Messages

61

East Island / Re: Redhaven

« on: January 30, 2018, 10:28:07 PM »

This is why I highly encourage a few (2-4) religions per island (the opposite of my encouraging many realms). But folks all want to do their own thing instead of cooperating with others. Religions are meant to span across many realms, not to have a religion per realm.

To be fair, the Phoenix faith (pre-Path) -was- supposed to be adopted by Alara and a number of nobles from other realms, as well as my planned Xavax offshoot colonies. Never happened due to !!POLITICS!! but such is life.

Anyway, I'd go so far as to claim the religious aspect is integral to the full Xavax experience.

62

Roleplaying / Re: Assorted RP's of Sigrid Gudrun Auru'in

« on: January 30, 2018, 10:04:52 PM »

Roleplay from Sigrid Gudrun Auru'in
Message sent to everyone in the region Sordidus (72 recipients)
"Lady! Stop! Wait! Hey! Sig- OOF!"

One moment there's an idiot stranger running straight for a lady of the court; then there's a human pretzel with a face full of mud and two daggers across his throat. Another day in the life of a supposed princess who'd much rather be stabbing people than serving as a glorified scout.

"Speak - carefully."

The black Phoenix "Fate" barely glimmers as the crimson-winged "Faith" rightly glows - parallel blades wrought in an age few men might recall - now resting gently at the throat of one more man who might not live to know their names.

"I- g'ah! !@#$ - Sorry, I- urgh-"

Figures.

"Wretch - spit it out."

As if waiting for his cue, the fool retches and spits out a disgusting mixture of bile, partially-digested rations, and mud. It spills forth like a weak geyser, radiating outward and arcing away from Sigrid's already miserable leathers. Unfortunately, it still manages to splash onto her boots.

"Name."

Coughing up a storm, the idiot struggles to intonate his own given name over a pattern of intermittent burps, retches, and something inhumanly non-verbal along the lines of,

"Uuuurgh... F-fitz-Blaaaeeeuuurghhh-"

Patient as a feline, she waits for the man to cough up whatever other organs he can spare. When his final gastric false-starts prove futile, her patience is rewarded. Unfortunately the proverbial dam implodes in her face when he realizes she'd put away her blades a solid 2 minutes into the ordeal. Oops. She broke him.

"Urgh... Thank ye', M'Lady. Almost died chokin' on me own innards, that I did. Name's Fitzgerald, son of Robin, coincident'ly husband o'Robin, hur hur. Me wife'll love tae meet ya, Princess Sigrid, yer a good lass, sorry fer runnin' into ye' all o'sudden, is just I've a message from Talon Kinsey an' I can't run too well on account o'my bum knee, but where was I - he needs ye' back at Sordidus immedit'ly, firget th' temple, the whole bloody southern army just shown up on our doorstep an-"

"I liked you better when you were choking... What am I supposed to tell your wife now? Sorry Ma'am, I think I broke your husband..."

Suddenly Fitzgerald laughs - and so does she. After a minute or two of absolutely hysterical cackling, they wipe tears from their eyes and clasp arms as a sign of peace and brotherhood.

"If you promise not to vomit, you can ride back-saddle with me."

The two grin and head off on their way back to Sordidus - as nonchalant as one can be - straight into the open maw of war.

63

Helpline / Re: Changing a religion name

« on: January 30, 2018, 09:44:29 AM »

Actually enjoyed the groove bit. Was almost tempted to convert and embrace this new pseudo-Elvish tree-hugging cult.

64

East Island / Re: Redhaven

« on: January 30, 2018, 06:29:22 AM »

In other news, the Saoi of the Path of Paragons - official faith of the Xavax of Redhaven - has fallen to slumber/illness/bills/life.

Either someone quits the battlefield and dons the cloth, or the faith collapses. May as well throw Sigrid's name into the pot and see what happens.

Worst comes to worst, Hector refuses and the Path dies like an ember in the path storms.

65

BM General Discussion / Re: IC Greatest Snubs of All Time

« on: January 27, 2018, 10:16:25 PM »

Hmm, good point. Though its more entertaining to get a proper reply!

66

East Island / Re: Redhaven

« on: January 26, 2018, 02:26:51 AM »

As for the Redwing vs Goldwing thing...I think the whole situation is really cool

<3 Together we'll build an entertaining and dynamic environment for all sorts of players!

67

East Island / Re: Redhaven

« on: January 26, 2018, 02:25:06 AM »

So proud. I shouldn't be surprised that Araman became the Next Xerarch, but I am, and pleasantly so. build your legend, friend!

Aye - looking forward to what Aramon brings to the table. I may levy [constructive] criticism, but I admire Aramon all the same. One of the players that made my time in Xavax a memorable experience. Thank you for your contributions to this beautiful culture.

68

BM General Discussion / Re: IC Greatest Snubs of All Time

« on: January 26, 2018, 02:07:29 AM »

Only that one?

What about the ones I wrote :p

Post 'em! They're hilarious.

69

East Island / Re: Redhaven

« on: January 25, 2018, 04:10:22 AM »

Honestly, Redhaven probably agrees.

70

BM General Discussion / IC Greatest Snubs of All Time

« on: January 25, 2018, 03:19:22 AM »

Been on the receiving end of a brilliant snub? Witness someone cut down to size? Care to share your favorite telling-off or insult?

After writing one of my own, I wondered what amazing insults and snubs have taken place throughout the years. I'm sure some of you have incredible stories to share!

I guess I'll start with the inspiration for this thread. Behold: the human insult-generator, Astros Renodin, finally getting a taste of his own medicine.

Letter from Yxevarii Auru'in
all nobles of Obia'Syela
Trainee Astros,

You flatter me. Unfortunately, it seems you are incapable of comprehending the most fundamental basics of leadership, diplomacy, or communication. You -do- know how to read, I presume? If your goal is to play the fool, I commend thee: you'd be a mighty fine actor, knight Astros. Can you hear the applause? Take a bow, as you so love to do.

Allow me to express what every single Obian has come to think; every time a letter from the glorious, all-powerful Astros Renodin graces us with your eternal wisdom. I'll be sure to use a few more of those big fancy words you so love to hear. I might even rhyme a few times just to humor you. Feel free to have your scribe read and translate this letter aloud to you, just like all the others.


 You've crawled out of the woodwork to exalt yourself as the great, the mighty, the genius, the savior with all the answers yet none of the skill, knowledge, wisdom, humility, or plain common sense to back it up.

The smell of power intoxicates you, and all you care about is getting your next fix. You don't care that the lives of all faithful are at stake here, and not only that: the fate of the world is on the line.

You are a parasite, Astros Renodin. A bottom-feeder suckling at the teat of greater men. You wield Obeah's name like an assassin wields poison: as nothing but a tool by which your ambitions are set in motion. You speak so much of heretics, yet you are the greatest infidel of all.

You sling badly-inflected words of petty passive-aggression like a primate flings fresh feces - yet even if you strike your hapless target, you're covered in it by default. And yet... You don't notice the stink because you've been wallowing in filth for the entirety of your meaningless existence. You are a disgrace to the Inquisition, the Enlightened, and all who hold Obeah in the highest.

Yet you just won’t give up, will you? Subject to incredibly brash mistakes that crash and burn when your “perfect vision” proves to be little more than a lie - told so often that you -actually- think anyone believes a single "clever" word that spills from your diseased mind. You are far too self-absorbed to survive in the real world. Your grasp of power will be a passing fluke, after which your inability to maintain the most basic of virtues will promptly bury you - that and you'll be stabbed in the back by those with a little more tact and good sense.

You, Astros Renodin, are the epitome of a lesser man - a condescending narcissist, habitually hawking your negligible worth as if your skull contained any more than hot air. Your entire delusional existence consists of one giant over-compensating ego serving as a shaky conduit for your ambitions toward unattainable power - yet in reality you're a helplessness, miserable manchild and third-rate subordinate unworthy of the lowliest charge. Obeah-forbid you ever rise to power: you will undoubtedly take it for granted as you do everything and everyone else, swiftly overstep your limited abilities and nonexistent boundaries, and promptly find yourself at the losing end - time after time. Unfortunately, you will drag this entire realm down to burn alongside you.

The profound responsibility of leading a realm is a burden you will never value nor understand.

Yxevarii Auru'in

71

East Island / Re: Redhaven

« on: January 25, 2018, 01:47:09 AM »

Renodin *points at Aramon's post about crusaders* Look familiar?

72

East Island / Re: Redhaven

« on: January 25, 2018, 01:46:07 AM »

Bingo. Long term goals yo! I fully expect (assuming Redhaven survives long enough for it to become reality ;p) for the old Greater Xavax to become a sort of "Holy Land" for new Red Haven "Crusaders" to fight for. My character might not be there with them (being a Hero and all), but I've laid the ground work toward leading them to the "promised land" (although Alara did help out by declaring Hatred against us, it'll be easy to sell them as "The Enemy").

...And in this endeavor, the rebirth of our hallowed homeland, the Goldwings will stand beside you as brothers - for despite our ideological differences, we both desire the very same end result: Home.

...And damn ANY who would dare stand in our way. If the Goldwing realm is founded and Alara pulls a similar stunt due to their hatred of Xavax, against the wishes of the southern coalition, they will incur the wrath of the united south, AND give us a beautiful casus belli to fight then 1 Vs. 1 - except, they'll also be fighting the north, and possibly even the south. Byebye Alara.

73

East Island / Re: Redhaven

« on: January 24, 2018, 01:20:09 PM »

Then I led a rebellion in Melhed and restored the monarchy because, just as when I wrote and compiled a Constitution for Sirion, no one really cares with a lot of beautiful laws that are never followed.

I'm a bad strategist, but I've already begun to move to cheer things up north. As soon as I firm my position on Sirion, Brock is my next target for long beachside conversations under the setting sun. If you can not count on inactive and slow nobles, you have to learn to deal with them for your benefit or simply focus on who works and get the most out of it... it's always been like this, things are just quiet now because Garas dragged Sirion to a long and futile battle for Oligarch. And well, Ecthelion went through long months of inactivity until pause. Sirion lost much of its identity and vigor, but nothing that can not be recovered. Besides, as always, Sirion remains safe while Xavax fight like rabid dogs.

Look at Ehrendill Eyolf Serpentis, the young dragon who will integrate the northern colonies and lead them to glorious rebirth... if I find a decent General. 

For a system of laws to maintain vigor, is must provide an agreeable advantage to its constituents. Melhed's laws being comprehensive doesn't equate to providing nobles with reasons to care about said laws. If anything, things get lost in translation (and laziness) the more comprehensive you get.

Just look at your typical technical manual, or even better, the Terms of Service on all those applications and websites we adore I'm one of the few lunatics who actually read the damn things, and even I get frustrated by it. Not from the process of reading, but from learning just how broken, disjointed, unfair, and ridiculous it all is. Ignorance is bliss, because if people actually read ToS's, they'd never download another app or join a website again :| The things we agree to upon checking a box is... terrifying.

Xavax law worked because we all agreed to start with a foundation of utilitarian, meritocratic, and pragmatic practices that regularly, critically, and effectively impacted the well-being of our nobles. Only after the most vital bits were successfully outlined, tried, and proven, did we go further and complicate things for the sake of completeness.

Sure, the Codex is quite comprehensive, but its foundation is straightforward in approach - catering to what actually mattered at the time; as opposed to arbitrary laws we'll never get to use.

We wrote laws as issues came up. When the first duel challenge took place, debate ensued and laws were made. When we had our first Xavax citizen jailed/accused of criminal activity, laws were debated and made. So on and so forth.

Xavax law was, and likely remains, the most practical reflection of Xavax methodology and the logic that governed our behavior.

You can learn a lot from the laws of a nation. So many of its strengths and weaknesses are on display within those rules and regulations, speaking volumes about topics that would otherwise bask in silence.

74

East Island / Re: Redhaven

« on: January 24, 2018, 01:03:27 PM »

Anyway, sorry for all the text. i know here isn't really the place. but TL;DR that's how Selenia sold the Path of Ashes to the Xavax. Whenever CC or BB talk about Selenian Xavax I feel like i'm in a college history course about a dead empire...which feels surprisingly cool.

That said, I don't like the term "Cult of Personality."
[/size]

Can't speak for Chenier, but when I say cult of personality I mean the textbook definition. The fact that people don't all love Selenia doesn't take away from the fact that our culture is one of hero worship and ineffable pride. Its one of our greatest traits, but a dangerous one all the same.

"A cult of personality arises when a regime uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods such as government-organized demonstrations to create an idealized, heroic, and at times worshipful image of a leader, often through unquestioning flattery and praise."

As for my complaints, I mainly refer to the Sirionite Xavax experience: namely the Saoi's supposed dominance of all things Xavax; the silencing of discontent and deviation from the established narrative through the use of insults, gaslighting, and excommunication; Lionel's intervention over Xavax affairs whether by influencing Selenia or betraying Asher to foreign law; and especially the somewhat hilarious way Hector is caught between Sirion-Xavax, Red-Gold, and Saoi-Sigrid-Asher-Lionel-Aramon-etc's pull.

We're so busy keeping the past alive that we're powerless to change at all for fear of losing our drive. A natural reaction to our traumatic severance from Xavax and gradual loss of manpower, but we could really use some rejuvenation to keep the flame alive.

The Phoenix flame can but wither - without breath renewed and ample tinder.

75

East Island / Re: Redhaven

« on: January 24, 2018, 12:50:18 PM »

The Day of Black Sun
The Eyrie was the tallest building in all of Xavax and had served as the royal residence since being built by Xerarch Magnus as a palace in the earliest days of the Imperium...

(Fun thing about playing with a JeV is we tend to save/document the juicy bits. This one was on Selenia's page.)

<3 One of my favorite bits of yours, and a damn powerful one at that.

One day I'll find a way to restore my old harddrive and pull up all our missives from the origins of Xavax. It saddens me that so much of the earliest days isn't mentioned in the wiki, or your own page. You were utterly on FIRE in those days, and if only people could read some of your bits from our discussions. You were unstoppable.