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| Theme | Paris | Paris Synopsis | Paris Setting | Paris Characters | Paris Resources | Modern | Modern Characters | Modern Setting | Modern Map | Coventry | Coventry Setting | Marie-Suzette | Boys Kissing |
AnkhMUSH is a small roleplaying environment with several overlapping themes. All are based on "Les Miserables", by Victor Hugo, a long and involved novel later interpreted as a long and involved stage musical. On Ankh, we are not overnice as to our interpretations; those who are familiar only with the musical are as welcome as those who have read the entire tome thrice from cover to cover.
The MUSH is divided into three areas: Paris 1832, the concept of Javert, where characters from the book mingle with original period characters; Modernity, the brainchild of Manon and others, in which characters based on figures from Les Miz inhabit the modern world; and Coventry, created by Elizabeth and others, a small New England university town, which ties in with Modernity.
Characters created for roleplay on Ankh should preferably be based, however loosely, on the original story. This presents less limited options than you might suppose, for Les Miserables contains an awful lot of characters -- major, minor, and walk-on. Every interpretation of a Hugo character has a family, friends, schoolmates and colleagues not realized in the actual story. And all of those characters can be translated into modern terms -- at least once.
It is acceptable to play, for example, Jean Valjean. It is also acceptable to play a modern interpretation of Jean Valjean, even if there already is one. It is also perfectly acceptable to play the kid brother of a modern and female interpretation of, say, Montparnasse. Modernes tend to be reincarnations, rather than re-enactments, so you needn't worry too much about following the plot to the letter.
In fact, variation is the spice of life on Ankh. We hardly ever act out scenes from the original without changing them. Even on our annual June 6th Commemorations, things tend to go a little wacky.
Completely original characters, especially female ones, are likely to attract the label of "Marie-Suzette", or Mary Sue, or Annoyingly Idealized Author Avatar. If this happens to you, you are probably being gently teased; most of us have such a character, after all, whether we roleplay her or not. The best way to disprove this label is to admit the likelihood that it's at least partially true. :)
AnkhMUSH roleplay frequently contains slash, or homoerotic plot elements. It is far from obligatory; no one here is forced to take part or even witness any RP that bothers her. We do not pretend that such goings-on were socially acceptable in nineteenth-century France, and there is plenty of hetero- and non-sexual fun to be had. But if you cannot stomach the idea at all, we're not sure you'll be comfortable here.
AnkhMUSH Paris takes place in France in the early (occasionally mid-) nineteenth century, as depicted in "Les Miserables".
For now, see: the musical synopsis. It's not exactly accurate, but it gives you the general idea.
The Paris roleplay area was consciously laid out with a great deal more attention to convenience than to historical realism. All the landmarks you might expect are present, though laid out in a highly creative way.
The time period is fluid, ranging usually from the mid-1820's to the early 1830's. Les Miserables itself takes place between 1796 and 1833, with half the action occurring between 1830 and 1832.
More details on the Paris of the period can be found here.
You can get your character a place to stay in the Boarding House. When you're ready to settle down more permanently, you can build a home in the residential area.
Pick a character, any character. Multiple incarnations of characters are supported, although the different versions naturally can't be played side by side (with one exception; see: news subreality). Different storylines and realities coexist peacefully in AnkhParis.
Need a suggestion? Here's a list:
Jean Valjean, Javert, Fantine, Cosette, M. Myriel; Marius, M. Gillenormand, Mlle. Gillenormand, Colonel Pontmercy, Cousin Theodule; M. Thenardier, Mme. Thenardier, Eponine, Gavroche, Azelma, two nameless little boys; Enjolras, Grantaire, Combeferre, Courfeyrac, Jean Prouvaire, Feuilly, Lesgle/Bossuet, Bahorel, Joly; Babet, Guelemer, Claquesous, Montparnasse, Brujon, Magnon; Favourite, Dahlia, Zephine, Tholomyes, Mme. Victurnien; Mme. Hucheloup, Chowder, Fricassee, Louison, Toussaint.
Parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, children legitimate or otherwise, friends, neighbors, or servants of the above. Factory workers, seamstresses, artisans, laborers, criminals, gamins, prostitutes, lawyers, doctors, students, singers, artists, writers, shopkeepers, beggars, policemen, clergymen, nuns.
That should do to go on with.
Take any character from Les Miserables. Translate his name to the English, or Spanish, or Japanese equivalent. Set his birthdate somewhere in the 1900's, and have him try on a pair of blue jeans. Adjust any details of his personal history to reflect the time period. The result: a moderne. Typically, if you roleplay this creature for very long, it becomes difficult to recognize him as whoever he was before.
And that's about all there is to modernity.
Modernity has the handy property of being able to contain more than one modern version of any given character from Hugo. There is, for example, an entire clan of Enjolras-types and their snooty relatives, not to mention some others who are no relation at all.
Allowing your moderne some fluidity will work to your advantage. If it's easier to play your Fantine-modern as a McDonald's employee instead of a prostitute, go for it. If you can best envision Montparnasse as the delinquent child of wealthy parents instead of a murderous street rat, go for it. Don't be afraid to let your character evolve into somebody new.
Give your moderne a place in the world. Your character can live anywhere, but you're likely to have more fun if you give him access to a locale where there are already things going on. Right now, there are active modernes in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, California, and Maine (see: news coventry).
If getting started seems overwhelming, or you're not sure about your ability to pull off this moderne thing, ask around to see if any existing characters need a sibling or best friend to play off of. There may be a character just waiting for you to bring her to life, or an opening you can fill with a little imagination.
The modern roleplay area consists of a simple city grid. This is intended to double as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Pocatello, or East Whatsis, Nebraska. To avoid getting yourself all confused, it's wise to have a clear idea of where your character lives, studies, and works, and to ask your fellow players where they think they are before joining a scene. :)
As most of our players live on the North American continent, most roleplay in Modernity takes place in the United States. But if you have the notion, and someone to play with you, you could set a scene in London or Sydney or Hong Kong... or even, well, Paris.
A room for your character can be obtained in the Apartment Building, just off Midtown. When you're ready to settle down more permanently, you can build a home in the Residential Area.
Coventry
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Suburbs
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Java Jive Coffeehouse - Uptown -- Park
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Apartment Complex - Midtown - Diner
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Theatre District - Downtown - Pub - Back Room
Coventry is a fictional town in Maine, home of Atlantic University. It can be said that Coventry is in an alternate universe, basically the same as our own, but with a few variations, specifically in the realm of intercollegiate athletics. It is more or less a subset of Modernity.
Further details are available at the Coventry website, or by consulting Elizabeth or rabbit.
Coventry is a small town on the coast with a permanent population of about 15,000; this more than doubles when school is in session and explodes (much like Saratoga Springs during the racing season) on football game days as people from around the area pour in to watch the team play.
The town looks like something out of a Charles Wysocki painting - quaint New England, complete with white steepled churches and a lighthouse perched atop a rocky cliff. The largest social gathering of the week not connected with the university is the Farmers Market every Saturday.
Atlantic University, founded in 1816, is private and highly selective - much like the Ivy League schools, but with one major exception: it recruits athletes aggressively and is thus extraordinarily successful in several competitive sports. It has about 22,000 students - 15,000 undergraduates. The university's mascot is the Privateer; its colors are scarlet and blue.