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Re: Descriptions: From Divines to Mortals, and Beasts, and Items, and Mobs, and Places!
Some pretty Dreamlands descriptions, since it's not easy to reach them.
Amid fallen blocks of milky, weed-tangled marble.
Wisps of velvety indigo fog blanket the ground, ebbing into the area from a
healing shrine of Drocilla nearby. In the past standing tall and intimidating
like stoic stone guardians, enormous slabs hewn from ivory marble line overgrown
paths leading in various directions through the forest. Long since fallen into a
sad state of disarray and dilapidation, many of them have been knocked over and
cracked clean through from the severe force of impact. Several low-lying, berry-
laden shrubs and colourful wildflowers encroach upon these chunks of rock, and
long grasses and stubborn weeds peek through even the most minute fissures in
the milky stone. Some of the fallen slabs even serve host to various smaller
forms of wildlife. Foxes curl up in a hidden burrow beneath one hunk of rock; a
porcupine and her spiky offspring rattle their quills by another; and a fawn
lies behind a third slab, waiting for her mother.
Buckler pond enclosed by blood ferns.
A perfectly circular pond sits in the middle of the area, filled with a silver
water-like liquid. It has the pristine reflectiveness of a mirror and resembles
a giant buckler. The surface appears completely tranquil, and any attempts to
disturb it are met with only the slightest of reactions which rapidly fade.
Along the shore and away from it grow hundreds of blood ferns, their stalks and
blades both an impossible shade of red. An iron smell permeates the vicinity,
reminiscent of freshly spilled gore. The ground is damp but not soggy, just
enough to capture footprints in the dark brown sand.
Far-reaching and climbing woodbine.
Impressive in their stance and height, twins of oak congregate into a small
copse upon the hillock, their roots peeking through the stone and ignorant of
the sudden drop from here to far below. Their bark would be paper-soft, marked
with scales of brown-grey; however, coiling vines of woodbine have ensnared
them. The verdant twine is graced by sporadically blooming flowers: two-lipped
and tubular, with a creamy colouration similar to that of freshly gathered milk.
The air is hugged with the scent of honey, and in the darker pockets of shade
beneath the canopy, the scent is strong enough to summon a near consistent visit
from a flock of hummingbirds. An oak sapling clings tenaciously to the ground
here.
Overlooking the Dreamlands.
Here, the ground rises into a rocky hillock broken up by an outcropping of glass
-coloured stone, nearly as tall as the trees that expand far into the horizon.
Indeed, the view encompasses the entirety of the Dreamlands: verdant canopies
peppered with pockets of white-leaved trees, the occasional dip where a creek
runs through the trees, and even the distant shapes of some of the chapels to
the Gods. Only a handful of trees are taller than this hillock, though their
branches fail to block out the sight of the marble-white Citadel that appears to
effortlessly float amongst the clouds. A murmurous cacophony, the sounds of the
forests rise and fall in volume with stirring of the breeze. An oak sapling
clings tenaciously to the ground here.
Drowsy rock faces.
The air is filled with hundreds of dancing embers from a healing shrine of
Yomoigu nearby. Breaking up the verdancy of the trees and the shrubs, a handful
of granite boulders stand like jagged teeth from the ground, crushing the dark
carpets of grash beneath them. Different in size and shape, the faces of these
boulders look exactly that: faces. Where various lines and crags create fissures
across the stone, and mineral deposits of quartz and other basic gemstones
scatter in patches, these boulders become visages unto themselves. A nose, eyes,
the curve of a lip; face after face, each of which looks strangely familiar, as
if you knew someone with that exact face as well, stare down with a down-cast,
drowsy expression. These sleeping rocks are made all the more real, as the
stirring of the wind through the canopies overhead makes the curious susurration
of a snore.
A broken path through the forest.
Here the well-trodden path becomes somewhat mired with brambles and nettles. The
savage plants encroach upon the track maliciously, reaching out with barbed
tendrils in an attempt to meet one another across the path and render it
entirely unusable. A sweet scent hangs in the air, emanating from the berries
hidden within the brambles, and providing a slight juxtaposition to the savage
foliage.
Xiran
Solstice Quiz 2024
NEW QUESTION: "What is my name? No really, you should know that."
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 0.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 15 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What colour are the suits that present-bearing gnomes wear?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 15 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What race is the famous Ironbeard the Magnanimous who delivers presents during Solstice?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 12 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What is the all encompassing name for the place where Solstice Court is located in the Icewynd?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 2.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "Who sells penguins at Solstice Court?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 15 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What two beasts can you purchase from Bavdo? Come now, you should know at least ONE!"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 2.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 15 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What two things can you send by partridge mail from the visitor's playpen on the gnome bridge? The old gnome sells them."
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 2.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What is the name ofthe Stewart of Solstice before whom you swear to be good?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 15 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What is the name of the Solstice-hating fink living in the ice caverns of the Jolly Drifts?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "How do you enter the ice caverns to reach the elderly finks and Fenako?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 15 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "List three coat colours of the huskies that could be found roaming the Basin of Life while they should be making deliveries for Solstice. Not of your own huskies!"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 3.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "Name the four treats that Homney Honeytongue made for the huskies. One point for each treat!"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 4.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What can you do with snow in the cities and communes of the Basin of Life? Give one example of an activity."
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What are the two main ways to reach the Jolly Drifts?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 2.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What decoration do present-bearing gnomes wear upon their belts?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "Who might you buy up some fruity dessert icewine from?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "The Joyhearts were known under a different name before they started to serve the Solstice spirit. What used to be their family name?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 2.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "Name one skating move you can perform on the frozen pond. A move, not skating in a direction or in a circle."
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "Name the subject of one of the paintings in the Joyheart manor. Just one word answer will be enough."
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What is the name of the retired gnome village in Jolly Drifts?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 2.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What is the first name of the famous Ironbeard?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 2.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
Ayisdra
Re: Updates Post #3: Roadmap Updates
Everiine
Re: Lack of Raves VI: Rave Today, Tweet Tomorrow
Kalikai
Anniversary Quiz 2024
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 10 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What is the title of the undead orclach who offers bounties for the heads of the inferior orcs?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "Which race(s) are the caretakers of the World Library?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 15 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "How many Named Paths, such as the Path of the Healer, must one travel to get from the foot of Mt. Avechna to its peak, excluding shortcuts?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 25 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "Besides yourself, what are two other creatures that the rocs hunt in Oleanvir Valley?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 20 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "How many floors exist in the i'Xiia Asylum?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 10 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "How many variations of colourful squid exist within the Inner Sea? For a bonus point, name each colour."
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 25 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "How many different types of medicine does Mrs. Trundle seek for the care of her young wards?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 10 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "Which Avatar of the Moon is no longer present upon the body of Gromagh the Hag?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 15 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What race of creatures will you find practising within the martial halls of the Tosha Monastery?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 10 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "There are four major roads which cross the Basin of Life. What are their proper names? You will receive a point for each."
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 60 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "Which village will sell you a war goat?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 10 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "The Basin of Life is full of a myriad of distinct races. If you wished to converse with all of them, without speaking the Common tongue, how many languages would you have to be able to speak?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 15 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What is visible within the centre of the Seal of Nature?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 15 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "How many Circles are the Elder Gods divided into? For a bonus point, name three of the Circles."
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 45 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What article of furniture will the krokani cook deep within the Grey Moors provide you with after being offered a suitable amount of corpses?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 10 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What undead creatures plague the southeastern stretches of Avechna's Teeth, posing as boulders atop the craggy cliffs?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 10 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What type of candy can be used to get the aid of the children who live aboard the Tainted Broadcasting Centre?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 10 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What is the heaviest animal native to the Sea of Despair?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 15 seconds to answer this question.
NEW QUESTION: "What is the name of the cheerful vendor of the Creatrix Festival?"
The Grand Inquisitor sets the next question's point value at 1.
The Grand Inquisitor has decreed that you have but 10 seconds to answer this question.
Ayisdra
Announce Post #3410: Lusternia Log Archive
We are pleased to announce a system that has been in the backlogs for some time and receiving steady work from a dedicated volunteer. Now, you will be able to find a 'Game Logs' category beneath the Community section of the Lusternia website! With this feature, you will be able to both upload your own logs as well as view those that others have uploaded, be they event-related, combat, roleplay, or otherwise! You can access this feature directly at:
https://lusternia.com/log-archive/
Logs may be uploaded either privately or publicly, with public logs able to be both viewed and searched by anyone accessing the website, whilst private logs require the direct link to be viewed.
As is the case with many new features, should you notice any odd display issues or other significant detractors, please BUG it with as much detail as you can provide (e.g. browser, reproduction steps, and other relevant information) and we will endeavour to correct it as soon as possible.
Please remember that Lusternia does allow for players as young as 12 and keep this in mind with content uploaded. While mature themes do exist in the game, many do not wish to be randomly subjected to explicit content.
We hope that this system will encourage both sharing logs and offer alternatives to the forums for archival of your incredible adventures!
Thank you,
The Lusternia Team
Summer 688 CE: Suurae Makes New Friends
On Ada-Young at Summer 688 CE: Suurae Makes New Friends.
Short log rush-cleaned, so it's interspersed with Xiran showing off a couple RP tools.
Featuring: Suurae, Cygnii, Eirossel, Ronyo, and Xiran
Xiran
Announce Post #3408: Townhall Meeting II Log
https://ada-young.com/pastebin/u55Ey106
Re: Talk back and nexus issues
Sorry for the late reply, a lot has been happening in the game last week. Glad to hear you are enjoying yourself and you will be staying around.
The recommendation regarding a screenreader friendly client is generally that one should use a client made with screenreaders in mind. Our screenreader specialist, the player Faragan, recommends VIPMUD which is a client made for blind users by a blind user. Nexus is being constantly improved, but it will always be years behind something so custom made for that purpose. If you have any questions about that, Faragan has offered to answer them and you can contact him in the game. If you ask the question here instead I am happy to liase.
Hope this helps!
Uilani
Announce Post #3406: The Future of Lusternia
We know that news of the game going into legacy mode is bound to elicit distressing emotions among many because technically it means no more support from Iron Realms and no more paid staff. But we want to reassure you that as far as we are concerned it is business as usual here.
The entire admin team of Lusternia is not only staying on but we also have admin rallying back from retirement. Uilani is also staying on as a volunteer producer, soon freed of a lot of time-consuming administrative maintenance tasks. This does not change anything for us because, for the entirety of Lusternia's life, it has been the volunteers keeping the game going and to say otherwise would be a disservice.
We are here and we will remain here. This is our home.
This change offers us a lot of opportunities. We now no longer need to worry about finances and promotions every month. No longer have to devote coding and building resources to new promotional items. We can work towards a level playing field of a truly free-to-play game and make new things as desired or when a great idea strikes instead of being driven by sales. We can move customisations from a producer-only job to a task shared by all and into an in-game system, and the same can be said for a lot of other producer-only tasks. We can also make any number of changes to our policies together with you and change what and how we share about development.
As long as we are here and you are here, Lusternia continues. Starmourn, who we have been keeping in touch with, is doing just fine in legacy mode and so will we. A truly free-to-play MUD of this quality and with such staff is a rarity and this is sure to attract new players to the game as well.
We are not worried or saddened. We are excited.
September will be a month of big changes but as we make those we will also be working on everything we have already been working on. Conflict reports will see implementation, meetings with organisational leaders regarding their admin requests will take place, the treasure hunt will continue, and events for various releases of new content (or divine...) will take place. We also have a budding combat lead whose work you have seen in the implementation of combat reports and who has been invaluable in helping make report decisions. We will be revamping the envoy system and doing more reports as well.
To answer any questions and concerns you may have, and to take your suggestions and ideas, we will be hosting an in-game town hall meeting today (2 hours before weave) and another one at the weekend (most likely Saturday). The one today is more of an impromptu meeting and not all admin will be able to come (work, life, other obligations), but you will see more of us at the weekend and some will also be writing personal godblogs about all of this.
Welcome to a new, free(d) Lusternia!
Signed,
Ais, Darvellan, Drocilla/Uilani, Elathir, Iastor, Kaewa, Kalikai, Manteekan, Maylea, Nocht, Nymea, Orael, Suurae, Valtreth, Zvoltz