Sunday 30 September 2012

Quo Vadis?

I have been pondering much about Tradgardland of late.I have not felt the same about it since the "killing off "  of Karl Frederick in battle coincided with my mother's death in real life. I have not taken to the new Duke and ,at times, my heart is just not in the Duchy anymore. I love imaginations,enjoy reading about those of my 18th century peers and remain intensely interested in the 18th century.However all is not the same...
And so I cast myself upon you all out in the ether who have followed my journey through the highs and lows of Tradgardland.I am looking for suggestions of how to proceed in the world of imaginations.I have thought and thought to no avail.All ideas thankfully received.

12 comments:

  1. The New Duke lays dead in his bed, so say it was natural causes but other voices say he was poisoned by Syldavians either way the Syldavians have invaded our lands and a new, dashing leader has come to the front.

    The Legends say that in out hour of need a noblemen, tall and true will stand against the invaders and been a new enlightened times to the Duchy. This man marches fore with his personal regiment and some followers and hangers on to save the land. The namer of this young man is none other than Baron Lugwig Von Hosteinberg, nephew of the late Great Duke and new hero of Tradgardland and a real hit with the ladies.

    Here you are Alan a new dashing chap to march fore and save Tradgardland from those enemies on the boarder and maybe an invasion of your own.

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  2. Tradgardmastare,

    Perhaps a short break from the Duchy might be in order. It will allow you time to 'get used to' the 'new' character ... or for him to abdicate in favour of a previously unrecognised cousin (a touch of the Rassendales perhaps?) who has lived and been educated in Great Britain.

    All the best,

    Bob

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  3. The advice of Marcel Proust is always relevant to us wargamers

    'even the best book needs to be put down'

    so I am sure a Sabbatical from the Duchy may well prove to be the very tonic.

    With best wishes, as ever

    Paul

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  4. I must admit I've always found your tales from the Duchy very entertaining , but peraphs a short break to gather your thoughts and maybe a totaly different project to try out ? Cheers Tony

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  5. Perhaps shifting back to the "New World" settlement might help a bit.

    Or taking a bit of a break and shifting to a different period/style of gaming. I know that "real life" events can certainly cause disruption in our gaming lives. My condolences again to you and your family over the passing of your mother.


    -- Jeff

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  6. I think there is a sense of two stories having come to and end: a real life story, and a fantasy one. It's not so easy to pick up a new story, especially when the one just ended leaves you with memories you want to stay in touch with.

    I agree with Bob and Paul - a break from Tradgardland seems to be indicated. I'd suggest put it aside - don't even think about it for a while. If and when the desire to revive that world comes, you might want to imagine a break in the narrative as well - several months or years having elapsed since the Grand Duke's untimely demise.

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  7. Agreeing with the others that a break may be in order. And when or if you do return to Tradgardland you don't have to pick it where you left off. In the meantime, trying something different, especially if there's something that you've been wanting to try, might help you get back into the fun of things.

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  8. Hi Alan,

    I'm sorry to hear that Tradgardland is stuck in the doldrums since it is one of my favourite places to visit. As the comrades in arms above suggest a change is as good as a rest. The Disputed Valley has always seemed to me like a good idea that writes its own story although it is possibly not so very different. For a real change, why not pursue your AVBCV scenario. An advantage of that game is that you (in the UK) can play it literally where you live, with very familiar trappings of uniforms, vehicles, etc. That makes is a very nice mix of the concrete and the fantastical.

    Myself, I am very curious about both Saga and Dux Brittaniarum and the accent placed in these games on a small lot of figures to paint and creating the narrative leading to and resulting from easily run battles.

    And if that isn't the thing, maybe it is best to simply to the lead men away and read until something really catches your fancy. I have trouble believing that it will take so very long for a spark to set off fever in your imagination!

    Regards,

    Jim

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  9. There is always that wonderful narrative device...

    "Meanwhile..."

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  10. Having lost my own 95 year old mother recently I sympathise.There is so much to consider that other, lesser, priorities take a back seat. Take your time deciding what to do with Tradgardland. It will still be there when you return.

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  11. I also lost my mother two years ago after a long struggle through her descent into dementia, I didn't expect to be so badly affected but I was. Cherish fond memories and give yourself time.

    Best wishes, Brian

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  12. I join the list of those who lost Mothers this year. Try as you might, life is never quite the same again. But it does get better.

    Let time pass, both in the real world and in Tradgardland. When you are ready to begin again it can be with a deus ex machina to restart it all. But do give yourself time to grieve. It's both natural and healing.

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