Assassins Creed

The series as infiltrated the Sylum Universe.  If paid close attention you can see the references, characters, and influences that it has through out the Universe.  Now I know not everyone plays video games and wondering ‘who are these guys?’ – well in typical Sylum – who they are in the AC world vs Sylum world varies.  If you’re curious on the series and do have gaming consuls I do suggest you get them – they are tons of fun.  If you don’t – there are a series of books by Oliver Bowden.

As stated the characters have invaded Sylum.  Some not quite in the way you would think – others exactly.  You’ve been introduced to Ezio and Altair.   There has been hints towards Edward Kenway.   Connor Kenway lurks but can be seen.  Aveline you’ll be meeting very soon.  Arno … if you haven’t figured that one out yet – I suggest reading Going Home and watch the AC Unity Trailer.

Now each of the ‘Assassins’ have their own symbols – these will be seen and used through out Sylum to identify our guys.


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Altair

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Ezio

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Edward Kenway

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Connor Kenway

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Arno

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Nikolai

wait..who? *smirks*

The only hint you get he’s Russian …

*come closer*

… might want to read Michael Westen series

*shifty look*

And the newest ….

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Sylum Inspiration: Mandarin Oriental – Miami

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Mandarin Oriental: Miami

This hotel made its debut in the release of the 10th Anniversary of Kiss of Death.

In the Sylum Universe – Mandarin Oriental is owned by Speed.  His penthouse is on the top floor, where he explains the world of Vampires to his team.

It will heavily showcased in Bonding and future Sylum stories – keep an eye out for it in the Michael Westen series.

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Sylum Inspiration: May the Fourth Be With You

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As today is May the Fourth Be With You! I figured Star Wars would be a good Sylum Inspiration.  As you may have noticed that one of the stories from Advent was Star Wars based.  So yes Star Wars will make it into Sylum.  Again the how, what, when and where is all a mystery of the force!!

But I will say Obi-Wan Kenobi will play an important roll in Sylum.

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And he even looks adorable in cartoon form.

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PS: My shoulder is doing better – thank you for the well wishes.  Still not up to 100% and doing things at a very slow rate.  And because its Star Wars Day and Obi-Wan is my favorite up there with Han….

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Blog: Update

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Quick Update

The General did some damage to the shoulder on friday.  After a trip to urgent care the general is hyped on good pain meds and down for the count for a while.

What does this mean?

The Blog will not be updated over the next few days, most likely week.

 

Sylum Inspiration: Masyaf

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Masyaf is the home of the Assassin Order.

For Sylum – it’s still full functional and very well hidden.  No one can get to Masyaf unless you know where it’s located.  A few of our characters have trained at Masyaf, and not just those ‘known’ as Assassins.

Masyaf does actually exist and has an extensive history.

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