Icemule Historical Society
Icemule Historical Society, located in a three-sided stone building on Commerce Burrow, Giantman Path, holds a collection of player character histories. Adventurers can visit the society and answer a personal questionnaire of over 80 multiple-choice questions on a variety of subjects: Infancy and Early Childhood, Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Adult Life, Opinions, and Religion. Answers to these questions are kept for as long as the adventurer is active in Elanthia and can be revisited at any time.
Mind you, only some adventurers can create character histories in this fashion. Some races (half-Krolvin, Burghal gnomes, forest gnomes, Erithians, and Aelotoi) cannot take the questionnaire. If an adventurer who is of a race that the questionnaire does not cover ASKs NPC ABOUT LIST, the NPC will respond, "I'm sorry, we aren't equipped to deal with your kind yet."
The questions are as follows:
Topic #1--Infancy and Early Childhood
Question #1--"Where were you born?"
(Dark Elf choices)
1. New Ta'Faendryl
2. Wehnimer's Landing
3. River's Rest
4. Teras Isle
5. Icemule Trace
6. Within the Turamzzyrian empire
7. Near or in Sharath
8. No Answer
9. Other
(Dwarven choices)
1. In a Dwarven City
2. Wehnimer's Landing
3. River's Rest
4. Teras Isle
5. Icemule Trace
6. Within the Turamzzyrian empire
7. Within the Elven empire
8. Near or in Sharath
9. No Answer
10. Other
(Elf choices)
1. Within the Elven Empire
2. Wehnimer's Landing
3. River's Rest
4. Teras Isle
5. Icemule Trace
6. Within the Turamzzyrian empire
7. Wyrdeep Forest
8. Sylvarraend
9. Near or in Sharath
10. No Answer
11. Other
(Giantman choices)
1. Wehnimer's Landing
2. River's Rest
3. Teras Isle
4. Icemule Trace
5. Within the Turamzzyrian empire
6. Within the Elven Empire
7. Near or in Sharath
8. No Answer
9. Other
10. Among the [Giantman] Clan
(Half-elf choices)
1. New Ta'Faendryl
2. Yuriqen
3. Wehnimer's Landing
4. River's Rest
5. Teras Isle
6. Icemule Trace
7. Within the Turamzzyrian empire
8. Within the Elven empire
9. Wyrdeep Forest
10. Sylvarraend
11. Near or in Sharath
12. No Answer
13. Other
(Halfling choices)
1. In a specific halfling village or city
2. Wehnimer's Landing
3. River's Rest
4. Teras Isle
5. Icemule Trace
6. Within the Turamzzyrian empire
7. Within the Elven Empire
8. Near or in Sharrath
9. No Answer
10. Other
(Human choices)
1. Within the Turamzzyrian Empire
2. Wehnimer's Landing
3. River's Rest
4. Teras Isle
5. Icemule Trace
6. Within the Elven empire
7. Near or in Sharath
8. No Answer
9. Other
10. In [Culture you have selected]
(Sylvan choices)
1. Yuriquen [sic]
2. Wehnimer's Landing
3. River's Rest
4. Teras Isle
5. Icemule Trace
6. Within the Turamzzyrian empire
7. Within the Elven empire
8. Wyrdeep Forest
9. Sylvarraend
10. Near or in Sharath
11. No Answer
12. Other
Question #2--"In which area of the Turamzzyrian Empire were you born?"
1. Selanthia
2. Aldora
3. Chastonia
4. Honneland
5. Estoria
6. Hendor
7. Allace
8. Trauntor
9. Seareach
10. Torre
11. Jantalar
12. Talador
13. Mestanir
14. Bourth
15. Vornavis
16. Highmount
17. Oire
18. Riverwood
19. Dragach
20. No Answer
21. Other
Question #3--"In which Elven city were you born?"
1. Ta'Illistim
2. Ta'Loenthra
3. Ta'Ardenai
4. Ta'Nalfein
5. Ta'Vaalor
6. No Answer
7. Other
Question #4--"In which Sylvan village were you born?"
(Note: This question doesn't appear to have been finished, as no Sylvan villages are listed. If a Sylvan character answers "Yuriquen" to Question 1, they get this. If the sylvan character answers "Wyrdeep Forest" or "Sylvarraend" to Question 1, Question 4 will be blocked.)
1. (NA)
2. (NA)
3. (NA)
4. (NA)
5. (NA)
6. (NA)
Question #5--"In which Dwarven town were you born?"
(This option is only available to Dwarven characters who answer "In a Dwarven city" to Question 1. Even though Kharam-Dzu is on Teras Isle, if the character answers that they grew up on Teras Isle, Question 5 will be blocked.)
1. Zul Logoth
2. Kharam-Dzu
3. Zhindel's Post not underground
4. Greetok
5. Orsmanzya
6. Khazar's Hold
7. Zul Roram
8. Zul Brechinzm beneath Turamzzyrian Empire
9. Vaslavia Meadows not underground
10. Rockmelderam
11. Kherram Olt Dzu - dark dwarves near Roska-Tor
12. Zul Zybrano beneath Turamzzyrian Empire
13. Eregendo Dzu
14. Parshillam Dzu beneath Turamzzyrian Empire
15. Zul Mordram
16. Chiostolis
17. Lake Jostallim
18. Bortrazo's Canyon not underground
19. Zul Golorot
20. Zul Sharzen not underground
21. Ghareschnek not underground
22. Mithgrek
23. Kragnek Dzu not underground
24. Gezunel
25. Grentok
26. Eregrek
27. No Answer
28. Other
Question #6--"Please choose the option which best describes the location of your place of your birth."
(This question only appears if you answer "Other" to the first question.)
1. Rural
2. Wastelands
3. Mountains
4. Desert
5. Forest
6. Plains
7. Hills
8. Floodplain
9. Swamp
10. Coastline
11. Lake shore
12. Valley
13. Nomadic lifestyle
14. I do not know
15. No answer
16. Other
Question #7--"Please choose the option which best describes the population of your place of birth."
(This question only appears if you answer "Other" to the first question.)
1. 1-100
2. 100-500
3. 500-1000
4. 1000-5000
5. 5000+
6. I don't know
7. No answer
8. Other
Question #8--"How many siblings did you have?"
1. One
2. Two
3. Three
4. Four
5. Five
6. Six
7. Seven or more
8. Only child
9. No family
10. I don't know
11. No answer
12. Other
Question #9--"What was your birth order?"
1. First born
2. Second born
3. Middle child
4. Youngest child
5. Adopted
6. I do not know
7. No answer
8. Other
Question #10--"Given your cultural perspective, what was the economic standing of your family during your infancy and early youth?"
1. Wealthy
2. Comfortable
3. Genteel poverty
4. Impoverished
5. I had no family
6. I do not know
7. No Answer
8. Other
Question #11--"What was the social standing of your family during your infancy and early youth?"
1. Despised
2. Disliked
3. Feared
4. Tolerated
5. Well liked
6. Exemplary
7. Revered
8. We had no social standing
9. I had no family
10. I do not know
11. No Answer
12. Other
Question #12--"Which best describes your parental figures during your infancy and early youth?"
1. "Traditional" biological mother and father pair
2. Single mother
3. Single father
4. I had no parental figure
5. I was adopted by a family member who assumed the role of a parental figure
6. I was adopted by non-relations who assumed the roles of parental figures
7. I was raised by many in a commune-style environment
8. I do not know
9. No answer
10. Other
Question #13--"Which best describes your family during your infancy and early youth?"
1. A small unit consisting primarily of parental figures and siblings (natural or adopted)
2. A medium-sized unit consisting primarily of parental figures and siblings (natural or adopted)
3. A large unit consisting primarily of parental figures and siblings (natural or adopted)
4. A small family where extended family members assist in the rearing of young
5. A medium-sized family where extended family members assist in the rearing of young
6. A large family where extended family members assist in the rearing of young
7. A commune-style environment (genetic relations had no greater significance than other members of the community
8. An extensive group of friends creating a family environment with no parental or sibling figures
9. No family
10. No answer
11. Other
Question #14--"Which best describes your relationship with your family during your infancy and early youth?"
1. I was disowned
2. I was scorned but accepted
3. I was tolerated
4. I was loved
5. I was treasured
6. I had no family
7. I do not know
8. No Answer
9. Other
Question #15--"Were there any significant deaths of family or friends during your infancy and early youth?"
1. No significant deaths
2. Death of a father
3. Death of a mother
4. Death of both parents
5. Death of a brother
6. Death of a sister
7. Death of several siblings
8. Death of all siblings
9. Death of an extended family member
10. Death of the entire core family
11. Death of the entire family (including all or most extended family members)
12. Death of a close friend
13. Death of a number of close friends
14. Death of the entire community
15. I do not know
16. No answer
17. Other
Question #16--"Did you experience any other significant deaths of friend or family during your infancy and early youth?"
1. Yes
2. No
3. I do not know
4. No Answer
5. Other
Question #17--"What other significant deaths of friends or family did you experience?"
1. Death of a father
2. Death of a mother
3. Death of both parents
4. Death of a brother
5. Death of a sister
6. Death of several siblings
7. Death of all siblings
8. Death of an extended family member
9. Death of the entire core family
10. Death of the entire family (including all or most extended family members)
11. Death of a close friend
12. Death of a number of close friends
13. Death of a love-interest
14. Death of the entire community
15. No answer
16. Other
Question #18--"What type of work did your parents do during your infancy and early youth?"
1. Adventurer / Traveler
2. Arcane Practitioner
3. Architect / Builder
4. Armor-smith
5. Artisan / Craftsman
6. Bowyer / Fletcher
7. Caravaner / Gypsy
8. Cook / Baker / Brewer
9. Farmer / Gatherer
10. Healer / Herbalist
11. Hunter
12. Livestock Breeder
13. Musician
14. Nobility / Landowner
15. Religious Leader
16. Scholar
17. Something that went against our culture
18. Teacher
19. Trader / Merchant
20. Warrior / Soldier
21. Weapon-smith
22. No answer
23. Other
Question #19--"Choose the option which best describes your health during infancy and early youth."
1. Accident prone
2. Experienced one period of serious illness or one serious injury
3. Frequently gained bumps and scrapes
4. Healthy for the most part
5. Hypochondriac
6. Often sickly
7. Strong and energetic
8. Uncommonly healthy
9. No answer
10. Other
Question #20--"Choose the option which best describes your situation during infancy and early youth."
1. Carefree
2. Content
3. Content, but I had an unusual amount of responsibility for a youth
4. Responsible for my own well-being
5. Discontent with my situation
6. Depressed for no apparent reason
7. A victim of my situation
8. No answer
9. Other
Question #21--"What did you fear the most during your infancy and early youth?"
1. A specific Arkati, pantheon, or other deity
2. A specific person or group
3. Being left alone
4. Being unloved or unaccepted
5. Bugs
6. Crowds
7. Death
8. Disease
9. Failure
10. Wealth
11. Health
12. Imaginary monsters
13. Life
14. Real monsters
15. The dark / night
16. The day
17. No answer
18. Other
Question #22--"What did you desire most during your infancy and early youth?"
1. Acceptance
2. Attention
3. Control
4. Destruction
5. Family
6. Fun
7. Happiness
8. Health
9. Knowledge
10. Love
11. Power
12. Success
13. The innocent things of childhood: candy, ponies, toys, etc
14. To be feared
15. Vengeance
16. No answer
17. Other
Question #23--"What did you wish to be when you grew up?"
1. Adventurer / Traveler
2. Arcane Practitioner
3. Architect / Builder / Artisan / Craftsman
4. Armor-smith
5. Artist / Musician
6. Bowyer / Fletcher
7. Caravaner / Gypsy
8. Cook / Baker / Brewer
9. Farmer / Gatherer
10. Healer
11. Hunter
12. Livestock Breeder
13. Nobility / Landowner
14. Religious Leader
15. Scholar
16. Something that went against my culture
17. Teacher
18. Trader / Merchant
19. Warrior / Soldier
20. Weapon-smith
21. No answer
22. Other
Question #24--"Did you have a happy childhood?"
1. Yes
2. Mostly yes
3. No
4. Mostly no
5. Yes and no
6. No answer
7. Other
Topic #2--Adolescence and Young Adulthood
Question #1--"Were there any significant deaths of friends or family during your young adulthood?"
Question #2--"Did you experience any other significant deaths of friend or family during your young adulthood?"
Question #3--"What other significant deaths of friends or family did you experience?"
Question #4--"Choose the option which best describes your health during your early adulthood."
Question #5--"Choose the option which best describes your situation during your early adulthood."
Question #6--"Choose the option which best describes your social situation during your early adulthood."
Question #7--"How did your social circle feel about you?"
Question #8--"What did you fear most during your early adulthood?"
Question #9--"What did you desire most during your early adulthood?"
Question #10--"Where did you primarily reside during your early adulthood?"
Question #11--"In which area of the Turamzzyrian Empire did you reside?"
Question #12--"In which Elven city did you reside?"
Question #13--"In which Sylvan village did you reside?"
Question #14--"In which Dwarven town did you reside?"
Question #15--"Please choose the option which best describes the location of your place of your residence during your early childhood."
Question #16--"Please choose the option which best describes the population of your place of your residence during your early childhood."
Question #17--"Were you educated?"
Question #18--"How did you obtain your formal education?"
Question #19--"How did you obtain your informal education?"
Question #20--"Where did you complete your apprenticeship?"
Question #21--"Did you complete your education?"
Question #22--"How did you spend most of your time during your early adulthood?"
Question #23--"Choose the option which best describes your early romantic life."
Question #24--"Choose the option which best describes your first love."
Question #25--"Did you have a happy young adulthood?"
Topic #3--Adult Life
Question #1--"Have you ever followed another profession?"
Question #2--"What other profession did you follow?"
Question #3--"Why did you choose your current profession?"
Question #4--"How closely is your profession tied up with your identity as an individual?"
Question #5--"Have you ever killed another person?"
Question #6--"How would you best describe the situation involving this person's death? (If there is more than one, select the most significant.)"
Question #7--"How much have you traveled?"
Question #8--"Why did you take up adventuring?"
Question #9--"Were there any significant deaths of friends or family during your adulthood?"
Question #10--"Did you experience any other significant deaths of friends or family during your adulthood?"
Question #11--"What other significant deaths of friends or family did you experience?"
Question #12--"What is your marital status?"
Question #13--"Do you have any children?"
Question #14--"How many children do you have?"
Question #15--"How important are your family and/or friends to you?"
Question #16--"How many close friends/important people are in your life?"
Question #17--"How do you feel about relationships?"
Question #18--"Do you maintain the traditions with which you were raised?"
Question #19--"How do you feel about the arts (music, song, dance, stories, poetry)?"
Question #20--"When you die your final death, what do you hope your most significant achievement will have been?"
Topic #4--Opinions
Question #1--"Please select the option that best fits your views on the Elven Empire."
Question #2--"Please select the option that best fits your views on the Turamzzyrian Empire."
Question #3--"How do you feel about your race?"
Question #4--"How do you feel about your race in relation to others?"
Question #5--"How do you feel about the undead?"
Question #6--"How do you feel about the law?"
Question #7--"How do you feel about politics?"
Question #8--"What sorts of foods are your favorite?"
Question #9--"What is your favorite beverage type?"
Question #10--"How much do you drink alcoholic beverages?"
Question #11--"How do you feel about magic?"
Question #12--"How do you feel about weapons?"
Question #13--"How do you feel about combat in general?"
Question #14--"How do you feel about your abilities and talents?"
Question #15--"How do you feel about honor?"
Question #16--"How do you feel about silvers?"
Question #17--"How do you feel about wealth?"
Question #18--"How do you feel about shopping?"
Question #19--"How do you feel about material goods?"
Question #20--"What is your grasp of language?"
Topic #5--Religion
Question #1--"Describe the subject of your religious persuasion."
Question #2--"Toward which Arkati grouping are you more inclined?"
Question #3--"Toward which god are you MOST inclined?"
Question #4--"Describe the nature of your religious persuasion."
NPCs
a potbellied halfling historian (asks no questions, but answers questions about lists)
look at historian
Wrapped in a fur-trimmed robe, the round-faced halfling historian looks very cozy and settled. His soft-soled slippers are ornamented with crewelwork in dark black wool and his curly brown hair is partially restrained by a tasselled cap.
---
an energetic halfling matron (covers List 1 -- Infancy and Early Childhood; ASK MATRON ABOUT LIST, ASK MATRON FOR QUESTION [insert number])
look at matron
The halfling matron has bright, rosy cheeks and her steely grey hair is coiled around her head in a tight braid. A white cotton apron with decorative hemstitching protects her sunny yellow dress. Hanging around her neck is a large brass key on a linked chain.
---
a stern halfling lecturer (covers List 2 -- Adolescence and Young Adulthood; ASK LECTURER ABOUT LIST, ASK LECTURER FOR QUESTION [insert number])
look at lecturer
Peering out from under his peaked black cap, the halfling lecturer looks ready to administer discipline at any time. White eyebrows like furry caterpillars shade his watery grey eyes, and his heavy jowls drape over the high collar of his quilted wool jacket. In one hand he carries a long, tapered haon pointer.
---
an old halfling woodcarver (covers List 3 -- Adult Life; ASK WOODCARVER ABOUT LIST, ASK WOODCARVER FOR QUESTION [insert number])
look at woodcarver
Snowy white curls of hair top a face deeply touched by the passage of time. The halfling woodcarver wears a thick leather apron and a patched flannel shirt, though his large feet are quite bare. Peeking out of one apron pocket is a tattered book with a saffron cover.
---
a lethargic halfling chronicler (covers List 4 -- Opinions; ASK CHRONICLER ABOUT LIST, ASK CHRONICLER FOR QUESTION [insert number])
look at chronicler
The halfling chronicler gazes out from under heavy lids, his very skin drooping with weariness. The wrinkles in his coat have settled into permanent furrows, mapping out alluvial fans across his hollow chest. A fresh iceblossom adorns his lapel.
---
a quiet halfling acolyte (covers List 5 -- Religion; ASK ACOLYTE ABOUT LIST, ASK ACOLYTE FOR QUESTION [insert number])
look at acolyte
Her graceful form wrapped in layers of pale green silk, the halfling acolyte looks like part of the garden herself. A circlet of braided holly branches is perched atop her mass of sandy blonde hair, and a knotted rope belt is wrapped around her waist three times.
---
a bewildered halfling notary
look at notary
Frantic-looking eyes dart about under a thatch of matted black hair. Crumpled scraps of paper spill out of the bulging pockets of the halfling notary's braid-covered doublet. Perched on his shoulder is beady-eyed black and white magpie.
If you ASK NOTARY ABOUT LIST, this is his response:
The halfling notary looks at you eagerly and says, "If you have comments or suggestions about the information we gather, just TELL me what's on your mind."
See also: Ta'Vaalor Historical Society, Wehnimer's Historical Society