Burnsider

"Don't right know what this man's problem is," Kris Darkwood said, his own cigarillo clutched between his teeth as he played cards with some of the people in the tavern. "Reckon someone his age should know the health benefits of a fine cigar. Keeps away the miasma of disease, after all."

So I'm not able to speak to what I saw about others while on the mod team. But I will say that frill has called me a nazi pig and that he believes I'm a supporter of child molesters. I'll note that, since I posted this morning, he's deleted several of the DMs he sent me. That was rather timely. Wonder who he is on the forums or who told him to do so. Other friends of his, when I would ban his forum alts (as is required by the rules) would come out of the woodwork and call me a pedophile. I have lost those DMs though and cannot find them. Probably my favorite bit of harassment came from Herculean_Wud. EDIT: And just now, having posted this above, I'm getting this: Obviously no big deal compared to what some have experienced, but this is what happens whenever any dares question frill. Anyone know who Walter#2620 is?

The way that frill has defamed and harassed multiple people on LOTC since his ban (and recruited others to do the same) has more than warranted his exclusion from this community for all time. The fact that people continually prop him up as some pillar of the community is continually shocking to me.

Thank you to everyone who reached out. I think I have found a group to link up with during my prime time. You guys are wonderful.

I'm sorry. I don't understand. Unless you think that I RP in Aaun and are coming here to OOC mock a playerbase for actions in RP by saying that I'm trying to flee a sinking ship. This says two things about you: 1. You as a player, not just a character, like to mock players in LOTC. 2. It shows you know nothing about the person you're trying to mock. The only character I play is from Balian, which is doing quite well recently. I have never had a character in or from Aaun. I have no issue with this. I've weathered far worse from other player's in LOTC, most recently Rukio who called me a terrible husband and father. But it does say a lot about you.

These are fantastic questions and I'll do my best to answer them. 1. I generally prefer intrigue, personal growth, and political RP. Slice of life is nice too. I love mysteries and the idea of building towards things. 2. I have no race I'm particularly looking for, though I'm trying to shy away from human noble RP, as I feel that, with rare exception, it's all I've done. 3. I absolutely would like to form friendships with the people I RP with. This is especially important for a guy like me who cannot RP when many people are on, as it allows me to communicate and enjoy times on discord when I can't be in front of the PC. Qizu, I appreciate your response, but Adria and I have a very bad history. The last Adrian confluence worked OOC to mock and destroy a community I had worked hard to build.

I find that, during the times I'm most available, from 10am EST to 5pm EST, I will log in, wander around in the places my character would go to, find no one, and log off. I recognize that those times are not the most popular times to play, but it's the only time I can regularly play. Times later than that, I spend with my wife and child. Times before that, I spend getting wife and child off to work and school. But during those times, seeing as I do contract work from home, I often find time to play. Many of you know me. You know how I RP. You know how I write. Anyone interested in having me in their RP community that are active around those times? I know you people exist. I see you when I hit tab. I just don't know where you are.

We have already removed people from this community for doing things to other members they have met IRL. Your naiveté doesn't mean they don't happen.

Kris Darkwood scratched at some stubble that he had missed on the morning's shave while he watched the defrocked priest wander from Balian, the man's undergarments caked in red tomato juice. "Reckon that wasn't that much of a trial now, not with any witnesses or evidence, but it sure was funny when the man said he tested dragonkin with salt."

Think of it less like play time and more like exercising your ability to tell a story. You are an author of your character's story, of the story of your character's in-game community, and of the world as a whole. There are not less authors as they age, but often more, being drawn to create the stories they have imagined for decades. Let me share a moment of my own experience. I find myself, with each passing year, hurtling closer and closer to middle age. Why, then, do I RP with teenagers on Minecraft server? Well, first of all, most of us aren't teenagers, but that's really irrelevant. I love to imagine worlds and stories and be able to act them out like, in some way, an actor and writer, sparks my creative juices even at this age. I don't have the time to RP as someone in high school or college, true. My wife and son will always take precedent over a game. And so I can't attend multi-hour events and I miss important court sessions or warclaims as I'm out with family or working. And I might never be able to devote the time to be a nation leader. But, in the moments that I allow myself some time alone, I have chosen, instead of passively reading a book or watching the television to make a story of my own. And more than that, I am working with others to tell a grander and more epic story than I ever could by myself. That's what, as an adult with a family, keeps me here. That, and the stories I can tell my son, often simplified and exaggerated, of the heroes of Almaris before he goes to bed. Those stories, too, are worth every moment. For, as C. S. Lewis once said regarding children, "since it is so likely that they will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage."

My clear mathematical formula is as follows: Diamond + 1 Persona = Bedrock

If you close your eyes, how can you see?

Kris Darkwood leaned back against the fence, chewing on the end of his cigarillo as he read the treaty. "Well thank the good Lord that these two kingdoms that have existed for literal decades no longer have to worry about whether one or the other acknowledges their sovereignty. I know I was on the edge of my seat about that one."

I will not.

I have had signatures turned off for years. I honestly forgot they existed.

A Wayward Sapling The grizzled man stood on the deck of the ship as it pulled into port on the southern continent of Almaris. His hand scratched the blonde stubble on his face as his armored duster fluttered in the breeze, mail and bits of plate jingling as it did so. The smell of the southern continent hit his nose and he was hit with a wave of nostalgia. Kris had applied for schooling at the Citadel of Hexenstadt when he was but a teen. He was on his pilgrimage from the family homestead to the city of Lurin to visit the citadel when he had been waylaid by a group of scalawags, who had shanghaied him into their service. [!] A dramatic recreation of the gallant fight between Kris and his abductors Kris had survived at sea with the pirates, though he wouldn't have called it much more than that. Cabin boys on a pirate crew weren't treated very well. But, to survive was enough for the young lad and eventually the crew found itself in Aeldin where it disbanded, their pockets full of riches and booty. And most certainly not because they were tracked down by frigates of the Aeldenic Empire and thrown in jail. Most certainly not. [!] Kris, enjoying his life of luxury in Aeldin But the time in Aeldin was good for Kris, as his life of luxury (remember, not his life behind bars) gave him a chance to rewrite his moral code, casting off the shackles of piracy although still embracing the freedom of life it provided. After a few years, he rode south, learning to live in the plains of deserts of southern Aeldin, living life mainly as a crossbowman for hire. He teamed up with six other men in that time, fighting against various bandit groups that threatened the smaller towns in that area. A few Oyashimen that met with him called him a 'ronin,' and it fit as well as any other moniker. [!] A magnificent rendering of Kris and his six companions. But, home called, and news from it as well. And so, he said goodbye to his companions and caught a merchant ship on its way back to Almaris. It had been over 15 years since he had seen his homeland, but he was ready now to return. Kristofer Adrian Darkwood set foot on the dock and made his way to the local stable to procure a ride, thinking on the news he had received. "Oh, Theodetta, what in GOD's name have you done?"

Kris Darkwood placed two fingers over Arold's lips, clamping them shut. Then, leaning in close, he whispered, "Shhhh, let people enjoy things."

The Red Diet of Karosgrad was probably my favorite experience as a player. It was a great combination of character development and player freedom. Speaking of freedom, I might try LARPing again. See if I've gotten too old for that.

I had been doing church RP for a long time, but on coming back this time, I finally got my first actual priest and my first spook (as she got used by the Synod after she died). This would be priestess Ileana.

The mod team is a team not just because of workload, but because we need differing viewpoints to make sure things are handled fairly and correctly. I'm glad we quarreled as mods on occasion; it made the team consider decisions more carefully. I'm a 10.5 US. Yes, my reign of terror has ended.

Overseeing my first warclaim. It was amazing to watch the sides go at it, to prep the map, and just help enable some of the most fun people have on LOTC.

Yup, I'm out for a bit. My interest in the server has been waning for a bit now and so I'm taking a break. I hold no illusion that I'm quitting for good; I know I'll be back. So, this is me hanging up my mod manager hat and doing a little Bye AMA.