I seem to be having some trouble posting on the MC forum with my application. I have attempted to do so three times, all met with failure. Is there a way to remedy this? Out-Of-Character Information
What’s your Minecraft Account Name?: My Minecraft username is "Meldorn". How old are you?: By the time of your reading this, I will have turned sixteen years old. What time-zone do you live in?: USA - Eastern Standard Time [GMT-5] Have you ever roleplayed before - if you have, how?: Outside of Minecraft, I have experience with both Tabletop RPGs, and with Forum Roleplay, extending from Advanced D&D and 4E, to simple stories told on various forums. I can play the role of the storyteller, or go along for the ride. Have you been on any other roleplaying servers?: My Minecraft roleplaying experience is quite extensive. I am an Admin and the head Lore-Master on another Strict Roleplay server, which is also executed through the medium of Minecraft. I have played on it for over a year, and have familiarized myself with various Roleplay techniques and skills, especially those of Elves. Derailing roleplay is definitely not my forte, as I've seen how much its impact ruins the experience of Roleplay in any degree. So, with that being said, my previous experience with Lore and Fantasy Roleplay through the medium of Minecraft will not affect how I handle Lord of the Craft. I will abide by your lore, while still being creative with my use of it. How did you hear about us?: First and foremost, I heard about it as a competing server from my other Roleplay friends. Many people from the Roleplay server I volunteer at told me about the Lord of the Craft, and I am eager to learn from your successes, and perhaps failures. No server is flawless; However, I hear mostly good things about you, so I figured that it would be high time to check out Lord of the Craft, and find out whether I would enjoy it. In addition to friends on the other server, I heard of Lord of the Craft from a variety of other sources. Between Planet Minecraft, MC Forums, the previously mentioned RP server, and other various and sundry sources, your name is everywhere, mostly viewed in a positive light.
What do you think the server will be like? I expect a rather Vanilla Minecraft experience with Community based roleplay. I hear rumors of much drama among your players, which makes me slightly nervous. If you don't have a good community, you don't have good Roleplay. No plugin or mod can give you what players create on their own. However, I am hopeful, from the good reviews mentioned above, that I will enjoy my time here. Have you read and agreed to the rules?: I have made myself familiar with both the Server and Forum rules, and with the basic Lore provided by your Wiki page. What’s your favourite rule / the rule you agree with the most?:
"If you feel the need to curse (swear) in-character, keep it tasteful and don't overdo it."
Often times, on other Roleplay servers, I see everyone using modern language In-Character. Obviously, most modernly-used swear words did not exist in Medieval times, so it bugged me greatly. I am glad that you have such a rule in place. Definitions What is roleplaying?: I would define it as playing the role of a character, and never exiting that role while In-Character. Portraying a being or person, and reacting based on their motives and emotions; to think their thoughts instead of your own, and to act for them accordingly. What’s metagaming?: Quite simply, it is the use and abuse of Out of Character information, by using it In Character. It is breaking from "Roleplay" and replacing your character's knowledge and motives with your own. What’s powergaming?: I'm guessing that power-emoting is not "power-gaming". Nonetheless, here are several definitions that I wrote for the 'Rules' page on the above mentioned RP server.
This first one is what I assume you mean by Power-emoting.
"1. Performing an action, usually a typed emote, without giving someone opportunity to react In-Character. Ex. *Meldorn jumps forward and slits the man's throat, killing him instantly*.
These other two are more Power-gaming oriented, and I figured that it couldn't hurt to include them.
2. Making your character overpowered and God-like.
3. Role-playing over-powered actions that are impossible to perform In-game. Ex. Raising the dead, shape-shifting, etc. In-Character Information: What’s your character called?: Meldorn Silverthorn. What race are they (and sub-race)?: Elf - High Elf. What sex are they?: Male. How old are they?: Ninety-one years old. Give us a brief description of their life - their story, childhood, family: Author's note: [Meldorn isn't going to be your stereotypical High Elf. I personally disagree with the idea that every single member of a given race falls into the exact stereotypes, which is what some High Elf players have told me is required. With plausible background and lore, I will explain how Meldorn came to be a peace-loving High Elf, and a supporter of equality. The reason I have this note is simply so that I don't get called out for FailRP just because I have a High Elf who isn't a completely bigoted, stuck-up person. Also, I realize that this is done quite often, due to dissatisfaction with the race. However, I don't plan to be a "rebel". I plan to be an instrument of peaceful transition, to convince even one other High Elf that we can learn from the other races of the world. With that being said, please enjoy the story and tell me if anything I do contradicts lore.]
Prologue
~-.____.-~
Impure Union
Avier ran.
She never thought it would come to this. The walls of Haelun'or loomed in front of her. The walls that encircled the only home she had ever known. The walls that had kept her safe from the "impure" ones on the outside. The walls that now blocked her escape.
She ran, the stone barriers towering before her, the fluttering leaves of the emerald forest blowing beside her, and a chorus of footsteps, her High Elven pursuers, ringing out from behind her. Sides heaving, she forced herself into the air, leaping over a fallen tree. Much like her, the dead log was uprooted from the home of its youth, ripped away from the collective of the forest, and left abandoned. Avier silently hoped that the rotting remains of the dead wood did not serve as a prophecy to her fortune this day. Exhaustion taxing her body, her mind begged for peace and stillness. For rest. There was only one reason her legs remained steadfast in their flight from the Elves, and in pursuit of freedom.
Tzviden.
She struggled forward, furrowed brows dripping with the sweat of her endeavor, a pained smile faintly outlined on her lips. The face of the wood elf was all she could focus on, all that kept her strong. Her heart fluttered, an emotion coursing through her, the likes of which she had not felt since childhood, the raw power of it battering through decades of High Elven training and instruction. Years of stoic solemnity and emotional repression collapsed into ashes whenever he entered her thoughts.
Love.
She cared not if her people deemed it impure. Avier had learned in her own heart that love was purity. She rejected the idea that skin and eye color were accurate measures of purity, but rather considered those who chased her to be impure and selfish in motive.
The wall loomed ever closer, and Avier spotted several vines climbing up the height of one of the stone towers. Remembering the training Tzviden had given her, she launched herself upwards and snatched a hanging vine with one hand. Her fingertips dug into the crevices between the stone bricks, and her feet found rest on the wall. Clambering upwards, Avier heard her movement within the tower. Echoing shouts reverberated through the stones of the tower, the sound of guards rushing upwards. Intensifying the haste of her climb, Avier scurried upwards at an exponential rate, the fear of falling being least in her mind in comparison to cold steel. The sound of bowstrings being drawn from the ground below forced her aching limbs to proceed faster. Finally, her feet found respite on the solid stones of the wall, as several arrows clattered harmlessly against the wall behind her. As she caught her breath, the wooden door to the tower burst open next to her, revealing several Elven guards. The splintering crack of another door sounded, as a second group of guards approached from Avier's other side. Knowing that her secret marriage to an impure Wood Elf was considered equal in depravity to murder, Avier found no choice in the matter. She would die if she stayed. With that in mind, she turned and jumped from the wall. Soaring from the height, she focused on the image of her beloved, ignoring the ground stretching below her. Meldorn's Story ~-._________.-~ An Estranged Society
"They left me for dead. Your father, Tzviden, came to the very gates of Haelun'or, and risked his life to save me." Avier's face was filled with a mixture of sorrow and joy, her eyes glassed over. Averting her gaze, she stared down at her legs, twisted and malformed, hanging limply in front of her.
"As you know, the fall left me paralyzed. All these years, Tzviden still hasn't given up on healing me...but I do not believe there is a healer in all of Anthos who can repair the wound that the hard earth has done upon me." Meldorn turned to his older brother Selscion, a dark skinned Elf of 104 years. Being a Wood Elf, he could not return to his mother's home. Instead, he stayed in the realm of his father. Both of them shared a glance of sorrow, grieving for their mother.
Meldorn had heard this story many times before, but for whatever reason, the tale of his mother's exile and injury always nearly brought him to tears. Few tales could invoke such a response from him, unlike the humans who swooned over false tales of grandeur and heroism. The real world was much colder than that...much more unforgiving, bleak, and deadly. Meldorn thought to himself. Perhaps those stories are their escape. A form of denial...the High Elves escape from it by separating themselves from the rest of the world, and putting themselves above it.
Meldorn wrinkled his brow, pondering the motivation of a society that would do such things to their own people...especially his mother. With one hand they uphold purity, and with the other, stab their own in the back...I cannot fathom wh----
Avier caught sight of Meldorn's deepening frown.
"Do not let hate fester in your heart against your people because of me, Meldorn. Not all are such as those who sought my life."
He simply nodded, and pushed the thought behind him. Though Avier had trained him in the pure ways of the Mali'aheral, both his parents had always told him that peace and showing love to all was the highest form of purity; however they also warned him that the other High Elves did not often share this belief. She pondered her thoughts for a moment, and then beckoned for Selscion to leave the room.
"Come closer, my child."
Bowing his head, Meldorn approached.
"What would you have of me, haelun?"
She paused, eyes drifting upwards, swimming with heartfelt emotion.
"Today is the day that I left Haelun'or. The day on which I was driven out, all those years ago."
Meldorn nodded, his perplexity regarding her strong emotional state being sated. He too felt her pain.
"...And it is the day where you will return."
He froze.
"Return, mother?"
A chiding look flashed across her eyes momentarily. "Have you no eyes, my child?" She shook her head. "You see, but you lack vision yet. All these years, I have raised you as one of them so that you could rejoin their society...to live a life befitting of an Elf. Your sister Arlia is already gone, by my choice not, but gone nonetheless...and your brother Selscion shall never enjoy such a fate as to be pure in body, though he is pure in mind and heart many times over. I would not have you live in exile, by no crime of your own, forever. Meldorn...you have a chance. Not only a chance to live a life separate from your crippled mother, but to change the High Elves for the better...to touch all those you meet with the beauty found in purity...love and kindness. All we have taught you. A chance to avert future conflicts and wars---our people look upon all others with such disdain that I fear for them, for such unbridled pride can only lead to conflict. Treat all as equals, when it is within your power, and you will have peace, though perhaps not with our kind. And finally...a chance to restore the balance of peace that was thrown askew by the sorrows brought upon me and those like me..."
She gripped her son's shoulder tightly, and whispered in his ear.
"...don't let there be another who suffers as I have...and in turn makes their children suffer such as you."
"I will do everything in my power." Meldorn embraced his mother, and they both cried for all that had been lost, and for the many things yet to be gained---but with many miles of separation in-between them.
After many moments, they separated. Gripping his head with both hands, she kissed him on the forehead.
"Go now. Your father will be home soon to take care of me...and this is not goodbye. Come to me when you can...and if you find your sister, Arlia, be sure to tell me of her."
"I know that it is your wish for me to return to our people, but I shall visit as often as I can. I will carry your wisdom to our people. To live as one of them, and yet provide an alternative with peace to what was done to you...hileia u’kina."
"No...there is no peace in that."
"It would not be my own choice, mother. If peace fails, it may be my end...one I would gladly embrace if it were not a separation from my people and my family. Goodbye...for now."
~-.____________________________________________________.-~
His mother's words in his heart, and his parent's teaching in his mind, Meldorn walked and pondered for many days through the forest. Finally, by the direction of his parents, the blue-crested roofs and towering walls came into his view. A flux of awe and fear filled him, and he stood stunned, basking in the view of Haelun'or, and yet he pictured the events that had taken place there many years ago. Bolstering his courage, he strode forward, and made his way across the long bridge stretching before him. Upon reaching the wall, Meldorn threw his head back and called out to the gatekeeper. Several seconds later, a voice responded, accompanied by the head of an armored Elf from a murder hole.
"By the Mali'aheral, do you present yourself as blessed and pure?"
"In body..."
Meldorn calmed himself---there was no lie in that.
"In mind..."
Purity is in love and peace...
"...and in blood."
He lied, releasing the last of his tainted words. Knowing he must become accustomed to such truth-bending, he put it behind him and waited for the response of the gatekeeper.
"As for your mind and blood, I know not." Meldorn shuddered, unsure of his fate. The gatekeeper eyed his hair and eyes. "...but your lineage is undoubtedly that of our people. Hiylu'evar!"
With that, the gate rumbled open, and Meldorn breathed a sigh of relief, entering into the home of his exiled mother.
What are they like (personality)?: Meldorn has a very unique personality, arising from a mix of High Elven and Wood Elven worldviews. He has the knowledge of how High Elves should act, and has been told to believe another way, even if he doesn't let it show. For the most part, he wants to please his mother, and do anything he can to make up for what was done to her. For the most part, he can obsess over the injustices of High Elven society. When he gets emotional, he can even be a bit passive-aggressive, a way to vent his anger at what was done to him and his family. He bases who he is on his beliefs. Again, he is generally good natured, and even a bit humble because of his upbringing, in contrast to nearly all high Elves. However, pride is still innate within him, and it seeps through without his knowledge; this can often lead him into trouble, when he combines his past, pride, and anger.
Peace is the main goal he attempts to achieve: peace no matter the cost. Sometimes this could even mean war, or killing someone who would threaten peace or the lives of others. Depending how radically he is willing to take the idea of peace, given to him by his mother and father, he could become quite obsessed, to the point of violent or rash actions. On the other hand, he could be a kind-hearted individual who promotes peace in other ways, such as an Ambassador would. I guess we shall have to wait and see how the Roleplay turns out. What are their ambitions?: There are several ambitions for him.
1. Fulfill the wishes of his mother: to perpetuate peace in all things.
a. Ensure that no other innocent High Elf suffers as she.
b. Ensure that the High Elves do not destroy themselves with war.
2. Become strong, important, and skilled, so that he is in a position of influence to spread peace everywhere he can.
a. This will probably include a desire for an Ambassador position, which would perpetuate peace, and give him the oppurtunity to help other races without suspicion.
b. This also will probably include the desire to perhaps learn magic involving healing.
3. To have a race to belong to...deep down, he wants to belong somewhere other than home. He doesn't judge all the High Elves like the ones who tried to kill his mother, and understands that not all of them are murderous or even remotely violent. His goal isn't to fix them, but to simply promote more peace. Do they have any special skills?: Meldorn is generally good natured---however, his predicament requires a great deal of lying and deception, something he will become adept at throughout his life. Revealing any one of his secrets could begin the slippery slope to exile or death, one thing he is not willing to risk...lightly that is. Risk he does, another skill he has: undaunted courage, bordering on reckless adherence to his principles. Not necessarily the courage of springing into battle, but the courage of will, to stand for what he knows to be right in spite of the consequences. Should his death be for good, he would likely give it up without complaint, except that of leaving behind his mother and family. Even though he has never practiced magic, he has shown and interest in the past, and has read several books on it. That may prove to be a strength if he chooses to study it in earnest. What are their weaknesses?: As was addressed above, his courage can become reckless. He can be more brash and emotional compared to other Elves, due to his upbringing, but he does his best to control himself in order to save face, and to earn a respected position in Elven society. His combat skills are nigh nonexistent, and he lacks physical strength. What do they look like?: Despite his mixed parentage, Meldorn had the appearance of his mother: a pure Mali'aheral. Light golden locks fell to his shoulders, and his eyes burned with the brightness of a shining emerald. The only thing that could be deemed impure about Meldorn was his blood...and that was not visible. For all intents and purposes, he could pass for a pure blooded High Elf. However, his appearance did not completely disguise his parentage; it did have another flaw. Every so often, his father's rare eyes of yellow would overcome the dominance of his green eyes, and reveal his true nature to anyone looking closely. Such a flash of yellow impurity could leave Meldorn to suffer a similar fate to his mother. For this reason, Meldorn keeps a crude mirror strapped underneath his wrist, and checks his eyes often. Even though the transition from yellow to green is often negligible, he takes no chances. Under influence from his father, he often wears robes of green, and sews the crest of his new family surname, a simple golden "S", on the back of his clothes. Upon marrying Tzviden, Avier took on the name "Silverthorn" so that her children could avoid suspicion of her past. Anything else you want to say about them?: Indeed there is. Meldorn has mostly head-knowledge about the High Elves, because everything he knows he what his mother taught him about them, so that he could rejoin them without being instantly kicked out. Actually adapting to their society is going to be a lot different than he expects, which will be a mirror image to my OOC struggle, attempting to integrate myself with a new race. Meldorn is also pretty biased against his own race, despite the fact that he wants to belong among them...but some, not all, motivation for that is to change them. Please give us a screenshot of your character’s skin:
Name: Meldorn Silverthorn ((MCName)): Meldorn Origins of your birth, and your place of living: I was born outside the city to my pure mother and father, where I grew up in the strict teachings of the Mali'aheral. There I have grown up since, and from there I come to you now. My past is quite simple, and there is not much to tell. How can you declare you are Mali'thill? By my body, mind, and blood, let yourself be the judge of that. My parents were pure, as are my kin. Why do you wish to become a citizen of our cihi? While many of my reasons are personal, I wish to rejoin my kind, and to belong. I have long lived outside the city, not with the impure, but alone with my family. To do the most good for our people, I believe I must be near them. That is my desire for entrance. What is your personal vision for our blessed race? It is my vision for everyone to live in peace, including our blessed race. We can either aide that cause, or destroy it. My goal would be to preserve peace for the good of our race, through whatever means I can. Be that physical labor, arduous negotiations, or defending our people with blade and bow, I shall do it. What does maehr'sae hiylun'ehya mean to you? It reminds me that wisdom is what gives life to our souls. If we have not wisdom, purity, and prudence, we will have no progress or peace. What Elven phrase do you particularly take to heart? Please explain why: Hileia u’kina. [Peace or death] If there is no peace, and we are not working to preserve it, war and death will eventually consume us. What is the subject of the first book you may submit to the college? It will likely be a form of poetry, or perhaps a personal history, though there is not much to tell in that regard. The topic is yet to be decided. What would be your reaction if you ever saw a human, orc and unknown Mali'aheral travel the Anthos Highway together? Should I cause conflict where there is none? No, for the preservation of peace, I would assume the pure motives of our Mali'aheral brother...but walk away and perhaps report it to another of our kind. Are there any other details about yourself you wish to relay to the mali’aheral? I am a keeper of the peace, but I also wish to serve in some capacity. If there is any labor or task, in that of formal position, or otherwise, I will be glad to assist. An oppurtunity to prove my pure loyalty as a citizen would be a blessing.