Maury

>:)

And here's me still tryna pay rent smh, lemme move in with you.

Psych! This was an elaborate ruse! I just wanted you to click me Muahaha! But really, I'm looking for help. I'm dabbling in a bit of creative writing and a possible CA race. I've played a little bit of everything on LOTC (sort of), and I'd like to see about creating something unique and collaborative. Something I can call my own :) However, I've tried making groups, disseminating ideas I thought were cool in the past but - as happens sometimes - they never took off the ground. Hence, I'm doing the age-old act of "getting off my *ss" and asking for a hand. Something I've loved about LOTC since I joined back in mid-to-late 2018 was how cooperative groups are at contributing to a common goal; and I love think-tanks. I won't get into what it is I've written so far, as its already 21 pages long and counting. Anywho, if anybody is interested in making something new and has/would like to have some experience in writing lore, please reach out! I don't want this to just be a "me" thing, but something everybody can enjoy. See y'all on tax day! -TaxMonkey

[!] Posted to Haense, Amathine, Krugmar, Norland, the Hou-Zi Remnants and other realms Waibiao forgets, is a missive addressed to the many wonderful peoples he met during his travels. “Ni-hao xiongdi, this Waibiao. Many moon pass since Waibiao break oath of silence, many more moon since he born. Old now, older than Hou-zi like Waibiao should be, so Waibiao take last moment to thank those who indulge him. First, Waibiao thank whoever find this letter, hope they give it to friend Waibiao mention. Start in nation of Norland, hoping to find friend Camian. Thank Norland, family of Camian for letting Waibiao shelter from cold when he wander on high mountain city. May tree of ash and fire burn warm and Father of All give peace to dead. Thank Elvenesse, family of Sylvaeri for let Waibiao sleep under cool shade and ocean breeze. May bounty of nature always give golden wheat and flowers always blossom. Thank Orc from Krugmar, their Shamans give warmth of sun and have heart that spill like full glass. Bring honor to family, bring honor to nation like great Hou-Shen. Thank Haense, give Waibiao clothe and spoon and ladle. Let him cook and clean to keep happy children of King healthy. May your Duma always be full with tea and biscuit, your talk of progress and peace. To xiongdi of Hou, Waibiao leave wisdom of self reliance. Moon pass and time come for all, time Waibiao let other Hou make change he could not. Many not see magnificent home of Tongyi-Hu, but home represent people not place. Warning, Waibiao must give; not let other decide fate for Hou, but Hou decide fate for themself. Many more xiongdi Waibiao not remember, head filled with moth and dust. Important that all remember love for other, for time too short to let waste for squabble and complacence. Help your friend, love thy enemy." [!] Waibiao passed on the doorstep of Norland, clutching his final missive in the hopes of making his final pilgrimage to the Ashwood tree as he had so many moons ago. He was born FA 1691 and passed 16th of Sun’s Smile, year 183 of the Second age, at the ripe age of 288 years.

Good luck dude! Spread your wings and get out there. Nursing aide here, work in the healthcare industry as well! Shameless plug but volunteer at your local retirement homes! Board games, card games, reminiscing, anything! Lots of our elders have families who don't visit due to any number of reasons and your time and effort just to hang out with them gives them a break from the monotony!

Behind the towering walls of Talar’ikur, where snowy eaves sheltered sleepy eyes, the hearth was the heart of every home. Every night, families gathered around the flickering flames, sharing stories and warmth. The fire was a symbol of comfort and safety, but it held a secret that only the eldest of ‘fenn remembered—a secret about the mischievous little fire imps who lived within the coals. The fire imps were tiny creatures, no larger than a child's hand, with skin that shimmered like embers and eyes that glowed like molten silver. They thrived on the warmth and cleanliness of a well-kept hearth. However, if a fireplace was neglected, if the ashes piled too high and the firewood ran out, the imps would stir from their slumber, ready to make mischief. One cold evening, as it would ever be in Hesin’fin, a family fell victim to their own neglect. Exhausted from the day's work, they let the hearth burn low and did not replenish the wood or clean the ashes. As the last ember dimmed, the fire imps awoke. With gleeful giggles, they stretched and sprang from the soot, ready to steal the coals. Tiny Imarasz, the boldest of the imps, was the first to dart out. "To the woods!" he squealed, snatching a glowing coal and cradling it like a precious gem. His companions followed, their laughter echoing through the darkened room as they scurried out the chimney and into the night. In the morning, the father of the house discovered the hearth cold and lifeless. He frowned, puzzled by the sudden disappearance of the coals. As he poked through the ashes, he found strange little footprints leading up the chimney. He shook his head, thinking it must be a trick of the light or a sign of his fatigue. But the children, Finn and Clara, knew better. They had heard the stories of the presumed Hiylu’igne who stole neglected coals from their mar'haelun Elmira. Excited by the mystery, they decided to follow the imps' trail into the forest that evening. As dusk fell, Finn and Clara crept out of the house and into the boreal woods, carrying a lantern to light their way. They followed the faint, warm glow that shimmered on the path, like breadcrumbs of light leading them deeper into the forest. After what felt like hours, they stumbled upon a hidden glade where the fire imps danced around a bonfire of stolen coals. The impish figures twirled and leaped, their laughter ringing through the air as they basked in the heat of their stolen treasure. Imarasz noticed the children first. He stopped his jig; golden eyes narrowing. "Elves!" he hissed, but there was a twinkle of mischief in his gaze. The other imps paused, watching the children with curiosity. Clara stepped forward, her voice steady despite her racing heart. "We've come to ask for our coals back," she said. "We need them to keep our family warm." Imarasz tilted his head, sneering. "Why should we return them? It’s your fault for scamping your chores! You didn't care for the fire as you should have." Finn, thinking quickly, stammered, "W-we promise to do better! We'll keep our hearth clean and well-stocked. We'll honor the fire as it deserves. Please, give us another chance." The imps conferred in hushed whispers. Finally, Imarasz turned back to the children. "Very well. We'll give you your coals, but remember your promise. If you neglect your hearth again, we'll take them back—and more." With a snap of his fingers, the imps conjured the stolen coals, now glowing even brighter. Clara and Finn carefully gathered them into a cooking pot they had brought, feeling their warmth seep through their woolen mittens. "Thank you," Clara said sincerely. The imps only nodded, their eyes shimmering with a mixture of warning and approval. Back at their home, the children rekindled the fire, feeling its warmth spread through the room. They kept their promise, tending the hearth with care and respect. The fire imps watched from nooks and crannies, satisfied with the glowing flames and the diligent children who had learned the true value of the hearth. And so, the hearths of Talar’ikur burned bright and warm, a beacon against the cold winter nights, safe from the mischievous imps as long as they were cherished and tended with love.

The Sylric Bloodline supports this post.

Waibiao perches atop the thatch of his Minitz house, sipping a cup of tea and taking in the sunshine on his back. "Mm."

Airebys is tired of the unga-bunga elf politics.

An elvenessi treasurer feeds his pigeon a palmful of Nyjer seeds, the shy girl cooing gently at the offered food. "Good."

An Elvenessi treasurer cackles in snow elven.

POLICIES OF THE TREASURY OF ELVENESSE, 22 SA issued 11th of The Amber Cold, 22 SA Contents I. PREFACE II. REGARDING TAX EVASION, INDEBTMENT & PROPERTY SEIZURE III. CONCERNING THE FINANCIERS TAX POLICIES ARTICLE I: PREFACE Upon the transferal of power from his majesty Sea Prince Feanor Sylvaeri to newly ordained High Prince Evar’tir Oranor, the following amendments have been ratified by the Treasury of Elvenesse. These changes are effective immediately following the publishing of this dossier. ARTICLE II: REGARDING TAX EVASION, INDEBTMENT & PROPERTY SEIZURE I. TAX EVASION Tax Evasion is the illicit act of failing to provide proof and the subsequent sum of Minae agreed upon once a contract is rendered with a Steward as mentioned in Article 2.1. I.I Once it comes to the attention of the Treasury and its responsible Financier(s) that an individual has committed tax evasion, they will be notified by the Treasury of any appropriate fines by way of verbal or written communication of their deliberate or accidental negligence to pay their expenses. II. INDEBTMENT FOLLOWING A BREACH OF CONTRACT A. Article II of the Indor Tiran, detailing Contracts & Labour of the CIVIL LAW section, in short terms state the following: ‘The formation of a contract is rendered upon specified terms via words or conduct and becomes legally binding once accepted by the party to whom it is addressed.’ The specified terms are that an address-holding citizen (the party to whom the contract is addressed) submits a predetermined sum of Minae related to their address to the Treasury upon the predetermined timeframe ((Sunday @ 11:59pm EST)). This contract becomes legally binding in the sense that the contract addressee becomes responsible for performing the terms agreed upon. In shorter terms: An individual willfully renders a contract with the Steward they have made contact with upon claiming an address of abode or commercial nature. B. In the context that a Citizen liaises with a Steward to make a desirable address their home and/or market stall and/or shop cart, they are lawfully deemed “the promisor” in making a contract with the Steward, who is lawfully deemed “the promisee”. C. Once listed as being the beneficiary/owner of an address of their choosing, they are responsible for paying the appropriate sum of Minae in the form of the minted Sunflower Tokens available within the Tax Office; submittable to their corresponding tax slot located within the tax office beneath the Bank. D. Failure to provide the predetermined sum of Sunflower Tokens as proof of paid expenses for a duration of three (3) Elven Weeks constitutes an eviction from the address. III. PROPERTY SEIZURE Upon notice that an individual has failed to pay their taxes and subsequent fine, it is the responsibility of the Citizens Warden and their cabinet to render a notice of eviction upon the infracting address beneficiaries. A. Property Seizure implies an eviction notice encompassing no more than three (3) Elven Days upon its placement. B. Failure of the beneficiary/address owner to contest said eviction notice will warrant the property to return to the hands of the Crown of Elvenesse at the discretion of the Citizens Warden. IV. EXARCHAL INTERVENTION A. At such a point which an individual(s) noted as having evaded taxation, and have been given ample notice willfully fails to render the appropriate payment(s), the Treasury will liaise with the appropriate legal representatives. B. If after liaison with said legal representatives the individual(s) who have committed what is considered tax evasion -- herein deemed the “Finee” -- by the individual(s) calling for legal discourse -- herein deemed the “Finer” -- a warrant may be submitted to the Okartayneiran. ARTICLE III: CONCERNING THE FINANCIERS TAX POLICIES The following is a listing of policies, protocols, and rules for carrying out domestic financial activities; be it by the Treasury, Financier, or corresponding Stewards. I. ADDRESS PAYMENT TRANSFERRAL A. In the event that a property owner lives in an address wherein they have submitted advanced payments, and choose later to move to another address within Elvenesse, they may have the Advanced Payment Confirmations transferred to the new address. ((Example: Bob lives in Mariners Docks 1. He made an AP that covers the tax days of 3/7/2021 to 3/28/2021 (four weeks).)) ((Bob decides to move to Mariners Docks 2. If the next tax day (3/7/2021) has not yet been reached, he can have the confirmed payments transferred to his new living address.)) II. NEWLY INHABITED ADDRESSES A. Citizens who are moved into a home on a tax-day are exempt from paying the predetermined amount for that address until the next tax day. ((This is because it would be unfair to make them pay for a week they did not inhabit that address.)) ((This will be the only exception given to a player newly inhabiting an address, as players moving in a day or more sooner have significantly more time to actually live in/adjust the interior to their needs.)) III. TAX EXEMPTION A. For citizens who make it known to the Financier or their associated Stewards that they are unable/incapable of making payments for their respective address, an exemption from paying taxes may be considered. ((If there is a roleplay reason for it, then it can be discussed with the appropriate personas IRP. Other reasons acceptable for a tax exemption can include: Technical difficulties/broken device/low-to-no internet access; Leave of Absence; Hiatus; and IRL problems, i.e. things they have mentioned in confidence/do not wish to discuss openly.)) New Players: New players, i.e. players whose usernames are pink/have not played the server for more than one (1) month, will be exempt from taxation for the first two weeks of their claiming an address in Elvenesse. ((This exemption begins on the first Sunday after the date of their claiming an address, even if it is on a Sunday.)) Business Transfer: For cases where a business owner/manager forfeits/gives up management of their business, and a new owner is found, the new owner may be exempt from taxation until they are equipped to do the job. IV. CONSECUTIVE UNPAID TAXES A. For citizens who do not provide the sum of Minae attached to the address that they inhabit/dispense from for a duration of three (3) Elven Weeks in a row, they will have an eviction notice placed on their address. B. In order for an address holder to be considered for a new home/commercial address after the point where they have been evicted, they must pay their debt in full. V. FOREIGN SEA-VESSELS & COMMERCE A. As of 11th of The Amber Cold, 22 SA, this amendment states that all sea-bourn vessels and commerce stalls owned or otherwise managed by foreign beneficiaries will be subject to an alternative rate of taxation. I. Foreign sea vessels will be subject to a singular mooring fee of no less than 30 (thirty) mina. II. Commerce stalls managed by foreign persons (non-citizens of the realm) will be subject to a rate of taxation 5 (five) mina more than the standard rate for that individual address. SIGNED, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, Evar'tir Oranor, High Prince of Elvenesse, Prince of Caras Eldar, Adjudicator of Malchediael Airebys of House Sylric, Treasurer and Financier of Elvenesse

Airebys skims the message, folding it neatly and tossing it onto his desk because he's neither a nincompoop nor an arsonist.

The Treasurer of Amathea pours over the notice at his desk high in the Citadel; a shiver running down his spine from the schadenfreude he felt upon realizing Haelun'or's latest dilemma... "Oh, the irony." he mutters to himself in his comfortable isolation, folding the paper into a small glider and launching it out the window to sea. The mali' takes his pipe from a pouch in his coat, lighting a plug of herbs and pondering more to himself. "This Vane Freysson is certainly a shrewd man, if not a clever one. I should meet him..."

A NOTICE TO THE TAXPAYERS OF AMATHEA: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE 14th of The First Seed, 17 SA Contents PREFACE REGARDING TAX EVASION, FINES & PROPERTY SEIZURE CONCERNING THE FINANCIERS TAX POLICIES ARTICLE I: PREFACE Upon the substantial notice of previous, current, and mayhaps future residents, foreign bodies, and full citizens of the city of Amathea failing to adhere to the contract rendered by Steward-to-Citizen and/or Steward-to-Commercier contracts being breached; it is henceforth noted within the following articles that tax evasion -- due to deliberate or accidental negligence -- is considered an offense worthy of intervention by the proper authorities. Following Article I will be a listing of information deemed worthy of public attention in regards to the Treasury and its protocols. ARTICLE II: REGARDING TAX EVASION, FINES & PROPERTY SEIZURE TAX EVASION Tax Evasion is the illicit act of failing to provide proof and the subsequent sum of Minae agreed upon once a contract is rendered with a Steward as mentioned in Article 2.1. Once it comes to the attention of the Treasury and its responsible Financier(s) that an individual has committed tax evasion, they will be notified by the Treasury of any appropriate fines by way of verbal or written communication of their deliberate or accidental negligence to pay their expenses. FINES FOLLOWING BREACH OF CONTRACT Article II of the Indor Tiran, detailing Contracts & Labour of the CIVIL LAW section, in short terms state the following: ‘The formation of a contract is rendered upon specified terms via words or conduct and becomes legally binding once accepted by the party to whom it is addressed.’ The specified terms are that an address-holding citizen (the party to whom the contract is addressed) submits a predetermined sum of Minae related to their address to the Treasury upon the predetermined timeframe ((Sunday @ 11:59pm EST)). This contract becomes legally binding in the sense that the contract addressee becomes responsible for performing the terms agreed upon. In shorter terms: An individual willfully renders a contract with the Steward they have made contact with upon claiming an address of abode or commercial nature. In the context that a Citizen liaises with a Steward to make a desirable address their home and/or market stall and/or shop cart, they are lawfully deemed “the promisor” in making a contract with the Steward, who is lawfully deemed “the promisee”. Once listed as being the beneficiary/owner of the proper address, they are responsible for paying the appropriate sum of Minae in the form of the minted Sunflower Tokens available within the Tax Office; submittable to their corresponding tax slot located within the tax office beneath the Bank. Failure to provide the predetermined sum of Sunflower Tokens as proof of expenses in Minae for a duration of three (3) Elven Weeks constitutes a fine of double what is owed. PROPERTY SEIZURE Upon notice that an individual has failed to pay their taxes and subsequent fine, it is the responsibility of the Citizens Warden and their cabinet to render a notice of eviction upon the infracting address beneficiaries. Property Seizure implies an eviction notice encompassing no more than three (3) Elven Days upon its placement. Failure of the beneficiary/address owner to contest said eviction notice will warrant the property to return to the hands of the Crown of Elvenesse at the discretion of the Citizens Warden. EXARCHAL INTERVENTION At such a point which an individual(s) noted as having evaded taxation, and have been given ample notice willfully fails to render the appropriate payment(s), the Treasury will liaise with the appropriate legal representatives. If after liaison with said legal representatives the individual(s) who have committed what is considered tax evasion -- herein deemed the “Finee” -- by the individual(s) calling for legal discourse -- herein deemed the “Finer” -- a warrant may be submitted to the Okartayneiran. ARTICLE III: CONCERNING THE FINANCIERS TAX POLICIES The following is a listing of policies, protocols, and rules for carrying out domestic financial activities; be it by the Treasury, Financier, or corresponding Stewards. ADDRESS PAYMENT TRANSFERRAL In the event that a property owner lives in an address wherein they have submitted advanced payments, and choose later to move to another address within Elvenesse, they may have the Advanced Payment Confirmations transferred to the new address. NEWLY INHABITED ADDRESSES Citizens who are moved into a home on a tax-day are exempt from paying the predetermined amount for that address until the next tax day. TAX EXEMPTION For citizens who make it known to the Financier or their associated Stewards that they are unable/incapable of making payments for their respective address, an exemption from paying taxes may be considered. CONSECUTIVE UNPAID TAXES For citizens who do not provide the sum of Minae attached to the address that they inhabit/dispense from for a duration of three (3) Elven Weeks in a row, they will be fined double the Minae they owe and have an eviction notice placed on their address. In order for an address-holder to be considered for a new home/commercial address after the point where they have been evicted, they must pay the debt and subsequent fine in full. SIGNED, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, Fëanor of House Sylvaeri, High Prince of Elvenesse, Wielder of the Crown of Malinor, Protector of the Almenodrim and Irrinites Airebys of House Sylric, Treasurer and Financier of Elvenesse

[[OOC]] Username: Waibiao Discord: Maury#8922 Timezone: EST [[RP]] Full Name: Airebys Sylric Race: Elf Age: 218 Why do you wish to join?: It is my understanding that the Elvenesse militia has undergone some significant changes in an attempt to bolster its arguably scarce numbers. The previous commander, Aesilnoth Tundrak, is a close friend and asked me during his tenure if I would join; though I declined at the time due to poorer health. With my strength coming back to me, I would be honored to offer it and my past military experience to aiding the Crown. Are you a citizen of Elvenesse?: Yes.

A certain veteran elf of the Siege of Helena nods his head in approval.

A certain Mali'fenn, resurfacing from his time away from society, hefts the paper in one hand and ponders to himself in the comfort of his apartment, "My homeland is dead, but at least my remaining kin do not clamber and claw at some sense of life and relevance so pathetically."

Just so I'm not confused about the prices - does each individual improvement (clay, lava, ground, etc...) cost the 2500 mina + 50 mina/week upkeep, or is it an all-in-one improvement for that price.