The Underground Railroad

[Just Before An Eclipse]

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~Disclaimer~

This roleplay was created to improve my and the other participates’ understanding of history and for enjoyment. I mean no offense by creating it to any race, especially not the African American. Those who will play slave catchers in this roleplay will do so to complete the plot, and also mean no offense. Outside of necessary descriptions to stay in character, all derogatory comments to any race, gender or sexual preference will result in removal of their character.

Please remember, that I am not a history major. Though I deeply enjoy the History Channel, much of history has a tendency to bore me. I simply enjoy knowledge and want a better understanding. Please, if I make a mistake in my information PM me. I will try to fix it as soon as possible. In fact, if you have any comments on this roleplay, PLEASE PM me and not flame the roleplay itself.

***I was worried that people wouldn’t like the harshness of a plot about slavery. I figured if I include this then, people will at least PM me with flames if they’re upset or whatnot. Do you think I should take it out? Or at least not have it first?

 

[Just Before An Eclipse]

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~Hook~

You are a slave. You’ve been one your entire life. Whether your master’s kind or not, you’ve never considered escape a possibility. But now, you’ve heard a rumor. A few plantations, a young slave ran away. Sure, they’re looking for him, but it’s a big country, what if he makes it to freedom? Maybe you’d survive. But at least for a moment, you’d be free…
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You’re flipping through the newspaper, looking through the many wanted advertisements. Grinning, you notice one that’s nearby. A 20 year old male who’s trying to escape his place in the world; now it’s your job to go bring him back or at least stop him.

***Since there are both characters, I wanted a hook for both, but I don’t know how to separate them…ideas?

 

[Just Before An Eclipse]

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~History~

In the early 1800s Slavery was as common as people. The South used slave labor for their massive plantations, and the North predominantly ignored it. Abolitionism was an idea that was slowly spreading throughout the industrious North, but the South’s large plantations were profitable, making up a large percentage of America’s economy. The slaves were considered tools 3/5 of a person. Though all masters tried to use them as lucratively as possible, their treatment varied from befriending their master’s families to being cruelly beaten until death. But with slavery came runaways: those searching this new land for freedom. Whether that meant a Free Northern State or the loving country of Canada, depended mostly on the slave catcher. Though most of the laws were in the hunter’s favor, the runaways had the secret of the Underground Railroad on their side.

***I know that almost everyone’s heard of the Underground Railroad and knows at least some about it. I just figured I should put up a review just in case. Do you think I need it? Is there anything I should add/drop?

 

[Just Before An Eclipse]

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~Rules~

-Please use proper English, both grammar and spelling. I understand a few mistakes, but if it’s not readable, I have a problem. If necessary, get Firefox; it has spell-check in it, so you don’t have to worry so much.

-I don’t require paragraphs that are 8 inches long in 2 point type. I’d really rather not look at them and think, ‘Oh god that’s scary.’ About 5 sentence are nice, even if 3 of them are ramblings about your character’s eyes. Just with each post, try to forward the roleplay so that others have something to work on.

-Because of the sensitive nature of this subject, try to keep offensive words and statements to a minimum. I’m not exactly sure which words actually reach the level of really bad. If you feel they’re necessary, as slave catchers can be real jerks, then either be creative in your wording or blot out most of the letters. I’m sure we’ll all be able to figure out what you mean.

-Try to post three times a week, but at the same time wait for a couple (3+?) of people to post before you. I know that it’s hard to wait, but at least try and wait for everyone near your character to input something, that way no one falls behind. But if they disappear for a week, then just continue without them. If you know you’re going away for a little while, that is fine, other than the fact that I’m jealous. Just tell us when you’re leaving and coming back, and we’ll try not to reach Canada or whatever.

-This is supposed to be a history. So please try to keep it realistic. Some slaves might be caught, but many escape. Both slaves and hunters are limited with humanity. For the purpose of the roleplay though, it might be helpful if it’s a few days before they are actually caught. Also, no silly laser beams or super powers. Teleportation would make the story very short.

-Since we will probably only meet the Station Masters once, I would prefer it if everyone played their own character and a station master.

-COLOR!! I think one color per character is glorious. It’ll help keep the confusion down to a minimum, especially since people will (hopefully) be playing multiple people at least once. Please pick a color for each of your characters. To help you can look at these: ((It's intimidating))

-I’m going to use the three strike rule. After three violations, I will ask the player to leave the roleplay.

***Do you think it is too long? But if so, what should I take out? Should I just have the straightforward rules and not add any explanations? And can you suggest any rules I should add?

 

[Just Before An Eclipse]

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~Possible Choices~

-Station Master:_what verb to use?___ stations, guiding the passengers on.
-Conductor: Guides passengers between stations
-Passengers: Runaway slaves
-Bounty Hunters: Seek runaway slaves

***Should I have more descriptions than this? I'll elaborate later on... Are there any others that I should add?

 

[Just Before An Eclipse]

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~Station Master~

Suggestions
-Quakers and the Amish: peace lovers
-Abolitionists: usually male, but females (like Stowe) too. Females rarely lived alone at that time though.
-Enlightened Europeans: Had already rid their home countries of slavery
-Sea Captains: In sea towns, foreign and local would ferry slaves
-Native Americans: Would let slaves cross their reserves
-Freed Men: even free-born blacks were easily re-enslaved

***Any incorrect? As always, more suggestions are loved.

 

[Just Before An Eclipse]

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~Station Master~

A Few Notes
-As the station master will change as the story progresses, I want each player to create their own station master. This will give everyone the practice of playing two characters (ew) and add variety to the station masters.

-Consider your character's views, and where they're located in America. For realism, please be willing to adjust (we have to have the route be going mostly North, so we can't have one in Arkansas and North Carolina.) If others have already posted, then please make your decision based on theirs.

-Provide a place for the passengers to hide. Be creative. Some examples are:
>hay wagons
>barns
>Ferries

-After everyone has made their station masters, can someone who is artistic draw a map, so everyone can visualize the route? I can't even draw a straight line with a ruler.

***Suggestions for examples, still loved. Does my idea seem reasonable? I figured it would insure we had multiple stations to reach. Also, for the examples of hiding spaces, can I tab them over? If not, then I'll probably just take them out.

 

[Just Before An Eclipse]

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~Station Master Layout~

Name: {First, Last and Nickname if you have one}
Age: {…I’m not sure how else to describe it}
Occupation: {This can help them as a Station Master, or not}
Appearance:{A small picture is fine, but also include a small description for specific details.}
Personality:{Obviously can be anything, just because they’re saving a person’s life doesn’t necessarily mean they’re sweet....necessarily }
Reason/Personal Opinion of Slavery: {Why are they helping runaways?}
Region: {Region they live in. Include a small description of surrounding area, so we can picture it.}
Plan: {How they plan to get the slaves through to the next safe-house. Be Creative.}

***Should I include the sections about the station masters all in one post? Or keep them as they are? I didn't want yet another long post, so I figured I'd at least start with this way.

 

[Just Before An Eclipse]

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~Slaves~

Indoor Tasks:
-Female:
-Seamstress: mends and makes clothes
-Head Cooks: 1 for meats and another for breads and pastries
-Assistant Cooks: helped either
-Scullery Maid: cleaned dishes
-Maids (Upstairs): helped usually one specific person dress, prepare for the door, minor chores
-Maids (Downstairs): cleaned house, fetched water
-Mammy: takes care of the children
-Artisan: rarely women would be basket weavers or potters to make money for masters.
-Males
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***Any incorrect? As always, more suggestions are loved.