Andustar

“Well, how long has it been?” The thought throbbed within Artanáro’s head, memories of the distant past feeling more like an echo with each passing day. At first, the signs were subtle. The occasional desire to sit - to rest one’s feet upon a stool. To recline next to a warm lit fire, to ease the pain that had crept up his back. Of course, everyone desired respite now and then, but these occasions became all the more regular. Then came the next signs of change. A slight drag at his heels as he sparred with young Evelyn, the elfess’ footwork waxing, whilst the tendons in his knees snapped horridly. Artanáro… no, Rickard... thought back to his most distant memories, adrift within the slow decay of time. His uncle Viktor’s greying beard. His grinding shoulder, scraping like a chisel with the pain of arthritis. It had never dwelled upon him before - “So why now?” he thought. As the century bore on, so too did age and experience pave the pathway to knowledge and wisdom. Yet, never before did he ever feel old, not in the physical sense. The Arch-Aengul’s blessings had annulled the curse of Iblees, or so it did for a time. That boon had since left him, and so mortality once again ran rampant. “How many decades will it have been, roughly?” He guessed at his physical age, as if it were a game. A light amusement to pass the time. Fourties? Fifties? How long would it last? Ironic, he had come to live amongst the sons of Malin, expecting to reside for a lengthy period, as he had been accustomed to for the last century. Yet, now he faded, like the rest of his true birth-kin. Nothing truly lasts forever in this realm, and that truth is perhaps no more exemplified than in the race of humanity. Was it something to envy? To despise? Here stood a man who’d outlived all his prior peers. A man who’d outlived every other heir to his disgraced bloodline. Yet, one could only cherish such trivial accomplishments for so long. So he chuckled, and so he embraced the comfort of his armchair. No, Rickard wasn’t at all envious - not in the face of growing old. His only fear was the experience. The reality that there was still so much in this world to be seen... “...Or perhaps... I’ve seen enough for one life.”

”Accepted.”

“Accepted.”

Amazing write up. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. What a perfect way to add an essence of character to the ancient antagonist.

“Accepted.”

-=+ The Honour Guard of Elvenesse +=- Sworn singularly to the Crown of Elvenesse, the Honour Guard was founded upon the demand for greater infrastructure in wake of an expansion of the Princedom. Forged upon the backs of the Almendorim and the House of Sylvaen, these solemn warriors of the citadel exist to defend the legacy of Malin and to unite Malin’s people under one great banner. Tenets As the front-line protectors of the Princedom of Elvenesse, the Honour Guard are the righteous custodians of the law and the people. Therefore, in accordance with this existence, each member must swear to uphold these seven binding tenets. It is by these laws that cohesive order is maintained and brotherhood is forged. 1. Devote yourself to Elvenesse and the Crown. You shall hold no other allegiance. 2. Embrace chivalry and courtesy. Show respect in your actions, for you represent the Guard. 3. To strike one of us is to strike us all. Defend your brothers; fight as one. 4. Protect the innocent. Stand and fight until you can fight no longer. 5. To the righteous, act with honour. To the deceitful, extend no quarter. 6. Act not against your brothers. To betray the Guard is to betray Elvenesse. 7. You are the herald of the Crown. Safeguard the laws of the Princedom. Rank Structure Grandmaster Supreme leader of the Honour Guard and the foremost field-commander of the Princedom’s military. They bear absolute authority over the various companies of the Guard, answering only to the Prince himself or his Council, and shall coordinate the defence of Elvenesse during times of war. Lieutenant Proven and adaptable veterans; it is the Lieutenant’s duty to serve as second-in-command of the Honour Guard, effectively discipline those beneath them, relay field-commands and act as de facto Grandmaster in the event of their absence. Armiger Dedicated veterans of the Honour Guard; those who bear this title are recognised by their peers as stalwart soldiers, dedicated to the defence of Elvenesse. They are expected to act as Standard-Bearers, capable of rousing and leading their fellow Battle-Brothers into the fires of war. Sentinel Those who have passed the trials of initiation and proven themselves a worthy blade shall attain this rank, ascending to a fully inducted member of the Honour Guard. They are the bulwark of the Princedom and stand shoulder-to-shoulder as its main line of defence. Aspirant A rank exclusive to the uninitiated; it is attained by those who bear the banner of the Honour Guard, but are yet to pass the trials that would determine them fit to be fully-fledged warriors of Elvenesse. Typically one does not bear the status for long, as they need only prove their worth to the Grandmaster and their Battle-Brothers. Distinctions and Specialisations Oathblade Earning their namesake from the traditional defenders of Aegrothond; an Oathblade is an honorary status bestowed to members of the Honour Guard by the Prince himself. Whilst the distinction carries no authority in itself, these individuals are often distinguished and loyal warriors, trusted with guarding the Prince and acting as the personal guard of House Sylvaen. Forgemaster A noted specialisation earned by those who prove to be expert craftsmen. Forgemasters are responsible for tending to the smithy and supplying the Honour Guard with effective equipment. They may see to the crafting of armaments, siege weapons and mentoring those who seek to follow in their profession. Apothecary Those who bear this distinction are specialists in the medical field, recognised not only for their skill with medicine but also a level-headed nature in their practise. Apothecaries are expected to operate upon the wounded of the Honour Guard, during the thick of battle if necessary, and function as basic paramedics should the need arise. Shipmaster Mariners who’ve adapted their trade for military service; Shipmasters are experts at the helm, capable of wrestling their vessels through the roughest conditions. They are expected to effectively coordinate Elvenesse’s navy, provide council in the midst of naval combat and coordinate Honour Guard expeditions out at sea. Trials of Initiation For an Aspirant to be fully inducted into the Honour Guard, they must first go through a set of trials, overseen by a veteran of their company. Upon the completion of these trials, a ceremony will then be held by either the Grandmaster or his Lieutenants, recognising the uninitiated as a Sentinel and a fully inducted protector of Elvenesse. Trial by Combat As a soldier of the Honour Guard and protector of Elvenesse, one must prove that they are capable of handling a weapon. Thus, an Aspirant must face an inducted member of the Honour Guard in single-combat. Whether standing victorious or lying in defeat, this trial proves to be a reminder of the rigorous road ahead and the quality in which they should aspire to maintain. Trial by the Mast The Almendorim are a sea-faring folk, used to traversing the strangest tides of the realm. In keeping with this tradition, each Aspirant must undertake a mentorship with a capable mariner of Elvenesse, thus providing them with the ability to crew a ship should the need arise. Trial by the Forge For centuries, the Almendorim have taken pride in their skills with the forge, crafting suitable armour and weapons of untarnishable quality. Undertaking a mentorship with a smith of Elvenesse, the Aspirant must craft themselves a ring, of which they shall then present to their overseer - a token reminder of their status as a member of the Honour Guard. Application -=Roleplay=- Name: Race: Age: Are you a citizen of Elvenesse: Previous military experience (Not necessary): -=OOC=- MCname: Discord (Required):

To those of you who argue that sewers didn’t exist pre-middle ages – ever heard of the Romans? Arguing that guns should exist because sewers are present in Helena is plainly stupid.

When you claim to “hate animii”, yet attempt to acquire animii arms for a specific character, used animii arms yourself for a time and had Maya actively interact with animii users.

“They ran, not fast enough,” an Oathblade would remark.

Get rid of the feat. The magic is fine, but get rid of this **** free-access feat. If there’s anything that eliminates the consequences to RP, it’s wannabe Bruce Lee throttling people whilst blindfolded. Put effort into your roleplay people.

Application Name: Artanáro Ithilher Race: Human Age: 138 Place of Residence: Aegrothond Scholarly Background (N/A if none): Silver Sage of Rapport to the Ascended Order of the Mongoose. I previously administrated the knowledge of the order and oversaw the use of magecraft within our ranks.

Artanáro believed that he had earned a moment of peace. Reclining in his armchair, feet up on a stool and a novel in hand – the former Ascended observed with a soft smile as his granddaughter, Evelyn eagerly devoured a bowl of porridge. However, this tranquillity was suddenly interrupted by a series of loud knocks rattling his door. He stepped out to an audience with a courier... “I bring word from Sutica!” the courier gasped, short of breath after the hastily ride to Aegrothond. A brief exchange of words occurred, finishing with the delivery of a stack of notes. Artanáro then placed a satchel of coin into the man’s hand. “Ahernan. You have done me a great service,” he’d assure the messenger, slowly closing the door with an immediate frown. The Silver Sage pinned the notice he’d acquired to his wall, pondering his inner-most thoughts. First Hiren, now Telos. He was now forced to accept the unsettling reality. A serial killer was terrorising Sutica; a dark fiend with a lust for chaos. Young Evelyn wandered up to her grandfather’s side, the innocent curiousity of a child omnipresent in her gaze of wonder. Artanáro proceeded to ruffle the girl’s hair, offering a calm and reassuring smile. “It would appear my duty is not yet done, Evelyn...”

[!] Flyers would be spread across the far corners of the realm of Arcas [!] --- Missing - Evelyn Tailame --- Peoples’ of Arcas, I write to inform you of the disappearance of a young child, by the name of Evelyn Tailame. She has been missing since the uneventful murder of her father, Hiren Tailame and was last seen by witnesses within the Trade Federation of Sutica. Evelyn’s family now seek information from all credible sources that might shed light on her location. As such, this message goes out to all those who might be willing to lend a hand in the search. For those who seek to provide information or leads, there will be a substantial reward of 1,000 minas for each individual that comes forward with evidence as per her whereabouts. Negotiations for a greater deposit will be considered on the grounds of the reliability of the information supplied. As Evelyn’s grandfather, I pray for her safe return and do so humbly beg for aid in these dire times. If anyone across the realm of Arcas should have her, I implore you to not bring the girl harm, but rather to safely deliver her, in good faith, into the care of her loving family --- Profile: -Name: Evelyn Tailame -Race: Wood Elf -Skin-Tone: Tanned -Hair: Dark Brown -Eyes: Teal Blue -Gender: Female -Age: Two/Three years. -Last Known Location: The Trade Federation of Sutica Reward: 1,000 Minas (Negotiations for a greater deposit will be considered) --- P.S. Contact may be achieved via message raven. Signed; Artanáro Ithilher

Within the confines of his home in Aegrothond, a heartbroken father solemnly wept. Artanáro had raised many children within his lifetime, many of whom had already passed on. It was an experience he dreaded, and yet, one he had grown all too familiar with. No parent should ever be forced to bury his own child, but life was a fickle thing, with new surprises waiting around every corner. Fate had determined this reality; that was a fact he begrudgingly accepted. “Hiren, my son, my wonderful child. Today Sokar’s bells chime and you have answered their calling. I can only pray you rest peacefully and that one day we might see each other again. But until that day...” The Silver Sage and Arch-Sentinel of the Soulstream had much still to do.

After playing through Reach, a game built upon the concept of sacrifice, I really felt a sense of satisfaction in this ending. There was no happy ending for your character in the end, but at the same time you know that their sacrifice wasn’t in vain. It was the perfect ending and one final blast from Bungie before they moved on from the Halo franchise. One of my favourite gaming moments.

While I was optimistic for this rewrite, especially in anticipation for mages receiving some buffs to their physical strength, I am somewhat disappointed as well. To start with the positives, I appreciate the refining of the connection process and the concentration of a mage. It’s an added benefit to those who were confused by the vagueness surrounding how voidal mages used their magic. I can also appreciate the effort to implement a general aesthetic to magic, so to enhance the roleplay of practitioners. However, I still feel as though armour value and weight isn’t being fully appreciated by the lore team. One redline to quote: “Even half plate worn for more than a few minutes will lead to rapid and depleting exhaustion.” This is a very broad definition of armour and seems to imply that mages are now exhausted by wearing partial armour. An added drawback to a playerbase who already struggle to mundanely protect themselves. There also appears to be a contradiction in that redline, as mages appear to have had a strength buff, and yet can’t wear half-plate for more than a few minutes. Plate armour in itself isn’t as heavy as some might think, and half-plate even less so. Maybe it’s nitpicking, but I think this needs to be re-evaluated. In my opinion mages should be allowed to wear half-plate. Here’s a video that goes into detail about the details of plate, but moving on. My biggest problem is with the mechanic that covers weapons and hands: “Mages have to make hand gestures with both hands free in order to cast spells.” I don’t like this mechanic for a number of reasons. This demand to take away a mage’s weapon is just an added disadvantage to an already extensive list of disadvantages. What’s more, it’s already been established that mages are physically weaker and therefore can’t wield a sword as effectively as most, so what’s the point in crippling them even further? The added hand gestures are also unnecessary in my opinion, as you’re demanding an aesthetic that I believe will just be tedious to continuously work with, mainly due to the fact that it limits your character’s range of movement, but also due to it taking way the freedom people employed into their own niche of casting. If someone wants to wave their hands like a water-bender, go for it, but the fact is that not everyone falls into that niche, and so I think it robs us of an essence of creativity. To finish up, I believe a lot of effort was put into refining voidal magic. I know Tox worked hard on producing his rewrite. However, I think there are more flaws than positives in this case, and so another re-evaluation is needed. (Apologies for the format – wrote this on my phone.)

It was hard enough, reading the letter... Rickard had never been good at concealing his emotions, so what he sought now was seclusion. A moment in which he could gaze upwards and reflect on all that had come to pass. The times he had spent with Elvira. To think, a man who’d stumbled from a position of wealth and nobility would choose the life of an Ascended. It wasn’t a comfortable transition; he was unbalanced, unwise and all the while consumed by his pathetic pride. Still, he grew fond of who was at the time the Sage of Ruin, learning from her not only compassion and empathy, but also how to find peace and balance. But what lingered most predominantly in Rickard’s mind was one simple fact. Unlike all of those past lovers, friends and family members who came and went, Elvira had never once abandoned him. Even when at his lowest point. When he’d given up and turned a blind eye; after giving into pride and desperation, she was always there for him. “I only wish you’d been there, in the beginning.” She might not have brought him into this world, but if one thing was for certain, she sure as hell raised him. Elvira Naromis was the mother he’d never had. “Vale avia...” The words of Flexio graced his tongue. Tears ran down Rickard’s cheeks, yet as he looked up at the full moon’s glory, all he could do was smile. Deep down, he knew this wasn’t the end, not really. They would meet again, one day, and when that day came… “I swear I will have lived up to your expectations!”

RP Name: Rickard of Carnatia MC Username: GildedDuke Discord: Gilded#1905 What Nation Are You Affliated With?: Other~ Why Do You Wish To Come?: Adventure; the typical answer. But also to explore and retrace the steps of those who came before. I have a daring ambition to visit the ruins of the Kingdom of Akovia and the County of Siegrad. What Skills Can You Bring?: Skilled swordsman and proficient sorcerer – Master Arcanist.

But you still haven’t answered my question. Can we, the player base, have any final input on your decision to kill these deities? Furthermore, members of the Ascended community have recently been attempting to contact the LT on the discussion of Aeriel and her ultimate fate. Many of us are well versed in her lore, partly due to complimenting it with our own additions and revisions (e.g. the most recent Ascended rewrite), but statements from the Story Team have either been slow or haven’t come through as of yet. Will the ST make an active effort to reply and if possible even work with members of the player base to finalize the ultimate fate of these deities?

Could you further elaborate on the deities you wish to remove and why it’s your policy to do so? I think it’s appropriate you explain your reasoning behind this with greater depth. Also, will we be allowed to deliver input on the deities you’re proposing for removal? @Zarsies

Ign: GildedDuke discord: Gilded#1905 reference for skin: Will DM favorite food: Chili