Crevel

4 minutes ago, AstriaS said:

YOUR BLADE BELONGS TO THE QUEEN

The injured Ser Vylandris Vuln'ibar stares at the missive that somehow found its way to Whitespire, "Again?" he'd remark of Veletz & Co's king-capturing abilities.

A travelling minstrel arrives in the Whitespire tavern, scheduled to perform in front of a crowd with Ser Vylandris Vuln'ibar in front. Prefacing his performance as a newly published Veletzian folk poetry, the audience looked at each other in distaste given their recent defeat at Veletzian hands but gave the esteemed minstrel a chance nevertheless. As the minstrel sung in his smooth rural accent alongside his guitar, the crowd came around as they bobbed their head in with the pleasing rhythm of the song. By the end, Ser Vylandris arose with a standing ovation - even with his stiff and paining left shoulder from his Westmark battle wound - which encouraged others to do so as well. Leaving the tavern after a good night, the elf-knight considers getting his hand on a supply of Brascalites for the next battle.

Bloody corpses cluttered the foreign battlefield. Men slain with blades and others crushed by the heavy weight of fallen armoured horses. The smell of rot had already overcome the corpses that perished earlier. Blood. Piss. Shit. All had permeated the air over the days of the battle. Cruel smells violated any sense of civility that could have once been had over the grassy meadow.

Rallying cries from Covenant signalled a charge towards a crossroads. The recently knighted Ser Vylandris of Aaun accompanied the Covenant forces as they made the charge, participating in the merciless killing of a number of Veletzian foes. The repeated heavy footsteps that clambered over the corpses old and new that had obstructed their path made their eventual way to the crossroads. The full force of the remaining Covenant army had rallied proudly but tired. However, before any time to rest could come another rallying order would be issued to charge to the forested slope that they had just come from. A questionable order given the fatigue soldiers had endured from the last charge that led to them attacking those in their way. Alas, for the sake of acquiring victory, these orders were followed, and the charge proceeded. The sluggish force encumbered by their heavy daemonsteel armour, the corpses before them that they had to navigate once more, and the energy that had been exerted prior, found tremendous difficulty re-navigating the slope. 

Taking advantage of the Covenant’s lethargy, the Veletzian force, having been equipped in lightweight armour and acting defensively enough to have preserved their stamina, mounted a lively assault on the Covenant’s rear. Ser Vylandris, usually in the middle of the Covenant forces but had fallen to the rear, became one of the first to be attacked. A sharp, pointed Veletzian war lance found its way through a weakpoint of the knight’s plated armour, the force of which penetrating his left shoulder and propelling him downwards into the floor - a concussion from his helmet knocking him unconscious. Presumed dead from being still and the blood that was seeping from his armour, the Veletzian force stepped on and over him as they pursued the remainder of the Covenant’s army.

Awakening days later, Vylandris feebly raised himself with the assistance of a nearby longsword as a crutch. Around him, crows and other scavengers had picked apart the various corpses. Stumbling through the battlefield, he’d find that bodies belonging to Covenant forces stretched as far as his eye could see. Thousands fell victim to the decisive Veletzian stampede, a massacre of this degree had not yet occurred against the Covenant until now. Had the tide turned? Would the Covenant lose its momentum? Questions that could only be answered by a higher power flooded his mind but the elf-knight pressed on with his makeshift crutch. A gaunt horse amidst a set of trees would be seen nudging at a decaying high elven corpse with its armour torn from it, no identifier to its allegiance but alas of the same racial brotherhood that Vylandris found himself in. Approaching the horse, Vylandris splayed his empty right palm to the frightened beast, “maelu’hileia, llir.. maelu’hileia. kae cruan’leh sulier nae.” he brushed the back of his palm down its nosebridge which seemed to have calmed it, “We must go home.” A wet tear that had already been forming in the horse’s eye dripped down its jaw as it lowered itself for its new companion, allowing Vylandris to embark home. Atop the gaunt steed, the elf-knight began his journey home without looking back at the nightmare he had witnessed.

Vylandris Vuln'ibar would have approached a distraught Veletzian survivor from behind in the aftermath of the Siege of Brasca. The survivor's armour in a dishevelled torn state as Vylandris stepped closer with his sturdy, blood-spilt sword. The elf remarks, "But the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming." Out of shock, the weaponless survivor drops to their dirt-stained knees as he attempted to plead out of fear but his words only came out as petrified stutters. Vylandris swipes his shortsword at the man's throat before kicking him onto his back and leaving.

In his shocked post-battle hallucinations at death, the final thing that the Veletzian soldier would have seen is Vylandris not as he truly was.

A Haeseni-born priest residing in the United Kingdom of Aaun by the name of Petyr pens a critical reply to the 'warpriest' in regard to their essay,

"To the ordained Friar Villorik,

While your claimed respect for the Scrolls is commendable and expected as a priest, it does not bode well to claim that centuries of written theory and analysis of the Holy Scrolls is naive. The history of our faith has seen great academics that have experienced many realms and many cultures that have surely influenced their analyses, and their essays prove much more optimistic than the dribble you have written that insults the very foundation of our Mother Church. You claim that the Church as an institution is totally reliant on the whims of ambitious princes but was it not the Exalted Owyn, an orphan who grew to rally the faithful of his uncle's armies in his youth, who restored the Kingdom of Idunia to virtuous rule from the sinful and ambitious Harren? Was it not he who created the institution that began the Mother Church as we know it today?

While the Exalted Owyn is an extraordinary case due to being exalted, he is the exemplar of a man of virtue overcoming the tyrannical rule of an ambitious king with no respect for the Lord. These men and women, whether they occupy positions in realms or not, will forever exist and the tremendous power that they hold in spiritual unity transcends national identity. It is a power that can overcome any oppressive ruler. As long as these men and women exist, as they will as the Lord's mercy is forever shown in our daily lives, the Church as a mouthpiece of the Lord God's virtue will forever have power whether a standing militaristic force in possession of the Church exists or not.

I recommend that you take more time on your marches to think more of the power of the Canonist collective lest you forget who you are truly fighting for.

"In the kingdoms of Horen, he mingled strange and corrupt practices with the wisdom of holy men. Even now, the Lord watched, and sent miracles, that the world would repent."

Scroll of Gospel (5:34-35)

Father Petyr of Albarosa"

Aaunic Boat Parachute after a Successful Landing, 1954

Vylandris Vuln'ibar marvels at the sight of Aaunic ingenuity from the coast. An invention well-crafted, and a test well-done. However, he saddens at the alleged kidnapping of his king and the High Pontiff.

"A great idea." Vylandris puts pen to paper as he offers his signature on the missive.

Vylandris Vuln'ibar swears to solemnly keep the Dancer of Brasca, Vasili Vanrov, in his heart in tumultuous times. For if he could overcome numerous adversaries by dancing his heart out, then Vylandris could too.

4 hours ago, Nectorist said:

Johanes and Saskia oversee the massive expansion of beef production throughout the Midlands. They also begin to dabble in genetic manipulation so that they may make cows that are larger, fatter, more tender, and come complete with all of the nutrients a soldier needs.

4 hours ago, JoanOfArc said:

After countless attempts, Johanes and Saskia had found it. The true cow of cows. The best of the best that any land can offer. All pale in comparison to those "animals" (Haensers) in their west ....

To the east in the realm of the United Kingdom of Aaun, a diligent Elven farmer by the name of Vylandris Vuln'ibar would have perfected the ultimate specimen to ever exist. Surely surpassing whatever Veletz had conjured in their farmlands.

The Beasts of Sodden Farm

12th of Godfrey's Triumph, 1954

As Written by Vylandris Vuln'ibar

The pastoral industry in the United Kingdom of Aaun, particularly in its Crownlands, is an industry that has been left largely untouched. Untapped potential has allowed smaller farms such as my own the ability to grow in an unfettered market. With my freedom, I have been able to perfect irregular techniques to create a superior formula that results in beasts far larger than any man. Bovines that are bountiful in leather and meat on their bones. The bulls are vigorous, sturdy beasts. Allow me to showcase my two prime subjects.

King John the Mighty next to a Sodden Farmer

King John the Mighty, named after our beloved monarch, King John I of Aaun, is the most outstanding specimen to ever walk Aevos. He is the most virile creature that shall ever walk in life. His offspring are the beefiest bovines to the point that his offspring tend to be harvested for leather and steak as donations to the Crown. As he prowls among Sodden Farm hunting for poppies to consume, he struts with a domineering gait befitting of an alpha. His esteemed bovine dynasty will forever be cemented.

King Edmund the Steadfast next to a Sodden Farmer

Named after our former monarch, King Edmund II, this bull is the firstborn son of King John the Mighty. Edmund is the embodiment of what it means to be a prodigy. With John’s genetics and a slightly altered diet, Edmund is youthful yet surely bound to surpass even John in height and body mass. This result is expected to be achieved through a strict exercise regimen that involves dancing to traditional Aaunic ballads. His favourite seems to be “An Adrian’s Lament”, a comedic ballad detailing the apparent sacrilegious event of the former Duke of Adria Heinrik Sarkozic urinating in a basin of holy water and proceeding to plunge his head into it only to be punished by God with an infection that rendered him temporarily blind.

For these two bulls, there can be no equal. There is nobody more hardworking than an Aaunic farmer and there is no bull sturdier than an Aaunic bull. To any enemies of the United Kingdom of Aaun, I recommend that you lay down your weapons as the Principality of Celia’nor has. You are outmatched and there will be no mercy for we possess King John the Mighty and King Edmund the Steadfast.

Vylandris Vuln'ibar for Lord Mayor

20th of Owyn's Flame, 1954

As Written by Vylandris Vuln'ibar

The position of Lord Mayor is not one to be taken lightly. Administrating the capital of one of the most influential realms that will ever inhabit Aevos is a vast undertaking. This I recognise. I also recognise the importance that coordination holds when pursuing a common goal, a national goal. It's with my administration that I swear to direct the Royal City's capabilities to most effectively pursue the kingdom's most valued interests. Most importantly during my term, I shall be focusing my efforts towards ensuring that our beloved Royal City of Whitespire is contributing to the national war effort. This is not just a matter of civic duty, it is a righteous obligation to represent good in the adversity of evil that is embodied by our enemies.

Under my administration, Whitespire will see the introduction of bills that encourage a greater level of support towards the war effort than what we currently see now in a way that benefits our citizens. We will commemorate and glorify Aaunic heroes both old and recent. The Royal City of Whitespire needs a strong Lord Mayor who will do the job that needs to be done. I fought for our kingdom in the Siege of Breakwater so allow me to further fight for you and our kingdom as Lord Mayor.

Come on CT, you need to accept the applications of players who are here solely to fight in the war. Road to siege with 500 players.

Vylandris Vuln'ibar questions the conflict of interest of marrying into a family the nation is at war with for the most part. He hopes that the king has made sure of her allegiances to prevent another assassination. The plot thickens...

Vylandris Vuln'ibar sweats profusely from his forehead, "According to this map, I now live in the weefolk shiredoms. Did I miss something?" he hastily writes a letter to the mapmaker for clarification.

Vylandris Vuln'ibar peers at the death notice, recalling how just one or two saint's day prior he saw and overheard the father and daughter meeting each other after what seemed like a long time. "What a cruel world" he would think to himself.

Gift of the Lord Initiative

8th of Sigismund’s End, 1952 I.S.T.

To the ubiquitous Faithful of Canondom,

Many of the Lord’s creations formed with the hands of His Aengudaemon servants predate our own creation. Metal ores, grains, animals. With our creation by the Lord God himself, we made use of these other creations to assist in our own labours or to be the focus of our labours. After our creation, God saw fit to reward His creation with a powerful gift.

“I am the Lord GOD without peer. I put into your heart the power of creation, and I created the seed and chaff, and put heat into the fire that reddens iron. And as I have created means to ease your labors, so I have created new labors, and new fruits. For I have blessed you with My miracle of creation, and you shall draw nearer to My throne by your labors. And you shall discover strength of heart as you work the forge and the plow. So I am the Most High, and in pursuit of My Virtue, I bid my faithful this: You shall not be idle, nor forget your duties in favor of sloth” 

(Virtue 4:3-8)

The Lord God granted us with the holy gift that we know as Housemagery. The magic is the embodiment of the blessings granted as prescribed by Him in the Canticle of Diligence in the Scroll of Virtue. Housemagery eases our labours whilst creating new labours such as disciplining your mind to learn the Lord’s Gift and the new fruits of wielding it to use it in devotion to God in our duties as faithful servants. Spells of the magic also allow us to create and bring life to tools that perform domestic duties on command.

I have mastered the Lord’s Gift and in pursuit of encouraging closer communion with God, I shall be widely distributing this knowledge to the Faithful byway of tomes to be personally delivered by myself to those who request it. In order to be eligible, an individual or group must meet the following requirements:

- Confirmed or believed to follow Canonism in communion with the Church, regardless of race

- Is not currently excommunicated, anathema, nor confirmed nor believed to be supporting an individual or group in anathema

Ecclesiastical administrations such as dioceses and religious orders shall be prioritised firstly, then individual clergy, and then the greater faithful. All who request and are believed to meet the requirements shall be granted a tome when available.

Ensure that, in your request, you include your name, residence, and where you’d like your book delivered such as a mailbox if you cannot be seen personally. All letters sent by aviary are to be addressed to myself in Whitespire.

Stay true to God.

Father Petyr, 

Archdiocese of Albarosa

It took you five ban appeals early this year over a span of a few months in order for you to stop deflecting the blame and to offer a 'sincere' apology after being banned for major toxicity because you were being transphobic. This is still recent and due to how recent it was I find it highly unlikely that your transphobic and deflective nature has been resolved. I, and I am sure many others would agree, do not believe that you would be a good fit for Moderation given that a good portion of LOTC's community are LGBT+, and as a moderator you need to be able to take accountability for your behaviour and decisions instead of deflecting blame on other moderators or players who are irritating you. I also question your claim of being level-headed and being able to communicate your ideas in a neutral and constructive manner because I believe the instance of transphobia that resulted in you being banned occurred because you were angry that they did not agree with the Catholic doctrine of disallowing female priests. Sending a blatantly offensive transphobic meme to a transgender person with an opposing viewpoint to you is not constructive to any discussion.

-1

Vylandris Vuln'ibar mourns the death of the young king and his former sovereign with a swig from his waterskin. He hopes that the new king may be a beacon of hope after the two relatively short reigns of the former monarchs.

1 hour ago, RIGOR said:

Wouldn't let him near moderating conflict (warclaims specifically) with a ten foot pole

Out of curiosity, can I ask why you say this? I don't go out of my way to partake in conflict myself, but I make sure I stay up to date with conflict rules. I don't have any particular strong preference for any combat system since I see the merits of all the main ones as well as the downsides, and I don't have any hatred or grudge towards PVPers that quite a lot of players seem to have. I know there are a few conflict-oriented players out there (I wasn't told any names so I can't approach them) that I've been told have a gripe with me, but I don't really understand why since they've never approached me.

While I've never moderated a warclaim since they've almost always been held very early in the morning for me and not many have been held during the times where I have been a moderator, I've moderated numerous conflict situations varying from big raids to small-scale combat between a few people without a complaint. Conflict Moderation, while not my primary focus, is something that I certainly have experience with.

Minecraft IGN

Crevel

Discord ID

crevel

Timezone

AEST

What focus-area of the Moderation Team interests you the most?

Server Moderation, Conflict Moderation

Why have you decided to apply for the Moderation Team?

I have decided to apply to the Moderation Team because I want to be a helping hand under this new administration. I did not agree with the direction and culture being harboured by itdontmatta under his administration, and I think that new leadership is an opportune moment to jump on ship to assist in the new direction. This is something that I have been considering for months. As a former moderator, I have skills and experience from being in a variety of scenarios, so I am going into this already with an understanding of what is to be expected of me.

What can you offer to the team?

I've been a member of the server for almost five years now and in that time, I've come to appreciate the server and its community. I'm very passionate about assisting others and fostering a safe roleplay environment on the server. This can be seen through my involvement in #help and OOC chat where I will assist players to get a good grasp on the server, as well as providing my input on feedback threads, helping players understand rules, and other complex issues.

I am very proactive, patient and proficient in the tools given to assist in Moderation duties. My proactivity and patience has allowed me to consistently maintain the highest ticket completion rate with outcomes seen as satisfactory by both Moderation and player standards, and my proficiency was a reason why I had been promoted to a Moderation Trainer under BasketWeaver's administration. This is a role that I am willing to take up again as I have heard of past moderators under itdontmatta's administration not being properly trained. A few notable tickets to me include when I spent probably close to an hour digging through Omniscience to help locate double chests full of unique items (mainly books) that were believed to have been incorrectly stolen by a player who had been banned weeks prior to the investigation, filling in a large awkwardly shaped hollow hill on the outskirts of a major roleplay hotspot, and responding to a raid where both sides were given infractions by me (including one I was OOCly aligned with at the time) but was nevertheless applauded by both sides for my impartiality.

I am also honest with a strong moral foundation. I advocate for transparency where relevant and insist that that all punishable rules are written explicitly to avoid misinterpretations and players feeling that their bans are unjust because what they were punished for was not written anywhere. If I feel that I am not doing a good job and/or do not feel that I can maintain my activity, I ensure that I offer my resignation so that I am not taking a spot on the roster that could otherwise be filled by someone active. Currently, I have lots of free time and I am passionate towards putting some of it towards moderating the server.

Be sure to read my previous applications that I will link in my portfolio if you'd like to see more in precise dot point form.

If you were the Mod Admin, what would you change about the server?

One of the first major changes I would make is restoring Moderation Management. I disagree with its removal on principle and in practice. Moderation is ultimately a team, and its work is a collaborative effort. While it makes sense for a Moderation Admin to lead the team, they are not the whole team. Frankly, I think that it is arrogant for all high-level decisions to be dependent on a singular admin. It's also ineffective because not only does it require the admin to be present to review questionable moderation decisions, but it would also very likely lead to the admin not monitoring their team properly to maintain a certain level of quality among all projects. Management should be present to assist in directing team projects, partaking in high-level moderation decisions with the admin, and review the direction that Moderation as a whole is taking alongside the admin. It is a system that works when an admin is active enough to delegate and trusts those who work with him. While I would not insist that all moderators need to be active, I would insist that managers maintain a degree of activity to allow them to effectively coordinate projects.

Regarding the server itself, I would want to overhaul efforts to ensure that punishable behaviours are explicitly written as well as spreading awareness that they exist and the intention behind the rules that people may question. As I've said, I've always insisted that transparency is important and that rules need to be explicitly written so that Moderation is viewed as consistent rather than biased and unjust. It is something that I remember was a point of contention in the past with discussions I've had with other moderators in the staff discord.

Attach relevant media or links. (Portfolio)

How many proposed admin bans have not gone through because you contributed to the No vote in a system that requires a unanimous decision? Is there an admin that you felt obstructed you being able to fulfil your vision the most? If you are privy to the information, how much money does the server generate through donations per month or year and does this result in a net loss, profit, or break-even?