Thanked Posts

41

Rumour Has It / Ceremony in Huangjin

« on: November 14, 2011, 05:55:58 pm »

Rumors tell of a recent ceremony in Huangjin where several new young people were inducted into the church of Toran's Orders.  These rumors send out a word of hope of the new generation of Toranites taking up the call after so many years of war and death.

42

General Discussion / Toran Leadership Program Commencement

« on: November 12, 2011, 10:03:50 pm »

Congratulations to those who have successfully completed the Toran Leadership Program series.  They've grown as characters over the last several months, and are now free to roam about the world as "normal" PC's (and they're of age now to play normally)

Great job everyone.  Have fun, and I look forward to seeing those characters out and about.

43

General Discussion / Happy Halloween!

« on: October 31, 2011, 08:03:29 am »

Bhuel Beannachtai na Samhna oraibh!

May your loved ones, both alive and dead, be near you today.

44

General Discussion / Looking for something to do?

« on: October 23, 2011, 11:46:08 am »

There will be "something" going on on West this evening starting around  7pm EDT.  Don't know what it will be yet... but it will be "something."

45

Rumour Has It / Tragedy Strikes Fort Llast

« on: October 22, 2011, 07:02:38 pm »

Rumor has it that an entire family was recently murdered in Fort Llast.  A local carpenter and his wife along with three of their children were found slain early the morning of Decilar 4, 1488.  William Leox, the couple's oldest son, is said to be in training with the Toranites, and is said to be the one who had found them.  

Those responsible have been named as Kane Donovan, a local weapons merchant, and two thugs, Gregor Juritz and Kurt Dunham.  The three were charged by local authorities with five counts of murder and mistreatment of a woman and publicly hanged following sentencing.

The Leox family funeral was presided over by the church of Toran, and the bodies of four of the dead were burned on a funeral pyre.  It is still uncertain what happened to the fifth body, but some say that one of the children was raised and is now in the care of the church.

Thoughts and sympathetic prayers have been offered to the eldest son in these difficult times.

46

General Discussion / Change of Quest

« on: September 19, 2011, 06:14:41 pm »

I'm going to still have a quest tomorrow at the same time that is on the calendar already, and the parameters will be the sameish, however, I'm going to switch the actual quest to deal with the Orc Raids in Center.

Sorry for the confusion.

~Alatriel

47

Rumour Has It / Orc Raids in Center!

« on: September 18, 2011, 01:18:54 pm »

A large group of orcs recently raided the small trading outpost of Center in the Brelin Kingdom.  Locals have decided to stay inside as much as possible for the time being, and animals are being kept on a tight watch to make sure they aren't taken by the maurading monsters.

48

Rumour Has It / Rumors from Sagewald

« on: August 28, 2011, 06:00:08 pm »

Travelers through the Sagewald Kingdom, particularly those of Elven lineage, have reported being warned about Elves being abducted from the border region near Sun Kingdom.

49

Rumour Has It / Missy's Fine Engravings

« on: August 07, 2011, 11:56:07 am »

A new merchant is setting up shop in Center.  
The sign reads:

[SIZE=18]Missy's Fine Engravings[/SIZE]
[/B]
[SIZE=16]Engravings and Embossings
Custom done at your request!
5gp per word
[/SIZE]

//I'll be in game for the next hour or so to help people with their item customizations.

50

Rumour Has It / A Seer's Terror

« on: August 05, 2011, 04:59:01 pm »

Rumor spreads in Leringard about how Rose, the Seer of the Leringard Arms, supposedly fell unconscious suddenly, had an episode of violent tremors and shaking, then woke screaming and mumbling about someone dying.  Some say she saw an image of the Steward of the Arms, Steel, dead.  Others say it was someone or something called Buttons.  Some others say the whole episode was caused by a small elf woman, other say it was the woman, Tyra Dragonheart.

After that, she has reportedly been missing for several months with no word or sign of her.

51

General Discussion / Volunteers

« on: July 31, 2011, 08:51:49 am »

If you're one of those people who always wanted to do something more with your character history and/or submission, I'm taking volunteers.  If you volunteer your character you are giving license for your character's history to be made into npc's that could affect the general PC population.  This may be in the form of quests, impromptus, and/or rumors.  

Characters may be used from your character's past, or it could be the events from the past.

It's an experiment!  So, if you'd like to be part of this, please let me know and which character I should start researching.  Thanks!

Alatriel/Diva

52

The Dragon Storm Campaign / Message from Fort of Last Hope

« on: July 15, 2011, 08:48:00 pm »

A message is briefly delivered from Daniella Stormhaven to Lord Alexander via the cell stones.  She briefly informs him of the following points:

• General Siphe wishes to be formally acknowledged by the Hilm Protectorate and the other nations of Belinara as the new steward of the Fort of Last Hope and the surrounding lands that were previously under its jurisdiction.
• He has said that should his stewardship be acknowledged he will lead his forces with ours to retake Briardusk.
• He has made a deal with Ractrafiorez that he would train the dragon's soldiers, and in return, Ractrafiorez is protecting the Fort from Molvaren's forces.

Later on, another message is sent after the stone could be charged again.

• General Siphe, in return for presenting his request for legitimacy has offered 5 Siphe Garra members to go with the Allied troops in order to offer possible tactics of the enemy within Briardusk.  A warning was also given by General Siphe that the Drach Ori have something big planned at Briardusk and to approach with caution.
• Siphe understands only a little of what the Fort of Last Hope's purpose is, but that she believes he will accept its duty should he be accepted as steward.
• She also notifies that the attack of the Toranite unit on the Siphe Garra were doing so under orders that came from the office of Commander Stargazer.  She informs that only one of the unit remained alive from their attack, and she is in custody as a prisoner at this time.  She states that as soon as she has more information she will send word.

A couple days later again:

• Daniella notifies them that the traitorous order supposedly came from a Field Commander that had remained in Hilm, and asks for a full investigation to take place.  He went against the orders of his superior officers, against the will of Toran, and against the rules of warfare in terms of truce.  His actions caused the deaths of his comrades as well as put a tentative alliance in jeopardy.

53

General Discussion / Toran Leadership Program Series Rules and Regs

« on: May 30, 2011, 08:43:38 pm »

[SIZE=18]Toran Leadership Program Rules and Regulations and Submission Guidelines[/SIZE]

Tentative starting date for this series is July 1st, 2011. This may change, but we'll keep you posted.  In the meantime.. those that are interested, hopefully you'll have plenty of time to get your characters in the works!


Submission Restrictions:

Human characters only (other races would not work for the 5 year program because of changes in aging, so we're keeping it simple)

14-15 years old starting age

One class of either Paladin, Cleric, or Fighter- If a secondary class is chosen due to the course of rp, players can resubmit using the rp through the program to support the secondary class submission.

Acceptable Deity field designations: Toran, or none. If you choose "None" as your Deity Field, you will need to include an ooc statement as to why you feel your character is not devout, and why he/she would choose to enter into a program like this. Please remember that this would be something that would probably only be known about by people that had connections or ties to the Toran church in some way. Deity field can be resubmitted to be filled in later on if you choose this route.

OOC Rules and Regulations:

Even if a character is approved as a playable character, they are not to be played until the first event of the series with the exception of logging in the first time to simply create your character.

No adventuring, combat, or gathering without express permission, request, or assignment by an instructor, unless accompanied by an instructor. Other adventuring PCs that are not involved in the Toran Leadership Program do not count as acceptable chaperons.  Instructor time will either be scheduled in groups on the calendar, or can be scheduled between the student and the instructor based on their availability.

Characters can be roleplayed in designated areas with other characters within the program between lessons, but are not to travel without an instructor. (It is not acceptable to do some of the "easy" non-combat stationary quests in game, or see Points of Interest as some of these things may or may not be part of lessons within the program.)

Players accept and agree that playing a character under the age of 18 is a sensitive and special circumstance, and given that will refrain from personal intimate relationships at least until their training is completed and their character is of age. (This is a rule both in and ooc, so characters would be aware that they are expected to focus on their studies, and not the boy/girl next to them.)

Players understand that the intent behind this series is that they will be starting their characters off as if they are lvl 0 instead of lvl 1 and will be learning the training that would normally be covered in their character submission background in an in-game rp-intensive manner, and will try to only rp to the point that their character has learned in character, regardless of what they may mechanically have yet.  (In theory, the training will be better, so when your character is "of age" like any normal starting character you would be a higher "starting" level than other starting characters due to the extra intensive training.)

These rules are mandatory due to the nature of this series and are expected to be followed for the 5 months of the program.

In addition to the normal submission ooc statements regarding wealth or nobility and dogmatic statements please also include the following:

OOC Statements: I the player understand the restrictions regarding being allowed to create a younger character for this series. I will abide by the rules of the Toran Leadership Program both in and ooc until the completion of the series.


Application for the Toran Leadership Program

These questions should be addressed in some manner in your character submission and answered in character as your character will need to answer them as part of his or her application. You can fill out the entire submission as the application (see example below) or you can find another way to explain how your character applied for the program, but each question needs to be addressed somehow as they may be used in the program at some point. (Please include normal required information such as class, alignment, deity field, and domains as well)

• Name:
• Age:
• Race:
• Hometown:
• Father's name:
• Father's occupation:
• Mother's name:
• Mother's occupation
• Do you have any siblings?
• Why do you want to be a part of this program?
• How do you feel Toran has influenced your life thus far?
• What training have you received up to this point?
• In what ways do you feel you are being called to serve Toran and the world?
• What do you consider to be your greatest strengths?
• What do you consider to be your greatest weaknesses, or something that you think you need to improve on?

[/B]

Sample Submission Example:

Name: Jane "Janie" Simpson
Age: 14
Race: Human
[Class: Cleric ]
[Alignment: LG]
[Deity: Toran]
[Domain if applicable: Protection, Good]
Hometown: Outskirts of Fort Llast
Father's name: Ronan Simpson
Father's occupation: Farmer
Mother's name: Marla Simpson
Mother's occupation: deceased

Do you have any siblings?
Yes. I have 4 older brothers and 2 younger sisters.



Why do you want to be a part of this program?
My father has always worked hard on our farm as long as I can remember. My older brothers have gone off for training with the temple, and when the call went out to able-bodied followers of Toran to go and fight in the war against the Cult, my brothers all left, even my brother Jesse, who was only 15 when he left. James came back last year. He got hurt when fighting. He lost an eye. He says he's lucky that's all he lost, and he says he doesn't want to talk about what he saw out there. We're still waiting to hear about my other brothers. I don't know if they're okay. My father says we should always have faith that Toran will take care of them, though. I guess why I want to be part of the program is because I want to be able to help people like my brothers, and I know there are people in the church that can do that sort of thing. I know that when they left for the war, it was because there was something that needed to be fought for, and I want to be able to help and do my part too. Right now I take care of my little sisters, but they're getting old enough that they can take care of themselves. James said he can help take care of the farm with my father, and they've given me permission to get training to do something else.


How do you feel Toran has influenced your life thus far?
I remember when I was little, before my mother died, she used to teach me prayers that she learned growing up. She said that Toran was a great leader, and that we should try to be like him. We should always try to help people around us that need it. She said that Toran teaches us to be respectful of others and of our elders, and that sometimes He calls us to make hard decisions. I admit I don't know exactly what those hard decisions are yet, but maybe sort of like when my brothers decided to go to war. They could have stayed home where they were safe, but they didn't because they said it was something that was worth fighting for. My mother told me to always be a good example for other people and that would take me far in life. I don't know if I always do, but I try. I know it's important to tell the truth, even though sometimes we might not want to hear it. My father says that's "tough love" when he tells me something I don't want to hear, but it's how I can learn a good lesson.


What training have you received up to this point?
I know how to read and write. My brothers and I used to play when we were little with wooden swords my father made us. Jesse used to say that I was a girl, so I shouldn't be allowed to fight, but my father told him it's better for a woman to be able to defend herself in time of need than to have to hope that there might be someone around to protect her, and that they should be nice and teach me, so we used to practice like that when our chores were done. I think I'm pretty decent with a wooden sword, and I know how to hold a wooden shield, but I've never fought with a real sword or shield yet.

Also, when you live on a farm people get hurt sometimes, so I know how to set a broken bone and how to wrap a cut so it won't turn bad. Before my mother died she taught me a prayer to say that would help cure little injuries like cuts and bruises. She said if I have enough faith, Toran will help the cuts heal faster when I say them. I know it used to work for her, when she would pray, I could almost feel things just getting better. I keep praying, so maybe someday I'll be able to do that, too.

In what ways do you feel you are being called to serve Toran and the world?
I know that with the war and everything there are a lot of people that are going to need help. From the little bit I've been able to get James to tell me about what he saw, it sounds like a lot of people died, and a lot of people are without food, or homes, or have lost people that they care about. I want to be able to go out and help people get back some of what they lost. I don't know if I'm strong enough to be a soldier, but I think I'd like to be someone that they can talk to about some of what they've seen. I hear James screaming or crying in his sleep sometimes. I don't think he wants anyone to know, but he's different since he came back from fighting, even beyond him losing an eye. Sometimes I wonder if maybe he felt like he could talk to me or anyone about it he might feel better. I don't like seeing my brother hurting. He's always been so strong, but sometimes maybe strong people need help too.

What do you consider to be your greatest strengths?
I think I'm pretty good at talking to people and listening, and I try hard to understand other peoples' points of view.

What do you consider to be your greatest weaknesses, or something that you think you need to improve on?
I probably have a lot of things I need to improve on really. I'd like to figure out ways I can fight a bit better than I do now, and I know I'd like to find out more about the prayers like my mother used to say that you could see when Toran answered them. I've been told that through prayer some really incredible things can happen if you have enough faith. I'd love to be able to see that or even do that if Toran lets me.

Oh, and sometimes I tend to ramble a bit.

//OOC Statements:
*   My character has no claims or ties to wealth or nobility.
*   I have read and understand the requirements and expectations of the Toran Leadership Program and I promise to abide by those rules both in and out of character for the five (5) months of the series.
*   I understand that this series is a rp-intensive opportunity, and my character will be undergoing the training in game that is normally covered in submission backgrounds to support the class that I have chosen, and that I will role play my character skills and abilities only so much as has been covered in the training as I go
.
Dogmatic statements for Cleric, Paladin, and Champion submissions:
1. I have read and understand the dogma and expectations of a Cleric of Toran and I intend to follow them to the best of my ability.
2. Janie is still learning the true dogma of Toran, but as she sees it now, she believes that Toran teaches His followers to be leaders and to care for others, and that some things are worth fighting for, and that people are worth protecting. She also has a desire to help those who have been traumatized by the ugly nature of fighting so that they can be more at peace.
3. Janie will continue training with the longsword and shield. She is of humble origins and will wear clothing that reflect her service to Toran and to the world, or full plate armor if necessary. She will wear the blue, gold, and silver that will mark her as a follower/priestess of Toran and she wears an Ankh pendant that was once her mother's before she died.

Any questions, please feel free to ask Lance or me, and if you need any help with the submissions we should be able to help you with that too if needed.  I'm hoping this should be a lot of fun, and rewarding for those who choose to participate.  Thanks!
~Alatriel

54

General Discussion / Dragon Storm Campaign Finale

« on: May 21, 2011, 09:36:46 am »

I know it's been said several times, but once again I think it needs saying.  Thank you very much to the GMs that put their time and effort into making such an incredible series.  It may have taken a lot of unexpected turns and probably went on way longer than anyone had ever anticipated.  But that's how things go when dealing with so many pieces.  Now that we stand at the close, I can honestly say I am looking forward to what comes next.  It may be the close of the campaign, but it's just an incredible chapter of the story.  I feel very lucky to have been able to have had such an active role in it, and I urge those who felt like they didn't feel as involved as they may have liked to put in the extra effort in the next thing that comes along.  It's incredible rp.  People talk about how they want to have their characters become world leaders by taking on WLDQs but I tell you the truth- plot quests are world changing events and will turn your character into a truly epic character in all senses of the word if you let them.  It's the experiences that your character lives through that will make it so that you are one of those "old veteran characters" with the stories of epic battles to share with the generations to come.

So thank you Plot team for helping me change my character from a Toranite Leader to a World Leader.  For the heart-wrenching loss, and the stomach twisting anxiety and nerves, for the times my heart skipped a beat, and the mistakes I made and almost made, and for the triumphs that we all shared together, thank you.  Thank you for giving us the opportunities to find greatness.  I can't wait for more.

55

General Discussion / Happy Birthday Aerimor!

« on: May 19, 2011, 08:03:16 am »

Happy Birthday to a man that I love on both sides of the game... even if he'll probably cringe that I posted this...


[SIZE=32]Happy Birthday Aerimor![/SIZE]

56

Ask A Gamemaster / Vierdri'ira or She-who-must-not-be named -- Loremaster

« on: April 14, 2011, 09:18:38 pm »

This is a question for the Loremaster

So, as a player of a cleric of She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, the Mother of Darkness, I was wondering what sort of lore they would have access to from the temple.  We know from Lore that Baraeon led the dark elves into the deep after the betrayal.  We know that Vierdri'ira was there with them in some capacity, but there is no information that I've seen of where.  Are there any stories that followers of the Mother of Darkness would know regarding lore of their goddess?  What sort of stories would priestesses tell other followers regarding the will of the Mother, etc.?

Up to now I've done my best to interpret the dogma as I can based on what lore has provided, but as To'ryll Solen gets deeper into things and gains whatever sort of power or influence she hopefully will get down the line, is there anything that she should or would know as not only a devout, but a priestess of this faith?

Do we have myths?  If so, is there an example of one that might be told?

Any additional help and information would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance, and please let me know if I need to be more specific.

~Alatriel

57

Just for Fun / April Fool's Day- Origins

« on: April 01, 2011, 08:15:10 am »

I thought people may be interested in where the day came from


April Fool's Day History

58

The Dragon Storm Campaign / Rumors from Blackford Castle

« on: February 07, 2011, 08:06:20 am »

*There have been a couple tense days in the Blackford War Council rumored to be mostly centered about Lord Rael's offer.  After one day, supposedly Moraken set off a frightening display of magic and dismissed everyone.  The next day everyone reconvened, but for some reason it was dismissed again shortly, and the Queen declaring the Council Chambers off limits for the next day.*


Man:  "A woman shouldn'a talked ta no man like she done, specially not no mage like that.  Now yer tellin' me he done started packin' up all that magicky stuff an' is leavin'?  I don' blame 'im!  No woman shouldn'a talked ta no man like that.  She coulda cost us all our lives by tickin' him off!"

Woman:  "That ain' jest any woman Horrace, an don'cha be fergettin' what cooks yer meal ever'day!  Sides you men're all jest babies iffn ya cain' get yer feelin's hurt some."

Man:  "Betsy, I'm jest sayin'... "

Woman:  "Naw, you jest stick ta the barns where ya work an' I'll stick ta the kitchens in the castle.  I seen councils like this before where they don' do nothin' but argue fer the first few days, an' it won' be the last one neither.  Dif'rence is, these people're all tryin' ta fight a war an' their tensions're real high.  Norm'ly it's over silly stuff an' they're STILL high.  Give em all time ta come out with what they needa do.  The Queen wouldna brung all these people together if she thought they wouldn' get the job done.  Trust yer queen, an' no more fussin' else I ain' gonna tell ya any more o' what I heard.

Man:  "Fine... but if that woman cost us this war I'm gonna..."

Woman:  "Yer gonna what?  Poke her with a hay fork?  That'd be a sight."  She laughs at the thought

Man:  "Aww... shut it"  He grumbles and heads back off towards the barn.

59

The Dragon Storm Campaign / Net Supplies

« on: February 02, 2011, 11:32:37 pm »

*Quiet rumors start to spread that the Allied forces are looking for nets and net supplies in large quantities.*



//if you decide to donate stuff for netting, please post it on the Dragon Storm Donations forum thread rather than trying to get a GM to notate it for you, and donate it to one of the Defense Donation funds through the Layonara Donations lady.  Thanks!

if you decide you want to sell them to the Allied Forces... advertise

60

General Discussion / War Council venue change

« on: January 23, 2011, 02:24:12 pm »

Due to recent events, the War Council venue has been moved from Huangjin to Blackford Castle.  This is pending, though, due to necessary GM involvement.

Thanks for your understanding.