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~~~~~

Inside abandoned, sometimes broken, and seemingly worthless musical instruments lie the sleeping beings called Symphonica.

They are now awakening.

Let the music begin.

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  • Table of Contents
  • Updates
  • Rules
  • Backstory
  • Symphonica
  • Composition/Breeding
  • Acquiring Symphonica
  • Items
  • Guardians
  • Notebooks
  • Studio Map
  • The Good and Bad
  • Mailing List
  • FAQs
  • Links

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Current happenings will be listed here, along with future events.

4-28--05 - Meru has left us and started a shop of her own. And the owner is back from abreedables hiatus. I apologize for the inconviences, so now lets bring this shop back to life. I am presently searching for a new artist to do the art for the instruments. Let me know if you are interested, please. Also, since quite some time has passed and Yomvael and Gabi-princess never contacted me, I think it would be safe to re-sell them and issue them. So look forward to a flatsale and a re-auction for the nitemare.

4-28--05 - Angelic and nitemare auctions being set up and run today.

4-28--05 - Auctions in planning! angelic and nitemare Symphonica will be up for adoption in a dual auction. Date to be announced.

4-27--05 - Symphonica under new management! Verlose has been given ownership by Alcestis. All past updates will be kept, and previous owners please be sure to post here at some point stating that you are still willing to be active in the Studio.

3-1--05 - The winning number drawn was 76, which belongs to PseudoCynosure. She's the new winner of Clarinet, who should PM me confirming she still wants it. We will work it out from there. wink

2-24-05 - Clarinet has been found shining in the Instrument Storage Room. Thus, we're holding a raffle for it, to be found on the last post of this page. Enjoy.

2-20-05 - The Symphonica Guild has been created, and it is here. Guardians can now place their Notebooks within.

2-19-05 - First flatsale thread is here. Gabi-princess and Yomvael were the winners of Trumpet and Oboe. A raffle should be held very soon, instrument will be Clarinet. Date forthcoming.

2-10-05 - The first flatsale has been scheduled for Saturday, February 19th at 6 PM EST. Two instruments will be up for grabs: "Trumpet" and "Oboe". Read post 7 for more information concerning flatsales. If interest runs high enough, another undetermined Symphonica will be raffled. Keep those eyes peeled. wink

2-5-05 - Grand opening of the Studio. The first flatsale and semi-customizable auction will be held at a later time, after testing the waters. So drop a line and say you're interested, if so. ^_^

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<img src=http://www.retsofnitsuj.com/Symphonica/rules.jpg div align="right"> <center>~~~~~</center>
General rules concerning thread/PM conduct.


  • Do not ask or beg for a Symphonica in the thread or by PM if none are available.

  • Do not harass me, Alcestis, or meru_chan and send unsolicited PMs. You'll be blacklisted.

  • Do not steal meru's art. It's just... mean, considering she spent so much time on it. You'll be blacklisted for this, too.

  • Do not make nested quotes over and over again. It's quite annoying and usually unnecessary. You won't be blacklisted, but I will give you a good Dutch Rub you won't forget. blaugh

  • Do use common sense and your good judgment. This includes but isn't limited to proper manners, appropriate grammar/language, etc.

  • Anyone can role-play. Interact with the Symphonicas, instruments, rooms/items in the Studio, or other people. But you may not roleplay a Symphonica if you do not own one.

  • Usual rules of role-playing apply. No god-modding, acting out of character, or "supernatural" powers. Obey the heat of the moment instead. A good role-play is like a good piece of music: you should be able to see it with your eyes closed.

  • For Guardians: Your Symphonica MUST be kept in your signature. They won't grow if they aren't there. Even in an image map is fine. I find that this method encourages more interaction as you see it and think, "Hmm, I should RP that now."

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<img src=http://www.retsofnitsuj.com/Symphonica/backstory.jpg div align="right"> <center>~~~~~</center>
History

The old cheapskate died with a snare drum to the head.

See, about a month ago, a nurse was assigned to take care of him at his home for acute arthritis. That's me. The care flowsheet seemed innocuous enough. Augustus A. Berlioz, 64 years of age, 5'9", 232 lbs., smoker, world renowned tambourine player who quit in his prime, now runs an instrument repair shop. Easy! Being the scrub-faced, eager graduate student I immediately signed up.

Oh, but what the papers didn't say...

The man was impossible, for lack of a PG-13 safe word. He always called me "Nurse" in the rudest tone possible, screaming all over the house until I fetched his slippers or brought him tea. Smoked cigars endlessly. He made me mop his kitchen, wax his floors, even starch his unmentionables. My hands burned for three days. "Do it, Nurse, do it." Damn it all, I'm not a maid! On top of that, he complained endlessly about "those orchestra bastards". I considered him in a good mood when he was asleep.

Berlioz immersed himself into fixing musical instruments. Had a whole studio full of them down the road. Now, I don't understand why someone as promising would leave his career behind, then cloister and devote himself into patching the very things he claimed to get away from.

Then one toppled from a shelf and gave him a lethal blood clot. The irony.

Despite the list of grievances, I suppose I felt sorry for the man. No one ever visited his home or called. The phone had a layer of dust on it until I cleaned it off. Even at his funeral (quite a miserable affair as it rained), only I showed up aside from the minister to pay my last respects. Died penniless, friendless. That was the last of Berlioz... or so I thought.

Two days after his funeral, I received mail from his lawyer. Instead of a lawsuit for malpractice as my mind thought, inside was a handwritten note, dated a week before his death.


Berlioz
Nurse,

If you're reading this, I'm dead. Let's get down to business. I'm appointing you as sole benefactor and inheritor of my estate. Aside from the house and studio, my most precious possession, my instruments, are yours. They aren't worth much, but they have a certain magic not measurablle [sic] in money.

Enclosed is a key to the Studio. Take it and go to the instrument room. Do it. You'll see what I mean.

Signed,
A. Berlioz


He just had to tell me "Do it" one last time.

I bristled, but finally decided to honor his last request. Meh, might as well. Maybe I could sell the instruments off as parts. Nursing school was getting expensive, anyway.

Once there, dusk was falling, and the dull sound of commuting traffic slowly faded away as I strode up to the building. His Studio looked sadly out of place amongst the new houses flanking either side. Gnarled vines trailed up the sides of dirty walls while two stone gargoyles guarded the entranceway by threatening to claw any passers-by. The building reminded me of Berlioz, to be honest.

"Just needs some Windex and desperate college students to pay off and clean it up." I paused. "... like me."

I fumbled around a bit in my jacket before putting the ornate key in its hole and unlocking the door. The oak entrance groaned when swung open. Dust and the smell of mothballs greeted me, and I answered back with a teary-eyed sneeze. That was before I took a step inside and tripped on a stray tambourine. Choice cursing followed.

Scowling, I bent over to pick it up. It wasn't even a mint tambourine. One of the tarnished bells were missing, and there was a ratty old wrap encircling the handle. I looked around the enormous room. A water damaged instrument here, one missing keys there, piano with a broken leg... they all shared one trait. All of the instruments were flawed!

So much for paying off loans.

"Great, inheritance of trash." I looked up and shook the tambourine at the ceiling. "Thanks a lot, old man! I'd rather you left me nothing."

Then something... odd, happened. Even after I finished shaking the tambourine, it kept jingling and started to glow. "What the�" As it got brighter, it didn't get hotter, which certainly wasn't what I was taught should happen in that joke of a physics class. But curiously, I found myself sweating.

The tambourine lost its shape and materialized into a... human? Rooted to the ground, I stared in astonishment. It was curled up into a little crouching position in my outstretched hands.

"Holy Je..." I exclaimed, nearly dropping it.

Wow. What in the name of Watson and Crick was this? I had the urge to poke and prod it. Nearly had a myocardial infarction when it quickly stood up and casually tied the dirty wrap around his eyes. "Master," he said softly, "we are not trash. Just... broken."

"M-M-Master?"

He cocked his head, the mass of golden hair falling to one side. "Yes, Master. You are my third."

And the music began...

This was what was written in the logs that Alcestis had sent me. I saw the email icon out of the corner of my eye as I passed my computer one evening, and upon opening it- I found this. The subject of the email simply read:

"Take car of my babies."

With a deadpan look, I would have deleted it had I not seen it was from my dear friend. After I had read over all the logs, details, and other various information, I sat back and immediately began organizing the whole situation in my mind. I would not fail her, I told myself. so with keys in hand, laptop under my arm, and a frisky heart, I made for the Studio I had not visited in some time. I would revive it and keep it thriving just as she had asked. And just as it had before-

The music begins again...

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<img src=http://www.retsofnitsuj.com/Symphonica/symphonica.jpg div align="right"> <center>~~~~~</center>
Not much is known about Symphonica, except that they are completely unique. There are numerous questions surrounding them.

However, from meticulous research in the Library, we do know the stages they go through. Enclosed within the pages of that particular journal were snapshots of what seemed to be a Symphonica named "Lute". She has since mysteriously disappeared.

1st Movement - This instrument is what is initially presented to you. It glows because the Symphonica inside is awakening. Take care to not dismantle or drop the instrument during the 1st Movement. Either will result in further physical deformities or emotional disturbances on top what's already there. The hole in the center of this Lute, called "the rose", has been punched in.

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2nd Movement - Child stage. It can switch from inanimate form (instrument) to animate (child), and vice-versa quite easily. Any maintenance work to be done on the instrument must be done on the instrument itself at this stage. Some Symphonica can not control when they switch from instrument to child, often reverting to the other at inopportune times. Any imperfections on the instrument will now show on the Symphonica, as evidenced by Lute holding a wilted rose. They also appear to take on the qualities of the instrument itself. For example, Lutes are Renaissance instruments typically associated with tragic plays.

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3rd Movement - Adolescent stage. The Symphonica disengages itself from the instrument, but still should be kept on its person at all times for safe-keeping. If the instrument becomes lost or the Symphonica is away from it for over 24 hours, the Symphonica will fade away. The imperfections on the instrument (and Symphonica) slowly disappear, scattering like rose petals in a brisk summer wind.

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Finale - In the Classical Era, the majority of musical works had only three movements. However, there is evidence to suggest a final stage of growth: a lone picture of Lute in Finale form. Instruments appear to be superfluous and can no longer bind their captives. However, some Symphonica may choose to keep their instruments, as Lute did in the form of her earring.

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We will post information on these secretive entities as it becomes available to us.

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<img src=http://www.retsofnitsuj.com/Symphonica/composition.jpg div align="right"><center>~~~~~</center>
Your Symphonica feels great attachment to another Symphonica and the feelings are reciprocated? Perhaps you might want to think about Composition, or breeding.

To Compose, the Guardians will drop their Symphonicas off at the Studio. Provided that they have the same wavelength and beat (which will be tested with a metronome and tuning fork), Composition can begin.

Both Symphonica are taken to the Storage Room, where all the other instruments are held and play their respective instruments together. Any instrument in Storage that responds to the music of the parents' glows and awakens. This is the offspring. Composition could take several seconds to several days.

Afterwards, the parent Symphonica are returned to their Guardians, along with any offspring that may have come about.


Guidelines
  • Music knows no gender. Symphonica may breed with any other.
  • In special circumstances, more than two can breed at once, just as symphonies are made up of more than one instrument.
  • Both or all parents must be in Adolescent or Finale form.
  • Composition must be RPed into play.
  • Testing the composing Symphonicas' pitch and tempo incurs a fee of 10k.
  • The offspring will be raffled, sold, or auctioned off by the Studio. It's up to the discretion of the parents. The parent Symphonicas' Guardians will receive a small percentage of the sale.
  • At this time, newly Composed Symphonica may not be given away by the parent Symphonicas' Guardians.



<center>Composition Slots
1. closed

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<img src=http://www.retsofnitsuj.com/Symphonica/acquiring.jpg div align="right"><center>~~~~~</center>
Information on the only ways to acquire Symphonica.


Flatsales
  • Will be announced in advance in the second post of this thread.
  • Each are 10k.
  • At the specified start of the flatsale, a prompt will be posted in the thread and on the front page. Approximately 5 minutes from that post, I will post again, saying, "Begin". You will then have one hour to write based on that prompt. After an hour, the judging will begin.
  • No, I don't expect you to write for that entire time.
  • To ensure impartiality, I'm having a friend copy/paste all the entries without names into a Word file.
  • Symphonica are RP-heavy, so only the best will win. The rest will have to try again later, or wait for an auction or raffle.
  • Once the winners are announced in the first post, they should then send a trade to me, Verlose, with 10k.
  • For brevity's sake, you have 24 hours to send the trade unless you PM me with a good reason.
  • Winners will have their Symphonica PMed to them upon completion of the trade.


Raffles
  • Will be announced in advance in the second post of this thread.
  • Each ticket is 300 g, which should be sent via trade to me, Verlose.
  • 20 slots maximum per person.
  • Number of total slots to be determined at each raffle.
  • The winning number will be picked out via Randomizer.


Auctions
  • Will be announced in advance in the second post of this thread.
  • All start at 10k.
  • There is no autobuy, as I don't think it's too fair to take out the fun of bidding by waiting until someone rich snatches everything away. That's just me, though. ^_^;;
  • Auctions are quite special, as the winner will be given more freedom in which Symphonica they get. These are reserved for special instruments, which can be partially to fully customizable. The forms for both are below.
  • Bidding will commence with a "Begin" post.
  • Before bidding, the bidder must submit a sample of their RPing or writing via thread or PM to me. It doesn't have to be long and drawn-out: just detailed enough so I can get a feel for your skill.
  • Some items will be accepted instead of gold, the values of which will be tabulated according to mid- Gaian Consumer Guide the by values that will be reiterated by me, Verlose.
  • Commons will be accepted at sellback, except fairy wings which are valued at 35k.
  • Total your own bids.
  • The last two hours of bidding are only for those who have expressed interest in the auction, aka posted prior to the end.
  • Once the winner(s) are announced in the first post, they should then send a trade to me, Verlose, with the final bid.
  • For brevity's sake, you have 24 hours to send the trade unless you PM me with a good reason.
  • Winners will have their Symphonica PMed to them upon completion of the trade.



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<img src=http://www.retsofnitsuj.com/Symphonica/items.jpg div align="right"> <center>~~~~~</center>
Random musical items that can be bought (or found, via rare events ninja ) that your Symphonica may wear or own. Under construction, but possible ideas include...

  • Sheet music
  • Music stands
  • Guitar Picks
  • Batons
  • Polish and polish cloth
  • Reeds
  • Valve Oil
  • Instrument Cases
  • Cleaning Rods


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<img src=http://www.retsofnitsuj.com/Symphonica/guardians.jpg div align="right"> <center>~~~~~</center>
A list of those in charge of protecting and caring for Symphonica.



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<img src=http://www.retsofnitsuj.com/Symphonica/notebooks.jpg div align="right"> <center>~~~~~</center>
Booklets provided to Symphonica owners, wherein growth, events, musings, and roleplayings are chronicled.

Guardians may post as their Symphonica or as their character, and others may post only with the Guardian's permission. Updating this isn't required, but it will speed up the process of your Symphonica's growth, let me know you're truly interested, and make for a smoother RP.

I will post occasional scenarios in Guardian's Notebooks related to quests or going-ons in the Symphonica world. Be fun and creative: rewards might be given out. ninja

The guild where all this takes place at is here.




Many thanks and credit for this idea goes to Anya! of the Fa'e.

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<img src=http://www.retsofnitsuj.com/Symphonica/studio.jpg div align="right"><center>~~~~~</center>
The map of The Studio, along with descriptions of each room.


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  1. Main Entrance - Two heavy, silver gilded doors mark this way visitors come and go. At least, those that aren't scared off by the monolithic gargoyles on either side of the access.

  2. Auditorium - The room where the instruments were initially found in, but have since been moved to Storage. Numerous rows of velvet-lined chairs before a raised wooden stage is this room's prime characteristic. Has yet to be cleaned.

  3. Living Room - This wide, spacious area contains numerous couches, loveseats, and furniture underneath plastic sheets. Otherwise, tidy.

  4. Empty Room - There are plans to knock out the walls and combine all rooms to turn this area into a kitchen, but will be determined at a later time.

  5. Empty Room - See above.

  6. Empty Room - See above.

  7. Backway - For Guardians.

  8. Drop-off/Pick-up - Doubles as a coat closet and where Guardians pick up or drop off their instruments when their charges are inanimate. Beware, the Backway door can be opened by burglars...

  9. Resting Room - After Composition, the parent Symphonica come here to recover.

  10. Female Bathroom - Hasn't been used in years. Serious cleaning necessary.

  11. Male Bathroom - Moderately cleaner than the females. Both come with bathtubs.

  12. Tea Room - The only room where the entire back wall is a giant window, giving a spectacular view of the garden behind. Or at least, would be a nice view, if the garden hasn't been so neglected.

  13. Trophy Room - Largely unexplored with only a cursory glance.

  14. Library - Volumes of music related books along with rare scores from Bach to Wagner are kept here, while various pieces of weaponry (swords, knives, etc.) lie atop shelves. Also, a coat of arms is kept in a corner between two bookcases. The only room in the Studio which has been kept meticulously clean.

  15. Storage - Previously empty, but is now the place for unawakened instruments. Composition takes place here.

  16. Stairwell - Leads down to a plain, white door with scratches on it, as if someone were dragged into the room by force. The only room in the house which is locked, and the key is nowhere in sight. Hmm...

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<img src=http://www.retsofnitsuj.com/Symphonica/goodbad.jpg div align="right"> <center>~~~~~</center>
People we love and ones we don't. Those under the blacklist are forbidden from posting in this thread or any Symphonica related ones, nor may participate in auctions, raffles, flatsales, or special events. Any further contact will be reported to a moderator.


The Good
  • Alcestis - The wonderful founder whom shall never be forgotten. Turn the Studio over to me.
  • meru_chan - The lovely artist who puts up with Alcestis' my insanity.



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The Blacklist
  • None yet, please help keep it that way.


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This post is reserved for the mailing list. Alcestis and I will consult on the matter, and if I can get a hold of the mule, the current occupants of the list will stay as they are.

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<img src=http://www.retsofnitsuj.com/Symphonica/faq.jpg div align="right"><center>~~~~~</center>
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions. More will be added as inquiries arise.


Q: Are there any Symphonica available now?
A: No, unless indicated in the first post via auction, raffle, or flatsale. Please don't PM me or meru_chan asking for one.

Q: No events are going on, but I want one. So, can I bribe you?
A: ... it won't be cheap. And you will still have to submit a sample of your writing. Writing always takes precedence over riches. Unless the bribe is insanely high enough to warrant a fully-custom Symphonica exempt from roleplaying, if desired.

Q: Can I have a perfect Symphonica?
A: No. As Symphonica are abandoned instruments, there will be an imperfection of some sort, even for customs. The extent of it is up to you.

Q: Do I have to RP my Symphonica?
A: Yes, you do. Not RPing would be your loss, really. It doesn't have to be extensive, but a couple posts a week to let me know you're alive is not unreasonable, considering I will be lenient to people on hiatuses and those who aren't here. Bear in mind that the quality and quantity of your RP-ing will heavily determine how your Symphonica will turn out and when it grows.

Q: Where does the roleplaying take place?
A: Here in this thread. Guardians have their Notebooks to copy/paste pertinent RP information without having to slog through everyone else's, but all main RP is to be done here. If over an instant messaging program, it must be pasted here as well.

Q: Can I roleplay even if I don't own one?
A: Of course! It's highly encouraged to interact with the Symphonica. But respect is nice: you can't roleplay someone else's Symphonica.

Q: Can we share Symphonica?
A: Yes, unlike most pet stores, but only in cases approved by me. You can have someone else help you in purchasing or winning or role-playing a Symphonica. Only one other person allowed. The same rules apply for single owners here: meaning, you don't have to roleplay twice as much. In the case of real disputes ("I don't like my co-owner anymore so I'm takin' the kid" wink , they will be dealt with on a private basis as to determine who gets the Symphonica. RPed owner spats are okay, though.

Q: Can we sell our Symphonica?
A: No.

Q: Can we own more than one Symphonica?
A: Only one flatsale Symphonica per person or pair. If you wish to own multiples, you must either be given one by me or meru, breed existing ones, or win one through auction or raffle. They're a lot of work for just one, though. If you neglect them, I will take them away.

Q: OMG! Take them away? O_o
A: It's not so much me taking your Symphonica away as them leaving you, out of neglect or lack of care. I will certainly give ample warning via PM, because I don't want this to happen as much as you don't. This is extreme.

Q: Do you do pet trades?
A: For the moment, neither I nor meru_chan will accept other pets. This might change in the future.

Q: Who runs the Studio?
A: I, Alcestis, am a hopeful nurse anesthesist who enjoys nerdish-things like coding, the color green, and making sarcastic cracks. I take care of the RPing and shop.
I, Verlose, am a movie theatre concessionist worker, artist, and junior in high school. I enjoy dumb jokes that no one gets, the color black, gaming, role playing, and alot of other various stuff. I manage the roleplaying and the shop. meru_chan is the aspiring visual communications major, who loves horribly dubbed forensics shows like MXC, fantasy/romance books, and is currently saving to go to Japan in the summer. She does all the art, and her Deviant Art account is here. Don't harass her with anything shop related or I'll feed you to Alcestis. xd

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