Volume Nine Issue Thirty-One
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............./ / THE LEGENDARY TIMES
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..../ /_/..\______/./_____/./__/.../__/./_______/ MUD
.../________________/ running on mud.legendmud.org 9999
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http://www.legendmud.org/ ftp://ftp.legendmud.org/pub
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VOLUME NINE, NUMBER THIRTY-ONE August 12, 2002
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Editor's Note
NEWS, REPORTS, UPDATES
Calendar of Events
Immortal Applications Due September 1st
Recent Updates
Recent Q&A Topics
DID YOU KNOW: Lights, Death, Overrent
LEGENDITES
LegendMEET -- WALES
Rumors Abound in Sherwood and Beyond
Clan News
The PK Front
A Bard's Tale
A Visit from Dr. McCabe
Love Lost
Prelude To A Kiss, Part III
Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Chancelorship,
and Whoever Else It May Concern
Ishara Odelmion's Story, Part I: Her Origins
___ ___
\ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| The Editor's Note |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
I apologize for getting this out a day later than I had planned. I had
everything all set and knew what needed to be done, just needed the time
to do it. Unfortunately, we have a wasp nest in the ceiling fan over our
deck. I was looking at it, and one of the little buggers swooped down and
stung me on the nose! As if that wasn't bad enough, I'm allegic to bees
and wasps. So I spent the day doped up on Benadryl holding an icepack on
my face. So, sitting and focusing on the LT yesterday wasn't in the cards.
I still have some swelling in my face this morning, but since I got the
benadryl going as soon as I got stung, it's not as bad as it could be. I'm
also going to see how long I can go without taking more, so I can get my
normal Monday things done, as well as all the things I didn't yesterday.
One of the new/returning sections with this issue is breaking PK-related
info out from the regular Clan Info section. I've sent a note to all the
GMs asking them to send in news, but all clan members are encouraged to do
so. If your clan is in need of members, one of the best ways to increase
awareness and interest in your clan is by being vocal and having a
presence in the news and channels.
And don't forget, if you want an easy token, you can write up travelogue
piece on your favorite industrial area and submit it to [email protected]
(3-5 paragraphs/500 word max). Tell us what's interesting/fun to do there,
what makes it your favorite area, what's your favorite thing to show off
there to new players, etc. No spoilers or other in game info please!
Also coming up this week, we've got the Industrial Level-to-5 Contest
coming up as the Wednesday Night game and a trivia contest on Saturday.
See the events calendar below or online for exact times.
-Kaige
___ ___
\ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| LegendMUD Calendar of Events |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
[All times are system time unless otherwise specified]
AUGUST
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
August wraps up our 2002 Summer Odyssey in the Industrial Era.
Join us on a journey through time to explore our world!
Wednesday, August 14th 7:00 pm Level-to-5 Contest
Thursday, August 15th 7:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Saturday, August 17th 6:00 pm Industrial Trivia with LadyAce
Wednesday, August 21st 8:00 pm Scavenger Hunt
Thursday, August 22nd 7:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Wednesday, August 27th No Wednesday Night Game
Thursday, August 29th 7:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Sunday, September 1st 11:59 pm Immort Applications Due
___ ___
\ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| Immortal Applications Due September 1st |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
It's that time of year again. The deadline for Immortal Applications is
September 1st, 2002. If you are interested in applying to become an
immortal, be sure to speak to the appropriate department head about your
proposed project _before_ you submit your application.
Additional information on Becoming an Immortal at LegendMUD can be found
by reading HELP APPLICATION online as well as pointing your browser to:
http://www.legendmud.org/Reference/documents.html
The individual links to take you directly to the important pages are:
THE IMMORT CODE OF CONDUCT
http://www.legendmud.org/Reference/imm_conduct.html
IMMORT PROPOSAL REVIEW PROCESS
http://www.legendmud.org/Reference/proposals/app_vote.html
THE GENERAL APPLICATION FOR IMMORTING
http://www.legendmud.org/Reference/proposals/gen_app.html
THE ADMINISTRATION PROPOSAL
http://www.legendmud.org/Reference/proposals/admin_prop.html
THE BUILDER PROPOSAL
http://www.legendmud.org/Reference/proposals/builder_prop.html
THE CODING PROPOSAL
http://www.legendmud.org/Reference/proposals/code_prop.html
THE PUBLIC RELATIONS PROPOSAL
http://www.legendmud.org/Reference/proposals/pr_prop.html
___ ___
\ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| Recent Updates |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
/\ CODE UPDATES
/ \
/ \ There was no code update this week.
/_ _\
| |
| | HELP FILE UPDATES
| |
|__| The following helpfile was recently updated:
/\
/ \ DESC_CHANGE, HOUSING-FAQ
/ \
/_ _\ SKILL HELPS:
| |
| | AUGMENT, POULTICE
| |
|__| Thanks to all the immorts and players who made this possible.
/\
/ \
/ \ SUMMER ODYSSEY
/_ _\ INDUSTRIAL ERA 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 (check AREAINFO to find
/\ out!) And don't limit ideas to just these three months!
/ \
/ \ BENGAL
/_ _\ Adds in a few fight acts on upper level mobs that didn't
| | have them.
| |
| | GYPSY CARNIVAL
|__| Sticking plaster lost one point of AC to put it in spec.
/\ Boxing ring should handle all deaths better. Various bugs
/ \ and typos fixed.
/ \
/_ _\ MELBOURNE
| | Dilapidated shotgun is now TWOHANDED. Various typo fixes.
| |
| | PARIS OPERA HOUSE
|__| Slightly reduces the cafe spam. Tunnels are difficult to
/\ shoot through. Removes the NO_RENT flag from some drink
/ \ containers. The INN flag is now correct in one of the
/ \ bedrooms. Fixes the thoroughbred problem.
/_ _\
| | SAN FRANCISCO
| | Be careful when attacking important people in town.
| | Hunting mobs deal with water, no trail, and stone walls.
|__|
/\ WWI SOMME
/ \ The blinding affects should be applied properly now. Be
/ \ careful when fighting Major Pring -- a bug was fixed that
/_ _\ changes his tactics. Various bugs and typos fixed.
| |
| | WWII NORTH AFRICA
| | North Africa trans should be more in line with how talking
|__| to other mobs on the mud works. Various typos fixed.
/\
/ \ PORT OF LONDON, SEONI JUNGLE and SOUTH SEAS
/ \ Various bugs and typos fixed.
/_ _\
| |
| | Other Area Updates
| |
|__| THE ALHAMBRA
/\ Alfredo isn't so picky about Nazcan pottery.
/ \
/ \ ARABIAN NIGHTS, TORTUGA and VICEROYAL PERU
/_ _\ Various bugs and 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.
| |
|__| No in progress areas saw more than minor technical & typo fixes.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
_______ ____ _______
/ ___ \ / __ \ / ___ \ 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 Black Lotus Quest Broken? o How do you Get Tokens?
o LT Subscription Changes? o Mapping and Exploring
o Strings & DTs? o Anything Snipeable Anymore?
o What's with Piles of Boats? o Mobs Stockpiling Items?
o Memory Leaks: Real or Excuse? o Prod Social: Cow/Doggie Huh??
o Totems Still Broken? o Did Kneeling Change Break Quests?
o How Does the Bug/Idea Lotto Work? o Commonly Reported as Bugs but Aren't
o Common Typo Reports that Aren't o Spell Ideas
o Suggestions o Anachronistic Suggestions
You'll notice we've added a new section of topics that started with the
August 1st, log. We are going to be adding a Q&A feedback channel (like
bug/typo/idea) so people can enter questions and get them answered and
not have to try to remember them until Thursday. Also, people will be able
to easily ask questions without having to attend, and the answers will all
be in one place instead of one immort mailing the answer to only one person.
This will also be a good place to put anything you're not SURE if it's a
bug/typo or feasible in order to get some feedback on it, unlike the other
feedback channels.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
_____
/ _ \ DID YOU KNOW: Tips and tricks and little-used features
/__/ \ \
/ / Everyone hates lag. We can all recognize its sluggish feel.
/ / But have you ever wondered exactly what causes it and if you
/__/ could do anything about it?
__
/ \ Most lag that people experience is caused by the numerous
\__/ messages being sent back and forth between all the various
_____ computers on the internet and how a few of them tend to get
/ _ \ more than their share and can't handle them all at once in a
/__/ \ \ timely manner.
/ /
/ / The speed of any individual computer's connection to the net
/__/ also affects this. And unfortunately, the one the mud machine
__ is on isn't top of the line, but it's the better than nothing!
/ \ We also don't have any better options just now.
\__/
_____ So, what can you do to help? You can connect to the mud with
/ _ \ a client that supports MCCP (Mud Client Compression Protocol)
/__/ \ \ or use one that doesn't through MCClient (a helper application
/ / that helps your favorite windows client use compression.
/ /
/__/ The other thing you can do, is examine your online habits. Do
__ you frequently ask the mud to send you spammy reports when
/ \ you aren't even really paying attention to it? WHO, WHOS,
\__/ SCORE and INV are common culprits.
_____
/ _ \ One of the places where increased message traffic is easily
/__/ \ \ noticed by everyone is when large runs are formed. If you and
/ / your group members use compression capable clients, everyone
/ / should enjoy the decreased traffic that causes lag. You might
/__/ also consider having all group members turn off room descs,
__ channels, and set your options to see less verbose fights.
/ \
\__/ See HELP MCCP, HELP MCCLIENT and HELP NETLAG for more info.
___ ___
\ |----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| LEGENDITES: Information Regarding the People of Our World |__\
'----------------------------------------------------------------'
Spite has reached 200 million experience!
Geber has reached 100 million experience!
Dagron has reached 100 million experience!
Herbert has reached 100 million experience!
Illy has reached 100 million experience!
Mysanthrope has reached 100 million experience!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
LegendMEET -- WALES
Richt - The plan currently ish for Cardiff, on either the lasht or
penultimate weekend. But I need ye tae mail me, sae we can deshide which
one. Shend usha meshage at [email protected] Aye? And by the wee,
the lad choshe the addresh....
Or ye cuid call me on 01437 768408. I thocht we'd meet in Cardiff, find
a guid pub (It willnae be hard tae find each aither, I'll be the ane in
the kilt) Then, afterwairdsh, thoshe shtaying wi' me can, fer aboot
fifteen poundsh, travel back tae my plashe (Aye, I'm a wee bit away),
then the nesht day, thoshe that shtayed can shee the shightsh o'
Haverfordwesht, then heid back If we shtart airly enough, we cuid alsho
tour Cardiff cashtle.
-McDougan
For more information on other meets, see the news board while online,
there are several posts regarding ones in different locations.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Rumors Abound in Sherwood and Beyond
A small group, lead by Sir Lawrence of the Knights, came to rest near a
well not too far from the Inn. This group consisted of Dame Dechtire, Lady
Freja, Alyxia, Tennessee, Ibrahim, Lady Emrysia (who was seen carrying a
small sidhe-looking child) and eventually Masha.
Words were uttered, children cried, magicks were cast, and eventually a
battle even ensued! Masha was heard to have demanded something from Sir
Lawrence that he refused, but rumor has it that he did NOT refuse to admit
paternity to the child!
From what this bystander could gather, it seems that Masha may have used
magic of some sort to create a child of her own and Sir Lawrence! This
child, Rillifane, was dropped upon the steps of Carian Trag (the apparent
drop-off point of choice for Masha's children) to be raised by King Rowane
and Queen MoiraGwyn, who were nowhere to be found at the time of this
meeting.
The boy child is said to look a great deal like Sir Lawrence and bears
some sort of reputed mark of Shadowmages upon the back of his neck. This
could prove rather interesting in the battle between good and evil...
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Nithrell's Descent into Darkness
Nithrell stood stock still, his slowly moving chest the only sign he could
actualy move at all, after a few minutes of what seem like intense
concentration his hands blur and his dagger lashes out at the back of the
man standing unawares infront of him...
Thud.
The mans screams rend the fabric of peace...
Thud.
The mans body slides through Nithrell's hands hitting the ground in a cloud
of dust.
And with that the deed is done.
Nithrell shudders and a sadistic smirk spreads accros his face, slowly his
eyes change color -- darkening, darkening, he closes his eyes, and when the
lids rise again the once grey eyes staring at the world are entirely black.
He whispers, 'The kindness the Ritters imposed apon me... The kindness i
have shown... I revoke it all. The dark path... Death is my creed now.'
Slowly, his appearance begins to change, his features becoming harder, skin
darker, and all he wore in silver turns black.
'Yesterday, I was a dangerous man. Today I am a dead man.'
'Ni... Nithrell?'
A tall man wearing shining silver armor and weilding an enourmous greatsword
stares at Nithrell with an expression of shock creasing his features.
'Y... You did this? But you are of us! One of the pure! WHY?!'
Nithrell's smirk seems to grow wider, more sinister...
'Because dear 'Neighbor' I abhore the and thy kind. Your purity is but a
facade to make those who meet you trust you, so that you may abuse all they
hold dear and then call them friend.'
Nithrell straightens to his full height and sets his stance...
'Just like you did me.'
In a seemingly imperceptable blur of motion, Nithrell spins behind the ritter
who stands before him and sinks a dagger between his shoulder blades, his
right hand reaches into a holster and produces a gun.
The gun is raised...
The ritter's eyes widen...
CRACK
The bullet bursts from the ritters forehead spraying the area with blood and
bone, as the ritter sinks to his knees, Nithrell holsters his wepon and
smiles. His lips move and a single word emerges...
'Fool.'
----
No longer will you see Nithrell as:
Short: an extremely dangerous white guy
Long: A stocky white guy dressed from head to toe in black battle gear
resides here.
but rather as:
Short: a dark-skinned black-eyed assassin
Long: A dark-skinned assassin glowers at you with midnight black eyes.
___ ___
\ |--------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| Clan News |__\
'--------------------------------------------------------'
The Council of Mages was disbanded by Serk on Sunday, August 11th.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
True to his words on the war board, Barabas Bonecrusher has formed the
Infernals clan on August 04, 2002.
As I have proclaimed on the message boards across the
land, and to the villiage criers for those that may not
read my pronoucements, let the so called forces of Good
rally behind some set of champions so that they may be
suitable crushed by the forces of Hell. We, the
Infernals do hereby declare war on those who have the
stomach to fight such an enduring battle. Those who
merely wish to say they battle evil, and can most often
be found in their local taverns or hiding under their
beds from the storm need not retrieve this gauntlet.
Only the brave need stand up and be noticed.
For those evil people willing to actually fight, contact
me for your inclusion in our ranks. This is not a
social club, you will kill or be cast aside, but for
those that wish that honor, proclaim yourself!
Your Lord,
Barabas BoneCrusher
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
There are currently 13 RP clans and 8 PK clans. This leaves open slots for
eleven (11) 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
founding and running a clan, we recommend that before you even type FORM,
you visit: http://www.legendmud.org/Reference/gm.html.
___ ___
\ |--------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| The PK Front |__\
'--------------------------------------------------------'
It was a quiet night at the Dew Droppe Inn. I was resting quietly having
an ale, when the door flung open. To my suprise there was no one there. I
went to investigate. I took a light and walked outside. Suddenly from the
corner of my eye I saw something move, and I heard a spell being cast.
Suspecting a trap, I quickly moved away and prepared for battle. It was
then then that my magical sink protected from an evil spell and battle
commenced.
End came in and hit me hard with power, I managed to trap him in the room
and and was beginning to get the upper hand in battle. As he failed to
calm his rage he failed to escape the grip of death.
Sir Delandel.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
And lo the defender of all that is good and holy is, ironically enough,
Edric_wulf. As leader of the Infernals, I am amazed that the forces of
Goodness hide behind this little, fleet of foot hedge wizard. It must be
some slip of misfortune that the ledger of our battles remains even, for
how could simple herbs and kicks have won him one of our two great
battles? The other which also raged across the land was taken by the
forces of Hell, through my less than humble self, using the black arts of
blindness, fire and storm. Let the other forces of good come forth for I
am tired of trifling with this little man!
Your Lord,
Barabas BoneCrusher
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Holy smokes! This past week, half of the pk clans each sent seven members
out into the fray at least once. It should come as little suprise that the
clans were the Grendels, the recently formed Infernals and Revolution
clans, and the Knights of Legend. The IRA and the Syndicate also had a
couple of members out in the field this past week. Perhaps the Coven and
the Hermetics are waiting for the others to wear each other down?
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
There were 103 pkill related deaths involving 74 different characters in
the last week. Of those 74 characters, 42 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 commited 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), advertise here with us! It's free AND you'll get a 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________________________________________________________________
_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|___
__|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|
A Bard's Tale
by Rhys the bard
In the darkest of knights lies the truest of virtue
For his is the name of the kingdom of faith
He fears not the calling of all those about him
He will eliminate them one and all at his pace
He seeks to destroy all that is evil
Yet evil is what he must do
For death never comes to those who are willing
It is found only where evil is true
His pledge is forgotten, his name still unknown
He fights ever after the good fight is done
His death means nothing in the wake of it all
For he is reborn with the coming of the new child's sun
Embrace not the beginning or the ending of death
For to all it is nothing more then sublime
If you look he waits for you to come hither
Don't run, he will catch you and kill you in time
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
A Visit from Dr. McCabe
'I love going to the children's ward in the hospital, always have, and I
always will. Even though the maladies that affect the children can be
heartbreaking to think about, their spirits are something to marvel at. I
like to play the part of a clown when I visit and do rounds. While I still
wear the lab coat, I don a colorful wig and a red nose that honks and
beeps when you squeeze it and push it. The children love it. They always
want to push it or squeeze it and most giggle or laugh afterwards. I enjoy
hearing them laugh, and see how their faces light up when they do, and
some of them, with their dimples, look adorable, even without hair. Some
of them even think I shave my head to look like them, I tell them that it
looked so good on them, I had to try it myself. Maybe I should consider
specializing in pediatric surgery... Yes, maybe I will... What do you
think, sir?'
Every once in a while Asher will come in here and do this... I don't
understand him sometimes, doesn't he realize that he already made his
choice about pediatrics long ago? He has always been one, specialization
or not. Quite a stubborn young man at times, but good-hearted and sincere.
All I can do is chuckle and tell him what I tell him every time....
'Asher... Do as your heart leads. That is the advice my wife would have
given you, and you trusted her judgement, and she trusted yours... now you
need to look to yourself... Now go heal someone, Doctor McCabe.'
'Thank you, Sir. And Sir?'
'Yes Asher?'
'She was a wonderful woman, your wife. And I do not say that just because
she was my mentor...'
'That she was, Asher, that she was. Now, tell me about this woman you have
been seen with.'
It was the first time I had seen him blush. A good sign.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Love Lost
A rather impatient looking tiger paced restlessly about Queen MoiraGwyn as
she rested on a stone bench in her Villa garden, a red ball poised between
his teeth.
She barely glanced at him, 'No, I will play with you later. Go put the
ball in the living room and go rest.' He reluctantly agreed, padding off
into the other room.
She stared down at the cup in her hands. Today even her favorite tea was
not to soothe her.
'I came as soon as I heard... Oh Moira, I am so sorry,' Lady Emrysia
rushed in, arms wrapping about her friend, doors still ajar from her
abrupt entrance.
MoiraGwyn barely responded, her gaze fixated on the cup in her hands.
'Rowane will be devestated.' The teacup held her interest in a fixed,
distant gaze.
'How did this happen, did his father simply take him back with him?'
Emrysia seemed appalled and bewildered at the sudden change. It was only a
few days since she saw the young family together on a stroll. Only a week
perhaps since she last held her 'nephew', watching him while Rowane went
to send word to a family friend.
MoiraGwyn stared off towards the Library. Emrysia understood and held her
tighter.
'I promise it will be ok. We spoke of this, that this might happen. Rowane
will understand,' she whispered to her friend. 'He won't be devestated, we
suspected this might happen. Moiragwyn, it will be ok...'
In life, you can not control the actions of others. You can only control
how you react or respond to them...
For the staff, royals, and friends of Carian Trag, this simply meant
moving on with their lives.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Prelude To A Kiss, Part III
'Fatima! Fatima, come quickly!' the elderly woman called out.
Her friend, decades younger, rounded the corner. A basket of clothes was
bundled in her arms. 'What is it, are you sick?' she inquired.
'No... there is trouble,' Al-Suol was seated at the table in her living
room, cards of the tarot spread across the silken cloth. In the center, a
ball of heavy glass.
Fatima's eyebrow perched inquisitively as she neared her friend. 'What do
you see?' she asked, noticing the furrowed brow of the older woman.
Al-Suol concentrated deeply on the cards before her, her hands nimbly
setting forth another row of cards atop the previous. She seemed
distressed. 'A man. A stranger, in the castle to the east.' Her eyes rose
to meet the younger woman's.
Fatima rested the laundry on the floor and came to stand behind the elser
woman, her eyes glancing over the cards. 'What is that?' Her finger
pointed to a card with a woman resembling a priestess. The card was upside
down.
'The intruder,' Al-Suol explained. 'His passions consume him.' She pointed
out a series of cards to the younger woman. 'His mind, it is twisted.
There is something wrong. Very wrong. And he seeks what he deems his
prize.'
She pointed to a few small rows of cards. 'These are those in the castle.
Each one represents them in some way...' She glanced over them
appraisingly. She frowned at the ones at the end of the row, they met less
approval from her.
Fatima eyed the heavy glass ball the old woman usually kept her gaze on,
right now it went unused. The older woman followed her gaze.
'That was how this started,' She explained. 'The ball, it showed something
amiss. I wished to investigate.' She looked thoughtful. 'Those people,
they have not been intrusive since they have moved in. They are kind and
generous to those who have lived here all their lives. They are good
people, they walk with God.' Her hand reached to her neck, bringing an
amulet to her lips. 'They do not deserve what will happen.'
'What do we do about it...,' Fatima turned, facing the older woman.
Al-Suol looked from the heavy glass ball to the cards, and then back.
Staring quietly into the ball her hands hovered over it, her lips
murmering in her native language. After a few minutes she raised her
glance to Fatima.
'This I am unsure. But while we decide, he has already cast to enter
through the gates of Carian Trag and just stepped into the hall, the sound
of birds and the counting of money to his east, the vague waft of metal
from the forge to the west permeating the scent of the garden before him.
And behold, he just found stairs leading to the second level, his hands
sliding along the blackthorn banister, these same fingers just having
stroked the leaves of the rowan tree at the entrance, making it quake,
making a pair of twin chipmunks scampering by stop and take notice. And
remember what is in the upstairs bedroom, resting in front of the bed my
dear. He will soon meet the unexpectedly protective nature of what rests
at the foot of the King's bed. But not before changing the destiny of all
that live and thrive in that Kingdom. He must be stopped, child. If he is
not, many people will be hurt by his actions. The life of at least two
people will fall forever.' Her hands shook as they touched the cards
before her once more, the destiny of many laid out before her.
Fatima reached for Al-Suol's hand, 'Come, we must get help at once.'
'Let us hope,' whispered Al-Suol as she stood. 'that it is not too late.'
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Your Highness, Your Highness, Your Chancelorship,
and Whoever Else It May Concern
Your Highnesses, Your Chancelorship, King Rowane and Queen MoiraGwyn
de'Dannan, Lady Emrysia Royce,
Circumstance has entrusted you with a child of my blood
to take care of and raise as your own. Let me make it
clear immediately, I do not intend to lay legal claim
to the boy Rillifane. I am his biological sire -- I
will not write father, because in truth, I had nothing
to do with his conception -- but I am not half the
parent I trust you will be between you.
In my travels, I have heard only well of the de'Dannan
court. Lord Jiriki in particular has described the
proceedings at court to me with great detail and
fervor. I would want nothing more for my son than to be
raised by loving people who can provide him with
education and care both. I certainly do not possess
similar means, wealth, nor influence.
I do implore that you keep my son out of reach of the
woman Malicious. I swear in writing as in deed, I will
do anything to keep those two apart. My son is not to
turned into a beast of the night for royal
entertainment. In all other things, I trust your royal
judgement.
With your permission I would enjoy to take part in my
son's life and upbringing. I ask of you that you do not
entrust the child to his biological mother, Masha
Corlan. At the same time I assure you, if I have any
say in the matter, I am not marrying her, nor
compromising myself, you, or the Knights of Legend to
her dictates.
Yours with deep respect,
Lawrence Hawkins Windstrom
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Ishara Odelmion's Story, Part I: Her Origins
Ishara's story seems fantastic to those she tell it to, and most do not
believe it to be true. Indeed, she is not sure she would accept a story
such as this from a stranger. But for those who will listen, here is an
account of her life in recent times.
Ishara is not from these parts. In fact, she is not from this world. She
is from the world Dalkir. She is, by our standards, the image of an elf,
pictured from stories and tales, slender with almond-shaped eyes. She used
to live in a vast forest, called Silverleaves in the state Taytor, just
below the Ashen mountains. The forest got its name from the majority of
birch trees that grow there and the beautiful sight of it when bathed in
light from the three moons. Taytor consists mostly of cities (inhabited by
humans) and Silver-leaves. The capital city is Tayton, which is about 40
miles from the forest. The humans and the elves have little to do with
each other.
The only humans welcomed in Silverleaves are rangers and druids. Ishara
herself is a forester, appointed to protect a stretch of forest near the
eastern border. She is fairly skilled with a knife and a bow, has some
knowledge of herbs and their uses and is gifted by Falira, Goddess of the
forest. Over the years she has also gained the trust of a wolf. Some have
speculated that she has developed a rare and ancient bond with the
creature, one that allows her to dreamspeak with it. In peaceful times her
job is to keep the forest balanced. It is a trusted job, as the folk of
Silverleaves are so closely bound to the forest that they would perish if
the forest should die. They are One with the trees and the beasts.
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