Xerdun

Deathly silence returns to the tomb, the light rustle on paw on rock fading as the last of the Kha exit through the waterfall. Inside, the rush of water streaming overhead is barely audible. The final trickle of torchlight glints eerily across the ceiling and walls, reflecting from the ceremonial gold bronze burial armour of Tla' Xerdun. Little now remains of the first Tlatlanni, the whiteness of his bones paling in comparison to the glory of his once radiant fur. The stones left to honour the fallen, rock gently as a gust of wind forces its way into the cave. A deep purring echoes through the cave as the wind dashes through the bronze chain in Tla' Xerdun's armour. It is only the wind. ((I was directed here by an old friend, Benboboy, last night and I must say, reading this really touched me. It was only 2 days ago I was reminicising of the old LotC days, and I had no idea the server was still running, let alone the Kharajyr would still exist. It’s truly remarkable to see what’s happened to the race and rest assured, I’ll be watching from the sidelines. I’ve returned now to show my respect to those that have clearly invested a great deal of time into the race since my departure, and also to give you guys some more information. I saw yesterday that people are still making the old argument of “this race is just Khajiit”, and if I’m being completely honest, they’re at least partially right. I’d say about 50% of my inspiration for the Kharajyr draws from the Khajiit, the most obvious being the naming prefixes and the appearance. The rest of the influence has been drawn from the Aztecs and Incas, real life felines and, to a lesser degree, the Haradrim and Easterlings from LotR. The Khajiit are the only feline race I know of in any fantasy setting (aside from the Kharajyr), so I can understand why people would jump to this conclusion. In my opinion, humanoid, feline beast races should be much more prominent in fantasy and I’d love to see them become more mainstream, alongside the standard Elves, Dwarves and Orcs that I'd struggle to call original. I left LotC due to real life stresses and being unable to manage the responsibilities that came with managing my own race, I bit off more than I could chew. That’s unlikely to change now, since having left university I now run my own business and just can’t find the time. That being said, I still have many, many fond memories of LotC, and would like to contribute to the Kharajyr in what small ways I can, if there’s a demand. I’d be more than happy to design skins, help with lore, events – whatever’s needed to get this race up and running. From what I can see, the race took a bit of a nose dive until a few months ago, and I’d like to ensure the legacy lives on. I’m very aware I’m rambling now, but typing this is making me incredibly nostalgic. Who knows, perhaps I could even be coaxed into firing up Minecraft again for the first time in over 2 years. I'll be watching over you as mother Metzli has. Thanks again.))

(( Personally I like Arianne or either of Talf's designs best. Haven't seen a single one that isn't the kind of thing that I'd have in my head though when I think of Kharajyr ships. I'd say Arianne's was best if it wasn't floating and didn't have the weird wheel-y things at the sides :P Edit: Tiazar's is really awesome too, I just don't like the sail - either its position or shape :P ))

(( Ahahaha now you've pointed it out I see where you're coming from :P. On the night of your wedding, as you seek to consummate the matrimony, I'll be there - watching over you through the window. I might come online, hide in a tree and just spam chat with some star rp :P. I kid ofcourse. As the drudgery of revision gets ever heavier I will probably be around the forums more :). I've come to realise I don't really miss rp, but I do miss you guys. Maybe I'll boot up TS from time to time ^^ ))

Tla' Xerdun's star shall be burning brighter than usual to mark his respect for the new Tlatlanni and to honour his marriage. Long may his rule be and may his marriage be blessed with many beautiful white kittens. Ever will I be watching over the mighty Tla' Tiazar and his family (( I like to drop by now and then and have a nosey at what's been going on. I can't say I've been at all disappointed, you guys seem to be doing an absolutely fantastic job :). I wish you all the best with the wedding and festival! ))

The flame had all but burned out. The fiery blue passion that ever roared in Tla' Xerdun's eyes was now doused in the tears that poured down his face, matting his white fur. He had been sat in his chambers alone, thinking endlessly for days. Tla' Xerdun, prophesised to be the greatest Tlatlanni Khalenwyr had ever known, had failed. His people were leaving the shores of the Empire in hordes and there was nothing he could do to stop them. His dreams were haunted with visages of destruction and of death. That night Metztli appeared to Xerdun in a dream. He felt at peace as the beautiful blue furred Kha's figure held him in her arms upon his bed, stroking his fur comfortingly. Metztli whispered into his ears of peace, that having restored Va' Khajra and reignited the Kharajyr's faith in their deity, he had done all he could for his people and that now was his time to join her. Slowly awaking from his dream, Xerdun quietly made his way into Metztli's chamber. He placed both his paws onto the pulsating blue stone and bowed his head, whispering "Xerdun is ready - do with him as you will". An eruption of light cast itself from the stone and all turned to black. Xerdun did not know how long had passed, but now he found himself atop the rear of the Temple. Metztli was high in the sky above him and the air around him was unnaturally cold. The jungle was silent and empty. "I will catch you, my child"; the whisper cool and quiet as if carried by the breeze. As Xerdun stood, looking down over the edge of the Temple he could hear his tears echoing off of the cold stone below him. Turning his back on the drop the Emperor raised his hands into the air, his paws turned upwards. Closing his eyes and tilting his face to the sky he took a final, long inward breath, savouring the sensation. "Sa'vi". There was nothing but air; the rushing of air past his ears as his hind paws pushed outwards with all of their might. The dense blackness of the jungle was pierced for several moments by a light, brighter than Metztli herself. Many say that this light originated from where Xerdun's body had been found. The light rose slowly and steadily from the ground, pouring into even the densest regions of the jungle. The glow faded as the ball of light rose higher and higher into the sky, allowing the foliage to be shrouded in darkness once more. The ball rose until halting by Metztli's side in the heavens. Tla' Xerdun's spirit was given a place of honour in Metztli's entourage, illuminating a portion of the skies above the Khalenwyr Empire each night. Tla' Xerdun's star is said to be amongst the brightest in the night sky and serves as a reminder to the Kharajyr people of his sacrifice, both in living and in death, to the Empire. The Tlatlanni's body was found at the rear base of the Temple, utterly unscathed and untouched. He lay facing the sky. His eyes were closed. His arms outstretched. His face lay entirely dormant, brightened only by the calm smile that lay across his lips. (( I didn't feel that just dying would be dramatic enough and so I decided that upon my death (like all Kharajyr) I should go and join Metztli in the heavens and for the deeds I'd performed was granted a place of honour, just below Metztli, as one of the brightest stars, destined to trail behind her throughout the sky for rest of eternity. Know that I am ever watching over you all. Perhaps a good idea for a roleplaying event would be my funeral - I would say it should be held at the peak of the Temple. Custom dictates the body should be burned so that it may join the spirit in the heavens. Goodbye my friends, it has been a pleasure, and I hope you enjoyed this final piece of lore. I shall return to you over the summer period and look forward to once again roleplaying with you all. Sa'vi my children :) ))

/toggletells was the single greatest addition to the coding for the server that I've had to use. Anyhow, that aside on to business... Ben is right, and I fear that, it now being monday night I have come to my decision. Before stating it though I once more want to thank everyone, especially for your kind comments (not even going to lie - I was tearful) and support. Your understanding, whilst not making my decision simple has helped to ease my mind and conscience. I'd also like to thank Gaius, its good to know that you still drop by now and then my friend. So - my decision is that I am stepping down as Tlatlanni. I will write a final piece of lore and then I shall be departing from LOTC for the foreseeable future (eg till after exams). After this time I'd like to return and over summer roleplay some kind of miner, warrior or something of the sorts, I don't know, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Its truly been an honour bringing this race to life and I'm sure that, under new and enthused leadership it will flourish more than it ever could under me. I pass the flag of OOC leadership to Benboboy and Lykos jointly - to do with the race what they will. I feel I wanted to give them both this responsibility because A. they are both ideal for the job and eliminating one would be too difficult and B. because the burden (as I discovered) should not be bourne alone. This essentially gives them both utter control over the Kharajyr. I'd still like to assume (when I return after my exams) that I can rejoin this OOC team of sorts once more, should it be necessary, but that's another story for another time. If Ben and Lykos want to overrule the entire Kharajyr concept and make them fly around in wooden spaceships that shoot chocolate flavoured lasers - so be it, I'm resigning from being able to stop them (although I can imagine the admin team may have a thing or two to say.....) This brings about the need for an IC ruler - the new Tlatlanni. I give Lykos and Ben the power to decide between them who should gain the position. This does not prevent either of them from taking the position but they should both agree on the new chosen. How the change to Tlatlanni occurs could be in one of 2 ways - After the death of... well me... Metztli bestows her loving gift upon a new individual who's coat begins to turn white over a number of days. Alternatively, the moment I die, a sole white kitten is born to normal Kharajyr parents. The Aelkos would then rule until the kitten was of age to rule. Or if Ben and Lykos have other ideas then that's fantastic too :). If either Ben or Lykos do not want to assume this position of authority - so be it, but they should find someone else suitable to carry OOC control of the Kharajyr in their stead. I wish the both of them, and indeed everyone else in the Kharajyr the very best of luck in the future. Whilst this is most certainly not the end of the Kharajyr, and not the end of my time with them, I bid you all the very fondest of farewells. I shall return after my exams when things have become less hectic and I once again have the time to devote to this truly remarkable server. You have all given me such incredible memories and I could never let that go - I will be back in a few months. Sa'vi my tailed (and equally important non-tailed) brethren, I shall miss you all until my return