Now That We've Established That It's On...

. . .you're probably wondering what the heck this is supposed to be about.

Actually, that's not quite accurate. See, in order to wonder about this blog, you'd have to be reading; and in order to be reading it, you'd have to already know that it exists, and would already be informed as to the meaning and purpose of this blog. Therefore, this post is addressed to those readers who have yet-to-be, who exist only in the wisps and hopes of my memory.

Here's hoping I don't let you down.

The express purpose of this blog is to document the backstory of my character in the Washburne In-Character RPG. Washburne is a community in Second Life created, run, and patronized by Browncoats. Browncoats are fans of TV series Firefly, and the accompanying movie, Serenity. Second Life is. . .well, Second Life is complicated. It's an MMORPG with no plot, no game, and virtually no limits. The interface of Second Life allows you to create objects such as buildings, clothing--even body parts. Yeah, that last part gets a lot of abuse.

Many people use Second Life as an escape from the real world. Some people do this by building or patronizing strip clubs, sex joints, and/or casinos. Some people do it by buying land and creating opulent mansions that, were they real, would cost millions of dollars. And some people do it by creating a sim that allows them to--for a time--live in the universe portrayed in one of their favorite television shows.

Of course, the point of Washburne isn't just fantasy; it's also about community. Washburne allows the Firefly community to gather in an unprecidented way. In real life, the task of meeting friends with similar interests is inherently limited by geography. There might be a person who shares every one of my interests and who is passionate about the things that I am passionate about; if she lives in Washington, though, and I'm in Illinois, I'm never going to meet her. Washburne brings Browncoats together in a way that allows not just for the free exchange of ideas, banter, and media, but that also allows for friendship.

. . .but in singing the praises of Washburne, I digress. Don't get me wrong; I love Washburne, and I think everyone who's even heard of Firefly should check it out. The purpose of this blog, however, is not to praise.

In Washburne, there is an on-going role-playing game that's just getting off the ground. In that game, I play a character named (gasp!) Gabriel Keats. Mr. Keats, however, did not begin with a backstory; now that he's on a crew, though, I feel as though I should. . .flesh him out, I suppose. The purpose of this blog is to present his backstory in as thorough (and hopefully entertaining) a manner as possible.

My first major posts should be this weekend, as I start to rev things up a bit. I already have the basic concept, but I'm going to present it as prose, and prose takes time. Please note that everything I post here will be a rough draft; relatively unedited and unpolished. It will deliver the story, and that's all.

So, until then. . .here's the blog.