JokerLow

Somewhere in the untamed wilderness of the mesa, the towering uruk Victor encountered, is resting by the massive halberd he used to thunder the caves of Wynomere. Thinking about their encounter, the uruk wonders to himself what came of the man that jumped only to be swallowed by the waters, hoping that he survived the ordeal so that they may encounter one another soon.

[!] A depiction of the Goldhand city of Kal'Alras, the world trade center. War. A business as old as life itself, a business like any other, only its stakes are greater. The dwarven people have been subjected to war ever-since the first stone was created by Yemekar, we are no strangers to it, nor to victory and defeat. Throughout our blessed history, we have been on both ends of the table, we have enjoyed the taste of victory and also drank from the cup of humiliation, what a sour taste it has. Yemekar has blessed some to not be born during times of war, how lucky and blessed they be, but others, have been born at the start, the peak and even the end of wars. My history is like any other's, I was born in the High Kingdom of Kaz'Ulrah, lived an honest life as a merchant, rose through the ranks of the government, to me it seemed as if the Brathmordakin were blessing me with more than I deserved, that's when the war begun. The stones of the earth have grown familiar with the taste of dwarven blood, of combatants and sadly innocents, war is a double edged blade, as no one is truly victorious, the lives wasted are to never return, the spoils of the war are destined to rust and collapse. Nothing is without an end, that is what gives life the beauty it has. Our kin, has been tasked by the Brathmordakin to uphold the Scales of Balance, we have failed. Our failure was before the war begun, our defeat was only a result of our failure to uphold the Scales of Balance, but whatever Yemekar takes, Yemekar returns tenfold. So it is with no shame for us to be defeated, instead, this moment should be taken as an opening for our future, a brighter future, one alien to our past, one we forge ourselves and release ourselves from the chains of the old. Many of you know me as Hekkaes Goldhand, Clan Father of the Goldhand Clan, Commander of the Fourth Grand Kingdom of Urguan, but in front of the Brathmordakin, we are all equal, it is only our deeds that differentiate us. I come to you not by any title of the past, but as a brother, inviting you to a future yet to be forged, one that is unbound by the shackles of the past, one where bloodshed is not present. The riders of the Goldhand Clan and many other clans have begun their search, looking for suitable land for all khazadmar, one in which we all can thrive and prosper. A place we could all call home, stripped of any fancy titles, a land for the people, by the people. Such land has been found, land onto which the Saffron Citrine Company has lived upon, a land blessed by Ogradhad, prime for its resources and ability to lead us into a new age, the age of advanced engineering. Let our past not be forgotten, but serve as a lesson and reminder, for us and the future generations to look back at. By the will of the Brathmordakin, I, Hekkaes Goldhand, swear upon Khaz'A'Dentrumm and the blessed halls of the Merchant Brothers, that khazadmar will live and thrive. This shall serve as an invitation to all but not limited to khazadmar, our past allies, if they will, shall be welcomed to join, should they be able to integrate into our future. Signed, Hekkaes Goldhand, Clan Father of the Goldhand Clan

Not to say the KOS on dwarves, applies to orcs despite them being pardoned. Love it when im playing my orc character and I get jumped by Kurai-Kuni opreatives hitting me with boomsteel weapons from their vast treasury of boomsteel, just because i was an orc and near horde land, even though rply we were given a year irp to evacuate, but hey, KOS is only on dwarves, and def not a thing in Kurai-Kuni. MY character's fate was decided by the Vice Admiral of Kurai-Kuni's roll.

So, when you say that settlements are not meant to give nations that lost their land in war a way to abuse the settlement system and instead to join other nations, I'm a bit confused. Let's include the current situation of the dwarves. A core race has lost its nation, and is on a KOS by all the nations left on the server. Since they lost their nation during the war, the dwarves applying for a settlement as to avoid the KOS, would be considered them abusing the settlement system? "Groups being hunted should engage in roleplay diplomacy to resolve issues, even if the outcome is initially unfavourable on their end. Sometimes that is just how the cookie crumbles-- nothing lives forever, and sometimes concepts must die in order for newer and greater ones to live." So, with the current status quo of the dwarves being literally on a KOS list, we should, just keep being killed, since, that is jst how the cookie crumbles as per your words. I understand that systems should not be abused by those who went to war and lost their nation, but in this situation particularly, the dwarves have zero options, and cannot solve this by "engaging in roleplay diplomacy". To be clear to what I'm trying to ask, should the dwarves leave the server and eventually the dwarven race to become a CA playable race? It simply seems too short-sighted and pretty focused on forcing something unachievable as per the current status of roleplay, consequences of war should be a real thing, forcing an entire playerbase of a core race to cease playing the deserve because you've ruled in such favor shows the true reasoning behind your ruling, atleast, as long as you are in the team, again, as per your own words. Thank you!

Battered and worn-out by the war, Commander Hekkaes Goldhand sits upon the stone of the Grand Kingdom of Urguan, surrounded by his clan and kin. The sun-rays trickling down upon his golden armor, reflect onto those standing close to him "Armakak" he mutters "Wot be et?" a dwarf asks him. Hekkaes Goldhand raises his head to the source of light, the calm and warm of it resting upon his face "Armakak es 'ere, Armakak guides us all." he said with a faint smile.

Saddened, Hekkaes Goldhand would wander the roads once walked by Bimble, now feeling emptier "Da 'onorable one...." he muttered to himeslf.

"Who?" Hekkaes Goldhand wonders to himself.

Hekkaes Goldhand returns to his house, armor bloodied after a second field battle upon the Goldleaf roads "T'ey foug't well, just nae well 'nuf." he said before opening a bottle of whiskey, wiping the edge of his axe while a pouch filled with coins sat idly, claimed from one of the imperial warriors.

The Battle of The Goldleaf Roads It was a normal day in the Grand Kingdom of Urguan. Despite the war, a sense of peace had enveloped the city of Kal’Baraz.. A peace soon to be broken. Several riders from the Empire rode up to the gate. They pestered, they shouted and jeered at the city gates, demanding a battle between the forces of the Empire, and the forces of Urguan. Such a disruption of the peace would not stand, and thus Hekkaes Goldhand met with the Imperial commander outside the city, answering their call to fight. They agreed upon honourable terms, One Thousand against One Thousand, a Grand test of the strength and resolve of both realms. The two forces gathered and met upon the Goldleaf roads. The Dwarven force was under the command of the daring Hekkaes Goldhand, one of the finest military minds of the Grand Kingdom. The warriors drew their lances, prepared their steeds, and CHARGED The great clash upon the Goldleaf roads echoed across the valleys. Many Men of the Empire were dismounted, crashing into the grass and gravel. The shock charge of Hekkaes Goldhand was a Grand success. The battle continued… Many Dwarves remained on their steeds, and others dismounted to avoid the pikes of the Imperial troops. The Imperial troops fought bravely, but were simply no match for the sheer discipline and skill of the Dwarven legionnaires, well trained by Morroick Starbreaker. The sound of ‘clangs’ and ‘cries’ slowly began to disappear, and soon all the Imperial troops were slain or wounded, with no deaths upon the Dwarven side. Those who remained alive were captured and brought to the Dwarven capital, deprived of their gear and their dignity. They were paraded across the capital, ransomed off, and forced to fight. Peace once more returned to the Dwarven city, and yet another crack in the Imperial armour was displayed for all to see. [!] Sketch of the Brave Dwarven Legionnaires

Hekkaes Goldhand is laughing with his kinsmen after returning to the capital, with a bright smile after his return from the undefended imperial lands "Dis empire is by far weaker t'an da previous crumbled empires." he told another dwarf who was interrogating a knight and ex dragon knight.

"Great!" said Hekkaes Goldhand after he bargained 10 forts on Sutican land, rightfully owed to the Goldhand clan.

THE MOUNTAIN ALLIANCE Since the founding of Kal’Urguan, the Mountain Dwedmar have stood as the bedrock of dwarven civilization. From deeds of valor sung through the ages to the rise of revered Paragons, the Sons of Urguan have ever relied upon the strength, resolve, and unyielding will of the mountain clans. In the elder days, within the great city of Kal’Karaad, the foremost mountain clans set aside rivalry and ambition, sealing a bloodpact that bound them in solemn alliance. By this oath, an unbreakable bond was forged between Urguan’s kin, and the foundations of lasting unity were laid in stone. In the decades that followed, this sacred pact was renewed by the ruling mountain clans of the age, drawing the Dwedmar together once more and strengthening the Grand Kingdom beyond its former measure. Now, as the ages turn and the world stands upon the edge of change, history shall repeat itself once more in Azuras. There, the mountain clans of Goldhand, Frostbeard, and Ireheart shall bind their blood and honor together, sealing a renewed bloodpact and restoring the ancient unity of stone, steel, and kin, according to the terms set forth below. The Terms of the Mountain Alliance 1. Mutual Defense The signatories agree to render military aid to one another should any clan of the alliance be aggressed upon. 2. Non-Aggression The clans formally swear to never act with hostility toward one another. Should an incident arise that cannot be ignored, the signatories shall convene to determine a just and unified course of action. 3. Unified Counsel in War No signatory shall pledge allegiance to any external conflict without first consulting the other members of the alliance. 4. Political Unity The clans of the Mountain Alliance pledge to support one another politically, both within dwarven affairs and beyond. 5. Council of Stone The signatories agree to meet every Stone Month, to maintain unity, address grievances, and reaffirm their shared purpose. 6. Succession of Blood and Oath This bloodpact shall bind not only the signatories, but also their heirs, successors, and rightful clan leaders, unless formally dissolved by unanimous consent of all member clans. 7. Trade and Craft Brotherhood The allied clans shall grant one another preferential rights to trade, shared access to mountain routes, and the services of master smiths, masons, and artisans in times of need. 8. Judgment of the Council Any clan found in willful violation of this bloodpact shall be summoned before the Council of Stone, there to answer for their actions under the laws and traditions of the Mountain Dwedmar. 9. Sanctuary of Stone In times of war, disaster, or great need, the halls, fortresses, and strongholds of each allied clan shall stand open to the others as sanctuary, shelter, and refuge. 10. Rite of Blood and Stone Each forging or renewal of this pact shall be sealed through a sacred rite of blood and stone, witnessed by clan elders and recorded within the annals of the mountain halls, so that none may forget the oaths sworn on this day. Signed, Clan Father of the Goldhand Clan, Lord of Kal’Ikrun, Protector of Kaz’Ad’Hekkaes, Last Champion of Kaz’Ulrah Son of Dwengot, son of Grungot, son of Kerwyr, son of Rhewen, son of Karl, son of Drakk, son of Kaz’Ulrah, son of Urguan ᚲᚨᛞᚨᚾ ᛖᚱᛟᚾ ᛞᚹᛖᚾᚷᛟᛏ, ᚲᚨᛞᚨᚾ ᛖᚱᛟᚾ ᚷᚱᚢᚾᚷᛟᛏ, ᚲᚨᛞᚨᚾ ᛖᚱᛟᚾ ᚲᛖᚱᚹᛃᚱ, ᚲᚨᛞᚨᚾ ᛖᚱᛟᚾ ᚱᚺᛖᚹᛖᚾ, ᚲᚨᛞᚨᚾ ᛖᚱᛟᚾ ᚲᚨᚱᛚ, ᚲᚨᛞᚨᚾ ᛖᚱᛟᚾ ᛞᚱᚨᚲᚲ, ᚲᚨᛞᚨᚾ ᛖᚱᛟᚾ ᚢᛚᚱᚨᚺ, ᚲᚨᛞᚨᚾ ᛖᚱᛟᚾ ᚢᚱᚷᚢᚨᚾ Clan Father of Elder Clan Frostbeard ᚲᚨᛉᚨᛗᚨᚱ ᚲᚨ'ᚨᛉ ᛖᚱᛟᚾ ᚷᛟᚱᛗ'ᛞᚹᛖᛞᚢᛚ ᚲᚨᛉᚨᛗᚨᚱ ᚨᛉᚹᛃᚱᛏᚱᚢᛗᛗ Son of Dreek II, Son of Drynn, Son of Dreek, Son of Kjell, Son of Lorkan, Son of Yavok, Son of Urguan ᛊᛟᚾ ᛟᚠ ᛞᚱᛖᛖᚲ ᛁᛁ, ᛊᛟᚾ ᛟᚠ ᛞᚱᛁᚾᚾ, ᛊᛟᚾ ᛟᚠ ᛞᚱᛖᛖᚲ, ᛊᛟᚾ ᛟᚠ ᚲᛃᛖᛚᛚ, ᛊᛟᚾ ᛟᚠ ᛚᛟᚱᚲᚨᚾ, ᛊᛟᚾ ᛟᚠ ᛁᚨᚢᛟᚲ, ᛊᛟᚾ ᛟᚠ ᚢᚱᚷᚢᚨᚾ Clan Father of Elder Clan Ireheart ᚲᛚᚨᚾ ᚠᚨᚦᛖᚱ ᛟᚠ ᛖᛚᛞᛖᚱ ᚲᛚᚨᚾ ᛁᚱᛖᚺᛖᚱᛏ

Within the stonebound halls of the mountain, the forge burned low, its embers casting long shadows across anvil and floor alike. Hekkaes Goldhand stood before the fire, the weight of long roads and lost years evident in his bearing, though his stance remained firm and unyielding, as any mountainborn’s ought to be. “Long has it been.” he said, his voice steady as it carried through the hall. “Longer than it should have been.” His gaze passed over those gathered, and over the empty spaces between them, where voices had once answered and banners had once hung. The silence spoke as clearly as any word. “I walked far from these halls,” Hekkaes continued, “farther than coin or comfort could justify. I named it pilgrimage, believing distance would grant clarity. Instead, it brought truth.” He spoke of distant roads and foreign stone, of lessons learned where gold held no weight and forgefire burned without purpose. And through it all, one truth remained unmoved. “No road is long enough to outwalk duty.” he said “No silence loud enough to drown the call of kin.” Word had reached him even upon those distant paths, of war waged against the sons and daughters of Urguan, of steel raised against dwarven blood, of the mountains once more echoing with the clash of arms. He had turned homeward not for rest, but because kin stood in need. “And I returned,” Hekkaes said, his voice firming “ready to stand beside my people.” What he found instead was absence. The Goldhand name, once borne with unity and honest purpose, lay scattered, not undone by decree or blade, but worn thin by time, neglect, and the slow erosion of shared bonds. Hekkaes placed his hand upon the anvil, grounding himself in cold stone that yet endured. “By Urguan, Father of Stone and Forge,” he intoned “and by the Brathmordakin who watch our oaths, hear me.” “I do not return to rule” Hekkaes said “I return to serve. To weigh gold honestly, to bind my word stronger than iron, and to give the Goldhand name meaning once more.” To those who had once borne the name and now walked other roads, his words were measured and clear. “This is not a summons. Those who wish to return in good will are welcome. Those whose paths lie elsewhere may walk them freely. No chain binds you, and no ill word follows you. Stone could not be forced where it did not belong, and neither could kinship.” From his pack, Hekkaes produced a worn parchment and laid it upon the anvil, its edges darkened by age and travel. “Let this be known.” he said “Let it be carved in word and memory.” The Charter of Goldhand I. Purpose of the Clan The Goldhand exists to uphold honest trade, shared labor, and trust among kin, valuing integrity above wealth. II. Leadership The Clan Father serves as steward rather than tyrant, charged with guidance, protection, and the weighing of disputes. III. Membership No dwarf is forced into Goldhand. Entry is by will alone, sealed through oath and deed. IV. Trade and Coin Gold shall be weighed true. Deceit in trade is deceit against the clan itself. V. Faith and Honor The clan stands beneath Urguan and the Brathmordakin, bound by oath and judged by deed. VI. Sanctuary The halls of Goldhand shall offer shelter to kin in times of need. VII. Amendment This charter may be altered only through council and the consent of the clan. When the final word was spoken, Hekkaes bound the parchment and set it beside the anvil. “I do not promise greatness.” he said quietly “Only honesty, effort and endurance.” His gaze lingered upon the hall, steady and unyielding. “Those who wish to build may stay. Those who do not may go in peace.” The forge crackled softly. Stone stood silent. Thus did Hekkaes Goldhand return, not to reclaim what was lost, but to forge what comes next. By gold weighed true. By stone set firm.

I will forever cherish all the great memories I've shared with him. All good times, the banter and the in game grudges we've had together. His presence would always bring joy alongside him. Putting aside pixelated grudges, George was a very genuine and kind-hearted person. I don't think I've ever seen him be toxic towards another player or community, he was, I could say, an exemplary human for a lot of folks that play here. It's still a shock for me to come to terms with the fact that a person that I've known from the moment he joined LOTC, someone that I've seen as a newbie grow into a well respected player, pass away in such circumstance that would have been preventable.

Upon reading the missive, Hekkaes Goldhand would comment "Kinslayen' es neva' an optiun...but w'en stupedete' ovatakes a dwed, kinslayen' es da onle' trut'."

Hekkaes Goldhand, a witness to the council in which the missive was drafted would cheer for its announcement "T'eve' asked fo' et, da onle' one tu be blamed es dat cursed Alarec fella'."

Hekkaes Goldhand could be spotted drunkenly sleeping in the tavern.

Hekkaes 'God-King' Goldhand would comment "Wot a bunc' ov bollone'."

Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) also includes the night in which the Qur'an was revealed. Ramadan Mubarak everyone.

someone should perhaps ban that account from the main discord

seeing players farm hasanats after ibraheem's post is pretty cool, Ramadan Mubarak