Tethras

I would have to disagree, bias will always be there. It's better to try and get two nations to cooperate rather than having a group shoving it down their throats. It's like the playground rules, if you and another person can't play nice then don't play at all. The attitude these days in player base is a good one, most players are willing to let warclaims happen. It's just a matter of the two sides cooperating to sort out fair terms.

I think maybe a review of the war rules, to make sure they're up to date. So there's no misunderstandings. But War Mods or a war team would be bad considering every Admin,  GM or player has some affiliation to at least one nation. There's always going to be bias. This idea reminds me of the Nation Leader chat, when people disagreed it just didn't work. Eventually de-evolving into a people squabbling like infants calling each other "retards, ect." So nah, I don't think it'll work. Sounds too idealistic to me.

if they deny a war that they provoked it's kinda ridiculous. Don't be ridiculous...

To be fair, they're not denying it because they don't want to fight. Wars are fun with more people, from what I see he's simply asking for the time to be changed so he can get more of his guys on. Look:

 

 

7 PM EST on saturday literally puts my British soldiers, including my Lord Commander, out of action. Perhaps we could go for 3 PM EST on Saturday?

If you read it, he doesn't say anything about not wanting to fight because he thinks he'll lose ,ect. But to get more guys on. Work with people, not against them. If anything it seems he's willing.  At any rate I think this is an apt song for what seems to be the "Fall of the Snelves."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c164h8SXwbc

I think also a problem is that is roleplay rewarding for that person? The way the server works now is that most things, you don't really need to rp to get or achieve. Or even if you do rp slightly, what decides that you get the role are OOC factors not RP. I do agree that's a necessity with some things, for example Military organisations where the leader has to be at least competent in PvP. But it's starting spill into other things, so maybe we should look at ways to make roleplay more rewarding for people? 

As Ever stated I think it would ruin the surprise. Maybe a video of shift walking around some parts of the map? Or some screenshots when it's built up a bit more? The map is small, and I hope people realise this. But there's no need for an "inspection team". The MT should be able to show parts of it off well enough without ruining the surprise. 

Farren raises a brow, as he reads the letter. Muttering (Written without the accent):

"Good words, let's hope he doesn't disappoint, aye? Maybe though we should call him the Iron King. Irongut? Get it? Bah! The only problem it may be mistaken for the Ironborn. But at any rate... 

Narvak oz da Bak Thrummaz!"

Dorri Doomforge asks "'Ow aboot Drommar? Ye dun knou shiot bou' 'im. Ye knou, eht wus Drommar dat gayve os Runesmiffin tae defend against dem khorvad damned mayges! We ou Drommar eur loives, an' ye dun praise 'im er erect statues en 'is 'onor! Ah wis' Dormin wus 'ere. . .er mah udder kin. Eur culture be slouleh faydin' auaeh. . .'e nevah even taug' meh runesmiffin. . ."

Farren shakes his head. (Written in common)

"I'm afraid that's where you're wrong. It was in fact Yemekar who taught Runesmithing to our kind. Drormmar gave us the perversion that is one of the forms of "Dark Runes" often called Flesh Runes. He merely helped our kind developed the art, although he did provide the Runelords of old aid against Ondnarch. Providing them with the material to create the Kal'Varak in which Ondnarch was sealed in for a time until he was purified."

We could remove ET, but what then? It's all well and good to say that players and GM's will run events. But will they? Honestly, but staff and players are lazy. We players are lazy, since we just ask an ET to do a random event for us random that planning one. The staff, leaving it to others, or simply not taking initiative. The Gm's who do events are normally part of the ET or Antag. It's all well and good calling for a removal of ET, but will it actually have a positive change on the situation? It may force us to do events on us, own but it'll definitely put more pressure on the GM's. Considering the way things are going, I doubt they would cope. So maybe a change in the GM team before removal of the ET?

Farren mentions that some Dwarves claim that Anabella is Ariel, whilst she herself has not revealed herself as so as of yet. It does not necessarily mean they're heretics, if they worship Ariel who in their eyes is Anabella one of the Dwarven Gods. He then goes on the rant, how Zahrer doesn't even have the authority to call the Inquisition to action without the High Prophets approval. Finishing his rant he writes down some quick points on how he thinks the clergy could be improved.

• More Tales about gods, many of the beardlings know little of the many traits of our gods and their interactions with each other. An example is Dungrimm, who some refer as the "Many Faced God". Whilst some perceive him as the God of War, he's also the Guardian of the Dead. 
• Activities, what of the provings where we send a small amount of Dwarves to reclaim artefacts? Or to take part in trials, so they may receive the gods blessings.
• Pilgrimages, should be linked with the teaching of the Dwarven language (verbal since the written form is known to only a few.).
• Should we not take the written part of our religion, such as the story creation and use it in our activities? A dwarf undertaking a task where he has to draw upon his knowledge of the story to complete it.
• Defined roles for members of the Clergy. For example the Prophet of Dungrimm would be in charge of maintaining and guarding our tombs. Not to mention blessing our warriors before battle.
• Offerings? There are many types, I feel that going towards verbal prayer is very human like. We Dwedmar are a people of action, through our actions we respect our gods. Through building great structures, to offering a small sacrifice (coal or maybe deer) on the alter before battle. Our gods, do not care too much for words they care for our actions. Through our actions we should seek to become better and better. So that Yemekar may take pride in us. 
• Re-looking at the place of Paragons in our afterlife. Many seem to think they're demi-gods. Maybe that should be re-addressed? 

((Other stuff is on the google doc I sent you. Though ultimately, we need to be doing things. Doing events where we send Dwarves to find relics for religious reasons. I feel we should focus more of the doing rather than praying. We shouldn't be like the Catholic church that's the humans, we're more unique in the way we do things. Not to hate on the humans, but we should rather than pray, do things. Do events, get people involved and interested in the Dwarven Clergy.))

What about instability with thanhic ore? Such as the golem anvil incident, where the anvil emitted toxic gas and caused the Golems to go temporarily insane. 

Candidates:

Hogarth Irongut ((Jordan1921)) X

Charles "The Bald" Ireheart ((Toto798))

Thelkan Grandaxe ((Goldrim))

Zahrer Irongrinder ((Josh3738))

Down with the delver line!

Name: Ulfric Grandaxe son of Fimlin

((MC Name)): worldiswar28

Candidates:

Hogarth Irongut ((Jordan1921))

Charles "The Bald" Ireheart ((Toto798))

Thelkan Grandaxe ((Goldrim)) x

Zahrer Irongrinder ((Josh3738))

"Yer son is without will, merely ah puppet fer yer. He does nae 'ave tu right to vote. Yer of all people bein ah lord should be ashamed ov yerself. Yer tu set an example nae tu manipulate yer own child tu cast ah vote fer yer so ye can du so twice.

.

People can vote fer like ot'ers in t'eir clan out ov t'eir own will. Nae tu be manipulated to the point that they do not follow their own will, but instead t'at ov another. Even in tu case ov voting fer two differant individuals, nae dwarf can vote twice or manipulate anof'er tu do so fer him without their own free will .As ah person an as ah Prophet ov Yemekar yer actions bring dishonour in my eyes.. Valen wrote t'ese articles, an yer clan made ah blood oath tu protect 'em. Yer dare go against that oath?"

((No alts are allowed to vote. Otherwise we would have people with 20+ alts voting for themselves. That's always been rule. But I'm not doing to official audit in the end. That's up to the Lords to decide. I would suggest Zezimus if he's up for it.))

Name: Farren Starbreaker

((MC Name)): Tethras

Candidates:

Hogarth Irongut ((Jordan1921)) X

Charles "The Bald" Ireheart ((Toto798))

Thelkan Grandaxe ((Goldrim))

Zahrer Irongrinder ((Josh3738))

_____________________________________________________________________________

Current Vote Tally

Without any votes removed

Hogarth Irongut - 1,2 , 3,4, 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17

Charles "The Bald" Ireheart -1

Thelkan Grandaxe - 1, 2,3,4,5,6

Zahrer Irongrinder - 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8

Predicted after "false" votes are removed.

Under Review

Currently one vote was deducted from Hogarth and given to Thelkan as Fimlin changed his vote.

Edited: Aleksis vote was for Hogaeth not for Thelkan. 

(( http://rozen-clowd.deviantart.com/ ))

The ray of light illuminates the small tunnel mew, curled into a tight ball upon the table in the dust filled office. The light reflected down to the finely carved out room by a series of devices leading up to the surface.  The room encased in dust, apart from the small area in which the tunnel mew lay and the hole it used to enter the room.  With a sudden sound of rusted hinges screeching the door is flung open, a small figure entering the room. The Tunnel Mew springs up immediately startled, darting under the desk. The figure begins to curse, but is cut short as he begins to cough due to the dust.

“Yemekar’s beard! W’ut’s ‘appened ‘ere? It’s filtheh, ah know ah told tu lads tu nae touch meh stuff... But seriousleh? There’s enough dust in ‘ere tu drown ah dwarf. “

The Tunnel Mew’s ears prick up at the familiar voice, immediately darting to the hole. Tugging at a small satchel, dragging it towards the figure.

“Eh... T’at yer Tabbeh? An... W’uts t’at yer got fer me? *Cough* Let go ov t’at an let meh grab it yer silleh f’ing.”

Picking up the small satchel, the dwarf opens it to reveal the letter. Seating himself behind the table as he begins to read its contents. His eyes widening slightly, as he finishes reading.

“So tu lad Aldal stepped down whilst ah was on Pilgramidge eh? An t’ey want tu put tu lad, Chase in charge eh? Speaking ov which ah still ‘ave ‘is fire tablets tu do... At aneh rate as  tu person currentleh in charge ov tu clergeh in tu absence ov ah High Prophet ah suppose ah’ll write ah reply.

Pulling out a stone tablet from a nearby draw, the dwarf hefts his tools pausing for a small moment to think. Before hitting the stone, carving into it his message.

“Greetings to you Wulfgar Grandaxe son of Morgrim,

It is with great sadness that I receive your news, Aldal served well as the High Prophet until recently when his dedication to the gods waned. I do hope he may find his true calling in whatever he may endeavour to do in the future. With his retirement it is fallen to me to be the acting leader until his replacement is chosen as the last remaining Prophet. Some may question this by stating that Onar Stormhammer is one, but that simply nonsense. He was never officially recognised as one, not to mention he’s not even regarded as one on the roster.  I shall not  mention his lack of dedication to the gods.

Before recognising Aldals successor though, I shall use my new found position to appoint three Prophets who shall aid in the new High Prophet as well as to help recover some of the lost traditions of the Clergy. These three individuals are if they choose to accept the position are those who shall become beacons of faith to our race:

Prophet of Ogradhad - Hiebe Irongut (Hiebe)

Prophet of Dungrimm – Duli Mudhorn (Omithiel)

Prophet of Anabella - Wulfgar Grandaxe (Zezimus)

Now with this out of the way, I hereby recognise Chase Irongut as Aldal’s successor and the new High Prophet. May he serve the Gods well, and his dedication to them never found wanting.

- Prophet of Yemekar, Farren Starbreaker"

Attached you notice a roster for the Clergy. 

Viva la Syrio!

((Warning the post below may not contain language appropriate for a certain audience, if you feel like you may be offended by said language please do not read the below.))

Good evening LoTC! My name is Dave, or Tethras/Afrodave, whatever you really want to call me. As of late I’ve had a recent thought crossing my mind more and more, the said thought you can see in the title. I ask you to bear with me in this post, as lengthy as it may be because I feel it is important, and effects you as a player on this server. Now with the introduction out of the way, let us begin!

For long time now, there has been a certain plague upon this server. This said plague affects us from player factions to staff, this plague is called inactivity. I'm going to be blunt, and In advance I shall apologise but I feel that if you’re inactive in any staff position you should have the guts to step down. If a GM to AT is inactive for over two weeks, regardless of being on “Hiatus” or whatever, he/she should step down. The staff member in question, if they’re truly good would get the position again if they should reapply. Rather than stay in this inactive mode, that doesn't really help the server or themselves.

I'm going to compare this to a similar scenario, albeit a little different. I was in a in-character position, and I was inactive. Due to my laziness or fear, I didn't step down until I was really forced to. I only realised until I stepped down what I fool I was, I had not helped anyone during my period of inactivity not progressed the nation. Despite my past achievements. I may be arrogant but I shall compare this to the staff, from what I've been hearing many are under quota. Surely isn't is reasonably that if someone is inactive they do the right thing to step down? Being beneficial to the server rather than doing this for personal gain. I feel for the benefit of the server, that they’re meant to be helping these people should step down. After all they’re not staff on the server for themselves, but rather the player base.

To summarize, I'm calling for a purge of staff from Admins to AT. Every group needs to be reviewed, apart from the Coders because they’re not something we can easily replace (besides them being awesome). Even if they’re active for 1-3 days, the people who do the audit should look at their past month or so of their activity to look. Promises are all good and all but they’re most likely be empty.  Admittedly it will be difficult with low amount of staff for a short while, but I feel it will be beneficial to the server to rid ourselves of those who’re inactive. Who act in a way, forgive me for lack of a better term like a parasite. Damaging the server, rather than helping it. Just to reinforce, I'm asking the inactive staff to step down, I think it would be reasonable for them to re-apply again when they’re actually active. But if they’re inactive, isn't it reasonably they step down and give someone else a chance? Or to do it to help the server, rather than simply posting a comment or two in skype.

(Just a note at the end, I admit I’m not writing this in a fully good state of mind but this is my thoughts. I’ll write a decent reply to those who would argue against me. An additional note, this post is subject to edit, as I wrote it at 4:31 am.))

"What if Dorf or Orc or Tent people attack? Truce broken then?"

"Read the last sentance, 

" Note that this truce applies only to the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, and not the other signatory nations of the Alliance, who continue to retain the full power to act as they please.”

 

Meaning that the other Nations can do as they please, it's simply the Dwarves who're doing this."

I have to agree with what the others have stated, new or not he's already shown that he's mature and a friendly individual.  He seems competent enough in my opinion, and he wants to help. So why not? +1

Dahnee'Yar wonders what the heck an "exodus" even is.

Farren throws a copy of the common dictionary at Dahnee, it reads: 

Exodus - A mass departure of people.

 Make Starbreaker Dwarf.

Can we have a forum post or announcement? I mean people who don't use teamspeak often or have been offline will be confused otherwise. Most people won't know the portal's in the old cloud temple.

"'Ow er lads supused tuh earn t'eir keep eff nae Minas es given? Cause tats where guilds stand as far as ah see et der is nae prublem fur gettn payed 100minas fur Duin wut yer expected, eff ah lad dusnae duh as ey is excpected tuh ey can get ah lower pay but ets ah minimum wage fur lads whu DU t wurk n arnt payed fer tats wut weh face ere."

Wulfgar tightens his grip on the throne as he leans forward once again, sharpening his gaze ever slightly.

 

"Younglin'? Iff ye 'ad aneh respect, ye w'ould 'ave learnt by now 'ow tu address t'e Grand King correctleh. 'avin' said t'at, ye brin' up ah gud point but 'un t'at weh may 'ave nay choice 'awn. Iff weh duh nawt 'ave t'is law in place, wut is tu stawp guild leadahs frum refusin' tu pay t'eir workahs n' 'orde t'e moneh t'ey gain? Weh mus' end t'is elitist attitude maneh ov our kin 'ave 'eld t'ese past yers, Farren. Else as ah societeh, 'ow may weh progress? If lads duh gud work, t'ey 'ave ah roight tu pay t'eir taxes, feed n' clothe 'emselves. Nawn ov us 'ave aneh roight tu deny t'at tu 'em. T'at is all t'is law seeks tu achieve. Even undah it, ah guild leadah can refuse tu pay ah lad t'ey dun' feel as dun' gud work. Iff ah workeh feels ill treated n' undah paid 'owevah, t'ey can brin' t'at leadah tu ah court ov Urguan's law. Wut bettah choice duh weh 'ave?"

"Firstly Fimlin, if the person is not working then obviously he doesn't deserve to be payed. On the other hand if the Guildmaster is at fault, then he should be removed. After all what use is a guildmaster who doesn't fulfil his role? I believe your suggestion the other elven day was for ranking system? It could be a part of it.  If there is little work, the guildmaster should create it. If they lack funding then they should request it from the Kingdom. If the Kingdom is unable to fulfil the request for funding?  Then the Guildmaster should resort to picking up his pickaxe and taking to the mines,  to pay his workers. Great power is bestowed upon those who run the Guilds, so that they may work for their Kingdom. Otherwise why do we have Kingdom guilds? You've yet to counter my arguments in an effective manner though. So I'll assume that you're unable to.

Now Wulfgar the Youngling, I recognise you as our King. But respect? Isn't respect something a dwarf should give to his elder? Either way it doesn't matter, because you forget yourself. We're not the Humans, every dwarf is equal in the eyes of Yemekar. We serve the King who we respect, my wording does not mean any disrespect towards you. But merely stating fact, you're young in comparison to myself.  So do not be so quick to jump to your title for defence, for I do respect you. But that does not mean I have to toss aside my pride and that of my ancestors. A dwarf without his pride is like a Tavern without ale. Remember what we're Wulfgar, do not mistake our people for humans. 

Moving on to your points, you've already stated the problem with a Guild Master denying pay. He can be removed through legal action. This causes unnecessary work for the Kingdom. Before you mention that if the claim is invalid it can be removed, you forget the simple matter that truth does not matter. But who your friends are, after all what kind of man would betray another who he has sworn to protect? Oaths and blood play a complex role in our society. So such things are not as simple as you think. Remember the Trial of Dreek Ireheart. I do not proclaim him guilty, but merely stating that both sides lied to protect their representatives. A better choice? Is to simply remind the guild masters of their role. Taking charge of them yourself if need be. We must encourage our people to compete, to better themselves. A system that gives more to those who work hard, is better than one that merely pays one for being there. After all the leaders in our society should be from those who work hard, not the lazy who simple wait for the right moment.  Gaining it through friendship, rather than through merit."

"We've learned Quota's do not work, why do you think the Workforce changed it's method of payment? And do not think change is so simple, with time everything changes including opinions and Lords. Even the Articles might not stand the test of time. And acceptable? What are the acceptable standards? Unless we have regulation and set standards then the judgement is arbitrary. Better to do it by individual basis, offering people increased pay for doing more work. Rather than having this system that does not encourage the people to compete, to better themselves and the Kingdom. Instead offering complacency, with a stable income that will not change even if they don't work hard. "  

Wulfgar looks towards Farren as he enters into the hall, running his fingers through his beard. He leans back into his throne, before looking directly towards him.

 

"Ye speak ov all t'is in t'e circumstance t'at t'e laws forces leadahs tu pay lazeh guild membahs. It dusn't 'owevah 'as it states t'ey mus' furst' perform acceptable work. T'e minimum wage is mereleh t'ere tu ensur' lads ar' nawt bein' undah paid fer duin' gud n' 'onest work."

 

"Unfortunately, that is not the case in practise. Look at the Legion, members are not payed for doing work. But for merely being apart of it and showing their face around. Those who're lazy can do the minimum amount and still demand pay. This system is clearly flawed, so I ask you youngling how would you resolve such an issue?"

((And from the OOC standpoint, the issue we have is active means for the most part being on teamspeak. Also /seen isn't a very good way to check activity due to not showing if they've done work or not. Better to pay people by having them to do work (for example forge a sword) and showing evidance for it. Rather than simply per week. People want to get payed more? They work harder, go out to get more work in the case of smiths and steal clients from other guilds. ))

Farren shakes his head.

"Lord or nae, I'll offer my opinion on this matter. Although it's truly up to you Lords if you heed it. There is a simple problem with this idealistic law, the problem be that it relies too much on trust. We've learnt in the past, that paying someone per elven week for work is not the way. But rather commission, at least for the Workforce and Smithing Guild. After all can you guarantee someone will do some work? How do you monitor this? How do you know they're not lying? You don't, merely going off second hand information. The system should benefit those of merit, those who work get payed. Those who don't, will lose out. Rather than it being for those who dedicate time, after all that is a simple matter. This system encourages laziness to a degree. If we arbitrarily pay all those who belong to our guilds, then our vaults shall be emptied within the span of three elven months. Those who work get payed, those who don't shall miss out. Maybe we should sort out the funding for these guilds first, rather than simply handing all of our minas away.

((OOC censorship is bad, power to the people! Viva la opinions! ;) ))

Name: Farren Starbreaker

Vote:

Wulfric Grandaxe 

Balek Irongut X

Give the new guy a chance, besides from what I remember Wulfric wasn't that good of a High Remembrancer. More of a scriber, writing down notes from meetings, rather than documenting our history and collecting books for the Library.

Farren slaps Aengoth, ranting at him that although the helmet would stop his skull getting crushed like an egg it wouldn't stop the haflings neck breaking. Shaking his head with annoyance, he tells Aengoth to make a full body suit or a cage next time.