PestyWarlock

It is unfortunate, but OOC scheming revolves around a conflict system which feels outdated and is manipulated by bad actors. This has led to OOC scheming almost needing to be a requirement as others have stated, to keep up with other OOC scheming, as discord messages/vcs will always be a faster method of coordinating than 5 minute cooldown birds. As people have stated, wars tend to just be a "which OOC groups can I get on my side/how many OOC groups does my enemy have?" This line of questioning, and most lines of questioning brought on by this post, are a result of a war system which encourages OOC scheming. The general understanding I get from other players and myself is that if these wars were not all-or-nothing ("my OOC groups will make sure your OOC groups don't exist anymore") there would be less inclination to need to OOC scheme, and instead there would be more focus on the actual roleplay of the war. In my opinion, this cyclical culture shift can be seen as an act of self-preservation. If one group does it, others will need to as well to keep up or be destroyed, that is just how the war system works. To me, the issue of OOC scheming is brought on by the issues with the conflict system in general. As much as I hate to bring up issues without resolutions, I can say that we need to better look at how the server addresses conflict and wars. After all, aren't warclaims themselves technically metaplay? It is using an OOC element (PvP) to produce in-character outcomes (removal of a nation) that serves OOC motivation (desire to remove community).

Farian Malto-Gylldene had joined in rallying his brethren to the call of many missions, suffered many scars which remained upon him, gathered many stories to recount to his child, discovered new methods of use for the mana held within himself, and witnessed the purging of Lamonte's corruption through communicating from his very soul to hers. Now, this mission was over as he returned, exhausted from a realm he would not have believed had he not witnessed it with his own eyes, to a dawn in Ailmere which he had not seen in years. Yet, he knew the Harrower remained, and another day he would need to raise the same blade which once was thrust his way. For now, he would return to his research into the soul's innate mana, and how it may be used to uplift others along his path.

A long time coming, and really hoping to bring this out into the world. Everyone deserves a party hat at a party.

Enhance Enhancement 👍

Housemage here, I do agree that 12 weeks as a total for housemagery, a relatively light magic, can seem daunting (especially for humans). I would like housemagery to be an incredibly accessible magic, but I think 4 weeks is way too quick even for housemagery, where maybe a good middle ground would be 8 weeks. My recommendation would be: T1 -> T2, 1 week T2 -> T3, 2 weeks T3 -> T4, 2 weeks T4 -> T5, 3 weeks

Since you thought you'd leave within a week or two, what were some of the experiences you had on the server that made you think "yeah, I'll stay"?

Farian of Norland observes the poster through his mechanical eye, offering it a bewildered look and a "...who is Mary?"

Some bardmancer has to say it, but I am worried that the term "wisp" may be confused with the bardmancy version of wisps in and out of roleplay (posted below). Both appear to be motes of raw mana, but from different sources (bardmancy mana stemming from the soul while voidal mana stemming from the void). Just putting that out there that it might get confusing

Farian Malto-Gylldene, prepares his palate for the entries into the cooking competition, unready for a certain red-headed Anarórë to possibly produce some form of spherical meat regardless of what the secret ingredient may be.

Not a big fan of having rp cooked items affect pvp with buffs, should probably just be food/saturation (and be /editable). I feel a plugin like this should be used to facilitate roleplay, not so much mechanical boosts, but I like the idea of one. Speaking of roleplay, how would a cooking plugin take into account Culimancy?

Farian, ever the eye for paintings, feels his expression softening at the artistic composition of the wedded couple. Such expression would soon fade as he lifts a brow at the writing underneath. "Ah... for one so against displays of affection, this author seems not too worried with the dissemination of such art." He offers a nod, before resuming his own artistry.

Farian-Chief av Gylldene once again just so happens to be there as Ellenore enjoys her wyvern meat and Elderberry wine, apparently. As he is offered the invitation, his eye of animatii creation glances over the Balianite royal parchment once again, its travel pausing once again as it addresses Ellenore as "his", "royal majesty", and "Eiriksdóttir", one of which would be correct. "I don't believe it's an error of the hand, High Keeper. Perhaps the stamps they use for their missives are out of date. Regardless, the Balianites have been good allies to us. It would be amiss for us to not attend their Queen's funeral." He would offer a nod to her as he joined in searching for his clan member, Sera Gylldene.

Farian Malto-Gylldene, owner of the Gylldene Fairgrounds, spends a moment at his bank, realizing he had spent over 1000 mina at the faire this day. "...time to save for the next Ashen month." He ends his statement with a single nod.

Farian Malto-Gylldene, owner of the Gylldene Fairgrounds, prepares his horse, "We'll be doing quite a lot of traveling in the next few days, Varen..." With a satchel full of fliers, he sets off to the various nations in preparation to spread the word.

Farian Malto-Gylldene toils away within his amphitheater, the atmosphere flowing with frosty blue waves as his mana supplies him endlessly within his sanctuary. Like an assembly line of paper, he string casts the many mana seals he must place on each individual poster. Wisps of peacefulness, then satisfaction, then agitation, then helplessness burst forth and left as quickly as they arrived in periodic waves as the casting went on near endlessly.

Chief Farian Gylldene just so happens to be there as Ellenore enjoys her meat and wine, apparently. As he is offered the invitation, his eye of animatii creation glances over the royal parchment, its travel pausing as it addresses Ellenore as "his", "her", and "royal majesty", only one of which would be correct. "Ah, perhaps it was... simply an error of the hand, High Keeper." He would offer a nod to her as he joined in searching for his clan member, Sera Gylldene @ShinyB

Oh boy this is going to take me a while. First, thank you @ShinyBfor my being my favorite person, ever, and giving me lots of laughs and smiles. Now the Norlanders: @Calise11thank you for being the reason for joining LOTC, none of this would've happened without you. @simpleglitchbro thank you for welcoming me into this great community and giving my persona lots of great arcs, you're a large part of why I've stayed so long. @ichigomaster98thank you for being a great source of laughs and crazy ideas. Also you being NL was one of the larger contributors to my enjoyment starting out as a new player. @Elennanorethank you for providing your strange wisdom wherever you go, irply and oocly. @Aimy_lolthank you for being cool and relaxed and making very well-made personas, always fun getting to rp with you. @PanicZealotthank you for bringing energy wherever you go, never a dull moment. @Operator_Bugmanthank you for expressing your interests and making having so many ingenious ideas. @Saun_399thank you for being really funny and open, you're a very welcome addition to vc. @Nagisa02thank you for always being so positive and cool oocly, also love your art. @MangoManMini@bloomtiara@Sparkpowderthank you all for the wholesome sorvian rp, it really is enjoyable seeing you all. @Lunan_EXEthank you for adding your unique craziness into everything you do. @Seiyuuthank you for being cool and a great person to talk to. The bards: @tgrtthank you for building up one of the most enjoyable communities I've ever interacted with, all your hard work has not gone unnoticed, and a lot of people are having much more fun roleplay all because of you. @Bardmancerthank you for contributing so much to the lore and making both mine and many other people's roleplay so much more flavorful (pun intended). @UniBearsethank you for being a great bard buddy, and all your amazing art like god damn. @Hyperdronthank you for all the work you do for the bards, and all the great roleplay you bring. @AuJythank you for being an incredibly cool person, and all the fun situations you bring irply and oocly. @cornsodathank you for being a fun student to rp with, also the funny wisp interactions. @Gallentthank you for inspiring me to continue creating my own music after a genuine years long hiatus. @UnBaedthank you for also being a great bard buddy, and one of the reasons I felt welcome at the bard's college. @JTMedeathank you for being funny and working so hard. The non-Norlandic, non-bards: @BluePearl13thank you for being very cool and giving me some of the most dramatic and enjoyable roleplay. And thank you to everyone who makes LOTC enjoyable, which is most of the people I interact with, thankfully.

bard

After being shown this missive by a laughing Io, he gives a concerned glance across the page. "...have their coffers run dry?" He sighs before donning armor and removing the bounty posters which hung around Norland.

"...Oh thank the All-Father..." Farian lets out a sigh of relief after reading the contract actually went through after overhearing of a certain debacle.

What brought you to LOTC, funny bard?

Farian does not smile, but he gives a simple nod to this news. "...a good fight, and many good stories were made."

Farian Malto of Norland looks down upon the missive as he remains bedridden, recovering from his previous injuries. "Ah, a... less eloquent rhyme of my encounter..." Farian folds the missive, placing it at his bedside as he lets out a sigh.

The business grows.

[!] A wax seal bearing the mark of an ocean wave is placed at the top of this missive. Scribed by Farian Malto of Norland, on the 11th of Snow's Maiden, year 162 of The Second Age, to be distributed to the members of the Covenant, the Commerce City-State of Kaethul, and the Silver Empire of Haelun'or. "You ask me for neutrality yet bloody neutral ground..." VELETZ, THE BANDIT NATION It was on this Ashen day that I had made a trek to the Commerce City-State of Kaethul, enjoying the many shops and attractions which this city held for all to see, when a detachment of Veletzian cavalry laid havoc upon the gentle land of merchants. They sought to bloody the neutral lands, ravaging any they believed to be associated with the Covenant, despite Kaethul's pact of trade and non-aggression with Veletz's ally, the Iron Horde. As I was observing the architecture of Kaethul's Amphitheater, the cavalry saw it fit to strike me upon my chest while I bore no weapons in my hands, then demanded that I swear allegiance to Veletz in exchange for my life. If it had not been for my friend, High Steward and Lady of Kaethul Ar-Malna, paying their ransom of five-hundred minas, I would not be alive today to recount this event of Veletzian barbarity. This missive is to be distributed as a display of the lengths that Veletz shall go to cause terror across these lands of Solheim, attacking allies of allies for the meager chance at confronting a Covenant soldier. Let this recounting be a warning to all the atrocities Veletz is willing to commit. Signed, Farian Malto of Norland