Revision [25953]

This is an old revision of NewOrleansGameScaffold made by AnnCarpenter on 2012-01-27 02:30:55.

 

This is a page which will serve as a scaffolding for building up the 1880s game.

Game Specifications
To do:
French Quarter Overview based on a 1870's map
French Quarter Detail <#kate: I put in the hotel and orphanage arbitrarily here (it seemed a good spot in relation to the church and market), but I'm totally open to altering the position. The other details are historical landmarks that were there at the time (or before then). I'm hoping to add more but if anyone knows of something else to add, let me know. I'm happy to either share the file or get it into Google in a more editable format (but don't really feel like spending the time figure that out at the moment so a picture you have now =P) #>
St. James Hotel Front Facade Drawing
St. James Orphanage Front Facade Drawing
Hotel and Orphanage Site Layout
Orphanage Interior
Hotel Second Floor
Hotel Third Floor
Hotel Fourth Floor


Orphans and Orphanages
Orphanages
Louisiana Online Historical Newspapers
SiblingsPossibilities

PCs to choose their beds in order of arrival - with NPCs likewise choosing as appropriate.

Left SideRight Side
StairsBed 1 - Jefferson
Bed 2 - Name?Bed 3 - Name?
Bed 4 - Name?Bed 5 - Name?
WBed 6 - CallahanBed 7 - Name?
WBed 8 - Name?Bed 9 - Name?
Bed 10 - CelesteBed 11 - Name?
Bed 12 - Name?Bed 13 - Valerie


Contemporary picture of a similar hotel
Hotel bedroom
Hotel bedroom
Parlor room
Sitting room
Dining room

Please go to NONpcs NPC's Page to see a list of the NPCs and links to their individual pages with descriptions.


(Bill since you are clean up guy. Dide you want to clean up this section? I think most of it was copied already to the NONpcs page)

<#bill: Kel, I hadn't done that because the original goal was more to remove completed discussions - while leaving the established facts. But since you asked I'm happy to do it. I don't think everything has been transferred over...but I'll go through add to the NPCs' pages as appropriate. #>


Notes etc below:

Kelly's random thoughts (These are mutable but might give people some things to incorporate) :

1) I think the orphanage is run as a business...my gut is that its attached or nearby a factory / hotel thing and the orphanage provides for the children but they are expected to work at the business "getting real world training to make them productive members of society." (In other words free labor in exchange for room and board).

2) I think the business was heavily involved in the civil war, but with it over, has seen better times. (example if it was a hotel it housed soldiers, if it was a factory it made munitions, etc.)

3) I think the business is run by the male half of a couple, while the female half runs the orphanage. (I can also see the whole family being involved...oldest daughter cooking the kids food, oldest son working as the foreman at the business).

4) I think the orphanage has a tall tower or spire that the kids can climb up and look out over the city.

Ill add more as my brain churns, others can feel free to add as well.


<#kate: Kate has some questions for folk. Many might need to wait until earlier events are figured out, some might be none of my business =P but I need to get them out of my head before I go...more crazy: #>

<#kate: Court: Do you think Jeanne's native language becomes apparent? I think it would be neat, and something Ella would be curious about, if only learning a few phrases here and there rather than becoming fluent or anything. #>

<#court: Yes - I think it's definitely apparent. I suspect she's old enough that she will retain an accent at least while she is at the orphanage, and we'll see what happens for later. And even though she'll gain English fluency quickly, I suspect she will retain some odd turns of phrase that will pop up periodically. #>

<#kate: Cool. I bet this will come out in the events but I'll keep my ear out for stuff that Ella might pick up #>

<#kate: Court & Jonah: You guys have two different dates for your characters arrival. Given that your siblings, is there a reason the other characters would know? #>

<#court: There is a reason, and the other characters will probably be told something. However, to figure out exactly what they are told, I believe that should play out in our arrival scenes or, if it doesn't come up there, in another event soon after. #><#jonah: What she said. #>

<#kate: Neat I'll look forward to it =) #>

<#kate: Jonah: You mention Ollie likes dancing. Do you mean he's just wiggly or does he like to / grows to like more "formal" dancing (like steps not tuxedo waltz)? Ella definitely likes to dance and might abscond with him if he's a willing partner =). #>

<#jonah: I think he'd be up for it! I imagine sometime in his teen years he could be entertained by perhaps a jazz club or a zydeco party... (I'm not sure what's historically appropriate, but that's a minor matter!) #>

<#kate: Very fun. This brings up another question (see below!) #>

<#kate: Bill & Jonah: How does Cole / Ollie get their nickname? Cole introduces himself as Nicolas in the initial Ella event, so does it come after that? How about Ollie or does is he always called that? #>

<#jonah: At least for Ollie, he gets his nickname from his family. His real name is Olivier, but apparently Ollie is a reasonably historically popular Cajun nickname. He's going to arrive with very little English (much like Jeanne) but I think he learns quickly, both from the other kids (perhaps Celeste?) and from Mr. French. #>

Mr. French is not much of a teacher, but he would use French if it was clear that Ollie (or anyone) didnt speak English.

<#bill: Kate, I hadn't 'officially' decided. Cole is an established nickname/diminutive form of Nicholas - so that would be the easy answer. There's also his 'coal' black hair and dark eyes... so maybe that's how he picks it up. But I will say that he definitely doesn't come to the orphanage calling himself Cole. I am content for it to come about at the orphanage if that's what happens, but it's fine if it doesn't. Maybe he picks it up in the military or sometime later as an adult. I will note for Kel that it is a nickname he likes, so I'd ask that it's not a name that any npcs whom he doesn't like come up with for him (like Mr. French, I'm pretty sure he'd not going to like Mr. French). If it doesn't happen at the orphanage or by the time our game comes to a close, that's cool. #>

<#kate: Bill & Kelly: How does Cole carry his soldiers around? How does Callahan keep his coin? #>

Callahan keeps his coin in his left shoe when he goes about his day. He often has it in his hand as well. (He looks at it before he goes to bed and puts it under his pillow when he sleeps.)

<#bill: I think he just keeps them in his pockets. They are pretty small. Now, that may change should issues arrive at the orphanage. If one of the adults tries to take them away or kids try to take them he'd have to get a little more creative in how he holds on to them. No shoe thought...that would hurt. #>

<#kate: Ann & Kelly: How does this seem to you? PianoEvent #>

<#bill: Maybe I missed something...Why is there a piano event already? It seems premature as I'm not sure we can say who is there or not. #>

Its in progress. The idea is to have stuff to drop in, once characters establish they are doing things other characters and figure out if they are involved and things can evolve and change. I have the core characters dealing with stuff. If it later turns out that Cole would be involved with the event then we will alter it.

In the same way I would be happy to have Cole having an event where he goes hunting with Abner and Callahan if you think that would happen, and then we will evolve it if other PCs feel they would be invovled.

I dont see what the problem is.

<#kate: Kelly:
1a. When does Callahan first discover the Bell Tower? I'm assuming well before Ella's arrival, but thought it might be a good Timeline Event to include. #>

Callahan knows about the Bell Tower before any of the PCs get there. He is happy to show anyone brave enough to go out on the roof it at his earliest opportunity.

<#kate: 1b. Can anyone go out to the Bell Tower or is it King Callahan's domain (especially with his money stash up there?) or some kind of rite of passage?
#>

Anyone can go out there, as I said Cal is happy to show people, he likes showing off. He keeps his stash of money out there, and I feel like other characters keep important things they dont want the adults to be able to get at out there as well. He sleeps by the window and usually knows who comes and goes, so it would be difficult for someone to take his money, but if someone feels like they would we should have an event!

<#kate: 2. How does Erin react to Shawn's adventuring? #>

Erin has a "boys will be boys" mentality, she worries about him, but she is not mad.

<#kate: 3. Is there some kind of curfew those who sneak out adhere to? I feel like Ella would be one of them, and would be interested to know if there are "rules" the children have figured out. #>

The children are "in bed" after dinner, and are expected to be up and starting work at 5 am. There is no curfew, but if you are late for work, or sleeping on the job then punishment ensues. Also if you are not in your bed at 5 a.m. when Mrs Lizzy comes to "check" there is hell to pay.

<#kate: 4. Are there any "hazing traditions" besides Mr. French's initial beating?
#>

Introduction to the Bell Tower, nothing else that I know of.

<#kate: Cool so just to consolidate for my brain in 1869:#>

Mrs. Black starts up the orphanage, and likes "raising the children" but at some point after Ella comes, the Black realize that they don't really have the money to keep it going. For that reason, they stop looking for "new" children, and just deal with the ones that they have.


<#kate: 6. You mention Erin's particularly cute (Ollie apparently is too). Is there any effort to get these kids into real homes? #>

This is just me, but I don't see a particular push for adoption.

<#kate: 7. You mention Louis being willing to teach kids to read / write. I feel like Ella gets inspired because she finds the music (see her description on the timeline page). Are these teachings like lessons too? Like there's a time and place for it Ella would note and be able to jump in on or something to ask about? #>

Louis just does it after dinner, reading to the children, having them read him recipes and things.

<#kate: 8. Maybe much will be clarified if we could work out how the lessons work. I would think they'd happen daily, maybe after morning chores, and Elizabeth would teach them. The whole schooling aspect just strikes me as odd given that they're supposed to be little worker bees. Perhaps that's just me... #>

<#ann: Kate, I'm confused why you think the schooling aspect is odd given that they're worker bees. They aren't being schooled, that's the point. Louis just sort of shows the kids who are interested when they ask, rather than having a formal school time. I'd imagine that some days all the kids want some lessons, other days everyone is too tired, and on most days only a couple kids bother, though, as always, Kelly can correct me if I'm wrong in my understanding. #>

<#kate: This is pretty irrelevant a clarification now, but that was my point: They are worker bees which shouldn't include being schooled unless more randomly by Louis I believe the below contradicts this, which is 100% fine, but that was why I brought it up for discussion. #>

I think Ann has it right, there are no direct lessons unless a child shows some sort of talent or aptitude.

No schooling, see above

<#jonah: I disagree - the documents describing the history of orphanages were pretty clear that education was a priority!
From Orphanages (posted earlier by Kate):
By the mid-nineteenth century education was emphasized over work, and middle-class women, who dedicated their time to nurturing their children and doing charity work, were actively involved in social issues pertaining to children. They played an important part in the antebellum reform movement, from the 1830s to 1860s. The reformers, responding to growing urban poverty and influenced by the transcendentalists, sought to provide shelter and education in the midst of nature for orphaned, neglected, abused, abandoned, and delinquent children.
They believed that separating children from adults in almshouses, placing them in institutions in rural areas, structuring their activities, and educating them would turn them into good citizens. For children who had already experienced a life of vice in the city, the reformers established industrial homes, houses of refuge, and reformatories with an emphasis on work and vocational education. The innocent poor–orphaned, abandoned, and neglected children–were educated in orphanages. Some institutions were defined by gender and others had age restrictions. By 1860 orphanages could be found in almost all states of the union. Only a few new states, and small states without urban centers, did not have any orphanages.
I'm ok if we want to make this into the orphanage from Annie or Oliver Twist, but since I know that some folks have an affection for keeping things accurate, I feel like we should give the Blacks some credit and let them run this orphanage under a philosophy similar to what's described above as "industrial homes" with "vocational education". That, to me, would certainly mean lessons in reading and writing, and math lessons as well.
Adding Needs for opinions on the question of education: #>

Okay thats fair. I think they are getting plenty of "vocational" education, they get on the job training of cooking and cleaning basically. I am okay with them getting lessons as well, but none of the current characters are really set up to teach them. I will have to think how I am going to handle this NPC wise.

Also I am curious to how other people feel about this.

My gut is that a teacher (paid for by the Blacks) is brought in to teach the kids during the slow part of the day (10ish post checkout till 3 when guests start coming in...)

<#kate: I'm cool with being schooled or not, whatever floats. If so, why can't Elizabeth teach them? She gets them up, they work until breakfast, do a lesson during breakfast (eat and write their letters or whatever), work, lesson 2 of the day maybe with a mid-day snack, work again, dinner, lesson, bed?#>

<#court: I like the idea of Elizabeth doing something formal, and Louis doing his ad hoc thing. Works for me! #>

<#bill: I'm generally in favor of the the realistic, until there's a good (read: fun) reason to deviate. So if education is the norm, then I say let's do it. But if someone's got an idea about how less education could lead to a good story/more fun, then I say we make history whatever we want it to be. Otherwise, I have no preference. #>

Okay lets go with Elizabeth teaching. It means that the teaching cannot progress too much past basic reading and writing and math, since Elizabeth is not super educated herself but at least gives the kids the basics.

<#kate: Just being detail oriented, but I wanted to shoot this out there as an "average" day for these kids so I can picture it better in my head. Amend, comment, argue and all that:

Weekdays: (Monday thru Saturday)
5:00 am Wake up
5:15-10:00 am Work (prepping breakfast, cleaning, etc.)
10:00 am Breakfast
10:15-11:15 am Lessons with Elizabeth
11:15-3:00 pm Work (prepping lunch, cleaning, etc.)
3:00-4:00 pm Lessons with Elizabeth
4:00-8:00 pm Work (prepping dinner, cleaning, etc.)
8:00 pm Dinner (crust in hand)
8:15-9:15 pm Lessons with Louis
9:15 pm "Bed" (i.e. go upstairs and don't cause me (Lizzy) problems) #>

<#kate: Sunday:
5:00 am Wake up
5:15-9:00 am Work (prepping breakfast, cleaning, etc.)
9:00-9:15 am Clean up and Breakfast
9:15-9:30 am Walk to Church <#bill: - the children are lead, all tied together with a piece of rope#>
10:00-11:00 am Church Service
11:15-3:00 pm Work (prepping lunch, cleaning, etc.)
3:00-4:00 pm Lunch / Lessons with Elizabeth
4:00-8:00 pm Work (prepping dinner, cleaning, etc.)
8:00-8:30 pm Sit down dinner
8:30-9:15 pm Lessons with Louis
9:15 pm "Bed" (i.e. go upstairs and don't cause me (Lizzy) problems) #>


Add "Needs" when bed picking is available
- Bill

Pick beds. Ann's up next, then I'll go fill in more NPCs and so on.


<#kate: This might need to wait until folks figure out more stuff but Jonah's answer above made me wonder who among the NPCs / PCs might be of the sneaking out inclination? I'm guessing Minnie, Valerie (unless it's to the cemetery), and Erin are nos, and I'd think Jefferson and Deco would fit into this too although they might be convinced. Ella's obviously a yes and it seems Callahan and Shawn would be too. How about the others?#>
<#court: Jeanne would be of a mind to sneak out, as long as she had a reason, be it to rebel or to support anyone she ends up bonding with. #>
<#jonah: Ollie might well be convinced as well. If there was excitement to be had, he'd be in. If you were sneaking out to do something he found "boooooring" he might just skip... or come anyway. #>
<#bill: Cole is motivated by two main things: Curiosity and a lust for adventure. So, if either it seemed like an adventure (probable) or it seemed that there was something new or interesting to see or learn, he'd be first in line to sneak out. Like Ollie, if he thought the purported goal was boring, he might not bother to risk the punishment. #>

<#kate: Are there other instruments in the hotel? maybe with Abner (like a harmonica, guitar, whatever)? I feel like Ella'd jump on any she can get her hands on. #>

<#kate: How are the kids tied together for Church? By the waist? Wrist? In my mind I see them lined up by height for some reason and then lassoed. #>

<#kate: The St. Louis Cathedral was the big one around and I figure we go there (?). How do the kids take to the church? I think Ella likes to the organ music (I doubt there's kick ass Gospel) and can give a rats about the actual faith stuff. Just something to consider if not answer given privacy / figuring things out. #>

<#ann: I'm down with that. Celeste is Catholic, so she'll fit right in.#>

<#bill: Cole is religion curious...but he's a kid so he does get bored. When he's very young, he like the part of the bible that are interesting stories (like the Flood). When he's older he becomes more intellectual about it...but true father never really takes hold. #>

<#kate: Are there any celebrations (this is something I remember doing in the BC game) like birthdays? I can't imagine many of the children know exactly when theirs are, but maybe we do a song and dance for the Blacks on Rose's birthday or something for Louis. Just a thought on something to maybe add to the timeline. #>

<#bill: I will note that Cole definitely knows his exact birth date. In fact, it is an occasion he marks/celebrates each year - either publicly or privately depending on how it's handled in the orphanage/orphanage culture regarding birthdays. #>

<#ann: Celeste knows her birthday too.#>

<#kate: Cool. Perhaps for the folks with birthdays, we can have little "events" like we did in BC. I imagine that it's something everyone can look forward to and there seem few and far between. #>

<#kate: Another thing to think about - New Orleans has lots of storms, including the following that really happened: New Orleans Storms 1865-1879. I'm not sure how historically accurate we need to be, but I thought I would bring it up before adding anything to the timeline. #>
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