.Status of the Excelsior Library
There are many bright new faces running about since my last time around so let me explain first off what this is. Essentially the library is a small (but growing) collective of information regarding tips and tricks specifically relevant to Excelsior, as well as background information for the world of Sosaria, and fiction written by Excelsior citizens. The library is composed of four floors: 1st floor Tips Books, 2nd floor Stories/Background, 3rd floor Training (under construction, will house all necessary implements to aid in training skills), 4th floor Showcase (collection of GM busts, event rewards, or just random things that are fun to see). As for the status of the library, I am still alive so the library is too! My original promise stays true, I will host this library as long as both the shard and myself stay in good health. As far as expansion goes, I am really trying but I have hit a few small speed bumps. Basically a house that held some goods of mine fell and I lost a few million gold (not anyone's fault, just one of those things). That mixed with some personal issues (check the section below) equals a severe bog in progress ><. However, I am beginning to even out now and am pushing towards releasing some new books in the very near future. I actually have the books written already, but I was not in the clearest of minds when I wrote them so I will need to fact check them once again before posting them in the library. Any further posts on the status of the library itself will be posted somewhere in the near future on the forum (I am going to abandon the Library Doors are Open post since alot of the information is outdated after the locale change), it will be titled something obvious though so just keep an eye out. In closing on this subject, progress is stalled but not stopped.
Writing for Millions Contest
The subject of many questions ^_^. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, I lost a fair sum of funds. The bad part, it was my box of things to go to the next contest ><. It was totally my fault for not having moved it to a more secure spot, but regardless, it is gone. Now, even given that I promised another contest in the near future and I am going to hold up to my end of the bargain. The contest will begin in the VERY NEAR FUTURE (am I starting to sound like Neverwinter Nights team or what? :p), I have taken measures to gather resources in a quick fashion and as soon as I wrap up one last piece I will announce the beginning of the event (I would suggest starting writing now ^_-). So far this contest will have 9.8 million gold worth of prizes being handed out, though it might end up being more depending on how things work out. Now, there is something I need from you. My previous judges are no longer here ;_; which leaves me all by my lonesome for this contest. Obviously me grading the books by myself is simply unacceptable since it would rely solely on my tastes. After looking at several options (including a few player submitted ones, thank you again ^_^), I have decided that making a call for judges is the most efficient way handle this situation. So if you are reading this, are not interested in joining the contest, and would like to take part in this event as a judge here are the requirements:
1. Obviously, you can't be in the contest...sorry :p
2. Must be willing to read quite a few submissions (last time I think there were 40+ books altogether)
3. Only one person from a guild (More than one judge from the same guild has the chance of creating obvious controversy)
4. Plenty of hair, because you will need to pull some out by the end of this ^_^.
I will be taking established character before younger ones for the panel, just a personal preference. Also, the panel will need to be no less than 3 people (including myself) and no more then 5 (to expedite grading). If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please, shoot me a PM in game to the same name (Oromis) or post a comment here, I will probably ask you one or two questions and then let you know before the contest starts.
Where Did I Go
This is the least asked question, so I will keep it short :p. Basically I have been working like mad. The new job is somewhat more difficult than the old one and it quite thoroughly put me through the wringer. 10-14 hour days in 130F (54.44C) degrees shoveling 4 tons (3,628.74 kilograms) of coal as only part of the job made my brain into a gelatinous mush trailing out my ears by the end of the day. Essentially, there was only one thing on my mind: Sleep. Now the weather is cooling and my hours are down to 10 hours 4 days a week, so it is back to the books ^_^. Oh, by the way, this is my job: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5dKg6PL9vA (I am the one with the shovel).
Support the Library
Like the idea of the library? Want to see it go further? It is well within your power ^_^. The best possible way to support us is to help pull in the biggest target audience; the new players. As we all know; the majority of new players do not come to the forums right away. Given this is the main way of me making announcements of the library help me out by simply pointing them towards it. If you want to go further there are several ways: Donation of gold (this will either go to the Writing for Millions contest or be used for general things in the library, any donation will allow you access to know exactly what the gold is being spent on), donation of books (I definitely prefer this one; there are some things I simply don't have time to look into like the GOC Questline and such. If you can write up even a generalized tip book I can make it into a cohesive guide if you choose), and suggestions/correction (I make mistakes, but if you don't point them out I can't fix them. Just don't be mean :p).
Alright, I have been typing for some time now (told you I ramble :p) so I am going to wrap this up. Thanks to everyone that has supported the library so far (1400+ visits and counting, including the old location), thanks to the wonderful citizens that make up a wonderful shard, and thanks to Colibri and the rest of the staff (as a guy that works across the road from me says, "I don't envy your job."
) for making this possible.- Oromis, head librarian