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Anore

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  1. Liriyna broke the server twice in 2012 and also the teamspeak. She will never be forgiven
  2. Hi, in 2011 I was the first person removed from staff in the server history, my only real accomplishment in the almost 12 years I've been here. Please don't ask about that though, its traumatizing.
  3. The Biography of Gustav “Rat” Mane. Written in the Year 121 by Wilfred Proudfoot IV "Stories collected from those who remember." Proudfoot Cartography and Publishing [This book is written using Ban Appeal Writing Software] [Click here for General Timeline] Chapter 1: Gustav's Childhood Gustav Mane was born on a chilly winter night in 1686 in a small homestead outside the city of Ves. His mother, Maria, was a hard-working woman who raised Gustav and his sister on her own. Maria's husband had died when Gustav was just a baby, leaving her to care for their child all by herself. Growing up, Gustav's childhood was marked by poverty and struggle. Maria worked as a seamstress and often had to take on extra jobs just to make ends meet. She did everything she could to provide for Gustav, but there were times when they went hungry. Gustav learned early on the value of hard work and perseverance. Despite the hardships, Gustav was a curious and intelligent child. He loved to read books and learn about the world around him. Gustav was especially fascinated by the art of the barber shop and how they worked. He spent hours practicing on himself, cutting his mother and sister’s hair and various animals, trying to figure out how to perfect his art. His love for barbering was the beginning of his lifelong passion for hair. Gustav's childhood was not without its moments of joy. He and his mother would take long walks in the countryside, admiring the beauty of nature. Gustav would often stop to pick flowers for his mother, and she would tell him stories about her own childhood. Maria instilled in Gustav a love of learning and a sense of wonder that would stay with him for the rest of his life. As Gustav grew older, he began to dream of a better life for himself and his mother. He knew that he had to work hard to make his dreams a reality. Gustav started taking odd jobs around Ves, doing everything from running errands to helping out at the local blacksmith's shop. With his earnings, he was able to help his mother pay the bills and put food on the table. Despite the challenges that Gustav faced in his childhood, he never lost sight of his dreams. He was determined to make something of himself and to use his talents to make the world a better place. Gustav's childhood experiences shaped him into the resilient, hardworking, and innovative person he would become. Chapter 2: A Barber Builds Helena Gustav's mother and sister had been his only family, and his mother’s passing was a significant loss for him. He mourned her for a long time, but eventually, he knew he had to move on. Gustav continued to live at the homestead outside of Ves until he could no longer afford the taxes. At the age of 40, in the year 1726, he decided to leave the homestead and move to Helena, which was being rebuilt by the Empire. Gustav had heard that Helena was a city full of opportunities, with a growing economy and a need for skilled workers. He saw it as a chance to start a new life and leave behind the memories of the past. Gustav got a job helping rebuild the city. He worked long hours in construction, but he was grateful for the job and the chance to make a new beginning. After a year of work, the city was completed, and with the money he had earned, Gustav decided to start his own business. He had always dreamed of opening his own barbershop, and with his savings, he knew he had enough to make it happen. Gustav rented a small storefront on 6 Nauzica Square in the center of the city. He called it Gustav's Hair Cutlery, and he started to see some success. Gustav's barbershop was unlike any other in the city. He had a unique style and technique that quickly became popular among the locals. Gustav's attention to detail, his love of his work, and his desire to provide his customers with the best possible experience made him stand out. He worked hard every day, and his business grew steadily. As Gustav's reputation grew, he began to attract more and more customers. His barbershop was right outside the Tavern, and he attracted many customers from the central square. Gustav would listen to his customers' stories, offer advice, and provide a friendly ear. He had become more than just a barber; he had become a trusted friend and confidant to the people of Helena. Gustav's success was not without its challenges. He faced stiff competition from businesses in the city, and he had to work hard to stay ahead. He spent long hours perfecting his technique, studying the latest trends, and keeping his shop clean and welcoming. Despite the challenges, Gustav's determination paid off. His barbershop continued to grow, and he became a respected member of the community. Gustav's journey from a poor, struggling child to a successful business owner in a growing city was a testament to his resilience, hard work, and perseverance. Gustav's story was just beginning, and he knew there were many more challenges to come. But with his determination and his love for his work, he was ready for anything that came his way. Gustav's barbershop would become a Helena institution, he was happy and hoped his legacy would live on for generations to come. Chapter 3: A Gambler's Debt For the first time in his life, Gustav had money. His barbershop, Gustav's Hair Cutlery, had become a popular establishment in Helena, and he was making a good income. But Gustav wanted more. He had a taste for the finer things in life, and he was always looking for ways to increase his wealth. It was in the underbelly of Helena that Gustav discovered ways to earn more money. He began to frequent the gambling dens, where he quickly became addicted to the thrill of betting. Gustav would often spend his nights at the tables, chasing his losses and hoping for a big win. Over the next three years, Gustav's gambling addiction became all-consuming. He would spend all his money at the gambling dens, borrowing from loan sharks to feed his habit. His debt grew larger and larger until he was completely bankrupt. Gustav was devastated. He had lost everything he had worked so hard for. He had never felt so impoverished in his life. But Gustav was not one to give up. He knew he had to find a way to rebuild his life. Gustav began to take up any work he could find. He joined the military at the age of 44, hoping to earn a steady income and provide for himself. He also opened a shoeshining business, hoping to earn a few extra coins. Gustav began bartending at local taverns, and he even started giving tours of the Helena canals. But no matter how hard he worked, Gustav could never seem to climb out of the hole he had dug for himself. His debts continued to pile up, and he was constantly struggling to make ends meet. Despite his hardships, Gustav never lost his spirit. He remained determined and hopeful, always searching for a way to improve his situation. He continued to work hard and to look for opportunities to better his life. Gustav's story was a cautionary tale of the dangers of gambling addiction, but it was also a story of resilience and perseverance. Despite his setbacks, Gustav never gave up on himself or his dreams. He continued to fight for a better life, no matter how difficult the road ahead might be. Gustav's future was uncertain, but he knew that he had to keep moving forward. He hoped that one day he would be able to overcome his debts and rebuild his life. Until then, Gustav would continue to work hard, stay strong, and never give up on himself or his dreams. Chapter 4: A War of Midlife Crisis In the year 1734, the Orenian Empire declared war against the Orcs of Krugmar to the south. Gustav, having previously enlisted, was assigned to the 2nd Brigade, the elite siege unit known as the Gunners. Gustav had always been fascinated with weapons and warfare, and he saw the opportunity to prove himself in battle. The Gunners were a group of highly skilled soldiers who were responsible for operating the trebuchets and other siege weapons. Gustav was excited to be part of this elite unit, but he quickly found that the reality of war was very different from what he had imagined. During one of the battles, Gustav misfired several times and accidentally killed over 30 Orenian soldiers with a stray trebuchet shot. His fellow Gunner, Jasper Carrington, told him to keep quiet about the incident, but the weight of the trauma of the war and his midlife crisis began weighing down on Gustav. Gustav began questioning his life choices and his purpose in the world. He had always been a hard worker, but he had never truly been satisfied with his life. The loss of his wealth and his struggle to make ends meet had left him feeling like he had failed in his ambitions. The trauma of war only added to Gustav's feelings of inadequacy. He was haunted by the memory of the soldiers he had accidentally killed, and he struggled to come to terms with the fact that he had caused their deaths. Gustav began to suffer from severe anxiety and depression, and he turned to alcohol to cope with his feelings. Jasper noticed Gustav's declining mental state and tried to help him, but Gustav refused to open up about his feelings. He felt like he had no one to turn to and that he was completely alone in his struggles. Gustav's midlife crisis came to a head when the Gunners were called upon to lead a final assault against the Orcs. Gustav was overcome with fear and anxiety, and he could not bring himself to join the assault. He felt like he was a failure as a soldier and as a person. After the war, Gustav returned to Helena a changed man. He had lost his sense of purpose and direction, and he struggled to find meaning in his life. He tried to take up various jobs, but he found no joy in any of them. Gustav's depression and anxiety worsened, and he began to withdraw from the world. He spent most of his days in his small apartment, drinking and brooding over his failures. Despite his struggles, Gustav knew that he needed to find a way to overcome his midlife crisis and regain his sense of purpose. He knew that he could not continue living his life in this way, and he began to search for ways to make a change. Chapter 5: Night Terrors in Municipal Government Gustav was not sure what to expect when he was elected to the first Liveryman Council of Helena. On one hand, he was excited to have the opportunity to represent the people and help bring change to his city. On the other hand, he was still struggling with the trauma of the war, and he was plagued by constant nightmares and night terrors. Despite his struggles, Gustav threw himself into his new role as a council member. He worked hard to learn about the issues facing the city and to come up with solutions to address them. He attended countless meetings and worked long hours to make sure that he was doing everything he could to help the people of Helena. However, Gustav quickly found that working in municipal government was not easy. There were many challenges and obstacles to overcome, and he often found himself at odds with his fellow council members. Gustav was a man of principle, and he was not willing to compromise his beliefs or his values for the sake of political expediency. As a result, Gustav found himself frequently clashing with his colleagues on the council. He believed that they were more concerned with their own interests and agendas than with the needs of the people they were supposed to be representing. Gustav was frustrated by the lack of progress he was making and the constant resistance he faced from his fellow council members. The stress of his work began to take a toll on Gustav's mental health. He was already struggling with night terrors and nightmares, but the pressure of his job only made things worse. Gustav found himself waking up in the middle of the night, covered in sweat and shaking with fear. Despite his struggles, Gustav was determined to keep fighting for what he believed in. He continued to work tirelessly on behalf of the people of Helena, even as he battled with his own demons. Gustav knew that he had a responsibility to the people who had elected him, and he was not willing to let them down. Over time, Gustav began to make some progress in his work. He was able to push through some important reforms that helped improve the lives of the people in his community. Gustav's efforts were recognized, and he became known as a tireless advocate for the people. However, Gustav's mental health continued to suffer. He was still haunted by the memories of the war, and his night terrors and nightmares only grew worse. Gustav began to feel like he was fighting a losing battle, and he began to question whether he was making any real difference in the world. Despite his struggles, Gustav continued to serve on the council for many years. He never gave up on his commitment to the people of Helena, even when it seemed like the odds were against him. Gustav's legacy would be that of a man who fought tirelessly for what he believed in, even in the face of overwhelming adversity. Chapter 6 - The Gustavian Helena Despite his initial reluctance to take on a leadership role in the city, Gustav was elected Mayor of Helena. Many of the citizens of the city respected Gustav for his service in the military and his dedication to improving the city. They believed that he was the right person to bring about change and tackle some of the issues that had been plaguing the city for years. As Mayor, Gustav began implementing various zoning initiatives under what would later become known as the Gustavian Zoning Initiative. Gustav was a firm believer in the power of urban planning and believed that zoning was the key to creating a safe and prosperous city. One of Gustav's first initiatives was to ban basements in all new construction projects. Gustav knew that many people in the city used basements to evade taxes, and he believed that banning them would help crack down on tax evasion and increase revenue for the city. The move was controversial, but Gustav stood by his decision, citing the need for transparency and fairness in the city's tax system. Gustav also banned balconies that extended over public spaces, as he believed that these balconies posed a safety risk and created an eyesore in the city. The move was met with mixed reactions, with some citizens accusing Gustav of being too strict and authoritarian, while others praised him for his commitment to making the city safer and more attractive. In addition to these zoning initiatives, Gustav also oversaw the construction of the city's first sewer system. Gustav knew that the lack of proper sanitation was one of the biggest health hazards in the city, and he believed that a modern sewer system would help clean up the city and prevent the spread of disease. The construction of the sewer system was a massive undertaking, and it took several years to complete. Gustav faced numerous challenges, including a lack of funding and opposition from some of the city's wealthiest citizens, who believed that the project was a waste of money. He faced constant opposition from some of the city's wealthiest citizens, who believed that his initiatives were too radical and would hurt their businesses. Gustav also struggled with his own personal demons, including his recurring night terrors and anxiety from his time in the war. Despite these challenges, Gustav remained committed to his vision for a better Helena. He believed that the city could be a shining example of what was possible with good leadership and sound urban planning. And under his leadership, Helena began to transform into the city that Gustav had always envisioned it could be. Chapter 7 - Star-Crossed Vermin The construction of the Helena sewer system was a daunting task for Gustav, as he faced numerous challenges, including a lack of funding and opposition from some of the city's wealthiest citizens who did not see the value in investing in the infrastructure of the city. Gustav knew that without a proper sewer system, the city would continue to suffer from sanitation issues that could lead to the spread of disease. To make matters worse, the city was also suffering from tax cuts and labor shortages, which made it even more difficult for Gustav to complete the project on time. He had to take on the task of building the entire sewer system on his own, which meant long hours spent mining in the dark, surrounded by the stench and filth of the sewers. As Gustav worked tirelessly to complete the sewer system, he began to feel isolated and alone. It was during this time that he made an unlikely friend - a large rat brood mother named Ratchelle. Ratchelle was a Princess from the rat kingdom of Ves, a colony that was slaughtered by the famed heroes "The Cathalon Five". Gustav was surprised to find that he and Ratchelle shared a common goal - they both wanted to improve the city and make it a better place for all its inhabitants, regardless of their species. Over time, Gustav and Ratchelle formed a close bond, and he found solace in her company during his long hours spent in the sewers. Ratchelle showed Gustav the intricate network of tunnels and passageways that crisscrossed beneath the city, and she introduced him to the other rats who inhabited the sewers. Gustav was amazed by the intelligence and resourcefulness of the rats, who had developed their own societies and systems of governance within the dark and dirty confines of the sewers. One day, while deep in the sewers, Gustav stumbled upon a group of workers who had been sent to help him with the construction of the sewer system. They were completely unprepared for the harsh conditions of the sewers, and all of them died after falling ill or suffering injuries. Gustav realized that he could not complete the project on his own and that he needed the help of others to make his vision a reality. He turned to Ratchelle and the other rats for help, and they agreed to lend their assistance. The rats proved to be invaluable workers, using their small size and agility to navigate the narrow passageways and carry out tasks that humans simply could not do. With their help, Gustav was able to complete the sewer system ahead of schedule and under budget. In gratitude for their help, Gustav made a pact with the rats - he pledged to always protect them and their rights as inhabitants of the city. He recognized that they were an integral part of the city's ecosystem and that they deserved to be treated with respect and dignity. Chapter 8 - Rat's Wonks and Sanctuary Gustav had always been a man of action. When he saw a problem, he would try to solve it, no matter the cost. That is why he knew he had to leave his role as Mayor of Helena and create something new. He had built the sewer system, but he needed to do more. He needed to create a sanctuary for those who had been cast out by society, a place where they could live without fear of persecution or discrimination. And so, Gustav, accompanied by Ratchelle and a small group of rats, began to build the secret city of Underlena beneath Helena. The city was accessible only through the sewers, which Gustav had designed to lead directly to the entrance of Underlena. It was a haven for rats and other creatures deemed undesirable by the surface people, including humans who had fallen on hard times and found themselves homeless or destitute. As the years went by, Underlena grew and prospered. Gustav and his companions had created a peaceful home for the rats and other inhabitants, providing them with shelter, food, and protection. Underlena also became a sanctuary for the Wonks, a frog-like people who had been forced to flee their own homeland and seek refuge in Arcas. Gustav had spent so much time with the rats that he began to believe he was one of them. His voice and tone had changed, and he began referring to himself in the third person, naming himself "Gustav Ratmane." He had become a respected member of the community, loved by all who lived in Underlena. But as the city grew, so did its problems. Underlena became a hub for crime, attracting all sorts of unsavory characters who sought to take advantage of its unique location and lack of oversight. Ratmane found himself once again associated with the same people that he once owed money to, the Carrington Crime Family. He managed to broker a truce between Underlena and the Carrington’s, but he knew it was only a matter of time before their peace was shattered. Sure enough, the Carringtons secretly sought to tear down Underlena and take control of its resources. They saw the city as a threat to their power and influence, and they were determined to eliminate it. But Ratmane was not going to let that happen. He had pledged to protect Underlena and its inhabitants, and he was going to do whatever it took to keep them safe. Unfortunately, Ratmane's efforts were in vain. The government of Helena became involved, and they were determined to destroy Underlena. They saw it as a blight on their city, a breeding ground for crime and disease. They sent in their soldiers and demolished the city, leaving nothing but rubble and ruin in their wake. Ratmane was devastated by the loss of Underlena. He had put so much of himself into creating a safe haven for those who had been cast out by society, only to see it destroyed in an instant. But he knew that he could not give up. He had to find a way to rebuild Underlena, to create a sanctuary for those in need once again. Chapter 9 - Alone at the Alter, Broke at the Table After the destruction of Underlena, Ratmane was left alone and broken. Ratchelle had abandoned him, and he felt lost without her. For years, he had devoted himself to building a sanctuary for rats and wonks, only to have it destroyed by those he had once associated with. Back at the gambling tables, Ratmane tried to win back the minas he had lost, but his luck had run out. He found himself in debt to the Carrington crime family once again, this time for a staggering 200,000 minas. He knew he couldn't continue like this. Having hit rock bottom before, this time he had lost everything that gave him purpose and meaning. He had no friends, no home, and no hope for the future. He realized that he needed to turn his life around, but he didn't know where to start. The citizens of Helena avoided him like the plague, and he had become a stranger that nobody wanted to be around. He smelled of sewer water and disease and was always accompanied by rats. Chapter 10 - Alderman Ratmane Desperate to reinvent himself and make a positive impact on Helena, Ratmane came up with a plan. Through a loophole in the city's voting laws, he discovered that rats were allowed to vote. He saw an opportunity to insert himself back into the government and make a change from within. Ratmane began rallying the rats and other small creatures in the city, convincing them to vote for him. With their support, he managed to win a seat on the city council as an Alderman. Ratmane was determined to make a difference and prove to himself and everyone else that he was capable of more than just being a gambling addict and a criminal. For the first few weeks, Ratmane worked tirelessly to improve the city. He proposed new laws to help the poor and downtrodden, and even managed to convince the other council members to pass them. However, Ratmane's past soon caught up with him. He found himself surrounded by the same people in power who had destroyed his great Underlena, and he began to feel like he was fighting a losing battle. To make matters worse, Ratmane witnessed the rise of Empress Anne, a descendant of one of the members of The Cathalon Five - a powerful group of heroes in Arcas that had slaughtered Ratchelle’s family. He saw her as a threat to everything he had left, and everything he wanted to achieve. Ratmane became increasingly paranoid, convinced that the Empress was out to get him and destroy everything he held dear. He began to spend all his time plotting against her, even neglecting his duties as an Alderman. Eventually, Ratmane's obsession with the Empress became all-consuming, and he made the decision to leave the Alderman and pursue his vendetta against her. Ratmane vowed to kill the Empress in order to win back Ratchelle, believing that if he could rid the city of this powerful threat. However, little did he know that his quest for vengeance would have far-reaching consequences that he could imagine. Chapter 11 - The Hunt and Feast During the united war against the Inferi, Ratmane travels ahead of the Orenian Army and sets up camp, awaiting the arrival of the war party with his target, Empress Anne. Before the fight Ratmane managed to buy seven arrows off of some Dwarves of Urguan. When the battle began he waited for his opportunity to assassinate the Empress. After failing several shots he realized he was out of arrows and the ISA had taken note of his position and attempted to chase him down. Defeated, Ratmane scurried away from the battle, but in the distance he saw a giant glowing piece egg in the Horizon, pulsating a dark energy. Hungry and afraid Ratmane was pulled to it by some unknown force and in the moment, he took a bite of the egg. He felt a strange energy overcome him in that moment he felt that all time stopped. Ratmane’s memory began to blur from this point and the several years following this are a non-existent to him. Chapter 12 - Dedicant and Decadence After years of blacked-out memories, Ratmane woke up in a strange place. He was surrounded by trees, and the air was thick with the smell of earth and flora. He soon realized he was far from the lands where he had taken a bite of the glowing egg. As he sat up, he noticed that his body had changed. He had grown fur, his teeth sharper, and his nails longer. He had become more rat-like than ever before. As Ratmane tried to piece together what had happened to him, he stumbled upon a group of Druids. The Druids were fascinated by Ratmane's transformation, and after some conversation, they invited him to join their order. Ratmane saw this as an opportunity to learn more about this people, so he accepted their invitation. Ratmane dedicated himself to the Druidic order, devoting himself to learning their ways and seeking to become attuned to the natural world. He found himself in tune with the nature and sought to gain attunement and become the Rat Druid. As Ratmane continued his training, he heard rumors of his nephew Theodore Mane, who had risen to a position of power in the city of Providence. Concerned about his nephew's growing greed and lust for power, Ratmane decided to pay him a visit. When he arrived in Providence, Ratmane saw that Theodore had indeed become corrupt and had lost touch with his family's values. He was obsessed with wealth and power, and Ratmane knew that he had to do something to steer him back onto the right path. However, despite Ratmane's best efforts, Theodore refused to listen to him. He was too consumed by his own ambition and desire for wealth and power, and he saw Ratmane as a threat to his goals. Realizing that he could not change his nephew's path, Ratmane murdered Theodore in the streets of Providence. After that moment he disappeared from Almaris. Ratmane wandered the land, never staying in one place for too long. He continued to accumulate a large following of rats, using his abilities to help those in need and protect the natural world. He became a guardian of the rats, dedicating his life to them while continuing to seek out his lost love, Ratchelle. And so, Ratmane disappeared from the annals of history, becoming nothing more than a legend whispered about in taverns and around campfires. But those who knew him knew that he would not leave this plane without ending the descendants of the Cathalone Five and reuniting with Ratchelle. Rumor has it he is still lurking beneath the city of Balian… plotting.
  4. With the new minecraft updates we have a much lower build limit, so the underground is about 150 blocks deep and mynebor encompasses the entire cave system of the map
  5. Staff has decided the placements, no changing or any additional terraforming. Final prebuilds are due in 2 week.
  6. Public Reminder that @rukio has still given more rep on the forums than anyone else.

    1. HurferDurfer1

      HurferDurfer1

      THAT has to be wrong

    2. Sorcerio

      Sorcerio

      Maybe more rep, but what abt ratio? 

    3. Anore

      Anore

      @HurferDurfer1at least as of a year ago, Ruko has given the most rep in the history of the rep system on LoTC.

  7. A Current Mapping of The Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ((Click HERE for full scale)) As commissioned by his Royal Majesty Karl III, Wilfred Proudfoot IV, retired butler and freelance cartographer presents his mapping of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska in the year 441 E.S. After a year of traveling the realm, visiting the castles, keeps and villages that scatter across the Attenlund and using previous documentation on the land. The map is published in the latest edition of the Proudfoot Politico and sent throughout the lands. Mr. Proudfoot has been placed on retainer for the next twenty years to maintain upkeep on the map and make updates as the lands of Haense continue to grow and prosper.
  8. Dead space is definitely a huge problem on Almaris. Whether it is dead because it is too far from regions that are typically active and desirable or even just dead space that is unbuildable or even just desirable to build on. If we look at the Northern Continent for example, we have the Volcano Biome, the Ice Spikes, Cloud Temple, Swamps, and to be honest that entire jungle biome taking up 40% of the map, and it is almost entirely unusable, non-traversable and undesirable to a majority of prospective settlements. That's not even taking into account the mountains that divide half of the map in a way that doesn't feel like a natural divider as the mountains are so wide and when an entire tile is taken up by a mountain the only reason any nation bought them is for their internal game of EU4 to create a border of separation between them and other Nations. This has definitely been the issue in the design for the majority of "plains" landscapes on the entire east side of the map, the only notable areas while traveling through the landscape are the settlements that are situated there. There are no key features in the landscape, even if we have plains, having no viable water features or interesting landmarks in there terrain leaves the map feeling empty and boring. There is a severe lack of thick forested areas on the map, with the only one at map launch (that wasn't in a jungle) was kind of here, And lets be honest, that wasn't put on the map by Junar while he was world painting, it was done by Grool and Esterlen after the fact. The core problem here is that trees were splattered around the map at launch and had impact on the map and how people traveled through it other than just filling the empty space. Without thick forests around various parts of the plains biomes they just feel like long stretches of flat land and relies too much on the players to make it look better. (just refering to all nations and settlements as settlements for consistency sake) They key here is going to be designing regions that can still have these exaggerated high fantasy elements while also accounting for multiple areas within each biome or region that a settlement could go on. Not having a single region on the new map that couldn't sustain a settlement because the terrain was world painted for screenshots and renders and not a roleplay server. We should know at this point what kind of terrain works for settlements at this point, we've seen builds on all sorts of terrain for 10 years now. One of the big improvements that needs to be made this time around at least at in the months leading up to map launch is more transparency once the map is world painted. Giving players and community leaders more view of the map so that they may better choose a location to settle and giving them more time to build their settlements (not during finals week hopefully). Two sort of ways to address corner syndrome, one is to have a more interconnected map that leaves these more interesting biomes to be more connected to areas of the map that are more active but also not just leaving the high fantasy elements to the edge of the map because you want things to be more centralized. Even in a simple plains biome you can still throw high fantasy elements into it. On Almaris is seems that any cool landscape that players would like to explore were either massive which then kills some of the uniqueness, on the edge of the map, or never utilized by story team. This ended up just creating dead zones as no one wanted to build on these zones because they were first, utilization second. With the new update and having more access to greater elevations, the new map should definitely utilize this and create elevation changes between biomes/regions but not just on the large scale, even within biomes there can be cliffs, ravines, cave systems, hell even floating landscape bits, Even those types of verticality implementations can be done with settlements in mind. I think many communities have a history of building flat square cities on the server but I think that is done for two reasons: Its easier considering the weird verticality and elevation changes we have on parts of the map are not super usable but more importantly most of the map is flat anyway, so why should players have to be any different. Next map definitely needs to go in a different direction with this. Huge flop with Almaris, it had character in the planning phase, but when the original world painter fell through and Junar stepped up, there was no further communication between world team and story team. Junar painted the continent shape that was previously drawn and then used concept art that was decided on before and the primary reference. We built colossal structures like the Tomblands but at map launch since ST was kept so out of the loop on map development we launched Almaris with no story, and no narrative elements for players to care about the map. This resulted in some nations continuing to play a bit of EU4 with their tiles and focus more on expansion and politics then the world around them.
  9. Anyone who ERPs on a Minecraft roleplay server is perpetuating this issue. Whether you're two consenting adults or not, your doing it in a community of minors. There is no need for it, if you can't roleplay without it there other places. If you have to know the other players age before engaging in a specific type of RP with them you should not be doing that RP whatsoever.

  10. Roads are a big hot topic on each map for many reasons. They can make or break a new players experience and can help or hurt the ease at which nations interact with each other. On this map the roads were very disjointed and were primarily used to get players from the hubs to the current nations, they did not lend themselves to inter-community travel and resulted in the map feeling bigger and more frustrating to traverse than intended. Taking a look back and the last three maps and their initial roads in red and the additional roads that were added later in yellow, what were some things that were done well? What flopped. Atlas Arcas Almaris What were some things that worked or didn't work on past maps? Increased speed on roads? Staff Built Roads? Freedom for Players to build their own Roads? How do you think maps should be done on the next map? Should the roads be placed prior to settlements choosing locations on the map or should roads be laid down after settlements are placed? Do we want a single stagnant road system or one that adapts with the changes on the map. It begs the question can any road system at the start of the map be perfect? In many ways the roads are either great at the start of the map but bad at the end of the map, or they aren't great at the beginning of the map and players need to bug staff to fix it or do it themselves. I think an interesting concept to bring up is that of desire pathing. You can read more about that HERE. But the general concept of it is no matter where the roads are, people will general find the best path on their own. Some universities and city planners in the past have adapted to this and laid down paths based on what users found most efficient. I think we can apply this to next map in a way that allows players to find the best path as they will, and even if the map launches with a set road in mind, it can and should change with the time and any speed bonuses should come with it. At the end of the day, we don't want taking the roads to be a burden, many players want to travel around the map and see the world, but more importantly players are just trying to get where the roleplay is. The road system should cater to that. What do you think?
  11. Hey, its Anore once again looking for free labor. I am currently in the process of mapping out Aegis and its pretty ugly and a lot going on, to make things easier I was hoping some of you could help me label a lot of these locations on the map below: (sometimes we forget that Aegis was the biggest map.....) CLICK LINK HERE FOR FULL SIZE VIEW: FULL IMAGE If you would like to take time out of your day to label the ones you know that would be greatly appreciated. I realize a lot of these locations are probably very insignificant. Did I miss something? Post a screenshot marking a significant settlement or landmark that was left off the numbering as I am sure I left out a lot, if two labels are referring to the same thing just say continued or whatever. I have lost a lot of memory functioning over the years, it is what it is. For my sake feel free to add details about the location such as Location Name, Settlement/City/Fort, Primary Racial Group (I will update this post as more is labeled) 1. Cloud Temple + that lil Camp thing 2. Laurelin (Malinor Capital) 3. 4. 5. Sanjezai (Krugmar Capital) 6. Whisper Isles (Human) 7. 8. Kal’Rog (Dwarven/Merchant Village) 9. 10. Kal’Urguan (Urguan Capital) 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. New Terriko 19. Galahar 20. Alkhazar (Oren Capital) 21. Swarmhold? 22. New Alstion 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. Konigsburg (Hanseti) 33. 34. 35. 36. Winterfell 37. 38. 39. Talamh 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74. 75. 76. 77. LOCATIONS NOT INCLUDED IN NUMBERING BUT ADDED ON MY SIDE: Thanks yall, I hope this turns out half way decent.
  12. Draeris knew when he created Redenford that Oren would dissolve into a confederacy. Ahead of his time. Not even a perma ban could stop his vision

    1. Tiresiam

      Tiresiam

      imagine being this dense

    2. Anore

      Anore

      No imagination necessary

  13. Anore

    Acre vs Oren

    Mogroka will return with a rally of Brazilian contract PvPers led by Craotor along with a battalion of Eastern European Arma RPers.
  14. First google concept art. Then make in minecraft
  15. Since the fall of the Orenian Empire, Wilfred Proudfoot, fourth of his name, has traveled the lands of Almaris, displaced from his sworn duty to serve under the Emperor of man. While on his journeys he began working on the second eddition of the Proudfoot Politico. A map detailing the political entities that occupy the lands of Almaris. It has been seventy four years since the first edition and much has changed. Empires have fallen, settlements burnt to ruins with new civilizations built atop them. As he signs the map and lowers his quill, he wonders what the coming years have in store for this land and its inhabitants. He sends the map across the lands hoping it may serve others. ((Link for large viewing: click here)) On the back of the map there lists a catalogue of a few of the Proudfoot Works, with a way to reach Wilfred for commissions ((Basket#4977 on Discord)) Proudfoot Politico 1st Ed. Year 12 SA Regions of the Empire, 1842
  16. This mean's you'll actually have to respond to DMs, I know from my experience as mod admin we didn't have to. Are you up for that?
  17. I still don't know what to do about conflict, maybe switch to 1.8 pvp
  18. issues like these are often quite complex, I need another 2 years. You wouldn’t understand. i got kicked from the discord :(
  19. A "Complete" Breakdown of Lord of the Crafts 2(+) Year Long Website Redesign TLDR: Administration (this includes me) and their constant bureaucracy continues to make month long projects take years and still doesn't get done. Also a lot of spelling and grammar errors that I am too lazy to fix. I wanted to type up this post to provide some transparency on the project to redesign LoTC's theme and fix a lot of the issues on the forums that are incredibly outdated and have been for seemingly the last 8 years. To my knowledge the process started back in July of 2020. I was a moderation manager at the time and I heard through the grape vine that the community team under Muffins and administration were starting the process of trying to update the website. I managed to weasel my way into that chat and initially found out their goal was primarily to update the home page image and maybe the logo. While I am no expect on web design by any means I wrote up a little DOCUMENT HERE on some areas that I felt really needed to be addressed in order to make our home page more user friendly and just not an eye sore. Additionally there were so many background functionality issues on the forums that were not being addressed. In early August of 2020, I was kind of getting impatient with the pacing of staff team and the lack of anyone with web design experience on staff (I'm sure there were many in the community with those capabilities, but you know how it is with staff blacklists and nepotism of other team leaders not wanting certain people on staff). I got in contact with a web developer and together we worked up some concepts for the web design in this presentation PRESENTATION HERE. I liked the general concept and with the go-ahead from administration I decided that we would work with this web developer and out of pocket I paid for 75% of his services, it took convincing for the server to pay their own share for this project. In total it came out to about $800 of my own money for this design (money wasn't really the concern to me, GameStop only goes up, but it sucks to pay for something that never comes to fruition). In late August I was promoted from Mod Manager to Mod Admin unfortunately, I like to believe that I paid for Admin because I definitely was not the best choice at the time. I believed that with my new position as Admin I could have more power in pushing the Website project forward and ensuring that the website would launch at the same time as 8.0. I was wrong. For the first few months from August - October of 2020 the web-developer and I made great progress and by the start of October we had our FIRST PROTOTYPE for the forums, this was not finalized in any way but it was ready to start importing and re-skinning onto the Invision board forum system. This is where the problems started arising. As our web developer didn't have a separate license to create a custom forum theme (which we knew going into this) we created an account with limited dashboard access for him to skin the design onto our forums and get them working. Since, like all things apparently, staff likes to keep the stuff going on in the background a secret, the developer could only work on items for the site that wouldn't alter too much continent until we were ready to launch the new site. We ran into some issues where there were certain functionalities and plugins needed to be added to our Invision Forum for it to work and myself and the developer had to wait for Tythus to purchase them (for like less than $15 USD). We then ran into overall structuring issues that we needed a member of our Tech team, specifically Lyonharted to fix in order for it to work. Over the next year (yes I said year) the project consisted of long 3-4 month at a time waiting periods for me to get Llir or Lyonharted to fix issues on the forums in order to continue the design process. The amount of unanswered messages I'd send to Lyonharted rivaled only that of a player trying to contact an admin. I brought up countless times to Llir that we need to bring on someone that can handle fixing issues in the website but as we all know, staff is very selective and even the most mildly controversal member of our community can't be brought on to the team even if they are way overqualified for what we need. (That is unless another admin is friends with them). In addition our external web developer went through some pretty stressful life events that caused them to kind of put the website on the back burner, but in the end it is not like there is much they could do while they were waiting for staff to fix the situation. On my side of things, I have to be honest, I could have done more, in the year+ that I was admin I found myself taking on way more responsibility than was necessary of me and having a hard time delegating tasks. I found myself heavily involved in World Team activities such as developing the new map, community team activities involving content creation as well as running the moderation team. I was in over my head and was not equipped to do the job. The only reason I applied to staff in the first place was to not have to deal with locked doors. I could have done more to push this project along but I fell into the classic Admin stagnation state of working on too many projects at once and finishing none of them. When I finally realized I was hurting the server more than I was helping by staying on as Admin I stepped down in April of 2021. I passed off all the contact information and assets I had related to the website redesign to the other admins and cut ties. The money I paid in my mind is gone, but that's just how it is sometimes. Where is the new website at? As far as I know there has not been much if any changes to the site, I believe it is still just a selectable theme that the admins and maybe a select few staff and select and look at as progress has not yet changed. I wanted to make this post to own up to the mistakes I made in letting this project die, but also to bring attention to the work we were trying to accomplish and bring into question that now after two years how this project is still not completed. Google Doc Link if Post is annoying to read
  20. Well, I got an entire theme redesign finished to about 80% of the way before I quit Admin with all of that updated. That was over 8 months ago so not sure where that is at..
  21. I feel like you are making these names up. What even is that? Is that a word? Do I know you? I feel like everyone is gaslighting me right now
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