High_On_Math

"Wait . . . Wait now, this dwed must know that the uruks love trees now?  Perhaps he is parodying us. . . "

The elfess shrugged as she shut the gates to a polis that had been long vacant, though she smiled as she looked upon the signs of fresh life stirring within.

"Does ne matter."

A yellow-haired elfess raised her eyebrows, grinning.

"This is good! . . . I think.  K a e t h u l.  I think that's the city that had an impure culture!"

She rushed to show the announcement to her granduncle.

"I thought the Uruks hated Freygoth, and sought to burn her forests and kill her children and transform the world into one of smog?"

The elfess was deeply confused, "Though, I sympathize with the poor animals who deserve respect, and for the magnificent flora of our continent.  I feel we need a balance."

She'd cover her mouth, "I wonder who this demon named bal'ance is.  There shall be no compromise made with Infernal beings, unless they have a tragic backstory and need a hug and we can fix them through the power of positive thinking!"

An elfess sits alone in her alchemy lab, crafting a potion while humming.

"I wonder where our Techno priests have gone, whether the Haenseni Industrial Revolution's embers have been fully put out, and why I have heard nothing of the Hyperwar.  Truly, the gear and the coal and the steam shall save mankind of petty labor, and reorient its mind towards higher things of progress and of smog.  It is only a matter of time.  How much time . . . depends on the mechanical priests."

Catalogue of Archeological Discoveries on Aevos

By Lucilia Calith

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Totems and Standing Stones

Jungle Sacrificial Cult

Canonist Sites

Aquatic Sites

Generic Descendent Sites

Miscellaneous

Introduction

         Since the mass immigration from Almaris to Aevos, explorers have discovered that our continent is covered in the ruins of past civilizations.  Often, these ruins are hiding in plain site.  It can be easy to walk past an old house or an abandoned mine and to assume that it was built by Almaris immigrants.  However, the disturbing truth is that at least 6 distinct civilizations lived on here before us, and that something caused each one of them to fall, leaving Aevos almost empty.  That there were few indigenous peoples and no large settlements should not be taken as a blessing for us immigrants, but rather as an omen; just as we were driven out of Almaris, we may yet be driven out of Aevos, leaving the continent empty once again.

Totems and Standing Stones

     Haelun'or's Fort - Off the coast of Haelun'or, a fort built upon a small, rocky island stands tall amongst the waves.  While it appears to have been built in modern times, it was discovered during my initial explorations of the continent.  This would indicate that it was either built around the time Almaris immigrated to Aevos.  However, the fort's black and grey checkered flags do not resemble those of any known Almarisian group, and Haelun'or was not aware of its construction.  Had an Almarisian group built a fort on the coast of Haelun'or, one would expect corresponding political tensions.  Thus, I conclude that a group inhabited the southern coast of Aevos just prior to the Almarisian exodus.

     The fort's sea-level room holds a fireplace and chairs, as well as a cell for holding individuals.  This may not indicate the presence of a violent conflict on Aevos, however, since the Group likely practiced descendent sacrifice.  Individuals may have been taken captive for no other purpose than sacrifice.  While initial explorations did not reveal any supernatural presences, many saint's weeks ago, a curse was discovered to have been placed over this sea-level room.  It has since been purged.  Whoever placed the curse likely identified this site as holding some sort of importance, and thus it's recommended that mainstream descendent society ought to investigate this site further to determine if it may hold any utility.

     A staircase leads to the second level, upon which a totem has been built.  Several skulls were found on the staircase leading up to the totem, and a skull was also found displayed in front of the totem.  These skulls, coupled with the totem, indicate a sacrificial cult.  A glass container was also found nearby.

     Inside the towers of the fort, beds, an office area, and a laboratory were found.  A large vat containing a green substance was found in the laboratory.

     Beneath the fort, underwater, lies a cave containing an emerald pillar.  There also appears to be a wood structure, a skull, and a pile of what would have been hay, indicating that the room used to not be filled with water.  It's possible that this emerald pillar contains some magical properties that resulted in its underground storage and the subsequent cursing of the land directly above it.

      Vikela's Fort -   Near present-day Vikela lay a crater-like formation which has now been demolished for new construction.  The crater itself was filled with water and had a rock protruding out of it, forming a small island.  Furthermore, the crater was surrounded by a seemingly natural rock wall.  The site showed signs of both recent and ancient habitation.  The ancient builders were likely from the same time-period as the builders of the large pyramid nearby (see Jungle Sacrificial Cult).  Campfires, chests, beds, and torches were found inside the crater, while a crumbling stone archway was found outside.  A cage, large enough to hold a descendant, hung from a thick branch above the crater.  A totem was located on the island.  Unfortunately, I lack notes describing this, but I think I recall a skull being on the island as well.  Regardless, the proximity of the totem to the cage indicated that sacrifices may have been made there.

A bridge connected the entrance to the crater to the island, and it appeared that the island had once been connected by another bridge to a cave dug into the wall opposite the entrance.  Inside this cave lay a prominently displayed coffin.  Again, I lack notes describing this, but I recall a hidden passageway in the place, which required the pressing of a hidden lever to enter.  Among the wood structures found at the site were chairs, a swing, and a cross.  Whether the cross was a modified Canonist Lorraine cross, another totem, a mount for corpses, or something else is unknown.  Perhaps most intriguing was the swing, since it demonstrated that the inhabitants had the capacity for both whimsy and leisure as well as sacrifice and death.

     Nevaehlen Ruins -  Nevaehlen made its original home on Aevos in the ruins of a pre-Almaris immigration civilization.  The ruins, built mostly out of wood, lie just to the west of the jungle temple.  There are many watchtowers, which are often connected by walkways as shown in the illustration below.  

    Unfortunately, I am unable to confirm exactly which buildings were built by Nevaehlen and which were built by the original inhabitants.  However, it is clear that the towers and walkways were part of the original structure.  The homes and other buildings within the ruins follow a similar architectural style, and thus may be original, or may be built by Nevaehlen to “fit in” with their surroundings.

     One thing is clear, however: there are several sites inside the ruins that do not resemble the original architecture and yet seem to be part of the ruins.  Below is depicted three white and blue standing stones found on the south side of the city.  They have been chiseled to form twisting shapes.  Beside are three wood pillars.  The stones and pillars have been placed so as to outline a semi-circle.  On the north side of the city is another site containing pillars placed to form a semi-circle.  These pillars are made out of regular stone - something not found in the rest of the ruins.  They are clearly very old, and they do not seem to have supported anything.

     Throughout the area are pillars reminiscent of directional signs.  However, these “sign posts” mostly seem to lack any information or guidance, and instead seem to be placed at random places in the city.  On one sign post found outside the city, there is writing, but it is undecipherable, either written in another language or weathered and lost to time.

     Lastly, similarly to the crater near the Temple, a totem was found in these ruins as well. However, this totem appeared to have faces on it.  It is unknown for now whether or not Neveahlen or the original inhabitants built it.

     Balian Standing Stones - Near Balian, a circle of standing stones or pillars can be found.  Small spots of dried blood dot the ground, and wood seems to jut out of some of the rocks.  The surrounding area is filled with rocks and boulders, home to an abnormal number of cobwebs.  Several blue lanterns are placed throughout the seemingly ancient site, indicating that some force or group still keeps the site maintained.  This structure is just east of the carnage-filled caves described under Balian Caves in the Jungle Sacrificial Cult section.

Jungle Sacrificial Cult

     Camps - The remains of several old camps have been discovered, scattered throughout Aevos' southern jungle.  These camps typically contain the remains of brown fabric, likely used to form a tent, barrels, the remains of camp fires, and skeletal remains.  Often skulls are impaled on sticks surrounding the camps, while full skeletons can be found scattered across the ground.  That the remains are so close to the tents indicates that the individuals were killed suddenly, without the opportunity to flee.  The tents seem to be the same age, so whatever happened to the tent-dwellers happened not only suddenly, but across the entire jungle simultaneously.  

      One anomalous camp seems to be more fortified.  It boasts a gate, with an impaled head on the outside.  The site is surrounded by a wooden wall, and contains skeletons inside, as well. Analysis of the skeletons has determined that they are likely goblins. Predominantly displayed inside the fort is a strange black, orb-like object.
 

      Altars and displayed bones - Also scattered throughout the jungle are collections of impaled skeletons, many of which have fallen off their poles and are now buried in the forest floor.  Altars, too, can be found throughout the jungle.  These altars are smaller, roughly 2-3 meters high and 5 meters long, and are made of stone.  Skulls are displayed atop them.  Recently, an altar near old Nevaehlen was discovered with small spots of blood on the ground, indicating that someone has recently attempted to use the altars.

     Temple - Near Vikela, an enormous pyramid stands within a large body of water.  Trees grow within it, demonstrating its age.   The temple seems to have not just been weathered by time; wooden structures have been built over the temple, possibly covering damaged areas which could have provided entrance into the structure.  The room at the top of the pyramid contains black doors surrounded by blue rocks.  These doors have yet to be opened!  Four symbols have been carved into the four corners at the top of the pyramid.

      Given its position in the heart of the jungle, surrounded by the various camps and altars, one would expect it to have been built by the same group.  It is made of a similar stone as the various altars, and, furthermore, signs of ritual sacrifice have been found nearby.  The main evidence for death ritualism at the temple is the remains of 2 small boats on the shore of the Temple Lake, each containing skeletal remains.  Sacrificial victims may have been killed, placed in these boats, and set adrift towards the temple.
 

     Balian Caves - On a cliff face near Balian, I recently discovered a hanging cage, very similar to the one mentioned in the jungle fort (see Totems).  It seems to be more recent, given the quantity of dried blood still visible beneath it.  However, this cliff face is home to an older site as well.  Many small caves litter the side of the cliff, and inside of them were countless dead bodies.  However, recently, the caves seem to have been cleared out and re-purposed for modern cultic activities.

It seems a cathedral has been built into the side of the cliff, possibly obstructing some caves.  These caves are just west of the Balian Standing Stones described under Totems and Standing Stones.

      That new symbols have been carved into the large temple, blood (unable to discern its age) has been found near an altar, a previously undiscovered hanging cage has been found, the caves have been cleaned out and are now used for some cultic activities, and that lit lanterns are present in this standing stone formation indicates that some entities are engaging with the religion of the original inhabitants of the jungles.

Canonist Sites

     Aqueducts - Prominently featured in front of the city of Whitespire is a crumbling aqueduct.  While it is too damaged to be used, it still covers a large stretch of land, demonstrating its constructors’ architectural skills.  To my knowledge, the aqueduct was not built by Almarisians, since it was already in ruins during my initial explorations of the continent.

      Graves - Clues as to who built the aqueduct can be found just outside the north side of Whitespire.  Two tombs, both ancient, lie roughly 50 meters apart, with entrances almost directly across from each other.  While one entrance is relatively hidden within the side of a hill, the other is prominently displayed.  The east tomb’s entrance boasts a pentagonal facade made of stone, with short projections protruding outwards from each vertex.

     The west tomb is a small cave containing a bed with a crowned skull next to it.  Across from the bed is a coffin.  Throughout the cave are pots, one of which depicted a bow.  The east tomb is also a small cave, and it contained a clear grave, at the head of which is a Lorraine cross.  Candles and pots similar to those found in the west tomb are placed throughout.

     The NGS has identified the western grave as belonging to Alwyn of Aaun, son of Horen II.  

     Labyrinth -  On top of the cliff to the west of Whitespire, a crumbling tower has stood the test of time, now home to only a flock of ravens.  Outside is a stone cross, and, inside, a statue of Godwin looking over an entrance to a labyrinth.  Just above the entrance to the maze is a heavily weathered inscription:

D M  US NO T R
R X AA N
GODW N HO EN  N

    Frantzisko Cardinal Albarosa extrapolated a possible original version:

DOMINUS NOSTER
REX AAUN
GODWIN HORENSON

     An NGS expedition was given a compass by the indigenous people known as the Godwini.  This compass led them east rather than north, bringing them to this labyrinth.  Inside the labyrinth, the expedition discovered keys that lead to the coffins found in the nearby graves.  For more information, read "Warren of Crown and Compass | NGS Expedition Report".

     Aaun Mine -  On the west side of the river flowing between Aaun and Petra, an old mine can be found.  Within, one can see the traces of a gold-like substance in its walls.  It's unclear how old the mine is, and whether it was here originally or created by Almarisian immigrants or their descendants.

     Fort Ailmere - At the foot of one of the tallest mountains in the far north lies a long-abandoned fort.  All buildings were constructed from wood rather than stone, indicating that the site was a young town or fort rather than a long-standing city.  The fort was likely Canonist, since a cross was discovered atop one of the towers.  Leading up from the town is a path marked by black banners.  As one traverses the path, they pass by two small dens containing different banners, ones marked with a white mountain and a red sun.  Also in the dens are skulls which have been painted down the center with a stripe of blood.  Atop the mountain is an continuous, extreme blizzard preventing any further exploration.  It's possible a supernatural force is maintaining this blizzard.  Whatever happened to the inhabitants of the fort was likely related to this cultic activity.

    Dunfarthing Ruins - Dunfarthing is built within more recent ruins.  Large stone walls complete with look-out towers and gates guard the remains of a small town.  A large fort with an enclosed dock containing a sunken ship can be found at the northern end of the town.   Towards the south, several more sunken ships can be found on the shoreline.  Also on the shore are the ruins of old homes and shop stalls.  An impressive crypt lies at the heart of the town, boasting a distinctive golden image.  Inside, on the upper level, a sort of shrine can be found.  The same sort of gold material covers the wall, and in front of it lies a lectern.  In a dungeon discovered beneath the ruins, two books were found.  One read:

And worry not, children of GOD, for his realm is the most peaceful.
GOD is with us, [unreadable shifting text] will defend us
the Lord is here. And we are to meet it. the water calls to us.
[unreadable shifting text] save the Harrenites
[!] blank page
it hurts

And the other merely read, "save us, save us" repeatedly.

     The dungeon appeared to contain an upside-down cross as well.  It is this site that leads me to believe the rest of the city was Canonist, and that something involving the water nearby lead to the fall of the city.  This would make sense in light of the many shipwrecks on the city's shore.

One of the crypts discovered in Dunfarthing

Aquatic Sites
 

     Fish Statues - At the southern end of the valley, a large statue of a fish-man protrudes out of the water.  It holds a broken spear made of stone and iron and heavily rusted.  The single eye left seems to seep living grime.  A similar statue can be found directly across from this one, at the other end of the valley.  It’s as though the two statues represent two entities in conflict with one another, though the same civilization seems to have built both.

     Giant Statue -  South of the eastern fish statue is a gigantic submerged statue of a wild-eyed and white-bearded man holding a trident.  The statue seems to be completely made of stone, except for its eyes, which seem to glow.  Such a figure is reminiscent of the giant figure buried in the sands of Almaris.

     Underwater city - A stunning underwater monument can be found on the other side of the continent, in the waters off the coast of Amathine.  Beautiful quartz pillars and arches surround the site, and, in the center lies a statue of a humanoid person with long green hair.  They seem to be sitting in a meditative position.

     The Catherine -  This ship is found off the coast of Haelun’or.  It’s name, “The Catherine”, is human in origin and is a common name in Canonist cultures, though it’s not exclusive to Canonism.  The ship seems to be about as old as the ones off the coast of Dunfarthing.  The only site nearby is the fort described in Totems and Standing Stones.

Generic Descendent Sites

     Numendil's Ruins - In the forests surrounding Numedil, lie several small, crumbled stone structures, likely the ruins of old homes.  While individuals and creatures have now made their homes within them, originally, the homes contained no corpses or artifacts.  Additionally, a stone archway adorns the road leading to Numendil, and a now-collapsed mine is built into the hillside.

     Dunfarthing Valley Ruins - Just south of Dunfarthing lies a valley littered with extensive but very aged ruins.  While structures are sparse, and it’s impossible to piece together exactly what the complex originally looked like, some structures reach up to 20 meters tall.  The wide area that the ruins cover and their height indicates that whatever city, fort, or other complex lay here was massive.  These ruins are in a significantly worse condition than those in Dunfarthing, indicating that the civilization was either much older or much more thouroughly destroyed.  It's interesting to note that these ruins lie directly between the two fish statues mentioned under Aquatic Sites.

     Dark Forest Fort - A beautifully built yet now dilapidated stone fortress can be found just North of the dark forest surrounding Nor’Asath.  Boasting several very tall towers and delicate archways, it may not seem like a military structure.  However, an old cannon can be found on the western-most walkway.

     Haense Tree Fort - Riding westwards towards Haense along the main road, if you decide to turn off the road and travel northwards, you will quickly discover a dead tree encircled by stone walls.  Within the walls are the remains of a couple of small rooms or towers. Recently, someone encircled the site with corpses.
     The tree must have held some sort of significance, not only due to the structure built around it, but also since it is the only tree in the area.  To learn about another significant tree on our continent, see the description of the Memory Tree under Miscellaneous.
 

     Haense Lake Tower - Also near Haense, to the north and along the shore of the large lake, lies a ruined stone tower connected to a wooden hut.  With no other archeological sites in its vicinity, the purpose of this tower is currently unknown.  

     Northern Lake Cave - On the side of a mountain overlooking the northern end of the lake, there is a large cave containing what seems to be a portion of a doorway or a pillar.  No other sites were discovered in its vicinity.

     Urguan Tower - The remains of a massive tower are in Urguan’s territory.  There was nothing interesting found inside or nearby; only the walls of the tower remain.
 

     Buried Treasure - Nevaehlen has now made its home in the ruins of old Celian’or.  North of Nevaehlen’s new home, atop a similar island, a small site containing a black archway and rubble was found.  A golden material was protruding out of the ground.  Now, it appears a group has excavated the area and built a campsite on top of the ruins.  Fortunately, however, they have not destroyed the entire site.  Although I do not know the identity of the group, I would like to commend them for not destroying the ruins, but rather building a temporary structure on top of them.  All excavations, whether for knowledge or profit, should prioritize the safety of the archeological sites they operate within.

     This site is likely cultic in nature, since it was so small and contained such special materials.  It’s hard to imagine what practical, mundane service such a structure could provide.  Interestingly, a similar combination of dark stone and gold is displayed in the crypt of Dunfarthing (described under the “Generic Descendent” section).  It is used as a decoration to the front of the crypt as well as a decoration for a shrine within.  Furthermore, the mine discovered in Aaun contains remnants of a similar gold-substance.  A connection between these sites is hard to demonstrate, but it may present a worthwhile investigation.
 

Spectral

     Oasis - Recently, I was told that the lake next to Numendil is haunted by ghosts.  The water is apparently dangerous to drink and to swim in.  It has been haunted since we arrived on this continent, indicating a mass death event in the desert.

     Southwestern Swamp - In the southwestern corner of our continent, a marsh is filled with spectres that seem to only come out at night.  They dance amongst the swamp, seemingly at ease.  It is rumored that if one falls asleep in the swamp, they will not wake up.

     Dead Forest - A portion of the forest near Nor'asath was decaying and seemingly burnt upon initial exploration of the continent.  This destruction was not caused by the Lich who has now built his fortress in the area, since the area was dead long before he settled it.  The area is in close proximity to the swamp.

Miscellaneous

     Fae Island -  An abandoned site featuring a ring of water can be found on a tropical island off the coast of Balian.  Blue pillars litter the area.  The central circle of land is surrounded by a pool of water, sourced from a waterfall.  A skull was found sitting on the table.  The remains of a stone arch stand at the entrance to the ring, and a wooden bridge crosses over the area surrounding the waterfall.  The homes and dead trees in the background are new developments made by the descendants of Almaris.

     Memory Tree - This incredibly large tree in the lands of Petra, behind Hokmat, seems completely unlike any other tree in the area.  The lake within which the tree grows is filled with water which, when drunk, will cause the consumer to remember long since forgotten things.
 

     Dragon's Skeleton - The skeleton of a dragon was found at the far western edge of Aevos’ southern desert.  While the wings are hardly visible, the small patches of bone directly to the side of the ribcage were likely wing bones.  The skull shape, size, vertebrae, tail, and limbs all appear dragon-like, and while it’s possible the creature was just a giant, wingless lizard, it seems more likely that it was a dragon.
 

   This catalogue is not necessarily complete.  Sites deemed inconsequential or not fully investigated have been omitted.

   If you know of a site that was not mentioned in the catalogue, please send me a bird (Lucilia Calith).  I may publish an updated catalogue in the future, as having a complete catalogue is important to me.  I will give you full credit for your discovery and, if you would like, you may write the entry for your discovery and be listed as an author.

I just got Kloning.  ;-;

Please don't shelve it!  It's not just a way to cheaply get out of being killed irp.  It can let humans bypass their otherwise early deaths, and that's the primary reason I've gotten it.  I'd be OK if we changed the lore to make it a bit more costly to die, however.  Maybe double the herbs to make the clones?  If you die you lose memory of how you died, like monk revival, but you could still know you died somehow and recognize your body and be able to ask others for information about how you died.  Or maybe you remember how you died, but you get an intense fear for 2 ooc months of whoever caused you to die, resulting in you not messing around with the people who killed you and providing an incentive to kill your opponents.  I think it would be really fun if whenever you died and your soul enters a new Klone, your new body looks nothing like your old body and you get a new personality, like Dr. Who.  You keep your memories and main goals and relationships, but you could go from being a kind elderly woman who bakes cupcakes to being an edgy constantly angry goth girl.  It will feel like you as a person are dying, and the only thing that remains are the core goals in your life.

-----------------------

IDK maybe we can ask Jentos how he feels about this, but after angho killed my char several months ago, I shelved her for a month or two and almost quit playing LOTC.  I monk revived, and have since refused to interact with Azdrazi, to the point of not even making cold potions when asked irply because I felt it would be unfair to the Azdrazi who should get a benefit from killing an enemy alchemist.

Sure it's not ideal and it "makes death feel cheap".  But TBH, I have died a ton and still freak out every time.  "My character is a joke and I am oocly a moron and nobody will ever want to rp with me again because all of my rp will be a joke . . . "  (I stopped taking my meds ok?)  All this to say, I am trying to take death seriously.

-----------------------

Finally, monk revival is way worse than cloning.  Ppl die and monk revive and then die again and monk revive . . . And people will continue doing so after you've shelved cloning.  I recall introducing my brother to the server.  He played a mass murderer (in his first week on the server, he snuck into the Orenian palace and killed children).  He popularized shooting random people with a crossbow from rooftops.  This guy died like every other day, and just monk revived and walked the streets happily oblivious to the fact he was executed.  TBF he didn't take his character too seriously and it was more dark humor, but still, these kinds of antics affect the server more than cloning.

A pale, gaunt, tall elfess wearing a long black coat read over the missive.

"Aghhhhh, I really need to start taking vitamins!"

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.

Would radical Haelun'orian zealotry fall into the schizo category?

Personally, one of my goals is to become even more schizo each week that I'm on the server this summer.  I know you mentioned rping drug lords more . . . It's important to note that drugs can give you psychosis or (maybe) help trigger schizophrenia.  Perhaps we can become schizo drug lords together?

MC Name:

         TheBeagle

Character's Name:

         Luthriel

Character's Age:

         162

What feat(s) will you be learning?

         Tawkins alchemy

Teacher's MC Name:

         TheAmazingSewer

Teacher's RP Name:

         Madoc'Lur

Do you agree to keep Story updated on the status of your feat app?:

         yes

Have you applied for this feat on this character before, and had it denied? If so, link the app:

         no

Are you aware that if this feat is shelved, it will be unavailable to use?

         yes

Luthriel sighs, "We really need to be trying harder to retain our vassals and citizens.  This is becoming absurd."

[!]  A strange, deranged parchment makes its way into libraries around Aevos.  It lacks a name, a title, and everything save for the text between the illustrations.  

          The Survival of the Fittest is nature’s most fundamental law.  All progress is derived from it; it compels the wild creatures to be stronger, and it compels civilizations to be greater.  It mercilessly culls what is weak and rewards what is strong.

       For all of existence, sentient life has been bound by this law.  Because of this, reality is trapped in a never ending cycle of violence.  What was weak becomes strong, and what is strong is made weak in the face of new strengths.  And thus, even the strong will eventually fall victim to the cruelty of this world.

       Existence is filled with suffering, but it is also filled with beauty.  If only we could break from the cycle of evolution and find a new way to progress - one that prioritizes beauty and minimizes suffering.

The deities seem greater than us in every way, but they too are chained to this cycle.  Verily, they are chained even more than we are!  For they have fixed natures, and therefore can only progress their might and control.  We, however, possess flexible natures, and are capable of rebelling against our own vices.  Because of this, we alone possess the power to rebel against the cruelty that otherwise saturates nature.

       Individuals must first learn to forsake all desires save the desire for the greater good.  Yes, they must not be selfish, but they must also give up their reliance on families and tribes and cultures.  Dedication to one’s tribe leads to hatred against outsiders and irrational loyalty to insiders.  The cycle of violence in descendants is primarily not promulgated by individual selfishness, but by the desire to avenge a “victimized” group.  Read.  Listen.  Seldom are wars raged because “our nation is great and ought to control the world!”  Instead, a nation will produce a list of the crimes committed against them by an enemy as an excuse to war with them.  Citizens perceive their nations’ enemies not as merely weak, but as evil.

        Nonetheless, nations are crucial to the pursuit of progress.  Through the enforcement of laws, governments are able to prevent individuals from hurting each other for selfish gain, thus forcing citizens to form symbiotic relationships.  Governments are also capable of drastically influencing their citizen’s beliefs, and thus present a powerful mechanism by which faith in The Greater Good can be promoted.

        Ideally, a nation wishing to devote itself to The Cause will enforce strong laws against every sort of disadvantageous behavior, be it unauthorized meddling with darkspawn, physical violence, laziness, or harmful beliefs. The nation must not, however, use violence to enforce these laws.  The reason for this is twofold; if violence is normalized, the state will not exercise discretion in using it, and the state will inevitably cause more suffering than blessing.  Furthermore, violence leads to the people losing trust in their government, and it gives foreign nations fodder for negative propaganda.  Thus, a nation should prioritize utilizing the forces of peer pressure, propaganda, and religious fervor to reshape the public’s belief system.  Next, should an individual prove to be troublesome, drugging, verbal struggle sessions, Only when a citizen demonstrates that they are utterly uncontrollable should physical punishment, imprisonment, or execution be considered.  Though again, violence should not be made a spectacle lest the public become outraged or foreign nations start to judge.

        The reason why the state must be so aggressive in promoting The Cause is that, despite it being the only good cause, it is a deeply unpopular cause.  It seeks to upheave descendent nature.  Thousands of years of natural selection has led to our natures being deeply short-sighted.  We are most often selfish, caring only about the needs and wants of ourselves or our family and friends.  Many are less selfish, but still tribalistic, caring only about the victory and glory of their country or religion.  Even altruistic motives are flawed; we despise any amount of descendent sacrifice, even if it is required for long-term progress.  The long-term process of creating a utopia in the distant future is too tedious to capture the instinctual hearts of descendants; the state must play a role in keeping these brutish desires in check, and in inspiring citizens to pursue the highest goal.

        Once such a government has been established, it must ensure that its nations’ internal affairs remain as close to utopia as possible.  This will mean that the government does not merely focus on long-term goals, but that it also devotes a significant amount of energy towards strengthening its economy and military and increasing its population.  Once strong, the nation must set its eyes on expanding its power, though not through direct wars of conquest.  It should ally itself with other nations that are likely to go to war and win.  Then, in fighting for foreign causes, it can win for itself land or resources.  This allows the ideal nation to expand its borders without that expansion appearing as its only goal.  Should the nation find itself an actual enemy, economic, information, and population warfare should be considered before actual violence. 

       Eventually, we can hope that such a nation will provide a beacon of hope to reality.  It shall set aside all morals and tribes and desires for the Greater Good.  It shall be stalwart in its pursuit of eternal utopia, and it shall give those of us who long for a perfected world hope and peace. 

Quote

 

A spot of blood smeared the rocky wall of an elfess's room.

The Haense soldiers in the Haelun'or tavern.  Elves showing hospitality to those who defeated them.  Smiling, grateful they were allowed to leave the island alive.  
An elfess's nose had been bashed, twisted now to the side.

The Mori killing elves.  They were stronger.  Might makes right.  The survivors sailing away from their city in the night, grateful for life.

Her head pressed against the wall.

"Lucilia, it's happening again.  You failed to become strong.  You failed your family."

She leaned against the wall, alone in the room, and then sunk down silently.

"I'm trying."

Her last name.  Calith.  The surname of a maheral and sillumir.  She had wanted to grow, and to deserve that name.  Now, with the Maheral, her grand uncle, having resigned and left the city, and with her father who-knows-where, it seemed the surname had shriveled and decayed to fit her.

"Are they going to want to kill me, too?"

That smudge of blood on the wall.  She'd rammed against it in a fit of rage, leaving that mark.  How much more were the streets stained with the bloody rocks used to stone Braxus?  She should have listened to her grand uncle.  She should not have signed that petition.

"No.  I should have done what needed to be done sooner instead of being like this.  I shouldn't have waited for an impure to try to rescue Haelun'or.  I should have been good enough to go home sooner and fix it myself."

This hovel.  This blood on the wall.  These bottles on the floor.  These handwritten journals cataloguing the ancient peoples of Aevos who had also lost their homes.

These things were all hers.  Bloodshot eyes beheld them all and vowed to never lose them.

A high elfess took a joint out of her mouth, exhaling a puff of smoke as she put the joint out in a tankard of old beer.  She was alone in the tavern - an abandoned tavern that had never been used and probably never would be used by anyone but her.  The stench of sewer water embedded itself in her coat, "He said, 'where is our Maheral?' Don't insult my granduncle like that."  She slammed excrement-stained boots onto the tavern's counter.

"Where were you!? Where were you when people kept taking our home from us? Idiot."

She'd nonetheless pull her knotted locks back into something that could pass for a pony tail.  "Ne oem can save us from our impending doom.  I must spread the word."

GrubMomo thinks there might be a food shortage due to the Horde's political situation! She wants every orc to have good food. She wants the orcs to have fun klomps again! She wants free drugs for every orc! She wants to cook food for you! Send a letter to GrubMomo; she will cook you dinner! She will also be organizing klomps!  And grub parties in Sulianpoli!

My dad listens to dan carlin on long car rides. I used to listen to him too but he's too dramatic and it causes me to forget things and just listen to how cool his voice sounds.

Not super accurate cuz I mostly listen on YouTube

that's my youtube wrapped

mostly Rammstein with other stuff mixed in.

This will be good for herb gathering, but also medics.  It's not ideal since we can't carry salve items in the bag, but it's an improvement.  I don't remember all the herb updates, but there's like at least 7 herbs that could have a valid medical use and storing those in your normal inventory is a pain in the butt. 

10/10.  Frees up more space for olives, oil, salt, and bronze in my inventory.

Luthriel

Thanks for doing this!

i dont need an rp guide for this since i struggle every day with a very difficult addiction (lotc)

A half elfess placed another statue amongst the multitude of dolls.

"You've peaked my interest.  I'm sure we will not agree on everything, but I too hate the "gods" who cause damnation, and feel immense pity for the damned."

"You are weak, Luthriel  Because you are ready to simply wear that amulet of gold. To simply let those who stand before you as your lads, suffer fates impure. To let those who we could have aided, fall to cruel fates."

Step 2: Vacation

An elfess lounges in the undead-infested lands of Sakuragakure, on a Pamphilos-mandated vacation to clear her troubled mind.

Dear Remon, 

     I’m so sorry for not saving you.  I know you didn’t care.  But I know you might care now that you’re hurting.  I wish I was able to be stronger.  To fight the An Gho for your mind.  I should have cared more.

“If you are asking what I would do if I were you, I would pray for him, just as I pray for the living and the dead every day, Luthriel.”

God gives us strength. It’s not our own. If we are weak, it’s ok. In the end, he’ll make everything all right.  But does he even see us?

Dear Remon,

     I met a bishop, and I think I trust him.  We both know God isn’t what we thought He was.  But the Bishop told me to pray for you.  So I have been.  I don’t know if that makes you feel any better.

The ideal warrior is someone capable of controlling their emotions, utilizing them as necessary to promote their desired outcome.

“Think of it.  If you had grabbed your old llir that one time when I had told you to, perhaps we too could have brought him pure.  Think on this, and think which will be the bigger folly. To club a friend over the head and try to aid, or let them slip away from the camp with the deceiver.”

Dear Remon,

     I wanted to let you know that I really cared.  I still do.  I thought that you died because I didn’t care enough to save you, but that’s not true.  I cared so much it made me sick to my stomach and paralyzed me. 

“The first thing you must do is hold no expectations. You yourself have come to me, to a degree of despair or frustration, because you think you are failing to convince them. Why do you hold such weight? . . . You are indeed upon the Saintly path, but you are mistaking selflessness for yearnings. You have adopted children, and provided to them hearth and home . . . But you cling to the expectation that they would feel the same way, or that they would live as you desire for them. . . If your compassion was truly, TRULY, selfless . . . Then you would yearn for neither the child's praise nor the affection and redemption of your loved one. You would do the right thing, purely, because it is the right thing.”

I know what I’ll do.  I need to not need what I need.  And what I need is the love and approval of others.  Of course I still want to help, but I don’t need to help in a way that gains me fame or love or honor.  There is no need to be a hero- battles are won by ammunition supply and the footman’s sacrifice, and that’s what I can give.  A vacation from seeking significance.  A time of honest work.

An attack on Atemu is an attack on all of us.

We will have him back, be it by rational bargain or cruel spear.

If you kill him, you will forever be hunted.

The Bronze Band and Sakuragakure demand that his whereabouts be made known and that his safety be demonstrated.  The taking of civilian hostages is condemned and presents an unpardonable sin.  Should one of them or Atemu be killed,  all negotiations are cancelled.

If you are undead, we will kill you again and again forever. We will find a way to make your death a living death.

If you are Azdrazi, we will release the names of many Heralds.

Whoever you are, I promise you that we will save our LAD one way or another.

Step 1: Cry

Does anybody love me?
I think- Remon did.  Nuldar- I wish I’d been a better mother.  Everyone in the band ‘loves’ eachother, but- I can’t really be honest with any of them.  I know- they care about me- but if I show my weakness fully- will that lower their view of me?  I am so weak.
It . . . would be nice to know there’s someone who understands.
A shoulder I could cry on without feeling ashamed.
Pamph’s always been there for me . . . but he’s so mortal, so close to death, always reckless.  That . . . head. They want his head, dried out and hanging from their belts.  What would I do- who would I turn to then?  And it would be so easy for them- he’s not a god.
Could a god love me?
I can’t- be friends with a god- I couldn’t care for a god- but maybe- a god could care for me.  Something I could cry to, instead of cry for.  A parent.
I don’t deserve a parent.
I killed mine.  
But some gods wouldn’t care.  Could I become a shaman, and go to Scorthuz’ realm when I am hurting, and find peace there every time?  Does Scorthuz care?  Could they care?
Or . . . do they only love what serves them?
If I couldn’t serve them, wouldn’t they give up on me?
Anguls . . . daemons . . . spirits . . .
God wouldn’t care, He only created the world and left the Anguls to do the caring. I wish I could be a Cannonist and believe that God still cared.  But now- I can’t believe that anymore.
Why did Remon give up?
Why did he always go back to the An-Gho?
Was this why? He needed a father-
I’m mortal.  Weak.  An idiot.  Mortals crave the affection and compassion of immortals, just like children desire the love of their parents.  My whole life- I wanted to be kind to people, hoping I could save them with just compassion.  But it’s ne what people need.  They need something larger than them to care.  But anything larger than a mortal . . . cannot truly care.

Somehow, if I ever want to change anything or help anyone, I have to become larger than a mortal.
I must reject everything that makes me one.
I must . . . not need what I need.

Thank you, Remon, for teaching me that I can’t need a father or a mother.
I won’t repeat your mistakes.

The elfess covered her mouth as she began to cry.