Alan

RP-RPG is actually a real term, it's not something I just came up with. It's something commonly used in MMO games that involve multiple servers, servers that are classified based on whether they are RPG, RP, or RP-RPG. If I had just said "Role-Playing Game", as this is indeed a game that involves roleplay, that would be confused with the meaning of RPG, which is also Role-Playing Game. Just because RPG has the term Role-Playing in it, it is not the same as the standalone term "Role-Playing", and thus it is necessary to include both in the name of the genre. I know it sounds odd, I thought of that too when writing it, but I assure you it's not redundant.

Ya ya ya, >:I Edit: Fixedz et

Hello again ladies, gentlemen and everyone else (you know who you are!) Today, I come to you all with a message that may seem a bit random, but I assure you all there is a point to it. LotC has been the epitome of change for the past two years, from everything regarding policies to players to even our own genre. With that last point, the question is begged; what are we? What is LotC? Are we an RP server or an RPG or an RP-RPG? Are we merely using Minecraft as a platform for this genre, or is this still a Minecraft game with all thing said and done? Our own view has changed on this so much in the past two years that the sad truth is that no one knows anymore. However, for once we are making it very clear just what it is that is LotC Thus, we arrive at the aim of LotC. Lord of the Craft is not strictly a roleplaying server, nor is it a roleplaying game. In fact, the Lord of the Craft that we the staff are trying to shape is a harmonious mix of both, as well as a complimentary mix of other genres. We are not hardcore RP, because in the end we'd like for this Minecraft server to remain just that; a Minecraft server, and that means that this IS a game. However, neither is it just that as there is still a dominant sense of roleplay that directs the course of the server and its events, along with a strong community that is along for the ride at all times regardless of its current status. Thus, written in a sentence or two, LotC's aim can be defined as the following: "The Lord of the Craft is an ever changing and ever adapting immersive RP-RPG Minecraft server that is constantly trying to better itself both for its current community as well as for any future players that might take an interest in joining." Whether or not people believe that this accurately describes LotC, the truth is that this is still our aim and it is the goal we the staff hope to meet. Admittedly, we have slowly gravitated away from this aim over the past year or two, but we are certainly moving back towards it. The highest priority at any time is for us to make this server as fun and immersive as possible for the most people, and if that means changing around a bit, then that is what we will do. With that out of the way, I have yet another message to deliver, this one completely unrelated to the prior. Among the upcoming changes and additions being made to the server in preparation for 4.0, we have been making an extra effort as of late to make this server as new player friendly as possible. With this, we are planning on making a Tutorial Island area that will be present in 4.0 that will act as a complete source of beginner's knowledge on ALL IG aspects of the server. However, as I'm sure many people would agree, designing a build isn't exactly in the GM or Admin job description, and thus we'd like to focus on things that more require our focus. With this in mind, we thought it would be interesting if we let the players themselves design it! And that is the contest, the designing of the Tutorial Island that will be present in 4.0! Of course, we will do our best to make a suitable Tut Island for Anthos rather than waiting months until 4.0, but we'd like our future one to be as good and detailed as possible. The details on this contest can be found below: [Official Server Contest] 4.0 Tutorial Zone Design - Vip Prizes!

Having read everything presented in this thread when it was in a doc a couple days ago, I can admit that it is rather eye opening. We are often told how our server isn't "noob" friendly, but words are words are words. It's rare when we have chances like this to actually see proof of those claims, and then it's not just words but rather it hits us that we truly are in such a state. We have already quickly begun changing many of the problems that you mentioned, and more are to come. As of now, the Cloud Temple has since been reorganized. The "free bread" chest has been removed, as it is unrealistic to expect it to be consistently filled. Instead, it's a sight for sore eyes to open such a chest to only find it empty, which to new players leaves a bad first impression that gives a taste of inactive RP. For similar reasons, the shop in the library has been removed. The monk farm is private, and thus shall not be unregioned, but signs have since been placed there that point RPers to the nearest farm for crops should they need them. On top of this, we are beginning to do something about the old mines that are still left standing. Either they will be replaced by mines of the new system, or they will be simply removed entirely. They are still built on the mining world, of course, so they can always be repurposed in the future if need be. This should prevent any confusion. In fact, check here for the newest update on this by Ever. We have also had plans to create a "Tutorial Island" in 4.0 that is NOT a one time thing, but rather something that can be accessed from the CT at any time by anyone. It would have a hub area that gives info on general policies, rules, and guidelines so that players aren't totally lost when entering the world, as well as areas that branch off to give specific details on certain game mechanics and policies (magic, combat, etc.). However, it's pretty apparent that we are in need of one now for Anthos as well. Although it won't be as fancy or in depth as the 4.0 one will likely be, it will certainly be a lot better than nothing. There is no telling how long it will take to make it though, so no promises on when it will be released. That, and much more that we have acknowledged and are currently working on, some more planned on a long term scale than mere quick fixes. Thank you for doing this though Aislin, it was clearly needed.

To answer your questions in order, yes he does, as noted in his appeal. Yes, people get second chances if the rule the break isn't severe enough and if they prove themselves worthy to rejoin the community. Lastly, I have no idea what this has to do with anything, truly.

The reason Vardak was an exception is that we had /just/ given him the option of a second chance. We approached him and we told him if he came clean about everything we'd let him off the hook, as that's what a second chance is after all. He did, and thus no consequences followed. Had he not, he would have been found out and rebanned, this time for good. Also, Hunwald was not permanently banned for ban evading. He was already permabanned from pugsying, and when he was found out (or rather he told us who he was), his account was banned as his main had never been unbanned in the first place. Though I admit it probably would not have happened, had his main account been unbanned, we would have looked at that situation differently as well. I won't comment on your view of Aiim, but I will say that it differs VERY greatly from how others portray him.

Suggested "Atlas" in skype for the name of 4.0, Atlas being the Titan in greek mythology responsible for holding up the sky. Considering the void area depicted in Native's maps, the name would also be symbolic of that. Even when the ground crumbles into nothingness, the sky is left untouched as if unfazed by such "trivial" things as the land falling to ruin. Thoughts?

And thus we have a fine example of top class thinking! However I will be rather lazy about it, I prefer the less permanent solution of using black sharpie :)

Second. EDIT: Third.

The reason we do not have clear cut lore for the motives of the Creator is so that it is left mysterious and so that people can come up with their own descriptions in RP (AKA religions). Maybe he watches everything with an all seeing eye and is responsible for everything that takes place in the world, or maybe he simply vanished long ago and went who knows where. Whatever suits you best I guess ;)

"Aengudaemon" is the word used to describe both the Aenguls and Daemons collectively.

Currently, only GMs and Admins will have the ability to RP them, but they will not be able to do so on a whim. All RP related to Aengudaemons will have to be given the stamp of approval by Lore Team (or the Admins if it's a major Aengudaemon) so that they don't become common sights to see. They will also primarily only be RPed during events, though some of the minor ones might be found rarely here and there.

So as many of you know, a month or more ago the lore for Aengudaemons was removed from the LotC Wiki, due to their removal from RP long ago and thus the lore being outdated. For this reason, the wonderful Lagomorphia, with the assistance of both the Lore Team and Staff, completely reformed it so that it would be ready to once more take a hold in RP! The lore is slick and new, and as any car dealership will insist on informing you, newer is ALWAYS better! Trust me, the internet said so :) With that being said, does this mean you will suddenly start seeing these higher beings of myth and legend roaming the lands whimsically? Nay, this is merely the lore that has been accepted. However, in the near future (and no, not the "near future" that means "Three months from now" or "Whenever we feel like it"!), we WILL reintroduce them into the scope of the server. We will start out small of course, so you might see minor Aenguls and Daemons breaking news here and there, maybe more bountiful crops in one area or a random cult arising elsewhere, and then later on some familiar faces might begin showing up as well. With this being said, before any of you start wetting your pants with over excitement, do note that we currently do NOT have any plans for Aeriel or Iblees in Anthos, so do not expect to see them or you will only be disappointed! Anyways, I'm sure you can all just give it a look yourselves, so here it is: Aengudaemon Lore Be sure to express your thoughts on this below, of course! Is this something that pleased you, does it frustrate or disappoint you, or do you truly not care one way or the other? Be sure to let us know :)

Ok, you really need to step back and calm down friend. We obviously made a mistake, and for that we apologize, but raging on the forums over something like this will not help your situation at all, in fact it makes us less willing to work with you and try to sort something out. With that being said, he did not mean the term "split" literally. We accept/deny lore on a rough split basis, meaning if it's not hugely favoring one side (yes or no), then we discuss it to get LMs to change opinions so that one side will be favored. If a side is higher by a single vote, then obviously something is wrong with the lore that we don't acknowledge simply because a single person more liked it than those that did not, in which case a system like that would be even more flawed than what we have now. We HAVE thought of it, but that is not how our system works so it wouldn't help anything. On top of this, if we don't have reasons for denying something, we don't deny it. Sometimes it might be hard to put our reasoning into words that are acceptable by the writer of the lore, because at times are reasons might anger the writer, which is why these things take time, but even then there are still reasons. It could be as simple as "This lore is perfect in every way, but it isn't right for this server, as it doesn't fit", and that could be our reasoning for denial. Do you think a writer wants to hear that though? That their lore was denied because we simply didn't like it? Of course not, in fact if I was a writer and someone said that to me I'd likely throw my computer out a window (not literally)! LMs are picked to be on the team not just so that they can judge the solidity of lore, but more importantly to judge what should and should not be on the server so that we can keep a sense of theme, which might be hard to understand for certain aspiring writers. I'm sorry if you were a victim of our system, but there is no need to act like this on the forums. This is a prime example of immaturity, and regardless of how upset or disappointed you are, this is never the way to go. Next time, merely come to myself (Being the Head of Lore Team) and ask what the problem is, rather than coming to the forums to vent uselessly.

I personally would have preferred keeping the Global Moderator tag while also gaining the ability to add/remove members to my own team, but in the end it's just a tag. It really doesn't make a difference if it's red, blue, or even rainbow, as long as new members know who you are and what you do. My only concern is that new players might not associate people in the "Team Leader" rank with members of the actual staff, as a team leader could easily be a non GM. P.S. It's also the same color as Admin, which means on the front page when players only see you're name and its color, they might mistake a Team Leader for an Admin, as they would be impossible to differentiate. This can be easily changed though, so I'm not going to dwell on this issue.

Seriously guys, it's just a poll about what race you are, there's no need to get into semantics or nitpick what is what, just pick an option and be done with it. It's surprising that a topic as simple and basic as this has already ushered in debate over why it's unfair that one group gets individual recognition while another does not. Really... who cares?