Locklathlan

As long as the theories remain theories, looks pretty neat - trying to make the ideas written here canon would make magic unnecessarily hard to RP, seeing as now, alteration would require some rather serious knowledge. I think much of this is already possible with alteration, but perhaps this could simply serve as the documenting of that phenomenon?

A slender hand scribes swiftly upon a short stetch, a sliver of parchment that catches the shine of the sun and shimmers silver in the dawn. The note is left tucked just into the corner of the poster, folded over on itself with a thin scrawl atop it marking this out as 'Rathian Thylsealaes' contribution to the ever growing roster of mages. "Though I am but a wayward wanderer stumbling upon the knowledge of the arcane, I offer my perspective as one who has yet to touch the mages path. I know that perhaps a youngling is not wanted for such a discussion, but I shall leave this here if the insight of one educated but yet to reach the practical side of the arcane, is needed. Celein is my home, and it is likely the easiest place to seek me out."

And I only was away for what, a few hours? Nicely done, look forward to seeing this around.

Bravo, the aesthetic and feel of the art is quite unique and something I think would be enjoyable to interact with. The only thing I can think of to add would be emote examples to give people a more 'visceral/first hand' perspective on EXACTLY how it is the art plays out.

As one travels through the lands of Vailor, one would find several small and generally insubstantial papers carefully stowed in the many nooks and crannies of the docks. Many floral designs are carefully printed about the edges, forming a pleasingly aesthetic display of intertwined roots and petals, all in a single, monotone shade of obsidian. Reaching down from the topmost border of this display of patterning is a great oak, filling that same top half. Below, is scrawled in elegantly articulated hand writing, the following; Brothers and sisters of Oak, it is now that I call upon you to come together and form the first of our families to reside in these lands of Remnant Man for many a year. Now that our brethren have their Heralds sat upon their thrones, it is time that we of Oak come forth to aid our brother Ways. For Oak to remain silent and not provide the unyielding shade for Man to truly flourish is a failing of ours, and one I would not see continue. I hold hopes that land exists for us to flourish upon, and build our first home together as a family of Oaks would. All whom wish to meet with me, whether an old member of our Way or a young one looking to partake in our great duty, do seek me out upon the site of old Sutica. I bid thee well, and that you might walk forever in the shade of the great Oaks that sway above our heads. Remember, brothers and sisters, our adage; Fear the Old Dark. OOC; Greetings! Now that Xionism is beginning to pick up speed, I’m looking to gather people interested in learning about the ‘religion’ (well, anti-religion really) and begin an Oaken Way ‘family’.The Oaken Way is one of the four Xionistic systems of belief, and as such I shall link below two useful documents; The original document on all of the ideology; https://www.lordofthecraft.net/forums/topic/139531-xionism-the-way-of-primeval-man/ And a document begun by myself that I would like to work on collaboratively with all those who have an interest in the joining; https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R3Y5CXno1mtzz0qOBmPa9kItZcGA6Jw0It2WzFnv2pc/comment Everything you should need to know can be found in one of the two documents above, although they can be a little poetic and confusing at times. All who have an interest in making a character, please do throw a message in my direction. If either of the above documents need some explaining, I’d be happy to oblige for anyone interested. Any questions at all, throw them my way. I am also able to claim that the Isles of Sutica have very kindly gifted land for the construction of a ‘base of operations’ (reading the second document will explain) for this new Oaken Way family. Hope to hear from people soon!

Wiki writing generally isn't about writing flamboyantly, moreso writing concisely and factually. Not something I've ever enjoyed really.

Not sure I have the knowledge of LOTC lore for that, but thanks for the suggestion nonetheless.

Rather a simple request really - I want to write something. I joined LOTC for this sole reason, that it would offer me more opportunities to write. Now, I have also found that I much prefer writing with some kind of collaborative air, for this has always opened up much in the way of expansion, or most importantly, deliberation. Discussion between members of the developing team leads to a story that does not simply fall from one consciousness, making the overall feel, theme, and direction not so polarized as a novel or perhaps a play, written by one writer or playwright. Whilst this of course, brings forth a direction and focus that allows for heightened complexity (most normally contextual; for example, the play 'An Inspector Calls', which whilst it may appear as a simple narrative, is in fact a political and social commentary if one reads between the lines), working with a multitude of people allows for a more living, breathing environment. And as I'm not currently in the mood to spark social upheaval and new schools of thinking, world building seems much more appealing. Really, I'm happy to discuss any form of creation; I've recently been fascinated with the concept of mecha (not your average Gundam mecha, will explain more if this is something that grabs your attention) as a method of exploration and development. Fantasy is of course the hall mark of LOTC, so I'm a fan of that as well (else I wouldn't have joined). One can most likely tell just how wide the spectrum of what I'm willing to write is from just these two concepts. Concluding (this got very formal, didn't it?), if anyone out there has a concept they'd like to bring out into the wilds of the internet, I'd be happy to hear it and expand upon it. Perhaps even, if it grabs my attention, that may end up being what we write. So; if anyone out there wishes to write something collaboratively, do let me know via PM here. Happy to discuss via Skype and the likes. Apologies on how vague this is, most of my ideas will work better if explained face to face. Have a wonderful, day, afternoon, or night, depending where in the world you are.

Hard, callused fingers take the forms carefully from their resting place, tucking them under one arm before wandering away to work upon the sheaf's of paper.

Two figures, lay beneath a twilit sky. Even now, the Sun only held sway in the farthest reaches of the night, its radiance lasting for naught but a few more minutes. Leaf and twig churned with a restless motion as the great northerly wind racked through the display of undergrowth, turning the mountain upon which the two remained into a vision of writhing brilliance. As snow drifted down from the north, the two spoke in a mixture of languages; though for the sake of understanding, we shall recount it in one. "You are certain?" "There is nothing more for me now. Nothing more that I can learn." "You believe me fit for the Crown then?" "You know the answer to that." "You really, have no more of a reason to go on now that you dwindle, high above, alone on the endless ocean?" "A ship at sea with no land to return to." "What a bleak image. How thoroughly awful for such a vessel to be left to float for eternity." "And that is why we rest here now. That is why this flame has come to an end. The darkness about the fire side is too much for one to weather alone." "Aye, but the darkness is our home, friend. The darkness is whence all came, and whence all shall return." "Do you believe we shall return, one day? Peaceful ignorance, all as one, under the endless shadow." "That I do. We were not made to last, and so I believe that somewhere in the infinite, there is an end worked in among things." Sitting upright, silver flowed out effortlessly above two emeralds - slight features, beautiful beyond any and all description. A voice hewn of marble, body of water, air, all things moving and light, heart of darkest obsidian, mind of shattered bronze, glittering and twirling in an endless fall. The glittering embers alighted on the Crown, a figment that passed briefly, an image that had little presence here, a concept that could not find a hold in a land of material things. A Light that transcended, a Light that burned the eye. "You are certain?" "A rotting hull on the great open shan't last long in a storm that knows no end." "Then we are in agreement." The sheer drop was quiet. The ground beneath was filled with utter peace. The shadow, thanks. The second figure remained, his form fluttering in the wind - a statue, a testament to the loss of something dear. His hands formed a vague shape in the air, and the air began to sing. Eyes turned to view the earth, and wailed at the sight of crimson upon white. The Statue turned his face skyward, arms open and accepting as silver trickled down from his eyes. "I accept the Crown, I wear the Mantle, I hold the Scepter high, I stand upon the open shadow, and I call upon the Old Dark for validity. In me is the blood of the forefathers, and about me is the Shadow of yore. I weep, and shall always weep, for the passing on of the finite, yet I see the future, and hold the torch high. The path, the path shall be forged." Dropping his arms, the form of the Statue was wracked with sobs, falling upon his knees. "You shall be missed, Gwendolyn." ---

An angular character signs the corner of the charter, placed with swift calligraphy as Arim leaves his name upon the document.

"And druid, as I stated, I understand your own philosophy, that you only preach to those whom enter into your domain. I did not dispute that, though I only pointed to the fact that asking this of others based upon false assumptions of our disordered nature, is unwise. I shall withdraw the word 'ordered' if you so wish, but presenting your 'likes' seems like a useless thing to do if you do not expect them followed. Speak plainly then, and do not voice idle fancies that you already know may be talked down with ease. We are not here to voice our 'preferred' course of action, we are here to voice with utter certainty what we 'want' of the other orders gathered here, for voicing anything less sure than this is but a pointless waste of breath upon the air." Raising his head back around to lock eyes with the druid, he raises his eyebrows and maintains his previous appearance. "Your 'point' as you put it, does not exist; you have made an idle ask of us that has no bearing, and I simply make it clear to you that you shan't find us people to follow requests that hold no substance behind them. Let us not speak more on the matter, for causing another argument to ensue here is not what would please our overseers." Sighing deeply, he raises a hand to wave with a certain brisk dismissal. "You have my apologies, for I know I appear childish." A certain phrase is muttered beneath his breath, the words distinctively full, warming perhaps, even wholesome. "My apologies druid; I shall return to silence now. My part here is done, for the debate shall now move onward to a different debate, I believe."

A look of disgust passes briefly over the features of the green swathed one, his fingers tensing together before his form relaxes as the subject changes. Once his shoulders slump and his back loosens once again, he leans forth to speak. "Your plea for control is heard; under Xion, such noble arts are controlled out of a matter of necessity, out of great understanding for what they signify. Just as a ruler might dub their subjects 'knight', so is the handling of the Mortal Arts held in such great respect; to have such a grand blade placed upon ones shoulders, to have such a power attributed to ones name. . . it is truly a great honour indeed. For us to hand it out to every passerby who utters the name of Xion, that, is the lack of control that we abhor, as do you. Fear not drui, for we understand the power of our art, and the need for control over such a thing. However; your point concerning our preaching is thusly unjustified by what I have just relayed to you. I for one, shall not cease any form of preaching, for it is righteous and true of us to attempt to turn people to our way of thinking, just as you spread your thoughts and ideas to those who enter your culture. Do not be concerned that this will create a sudden influx of individuals wielding the Mortal Arts, for only those whom are worthy shall be gifted such a great honour. Those who are gifted these magics shall use them responsibly. In fact, I would wager that they shall put less 'strain' on the balance of nature than your own art. . ." His eyebrows bob upwards with a slight 'humph', a look of quiet superiority blossoming across his sharp features before he turns away again. "If you dislike the act of preaching, there are further orders whom do so readily, orders whom have plagued this land for many years. Do not order us into silence due to your own philosophies, for they hold no sway outside of your culture."

His visage rotates to view Ashanaak, bobbing several times over the course of his short piece; once this is completed, his arms fold across and he pivots back in his chair with a satisfied look. A few moments more of silence pass as he contemplates, rocking a little on his chair, back and forth, back and forth with an oddly childish demeanor. Once again letting his head nod in agreement and satisfaction, he halts and leans forwards on both hands as they hold his head atop both fists. "Peace for the Innocents, and peace for yourselves; whilst we are limited as you are, I. . . will attempt to assure you that those here are noble souls, and agree that peace is something that can and will be reached. We may be of limited resource, but I believe those here would do their utmost to aid in that regard; though I shall not speak for them quite so plainly, as I know not their minds. I appreciate your decision to side with the Xan folk, for I can see that your companionship means much to you, and the bonds between Men are of great importance. It is good that you can see reason despite your overseers, and it pleases me that your humanity, and your reason, shines through the dazzling Light that surrounds you so."

His eyebrows raise and fall in an accepting gesture, before he speaks with a careful tone. "Though you have tried for some time to stamp out the Mortal Arts, you have failed; I say this not as a criticism, for you have heard the repetitious line over, and over again as to why this is. It is not possible to completely blanket the dark with light, for forever shall the shadow persist where your eye cannot quite reach. If you cannot stamp it out, why cull the one Order among the dark who seeks to bring about some kind of order in it? Surely allies of that nature are better than none, and any allies one can gain are not ones to be turned away. Give us time and space to prove ourselves, if we must before you, and you shall find us dependable allies - at least, I should hope so. Again, we fight the same side of this war, merely with different benefactors and tools before us. Let Xion rise to govern the dark as you do the Light, and perhaps some equilibrium might be reached. We may be of the dark, but we are not of the perverse individuals whom you call 'suspect'. If you do not allow us the chance to make a 'record', you shall have halted a possible solution of which you have no true knowledge. Truly, to halt us would be as if to halt ones allies simply for wielding a blade comparable to that of the enemy. When, have you seen two Men walking down the street, stop to duel over the fact one wields a lance, and the other a blade?" At this he laughs quite heartily to himself, grinning out from beneath his cowl before he brushes it back with one hand, waving with one hand. "Apologies, apologies, but really this does appear to be why you find us skeptical; we wield abilities that you have long fought against, and so you paint us as villains. We are attempting to turn those blades you have fought against to a side of progress, something those of Guardianship should support."