@folklore

No. It’s make a +1d4 slash, +1 ab, +3 perform and silence 1 a day. That’s decent and fair for a bard.

GOOOOOD MOOOOOOORNING A-RA-BEL!

And welcome to our new DM blog!
One of the issues raised in last year’s survey focused on a lack of transparency within the community, which many felt contributed to a sense of stagnation. To address that, and as your current Newb Dungeon Master™, I’ve been appointed to give you all a peek behind the Dungeon Master veil.
We'll be doing this roughly biweekly, updating you on what's currently brewing in the Dungeon Master cooking pot. The blog has three main goals:

• To increase transparency and minimize that dreaded sense of stagnation
• To show you that this is a new team, with a different approach to DM’ing
• To scratch that itch of player curiosity about what goes on behind the curtains at CoA

So today, I’ll focus on three topics:

1. A state-of-the-union-style overview.
2. A sneak peek at current projects.
3. My own observations as a new DM, and how they may help you better communicate your character goals and desires.
   Ready? Let’s go!

The State of the Union – What’s the Current Server Status?
We’re hard at work launching our new metaplot: Winterfront!
It’s a project we’ve been working on since January to address the community’s feedback about the lack of a central metaplot. It’s taken blood, sweat, and more than a few tears to get to this point, hence why Erebus is currently vacationing as a player, and Echo is taking a much-deserved break from CoA.
This metaplot sets a new direction for the server. It’s the central thread weaving together many new plots currently launching or being prepared. We're still expanding faction depth, background stories, and tweaking areas, which will continue for a while yet! But trust me, as someone who knows what's coming: there's a lot of fun ahead!
With Appless Week wrapping up, we’ve seen a solid increase in player activity, awesome!
We hope to keep that trend going with a steady pace of content and plot. However, we have noticed a bit of a dip in player presence between events. Hopefully, that’s just everyone finding their feet in the new setting and figuring out how to tackle the Storm (the metaphorical one… mostly).
Still, if there’s something you want or miss, something that could keep you engaged between events… we're only a PM or a suggestion post away. This community thrives on your ideas and passion, so don’t hold back with feedback or creative pitches!
We call ourselves a “new” DM team not only because of personnel changes, but also because we're deliberately shifting our mindset. We aim to create content that caters to many different playstyles. We all have our DM preferences, sure—but our goal is to welcome everyone. Whether you want difficult, high-stakes quests, light-RP adventures, or tools for personal storytelling, we're working to support it.
Also! Now that I’ve learned how to create loot (fear me), I’m offering a bounty:
Bring a new (or returning) player into the community, and I’ll reward you with either a tailored event or a piece of loot. Yes, really.

“Balladeer, We Know All This Already—Tell Us the New Stuff!”
Alright, alright. Since you asked nicely.
Besides ongoing module tweaks, faction launches, and tons of new plots, here’s a look at what’s in active development:

• New Classes & Upgraded PRCs
  One new class is nearly finished, with at least two more base classes in the works. We’re also rebalancing our PRCs so that they’re worth taking… no more "I wish I’d just stayed Fighter 10" regrets.
• Magic (and Possibly Server Level) Rebalancing
  We’re discussing how to slightly increase the magic level in loot and possibly bump the overall server level. It’s still very much a WIP, and we want to get it right—but it’s happening.
• New Dungeons, Quests & Explorables
  As the Storm eats into the countryside, new areas and content will be revealed. A lot of people are working on this. Prepare your swords, spells, and snack packs.

Also in discussion: player housing, elections, new spells, and greater player agency—but I’ll save updates on those for next time. 😊

A Peek Behind the DM Veil – And How It Helps You
First thing you should know? There’s just a ton of information flowing at all times.
We’ve got:

• 20+ active discussion channels
• 17 active plot tickets on Discord
• 30–40 forum notifications waiting each morning (plus another 20–30 during the day)

This doesn’t include bug reports or non-essential chatter.
So if a DM hasn’t answered your forum message or plot ticket, it's probably not because we're ignoring you—it’s likely just buried. To help us help you, be clear and concise:

• In plot tickets, rather than posting many small updates, summarize your recent actions every few days
• Clearly state what you’re hoping for next, what help you want or what step you’d like to take

This clarity helps us keep your story moving!
Also, we have very few limits on what you can do IC. Want to be Mayor of Immersea? Kill Lord Mossmere? Build a swamp cult? Become a blackguard warlock philanthropist with extra starter gold? If it’ll be fun for others too, we’re open to it—or we’ll help you tweak it to make it work.
Start by tipping us off in a PM on Discord, and we’ll take it from there.

Lastly, if you’ve ever felt ignored, or thought we kept some sort of “blacklist,” I can tell you from inside the veil: we don’t.
Every complaint is discussed, and every penalty is documented. We judge characters, not players. That policy gave me peace of mind when I joined the team.
And yes… of course I looked up my own name.
First? I searched for what’s really going on with the dream sequences in the Faceless Inn.
Second? I tried to find out what’s really hidden in the depths of Arabel. 😉

If you’ve got a topic or question you’d like me to cover next time, shoot me a PM on Discord and I’ll add it to the list!
Until then: Keep rolling those dice.
—Balladeer

From snowdrift deep and stormwinds pale,
They stumbled forth with frosted ale.
A lute in hand, a nose quite red—
“I’ve tales to sing and bards to dread!”
So gather 'round, both brave and small,
The blizzard brought your loudest scrawl.

Greetings all, town folk and good wifes!
It has come to the attention of the lofty lords of the land, that you good folk had found too much excitement and joy in your new plots, new city landscape and your new DM the Sphinx! And thus, the lords delved deep into dungeons and magicians workshops, and conjured up I, the Balladeer - Nemesis of the mighty Sphinx! Where it is kind, and good with words, I shall be cruel and with poor rhymes! When the Sphinx summons thee to a quest of great imagination, I shall find Spiffys ancient suicide goblins!

Long story short, I have been appointed to help get our lovely new metaplot up and running, and do my very best to make the city come alive for you all! Bear with me for a time, as I learn how to navigate the DM client properly - yes I will likely misclick you to the fugue from time to time, and yes, I will bring you back to life when I do.

As soon as I have found my footing, I intend to run quests and events announced in advance - and in the mean time, PM me with your plot ideas, advice seeking and anything I can do to help you have fun.

Oh, and for anyone wondering... Yes there ARE unicorns and infinite beer in the DM locker room!