Hyperdron

Old words and old names find their way to an old raven, hunched beside a crackling campfire. The figure's crowdrake mask inclines to face the sky - remembering, reminiscing - and behind it cracks a single smirk. "Velkomnir aftur, félagar."

It might be a cop-out to say bard rp, and admittedly I don't have enough experience across the server to glean what other niches are actually being done or not... I think that player group I have simmering in the back roughly sums up the kind of stuff I'm missing/want more on - travelling troupe, highly collaborative and detail-oriented processes/progression, abstract exploration and expression, toss in some puzzle stuff, wacky and funky and all that. It's a niche within a niche, and it would demand an attention and dedication from participants that from an already reduced pool might just be too much to ask for. I hold out hope though that there are those out there with similar sorts of sporadic energy levels as I - especially because you know what I want to come next :^) At least Av can visit nondescript volcanoes (also GOOD)

Happy 4 years you madman Considering the current time my thought processes are undergoing an anti-vibe rn but drop me something I can answer in the, uh... later morning, and I'll leave you with a: That caravan'd better leave the west at some point lmao ALSO YOU'D BETTER HAVE SET THAT AMPHITHEATRE UP

-= 𓆮 =- Bud yet to bloom. "Who really are we?" Guardian of wilt, watching from behind. "Until it blossoms, I will remain." The petals that veil away, quiet until peace. "Saplings seed amongst decay... so should I know." Becks like bark as currents that hunt to knot connection. "Where did it go? Did it tear away? Ne, I-" Never felt in the first place. The trunk bears its body's weight. "If the roots cannae handle the tides, ah'll hold 'til they can." Nightmare lost, yet paradise torn to soar upon freedom's winds, seek the bird's desire. "It's really beautiful up here... but what about them? Am I just a burden?" One. All. "Our Chorus." ------------------------------------------------

IGN: Hyperdron Category: Music Creation / Singing Work: I was torn between being submitting Auriel, or actually going and making something more with the prompt in mind; this is the result. Since there was a desire to see interpretations of more recent happenings, I went with an ambient miniature on the Voidal Hollow. The first half of the piece essentially sets the scene, a soundscape of natural yet unnatural cues, warped by the Hollow's influence - screams of nature, disembodied illusions upon the senses, and so on. The second half leans more into the infamous quintuple-PK event (reference https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/212089-a-thousand-and-one-adventures/), a driven heralding of the suffering to come then overwhelmed by painful noise, before all falls 'silent' once more. Chasing this electroacoustic aesthetic seemed a good choice, considering the area was essentially a chaotic confluence between reality's order and voidal corruption. Hopefully I've successfully upheld that intent. Also as you can very easily tell, video editing has never been my forte. Go ahead and ask for a .wav or .mp3 if needed ^^'

A wandering bard, sat in soft grasses by the western shores, eyes a set of clothes tucked neatly away in his pack - a verdant-green hanfu wrapped in swathes of blossoming white. He reaches in and plucks it out, holding it gently across his hands as he reminisces. Memories of a city now laid to rest - and of an inscription he had penned there upon the back of one certain instrument. "A shame it went this way... ah, well. On ta the future. I'll look forward ta seein' ya's all again soon." And with a mournful smile, he begins to whistle a rhapsody to the winds.

From one composer to another, these absolutely slap. Though, considering your track record, this likely comes as no surprise. Good luck on the commission grind, go get that mina o7 (also ty for reminding me I'm super out of practice as of late, haven't even started anything for like 3 months lmao)

An unassuming wood elf sips at his jasmine tea, sat peacefully within the Tianrui Teahouse of Yong Ping. He finds his mind wandering, as it had been wont to do recently; thoughts back to his birthplace, and of the sights he had seen during his last visit there: the hall of cloth and charm, the space of stars and skies. All events that had happened within surface as a blur, misty, indecipherable, like patchwork missing its most important squares of elaborate fabrics - but the elf does not focus on the details, used to fragmented memories. Instead, he listens to the emotion that wells up inside him, a certain mix of confidence, hesitance, and belief, that for a moment mistakenly slips his lips. "... I hope Inny's doin' alright." And he sips his tea again.

A gnarled figure, fully clad in raven attire, stares from an eyeless mask as the sun sets upon the Highlander walls beyond. Not that they could see the walls from where they were; but they knew full well where that bastion stood - had stood for so many years. A grating creak groans from behind that mask, a maddening smile hidden from all but their own awareness. It had been far too long since they had last witnessed a prophecy fulfilled. This time, they would make sure to savour it.

It's been a blast being an absolute menace in the doc comments, best of luck getting this through!

[!] As the denizens of Kal'Darakaan would go about their days, some might hear the echoes of song rolling up from the depths below. In fact, it may just go a little like this: OOC Lyrics below, if my loose pronunciations are hard to follow: And thanks are in order for: @tgrt - this is your fault :^) @DISCOLIQUID - this is also your fault :^))

Somewhere in the world, an artisan smiles a sombre smile. In nature's eternal chorus, sometimes the Song must mourn.

[!] A lilting melody settles upon the restless city of Yong Ping. The guqin has chosen.

[!] Many rice paper flyers are distributed across all major nations and settlements in Almaris, bearing the seal of the Tianrui Teahouse of Yong Ping. It boasts the same impressive scrollwork that has come to be expected of the Jade State, shining gold and red - but this time, with little flourishes of green and pink interspersed. A Wandering Performance, A Unique Acquisition Dear readers, the Tianrui Teahouse invites you to a special night of feasting, music-making, and fervent bidding! On the 9th of the First Seed, SA 63, our establishment shall host an artisan of great skill upon the in-house stage to perform a concert of traditional tunes. His instrument for the night shall be one crafted by his own hand, exclusive in that he has never and shall never make another of its design; a zither of ancient inspiration, shaped from the finest quality of woods that populate the Yong Ping forests. At the end of his recital, the instrument shall be auctioned off then and there, open to anyone in the crowd willing to put themselves forth! An important note must be made regarding this auction: To bid, you are NOT required to offer anything of monetary or otherwise material value. You are more than welcome to bring such, certainly to purchase food or beverages, but the artisan wishes to especially encourage the attendance of those who may not have the financial means to purchase an instrument on their own. It is his hope that the auction shall not be decided by mina - as such, he shall be running the auction in a manner quite unconventional. If you are curious, come along! [!] An artistic depiction of the instrument to be auctioned is included on the poster: Event hosting, Tianrui Ren With the blessing of the Leading Lady of the Courts and Arts, Chen Yunya [!] Several customised flyers are delivered to certain people, be that by bird, known address, or otherwise (do not metagame any of this obviously): OOC Information Starting Time: Friday 11th February, 3pm EST Location: Tianrui Teahouse, Yong Ping (East Hub for road signs, coordinates x-635 z447) No need to worry about being a little late - I planned the performance first for a reason!

A wood elf wandering through Urguan lands happens to come across one such poster. With a curious gaze, he pulls out a notebook and records the writer's name. "That's a plan, then. Always had a passin' interest in them pipes." The elf grins happily to himself, continuing on his way. When might his journey lead him to this dwarf? Only the Song could say.

A certain wandering wood elf would learn of this new academy while sat comfortably near Yong Ping's Tianrui Teahouse, quietly tapping away at a makeshift erhu before him with a set of crude woodworking tools. He pauses his work as he takes a moment to absorb this information. Perhaps there was enough time before the Lunar New Century festivities really kicked off to make a quick visit? ((Yo good luck have fun with this, I'll come interact sometime. Always nice to have a bard get-together!))

SLEEPING EMBERS Viktor Eldrsson 1787 - 1856 It was a personal custom now for Viktor Eldrsson to make the trek up to the Hearth Temple. Day by day, the journey had become harder and harder. Every sunrise had heralded further decay, further weakness, as his body slowly withered away. To the weary Highlander, this was no more than a challenge for him to overcome - at first, because his duty had not yet been fulfilled, but now it was for simple validation, that his continued existence on this mortal realm had value. He fought against his natural degeneration; it was a battle he knew he would not last forever, but it brought him peace of mind. To struggle against inevitability had been one of the guiding tenets of his life, after all. On one certain day, as he walked this gravelly path he had walked so many times before, he thought back to a moment from a couple of years ago. When Rûne, then the Purifiers' Head Scholar, stood beside him at the hearth, and received the news that they were to be the next Lord Purifier. When he heaved from his shoulders the satchel that he had hauled up the mountain since Thorfinn Kursin's death. When he handed the Lord Purifier's ring over for the first and final time. Passing on the responsibility left him feeling strangely weightless after over 30 years of leadership, going on 40. He remembered how after that day was the first time he had truly acknowledged his end was near. The temple was quiet, as it usually was. The carpet beneath muffled the sound of Viktor's heavy footsteps as he approached the hearth, its flames fluttering gently from the light gust of wind that had snuck in as he entered. With a soft grunt, he sat himself down at his usual spot, accompanied by his usual thoughts, and faced the warmth before him. He let his ice blue eyes settle upon the fire's deepest hues, where ambers and yellows gave way to tender whites. In the comfort of the Father's Flame, he felt himself begin to drift - and this time, he would answer His call. His final reflection was on a Northern sunrise. The clink of bottles; the smell of fresh snow; the laughter of an old friend. Viktor's body would be found resting before the hearth, in much the same manner as he had often meditated. His elbows were leant upon his thighs, his calloused hands were clasped together, and his white hair fell gracefully around his head. There was a small smile upon his lips. It was certain now - Viktor Eldrsson had left for the Father's Halls.

Viktor quietly watches the flames of the hearth.

The 5th Hearth Forum, 47 SA Issued 7th of the First Seed, Year 47 of the Second Age Section I: Administration Date: 8th of the Grand Harvest, 47 SA (Saturday 23rd October, 5pm EST) Location: Varhelm Hearth Temple (X: -1840, Z: -2640) Participants: Red Faith clergy, Red Faith laity Arbitrator: Lord Purifier Viktor Eldrsson Oath of Sanctuary: those in attendance shall not be prosecuted for their words spoken during the Forum, unless they entail a direct attack on the Red Faith and/or its beliefs. This immunity shall be in effect from the Arbitrator’s declaration of commencement, to the Arbitrator’s declaration of dismissal. The Arbitrator shall have the final say on any alleged violations. Section II: Itinerary Spreading the Flame - Festivals and Offerings A discussion on giving offerings and holding festivals in this time of strife. The Svarling Threat - Blood Rituals, led by Purifier Scholar-Initiate Kjaer A report from Purifiers Kjaer and Aedan on a Svarling rite witnessed in the northern mountains. The Faith - On Reforming the Order of Purifiers A discussion on the efficacy and possible implementations of proposed reforms to the Order of Purifiers. Open Discussion An opportunity for all those in attendance to request, through the Arbitrator, a proposition, discussion point, or otherwise, to be pitched to the Forum. The Arbitrator shall have the final say as to whether the request will be put forth. Scribed by, Lord Purifier Viktor Eldrsson

Viktor Eldrsson jots the ceremony down in his notebook, unable to find any words to say in the moment, but knowing well enough that this was a king worth mourning for.

After receiving a report of the attack, Kvasyr Bloodbrand would burst into a fit of laughter, bending over backwards at the absurd coincidence of this success. "Really?! The north-western gate? Again?!" Viktor Eldrsson's reaction is much more subdued, muttering to himself as he assists refortification efforts around the city. "Really? The north-western gate? ... Again?"

A cloaked figure flanked by two guards sits patiently atop a nearby mountain overlooking the village, their crowdrake mask staring blankly into the distance. As the first screams rise from Ikarusburg, what visible skin on their face curls up into an unhinged smile. "Drekkið vel í kvöld." Viktor Eldrsson watches the smoke rise from the door of the Hearth Temple, a knowing look on his face. He lets slip a sigh of regret. "Ay, it had to happen eventually..."

Viktor reads through the missive dutifully, chuckling as he reminisces on the furore of Sven's Days gone by. He makes a mental note to attempt to find a space in his schedule, hoping that either way the day shall find peace in the midst of this northern war.

A cloaked figure married to chaos sits cackling atop the walls of the besieged city, legs dangling unabashedly off the edge, clothes blustering in the frigid winds. How long had it been since they had last visited? Almost a year ago, by their reckoning, when they joined that Styrbjorn for a whistlestop tour of the northern nations. And what better way to improve upon that visit than nine days of slaughter, witnessed in its entirety by their bloodshot eyes? Skrain Bloodbrand would swing their legs back up to solid stone and begin to make their way across the walls, following behind the Svarling raiding party, muttering to themselves in between their bouts of laughter. "Strange how nobody cares to look up." Meanwhile, the Lord Purifier makes plans to honour the valiant Initiates of the Order who fought back against that demonic Svarling horde. His smile is proud, yet a touch of grim understanding hides beneath. Ikur'fiyem would not be the last target of the Svarlings' now enlarged forces, and so Varhelm must be ready. Viktor Eldrsson sighs as these developments pile upon the already long list of threats to Norland. "Ay, what to deal with first..."

The 4th Hearth Forum, 42 SA Issued 7th of the First Seed, Year 42 of the Second Age Section I: Administration Date: 7th of the Sun’s Smile, 42 SA (Sunday 19th September, 4pm EST) Location: Varhelm Hearth Temple (X: -1840, Z: -2640) Participants: Red Faith clergy, Red Faith laity Arbitrator: Lord Purifier Viktor Eldrsson Oath of Sanctuary: those in attendance shall not be prosecuted for their words spoken during the Forum, unless they entail a direct attack on the Red Faith and/or its beliefs. This immunity shall be in effect from the Arbitrator’s declaration of commencement, to the Arbitrator’s declaration of dismissal. The Arbitrator shall have the final say on any alleged violations. Section II: Itinerary An announcement from Alisa Camian The Svarling Threat - Vikne’s War Declaration A discussion on how to best handle the arrival of the Svarling’s full forces. Spreading the Flame - A Norlandic Tale, led by Vykk Volaren The Living Paragon returns to tell another story. The Long Dark - Corruptions in the Realm A report on various sinister developments that have occurred across Nyrheim, followed by discussions on how best to respond. Open Discussion An opportunity for all those in attendance to request, through the Arbitrator, a proposition, discussion point, or otherwise, to be pitched to the Forum. The Arbitrator shall have the final say as to whether the request will be put forth. Scribed by, Lord Purifier Viktor Eldrsson