Volume Ten Issue Thirty-Four

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 .../________________/      running on         mud.legendmud.org 9999

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
 VOLUME TEN, NUMBER THIRTY-FOUR                           December 1, 2003
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

                          TABLE OF CONTENTS

                        NEWS, REPORTS, UPDATES
                          Calendar of Events

                            Recent Updates
                   November 2003 Connection Analysis

                             LEGENDITES
                     Defiance's Transformation

                             Clan News
                            Skullduggery
 
                            The PK Front
                     Gulko's Death by Rockstar

             A Bathing Norseman, a Fjord, and More Surprises
                  A New Dream for the New World, Please
                             Fading...
                       A Memorable Anniversary
___                                                                   ___
\  |-----------------------------------------------------------------|  /
/__|                   LegendMUD Calendar of Events                  |__\
   '-----------------------------------------------------------------'
          [All times are system time unless otherwise specified]

                                DECEMBER               
                          Su M  Tu W  Th F  Sa               
                              1  2  3  4  5  6               
                           7  8  9 10 11 12 13                      
                          14 15 16 17 18 19 20                                  
                          21 22 23 24 25 26 27                            
                          29 28 29 30 31                                

Sunday,   December   7th   10:00 am        Flag Hunt!
Sunday,   December  14th    1:00 pm        Middleweight PK Tournament
                                              (eligible levels: 29-39)
Saturday, December  20th    4:00 pm        Trivia!
Thursday, December  25th                   Merry Christmas! 

Also coming in December:
December Tinyplot

Coming In January:
Happy New Year!
Expies Nominations Begin

___                                                                   ___
\  |-----------------------------------------------------------------|  /
/__|          The Newest Souvenir Machine Theme Contest!             |__\
   '-----------------------------------------------------------------'

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to think up excellent and
fun items on our theme and send them in, via idea, for consideration. This
is your chance to set the destiny of the prize machine -- and win a token
PLUS a copy of your idea if your idea is accepted. Many will enter....who
will win? Could be you! But wait, you ask ... what is the theme?

The theme this round is: Roadside Kitsch

What the heck is roadside kitsch, I hear you all asking? Why, it's the
personalized license plate that says someone in West Pondunkia loves you!
It's the postcard depicting the world's largest ball of string! It's a
bobble-head doll of the town mayor! It's Stonehenge made entirely from
rusting Cadillacs! Yes, it's a brain stretcher....roadside kitsch.... a
Legend theme....or maybe not quite....an item cool enough to make other
people WANT to spend their hard-earned token on it...take a chance and try
this challenge! Send in your ideas between NOW and Sunday, December 14th!

-LadyAce
___                                                                   ___
\  |-----------------------------------------------------------------|  /
/__|                        Recent Updates                           |__\
   '-----------------------------------------------------------------'

    /\                       CODE UPDATES
   /  \     
  /    \    BUG FIXES
 /_    _\     o Meat pies and stew now have keyword meat, fish ones have
   |  |         fish.
   |  |       o Some problems with doing socials with some specific moods
   |  |         fixed.
   |__|       o Crashing bugs fixed.
    /\      
   /  \     TYPO
  /    \      o Typo fix on dumbfoundedly in moods.
 /_    _\   
   |  |     And several internal changes that shouldn't affect morts.
   |  |     
   |  |     GENERAL
   |__|     
    /\        o Automatic punctuation will no longer be added to tells.
   /  \         Additionally if you have choose not to see moods, that
  /    \        will also disable display of automatic punctuation.
 /_    _\   
   |  |     
   |  |                    HELP FILE UPDATES
   |  |     
   |__|     General Topics:
    /\           APPLICATION, BUILD, PKE, PKOK
   /  \     
  /    \    Spell Topics:
 /_    _\        BINDING, DISINTEGRATE, EPHEMERA, ILLUSION, MAJOR ILLUSION,
   |  |          PLAGUE, RING OF FIRE, SUMMON AIR ELEMENTAL, SUMMON EARTH
   |  |          ELEMENTAL, SUMMON FIRE ELEMENTAL, SUMMON WATER ELEMENTAL
   |  |     
   |__|     
    /\                         AREA UPDATES
   /  \     
  /    \    If you want to suggest specific improvements or new additions
 /_    _\   to existing areas please don't hesitate to submit them with
   |  |     the idea/bug/typo commands or drop a mudmail to the builder
   |  |     currently responsible for the area (check AREAINFO).
   |  |     
   |__|     Mobs will be less likely to scavengable beach litter.
    /\      Cigarette/cigar/pipe are now AUX items, keyword additions,
   /  \     flaxen amulet now does what herblore says it does. More trees
  /    \    should be useable by objects. Water elementals should now be
 /_    _\   able to breathe under water, when golems die, they leave
   |  |     behind a pile of gravel.
   |  |     
   |  |     1802 ALASKA
   |__|          Some additional beach rooms have random seashells or
    /\           other similar beach treasures. Nektar shouldnt attack
   /  \          people out of the blue anymore (like when they warcry
  /    \         another mob). Various bug/typo fixes.
 /_    _\   
   |  |     AFRICAN SAVANNA
   |  |          Some additional beach rooms have random seashells or
   |  |          other similar beach treasures. Various bug/typo fixes.
   |__|     
    /\      ALHAMBRA, ANCIENT EGYPT
   /  \          Some tweaks to shopkeepers.
  /    \    
 /_    _\   ANASAZI
   |  |          Various bugs/typos fixed. Take a little extra caution
   |  |          when fighting the spider grandmother and twins, they
   |  |          have had a few small changes made. The sun will rise/set
   |__|          appropriately each day according to the region of the
    /\           world it is in.
   /  \     
  /    \    ANCIENT GREECE
 /_    _\        Some additional beach rooms have random seashells or
   |  |          other similar beach treasures. Some new items, tweaks
   |  |          the dull black scroll some, Pytheas has returned from
   |  |          his vacationing in the mountains, more rooms are lit by
   |__|          torches at night and all are lit/extinguished according
    /\           to sunrise and sunset. Various bug/typo fixes.
   /  \     
  /    \    ARABIAN NIGHTS
 /_    _\        Typo fixes. Ali Baba lights his lamp if he is in the
   |  |          dark. Various bug/typo fixes.
   |  |     
   |  |     AZTECS
   |__|          Tweaks the cougars some. They now make more noise when
    /\           on the prowl.
   /  \     
  /    \    BOSTON, MASS
 /_    _\        XP has been lowered on some mobs and a few will do less
   |  |          damage.
   |  |     
   |  |     CELTIC IRELAND
   |__|          Dogs will no longer eat owned food. Some resets tweaked.
    /\           Various bug/typo fixes. Some beaches may now have random
   /  \          shells or other similar beach litter.
  /    \    
 /_    _\   FRENCH INDIAN WAR
   |  |          Some additional beach rooms have random seashells or
   |  |          other similar beach treasures. AUX items from the
   |  |          indians have nicer looking slots.
   |__|     
    /\      GYPSY CARNIVAL
   /  \          Housing has been added to the area and some housing
  /    \         items may be purchaseable. Updates the sure-shot, adds
 /_    _\        in a lost and found box, and tweaks the difficulty on
   |  |          some mobs (so be careful). Tweaks the xp on Eko & Iko.
   |  |     
   |  |     HOSPITALLER MALTA
   |__|          Some additional beach rooms have random seashells or
    /\           other similar beach treasures. Some tweaks to Giuliano.
   /  \          Various bug/typo fixes.
  /    \    
 /_    _\   MEDIEVAL SEAS
   |  |          Various bug/typo fixes. Some beaches may now have random
   |  |          shells or other similar beach litter. Various bug/typo
   |  |          fixes.
   |__|     
    /\      PORT OF LONDON
   /  \          Various bug/typo fixes. More dreams. Some tweaks to
  /    \         shopekeepers, the bobby is no longer as complacent about
 /_    _\        breaking and entering, and some acts work. Mobs that
   |  |          hold lamps light them if in the dark. Some fixes for the
   |  |          nurse. Various bug/typo fixes.
   |  |     
   |__|     ROMAN BRITAIN
    /\           Some tweaks to shopkeepers.
   /  \     
  /    \    SALEM, MASS
 /_    _\        XP has been lowered on some mobs and a few will do less
   |  |          damage.
   |  |     
   |  |     SAN FRANCISCO
   |__|          Various bug/typo fixes. New mob, some resets tweaked.
    /\      
   /  \     SHERWOOD
  /    \         Will of the Green will light his torch if he is in the
 /_    _\        dark. Fixes some door keywords in player housing.
   |  |          Various bug/typo fixes. Some beaches may now have random
   |  |          shells or other similar beach litter.
   |  |     
   |__|     VICEROYAL LIMA
    /\           Some tweaks to shopkeepers.
   /  \     
  /    \    VIKING SKANDINAVIA
 /_    _\        Tweaks the difficulty on Higbald, take caution when
   |  |          fighting him. Some new items, mobs are protected better
   |  |          against the harsh clime, fixes some problems with the
   |  |          cured fish, and you can now drink from the stream.
   |__|     
    /\      WW1 SOMME
   /  \          Fixed a crashing problem. Various bug/typo fixes.
  /    \    
 /_    _\   ALHAMBRA, PICTISH COUNTRY, ROMAN BRITAIN, SOUTH SEAS, TEA
   |  |     ROUTE, and TORTUGA
   |  |          Some beaches may now have random shells or other similar
   |  |          beach litter.
   |__|     
     /\     1930'S PITTSBURGH, BENGAL, BEOWULF, THE CRUSADES, GENERIC 
   /  \     ANIMALS, INDUSTRIAL MISC, LOTP, MELBOURNE, PARIS OPERA,
  /    \    ROMANIA, SOUTH SEAS, and TUDOR LONDON
 /_    _\        Various bug/typo fixes.
   |  |     
   |  |     
   |  |     
   |__|                    In Progress Area Updates
    /\      
   /  \     This section is intended to share what builders are working
  /    \    on behind the scenes. It is not a perfect record of progress
 /_    _\   as all builders do not commit updates every week. Badgering
   |  |     builders about their progress will get you flogged.
   |  |     
   |  |           Chimera  Cheyenne
   |__|           Chimera  Misdsummers
    /\            Kae      Larderello (Dante's Inferno)
   /  \           Kaige    1950's Americana
  /    \          Kheldar  Medieval Trade
 /_    _\         LadyAce  Klein update
   |  |           Leila    Port of London
   |  |           Nestor   Ancient Carthage
   |  |           Piccolo  Ming China
   |__|     
___                                                                   ___
\  |-----------------------------------------------------------------|  /
/__|           LegendMUD November 2003 Connection Analysis           |__\
   '-----------------------------------------------------------------'

                       Peak Mortal Players 46
                         Average Peak was 36
                    Peak PKOK Enabled Players 26
                    Peak PKE Enabled Players 11
             PKEnabled Characters represent approximately
                       11% of active players.
             PKOKenabled Characters represent approximately
                       47% of active players.

                   Peak Accept All Characters 6
             Accept All Characters represent approximately
   4% of all active characters and 9% of active pkok enabled characters.

The first two tables below show the Average Mortal Players,  Average
PKOK Enabled Players, and the number that were "Accept All" connected 
to Legend by hour of the day as polled approximately on the hour
system time during the period noted above.

The third table shows the same averages calculated by the day of week.

              hour  0  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9 10 11
              ------------------------------------------
              avg  27 25 23 17 13 12 13 14 16 17 19 22
              pkok 13 12 10  8  6  6  6  6  7  7  9 10
              aas   1  1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0  1
              pke   2  2  2  1  1  1  1  2  2  2  2  3


              hour 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
              ------------------------------------------
              avg  24 28 30 29 29 28 29 30 33 33 31 28
              pkok 11 13 13 13 14 14 14 15 16 16 15 14
              aas   1  1  1  1  1  1  1  1  2  2  2  1
              pke   2  3  3  3  3  3  3  3  5  4  4  3


              day   MON  TUE  WED  THU  FRI  SAT  SUN
              ------------------------------------------
              avg    25   25   24   24   24   22   22
              pke     3    3    3    3    2    2    2
              pkok   12   11   12   12   11   10   10
              aas     1    1    0    1    0    1    0

              MON          TUE          WED          THU     
          AVG PK OK AA|AVG PK OK AA|AVG PK OK AA|AVG PK OK AA
       ---------------+------------+------------+------------
        0: 27  1 13  1| 28  4 14  1| 27  3 13  1| 27  3 13  1
        1: 26  2 13  1| 26  3 12  0| 25  3 11  1| 25  3 13  0
        2: 24  2 11  0| 21  2  9  0| 21  3  9  1| 23  2 11  0
        3: 18  1  8  0| 16  2  6  0| 17  1  8  0| 14  1  7  0
        4: 13  1  8  0| 13  1  6  0| 14  1  7  0|  9  0  4  0
        5: 10  1  5  0| 12  2  5  0| 11  1  6  0| 11  1  5  0
        6: 11  1  4  0| 14  3  7  0| 12  1  6  0| 10  1  4  0
        7: 15  2  6  0| 18  4  9  0| 14  3  6  0| 12  1  5  0
        8: 19  3  8  0| 19  3  9  0| 16  3  7  0| 14  1  5  0
        9: 20  3  9  1| 18  4  8  0| 20  3  8  0| 16  2  7  0
       10: 21  3 10  1| 21  4 10  1| 19  3  9  1| 21  3 10  1
       11: 25  5 12  1| 20  3 10  2| 26  3 13  0| 22  2 10  1
       12: 27  4 13  1| 23  2 10  1| 26  3 12  0| 26  3 12  0
       13: 30  4 13  1| 29  3 11  1| 31  3 15  0| 33  3 16  1
       14: 29  3 12  2| 34  5 14  1| 32  4 14  0| 32  3 15  0
       15: 29  3 12  1| 34  4 15  1| 29  3 13  0| 33  3 15  1
       16: 30  2 13  1| 30  4 12  1| 32  3 14  1| 33  5 16  2
       17: 31  3 14  1| 27  3 13  1| 32  3 15  1| 31  4 15  2
       18: 30  4 15  2| 28  3 14  0| 32  3 15  0| 29  3 15  1
       19: 31  4 16  2| 30  2 16  1| 32  4 16  1| 29  4 15  2
       20: 35  6 18  3| 32  5 16  2| 33  5 18  2| 36  6 21  1
       21: 36  6 16  3| 37  4 17  2| 32  4 16  2| 36  7 22  2
       22: 35  6 17  2| 35  3 16  2| 31  4 15  2| 33  5 18  1
       23: 32  5 16  1| 30  2 14  1| 28  3 14  1| 26  3 14  0
       
                     FRI          SAT          SUN
                 AVG PK OK AA|AVG PK OK AA|AVG PK OK AA
              ---------------+------------+------------
               0: 26  2 13  0| 26  2 11  0| 28  2 14  1
               1: 25  2 13  0| 25  1 10  0| 26  2 12  1
               2: 21  2 11  1| 25  1 11  1| 24  1 11  1
               3: 17  1  7  0| 18  1  8  0| 20  1  9  0
               4: 12  0  4  0| 14  1  8  0| 17  1  8  0
               5: 13  1  5  0| 15  0  7  0| 15  0  6  0
               6: 13  0  6  0| 15  0  7  0| 13  0  5  0
               7: 14  1  7  0| 15  0  6  0| 11  1  5  0
               8: 17  1  7  0| 14  0  6  0| 12  1  5  0
               9: 16  3  7  0| 16  0  7  0| 12  1  5  0
              10: 22  3 10  0| 18  0  7  0| 16  1  6  0
              11: 21  2 10  1| 20  1  8  0| 19  1  8  0
              12: 25  3 11  1| 21  1  9  0| 21  2 10  0
              13: 30  3 14  0| 24  2 12  1| 24  1 11  1
              14: 30  3 13  1| 25  3 11  1| 29  2 13  0
              15: 30  4 14  2| 27  3 12  1| 28  1 13  1
              16: 31  3 14  1| 25  3 14  1| 25  2 13  0
              17: 30  3 14  1| 23  2 12  1| 26  2 12  1
              18: 31  4 16  1| 26  2 13  1| 26  1 11  1
              19: 32  3 15  0| 30  3 15  1| 27  3 11  1
              20: 33  4 15  1| 31  3 15  1| 29  4 13  1
              21: 32  3 15  2| 27  3 14  1| 31  5 14  3
              22: 27  2 12  1| 27  4 15  2| 28  3 13  2
              23: 28  2 11  0| 27  3 15  1| 27  3 13  1
___                                                                    ___
\  |------------------------------------------------------------------|  /
/__|      LEGENDITES: Information Regarding the People of Our World   |__\
   '------------------------------------------------------------------'

                 Boss has reached 100 million experience!
               Temujin has reached 100 million experience!
                 Hrun has reached 200 million experience!

               =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

                     Defiance's Transformation

'Daughter, where is it that you skulk off to now? Do you think I don't
know where you go everyday, avoiding your training?'

'Where I go is none of your concern,' says the defiant rebel to her
father.

'And this human you consort with, does he know what you are? That this
illusion you wear in his world is just a disguise, cloaking your midnight
skin and white hair.'

A midnight-skinned sorcerer withdraws inward and begins chanting under
his breath. A midnight-skinned sorcerer weaves light and air together,
creating an illusion, a reflection of past events.

The illusion shimmering in the air depicts a pair sitting on the banks of
a river. Upon closer inspection, the individuals become clear b a girl
wearing a bandanna and a blonde-haired teen.

'It doesn't matter. It is unconditional love. The color of my skin and
where I come from mean nothing.'

'And if you went to him in your true form, he would not run from you? I
think you overestimate the heart of this human, any human for that
matter.  You waste your time.'

'Better hurry...'

'Why?'

With a wave of his hand, the vision was replaced with a new one, a
village in smoldering ruins.

Defiance took off at a dead run.

                                 =-=-=-=

Nearing the village, Defiance slowed her pace, slipping into her
heritage, cautious and suspicious. Not much was left. She heard a moan
and she moved towards it.

She found her friend, Jays, eyes shut lying on the ground, blood oozing
from a wound in his stomach. She kneeled beside him, placing her hand on
his arm and his eyes flickered open.

'I'm going to take you to a healer.'

'Defiance...it is time to say goodbye,' he whispered.

'No, Jays, no. You can't...'

'You will always be the sister of my heart and I will always be with
you.'

'But my people they can save you, even if...'

'I have known all along what you are, but you are still my best friend.'
A single teardrop rolled down her cheek.

'My time has come, but you must continue.'

As Defiance held Jays, he closed his eyes and lay quiet.

Defiance buried her best friend by the river where they spent so many
afternoons, vowing to scour the earth for his killers and end their
miserable existences.

                                 =-=-=-=

Defiance applied herself to her training with determination, excelling
and moving through ranks faster than her father thought possibly from her
past performance.

'My daughter, you do well. I am proud of your progress, now that your
silly obsession with humans has ended.'

Defiance eyed her father silently, letting him believe as he would.

                                 =-=-=-=

In the human taverns, there were tales of a relentless viligante, killing
those who would end innocent lives needlessly. Those who walked in the
shadows hurried, preferring not to look behind them lest they should find
her pursuing them.

                                 =-=-=-=

Defiance will no longer be known as:

Short: a defiant rebel
Long:  A bandanna-wearing rebel stands here, defying you!

but shall be recognized as:

Short: a relentless vigilante
Long:  Looking around, you realize this deadly vigilante has been
       trailing you.

     ___                                                          ___
     \  |--------------------------------------------------------|  /
     /__|                     Clan News                          |__\
        '--------------------------------------------------------'

         The Prophets Clan was disbanded on November 14th, 2003.

        The Lords of Justice Clan was formed November 17th, 2003.

 The Infernals changes their clan's status to PK on November 26th, 2003.

           The Underworld Clan was formed on December 1st, 2003.

               =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

                             Skullduggery

Shadows gather from near and far, dark alliances are being formed by the
criminal masterminds of several powerful regions, and those brave enough
to reach out, in spite of higher powers, and seize what they desire...

Within this vast criminal underworld, are merely survivors, some of which
are ready to tempt fate, and thrive in the only society that would truly
accept them and their way of life...

This is a world of shady deals, smuggled goods, poachers and fences. From
the most organized of urban racketeering and coastal 'privateering', to
the most deviant acts of murder, robbery, and criminal insanity...

This is why rogues and outlaws around the world have been celebrating.
This has caused some to band together and unleash their most infamous
acts , and this has caused some to cower in fear and disband. Some hide
and hope the warrior class, the aristicrats, the clergy and the masses
will not allow it to be...

How can they stop what they do not see? They who see might be, themselves
as thick as thieves.' A call to all rogues, 'Welcome home, to The
Underworld!' www.webspawner.com/users/brothercrowe/index.html

-Rebelde

               =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

There are currently 22 RP clans and 4 PK clan. This leaves open slots for
six (6) more clans to form. For more information, read HELP CLAN and see
the clan information list via the CLANS command while logged into the
game. For a basic handbook and reference guide for players interested in
starting and running a clan, we recommend that before you even type FORM,
you visit: http://www.legendmud.org/Reference/gm.html.
     ___                                                          ___
     \  |--------------------------------------------------------|  /
     /__|                    The PK Front                        |__\
        '--------------------------------------------------------'

                      Gulko's Death by Rockstar

It was early morning in Ithaca. The sun barely rose above the Aegean sea
and already a groups of Prophets were scouting this part of the known
world, spreading the words of Iscariot around.

'Where is Gulko?' said Pazuzu 'I have not seen him in a while, we have
upcoming battles and need him!'

Rockstar the prophetess nodded sadly. 'Yes,' she said, 'I have seen his
silver blade in the Halls of Iscariot. Though, our guards told me he left
in the middle of the night, maybe bringing some help to the king of the
Scylds.'

'Let's go meet him then' said Pazuzu 'Maybe we shall meet Brother Zodiac
on the way - I know he came in rescue to the Scylds and their 'monsters'
problems.'

The two Prophets headed to the kingdom of Hrothgar and when their vessel
landed on the shores of the eastern lands, all they saw were devastated
lands -- houses burnt to ashes and dead corpses lying everywhere. Village
after village the whole country was just desolation.

Suddenly, a wounded silhouette showed from the ruins of a nearby tower.

'Zodiac!' said Rockstar, 'What happened here!'

'It's the monsters again...' said Zodiac 'Lead by Fortebraccio himself,
the Grendels have rampaged these lands and destroyed everything on their
passage.'

Pazuzu's hand on his war axe grasped the hilt with force. 'Some day the
Prophets will make them pay for their crimes, and I shall be the hand of
their vengeance!'

Without emotion, Zodiac shaked his head. 'Calm down Pazuzu, it is not the
Prophets cause to avenge mortals, they are above that, and the souls of
these poor beings are already warm in Valhalla in the Prophets hands'.

The small company soon reached the Hall of the Scylds, Heorot, and were
greatly welcomed by the King.

'Friends! Step in my humble palace. I wish better circumstances would
have welcomed you here. Our lands are dying, a band of reckless bandits
and evil creatures continuously sack our granaries and capture our
wives... you may have heard of the Grendels'.

Rockstar spat on the ground 'We know them too well...'

King Hrothgar then said with a very low voice, 'I have more sad news for
you though...'

'Yes?' Pazuzu replied.

'We have found the corpse of one of your friends... All that was left of
him is a chunk of burnt flesh but I recognized the mark of the Prophets
on his arm...'

'Gulko! No!' screamed Pazuzu rushing at the back of the Hall where a
funerary bed had been dressed.

The friends of Gulko gathered with haste and all went of their knees
crying when they discovered the remains of their lost friend.

'I claim Justice!' said Rockstar, 'Enough with theologism! These guys and
their kind need to pay!'

Pazuzu smiled sadly at his old friend. 'This is not possible Rockstar,
the Prophets said that vengeance is not a path we shall follow - Gulko
will have great funerals, I remember a place in the Kleinstadt forest,
where he grew up, that will welcome his tomb.'

But after several days, the pain and anger of the followers of the
Prophets had not calmed down.

Gulko's funeral was full of friendship and dignity as all his friends
showed up and they all remembered how a great warrior and friend he was.

And, when the ceremony was over, Pazuzu, himself, burst out in rage, 'We
are not asking for vengeance, you know, Rockstar, we are asking for
Justice, like you said.'

Rockstar showed her agreement with a small nod of her head; she had the
look of a very convinced person.

'The road of the Prophets is too hard to follow, Pazuzu. From now on, I will
forfeit my vows and look for Justice is this world since it has quit it
far too long.'

'You are right,' said Zodiac. And even Pazuzu agreed, he grabbed the holy
book of Iscariot and dropped it on Gulko's tomb.

'We shall now roam the earth looking for Justice, and soon this world
will be free again.'

The three friends grabbed their swords and said a last goodbye to Gulko.
'Your death will not be useless,' said Rockstar. 'I'd rather be a walk on
part in a War than a lead role in a cage.'

When they left the small clearing, the forest returned to its quietness.
On a small muddy tomb on the ground, the book of Iscariot stayed lost and
forgotten from the sight of man again.

It might be picked once again, but that is another legend...

               =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Three weeks ago, The Infernals and the Grendels tied for having the most
members participating in pkill during the week. The Syndicate and the
Knights of Legend were in second place. The Necromancers had a pair of
members out in the field that week. The NPH, Legend Armed Forces, Seven
Circles, and the Hermetic Order each had one member that was engaged in
pkill.

Two weeks ago, the newly formed Lords Of Justice came out of the gate
swinging with the most members engaged in pkill activities for the week.
The Infernals nearly had them matched and both were trailed closely by
the Grendels. The IRA and the Syndicate each had a pair of members out on
the field of battle. The Necromancers and the Institute of Healing arts
each had a member that was engaged in pkill.

This past week, the Lords of Justice managed to keep their place at the
top, with the Infernals and the Grendels closely on their heels. The
Syndicate had a pair of members engaged in pkill activity and the
Necromancers, the Hermetic Order and the Avengers each had one member
involved in at least one incident.

Three weeks ago there were 48 pk-related deaths involving 40 different
characters. Of those 40 characters, 16 of them were accept all and 24 of
them were PKE at the time. There were 28 pke vs pke battles that ended in
death. There were 77 PKE characters and 856 PKOK characters.

Two weeks ago there were 53 pk-related deaths involving 43 different
characters. Of those 43 characters, 17 of them were accept all and 27 of
them were PKE at the time. There were 40 pke vs pke battles that ended in
death. There were 76 PKE characters and 858 PKOK characters. 

This past week there were 111 pk-related deaths involving 46 different
characters. There was one string of 42 multis. Of those 46 characters, 18 of
them were accept all and 26 of them were PKE at the time. There were 56 pke vs
pke battles that ended in death. There are 75 PKE characters and 871 PKOK
characters. So come on, get YOUR name up in lights! We can't report it if you
don't tell us!

If you witness or commit any glorious or nefarious deeds, send a short
report to us at the LT. If you are looking for a fight, recruiting, or
anything else related to PK (not necessarily PK Clan related), send it
in! It's free AND you'll get a prize token! Be a celebrity, the envy of
all your friends! Tick off your enemies or just tell your side of the
story! The possibilities are endless -- act today!!

              _______________________
             /                       \
        o O | Wonder what folks are   |
  `\|||/    | doing over at LegendMUD?|
   (o o)     \_______________________/
ooO_(_)_Ooo________________________________________________________________
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__|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|

             A Bathing Norseman, a Fjord, and More Surprises

He readied Fjellbrann as he watched the men limp into the torchlight.
'Ritters,' he growled, and spun the hammer, starting forward.

His wife laid a hand on his arm, stopping him. 'Let's see what they want
first, Gad,' she said calmly.

'They be ritters, what else they be wantin' besides killin' our people?'

'Sir,' one of them began. 'Are you the one named Gad Magnusson?'

'Ja, I be him. Why you wanna be knowin'?' the norseman snarled,
fjellbrann at the ready.

'We come to show you our respect, and that of some of the other ritters
as well.'

'What you be meanin'?' Gad asked suspiciously.

The ritters took off there sword belts, dropped them, and knelt as his
feet.

'Gad. There are ritters kneeling before you! Lilac looked as astonished
as he did.

'Ja, Skjonn. But now they ain't armed. Wondering if I should be lettin'
'em live...'

'But why do they do this, Gad?' she asked.

Gad looked up and thought. 'I dunno.. He looked at the ritters, still
kneeling. 'Why'd ya come here and why're ya kneelin' like this?' he
asked, again suspicious.

The ritters looked at Gad and then at Lilac before saying anything. The
second ritter cleared his throat and said, 'Because we have seen the
error in our thinking. We can not defeat the Norse. You, sir, have come
in with only your wife and a small child and have been able to push aside
some of our best young recruits... and our guards cringe at the mere sound
of a horn now.... Having said what he wanted he looked to the first one
and nodded. The first ritter handed Gad a scroll. Gad looked at it for a
time ad handed it to Lilac, nodding. Lilac looked at the scroll and her
eyes grew wide.

'They are pledging the fealty of the ritter scum to you, Gad.'

'Huh. Why?'

'I don't know, Gad.' she said, then smiled. 'Maybe they know that they
can never stand against you while you hold Fjellbrann.'

'We do not wish to spoil this time with our filthy presence. May your
gods grant all your wishes.' The ritters bowed low and slowly, painfully
got into their boat and left.

'I got you something. I thought you might enjoy it...' Lilac took out a
pinata shaped like a ritter and hung it from a tree. 'Hit it!' she said
beaming broadly.

'This be better than anything, Skjonn.' He hit the pinata with
Fjellbrann, ripping it in half and off the string, prizes falling
everywhere.

'Yer the greatest, Skjonn!' he said and swept her into a great hug.

               =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

                  A New Dream for the New World, Please

After a very bad run of luck in my home of Kleindstadt, I left the town
at the young age of 17 and traveled through the lands of France and
England. Unfortunately, my poor choices and bad luck hadn't yet run out
and I soon found myself working as a cook's helper on a ship bound west
across the Atlantic. I had thought that perhaps my luck would serve me
better in the colonies where strong younger men might be in need. Alas,
my luck followed me further.

To make a long and boring story very short, it would seem that I was
misinformed of our destination and how long I was expected to remain in
service. After long years at sea, I stepped off the ship again onto the
docks of Quebec at the age of 21 to pursue my own future and determined
to see my luck change.

The townfolk were friendly enough and the work was somewhat easy to come
by. My first evening in the inn, I listened to rumors of savages running
wild and half-naked through the forest. It would be weeks before I saw
one of these natives with my own eyes. But I quickly decided for myself
that first night that they posessed powerful magics.

That first night in Quebec, I had a very vivid dream where groups of
these savages were killing each other. It was so vivid, when I later
awoke, it took me a brief moment to realize I was still in the inn. The
rest of the night was filled with peaceful sleep. I only wish it were so
every other night of my stay there. I have since found their magics are
so powerful that I haven't spent a night on this continent without having
this same dream multiple times!

Out of desperation and curiosity, I joined raids on their villages to see
for myself if they are as fierce as my dreams make them out to be, and to
see if there was any way to stop them. I did not encounter any single
savage that lived up to the dream... and the dream would still not go
away! It plagued my sleep night after night.

Recently, I made a trip back to England on business and in less than a
day from the shores, I got my first good night of sleep in 5 years. I
thought that I was cured and that I had finally left the curse behind me!
Unfortunately just the memory of that damned dream was enough to distract
me in my business and I found myself with nothing but my clothing and
enough gold to pay for my passage back to that cursed town on the edge of
civilization.

I only hope the natives have become more inventive with their magics and
begin influencing my dreams in other ways. While their women are not
exquisite beauties, I would much prefer to dream of them rather than
these savage men night after night!

               =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

                             Fading...

He smiled faintly as he felt the shell begin to crack beneath his
fingertips, then shift as the egg's tiny occupant grew more restive. A
faintly prismatic aura began to surround the egg, then spread to surround
him. Finally the shell gave way, a golden spiral breaking through first,
then a wing, then with a great heave the whole of the egg fell away to
reveal in full splendor the newly-hatched alicorn. It stumbled for a
moment, gaining its balance a moment before it ended up falling. A true
smile made its way onto his lips, watching this new life wonder at all
that surrounded it, at the life that sprang forth from beneath its feet
with each step it took. It turned to him, its sapphire eyes gazing at
him in confusion, this person who shouldn't even have managed to witness
its birth. He chuckled softly and reached out, touching the alicorn's
nose only lightly before bringing his hand back to his lap. It stared at
him in astonishment, then took off into the pearly mists, frolicking
gleefully.

He watched it depart, then sighed to himself and wondered at the strange
thing curling within him....or rather, the lack of something. A
hollowness. He leaned back against a crystalline tree and stared
unseeingly at its incredible beauty as he pondered this emptiness. 
Something to do with his mortal life. Life....mortality. No, he had a
life, though mortality was farther and farther from him daily. He
thought back, following the path of his memories more adeptly than any
tracker, human or sidhe, could ever hope to match. War...no. Other
people....yes, there was something about other people that struck a chord
in him, and he began to explore that thread more thoroughly. Feeling,
that was it. The thing that drove most others, emotions and needs and
those inexplicable pokings and proddings that nearly everyone
experienced. He knew something that at least resembled joy, but
primarily he felt only the fluid passing of time. He did feel a bit
lacking for the absence of most emotions, but it wasn't
unbearable....except for this emptiness. One specific thing he had known
and somehow had lost was pulling farther from him with every moment that
passed, and he knew without being aware that the loss of this would erase
what remained of his fading humanity.

To become once and for all a dream....peace. Perhaps, but this thing,
this feeling, was a siren song that he needed to seek. Once more he
delved into his memories, searching as determinedly as a treasure-hunter
for that single priceless thing he needed. The emptiness within him
resonated quietly with one memory he came across, and he paused to
examine it closely. Someone with whom he had shared deep emotions with
once upon a time.....one emotion in particular, what was it called. Oh
yes, love. He remembered love, though only faintly now. He stood up and
parted the Mists, stepping back into the waking world, seeking the one
thing that he knew would be nearly impossible to simply find....

               =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

                       A Memorable Anniversary
                     
Lilac looked up from her mending as her eyes drifted to the window and
tossed the breeches she was sewing onto the chair. She stood up and
walked to the window and looked at the trees across the path, she sighed
as she saw the sun gleaming thru the leaves and watched, as a few
squirrels chased around the tree, she closed her eyes and wondered to
herself how he could have not remembered. She turned from the window and
her gaze fell to the now dried bits of mud and muck that were tramped
into her freshly laid floor, as a tear fell from her eye, she wondered
what she had ever done for her to be forgotten. She looked over at the
battle-torn breeches she had been mending and thought to herself that it
could not have been for lack of trying... all she had ever asked of her
husband was to bring freshly caught fish early in the mornings so she
could prepare the meals for the day. She had given him everything he had
wanted while they were together even down to the sacrifice she made so
long ago when Fjellbraan was placed into his hands. She crossed the room
and opened the door to the cottage, letting fresh streams of sunlight
instantly warm her skin. She bit her bottom lip in vain as to try to stop
the tears that were about to fall and wondered what she had done that was
so wrong...

She thought back on the event that happened just 2 days ago, all the work
she had put into making it the most memorable occasion for her husband,
and how much he deserved each and every one of her 'special' gifts. A
smile rose on her lips as she remembered the look on his face as the
first Ritter stepped onto the sand, how his fingers clenched around the
shaft of Fjellbraan and the snarl on his lips ever so slowly appeared.
She could only giggle softly to herself when she saw his jaw drop as he
witnessed the Ritter falling to his knees before him, only to be followed
by yet another Ritter bowing down before him. She laughed out loud as she
remembered the blood flushing from her husband's face as each of the
Ritters presented him with gifts of honor, an oak leaf, an acorn.... and
the surrender and fealty of all Ritters. Her gaze turned back to the slow
fire burning in the hearth. She sat down in her favorite chair and
rested her head back for a moment, remembering the evenings events....

The anniversary party she had planned for him had gone beautifully. The
food was cooked and still warm, the cookies and cake she had baked were
still cooling in the breeze on the blanket she had set for the picnic,
She closed her eyes and remembered how the warm glow of the torches she had
made special for the occasion cast its light across the water. She could
do no more than smile when she thought back to the evening events that
unfolded... remembering her husband's face as the weak-limbed Ritter and
the dirty, ugly-faced Ritter left their gifts upon him, and how they
slowly bowed as they made their way back to their ship and sailed home.
She would never forget how he tried to speak without being able to form a
single syllable. The glory of the night when, to her husband's yet
overwhelming surprise, a pinata fell from the heavens... A large pinata
with the face and dress of a pure Ritter. She remembered how his lips
grinned and his eyes twinkled as his fingers wrapped tighter around
Fjellbrann. The amazement in his eyes as he took the first swing at the
Ritter pinata, and how it taunted him so, as the strings it had been
attached to rose and fell, leaving him in more frustration as he swung
even harder at it! The grand look of satisfaction that swept across his
face as the strings from heaven released, and the pinata fell to the
ground, battered and smashed to bits by Fjellbraan... it was only there
that the last of his gifts were given to him on the corpse of the Ritter
pinata....

She could still see the fireworks in the sky that announced the
anniversary of Gad and Lilac after the party had finished...

She laughed out loud as she recalled the events of how her husband was
grinning from ear to ear, like a boy who just walked into a sweetshop
with a few new gold coins in his pocket. Her smile grew wider as she
thought of how much her husband enjoyed the evening, and how all her
work, and efforts had paid off grandly. This is what she wanted for him,
an anniversary party that he would never forget, one that was like no
other, how all his dislike for the Ritters would have been blessed by the
cowering of them as they came to shower gifts upon him! Oh, the look in
his eyes was worth every effort she had put out these past few weeks in
planning.... But she could only sigh as her eyes fell upon a velvet
satchel that lay across the back of the chair across the room... How he
had left the party she had so lovingly given to him, just to purchase a
satchel.... She walked passed the chair the bag had been resting on, and
with much sadness, tapped the bag and watched it slowly fall to the
ground. She returned to the window and wondered how her love could have
gone so cruelly unpaid... was her husband that selfish and ungiving? Was
he so set in battle from day to day they the thought of his wife and
family barely entered his mind? She turned from the window and headed
towards the door, biting her lip... she decided to not let her emotions
spoil her day in the beautiful sun, she turned back once more to look at
the satchel now sitting on the dirt floor, and headed out of the
cottage... closing the door slowly behind her....

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