81
General Discussion / Re: Happy Birthday to Lismore!
« Last post by Tenaar Feiri on July 02, 2020, 04:08:29 pm »Happy birthday to Lismore! 
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Recent Posts
82
General Discussion / Re: Happy Birthday to Lismore!
« Last post by Aryn Gentlepaw on July 01, 2020, 12:08:42 pm »Happy birthday to us all! And thanks indeed for the beautiful experiences we have had together so far, the friendships made and the adventures lived! May there be many more to come
83
General Discussion / Happy Birthday to Lismore!
« Last post by Ashtyn on July 01, 2020, 11:56:40 am »Today is Lismore's 12th birthday! ...anniversary! ...thing! Yay! 
My daily routine normally involves getting some RP with people in Lismore, so that's nothing new, but amidst the whole pandemic crap going on I think it's been particularly important to have the RP for some extra socializing, so I would like to thank you all for your time, your friendship, and the interactions we have in this our online home! Thank you! ❤
My daily routine normally involves getting some RP with people in Lismore, so that's nothing new, but amidst the whole pandemic crap going on I think it's been particularly important to have the RP for some extra socializing, so I would like to thank you all for your time, your friendship, and the interactions we have in this our online home! Thank you! ❤
84
Kun Qalasi / MOVED: Family Trees - Kun Qalasi Fennecs
« Last post by Fox on June 11, 2020, 11:59:19 pm »85
Kun Qalasi / MOVED: Neftet & Ruby Vance Nuptial Agreement
« Last post by Fox on June 11, 2020, 11:59:10 pm »86
Marketplace / Re: Lismore Alchemy Guild
« Last post by Ani on June 10, 2020, 02:18:50 am »Updated! (It was so old it still said Zenko Alchemy Guild, holy crap!)
87
Kun Qalasi / Second Wave of Attacks on the Dracrovan Dragons
« Last post by Ashtyn on June 01, 2020, 08:55:18 pm » On the second wave of attack, the Qalasians sent 55 warriors in 5 groups. They were able to kill 18 dragons and bring back 6 bodies home. 21 fennecs perished during the attack (9 bodies were brought back home). They were able to rescue 5 alicorns, and brought back 6 alicorn horns.
Overall they were able to complete their goal. The dragons killed included captains, slave masters, and a drake master. The next incursions to take place would be specifically assassination and sabotage missions.
Overall they were able to complete their goal. The dragons killed included captains, slave masters, and a drake master. The next incursions to take place would be specifically assassination and sabotage missions.
88
Kun Qalasi / RELIGION of the Qalasians
« Last post by Ashtyn on May 31, 2020, 11:43:46 pm » Qalasian religion is very closely associated with that of Ancient Egypt, probably coming from a common origin, but where Egypt was unified and ruled as a nation, Kun Qalasi was not part of if, and as such, its religious practices were able to diverge into a form of their own.
Most gods of Egypt can be found in Qalasian religion. Their roles are also pretty much unchanged from those they perform in Egypt. However, the foremost deity for the Qalaisans is the god Ra, a creator god, king of the gods, creator of most things seen and unseen, often referred to simply as the Sun God. He is said to create the spirit that inhabits the body of the Golden-Eyed Fennecs and is acknowledged as their father, regardless of whom the biological father might be.
Another extremely important deity for the Qalasians is Ma'at; more so, what Ma'at represents: Truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice. Their society is (in theory) governed by those principles.
Qalasians are by default polytheists, and very tolerant of other religious practices so long as they don't disturb the peace and order.
The foremost aspect where Qalasian religious practices differ from the Egyptians is in the way they treat their dead: Qalasians don't normally build tombs nor do they concern themselves with preservation of the bodies of the dead. Instead, they perform a ritual they call Conversion, where the bodies of the dead are turned into small crystals of pure tass. That crystal is then either given to the deceased's next-of-kin, relatives, or appointed recipient, or kept in the vaults of the Priests of the Sun.
Those for whom such sentimental considerations aren't necessary, will still be Converted into tass, but that is likely going to end up used to power something or another as Qalasians normally don't possess mana of their own so they depend on tass for casting magic.
It is not unusual for people to wear the Converted tass of their loved ones as jewelry, or to have them adorn statues representing the deceased.
The Priests of the Sun, together with the King, are in charge of the official religious practices, which may include religious feasts, the Conversion, and various other ceremonies. One of the most important is the Greeting of the Sun, performed every morning during sunrise. In this ceremony the High Priestess and participating priests literally greet the sun as it rises in the East, and then read the List of Souls (sometimes referred to as Book of Souls as well).
The List of Souls is a record of names of Qalasians and other relevant people who have died in a specific period of time (usually the present year), but may include long-departed names as well. This is done as the Qalasians version of how to provide sustenance to the spirits of the dead. The Egyptians build tombs with spells written all over the walls and fill them with treasures for the dead in the afterlife. Qalasians provide sustenance to the spirits of the dead by uttering their names. It is an offshoot from the Egyptian concept that speaking of the dead makes them live again. The spirits of the dead need to be given strength for their journey through the Duat (the underworld), until they reach the Scales of Justice, where their hearts will be weighted against the Feather of Ma'at; if they are found to be pure and light of heart, they are given passage into the Aaru (the Field of Reeds - paradise) where they will exist in eternal bliss. If they are found to be heavy of heart, their soul is devoured by Ammit (opinions diverge on what happens then, some say you exist in eternal torment, others say that's the end of existence for you, but it's bad either way!). Because it's often not known how long it may take a spirit to reach the Scales, their names are uttered for an entire year during the Greeting of the Sun.
The priests may also perform blessings, purification, and exorcisms. Those who are true to their faith are usually well-equipped to dealing with negative entities such as demons, beings that the Qalasians have very little tolerance for, due to their chaotic nature which disrupts Ma'at.
Although only the king is said to communicate directly with the Sun God, priests due to their role can be approached for a boost on one's prayers, although as always with gods one never knows whether they will be answered or not. Gods can be fickle beings!
Transcript from the Greeting the Sun daily morning ritual:
The participating priests and acolytes first purify themselves through ritual bathing/cleansing on the Royal Pool and then gather at the top of the city just before sunrise.
From there, one of the priests takes place facing East, and as the light of the sun grows brighter, chants the following hymn to the sun:
The priests are supposed to have good timing with their prayers as at this point the sun should break above the ground, and then they continue...
A priest would then read from the Book of Souls, the list of those who died that year, as their belief says that speaking the names of the dead helps give them strength for their journey through the underworld until they reach the Scales where their heart is weighted against the Feather of Ma'at and they are either given entrance into the Field of Reeds (paradise) or devoured by Ammit.
That concludes the ritual.
Most gods of Egypt can be found in Qalasian religion. Their roles are also pretty much unchanged from those they perform in Egypt. However, the foremost deity for the Qalaisans is the god Ra, a creator god, king of the gods, creator of most things seen and unseen, often referred to simply as the Sun God. He is said to create the spirit that inhabits the body of the Golden-Eyed Fennecs and is acknowledged as their father, regardless of whom the biological father might be.
Another extremely important deity for the Qalasians is Ma'at; more so, what Ma'at represents: Truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice. Their society is (in theory) governed by those principles.
Qalasians are by default polytheists, and very tolerant of other religious practices so long as they don't disturb the peace and order.
The foremost aspect where Qalasian religious practices differ from the Egyptians is in the way they treat their dead: Qalasians don't normally build tombs nor do they concern themselves with preservation of the bodies of the dead. Instead, they perform a ritual they call Conversion, where the bodies of the dead are turned into small crystals of pure tass. That crystal is then either given to the deceased's next-of-kin, relatives, or appointed recipient, or kept in the vaults of the Priests of the Sun.
Those for whom such sentimental considerations aren't necessary, will still be Converted into tass, but that is likely going to end up used to power something or another as Qalasians normally don't possess mana of their own so they depend on tass for casting magic.
It is not unusual for people to wear the Converted tass of their loved ones as jewelry, or to have them adorn statues representing the deceased.
The Priests of the Sun, together with the King, are in charge of the official religious practices, which may include religious feasts, the Conversion, and various other ceremonies. One of the most important is the Greeting of the Sun, performed every morning during sunrise. In this ceremony the High Priestess and participating priests literally greet the sun as it rises in the East, and then read the List of Souls (sometimes referred to as Book of Souls as well).
The List of Souls is a record of names of Qalasians and other relevant people who have died in a specific period of time (usually the present year), but may include long-departed names as well. This is done as the Qalasians version of how to provide sustenance to the spirits of the dead. The Egyptians build tombs with spells written all over the walls and fill them with treasures for the dead in the afterlife. Qalasians provide sustenance to the spirits of the dead by uttering their names. It is an offshoot from the Egyptian concept that speaking of the dead makes them live again. The spirits of the dead need to be given strength for their journey through the Duat (the underworld), until they reach the Scales of Justice, where their hearts will be weighted against the Feather of Ma'at; if they are found to be pure and light of heart, they are given passage into the Aaru (the Field of Reeds - paradise) where they will exist in eternal bliss. If they are found to be heavy of heart, their soul is devoured by Ammit (opinions diverge on what happens then, some say you exist in eternal torment, others say that's the end of existence for you, but it's bad either way!). Because it's often not known how long it may take a spirit to reach the Scales, their names are uttered for an entire year during the Greeting of the Sun.
The priests may also perform blessings, purification, and exorcisms. Those who are true to their faith are usually well-equipped to dealing with negative entities such as demons, beings that the Qalasians have very little tolerance for, due to their chaotic nature which disrupts Ma'at.
Although only the king is said to communicate directly with the Sun God, priests due to their role can be approached for a boost on one's prayers, although as always with gods one never knows whether they will be answered or not. Gods can be fickle beings!
Transcript from the Greeting the Sun daily morning ritual:
The participating priests and acolytes first purify themselves through ritual bathing/cleansing on the Royal Pool and then gather at the top of the city just before sunrise.
From there, one of the priests takes place facing East, and as the light of the sun grows brighter, chants the following hymn to the sun:
Quote
BEHOLD, the scribe of the holy offerings of all the gods, he says: Homage to you, who have come as Khepe-Ra, the creator of the gods! You are seated on your throne, you rise up in the sky, illumining your mother Nut, you are seated on your throne as the king of the gods!
Nut stretches out her hand and performs an act of homage to you! The domain of Manu receives you with satisfaction. The goddess Ma'at embraces you at the two seasons of the day. May Ra give glory, and power, and truth-speaking, and the appearance as a living soul so that he may gaze on Heru-Khuti, to the Ka of all of those who speak truth before Osiris!
Hail, all you gods of the house of the soul, who weigh Heaven and Earth in balance, and who give celestial food to the gods!
Hail Tatun, you creator of mortals and of the companies of the gods of the South and the North, of the West and the East, ascribe praise to Ra, the lord of Heavens, the king of life, strength, and health, maker of the gods!
Give thanks to him in his beneficent form which is enthroned in the Atett boat, beings celestial praise you, terrestrial beings praise you! Your enemy the serpent has been given over to the fire!
The serpent-fiend Sebau has fallen headlong, his forelegs are bound in chains, and his hind legs has Ra carried away from him. The sons of revolt shell never more rise up! The house of the Aged One keeps festival, and the voices of those who make merry are in the great place. The gods rejoice when they see Ra crowned on his throne, and when his beams flood the world with light!
The priests are supposed to have good timing with their prayers as at this point the sun should break above the ground, and then they continue...
Quote
The majesty of this holy god sets out on his journey, and he goes onwards 'till he reaches the land of Manu; the Earth becomes light at his birth each day; he proceeds 'till he reaches the place where he was yesterday.
Be at peace with us. Let us gaze on your beauties. Let us journey above the Earth. Let us slit asunder the serpent-fiend Sebau. Let us destroy Aepep at the moment of his greatest power. Let us behold the coming of new life this day.
Let us behold Horus when he's at the rudder of the Sun-Barge, with Thoth and Ma'at on each side of him. Let us lay hold of the tow-rope of the Sektet boat, and the rope at the stern of the Matett boat. Let Ra grant us a view of the Sun Disk and a sight of Ah ((the moon)), unfailing each day. Let our Ba-soul come forth to walk about here and there and wherever it pleases. Let our names be called out, let them be found inscribed on the tablet which records the names of those who are to receive offerings. Let meals from the sepulchral offerings be given to those who are in the Duat, in the presence of Osiris as to those who are in the following of Horus. Let there be prepared for us a seat in the boat of the sun on the day whereon the god sails. Let us be received in the presence of Osiris in the land of truth-speaking - the Ka of those whose names we speak.
A priest would then read from the Book of Souls, the list of those who died that year, as their belief says that speaking the names of the dead helps give them strength for their journey through the underworld until they reach the Scales where their heart is weighted against the Feather of Ma'at and they are either given entrance into the Field of Reeds (paradise) or devoured by Ammit.
That concludes the ritual.
89
Kun Qalasi / The Fate of the Alicorns
« Last post by Ashtyn on May 31, 2020, 01:40:26 am »King Senusnet of Kun Qalasi would ask Emperor Ascari of Lismore (due to their extensive experience in rehabilitating ex-slaves) to put together a plan to rehabilitate the alicorn slaves that are being taken from the Dracrovan Empire.
90
Kun Qalasi / War on the Dracrovan Empire
« Last post by Ashtyn on May 30, 2020, 11:34:29 pm »The Qalasian fennecs have (after much thorough yet discreet preparations) mobilized for war against the Dracrovan Empire!
An ambassador (Zen) was sent from Kun Qalasi to Lismore where a meeting had been arranged with an emissary of the dragon empire, and after tense negotiations, no compromise could be found. <those in the know would be aware that the Qalasians captured a dragon warrior; the dragons demanded her return. The fennecs argued that the dragons attack and conquest and enslavement of the alicorn lands and race were an affront to their way of life, and demanded that the dragons returned all captured alicorns (and alicorn horns), in exchange for the return of their warrior. The dragons refused!>
Upon the return and debriefing of the ambassador, the Qalasians declared war on the Dracrovan Empire, with an inspiring speech by King Senusnet to the assembled people and troops:
"My beloved people, my friends, my brothers and sisters, we dwellers of these desert lands, inhabitants of the domain of Set, blessed by my father the Sun God Ra, protected by the magic of Iset who sent Heka himself to dwell among us, we have long ago taken upon ourselves the mantle of responsibility upon those who are in servitude. Guided by the gods, we have created rules and procedures that enhance peace and harmony between master and servant and uphold the law of Ma'at! That is a heavy mantle we carry, for every once in a while, we must right that which has been wronged by those less enlightened than us!
My beloved people, the dragons of the Dracrovan Empire have broken the rules set forth to maintain the harmonious existence between master and servant! Still fresh in the memory of the alicorn survivors, they have invaded and destroyed the alicorn kingdom, and taken its peoples into slavery! We have offered the dragons peaceful means through which they could repent for their transgression, but they refused! These dragons have refused our help and our enlightened ways, they upset the balance of Ma'at, and because of that, where words have failed now force must be used to set things right!
Our mighty warriors shall be sent forth to enact justice! To free the alicorn people from the dragons' merciless, ignorant clutches! The Dracrovan dragons will be enlightened, or they will be destroyed! For in this world, there is no room for a race of monsters that spit in the face of the gods!"
Having been preparing for a while for the conflict, they mobilized immediately. The portal to Lismore was closed for the night, and was used instead to send troops to key strategic locations in the Dracrovan Empire. The dragons would not know the result of the meeting since their representative possessed no fast way to travel back home to be debriefed, so the attacks took them by surprise.
(numbers were determined by complicated dice rolls between Nem and Ash)
On the first wave of attacks, 70 warriors from Kun Qalasi were sent into Dracrovan territory through the portal in 5 groups. Although there were losses (20 Qalasians perished), they also inflicted heavy casualties upon the dragons, and managed to return with 14 alicorn slaves, 15 dead dragon bodies (for the various parts that can be used from them), and 55 alicorn horns! Of those 15 dead dragons, 5 were important key targets within the Dracrovan government: 3 generals, 1 slave master, 1 drake master.
Further incursions would occur in the following days, to gather intelligence and for assassinations, and when possible further recovery of alicorns and horns!
An ambassador (Zen) was sent from Kun Qalasi to Lismore where a meeting had been arranged with an emissary of the dragon empire, and after tense negotiations, no compromise could be found. <those in the know would be aware that the Qalasians captured a dragon warrior; the dragons demanded her return. The fennecs argued that the dragons attack and conquest and enslavement of the alicorn lands and race were an affront to their way of life, and demanded that the dragons returned all captured alicorns (and alicorn horns), in exchange for the return of their warrior. The dragons refused!>
Upon the return and debriefing of the ambassador, the Qalasians declared war on the Dracrovan Empire, with an inspiring speech by King Senusnet to the assembled people and troops:
"My beloved people, my friends, my brothers and sisters, we dwellers of these desert lands, inhabitants of the domain of Set, blessed by my father the Sun God Ra, protected by the magic of Iset who sent Heka himself to dwell among us, we have long ago taken upon ourselves the mantle of responsibility upon those who are in servitude. Guided by the gods, we have created rules and procedures that enhance peace and harmony between master and servant and uphold the law of Ma'at! That is a heavy mantle we carry, for every once in a while, we must right that which has been wronged by those less enlightened than us!
My beloved people, the dragons of the Dracrovan Empire have broken the rules set forth to maintain the harmonious existence between master and servant! Still fresh in the memory of the alicorn survivors, they have invaded and destroyed the alicorn kingdom, and taken its peoples into slavery! We have offered the dragons peaceful means through which they could repent for their transgression, but they refused! These dragons have refused our help and our enlightened ways, they upset the balance of Ma'at, and because of that, where words have failed now force must be used to set things right!
Our mighty warriors shall be sent forth to enact justice! To free the alicorn people from the dragons' merciless, ignorant clutches! The Dracrovan dragons will be enlightened, or they will be destroyed! For in this world, there is no room for a race of monsters that spit in the face of the gods!"
Having been preparing for a while for the conflict, they mobilized immediately. The portal to Lismore was closed for the night, and was used instead to send troops to key strategic locations in the Dracrovan Empire. The dragons would not know the result of the meeting since their representative possessed no fast way to travel back home to be debriefed, so the attacks took them by surprise.
(numbers were determined by complicated dice rolls between Nem and Ash)
On the first wave of attacks, 70 warriors from Kun Qalasi were sent into Dracrovan territory through the portal in 5 groups. Although there were losses (20 Qalasians perished), they also inflicted heavy casualties upon the dragons, and managed to return with 14 alicorn slaves, 15 dead dragon bodies (for the various parts that can be used from them), and 55 alicorn horns! Of those 15 dead dragons, 5 were important key targets within the Dracrovan government: 3 generals, 1 slave master, 1 drake master.
Further incursions would occur in the following days, to gather intelligence and for assassinations, and when possible further recovery of alicorns and horns!