Volume Five Issue Thirty

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  ..../                /_/..\______/./_____/./__/.../__/./_______/ MUD
  .../________________/       running on         mud.sig.net 9999
                                                 199.1.78.16 9999
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http://mud.sig.net/                                  ftp://mud.sig.net/pub
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VOLUME FIVE, ISSUE THIRTY                               November 6th, 1998
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                             TABLE OF CONTENTS

            -                The Editor's Note                  -
            -           Upcoming Calendar of Events             -

                                  ARTICLES
            -                  Did You Know?                    -
            -              Immortal Applications                -
            -            Pkill Tourney Coming Up!               -
            -        Madame Decara's Horoscope Readings         -

                                 LEGENDITES
            -                  Announcements                    -
            -                     Letters                       -
            -                  Introductions                    - 
            -                    Awakenings                     -
            -                    Urg's Tale                     -
            -       Tales of a Scottish Bunny Chase by Alvis    -
            -               Aisha Learns a Secret               -
            -                  The Revelation                   -
            -        The Monk's Been at the Bottle Again        -

___                                                                    ___
\  |------------------------------------------------------------------|  /
/__|                         EDITOR'S NOTE                            |__\
   '------------------------------------------------------------------'


Hello All,

Lately I've been thinking about what makes Legend a fun place to spend
time and energy. Both mortals and immortals have a sense of what makes
a mud fun to play. Although we might all disagree on how to get there,
we generally agree on the overall goal. 

We figure that mortals want an environment where they can both be
successful and be challenged, with an open enough system to allow a
wide variety of play and something for a wide variety of people -- be
they pkillers, roleplayers, gamers, just here to hang out, or some
combination of those things. Besides all these technical allowances,
the place needs to be welcoming and friendly, with the right atmosphere
for making new friends or going it alone, whichever you prefer.  We do
our best to bring that kind of a game to you, and in my opinion we do a
pretty darn good job, for free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

But what makes a mud fun to imm?

It certainly is a lot of work for something one does for fun. But in a
lot of ways, our fun comes in making the mud fun. Immortals love it
when we can be successful in our goals, and satisfy players as well as
our own philosophies about how things should work. Some people might
say we do it for the ego boost. But the source of that ego boost is not
some bloated idea of power, it's the boost anyone gets when the hard
work they put in begins to pay off.

It's important to remember -- when a mud becomes unfun to play, the
players leave, and when a mud becomes unfun to imm, the imms leave. The
immortals are working hard to make this place fun for you, but what
have you done lately to make it fun for them? If we're doing something
right, let us know. Tell your friends, and get them to play here too.
If we're doing something wrong, give us the respect we deserve and work
with us to see that it is addressed. We may call ourselves immortals,
but we're only human after all.

                                       Love to all,
                                       LadyAce

___                                                                    ___
\  |------------------------------------------------------------------|  /
/__|                    UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS                   |__\
   '------------------------------------------------------------------'

         [All times are system time unless otherwise specified]

        <^><^><^><^><^><^><^> November <^><^><^><^><^><^><^>

Friday,   November  6, 7:00 pm  - Name the Movie by Greebo
Thursday, November 12, 7:00 pm  - Q & A Session, OOC Auditorium
Saturday, November 14, 5:00 pm  - Pkill Tourney
Thursday, November 19, 7:00 pm  - Q & A Session, OOC Auditorium
Thursday, November 26                 Happy Thanksgiving!


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/__|                          NEWS AND REPORTS                        |__\
   '------------------------------------------------------------------'


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

   _____
  /  _  \  DID YOU KNOW: Tips and tricks and little-used features
 /__/ \  \
      /  /  
     /  /    Did you know that if when you rent, you don't hit '0' 
    /__/     to exit, it's the same as dropping link?  It's a good 
    __       idea to be sure that you're entirely disconnected  
   /  \      before you exit your terminal program or client.
   \__/  


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
                      Immortal Application Information                 

LegendMUD is now accepting applications and proposals for new immortals.
Applications and proposals will be accepted from level 45+ characters only.
A general application must accompany a proposal for a specific department.

Things to note about the application process:
   1) It's not a popularity contest. Mortals have no votes.
   2) Special consideration is not given for where you live or projects
      like MortMUD. People who participated in MortMUD are likely to have a
      better idea of what is expected of them in the long run.
   3) The general application and proposal are only 2/3 of what counts.
      Past history, attitude, and ability to work with others is also
      considered.

   4) It's a good idea to discuss PR plans with LadyAce
   ([email protected]) and Building plans with Rufus
   ([email protected]), before spending extraordinary amounts of time
   on proposals for those departments.

You can find copies of the application and departmental guidelines at
either:

     http://mud.sig.net/proposals/

with links to the individual department guidelines or by anonymous ftp to
mud.sig.net and cd pub/Docs/proposals for the following files:

     General_Application
     Admin_Proposal_Guide
     Builder_Proposal_Guide
     Coder_Proposal_Guide
     PR_Proposal_Guide

      We will be accepting applications and proposals until January 1st.

       Announcements will be made approximately 2-3 weeks from then.

                       <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

                         Pkill Tourney Coming Up!

Its that time of year again! Time for the Semi-annual Pkill Tourney!
The following is everything that will be required and needed for you to
enter. You need NOT be pkenabled to enter. Just be at least level 10.

The tourney will be held Saturday, Nov 14th at 5pm system time.  The
port will be announced closer to that date.

You must bring everything that you will use, though, I do have mobs
that will give out some herbs and ammo, IF that ammo is 'stock' ammo.
Bring extra, just in case.

You will NOT be able to prep your friends with vials and/or spells.  I
will tform, mend and repair after each fight, if needed.  The rest of
the rules will be given at the tourney.

Weight classes:

Lightweight:
10-24

Middleweight:
24-39

Heavyweight:
40-50

The 10 level limit still applies, I'll be pairing off people within
those limits.  There will be a new area for the tourney this year,
hopefully you all will find it fun. =)

Any questions can be mudmailed to me.

I'll be taking entries until November 11th at midnight EASTERN time.(11
system)

Please mudmail me your entries on a normal piece of note paper(no photos)
from the character that you wish to enter. Please include the following
on your entry:

The level you are currently
The level you plan to be on November 11th
Your character name
If you use a gun, name the gun you use.(Enfield, webley, etc)

-Sandra


                                (*) (*) (*)

                           Your Weekly Horoscope

In a desperate attempt to learn what the future might hold for you, oh
loyal readers, I have sought far and wide to obtain the following
clues, from none other than our Madame Decara of Agrabah,
prognosticator extrordinaire.

I transcribed her words as they came from her mouth, and produced the
document printed below, and I turned away to hurry to the press so that
it might reach you immediately.  'And remember,' she said, as she waved
me out the door:

'We all need a little more future in our lives.'


*****  *****  *****  *****  *****  *****  *****  *****  *****  *****

Weekly Horoscopes

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22)
Your inner beauty shines through like the moon! Features hardened by
work and care can soften under the gentle caresses of sweet love. If
you have no sweet love, I hear there's a massage parlor someplace...

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 23)
Your quick brain will serve you well at solving puzzles. Devote your
energy to what puzzle might please you best, and you will surely be
rewarded.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)
Dah-ling! You simply MUST visit this lovely spot I found! It's a little
further off the beaten track than you normally venture, but bear south
and east and you'll find it eventually. Try the local dishes, dance and
sing with the native inhabitants, and maybe the huge scandal looming in
your personal life will blow over. Actually, there's no chance of that,
but you'll at least get a lovely tan. 

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 - Dec 21)
Remember that squashing, squelching sound you heard, the one
reminiscent of a bloated toad being slowly smashed under a tricycle?
That was your soul, crying for help. Unhook the emotional anesthesia
machine and figure out what's going on, before it's too late.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19)
Your home is your castle, but the beasts in the moat are getting
hungry. Feed them something young, fresh, tender, plump, tasty, and
blond.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 19)
Like a lost and rusting hubcap by the side of the road, your memories
of past days are being lost. Shining and collecting the old days will
earn you a spot in the museums of the ages, but going forth and making
some new memories will bring the life back into your veins.

Pisces (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20)
Purple. Oh, purple. Yes, lots of purple. Surround yourself with
everything regal that you can imagine. Gold. Chocolate. Pearls.
Scantily-clad hotties. Do what you must, but indulge, indulge,
indulge!

Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 19)
You must go deep within yourself and learn the truth of your birth and
your origins. Although now they are hidden from you, by a veil of
forgetfulness and a curtain of lies, the secrets must be revealed
before it is too late.

Taurus (Apr. 20 - May 20)
You will go on a long journey. You will meet a tall and handsome
stranger. Hello, you are in a total rut, and your life is a cliched
fairytale soap opera. You've got to break free. Do what your blood is
begging you to do. 

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
Your dual nature is giving your friends schizophrenia. Try to be a
little more stable, and don't flail your arms when the mood swings.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)
Greetings, fellow space-traveler. Perhaps you don't realize it, but you've
been a total space case recently in the realm of romance, and everyone knows
it but you. So snap out of it, spacecadet!

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22)
Have you considered life insurance? Not to buy, to sell. With your oily
tongue, you could sell ice to Eskimos! Take advantage of your business
prowess this week and put some assets aside for a rainy day.


*****  *****  *****  *****  *****  *****  *****  *****  *****  *****



             ________________________
            /                        \
        o O | Wonder what folks are   |
  `\|||/    | doing over at LegendMUD?|
   (o o)    \________________________/
ooO_(_)_Ooo________________________________________________________________
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/__|    LEGENDITES: Information Regarding the People of Our World     |__\
   '------------------------------------------------------------------'

				(*) (*) (*)

                               Announcements!

Talon Frago and Chante' McIntyre would like to announce their
engagement to be married.
				(*) (*) (*)

A worn scroll found on the Misty Crossroads....

    Dear Friends,

        I have decided to stop the air of terror that hovers over the
Port of London once and for all. I cannot anymore tolerate the undead
that walk freely to devour on the hearts of many good people. I shall
walk the path of Dante into the house of evil itself. I hope then to cut
the evil that plagues London at the root. I know not of the unspeakable
horrors I will face but I shall be strong.
        Brothers and Sisters, pray for me. And in my defeat, pray for
the safe deliverance of my soul to my Lord.


    Claude de la Sengle
    -Bailiff of the Order of St. John-

				(*) (*) (*)

                               Introductions

I am Guan-Yu, 2nd brother, and a Tiger of Shu. I am on a quest to seek
out my brothers Zhang-Fei and Liu-Bei. I fear for their safety and I
dare whoever hurts them to face the wrath of the Black Cobra. Revenge
shall be swift. The Tigers of Shu sh.
This I swear on my own blood and the blood of my family.

-etched on a board-

				(*) (*) (*)

                                Awakenings

   She warily crept upon the ancient crypt, taking time to make sure no
one in the cavern knew of her arrival. The black marble box was immense,
bound shut by thick steel seals. The pale skinned woman drew a sigil on
the dust on top of the crypt and began chanting. 
   One by one, the latches broke, the sigil glowed. Not far from where
she stood, she could hear a roar of anger coming from somewhere in the
sewers and footsteps. She ignored them and continued to chant. 
   When all the seals finally broke, she willed the thick slab of marble
that covered the crypt to move. The footsteps drew nearer and she put
more of her power into moving the stone. And then suddenly, he was upon
her, knocking her down with a swipe of his staff. The masked dweller of
the sewers. The Phantom.
   The pale woman tried to struggle, but she had used up most of her
powers and she was quickly overwhelmed. The Phantom's staff pointed
towards her and began to glow a fiery red.
   Darkness.

   "You okay Hell Mom?"
   "Hellbaby!"
   The Juggernaut grinned. "Glad you came. It was starting to boring in
that thing."
   "It was nothing. What happened?" said the vampy chick.
   "Dunno. Saw the rock move, moved my arms to stretch, accidentally
tipped the stone, heard someone scream, then boom. Nothing." The
Juggernaut looked boggled, "Did I do anything wrong?"
   Celeste snickered. "No, but let's get out before someone gets really
mad."
   The large man nodded and they began their long walk back to the
streets of Paris.

   "....so mom, how's the vampire population doing? mind if I toss that
Londoner around a bit?"
   "....you're naked, get dressed first..."
   "....oh yeah, damn...what happened to me anyway?"
   "....you got bored."
   "....I did? Damn.....so what about that guy I messed up?"
   ".....He's the one that trapped you."
   "....mind if I beat him up?"
   "...only if you don't mind getting locked back in that crypt for
another few months."
   "...ok."


				(*) (*) (*)

                                Urg's Tale

I were born in an uninterestin' place, to a backward people.  Me
mother.. heh I never really thought much of me mother.  She had 3 kids,
me older brother and me older sister.  Me brother was o.k I suppose,
jest had too much of an easy time of it, big, strong, good lookin', he
had it all.  Being the oldest he got all that me mother could give
him,  me sister and me had to make do.. so we did, just in different
ways.

Sis was one of them girls that looked average, but knew how ta make do
with what she had.  She was pregnant at 16 and died givin' birth 9
months later.  Problem was about this time me brother fell offa his
horse and snapped his neck... leavin me alone with mother, seeing as me
Da, heh I dun even know who he is, so that dun really matter.

So here was me mother and me, tryin ta make do, I chopped wood and me
mother ....well..... she "entertained" some of the men around the
place.  That was ok, till I got a bit older, and she got a bit older,
and them men didn't come round as often.  She started ta drink, she was
a troubled woman was me mother, and she took them troubles out on me a
lot.  But I lived with it, s'pose I didn't have much of a choice
really, I coulda hit back or sumthin, but ..nah I just dun do that
kinda thing.

But anyway, one day when I were 16 or so, I spat out a tooth and said
ta hell with it... Ta hell with her.. I left her mosta the cash I'd
saved and I left fer places unknown.  Heh so that's me childhood, not a
great one, though it coulda been worse. Occasionly I wonder what me
mothers doin', but not that often, probly drunk in a gutter or someones
bed.....

Anyhows, I got me a boat, and set out on the ocean, kinda stupid when I
think about it, I still dunno anythin' about sailing.  Heh suppose I
never pretended to be smart though.

So after round a week spent freezing almost ta death and gnawing on
rotting fish and moldy bread, I kinda bust me boat and washed up on the
shores of Ireland.  I kinda realised at this point that I really didn't
know me way home, then I kinda realised that I didn't care, I was alone
then and I was alone where I was  and at least I weren't getting' hit.
Tara.. sweet friendly Tara, it was a nice place, and still is I
suppose.  I went in there a lonely lad and when I came out I were a
lonely young man. Tara kinda taught me how nice it can be ta get
helped.  Lotta people helped me there, they were great.....

But anyhows, at length I left Tara and decided ta go wanderin' off and
see what the rest of the place were like.  After a while of wanderin'
the seas, and an unfortunate little run in with some angry Aztecs and a
big hungry Sea Serpent thing, I found me way to Agrabah.  While
wanderin' through I met a girl by the name of Fazi, she was fun to be
with, she showed me around the place and I kinda grew to like her a
lot, she's dead now I think, or at least gone.  

But she did teach me about time travel, which kinda shocked me a
little, cause I though I knew me way round till I found out there was
THREE worlds ta explore.  After Fazi left me I jest wandered around a
while alone, doing various things and I kinda discovered I had a small
amount of skill with the sword.  So I wandered, and killed, and
wandered, and killed.  Pretty boring, but I guess it kept me
interested. sorta anyhow

I spent a long time living like this.  I had nowhere ta call home, I
killed mosta the things I came across, even though I ain't a violent
person, but it kept me going, and by the time I realised what I was
doin' I was kinda good with me sword even if I do say so meself.

So I basically wandered from place to place, killin' fer the sake of it
fer a while there, heh, a very long while I suppose.  But I didn't have
anything better ta do and senseless killing kinda took me mind offa how
.....empty me life was?   Heh......was ?

One day  fate kinda threw me a little, I was doin' kinda well fer
meself (cash wise anyhows), I got a little drunk one night I guess, and
when I woke up I were neked, all me stuff was gone.  Which I gotta say
had me a little annoyed, ta say the least.  But at length found someone
willing ta help a total stranger (which everyone pretty much was I
suppose).

I kinda realised that without me sword I was kinda useless I couldna
help in any way, all I could do was kill stuff. I really didn't like
admittin' that ta meself.

So basically that's me story.  Well to date at least, it ain't exactly
happy or dramatic, but it's all that i got.

I look at what I am, and I gotta say that I ain't happy.  I look
through this and see that I were happy fer a few brief moments and they
were few and far between. I gotta say though that lately I been
noticin' the lack of sumthin, I see happy people all round me and I
wanna be one of them.  Heh... If wishes came true.

To finish I suppose I look at me past and all that's there is a buncha
corpses, I look at me future and see .well basically I dun see much at
all. I look at what I am now and I gotta say I dun like it, all I can
do is kill, destroy and break things and people. I canna heal, I canna
build nuthin, I have nowhere to live I have no-one to love, I am
alone..... But why bring others down with me problems, they are me own
and of me own makin' after all.

I reckon all I gotta do is avoid hopin' and dreamin' cause hope is
over-rated and me dreams just dun seem ta come true... so's I'll just
exist fer the moment and act like I'm enjoyin'  it.  So the mask stays
on, what they dunno canna hurt me.

-Urg

				(*) (*) (*)

                    Tales of a Scottish Bunny Chase by Alvis

After Alvis was rewarded with his Rabbit Emblazned shield he got quite
a swelled head.  He still continued on his quest to protect the bunnies
of Legend, but was more often than not very unpleasant towards the
bunnies he rescued.

The bunnies, not wanting to complain, decided to teach Alvis a lesson.
They had a large gathering to determine who would get to "re-educate"
Alvis.  After a long and stressful meeting it was decided that
Bunnagan, an old Scottish coney, would be the best bunny for the job.
The next day Bunnagan set out to teach Alvis a lesson.  His First goal
was to show Alvis that he was not "all that".  Bunnagan decided to
challenge Alvis to a foot race from the gates of Klein to the shores of
Lima.  Alvis, being the big headed person that he was, accepted.  "the
first to reach the shores of Lima will be declared the winner" said
Alvis.

"ye havn gosh uh chans Alvis" said Bunnagan.

And then they were off.  At first it seemed like Alvis would win easily
as he reached the shores of the Atlantic before Bunnagan had even
gotten out of Germany.  But when he reached the ocean Alvis was forced
to slow up and deal with the massive waves.  In contrast Bunnagan
simply flew over the wave and easily beat Alvis to the shores of lime.

For what Alvis did not know was that Bunnagan owned the magical plaid
bunny slippers, and the bunny slippers allowed him to fly over the
waves.  When Alvis finally arrived in Lima, after Bunnagan going back to
lap Alvis 6 times, the entire bunny council was in session to
congratulate Bunnagan.  Alvis was forced to admit that he was not "all
that" and had a huge helping of crow.

However when all of the celebrating was at its highest, they viceroy of
Lima decided that he didn't like having a bunny convention in Lima and
ordered all of his guards to attack.  Seizing his moment of redemption,
Alvis rescued all the bunnies and slew all of the guards.  The bunnies
were so relieved and embarrassed from the whole situation.  Finally
Bunnagan said "I think we have taught Alvis a great lesson, buy he has
taught us a great lesson too.  I think we should reward Alvis for
saving us."

And when he stopped speaking Bunnagan lifted up his kilt and removed his
plaid bunny slippers and handed them to Alvis.  Alvis responded with
his typical silence.  He simply wore his new shoes and walked off to
find new bunnies that would need his protection.

				(*) (*) (*)

                            Aisha Learns a Secret

I was born into a life of luxury in the palace of my father, Sayyid
Said. I grew up mostly in the Oman palace, where life was entirely
joyous and sweet.  The servants were devoted, the baths were long, the
horses were frisky and I could climb and play and run all over the
land. I had tutors and teachers of all descriptions, so creative and
energetic with their attentions that learning and play were intertwined
for me.

When I was 15, I first visited the Zanzibar palace, and it was there
that I first learned the terrible secret of my family's wealth.
Squeezed by British competition from all directions (and this was
competition backed up by an army, no less), my house had turned from
garnering wealth via trade in spices and incense, to the enslaving of
other human beings. It was the one trade the British did not take from
us, and the one which brought the greatest despise upon our royal
name.

Fifteen, educated, spoiled -- now I was faced with a shocking reality,
one which betrayed the validity of my past, and indeed my identity. All
that I had loved was built upon cruelty to others. It was nearly more
than I could bear. But no amount of tantrum would change my father's
mind, and so I packed up my jewelry, my personal physician, and my
bodyguard, and left. My journeys took me deeper into the lands of
Africa, where I struggled to understand the meaning of my own
existence. 

In the wild freedom of the open Savannah I found the answer.  Although
my actions could not amend the evils of my past, still I was
responsible for turning my own energies towards good. It was there
among the wild beasts that the Goddess first spoke to me, opening my
heart to a new way of life. I wandered the land, learning magical skills with
the guidance of the sisters I found by my devotion to the Goddess. 

With those skills I gained a level of power and self-discipline I had
never experienced before. My very thoughts have become dangerous, and
my hands which never saw work, can swing a weapon against many foes. If
I choose a goal, my efforts will be rewarded. When a lost child is in
need of guidance home, I can provide it. It is for this power, this
being that is so much more than being, that I thank the Goddess, with
my every breath.


				(*) (*) (*)

                               The Revelation

     "There you go.  You are now a more spiritual person.  That will be
15,000 coins please," purred Greebo happily as he collected his due
from his latest customer.  As he labored to carry his overflowing bag
of gold to the merchants warehouse, he paused.  "Sod this, I don't need
to work this hard."  Muttering under his breath softly, he shaped his
hands into odd symbols.  Suddenly the bag levitated and begin following
him.

     As he walked along, he gently fingered his new eyepatch, made of
the finest silk, and embroidered with pure silver thread.  All the
trappings of great wealth surrounded him, and the feeling he got from
his riches seemed better than any catnip.  He didn't even notice the
poor-houses surrounded by beggars and the sick as he traveled except
to realize that there was an unpleasant sense around him.

     "I don't even need to walk.  Why should I have to suffer by seeing
all of these miscreants."  Muttering again, he rose steadily into the
air, followed by his gold, until he drifted over the rooftops gently
and effortlessly towards his destination.

     As he flew, however, he noticed a small park he had not seen
before.  It had a small pond with ducks in it, and birds, and a tall
rock with a flat surface that would be just purrfect to lie upon and
get some sun.  "I'll just stop for a little nap in the sun," thought
Greebo, and he gently dropped into the park and stretched out on the
top of the rock, using his bag of gold as a pillow.

     No sooner had he drifted off to snooze when he felt a presence
surrounding him.  Waking suddenly, he could only just perceive that a
stunning beauty in humanoid form was gazing at him with eyes who's
pupils shape matched his own.  This was no mere human woman!  Her
malachite eyes peered at him from behind a gentle face that was as much
feline as human.

     Bast!  Goddess!  You honor me!  Bowing low but maintaining the
proper cat-like stare directly into her eyes, Greebo considered how
fitting it was that he should be selected to be visited by the highest
being among the finest animals in the universe.  After all, he was the
richest being he knew in any species.  So RIGHT that Bast should choose
him to be her disciple.

     Bast looked down at her, by far, most unique child.  "Greebo,
kitten, you have had a strange and fascinating life.  And the things
that have happened to you - your conversion - no other feline save
myself has known the feel of humanity.  But, my child, you have
strayed."

     Stunned, Greebo could do nothing but stare, shocked.

     "You have become obsessed with the ways of humanity, the very ways
you claimed to forsake when you left that order known as the Enforcers,
continued the Goddess.  "Instead of turning aside from the ways of
humans, you have embraced two things which separate them from the
animals more than nearly anything.  The ways of money, and the ways of
magic."

     Finally, Greebo found his tongue.  "My Lady!  Surely these things
can not be wrong for us.  Look at what the humans can do with them.
Imagine, Lady, the power we would hold if we too learned these ways!"

     The Malachite eyes flickered red so briefly that had he not been
staring directly into Bast's eyes, he would not have seen it.  "What
care have I for petty HUMAN desires such as power and wealth, catling!
You are cat, not human.  No shape changing by any witch can change
that.  You are of my family, and you must forsake these things which
you have developed such a love for!  We are cat.  We are above such
desires.  We are the superior beings.  We do not live as they live.
You must relent!"

     Annoyed, Greebo's own eye glared back.

     "Catling!  Dare you challenge the mother of the pride!?"

     Finally, humbled, Greebo mewled softly.  "No, great mother.  I
hear you.  I will obey."

     A short time later found Greebo surrendering the things in life he
had found so dear. Selling his possessions (for no small fee), he then
turned to giving his precious gold away to the weak.  However, the
gratitude of the poor and miserable creatures that came begging to him
aroused yet another feeling of pride that was so not cat-like but so
interesting.  He could influence these peoples lives!  He could use his
talents to raise money, then give it away.  Surely that use of his
power couldn't anger Bast, could it?

     In his mind, the Goddess whispered to him, "You are close,
catling.  This is what you must do."  Suddenly, the urge to travel came
over him.  He knew he *had* to travel to London, to study.  The Goddess
was pleased!  She had rewarded his good thoughts with a mission!  His
destination and the route to it were planted in his mind, and he raced
along roads, and flew across oceans, which he hardly even noticed, and
hurriedly chanted spells to take him to the time and place he was
sent.  And soon, there before him, was the place that the Goddess had
planted firmly in his mind.  St. Steepen's Church!  "Ah, here will I
find the teacher Bast has chosen for me!"  But there was no way in!
What was he to do.  Aha!  There was a crack too big for him in
man-shape, but...  A quick change and Greebo, a scruffy, grey one-eyed
mongrel of a cat leapt through the boards and landed deftly on the
floor of the church...

     When he awoke, he was hurt, he was weak, he couldn't move.  His
neck was raw and bleeding, and his entire body ached with pain.
Paralyzed, he was helpless to even turn his eyes to stare properly as
Bast appeared one last time in his pain induced haze.

     "You were indeed close, my child.  You were too close to humanity
to let go, and I nearly lost you.  But now you are stripped of all
those human feelings and desires, my precious kitten.  You are again,
reborn, and I have taken those feelings that in your adulthood you
clung to and reshaped them in your kitten's mind.  I am sorry, my
beloved kitten.  I could not lose you to humanity.  They are not
deserving."

     The mists of pain faded, and Greebo, again a kitten, weak, mewling
helplessly, struggled to crawl away from the window of the church to
search for food and shelter in a harsh new world.

				(*) (*) (*)

                    The monk's been at the bottle again.

I had just settled into a relatively peaceful set of mind when that
fool of a 'holy' man's drivel reminded me once again what a sad
civilization you people have. All this ranting on the frater's part of
how impure and evil things are becoming, citing that he has to look to
his surroundings for evil and impurity. Hypocrisy was always the strong
suit of most good followers of his faith, but even so I feel I must
point out that he has only to look at the past of his brotherhood to
find such evil.

No self-respecting vampire I know would wear a mask of humanity. Who
would want to be a ignorant sun bunny who's time is spent cleansing
himself of every natural and basic instinct that had the race on the
right track before the web of religion tangled his mind into believing
that his very existence is an affront. And to who? The gods he made
himself. Who can take a race that imposes inferiority complexes on
itself so willingly? Taking so much time from your already short lives
to uphold the trappings of what you call civilization, and is only self
denial. What is mercy but disguised treachery, helping a fallen victim
so you might backstab him for greater gain? What is love but simple
wanting of lust, and deceiving to reach your ends? What is compassion
but veiled ignorance, giving your hard earned time and goods to those
who can not be bothered to provide for themselves?

I ramble, but I finish. I will say this: All who know the true way of
life, how to live to its fullest without the guilt that comes with
civilization. Do not passively resist such control, but rage against
it!  Burn the temples, pillage the sanctuaries, destroy the idols that
symbolize only the imprisonment of the mind! Hang the messiahs of
mind-control and destroy their allies! The only end that comes is the
void of death, make your mortal lives worth it.

Serving you by serving myself,
Lord Ronnie Valthalas


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