Komodo

There are more interesting options when it comes to race. Humans have a lot of freedom for cultural diversity, and halflings and orcs are generally more appealing all around.

Pragmatic Meritocracy. All government positions are based on merit, and all government/state policy is based on what is most practical for its people.

Hear, hear, this man speaks sense.

I apologize for double posting but I must respond to Aedan. In response to your remark to Firestar, VAs and MAs were both rules and removed. Generally, there have been few problems and the server has adapted to the change well. As for your attack on my response to Rand, understand that that was a battle. Raids are not battles. I do in fact have experience, you don't have to be so negative. These players were focusing on a battle obviously, not on roleplay. However, my idea is that you will have more players online 24/7 to keep their town active to prevent a raid. This does not mean however that they would be sitting on walls all day. They can go about their usual business then sound the bugles and go to arms when raiders come. Simple! Other than all that, I think it's time for me to be logging off for the night, so I may have not further responses. Good points on both sides though!

To Rand, again I will reinforce what I already said, as I believe it will clear things up. First off, you don't need dedicated guards. Just make sure you have people on and the means to arm them. A militia works just as well and bandits would be less likely to act twenty people defending a town. You don't even need dedicated guards. Also, you did see those Orenians in a war when they were in fact waiting for an attack. If you are in peace time, then chill but stay on guard. As for the teamspeak analogy, TS does in fact bleed into roleplay. Players talk in TS and goof off on the server at the same time when they're bored. My point is that you'll have players goofing around when they're bored regardless of whether or not they are waiting for a raid. Besides, as I mentioned above, they wouldn't be waiting for a raid. Simply, it encourages players to be online more to keep their town busy and less likely to be attacked and more prepared to defend it. And now onto Sentlit's well structured response. I. Counter counter point? I would argue that the same could have been said for villain applications. If there are more bandits then more players would get robbed and eventually quit right? Wrong! I do not believe the server has seen a real increase in robber or murderer activity of a decrease in its population. The majority of the players will of course adapt to this, and the system will balance itself out. I believe these repercussions are really unfounded. Trolls can and will still be punished. This would allow raiding, not trollery, which is still against the server's rules. You will still have trolls regardless of whether this passes. And if a settlement is constantly raided and is eventually abandoned, isn't that one of the features our own admin team suggested? Using subterfuge and underhanded ways to lower a location's population? Either way, if players did leave settlements, they would move to larger ones for safety, thus consolidating roleplay. II. Another response, this one to realism I think we can mix the teas as you say yes, but that doesn't really over a reason for why we shouldn't implement this reform. The idea here works just as well with fantasy as it does with ultra realism. Fantasy generally means the use of magic, nonhuman races, and the like. However, for the most part we follow the basic laws of our world. Our server is based off of realistic fantasy. We have moderators to approve of what can and cannot be done on the server. I don't see how fantasy and realism can't coexist, seeing how they don't really conflict, and because of that there's no reason why this reform would completely remove fantasy from the server. III. Absolute chaos? Pardons? Well, let's just say it's like Godwin's Law, which states that as an online conversation grows longer, the probability of reaching Nazis approaches 1. Someone was bound to say, "No! This is horrible idea, I joined an RP server not a PVP server, this will lead to chaos and the removal of all roleplay!". That being said, I had to bring of the point that this would not happen. I brought of MAs and VAs because similar things were said when they were being removed and made less restrictive. But did those who put on arguments really have anything founded in them? No, the current system appears to be working fine. Removing rules that players think are necessary to the server is possible, and can in fact have little or no repercussions. It means the idea is completely viable. Likewise, OOC wrath and trolls are prevented by our glorious constitution the "Server Rules". Those players can and will be banned if the staff and players feel their rights are being infringed upon. This leaves the server open to more possible roleplay, giving you as many options as possible. My own conclusion: Assuming all raids are done by OOC players isn't exactly a fair assumption. With warclaims becoming more exclusive, and the staff encouraging alternative ways to have conflict, this plan would generally increase roleplay and consolidate it as it has on the Fringe. It still caters to those who wish to play a more peaceful character and encourages them to take part in different forms of server gameplay. The same can also be said for warclaims. It's important to note that warclaims will be consensual in 4.0. This encourages players to seek periods of peace and find other ways to roleplay when not at war. Allowing this raid reform would give something for more warlike characters to do as well! Remember, we need to appeal to both sides as you say. In the end, we will be doing just this and encouraging more RP as I said in my first two points.

Then why weren't you ordering your men to actually roleplay? I've seen people jump around town while their on teamspeak making stupid OOC jokes. By that logic we should get rid of TS as well. The idea is that players will be online more often. Not necessarily waiting for an attack, but ready if one does happen. If you're not active enough to stop your town from being burned down, you shouldn't have one in the first place.

I find that for the most part this really facilitates more roleplay then it stops. Why is it that lords did not raid each other constantly in feudal Europe? They had their own laws to stop such raiding, otherwise there would be repercussions. I think that if we let the players be the leaders in this situation instead of having to baby them then you will have a stronger, more competent player base. To illiustrate this. I bring up several points. I. Activity If players are concerned abotu being raided they will have to actively recruit and establish a guard to stop them. People want to coexist peacfully, but even neutral nations like Switzerland have armed forces. Hell, to take that example to the extreme, the Swiss have a strong martial tradition. The peaceful do not have have to be pacifists. If you care to look at players being pacifist, then let us take the Jains for example. This religious movement (according to the CK II manual anyways) really took a beating from other groups because of their policy of nonviolence. It's simple, pacifist nations haven't gotten very far. What does this have to do with activity? Well, as I said players will have to train their own guard. That means soldiers, iron mining, recruiting, and constantly being prepared for a raid. Believe it or not, every independent state has done this. If you are concerned about throwing all your playerbase into your army though, thus ruining your normal RP, think levies. Just rally your common folk in times of conflict. The point is, no raid rules would raise activity. II. Realism Now I understand that we have to dip into MC mechanics here. Oh dear, how much roleplayers hate those words. However, we are playing minecraft. The server may not be a factions based one, but we need this game as a platform to roleplay on. In some cases, MC mechanics DO take precedence over roleplay. This was shown when PvP was made default. Raiding would not kill roleplay in truth though. So how does one deal with a raid? Well, who is raiding? If I am King of Oren, and the Dwarven Empire decides to raid me, then I have a host of options open. I can negotiate with them to stop the raids and keep the status quo. I can counter raid. I can pay them tribute to stop the raids. Roleplay is open. If one nation raids too often then the other nations should gang up on them to stop the raiding. It only makes sense, this is what would happen in the real world. This rule would also encourage various forms of government and cultural values in various cultures. Since I have played LotC, humans have been a feudal society. These societies are based on protection. Think of it as a fancy method of extortion. You bay me homage and taxes, and I'll protect you. If someone breaks from the fold of a nation, they must either be strong enough to stand on their own, or they deserve to be destroyed. I am not as familiar with the elves, but I believe they traditionally live in large cities. Who would raid a great city with massive walls and a significant playerbase? Random bandits didn't take on Venice every day. This would consolidate elves into major cities for protection. As for the Orcs... Well, really I don't see why they wouldn't want this anyway. But I will make the point that their culture revolves around conflict (aka PvP mostly) and deciding who is the strongest. In the end, raids promote values, consolidate and facilitate roleplay. III. Raiding would not lead to absolute chaos As we have seen from the removal of Magic and Villain apps, things would not be a lost cause. Bandits will cause trouble, towns will be burnt down, the weak will beg for some type of mercy, and the strong will run the server. But... doesn't that actually sound sorta cool? Really, this depends on the TYPE of roleplay you want. I personally favor realistic, grim rolelpay with plenty of conflict (Both RP and PvP mind you!) and gritty resolution. If you want to play in an ideal world, then I suggest trying to make it in roleplay, not through rules. It's better to give everyone a fair chance then make others conform to what you want. Players who want to play peaceful characters will surely find it. There are havens of safety and places to live without conflict. But if you try to make an active down, be prepared that violence will come either way. You can't hide from it. We are all connected on this server, and all our actions should reflect that. TL;DR i. We get more roleplay from constant raiding by keeping settlements active and on their toes lest someone decide to strike them. ii. Raiding and conflict is a part of medieval life. The reason people banded together under kings was for protection, the same would be true in the case of being attacked. iii. As we can see from the removal of villain and magic applications, and the Fringe's politics, players are mature enough to handle this change. If they can;t handle it, then their behavior would be duly noted.

House Redwyne Lord Redwyne rode through his Vineyards at a swift pace. Alongside him, two men similarly mounted, Ser Henry Bushel and Ser Tomas Planter. Both were accomplished knights, and lordlings on the Arbor, each owning small estates. Ser Bushel had married Theodore's own sister and Ser Planter another distant cousin. Both served in Redwyne's court, Planter as his household guard's captain and Bushel as his master-at-arms. They stopped in the middle of the vast rows of grapes to discuss matters. Brief conversation was made on the wisdom regarding the Royces' decision to occupy Saltpans. News had traveled quickly to the Arbor via Gulltown. Lord Randel briefly considered the likelihood of a war in the Riverlands and its affect on his lord's decision to visit Harrenhal. The meeting quickly turn to such a possibility and the levies being raised at the Arbor. Lord Randel appointed Ser Planter to act as his castellan in his leave, acting for the defense of the Arbor in his absence. Ser Bushel would accompany him along with a hundred Arbor knights, five hundred sworn swords on foot, and two hundred free riders. They would take twenty Redwyne galleys to Highgarden to meet the king and join him in whichever endeavor he chose to take on. Furthermore, Lord Randel would see to it two hundred hands, leaving his treasury at only fifty remaining, were spent on constructing ships. He would await his steward's estimate on their cost. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- OOC *Sent 100 knights, 200 light cav, and 500 heavy infantry to Highgarden with my master-at-arms and myself. *Spending 200 gold on ships. 100 for 10 galleys, 10 for transports

Yo Mr. Crews I think Altiak is playing House Brune, the unifier of Crackclaw. Lark could play as someone like House Crab though as his vassal.

House Redwyne of the Arbor Lord Randel of the Arbor sat in council, a little more solemnly than usual this day. No matter how much he attempted to bend his mind to focus on his king's words, it returned to his sister. She had been thirteen years his elder, and only fifteen when she went to Highgarden to live among the old king's court. She had lived with the Gardeners, dined with them, danced with them, and charmed them. Five years later, when he was only seven years of age, Randel had been sent to squire under the crown prince himself, Mern Gardener. It was through this happenstance that his sister became acquainted with the prince, though surely his father had something to do with such convenient timing. Mern was a young knight and happened to take notice of Margaery during one of Highgarden's tournies. Also attempting to court the young woman was a Tyrell boy, a knight as rash as a peasant's scalp. Prince Mern succeeded in unhorsing the boy in the final round of the tourney and dedicated his victory to Margaery. Their union was practically sealed that day. Lord Randel had grieved for his sister, one of his closest companions in life. Though Lord Randel was not one unknown to hardships. When he was but twelve the Redwynes lost their second son to pox. At eighteen he was knighted. At nineteen he married a fair Hightower girl, and at twenty his father passed, leaving to him the Arbor. His father had been a money counter and a gregarious man. Randel was neither of these things. He was shrewd and blunt. He had fought in many a tournament and learned to joust and fight from Highgarden's master-at-arms. He was accomplished in the lists and would often take his galleys to sea, so that he could drill them in the event that the savage Ironborn reavers chose to finally test the power of the Redwyne fleet as they did in his grandfather's time. Lord Randel was a knight at heard, not a lord. He wished to command an army on the field one day, even though he was but six and twenty. After hearing his king's final words echo across the council chamber, Lord Randel took his leave. Once he was situated on his galleys, sailing up the Mander back to the Arbor, he received two messages from his liege. First, a call to arms, to raise his banners. At last! Lord Randel nodded slowly, sharing the news with his cousin Theodore the steward of the Arbor. They quickly discussed the costs of raising an army before going on to the second letter. In response to the Harrenhal question, Lord Redwyne replied. Your Grace, while I understand your affinity for tournies, not unlike my own, I would beg you be wary of such a joust as this one. You know I have a great love for tournaments, though my distrust for these Ironborn is greater. They are not gods fearing men like you and I. They worship a foreign deity, oppress their Riverland subjects, and are not known for cordiality. I would advise against riding to this monster of a castle they have constructed. Though, if you choose to do so only give me word and I shall be at your side with all my knights. You will need as many swords as you can get if things go from bad to worse. Signed, Lord Randel. After setting foot back in the Arbor, Lord Redwyne immediately turned to raising his levies. The hour was late at his return, though he could at least draw plans with Theodore in the meanwhile. He ordered his servants to bring him a flask of Tarly Whiskey, a barley based drink he preferred to Arbor Red or Gold, already having grown tired of the drinks he made his coin from. Pouring over maps and ledgers, it became apparent to Lord Randel that he could not leave his castle undefended. He would raise a thousand fresh men-at-arms, and a thousand cav for his army. Every land tending family would be required to provide him a household member and a horse for his banners. He also gave orders to begin the construction of his new ships as soon as the funds were ready. Twenty two new galleys he thought, and ten transports. Getting caught up in his plans for his banners, Lord Randel didn't even think of what this adventure may cost him until he had his arms around his Hightower bride in bed. He hadn't told her of his leaving. He was relatively fond of the woman. She was still young, only three and twenty, and had born him a daughter three years ago. He was concerned though, she may be barren. They had tried four years for a child, and still were after Rose's birth. She had his sister's eyes, but he longed for a boy that might carry on his legacy. The only family that remained to him now was his distant cousins. His grandfather had had two brothers, each of which fathered multiple sons. They married into minor Arbor houses, taking up small estates and holdfasts. Now a large portion of them, mostly descended from his eldest granduncle, lives in Stoneyard, the Redwyne's country residence. One of their number he took under his roof. Theodore had proven to be a craven man who had never held a sword in his life, but fine with numbers and managing an estate. He would serve as regent in Randel's leave, and Lord Regent of the Arbor until Rose was old enough should Lord Randel not return... Though he would not think of this. He had to father a son. His legacy must carry on. _______________________________ OOC Actions *Letter Send to King Mern IX regarding the Harrenhal Tournament *Two hundred Hands spent on recruiting one thousand light infantry *Three hundred Hands spent of recruiting one thousand light cavalry *Requesting specifications on building ships and wondering why I do not have transports *Final treasury summary is two hundred fifty Hands

Cracker, did you count my troops twice? I was curious if you accounted for the fact that you can't raise me and eddys levies if we raise them first. You have to subtract our troops from your total

My house has been completely revised and is ready for review.

Application; OOC; Forum name: Komodo445 Skype (can be PMed to me if you wish): IC: House/Faction: House Redwyne of the Arbor Starting military strength (keep it reasonable): Roughly 1,000 knights, 1,000 light horse, and 5,000 men-at-arms. I can specify archers if need be, and cut back on cavalry is 2k is too much for the arbor. I have about 250 warships and about 1,000 merchant craft as according to the ASOIAF Wiki. I'd also wager that since the Arbor is one of the largest trading ports in Westeros and I have a fair amount of coin from taxes and tariffs, I can raise a fair host of sellswords or sellsails to fight for me if needs be. Short history (completely optional): House Redwyne stands as one of the most prominent and richest families in the Reach. It is sworn to House Gardener of Highgarden and commands the majority of Gardener's naval power. The Redwyne family rules over the holdfast of The Arbor, bearing the same name as the island it sits on. They also hold another keep on the other side of the island as a residence farther from the hustle and bustle of the main cities of Vinetown and Ryamsport. These major cities provide Redwyne with much of its funds and trade is a very important source of income for the family. Scattered across the island are many small estates and holdfasts home to various small lordling or knightly houses with names such as Viner, Planter, and Bushells. While the Arbor does not command the manpower of the Reach mainland, their fleet acts as a wooden wall against those that would do them harm, even the Ironborn think twice before striking Ryamsport! House Redwyne is currently ruled by Lord Randel known to his court as "The Shipbuilder" for accomplishing a momentus task of building fifty warships in only the first five years of his rule!

Vassily notes to his fellows that August Flay is revered to a near degree of sainthood in Ruskan circles as the man who held the Teuton heretics at bay against the good town of Kralta.

"Wagner was used, well chosen" says Bayreuth

Off in a distant land a quill made of crows feather lays upon a table. A left hand rests beside it as the right carefully holds a letter. It hails Diedrik Carrion as "Uncle" by the hand of Tuvya Carrion. Though by the laws of nature, old Dirk's hand should be old and withered. This is not that hand... "One vote..." The hand's owner mutters. His hair is dark and his eyes a deep emerald green. His mouth twists into a somewhat familiar half smirk. "Well, it seems he had some sort of impression on Carrion." The desk is littered with papers, all of them bearing the same name, written a million different ways. "Diedrik II Carrion" His hair is dark, with no sign of age. His eyes are deep, but full of youth. He couldn't be older then seven and ten. Still, there is something so familiar about the boys face... "I guess I'll have some explanations to give when I return home." He shrugs, takes up an old flask in his hand and retrieves a nearby book and turns to a chapter labelled "The Drowner".

Carrion and Raevirs everywhere gather their levies to do battle!The ancient stories are told, the old folk tales passed down to this new generation. NATO IS CALLED ONCE MORE TO FIGHT FOR GOOD! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGLteEaPTgw

10/10 would kill greens again

Vassily is pleased the term "Duma" was used correctly. He will attend both, being Lord High Strelt of Crowsfield. ((++1 10/10, fine folklore here. Happy to see people actually looking up things on Raevirs and then using them in a proactive manner. This has the Raevir folkmaster seal of approval. Good job.))

Streltsy spit on disgusting traditionalists but agree with Peter because Roses are friends to Carrion lords.

Ghost of Pyotr mutters... "Traditionalists and divines..."

Many streltsy rejoice. "Mother Raev! Godani Jest Wielk! Borsa Stronk!"

((Play a Raevir boy, Strelt Son. Think about it...))

"Godani Jest, RIP"

Streltsy say "Long live King Roy of the Raevirs!"