So, I've been out of the loop of Lusternia for a couple of years now, but I'm interested in maybe coming back. However, before I jump in with a character, I'd just like to know where I might like to go.

Basically, I'm just curious as to what all the orgs are currently up to? What sorts of RP environment is currently prevalent in each? What are the current relationships? I'm especially interested in how Hallifax and Gaudiguch are playing out.

We get to be a city full of Dr. Who references. All other arguments are invalid (This is hallifax)

We are better than you by the holy right of the Light. (What is Celest)

This intrigues me. Care to expand? Or is your comment not bigger on the inside?

Glomdoring rules the land. Serenwilde has few to no active combatants. Gaudiguch is stronger than Hallifax, although the RP in Hallifax seems more nuanced, from an outsider's perspective. Mag is slightly stronger than Celest combatant-wise, although they're closer than Glom/Seren are.

All orgs suck. Celest the most. Hallifax the least (though they're the furthest down with... I think 0 active fighters) . The rest is somewhere in the middle, with Magdoruch raiding everything and Serenwilde having teaparties and Glomdoring fights.

I'm not sure I liked the idea of a super-strict environment in Hallifax though--at least not for the sort of character I'm considering.

How does the stark contrast between art and science play out in actuality?

we're half and half, and not as strict as people seem to think. The RP is all "You will serve the commonwealth with your soul" but most people are more relaxed that that

edit: and the doctor who reference is because our guardians get time magic

Why does nobody invite me to these tea parties...

Politically, there are quasi-alliances between Celest/Glom and Seren/Gaudiguch/Mag. Gaudiguch/Mag are allied, Hallifax/Glomdoring are allied. If you want to get back in slowly, I'd suggest Glom or Mag. If you want to make a difference quickly, I'd suggest Seren, Hallifax, or Celest. If you want no laws whatsoever, go to Gaudiguch.

Basically, I'm looking for RP. I'm looking to run a bardic sort of char (not a Bard necessarily)--creative/taking part heavily in the library system and such.

Hallifax seems like it could work, as its got the whole Trillillial thing going on, but at the same time, Gaudiguch seems like a fitting place as well, with its whole "City of Freedom" sort of thing. But if Gaudi is deep into PK, that might not work out so well.

Glomdoring would like more scholars / writers / playwriters!

So would everyone else. Get back in line.

We're at the front of the line.

I'm not sure what guild I'd want to be in Glomdoring. They were all sort of.. uptight last time I played, and if I recall, the commune itself was pretty much "Not in a guild? GTFO." Though I guess that could have changed, since its been a helluva long time.

Hallifax would work well for the 'creative type.'

As a question; why would you want to not be in a guild? That's pretty darned restrictive on your options.

Hallifax values their artists/scholars/scientists and get city favored for it and what all... No there aren't many fighters but it's still fairly new so things can change. Not everyone is as stern/strict as they'd like to let on.

I was just adding that part on because of the first part of the comment--me not really knowing what guild I'd even want to be a part of in Glomdoring. So, if I didn't really feel like I'd fit in with the actual Guilds of Glom, it wouldn't really be an option for me to join anyway.

Well, that's true of any organization, I think (excepting currently Hallifax and Gaudiguch as their guilds are not yet out).

If you don't fit in with any of the guilds there, you're not likely to fit in that organization. Each of the guilds has a slightly different take on things, but they're all part of the overall whole.

That said, I don't think there are any orgs that require you to join a guild right away at present, but... a huge amount of your roleplay is going to be built off of your guild choice, as well. At least with Glom guilds (primarily Harbinger / Shadowdancer / Blacktalon).

I was actually considering going Guildless though, mainly because (again, these are my old impressions) so many guilds have this whole "Do this, this, this, this, aaaaand this." sort of thing going on, which I was never a fan of. I don't want to have to take tests and such--at least not at the present.

The darkness of Glomdoring works fine for me, I can fit in with that well enough. Its more that the individual guilds all had way too many hoops to jump through back in the day.