We're trying to determine where to set up the new set of threads now that they've closed the old ones. I'm gonna open this thread in the meantime... we can make it a joint OOC/IC/MS thread as I don't anticipate it being needed for more than 24 hours, tops. So, for anyone who hasn't posted their actions this turn, now is your chance
When another admin comes on, we'll start working on creating the new ones. I'll edit this post to reflect where the new threads are when the time comes.
IC:
Nixis spun about as he finished writing.
"I am Nixis, god of Stories... born... roughly two stories below this very office. I have come to say thank you, and provide you with a new storehouse for your knowledge."
Hi All.
We're trying to determine where to set up the new set of threads now that they've closed the old ones. I'm gonna open this thread in the meantime... we can make it a joint OOC/IC/MS thread as I don't anticipate it being needed for more than 24 hours, tops. So, for anyone who hasn't posted their actions this turn, now is your chance
Methinks you do not pay enough attention Alexii.
Hammu went to the Place Between Places and stared at the Skyway River flowing through the center.
"Her crowning creation... just like Beacon was mine. This should get her attention... He opened the portal Rabi called the Zenith, tuned again to the polar land of Zophia, and turned it once again onto the river. Shards of ice fell and shattered on the rock, but this time the portal stayed open far longer than before. A wave of solid ice rose and crashed down the river, turning it to frozen, jagged shards ahead of itself. On the crest of the wave, Hammu sent a thought message to Mara.
mara
"So Retribution is your domain, is it? You, then, will understand why your creation undergoes this hardship. Being tempestuous seems to be part of your nature, but be warned- you will not visit your tempers on my creation again without the retribution that you so seem to crave."
As long as we are limited to one thread, we need to clearly and carefull indicate what part of our posts are what. OOC, IC, and MS work fine for the moment.
As to our thread difficultues, I have PMed Webster about the matter, as while LoC is a game, it is also a campaign building exercise, and is, in my opinion, thematically appropriate for this board.
PM
I would have asked sooner, but I just got home from work. I noticed you closed our campaign building threads, Lord of Creation, over concerns of their size.
I was planning on starting a new set of threads tonight anyways, as I do recall reading that once threads get so large they become difficult on the boards.
However, I notice that you requested that we move to the play-by-post boards. While the process is run similar to a game, Lords of Creation is not a game in and of itself. It is intended and operated as a cooperative campaign building exercise, to create and interesting world populated with adventure sites, nations, and history for a DM to work with. Along the way, participants will often add in their own homevrew material, and the end result is a world far richer than most could or would develop on their own.
In all, I, and many of the participants agree, feel that s a campaign building exercise, Lord of Creation is appropriate in the Campaign & Adventure Workshop. I hope to restart with new threads there, but if we will continually be closed or moved regardless, I'd like to know now, and save the time for all involved.
Veros:
Tha Azoran said, "What kind of meeting?"
Nixis: OOC: Still waiting for a response to the MS...
Nerdzul OOC: The MS is getting a bit slow... we should end it soon.
They watched him. "A meeting between the rules of ther continental nations, or at least their representatives. We hope to build an alliance to prevent future conflict."
Shadow, Tinwe, my thoughts exactly. Chapien, I'll get back to you on MS when we get the new threads up.
IC:
Nixis laughed.
"Well, now thats something I did not expect. Are you the Keep? I imagine that they didn't speak of my birth because they did not know that I was created. I'm sure there are records of the tresspasses into the Keep. Look back for two gnomes who snuck in and were found in a library full of blank sheets. I'm, well... I'm those sheets... or at least the stories that were on it."
A figure slowly materialized before Nixis, a young girl, watchin him. "I do remember reading about that. They still think that room is cursed."
She walked over to him, circling, before reading his note. "Your funny. A creature made out of words. What are you, anyway?"
Nixis watched the girl appear. Swirling in place, he assumed his humanoid form and bowed.
"Ah, it is good to meet you face to face, as it were. I am a God, much like the others you know... Veros, Shurka, Vymrl... I am just much younger than any of them."
Nixis chuckled.
"Still Cursed? Oh, no... I dont think so... although I find it quite wonderful that I have managed to create such a longstanding superstition!"
"Gods?" she questioned. "I have heard the people living within me talk about them, but I don't know them. Should I?"
She leaned forward, watching him closer. "Your a god. Doesn't look very impressive. How can I be sure?" she asked, more to herself than anyone in particular.
"Know them personally? No, I doubt it. Veros, at least, seems to enjoy pulling the strings from behind several dark shrouds... and as Lord of Knowledge, he'd be the most likely to interact with the Loremasters. I think I'm just more... personable."
"As for how you know that I'm a God..."
Nixis snapped his fingers and a beautiful flower appeared. He handed it to the girl.
"Do you know anyone else who can do that?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Elsewhere, two gnomes looked at each other, quite surprised as the flower he had been giving her had simply vanished.
"Err... I'll go get another", he said.
She laughed. "Don't worry about it. What the gods want, the gods get."
She nodded. "Yes, Veros is spoken of quite often. But your trick isn't that impressive. I can do it to." She gives him a funny look andf lifts her hand, a large heavy book materializing. Despite it's size, she moves it around as if it were light as a feather.
"This is one of their most valuable books. Supposed to be a copy of ancient records kept on stone tablets in the deepest darkest tunnels."
Tossing it into the air, it vanished back to it's storage room. Grabbing his flower, she grinned. "Thank you for the flower though."
OOC
The reset will be set back for an extra hour or two tonight, to insure people have time to deal with their actions.
Chapien, just a heads up for the future. I noted that you used Mold Land to create a forest earlier this turn. You should know that forests would be a Nourish Land. Mold is for mountains, rivers, and such.
OOC
Chapien, just a heads up for the future. I noted that you used Mold Land to create a forest earlier this turn. You should know that forests would be a Nourish Land. Mold is for mountains, rivers, and such.
OOC: Ah ok. Well, to late to fix that, So I'll just note that for the future.
Yeah, I recorded it properly in the records. Just wanted to mention it for future reference.
By the way, I continued our MS here.
Quote
MS
They watched him. "A meeting between the rules of ther continental nations, or at least their representatives. We hope to build an alliance to prevent future conflict."
Across the lands of the Bronze Pantheon, Hammu turned some of the hearts of the people towards himself. The most balanced of the Warforged, Free people and Sanguhin turn to become clerics, paladins and enforcers of the law. Justice would have these ones. Worshippers made the trek to Beacon into a kind of pilgrimage, and their coin swelled the coffers of both the church and city.
----------
His message sent along the Skyway River, Hammu moved to the surface of the world. From here, he could see the devastation the recent war had wreaked on the earth, and too- he could see where Drevan's Gray Wastes had caused such hardship for Lord Azor'Chapien's people. Drevan. Now there was a blight on the creation. Just as well for all of us that he is gone again. His creations, though... his creations linger on.
Hammu called Rabi to himself, and sent him on to Xirinet with a message, after which he retired to the Place Between Places. After much time in thought, Hammu stepped through his portal into the Farscape.
Xirinet
Lord of Life. I know you love to create life, and I know you love to see what those breaths and thoughts do once given form. Such was the case with the former Lord Drevan, before Lord Veros took back the power which was his. I would like to embark on an experiment of my own, trying to clean up some of Drevan's mess, and I would like to have your expertise. What say you? Shall we create together?
Lord of Life. I know you love to create life, and I know you love to see what those breaths and thoughts do once given form. Such was the case with the former Lord Drevan, before Lord Veros took back the power which was his. I would like to embark on an experiment of my own, trying to clean up some of Drevan's mess, and I would like to have your expertise. What say you? Shall we create together?
Just a heads up for you, Tinwe, Wyld is on vacation for the duration of the week. He left just a few hours ago.
IC
While Shurka's new creations would defend the Terenean States, the citizens themselves were unaware. Together, New Terena, The Theocracy of Menior, and Rusten had entered a new age in the history of Terena. The citizens were glad to be back in their old home.
Well, not quite.
There were some places where no Terenean dared to enter. The center of Old Terena (which was fortunately a good distance from Eorna) had blighted land, and crumpled structures. The old Hall of the White Shield, and the Defense Coalition's Headquarters were fittingly enough where the ruins had the worst blight. Tereneans would not enter for fear of a great curse hanging in the air. The air was dead and cold. Yet... things stirred...
2 PP (From Wyld) - Nourish Populace x2 - Terenean States
0 PP (+1 Eorna) - Denourish Land - Ruins in Old Terena become blighted. Will add creatures later.
Don't worry, as soon as Topheh continues us, we'll meet up with your envoy.
The workshop back in order, Veros opened a rift in reality, taking one last look at the figure sleeping on the slab before he stepped through. Considering it for a moment, he shook his head and moved into the Astral Sea.
In a remote location far from common traffic, where he had left it, he found the place that his thoughts had coalesced, forming the shape of a continent, a new land mass that he had seen, a vision from the future he had received when he used the Temporal Vortex in Shurka's presence. An odd side effect, one that he would investigate another time.
It had developed exactly as he had hoped, and was ready. He opened his mind and willed the power outwards, opening the way for this continent to move to where it was intended. Slowly, the great mass fell through the portal, beginning to pick up speed as the force of the Dimensional Bulwark began to act and pull on it, drawing it into the world.
High above the world, the gateway opened, dropping the landmass onto the Azure Aegis. With a resounding boom that echoed through the world, the aegis crumbled under the continent's weight. As it fell, the whole in the aegis unleashed a massive vortex as air rushed into the opening, scattering into the aether as the whole began to heal.
It continued to fall, landing heavily in the ocean as it slowly settled, sending mighty waves off into the distance. These waves would wreak havoc with shipping far away in the Free Nation and Taldar, as ships sank beneath incredible waves.
The land settled, and Veros followed it through, making his way to its barren shores. Sucking in a deep breath of air, he released it, letting life flow into the land, forcing it to blossom and flourish. It was not as much as he had hoped, but there would be time to make the land richer later.
He rose into the air high above, and looked down at his new land. It needed more. He stretched his arms wide, sending forth inky black tendrils that seemed to suck the very light from the air as they moved, imperceptible to mortal eyes, seeking out population centers around the world. Wherever they went, there was a rash of disappearances as Veros drew them out, bringing them to their new homeland.
Settling back to the ground, he looked around him at the odd people he was now surrounded with. Goblins, they called themselves, a creation of Siccadan’s before he chose the great sleep. Alone, they would soon be destroyed or enslaved by their neighbors. He lifted his staff, selecting a choice amount of the goblins, making them stronger, faster, taller, more durable, and more intelligent. These hobgoblins would be left to find their own way along with their kin.
Tired, Veros rose into the air once more, settling in to watch them develop, nodding as Alocasia finally found him, slipping into her customary position around his neck. Deprived of the support of their homelands, lacking nations, cities, organizations, and even animals they were accustomed to, the people didn't segregate into racial cities as they normally would, but instead banded together, offering each other their unique skills. As the time began to pass, various small city states began to rise up, held together by warlords strong enough to enforce their will. As a warlord would perish, his city would fall into disrepair as his soldiers and various mercenaries vied for power until a new warlord would rise up.
No matter where one might go on the continent, nobody could hold land more than a day or two walk from their cities. Mercenaries roamed the land, and ones property would only remain as long as you had the strength to keep it from others who wanted it.
-----
IC
His eyes opened, gray orbs seeking the darkest shadows of the room, looking for any company he might have. Nothing. He rose from the stone table, and attempted to open a gateway beyond, only to find his way blocked. Frowning, he shook his head. "It seems I am stuck here until he elects to deal with me."
PP Expenditures
2 PP + 1 (Artifact) - Mold Land (Greater) - The continent of Novindus
1 PP - Guide Populace (Lesser) - Bring Elves to Novindus
1 PP - Guide Populace (Lesser) - Bring Humans to Novindus
1 PP - Nourish Populace (Lesser) - The people of Novindus rally into a wide variety of city-states
1 PP - Guide Populace (Lesser) - Bring Doppelgangers to Novindus
1 PP - Guide Populace (Lesser) - Bring Shadar-kai to Novindus
1 PP - Guide Populace (Lesser) - Bring Dwarves to Novindus
1 PP - Guide Populace (Lesser) - Bring Goblins to Novindus
1 PP + 1 (Artifact) - Shape Populace (Lesser) - Hobgoblins
1 PP (Artifact) - Guide Populace (Lesser) - Bring Orcs to Novindus
1 PP (Artifact) - Nourish Land - Breath life into Novindus
OOC
Reset will be up in the next 20 minutes or so
Me, Nerdzul, and a few others have come to think that maybe we should pull the plug, start LoC over, and get new admins. Also, we think that the rules need a change.
This may sound drastic, but we don't have to just stop. We could start the new thread, and still continue the old/new threads! That away, we have two instances of LoC running at once, meaning that those who wish to continue the old edition and finish the world can go on ahead, while the rest of us start anew, and some people maybe even post in both!
Just voicing what we think.
PP Refresh
8 - Veros
7 -
6 - Xirinet, Vymrl, Shurka, Mara, Hensen Jijou,
5 - Kiptar, Nixis, Hammu, Chroma
4 - Azor-Chapien, Starl, Honissia, Torvek
What rules are you thinking about?
The Agreement between the Nations of Latane and Free Nation,
1) The Latane will find a suitable habitable island off its coast that is part of its territory, with a sufficient harbor or make a sufficient harbor for Free Nation ships., and a fresh water supply. This island shall beknown as the "Foreign Trade Zone."
2) Free Nation vessels will be able to dock, load and unload goods, and embark and disembark crews at the Foreign Trade Zone. Free Nation citizens and ships will not be allowed anywhere else in Latane. The Free Nation shall pay for the construction and improvement of a harbor and port suitable for its vessels and to its specifications. Any dues paid by ships and customs shall go to pay for the cost of construction, and thereafter for maintenance of the harbor by an organization created by the Free Nation for said purpose.
3) Free Nation citizens on the island will be subject to Latane laws, while aboard their own ships to that of the flag entity.
4) The Free Nations agrees to do no further exploration of or around or over the continent of Ymo, to contact or make representations to other nations or groups on the continent of Ymo without the prior approval of the Latane.
5) The Foreign Trade Zone shall be the sole and exclusive location and means of trade. The Free Nations will not trade with any other nation or group in Ymo and Latane will not trade with any other foreign power outside of Ymo.
6) The Free Nations will only disclose to those that have a necessity the existence of Ymo, Latane, etc. In no way shall the existence be disclosed to foreign nations, groups, etc or be allowed to be found out, taken, or otherwise disseminated. The Free Nations will use best efforts to restrict other foreign powers from learning of Ymo. (OOC: No contact can be had in any way without express approval of the affected nation's player)
7) No technology or good from either nation may be traded to the other nation unless explicitly approved in specific memorandum. The tradee may trade any so-gained technology or good to a third party only with the express approval of the donor nation. (OOC: Express approval by originating player for any tech or good movement by any other player).
8) Latane will establish a consular office in the Foreign Trade Zone for the purpose of facilitating communications. The Free Nation will be allowed to establish an embassy office in the Foreign Trade Zone.
Indeed there concern was perhaps truer than they realized. Several times during the negotations a few ministers to the King insisted the best course of action was to kill the explorers and their escorts, erasing any knowledge of the country or continent. The King though, was still enticed by the idea of more money and wealth, an exclusivity that would better position his country against the others. It was through the hard and persistant work of Falis that the deal was finally made.
The island was selected by the Latane. It was off the edge of the prong of their *****ula, with a sheltered harbor that was naturally deep and could be easily dredged. The island was somewhat mountainous and had one larger than the rest, but fresh water was available and could be brought in via an aqueduct to the harbor. The Latane built the aqueduct with wood and sealed it with pitch and low level magic. To the Free Nation people building the port, it was absurdely primitive, but it was more than functional. The rest of the town would be built to the Latane specifications, with wooden houses and buildings clustered together and dirt streets.
Ironically, the Latane had to learn a modicum of boat experience to get goods from the island to the main land. There expertise was no where near the Free Nations, but it only had to be good enough.
Show
2 PP - Latane - Guide Populace (1 from Astral Orrery)- Learn coastal sailing and fishing.
2 PP - Mold Land - Create some Islands off the tip of the Latane *****ula, one being the island described above.
1 PP - Nourish Populace (from Exarch) - Latane
2 PP - Latane - Guide Populace (1 from Astral Orrery)- Learn coastal sailing and fishing.
2 PP - Mold Land - Create some Islands off the tip of the Latane *****ula, one being the island described above.
1 PP - Nourish Populace (from Exarch) - Latane
MassiveAttack, you just missed the cut-off, but I'll grandfather those actions over to last turn, since we've had such a disruption today.
Turn 48 begins now. 12,000 years have elapsed since the beginning of existence.
PP Refresh
8 - Veros
7 -
6 - Xirinet, Vymrl, Shurka, Mara, Hensen Jijou,
5 - Kiptar, Nixis, Hammu, Chroma
4 - Azor-Chapien, Starl, Honissia, Torvek
What rules are you thinking about?
Well, I personally just want to start again. Others said that they wanted some rule changes, I don't know what yet.
Why do you want to start again?
OOC
Why do you want to start again?
Me? Personally?
Well, personally, I just feel that currently we aren't going anywhere... It feel like things are somewhat at a standstill for me. This may also be a factor, but I'm getting bored with the current LoC and I think its time to start with some fresh blood.
Anyways, I wouldn't care about starting a new one either way. If I were to start a new one personally, I'd probably not play, and just stick to admining, as I'm getting played out myself.
If a majority of active players agrees (those on the reset list), I'd be happy to start a new one. The bookkeeping involved with all of the inactive gods is getting hard on me, and I've developed several bookkeeping tricks that would have been helpful early on had I known about them.
OOC
Anyways, I wouldn't care about starting a new one either way. If I were to start a new one personally, I'd probably not play, and just stick to admining, as I'm getting played out myself.
If a majority of active players agrees (those on the reset list), I'd be happy to start a new one. The bookkeeping involved with all of the inactive gods is getting hard on me, and I've developed several bookkeeping tricks that would have been helpful early on had I known about them.
Well, I was talking with Topheh on AIM earlier, and he said we could start a poll to see if we start again or not. That would work.
To Massive: hehe apparently the profanity filter cut off the name of the island :p
To Shadow \ Chapien:
I agree with the idea of a reboot of the game, aslo I think that the world is quite ready with many interesting place a rich background and so on. It is also becoming a little "crystallized" imho and unfriendly to new players.
Even if we stop anyway I'd love to see some kind of "Grand Finale" in the next few month if you agree (for example we can have the mortal races "cast away" the gods somehow so that they are free to choose their destiny on their own).
And a play by post game maybe (to get dirty and not lose the characters and myths), I have seen you testing some "battle grids" on the OOC thread right shadow? Gief hehe...
About new possible rules for the future I have a few ideas:
Show
Techs: like this the tech up of nations is going too slow imho, we can fix it by making learning new stuff faster. Or by creating "tech packs" or "culutral levels". I'll make a more detailed post about that idea in the future.
De-Actions: I think we should discourage this, using OOC thread (and some common sense) to ask for actions to be reverted if they really hurt some other player creations (like we did when we I made the artifact messing up with the souls and you asked me to erase it) or just find a way around the problem, as a counter-incentive we should make a de-action cost at least twice of a standard one.
Nations powers and war: First I think we should use the OOC post more to plan for wars and battle outcomes and also make a better rule framework for that (in confront of the one we have now). Same for divine conflict, I think we might find another way to work it out.
Power level and "levelling up": I think we can raise a little the general power level (by reducing the cost of stuff or increasing the point costs, more actions = more fun usually). Also the levelling up system should be made public (with some cautions to avoid "power playing").
Maybe the way of "ascending gods" can also be reworked to provide incentives for it.
The admin system: we should rework it imho, I'll write more about that in the next few days.
Techs: like this the tech up of nations is going too slow imho, we can fix it by making learning new stuff faster. Or by creating "tech packs" or "culutral levels". I'll make a more detailed post about that idea in the future.
De-Actions: I think we should discourage this, using OOC thread (and some common sense) to ask for actions to be reverted if they really hurt some other player creations (like we did when we I made the artifact messing up with the souls and you asked me to erase it) or just find a way around the problem, as a counter-incentive we should make a de-action cost at least twice of a standard one.
Nations powers and war: First I think we should use the OOC post more to plan for wars and battle outcomes and also make a better rule framework for that (in confront of the one we have now). Same for divine conflict, I think we might find another way to work it out.
Power level and "levelling up": I think we can raise a little the general power level (by reducing the cost of stuff or increasing the point costs, more actions = more fun usually). Also the levelling up system should be made public (with some cautions to avoid "power playing").
Maybe the way of "ascending gods" can also be reworked to provide incentives for it.
The admin system: we should rework it imho, I'll write more about that in the next few days.
I don't think is was the island name, just
p*e*n*i*n*s*u*l*a
Given what the first 5 letters spell.
As for techs, I had wanted to provide a sample list at several points, to give a general idea of what a guide could get you, and every time I began working on it, somebody talked me out of it. If we worked out such a list, I think placing limits on getting some things, like "must have XX first" would be the next step.
As for De-Actions, nations, and wars, it was always best to work it out OOC.
For providing more PP, that was why this game has turns twice a week rather than once a week. Everybody has twice as much PP in this game than they would have in the previous one. However, I could see increasing it slightly, or even creating a 'refresh rate', so to speak, where you gain X PP every day. As for the levelling system, I firmly beleive that putting that knowledge in player hands will result in power-gaming. I also want to place more limits on PP producing artifacts
For ascending gods, I'm all ears.
Anyways, this has been owed for a long time:
"AE-SYLVANI. I AM CHUKWA, EXARCH OF NIXIS. I COME BEARING A MESSAGE FROM THOSE WHOM YOU HAVE ATTACKED. WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE AETHER. WE SEEK NO QUARREL WITH YOU, YET YOU ATTACK US, WE WHO HAVE FLED THE SURFACE FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE. COME OUT AND SPEAK WITH US, THAT WE MAY SOLVE OUR MISCOMMUNICATION."
A Ae-Sylvani Druid came to the top of the trees, an older Druid but not one that was so old as to be frail. He was tall and strong. "So the rumours are true, you are the Zaratan that speaks but does not sing. The Ae-Sylvani are the true Children of the Aether since the beginning of the universe, and we are the only Children of the Aether.
You would so desecrate yourself by having worlders live on you, but you are a Zaratan and I can only respect that decision. But, that does not mean we will allow worlders to take over our Aether, consuming it and destroying it, and then it will only be inevitable they will come for us.
No, go back to where you came from Worlders, the Aether is not for you."
To Shadow:
About techs:
We can have 2 paralel systems.
1 Cultural levels: large packs of techs that represent the "standard" evolution (stone age, bronze age and so on) that are really free in form but grant basic knowledge of a lot of stuff (reading\writing, paper\other ways of writing, woodworking, stone working, some metal working and so on).
2 "Fantasy techs" (like flying vessels, spellcasting, teleportation, super powers, special, unique cultures and so on), and classes, left with the old system (maybe with the cost reduced to 1 point).
For Wars and so on: yes but since we did not manage to do that in the last few conflicts some more rules might help I think.
For PP, maybe a daily accrual would be nice, but without the need for a reset (just a single post with accrued PP for each god) and without PP deacy for not using them (even if that will need some work to balance).
A public, simplyfied formula might help much imho (we can also just make all actions matter in the same way). Trust your players, they are here to have fun in a world creation thread after all...
With an higher PP production rate we can also scrap the idea of artifats and exarchs granting point (so that the incentive to produce them will only be the one of adding new cool things to the world)
For ascending gods we can say that, for example, ascended gods and their "parent" gain some PP bonus (a small one) in confront of "self-ascended" ones. So that ppl will have the choice between being stronger, but with some kind of "debt". Or be slightly weaker but totally independent.
Also I think that we should increase a little the PP bonus for new players.
Now I'll go to sleep for real hehe. Good Night :p
I see what you mean with the techs, and that could be fairly workable, if we balance it carefully.
For the PP, you're right. We would no longer need the reset, just a daily post listing how much each god currently has from their accrual, which means we could still have admin awards once or twice a week. As for decay, there is no need, we just intgrate the current system in reverse, with it indicating the maximum you can hold.
There are some players I trust, and there are others I don't. Unless we screen players, something I would never stand for (some of the previous admins didn't want to let some current players in, for example), we would eventually have a problem.
I could also see integrating a slight bonus into the formula for those who ascend gods, as well as those that get ascended. However, I wouldn't consider stating that all new gods after the first 5-10 must be ascended a bad idea either.
Regarding a daily PP system--I agree with Shadow. There should be a cap on how much total you can gather. This cap can be raised by activity (note: raising pp generation itself wouldn't work as well in a daily system-- e.g. a 2 pp per day god is way more powerful than a 1 pp per day god). Bonus PP wouldn't count towards the cap.
I like the idea of giving an incentive to birth a god--it's expensive early game.
Techs--not sure what to do here, tech trees will be quickly become hated by players for not allowing creativity. Having said that, it is pretty absurd that some nations got "advanced architecture" without ever getting "architecture." Anyways, I do think there should be tiered *costs* for techs.
Finally, artifacts. May need work. Notice how almost no 1PP mortal level artifacts were created (and many of those that were created were way too powerful for players in an RPG game). In an daily PP system, the producer artifacts would also need to be reduced (accounting nightmare) or just not allowed. Not sure on this.
OOC
I don't think is was the island name, just
p*e*n*i*n*s*u*l*a
Given what the first 5 letters spell.
Penin? I wasn't aware that's a bad word :P
You bring up an excellent point, MassiveAttack. During our early considerations on starting the game, I breifly interjected an idea that PP costs be reversed, to a degree, for the first many turns. This would make earthshaking changes easy early on, and populaces and such expensive, then reversing it at a co-operatively chosen time. I was outvoted on that. It would and could be an acceptable change in my eyes.
For the PP generation per day, yes 2/day is too much. I was thinking of taking a certain amount of decimals into play. For example, I'm sitting at 8 PP officially. In reality, I'm getting 8.09 PP per turn, but the remainder is wasted. Another example would be Tsaroka-Noggoth. last official PP gain was 6. Camu was actually getting 6.41 PP per turn. Kiptar - 5. Actual - 5.71.
Currently, that remainder is simply discarded in all cases. However, in a daily refresh method, we could allo this partial PP to accumulat as well, so the direct variations in are more gradual and less of a sudden jump. It would also give people a small indication of exactly how far they are along.
And costing more/less for techs is certainly implementable. We currently have a Lesser and Greater tier. No reason we couldn't divide techs among those, and expand it to include a moderate tier.
1 PP artifacts we almost not included in the system at all. I had to argue and cajole the other admins to leave them in, sighting that they make excellent fluff material. As for PP producing artifacts, I have a simple fix, that makes them managable and weakens them. They provide their PP once per week.
And Mechalibur, I spelled it correctly, but I'd be willing to bet that Massive didn't. I know I frequently have to correct myself and add that extra n.
Edit: You just answered that in the last post... I should read more carefully...
If we end up doing a "Grand Finale," I'm thinking of a Ragnorak-like end. Meaning a big battle between two different sides... that would be pretty epic.
I rather like that idea, shadow. It would be less flat numbers and be more interesting. Divinity can have it's randomness as well.
...who IS this guy?
He was a player early in the game. Last post was turn 15, so about 4 months ago.
The system does need some changing, and the dropping of the decaying pp rule is a plus. But we need to figger something out for how to cap it. Imagine if a player stopped playing for a month and then came back and took over existence...
I'm interested in this "tech" idea. Kinda like dividing a number into it's factors, but in reverse.
Sort of like a talent tree in WoW (for those that play), or a root system. If you choose a certain type of progression, you can gain new forms of technology in the same vein while losing the opportunity to gain others.
The corpses of the dead adventurers and inhabitiants of the forest in the northern most reaches of Azora rise up as undead, making the forest even more dangerous. The undead alos occasionally leave the forest and attack the living.
PP
1 PP Spawn: Various undead appear in the forest in northern Azora.
Hi Ythrexle, good to see you
Well, lets at least have a vote on this... otherwise we'll just have confusion. PM me your vote before Next Sunday (8/16) (changed to let people on vacation and the rest chime in) and we'll see where we stand.
As for the rules suggestions...
Moondoggy has a great point, that we dont want someone (like him) to dissapear for 4 months, then come back with 200 some PP and level the world in a single turn just because he's been 'asleep'. Personally, I would see no problem with providing a hard cap for every god at say... 50 or 75 PP. The people who are getting more/day are likely playing more often, so they wont reach the cap, and those who are leaving for a time will come back with a fine amount of PP, but not an Earthshattering one. Or maybe allow a 2 or 3 week well of power to accumulate.
For the Techs... I could come up with several systems, but they'd be pains to monitor... basically, the older a tech, the less PP it costs to transfer it over. So by now, agriculture would be free to learn via trade, while airship-building would be more.
Actually, the tech-bunches idea works for me too... after a certain time, assume that anyone with a reasonable connection to other races have manged to get a certain set of techs.
And Massive, yes, a development thread, or even a few IRC chats would do us good.
Back to my movie
For PP Cap I think we should have an higher one, so that there is no penality for being off for a couple of weeks or so... let's say x15 or x20 of your daily amount can work nicely.
I'd prefer to start as 2 PP per day (or even more), no matter if they are much, the players are gods after all and so speeding up the creation process might be nice.
A tech tree will be super hard to balance and will require a lot of work to be created and considered fair. Also will prevent people from adding unique stuff to the game. So I'm totally against it...
I like the idea of various ages with different PP costs for the actions (but we should balance that really well in order for it to work).
The system I propose is easy to track imho:
All culture start at the same "level", like stone age: 0. Then after a certain number of guides they gradually learn bronze age techs (real life techs are the most booring to gain imho and a flat system can work for them), if their god does not want them to learn something he can just state it (after all the purpose is not to create a stronger civilization but a coolest one. So if we want a stone age civ with powerful magics we can just stop giving them "standard tech" guides and invest all in "fluff fantasy techs") As an example I want my civilization to have a dislike for metal based weapons I can just decide that they get to the cultural level of "Iron age" but fluff the way they gain it by shaping wood with magic and so on.
Fantasy techs\classes, given with the old system (maybe at 1 PP cost) and some common sense used in giving it (metal stuff requires a culture that can shape metal for example).
Also about the PP extra gain per turn and levellin up, Do we really need it? The old players will still have an advantage in having a lot more "invested" points. And with the daily pp it will be complex to calculate fractions of extra power. Or we can keep it marginal with like +1 or +2 point max granted at the end of the week as a bonus.
Same for artifacts that provide PP: do we really need them?
About divine conflict and combat system: what if we organize some kind of divine "pantheon" Olympus style that find a way to settle differences away from combat? Like a contest of champions, creativity a trial, something like the "golden apple" beauty contest that caused the destruction of Troy would be cool imho.
Also the level of knowledge of the gods, while omniscence might be too much I think that we should have them know a lot more stuff (who hold a domain for example), keeping them oblivious only of things that are made purposely secret by the other gods.
Finally about the "mortal stories" and "IC" difference I think we can change how they works.
with IC also including diplomacy for example (unless they require special care) and anything done by the gods.
And mortal stories including only "epic tales", organized as free form play by posts when the whole comunity plays one or more specific event or adventure in the world planned in the OOC section and than plaied in the mortal part with various roles to the interested players and so on.
For example I was thinking to start a new tale with Mechalibur about unshaped demons trying (and maybe briefly succeding) to corrupt Eorna, we could have all the interested players partecipate it, playing different characters of the story. Me with the demons or some "free nation themed helper", Mecha playing humite governaments and heroes, shadow with the loremasters called for help, Chapien with the knights that are there and are willing to help, Graxith as assassins working for the demons and so on, and what if for example a solution might be hidden only in the laboratories of the Iron State or in the "self-blocaded" Ymo and so on.
Btw what if we keep the old LoC up using this last concept (after all the world is already quite rich and finalized).
Shadow, you said that you might admin, but not play. I feel that is a good idea, since then you, knowing the formula, might be tempted to power-game some. That removes that possibility.
I also think that automatic tech promotions are a good idea.
All in all, this is a vote to start a new game.
I keep seeing people say this world is already rich and finalized. Not really. There isn't a whole lot in the aether. We've got the inner world, with only a single continent and a few islands south of it. There are three continets with little development at all.
The world is already quite rich and soon will reach a state of "crystallization", with most of it in the hands of the older gods there is not much space for new players (most of the domains are already covered by the eldest gods, that want to be abslute masters of their relam of influence, there is at least one that have 5 greater domains...). The diplomacy of the surface is naturally evolving toward a "grand alliance" that will create an permanent peace (unless Veros, the only one having real power there, wants to screw it the others are just semi spectators).
The inner world is nice even now imho, having lesss features is not a disadvantage I think.
To Topheh: btw what do you want to do? Are you oke with a restart (some time screw "diplomacy" and try to gief an opinion pls :p)?
And ppl gief more "votes" on the public forum, its better here than trough PM's (debate is easier if you tell what you think to the others).
EDIT TO AVOID DOUBLE POSTING: what if we start making different theads btw, one for this LoC and another for the eventual future one? To shadow: what have they replied to you about the location of this thead? So that we can restart the "normal" life of this LoC...
They haven't replied yet.
Less features? The inner world has exactly one feature. One continent.
As for the surface diplomacy, it's only heading that way because . . . you know, I'm not going to bother here.
As for 5 greater domains, that would be me, and there are only 3 of them that I care about, as they are the gods core identity. I couldn't care less about there being another time god (which there is), and I'm more than willing to pass death onto somebody else that wants it, assuming the general picutre of the afterlife remains consistent.
They haven't replied yet.
I imagined that hehe sloow replies ;p plus it is saturday\sunday so I guess we should give them more time...
Less features? The inner world has exactly one feature. One continent.
With a few nice races, some geographical features, a few "preserved" races, the north pole passage and so on...
As for the surface diplomacy, it's only heading that way because . . . you know, I'm not going to bother here.
I know that it is going that way as something natural, there was the invasion and for sure the nations will seek some kind of alliance I have nothing against the fact that this is a normal evolution... but the resoults will be the ones I predict anyway (making everything more static). Also it is a little hard to create new stuff there, look what happened with Incarnation End, his civilization got destroyed and his stuff erased in a sec...
As for 5 greater domains, that would be me, and there are only 3 of them that I care about, as they are the gods core identity. I couldn't care less about there being another time god (which there is), and I'm more than willing to pass death onto somebody else that wants it, assuming the general picutre of the afterlife remains consistent.
The last point proves that you want the 4th one too, should another god of death comes out he will want to do as he likes with his domains, but he could not due to the "fixed afterlife". And since you workded that much to make it I think it would be unfair to have your job erased...
Also Vymrl has many domains for example, with Ice, Time, War and you are not the only two with multiple domains (all considered "core")
The preserved races are not on the continent. They are in the aether, techically. And there is a south pole passage as well, though it has no land that I know of, just glacier.
Anyways, I was anticipating no reply until monday.
Edit: A reminder, we are still playing here.
Personally I think I shall put on hold my parts of the MS (to avoid confusion hehe) but I'll make a few actions later or tomorrow...
Nerdzul
I think as long as we clearly label what is what and who it's addressed too (as I did above), we should be fine even with MS in this thread.
Ok, so I'll go on with this.
MS
A single ship came from port, moving close to the Free Nation vessel. As it came close, it hailed them, indicating that it was going to come along side.
The Free Nations ship followed the Meribian one, showing no aggressivity, on the upper bridge an officer showed up, ready to talk to the Meribians should they ask for that.
Nerdzul
An old dwarf looked at the the free nationers from his own vessel. "Your people aren't that welcome in these waters, my friend. What are you here for?"
Shadow
"We are here to try to fix that matter, my friend. For we seek no emnity with the continent. And I think that the cinder of the war might have become cold after so much time so that our people can begun a productive relation."
Nerdzul
"Thats the problem with you short lived folk. You don't live long enough to understand how we think. We dwarves have long memories, and longer grudges."
He shook his head and turned away. "Feel free to dock, but your on your own in anybody decides to set upon you."
Two questions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1) Do you want to restart now or in the near future?
2) Regardless of what you answered above, were we to restart, when would you like to restart? (immediately, one week, one month...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For me:
1) Not particularly... I'm still having fun, and there are still open areas. I'd probably give a different answer in about 3 months or so
I AM a fan of starting to talk about what changes we want to make to the next one, though.2)If we were to restart, I like the idea of going out with a bang, so I'd vote we end it one month from today.
Once we do decide when we're gonna restart, we should talk about a number of issues including how we pick admins, what the process is for disputing rulings, things like that.
1) I think we should (however I'll keep playing at this one for as long as it last).
2) I agree with Topheh, one month with a "Grand Finale" to the story (not ones that destroy the world, but that end the gods influence on it might me nice).
MS
Shadow
"Very well, I hope there will be no need for me to defend myself, is there any chance for us to be able to meet the Magnate or another representative?"
1. Not really.
2. I don't see a reason to end this one either way.
MS
Nerdzul
"Unlikely. The magnates are away at the moment, and would probably deny an audience either way."
"We came here with the purpose of settling our difference, to avoid the possibility of a future war. And we would like to have a talk with any representative of the governament anyway... We can wait for the Magnate if needed..."
Nerdzul
The dwarf shrugged. "Get us back to port."
As the crew scurried to work, he turned back around. "Wait as long as you'd like. As I said, just don't blame me for anything that happens to you. I've given you fair enough warning."
The free nations crew sent a few diplomats to land on at the port to seek Meribians authorities.
IC
After the Thousand Masks reported about the continental meeting the Free Nations decided that they should find a way to create another alliance, to avoid isolation and counterbalance the Loremaster-influenced power on the main land.
Inviting representatives from Beacon, the Imperium, Azora, The Iron states and Alexandria to Freedomguard for a common council of like-minded nations.
Meanwhile the Desryon is moved to the southern seas, near to Ymo and the new trading post, to allow for a faster movemnts of goods between Latane and Bloodmyst. The Free Nations decided to fully honor their part of the bargaign keeping the trading with Ymo a secret known only to the few merchants involved and high ranking members of the government. And using the Thousand Masks combined with their ritual magic to keep the eyes of foreigners away.
In order to help enforcing the deal a small fleet is dispatched using the Desiryon to create a blockade around the coasts of Ymo, the ships was barely visible from the coast line in order to reduce the possibility (without making it impossible) of contact beween the Free Nations and other powers in the continent.
With the new pact between Hensen and the Herald producing its effects the Drahkorn numbers begun to increase again after millennia of stagnation.
PP
2 PP Nourish the Drahkorn.
1 PP Nourish (From Bloodstones) the Free Nations
2 PP Nourish the Drahkorn.
1 PP Nourish (From Bloodstones) the Free Nations
Nerdzul
The diplomats found there presence in the port unwelcome. The local guard had turned out, ostensibly claiming to be there to protect them from the crowds, but they did nothing to prevent the rotten fruit, spit, and worse that was hurled at the them, only stepping up if something lethal appeared. And there were two lethal attempts as they made their way through the city, incendiary devices. Despite their clear dislike of the free nationers, the guards did their duty, and several were seriously injured by the devices.
Finally, the diplomats made it to the saftery of the city administrative buildings, where the local council had gathered to meet them. "Our men say you're hear to to start some sort of relation ship?"
OOC
A reminder, every mainland nation got invited to the Meribia/Sivera meeting. Also, Nerdzul, the Loremasters aren't involved in it in anyway. They are having . . . other problems at the moment.
In a seperate thought, since when would the Thousand Masks have any kind of presence on the mainland. Aren't they pretty new?
A reminder, every mainland nation got invited to the Meribia/Sivera meeting. Also, Nerdzul, the Loremasters aren't involved in it in anyway. They are having . . . other problems at the moment.
Yes the are not (I have red nothing about them in the IC so I know that), however after the called the whole world against the Imperium-Free Nations alliance the FN forces tend to consider them "manipulators behind the thrones" in the continent.
Btw mind that trading with Meribia and silvera was one of the clauses of the peace theatry with the Loremasters. Also if I remember well the Free Nations never directly attacked Meribia, they fought with the dwarven army briefly but after it was more the Meribians attacking Free Nations forces in Terena than the opposite...
Thousand Masks are are quite new yes... but with 250 years I think that they had plenty of time to act (and I think that they are almost the only rogues in the world at the moment hehe).
MS
"Yes we are, If your people are ready for that of course... I think that there has being a little misunderstanding among our cultures..."
Nerdzul
"From appearances, our peopple want next to nothing to do with you. The perace deal that was came to stated that we would be open to trade, but we will not force our people to trade with you."
The councilors nodded. "Only the magnates have the authority and good will of the people to enforce such a thing, and they are away, visiting foreign nations, last I heard."
OOC
They co-ordinated it, true. Either way, the Thousand Masks don't belong on the mainland. It took me 7 PP to ge the loremasters into their locations, and they still don't have enclaves in every nation on the continent. There are no loremaster enclaves in Beacon, the Iron State, or Naru. I don't think they have enclaves in Alexandria either. (And they are the third rogues in the world. Doppels and Gnomes beat them to the punch. . . which reminds me that I haven't done anything with the doppels in a while.)
As for the Loremaster troubles, they have to do with a IC affair that Tophep is closing in on, but we haven't reached yet. Essentially, those members in the keep are temporarily unable to leave.
oh well as usual I forgot that while dopples can infiltrate the Free Nations and kill their leaders for free, knowing instantly that the Unshaped has discovered that and adapting at instant speed to any change in strategy that I made, the things that I create are useless... Like a spy ring that does nothing for real... stupid me in beliving otherwise...
Btw was the convocation on the continent a secret in the first place?
Nvm about the mortal stories, I'll end it and figure out a way of end the problem posed to me by Meribia, the Loremasters and Silvera...
The problem with Topheh is quite minor I think so it will not last for much hehe...
MS
"Yes we have seen that, we also understood that diplomatic deals with Meribia or the Loremasters can't really be trusted as they tend to be void in meaning. We will mind that in the future. "
Nothing controlled by me ever infiltrated your nation for free. The only place they ever came into conflict and/or killed anything was in Terena, in the middle of the war. There are no doppelgangers in the Free Nation proper.
The meeting would only be known about by the rulers that were contacted and anyone they chose to inform. Within Meribia and Sivera, yes it was a semi-secret. People know the rulers are away, but the reason for them being away is a matter of speculation and rumor.
MS
The councilor shook his head. "We wish to uphold it. The peopple think otherwise. If you wish to change the people's opinions, it will take time, effort, and a show of good will. They do not trust you, and simply showing up on our doorstep with a fleet, non-hostile or not, does not help your case."
"Speaking with the magnates is one manner of showing them your good intentions. I have heard that they may return to the city of Meribia within a month. The city is two weeks away on foot. If you'd like, we can arrange for an escort to Meribia, and you can wait for the magnates to return."
Btw how long does the dwarves lives here? The war was like millennia ago and the Free Nations never directly attacked Meribia or caused any significant losses (de-nourishes) to them. where does so much hate comes from?
Btw after the end of this mortal stories I'll eventually have Free Nations diplomat ask the Loremaster, as they word apparently does not deserve to be trusted, to leave Bloomyst Archipelago, I'll denourish them only if a direct conflict is involved.
However since I'll be off for a while starting from wednsday I think that will have to wait...
IC
Hensen moved away from the palace of Xa'an, to look for Mara on the dark side of the moon, calling for her.
MS
"I guess that not coming at all would have not helped that too..."
"Well working to achieve your part of the deal should be your responsability right? The war ended a millennium ago if I remember well... Anyway as a token of our good intentions we will wait for the Magnate to be back"
IC:
Nixis flashed a smile at the girl.
"What, not good enough?"
Nixis snapped his fingers and the book from earlier reappeared in his hand. He looked at it for a moment, admiring the craftsmanship, then, his form flowed into and over the book, wrapping it in letters and letting a part of himself flow into the book. In only took a few moments, but when he was done and returned to his own form, the book remained levitating in air. Then, Nixis spoke to it.
"I name you Enoch, Awaken!"
With that, the book spoke.
"I hear and obey, Nixis, god of stories. I shall assist those who need me to grow stronger."
Nixis turned to the girl. "Well, can you do that? Anyways, what shall we call you? Girl doesn't work too well, and 'The Keep' is... well, formal."
"He's not one for formality," Enoch muttered.
PP
3 PP: Ascend Exarch: Enoch the Book: A book of knowledge, animated by Nixis that helps guide people to the most efficient use of their resources. Provides nourish PP.
3 PP: Ascend Exarch: Enoch the Book: A book of knowledge, animated by Nixis that helps guide people to the most efficient use of their resources. Provides nourish PP.
She grinned widely. "No, I don't think I can do that."
She studied him for a moment. "What to call me? The mortals call me Loremaster's Keep. The only other name I have seen in records talk bout giants. Apparently, they called me a blight on the land, but I don't think that really applies either. What do you think?"
She walked over to the window of the room, reaching towards the window lightly with her hand, her touch never quite reaching the glass. "I wish I could figure out why I keep doing that."
MS
Nerdzul
"We did not make a deal. The loremasters made the deal, and while we take their advice, the people are the rulers of Meribia, not scholars locked away in their keep to the south. As I said, if you are to trade her, you will need the good will of the people, and they will need to know the magnates support this."
The meribians were good to their word, providing a strong honor guard to insure the diplomats made it to Merbia safely. During their long wait in Meribia, they were given almost unlimited access to the palace and the floating island it rested upon. After about a month and a half, they heard that the magnates were returning.
Within the day, they were informed that the magnates Myria and Darin were awaiting their arrival in the grand audience chamber. If the whispers among the guards were to be beleived, there was another with them, though nobody recognized the strange visitor.
OOC
Dwarves live the same length as in the PHB, so they make as much as 200 years. But they've got a long racial memory. Shorlty after their creation, I used a guide to give them a specific historical objective. They formed the loremasters originally. Dwarves keep careful and specific records, carved in solid stone. They hold grudges far longer than we do. They recognize that you aided their second oldest racial enemy in a war against their closest ally.
Nixis looked at the girl.
"What about something like Chastelli? It has the strength of the keep in it, but retains a certain level of personality that you most certainly have."
Nixis paused as the girl reached out towards the window.
"Have you ever been outside these walls?" he asked softly, watching her pull her hand back. The thought of being trapped in a single place was horrid to him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Convincer was walking down the road when suddenly the laughter returned, driving him to the ground as the Staff of Earth flared hot. He staggered to his feet after about a minute, holding his head as the laughter faded to a chuckle and then faded further. Disconcertingly, it never really dissapeared.
PP
1 PP: From Convincer: Guide Populace: Vampires move into old Terena and form the vanguard around the frozen form of the Mournelord.
1 PP: From Staff of Earth: Mold Land(lesser): Old Terena is completely excavated as the dome between the new city above and old city below hardens even further to support the loss of earth. The old city has basically become a pale, undead shadow of the vibrant city above.
1 PP: From Convincer: Guide Populace: Vampires move into old Terena and form the vanguard around the frozen form of the Mournelord.
1 PP: From Staff of Earth: Mold Land(lesser): Old Terena is completely excavated as the dome between the new city above and old city below hardens even further to support the loss of earth. The old city has basically become a pale, undead shadow of the vibrant city above.
She turned back to him. "That sounds like a great name."
Chastelli turned back to the window, feeling the wall of force at her finger tips, noting the mortals down below unable to peirce a similar veil over the front gate. He gaze lowered. "No. I can't leave these walls. I've tried and tried, but it never works."
"Well, I guess it makes some sort of sense. You *are* the keep, so even if you appear to be a little girl, you can't go beyond where you... the keep... are."
Nixis considered for a moment... as the keep, Chastelli couldn't exactly change herself at ease. She would need to work through intermediates. Then, a thought came to mind:
"Do the Loremasters know you exist?"
She nodded glumly. "Just because it makes sense doesnm't make it fair."
She shooked her head and pulled her hand back, the wall vanishing. Far below, themortals could move through the castle gate once more. "No need to keep them locked up just because I am."
She turned away from the window and leaned into the wall, sinking to the groun. "Do they know about me? I don't think so. One of them saw me once, and they spent three days trying to catch me. It was fun for a while, but it got boring."
"Then you and I have more in common than we thought. I spent my first few days taunting the Loremasters with glimpses of myself. They hunted for me for days on end. They're kinda boring though... didn't want to take a joke. Good call staying out of their way."
Nixis stopped rambling, finally hearing what Chastelli had said.
"What did you mean by 'keeping them locked up'?"
She frowned. "If I can't go out, why should they be able to? I've kept the doors and windows blocked, so they had to stay inside, and keep me company. Even if they don't know I'm here."
She looked up at him. "Sometimes I let them go anyways, but not usually. It's not helping though. They are just getting grumpy and angry. Some of them are starting to do magic that hurts."
Nixis fell into thought, and Enoch spoke up.
"If I may, I think it is possible that the Loremasters themselves might hold the key to moving you. My pages have vague references to old and powerful magics. My own advice would be to confront the Loremasters and not let them leave until they have provided you with a solution."
Nixis nodded. It *was* certainly an option...
She shivered a bit. "It's not really attacking me, so to speak. I think they are trying to force their way out."
She lowered her head. "It's my own fault, I guess, for keeping them here."
She looked back up, giving the book an odd look. "Who asked you?"
"Sorry, that was mean. Do I really have to confront them?"
2) I would personally prefer that it ended with a status quo. A war between the God´s an horrible event of some sort, something that people would actually enjoy to be a part of.
The big thing with this setting is the Gods after all. They are the most developed parts of the setting and I would personally find it sad and something of a dissapointment if the Gods would no longer be able to influence the world they have created and shaped together.
I would rather propose that we created some type of greater threat to the mortal world, an enjoyable major plot element of some sort.
1): Ok, thought about it a bit. For me, starting a new game would provide a new opportunity, since I have discovered that I kind of pigeonholed my god into a specific form. Starting again to create something with a bit more freedom would be nice.
2): Some kind of ending would be nice, something to provide closure. Maybe something that results from the messing with time?
IC
Kiptar looked out at the world. It was growing more and more complex with each pasing eon. Eventually, it wondered, would there be any more need of gods? Would it and its kind leave, and let the mortals be their own gods? It watched, brooding.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Show
2 pp: Nourish Populace(Gears): Iron State grows, especially the dragons.
4 pp: 2 Guide populace(Greater): Iron State learns Astronomy and discover ways to survive for short periods in the aether, using rituals and alchemical substances.
1 pp: Guide Populace(Lesser)(City of Gears): Aether-ships from Aether Home find Chukwa and the settlement on his back.
2 pp: Nourish Populace(Gears): Iron State grows, especially the dragons.
4 pp: 2 Guide populace(Greater): Iron State learns Astronomy and discover ways to survive for short periods in the aether, using rituals and alchemical substances.
1 pp: Guide Populace(Lesser)(City of Gears): Aether-ships from Aether Home find Chukwa and the settlement on his back.
Heya, if I remember well you plaied in the old LoC, will you be interested in starting a new one (gief reply in Ad Interim LoC post if you are :P)?
I wish you all luck with the next game. I'm afraid I cannot join you in it, as my schedule is rather full since most of you last heard from me. I now only manage to check the wizards board once a week at best, and usually only long enough to notice home brew has nothing in particular catching my eye this moment(which means about a minute).
With that in mind, I respectfully decline and request my removal from any and all lists of potential players.
Just posting this here to save future attempts at my inclusion the effort:
I wish you all luck with the next game. I'm afraid I cannot join you in it, as my schedule is rather full since most of you last heard from me. I now only manage to check the wizards board once a week at best, and usually only long enough to notice home brew has nothing in particular catching my eye this moment(which means about a minute).
With that in mind, I respectfully decline and request my removal from any and all lists of potential players.
Oki I got that...
2. A month sounds good.
1) Yes, I think we should, and I think it would be a good idea to restart (yay for redundancy)
2) I think we should restart ASAP. Don't know if I could hold out a month...
Angel, why not start the talk about the next version as soon as we know about when we're stopping this one? Make a thread called "Lords of Creation 3: Definin' Da Rulz" and have a month (or whatever we choose) to hash it out before we even have the pressure to get a new game started up.
And Shadow: Any response from the staff yet?
IC:
Nixis looked at Chastelli.
"I think you do, Chastelli. Eventually, they'll either force their way out, causing you unknown amounts of pain in the process, or run out of food and die. In the end, both result in you being left alone, and then you will never find a solution. Reveal yourself, and together you might be able to find a solution. If you want a bargaining chip, take this."
Nixis pulled out the Astral Shard and tossed it to Chastelli.
"This will provide some help. It will help you to create any artifacts you might need to effect a solution. Just say my name and I will come to assist you in its creation. But for now... yes, I think you should go and talk to them."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chukwa paused, listening to the Ae-Sylvani's response, then replied.
"I HEAR YOUR CONCERN, ELDER ONES. BUT THERE IS NO NEED TO FEAR. I WAS WITH NIXIS WHEN HE CREATED THE YOGLOIDS, AND MODELED THE TREES ON THEIR BACKS ON THE SAME PATTERN. THEY DO NOT FEED ON THE AETHER ITSELF, BUT ON THE RAPIDLY REPRODUCING FUNGUS CREATED IN THE FIRST DAYS BY TSAROKGA-NOGGOTH, THEN CALLED THE UNKNOWN. UNLESS THE POPULATION GREW TO A HUGE LEVEL, THEY COULD NOT DEPLETE THE AETHER IF THEY TRIED.
BUT I OFFER YOU A COMPROMISE. ALLOW THESE POOR REFUGEES TO LIVE HERE IN THE BOUNDLESS AETHER WITH YOU, LET THEM LIVE ON A FEW OF THE YOGLOIDS. I SHALL INSTRUCT THEM TO PREVENT UNNECCESSARY DUPLICATION BY MANAGING THE YOGLOID'S ABILITY TO FEED. IN THE MEANTIME, I PROPOSE THAT YOU SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DESTROY ANY NON-INHABITED YOGLOID. SURELY A FEW MEAGER COLONIES IS NOT NEARLY SO GREAT A THREAT AS THE DRAHKORN, OR THE TSAROK, WHO TEEM IN VAST NUMBERS IN THE AETHER."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Children of the Aether continued to thrive, bolstered by their new lands and opportunities. And in isolated areas on the various Yogloids, small colonies of creatures appeared called Xarns. Looking like small squids, they had the unique ability to breathe in either air or aether and breathe out the opposite gas. Regarded as dangerous pests by the Children, their numbers never grew beyond a handful on any given amoeba, although by the same token, they never were able to be wiped out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Circle, while genuinely working with the Alexandrian leadership to track down the creators of Angel's Draught, also used the time to learn more about the inner workings of the council of the Sundered Crown, and grew stronger.
pp
1 PP (from Chukwa): Nourish Populace: The Children of the Aether expand further onto the Yogloids.
1 PP: Spawn Creature (lesser): Xarns. Small squid-like animals that can live in either aether or air.
1 PP: Nourish Populace: The Circle becomes more experienced in working with the Alexandrians, and grows in power as a result.
1 PP (from Chukwa): Nourish Populace: The Children of the Aether expand further onto the Yogloids.
1 PP: Spawn Creature (lesser): Xarns. Small squid-like animals that can live in either aether or air.
1 PP: Nourish Populace: The Circle becomes more experienced in working with the Alexandrians, and grows in power as a result.
I can wait a month, seeing as I've been AWOL for far to long anyways. I wish my computer hadn't gotten stolen, I liked where my people and God were going. Oh well, c'est la vie, dust in the wind and all that.
I can help keep the new wiki going if we decide to do another one. I'm only part-time now so I have a lot of time on hand.
No mod response, no. I'll get the new threads open tommorrow around refresh time.
IC
Topheh:
Catching the shard, she looked down at the floor, rubbing the floor with her foot. "If you insist, I'll talk to them."
The monoliths was each exactly thirty feet high, their smooth surface covered with a thin web-like writing signs.
Wherever the stones were set the lands around began to change, growing more fertile, warmer to the degree that lush forests began to appear along the continents frozen shoreline.
The warmth spread and soon lush forests covered the continent as a whole. In the following centuries the frozen tundras of Zophar was replaced with vast pine, spruce and birch forests. Only the most northern parts of the land remained as they had once been.
Wildlife appeared, spirited away from other continents and soon Zophar was home to vast multitudes of lives.
Nourish Land 2- Turning Zophar´s tundras to one, vast forest that nearly covers the continent as a whole and populating it with an abundance of wild-life.
Aldii, did you really turn the continent on the north pole into a tropical land?
I was slightly confused when I wrote that, I thought Zophar was my island chain, so I changed the post slightly instead.
I think it would have been great to have a tropical paradise on the north pole, supported by magical pylons. I could imagine great adventures when those pylons fail, either temporarially or permanantly
OOC:
I think it would have been great to have a tropical paradise on the north pole, supported by magical pylons. I could imagine great adventures when those pylons fail, either temporarially or permanantly
Hehe that looks cool, much like Ungoro Crater in Wow...
Anyway starting tomorrow I'll be off for a week or so (maybe I'll manage to log once from an internep point but I'm not that sure about that).
I'll post my actions for this reset (and the one for the next this morning) than go quiet for a while. I'll put on hold any long term plans (like the Kruthick) until we decide what to do with this LoC.
IC
Within the laboratories of Qar'Daks a group of rogue spellcaster begun to work on the application of a magic learnt from the Iron State and the Imperium. While necromancy is seen as a dark art even in the Free Nations, in Qar'Dask there is no limit posed to research and so the first living dead begin to walk into into the subterran city halls.
In order to pay for expencive alchemical reagents and to gain access to the best materials and knowledge the necromancers of Qar'Dask begun employing animated death as cheap workforce to allow a mass production of food and goods.
The Blacksmithing guild too managed to acquire a little of its trading partners mastery in creating new armor and begun to equip the army with new metal protections.
Meanwhile with the still growing need for new metal to equip the army and build new ships the council of Freedomguard decided that they could not allow themselves to depend on trade to gain the required resources. Since Bloodmyst Archipleago lack rich deposits of metal (due to the Bloodstone contamination), they decided to begin investigating the underdark, seeking for its treasures.
Using a combination of magic, luck and a strong force of will they managed to create a large tunnel going deep under the earth, creating a permanent passage to the Underdark. Called the "Stairways to the Shadows" this large tunnel complex soon became the core of a new city state.
In their Chillhund lair the Possessed Ones continue their experiments with dragons and managed to create new "hybrid" creatures to serve their dark will.
Created as a gift for a would be impersonator the Mask of Shades, was an arcane item capable of altering the user appearance and even mannerism, however only the Mask itself can decide to return the user to his original form, a rare act, or leave it to wear the stolen appearance forever.
PP
1 PP Guide (From Aether Ripples) - The Free Nations Learn Necromancy (Warforged\Imperium)
1 PP Guide - The Free Nations learn Armorsmithing (many)
1 PP Guide - The Free Nations begin to explore the Underdark
2 PP Spawn Paragon Creature: dragonspawn.
1 PP Mold (from Bloodstones): the "Stairways to the Shadows", a large tunnel complex leading to the underdark is created in Bloodmyst Archipelago.
1 PP Create (from the Wondermaker), the Mask of Shades.
1 PP Guide (From Aether Ripples) - The Free Nations Learn Necromancy (Warforged\Imperium)
1 PP Guide - The Free Nations learn Armorsmithing (many)
1 PP Guide - The Free Nations begin to explore the Underdark
2 PP Spawn Paragon Creature: dragonspawn.
1 PP Mold (from Bloodstones): the "Stairways to the Shadows", a large tunnel complex leading to the underdark is created in Bloodmyst Archipelago.
1 PP Create (from the Wondermaker), the Mask of Shades.
Nerdzul, which dragonspawn are you creating?
I'm good to restart whenever, actually.
IC
Illithids of frigid northern seas quickly drew together, driven by a fear of the world around them. Their very nature felt as though it was under assault by the alien world around them. The greatest of these assemblies of Mind Flayers called themselves the Ossen. Calling upon powers beyond the ken of normal creatures, they raised a city from the murk of the sea bottom.
A wondrous expression of otherworldly vistas, Ossenfrey soared through the water, an architecture of impossibilities relying on the support of water. The highest towers of Ossenfrey broke the wave crests, their sleek beauty belying the horror that lay below. A tangled mass of stone gave expression the twisted nightmare of the Illithid psyche, a perfect replication bearing the stamp of the tools used to create it. Blasphemous abilities, born neither of arcane or divine, Psionics.
----------
The Imperium wrought a vast structure of walls and pumps, eventually draining thousands of miles of seabed.
PP
3PP (Ssabrec) Nourish Populous-Illithids
2PP-Guide Populous-Psion
2PP-Mold Land-Chillund
The Rakshasa of The Well began to explore the portal that Fang had ventured through after its appearance in their lands. The first party to step into the portal was a heavily armed raiding party. They found only the Place Between Places and in it the Courts of the Magistrate sitting alone. There were other portals, to other places, but those could wait. Even while they watched, the large central portal irised open, giving them a glimpse of the rocky cliffs beyond. A spray of sea foam shot through the portal and coasted along on a salty breeze that came to rest, suspended in midair. That would bear exploring. They also found that in the center of the space was a sort of door; stepping through it, they found themselves in an empty cavern that a few of them remembered all too well. The Rakshasa had returned to the Underdark.
----------
The faintly glowing blooddrops on the wall of the Place Between Places began to pulse rhythmically. One or two, then several detached from the wall and fell towards the center of the plane, towards the Skyway River that ran through the center of the space. They dropped into the slush of the thawing river and disappeared for a moment. If someone had been in the plane to observe it, they would have seen the river shoot through with color, as if streaked with blood. In the plane of mechanus, drops of blood flared out from the river, grafting themselves onto spinning gears. In Veros' Workshop, a trickle of blood ran down away from the temporal harmonizer. In each and every plane through which the river flowed, some aspect of the Bloodstones manifested themselves, and everywhere they went, a child's voice called out of nothingness "Mara! Mara! It hurts.. why do you hurt me with your tempers?"
----------
A small patrol of the Argent Guard found the portal first. They left scouts to observe it and reported it on their return; some months passed before the expedition finally mounted to explore the portal. The reports came back excited- the space on the far side held the Courts that had vanished in the legendary storm! A few of the most devout worshippers of Hammu moved through the portal as quickly as the elders of the city would allow.
----------
Hammu nodded to himself. "Finally. My children have found my latest creation. Now to bring the others, and explain to them the facts of their new existence..." Hammu called Rabi to himself and dispatched him to the Courts to keep the soon-to-be strained peace. Rabi wasted no time setting in place laws to govern the growing city and dispatching squads through The Zenith to invite other peoples to come and settle.
----------
Fang lifted his head, feeling a new pull in soul that he knew would be difficult to explain to his people. A few Rakshasa, those most devoted to the pursuit of justice, were chose quietly. In the dead of night, they geared themselves and disappeared.
pp
+1PP (The Zenith) Create Artifact: A portal to the north coast of the Old Continent forms in the Place Between Places. It opens out on the cliffs between Beacon and the Iron State.
2PP +1PP (Fang the Delver) Mold Land: Bloodstones spread to every plane connected to the Skyway River.
+1PP (The Code) Guide Populace: Some members of Beacon move through the portal to the Place Between Places and settle there.
1PP guide Populace: Some members of The Well move through the portal to the Place Between Places and settle there alongside the immigrants from Beacon.
2PP Guide Populace: Emissaries are sent out from the Place Between Places to Zophia, Azora and the Free Nation (free- already have trade) to offer trade and invite settlement.
+1PP (The Zenith) Create Artifact: A portal to the north coast of the Old Continent forms in the Place Between Places. It opens out on the cliffs between Beacon and the Iron State.
2PP +1PP (Fang the Delver) Mold Land: Bloodstones spread to every plane connected to the Skyway River.
+1PP (The Code) Guide Populace: Some members of Beacon move through the portal to the Place Between Places and settle there.
1PP guide Populace: Some members of The Well move through the portal to the Place Between Places and settle there alongside the immigrants from Beacon.
2PP Guide Populace: Emissaries are sent out from the Place Between Places to Zophia, Azora and the Free Nation (free- already have trade) to offer trade and invite settlement.
Angel, did you miss the coment from a week ago about the mind flayers? They had already been created, and your creation was invalid because of it. They live in the deep underdark already, and in the Outer Realms plane
Reset will be in about a half hour. We never got a response from the mod, so I'm opning new threads.
-----
Veros exhaled, and lifted his staff once more, placing more of his power into the new continent, urging the varied people to build and grow, expanding across it's expanses. Among the goblin inhabitants, a new breed appeard, the dreaded bugbears. Finished, he vanished, returning to his workshop.
-----
As Meribian's continued to delve into their mines and tunnels for wealth, the mindflayers deep within the underdark grew stronger and fatter from those they were able to capture. Confident in their strength, some began to infiltrate the city above.
-----
Chastelli took Nixis's advice. Over the course of the following years, as she and the loremasters became more usued to each other, she proved to be an invaluable resource to them, having an unmatched knowledge of the keep itself and the books within it from centuries of having studied them.
Still, despite having more and more people who would talk to her, she was trapped, unable to leave the keep. All of that time, she carefully held onto the gift, keeping it from the others.
One evening, as she watched the moons cross over-head during a calibration, she finally figured it out. Using the power of the Astral Shard, she enhanced the keep itself, providing it the capability to shift and grow to her whim on the inside without the outside growing. Additionally, she could break off the tiniest peice of it's power, imbued into a stone, which could be taken anywhere in the world.
Over the next few years, she showed the loremasters a new ritual which, with possession of a Keep Stone, would allow them to align a specially prepared building with the stone, creating a new place Chastelli could manifest. Orders spread around the world, and many loremaster enclaves were renovated to incorporate a keep stone.
Having finally found a solution, she sent the astral shard back to Nixis, hoping he's come visit again.
-----
He shook his head as he isolated the stones, preventing them from expanding or effecting the workshop. They were a creation of Hensen's, but this was not his doing. They had come through the skyway river, but Mara was not at fault either. Stepping into the river, he followed them to the source, finding himself once more in Hammu's plane.
3 PP - Spawn Beast (Greater) - Remorhaz
1 PP - Nourish Populace - City States of Novindus
1 PP - Nourish Populace - City States of Novindus
1 PP - Nourish Populace - Mindflayers
1 PP + 1 PP (Artifact) - Shape Poulace (Lesser) - Bugbears
1 PP (Artifact) - Nourish Land - Spread more creatures and plants onto Novindus
1 PP (Artifact) - Guide Populace (Lesser) - Loremasters learn a new, unique, ritual
1 PP + 1 PP (Artifact) - Create Artifact (Lesser) - Loremaster Keep gains a new property.
0 PP - Mold Land (Lesser) - Isolate and contain the bloodstones within the Workshop, in preparation for removal.
0 PP - Mold Land (Lesser) - Isolate and contain the bloodstones within the Plane of Time, in preparation for removal.
IC - http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?p=19241759#post19241759
OC - http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?p=19241770#post19241770
MS - http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?p=19241766#post19241766
I would rather propose that we created some type of greater threat to the mortal world, an enjoyable major plot element of some sort.
-OOC-
Aldii:
Corelloth fits the bill perfectly!
Her plan is to either focus on defeating a somewhat large number of gods, or focusing on destroying the mortal worlds by unleashing the Primordials upon the lands- thus, starting a Primordial War against the gods' creations.
Just like the storyline in D&D! ...only, Corelloth wasn't involved in the D&D version of the Primordial War.
Also-
I'd like the idea of restarting. Quick question- do we get to keep our current characters- just starting out with a clean slate for them? I really like mine...
I'm also thinking about a few greater planes of existence as Base planes to install the lesser planes for the gods for when we do start over.
Greater Planes & Descriptions
Far Realms: A place of utter mystery, the Far Realms has a thick atmosphere of chaotic energies that morphs the land and changes the physical bodies of organic matter into abberant, unknown forms. The Far Realms is an apparent wasteland of constantly shifting and morphing structures and lifeforms. Mortal beings subject into the grey wastes of the Far Realms may experience periods of time subdued into a weightless space in one moment, then fall facedown onto earthen rock the next. Mortals may also experience small amounts of Corporeal Instability, until they get out of the Far Realms. Gods that exsist within the Far Realms are keepers of great lore, but are often hard to reach, since the extraterrestrial lands of the Far Realms hinder traffic.
Astral Sea: The dominion of the divine outposts, the Astral Sea is the main Hub plane of most of the gods that pursue creation and destruction. Dozens of dominions float along the wave-like energies that supplies the powers needed to sustain the mortal worlds below. Besides being gods within the Astral Sea, there are also small communities of Githyanki Pirates that litter through the waves. The Astral Skiffs the Githyanki ride are a common sight around the dominions, but they are a threat to the mortals that travel through the Astral Sea.
Elemental Chaos: A place pf birth and death, the Elemental Chaos is home to some of the most magnificent and devestating Primordials that have walked across the mortal lands. The elemental Chaos is a constant sea of the raging elements that make up the Chaos- Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. Gopds that live within the Elemental Chaos are usually the keepers of these powerful elemental energies, so they posess great lore on their homeland. Mortals may have a hard time travelling through the Elemental Chaos- especially when the land masses explode into the different elemental powers.
Feywild Frontier: The Feywild Frontier is a hospitable plane for mortals as well as gods who pursue both Arcane and Divine arts. Essentially, lots of things can live in the frontier. Wild hunters like the Gnolls and the Orcs run rampid through the thick jungles of the main frontier, while vast bodies of water surrounds the edge of the sand- laiden shorelines. Titanic mountains rise above the bulk of the mainland, casting forboding shadows among most of the inhabitants that live in the jungles and prairies.
Shadowfell: The land shrouded in death and undeath, the Shadowfell posesses great dangers to many who lurk within the tunnels of the Shadowfell. Up above, mysterious twilight zones warp time and bring about an aura of fear, as Necromantic energies surge through the wastes. Vast number of undead figures stalk the land, hunting for the living when their souls had been destroyed by forces that have haunted them since their time of death. The stronger creatures live closer to the center of the Shadowfell, where most of the gods who pursue the undeath glories lay in wait.
Far Realms: A place of utter mystery, the Far Realms has a thick atmosphere of chaotic energies that morphs the land and changes the physical bodies of organic matter into abberant, unknown forms. The Far Realms is an apparent wasteland of constantly shifting and morphing structures and lifeforms. Mortal beings subject into the grey wastes of the Far Realms may experience periods of time subdued into a weightless space in one moment, then fall facedown onto earthen rock the next. Mortals may also experience small amounts of Corporeal Instability, until they get out of the Far Realms. Gods that exsist within the Far Realms are keepers of great lore, but are often hard to reach, since the extraterrestrial lands of the Far Realms hinder traffic.
Astral Sea: The dominion of the divine outposts, the Astral Sea is the main Hub plane of most of the gods that pursue creation and destruction. Dozens of dominions float along the wave-like energies that supplies the powers needed to sustain the mortal worlds below. Besides being gods within the Astral Sea, there are also small communities of Githyanki Pirates that litter through the waves. The Astral Skiffs the Githyanki ride are a common sight around the dominions, but they are a threat to the mortals that travel through the Astral Sea.
Elemental Chaos: A place pf birth and death, the Elemental Chaos is home to some of the most magnificent and devestating Primordials that have walked across the mortal lands. The elemental Chaos is a constant sea of the raging elements that make up the Chaos- Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. Gopds that live within the Elemental Chaos are usually the keepers of these powerful elemental energies, so they posess great lore on their homeland. Mortals may have a hard time travelling through the Elemental Chaos- especially when the land masses explode into the different elemental powers.
Feywild Frontier: The Feywild Frontier is a hospitable plane for mortals as well as gods who pursue both Arcane and Divine arts. Essentially, lots of things can live in the frontier. Wild hunters like the Gnolls and the Orcs run rampid through the thick jungles of the main frontier, while vast bodies of water surrounds the edge of the sand- laiden shorelines. Titanic mountains rise above the bulk of the mainland, casting forboding shadows among most of the inhabitants that live in the jungles and prairies.
Shadowfell: The land shrouded in death and undeath, the Shadowfell posesses great dangers to many who lurk within the tunnels of the Shadowfell. Up above, mysterious twilight zones warp time and bring about an aura of fear, as Necromantic energies surge through the wastes. Vast number of undead figures stalk the land, hunting for the living when their souls had been destroyed by forces that have haunted them since their time of death. The stronger creatures live closer to the center of the Shadowfell, where most of the gods who pursue the undeath glories lay in wait.