Volume Ten Issue Two
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=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= .............._______ ............./ / THE LEGENDARY TIMES ............/ / http://www.legendmud.org/ .........../ /.....______.._____.....______.._____.......____ ........../ /...../ /./ \.../ /./ \...../ \ ........./ /...../ ___/./ ____/../ ___/./ __ \.../ /\ \ ......../ /...../ /_.../ /....../ /_.../ /..\ >./ /./ / ......./ /...../ __/../ /____../ __/../ /.../ /./ /./ / ....../ /_____/__/__../ \_\ /./ /__../ /.../ /./ /_/ / ...../ / /./ /./ /./ /.../ /./ / ..../ /_/..\______/./_____/./__/.../__/./_______/ MUD .../________________/ running on mud.legendmud.org 9999 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= VOLUME TEN, NUMBER TWO January 12, 2003 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= TABLE OF CONTENTS The Editor's Note NEWS, REPORTS, UPDATES Calendar of Events Expies & Campaigning Recent Updates Rules? What Rules? Recent Q&A Topics Did You Know: Abbreviating Player Names LEGENDITES The_Munk's Description Change Carian Trag Tournament/Faire Announced Clan News Secretives Clan Disbanded The Hermetic Order to Celebrate 5th Anniversary The Grand Coven to Celebrate 5th Anniversary Panuccis Pizza Job Openings The PK Front Silence and the Syndicate Comin' Soon... Hopefully How Lia ni Connor Became a Druid The Adventures of TheThing - Part I The Birth of a Bear A Healing Visit Home ___ ___ \ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| / /__| The Editor's Note |__\ '-----------------------------------------------------------------' A day late, but this issue seems to be bursting at the seams. The Events Calendar has a lot of things coming up in the next month or so between the Expies and the Mud's Birthday on February 14th! Please take special note of the article below that explains some changes for this year's nomination and final voting process. And when you get the ballot, send a special thought of kindness to Cheyla for all the hard work and effort she's put into it again so far this year. It was sad to see the Secretives Clan (one of the original clans from when they were first introduced to Legend) disbanded for low membership just days before what would have been their 5th anniversary under the free-forming clan system. But that's why we have the free-form system, the clans should reflect what the players are interested in and willing to put the effort into to make them an enjoyable time for their members. Have a great week! -Kaige ___ ___ \ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| / /__| LegendMUD Calendar of Events |__\ '-----------------------------------------------------------------' [All times are system time unless otherwise specified] JANUARY Su Mo Tu We Th Fr 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 28 29 30 31 Thursday, January 16th 7:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium 9:00 pm LegendMUD Comedy Club Sunday, January 19th 4:00 pm Trivia with LadyAce Thursday, January 23rd 7:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium Sunday, January 26th 6:00 pm Tinyplot in India -- Details TBA Thursday, January 30th 7:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium 9:00 pm PK Open Practice Also Coming in January.... - make your nominations for the Expies! Coming in February.... - St. Valentine's Day -- LegendMUD's birthday! - vote in the final Expies ballot and attend the Expies ceremony! - the Stock C(h)ar PK tournament returns! ....and much much more! ___ ___ \ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| / /__| Expies & Campaigning |__\ '-----------------------------------------------------------------' If you plan to participate in this year's Expies in any way, whether you expect to win an Expie or are just nominating and voting, it is imperative that you read this. Due to activities in the past couple of years and complaints regarding such, we are instituting a new policy. We have always discouraged campaigning and bribery to win an Expie. It is not within the spirit of the Expies. Unfortunately, despite such discouragement, it still happens. Starting this year, we will begin disqualifying nominees that participate in campaigns and utilize bribery to win nominations and votes. Campaigning just to disqualify someone will result in disciplinary action against the campaigner. What constitutes campaigning? Illusions, notes, board posts, repeated comments on channels, and other like activity in the game encouraging people to nominate/vote a certain way. This includes campaigning both for and against something/someone. What constitutes bribery? The offering of XP, coupons, strings, equipment, quest help, money, etc to secure someone's nomination or vote. Please report any activities of such, preferably with logs. ___ ___ \ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| / /__| Recent Updates |__\ '-----------------------------------------------------------------' /\ CODE UPDATES / \ / \ There have been no code updates in the past three weeks. One /_ _\ is scheduled for Friday, January 17th, 2003. Details will be | | posted the night before on the welcome board. | | | | |__| HELP FILE UPDATES /\ / \ The following helpfiles were update in the past week. / \ /_ _\ General Topics: | | BLANK, MONEY, MUNDANE | | | | Thanks to all the immorts and players who made this possible. |__| /\ / \ 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 mudmail to the builder | | currently responsible for the area (use AREAINFO to find out!) |__| /\ 1802 ALASKA / \ Fixes buggy candles, long descriptions on new mobs. / \ Andreev will buy more types of furs now. Various minor /_ _\ bugs and typos fixed. | | | | THE CRUSADES | | Brings an item with secondary damage into spec -- does |__| more primary damage but less secondary. Weapon rent is a /\ bit less as a result Caravan guards now defend the / \ caravan leader. Various minor bugs and typos fixed. / \ /_ _\ FRENCH INDIAN WAR | | Building gardens is no longer available option from | | upstairs. Candlemaker shouldn't stockpile candles. Pierre | | now stocks some new merchandise. Various minor bugs and |__| typos fixed. /\ / \ HOSPITALLER MALTA / \ Bianca eats inventory when she dies. Various minor bugs /_ _\ and typos fixed. Some response work. | | | | ROMANIA | | Corrects a number of minor typos and corrections to the |__| Vlad quest. /\ / \ TUDOR ENGLAND / \ Difference between sunrise/sunset here and in Sherwood /_ _\ shouldn't be as noticeable. | | | | ABORIGINAL DREAMTIME, AFRICAN SAVANNA, ANCIENT NAZCA, | | ARABIAN NIGHTS, AZTECS, CELTIC IRELAND, MEDIEVAL SEAS, |__| MELBOURNE, PARIS AND OPERA HOUSE, PORT OF LONGON, /\ SAN FRANCISCO, SEONI JUNGLE, SHERWOOD, SOUTH SEAS, / \ TORTUGA, VICEROYAL PERU, and ZANZIBAR / \ Various minor bugs and typos fixed. /_ _\ | | | | 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. /_ _\ | | Cheyla Zanzibar Expansion | | Chocorua Prohibition New Hampshire | | Kae Larderello (Dante's Hell) |__| LadyAce Kleinstadt (Update) ___ ___ \ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| / /__| Rules? What rules? |__\ '-----------------------------------------------------------------' Do you value being able to use channels? Would you like to keep the characters you play? Do you want to continue having the ability to play Legend? If you answered yes to any of these questions... Then read the rules! Better yet, abide by them! You are receiving this message because I'm tired of hearing "But I didn't know it was against the rules!" when someone gets a warning. Please, please, please take a moment to read HELP RULES. There aren't many, only 14... Whether you are new to Legend, have been on a sabbatical for a few weeks/months/years, or have been here for a number of years in a row, re-read the rules (or read them for the first time). They do change occasionally, things get clarified, and you DO agree to abide by them every time you log in even if you don't agree with them. Not knowing the rules is never an excuse for breaking them. If you have any questions regarding the rules, ask an immortal for clarification. Cheyla =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= _______ ____ _______ / ___ \ / __ \ / ___ \ Logs of Q&A sessions are available on the | / \ | \ \/ / | / \ | web pages for those who are unable to attend | | | | \ / | \___/ | or had to leave early. The most recent ones | | | | / \/\ | ___ | are listed on the sitemap page or you can | | /\| | / /\ / | / \ | get a complete list on the Q&A index page | \_\ \ | \ \/ \ | \ / | at the url below. \___\/_/ \__/\/ \_/ \_| http://www.legendmud.org/Community/lectures/QandA/QA_index.html RECENT TOPICS o Rules: Warn vs Etiquette? o Pure Perc Characters? o Vehicles Discussion o What Happens to Ideas? o Explorer Whois? o Damroll & Backstab? o Bug with Elevator in OOC? o How to Find Mundane Equipment? o Tailor Suggestions o HOL/LoP Helpfile? o Player Rep to Imms? o PK Balance Changes Coming? o EXP Loss/Gain in PK? o PK Discussion o General Suggestions/Questions =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= _____ / _ \ DID YOU KNOW: Tips and tricks and little-used features /__/ \ \ / / Ever had problems when grouping and dealing with those pesky / / mages that bring along their armies of charmed critters? /__/ __ There's an easy way to make sure your commands always target / \ the PLAYER instead of the mobs, many of which have the PC's \__/ name as a keyword as well. _____ Instead of typing the whole name out, use an abbreviation. / _ \ For example, say Kaige is a mage and has a doppelganger with /__/ \ \ her and you're part of her group. She gets stunned and you / / want to wake her up. Typing WAKE KAIG instead of WAKE KAIGE / / will make sure the player character is woken instead of the /__/ doppelganger. __ / \ This trick with abbreviations works for most commands. You \__/ can always abbreviate a player's name, but never a mob's. ___ ___ \ |------------------------------------------------------------------| / /__| LEGENDITES: Information Regarding the People of Our World |__\ '------------------------------------------------------------------' Agaz has reached 100 million experience! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The_Munk has left his position as DishWasher at Panuccis Pizza and refuses to remain associated with his former job title. The_Munk will no longer be known as: Short: a vicious-looking cleaner Long: Looking for something to clean, a fat cleaner stares at you wildly. but shall be recognized as: Short: a vicious-looking murderer Long: Scanning for victims, a vicious murderer looks wildly around. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= ____________________________________________________________________ /\ \ | | {RDM} | | | | \_| Dearest citizens, friends, allies, and enemies, | | | | As many of you know, the Kingdom is coming up on the anniversary | | of its creation. It seems like but a year ago that I gifted such | | to my beloved husband Rowane. | | | | There has been much talk of holding competition for a Queen's | | Champion or perhaps a gala ball in celebration of this momentous | | event. With gentle persuasion of my over-protective lifemate as | | well as concerned friends, we will be arranging to set a date | | formally for a competition and perhaps a small associated faire | | as well. A ball will be held at a time in the fair future, such | | date is yet to be considered. | | | | A formal date and proclamation will be set and announced as well | | as the rigorous tests of applicants will be posted so they can | | properly prepare. Keep in mind that the one to protect the Queen | | should be fit in mind and spirit and not merely body. | | | | And please - anyone who wishes to sell something at the faire or | | make something for the tournament by all means feel free! After | | all, you may become hungry or wish to wave a banner with the | | name of the champion you hope will win. | | | | Let the plotting begin! May the Gods set forth a date soon so | | that we may start the merriment :) | | | | Sincerely, | | Queen MoiraGwyn De'Dannan, {RDM} | | | | _______________________________________________________________|__ | | | \_/________________________________________________________________/ ___ ___ \ |--------------------------------------------------------| / /__| Clan News |__\ '--------------------------------------------------------' The Secretives were disbanded for low membership on January 10, 2003, just a few days shy of their fifth anniversary of their (re)founding under the free-forming clans system. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Congratulations to The Hermetics and The Grand Coven of Legend. These clans will both celebrate the 5th year of their (re)founding on January 15th under the free-forming clans system. For more information about these long-standing clans of Legend, check out the CLANS command, try a search for Coven and Hermetic on the web pages, (http://www.legendmud.org/sitemap.html and enter your keywords in the SEEK box) or You can contact Malia if you wish to follow the guidance of the Goddess and Larnoc or King Rowane for more info about the Hermetic Order. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Job Openings at Panuccis Pizza This is the public statement from Panuccis Pizza Inc. on why we haven't been delivering any pizzas. We're still building the kitchen. You'd be amazed how many forms you have to fill out and stuff to build a kitchen. Also we're missing a cook and an asst. cook. So if you're good at cooking, quick and in search for a job, contact: Richard Ramirez or Riley for a job here. We offer the Panuccis Pizza Inc. benefits in return for your work and of course a cut of our work. Another thing I would like to get out in the clear once and for all is we're not a bunch of murderous killers. We're an honest firm we don't trade nuclear weapons or anything like that either. Whatever the rumors might say we don't. We're just an honest pizzeria trying to make a living in this hard cruel world. Yes, I'm an ex-criminal. I got caught though. Been down that road -- it's not worth it. Smelling a freshly baked pizza and doing the paper work as you hear the happy customers and people in your restaurant is much more rewarding. There will be a list of what pizzas we sell and stuff once we're ready. Until then, I still encourage you to stay away from the "Royal" stag and Silver branch inn seeing as what they sell there is not edible. Yours sincerely, Richard, "The Night Stalker" Ramirez, manager of Panuccis Pizza =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= There are currently 14 RP clans and 9 PK clans. This leaves open slots for nine (9) 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 |__\ '--------------------------------------------------------' Constantly remembering my run in with the Syndicate I couldn't stop thinking about how I would respond to the attack on me. Although, once I saw Sandman Santiago loafing around the Royal Stag, I got the idea to swiftly assert myself as one who will not bow to the will of the mafia. I made up my mind and decided to strike the first blow. My vengeance came quickly. As I paralyzed the 'Sandman', I ruthlessly finished him off with a few blows. This is not just a story it is also a warning that I will not require any 'protection' from this gang of bullies and in fact will be ruthless in my repercussions against them. Silence, silent but swift. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Over one half of the Grendels were seen out in battle this past week. Rumors have it that there might be a split within the clan. Something to keep your eyes on... The Panuccis and the Synidicate also had about half their members protecting their interests. The rest of the PK clans all saw some action this week, but the Infernals and Knights have scaled back again. The School of Hard Knocks must be facing funding issues as only one member is showing up for class. The Coven and Hermetic Order were both quiet, one suspects in preparation for their upcoming Anniversary celebrations. The IRA on the other hand seems genuinely uninspired, with only one of many members stirring themselves to action this past week. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= This past week there were 87 pkill-related deaths involving 53 different characters. Of those 53 characters, 24 of them were accept all at the time. So come on, let's get YOUR name up in lights! We can't report on it if you don't tell us about it! If you have you witnessed or committed 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________________________________________________________________ _____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|___ __|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____| Comin' Soon... Hopefully Watching her move about the cottage, rearranging rooms to make room for new items. He was told this was called 'nesting' and that there was nothing he could do but sit and watch her, which in itself was tiring. The baby was growing fast and was quite active. This, he knew, meant that she was not sleeping well, being uncomfortable, and the baby kicking did not allow for being well-rested. He did what he could to help her to be more comfortable. Rubbing her shoulders, arms, legs and feet seemed to help some, but could not alleviate the cramping that seemed to be inevitable at night. 'Gods... I hope the baby decides to come soon, eh,' he muttered quietly. 'You do?' she said with a chuckle. 'Try carrying this huge child... YOU wish it would come soon...' His wife smirked as she stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. 'Nei, be bad enough watchin' you do it,' he chuckled and made a poor attempt to evade the swat that he knew she would throw at him. 'Your child is a big one,' she said, smiling. 'No doubt it has inherited your size and build.' 'Then I be hopin' it be a boy,' he winked and laughed heartily. 'Are you ready, my vakker fjell, for fatherhood?' She asked him, taking his large hand in both of hers. 'I dunno, Skjonn... There ain't much that scares me, but this be one that does... Ya think we'll do ok?' 'I know I will,' she said, teasing him, 'Of course you will do fine. You will make a wonderful father.' The Norseman gently pulled his wife close to him and kissed her. He then crouched down and said toward her extended belly, 'And you, my little one, must come soon...' He raised the hem of her sweater and kissed her belly. He stood again and kissed her tenderly. 'Min kone, Jeg elsker Deg!' 'Jeg elsker Deg, my vakker fjell,' she responded, beaming as she winced at yet another powerful kick from the baby. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= How Lia ni Connor Became a Druid Lia ni Connor was wandering through the forests of Ireland, smiling to herself as she smelled the loam fresh from a gentle rain shower just past. Coming to a dusty intersection, she pondered going into the village of Tara and rest for a while at Tika's hospitable inn. Debating for only a minute, she headed north on the trail that led to the gates of Tara. -------*-------- The first time she enjoyed Tika's oatmeal, she had praised the woman for her cooking saying it was almost as good as her own. Since Tika didn't really like hearing that, she immediately demanded for Lia to prove it to her in the kitchen - to which Lia agreed readily. Staying out in the woods all the time was enjoyable, but sometimes a woman gets a little lonely for a friendly chat with another female and cooking together usually makes an immediate and amicable bond. Lia was right, she and Tika were soon babbling away about this, that and the other and somehow she got to talking about why she became a druid. She had always enjoyed cooking with her mother as a child and as she started growing up she got interested in how to grow all of the crops needed for a properly kept kitchen. That's all good and well for a woman, but she has to be married before she can use those skills, and as she was already over 15 and still had no suitors, her father, Connor, a low ranking member of King Conchubar's men, decided she had to find something else to do to keep her fed. Since plants had always interested Lia he sought out the druids that travelled through the woods healing those who needed it and asked them to take her on as an apprentice. They agreed and there was a tearful goodbye as Lia left her father's house to go with the druids to learn all about herbs and how to bring out their potency. -------*-------- Coming in sight of the Silver Branch Inn, Lia smiled and licked her lips as her spry steps took her to the thresh hold where Tika was waiting with a big smile on her face and broom in hand. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Adventures of TheThing (embellished) - Part I (Re-birth) *YAWN* *STRETCH* 'Alright, ol' Blue-Eyes is back in business, what's goin' on?' thought TheThing, as he opened his eyes for the first time in a strange new world. Looking around the room, he found himself in the Silver Branch Inn, with various items lying about and a few people standing there. 'Follow me' said DeathWalker DawnTreader. 'Ok, what's going on, and who is this guy telling me to follow him?' TheThing thought. Taking a look around, the place seemed very unfamiliar and perhaps even hostile, so he did as he was asked. 'You join DeathWalker's group,' he was told. DeathWalker began sending tells to the group and explaining the circumstance. It seems that TheThing (soon nicknamed TT) had been called to this world (Legend, they called it) by DeathWalker and his gang of mercenaries, High Times. As DeathWalker told it, Legend was under siege by a group called the Dark Enforcers, or DE for short. DE had been wreaking havoc, pillaging and killing at their own whim, and the Knights of Legend did not seem able, or perhaps willing, to put an end to the DE once and for all. High Times, a group of substance abusing (or indulging as they called it) slackers, had taken it upon themselves to rid Legend of the DE and any of their kind. One thing they lacked was muscle. They needed one man to lead the charge, to be the force behind which they could rally. TheThing was brought in to be that muscle. TheThing began to think this through, no easy task for someone as bullheaded and slow as he was. A former gridiron brawler, and, as far as he knew, smashing and thrashing superhero, TheThing was not accustomed to being the brains of any outfit, least of all his own destiny. This wasn't the first time he had traveled through space or time; his friend Reed Richards seemed to take perverse pleasure in stretching the limits of physics and science in the past. Assessing the situation as best he could, TheThing summed it up for himself as this: A world is under siege by an evil group of men and women and he is being asked to lead the group that will take out the 'bad guys' and bring justice to a land lacking in the strength to accomplish it without him. 'It's Clobberin' Time!!!' TheThing roared as he accepted the challenge. It wasn't going to be that easy, TheThing soon found out. This plan would take time, planning, and a lot of work on his part. It seems that on this world TheThing's former strength was gone. He still had the skin of stone, orange in appearance (like that of stone made from red clay), and his steely blue eyes (hence his nickname 'ol' blue eyes'), but the super-human strength seemed to have all but left him. DeathWalker explained that if he worked hard enough at it, learning skills from others, killing strategically, and wearing the garb of those he had vanquished, he could re-gain that strength and become the 'tank' that they needed. A strange term 'tank' was. This new world had so many new ways and words, TheThing was beginning to think this may take a long time indeed. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Birth of a Bear She awoke with a start. The pain was more intense now than it had been the last couple days and it lasted longer this time. She shook her husband, he mumbled softly and went back to snoring. She chuckled softly and muttered, 'He said, 'I'll be knowin' when ya need to be goin'. Sleep with one eye open, I do.' Riiiight.' She tugged on one of the braids of his beard. 'Wha? Why'd ya pull my beard, Skjonn?' he asked rubbing is chin lightly as he blinked himself awake. 'It's time.' 'It be time fer what? It's still dark out fer the sake of the gods...' He grumbled grumpily and rolled over and closed his eyes again. She blinked and peered at him. 'That was not exactly what I saw him doing...' she thought. His eyes flew open and he shot to his feet. 'WHAT? TIME? FER THE BABY, SKJONN??' he exclaimed. He did not wait for a response, instead he began running around the cottage trying to find everything they needed. She laughed and picked up the bag she had packed when she first found out that she was pregnant. 'Let's go, Gad, we need to hurry.' He stopped running around and hurried to open the door for her. -=-=- When they arrived at Olaf's keep, Helga was there waiting for them. 'How did you know we would be coming tonight?' Lilac asked Helga. 'We have people watchin' from the fjells. They called out that a big man with pretty woman was arrivin' soon. I knew who it would have to be.' Lilac smiled, until the contractions hit again. Helga ushered Lilac into her own bedroom and shut the door. When Gad asked to come in Helga said, 'You be a man, you did enough! Let me take care of this skjonn kvinne -- you go out by Olaf.' She turned and muttered about men thinking that they knew something about birthing babies. Gad would have laughed if he wasn't so nervous. He paced the floor and then decided to go find Olaf, as Helga had said. -=-=- Lilac had not felt such intense pain in her entire life. She tried not to yell out as the contraction seemed to rack her entire body. 'Helga,' she said when she could once again speak, 'Do you have any medications so that I do not feel the pain. I love this child, but a martyr I am not.' Helga chuckled and said to her, 'Young one, anything I could give ya could harm the baby... and you wanna be sure that you feel every minute so as to be able to tell them about it later to get a good guilt response.' She winked and put a cool cloth on Lilac's forehead. 'You'll be fine, young one. Yer strong and this'll be over soon.' 'How soon?' She asked as another contraction hit. 'A day at the most, I'd say.' Helga said and went back to getting the room ready for the new arrival. Lilac screamed, as much in surprise as in pain. -=-=- Gad stopped pacing when he heard the scream. 'She be Ok, Olaf?' 'Ja, she be fine, boy.' the older man said with a wry grin. 'Can be tellin' this be yer first one. Helga will be takin' good care of her, eh.' 'I know. It just be that I cannot do somethin' to help...' 'Thinkin' ya did enough before.' the old man said with a wink. 'Ja, that be what Helga was sayin'' Gad answered with a chuckle. 'What do we do until the baby comes? It be soon, eh?' 'Ja, soon. no more than a day or two.' Gad blinked and took a long drink of mead. 'This is gonna be the death of me.' -=-=- Helga looked at Lilac and smiled. 'It won't be long now, young one. Yer almost there.' 'You said that hours ago, Helga,' Lilac panted between contractions. 'Ja, but this time I be meanin' it and not just tellin' ya that to keep ya goin',' the older woman chuckled. 'In fact, I think you could start pushin' now if'n ya want.' 'If I WANT?' Lilac thought, 'IF I WANT??' 'When the next pain comes, give a good push, and try to pull yer knees up. It'll give ya better leverage with the pushin'' That is exactly what Lilac did. She pushed hard once, and again, and a third time. 'Hold up there now, I can see the head. Push again when the pain comes again.' Lilac did as she was told and pushed with all she could muster. She pushed again and the older woman squealed in happiness. Lilac heard the baby cry and began crying in happiness as well. Helga washed the baby off and helped Lilac to finish the delivery process and placed the baby on her chest. She looked at the baby and said to him, 'Young man, your father will be proud to call you son.' She looked at Helga and asked, 'Can Gad come in now?' -=-=- Gad heard the baby and jumped to his feet. 'Ja, boy, that be yer baby. Go to the door, Helga'll be openin' the door soon, I think.' The door opened and Helga brought the nervous man inside. 'Gad,' Lilac called to him, 'Come meet your son.' 'Son?' Gad repeated. Lilac nodded and smiled. 'I gots a son?' 'Yes, my vakker fjell, you have a son. Now name your son.' 'He will be Bjorn, cuz he will be big as a bear.' Gad said proudly. 'He already is as big as a bear, or at least it felt like it.' 'Ok, boy, you need to be goin again, and let yer kone sleep.' Helga said, and Olaf nodded his agreement. Gad nodded, still beaming, tears forming in his eyes. 'Ok. Will see ya tomorrow, Skjonn.' He leaned down and kissed her gently. Lilac smiled and closed her eyes to enjoy a well deserved sleep, holding the small Bjorn close to her, knowing she now had all she would ever need. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= A Healing Visit Home Mrs. O'Cuinn looked up from her herb garden to see her daughter walking toward her across the fields that surrounded her little hut. She could tell, even from this distance, that something was wrong. She straightened and waved a warm welcome to her daughter. At the sight of her mother's warm welcome, Emrysia quickened her pace, nearly running the last few yards. Mrs. O'Cuinn hugged her daughter in greeting. 'Emrysia! How good to see you! I've missed you so!' She drew back and stared into her daughter's face, she saw the pain in her eyes and knew why she'd come, she'd seen that look before in other women's eyes, and to see it on her daughter's nearly broke her heart. 'Hello, Mother,' Emrysia said, 'It's so good to be home!' 'We have much catching up to do, come, let's go in and have a cup of tea and talk,' Mrs. O'Cuinn smiled at Emrysia. Once inside and seated at the table, Mrs. O'Cuinn asked, 'So, how's Yohn and little Celara?' Emrysia smiled, 'Yohn is advancing in his studies quite well, he's really becoming quite the accomplished musician, and Celara is growing like a weed. ' The mother and daughter continued catching up on the doings of various family members and finally the conversation stopped, leaving a comfortable silence between them. 'Mother.' Emrysia finally broke the silence. Mrs. O'Cuinn had been waiting for this moment, she knew her daughter, and she knew she would get around to why she had come when she was ready. 'Hmmm?' she replied quietly. Emrysia stared down at her cup of tea, 'Robar had an affair.' 'I see.' Mrs. O'Cuinn said quietly. 'With my friend, Nanna.' Emrysia looked up from her cup. 'In our home.. and bed.' 'Oh.' Mrs. O'Cuinn looked at her daughter compassionately. 'Oh, Mother!' Emrysia cried, suddenly the floodgates were broken and the whole story came pouring out of her. How she had smelled perfume on the pillow in their room and she had recognized it as Nanna's, how she had asked Robar, and he had told her the truth, how she had wanted to die, how Robar wouldn't let her, how horrible she had been treating Robar ever since, yet he was still there, of her difficulty eating and sleeping, how MoiraGwyn had noticed her haggard look and had called in Hannah, how they had somehow guessed the cause of her illness, and of how MoiraGwyn's reaction was to declare war on the Knights of Legend and to tell anyone and everyone who would listen that Robar had been unfaithful and how that had hurt Emrysia almost more then Robar and Nanna's betrayal. Mrs. O'Cuinn nodded slowly, 'I see.' And then after a pause, 'Tell me Emrysia, do you still love Robar?' 'I do' came the reply. 'I just... don't trust him anymore.' Mrs. O'Cuinn nodded. 'Trusting him will be one of the hardest thing you'll ever have to do. And people will call you foolish for doing it, too. But the hardest will probably be forgiving him.' Emrysia nodded. She understood what her mother was saying, if she wanted to stay married to Robar, she had a choice - she could forgive him, or else make his and her own life miserable. 'And what of MoiraGwyn?' Mrs. O'Cuinn asked. Emrysia's face darkened. 'I don't know. She is worse than the rest. Wasn't my pain enough? What was her need to humiliate me? And don't even get me started about her wish to go to war with innocent people that aren't involved in any way whatsoever!' 'Did you ever stop to think perhaps her actions stemmed from her concern for you?' Emrysia stared at her mother. 'What do you mean?' 'Well, from everything you've ever written to me about MoiraGwyn, she was like the sister you've never had. Now why would she take pleasure in your pain? ' Emrysia frowned. 'You had such a strong friendship before. Isn't it a friendship worth fighting to keep?' Emrysia pondered her mother's words, 'Ye-es. I guess it is.' Mrs. O'Cuinn leaned forward across the table and smiled at her daughter, 'I want you to know, Emrysia, that I am very proud of you and all you've accomplished with your life. One of the things I value most about you is your ability to get what you want. From the time you were a little girl you knew you wanted to be an herbalist, and look at you now! And when you left home to find a place to study herbs, but couldn't find it, you started your own school. I have faith that if you decide what you want, you'll be able to get it with a little perseverance.' With a final hug and wave, Emrysia bade her mother goodbye and headed back to Tara, with a much-missed spring in her step, and a smile on her face for the first time in weeks. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The Legendary Times is published by the immortals of LegendMUD. Please send replies, additions, or corrections to our address at [email protected] for inclusion in the next edition. All subscription options are now handled at this url: http://www.legendmud.org/lists/listinfo/legendarytimes For RP submissions, copyright ownership remains with the author. We do reserve the right to moderate the forum and edit or reject any submission. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=