The Lion

“Tava Nei Tvoraueev, Greb Tvorauee.” "There are no gods, but God." Doe Shtahl Kompany; The Steel Company; 1st Proclamation, 141 S.A.; THE AAUNIC-SHTAHL CONTRACT [1] In the name of God alone, D’Shtahl Kompany (The Steel Company), 2-11, has hereby been given Royal Authority, by way of this Contract with United Kingdom of Aaun officials, His Royal Majesty, King James Leopold, His Royal Highness, Prince Heinrich II Alstreim, and Grand Ser Gawyn of the Royal Order of Aaun The Steel Companions are to exercise and enforce security measures in the United Kingdom of Aaun, and its holdings, to investigate, locate, and destroy any and all creatures of the night in accordance with God's wishes to enjoin good and forbid evil. [2] Steel Companions appointed internally by the Grandmaster are hereby royally recognised as equal title-to and authority of the Royal Order of the Knightly Circle of Saint Godwin of Aaun. A 2-11 Representative, Grandmaster Darius DeNurem, is hereby a Knight-Errant of the Royal Order to establish a clear line of communication and lawful justification of the knightly title. [2a] Thereby the 2-11 may request assistance from all other Martial Forces in The United Kingdom of Aaun under royal duress to support their operations in the area. [3] Thereby allowing the 2-11 Representative Knight-Errant, the ability to raise lawfully appointed knights in the United Kingdom of Aaun. Knights of the Shtahl Kompany are given royal warrant to arrest, interrogate, and transport to trial any individual *outside the royal family* that is suspected of breaking the Faith to consort with devils, spreading corruption in the lands, or actively plotting with evil forces foreign to our God the Almighty. We shall actively seek the death penalty for those we bring to trial. [4] The knights of the 2-11 are therefore contracted to defend The United Kingdom of Aaun from any and all evil threats and monsters. [5] Not to be concerned with international conflicts as they conduct operations in the area. [5a] Using technological means to bring knowledge, cures, and public understanding of defense against the dark arts. [6] The Principality of Merryweather has agreed to land a 2-11 headquarters as requested to fufill this contract. By Order of the Grandmaster of the Steel Company, we agree these terms to the United Kingdom of Aaun in contract for the Shtahl Kompany, 2-11, to construct a headquarters in the Blackberg of Merryweather, and lawfully conduct operations throughout the Kingdom. Signed, King James Leopold, King of the United Kingdom of Aaun Prince Heinrich II, Prince of Merryweather, UKA Ser Gawyn Tiber Pertinaxi, Grandmaster of the Royal Order of Aaun Ser Darius DeNurem the Lion, Grandmaster of the Steel Company

Political Roleplay Politics is a psychological form of rhetorical warfare to achieve an ideological end. It can be as virtuous or vile as the ideology allows it to be. Politics can be split into two broad categories; short term and long term politics. Short term political roleplay concerns itself mostly with everyday interactions and is comparable to common roleplay. Long term political roleplay is therefore comparable to complex roleplay and concerns itself with the ultimate goal of the political roleplayer. Short term politics builds into the long term political goal by incrementally moving towards it. Sociological and psychological understanding along with historical knowledge will aid in political success. For example, your aim is to overthrow a nation; you would want to work everyday to assess who would support you and work to get them to join your cause by appealing to common social agenda. Knowing relevant history will help you locate supporters for social common ground. Understanding the psychology of your supporters will help you better target and appeal to them. Some supporters can even attract others as you can't get everyone to support you, but if you convince the right people, the rest will follow them. =O= I’ve come to understand that politics plays out in everyday life, and that there is benefit to understanding that. What I mean by that is related to the short term political roleplay I talked about before. For example, your father asks you to do the dishes. There is actually a politics playing out in how you respond to your father. Depending on which way you respond, you stand to gain or lose ground with your father. You could do what he asks and that would please him and positively effect his disposition towards you, or you can deny what he asks and this would potentially negatively effect his disposition towards you. If your goal is to have a good relationship with your father, you should do what he asks, but if what he's asking is going to conflict with your health or deen, you can respectfully deny your father with your good reason. For example, he asks you to do the dishes but you have an open wound on your hand and fear infection. The good father will most likely compromise by providing you with gloves to keep you safe, or accept your position and not ask you to do the dishes. It should be noted that even if your position is accepted there will be a degree of negative disposition towards you, but that degree is far more easy to positively recover/rebalance from than the heavier degree of rudely denying your father with no good reason. This example is true in almost every interaction you'll have. Therefore it is up to you to decide what you stand for, who you stand for, and how you want those round you to see you in relation to their disposition towards you. You can gain huge leaps of positive disposition by going above and beyond what is asked of you. For example by doing the dishes without being asked, the good father will be well pleased and rewards follow those whom the good father is well pleased with. Gabriel, what about the bad father? In this example I'm giving, you may be wondering what to do when your father doesn't recognise your deeds, or it seems as if their disposition is not positively changing. The answer could be that either your father has gained such a large negative disposition towards you that your intiative of positive actions have barely begun to counter the negative actions you've accrued with father, so that you will need to go above and beyond at every instance until you've balanced their disposition of you to a place where you no longer to need to strive to go above and beyond... or the other case for the bad father is that they have their own unconscious problems that will block a positive effect no matter what you do. This case is much harder to break through, and you're stuck with either trying to help them unblock their mind which can be very dangerous for the untrained, or you simply have to abandon trying to please them. If you're stuck with the bad father, you would be better off trying to change their mind than simply abandoning them to their mind because both cases can lead to war, but at least the former case is a war with a victory in-sight rather than a war with no victory that comes with ignoring the problem leading to the blocking of positive change. If you're not stuck in the bad father’s house, you may be better leaving them to help them at a distance, or hope that they can come to change their mind on their own. Either way, the bad father is not a good ally, and you shouldn't be afraid to lose them if you know that they will compromise your health and deen. (Deen is an Arabic term which roughly means ‘your beliefs, deeds, character, and religion.’ I use it to refer to spiritual health/way. Look it up on Wikipedia if you want a better understanding of the word because I will begin to use terms without English origins like deen.)

Posting to bring awareness and possible collab for these two pieces of lore

Maybe you're too donny to see that my reply is rhetoric for the Staff that will judge this

There were cannons in Asulon which made naval roleplay an interesting and satisfying avenue to pursue on lotC. Moreso can you define High Medieval? I think that you're being ignorant in your view of what is Medieval by only considering the primitive Western history of the Middle Ages. I could be wrong to think that towards you. Nevertheless, the far more advanced Islamic forces during the Middle Ages were using cannons without any scholarly doubt by the 14th century, namely to repel the Mongolian Invasion. Whereas the West used cannons few and far between during the same time period. The Ottomans used bombards in their successful siege against the Byzantine capital Constantinople two centuries later in 1453. Therefore, I argue that cannons are well within the scope of roleplay on LotC. Albeit they represent technology that heralded the end of the Middle Ages and lead to technology of the Western Renaissance Age. Therefore the cannon is at the upper-limit of technology for the ‘Medieval’ Age LotC is set in. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannon https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages

Military Roleplay Salute! Satisfaction when engaging in military roleplay can essentially be obtained by recognition, success, and development. Understanding the hierarchy will amount to achieving these ends. Players will find themselves somewhere in the hierarchy as either above, below, or between others. Not every military organisation has the same hierarchy, but there will always be a leader at the top. Whether that's the Nation Leader themselves, or someone appointed by the nation, or someone independent of the nation is irrelevant to the the fact that there's always someone that leads and those who follow in every military organisation. It should be noted that I define a military organisation on lotc as any group that exercises the enforcement of a system, or supports the system with violent force. That would mean I consider the guard force of a settlement as engaging in military roleplay as much as an army, knight order, mercenary company, or personal guard is. Recognition can come from a superior in the hierarchy, and saluting your superiors, following their orders, and successfully carrying out tasks/missions is a quick way to achieve recognition. Recognition is the pathway to promotion, and thus understanding where you want to end up in the hierarchy is very important to finding satisfaction in military roleplay. It should be noted that with growing status in a group comes with responsibility, and if you wish to remain free from the stress of leading, you shouldn't aim to advance to the top. Personally, I enjoy taking and following orders more than coming up with orders for other to take and follow. The burden of leading others is that you must constantly remain active and have your finger on the pulse of current events to be able to act accordingly to the demands around your group. If you fail to react accordingly to the dynamically changing demands and events around your group, you may come to loss, and loses can quickly demoralise your group and cripple its membership. However, without any conflict your group will become stagnant without anything to do. Balancing the world around you is the burden of leadership, and a time intensive burden at that. Success revolves around accomplishment. Accomplishing strategic aims, missions, and battles. Success can be measured by how far these goals are achieved. To maintain success, there is a need for constant development for as long as there's more success desired. Development means that military roleplay is constantly working to advance forward and find new avenues for roleplay before staganation occurs as a result of winning or losing a strategic goal. It is easier to develop from a loss than a win because a loss usually means that there's still something to win, but after success of winning arrives, the ability to develop further can be difficult because a new strategic goal must be made. Anyone with the mind of developing roleplay should be looking at how goals can lead to more ultimate goals, and most importantly, how to deal with achieving that ultimate goal. Knowing that it's either time to quit after that goal has been achieved, or finding a way to evolve and develop roleplay towards a new ultimate goal. Rarely do people choose to quit and usually get taken out by the ultimate goals of another group.

Bismillah. God willing you learn something from me that can translate to your benefit in the reality outside of this virtual reality as well. I'll update this regularly as I find time in my schedule. FEEL free to post questions as replies to this topic and I'll try to answer them. I am Gabriel, but many call me Lion because that's the name of my most known character on LotC. I've been an active member of this community for an embarrassingly long time. Over the years, I've observed and engaged in roleplay of many genres from fantastical to realistic and much between. My characters have spanned from basic adventurer all the way to nation leader, and I've interacted with all the main races, and been an active member of all main races at some point. I’ve had a hand in planning the storylines leading to the end of two previous maps, and occupied a place on the staff team at times as an Event/Story Team Member. Therefore, I feel confident that my reflections on roleplay can help guide those who wish to learn or improve their skills. This guide will include topics over a variety of experiences from everyday interactions to long term direction. Here’s something: Let the chatlog reflect that you're taking turns when roleplaying. RP is ultimately a social interaction/exchange. Apply the same respect you would in real life to those you're roleplaying with for maximum satisfaction. Greeting people usually leads to more interesting roleplay. Don't be afraid to say hello. Try to avoid using too many adjectives. Adjectives should be used as icing on the cake, not the cake itself. Have patience with people who don't type as well as you do. Some people type slowly. Some people type sentences that don't make sense. Half the fun is letting someone else be imaginative within the bounds of the exchange. Keep learning new words and how to use them. Combat roleplay requires a firm grasp on the laws of reality. Setup your final combat move by preparing for it with your first move. Minecraft mechanics used wisely can add dramatic power to roleplay. Don't focus on your backstory focus on the story you're trying to make. Refrain from engaging OOCly with LotC. Satisfaction can be found in silent exchanges. Don’t LOOK for roleplay. MAKE roleplay. Read lore related to the story/character/roleplay you're trying to tell/act/engage in Essential Roleplay Concepts 1. Take Turns; Your Go, My Go Roleplay is a social exchange, and on lotc it is most proper to take turns in that exchange. There is always an initiator of roleplay, the one who sends the first sentence, and there is always the responder who replies to that sentence or action. It's generally rude not to respond, but it can be just as rude to initiate an exchange at the wrong time. Assuming all things went well, and the person/player you've initiated an exchange with, or the person you're replying to hears you, the exchange is best taken in turns; meaning Player 1 says something and waits for Player 2 to say something back, or maybe Player 2 has said something and now they should wait for Player 1 to respond. Nevertheless, there are times when you don't necessarily need to wait for Player 2 to respond if additional people like Player 3 are involved. You may find yourself responding to Player 3 while you wait for Player 2 to respond, but when it comes to most interactions and ALL combat situations, I generally abide by the rule that after hitting the enter key, you should wait to hit the enter key again until AFTER ALL the players involved in the exchange have also done so. The chat log should usually reflect sequential turns taken in the exchange and if Player 1 has two entries on the chat log before Player 2 is able to take their turn then a mistake has most likely occurred, and mistakes like that can lead to bad roleplay exchanges. 2. Common Roleplay When I first started playing LotC, I was a confused kid, and spent most of my time exploring the Aegis map and engaging in what I would call common roleplay. I define common RP as the most basic form, and yet most persistent form of RP. This type of RP is mainly concerned with the gathering of resources/greetings, and the role play that is created from common RP rarely requires you to interact with other players beyond simple exchanges of two sentences or less. This type of roleplay is the daily bread so to speak, and I found myself typing ‘nods’ and ‘hail' a lot as I passed other players on the road. Beyond greetings, the common roleplay also made me engage a lot in asking for food and trading resources. Nevertheless, the common roleplay leads to more complex roleplay. Simply initiating a greeting has led me into all the best roleplay. Why? Because when you open yourself up, you open yourself up to others and suddenly the stories of the world sweep you in! Common roleplay is all about the mundane aspects of life summed up in quick single sentence interactions. If you're typing more than one sentence, you're starting to make your roleplay more complex which is totally annoying for me to see from another player when they make complicated the simple common roleplay; meaning don't make it a habit to greet someone with more than a sentence of content. Don't go out there making someone wait more than seconds when it comes to a basic social interaction or question, they'll get bored, or think you're an idiot. Obviously mercy should be given to those who are still learning to improve their language and reading skills like our younger players and players who speak English as a second language. It should be obvious when you're interacting with a player who is shy to type for whatever reason because they'll take a longer time to type a single sentence which distinguishes them from those who are simply annoyed that you're trying to RP with them. Those people will respond quickly and usually leave the interaction as quickly. Don't take it personally when someone runs around in circles during common roleplay. Nevertheless, save the complexity for the roleplay that takes place after you and another player get more interested in the roleplay interaction. You can usually tell if another player is interested in sustaining more than common RP if they've stopped playing the mechanical side of minecraft and gone still to focus on typing. Additionally if someone has taken the exchange to somewhere more than replying to your greeting by asking a question or stopped long enough for you to ask a question that they're replying to, you can start to get more complex without interrupting the social flow. Flowing roleplay is what marks all the best roleplay. The enjoyment of nodding to someone and them nodding back to you in a seconds long exchange is just as satisfying as the roleplay exchanges that sucks you in for hours. 3. Complex Roleplay Complex roleplay is not necessarily always caused by common roleplay, but for the most part it is. Complex roleplay usually goes beyond one sentence, but some players can maintain complexity/interesting roleplay without extending beyond two sentences, but rarely is interesting and satisfying complex roleplay sustained by a player who doesn't say more than one sentence when it's their turn. Nor is it rarely interesting or satisfying when a player is running around in circles during more complex roleplay situations. It seems only a nation leader or someone building is able to run around whilst roleplaying without having a negative impact on the players they're roleplaying with. If you're not building or leading, and you're running about (probably in some voice chat elsewhere), you're being rude because it's obvious when someone doesn't have their full attention on something. Therefore it's acceptable only in certain situations to not sit still while roleplaying. Yet, in combat, you shouldn't move outside of anything unrelated to the roleplay. Keep your full attention on those you're having a social exchange with or you'll be considered a rude idiot. Moving in minecraft while in combat is a quick way to ruin roleplay for me and is totally unacceptable. Humoursly I always found that GMs were most likely to commit the social crime of moving during complex roleplaying. 4. Don't Look for Roleplay The amount of times I've heard a player lament that they ‘can't find roleplay’ astounds me. These type of people wander about looking to consume roleplay, and I firmly believe that LotC is about producing more roleplay than is consumed. The tactics of the lamenting player is to go looking for the ‘roleplay hub’ of the current map, and as annoying as ever they'll ask where the most popular city is currently. To them, I say jog on mate. In my experience the best way to find roleplay is to look at the list of players online, pick one, and make it your goal to find and roleplay with them. In my experience I never failed to run into the player I sought out. When you reach them initiate common roleplay, and if they bite, you should jump straight into complex roleplay to either involve them with your story or get involved with theirs. 5. Make a Story The essence of roleplay is a story. The point of playing LotC is involving yourself in a story or making one for others to be involved in. Most players involve themselves in the story others tell, and this is basically how one consumes RP, but some players make stories for others to play in, be that is basically how one produces RP. The lamenting player is truly a player that is seeking a story to satisfy their interests. There is a story that the server staff should be looking to direct for each map, but rarely have they done anything to make one until the last days of each map when they're forced to just to get the players to the next map. In fact I can't say there's been a satisfying main story told by the staff since Aegis when the main story concerned a war against Iblis. This is a shame, and something I have always striven to make up for where the staff lacked. Any story should be one that relies on the lore as a foundation, but is able to expand beyond it to maintain activity and interest of the players. The successful story should restrict itself by allowing only a few to lead and direct it with a definitive end point, but it should actively seek player involvement to lead to that end in a flexible way. This has to be balanced very carefully or else the story will become boring and unfair as it's directors try and force players towards their intended end point without letting the players be imaginative within the story along the way. For example, in Anthos the map story failed to actualise satisfaction or sustain daily interest because the events to progress the story were sporadic and without a unified vision of an exact ending as the lead director kept changing and thus the story was unable to maintain coherency. Yet, in Aegis, the map story was carefully directed towards an intended end point and that direction never changed and was able to have enough flexibility to achieve its goal even as players shaped events related to the story along the way. The ability to have flexibility in a story can only be accomplished when definitive goals are established, and bounds are created around a story so that coherency can be maintained. A story can be as large or as small as it needs to be to meet the end goal or idea. Stories will vary depending on its goals, but all good stories come to an end. Sometimes these ends can be made into sequels, but rarely are sequels any good compared to the first one. Types of Roleplay Having covered some basic concepts of roleplaying, I'd like to apply these concepts when discussing more advanced topics of roleplay. Starting with a reflection about types of roleplay you may engage in, and the basics of these more advanced concepts. Firstly, I define types of roleplay being related to the genres of roleplay I encountered and engaged in while playing LotC, and I will offer my reflections on how to successfully engage in these different types of roleplay I enjoyed to find maximum satisfaction if you also intend to engage with these types of roleplay. I will expand upon each in this list in a further update, but expect to learn about; Types: Military Political Mercantile Mystic Cultural Horror Technological Environmental Judiciary

Imagine that! A place so grim even the forest tries to murder you.

The Year, 1690, Titus Labienus stops marching forwards. Velia’s colony is finally within sight after a day of walking down the road. "Eh." Titus looks to those he’s been leading back to Aquium. Pointing Gaius, and Manius Claudius Curio to a large manor-house that besets their colony, "Pravus." The darkened building is eerie and covered in satanic ilk and imagery. The evil is palpable. Manius shudders. The proximity of this black building is a shadow on their shining colony. The Year, 1691, Claudii Familia finds an eviction notice in their vineyards. The culprit is the manor owner. Seems he went to the authorities. Citing a land dispute. Giving the newly made vineyard one year to cease production and move their vineyards elsewhere. However, grubbing up the vineyards would cause a huge blow towards wine production. The delicate creatures already requiring years in the ground to start producing quality grapes for pressing. This simply is a financial dent that the Pater Familia, Manius Curio could not take. He turns to the leadership of the colony to ask if he may conduct diplomacy with the manor owner over the land dispute. Given the blessing, he prepares translators to come with him to speak to the mysterious owner of the evil mansion that looms over his family’s vineyards. Soon, an audience with the manor owner is upon Claudius. Together with Antonius, they approach the dreaded front door of the manor. Knocking and offering a roasted chicken politely. It is taken with much hesitation by the twisted visage before them. An elf with long craven claws, a frail and weak looking body. A high elf that’s made his company with snakes. One wrapped around his body now. A disgusting black vine. The home smells of death and dust. It is, however, quite sophisticated in its architecture. The owner even has a toilet like a civilised man. Claudius Curio the Elder thinks the ensuing diplomacy is going to go well. Yet this sarcastic and negative elf (typical elves!) that sits before them is very much dogged in not accepting to sell the house; The first order of peace that Claudii makes. A slave names the snake-clad man, “Alvried.” To which Claudius confirms with the manor owner whom he also finds out is a mage (that explains the frailty). Alvried sits there with his snake and wine. A displeased scowl fixed to his expression. A temperament of coldness despite the warmth the Velians bring with them. Claudius seeks a further peaceful compromise with Alvried and asks if they can forgo the eviction, and instead be allowed to build within 50 meters (blocks) of his home. He vehemently refuses and starts to get hostile when Antonius calls Kass to take-his-place translating. Alvried declaring he would rather see the whole colony evicted than give any room for peaceful compromise. This claim from the pyromancer upsets Claudius, who stands and delivers him his final terms of peaceful resolution. Silver, or steel, Peace, or war? Alvried moves off uninterested, opening a strange and evil looking book. Only responding, “Fire.” Choosing war. Claudius and his translator plea that he reconsiders, but he’s dogged in his choice. They instead ask to leave, and return home to Aequium. Sitting on the walls some days later near the end of the year 1691, Claudius the Elder informs Canus of the outcome of the diplomacy. How Alvried wants war. Canus responds by telling Claudius he should do what’s right. Alluding to Oersus, the King of Gods’ place in this matter. Mentioning that those like Alvried who yield to Crathakus are to drown in their desires. Laenas is to be contacted regarding the ensuing option to give the manor the cleansing fire Alvried chose. The Year, 1692, Between then and now, Canus and the legion are called out against Alvried. Slaughtering the manor owner and his slave. Taking their heads as prize. Leaving them on Claudii Familia’s doorstep as a gift. This being satisfying to Manius Curio. The only thing left to do is to destroy the manor for Oersus, and let Ban, the goddess of nature, to reclaim it for Gaesus, the god of wine. To cleanse the evil of Crathakus that inhabits it. CBs: (Provide a list of CBs you believe to have with proof to back them up. These will be reviewed by moderators for approval.) Diplomacy was conducted, and the outcome was a choice of war, more specifically, fire, after two attempts at a peaceful resolution to the land dispute. The Velian Pantheon of Gods are offended by the manor, and thus the people of Velia think it’s an evil place that needs to be destroyed. The Owner of the Manor has been killed IRP (PK or not is irrelevant), and thus the place needs to be destroyed as well as a cleansing ritual. Alvried, the Manor Owner was approached with diplomacy and offered peace in two forms of compromise. The first attempt denied was in the form of offering to buy his manor. The second attempt denied was to be allowed to build within 50 meters (blocks) of his manor without being grassed up for eviction. With both options of peace denied, he was given the option for what happened next; peace, or war? He chose war. Side A: (The faction posting the warclaim) Familia Claudii of Colonia Aequium, and Volunteer Citizens of Velia. Side B: (The faction responding to the warclaim.) Alvried, and those that live within the manor. Proposed Date & Time: 8/12/2018 @ 23:59 GMT Proposed Rules: (Suggest any unique modifications or restrictions for this warclaim.) This will be a surprise tactical operation. Conducted in the middle of the night. There should be no allies allowed as the attack will be so sudden. I’d actually like this battle entirely RP’d, no PvP unless it truly gets out-of-hand. PvP could be engaged if circumstances permit it. We will need at least 1 GM supervising the RP. Location: (Provide a screenshot of the area being warclaimed from the dynmap.) The Manor near the top of the screenshot Discord: (Your current Discord username, example: Test#1234.) GhostRoast#0874

QUESTIONNAIRE Minecraft Username: Discord Tag: GhostRoast#0874 Character Name: Manius Claudius Curio Character Age: 33 Character Social Class: (Rich | Middle | Poor | Slave) Middle Character Profession: (A non-combatant profession, like carpentry) Vintner/Farmer

GhostRoast#0874 OuterHaven = Renatus

Although roving in servitude throughout the realm of the God-fearing, we base ourselves in the Judaic Principality of Hanseti. We may be found in our sacred Keter 1. Soon, we shall have the temple surrounded by a village, and you may find that your mercantile aspirations align to the markets we'll produce.

Denv Ov Meinae Krigg [Mood Music] I had lost everything by 1431, and was very much back in the position I had started in before I was knighted. Mirtok went missing beyond The Ice Wall. The Teutonic Order’s leadership ability and renown was vanquished at the Dreadfort by NATO. The First Empire collapsed soon after. I was homeless, and alone. Everyone I knew had scattered or gone to Aeldin with Horen V’s Imperial Exodus. I set sail in search of Aeldin but could never find it myself. Perhaps only humans can. Instead, I went soul searching for something to call home again. I stumbled upon an island. Rather, a storm dismantled my boat and I washed upon island’s shore. It was an overgrown green mass that was dotted with pink and white blossom trees. The island scaled upwards with trees as far as my eye could see. I found a path and begin following it. Growing to the island’s zenith, I found it adorned by a humble temple. A society of monks inhabited the temple, and they did not speak common. I lay down my arms, and approached with the universal hand-sign of peace. Essentially, I was a slave when they took me in. I would do the hard work and heavy lifting in exchange for bowls of rice, and on the occasion, a cup of rice wine. It was these Eastern monks whom taught me how to hone the voices in my head that had plagued me since my run-in with Halifax, and the Pink Cloud. I was a simple observer until I stayed long enough to speak with them. Using their meditation and prayer rituals as a means of learning their mystic tongue. They eventually took me into their rituals, and taught me methods to stop being a slave to the wills of other beings, and how to become the master of my own soul’s will instead. I was taught breathing techniques first. Different patterns, and from different places brought varying results. In essence, if you can control your breathing, you can control your body and nervous system. Force yourself to be calm even in the face of stress and anxiety. They taught how to communicate with the single universal soul of creation by prolonged meditation, and how take control of my mind to realise my own self-actualisation by making contact with the innermost consciousness, the unconscious. I learned that we are a microcosm of the macrocosm that is the universe created. A reflection of the one God, the creator, the tetragrammaton, the most high, Jah, Yahweh, Elohim’s path from divine inspiration all the way down to physical realisation. I explored the intangible realms beyond physical perception through meditation and prayer. Just as they did. Through disciplined meditation, and faith in One, I was able to hyperfocus my consciousness and astrally project to interact with the interdimensional forces that surround our dimension. The fact of having only one to call God called for great importance in the process. As it allowed the mind to focus on singular thoughts, and allowed all others thoughts and beings attempting to distract the astrally searching conscious to simply flow by. In hindsight, this is when I first began the Judaic praise of God, and would also be where I got the first inklings of the 10 Sefirot of God I follow now. Faith in One God allows someone to be still and solid in themselves as the river of thoughts passes by. Instead of getting caught in the tide of the flow, and inevitably corrupted by demons, rouge angels, and other otherworldly things, God protects you on your journey. This form of focused meditation achieves repeatable results, and results in building a bond between self, and what the Island Monks (who were more likely occultists) called ‘The Holy Guardian Angel’. A unique being that’s inherently connected to each unique soul, and created as a twin soul to each individual. Each one as different as we are, but designed to be our best friend, guide, and mentor. If encouraged to grow, the HGA will protect the soul it keeps as they journey through life. Perhaps, the HGA is simply the mortal mind making connection with their immortal soul. The name of my Holy Guardian Angel is for me to know, and for me to share only with people I can trust. Only when encouraged by the User being strong in their willpower, and faith in One will a strong bond form, and the wisdom and guidance that the Holy Guardian Angel advises with is invaluable. Allowing one to command from their soul. Giving one authenticity. I spent years learning with them about alkemi, astrology, and the psychology of souls. Leaving them when it was time. I had spent years crafting a boat to sail me on. With the knowledge of their ancient breathing, body, and meditative techniques, and a strengthened willpower, my boat returned me to The Princedom of Malinor, a heavily corrupted state since I had last involved myself in Aegis. A shadow of its former self when it was led by Native and Indelwehn. I returned to Anthos with the expressive purpose of changing elven history. That is how I directed my liberated soul. Shaved head. Tattoos showing for all to see. Bathed in a robe of red. Adorned in my hand a staff, I returned a man of great peace. Equipped with tongue that spoke straight from the soul of my being. Easily becoming an Ambassador with my silver tongue, I was the devil-in-disguise for all those unaware of the spiritual forces in-play. Quickly overtaking the military of Malinor, and using it, and secret agreements with influential elves to twist New Malinorian politics until its only natural conclusion was to fall on its sword. To surrender and commit national suicide at my behest. Kalameet Izalith was used as a means to achieving my goal. When he had the Conclave of Malin declare a coup, The Princedom of Malinor lay down their arms and were defeated without bloodshed as intended. With the Conclave of Malin seceding the Princedom, I focused my efforts on creating a group of non-magic individuals to use science and warfare to combat the latest threat that had emerged from another dimension. My goal was never to unify the elves, or bring about a culturally diverse elven nation. That was for the elves themselves to determine. More important were the astral demons known as Harbingers. Led by the Demon Prince Setherin. These forces were what truly needed to be fought. Now it all made sense why we were drawn to the ice wall. For they came from beyond it, and attempted to conquer the world from it. Making it all the way to the South where the Princedom of Fenn harbored them as allies. They were surprisingly easy to overcome through our faith in One, and man. Not without the cost of being forced from Anthos through another flood before we ended Demon Prince Setherin manifested in our dimension outside my garden home of Zion in the Fringe Lands (Named Zion long before the advent of the Xionist religion that I’ve had little interaction with). It was in this pivotal battle that I realised the great enemies were not just Demon Princes, but the cultists of Aenguls and Daemons that did not strictly adhere to God as well. Both types of Astral Beings, and the cults that followed them were slaves to Other beings as I had once been, and I had the knowledge to liberate some of them from their binds. Yet, there were those who could not be freed from the chains of their masters. For they couldn’t even see the chains that enslaved them. Those few could not be allowed to continue to spread their influence, and as such, I started my campaign of removing their crowns which continues to this day. [Historical Document] [Smash that rep button. To future applicants: only two have made the cut so far out of the five that applied. We're specifically looking for regular humans now as a result. Preference to Highlanders]

"If you can't hack it as a knight, you can't hack it as a knight. We will know who is pure, and who is not when we return from our hunt." Hint! Those who die on the hunt are the impure ones. "Purity and quality assurance is also why the first two titles are non-member titles. The Unbled and Bled are trial-runs on the path to knighthood. That said, perhaps I'll outlaw sex outside of marriage. That's what the Tetragrammaton would want of us. Advice accepted."

With our first application processed, I give you this. Mordskov Origins: Aegis-Asulon [Mood Music] Homecoming Mirtok had been hardened into cold steel by the horrors of Iblees. Ruthless in his meticulously crafted thoughts. A natural strategist, and proven warhammer enthusiast. He was an OrdenMarschall of Teutonic Order, and commanded the infantry at the time we crossed paths in space-time. Hochmeister Gaius Marius, and his OrdenMarschalls, Mirtok, and Samuel of the missile units travelled together. The two stood in flank behind the stoic, and highlandically sized Hochmeister who stood before me. We all stopped upon locking eyes. “Darius?” Asked Mirtok. The rest is history. I got quickly knighted by Gaius whom leaned against his zweihander, the master weapon of the Hochmeister, and key to the Order, and the Kingdom of Hanseti. I was then given my credentials, some armour and a weapon of my choosing. Then promptly given a set of work axes and sent to chop wood for the war effort. To which I did with pride. All those years of lumber trading with Laurelin paid off! I had found home when Mirtok and I found each other again. With him, he brought me true brothers-in-arms. The Azog twins, Dain Farhammer, Samuel, Sigari, Abeam… Viader. Kai. Meinae bruddav u krigg. Damn. That was long ago even by my elven measurement of time compared to a humans. (Oh, how it’s damned to watch your loved ones come and go so quickly by your measure. That’s the trade-off of being raised by humans that Halgrim didn’t tell me about. You get attached to them, but their lives last like dogs do to you humans.) Here one moment, and gone the next. With you for about a century at most…, and a good century, and few more centuries it was with all the original Sariant ob doe Teutonic-Faechken-Orden. these days were intriguing. The first international alliances were forming… Oren was for the first time fracturing. Imagine that. The first time. Now it’s a yearly cycle. Was the trend set then? When Rex Mogroka Gorkil still ruled the orcs. In truth, every Oren kingdom falls for legitimate reasons. In this case it was Hanseti whom deemed Oren unfit to rule. Ineffective in their control. Especially as the first wall between Iblees and Aegis. King Edward Sheffield gave Hochmeister Gaius Marius the crown of humanity. With it, Gaius had the sole power to command humanity, but without another thought, he physically broke the crown of humanity in-two, and gave one half to the rebels of the Pheonix, a group that became Rentus upon being offered half the crown by Gaius’ good will. Renatus immediately declared war on Hanseti. Go figure. The nice guy finishes last. Seize the day. That’s all DeNurem took away from Gaius’ diplomatic choice to cede power. I explain Gaius’ mistake on the fact that he was old, and in-fact died not months after taking the crown. I suppose that was his purpose in life achieved. Fate strikes again. Samuel was declared Hochmeister at Gaius’ deathbed, and this deeply disturbed Mirtok. Regardless we kept on serving the Teutonic Order by stemming back Iblees’ tide, but not even the whole world together could end the astral forces of Iblees who roared from the Nether. Slashing Aegis into pieces. Burning it to the ground. We used a portal to travel to Eos, a verge towards Asulon. The only true way to escape the astral manifestation of Iblees. Fast-forward a few decades after the end of Aegis, and the discovery of Asulon. The Kingdom of Hanseti ruled most of the Southern reaches of the continent. Separated from the world by a wall of mountains. The most accessible entrance through two sentinel statues that defined a pass between the mountains into the Kingdom of Hanseti which was now ruled by Hochmeister Mirtok DeNurem, my own brudda. His reign truly began with a mining accident. Operation Black Curtain Disfigured, Mirtok was pulled out of a smoking hole near Wachter Stadt in Eastern Hanseti. He had been missing weeks up to this point, and we had sent a search party to go get him. I wouldn’t lose my brother again. He last told us, “Soea’ze farra u’beu doe berg.” Before never actually returning from the mines. Yet, finally today he appeared once again. Binging with him a wisping smoke that drew from beneath the snow. The toxic pink cloud that he came with chewed at our exposed skin. It smelled sickeningly sweet. The pungent aroma burning at our bare nostrils. I wondered how Mirtok survived being smothered in the cloud for so long. Learning that his body had been shielded by his armour at the cost of being slowly fused within it by the binding properties of the Pink Cloud. It was soon revealed the cloud was made of life essence ripped from the ancient Hansetians. No longer did Mirtok’s heart beat. No longer did he need to eat. The Mirtok we all knew had died, and in his place, one we still loved. Despite being re-born as a tormented soul, half-man, half-armour, a ghoulish version of his former self. It did not at all change enough about his personality to not call him my brother, and our Hochmeister. What he endured taught us through his painful example how we could protect ourselves against the hazardous environment borne from the underground. Information that would later help me combat the threats in Mordskov. In hindsight, Mirtok’s mind was altered by the Others, beings like the Beast, that I’ve come to realise surrounded the origin of the Pink Cloud. For the record: may those who wondered now know how he lived an unusually long life, and why he never removed his armour. The pink cloud altered our perception and mindset to a more directed and disciplined one. No-doubt it had a hand in defining who we are known to this day as being. In many respects, my adult persona is formed by these perception altering experiences with otherworldly forces. The Pink Cloud’s release, and a subsequent plague that followed it caused Mirtok to enact Operation Black Curtain. Moreso to protect the newly formed Empire of Man from falling ill to the Cloud than any other reason. Which effectively sealed off Hanseti from the rest of the world. Dresden was abandoned, its landmeister Velwyn Ashford going north to join a budding group of knights known as The White Rose. Yet, Hanseti was now free from prying eyes, we were free to pursue science. We did villainous things in the name of progress and science. Crushing those who would betray our cause by hammering their heads into anvils. We coated walls with blood in the name of science. Our rivals, House Flay shouted, “Blood for coin!”, and we shouted, “Blood for science!” Veri beliae rulnv. This is when I first donned the role of Ser Lion the Horror; Modeled off a Hansetian hero of yore whom wore his helmet in the depicted fashion of a snarling lion, I forged my own black version to wear. It has since become my face. This is also when Mirtok defined himself as one of the most infamous leaders in history, and built an army that would go-unchecked until NATO at the Dreadfort. This is too when Godfrey created the First Empire of Humanity, and started the cycle of death and rebirth of multiple Empires thereafter. To this day, I wear the helmet, Mirtok is still infamous, and Godfrey is still revered. We were all inspired by whispers of grandeur that told us what to do in our dreams. Unconscious orders from the Otherworlds that acted through the initiation of the cloud. Much as the thanhium acted in Mordskov. A precusor that allowed unguarded minds to be invaded. They told Mirtok to dig deeper into Hanesti. They told me to kill for My Kings. They told Godfrey to conquer. For years Mirtok used his place as Hochmeister to command sariants to dig at the behest of Godfrey. Until one day the Order uncovered the ancient ruins Mirtok was searching for. It was here he found plans for a machine that would render those cooked inside it to become a pure, vaporous life essence. These devices had created the Pink Cloud. In actuality, a fuel that defied the magnitudes of power then known (this is long before necromancy/blood magic was an established art). With these batteries, these life batteries. Much could be powered and created. Each battery ‘charged’ through the purging of living beings trapped within them. Usually criminals captured by the order and sent to Fickloch, the Hansetian Island Prison. The convicted were used to power the ultimate machine. A defining piece of technology. A machine Mirtok uncovered the blueprints for in a subsequent excavation of more ancient hansetian ruins. The dreaded Spire was re-discovered, and Mirtok and I set about rebuilding it. The machine was speculated to be able to wipe out capitals in single bursts of astronomical energy. Obviously wars were fought over the Spire to halt its completion. The entire dwarven army were destroyed in their ambitious naval-assault to stop Hanseti from building the machine. Lured into a minefield and wiped from the earth as they failed to navigate our tundra. To complete the Spire would give Emperor Godfrey, Mirtok’s master, complete world dominance over Asulon, and the dwarves were fair to try and stop that reality. The true extent of the Spire’s capabilities were never fully realised, but it’s speculated that Mirtok did testfire it. In theory, when activated, the Spire would release tendrils that sought out mana nodes available within the bounds of a continent. Feedbacking its findings through a series of gears that churned out coordinates through redstone machinery attached to a printing press. The coordinates were linked up with maps the Teutonic Order had drafted at the University of Hanseti of the World of Asulon. Able to essentially pinpoint the destruction of major settlements that naturally built on mana nodes. We discovered the greatest node available was attached to an arcaurum ball suspended below the cloud temple. The most central location on the continent. Once a node was honed in on, the Spire could be used. Charging itself to full potential energy using batteries supplied to it. More batteries would be required to use it on stronger nodes. At the command of the Hochmeister, it would deliver a blast of astral energy to the node and in theory cause massive destruction. To strike the heart of Asulon would cause the continent doomsday. That much was known. Once Godfrey learned of the node below the Temple, he wanted to bunker humanity in the safety of Hanseti’s mountains before firing the Spire at the Temple to (I quote The Emperor) wipe out, “The inferior races.” Little did we know the device was powerful enough to rip a hole in our dimension to one of the other dimensions unknown (most dimensions belong to Demon Princes). The first interstice between our realm and the realms of the astral heavens out of our reach was the Nether in Aegis. The second interstice created in Asulon is the only evidence that implies Mirtok test-fired the Spire. On a quiet summer eve in 1414, Asulon was destroyed by a biblical flood. It caused everyone able to react in-time to run for the boats to avoid a watery grave. Cast away from the continent by the sheer turbulence of the sea. We watched as the highest peaks of Asulon were swallowed up. Sending us to find a new home once again. It was in this transition that the Teutonic Order fell out of imperial favour, and ultimately lost its footing, as Imperial Crown-Prince, Horen V was more twisted and made chaotic by Others than Godfrey who was getting older by the day. Leaning into the Order of the White Rose, Horen used them to exact his sadistic ways which were bent on complete-world-domination. Little concerned with science. First the isles of Elysium and Kalos were landed, before we settled on the continent of Anthos. Mirtok’s Order was drawn north to a massive ice wall that separated Anthos. What lay beyond it was clouded in much mystery, and only the Teutonic Order, and Horen family members were legally permitted to go beyond the wall to research its ways. What they found beyond it were clear signs that paranormal forces from alternate dimensions were in-play. Mutated pig-men, and ungodly cities dotted the landscape north of the wall. Mirtok feared the worse of what lay north, and decided to take his finest men beyond the wall to come back with a solution to the evils beyond the wall. Forgoing his command over the civil war between Hanseti and the combined NATO forces of Blackmont, Carrion, and Chivay. This would ultimately lead to the Teutonic Order’s unhanding, for Mirtok didn’t return from the wall, and his Kingdom and Title was taken and given to Horen for safeguarding until a DeNurem heir would claim the mantle. (+1 if you'd like more. However, I'm a busy man IRL, so the next one will take about a week. Until then, quit your current group and join doe Liber Orden! :)

An Account: Origins of Mordskov Introduction The Beast. What horrors did it bring? Most of which have yet to be seen. Some seen will never be believed. What happened in 1621… was it all a dream? More likely a nightmare. Yet, can we truly start here, in Mordskov? No, no… no, no, no, and no! It goes deeper. Further back in history. We must go back. Back to the beginning! (what you’re about to read is a secret I’ve kept for nearly 300 years)… [Mood Music] … A calm spring day hatches out of the final dregs of winter. The snow has melted. The grass sways gently in the cool breeze. Life begins to bustle once again. Trees, flowers, and vines bud. Some have burst open, and the bio-cycle continues. Exposing the realm to the true magic of Aos, the soul of the universe, that soul of God, the almighty One. That which takes the name Hesed at this time of year, and indeed a merciful one. I am born a black sheep. A great-grandson of Malin. Abandoned in the mountains by my elven kin when I’m only learning to crawl. If by purpose, or if by accident is not known. What is known is that hounds discover me in the snow. Fearsome and drooling beasts that looked stacked enough to hunt lions. Barking did they beckon their masters come. The honourable peoples of the mountains emerge to investigate their fussing. Stoic in their approach, they found a pink wriggling bean cloaked in black. The chiefs decide to let fate decide what to do with me by giving a choice. Choose the toy, and join the dead, or choose the sword, and join them instead. Doe Sonnv Ov Liber Darius I’m named. Living with the sons of Joren taught me much of human culture, and the blessings they received from God the Merciful at the conclusion of the first inter-dimensional war declared by the Demon Prince Iblees years before my time. Northerons, the precursor to Highlanders, suckle me at their own breast, and train me to survive the harsh winter tundra they live in. With them I grow to adolescence to lead a life unlike the other elves that forsook me. A Clan named Halgrim had brought me into their camp to train me to be a warrior-scholar. After recognising the elven affinity within that gives all elves a strong connection to the soul of the universe, and my personal inclinations which afforded me success among them. I became a Halgrim. Tutoring my body to be strong enough to build our stone and lumber homes, honing my reactions to be agile enough to hunt rabbits so that I may never starve, and filling my mind with understanding of the world to move mountains with words. Hanseti, kags eru meinae moedor. Before my time, during Prince Iblees’ reign of terror, the Hanseti made an exodus to the alternate realm of Eos (Asulon). The remaining clansmen on Aos (Aegis) were separated, and growing weaker by the day, and eventually are overcome and assimilated by the other sons of Joren. Norsemen and Ruskans, who name themselves the Haense peoples after the merging of families. Centuries after the Hansetian exodus, I am alive. Skilled in the art of war, and diplomacy of peace, but still so much to learn. Those who did not submit to Ruska were executed or exiled. Clan Halgrim’s family home is destroyed, and the patriarch, Gadde Halgrim takes his wife, remaining sons, and an elven servant to central Aegis to escape subjugation and remain liberated. One of those is me. We take on a new name to conceal our identity. The maiden name of Gadde’s wife, DeNurem. Here we set about living in peace on our farmstead. It is here in the north that the Demon Prince Iblees emerges once more to attempt conquest over the realm of Aos. I was just coming home from collecting firewood when I saw the smoke rising. The pinging and clashing of steel on steel. Thunder and lightning cut through the air as the sky swirled to a sickening black cloud above. The war chants of an Ibleesian Overlord echoed through the woods surrounding our home north of Al’khazar. I entered the glade to see Halgrim locked in battle with the undead minions of Overlord Halifax. At my belt my longsword, in my hands a wood axe. I come to his aid, but we were getting overwhelmed by the scouting party, he looked me in the eyes. The most serious and stern look my father had ever given me, he said, “Kagsen moedor ist tuot! Kagsen brudda ist tuot! Erhael Mirtok unened farr! Farr! Tuenn’nei djido tileabeg!” I hesitated as I saw the forces draw in. Surely to overrun our home. I had to force Mirtok away. Dragging him out of our burning home and into the woods to escape. Always on the run. Home is gone. Home was long gone. We ran with tears in our eyes, looking back one last time at our father who laughed madly. Drunk off the fumes of destruction that enveloped him. Ripping his shirt off to make his final stand. True to the Hanseti name, he bellows “Soea hteaati tuo beliae kags, nei lad kags tuo beliae poesch!” The Hansetian Berserker’s last known words. Despite his heroism at the farmstead, Halifax knew better and cut-us off before we could warn the Kingdom of Oren of the impending invasion. With woodaxe, and with blade, I had to make a decision that wrenched my very being. Let Hanseti die here in these woods due to pride, or make a sacrifice to give it a chance to survive. I did as my father wanted, as his last words prescribed. Sobbing, Mirtok and I parted ways here. I had to physical throw him away from me. Admonish him for trying to stay. Giving him the rest of our family wealth that was contained in a single bag, “Lanz beu kriggbo nogleaden neu.” I did not turn around as his footsteps crunched hard through the snow. I listened until I could no longer hear them, and I didn’t hear his feet shuffle again for decades. Emblazoned by love. By the passion I have for my family, I fought as my father would want me to. I held back the tide so that Mirtok could truly escape death. Roaring all the way to the end. Halifax appeared to end my frenzy. Easily defeating me. Clutching me, and shocking me with my first visions of the Astral Realm by transporting my mind to Iblees’ Netherrealm where I saw true evil for the briefest of moments. My eyes burst with enlightenment at the sight, my mind melded between dimensions. Nothing was ever the same again. I awoke dazed and confused in the Cloud Temple of Aegis. Unsure of where I was at the time, all I knew were the skills my body could remember by muscle memory, but as I worked, I started to remember. I wondered if Mirtok made the long journey south to Al’kazar… I seemed to have made the trip somehow. I later learned that he had alerted an army, and in the fray, I was collected by Temple Monks. Mirtok was of course nowhere in sight. After half a decade searching for him, I traversed to Malinor and served Native’s Wardens where I learned what true justice meant. Throwing the convicted in a hole he could not get out of, and then firing arrows into him with your fellow wardens until the man stopped living. Yet, I was still blinded by horror I’d witnessed, and shocked by realisation of other realms besides our own. The crushing embrace of reality. The stress and anxiety of trying to find my place, and where my loyalties and interests lay left me physically cursed by Halifax over a long period of time. Eventually my light elven skin darkened into a bruised complexion to match my raven-black hair. Black, blue and purple, I looked like someone had hit me all over my body with a hammer. I hid my identity until the curse had taken full effect, and the damage of the curse was over-with. Halifax, the damned bastard made me become like that of a dark elf! THE WORST CURSE OF THEM ALL! (I actually like Khel, and Ipos.) ((Lion is not an undead, so don't think holy magic gonna work, he's just a survivor of the days before Lore Teams when you could literally do whatever you wanted.)) My mind was shattered in the early years of journey with the realms other than our own. Whilst I quietly searched for answers about the world, and a path to call my own now that everything I knew was gone. I turned to banditry, barkeeping, and trading with Ser Lancelot for lengths at a time. Until I had enough coin to buy a boat and retire from the service of the Wardens. Returning a few years later to serve Indelwehn in a peaceful role as a lumberjack. Seeking to just hunt monsters and have a bit of fun. To try and move-on from what had been revealed by Halifax’s explosive inter-dimensional curse, but you cannot escape reality, you must embrace it. (You’ll see a pattern to my behaviour if you read this all, and then re-read this all. I sure did as I wrote this line upon this form of parchment.) The horrors I had been revealed, visions of the Nether. A twisted and black castle surrounded in hellish flames. The very ground seemed soaked with blood. Stone that leaked blood. Veristonne. Inside the tower were the chambers of each Overlord. Glorified coffins. This is where their souls called home. I saw Iblees, and from that day was able to discern with certainty the difference between good and evil. Proof of the concept right in the pudding! Lo! Was I too young to understand this at the time. Instead I was a muted man, and barely spoke to anyone. Until I found The Teutonic Order. Even today, I find myself waking up from nightmares that trap me in the evil realms. Yet, more than often my mind sticks in the dreams of good realms. In these dreams are some truths universal regardless of which realm you found, and positively indicate that we are not alone. This was when I first met The Beast, and in Asulon, we witnessed the first manifestation of The Beast that would later conquer Axios. In Asulon, I am of course talking about the Pink Cloud Incident in the First Kingdom of Hanseti. (+1 if you want more)

Knights ov Doe Liber Orden (Knights of the Free Order) “Reatz Caese Ist Usielligen.” (Our Honour Is Loyalty). Want to slay demons, hunt monsters, capture creatures, command respect, and earn the title of Knight to be the pinnacle of virtuous purpose in Atlas? Join doe Knights ov doe Liber Orden today. Led by a Teutonic Knight. Our Leader, The Great Ser Lion Prince Darius of Hanseti, 1401, The Black Keep, by G.H.H. A prince, a poet, and a good judgement of character, Ser Darius Lion the Horror of House DeNurem is a legendary soldier known for his fierce sense of loyalty, justice, and honour. Today, the Prince, and Father of the Liber Orden (Free Order) dons the helm, sword, and pen once more. Seeking to raise meritable apprentices and squires in the name of liberty, strength, and justice. In an effort to bring a meritocracy back to the title of Knight. The Right and Honourable Centuries ago in the realm of Hanseti. The Teutonic Order raises dozens of knights trained in service to defend Aegis from true evil and to reunite humanity to face the common threat. The Teutonic Knights, known as Sariants, are among a venerated warrior class that once dominated the Realm of Hanseti through strength, loyalty, chivalry, and courage in their fight against Iblees. Among those is the first Hochmeister, Gaius Marius, who has knighted Darius DeNurem. A warrior-elf that has accomplished mastery of weapons, labour, and diplomacy under the education of the Teutonic Order. Later, he is knighted by a new nation, and became a renowned knight of the First Empire of Humanity under Emperor Godfrey thereafter. Forged in Imperial Steel, High Pontiff Pius I anoints the Teutonic Knight as, Ser Lion The Horror, for heroic actions against a murderous assassin that brutally butchered a member of the High Pontiff’s family. The spilling of guts, and the removal of the damned’s head serves as equal punishment for equal crime. Thus becoming the first anointed Holy Knight. Darius ‘Lion’ is also the first full-elven knight in human history, and a dark elf at that. A fact he purposely keeps concealed by wearing armour and his iconic helmet. As to be known by his reputation rather than race. Making his ascent to Holy Great Knight of the Order of the Red Dragon, Emperor Godfrey’s Left Fist, and Court Justice of the Imperial Crown well-earned feats. As Godfrey despised dark elves specifically. Yet, the Lion, and the Imperial Dragon were counted together as close friends. To this day, Lion still honours his oath to Emperor Godfrey. What Is A Knight? A knight’s word is bond. Their oaths and vows held sacred in their hearts. Next to their love of the One True. A knight is the righteous infliction of justice on the convicted, and serves as an ambassador for honour and loyalty. They are fair, and the enforcers of God’s Universal Laws afforded to the Realm of Man. Treating each equally regardless of their title, and being unyielding in the due process of law. This does not mean knights are liberalised socialists living in a multi-cultural society that amounts to the weak and unworthy. Equality does not mean laxity. Equality means we knights execute a murderer whether they’re a King, Pontiff, elf, or a peasant. For none are above God’s Law Universal. Certainly not them, and certainly not any of us in the Liber Orden. Man’s law will not avail you in the Court of Divine Law that the Free Order adheres to. Divine Law has no jurisdiction, and has no compromise. A knight is a reflection of God, and knows well all God’s names; Crown, Wisdom, Understanding, Kindness, Severity, Beauty, Eternity, Splendour, Foundation, and Kingship. The Knight’s Code I will be who I will be. I honour the Creator. My journey begins with wisdom. I honour the Father. My wisdom becomes understanding. I honour the Mother. My understanding will know kindness. I honour the Son. Yet, my understanding will know severity. I honour the Daughter. I will let the light shine through. It is beautiful. I shall be patient and fortitutious in my endurance. I am a leader. I shall be unconscious in the pursuit of constant learning. I am an intellectual. I am the foundation in which the world is built upon. I transmit the light above into my reality below. I will be who I will be. I honour the King. A Knight’s Path Great Knight (Father) Knight Lieutenant (Administration) Knight Sergeant (Keeper) Knight (Action Man) Knight, Errant (Ambassador) Squire (Proven) Pilgrim (Knowledgeable) Student (Initiate member) Bled (Passed Practical) Unbled (Passed Theory) Our Expectations Of A Knight A knight within the Liber Orden ist ov Maria. Meaning that they are well-versed in the language of Marian. Additional to understanding the Marian Tongue, they too will know how to combat all forms of creation, and how to safeguard all forms of creation. They will be strictly law abiding individuals. They will know how to make war, and how to make peace. They will not Lord over others with their title, for a knight is a humble one. They will both be masters of the blade, and the book. They will long live, and live long. They shall always strive and prosper. How To Become A Knight To become a Sariant-Knight of the Liber Orden. All must pass the entrance exams to be considered for knighthood by The Big Boss, Prince Darius, the True Knight Authority. There is both a written, and a practical entrance exam. The written exam may be completed and returned to doe Liber Orden as a form of membership application. It can be found below this. If considered worthy, you will be invited to the household to complete the practical examination. Which consists of a quality assessment of various militaristic and civil skills each applicant possesses. They will be judged on their combat skills and level of competency. If both examinations are completed with merit, the applicant will be invited to be sworn into the Liber Orden as an initiated member. They will be assigned household duties that will prepare them for Knighthood. Duties include military, and civil service, as well as education on all matters relevant to a knight. Such as mage-fighting, strategy, leadership, diplomacy, and production. Standard Examination (Application) Want to be a true knight of the realm? Answer the following questions and reply to this post with your answers: What is a knight? (your answer) What are the duties of a knight? (your answer) What should a knight be skilled in to best serve a purpose? (your answer) What are the virtues of a knight? (your answer) What are the corruptions of a knight? (your answer) *If you'd like to join doe Liber Orden in a civilian role, we have dozens, and actually focus heavily on science RP. Send me a PM here, or in-game @ LatheBiosas. Soon we'll advertise more civilian jobs to do for The Free Order, Doe Liber Orden.

It's been 300+ years since Aegis, and we've lost more advanced technology than we've gained. It's time to start gaining a few bits and 'bots. It's nearly the year 1700! Start accepting well-written technology advancements! Give the power to the layman!

The Lion sits upon the crest of Tahn Island. Facing south. Having a vast vantage point over the entire Southern landmass from as far as the eye could stretch East to West. The Grand Master notices at this great height, the zenith of the world, just how ominous the island appears. Most of a thanhic winter wasteland created by The Thanhic Great Fires from Emperor Philip's weapon of mass destruction in 1590. The island is scarred with stone structures. No lights nor life to be seen in many of these settlements. Yet, the ocean looks calm. Unchanging. A clear day. Grand Master Lion brings his telescope to face the horizon line to see how far out he could see with it out of curiosity. Coming to scan it from ear to ear of water's face. Stopping. Fixed on an object. Something very far away. Land. Having no boats as an asset himself to investigate the anomaly, he begins to search for means to contract someone that does... (i'm interested in aiding with both building and roleplaying the island.)

Steel Company; 2-11 The School Of The Scroll The Deep Cold, 1633 "Tour with me, Inductee." The Grand Master offers his arm to Candra whom has a broken leg. She carefully stands. Immediately slipping from her chair to her feet and as instructed takes his arm. From their position in the Mess Hall there were many Outlanders here. Xion folk it seems. An oddity. An anomaly of activity. One stands from his position. An elven X.O.G. that was loyal to his Kingdom. Having stated a judicial case to the Father of 2-11 to be the judge of. The loyal soldier stands up from his seated position at the table and excuses himself as he sees Lion has stopped listening to the case and intends to pace about the household, "I will be off, actually. Van'Ayla. Four Lords guide you." Candra’s let down tone quickly chimes up by the end as he exercises the manners of a true 2-11, "Oh- safe travels, be safe." The Grand Master notes this as he walks on, blessing the steadfast guard before he goes, "As thou wilt, Osildur." Turning back to Candra, "Have you seen the Record Hall, child?" He speaks calmly despite the mechanical whirring of a filter-device. Sealed under his faceplate for the use of protection against the thanhium dust in the air. It distorts his voice to sound like that of an iron rattle. Candra excitedly announces, "No I haven’t!" The Father laughs and comments, "So much joy! I feel it too, Inductee." Having walked forward as they spoke. Into the Record Hall with Candra pacing with him. She says in wonder as her eyes draw across the hall, "This is magnificent..." The Lion gives a signature single nod of acknowledgement and tries to explain, "Flink asked for it. God delivered… Yet, It's not yet finished. God’s good architect is still adding more details. Candra accepts that and lists her eyes to and fro, "I rather like it.." The two walking through the wall-to-wall room of books. On the left half is a restricted section.The right half public records for those with access to the chamber. The two reach the top of a staircase after some time. Lion ask the Inductee, "Perhaps you're more of a Scholar than a Soldier?" She responds quickly, with passion in her tone, "Yessir, I am in the order of the pen- or I would like to think I am.. I am not good with a blade- but I may study for hours and uphold knowledge." Grand Master continues on his point with contemplative tone, "Aye..." He turns to Candra. The decision final. He bellows a 2-11 litany, "By Scroll or Sword, I ask if you would like to be risen from your lowly status as an inductee to that of a member of this Family. The Steel Company; 2-11?" Candra explodes with faith, "Of course I would, Sire! I would be honored!" She bellowed back with loud pride, her chest swelling as she put on a face of determination. Grand Master Lion responds to her exuberance with a promise, "Thy will be done!" He stops supporting her with his arm. Leaving the medic with the broken leg to stand on her own two feet. Plainly stating, "Bend-d-knee. Create your vow to The Family. Make it your own. Align it with your motivation and desire to uphold the Cause." At once she carefully slumps upon her left knee. Broken tibia throbbing as she huffs in pain. Laying a hand upon knee, she bowed her head. Grand Master Lion raises the religious hammer made of steel over her head. Its face carved with all manner of religious scripture and Godly symbols. A relic from his service to the High Pontiff during The First Empire. Holding one handed, the memento steady over the Inductee. Looking like a priest who was holding the good book over a devout. "Candra. To what will you promise The Family of 2-11 and all that we stand for?" She almost doesn’t need to think when she promises, "I, Candra Kerron, pledge to devote myself to that of the 2-11 Company. To the best of my ability whether it be medicine, swordsmanship, or companion. I will fulfil my duty for our shared mission and cause. I will not lose my heart in desperate times. I will keep respect and honor to the 2-11's name, and I shall live, die, and live again." The Lion smiles. An expression hidden by the forged metal mask worn by the Father 2-11. A knight of the Mortal Realm. He repeats the litany, "I live, I die, I live again!" Raising his hammer straight up. "Rise now, Scholar Kerron of the 2-11." Candra carefully stands back up with a wince. Her leg hurting her further as she tilted her chin upward in confidence. At that, Grand Master Lion tours on. "You have begun to walk the Path Of The Righteous." And so on that day, she saw light. Entering the family. Growing God's cause. By book and blade. Thy will be done... (+1 For the Cult of the V8... haven't updated in a long time, but I assure you, it's because the guild has taken all my time. So much RP to be had! It's reasonable to not take anymore members on. Focus on those we have. If you're interested in joining; show me what you got in terms of RP skill. Roll-players and powergamers that don't RP basic exhaustion and emotion without good reason are poo. No drama-queens.)

Probably will be carried out similar to shamanism expect the racial-lock factor. Anyone will be able to learn if they show they have RP responsibility. I don't think Gunsmithing will be racially locked or circle jerked. Yes, it will probably be a small proportion of players in the know, but that doesn't necessitate a circle-jerk. At the end of the day, the knowledge is far TOO devastating for the information to be widespread. If I had to guess, I'd imagine a goblin would be a suitable student of these teachers. That all said, I highly doubt any teacher would actively teach any nationally aligned character like a War Nation member or an Imperial. That's just a recipe for disaster. I think it necessarily needs to be a closed group of those in the know, but I don't think it necessitates the operation will be based on OOC friendship circlejerk.

Steel Company; 2-11 Check Thyself. Before Thy Wreck Thyself The Amber Cold, 1631... Lion notices a chair right next to the door. A few leaves randomly splattered all alongside it. The door to the hut he dragged the Marked to still closed. The Lion looks at what seems to be a trap. Not what he left at all. He screams, "Sighard! All are dead now. Your blade is here." He lays the slayer steel sword on the grass. Looking for signs of an archer, for Sighard. Finding no sign of anyone around, the chair and the leaves having nothing particularly strange about them to most. No rope, pits, or anything could be spotted. Overall, the landscape seems unmoved except for the chair. Perhaps Sighard was still dozed. Grand Master Lion really doesn't appear to have a desire to approach the house. The moved chair truly unsettling him. Not even noticing the other details. Twitchers or a pissed off Marked; Either way the scene spells caution. The birds would be chirping, their calls unphased by any previous conflicts. The landscape is still peaceful and unmoved. Lion kneels and says a teutonic prayer. Talking to God, "All I wanted to do was kill some monsters, but no. Jesters. Zealots and Madmen by the numbers. Infecting my head with confusion.” If only Lion had enhanced senses of any kind, he could hear a few crunches to his left. If only. For the steps were unnaturally light, and the leaves provided good coverage. The Lion stands hurling a stone at the door. "Michael!" He speaks now to the leader of the Twitchers. The lobbed stone off its aim. Hooking off into the window nearby the shack. Landing right inside with a small thud. The armoured Grand Master leaves the sword on the ground. Wondering about the morality and ethic of the Marked like Sighard he shares space with, "Perhaps they not see eye for an eye..." Just then, a thanhium hailstorm begins to cry out. Covering the land in frosted death almost instantly. He takes off towards the gate. Hearing as he makes an exit, "Lion..." The voice rings from an unknown source. The helmet around the armoured knight unable to distinguish its actual direction without accuity involved on this instance. Regardless, the Lion recognises the voice, "Sighard! I didn't need to bash ye, but it happened that way! I ask you consider my perspective!" The thanhic hail still heavily falling. Lion worries even now about the health of the Marked man. Sighard seems to find no concern about the storm, his agenda set, "Sit on the chair, or I'll kill you, Lion." The voice shouts from the general direction of the house and it's surroundings. Lion warns the voice, “You'll die in there with this storm! I myself can't be out here too much longer!" It then responds, “I'll get to kill you before, then..." The voice seems to get closer. Crunches barely audible throughout the storm. Noises that Lion figures to be a Twitcher. Readying his warhammer. "Either way, I'll die. To live again." The warhammer wielding knight moves off from the hut he was pressed against. Eyes darting in every direction as he looks for signs of movement. The visual being his strongest sense in this world. He's moving towards the city… The grassy crunches seem to come closer, emanating from Lion's left. Still seemingly addressing Sighard as one of the Twitchers he warns, "Michael, we both know my TAC mask is about to fail... I'd dread being in this without..." His armour begins to freeze where the hailstones congregate in his creases and folds. Hearing another set of crunches right behind him as he turned his back to look at something rustling in the trees. The noises coming ever closer through the dirt. Back facing the direction of the noise, he noticed the glimmering slayer steel sword to be missing. His TAC filter bogs up with thanhic dust. His helmed face begins to whirr mechanically. Stalling, spluttering. Killed... the filter inside the helm has run out of juice. He panics. "****. ****-****-****." He picks up the pace towards home. Standing in the portcullis now. He keeps his back to the inner gate. Looking out to where he came; a frozen hell. Out of the range of the thanhic hailstorm’s frozen grasp. He stares absently. A squire’s ash before his feet from the fight before it started to rain thanhium. From the frozen hell, a large figure appears. One sword held in his hand, a large mask covering his visage. The Lion sees this filter mask arrive. Sighard's clothing. He beckons, "Get inside!" Instead Sighard takes a detour. Kicking back a broken door as he'd enter the gatehouse. Doors swing open as footsteps on cobble seem to get further inside the gatehouse. Grand Master Lion watches him side-off. The man doesn't look happy. Causing Lion to ready his hammer. Simply standing before the iron door Sig will have to get through eventually. Ready to bash what comes through. The knight shouts, "This need not end in death! I don't want to fight you!" A voice blurts from within the gatehouse, rasped in a guttural tone, "Your steel makes you clanky." Sighard then adds, "This won't end in death." Grand Master Lion grounds himself in. The steel warhammer handled in both gauntlets. The blood of a Strength Spirit coating the steel gauntlets and granting the user the strength of an orc, "Clanky, but sturdy. You'd better pray any blade made it far enough to stop me before I stop you. One blow, Sighard. Don't make me." A few more fumblings can be heard from within the gatehouse. Another door swinging open. Lion would be able to hear Sighard's single, hushed muttering. He continues to repeat. Rasping the same muffled thing yet again. Barely audible to Lion. The final door still adamantly closed. Finally Sighard speaks up, "This won't end in death, Lion. It'll just hurt...." Lion takes a breath. Saying a litany, "May death come swiftly to those who bring dishonour to their word." He wheezes, "Open the door slowly. I won't kill you if you mean not to kill me." A silence. In it he prays, "Doe Shvemish hteaati vaeace nogleaden. I live, I die, I live again." Sighard promises in reference to the events leading up to this, "I mean to return the favor." He'd rasp followed by one last muttering of the same word. This time said in a louder tone, "Availer!" The door suddenly violently swings open with great speed, a large fireball emerging out of the doorway in an extremely swift manner, approaching the knight's torso in a fiery blast. Expecting a running man and not a fireball, the Lion was stepping to the right through a doorway. Taking the unexpected fireball to his chest and left arm in a fiery explosion! Sighard An'Halstaig watches, "There." He'd simply mutter, his expression, hidden by his mask, unphased. The scroll burns in his hand as the fireball hit Lion. Meanwhile the blazing knight curses and hollers. The warhammer in one hand now. He employs more power to the magic gauntlets to wield it with the same strength as if he were two-handed. The muscles scaling to a nearly bursting size. The adrenaline is flowing. He turns to swing a blazened hammer at anything in sight. Dusting some cobblestone and not much more. Ripping the armour off his arm now as it singes into his shoulder. Sighard comments, "The sheer fact that you'll boil in that tincan for a while evens the odds, bub. Lower your weapon." Lion stops, drops, and rolls. A voice rings from the other room with a bland tone, "Don't ever hinder me from my work, Lion." Then Sighard slowly and cautiously paces towards the entrance way. Blade held by his torso in a relaxed manner, his other hand scooping up as to remove his mask, revealing a face, widely bruised in the area of his left cheek. Where Lion had knocked Sighard out earlier. Now he’s laying on the ground crippled by fire for casting the first stone. A smouldering wreck. His elven beauty tattoo'd by flames. Leaving branded impressions of chain across most of his left body and third degree burns on his arm and shoulder. He silently screams. His voice long gone now. Sighard approaches his proximity. A foot extending as to kick the warhammer aside. Finding it firmly in place with Lion’s unrelaxed death-grip around its handle. He shows no reaction to the pain of kicking the hammer. Sighard’s other hand scoops up to his baldric. From that he pulls quite a large flask that he uncorks. The bottle branded 'Emergency'. He'd pour the GREATER healing potion over some of Lion’s exposed burn marks. Dipping his head as to watch him. "Even.” The potion hisses as it comes in contact with the chestplate the Lion couldn't get all the way off before the flames ran their course. Though, the leather straps singed enough to rip free. It's the first thing he does as he roars to a sit up, the potion giving him new life to survive the fire’s aftermath. Letting the healing potion work its temporary abatement. An'Halstaig sighs, turning about as he'd slowly pace around the room. Carefully corking the flask and placing it back into it's designated spot. Grand Master Lion tears the helmet from his head. Clutching his burned face in his hands wondering how he’ll remain a capable knight… a new force of motivation stirs within The Lion… (He who casts the first stone shall get a return to sender. I write for the single user who acknowledged they liked HOTI pt. 2. Tell your friends about 2-11, feel free to reply to this post with some of your own RP. If you’re interested in learning more, reply in RP or in a PM, or find a member IG.)

We the people are responsible for reporting powergaming and metagaming. I've gotten plenty of people their due justice for enacting the offenses you worry about because I'm not trying to placate bs. Nor will 'people' be getting these on the snap of a finger. Did you read the lore? Additionally, you'll obviously have to join some well-regulated RP clique to get them (cause why would it be any different than anything else on lotc?). I don't have any faith in the MT and LT keeping track of it. I imagine you'd have to register your firearm with the Lore's creator anyways and that's how we'll be able to take justice against those who commit the injustices you fear. I'm willing to be surprised, but where does it actually state LotC is a 'Medieval' Fantasy server? Because I'm fairly certain we're just a Fantasy RP server.