Out-Of-Character
Minecraft account name: Binye772
How old are you?: 15, 16 in November
Country of residence: I live in England
Do you have a good grip on the English language/grammar?: My English skills are very good, and next year I will be taking my English language and literature GCSE. This year I did a past paper (2011) for language and got 96%, so I am almost guaranteed an A* next year, and despite the exams getting easier I doubt you can do that well with poor grammar knowledge.
Small 2-3 sentence description of yourself: In general I would say I am more of an academic, with my grades being very high in school; however I do like to play sport, being in the school tennis team, and play rugby for a club in winter. However, I particularly like more adventurous sport, such as climbing or canoeing. Finally, I am very into music, and play the drums, taking my grade 5 exam soon, and of course enjoy playing minecraft.
How much time could you be on the server weekly? Now that my exams have finished, most likely every day in the week for about an hour or two, but not on the weekends as for the next three of four weeks I am very busy with music concerts and other such events.
What do you know about Roleplaying? Give a definition of what it means to you: I would like to think I have a fair idea about role playing, in that it involves playing as a character and following their story. What I feel it means to me is the taking up of a new life where you are whoever you want to be, with infinite possibilities, where you can forget the troubles of real life and become absorbed into world of fantasy.
What experience have you had in Roleplaying, if any?: Personally I have had very little experience with role-playing games, with Skyrim being about the only Roleplaying game I have played; however I did really enjoy Skyrim, and would definitely like to get more experience with Roleplaying games, as for me it is very engaging, and that is why I find this server so appealing.
In your own words, define what the act of Meta-Gaming is: Meta-gaming is essentially where a character performs an action based on knowledge that should be unknown to them. This allows the character to unfairly overcome a situation that should have been tackled some other way. When role-playing, I feel you must maintain your position in a game or the game will no longer be fun, despite the problems that may occur, and if you find yourself in difficulty you should overcome it using the knowledge and skill of your character.
An example of this could be when a player talks to another out of character, such as on the forums, and then is given tips to where the best mining spots are. Then, with no in game communication, the character would travel to the best mining spots and get all the ores he would need without his in game character knowing where the best spots are, which is simply unrealistic and would ruin the role playing experience for all, thus why it is against the rules!
In your own words, describe what the act of Power-Emoting is: Power-emoting is where a successfully performed action and ultimately outcome is forced upon another player. Commonly there will be no way to avoid the action, and for me creates a game where there is no chance to introduce different play styles or different skills into a situation, and thus no way to avoid a set outcome, where one player can simply hit another, and there is no way for the other player to protect himself. Ultimately, for me it creates a game where there is a lack of variety, and ruins the role playing experience.
An example of this could be where a player meets another in combat, and cuts off his head. This gives the other player no chance to defend himself, and to create a better role playing experience the character should first withdraw his weapon, and then give appropriate time for the other character to react, in ways such as either withdrawing his weapon ready to fight back, or if not adequately armed, make a run for it.
What do you expect this server will be like?: I have friends in this server, and they all work together in a little society, so I expect to join them and help to develop their town. I have been told how everything will work, if I join their town, which is almost certainly going to happen, but from the rest of the server I am very unsure as to what it will be like, exciting I’m sure, and far different from any other minecraft experience I have ever had.
What other server’s have you played on and why did you leave them?: I haven’t played on many other servers for minecraft, expect for the ‘Lost World’ server, which uses the ‘towny’ mod and various others to create a unique minecraft experience, and the only reason why I left was because of the problems with the running of the server. The server switched hands between owners several times due to people leaving for university, and with mod problems there was a long period of almost daily map resets, so I decided to leave. I have revisited it since and am glad to see it is now comfortably settled with one owner and is very successful, but I feel I want to move on to a more sophisticated server, and mainly one where I can play with my friends.
Have you read, understood, and agreed the rules?: I have read the rules and find them to be fair and so obviously agree to them.
Do you promise to abide by said rules, and laws?: I promise to abide by the rules and laws, as I would not want to spoil the fantasy experience for anyone else, or ultimately by disrupting their game, my own.
How did you hear about us?: I was told about you from several friends at school, who convinced me that this server is worthwhile and better than any other I will have played. These people all go to my school, and are in my year, and have been extremely determined to get me and another friend to play, so we can help their town.
Have you previously made an application? If so you could link us to your last Application: This is my second application, and I hope I have made it more appealing this time than my last, as I have read the reasons as to why my application was denied, and reacted appropriately, changing features of my biography to be more specific to appearance and other such factors, changed my definitions of both power and meta gaming, and additionally made changed where necessary to the other highlighted issues.
Here is a link to my previous application: http://www.lordofthecraft.net/forum/index.php?/topic/61225-application-submissions/page__pid__479006#entry479006
In-Character:
Character name: My name is Tharenas Bauldrfist, cousin of Asbrind.
What race are you?: I’m a human, and will fight to defend my race. My ancestors go back centuries, and I am willing to continue their legacy.
What Sub-Race are you?: I’m a Northerner, a native and loyal citizen to my kind.
Biography: I am a human; my origins are in the North. My appearance is common to my race; I inherited my father’s dark hair, and wear it long over my face. I am friendly, developing a warm personality from my travels – those who I have stayed with influenced my attitude, and all have been kind and caring to me -. I am Tharenas, and this is my story.
I come from a family of traveller’s. My father was once part of a prestigious family, but when they were overrun; they lost the throne, and in the confusion my father was separated from his family at the age of just 16. He was later taken up by a family of travellers, and adapted to their lifestyle. He later married, and by the age of 25 had single handily built a house for his wife and new baby child to live in. As the family continued travelling, my father stayed behind; my mother was pregnant with her second child, and could not support the baby while travelling, so we stayed behind.
My father had been rather handy with a bow and sword, so many of these skills he passed onto me. He trained as a swordsman when his family was on the throne, and learned basic skills as an archer as well. Since I was aged 14 he endeavoured to train me in combat, and my skills, although not outstanding, were enough to give me an edge over the average opposition.
One night, there was shouting outside. My father went out to investigate. By this time I was aged only 14, and my brother of just 8 was with me in my room. Suddenly my father came bursting back through the door, ‘zombies!’ he shouted, but just as he muttered the panicked words of run, an arrow struck his back. He fell silent. He was dead. From here the zombies began to raid our house. My mother, younger brother and I ran. We fled through the back door in the garden, and hid in the forest over night. Fortunately the zombies were not exceptionally coordinated, so by splitting up, we avoided being attacked. My mother and younger brother went together, each not able to survive alone, but with my father’s training I felt able to face the wilds for one night, before we met up back at the house at dawn. When I returned, I saw my brother holding my mother’s hand, surrounded by zombies. Before I could intervene, more zombies appeared, I knew it was not possible to save them, so I forced myself to retreat and simply watched. As I stood there my brother was dragged along the dew dampened grass, crying, his tears matching mine, and as the water ran down my pale face, my long brown hair wetting, the zombies simply left, they spared my mother, and to this day I still don’t know why….
Immediately I ran to my mother, distraught, overwhelmed by emotion and sadness, but the pain was softened by the warm arms of my mother as they wrapped around me. I knew she was safe, and that she was all I had, but was unsure as to how much longer she could survive; I knew I was able to provide for myself in the wild, but would struggle to catch food for her as well. Then she made the decision that we both knew had to be made. She told me to go on my own, that she be able to find a way to survive, hope a traveller would pass by, that he could take her to civilisation, and that I should search for people, a camp maybe, while we wait, and that then I should come back.
The next night I departed my mother’s company; I was now left to fend against the monsters for myself. I ventured throughout the forests for days, struggling to find water, to stay alive, until I came across an Elven town, who took me in. They fed me, homed me, but I knew I could not stay. I had to go back for my mother. The following evening, I packed up some supplies and travelled back the way I had come, and after two days of walking found my old home. My mother was not there; initially I thought that the zombies must have come back for her, but my fears were silenced by a more relieving thought that possibly she had been found my a traveller. Ultimately, I knew that I would never know, and unwillingly, I turned back, I knew it would be too dangerous to stay. Upon returning to the Elven town, I heared word of near by village run by a fellow Bauldrfist; they would be my distant family and that was all I knew. I never met them due to my father being separated from the family, but I knew they would let me live with them, and so I took the quest and ventured up North, until eventually I found their keep.
Now, at 19 years old, I Tharenas have been reunited with my kind, and will fight until justice is given to what happened to my parents that dreadful night, and hope one day to find out what became of my mother, whether she died or lived, and if the later then to be reunited with her!
What are your Character’s ambitions?: My character’s ambitions are to find his mother and avenge his family. One day he hopes to raise a family, to live a life much like his father, but first he must make amends to ensure safety for his race.
What is your Character’s favourite tool?: My character’s favourite tool is his sword. He has had little experience with much else other than a bow, and so feels confident in his sword skills; however would like to try and develop skills with other tools to widen his potential when supporting his kind, such as a pickaxe or even simply a fishing rod.
What is one of your character’s most skilled talents?: My character is skilled only in the field of combat, and his skills admittedly lack diversity, but with his time in the wilderness, he has developed respectable talent in close quarters situations, understanding how to use a sword effectively, thanks to his father’s training.
Other information about your Character: My character has great respect for the fragility of life, due to his various troubles throughout his lifetime, and additionally fits in well with the poorer society; however can be rather awkward around richer communities.
A screen shot of your skin:
Open-Response-Questions:
Whilst traveling from the Cloud Temple you see a small halfling, being harassed by two armed warriors. They appear to be trying to steal money from him, how does your character respond?: My character is brave and fight for what is right, but is no fool. If he is well armed and feels it is safe to attack he will so, but in this case, with two armed warriors, he feels it is best to leave the situation alone, there is nothing he can do; and besides, it is only a minor offence that is taking place, no one is going to die, so it is not worth risking his own life.
Your character wanders into Alras, and comes across a small stall, behind which a well dressed man is standing. He’s offering various wares, the merchant turns to you and says in a posh accent " 'ello there, what can I do you for today?" What is your character response?: My character would respond politely, and create conversation. Normally there is something appealing at the stalls and so my character would hint towards it in conversation while ensuring his persuasion is not too obvious, and then normally come out of the situation with a good deal on some merchandise, usually a weapon or something combat related, as that is generally what my character is interested in.
Whilst wandering in the wilds, your character comes across a small hut, which looks abandoned. Inside it you see a chest containing a few iron bars, and a golden sword. How would your character respond?: My character would leave the items. Iron is of now use to him, having little understanding of crafting and definitely not being skilled enough to craft anything useful from it, and additionally, despite having adequate skill with a sword and thus a reason to steal it, would leave it as even with the house being abandoned, he realises from his own experiences that people can always return for what is theirs, and it could well be of much more use to them than it would for him.
Hungry and lost in the wilderness, you stumble across a small trading camp nestled among the forest, they greet you in the common tongue, how do you respond?: From his travels my character has developed a great understanding for accents and languages. He would respond warmly, and would never pass down an opportunity for food and drink when weak; if there is anything my character has learned through his lifetime, it is that any chance of survival must be taken, as the risk can ultimately never be worse than death. My character would make his best effort to speak in the common tongue to his full ability, as he would not like to insult anyone or ruin his chances of a friendly relationship by speaking in a way that cannot be understood by the settlers.
You hear word that bandits occupy the road outside the town in which you have been staying. The town guard have gathered, and are asking for assistance to help eliminate them. The leader of the party is offering a reward for any who offer their support. How does your character act on this information?: My character would be immediate to find the leader. He feels strongly about ensuring his town is safe, and would never miss a bit of combat, not to mention the reward. Anything he can get helps. Experiencing combat with those trained in the field, such as guards, could allow him to increase his combat potential, and although his combat skills are already reasonable, he would like the opportunity to develop them in any way possible.
Anything else you would like to say?: I feel that I have covered everything about my character than needs to be said, and about my out of character details, but will conclude with a summary of my character, just to reiterate the main points:
• My character is most skilled in swords, but is also well experienced with bows, and simply survival.
• He is opportunistic, and will never miss an open door.
• He takes great pride in his race, and one day hopes to gain revenge for his family.
