When I created my character last year, it seemed that each organization was polarized along two axis: city / forest, and light (non-taint) / dark (taint or wyrd). Mag was the dark city, Celest the light city. Seren the light forest with Glom the dark forest.

From my limited experience, it seemed most of the conflict stemmed from light versus dark with Celenwilde versus Magdoring. Sure, Magnagora and Glomdoring never got along all that well, but conflict was locked by the need of cities for forestal alchemists, and the commune's need for cosmopolitan enchanters (for starters).

Then came changes to bards which allowed for some commune enchants, and city alchemists. Mechanics were addressed to allow for a remix of conflict scenarios. Hence, Lusternia could now mechanically sustain a true city versus forest conflict. Add a dose of Divine sanctioned events to guide these events...

Then again, these templates for conflict are thrown out the window with the release of Gaudiguch and Hallifax. First, they are both cities which tip the city/commune scale. Secondly, I don't believe either is necessarily light/dark (though historians might be able to debate otherwise). Finally, they come prepackaged with their own source of conflict: emotion verus logic-- a new axis.

So... how will the various organizations align themselves? Will we see much more of a free-for-all, or more Divine sanctioned/ scaffolded RP events? Will Gaudi/Halli conflict take precedent over divisions of light/dark? Or will there be a time of relative peace?

From what I understand, it's never been intended that there be 'good' and 'evil' sides, but rather two separate and independant axis - Light vs Taint and Ethereal vs Wyrd. We now have a new one, Emotion vs Logic.

There have also been times when Mag and Seren were allied against Celest and Glom; don't think that it was always Celenwilde vs Magnadoring, that was only a recent combination.

I say let's all dogpile Glomdoring and knock them back down to the bottom of the heap where they belong

You've already tried it, not going well.

Here I thought this was going to be a sophisticated analysis comparing Magnagora to Iraq, Serenwilde to Iran, and Celest to North Korea.

The IR geek in me is disappointed.

Glomdoring seems more NKish to me and Magnagora is more Iranian.

If you were doing straight up "who's more like who," I'd see Glomdoring as the Iran, Magnagora as the North Korea. But I figured that since three orgs are fighting one, the three were the Axis of Evil.

A great deal of this will depend on what allegiances those migrating to the returned cities have, and which of them are elected to office. I am hoping things won't be black and white, and I've got a pretty good feeling they won't be. One thing about politics in Lusternia is that they are so volatile. I'm looking forward to when the Cities elect leaders and I can actually start politicking with them.

For example, if the forests get together and perform that Hai'Gloh and it drains power from the two cities that are depending on power to open new Guilds? You'll see a huge swing to city versus forest. I doubt that will happen, but it would be quite interesting to say the least! Actually I wonder if that quest even works on the two new cities, maybe the forests should check that out...

It definitely has a lot of potential now that the forests are outnumbered- yet at the same time the new cities don't have a hugely vested interest in upsetting the forests, whether it be for alchemy purposes or they simply (not yet, at least) have no need to proselytize.

Hallifax is a communist state. O.O

In Communist Hallifax, clouds meld you.

Actually, I think it would be the other one around. Celest is clearly Poland because I always forget about them.

Really? because it looks like you were 0 for 2 in the revolts that happened today.....

Are you really gloating over a bugged, off peak revolt?

It certainly looks that way.

From the revolts and the new skills I saw tossed around at me, I'm going to hazard that the members of the new orgs are extending the anti-glom team into the new cities.

I don't think Lusternia was ever intended to be so cut and dry as taint vs anti-taint, that's just kinda how it panned out due to skill limitations/necessity/player prejudice/fate. I'm pretty excited to see exactly how Gaudiguch and Hallifax will impact the political climate of the Basin. Hopefully, things will be much more fluid now, resulting in unexpected (and possibly forced, haphazard) alliances and fights.

This week's eye on the world!


The allied forces have landed a key victory against the Glomdoring in the villages of Paavik and Shanthmark, go get 'em boys!

This week, Jolly Bundy has also appeared. Gift-giving friend or red communist threat? Only time will tell.

The Fraternity of Gaudiguch was also freed from double-secret probation after 500 or so years, keep drinking boys.

Hallifax was freed from time this week, as well. Ally or red communist threat? Only time will tell.

And that is all for this week's eye on the world!

Pretty sure Gaudi's just gonna be the mini-mag for a good while, while Hallifax is shaping up to be old beat-down Glomdoring so far. How exciting!