Spindle

— ✠ — Tucked away in a secluded alley between massings of colourful sandstone buildings, you may chance upon a little shop known simply as The Witch & The Writer. The owners, whose names have been omitted, provide an eclectic array of services that include: Psychic readings, alchemy, books, and knowledge of the occult. Almarian Lonely Planet, Vol. XIV Chaldees Blue Ventures Cul De Sahar I Chaldees

Netzhal is puzzled. "He can write?"

Reflections After a Month on LOTC A new player’s observations on the state of roleplay And a month went by like a fleeting breeze. Honestly, since my little introductory post in July, I have made innumerable new friends, dunked an exhaustive hand into the dusty stacks of lore - I stress the word “dusty” as navigating this dingy forum is dolorous abuse, sown some seeds for ongoing storylines, and contributed smally to the lore in my own way. Writing magical-related topics are hitherto formidable, though some other various writing projects are underway! The following are some completed projects I have done this month: For all those interested in the insights of a new player, I want to discuss my experiences during this short stint of roleplaying; LOTC social commentary if you will. Sorry Libtards but my opinion is sacrosanct. Firstly is referencing. Without naming names or citing blatant plagiarism, I have noticed a large quantity of what is considered “canonical lore” takes inspiration from sources that are not recognised. While it is easy to respond with some flippant comment like: “It’s just Minecraft bro,” I will simply refute this claim with the following~ Ironically many posts cite art sources they used while disregarding the axiom of their posts. Referencing is easy, and you should take the time to do it. @argonian composed a post on the clunkiness of the LOTC Wiki page and talked about the limited access that new players have in navigating such an antiquated apparatus. However, I want to broaden this notion to the Forum itself. Coming into the realm of Minecraft RP, creating an initial character was this insurmountable mountain, looming behind a monolithic wall of forum posts. So here I am, little Sisyphus pushing a boulder up this vertical incline, and the state of the forum is a sprawling clutter of topics haphazardly scattered with other multi-layered subtopics. I am unsure of a fix-all for this matter, though, in this iteration of LOTC commentary, monkey see, monkey say! When first joining LOTC, the rumblings of some rampant toxicity seemed deafening at first. After a month, I have encountered a sum total of zero toxicity; my sacrosanct, though, anecdotal experience suggests that the outcry outweighs the occurrence. And yes, I do not mean to discredit anyone, and similarly, my time on the server is severally limited, a common theme in many online communities is a foraging for issues where there are none to be had. Creating issues for issues sake. We have run out of things to hate so we create our own! My observations may be entirely wrong on this fact - so, please get some discussions going below. On a positive note, the quality of writing on LOTC is pretty baffling. Emotes usually have this golden ratio of dialogue and narrative, gaudiness and typing speed. This absolute keyboard-tapping wizard known as @DISCOLIQUID has some of the prettiest emotes spewing out at breakneck speed. I am yet to partake in any combat roleplay where this gaudiness may be a hindrance, but Ms Spindle is very much enjoying reading some lovely emotes! So, coming out with a new addiction, my LOTC experiences have been wholly positive. No targeted toxicity attacks. No experiences of bad roleplay. This scion of roleplay is yet to experience anything of the sort! Hopefully, we can keep it that way. Spindle

Any other poetry you've enjoyed?

A little woman considers donating some of her work.

Omg, only just saw these.

A certain Berserkr of Störheim takes note of this flyer.

Netzhal does a funny little dance.

Thank you Hephywephy

Amazing writing!

A little writer prepares her belongings.

Prettiest string of words in Lotc history

I've been done

You can't walk. Trust me.

Your cheeseburger is waiting on the counter hun.

Thanks for you're feedback. Unfortunately I am Australian.

<3

Stop looking at me mr Yoel Romero

Purpose Chancing a little walk through Celianor, my character came across something grim. A great monstrosity of blackened metal protruding dreadfully past the otherwise pristine white walls of the city like a knobby finger. This terrible creation of which I speak was a cannon. A characteristically dwed/human construct that projected nosily and detracted from the elven theme of the city. This submission, which has hitherto been written up as I am writing this as a foreword, will hopefully be a remedy to this GLARING issue - a solution by way of a distinctly elven or higher-fantasy-themed weapon. Comments This is my first attempt at writing anything magic related so bare that in mind when reading. Firstly, I would like to thank the friendly people in the Mage Guild discord for their support and ideas - you guys really helped a ton and this would not have been completed without you all. The original idea for this piece was inspired by @Sorcerio’s Thaumaturgic Amplificare (See: Reference List), and while loosely related I hope this iteration puts a spin on the original idea. Regards, Spindle/Elaine General Redlines - Culverins require an ST Signature. - Culverins require magi to create but not operate. - Culverins must always be stagnant when mounted, although can be loaded onto carts or similar contraptions. - Should a Culverin of any variety be interrupted mid-cast, the spell will burst before the user. - Requires only one person to operate. - Attacks from a Culverin interact with Mana absorbing/refracting instruments identically to how the respective enchantments behave. Variants Water Culverins Water Culverins, while they can be utilised in combat, take a predominantly supporting role. A Potent Enchantment of Water Blast enables the Culverin to easily put out fires or send one unlucky enough to be on the receiving end toppling backwards. Water Blasts propelled from a Culverin can reach double the range of a normal Evocation of the spell (See: Arcane Focus). Operation of this variety of Culverin requires three (3) emotes to cast[8]: Two (2) charging emotes + One (1) firing emote Flame Culverins Flame Culverins utilise a Grand Enchantment of a combustive Flame Blast. This devastating variety of the cannon is designed utmostly for a combative purpose, easily capable of seriously maiming or killing those fired upon. Combustive Flame Blasts propelled from a Flame Culverin can reach double the range of a normal Evocation of the spell and additionally create a five (5) block explosion capable of throwing an individual back seven (7) blocks[7]. Operation of this variety of Culverin requires five (5) emotes to cast: Three (3) charging emotes + One (1) emote to form a combustive Flame Blast + One (1) firing emote Wind Culverins Similar to Flame Culverins, Wind Culverins utilise a Grand Enchantment of Compression and are for use in combat. Blasts from a Wind Culverin employ Compression Bursts which are easily capable of exploding with a great force, throwing back people within a three (3) block radius over five (5) blocks[3]. Operation of this variety of Culverin requires five (5) emotes to cast: Four (4) charging emotes + One (1) firing emote Interactions with Warding, Thanium, & Auric Oil Attacks from a Culverin interact with Mana absorbing/refracting instruments identically to how the respective enchantments behave. Regarding Thanium in its raw form, a Water Culverins Water Blast would be able to be absorbed three (3) times over before the material overheats. Wind and Flame Culverins differ from the later as the tier-five spells would cause the material to overheat instantly and depending on whether the Thanhium is a dust, shard or studs, and crystals or gems will: burn into hot embers, become a molten liquid, or explode into smaller shards respectively[9]. Ward shields are capable of stopping all variants of Culverins. Water Blasts would take three (3) hits to shatter the shield, and Wind and Flame Culverins would take two (2) hits to shatter. Abjuration functions similarly, as while the Mana Obleisk fuels continued use of the enchantments, the potency of the individual spells are not increased[6]. Objects treated Auric Oil will essentially act as direct forms of Abjuration, destabalising the mana and nullyfying the blasts from a Culverin. Should the Mana Obelisk of the Culverin come into contact with Auric Oil, the weapon would become entirely ineffective[10]. - Thanium in its raw form can absorb a Water Culverins Water Blast three (3) times over before the material overheats. - Wind and Flame Culverins cannot be absorbed by Thanium in its raw form. - War shields absorb 3 hits from a Water Culverin and 2 hits from Flame and Wind Culverins. - Abjuration functions identically in its use against Culverins. - Auric Oil acts as direct Abjuration, nullyfying all attacks from a Culverin. - Should the Mana Obelisk of the Culverin come into contact with Auric Oil, the weapon would become entirely ineffective. Construction Mana Obelisk The foundation of any Arcane Culverin is a Mana Obelisk; the battery powering and potentiating the enchantment. To not compromise the structural integrity of the Culverin, the Mana Obelisk powering the creation is directly attached to the apparatus. The reasoning behind this is two-fold, the Arcane Culverin does not require an Obelisk of a large size, and secondly, and more importantly, while a Mana Obelisk could be connected through ley lines at a greater distance, this leaves these divorced batteries to be tampered with. For example, say a storehouse was used to hold the Mana Obelisks powering a city's defences, one silent tinkerer would be more than adequate in crippling a population's defensive network. Therefore, it has prudently been chosen to utilise the most minor variety of Mana Obelisks, that being three (3) metres in height. The creation of the Mana Obelisk for a Culverin lies in accordance with any Obelisk requiring two tier-five Voidal magi. Should Other Magi be present, a minimum of one tier-five magi is necessary, with two tier-four magi constituting one tier-five magi, or two tier-three magi constituting one tier-five magi[5]. In the creation of an Arcane Culverin, focus crystals are used for both the core, and the capstone, with the encasing material generally being comprised of white gold or steel. The general shape of the Obelisk can vary within reason, whereat man from the focus crystal cap is directed linearly into a target enchantment by Arcane Ley Lines[6]. - Complying with Mana Obelisk lore, Culverins must be signed by an ST member. - The Mana Obelisk powering the creation is directly attached to the cannon. - Crafted with a 3m Mana Obelisk. - Requires two (2) tier-five Voidal magi. - Should Other Magi be present, the minimum of one (1) tier-five magi is necessary, with two (2) tier-four magi constituting one (1) tier-five magi, or two (2) tier-three magi constituting one (1) tier-five magi. The Culverin The Barrel, or the culverin-proper is at heart an enchanted object; mundane in its construction and straightforward in creation. Artificers firstly bore out a tube of metal, at which point the Arcane Ley Line connected to the Mana Obelisk directs the stored mana upon an enchanted object. The object of which is enchantment can vary as long as it is able to be placed inside the bore of the Culverin. The operation of the enchantment is utilised by a Magegold trigger, and while functionally different, aesthetically it resembles a ballista or crossbow firing mechanism. The enchanting process of the culverin abides by all existing rules of Transfiguration and Evocation. Wind Culverins require magi adept in the tier-five Air Evocation spell Compression who are additionally capable of binding a Grand Enchantment onto the object to hold the spell. In the case of a Flame Culverin, magi must also be tier-five, capable of adding combustion to a Flame Blast. Differing slightly is the Water Culverin, which requires merely a tier-two magi capable of using Water Blast and binding a Potent Enchantment onto the object. While restrictions in transfiguration limit the uses of an enchantment, the nature of the Mana Obelisk negates this flaw. The constant flow of mana vectored onto the enchanted barrel enables Arcane Culverins to fire at the same rate as a mundane cannon. - The enchanting process follows all redlines of Transfiguration lore. - No limit to an enchantment’s use. - Crafting Wind Culverins require magi adept in the tier-five Air Evocation spell Compression who are additionally capable of binding a Grand Enchantment onto the object to hold the spell. - Flame Culverin employ a combustive Fire Blast requiring a tier-five magi who are additionally capable of binding a Grand Enchantment onto the object to hold the spell. - Water Culvering differ, requiring a tier-two magi capable of using Water Blast and binding a Potent Enchantment onto the object. Arcane Focus Affixed to the muzzle of the Culverin is an Arcane Focus powered by a network of Focus Crystals leading to the Mana Obelisk. The type of material used for the Focus can vary as long as it is capable of containing the Voidal energy, eg. Focus Crystals, Magegold, or Arcanium[5]. The singular function of an Arcane Focus is to amplify the range of the Culverin. An Wind Culverin for example may be able to fire a Compression spell twenty-blocks without the aid of a focus; with the use of an Arcane Focus this distance would be doubled. - Doubles the Culverin's effective range. Usage Arcane Culverins while lacking in range to a mundane cannon, have the advantage of only requiring a single crewman to operate. Training required to operate the weapon is similarly advantageous with a basic familiarity with enchantments being the only requisite knowledge necessary. Truly a point-and-shoot contraption. References https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/187996-✓-magic-lore-fire-evocation/

A little auburn haired woman scampers over cretinously.

A little auburn haired poet was glad. "I should reach out," she would say, neatly folding the work for later keeping.