Volume Nine Issue Thirteen
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
.............._______
............./ / THE LEGENDARY TIMES
............/ /
.........../ /.....______.._____.....______.._____.......____
........../ /...../ /./ \.../ /./ \...../ \
........./ /...../ ___/./ ____/../ ___/./ __ \.../ /\ \
......../ /...../ /_.../ /....../ /_.../ /..\ >./ /./ /
......./ /...../ __/../ /____../ __/../ /.../ /./ /./ /
....../ /_____/__/__../ \_\ /./ /__../ /.../ /./ /_/ /
...../ / /./ /./ /./ /.../ /./ /
..../ /_/..\______/./_____/./__/.../__/./_______/ MUD
.../________________/ running on mud.legendmud.org 9999
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
http://www.legendmud.org/ ftp://ftp.legendmud.org/pub
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
VOLUME NINE, NUMBER THIRTEEN March 30, 2002
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Editor's Note
NEWS, REPORTS, UPDATES
Calendar of Events
LegendMUD Photo Page
Recent Updates
Recent Q&A Topics
DID YOU KNOW: Commands that accept commas
LEGENDITES
Announcements
This Week's Scavenger Hunt Challenge!
Clan News
Mixed Memories: Kaleem's Story Part 3
The Return of an Ancient Enemy
Laughing Eyes' Journey
A Viking's Squire
The Life of Judah
Lessons
The Man with the Golden Curry
___ ___
\ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| The Editor's Note |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
I hope that everyone is having a good Holiday Weekend. We still have eggs
to color here at our house, but the one's for the annual egg hunt on Legend
are all set and ready to go! Only this year's eggs will count in the game
totals. Yes, I really can tell them apart quite easily, the new ones
haven't acquired that virtual sulfur smell and they also have this year's
date hidden on them. So I hope everyone's ready and looking forward to it.
This year's a bit unusual as we'll go straight from our Easter festivities
directly to our April Fool's Day (April 1) silliness. For those of you who
aren't familiar with how April Fool's Day is celebrated at LegendMUD, it's
basically a free day where nothing counts and all sorts of things change
and happen. So we hope you'll join us for some fun, silliness and just
general blowing off of steam. Try new things, explore!
Speaking of exploring, we've recently gained some new tools that allow us
to tell which areas see higher traffic than others. Yes, we've noticed that
many people spend most of their time going back and forth between a limited
set of areas. It's little wonder people say they're bored when looking at
these results. Approximately 2/3 of player time is spent in only 7 areas of
the mud, housing and the OOC. A whole 1/5 of player time is spent in one
area alone. So, I think it's pretty safe to assume that with the Summer
Odyssey coming up, you're going to be seeing some changes in other areas
which haven't perhaps gotten the attention they've deserved lately.
Hoping everyone has a good weekend and Happy Easter to those who celebrate.
-Kaige
___ ___
\ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| LegendMUD Calendar of Events |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
[All times are system time unless otherwise specified]
*/* *\* */* *\* March */* *\* */* *\*
Sunday, March 31st Easter Sunday
Join us for a day-long Easter Egg Hunt!
*/* *\* */* *\* April */* *\* */* *\*
Thursday, April 4th 6:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Thursday, April 11th 6:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Thursday, April 18th 6:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Thursday, April 25th 6:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
___ ___
\ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| LegendMud Photo Page |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
Heya gang, just a reminder if you have a player picture and you would like
it up on the LegendMUD photo page, send it to [email protected] The
file is preferred in jpeg form and sent as an attachment.
If you have already sent a photo and it has yet to be posted, send me a
mudmail or an email and let me know. Sorry for the delay.
If you would like your picture removed let me know as well and I will
remove it asap.
The photo page URL is http://www.legendmud.org/Community/photos/
Thanks again for participating!
Straussy
___ ___
\ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| Recent Updates |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
/\ CODE UPDATES
/ \
/ \ There were no game play changing code updates this week.
/_ _\ The only changes made were to fix memory leaks and internal
| | changes made for builders.
| |
| |
|__| HELP FILE UPDATES
/\
/ \ The following helpfiles were recently updated:
/ \
/_ _\ General Info: REDEEM
| |
| | Thank you to all the players & imms who assisted in this update!
| |
|__|
/\ 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
| | responsible for the area (check AREAINFO to find out!)
| |
|__| Installed Area Updates
/\
/ \ Weather Changes: The chance of rain has been reduced in many
/ \ areas, since it *always* seems to be raining
/_ _\ in certain areas.
| |
| | ARABIAN NIGHTS
| | Djinn should no longer be giving two responses on certain
|__| wishes.
/\ AZTECS
/ \ Trader fixed so he doesn't respond with numeric
/ \ gibberish. Various typos fixed.
/_ _\ BENGAL
| | The animal handler won't yell QUITE so much about
| | fighting his tiger.
| | BOSTON, MASS.
|__| Johnny's bow has new ammo and new quiver. The bow will
/\ still use standard quivers too for now.
/ \ CASABLANCA
/ \ Sam won't bash with his piano bench if he's not by it.
/_ _\ PORT OF LONDON
| | Fixed a problem with the lost child quest. Cats no longer
| | cause bloodloss and the nurse recognizes that bloodloss
| | is beyond her abilities.
|__| ROMAN BRITAIN
/\ Rufinus shouldn't disappear on you when you're talking to
/ \ him.
/ \ SHERWOOD
/_ _\ The foresters should hunt Will himself, not
| | zombies/skeletons of him.
| | TORTUGA
| | Fixes the cook removing the houngan's curse.
|__|
/\ LEGENDS OF THE PAST
/ \ Crowe's shotgun'll use shotgun shells specifically made
/ \ for the gun. Also adds in a box of shells container and
/_ _\ there is a place to buy these. Various typo fixes.
| |
| | FRENCH & INDIAN WAR, PARIS OPERA HOUSE, PICTISH COUNTRY,
| | TEA ROUTE, AND VICEROYAL PERU
|__| Various typos fixed.
/\
/ \
/ \ In Progress Area Updates
/_ _\
| | This section is intended to let everyone know what builders
| | are working on behind the scenes. It is not a perfect record
| | of progress as all builders will not make updates every week.
|__| Players badgering builders about progress or a perceived lack
/\ thereof will be flogged. Remember, the longer spent answering
/ \ questions, the longer the project takes to complete.
/ \
/_ _\ Kae Larderello (Dante's Hell)
| | Kaige/Ptah 1950s Americana
| | Rusalka Tudor London Expansion
| | Straussy R. M. S. Titanic
|__|
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
_______ ____ _______
/ ___ \ / __ \ / ___ \ 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 Asking about Changes in Quests? o Why the Changes in AT?
o SL & Limiting Charms there? o Why is XP so nice in Crusades?
o Remove Curse & Helps for Non Mages o Meditate & Sustained Breath
o Uses for Under Used Skills? o House Poofs, Where's my stuff?
o Mud Connection Update o Causing Lag
o Area Proposal & Next Deadline o Changes to Bind Spell?
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
_____
/ _ \ DID YOU KNOW: Tips and tricks and little-used features
/__/ \ \
/ / Ever gotten tired of typing out the same command over and over
/ / again and just wished you could do it all in one simple line?
/__/ You can do just that when using commands that support commas.
__
/ \ For example, instead of typing four separate commands:
\__/
> BUY BREAD
> BUY BANDAGE
_____ > BUY OIL
/ _ \ > BUY MEATROLL
/__/ \ \
/ / or even using the command line separator between them:
/ /
/__/ > BUY BREAD%;BUY BANDAGE%;BUY OIL%;BUY MEATROLL
__
/ \ you can simply type:
\__/
> BUY BREAD, BANDAGE, OIL, MEATROLL
_____ and the mudserver will know that you want to buy all those
/ _ \ items.
/__/ \ \
/ / The following commands all support the use of commas:
/ /
/__/ AREAINFO, BUY, CONSIDER, DIEROLL, DITCH, DOUSE, DROP, EAT,
__ EXAMINE, EXPEL, EXTINGUISH, GET, GROUP, HELP, PREVIEW, PUT,
/ \ QUAFF, QUERY, READ, REMOVE, SELL, SPELLBOOK, TAKE, USE, WAKE,
\__/ WEAR, WHO, WHOCHANNEL, WHOIMM, WHOIS, and WHOSHORT
___ ___
\ |----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| LEGENDITES: Information Regarding the People of Our World |__\
'----------------------------------------------------------------'
Israfel has reached 800 million experience!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
It is with great joy that Cahira and I invite you all to our
wedding on Saturday, April 6th at 21:00 system time. The
ceremony will take place in the large tree located in the
faerie forest near Tara. We would ask that all guests attend
in peace - please, leave any grudges at home. Having said
that, we happily look forward to seeing you all at this glad
event.
- Jiriki i-Sa'onserei
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
This Week's Scavenger Hunt Challenge!
Congratulations to the winners of this week's scavenger hunt!
The theme this week was 'building an immortal toolkit', and 8 of you accepted
the challenge! In first place came Percy, with 40 points! He was followed
closely by Ember, who scored 38. Llewelyn came in with 27 points, and Israfel
found 21 points worth of items. Good work, guys. Kilrain, Zaina, Isam, and
Mario all put in their best efforts as well!
Here's the list they faced (see the end of the LT for solutions they found):
- banners & flags for a flag hunt (5 different ones, 1 point each)
- wands for recalltag (3 different ones, 1 point each)
- parchment for posting official notes (3 different types, 1 point each)
- wax & a signet ring for signing those official notes (3 points total)
- tools for building (5 different types, 2 points each)
- books for research (3 different types, 1 point each)
- something for smashing bugs (3 points)
- a judge's outfit, for making wise decisions (5 points, 3 pieces)
- a lion tamer's outfit, for when the going gets wild (5 points, 3 pieces)
- a cushion for the wrists (2 points)
- something to improve eyesight...too much staring at the screen! (2 points)
- drugs. Pick your favorites. (3 types, 2 points each)
-LA
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
___________________________________________________________
/\ \
| | {RDM} |
| | |
\_| His Royal Highness, King Rowane De'Dannan & |
| Her Royal Highness, Queen MoiraGwyn De'Dannan |
| do hereby decree |
| that Castle De'Dannan is now seeking suitable |
| applicants for the following positions: |
| |
| All applicants MUST have the blessings of |
| Queen Oonagh or King Finarra. |
| |
| |
| CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD- |
| A position of some power, the Captain of the Guard will |
| be in charge of the brigade of Knights/Guards and their |
| training, the Code of Chivalry, ensuring the safety of |
| the King, Queen, castle, Kingdom and the citizens |
| therein. The Captain of the Guard will act as a superior |
| to the dungeon master, and dungeon guards as well as |
| have a hand in the choosing of the knights. A position |
| of such responsibility requires a highly qualified |
| individual. The successful applicant would have previous |
| experience as both a Knight and a Guard as well as be |
| able to present an exceptional resume'. | :
| | W
---| - - |---|>=:o\
| | << o::
| | >> O:::
| | << o::
===| = = |===|>=:o/
| ROYAL CHAPLAIN, DRUID, ETC | M \
| | : )
| As Carian Trag's citizens are diverse in both culture | |
| and religion, the King and Queen wish to provide for the | {-}
| spiritual needs of all its citizens. Competent | i@i
| applicants should be of sufficient rank in their | [iii]
| religion to hold such an office, as well as have shown | |||||
| compassion for others by way of deeds and assistance to | |||||
| those around them. | MMMMM
| |
| |
| KINGDOM BARDS- |
| Duties would include entertaining the King and Queen, |
| and to serve as entertainment at functions, write songs |
| about events of the kingdom or in praise of the King and |
| Queen, etc. Successful applicants will demonstrate |
| proficiency in bardic as well as song writing skills. |
| Credentials a must. |
| |
| |
| DIPLOMATIC EMBASSADOR'S |
| A diplomatic posting, duties include ensuring continued |
| friendly relations between Carian Trag and whichever |
| location you are assigned to. |
| |
| The competent applicant will have exerience dealing with |
| various cultures, having both lived amongst AND gained |
| the trust of both- cultures generally not of their own, |
| as well those of aboriginal peoples. |
| |
| Immediate Position Postings to include: |
| -The Daoine Sidhe Court |
| -The Court of Sultan Shahzenan of Agrabah |
| -The Druidic Order o' Cuilinn |
| |
| |
| Signed, |
| Lady Emrysia O'Cuinn Royce |
| |
| |
| ______________________________________________________|__
| | |
\__/________________________________________________________/
___ ___
\ |----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| Clan News |__\
'----------------------------------------------------------------'
The IRA was out front with the most members who had been active on the pk
scene this week. They were closely followed by the Mercenaries and the
Grendels. Things were also kinda busy with the Coven, the Dark Enforcers,
and the Knights of Legend. Things remained quiet within the ranks of the
Syndicate and the Hermetic Order remains eerily silent.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
It appears there are still a few PK clan members out there who remain
untried in combat. Tsk..tsk..tsk.. Then there's about a dozen or so out
there that haven't had their timer set in the past three months (many, much
longer). Do they feel no loyalty to their clans? Is it possible people are
spreading their time too thin between multiple characters? Maybe people
like sitting at the end of their roster listing? Do clanmates really expect
little more than logging in to avoid a purge from each other? PK can't be
dead and buried as regularly forty-some characters have been finding some
sort of action each week.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Have you witnessed 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 the pk world, advertise with us! It's free and you get to see
your name in print! Be a celebrity, the envy of all your friends, tick off
your enemies! The possibilities are endless -- act today!!!!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
There are currently 17 RP clans and 8 PK clans. This leaves open slots for
seven (7) 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 for players interested in founding and
running a clan, visit http://www.legendmud.org/Reference/gm.html.
_______________________
/ \
o O | Wonder what folks are |
`\|||/ | doing over at LegendMUD?|
(o o) \_______________________/
ooO_(_)_Ooo________________________________________________________________
_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|___
__|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|
Mixed Memories: Kaleem's Story Part 3
The minute they noticed their mother's dead body, the men had noticed them,
and ensued them. Kaleem glanced over half-hearted, still shocked that
someone would actually have the gall to kill his mother. Kaleem quickly
unsheathed a dagger, threw it at the closest man, and watched it sink into
his throat. The man fell to the ground instantly. Kaleem walked passed him,
as the second man ensued. Kaleem wasted no time as he threw back his arm to
punch the man when he heard a shot and then felt a thud. He looked down to
his stomach and saw blood oozing from his lower abdomen. He dropped to his
knees for the pain was to much to bare standing up. Not even knowing the
other man had made it to where Kaleem was kneeling. He pulled out his gun
and then Kaleem heard another shot, and a body drop right next to him. He
looked over his shoulder and saw Asher pointing a gun at the dead body of
the man he had just shot. Obviously, Asher learned a few more things than
just surgery in London. Asher was breathing heavily, but Kaleem felt
rejuvenated, got to his feet and went walking towards the other five men,
Asher following close behind. When they reached the deck they wasted no
time, Kaleem jogging for the stairs, still holding his bullet wound,
reached for his sword. One man jumped down off the deck and ensued battle
with Asher. Kaleem got to the top of the deck and was greeted by two men.
Kaleem had to think quickly. Kaleem lunged at one man, but the lunge only
tore open his bullet wound more and dropped him to his knees once again.
Kaleem felt a dagger sink into his back, opposite his heart. The pain
sucked all the air from his body. But he wasn't about to die here or now.
He took his sword and swung it at the man who stabbed him, cutting off one
of his feet. Kaleem fell back into a sitting position...
Meanwhile, Asher and the man fighting him were rolling around in the ground
punching and kicking each other trying to reach for secluded weapons to
help aid them in a win in this fight....
Kaleem stood up as fast as he could leaning against the rail to give him
support. The other man lunged at him with another dagger. Kaleem stuck his
foot out and caught the man in the face with his kick. The man fell back.
Kaleem walked sideways towards the man with his foot cut off. He was
screaming in pain. Kaleem still watching the man he had kicked placed his
sword in the footless man's chest. All Kaleem could here now was gurgling.
The man he had kicked got up, and stormed at Kaleem in a flurry of
vengeance and furry. Kaleem could not move. To much blood was leaving his
body. The man hit Kaleem and they both went over the edge of the deck
landing with a loud thud. Luckily, they had turned in the air and the other
man served as a pad between the ground and Kaleem. Kaleem rolled over off
the man's body and stared into the sky. Soon he saw the man he was fighting
looking over the top of him with his dagger above his head. Again another
gun blast, again the man trying to kill him fell, but this time on top of
him. Kaleem, taking all the effort he could, pushed the dead body off of
his, and looked for his sword, wishing he were dead, but not allowing death
to take him to an early grave. He located his sword and began to crawl to
it.
Asher was still fighting the man that he started fighting in the first
place. Asher had a chance to load his gun again, because he had just laid
an impounding kick to the man's face. He was going to use the bullet on his
attacker, but saw that Kaleem was in trouble, and turned the muzzle of the
gun from his attacker to Kaleem's attacker and pulled the trigger without a
second thought. This gave time for the man recuperate and get back in the
fight with Asher. He had a chance to load a gun of his own, as Asher was
distracted by saving his brother's life....again. He punched Asher in the
face making him take a few steps back, then he pointed his gun at Asher's
face, and started speak, when Asher saw a silver serrated blade come
protruding out of the man's chest. He slumped over and fell to the ground.
Asher looked up from the dead body and met eyes with Kaleem. No words
needed to be spoken, you could see the thanks and relief in both their
eyes.
Kaleem started up the steps back to the top of the deck to meet the last
and final man, but when he got to the top, the man, dressed all in black,
looked at Kaleem, smiled, and said, 'Your father was a very good forger.
But I told him if he were to give my sword to anyone else other than me
when he was done, there would be a price to pay. That price was his life,
and many others. I'll be back for you, boy. And maybe for fun I'll kill
your little brother too.' And with that he turned around running, vanishing
into thin air. Kaleem didn't know what to think, instead he fell to the
deck, face first, hoping that his life would end. As Kaleem stood staring
off at the old plantation he clenched his teeth and fists hoping that some
day that devil man will reappear in front of him so they can finally finish
what was started.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Return of an Ancient Enemy
The trees suddenly went silent, and Finarra, King of the Unseelie Sidhe,
started. The Underhill was normally devoid of the joyful singing of birds
and chitter of tiny rodents, but until a short moment ago, there was still
the unmistakable sound of life, the giggling, the whispers, the rustling
of leaves and the occasional shriek. For now, however, the silence
amplified the footsteps of the cloaked stranger heading towards his throne
at the base of the blackthorn tree.
The stranger reached into his robe and produced a ring sparkling with a
watery substance as Finarra caught a glimpse of his hands, not
flesh-coloured as he had expected, but grey. Not just any grey, but grey
that was colourless. A grey he had not seen in years. A grey that made him
start and raise his defenses almost automatically.
'So, the King of the Unseelie Sidhe fears a mere mortal?' sneered the
stranger, still holding out the hand with the liquid ring. Finarra glanced
around him, searching for any sign that there were others but the forests
responded with a soothing reassurance that the stranger came alone. 'Not
at all..' smiled Finarra, as he reached for the blackthorn tree and
commanded a branch to curl up and drop into his palm - a subtle reminder
as to who was in command. 'I suppose you have come for this?' Finarra
flipped the ring of blackthorn nonchalantly, convinced that the stranger
was no threat.
'Indeed.' replied the stranger. 'I know that none may pass the lands of
the sidhe without your favour.' he continued. 'Well, without mine or
Oon..' he started, but the stranger interjected. 'The favour of the Tuatha
De Dannan is not wanted!', he spat. 'Tuatha...?' Finarra started, but
slowly sank back into his chair. 'I see.' he replied. 'Then you are who I
think you are...'. The stranger nodded and removed his burko, revealing
skin without colour, grey in the extreme, but otherwise human, if not a
particularly good-looking specimen. 'Greetings, son of Balor.' said
Finarra, although his relaxed stance had tensed slightly. 'You would seek
my favour?'
The stranger bowed. 'I do indeed. My people are evil, but that view is
subjective, depending entirely on the narrator's bias. The Tuatha De
Dannan do not speak kindly of the Unseelie Court either. We may be
kindred!' 'The Tuatha De Dannan are no more, son of Balor' said Finarra.
'They are now the Daoine Sidhe'. The stranger spat on the ground,
'Changing their name will not make us forget the pain of exile and our
revenge!' 'Times have changed.' replied Finarra. 'The Tuatha De Dannan
are now in a similar position to your people's when Balor was defeated.
The time of the Tuatha De Dannan, like the time of your people, has
passed.'
'Perhaps.' said the stranger as he exchanged rings with Finarra. 'However,
I shall judge for myself.' The stranger bowed 'I thank you for your time,
King of the Unseelie Sidhe. I had not expected that the audience would go
so smoothly'. 'Given your heritage?' asked Finarra. The stranger nodded
with a grin. Finarra laughed 'Finarra does not hold a grudge, and like I
said, the time for such ancient feuds are past. Go and see Eire for
yourself, and explore the worlds beyond. It is no longer a simple world we
live in, things are no longer black and white.' The stranger shrugged and
turned to leave. As he watched the stranger stride away, Finarra called
out, 'I would know your name, son of Balor!' The breeze carried the reply
as the stranger whispered into the wind.. 'Farhai.....'
As Farhai left, the forest started to feel normal again. The stranger's
effect on his surroundings was subtle, barely noticeable, but Finarra
realised that he was almost leeching the colour out of his surroundings.
Sighing, he pondered for a bit, then motioned to a boggle hidden in the
forests. The boggle skipped over to his side, at which point Finarra took
a piece of cloth, and scribbled a few words on it, passing it back to the
boggle with instructions to deliver it to the Queen of the Daoine Sidhe.
'Might as well let them know, for old times sake..' mused Finarra as he
returned to his repose, wondering what sort of trouble the sidhe now
faced.
A few hours later, Oonagh's face turned pale as she read Finarra's note.
Scribbled on it were just four words, 'The Fomor have returned....'
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Laughing Eyes' Journey
I rode all night, finally loosening my grip on the Appaloosa's mane as I
saw the dim, muddled lights of Boston. Chimneys leached smoke like black
spume into the damp night air. I followed the scent of the city for hours
before my first glimpse of it. A steady rain fell, little more than a
mist, keeping the horses' coats cool and wet. The order was small and
manageable this trip: three unbroken steeds plus my own, payment upon
delivery. The horses followed without leads or bridles. They were tired,
but moved forward in silence.
I had spent the past six sunrises with the Mohawks looking for my final
charge, a Palomino for a Duke's daughter. The Elder of the village had
known my father, though he never spoke of him enough for me to tell if
they had been friends or enemies. He would only say, puffing on his pipe,
"A father should not be without his daughter". If he was the Kindness of
the tribe, that the Chief was its honesty, reminding me that, "A Chickasaw
princess is still just a squaw in a Mohawk village". But he never turned
me out, never insisted I leave, something I could not say of my father.
I traded a quantity of salt and a necklace I had acquired from my last
trip across the sea for the remaining steed. The traders were native, but
dressed in the clothing of white men and carrying side arms. She was a
spirited filly, I could tell they were happy to be rid of her. She had
lash marks on her hind quarters and the lariat had left welts along her
neck. I quickly made the deal and removed the rope. They spoke to each
other in a tongue I did not know, it may have been Cheyenne. I did not
trust them.
As I neared the city the path merged with a road and the going became more
difficult. Large ruts from countless carriages and wagons made the way
uneven. The horses snorted, protesting for the first time on our journey.
They knew the city was close. I dismounted and bridled them for the first
time in their lives. It always saddened me. I whispered in their ears
words I had heard as a little girl, soothing words that make bad thoughts
go away. I walked them off the road into the woods and made camp. I knew
no white people would spot us and I could smell them if they approached.
The sun would be upon the horizon soon. We would rest till then, before
moving on into the city to board the ship.
--Princess Laughing Eyes of the Choctaw
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
A Viking's Squire
With a cheerful smile, Wilhelm enters from the east.
Wilhelm says, quite cheerfully, 'Greetings Indeed! How are you, good
Warlord Viking?'
'I be fine I s'pose,' warlord Sigrid says callously, 'An' so be ye a trust
et?'
'Indeed!' Wilhelm says cheerfully, 'Although I'm not quite sure what to do
now Edric's gone. Who's squire am I now?'
'Ye be Eddies squire eh?' warlord Sigrid says callously to Wilhelm.
Wilhelm says, quite cheerfully, 'Indeed.'
Wilhelm whimpers softly.
'Yea, et be a great loss te us all,' warlord Sigrid says, utterly
uncaring.
Warlord Sigrid peers at him, looking him up and down.
'Though I be no likin the soun' o' squire,' warlord Sigrid says, utterly
uncaring. 'It be soundin quite scumslike.'
Warlord Sigrid spits on the ground.
'Well, I am not yet good enough to be a knight,' Wilhelm says, with cheer.
'Ritterlins be good fer slicin', nothin else,' warlord Sigrid says
callously.
'Which I never really understood, Edric was quite knightlike, yet you
seemed to get along rather well with him...' Lady Emrysia says sincerely
to warlord Sigrid.
Warlord Sigrid snarls at Lady Emrysia.
Warlord Sigrid say callously to Lady Emrysia, 'Eddie be no scum, an ye don
talk bout im like that now he's gone!'
'But.. but.. He WAS a knight!' Lady Emrysia says sincerely to warlord
Sigrid.
Warlord Sigrid spits on the ground.
Warlord Sigrid say, utterly uncaring, to Lady Emrysia, 'Don' ye say any
bad bout me ol' friends.'
'And what's wrong with the Ritters?' Wilhelm says cheerfully. 'Fine
examples in the manner of Edric, yes? Or have I missed something about
them?'
Warlord Sigrid say callously to Wilhelm, 'Ritterlins be scumbags an'
bastards an' they be needin te die!'
'But Edric had a squire!' Lady Emrysia says, from the heart, to warlord
Sigrid.
Lady Emrysia points at Wilhelm.
'All can be 'avin' a squire, that be no proof ye be a ritterlin,' warlord
Sigrid says callously to Lady Emrysia.
Lady Emrysia looks at warlord Sigrid, boggled.
'But who else other than knights have a squire?!' Lady Emrysia says, from
the heart, to warlord Sigrid.
'Well vikins do fer once, we jus be callin et by a differen name,' warlord
Sigrid says, utterly uncaring, to Lady Emrysia.
Wilhelm says, quite cheerfully, to warlord Sigrid, 'So, who should I
squire myself to, if not the Ritters, as they are evidently of bad
character and will not give me propermoral values?'
'I's be takin ye, an' I's be teachin' ye means o' slicin', if fer nothin'
else then te prove that Eddie be no ritterlin,' warlord Sigrid says
callously to Wilhelm.
Wilhelm smiles happily.
Wilhelm says cheerfully, 'I hereby do solemnly put myself in thy service,
good warlord.'
Wilhelm kneels down before warlord Sigrid.
Warlord Sigrid snarls at Wilhelm.
Lady Emrysia wonders how long it'll be until Wilhelm starts snarling at
people.
'An' ye be no me servant, an' ye be no needin te do what I say.. but most
o' the time it do be advisable,' warlord Sigrid says, utterly uncaring, to
Wilhelm. 'An if ye gets in trouble ye come te me an' i's be sortin et
out.'
Wilhelm says, quite cheerfully, 'Do I have a title?'
Warlord Sigrid says callously to Wilhelm, 'Titles don' make men, men makes
titles.'
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Life of Judah
The lands had changed much since his first memory of it. He had seen
friends and family die and go on to the afterlife, each time tearing a
piece of his heart away. His life had been a full one, full of great joy,
and at times, even greater sorrow.
As a boy he had lived with loving parents in the mountains of Peru, with
two brothers. They were quite like other siblings, fighting and sparring,
giving bloddy lips, and at times, heads, arms, legs, etc. Shadon and Judah
were almost inseperable until Shadon went off to war... They were given
word that his whole company had been slaughtered when a traitor allowed
the enemy into their camp. while everyone slept. Joab, the youngest of the
Eliezer boys, was too young to even remember Shadon and their father, in
his grief, forbid anyone to even speak Shadon's name.
Joab was a restless sort, not content to stay and work the fields as Judah
was, nor would he accept the whippings their father gave him for his
insolence. Soon Joab left home to study magic, something father felt was
of the black spirits that the witchdoctor spoke about. Eventually, the
mountain land was no longer fit for raising crops, and Judah decided that
he would go down from the mountain and get work to help support the family
as his father was too proud to admit that he could not farm the family
land any longer. So Judah set off to Lima to find work, leaving his father
to look after his mother and baby sister Feona, and to keep the predators
away while Judah brought back supplies.
His first journey into Lima was not very lucrative... He found no job and
what little money he got was given to him by a missionary. But he kept
going back, talking with the missionary each time, learning more about the
one he called 'Aslan' The more he heard the more he belived that this one
was one to follow anywhere. Judah was excited to tell his parents about
this new found belief and joy, but they did not want to listen to him. His
fasther said that he would not have anyone around that would bring upon
them the wrath of the evil spiirts, so judah packed what belongings he had
and set out to find a place for himself in the world outside the mountain.
In Lima Judah met a weaponsmaster who was called Jax. Jax taught him how
to use daggers and staves. Judah travelled long and far with Jax. Jax
brought him before a great knight named Asguard. He was tested and found a
worthy addition to the order of the Rune Knights. He sought, through
ceremony and quest, his rune animal, the white stag. Judah learned and
served under Asguard proudly, knowing it was where Aslan wanted him, to
learn of honor and obedience.
It was while a Rune Knight that Judah first saw her, the one who would
steal his heart away, never to return it unchanged. A healer named Haley.
The petite Haley was the most beautiful creature Judah had ever
encountered, but, to his heart's chagrin, was already promised to another.
Judah decided that he would, instead, try to settle for just being near
her, To his credit this did, for a time, seem to work. Unfortunately, each
day he spent with her only intensified his affection. He would often sit
and look at her, when he thought she was not aware.
Although not by his or her design this was all to change. It seemed that
it was Aslan's will that Haley was to be Judah's as the relationship of
Haley's did not last. Haley was hurt, and vulnerable, when she first came
to Judah after it happened. She told Judah that she would be his, now and
forever, if he would like that. Judah wanted so much to take her in his
arms and tell her that he, in fact, would like that, and never let her go.
His heart soared, and then came crashing down with the realization that
she could be speaking out of the hurt, and not truly from the heart. He
knew he could not act on his desires now, and told Haley, who stood, so
beautiful, in front of him, that they needed to make sure it was Aslan's
will, and not just hurt that was prompting this. At first Haley took
offense to this, thinking he had been merely humoring her the entire time,
but saw, in time, that he was right. As it must have been Aslan's will
they were married in St. Denis' Abbey, with Lady Silvaria, the great lady
Rune knight and beloved of Sir Asguard, and Keith, another Rune Knight as
witnesses to the blessed event.
The couple was known throughout the lands and were often seen helping
those less fortunate then themselves. As time progressed Judah and Keith
began discussion the future of the lands and the young people around
them. With many looking to learn from Sir Asguard and the great herbalist
Rune Knight Dev Sibwarra, Judah and Keith decided to start a new group,
teaching much of what Sir Asguard and Dev Sibwarra had taught them,
calling themselves the Bahan Sopeh, the Watchmen.
... to be continued ...
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Lessons
Jiriki failed to see the incoming blow, and was sent sprawling by the flat
of the blade. Lugh the Il-Dana towered over him with Freagra still drawn
as the young lord sat on the ground, trying to shake the ringing from his
ears. Lugh's face broke into its familiar grin as he helped Jiriki back to
his feet.
"I see that you continue to practice" the fey warrior stated. Jiriki
smiled. "I am still not skilled enough to prevent you from trouncing me
like you always used to, however."
Lugh pondered the forest lord. "Tell me, why did you change your fighting
style?" he asked abruptly. "You were quite skilled before. You seem to
have given up on some of the defenses you were taught."
"I thought it was an appropriate sacrifice..." Jiriki began. The Il-Dana
stopped him. "I know you better than you think, young prince" he said.
"You seek to deny the unseelie part of you." Jiriki winced at this, but
then nodded his agreement.
Lugh sighed. "You would do well to learn from Cahira in this," he
continued. "By not knowing of her heritage, she grew up using the best
gifts she had, rather than burdened by self-doubt. When you deny the
skills you inherited from the unseelie, you cripple yourself."
"I now consider myself seelie," Jiriki interrupted. "I cannot accept the things
my darker bretheren have done..." Again the fey warrior stopped him. "And you
shouldn't. But the talents that you and the unseelie share can be used in
other, more honorable ways than you may have considered." With that, Lugh
turned and faded into the forests, leaving the young sidhe to ponder this
thought for quite some time...
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Man with the Golden Curry
The Sheriff nodded again to the large, evil looking man in the black hood.
The hooded man smiled, his crooked yellow teeth showing the quality of the
dental plan the Sheriff of Nottingham's employees enjoyed. The Sheriff
smiled weakly back, and wondered how this man's breath alone wasn't enough
to make the man, who was currently screaming like an over-excited
cheerleader as his right thumb was slowly hacked off with a rather blunt
metal instrument, tell them everything he knew.
After a while, the screaming died down to a high pitched wimpering that
set the Sheriff's teeth on edge. He glared at the now thumbless man lying
on the table and sighed. The hooded man was bent over him, eagerly
listening to his pained sobs.
The large, evil looking man straightened and turned to the Sheriff. 'I'm
sorry sire, 'e's still refusin' to say anythin' useful. But 'e's
definately no longer a merry man, my lord.'
At this, the man on the table's wimpering went up afew decibels.
The Sheriff, being the calm, kind, reasonable man that he is, was
absolutely furious. He took a few deep breaths to try and calm himself,
but it soon turned to coughing as he realised that taking deep breaths in
this putrid, rodent-infested, dungeon was a very bad idea.
'Alas, my torturous friend,' he said. 'I do believe I recall it saying on
your resume that you could make anyone talk. Anyone at all. Be they
willing or not, it claimed that you could make even the strictest of
clergymen spill the deepest secrets about his last confession. Even if
he'd taken a vow of silence, and had been born without a tongue.'
'But, my lord...'
'Even if such claims were even half truths, I would still have thought you
would have had this forrest-dwelling, snot jockey singing about the
location of Hood's secret hideout long ago.'
The evil torturer looked confused. 'Snot jockey, my lord?'
But the Sheriff went on, 'Mayhaps I should have checked your references
more thoroughly, Nigel?'
The large hooded man cringed at the name. 'It jus' takes time, sire. ''is
tongue'll be loosened before long, I swear it. It jus' takes time.'
'You have had more than enough time, Nigel, and thus far all you have
gotten out of him is what appears to be last night's dinner.' He thought
back to the man's earlier convulsions and looked down at his soiled boots.
'It appears to be a dish involving carrots...'
'I did warn you not to stand so close, my lord.'
'Silence! I want to know where Hood's hiding, and I want to know now!'
screamed the Sheriff like a spoiled child.
Nigel frowned. 'I'm open to suggestions, my lord.'
The Sheriff sighed. 'Cut something else off, perhaps? I count at least 2
fingers on his left hand alone. Cut one of them off!'
'That wont 'elp, my lord,' replied Nigel, holding up the captive's severed
left hand.
The Sheriff sneered. 'Oh yes, I forgot we chopped that off. That was great
fun. How about toes then? Or more... sensitive areas?'
The not-so-merry man on the table looked over and squealed.
'I suppose we could try, sire. 'e does have rather big ears.'
The Sheriff rolled his eyes in disgust. He had had enough. 'I didn't mean
his ears you cretin. I want him speaking now. I care not what it takes, I
am tired of waiting, and I am even more tired of excuses. We spend 14% of
our budget on torture devices, there must be something in this horrid
little dungeon that will do the trick.'
Nigel surveyed the dungeon. Pointy metal objects of all shapes and sizes
lined the walls. Different tools designed for use on every different part
of the human body you could think of, and a few you'd rather not think of.
Then he saw it. Something that could make even the most tight lipped of
individuals talk. He scooped it up and held it before his master.
'My lord', he said. 'I have an idea.'
The Sheriff of Nottingham looked down at the piece of paper in Nigel's
filthy paw, and smiled. 'I'll make the call.'
27 MINUTES LATER...
The Sheriff waited impatiently in his office for what seemed like 29
minutes. Finally, there was a knock on the office door. Without waiting,
a Norman guard stepped into the room.
'A strange young man has arrived, my lord,' the guard said. 'He claims you
have summoned him from a far away land. Shall I have him beaten, steal his
shoes and throw him in the moat?'
The Sheriff thought a moment. 'No, I suppose we should see who he is
first. Send him in.'
The Sheriff regarded the strange man as he was brought into the room. He
was breathing heavily, as if he had travelled a great distance in a short
amount of time. He was wearing some sort of brightly coloured uniform,
covered head to toe with the emblem and numbers that the Sheriff
recognised from the piece of paper Nigel had given him earlier. Whether it
was the intention of the uniform's designer or not, it succeeded in making
the stranger look quite stupid. Apart from that he looked almost normal.
'You took your time,' the Sheriff said, stifling a laugh.
The stranger bowed. 'My apologies, sire. I was held up by a group of
forresters demanding I pay a toll to enter your fair town. It took me
several minutes to overpower them.'
The Sheriff raised an eyebrow. 'You chose to fight, rather than pay?'
The stranger stood straight and proud when he made his reply. 'Whether it
be man-eating lion, or green tight wearing hoodlum, nothing must be
allowed to get in the way of a delivery, my lord. Nothing.'
'To go to such effort to make such a small delivery is quite impressive.
Why, you must be the Dial-A-Curry's best delivery boy!'
The delivery boy sighed. ''Tis kind of you to say, sire. But alas, nay,
there is another...' At this his eyes narrowed and he seemed to be staring
into the distance at something only he could see. The Sheriff thought he
looked quite sinister. He continued, 'But mark my words, my lord, I'll see
he doesn't stay best for long...'
He returned to his senses. 'However such business is my own. Here is the
package for which you sent.'
With another bow, he handed the Sheriff a steaming, brown paper bag. The
Sheriff sniffed it warily and quickly recoiled. An evil sneer spread
across his face. 'How much do we owe you?'
''Tis 40 gold coins, my lord, plus any tip you deem as appropriate.'
The grin disappeared from the Sheriff's face. '40?! You expect me to pay
full price after such a delay?'
'My lord, it took me a mere 27 minutes to arrive. As stated on our menu,
we deliver in under 28 minutes, or it's free.' He pointed to Nigel's piece
of paper that lay on the Sheriff's desk.
'Very well,' said the Sheriff with a sigh. 'But this stuff had better
work.' He paid the delivery boy 40 gold coins exactly. No tip.
'Tight git,' the delivery boy mumbled.
'Sorry?'
'I said: thank you, my lord. And here -' the boy handed the Sheriff a
small piece of paper '- is your free coupon. It entitles you to 2 serves
of Naan bread for the price of 1 with your next order.'
'Surely you jest,' replied the Sheriff. 'Such an offer is nearly too good
to be true.'
'I would not jest of such things, my lord. But take heed, thou must use
thy coupon before 2 weeks hence, and thou must mention same coupon when
placing thy order.'
The Sheriff studied the coupon's small print and nodded. 'Now be gone with
you, I have much business to attend.'
'As do I, my lord,' the boy replied. 'I bid you farewell, and enjoy your
meal.' With that the delivery boy was lead from the room.
The Sheriff grabbed the paper bag and hurried back down to the dungeon.
Nigel was busily going to work on the sole of the captured merry man's
foot with a long white feather when the Sheriff arrived.
'Nigel!', yelled the Sheriff. 'Stop that at once. I have had a change of
heart. Our guest deserves far better treatment than we have given him.
Untie the hand he has left so he can eat. He must be starving!'
Nigel did as he was told.
'Oh, thank you, my lord,' exclaimed the prisoner. 'When you started cutting
off my limbs, I thought the stories about you and your violent torturer to
be true, but now it seems I am mistaken! It has been many days since I ate
anything, other than the rat droppings you fed me as part of my torture.'
'Ah yes,' and the Sheriff smiled at the memory. 'But I see now that we
have been going about it all wrong! If we treat you well, and ask you
nicely I'm sure you will be more than willing to share the information we
seek. And as such, I have sent for the finest meal money can buy.' He
handed the prisoner a small plastic container from the paper bag. It
contained what appeared to be chunks of white meat in some sort of sauce,
on top of some kind of soft, yellow grains. ''Tis what is known as
"Chicken Vindaloo with rice",' explained the Sheriff. 'Nigel, here,
recommends it.'
Nigel nodded in agreement. They both eagerly watched as the prisoner began
to eat hungrily.
After a few mouthfuls he stopped and smiled, 'Oh my lord, it's very good.
Where did you...' But he trailed off as a look of horror erupted on his
face. His mouth began to burn with a great fire. It was as if a thousand
archers had fired a thousand flaming arrows down his throat at once, and
then reloaded and fired again.
He screamed. A scream of such pain it made the evil Sheriff reel.
MEANWHILE, IN ROMANIA...
Deep in the bowels of the castle's dungeon another wretched prisoner was
being stuffed into the Iron Maiden's embrace. As the door was slowly
closed something took his mind off the severe discomfort of hundreds of
nails piercing his body at once: In the distance he heard something, and
it was growing louder. Soon it was loud enough for him to hear it clearly:
a scream. A scream like none he had ever heard before.
'Whoa,' he said to himself as another sharp point pierced his groin.
'Glad I'm not that guy.'
BACK IN NOTTINGHAM'S DUNGEON...
Nigel sat calmly eating the remains of the prisoners toturously hot meal,
as the screaming prisoner begged for a glass of water.
The Sheriff smiled. The prisoner's screams were like music to his ears. He
had a feeling when he finally stopped he would either be dead, or he would
be telling the Sheriff all that he wanted to know. Either way, it was 40
coins well spent.
And as Dial-A-Curry's second best delivery boy sped off to his next
delivery he heard the scream and smiled. Another satisfied customer.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Example solutions to this week's scavenger hunt:
- banners & flags for a flag hunt
Charles Martel's war banner
the banner of the house of Lusignan
the banner of the house of Montferrat
- wands for recalltag
a bloody stump of a goat's tail
a shriveled chicken foot
- parchment for posting official notes
(any of the various parchments around the mud were accepted)
- wax & a signet ring for signing those official notes
a wax tablet
Wu Chen's chop
- tools for building
a stone chisel
a brick from the Coliseum
- books for research
a pile of battered text books
an Arabic medical book
a book of the commerce laws
the holy Qur'an
- something for smashing bugs
a huge frying pan
a single shoe
- a judge's outfit, for making wise decisions
a white curly wig, judge's robes, & a wooden gavel
- a lion tamer's outfit, for when the going gets wild
a sweat-stained shirt, a cat o nine tails, & black leather boots
- a cushion for the wrists
a pair of manacles
- something to improve eyesight...too much staring at the screen!
eyebright plant
- drugs. Pick your favorites.
a silver-inlaid censer
a bunch of tobacco leaves
a flask of French brandy
a vial of opium
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=