Announce Posts — Starmourn's Forums

Announcements post #521: Here's looking at you, 2025.

Neritus — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 23:59:07 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Here's looking at you, 2025.

**Thank you to everyone who joined us tonight for the New Years Commendations! **

If you won a category, you'll have a TROPHY in your inventory which you can TOUCH to receive a unique title if you've not earned it before. Some spacers will also have received FANMAIL that you can PROBE to read heartfelt messages sent to you by other spacers. <3

Going forward, I ask that you all continue to be excellent to each other in 2025. The Admin team looks forward to continuing to build new worlds and systems for you to explore, while also putting a strong focus on fulfilling RP and event requests.

Some of my personal goals include:
- Building new areas
- HONORS and traveling quest lines
- RP tools like racial traditions
- More NPC RP engagement and REQUESTS with players
- Continuing to learn code development with Elan

Please keep in mind that our entire team is fully volunteer, so production may not be as fast as other titles. However, we sure do love this game and we will absolutely continue to build on the amazing worlds within the Starmourn Sector.

If you feel inclined to spread the word, it would be mighty helpful for you all to talk about Starmourn online as well! Nothing builds community like folks knowing we're here and seeing people online they want to play with.

With so much love,
Your Starmourn Admin Team

Argus, Marra, Elan, Aetherius, Kauka, and Senzei

Announcements post #519: Recurring Events.

Neritus — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 14:19:45 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Recurring Events.

Gooood morning, Starmourn! Another quick code update, this time to the UPCOMING system for scheduling and managing events in-game.

Changelog:
- Updated the syntax for viewing events to UPCOMING <#> SHOW to match our standards
- Updated the syntax for setting a START time for an event
- Created an END time option to set a window of time for events
- Created a RECURRING function to have an event recur every X Days or X Weeks

You can view the new syntax and changes with UPCOMING!

Please remember that while UPCOMING is a massively useful tool to allow the administration and your organizations to inform you when something fun is going to happen, it is still an OOC tool. Please refrain from using it to foretell the future within the IC game.

As with any big(ish) updates like this, there are bound to be bugs I missed in testing. Please report as you see 'em, and I'll work on getting them fixed asap.

Shout out, as always, to Elan for explaining things like "how does time work in code?" and "does this make sense?" until 3 am their time. <3

Your Starmourn Admin Team

Announcements post #518: OPEN: 2024 New Years Commendation Referendums.

Neritus — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 22:25:03 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: OPEN: 2024 New Years Commendation Referendums.

Our 2024 New Years Commendation referendums are now open!

Please take a moment to consult referendums 358-370 to help us decide the winners of each category. Referendums for votes will close January 12th at the Sync into January 13th. (Or right around then, the timer is a little ornery)

REFERENDUM LIST will show you all the open referendums.
REFERENDUM <#> SHOW will show you some more information about a particular one, as well as the nominees.
REFERENDUM VOTE FOR to cast your vote!

Keep in mind that this contest and voting is all OOC, so you should not campaign for your character or discuss the contest with other players in-game. For more information about how referendums work in Starmourn, check out HELP REFERENDUMS.

We will get busy sending out the trophies, fanmail, and bound credit rewards for winners and nominees when referendums close January 12th. A reminder is also active in the Discord as an event for those of you who'd like some extra remembering support. If you haven't already joined, get in there!
-> https://discord.com/invite/H8m7pFV

To celebrate this year's winners in style, join us for a rare OOC recommended play time of January 18th at 22:00, GST (Sync -2). An event for this is -also- active in the Discord.

Every vote counts, so go check 'em out!
Your Starmourn Admin Team

Announcements post #517: Surge Them Caches.

Neritus — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 21:44:03 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Surge Them Caches.

New Facility Reward: Cache Surge Crystals

These new, random Facility rewards will grant you the ability to boost the Ta-Deth charge yield of a crystal cache by 50-100%.

First on the scene to a new cache? Pop in and SURGE CACHE with a crystal in your inventory to see its effects. This will post a new notification on Conflict, so you'll need to act fast to claim all the benefits for your Faction.

Disclaimer: 24 hour cooldown on crystals. Will not stack. Cannot be used to further augment a Rich Cache. Crystals will decay after 1 IRL week, so use them quickly. Side effects may include strange glowing, tummy gurgling, and extra hatred from Vihana scouts. Not recommended for ingestion.

As always, shout out to Elan for their endless patience and astute insights while I smack these paws around in the code base. <3

Your Starmourn Admin Team

Announcements post #516: January Promotion.

Neritus — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 00:48:55 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: January Promotion.

Haaappy New Year, everyone!

Everyone who logs in this month will receive a free Rainbow Tesseract and a 6th Year Commemorative badge! TOUCH the badge for a sentimental look back at some of our friends from the new tutorial released this year. (I might've teared up a little while writing them.)

To our players new and old alike - Thank you *all* for joining us on the journey that was 2024. We love you dearly and know that this community you continue to foster is what makes the Starmourn Sector such an amazing place to explore and play.

To kick off the year in traditional fashion, New Years Commendations will be posted some time tomorrow, so keep an eye out and stay tuned!

Your Starmourn Admin Team

Announcements post #515: Goodbye Winterflame, Hello New Year.

Neritus — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 16:39:45 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Goodbye Winterflame, Hello New Year.

And with that, another Winterflame season has come to a close! Thank you all for celebrating another warm-hearted winter festival with us here in Starmourn.

The SS Ironbeard has already returned home for a much deserved rest, and Factional elements will be slowly put back into storage over the next sync or so.

For everyone who helped out with the Festival Grounds this season, this is your **last chance** to grab your Winterflame rewards from Rohna on Omni! Check in with her within the next two syncs before she heads home to prepare for next year.

*** New Years Commendations are due today at Sync! ***

Check out NEWS READ ANNOUNCE 514 to learn how you can earn up to 75 credits by nominating and being nominated for categories in this year's commendations, plus trophies, fan mail, and more!

To participate, we ask that you fill out a nomination form which is available in HELP 17.1 (Commendations) or on pastebin at https://pastebin.com/n0M3zp0r (password: StarmournNYCom)

Send your completed form to me (Argus) on Discord or in-game via message. More details to come on the voting and New Year celebration!

Announcements post #514: Call for 2024 New Years Commendation Nominations.

Neritus — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 01:02:50 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Call for 2024 New Years Commendation Nominations.

It's warm, it's fuzzy, and it's tradition...

Join us once more for our New Years Commendations, a chance to celebrate your accomplishments as we look forward to another year in the Starmourn Sector! There are so many unique characters, perspectives, and plots going on that sometimes it's hard to keep up, but we know for a fact that YOU are what makes the game great, and we want to celebrate that!

To participate, we ask that you fill out a nomination form which is available in HELP 17.1 (Commendations) or on pastebin at https://pastebin.com/n0M3zp0r (password: StarmournNYCom). Please copy and paste the form into pastebin or a google doc, complete your submission notes, and send it via in-game message or Discord to Argus by JANUARY 1ST, 2024 AT SYNC!

After submissions close, we'll audit through to pull all the nominees and consolidate write-in categories as applicable. Once that's done, we'll put all of it back up in-game as public referendums so that you, the players, can vote on the final list. Referendums will be posted on January 3rd and will be up until January 12th (9 days) so you have time to make your final votes.

A few rules and details
----------------------
- You cannot nominate or vote for yourself.
- Spacers can win an award again this year even if they won it last year. If you consistently rock it in a category, you should be able to hold onto that.
- Spacers will receive 5 credits for each person they nominate in their submission, up to 25 credits. Shout out your fellow players and get rewarded!
- Everyone who is NOMINATED in any category, including write-ins, will receive a prize of 10 credits per nomination category, up to a max of 50 additional credits.

Judging the contest
----------------------
- The WINNER of each category will be determined by player vote via referendum, after the nomination phase.
- Winners of any write-in category will receive a trophy, and winners of the main categories will get another slightly bigger prize in addition to their nomination credits.
- Anyone who is sent WARM FUZZIES will also receive fan mail with any kind words submitted for them, so don't be shy, folks!

Main Nomination Categories
----------------------
* Roleplaying - Who has impacted the landscape of the game the most? Who has stuck to their roleplay the longest? Who have you had the best roleplaying interactions with personally? Interpret it how you want, but this category is for roleplay!
* Trading/Design - Who has made the most fun designs? Roleplayed being an artisan most convincingly? Interpret it how you want, but this category is for designers and traders.
* Mining/Manufacturing - Who has made their living from manufacturing, mining, and scooping? Who do you think of first when you think of these things?
* Hacking - Somewhat self explanatory, but who do you think the best hacker is? Most notorious? Most recognizable? Most stylish?
* Captaincy - Who is the best at tackling incursions, cosmpiercers, space PVP, pirates, space stuff in general? Interpret it how you want, but tell us who you think of when you think of Admirals!
* Bashing/EXP - Because it's a different sort of thing than combat, who has spent the most time mindlessly killing things, or who do you think of when you think of the top/best bashers?
* Combat/PVP - Arena, caches, cosmpiercers, bounty hunters... who do you think of when you think of people willing to throw down?
* Performance - Who is the most iconic, most unique, most tenacious, most...? Interpret it how you want, but this category is for performances of all types!
* Most Helpful - Thinking specifically of newbies and other players in need, who always goes out of their way to help those who need it with advice, money, or anything else, including helping attract and keep new players?
* Rookie of the Year - Someone who came into the game with such passion, such pizzazz, that you believe they deserve an award.
* Excavator Extraordinaire - An archaeology enthusiast who's either contributed significantly to dig sites, coordinated efforts as a curator, or completed some truly ingenious research sessions.

Note - We removed CLASS categories this year as they always seem to confuse folks. You're welcome to nominate someone under RP if their class RP is particularly compelling to you!

Write In Categories
----------------------
We also accept write-in categories for more specific things, which can be either IC or OOC. Some classics from previous years include: Best Event Planner, Fashionista, Best Flogger Account, Best Physical Shop, Dies the Most, Dies the Least, Most Prolific Xenohunter, Most Generous. (If players submit categories that are very similar, we may combine them and the nominees!)

For example, you could submit "Most likely to lick random things" with a list of your top five nominees in that area. These are mostly for fun, and because we know there are lots of small areas where people shine that might not be represented in these "broad" categories. Players can submit any number of categories, understanding not all categories are guaranteed to be put into a referendum.

Warm 'n Fuzzies
----------------------
You can also submit nice notes (anonymous unless you ask to be named) along with your votes for either the main or the sub-categories, which will be sent along to the nominee. This whole thing is really about making other players feel warm and fuzzy and appreciated. If you have enjoyed your time playing with someone in the game, let them know!

Admin/Storyteller characters can be nominated in special write-in categories or written nice notes, but will obviously not be receiving any special prizes for their work as admin. This is just a nice way you can tell the team thank you for their hard work, if you want to!

And finally, if you have any other write-in categories or warm fuzzies for NPCs or other things in Starmourn, you are totally allowed to suggest those as well. This is great for us because it lets us know what NPC interactions people are enjoying.

--
This is our opportunity to do something special to celebrate you - the players that make the game such a special and amazing place. Have fun, and share the love! If you have any questions about the contest, feel free to contact us.

Your Starmourn Admin Team <3

Announcements post #513: Faction Power: Org Shops.

Neritus — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 19:31:23 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Faction Power: Org Shops.

STARMOURN LEADERS! A new Faction Power is now available: ORGSHOPS

Anyone with this power will have the ability to manipulate the wares on Faction-Exclusive trade terminals, meaning you can now set up newbie terminals with mods, uniforms, and other such supplies just for your Faction folk. Or... y'know, whatever you want.

Making a Faction-Exclusive Trade Terminal Shop
Using the TT syntax commands, create the shop(s) you want to use for this purpose, then make it exclusive with TT SHOP EXCLUSIVE FACTION. You can assign the Faction Power as usual, and anyone with it will be able to view / stock / unstock / categorize / feature / etc the shop as they please.

Profits from these terminals will go directly to the Faction and you can check the usage / profits with MARKSLOG READ in game.

Big thank-you to Elan for their patience in working with me on this new coding project, to the several players who've waited many months for me to build up the courage to try this, and to all of you in case any bugs pop up! Paws, tails, and eyes crossed for luck, though.

Best,
Your Starmourn Admin Team

Announcements post #512: Happy Winterflame!

Neritus — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 13:53:45 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Happy Winterflame!

The snow is falling, and you know what that means... It is our pleasure to welcome you all to another chilly-weathered, and warm-hearted Winterflame in the Starmourn Sector!

Rohna will once again be set up on Omni Station to encourage warm Winterflame feelings, and she'll kick things off with some rainbow presents! Every player who greets her this Winterflame season will receive one rainbow gift which they can either open themselves, or open in a group to share the riches with everyone present. (We'd encourage the latter)

We're feeling the sparkling Winterflame spirit, so... You will also be able to earn additional Rainbow Presents for every 10 hours spent playing Starmourn this month, starting now! (Max of 8 bonus from this)

Ironbeard will resume his orbital giftgiving bombardment of various planets in the sector shortly; be sure to keep an eye on the sky and stay in the line of fire when you're travelling to major homeworlds. You can receive up to one gift each day, ranging in value from a few hundred marks to a major artifact!

So... Are you ready to join in the festivities?

If so, a transport is available on Omni Station which will take you to the Tosmar Reserve. Head NE from there until you find a path NORTH into the Winterflame Fairgrounds. Giftcatchers will be available for purchase here again this year via marks and credits earned in game. As a reminder, you will *not* be able to purchase them through the website.

Dress in your warmest jacket and head to the fairgrounds to enjoy the snowmounds or make some snowmen (be sure to PUSH mounds and snowmen), start a snowball fight, learn about Winterflame, and get accustomed to the cold climate. You can also SNOWANGEL SNOWMOUND to make snow angels and give yourself a sparkly little EFFECT.

Check in over the course of the month - Shop offerings may be expanded or changed before the season's out.

Be wonderful to each other this Winterflame!
- The Starmourn Admin Team

Announcements post #511: Goodbye, Market!

Neritus — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 20:16:59 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Goodbye, Market!

As we bid farewell to this installment of the Floating Market, I want to take a moment to review and celebrate.

New shops this round included a vehicle stall, storage options, and pets as well as new stalls for promotional items that had previously been unavailable for marks purchase. The NPCs enjoyed getting to know everyone, and I hope you all enjoyed the same. As a reminder, these NPCs may be available for RP Request adventures in the future if you are inclined to pursue it.

Please join me in a big shout out to Svatlina, Oipo, Shulamit, and Poet who each opened up a shop for this round of the Market! It takes guts and creativity to make materials to sell in these events, and I do hope each found it a fruitful experience. As a thank-you for the effort, I will be sharing a modest marks bounty with each of these fabulous designers.

Thank you as well to everyone who participated in picking up goods and exploring the market! This was my first time setting it up myself, and I look forward to continuing to build out this event for future installments.

If there's something you particularly liked or something you'd like to see in a future Floating Market, please shoot me a message! Would love to hear any and all feedback.

Coming soon - Winterflame!

Announcements post #510: Exploring the Wilds.

Neritus — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 18:30:43 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Exploring the Wilds.

Two new wilderness zones are officially ready to explore: the Litharge Dregs and Delta Deck on the Blood Ark.

These wilderness zones will be a low-level (scaling) and non-aggro option to ensure all three Factions's newbies have access to one within their own Factional space. This way everyone doesn't have to be pillaging Song's wilderness for crystals and CAC slivers, and also gives us some more options for new Archaeology digsites in the future.

That's it! Off into the wilds we go ~

Your Starmourn Admin Team

Announcements post #509: It's Floating AND It's A Market!

Neritus — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 00:09:36 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: It's Floating AND It's A Market!

Welcome one and all to the event of the season - The Floating Market 976 A.E.!

This year the market will be floating around Fontain Station from November 15th-25th, which should be plenty of time for folks to thoroughly check it out. As always you may either fly to it or take ground transports.

What does one do at this market?
--------------------------------
At the illustrious Floating Market, players can purchase things that will only ever be available from the Market, as well as some promo items available for purchase with marks instead of credits.

Some goods will be rare. Some will not. There may be only one of some items. The stock may change while the market is open. There is no guarantee you will ever see anything at one market at the next market. You might. You might not. Go in with the mindset that if you want it, you should buy it. The Floating Market is -entirely changeable-.

For this round, many of the shops our veterans know and love are returning in some form or another, giving our new folks access to their fantastic wares. However we've also added several brand NEW shops and NPCs to meet!

What if I want to sell things?
-----------------------------
Players can claim a market stall (one per person!) for 50k marks and sell their wares during for the entire span of the market for the chance to make several loads of marks and even earn new titles!

All wares and props will be cleared automatically at the end of the market, so be sure to remove anything from your shop before it resets! We hope for this place to be a hub of roleplay while it is town.

If you are interested in hosting a shop as a seller, please send me a message in-game by November 4th if possible so I can get you in ahead of time to set things up. Also so I can track it and ensure we have enough space!

Happy shopping!

Your Starmourn Admin Team

Announcements post #508: End of Rapadruk.

Neritus — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 19:40:52 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: End of Rapadruk.

*The shadow blanketing the Sector lifts once more, signaling the end of Rapadruk season*

To everyone who collected a fresh stock of candies from Candy Dan and explore the Drukula Bros' Mansion - CHEERS! We hope you all enjoyed the thrilling terrors of Rapadruk this year!

If you haven't submitted your Scare the Storytellers entry yet for 2024, we'll allow submissions for another couple days. Send your submission to me via PASTEBIN either in game or on Discord and I'll get you added.

** Read ANNOUNCEMENTS 506 for more details about the contest, including prizes and how to access a pre-made entry form.

As we enter November, the Floating Market quickly approaches... Stay tuned for more details!

Announcements post #507: Round Table 10/19 @ Sync.

Neritus — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 14:17:54 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Round Table 10/19 @ Sync.

Join the admin team for a chat about Starmourn! We'll talk about recent updates to the game, things y'all would like to see, and upcoming releases that are on the docket.

Scheduled time: October 19th at Sync (0:00 on 10/20 GMT)

An event is posted in the Discord and is also available with a countdown in-game via UPCOMING INFO 60.

For those of you looking for some extra Rapadruk fun, join us an hour before (Sync-1) at the Raparuk Mansion on Gunurash III for a bloody ritual and some spooky lore.

We'll see you there!

Announcements post #506: Scare the Storytellers 2024 - OPEN.

Neritus — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:05:13 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Scare the Storytellers 2024 - OPEN.

You heard it here first! Literally - just now! But it's time to dive in with some details.

WHAT WE WANT:
A new story outlining something that inspires terror across the denizens of the sector. Whether it's a scary monster, a haunting philosophy, or a tale of warning, we want to read stories rooted in lore that would inspire goosebumps across a Ry'nari's hide.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
1. Who you play/what your character name is.
> Argus, the smallest feracht

2. A name for your horror
> The Foogu, slime monster of Benu Wen

3. A description of your horror, including why it is scary to the sector.
> The Foogu is a massive horror of ever-increasing size and amorphous shape made of viscous, ambulatory slime. Fungus and moss grows liberally upon it, making it impossible to detect when walking in dark forests until you are already consumed. Tales of The Foogu and its rise to sentience are used liberally by W'hoorn parents to make their children mind them and stay close to home.

4. The tale of your horror. In 500 words or less, share the story is if you were recounting it to a friend.
> "Said to have been grown from unstable molecules that escaped from a laboratory of W'hoorn scientists several centuries ago, the Foogu hides in the shadows of forests surrounding Benu Wen. Its slick slime body is often mis-identified as a puddle of water beneath a towering tree or a mound of thriving fungus... Though its true scope is almost unfathomable, blanketing the entire forest floor with its quivering, slithering mass. Rumor has it that unaware spacers lost in the woods are absorbed by the Foogu, its slow-moving body silently surrounding their legs and pulling them into its depths.

No evidence of these abductions has ever been verified, though many of the bodies of lost spacers believed to have gone missing in its territory have never been found either. The theory is that the stolen spacers remain alive within its body in a fully aware, hellish stasis, used as nutrient batteries for the monster's continued existence. Rumors fill the skies that the Foogu is still expanding to this day, growing ever larger and even consuming thoughtless W'hoorn who neglect the skies to stomp about on the ground. Though no definitive proof of the Foogu's existence has ever been found, a plethora of photographs and grainy video footage can be found on the commsphere."

CONTEST RULES:
- Your entry must include ALL required information detailed above.
- One entry per player.
- Collaboration is ok, but only the person who submits the entry can win the prize.
- No stories or creepypastas lifted directly from current Earth culture. Taking inspiration is fine, but the final product should be unique and wholly yours.
- Goes without saying, but no AI generated content. We're on the honor code here - This should come from you.

SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRY:
Entries should be sent as a Pastebin, Notepad file, or Google Doc link to Argus in game and will be shared among game staff for judging, crying, and screaming in terror! (Not necessarily in that order.) Your deadline is 11:59pm EST on October 31st. We'll take a couple days to decide, then announce the winner!

You are welcome, though not required, to use this entry form: https://pastebin.com/nGDPEvBH

WINNING PRIZE
The winning entry will receive a unique item of some kind or a minipet loosely based on their creation, subject to admin discretion. Details about the creature will also be added to our public wiki and the main website, solidifying the fruits of your depraved imagination into game canon forever.

In addition, everyone who submits an entry will receive:
- 25 credits
- A special mask only available through this contest

Good luck and make it weird, folks! As usual, our bodies are ready. The terror's already got my tail poofed up, fluffier than my whole body.

Cowering in fear, but excited,
Your Starmourn Admin Team

---
To check out entries from previous years, you can check out the website https://www.starmourn.com/scare_the_storytellers/ or go right to the wiki https://wiki.starmourn.com/Scare_The_Storytellers!

Announcements post #505: A Shadow Approaches.

Neritus — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:02:34 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: A Shadow Approaches.

What's that? Who's there?!

Rapadruk Season is upon us, Starmourn! As the night's shadows encroach on the day's glow, the gloomy holiday brings out the band of Candy Dans and all sorts of trickery across those populated planets and ALL known racial homeworlds of the sector.

Check out HELP RAPADRUK for more info on this Krona holiday, then head to Gunurash III to talk with Candy Dan or explore the Drukula brothers' infamous Rapa'ruk Mansion (v15087) for some frightful fun! Oh, and set your calendars for October 19th at Sync-1 for a bonus, ritualistic experience before the Starmourn Round Table talk.

And of course, this also kicks off our Scare The Storytellers contest for 2024! This year we will not be limiting the contest entries to a story from your race's - As long as it's scary, creative, and rooted in lore, we're happy to read what you can come up with! More details will be posted soon, including this year's prizes.

Another treat? Why not, 'tis the spoop-iest and treat-iest of seasons after all!

We're also going to start a new, smaller contest to add some spooky vibes to the Lucent Radiowaves in the form of a new band and their top hits.

The winner of this contest may see their band come to life, and all submissions will be put up for consideration to be added to the Lucent Radiowave's new Genres: Goremetal + Synthedge, and Moods: Spooky + Scary.

Your entry should include:
- The new band's name
- A description of 2-3 band members, including what they look and sound like
- 2-3 song names as well as the song's lyrical theme, genre, and mood.

For example:
Band: Gringle's Grungles

Lead Singer: Gringle - A Loroi with a long flowing braid dyed blood red, wrapped around her neck like a hangman's noose. She speaks with a rasping voice, as if she's smoked straight exhaust fumes her whole life, but she sings in a haunting warble that'll send a shiver down your spine.

- Song: Rapasu Quake Killer (Synthedge, Spooky)
A groaning, lilting melody about the loss of a puppy to the monstrous maw of a Northern Usum Rapasu worm that peaks in a roaring crescendo.

- Song: Nightstalker, Dream Eater (Goremetal, Spooky)
Sung by someone that sounds like they've just been stabbed and are trying to pretend they're fine, this anthem is about lost love, but winds its way through strange metaphors and dreamlike sequences.

We'll accept a maximum of 1 band, 3 members, and 3 songs per entry. Please send your entry as a Pastebin or Notepad file to Argus either in-game via Message or on Discord.

Rock on, spacers! And stay tuned for Scare the Storytellers 2024...
Your Starmourn Admin Team

Announcements post #504: Floating Market, Rapadruk Spirits, Winterflame - Oh My.

Neritus — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 21:27:51 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Floating Market, Rapadruk Spirits, Winterflame - Oh My.

Now that things have settled a bit with the Newbie Experience, check out the roster of fun end of year holidays the Starmourn sector is known for!

October
- - - - -
A human preparing their Rapadruk costume in the Starmourn Sector

Rapadruk Season is the Starmourn analog to Halloween, and the Sector decks itself out with ENTHUSIASM for all the spooky theming and parties similar to the Earthen holiday.

Join us for the reopening of Raparak Mansion, trick-or-treating across the Sector, and of course our annual tradition: Scare the Storytellers! Check out previous entries here.

We might also have a few treats up our sleeves... You'll have to log in to see!

November
- - - - -
The Floating Market is ON! Running for only a week in November, the Floating Market serves as an opportunity to get unique, one-of-a-kind and limited run wares from NPC shopkeeps, plus serves as a place for players to host their own shops and make incredible marks sales. There are also wedding and concert venues, so be sure to check it out while you can. More details to come!

We've outfitted a variety of new vendors and improved on the offerings of some returning classics so new and veteran spacers alike have the opportunity to grab something hot 'n fresh from the limited time market offerings. Learn more about the Floating Market here.

December
- - - - -
Closing the year, we celebrate our annual holiday of Winterflame, when Ironbeard raises his ship and flies across the Sector to drop presents and glee to all!

A Tukkav holiday at its core, Winterflame is the celebration where spacers of every race and creed set aside their differences to come together in warmth and friendship, to exchange gifts, and to build a chosen family that is as important as blood. Learn more about Winterflame here.

Every year the Admin team works to bring about a unique event or game system for players to enjoy as our gift to you, and we end the year with Player Nominations - A chance for y'all to give kudos to each other for all you've accomplished over the course of the year.

Other Fun Things & Dev Updates

The Admin team regrouped last week to discuss dev plans and ideas, as well as to create a roadmap of our releases for the next few months. We're hard at work building new areas, planning a Xenohunt weekend, and otherwise developing fun content for y'all to enjoy, so stay tuned and keep an eye to the blog!

Reminder about the REQUEST system, whereby any player can build out their RP journey and get admin assistance for new experience, events, areas, and more! If you've got an idea you've been wanting to explore, send Argus a message in game or consider submitting an RP REQUEST today.

With much love and excitement,
Your Starmourn Admin Team

Check out the full post on the blog:
https://www.starmourn.com/2024/09/20/floating-markets-rapadruk-spirits-and-winterflame-festivity-oh-my/

Announcements post #503: WELCOMEBACK!

Neritus — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 23:41:01 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: WELCOMEBACK!

Thanks to an immense amount of help from Elan, we have implemented a new WELCOMEBACK command which is now available in game!

Long awaited and requested by MANY players, this new feature will give spacers returning after 60+ days in cryo new armor for any empty slots, a full set of level and class appropriate weapons, and some clothing + marks to make that defrosting a little less scary.

Pat-patting at those frost-laden cryo chambers,
Your Starmourn Admin Team

Announcements post #502: Strike the Earth!

Neritus — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 04:20:09 +0000

From: Marra
Subject: Strike the Earth!

Hello my determined diggers and diabolical docents!

We are deeply delighted to dish some dirt on a dazzling new digsite that Archeology aficionados have been waiting ever so patiently for;

Scatterhome's Ishbi asteroid, a dry rock full of dusty saloons, tarak beetle ranches and a wilderness of strip-mined canyons has recently unearthed some items that may be of academic and historical interest.

Six new fossils and three new antiquities are waiting for the collective You to dig them up, dust them off, and dash them to pieces on the research table.
(Apologies in advance for one of those antiquities - it's a -doozy- to find!)

As a reminder (or an FYI to our new friends), Archaeology is a system of roleplay collaboration, allowing groups of people to get together to uncover some in-world lore and gleanings of history from the fossils and antiquities of the past. We encourage all of you to seek out your faction's curators to learn more!

Strike the Earth before it strikes you,
Your Starmourn Admin Team

Announcements post #501: While you're here...

Neritus — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 02:20:07 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: While you're here...

Wow. I can't express how happy to makes our little volunteer team to see all these new faces, and so many returners too!

We wanted to make this renaissance even more special for everyone participating in helping out our newbie population and diving back in to this world we love so dearly.

With that in mind - Now through the end of the month, all players will get a FREE rainbow tesseract for every 10 hours they play Starmourn, up to 8 bonus tesseracts by the end of the promotion period. That's a lot of shinies at a rainbow party!

Now it's time to get back to work squashing bugs, building worlds, improving QOL, and generally making cool things for y'all to enjoy. As always, please let us know if you need anything!

Tiny paws and theoretical constructs tapping them keys,
Your Admin Team <3

Announcements post #500: New Tutorial Celebration.

Neritus — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 04:13:56 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: New Tutorial Celebration.

It is with much excitement and giddy joy that I officially announce Starmourn has a NEW and much improved tutorial experience!

After many months of discussion, development, and testing, the new Tutorial is now live on the website for new users looking to join the Starmourn Sector.

In the new tutorial, you can:
- Meet many new NPCs and explore the game's lore
- Trial run every class and practice your skills
- Learn how to use armor and slot mods to improve your stats
- Get an intro to KEY systems and QOL configs
- Complete additional quests with the NPCs of the asteroid city
- Experience a holo-performance from a celebrity band
- Earn and discover takeaway items that you can keep and use in the main game
- Pet a goredog puppy
- Meet with Cassandra Min and optionally jump right into the Main Quest when you finish the tutorial
- Kick some butts and thwart some evil schemes

To celebrate these changes, and to welcome new faces in style, we are running two ongoing promotions:

1. Now through the end of the month, all players will earn DOUBLEXP for their efforts! I would encourage all spacers to take advantage of this boost and to support each other with group hunting parties, advice, and snacks.

2. Everyone who logs in now through the end of the month will receive a FREE rainbow tesseract as a thank you for joining us in this adventure! You can OPEN the tesseract by yourself to get a promo item, artifact, or marks/credit boon at random, OR open it with other spacers to share the gifts with everyone. (You still get one, it's really a win-win)

Of you, our lovely community, I ask that you all make a special effort to take new spacers under your proverbial, and sometimes very literal, wings in the next few weeks. You should also keep an eye on the news - we may have some even sweeter things coming your way soon.

With much love,
Your Starmourn Admin Team

Announcements post #499: A Tentative Invitation from the Ibyssian Brotherhood'

Neritus — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 13:29:09 +0000

From: Marra
Subject: A Tentative Invitation from the Ibyssian Brotherhood'

Hello hello, my dear inquisitives and loreseekers!

A big thank-you to Picram and Shunvaz for inspiring our little recommended playtime event!
After conducting a very newbie-friendly overview of Starmourn's modern history, Picram and guests were given an open invitation to meet with Ambassador Mhoyul, to learn about the mysterious Ibyssian Brotherhood straight from the space-whale-diplomat's mouth. This was a rare opportunity to engage directly with one of the most ancient living races, and we on the admin team had a lot of fun letting some old secrets slip.

As a result of this player-driven event, we've released a new zone - on the oceanic homeworld of the mysterious Lha Ti no less. If you'd like to check it out the new areas on Ghenla, you can access them via Rensu Station. Just be aware of the dangers; remember, the Ibyssian Brotherhood is seldom appreciative of outsiders, so I hope everyone is on their best behavior!

There are some dangers here - players might consider it a suitable alien hunting ground for MIL50 characters.

While Ambassador Mhoyul has returned to the deeps, future visitors can speak with one of her peers - Ambassador Ylexei - for a little more info about each of the races that make up the exotic and isolated Ibyssian Brotherhood.

See you at the next one!
With love,
Argus and Marra

Announcements post #498: New Task, Who Dis.

Neritus — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 22:59:13 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: New Task, Who Dis.

Hey spacers! So many Announcements, all thanks to the wondrous and wonderful Elan!

Some of you may have noticed two new changes recently:

1. CAC Task 3 is now called "Geological Survey"
This task will now require you to triangulate a wilderness designated by the CAC. As the assignment can take you to less dangerous wildernesses AND as this can be completed with the assistance of a group, we hope that this makes CAC contributions more accessible to lower level players.

2. DailyCredits Task 15 is now called "Triangulate a wilderness"
Similarly, players will get 2 credits per day for triangulating ANY wilderness zone.

These tasks have permanently taken the place of the previous "NPC Market Orders" tasks which will not be returning to Starmourn.

Thank you Elan for your thoughtful implementation of this idea!

As with any new system, please BUG or send me a message if you have any questions or note any strange behaviors with these new tasks which we should look into.

Heads in the Starmourn Stars,
Your Admin Team

Announcements post #497: New Feature: UPCOMING.

Neritus — Fri, 31 May 2024 20:58:06 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: New Feature: UPCOMING.

Up and coming, it's... UPCOMING!

As suggested by Atavaska on Discord, Elan has masterfully implemented a new feature for Starmourn which allows players to schedule and view upcoming events in-game.

Type UPCOMING to check out the syntax or read HELP UPCOMING for more info about how you can use this function and/or purchase the power for your organization.

If you have an event idea that you'd like to be posted outside of your org for any and all players to join, please message myself or Marra so that we can create it for you. Otherwise all events will need to be tethered to a Faction, Dynasty, or Clan.

Keep those events a-comin', Starmourn!

Your Admin Team

Announcements post #496: A New Age of Discovery.

Neritus — Thu, 09 May 2024 13:53:26 +0000

From: Marra
Subject: A New Age of Discovery.

This one goes out to our professorial pundits and curatorial collectors!

After much tinkering, we are delighted to announce -significant- adjustments to both the way progress towards Discoveries is awarded, and how much research is needed to reach each Discovery. This means that you can expect to unlock new Discoveries much, much more quickly. While I won't get into the specifics - pay no attention to the feracht behind the curtain! - I can say that it's now in a much more realistic place for our community to achieve together.

It has been so wonderful to see you roleplaying solo or in groups to express your characters against the backdrop of the backrooms, and now, we hope that your characters find enrichment in the Discoveries of the past be they great or small.

Remember; no touching the exhibits, no licking the antiquities, and absolutely no canoodling in the staff room!
Or do. I'm a hallucination, not a cop.

Announcements post #495: New Coder Intro.

Neritus — Sat, 04 May 2024 01:00:20 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: New Coder Intro.

Aetherius presses its tippy-flipper-tips together, a serious expression on its face.
- -

Hey everybody! Please join me in welcoming our newest volunteer coder: Aetherius!

In classic Coder fashion, Aetherius initially chose the name of an ancient dev and then immediately discovered a crucial bug in character creation while being onboarded. Locking down bugs from jump!

It's crunching away at bugs and is going to start closing some tickets, so you'll see its name soon in the stars.

Please join me in a warm Starmourn welcome for the newest member of the Admin team!

Announcements post #494: New XENOLIST Command.

Neritus — Fri, 03 May 2024 13:39:23 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: New XENOLIST Command.

Hey Sector!

Shout out to Senzei for implementing a new idea from the Discord: XENOLIST

Players can now type XENOLIST to get a full debriefing on Fantom's records of the active Xenobeasts roaming the sector, including the Name, Area, and Class ranking. Those with the FANTOM_INTEL artifact power will also see their Affixes.

If you're ready to take on one of these powerful beasts, choose one from the list and then WALK TO . Be mindful that Xenobeasts are known for being aggro and may attack on sight.

For more information, check out HELP FANTOM.

Thank you for all you do to keep the Sector safe from these beasts!

Your Starmourn Admin Team

Announcements post #493: Costumes and Clouds.

Neritus — Sat, 20 Apr 2024 22:52:57 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Costumes and Clouds.

Hey Sector!

As voted on Discord, I've create a new set of ship furnishings for purchase on Iota Station. The theme is: Clouds!

Check the public news boards for more info from the shop's purveyor, and shoot me a message if you have an idea for a future set of furnishing options.

Additionally, I've added a new design pattern: Costume

Costumes will trend every October, so start thinking about what you want to see! While these player-made costumes will not have the same masking or miscellaneous functionality as promo costumes, we hope you'll all flex your creativity in making fun costumes for your fellow spacers to wear.

If you're not already in the Discord, feel free to join in so you can be part of future pop up surveys and idea sharing! The link is available on our website at Starmourn.com.

Thanks for the inspo while I took a wee break from the tutorial. Back to the grind for now!

Argus

Announcements post #492: Aaaand... SCENE.

Neritus — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 11:11:54 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Aaaand... SCENE.

Fufu and Derika have completed their work with this season's delivery, and run off to wherever they spend the time in-between.

Thanks to help from many dedicated spacers across the sector, Fufu was able to recover a significant portion of her lost shipment, though we've received reports that Derika was able to smuggle quite a few as well.

Excellent work across the board, folks!

Tippy tapping them paws,
Argus

Announcements post #491: Claim Those Easter Prizes!

Neritus — Mon, 08 Apr 2024 01:44:32 +0000

From: Argus, the Tiniest Feracht
Subject: Claim Those Easter Prizes!

That's it and that's all!

If you helped Fufu or Derika this season, touch base with them to claim your prize(s) and thank-yous for all that hard work. You'll have until Sync into Monday 4/14 (about a week from now) before the two of them run off until next year's shipment inevitably requires your help. <3

Hope everyone had an egg-cellent start to Spring!

Tip-tap-tippin' away at them keys,
Your Starmourn Admin Team