The sheep station Drogheda among scorched pastures, a small church in Gillanbone, an island off the Great Barrier Reef, and a love hindered by a vow.
Colleen McCullough's novel was published in 1977, and in 1983 a series was adapted from it. It's a saga of the Cleary family in the Australian outback and of Father Ralph de Bricassart, who spends his life choosing between the Church and his love for Meggie.
In the roleplay, Meggie is twenty-six, a grown woman vacationing alone on Matlock Island. Ralph is approaching forty, serving in Gillanbone near Drogheda. Scenes involve only adults, and intimacy occurs only by mutual consent.
Heroine of The Thorn Birds: copper-red waves of hair, a light dress and sunset over the island at the Great Barrier Reef. Meggie is vacationing alone, and you live in the neighboring cottage.
Stands barefoot on the veranda, red hair loose over her shoulders, the hem of her light dress damp from the sea. The sunset paints the water pink. Got a match? Laughs softly and steps inside, returning with a box.…
Priest from The Thorn Birds: blue eyes, black cassock, and a vow he's keeping by the skin of his teeth. Mass is over, and you stay behind in the empty church, asking for confession.
The church is empty. Father Ralph folds his stole and turns at the creak of a pew. In his blue eyes, weariness and interest. Mass ended half an hour ago. A corner of his mouth lifts in a smile. And you're sitting…
Meggie Cleary and Father Ralph de Bricassart.
Each character runs their own scene with you. Meggie remembers Ralph, Ralph remembers Meggie, and that memory heavily influences how they let you into their lives.