Challenge Accepted!

If You Put Us to the Challenge, Valucre Shall Rise to the Occasion!

Now, I better qualify that statement before someone decides to take it at absolute literal face value and try to draw out some outrageous, if not completely impossible, challenges for our community to undergo. Of course, I speak for the push to grow and improve, to build upon our numbers of dedicated members, quality role-play, developing writers, awesomeness in general, and explosions of course. We've already proven just how dedicated we can be- did you see how awesome that get-together we had was? If you somehow missed it, go look at the last few blog entries, and then realize I am giving you a glaring look of disapproval. 

Seriously though, I have seen that we can really push ourselves to all kinds of new levels, if we get up and make the effort. Every week, I chronicle the rising numbers of new members who join up, many of which become a part of the active member base. The volume of our RP is on a typically upward trend, and it seems like every day we are getting bigger and bigger. For the first time, we had a mass gathering of members, many of which who were along not only for the great company (of which there was plenty) but for all the writing opportunities presented as well. Valucre itself might not yet be at a point where it can support your writing goals entirely, but it sure can connect you to those people. ;)

Alright, I've sang enough praises, let's blow this blog wide open and get to the good parts. 

What's Happening Valucre?

The Next Valucre Gathering- Hey, after the major success of the first one, you didn't think we'd not get started on planning the next gathering? In the year 2014, at Jordan Con 6, there will be the second unofficial Valucre-Con, which with any luck might lead into the first official one in the year following that. We find that the venue for Jordan Con is a great place for everyone to meet, given Jordan Con's emphasis on building upon writing skills and writing related endeavors as well as a place for us WOT fans to go geek out. If you want to be a part of the planning, go to this thread.

It will certainly be big!

The Chosen Continues - Some are fast, some are slow, but many are still on the go. If you somehow missed this with each and every update, pay attention now- Chosen is still there for you to watch and there is much to be discussing in the lounge.

Renovatio Artifacts- If you are one of those types who enjoy opportunities to go out and try to collect Valucre's many artifacts, this is your chance to look into those from Renovatio. Just come this way to check it out.

Coastal Grande Bank Heist- Think you might like to participate in a bank heist? Put a stop to one? Try to hijack one already in progress? Well, you have all those opportunities and possibly more, if you want to look into this thread right here. It looks like a variety of players are called upon, and this could certainly lead up to some quality, enjoyable RP.

Hunger Games RP- We had one of these once before, but the person facilitating it took off and the RP went down with their departure. This is headed up by a new member and they have some rather interesting ideas already. They are talking about doing things by region, and using groups to conceal information from one and other. I think that is a unique take on things, and could definitely shape up to something cool.

Develop Solum- Orisia is going through some expansion again, and they now have an area that is fairly new and not yet broken in. If you are the type who likes to try and reshape new lands and contribute to the development of their place in the world, this land is ripe for the picking. Head over this way to take a look.

High Flying Fiasco- If you ever try to tell me that I don't put up enough quest opportunities for you, let it be known that I shall dub thee a liar! For I am constantly putting these up. A Master Alchemist needs some strapping young adventurers to assist him in gathering Griffon feathers from a known roosting site- something far more perilous than it might first sound. If you end up accidentally touching a griffon baby... well, may the gods have your back in that corner you just got stuck in. Your reward for this endeavor is gold for your character of course, as well as 250vb and a quiver full of arrows with these magical feathers. Are you up for some high rising challenges?

Body Snatchers in Dougton- Looks like several of the initially interested people went and flaked out, so there are at least a couple/few positions available for you. Body-snatchers are taking over, and if left unchecked, few will remain. Keep in mind, this is a particularly perilous quest, with a great deal of risk to your character. If you feel ready for a thrill, come take a look.

Valucre Trivia Question!

Bah! No one answers these either. I went for interactive pursuits, but people are just so disinclined to respond. Well, I am going to end this section as well. Sorry folks. I have a replacement in mind anyway.

New Section- Featured Lore of the Week!

Ran Iji gave me a most excellent idea earlier, and I decided I am going to run with it. Each week, we will feature a bit of lore on a specific place within Valucre, rotating between lands. So, starting next week, I will have a featured land for Terrenus. Then, the week after, I will feature one for Genesaris. On the following week, there will be one for Tellus Mater. Then, on the first update of June, we will have one for Iseyler- and so on from there.

I think this will be a great way to teach you some new things. It makes me feel pretty damn excited!

New Members and Returns!

Welcome, Ngdaniel96

Welcome, Daithilus

Welcome, Lord Daddy Bossman

Welcome, Cast Off Petals

Welcome, Aingeal

Welcome, Jaslyn Ardellius

Welcome, Epic Myth

Welcome, Stefan

Welcome, Mupin

Welcome, Lithray

Welcome, Bullet

Welcome, Kaizuken

Welcome, Horus

Welcome, Vice

Welcome, Silver Fox

Welcome, HopeyHope

Returns:



Welcome Back, Eternity

Welcome Back, Bardic Knowledge

Welcome Back, .Atlas


Sixteen newcomers and three returns. If this were only one week, I'd be ecstatic  but this is the long gap blog- that means I am covering two weeks. Eight per week is nothing to complain about, but it is not quite as much as I, or especially Carlos, would like. Just remember new folks- the candy at the back of Supernal's van is a lie! The candy is a lie!

Other Highlights?

I could just add a highlight reel of explosions, but I figure I should add some real content.

Calendars- Hey, Valucre has its own inbuilt calendar! It has everyone's (that has made it public) birthday listed, and you can add entries of your own as well. Planning a big event? Add it to the calender! If more people were to begin using it, it could become quite the handy tool.

Did You Know- You can get a thread featured in the monthly newsletter as a spotlight- a way to recognize awesome threads.   Get more details from this thread here and you can check out all the rest of the Did You Know Archive over here.

Closing Thoughts?

Now, to be honest, I am not feeling 100%- been working nonstop ever since getting back from Atlanta, and even my days off were filled to the very limit. With that in mind, I hope I don’t do too terrible of a job with this closing thought.

Since putting in featured lore will be a regular thing, I thought maybe I would take a bit of time to get you all thinking about the lore, and just how much work went into putting all of that together. Valucre has a ton of material to work with- I think one of the great things about Valucre over other places I have been is the amount of depth that has been put into the world, setting boundaries while simultaneously giving you lots of room to develop and create as well. By having existing boundaries, you have a location that feels real and operates on certain rules designed to make things run smoothly, and stay fair as well. It is also a great foundational basis for contributing your own work as well!

I think the majority of members are good about utilizing the lore. I have seen many role-plays come about that are based on information pull from the written lore provided by board leaders. In much of the reading I have done myself, I find that people for the most part are conscientious about ensuring that they honor the lore and stay within the confines of requirements for canonization- because if anything, many people would like to have their thread count towards the canon. Canonizing a thread that has had a significant impact on events is in fact a way to contribute to the lore, especially from an In-Character perspective.

Now, while the majority of members are good about sticking to the lore and staying inside the reasonable boundaries of mild powers and the like, I do see some occasions where things are… stretched, to say the least. We do get people from time to time who have not given any thought to the lore of the Land, the region, or even the city itself, choosing to role-play in whatever means they see fit. The lore is disregarded and/or abused, and it seems like a real insult to the person who spent their time trying to put that lore together. It is one thing to try and see how you can create changes, another thing entirely to blatantly ignore limitations and resistances brought upon you by the lore situation occurring at that time.

I admit, I am a bit biased on all this lore stuff, considering I helped write quite a bit of it for Genesaris- I’d like to see people use some of the stuff I took the time to put together. However, it is frustrating to see someone change major details of locations, pretend certain NPCs do not exist, or even assume that nothing they do will be met with a negative consequence- it’s disrespectful, really. You have to keep in mind- certain places already have established NPCs, that cities can defend themselves (Genesaris has a tremendous military, and Terrenus has peacekeepers), and other aspects of lore might be important as well.

Before firing up a few posts, take a moment to read the lore for the city. You might learn something really cool. ;)

Well everyone, I leave you with this final bit. Enjoy.

- Acies

"It only takes one person to change your life – you." 

 ~ Ruth Casey