Thanks to all of you for the quick reply. I'd like to keep the discussion on going, but first I'll try to fill in what blanks I do know about. I'm just going to go in post order for organization. These aren't excuses folks, "Oh, it's not that bad!" but rather are the alternative perspectives.
So Red shared this:
"The Myrians will now openly hate more than ever those who try to trespass into their lands, blaming them (the other races) for the wild djed storm. In particular, they will shoot to kill anyone coming in from the north, the origin of the storm."
The Myrians and Dhani alike have been xenophobes from the start, races full of pride wanting the world for themselves. Post-Valterrian, the Myrians won out thanks to the legendary resourcefulness off Myri.
Myrians know they didn't start a djed storm; I can't speak for Myri though and her knowledge of what really happened. I'd imagine, especially at this point in time, Myri fully knows about Ivak, Taln, Leon, and the rest of the NPCs. I don't speak in fact, but it makes sense right? She might even have informed her Shadow Guard. Imagine a silly human was able to do this, there are champions on the rise, and these are causes for a queen to defend her territory.
There is a particular wording in the quote as well. The north pass is definitely a no-no, but that's not the only way to access Falyndar. The jungle is surrounded by water. The Myrians are at the bare minimum at truce with the residents of Black Rock. Sverfa sail the entire length of the Suvan Sea. I agree there might be some anxiety attached, but Myrians are not unreasonable savages, they are skill tacticians as well, which demands a damn leveled head and temper. The average Myrian might be blindly fight for home and country, but there are smart ones out there who can be persuaded and communicated with. Black Rock is an absolute portal to the Falyndar mainland.
There seems to be this idea that Myrians are out for total conquest too. I mean, they are…ya, but the jungle is still untamed. Look at this from Myri's POV. Her empire is secure in Falyndar, they have access to functionally limitless resources. The nearest threat is a hole of snakes that are too afraid to come out to play, and they have a giant fishing pond of Charodae to the south. No one goes near Black Rock, you know, dead people, and how many dare traverse the sheer western cliffs? Now, if any fool ever dared to claim land from Myri/Myrians, DEAD MEAT, totally. Hey are open to economizing though. The jungle doesn't have –everything- and Myrians might want some things from the outside. A merchant willing to barter probably has more power than any politician, even if there's an army behind the latter. Mizas can be exchanged for Bikka or Ashl*(sp; money in Black Rock) at the right places.
The above is very surface level. There probably won't be a great exodus to Taloba. That is, after all, primarily Myrian territory and is specifically reserved for them. Myrian ancestry would be welcomed, although people might be weary of clan-less ones. Lineage can definitely be traced back. Myri is there to verify it, having lived long before the Valterrian herself and conquered or united every Myrian tribe in Falyndar. She has connections. So for access to Taloba safely, ya you need to work at it, but you gain allies. They won't fight with you, but they'd fight for you if they showed means to fight for them (more than the physical). There is an honor code among Myrians, their whole military organization, etc. Look at how Myri united the region, it's very direct and honest. The Queen is fair if you show the proper respects. Take advantage of that though, and ya, you throw your life away. That's what it's like anywhere though. The difference is that Myrians don't find prisons useful. I allude to Myri's conquest again, you get one chance if you deny her, just one.
Razkar flashed-back to Taloba a bit, and had a few good reads, so getting this feedback from a semi-seasoned Myrian PC is good stuff.
I think players are missing something here. Yea…Falyndar is Mizahar on insanity mode at some points, and the people who live there are raised in violence, but that's what the whole world is supposed to be like. Name one domain that has it easy! Mizahar is post apocalypse, even after nearly a year after the djed storm. Travel is often underplayed in a lot of regional wildernesses. There is supposed to be life everywhere. Ask the witches, there are habitats to be maintained and they have food chains! You're on that food chain, dear PC, and you need to fight for that apex position. That's why you don't see long lived towns out in the open. That's why caravan travel is recommended. The problem we as writers/players face is keeping up with a story, while still acknowledging the realism of the environment. How do we travel the wilderness without making each trip into the forest an adventure? How do we take a caravan and make it into an engaging story arch? That's our challenge as writers, isn't it? We're here to have fun though, and achieve great feats through our PCs, and those things are considered foremost. Not every trek in the woods can bring greatness though, and small beginnings take too long sometimes.
Regarding trails... as far as I know the only region that has a road is Sylira, for starters. The others are generally endless wilderness too, until you find WATER! You'd never miss water as much as in the wilderness, lost, dehydrated. Falyndar is more dangerous than most others because of the flora I'd bet. Thick vegetation and mountains are difficult to traverse and survive in, but if you know the right tricks it's like any other. This is why we have a wilderness survival skill and wilderness guides. Instead, people seem to navigate the world, with little to no navigation skill mind you, pretty well though. It beats me, but ya, it's a must for Falyndar, even the bare amounts to get by. I find it really weird though that PCs (the character concepts, not players!) go out looking for fights in the other parts of the world, yet survival mode in Falyndar is out of the question.
Myrians have always shot to kill, and Dhani have always been able to roam most of the northern jungle where Myrian patrols are fewer. It's a reminder, definitely, and heightening in activity worth noting, but it's not impossible.
I have a bit for Zinrah and Dhani really quick. Zirnah and its culture revolve around Siku like she's the sun (our sun, not Syna  ). If you have anything with Siku, you're passable with some mark or way to notify the nest. Siku's entourage can inform Zinrah before you arrive if she ever ordered. Her priestess and champion are in constant communication. Access isn't impossible. With Zinrah, it is a game of politics getting in and out with the Dhani at the least. Those marked with Venenum (which is very crafty if you deal with poisons and venoms) is a free pass too. Remember, one gnosis mark doesn't limit you from others.
Imass: " In my mind, RPing in the Faylndar is very restricting on characters. They basically NEED to be [M]yrian, [D]hani, or [K]elvic to be able to interact on the same level as other places."
I really like this observation. I want to talk about a concept in game before I apply it to Falyndar, Zinrah, etc. if you look at the domains, they are mostly centered about a race. The Spires and Jamoura; Wind Reach and the Inarta, Avanthal and Vantha, Sultros and the Isur, Endrykas:Drykas, Riferfall home of Akalak, Mura home of Konti, and you see my point. Omg Taloba is Myrian territory…ya. Same for Zinrah and the constrictor Dhani. Now I've already addressed getting into these zones; it's feasible. …I feel bad doing this but it's kind of necessary to get off topic for a moment.
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Zeltiva is a human city, as are (to my knowledge) Alvadas, Ravok, Syliras, and Sunberth; Denval poofed and I am not sure about Lhavit (I guess they are generic human too). I mean generic, unknown heritage, human, plain, etc., no sub-race. Myrians are humans after all, so generalizing doesn't work. There are also major quests ongoing in the region, Zeltiva being a base of operations, no? So in the moment, I do agree there is attention drawn to that domain, and it's doing a sweet job.
Zeltiva is interesting, because it's doing well, and it's good and very cool that PCs are going there: trade hub, university, nice isolated place. This is bad word choice, but is someone doing something "wrong" that the domain is drawing every PC and his cousin over there? I don't think so, because we saw similar movements with the Crimson Edge as an In-Character organization and the quests in the Spires. In this moment, with quests ongoing, there are good reasons to be busy in the east.
So back to this, "In my mind, RPing in the Faylndar is very restricting on characters. They basically NEED to be [M]yrian, [D]hani, or [K]elvic to be able to interact on the same level as other places."
Is it a bad thing that they are restrictive areas? I mean, the races are fairly well established, and are doing what they need to for survival. Neither Siku and Myri are ready to turn a truce into an alliance. So, is that a deadlock?
What do we see in other "race affiliated" domains that allows them to be more open, besides the misconception that you're 100% dead meat in Falyndar?
Are humans being underplayed for the racist b-tards they are? Racism exists in game, definitely. Ask and fiery Inarta…  You know the Inarta are just thrilled Leo made their home explode, kill hundreds, unleashed a djed storm, that whole bit. What about Zeltiva? I do love and applaud the coordination in the domain and region, they do fantastic job, and yea I'm jelly!, but is that how it's supposed to be? I can't say and won't say as we have ongoing quests and it needs to be busy. How will things settle after? Or is it those dirty human PCs who are being too nice…too trusting? I'm no expert, so don't ask me, I'm just as curious.
The east right now is so dynamic and it's just…so cool right now. I say take advantage of it.
---refreshed page
"A gold rush, conquerers, trade, whatever..."
The problem with this is that it's not a "whatever" ideal on a few levels.
OOC: we have a region that is hardly acknowledged. Ya, it's a jungle with cannibals and stuff, and that's unique. Is the inactivity such a turn off that it turns players away though? That is bad! If you're genuinely more enveloped with the other zones and races I like that a lot, but I want to make sure I'm doing my job right, ya know?
IC: Those movements are the kinds that spark Myrian hostility, the regional defense. I tried proposing something like that, and it was shot down for the same reason. Aggression just is not an option with a military force outclassing yours in every way. We know politics in the Sylira region aren't so welcomed for armies to march either, or they'd leave their castles open. It's just not an option in this type of game, post-apocalypse.
Thank you Naeya; I'm trying. Busy bee…but now's a time to gather data and plan ahead, especially with summer in my sights. You've hit a lot of points I addressed previously, so sorry if that was all very "Ya, I said that, Schism…" for you.
I like a lot of what you're saying, because it's a perspective I was definitely missing. I almost forgot that Wind Reach was a dead beat place in its baby stages. I'll admit, Zinrah is a baby itself; that's one reason I was so insistent on being an AS in Zinrah. Being part of the staff, I learned more about schedules and am being drawn into my own business you know, so I'm going to need to just keep on that link map, for starters.
I agree incentives are nice. If you track Siiri, a local Myrian PC, I think the blood, sweat, and tears transferred from the game to the writer, especially earning that Myrian tiger. It's quite hardcore, in a good way though, and in a way it is justified (at least with a Myrian tiger O.O).
A question, perhaps a new motivating question: what kind of incentives would you like? And then elaboration, how are these things available in the jungle? The survival theme of the region I think makes fine craft like that in eastern Mizahar impossible. There's a lot going on in a regional level; Falyndar does exist in itself alone, doesn't it?
Thanks to all responses for the ideas to bounce off of. I want to see what I can do with these raw materials before I jump on the staff. Also, be sure to thank all volunteer Storytellers who have their own domains to manage, and still have time to lend a hand to Falyndar. Otherwise, please raise other aspects of Falyndar that you find questionable or just plain interesting. This isn't necessarily canon; we can wonder and use those imaginations (pfft, iamginations…). I love a good conspiracy theory now and again, you know. I can elaborate on Zinrah quite a bit too, so you snake lovers, bring it my way. (Disclaimer: I do not own the race or control Dhani as a race at all! I just needed to be overly specialized with them seeing I manage a nest full. ). Happy hunting, Mizaharians! |
by Red on January 8th, 2013, 1:32 am 
(That's a cop-out way of saying that I haven't put more thought into it than that, haha. I'll happily PM you if I have a sudden pre-sleep lightning bolt.)