FlareGunCalamity

As a person who was raised with the zaniness and pure tomfoolery that is catholicism, i honestly kind of appreciate that canonism exists in the LOTC fiction to let me 'write what i know,' so to speak. Like, it gives me an excuse to give my characters the same catholic-derived trauma that I have, and anyone who was raised catholic will tell you that catholic guilt is a very particular kind of trauma with a very particular aesthetic that kind of just has no parallel and is honestly so fun to write. Catholic guilt just hits different, yknow? That being said, like, f*cking, yeah, obviously canonism sucks. Catholicism sucks. Most of the people who openly identify as catholic nowadays are also blatantly n*zis (which, btw, its very funny that online american tradcath converts want to overthrow the pope for being too woke. ma'am, you signed up to have that guy as your supreme religious dictator. thats what being catholic means. just be a non-catholic n*zi if you dont like him). I think canonism serves a narrative purpose as a force that is antagonistic and as something that adds a layer of realism to the medieval human rp, but it's foolish at best and malicious at worst to ignore all the terrible things it inherits from real world catholicism. I do think people on this server could, broadly, stand to be a little more sensitive and to think a little more critically about the era-appropriately problematic sh*t we do in rp. When in-character support for the canonist doctrine bleeds into irl condoning of bigotry, disregarding real people's religious trauma, or glorifying the real papal state's history of colonialism and violence, it's time to take a step back from the fantasy and question the ethics of what you're writing. At the end of the day, we need to remember that on LOTC we're writing a collaborative fiction, and fiction can and does have real world consequences.

please. please we need purple and orange so bad please don't lock this behind vip

my brother carp/monkeypoacher keeps getting banned for breaking into admin vaults, stealing, and promptly redistributing lore items. does that count?

if people could downvote me then people might downvote me :( and then i would never get to change the stupidass member rank i set when i was in high school

I'm kinda shocked past tense is winning. I've always assumed present tense is the default and it takes me out of the story a little bit when people rp in past tense. The whole deal is that the story is unfolding as we're playing it right now, so why would it be in past tense? Also, it's easier to write balanced combat emotes that don't sound clunkily worded or powergamey in present tense imo

IGN: FlareGunCalamity DISCORD: FlareGunCalamity#0063 CATEGORY OF CHOICE: VISUAL ART TITLE OF YOUR PIECE: The Meek Shall Inherit Almaris https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C8R5PDf8OEL-OhGejA1raaa69RZDWQln/view?usp=sharing Explanation: I feel like as time marches forward on lord of the craft, the playerbase is making strides towards being a more accepting and diverse community. I’d like the end of an era to represent an end to the time when i would get harassed for playing trans characters, or when racial slurs would be casually tossed around irp. My piece has a subtle rainbow gradation from red to purple across the piece to represent pride. i also chose to depict female characters from the stereotypical underdog races on the server, fighting side by side. The halfling druid summons branches to a defensive wall while the farfolk warrior aims an aurum tipped arrow from a jarmakee-drawn bow, the orc huntress cries her fiercest battle cry, and the dark elven rogue charges forth with dual blades. They also form a rainbow with their clothes and hair!

Those wishing for a white Krugsmas this year may find their desires met in a way they weren't quite expecting. Outbreaks of powdery mildew are found across the lands! Gardens, farmlands, and flower beds alike are stricken with a spreading growth of mildew that threatens the health of crops. A fungal blight, pesky to all those with a green thumb, finds the leaves of flowers and foliage choked in its growth. Moldering, though not deadly, this epidemic presents nothing more than an inconvenience to the overwintering season. The most observant of gardeners may notice these outbreaks seem to follow visits from a certain beetle-footed sprite...

I'll admit I was inspired by the stone of farspeech from TAZ

Murmurite Background: Discovered during the travels of a field geologist. Deep within a cave, the geologist stopped beside a spring to rinse the sweat from their forehead. In the center of the waters stood an imposing column of dark blue rock, arranged in strange tubes and vesicles like some alien pipe organ. The rock seemed to be causing echoes far louder than possible with the acoustics of the cave. Samples of this rock, alluring in physical appearance but seemingly inert, laid dormant in a collection for many years, until the discovery that they could be attuned to each other and regain their sound-amplifying abilities. (Pictured: A cut slab of Murmurite, exposing its beautiful deep blue-green color) Material Name and Description: Found in volcanic hot springs and in cave springs, Murmurite is formed when water flows through the earth and springs forth through fissures through the ground, collecting tiny particles of crystal that are then deposited at the mouths of springs. Where these rock deposits form, a power is imbued into the forming crystals, granted by the whispering of the water that carried it to its perch. These crystals form a type of rock called a Tufa, which has hollow tunnels and channels through which sound can pass. The rock resembles a flute in its hollow tube shape, caused in part by the precipitation of rock into the water and in part by small organisms living in the rock boring the holes. When sound enters one side of an opening in this rock, it can pass out through the opening of another rock that isn’t connected to it, as long as those two samples of Murmurite have been attuned to one another. Murmurite is brittle rock with a visual texture similar to a sponge, filled with holes and thin tube-like channels. When held, it has a texture to the fingers much like pumice or chalk, seeming delicate and grainy. The rock forms upward in large columns from the floors of warm water springs. The rock is overall a dull greenish blue in appearance, sort of like a deep sea green or a dark teal, but upon close inspection of the rock one would find its made of many tiny, pearlescent, glittering grains of blue-green crystal, each no larger than a grain of sand. Applications: If you can harvest a sample of Murmurite, the channels will keep their ability to transmit sound and can even transmit sound across vast distances, through walls without windows and even underground, as long as they are attuned to at least one other Murmurite rock to which they can transmit. To attune two Murmurite rocks together, they must only be submerged in warm running water together, connecting the two samples to each other. A sample of Murmurite rock can transmit sound to any number of samples and there is no limit to the number of times a Murmurite can be attuned to other Murmurite rocks. A guide for attuning your stone to another person’s stone: -Find a source of warm moving water, like a river bank, the waves on a beach, or in a bubbling hot spring. Submerge both of the stones in the water together. After a few moments, the stones will start to glow together in light following the pattern of the moving water. This indicates that the stones have been successfully attuned to one another. Now you can send a message to the other stone. Murmurite can only transmit sound to other Murmurite rock if both of the rocks have fully enclosed, intact channels which run all the way through the rock to make an open tube like a straw. If the stone is crushed, it loses its ability to transmit sound to anywhere. The rock is very easy to crush and can even be crushed in one’s hand with enough force. Dropping it on the ground accidentally may not destroy it, but throwing it against the ground will cause it to burst into a pile of blue powder and shrapnel. To send a message through the Murmurite stone, you must first conjure a clear image of the message recipient in your mind, then speak into the hollow channel within the rock. When sending a message, the rock will begin to softly glow with ripples of blue-green light, like waves across the surface of a still pond. When the message has been sent, or if the message cannot be received, the rock will stop glowing. Here is a roleplay guide to sending messages with a Murmurite stone: Emote 1- conjure a clear image of the person you wish to contact in your mind. Emote 2- the rock will start to glow in rippling patterns of light, like oscillating waves on water. Emote 3- speak into the stone to send your message to the intended recipient (through /msg). You do not need to emote the contents of your message out loud, but can simply say ‘[character] whispers into the stone’ the same way you would say ‘[character] writes on paper’ to send a message with a bird. (Pictured: A bleached tufa rock, containing little to no Murmurite as evidenced by its color. This is an example of the shape of the tubes one would find in an ideal sample.) Red lines: -It takes 3 emotes to send a message with the Murmurite stone. Similarly, it takes 3 emotes to receive a message. This is the same rule for emoting message sending as for birds. -Do not use a Murmurite stone to metagame. The messages sent through these stones follow the same rules as birds in terms of messages. Follows the same rules for birds in CRP and rallying situations. -Unlike birds, the messages CAN pass through walls or underground. -Murmurite can only be used to send a message to a recipient that has a stone that has already been attuned to yours. -Since it glows, the Murmurite stone does not send messages stealthily. Anyone within eyesight of the rock will see it glow when a message is being sent through the murmurite. This would be the same difficulty to conceal as attempting to hide the fact that you’ve received a message from a bird flying into the room. -only the person receiving the message can hear the message through the stone. -if the rock is crushed, it loses its ability to send and receive messages. Harvesting method: The rock is always located in hot springs, either in volcanic hot springs or cave springs. It forms protruding from the earth in tall columns of ‘tufa’, a rock formation with a texture like a brittle sponge. Identifying it is usually easy due to its vibrant blue-green color. If you are unsure that the tufa rock you’re looking at is a Murmurite, speaking into one of the channels in the rock should cause your voice to amplify and echo out in random directions. In caves, it may be amplifying the surrounding sound of the bubbling spring water around it too, so the heightened noise of running water is a good indicator that you’ve found Murmurite. To harvest a sample that will work for sending messages, you must locate a good sample where a hollow channel runs all the way through the rock, then chip that out with a chisel and hammer. The rock is brittle and prone to crushing and shattering, and can even be crushed in one’s hand with enough effort. It takes a gentle hand with lots of slow, patient chiseling to relieve a sample that still has an intact hollow tube from the tufa formation. Due to the delicate nature of the rock, it requires both a hammer and a chisel to be successfully harvested. Trying to wrench it free with your bare hands or with something as imprecise as a pickaxe would likely crush the rock. Here is a recommended rolling-friendly rp guide for how to harvest Murmurite: -roll above a 15 to get a sample that has an enclosed tube running all the way through it. If you roll below a 15, you somehow damage the shape of the rock and it loses its magical abilities. Harvesting red lines: -Requires proper tools: a hammer and a chisel. -Murmurite is a player signed resource and does not need an ST sign. -Murmurite nodes can be represented by prismarine or dark prismarine blocks. A good choice for a player-signed item to represent a Murmurite rock would be a prismarine shard, a piece of lapis lazuli, or blue coral. Purpose ooc: To provide an alternative to birds which gives flavor to rp, for anyone who believes their character would not own a bird irp. I personally have played characters who simply wouldn’t own birds for fear of animals! Murmurite can send messages through walls or underground, which birds cannot do. Murmurite is also a cool aesthetic choice for a character who might want to wear their Murmurite rock as jewelry, or keep it as a hidden spy phone if they’ve been captured and held in a cell with no windows.

NO!

Thank you so much for your feedback! Although, linseed oil soaked rags will actually occasionally combust spontaneously on their own, so adding a heat source like brynnestine would only speed up the process. That's what I meant for use as a fire starter. I'll make those other edits though! (I intended to delete the part that explained that brynnestine was soluble in water, so thanks for catching that!)

Material Name and Description (Raw form) Brynnestine \’BRIN-nə-,stēn\ (BRIN-uh-steen) First discovered by a human field geologist and volcanologist, Basil Tharp, studying the impacts of volcanoes on the land of Almaris. The geologist was collecting samples of cooled magma when he happened across a strange new rock, still radiating heat despite the surrounding rock being solid and cool. Attempts to identify the mineral responsible revealed a yet undiscovered material, with properties strange and esoteric, evocative of the powers of the great chthonic depths. Tharp threw himself into the study of this mineral. Cataloguing the places it was found and collecting viable samples of the pure mineral soon became his life’s work... Brynnestine, ‘The burning rock,’ is mineral imbued with unique and strange properties. The geologist who discovered the stone theorized that the source of its magical powers is a form of ancient energy trapped within its crystalline structure. Perhaps the stone is an artifact of the primordial energy responsible for the creation of the world, and an avatar of the distilled geothermal power it holds deep within its surface. Whatever causes Brynnestine’s strange properties, the mineral is undeniably a signifier of rocks old and ancient, found only within formations of rock that date back to ages long past, or rock that has come from the deepest depths of the underground and only recently breached its surface. Brynnestine passively and endlessly generates heat until it is destroyed via degradation. The constant warmth of this mineral can become more powerful when the mineral is purer, but since most Brynnestine is relatively impure and tends to form in small fibrous crystals, it gives off an average warmth comparable to body heat, of around 90-96 degrees fahrenheit (32-35 degrees celsius). Large, pure samples of the mineral, with no inclusions or chemical impurities, can reach temperatures hot enough to boil water (212 degrees Fahrenheit or 100 degrees celsius). This heating property cannot be mitigated by attempting to freeze it or cool it in water- it will continue to give off heat until it eventually warms up or melts whatever is attempting to cool it, or until the Brynnestine is destroyed, via degradation from certain types of exposure to air. Brynnestine cannot be made hot enough to melt iron or steel, but can be hot enough to burn skin, cauterize wounds, or cause heat stroke if exposure is overwhelming and prolonged. Not just named for its heating abilities, Brynnestine has other properties which earn it the moniker of the burning rock. When physically struck, the mineral generates ripples of phantasmal blue light that dissipate after a few moments. This glowing effect can be even more pronounced when the mineral is broken along its cleavage planes, or struck upon other planes of weakness, but will happen when the mineral is hit with physical force regardless of the angle or whether the mineral sample breaks. This light reverberates through the crystal, bouncing off the walls until it muddies and disappears, like ripples across the surface of a still pond. Illuminating even the darkest of caves as a miner trudges through, each footstep sending echoes of faint, ghostly light across the stone. Brynnestine also has a secondary optical property called adularescence. Adularesence is a passive optical property that occurs when light from a light source passes through the crystal. Even without physical force being applied, light bounces off of thin laminated planes within the stone and shines back in brilliant color. This iridescent effect makes it appear that the stone is glowing with flashes of blue light when under a light source, even when it isn't being struck. This optical property can also be seen in minerals like Labradorite, moonstone, or opal, and is colloquially referred to as ‘fire,’ fittingly evocative of the fiery nature of Brynnestine’s mystical powers. Turning around an optimal sample of Brynnestine in one’s hand would reveal these flashes of glowing color, which appear to streak across the stone’s surface in radiant bolts depending on the angle at which one views the stone. Extremely pure samples of Brynnestine will have a clear, bright fire effect. Physically impure samples of Brynnestine, those that have inclusions or flaws in the crystalline structure, may have hazier fire, or may not even have any at all. This fire effect, unlike the property induced by physical force, doesn't produce a light of its own, and is merely a reflection of light from a source. Due to its bladed crystal habit, Brynnestine in trace amounts can result in a ‘specular’ stone, where many small thin crystals across the surface of a stone result in a glittery appearance. These small crystals may also flash with a bare, faint blue light when struck, alerting a miner to their presence. While typically odorless when unperturbed, Brynnestine gives off a strong, acrid chemical smell when scratched or chipped. This smell becomes even more notable when the mineral is powdered or when it is being worked on or polished. The smell is most similar to burning hair but can also be described as similar to rotten eggs, and is overall sulphurous and metallic in nature. Brynnestine degrades over time when in the presence of air and is susceptible to chemical weathering and erosion as a result, although it is not immediately soluble in water when in crystalline form. This degradation process happens much faster when the mineral is powdered, the powder degrading into a reddish-black substance over time, usually over the course of a month (24 irl hours) if not protected from oxygen. Due to this, the powdered mineral is best kept hermetically sealed in glass ampoules or under grease. The solid mineral does not experience this problem as strongly due to its hard stable surface, and degradation of the solid mineral can happen on timescales of upwards of 500+ years (10 irl years). Most solid samples of the stone that are found are ancient, the crystal heralding a time when the world was young and unrecognizable as the world we know now. Though the solid crystal is relatively stable, a very scratched up surface on a poor quality piece or an uneven fracture surface on a raw crystal may develop a blackish-red film over the top of it when exposed to air for longer than a month (24 irl hours). This film could be washed or scrubbed off fairly easily. Applications (Raw Form) Because Thanhium absorbs heat, heat energy naturally flows from Brynnestine to Thanhium, not unlike charges moving from positive to negative poles in electrochemistry. This creates an effect where thanhium draws heat from Brynnestine towards it, mutually draining both the Brynnestine’s capacity to generate heat and the thanhium’s capacity to absorb it. As it does this, the thanhium heats up and the Brynnestine cools, and both materials eventually become entirely neutralized. When Brynnestine is rendered inert, it loses its surface hardness and becomes soft and greasy to the touch, also turning dull blackish-red in the process, its new form resembling talc. It no longer gives off heat, and it’s functionally as useless as sand. The speed of this reaction is determined by how the two minerals are exposed to each other. In pure mineral form, this process would happen slowly and inefficiently. If powdered, this process could potentially be made more efficient. This is applicable as a failsafe for potentially disastrous Thanhium contamination, as Brynnestine is capable of countering its effects. Other materials that magically absorb heat are not capable of rendering Brynnestine inert- the reason for this is unknown. Brynnestine is also generally desirable for its heating effects. Crystals of Brynnestine make viable replacements for fire when tinder is unavailable, and could be used to treat hypothermia and prevent frostbite. Brynnestine could be used to heat rooms during the winter or power cooktops, and due to its ability to give off heat, it also works as a potential fire starter. One possible way to start a fire with a piece of brynnestine is to wrap it in a rag soaked in linseed oil or any other combustible oil, allowing the rag to slowly heat until it bursts into flame. Red Lines (Raw Form) Brynnestine can range from mid tones of viridian green to black depending on the purity. It cannot be any other color. A physically and chemically impure sample of Brynnestine will probably only reach body heat. A sample of Brynnestine that is physically flawless but contains chemical contamination, or the reverse situation, may reach temperatures in between the lower threshold and the upper threshold. A pure sample of Brynnestine can ONLY be hot enough to boil water, with a maximum temperature of 212 degrees F, 100 degrees C. Brynnestine cannot be made hot enough to melt iron or steel, but can be hot enough to burn skin, cauterize wounds, or cause heat stroke if exposure is overwhelming and prolonged. Touching a pure sample of Brynnestine would be comparable to touching a hot stove. Brynnestine cannot be used to make magical explosives. The reaction with Thanhium also cannot be used to make magical explosives. Harvesting Method To harvest Brynnestine, it must be sought out, identified, and then carefully mined. Brynnestine is most commonly found in ultramafic rocks- rocks which formed in the deepest depths of the underground, below its crust. Mafic rock can only be found in a select number of places on the mainland, because a process called differential melting transforms the mineral content of rock as melted magma rises up through the continental crust. Most magmatic rock found on the continental mainland has had its heavier elements filtered out due to differential melting, meaning mafic minerals like pyroxene, olivine, and Brynnestine are difficult to find. Because of this, the most reliable source of Mafic rock is technically at the bottom of the ocean. Though these rocks are rare on the mainland surface, it is possible to find them in some places. Shield volcanoes, a type of volcano found in oceanic island chains, can create basaltic lava bearing Brynnestine. Once cooled, the basalt rock that bears Brynnestine typically has it in microcrystalline form, interspersed among other mafic minerals in trace amounts. For larger crystals, oceanic gabbro rock that has been uplifted over time and placed on land is a good place to look. The greatest wealth of Brynnestine crystals, however, comes from ancient continental cratons, the cores from which continents form over time. Among the ancient volcanic and metamorphic mantle rocks of serpentine and olivine, mixed among veins of copper and iron, one would be lucky to find the beautiful bladed crystals of the burning rock. As an example, small Brynnestine crystals could possibly be found nestled among calcite veins in copper mine tailings. Careful geologic survey could be used to determine where best to search for Brynnestine on the continental mainland, if one is determined. One tried and true method of identifying Brynnestine in stone when rock hunting is to gently strike against stone with a mallet, and look for the coruscating blue shimmers of light that ripple forth from embedded Brynnestine crystals. Methods of Identification: Luster: Vitreous Streak: Deep green, nearly black, though streak is difficult to determine as most porcelain streak plates are not as hard as the mineral. Color: Ranges across a spectrum of shades of green, the most common being a mid-tone shade of cool green referred to by artists as ‘viridian.’ It sometimes has a high chromium content which can cause it to be a brighter green, or a higher iron(II) content which can make it range towards black. When light passes through it, it gives off a light-scattering effect that causes a blue glow within the rock, called Adularescence. Pure samples of the mineral are a more vitreous and transparent shade of cool mid-tone-green. Crystal habit: Bladed or fibrous. Larger crystals form rectangular prisms in a bladed habit, similar to Kyanite. Smaller crystals form in masses of small, fibrous crystals, more reminiscent of hematite or hornblende amphibole. When found in rocks, this can result in a ‘specular’ stone, or a stone that has many small bladed crystals across the surface giving it a glittery appearance. Crystal Form: euhedral. Crystal can also form in anhedral, xenolithic masses within basaltic rock that has cooled quickly due to exposure to air or water, like in pillow-basalts. Tetrahedral symmetry. Category: Nesosilicate Cleavage: Prismatic, fair to poor, 90 degrees on 2 intersecting planes. Fracture: Uneven or splintery Hardness: 9.5 along the A1 axis (about as hard as Moissanite, capable of scratching glass, steel, and stonemasonry tools, but not diamond), 8 perpendicular to the A1 axis (About as hard as spinel, capable of being scratched by stonemasonry tools.) Toughness: Weak, can be broken along cleavage planes with some effort by hand, prone to chipping when hit with blunt force. Tenacity: Brittle or splintery Optical Properties: Typical samples of Brynnestine display an optical property known as Adularescence. Causes flashes of hazy blue “fire” or a blue ”glow” to appear within the mineral, very similar to the properties of opal, moonstone, or labradorite. The blue glow is comparable in color to a hot-burning flame. This effect is caused by finely laminated planes within the crystal causing an iridescent refraction of light. The adularescence effect does not actually glow, and isn’t a light source. This effect only appears when it has a light source to refract. Other Properties: When broken, the mineral will give off a faint glow of pale blue light, which fades away mere moments after the impact. This effect can be seen to a lesser degree when the mineral is struck without breaking it (although this is difficult due to the mineral’s brittle nature)- a strike to one of the faces of the crystal will cause a rippling blue light to spread through the interior of the stone for several seconds, reverberating back and forth like ripples on a bond’s surface before dissipating entirely. This glow is comparable in color to the adularescence of the unperturbed mineral. If broken all the way into a powder, the mineral will start to degrade and give off smoke. The mineral is also paramagnetic, and will respond weakly to magnetic fields. When mined carefully, harvesting of Brynnestine doesn’t generate a significant amount of powder. However, if the Mineral is not handled properly, it may end up splintering or fracturing into dust. Coming into contact with the powder without gloves on will result in a reaction known as cholinergic urticaria, or ‘heat hives.’ The powdering of this mineral will also create small plumes of foul smelling smoke that are not harmful to the body but are liable to make one gag if sensitive to strong unpleasant odors. Pure samples of Brynnestine can also range to dangerously high temperatures, capable of serious burns to the skin (akin to touching a pan that’s just been pulled from the oven with your bare hands, or dunking your bare skin into boiling water). As such, it’s recommended to use padded mitts or some other heat-protective device over your hands when harvesting Brynnestine. Harvesting Red Lines Pure crystals larger than an inch in length and width would require ST approval and appropriate gathering roleplay to obtain. Druzy, or tiny crusts of crystals within xenoliths, are more common and would likely not require ST approval- but would also have weaker geat-giving and mana-giving properties. Brynnestine is brittle and shatters easily, so care must be taken to harvest around the mineral. The material gives off an overpowering foul odor when chipped or scratched, which must also be roleplayed. Repeatedly interacting with the solid form of the mineral will probably not cause long term serious damage to the health of the body, since it is not toxic. It is not radioactive. Even though the mineral may contain chromium or iron, it is in trace atomic amounts, and is not an ore for either metal. The foul odor given off by Brynnestine is not a poisonous gas, nor is it a miasma, and it cannot kill or harm anyone. Heat hives must be roleplayed as a consequence of harvesting or handling the mineral. There is no magical bonus or potential positive effect to intentionally ingesting Brynnestine. Material Name and Description (Powdered) When ground against a surface harder than itself, Brynnestine leaves behind a deep, blackish-green powder. This can be used in the identification of the mineral as it’s ‘streak,’ the characteristic colored powder left behind a mineral when scratched against a streak plate, but the powdered form also has properties of its own. The most notable effect of powdering Brynnestine is that substantial quantities of the powdered substance give off bursts of steam and smoke as they degrade. Powdered brynnestine only remains viable for about 5 minutes when exposed to air, at which point it degrades into an inert powder with no special properties. The process of it degrading gives off a cloud of foul smelling but non-toxic smoke, richly colored an opaque green that would obscure one’s vision, and quite possibly make their eyes water from the stench of burnt hair. Due to this degradation effect, the powdered form of Brynnestine is best kept hermetically sealed so as to prevent its contact with air, either under a layer of grease or inside a sealed glass ampoule. As soon as the powdered Brynnestine is once again exposed to air, it will begin to let off smoke and degrade. Handling the powdered form of Brynnestine without gloves and a face mask, or breathing in the smoke from its excited state has been found to invariably produce cholinergic urticaria, also known as heat hives. Though harmless, these itchy welts are a strong deterrent to regularly coming into contact with the powder. Applications (Powdered) Powdered Brynnestine, in substantial quantities (ie, more than 5 ounces) will start to give off smoke that smells foul, obscures one’s vision, and causes heat hives. This could be utilized to make harmless smoke bombs or to deter assailants, since the effects are unpleasant but not damaging to the body. There is also potential to use this as a fire symbol in alchemy. Red Lines (Powdered) Five ounces or more of the powdered mineral would require ST approval to create. Less than that amount would not create a significant amount of smoke. Powdering the mineral does not change the amount of heat it gives off. If an impure sample of Brynnestine that only gave off 90 degrees of heat is powdered, it will continue to give off the same amount of heat as before. Smoke from the powdered Brynnestine only lasts 5 minutes (4-5 emotes in combat) before dissipating entirely and the powder is rendered inert. Heat hives, foul odor, and vision-obscuring smoke are all necessary side effects of handling powdered Brynnestine. Powdered Brynnestine is not hazardous to the body and cannot poison or kill you. Heat hives are not deadly. Previous section redlines apply. Refining Technique To be properly powdered, Brynnestine must be both ground and milled using stonemasonry tools of adequate hardness to evenly powder it. Since Brynnestine has such a high hardness on the relative scale, it requires specialized tools to accomplish this. Once ground, it should also be milled to ensure it is evenly powdered and that no clumps of unprocessed rock remain. To store Brynnestine for a long term, the powder must be immediately transferred into a hermetically sealed container, such as a glass ampoule or a grease storage. As previously stated, it is best to handle the powder while wearing PPE, such as padded gloves, goggles, and a face mask, to ward against heat hives and overpowering odors. It is best to powder Brynnestine in a well ventilated space, such as outdoors or in a room with many open windows, to filter out the noxious smoke. Refining Red Lines Grinding and milling Brynnestine requires specialized equipment. Regular stonemasonry tools are not enough to get good quality powder that will produce significant amounts of smoke. PPE like padded gloves are necessary to avoid getting serious and obnoxious heat hives across one’s hands and arms while refining and handling the powder. Previous section redlines apply. Purpose (OOC) -Adds more interest to pre-existing mineral lore, like thanhium. -Adds intrigue to blocks that were be added in the 1.16 update, like basalt & blackstone, as both of those are mafic magmatic rocks which could potentially contain Brynnestine. -Expands the world lore by implying some geologic processes, and creates an incentive for players to engage with world creation lore and mana lore by seeking out places where Brynnestine could form. -Creates an incentive for players to engage with the map to look for mineral deposits.

I love a good Oath of Redemption paladin

I'm actually working on some pet project lore that could potentially replace birds while being mechanically similar but functionally distinct, if that sounds like something anyone is interesting? It's a resource lore project.

Material Name and Description (Raw form) Brynnestine \’BRIN-nə-,stēn\ (BRIN-uh-steen) First discovered by a human field geologist, Francis Kingfisher, studying the impacts of volcanoes on the land of Almaris. The geologist was collecting samples of cooled magma when they happened across a strange new mineral, still radiating heat despite the surrounding rock being solid and cool. Samples were collected and studied for their unique properties, before the mineral was officially named. Brynnestine, ‘The burning rock,’ is an artifact of the primordial energy responsible for the creation of the world, and an avatar of the geothermal powers it holds within its surface. Brynnestine passively generates heat much in the same way that the darkest depths within the earth radiate forth their own ancient and powerful energy. Brynnestine generates mana from the void, slightly weakening the veil around it as a result. It radiates off the active mana it generates, thereby creating heat as a result. It does this endlessly until it is destroyed via degradation. The mana creates a faint blue aura that can barely be seen in the dark. This mineral gives off constant warmth, which can become more powerful when the mineral is purer. Since most Brynnestine is relatively impure and tends to form in small granular crystals, it gives off an average warmth comparable to body heat of around 90-96 degrees Fahrenheit (32-35 degrees celsius). Large, pure samples of the mineral, with no inclusions or chemical impurities, can reach temperatures hot enough to boil water (212 degrees fahrenheit or 100 degrees celsius). This property cannot be mitigated by attempting to freeze it or cool it in water- it will continue to give off heat until it eventually warms up or melts whatever is attempting to cool it. Brynnestine cannot be made hot enough to melt iron or steel, but can be hot enough to burn skin, cauterize wounds, or cause heat stroke if exposure is overwhelming and prolonged. Touching a pure sample of Brynnestine would be comparable to touching a hot stove. Brynnestine, while typically odorless, gives off a strong, acrid chemical smell when scratched or chipped, which becomes even more notable when the mineral is powdered or when it is being worked on or polished. The smell is most similar to burning hair and is sulphurous, and can also be described as similar to rotten eggs. Brynnestine degrades over time when in the presence of water and is susceptible to chemical weathering and erosion as a result, although it is not immediately soluble in water when in crystalline form. Powdered Brynnestine can be dissolved in water to create an aqueous solution that is variably pale to extremely bright green, depending on the chromium content. Mixing more than a tablespoon of powder into water would cause a noticeable reaction, including boiling and spitting of the liquid and a dramatic change in color. It also degrades slowly over time when in direct contact with oxygen, the iron (II) in it slowly converting to rust. This happens much faster when the mineral is powdered, the powder degrading into a reddish-black substance over time, usually over the course of a month (24 irl hours) if not protected from oxygen. Due to this, the powdered mineral is best kept hermetically sealed in glass ampoules or under grease. The solid mineral does not experience this problem as strongly due to its hard stable surface, and degradation of the solid mineral can happen on timescales of upwards of 500+ years. A very scratched up surface on a poor quality piece of Brynnestine could develop a blackish-red film over the top of it, which could be washed or scrubbed off fairly easily. Brynnestine is, in its most pure form, a mid-to-light green crystal with a unique optical property called adularescence. This iridescent effect makes it appear that the stone is glowing with flashes of blue light when struck by a light source. Although the mineral doesn’t actually give off a glow or act as a light source, it’s evocative of the fiery nature of Brynnestine’s powers. Saturated, deeply colored, or dark samples of Brynnestine are chemically contaminated with metal impurities. Extremely pure samples of Brynnestine will appear pale green and have a clear, bright adularesent effect. Physically impure samples of Brynnestine, those that have inclusions or flaws in the crystalline structure, may have a hazier adularesent effect and be even more brittle than the pure crystals. Applications (Raw Form) Because thanhium absorbs mana, mana naturally flows from Brynnestine to thanhium, not unlike charges moving from positive to negative poles in electrochemistry. This creates a conduction effect where thanhium draws mana from Brynnestine towards it, mutually draining both the Brynnestine’s capacity to generate mana and the thanhium’s capacity to absorb it. As it does this, the thanhium heats up and the Brynnestine cools, and both materials eventually become entirely neutralized. When Brynnestine is rendered inert, it loses its surface hardness and becomes soft and clay-like to the touch, also turning dull grey in the process. It no longer gives off heat or mana, and it’s functionally as useless as sand.The speed of this reaction is determined by how the two minerals are exposed to each other. In pure mineral form, this process would happen slowly and inefficiently. If powdered or made into an aqueous solution, this process could potentially be made more efficient and much faster as a result. This reaction could theoretically be used as a key part of some sort of mana battery, but that would require the creation of an applicable MArt. Because Kani users manipulate the mana of their surroundings, the Brynnestine mineral has the potential to be used as a battery for kani practices. However, the mana generated by Brynnestine also creates equal amounts of heat, so overuse of Brynnestine as a source for mana can cause overheating, and over a longer period of time could also cause heat stroke as the kani user is cooked by the heat from the stone. This doesn’t ‘supercharge’ or ‘superpower’ kani, instead allowing the kani user to practice with a readily available source of active mana that may be easier to source and manipulate, and one that is renewable, instead of draining their surroundings. However, usage does come with the risk of overheating. Red Lines (Raw Form) Brynnestine can range from pale green, to mid tones of emerald green, to black depending on the purity. It cannot be any other color. A physically and chemically impure sample of Brynnestine will probably only reach body heat. A sample of Brynnestine that is physically flawless but contains chemical contamination, or the reverse situation, may reach temperatures in between the lower threshold and the upper threshold. Adularescence is not a synonym for luminescence. The mineral does not glow. A pure sample of Brynnestine can ONLY be hot enough to boil water, with a maximum temperature of 212 degrees F, 100 degrees C. Brynnestine cannot be made hot enough to melt iron or steel, but can be hot enough to burn skin, cauterize wounds, or cause heat stroke if exposure is overwhelming and prolonged. Touching a pure sample of Brynnestine would be comparable to touching a hot stove. Brynnestine is a source of mana, but cannot be used as a way to ‘supercharge’ or ‘superpower’ any types of magic- only as a fuel source for it. Brynnestine cannot be used to make magical explosives. The reaction with Thanhium also cannot be used to make magical explosives. The creation of a ‘mana battery’ or any other Brynnestine creation would require an applicable MArt. Harvesting Method To harvest Brynnestine, it must be sought out, identified, and then carefully mined. To find the Mineral: Minerals are almost always found as xenoliths of ultramafic rock within basaltic igneous rock. This type of igneous rock can be found in shield volcanoes, usually on oceanic island chains, and will very rarely be found on continental mainlands except for in the very heart of craton regions of the continent. This mineral can also be found at the deepest abyssal depths of the ocean along rifts, in hydrothermal vents and underwater volcanoes, but harvesting from the bottom of the ocean is impractical. Large, perfectly formed crystals are rare in nature. Methods of Identification: Luster: Vitreous to subvitreous, displaying adularescence. Streak: green Color: ranges from pale to deep green. It sometimes has a high chromium content which can cause it to be a bright green, or a higher iron(II) content which can make it range towards black. Crystal habit: granular or druzy-like, often found in xenoliths of ultramafic rock within igneous basalt. In extremely rare cases, it can also form in larger, more defined columnar prisms. Forms in geometric, rectangular crystals. Category: inosilicate Cleavage: Prismatic, fair to poor, 90 degrees on 2 intersecting planes. Hardness: 8.5, about as hard as sapphire, capable of scratching glass, steel, and masonry tools Toughness: weak, can be broken along cleavage planes easily with fingers, prone to chipping when hit with blunt force Optical Properties: Adularescence. Causes flashes of hazy blue “fire” or a blue ”glow” to appear within the mineral, very similar to the properties of opal, moonstone, or labradorite. The blue glow is comparable in color to a hot-burning flame. In rare cases, the adularescent effect can range from teal to yellow, but this is more common in impure samples of Brynnestine. Pure crystals will almost always have a blue fire. The adularescence effect does not actually give off light or glow, and isn’t a light source. This effect only appears when it has a light source to refract. When mined carefully, harvesting of Brynnestine doesn’t generate a significant amount of powder, but if the mineral is crushed or ground up by accident while harvested, it poses a potential toxicity hazard to the harvester. Luckily, the powder will warn the harvester of its presence with its noxious, overpowering odor. Due to the heavy metals present in its chemical structure, most notably iron (II) and chromium, prolonged incidents of ingestion or inhalation of the powder can cause side effects of heavy metal poisoning. It is especially toxic to the bloodstream as a result. Brynnestine powder can also be absorbed, more slowly, through the skin, resulting in mild surface burns and evental blood poisoning if exposure persists. It is also a potential eye irritant, capable of scratching or burning the eyes. These effects can be avoided easily by wearing gloves, a face covering, and goggles. A lifetime of unsafe exposure to particulate matter from Brynnestine can result in weakness and health complications related to heavy metal poisoning. The constant giving off of heat means that ingestion can also induce fevers. Long term exposure to the heat can result in heatstroke, or direct contact with the skin can cause serious burns. Although it is tempting to try the same powder consumption technique used for the access of thanhium’s powers, given the mineral’s similarity to thanhium, the chemical structure of Brynnestine contains heavy metals that could potentially damage a mage’s hemoglobin and build up in their liver and nervous system. If taken in extreme excess (EX: ingesting more than a tablespoon of powder daily for at least a week), this would result in normal side effects related to heavy metal poisoning. Negative effects of poison via ingestion can be avoided by purging the mineral from the person’s stomach immediately after consumption, usually via vomiting. Ingestion is universally toxic to all living creatures who could reasonably be susceptible to heavy metal poisoning. Repeated inhalation over long periods of time could result in symptoms similar to asthma. The powder has a distinct acrid smell and strong metallic taste. The degraded form of the mineral is mostly inert, and has many of the same properties as rust, but can also contain traces of heavy metals that are toxic to the system. Harvesting Red Lines Pure crystals larger than an inch in length and width would require ST approval and appropriate gathering roleplay to obtain. Druzy, or tiny crusts of crystals within xenoliths, are more common and would likely not require ST approval- but would also have weaker geat-giving and mana-giving properties. Brynnestine is brittle and shatters easily, so care must be taken to harvest around the mineral. The material gives off an overpowering foul odor when chipped or scratched, which must also be roleplayed. The toxicity section is for people who repeatedly work on harvesting and refining the material and only those who have repeated exposure to the material. It is not an instakill poison. It cannot be used to powergame poison other players.Normal poison rules apply to Brynnestine inhalation and ingestion. It causes the same effects as any other form of heavy metal poisoning. Heavy metal poisoning accumulates after long periods of exposure and repeated ingestion and inhalation, and is not immediately toxic. One or two unsafe exposures to the powdered form of the mineral is not likely to cause long term serious damage. Repeatedly interacting with the solid form of the mineral will not cause long term serious damage. It is not radioactive. Even though the mineral may contain chromium or iron, it is in trace atomic amounts, and is not an ore for either metal. The foul odor given off by Brynnestine is not a poisonous gas or a vapor/miasma and cannot kill or harm anyone. There is no magical bonus or potential positive effect to intentionally ingesting Brynnestine. Material Name and Description (Powdered) When ground against a surface harder than itself, Brynnestine leaves behind an emerald green powder. This can be used in the identification of the mineral as it’s ‘streak,’ the characteristic colored powder left behind a mineral when scratched against a streak plate. But Brynnestine can also be purposefully powdered in order to have better access to its heat generating and mana generating properties. When powdered, Brynnestine more readily gives up its mana and heat, radiating both with more intensity as it rapidly deteriorates. Applications (Powdered) Powdered Brynnestine of high quality has stronger reactive properties than the crystalline mineral form, more readily giving off heat, and reacting faster with oxygen, water, and thanhium. Powdered Brynnestine can be dissolved in water to create an aqueous solution that is variably pale to extremely bright green, depending on the chromium content. Mixing more than a tablespoon of powder into water would cause a noticeable reaction, including boiling and spitting of the liquid and a dramatic change in color. It also degrades slowly over time when in direct contact with oxygen, the iron (II) in it slowly converting to rust. This happens much faster when the mineral is powdered, the powder degrading into a reddish-black substance over time, usually over the course of a month (24 irl hours) if not protected from oxygen. Due to this, the powdered mineral is best kept hermetically sealed in glass ampoules or under grease. The powdered form of Brynnestine has potential applications in alchemy as a fire symbol. Red Lines (Powdered) Powdered Brynnestine still cannot get hotter than 212 degrees F, 100 degrees C. However, powdered impure Brynnestine will give off more intense heat than solid impure Brynnestine. Powered Brynnestine degrades to an inert substance over 24 irl hours unless hermetically sealed. The inert form has no mana generating abilities or heat generating abilities. Unlike thanhium, adding the powdered mineral to molten iron would simply degrade the quality of the iron, and would not produce steel with any special properties. Refining Technique Brynnestine, to be powdered, must be ground against a surface with a higher hardness than 8.5. Most stone mortar and pestles are not this hard and will not evenly powder the mineral as a result. It can be crushed by hand or with a regular pestle, but this will not result in an even powder. It is recommended to wear gloves and a face mask when refining Brynnestine to avoid repeated exposure to the potentially toxic dust. Refining Red Lines Long term, prolonged incidents of ingestion or inhalation of the powder while refining can cause side effects of heavy metal poisoning, as detailed in the harvesting section. The powder will always give off a strong, noxious odor, comparable to burning hair or rotten eggs. The redlines of toxicity previously stated still apply. The powder cannot be used to powergame poison other players. Material Name and Description (Gemstone Quality) In rare cases, large samples of crystalline Brynnestine can make for attractive and possibly valuable jewels. In these cases, the crystals may be refined by polishing and faceting the surface. The attractive shades of green the crystal forms in, combined with its signature iridescent play of blue light, make it a desirable stone for jewelry- when samples of it are sufficiently cool so as not to burn the wearer. However, the heat given off by the stones may damage jewelry metals if care is not taken in the creation process. Poorly cut or scratched gemstones may over time develop a reddish-gray film on the surface, with a texture similar to wax or grease. This can be washed off, though it will probably eventually form again. Applications (Gemstone Quality) Jewelry and decorative pieces would be mostly flavor items, but could have some practical uses in roleplay as "batteries" for Kani users, or just for their ability to give off heat. Red Lines (Gemstone Quality) Large crystals of Brynnestine are rare in nature and would require ST approval if larger than an inch in length, plus adequate gathering roleplay. Previous redlines apply. Refining Technique Crystals can be worked like other precious minerals by cutting and polishing them. Those refining the crystal should be careful to wear masks and gloves to protect them from potentially toxic dust, and from the strong acrid smell the dust generates. Working with substantial pure samples of the mineral also requires heat protection, such as padded gloves or oven mitts, and proper cooling and ventilation of the surrounding area is recommended in general. Polishing with fine grit can create smooth, appealing cabochons, or the mineral can also be worked into faceted surfaces. The optical properties of Brynnestine make it appealing as short term wear jewelry, and chemically impure samples of Brynnestine can even be more desirable in these contexts for their gentler heat and more vibrant colors. Creating sculpted objects from the mineral is possible but extremely difficult due to the mineral’s brittle nature, and pieces of the sculpted object could easily snap off or chip upon impact with other surfaces. For this reason, a blade made of Brynnestine is entirely untenable for combat and would only have a function as a decorative art piece. Refining Red Lines Red lines from previous refining sections apply. A blade made of sculpted Brynnestine would shatter upon attempted use, and would only function as a decorative object. Material Name and Description (Trace) Trace amounts of the mineral can sometimes be dispersed through black basalt stone, making the stone slightly warm to the touch. This stone would give off almost negligible amounts of mana compared to crystals of the mineral, but still enough to feel a mild warmth from the stone. In this state, the basalt would look and behave like regular basalt, with the same properties as typical for the stone, with the only difference that the stone would radiate an extremely mild amount of heat, around 80 degrees F or 26.6 degrees C. Applications (Trace) Basalt with trace amounts of Brynnestine could be used architecturally, possibly as heated flooring or roofing that never accumulates snow. Warm stones could be used therapeutically or practically, since the heat they give off isn’t enough to burn the skin. Perhaps they could be carried while travelling through cold climates to help mitigate frostbite. Red Lines (Trace) In trace amounts, the heat given off by Brynnestine couldn’t be enough to burn skin. The mana given off by trace amounts of Brynnestine is negligible, Ie effectively nothing. While it is still generating some mana and weakening the veil slightly, it’s not enough to genuinely affect the world around it. Trace amounts of Brynnestine in stone are just a flavor addition to builds and items. Previous redlines apply. Refining Technique Basalt with Brynnestine traces can be refined in the same way regular basalt stone could be, via typical stonemasonry. You could use this to make sculptures, architectural additions, or small warmed stone items. Working with this stone will still give off some of the same foul odor as pure crystals, although to a significantly reduced degree. Refining Red Lines Red lines from previous refining sections apply. Purpose (OOC) -Adds more interest to pre-existing mineral lore, like thanhium. -Adds intrigue to blocks that will be added in the 1.16 update, like basalt/blackstone. -Expands the world lore by implying some geologic processes, and creates an incentive for players to engage with world creation lore and mana lore. -Provides new opportunities for Kani users. -Creates an incentive for players to engage with the map to look for mineral deposits. Citations:

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This is great! i love to see more and more of the community banding together to try and make this a server that's safer and more welcoming to lgbtq+ players! but LOTC should really only be allowed to start bragging about how inclusive a community it strives to be when there's a serverwide response to the rampant transphobia in its community- one that includes actionable consequences for transphobia and homophobia. this shouldn't be a community where people feel comfortable being casually transphobic and transmisogynistic to me and my friends out of character. LOTC: -Doesn't allow new players to apply with transgender characters, only cis characters. -Has no specific rules in the general rules section that address transphobia or homophobia, creating loopholes for 'well intentioned' casual transphobia and homophobia to slip past the radar. -Has no specific rules in the roleplay rules section that address violent/potentially triggering acts of transphobia or homophobia, despite banning other sexually violent acts. -Has obstacle rules that prevent forms of gender transition in character based on past abuses. The LOTC community should not be complacent with the state of LGBTQ+ acceptance on the server. When my friends off-server express interest in joining, I feel as though I have to talk them out of joining to protect them from the environment here. I wish that weren't the case. The environment on this server can and should be more welcoming to all LGBTQ+ players and characters.