Dia dhuit, Dear Readers!
Welcome to another edition of the Caledon Zephyr!
This week's main story is all about the Royal Caledon Air Force--what's happening currently as it reforms and also a look back at it's history. After you've read the story, try your hand at the RCAF Crossword Puzzle! No Personality profile this week (yours truly has had an awful time of finding people willing to talk about themselves recently!)--but I hope to have two in the next edition! Oxbridge Occurrences, Upcoming Activities and Events, and our Classifieds round out our regular sections.
I especially want to encourage those with memories of the RCAF to share stories and photos on our blog in the comments section of the story.
Our mailbox and back issues of the Zephyr can be found at our current office in PenzanceTown.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Pensans/47/137/40
We'll also post articles and updates on our blog, http://caledonzephyr.blogspot.com/ . Comments and replies can be posted to individual stories on the blog. However, the comments are moderated to keep out unwanted spam. Relevant comments will be cleared for posting as soon as possible by myself or other editors as they come on board.
We have an ongoing CfP (Call for Participants)--if you'd like to be a section editor or contributor, just send me a notecard in-world or email faerieontheaetherwaves@gmail.com so that you can be added to our staff group and blog.
~~Faerie Scribe, Publisher/Editor of the Caledon Zephyr and Scríobhaí na sídhe-at-large
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Caledon Zephyr 2015.1.25 Stories in Order
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Caledon Zephyr~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Bringing you the NEWS of the Independent State of Caledon!!!
Bringing you the NEWS of the Independent State of Caledon!!!
"From the northern climes comes the zephyr winds, bringing cherished news and gilded ships."
Classifieds, 2015.1.25
Constantine Air Werkz
Fine Aircraft and Parts
Below deck on the Iron Cloud!
Rainy Fey Creations and Rainy Fey Petite
Distinct Clothing and Jewelry
__________________________________________
(Caledon-based organizations, businesses, and goods can be
featured here by dropping a notecard in the mailbox at the Caledon Zephyr
office in Caledon Pensans
or by emailing faerieontheaetherwaves@gmail.com. Please include the
name of the organization or business, a landmark or slurl to where it is
located, the inworld name of the contact person and, if it is a limited
time sale or activity, the dates involved. Additional info might be
added as the submitter sees fit. Classifieds currently are free.)
Events and Activities This Week, 2015.1.25
Sunday, January 25th
2pm slt
Hooked on Books
Hooked On Books is a weekly, informal book discussion group that's based around different genres or topics each week, rather than centered on a specific book, e.g Childhood Favorites, Horror, Mystery. Hosts/Contacts - Meg Thorkveld & Benton Fretwerk
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Port%20Caledon/127/143/23
3-5pm slt
Palm Court Tea Dance
The Bashful Peacock Tea Dance is every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. Please join Rudolfo Woodget for the 2nd Sunday of the month Tea Dance.
The Bashful Peacock is a pub that welcomes all and especially welcomes ladies and gentlemen who prefer the company of ladies and gentlemen, respectively.
The Bashful Peacock is located in the Caledon Wellsian NE corner:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Wellsian/208/204/53
~~~
Monday, January 26th
6:30pm slt
Dancing in Alley Cat Alley
Casual and come-as-you-are for friends and fun!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Morgaine/175/38/22
~~~
Wednesday, January 28th
1pm slt
An Hour of Frivolity! at the Book & Tankard Pub in Caledon
Come join us for a (hopefully) weekly hour of relaxation, talking, drinking, perhaps dancing, in the Book & Tankard Pub in Victoria City!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Victoria%20City/75/150/23
7pm slt
Dancing at the Blue Mermaid
Join us for fun and mayhem at the Blue Mermaid in Caledon on Sea, with eclectic tunes. Dress is informal, music is always fun and danceable.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20On%20Sea/210/147/25
~~~
Friday, January 30th
6pm slt
Prims Over Caledon - Caledon Primtionary
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon/150/43/1003
~~~
Saturday, January 31st
7pm
Poppy's Place Dance Club
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Morgaine/176/13/3510
Everyone is welcome!
2pm slt
Hooked on Books
Hooked On Books is a weekly, informal book discussion group that's based around different genres or topics each week, rather than centered on a specific book, e.g Childhood Favorites, Horror, Mystery. Hosts/Contacts - Meg Thorkveld & Benton Fretwerk
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Port%20Caledon/127/143/23
3-5pm slt
Palm Court Tea Dance
The Bashful Peacock Tea Dance is every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. Please join Rudolfo Woodget for the 2nd Sunday of the month Tea Dance.
The Bashful Peacock is a pub that welcomes all and especially welcomes ladies and gentlemen who prefer the company of ladies and gentlemen, respectively.
The Bashful Peacock is located in the Caledon Wellsian NE corner:
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Wellsian/208/204/53
~~~
Monday, January 26th
6:30pm slt
Dancing in Alley Cat Alley
Casual and come-as-you-are for friends and fun!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Morgaine/175/38/22
~~~
Wednesday, January 28th
1pm slt
An Hour of Frivolity! at the Book & Tankard Pub in Caledon
Come join us for a (hopefully) weekly hour of relaxation, talking, drinking, perhaps dancing, in the Book & Tankard Pub in Victoria City!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Victoria%20City/75/150/23
7pm slt
Dancing at the Blue Mermaid
Join us for fun and mayhem at the Blue Mermaid in Caledon on Sea, with eclectic tunes. Dress is informal, music is always fun and danceable.
http://slurl.com/secondlife/Caledon%20On%20Sea/210/147/25
~~~
Friday, January 30th
6pm slt
Prims Over Caledon - Caledon Primtionary
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon/150/43/1003
~~~
Saturday, January 31st
7pm
Poppy's Place Dance Club
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Morgaine/176/13/3510
Everyone is welcome!
Oxbridge Occurrences, 2015.1.25
There's a Winter Auction and Dance in the planning stages. Keep an eye out in the Oxbridge group for announcements. Have a donation for the auction? Contact j.carl.henderson@gmail.com to make arrangements for drop-off.
***
Dean's Q & A sessions have moved to Oxbridge Village to accommodate larger crowds of attendees while freeing up space in Oxbridge for those needing the tutorial.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge%20Village/14/171/2003
***
The look (and prims) in Oxbridge will be changing slightly in the upcoming months as more and more of the campus goes through "meshification" (the term coined by Chancellor Carl Metropolitan).
***
Oxbridge is looking to fill all class spots throughout the week. Those who think they have a course idea should contact Dean Wordsmith Jarvinen for instructions on how to submit a proposal.
__________________________________________________
The following is a list of the weekly classes offered at Oxbridge:
Unless otherwise noted, all classes take place in the Lecture Hall.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge/72/140/29
Smart Shopper Fundamentals
Time: Sunday, 10:00 SLT
Instructor: Lindal Kidd
This class will cover how to get $L, how to know a quality product, the basics of item permissions, some basic scams to avoid, and most of all, how to find bargains. Become a smart Second Life shopper and look fabulous without spending a lot of money!
~~~
Q&A With the Deans
Time: Sunday, 15:00 SLT
Instructor: Oxbridge Deans
The Caledon Oxbridge "Dean Team" answers your questions about Second Life, Caledon, Oxbridge, Steampunk, and anything else we can manage. Q&A is hosted by some combination of Oxbridge deans and assistant deans. Between them they know… stuff.
~~~
Introduction to Role Playing
Time: Sunday, 17:00 SLT
Instructor: Wendyslippers Charisma
Learn the basic history, purpose and usage of emotes and gestures. Explore roleplay, what it is, and how to do it. This class is intended to enhance your Second Life and greatly increase your fun potential! Free notes, landmarks and gestures provided.
~~~
Basic Scripting
Time: Monday, 17:00 SLT
Instructor: Wordsmith Jarvinen
Scripts are what makes Second Life a dynamic, interactive environment. Scripts can change an object's properties, move objects, communicate with avatars or other scripts, sense objects or avatars, play sounds, collect information, play animations, and rez or give objects within the same object's inventory.
The class starts with the very basics and works through several examples.
Familiarity with the build editor is helpful/advised.
~~~
Building Office Hour
Time: Tuesday, 12:00 SLT
Instructor: Searra Weatherwax
Do you have building questions, are you stuck on a project and need help, do you just want another opinion on something you've already built? Bring your questions to Building office hours. Bring your special building projects, questions, and concerns this weekly Office Hour.
~~~
Advanced Building I
Time: Tuesday, 17:00 SLT
Instructor: Searra Weatherwax
Take your building skills to the next level! Advanced Building covers advanced prim shaping techniques (a.k.a. prim torture), flexi-prims, light, and the uses and misuses of megaprims.
Required Knowledge: Basic building skills. Suggested prerequisite class: Building Basics
~~~
A Trivial Entertainment
Time: Tuesday, 19:00 SLT
Instructor: Carl Metropolitan
Join us in Caledon Oxbridge for "A Trivial Entertainment", a fast-paced trivia game show with host Carl Metropolitan. A 300 $L prize for the person who gets the most questions correct. Topics are drawn from the Great Areas of Human (Trivial) Knowledge: Arts, Biology & Earth Science, Entertainment, Geek Culture, Geography, History, Literature & Books, Religion & Myth, Science, Second Life, and Sports.
Just say NO to bot-run trivia!
~~~
Time to Make a Clock
Time: Wednesday, 17:00 SLT
Instructor: Sandie Harbour
Put your basic building skills to work by making a real working clock!
Required Knowledge: Basic building skills.
Suggested prerequisite class: Building Basics.
~~~
Introduction to Mesh
Time: Wednesday, 19:00 SLT
Instructor: Wordsmith Jarvinen
Mesh is the most flexible means of creating objects, clothing and avatars for SL. The class covers background concepts, compares mesh with prims and sculpties, and shows the upload interface.
~~~
What to Do in Caledon
Time: Wednesday, 21:00 SLT
Instructor: Lucien Brentano
So, you've taken the walking tutorial. You've picked the freebies clean. You know all about Avatar Safety, you can wield prims with the best of them, and you have an idea of how to make some spending money. Now what?
This class aims to showcase some of Caledon's more interesting activities. Part tour, part lecture, we show students how to look for a party and give them a calendar of events.
Class materials will include landmarks and links to web-based resources like the Caledon Calendar and the Steamlander forums.
~~~
Advanced Building II
Time: Thursday, 15:00 SLT
Instructor: Searra Weatherwax
Make the most of your building with advanced building tips, including: precision prim placement with grid and ruler, two ways to copy, advanced linking and unlinking tips, and how to edit linked parts.
Required Knowledge: Basic building.
~~~
Second Life Photography
Time: Thursday, 17:00 SLT
Instructor: Larkylouz
Learn how to take great pictures in Second Life! This class covers all the essential basics, including using the snapshot tool, camera movement and control, lighting and windlights, graphics programs, photo presentation techniques, photography studios, and more.
~~~
Building Basics
Time: Thursday, 19:00 SLT
Instructor: Samm Florian
Building Basics is intended for residents who are new or kind of new to building.
On 1st, 3rd, and 5th Thursdays of the month, we have a hands-on class where you'll learn the basic tools you need to build with prims. No prerequisites required; all are welcome, even if you've never rezzed a cube before. This class is text-based and usually runs for 90 minutes.
On the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, Samm will host a Building Office Hour. If you have general questions about building, having a problem with something you're making, or just want to show off what you've made, bring it by. This will typically run for 60 minutes, but there's no need to stay for the whole class.
~~~
How to Buy and Rent Land in SL
Time: Friday, 17:00 SLT
Instructor: Lindal Kidd
You do not have to have land in Second Life to have fun but it sure helps! Introduction to Land will teach you the basics of how to find, buy or rent, and sell land in Second Life. There is also an introduction to land controls, and a discussion of the risks and rewards of land on Private Estates versus the Linden Lab owned Mainland.
~~~
Avatar Safety
Time: Saturday, 12:00 SLT
Instructor: Lindal Kidd
Even in a virtual world, there are things that hurt. Introduction to Avatar Safety covers the basics of protecting one's self in Second Life. This class covers personal information protection, strategies for coping with griefers, abuse reporting, and common scams--plus other information sources and a few tools to help you keep Second Life experience safe.
~~~
Photo Salon
Time: Saturday, 17:00 SLT
Instructor: Larkylouz
This is an open-ended workshop that provides SL photographers with skills instruction, practice locations, and a supportive atmosphere in which to practice the techniques of effective SL Photography. Subject matter may range from basic composition to experimenting with creating windlights or specialized photography (surrealism, anyone?).
Participants will be encouraged to experiment with lighting, framing, and the manipulation of viewer settings. Each class stands alone, but specific topics will vary from week to week and be announced before class. Critique and sharing are a valued part of the class, which is taught on a rotating basis by class members and guest speakers.
Prerequisites: None, but a basic photography class is recommended.
For more info, contact the coordinator, Renee Caxton.
***
Dean's Q & A sessions have moved to Oxbridge Village to accommodate larger crowds of attendees while freeing up space in Oxbridge for those needing the tutorial.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge%20Village/14/171/2003
***
The look (and prims) in Oxbridge will be changing slightly in the upcoming months as more and more of the campus goes through "meshification" (the term coined by Chancellor Carl Metropolitan).
***
Oxbridge is looking to fill all class spots throughout the week. Those who think they have a course idea should contact Dean Wordsmith Jarvinen for instructions on how to submit a proposal.
__________________________________________________
The following is a list of the weekly classes offered at Oxbridge:
Unless otherwise noted, all classes take place in the Lecture Hall.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Caledon%20Oxbridge/72/140/29
Smart Shopper Fundamentals
Time: Sunday, 10:00 SLT
Instructor: Lindal Kidd
This class will cover how to get $L, how to know a quality product, the basics of item permissions, some basic scams to avoid, and most of all, how to find bargains. Become a smart Second Life shopper and look fabulous without spending a lot of money!
~~~
Q&A With the Deans
Time: Sunday, 15:00 SLT
Instructor: Oxbridge Deans
The Caledon Oxbridge "Dean Team" answers your questions about Second Life, Caledon, Oxbridge, Steampunk, and anything else we can manage. Q&A is hosted by some combination of Oxbridge deans and assistant deans. Between them they know… stuff.
~~~
Introduction to Role Playing
Time: Sunday, 17:00 SLT
Instructor: Wendyslippers Charisma
Learn the basic history, purpose and usage of emotes and gestures. Explore roleplay, what it is, and how to do it. This class is intended to enhance your Second Life and greatly increase your fun potential! Free notes, landmarks and gestures provided.
~~~
Basic Scripting
Time: Monday, 17:00 SLT
Instructor: Wordsmith Jarvinen
Scripts are what makes Second Life a dynamic, interactive environment. Scripts can change an object's properties, move objects, communicate with avatars or other scripts, sense objects or avatars, play sounds, collect information, play animations, and rez or give objects within the same object's inventory.
The class starts with the very basics and works through several examples.
Familiarity with the build editor is helpful/advised.
~~~
Building Office Hour
Time: Tuesday, 12:00 SLT
Instructor: Searra Weatherwax
Do you have building questions, are you stuck on a project and need help, do you just want another opinion on something you've already built? Bring your questions to Building office hours. Bring your special building projects, questions, and concerns this weekly Office Hour.
~~~
Advanced Building I
Time: Tuesday, 17:00 SLT
Instructor: Searra Weatherwax
Take your building skills to the next level! Advanced Building covers advanced prim shaping techniques (a.k.a. prim torture), flexi-prims, light, and the uses and misuses of megaprims.
Required Knowledge: Basic building skills. Suggested prerequisite class: Building Basics
~~~
A Trivial Entertainment
Time: Tuesday, 19:00 SLT
Instructor: Carl Metropolitan
Join us in Caledon Oxbridge for "A Trivial Entertainment", a fast-paced trivia game show with host Carl Metropolitan. A 300 $L prize for the person who gets the most questions correct. Topics are drawn from the Great Areas of Human (Trivial) Knowledge: Arts, Biology & Earth Science, Entertainment, Geek Culture, Geography, History, Literature & Books, Religion & Myth, Science, Second Life, and Sports.
Just say NO to bot-run trivia!
~~~
Time to Make a Clock
Time: Wednesday, 17:00 SLT
Instructor: Sandie Harbour
Put your basic building skills to work by making a real working clock!
Required Knowledge: Basic building skills.
Suggested prerequisite class: Building Basics.
~~~
Introduction to Mesh
Time: Wednesday, 19:00 SLT
Instructor: Wordsmith Jarvinen
Mesh is the most flexible means of creating objects, clothing and avatars for SL. The class covers background concepts, compares mesh with prims and sculpties, and shows the upload interface.
~~~
What to Do in Caledon
Time: Wednesday, 21:00 SLT
Instructor: Lucien Brentano
So, you've taken the walking tutorial. You've picked the freebies clean. You know all about Avatar Safety, you can wield prims with the best of them, and you have an idea of how to make some spending money. Now what?
This class aims to showcase some of Caledon's more interesting activities. Part tour, part lecture, we show students how to look for a party and give them a calendar of events.
Class materials will include landmarks and links to web-based resources like the Caledon Calendar and the Steamlander forums.
~~~
Advanced Building II
Time: Thursday, 15:00 SLT
Instructor: Searra Weatherwax
Make the most of your building with advanced building tips, including: precision prim placement with grid and ruler, two ways to copy, advanced linking and unlinking tips, and how to edit linked parts.
Required Knowledge: Basic building.
~~~
Second Life Photography
Time: Thursday, 17:00 SLT
Instructor: Larkylouz
Learn how to take great pictures in Second Life! This class covers all the essential basics, including using the snapshot tool, camera movement and control, lighting and windlights, graphics programs, photo presentation techniques, photography studios, and more.
~~~
Building Basics
Time: Thursday, 19:00 SLT
Instructor: Samm Florian
Building Basics is intended for residents who are new or kind of new to building.
On 1st, 3rd, and 5th Thursdays of the month, we have a hands-on class where you'll learn the basic tools you need to build with prims. No prerequisites required; all are welcome, even if you've never rezzed a cube before. This class is text-based and usually runs for 90 minutes.
On the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month, Samm will host a Building Office Hour. If you have general questions about building, having a problem with something you're making, or just want to show off what you've made, bring it by. This will typically run for 60 minutes, but there's no need to stay for the whole class.
~~~
How to Buy and Rent Land in SL
Time: Friday, 17:00 SLT
Instructor: Lindal Kidd
You do not have to have land in Second Life to have fun but it sure helps! Introduction to Land will teach you the basics of how to find, buy or rent, and sell land in Second Life. There is also an introduction to land controls, and a discussion of the risks and rewards of land on Private Estates versus the Linden Lab owned Mainland.
~~~
Avatar Safety
Time: Saturday, 12:00 SLT
Instructor: Lindal Kidd
Even in a virtual world, there are things that hurt. Introduction to Avatar Safety covers the basics of protecting one's self in Second Life. This class covers personal information protection, strategies for coping with griefers, abuse reporting, and common scams--plus other information sources and a few tools to help you keep Second Life experience safe.
~~~
Photo Salon
Time: Saturday, 17:00 SLT
Instructor: Larkylouz
This is an open-ended workshop that provides SL photographers with skills instruction, practice locations, and a supportive atmosphere in which to practice the techniques of effective SL Photography. Subject matter may range from basic composition to experimenting with creating windlights or specialized photography (surrealism, anyone?).
Participants will be encouraged to experiment with lighting, framing, and the manipulation of viewer settings. Each class stands alone, but specific topics will vary from week to week and be announced before class. Critique and sharing are a valued part of the class, which is taught on a rotating basis by class members and guest speakers.
Prerequisites: None, but a basic photography class is recommended.
For more info, contact the coordinator, Renee Caxton.
NPCs are People, Too: The Cute but Deadly Crimson Pirate Staff
~communique transmitted from our secret reporter with approval from Crimson Pirates Captain and Middlesea's Duke Wrath Constantine
***
In my travels recently I happened across a giant flying airbase in the skies over Caledon. The locals know it as the Iron Cloud; a hangout and base of operations for the Crimson Pirates. Aboard this massive structure I met and spoke with some of the crew that guard and maintain day-to-day operations at this facility.
Upon approach, I was greeted on the radio by Anna, IC-ATC and communications officer. Pleasant but business-like, she granted landing clearance and agreed to a short interview. Arriving in the Air Traffic Control tower, I met a bespectacled Leporid with green hair scribbling flight notes on a clipboard.
Anna: "Welcome to the Iron Cloud.", she spoke as she looked up from her notes. "What brings you here today?"
CZ: "We're traveling the lands of Caledon and learning about it's people. Can you tell us about yourself?"
Anna: "Well, I first arrived here three years ago, looking to see the world and try something different. I wasn't really cut out to be a farmer, and was fascinated by radio. The ability to hear voices from distant lands in real time, and speak to them, seems to me like a kind of magic. But not one to be feared. It can bring people, cultures, and ideas together. I studied radio theory from a young age, and built my first shortwave receiver when I was 10.
So I ended up here, having heard of the place from my grandfather who used to be a combat pilot. I monitor the airwaves and guide aircraft into and out of our airspace. I also get to play with the incredible radio equipment here. Did you know there's a 600 kilowatt AM transmitter aboard? It's kinda dangerous to be near when it's operating, so the transmitter and antenna are located way out on the ventral spire of the Iron Cloud. As far as I know, only the Aspidistra Transmitter is as powerful."
CZ: Anna pauses for a moment, twitching an ear towards one of her receivers as a short "vVWoomp" sound comes over the speaker. She quickly scribbles a note on another clipboard as she glances at a clock '14:23.42 - VLF pulse, 4.5kHz, 30Hz tone, 0.5sec'
Anna: "Anything else I can help you with?"
CZ: "No, I think that's got it. Thank you."
Anna: "No problem! Be sure to check out the radio station down on level six while you're here, but I recommend steering clear of the transmitter on level 10."
===
Making my way back down from the control tower, I see an armed guard on the flight deck standing watch over a fleet of fighter planes. Black hair waving in the wind as he turns upon my exit from the lobby door. He regards me nonchalantly as I cautiously approach, but I can see his finger on the safety switch of his weapon. I introduce myself from a distance and ask if I can ask him a few questions. The tall Mephitidae (skunk) mutters something into a communicator, pauses, then nods and beckons me over.
Clu: "You have question?"
CZ: "Yes, can you tell us about yourself, what you do, and how you came to be here?"
Clu: "Sisters and I only survivors of shipwreck. Salvage operation went wrong, ja? Load shifted while airborne, brought ship down in West Sea. Bunneh pirates find us adrift, rescue us and give us new job. Place to live, food to eat, and all the ammo a guy could want. Clu is happy here. Much better than salvage job. "
CZ: "What all do you do in this job?"
Clu: "Watch planes, watch sky, watch airbase. If someone try take plane, Clu shoot. If someone try attack, Clu shoot." He looks West, eyes sharpening as he brings his weapon to bear on a stray air kraken venturing too close to the airbase. "You cover ears now." I can feel the air rattle as his rifle erupts in a burst of lead and fire. The air kraken twitches, tumbles, and falls out of view past the end of the runway. I must have had quite the look on my face as I brought my hands down from my ears, judging by the grin on his face. "Is good job, simple job. Rarely boring job."
I thank him for his time, and cannot help but wonder where that tentacled monstrosity landed...
===
Traveling down a flight of stairs, I see what has to be the most intimidating woman I have ever laid eyes on. Similarly armed and armored as her brother on the flight deck, just as tall and muscular. Her confident demeanor swings at you like a mace, her gaze penetrates you from under blood red hair with a blond shock that barely covers a scar over her right eye. There have been seasoned sailors more frail than this woman. She already has her eyes locked on me before I'm down the stairs and I spot her behind some sort of barrier door. Restricted Access signs near the door seem redundant as this brawny Mephitidae womans countenance says it all. This time, I'm the first to be questioned.
Bernadette: "You're a journalist, I gather?"
CZ: "Yes? Yes." I can't help but be a little on edge, and I'm not sure if it's better or worse when a smile slowly forms on her face.
Bernadette: "And you would like to know who I am, and how I found myself here?"
CZ: "Yes, please."
Bernadette: "Clu told you the gist of it. We were young, kids really. Orphaned and finding work on non combat ships, particularly salvagers out of Rugalia, our homeland. Our last job didn't go as planned. We got caught in a sudden storm and it threw our medium salvage frigate about like a toy boat in a bathtub. While we were trying to take off to get above the storm part of the cargo broke it's straps and slid forward. It smashed right through the wheelhouse and got hung up on the bow, pulling the now throttled and out of control airship into a nose dive from about a mile up. I was able to grab my brother and sister, and toss them into a crate of packing material we use for artifacts and sensitive mechanisms. We managed to survive only because the ship hit the water at an angle, and our crate floated due to the contents. We were adrift with the wreckage of the frigate for a few days before they found us. We were the only ones so lucky. But I still got this." She flicks her hair up over her right eye, revealing the scar. "My brother likes to joke that I broke the ship with my face."
CZ: "Your brother has an accent, but you don't seem to. Why is that?"
Bernadette: "My brother is older than me by 5 years. He spent more time in our homeland, whereas Ginna and I were very young when the three of us left the orphanage to fend for ourselves. We were around foreigners most of our lives."
CZ: "Got it. Thank you!"
===
By Bernadette's suggestion, I followed a hallway North out onto a breezy catwalk under the flight deck. I found it a bit nerve-wracking to be able to see straight down through the walkway to the ground almost a half kilometer below, but the view from up here is amazing! Turning right at the first intersection, and right again, I see a fleet of dangerous-looking airships in the crimson and black livery of the Crimson Pirates.
Another right turn and I come to a large steel iris door, with more Restricted Access signs and another armed guard. Also a Mephitidae, this one is shorter and smaller with two rings in her left ear. She turns as I approach, putting herself between me and the massive door.
Ginna: "You the reporter?"
CZ: "Yes! May I ask you some questions?"
Ginna: "Sure. My sister told me you were coming, and the Captain authorized it. What would you like to know first?"
CZ: "Well, I already know what you used to do, and how you got here. Maybe tell us about yourself?"
Ginna: "I'm the youngest of three children, two years younger than my sister, seven from my brother. These days I keep watch over the ships out there and this door. I like music, and get some great recordings from Anna. That bunneh can find almost anything. When the Captain isn't looking, I'll sing a song in my head and dance to it."
CZ: "I notice you have two rings in your ear. Any significance to them?"
Ginna: "One for my brother and one for my sister, to remind me to listen to them. They're both fiercely protective of me, and I love them both dearly." She smiles softly as she traces the rings with her fingers. "They are my longest-standing family, and I wouldn't be here today if not for the both of them."
CZ: "Thank you. Glad to have met you!"
===
Making my way down another flight of spiral stairs, I find myself in a ballroom-sized art-deco lounge. Works by Tamara de Lempika adorn the back of the stage, situated opposite of a well stocked bar manned by an older Leporid gentleman with tousled salt and pepper hair. His name is Harvey Mathers, but he prefers to be called by his old callsign.
Bulletbait: "Evenin' Miss. What can I get'cha?"
CZ: "An absinthe and an interview, perhaps?"
Bulletbait: "Well I think I can do that." With a flourish he produces an ornate glass, filling the reservoir with the green liquor before placing a flat silver spoon and a sugar cube on the rim. He sets it in front of me, and slides over an absinthe fountain with chilled water. A slight flick on the tap and a trickle of water streams down over the sugar cube.
CZ: "You know who I am?", I ask, watching the sugar dissolve into the liquor."
Bulletbait: "Scuttlebutt moves fast here.", he says with a smile and a tap of the communicator near his ear."
CZ: "So what's your story? How did you get here?"
Bulletbait: "Used to be a combat pilot. Served a few years in the war, had a good career until I got too shot up to fly. Pension's not really enough by itself, and I wanted to stay in the skies as long as I could. So I tend bar here and keep an eye on my radio-nut grand-daughter. Not a bad gig for an old guy like me."
I sip my drink as the dignified gentleman grabs a cloth from under the bar and wipes up some water.
Bulletbait: "The Captain had heard of me and likes to hear old stories of days and battles past. My grand-daughter told him I was looking for work, so he contacted me and brought me aboard. I can't tell you how happy I was to get here. To this day I still enjoy coming to work."
CZ: "And ready access to such a selection doesn't hurt?", I nod in the direction of the bottles, flasks, and barrels behind him. He grins and gives a wink.
Bulletbait: "It's definitely a perk."
===
Back on the flight deck, three young Chinchillidae ladies were just finishing up prepping my airship for departure. They were chittering amongst themselves as I approached, seeming to have an entire conversation in a matter of seconds. Preflight checks completed with remarkable speed and precision. I decided to find out more about them.
CZ: "Hello! Mind if I ask you some questions?"
Dani: "Not at all. We're all done prepping your vessel, so we have some time before the recon wing returns." The short brownish red-head calls the other two over with a quick chirp, and they join us with inquisitive looks.
CZ: "Where are you from, and what events led you here?"
Enki: "We're refugees, originally from Chilea. We left when our home was destroyed." This girl was taller than Dani, with a red accent in her green hair.
CZ: "Destroyed? What happened?"
Dani: "We were invaded. A militant sect came, set on exterminating us."
Feni: "Xenophobes.", the short, purple-haired girl said softly.
Dani: "We weren't great in number to begin with. Now were so few that it's rare to see our own kind anymore. And with no homeland left, we are scattered to the winds."
Enki: "But we'll change that. We used to be isolated, keeping mostly to ourselves. So when the invasion happened, nobody heard about it. Working here we've made friends and allies. We're making contact with or own kind again, regrouping. Some day we'll have the means to rebuild and fortify our home. And help in defending it."
CZ: "Aren't you worried that they will try again?"
Dani: "They already tried again."
Enki: "And they got their butts handed to them." Enki adds with a victorious grin.
Feni: "Whoop-ass." Her soft voice belies the determination seen in her expression.
Dani: "My sisters and I feel safe here, and confident that we can eventually bring this security to our lands."
CZ: "You are sisters? How is your hair color so varied?"
Enki: "In our culture it is customary to dye one's fur and hair. Sometimes it's for style, sometimes it's a color that reminds us of a place that inspires us. It's rare to see two of our kind the same color."
CZ: "What are your fur colors representative of?"
Dani: "Our lands, and the fires set to them."
Enki: "Our foilage and the national flower."
Feni: "The blood of our enemy that persecutes us." Dani, Enki, and I look startled to the soft spoken girl.
Enki: "Jeez, sis, you're being scary."
Dani: "Sorry about that. When the invasion happened, she was very young and saw things nobody should have to see. She never got over it."
I nod in understanding and thank them for their time.
Editor's Note:
If you have NPCs as an integral part of your role play within Caledon, write their story and submit it to the Zephyr!
***
In my travels recently I happened across a giant flying airbase in the skies over Caledon. The locals know it as the Iron Cloud; a hangout and base of operations for the Crimson Pirates. Aboard this massive structure I met and spoke with some of the crew that guard and maintain day-to-day operations at this facility.
 |
| Iron Cloud on Approach |
Upon approach, I was greeted on the radio by Anna, IC-ATC and communications officer. Pleasant but business-like, she granted landing clearance and agreed to a short interview. Arriving in the Air Traffic Control tower, I met a bespectacled Leporid with green hair scribbling flight notes on a clipboard.
Anna: "Welcome to the Iron Cloud.", she spoke as she looked up from her notes. "What brings you here today?"
CZ: "We're traveling the lands of Caledon and learning about it's people. Can you tell us about yourself?"
Anna: "Well, I first arrived here three years ago, looking to see the world and try something different. I wasn't really cut out to be a farmer, and was fascinated by radio. The ability to hear voices from distant lands in real time, and speak to them, seems to me like a kind of magic. But not one to be feared. It can bring people, cultures, and ideas together. I studied radio theory from a young age, and built my first shortwave receiver when I was 10.
So I ended up here, having heard of the place from my grandfather who used to be a combat pilot. I monitor the airwaves and guide aircraft into and out of our airspace. I also get to play with the incredible radio equipment here. Did you know there's a 600 kilowatt AM transmitter aboard? It's kinda dangerous to be near when it's operating, so the transmitter and antenna are located way out on the ventral spire of the Iron Cloud. As far as I know, only the Aspidistra Transmitter is as powerful."
CZ: Anna pauses for a moment, twitching an ear towards one of her receivers as a short "vVWoomp" sound comes over the speaker. She quickly scribbles a note on another clipboard as she glances at a clock '14:23.42 - VLF pulse, 4.5kHz, 30Hz tone, 0.5sec'
Anna: "Anything else I can help you with?"
CZ: "No, I think that's got it. Thank you."
Anna: "No problem! Be sure to check out the radio station down on level six while you're here, but I recommend steering clear of the transmitter on level 10."
 |
| Iron Cloud Anna |
===
Making my way back down from the control tower, I see an armed guard on the flight deck standing watch over a fleet of fighter planes. Black hair waving in the wind as he turns upon my exit from the lobby door. He regards me nonchalantly as I cautiously approach, but I can see his finger on the safety switch of his weapon. I introduce myself from a distance and ask if I can ask him a few questions. The tall Mephitidae (skunk) mutters something into a communicator, pauses, then nods and beckons me over.
Clu: "You have question?"
CZ: "Yes, can you tell us about yourself, what you do, and how you came to be here?"
Clu: "Sisters and I only survivors of shipwreck. Salvage operation went wrong, ja? Load shifted while airborne, brought ship down in West Sea. Bunneh pirates find us adrift, rescue us and give us new job. Place to live, food to eat, and all the ammo a guy could want. Clu is happy here. Much better than salvage job. "
CZ: "What all do you do in this job?"
Clu: "Watch planes, watch sky, watch airbase. If someone try take plane, Clu shoot. If someone try attack, Clu shoot." He looks West, eyes sharpening as he brings his weapon to bear on a stray air kraken venturing too close to the airbase. "You cover ears now." I can feel the air rattle as his rifle erupts in a burst of lead and fire. The air kraken twitches, tumbles, and falls out of view past the end of the runway. I must have had quite the look on my face as I brought my hands down from my ears, judging by the grin on his face. "Is good job, simple job. Rarely boring job."
I thank him for his time, and cannot help but wonder where that tentacled monstrosity landed...
 |
| Iron Cloud Clu |
Traveling down a flight of stairs, I see what has to be the most intimidating woman I have ever laid eyes on. Similarly armed and armored as her brother on the flight deck, just as tall and muscular. Her confident demeanor swings at you like a mace, her gaze penetrates you from under blood red hair with a blond shock that barely covers a scar over her right eye. There have been seasoned sailors more frail than this woman. She already has her eyes locked on me before I'm down the stairs and I spot her behind some sort of barrier door. Restricted Access signs near the door seem redundant as this brawny Mephitidae womans countenance says it all. This time, I'm the first to be questioned.
Bernadette: "You're a journalist, I gather?"
CZ: "Yes? Yes." I can't help but be a little on edge, and I'm not sure if it's better or worse when a smile slowly forms on her face.
Bernadette: "And you would like to know who I am, and how I found myself here?"
CZ: "Yes, please."
Bernadette: "Clu told you the gist of it. We were young, kids really. Orphaned and finding work on non combat ships, particularly salvagers out of Rugalia, our homeland. Our last job didn't go as planned. We got caught in a sudden storm and it threw our medium salvage frigate about like a toy boat in a bathtub. While we were trying to take off to get above the storm part of the cargo broke it's straps and slid forward. It smashed right through the wheelhouse and got hung up on the bow, pulling the now throttled and out of control airship into a nose dive from about a mile up. I was able to grab my brother and sister, and toss them into a crate of packing material we use for artifacts and sensitive mechanisms. We managed to survive only because the ship hit the water at an angle, and our crate floated due to the contents. We were adrift with the wreckage of the frigate for a few days before they found us. We were the only ones so lucky. But I still got this." She flicks her hair up over her right eye, revealing the scar. "My brother likes to joke that I broke the ship with my face."
CZ: "Your brother has an accent, but you don't seem to. Why is that?"
Bernadette: "My brother is older than me by 5 years. He spent more time in our homeland, whereas Ginna and I were very young when the three of us left the orphanage to fend for ourselves. We were around foreigners most of our lives."
CZ: "Got it. Thank you!"
 |
| Iron Cloud Bernadette |
By Bernadette's suggestion, I followed a hallway North out onto a breezy catwalk under the flight deck. I found it a bit nerve-wracking to be able to see straight down through the walkway to the ground almost a half kilometer below, but the view from up here is amazing! Turning right at the first intersection, and right again, I see a fleet of dangerous-looking airships in the crimson and black livery of the Crimson Pirates.
 |
| CP Fleet |
Ginna: "You the reporter?"
CZ: "Yes! May I ask you some questions?"
Ginna: "Sure. My sister told me you were coming, and the Captain authorized it. What would you like to know first?"
CZ: "Well, I already know what you used to do, and how you got here. Maybe tell us about yourself?"
Ginna: "I'm the youngest of three children, two years younger than my sister, seven from my brother. These days I keep watch over the ships out there and this door. I like music, and get some great recordings from Anna. That bunneh can find almost anything. When the Captain isn't looking, I'll sing a song in my head and dance to it."
CZ: "I notice you have two rings in your ear. Any significance to them?"
Ginna: "One for my brother and one for my sister, to remind me to listen to them. They're both fiercely protective of me, and I love them both dearly." She smiles softly as she traces the rings with her fingers. "They are my longest-standing family, and I wouldn't be here today if not for the both of them."
CZ: "Thank you. Glad to have met you!"
 |
| Iron Cloud Ginna |
Making my way down another flight of spiral stairs, I find myself in a ballroom-sized art-deco lounge. Works by Tamara de Lempika adorn the back of the stage, situated opposite of a well stocked bar manned by an older Leporid gentleman with tousled salt and pepper hair. His name is Harvey Mathers, but he prefers to be called by his old callsign.
Bulletbait: "Evenin' Miss. What can I get'cha?"
CZ: "An absinthe and an interview, perhaps?"
Bulletbait: "Well I think I can do that." With a flourish he produces an ornate glass, filling the reservoir with the green liquor before placing a flat silver spoon and a sugar cube on the rim. He sets it in front of me, and slides over an absinthe fountain with chilled water. A slight flick on the tap and a trickle of water streams down over the sugar cube.
CZ: "You know who I am?", I ask, watching the sugar dissolve into the liquor."
Bulletbait: "Scuttlebutt moves fast here.", he says with a smile and a tap of the communicator near his ear."
CZ: "So what's your story? How did you get here?"
Bulletbait: "Used to be a combat pilot. Served a few years in the war, had a good career until I got too shot up to fly. Pension's not really enough by itself, and I wanted to stay in the skies as long as I could. So I tend bar here and keep an eye on my radio-nut grand-daughter. Not a bad gig for an old guy like me."
I sip my drink as the dignified gentleman grabs a cloth from under the bar and wipes up some water.
Bulletbait: "The Captain had heard of me and likes to hear old stories of days and battles past. My grand-daughter told him I was looking for work, so he contacted me and brought me aboard. I can't tell you how happy I was to get here. To this day I still enjoy coming to work."
CZ: "And ready access to such a selection doesn't hurt?", I nod in the direction of the bottles, flasks, and barrels behind him. He grins and gives a wink.
Bulletbait: "It's definitely a perk."
 |
| Iron Cloud Harvey |
Back on the flight deck, three young Chinchillidae ladies were just finishing up prepping my airship for departure. They were chittering amongst themselves as I approached, seeming to have an entire conversation in a matter of seconds. Preflight checks completed with remarkable speed and precision. I decided to find out more about them.
CZ: "Hello! Mind if I ask you some questions?"
Dani: "Not at all. We're all done prepping your vessel, so we have some time before the recon wing returns." The short brownish red-head calls the other two over with a quick chirp, and they join us with inquisitive looks.
CZ: "Where are you from, and what events led you here?"
Enki: "We're refugees, originally from Chilea. We left when our home was destroyed." This girl was taller than Dani, with a red accent in her green hair.
CZ: "Destroyed? What happened?"
Dani: "We were invaded. A militant sect came, set on exterminating us."
Feni: "Xenophobes.", the short, purple-haired girl said softly.
Dani: "We weren't great in number to begin with. Now were so few that it's rare to see our own kind anymore. And with no homeland left, we are scattered to the winds."
Enki: "But we'll change that. We used to be isolated, keeping mostly to ourselves. So when the invasion happened, nobody heard about it. Working here we've made friends and allies. We're making contact with or own kind again, regrouping. Some day we'll have the means to rebuild and fortify our home. And help in defending it."
CZ: "Aren't you worried that they will try again?"
Dani: "They already tried again."
Enki: "And they got their butts handed to them." Enki adds with a victorious grin.
Feni: "Whoop-ass." Her soft voice belies the determination seen in her expression.
Dani: "My sisters and I feel safe here, and confident that we can eventually bring this security to our lands."
CZ: "You are sisters? How is your hair color so varied?"
Enki: "In our culture it is customary to dye one's fur and hair. Sometimes it's for style, sometimes it's a color that reminds us of a place that inspires us. It's rare to see two of our kind the same color."
CZ: "What are your fur colors representative of?"
Dani: "Our lands, and the fires set to them."
Enki: "Our foilage and the national flower."
Feni: "The blood of our enemy that persecutes us." Dani, Enki, and I look startled to the soft spoken girl.
Enki: "Jeez, sis, you're being scary."
Dani: "Sorry about that. When the invasion happened, she was very young and saw things nobody should have to see. She never got over it."
I nod in understanding and thank them for their time.
 |
| Iron Cloud Chincillas |
If you have NPCs as an integral part of your role play within Caledon, write their story and submit it to the Zephyr!
Crossword Puzzle, Caledon Oxbridge Village, 2015.1.25
This week's printable crossword is all about Caledon Oxbridge Village, past and present. Use this week's main story and Google for help (or just talk to a few Caledon oldbies)
Caledon Oxbridge Village crossword:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByHpQTqV61AkY0ZoWkg5MW44azg/view?usp=sharing
Answer page:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByHpQTqV61AkZzl4NWpKTmZTV1U/view?usp=sharing
Caledon Oxbridge Village crossword:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByHpQTqV61AkY0ZoWkg5MW44azg/view?usp=sharing
Answer page:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByHpQTqV61AkZzl4NWpKTmZTV1U/view?usp=sharing
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