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Posts posted by ScreamingDingo
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malin was the september prince
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1 hour ago, AnonymousAlexa said:
I think the biggest problem the server faces currently is pvp unionism. Back in the day, pvpers would play within actual nations, but now, almost all the pvpers on the server are a part of a single group that uses their mechanical skill to control server politics that they have no actual stakes in--all for the sake of clicks.
This has created a rather toxic server environment that has made fun conflict impossible. From bad faith actors to moderators and a certain admin that enable such behaviors, my experience on the server has drastically diminished in recent months.
Holy shit did I actually prevent something
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- Popular Post
- Popular Post
It's a half-half situation. There are people who definitely use these slurs with their IRL intent and they should be punished for doing as such. There's a very fine line for certain slurs and insults that need to stay detatched from IRL and also be relevant to the cultures that are there.
"Knife-Ear" is a term I think that is great and does represent some of the sentinments and hatred towards the elven race [which has been seen throughout the server's 11 years of existence]. 'Darkie' itself is a contested one, mainly because it can be utilised by groups with ill-intentions, but it is on the edge of what could be considered acceptable or not.
Biggest thing is just making sure these things do not allow for groups to be spreading hate-speech OOC. I expect the Mods to know where that line is and to be able to monitor/protect the playerbase effectively.32 -
Quote
Mechanics-based combat roleplay (MRP) is also considered RP, however, it uses Minecraft combat to simulate the encounter.
"Hey, did you see how the King did combat?> He was swinging and jumping at the same time, they even took leaps from 15 block walls to pursue the enemy! At one time he even regurgitated a boat and started sliding along the ice. So cool."
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one of my favourite potion dpm exploiters.
get those drinks that are coded with strength 2 back in circulation
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3 hours ago, Omen Prince said:
I am aware of the poor appearance I presented during the conclusive Arcas eventline, as well as the convoluted headcanon I pushed in order to motivate the Illuminati cult that I believed could cultivate an entertaining end-map story, but the things I learned had been said of me and the strange reputation that you allowed to ferment in the staff surrounding my work did not feel properly representative of our friendship and association which had spanned well over a decade.
All of this amounted to me finding my own hobby annoying, and that is not something I feel should be felt by anyone who has taken up the effort to contribute to this community. I was reminded of it when Nozoa's alchemist cult fell apart because he caught wind of the poor staff talk surrounding his group's roleplay - something that had, to my understanding, led to his loss of motivation to continue providing a new and unique experience to people who had plentifully participated in his work. I am both disappointed and glad it turned out that way, as he did not waste entire years just to be stonewalled.
Do not allow this to happen again. No one in the lore team should be invested in being judgmental about how people stylize their project, especially when it gains significant traction in a dynamic world such as this, especially when his efforts lacked the canon-altering elements that mine had. People such as him and others are a dime-a-dozen, and by being a motivational detriment to them is like setting fire to the creative energies of this community.
I was simply annoyed that during the Arcas eventline you took opportunities and completely ran them off the road to run your own sideplots, as you did with various other projects we've worked together on. When there's momentum to try and build an antagonist that isn't terrible for once, I was really quite bewildered at the actions and attitudes of entitlement you were given with these set pieces.
Though, your work was not destroyed or brutalised by a reputation 'I' fostered, it instead has been something probably since at least the [TOS] Admin's tenure in staff trying to reverse and change some of the things that were under your care. Nozoa's alchemist cult was not destroyed by some staff agenda aswell. I am allowed to have my likes and dislikes for roleplay, but there was no systematic shutdown, and I do not believe peddling a false narrative of staff dislikes [or even my dislikes] can completely destroy aspirant lore communities like Nozoa's.
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Xionism as a written concept and it's ideals are something I honestly respect immensely and see as one of the sole player-led religions that have thrived without staff intervention (bar Canonism) that have actually taken root in the servers culture and influenced many players. My annoyance with Xionism comes from it's lack of follow through and it's interpretation by players to justify it as an excuse for some pretty poor and non narrative driven rp out ones. But as a written ideal made by you ages ago, Xionism does achieve what it wanted to and it's a culture that aims to oppose the normal deific worship that was especially prevalent during the time it was written (it was post aengudaemonic catwalk events lol).
It is an interpretation that many consider as OOC reality and I also think that is where things crumble, posts and lore were orientated around justifying the xionist perspective and now it's something I acknowledge and am currently working through myself in my geriatric role as loremaster. There are various posts and cosmic implications that don't make sense, but were written by others to try and justify this faith as the only true way to exist in lotc.
As always, the soulsbourne references were something I was never really aligned with, but as everything back in the day it took extreme influence. (Look at Mordskov and The Marked Men both being direct rip offs of Berserk and The Witcher), so I'd be a hypocrite to critique it for it's influence.
As much as we butt heads, I can't do anything but congratulate you in making a legacy of something on this server that has persevered beyond you. Not many people can genuinely say that and Xionism is really a testament to your influence on this community.
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worm food lair
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4 hours ago, Islamadon said:
reply chain about templar compatibility
The biggest thing with compatibility focuses on Malchadiael's journey and what has happened in past events that has led to changes. One of the biggest points of contention is that Malchadiael was under Iblees' control for quite a long time and the Aengudaemons themselves despise that, allowing the connection of a potential Ibleesian agent into your halls is where it gets extremely problematic. Specifically in the Aspect's Realm, do remember that Malchadiael was used aswell to try and crack the Aspect Stone by Iblees. There is an apprehension even by the most 'sloth' entities that they want to ensure their realms are protected and there is no chance of a breaching of their spaces.
The original compatibility was one that was basically placed in haphazardly and not realised until the Druid Templars were made, showing the initial loophole and it being way too late to patch by the time it was spread [as one of the Grandfathers was this].
What Islamadon said is right in regards to soul claiming, this is where the Aspects themselves would take precedent for protection against Malchadiael himself. He is the rabid, unchained dog of those who currently have his 'leash'. This rewrite does a very good job at orientating the magic to focus on the current state of Malchadiael post-mathic incident and modernises their approach to be beyond the generic punch bad holy, but a true representation of the deity that they serve, flaws and all.
I normally don't endorse, but from what I've skimmed this seems like a fantastic direction for this magic and its future. [It almost aligns with the true ying-yang holy v dark dynamic pipedream ive always wanted to do aswell].
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13 hours ago, Freischarler said:
how do you think the server has changed over the years, both in good and bad.
please respond.
Hilariously the server is extremely similar and simply just goes through waves and eras of what groups have dominance and what is the most pressing issues. (We're about due for the 2016 or so magic arms race).
There's an admin who cares about the server aswell, which is way more than the past. It's an alright change but there will always be ups and downs that are similar to the past.
9 hours ago, Proddy said:I've seen you for quite a while now express discontentment and dislike for various groups on the server, some of which don't really hold any weight in terms of their OOC behaviour being an excuse. My big question is why is this and what's your methodology that's at play here? Is it because these groups don't fit into the mould of what you envision that LoTC should be thematically and narratively, or something else? And, by extension, do you or do you not believe that every community on LOTC is entitled to follow and explore the avenue of roleplay that they wish to follow or enjoy the most, so long as it doesn't break server rules or lore?
This is not a dig at you, I'm just genuinely curious for some insight on your thought process.
It's honestly not that deep. I'm allowed to dislike playerbases/groups for my own reasons. It's not like they hold some giant influence or actually effect things from when I am doing events or lore reviewals. People can RP whatever they want and I can't influence or change that ever, which is a great thing about this server. But with a server with differing mentalities about RP, how it's conducted, styles of it etc. There's bound to be some differences. Any group in particular are you petitioning on behalf of for being unjustly hated by me?
8 hours ago, Reckless Banzai Screamer said:Why did you live long enough to become the villain? :doom:
because my hero arc was like my first two months of admin and then I spiralled into madness
4 hours ago, MaltaMoss said:favorite cheese?
really been enjoying manchengo atm (Spanish semi hard cheese)
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dont give azdrazi elytra lmfao
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It's not a bad system, but something where I think it's potential is extremely limited with the setting of LotC and the exact allowances of what would be allowed in these deep dives. This aesthetic and ideas are genuinely unfounded and even though you've made submersible suits, it is something that would require a great amount of planning for maybe a few events where u do slow walking around in a water cave and get eaten by a creature.
Naval / boat RP is already extremely difficult to perform on the server, adding another layer of depth will honestly just have this be used maybe once or twice before it disappears and is never used again.4 -
20 hours ago, firespirit44 said:
that eggs that we had was overpriced bullshit.
thoughts on what an ideal ET/ST would look like?yeah look that was my bad picking a place i didnt confirm as good yet.
Ideal ST would just be a group of dedicated individuals that know how to complete events and being able to have them all collaborate to connect stories together. I'd probably do my 'dream' of nation-assigned STs who do small events for nations and act as a liasion to the team as to what that playerbase likes and how to accomodate them in the bigger picture. [but NLs suck don't trust them to do anything good].Structure the team has is good, I normally like an uneven amount of managers to be able to tie break and like the idea of mentoring/shadowing newer recruits with ET who align with their RP styles to get the most breadth of skills possible.
9 hours ago, Johann said:your thoughts on the state of void magic atm?
also obligatory favourite anime question
Been better, been worse honestly. It's in a position where it does achieve what it needs to, it has its structure for what it needs to be. Though it definitely needs a few tweaks and small clean ups to just make spells more feasible and reflective of CRP standards that will hopefully be set by moderation [hopefully they aren't just RP quotes].
oh lol probably one piece i think. i did rly like naruto as a kid and JJK and Chainsaw Man are fun for a casual watch8 hours ago, DeusVult said:Bit of a lore question
I've always been interested in the lore of the server, but my god is it so ******* pick and choose, please centralize lore
Also-Malinor didn't have any sons, but he did, because Skanari exist? Like wtf is this?
Yeah trust me, if you think its annoying then you must understand I have internet archives of the 2011 + 2014 wikis to reference stuff to look for aengudaemonica posts and link up older timelines. Lore is a giant mess and it's honestly over a decade of mismatched nonsense that ultimately doesn't make sense. It's my pride and joy to try and dig through that mess and make something semi-consistent.
Malin had sons and daughters, I don't remember the names but they were the progentiors of the sub-races if I am correct. One of them definitely being Zanunder, which is a figure I researched a bit for some eventlines who was Malin's Son. I have absolutely no clue what a Skanari is though. I assume it's just some player group w/ not too much lore basis, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.
8 hours ago, AnonymousAlexa said:How do you feel about killing the Rustlers?
Great. Had to give a reality check to a group that prioritised ruining people's RP experiences for rap montage clips. No regrets
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10 hours ago, Tabby64 said:
Since you're such a tyrant on lotc, are you one in IRL?
Since you're an lotc neckbeard do you mark your student's papers hard?
shut up tabby you stupid banana i eat you i am gru6 hours ago, warlord of filth said:favorite breakfast?
there’s oftentimes I get a glimpse at ur takes on canon, ur world building, etc: what would you say are your top three biggest sources of inspiration (books, games, tv, movies…) when it comes to ur LOTC writing?
eggs benedict for savoury brunch and big stack of panackes for sweet brunch.
LotC writing is a hard one to define for exact inspiration, but here's the three [one from each].
For certain types of RP I delve a lot into mythology and really enjoy looking up stories of creation to try and make good ideas and concepts surrounding deific entities. Cosmic worldbuilding should follow the ideas of what we have in reality, standard concepts of creation and big rules that help all define every little thing so it all connects like a horrific web.
Game of Thrones is where I probably get my 'fantasy' inspiration for how to make things feel dangerous and 'big' in the scheme of a place where power is very prominent. Like how to get dragons to actually scare people or threats that are shown in power and size through their actions.
Battle Brothers and Wartales are my 'game' inspirations. I like the idea of tactical combat being brutal and understanding the severity of situations when things are hopeless. I really enjoy the concept of the mundane dude overcoming bizzare odds through sheer willpower and luck and was something that helped me really put an idea towards events I used to do bounty wise [hilariously it wasn't the witcher that inspired me, it was the merc games to create that authentic, gripping experience.]
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25 minutes ago, satinkira said:
How was your time as ST Admin? Was it something you'd want to do again?
To be honest, it was a pretty shit time. I didn't spend a lot of time doing ST stuff, I was very intertwined in admin stuff and having to take a lot more responsibilities for months that I personally did not want to take. I did not achieve much for the ST during my adminship and relied alot on @squakhawkto really keep the reins on the team and have it become a powerhouse.
I'd do admin again if it was needed for a time of interim, but I don't have enough time and I really utilised that lockdown/covid period to be able to actually do meetings and interact with people who are 12+ hours difference timezones. It'd be a struggle with a full-time job and responsibilities5 -
7 hours ago, Wizzar said:
In your lengthy experience as a staff member, what advice/tips/strategies can you offer for dealing with internal bias? How do you remove yourself/overcome situations where there may be bias? Do you think any decision can be made without bias in mind on a server where everyone is so connected to one another, especially with the relatively small playerbase?
Internal bias is something that is inherently impossible to stop. You will always make decisions that benefit your way of thinking and trying to ensure that those around you have the best experience possible, potentially at the expense of others. All decisions will inherently be biased, but they need to be made with an idea in mind towards a server goal or objective as a staff member. My best way to have done this was genuinely stepping away from any active community and making decisions not on behalf of places or nations. I took an extremist approach because I know how extremely difficult it is to do.
The best way to stop internal bias is to have people around you, who will look at your behaviour and pull you up on stupid decisions. Other staff members that are not involved or have opposing ideals are great to surround yourself with, as you are then able to build these ideals with a wide range of opinions that you encounter every day. Bias is always encouraged if you establish a team of Yes Men, but when making staff teams and compositions, you want the widest amount of depth of opinions to try and make the most 'informed' decisions.
7 hours ago, ferdaboys69 said:When u did ur pk enforced events did anyone that died ever not respect the clause and how did that go
Most of my 'PK' events were not actually PK events, they were used as a deterrence to get players who would not take risks away from my events. I used it as a filter to try and get the roleplayers who were not afraid of losing all their art commissions and progress to experience some great events.
I have had an incident or two where I've had events with Aengudaemonic intervention where people have argued the verdict and did throw an absolute shitstorm in protest. These were instead granted pretty debilitating effects to reflect the RP that happened after months of interaction. You win some, you lose some.7 hours ago, TeawithFrisket said:13 years on this server holy cow!
Why is it you don’t allow for new races to happen?
What kind of lore themes are you most interested in and why?
What’s ur favorite piece and your most disliked piece of lore and why?
I believe that with the playerbase and numbers we have, any newer races will be delegated to positions of alternate accounts where they will be barely any presence within the world. Most of these new race fads come and go, and we should respect and understand that the wide variety of races we currently have is very ample for the playerbase we have. We are a big server in terms of population compared to other MCRP, but are relatively small in terms of making various large playerbases and cultures.
I like bigger picture stuff, things that hilariously don't matter much to players or the in-game perspective but things that help set the laws and concepts of the universe and connecting those dots together. Always as an ET I was insistent on ensuring in connecting plotpoints and narrative things together to create a cohesive web. As my current position is really putting that into a bigger perspective, making everything make sense and understanding how it all fits together in a giant puzzle piece.I thoroughly enjoy the established World Lore of the Inferi and Cosmic Correction by Mordu [hence why the antag I led was based on it lol]. I think establishing a force of demonic entities that are intertwined with the natural order of the world is something that can be used as a unique concept and allows for more than just generic 'i am satan' rp when thinking of things on a larger scale.
Most disliked is probably Yeu Rthulu and the said associated magic. The piece was always extremely clunky in my personal opinion of where it fit in the server and was a giant headache to moderate and try to make sense of during the Pantheon Restructure.
7 hours ago, Turbo_Dog said:13 years jeez! Respect to your dedication.
What has been your favorite ST event that you have ever been apart of?
What town did your first persona go to if any?
Favourite events would have been in uh... I don't remember which map but for the old heads its when Raptor became the super undead soldier king of Renatus.
We had a massive questline w/ Merrymoogle and Firespirit surrounding the reclaiming of some relics and had to unironically fight this balrog like creature with the marked guys. Was an extremely great event and very brutal [had about 4 pks since we did PK on death for the guild]. Was probably one of the last times I really had fun as a normal player/character.
I squatted in a small village in Aegis that was built in Treehuts that was I believe behind Malinor. It was a mess of freebuild esque houses where we hid chests in tree trunks and had little 2x1 bunkers to hide in when we heard lightning from undead.
7 hours ago, AfroJoeTheOlogBro said:Yeah hi hello the coolest dude on lotc here why do you hate shamanism thanks
Long story short, I believe shamanism has the potential to be an absolutely interesting and great magic. But it's been pigeon-holed to the orcs for so long that it has lost any foundations or momentum to become anything but a magic that is rewritten every time the leadership/culture shifts slightly.
4 hours ago, S1nnerVsSa1nts said:In the past several parties came forward with reports about then ST-Manager Spoon's misconduct that had no action aside from a demotion to normal ST. Why did you not take more action with these reports and why was Spoons only banned this year?
(Genuine question, as someone who attempted to involve Admins on behalf of a victim. Insight into your POV of the ordeal would be very appreciated!)
Contacted you on discord for this one.
3 hours ago, megavolter said:Is there any commitment to unbiasness st have to follow if they are heavily involved in a magick/nation/group? If there is one, should it be more strict?
I'm not there in the day-to-day of the ST any more, so I cannot comment on current policies. My personal belief is that heavy bias to a group is something that needs to be controlled and monitored carefully. The establishment of the really horrific lore regimes came from people who had chokeholds on magics and were able to buff their magics to extreme levels where everyone else was just left without no compromise. [Also why I am a supporter of things like Alchemy, it's a great equaliser to when magic becomes a violent arms race. Everyone can fight back, not just those who need to sneak in extremely strong amendments.] I especially believe that in the ST that roleplay standards and conduct should be something that people are held to. If you are a person who cannot lose situations and must report people constantly for when they believe they are infringing on your RP, that you should not be part of the team. If you find the need to meta-game information or twist OOC to make your RP happen, you should not be part of it. I believe that the ST should be rolemodels and seen as the higher standards of RP, which does not happen all of the time.
3 hours ago, Borin said:How are you today joel? What are you up to in the real world, is all going pleasantly?
Going great honestly. Work has been good and just having fun with things that are happening.
2 hours ago, excited said:what's your favorite zoo animal
favorite lotc historical figure
favorite rl historical figure
Hippos
Owyn who was a farfolk [Or if we are talking semi-modern. The Chivay Brothers were fantastic characters and great to RP with]
Diogenes was pretty funny. Not too much of a fan of big historical figures and leaders but whenever I listen to this podcast it makes me like whatever they talk about for like a week. [half-arsed history]
6 hours ago, Songwitch said:who is ur favorite st manager
what's one eventline that u hold with high regard, doesnt matter whether u hosted (or participated in) it
idk how its you
I personally think I did quite well with the Inferi Antag and even though I do beat myself up about it, I do know that a lot of people enjoyed it and it was one of the most successful antags in recent years. Also the entire Mordskov saga was one I personally enjoyed running, it helped build my skills as an actor and learning how to approach things in ways that were different from your stock standard, conventional dnd approach. The use of IRL occultism and those concepts made me genuinely better at approaching how to play deities and strange entities better than I could before.
4 hours ago, femurlord said:when did you first discover your latent ability to mind break people or is it a bushwhacker trait?
About 2015 or so when I started playing around with ET events where I could gaslight people into killing their NLs
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4 minutes ago, Evonpire said:
I'm just curious for ST written lore like World Lore (Mainly Materials), how does the review process for them work, if there is any?
Normally materials relating to new maps are reviewed internally within management. Otherwise most ST do need to submit material lore the same way everyone else does and have it reviewed as such. Not much of a changing process in regards to this.2 -
Nearly 12 years of this server has culminated into a lot of experiences and perspectives that I have witnessed. Reflecting from a 13 year old kid who got his first account from a friend who wanted me to do write his english essays and overusing tildes and horrific emoticons. It has been a wild ride, where I have been on staff countless times as Application Team, Event Team, Moderator, Lore, Admin and now helping build the setting that I did purposefully ignore for the first 8 years [humanity rules]. Most well known for being blasted publicly on Twitch Streams for saying that I should be democractically voted out of Admin for not saying Bucketball was legitimate, to also shelving the snow elves [and world editing them for a nifty two year ban by Tsuyose].
Happy to answer any questions or things that you'd want to know about my perspectives/opinions on lore [i will not review any lore nicely]. I am perceived as this constant boogeyman and want to offer some clearance to dispell this mantra around me.16 -
Always respect your hustle and how you've done world building on this server. It's something I will always understand to be great and I know the exact feeling that you speak about on the post. I'm stuck here in my own personal crusade to finally make a legacy [which will most likely be fruitless].
To your next stories and adventures you have elsewhere, hope you keep your passion for writing alive in other mediums.12 -
2 minutes ago, Ibn Khaldun said:
Is it Geoboy66 or Tehlulu by chance?
Speaking of Sci-Fi RP, you might like this olden-golden browser based Space MMO Pardus. A few of us play on Artemis universe and its been fun breaking up the monotony of remote work for me personally.
Lulu is long off the craft
Might actually be worth logging in during Aussie times with old heads coming back
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you shouldn't be posting these on behalf of development because they're your pipedreams and don't represent your team.
probably don't use misleading titles
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- Popular Post
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SYMBOL: The Squirrel / An Open Tome
DOMAINS: Curiosity, the Arcane, Inquiry, Discovery
STATUS: Unknown
HISTORIES
Chronicles of the Wandering Wizard
The Founding of the Quill and the Whimsical:
When the Heavens themselves shattered and the first of the Aengudaemons descended, the Wandering Wizard sat diligently in the abyss of creation. The entity watched as the world formed around them, and the spark of curiosity was felt in the belly of all living things. A figure that would eventually become paramount to the chosen kin of the Four Brothers, he followed and awaited to guide those that came forth from the beginnings of the world.
So forth did the first of men step upon the grounds of the Creator, and awaited the Wandering Wizard with his quill and staff. He wrote books and tales of their heroics, recounted the myths of creation, and offered the foundations of the scholarly art to those that welcomed his truths. He was seen to many as an enigmatic figure that knew the answers to all questions that were presented. To that of the skies, to the depths of the world, to the understanding of the mind and the deep recesses of the soul. He spoke of all and granted those who would listen the wisdom that would guide them to fulfilment. By the rise of the Grand Empires of the Four Brothers, the Wandering Wizard was of high renown across its denizens. The strange figure who wore tattered cloth and rag, yet toted staves of gold and books laid with precious materials, knew of many things and brought amazement to those that followed his travels. For the Wizard himself was well-known by the Wilven Monks, where the Sanctuary of the Clouds became a place of frequent rest of his weary bones. For those that would guide many out of the temples, the Wizard would offer an arm of guidance and lead them towards the towns that they belonged.
The world itself melded its mind with the Wizard at its helm, texts of ancient renown were spread across the world, from the first wars to the cursing of the Brothers themselves. The modern Aegisian chronicles were built upon his writings, as were the words that were spoken to the forefathers of the descendants. Yet this was not his most well known contribution, that instead laid with those that wished to use the Wizard himself as a role-model for the crafting of the Voidal Arts. He is rumoured to be one of the first known practitioners of the Void, able to bend elements from thin air as ferocious as the Elementalists of Krug’s Kindred. That of the ‘Arcane Mage’, studied under the Wandering Wizard to create the modern day interpretation of what is known as the schools of Voidal Evocations. The whimsical spark of the elder allowed for many to expand the study of such a strange practice, where the flopped hat and ragged clothes became a symbol of curiosity and amusement beyond the populations of Aegis.
If any remember the times of Aegis, they would remember the name of the Wandering Wizard. His name to many is known as ‘Availer’, but otherwise an instrumental cog within the existence of many. He guided those that wished for wisdom through battles of hardship and struggle, yet there was always something strange about his appearances of when he was there, and when he left. In the first War of Iblees, the Wandering Wizard disappeared. For the entire conflict, his knowledge, and ideas vanished from the mortal plane. An absence accounted for when the descendants marched and fought against the Betrayer. Yet he returned when the dust settled and emerged as if nothing ever happened. Recounts of the battles were written and distributed by the scholar, yet he was never spotted during these battles. One of the main ‘journeys’ of the Wizard was the establishment of inter-planar travel, where he was able to open the gateways to The Verge and later Asulon with the magic that he possessed. This is rumoured to be the foundation that was used for translocation, with the Arcane Mage utilising Voidal Nodes to perfect the teleportation of entities between the spaces of the void. Yet this was never confirmed, a tale of mythos that was built around the curious nature of the figure.
The Fall of the Wizard:
Upon the faithless day of the harsh winters, he appeared at the seat of Al’khazar and proclaimed a wish for all descendants to escort him to the Cloud Temple itself. For a journey so treacherous was instrumental to protect the transportation of eggs that were stolen from the kindred of Dragur. The assorted crew of the warriors of Humanity and the descendants all came to the aid of the Wandering Wizard. For the cargo of their prize was something that was vital to keep out of the hands of the eternal threat of the undead. With such, they marched from the walls of the Perea Monarchy onto the King’s Road itself, to head towards the Cloud Temple within the centre of the world. The devious attempts of the undead stopped their escort as the clashing of magics and men erupted across the area. Ibleesian lightning intertwined with the magics of Aeriel, and of the Wandering Wizard. Shields of wrought energy brought forth a barrier that protected those from the onslaught. They drew closer to the Sanctuary and as the fighting grew tougher, the Wizard commanded for all to flee to the Cloud Temple. The structures of wrought iron and magma rained from the skies as calamities were called by the undead. The Wandering Wizard kept them at bay, before charging in at a triumphant call to repel the forces beyond the boundaries of the Cloud Temple. The swinging of blades and staves against one another ricocheted until the vital blow was struck. The body of the Wandering Wizard was pierced by occult weapons and magic, tearing asunder his mortal form and rendering his relics useless to descendant kind. The vigilant defender fell, another bloodied corpse for the brutal wars for Aegis. All that remained amongst his relics was the hat of Wizard, that swayed in the wind and splattered with blood that shone with flecks of gold upon the sandstone roads.
The death of the Wandering Wizard led to the devastating battles of the Fall of Aegis. The draconic eggs that were escorted were hatched by the forces of Iblees and were paramount in the felling of Malinor and the Cloud Temple itself. The descendants fled to the Verge, the legacy of the Wizard’s own exploration across the mortal realms.
With such, after the death of the Wandering Wizard, he has been rumoured to appear at dire straits or moments of great desperation. Though, these are all delusions of those that are accepting the fate of loss. Except for one moment that was confirmed by the great scholars of the Dwarves. At the battle of Kal’Dwain, where multiple drakes wreaked havoc across the city, a man in white robes apparently created a barrier that allowed for the escape of various adventurers from the fires of the evil entity. He was seen to be an invigorated, youthful man of blonde hair that seemingly carried the poise of the ancient protector. Yet, after the battle subsided, there was no sign of the entity. Was it an act of divine intervention, or the trauma creating the figment of another?
TOWER OF CURIOSITIES
Realm
The endless Tower of Curiosities is what is rumoured to be the realm of the Wandering Wizard. It is a large, pleasant field with a single structure in its centre. This tower mimics the styles of the ancient practitioners of the Void, their whimsical and chaotic nature burying the most obscure and powerful artefacts possible. Within this tower lies an endless selection of doors and stairways that lead to infinite possibilities, where doors may hide the burrows of giant rabbits or hold tombs that have once held objects such as the Kal’Varak. No-one of sound mind has reported its existence, it is instead an extended hyperbole that has been uttered by the most delusional of Voidal Mages, where the sickness has turned their grasp of reality into nothing but grains of sand that slip between their fingers. Many that repeat this tale end up finding nothing of its validity and existence outside of oral histories and rumours, where treasure hunters end up employing those that are able to utilise inter-planar travel and disappear into the cosmos itself.
MODERN DAY
Following
The influence of the Wandering Wizard can be seen in the traditionalist Voidal Mages that once roamed the world. Those that believed in the cloth hat and cloak, the staff and the ever-bearing whimsy of the world. Akin to the first archmages of history, they do not worship the Wandering Wizard but acknowledge his presence and influence upon the magical community. Ancient scholars also revere the texts of the Wandering Wizard, his writings the foundational texts for many influential movements that happened throughout history.
He has not been officially sighted since the ‘apparent’ spotting of Kal’Dwain. Many keep hope that the Wandering Wizard did not die in the Aegisian battles, but there has been no confirmation otherwise.
PURPOSE
Explanation
This was an important character of 2011-13 that was extremely influential on the server and its implementation by Availer. This is to move this character away from its self-insert like nature and try to flesh it out to explain the prevalence of the Wizard archetype and why many of the older histories were written by them. I believe it is a character that is interesting enough to read about, even if they are currently not in use and won’t be for the future. Overall, it’s to give homage to the server’s roots and update it with the Aengudaemonica project, as many things will. I believe strongly in reinforcing the interesting elements we have as a server and our over a decade history, and that is my own aim and direction with the projects I have undertaken with this. This will be one of the first of quite a few I am aiming to update and potentially help create eventlines and stories for newer players to enjoy these elements.
Citations:
Wandering Wizard - https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/121447-deceased-the-wandering-wizard-aengul/
Credits:
ScreamingDingo - Writer
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[Drakaar] Gudour - The Night Terror
in Dragonkin
Posted
“The skies wrought of lightning shows the call of the Night Terror, a plague to the world.”
ORIGIN
Birth of the Night Terror
A beast that was wrought of the depths of the mountains, the Dragaar rose upon its wings upon the breath of life that was bestowed by the Bastion of Knowledge. The peaks turned into monumental wings and, as such, stretched forth. As those who were his siblings were wrought from the earth, the coal and blackstone of the world formed the scales of grandeur that he once sat upon.
Gudour as an entity is not well-known for his exploits and early histories. He was a figure deemed of little significance by most scholars, who find trouble finding any proper depictions of this beast. There are rumours that he travelled within the Kingdom of Horen and offered some scholarly knowledge, but there was little confirmation of this by historians.
The Battle of Horen’s Ridge is one of significance, where the true story began for this Drakaar. This battle was fought upon the edges of the Kingdom of Horen, where his people built onwards from the pain of the Thirty Years War and the affliction of the Betrayer’s Curse. The remnant forces of Iblees still plagued the land, where Azdromoth himself placed his sights upon humanity, to conquer for his now fallen lord. This battle was one of ill-repute, where the devastating effects of this conflict still reverberate to the stories told in the modern mythos. Gudour himself was positioned on the side of humanity, where he fought against the remnants of Iblees with vicious fervour. It is unknown whether he marched into battle with those soldiers, but such aggression was aimed towards the embodiment of Ruin that marched through these mountains. The battle itself erupted with violent flurries and exchanges from both sides, where the Horenic forces drove cavalry and infantry into the hordes of undead that still remained tethered from the forces of the Nether itself. The decaying soldiers of countless battles would stand tall as they charged against one another, with wizards and warlocks that threw molten metal and lightning from the skies into the waves of humanity.
As in the clouds above, the exchange was held between both Dragonkin. The Titanic behemoth of Azdromoth turned the skies into an abyssal haze as his form stretched across the heavens, as Gudour himself intertwined in exchanges of Dragonsflame and physical clashes. The sheer brutality of Azdromoth was countered by the twisting turns of Gudour, underhanded swipes and pivots as the demi-gods themselves shook the clouds. The steel of man itself started to overcome the forces of Iblees as the scales of fate tipped towards chaos, as Azdromoth grappled upon Gudour in the skies and sunk his teeth into the neck of his brethren. The sky itself rained blood, flesh and miasma as the festering wound was left within Gudour. His jet-black scales cracked akin to glass, a fractured reminder of what would become of his mind. As the Titan flew high upon the battlefield, the Night Terror was born amongst the clouds and ash that scattered in the battlefields. The corruption of Iblees emerged through his mind as he dove towards the battlefield below, a scorching trail of thunder and lightning heard throughout the lands like a beating war drum. The beast descended from the ash-ridden clouds, as forces of both humanity and undeath were decimated by bouts of violet and green dragonsflame. Rock and stone melted into puddles, as metal and bone were eviscerated into horrific amalgamations, where strikes of lightning trailed behind the Drakaar and tore asunder the land itself.
This battle was a disaster for both sides, where the main forces of Horen were decimated in flame, as the undeath and Azdromoth’s armies crumbled to dust. To Elven scholars, this battle was seen as a monumental deciding factor between the fall of Azdromoth and Horen respectively, weakening their forces beyond repair. This has never been confirmed and to human scholars, they quote the madness of Malin’s Kin creating delusion with their long-lived lives.
Gudour himself fled to the south within his deluded madness, where the emergence of the horror dubbed, “The Night Terror” was carved into the foundations of history. A beast that would plunge fear into those that knew of his wrath, that slaughtered all that he encountered. This driving transformation of the inner soul of the dragonkin dwelled madness and confusion within his mind, as his very being rejected the poison of darkness that flowed within his veins. Years passed as the beast struggled with his inner turmoil, slumbering in periodic rhythms where he would hibernate for months on end and then decimate the closest population that dwelled near the lingering horror. Villages and castles were decimated by flame and thunder, as a sight was placed upon an instrument he believed would soothe his madness. The Sword of Horen.
Upon the edges of Paradisus, Gudour himself ravaged upon the decaying Kingdom of Horen. The walls of stone were scorched as the skies themselves were stained with the abyss of darkness, the thunderous drake slaughtering the remnants of the crumbling town in a fit of rage. Scholars contest the exact details of this battle, but in Horen’s feeble state, his knights under the banner of the Red Dragon rode to fight Gudour with the Blade in hand. With as such, the Lord Commander Reginald Felder charged with his retinues with the dormant weapon, a violent flurry and vicious exchange left the battlefield in ashes. The knights themselves were melted beneath the heat of flame and lightning, with the Brightsteel blade between its corpses. For now the mantle of Horen was claimed, Gudour seeked true salvation.
Yet, with the blade in hand, this soothed him only temporarily. The corruption of the Dragaar was one that was quick and brutal. The first few weeks of corruption had twisted his soul beyond redemption, he could not turn himself to stone or could muster the willpower to end his own life. He faltered with his challenges of polymorphing, where his draconic form was what was kept almost permanent between his bouts of rage and chaos. He drew upon the canvas of the world with hatred and malice, his flames and lightning cascading across all that drew its ire.
HISTORY
Strike Against the Sun
The Night Terror set his sights upon the edges of the Atherian Coasts. The Order of the Golden Lion had emerged amongst the chaos, and Gudour’s own intent was to strike against the heavens itself. To be awashed with the flames that would combat the poison of his blood and very soul, to be freed of the madness inflicted by the King of Ruin, Azdromoth. For the Athna’s were figures known by the world, as were the first mortal agents of the Aenguls that were establishing their foothold upon the mortal world. He sought out one particular agent, one that would strike the most forceful ire of them all. Zyanna Athna. The Cleric of Xan. She continued her pilgrimage on behalf of her master, to restore a tower of antiquity to the lights of order.
For Gudour waited days, the Blade of Jophiael held in his hands. The soothing voice of the Seraphim spoke to him in many tongues, and showed his future, his past and his present. An intertwining chaos, a battle of the corruption of Drakaaric madness, with that of cosmic chaos. Then yet, a night of storms emerged as she rose to the tower itself. Her robes and armor of gold glistening with each striking bolt that rampaged through the skies.
The twisted irony of the weather is the blessing of Lightning of both Drakaar and Aengul. A night that was seen to symbolise the guiding light and order of Xan, was a night of sheer terror. Gudour emerged from the shadows, barely retaining his polymorphed form and impaled Zyanna with the Blade of Horen. A vicious and brutal attack, as the blade tore through flesh and stone. Blood splattered across the tower as the heavens howled and Gudour’s own hands rose to point towards the howling Cleric. Begging to be saved, she demanded the heavens would reprimand, yet no voice shouted back. The Drakaaric magics of Gudour encased the screaming lover of Xan in jet-black crystals that encased her. Her preaching arms frozen in constant fervor as the shimmer of the Blade of Horen was seen through her chest and protruded outward. Yet Gudour awaited on this tower till daybreak, the storms ravaged but no person walked those halls. None traversed to the towers, none were ready to grant Gudour his true release.
With that, he left the symbol of ire upon that wretched tower. A grudge made of hatred and malice, aimed towards the heavens.
HISTORY
Madness Brews
The Night Terror was well-known for his exploits against the descendants. Those of holy orders were challenged by the beast through vicious sieges and attacks. Those of the Rivel Mages were attacked at the height of their power, as were various sects of Tahariaen and Ascended members to attempt to dislodge them from their places. A response is all Gudour wished for. The voice of Jophiael kept a semblance of sanity upon his actions, but a self-righteous death was all he wished for.
For now his life was a cycle of hibernation and destruction, where Gudour would slumber for years at a time and then emerge at his most maddened, to aim to send destruction upon the world. There were also rumours of instances where Gudour had confronted both reputable figures of Xannic and the Horenic Empire, challenging them to duels and wishing for a rightful end. These never came to him for many years, as this beast was a constant threat to all those around him.
Final Battle
Gudour’s own prayers were answered in the year of 1758. After the re-appearance of descendants on the fallen continent of Athera, Gudour emerged with intent to slaughter those that invaded those isles. With the Blade of Horen, he finally saw a future that was clear. An end. A purposeful provocation of the descendants led to the emergence of a party of assembled adventurers marching towards the Tower where Zyanna first fell.
The adventurers were successful, able to beat back the attacks of Gudour and land violent blows that wounded him deeply. Blood caked his scales and skin, as his vision blurred from the fatigue and weakness of near-death. A welcomed acceptance, as the Blade of Horen whispered to him once more. The tone of the angel is well known.
“It is time to rest, Warrior of the Storm. My brother shall continue your journey.”
Searing pain kept through the body of Gudour in his final moments, as a vigilant, armored figure of light appeared on the edges of the battlefield. Jophiael glowed as the figure went to retrieve the blade, as Gudour sent a final, vicious ire towards the tower were Zyanna laid. His draconic form collided with that of Starlight, as the form of ivory and stone crushed the head and body of the dragon itself. A final, distinct crush heard in Gudour’s last moments. Freedom for the accursed beast.
The aftermath of Gudour’s death were bards and artists demonstrating depictions against the Night Terror. A legacy of hatred immortalised by his fall. Zyanna did not appear in the rubble of the tower, shards of black crystal were visible in the debris but there was no true sign of what happened to them. A final act of defiance.
Credits:
ScreamingDingo - Writer