Grand Theft Horse: Sequel Moon - Comedy (OOC / Open)

[Talchyon]

GRAND THEFT HORSE: SEQUEL MOON

If'n y'all was lookin' fer the OOC page, y'all found it!
That durned IC page headed down the pass towards Laredo. Follow this trail to get there.

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Welcome to Grand Theft Horse: Sequel Moon, an Old West comedy in the style of the original! This will be a complete sandbox RP though with some plot elements if you care. (It also has nothing in common with any video games of any similar name). Most of the NPCs from the original are back, but it doesn't matter if you haven't read it. However you got here, whether an old hand or a greenhorn, I'm glad you're here. Feel free to do what you want, as long as it's funny and within the limits of the rules.

BUT! What if I don't know how to write comedy, you say?
No prob'em. See the little box below (that turns into a bigger box) and come back to it any time you get stuck.

HOW TO WRITE COMEDY FOR RPs

Hey guys. Talchyon here. This here is advice given for comedy writers. You may have noticed that comedy RPs on NS is a special category. Everyone loves to laugh, but many don’t feel able or competent to get others to laugh. And that’s where this comes in. I can’t promise that if you follow these simple, easy steps, then you will become the next comic genius. But what I can promise is that writing comedy is never hurt by taking suggestions like this.

Disclaimer - There are some clips to funny things, movies, shows, etc. that I laugh at. I own none of the rights to these, and give all credit to those who produced them, acted in them, and are directly responsible for them, etc., etc.

A few modest suggestions.

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1. The best way to get others to laugh is to promise to pay them. I mean, since we’re all aware of how helpful money is, then money talks. And if you pay people enough, I’m sure they’d be glad to laugh. You can start by paying me. Depending on how much you deposit in my bank account, I will give anything from a chuckle and a humorous snort all the way up to laughing hysterically at what you tell me to.
   
   But… failing that, and since most of us are not that wealthy to begin with, we’ll have to come up with a different way.
   
   And perhaps that’s why the real first suggestion is MISDIRECTION. Did you notice how I began by saying, “A few modest suggestions” and then leapt into something completely ridiculous? Comedy works well like that. Lead your audience along a way where they think they’re going to end up, and then, BOOM-shaka-laka. Change where they end up.
   
   We also see this with movies. Here’s a clip from Galaxy Quest Um turn turn I said turn Turn TURN
   
   In this scene, the actors of the tv show Galaxy Quest have been brought to a real-life version of their tv starship. When Laredo is asked to drive, he does so in surprise. At first the music starts heroic. All of the proud aliens want to witness this historic event and are permitted to come onto the bridge. The Galaxy Quest theme plays. Everything couldn’t be better… except, Laredo’s an actor, not a spaceship pilot. Check out Tim Allen’s posturing from 2:22-26. Because of how close Laredo gets the ship to the starport, Tim is leaning, further and further each time, hoping that his posture will somehow prevent the ship from scraping its sides.
   
   Because you were expecting heroism and instead you got incompetence, that’s pretty funny.
   

   ---

   
   
2. Take something familiar, and use it in an unexpected way.
   
   This is partly along the lines of misdirection. Only this time, you’re playing with expected conventions. Some phrase that is well-known, perhaps. Take a fragment of a nursery rhyme. Or a famous line from a well-known commercial or show. Something people get automatically, that lurks somewhere between the subconscious and the more conscious.
   
   And then, use this familiar phrase, custom, expectation - in an unexpected way.
   
   For example, check out these clips from the tv show Whose Line is it Anyway. In each of these, Colin Mochrie is a newscaster giving a funny news report. Colin first begins with a funny name, using a stock phrase or you’d be familiar with, then turning it into his name. Then, Colin begins with “Our Top Story.” Here he excels at taking stock, common phrases, twisting them in some way (sometimes by one syllable), and making up a news story about it that ends up skewering the familiar. It’s funny because it uses something familiar in a very unfamiliar setting.
   
   Our Top Stories
   

   ---

   
   
3. Stay in character.
   
   Each person is different. Each character in a comedy RP is also different. That means, whenever anything happens, from something normal (e.g., the characters go downtown) to something unusual (a terrorist shows up and threatens to blow the characters up), each person reacts differently.
   
   So know your character. What makes them tick? How does your character see the world? Know this, and be true to how your character thinks. That means your character may not be scared at the terrorist threat, or maybe they’ll be peeing in their pants scared. Or maybe they’re related to the terrorist. Comedy can usually ensue when you know your character.
   
   Example: Here is a stand-up comic routine from way back, from Bill Cosby. But, it involves two different characters, and both stay true to who they are. The interaction makes it funny. (Plus, it’s short, so worth a listen). Still funny after so long.
   
   Bill Cosby routine from back in the day
   

   ---

   
   
4. Running Gags
   
   A joke or funny circumstance that repeats, again, and again, and again, is actually not tiresome. Not always. Yes, there are times when someone tries something and it falls flat. To repeat that act is not only tedious, but frustrating to a reader. It’s like, “Just sit down already and take care of (insert tedious attempt at running gag here), and get on with it!”
   
   However, in the right circumstances, a repeating circumstance, inside reference, or turn of a phrase can be an effective running gag. A running gag, by definition, is returned to several times throughout the course of a series. It’s humor in the long-term sense.
   
   The classic example of a running gag is the character Wilson on the tv show, Home Improvement. Each time Wilson the neighbor came on, most of his face was always hidden. As the series went on, the writers came up with more unusual ways for Wilson’s face to be hidden (and not just the fact that he was standing behind the tall-ish fence).
   
   As another example, a little more close to home, in the NS RP The Infinites, each RP began on a Thursday night. Thursday was when the local once-a-week newspaper came out, and so there were stories that related somewhat to the plot that came out. Likewise, Thursday night is when the Minnesota Infinites had their weekly meetings. Over the course of the series and its multiple arcs, it always began the same. With the newspaper, and the Infinites meeting. It had its own structure (including saying the Infinites’ Pledge and ending with snacks). And always, at the end of the meeting, the leader of the Alcoholics’ Anonymous support group that met next door in the town hall had important plot information for the heroes.
   
   Running gags come in all forms, and if done right, the continuity leads to even funnier things.

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A few particulars:
Place: East Zilch, Texas. An enterprising town of around 500 people, a stop on the railroad, a stagecoach delivery point, near the border of Old Mexico and a few tribes of natives. Think of your pretty stereotypical Old West town and this is the spitting image. Anything you could find in an Old West town, you'll find here. Also, the general area around East Zilch is included in this place.

Some places of note:

• Town Hall
• Mayor's office
• Sheriff's office
• Rattlesnake Den saloon
• The Loan Arranger, East Zilch's bank

Date: September, 1857

Characters: Feel free to make human characters of all sorts. (Sorry, no aliens, magic, superpowers, undead zombies, vampires, fantasy races, or anything like that). Do you want to play a cowboy? Marshall? Government agent? Horse thief? Bartender? Schoolmarm? Lady of the night? Mayor intent on passing strict gun control laws? Piano player in the saloon? Town drunk? Clueless deputy? Moonshine brewer? Granny with a shotgun? The sky's the limit.

- As for NPCs, a lot of the regulars will be back. Some may not be. And with that, I claim creative license to bring back whoever I want.

- One thing with comedy characters, and that is characters that go against the common thought and common stereotype makes for an interesting cast. Can you think of an Old West stereotype and skewer it? If so, that could make a funny character.

Names of Characters: I highly highly encourage parodies and intentional name goofs of traditional Old West names, like Billy the Kid, Doc Holiday, Wyatt Earp, Annie Oakley, and so on. Even Old West actors, like John Wayne or Clint Eastwood. Heck, you could even make a character whose name skewers one of the more famous NFL Dallas Cowboys of today or years back: Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith, Dak Prescott, Jerry Jones, Jimmie Johnson. If you do any of these, you will get me laughing.

Tech Level: As you might expect, the only tech acceptable is what you'd find in 1857. No steampunk please.

Rate of posting: Look, I'm not going to say I wouldn't love it if this took off like a stampede through the valley. But, if it doesn't, it doesn't. Try to post when you can, and that will be good with me. (Do see Rules #4 and #5 though).

RP Experience: We take all types, as long as you're willing to participate.

Length of posts: I'd prefer no one- or two-liners. One liner jokes are great (if they're in a longer post). Beyond that? Whatever.

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The Code of the West (Rules, Law, an' Order)

1. I am the marshall in these here parts, and my word is law. Rascals and varmints who break the law will pay the price.
2. If I get any Co-OPs, they are my deputies. Listen to them accordingly.
3. Anyone caught brawlin' in the OOC page will first be warned to stop, then they get a second more serious warning, then they get the boot.
4. As the marshall of this OOC page, I am a fantastic shot, especially at folks that aren't moving. (Which is to say, if you want to keep your character from getting killed off, be sure to post).
5. That said, I also can recognize that an hombre may need a siesta every now 'n then. So I won't shoot at people who are resting but are gonna wake back up eventually. And I as the marshall can tell the difference...
6. Keep it clean, PG-13. Or you will be run outta' town.
7. No godmodding, metagaming, etc., unless you get permission because it's funny.
8. No killing of Player characters (or named NPCs) without the other player's express permission. I don't want a psychotic rampage here. Not all the time, anyway.
9. For cryin' out loud, you only get at max 3 characters. Any more than that, and people will think you aren't right in the head.


Keep that code in mind, and you should be fine.

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NOW FOR SOME APPS - see inside (spoiler) for details

Code: Select all

(Delete parentheses and everything in them when you're done)
[box][align=center][size=120][color=#404040][b][i]GRAND THEFT HORSE application[/i][/b][/color][/size][/align][/box]

[b]Name:[/b]
[b]Job:[/b]
[b]Age:[/b]
[b]Sex:[/b]
[b]Appearance:[/b] (Images preferred, but descriptions are welcome too) [floatright][img](YOUR URL LINK HERE)[/img][/floatright]

[b]Skills:[/b]

[b]Stuff:[/b]

[b]Goals:[/b]

[b]Bio:[/b] (A paragraph at least)

[b]RP sample:[/b] [url](YOUR LINK HERE)[/url].  (If you have not participated in RPs before, then just write up a paragraph or 2 about what your character did recently when he or she heard that bandits were coming to town soon.  Try to make it funny.).

[size=10]Leave here: Hang'em[/size]


[Talchyon]

SEQUEL MOON

There are dark rumors going around the town East Zilch. Some say that strange, frightening beasts are slaughtering horses in the dead of night. Some say that outlaws have turned neighboring caves into hideouts. Some say the train barons are planning to build a new track in town! And others? Well, they just think those who are saying such things are stone cold drunk and have had too much whiskey. They might be right. Come to the small, sometimes chaotic and mostly peaceful old West, where men were men, women were women, and horses were cars. Join Buckaroo Bunjin, Tater Frye, French Fur Trapper Beaux Lagged, and the sometimes competent Sheriff "Law" Norder in a fun, unique comedy.

The Roster

Notable NPCs (Also, links are examples of good apps, found on the old RP's OOC page. Don't post there).

• Beaux Lagged - A French fur trapper who dresses all in leather, but doesn't belong to a biker gang. Somehow, he never seems to break a sweat in the Texas heat.
• Buckaroo Bunjin - Also called "Buck". A cowhand's cowhand.
• Tater Frye - Partner and friend of Buck. Honest, hardworking, simple, easily deceived.
• Mayor Jeremiah Slick. A Machiavellian mayor.
• Sheriff Lawson "Law" Norder. Both a firm upholder of the Law as well as being a softie at heart. Not the most competent at his job.
• Rev. Horatio Borkmann - A scholarly preacher at East Zilch Church. Great at parsing Latin. Not so great at communicating.
• (Uncle) Messy James

- The proud owner of the local saloon "Rattlesnake Den". Uncle to Josie (nee James nee Johnson) Jones. He took her on to work because she was kin. Now, he's stuck with her and her little kid, too. Cynical, snarky, but all in all a decent man.


Player Characters

• Alicia "Allie" Norder - This scrappy young lass just happens to be related to the town sheriff, so, none of you guys better get any dishonorable motives when you interact with her. (Also, she might wrestle you to the ground if you tried.) Played by Zarkenis Ultima.
• Eli North - The fastest postman in all of north of Mexico! Seriously, how did this guy get this speed? Played by Deblar.
• Dr. Grant Rift Peddler - Maybe selling medical concoctions out of snake oil and advertising that fact wasn't the best business strategy in the Old West... Played by Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States (or as I call him, "Comms.")
• Harvey Shelton - A Pinkerton agent AND an outlaw. The Pinkerton people must be getting really desperate to hire thugs and criminals. With all his violent history, there's a passing chance HE might be responsible for the tales of the slaughtered animals made by Bigtoes. Played by The Borderstate.
• Josie Jones - Saloon bartendress. Alluring, but all business. Plus, with a dark backstory like hers, you don't want her on your bad side. Played by Ovstylap.
• Liz R.D. Bohnnes (real name, Elizabeth Rosamund Dorothea Bohnnes) - An actual smart person in the town of East Zilch. And a lady to boot! How did this lover of dinosaur bones get in this down so dumb? Played by Reginalida.
• Man with a Name that just so happens to be Bob - Mule abuse at its 19th century height. Played by Bytonic.
• "Pale Potato" (aka 'Seamus Finnegan' to old timers) - Drunken Irishmen make for bad kickboxing targets for horses. But maybe they make for decent Indians. Played by Ameriganastan.
• Philip Bennett - Two career paths await this part time rancher, and part time thief. Maybe he's just schizophrenic. Played by The Borderstate.
• Sean "The Boogeyman" Wicker - This con artist who runs the inn also runs various scams out of it. Among them, the 19th century version of cryptocurrency. Played by Caliland.
• Taco Salamander aka "The Man With Too Many Names" (aka Brunette, That Guy Who Can’t Even Ride a Horse, B*stard, Hottie, Yojimbo, The Mule, Joe, Clint Eastwood, Whisky, etc. etc.) - A bounty hunter who hasn't yet caught many bounties. Wearing a 20-gallon hat, perhaps the reason he changes names so often is because he doesn't like his kinfolk and doesn't want to be associated with them. Played by Voxija.
• Vernon "Rookie" Shephard - A competent U.S. marshall in the area will only make Sheriff Norder get tons of anxiety. So, of course, we're going to see it. Played by Tikrav.

East Zilch cemetery - filled with characters who didn't post
Currently vacant. Let's keep it that way if we can.

[Talchyon]

And with that, I think we're open. Welcoming all apps!

(If you've never tried comedy before, look on the original post. I have a spoiler box there full of suggestions for writing comedically.)

[The Borderstate]

Completed

GRAND THEFT HORSE application

Name: Philip Bennett
Job: Thief/ Rancher
Age: 30
Sex: Male
Appearance:

https://imgur.com/Ptvu7Xv

Skills:

- Good Horsrider : Philip has good experience with Horses and knows how to ride them

- Quick Gunslinger : Phil knows how to use his gun and how to shoot quickly

- Suspiciously Good with lockpick : Nobody knows how or why, but Phil seems to be very good with lockpick

Stuff:

- Colt Navy
- a bandana
- a lazo
- a clock
- Sharps rifle

Goals: Maintain his double Life, don't get in trouble with the Law.

Bio: Philip Bennett was born in 1827 from religious parents during the era of westward expansion. His family was very poor, and their religious faith held them together in a precarious way, work in the fields was unable to feed him and his 6 brothers, and the situation became increasingly precarious. Philip tried various jobs, but none paid enough, after reaching 18, Philip became the man of the house, the second in command, until, in 1847, he participated in the conflict against Mexico, hoping to earn some extra money from the normal jobs he carried out, but the hopes turned out to be in vain.

When the war was over, Philip decided to leave the farm and travel in search of something that would make him rich. Doing some works around Texas he ended in East Zilch in 1853, working for the local ranch. He decided that enough was enough, and if money couldn't be earned legally, he would do illegal work to earn them. So this started Bennett's Thief career, stealing all-around in Zilch, fortunately, nobody has found out about his side-business, but sometimes it seems that some people are closer to understanding who is connected to the thefts in the city than they seem

RP sample: posting.php?mode=quote&f=31&p=41835443

Leave here: Hang'em

[The Borderstate]

completed my app

[Talchyon]

Completed

GRAND THEFT HORSE application

Name: Philip Bennett
Job: Thief/ Rancher

ACCEPTED! Welcome to GRAND THEFT HORSE: SEQUEL MOON!

[Ameriganastan]

GRAND THEFT HORSE application

Name: Pale Potato (Birth name: Seamus Finnegan)
Job: None (Former railroad spike driver)
Age: 24
Sex: Male
Appearance: Pale as Hell, hair red as the rashes as the cathouse, eyes green as the absinthe he abuses, hoof shaped indention in his forehead.

Skills: A crack shot with a pistol.

Stuff: His gun and the clothes on his back.

Goals: None

Bio: What do you get when a drunken Irish railroad worker has too much one night, and decides to see how well he can take a horse kick to his head? You get Pale Potato, real name Seamus Finnegan. As it turns out, he could not take a horse kick to the head. The local Indian tribe found the drunk buffoon the next morning, and looked after him largely out of pity. When he awoke, his newly scrambled brains decided since he was surround by Indians, he must be one. He's been a menace ever since.

Leave here: Hang'em

[Alvosa]

Looks good. Will join sometime.

[Talchyon]

GRAND THEFT HORSE application

Name: Pale Potato (Birth name: Seamus Finnegan)
Job: None (Former railroad spike driver)

Having seen you RP before and knowing your writing, Pale Potato is APPROVED! Welcome to GRAND THEFT HORSE!

A guy with a horsehoof indentation in his head is classic. So many jokes come to mind.

[Deblar]

tag for interest

[Alvosa]

Just to let you know I will be applying as an outlaw.

[Talchyon]

Just to let you know I will be applying as an outlaw.

Excellent! I look forward to your app. You probably won't find too much competence in the local sheriff to stop you.

[Deblar]

GRAND THEFT HORSE application

Name: Elijah "Eli" North
Job: Postman - or as Eli himself would tell you, "the fastest here postman this side of the Mississippi"
Age: 20
Sex: Male
Appearance: Black as the heart of an Aryan*, his skin a deep brown deepened by a suntan and his unkempt, kinky hair having been allowed to grow quite long atop his head. The beginnings of a beard are also starting to grow in on his cheeks. (I suppose Donald Glover would be a pretty good likeness)

Skills:

- He's fast on his feet - like, stupid fast. He can outrun a trotting horse with relative ease if he feel's so inclined.
- He may seem rather unassuming, but anyone who's known him for long will tell you that Eli is much smarter than he looks

Stuff:

- An official Post Office hat, jacket and mailbag, provided to him by the local Post Office
- A Colt Walker pistol - just in case
- a pocket watch, adorned with a Latin Cross
- A cross necklace, which he wears on his person every day

Goals:

- Staying a free man
- Making his mother proud

Bio:
Elijah North was born in 1837 as a slave on a plantation in western Louisiana to his mother, Esther. He never knew his father or who he was, though he developed the sneaking suspicion that it was his master as he got older. After Texas's revolt against Mexico, his master moved into the fledging new Republic, taking his slaves - including Esther and Elijah - with him and getting a plot of land along the Brazos River.

Eli and his mother were very close as the young one grew up. She secretly taught him to read and write, just as their master's wife had secretly taught her when she was young, and he considered her a reliable source of wisdom and advice. One particular piece of advice stuck out to him, one that he's sure he'll never forget: "sometimes the bravest thing you can do is run away."

If only he knew how literally he'd end up living it.

One dark midnight in 1854, Esther took a teenage Eli and ran away from the plantation, hoping to find freedom. Now, as history will tell you, most of the runaway slaves of the American South went northward for freedom - Esther, interestingly, decided to go westward instead, towards the southwest territories of New Mexico or Arizona. Random as it may seem, this was no accident; Esther knew that the frontier offered a unique opportunity not only to achieve freedom, but for her son Eli to hopefully make something of himself.

The journey was anything but easy, as the two were forced to live off the land and had a number of close calls along the way. It took them around 60 days to make it near the Rio Grande, and from there they went north along the River until they were forced to stop once Esther contracted an illness and couldn't go any further. A nearby tribe of Native Americans took the two of them in and attempted to treat Esther. Unfortunately, they were unable to save her, and she eventually succumbed. The mourning Eli stayed with the tribe for almost a year before leaving, seeking initially to complete the journey on his own - but he never went any farther than East Zilch.

The story of how Eli stumbled into his current situation is a somewhat humorous one. Eli had simply been minding his own business and trying to pass through the town without any trouble, but then he was approached by the postmaster of the local Post Office. His only postman had walked away from the job a few days prior, and the postmaster had spent the better part of those days both trying to distribute mail on his own and looking for literally anyone that would be willing to replace the old postman. To say that he was desperate by the time he noticed Eli would be a gross understatement and a half. Given the decent pay, stability, and protection the job could give him, it was an offer too good for Eli to refuse.

One year later, and all things considered, Eli's in a pretty good spot. He took on "North" as his last name, has himself a pretty decent gig as postman, and has even managed to earn himself a home in East Zilch's quite...interesting community. Most importantly, he's found his freedom - and you better believe he intends to hang onto it.


RP sample:
Paragon (this was fun as hell, we should bring it back one of these days)
Community

* I wonder if anyone will get that reference. If you do, I love you
Leave here: Hang'em

[Talchyon]

GRAND THEFT HORSE application

Name: Elijah "Eli" North
Job: Postman - or as Eli himself would tell you, "the fastest here postman this side of the Mississippi"

* I wonder if anyone will get that reference. If you do, I love you

Nice app. I kind of like the idea of Eli North, the fastest postman in all East Zilch and surrounding areas. Definitely some fun with this man in the cast. I do know what your reference was too, BTW. And I agree.

Also, thank you so much for your kind comment about Paragon Industries in your RP sample. I hope this one will be just as much fun as that was. Knowing what I have in store and this cast, I think there's a good shot at it.

Eli North is [b]ACCEPTED![b] Welcome to Grand Theft Horse: Sequel Moon!

[Great Confederacy of Commonwealth States]

GRAND THEFT HORSE application

Name: Dr. Grant Rift Peddler
Job: Inventor/Doctor/Salesman
Age: 38
Sex: Male
Appearance:

Skills: Dr. G. Rift Peddler is not only a world class doctor, he is also a distinguished chemist and an all-round wonderful man. He might be one of the last homo universalis, versed at least somewhat in all sciences, from biology to physics. In particular, being a former associate of John Snow of London, dr. Peddler is at the forefront of advancing the germ theory of disease, advocating for clean hospitals and separation of waste water and drinking water.

Stuff: A horse-drawn wagon filled to the brim with Miracle Serum, an advance copy of 'On the Origin of Species', various fossils.

Goals: To see a world where every disease has been banished, and where everyone can live a long and fulfilling life.

Bio: Dr. G. Rift Peddler was born in 1819 to dr. Charles Orace Nelson Peddler and his wife, Sarah Peddler née Windle. She was one of the first people, after Mary Anning, to get into the hobby of paleontology, while his father had served as a regimental doctor during the Napoleonic Wars. Grant Peddler was raised by a loving family who made sure he never wanted for anything, but who also gave him a strict moral instruction, along the lines of the hippocratic oath: first, do no harm. It was with this in mind that he went on to study medicine at university, his life-long obsession. He had remarkable aptitude for the science, having been taught by both his parents from an early age.

In these days, London was commonly hit by terrible outbreaks of Cholera, which drew the attention of all doctors in town. This included the likes of John Snow, but also Grant Peddler. The two actually worked together on Snow's germ theory, which was widely mocked by academics at the time. However, most of Peddler's time was consumed with the attempt of creating a medicine that could save patients of Cholera even after the onset of the disease. He traveled the world, learning much from guru's, shamans and chieftains alike, and learning much about many cultures. In the end, he combined the oils harvested from the sweat glands of various rare snakes into a 'Miracle Serum', which could save people from almost any disease if they just drank a spoonful of it. It was the invention of the age.

However, history would not be kind to his invention. Being a pioneer of consumer rights, Peddler was sure to list 'snake oil' as one of the ingredients of his concotion. He was soon laughed out of academia and banned from polite society. His parents disowned him, and he was forced to flee to America to avoid persecution. He then tried to sell it in New England, but there too he was run out of towns with tar and feathers at his heels. His flight has eventually brought him to Texas, where he hopes to find people gullible enough to at least try his miracle cure. But so far, not even the people of Texas will willingly engage with a self-described snake oil salesman.

RP sample: Nay! I shan't!

Leave here: Hang'em

[Talchyon]

GRAND THEFT HORSE application

Name: Dr. Grant Rift Peddler
Job: Inventor/Doctor/Salesman

Comms! Nice to see you. A legitimate snake oil salesman! Man. I love this guy already. Dr. Grant Rift Peddler is ACCEPTED! Welcome to Grand Theft Horse: Sequel Moon!

I will be getting the roster updated and am at work on the IC page. Hopefully we can get started soon. Just as a note - I have a family member near death and will need to take a few days off, so keep that in mind. IC will be up sometime depending on what happens to us in the near future.

[Ovstylap]

(Delete parentheses and everything in them when you're done)

GRAND THEFT HORSE application

Name: Josie Jones
Job: The regulars know who really owns the Rattlesnake Den, the finest god-darn saloon in this town. It's me, not my good for nothing Uncle! Sure, sure, I like to spend most of my time in the front of house, talking with the regulars,
Age: Didn't you know it's rude to ask a lady her age? That'll be your last drink. Oh... well why didn't you just say so honey, I suppose you Cavalry types aren't known for their manners. Fine, I'm 22 and a bit.
Sex: How dare you? I'm married. Well, I was married.
Appearance: She's blonde, she's young, she's got the look of a real troublemaker. She'd look beautiful by her husband's side but he's a corpse, so that would be a bit weird now, wouldn't it?
Skills:
-Quick and efficient bartender
-A secretive love of accounting
-At home in the Saloon: With an excellent sense of balance, Josie is certainly good at carrying lots of drinks without so much of a spill. She can hold her own with most types in an argument, and can flirt enough to convince many a man to spend more on drink- which only makes them more susceptible. Her husband didn't like her confidence with strangers, especially men, but who cares, he's divorced now? As long as the coin and drink flows, nothing should go wrong!
Stuff: 1851 Colt Navy kept behind the bar, a few changes of clothes (varying in modesty), a set of playing cards, an omnipresent cigar, and easy access to her uncle's account, safe, and horses (well she knows where he keeps the key and why would the stable boy say no)

Goals:
-Ensure that the Rattlesnake Den is secure as the finest, most profitable and popular saloon in town.
-If she can find a tolerable man, she might consider a proposal, but in her experience, it's often men who can't tolerate her, and this will be harder since she has been married twice and now has a child as well.
-Look out for any women in unfortunate relationships so that she can protect them.

Bio: Josie Jones, formerly Josie James, formerly, Josie Johnson, is best known for being a young bartender who already talks as if she's a saloon matron and land lady whilst having the looks and charm of a saloon girl. The daughter of a married rancher couple, she grew up with a fairly calm, though quite tough. At times it was quite lonely, though she had the company of three elder brothers and an elder sister. As a result, she had quite a defiant attitude and she utterly rejected the overly demure attitude that her sister was developing.

Her extroversion was satisfied by strangers when her family took in a runaway slave due to her father and mother's strong religious convictions, and when her eldest brother brought his new wife home, who she formed an eager friendship with. However, it was only several months later when she was betrothed to some shop clerk at the age of 17 as the ranch encountered a drought, but hated the idea, and so ran away from home. The embarrassed clerk started a rumour that she had a lover as a cattle thief, and the idea caught on as those in a nearby settlement new little of her than as a confident young woman, who had attracted some of the attention of a couple of the young lads of the town. As such, she was told to leave the settlement when she went there. Fortunately, a postman let her travel with him to another settlement, a few days east of East Zilch by horse. During that journey, they encountered a gang of outlaws who had taken a bribe from the postman, as they always did, but did no harm to Josie- though one of them did not stop staring at her the whole time, seemingly entranced.

She quickly took on a role as a bartender in a local saloon, which is where she began to acquire her eager flirting skills, and honed her wit. A couple of prostitutes took her under their arm in terms of protection, opening her mindset to be less judgemental, though when they wanted her to join them, she outright refused. Soon afterwards, a man tried to assault her, though was stopped by another patron. This man turned out to be the former outlaw, who had turned to the right side of the law after a moral disagreement with another member of the gang and had kidnapped him in the night, taking his bounty and an amnesty for a new start in life.

Josie thus married Henry Johnson, and they lived a happy year and half together, though were tragically unable to conceive, and Josie was suffering with a deep sense of failure. This was only compounded when she uncovered his affair with another woman in the town, and she sought a divorce but was unable to be given one. She ended up making contact with one of the outlaws from the gang who she recognised when trying to buy supplies. Four nights later there was a tragedy in the town, with the house of a local family burned down whilst all bar one lady were out of the home. Her husband was also lost in the fire. Claiming false grief, she ended up having to move on, and moved to another settlement at the age of 19, and 7 months.

She soon fell in love with a groom, and fell pregnant a month later- they had a hurried marriage, and she gave birth at the age of 20 and a half, giving birth to a beautiful girl who they named Jennie. They were both young though, and their relationship grew strained, as it had come from insecure foundations, and when he lost his job, he grew increasingly angry. The relationship turned increasingly sour, and the reverend and local judge authorised a divorce when she showed up in floods of tears with a black eye, and a few kind local women put together some money for her to move once more. Jennie wasn't even a year old.

She thus came to East Zilch over a year ago, with a letter of recommendation, and went to stay at the Rattlesnake Den, with enough money to have board and some food for ten days. To her fortune, the owner of the saloon turned out to be one of her mother's elder brothers- they had been quite close, so much so that he knew Josie as a child, though she was too young to remember him, before life had taken him on a separate path. Taking her under his wing, he allowed her to keep a room, in exchange for working there, and her life has only sprung in success. Jennie soon turned one, and Josie soon turned twenty two.

Since the move, life has been looking better and better, and Josie is coming into her prime. She does have a little daughter, who is her entire world, and so is the Uncle she owes her new life to- though she has a tremendous joking rivalry with the man.

OOC: I realise this wasn't a very funny app, but hopefully it gives a good backstory to a woman who on the surface appears sultry and suggestive, even promiscuous, and certainly not modest, however she also has a sense of ambition and drive to look after herself and her family after some troubling times. Perhaps the humour will vary in terms of the grounded dark humour informed by her negative past, the flirting and playing on gender, as well as a back and forth old wife style arguing with her uncle- who if someone wants to app, or you want as an NPC Talch, I'm happy to oblige!

RP sample: First post as Liliya in Clockwork Circus: https://forum.nationstates.net/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=548222.

Leave here: Hang'em

[Talchyon]

GRAND THEFT HORSE application

Name: Josie Jones
Job: The regulars know who really owns the Rattlesnake Den, the finest god-darn saloon in this town. my good for nothing Uncle! Sure, sure, I like to spend most of my time in the front of house, talking with the regulars

About time we got some estrogen in here. I mean... um... well... um... Her dark, tragic background will be very interesting, as will the number of hombres in the saloon salivating over her. Josie Jones is ACCEPTED! Welcome to GRAND THEFT HORSE: Sequel Moon!


I will be getting the IC up pretty soon, most likely. We were gone a lot this week, and I had some IRL issues that came up, but it is coming and I hope you guys are ready for some fun.

[Ovstylap]

GRAND THEFT HORSE application

Name: Josie Jones
Job: The regulars know who really owns the Rattlesnake Den, the finest god-darn saloon in this town. my good for nothing Uncle! Sure, sure, I like to spend most of my time in the front of house, talking with the regulars

About time we got some estrogen in here. I mean... um... well... um... Her dark, tragic background will be very interesting, as will the number of hombres in the saloon salivating over her. Josie Jones is ACCEPTED! Welcome to GRAND THEFT HORSE: Sequel Moon!


I will be getting the IC up pretty soon, most likely. We were gone a lot this week, and I had some IRL issues that came up, but it is coming and I hope you guys are ready for some fun.

Much obliged, partner!

[Talchyon]

HEY GUYS -

THE IC IS UP! GRAND THEFT HORSE: SEQUEL MOON IS UP AND RUNNING!

[Lemueria]

HEY GUYS -

THE IC IS UP! GRAND THEFT HORSE: SEQUEL MOON IS UP AND RUNNING!

Yay.

I might be making an application soon.

[Alvosa]

[quote="Talchyon";p="41892874"]

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GRAND THEFT HORSE: SEQUEL MOON

If'n y'all was lookin' fer the OOC page, y'all found it!
That durned IC page headed down the pass towards Laredo. Follow this trail to get there.

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Welcome to Grand Theft Horse: Sequel Moon, an Old West comedy in the style of the original! This will be a complete sandbox RP though with some plot elements if you care. (It also has nothing in common with any video games of any similar name). Most of the NPCs from the original are back, but it doesn't matter if you haven't read it. However you got here, whether an old hand or a greenhorn, I'm glad you're here. Feel free to do what you want, as long as it's funny and within the limits of the rules.

BUT! What if I don't know how to write comedy, you say?
No prob'em. See the little box below (that turns into a bigger box) and come back to it any time you get stuck.

HOW TO WRITE COMEDY FOR RPs

Hey guys. Talchyon here. This here is advice given for comedy writers. You may have noticed that comedy RPs on NS is a special category. Everyone loves to laugh, but many don’t feel able or competent to get others to laugh. And that’s where this comes in. I can’t promise that if you follow these simple, easy steps, then you will become the next comic genius. But what I can promise is that writing comedy is never hurt by taking suggestions like this.

Disclaimer - There are some clips to funny things, movies, shows, etc. that I laugh at. I own none of the rights to these, and give all credit to those who produced them, acted in them, and are directly responsible for them, etc., etc.

A few modest suggestions.

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1. The best way to get others to laugh is to promise to pay them. I mean, since we’re all aware of how helpful money is, then money talks. And if you pay people enough, I’m sure they’d be glad to laugh. You can start by paying me. Depending on how much you deposit in my bank account, I will give anything from a chuckle and a humorous snort all the way up to laughing hysterically at what you tell me to.
   
   But… failing that, and since most of us are not that wealthy to begin with, we’ll have to come up with a different way.
   
   And perhaps that’s why the real first suggestion is MISDIRECTION. Did you notice how I began by saying, “A few modest suggestions” and then leapt into something completely ridiculous? Comedy works well like that. Lead your audience along a way where they think they’re going to end up, and then, BOOM-shaka-laka. Change where they end up.
   
   We also see this with movies. Here’s a clip from Galaxy Quest Um turn turn I said turn Turn TURN
   
   In this scene, the actors of the tv show Galaxy Quest have been brought to a real-life version of their tv starship. When Laredo is asked to drive, he does so in surprise. At first the music starts heroic. All of the proud aliens want to witness this historic event and are permitted to come onto the bridge. The Galaxy Quest theme plays. Everything couldn’t be better… except, Laredo’s an actor, not a spaceship pilot. Check out Tim Allen’s posturing from 2:22-26. Because of how close Laredo gets the ship to the starport, Tim is leaning, further and further each time, hoping that his posture will somehow prevent the ship from scraping its sides.
   
   Because you were expecting heroism and instead you got incompetence, that’s pretty funny.
   

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2. Take something familiar, and use it in an unexpected way.
   
   This is partly along the lines of misdirection. Only this time, you’re playing with expected conventions. Some phrase that is well-known, perhaps. Take a fragment of a nursery rhyme. Or a famous line from a well-known commercial or show. Something people get automatically, that lurks somewhere between the subconscious and the more conscious.
   
   And then, use this familiar phrase, custom, expectation - in an unexpected way.
   
   For example, check out these clips from the tv show Whose Line is it Anyway. In each of these, Colin Mochrie is a newscaster giving a funny news report. Colin first begins with a funny name, using a stock phrase or you’d be familiar with, then turning it into his name. Then, Colin begins with “Our Top Story.” Here he excels at taking stock, common phrases, twisting them in some way (sometimes by one syllable), and making up a news story about it that ends up skewering the familiar. It’s funny because it uses something familiar in a very unfamiliar setting.
   
   Our Top Stories
   

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3. Stay in character.
   
   Each person is different. Each character in a comedy RP is also different. That means, whenever anything happens, from something normal (e.g., the characters go downtown) to something unusual (a terrorist shows up and threatens to blow the characters up), each person reacts differently.
   
   So know your character. What makes them tick? How does your character see the world? Know this, and be true to how your character thinks. That means your character may not be scared at the terrorist threat, or maybe they’ll be peeing in their pants scared. Or maybe they’re related to the terrorist. Comedy can usually ensue when you know your character.
   
   Example: Here is a stand-up comic routine from way back, from Bill Cosby. But, it involves two different characters, and both stay true to who they are. The interaction makes it funny. (Plus, it’s short, so worth a listen). Still funny after so long.
   
   Bill Cosby routine from back in the day
   

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4. Running Gags
   
   A joke or funny circumstance that repeats, again, and again, and again, is actually not tiresome. Not always. Yes, there are times when someone tries something and it falls flat. To repeat that act is not only tedious, but frustrating to a reader. It’s like, “Just sit down already and take care of (insert tedious attempt at running gag here), and get on with it!”
   
   However, in the right circumstances, a repeating circumstance, inside reference, or turn of a phrase can be an effective running gag. A running gag, by definition, is returned to several times throughout the course of a series. It’s humor in the long-term sense.
   
   The classic example of a running gag is the character Wilson on the tv show, Home Improvement. Each time Wilson the neighbor came on, most of his face was always hidden. As the series went on, the writers came up with more unusual ways for Wilson’s face to be hidden (and not just the fact that he was standing behind the tall-ish fence).
   
   As another example, a little more close to home, in the NS RP The Infinites, each RP began on a Thursday night. Thursday was when the local once-a-week newspaper came out, and so there were stories that related somewhat to the plot that came out. Likewise, Thursday night is when the Minnesota Infinites had their weekly meetings. Over the course of the series and its multiple arcs, it always began the same. With the newspaper, and the Infinites meeting. It had its own structure (including saying the Infinites’ Pledge and ending with snacks). And always, at the end of the meeting, the leader of the Alcoholics’ Anonymous support group that met next door in the town hall had important plot information for the heroes.
   
   Running gags come in all forms, and if done right, the continuity leads to even funnier things.

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A few particulars:
Place: East Zilch, Texas. An enterprising town of around 500 people, a stop on the railroad, a stagecoach delivery point, near the border of Old Mexico and a few tribes of natives. Think of your pretty stereotypical Old West town and this is the spitting image. Anything you could find in an Old West town, you'll find here. Also, the general area around East Zilch is included in this place.

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Date: September, 1857

Characters: Feel free to make human characters of all sorts. (Sorry, no aliens, magic, superpowers, undead zombies, vampires, fantasy races, or anything like that). Do you want to play a cowboy? Marshall? Government agent? Horse thief? Bartender? Schoolmarm? Lady of the night? Mayor intent on passing strict gun control laws? Piano player in the saloon? Town drunk? Clueless deputy? Moonshine brewer? Granny with a shotgun? The sky's the limit.

- As for NPCs, a lot of the regulars will be back. Some may not be. And with that, I claim creative license to bring back whoever I want.

- One thing with comedy characters, and that is characters that go against the common thought and common stereotype makes for an interesting cast. Can you think of an Old West stereotype and skewer it? If so, that could make a funny character.

Names of Characters: I highly highly encourage parodies and intentional name goofs of traditional Old West names, like Billy the Kid, Doc Holiday, Wyatt Earp, Annie Oakley, and so on. Even Old West actors, like John Wayne or Clint Eastwood. Heck, you could even make a character whose name skewers one of the more famous NFL Dallas Cowboys of today or years back: Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith, Dak Prescott, Jerry Jones, Jimmie Johnson. If you do any of these, you will get me laughing.

Tech Level: As you might expect, the only tech acceptable is what you'd find in 1857. No steampunk please.

Rate of posting: Look, I'm not going to say I wouldn't love it if this took off like a stampede through the valley. But, if it doesn't, it doesn't. Try to post when you can, and that will be good with me. (Do see Rules #4 and #5 though).

RP Experience: We take all types, as long as you're willing to participate.

Length of posts: I'd prefer no one- or two-liners. One liner jokes are great (if they're in a longer post). Beyond that? Whatever.

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The Code of the West (Rules, Law, an' Order)

1. I am the marshall in these here parts, and my word is law. Rascals and varmints who break the law will pay the price.
2. If I get any Co-OPs, they are my deputies. Listen to them accordingly.
3. Anyone caught brawlin' in the OOC page will first be warned to stop, then they get a second more serious warning, then they get the boot.
4. As the marshall of this OOC page, I am a fantastic shot, especially at folks that aren't moving. (Which is to say, if you want to keep your character from getting killed off, be sure to post).
5. That said, I also can recognize that an hombre may need a siesta every now 'n then. So I won't shoot at people who are resting but are gonna wake back up eventually. And I as the marshall can tell the difference...
6. Keep it clean, PG-13. Or you will be run outta' town.
7. No godmodding, metagaming, etc., unless you get permission because it's funny.
8. No killing of Player characters (or named NPCs) without the other player's express permission. I don't want a psychotic rampage here. Not all the time, anyway.
9. For cryin' out loud, you only get at max 3 characters. Any more than that, and people will think you aren't right in the head.


Keep that code in mind, and you should be fine.

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GRAND THEFT HORSE application

Name:Guys I’m NOT billy the kid.
Job:Outlaw.
Age:18.
Sex: Male.
Appearance: (Images preferred, but descriptions are welcome too)

([url=(YOUR URL LINK HERE)]Image[/url])

Messy Brownish black hair usually covered with a hat, hides his face when doing naughty stuff. Also wearing an orange jacket for camouflage along with trousers and shoes. Additional stuff is blue eyes and a scar to the right of his mouth.

Skills: Gun fighting and horse riding.

Stuff: Clothes, a horse, a bag of supplies and a gun.

Goals: Make money as an outlaw.

Bio: (A paragraph at least) Not billy (That’s his short name) was born in a nearby town, his father owned horses before he was arrested under false charges of stealing when he was 14. Not billy would then pick up a horse from the stables (Still the same one he has today) and some supplies, then gallop to East zilch to become an outlaw. He would spend the next few years practicing horse riding and gun fighting to improve at stealing and confrontations. He would then find 2 partners in crime while smuggling goods from his hometown. They would slowly work together more and more until they became something of a trio, the others would work in the neighboring towns and collaborate on any missions to dangerous for just one person. They live in a camp just outside East zilch.

RP sample: [url](YOUR LINK HERE)[/url]. (If you have not participated in RPs before, then just write up a paragraph or 2 about what your character did recently when he or she heard that bandits were coming to town soon. Try to make it funny.). (I have participated in RPing but I haven’t really made any posts to the standards of this RP so).

Not billy was in the saloon to take a drink and listen to the gossip of the town, as an outlaw he values knowing what’s happening as it can affect his operations, today was no different as he heard rumors about bandits, he sat at a table and drank has whiskey while listening in. He was concerned but got Carried away during the night.

THE NEXT MORNING.

Not billy woke up and when he went to check the cattle and he was reminded about the bandits in his head, HE was supposed to be the one stealing stuff, he had to prepare to defend his interests. He hopped on his horse.

THE AFTERNOON.

Not billy and another one of (I’m just gonna call them the trio) got on their horses back into east zilch, they needed to track out a new plan, first they headed to the railroad, the most likely place for them to arrive and the closest to the camp. The other one was looking around as he called out, I found a good rock, we can ambush them here. Not billy went around and looked at the rock, there was a small hole beside it and it looked great, it was a good plan, but they should probably steal something before they can arrive and get there hands on it.

Leave here: Hang'em

[Zarkenis Ultima]

This looks like a lot of fun and I wouldn't mind trying my hand at writing comedy so here's a quick app. I figured writing the whole thing was better than triple checking the concept with you, since it's subject to your approval anyway. Also, hope you don't mind me using a link instead of embedding the image, felt like it was a little too big for comfort.

GRAND THEFT HORSE application

Name: Alicia "Allie" Norder
Job: Alleged deputy
Age: 19
Sex: Female
Appearance: Allie's a young blonde menace with a knack for getting in trouble. Her hair's always tied up and she's never seen without her trusty hat.

Skills: Allie Norder is said to possess the marksmanship of a drunk monkey, the horsemanship of a drunk jockey, and the alcohol tolerance of a Polish nun. She makes up for it with a quick wit, tough bones, a frighteningly diverse arsenal of improvised wrestling moves, and sheer dumb luck.

Stuff: Other than the clothes on her back and her trusty hat she is never seen without, Allie is the proud owner of a pair of homemade wooden knuckles she calls Justice and Freedom. She technically owns a six shooter, but her uncle rarely lets her carry it on account of her being a menace when left unattended.

Goals: She hopes to eventually become Uncle Law's right hand (wo)man, possibly his successor; in the meantime, she's intent on doing anything she can to help him out regardless. And if she gets to make a name for herself suplexing some dangerous types, that's all fine and dandy with her.

Bio: Anyone arguing in favor of the idea that ethics and morality are somehow passed down by the blood need only look at Allie's family for a practical example to disprove their theories. Born the daughter of the honorable Sheriff Norder's younger brother, she lived her childhood in the next town over from East Zilch and was mostly left to her devices, learning to fend for herself. Of course, then her father got thrown into jail over some unsightly business related to alcohol smuggling, and her mother decided to skip town rather than deal with the mounting debt she was left with, leaving the girl behind. She was eventually picked up by Uncle Law as she calls him, and now resides in East Zilch. Because Uncle Law is the only family she's ever known that isn't a deadbeat, she looks up to him and idolizes him, believing him to be the very spirit of the law and firmly holding that he can do no wrong, even though she's occasionally had to get her hands dirty to make up for his occasional incompetence. She was eventually accepted into the sheriff's office as a deputy, though her gun rights are currently suspended after she nearly shot a hole into the water tower over a friendly wager with the local butcher.

RP sample: Here's one if you need it. A lot more dramatic than the vibes here

Leave here: Hang'em

[Talchyon]

This looks like a lot of fun and I wouldn't mind trying my hand at writing comedy so here's a quick app.

GRAND THEFT HORSE application

Name: Alicia "Allie" Norder
Job: Alleged deputy]

Nice! This RP will be a lot of fun. Thanks for applying. I love this girl and can't wait to see her dumb and lucky wrestling moves! Sheriff Norder will have some interesting reactions with his niece. Allie Norder is ACCEPTED! Welcome to Grand Theft Horse: Sequel Moon!

[Zarkenis Ultima]

Great, glad you liked the concept. I'll read through the IC tonight and try to throw a post up tomorrow.