Panashea

While I like the attempt of trying to outline Spirit conflict , I think it has a lot of the problems of the old submission without addressing or trying to fix current issues with shamanism. I don't think every piece should be a bandaid, but I think conceptually Greater Spirits and Lesser Spirits need more fleshing out before a system for them doing battle exists. I'm really not a fan of the old Spirit War system because it insanely rewards the few people who want to participate, and anyone who doesn't is kind of just forced along for the ride. Having health systems for Spirits is very clunky, especially when what effects them is so variable. Why should a small group of shamans have a larger impact then something like a natural disaster or Aengudaemon/Inferi interference? I do want to note that Phase 1 is really good way to outline the different kinds of Spiritual conflicts, I am mostly just in disagreement with how that combat is mechanized and harms the canon/nature of the Spirits. While I think Spirit Wars are something that should be something established and clearly defined in lore, I think it also needs more work on the nature of that conflict and how shamans go about it in roleplay rather then just tallying numbers. I also think this lore could be better integrated with core shamanism as to give reason to pursue these wars and conflicts. I personally want to write a piece on how Lessers and Greater Spirits, I'm just a little swamped. If you ever want to work on shaman stuff lmk.

1-2. Resource collection in LOTC should either be used to promote merchant/craftsmen roleplay, or make it convenient for people to build new structures. I've never understood the "fun" or rationale in making people wait or grind for things impossibly mundane, or to remove the resource pits that have worked consistently with no issues throughout the server's history with having to run around the map. Did they expect us to play CivCraft while they waited for stuff to respawn? This was supposed to be a map with no pasting, yet I don't think any of the nations in the last year of builds, (lairs especially), ever did anything by hand because of how obnoxious it would be. I think that resource collection in the past(whether through vaq mcmmo, nexus, the llama merchants), encouraged a lot of people to stay on the server (both in persona time and activity, purely because there was something to do even when people weren't around 100% of the time. Even relatively inconsequential things like the llama merchants kept the roads and usually inactive parts of the map filled with people. We should utilize the mechanics of minecraft to make roleplay easier and less obnoxious, yet we've forced people to run around the map away from the RP Hubs we've demanded they stay on. @VonAulusCurio currently broken but playing with the features is dope. I can't describe or leak its full features due to its scope and privacy, but I genuinely think a fully developed Curio with a focus on roleplay would push LOTC into the spotlight of being a really unique and powerful storytelling medium. At the moment its still contingent on having semi-capable or skilled builders to set-up an area for it. (TBH i just need time scraping assets together and desperately need help, I love running dungeons n the like for people) 3-4 (nerf bows in whatever version of PVP we have, kiting is so lame). I think if we're going to stay with 1.9 PVP we should scrap all the weapons and keep clicking consistent (keep dismounting and horse damage) armor should be way more fragile, with different kinds being more resistant to different kinds of attacks and slowness penalties comparable with their protection. I think the problem with Surge pvp is that at the moment it feels obtuse to anyone not accustomed to it. Someone who knows the warhammer swingtimers vs someone who doesn't is night and day. I would rather something more simple like movement and damage taken be the deciding factors of pvp. 5. I've made posts about activity checks and countless people have in the past have as well. It's really disheartening to see that this + Hayhollow's leadership leaving post right on the front page of LOTC as if this isn't a years long issue. I'm definitely #blessed as an orc who hasn't felt the full brunt of activity checks, but there are a large number of people who have left the server from the stress and pressure. What's weirder is the OOC mentality around it and the toxicity that comes from it. WE'RE ALL part of the LOTC Community regardless of what section of the map we choose to rp on. Why bully people off the server or ruin roleplay for it? 6. I'm iffy on SS pillars and the nature of warping around the map- in the past it made it more noob-friendly for starter races and characters to find their Hubs, but I worry if everyone can just warp around that it may invalidate the point of roads and other forms of transportation all together. 7. Freebuild would be great, but I think there should also be easily accessible resources to help people build in a variety of styles. This could be something as mechanical as spawnable house kits(that disappear over time or something), or just more building guides like the old Messy Medieval posts. We can see build quality over the years as Maps go on. While certain people complain about freebuild causing ugly cities or ghosts towns, both of those things continue to exist without freebuild. Landscars, ugly builds, and ghost towns are a reflection of our community and rather then booting them off the server and limiting every build to a paste, we might want to reflect as a community why certain builds or communities may struggle. 8-9. You'd think with the amount of LOTC Tiktoks, map trailer videos, and PVP montages there'd be a concise video explaining greater world lore for noobs. It's crazy to me how much media is spent lying to new players about the LOTC experience, and how little the application process actually prepares them for logging onto the server. I get trying to vet people for roleplay skill but if we're removing the more thought-provoking and internal questions, what is the actual point of the application? Why are we even whitelisted if it takes no more then 10 minutes to complete? Just have them log in and solve the questions and have a CT file it. I think a good application is one that ensures people they will be comfortable when they're on the server, and they have some awareness of how to "play". Having to explain four brothers or that they can't found a nation like it says on the front page hurts me. 10. Most rules are waived when a mod inevitably has to come to do verdict. I really wish LOTC was more unified as a community because things like conflict mediation and learning to lose wouldn't be impossible. 11. I feel like region owner rules were mostly made to prevent a group from bullying a community, but like many LOTC problems its just adding more confusion/red tape rather then just punishing the people who would abuse it. The same is true about lore and rules in general. 12. I think thats just the nature of the map being so large and the really awful hypixel hub we have. I miss King's road and roadside taverns. Hub RP kills a lot of my older motivation and intrigue I had for the server.

There’s no such thing as a painless lesson. Sacrifices are necessary. . . Although if you can endure that pain and forge something from it, you may surmount any obstacle. It is the long history of Krug’s descendants, the Iron Horde, that those who learned to collaborate and improvise the most effectively have prevailed. We also offer our wisdom, our crafts, and our skills, to aid the downtrodden or in need. All who work to help further achieve our goal of uniting the Descendants will have a warm relationship with our order. The members of the Crucible are a diverse band- alchemists, metallurgists, shamans, priests, and soothsayers, simply keen on making the world a better place. For thousands of years, Descendants lived in a constant state of war, amidst one another for resources, religion, and pride. After the defeat of Iblees, we were blessed to be better than our ancestors, yet continue to make the same mistakes in pointless conflict. We, members of the Crucible hereby open our ranks to those willing to join us, to craft, to talk, to learn and to drink with other races, other beliefs and other mentalities. If you are capable.

A perfect ally for the Crucible. Ghoraza will find lat amidst the good folk ob the realm.

The burned creature emerged within the realm of the Spirits, a darkened cave surrounded by flame and magma. As he traveled through the scorched land, he encountered that which he desired, a creature of immense power and malevolent intent. It was a being of flames and smoke, with glowing eyes that held no mercy. There, within the painful heat, he was burned alive, and a mark was formed upon his very soul. A third branding, to herald in the progress he so desired. This Spirit was tempered flame much like he and the forge. In imbibing this power, the Elemental Spirits would return to the Mortal Realm, and with it, a newfound strength.

A trail of smoke follows the Hobgoblin as he makes his way to Nor'Asath, for there was a fiery work to be done- correcting the actions of his kin.

‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒ Ghoraza has witnessed the coming age. In his time, Descendants have squandered the gifts of their ancestors to wage war and exploit one another. Krug, Horen, Malin, and Urguan were brothers, blessed after surmounting the wrath of Iblees. Why then, do we waste that resource, our strength on one another? What good is there in unending mortal wars? Our strongest weapons are not our magic, nor blade, but goodwill and almsgiving. A forge may make kin-slayers, but is better served warming and protecting the cold and downtrodden. This is true of all good and evil within this world. In wielding the strength of the Spirits, the Elements, Alchemy, and further practices in my own blind pursuit to make the world a better place I recognize my arrogance. What good is there in hoarding strength when it is best served with my friends? Ghoraza will share the secrets and strengths of this world to any capable should they pledge themselves to protecting and serving others. Ghoraza is no leader, and instead seeks those willing to make the same sacrifice Krug did long ago. The Crucible is a formation of all descendants and their allies, the honorable and true who seek a greater path beyond wanton bloodshed. I call upon the blacksmiths, the merchants, the soothsayers and diviners to impart on us the blessings of their trade. Ghoraza will travel between all nations in hopes of finding those willing to bolster descendant-kind. If you are interested in exchanging wisdom, resources, and kinship- then receive this missive and find Ghoraza within the Mortal Realm. ‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒ There is no greater strength than Mortality, and no greater weapon than Peace.

Ghoraza is reminded of the strength of his kin through the good words of his friends. Hopefully he will get a chance to play his part in the weekly.

Slightly after lore games to kill a problematic shaman the age limit was firmly to 400, but m'glimmerpoints and old-heads canonically living longer means it doesn't really matter unless you're making a new orc or being obnoxious.

Also @Lhindir_ @Smaw @Catarrh @Travista @Samoblivion @2samspan @𝕾𝖙𝖆𝖗𝖌𝖚𝖘𝖍 @Burkester @Dragonslayerelf @Boomzerang @VonAulus

Kulgarok - Originally the first Rex of Axios, Kulgarok was forced to kill another orc to receive Earth Elementalism. After this percieved betrayal, and losing the Rexdom to Drokon'Ugluk, he became a dark shaman who only sought vengeance against the lesser earth spirit Gardholog, and the many Spirits who had slain uruk after Orgon's proliferation. As a dark shaman, he only wielded this one Spirit, still holding respect and reverence for others, and carving the path toward orcish Xionism alongside the other Ish'urkal. He loathed their greed and obsession with power, and so while many Ish'urkal succame to Ixli and joined the Moz, he and a few other dark shamans became Ulua'mirzgai, Spirit Slavers of Leyd who sought to condense the power of the Spirits and make it mortal, rather then to be absorbed and corrupted by it. Kulgarok, having eaten and later imprisoning Gardholog arguably cements him as the strongest Earth shaman (I see you Ross), having raised a mountain out of the ocean to form Devirad, the home of Xionism alongside Kurag. Gardholog was the primary Earth spirit many elementalists pacted to, and so the strength they poured into this betrayer spirit was given to him. Kulgarok lived for centuries, though inexplicably left the mortal realm to aimlessly seek truth within the Spiritual, his end fate unknown. While his body may be gone, The False Rex, The Truthseeker's legacy still remains. Kulgarok would probably sit somewhere between lesser and greater, having performed great feats like Kharak, but his morality and "honor" is skewed by the Spirits slaughtering countless of his kin. I can always show up when he needs to be RPed, but if you just google, look at the wiki or check the forums more information on him will come up.

Yall did good.

Ghoraza does not understand why or how the Bronze Band who revered this Brazen Bull and housed them within their city is now blaming such upon the Rex who aided in defeating Cloudbreaker- an inferi plaything. If such knowledge was known, why accuse the Rex who has already been to Scorthuz's lessers? Why did the Bronze Band not attack, and instead worship the vile beast in their midst, and why would allowing them to siege a nation of innocents do anything but cause more bloodshed? Are YOU claiming to speak over their word and will? YOU, like us all are Uruk. You claim to be Scorthuz's chosen, yet ally with those who sheltered and protected the Inferi since their city has stood. Ghoraza will NOT spill blood for claims made when the Spirits have already spoken. If you seek reconciliation for our Rex, then do so with the Spirits, not with a dull blade and hypocritical accusation". The disfigured Hobgoblin descends into the depths of the jungle, dredging forth his ire and strength for the times to come.

didnt even get to rp with u...

are you ok

"Rise great Rex ob Blood, agh usher in a new Age." Ghoraza affirms, praising the Akaal. "May the light bi wielded once more."

"Ghoraza hopes this discourse can be blahed upon without missives. The need to slay dark spawn am far greater then politics between nations. Let uz hope this ends well..."

Ghoraza shifts from the Rex palace, watching the procession of orcs, shamans, Ker, and other onlookers who sought to purge the affliction. "Let Krug's will be done."

A Hobgoblin emerges from the shadows of a forge, covered in soot and wounds from difficult work. "Ghoraza will aid the faith of the cubs of Horen." The loud churning of metallurgy and forging echoes from the jungles of the Horde, and the great work begins.

this is really interesting, pls talk more about the process for making stuff