Ivorak

A key that locks/unlocks the cellar door in MDA.

Some thoughts about how lands should operate: Lands should organize activities and quests. Some (but not all) of these should be for citizens only. Quests need not only be solved by more or less predefined paths. Leaders could award bounties for non-citizen outlaws, for one. Citizen only quests should be awarded from land treasuries rather than with wishpoints and the treasure keepers' stock. There is also the opportunity to award ranks and titles instead of other rewards. There should be more opportunities for lands to increase their treasuries through competition amongst the lands. Leaders should have great power over their land's citizens. They should also exert their influence to punish/reward citizens of other lands as they are able. These powers should stop short of life and death (at least as far as powers inherent to leaders; still doesn't prevent them from using a killing item if they can get a hold of one). But land leaders should be able to jail their own citizens (unless a certain degree of dissent is registered by the rebel system). Leaders should extract a vow of fealty from their vassals (unless an explicit political structure is in place that offers an alternative). Leaders should protect their citizens from each other especially, but also seek out treaties and agreements with other leaders for the laws that are most important to their land. Lands should cultivate their culture carefully. Land powers should be somewhat balanced, but in a dynamic fashion and allowing leaders and citizens to be rewarded for their efforts by improvements to a land. Traditions and laws are what should make one land more desirable than another. Entry (AP) requirements for lands should not be equal just because of a desire for equality. There are advantages/disadvantages for both low and high AP costs. Leaders should be able to decide which is most suitable for their land. More plotting, please! What's the point of controlling a few dozen scenes when you could rule the world? Intrigue is fun, duh. Also, internal politics. If MagicDuel grows again, Golemus Golemicarum should have a tricameral legislature and Necrovion should have faction upon faction of desert tribes. Or something like that... Some ideas: benefits to internal trade, such as creature trades between citizens of the same land not reducing won battles or something; citizen only training grounds (though it's up to you to keep non-citizens out); mock battles/tournaments/competitions between lands with wagers to bolster the winning land's treasury (or wager a scene along the border, if you're feeling daring). I'll think on this more.

17 gold

5 gold

77

I'm not sure if there is a suitable leader for the Archive Lands at this time. (Or is Kyphis around? He would be a suitable candidate.) But the Archive lands are dear to my heart, and I fear what would happen to them in the hands of someone inept; this is my claim to leadership: As "Chancellor of the MagicDuel Archives"* I will work towards the following goals: Setting directives for the Archivists A census of those who consider themselves citizens of the MDA A restructuring of http://md-archives.com/ (I realize Inno has started a project related to this, but ze lacks the technical skills to pull it off) Reviving the directive of the legend speakers (if not the guild) Creating better systems and tools for recording happenings of note Taking those notes and creating more context and critical discourse around them * The title Chancellor describes a figure of great power, often meaning the head of state, but also has been used in ecclesiastical and educational contexts. I think this title indicates the power to direct future endeavors through setting policy as well as respect for traditions and history.

This is great, No One, and I can't believe I forgot about it after first reading it. Two quibbles for starters: "Voodoo dolls", if implemented, should be called something else, perhaps"effigies". "Voodoo" is too specific to a real world culture. Some further thought might be prudent before implementing anything to do with having creatures labor. I remember Mur writing about how creatures were not physical beings (http://magicduel.invisionzone.com/topic/186-what-are-the-creatures-that-fight-for-you/) but a sort of spirit that we formed a symbiotic relationship with. Then again, the DracHorns in their lair look pretty real to me, as do the Empty Aramors clambering around Golemus Golemicarum (on yet another hand, I'm not sure of the relationship between Aramors and Empty Aramors). If creatures aren't physical, they can still possibly be treated as if they imbue us with the the skill or knowledge for crafting certain items, but sacrificing them should only yield fenths and not bones.

Rookie of the year: Rophs

I strongly believe that the best quests augment players' roles. They're not just challenges, they fit in with the fabric of this realm. As long as Rophs is not directly gaining tangible benefits like gold, items, or creatures, a quest like this should actually be encouraged.

Are you saying that the ship could have circled around Golemus Golemicarum? (I don't think that's what that language means. From could be a guess based on observation, but I think it's more likely that 'from' indicates origin. I could be wrong.) Or are you suggesting that it's possible that the ship had a non-terrestrial origin? Either way, I support exploration. Rophs, in my old age I'm not as sprite as I used to be, so I likely won't be joining you in on the high seas, but I might consider sponsoring an expedition in return for a share of potential spoils. Come talk to me when you need funds.

But Sunfire, as Rophs pointed out earlier, anyone can do this. While being a protector gives you a few more spells to cast, there's really no point to it unless you use it to some end. So I'll repeat the question in my own words: why you? Do you seek to overturn a delinquent king? Do you wish to see the empty aramors free? Or would you rather control them yourself (as suggested in Ann. 773)? Do you want to bring back the sparring grounds? Would you consort with shades? Or rain fire upon Loreroot? Summon homunculi? Raise a skeletal army? Hang Jester by his toes? These are but examples. But what I'm saying (and this is something I've discussed with Change and other protectors in the past) is that I want protectors to have a motive. You're not here to be a glorified LHO or something, but a leader of a faction. It's not all about what you can do for everyone else. There's that, but it's got to be give and take. I implore you, do something interesting.

Thanks folks! I just noticed that this birthday o' mine coincides with another mini milestone in MD: I've reached 1900 AD. Hopefully I'll be here for many more.

Pamplemousse Funny story: I once misused a preposition in front of Pample, resulting in the first time I've ever been scolded for poor grammar in an online game. Whenever I think of leaving MD this memory brings me back.

18

It has been two weeks since the volition skill was announced. Mur would like to know how much of the skill you've built up in that time. Whoever sees this post is asked to reply with your active days, total volition, and whether or not you've tried increase/grind the skill (yes or no). This will help determine how many points are required for item creation, a related feature to be implemented in the future. I'll start: AD: 1864 Volition: 2.06 Grinding?: No

Ivorak 20 silver note

Ivorak 4 silver

Mur's sponsorship for this quest should have been fulfilled. If there are any problems please notify me.

Discernment From Merriam-Webster's dictionary: 1 : the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure : skill in discerning 2 : an act of perceiving or discerning something To discern is to separate truth from falsehood, reality from what is unreal. I believe it is suitable because it involves perception, but it also implies care and choice (thus it takes time). If memory is separating reality from things forgotten, we must take care in how we allow ourselves to remember it into being, because memories are so often uncertain. In regards to weakening, it involves focus; once we make a decision (using it with a wishpoint to create something) our focus will shift and we must rebuild the skill.

Mur is offering a 10GC award if he uses your name for a new skill discussed at today's public meeting (Day 275, Year 8 @ 22:00 server time). The purpose for the skill is that while viscosity should create heat when overcome, there is another concept that is needed related to a player working to overcome viscosity. "Viscosity is what starts to surround areas that begin to become forgotten, isolating them slowly from reality." By working to remove viscosity we are in effect bringing parts of MD back into existence/remembrance. The skill gets reduced ("weakened") when used, and this should be reflected in its name. Those with enough points in this skill will be able to create items by combining skill points with wish points. (The means by which this will be done is currently under discussion). Please suggest your name along with the meaning/translation of the word and your explanation of why it is fitting. A log is provided for more information. http://storenow.net/my/?f=1e42444f83298dee78bed39054243b6f

Ivorak (ID: 39390, Days: 1839) Why? Well organized. Note taking is fun. Good memory. Available. I frequently check email, and have a reliable internet connection. In game when things are afoot. Need a spark of direction. But capable of feeding the flame. Love the name ("Secret Ary") Long term thinker Yes, I can keep a secret

98

The Fictionist tells me there's been a robbery. Your task is to find out who the thief is. Naturally, you'll have to figure out who was been robbed first. Find the victims and the thief by asking questions of Ivorak and/or Max Mortlock. Each question costs one silver. Alternatively, you can buy questions in bulk for an agreed upon price (secrets, creatures, etc.). Keep careful notes, you'll never know what might come in handy. Also note that collaboration is permitted, but whether collaborating is to your advantage or not is left to your determination. All those questions can get pricey, so try not to repeat yourself (or others) if you can help it. We'll make things simpler by requiring that all questions be asked in the in-realm chat. (Answers on the other hand, will be left to our own discretion. Try to bribe us, I dare you.) If this drags out, we may start holding miniquests with free questions as a reward. Award for top finisher starts at 2 Gold Coins (will likely increase over time with participation and/or sponsorship) and there are a few other awards. [spoiler] [/spoiler] Edit: Oh, duh, I forgot to explain the rules for questions. You can't just ask who did it, obviously, unless your question is really more of an answer ("Was it Mur with the lamp?"). Approach the truth from an oblique. If your question is not something we can answer directly, we will tell you to ask again.

Why do you say this? If this is a written rule, reference the original post. If it is just your opinion, support it.

No One, this is ridiculous. It's certainly not constructive. It may also be considered backseat modding. Two rules broken, to complain about one that was not. I don't like ad hominems on the forum. But this insult you've quoted is borderline in that aspect. Nothing worth making a fuss about. What gets me is that you've already received multiple responses. One you yourself posted here: http://magicduel.invisionzone.com/topic/14193-over-moderation/?p=137203. The next post contains an additional response from Chewett. This is a perfectly valid principle in my books (no ex post facto laws) and means that Rumi did not break the rules. Should he have said that? Probably not, because it lead to this airing of grievances which is almost always accompanied by an aura of negativity. Should we fault him for his inability to expect your inability to let things go? No. My advice to you is that if this really bothers you, avoid opening that thread again. Then you won't have to read it. Maybe you're worried instead about what others will think of you if they read it. I don't think it really clouded my judgement, but this topic may have. It's not pleasant reading complaints from someone who often invites such criticisms upon themself. I'm just me, but most others won't have read that, especially if they are new to MD and the forums. Now you've ensured they have a second chance to see it. No One, let it go. Graze all you want, but there's no need to bite when the shepherd nudges you away. You can always sneak back and graze some more. And there are always greener fields. Seek those.