One Day in Cantrian History

[UloDeTero]

I read recently about a 'mass-blogging' project called 'One day in History'. Basically, everyone in Britain or related to Britain was encouraged to post a blog entry to the One Day in History website, just for the one day of 17th October. This provides a snapshot of this one day in history as seen from the various viewpoints of the entire country.

What has this to do with Cantr?

I'm going to try to do the same thing, but for a Cantrian Day. If all goes well, it will be made into a book available online, with all profits going to Cantr.

Everyone who wants to can submit a short piece about their characters' activities today, Day 1742 (11th December 2006). Describe what they did, along with any relevant (brief) details such as back-story and character description. Note: Not stories, poetry, etc. Just straightforward (but well-written) description. Each piece should be no longer than a few paragraphs. A piece can be submitted for each character you own, as long as they don't reference each other (obviously). Therefore, if you have the full fifteen characters, you may submit a piece for each one. Optionally, please include with each submission: Your name*, age, gender, and location, your character's full name, their spawndate and age, their gender, their spawn location, their 'home' location and their current location. Of course, the more of these you give, the better. Also include a valid email so I can contact you.

[* - Your forum username, or, if you prefer, your real full name. If you wish your piece to remain anonymous, please say so, but I still need to know who is the author of what! ]

At the moment, I'm not entirely sure how it'll all be laid out, so I don't know which of the above details will actually be used in the end. Any comments, suggestions, etc are appreciated.

Please email your submissions to
(Email address is an image to avoid spambot thingies! Please double-check the spelling!)

[CantrFreak]

Who else might do it? I might..

[Zanthos]

just a quick question.

While I think this is a great idea, isn't there the possibility of getting ooc knowledge? I mean, what if your charrie is involved in a conflict and someone else submits something giving you information concerning the other side?

[Dreamhand]

I would mind a "sample piece" demonstrating the style and format you have in mind. I think it's a great idea!

[tiddy ogg]

I guess by the time this comes to fruition any ooc knowledge will be irrelevant.
But as far as I'm concerned, it'll never happen, as I don't read images.
I guess if you want my input, you'd better pm me.

[UloDeTero]

Zanthos makes a good point about OOC knowledge, and I agree with tiddy ogg that there will be plenty of time between, y'know, yesterday, and any finalised publication. In any case, it definitely won't break the four day rule!

I've always believed, though, that the Capital Rule is as much about the responsibility of players as it is about available knowledge. In other words, if you were to find out critical information about a characters enemy, I believe it's the player's responsibility to avoid using that information in-game. The Capital Rule doesn't disappear just because you find something out.

Ok, rant over! If anyone else can't see my email image, you can PM me for it, or just send the submission by PM (I prefer email, though).


A "sample piece", eh, Dreamhand? I guess for the most part the writing style depends on the writer, but in my mind I see something like:

Carrie Kter spawned in Townville on day 1456. She became a hunter to help feed her town, and managed to accumulate an impressive collection of weaponry. Growing tired of a small-town life, she headed east and travelled for a number of years, doing odd jobs in the towns she visited. Eventually, she met Lee Derguy, the ruler of the large city of Sprawling. They married, and made a home together in Sprawling, where Carrie set up a successful business in weaponry and repair.

When Lee was killed in a pirate attack on day 1693, she briefly considered trying for leadership herself, but the grief was too much to bear. She sold her business to Trey Derdude for a small pickup full of potatoes and smoked meat, and headed back to Townville in despair. Once there, she found all her old friends gone, and the familiar boredom setting in, so she immediately turned back to Sprawling and begged for her business back. Trey refused to give up the business, but offered her joint-ownership instead. She accepted, and they began working together, soon becoming more than just friends.

On Day 1742, Carrie is conducting three trades, and is considering purchasing a vehicle for deliveries. She has yet to discuss this with Trey.

The main style and 'feel' I want is that of a biography. The idea is to show the 'real' lives that exist in the world of Cantr. Most of the piece will likely be 'back-story' describing things which led up to 1742, however part of it should describe the events that occurred exactly on that day. (In other words: If you read just the part about 1742, it doesn't mean as much as if you know the whole story.)

By the way, if this project goes well, there may be others about deceased characters, legendary characters, historical events, etc.


Edit: While editing a submission, I realised that I don't know where the 'present' should be when reading these pieces. In other words, are they written on 11th Dec (day 1742)? Are they written later? This is a matter of tenses. In other words, is it "On day 1742, x happened" or is it "On day 1742, x is happening". After some thought, I've decided that the latter makes more sense. Therefore I've edited the example piece above.
What this basically means is that if an event is still current on day 1742, then it will be in the present tense. This is fairly basic grammar, really. But when writing today about the past from the point of view of a day in the past, it can get a little tricky.

[UloDeTero]

Due to disappointing response, I am now cancelling this project. I believe the problem was a lack of 'advertising'. In other words, not enough people knew about it.

I will start a new One Day project sometime in the summer. However, this time, I'm spreading the word in advance and asking for contributors early. So if you're interested in writing about your character's life so far, please PM me. When I set the Day, I'll PM everyone back so you can get writing! (I do not want any submissions yet, just statements of interest.)

Any questions, PM or email me!

[Chris Johnson]

If you would like an in-game announcement then let me know - This is the best way to reach players - especially non-english speaking ones

[Dee]

I'll participate

[Surly]

I can do my departmental announcements as well, Chris...

[AngelSpice]

My old comp's hard drived fried and I lost all my old turn logs.

[Cherize]

I'll do it. pm me when you choose the day.

[UloDeTero]

Thanks Dee and Cherize.

Angelspice, as long as you can put together a paragraph or two (as shown in my earlier post) it'll be fine. We don't want precise details, just an overview of the character's life with a final summary of their life on The Day (to be decided)

The reason the Day isn't decided in advance (in case anyone's wondering) is to make sure that no one 'subconsciously' affects their character's actions to fit around the Day.

So, any other takers?

[Solfius]

I'll join in

[Racetyme]

I'll do it, I'll take any opportunity to write.