Volume Nine Issue Forty
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............./ / THE LEGENDARY TIMES
............/ / http://www.legendmud.org/
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....../ /_____/__/__../ \_\ /./ /__../ /.../ /./ /_/ /
...../ / /./ /./ /./ /.../ /./ /
..../ /_/..\______/./_____/./__/.../__/./_______/ MUD
.../________________/ running on mud.legendmud.org 9999
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VOLUME NINE, NUMBER FORTY October 13, 2002
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Editor's Note
NEWS, REPORTS, UPDATES
Calendar of Events
The PR Outlook -- Next Week & Beyond
Recent Updates
Help LegendMUD Grow!
Recent Q&A Topics
LEGENDITES
You've Been Caught! (Being Good, That Is....)
Clan News
The PK Front
The Privateer Meets a Tricky Opponent
A Thought on Pkill and Attitude
Changing Lanes
Prelude To A Kiss, Part VI
The Hammer's Call
The Story of a Soul Reaver
The Story of the Prince
Who Watches The Watchers...?
___ ___
\ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| The Editor's Note |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
The changeover to our new playerfile directory structure went off with few
problems. We had one problem where archives and unarchives weren't working
correctly, but Ea! got in a fix for that yesterday. Huginn's also made a
few improvements and polishes so that things will running even smoother.
Thanks for your patience with this, and with the admins until we get the
last couple of scripts they use updated for this new structure.
I was saddened to see the New Player Helpers clan disbanded for low
membership, but hope that everyone will continue with their goal of
helping new players learn the ropes of both the game system and the
community here at LegendMUD and discourage those you see who think they're
being funny by offering bad advice. Try to remember what it was like when
you were a lost and clueless newbie. Give 'em a break and try to resist
giving them more assistance than they need else you'll spoil them and come
to regret it. Maybe not in how they'll behave but perhaps by the way
someone they introduce to the game behaves. Help the people around you,
play as part of a community you want to be a part of.
Take a look at the calendar of events below, there's lots for EVERYONE in
the upcoming months. Bring a friend and introduce them to our world. It's
a great way to stay in touch without the long distance bills AND you also
get to take out your frustrations on the mobs around you. *grin*
Have a great week!
-Kaige
___ ___
\ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| LegendMUD Calendar of Events |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
[All times are system time unless otherwise specified]
OCTOBER NOVEMBER
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
1 2 3 4 5 1 2
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Tuesday, October 15th 8:00 pm Randomized Limericks Contest
Thursday, October 17th 7:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Saturday, October 19th 3:00 pm Decara's Dying Wish Tinyplot
Tuesday, October 22nd 8:00 pm Trivia! with LadyAce
Thursday, October 24th 7:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Saturday, October 26th 3:00 pm RP Fan Club - First Meeting
Tuesday, October 29th 8:00 pm Flag Hunt
Thursday, October 31st all day Annual Halloween Elf Massacre
all day Pumpkin Hunt
Time TBA Ptah's Storytelling
Time TBA Costume Contest
-=-=-=-=-
Saturday, November 2nd 3:00 pm RP Fan Club - 2nd Meeting
Thursday, November 7th 7:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Saturday, November 9th 3:00 pm Lizzie's Lit Salon
Thursday, November 14th 7:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Saturday, November 16th 3:00 pm RP Fan Club - 3rd Meeting
Thursday, November 21st 7:00 pm Q & A in the OOC Auditorium
Tuesday, November 26th 8:00 pm Autumn Casino
Thursday, November 28th Thanksgiving - U.S. - No Q&A
___ ___
\ |------------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| The PR Outlook -- Next Week & Beyond |__\
'------------------------------------------------------------------'
by LadyAce
If you haven't checked the EVENTS command lately, you might be missing
out on a bunch of games, opportunities, and happenings. Here's the scoop
on what's coming next:
Randomized Limericks -- Tuesday, October 15th, 8pm.
This is a fast-paced, OOC game which challenges you to take two
random words and devise the best limerick you can in just two
minutes. The results are sometimes clever, sometimes goofy, often
funny.
Decara's Dying Wish -- Saturday, October 19th, 3pm.
News is spreading throughout the land -- Madame Decara has fallen
ill. Hers is a grievous illness, which has weakened her so greatly
that she lies waiting for the end. Lying on what must be her death
bed, Decara whispers a final request. Will anyone hear it? Can anyone
do what she asks? And wait a minute, how did she get so ill in the
first place?
Tinyplots such as the one outlined above are an opportunity for everyone
and anyone to join a roleplay scenario. The starting point is designed in
advance, but what paths are followed and happens next is up to those who
join. Come one, come all -- no advance work is required. However, if you
have a particular idea about how you want to contribute to the plot, just
drop LadyAce a note with your thoughts.
___ ___
\ |-----------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| Recent Updates |__\
'-----------------------------------------------------------------'
/\ CODE UPDATES
/ \
/ \ MISC CHANGES
/_ _\ o Pulls the "jumps out of the way" type references in the
| | skills like bash and backstab... changes to moves or
| | twists in most cases.
| | o Clarified the text in the description command.
|__| o Combat Mood now shows up in score (all styles).
/\ o Report spell no longer defaults to the caster if the
/ \ victim is specified but not found (also requires a victim
/ \ to be specified when being cast)
/_ _\
| | BUG FIXES
| | o Ownership wasn't being removed when someone stole one of
| | their items back
|__| o Fixes the rent/price multipliers on gauze rolls.
/\ o If you are drunk and drink non-alcoholic beverages it
/ \ doesn't remind you that you are drunk.
/ \ o Emotes by mobs should now properly use another mobile's
/_ _\ short description
| |
| | TYPO FIXES
| | o "teasing" to "teasingly" for grammatical reasons for mood
|__| with actions
/\ o Fixes a typo with "greater" keyword for greater demons
/ \ o Typo on "chok-hold" fixed
/ \ o Armslore typos "a maximum of 1 points of damage" -- also
/_ _\ fixed for number of shots left, and max shots held
| | o If you catch someone stealing and wake up it no longer
| | refers to you in the third person
| | o "harmlessly" typos fixed
|__| o Incite uses "incite" consistently and not "inspire" in the
/\ messages.
/ \ o Build query and build door query shouldn't get garbage in
/ \ them
/_ _\
| |
| | HELP FILE UPDATES
| |
|__| SKILL HELPS:
/\
/ \ BASH, DIAGNOSE, MAKE AMULET, MIX POTION, PICK LOCK,
/ \ POISONING, QUICKDRAW, and TUMBLE
/_ _\
| | SPELL HELPS:
| |
| | ARMOR OF LIGHT, AURA SIGHT, BARKSKIN, CAUSE LIGHT WOUNDS,
|__| CURE CRITICAL, DISPEL MAGIC, DOPPELGANGER, FEVER, GUST OF
/\ WIND, LAVA FLOW, MAGIC SINK, SNEAK SPELL; WALL OF THORNS
/ \
/ \
/_ _\ AREA UPDATES
| |
| | If you want to suggest specific improvements or new additions
| | to existing areas please don't hesitate to submit them with
|__| the idea/bug/typo commands or drop mudmail to the builder
/\ currently responsible for the area (use AREAINFO to find out!)
/ \
/ \ BENGAL
/_ _\ Animal Handler in Bengal recognizes people who have
| | previously killed a caged tiger.
| |
| | PARIS OPERA HOUSE
|__| Some alterations in the city expansion -- should make
/\ life easier, not harder. Various bugs and typos fixed.
/ \
/ \ TORTUGA
/_ _\ More to fiddle with in the houngan's hut and adds in way
| | to get voodoo dolls of most NPCs. Sorry, not of players.
| |
| | VICEROYAL PERU
|__| Adds possibility of goats, sheep and oxen in the
/\ marketplace.
/ \
/ \ THE ALHAMBRA, ARABIAN NIGHTS, BEOWULF, CELTIC IRELAND,
/_ _\ MEDIEVAL SEAS, PORT OF LONDON, SOUTH SEAS
| | Various minor 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.
| |
|__| Kheldar Medieval Sea Trade
___ ___
\ |------------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| Help LegendMUD Grow! |__\
'------------------------------------------------------------------'
by LadyAce
One hot topic as of late has been advertising for new players. Some of you
may have noticed that our overall number of players has declined slightly
over time. The number we often hear is that the average mud player stays
with a particular mud for 18 months -- so compared to other muds, I think
we do fairly well with retaining players once we have them. But there's
also a basic fact of the world at play -- the same as in any human
organization, be it a club, a company, or a city -- people move on, their
interests change. We don't and can't expect that people will stay forever,
and so we constantly need to reach out to new people.
The Internet has grown vastly since LegendMUD started, and lately it's
been more difficult to raise our voice loud enough to be heard by people
who are interested in a rich, detailed, history/myth-themed, text-based
game. We're having difficulty recruiting new players. Your ideas on how to
help with this are welcome!
We're listed in the MudConnector, and often gain new folks that way. But
we're not Yahoo Games, and we're not EverQuest. We don't have their
budgets, we don't have their fees and advertising. We're indie, we're
volunteer, we're a bit old school.
We're not for everyone, and never have been. But I firmly believe that
there are people out there who would love LegendMUD, but who don't know we
exist. Maybe they never even thought about looking for or trying a
text-based game. Ultimately, we're fighting for a share of people's
thoughts, we're fighting against a large trend away from text-based
interactions -- and we can't do it alone.
We need all of you to join in the effort. Tell your friends, tell your
local newspapers, tell the online forums and boards about us. Mention us
on your web page, put us in your blog. Put us in your e-mail signature.
Spread the word, and help us grow!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
_______ ____ _______
/ ___ \ / __ \ / ___ \ 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 Item Affects & Rent Specs o Bash Nerfed?
o Socials On Clan Channels? o What's an Aura?
o Bug With Chalice Repop? o Bug With Flavoring?
o What's Imp of Order Mean? o Herne & Monster Critters?
o Strings Removed from Items? o Can Homunculi Drop Stuff?
o Any Upcoming Tinyplots? o Lotus Eater Broken?
o Upcoming Tinyplots/Events? o Herbert's Game Idea
o Possibility of Dex/Str Magic? o NPH Clanhall Poofed?
o Why does Kipling chat? o Playerbase Smaller?
o Breastplate to be Fixed? o Bless & Hitroll Cap?
o Greater Summoning Helpfile? o Help Pages -- Good or Bad?
o Steal & Ownership Bug? o More Info on Tinyplot?
o Obvious Socials with Objects? o Can Homunculi Drop Stuff?
o Make Singing Skills Cooler? o Mobs Standing After Bashed?
o A Couple Paris Bugs o Next Imm App Round?
o General Suggestions/Questions
___ ___
\ |------------------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| LEGENDITES: Information Regarding the People of Our World |__\
'------------------------------------------------------------------'
O'Bedlam has reached 100 million experience!
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We also regret to report the temporary unavailability of the Hall of Fame
page (http://www.legendmud.org/kaige/fame.shtml) where these achievements
are recorded. The script that gathers and sorts the information was broken
by the pfile directory structure change. We hope to have it fixed soon.
___ ___
\ |--------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| You've Been Caught! (Being Good, That Is....) |__\
'--------------------------------------------------------'
by LadyAce
I noticed a number of you pitching in to help a newbie and give advice
this past Thursday. This goes for not only those who stepped up the other
day -- this is to everyone who takes time out of their fun to help another
person have fun -- privately or publicly.
THANK YOU.
Helping people to join us is an important part of building up our
community. A welcoming atmosphere is not simply a determinant of whether
or not someone new will come back again. In fact, those first few hours of
play are also one of the most important factors that determine what kind
of player someone will be.
A poor reception might be forgiven over time, but we all benefit when
instead of trying to make up for some past unpleasantness, we can spend
our energy having a good time together. Your individual effort makes a
big difference -- whether or not you make it into their 'back when I
started here...' stories. Kind words are noticed and remembered -- even
when names and specifics have evaporated, the good feelings you can give
others will remain.
___ ___
\ |--------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| Clan News |__\
'--------------------------------------------------------'
The New Player Helpers Clan was disbanded
on Friday, October 11th, for low membership.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
There are currently 13 RP clans and 9 PK clans. This leaves open slots for
ten (10) more clans to form. For more information, read HELP CLAN and see
the clan information list via the CLANS command while logged into the
game. For a basic handbook and reference guide for players interested in
starting and running a clan, we recommend that before you even type FORM,
you visit: http://www.legendmud.org/Reference/gm.html.
___ ___
\ |--------------------------------------------------------| /
/__| The PK Front |__\
'--------------------------------------------------------'
The Privateer Meets a Tricky Opponent
Yeah, earlier last week, I was sent back to heaven by King Rowane. The
tricky grandmaster of the Hermetics had set a trap for me around Sherwood
that I wasn't aware enough to avoid.
When I realized that I was starting to bump my face off invisible walls,
Rowane's minions from paradise started to pound my back recklessly. Sure,
I tried to escape this nasty situation but without any knowledge of the
magical art of detecting illusions, it was a lost cause.
I guess my sorry corpse is still rotting at the feet of Allan a'Dale (who
by the way didn't move an inch to help me - maybe King Rowane scared him
to much). Thanks to mysterious Gods, I found myself reincarnated again at
a nearby Inn and was able to write down this account.
Have to say that I'm getting a bit old for this....
- Cabal
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A Thought on Pkill and Attitude
Since i've come to this land, i've learned a great deal about some of the
inhabitants of this place. Some are wise beyond their years, seeking only
to better themselves. While others wish to only to exist and do nothing
but have others do for them. In war one must be willing to go the
extra mile in order to win, one must be willing to sacrifice everything to
reach their goal. Only those who do for themselves will ever truly know
success. Only those with an inner drive to learn and explore, venture into
the unknown and seek that which has not yet been discovered will know the
secrets involved in success.
I know that I have a good deal left to learn, but one of the things that I
have learned so far, is that defeat is a true building block for success.
For not only do ye learn how to not be defeated in the future by ye
opponent, but ye learn character that goes beyond any skill ye may obtain
from the experience. For only those who have faced death will understand
the best parts of Life.
The same can be said for pkill, if your not willing to die, then how can
you ever truly experience the glory of winning, the glory of life?
Edric_Wulf
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With about 85% of their members active in pkill this week, the Grendels
caused much havoc and mayhem, but was it enough to assuage the persistent
boredom that afflicts them? The Infernals had the next highest number of
members who were out and active on the pk front this week. The Secretives
and IRA also fielded several members where the Syndicate, Knights and
School of Hard Knocks had relatively few members participating. The
Hermetic Order and the Grand Coven were not seen in action this week.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
There were 83 pkill-related deaths involving 69 different characters in
the last week. Of those 61 characters, 36 of them were accept all at the
time. So come on, let's get YOUR name up in lights! We can't report on it
if you don't tell us about it!
If you have you witnessed or committed any glorious or nefarious deeds,
send a short report to us at the LT. If you are looking for a fight,
recruiting, or anything else related to PK (not necessarily PK Clan
related), 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________________________________________________________________
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__|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|
Changing Lanes
At last, the Ganges. For weeks, I have travelled afoot to reach its
shores, to bathe in its holy waters that might cleanse my body of its
sins. Already, multitudes of pilgrims from over the land lined the river,
seeking blessings in the yearly ritual. As I made my way to the riverside,
a layman recognised my robes and bearings to be of Brahmin and bowed
respectfully, to which I bowed in return. I set down my staff and travel
pack and was preparing to disrobe when a chilling reaction took me. A
shiver, and the Bane was back, ousting the Benevolent in its cold coup.
Piousness was a guiding light, but malice delicious and I had to feed,
feed the river Ganges with the blood of innocents and marrow from their
skulls. An infernal howl echoed through my being as I swung my staff at an
oblivious pilgrim, but before the bludgeon could connect a sledgehammer of
whiteness struck me. I fell to my knees, dazed, and a wispy voice beckoned
me. 'Suresh...' it whispered. 'You have treaded the wrong path...' I
instinctively knew it was referring to the dual paths I walked, that of
Tranquility and Fury.
'Who are you to make judgments?' I countered half-dazedly, my world a
blinding white. 'I am wise enough to better.'
A wind whistled past and the voice answered, 'You are but a sapling in
wisdom.. you strive to be an embodiment of light and darkness, of peace
and anarchy, in hopes of becoming a greater whole...'
'My doings are none of your concern!' I shouted in rage, but the voice
continued, 'But reflect upon yourself, weak in righteousness and flimsy in
evil, yet neither passive nor actively neutral.. in essence, you are
nothing...'
The words struck a blow so powerful my forehead feels akin to imploding.
The power of the words came from its truth, and the split-instant
realisation that all I have worked for have and would have come to
nothing. However, dismay swept over swiftly and the voice, sensing my
despondence whispered, 'Take heart, for you have not gone too deep in your
wrong ways, else you would have died a broken man the moment before.
Abandon your path and seek the way of self-realisation and detachment,
through suffering.'
As I considered its words, I felt its essence slipping away. 'Before you
go, might I ask who are you?' I quickly called out.
But its only reply was, 'Suffer...'
The world returned to normal again, and I glanced around. Nobody seemed to
have noticed what had just transpired. I got to my feet and reflected on
what the voice's saying and a fervent conviction compelled me to heed its
words. Utterly conscious of my decision, I discarded my finery and
renounced, in its endless forms, all pleasure and indulgence in the world.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Prelude To A Kiss, Part VI
'How could I have let her escape my sight!' He was furious with himself,
he had never seen it coming. Stealthily, he had crept behind her,
invisible to her, ready to appear out of nowhere and finally speak with
her and- Argh! Tripped by a wolfhound! Who owned the damned things, they
were everywhere!
He scrambled to his feet and glanced about for her. Which way would she
have gone? He searched, walking quickly down paths to find her. He was
smart this time, more watchful, no wolfhounds would halt his search!
Nothing would stop him this time!
Less than a minute later, a pitiful voice wailed for help. It was his own.
Swatting at every mosquito that came near, he sulked about the confines of
the bog. *sigh* He had finally gotten the nerve. He rehearsed over and
over in his head how he would talk to her, smile at her, that he might
even get to shake her hand, her hand in his. Moments lost. When would he
get another chance? He only wanted to be with her...
His jumbled thoughts ground to a halt as he watched her enter the bog. He
blinked. He stammered. His heart thundered in his chest, rising up though
his throat. He swallowed hard, nodding a polite nod at her. He stared,
dumbstruck.
Queen MoiraGwyn de'Dannan giggled at him, 'Don't feel bad, even after all
these years it still happens to me as well.' Her smile beamed at him. She
smiled at him! Just for him, like he always imagined! He turned red as he
stared at her, speechless, immobile.
'This won't hurt a bit, I promise,' She pulled from her bag a scroll, and
before he could blink, he found himself back inside the Silver Branch Inn.
His heart dropped. So close... Maybe she will remember me now. My face, my
voice, my agility and grace. Oh no, she had not seen any of it! He
realized too late that the hood of his cloak was pulled up over his head
to avoid the mosquitos, he had been too nervous to speak, he stammered
unintelligibly, and he was so struck he hadn't moved at all.
He slumped to the floor with the realization that she had nothing to
remember him by.
He had to catch her, to thank her! He stood, bolting from the inn as a
group of travelers laughed merrily behind him.
--=-=-=--
A white turban, stained red with blood, lay at MoiraGwyn's feet. There it
was, resting in the bushes just outside of Agrabah. Was this Ashimar's?
The minister of finance had been missing for weeks now, not a trace of him
anywhere.
'Probably off spending our money,' mused the Queen. She smiled. It was not
like she was not aware that Ashimar siphoned a bit here and there. She and
Emrysia were well aware and Rowane even chuckled about it. All three
considered it his fee for his 'free' duties and thought little of it.
Until now.
MoiraGwyn's mind went to Preacher Kaine, worries of his having a hand in
Ashimar's disappearance surfacing immediately. She felt sad, she had
rather liked Kaine. his theft had taken her rather by surprise. Maybe that
sort of reminder was what she needed, that sometimes those who were
offering friendship has ulterior motives. This certainly would not have
been the first time, would it.. She pondered the last few people the
family trusted and how big a mistake that turned out to be.
Her mind went to the man she had come across on her last trip to Tara. She
had turned and bumped into him and he had gotten so flustered. Later she
came to assist him, exchanged a few words with him, and continued about
her business. As she was leaving she had the feeling there was more he
wished to say. She even thought she felt his gaze on her when she saw him
later in Roman Britain.
'It must be the lemur, it gets the oddest reactions sometimes,' she
pondered, petting him as she mulled things over. It stared at her with
huge eyes, tail curling at her neck. It wasn't as lively as Sparky but it
certainly was quieter.
Queen MoiraGwyn pondered the royal pet. She missed him terribly. Rowane
had grown up with him and giving him to MG was the best gift she could
have ever gotten. She missed her husband as well, but she knew that he was
with her in spirit, just as she was with him. Her heart softened at the
thought of him.
She shook her head, too much daydreaming lately. If she spent much more
time longing for either husband or pet, she might never escape her
increasing melancholy. She hadn't noticed it at first, but she found it
harder to not see now. She had withdrawn a bit, tending to stay at home
more or dwell where there were less people. Her sleep had grown fitful,
tossing and turning becoming commonplace, or else she would sleep far too
long, as if she was hiding in her sleep. Her appetite had lessened as
well, something she had not noticed until she refused cheesecake and
Emrysia had commented that she was looking like she had lost weight. Lost
weight? Me?? I eat like a horse! When was the last time I had eaten?
*ponder* I'm not sure, what day is it? Sorry, I seem to have lost track of
time a bit.. Emrysia was concerned and MoiraGwyn knew it. She wasn't sure
why she was this way, but she knew it probably wasn't good and she needed
to get back to being herself again.
No more thoughts of her beloved Rowane or of missing Sparky, no more of
the missing Ashimar or rogue Preacher Kaine, no more thoughts of Emrysia's
baby or how Rillifane is doing on his stay with Hedge. No more thoughts of
roving newspaper reporters. No more thoughts. They all made her sad for
some reason, even the happy thoughts. MoiraGwyn plastered a stiff smile on
to her face and continued her walk towards Agrabah.
--=-=-=--
He stepped back from the corpse, wiping his blade off. Thieves. He hated
them and Agrabah was apparently where they all were born and bred.
Despicable! Just when you thought you killed them all off, you turn around
and the whole city is brimming with them once more. Well, at least this
one wont be stealing from his Queen ever again. And certainly will not
ever touch her again.. He glanced at the hand resting near his feet. He
kicked it away, watching it fly down the street. He smirked. A moment ago
that same hand had reached out to Moiragwyn, grabbing her sleeve. Now it
is was a tasty snack for local mongrels fighting in the street.
He stood, watching her slowly walk down the street, distracted from all
the hustle and bustle around her. Still so sad. Why are you so sad these
days, my Queen? He blamed the Sidhe, it was probably his fault. And the
blonde woman who seemed to be gaining a bit of weight. Maybe even the
child who he noticed was not with her right now. She was out alone! He was
stunned. No guards? No protection? Why anyone could. could.. He shook
those thoughts from his head. He would guard her! With his very life. His
life and the lives of those who get too close to his love. What was it
they say- 'All is fair in love and war'? In this case it was both. And he
had the blade and the temper to prove it.
--=-=-=--
The Queen of Carian Trag stood hesitantly outside the palace of the
Sultan's of Agrabah. She wasn't sure why she was here, honestly. But sure
enough this is where her feet and subconscious had lead her. Perhaps time
with a family friend would do her well.. So long as she stayed away from
Prince Shahriar. She wrinkled her nose at the thought of him.
Nearby a small stray dog trotted off with what looked like a finger held
gingerly between his teeth. She watched him go by, suddenly wishing she
was home. She entered the hallway, guards nodding at her arrival. A nearby
room held the hushed tones of two women. MoiraGwyn peeked around the
corner to see what was going on and found the local soothsayer speaking
with a small handful of people, the most vocal of which were an elderly
woman and a woman in her mid-20's. They seemed familiar to her but she
dismissed it as coincidence. A crystal goblet shattered upon polished
floors, splashing water everywhere and drawing the conversation to a quick
halt. The cups owner stared at the young Queen with wide eyes and a mouth
that was slightly agape. The occupants of the room stared at her, the
elderly woman straightening up and speaking in rapid hushed toned to the
soothsayer, motioning towards MoiraGwyn. The Queen became self-conscious,
drawing her cloak and hood about her. She muttered a mumbled apology for
her intrusion and removed her head from the room. With head hung she
climbed the stairs to the guest rooms, making note to visit with the
Sultan later...
--=-=-=--
He rested outside of the Queen's room, wanting more than anything to be
with her. The faint scent of flowers, reminiscent of her skin, lingered
still in the hall. He reached for the scarf, it once smelled like this
too. He hoped it would once again. How he adored her. Mere words could not
express. He glanced down the North hall. He felt confidant that the body
would not be discovered for a number of days. He could not believe that
guard had the nerve to watch the his liege climb the stairs. How dare his
gaze follow along her! He was still angry but the gentle movement of blade
to flesh was as graceful as that of a dancer. And like that, the man was
down on the floor, staring up at his attacker. The gurgle of blood-filled
throat drowning any attempts at speech. And he needed but one word to
clarify his victim's desperate search for 'Why?' And he gave his victim
that answer, to soothe his tortured soul. He glanced towards MoiraGwyn as
she climbed the last steps to the second floor. His eyes returned to the
stunned guard at his feet.
'Mine.' And with that, they both understood their part in the larger
scheme of things.
The guard would no longer molest MoiraGwyn with his eyes, those which
would soon be removed from their sockets, and the stranger was to guard
her. She was his, her body, her soul, her smile, her scent.. And anyone
who thought otherwise would be destined to admit they were wrong, while
they were on their deathbed.
He loved her. He deserved her. He would do anything for her. Those
thoughts entertained his mind for the next several hours while she slept.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Hammer's Call
It kept calling to him, but everything seemed to be like a riddle... how
would he know what to do?. He had been told that she would be his guide,
his helper in this quest, and she had never led him astray, but the
riddles....
He looked at her lying there asleep and kissed the top of her head. He
figured that she had probably not been asleep long, for he knew that she
would sit and watch him when the dreams came. How had he managed to
ensnare her heart? Not that he was complaining, but to have a such a woman
loving him was almost beyond his understanding. He leaned back against the
wall of the cottage and let his mind try to clear itself. He sat, looking
at the flicker of the candle as it bounced off the prism rose that created
dancing rainbows on the wall. As he did this the dancing slowed and the
light changed, taking on a shape. It was a warhammer, a giant black maul.
The hammer floated in the darkness, and seemed to call to him. He stood up
and walked to it, reaching out his hand to take its haft. When his hand
wrapped around the thick stone of the handle he felt a surge of power
surge through his body, almost as if fire were running in his blood. He
stood and held it,. seeing great warriors swinging hammers much like this
one, feeling their strength and their battles, and their deaths. He felt
their pride, and also their sadness, and felt no shame as the tears rolled
down his face. It seemed like he had stood there with the hammer for
centuries.
'Gad?' The voice snapped him back to reality.
'Ja, Skjonn? Somethin' wrong?'
'I was going to ask you that very question...' the lovely young woman
said.
He blinked and looked down at his empty hands, and saw he stood by the
wall. 'Bah' he sighed.
'Gad?' she asked, 'What is Fjellbrann? Mountain what?'
'Mountain... fire? Why do ya ask, Skjonn?'
It was what you said, standing by the wall just now.' she said, and looked
into the sky and pondered....
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Story of a Soul Reaver
Raziel the Soul Reaver stood over the still warm corpse, opened the cloak
covering his jaw, and breathed in the soul of his latest victim. He slunk
off into the darkness feeling at home in it, wondering why he did what he
did. What was his purpose? Why did he lurk in the darkness eating souls?
He had no answer. He needed one.
Raziel wondered through the night aimlessly not caring at all where he was
going. In the back of his mind Raziel sensed a presence in the distance.
Intending to feed again he followed it. Traveling as fast as he could
Raziel came closer to the presence. As he got closer however he noticed
something, this presence was different. Every victim he ever had seemed to
be waiting for death, wanting it to come, this victim felt as if he were
waiting for him, not for death. Raziel came upon a small cottage in the
middle of the dark forest. The presence was in it. Moving closer he
noticed there were no candles lit, no lanterns hanging in the windows.
Raziel kicked down the door and entered the dark cottage. To his right was
a fireplace made of many stones stacked and mortared in place. There was a
doorway on the left, but nothing else in the cottage. It looked abandoned
yet his sense told him the presence should be right in front of him.
Raziel went into the room on his left, there he found a man. The man wore
a dark cloak which he held tightly around him. Raziel brought forth his
ghost like wraith blade intending to dispatch the man quickly. He walked
closer and met the man's gaze, when he did he stopped. Images flooded
Raziel's head, images of a man, his wife, and his two children. The family
was sitting around the fireplace exchanging stories. Suddenly the door
burst open and a dark figure entered. Before anyone could move the dark
man rushed the family breaking both the children's necks and impaling the
wife through the heart with his sword. The dark man stood staring at the
husband. The husband screamed in rage and ran at the dark man with a
dagger in hand. The husband attacked the dark man furiously, but no matter
how fast or strongly he attacked every blow was easily parried. 'Such
rage.' the dark man said demonicly, 'And for what? These three mortals?
They are hardly worth it.' With that the husband attacked again with more
ferocity. The dark figure again easily parried every blow. This time
however he dodged around the husband and ran his sword through the
husband's shoulder pinning him to the wall. 'I have chosen you.' the dark
figure whispered evilly into the husband's ear, 'You will be my servant.
You will wander the world killing people, stealing their souls, thus
adding to my power. I am the Great Lord of the Dark. You will forever from
this day forth be my Soul Reaver.' The husband's eyes widened in horror as
the dark figure took out the midnight black dagger and ran it across the
husband's throat letting his blood spill to the floor. Walking away the
dark man cackled 'Rise Raziel, my Soul Reaver.'
Raziel stood staring at the man across the room his ghostly wraith blade
still drawn. 'Who are you?' Raziel asked. The man stood and said, 'I am
Leontes, Head Priest for the Great God Ra.'
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The Story of the Prince
Jacelis walked along the endless corridors of the castle. He did not like
this place. Jacelis knew what happened in this place, he was there.
Jacelis shivered remembering that day so long ago. Jacelis had been prince
at that time. He had been Jacelis Del Actnor, Prince of Melnorne. The
images of that horrible day hit him like a ton of bricks. Jacelis fell to
the ground. A dream state quickly hit him.
The prince woke and sat up, looking for his staff. He quickly got out of
bed and looked out the small window. He fell to his knees. The sight had
been bad. The city had been stormed and now his soldiers only had the
castle. The town and everyone in it had been destroyed. Jacelis growled
with anger and stood and dressed.
He made his way out of the room and down to the castle gates. There the
rest of the knights of Melnorne in their shinning armor stood waiting for
the final siege, the siege of the castle. 'Are we ready?' Jacelis asked
raged. Before the senior officer could answer, there came a loud drumming.
The Matiea made their way slowly to the gates, battering ram ready.
'Are we ready to die?! Remember if we live through this we shall be
legends!' Jacelis screamed.
The Matiea rammed the gate. Determined to enter the rammed it again. The
gate burst open. The matiea charged through the gate to find death.
The knights of Melnorne fought to the last. The last knight was taken down
by four large Matiea warriors.
'I am sorry my lord, I could not be of much help.' with that the man fell
ot the ground dead.
Jacelis went into battle rage, tears flowing from his eyes. His staff
batting this way and that, scattering the warriors. Endbringer,
Shadowmage's staff began to glow brightly in Jacelis's hands. Flame burst
from the staff as Jacelis still fought. Many warriors were dead below
Jacelis's feet, and many were on fire screaming.
Jacelis Del Actnor, Prince of Melnorne fought honorably. His staff still
flaming. Men kept dying. Yet Jacelis lived and thrived. The Matiea
warriors were convinced that he was no man, but yet a god. They fled from
the castle. Leaving the horrible man to himself.
Jacelis woke shaking his head. Tears flowing from his eyes. 'That day will
live in my heart forever...'
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Who Watches The Watchers...?
Madame Decara nodded at Al-Suol, the two had been friends for many years.
She understood the importance and urgency involved for her friend to make
such a long trip. The group that accompanied her, a few random neighbors
and friends, seemed convinced as well that there was reason for the
urgency.
'We have seen him,' One man spoke, voice lowered. 'He was invisible and I
saw him come from the doors of the castle. I would not have seen him but I
had ingested the wrong vial of a handful the magi had given me.' Murmured
voices and nods abound.
'You were very lucky to have seen him-' the man's voice was cut off by
Fatima, Al-Suol's neighbor.
'It was not luck! It was fate! Things happen for a reason. He was seen
because Allah wished him to be found out!' Fatima sounded so sure. The
others watched her eyes meet Al-Suol's. The village elder agreed therefore
there is true reason for concern.
Decara quietly watched the others exchange words. It was her turn to
speak.
'Al-Suol, old friend, tell me what you wish of me,' She rested on a nearby
chair.
A gasp and the sound of crystal shattering caused all to turn. Glancing
around the corner was a face familiar to them. They had seen the face
shop, bring sweets and toys for the poorer neighbor children, walk about
exploratively, talk with the neighbors and passersby's as if such was
commonplace. but to them it was not, it was something they were not yet
accustomed to. Because of this, few had spoken to her or ever approached
her on their own. They waited until she spoke first. The same face was now
looking in to the room where all of them stood.
Al-Suol turned to Decara, 'Will it be claimed this is luck too, my friend?
Or is this an act of fate? Will you understand how we need your help?' She
turned to the woman whose drink spilt, 'Do not stare, you will scare her
off!'.
The face already looked embarrassed, the hood of her cloak being pulled
over her head as she pulled back from the room.
'Why is the Queen here? And no husband or companion? This is dangerous for
her, does she not know?'
'No.. She does not. I think your Queen came by way of her soul, not her
mind. She looks to be here for rest.' Madame Decara seemed thoughtful.
'Where she is, he shall be.' Al-Suol looked upset.
'The husband?'
'No, the stranger.'
They all looked towards the hall.
'We are ready to help or we would not have come such a long way.' Ali
looked at Decara, 'Are you ready to help as well?'
The Agrabah elder stared into the hall wordlessly. A guard's keys jingled
as he crossed the hall. She realized what else seemed off.
'Where is the Salamander? She never goes without him!' The weight of the
situation was growing heavier on Decara, she did not see the creature with
the Queen. 'He likes to come to take the keys from the guards. He always
enjoys those. She did not bring him??'
Al-Suol nodded, 'Gone. Missing. As is Ashimar. You remember Ashimar from
when he lived here? And Raewyn, the Sultan's harem wife who lived
upstairs? All are gone, disappeared from the Kingdom. Even her husband the
King. I fear for the girl's safety, she is all alone. The Bard is gone,
the companion- the woman with the blonde hair? Gone! The doctor, the sidhe
woman with the red hair, her husband, even the blacksmith. ALL gone! And
yes, even the salamander. I see her walking the streets with a dragon
tooth, for hours on end, rubbing it with her thumb. She is listless, I
think maybe even ill.'
'With child?'
'No, I do not think so.. The one she tends to keeps her busy enough and
the husband has not been home. She sits in the castle. Sometimes we can
see her at the top of the turret staring down.'
'And the stranger?'
'He is everywhere she is. She can not see him. And as all others
disappear, only he is left.'
Decara's brow furrowed as she rose from her chair. A dragon's tooth...
What relevance has this? Dragon's tooth. Dragon's tooth. Fire? Immolation?
Power? Is this a spell item? She wondered if maybe it was cursed?
'What we wish of you...' answered Al-Suol, 'Is guidance. We do not know
how to help her and you may know her better, perhaps you know something we
do not.'
Al-Suol rested Decara's hands in her own, the two elders staring at each
other in silence.
'The ball.. The cards.. They show a great many things, do they not?' The
two women shared the same 'gifts' and magical abilities, this is what
Al-Suol was to touch upon with her friend. Decara nodded in agreement.
'They now show a great deal of struggle and harm to come if we do not help
them, old friend.' With these words she drew her dagger across her hand,
droplets of blood forming.
Decara understood the symbolism. A pact to work together to save them. No
matter what the cost. She watched the blood in Al-Suol's hand form into
drops and start to drip from the edge of her hand. The mosul elder's gaze
remained fixed on Madame Decara.
She drew her knife and before anyone realized, drew it across her palm,
resting her bloodied hand in that of her friends. The pact was sealed. Now
the plotting would begin. The other breathed a deep breath as if they had
been awaiting the decision.
'Time is growing short?'
'Yes, time is of the essence.'
'Let us go to my chambers, we will read the cards and see where things
stand. And we will get the Queen help. Come, quickly!'
The group stood, more determined than ever, and followed Decara to her
den. With them was another person who had slipped into the group. One who
had much interest in what was going on.
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