A remix maybe? If Elder Gods didn't exist and your "god role" could be practically anything as long as it fit the bill of a supremely powerful being what might you be?
An example, the Supernals, Demon Lords, and Great Spirits would be up for grabs, Maeve too possibly, along with potentially creating something of a similar power level.
I can't play League of Legends on my computer, but if lots of godmin play LoL, perhaps you guys could do some sort of post-ascension LoL party. I think people would really enjoy getting a chance to play with/against admin!
I don't know if this is a terrible idea, but in my head it could be a lot of fun for all involved.
@AllGods: if you hadn't chosen the God you're playing now, what would have been your second choice and why? Have any of you ever made up a God/Persona concept that wasn't in the histories, but Estarra turned it down?
I went through three god options before finally going with Weiwae. When I first moved up into the Havens I thought for certain that I would want to take over either Shikari or Fain, but after my time spent as an Ephemeral, I decided against both of them and they weren't even on my top five list in the end. Creating a new god was actually something I was trying very hard to avoid doing, but I think it was worth it in the end. I hope Celest agrees.
All: Fain just hasn't been touched in so long. Has there ever been any serious interest (like as a 2nd choice) among the ephemerals to become him? Same for Auseklis, Charune, Kalikai.
Fain was my top choice heading up to the Havens, but in the end what I liked most about Fain was the RP of infiltrating other orgs, and that sort of thing just won't fly anymore. I also thought about Auseklis but Hoaracle explained that one.
What other games do you like? What's your favorite(s) book/genre/series/author.
I'm currently playing, Pillars of Eternity. It is the first game I have had any time to play in a few years.
I accidently found a book series called the Last Storm Lord, but I was only able to find the first two books. I loved them. I apparently have a thing for seemingly never ending book series, as my other previous favourite books were Wheel of Time (I read each book as they were released starting with book 2), Game of Thrones. (Also, started reading that when book 2 was released) and the Kingkiller chronicles, which I first read in 2010.
@AllGods: most of us have a good idea of your persona's pet peeves/dislikes. What are some of your personal pet peeves when it comes to dealing with players?
When they send me OOC messages that aren't related to patron duties.
@AllGods - If the Gods had a dance off in-game, do you think the God you're playing as would rank in the top three? What style of dancing would your character pick for said dance battle?
Without a doubt, Weiwae would win the competition. You have never seen a more graceful fat blob in your life. He would likely choose capoeira as his dance style.
A remix maybe? If Elder Gods didn't exist and your "god role" could be practically anything as long as it fit the bill of a supremely powerful being what might you be?
An example, the Supernals, Demon Lords, and Great Spirits would be up for grabs, Maeve too possibly, along with potentially creating something of a similar power level.
I would want to play some sort of shape-shifting soulless blob. Think of sentient silly putty trying to create a singularity. AKA @Morgfyre.
@7thCircleGods: Why do you insist on calling your creations "children"? Don't you realise you are sterile and Dynara is gone? Move on or splinter!
All: In those times when Gods and their pets/mobs are out and about simultaneously, do you control both characters, or pass off control of your pet/mob to a helpful admin/ephemeral?
Might just be because I've a terribly slow response rate when I'm rp'ing, but if you're controlling both, my mind is boggled.
I already sent it as a message to @Lisaera personally and I'll state it here as well, I'm definitely sure there's a good bunch of people in Seren ( me included ) who see the gods in hiding as something sad and do miss the interactions with "our divines". I was really delighted when I saw something happen somewhere in there and while Aeldra wouldn't involve herself in it directly unless asked ( not her order ), I as a player am seriously hoping to see more active serenwilde divines again, for it's something I really enjoy about Lusternia ( in short, pls don't hide! )
@Cxizi, Did you already know that you would end up in Hallifax when your god was released or was that an open process?
@AllGods Did you ever happen upon lore inquires by players that simply baffled you, or where you found that you simply had no idea how to answer them as the lore on that particular question hasn't been written? How do you deal with such a situation?
@Aeldra - I did know that I was going to Hallifax. When we create a god role, part and parcel of that is getting approval from Estarra regarding where we are going. However I did not want it to be a foregone conclusion IC, as Czixi comes with strong links to every organisation, so I made a point of trying to visit everywhere prior to joining Hallifax.
@Ushaara - The vast majority of the time it is all us. We do not interfere with each other's denizens unless we have express permission to do so. However it does happen sometimes!
@Daraius - I would suggest asking people who had a strong connection to her, or spent a lot of time with her.
Ohmygosh, how do you keep up and keep track of everything? During the first Collectivist Ball, my emoting was like 5 minutes behind everyone else, haha.
The first few times we do anything that involves controlling a lot of mobs at once, it's really intense. The nerves never fully go away, but after a while you get better at it, you can keep track of more. We've all gone through helping with area releases (where you can at points be controlling 5+ denizens whilst trying to fix bugs that people have found), so really controlling a couple of pets plus ourselves is easy in comparison!
Personally I'm fine if I've just got mobs, and I'm fine if I'm just there myself - it's the combination of being there as myself and being there as denizens that makes me freeze up for some reason. It's different for everyone.
A remix maybe? If Elder Gods didn't exist and your "god role" could be practically anything as long as it fit the bill of a supremely powerful being what might you be?
An example, the Supernals, Demon Lords, and Great Spirits would be up for grabs, Maeve too possibly, along with potentially creating something of a similar power level.
It would be a split between Scorpion or Bull. Scorpion, because she is such a badass, and I really love the Scorpion Caverns area in terms of lore; Bull, because, even though we haven't had the chance to flesh it all out, he has a very interesting history, especially re: Moonblade Cult and sibling tension with Hart.
All the Gods: What's your favourite aetherbubble, and why?!
Tree of Trees/Amberni is one of my favourite areas period. Mostly because it has some cool features and ideas on progging that some of us try to implement elsewhere. Xion is up there too, just because I think the idea of an ancient, divine laboratory is neat.
@AllGods Did you ever happen upon lore inquires by players that simply baffled you, or where you found that you simply had no idea how to answer them as the lore on that particular question hasn't been written? How do you deal with such a situation?
If the circumstance happens and I haven't "interacted" yet, the best way to deal with the situation is not engage whatsoever; if I have interacted, well, then it is just a sort of backtrack and casually pivot the conversation to something else. Honestly, there are not many lore questions that don't have answers that players ask. The real difficulty is when players try to ask for things that we can't really explain or help with because of the OOC nature of things.
If the Gods had a dance off in-game, do you think the God you're playing as would rank in the top three? What style of dancing would your character pick for said dance battle?
~ If we got ranked for high society type dancing then sure! I envision Isune waltzing with airy, very light steps. Though, I also do tend to picturing her persuading some handsome gentleman god to dance with her. So probably a couples win??
What is the one question you dread being asked by players the most?
~ "Hey Isune, do you remember that time (years and years ago) where you did X and we did Y!?"
I think nothing is more panicky than taking on an existing role and worrying about the little histories you miss out on. Or something super esoteric where I go "Estarra!! Halp!"
what's the weirdest thing you've seen happen in your Fulcrux?
~ I've not been around long enough as yet, but I find it amusing when people walk in then right back out. I can't blame them I suppose, it's not like we have plaques outside the Fulcrux!
@Dylara ~ That's a tough one! As I said before my predecessor left great notes, but before that it was not quite so simple. A lot of credit goes to the most previous Isune to myself really. Much of her old histories are things I've read to understand her past, the beginnings, but seeing how things have shaped and matured her really brings her complexity out that the earliest versions of Isune did not have. And seeing that maturity develop happened in the previous Isune iteration. I am picking up in the middle of that and taking it to the next step (I hope!) in many ways. Often she is seen as the 'youngest' or maybe 'most naive' of the Elders? This was a very early perception, but she is growing beyond these more girlish ways. The important thing overall is finding those immutable characteristics though. Her tenets, even in the early days, are representative of that and are the core of her. I believe remembering to stay true to that core is the key to a consistent thread for Isune despite administrative transitions.
Also, don't feel shy to pray to her! Even if you're in the opposing alliance it can yield some fun RP either way.
Do you think it is hard to live up to the expectations that your godrole has from us mortals or do you just ignore anything of this nature and take the role however you want?
~ I do wonder at the least if my order is pleased with how Isune is now with me behind the reins, but beyond that, if I let myself obsess TOO much about being so much like an old Isune, she would never grow as a character on her own either. We get a lot of leeway to pave new paths for existing roles, which really helps us, as admins, take ownership of this new mantle we have accepted. We definitely try to stay true to the core aspects and principles of a character, but we're allowed to deviate in logical ways over time also. In the end though, for me, I just hope people are having fun and not spending too much time worrying about comparisons! It is probably the most daunting part of taking an existing role, the expectations laid out by our former iterations.
A remix maybe? If Elder Gods didn't exist and your "god role" could be practically anything as long as it fit the bill of a supremely powerful being what might you be?
~ Isune would likely turn into some new species of colourful bird or rainbows...?
All: In those times when Gods and their pets/mobs are out and about simultaneously, do you control both characters, or pass off control of your pet/mob to a helpful admin/ephemeral?
~ Yes. As you get more experience, it gets easier. Some of the admins have told me stories about controlling 10+ denizens at the same time (*BOGGLE* right??) But we love having ephemerals practice and stretch their wings in this aspect also, and it's great fun for them too.
Did you ever happen upon lore inquires by players that simply baffled you, or where you found that you simply had no idea how to answer them as the lore on that particular question hasn't been written? How do you deal with such a situation?
~ This is definitely when I pull the "Estarra! HALP!" card or rely on the other admins to help. There's so much knowledge in the Havens, people who have been around for years and remember every bit of lore. It's amazing to me, truly. And everyone seems willing to definitely help out, which is a relief absolutely.
I just wanted to say I'm finding both of these AMA threads insanely fascinating, and it's a real delight to find out more about the people behind all of these well-crafted and interesting characters - both divine and mortal! Thank you so much to all involved for being so generous!!
@AllGods - What have you found the most rewarding aspect about guiding your respective organisation? Alternatively, what was the nicest surprise you've had from a player since taking on your god role?
@Saran If I could be anything, I'd be Marani. Nothing more thrilling than a delusional, extremely powerful priestess with a cathedral full of followers.
@Ushaara 95% of the time it's us doing the godrole and the mobs. Like @Czixi said, being yourself and a mob/mobs at once is the actual challenge because of the fear you'll emote as the mob instead of yourself or the other way around (been there, done that, thank you for never mentioning it). Doing a few mobs at once is a skill you develop over time too and it's not that hard. Some of us split up relevant text into separate mini windows if we're managing a few rooms at once too.
@Elryn That's a mammoth of a question. What I always find rewarding is when people engage with what I do for the org and truly enjoy it. I've assisted with a handful of festival-like events in Magnagora but the one that stands out to me the most is the rather recent Screaming Masquarade Ball and for an entirely non-ball related reason. They told me they want a winter theme for the event and pretty much wrote me a blank cheque to do with as I wish. This resulted in a lot of creative solutions and ideas. Seeing players run about making snowman with child-like glee was an absolute joy. There is no better reward for an admin than seeing people enjoy their work.
@AllGods What is your favourite area? And stealing from @Hoaracle what is your favourite room?
Avurekhos says, "Dylara's a PvP menace in my eyes, totes rekting face."
The eye of Dylara materialises in your hands and flings itself around your neck, tightening incomprehensibly until it is irremovable. Perfectly clean, this eyeball has been wrenched from the socket of Dylara. It has been animated by some unusual force, constantly looking around itself as if in shock or fear. It is bathed in a light covering of white flames that roll endlessly over its surface. A single chain of empyreal metal pierces either side of the eye, allowing it to be worn around the neck.
Presidio of the Damned - there's a lot of tiny amazing things there, good plot, solid quest, RP inspiration. Did you know Jhagreer will bless you if you ask him to? Did you know Loredana throws about amazing quotes such as "When life gives you a furrikin, make a warm pair of gloves"? Did you know Maurus will reveal different things about [REDACTED] at each stage of the area quest if you ask him?
Project Eternity - one area, two counteracting quests, very efficient in terms of use of space/props. Also has the Throne of Urlach which is just mind-boggling lore-wise.
Meliashmora of Imperial Secrets - amazing quests, nice story, awesome rewards. Has a real D&D adventure feel to it.
Scorpion Caverns - I can't put a finger on it but it feels like you're at the end of the world while you're doing quests there. All alone, only you and the sands, figuring out an ancient puzzle. Amazing.
I could go on forever, I love pretty much all of them.
Favourite rooms:
Klangratch's Teapot
A blast of bitterly cold air settling in from somewhere high in the darkness of this domed, cavernous chamber collides with the mass of steam roiling in from the tunnels to the northeast and northwest, with spectacular results. The colliding currents erupt into a full-blown subterranean tempest, with howling winds that drive stinging rain and slam about anyone or anything unfortunate enough to get caught in the middle.
Undervault. The name always cracks me up and is very apt for the room too.
Gallery of Divine Splendour
Floor-to-ceiling mirrors cover the walls of this expansive hall, reflecting upon the twin marble statues of nudes that dominate the surroundings. Astonishingly realistic, the twin statues depict two related images, with the first a white marble visage of the towering God Raezon thrusting his hand into the chest of a fallen Methrenton in the process of tearing out his stone heart, a sneer of contempt visible upon the God's flawless face. Its mate is black marble wrought in the image of the God Fain slashing a katana wreathed in flames through the chest of a recoiling Elohora, Fain's face obscured by his cruel ritualistic mask and his sublime body sculpted in splendid and radiant muscular detail.
Presidio. Fain. Naked. Nuff said.
Within the salt shaker house
Thin and tall, the salt shaker house has been sculpted throughout diligently into images of flowers and trees. The domed ceiling bears many holes from which flowers sprout upwards and downwards, hanging low with their drooping stems bowed by blossoms. A small bed stands to the side besides a wide desk full of potted plants in various stages of growth. The house is clean and well-maintained, the light falling through the open round windows reflecting off the mirror-like porcelain walls.
Daeiv ma'Mornhai. The brownie houses are hilarious.
There's been a couple spots there I haven't seen, must investigate.
Avurekhos says, "Dylara's a PvP menace in my eyes, totes rekting face."
The eye of Dylara materialises in your hands and flings itself around your neck, tightening incomprehensibly until it is irremovable. Perfectly clean, this eyeball has been wrenched from the socket of Dylara. It has been animated by some unusual force, constantly looking around itself as if in shock or fear. It is bathed in a light covering of white flames that roll endlessly over its surface. A single chain of empyreal metal pierces either side of the eye, allowing it to be worn around the neck.
Hoaracle would shard into hoarsmores. They'd look like sticks with smores for heads. Drocilla would shard into an equivalent of Mass Effect's asari I imagine and take over the Basin. Darvellan would shard into darvomes, brothers of gnomes, who'd go farther than any gnome has ever gone.
EDIT: We've just had a fervent discussion about Hoaracle up in the Havens. We split into a bonsai camp and a smore camp. To avoid setting the sky on fire, we arrived at a compromise that has made us all happy: bonsaismores.
@AllGods What is your favourite area? And stealing from @Hoaracle what is your favourite room?
Favourite areas, it's a toss-up between Mysrai's realm, the Meliashmora of Imperial Secrets, and an area that hasn't been released yet but we've teased at recently.
Favourite rooms...
On the Bridge of Torment. (this one mainly for the ambient messages) [MAGNAGORA]
A vast expanse of naked flesh writhes half-heartedly underfoot, composed entirely from dead bodies and some that are only halfway along the journey to the Fates. The corpses bear no semblance of race nor gender, the only thing visible of them are pallid, sexless bodies that have been sewn together with pitch-black thread in jagged, uneven stitches. The amalgam of flesh twitches and convulses as it spans the harbour, the eyes and mouths of each being sewn closed with unforgiving viciousness. Tears of blood weep from sightless, soundless faces into the waters below, flowing into the Sea of Despair like some sick parody of tribute. A gas lamp casts pale, ghostly light across the streets from atop a tall, ornately gilded iron post.
Within the tangled mass of Auseklis' gargantuan beard.
Incredible masses of endless hair stretch eternally in all directions, making movement through the tangled mass impossible. The occasional cry for help echoes through the masses of hair, belonging to some unfortunate soul doomed to spend eternity trying to escape the tangled masses of hair and dandruff. A lost soul is here wailingly loudly, entangled in a mass of hair.
Beneath the barren branches of a willow. [Thax's Realm]
The tall banks of the channel curve sharply here, several shattered and broken boats embedded into the walls. Over the channel, a tall dead willow leans from its tenuous position atop the shore, leaves long since fallen from the drooping branches. Several rusted animi heads hang from nooses tied to the willow's branches, surrounding two which have each been outfitted with jagged antlers and a long beak. A grating, high-pitched song can be heard from deeper within the fens, screeching metal echoing its torment without end.
(It's a world of laughter, a world of tears; It's a world of hope and a world of fears; There's so much that we share, that it's time we're aware; It's a small world after all)
My favorite room is actually in Mysrai's realm. I cannot remember the name of it or how to get there, but when I was lacking inspiration on one of my own room designs, Mysrai showed it to me, and I was flabbergasted. It's essentially a room that depicts the true form of Mysrai, and just the sheer elaborate vagueness of it was enough to kickstart my creativity again. So unbelievably clever and, ultimately, creepy.
I firmly believe Lisaera would shard into a race of some kind of humanoid spirit creature. Capable of reproduction, the way all mortals are, but so aligned with the Ethereal Realm that they would be almost fae themselves. They couldn't be, of course, because fae spirits are merely awakened nature objects, but they'd feel the most at home in that magical place.
My all-time favorite player interactions come from watching people's jaws drop when we do insane things, such as beheading Laeroc or sacrificing Lisaera to the forest. It's those monumental moments of "no they didn't!" that I live for, and I'm always trying to push the envelope in that way. Also, as a little behind-the-scenes spoiler, those moments are typically completely unscripted. I was almost completely finished with the Maeve plot and had other plans for her, and then Viravain and I said, almost simultaneously, "what if we killed Laeroc? What if Laeroc is the key to making Maeve angry enough to get the dream Maeve out?" and it was done. When I released my first order priest (spoiler), I thought "Hmm. They're liking this so far, and the Ritual of Unity was neat, but I need to figure out a way to keep Lisaera from ever, ever falling down the 'love conquers all' rabbit hole again with another Elder God. Charune and Fain were enough. Huh -- let's rip out Her heart and make the forest eat her. Ok!" and it was game on. I think I'm relatively alone in that regard, but it's because my area of expertise is running events. I love it and cherish the rush, and I prefer to make it all happen as I go, so the murkier the planning stages are, the better (as long as I have some sort of framework and an end goal, that is). It also makes reacting to player reactions way easier, which, ultimately, should help guide the roleplay.
@Ianir What exactly are anomalies? Are you just thoughts of Estarra manifested into a physical form or something else?
From that, What are Ephemerals, besides a temporary being as the name suggests - Is there just some pool of ephemeral liquid that Elders channel into a being when they need the service of one?
From that, What are Ephemerals, besides a temporary being as the name suggests - Is there just some pool of ephemeral liquid that Elders channel into a being when they need the service of one?
Estarra once said that ephemerals are merely that -- ephemeral beings that come and go like thoughts. It's why she has a relatively firm mandate that suggests ephemerals shouldn't have too much of a storyline. Now and then, overly attentive ephemeral characters somehow gain mortal fandoms, and they move into the territory Estarra would deem inappropriate, but that's life.
As for what they are, according to Estarra's head canon...that's still a mystery! You should tag her and ask!
@Ianir What exactly are anomalies? Are you just thoughts of Estarra manifested into a physical form or something else?
From that, What are Ephemerals, besides a temporary being as the name suggests - Is there just some pool of ephemeral liquid that Elders channel into a being when they need the service of one?
Anomalies are basically what they are on the tin - anomalies in reality that have formed consciousness of their own accord and, as such, warp reality (or so I've gleaned from HELP IOSAI and HELP SIOR). In reality though, we have no real IC role, and very -very- rarely appear in an IC capacity. I've only done so once, and that was at the War event to suggest terrible things to Avechna because we didn't want another 50 minute fight.
Ephemerals, it's best to quote our internal wiki on those: "Ephemerals are a manifestation of the will of the Fates." Nothing more, nothing less. In character, they are there to help Elders do their thing, and occasionally they get into trouble.
Us mortals can kinda emulate the divine multi-mob insanity through things like beast emotes. I used to send my wolf off to emote at people in other rooms, for example, but that's a puny version compared to what I imagine it's like for divine!
Comments
A remix maybe? If Elder Gods didn't exist and your "god role" could be practically anything as long as it fit the bill of a supremely powerful being what might you be?
An example, the Supernals, Demon Lords, and Great Spirits would be up for grabs, Maeve too possibly, along with potentially creating something of a similar power level.
I don't know if this is a terrible idea, but in my head it could be a lot of fun for all involved.
Send me a prayer.
Go with the flow while keeping an eye out for ways to fix it.
Shaddus said: I went through three god options before finally going with Weiwae. When I first moved up into the Havens I thought for certain that I would want to take over either Shikari or Fain, but after my time spent as an Ephemeral, I decided against both of them and they weren't even on my top five list in the end. Creating a new god was actually something I was trying very hard to avoid doing, but I think it was worth it in the end. I hope Celest agrees.
Fain was my top choice heading up to the Havens, but in the end what I liked most about Fain was the RP of infiltrating other orgs, and that sort of thing just won't fly anymore. I also thought about Auseklis but Hoaracle explained that one.
I'm currently playing, Pillars of Eternity. It is the first game I have had any time to play in a few years.
I accidently found a book series called the Last Storm Lord, but I was only able to find the first two books. I loved them. I apparently have a thing for seemingly never ending book series, as my other previous favourite books were Wheel of Time (I read each book as they were released starting with book 2), Game of Thrones. (Also, started reading that when book 2 was released) and the Kingkiller chronicles, which I first read in 2010.
When they send me OOC messages that aren't related to patron duties.
Without a doubt, Weiwae would win the competition. You have never seen a more graceful fat blob in your life.
I would want to play some sort of shape-shifting soulless blob. Think of sentient silly putty trying to create a singularity. AKA @Morgfyre.
@7thCircleGods: Why do you insist on calling your creations "children"? Don't you realise you are sterile and Dynara is gone? Move on or splinter!
Personally, Crumkindivia wins hands-down for me, because Alisa feels like a conqueror trampling the place down and pulling candy from all the plants.
Estarra the Eternal says, "Give Shevat the floor please."
Might just be because I've a terribly slow response rate when I'm rp'ing, but if you're controlling both, my mind is boggled.
@Cxizi, Did you already know that you would end up in Hallifax when your god was released or was that an open process?
@AllGods Did you ever happen upon lore inquires by players that simply baffled you, or where you found that you simply had no idea how to answer them as the lore on that particular question hasn't been written? How do you deal with such a situation?
@Ushaara - The vast majority of the time it is all us. We do not interfere with each other's denizens unless we have express permission to do so. However it does happen sometimes!
@Daraius - I would suggest asking people who had a strong connection to her, or spent a lot of time with her.
Personally I'm fine if I've just got mobs, and I'm fine if I'm just there myself - it's the combination of being there as myself and being there as denizens that makes me freeze up for some reason. It's different for everyone.
Tree of Trees/Amberni is one of my favourite areas period. Mostly because it has some cool features and ideas on progging that some of us try to implement elsewhere. Xion is up there too, just because I think the idea of an ancient, divine laboratory is neat.
If the circumstance happens and I haven't "interacted" yet, the best way to deal with the situation is not engage whatsoever; if I have interacted, well, then it is just a sort of backtrack and casually pivot the conversation to something else. Honestly, there are not many lore questions that don't have answers that players ask. The real difficulty is when players try to ask for things that we can't really explain or help with because of the OOC nature of things.
@AllGods - What have you found the most rewarding aspect about guiding your respective organisation? Alternatively, what was the nicest surprise you've had from a player since taking on your god role?
The eye of Dylara materialises in your hands and flings itself around your neck, tightening incomprehensibly until it is irremovable.
Perfectly clean, this eyeball has been wrenched from the socket of Dylara. It has been animated by some unusual force, constantly looking around itself as if in shock or fear. It is bathed in a light covering of white flames that roll endlessly over its surface. A single chain of empyreal metal pierces either side of the eye, allowing it to be worn around the neck.
Favourite areas:
Favourite rooms:
The eye of Dylara materialises in your hands and flings itself around your neck, tightening incomprehensibly until it is irremovable.
Perfectly clean, this eyeball has been wrenched from the socket of Dylara. It has been animated by some unusual force, constantly looking around itself as if in shock or fear. It is bathed in a light covering of white flames that roll endlessly over its surface. A single chain of empyreal metal pierces either side of the eye, allowing it to be worn around the neck.
I'm a consent-based roleplayer! Kindly ask first, and I will return the favour. Open to developing tinyplots.
Atlantis is my client of choice! (Guide)
EDIT: We've just had a fervent discussion about Hoaracle up in the Havens. We split into a bonsai camp and a smore camp. To avoid setting the sky on fire, we arrived at a compromise that has made us all happy: bonsaismores.
Favourite rooms...
(It's a world of laughter, a world of tears; It's a world of hope and a world of fears; There's so much that we share, that it's time we're aware; It's a small world after all)
I don't know if anomalies can shard, but if I did manage to... I need to think on this.
My favorite room is actually in Mysrai's realm. I cannot remember the name of it or how to get there, but when I was lacking inspiration on one of my own room designs, Mysrai showed it to me, and I was flabbergasted. It's essentially a room that depicts the true form of Mysrai, and just the sheer elaborate vagueness of it was enough to kickstart my creativity again. So unbelievably clever and, ultimately, creepy.
@Orventa
I firmly believe Lisaera would shard into a race of some kind of humanoid spirit creature. Capable of reproduction, the way all mortals are, but so aligned with the Ethereal Realm that they would be almost fae themselves. They couldn't be, of course, because fae spirits are merely awakened nature objects, but they'd feel the most at home in that magical place.
@Elryn
My all-time favorite player interactions come from watching people's jaws drop when we do insane things, such as beheading Laeroc or sacrificing Lisaera to the forest. It's those monumental moments of "no they didn't!" that I live for, and I'm always trying to push the envelope in that way. Also, as a little behind-the-scenes spoiler, those moments are typically completely unscripted. I was almost completely finished with the Maeve plot and had other plans for her, and then Viravain and I said, almost simultaneously, "what if we killed Laeroc? What if Laeroc is the key to making Maeve angry enough to get the dream Maeve out?" and it was done. When I released my first order priest (spoiler), I thought "Hmm. They're liking this so far, and the Ritual of Unity was neat, but I need to figure out a way to keep Lisaera from ever, ever falling down the 'love conquers all' rabbit hole again with another Elder God. Charune and Fain were enough. Huh -- let's rip out Her heart and make the forest eat her. Ok!" and it was game on. I think I'm relatively alone in that regard, but it's because my area of expertise is running events. I love it and cherish the rush, and I prefer to make it all happen as I go, so the murkier the planning stages are, the better (as long as I have some sort of framework and an end goal, that is). It also makes reacting to player reactions way easier, which, ultimately, should help guide the roleplay.
From that, What are Ephemerals, besides a temporary being as the name suggests - Is there just some pool of ephemeral liquid that Elders channel into a being when they need the service of one?
As for what they are, according to Estarra's head canon...that's still a mystery! You should tag her and ask!
Ephemerals, it's best to quote our internal wiki on those: "Ephemerals are a manifestation of the will of the Fates." Nothing more, nothing less. In character, they are there to help Elders do their thing, and occasionally they get into trouble.
@Mysrai - why don't You like socks?
@Ianir - So the Fates can create, in a sense? What other things can they manifest?