The Forgotten Times: Sections: Projects: Arylon Interview


Volume I, Number 1	April/May 1999
[ Front Page \| Feature \| Projects \| NPC's \| Places \| Site Seer \| Classifieds \| Odds & Ends \| The Staff ]
[REALMS-PROJECTS][ARYLON] - Interview Back to the guided tour. This Interview of Kimberly Moser (Chittlin@aol.com), representing the Council of Arylon, was held for the Forgotten Times by Peter Oliva. <Peter> So, Kim you're representing the Arylon project for us tonight. What's your function in that project? <Kimberly> Yes. I want to thank-you for inviting us to be a part of your electronic magazine. I hold no official rank with the Arylon project anymore. I was at one time the Submissions Officer. I guess you could call me the Promotions Officer nowadays. <Peter> You mean the Forgotten Times has been taking up all of your time? <Kimberly> Hardly. I am also involved in many other projects. I am also editing a great many submissions for Arylon. <Peter> Ah, so. The other project members I know of are Jenn Millington and Tim Haney the Submissions Officer and the Head of The Council. <Kimberly> Heh. We are a varied and silent group . . . except me. We count the following as members. Jenn Millington (Submissions Officer); Tim Haney (Judge and List Liason); Linda Baxter (Speaker); AREDKNIGHT, Antje Helfrich, Jade Williams, Erskine Fincher (Cartographer); Craig Sefton (Webmaster) and then me, Kimberly Moser (Busybody). We are looking to fill a few open positions and have two that are going to be joining our ranks in the next day or so. <Peter> The one title I've always been curious about: what is the Judge's job? <Kimberly> Heh. Good question. The Judge was initially Clay Simmons' official position. The title is a non-editing role, mainly for use as list liason. The Judge also handles internal disputes and tallies votes and other administrative duties that require impartiality. <Peter> Ok. Makes sense. In a way he's the... judge, I guess. <Kimberly> Exactly ::snicker:: Just don't give him any more ideas than he already has. <Peter> All of the Realms Projects have their very own and specific character and focus. What - for you - sets Arylon apart? <Kimberly> Arylon is set apart in the fact that we are taken from the list members for the list members. Every project can list this as special, though. What makes Arylon so magical and long-lived are the people involved in the project. This means the Council and the authors. We listen to one another, we support each other. Goodness, I spend more time with Arylon than I do at work . . . simply because I enjoy it and I enjoy the act of creating something special for other people. Arylon is meant to be a community project and I believe we have done our best to promote a feeling of community among the lists. <Peter> Speaking of community, it seems to me that the amount of support you get from people outside of your project is extraordinarily high. In a way I felt reminded of the RPGA and the Living City, when I first saw your web site. <Kimberly> We are hardly able to compare to the RPGA and the Living campaigns. This I know from personal experience with both an RPGA project and this list project. Arylon is more open and accepting of differing creations than the living projects. We also make every effort to blend with the Realms as a whole. We do get support from external sources, mostly because we make our presence known. If we have a question about gaming materials, we ask those who make them. We have opened several debates with our questions and are lucky enough to read what is said on areas of the Realms that are unknown. Among the worthies who have helped define our project and history are Steven Schend, Eric Boyd, George Krashos and Ed Greenwood. It may seem like we do something extraordinary, but we don't. I was terrified the first time I wrote Ed Greenwood. I wrote and rewrote my questions for fear he would think me base and ignorant . . . after all he is the creator of the Realms. I was wrong. All these good people at TSR/WotC are just like you and me. They have opinions and they love the campaign as much as we do. They just write the stuff the rest of us use. <Peter> So one of the rewards for working on this project has probably been getting to look a bit behind the scenes, and 'meeting' the makers? <Kimberly> Not necessarily looking at what is to come. We never get any confidential information whatsover . . . drats. But we do get to watch their minds work from time to time. We had a question about the Talfir and we wrote Steven a list of questions. He spent several lunch hours talking with the above mentioned notables and sent answers to us, complete with a transcript of the discussions. I would have to agree that the rewards have been to actually interact with these people. Of course, I love interacting with individual authors and helping them write better and watch them grow into superb storytellers as well. <Peter> I find the structure of the Arylon site a bit daunting. Is there a recommended course for newbies to get a picture of the city? Basically an easy way to get started? <Kimberly> You know, I have thought and thought about this question. I've also asked the others about it as well. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer at the moment. I know this is not what you want to hear and it isn't what I want to say. However, we are aware of the problem and we are taking steps to get it corrected. What I can say is that I am working on a posting for the Realms Projects List that gives a rundown of businesses, sites and NPCs in shorthand, to help those with difficulty in looking at the site. It is daunting and we are trying to make it user friendly. The original site was HTML, Craig's new site is ASP and uses cookies. Jenn is working on an updated FTP site for downloads. Hopefully, the index I am writing will help. <Peter> Aha! That probably takes care of my next question: The index you are writing will be for Jenn's site? I have noticed that there is a lot more information available there, but I couldn't make much use of it, because there was no sort of index or guide to it. <Kimberly> Well, yes and no. I don't know if it will follow what Jenn will install to the letter. Jenn is planning on doing a searchable database in which you can look for things according to business, ward, NPC etc. What I am writing is more of a guide to what is available. I have it separated by business type. It includes NPCs and the wards they are in and a bit of info. It's hard to make a post into a database, but Jenn is doing what she can about the FTP site and I want to do what I can for the project. There is an immense amount of information that has not made it to Craig's site due to real life conflicts. We have a large backlog of submissions that are complete and Jenn's FTP had them all. Unfortunately, her site at Xoom is being moved to a new location at the moment. The new FTP site will be more user friendly. <Peter> Sounds like you've already got some things going to make Arylon a bit more accessible! Could you maybe give us the URL for Craig's site and for Jenn's current or future FTP site? <Kimberly> Craig's site is located: http://sefton.tradepage.co.za/Arylon/. Jenn's new site . . . well she said not to give it out as of yet. So I'll obey her wishes on this one. The old FTP site will merely take you to a screen that gives our reasons for moving from Xoom, which is to protect of the copyrights of those who have entrusted their creations to us. There is also an Oracle site that needs to be updated . . . I've been lax. The Oracle site is located: http://users.bluebonnet.net/crsimmons/oracle/ <Peter> Back to my wish list: Aside from a guide to Arylon for beginners, I would also like to be able to download 'the Arylon Supplement' as a complete package of files. Have you ever considered making something down those lines available? <Kimberly> Good News! Yes, we have. We are going to make an Arylon guidebook similar to those Volo's guides. Only by someone else, unless Mr. Greenwood would like to volunteer his services. (Nyah, I've already asked and he has more surprises for the Realms though . . . ) We are also going to make a complete downloadable package either in RTF or TXT-Format. I actually went to Jenn's old FTP site and downloaded every last bit of info to see how long it would take. I am ashamed at the time I spent. So, there definitely needs to be a complete download package. It would be very simple to create, and if Jenn doesn't have the time to do so, I will and then forward the package to her. <Peter> That is very good news indeed! One of the nice things about the Volo's Guides is all the detail maps that are included... <Kimberly> Hmmm. I agree. The Arylon Guide is still in the beginning stages. I know we would appreciate suggestions from the people who will be using it. Our cartographer is making progress in leaps and bounds. I will ask him about this detailed type of map for the guide. <Peter> Your cartographer is Erskine Fincher. What he is working on is a major interest, I believe. What will be the next maps to become available? <Kimberly> Erskine has done some wonderful work for us. We have had troubles finding someone willing and able to map Arylon since the beginning. The very next map we'll have available will have buildings and a map key. (Yay!!) We on the project know what has hurt our project is the lack of map. We are making headway even as we are doing this interview. Believe it or not, we hear the comments and complaints. We appreciate them both, and we are trying to incorporate all suggestions to the fullest of our abilities. The maps will be available in FCW (CC2/Campaign Mapper) and JPG. <Peter> Wonderful news! I'm sure I'm not the only one looking forward to seeing these goodies. Next question: Does the Arylon project have any specific development plans for the future? <Kimberly> Of course, this type of project by necessity must grow and change with available material. We are not solely working on author submissions. While they are the meat and potatoes that fill the nice pockets of the city, we also are working on the structure and bones. Right now we are working on a timeline to mesh the project with the Realms. We are also working on updating the history, and we're really working hard on the government structure and courts. We're also trying to get a feel for the marketability of Arylon's products within Realms' merchant circles. Surely the city must to have exports. All this and more is being planned and laid out for future expansion either by the Council or by submissions. We take everything. If someone has an idea on mercantile interests and trade possibilities, send it our way! <Peter> A city the size of Arylon is extremely dependent upon and affected by its environment. Will the Arylon project at sometime begin going beyond people and buildings and get into the things that really make Arylon tick? Will the project one day be prepared to except submissions on things in the surroundings of Arylon that have an effect upon the city, i.e. the small Xvimist temple that's emerged in a nearby Hamlet that looks shady in Arylon's eyes anyway, or the Iron Throne agents of Knights or the Shield agents who've been seen spying out Arylon's surroundings lately, etc., etc. <Kimberly> Absolutely!! I am working on the rumblings of a small Cult faction in the Woods of Sharp Teeth. We have gone way beyond the simple NPC/business range the project began with a year ago. I personally want to see more things that are intrigue-based. I have asked this same question of the Council recently and I am pleased by the answer. We as a group are ready to proceed into greater depths with the city. All we await are people willing to write. <Peter> So you in the future not only will be accepting submissions for NPCs and places, but also for plots and organizations, etc.? <Kimberly> Definitely. We have always had a place for these items. There is the Oracle for tales, and other creations. There is also DM's Options for adventures, plots and just about anything else. The problems are that no one knew it was available, or how it could be meshed with what already is available. The initial Arylon project was very strict in its acceptance and guidelines. Now there is change. We have seen what is needed and are trying to do what we can to change with it. <Peter> I must say I am impressed with your development plans! Do you have any sort of schedule, timetable or even a rough estimate of how long it will take until these things become available? <Kimberly> They have been available since last year. We are just now seeing authors write us with adventure hooks. There are submissions currently being worked on that employ many of these exact issues. I know as an author, I am doing what I can to advance Arylon, but I also have my duties to those I edit for and am unable to find enough time to write everything I want. Of course, I still get in a few good ones now and again. (I am embarrassed to point out the recent postings.) <Peter> And how about the map in the works, and also the download package and the beginner's introduction? Do you have a time plan for these? <Kimberly> Yes, actually we do. The new download site should reopen this coming week. The new map is ready, it just needs to be put on the new site. The Beginner's Guide will take a bit more time, and I do not have the schedule for it as yet. (It's still being thought up. Any ideas of what people want to see will be great and put us that much closer to completion.) <Peter> There will be an in-character introduction to the city in this issue about Arylon, but there is one question I'd like to ask separately: What makes for the individual character of the different city wards? <Kimberly> Heh. This question is not as easy to answer as the others, mainly because the answer would take into context the history of Arylon and its development. In short, this is how the wards are designed. Inner Ward: It's made up of parks, government offices and older homes. It is completely walled and is the closest to Mahdanae Sangh (the watch keep). There is an inner wall separating it from Dock Ward. The inner wall has 3 gates. Dock Ward: It also is completely surrounded by the wall. In addition to the three gates in the inner wall there also are two gates leading to two more wards. Sunrise Gate leads to Sunrise Ward, on the east of the city. And Trade Gate (or River Gate) leads to Trade/River Ward. Dock Ward itself is the original part of Arylon. It houses the warehouses and most of the dock. There are businesses, less than savory individuals and dark, shady places. There also is a community of half-elves that has moved into the area of Dock Ward surrounding the Sunrise Gate. Trade Ward: This is on the western part of Arylon outside of the wall. It's an area for merchants and their businesses. Coster offices and common people make up the majority in this ward. One landmark in this ward is the Dwarven Quarter. It's an area where the dwarves that have been attracted to Arylon have chosen to settle. Sunrise Ward: Marked by the many temples that are within it, this ward is on the eastern part of the city and also is outside the wall. The main attraction at present is the newly renovated Temple to Lathander. Field Ward: This quarter is to the north of the city and outside of the wall. Very few permanent structures are located here. (They belong mainly to wealthy merchants. The Arylon Farmer's Market is in this area.) Special areas of Arylon: Arylon's Tail is a farming community to the north and spreading east. It is approximately halfway between the city and the Fields of the Dead. It's a rough area, and the farmers protect themselves with the cursory assistance of the Silver Crescents and Order of the Sphinx. South of the Chionthar: Several enterprising individuals have begun farming on the south banks of the River. This area is not patrolled by Arylon except for times of possible trouble. This does not mean Arylon doesn't keep an eye on this area. It does. The Woods of Sharp Teeth: This area is outside of the formal Arylon Project, yet several submissions have made mention of it and are included as submissions. Okay, that's the city in a nutshell. Wait ... the mines and the quarry ... how could I forget about them? They're west of Arylon. In the small hillocks. There. I think that's it. <Peter> Well, that's quite some nutshell you've got there! <Kimberly> You should see the size of the squirrel. <Peter> As far as I know, Arylon is (together with Northern Journey) the oldest MPGN Realms-Projects-List based project? <Kimberly> I've waited for this question. :smile: Arylon is second oldest, third if you also count Procampur . . .and I do. Arylon began on the Realms list. It was an idea bantered about by Hugo Lynch, Antje Helfrich and Craig Sefton. Clay Simmons got involved and organized the initial vote for Council. This was the very humble beginnings of the project. It was also extremely chaotic. We organized as much as we could before accepting submissions. The first Council was made up of Scott Bonner, Jeff Bray, Clay Simmons, Hugo Lynch, Tim Haney, Daniel Perez, Jenn Millington and myself, Kimberly Moser. Of us all, Jenn has been the longest contiguous Councilor. I retired for a week and came back. Tim is back as our Judge after a healthy retirement, and Daniel has also been asked to rejoin. He was one of the two I mentioned earlier. Arylon is something of a lifestyle for us. Once you leave, you always come back (or so it seems). We have come a very long way since that initial meeting. sigh A very long way indeed. We have lasted, because we learned to communicate. We have varied people on the Council, we have some really heated debates. We have people in many countries involved, and time lapses sometimes are a problem. Like I said earlier, we are a community. <Peter> Are there any other topics you'd like to bring up? <Kimberly> Yes. Submissions. Arylon is dependent upon the submissions we receive. We are also dependent upon the life breathed into us by interested parties. We value opinions, we look forward to critiques. It has taken us a long time to get to where we are today, but until recently we have not been told what people on the lists want. I have heard many complaints but very few solutions. As I said almost a year ago on the Realms list, if you don't like what you see or are not seeing what you like, tell us. I know we can talk about it. Without communication, there is chaos. I know. I answer my mail within 24 hours of receiving it. I am personally available to anyone who would like to speak to me, about anything. I know the other members of the Council feel the same way. Talk to us. If you have an idea but aren't sure about how to write it down, ask us. I am an editor in real life, and I know the other Councilors are willing to help clever, creative people with ideas. We are here because of the lists, we are here for the lists. We continue only on the whims of the list. Let us know what you want. <Peter> Would you maybe like to list a specific e-mail address at this point? <Kimberly> Let me give several contact points: Jenn Millington: <kethry@idirect.com> Tim Haney aka Galwylin <galwylin@airnet.net> Kimberly Moser <Chittlin@aol.com> Jade Williams <JadeWillms@aol.com> Aredknight <AREDKNIGHT@aol.com> Linda Baxter <baxter@midusa.net> Craig Sefton <craig@tradepage.co.za> Antje Helfrich <isirider@t-online.de> That's us. <Peter> Great! Is there anything more that needs to be said about submissions? <Kimberly> Hmmm. For a copy of the current guidelines about NPC' and businesses, write to Jenn. For information on adventures, stories, hooks, organizations, etc., write to me. <Peter> I think we've got it then. Shall we wrap the interview up? <Kimberly> I think so, I don't want to make you stay any longer than necessary. I can talk as long as Ed Greenwood. <Peter> Yeah, the communication between different time zones can make for some difficulties... Kim, thank you very much for this interview! <Kimberly> No. Don't thank me. The interview is Arylon's honor and MY pleasure.
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Volume I, Number 1	April/May 1999
[ Front Page \| Feature \| Projects \| NPC's \| Places \| Site Seer \| Classifieds \| Odds & Ends \| The Staff ]
[REALMS-PROJECTS][ARYLON] - Interview Back to the guided tour. This Interview of Kimberly Moser (Chittlin@aol.com), representing the Council of Arylon, was held for the Forgotten Times by Peter Oliva. <Peter> So, Kim you're representing the Arylon project for us tonight. What's your function in that project? <Kimberly> Yes. I want to thank-you for inviting us to be a part of your electronic magazine. I hold no official rank with the Arylon project anymore. I was at one time the Submissions Officer. I guess you could call me the Promotions Officer nowadays. <Peter> You mean the Forgotten Times has been taking up all of your time? <Kimberly> Hardly. I am also involved in many other projects. I am also editing a great many submissions for Arylon. <Peter> Ah, so. The other project members I know of are Jenn Millington and Tim Haney the Submissions Officer and the Head of The Council. <Kimberly> Heh. We are a varied and silent group . . . except me. We count the following as members. Jenn Millington (Submissions Officer); Tim Haney (Judge and List Liason); Linda Baxter (Speaker); AREDKNIGHT, Antje Helfrich, Jade Williams, Erskine Fincher (Cartographer); Craig Sefton (Webmaster) and then me, Kimberly Moser (Busybody). We are looking to fill a few open positions and have two that are going to be joining our ranks in the next day or so. <Peter> The one title I've always been curious about: what is the Judge's job? <Kimberly> Heh. Good question. The Judge was initially Clay Simmons' official position. The title is a non-editing role, mainly for use as list liason. The Judge also handles internal disputes and tallies votes and other administrative duties that require impartiality. <Peter> Ok. Makes sense. In a way he's the... judge, I guess. <Kimberly> Exactly ::snicker:: Just don't give him any more ideas than he already has. <Peter> All of the Realms Projects have their very own and specific character and focus. What - for you - sets Arylon apart? <Kimberly> Arylon is set apart in the fact that we are taken from the list members for the list members. Every project can list this as special, though. What makes Arylon so magical and long-lived are the people involved in the project. This means the Council and the authors. We listen to one another, we support each other. Goodness, I spend more time with Arylon than I do at work . . . simply because I enjoy it and I enjoy the act of creating something special for other people. Arylon is meant to be a community project and I believe we have done our best to promote a feeling of community among the lists. <Peter> Speaking of community, it seems to me that the amount of support you get from people outside of your project is extraordinarily high. In a way I felt reminded of the RPGA and the Living City, when I first saw your web site. <Kimberly> We are hardly able to compare to the RPGA and the Living campaigns. This I know from personal experience with both an RPGA project and this list project. Arylon is more open and accepting of differing creations than the living projects. We also make every effort to blend with the Realms as a whole. We do get support from external sources, mostly because we make our presence known. If we have a question about gaming materials, we ask those who make them. We have opened several debates with our questions and are lucky enough to read what is said on areas of the Realms that are unknown. Among the worthies who have helped define our project and history are Steven Schend, Eric Boyd, George Krashos and Ed Greenwood. It may seem like we do something extraordinary, but we don't. I was terrified the first time I wrote Ed Greenwood. I wrote and rewrote my questions for fear he would think me base and ignorant . . . after all he is the creator of the Realms. I was wrong. All these good people at TSR/WotC are just like you and me. They have opinions and they love the campaign as much as we do. They just write the stuff the rest of us use. <Peter> So one of the rewards for working on this project has probably been getting to look a bit behind the scenes, and 'meeting' the makers? <Kimberly> Not necessarily looking at what is to come. We never get any confidential information whatsover . . . drats. But we do get to watch their minds work from time to time. We had a question about the Talfir and we wrote Steven a list of questions. He spent several lunch hours talking with the above mentioned notables and sent answers to us, complete with a transcript of the discussions. I would have to agree that the rewards have been to actually interact with these people. Of course, I love interacting with individual authors and helping them write better and watch them grow into superb storytellers as well. <Peter> I find the structure of the Arylon site a bit daunting. Is there a recommended course for newbies to get a picture of the city? Basically an easy way to get started? <Kimberly> You know, I have thought and thought about this question. I've also asked the others about it as well. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer at the moment. I know this is not what you want to hear and it isn't what I want to say. However, we are aware of the problem and we are taking steps to get it corrected. What I can say is that I am working on a posting for the Realms Projects List that gives a rundown of businesses, sites and NPCs in shorthand, to help those with difficulty in looking at the site. It is daunting and we are trying to make it user friendly. The original site was HTML, Craig's new site is ASP and uses cookies. Jenn is working on an updated FTP site for downloads. Hopefully, the index I am writing will help. <Peter> Aha! That probably takes care of my next question: The index you are writing will be for Jenn's site? I have noticed that there is a lot more information available there, but I couldn't make much use of it, because there was no sort of index or guide to it. <Kimberly> Well, yes and no. I don't know if it will follow what Jenn will install to the letter. Jenn is planning on doing a searchable database in which you can look for things according to business, ward, NPC etc. What I am writing is more of a guide to what is available. I have it separated by business type. It includes NPCs and the wards they are in and a bit of info. It's hard to make a post into a database, but Jenn is doing what she can about the FTP site and I want to do what I can for the project. There is an immense amount of information that has not made it to Craig's site due to real life conflicts. We have a large backlog of submissions that are complete and Jenn's FTP had them all. Unfortunately, her site at Xoom is being moved to a new location at the moment. The new FTP site will be more user friendly. <Peter> Sounds like you've already got some things going to make Arylon a bit more accessible! Could you maybe give us the URL for Craig's site and for Jenn's current or future FTP site? <Kimberly> Craig's site is located: http://sefton.tradepage.co.za/Arylon/. Jenn's new site . . . well she said not to give it out as of yet. So I'll obey her wishes on this one. The old FTP site will merely take you to a screen that gives our reasons for moving from Xoom, which is to protect of the copyrights of those who have entrusted their creations to us. There is also an Oracle site that needs to be updated . . . I've been lax. The Oracle site is located: http://users.bluebonnet.net/crsimmons/oracle/ <Peter> Back to my wish list: Aside from a guide to Arylon for beginners, I would also like to be able to download 'the Arylon Supplement' as a complete package of files. Have you ever considered making something down those lines available? <Kimberly> Good News! Yes, we have. We are going to make an Arylon guidebook similar to those Volo's guides. Only by someone else, unless Mr. Greenwood would like to volunteer his services. (Nyah, I've already asked and he has more surprises for the Realms though . . . ) We are also going to make a complete downloadable package either in RTF or TXT-Format. I actually went to Jenn's old FTP site and downloaded every last bit of info to see how long it would take. I am ashamed at the time I spent. So, there definitely needs to be a complete download package. It would be very simple to create, and if Jenn doesn't have the time to do so, I will and then forward the package to her. <Peter> That is very good news indeed! One of the nice things about the Volo's Guides is all the detail maps that are included... <Kimberly> Hmmm. I agree. The Arylon Guide is still in the beginning stages. I know we would appreciate suggestions from the people who will be using it. Our cartographer is making progress in leaps and bounds. I will ask him about this detailed type of map for the guide. <Peter> Your cartographer is Erskine Fincher. What he is working on is a major interest, I believe. What will be the next maps to become available? <Kimberly> Erskine has done some wonderful work for us. We have had troubles finding someone willing and able to map Arylon since the beginning. The very next map we'll have available will have buildings and a map key. (Yay!!) We on the project know what has hurt our project is the lack of map. We are making headway even as we are doing this interview. Believe it or not, we hear the comments and complaints. We appreciate them both, and we are trying to incorporate all suggestions to the fullest of our abilities. The maps will be available in FCW (CC2/Campaign Mapper) and JPG. <Peter> Wonderful news! I'm sure I'm not the only one looking forward to seeing these goodies. Next question: Does the Arylon project have any specific development plans for the future? <Kimberly> Of course, this type of project by necessity must grow and change with available material. We are not solely working on author submissions. While they are the meat and potatoes that fill the nice pockets of the city, we also are working on the structure and bones. Right now we are working on a timeline to mesh the project with the Realms. We are also working on updating the history, and we're really working hard on the government structure and courts. We're also trying to get a feel for the marketability of Arylon's products within Realms' merchant circles. Surely the city must to have exports. All this and more is being planned and laid out for future expansion either by the Council or by submissions. We take everything. If someone has an idea on mercantile interests and trade possibilities, send it our way! <Peter> A city the size of Arylon is extremely dependent upon and affected by its environment. Will the Arylon project at sometime begin going beyond people and buildings and get into the things that really make Arylon tick? Will the project one day be prepared to except submissions on things in the surroundings of Arylon that have an effect upon the city, i.e. the small Xvimist temple that's emerged in a nearby Hamlet that looks shady in Arylon's eyes anyway, or the Iron Throne agents of Knights or the Shield agents who've been seen spying out Arylon's surroundings lately, etc., etc. <Kimberly> Absolutely!! I am working on the rumblings of a small Cult faction in the Woods of Sharp Teeth. We have gone way beyond the simple NPC/business range the project began with a year ago. I personally want to see more things that are intrigue-based. I have asked this same question of the Council recently and I am pleased by the answer. We as a group are ready to proceed into greater depths with the city. All we await are people willing to write. <Peter> So you in the future not only will be accepting submissions for NPCs and places, but also for plots and organizations, etc.? <Kimberly> Definitely. We have always had a place for these items. There is the Oracle for tales, and other creations. There is also DM's Options for adventures, plots and just about anything else. The problems are that no one knew it was available, or how it could be meshed with what already is available. The initial Arylon project was very strict in its acceptance and guidelines. Now there is change. We have seen what is needed and are trying to do what we can to change with it. <Peter> I must say I am impressed with your development plans! Do you have any sort of schedule, timetable or even a rough estimate of how long it will take until these things become available? <Kimberly> They have been available since last year. We are just now seeing authors write us with adventure hooks. There are submissions currently being worked on that employ many of these exact issues. I know as an author, I am doing what I can to advance Arylon, but I also have my duties to those I edit for and am unable to find enough time to write everything I want. Of course, I still get in a few good ones now and again. (I am embarrassed to point out the recent postings.) <Peter> And how about the map in the works, and also the download package and the beginner's introduction? Do you have a time plan for these? <Kimberly> Yes, actually we do. The new download site should reopen this coming week. The new map is ready, it just needs to be put on the new site. The Beginner's Guide will take a bit more time, and I do not have the schedule for it as yet. (It's still being thought up. Any ideas of what people want to see will be great and put us that much closer to completion.) <Peter> There will be an in-character introduction to the city in this issue about Arylon, but there is one question I'd like to ask separately: What makes for the individual character of the different city wards? <Kimberly> Heh. This question is not as easy to answer as the others, mainly because the answer would take into context the history of Arylon and its development. In short, this is how the wards are designed. Inner Ward: It's made up of parks, government offices and older homes. It is completely walled and is the closest to Mahdanae Sangh (the watch keep). There is an inner wall separating it from Dock Ward. The inner wall has 3 gates. Dock Ward: It also is completely surrounded by the wall. In addition to the three gates in the inner wall there also are two gates leading to two more wards. Sunrise Gate leads to Sunrise Ward, on the east of the city. And Trade Gate (or River Gate) leads to Trade/River Ward. Dock Ward itself is the original part of Arylon. It houses the warehouses and most of the dock. There are businesses, less than savory individuals and dark, shady places. There also is a community of half-elves that has moved into the area of Dock Ward surrounding the Sunrise Gate. Trade Ward: This is on the western part of Arylon outside of the wall. It's an area for merchants and their businesses. Coster offices and common people make up the majority in this ward. One landmark in this ward is the Dwarven Quarter. It's an area where the dwarves that have been attracted to Arylon have chosen to settle. Sunrise Ward: Marked by the many temples that are within it, this ward is on the eastern part of the city and also is outside the wall. The main attraction at present is the newly renovated Temple to Lathander. Field Ward: This quarter is to the north of the city and outside of the wall. Very few permanent structures are located here. (They belong mainly to wealthy merchants. The Arylon Farmer's Market is in this area.) Special areas of Arylon: Arylon's Tail is a farming community to the north and spreading east. It is approximately halfway between the city and the Fields of the Dead. It's a rough area, and the farmers protect themselves with the cursory assistance of the Silver Crescents and Order of the Sphinx. South of the Chionthar: Several enterprising individuals have begun farming on the south banks of the River. This area is not patrolled by Arylon except for times of possible trouble. This does not mean Arylon doesn't keep an eye on this area. It does. The Woods of Sharp Teeth: This area is outside of the formal Arylon Project, yet several submissions have made mention of it and are included as submissions. Okay, that's the city in a nutshell. Wait ... the mines and the quarry ... how could I forget about them? They're west of Arylon. In the small hillocks. There. I think that's it. <Peter> Well, that's quite some nutshell you've got there! <Kimberly> You should see the size of the squirrel. <Peter> As far as I know, Arylon is (together with Northern Journey) the oldest MPGN Realms-Projects-List based project? <Kimberly> I've waited for this question. :smile: Arylon is second oldest, third if you also count Procampur . . .and I do. Arylon began on the Realms list. It was an idea bantered about by Hugo Lynch, Antje Helfrich and Craig Sefton. Clay Simmons got involved and organized the initial vote for Council. This was the very humble beginnings of the project. It was also extremely chaotic. We organized as much as we could before accepting submissions. The first Council was made up of Scott Bonner, Jeff Bray, Clay Simmons, Hugo Lynch, Tim Haney, Daniel Perez, Jenn Millington and myself, Kimberly Moser. Of us all, Jenn has been the longest contiguous Councilor. I retired for a week and came back. Tim is back as our Judge after a healthy retirement, and Daniel has also been asked to rejoin. He was one of the two I mentioned earlier. Arylon is something of a lifestyle for us. Once you leave, you always come back (or so it seems). We have come a very long way since that initial meeting. sigh A very long way indeed. We have lasted, because we learned to communicate. We have varied people on the Council, we have some really heated debates. We have people in many countries involved, and time lapses sometimes are a problem. Like I said earlier, we are a community. <Peter> Are there any other topics you'd like to bring up? <Kimberly> Yes. Submissions. Arylon is dependent upon the submissions we receive. We are also dependent upon the life breathed into us by interested parties. We value opinions, we look forward to critiques. It has taken us a long time to get to where we are today, but until recently we have not been told what people on the lists want. I have heard many complaints but very few solutions. As I said almost a year ago on the Realms list, if you don't like what you see or are not seeing what you like, tell us. I know we can talk about it. Without communication, there is chaos. I know. I answer my mail within 24 hours of receiving it. I am personally available to anyone who would like to speak to me, about anything. I know the other members of the Council feel the same way. Talk to us. If you have an idea but aren't sure about how to write it down, ask us. I am an editor in real life, and I know the other Councilors are willing to help clever, creative people with ideas. We are here because of the lists, we are here for the lists. We continue only on the whims of the list. Let us know what you want. <Peter> Would you maybe like to list a specific e-mail address at this point? <Kimberly> Let me give several contact points: Jenn Millington: <kethry@idirect.com> Tim Haney aka Galwylin <galwylin@airnet.net> Kimberly Moser <Chittlin@aol.com> Jade Williams <JadeWillms@aol.com> Aredknight <AREDKNIGHT@aol.com> Linda Baxter <baxter@midusa.net> Craig Sefton <craig@tradepage.co.za> Antje Helfrich <isirider@t-online.de> That's us. <Peter> Great! Is there anything more that needs to be said about submissions? <Kimberly> Hmmm. For a copy of the current guidelines about NPC' and businesses, write to Jenn. For information on adventures, stories, hooks, organizations, etc., write to me. <Peter> I think we've got it then. Shall we wrap the interview up? <Kimberly> I think so, I don't want to make you stay any longer than necessary. I can talk as long as Ed Greenwood. <Peter> Yeah, the communication between different time zones can make for some difficulties... Kim, thank you very much for this interview! <Kimberly> No. Don't thank me. The interview is Arylon's honor and MY pleasure.
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