The State of LOTC

[ValleyOfLavender 580]

Honestly, I appreciate Loxy for saying what so many of us have been feeling but haven’t known how or haven’t felt safe enough to say out loud. There’s something comforting about seeing someone articulate the quiet frustration and sadness many of us have carried for a while.

The truth is, the server has changed. The sense of community that once held so many of us together feels like it's fading. Nations feel more like exclusive clubs than welcoming hubs for RP. It’s disheartening when you look at the number of playable races and then try to find a nation where they’re genuinely welcomed. The options are few, and the spaces that do exist often feel closed off unless you’re already part of the “in crowd.”

We’ve all noticed the growing dominance of one or two massive groups monopolizing land, RP opportunities, and influence. It’s not just about land size or race limitations; it’s about the atmosphere they bring. When RP feels forced, cold, or even hostile, it takes the fun out of it. And when those groups make up such a large portion of the map, it leaves very little space for alternative communities to grow or even survive.

It breaks my heart to see how many people are feeling discouraged, old friends leaving, discords growing quiet, people logging on less and less because it just doesn’t feel the same. Places that used to be safe, creative, and full of life are now riddled with gatekeeping or silence.

I’ve been here since 2021, and I genuinely think this map has been the most draining experience so far. The toxicity, the pressure, the exhaustion, it’s gotten to the point where even trying to hang on for the sake of the few people who still make it worthwhile feels difficult.

I don’t say all this to point fingers or stir up drama. I say it because I love this server, or at least the version of it that brought us all here in the first place. And I think a lot of us are just mourning the loss of that version, and trying to figure out if there’s still a place for us in what it’s become.

[Morigung-oog 5697]

17 minutes ago, ValleyOfLavender said:

Honestly, I appreciate Loxy for saying what so many of us have been feeling but haven’t known how or haven’t felt safe enough to say out loud. There’s something comforting about seeing someone articulate the quiet frustration and sadness many of us have carried for a while.

The truth is, the server has changed. The sense of community that once held so many of us together feels like it's fading. Nations feel more like exclusive clubs than welcoming hubs for RP. It’s disheartening when you look at the number of playable races and then try to find a nation where they’re genuinely welcomed. The options are few, and the spaces that do exist often feel closed off unless you’re already part of the “in crowd.”

We’ve all noticed the growing dominance of one or two massive groups monopolizing land, RP opportunities, and influence. It’s not just about land size or race limitations; it’s about the atmosphere they bring. When RP feels forced, cold, or even hostile, it takes the fun out of it. And when those groups make up such a large portion of the map, it leaves very little space for alternative communities to grow or even survive.

It breaks my heart to see how many people are feeling discouraged, old friends leaving, discords growing quiet, people logging on less and less because it just doesn’t feel the same. Places that used to be safe, creative, and full of life are now riddled with gatekeeping or silence.

I’ve been here since 2021, and I genuinely think this map has been the most draining experience so far. The toxicity, the pressure, the exhaustion, it’s gotten to the point where even trying to hang on for the sake of the few people who still make it worthwhile feels difficult.

I don’t say all this to point fingers or stir up drama. I say it because I love this server, or at least the version of it that brought us all here in the first place. And I think a lot of us are just mourning the loss of that version, and trying to figure out if there’s still a place for us in what it’s become.

 

It's just taken some inspiration from 2018 - stuff is actually happening now. No nation lives forever. The dynamic progression of this felt very natural imo. Unfortunately with every conflict, there has to be losers, people who do not benefit from the conflict but take the L in order to progress the server narrative. Things would be incredibly dull if everyone won. 

 

Learning to lose is difficult but it is a necessary evil in order to keep things fresh. People need to learn how to gracefully lose for the greater good.

[Morigung-oog 5697]

On 4/9/2025 at 9:42 PM, PrimnyaQuorum said:

I am more then happy to point out, in example, Hnor has forgone its entirely cultural identity in favour of RAAAAAAAH CLICK RAAAAAAAAAAAAA RALLYRALLYRALLYRALLYRALLY and outright being hostile to people who don't do that, in overt and less overt ways. I have said this explicitly to these people, because this is not IRP behavior I don't like but OOC actions that I don't like.

 

 

Sorry you feel this way- things have actually been going on on an IC level, day to day rp. With the war, we've had to shift slightly to a more militaristic culture. This isn't the first time this has happened and it was done because quite evidently [based on 8+ months of very little activity from hnor] what was going on before just wasn't working. Now we're meeting & beating checks while maintaining our culture while also asking for actual player participation in keeping activity rather than leaving players with nothing better to do than engage in slice of life that gets boring rq. I'm sorry if this isn't for you but there are also other communities that might suit you better if this is not something you're a fan of.

[PrimnyaQuorum 3999]

29 minutes ago, Morigung-oog said:

Sorry you feel this way- things have actually been going on on an IC level, day to day rp. With the war, we've had to shift slightly to a more militaristic culture. This isn't the first time this has happened and it was done because quite evidently [based on 8+ months of very little activity from hnor] what was going on before just wasn't working. Now we're meeting & beating checks while maintaining our culture while also asking for actual player participation in keeping activity rather than leaving players with nothing better to do than engage in slice of life that gets boring rq. I'm sorry if this isn't for you but there are also other communities that might suit you better if this is not something you're a fan of.

 

I have no qualms with how the IRP dynamics change, and I recognize I poorly worded what I said prior - I do believe, however, there is no real excuse to go on tangents or after people OOCly because they don't want to partake in PvP, or consider them any less "apart" of hnor on a OOC level. There's no real activity threshold or circumstance that excuses it, and there's no "just go somewhere else" that really justifies having the OOC stance that if characters IRPly don't comply with OOC instructions the players don't belong. Mind you, this is all I've heard spoken publicly - I'm not going to try and guess at exactly whats said in the typical leadership venues on the subject that aren't communicated beyond it.

I'm happy to continue this convo over discord but fundamentally speaking, no player should feel excluded on a OOC Level because they don't PvP, or don't want to, and I imagine I'd be pressed to find anyone on either side of the war who disagrees with that outright. 

[MailC3p 2403]

25 minutes ago, PrimnyaQuorum said:

r consider them any less "apart" of hnor on a OOC level.

Samler only rallies for pvp if it is a Warclaim and he is definitley a member of Hnor

WizardWhisper doesnt even rally for WC's but she is definitley still a part of Hnor.

[Chaqery 427]

It's honestly so funny to read this post and think to myself "Oh man, I remember thinking the exact same sort of stuff in 2012".

If it makes anyone feel any better these sort of things seem to ebb and flow quite dramatically from year to year.

[ValleyOfLavender 580]

I said this to someone earlier, and thought it may also apply to this. 

 

Honestly, I think one of the biggest issues right now is how toxic the roleplay environment has become in so many places. Today, I went into Haelun’or just to see if I could maybe become a resident, just looking for a place to feel welcome and settled. I wasn’t even there five minutes before my character was being called names, simply because I had been part of another nation for a few months. And I’m not exaggerating when I say it had me in tears. It was humiliating, and it genuinely hurt.
 

It’s things like that that make the server feel less and less like a safe or enjoyable space. And it’s not just one place. Look at the Church, for example, if you’re not human, if you’re not into religious or cultural RP, or if you just don’t want to engage in that style, you’re often met with disdain, exclusion, or outright racism. Not too long ago, stepping into one of their vassals as an elf could get your ears cut off, and you'd be spat on. That kind of environment doesn’t feel immersive or edgy, it feels hostile.
 

RP is supposed to be a creative outlet, a place where people come together to tell stories and connect. But lately, it feels like if you’re not already part of the “in group” or if you don’t fit into a very narrow mold, you’re either ignored, mocked, or pushed out. It’s exhausting. So many of us are just looking for a community where we can exist and create without being attacked or belittled.
 

All of this just makes it harder to find joy in the server. I miss when RP felt open and collaborative, where you could actually build something with others without fear of being judged, excluded, or attacked. A lot of us are clinging to the few positive people and moments left, but it’s becoming more and more difficult when the overall atmosphere is this toxic.

[Morigung-oog 5697]

22 minutes ago, ValleyOfLavender said:

I said this to someone earlier, and thought it may also apply to this. 

 

Honestly, I think one of the biggest issues right now is how toxic the roleplay environment has become in so many places. Today, I went into Haelun’or just to see if I could maybe become a resident, just looking for a place to feel welcome and settled. I wasn’t even there five minutes before my character was being called names, simply because I had been part of another nation for a few months. And I’m not exaggerating when I say it had me in tears. It was humiliating, and it genuinely hurt.
 

It’s things like that that make the server feel less and less like a safe or enjoyable space. And it’s not just one place. Look at the Church, for example, if you’re not human, if you’re not into religious or cultural RP, or if you just don’t want to engage in that style, you’re often met with disdain, exclusion, or outright racism. Not too long ago, stepping into one of their vassals as an elf could get your ears cut off, and you'd be spat on. That kind of environment doesn’t feel immersive or edgy, it feels hostile.
 

RP is supposed to be a creative outlet, a place where people come together to tell stories and connect. But lately, it feels like if you’re not already part of the “in group” or if you don’t fit into a very narrow mold, you’re either ignored, mocked, or pushed out. It’s exhausting. So many of us are just looking for a community where we can exist and create without being attacked or belittled.
 

All of this just makes it harder to find joy in the server. I miss when RP felt open and collaborative, where you could actually build something with others without fear of being judged, excluded, or attacked. A lot of us are clinging to the few positive people and moments left, but it’s becoming more and more difficult when the overall atmosphere is this toxic.

Hi hnor nl here,
 

im sorry to hear that the encounter upset you on an ooc level but icly we had one hundred and thirty six (give or take) years worth of reasons to meet your own formerly Ibarellen character with distrust. We have you the condition that your character would stand trial for their past high ranking affiliation with cnor as we’ve intended to do with anyone who was high up in their ranks. It was entirely ic with no ooc toxicity directed. Haelunor is a nation of stereotypical snooty high elves, the true haughty elf archetype. You’re welcome to come back and agree to the ic trial but there is a divide between ic and ooc that I feel needs to be respected.

 

There is a difference between IC and OOC - if the lines are becoming blurred some reflection may be in order. I get it- its difficult sometimes, but maintaining that distance and enforcing that line is what allows roleplay to be fun.

[Navigator 4260]

4 hours ago, Morigung-oog said:

 

Sorry you feel this way- things have actually been going on on an IC level, day to day rp. With the war, we've had to shift slightly to a more militaristic culture. This isn't the first time this has happened and it was done because quite evidently [based on 8+ months of very little activity from hnor] what was going on before just wasn't working. Now we're meeting & beating checks while maintaining our culture while also asking for actual player participation in keeping activity rather than leaving players with nothing better to do than engage in slice of life that gets boring rq. I'm sorry if this isn't for you but there are also other communities that might suit you better if this is not something you're a fan of.

activate the fennic sleeper agents, morigung. . . . do it. . . . 

[_Sheylo_ 1177]

2 hours ago, ValleyOfLavender said:

-snip-

This goes along the lines of IC vs OOC interactions.

For instance, I did try to reach out and ensure you that all things were alright on an OOC level. Even if things were heated on an IC level.

But anyway, this goes off the topic of one the OP was talking about. Anyway, when does this thread get locked. They're usually locked by now.

[marikandaperc 1817]

2 hours ago, ValleyOfLavender said:

Look at the Church, for example, if you’re not human, if you’re not into religious or cultural RP, or if you just don’t want to engage in that style, you’re often met with disdain, exclusion, or outright racism.

what do u expect to happen? be welcomed despite being the very thing the church is against..? i hope you understand this doesnt make any sense whatsoever.

 

if your character is impure in terms of haelun'orian standards, your character will be excluded. not "you", but "your character", because if you were to make a character who was hnorian im 100% sure theyd be welcomed. 

 

same goes with the church really. if your character 1) isnt human, 2) isnt canonist and 3) doesnt have one of the cultures of the nation how can you expect them to be accepted? they would simply have nothing in common with the nation, ergo an outcast.

 

the "ears cut and spit on" part btw is purely false, it's not been a reoccuring thing for years. also if you are a canonist elf or just a normal elf you're more than accepted. Argonian already said this but there have been characters of all races in the church. I recall Burnsider playing an orc for example. There was also an elf in Aaun who was part of the government.

[Samson Option 9652]

On 4/9/2025 at 3:50 PM, LoxyTheReindeer said:

There is a reason that when a studio sits down to make a video game or animate a show that viewer/player enjoyment comes first. Real life is depressing, boring. We watch these shows and play these games to escape from real life. So, when realism comes before the enjoyment of the player base in a Minecraft server such as this- you're left with a lot of people who don't particularly want to play anymore. And I know I'm not alone in that sentiment. Yes, it's realistic for empires to rise and fall as they have done so over the course of history. It's realistic for wars to be waged over religion and even more realistic for these wars to raise up said empires. But you know what it isn't? Fun. It isn't fun to only have six nations to choose from when you finally get whitelisted to play on the server: with most of them being canonist human nations. It isn't fun to have your community destroyed over an extremely unfair feeling reason and not be able to do anything about it. Nor is it fun to try and create something new, and immediately have it squashed by the largest nations on the map simply not wanting something else to flourish. 

 

Despite how realistic that all may be based on historical empires- none of it is enjoyable for the playerbase that has to suffer as a result of it. I am not alone in saying that these problems are affecting the enjoyment I get out of the server- I know many people who either already have, plan to leave because of it, or simply don't find their time on LOTC enjoyed anymore. People who spend hours venting or arguing because they feel like they're not allowed to do what brings them happiness on this server anymore. Because they're not one of fifteen people with the power to change something. because if they try, they'll be persecuted into oblivion. Yes, this is realistic to real life. No, it's not fun. For anyone. Fun conflict is dramatic and directed with intent of creating conflict that's fun for both sides. Not conflict that only serves to deepen one sides pockets or further their regime. Again, yes, it's realistic. But when it happens again, and again, and again, it's frustrating and boring.

We've had two megawars between the exact same people on either side, and more than 10 nations erased off the face of the map. All within the span of a year. More nations are dying than can be raised up, and more unique ideas and builds and communities are being erased by the day. All for the sake of an empire that more than half of the server doesn't want nor believe in. We're a high fantasy server with lots of unique races to play and magics to obtain, yet 90% of the nation's available are canonist and human, which persecute these other races. This isn't okay; it isn't sustainable.

I'm asking everyone on the Mod and Admin teams to ask themselves this, and to have a long conversation about it; Is this what you want for the server? Is this the future you want for LOTC? Because if it is, you will likely see server activity decrease substantially by new map. You will see so many people quit, and they will not return unless major changes are made.
Please take my words into consideration. And again; I'm not attacking anyone with this post. I just want to open this up for discussion, because this can of worms is long overdue for being opened and picked apart. Please keep your comments and discussion respectful towards all parties. And thank you for reading.

 

Conflating all genres & formats of video games is disingenuous from the jump. Lord of the Craft is a multiplayer roleplaying server where generally it is understood that all players have the potential to impact one another's storyline in as much as said players come into contact with one another. You are setting up realism as a red herring to avoid coming to grips with the fact that you are opting to log into a multiplayer roleplaying server. If you prefer to have sole & full control over the narrative of your character's story, you'd be better off playing a single player roleplaying video game.

 

Let me know if you want to engage seriously on this topic and I'd be more than happy to give a fuller response.

 

PS: I'm respectfully not addressing the elephant in the room out of respect for you. Up to you if you want to address it, but if you don't, then I'm content to stay away from it too.

[chaotikal 2392]

What if the fellowship offered Sauron a hug instead? Who knows...

[Pancho 4197]

4 hours ago, Morigung-oog said:

There is a difference between IC and OOC - if the lines are becoming blurred some reflection may be in order. I get it- its difficult sometimes, but maintaining that distance and enforcing that line is what allows roleplay to be fun.

Given that the recent history of haelunor has been all but ignored, I doubt this. You're a friend Mori, but this felt OOC.

[Laeonathan 5889]

6 hours ago, ValleyOfLavender said:

I said this to someone earlier, and thought it may also apply to this. 

 

Honestly, I think one of the biggest issues right now is how toxic the roleplay environment has become in so many places. Today, I went into Haelun’or just to see if I could maybe become a resident, just looking for a place to feel welcome and settled. I wasn’t even there five minutes before my character was being called names, simply because I had been part of another nation for a few months. And I’m not exaggerating when I say it had me in tears. It was humiliating, and it genuinely hurt.
 

It’s things like that that make the server feel less and less like a safe or enjoyable space. And it’s not just one place. Look at the Church, for example, if you’re not human, if you’re not into religious or cultural RP, or if you just don’t want to engage in that style, you’re often met with disdain, exclusion, or outright racism. Not too long ago, stepping into one of their vassals as an elf could get your ears cut off, and you'd be spat on. That kind of environment doesn’t feel immersive or edgy, it feels hostile.
 

RP is supposed to be a creative outlet, a place where people come together to tell stories and connect. But lately, it feels like if you’re not already part of the “in group” or if you don’t fit into a very narrow mold, you’re either ignored, mocked, or pushed out. It’s exhausting. So many of us are just looking for a community where we can exist and create without being attacked or belittled.
 

All of this just makes it harder to find joy in the server. I miss when RP felt open and collaborative, where you could actually build something with others without fear of being judged, excluded, or attacked. A lot of us are clinging to the few positive people and moments left, but it’s becoming more and more difficult when the overall atmosphere is this toxic.

 

1. You went HAELUNOR to find a sweet and welcoming place? Just why? They are the biggest known racist place.

 

2. My elf walked into Númendil with a Lorraine hanging around his neck "omg how cool an elven canonist". There are elven Cardinals. There's memes abou elves yeah. And there are racist characters.

 

But if you have a sutican mindset your char wont b accepted by canonists.