Smaw

James was had his parents killed by Orcs and prayed to almighty gods for power holy beyond recognition. So he got holy and then saw Orcs and was angry and the shadow came from hell and corrupted his holy light and dark clericism was born. this is my lore submission thank you

You can't defeat me, I have the power of Yultharans on my side!

I think that sub-races should be able to fit in nicely with existing groups. As it stands, these will create more separation- an issue that is quite prevalent on the server. We need to condense and grow RP before we split it.

I do like your idea, and may delve into splitting it further from Necromancy (?) if it's deemed worthy of implementation.

To be honest, I agree with most of the points made in this thread. Actually, as hypocritical as it may seem I do consider there to be an issue with lore bloat as well. When I came into this it was intended as more of an aesthetic change than anything else. No enhancements to the Magic, no better or worse effects generally, but something that served as a direct antithesis- as opposed to someone just plaguing an area with thorns or wild cats. The reason I submitted it here was because the existence of Maggeg would need approval, and also because it was mainly an addition for the ET to use- something with an existing story and therefore something easy enough to jump into. However, I still think it would serve as a very flavourful RP addition to the general idea of Druidism. I don't consider this to be a new Magic in any way, really, but rather an aesthetic change to somewhat pre-existing abilities.

Yeah, that's fair enough. As I'm sure you know from being on the LT, it's difficult to please everyone. I'm not really concerned by the outcome in any case, just had to get it out of my head.

Technically it isn't a Fourth Aspect, it's a charade. In any case, it's presented as something the ET might utilise to spice up some RP.

Yeah, you're right. It's basically just a placeholder- and click-bait! In some sense perhaps, but the main focus is on the illusionary aspect of this piece, and how it can add some layers of flavour to Druid RP- and indeed RP across the board.

Oh he's not posed as an actual Aspect, it's just the persona he adopts to trick Druids. In the trick, he alludes to being the one true Aspect, posing the three as false. Perhaps it didn't come across well enough in the text? He's actually a Kabalees, a minion of the Daemon Vaasek, who uses Illusion quite profusely.

Some notes: I kind of rushed the **** out of this as I had the idea on the spot and won't have much time to work on it during the week- I hate when documents sit on my computer for ages. Basically, this is proposed as more a means for the ET to have an Antagonist for the Druids, but could also be an Aesthetic change for those Druids that are coming to the end of their tier progression and might want a change in RP. I'll fix it up once opinions are left about what can be changed, or I'll simply remove it if the Druids hate it all together. The Fourth Way It is not enough to cull the weak, for all life is burdened beneath the will of the Aspects. They have taken the true force of nature and contorted it, bent it against the will of the originator. They control it with their own, hideous creations, disguising balance with the pretence of death. It is not death that is the answer, for death is only the answer to a plague that spreads without control. Before the influence of the Aspects, the world was balanced and healthy. Have you not heard the tales of old? That where Cerridwen tampered, Cernunnos controlled, and Nemiisae weaponised? All the ills of the world, and all of the terrible creatures that kill our ilk and eat our food. They spurn from the Aspects and their ways. But there is no need to fret for this predicament, for there is a Fourth Way. When you heal the plants and animals of the world, you are not restoring true nature. You only help to strengthen the false creations of the world, so that they may prosper within this illusion. It is all a farce, brother, and I will show you the truth that the originator wishes for you. You have come of age. You are ready. I am the true servant of nature, and I am here to reverse this process- to return the world to its ancient and wise blueprint. Maggeg, the Hidden Aspect (Maggeg appears a Goat-like Humanoid) Maggeg is a Greater Kabalees of Vaasek, who presents himself as the Fourth Aspect of the world. He preaches of the three Aspects and their influence on the original idea of nature. He speaks of how they have corrupted it and added animals to it for their own personal gain- how nature in its current state is a disease and an illusion, which is perpetrated by the Aspects. Where Cerridwen first corrupted plant life, it began to grow out of control. Cernunnos stepped in to control the spread with his own brand of life, but was ultimately unsuccessful. Finally, Nemiisae was put into the fold as a final solution- one that would allow them to deceive the descendants into a false sense of balance. He presents himself as the one, true Aspect. A servant of the “originator”, who seeks to restore nature to what it was intended to be. When a Druid is first given their powers, Maggeg is watching closely, and continues to observe their progress until they develop a considerable level of ability- which is usually at T3 or T4, depending on the individual. At this stage, he presents himself as the Fourth Aspect and attempts to show them the reality of their world, and how they have contributed to a lie. He will use illusion to “bless” the Druid with true sight, which will cause them to view the world as a grotesque sight of disease and illness. Under this revelation, Maggeg will convince them that they live under the spell of the Aspects, and that he can restore the world with their help. Once proud trees will be withered and devoid of life, and the carcasses of animals will scatter the floor. Where beasts roam, they will be corrupted and rotten, weakened in their state. The sky will bleed crimson and dust will swirl about the land. When a Druid is convinced to follow The Fourth Way, all of their previous spells will take on the alternate effect. Where they see corruption and attempt to heal it, they will actually be tainting perfectly healthy land. They will be in a constant state of illusion during their time under Maggeg, and will consider their work just and right. The Ritual In each world there sits an enormous tree- the Tree of True Sight. Gnarled and contorted, it serves to contradict the verdant life around it. Its deep and tainted roots embed into the ground, leeching the life from the soil as Maggeg awaits his followers. For as one approaches the tree, and steps within the circle of influence that the roots make, they begin to see the tree take on a new form, as it flourishes with greenery and life. Once inside this sphere of influence, the outside world appears dead and tainted. A Druid that wishes to follow the Fourth Way must bring the Animal that they are attuned to, or have a strong bond with, and must show it to Maggeg. For in order to use the energies of Vaasek, the Druids must have a considerable portion of their life force drained from them, and these Animals are used to sustain them. In their illusion, it appears as though Maggeg is simply blessing these animals. In reality, they are shattered from their core and their body is fused with the Druid in question, creating an unholy abomination of man and beast. In the mind of the Druids, however, it appears simply as though the Animal has gained newfound life and sight, and understands the “new world” as the Druid has come to understand it. It is this process, and this corruption that maintains the permanent illusion beset on the Druids, and is where their powers come from. In reality, all of their spells will emanate a crimson hue as they taint the land, but to their own eye they will see only beauty and health. Notes & Summary (A crisp and withered Rose, under the influence of Maggeg) > Requires some form of T3 Druidism > When under the influence of Maggeg, the Druids will sever their connection to the Aspects, and will be unable to communicate with animals, traverse the Fae Realm or use any positive spells. Instead, all healing spells will cause taint, and all influence over plants will cause them to wither and die. > In the minds of the Druids of the Fourth Way, they see all of nature as corrupted, and only their own influence is healing. In reality, it is the opposite. > When a Druid morphs with their animal, they take on some minor characteristics. For instance, if one were to merge with a Deer, they may develop small horns protruding from their heads. If one were to merge with a cat, their eyes would change and they would develop grotesque hands and claw-like fingers. > It is only possible to reverse this process by having the Tree of True Sight destroyed. > These Druids are no more or less powerful than ordinary Druids, and instead influence nature in an opposite way, to the level that a Druid of equal power or tier may do. > Aesthetics Thanks to my friend @MotoSCP173 for letting me bounce ideas from him and getting some good feedback. Your input was appreciated.

I'm generally not a fan of holy Magics but I like this idea a lot. Aesthetics are important and I think this was harmless enough and written well enough to be passed.

Thanks brother, I appreciate it.

Note: I felt like the lore for Vaasek was lacking in depth, so I decided to try and buff it up a little so that people can get more of an idea for what he's about and how he can be implemented into the world-lore or events. I intend to edit this over the next week based on my own input and the critique that is received through this thread. Please let me know how you think this Daemon may be more easily used within RP and events, or if you have any suggestions/issues at all about how he is presented. Vaasek, The Dark Star Daemon of Fear, Desperation and Betrayal What was life? For beset on all sides he saw only darkness... An endless and haunting shroud, it permeated all of existence. It was vast and all-consuming, a hungering dark that consumed any wisp of light or gasp of sound foolish enough to emerge. Soon it began to eat at his core, his mind tarnished, corrupted by some outside force that riddled him with an unsettled hum of defeat. In his shaken state he dared not act, and only watched in fearful observation as flickers of gold continued to bejewel the darkness. It offered him a fleeting moments solace, a hope that something may be capable of fighting the frigid everything. His frantic concern continued to consume him as his eyes darted between the sparks that continued to fight, a desperation birthed within him. Whatever it was that shook and raged against the dread settled suddenly as one of the lights persisted. It did not wane against the darkness. No, it persevered; A beacon of hope. It kindled within him the spark of life and the fire of desperation. For many eons the war against the darkness would rage, and the lights would grow immeasurably across the vast realm. As drawn as he was to the stars, worlds began to circle them in a dance of celebration, and it was many more eons later that he would uncover life of another ilk- the children of the stars that danced upon the world. But before the spark of hope could flare within him, it was doused by a terrible vision... The usual darkness twisted and contorted into swirls of colour as a scene opened up before him. In his vision he saw the mortals below progress throughout the ages, developing machines and magics of considerable power; yet all would leave their mark in history with the stain of blood. Suddenly, more blurs of light swathed across his sight before settling once again, his mood lowered by the creeping fright of betrayal. For before him he saw himself, destroyed from within by their sun, harnessed by its children in the world below. Thus the fear that spawned from his birth had exacerbated with this revelation, and as the vision began to fade, he saw once again the world that danced around that terrible light. No longer would he see the creatures below as flickers of hope in the darkness. Instead, he saw in them only evil, the children of terror that were birthed from the flames in the sky. In the world he saw only his own demise. In desperate fury he roared from the heavens, and his form began to writhe and contort, ashen tendrils creeping outward in all directions. As they spread, many would split and morph into creatures of grotesque design. His vision began to fade as the world before him withered into darkness, and his voice sundered into space; for he had sacrificed both to create his children, the Kabalees. From the ground he appeared to the mortals a Dark Star within their sun, the Kabalees spurned from his black flame. In this moment, he had become the beast that he had feared for so long, drinking in the light with his own darkness. In their fleeting moments the mortals would look to the Dark Star with fright in their eyes. Vaasek, they called it. Vaasek, they screamed. His life fell to darkness as his sacrifice came to full fruition. Yet in his power he could still see through the eyes of the Kabalees, and watched through their lenses as they hunted for the last of the sun’s children. When the dust of the world had settled, and the last bloodied arm had sunken beneath the waves of destruction, Vaasek allowed himself a moments respite. To almost hear silence was a blessing in comparison to the many screams and cries that had bellowed hours before. And yet as he returned to his darkness, he felt rays of warmth upon him- for the sun had persisted, beating down on the broken world. It was in that moment he became the patron of the darkness that had welcomed him into life and shown him the truth of the world- in spite of his fearful ignorance. For the sun, as one of the many lights that had once given him hope, had been revealed his antagonist- the fires that would burn away the natural order of the Universe; chaos incarnate, that through its destructive flame would harbour false and dangerous life. And so did the Dark Star consume the light, and leave in its place the blackest of black, that marked within the darkness a true void. It was from this energy that he would form his realm, a world in which he would be safe from the light that worked against him. He tore from the cracked world below a fragment of it and copied it, and with this final act left the mortal realm to never return. In the darkness he placed the rubble, shrouded in shadow and void of all sound and life. It was here that he erected the first of his shrines, an obsidian monolith that would offer the only source of light within his realm. For reflected from these monoliths would be the last events of the world it stood in, a sick trophy through which to see the destruction that the Kabalees had wrought. The Kabalees As time progressed, many more of these destroyed worlds would be brought to his realm, each with their own pillar. Vaasek often wanders these regions in his forced silence, watching the events unfold in fond remembrance. Indeed, it is not the direct work of Vaasek that allows his realm to grow. It is instead the work of the Kabalees, his sight and his voice, which lingers in the shadows of the mortal realm and speaks out to those that listen. These creatures are hideous amalgamations of tentacle and smog, with enormous, piercing eyes. Through the powers of their creator they are able to remain invisible in the world, and may take any form when they so desire. They are often the cause of the wariness that mortals share in their daily lives- That encroaching feeling that urges them to turn around with the notion that something is present. It comes often in times of darkness, when ashen clouds blanket the sky, and the hustle and bustle of daily life settles to a song of crickets. They become so encapsulated by this apprehension that they turn, looking for a source. Their eyes scour the nooks and corners of their abodes, yet nothing presents itself. They turn to the windows, peering out to the drape of shadow that hangs over the glass pane. They dare not look for long. Instead, they return to their quarters, mocking themselves; reassured by their primitive senses. But the sensation will return, and they will follow the same procedure, for it is fear that preserves their life. The natural form of the Kabalees is unkept, and those that could see this appearance would note an ashen smog of tendrils sweeping across the land. However, when the time comes to tear the world from the inside, it is the Kabalees that sew the seeds of destruction. For Vaasek, tormenting the children of the light is the most rewarding of means. And through manipulation he will pit mortals against one another, taking advantage of their fears and desires, and banking on the desperate cries that reverberate from isolated walls. (Two Kabalees, taking the forms of Elves) When the Kabalees take interest in an individual, they will present themselves as a creature of familiarity or grandeur in order to gain the favour of their target. From here, the creeping influence of Vaasek sets in as the individual is manipulated into attaining power. Typically, the Kabalees like to form cults, as it has been shown to be among the most influential of their tactics. They will develop a very intricate story and aesthetic for their charade and will naturally draw the intrigue of mortals. Examples of this have been seen many times across the different lands that the Descendants have explored, among the ruins and remnants of past civilisations. As power and fear sets in, this deadly combination spirals out of control as corruption sweeps across the land. An example of this manipulation can be seen in the story of the Meldamiriel, in which the Pale Stranger, a Kabalees, attempts to skew the events of the Druids. https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/151454-✓-elven-mythology-the-seed-well-and-the-meldamiriel/#comment-1430751 Throughout the ages and upon many worlds the same fate befalls those who come across the Kabalees. But for those less inclined to take direct action, they await a time known as The Call. The Call (A sacrifice, a call. The Kabalees surround the man, depicted as Crows- a common choice for them) When a beast is pressed against a wall, it will do everything in its power to fight against the looming threat of death. Indeed, as Vaasek has come to know, it is an indomitable will. Among mortals, it is of particular note that they will sacrifice all notions of honour and decency in order to achieve continued life, and will stake everything to secure it. It is this recognition that Vaasek takes full advantage of, hungering on the misfortunes of Mortals. When a man is at his wits end, and calls out to the Gods, Vaasek will intervene in his broad influence; for in every world and every town, there is a Kabalees awaiting the call. In exchange for their wishes, they will be granted a contorted form of the thing they desire, and will have to offer up their soul so that Vaasek may add to his collection of lenses through which to view the world. When those indebted to Vaasek die, they are to become the shadows of his realm, forced to watch the monoliths of their world. Forced to watch the destruction they participated in play over in an endless loop. An example of such feats can be seen here: https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/166723-✓-seers-eyes-of-vaasek/?tab=comments#comment-1575106 Summary Vaasek is the Daemon of Fear, Desperation and Betrayal. He harbours the fear and desperation that he represents, and resigns himself to solitude in order to secure his own safety. He is fearful of the world because of a vision he had, in which he saw himself defeated at the hands of mortals. It is for this reason that he harbours an intense hatred for them, and takes pleasure in witnessing their misery. Despite being incapable of speech or sight, he is able to see and communicate through the Kabalees themselves. He instructs his minions to walk among mortals and either watch them or manipulate them, offering powers that are presented as beneficial, but ultimately end with corruption. Vaasek himself never leaves his realm, and uses it as a collection of destroyed worlds from which to relive the past. When he is not partaking in such a macabre hobby, he is watching through the eyes of his many minions and servants. The many "mortals" of the world that you may have already spoken with... Illuminati confirmed

Great stuff.

Abusing wording...

The second iteration (Ish'Urkal) sat on the sidelines for ages before it was picked up and implemented, and began to work very well. Then, the LT decided they hated it, and it was changed into the bastardised and under powered iteration they have now. The intention here was to return it back to its origins- something that should have been done properly the first time. @Deano I think it would be easy to change one of the Ways to The Way of Strength, wherein you maintain your physical ability and have some other kind of drawback. If you want to work on it, message me or Lhindir on Discord and we can flesh something out.

I live this in real life. It allows me to justify my existence. Help?

Unfortunately the LT saw an issue with the last iteration in that it appeared to have too few weaknesses. In any case, I would consider all aspects of this to be productive to RP- which is the main aim. Ultimately, while a weakness is obviously detrimental to the character, it adds more RP possibilities for everyone involved. It will help us steer from the mentality of most people which seems to be to play to win. In reality, RP should be different from an OOC perspective.

Ramakhet has depth, (and wasn't created by me, might I add) but I didn't go into it because I don't think it generally needs to be here as a creature submission. This is a brief explanation from Food in a Skype chat: "Or'ta created original Dark Shamanism from excerpts of Dom's diaries, aided in part by the rogue Spirit Ramakhet, who was later banished for his part and forced to destroy all mortal life for the power he gave them over the Spirits (ie True Names)"

This really has nothing to do with Shamanism...

It was only really this point I had issue with, because I don't want people to start assuming that this is true for all things. I'm not suggesting that they PK upon first death, nor do I think that to be reasonable. It would be better to say that a tether can be made wherever their host is consumed -perhaps made of the hosts bones, which might explain their more fluid forms-, and that in times of significant injury (when they are defeated) these Imps dematerialise and return to Veists realm in order to recuperate. However, I would argue that a Farseer should be able to PK an Imp if a ritual is followed. Having to have permission for such a feat is to basically render a Shaman useless; and leads to very irritating situations.