Seaside2

Whee! We're back up!

Issue:
Unviewable content. Certain topics or pages (or any 'random' part of the forum) became unviewable with an error message ("Call to undefined function idna_maps_not_std3()") being displayed in its place.

Root Cause:
Update to version 2.1.5 of SMF. As discussed on this topic thread and the resulting bug report, this occurred as part of a refactoring of their Unicode handling code, meaning any page that used certain characters would throw this error.

Resolution:
A full fix has already been applied upstream but has not been released yet. In the meantime I've applied a hotfix/patch to the running code that appears to remove the issue. Some others posting say this causes spurious error log messages, so admins should be prepared to see this until the next release of SMF.

Additional Notes:
I took this chance to make a snapshot of the container running the forum. Currently I can only do this while the container is stopped. I'm hoping to make a better/automated backup strategy but need to consider some things first.

Thanks everyone for your patience!

Quote from: clockworkmonkey on Jul 16, 2025, 07:15 AMI have a shitload to compile about the actual regions of the continent so in the meantime here's something bite-sized.
What do people in this setting look like? I lieu of the typical fantasy tropes, and to save myself the struggle of trying to figure out the evolution of social structures, there are no "races." Since everyone is literally made of magic, they can look like just about anything, though their appearance is typically reflective in some way of the elements of mana that compose them, and most are either humanoid or anthropomorphic. The most "pure human" a character can be still has some animalistic or elemental traits.
Also, trans people exist. I know that shouldn't need to be said but I'm saying it. There are multiple ways to transition and it is normalized basically everywhere on the continent. I'll touch on those methods at some point.

HELL YEAH, trans people baked into the VERY FABRIC!!!

I have a shitload to compile about the actual regions of the continent so in the meantime here's something bite-sized.
What do people in this setting look like? I lieu of the typical fantasy tropes, and to save myself the struggle of trying to figure out the evolution of social structures, there are no "races." Since everyone is literally made of magic, they can look like just about anything, though their appearance is typically reflective in some way of the elements of mana that compose them, and most are either humanoid or anthropomorphic. The most "pure human" a character can be still has some animalistic or elemental traits.
Also, trans people exist. I know that shouldn't need to be said but I'm saying it. There are multiple ways to transition and it is normalized basically everywhere on the continent. I'll touch on those methods at some point.

surely its been long enough after Deltarune's chapters 3+4 releasing to be able to post this, i feel it looks a bit wonky but what can ya do

Let's talk about magic, alchemy, and technology. In a world where everything is made of mana, raw energy given form through a binding of elements, these things are a bit different than you might understand them. I've explained how magic works, and how using it takes a similar toll on the body as overexerting oneself with physical activity. Alchemy, then, is in this world the process by which mana changes form. Alchemical processes, usually conducted by injecting a small amount of mana from the alchemist's body into the subject, can transform mana from one element to another, fundamentally altering the physical properties of an object or material. The object or material itself cannot be transmuted into another form altogether, however, merely altered. For example, you could turn lead lustrous, but this would not make it gold.
Very technically speaking, a spellcaster who produces an elemental effect different from the elements that make up their being is using alchemy to transmute energy into a different form. This particular application is referred to as Alchemancy. A talented Alchemancer is able to alter the elemental state of any many within reach, transmuting energy even as others manipulate it.

Technology in this world is born from alchemy. Transforming raw material into energy to power complex devices is the foundation on which multiple nations have been built. However this process damages the natural cycle of energy between the Circles. Mana spent magically will return to the Circle from which it came and eventually cycle back into the world, but mana which is forcibly transformed into energy becomes polluted and unable to return to the cycle. Technology must consume an endless amount of raw resources, depleting the natural mana in its surroundings.
In this atmosphere of depleted mana, these civilizations have developed complex machines that run on intricate electrical systems comparable to modern technology in our world. These systems, however, are delicate, and a sufficient presence of natural, ambient mana can at best interfere with them, creating energy fluctuations that make their functions unstable, and at worst cause catastrophic failure.

There are three, technically four nations on the continent who have developed technological systems, with varying levels of advancement. At the lowest end is modern-day technology, and at the highest end is androids and mecha. These things are fundamentally incompatible with magic, and cannot exist in lands suffused with mana. Electrical systems overload and shut down. There is a level of distrust between magically-developed nations and technologically-developed nations, even those who have generally good relations. They each see their way as the way, and the other as some kind of savages railing against the natural order.

Quote from: clockworkmonkey on Jul 06, 2025, 02:52 PMRod is so friend shapedYou cannot view this attachment.

Revenge attack!! >:3

Your OC Tor'Gorath was just so cute and cool. I knew it had to be him that I attacked you with.

You cannot view this attachment.

Quote from: bunwizard_tammy on Jul 10, 2025, 05:48 PMi think its important to show good emotions like that! being vulnerable about how you feel makes people feel better imo!

I really hope so!! 

i think its important to show good emotions like that! being vulnerable about how you feel makes people feel better imo!

Quote from: TrikznHeartbreaker on Jul 10, 2025, 11:25 AMit's ok to show emotion, you are a hooman after all (when not being a fursona *snicker*) so it's ok to let your guard down once in a while. you did a good job

Thank you, Trikz. :X

it's ok to show emotion, you are a hooman after all (when not being a fursona *snicker*) so it's ok to let your guard down once in a while. you did a good job