kuroi13

Just going off the top of my head, so this might need a few corrections, but...

If you're trying to reverse aging, you're probably interested in telomere repair, telomeres basically being the little safety caps at the end of DNA strands that keeps them from unraveling when they duplicate. However, after every DNA duplication, these telomeres degrade slightly due to how DNA duplicates itself. Some cancers are already very capable of fixing their telomeres (i.e. HeLa cells are kind of immortal), however, cancer is not very successful at keeping you alive. And even if you could repair your telomeres indefinitely, there's still that general breakdown of DNA as mutations accumulate over your lifetime. After awhile your DNA kind of fails at doing its job, cancer would likely accumulate, you die.

As far as viruses go, I'm fairly sure they don't alter your entire DNA, but rather a small section of it. This is fine for the virus cause it doesn't really need to alter your entire DNA to get your cell to replicate it. However, due to the build up of mutations and the gradual breakdown of telomeres in your DNA over your lifetime, I don't see how using viruses to 'replace' your DNA would be feasible unless it did a complete replacement. I'm sure someone's looked into it, but I haven't heard any breaking stories on that yet.

Personally, I'd be a little more interested in mechanisms like Mismatch Repair that your body already uses to repair your DNA when it mutates.

For cloning.. just cause you clone someone doesn't mean their clone is the same as them.. Even with the same DNA, two people raised in different environments can develop different skillsets, personalities, you name it. Plus, you're really bottlenecking your entire gene pool. Without that diversity, just one well mutated disease could knock the whole population out. 

No comment on the bionics bit, since I've never really studied up on prosthetics. I kind of like my limbs the way they are though lol 

If you're still curious, I'd recommend you to PubMed or Google Scholar for further reading.

Cheers

*A posting has been placed up near the entrance of the Eternal Library.*

Proposition for Alchemic Education

As a component of our duty to the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya, I would like to formally propose a state-funded general alchemic education program.

Since this has not been formally accomplished before, the proposition will remain simple for the time being.

I. Material and Fiscal Requirements

To put it plainly, one proposes that a small alchemy bench be arranged for the public use and education of Mali'aheral citizenry.

Material and fiscal requirements for this program are meant to be kept conservative for now, and include:

• 1 to 3 brewing stands
• a water source
• alchemic fuel
• basic reagents such as coal to practice distilling water

A location will be required. One possible place being one of the corners in the library's classroom.

Hopefully, though, more space to expand can be found and set aside, such as a designated room or building.

II. Development and Maintenance

While this program remains small, it may be advantageous to place it under the care of the Tilruir'indor. However, since care of the library and associated resources is known to take up a Tilruir'indor's valuable time, they are encouraged appoint another to handle the duties that may be associated with this program if they so choose. This hierarchy of appointment is intended to keep smaller, ancillary positions out of main government, so that the main council can remain a reasonable size.

The public shall also be requested to respect and care for the general maintenance and facilities of this program, as it is a public works.

III. Future Works

Ideally, this program will grow to support further alchemic research and spread its related knowledge amongst Haelun'or's scholars.

Classes, literature, research space, state-funded grants, etc. may also come to be provided through this program.

Any modifications to this proposition may be written below. Please sign if you wish to support this proposition.

For all citizens are leaders within their own right.

maehr'sae hiylun'ehya, san'thill ehier,

          Azorella Coulissante

*Ample parchment is available below the posting for citizenry to sign or comment on.*

MC name: kuroi13

Character's name and age: Azorella Coulissante, coming up on 400

Character’s Race: High Elf

What magic/s did you learn?: Fire Evocation

Who/how did you learn magic/s?: Azorella has read probably most or all of the magic books available in Haelun'or's library. In addition, she's committed arson and generally appreciates fire. She used to practice with another mage, Delonna ((Dohvi)), during Athera and has since tried to maintain a working understanding of the magic she uses.

Offer an explanation of said magic/s you learned: Fire evocation is similar to other evocation magics, wherein the mage pulls their evocation from the void. However, whatever is pulled from the void cannot remain in the mortal plane indefinitely. Pulling anything from the void requires use of a mage's mana, which causes fatigue as it is used.

There are a number of factors to be considered when a fire evocationist is using their magic:

• Amount of element pulled from the void: connecting and pulling anything from the void requires mana. The more that is pulled, the more mana that is used. Hence, it would be unlikely that a beginning mage would create more than a spark or the equivalent of a small candle flame. A small fireball may be more feasible for a well-practiced mage.
• Strength of the flame: a hotter flame requires more energy to maintain, so a blue flame would be considerably more draining than your standard orange/red flame. A white flame would be practically impossible.
• Distance of the flame: the farther the distance of the evoked flames from the mage's body, the more difficult and time-consuming it is to create. Although, considerations ought be taken for the heat of the flame, since evoking much more than a spark directly against the skin would probably burn a mage if they are not wearing proper protection.
• Control of the flame: flames cannot be controlled in fine detail. Crude shapes may be achievable after much practice, but it would be practically impossible to create anything more.
• Real flames: Flames from the mortal plane are not possible to control. A mage can only influence flames from the voidal realm.
• Fatigue: all use of magic garners fatigue. The greater the use, the greater the fatigue. In addition, it is possible for a mage to fatally fatigue themselves, so it is important for a mage to not try to go beyond their skill level, or into the realm of the practically impossible.

Provide evidence you’ve garnered to said subtype: I was able to find some screenshots from when it was required to submit them. I might be able to find more, if necessary.

https://imgur.com/a/iffgD

https://imgur.com/a/qY7tN

Also, here's a link to the short app I wrote when I applied last:

https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/89132-in-progressself-taught-fire-evocation-azorella-coulissante/

Do you have a magic you are dropping, due to this app? If so, link it:

*A simple notice has been pinned up near the Cloud Temple.*

Purchasing brewing stands. Prices can be negotiated.

Please contact Azorella Coulissante.

Dohbs has always had a consistently fantastic work ethic. He's thoughtful in his perspective on things and he's overall been a pretty down-to-earth fellow insofar as I've known him. He seems to have excelled in previous projects and I'm sure he'd continue to do the same in the future!

Bestest fluffy dragon anyone could ask for!!

"Oh for the love of Larihei.."

An elfess scribbles down a vote, an irritated crease to her brow.

((MCname: kuroi13))

Name: Azorella Coulissante

Vote 1: Avern'dionne

Vote 2: Avern'dionne

((Full-time student in the middle of midterm week here.. hope this isn't too late for the deadline... ;-; ))

Astervellis, burrowless.

Crafting and grinding sucks. Have any of the new techs realized this and want to change it?

This is/was currently being discussed in the Your View: An Alternative to Grinding if you'd like to leave any input on the matter.

Thanks for reminding me, though! I'll try to see where that discussion is going with the other techs!

The automatic downloading of the server's texture pack can be disabled if you go to the server list in your Multiplayer menu and click the Edit button when you have LotC selected. An option should then be available for you to disable server texture packs. Hopefully that helps!

Azorella grunts disgruntedly before she pens her vote and stuffs it unceremoniously into the box.

Name: Azorella Coulissante

Vote: Bovinicus Maximus

Vote: Bovinicus Maximus

The elfess grumbles something about filthy liberals before trundling off.

Azorella simply mumbles to herself, "Oh good, wartime taxes."

Azorella thinks quietly to herself as she browses the smattering of city seals that seem to adorn the streets,

One does not scorn the Evarir'thilln. Their sacrifice is noble. One scorns the need for sacrifice in the face of progress.

The elfess sighs and continues on her way.

Name: Azorella Coulissante
 
Should Athe'lor be accepted as a pure citizen?: Absolutely not.

The rather emphatic note appears to be missing.

Azorella deposits her vote in the box.

Name: Azorella Coulissante

Vote 1: Avern'dionne Adriane

Vote 2: Galan Evindal

Azorella twitches slightly before sighing and settling in her seat, feeling that her main issues were conveniently ignored. She grumbles lightly to herself about misguided priorities.

Sighing distinctly, Azorella grimaces to herself before responding.

It seems that we are debating over a triviality.

Allow me to clarify..

Earlier, both yourself and our llir Asul'athri stated that the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya was a duty to Haelun'or, the state. However, such a sentiment implies that the interests of Haelun'or supersede the ideals of the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya. Hence, I wished to make a distinction between the two, for the interests of Haelun'or and the ideals of the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya are often similar but are not necessarily one and the same.

In Annil'sul, for instance, the politics of the state nearly caused a war. In Lin'evaral, our Triumvirate saw fit to quarrel with the Druian over mere trees--need I not also mention the consistent conflict Haelun'or and the Bortu have had over the decades. In Asulon, a schism in the Council caused Haelun'or to split in two. I see little wisdom in these incidents. Again and again the state has forsaken the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya but only when the state finally recognized our blessed traditions was Haelun'or capable of providing health and progress for her constituents.

It is not the state that leads the Mali'aheral. It is the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya.

Furrowing her brows once more, Azorella banters back just as quickly.

To the contrary llir, I would say that those who reside outside of Haelun'or are not members of the state if they do not vote nor participate within it. A "state" is a societal construct in the strictest interpretation of the word. For instance,  many of my extended family members would likely not even know of the existence of Haelun'or excepting for my participation in it. They do not know of nor care for the laws nor politics with which the state relies upon. Would you consider such removed Mali'aheral still yet members of Haelun'or? 

Upon listening to the various speakers, a dark furrow grows upon Azorella's brow. In finding a chance to talk she steps up, a slight but assured nervousness about her. She seems convicted in her words but conflicted in her audience.

lliran, while I find myself in agreement with many of your sentiments, I feel compelled to note that a significant number of our kin bear no allegiance with the state of Haelun'or; however, these Mali'aheral are far from traitors to the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya. To the contrary, I think for some it may be more conducive that they are outside the distractions of the state rather than within. Mali'aheral anywhere, in any place, can follow our traditions and virtues, but how they wish to uphold these traditions is independent of whether they are a part of the state or not.

Additionally, I think it prudent to convey that it is not the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya that should be used to serve the state, but rather the state that ought serve the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya. Of course, I mean not to say that Haelun'or is not conducive to the virtues of the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya, I merely wish to reflect that the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya is not and has never been reliant on the state and that it should be followed regardless of one's allegiances.

Azorella sighs lightly to herself before returning to her seat.

Azorella takes note of the glowing text for a moment until she spots a repugnant lack of capitalization and an atrocious misspelling and promptly ceases reading any further. 

Only Kalenz could misspell 'maehr'sae hiylun'ehya'...

She grumbles to herself for a moment before finding something productive to do.

On one of her short trips to visit the high elves, Azorella stares incredulously at the multitude of elves shouting amok.

"Oh, for the love of Larihei..." she grumbles to herself before tacking a note up by the inside of the gate with a disgruntled grunt, for it was too loud for speeches amid the din of cheering elves.

Good lliran,

iyathantae ito Haelun'or, perhaps, but this is not the Haelun'or I remembered. Indeed, it seems the Mali'aheral of the city have forgotten the maehr'sae hiylun'ehya despite using it as a call for conflict. Overwhelming pride is blinding, and vengeance a self-fulfilling cycle. Two beasts can fight on end until their mutually assured destruction, but a wiser creature can recognize the necessity in moving forward.

Conflict aside, we are already 'home'. The only homeland is that which is in our traditions and bloodlines. The tangible excess is unnecessary. If we are so handicapped that we require a city to progress ourselves, then we have shamed our ancestors who have done without for generations. Indeed, where would the Mali'aheral be if our ancestors were more obsessed with location over traditions?

If we were the Mali'ame, I may understand, for they lack the exceptional architects, thinkers, and scientists that lead and guide our people towards progress. They can only cling desperately to our creations and ideals but they cannot generate their own. But we are not the Mali'ame.

We are Mali'aheral.

Progress and health, lliran. maehr'sae hiylun'ehya.

Azorella Coulissante

Name: Azorella Coulissante

Sub-Race: High Elf

Birth Date: Sometime in 1175

Death Date: Still alive

Mother: Aralia (Verith) Coulissante

Father: Miraelor Coulissante

Grandparents: Amaryllida (Iluwen) Verith, Sanith Verith, Leyumiare (Arhilla) Coulissante, Othelu Coulissante

Children: No children at present

Grandchildren: None

Other relatives: 

Note: Nikola Evarine was half wood elf. Everyone else who married in is high elf though. Not all relatives have been written into this specific family tree. i.e. Cerus Coulissante had more than one child.

Points of Interests, Accomplishments: Fire Evocationist, one time Medi'ir of Lin'evaral during Anthos, Okarir'indor of Annil'sul during Athera, literature enthusiast

Do you wish for this to be made public?: Possibly! Anything regarding Nikola Evarine's wood elven mother would have been falsified to avoid her discovery by the rest of the family though.

The more and more I get to know Dohvi, the more level headed and spectacularly awesome I find him to be. He has a good head on his shoulders and makes sound decisions when need be. 

+1!

Starry is super friendly and is always very nice and courteous to others! I think she would make an excellent AT!

+1!!

With a furrow to her brow, Azorella pipes up once more:

I am a smidge curious.. how much revenue do the current stalls generate as is? Last I glanced upon the marketplace it seemed that only two of the seven stalls were occupied. It seems a bit self-defeating if the current tax is so high that the market is more than half empty.

As far as which goods could be sold, I know of only a select few as I typically deal with the library and laboratory. Perhaps our llir Damasus would know more on the topic?

The elfess rubs her chin for a moment before continuing:

Otherwise... I was speaking with Elorna a few Elven days past and we came upon the idea of hosting a simple sale of baked goods--perhaps as a small event and fundraiser. I don't suppose we could host such events semi-periodically when the city is in the greatest need of resources?