[Guide] Training In The Henges: Updated (Please read first)

[Fox]

A Guide to Training in the Henges
Everything You Need to Know

Welcome to the Henges. We have a pretty unique set of locations here, and they warrant some time and attention. So, following on from the work of the previous moderators, I’ve re-jigged this a little.

How to post in the Henges
Please note that the majority of locations in the Henges are locked locations. Which means that you, as players, can not post in them. The reasons for this are:-

It looks a whole lot neater.
It allows me to keep track of things a lot better.

What does it mean for you? It means that instead of having a thread to already post in, you have to make your own threads. In front of each new thread for the Henges, please post which location your PC is located within. For instance, if you are seeking Druidism training in the Druidic Grove, you would post the following:

[Druidic Grove] Thread Title

If you are posting in the Ranger Hall, Starlight Forge, or Temple, you would change [Druidic Grove] to the appropriate location.

PLEASE remember that you MUST submit a modplan to myself before starting a thread. Then I will approve it etc etc. Not doing this will make me most grouchy! See the Peer Moderation Rules for details.

Training Regulations
The Official Aelyrian Training Regulations can be found here

How many training threads can you run at a given time? Two. However, there are limitations within that as well. Those are as follows:

War-Related Threads: According to the rules, PCs are no longer restricted to one combat training thread at a time. However, if two war-related threads are being conducted at the same time, only one of them may be level three or higher. The second thread must be a thread that is under level three. War-related threads include arcana, weaponry, hand-to-hand, military strategy, etc.

Trade/Culture Threads: If you are working on a war-related thread, you may train in no more than one trade/culture skill. You may, however, work on two trade skills at the same time.

Can you use your techniques after you've learned them in the thread?No. You need to wait for your thread to be completed before you can have use of the techniques or skill. This means that if you are learning arcana you cannot use a spell just because your PC learned it. You must wait for the entire thread to be complete before using it.

Who can mod your skill threads? If you are working on Basic - Advanced/Journeyman skill threads, you can either self-mod, peer-mod or have an A/GM oversee your thread. If you choose to self-mod or peer-mod, please contact the local GM with a Modplan. If you are working on Expert, Master or Archmage threads, you will need a GM or higher to oversee the skill training.

Can you make up your own NPCs each time you start a new training thread? Nope! A list of NPCs used for training in the Henges is in post 3 of this thread. Please PM me if you have any questions or needs beyond what is provided below.

If you self-mod, how long should the training thread be? It is usually recommended that you have 10-15 posts for a basic thread. This number grows for each skill level that you advance, usually doubled for Intermediate and doubled again at Advanced/Journeyman. Do not fret if your thread does not meet this requirement. A moderator will look over the thread and determine if it is acceptable or needs further work.

Experience Points
With every training thread that you run, you will receive 2 experience points at its completion.

Why are experience points important? Experience points are important because they allow you to move forward in your preferred skill. The more experience points you have, the more possibilities become available for you in progression.

How many experience points do you need to advance? The progression chart looks like this:
2 experience point to achieve Basic
6 experience points to achieve Intermediate
12 experience points to achieve Advanced
24 experience points to achieve Expert
36 experience points to achieve Master

When you begin a new skill, you start out (usually) with 0 experience points. By obtaining 2 experience points at the end of your basic training thread, you have obtained the required number of points to achieve the Basic level. In order to achieve the next level, however, you will need to obtain an experience point in a thread outside of skills training.

How do you obtain experience points outside of training? Simple enough: You go out and practice your newly acquired skill. Each time you utilize your skills in a thread, you will receive one point for your efforts. Please PM me to sign off these experience. The only exceptions to this rule are Intensive Experience threads.

What is an Intensive Experience thread? An intensive experience thread usually involves significant risk to a character or shows creative development of the character as well as skill usage.

How do you know how many points you receive at the end of each thread? Again, this is simple: At the completion of a thread in which you've utilized your skills, send the moderator overseeing that forum a PM and request that they sign off on your skill usage. They will decide how many points (1 or 2) you shall receive for your efforts. An AGM can sign off on skill usage only if the skills used are Basic-Advanced/Journeyman. All other threads must be signed off by a GM or higher.

Is there any limit to how many experience threads can be on-going? No. Unlike training threads you are not limited to the amount of experience threads you can conduct at any given moment.

Please please please ALWAYS feel free to ask questions. Either PM me or visit my Vestibule . I don't bite....
This thread is more than 95% due to the hard work of those moderators who came before me. Specifically GM Nimh who originally posted it. I have simply tweaked it a bit!

[Fox]

The Henges and their Factions

Within Natura, there are three Henges, each of which are held by different factions:

The Druids and the Rangers occupy one Henge
The Bards are in residence in the second Henge
The Temple of the Blessed Hands occupies the last Henge.


What can you find at each Henge/Faction?
The Druidic Grove: If you want to Druidism training or simply to speak with Dhwae or any of the other Druids, this is where you would go to do so.

The Rangers: Interested in becoming a ranger? Need to speak with Otawen Aspenpath or any other ranger? The Ranger Hall is where it happens.

The Bardic Observatory: This is where you would learn the arcanic skill of Song.

Temple of the Blessed Hands: Here any PC seeking a life in the clergy will find what they're looking for, whether they desire to be a Monk, Priest[ess] or Paladin. You can also learn Thaumaturgy at this location.

How do you become part of these Factions?
While you can undergo training among these different factions without necessarily becoming a part of them, you may only be considered a part of any of these factions (with the exception of the Priesthood) once you have met certain requirements, be that to possess a certain amount of training in specific skills or, in some cases, to undergo a quest.

What training do you need and what Factions require quests?
The Druids:
A Druid is only accepted within the Faction once they have decided to dedicate themselves to nurturing Natura. They must undertake a quest after this decision has been made.

The Rangers:
In order to become a ranger of Natura, your PC must have...
- Initiate Druidism or above (excluding Animal Shapeshifting spells and Elemental Manipulation spells)
- Intermediate Bowmanship or above
- Other options are: Basic in Dagger or Shortsword, Tracking, Basic Herbalism, and Basic Healing
- The Rangers also require tests in order to be officially accepted as a member of their Hall.

The Bards:
A Bard is only accepted within the Faction once they have decided to dedicate themselves as a Bard of Natura. They must undertake a quest after this decision has been made.

The Paladins:
In order to become a Paladin of Natura, your PC must have...
- Initiate Thaumaturgy or above
- Intermediate Swordsmanship / Maceman or above
- To become a true Paladin, you must forge your own Mace or Sword at the Starlight Forge. This blade must be consecrated, much in the same way that a church is consecrated, to a goodly God of the Paladin's choosing.

The Monks:
To become a Monk of Natura, your PC must have...
- Initiate Thaumaturgy or above
- Intermediate Unarmed Combat or above
- Not only do they need to acquire these skills, but they must spend eras in meditation, prayer and the learning of special techniques. There are quests and tests galore.

[Fox]

NPCs for Training Purposes

Please note that you will need permission from me to use these NPCs for training. Every time you wish to self-mod or peer-mod a thread, please include the NPC name in the Modplan. If you do not do this, then I will assign an NPC to you.

NOTE: There are no Bardic Henge NPCs here, as it would rather spoil the secrecy!!

Druidic Grove - Dhwae's Faction
Name: H'annaeryth
Appearance: A dryad, "her flesh was soft and clean, tinged a golden colour intermingled with the green of young bark. Silvery moss hung down in delicate webs from her elbows, whilst flowers grew freely in her hair, suspended on ivory white roots, and topped with the glints of morning dew." "Her eyes were without pupils, wide and darkest green, and looked through the human now, rather than truly at him. Her hair was as light as gold, and she wore a crown of flowers, suspended on delicate white roots that appeared as much a part of her being as her lips or nose. She was also completely naked, though seemed to be quite comfortable in this, and unperturbed by the fact that a man would be looking upon her now." She is short - around 5'3".
Personality: She is often very flighty, but also fiercely protective of the Druidic Henge. She has a child-like attitude to her.
Training: Acts as Dhwae's second in command, and does most of the training in Natura. Master Druidess.

The Golden Pumas - The Avenging Druidic Faction
Name: Bas'ilas Goae'rnele
Physical Appearance: An imposing elvish man of his middling eras, Bas'ilas has an air of command to him. He is on the short side, barely reaching 5'5", and has a shock of red hair speckled with gray and light gray eyes. His skin is pale and touched here and there with freckles, his countenance more thoughtful and serious than anything else. He is often seen wearing the colors of the woodlands during the summer months, his garb relatively plain.
Personality: Despite his somewhat stiff-necked appearance, Bas'ilas is a good man, kind to others (who support him and his cause), he has a penchant for telling stories and making welcome those who are interested to hear what he has to say. He is slow to temper, with a patience that makes him an excellent mentor.
Skills: Master Druid
Other: The unofficial head of this new Druidic faction

Rangers
Name: Owaten Aspenpath
Appearance: A wirey elven woman with wispy strawberry blonde hair that barely reaches her chin, Owaten has suffered considerable grief and is no longer as tough or strong as she would like. A jutting chin still characterizes her relatively homely (for an elf) face though the thin lips now tremble rather than push together in irritation. Despite her current frailty of form and character, Owaten is still a ranger and thus is wiry and fit, more ripcord than woman.
Personality: Owaten is a strong-willed commander but has been a rare sight and a bit emotional in more recent sightings. She is very stubborn and doesn't like to admit personal weakness and is inclined to snap if any should be obviously manifesting them at the moment. Will do anything to avoid asking for help, no matter how much she may need it. The death of her kinsmen in the recent battle has left her weak and listless.
Training: Owaten is head ranger and therefore has extensive training, including 4th level training in Archery, and apprentice level training in druidism. She is well versed in tracking and hunting and also close quarter combat, and has much experience in the woods.
Other: Rangermistress of Natura

Name: Aviat Goodtrack
Physical Appearance: A halfling of no notable appearance with brown, curly hair, brown eyes and skin easily burnt by the sun. He has a wide frame and thick features, hair seeming to sprout from almost every inch of him. He wears non-descript clothing of browns and greens, the color-blending cloak of the Rangers clasped around his shoulder with the broach of the Silver Wolves.
Personality: Aviat is a good-natured individual, particularly intent on all things to do with the Rangers. He has a tendency to ramble...only when away from his duties as a ranger, however--whilst tracking he often surprises colleagues with his silence both of mouth and feet.
Position: Master Ranger
Skills: Advanced Bowmanship, Expert Tracking

Name: Gorte Biteweather
Appearance: A middle-aged human man with gray-speckled gray hair thinning at the temples. He has wrinkled, hard-pressed skin from brightenings spent toiling over hardwork, but a relaxed and free nature to him that holds a gentle aura to him reminiscent of the elves. He wears earthy tones and hardly ever dons shoes.
Personality: A free-spirit, gentle in nature and soft-spoken. Very kind mannered and respectful, but also fiercely protective of the forests around Natura. Very patient.
Position: Would-be Ranger (never ascended to the official ranks of the Rangers, but well-respected in the faction for his abilities as a Druid). Trains all Rangers in Druidism.
Skills: Master Druidism; Basic Archery; Intermediate Tracking

Temple of the Blessed Hands
Name: Lhyllis
Appearance: She is a Telera. Despite her age she appears energetic and youthful. "Her skin is brown as a nut, slightly wrinkled with age, and carried a soft jade green undertone. She wore a long, simple smock of white, although there was a panel across the front and it buttoned neatly up the side, and her arms were covered by long, smooth sleeves. Her hair was a snowy, pristine white that comes only with old age, and her face was as brown as her hands, and her eyes were of the glossiest gleaming black all over… even the whites."
Personality: Enjoys a cup of black tea with a lot of cream and sugar, does lacework. Is willing to deal (put up) with the politics of the Natura factions, unlike Dhwae who simply avoids them.
History: Priestess of the Temple of the Blessed Hands. Brought to Aelyria a very long time ago from the Bellenic Sea.
Training: Master Thaumaturgist who deals with training at the Temple of the Blessed Hands.

Name: Father Kerwal
Appearance: A tall, thick-bodied human with a shaven head though smattered with dark stubble, and his left eye had a tendency to veer off to the side a little.
Personality: A personable man, out-going. Eager to show off what skills he has to those who are interested in learning.
Training: Expert of Shaasskah

Name: Alyana Elvere
Appearance: "Garbed in silver plate mail which was presumably heavy but fitted her slim figure like a glove, the lady cut an imposing yet elegant figure, walking with a purpose and fluidity to her strides. Flowing out behind her was the pale green of a cloak, adorned at the back with the mark of Natura’s paladin order, the Silver Stars, and lined with a silver to match untainted hue of her array. The clasp of her cloak also held the emblem, clearly marking the lady as one of faith and conviction, with the power to do what was needed to protect those in need, and to combat those sinister forces of evil. Perhaps in her young to middle years, the woman’s countenance was pleasant, if experienced. She had witnessed a lot in her time as a paladin, after all, and such a thing showed clearly within the pallid blue orbs of her eyes. Her hair was a dark brown, and cropped short, at level with her chin."
Personality: Formal and serious. She gives compliments in training when merited and only then. She does not countenance goofing off or even showing off. Straight...to the point.
Training: Expert Sword

Name: Grimberry Strongcut
Appearance: Barely hitting four feet in height, Grimberry is your typical, thick-bodied, squat dwarf. He has dark brown hair and a thick, bushy beard that hangs down over his protruding tummy. Both his hair and beard are braided and adorned simply with wooden beads.
Personality: Grumpy and often sharp-tongued, a hard-teacher and one who infrequently gives out compliments on the training field.
Training: Expert Mace

Bardic Conservatory
Name: Auhren Dhasone
Appearance: Auhren is a tall and golden-skinned elf with fair hair and pale eyes. Like any other elf, he is slender, but despite his reputation, he does not flaunt it either in airs or dress. He wears simple clothing aside from the cloak and broach of the bards that are often travel worn. "He smells of honey and musk and vanilla… it changes, but women can smell him coming…"
Personality: Watch out ladies, he’s a charmer. Auhren may consider himself a plain speaker, but he speaks with a lilting thee, thine, thy, sort of speech. He is protective of the bardic secrets and sometimes wary of those who seek their secrets.
History: The Margravine’s younger brother (though “young” is not really correct for a Bard who happens to be a thousand Passings old) and general good guy.
Training: Master Bard

[Fox]

Arcanic Spells Taught within Natura

Below is a list of spells commonly taught to Arcana students in Natura. Any not found on this list have no place in training sessions unless the Modplan includes good reason as to why the spell might be taught in that instance and this has been approved by the GM.

If a spell is marked as 'only' being learned by a specific faction, then nobody outside of that faction should learn the spell (ie: Holy Armor is marked with 'Monks and Paladins Only' so someone learning Thaumaturgy as a healer would not learn that spell).

As with spells not found on the list, any moderators that wish to incorporate those spells into the training should contact the GM and request permission via a Modplan before beginning the training.

Thaumaturgy Spells
Paladins, Monks & Thaumaturgists
Click for Spell Descriptions

Initiate Cure Blindness Cure Disease Cure Poison Light Healing Holy Armor - Monks and Paladins Only Nimbility - Monks and Paladins Only Light Dart - Paladins Only Sacred Strike - Paladins Only Turn Undead - Paladins Only Apprentice Calm Endure Affliction Halo of Light Healing Symbol of Tanys - Monks and Paladins Only Empower - Monks and Paladins Only Endure Element - Paladins Only Righteous Stun - Paladins Only Sanctuary - Paladins Only Smite - Paladins Only Summon Pixie - Paladins Only Adept/Journeyman Absolution Greater Healing Sermon of Restoration Divine Protection - Monks and Paladins Only Invoke Penitence - Monks and Paladins Only Eulogy of Power - Paladins Only Righteous Aura - Paladins Only Shield of Divinity - Paladins Only Summon Faery - Paladins Only Blessing - Paladins Only Wrath of the Holy - Paladins Only

Druidic Spells
Druids & Rangers
Click for Spell Descriptions

Initiate Befriend Animal Create Water Detect Globe of the Fireflies Growth Heal Forest Calm Panic Animal Animal Empathy - Custom Spell: Enables the druid to delve into the innerworkings of the animal and uncover the area affected by disease or other external damaging factors Tree Heart - Custom Spell: This spell enables the druid to delve into the "being" of a tree/plant and uncover what is causing the tree/plant to die or weaken. Pollen - Druids Only - Alteration to the Spell: Druids learn to cast pollen to pollinate the area rather than as an attack spell. Bark Skin - Rangers Only Apprentice Ally with Animal Obscurement Patriling Purify Warp Wood Entwine - Alteration to the Spell: Druids learn to cast Entwine to encourage vines to grow up buildings and lattices. Tough Skin - Rangers Only Trip - Rangers Only Adept/Journeyman Aura Camouflage Night Sight Transience Animal Form - Druids Only Animal Skin - Rangers Only Disease - Rangers Only Paralyze - Rangers Only Spikes - Rangers Only Swarm - Rangers Only Blinding Eyes - Rangers Only

Bardic Spells
The Bards
Click Here for Spell Descriptions

Initiate Anthem of Aelyria Chant of Conquest Cinthera's Accelerando Healer's Hymn Lullaby for Leland Sonnet in Solo Dance of the Winter Brightenings - Custom Spell: Animals and humans would go into a hibernation mode, and the effect may last for some time, even after the song has ended. The longer effect would only happen if the whole dance is played. Sonnet of Spring - Custom Spell: Plant would mature faster when the song is played. Apprentice Aquatic Aria Charisma's Canto Gellyn's Gaudeamur Lytreia's Locomotion Melody of Concord Scherzo Sostenato Grand Summer Fanfare - Custom Spell: A great lively song that causes morale, movements and metabolisium rate to raise and increase. This sound affect not only on people, but on animals and certain plants too. Autumn's Duet - Custom Spell: It would look like death is at the doorsteps. When this song is played, many leaves would turn brown, and fall, but as the song end, the same trees would be healed of the more common tree diseases and small geen leaves would grow in the empty crown of the tree. (This song can only be completed by 2 persons or a Master Bard.) Adept/Journeyman Amplification Cadenza of Clarity Chords of Cacophony Lyliantha's Legato Serenade of the Sirens Vikrius in Presto Wangleo's Mercantessa Heart of Ice - Alteration to Spell: This piece does not deal damage, merely delivers a feeling of overwhelming grief and melancholy.

This list stands to be edited from time to time. If any changes occur, PCs of Natura will be notified in the OOC thread of the main forum.

This thread is more than 95% due to the hard work of those moderators who came before me. Specifically GM Nimh who originally posted it. I have simply tweaked it a bit!

[Fox]

In here will go a current list of training threads with names of pcs, peer mods and moderators.

PC Name	Thread	Moderation	Status
S'lon	Mastering The Longbow	Self	Ongoing