Whitelist Applications

Ozymandias Vacare- A dark elf voidal artificer that is extremely kind to everyone he meets he also can't feel anger!. He's best seen as a Charismatic guy that constantly makes jokes out of any situations.

𝕽𝖆𝖛𝖓 𝖙𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝖆 𝖌𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝖘𝖎𝖕 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝖍𝖊𝖗 𝖈𝖔𝖋𝖋𝖊𝖊, 𝖙𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝖌𝖆𝖟𝖊𝖉 𝖜𝖎𝖙𝖍 𝖆𝖓 𝖆𝖒𝖚𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝖘𝖒𝖎𝖑𝖊 𝖆𝖙 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖊𝖑𝖊𝖈𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓 𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖚𝖑𝖙𝖘 𝖕𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖉 𝖔𝖓 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖕𝖆𝖕𝖊𝖗 𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖔𝖓 𝖍𝖊𝖗 𝖉𝖊𝖘𝖐. "𝓦𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓮𝓻𝓯𝓾𝓵," 𝖘𝖍𝖊 𝖘𝖆𝖎𝖉, 𝖈𝖍𝖚𝖈𝖐𝖑𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖆 𝖒𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖓𝖙. "𝓘 𝓪𝓶 𝓰𝓵𝓪𝓭 𝓘 𝓬𝓪𝓷 𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓿𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓮𝓸𝓹𝓵𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓶𝔂 𝓻𝓮𝓰𝓷𝓾𝓶 𝓪𝓼 𝓪 𝓢𝓮𝓷𝓪𝓽𝓸𝓻."

An Automaton’s recap on the happenings within and around the Crothstad Woodlands A drawing of Farmer Thistle's Farm Hello reader. I am Sir Bertwald Automaton I, a renowned writer of old times. I write this brief paper intending to show my gratitude to my saviors, and also documenting what I can about the events unfolding within or near The Crothstad Woodlands! Upon the publication of the paper, I hereby clear myself of any debt owed toward the dwarves. Urguan Speaking of dwarves, I intend to cover their expeditions first. The dwarves have been tirelessly working with a generational farmer of the forest to track down a creature that has been terrorizing the local woodlands. This creature moves much too fast to see, and even attempts with alchemical-treated goggles have had mixed results. Through the efforts of these dwarves, Farmer Thistle was able to defend his home and create a fortified position against the creature. The dwarves have also saved me - Sir Bertwald Automaton I - from a large spider, securing rare silks in the process. It is the hope of these dwarves that with this silk and other materials, they will soon be able to lure in a bird companion that can supposedly track creatures with exceptional precision. Good luck dwarves! Haense I truthfully did not know much about what had occurred to the Haenseti in the forest local to them, though I did interview a few members of their city to gain an incite as to what was happening. Firstly, according to a Miss Tatiyana Vas Ruthern, The Brotherhood of Saint Karl has been investigating the Northern Woodlands and some structures within, such as old cabins. During these expeditions, they encountered colossal worms and wolves. When asked if she was ever afraid during these encounters, she stated that she was not. Furthermore, she said that any creature found within the woodlands would be treated to “A thousand pyres” and “as if they were heretics” - how scary. Finally, when questioned on whether her red dress potentially had a negative impact on Haenseti stealth and battlefield tactics, she rudely rode away on her horse. Despite this, the soldiers of Haense seemed to have other ideas. When interviewed, Rickard and an anonymous Haenseti soldier were stated as saying that Tatiyana “had no discipline or respect”, and that she “needed to learn how to fight better”. Although there seem to be conflicting attitudes on the Haenseti side, I wish them good luck in their adventures. Koyo-Kuni The Oyashiman people live close to the Crothstad Woodlands, and so naturally I also had to interview them. The locals here spoke of Sakana Jo, a fisherman who they had been in contact with. Their efforts are focused on a dangerous and exhilarating water pathway. Following my brief conversation with these locals, I was serenaded with books and the offers of repairs, how kind! I will now conclude this brief paper, and I hope that you have enjoyed dearest reader! Should you have questions about what has been occurring, please do not hesitate to stop by Farmer Thistle’s farm within the Urguani Forest! I will also be there, should any adoring fans wish to meet me!

Full Name of Man - Matthew Smythe Date of Birth of Man - 1946 Full Name of Woman - Rose Meadowcroft Date of Birth of woman - 1947 Location of Ceremony - Church in Petra Location of Ceremony (Year) - 1975 Name of Clergyman who performed ceremony - Mother Alrisha

A SACRAMENT OF THE The sacrament of Baptism is what makes one a Canonist. Although the Canonist Church was incepted as an institution with the coming of Owyn - the second Exalted - the act of Baptism - of pledging oneself to the Holy Light Everlasting - dates back much further. For it was in the Grotto of Gamesh that Exalted Horen, the first Lord of Man, was visited by the Aengul Tesion as a vassal of the Light itself, and baptized Horen in those most holy waters. Two thousand years later, as this sacrament holds steadfast. To this day, the Canonist faithful pledge their fealty to the Light by way of Baptism, as Exalted Horen once did, and, in doing so, they become Canonists. Often, Baptism has been regarded as a covenant with the Light - those undergoing the sacrament vow to serve as adherents of the Light, and, in return, the Light will lift its faithful into the Seven Skies upon their death. Of all the sacraments, Baptism in Jorenic custom is the one that differs least from its common Danielian counterpart, and involves the submergence in water to wash away worldly sin. The chief difference of the Jorenic Rite derives from the necessity of total submergence beneath naturally-sourced water, and the addendum of the Ashen Baptism, where the ashes of a deceased are used to anoint one as a Canonist. Of particular import is the understanding when it comes to the Baptism of newborn children in Canonist families. The typical Jorenic custom is that a truncated rite is performed, wherein the newborn is blessed and essentially ‘pledged’ to Canonism by their parents, and therefore may ascend to the Second Sky if killed in infancy. Once the child reaches the age of majority, it is proper that they undergo the sacrament of Baptism proper, whereby they confirm their parents’ pledge and affirm their fealty to the Light. The congregation gathers before a font of water. In contrast with weddings and funerals, those present for a Baptism typically number fewer, amounting to the family of the faithful being Baptised. The Jorenic priest commences the sacrament with an opening prayer, invoking the Light’s attention and favour: Light Everlasting; bear witness to [name], Who would be illumined by your grace. As Exalted Horen was once blessed in the waters of Gamesh By the Aengul Tesion, so too does [name] Seek to enter the covenant of his/her forebears. Amin. The celebrant kneels within the water. The cleric wades into the stream, and places a hand upon their forehead. The celebrant is compelled to speak before the Light, and explain why it is they seek to be baptised, and enter the covenant of Canonism. The cleric will often ring a wind chime to invoke the Light’s presence. Once the reasons are professed in the celebrant’s own words, the cleric will continue the sacrament. Light Everlasting; hear them, For he/she comes before you as one adherent the Virtue of Horen, One driven by the Spirit of Owyn, One tempered by the Gospel of Godfrey, and one humbled by the Auspice of Sigismund. Bestow upon them your judgement. The celebrant is fully submerged within the water, and must remain so for a full minute. During their immersion, the cleric continues the sacramental prayer. Light; cleanse his/her soul of temptation, And wash away the touch of the Shadow. Let his/her fealty be pledged, here and now, In the bounty of your grace. If the celebrant survives the submission, the Light is considered to have welcomed them as an adherent of the Canonist faith. If the celebrant is to drown, then the Light has rejected them. As they rise from the water, the cleric draws the Hussariyan Cross on their forehead in ash and oil. In cases where a deceased has directed their ashes are to be used to baptise another, it is at this point that the celebrant is doused in those ashes, which marks the direct passing of a legacy from a deceased to a newly-baptised. The cleric may append the prayer as appropriate in these cases. As it was spoke unto Exalted Horen by the Aengul Tesion thousands of years ago, So is it spoken unto you now: You are cleneased, and walk within the Light. The sacrament is thereafter considered concluded, and the celebrant baptised.

ROYAL LETTERS FOR THE DUCHY OF REUTOV, 109. B.A TO OUR BELOVED SUBJECTS, It pleases the Crown of Balian to bequeath upon its loyal subject with an officiation of their leal tenure in fealty to the Kingdom of Balian. It is by the grace of GOD and the counsel of Our court that we do invest in Don Demetrius var Ruthern as Duke of Reutov. With such change, the title of County of Kositz shall hence be returned to the Crown of Balian. As peer of the Kingdom of Balian, they shall hold in trust Our Royal Throne for the duration of their service. They are compelled to maintain the law of Our realm, to peacefully abide Our rule, and to rise in Our defence when necessary. We do establish that the succession of this Duchy of Reutov will be hereditary; upon their death, this title shall be inherited by their eldest heir and successor unless otherwise promulgated by Our command. AD GLORIAM DEI, Her Royal Majesty, Sybille I, by the Grace of GOD, Queen of Balian, Princess of Providence, Duchess of Helena, Sunholdt and Lorraine, Countess of Pompourelia, Kositz and Barçevina, Viscountess of Renduzzo, Eflen and Anatis, Baroness of Renzfeld, Brucca, Valens, Malenos, Montcoure and Ciavola, Lady of Portoregne, Atrus and Monterosa, Warden of La Costa Rubinissima, Protector of the Heartlanders and the South, etcetera.

On the Vice-Amiratus It has been decided by the Crown that it is necessary to create the role of Vice-Amiratus to ensure that the Kingdom runs smoothly in the case of both the Monarch and Amiratus’s absence or incapacity for any given reason. This roll shall be outlined in this document. The Vice Amiratus shall: - Be a pre-existing member of the Duana of any standing. - Be chosen by the Amiratus and Monarch of Balian. - Not hold any office above their peers in the Duana unless in the following period. - Be considered head minister of the Duana when both Monarch and Amiratus are unavailable. However such must be declared by either Monarch of Amiratus - Hold the title as a provisional one, only effective when called upon. - Not be considered as the successor to the Amiratus office, such only being decided by the Monarch when time comes. With this Edict, we shall also pronounce that the first Amiratus is the Legate, Don August Temesch. Signed, Her Royal Majesty, Sybille I, by the Grace of GOD, Queen of Balian, Princess of Providence, Duchess of Helena, Sunholdt and Lorraine, Countess of Pompourelia, Kositz and Barçevina, Viscountess of Renduzzo, Eflen and Anatis, Baroness of Renzfeld, Brucca, Valens, Malenos, Montcoure and Ciavola, Lady of Portoregne, Atrus and Monterosa, Warden of La Costa Rubinissima, Protector of the Heartlanders and the South, etcetera.

A SACRAMENT OF THE Consecration is the act of marking a place as hallowed. Since mankind first paid worship to the Holy Light Everlasting, they have erected temples and shrines for prayer and commemoration. These places were considered sanctuaries - they were places of peace and meditation alike, where the outward world could go forgotten so as to allow introspection. Naturally, these sites were to be protected - not only did Canonists of yore build their places of worship behind stout walls to safeguard their relics, but these sanctums also needed to ward off the Shadow. To this end, the Sacrament of Consecration became commonplace to bless a place of worship, so that the Shadow and its servants might never intrude upon it. The sacrament itself derives from the Book of Scattering in the Scroll of Gospel, which recounts that Exalted Horen four stakes into each corner of what became the City of Paradisus, between the Towers of Aengul and Daemon, and so it was that his descendants carried forth this ritual for two-thousand years. Of all sacraments, Jorenic Consecration is marked by the most differences from the common Danielian Rite, which involves the hammering of a stake into each corner of the site to be consecrated. The Jorenic Rite instead utilizes blades, reflecting their militant spirit, and they invoke the stewardship of either a Saint, or the spirit of a deceased dear to them, in order to protect the site. The congregation gathers before the site to be Consecrated. Once they are assembled, a Jorenic priest will require the aid of three other people, with each of them - and the priest - carrying a bared weapon. The sacrament will begin as the priest invokes the Light’s attention and blessing with an opening prayer: Light Everlasting, bear witness as your faithful stand gathered, Before that which they would see named [church/placename]; Honour us with your audience, and bless us with your grace, For on this day, we would see this place blessed, Amin. The sacrament commenced, the priest colloquially explains to the congregation as to why they have gathered - namely, what the site they stand before is, and why they seek to have it Consecrated. Thereafter, the priest invokes the scriptural legacy of the sacrament: As it was in the days of yore where man battled the Shadow made flesh, Exalted Horen took his tribe to where the shadows, Of the Towers of Aengul and Daemon met. There, he marked the corners of the city that would become blessed Paradisus. The priest then calls upon the first of their aides, who shall hold their bared weapon skyward. So it is that this place shall be guarded against the Shadow, And become a sanctuary of the Light everlasting. Whose strength, child/brethren, shall you invoke? The aide in question either names a patron Saint of their choosing, or, more commonly, the spirit of a deceased who is dear to them, who shall ‘wield’ that weapon in defence of the site. Once their name is invoked, the aide plunges the weapon into the earth. The priest then repeats the process for each of the three aides, until the fourth and final blade lies in their hands. Light Everlasting, bear witness, for I, [name], As your most loyal vassal shall swear vigilance by this place, That its sanctity and your worship might never be disturbed, And your grace shall be ever revered. Hear us, O’ Light, and let the Shadow be banished from this place, In the name of [Saint/deceased]. With the four weapons thrust into the earth surrounding the site, the Consecration is complete, and the sanctuary is considered blessed. The priest concludes the sacrament with a closing prayer: Though the Light shines on all places, Let this site stand as a sanctuary for those who prayer and give thanks. By the strength of our spirits, never shall we let it fall. Forever shall the Shadow be rebuked. Amin.

Unfortunately I feel that the problem here is that people are afraid of the OOC reputational damage that can come along with having characters that do these things, or fear losing characters they invest in a lot to do them. For instance, if you're someone who likes to play murderers or kidnappers, people will start to become skeptical of your activities OOCly. And trying to start up a banditry group tends to cause NLs to schizo over the threat of civil unrest or brand them as unconstructive PvPers. There's a stigma that if you are going to be a "bandit" or a normie villain, you're in it for the clicks and not the story. I think that's why nobody but perceived "goons" do that sort of RP anymore, and it's unfortunate for the server's narrative because you HAVE to have identifiable evil to have conflict. Likewise, you have to have conflict to have RP. And if you get a lair to consolidate good IRP group within outside of a nation's control, you'll likely face a coalition of 3-4 nations trying to tear down months of work almost immediately. Not talking about dark CAs here but like, this would happen to just your average Skyrim bandit or thieves guild sorta organizations even if they were to manifest. It used to be easier when we didn't all know each other, but LotC is becoming more and more tightly knit over time. If good villainy RP is to return, RP has to be decoupled from OOC. The server also has to be treated less like a political simulator and more like a dynamic, colorful canvas with a variety of different things going on rather than slice of life or cosmic spooky stuff.

A SACRAMENT OF THE Amongst all the sacraments across the Canonist Realms, the rite of matrimony stands at the forefront. From lowborn serfs to high houses, marriage forms a cornerstone of human society, even among those of weak faith. It is through the sacrament of marriage that mankind rear families and children, and it is through these lineages that they defy the Archdaemon’s curse of transience and nurture humanity’s unrivalled strength. It was Exalted Horen - first of the heavenly prophets, and first Lord of Man - from whom the sacrament derives. For it was Exalted Horen, he whose bloodline and tribe were the first branded by the Archdaemon’s curse, who took Saint Juliya as his wife in a sacred union in which they swore their undying love. In doing so, his tribe - those who would become humanity - followed his lead; they pledged to each other in body and soul, their spirits nurtured by the hearth of love, and so it was that Iblees’ curse was cast in vain. Over the past two-thousand years, the sacrament of marriage has remained largely the same from the first wedding of Exalted Horen and Saint Juliya - before the Holy Light, a groom and bride declare their love and intention to be bound, and swear that never shall they desecrate their vow. Since these primordial days, it is merely the ceremony surrounding the sacrament has changed; the main Danielian Rite of the Canonist Church is largely recognisable for the ceremony of exchanging rings. The Jorenic Rite of the north, in contrast, has some notable differences. Drawing particular inspiration from the ancient scriptures of Edel - the homeland of the Highlander humans - and the wayward tales of Saint Joren, lastborn son of Exalted Horen, and after whom the northern Rite is dubbed. In a land rife with battle and tempered with classical ideals of honour, the Jorenic Rite of marriage places focus on the vow of a man and woman to defend each other, in both body, and soul. In a temple of the Light, the congregation gathers. The groom stands before the chancel, where the Jorenic priest stands facing the flock, observed by the friends and families of the couple. Together with the groom is his chosen groomsman, who carries the matrimonial cloak to be bestowed upon the bride later in the ceremony. With the chime of a bell or gong, the ceremony will begin as the bride approaches the chancel through the aisle. She is accompanied by her chosen bridesmaid, who carries the matrimonial blade to be bestowed upon the groom later in the ceremony. When the bride has reached the chancel, the priest will hail the Light’s attention with an opening prayer: Light Everlasting; bear witness to your faithful gathered beneath your grace. Illumine [bride] and [groom], for on this day they profess unto you and your flock. Grant them your audience; grant them your blessing. Amin. Thereafter, the priest explains colloquially to the flock why they have gathered today in ceremony, and who the couple to be wed are. The priest calls upon the would-be spouses themselves, and asks them in turn to profess the reasons for which they wish to be wed, whether that be for the glory of their House, or the true love between them. Once their cause is stated, the priest addresses the congregation: So it is spoken unto ye why these two would be wed. Beneath the vigil of the Light Everlasting, blood of the bride, speak true - Is this man worthy, in body, blood, and soul? The blood relatives of the bride are compelled to stand before the congregation, and profess their approval or disapproval of the union. If anyone stands in opposition, they must state their challenge before the Light; depending on those reasons and the station of the family member in question, it befalls the priest to determine whether the union is tainted. Alternatively, the groom may challenge the opponent to a duel to quell their objection. Once settled, the same question is posed inversely: So it is spoken unto ye why these two would be wed. Beneath the vigil of the Light Everlasting, blood of the groom, speak true - Is this woman worthy, in body, blood, and soul? The same ritual repeats wherein the family of the groom must voice their approval or disapproval, and any challenges are dealt with in the same manner. Therefore, once the priest is satisfied there is no bona fide opposition or the celebrants have defended their union by way of duel, the priest then outlines the gravity of the impending sacrament so as to ensure the celebrants enter into it with full intent: By the writ of Exalted Horen in the most Holy Scroll of Virtue, The Light bid unto mankind the treasure of love, Foremost among the pleasures of spirit, and the merriment of soul. There exists no greater vow, no greater promise. For indeed, when the Shadow beset the camp of Exalted Horen, It was his blessed wife Saint Juliya that unveiled his guise. And when the halls of Joren son of Horen were cold and grey, It was the spirit and love of his wife Tara that brought warmth. Do ye [bride] accept and acknowledge this most holy covenant, To be broken and desecrated only at the invitation of damnation? Following the bride’s answer, the same question is posed to the groom: Do ye [groom] accept and acknowledge this most holy covenant, To be broken and desecrated only at the invitation of damnation? Their love and understanding affirmed, the sacrament reaches its zenith. The priest calls upon the celebrants to exchange not wedding rings, but a blade and a woven cloak, as physical marks of their bond. The blade is bestowed by the bride to the groom, or vice versa in the event of a matrilineal marriage. The priest sounds the bell or gong, and proclaims: [Bride]; as the Light and its faithful bear witness, Bestow upon [groom] your blade as a vow made flesh; For, as Joren and Tara were bound in the conquests of Edel, So too shall ye fight against your ordained struggles. Thereafter, it is the counterpart’s turn to bestow the cloak. Once more, the bell or gong is sounded to mark the apex of the ceremony. [Groom]; as the Light and its faithful bear witness, Bestow upon [bride] your cloak as a vow made flesh; For, as the Shadow’s touch has chilled the world, So too shall ye endure it with the warmth of your love. The exchange of the blade and the cloak marks the formal entry by the celebrants into a union of man and wife. Before the sacrament is concluded, however, the priest is compelled to ‘test’ its durability; before the congregation, they brandish their weapon and proclaim: As is proclaimed and avowed, [celebrants] shall stand as husband and wife. Bear witness now, ye faithful of Jorenus, as the Light renders its blessing. The priest strikes their blade at the wife, which the groom shall block with the ceremonial blade. The groom passes the blade to the bride, who then strikes back at the priest. That the husband blocks the blow head-on is a sign of particular favour by the Light, as is if the wife manages to pierce the priest’s guard. The sacrament thereafter reaches its final prayer: So it is that [celebrants] are bound by that most ancient covenant, First sworn between Exalted Horen and Saint Julia on the fields of Paradisus, And held thereafter by the Lightsworn for time immemorial. May your blades go unbroken; may your hearts blaze eternal. Amin. The celebrants bring the sacrament to an end by kissing before the congregation, after which the faithful are dismissed by the priest.

A RITE OF THE All mortals die. As is central to the ancient creeds of Jorenus, contrast is vital for mankind. Without knowing the cold, we would take no comfort from the heat; without the horrors of the Shadow, we would know not the meaning of the Light’s order; and without death, the value of life would be lost upon us. It is this ideal that forms the spirit of the funerary rites of the Canonist faith, where a deceased is set to rest, and their concluded life celebrated by those who remain. Although funerals are practiced across all cultures, funerary rites are a natural component of the Church of the Canon’s function, and typically take the form of a burial or cremation. These rites do not form a sacrament, as the deceased has already passed into the Seven Skies; instead, funerals constitute the respectful entombment of the deceased’s living body, and an honorary affair for those yet living who held the deceased dear. In the Jorenic Rite, funerals happen exclusively by pyre cremation - a custom that traces its roots back to Aegis itself, where the dead were cremated so that their bodies would not be twisted and disturbed by the Archdaemon. In the north, the custom holds to this day, in no small part due to the fact that cremation is often regarded as ‘cleaner’ than earthen burial, and the ashes of a deceased can even be used in subsequent sacraments, such as an Ashen Baptism. The congregation assemble before a pyre a place of the deceased next-of-kin’s choosing, and an ordained cleric. The pyre ought to be erected completely before the ceremony, and adorned with various artefacts that speak to the deceased’s legacy - from House banners, to battle trophies. The cleric will begin the ceremony by hailing the Light’s attention: Light Everlasting; bear witness to your faithful gathered beneath your grace. For, on this day, we honour [deceased]; He/she who has, by your call, departed this mortal plane, To assume their reward in the Skies. Grant audience to our vigil; grant honour to our memory. Amin. Thereafter, the priest explains colloquially to the congregation why they have gathered, who it is they are to honour, and what they achieved in life. To this end, it is incumbent upon the cleric to highlight the curse of transience that blights mankind, but how they forge powerful bloodlines and legacies in spite of this. So it was that the ancestors of mankind, Beneath the banner of Exalted Horen, Drew steel and laid waste to the machinations of the Shadow, And for their valour they were cursed with transience; That their lives would be short, and their spirits weak. The priest pauses between verses, and strikes alight a torch. Yet ever shall victory eschew the Shadow, so it was that the bounty of the Skies Bestowed upon the siring of great bloodlines, So that when one would pass, another would bear his mantle. The deceased’s next-of-kin approaches the pyre, and clasps forearms with the cleric as he proclaims the final verse. From father to daughter; mother to son, Man lives in glory forever through the memory of his kin. For each life forms a weave upon the Tapestry; And, now, [deceased]’s weave is woven. Light Everlasting - welcome him/her Skyward. Amin. The next-of-kin then sets the torch to the pyre, beginning the cremation itself. As the fire catches, it may be that some will make a speech in honour of the deceased, but the funeral rite requires none. As the pyre burns, and after any speeches are made, it is custom for members of the congregation who held the deceased in high regard to plunge a weapon into the pyre as it burns. This is typically performed by bannermen to a liege, soldiers to comrades in arms, or knights to a king, though the rite imposes so limitation. Another common custom is that a bard or musician will mark the burning of the pyre with a solemn song. When the pyre has ceased burning, the charred weapons and the deceased’s ashes remain. The weapons are commonly collected, and thrust into a ground at some place of importance to the deceased, constituting what might be considered a grave. The ashes are collected into an urn; they can either be preserved as a memento of the deceased, or, if the deceased so instructed it prior to the death, be used for a baptism of a particular person. Under the Jorenic Rite, this represents a strict ‘passing of legacy’, typically regarding a young heir or apprentice.

Thanks for your feedback! I tried to use magegold as the base metal to try sort of explain how the metal is superior to it's mundane glass equivalent, while leaving it vague enough for player interpretation on how the specifics of it work. If you have a suggestion to fix it up, please dm me on discord and i'll work with it.

Walter would be handed the missive by his automaton, skimming through it before seeing a familiar name: "Bones". His eyes widened with an impressed expression donning his face "Wait a second, I know that gobbo!" His exclaim was followed up by a nod of respect.

[i] The Seal of the Judiciary could be seen here PREAMBLE The office of the Judiciary shall be the administration that tasks itself with the interpretation of the law, registering of lawyers, and the prosecution of accused persons within the law courts of Brabant . This office requires an understanding of the law and an education of state, law, and government and in so doing, the greatest asset of anyone wishing to join this office shall be one’s merit and willingness to learn regardless of class or race. This office shall hold itself to a meritorious standard. Furthermore, the earning of positions shall be decided based upon the merit and the upright behavior conducive towards proper and good actions while in service. OFFICERS OF THE JUDICIARY The Chief Justice The Chief Justice of the Judiciary shall be the second highest authority of the Brabant law, second only to that of the Duke himself. His responsibilities are that of the state and the proper functions of the office of the Judiciary. This includes the training of judges and prosecutors, handling of misconduct of judges and prosecutors, and signing off on bounties and warrants of arrest. The Chief Justice shall report directly to the Duke himself. Judges A Judge’s job will be to convene a civil or criminal court when it is necessary. All judges shall report to the Chief Justice. As judges, their job will be to use and interpret the law to apply to the case that has been convened before his court and rule in that court regarding the guilt or dispute between two or more parties. They shall to their utmost act unbiased as judges and act in proper and good faith for the sake of both parties in any trial. No judge may use or abuse his position of power for any personal or financial gain. Any proof that a judge has acted in bad faith or in breach of conduct can lead to disciplinary decisions left under the purview of the head lawmen and the Marquis himself . Lawyers / Prosecutors Lawyers or prosecutors shall act as the legal force upon which the state shall seek to accuse and determine guilt of the accused in the criminal courts of Brabant. All prosecutors in the office of the Judiciary shall report to the Chief Justice. Prosecutors can not act as judges during the case and must have had training in order to successfully become appointed to this esteemed position. While all judges are allowed to be prosecutors, not all prosecutors are allowed to be judges due to the higher standard and meritorious rigor involved to be a judge in this office. Associates Associates are the first steps into entry into the office. An associate shall be trained into knowing and understanding the laws of Brabant and shall also be taught of the legal courts that reside within it. Once an associate has demonstrated a certain level of understanding deemed adequate to progress as a prosecutor, they shall then be promoted to prosecutors. Associates who by their own will, dedication, and proven mastery of the law by their superior may also be promoted to judge. POSTAMBLE The Chief Justice, Judges, Lawyers/Prosecutors, and Associates shall compose the Judiciary of the Duchy of Brabant, all sworn in by the Oath of Officers, as per the Scroll of Oaths. They must work tirelessly to pursue the correct and proper justice for the realm and through their work may they punish criminals and solve the disputes of the realm. And through their service, may Brabant have within itself a fair and well-working justice system that seeks fairness to all under the law and promotes the God-given rights of all its citizens. Signed by, Firr Stefan Starling Chief Justice of the Duchy of Brabant

Cool potion, +1 from me

John began packing a pipebomb with a gleeful smile. "Orion!" the man called down the hall. "If anyone asks, I was here! Sleeping!" @Lapidary Pointing it away from himself, he pulled the string upon it, spraying confetti into the air. A pipe-confetti-bomb! "Congratulations to Segor d'Savoie."

The letter would reach the Duke, who was on a pilgrimage, as he read it he wiped the tears from his one remaining eye. Now he was the only one who could remember the good times of the old realm, he was alone. He made his way home.

The golem Margaid'Dorn covered itself in moss.

The ghoul, "Todd" and the underling to the Lich, rattles with joy as he hears the news. He would prepare celebratory sacrifices for the red lich to increase his power yet bodies are needed. "That missive looks funny with all the symbols, a lot of talk for those who lost a village in two minutes.."

I think you're onto something, but I think skinners need to be defended a bit here, as well has "pretty girl" rpers. Searching girl on Planet Minecraft has some issues. A lot of those skins are incredibly low quality; I'm sure most of them are being made by young kids who have just started skinning. This doesn't represent the skinning tendencies of LOTC. For example, you're right that female skins typically have 2x2 eyes on /planet Minecraft/. However, those skins *suck* and most female skins on LOTC have 1x2 eyes. I agree, a lot of the skins made by 10 year olds (or teens and adults with the skills of a 10 year old) are "not very interesting visually". However, I think that there are a lot of examples of skins with large eyes, long hair, and pretty clothes that /are/ incredibly interesting visually. I was quickly able to find an artist who makes skins fitting this description, lacuna. (I'd recommend checking out their Planet Minecraft portfolio). At a certain point, I don't think we need to be able to tell people's personalities, history, hopes, dreams, or goals from their clothes. Most noble girls in Haense or Balian, realistically, would be wearing pretty dresses, regardless of their goals for world domination or free ponies for every citizen. Part of the point of those skins is to convey a sense of historical realism. We don't need half the noble population of Haense to look like emo vampires and cowgirls/boys. That everyone looks mundane and generically noble adds to a sense of realism. "They’re fine if you want to play a normal noblewoman, but what if you want to stand out? Play a really unique character full of fire and personality?" Pretty noble women can be full of fire and personality. I think part of the tendency to make fun of scarred characters may have to do with the tendency of low-quality rpers to make characters originally with scars, or to randomly make up a non-rped event in their head so they can give their character a scar, or to blow crp injuries out of proportion so that they can get a cool scar. Scars become a really cheap and uncreative way to "add personality". That's not to say scars can't be cool /if/ they have a cool backstory. But just adding scars "to make my character cooler" is cringe. I think your personal stories do make a good point; how people rp with you will change depending on your character's appearance and, in the situations that you described, it seems more ooc motivated than irp. The people beating up an old woman were probably engaging in low-quality or even meme rp. The vast majority of characters would have no irp reason to engage in those violent shenanigans. I'm not sure how to change this other than calling out low-quality rp when you see it. If someone is acting like a 13 year old who just chugged 2 bottles of Red Bull and now has the attention span of a pug with Alzheimer's, and wants to LARP "funny" violence, then we need to call that out and possibly lump it under meme rp. (I'm saying this because when I got my brother to play LOTC, all he did was shoot kids from the Orenian rooftops, sneak into the Orenian palace and murder kids, kick pregnant women, and get executed in stupid ways [one nation chopped off his limbs, and after they had cut off his arms, he started hopping around saying, 'tis but a flesh wound']. Some players really do just want to rp silly violence.) In my personal experience, I rped being an Orenian senator looking like this: (tbf i was still trying to find a balance between skinning in my personal style and conforming to LOTC skin styles) There were the occasional mean comments, but my character never got beaten up or mocked for her appearance by Orenian citizens.

[!] A Nephilim clad in colours of gold and wine emerged from a stream of magma, deep within the caverns of the Red Mountain. A wicked set of claws grasped the missive, freshly left at it's door, singeing the edges. "Petty squabble." Ardromiath spoke. "Such short-lived memory, for the Cloudbreaker was torn from our grasp by Undeath and used against us, her mangled corpse stricken down by our very hands." The beast's raspy throat released a warm laugh, before settling into a wheeze. "Meaningless words on a page matter not, a mere wasp on a warm day, nothing but a buzz in one's ear, easily swatted." - "The only war that matters is with the Ad-Sharlat." And with that, the creature sunk back into that lake, taking the note with it.

Charles stood on the patio of one of many Chambery estates, sipping on some merlot that he took from the feast at the local Chateau "Splendid place to spend the rest of one's life in. We should consider purchasing a house here, dear Hedwig. Once we retire of course." The Prince said to his wife with a soft smile at his face @ibiou

Charles Alstion sat in his chamber, inspecting the freshly written edict "Some gained, some lost, but it was one of the most improtant reforms that had to be done. Look at this dear wife, perhaps once the time comes we will rule over even more prosperous province than now." The Lord of Alba said to his wife, Hedwig of Warsovia, offering her a warm, hopeful smile @ibiou

As penned by Illynora Sylvaeri and Avyndriel Aurë'naerï in the One Hundred and Eightieth Year of the Second Age. The Creeds, or Ways, are schools of thought which guide how Aspectists should live their lives. They are not alternative interpretations of the Aspectist religion; the core Aspectist tenets of prayer and offering, bodily purity, and upholding the balance are absolute and cannot be broken by the tenets of a Creed. The Creeds provide guidance on morality, ideals, and spiritual practice, enriching the Aspectist faith and culture of the Mali’ame as a whole. To join a Creed is to devote oneself to a lifestyle guided by that philosophy, swearing an oath of absolution and dedicating oneself to the spreading of its teachings. It is not a decision taken lightly. Some of the Aspectist Creeds may be better described as Creeds of the Wild Faith, or as Druidic Creeds. However, as all five of the existing Creeds bear the marks and structure of an Aspectist Creed, they are included for the purposes of this document. History The first Aspectist Creed was the Emerald Way, scribed by the Oracle Awaiti Aureon (later Sirame). She took to the wilds during a time of great strife for the Mali’ame, as the priesthood of the Naelurir cracked and crumbled around her. The Ichor Way, formed by the Oracle Valor Caerme’onn, soon rose in direct opposition. He disagreed with Awaiti’s teachings and wished to shed light on his interpretation of the will of the Aspects and the sacred balance. Recognising that a Creed was highly influential and would guide Aspectists on their journeys of faith, Awaiti and Valor came together to ensure all future Creeds would follow a standard structure and remain true to the core Aspectist tenets. Together they scribed the Creed Pact of 1663, which will be heavily referred to in future sections. Seven years later in 1670, the Owl Druid formed the Way of the Sage. Whereas the Emerald Way and Ichor Way stand in direct opposition, the Way of the Sage was founded as a middle ground, a way to seek acceptance and understanding. Many years later in 1734, Miklaeil Arvellon formed the Creed of the Sanguine Fire. In this period of history, true Aspectism had already long begun to fade, with the Wild Faith rising in its stead. The Creed of the Sanguine Fire openly devotes worship to the Mani as a pantheon of gods, holding the Aspects not as deities, but rather vast forces of nature upholding the eternal balance. The Way of the Mother is the most modern of the Creeds, having been formed by Illynora Sylvaeri in 1938 (142 S.A.). Illynora was a peer of Awaiti, and had even begun to walk the path of Emerald before the breakout of the Elven Cold War between Aegrothond and Gladewynn, spurred by the assassination of King Abelas Caerme’onn in 1679. The Way of the Mother is a loose collection of beliefs and teachings, but at its core it seeks to bring reverence back to the Mother and revive true Aspectism in the modern era. [!] A depiction of Creed Prophets Valor Caerme’onn & Awaiti Sirame. Creed Structure The Creed Pact provides that the structure of a Creed should be simple, with only three positions. There is the Prophet, the creator of the Creed. The Prophet holds the power to oath new members, change the Creed, and add to it. Next are the Heralds, teachers of the Creed and masters of its philosophy. They teach and guide new members of the Creed towards a higher understanding of the tenets, and have the ability to oath new members. The Creed Pact does not explicitly forbid someone from being a Herald of more than one Creed, but it is implicit in our understanding of the role of the Herald and the purpose of the Aspectist Creeds that this cannot occur. A Creed should not mirror another Creed too closely, meaning that while there are many compatibilities between the Creeds, there are also fundamental differences which makes it impossible to wholly devote oneself to more than one way of life. Because of this, while a Herald can follow more than one Creed, they are incapable of being masters of two philosophies. Finally are the Disciples, who spread the faith. They are responsible not only for spreading the tenets and words of the Prophet, but also bringing in new members to walk their path. Formation and Joining of a Creed Creating a Creed is to create a new way of life that will guide the everyday actions and beliefs of large groups of Aspectist society. Thus it is not a right to be abused at will. It is expected that only an Aspectist of a great deal of wisdom and knowledge of the faith as a whole would ever be able to create a true Creed. The Creed Pact is clear that to join a creed, a new member must take an oath before the Prophet or a Herald. For the oath to be legitimate, the member must have proven themselves to be aligned with the Creed, either through a series of initiation tasks or by the judgement of the Prophet or Herald. They must be of age, an Aspectist, and an elf. If these conditions are not met, the oath is deemed to be illegitimate. Noting that there are occasionally Aspectists and druii of non-Elven heritage, it is unlikely that an oath from a non-Elven Aspectist would be widely considered illegitimate, though elder elves and Aspectist fundamentalists from the era of the Creed Pact may disagree. Interaction Between Creeds All Creeds must be unique and not mirror too closely the ideals of any other existing Creed. However, some Creeds share ideals. It is not uncommon for more than one Creed to have a similar tenet or belief, such as both the Emerald Way and Way of the Mother sharing the belief that worship is to be given to the Aspects alone and not to the Mani. Other times, Creeds will be diametrically opposed, such as the Creed of the Sanguine Fire openly shunning Aspect worship in favour of the Mani, who they consider as Wild Gods. Even when the beliefs and teachings of the Creeds do not align, the Creeds Pact makes clear that slander of the other Creeds is strictly forbidden. Respect must be kept at all timse, for a failure to do so is a violation towards the very foundation of Aspectism. If a Prophet or Herald is found to be slandering another Creed or otherwise provoking infighting, it is open to the other Creed leaders to deem that Creed illegitimate. Dissolution of a Creed Once a Creed leaves the lips of the Prophet and comes into the world, it takes on a life of its own. Followers inevitably add to the Way as an ever-growing belief system and way of life. Therefore, even if the original Prophet were to declare the Creed dissolved, it would not stop followers from continuing to follow the Creed and spread its teachings. An exception to this is where a Creed leader repeatedly breaks the mandatory rules set out by the Creeds Pact. Repeated disrespect of these rules means that Oracles, other Prophets, and priests as a whole can declare the Creed illegitimate and heretical towards Aspectism. In this case, Creed followers are openly condemned from following the practices of the dissolved Creed. The mandatory rules are: I. All oaths must be legitimate, with the conditions of the oath met. II. All Creeds must remain true to the core Aspectist tenets of prayer and offering, bodily purity, and upholding the balance (or upholding nature, as it is sometimes interpreted). III. Respect of other Creeds is mandatory and slander is forbidden. Existing Creeds The Way of Emerald The Way of Emerald teaches the values of indomitable will, great courage, emotional resilience, and foresight. It preaches the core belief of will; that its disciples must have the will to face all that may come, bolster their courage in the face of fear, and seek clarity of mind and soul. Prophet | Awaiti Sirame Heralds | Avyndriel Aurë'naerï | Irrin Sirame The Ichorian Path The Ichorian Path preaches action and condemns passivity. It focuses upon survival and suffering as nature suffers, embracing that pain as a way to build fortitude and constantly strive for greater. It is a Creed that embraces facing one's fears and fighting fiercely in the name of the Aspects, shunning the comforts of civilisation and never being afraid of taking extreme action. Prophet | Valor Caerme’onn Heralds | Ghilean Alhanavir | Lysanthir Sonna Vulnrith (before the rule on Creed Heralds) The Way of the Sage The Way of the Sage is for Aspectists who seek wisdom and understanding of all sides of nature, be that chaos or harmony, without losing oneself to either extreme. Followers of the Way of the Sage believe that true control of both sides of nature and oneself is where strength lies, and that the flow of balance is key. It is a Way concerned with seeking the truth and constantly embracing knowledge. Prophet | The Owl Druid Heralds | Roylan Sirame | Revian Winterleaf Sonna Vulnrith (before the rule on Creed Heralds) The Sanguine Fire Better described as a Creed of the Wild Faith, the Creed of the Sanguine Fire offers devotion to the Mani above all. Followers of this Creed uphold the natural balance by holding vigil over wild places where the Mani may walk, keeping these places free of unnatural taint. At the core of this Creed is passion over temperance; every emotion, good and bad, is felt and acted on with intensity to better protect the natural world. Prophet | Miklaeil Arvellon Heralds | Lilyana Caerme’onn | Zaelyn Arvellon | Taliyun’orrir Sirame | Valmir Lorenthus The Way of the Mother This Creed is a disparate collection of beliefs informed by the interpretation of Cerridwen’s will. At its core, the Way of the Mother preaches societal balance over inner balance, wholly embracing the gentle, healing nature of the Mother and neglecting the warlike passion of the Father. This is the Way of healers, and also has many tenets surrounding family, marriage, and children, deeming this to be Cerridwen’s domain. Prophet | Illynora Sylvaeri Heralds | -

Their eyes gliding down from the missive held in their hand, to the healing wound at their leg, Aeth sighed. "We were lucky that we reacted quickly the last time...I hope that monster wikl soon find it's end."