Best Of
Re: Lusternian Divine AMA
1. What's your damage?
2. What's in the box?
3. Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?
4. Kill anyone today?
5. What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss?
Kalliope
1
Re: Lusternian Divine AMA
Luce said:The False Gods are back, but this time they are impersonating rather than replacing Elders.
1. Who do you think would do the best job pretending to be You?
2. What 'tell' gives away the game to Your (dis)Order?
3. What trophy do You take from Your doppelganger?
Unrelated to that scenario,
4. What's your favorite room/mob/item description that you've seen?
5. Was there a quest or area whose documentation you saw after taking on the Godrole that made you go "Oh, that makes more sense now."? (no need to say which if its spoilers, but I'm also asking about quests where the solution makes more sense now, or if there was a connection that we can see that you didn't know about beforehand.)
6. If You were given a monument, idol, or gift by Your Order, what would it be?
1. I am afraid that I'm not the most qualified on the False Gods, so I'll guess Frei because she'd probably be able to be both as heartless and as aloof as Malmydia.
2. The strangeness of Her smell.
3. Why, her blood of course! No one else needs it 
4. Because I am overly devoted to my mother, Jacintha is likely my favourite, but I will also give a surprising answer and say that I really enjoy Elytho Serole's design as well. I do love looking at all the gorgeous appearances that exit the Havens these days, but I am a particularly big fan of the designs for items, npcs, clothing, etc. that go out by the Seren team - Lisaera and Maylea have such a gorgeous set to work with and they really make the most of it at all times!
5. Not so much in a way that was confusion, but I particularly enjoyed when I took on my admin position that I got to learn how some of my favourite area/mechanics worked so I could attempt to better recreate them in the future.
6. While I've yet to open my order to the public, I think an assumed portrait of what the Siblings looked like at a younger age (done respectfully, of course) would be the sweetest gift that could be given to Malmydia. Of course, She would never tell you that, and may just kill you over it anyway.
1. This will sound cheesy, perhaps, but I adore seeing logs shared and player reactions. Something about strangers interacting with something you poured effort into and gushing about it really gives your ego a needed boost on the hard days where imposter syndrome runs the worst - even just reactions in discord will stumble me at times, seeing the sheer number of people who saw something and know that they're watching (and hopefully waiting) for what else might come. My work is as much for you all as it is for me, and seeing you enjoy it keeps the fire burning bright.Uzriel said:Another couple of questions here!
1. What is it you enjoy most about being godadmin? Ie, what got you through ephhood/keeps you logging in still?
2. What's something you've found unexpectedly difficult (could be behind the scenes in general, transitioning to ephhood from mortal, or transition from eph to godmin)?
3. Maybe too close to Ayisdra's question but what's something that really caught you off guard but couldn't help but laugh about (that you're allowed to share). I'm thinking along the lines of weird bugs, events going off rails, etc.
2. I will answer this slightly differently: while being hidden from mortal perception in the extreme manner Malmydia was (We made sure you couldn't honours her, find her accidentally, etc.) I was unable to hear the city aether at first, and a few of our god backend systems needed tweaking so we weren't hiding me from ourselves.
3. You got on the anchor, looked around. I went into my notepad to pull out the god-mote. I alt+tab back in and hit paste and enter, a second after you boarded the ship again and took off. I was laughing, crying, and "looking" at Drocilla going, 'WAIT WHAT NOW?!'
- Violence is always an acceptable option: choice one.Kalliope said:"While in town the baker gives you a sweetroll. Delighted, you take it into an alley to enjoy, only to be intercepted by a gang of three kids your age. The leader demands the sweetroll, or else he and his friends will beat you and take it."
- Act like you're going to give him the sweetroll, but at the last minute throw it in the air, hoping that they'll pay attention to it long enough for you to get a shot in on the leader?
- Give him the sweetroll now without argument, knowing that later this afternoon you will have all your friends with you and can come and take whatever he owes you?
- Drop the sweetroll and step on it, then get ready for the fight?
The sheer drama of the moment when Malmydia's sibling relations were revealed was only met by seeing Drocilla lift away the curtain in-character during my release event and seeing it all come together. The lore nerds in the audience were rapt with attention and reacted exactly as I hoped they would when learning Malmydia/Ein/Mugowumpois were crechmates. *chefskiss*Esei said:What's your favorite memory of being a god, so far? Can be crushing a particularly pesky bug, rp with your order (or org, or even a totally random person you didn't expect to show up in your fulcrux, etc), rp you got while possessing a mob, or anything you can think of. Feel free to redact if need be!Alternatively, what's your godrole's favorite beverage?
malmydia
4
Re: Lusternian AMA
I am the originator of Realdog... Many many years ago I submitted it as an idea on Aetolia so that people who typo'd would be trolled, and they added it. <_< Maybe it existed other IRE games before that idek. But still one of my proudest achievements.
Kalliope
2
Re: Lusternian AMA
1. Eurael. They have to deal with me sobbing my eyes out every time I embrace the Heart of Yeniona.Lisaera said:Many (if not all) of these are probably repeats!
- Who is your favorite NPC (alive or dead) and why?
- Which one (only one!) IRL song is THE defining song of your character in this moment of their journey?
- If your character were a glass of something, what beverage would they be?
- What is your favorite easter egg you've discovered in Lusternia (in room descriptions, areas, a line of NPC dialogue etc)?
- What is the wildest Lusternian theory or headcanon you have?
- Do you have a faceclaim or voiceclaim for your character, and if so, who?
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTo7f1_yVNQ Naturally.
3. Masala chai.
4. I found this one because of Aetolia - REALDOG works for READLOG. (over there it has you muse thoughtfully about buying a dog)
5. That there were survivors of the doomed expedition of First Circles to greet the Soulless.
6. Yes. Evanna Lynch. Probably for both!
Re: What are your "Quality of Life" tips and tricks for new and returning players?
Only just realized how new this is, but LINK <node/nexus> <#> is baseline now, and will automagically unlink you from the thing after a given number of links!
Wonderpie is underappreciated, in my opinion. The third power doubles your cooking output and stacks with the spatula and the spectral measuring cup. A later power gives increased gold rewards from turnins, one gives a crit buff, and one gives an experience boost. It's not a bad option for your second or third wonder item depending on how often you hunt, cook, influence, etc. The 3 crystal dip for chefs is a must.
Why is it second or third? Because as a returning player, WONDERCORN CLAIM will net you a crystal for every tenth level you've earned. Technically you only get the crystals, but the wonder cornucopia gives you a herofete's benefits by 8 crystals, plus the tonic power which can give you some fun fluids, and at 10 you get 500 free goop or a free wonder crystal each in-game year.
Speaking of underappreciated, if you get curios from presents or the wheel, check CURIOMARKET before rubbing them to see if you can get a quick credit or two per piece.
And lastly for now, if you haven't melded since the mage rework, you can now <whatever>CAST CLEAR NODE <#> to release just that room from your meld, letting you move meld rooms around in hunting areas or Astral without needing to reraise the effects.
Wonderpie is underappreciated, in my opinion. The third power doubles your cooking output and stacks with the spatula and the spectral measuring cup. A later power gives increased gold rewards from turnins, one gives a crit buff, and one gives an experience boost. It's not a bad option for your second or third wonder item depending on how often you hunt, cook, influence, etc. The 3 crystal dip for chefs is a must.
Why is it second or third? Because as a returning player, WONDERCORN CLAIM will net you a crystal for every tenth level you've earned. Technically you only get the crystals, but the wonder cornucopia gives you a herofete's benefits by 8 crystals, plus the tonic power which can give you some fun fluids, and at 10 you get 500 free goop or a free wonder crystal each in-game year.
Speaking of underappreciated, if you get curios from presents or the wheel, check CURIOMARKET before rubbing them to see if you can get a quick credit or two per piece.
And lastly for now, if you haven't melded since the mage rework, you can now <whatever>CAST CLEAR NODE <#> to release just that room from your meld, letting you move meld rooms around in hunting areas or Astral without needing to reraise the effects.
Luce
2
Re: Lore Friendly Beasts and Dwellers
In the past, when customisations were the sole behest of one person rather than a dedicated group of administrators, things could easily slip through the cracks after a long day of work - especially when that person was unfamiliar with more recent pop culture material. The benefit of multiple people on a team means that multiple people have a chance to spot these things with each having widely varying levels and niches of pop culture knowledge, so that way we can keep the level that we'd like to!
Mysrai
5
Re: The Lusternian Bookclub
A few more from my lists:
I tend to prefer scholarly entries, even though I know you all are frustrated about how to write scholarly works.
- Daughters of the Amaranth by Sthai d'Murani
- The Truth in Legend: Ledor Inalai by Catarin Inalai
- The Paladins of the Holy Celestine Empire by Catarin Inalai and the Lusternian Historical Society
- Nifhilhema's Tear by Lendren Myeras-Starfall
- Justice and Atonement by Rena and the follow-up Critique of "Justice and Atonement" by Neerth
- The Art of Swordmaking by Iraen
- Solid Air: A Study by Ileein Shevat
- Continuum: Metaphysics by Incabulos Oubliette
- The Collected Essays of Aiakon d'Murani: Volume I
I tend to prefer scholarly entries, even though I know you all are frustrated about how to write scholarly works.
Terentia
2
Re: Lusternian Divine AMA
1.) Well, Terentia's release was also Lantra's release, so there was some triangulating on our end about how and why they came together. I liked the idea of using some of the old Terentia materials in order to point that this is a new person taking on the role. I don't think I had any other ideas, honestly. I more or less went with the one we originally did.Ayisdra said:1. Why did you choose the release event that you did? Did you have any other ideas that you decided against for your release?2. What is your favorite way to describe a voice?3. Is there something you regret not doing as a mortal before you became an admin?4. What is something that surprised you when you first moved over to the admin side (that you can share)? What is something that still surprises you about being an admin (that you can share)?
2.) A voice? Terentia's voice? Terentia's voice is always described as "firm yet feminine," and I think of it almost as if she was very cross.
3.) I think maybe invest more in whatever family my mortal was in? I think I mentioned before my roleplay style as a mortal was always like I was playing a single-player campaign in a multiplayer game, so I would have liked to have actually participated more in the family that I joined.
4) I think for both: the amount of story/lore/plot that is and is not revealed.
1.) I think Aelish would likely be the obvious choice, but I am going to go with Frai. If Frai's role is "aloof," that I think plays into the steeliness that Terentia portrays in a clearer way than a sort of parental figure that Aelish has.Luce said:The False Gods are back, but this time they are impersonating rather than replacing Elders.
1. Who do you think would do the best job pretending to be You?
2. What 'tell' gives away the game to Your (dis)Order?
3. What trophy do You take from Your doppelganger?
Unrelated to that scenario,
4. What's your favorite room/mob/item description that you've seen?
5. Was there a quest or area whose documentation you saw after taking on the Godrole that made you go "Oh, that makes more sense now."? (no need to say which if its spoilers, but I'm also asking about quests where the solution makes more sense now, or if there was a connection that we can see that you didn't know about beforehand.)
6. If You were given a monument, idol, or gift by Your Order, what would it be?
2.) I imagine Frai would be a bit too conniving than Terentia; her idea of strategies would be plots rather than tactics.
3.) Terentia's helm, which would be the titular "hood" of the "Hooded One."
4.) Room: "A stone bridge" in Glomdoring. Not because it is the most beautifully written room, but because of the kind of history that it evokes. Mob: "A saltwater weird," which only a slim few got to see. Item: This is hard, because there are just so many item descriptions... and this might be a cop-out since it is a Celest item, but I really do love "a tarnished scabbard of gilded dolphins."
5.) Honestly, I don't think there are many quests or areas that elicit that response for me anymore.
6.) One of those giant topiary statue like things (think the "porcelain vase" from the Met Gala's "China: Through the Looking Glass"), but a sword made out of daffodils.
1.) The ability to collaborate with really excellent people whose writing skills surpass my own. There is something about watching someone in the Havens team just suddenly whip up a description or a line for something that is so beautifully crafted that is truly spectacular.Uzriel said:Another couple of questions here!
1. What is it you enjoy most about being godadmin? Ie, what got you through ephhood/keeps you logging in still?
2. What's something you've found unexpectedly difficult (could be behind the scenes in general, transitioning to ephhood from mortal, or transition from eph to godmin)?
3. Maybe too close to Ayisdra's question but what's something that really caught you off guard but couldn't help but laugh about (that you're allowed to share). I'm thinking along the lines of weird bugs, events going off rails, etc.
2.) More "in general" and also less "unexpectedly," but managing the feelings about whether or not you are investing enough or not. Specifically regarding being a "god" or patroning things.
3) I think the only honest answer is some of the conclusions everyone draws related to things--either OOC through Discord or IC through thinking.
Terentia, 3. Me, 1.Kalliope said:"While in town the baker gives you a sweetroll. Delighted, you take it into an alley to enjoy, only to be intercepted by a gang of three kids your age. The leader demands the sweetroll, or else he and his friends will beat you and take it."
- Act like you're going to give him the sweetroll, but at the last minute throw it in the air, hoping that they'll pay attention to it long enough for you to get a shot in on the leader?
- Give him the sweetroll now without argument, knowing that later this afternoon you will have all your friends with you and can come and take whatever he owes you?
- Drop the sweetroll and step on it, then get ready for the fight?
Terentia
5
Announce Post #3218: April Treasure Hunts
Do you know Lusternia's every nook and cranny? Are you a truly accomplished Explorer? We'll see! In April we'll be hosting two treasure hunts.
The first one will be easy, the second one hard. Comparatively at least! The goal of the first one is to provide a more gentle introduction to how treasure hunts work and how to puzzle out the right location from the clue. The second will be more challenging both on account of its more difficult clues and because it will require you to find the right denizens (who will all be made invulnerable for the duration) instead of locations.
Treasure Hunt I
----------------
Date: 16th April, 2pm GMT
Type: easy
Focus: locations on the Prime Plane
Treasure Hunt II
-----------------
Date: 23rd April, 10pm GMT
Type: hard
Focus: denizens on the Prime Plane
Both treasure hunts will have the same prizes, which are as follows:
1st Place - 200 credits + uniquely skinned Silver Compass of True Directions
2nd Place - 150 credits
3rd Place - 100 credits
All participants will have until the end of the week following the hunt to pick up the hunt item and complete the treasure hunt. Everyone who completes the treasure hunt will be rewarded 50 credits (including those who place) and their hunt item will be made permanent.
One thing to keep in mind when preparing is that clues hardly ever include the exact word you will find in a room's or denizen's description. For example, the clue might be: "The wind carries herbal scents, broken fence revealing peaks of colour in this drab land, dimmed by the menacing shadow of a nearby crumbling behemoth." This is room "a hidden clearing" in the Grey Moors. There are a few hints to this being the right place. "Drab land" suggests Grey Moors, "menacing shadow of a crumbling behemoth" is meant to conjure the image of Castle Djarrakh. Then for the exact room, the herbal scent is meant to point to the herbal garden which is an adjoining room and the room's description suggests you can glimpse the herbs within, hence "peaks of colour". The clue could allude to the history of the place, its people, geography, visuals, etc.
As for how treasure hunts are carried out in Lusternia, you always receive an item that serves as your guide. You usually have at least two ways of interacting with the item, which you will be able to see on PROBE. The first will show you the current clue, the second will verify if you're in the right room for the given clue. The item will tell you if you're in the right room and then roll the next clue. Everyone has the same clues but in a randomly generated order. The first person to figure out the last clue, wins. In some cases, and in these hunts as well, you will also have the option to reroll a clue once in a while to avoid getting stuck.
The first one will be easy, the second one hard. Comparatively at least! The goal of the first one is to provide a more gentle introduction to how treasure hunts work and how to puzzle out the right location from the clue. The second will be more challenging both on account of its more difficult clues and because it will require you to find the right denizens (who will all be made invulnerable for the duration) instead of locations.
Treasure Hunt I
----------------
Date: 16th April, 2pm GMT
Type: easy
Focus: locations on the Prime Plane
Treasure Hunt II
-----------------
Date: 23rd April, 10pm GMT
Type: hard
Focus: denizens on the Prime Plane
Both treasure hunts will have the same prizes, which are as follows:
1st Place - 200 credits + uniquely skinned Silver Compass of True Directions
2nd Place - 150 credits
3rd Place - 100 credits
All participants will have until the end of the week following the hunt to pick up the hunt item and complete the treasure hunt. Everyone who completes the treasure hunt will be rewarded 50 credits (including those who place) and their hunt item will be made permanent.
One thing to keep in mind when preparing is that clues hardly ever include the exact word you will find in a room's or denizen's description. For example, the clue might be: "The wind carries herbal scents, broken fence revealing peaks of colour in this drab land, dimmed by the menacing shadow of a nearby crumbling behemoth." This is room "a hidden clearing" in the Grey Moors. There are a few hints to this being the right place. "Drab land" suggests Grey Moors, "menacing shadow of a crumbling behemoth" is meant to conjure the image of Castle Djarrakh. Then for the exact room, the herbal scent is meant to point to the herbal garden which is an adjoining room and the room's description suggests you can glimpse the herbs within, hence "peaks of colour". The clue could allude to the history of the place, its people, geography, visuals, etc.
As for how treasure hunts are carried out in Lusternia, you always receive an item that serves as your guide. You usually have at least two ways of interacting with the item, which you will be able to see on PROBE. The first will show you the current clue, the second will verify if you're in the right room for the given clue. The item will tell you if you're in the right room and then roll the next clue. Everyone has the same clues but in a randomly generated order. The first person to figure out the last clue, wins. In some cases, and in these hunts as well, you will also have the option to reroll a clue once in a while to avoid getting stuck.
Re: Lusternian Divine AMA
"While in town the baker gives you a
sweetroll. Delighted, you take it into an alley to enjoy, only to be
intercepted by a gang of three kids your age. The leader demands the
sweetroll, or else he and his friends will beat you and take it."
- Act like you're going to give him the sweetroll, but at the last minute throw it in the air, hoping that they'll pay attention to it long enough for you to get a shot in on the leader?
- Give him the sweetroll now without argument, knowing that later this afternoon you will have all your friends with you and can come and take whatever he owes you?
- Drop the sweetroll and step on it, then get ready for the fight?
Kalliope
2
(c) Iron Realms Entertainment 2012.