- Welcome to Calamity Refuge.
Recent posts
#1
General Discussion / Re: The Welcoming Committee
Last post by Slaggstone Bruntt - March 20, 2023, 09:59:24 PMHey! I'm known by theZitznarf over the wider internet, but also go by Slaggy B in NationStates Circles. My pronouns are he/him or she/her with no preference, and live in BC, Canada. I'm in my late twenties, work in a thrift store, and spend my free time playing NationStates, listening to music, playing all sorts of board games, and occasionally I'll go out and longboard around town. Although I've been roleplaying for more than half my life, as of late I just haven't had the motivation to get very deep into it... I started playing NationStates again as a way to world build for a solo FATE Core campaign, but never really went back to doing that. I'm a punk and a raver, and love me some good trouble.
When the temperature reaches a point most people hide from the sun, I am outside soaking it in.
My favourite movie is Johnny Mnenomic. My favourite band is Weezer. My favourite book is Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. Lastly, my favourite video game is Fallout New Vegas, but lately I've been obsessed with Red Dead Online and Elden Ring.
I look forwards to getting to know you all!
When the temperature reaches a point most people hide from the sun, I am outside soaking it in.
My favourite movie is Johnny Mnenomic. My favourite band is Weezer. My favourite book is Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. Lastly, my favourite video game is Fallout New Vegas, but lately I've been obsessed with Red Dead Online and Elden Ring.
I look forwards to getting to know you all!
#2
Spam / Re: One Word Storyline
Last post by Kal - March 20, 2023, 09:32:52 PMOnce upon a star supernova, twenty six legendary cards descended from our tall card tower. Hooray!
Our newfound love Testlandia, wore splendid magenta fursuit, specifically commissioned to contain BEES! It buzzed through rainbow, over walls yonder, and into the sky. At midnight, Gerald Ford erupted from his volcanic lair, overflowing with meritorious service. Both chambers reloaded their legislative shotguns while removing glistering shirts, heated by lava undershirts. Ford devoured the 535 imperial guards, while copper prices skyrocketed, and legislation stalled.
Meanwhile, the legendary crocodile, Crocodile Irwin, initiated CPR for the legislature of New Hartoria. Mercifully, HS wrote textwalls of nonsense which follows:
"Spinning crickets mercifully inundate Equestria"
Obviously, this sucked. Mercifully, Andraste (Jesus Ronaldo) smote tobacco from a Tevinter corpse. Aromatic! It smelled. Unclear directions confounded the manufacturing executives, who decided there was no better fate than death. Opportunistically, they provided Andraste more timeshares filled 37% of the time by Tevinter, but why? For this, the ultimate price of three dollars and forty seven cents must be paid.
Dissenting Justice reminds us of prison. Thanks Justice! Very cool! Not until Alexander Wallexander jumped out and landed beside several upside-down teletubbies doing
Our newfound love Testlandia, wore splendid magenta fursuit, specifically commissioned to contain BEES! It buzzed through rainbow, over walls yonder, and into the sky. At midnight, Gerald Ford erupted from his volcanic lair, overflowing with meritorious service. Both chambers reloaded their legislative shotguns while removing glistering shirts, heated by lava undershirts. Ford devoured the 535 imperial guards, while copper prices skyrocketed, and legislation stalled.
Meanwhile, the legendary crocodile, Crocodile Irwin, initiated CPR for the legislature of New Hartoria. Mercifully, HS wrote textwalls of nonsense which follows:
"Spinning crickets mercifully inundate Equestria"
Obviously, this sucked. Mercifully, Andraste (Jesus Ronaldo) smote tobacco from a Tevinter corpse. Aromatic! It smelled. Unclear directions confounded the manufacturing executives, who decided there was no better fate than death. Opportunistically, they provided Andraste more timeshares filled 37% of the time by Tevinter, but why? For this, the ultimate price of three dollars and forty seven cents must be paid.
Dissenting Justice reminds us of prison. Thanks Justice! Very cool! Not until Alexander Wallexander jumped out and landed beside several upside-down teletubbies doing
#3
Roleplay / Re: The Harbor
Last post by Kal - March 20, 2023, 09:30:43 PM"Why did we come on this ship again?" Cesandro asked his friend standing beside him.
"Because we need to find out where this will take us," Nyloth replied.
"You know I don't like ships, my friend."
"Well I might need backup and you are the only person I trust enough to help me with this"
"Still, I prefer my hooves planted firmly on the ground, thank you very much."
A voice boomed out an announcement. "Well too late now Cesandro, here we go."
Suddenly a queasy feeling came over Cesandro and he blacked out.
When he awoke Nyloth was standing over him looking worried, Cesandro stood up and looked around, "where in the many layers of hell are we?"
"Because we need to find out where this will take us," Nyloth replied.
"You know I don't like ships, my friend."
"Well I might need backup and you are the only person I trust enough to help me with this"
"Still, I prefer my hooves planted firmly on the ground, thank you very much."
A voice boomed out an announcement. "Well too late now Cesandro, here we go."
Suddenly a queasy feeling came over Cesandro and he blacked out.
When he awoke Nyloth was standing over him looking worried, Cesandro stood up and looked around, "where in the many layers of hell are we?"
#4
Roleplay / The Harbor: OOC
Last post by Catherine - March 20, 2023, 08:01:33 AMSaving this to come back and do the OOC links to wiki etc in a little bit.
Main thread: https://forum.calref.ca/index.php?topic=242.0
Usual encouragement to discuss stuff here or in the roleplay channel on Discord! :D
Main thread: https://forum.calref.ca/index.php?topic=242.0
Usual encouragement to discuss stuff here or in the roleplay channel on Discord! :D
#5
Roleplay / The Harbor
Last post by Catherine - March 20, 2023, 08:00:05 AMSometimes, life is like a rowboat slowly filling with water.
That was the thought going through Mallie's head as she clung on the sides of the castle for dear life, the prison guards at the window above her, and a steep drop to where the ocean crashed below her. Okay, maybe this had not been her brightest idea yet, but it sure beat dying for the crime of "piracy". She hadn't even set foot on a boat in her life before this morning to swipe the ring that had landed her in all this hot water. How was she to know it belonged to the Princess, or that the soldier who caught her would want to make an example of her? And yet here she was, the only thing between her and a world of pain her measly grip on a couple of uneven bricks. Escape may not have been her brightest idea, but who on earth decides to build a prison hanging out over the ocean!
Just as Mallie was giving up and debating whether it would be quicker and more comfortable to fall into the ocean or surrender to whatever the prison guards had in store for her, Fate herself intervened - a ship! Heading right underneath her, and if she timed the jump right, she could probably make it on to the mast... maybe? Deciding that this was currently the only course of action that wasn't going to result in a 100% chance of death, Mallie committed to her third less than bright idea of the day, closed her eyes, whispered a quick prayer to Fate under her breath, and leapt.
A few heart-pounding moments suspended in mid-air, and as she began to wonder if she'd missed and was just hurtling towards the ocean, suddenly she smacked her face against the wooden post of the ship's mast, getting tangled in the ropes that held the sails. Perhaps that idea would have been better if she'd kept her eyes open. But, she thought as she tentatively opened her eyes and gently brought a hand to her bleeding cheek, still alive! She slowly shimmied down the mast, keeping an eye out for anyone who might notice her and turn her in to the soldiers again. At least if she got caught, she'd somewhat earned that piracy sentence now, ha. Near the bottom, she suddenly heard a voice, and panicking, wrapped herself up in the furled-up sail.
"This is the Captain of The Harbor speaking. Ready yourselves for transport in 30 seconds, folks! All arms and legs inside the ride!"
"Who on earth names their ship The Harbor?" thought Mallie. "And what a strange announcement to the crew! What on earth could they mean by transport in 30 sec-"
Suddenly, the whole ship began to shudder and tremble violently, and a feeling came over Mallie like her insides had been taken out, braided together and then put back not quite right. Her entire body felt like it was being squashed down by some outside pressure and she gritted her teeth to stop yelling out in pain, when the feeling stopped as quickly and unexpectedly as it had started. Too terrified to even breathe, she grasped the rough material of the sail more tightly, trying not to be sick over herself. It could have been hours or minutes, but eventually her racing heart calmed, and the silent tears streaming down her face stopped, and she finally, finally built up the courage to gently lift her head and peek out at her surroundings.
Mallie couldn't stop the gasp that escaped her. The ship, which had a few minutes ago been on the ocean near the castle, where ships belonged, was now in a sort of... bubble? And beyond the bubble, endless darkness, which would have been a void had it not been for the millions of stars that twinkled in every direction as far as the eye could see, with no sign of land or ocean anywhere.
Sweet Fate, what have I got myself into now?
That was the thought going through Mallie's head as she clung on the sides of the castle for dear life, the prison guards at the window above her, and a steep drop to where the ocean crashed below her. Okay, maybe this had not been her brightest idea yet, but it sure beat dying for the crime of "piracy". She hadn't even set foot on a boat in her life before this morning to swipe the ring that had landed her in all this hot water. How was she to know it belonged to the Princess, or that the soldier who caught her would want to make an example of her? And yet here she was, the only thing between her and a world of pain her measly grip on a couple of uneven bricks. Escape may not have been her brightest idea, but who on earth decides to build a prison hanging out over the ocean!
Just as Mallie was giving up and debating whether it would be quicker and more comfortable to fall into the ocean or surrender to whatever the prison guards had in store for her, Fate herself intervened - a ship! Heading right underneath her, and if she timed the jump right, she could probably make it on to the mast... maybe? Deciding that this was currently the only course of action that wasn't going to result in a 100% chance of death, Mallie committed to her third less than bright idea of the day, closed her eyes, whispered a quick prayer to Fate under her breath, and leapt.
A few heart-pounding moments suspended in mid-air, and as she began to wonder if she'd missed and was just hurtling towards the ocean, suddenly she smacked her face against the wooden post of the ship's mast, getting tangled in the ropes that held the sails. Perhaps that idea would have been better if she'd kept her eyes open. But, she thought as she tentatively opened her eyes and gently brought a hand to her bleeding cheek, still alive! She slowly shimmied down the mast, keeping an eye out for anyone who might notice her and turn her in to the soldiers again. At least if she got caught, she'd somewhat earned that piracy sentence now, ha. Near the bottom, she suddenly heard a voice, and panicking, wrapped herself up in the furled-up sail.
"This is the Captain of The Harbor speaking. Ready yourselves for transport in 30 seconds, folks! All arms and legs inside the ride!"
"Who on earth names their ship The Harbor?" thought Mallie. "And what a strange announcement to the crew! What on earth could they mean by transport in 30 sec-"
Suddenly, the whole ship began to shudder and tremble violently, and a feeling came over Mallie like her insides had been taken out, braided together and then put back not quite right. Her entire body felt like it was being squashed down by some outside pressure and she gritted her teeth to stop yelling out in pain, when the feeling stopped as quickly and unexpectedly as it had started. Too terrified to even breathe, she grasped the rough material of the sail more tightly, trying not to be sick over herself. It could have been hours or minutes, but eventually her racing heart calmed, and the silent tears streaming down her face stopped, and she finally, finally built up the courage to gently lift her head and peek out at her surroundings.
Mallie couldn't stop the gasp that escaped her. The ship, which had a few minutes ago been on the ocean near the castle, where ships belonged, was now in a sort of... bubble? And beyond the bubble, endless darkness, which would have been a void had it not been for the millions of stars that twinkled in every direction as far as the eye could see, with no sign of land or ocean anywhere.
Sweet Fate, what have I got myself into now?
#6
General Discussion / Re: Calamity Refuge Book Club
Last post by Emily - March 17, 2023, 10:02:27 PMSo here's what I'm most interested in. Carmilla came out (ayy) in 1872, and Dracula wasn't published until 1897. Both are very similar in construction and plot, but the differences are that Dracula is more of an outside force throughout the story than Carmilla, and the story of Dracula travels a lot further.
Why wasn't Carmilla the story that exploded in popularity instead? It's so much better, and it's legitimately scary.
I feel like Dracula became more popular for a few reasons, but I'm interested in seeing more discussion about it. I think it was helped by the fact that it (an English novel) was set mostly in England, the vampire was an imposing male figure who was a sexual danger to women, and it had more action near the end. By contrast, I imagine popular audiences weren't as on board with something so openly gay (though lesbian couples were a known thing throughout the 18th and 19th centuries- but since women weren't full citizens, nobody cared as much as they did about M/M couples), so solitarily domestic, and something that was more tension-based than outright horror.
BUT THAT'S SO UNFAIR.
Anyway, the story is great. And the fact that it's easy to read even 150 years after it was published is incredibly cool.
Why wasn't Carmilla the story that exploded in popularity instead? It's so much better, and it's legitimately scary.
I feel like Dracula became more popular for a few reasons, but I'm interested in seeing more discussion about it. I think it was helped by the fact that it (an English novel) was set mostly in England, the vampire was an imposing male figure who was a sexual danger to women, and it had more action near the end. By contrast, I imagine popular audiences weren't as on board with something so openly gay (though lesbian couples were a known thing throughout the 18th and 19th centuries- but since women weren't full citizens, nobody cared as much as they did about M/M couples), so solitarily domestic, and something that was more tension-based than outright horror.
BUT THAT'S SO UNFAIR.
Anyway, the story is great. And the fact that it's easy to read even 150 years after it was published is incredibly cool.
#7
General Discussion / Re: Calamity Refuge Book Club
Last post by mads - March 12, 2023, 06:40:31 PMQuote from: Catherine on March 11, 2023, 09:08:45 AM
All I'm saying is that you'll probably like the webseries! But yeah, the tone shift was kinda weird with the lens I was going into it with, and the way it just kinda gives the big reveal and then ends deffo left me wanting more.
10/10 would read again.
#8
Spam / Re: One Word Storyline
Last post by RubyWednesday - March 12, 2023, 04:52:32 PMOnce upon a star supernova, twenty six legendary cards descended from our tall card tower. Hooray!
Our newfound love Testlandia, wore splendid magenta fursuit, specifically commissioned to contain BEES! It buzzed through rainbow, over walls yonder, and into the sky. At midnight, Gerald Ford erupted from his volcanic lair, overflowing with meritorious service. Both chambers reloaded their legislative shotguns while removing glistering shirts, heated by lava undershirts. Ford devoured the 535 imperial guards, while copper prices skyrocketed, and legislation stalled.
Meanwhile, the legendary crocodile, Crocodile Irwin, initiated CPR for the legislature of New Hartoria. Mercifully, HS wrote textwalls of nonsense which follows:
"Spinning crickets mercifully inundate Equestria"
Obviously, this sucked. Mercifully, Andraste (Jesus Ronaldo) smote tobacco from a Tevinter corpse. Aromatic! It smelled. Unclear directions confounded the manufacturing executives, who decided there was no better fate than death. Opportunistically, they provided Andraste more timeshares filled 37% of the time by Tevinter, but why? For this, the ultimate price of three dollars and forty seven cents must be paid.
Dissenting Justice reminds us of prison. Thanks Justice! Very cool! Not until Alexander Wallexander jumped out and landed beside several upside-down teletubbies
Our newfound love Testlandia, wore splendid magenta fursuit, specifically commissioned to contain BEES! It buzzed through rainbow, over walls yonder, and into the sky. At midnight, Gerald Ford erupted from his volcanic lair, overflowing with meritorious service. Both chambers reloaded their legislative shotguns while removing glistering shirts, heated by lava undershirts. Ford devoured the 535 imperial guards, while copper prices skyrocketed, and legislation stalled.
Meanwhile, the legendary crocodile, Crocodile Irwin, initiated CPR for the legislature of New Hartoria. Mercifully, HS wrote textwalls of nonsense which follows:
"Spinning crickets mercifully inundate Equestria"
Obviously, this sucked. Mercifully, Andraste (Jesus Ronaldo) smote tobacco from a Tevinter corpse. Aromatic! It smelled. Unclear directions confounded the manufacturing executives, who decided there was no better fate than death. Opportunistically, they provided Andraste more timeshares filled 37% of the time by Tevinter, but why? For this, the ultimate price of three dollars and forty seven cents must be paid.
Dissenting Justice reminds us of prison. Thanks Justice! Very cool! Not until Alexander Wallexander jumped out and landed beside several upside-down teletubbies
#10
Spam / Re: One Word Storyline
Last post by Kal - March 12, 2023, 11:14:49 AMOnce upon a star supernova, twenty six legendary cards descended from our tall card tower. Hooray!
Our newfound love Testlandia, wore splendid magenta fursuit, specifically commissioned to contain BEES! It buzzed through rainbow, over walls yonder, and into the sky. At midnight, Gerald Ford erupted from his volcanic lair, overflowing with meritorious service. Both chambers reloaded their legislative shotguns while removing glistering shirts, heated by lava undershirts. Ford devoured the 535 imperial guards, while copper prices skyrocketed, and legislation stalled.
Meanwhile, the legendary crocodile, Crocodile Irwin, initiated CPR for the legislature of New Hartoria. Mercifully, HS wrote textwalls of nonsense which follows:
"Spinning crickets mercifully inundate Equestria"
Obviously, this sucked. Mercifully, Andraste (Jesus Ronaldo) smote tobacco from a Tevinter corpse. Aromatic! It smelled. Unclear directions confounded the manufacturing executives, who decided there was no better fate than death. Opportunistically, they provided Andraste more timeshares filled 37% of the time by Tevinter, but why? For this, the ultimate price of three dollars and forty seven cents must be paid.
Dissenting Justice reminds us of prison. Thanks Justice! Very cool! Not until Alexander Wallexander jumped out and landed beside several upside-down
Our newfound love Testlandia, wore splendid magenta fursuit, specifically commissioned to contain BEES! It buzzed through rainbow, over walls yonder, and into the sky. At midnight, Gerald Ford erupted from his volcanic lair, overflowing with meritorious service. Both chambers reloaded their legislative shotguns while removing glistering shirts, heated by lava undershirts. Ford devoured the 535 imperial guards, while copper prices skyrocketed, and legislation stalled.
Meanwhile, the legendary crocodile, Crocodile Irwin, initiated CPR for the legislature of New Hartoria. Mercifully, HS wrote textwalls of nonsense which follows:
"Spinning crickets mercifully inundate Equestria"
Obviously, this sucked. Mercifully, Andraste (Jesus Ronaldo) smote tobacco from a Tevinter corpse. Aromatic! It smelled. Unclear directions confounded the manufacturing executives, who decided there was no better fate than death. Opportunistically, they provided Andraste more timeshares filled 37% of the time by Tevinter, but why? For this, the ultimate price of three dollars and forty seven cents must be paid.
Dissenting Justice reminds us of prison. Thanks Justice! Very cool! Not until Alexander Wallexander jumped out and landed beside several upside-down