The Elder Eye

Aw **** they’re Jedi now.

Upon traveling the roads leading away from the Dominion, a curious Mali’Ker by the name of Twyll came upon one of the many pillars in which the notice was posted, a hand coming up to adjust the frame of their spectacles. After a moment of appraising the writing, the Elf just gave a quiet, ”Yup.” Before hoisting their bag up once again and continuing on their travel. One couldn’t help but think of all the poor stereotypes that metastasized from acts such as this, turning ‘Ker and ‘Ame into parodies of themselves with the premature pregnancies and ‘marriages’ done in the name of childish affection. Gross.

Lolis added.

Seems somewhat unreasonable for a species of plant people, if you ask me. I think the staff may be worried that it can be abused to the point of being used as a ‘shield’ or something of the like. Considering the way bark functions, one would be hard-pressed to have much movement in their limbs if it covered every inch of them, unless it was fairly thin.

Clarifications have been made.

-=- Dryads -=- Lore Revision Written by ExoticRoleplay -=- Origins -=- Dryads are an ancient species of arboreal creatures who have resided within nature for as long as time has been recorded. Once upon a time, they were considered to be entities of legend, capable of great magical power. Though as their population waxes and wanes in sync with some unknown cycle of the natural world, more and more have come to emerge from the wilds, allowing themselves to be known to those who they deem worthy. Others may choose to permanently reside within their forested homes, far away from the watchful eye of the Descendents. They are aloof, and detached from modern society, acting as watchful guardians over the places they consider to be a piece of their natural domain. -=- The Blossoming -=- No true consensus has ever been reached about how Dryads have been made in present day, or even thousands of years ago. Many believe it is a process that comes naturally embedded within the minds of female Wood Elves, and others of more religious belief may interpret it as a blessing granted by the Earth-Mother Cerridwen. The prior is more commonly believed, but both concepts revolve around an innate connection to nature. The process of becoming a Dryad may begin at the age of five, or eight-hundred. Some women may never feel it at all. To some it can be interpreted as a faint desire to abandon the life they have, to live among the trees as was intended for their people- Away from the strife of war and oppressive governments. For an unfortunate few others, it can be a sort of dream-like geas, where they are mindlessly driven from their homes and into the wilderness, functioning upon their instinct alone to guide them to freedom. It is because of this that young children, or even mothers may one day disappear, never to be seen from again by their family. After leaving home, the prospective Dryad will travel far into the wilds, going beyond the sight of any man-made construction and immersing herself completely within the canopies of the surrounding forests, or rolling hills and mesas. During this process it is very common for the woman to abandon her clothing and personal effects, donning herself in paints, ichors, and plants derived from the soils and plants of her surroundings- After which, she will fall into a comatose state, in which they will wander… Before laying down among the roots of a tree or bush which they are compatible with. There they will remain, their bodies soon overtaken and disappearing beneath the twisted roots, as if being embraced by the earth itself. After being absorbed within the roots of the tree, a thick, magically-infused sap will leech outward and layer over their body, solidifying near instantaneously into a ‘pod’ of solid amber. Here they will be sustained, requiring no form of food or water as they are essentially placed into stasis. This is the first step of a transformation, one which may take anywhere from a week, to a year to complete. The tree during this process will be indiscernible from any other, aside from a difference in vibrancy. Additionally, once this happens, the branches and roots of the tree will refuse to do so much as budge by the hand of a Druid, as the natural bond between them forfeits instead to the Dryad. -=- Dryad Physiology -=- Once emerging from their ‘stasis’, the Dryad may not even appear to be the same person that they once were in the form of their Descendent selves. Their body and soul will have now become one with nature, leading them to develop (ironically) unnatural traits that are similar to those of the plant they bound themselves with, adhering even to the seasons. These changes may be subtle, or they may be defining of the Dryad as a whole. Their skin may become textured or colored similarly to the bark of their tree, with rough patches along the spine and the outsides of their limbs. Or, skin that is fibrous and green. Many Dryads will choose to remain wearing clothing- Though there are some ‘purists’ who will choose to make clothing out of sections of their plant that they manage to harvest- Or those that choose not to wear clothing at all, if their natural biology conceals enough to make them appear modest. For example, a Dryad which binds themselves to a sapling, unless they are a child, may become three to four feet tall. If one binds themselves to a berry or fruit tree, they may sprout flowers that become those respective fruits. Their spit may become sap, and they may cry nectar- And they may even be host to the same insects as their tree, like butterflies. On another hand, they can always embody other natural aspects, such as sprouting antlers or horns of wood, and deer-like legs comprised of flexible wood and bark. Dryads truly are a versatile race of people, though it all depends on the nature of what plants they bind themselves to. In addition to the physical alterations that they receive from their transformation, Dryads will also change mentally. In doing so, they may become more aloof and carefree. In fact, almost every Dryad is impartial and pacifistic- Unless it comes to protecting their lands, of course. There are some Dryads who will be entirely untrusting of any person other than members of their own race, and will hide their distaste for the other races behind a facade of airheadedness, to make themselves seem less of a threat… Then again, there are some Dryads who are just as dimwitted as any normal person. So they do truly vary. A Dryad will instinctively know how to return to her tree, as her soul is tethered to it. She feels as it feels- The changes in the soil, such as drought. When the tree is struck by an axe, it will feel similarly to being stabbed to the Dryad, regardless of how far she may be from it. If the plant is destroyed, then it shall wither away rapidly- Leaving the seed permanently buried beneath the earth until the Dryad is able to retrieve it once again. Additionally, fellow Dryads will consider one another as blood-siblings, more so than their real siblings. -0- Bonsai Dryads -o- There are only three known circumstances in which a Dryad will be reborn as what has been affectionately referred two as a ‘bonsai’. Named after the Farlander tradition of pruning a plant’s roots and branches to prevent growth, these Dryads tend most often to be connected to host plants which they purposely stunt the growth of. Pruning one’s plant is considered to be a horrifically painful process, as the Dryad feels all of what their plant feels- So it would essentially equate to feeling as if one’s own fingers were being severed with each clip of their roots. The only way to go through this process purposely without inflicting pain is for one to either reshape the roots using their own control over the plant, or to explicitly ask it not to take in nutrients- Thus, causing it to remain in a smaller state. This is most often considered a selfish process, as it does not allow the plant to truly grow. The only exception to this, is if one was a child prior to transformation, or a fully-grown Dryad binds themselves to an immature plant- Causing them to revert into a smaller form of about 3’-4’. Bonsai Dryads are viewed by other Dryads as the sort of ‘beloved little sisters’, but to others they can be seen as a nuisance, due to their immaturity and rambunctious nature. As the plant ages, so will the Dryad, going through the natural cycle of their life before coming fully grown. This can only be reverted if they reattune to a smaller plant. -=- Connection to Nature -=- There is a countless number of plants that Dryads can originate from, though typically it is limited to those which can be classified as trees or bushes. Sometimes they may be as mundane as a juniper bush, or as massive as a redwood tree. Though it is usually always something that grows at least to the height of over three feet, not length (like vines). There may be circumstances in which a Dryad may link to a tree of magical nature, which creates a breed all of its own. This is typically not the case however, as the bond is only compatible with natural plants, unless they are formed with some sort of Druidic magic. The abilities of a Dryad are similar to those of a Druid, however they are focused with the intent of communicating and coexisting within nature, rather than restoring it. When in range of their tree or plant, they are able to commune with it- And control it, in a way similar to the Druids, gaining the ability to bend its branches and roots as if they were extensions of themselves. In this regard, it is better to think of their bonded plant as another, sentient person. As anything that it is ‘made’ to do, by proxy, will be through asking permission to do so- Like how some Dryads may request their trees to dig out a section beneath their roots for living space. They can not do anything that is physically unreasonable though, such as turning massive branches ninety degrees- As this will obviously harm almost any tree. However, they can increase the rate in which the blooming of fruits and flowers on their plant happens, though it requires an almost meditative focus. In fact, this is how many Dryads tend to sustain their diet- Though, they still do retain normal dietary preferences aside from this. When a Dryad is killed, they may be subject to simply ‘regrowing’ at the base of their plant, with a lack of memory of what occurred leading up to their death, as one expects. They may also do such a thing known as ‘Melding’, in which they sink through the surface of their tree where allowed, and remain hidden away. -=- The Amber Seed -=- After completing their transformation, the amber which surrounded the Dryad during the process of their change soaks back into the surrounding soil, save for a singular piece which can only be seen from beneath the roots of the tree- Embedded in the underside of the trunk similarly to the mouth of an octopus, amid the tendril-like roots. This ovular piece of amber is typically the size of a large apple- And incredibly dense. It is lost upon anybody what its true intention is- As they are coveted by the Dryads. Not even the close relatives of the former Elf would be allowed near it, without facing some sort of forcible removal from the area. It isn’t even entirely certain what the object is to the Dryad themselves. Referred to as an Amber Seed by those who are unassociated to the Dryads, this hefty, glowing gem is usually centered with decorative markings, or filled with mixtures of sprigs, seeds, or fruits. It will refuse to leave where it lies by the hand of anybody other than the Dryad which owns it- And is indestructible by any normal means. There is only two circumstances in which the Seed will require moving, and those are when a Dryad unattunes themselves from nature, or when the Dryad much relocate to a safer region, in the case of natural disaster or any form of colonization of the region, if she can not fight it off herself. When a Dryad removes the Seed from her tree, it will begin to wither and die. Though in the case of relocation, this is more-so a momentary goodbye, as within her hands she holds the only thing that can restore her bond to nature. A Dryad may travel several days or weeks before settling on a perfect location- During which she will be inseparable from her Seed, literally and metaphorically. It will remain embedded into the center of their breast, unable to be removed unless one were to kill them. At which point, it would simply crumble into a mundane, glass-like dust along with the rest of her body- Causing her to awaken among the wilds once again, with no memory of what had occurred. At the end of her travels, the Dryad may find a place to plant her Seed once more, at which point her beloved plant will begin to sprout once again. Unlike the countless years beforehand which it took to grow, a tree or bush may regrow to its original size in a matter of a month- Much to the shock of the surrounding wildlife. There does however exist an exception to this. In the circumstance that a Dryad is unable to find a suitable placement for her Seed, she may embed it among the roots of another plant along with herself, going through another cycle of rebirth in which she adopts the features of her new host. At some point, the Dryad’s original plant may grow too old, at which point it will begin to die- Regardless of the intervention of magic or healing. At which point the Dryad will have to find another plant. -=- Reversion to Elfism -=- There may be a point in which the Dryad can no longer maintain their connection to their tree- by their own choice or otherwise. When this occurs, the Dryad can retrieve their Amber Seed. After a couple of weeks of not having replanted their seed, the Dryad’s features will begin to be stripped from them. Each morning they wake up, they will find more sections of their bark-like skin having been replaced with flesh. Leaves may become hair once again, and after a certain point- Their Seed will finally release itself from the chest of the Dryad, glowing dim. By now, the plant they had been bound previously will have disintegrated to nothingness. Each day that passes however, they will grow fonder of their tree, and desire be around it- An instinct that would require being ignored if one were to truly wish to release themselves from the responsibilities of being a Dryad- Which isn’t common, but may happen if one truly desires to return to their former lives- Which they typically hold no obligation to do. The Amber Seed at this point will have been considered to be inactive. Many former Dryads choose to wear it as an adornment, or hide it away in a chest- As they feel an undying fondness to have it around them or in their hands, as one would treat a child. After a certain point the Seed will reawaken, glowing as brightly as it once did. Only then can it be replanted for the Dryad to resume their bond, unless they genuinely repent to the Aspects beforehand. The realm is a place of strife however. And surprisingly, an inability to replant is actually the least likely reason that many Dryads are disconnected from nature. Just like any other mortal race, Dryads are capable of contracting curses and parasites- Though they can not become undead. If a Dryad happens to be touched by a Fjarriauga Mother, or a Shade Father, the respective curses will root themselves in the body and soul of the Dryad just as any other person. Their bodies will react much more violently to the corruption however, and they may become physically ill, more than what is predicted for the process of transformation. If one were to become a Shade, their tree will begin to rot and turn black- Similarly to the parts of their body which once embodied their tree. If one becomes a Frost Witch, their tree will begin to freeze over, as if going through a black winter. The leaves gracing their tree will fall, and their skin will become brittle. If the normal processes for curing are not sought out, they will eventually succumb and become these cursed entities. They will lose their attunement to nature- And in doing so, their soul will feel shattered, as if a piece of them had been irrevocably torn away, their Amber Seed will simply dissolve into ash. -=- Redlines -=- -0- The Transformation Process -o- -0- Dryad Appearance and Physiology -o- -0- Dryad Mentality -o-

Gizzy Gazza 2

Name: Runa Irongut ((MC Name)): ExoticRoleplay Age: One Hundred and Thirty-Five Race: The Irongut Mix of Mountain and Cave Dwarf. Are you interested in becoming Scribe, or a Sentinel?: Scribe. Published Works (Scribe Only): None, yet. Allegiance: Clan Irongut, and the Dwed. Did Someone Recruit you to the Guild? If so, please state their name: None. What amount of time can you dedicate to the Remembrance Guild?: Most if not all of my free time. I work around 6-8 hours a day, but am up all night and early morning. (PST) Discord: ʀʏǟռ#1825

A peculiar Dwarfess listened on to the chattering in the local tavern, the news of the wedding beginning to swirl through the many residents of the surrounding cities. Upon being informed, she simply asked, "Who?"

Did somebody say, T R A N S C E N D E N T ? Neat lore though. Definite +1. Would pursue playing in future.

Wow Billy, your mom lets you have fifty civilians?

@Tox ______________________________________________________________________________________ A letter bearing fanciful calligraphy would reach the esteemed institute of magic, if not a bit later than most other applicants. Clearly they were either in no clear rush, or not as well informed. The seal which adorned it was a red wax, with a plain decorative sigil placed in the center of it. ______________________________________________________________________________________ Greetings, who I would assume to be Sarrion. I have recently learned of this organization of like-minded individuals and wish to allow this letter to serve as my official notice of application to your guild. Although I hold no magical power by definition, I have dedicated a portion of my life to studying it. Due to circumstances out of my control however, I have been unable to pursue such a 'career' until recent years. I come from a lineage of fairly significant magical power, as recent as my own father. However I have sought this out on my own terms. Although my home was destroyed, I can still just as easily be located by letter in the Library of the Dragur. ~ Amaranthe ~

Reminds me of Wood Elves.

but do they got peepee

Lord of the Craft struggles with unification of the playerbases. Ever since Athera, the maps have been getting larger and more grandiose, while the playerbase comfortably and consistently sat at the same number of people. Even back then roleplay steadily grew harder and harder to upkeep, as you'd only ever find 10 or so people in one city at a time, and a majority were engaged in their own 'private' roleplay. Keeping in mind, this was back when all of the cities were linked by a SINGULAR road. Nowadays, nobody wishes to invest the time in running half-way across the world just to have to wait at a gate that may or may not actually open. Playing a High Elf was easier when what they did was centralized between all of the other nations, but they clearly began to falter as they were introduced to solitude. There are a number of aspects which have made these racial communities die, but I don't think it is a lack of interest, in fact, I can tell you a few good things that the prior maps had better than these more recent ones. Athera: The cities were smaller, and more reasonable, without the expense of actual utility or housing. The territories were smaller, and despite feeling more 'cramped', as people might say, you didn't have to resort to running several- literal- kilometers around the map in order to search for more things to do. Not to mention, there was a distinctly lower number of non-official settlements that people could choose from, making it so cliques *triggered* couldn't hide out in the middle of the wilderness unless they had good reason (E.g. Necromancers). Not to mention, there was a massive amount of effort placed into trying to make the subraces united, like how the old Elven city there was designed for all THREE Elven races, and not just one per. Harder to manage now, but maybe needed with how much empty space we have. Vailor: This was the point in which LotC should have stuck and not looked back... Or forward. While the fast-travel system at the Cloud Temple Docks may have caused a few isolated incidences, you would struggle to find any notably large groups who would reasonably protest their use unless it involved the non-roleplay aspects of the server, like warclaims. The Nexus system I believe at this point was abandoned (thankfully), and the cities that were granted were a bit larger, and one could definitely feel the disproportionate amount of space compared to players, but it wasn't always so bad. If you wanted to go someplace to look for roleplay, you could just teleport there and look around- And then just leave if it was empty. No soulstone cooldowns, no 15-20 minute runs across the world while your hunger drains into a desiccated husk. Axios: I wasn't here for Axios, so I can't quite be the judge of it. Honestly, it dissolves into the cycle that has been going on for years now. Things that the players want are given to them, but liberties that are too important are taken away in return. You can't be expected to cater to every single player and give them their own region, but that doesn't make it a bad thing. Strictly enforcing regions in the prior maps were the only thing that kept stuff like this happening. But that's just a theory.

The opposite, actually. Coming back from what I think is a year hiatus.

Howdy my guy. For some reason, your username isn't ringing any bells.

Not many posts from me anymore. Though if you recognize my account, I figure you're either feeling an immense amount of disdain or nostalgia when looking at this post. Just sit back and enjoy the read nonetheless. My name is Ryan, though I've also been known as a number of other usernames in my time- Like Akiriza, Iyzel, or so on. I joined LotC back in the fine year of 2014, when MCRP was finally reaching its 'climax'. Though, in the time that I've spent moving back and forth from those early days of high school, I feel I may have been unfair to some of the people I had met along the way. You see, Lord of the Craft has always been a place where I've gone whenever I've experienced a heavy transitional phase of my life, and to nobody's surprise I went through quite a number of those throughout my teen years. Its been a wild ride. I've met hundreds of people, been to countless servers, and memorized so many names... But like the moon at the end of its cycle, I always disappeared. And with it, all of the things that I've done were just wiped from record: which probably why my posts have such heavy inconsistency with their dates. Before I came here the first time, I was always a sort of wanderer. I never picked up any friends, and if I did it was never for very long. But, all those years ago in the map of Athera, I found my first group of friends- The Adherency of Immortui (Shoutout to those who are still around, you know who you are). Those were the real fun, edgy times. I got into the swing of playing an antagonist, which was always so odd as I never placed myself in that role until I met those people. And in the years that I played off and on, my characters and quality wavered and strengthened respectively. I murdered an Archdruid in revenge as one character, and became the first person to finish their druid dedicancy in a matter of a few days on another- Only to betray the order because of corruption in the Circle's upper ranks. Became a master of Telekinesis and Mental Magic, an experienced Cloud Temple Monk, and then simply dropped it away for nothing. I've done a lot of bad things, and a lot of good things. Though the last thing I would like is for my past to define me. I come back now, though it is finally after my life finally seems to have found a track for itself. I can't say that I've returned for the purpose of nostalgia, though. I'm afraid all of my closest friends left this place in the last few years. Rather, I just seek new opportunities, and a new pastime. That being said, I'm not here to dredge up any negativity from the past if there is any to be had, as I moved away from it a very, very long time ago (And yes, I know LotC isn't the best of places right now). In any case, if you knew me, don't be afraid to send me a Discord invitation. Otherwise, let the posts commence, and ask questions if you wish.

I have seen a person who did not wish to have their identity leaked to the public blackmailed by another player. In doing so, the blackmailer was allowed to kidnap, torture, and r*pe the other player's female character canonically several times. Though, that was a good time ago now. I wish I had proof, though the victim is not willing to say anything- And I don't want to give the other party the pleasure of being noticed, as it was just a sick game to them. The person that it was forced on did not want it at all, but they were so paranoid about being known again after they had previously been shoved off of the platform by hateful people that they felt they had no choice but to submit to the others' sick fantasy. It involved a number of disgusting and abhorrent things, though I am fairly certain I can not post them on the forums without retribution.

~Whilst walking along the Cloud Temple Docks, one may come across a kind, young Monk would be seen offering forth a sheet of paper toward those who approached, or addressed him... Upon such a parchment, one would have beautiful calligraphy presented before them, written in soft brush strokes, having taken a great deal of time to write...~ "As the long-kept secrets of this word have been unveiled, we've been able to explore more, see more, and learn more. At the same time, the relationships between worldly forces has grown complicated. Light and Dark have intermingled, that considered Holy and Unholy live amongst one another, and the line separating good from evil has never been so unclear. In this complicated world, the way of the "warrior" has a near-infinite number of paths. The affairs of separate races constantly blend together, and new enemies constantly surface. A warrior can only follow their heart to go and face these new challenges." "But... What must you do? You can start by seeking the spirits for guidance! Much unalike our ancestors, we have an unbelieveable connection to our religions and their deities. Impart your faith unto beliefs, encounter more of them, learn more from them, and your comprehension shall advance in leaps and bounds. Before you know it, you shall extend the limits of your mind beyond, and set upon the path of neutrality... This wisdom of your shall help you in more ways than you may ever know..." "Be accepting... Be gracing... Be selfless..."

The overhead thunder subdued the horrified screams... The twilight called upon decease within Istria... Her corpse lay mangled and bloodied... Russet ardour now strewn across the cobbled brick... Lain atop the very altar of which praise transpired the youth's body remained prearranged... Hazel orbs now a void blackness... Scrawled upon her forehead would be familiar eye... In her own dried sanguine. Upon the ground lay her sword, twisted beyond repair and stained with blood, her own. Her breast now caved, that which once beat her life through her veins was missing... All that was left in remembrance remain smeared overhead, upon the stained windows and wall of the Church. "He is Awake."

"Any can adorn of a diadem of thorns and cry saviorship to the masses... Amusingly hypocritical to judge those of no faith when your own deity is the result of the Human's inability to grasp the reality of their meaningless creation." Stated a Dark Elf in an idle tone, an amused smile turning unto their lips at the mention of such a war of interests, once more withdrawing into the far background as the acclaimed time was awaited, the supposed downfall of the 'evil' entities known as the Church of Xion, and the Followers of the Drakaar.