awiiya

I have a window of time between 20:00 and 23:00 in which I can be there... Everyone is going to have conflicts, that's to be expected. Awi

If we want to get technical about it: Awiiya is the name of the tree that is officially at the location and Awiiya is the name of the being that talks through the tree... Awi

I named it. Awi

[attachment=2300:Screen shot 2010-12-07 at 11.51.07 PM.png] At location 3_1x0_1 Awi

A self-respecting writer such as myself would never think of writing for a tabloid such as the one you propose. Your prompts were childish, and I don't expect any sort of sophisticated piece of writing to come about from them. If the response so far is any indication, many people are thinking along the same lines as me. I do not want to write about some wishy-washy topic that seems to have no pertinence - who cares if there are few women in GG? Why does that matter? There is something interesting that could possibly be said on the subject, but instead of pointing to an interesting philosophical or moral question, you go for a more at-the-throat sensationalist take. To expect anything serious to come from what you have put forth is to me analogous to expecting Shakespeare from a monkey - maybe with enough banging away something worthwhile will be produced, but I'm not holding my breath. Awi

A bit more info on the prize I'm now offering: The PenSword has a long history behind it. It was created originally for my work in the Archivists, a reward provided by Pamplemousse. The description attached to the item is "A dagger with the handle shaped as a pen. Markings on the blade say "He who uses both the sword and the pen is mightier than all," and there is a drawing ready for it (when I get the credits to attach it). The use of the item goes beyond aesthetics, due to an enchantment by Rendril. The item slashes through the air and cuts out the echoes of words said by one person. That is, if somewhere were being obnoxious and I would like their words to vanish, I use the item and I can no longer hear their words. All other can hear, though. Finally, you will be required to tell the story directly to me when I am awake. There won't be an official time where all gather and read out loud, so you may find me whenever I am awake. If you would like to set a specific time to tell it, contact me in game closer to the time. Direct any further questions to me. I have not read any of the above stories yet (I'm saving them for when you read them to me!), so I am very much so excited to hear your words as they come out of your own mouth. Awi

Two pacts were offered and agreed to, between Awiiya the Tree and Laphers the Woodcutter (and current leader): [quote] This Tree, Awiiya, recognizes that in order to allow for creation, things must be die, and though destruction of the new is abhorrent, gentle pruning of the old, inefficient, and outdated is as necessary and fitting. In addition to the destruction of the physical there must, however, be the generation of information, often kept in the form of words, stories, or symbols. Awiiya asks that Laphers and his followers never destroy without first knowing, and to share the past. It is only by the sublimation of the past to bring to the future that we can build and avoid a perpetual cycle of paralysis. In acceptance of this pact, Awiiya grants his blessing to Laphers, to saw and cut, and build anew with what has been reaped. Though Awiiya does not speak for the forest, he does speak for himself, and should the need arise, would gladly provide his own branches, leaves, and seeds. Printed Day 337, Year 5 Further sealed with a Bone Saw, symbolic of the relationship between cutting and growing.[/quote] [quote] This Man, Laphers, recognizes that in order to preserve knowledge and life the past must be preserved, passed on freely when needed and not horded for personal gain. Though trees must be cut and trimmed to supply those who have need, never will Laphers and his followers take more than is needed, always protecting the Forest's future. In acceptance of this pact, Laphers offers his saw, ax, strength and mind to defend the tree Awiiya from any unwarranted attack on his treeness. Though Laphers may not always speak for the Woodcutters, he does speak for himself and any who follow him, and would water Awiiya's roots with his blood if needed. Printed Day 337, Year 5 Further sealed with an offering of sawdust for mulch, symbolic of the relationship of life growing strong out of death. [/quote] Awi

@Mur - I've never been one to leave just because the world doesn't match up with what I expect or desire to happen. You'd have to burn MD to the ground to get me to leave at this point. I recognize the fact that you have chosen these people carefully and you've had considerably time to weigh the decisions, but still - how good your choices really have been won't be apparent until far into the future. Given that I trust nothing and no one blindly (a habit leftover from past disillusionment with organized religion), I will just have to live with the unknown, but I keep my doubt just as alive as my hope. Besides - who said that the Council gets to learn only from you? Are you to be the only teacher? I think that they learn from us as well, most of the time indirectly. I view the forum as more of a suggestion box of sorts - although I have a feeling that other people take it far more seriously. Awi

I'll restate my arguments in numerical format: 1. My issue is that the Council in their desire to protect the MD that Mur has created will be overcautious, and less willing to step out on a limb with something that may later be exploited. Concern with destruction cripples creation. 2. The chase spell has a few constructive applications - meetings, personal summonings, travel, etc. I believe it can be used responsibly, but its loss is not something I greatly feel. The spell itself means little. 3. The Council is relatively new, which is why I hoped with my post to offer a possible outcome of conservative rulings - do I keep silent now? And responses to what others have posted: 1. I do not think MD is becoming more automated - in fact the trend has been away from a single ruler and towards a more oligarchic system. However, the more people that are associated with decisions, the less polarized they are. A single man in power may follow his every whim, while a council must find support from the majority of members. 2. On the whole, I do not note a significant degradation of the player population. Less puzzle quests, more debates and stories: I'm all for it. In fact, my caution was not to players or Mur but to the Council (hence: A Letter to the Council). I agree with Tarquinus; I've never been more pleased with the new people I see. 3. Mur's characters (SS and Knaty) are to be played when and if he feels like it. I've never seen much of a presence from them, so their inactivity is hardly a burden on my experience. 4. Your anger, Mur, is understandable given the amount of junk this has caused. Regardless, this topic was not meant for you. You've passed the power to the Council, and although you still reign supreme, that power is less centralized. 5. "you take the opportunity to complain about a more conceptual thing that never happend." - If the last three words are true, then it is I who is paranoid and conservative. But these are words from you, and not the council, so I keep some of my reservations. Awi

Although I'm not involved or affected by the recent ruling on Lifeline, there are a couple of things I personally find troubling. I might be alone in this, and if I am, you should feel free to say so in a post. I'll start by saying that I agree with the removal of Lifeline's summon spell. He used it in an inappropriate manner, and although others like Jester have used it with questionable motives, Lifeline's use was to me unforgivable. Regardless of whether or not there was an explicit rule prohibiting entrance to the lair, as a King he should have known better, and if he isn't accustomed to reading in between the lines in Mur's announcements by now then I can hardly see how he expects to succeed in the highly nuanced job of King. My suspicion is that most vets, if given the time to consider the morality of such an action, would have chosen not to use the spell in such a way. It might be unfair to consider Grido the norm, but he certainly seemed to know that going into the cave would be wrong. The problems for me started when I noted the attitude taken towards others who possess the chase spell without an "administrative role." Historically, regardless of the danger certain items and bugs have Mur has never been one to go to great lengths (or in most cases ANY lengths) to protect the general public from themselves, and the decision to remove something on the chance that it might cause problems later is to me a red flag that something is changing. The change towards seemingly-dictatorial meddling is precisely what I am vehemently opposed to. Danger, risks, and generally unsteady systems have always had for me a certain attraction, most of which comes from the heightened creativity that is a natural product of such systems. Of course there is more risk of failure and even a chance of complete annihilation, but it is rare to see genuinely artistic and creative thoughts coming from a world that is concerned only with peace and stability. My thought is that the more spontaneous experiments (Heads, Torch, Tomabala, Spells, Illusions, etc) the more interesting and (dare I say it? the word that is fading so fast in MD) FUN. It might just be that by protecting us from ourselves the the council has made MD an ounce more dull, and by guarding us you might actually be killing us. A few years and a couple of like-minded decision down the road we might find ourselves stripped of all such items that "may" cause later harm. A world without flaws is one that has crumbled to dust, and I would beg the Council to think of this in future decisions. Awi P.S. I am unsure if the spells were actually removed, due to the line "only [Lifeline's] punishment will be changed," but I find more problem with the attitude than the actuality.

Adventuring Award (quester) - dst [b]She's neurotically obsessed with finishing quests and gaining wishpoints. I can't imagine nominating anyone other than dst.[/b] Best Artist (give examples,link / whatever) -Marvolo -Amoran [b]Both of these artists have shown dedication and impressive art.[/b] Best Back Story / Paragon Papers (back story and quality of papers) - Innocence [b]I'm impressed by the loyalty to the story, most. Quality for me is writing, not presentation.[/b] Best Spell Caster - Jester [b]I agree with him, the game is most interesting when spells are used, with or without reason. His random casts of summon while obnoxious at times have over all given something for the realm to talk about. Many other spellcasters don't use them (myself included)[/b] Champion Fighter - Burns - Clock Master - Shadowseeker - Leixer [b]All the above fighters have impressed me with their dedication, and any one of them could defeat me at any day of the week. Burns especially - not just a good fighter, but a good teacher.[/b] Elite Evil Villain of the Year - Ivorak - Pamplemousse [b]Ivorak's use of the knife, and the guilt he expressed after the fact, show to me that he is a realistic villain. Brought unwillingly to do deeds that he rationalized at the time, I do hope one day he finds reasons to use the knife again. I nominate Pample because she has gained the support of the realm while simultaneously doing rather seedy things - first killing Mya, then becoming a rebel. I'm sorry dst, this year, there seem to be a few more smoking guns in town.[/b] Fossil of the year (On vet list, Chewett can't nominated, as he won last year) - Grido - Tarquinus [b]The reasons for these two nominations should be obvious - dedicated, kind, and likely to stay around longer than Mur.[/b] The Golden Protector - Princ Rhaegar [b]I don't know many of the protectors, and it's rare that they stop by me, but Princ seems to have the support of his followers.[/b] Helper of the Year (Grido can't be nominated) - Mya Celestia - Curiose [b]Mya for her work as LHO, Curiose for her work in the Legend Speakers. Curiose drives herself crazy with ambition - she deserves this award.[/b] Most Addicted - Curiose [b]See above reason. Anybody that spends their time during the day on MD, regardless of location, deserves to be declared addicted. Also - have you seen how she watches the forum? Like a hawk.[/b] Most Influential - Grido - dst - Tarquinus - Pamplemousse [b]This year there wasn't really a clear nomination for me... but these are the people whose posts I read when I want to skim a forum board. You know you've done it as well - it's nearly guaranteed that they'll get to the heart of the matter, and their opinions most often represent the majority of the population. Grido especially stands out as someone I go to if I need something - if he doesn't help me then and there, he'll tell me who to ask next.[/b] Outstanding Service to MD - Grido - Rendril Revant - Chewett [b]Grido for his long hours, Rendril for his work before and after his promotion, Chewett for the forum.[/b] Pre-eminent Role Player - Keith Moon - Zleiphneir - Innocence [b]These are the people that keep their character, no matter what time, no matter their mood, and the ones that have the most defined character. From a block of anonymous text, I could point out these three characters with utmost certainty.[/b] Rookie of the year (20 - 365 AD) - Curiose [b]It might be because she and I talk a good deal (story night details, etc), but I think she's the most involved youngish person around.[/b] Superlative Orator (Debating) - Pamplemousse - Firsanthalas - Fyrd Argentus - Aelis [b]So many people are good at debating... but I had to limit myself. These are the four that not only keep up with a debate but move it along.[/b] Top Techie (technical knowledge as well as technical help or script help) - Rendril Revant [b]The reason should be self-explanatory. Before and after promotion, Rendril is the best there is.[/b] Awi

One internal wish, one informational, and one external 1. To draw a self-portrait that looks like me. why not: in past attempts, there's always been a few things that look wrong why yes: with a little practice, it should be possible why: to be able to draw myself is a step in understanding and knowing my own face, something I should be familiar with but am not because I hardly ever see it. 2. Have an hour conversation with a homeless person, without giving them any money (bonus points for getting them to give me money) why not: they always smell bad, and have scared me since I was a kid why yes: homeless people are everywhere, it shouldn't be that hard to sit down next to one. why: homeless people would have the most interesting perspective on home, living, money, wealth, meaning, etc. Or they might be incredibly paranoid. Either way, I want to know. 3. Return a moonstone that I stole from a girl as a 7 year old. why not: I'm not sure where the rock is in the house, it would be hard to find her. why yes: it's achievable because with a week of searching I could probably find it (I hid it away). I would have to travel to get it though. why: it's the first thing I ever felt guilty for in my entire life - the first time I've done something that I realized later was wrong. A mark in my moral development. I wanted to return it at the time, but didn't find a way.

Right you are. Fixed both. Awi

The reason I didn't say anything myself is because I didn't have anything to say, and didn't want any action to be taken on my part, but undercutting Curiose seemed a tad rude, I figured I could let it go. But since you ask for it Pip: I was angry for the five minutes I was uprooted, and then quickly got over it when I was returned. I wasn't planning on doing anything, posting anything, or asking for any action. Curiose took it upon herself to post on the forum. I do agree with you on a number of points: I am not important enough by a long shot for anybody to take my anger as a condemnation of Jester, and if I can't forgive Jester for moving me (I have forgiven him) then I'm not much worth at all. The fact that my name is being dragged into this at all is making me rather uncomfortable. If you want to help me, Curiose, Kyphis, Pip, or any others then we can let this drop. Many thanks. Awi

I do not think that friends will vote for their friends: that's quite a cynical take. I agree with the idea that I will vote for the people I know (otherwise known as friends), because I don't feel comfortable judging someone who I have not met, but the idea that I will vote for my favorite person is not true in my self-evaluation. For illustration, and for the record I do know this is not a place for nominations, I would vote for one of the Kings or another: Grido, Jester, Pamplemousse, Yrthilian, or perhaps Shadowseeker. I know all of these people, but I am still using my powers of judgment to choose which among my acquaintances most fits in line with the title of "Most Infleuntial." Now, if this was a true popularity contest, and I was voting for the person that means the most to me, I would choose Kets, but I don't think she fits "Most Infleuntial." All people will judge among their friends who best fits the bid - to suggest we are all going to choose our favorite people is stretching it. Who would you vote for Chewett? Awi PS: Isn't the person who has made the most impact often the person with the most friends (in the non-game-mechanic sense)? Wouldn't then friend count be a fairly accurate judge of influence?

Your arguments are fair, but I have a quibble. I don't think that veterans who have spent years learning and exploring should share their knowledge freely. For one, newbies would misinterpret it without the proper background, and for another it would be devalued. That which is given is forgotten, while that which is built lasts forever. The solution to the problem of hopeless groping might rest more in an ingame location which people can come and speak about anything and everything, under the watchful eyes of those of us who have spent far too much time sitting around thinking up theories. I don't wish to name a specific location, because I think that organically one will be chosen without effort, but I do welcome any people to stop by me and talk. If I'm around, I will respond. In short: rather than a lecture, there should be an eternal conversation. Awi

Two responses to Lightsage: 1. I think Superlative Orator should be left. While it is specific in one sense, because so many people participate in debate (forums, in game, elsewhere) it really is more general than a lot of the others that you didn't challenge, and furthermore debating is a common activity. 2. I think Most Influential should remain. There has to be one award that goes to the player who has the most far-reaching influence on the game as a whole. Every award ceremony tends to have one Ultimate Award that is highly subjective, but still remains. Awi

I'd have one thing to add: I think Top Techie should be broadened, as while bugs still exist, they don't quite fuel roles as much as they used to. I think Top Techie should include knowledge of fighting and game mechanics. Awi

Alternate names (and a few comments): Best Back Story(Have either this or Best Personal Papers. They seem redundant) Best Debater - Superlative Orator (Meant to be wordy - it's the best debater after all) Best Fighter - Champion Fighter Best Role Player - Preeminent Role Player Best Personal Papers - Paragon Papers Best PL Entry(I don't like this award, it strikes me as difficult to judge) Best Protector - The Golden Protector Best Quest - Prime Quest Best Quester - Adventuring Award Best Spell Caster(Might be best to fold this into protector?) - Most Magical Caster Best Techie - Top Techie Best Villain - Elite Evil Villain of the Year There are plenty more adjectives meaning "best" where that came from.... Awi

Full of foliage, I think. That would make the most sense Awi

I am looking for an artist that would be willing to draw the tree I am now as an avatar. My current avatar feels out of place. Of course, for artistic integrity, you could not copy the tree, but rather draw something similar (maybe the backside?). The payment - gold or silver. Contact me if you think you can help me. Awi

Changed - if there need to be further edits, post again. Awi

Happy Birthday

Paradox - by the time you have seen yourself in the many shards of your mirror, you will have changed, and all you will have left are a million past you's. In the MD world you are correct in that you are the center, and all of us revolve around you, but as time goes on things start to change. Other people enter the world you meticulously carved and start to reface it. Khalazdad springs to mind. He took what you gave him, and recreated it to fit his needs and ideals, and while they were close in thought to yours, they were vastly different in expression. And so, he becomes a secondary God. The more you create, the more people follow, but creation is nothing more than an elegant refashioning, were the aesthetic is closely monitored by inspiration. The thought - the most effective and popular of art is that which can represent what lies inside. Art is a mirror that reflects the internal but unstated. Listen to a song, and if the words match your thoughts and the melodies sufficiently fill the silence while at the same time being similar in structure to that which you have before, it will be a good and attractive song. Art is not empirical, it is not objective, as you say. Art is the act of connection, and it just so happens that the most famous of art is most universal. MD is a specific world, built in such a way that few people stay because few people match enough with the creators (I'm sorry Mur, you are not the only creator at this point). That is, you have not yet captured and reflected something that exists in all of us, though you are, I think, getting closer. A matter of time, or a limit not yet bounded? There will come a time when I understand MD fully, and that is the day I leave, or perhaps the day I die. Awi

ENFP I've taken the test before, and I'm strongly extroverted, intuitive, and perceptive. The feeling is weaker. Something I noticed - the majority of people that have posted are intuitive and feeling. Anybody want to analyze why? Awi