SB Hecate
06-04-2008, 03:32 PM
Cut from the old forums :
(originally posted by Kezia and Krishna)
I got a PM the other day asking if I had any ideas on what a character could do for the cultural fair, if their country/state didn't really have any special garments to wear. In case anyone else has the same issue, here is my list of suggestions:
- If you really want garments try looking up "historical" or "traditional" garments, that's really fun. But there is also probably something worn in the modern era that is still unique. Religious vestaments, fancy hats or shoes.. otherwise..
- Share a piece of art
- Share a fairytale, poem, or other peice of local literature
- Sing a song or play a piece of music
- Set up a display/write a report on a particular bit of history that your character likes
- Cook or attempt to import some food (probably a sampler item like chocolates rather than a whole meal)
- Share knowledge or samples of something the country/state is known for or widely produces (ie: a certain fruit or wine, pottery, etc)
- Share a religious artifact
- Talk about a unique religious ritual or holiday that is celebrated by your character's family
- Look at your character's own background, instead of the culture as a whole. Are you rich? Share something about estate life. What is your major? Try to look at the country from that point of view - ie: if you're pre-med talk about medicine there.
- Or make something up! Do you have something lovecraftian in your character's past? Or just a sensitive point from their growing years? Talk about that. You don't have to share something *real*.. make up or adapt a story and set it in your character's homeland/town.
Then I got another question: As a player I think this would be fun, but I don't think my character would attend.
My answer: Do to your own character what Kezia did to Krishna, find a creative way to convince them to go.
.. Is your character not going ..
- because they don't have anything to share? Go back and read my list! Even if your character is from the middle of boredom, America there is going to be *something* about your past that sets you apart.
- because they are snobby? Remember that it's a chance to 'enlighten' the American masses about 'true' culture.
- because they are antisocial? Maybe they would get a kick out of seeing people's faces when they share a bit of history that is morbid and/or somehow offensive .. ie: stories about a bloody slaughter, harem culture, whatever.
- because they are shy? Maybe there is something in their heritage they are so passionate about that they don't mind sharing it. And if they ask IC they will be told that no public speaking is required, you can just set up a painting with an explanation attached, or walk around in your garments.
- because they are lazy? I bet there are members of the faculty offering extra credit for having a display and/or attending and learning from the fair. http://www.lovecraftcountry.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif
I know it sounds like I am pushing this really hard, I just think it sounds like fun. And like I said on my other post, it's a good way to deepen our characters and let other people get to know them.
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You don't have to talk about the 1930s, since the depression is such a drag. Actually I wouldn't recommend it .. unless you're from somewhere really exotic, life in the 1930s is current events, not culture.
I doubt Krishna and Kezia are going to say Stalin and his ideas are part of their 'culture'.
What would a native of New Hampshire be proud of? If they aren't the big farmers anymore, they still have their history - why/how the state was formed, their involvement in the civil war ( http://www.geocities.com/nh_heritage/ (http://www.geocities.com/nh_heritage/) ), stuff like that.
-----------------
EXA: someone with italian background could make spaghetti and canolies, and sing traditional songs or eve talk about the great art of Italy ^.~ Rapheal, Davinci, and leonardo http://www.lovecraftcountry.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Or someone with scottish background could make mints and patatoes, play the bag pipes or perform a dance.
>.> I guess the "culture" threw people off, when we say culture, we mean your family background.
...least when I was young that's how our fairs were <.<
(originally posted by Kezia and Krishna)
I got a PM the other day asking if I had any ideas on what a character could do for the cultural fair, if their country/state didn't really have any special garments to wear. In case anyone else has the same issue, here is my list of suggestions:
- If you really want garments try looking up "historical" or "traditional" garments, that's really fun. But there is also probably something worn in the modern era that is still unique. Religious vestaments, fancy hats or shoes.. otherwise..
- Share a piece of art
- Share a fairytale, poem, or other peice of local literature
- Sing a song or play a piece of music
- Set up a display/write a report on a particular bit of history that your character likes
- Cook or attempt to import some food (probably a sampler item like chocolates rather than a whole meal)
- Share knowledge or samples of something the country/state is known for or widely produces (ie: a certain fruit or wine, pottery, etc)
- Share a religious artifact
- Talk about a unique religious ritual or holiday that is celebrated by your character's family
- Look at your character's own background, instead of the culture as a whole. Are you rich? Share something about estate life. What is your major? Try to look at the country from that point of view - ie: if you're pre-med talk about medicine there.
- Or make something up! Do you have something lovecraftian in your character's past? Or just a sensitive point from their growing years? Talk about that. You don't have to share something *real*.. make up or adapt a story and set it in your character's homeland/town.
Then I got another question: As a player I think this would be fun, but I don't think my character would attend.
My answer: Do to your own character what Kezia did to Krishna, find a creative way to convince them to go.
.. Is your character not going ..
- because they don't have anything to share? Go back and read my list! Even if your character is from the middle of boredom, America there is going to be *something* about your past that sets you apart.
- because they are snobby? Remember that it's a chance to 'enlighten' the American masses about 'true' culture.
- because they are antisocial? Maybe they would get a kick out of seeing people's faces when they share a bit of history that is morbid and/or somehow offensive .. ie: stories about a bloody slaughter, harem culture, whatever.
- because they are shy? Maybe there is something in their heritage they are so passionate about that they don't mind sharing it. And if they ask IC they will be told that no public speaking is required, you can just set up a painting with an explanation attached, or walk around in your garments.
- because they are lazy? I bet there are members of the faculty offering extra credit for having a display and/or attending and learning from the fair. http://www.lovecraftcountry.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif
I know it sounds like I am pushing this really hard, I just think it sounds like fun. And like I said on my other post, it's a good way to deepen our characters and let other people get to know them.
--------------
You don't have to talk about the 1930s, since the depression is such a drag. Actually I wouldn't recommend it .. unless you're from somewhere really exotic, life in the 1930s is current events, not culture.
I doubt Krishna and Kezia are going to say Stalin and his ideas are part of their 'culture'.
What would a native of New Hampshire be proud of? If they aren't the big farmers anymore, they still have their history - why/how the state was formed, their involvement in the civil war ( http://www.geocities.com/nh_heritage/ (http://www.geocities.com/nh_heritage/) ), stuff like that.
-----------------
EXA: someone with italian background could make spaghetti and canolies, and sing traditional songs or eve talk about the great art of Italy ^.~ Rapheal, Davinci, and leonardo http://www.lovecraftcountry.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Or someone with scottish background could make mints and patatoes, play the bag pipes or perform a dance.
>.> I guess the "culture" threw people off, when we say culture, we mean your family background.
...least when I was young that's how our fairs were <.<