Amayonnaise

Morgana slapped the paper unto a table nearby, "This is so poorly written - even Celian'or's papers are superior. Malithor's discussion of lowering the age resulted in a widely-agreed upon notion that the Sillumir create educational classes in which they can teach our youth adequate combat skills prior to joining the military at an older age. But of course - with such a biased paper, this completely gets dismissed in favour of mocking the Okarir'tir. And the Pirates!? Whoever wrote this clearly was not present!. Where is the praise for bravery and fearlessness? Protecting our city should not be a thankless job - we ought to commend those who put themselves in harm's way. Valazaer was actively leading the charge, with several Sillumir at his side. Phandelver and Illynora were my standing guards - protecting me against arrow and sword whilst I threw boulders. Where are the commendations?" Majority of the woman's ranting would be heard by any who crossed paths with her within the Silver State - though she would undoubtedly spew her disdain towards her closest companions; @_Sheylo_@Amelica

I never said they were? I was just giving examples of what tends to cause me to have to get off my horse And I agree with all of this, absolutely. I was unaware of the road-building rules. If cities are being pasted in on tiles before we even start on the new map, road building should occur afterwards imo. Then you can have main roads lead directly to nations' builds.

Thin passages or gates that horses can't physically get through. And Capitals have been on main roads this map - or very close to them. Elvenesse is positioned very far out, and Yong Ping was ridiculous, but they were still at the end of very long main roads. My argument wasn't against Nations building on main roads - it was against building choke points, blockades, randomly positioned gates and towers etc. that serve no purpose other than just being physically in the way of traveling. That is what I expanded upon in my third paragraph - permit this during times of war, and it would make much more sense for their existence.

If you're going to give us bigger maps that require horses to travel quickly, then don't restrict roads. You're already limiting our RP time by causing us to spend more of our playtime travelling via horse on needlessly long roads (This map hasn't been so bad), but to then enable people to build blockages that cause us to get off our horse, put it away, move through the blockage, and then resummon our horse is even more of a waste of time and extremely frustrating. I think more buildings on the side of roads is great. They provide RP hubs much closer to spawn that invites random encounters and interactions by players roaming in search of RP, and are much easier to gravitate to rather than some random Nation that only has vague signs pointing towards it, and takes 3-5x longer to locate - only to then find no RP in the Nation anyhow. My suggestion would be permitting road-building in the time of war, if this is not already a thing. Blockages and checkpoints would only add to the intensity and protective measures of a Nation in the middle of a war, and adds to the overall immersion of a Capital preparing their defenses. This would be welcome.

Oop my bad - thought you meant you'd clarify why it wasn't compatible.

To my knowledge, Malchaediel or whatever his name is doesn't particularly care if people worship other deities - as long as they're seeking glory or something? Being courageous. Would like to know why this is suddenly getting stripped! It would also limit the different combinations Templars can have with other magics.

The formatting for the spells under each tier is a little difficult to read through. Would it be possible to make the titles of the spells larger and introduce some colour to the explanation or mechanics + titles? Would simply make skimming through the list to find the designated spell much easier.

This magic has existed in the past! It's a returning concept :) However, with that being said, I am very excited to see its potential return - especially as the last Thallassian to be made by moogle (I think?). Big +1 for this rewrite and the potential return of unique and interesting RP. Hopefully this time it gets spread out a bit more and is seen more often!

That art is horrifying. But good luck!

Exploration on Emerald .VI. Avyndriel of the Sun “To will change upon the self, is to change the world. Only through Will can all balance be attained.” - The Axiom of Will, Teachings of Sister Hurricane - Emerald Duty When we gaze upon the second Exploration of Emerald, Emerald Presence, we come to understand that our duty is not to consistently uphold the natural balance. The natural world will always persist, even after we abandon our ivory towers and stone castles. It needs no aid in its restoration. Rather, it is my understanding that Gifted Druii possess their connection in aid against forces and creatures that were not made for our realm entirely. We can spend our days roaming the continent, restoring abandoned settlements and healing blight and other disturbances, but what is the use of our connection if we cannot battle the very forces causing this corruption? If all we ever focus on is restoration and recovery, the forces will only ever grow in number and inevitably overwhelm us. You can spend your lifetime trimming a weed when it grows, or you can spend a moment removing its roots and preventing its return entirely. Our duty when attuned is not to embrace our connection and live in harmony. Our duty is to rise as the Aspects’ army, protecting their work in restoration and recovery within the Tayna, by combatting the unnatural entities who seek to wreak havoc upon our realm. I recall Circles of old, from my youth, who were highly involved in such feats. Their gates always open, welcoming travelers regardless of origin and race, and praising any opportunity to spread the teachings of the natural world and their duties. I recall an era of harmony between Malin’s Kin and the Aspects’ Servants. The Oracle recalls this also. I spoke to her of the current era of the Druii, and she drew forth what I had originally written here - “I await its return, with bated breath”. With this, she then asked of me, “Why do you wait, Avyn?” “Seeking the right moment?” I had originally written these Articles during my residence within the Vale of Nevaehlen. When I finally spoke to the Oracle of Emerald however, I had already relocated to the village of Oswin. I recognised the prevailing cowardice. I yearned for the return of our Golden Era. With this, Awaiti said simply, “Then you are not waiting” With my attunement, the Aspects called upon me to recognise the totem I had been blessed with. I came to understand that each of our totems is not simply a moniker of our stories thus far, but rather the duty granted upon us by the Lord and Lady. With this, I revealed what I understood mine to be. “I wondered if perhaps I would take my Mother’s original moniker - but I suppose it would be best our paths are not alike. I will be strong where she was weak. I will shine where she began to falter. I will be the Sun that disgraced me so long ago. I will be radiant when the darkness seeks to envelop us. I will be your hope, when my brethren begin to wither and fade. As long as I remain, the Druii will persevere. The light will never fade. The Sun will never set.” This is my duty.

Exploration on Emerald .V. Avyndriel of the Sun “To will change upon the self, is to change the world. Only through Will can all balance be attained.” - The Axiom of Will, Teachings of Sister Hurricane - Emerald Communion If we look upon the first Exploration on Emerald; Emerald Aspectism, we find a connection between the concept of the Tayna, and the living energy we have always known to exist within the natural world. This living energy that ebbs and flows is much akin to the Song of Nature; the Tayna, which increases and silences according to the state of the natural world. Are they not simply one and the same? To recognise this, and understand that it may be so, then helps us gaze upon the process of a Druidic Attunement, and those connected. After a recent conversation with a dear friend of mine, whom was transported to a realm without any Nature, I began to contemplate. To her, the realm was deafening, yet silent. It made sense, of course - for someone who is so used to hearing the lull of Nature around her, to suddenly hear naught. However, it opened my eyes upon the Nature of the Tayna itself and our connection to it once we are attuned. One who is attuned is near immediately thrown into a cacophony of unfamiliar sounds and screeches. We have all seen it - a new Druid who stumbles about lost in their head, struggling to find direction. Often, they are encouraged to meditate for some time until they are ready to begin their first lessons. But why is this? What is the difference between hearing the Tayna at first attunement, and as an esteemed Druid? I believe it lies in the Song itself. Druii are connected to Nature on an almost spiritual level. They are capable of weaving roots and vines as if they were their own limbs. I believe Druii become an extension of the land itself - sentient husks that roam and live whilst consistently hearing the melody around them regardless of their communion or not. That is the very key to all of this: the melody. It is my belief that when a Druid is first connected, this meditation they must undertake to find direction and grow used to these new sounds of Nature, is actually them learning how to adapt their mental and spiritual selves to this new song. They search through the torment of these unusual sounds, eventually learning to warp their very self to match the tempo and rhythm of Nature’s Lullaby. Once this is achieved, they become capable of communion through falling in step with this song, and wielding its melody against their opponents. This would mean, of course, when a Druid is confined to a realm or location void of the song of Nature, they lose track of this melody, and thus are thrown mentally and spiritually out of tune. They scramble to find the rhythm once more, but are lost in the deafening absence of song. However, if this contemplation proves to be true, this then enables us to examine the possibility of different songs. Druii have an arsenal of capabilities - whether it be the healing of blight or creation of healing poultices. Would this healing result in a gentle pull and tug to return Nature to its original song, or perhaps a crescendo of instrumental volume in order to overwhelm whatever absence or taint is withholding Nature from its lullaby?

Exploration on Emerald .IV. Avyndriel of the Sun “To will change upon the self, is to change the world. Only through Will can all balance be attained.” - The Axiom of Will, Teachings of Sister Hurricane - Emerald Drive One thing I feel has not been thoroughly explained, or conceptualised, is the focus upon what drives one’s Will. The definition and understanding of Will itself is explained and written upon endlessly, however we have yet to explore what enables a person to enforce such a strong Will. If we were to think of Will as the fire that burns within all of us, enabling us to stand strong and resolute, and never sway from our duties, then that fire is in need of a source of fuel. For everyone, of course, that fuel will always be different. For instance, some are driven by the desire to protect their kin, whilst others by the very love bestowed upon them by those kin. Some less healthy drives could be the desire to seek vengeance for a misdeed enacted upon them, or revenge upon a foe who harmed a beloved. Before we are capable of strengthening our Will, and our resolve, I believe we must first take time to gaze upon the self and reflect. Meditate often. Turn to your thoughts and history and examine all that you have endured and experienced thus far, both good and bad. We must ensure that whatever drives our Will is something healthy and continuous. To have a drive that can be someday achieved, such as ending a specific foe, or protecting a friend from consequences, is not entirely the best drive to have. However, some of these goal-oriented drives can also become evolving drives. For example, someone who has the desire to one day build a family, has a goal-oriented drive. Once that family is built, their desire will most likely shift towards the protection and preservation of that family - thus making it an evolving drive. This is healthy, as it focuses on the wellbeing and happiness of themselves, and those around them. To have a drive focused upon someone else, in which you seek revenge for their death, or to ensure their own progression over yours etc, is not healthy. These sorts of drives do not work for the enforcement of Will, as they are temporary and unable to evolve into a higher form, and may easily cloud one’s judgment in the heat of battle or any encounters with the foe or person in question. To be Emerald is to focus upon ones’ self. Trust in the Will of the World, and focus on procuring happiness for yourself and others, rather than allowing your hate and disdain fester over the ways you have been wronged. Find your own drive, and reflect on how healthy it truly is.

Exploration on Emerald .III. Avyndriel of the Sun “To will change upon the self, is to change the world. Only through Will can all balance be attained.” - The Axiom of Will, Teachings of Sister Hurricane - Emerald Mortality Following a discussion held with a friend, the concept of giving one’s life to the Druidic Mission and what such entails began to linger within my mind. The Emerald Path focuses so heavily upon the enforcement of one’s will and living within the moment, but to also uphold the necessity of perspective from various angles, that I fear it fails to acknowledge how these two principles struggle to overlap in a heated conflict. For example, if an individual found themselves involved in a conflict in which they were suddenly faced by a great enemy, their will would either carry them forth to seek victory whilst the heat of the battle would prevent them from taking a moment to examine their available paths. The most obvious option would be to momentarily retreat, enabling them to examine the entire battlefield to determine whether a full withdrawal is necessary, but when faced with such a great enemy it is highly unlikely they’d be permitted such an opportunity. In the face of this comes the ultimate query; is it Emerald to seek a glorious death through the ultimate drive of will, or to retreat when capable and reassess your chances of victory versus defeat? Personally, I believe the answer to be neither of these. There is no shame in fearing death and fighting to keep your life, especially when such a life could change the tides in future battles. However, as one of the last War-Clerics of the Stag, I also believe the concept of a glorious death to be false. One does not simply perish in a “blaze of glory”, as such a death then shifts into a grab at fame. The only difference in this context is a death of planned sacrifice, as we saw with Tanila and her restoration of Ando Alur’s tragedy, though even this was an event wreaked with sorrow and pain for all involved. However, to assume all sacrifices, whether planned or not, to be the same is the very opposite of Emerald. It should be understood that the concept of perspective within the Emerald Principles is an understanding that no two incidents will ever be identical. It is with this that I came to understand the truth in this concept of death within a heated, unpredictable battle; to be Emerald is to sharpen your mind to be capable of rapidly gaining perspective in the most dire of situations - to make immediate assessments and decisions. To be Emerald is to trust your gut and intelligence, and to know when to push through will, and retreat with perspective.

As someone who saw and helped with some minor edits for this Player Conduct section, I am thankful that more policies and guidelines are being published. I have also handed over documents detailing my personal concerns w the current rules, and an entire rewrite of the rules for the Staff to examine and pick apart as they please. I hope they continue on this path and update our rules to match our policies. I hope they make it much more apparent what is NOT going to be tolerated on our server - in regards to both harassment and the safety of minors.

Exploration on Emerald .II. Avyndriel of the Sun “To will change upon the self, is to change the world. Only through Will can all balance be attained.” - The Axiom of Will, Teachings of Sister Hurricane - Emerald Presence The Aspects are a very controversial topic, as the form in which they exist is often interpreted in many ways. However, there are some Druii who either refuse to believe in them at all, or are instead angered by the Aspects’ lack of touch upon the mortal realm. Their absence within our realm is difficult to prove, especially due to the many interpretations of their manner of existence. To believe they are the energy within the Natural world itself, would mean that they are forever present within our realm. For a time, I believed the Aspects to be some form of invisible force - guiding the Tayna as weavers of threads and composers of songs. I believed the Tayna itself to be incapable of being left without guidance, akin to a still lake lacking a river to ripple the surface and provide momentum. It was not until my eventual attunement that I learnt more of the connection within nature, and came to understood this truth. If we return to the first Exploration on Emerald, we revisit the idea of the Aspects being the very embodiment of the flow of living energy. The heat, courage, and fear within conflict, and the joy, growth, and breath of new life. The Aspects’ Will in physical form, presenting themselves to us with every beat of a wing, or howl at the moon. Every blade of grass, and every sigh as the wind trickles through the canopy. Gazing upon the Emerald Tomes, one must come to understand that the Descendants, in these teachings, are not considered natural entities. Rather than coexist with the world around us, we seek to break it down and reforge it into our desired form; weapons, armour, cities, castles. But even in this, we are simply recycling natural resources. With our absence, all of these items and constructs will inevitably return to the nature around us - rusted and weathered by air and age, or fractured and broken by weed and moss. To then consider how large our world is - how much we have already ventured across, and how many more realms and continents are yet to be explored, is to then consider the workload of our Aspects. We see their work in birth and death. We see their presence in flourishing valleys and forests stretching towards the sun. To me, they cannot be found in true, singular form for they are too entwined within the Tayna that is woven throughout all natural life. Their work is endless, like the sun and moon. They cannot stop, and thus cannot have time for us beyond momentary, magical moments of nature. They show themselves in these fleeting moments of pure wonder; the shimmering of a lake coated in luminescent algae, or the fluttering of millions of butterfly in a field of flowers. These wonders are proof of their presence. A gentle reminder that they can always be found, even in the darkest of times.

Exploration on Emerald .I. Avyndriel of the Sun “To will change upon the self, is to change the world. Only through Will can all balance be attained.” - The Axiom of Will, Teachings of Sister Hurricane - Emerald Aspectism The Emerald Way values critical thinking and perspective highly, encouraging its followers to not simply accept doctrine and knowledge as it is, but rather to seek out further answers. It is for this very reason that many advancements in Aspectism have occurred; the returning of the Seeds in early Vailor, the splitting of the Circles upon Axios, and now the formation of Mani Priesthoods and Paths of Aspectism. Without the few Mali who have dared to step beyond the bounds of the known, and sought out answers to the past and present, our culture would be forever unchanging and our traditions with their meanings lost upon us. When I began my study of the Paths of Aspectism, I read through the tomes of each to properly assess which path would most benefit me. The Sages appeared most enticing; to remain neutral and calm, unbiased. To have control. I would like to believe that my history within Tahariae’s Order had prepared me for such a path, with the ability to steel my emotions and thought in the midst of even the most emotional conflicts. However, this simply wasn’t true. It wasn’t that I gained control of my Self in those battles. Rather, it was because I understood what needed to be done, and thus drove forth regardless of wound and injury. It was my determination. My Will. Though I admired the Sages’ school of thought, I knew within that it was not the correct path I had to follow. Instead, I delved into the Tomes of Emerald, and felt all that I had known warp around me. Having been raised by an Archdruid, Renn of the Wheat and Wisteria, I had always felt comfortable in my knowledge of the Aspects and their gifts. Cerridwen, the Mother of Life and Lady of Wheat. Cernunnos, the Father of Death and Lord of the Hunt. The books upon them were relatively identical in their understanding and knowledge. The most variation came from the Aspects and their interpretations; the Lord and Lady existing as energy within all living things, as entities within the Eternal Forest with vessels through which they enacted their Will, or some vague mixture of both. Throughout my three centuries of life, it was not until I studied the Emerald Way that I realised there was so much more within these stories. So much more to be explored and questioned and found. Cernunnos. Not a Lord who brought the mercy of death when the clock eventually chimed, but rather the very embodiment of the courage and fear felt by predator and prey as they raced through the forest. Heightening emotions driving them forth and exhausting themselves, until they are brought upon the brink of death. The shifting from vessels as lifeforce flows, departing a weakening form to greet the surrounding world and revitalise it with an excess of melody. Cerridwen. Nae a Lady who births life into the realm, but rather the rising, strengthening hum of pure life as it seeps within an expectant mother to bless the growing babe within. The warmth of the sun as it wittles down blankets of snow, nourishing the ground beneath with both water and light. Returning flora as it stretches across the landscape in an endless web; creeping through cracks in stone, and stretching towards the smallest glimpses of light in a dark cave. The Aspects, as I quickly learnt, are not as easily describable as we thought. Their gifts are ever changing, flowing within the river of the Tayna that possesses all of nature. I observed the world around me as my perspective adjusted, understanding finally that this living energy did not simply fade upon death or conjure upon birth, but instead amassed in new forms borrowed from the old. It flows akin to a stream; corroding aging surfaces and whirling around new stones. Aspectism is no longer the mere worship of two deities. It is now a deep and profound understanding of the interconnected natural world that lives all around us. The Emerald Way blessed me with a new vision, and has enabled me to explore new paths of thought rather than simply accepting what is.

Avyndriel of the Sun A Personal Reflection and Understanding upon the Tomes of the Emerald Way Tome of Two Balances “To will change upon the self, is to change the world. Only through Will can all balance be attained.” - The Axiom of Will, Teachings of Sister Hurricane - .I. Morality as Inner Balance When it comes to the topic of neutrality, such an idea has been toyed with near endlessly, both in the present, past, and undoubtedly in the future also. We see it woven throughout both the history of Druidic Cultures, and Descendant Cultures alike; in the form of the Bronze Elves who sought indifference and control of emotion, through to our own Path of the Sage. However, this neutrality is unnatural to Descendant. Our hearts race with excitement and pound with fear, the blood rushing through our body in moments of extreme emotion. Such is natural for us, and thus we must let it be so. To attempt to be neutral; to examine and assess in an attempt to act as the Aspects might, is not our duty. We should not strive to be as the Aspects are, but rather to be as we are; the Druii. Their frontline defence and support upon the materialistic realm. In the same fashion, our communities and Nations that form among the like-minded are also not to be avoided. Descendants are social creatures who require emotional attachments to not only thrive emotionally, mentally, and physically, but to also aid in the development of new perspectives, the progression of ideologies, and the preservation of traditions. How else are we expected to uphold our mission if we cannot even uphold our own health and histories? .II. Will Within Balance Often we, as Druii, focus so entirely on the balance that we strive to protect and preserve that we fail to remember the balance within ourselves that must be initially uphold in order to successfully conduct such duties. So many are the Druii who rely entirely on their gifts - not always at a fault of their own. Many Guides fail to understand that the trials and tribulations their students endure in order to receive the Gift are meant not as preparation for the receival, but rather to sharpen and enforce their minds, bodies, and spirits. It is for this reason that many believe that the world is weak; forever requiring the hand of the Aspects’ servants to aid in its natural restoration when it is the very opposite entirely. The balance of the world knows a will far greater than our own. Life will find a way, no matter how damaged it may be. The true weakness lies in the Men who rely upon their gifts. To permit their bodies and minds to atrophy rather than embolden their own Will to match that of the world around them. It is not us whom the world relies upon to resume its natural state, but rather the World whom we rely upon to guide us in our mission. .III. The Nature of Will A man can change everything if he is willing to sacrifice for it. The greatest changes require the strongest wills, And we must give much for the salvation of this world. In the beginning, we have nothing. Our privilege is the dirt. In such darkness, our will guides us to light Perspective pierces the veil of dark. Our birthright is our failings, and the pain we suffer. When darkness comes, we can rely on no other to face it for us. Only through our willpower can balance be attained. .IV. Beings of the Present Self There is no lasting stillness. It is impossible. Accept this. Know it in your bones. The balance is everflowing; everchanging in its shapes and forms, temper and moods. We see it in the way a river corrodes the banks of rock and stone with time, and in the weather that wanes from shimmering to pour in mere hours. Each second, we are brought into a new world. A new reality. Nothing ever will be, or has ever been the same. The past exists a mere second behind the present, and with this understanding must come the acceptance that it cannot be changed, and thus must only be learnt from and released from our hearts and minds. We mustn't linger upon what once was, for the world changes form along with us, and thus we will never be alone in our acceptance of what once was. Rather than changing what once was, we can instead choose to learn from it and seek to change what currently is. We use these tools and lessons from our past to mold the world as it currently stands; through our will we are capable of living in a greater environment. Once we learn to release our past and shape our present into a healthier form, we are capable of relinquishing whatever fear lies in the anticipation of the future. By focusing on our present, the dangers of the future are less likely to arise. Through understanding comes acceptance and health. Live in the moment, and your will can shape the future. .V. The Balance of the Self The encouragement of thriving within a community not only pertains to the progression of ideologies and culture, nor the necessity of seeking other perspectives on a variety of affairs. Most importantly, it reflects upon the various experiences that aid towards each individuals’ understanding of the concept of ‘Good’ and ‘Evil’. However, this concept cannot be branded so simply. It is better to view it as the concept of Selflessness versus Selfishness. As many Druii could, and should, attest to, the world cannot exist with only the ‘Good’, nor can it with ‘Evil’. In the same vein, the Descendants who actively shape and form our histories and religions cannot act in an entirely selfish manner, nor a selfless one, for being selfish for the sake of restoring ones’ health can also be deemed selfless, and the selfless sacrifice of a life can also be selfish for the agony their loved ones will endure. Not every situation is the same, for every situation holds different individuals, experiences, and intents. Perspective must always be upheld, to properly assess when it is best to sacrifice ones’ strength to aid in the greater cause, or to withhold it to aid another in gaining the skills and experience from fighting their own battles. This sentiment is evident across all walks of life, no matter how large or small. One cannot be inherently Good, for even pure intentions can produce dark repercussions. Context and perspective is necessary. True balance in all forms, not just within the natural world, is key. Tome of Strife “To will change upon the self, is to change the world. Only through Will can all balance be attained.” - The Axiom of Will, Teachings of Sister Hurricane - .I. The Absence of Understanding We are missing something within our teachings, a piece that allows others to break their chains and to be free from the slavery of secular thought. Regardless of how much one seeks true sight and understanding of the world around them, there will never be a threshold upon which they can claim they have achieved. True understanding, in this manner, is not to fully understand the world around us in all of its beauty and darkness, but rather to understand what it is we lack, where our weaknesses lie, and to act in search of mending these ailments. For this, we can never truly understand, for as the ages flow, our culture and gifts gradually shift along with them. The inability to look inwards and not only acknowledge our shortcomings, but to also admit to them and have the courage to grow from them is one of the largest causes of failure within our Order. From the teachings that are delivered as early as Dedicancy, to the true definition of what makes a Druid, and even the content dependency on current beliefs, our Order holds many flaws that have only begun to be burrowed into due to the enlightenment and encouragement from the Emerald Path. To blindly follow doctrine as its taught, with no intent to further ones’ beliefs or understanding, or reflect upon the blatant flaws and issues that arise due to its methods, is to be blind to the truth. Become what strengthens an ideology, not a slave to it by following it dogmatically. Without this contrast, we are but marionettes, tangled in the strings of weaknesses in our ideologies. .II. The Value of Struggle and Self Reliance The Devout, Druii without gifts, are simply those with greater will. With the proper will, everything can be changed, such is the nature of will itself. Learn not to require the Aspects’ Gifts in order to serve Nature, but to be blessed with them as a result of unending devotion to the healing and guidance of nature over its wounds and pain. The Gifts are given to aid a Druii in their work as they help Nature to reclaim the land and restore it to its natural state - a state not defined as how it existed before an interruption, but as Nature breaking down wall and stone to reunite with the earth in a new physical formation. The Tayna is restored, in a new state. .III. The Nature of Life and Death Death does not exist. This life created by the Mother never leaves this world, it merely passes from vessel to vessel. The Role of the Father is oft misunderstood, as he is not death. His name is Strength, for his power to move the energies of life from one vessel to the next. The Mother is a creator of life, growing, nurturing, healing, and guiding it across the realm. Aiding in the restoration of wounds within the Tayna - the soul and living energy of the natural world. The Father does not take this life, nor destroy it. He shifts it, taking the energy of a dying elk laying itself to rest within the forest, and transferring it to the grass and earth below to embolden their life and growth. As the Mother creates and guides new life and growth, the Father transfers it into new forms once it reaches its end. If you define yourself by your ability to usher Death, your strength is as fleeting as grains of sand in the wind. To recognise and understand that death is not the taking of a life and removal of its energy from our realm, but the transference of life between vessels, is to understand the Father’s true strength, and by extension our own. .IV. Facing Conflict Live your life, and act with great respect and wisdom, for you must be a beacon of change for the world, a fount of knowledge and veneration. To live a life is to live one with layers. At the foremost, one must appear stable with morals guided upon principles - of which our will spills forth and enforces our actions that are based upon such morality. However, the inability to fully see the world around us - to explore, learn, and continuously fill our plates with new knowledge and understanding will only ever hinder the development of our principles. Such are meant to be updated and adjusted regularly, lest we fall into a stagnant cycle built upon religious doctrines of old; irrelevant to the modern age and poorly extracted from. As the saying goes, learn from past mistakes. But these mistakes are not only of our own, of our culture and people, or of our Nations. They are also the mistakes of others, regardless of race, gender, or origin. We must learn from other sentient forms we may interact with, learning of the world through various eyes and beliefs. Only then may we form knowledgeable and understanding principles and truly learn from all, both mistakes, failures, and successes. Will, Principle, Perspective, These are the three great values that the Emerald Way promotes .V. The Place of Gifts and Tools The dependency of Druii upon their blessings and gifts is an everlasting struggle, as some rely upon them for even the simplest of daily tasks. Even when faced with the greatest of struggles and challenges within their mission, Druii rely entirely on their gifts to pave the way to success. True devotion to the Druidic Path and the Lord and Lady who bless it may be achieved regardless of a Druid’s connection. To require the gifts to conduct a Druid's duties is untrue, and only those who truly understand this are those who are truly devoted to their mission and the understanding of it. The truth of such affairs are that the blessings received through attunement are merely one of many tools available at our disposal. Ones’ mind, physical strength, charisma, and words are merely but a few of the alternative tools forever within our arsenal, yet rarely used instead of our gifts. A Druid is not an entity blessed with the gift of communion, but rather a devout entity who protects the balance to the best of their ability. The Order should enforce teachings of these inherent tools that we already possess, rather than preparing them to rely on their gifts. Tome of Emerald “To will change upon the self, is to change the world. Only through Will can all balance be attained.” - The Axiom of Will, Teachings of Sister Hurricane - .I. Amongst the Shadows, the Hunter Preys When the darkness comes, we can rely on no other to face it. Within our world, even in the communities, friendships, and partnerships we build, we must understand that we are alone. We will never be capable of relying on another entirely - for even the closest companion will never fully agree on everything, or be able to match another’s strengths. We must learn to rely on ourselves entirely. To be capable of enduring and overcoming on our own, even in our darkest and weakest moments. At first glance, one might assume the Hunter within the Shadows to be an ever present foe. An enemy. Or perhaps a fear. Something that consistently preys on the self and urges for betterment. However, this is only further proof of how much relyance one needs on themself. To become strong within, and capable of overcoming all obstacles without external aid, warps the self into that very same Hunter. Amongst the Shadows, the Hunter Preys. Remain in these shadows. Hold your tools to your chest. Mask your understanding and knowledge. Withhold from lashing out with physical force. Allow others to question your presence, and wonder if you truly are capable of anything more. In their moments of doubt and comfort, when the shadows stretch their furthest and the clock nears twilight, strike. Seek out the most opportune of timing, and unleash all you have kept within. Live in service to the two balances. Give your all to both of them, and sacrifice little to anything else. Become a devoted servant to the path before you, and utilise violence only when necessary for survival. .II. The Power of Identity In all things, know who you are. An understanding of one’s self is imperative to the two balances. Your strengths and weaknesses. Your hopes and fears. Lingering guilt and shame from experiences past, or newfound friendship and love. Meditate to seek understanding of the self, and all that has occurred to shape you into who you are. Come to revelation in realisation, and grasp upon the reigns of your growth. When understanding is found, the ability to control your identity and who you are becomes entirely yours. Take control of your name, shape and change it as you see fit. Adjust your appearance and style. Break free from the restraints of society and seek your own comforts and risks. No one is born with a profound understanding of who they are. It is found only through deep reflection of the self. .III. The Importance of Endurance as Mali We as Mali were cursed with longevity. For eons we have lived knowing this to the point that our very civilizations have been adjusted to account for our lifespan. Coming of Age ceremonies. Distinct, historical bloodlines and seeds. Our reverence of history. Throughout all that we have faced, we have remained. Throughout all of our experiences, scars, and trauma. We have remained. It is for this reason that we must build upon and develop our endurance. We have lived among mountains, forests, and seas, and watched our brethren fall to foe of various forms. We have had to wash the grass of blood of our kin, and live on with their stories embedded in our memory. We were cursed with longevity, but left with the same mental fortitude of a human. We must strengthen ourselves and our resolve, and be capable of watching the world change around us whilst we remain unmoved. We must endure. .IV. On Mani With the reveal of the Mani, and the uncovering of many such patrons, our faith has delved even further into new sects and worship. A wondrous feat, soon twisted by darker hearts and minds. Awaiti observed the followers of Morea and Moccus lead an exodus from the lands of the Dominion, beginning with the revolt of Kairn Ithelanen. My own brother. In her observation, Awaiti remained faithful to her understanding that the Aspects are above all. It is for this reason that the Emerald Way favors no Mani. They may be worshiped and revered, but the Aspects must be heralded above them always. We may be vulnerable to segregation due to our Patron Mani, but we will always be united as brethren of the Aspects’ Path. We must remember this, and hold it to our core.

@squakhawk@HogoBojo@itdontmatta@Llir@Telanir I have said this before on the thread about FTB, and I will say it again. Your rules and policies are outdated. Your rules DO NOT protect our new players and youth enough. They do not discuss age of consent as an OOC construct, only IRP. They need to be much more thorough and extreme. Open up a dialogue with the community. Make a thread discussing the current rules and policies, and ask what feels lacking and what needs to be improved on. Get community feedback. Work on a new system of regulations for not only applying strikes and warnings, but also delivering bans and length of bans, and appeal processes depending on the reason of the ban. It doesn't matter if he was banned for pugsying. Muna stated they made a post on this very same topic ages ago. It doesn't matter if he was recently unbanned. You have the evidence now. Open up a new investigation. It does not matter one single ******* bit if you thought he had changed. You seem to be forgetting one key fact. Muna and Toni lost their right to feeling safe and protected in our community. I have said it before. I will say it again. We are women, we are qu.eer, we are lgbt, and we face this very same toxicity and insults and degrading comments at least weekly. We face it on the street, in the workplace, online whether its social media, video games, or anywhere else. We can't even use voice chats in public lobbies 8/10 times because we know the response we are going to get. To strip us of our right to feel safe and protected, and have a break from that sort of attention and vile behaviour in this community is disgusting. He may have changed, yes. He may be striving to do better, good. I hope he continues that and continues to strive to be a better person both in real life, and on the internet. But you have no right to leave us defenseless, and then tell us to sort it out on our own. Your apology isn't enough. I can't speak for Muna and Toni, I imagine they must be feeling relieved after the eventual ban. But an apology and an eventual ban is not enough. Fix your bans. Fix your appeals. Fix your policies. You should have solid, concrete processes for everything you do, and every choice you make. Do better, and follow through by making active changes to the way you protect this community. You can promise us change, but what happens when you step down and another Admin takes your place? Put new rules and policies in place. New processes. Ensure that the staff generation that follows can't **** things up again as easily as you and previous generations have. Protect us better.

To be honest, I think most apologies are generally pretty similar. We've seen a lot of youtube drama over the past few years, and it's all pretty much copy and paste. While it may not have been AI Generated, it certainly reads like most other apologies - relatively vague, dancing around the specifics, and confirming an attempt to be better. I'm not trying to defend Charlemagne, but I'm a little hesitant to accuse them of using an AI Generator. Again, I don't know what has been done to prove change, as I was not aware of this situation until now. An apology is just an apology unless there are actions behind it.

100% It would not matter if Joel and Toni forgave them regardless. Forgiveness is not deserved in any situation. If you fu.ck up, you apologise to the best of your ability, acknowledge both how you fucked up, and why what you did was so terrible. We are women, we are men, we are qu.eer, we are lgbtq. We are human. Do you really think this is the first time any of us, including Joel and Toni, have heard these sorts of insults and threats and horrible comments? Absolutely not. As I stated previously, this is a minecraft roleplay server. We come here to relax after a hard day of work, hours of studying, or to escape perhaps some difficult IRL situations. We come here to enter the mind of a character separate than ourselves and engage in a fantasy world we will otherwise never know. We come here to feel safe, and protected, and engage in fun interactions and stories and narratives that we have a hand in creating ourselves. To bring that sort of extreme hate and violence that should not exist on this platform is disgusting. I don't know to what extent the offenders have attempted to make amends, and if they are genuinely apologetic and trying their best to show change and to apologise, then good. But please also remember that in order to apologise thoroughly, you must first understand why and how what was said was so horrific. You can apologise endlessly, but without taking the time to fully understand the impact of your actions, it will only ever feel hollow to the victims. All of these comments saying this is just some propaganda post about some human war going on, seriously? That is hardly relevant. These are real people. You are problematic, and unempathetic.

I got to about page 4 and then just began skim-reading the comments because majority of them were the same. I'm gonna make a couple of observations + comments based on my personal opinion, but I also don't recall the original issue / ban / etc. because I wasn't involved heavily in those communities at the time and this is honestly the first I'm hearing of it. I. First of all, to everyone saying "He's changed since then, but you wouldn't know because you won't let him speak to you / contact you. You have no right to judge his character in the current day". What utter bullshit. If someone had made those comments about me, threatening to violate me and disregard my identity to that extent, I wouldn't feel comfortable at all having them contact me. Muna and Toni have more courage than I for being willing to hear their apologies, which evidently never came. But me? Hell no. I wouldn't want to be anywhere near them, even online, and should be PROMISED a lack of interact via a permanent ban on the server. II. Which brings me to the next point - This is a minecraft server. For anyone to be that viciously angry and hostile to the point of making those sorts of comments, on a MINECRAFT SERVER, not only shows insanely poor judgement, but also a genuine issue with their dependency on this server. Yes, we all get angry at video games and need a few hours or days to calm down before we reattempt an area or a boss etc. But to make comments of that degree towards an online player on a minecraft server? That's a bit ridiculous. We preach that this server is supposed to be suitable for 13+ y/o, and we are fighting for better treatment and protection over our youth - what about the rest of our players? How is anyone supposed to feel comfortable and safe on this server when we unban players that have been previously permanently banned or slammed with a heavy ban at least? There needs to be more to our appeal process. Admins and staff shift from the start to the end of bans on occasion, and bias has been a huge issue in the past with players getting both banned and unbanned. For bans that have occurred due to these sorts of comments and targeting, with an actual victim, it shouldn't just be up to the Admins to decide on the appeal. The Victim loses their right to feeling comfortable and safe when the player gets unbanned. Or does our staff simply forget that fact? Where is the process for deciding on an appeal? We have seen the spreadsheet listing how warnings and strikes work, what about appeals? Do our staff simply discuss their ban time and whether they've served enough? There should be an approved process w/ feedback from our community on deciding whether an appeal is denied or approved. (Unless that exists already, and ignore my comment here, but I would like to know where to find it!). III. As I have already stated, I wasn't involved or aware of the original ban. I would like to know if there was only one person banned, or if others were hit as well? As another comment already stated (Apologies, I don't remember who), there were others who were actively engaging and hyping up the individuals making the comments. And it was more than just one person, from what I saw in those screenshots. Why were others not banned for taking part and not trying to stop it? The only person who tried to shut it down in any format was Trinn, as far as I saw. - Lastly. Muna and Toni. I am so sorry you had to endure this, and I find your courage exceptionally admirable. I am sure you have endless amounts of support and love from your friends already, but know that you also have mine.