Luxury

[Across Almaris - Tomes embossed with the insignia of The Mages' Guild would filter into the various Libraries' deposit boxes - The knowledge contained therein becoming available to the studious.] Foreword The following depiction of the path of Arcana is one of countless. This tome has been released under authority of Archmage Ipsissimus Franklin, denoting the late Archmage Scholarch Eliza's studies into the ethics of Voidal Magic and Wizardry, and the connection between them. Descendants are found to sustain all manner of values and views, and the Mage is no different. Magic on the other hand, knows neither good nor evil. It is highly ambiguous, and thus the actions of the wielder are what determines one’s path in this life. Herein are the foundations upon which a Great Mage may be built, as thought upon and studied by myself. Perhaps the most important facet of mage etiquette is the understanding that the mage is not ‘more than’. The wonders of the Void are not without a cost; We never gain more than we give. This is a simple law of the Material known popularly as equivalent exchange. As such, those practitioners who lust for power in its many forms will find that what must be given is more than any of us can provide. We naturally undertake a responsibility when we begin our voyage into the unknown; The understanding that greatness comes naught within the day, the month, or even the year. It is with care and effort that our true potential develops, and what a true waste it would be were we to fall to the wars wrought of different ideals. The scholar perseveres with a focus on one’s craft, nurturing knowledge over one’s lifetime, as such what place have we on a pointless battlefield? This is not to say one mustn’t fight for one’s life should it be in jeopardy, nor should one not fight for the preservation of academia itself. Yet many fail to understand that some of these circumstances can be outright avoided by a shift in perspective. This writer beseeches the reader to become truly humble, for pride is a hidden weakness. Be grateful to each and every experience no matter positive or negative, for it all builds us into a more resilient being. After all, the humbled man may not be assailed on any front, as the fronts exist naught. Yet one riddled with pride is constantly in defense of it; And it is often that the wayward Magus suffers from the folly of Pride. Consider that the smallest slight remark is anathema to the proud one, even though in the greater perspective it was minuscule indeed. Take this reference; Have we not all seen a man or woman act on pride? One simple and ill-intentioned remark will devolve one into a feral beast, even though the fact remains that the application of meaning upon those words came from oneself in the end. That man or woman chose how to interpret the insult, and thus how to act upon it. Those words did not have to mean anything to him. He or she chose to act on primal urges due to damaged pride. As we grow into beacons of wisdom and authors of complex thought forms, what better purpose have we than to develop our communities alongside ourselves? Even unintentionally, the mere existence of a mage in a community is a great boon. What with the great conventions and applications of intellect and convenience. With the mere shifting of intention, we are capable of effortlessly uplifting the minds of the willing. We observe the opposite of this concept as outright animalistic violence. After all, it takes all types to fill the world and unfortunately many are ruled by clouded judgment, such that they should see Voidal Arts be raised as weapons against the layman. Scholars do not invite the idea of enemies into their lives, as this would be a tragic waste of mental energy for the good of neither party. Need we associate at all with these lost ones who openly detest one's presence, naturally due to some great bout of ignorance? By no means would it be considered efficient, simply a waste of time and energy. In the event where a confrontation is forced, our greatest weapon is education. When we arrive at a great understanding of the craft as well as oneself, and our relationship to the environment, we mustn’t underestimate just how powerful emitters of wisdom are. It is simple hereafter to destroy and rebuild the concepts that pull wool over the eyes of those lost descendants, as though they were our students. Do not underestimate the power of words, reader. Magic itself is passed on largely through oral tradition… The knowledge is transmitted through our voices and into the heart and mind. Is that not a power in itself? Those who spread the knowledge of Arcana know of the energy transfer within the Master and Student relationship. It does not give without taking, much like the void. Beyond the realm’s stellar academies, the two form a bond wherein the Master will come to know what must be spoken to spark revelations and epiphanies in the Student. The exchange may not always be obvious, as a subtle Master will teach without teaching. There is a careful approach to teaching that must be taken. Often, the master is the one whom the student aspires to be most like. One must lead by example as well as instill etiquette in the student. Great effort must be spared to prevent the emergence of a rogue mage, otherwise known as a powermonger. Only death and loss follows these casters, who thankfully number few. With an advanced understanding of the fallacy of power, the student may cross into the threshold of academia with all its many facets of study. Typically a field of focus is selected, and rewarded with advanced energy manipulation in that specific field. Once attained, the ease of manipulation lends to more avenues of experimentation and knowledge. It is very clearly a self-replicating cycle that builds understanding. True it is that while in this cycle one may prosper, innovate, discover, and uncover. Yet it is only through action that these things are achieved; A mage who becomes docile in their practice or inundated with great prospects outside of Magic craft will see their abilities wane. The delve into the unknown must be a constant hunger. The final note is that of the preservation of the Mind itself. A healthy brain is very much necessary for an Art steeped in mental prowess, willpower, and imagination. In a literal sense, we should protect our craniums, as there are great illnesses that accompany trauma to the skull that will directly prevent everything mentioned thus far. Yet another reason to avoid pointless conflict and war. While the study of other magic is encouraged, it would be considered irresponsible to practice them. Many deific magics reward a mind addled with holes in logic, whether it is pride or being bound to foreign ideals for power. It goes without saying that dark magics have banes as well, however I will state plainly that they too deteriorate the mind and leave naught but neurosis and mania. A scholar can make no use of either, and will find these magics operate in opposition to one’s own arcane practice. Yet I cannot suggest that it is our duty to convert these entities, our cousins in magic practice, as our individual paths are often deeply personal and will rarely shift with wordcraft alone. One will find that a beautiful whole- the true natural state of existence- requires light as much as dark, with us treading the line between.

Perhaps nitpicky, and perhaps bias-- my 2 cents. Dry Ice (irl) is not water. Water Evocation does fall short behind the others of it's archetype but I think we should always strive to have Evocations carry effects befitting the elements they represent. Lore-wise, the player characters study the elements and mimic them through the Void. You'll find Ice does not explode, though perhaps it could shatter. The addition displays these spells as a hyper compact, extremely cold ice. Playing with temperature is potentially a good route however, considering that Fire Evocation has blue flame which is essentially hotter fire.... It is plausible that Water Evocation could have colder ice/water. If you are intending to affect movement and cause slowing effects, it should be plainly stated exactly how much slower an inflicted player moves. I.e. if the max movement is 8 blocks, perhaps a spell would halve it.

[!] Applications were spread across a candlelit desk... The Celian Scholar Rhae'lin penned quick responses to each of the applicants, soon to be taken to the aviary. "Your application has been received and I would like to meet you in person - Please find your way to the Thylsealaes-Ashwood enchantry."

Northern Winds Coterie The Ascent: Our Mission An inspired name for a cloister of like-minds. The Northern Winds Coterie seeks to provide an uplifting wind beneath the wings of new and old scholars alike, in the arcane attuned populace of Celia’nor. The Coterie will serve as a fraternity of Natural and Magical philosophers, being the mode by which they network, learn, and grow together. Locale The Coterie will draw upon the minds of Celia’nor, based primarily out of the Enchantry just off of the Square, likewise sponsored by the Thyleseiaes family. The Forum Every two Elven weeks, members of the Coterie will meet to discuss internal and external goings-on of the group. The Grand Flight will make an address and open the floor to any member who wishes to speak. Any party or individual may request to sit in on a Forum. Expectations -Coterie members must exhibit drive and passion for elevating their realms of study and increasing their knowledge. -Coterie members are expected to be cordial in dealing with one another. Violence of any kind is strictly prohibited in and out of Coterie locations. -The Laws of the patron Nation Celia’nor are observed in full within the Northern Winds Coterie. Positions There are a handful of unique roles to embrace within the Coterie. These roles will define a member's place for the sake of clarity and efficiency with clear criteria. All positions are open - The Coterie welcomes all who seek to help the organization grow. The Grand Flight This group is the guiding breeze for the Northern Winds Coterie. Organizers and visionaries coordinate the operations of the group, and are expected to know a good deal of the wider realms of Magical and Natural philosophies. Mavens Those who are at the height of their craft, taking on multiple realms of knowledge in their studies, are considered Mavens. They are the ones to seek as mentors, and will likewise be encouraged to lead projects for the Coterie. Wings In simple terms, this is the role of the Scholar; Those who claim interest in a discipline, who also know that the path they walk is continuous. Their primary responsibility is to learn and grow. Honored Roles For those few who prove truly dedicated to seeking truth. The Honored Roles retain a level of respect in the Coterie, and their word will be considered in circumstances involving vision and direction. Roosted The wisened collective of members who’ve spent many long nights with a quill and inkwell in hand, or perhaps in the field. This role is reserved for the most accomplished and studious of Scholars. Librarian This member is valued for their ability to create order among disorder. It takes a certain drive to organize written knowledge so efficiently and carefully, such that it must be recognized as an honored role. Application OOC ((MC Name: )) ((Discord: )) ((Timezone: )) IN-CHARACTER What is your name? Which position best suits you? When should you be contacted for an interview?

In some dank underground catacombs, a floppy wide-brimmed Hat churned to life. It called upon foreign memories, a way to pass time to be certain... and from time to time those of the Pale Wizard's first steps towards his true path would come across. Fond memories, like watching a babe's first toddle...

The word ‘had’ is in every sentence. My inner writer voice is scREaming

this is sick

The Lore reads that the nausea is caused by a super natural intolerance towards Void magic which coincidentally has been paired with ‘Dark Magic’ in the same sentence. I’ve been very vocal over the years about the clash of nature and void and hold that it should be, and should have always been, philosophical differences. Abhorrence is a very vague term to use here, as it implies that a weak emotional constitution/ personal values against Void magic is what is causing the nausea. If that is the case, it does not need to be included in a Lore post which should be clarifying the objective mechanics of the CA. I’d further extend the idea that Nausea is in fact a form of pain itself. I hold that the inclusion of sprites and epiphytes formerly being harmed by spell casting outside of what is stated within Voidal Lore itself was an oversight by our community , and should not be used to strengthen any points moving forward. There are only a handful of Voidal pieces which directly address the effects on nature, and they are specific and also conveniently listed here in the post already. These extreme outliers, i.e. Voidstalkers, Tears, and Obelisks do not mean to constitute the umbrella ‘Void Magic’.

A determined figure pushed against the polar gale. Miles and miles still of windswept snow dunes under a blistering cold. The Celian foreigner lifted her head every few paces to peer from beneath the thick hood and frost locked tousles. . . The point of interest on the horizon drew closer still. Thought to be a singularity initially, now understood to be innumerable; Monolithic spires of ice skewered this landscape extending far into the horizon. The Ice Spikes were distant enough from one another to create a winding labyrinth, making the pilgrimage increasingly difficult. Moreover, these frozen pillars seemed to radiate a penetrating cold more intense than the eternal flurry of ice and snow. This was a deep cold, eldritch and uncaring as though space and time had come to a standstill beneath the shadow of the towering spires. While the fantastical nature and origins of this odd landscape were at the forefront of the Sorceress Aspirant’s mind, her attention was quickly redirected down at the unusual shifting of packed snow underfoot. Mere inches away from an opening in the ground a hunk of ice dislodged and plummeted down. Rhae’lin watched on in silence until it was quickly swallowed by the chasm's pitch black void. A secondary survey of her surroundings presented the Elfess with the newest worry… A titanic cavern spanned the underbelly of these lands, with openings dotting the landscape every so often lurking just behind unseemly mounds of snow. Seeking the prospect of stable ground upon a cliff face in the distance the Elfess happened upon a less treacherous locale, seemingly a rarity now. A valley cut between two rock faces, and provided an inlet on one side into a cave, soon to become a place to take cover as the traveler was unable to ignore her tiring body any longer. She was not the first person to covet this place, made quickly apparent by the barrels lining the walls of the cave and central kitchen setup. What was mistaken for a pile of bedding in the corner was seen shifting and moving. She was not alone. An Elven man with mottled gray hair rose from the rags, partially made from his own overcoat. He almost seemed ill and of frail disposition, likely from having been among the wastes for so long. Some cobbled together castaway, what with his missing eye and arm… “I… What are you doing here? You should go back home, this is no place for a wilderness retreat. There are Trolls, Witches, and worse lurking out here…” Rhae’lin chirped out a sarcastic retort. “Really? And here I thought I was in some paradise.” The jest was a welcome contrast to the inhospitable climate, and a fine way to break the ice. “May I come in?” . . . The Exile, Haelewyn, was reasonably startled and confused at the sight of the Elfess. Yet ultimately he welcomed the company of the Celian maiden. The unlikely duo talked into the night, sharing food, stories, and philosophies of life. The testament of Charity warmed this cavern amidst the frozen north, one of the many strengths of mortality. Before long, the two came to strike a deal and Haelewyn would become Rhae’lins first guide on her pilgrimage.

THE BALLOT ((MC Name: FadedQuartz )) Name: Lorei Elibar'acal Vote 1: Kaelan Aldin Vote 2: Kaelan Aldin

The Living Towers Civilizations rise and fall even in these faraway places. And where there was life there was magic; inseparable and cut of the same cloth of creation. Yet this story is not about those people or the tragedies that befell them. This is an account of that which solely remains; those foreboding Towers, romanticizing their glory as a testament to what should happen were we to stray too far from the path. Journals of the Travelling Scholar “Each of the Towers are erected around an exceptionally rare Void Node and were presumably presided over by a master of primal Elemental Magic. An uninhibited force of both creation and destruction. The towers themselves were meant to be massive foci to direct and control the power of the Nodes. The permeated Voidal energy is theorized to have warped reality such that these towers are no longer tethered to the Material realm, instead existing in the between. While both present and naught, finding these towers is not a simple task. It is thought that the path only manifests to those who seek with fervor." The Obsidian Tower “Woe to those who come upon this land. Desolation for miles and at the epicenter in awesome majesty, the monolithic Obsidian tower. It stabs through the landscape, exuding heat waves that can be felt from even this far out. My lungs burn with each breath, smoke stinging my eyes. The sky itself heaves inwards, giving way to brilliant streams of flame to spit across the churning miasma. Charred remains of villages speckle the landscape, hints of ruined brickery stacked upon dry, cracked ground. Those who remember back further know this land was once lush.” The Quartz Bastion “...And here there is Darkness, shielded by an omnipresent Sandstorm. The Horizon is swallowed by this massive swirling vortex of earthen grain. To traverse carelessly within is to wander the faux dunes until you perish… For the landscape guides, with malevolent intent, trespassers to their graves. The few persistent surveyors are torn apart by vengeful souls from a sprawling once-metropolis now buried within the sands. The life here seems to possess the surrounding sands, breeding elemental thralls. Hungry… Those favored by destiny happen upon the central tower, pure gleaming quartz that reaches to the skies, untouched for centuries.” The Seastone Pagoda “Beyond a mystical fog laden jungle, labyrinthian in itself, is the pagoda. The overwhelming cacophony of waterfall soaks the senses as you near, yet this is no natural feature. From the sky, water barrels around a delicate Seastone pagoda, filling a bottomless lake with a vicious undertow lurking just beneath the surface. Each droplet strikes with the force of an arbalest, battering to a pulp anything which sought to cross onto the idyllic center island.” The Skyway “Perhaps the most unique, but no less treacherous is the magnificent limestone bridge. A strikingly stalwart sky bridge connects two sides of a gaping ravine. A tumultuous eldritch gale seems to permanently rise from the bottom of the ravine, making descent into it impossible and thus sectioning off this structure from the rest of the world. The ghastly howls of the Ravine may not only originate from the rising winds…” Hidden within these towers must be resplendent treasures and vast knowledge of the people and magics of those lands. If only one could crack into them, the uncovered wealth could incite a golden age. Rumors remain that the masters of the towers are yet alive, and their Elemental cabals have been honing the Elemental arts for ages. Purpose This piece probes for interest in what I feel is a much needed break from the Lovecraftian treatment that the Void has solely endured. From acceptance onwards, a pantheon of sub-deific Elemental casters and their respective cabals will be established and fleshed out with each of these towers as a base. Elemental beings, relics, and enigmatic occurrences can be appropriately sourced from the Towers as well naturally at the behest of the Event/Story Team.

Yes. You're in charge of your own immersion while gameplay is active. At times the segues between rp sessions can seem jarring or unnatural but that comes with the platform. People can't be on all day every day, etc. As futile as it may be, you should try to eliminate as much as you can beside what's going on in that window where minecraft is running. No forums, no discord, no wiki. It's idealist and perhaps not entirely possible for some, but the reward is in the effort.

Surely this post alone, with all of the appreciation and support from all sorts of player bases, is enough to warrant an Admin looking into the specifics.

[!] Presuming all the previous applicants have either come in person or have been contacted in some form, only the most recent letter is replied to: "Hello. Come to the Guild!" The message is written very crudely, as though a child had gotten into the letter box... Wait is that a dead fly caked over with dried ink? Odd.

This War is our responsibility. Through our own complacency a string of dimmed and demented minds were allowed sway over the Blessed Legacy. We were brought onto the brink of desolation, a state of being unfit for any Mali’aheral. Although we are once again empowered, we must pay ourselves this reparation. Weakness was our grand regret, and so a lesson is to be learned with this oncoming War. Mali’thilln, shed this expense with me and bare your life essence. Run until your legs give way and you are left gasping. Weep until the taste of salt fills your mouth and your eyes begin to sting. Remember what led us to this moment; meditate on it until it is all that fills your thoughts. As the world churns around us like a raging red sea, do not allow yourself to rescind your Grace for even a moment. Lo’ and go forth with reverence Evariran. Display for our adversaries how we have honed our bodies and our minds through centuries of tradition. We do not relish in the applied force of battle; So by necessity our strikes are indeed swift, calculated, and final. As the last horn sounds and the last enemy is felled, when we can finally send our steel to gather dust in the armory, may we at last return to the elegance of Larihei’s design. Never again shall we suffer such a violent scheme. signed, Lorei Elibar’acal

I should think that from the moment Mali’thilln step beyond our gates to embark unto the larger realm, their journeys become ones of Returning. When the final step is taken and our Silver city can no longer be seen over the horizon, the solitary Mali’thilln become akin to Marble pillars with no structure to support. Tall and gilded constructions of Material, therefore magnificent to look upon; What with the tales thereon carved onto our Eternal Souls. Tapestries of our legendary ancestry laid bare for the laymen whose short lives lead them to endless cycles of destruction. Though these pillars may be sturdy, there is a want of foundation. The overtrodden mud where they’ve planted their base cannot support their intellect and oft ancient wisdom. To the ones that look upon those distant shores, I implore you to stay; What you seek is within you as it always has been, and always will be. Let us feast nightly upon fruits, draped in fine fabrics. Under moonlight shall we dance on Silver-lined streets. Bask in our utopian society and live in bliss, Mali’thilln. We Eternals have no concept of a life after this, so surely this life is our Sky, our perfect plane of Joy. It can certainly be so, but only in Haelun’or. Maehr’sae Hiylun’ehya signed, Lorei Elibar’acal

A vision of a much older Haelun'or. The very essence of our being guides us to greatness. So much so that we’ve built great walls in our mind that protect Maehr’sae Hiylun’ehya, blocking out those which are deemed illogical or unnecessary. Yet in many of us these mental walls have been built so high that we block each other out. Bring warmth to your people and rejoice in the collective mission for greatness; the path that we all walk together. We need not be so focused that we forget to turn our gaze from what is ahead, to the men and women who walk alongside us. We must invest again in the sciences Mali’thilln. Our people were once at the helm of Alchemy, Metallurgy, Anthropology and Sociology, among others. We have vast mental aptitude spanning our populace, yet there is no direction. We’ve become isolated in our own endeavors such that we do not see the great rewards to be reaped from working with one accord. I call for the Mali’thilln to formulate unions, societies, and associations that surround these various arts. Be you unlearned or educated on these matters all that is required is shared interest in order to gather. From thereon you must meet among one another and create plans of action to investigate further into the disciplines. Educate yourself, but more importantly ensure that knowledge flows freely between one another. Meet every other Elven Week to host a forum so that any one may speak to the whole. Join me in making the attempt to create this sequence, so that it becomes normalcy. Routines may seem stale, however a good routine can be an uplifting experience indeed. signed, Lorei Elibar'acal

A Call to Roost The amber glow of a campfire warms the faces of a particular nomadic High Elven clan. Golden pendants hang from each of their necks in the style of the Owl. Kin and kith, may this letter find you well. This Owl from the Second Caravan maintains the beacon of our shared lineage on the Silver Isles where Karinah’siol nestles. The realm suffers disasters unfounded in recorded history, and sequentially so too does Haelun’or tread dangerous water. Kin-slayers, Cannibals, and Witches claw at the feet of our people seeking to infect them with their venom. As such, I would beseech you to exchange your contentment with fervor for Maehr’sae Hiylun’ehya, and claim your place alongside me. adri’leh, ullral, ata— narne’ne ito nae evarn’lar, kaean evarn’lar - Apparitions, beasts and the wretched walk amongst us, You are the shield, we are the shield. signed, Lorei Elibar'acal

"Naught but Pups with gnashing , juvenile fangs; yapping upon the foothills of our Blessed Legacy." Spoke a denizen, clad in the uniform of Sillumiran.

what inspired your main character

As a humble player with little conception of the mechanics behind a successful map, here are my thoughts; I would like to see a high fantasy landscape with a compelling story. One of my fond memories is a biome from [cannot recall map name], where all of the flora and fauna were oversized. There were builds of giant insects that could be interacted with by the players, and I believe the biome itself had a story beneath it. More of an experiment, I would like to see a map that is largely uninhabitable narratively. Not necessarily impossible to build on, but a rough and rugged landscape that descendants would be forced to settle and build a life upon. Give players and player characters a chance to express the idea of 'resilience'. It seems convenient that we're able to pick up and move to a utopian continent each and every time, what if this time we rolled low and ended up on a continent that makes common life difficult? Builds would be a bit more inventive as a result, I should think. A separate, but relevant point that I find interest in are the 'What ifs'? What if Dwarves weren't able to settle under the mountain this time, and had to create something new? What would that look like? Elves out of their forests, Humans out of their plains, Orcs out of their desert etc etc. I'm curious about how the identities of our races might develop outside of their very niche comfort zones. I'd not be so presumptuous to think that these player bases would want to do something like this, but by golly am I bored out of my mind by more of the same that will inevitably come. A personal preference: I love rivers and canals. Historically, massive cities thrived on the banks of rivers and this proves true to this day. I wish to see more interaction between cities and rivers.

I want stone tools and a vague concept of fire

8/10 spooky skeleton also rok gang

Love the aesthetic, Love the flavor. Please let this happen