BECOMING A MASTER
Achieving Master in Crossroads represents a player's height of understanding regarding their class, and the height of their character's level of power. A character that is a Master is to be considered an extremely skilled example of the class, who displays a deep understanding of their spells, abilities and class identity.
Mastery is attained through collecting 115 tokens and submitting an application. When either a Mastery through RP or Mastery through event application is submitted, it will be approved by demonstrating your character's understanding of your class. This process does not guarantee acceptance, and neither should it ever be applied solely to gain advantages in RPR-based PVP; an applicant should proceed with the goal of developing their character's story and enjoying the experience knit for them. Through their application, the story should reflect the mastery of the player's given class, involving struggle and triumph, such as tests of clerics' faiths, paladins and their oaths, a fighter's spirit & martial peak, or a wizard's knowledge and arcane ability.
Mastery is designed so that the staff can understand when a player has demonstrated their understanding of their class through narrative comprehension and mechanical class ability before they are granted the skill bump to reflect this knowledge. Mastery can be applied for at any moment of time as long as the player has 115 Mastery Marks.
EXPECTATIONS
‒ Expectations of Master level characters
Similar to players of Limited Races, those players with Master characters are held to a higher level of expectation and scrutiny than others. They are required to uphold the core values of their specific class, acting as the standard to which others strive towards, both through their in-character portrayal of their class and their out-of-character attitude and conduct.
Failure to adequately meet these standards may result in a Master status being revoked from a character, much akin to how Limited Race slots might be revoked.
For in-character standards, this may include circumstances such as, but not limited to: a Paladin deviating from the tenets of their Oath, a Cleric acting against the will of their deity, a Druid failing to demonstrate reverence towards the sanctity of nature, and others. This list is not an exhaustive one, as players of Master characters are expected to have a fully competent grasp of the requirements of their chosen class prior to ascending to the role.
Out of character, the players of Master-level characters are held to be pillars of the community, demonstrating a proper understanding of the server rules as well as a dedication towards non-toxic behaviour and playing to lift with their fellow players.
Whilst each scenario is likely to be unique, in circumstances where a Master-level player has failed to meet the expectations of their role, their character may have their Master status revoked and be reduced to Expert, or have their progression reset entirely in cases of significant developments such as oathbreaking.
In these situations, they will not be fully barred from re-applying in future, however they must collect the tokens required once more and go through the Master approval process again, so as to demonstrate their renewed understanding and character development.
Where a Master player finds themselves in circumstances they believe may risk them failing to meet the expectations placed upon them, they are encouraged to open a ticket to create a dialogue with staff, so that there can be a collaborative effort to resolve these issues appropriately.
MASTERY THROUGH DM EVENT
‒ Requirements and types of events
This route is pursued when a DM has conducted an event for an Expert-level player who is at 100 or more marks, and wishes to sponsor their event as being one that demonstrated the player and character's understanding of their class. During this event, the player may inform the DM of their amount of Mastery marks and ask the DM to sponsor their event. If a DM chooses to sponsor the event, the player may make an application, describing the event and how their character demonstrated wisdom of their class, and the DM may cosign this with their sponsorship. Otherwise, a DM has a right not to sponsor the event, encouraging the player to instead submit an RP-based application.
Requirements 115 mastery Marks
MASTERY THROUGH ROLEPLAY
‒ Process & Requirements
The standard Mastery through roleplay application goes as follows:
Character Name:
Class / Subclass:
NOTE: For each answer, try to describe in 1-2 paragraphs. If an application is not considered concise, the DM team may request that the player shorten their answers.
- Name three key events or roleplays in the journey of your character to master prior to making this application; describe, in these events, how they relate to your character’s class and subclass. (One paragraph per event/roleplay. You do not need to supply screenshot proof of these.)**
- Describe the qualities that make your character a master of their class.
- Explain how a character of your class improves upon their skill; how do they channel their power, and how do they get stronger?
- In terms of both mechanics and narrative, what is the specialization of your subclass and how does your character embody that?**
- How do you intend, as a master of your class, to promote a play-to-lift mentality?
- Have you received disciplinary action on Crossroads in the past? Describe what happened, and how you have amended this.
- Do you understand that mastery can be suspended or revoked for poor behavior or lore-inaccurate portrayals?