Bkstein's Application.

[BKStein 19]

Out-Of-Character:

Minecraft Account Name: BKStein

Did you attend minecon and sign up at the LOTC booth?: I didn't attend Minecon as I couldn't afford a return ticket to Vegas for the weekend, much to my despair :)

How old are you?: 18

Time-Zone/Country of Residence: I live in London, UK.

Do you have a good grip on the English language/good grammar?: I am British, so I speak fluent English.

Small 2-3 Sentence Description of yourself: I'm a first year undergraduate at Imperial College London. I've lived all over the world, and love travelling, but I'm glad to be settling down at university in London, which I've always considered to be home.

How much time could you be on the server weekly?: This very much depends on my university schedule. I can guarantee around 1 to 2 hours a day though, as I usually game a bit between finishing coursework and actually going to bed.

What do you know about Roleplaying? Give a definition of what it means to you.:

Roleplaying as a character is interacting with your surroundings, and other players (and NPCs) as the character you have created would.

Although roleplaying in a multi-player context is fairly new to me (I've tried joining a couple of other RP servers but have been left disappointed, and playing an MMORPG such as World of Warcraft or EVE Online can hardly be described as serious RP), I've played a few RPGs such as Oblivion, Skyrim, and Fallout 3, and generally try to remain true to the character I set out to create (by not becoming the Gray Fox and the saviour of Cyrodiil with the same Khajiit Assassin, for example).

In your own Words, describe what Metagaming and Powergaming are.

Metagaming is using information shared OOC (out of context) to your IC (in character) advantage. This includes knowing people you have never met before or mystically knowing about a planned bandit raid on your settlement before it happens.

Powergaming is the creation of an overpowered character who will ruin the experience for those around you. A 17-year old boy can't take on 35 people in a barfight ; nor can an wisened old man free run across rooftops as a night-time hobby.

What do you expect this server will be like?: From my (brief) nosing around the forums and Wiki, the server seems to be quite special in that it actually enforces the rules it's drawn up. The community seems active and the staff involved and fair; and most importantly, everyone seems to want to RP!

What other server(s) have you played on and why did you leave them?: I'm a sponsor and regular player on Lost Fate (where griefing, stealing, unrestricted basic PvP etc. are all encouraged). And that's about it... I've recently been accepted to the Skyrim : Age of War server, but it's down for the moment, so I haven't had a chance to get started!

Have you read, understood, and agreed to the rules?: Yes.

How did you hear about us?: Through another player on the Skyrim: Age of War forums, whose name I can't remember.

Have you voted for the Lord of the Craft on Minestatus? Which vote number were you? I did. My vote number was 1,966

What is your The Lord Of Craft forum account name?: BKStein

In-Character:

Character Name: Ralph Mance

What is your Race?: Human.

Biography(This should include the history of your character and his life as well as age, appearance and personality, etc.):

Ralph Mance was born in the quiet town of Nalemtoff to a family of farmers. He was raised by his father Maik alone, his mother having perished whilst giving birth to him, and as a result recieved a mostly practical education. Every morning from the day of his 6th birthday, he would wake at the same time as his father, and serve him breakfast. He would then follow him into the fields, observing every move, marveling at how he seemed to become one with his tool, be it the hoe or the plough. Whilst he was working, Maik would also explain to him the values of hard work, integrity and honesty. Indeed, being one of the few refugees from the fall of Al'Khazar to land in Nalemtoff, he at first recieved a cold welcome from a people unhappy at having another mouth to feed when the harvests were poor and stocks ran low. However, Maik worked hard at his farm everyday to bring in his share of the harvests, and never once lied or cheated one of his fellow citizens. After a few years, he became accepted withing the community, and was allowed to marry.

So, by the time his son was 16, Maik was happy with the way things were going. Ralph seemed receptive to his teachings, and he was confident his son would take good care of the farm, and-who knew?- maybe even get lucky, and marry into one of the leading families of the town's guilds. But that was before the passing of the merchant through the town.

He came, on sunny morn, trotting down the main road riding a magnificent white stallion. Behind him trudged 6 servants, who were each driving a mule down the dusty road. The merchant booked the whole inn for him and his retinue, and spent the night regalling the townsfolk with stories of his travels and accomplishments. To the young, impressionable Ralph, this encounter was a revelation: in a town where only the richest families could afford a single servant to assist them in their daily duties, and where families starved when harvests were poor, the sight of a man able to employ half a dozen men to carry his own belongings was akin to witnessing a miracle. The Merchant, it transpired, was one of the richest men in Galahar, but because of the nature of his business, owned houses in the Dwarven and Elven capitals, with whom he regularly traded. As the night grew old, and as the mead kept flowing, he began to talk about his lifestyle, and the lavish parties he regularly held at his mansions.

The young Ralph was fascinated. All thought of mantaining the family farm suddenly vanished; his mind was now filled of visions of himself, sitting in his vast house in Galahar, frequenting the houses of the greatest families of the kingdom, marrying princesses, and travelling the world in search of ever-increasing profits. During the following months, he started to wander off instead of following his father to the fields; he would climb his favourite tree, hidden behind the crest of a hill, and daydream there for hours on end. His moment would come, that he knew; all he had to do was sieze it.

The moment came 3 years later, when his father passed away after a cut to his chest became infected. Although Ralph's sadness at losing the man who had taught him everything, and who he loved dearly, wrenched at his heart, he knew that his moment had finally come. Being, at the age of 20, a full-grown man and sole proprietor of the farm, he sold it to the town's blacksmith, whose daughter had recently married and was looking for a home to settle down in. He then bought some supplies and set off towards Galahar, and his fortune.

The trip went by without any major events transpiring, although he did spend the night in a ditch when he heard some menacing voices approaching the road from the woods. When he arrived in the capital, the money he had earned from the sale of the farm allowed him to buy a small Shop inside the city walls. However, this was when his troubles started: with so many temptations around him, Ralph found that keeping his money was becoming harder and harder; it was only by remembering his father's teachings that he was able to retain his title deed. Now, he is at a crossroads: will his ambition lead him to greatness, or will his greed lead to his failure?

Traits: Ralph is friendly, trusting and usually honest, although he has been known to bend the truth to suit his needs and objectives. He is extremely ambitious (and sometimes greedy) and will not hesitate in pushing down others to gain the other hand. Although he is trusting and friendly, anyone who abuses of his trust, or takes his kindness for weakness, will quickly feel the force of his anger. He has a smart tongue and a quick wit.

NOTE Having failed to find a map of the kingdom, it's possible that the travels of Ralph and his father make no geographical sense, so apologies if that's the case.

Your characters ambitions: Ralph Mance wants to get rich. Fabulously Rich. He does not care for swordplay, or any form of fighting for that matter; he wants to live the life of the merchant he met in Nalemtoff's Inn.

Out in the Wilds, your character comes across a small cottage. Outside, there appears to be an elf struggling combat with two bandits. What does your character do?

The elf was clearly in trouble; he had been cornered against the doorway to the cottage and was struggling to keep the attackers at bay. Quickly weighing the situation, Ralph decided that engaging the bandits was out of the question; but he still had qualms about leaving the elf alone to be murdered in the wilds, and besides, the bandits would surely catch up with him after they were done with the elf. He therefore stuffed his travelling sack full of fist-sized rocks, climbed the nearest tree with the ease that practising on Nalemtoff's own trees had given him, and proceeded to pelt the assailants with his makeshift projectiles. The bandits initially tried to find the source of the attack; but being superstitious and fearing divine punishment for their actions, quickly scattered, leaving the elf alone to wonder who had saved him in such an unnormal manner. But, seeing no one appear from the surrounding foiladge, his instincts finally prevailed, and he grabbed his belongings and disappeared. Ralph, proud of his display of good morals, then descended from the tree and continued on his way.

Your character walks up to a shop in the middle of Al'Khazar. "Hello, my good sir!" says the shop owner. "What may I help you with today?" How does your character answer?

Ralph *In a friendly manner : Greetings, friend! What have you for sale in your fine-looking shop?

Trader : Why, nothing but the best Elven silks for you, good sir! For a friendly passer-by such as yourself, I am willing to part with them for the modest price of 30 Minas!

Ralph *Appears astounded : Why, I am saddened to find that you take me not only for a fool, but a rich fool at that! *lies : In fact, I have just come upon a Fellow offering me the same silks for 20 Minas! Surely this man could not be besting you in a market you seem so at home in!

Trader *Finding himself bested : I am tempted to seek out this man myself, to test your tongue, stranger... But my wife is currently at the well, and I am unable to leave my store. Very well, villain, take them for 15 Midas a piece. But beware if I find your story to be untrue!

Ralph *keeping a completely straight face : I applaud your sense, my friend. Thank you for your business!

Sorry about the last two, I missed those!

A screenshot of your skin:

Other Information: I believe I've covered everything :)

[Danny 2232]

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Your application for Lord of the Craft is now...

ACCEPTED

Please wait to be promoted in-game!

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[Danny 2232]

Moved to Accepted Forum

[Shoi 173]

Implemented