Messages

196

East Island / Re: Greater Xavax Imperium

« on: December 06, 2017, 12:36:26 PM »

Not up to Garas. At this point, its kind of sort of up to the Path, and to a lesser extent, Asher/Sigrid/etc to convince the mainstream xavax to kick into high-gear.

The promise has been made. The council is in agreement. The banker has sworn funding. The law is on our side. Our new home stands ready for us. Its up to Xavax to march there and grab destiny by the balls/tits/horns. Ball-tit-horns? Horn-tit-balls... Either way, we need the Faithful at our backs.

I mean, technically, I can just leave and have Sigrid champion the whole thing, and let Xavax trickle in bit by bit, but that'd be significantly less dramatic and interesting from an IC/RP point of view.

Though... It'd be easy to set up an initial loyalist government and avoid trouble down the road... Hmm...

What d'y'all think? I figured we let everyone vote. Whoever wants to stay in Sirion proper, stays. Whoever wants to try to pry Oligarch from Ecthelion's cold, quasi-dead, freakishly-elongated Elven comatose fingers, good luck with that. Whoever wants to join the northern breadbasket splinter-realm, may Phoenix have mercy on your soul. Whoever wants to found a 100% neutral, protected-by-ceasefire, funded by allied bankers, staffed by Xavax, on the cusp of where we can actually and feasibly see our homeland ressurrected without anyone telling us where to march or what to do, well...

You can join Sigrid and have some fun with it.

197

BM General Discussion / Re: Annual Check-In

« on: December 06, 2017, 12:30:02 PM »

...Unfortunately, my Dwilight character speaks broken English in 3rd person perspective.

...Dear Gods, that would be the most HILARIOUS person to found this whole endeavor.

Perth, want to go 50/50 on this? I need someone who can speak proper Engrish so Masalu doesn't scare off all the fancy-schmancy high-borns.

Screw facebook, twitter, tinder, youtube...

We need some properly fancy, authoritarian, respectable, high-society name for the guild.

I'm thinking the fluffy sort of proud stuff you'd expect.

Like... Cmon brain, give me a random sentence...

Matchmaker's Guild is too generic.

Marital Brokers? Marital Mediators... The Highborn Marital Society? Marital Mediators of the Highborn Society...?

198

Helpline / Re: Is it normal for a new ruler to lose all titles/gov positions and duchies?

« on: December 06, 2017, 12:23:34 PM »

Holy crap, people are allowed to hoard all those positions simultaneously in BM?! That's... That's insane. God forbid the person gets sick, goes on vacation, dies, quits, or - well - gets in trouble... The whole realm is screwed. How the hell is that even vaguely acceptable, whether IC or OOC?

199

BM General Discussion / Re: Annual Check-In

« on: December 06, 2017, 06:40:54 AM »

Turn it into a high-society ritual for the young and upcoming. Charge a wicked fee/gain favors in exchange for helping unmarried nobles meet their match by actually analyzing personality data given by said prospects. Just compile a simple database of said profiles and use the search function to sift through same-similar profiles, or/and whatever said prospect claim to desire.

If said match is sponsored by a "higher" party, we can charge extra to their parents/guardians/leaders/priests/whatever to streamline the process by eliminating undesireables as per their dictation - a sort of compromise between what the prospect wants and what their hosts desire. Typical medieval matchmaking. Maybe a fee to provide a particular number of prospects direct to either bride/groom or said marital tyrants, or an under-the-table fee to completely bypass certain criteria as a compromise more suitable for the bride/groom / hosts.

The options are limitless, and if properly applied, would not violate SMA. All we'd be doing is compiling data, asking a few questions, and presenting prospects to suitors.

Of course, if you want us to actually arbitrate the process rather than just do your homework for you, we charge extra for that too.

Ps, we get dibs on feast/drinks. Marriages make for great networking opportunities. Hello, future clientele! Nice bouquet you caught there... How much is it worth it to make your dreams come true?

200

BM General Discussion / Re: Annual Check-In

« on: December 06, 2017, 03:09:56 AM »

...Now, are we crazy enough to actually create this guild? Should I? No point to it, though, I mean... Screw it, why not emulate a medieval fantasy dating service? Its always a pain to find someone you'd actually enjoy marrying/courting in-game. This might make for some... Interesting... Results. Possibly game-changing, what with the politics/interactions of nobles who wouldn't typically have contact with one another.

Or, we could go the sheer hilarity route and have all guild communication be assumed to be anonymous, and it effectively be a place for people to step out of their proverbial armor and be... Whatever. Silly. Crazy. Apolitical. Saucy. What-have-you.

Either way, this actually sounds pretty entertaining.

201

East Island / Re: Perlerone

« on: December 06, 2017, 02:34:42 AM »

Or they'll travel north to continue the fight against the Xavax nobles...where did they go again?

S-s-s-irion

202

Atamara / Re: Any Ashlanteans families/characters left around?

« on: December 06, 2017, 02:33:24 AM »

We have an Ashlantean cult in D'hara. My Sumerian death-cultist Masalu is a member. Funny enough, was discussing Sumerian mythology with a random person who greeted me on arrival, next thing I know, we're comparing the Ashlantean faith mythology with Sumerian myth + Auru'in lore so Masalu gets invited and decides its similar enough to join the cause. Turns out said individual is the high priest of the Ashlantean faith.

I still laugh at the incredible timing and coincidence.

203

BM General Discussion / Re: Annual Check-In

« on: December 06, 2017, 02:26:45 AM »

BattleTinder!(tm) Specializing in battlefield weddings and casual noble hook-ups since the Age of Expansion!

Disclaimer: BattleTinder is not financially, morally, or politically responsible for the inception of any bastards resulting from the use of guild services. Fees are non-refundable. As per our Terms of Conduct, we reserve the right to share certain freely-accessible data with our merchant guild affiliates: such as name, political affiliation, unit size, class, dynasty, honor, presige, guild membership, and artifacts-held. We cannot be held liable for any political or marital conflicts resulting from the use of our services. Our basic monthly subscription package is 10 gold; the intermediate continental package is 15 gold; master-level global network access is 20 gold. Prices and services offered are subject to change without notice. Those in violation of our Terms of Conduct are subject to immediate termination without refund. BattleTinder is a secular, apolitical platform and as such does not discriminate against Elves, Daemons, Xavax, Bastards, SanguisAstroists, Serpentis, or any particular dynasty, culture, realm, continent, faith, or guild.

204

Helpline / Re: Is it normal for a new ruler to lose all titles/gov positions and duchies?

« on: December 05, 2017, 09:38:00 PM »

How so? I'm curious to hear your perspective on this.

205

BM General Discussion / Re: Annual Check-In

« on: December 05, 2017, 09:33:51 PM »

Definitely will be! I'm pushing to re-establish Xavax, a realm I founded on EC when they unfroze the south back in 2015-16ish. A product of love, long-nights, and tons of intrigue. Don't have too much time on my hands these days, what with working 3 jobs, but what I can spare I spend on BM. Haven't had time to game in over a year, so its nice to get back into things.

You'll love Obia'Syela. Finest group of rp-intensive loons I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Edit: I did the same. Started with Sigrid in EC. Week or so later, the half-mute sumerian death-cultist Masalu in D'hara-DW. Last week or so, Yxevarii in Obia'Syela-BT.

Patient and procedural is the best way, lest ye burn out.

206

Roleplaying / Re: The Life of a Bastard - Assorted RPs of Hrafn Skovgaard

« on: December 05, 2017, 02:48:04 AM »

I love Hrafn's roleplays. The subtle combination of ancient and modern, young and old, past and present... Its like he's a phantom caught beyond his time - an old-soul trapped in young body. *ahem* Fitting, I think.

207

BM General Discussion / Re: Annual Check-In

« on: December 05, 2017, 02:45:04 AM »

That is indeed the same Kale! Kale Perth helped build the old Maroccidens... Melodia, then Terran, and was the Duke who created Phantaria after the Terran republic's collapse/Hireshmont II's theocratic power grab.

I remember you/Alura, indeed! Alura was Kale's right hand for a long time! One his closest allies/supporters.

I am humbled by your memory. It was an honor to serve, and I sorely apologize for disappearing as I did. Though the real world takes precedent, it seems neither of us could rebuke the siren call of BM and found our way back through the mists of time.

I am extremely glad to have you back! If Masalu wins the election for Qubel in D'hara-DW, or you happen to join BT-Obia'Syela (or EC, once plans proceed a bit), I would be profoundly honored to return the favor. To think, my old mentor as a knight of my banner!

You were a damn fine mentor, alongside JeVondair. The two of you are the reason both my victorious exploits and hilarious defeats were possible.

Welcome home, Kale.

208

Beluaterra / Re: Sacred Obia'Syela

« on: December 05, 2017, 02:35:28 AM »

    Clearly we're caught between two distinct branches of thought: Mechanical Uniformity and Organic Decentralization. Both have unique merits and vulnerabilities.

    It may seem innocuous but experience has shown many a veteran how titles carry meaning and intent beyond conscious design. Clever minds can and will use every tool, situation, and word at their disposal to uplift or denounce the veracity, influence, and reputation of said titles. Sometimes these clever word-games become canon; whether foreign or domestic.

    For example, note the complex attitudes, widespread rumors, mythical legends, spiteful foreign propaganda, and domestic humor that resulted from the "Lich-Queen" bit about Xerarch Selenia JeVondair of Xavax. A single word, "Lich", which continues to evolve and be applied in numerous ways to both deify and slander a woman, a culture, a people, and now, one of the realms they inhabit. Its truly quite genius, and a hallmark of roleplayers' skill in propagandist wordplay. There's a reason why many modern-day intelligence agents are Dungeons & Dragons types rather than your stereotypical buff bravado-filled spy novel protag/antag. The ability to communicate complex ideas custom-tailored to the viewer's perspective is a powerful tool... Arguably the most powerful tool in the arsenal of Humankind.

In many ways our choice defines both perspective and behavior for generations to come.

Do we strive for a more orderly centralized federalist approach with uniform titles, ranks, and methodology?

Or do we purposely infuse our factions with individual flair, variable personality, and deviation from the norm?

It all depends on our long-term goals according to the vision of both the Faith/realm's Founders and the successive generations of character personalities who call it their own.

I'd love to look back at this thread a year-or-three from now and see how it all played out! Xavax was one hell of a psychological experiment and look how that turned out. JV and I used every trick in the book, and I personally spent long nights researching potential additions to the Xavax concept and its proposed off-shoot sub-realms. (which never came to be, unfortunately.) Every vital mechanism of early Xavax was discussed both publicly and privately, IC and OOC, with various individuals and factions who each presented and preferred alternate proposals of cultural, religious, and strategic identity. Despite quite a few purposeful handicaps thrown in for good measure, (because a perfect template is the opposite of entertaining!) our fun little thought-project turned into a long-standing militant theo-culture that people alternately love-hate across the continents - a tale of strife and betrayal, vision and passion, expansion and isolation, brotherhood and rivalry, and so much more. Despite starting Xavax as a sneaky way to build a multi-party storyboard for a story I was writing, it evolved into so much more than I - or likely JV - had ever dreamed.

I have absolutely no doubt that Obia'Syela will achieve such a level of infamy and complexity, if not more.

"Love us er hate us, our name's on the tip o' yer tongue... And 'at is the greatest honor you can b'stow upon our people. Thank you for thinking of us all these years. Friend or foe, we wouldn't have made it without you."

209

BM General Discussion / Re: Annual Check-In

« on: December 04, 2017, 10:58:30 PM »

Wait. Kale... Perth? Were you the Marshal /General of Terran around 2012/2013?

Can't remember the surname, but I swear that Kale was the name of the guy who first gave me a chance to shine in BattleMaster; way back circa 2011-2012 when a nobody called Alura Aurea became the Phantarian Pride/Terran's vice-marshal, marshal, and then ruler. Thanks to him/you(?), I learned the ropes through Alura and ended up falling in love with this game.

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I swear I think I've got the right guy?

210

BM General Discussion / Re: Annual Check-In

« on: December 04, 2017, 10:41:24 PM »

Huh, your name seems eerily familiar... Like I'm going to head-desk-palm-face once it clicks in mind. When did you last play in Terran, according to your family wiki? Curiously, we have both marshaled the Phantarian Pride. (once upon a time)