Ilyena sat in the same place, the same hill like she

did every night with Lews. Only, Lews wasn't there 

for three nights in a row. Ilyena became worried

as to where he could be. Danger? Attacked and hurt

badly in the clan? many things raced through her mind

at the same time. Made her confused, made her want to 

cry, but she didn't. The sun dipped down into the sky

and the moon crawled into it's place replacing the sun.

Laying back against the large weeping willow tree, she

heard some rustling in the leaves, but thought it to 

just be an animal. She was wrong for when she stood, 

she felt a warm embrace from behind and smiled. "Lews, 

Where were you? I was getting worried.." Lews nodded

sitting down beside Ilyena. "I was getting some things

packed to leave, I am going off to travel and I don't

know when I will be back." Ilyena sighed. "Why are you 

leaving? Where will you go?" Lews shrugged and took

Ilyena's hand in his. "I want you to come with me, 

to come adventure away from the kingdom with me."

Shaking her head Ilyena sighed again, this time

deeper feeling sorry for herself " I wont go, I am 

going to the clan of Shalonesti soon, and I don't

want to leave my parents, not now." Standing Lews

nodded and lifted Ilyena to her feet. "I don't know

if I will be back, But I want you to wait for me and

we will get married when  do return to the vallenwoods."

Kissing her deeply and holding her in his arms. 

Waking the next morning, Ilyena found herself alone in 

her bedroom of the palace. Lews must have left during

the night after she fell asleep. Sighing, Ilyena began

to pack her items for her trip to the vallenwoods. This

day would be the hardest, the one more alone. Shoving

all her belongings into her backpack, Ilyena left behind

her new found childhood, one with a happiness she couldn't

even explain. Meeting Savanah and king Terri was the best

thing she could ask for. Them taking her in and making her

their daughter, a Shalonost. A name she would have to try 

and keep in well and high respect. Standing before the 

Vallenwoods, she was greeted by her Aunt, Pythia Shalonost.

Pythia took her into the vallenwoods and call for someone

to give her a tour. The vallenwoods was beautiful and 

Ilyena knew she would find a home, a new found peace here. 

Months passed and Ilyena waited for Lews hoping he would

come up behind her and take her into a warm embrace. She

knew she would never feel his embrace, or feel his kiss 

again. Sitting at Lhedr-Eowyl Pond, Ilyena tried to get

her mind off Lews, and try to move on since he wasn't

going to come back at all. Ilyena decided that it was

time to take off the engagment ring and move on with her

life. She couldn't watch the other elves in love, holding

and hugging eachother. Their kisses they shared, the 

embraces they did. The night of the battle Royale, Ilyena

sat at Lhedr-Eowyl Pond and watched all the elves hurry 

around getting ready to fight. She saw this one elf, a

bladesinger walk past her with a smile. She smiled back 

but he had already walked out of sight. The fighting had

began, and everything was going alright, until the groups

facing Shalonesti became too big for them and the elves

starting dying fast. 

Walking through the hall of moons, Ilyena saw the same

bladesinger sitting at the fountain, looking upset with

himself. She smiled and created a rose with her magic 

and blessed it with Taliena's love and special care. 

Smiling, she leaned over and handed the rose to him 

and kissed his cheek lightly. "I hope this cheers you

up a little, its not much but its beautiful" She said

smiling and sitting down beside him. The bladesinger 

nodded and placed the rose into his pocket. "My name

is Ilyena Shalonost, daughter of King Terri and Queen

Savanah Shalonost" Ilyena said shaking the elf's hand. 

The bladesinger nodded and shook her hand. "And mine is

Davion Harpsilver, a pleasure to meet you Ilyena Shalonost"

Smiling, Ilyena stood and dusted herself off. "I better be

going, Llyowyn wanted to see me, there is alot of people

in his room. Maybe you should join us, it's alot of fun"

Walking off, Davion just smiled and twirled the rose.

Sitting on Llyowyn's room Ilyena watched and listend to

all the stories that were being told. All the stories 

about the dwarves, and the battles people have been through

with them. It was quite a night to listen to them all, but 

also a sad night for the elves were defeated in the Battle 

royal by the Speaker's husband, Seal Breingiton had attacked

and killed Pythia, and the other elves. That is what had upset

the bladesinger, Davion so much. Hearing a knock at the door, 

Ilyena stood up and opened it looking around. There wasn't 

anyone there at all and then behind her was Davion with a 

beautiful pink rose in her hand. "This is for you m'lady" he

said with a smile. Ilyena took the rose and sewed it into her 

hair making sure it wouldn't fall.

Stories, songs and laughter was shared all night long. Smiles

were beamed around the room so many times that one would become

blind if entering the room. Davion had been playing with his 

harp and singing soft tunes. He tried to sing about the defeat

they suffered in the Battle Royal, but was stopped by silly jokes. 

Ilyena found herself staring over at Davion when he wasn't looking

and looking away when he was. Their eyes locked once when they 

looked at the same time, blushing Ilyena turned away. She was

begining to like Davion, He made her smile alot. The coming 

weeks, there was still no sign of Lews, and Davion became a 

closer part to Ilyena's heart. While sitting at Lhedr-Eowyl Pond,

Ilyena was looking through her backpack to find the Windsong

ring Lews had given her. Instead, Ilyena found a letter wrapped

in a fine silk scarf. Lifting the scarf off the letter, and 

unfolding it slowly, her face lit up as she read it. 

{gMy Dearest Ilyena, 

Your vibrancy and life fills me with a love

I cannot deny. Your hair is soft and gentle, 

like the gentle wind coursing over a brilliant

meadow of soft grass. Your eyes, deep pools of 

mystery which draw me within, ever soulful and

at peace. I am lost without you, a swordless

warrior in a hostile wasteland. 

would that you would share this life, that we

may grant eachother happiness in this world of 

chaos. {x

Davion "{DH{xa{Dr{xp{Ds{xi{Dl{xv{xe{Dr{x" Shalonesti

Ilyena carefully wrapped the letter back into the scarf

and walked into the field of song where all the elves

in training to be bladesingers, and all the bladesingers

were standing around and practicing. Ilyena scanned around

for Davion, and atlast saw him standing with his sword to 

his side with a smile looking at her. She rushed into his

arms and embraced him tightly. He looked at her, and then

kissed her deeply. Ilyena felt so warm inside and kissed

him back. A long passionate kiss that never seemed to have

an end to it at all. She stayed in his embrace for a little,

then they walked to the pond and rested. "I didn't know how

you felt Davion," Davion smiled and held her hand in his. "I

wont leave you like Lews left you, I wont hurt you ever and

I will try my hardest to make you the happiest ever Ilyena"

With those words, Ilyena kissed him again and curled into 

his arms. "Taliena bless us.." she whispered. Davion just

nodded and held her tighter. "Taliena did bless me with you"

Dipping her feet into the pond, Davion massaged

her shoulders softly. Ilyena sunk back into his 

arms and entwined her fingers with his. "I do 

love you with all my heart Davion" she whispered

closing her eyes. Davion kissed her forhead. "I

love you too" he whispered into her ear. Lhedr-Eowyl 

Pond was a most relaxing place, and was almost always

quiet. The Field of Song was always full of people 

practicing their weaponry, and the Tower of the Sun

was full of rooms that didn't belong to either of 

them at all. Ilyena loved being in Shalonesti, it

made her feel at home and loved. Her fighting skills

became better each day as she practiced so she could

soon fight side by side with Davion. Cuddling into

Davion's arms, Ilyena sighed with happiness for she

felt whole now. He was the one she needed to fill 

her life. The one missing half that made her whole.

Made her life so much easier, and to feel, give love.

Taliena shined down upon the two elves holding eachother

so tightly. "They will be happy together" she said as

a flow of flower petals flew through the pond with a

soft breeze and circled around the two lovers. They

had found eachother, the thing they both needed in 

their lives..Love..

The night was cold and there wasn t enough blanket for Ilyena. Davion 

Kept hogging it on his side. Sighing she stood and wrapped her robe

Around herself walking out of their room. Staring around the vallenwoods

She sighed thinking about her past life. Terri and Savanah seemed to have

Disappeared into nothing, the kingdom of Shalonesti dying each day. The

Marauders taking of kingdoms, Ilyena knew Shalonesti was next. But how

Could she defend it? She couldn t. She knew the risks of being in their war, 

She would surely die and break Davion s heart with her death. With Lews s death, it was hard for Ilyena but not as hard as it would have been months ago

Before he left her. Tears still filled her eyes as she watched him plunge the

Sword into his chest and fall into her arms. She cried when she buried the 

Azaela branches into his grave, and sat there for hours until the sun went down. 

She felt somewhat safe though with Davion near, with Davion in her heart. He

Protected her against everything he could. He held her tightly that night and

They spend the night within eachothers arms. Waking up next to him was nice

For her aswell. She felt at home and safe each sunrise when he was there. Sometimes he wasn t there, but Ilyena knew he would be safe. Probably fighting

With the other elves during the night. 

Feeling the cold breeze blow against herself, she walked back into the bedroom 

Closing the door behind her. Flopping back into the rocking chair, Ilyena stared at

Davion sleeping in the bed. He had a smile on his face, a beautiful smile she always loved seeing. Makes her feel so warm inside when he had it on his face. They had sat in their room one afternoon when everything was quiet around the clan. Finally had time alone to hold eachother and talk long hours of the day. Ilyena sat up against the back of the bed in the feather pillows, while Davion layed on his side on the bottom of the bed tickling her feet once and awhile. They talked about old memories and their lives, their families, the sad times they had and the happiness they would have in the future. She stared at his eyes, she stared at his smile, she loved them both.  She loved him, and he loved her. That is the best thing about Taliena s blessing, love, everlasting. 

Ilyena watched carefully as the blossoms of the beautiful vivaldi roses began to bloom. Keeping her hands pressed upon the soil where it was planted, Ilyena focused all her thoughts. -Welcome her into your heart- a voice began to whisper. -Take her into your mind and soul Ilyena Shalonost-  A soft breeze blews around her as she slowly lifted her hands. The Vivaldi rose bush now blossomed fully with  a beautiful pink flower.  Leaning back onto the ground, crossing her legs, Ilyena clasped her hands together in prayer..

 Taliena, please forgive me for I must continue with the ways of nature. You saw that rose busy bloom. It felt me Taliena and I felt her, I felt Zandreya within me. Please do not hate me for what I must do 

Ilyena sighed and opened her eyes to see a tall beautiful woman with

flowing platinum hair and deep, caressing blue eyes in a flowing white gown. 

The woman held out her hand for Ilyena to take. Holding her hand, Ilyena rose slowly to stand staring deep into the blue eyes that stared at her. 

 My child, you truly believe that I would hate thee for following your heart s desire? I helped you in your times of need all your life, I help you now. When you felt like you couldn t go on to walk another footstep, I carried you in my arms until you felt you were strong again. Do not think I would abandon you now, or ever young Ilyena. I am always with you, I will always be with you.   Taliena smiled and took Ilyena in a warm embrace.  I will be with you no matter what happens. Now follow your heart and do what you must do, become who you must become 

Looking to her right, then back to Ilyena, Taliena kissed her forehead.  go to her, she is waiting 

Ilyena let go of Taliena s hand and walked over to a beautiful woman, almost matched in beauty of Taliena, dressed in a thick green robe with a crown of flowers in her hair. Zandreya opened her arms welcoming Ilyena to them happily. 

Ilyena: The Search Begins...

To: All Davion Shalonesti Seylence Beraal Charrity

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Placing her belongings into her backpack, Ilyena glanced about the room,

making sure she did not forget anything.  Walking towards the fireplace,

Ilyena picked up a painting of her and Davion together and slipped it into

her backpack.  "I will find you, I know I will".  The room seemed so empty

to her, the coals in the fireplace have been cold for a long time, and the

room didn't radiate the feeling of love like it used to.  Something was

wrong, and Ilyena knew that finding Davion was the only way to make things

seem right again.  

Walking from the house, she pulled her cloak around her neck.  The sun had

not yet risen, and the weather was very cold.  All the animals were

sleeping, and there was only the noise of the leaves blowing as the wind

flew around.  This would be a long journey, and as she walked from the

forest, Ilyena began to realize that she may never find what she is looking

for.  It had been a long time since she felt Taliena's warm embrace around

her, and it has been even longer since she had felt Davion's.  Miles away

from the Vallenwood, Ilyena rested upon a hill to watch everything come to

life.  The sun coming up over the other hills and waking up the world around

her.  The animals scattering around, starting their daily life and in her

mind, all she could think about, was getting hers back in order.  

------

Mon Oct  6 06:25:30 1997

To: all

Leaving the village, Tuefry pondered on what he had thought.  For days, he

stood in the place where he had come and tortured Mero, finally stealing his

mortal body and destroying his immortal soul.  For days, without food or

drink, he sat there and thought.

Travelling away from the Great Forest, he began his personal lessons.  This

consisted of ripping out his own limbs, and reattaching them.  Out of all

the teachers in this world, mortal and immortal, pain was still the best of

them.

After the long journey, he arrived in Arkane.  There was a messanger there

with a letter and some news.  Sapphire had written the letter, it informed him

that Christopher was ailing.  Damnnation.  If only I were a cleric...

Also informed were the cowardly ways of Wargar and Malice.  Ironic, that he

had been the first to set their alliance together.  Well, they were fools, and

they would die, even the few that he still respected in Malice.

More strange news.  Myra had left??  For our camp??  Unbelievable.  And

Tuefry didn't.  In fact, a few threats and the messanger begged him, and told him it was true.

Dismissing him, Tuefry found a shallow grave and rose them up from the dead.

The rotted corpse talked to him of what the Dead knew of recent going ons.

Astounding.  Even Eclipse was acting cowardly.  It was time they had a lesson

from the best of teachers.

He also heard more of Khisanth.  He remembered her.  When he was in dae'Tok the

first time, her monk order had taken a small visit at court.  However, she

had sensed his presence.  And the second time, she was close enough to see.

He knew her to be one whom he could trust.  Her mind was open like a book.

Arriving at the Campfire of the Gypsies, he wrote a letter to them all, stating

that there would be no more Blues for a time.  It was time for some deep

consideration.  He had, after all, to think of what would be in the best

interests of himself, Sapphire, and Christopher.  He was considering rule of

New Thalos.

[128] Tuefry: ...

Wed Oct 15 19:29:27 1997

To: all

It was long enough.

Beliefs gone, and love lost.

It was time.

None would take the gift/curse of the Horned One's memories.  Three tries,

three denials.  It will die with me.

I walk to my final resting place.  Alone.

Tuefry BlackHeart, the Unbeliever.

[182] Tuefry: Snickerings.

Thu Oct 23 18:58:40 1997

To: all

The cold corpse sat there on the ground before the colossal tree.

*Blink*

Slowly at first, it started to move.  It lost its deathlike pallor.

Pulling his blue robes together, the man began to snicker to himself.  This

time, he would find out what people thought.

Fading into the shadows, the snickering and chuckling could barely be 

contained.

It is amazing how fickle a power, such as feign death, can fool an entire

world.

He watched Steel break his Oaths and laugh to himself.  Did Steel not know

that Nadrik was watching him?  Soon even the cityguards would attack him

on sight.  Why, if such a holy man cannot even keep a vow to a heretic, what

would stop him from breaking his word to the faithful?

He watched Eclipse try to break his wife, to marry Smog.  He saw his own

wife's faithfulness.  He saw the monk willing to tear out throats to get

him back.

He saw many ridicule his wife, and yet still, she was faithful.  She was truely

the most wonderful wife in the land.  She was a rose among the thorns compared

to the other women.

Chuckling to himself, he faded into existance, in the midst of Althainia, and

watched the rumours fly, chuckling all the way to the new Temple.

[188] Tuefry: Storyquest

Sat Oct 25 18:45:55 1997

To: all

Creeping ever so carefully, the thief crept closer to the Temple.  He was

sweating buckets.  It wasn't the easiest thing.  In fact, he would have

thought anyone else mad to do this.  Spying on Master BlackHeart.  He almost

spit at the name.  He would have, if he were a member of the assassin's guild.

Master BlackHeart had taken many of their assignments upon himself, thereby

making contracts harder to find, and even harder to keep.  He shivered to

think what would happen to him if he were caught by the blue robed one.

Getting closer to the secretive Temple of the Brotherhood, he spotted a

window very conveniently left open.  What luck!  Now he wouldn't have to sneak

around inside.  It was a temple of heretics, and he wouldn't want Devion

looking down at him there.  It was said that Devion even liked the necromancer,

however, he didn't want to take any chances.

Getting close to the window, he heard a commanding voice speaking.

"Then the time has come.  What is to be done will be done.  It may come as

a shock to many, but time passed is time for change."

"This will be a bit steep, Tuefry.  You can't expect to believe people would

think you would drop your hatreds, from blood feuds to those who annoy you.

"What will happen, will happen.  This is not the time for petty bickering.

I have always had those loyal to me."  A chuckle.  "Even my enemies

respect me.  Many of them would follow if I asked.  And now, numbers are

power."

"True, true.  But to open peace with all?  Is this not a large task?"

"They will unite.  Most of them anyhow.  Change must come.  The personal

gain to all will be rich.  Knowledge, power, and wealth.  Usually one of those

tends to appeal to people."

"This could break our entire world, you know that."

"I know the risks.  I knew for awhile now.  But it must come to pass, at

all costs."  A pause.  "Send the messangers out to the clans, and the

kingdoms."  Another pause.  "And send someone to the Vale.  Find what

of the dragonkind are left.  You had best send someone very humble and

diplomatic.  Or they'll get eaten."  A chuckle.  "And, as a final touch.

Go to the priests in every temple in the land.  Bring an offering appropriate

to whatever temple you send someone to.  Tell them the heretic sends these,

as gifts to the Gods.  Inform them as soon as possible, I will travel to each

A gasp.  "As you command, Tuefry."  A door closes, and someone is heard

walking away on the far side of the building.

The thief thought things through.  This was madness!  The heretic going to

pay his respects to Gods?  Messages of peace?  Breaking of the world?  The

necromancer must have gone mad.

The thief started to sneak away from the Temple.  Walking within shelter

of the shadows, he began to return to the Thieves' Guild.

Then, the shadows themselves reached out and stopped him.

"What I said aloud, you were meant to hear.  Or I would have killed you

when you tripped off the 5 wards of detection surrounding the Temple.  Go to

your employer and tell him what you have heard.  Tell everyone."  A chuckle.

A blue robed man materializes out of the shadows, and walks inside the Temple.

[189] Tuefry: Storyquest

Sat Oct 25 20:37:05 1997

To: all

The blue robed necromancer was out for a stroll in the city of his love, New

Thalos.  Keeping to the shadows of course, the guards were loyal to Sapphire,

but with the network of crime reports, he was considered a criminal.

Hearing shouts, he walked over to the butcher's.  It sounded like quite a

heated debate.

"I don't care if people want it, stop selling it!"  A loud snort is heard.

"I don't care.  You shouldn't even be here.  You should be at your rackety

little castle.  Guard!"

Walking in, he saw a large black minotaur, with firey red eyes, attacking

one of the Royal Guards.  It was Zarathos of Malice.

Zarathos charged at the guard, and disemboweled the guard, spattering him

against the wall.  Pulling out a dagger which gleamed like silver, the minotaur

kissed the blade, and began cutting out the guard's heart.  Pulling the

fleshy mass clear from the corpse, he tossed it onto the counter, and said,

"There, sell that.  Its more appropriate than selling cow meat.  There should

be a shop that sells monkey meat, then you will see what I mean!"

Seeing this sight, the butcher fained dead away.

The blue robed necromancer appeared from the shadows, and tapped the black

minotaur on the back.  The minotaur almost jumped right out of his skin.

Two marks in the ceiling appeared where the minotaur's horns hit.  Whirling

around, the minotaur prepared to throw his dagger into this unseen surprise.

Then a look of recognition passed over his face.

"Master BlackHeart!  It has been so long!"

"Yes Zarathos.  It is good to see that you are back to our world.  The curse

put upon you by the Gods is gone.  They could not stop what is to be."

The minotaur looked at him with a very puzzled look.  Which is quite a comical

face appearing on a minotaur.  The necromancer chuckled and said, "Come."

Hours passed as the duo travelled westward, skirting around the sides of

Althainia.  They travelled further until they came to a mighty colossal tree.

"You will watch me minotaur.  You will nail me to the tree.  In the wrists

and in the ankles.  You will keep watch.  The sun will rise when you start,

and you will take the nails out during sunset of the third day.  You will

not take them out any sooner.  No matter how I scream.  But you will keep

hounds away with nothing but your hands and your horns."

[190] Tuefry: Storyquest.

Sat Oct 25 20:42:50 1997

To: all

The jet black minotaur had an overwhelming urge to hit his former mentor

over the head and drag him to a healer.  Surely this must be some mental

sickness?  But the look on the necromancer's face made him comply.

====

Pain.  Agony.  Tear.  Gnash.  Scream.  Cough.  Agony.  Pain.

====

At the appointed time, the minotaur took his former master down from the tree.

Then, a howling.  Huge hounds appeared from the very shadows themselves, with

foam at their mouth and fire at their eyes.  Zarathos danced around them

gracefully, something most minotaur could not accomplish.  He charged and

gored, he tore heads off, he smashed their faces with his bare hands.

Yet they got up and kept coming.  Even the headless ones.  He fought them

until dawn.  Extremely fatiged, he looked at the man in the blue robes, who

appeared to have gained his strength.

The necromancer smiled at him, then smacked the side of his head with a

crackling staff.  Everything went black.

[191] Tuefry: Storyquest.

Sat Oct 25 20:49:29 1997

To: all

The minotaur was punched awake by his own pain.  Screaming, he looked around

with bloodshot vision.  There was the necromancer, sitting placidly watching.

Pain screamed from everywhere.  Even though he was only punctured in the

wrists and ankles.  It screamed from his head, from his heart, from his very

soul.  Despite the fact it was the most gruelling pain he'd ever felt in his

life, he refused to black out.

The third day approached.  He was raving mad when the necromancer pulled out

the nails.  He fell to the ground and blacked out.

Waking in a stone chamber, the minotaur looked around.  He saw the necromancer

staring at him.  Zarathos smiled and nodded.  He knew now.

One day, the Horned God's memories will be refused thrice.  The fourth will

be in a shape pleasing to him, black with horns.  The passage will not be as

normal.  The last bearer will not be consumed by the dogs.  This will be

the true incarnation of the Horned God.

The Horned God will break families apart, yet unite the world.  He will

bring the very coming of the end of the world as we know it.  The ground will

be torn asunder and the very heavens themselves will shake in fear.  His

destiny will be to affect the way things are, and the ways they will change.

[214] Tuefry: The Fireside chat.

Wed Oct 29 23:38:29 1997

To: all

The necromancer looked upon his Oath Brother, who rubbed at his hand.

There it was, Sevarris' mark.  How little the monk knew.

Seeing the look in Blake's eyes, Tuefry uttered a few words before leaving

the monk alone.  Shadowform.

He felt the pulling then.  The sweet feeling of actually *being* a shadow.

The whole world was different when one melded to the Shadow Plane.  As he

walked away, he felt the sweet pulling at him, telling him to stay, stay

here forever, and forget the material world.  Being trained by Conclave, he

was disciplined to keep it at bay.  This is why the only necromancers seen

were either in Conclave or from Conclave.  Those learning the "dark art"

on their own either went mad, or were lost to things like the Shadow Plane.

However, something nagged on his mind much more.  He thought of Blake and

sighed with envy.  His Oath Brother had many things that the necromancer

wanted.

Peace.  Even though much plagued Blake's world, he was closer to peace than

himself.  In fact, Blake was probably the only person, that close to peace.

Chuckling to himself, the necromancer thought of how much a hypocrite he was.

Speaking up against retiring, and for death.  Things he wanted to give up

himself.  Oh, but to just leave this world of fighting, and join his wife

and son.

Sapphire, the jewel.  She captured his heart on the first day.  She had him

webbed to the spot, better than any invoker could.  He still remembered that

first time he looked into her eyes, and felt something he never felt in his

life before.

And his son, Christopher.  It weighed heavily at his heart that he had missed

so many years of Christopher's life.  But his son was back now.  And doing

so well!  He brought so much pride to Tuefry, a pride he had never felt before.

Letting his thoughts go for a moment, he came to the Temple.  He placed a

single white rose at the place he did every day.  For Sevarris.  Then,

pulling at the well-hidden lever, walked through the secret door into

his stone chamber.  Sapphire still lay sleeping on the bed.  From the folds

of his dark blue cloak, he pulled out 12 fresh roses and left them at her feet.

Leaving her with a kiss on the cheek, he left to the Palace, sneaking about

the guards to give more magickal instruction to his son, Christopher.

[225] Tuefry: Tuefry's Ponderings.

Fri Oct 31 05:33:33 1997

To: all

She would not be pleased.

No, not at all.

In his time, the necromancer had been leader of Malice itself, and waged many

wars in all the clans he had been to and seen.  His battle had taken him to

strange places, even different planes of existance, against the most ferocios

and powerful beings ever known.

And he would rather have to face all of those foes, put together, than face

the verbal beating Sapphire would put on him this eve.  She had warned him

constantly to be one with the Shadow when he walked the streets of New Thalos,

and only at night.

It wasn't that he wasn't shadowformed.  That would make her slightly mad.

Or the fact that it was daytime.  He could handle that.

But walking into that procession of 30 guards with the parade would definitely

make her mad.

Sighing, he wiped the mix of the guard's blood and his own off his face.

He glanced around, and said the words.  Shadowform.

Sweet Darkness.  Sweet Nothingness.  Stay Forever.  Stay.  Stay, stay,

staystaystaystaystaystayNO.  Conclave training kicking in, as per 

susual.

The world of Shadow was definitely one of darkness.  It wasn't evil.  Or good.

It simply was.  Was.  Was alluring, captivating, like a spider's web to a fly.

Or more precisely, like a flame to a moth.

Sweet darkness.  staysweetsurrendersweetstaysurrender NO NO NO.  Sometimes

it almost drove him mad.  If it weren't for his wife and child, he would have

left this world long ago.

Not wanting to endure this, he decided quickly that he should leave the city

for awhile, and spend some time outside the gates.  Rushing over, he almost

interrupted a funeral procession.

[226] Tuefry: Tuefry's Ponderings, pt 2.

Fri Oct 31 06:24:00 1997

To: all

Interesting.  Although the necromancer had studied many different rites of the

dead for different cultures, he seldom had seen a funeral.  People didn't seem

to like a necromancer near their dearly departed.  Something about desecration

or some silly thing like that.  What is wrong with using something that

someone else doesn't have a need for anymore?  Waste not, want not.

Slipping off his robe, he pulled a shirt and trousers out of one of the folds.

He wanted to be invisible, yet visible, and this would do just the trick.

Putting the robe into a small backpack, he made his way along with the

procession.

He watched with mild interest, at the things that were said, and the things

that were done.  The tears, he understood completely; if someone close to him

had died, he would be given to upset as well.

Then, people began to walk to the box they placed the deceased in, and they

began to weep and cry even harder.  Tuefry watched them all.

When they were done, he took it upon himself to walk over, and see for himself,

what a great person would cause so much heartache in these people.  Trying

to avoid walking with the usual "stalkingness" he had, he paced over towards

the coffin and looked.

.

A girl.  A little girl, with blond hair flowing slightly past her shoulders.

With an innocent face, peaceful and quiet in the wrap of death.

He backed away; an understatement actually.  He reeled away as though an

invisible force punched him.  An invisible force it was, one that even touched

a necromancer.  Compassion.  Tears rolled down from his eyes.  Choking with

his sadness, he had to do something.

Ripping his robe out of his backpack, he threw it about himself.  Madness.

Even though he was the husband of the Sultana, he was a wanted man, and a

necromancer, no less.  But none dared actually attack him; to do so would not

only be foolish, but make more funerals that day.

He steeled his eyes towards the soft visage of the dead girl, and muttered just

two words.  Aiuwahz oculoae.

The body twitched.  Then a small moan came from her lips.  A gasp from the

the mourners.

She looked up at Tuefry with glassy, soulless eyes, and said in quite a raspy

voice, "Your Command, Massster?"

A woman from the crowd launched herself at Tuefry, and began to pummel his

chest with her fists, screaming, "You bastard!!  You damned bastard!"

Taken aback, the necromancer said, "But your daughter, I brought her back!

You have your child back, and you can be happy again."

The woman spat in his face and said, "You heartless bastard!  Its her body,

but it has no soul!"

Stunned, he knew she was right.  Tears began to stream down his face.  He

broke the binding, and the corpse dropped back, crumbling into dust, which

caused even more anguish.  The crowd began to hurl stones at him, and the woman

dropped to the ground, sobs bursting forth uncontrollably.

Shadowform.  Sweet darkness.  Cool, sweet nothingness for eternity...

[227] Tuefry: Tuefry's Ponderings, pt 3.

Fri Oct 31 07:00:37 1997

To: all

Running blindly, the Shadows did not seem to continue their mad ramblings to

him.  He ran madly, just anywhere, to get away from everyone, everything.

Reaching the Dragon Sea, he flew over it as a dark blur.  A fisherman screamed

that he had saw Death Himself, and He had a touch of Blue on His cloak.

Finally, he stopped out of weariness.  He rested against a tree and looked in

the sky.  The night was still new.  He could sleep in the Shadow and not

be seen.  A haunted sleep where it would tear at his mind, but his body would

be safe.

*poke*

Jumping up in a flash, Tuefry was ready to switch positions, and put his

opponent for a long nap.  What he saw was Bystrick.

"How did you know I was there?" Tuefry gasped, still surprised.

Bystrick snickered.  "The grass was bent ever so slightly in the shape

of a man.  And why would any Necro from the Tower be doing this far away

from his home?  It had to be you."

"True.  I will have to be more careful."  Tuefry sighed, and sat on the

ground.  He was unsure how to continue, or if to continue, their conversation.

Bystrick and he had been on shaky ground.

"Brother, you appear troubled, what is wrong?"  That solved matters.  It

had been quite long since Bystrick had called him that.  So, he proceeded to

tell him what happenned.

"A grievious tale.  I see your good intentions though.  But there was 

nothing you could have done."  He reached out and grabbed Tuefry's 

shoulder reassuringly.

However, Tuefry was too lost in his thoughts to notice it.  "Am I part of

this world only to destroy it?  Can I never create?  Can I never make people

happy?"

The druid looked at him as though he were going to say something, and then

stopped.  Instead, he grabbed the necro's shoulder again, and smiled.

Knowing the druid as he did, he knew exactly what Bystrick's thought was.

He looked at his hand, and hoped one day, he would bear Sevarris' mark.

Maybe one day he'd find peace.

[269] Tuefry: Tuefry's ponderings, pt 3.

Wed Nov  5 05:17:23 1997

To: all

Sweet darkness.  Sweet dreams.  Stay.  Embrace.  Stay.  Breathe sweetness

Dispelling the thoughts of Shadow from his mind, Tuefry looked at his grey

surroundings.  Finding Blake was always hard to do.  However, he looked up

into the night sky, and with the trained eye of a Black Mage, sighted his moon

which was full.  Perfect.  No need to find the monk, let the magick find him

instead.

"Oahz Blake"  and a short lived portal.  Step through.

There are some sights that can scare a man to death.  For example, a very angry

dragon.  Or a God forming before them.  Or some wild magicks which none mortal

were meant to touch.  One of these things would be a dark shadow coming for you

through a gate.  On the other hand, it took quite a bit to surprise a monk.

Especially one that had seen as much as Blake.

"Ah, Oath Brother, I..." the monk managed to choke out before the

necromancer threw his arms around the monk.

Now, monks are bred to peace.  However, their own bare hands are lethal weapons

to be reckoned with, and they go hand in hand with a razor-sharp alertness.

Had it have been anyone else, they'd be in the air right about now, about

to connect with something quite immobile and quite unpleasant.  However,

even rarer than a monk's natural reactions to take place, is to see a monk

in shock.  And right here were both.

The monk looked at him, astonished, and said "Stay with me a time, Oath

Brother.  Stay and talk.  Tell me what is wrong.  If you need it, I'll have

Sapphire sent for.  Whatever it is that is bothering you, we will help you

through it."

[270] Sapphire: Journal Entry 

Wed Nov  5 05:25:10 1997

To: all 

Dear Journal, 

I have not seen Tuefry in days, weeks. He left me a dozen roses upon my bed

for me to find the next morn. I haven't had him hold me in his arms since then

I worry sometimes, that perhaps he drifts from me, from his family. It is 

only days until I shall deliver another child into this world. Hopefully not

alone. I called to Eilann, but I received no asnwer so far. My mother is busy

with Gypsy matters. Pythia, busy on a quest of her own. I don't know anyone

else who can perform this birthing. If no one can aid me, perhaps I shall do 

it alone. Christopher is doing better now, Taliena gave him his life and voice

back. And I had thought she had left me out in the cold.

I've felt someone within my study with me while I am alone, yet I pay no 

attention to it. It could be the wind, Or Tuefry.. I do not know. He is so 

secretive at times. And he wishes not to be seen so often. Even to me.

I have many things to do in the morning when I awake. I shall write more

later tomorrow night.

 Sapphire BlackHeart-Moir

********

Sapphire closed her jounral and tucked it safe within her desk drawer.

Blowing out the candles of the study, she reached over and shut the window

before leaving the room. Walking down the hall to her bedroom, she looked

into Christopher's chambers to see him fast asleep. Running her hand along

her stomach, she smiled and walked into her own chamber closing the door behind

herself. Crawling into her bed, and saying a small prayer to Taliena, Sapphire

fell into a soft sleep.

281] Tuefry: Tuefry's Ponderings -- Friendship thicker than war.

Sat Nov  8 01:32:47 1997

To: all

He looked down at this little apparition with wings, ready to blast her with

acid so hard, it would knock her clear to Arkane.

Then he stopped.  Memories flooded his mind.  She was a friend to Khisanth.

As well, she had connections to the Emperor.  Either reason would have suffied

to stop him, however, her being a friend of Khisanth was of more importance.

Even so, part of him hissed.  The part that he was, so long ago, before seizing

the body of the young man named Mero.  However, he could keep in control.

"Walk with me, amongst Shadow."

Walking amongst the sheer dark and grey, they walked.  The blue robed man

watched this little angel, walking along.  She was skipping to the tune of the

Shadows.

"Do that, and you'll die faster than I could kill you in your sleep."

Startled, she looked up at him.  Then she remembered what Conclave was

constantly trying to drive into her mind.  Ignore, dismiss, but never fall

to the songs, the sweet whisperings, of the Shadows.

"There were a few things that I learned, that the Clavists did not teach.

Needless to say, it isn't forbidden knowledge.  Just a few tricks I picked 

up myself, or ones Otis showed me.  But I am a hard teacher."

"I can do it, Master Tuefry."

He nodded at her.  He had many pupils now.  Christopher, his son.  The Gypsy

Family of Blue as well.  Yet, there was something refreshing about a fellow

seeker of hidden knowledge, people who would give anything to learn.

"I will return to you, for your first lesson.  For now, I have a few duties

to attend to."

Opening a gateway, he came close to the wagons of the Gypsies.

DAYLIGHT

Hissing to himself, he returned to full material form.  Walking in the land

of Shadow in broad daylight was something that just felt unappealing.

Walking to the wagons, he first saw Caer.  He had given Caer the task of

punching trees.  He looked approvingly at Caer.  Hopefully the Warder would not

be too angered at the fact that several trees were smashed in half.  Walking

across the camp, he happenned upon Rudolf, who was casting magic missiles at

small bugs.  This was a lesson as well as discipline.  Magick was important,

no matter how large or small.  Rudolf would have to learn to respect the lower

spells to truely appreciate the higher ones.

Fatiged by his day, he retired to his wagon, to await nightfall.  Then he would

surprise Sapphire with a gift that befit a Sultana.

328] Sapphire: Tuefry's Ponderings..

Mon Nov 24 23:16:34 1997

To: all

*CRACK*

Lighting flashed in the sky.  It was not the type of night one would want

to be out of doors.  With the added eerieness of the thick fog, it would

have turned most brave ones away.

One would have to be mad to be in the street, let alone a graveyard.

However, there was someone in the graveyard.  And if anything, he found

the storm and fog pleasing, as it kept his cover.  Necromancers outside of

the Tower found themselves hard pressed for... certain ingredients... when

trying to extend and research the power of the dark art.  However,

graveyards were a blessing in disguise when it came to this.

And people did not warm to people looting the tombs and graves of their

ancestors.

*CRACK*

The man stood and looked at himself, in a rather disconnected way.  The

fact that his robes were black, and not blue, didn't seem to concern him

as much as it should have.  In fact, it didn't startle him in the

slightest.

*CRACK*

"It is time" he mumbled to himself.  At least, it seemed like it was

to himself, as no one was around.  Again, he didn't find this unusual in

the slightest.

He pulled several items he had out of his robe, and lay them on the

ground, in the midst of what appeared to be a very complex set of symbols

and runes, with intersecting circles.  Mostly, the items appeared to be

from the dead.  The man looks at a hand he's never seen before.  It has

quite an expensive looking ring on the finger, and it appears to have been

embalmed for quite a long time.  He looks it over slowly, as though he's

never seen it before, and again, as if he doesn't care.

*CRACK*

Pulling his robe about him, to ward off the chill, he stepped in the very

middle of the largest circle, which had several circles intersecting at

that very point.  Looking down, he found himself in the middle of 6

circles, to be precise.

Lifting his arms at the sky, he began speaking in mystic words, and waving

his hands at the sky.  From the expression on his face, he looks as though

he's just going through motions he's never done before, and yet is still

detached from it all.

*CRACK* *CRACK* *CRAAAAACK*  *CRA*CRACK*ACK* *CRAAAAACK* *CRACK* *CRACK*

Lighting comes down in a flood, hitting the numerous tombs and headstones

This would set any normal person to fright.  But, when the bodies began to

rise, and moan, and crawl towards the circles in the ground, well, that

would cause even the most brave (or stupid) to run for their existance.

Yet the necromancer held his ground.

*CRACK*

They walked, limped, and crawled towards him, until finally, the closest

tried to step into the main circle, surrounding all the chalkwork of

symbols, the items, and the necromancer himself.

*CRACK*

Bolts came down and hit those who had tried to enter.;

"I am protected in this Circle.  I am your Master, and you will obey."

The crowd of the undead parted, to admit a skeleton wearing rotting silk

robes.  Now, skeletons don't have much in the way of facial expressions,

but this one seemed to grin more than what would be possible for a

skeleton.

And grin it did.  Right at the necromancer.  Then it carefully knelt, and

simply brushed away the chalk of the outermost circle.

The undead hurled toward the necromancer as one large beast would.

*CRACK*

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.........."

[329] Sapphire: Tuefry's Ponderings.(2)

Mon Nov 24 23:27:19 1997

To: all

"Elder BlackHeart, wake up, Sapphire has sent..."

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The mage jumped up, raised his arms, and yelled some mystic cantation.

The half elf standing nearby, yelled "GET DOWN!"

The barbarian didn't have a chance.  Lightning flew into his body, ripping

his insides, and hurled him a few hundred paces.

"What is going..."  The man who had come into the clearing didn't have

a chance to finish before a blast of acid almost tore his face to shreds.

"grr.." the half elven mage began, before being cut off by the panicking

necromancer.

"GRSSZ!" yelled the necromancer while pointing at the mage.  The

mage's eyes rolled back and he collapsed.

A gateway opened up, and someone stepped into the clearing.  A female

voice yelled out some mystic words.

Then, roots came up from the ground, coiling around the necromancer, and

pinning him in place.  The roots encapsulating his hands ignited, as the

necromancer kept chanting.  A few heartbeats later, his hands were free,

and fireballs kept hurling out from his hands in the same direction.  His

arms were still pinned into place.

"Tuefry, stop at once!"

The necromancer stopped in the middle of an incantation, and blinked very

slowly.  Peering his head around as much as the roots would allow, he

looked stunned.

"But... but... the dead...."

"A nightmare, my Love.  I should have told Caer not to wake you if you

sleeping, even though the news were important.  Or at least wake you

softly"

"Caer?"

She nodded and uttered a few more mystic words.  The barbarian appeared as

if from thin air.  His body still crackled with lightning every now and

again.

"I'll heal those you hurt, then we must speak."

The barbarian tried to get up, and only ended up falling on the half elf.

However, with his large size, he also managed to wake up the half elf, as

well.

"Uurrgh..." the barbarian mumbled, "How did you know to get out of

the way?"

Blinking from tiredness, the mage replied "Didn't you hear?  He said,

'chain lightning'."

[379] Sapphire: New Thalos/Verminasia- The Past Brought to the Future

Sun Dec  7 16:12:45 1997

To: all

Sapphire sorted through papers at her mothers desk. "A treaty with Verminasia, 

signed by Myra and Smog?" she whispered as she read further. A young man, no 

older than 18, came rushing through the palace doors and into the study. "Take 

this to King Smog of Verminasia, tell him Its important" Sapphire said handing  

the messenger a sealed envelope.He nodded and ran out the door quickly

Waiting for the messenger to return, Sapphire walked into Christophers           

chamber where he lay sleeping. She sat down on the bed beside him and softly  

kissed his forehead. "Sleep well my son, the days ahead will be rough" she        

whispered as she closed the chamber doors. 

Sapphire got the reply from Smog shortly after the sunset, then got ready to leave 

for Verminasia. The palace guards wouldnt like it if they found out where she was 

going. Instead sapphire uttered the words "oahz" and opened a shimmering 

gateway to Smogs palace.  When she entered the gateway, she found Smog resting 

at an oak table smiling. "Please, take a seat" he said, gestering towards the 

table and chairs. 

Sapphire resting and pulled a small paper from her robe. "Ive found this within 

my mothers papers" 

"Ah yes, a peace treaty that we both know was broken many moons ago when 

she delcared war upon my kingdom" Smog said handing the treaty back to

Sapphire. 

"As you know, I wish peace between New Thalos and Verminasia. I shall never 

declare war upon Verminasia" Sapphire said crossing her hands upon the table. 

" I want to see both our kingdoms in peace. I dont want anyone to  die. Lyriss 

death hurt  my sister Lytha  terribly and I dont like seeing her like this. I dont 

want anyone else to die."

"Aye, but how do I know you can keep this word of yours?" Smog questioned. "How do 

I know youre not like your mother and will declare war upon surprise?"

" I promise you Smog, I shall never break this treaty" Sapphire said as she

pulled a dagger from her belt pouch.

Smog nodded and pulled out his. They both laid them on the table and each took the

opposite one in hand. Smog picked up a dagger bearing the symbol of New Thalos

and Sapphire the one of Verminasia. They cut their left palms and clasped hands

together closing their eyes."Peace atlast" Sapphire whispered. Smog nodded 

and stood. "Thank you Sapphire, I must be off. We will speak again." 

And with that Smog turned and left.

[380] Tuefry: A new role.

Mon Dec  8 03:40:07 1997

To: all

After seeing Trey and Christine off on their way, the necromancer made his

way back to the Gypsy campsite.  "Quite a long day, and now time for  a

long rest." he muttered to himself.  "Shadows, release me."

"Welcome back, Warder Tuefry." said the elderly gypsy who was tending

the fire.

"Good day to... What do you mean, Warder Tuefry?"  The necromancer seemed

quite stunned.

"Our former Warder left instructions that you were to take charge in his stead."  She paused.  "And it appears he's not coming back."

Stunned further into silence, the only thing the necromancer appeared to be able to do is let his jaw drop.

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

Hours upon hours later, and everything finally seemed to be back in order. Sighing, the necromancer turned and was just about to retire, when a child ran in, telling him he had an important guest.

"Did you knock at my wagon's frame before entering?"

"Uuuhhmm... No, Warder BlackHeart."

"So, you entered without asking and without summons.  Now tell me, what

sort of punishment would be in order?"

The young one looked desperate, "Warder, I beg of you to forgive me, but Khisanth has arrived."

Without having to say a word, the young Gypsy ran from the wagon.  Chuckling to himself, the necromancer put a hand outside of his wagon and beckoned for his guest to enter.

[381] Tuefry: A new role, pt 2.

Mon Dec  8 04:00:34 1997

To: all

"Well met, Khisanth.  Please help yourself to a seat..." the Warder looked around in vain for a chair.  Then it dawned on him.  The entire wagon was a total mess of parchment strewn everywhere.  The yinn merely smiled at him and cleared a place to sit on the floor.  Acknowledging the chair, the Warder opted to sit on the floor as well.

"It has been a long time since I seen you Khisanth.  Are you here for

personal reasons or official dae'Tok business?"  His throat was slightly sore, and speaking yinnish was not helping.

She nodded and held up two fingers and nodded at him.  "Peace?" Tuefry

asked.  She shook her head no.  "Two?"  She nodded slowly.  "Ah,

you mean you are here for personal and business reasons."  She nodded

at him and smiled.  She pulled out a pen and started jotting down something in Yinnish.

The Emperor sends his greetings to you, Master BlackHeart.  He

sends his well wishes to you, and asks that you appear at court, as well as your brother, Master Blake.

"Thank you for bringing me word from the Emperor Khisanth.  I'm quite

busy nowadays, but I would never dream of turning the Emperor down.

If you are able, please find Blake for me and have him speak to me as

soon as possible, and we'll arrange a day for our trip."  She nodded and brightened at the mention of Blake.  "Well met, and thank you very much," said Tuefry quite slowly in minotaur.  Khisanth looked at him slightly puzzled at first, then smiled and nodded and him.  She bowed deeply and made her way outside.

[ 86] Sapphire: I Leave The Gates.. One Last Time

Wed Dec 10 14:01:08 1997

To: All Kingdoms

Sitting in the study, Sapphire looks around  as she signed papers

and filed them into the desk.  Rising slowly, she walked into 

the garden where she met with Valen. Nodding she sat in the 

garden beside him. He looked happy with his new place in 

New Thalos as Sultan.  Perhaps she was doing the right thing

today, perhaps the kingdom would be better off.  Smiling at

Valen, she took her hand in his and squeezed it tightly.

"I dont want to do this, but I must." She started off. "I 

love New Thalos with all my heart. This passing war made

me think that perhaps another will come." Nodding and 

dipping her finger into the brook, she sighed deeply. 

"You  are doing well with New Thalos, it grows stronger

now.  I want to leave it to you completely. Your hands

will build it stronger and safer for the citizens."

Valen looked at Sapphire confused, "Are you sure you

you want to do this Sapphire?" She just nodded and

removed the tiara and handed it to him.  "Yes, 

I'm sure about this. It hurts within me, But its for

the best." Valen held the tiara and looked up at 

Sapphire nodding slowly. "Alright." 

Sapphire stood and dusted herself off. Her things

already gathered and brought to the chambers where

Tuefry and her lived just outside the palace. "Please

take care of New Thalos, I love it dearly. Make your

choices wisely, it is hard at first. You will do it."

Sapphire looked around the garden, picked up a tulip 

and left quietly leaving Valen alone in the Garden. 

"He will take good care of the kingdom" she whispered

reassuring herself. When outside of the gates, 

Sapphire didn't look back but she kept walking....

[ 87] Blake: Blake's Travels -- Tenative Return.

Thu Dec 11 00:14:43 1997

To: all

Blake looked into the deepening shadows, the soft flickering

candle providing a feeble light in his small room.  Suddenly

the air in the room dried out and crackled with energy as

Tuefry stepped from a gate that opened before Blake.

Tuefry was the only one who would just gate to the monk

without worrying about a staff in the face.  Sure, Blake was

a pacifist, but every pacifist is a self-preservationalist.

Tuefry's feet stepped lightly on the cold stone floor.  He

dragged an extra chair from the corner of the room and sat

at the table before him, across from his Brother.

'Tuefry,' Blake said, 'nice to see you again.  I was thinking

about you the other day.  Glad to see you doing well.'

Tuefry shrugged, silent, forming his words.

'I am good Brother.  I've been better but, who hasn't?  Times

are rough, brother, times are rough.'

Blake agreed with a nod, staring with preoccupation at his

hands.

After a moment of silence, Tuefry shuffled in his chair a bit.

'Why do you think Rhea resigned from Shalonesti leadership?

doesn't it seem wierd to you?  I mean, she's young, still in

great shape.  She sure can fight.  Why would she resign?'

Tuefry asked, already knowing the answer.

'Why does everyone insist on making a monk speak?' Blake

chided in response, dropping the subject.  'You know my views.'

Tuefry laughed heartily.  Blake always liked to hear the

necromancer's laugh.  As dark and evil as people have tried to

portray Tuefry, they were so wrong.  He had a heart of gold.

He smile quickly dropped to a complacent, tight-mouthed, serious

look.  'Brother, I could use your presence in the wagons...

things there are getting rough, I could use you for support.'

Blake looked on, knowing this day was inevitable.  Part of him

wanted to jump up and help his brother, but another part of him

wanted to continue to tend the land and its warfaring morals.

'I don't want to pressure you here.  Just think on it.  You know

you are always welcome with us.  Wherever I am, you are welcome,

I'll kill anyone who stands in your way... and besides you could

be closer to Myra as well.  I bet even Pythia would stop by to

visit...' Tuefry said, chuckling as he stepped back into the

portal that brought him to Blake.

It was only 5 minutes together, but the monk cherished any time

he could spend with his family.

Again he was faced with a choice.

[ 88] Rhea: The Forest..

Thu Dec 11 00:52:20 1997

To: all

He walks with the grace of the noblest elf, silently flowing

across the forest floor.  Unerringly quiet, for the ground is

covered with the red, orange and yellow colors of Autumn.  I

remember a simpler time, when he was but a street urchin, and

myself without responsibility.

<smile> "Hello Blake.  I trust your travel through the woods

were met with peace?"  He signs, 'Always.'

*Blake seems occupied.  perhaps I can help?*

Your eyes seem to bear the weight of Algoron.  What ails your

heart, to cause such?"

'I recently visited with an old friend of yours, and my Brother.'

I answer, "...Tuefry?  How is he?"

'Tuefry fares well, as well as can be expected.  His path in life

has led him to the wagons of the Gypsies.  They are a close-knit

family. A family that is entering some strained times.'

He sits down, and begins to tell me about his visit with his

dear brother.  As the narrative progresses, I sense that he wishes

for something.  Perhaps... no.

He signs, '"Brother, I could use your presence in the wagons..." 

was the last words I remember from Tuefry.'

 I look up at his face, chiseled like no elf, but beautiful

nonetheless. Our eyes fell upon each other for a moment, and for

a split second, I felt the familiar feeling of want that I felt

when I first met this human.  Why must I be Shalonost?  WHY MUST

HE BE HUMAN?

I finally tell him, "Perhaps you should join him, Blake.  His _is_ 

after all, family..."

[ 89] Blake: Blake's Travels -- Bringing it all together.

Fri Dec 12 23:39:08 1997

To: all

Blake watched Rhea leave, disappearing into the shadows of

the forest, becoming one with the trees and foilage.  One

day he was going to get her to teach him to do that.  Monks

always seem to attract attention.  He would like to melt

away like that.

He had thought about her words.  Perhaps it would be good

to associate himself with some type of clan again.  He

might be able to spread peace easier with clan politics

behind him.  And he did want to be around Tuefry and Myra

again.  He always was a sentimentalist.

With a thought he transported himself to the Ethereal.

Wispy forms danced gracefully as he stepped from his

gate into the soft blackness.  Velvet black stretched

out as far as he could see, it gave the sensation of

floating since he had no points of reference.

The ethereal seemed darker today for some reason.

He extended his thoughts to his Brother.  Tuefry appeared

almost instantly, stepping into their familliar world of

the Ethereal.

Blake didn't say anything.  He just nodded at Tuefry.

Tuefry nodded back, a small smile forming on his lips.

'Good to have you home, Brother.'

Blake didn't know what home was anymore, but his travels

have taken him everywhere else, why should this be any

different.

'The world is a strange place, Tuefry.  I hope your clan

understands that I don't participate in war or senseless

killing.  I do what I must do to survive, but I will not

take another's life.'

'Of course... I wouldn't have it any other way, Brother.'

Yes.  The world was strange.  Very strange indeed.

[ 90] Gideon: Gideon, the tongueless...

Sat Dec 13 18:42:17 1997

To: all

...One day while I was out, I happened upon a brook.  I stopped there and

rested and got a drink of water.  As I drank, I heard a voice.

..."Gideon..."

...Startled, I jumped back and drew my sword.  "Who is there?"

...No answer.  Once again a voice spoke, "Gideon..." 

..."Coward!" I screamed.  "Show yourself so that I may destroy you!"

...A voice spoke, "Gideon... don't be afraid."

..."I'm not afraid!" I shouted. "Show yourself you coward... The Gods have

willed that I may destroy you!"

...The voice rang, "Foolish mortal!!! You are not one of us!!!  Put your ego

in safe keeping.  You are not indestructible.  Perhaps not using your tongue

will enable your brain!"

...And with that, I fell mute to the world.

[ 91] Cantrip: Camping

Sun Dec 14 17:25:11 1997

To: all

Getting to Koltar was pretty difficult.  It took a good deal of directions from the

ranger, and a good chunk of time for Cantrip to figure out Koltar's accent.  But,

eventually, the kender managed to reach the elf.  "Hi!" chirped Cantrip.  The elf

responded with a smile and a nod.  "Will you teach me something today?" asked

the kender.  "How about the neat ranger staff trick?" The ranger shook his head.

"Camping." he said firmly.  "Oo!  Camping!  That sounds even neater!"

Camping turned out to be a lot more difficult than Cantrip had imagined.  First, he had to clear the ground of leaves and grass and things that burn.  Then, he had to dig a pit two kender-paces across and two handspans deep.  After that, he gathered  rocks and piles them around the fire pit, to keep the fire from getting too big and dangerous to the forest.  There was still more work to be done, as the kender had to roll a ton of twigs, leaves, sticks, branches, and logs (none of them came  from living trees!) next to the pit to feed the fire.  Cantrip stacked the tinder up  in a small, neat pile.  While the kender was occupied, Koltar quietly disappeared to get a lodestone to light a fire with.  After several false starts, Cantrip managed to get the fire going.  Afterwards, the kender felt drained but happy, and one step closer to rangerhood.

[ 92] Zengfugol: Expedition.

Mon Dec 15 16:52:13 1997

To: All

Kneeling alongside a silvery pond, Zengfugol sipped the water with

his cupped hands. It was fresh, revitalizing, and oddly icy cold. Indeed,

a drink after a long day's travel from Verminasa to a secluded part

near Arkane was in every way refreshing for the body. He felt

no longer weary, his strength and stamina returning. Nature does have 

its own magic, after all.

Zengfugol whipped out of his leather backpack a sparrow's feather and

stared at it. Ever since the sparrow fluttered away, leaving behind

a feather, its color changed daily. Oft, it would show strange hues

from between brownish to golden color, which is normal.

Now it is white, pure snowy white.

Zengfugol frowned. He once hoped that his prayer for the feather to be his

guidance; to show what is wrong and right, to what his purpose is,

and lastly, to show where the direction his faith had gone. Thoughts and

questions flew in his mind, he reeled backward unto a boulder in awe and

wonder. Could it mean that his prayer had, indeed, been answered? Or could

it mean that he had been led astray from the golden path of the righteous?

Seeming as if to respond to his perplexity, the pond shimmered.

Zengfugol leaned forward, looking at the pond with renewed anxiety, but

all he saw in the pond was only his worried reflection. Nothing was

out of the picture. Yet, as he peered intently in the silvery pond,

something seemed to escalate into...something; intensifying and slowly

solidifying.

The vision in the shimmering pond suddenly materialized into something he

abrutply recognized.

Kwainin.

[ 93] Weyland: Day of Thunder, 17th the Month of the Ancient Darkness

Mon Dec 15 18:31:54 1997

To: all

Today I ventured back to the Wyvern tower, hellbent on destroying the evil

minions inside.  Remembering from my first journey to the foul tower, I was

not surprised when the gargoyle statues came to life.  Nay, I had my blade

ready for them.  I fell 4 such beasts and heard the wings flapping as more

arrived.

Not wanting to waste my energy on these minor inconveniences, I

raced to the stairwell, where I found two of the elite statues.  Unlike

the others, they wielded these mighty swords.  With much effort, I was able

to best them both.  Once felled, I noticed the fine craftsmanship on thier

blades, so I picked one up.  It was far better than my own, so I sheathed it!

"A fitting end to these foul minions of darkness.  I shall best these statues;with thier own weapons!", I thought.

Atop the stairwell, I came face to face with another gargoyle, this one

bent on destroying me.  The abomination came at me with seemingly unending

ferver.  I lowered my head and rammed into it, annihilating it from this

realm.

In the distance, I heard a voice, speaking a language I did not understand.

I investigated...a short walk led me to the voice, which came from a witch

doctor!  Waving her hands in the air in some mystic pattern, speaking a strange

tongue, the shaman made a ball of fire and hurled it at me!  My reflexes quick,

and my legs agile, I was able to elude most of the magic flame.  Noting the singe

marks on my legs, I ran at the evil spellcaster swinging my sword.  I cut into 

the shaman, her blood spilling over my blade.

She knocked me back with a bolt of lightning, then but a single word and

everything went dark!  I was blinded!  The shaman made quick work of me in my

weakened state.  Blow after blow I took, I swung wildly at a target I could

not see, thinking "perhaps today IS a good day to die!"  I soon realized that 

this would not be my day to vanquish this minion of darkness.  I turned to flee, 

but my path was blocked.  I heard another word spoken, and a wave of filth  

passed over me.  I prayed to Nadrik to save me, however, I could not form the

words in my mind, I was cursed!

I had to find a way out alone.  Before I could fall victim to another arkane attack, I fled the room...running into all sorts of objects...  I made it out  of the tower, barely.  As I swam across the moat, I heard the laughter of the shaman echo from the tower.

I swear to you today, great Nadrik, that I shall return, and rid this world

of all the evil that lies within that dreaded tower.  This I promise with

my soul.

Weyland

[ 94] Drulethan: Close Encounter

Tue Dec 16 02:58:08 1997

To: all

I began to riddle the air with arcane gestures and symbols, and with

Drakkara's blessing, I was able to locate my target. I had made a deal with

my Queen....my services, for a small favour.

This favour, pricey as it may be, was to locate a certain toy. Upon granting

me my wish, I found myself face to face with none other than Gwaelin. With

Drakkara's guidance, and my torments from Hell, I began blasting away at the

poor lad. I say poor, because in a parallel world, another deal was being

forged. It just so happened that Kinkade had worked a similar bargain, and

we found our weapons competing over the same flesh!

With a quick salute, we continued our melee. As kinkade hacked and slashed

I began to draw blood with torments, never before seen by a mage of his calibre

However, as the battle began to draw to a close, Gwaelin managed to flee!

With pure rage in Kinkades eyes, and an unholy aura about me, we engaged

each other. When our senses had returned, my god had informed me of our error.

And with this, we each had began a new hunt....at this point I regret to say

that Kinkade was the better hunter, and his steel was true.

Drulethan. Still searching for my lost prey.

[ 95] Zengfugol: Expedition.

Tue Dec 16 12:35:05 1997

To: All

Zengfugol could not be mistaken; his ancient features, white beard, knotted

snowy eyebrows overlooked crystal blue eyes. There, he stood draped in

humble brown cloaks on the surface of the shimmering pond.

"Thou hast done well."

Zengfugol stammered and knew not words to speak unto one of such stature.

"H-have I..."

The old man chuckled heartily and walked across the pond toward Zengfugol.

Placing his holy hands on Zengfugol's shoulders, he uttered words not of

mortal understanding. Abruptly, Zengfugol felt a chill and then suddenly

memories crashed in.

"Remember, yaeini, remember thy past."

Zengfugol blinked. Surrounded him everywhere is fog. Misty fog.

Then the fog glowered a bit, fading into pictures. A young yaeini with a

multicolored cloak in makeup gulped before going onstage to perform amazing

assortments of acrobats, juggling, and trickery. The audience sat watching

in fascination, bombarded with such chicanery not seen anywhere. Everything was 

silence, and pandemonium were the visions as the young yaeini performed his

fine trade. He had indeed captured them.

A slender kender snuck in behind, started slitting pouches and with

nifty hands, intercepted jewerlies of great wealth from stunned men and ladies

in the audience. The job was clean and done quickly. Before leaving the theatre,

the kender gave the dazzling young yaeini a quick wink.

Fog. Misty fog.

Zengfugol bent down in shame. He had indeed done ways of such evil. That was but

one of many things that made him cultivate a strong faith in the ways of good;

with sins done shamefully, and forgiven still. Suddenly, the fog flickered once

again, as if showing more unpleasant events....

[ 96] Zengfugol: Expedition.

Tue Dec 16 13:57:36 1997

To: All

"Art thou bereft of sense, fool?" The leader bellowed.

Zengfugol looked at the leader calmly. He was an orpahn and none had he

any to look after him. The leader used to had a heart of gold, intentions of

ivory, and a mind of such wisdom. With open arms, he took Zengfugol in and 

accept him as one of his. Times had changed and now, he was but one corrupted

by greed, lies, deception, and gluttony.

"I wish to make a living out of honest work. Things those normal people do"

The leader cackled and whipped his arm around the bonfire, summoning the

attention of his pack. Several scrambled around and cackled with evil pleasure.

The bonfire seemed to dance wild in mockery; casting shadows of sarcasm upon

unprotected wagons around.

"Didst I not take care of thee when thou art a pitiful child, fool?"

Zengfugol nodded.

"Didst I not feed thee food fat kings woust crave?" The leader snickered,

patting his huge belly. Again, Zengfugol nodded.

"So, I deem thou hast then perceiv'd thy stupidity, fool!" Sneered the

leader and the bonfire glowered as if to show its contempt as well.

"Thou hast chang'd; before thou wast one doves woust swarm upon, now

"thou art one wolves woust devour."

The silence after the comment was unbecoming until the leader spoke again,

"Thou hast fil'd thy tongue, to the extent which I dislike." Without warning,

he lunged Zengfugol. He dodged and tripped the leader, falling him down.

"So hast my skills, Venzes." Zengfugol turned away. The leader quickly

climbed to his feet, taking out a wicked dagger, and aimed it at Zengfugol.

As Zengfugol twisted around to the sound of running; he saw, with horror, the..

Lightning flashed and bolted.

Staring, awestruck, at his bloodied hands, Zengfugol then glanced over

at the hulking corpse beside him. The mouth agape, face appeared lifeless,

and eyes seemed to stare in accusation. Zengfugol screamed in agony, has he

gone mad? He has slain someone, with his own hands. Zengfugol then looked at

his hands again. They appeared bloodied by his evil intent. Was he as

corrupted as the leader?

Fog. Misty fog.

Weeping, Zengfugol glanced upward with guility. He had tried to forget

his sins as he grew in years, and deeds done with good intent. Suddenly,

the sinful memories began to haunt him, his concsciousness, his very soul.

"As thou hast seen, thou hast indeed done well in the path."

"Toward what?" Zengfugol asked.

"To find what is thy purpose. Look not in future for guidance, but look

"in past to right wrongs and shall the path be then shown."

Before Zengfugol could do anything, the image before him faded. So had the fog,

and everything was back: the forestry, rocks, and lastly, the silvery pond.

"Remember, yaeini, remember thy past..." the voice trailed.

[ 97] Waerva: The history of Waerva, Pt 1.

Tue Dec 16 21:49:16 1997

To: All

'Mother, are we going to go into the city today?' questioned the young

elf.

   'No, Waerva, I am afraid not.  There are rumors that the dwarves of Wargar may be starting to invade our forests, and the Speaker  has said   that we should stay in our homes if at all possible'  her mother answered

   'But won't Father protect us from any dwarf, mother?  Isn't he one of   the Speakers most skilled bladesingers?' Waerva asked her mother.

   Illivara, her mother, looked troubled and said 'He is skilled, dear, but  anyone can fall victim to the fates of war, even our people.'

   Waerva looked sullen, and had just started to go back into her

bedchamber,when a shimmering circle of light appeared in the room.

A man wearing Red Robes walked out of the portal, looked at the two

elves, and started to speak. 'I am a magus of the Conclave of Algoron,   and I have forseen that you, Waerva, are going to make what I am going   to do in the future difficult, and for that, you shall die.'

   The man motioned toward Illivara with his hands, and said the words

'qpabraw dudasabru'.  She then pulled  her enchanted mace from the wall,

and started toward Waerva.

'MOTHER, what are you doing?', said Waerva as she saw the mace swing

toward her head.  She  then dodged out of the way just in time to avoid

having her skull crushed.  

'Waerva, please, draw your sword and stop me from doing this', said 

Illivara. You must stop whatever this madman is planning to do.'     'NO!' screamed the young elf, 'I will not do that!, I will not kill my own 

mother, not for any reason'.     Illivara simply shook her head and responded with 'I have lived a good life,  my daughter, I have seen  you grow up to be the elf I wanted you to be, your training as a bladesinger starts soon, and you will be just like your  father.'  Illivara then stopped in mid stride, and lowered her mace, saying   'Waerva, I can not fight this magic for long, you must do it now.'

[ 98] Rand: The Coming of the Dragon.

Tue Dec 16 23:40:15 1997

To: all

Rand closed his eyes.  His father had taught his how to reach

the state known as Oneness.  He pictured a flame, and slowly

allowed the flame to consume all his thoughts.  Then there was

nothing.  He was alone.  He was one.

This time though, it was different.  Seemingly always just out

of sight was a faint glow, accompanied by a slight ringing

sound.  Rand reached towards the power, and allowed it to flow

through him.  Fire flowed through his veigns.  Power, fire,

and sweetness all wrapped in one.  But there was something

else....

The feeling throughout his body was as if he had oil on his

hands. It was slick, slippery, and most of all it was foul.

The taint flowed through his body, settling in his mind.

Saidin was tainted, as was Rand.  It would take time for the

taint to have any visible affect on the young man; years

perhaps.  But he had touched the power, and could not avoid

touching it again in the future.

[100] Corrigan: Storynote.

Wed Dec 17 20:24:02 1997

To: all

Always willing to prove his strength in battle, Corrigan had been easy to start a fight with. Everyone always tried to prove that they were stronger than him but all ultimatly failed.

His life had always been easy as a child but then, the maraudars came. They took his home city without a fight. He had challenged several of their soldiers to a fight, but they always had a good laugh about it and walked off.

Finally, out of rage, he yelled at one of them "One of these days, I will come to you, not as some little boy, but as a leader of a great army and I shall reclaim my home for the people that live in it.

You will see, you will all see". Several months later, when he was finally old enough to travel on his own, he left. No letter, no messages from anyone. He just vanished. He had taken to the road.

Still vowing to return, he walked down the road, away from his home, away from Althainia, but he would be back.

[101] Keska: A Necromancer's madding legacy

Wed Dec 17 22:45:45 1997

To: all

.   "Pythia tells me you have been being mean to everyone."  Spoke Rhea.

.   *only to deserving fools, sikkevikk, drukkmai, and other assorted loose

cannons.  if that constitutes "everyone" in the clan, then perhaps I should

be the last of hikkkutta Pythia's concerns*

.   If the Keska Srys was forced to talk about her "feelings" one more 

time, she would crack and kill something, or cry.  She perfured the former, 

shows of weakness were not becoming for an elder bladesinger, and the later

would only draw more attention to her unhappiness, and thus more talk about

her "feelings" would result, furthering her annoyance.  Instead she did 

neither, but stood nearly expressionless, save for the occasional wince 

of pain her "feelings" would evoke, and a cruel retort to whoever recently

displeased her.  Sooner or later, the annoying attemps of her clanmates to

"repair" her "damaged" outlook on life would end in another stalemate, and

she would dismiss herself into the comfortable folds of her dark cloak.  

.   She would neither kill something, nor would she cry in frustration,

but instead she would return to the Tower of the Stars, and lock herself

into practice room 1, and continue her studies of magic.

.   Magic, hardship, and age are known for making people a tad eccentric.

Keska had experianced well over a century of all three.  Age is what saved

her today.  Her superiors could no sooner properly discipline the eccentric

insulting, and sometimes cruel old swordswomyn, who had in her younger years

been an active protector, rebuilder, and warrior in the clan, then they 

could kick their own grandmother in the shins and steal her yarn and kniting

needles.  While Keska neither knitted, or was plump, smiling, or 

"grandmotherly"; it is one of the stranger virtues of the youth that they

might respect thier elder, even if that elder showed little respect in 

return.

.   If age saved Keska from the meddling talk of "feelings" with her clan

mates, and hardship trained and saved her from death in battle, then magic

is what could save her from herself.  Since moving to house Sha'enlas, she

had emersed herself in the studies of the ancient art.  She studied all 

that was available to her; from the notes of the greater mages of her house,

to the "Spellbook" itself, taken all those years ago by Spellath the Dark.

All these studies, however, had only left her hungry for more, and the

calling of her uncle's old spellbook now filled her ears with comforting 

promises, and her mind with curosity and desire for power.

[102] Keska: A Necromancer's Maddening Legacy (2)

Wed Dec 17 23:18:41 1997

To: all

.   ...And so Keska sat in practice room 1, magically sealing the door

behind her; she comtenplated opening the black bound spellbook that had 

once belonged to Tryzeler Sakam, renagade necromancer of the black roobes,

evil incarnate, drukkmai, and teacher to his beloved neice, the Keska Srys.

.   Magic is as much art, as it is science or skill.  No two mages can

interpert or remember a spell exactly the same way.  It is impossible,

they are two entirely diffrent people, with diffrent vocal infections, 

manners of speaking, and minds with differing outlooks and emotions.  

Thus, for Keska to remove the charms that her uncle used to bind his spellbook

She would have to either mimic her uncle's voice and actions to the most

excat degree, or find a way to conjur the same effects and feelings her

uncle would have used to gain access to the book.  Her own personal 

interpertation.  Mimicing her uncle was, of course, an impossiblity, so

instead she sat and meditated on what she remebered opening the spellbook 

was like when her uncle would, so many years ago.  She would find a way

to say the words so that she stuck herself in that very same mood.

.   *words even have slightly diffrent meanings to everyone, perhaps it 

is note enought that I say the words, but say words that mean to me what

his words ment to him*

.  It was as resonable as anything, and worth an attempt.  So far she had

been shocked, burnt, teleported, and breifly turned to stone buy the book,

what worse could happen to one who had for so long wished to welcome death?

.   So Keska stood, not as her uncle did, but as she would; and she waved

her hand, not as her uncle would, but as she would; and spoke words, not

the words her uncle spoke, but the ones she would speak; and she prayed,

not to her uncle's god's, but to the ones she was sworn to.

.   "Chi Srynik Davikk, zikkt lunti mki"

.   The book fell open.  Keska stared at the old runes in horror.  The

words ribbled in a dozen different languages at once, non of wich she had

ever seen before.  Slowly the ripples turned to blurs and the room around

her fell away in to darkness.  Keska heard deamons chewing on her flesh; 

heat from hell itself burned her eyes.  On her right shoulder sat a minature

brass dragon, who babbled madly in the words of magic, on her other shoulder

sat a black, slowly melting her face with it's acid breath.

[103] Keska: A Necromancer's Maddening Legacy (3)

Wed Dec 17 23:46:32 1997

To: all

.   Summoning her infamously stubborn will, Keska managed to wrech her 

eyes from the runes in the book, and to slam the black cover shut.  She

rested a bit letting most things fall back to normal.  Except the brass

dragon's strange incarnations still danced in her head, befuddling the

spells she knew.  Her left ear bled where the breath of the black had

damaged it.  She could not hear from that ear anylonger it seemed.  She

stood unsteadly, and the world swung with maddness.

.   *either I did something very wrong, or that experiance could explain

a good many things about my uncle, and necromancers in genneral*

.   Willing the world to stop bluring and spinning, which it diddn't, 

Keska could assume only one thing.  She had gone mad, and was therefore

not fit to report for active duty.  Walking carefully down the tower, gripping

the wall next to her, she proceded through the gardens, carefully avoiding 

dancing flowers.  She came to the parchment posted on the wall of the

hall of the moons, that listed the names of the bladesingers and warriors 

currently on duty.  Her fingers numb and immoble, she could not grip or

lift the pen to cross her name off the list.  She stood, staring at the 

swirling letters for an instant, then she spoke the words of magic, and

the letters that spelt her name glowed blue, and burnt themselves from the 

page.

.   She turned and walked more steadly out into the garden where her horse

grazed.  Now muttering along with the voice ot the mad brass in her head,

either the world had slowed it's spinning, or she was getting used to the 

maddness.  In either case, when she approched and mounted her black stallion

she took the procaution of tieing herself on to his back.  She had been

an excelent horsewomyn, useing neither bridle or saddle to ride her well

trained mount, but now she felt quite faint, and the rope seemed resonable.

.   With a word and a kick, she sent the beast galloping into the forest.

Away from the deamons chewing on her flesh, away from the heat of hell

in her eyes, away from the brass dragons speaking in strange tounges, away 

black dragons' acid melting her ears... away from a swirling world that

she had lost the ablity to make sence of, far from sikkevikk, drukkmai, 

srysmai.   Into the woods, into the quiet, away from talking about "feelings"

... for the woods never askes, it only reveals.

[104] Corrigan: storynote.

Thu Dec 18 00:54:22 1997

To: all

Soon after setting off on his own, Corrigan learned that travelling on his own wasn't as easy as he thought it would be.

He had troubles finding money and food. He was usually just ignored when he asked for work of any sort.

But still, he kept going. He would never return to Althainia until it was free of Marauder control or until he led the army to free it from the savage raiders.

Even though it took him several weeks, he found ways to make money. Although not much, it was just enough for food and a room at an inn. It hadn't taken him very long to realize that he would need some powerful allies to help him reclaim his home city.

He hoped that somehow, he would find someone that was willing to help him free the great city he called home. 

Corrigan has returned.

[105] Blake: Blake's Travels -- Khisanth's Promise.

Thu Dec 18 06:42:19 1997

To: all

Blake sat at the small desk in his wagon.  Tuefry had

felt the monk would be more comfortable if he had his

own wagon.  Tuefry was wierd like that, hard as hell

on the outside when people were watching, and then

soft as the Ethereal when people weren't looking.

The monk was having second thoughts about his entrance

into the Gypsy clan.  Tuefry had been away alot on 

business and Blake hadn't even seen Myra since his

arrival.  She had been off adventuring somewhere.  Far

from his gaze.

Blake heard a soft knock on his wagon door.

'Enter,' he said quietly.

The door swung silently open, rather strange for a door

that always squeaked.  Blake dried the hinges out so they

would make noise.  It alerted him.  With all the attempts

on the monk's life in the past, he was never too careful.

The hole to the outside world was quickly filled by a massive

form.  It moved with savage grace into the cramped wagon. 

Khisanth's face crept slowly into the candle light.  In the

dim light, the monk could see her broad smile.

'Khisanth,' Blake said, rising from his chair.  He set the

book he was reading, _Chronicles of a Madman_, on the desk

and rose to embrace Khisanth, who stood a foot taller than

him.  He spoke to her in his best Yaeni.  He had learned 

Yaeni from his training in Dae'Tok.  Sevarris had taught him

outside the Yinn empire, but he did spend a few years in

their culture.  None had *ever* treated him as warmly as

Khisanth did.  He really did like her.

The Yinn was his only student.  She had progressed MUCH faster

than Blake ever had.  Blake always thought she had the most

incredible potential.

'I am sorry I haven't been able to instruct you in the past

months.  I can't excuse myself from your studies because my

life is busy.  Forgive me, friend.'  Blake said, hoping his

accent wasn't too thick.

She shook her head from side to side and clasped the monk's

tiny hands in her own.  Her hands warmed his as she shook

her head again, telling him, in her own special way, to not

worry about it.

'No, speak with this...' Blake said softly, tapping his finger

on his temple.

Khisanth just cocked her head to the side.

'I never showed you this trick, eh?  I must have skipped over

it in my haste, well, if you want, we can get started now.'

Blake cleared off his desk, leaving only the book where

he set it.  He slid the table to the back of the wagon to clear

room on the foor.  He only had one chair and he wasn't about to

occupy it with Khisanth here.  It would be most disrespectful.

He sat gently on the floor, motioning her to as well.  She sat

gracefully next to him, her size beguiling the speed and

precision of her movements.

Blake let a slow smile creep to his lips.  It felt good to

teach such an eager student.  Khisanth looked at Blake with

the face of a child.

Blake looked back at her, hoping his eagerness to teach

could match her eagerness to learn.

[106] Caer: Celes.

Sat Dec 20 09:11:45 1997

To: all

Caer's eyes were a deep bloodshot red.  His muscles rippled and his fingers twitched at the news.  Celes had died and disappeared.

The only person Caer had loved in the world had dissapeared and he was not about to sit around and play dumb.  He did not care anymore all he wanted was revenge.

Caer being lost to all reality had become a crazed man overnight.  His soul had been shredded and his heart shattered.  He would live only to see that others didn't.

The world had become a toy for him.  His training had advanced and he was not a stupid Ogre.  He would find a way to revenge his loves death...he would.

[107] Sapphire: Memories....Dreams...

Sat Dec 20 14:35:29 1997

To: all

Sapphire looked away after picking up some

potions from New Thalos's Witch. Nodding she

slipped them into her backpack. A bright smile 

came across her face as she watched the kids chase

the red ball down the street. She uttered some spells

and quaffed some potions as she became invisible to the

world is how she wanted to remain.

Closing the doors of her chambers, Sapphire walked

to the dresser and let her hair down from the bun.

Taking the silver handled brush she combed it through

her hair slowly. As she brushed her hair, she closed her 

eyes and just sat there thinking. Her past came into

focus and she heard the screams and saw the pain on 

faces of people she knew and didn't know. Her eyes

opened quickly as she dropped the brush on the floor. 

"It's only a daydream.." she whispered to herself

[108] Sapphire: Memories...Dreams...

Sat Dec 20 19:18:36 1997

To: All

Sapphire knew that dream would come again.

Perhaps it was best if it did. Maybe then, 

if she let them into her mind, they would

go away. These feelings inside her had

to come out sooner or later. 

Changing into a silk nightgown, Sapphire 

laid in her bed pulling the covers over

herself. Her eyes fell quickly as she 

drifted into her dreams...

"Momma, can I go out and play?" the little

boy asked tying his shoes.

"Yes honey" his mother said ruffling his hair.

"Just don't go too far ya hear?" His father

said giving his son a jacket.

"I know pa" the little boy said running outside

of the house.

The village was alive with people and music.

A band of traveling bards sang near the church,

the kids played ball on the streets, and the adults

off and about doing their things. The baker placed

fresh pies out on his windowsill to cool them off

before selling them. The little boy's smile turned

into a little grin as he snuck under the windowsill.

Reaching his hand over the sill, he stuck his finger

into the pie, then into his mouth. "Blueberry." He

said with a smile. 

"What are you doing?" a soft voice asked curiously.

Antony jumped a little seeing his sister Sapphire 

right infront of him. "Oh Nothin" he replied innocently.

Sapphire chuckled and looked at the pies above his

head. "Come on, lets go to the pond for some fishing"

she said running with Antony fast behind her. They both

sat making fishing rods out of long sticks and thread.

[109] Sapphire: Memories...Dreams...

Sat Dec 20 19:30:21 1997

To: All

"We never catch nothin" Antony smirked.

Sapphire's eyes concentrated over near the bushes.

Large footprints were imprinted in the sand, 

a lot of them. Dropping her fishing rod, she 

grabbed Antony by the hand and ran off to the village.

Shrill screams came from the streets and houses

were on fire. There were people laying dead, and

people running for their lives. The village

had never been attacked before so they had no weapons.

The attackers were tall and woere all dark clothes.

Antony gasped and tried to run home. "No" Sapphire

said pulling him up onto her back.

"But what about Momma and Papa?" he squealed. 

"We'll go get them as soon as we can, Ok Kiddo?" 

Antony nodded and held onto Sapphire as tight as he could.

Sneaking around the side of the church, Sapphire

broke the window and pushed Antony through it. After

she climbed in, she stared around. They both hid behind

one of the Speaker's boxes in the corner of the church. 

"Don't make a sound" she whispered pulling his face

into her arms. Antony nodded. The fear in his eyes grew.

The door of the church flung open as a couple of 

women came to hide. They didn't make it too far

until they were dead. The footsteps came furthur into

the church, then stopped. Antony broke lose from Sapphire's

hold as he made a run for the window. A yelp of pain and

the sound of his body hitting thr ground gave Sapphire

her answer. She froze still and covered her hand over 

her mouth holding her breath.

[110] Sapphire: Memories...Dreams...

Sat Dec 20 19:36:12 1997

To: All

Silence filled the church and air half hour

after the screams ended. Her eyes peeked around

the Speaker's box and around the church. Rising

slowly, Sapphire walked over to the window. His

small body was on the ground in a puddle of blood.

Sapphire collapsed to her knees and shook his body.

She pulled the arrow from his chest and lifted the

body into her arms holding it tightly. He was just

six years old  and now laying in Sapphire's arms 

dead. Tears flooded her eyes as she sat there rocking

his body back and forth like a baby.

Sapphire stood, Antony still in her arms, and left

the church. The village, once full of people and

spirit, lay silent. Carrying Antony's body home

she laid him upon his bed. Walking back outside, she

looked around for her parents. She was met with their

bodies not too far from the house. Taking a deep breath

she walked to the bodies and dragged them inside the house.

Sitting down on the bed beside Antony, she placed her

hands over her face and cried. She let all her tears and

anger come forth. Screaming out loud and kicking around

furniture seemed to let her calm down. She soon fell

asleep beside her brothers body, holding it in her arms.

[111] Myra: Moving .. again.

Sat Dec 20 21:41:57 1997

To: all

.  Myra walked along the streets of her city.  New Thalos

was utterly destroyed.  A few buildings continued to

burn merrily.  The people huddled in the middle of the

city, terrified and unsure of themselves.  They had been

abused, first by the war between Myra's two daughters, then

the political upheaval caused by Valen's ascention to the

throne, and now the Marauders marching over them.

.  As she neared the crowd, an elderly woman looked at

her and yelled, running towards her.

.  "Sultana Myra!  You have returned to us!!!"

.  A few others looked up when the woman cried out, eyeing

Myra bitterly.  Many remembered how she had left the city

and decided not to return, leaving them to the care of a

well-meaning but underschooled leader.  A few smiled and

waved, hope returning to their faces.  Children looked up

curiously, remembering the stories their grandparents

had told them at bed time.

.  "Grandmother!!"  A small voice yelled out, pushing

her way through the crowd and running into Myra, hugging

her tightly.  Myra stared at the silky black hair and thin

arms for a moment before realizing who it was.

.  "Eloria.. you are okay"

.  "I ran away as soon as I heard Valen calling for

his armor.  I did get hti by an arrow but Nifenbak helped

me and healed my wounds."

.  Myra sighed sadly, holding her precious grandaughter

close.  Tears trickled out of her eyes and she sent a prayer

to Zandreya (Or Devion, it hardly mattered anymore), for

keeping her grandaughter safe.

.  "You're safe now, Eloria.. I'll take care of you."

.  "Are you going to take the kingdom back, Grandma?" 

Eloria looked at her, eyes shinning tearfully but with

a glimmer of hope behind them.  "Valen didn't even

try.. he had plenty of time to prepare.. I don't want

him to be my godfather!"

.  "Perhaps.."  Myra said, brushing back Eloria's hair.

She thought of her old friend, Valen, and wondered where he

was.  He had left when she left New Thalos, but what had

happened during those interent years?  He had once been so

loyal and strong..

.  The old lady who had first seen Myra smiled broadly and

raised her hands above her head, lifting her voice so

all could hear.  "Praise your gods and your ancestors,

the Sultana has finally returned!  She wil restore us to

our former glory!!!"

.  Myra smiled sadly and wondered what she had gotten herself

into.

[112] Myra: New Thalos - Homecoming

Sun Dec 21 01:24:44 1997

To: all

.  Myra looked at the people assembled in the square

before her, wondering what she would do next.  Without

warning she was overcome by a sudden feeling of rightness.

She was finally home, among the people that had become

hers.  A smile tickled the corner of her lips, and

spread across her face.  She stepped forward towards 

the crowd, raising her arms.

.  Myra fell to her kneeds and pressed her lips to

the ground beneath her.  The crowd cheered and surged

foward.  A few people hung back, looking at Myra with

distrust and shaking their collective heads sadly at

everyone else's eagerness to take Myra back.  A few

more people ran off towards the Marauder camp to report

the new development. 

.  The citizens who still supported Myra and remembered

her rule all those years ago, lifted her to her feet.

They covered her hands in kisses and some even threw

their arms around her.  When Myra recovered her 

composure, she stood straight and turned to face the

burning buildings.  With a wave of her hand she 

summoned a legion of water elementals.  With another 

flick of her wrist, she set them to putting out the

fires that still burned in the city.

.  Myra turned to see a young elf approaching, looking

at Myra curiously.  His eyes widened slightly as he

recognized her, but he bowed deeply and sincerely.  

.  "I am Tathallyn.  I am an advisor to his magesty,

Valen.  I am at your service as well, Lady Myra."

.  Myra smiled and curtsied, nodding her head to

aknowledge him.  "I do not need anything at the

moment"

.  Myra turned to the crowd that was sill milling 

about the square.  She narrowed her eyes and looked

at them sharply.  "Are we going to stand here while

we starve, or are we going to rebuild our city??"

.  A few of the citizens looked charigned, and they 

all scattered to their respective homes.  Myra smiled,

satisfied, and walked toward her old rooms in the

palace.  She wondered if they were as she left them..

[113] Myra: New Thalos - Conversations.

Sun Dec 21 14:46:15 1997

To: all

.  Myra walked along the quiet corridors of the palace.  

The guards saluted her as she walked by, and the servants

bowed out of her way.  She approached the throne room 

apprehensively, butterflies seemed to flutter around in

her stomach.  It had been so long since she had been in 

this room.  

.  The two twin thrones sat magestically on the raised

dias near the far wall.  The mosaic on the floor was just

as she remembered it.  Quietly, Myra slipped behind the

tapestry and opened the secret door to her private garden.

.  Sapphire had apparently tried to keep the garden well

kept, but after she left it appeared that no one had tended

to it.  Myra kneeled by her patch of tulips and carefully

plucked one, putting it behind her ear.  She draink from

the tiny spring in the middle of the garden and slowly

opened the door to her room.

.  The carved room smelled sweetly of roses and tulips, 

it was well kept and dust free.  Some kind soul had continued

to keep her room clean as though awaiting her return.

.  Myra crossed the room and opened a window, allowing the

warm breeze to trickle through.  She smiled and sat down 

on her bed.  It had been a long time since she had felt

such luxury.

.  A hesitant tap on her door awoke Myra from her day-

dreaming.  Rising quickly she opened the door and saw a

massive figure in her doorway.  He stepped into the room 

and seemed to bring the darkness with him.

.  "Greetings, Highlord Yang."  Myra said, moving out

of the doorway and motioning for him to enter.  She pulled

the chair out from the desk and positioned it facing the

desk.  She sat on the top of the desk and indicated that

Yang should take the chair.  He smirked and reached out

towards her face, touching a lock of hair.

.  "Blonde.. such a fool color.."

.  "If you came here to insult me, you need not have

bothered."  Myra said irratably, pulling away from him

and once again motioning to the chair.

.  Yang smirked and sat down.  "I see you have come back

into power.  It is good to see you back on your throne"

.  Myra shrugged and looked at the ceiling "It was

necessary."

.  "Necrucifer does not allow me to bother with those who

do not have power.  When you did before, I admit I was

quite taken with you.  I can speak once more with respect

to you.  It is well."

.  Myra raised her eyebrow and looked at Yang curiously.

.  "Isn't it always strange how people do not recognize

me for my reputation, but instead try to tarnish it?

I do not have much more time here, but I want people

to remember me as a legend."

.  "I am sure they will not forget you, Yang.  People will

always try to make great men look small, but they cannot

forget.."

.  "I am not the child of darkness that is coming.

There is one with more power than I could ever weild who

is coming.  Somtimes.. I pray my soul was my own so that

I could choose when I go.."

"Ah, I know how it feels to lose your soul."  Myra said,

looking at Yang meaningfully.  He chose to ignore her.

.  "At least you had the chance.. It was a luxury I

never had."

.  "Perhaps.. But certainly you are not leaving... You

are a good leader for Eclipse.  I cannot imagine their

army without you at the head of it."

.  Yang shrugged and looked at the wall behind Myra.  "It

is not my choice."

.  Myra shrugged and studied the ceiling.  She didn't quite

know how to react.  Yang had never been so talkative, and

there seemed to be no purpose to his visit.  That thought

made the hair on the back of Myra's neck rise.  Yang

_always_ had a purpose.  It was just a matter of finding

it..

.  "Duties call.  I must go."  Yang rose and bowed

slightly.  Myra hopped off the desk and curtsied in

return.

.  "Peace be with you, Yang."  Myra said quietly to

his retreating form as he stepped through a gate and

vanished.  Myra ran her hand over her face and chuckled

softly to herself.  "A visit without brusies.. amazing.."

[114] Myra: New Thalos - Another visitor.

Sun Dec 21 15:01:03 1997

To: all

.  As Myra sat on her bed thinking about Yang, a servant

ran into the room and bowed hastily.

.  "Sultana?  There is a visitor."

.  Myra nodded and stepped out into the garden.  She entered

the throne room and sat upon her throne.  The doors opened

and HighLord Oge walked in.  Myra gave a mental sigh, two

overbearing, Minotaur leaders in one day.  She was beginning

to rethink her actions and miss the campfire of the Gypsies.

.  Myra inclined her head at Oge, who bowed slightly, smirking.

.  "Greetings, HighLord Oge."  She said quietly.

.  "Sultana, I have come to inform you that I controll

this city and you only retain your throne as long as

I allow it."

.  Myra sighed sadly and nodded her head.  She'd hoped for

a little more time to rebuild the city and boost her 

citizen's morale before Oge stuck his nose into things.

.  "You need me to controll this city."  Myra said simply.

.  "I do not.  I will kill every citizen if they do

not cooperate.  If I suspect you are the head of any

attacks on my forces, I will execute your citizens."

.  Myra smiled slightly and inclined her head.  "I will

be honest with you, Oge.  We are both strong willed

people.  Working together would be far more prophitable

than fighting eachother."

.  "You have no leverage, Sultana.  I controll the city

And you are only allowed to keep your throne because I

will it."

.  Life could be made.. uncomfortable for you and your

troops."

.  "If it is, I will merely execute them."

.  Myra sighed sadly and nodded.  "Very well.. Your terms?"

.  "I will have my scribes write them and they will be

delivered."

.  "Very well, I await their arrival."  Myra rose and

curtsied, leaving the throne room from behind the tapestry.

[115] Keska: Drukk-zthi-Srys, Srys-zthi-Drukk: old answers reveal new questions.

Tue Dec 23 02:31:01 1997

To: all

.   The rhythem of hoofbeats flying through the foreest; the dangerous

breakneck speed the regular rhythems created turned the world to a blured

tunnel of green, pulling the Keska Srys, and her horse, Drukkmakki, deeper

and deeper into it.  Faster and faster, away into the woods, the sounds

of deamons chewing on her flesh, the chants of the minature brass dragon,

the acid breath of the tiny black, they were left far behind.  The world

swirled from black to green, her flight in to the woodss continued at

a blinding, teary-blured speed, and as the green world swirled around

her, she realized she really wasn't acutuly going anywhere.

.   Keska rubbed her acheing head in confusion; untied herself from the

back of her horse, and fell in an undignified heap into the underbrush.

The fall haddn't hurt as much as she would have hoped, but it still 

helped righten her dizzy mind, and pull her back to reality.  She stood

slowly, still rubbing her head; the world slowed it's spinning.

.  Glaring at her stallion in annoyance, Keska wondered how long ago he

had stopped his run.  Sweat and mud had already dried on his hide, 

apprently it had not taken him long to figure out that running from the

figments and delusions of another's maddness was completely unnessary.

She let the stubborn animal continue to forage.

.   Her head ached, figments and delusions it might have been, but they

had managed to mark the bladesinger with a stunning bit of reality.  She

was still deaf in the ear that the black dragon in her visons had breathed

on.

.   *I am growing old, and my skills are slowly weakening, the last

.   thing I need is this handicap*

.   She considered her location.  It appeared her mad ride had led her 

to the northwest, twards where the ruins of her home city would lie.

Still a ways to go, she quickly decided not to continue there.  There

was truly nothing left of the city to Srys, the remains were buried in

the ground, and in the nightmare memories of it's sole survivor.

[116] Keska: Drukk-zthi-Srys, Srys-zthi-Drukk: old answers reveal new questions. 2

Tue Dec 23 03:05:58 1997

To: all

.   No, the Keska Srys would not look into the past, only the future now.

.   *I had always counted on being dead by now*

.   *Srys, mkkkt-kkut; Kantillies, mkkkt-sakki; Rhea, mkkkt-kif; why did 

.   you not allow me to die when my purpose ended*

She cleared the ground and built a skeleton of wood that would provide

food for the flames of a campfire.  With a word she summoned a small 

ball of blue flame; and held it, letting it feast on her life, while

looking into it for an answer.

.   "Why, light, do I still live?  What shall I do with this life you

contiue to feed me?"

She tossed the flame into the pit of firewood, and it quickly caught up

it's new food, turning to brillian yellows and oranges; Keska leaned

close to the flames, looking for an answer.

.   A cloudy moonless night turned to a cloudy sunless day.  Neither

Srys or Makkkit offered thier wisdome, and as for kif?  Friends were few

and far between for the disagreable, elder, wild elf.  It was unlikely 

that anyone back at the hall missed her yet.  More likely many probably

enjoyed the vacation from her glum moods.  No, there were no answers to 

her questions from either god, or mortal, she would have to provide her

own.

.   *answers?  I barely know my questions.. none can answer me till I

.   know my question*

.   Keska sat staring at the smoldering remains of her fire.

.   *This time I go, not in search of answers, but for the questions*

.   *the sorts of questions sikkevikk do not concern themselves with,

.   the sorts of questions that could be answered in the madness of my

.   uncle's runes and spells*

.   She spoke to the woods at large, "I will go, and learn the things

'scholors' and mages who have had better opertunities than I had ever

had in my youth, do.  I will study those curosities untill I find the

questions I seek.  Then I will understand the answers in my uncle's 

spellbook."

[117] Keska: Drukk-zthi-Srys, Srys-zthi-Drukk: old answers reveal new questions. 3

Tue Dec 23 03:19:55 1997

To: all

.

.   Keska stood and stomped out the last of the fire.  She whistled to 

the stallion Drukkmakki, who was dozing nearby.  He approched her with

a questioning look on his face, perhaps wondering if he would have to 

carry his mistress past figments of her imagination again.

.   "Good," she spoke to him as she steadily lept onto his back, letting

the safty rope lie forgotten.  The world still turned at an odd angle,

but now it was skewed in tune with Keska's mind, "Good, mkkkt-kif, you

will need your questioning looks, we have answered our questions, and 

questioned our answers, now we seek a new set to analyize.  Perhaps in 

the end we will have intresting things to enlighten our laikktk with."

.   Drukkmakki mearly snorted and rolled his eyes as he was urged into 

a steady trot to the south.

.   "I hear that the horses of New Thalos are not so stubborn as you.

Perhaps I should investigate there first."

.   In the grey greens the black horsee and dark cloaked rider loped off

looking for shadows in light, and light in shadow, where there is only

gray.

[118] Trunks: The Trunks Story

Wed Dec 24 08:38:54 1997

To: all

It all started a long time from now....

It was a damp, cold, and miserable day, when all of a sudden...

BOOM! The city which I was raised in was destroy'd, I had no idea what

could have caused such a thing. But whatever it was, it wouldn't stop...

A great tall man by the name of Gohan trained me to use magic. So

we could stop the beasts that were trying to destroy the planet.

They were some sort of machines. In the future they were called 

androids. After Gohan had trained me. I tried to remember my father

Vegeta, because I was told by using my anger, that will make me 

stronger. My father died when I was very young because of those

androids. I grew up changing my hair styles a lot. now I have a center

parting, white hair(which use to be purple), and

two threads of hair dangliing down at each side

of my face.

Gohan and I thought it was time to try and destroy the robots.

So we went to the next city that was being attacked, but it was to

late. Half the people on earth were dead already. If only magic never

came around, then these robots could never use it...for evil...

My mother Bulma was a scientist, she didn't know the ways of magic

because she didn't believe in it(as in it's not right to use). She

built a time machine and a nice sword to use while going back in time

to prevent magic from accuring. I guess I may never see the future again

but if I do, it's the day magic stops.

[119] Saravhana: Illness takes the Highlord: Healing appears Futile (part 1)

Thu Dec 25 18:11:37 1997

To: all Eclipse

This is some light, reading material which, if you don't find entertaining,

is at least informative, and may answer various questions that you have

later. It is pulled from the Volumes of Eclipse, and I have had the

consent permission of those included to post their story (as Lore-Keeper)

,   It was the 13th, month of Lengthening Shadows, when our Highlord fell

ill, and so I record, as is my duty as Lore-Keeper of the Skull. He was

a great minotaur, and a fearsome leader. The world quaked in his path.

Regardless to say, the ranks were not all that easy when their great 

leader showed weakness. Some feared he should die. I was sure there was 

worse in store for his mortal self.

,   The healers of Eclipse, and priests of Verminasia gathered. Lady

Ying herself was the strongest healer, but at first, we were all

brought before the bedded Highlord (Necrucifer bless his name). His soul-

mate could not determine the nature of his illness. We did no better.

,   "My love.." he groaned, and I recorded. Ying sat beside him

constantly, she would not leave his side. "You would keep the ranks of

Eclipse for me?"

,   "I would." She responded, and he did not detect the doubtful

tone of her voice. The tone that knew only a true child of Necrucifer

could lead Eclipse. Vette. Mithrax. Yang. Possibly even Targetter and

San Gohdam himself! It was prophecy, and tradition almost. When Mactan

took reign over the ranks, they became doomed.

,   After that, no one was allowed into their chambers. When Ying was not

at his side, she paced around the room, and one could hear and feel 

the powerful magicks she was summoning from Drakkara to aid her mate.

,   I recorded that in the morning, Ying was in tears, and failed after

many attempts to recover herself. The morale of Eclipse was low that day,

for never before had anything even remotely seemed to disturb the couple.

When either Mithrax or Drakkon or any tried to comfort her, she would

quite nearly attack them. Ying launched herself into the chambers of the

Highlord and slammed the door.

,   For a long time, Ying would not let anyone in. The first 'warning' she

gave was when Mithrax sent a prisoner in who was doing penance as a

servant. His screams were heard everywhere in the keep, and there was a

large snapping sound. Mithrax ordered the strongest of the Nightmare

battalion to guard the door, and make sure no one made the mistake of

going in there again.

,   That was, of course, until I had the misfortune, as Lore-Keeper of

the Skull Battalion, to be summoned to record some Lore. Let it be known

that on that day of the month of Lengthening shadows, I sighed heavily.

,   Yang's illness had left the Highlord's dark skin pale. The long, bound

mane of hair that spilt from the top of his head and down his thick neck

was a tangled mess, his eyes unfocussed, lacking their usual energetic,

smouldering darkness, and cold sweat soaked the sheets. A bucket of ice

cold water lay near the bed, apparently all Ying had done for him for the

past day was cool his head to help his mind cope the fever. I found it

uite unnerving that the most powerful of Drakkara's magicks could not

revive our glorious Highlord.

,   "He is in the condition to speak." Lady Ying said. "I wish his

words recorded, for they might be the last sane things that come from his

mouth."

,   "As is your wish, as do I obey, m'Lady." I replied, curtseying. I

took a stool from nearby and sat across from her on Yang's right, though

she sat near his head. She was drained herself, physically and mentally,

but she was still remarkably beautiful for a human, though her skin was

even more pale than usual, and her ultramarine eyes were tired, her curly

locks of void black hair unkempt and sagged as much as her shoulders.

,   The fallen minotaur began to speak, it was of memories. Memories that

made them what they were. It was Lord Yang and Lady Ying's Tale.

[120] Saravhana: Illness takes the Highlord: The Story of Ying & Yang (part 2)

Thu Dec 25 18:17:57 1997

To: all Eclipse

,   Austinian, long ago and still, was a firm believer in destiny 

manifest. The fates of those created should be guided by the hands of the

gods so that order above all things was maintained, and the power of

mortal men and women were kept in check with that of the servants, avatars

and minions of the gods. Thus, some who were born were doomed before they

even had a chance, so that Austinian could protect himself, and the world

supposedly, from the corruption of power.

,   Nevara had been a follower of Austinian all her life. There were few

times when she had strayed from the path of goodness, save when she was

tricked by Darkoth, and empreginated. Alas, when she finally gave birth,

her child tore prematurely from her womb, and she was killed. The child,

was never given a name. Rather than dishonor the heroes of Mahn-Tor, the

child was cast out, as punishment to Darkoth, but to also save Mahn-Tor

face. Cast out, into the wastes of snow and ice. He was much too young

to survive, and alas, after few hours, he slipped into darkness.

,   Another nameless child was being kept by a vernerable red robe, who

in his ancient wisdom, was hardly capable of taking care of her. He, albeit

unwittingly in his senelity, neglected the poor child to the point of

starvation. Her destiny was doomed from the start because of what she

might become. His doomed because of what he might accomplish, in whomever's

name. A woman with dark eyes, and dark hair, pale skin and black dress

came that day to the mage's study, and stole the human child into the

darkness outside.

,   When the two were consious again, they were both five years old, and

within moments, they had grown to the age of adolescence. Images flashed

towards them and through the void black chamber in which they floated,

and soon enough, they began to be able to process what was happening, and

assess their surroundings. They faced eachother, glowing in a sea of abyss.

Each hovered above an altar, her of Drakkara, the minotaur noticed, and

she saw that he hoverd above one of Necrucifer. They faced eachother,

naked, but in no way embarassed. There was no time for that, nor, at this

point, had they been taught of it. The altars shifted somehow, and they

sat together upon a single one, staring at eachother, bewildered. Neither

had she seen a minotaur before, nor he a human, though somehow they knew

what they were. 

,   Footsteps in the void chamber.

,   "They are prepared." Came the voice of a darkly cowled man, who's

form was barely visible. Darkness was his avatar and seal. With him was

a woman who's beauty was alluring to the blind. Energies and mana crackled

around her, and reality bent to her will.

,   "Just superb! Won't your brother have a fit when he sees these two

back in Algoron!" She said, delighted.

,   The darkly cowled man looked rather irritated at the human girl upon

the altar with the minotaur. It could be assessed that it was a jealous

wife keeping an eye on her husband with a creation of equal weightiness.

,   "I suppose that Austinian, who you so liberaly refer to as a brother,

may not be at all happy. Ah well." The cowled man spoke, and they both

shifted to stand behind their pets; She behind the human girl, he behind

the minotaur.

,   "I shall name this one Yang."

,   "And this one Ying!" The woman smiled evilly at her husband, and

the cowled man groaned.

,   "Since Austinian doomed you two to death before you had even realised

your potential, it had drawn our attention." He spoke, to Yang.

,   "Just like him to be afraid of something that might wield so much

magickal energies as to oppose his stronger avatars!" She spoke, to Ying.

,   "Therefor, we're sending you back. We can't give you your choice

anymore, not that you'd -want- to help _his_ forces after what he's done

to you, so you Yang, will serve me.."

,   "And you me, Ying."

,   "And perhaps someday... well, we shall see. Now go--"

,   "Wait! You think you can--"  

,   The two faded from view of the gods, only to find themselves caged in

a very small compartment, which was as empty and as void black as the

chamber before it, looking as if it stretched on forever.

[121] Saravhana: Illness takes the Highlord:storyn ++

Thu Dec 25 18:21:05 1997

To: All Eclipse

,   The beautiful, dark woman appeared again, smirking. "He's given you

the means, and the method though you know it not yet. But he's not given

you the motivation. Come here.." The woman made a lunge for Yang before

he could move and grabbed him by the mane, dragging he and Ying towards

eachother.

,   "jandicandus morze foremeleven!" She intoned. "Forever the two

of you shall be bound. Ying you shall follow Yang, and deeply love him:

know everything that he does, but more, for you shall have the ability

to assess things with a logic unparalleled in the world below us. Yang,

forever you shall hate the world and what it has become. The one thing

that I give you though, as to not drive you insane, shall be Ying, for

whom you shall live and breath if not for your god, Necrucifer. She shall

be the driving force inside your heart, the compassion, the reward and

the reason why you shall commit what you shall. Go, my MACHINES! Work

our will upon the world and make Austinian's fears come true, all because

he condemned you!"

,    Ying and Yang were then placed upon the world, as young adults, to

learn the world's ways for themselves, and grow someday to fulfil what

the gods had wished them to.

Illness takes the Highlord: Rememberance

(3)

,   Yang also told us of the Dracon, how it was reasembled and the

dragons which he baptised were born once again into the world. His

tales were getting shorter and more incoherant as his health waned,

and thus a brief history, scattered fragments of a great minotaur's

life, are recorded as thus:

,   "...they trained me, Malice, made my hammer and steel one with

my forearm and my will... they made my mortal body what it is..."

,   At which point his mumblings became incoherant, only to, a few

moments later, have changed subjects.

,   "..tried to stop me from it. The dragons were baptised though, with

bonus... Myra's hair, so golden, stained crimson as I was sucked through..

I don't know what it was, but when I saw, Gideon Bane, Arkayn, Scythe..

knights and clerics of holiness trying to stop me as Austinian did when

I was born, and.." Yang relived the pain of death and was very vibrant

before Ying placed a calming hand upon his forehead. ".. Your blood

shall be but a drop from my finger, he told me. Your body a mortal shell

for my will. This is your Second, of three bodies.."

,   For a long time he recited and intoned strange things that he had

heard in the plane of darkness before his resurection into the crusader

that he became.

,   "..the gypsies meant well, but I never fit in... always in the

shadows while they spoke around the fire, always at odds. Bystrick..

Tuefry... heretics, and neither did I get along with them well nor

did they me..."

,   At this point, Yang's speech deteriorated into random thoughts

and rich, minotaur accent. From what I knew of him and what I could

catch, I speculated with relative accuracy what he spoke. He spoke of

the knowledge he uncovered from some Heretic's works in Pahn-Tol, of

why he never faultered from the designs of his Lord. Of why he thrived

where others failed. He spoke of bringing Steel and Myra over to the

darkness, his dealings in souls of which I shall record elsewhere in

the more classified Volumes of Eclipse. The assassination of Vette,

and how Necrucifer was displeased with the situation in Eclipse, which

is why Yang came to it's keep anyhow, to remedy the situation, followed

soon after by Mithrax, another follower of Necrucifer's will. He

spoke of the rise again to power, or at least, security... and now

that Eclipse had been fixed...

,   "Could it be that Necrucifer is moving the pieces on his chessboard?"

,   Ying reflected momentarily, and smirked at me, making me very

uncomfortable, for her gaze was deep and mystifyingly dangerous.

,   "Thank you, miss d'Fale. You may leave us and record this in the

Volumes now." Was my que for dismissal. I did not spare much in the

haste of my departure from that chamber. May the gods and Necrucifer

have mercy on Lord Yang, and might his illness get better soon.

Continued soon, but not by me. Please don't ask me too many questions either, 

I just work here.

                   Saravhana d'Fale, Lore-Keeper of the Skull

[122] Saravhana: Illness takes the Highlord: As does Darkness.

Thu Dec 25 22:54:29 1997

To: all Eclipse

On this date; the first of the month of Futility, there was organized

a gathering of the faithful of Necrucifer within our keep. In the war

room had assembled Princess Finnadria of Verminasia, Samael, evildoer

of Malice, Suki, sir Mithrax, and many other faces, including that of

myself, as Lore-Keeper of Eclipse, and faithful to the Father. Highlord

Yang had been brought to sit at the head of the table in the war room.

Our clan banner hung heavily on the northern wall:

,       Te Occidere Possunt Sed Edere Non Possunt Nefas Est

,   They had assembled for a particular purpose, though none of them

truly understood it. Before long, they had realised the purpose of the

meeting; to uncover what ailment Lord Yang was under. As the darkness fell

heavy upon the keep, the torches extinguished, and the light from the

sunset expired. Darkness. I do believe, though I could not see, that the

only yelp not heard was one from the minotaur Highlord.

,   New leaders shall be chosen as the time goes by, to lead Eclipse

into glory. But Yang has always, and will always, belong to me. He is

leaving you now, for his final quest before becoming not as you see

him now. Be at peace...There was an ominous chuckle...Yang's illness

descended from his struggle against my will. He did not wish my hand to

move him again this time. He must have been truly dedicated to each of

you, and thus, I will allow him to still be. From his new position on

the board.

,   From that, I speculate that the voice (which all had interpreted as

some apparition of Necrucifer himself) meant that Yang was only ill

because he had overstayed his time in Eclipse. He was truly an honorable

man, in a writer's opinion. He came here, where no one dared step, fixed

what was broken beyond all hopes at that time, and tried to stay against

the will of what his god had led him to do in the first place. His name

shall forever be remembered in these Tomes of Lore, and may our future

leaders be so dedicated, and daring. For whomever can say that he did

not risk himself to save a dying clan, is a madman, and deserves a thousand

death.

,

,   The man who, at the end of every day, stole the sun from the sky and

subdued it in the blanket of night, took Highlord Yang away from us, on

a chariot of black stallions and tore into the shadows of the land like

fire through a Yinn. The gods know what is in store for Yang. The gods

have mercy upon his soul.

[123] Rick: The dynamic duo.

Fri Dec 26 13:59:41 1997

To: all

Darcy hefted yet another complete ration up, and devoured it in one gulp.

Rick looked relieved.  His spare jerkied trail steaks always seemed like

less, ever since the days that the minotaur assassin would feast on them.

A gypsy burst forth from the commons, and declared there were Malice

waiting outside the protective ring of the wagons.

"Rick, let's go take care of business."  Rick grinned.  He loved a good

fight, especially one that was with Darcy.  Mostly because no matter their

plight, they either won, or became profitable because of it.

Slinking out of the campsite, and beyond the commons, the two confronted

two legends of Malice.  A mounted crusader, and a minotaur barbarian on

foot.

The minotaur assassin grinned.  Due to the bovine nature of minotaurs,

there was nothing pleasant about a minotaur's grin.  It was the type of

grin that said that you could be between those teeth within seconds.

Coupled with the fact that assassin's grins tend to be dark, devious things

that usually meant someone was going to die soon, it would be an understatement

to say that the grin was anything but pleasant.  But to Rick, it was as

happy as a sunny day.

"Get lost, go back to your punk ass crap castle." said Rick.  The pair

from Malice looked at him with a glance that seemed to say that little

things like mosquito's were annoying.

Darcy yawned, and nonchalantly walked up to Lyndros.  That is to say, if

there was anything nonchalant about a hulking minotaur walking up to a

person with a devious look in their eyes.  Hands flew outward and met with

human flesh.  A moment later, the crusader was unconscious.

Before the barbarian could do anything, the skilled hands flew out and

found his neck as well.  Agamek soon collapsed upon his worse half, both

snoring like babies.

"Well Rick, we can't just leave them here." the minotaur muttered.

Rick nodded, and pulled out two pieces of parchment.  He squinted at them:

RECALL

Looking at both of them, he said "RECALL!"  And then "RECALL!" again.

The two suddenly disappeared.  From the nearby city/state of Althainia,

they could hear a giant ogre roaring, and two voices screaming for their

lives.

"Well, so much for profit." Rick said.  He looked quite distraught.

"Not true, I think Lyndros left you a present."  The minotaur pointed out

the fresh horse nearby, that bore the neck tag that stated he belonged

to Lyndros.

Beaming, the ranger jumped up on the horse.  Letting out a loud "YEEHAW,"

he gallopped within the Gypsy camp, and ripped the horse's head from its

neck.

"Wow, that Rick is a nice guy, giving out all these jerkied trail steaks,

wonder where they came from?" said the elderly gypsy storyteller.

"You don't want to know." said the minotaur in between bites.

[124] Myra: New Thalos - Sultana with a hangover.

Mon Dec 29 04:17:04 1997

To: all

.  Myra shook her head hazily, dazed and slightly confused.

She felt groggy.  As her mind came fully awake, she 

remembered the night before.  She was drunk.

.  *Correction, hungover*  She thought as she tried to

rise and realized there was something heavy on top of her.

.  *Blankets?*  Myra pushed them off her and heard something

thud against the floor.

.  *An arm?*

.  Myra rolled over and looked at the sleeping form beside

her.  She blushed and sat up, attempting to stand but merely

sliding to the floor.  She sat at the foot of the bed and

looked around the room.  Empty bottles.  Wine, brandy...

Myra shook her head sadly.

.  "What was I thinking?"  She whispered aloud.

.  The man on the bed stirred and sat up.  He looked at Myra

sitting on the floor and guessed what had happened.  He

chuckled softly and slid down onto the floor next to her.  Myra

noticed with a great deal of relief that they were both

both fully dressed.

.  "What happened?"  Myra asked quietly.

.  The man looked at the empty bottles strewn about on the

floor significantly.  Myra smile ruefully and nodded.

.  "The bed?  Why were we..?"  Myra looked at the rumpled

covers.  She hadn't remembered a bed being there...

.  "My magic created it.  You..."  He paused and cleared

his throat.  "fell asleep and were having nightmares,

so I sought to comfort you a little."

.  Myra smiled and shrugged, looking at her hands.

.  "Why are you here?"  Myra asked, pulling her knees

up to her chest and wrapping her arms around her legs.  She

rested her chin on her knees and curled into herself in her

usual protective manner, watching her companion carefully.

.  "To be near you, my beautiful goddess."  He replied

with a wistful smile.

.  Myra raised an eyebrow and eyed him curiously.  "You

don't... want anything?"  She asked uncertainly.

.  "Just you, majestic one."  His eyes sparkled as he spoke,

mesmerizing Myra and pulling her down into their grey depths.

He reached out a gentle hand and cupped her chin, lifting

it towards her face.  He leaned down and kissed her, deeply

and passionately.  Myra began to pull away at first, and then

returned his kiss shyly.  He wrapped his arms around her,

pulling her against his body.  Myra squeeked with surprise

but didn't resist.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and

snuggled close to him.  He caressed her hair softly and 

whispered sweet words of desire and passion in her ear.

.  Myra was both attracted to and repulsed by this man.

.  As suddenly as he had wrapped his arms around her, he stood

and bowed, leaving her in an undignified heap on the floor.

He reached out and took her hand, kissing it gently.

.  "Goodbye, beauteous one."  He said, grinning evilly.

He muttered a few words and dissapeared.

.  Myra stared at the spot where he had been and narrowed

her eyes angrily.

.  She didn't know who she hated more, him or herself.  He

would return, and when he did she would be drawn to him,

willingly or not.

[125] Myra: Crump's Past.

Mon Dec 29 06:52:03 1997

To: all

*THWACK*

.  The heavy ruler came down upon the young ogre's knuckles.  The

priest stood above him and looked down at him sternly.  Crump

looked at the angry man and brought his bruised knuckles to

his mouth.  His eyes filled with unshed tears, failing to understand

why the priests were so mean to him.

.  "You must concentrate, Crump, if you are to learn the

spells of a cleric."

.  "Me try.  No know dis good."  Crump said sadly, bending

his head in prayer.  The priest nodded grimly and walked along

the rows of young aspiring clerics.

.  Shortly after, the elderly priest dismissed his students and

traveled to visit the Dean.  He had to convince the stubborn

old man that Crump was useless.  Pretty soon the ogre would

grow to gigantic proportions, and would not unlikely become

irked to learn he couldn't become a cleric.  The priest shuddered

at the thought of what might happen then.

.  When he knocked on the door to the Dean's office, the senile

old man's voice wafted quietly out of the room.

.  "You may enter..."  His speech was cut off by a series of

wet coughs.  The old man had probably caught pneumonia again.

.  "My Dean,"  the priest, Klevin, began as he entered

the room.  "I must speak to you about one of my students."

.  The Dean nodded between coughs.  Klevin gave him a concerned

glance before launching into his usual tirade about the young

ogre.  This time he took care to describe the destruction that

would likely follow after Crump learned the truth.

.  "We have no other choice, Dean.  We can tell him that it

is the custom for young clerics to go out into the world

and learn their art through practice and journeying.  He

is not smart enough to think otherwise."

.  "We agreed to take him in.. We cannot simply throw the

boy out.."  The Dean began.

.  "A child?!  Crump is no child!  Have you seen him?

He will probably be as large as the sycamore tree by the time

he is fully grown!  It is too large a risk."

.  The Dean paled noticably, thinking of the large tree that

had been planted when the church had been founded.  Klevin was

quick to pounce on the Dean's reaction, painting stories of

the destruction Crump could do to the tree and church.

.  Finally, the Dean caved in and agreed that Crump should 

be sent out from the school.  Klevin turned to leave, letting

his smile broaden triumphantly.  As he walked out the door, 

the Dean's kind, soft voice followed him warningly.

.  "Remember... to tell him, it is the way of clerics to

go out alone.. to learn."  

.  Klevin nodded and closed the door behind him.  He almost

ran to his room, full of glee.  Finally, he would be rid

of that stupid, troublesome ogre!

[126] Charis: Charis.

Mon Dec 29 20:46:26 1997

To: all

.  I remember the day better than any other.  That is, I

suppose, to be expected.  It was a warm summer day, the sky

had no clouds and the sun beat down on the white sand of the

arena mercilessly.  I glistened in the sunlight, the scented

oils protecting me from the sun.  My whole team shone, we

were the best of the dancers, when people came to the temple

arena, they came to see us.

.  I remember it so well because it was the day Raije took

me from that world into this one.  It was the day I died.

.  I had hand picked the pulls we were to dance with the

night before.  The final bull, a huge brute, was stark white

and his horns were painted gold.  He was a fiesty monster,

eager to bathe his horns with blood.  The crowd would love

it.

.  The first of the disasters began when I awoke the members

of my team to find two of them sharing a bed.  Don't mistake me,

I don't condem such activities, but a dancer must remain celebate

and pure in order to grace Raije's temple.  Only the best could

dance and risk death.  Embrace death at every show, and elude

it.  The girl was of no consequence, a woman from one of

the other, lesser teams.  The boy, Elldannin, begged me to

tell nothing of it to the others.  He begged me to allow him

to perform.

.  Raije help us all, but I did.

[127] Charis: Charis

Mon Dec 29 20:53:19 1997

To: all

.  I ordered Elldannin to clean himself - I don't know what

possesed me to think that was possible - and to attend our

breakfast.  We were to discuss the performance order for the 

afternoon.  Everyone assembled quickly and we ate well.  In

the early morning coolness, before the sun began to beat down

on the pale sand of the arena, we exercised.

.  And the second disaster struck.

.  Elldannin and I were practicing a jump when he missed

a throw and sent me tumbling sideways.  I was surprised and

unprepared and the fall jarred my shoulder.  The muscles in

my back tigthtened, but I refused to give into the injury.

I walked and stretched, and the pain dulled into a bareable

throb.

.  When the heat grew, I ordered my dancers into the temple

where we stretched and prepared our bodies with scented

oils.  It was not to be much longer before we would be

dancing our turn.  Another team went before us.  The crowd

cheered unenthusiastically until we heard a scream from the

arena.  The crowd went wild.  We looked at eachother knowingly

and watched the hallway leading to the arena.  Not long after

a bloody and broken body was brought through.  Someone had

not avoided the bull in time, and had been torn and trampled.

.  Raije had taken a soul, and the crowd was pleased.

[128] Charis: Charis

Mon Dec 29 21:01:30 1997

To: all

.  Because of the injured dancer, our performance was moved

to an earlier time.  As we walked out into the arena the 

crowd hushed.  Our reputation had reached them.  They were

silent, awaiting a cue from us.  I eyed the sun distrustfully,

it was high and bright in the sky.  We would have to perform

in the noon sun, the hottest time of the day.  My only comfort

was that the bulls would tire as quickly as we.

.  I nodded slightly to my dancers, and we bowed as one.

The crowd held its breath, seeing something they thought we

did not.  The bull was loose in the arena, charging towards

us.  Each of us danced out of the way of his slashing horns

barely in time, enraging the beast.  Our center dancer, Jerrlyn,

remained rooted in place.  A few people in the crowd yelled

out a warning, but she didn't flinch.  When the bull lowered

his horns to charge, she openned her eyes and lept towards him,

grabbing his horns and vaulting over his back.

.  The crowd loved us.  They would reward us well when we

were done.

.  The performance went well, 3 bulls in all we taunted and

chased around the arena.  We summersaulted and danced, always

out of reach of the deadly horns.

.  The final disaster did not strike until the final bull came.

.  Elldannin, Jerrlyn and I were to dance the final round

with the fearsome bull I had chosen.  He entered the arena

slowly and cautiously, watching us with huge, intellegent

bovine eyes.  His cloven hoves and horns were gold, and they

gleamed in the sunlight.  Elldannin and I stood across from

eachother, and Jerrlyn directly in front of the bull.  We

stood still, and Jerrlyn watched the bull cautiously.  He

charged her, as we knew she would.  As it bore closer to

her, Elldannin and I ran towards eachother, gainning momentum.

.  We lept at the same time, he was supposed to arc over me

while I did was to hit the bull's back with my hands and

continue my flight over him.  His jump was off, and his arc

was to low.

.  He was heading directly toward me.

[129] Charis: Charis

Mon Dec 29 21:09:14 1997

To: all

.  Jerrlyn dropped into the sand before the bulls chrurning

hooves, and Elldannin crashed into me, hitting the shoulder

he had injured earlier in the day.  I managed to fly 

over the bull and roll with my fall in the sand.  Elldannin

was thrown off course but landed softly.  Jerrlyn cried out

as soon as she stood up and saw what had happened.

.  She gave us the precious few moments we needed to regian our

feet.  The crowd cheered madly, they believed it was all

part of the plan.  

.  As the bull plowed down on Jerrlyn, she acted quickly, 

grabbing his horns and summersaulting onto his back to land

straddling his neck.  He slashed his head angrily and bucked

with all his might.  She held on dearly but was eventually

thrown from its back.  She summersaulted through the air

and landed on her feet.  Her form was perfect.

.  The bull turned his head and looked at me.

.  I was barely standing, my shoulder and back throbbed

painfully.  I couldn't move my neck and there was no way I

could avoid the bull's charge.  Of course, he knew this too,

and with a hungry gleam in his eye he charged me.

.  Jerrlyn and Elldannin cried out, but it was too late.

.  Time crawled by, the bull charged me with agonizing slowness.

I kneeled painfully before the bull, and looked up at the sky.

I threw my arms wide to the sky and sent praise to Raije.  I

would die for him this day.

.  The crowd gasped collectively, finally realizing what was

to happen.  They had never seen a dancer sacrifice herself

like this.  A dancer never died kneeling before the bull.

.  The horns entered my body and I flew threw the air, landing

in a bloody pile on the sand.  My blood flowed onto the pale

ground below me, staining it.  The contrast was stark and 

shocking.  I had seen it before, and knew it must have been

horrifying to the crowd.

.  As I fell under the churning hooves of the bull I lost

all conciousness.  The world turned black.

.  My last thoughts were of praise to Raije.

[130] Terri: Journal

Tue Dec 30 14:36:58 1997

To: all

17/Frost Giant month

It seems like the goblins will never stop...This is the second time they have invaded Althania. At least I had some idea of what they were up to. A young boy staggered out of the sewer, bruised and beat up. I inquiered why and he said that the Goblins were hiding in the sewers waiting for a surpri

se attack.

They had killed his brother, and he seemed greatly disturbed. I took him to the Dwarven Mountains where I thought he would be safe.

I was wrong.

The boy foolishly wandered off where a goblin warrior slaughtered him. Just then, I heard a shrill alarm. The Goblins had returned!!

I rushed back to Althania, joining Finnadria. It was a valiant fight, but there were too many of them. Luckily, Althania didn't get burned down..but they did do some damage to the fountain on Temple Square..it doesn't work anymore.

Just then, I had received news that Saruman had talked peace with the Goblin King. Or so I thought. The Goblin King was challenged to a duel. L

If the challenger loses, chaos will resume. If the challenger wins, the Goblins shall never bother us again.

I pray that the challenger wins.

Terri Shalonost

[131] Charis: Charis

Tue Dec 30 19:56:23 1997

To: all

.  I was surprised to find myself concious a few moments after

being trampled.  I found myself floating through a darkish

void.  Light and dark danced across my vision.  I saw things

that I had never dreamed of seeing again.  I saw my mother, slain

in treachery many years ago.  She was alive and well, but she

noticed me not.  I saw my beautiful island, Atlantis, turned

bloody by the wars that ravaged across its surface.  I saw

my father, in his once-great palace.  He was sitting in his 

throne, propped up by pillows and breathing shallowly.  Finally,

I saw earthquakes and volcanic eruptions explode all over

Atlantis, and she sank under the sea.

.  I wept bitterly to see the destruction that came upon the

land.  I peered through the darkness for some sign that all

was not lost in the world.  The light flashed and a large,

noble man strode towards me.

.  I had never seen him before but I knew him immediately.

He walked gracefully, and he held himself with an air of

nobility.  His armor shone brightly with a light of its

own and his intellegent eyes watched me intently.  He had a

magnificant sword at his side.

.  I kneeled before him, raising my hands in supplication and

thanking him for honoring me.

.  It was Raije who stood before me.  A vision of him, at

least, thought the truth of it mattered little.

.  He raised his arm and motioned towards the void.  A piece

of it opened, shinning on the city.  He spoke.

.  "Go there, BullDancer.  Join those peoples and be my

Avatar.  Uphold me and do not let my worshipers forget

what it means to serve me."

.  I stood and bowed my head.  I started to walk towards the

rift in the void but found I could not moved.  Raije chuckled

at my embaressment.  I remembered the stories I had learned

at my fathers hearth.  I willed myself towards the city.

.  "It is Algoron.  That city is Althainia.  Serve it

well, My dancer.  Do not forget your task."

.  As I floated through the portal, I did not look back.  I

held my head high, remembering that Raije's gaze was upon

me.  I would not dissapoint him.

Charis, BullDancer of Raije, Eternally.

[132] Terri: Journal. Part II

Tue Dec 30 20:41:08 1997

To: all

4th the Month of Forces

There was a old saying- "what goes around comes around again". I was pleased to learn that the challenger had won against the Goblin King. Celebrations were held..but our celebrating was not for long.

Looking from the Rainbow Bridge, everything was beautiful. Until I noticed something from all directions. Uttering the spell of farsight, I discovered it was a hoarde of giant red dragons!!

They appeared to be nearing Althania. I shouted a warning. Everyone scrambled to the gates.

I won't bore you with the details here, journal. But I must mention, I did die several times in an attempt to kill the Huge Red Dragon. I also should note Ubikolisk killed several single-handedly

In the end, dead dragons littered the streets of Althania, as did people. The stench was horrible...but the fight was not yet over. Someone--I couldn't identify who, nor could anyone else-- said that the goblins and dragons were just a warmup.

Soon, the Demon prince--ALONE, I might add-- walked into Althania where he met a bunch of swords. Which stabbed him. He tried to escape, but it was too late. With a bloodcurling howl, he fell to the ground writhing.

Until this evil mastermind is destroyed, Althania will never truly be safe from the mastermind.

Terri Shalonost

[133] Felina: The first 3 lives of the cat

Thu Jan  1 18:17:42 1998

To: all

Well, cats are known to spin long tails/tales so I'll try to keep this

one short.

Once upon a time, a little kender was born to her loving and addled minded

parents who named her Felina. Why Felina? Well, she looked more like the

family cat named Pita (which stands for Pain In The A**) than any family

members in existence. They cared for her in their little village the best

they could, teaching her to do all the things kenders do: rip off travellers

and be so intolerable to unwanted or money poor visitors that they would

not ever want to visit again.

One day, she decided to leave home. She told her folks, and they said: " Thank

the gods! We thought we'd never get rid of you!" And promptly threw her by the

scruff of the neck out the door!

So she travelled, and was mutually hated by all peoples and races (not only

one so she could not plead discrimination). Which lead to her eventual suicide

in which she drowned herself in the Lake of the Dogs. At her funeral, she was

said to have looked at lot like a drowned ca...(but I digress)

Life NO. 2

A nice couple of kender in the woods one pleasant summer day gave birth to

their second child (which of course was by accident). Upon her birth her mother had to say

"Oh gods no! Not again!" and her father went catatonic then passed out onto

the floor.

She was then promptly left in the woods to be hacked to pieces by the wolves.

At her funeral, people said it looked like if she was skinned like a ca..

(But I digress...)

Life No.3 , the third incarnation

One bright spring morning, a loving couple gave birth to a bouncing baby girl.

They looked down at her smiling face. And said..."Oh, my gods! What have we

done, this is a catastrophey!" And smiling back at them was Felina.

This loving, although thoroughly disgusted wild elf couple, raised their kenderish/

catlike daughter, to the best that they could...by setting her out to sea

on a catamaran.

She finally landed on the shores of a foreign land where she was raised by

some type of creature that kept feeding her magic mushrooms (the type that

make your head spin.) So now in the honour of the creatures who nursed her

back to health and partial sanity...she devotes her time to forming a clan

in their honour...and sunning herself by warm fires.

[134] Terri: Journal

Thu Jan  1 18:38:12 1998

To: all

6th the Month of the Dragon

Nothing really special happened today. I heard from my messenger who reported that there had been a demon attack on Althania. Lives were lost. I merely nodded at this news.

I had just returned from talking with Phraselspitz, who said that he sensed a conflict brewing.

"Between who?", I asked.

"The Goblins will not give up THAT easily. Nor will the demons", he said.

" The demons were vanquished to Hell. You know that.", I replied.

Phraselspitz said " Sure I do, but I don't quite think this battle is over yet "

I sighed and turned. Was I to spend the rest of my life defending Althania? I know I'm under the rule of the Empire, but should I defend it EVERY time it comes under attack by monsters?

I'll keep this entry short, for I have many things to do...but these questions still nag my mind.

Terri Shalonost

[135] Keska: mai lit-k'ni aiti sha-zi: to destroy a history

Fri Jan  2 23:52:13 1998

To: all

.   The Keska Srys rubbed weary eyes in the comforting musty darkness

of the catacombs.  The smells, the sounds, even the taste of death

drifted here, lulling and inviteing the bladesinger to join them in

an eternal sleep.

.   *a pitiful and cruel tease the gods of death have been to me*

The musty air and days and nights without sleep did sing a tempting

lullibye, but sleep is only a false death, one Keska would not take 

time for.  Like a "night owl" reaching for his much needed morning 

coffee, an addict his drug; Keska uttered the words of magic, and a

false energy flowed through her veins, destroying and refreshing.

.   It had been well over two weeks since Keska had exited the emense

green woods of Shalonesti in search for her questions.  She had not

seen or heard from her clan in that time.  It was doubtful they would

look for her, and even less likely that they would find her if they

did.  Even on horseback she could move through the woods without a

trace, and any vague traces would now have eroded into the forest.

Even if she had stayed in the woods, none would find here, and 

certinly none would think to search for her here, in the depths and 

pits of a gloomy monument to death.

.   The location of the valley of the dragons was no secret to her

she had been dragged there many times before on absurd quests by her 

clan.  However, it was not dragons, portals, or the beastly Yinn she

was searching for.  While the resergance of the great wyrms was intresting

the deaths and extinction of other beasts now facinated her with 

the strange secrets they promised.

.   *What are they? Why did they die, and how?  and why have there

.   been no recordings of this race that I have seen?  Is it possible

.   for an entire people to be so obliterated from history?*

.   Vagely huminoid beings with extra appendages, possibly wings, 

danced around her mind.  Their terrified postures and faces struck 

pity even in Keska's cold heart.

.   *what killed you beasts?  did you deserve such terrible deaths?*

.   The puzzling remains did not answer her; however, perhaps 

something else could.  Surely all records of these creatures and what 

destroyed them could not be lost.

.   Keska stood, closeing her notebook, filled with writings and 

drawings of the things she had seen in this journey.  Dusting off

her dark cloak, she climbed up the endless stairs from the depths of

the catacombs to the chambers of the Temple of the Darcon.  Outside

in the maddening, swirling, damp, gray mists, the black stallion,

Drukkmakki, stood; ears back in a posture that sugested he would 

rather be lunchmeat for a roge griffin, than here.

[136] Keska: mai lit-k'ni aiti sha-zi: to destroy a history (2)

Sat Jan  3 00:19:25 1998

To: all

.   "Relax mkkkt-kif, we go now to raid libarys of thier knowledge."

Keska spoke in soothing tones to the giant black horse, who's nerves

had been frazzled since he had first smelled the mists.  "Surely 

some record of these deceased creatures of Shinalstin must exist 

somewhere."

.   Riding out of the maddening mists of the dragon valley, the

dark hooded bladesinger returned to the woods, to travel through the

many rolling hills and valleys to the north east to arrive, in a few

days time, at the gates of the pathatic barbaric human settlement of 

Pan-Toll.

.   She rode through the decaying streets, reciving strange stares

form the inhabitants.  Keska had never thought herself as rich or 

extravagent; however, her black hood and leathers, and bright silver

armor and bells no doubt made her look like some ledgendary warlord

compared to the tattered and raggity armors and cloths of the Pan-Toll

people.  A truely odd city to find a libary.

.   Dismounting and tieing Drukkmakki outside; hopefully none of 

the starving inhabitants liked horse meat.  She paid the libarian his

absurd fee to view his few pitiful, ragged history texts.

.   One, a history text by Ta'plak the heritic, which sugested

that Austinian was not entirly good and Necrucifer was not truely evil,

provided nothing on the subject she searched for.  She remebered the

stir the content of this story had caused when it was made availible

to the genneral public.  However, to the Keska Srys it mearly confirmed

her most primative tribal beliefs that the gods of now were weak and

impure compared to the High God, the true creator, who left his essence

behind in the sun, Srys.  The world Srys had created was perfect

as was he, yet those he charged with its keeping were not.  Why worship

an imperfect god?

.   Thelogy disintrested Keska, Srysmai, and sworn to the white 

moon, one could spend a mai life time trying to understand gods; it

simply was not for mai to understand.

.  Keska turned to the other history text by some Jahonatin Tahn,

on the history of his life and people.  A poor writer the man's subject

and style had never intrested her before, but now the first few lines

of his text stared at her, glowing with horror.

[137] Keska: mai lit-k'ni aiti sha-zi: to destroy a history (3)

Sat Jan  3 01:14:12 1998

To: all

.  "We were so happy.  Oh so happy! We had thrown out the cultists..."

.   *the cult, what cult?!*

.   Desperatly Keska sank back into her mind reaching for dusty

ancient memories older a century.  A time when she had been young

and commanded the army of the tribe Srys.

.   *the Cult of Srys, no... we never stretched this far east, we 

.   rarely touched human civilizations*

.   The text went on to speak of the witches and maniacs of the cult.

This was not the Srys, magic and witch craft was forbidden.  Only

the kutta, who obtained thier power from the Sun, ever did anything

'mystical'.  Excepting Keska and her Uncle Tryzeler at anyrate.

.   *it was not the Srys, but what cult was it?*

.   *Is it possible for an entire people to be so obliterated from 

.    history?  Did these people deserve this terrible eradication?*

.   She swallowed, as a wave of sickness passed through her, she

she had answered these questions before.  Yes, it could happen,

and perhaps it was deserving.  Lessons of the tribe Srys spoke of

this.  Erased from history, Keska rarely pitied the loss, she had

overseen the corruption and destruction of the Cult of Srys herself.

No longer worthy of the Sun, the impure, the drukkmai, the corrupt 

easily wiped themselves from the light and the history scrolls.  

Leaving the only traces behind in the nightmareish memories  of

the deamon they named and created as thier destroyer.  A monster

who's only wish was to die, thus sending all that remained of the

tribe's history back into the dark and corrupted earth, from which it

had sprung.  

.   Keska held her head in her hands, shame cutting through her

stomach, making her taste bile, as the memories of the history

of the Srys flowed through her.  Speaking so loudly that she could hear

them even through her deaf ear.

[138] Kregor: The Quest for Knowledge

Sat Jan  3 02:39:23 1998

To: all

The man sat in the library of the tower, his nose buried within a thick

tome.  With a growl of frustration the sorcerer slammed the book upon the

table and began to pace accross the room, deep in thought, his black robes

muffleing the sound of his armor.

Kregor had been spending most of his time studying these past years,

travelling from one library to another in his endless quest to find the

answers to his questions.  Having reached his fourty years he realised just

how short lived human beings were.  He would never have the time to complete

his studies and learn the ancient secrets of magic and the mysteries of the

mind.

Moving to an other section of the library he searched through a shelf in

a dark corner and found an old black book, covered in dust.

*I don't remember reading this one, how could I have missed it?*

He gazed at the cover, reading the title aloud and letting it roll across

his tongue and through his mind.

"Life, Death Reborn."

The book was pitch black and the title etched in gold.  The cover seemed

to shimmer in his hands and the light played across the golden letters.  The

pages inside were yellow with age, and the smell reminded him of the

fireplace in the hallway below.  He carefully brushed the dust off of the

cover and sat down to read.  He sat in silence, instructing the mages of the

Conclave not to disturb him.

Within these withered pages he hoped to find the solution to his delema.

[139] Scabbedwing: BloodlettinG

Sat Jan  3 10:46:48 1998

To: All

A Scabbedwing Savagely devoured a corpse.  "What in Gods NAME?"  Skarr

gasped, before he called his usual Battle cry.  Scabbedwing struck him

blind, as he did in all encounters.  The frail little crusader fled, the

returned to the scene of the crime.  As he slid the man's heart into a glass

jar, a passerby vomited.  "Oops," declared the contortionist of

Dragoth, "Ill be more careful from now on.  I promise."  Me marked a

big 3 on the side of the jar.  "Wahoo!  The last one!"  He exclaimed

childishly.  A thought boomed into his head.  'STOP THAT,' the voice

boomed, and the thought burned into his mind, 'YOu cannot be a child

forever.  Grow up.  You are what now, 45?  ' A sobering thought.  In his

family lineage, most did not live past 50.  They all had heart attacks, or

became mentally unstable by 49 (and then of course, did notlive past 50)

'Yes sir' he replied in his mind.  Then he called aloud, "Where should

I meet you?  "...  He paused, as a brief question passed over his face,

then grinned.  'How very clever, and yet, obvious.  '

[140] Terri: Journal

Sat Jan  3 10:55:02 1998

To: all

17th the month of the Dark Shades

I sit here in the mist, for it is the only quiet place to go. Even though the Gods have forsaken me, I find it quite peaceful here even though there IS the occasional mist-creature.

The construction of the underground tunnel system is going along nicely. I have instructed all citizens to go through that tunnel if there is an emergency. The entrance to the tunnel is located somewhere around Shalonesti. I will not disclose this information to anyone but my most trusted advisors

I have noted that the continents are slowly drifting. The Dragon Sea seems to be getting wider and wider. Over the past several years, the two continents seem to be splitting into four. Hopefully, ship business will increase.

Some of my previous journals have been placed in a secret chamber, for they hold critical information about the secrets of Shalonesti. Also, my reading room has been rearranged. A statue of Medwyn is now leaning against the hearth, also.

That's about it for today.

Terri Shalonost

[141] Felina: The search for a scratching post

Sat Jan  3 13:21:51 1998

To: all

One lazy day, as I cozied myself by a warm hearth, a mysterious figure appeared

before me. It was human-sized walking talking salad buffet! She said to me:

"I am Zandreya." And I said"...yeah, so, nice trick let me get back to sleep

you walking brambleberry bush." That earned me a swift chuckle and a zot between the

ears. My fur promptly turned a gruesome shade of moss-green. "My fur!!"

I screamed.  "You amuse me.": the shrubbery replied. "..and besides, I

see you show curiosity in ancient lore of the lands, the Fae."  "So I have

come to help you on your inner journey. I know where you can find a rowan

tree."  I perked up immediately upon hearing that! "Where, where?" I asked.

Somewhere in this great world is an unclaimed rowan seedling. And it is

all yours."  I asked her to immediately give it to me... She laughed

Seconds later, that thing that called itself a deity was gone and found that

the floor had disappeared below my feet! I was falling through oblivion!

So the adventure begins, in the search for the rowan tree...

[142] Terri: Journal

Sun Jan  4 19:05:58 1998

To: all

31st the month of the Ancient Darkness

Dragons. That was all I could think about. It seems Ubikolisk had gone mentally insane, and he was slaying villagers, including some from Shalonesti. I wasn't around when this happened, but my source informed me that Ubikolisk was slain by Lyndros. One less dragon to deal with...

I met Dylan Shalonost, the one Pythia had told me so much about. It was a pleasure to meet him, and he seemed quite pleased to see me. He said something, I said something, and then he wandered off into the streets of Althania.

There were many funerals for the people who were slain by Ubikolisk. It grieved me to see so many people unhappy.I need to put my bladesingers through better training, so this won't happen again. The training program consists of the most grueling tasks of fighting, running, and jumping.

That's all for today...

Terri Shalonost

[143] Myra: Clouds..

Sun Jan  4 19:10:37 1998

To: all

.  Myra lay in the grass of the Valley of Elves, staring up

at the sky and watching the clouds float by.  She began to

relax in the sunlight, letting her spirit sink slowly into

the earth.  The clouds above her began to take shape and

tiny cloud figures played across the sky.

.  The sounds of the wind through the grass and the crickets

singing with the birds in the distance filled Myra's head and

she closed her eyes.  She almost fell asleep when she felt

a cool breath of air across her face.  Something was blocking

the warm sunlight on her face.  She opened her eyes and 

blinked rapidly, trying to focus on the figure in front of

her.

.  A shadowy figure wavered before her vision, surrounded

by the sunlight.  The sun behind the figure made impossible

for her to see the features of the being in front of her.

Myra raised her hand to her eyes, shading them, and peered

intently at the shadow in front of her.

.  "Who is that?"

.  "I think you know who I am."  He answered cheerfully, 

chuckling as he moved and sat down beside her.  "I was

sorry to disturb you.. you looked so peaceful, I couldn't

help staying to watch you."

.  "Yes.. this is one of the few places I can still find

peace.  Far from the city and all those dependant on me."

.  "Why do you stay at all?"

.  "I don't know.. "  Myra answered, thinking about it

for the first time.  She closed her eyes again and voiced

her thoughts.  "I guess I feel like I owe it to them...

I left the city the first time.. Maybe if I hadn't, things

would have turned out differently.  I feel at home in the

city, as busy and stressful as it may be."

.  "You worry far too much."  Her visitor scolded.

.  "And you don't?"  Myra asked, annoyed.

.  "Perhaps I do.. but I seek something far harder to

obtain than a home, dear Sultana."

.  "You are equal to your task.  You know that."

.  "Perhaps, depending..."  Myra felt him move, watching

her with his piercing grey eyes.  She kept her eyes closed and

her face impassive.  His robes russled and Myra felt a 

weight settle on top of her, holding her down.  "Do you

trust me, Fair One?"  He asked.

.  Myra opened her eyes and scowled darkly at him.  "Do

I have a choice?"  She asked through clenched teeth.

.  "No.. I 'spose you don't."  He leaned down to kiss

kiss her on the lips.  Myra turned her head and growled

softly, gathering the tiny bits of ethereal still available

to her and striking out at him with mind and body.  He was

thrown off her body and onto the ground beside her.

.  "Will you never learn to ask instead of demand?"

.  "I was just testing you, Sultana."  He replied, 

chuckling softly.

.  Myra stood and brushed herself off.  "I have an appointment

with Beraal.  I do not wish to be late.  Goodbye."

.  He said something as she left, but she ignored him and

conjured a gate, stepping through it and vanishing.

[144] Ranma: departure of an old man from a tall tower like structure

Mon Jan  5 18:55:36 1998

To: all

Ranma stared at the tower, his home.  Since it's founding here

in the city of Althania, he had served and protected it.

He remembered the first council meeting, when Ramius, Randal and

himself set down the first tenents of magic, and when each founded

his school. The memories of training those early invokers still

remained clear in the old mages head, though many others

were now just a blur.  Ranma reached into his pouch and pulled

forth the two dragon eggs and stared at them contemplatively.

In times past he blamed the coming of the Yinn and the Dragons as

the source of the worlds problems.  Now, now he wasn't so sure.

The tower, his lab, his home.  Yet it was no longer the same.

The faces he passed in the hallways were odd now, only a few of

his old pupils remained, and almost none of his old comrades 

still stood.

It seemed that the age of magic which He and the others of the

original council had passed.  Now the tower warred on old allies,

and there was turmoil and backstabbing among the ranks.  

No, as much as it pained the old man to admit it, this was not

the home he had helped to build.  With a wave of his hand

the old mage vanished and reappeared outside the door of his recently

rebuilt labs.  Another gesture and the room was consumed in a gout

of flame.  Moving on to the library Ranma gathered his books, as

well as a few books from some old friends, Randals art of Necromancy

and Transmutation, According to Ramius.  Picking up his old staff

from it's place in the corner, the mage looked around one last time.

He would miss the warmth of the hearth, the idle chat of things

arcane.  Yes, he would miss this home. But sometimes one must

move on.  Penning a few quick notes and leaving them on the doors of

his friends, Ranma made his exit from the Tower of High Sorcery.

He only paused to look back once, perhaps someday he would return.

[145] Breeze: Ranma's Depature.

Tue Jan  6 18:39:24 1998

To: all

With Ranma's last words of wisdom , Breeze sluped to the floor

in a dark corner. Hidden by the darkness he had weaved around him

he started to weep. What would he do now when in need of a friend

, someone to ramble on to or even dabble in the arts with?

Ranma had left and with it the times of fun and joy went with him.

Breeze uttered a few words and steped throught a gate , for some

that had keen hearing a *Scream* could be heard as well as

a Oath to bring Conclave back to what it was. Unified as one.

[146] Ukyo: A Master departs.

Tue Jan  6 19:02:42 1998

To: all

Below, a figure clad in a red robe strode slowly down the path to the

Althanian concourse.  Ukyo looked down at the old magus.  Her old master was

a wanderer, he went wherever the winds would take him.  Ukyo slipped down

the stairwell, and entered a small study, with a nameplate reading simply,

'Ranma'.  Not a single trace of inhabitation remained, aside from the small

driftlight that glowed on the celing.  Ukyo returned to the apex of the

tower.  Ranma's shadowy figure had already been lost in the night.  She

sighed, and picked up the two objects nearby.  A mage's red robe, the first

robe given to an apprentice after their complted training.  Her robe, given

to her by Master Ranma, the day that the Dragon Vale was discovered.  The

second, the last known daet'kachi, a blade of yinnish craftsmenship, one of

the clones that Ranma had made of his favorite blade.  

,   Ukyo swallowed the lump developing in her throat.  She wouldn't follow

him, he deserved time to be alone.  She threw the robe and the daet'kachi

high into the air, and cast a tornado to sweep them both to the ends of

the earth.  The winds subsided, and Ukyo gazed out into the night.  The red

moon slowly shrunk to a sliver, and then to nothing.  Sebatis was 

sorrowful.  Tears slowly rolled down Ukyo's face, as she raised a hand, and

called a rainstorm to wash over the city.

[147] Dionare: Changes in the Wind

Wed Jan  7 23:00:58 1998

To: all

I sat there watching the Dark Horned Man

die to the Violent Bombardment of Fatale's

Might.  When it was dead, I asked Fatale

to slay me.  Hoping it would grant Divine

inspiration.  Death does that after all..

I had a vision at that point..  In the

cold embrace of Death.  One of Water,

waves and a ship.  This flag bore two

flags.  One, Orange with no ornamentation.

The other, the Skull and Crossbones.

Shortly there after, I recieved a missive

from one known as Xavian, Grand Admiral

of house Orange..  With an offer.

His offer was simple, 'Lead my Pirates.'

I knew at that moment, that Death did

in fact grant me enlightenment.

I knew that being alone in the world

left me more stagnant then Malice did.

I would lead these Pirates.  Although not

all would be Fatale's, they could serve

his purpose just as well.

Now I wait, until I see Xavian..  To seal

our agreement, our pact.

By my Seal.

-Dionare dae'Riannon, Dread Pirate [ Fatale ]

[148] Tuefry: a tale of the BlackHeart legacy.

Thu Jan  8 18:33:58 1998

To: all

"Stay.  Embrace the Shadows.  Join.  Be one with the Shadow..."

Running in a land of grey and black, the necromancer fled.  The lantern

which normally spilled a soft red glow seemed engulfed in blackness.

Running, he said, "Shadows, release me."

Nothing happenned.

As he ran, he felt the soft engulf around him, pulling him back, turning

into one, one of the Shadow plain.

"CANCELLATION!" he screamed as he ran.  He felt himself slow down.

"CANCELLATION!" Nothing happenned.

Cursing in words that only a heretic would dare, he ran on.  But to no

avail.  Realization dawned.  In the demi-plane of Shadow, you could not

run from anything.  If you ran away from it, you were running towards

it, alongside it, above it, below it.  No escape.

"Stay, feel the soft embrace.  Stay, be one of the Shadow, forever!"

"Noo!"  Bolting upright, he looked around.  His wagon, with a few

extra scorchmarks.  And the wood of the very floor had risen up and

grasped him, pinning him in place!

"Love, it was another nightmare.  Are you alright?"  Looking up, he

saw a vision of beauty.  His wife, Sapphire.

"Stay, embrace the Shadow, it is the Way."

"Something is wrong!  I can still hear the Song!  I'm not shadowformed!"

He let out a bloodcurdling shriek.  Flames burst forth from his fingers.

The druidess uttered a few words, and the wood pinning him place grew

even more so, and glowed faintly.  Hurrying outside the wagon, she

ran over to a large hulking figure.

"Caer, its happenning again.  I think it really is related to necromancy.

Get word to Conclave, and get it there now.  Something unnatural

is at work here, something I cannot heal."

The figure nodded, and moved away from the Gypsy camp at an incredible

pace.

[149] Yang: the Resurection (part 1/3)

Thu Jan  8 22:45:50 1998

To: Elipse all

The resurection.

,

It was in total darkness, that night the minotaur crusader, Yang, 

made his way through Gaar Volen, the castle of Malice, to the Avatar's

secret room, the room that, when Avatar Tenoyar needed his rest, he

hid himself in to aquire it. It was rumoured that even darker spirits

than the Avatar of Malice protected the room, but this night, Yang

did not fear them. He had commissioned each to the dungeon earlier,

and in a ritual he had been preparing for months, trapped them in

individual holding cells. He entered Tenoyar's lair... for one could

not call it a chamber. 

,   Skulls and things of terror laced the walls as trophies, and the

dark elf slept. He had grown unaccustomed to having to sleep lightly,

but even then, Yang could have yelled at him, the sound would have

been muffled by the darkness that the chosen of Necrucifer brought

with him. Yang peered down at his great-hammer, hanging at the side

of his belt, and the fragile elven skull of the Dark Prince of Shalonost

before him. It would have to wait, for tonight, his mission was of

a different nature. He searched the walls for the long handled half-

sword that Tenoyar kept as a trophy, and grabbed it from the wall.

,   "We lived in different times, you and I." He spoke to the blade.

"We served however, the same god, and loved the same cause. This is why

your sleep shall be disturbed, and may Necrucifer have mercy upon your

living soul for failing him." the minotaur opened a swirlling gap in the

shadows, stepping through. The Avatar of Malice turned in his sleep, a

chill running through the room. But then, chills often ran through the

castle of Gaar Volen.

[150] Yang: the Resurection (part 2/3)

Thu Jan  8 22:46:44 1998

To: Eclipse all

Yang emerged elsewhere from the shadows of another cold place, dark and

tasting of death. The standards of Eclipse were everywhere in the recesses,

for these were the great catacombs of Eclipse, marking the burial places

of the great hero's of Eclipse, including San Gohdam, and the mortal body

of Targetter. Holding the stolen blade in both his hands, the religeous

crusader of darkness turned. He knew this place well, for he had planned

to someday be buried here, himself. Plans changed... at least to the eye.

,   He spoke again to the blade as if it were something that could pay

him heed. "It is nearly time, fallen one. Your demise let me ascend into

the graces of my Lord unhindered. But now you serve both of us better

alive." He ran his black minotaur fingers along both sides of the blade,

removing old blood. There was suddenly a glow, and he captured it by

closing his hand. "There, there. It is almost time."

,   The minotaur casually, and violently kicked over the lid of a nearby

tomb and plunged the hand that contained the glow into the stomach of

the carcass within. The darkness squeeled as if in anguish and attacked.

Although only Necrucifer's darkness had attacked him before, Yang knew

all the secrets any mortal could about the religeous aspects of the

dark, and thus countered it quite easily.

,   "MY LORD'S WILL BE DONE, ON ALGORON AS IT IS IN THE HEAVENS OF

NIGHT! Back, shadows who serve me as they do him! Back minions who are

weaker and without purpose! I am his Avatar, and darkness is my seal,

thus shall this mortal live once again and serve the Father of Night!"

,   There was a massive roll like thunder, and the dark ceased, glowing

lightly grey, as if it were not as thick... not as threatening anymore.

More importantly, the corpse that lay previously dead in the coffin shot

bolt upright, gasping for air. The crusader casually greeted it.

,   "Welcome to the land of the living, Vette. Again."

[151] Yang: the Resurection (part 3/3)

Thu Jan  8 22:47:13 1998

To: Eclipse all

The living corpse uttered the words 'pzar' and looked confused beyond

belief. He shivered and tried to cure himself again to no avail. The

cold seemed to surround him, and he reeked of an unnatural chill.

,   "No magick of mine or yours can remove the cold from your bones,

Vette. No magick in this world, no fire is big enough, nor hot enough,

not even the sun which is our enemy. You might use that to your advantage.

Our lord's aid is often a blessing and a curse, as it was with me."

,   The undead Yinn's attempt at speaking let a violent cloud of dust

break loose from his insides.

,   "You might find that the effects of ressurection are a little

uncomfortable." Yang said helpfully, smirking. He enjoyed the handling

of souls, especially the soulds of legends, and could hardly contain 

himself.

,   "Resurection?" the ancient Yinn asked.

,   "You were assassinated."

,   "How long..?"

,   "You've been dead decades, Vette. These are Eclipse catacombs."

,   "Why don't you hail me Lord?" Vette asked curiously, rubbing his

dishevelled face. He was clothed in full, traditional armor.

,   "To me, you have never been, and to them, you are no longer."

,   "Who are you...?"

,   "I was Highlord Yang. My wife and soul-mate, Ying, is currently

the leader of the dark knights. Mithrax you might remember, he is still

about. I'm sure you will see drastic changes have come about during your

absence."

,   "Why did you bring me back?" the former Highlord demanded.

,   "Our lord works in mysterious ways, Vette. I am but his disciple.

I do as his will would be. You are likely going to have to have a long

chat with God, Vette. I have done all that I can. Find your own way to

the surface. If I am correct, you should surface near the Temple of

Darkness in Verminasia. But don't get ambitious, Vette. Things aren't the

same as they used to be. You don't lead the knights anymore."

,   A million questions filled the Yinn's face, but he recognised that

Yang would likely leave him in the dark, both literally and so to speak.

,   Yang disappeared, leaving the 'victim' of this ressurection alone,

confused, and indeed in the dark, just as he himself had been on other

occasions. It built character, and Yang enjoyed watching from the shadows

as Vette rose, and struggled with his old body and rusty armor, and

made his long treck to the surface. With a prayer to Necrucifer, Yang was

swallowed into the thickness of the shadows, the comfort and thickness of

shadows.

[152] Vette: Imprisonment

Fri Jan  9 01:34:57 1998

To: all

 There was only darkness and cold.

Imprisoned in ice!  A soul captured.

 Burning blades that ripped through my guts.. now burned my soul..

 An icy heart began to beat. A breath of chilly air.

The silent scream had ended.

Slowly awakening, this was all unfamiliar..

I had been battling the elves in the great wars...

So many dead left behind..

I had been a Knight of Eclipse then...

 Fire burned through my soul! 

 This body ached, a prison of ice...

I was a young noble travelling from dae'Tok.

A royal yinn, on the far reaches of the kingdom...

How long ago was that?

 An cruel looking minotaur uttered stranged words at me.

 Words echoed through my skull, "The punishment is death." 

A stone hall. Where was this place?

A banner of Verminasia hung on the wall.

"I remember"

 The Minotaur noded and disappeared.

 The punishment is death.

 The torches dimmed and grew cold as Vette walked by, leaving the catacombs.

Sir Vette, Crusader of Necrucifer

[153] Caer: a tale of the BlackHeart legacy.

Fri Jan  9 16:33:40 1998

To: all

Caer had heard the screaming coming from the Warders wagon.  The screams where Tuefry's without a doubt.  Not surprising Caer thought to himself as he stared at the shaking wagon.  It seems that Warders have a hard time with powers that run out of control.

Warder Bystrick was sent mad by the Demon that ate him alive and now this.  Caer sighed.  He liked Tuefry and didn't want him to be forced to leave by whatever was making him howl like that.

A moment later Lady Sapphire came running out of the Warder's wagon in a a panik.

"Caer, its happenning again.," she said, "I think it really is related to necromancy.  Get word to Conclave, and get it there now.  Something unnatural is at work here, something I cannot heal."

I noded.  Understanding comepletely I grabbed my sword and cloak and belted from the safety of the wagons. 

There was a cold wind blowing from the north and the rain came down in sheets.  My legs were long and strong enough to support myself as I bounded through the mud.  The eastern road was a river of muck and water as I raced towards the City.

I spooked a horse which in turn threw his rider and ran west in the direction of New Thalos.  A pity for the man on the horse I thought but this is important.  I ran up to the east gate just as the Mayor was closing them.  "Let me pass."

I said as the Mayor looked at me and shook his head, "Sorry son I can't.  The city is closed come back in the morning."  I wasn't about to tolerate this as I threw his to one side and faught off the pesky city guards.  They fled after one died.

I kept going and almost tripped over a Kender who yelled, "Whatch where you are going ya big oaf!"  On any other occasion the Kender would be a bloody mass but I had no time for Kenders now.

I headed to the southern end of the city as a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky.  Thunder rolled over head as I neared the Tower of Conclave.

Not too much farther I thought as the great Tower seemed to grow as the distance lessened.  Nearing it I saw a flicker of movement near the base.  Yes there it was again.

Lightning flashed and at the base of the tower stood a Mage in a Black hood.  He seemed to be waiting for me...

[154] Kodachi: Reawakening.

Sat Jan 10 00:36:17 1998

To: all pythia

The leather jumpsuit was getting a little stifling today, as the mid-afternoon 

sun beat down on the Black Rose's back, but the heat was not what had her anxious

There was something stirring in her veins, something dormant, and newly come back

into her life. A desire, a burning desire for violence. One word throbbed 

through her head with an insistency which surprised her. Murder. 

'Has it been so long that you do not recognize me, Servant? I who once held 

your soul in my hands? Tell me it is not so.

"Much time has passed, lordship. I had forgotten the joy of your presence. I 

still bear the mark of the inverted cross which you branded upon my forhead so 

many years ago, when I was but a child, but much has changed, and I am... I am..

'Troubled, yes I know, that is why I have come. I sensed the disquiet in your soul

and have decided that you are worth my time, and I have come to counsel you of

things. The lesson you must learn is this: Do not fear death, while you kill for 

me, Black Rose, your death too is important. It purifies you so that when you

return to your mortal coil you return wiser, and more cunning.

'But Lord, I have not killed in such time that I fear my blade is no longer as

sharp as it once was. I worry that I have lost touch with the keen edge of my 

soul and that I shall fail once again when I return to the killing fields. 

My war with the magi is long and tiring, as I must remain ever altert, and with 

my hand ready upon my blade. Teach me lord, so that I might learn to serve you 

better."

'It is not a question of what I can teach you, Kodachi Kuno Ka-tath, it is a

matter of what you can learn from your brethren. The elves of Shalonost are wise

in their lore and can teach you much, if only you have the patience to learn. 

Forgive your mother's murder, her death served me well, and her loins gave me the

instrument that I have needed on the earth. She has gone to the ethereal, from 

whence all beings spring eternal. Her soul is once again part of the collective

to reborn again in another body someday.'

"Your will, Lord.

'That it is. 

Not two hours later the Black Rose watched as Hendrik Stonesparkers heart

ceased beating in her bloodied hands as she licked the blood from her body.

'I return to the killing fields"

[155] Finnadria: Assassination.

Sat Jan 10 10:38:08 1998

To: all

,   "Will you fetch her?" Ariadne, Finnadria's sickly twin, asked weakly.

Finnadria simply nodded, and departed. She had never understood her twin's

bond with their mother, but if Kelandra's presence would make her happier, it 

would be so.

,   She looked in her mother's chambers, in the gardens, in the kitchens, but

Kelandra was nowhere to be found. Ready to give up, she decided to check the

throne room, in case Kelandra had gone there.

,   "Mother? Mother, are you here? Ariadne is asking for- " Upon the throne,

King Smog, her father sat. Blood covered his chest and his head was fell forward

onto his chest. On the stairs leading up to the throne lay sprawled was her

mother's body, knife in her back.

,   Finnadria quickly glanced around the room, to see if the assassin was still

there. The throne room was silent, and empty. She stepped over to her mother's

body, and checked for life, then moved on to her father. A small smile crept 

over her mouth. Dead. Both of them. Smog's crown lay where it had fallen in

a pool of blood. Finnadria made to pick it up, but stopped. No, it would not 

do to look over eager, they musn't distrust me. And so she left it where it 

lay.

if she cried. She already felt the tears begin to fall, not true tears of 

sadness but tears nonetheless. "Help! Someone help me!" she cried loudly. 

When help came, all they saw was a poor innocent young girl, crying over her

mother's dead body, nothing more.,   She had learned long ago that as the princess she could get almost anything

When help came, all they saw was a poor innocent young girl, crying over her

mother's dead body, nothing more.

,                                 ************

,   Finnadria opened the door to her sister's room, not long later. "Finn,

 you're back," Ariadne said with a little smile, "Did you bring mother?" 

Finnadria bit her lip, she had no idea how strong the bond between mother and

 daughter was. She hoped this news would not make Ariadne's condition worse. 

"Ariadne, mother is dead, aswell as father, in the throne room, they-" 

Ariadne interupted her sharply, saying, "He's not our father!" Finnadria 

smiled and said softly, "It matters not, he's dead all the same." 

,   "Does this mean you get to be Queen, Finn?" her sister said softly. 

,   Looking down at the sleeping body of her sister, Finnadria knew that she

 would never find her with a knife in her. No, Ariadne's sickness would get her

 in the end.

[156] Katarina: Winds of change

Sat Jan 10 12:48:48 1998

To: all Gypsy

Katarina sat cross-legged in the sand. She was alone. In the near distance

she could see the campfire burning at the heart of the circle of Gypsy Wagons.

The night air was brisk on her olive skin. She turned her thoughts to her Gypsy

family. Her brow wrinkled and she stuck her jaw out defiantly. There had been

much discontent between her and her family Warder. Tuefry had changed since

his wife, Sapphire, had come to join them. Katarina sighed deeply. Sapphire seemed

to bring strife and discontent everywhere she went. New Thalos had been a shamble

while she had reigned. In fact Katarina had left her once dear kingdom of New Thalos

because of the chaos Sapphire created. Now she had brought the pain and chaos 

to Katarina once again.

"Curses to Kwainin! Am I doomed to live with this woman forever!"

In her dreams Kwainin showed her a vision of a permanant home, one that did not

wander. A place that strove for better balance in the world. he showed her a place

of tranquility. 

Katarina knew in her heart this place was where she belonged. It pained her to leave

the dear friends she had made during her stay with gypies.  She smiled as she

thought of them. But she was not a naive child anymore. She needed the stability

of a real home, not a pack of wandering gypsies with a leader who's mind had been

had been clouded by a foolish woman.

Katarina snuck back to the camp. All was quiet. She packed her meager belongings

quickly and stole out into the cloak of the night.

In the morning the only thing the gypsies would find of her was a meassage written in the sand outside the warders wagon,

BEWARE Warder!!

Many men have fallen from power over women greater then Sapphire.

[157] Katarina: Winds of Change II

Sat Jan 10 13:06:56 1998

To: all

Katarina wandered through the night. She had a few things she wanted to do 

on her search for the place of serenity

First and foremost was to see Myra. She and Myra had been friends since Myra's 

first rule of New Thalos.

She arrived in New Thalos mid morning. She walked down the familar streets

and visted old haunts.  The place bustled with activity and life. She reached 

the palace around noon.  She was told the Sultana did not see people without

appointments and that she was currently taking her lunch.

Katarina simply nodded and disappeared around a corner. She snickered a few mintues

later as she snuck past the guards. Poor fools, it wasn't thier fault she had been

trained in such arts. She would remember to tell Myra to get more guards.

Moments later Katarina appeared in Myra's chambers. She knocked politly

on the inside of the door..

"Sorry to disturb you Sultana."

Myra looked up, disapproval covered her face, when she saw Katarina her mouth

broke into a smile.

"Kat! How good to see you! How did you-"She broke off and smiled wrily,

"Nevermind. I suppose I should hire more guards."

The 2 women rested and ate and talked of all that had transpired. Katarina told her

of her visions and of the discontent in her heart.

"Katarina, there is a man I wish you to meet.  He might holdt he key to this place of yours.

Myra wrote directions for her on a piece of royal parchment. She ordered the guards to bring a horse to the palace gates for her.

"Be careful Kat, and I wish you luck."

The 2 women embraced and Katarina set off swiftly to hopefully find her way home.

[158] Katarina: Winds of change III

Sat Jan 10 13:25:07 1998

To: all

Katarina stopped her horse at the doors of the Valor Clan hall.  She knocked heavily

on the big, solid door. It was answered swiftly.

"I wish to speak with Sir Scythe."

"I'm sorry, Miss, he only sees people by appointment."

Katarina handed him a short note Myra had written. He read it. She was  quickly

escourted to a waiting room.  The boy assured her that her horse would be looked after.

Scythe entered the room a short while later.  he cut quite an impressive figure

for a human.  He bowed curtly to her. Katarina rose to her feet.

"Sir Scythe, I am so pleased to meet you."

"what is it you wish to speak with me about?

"As you know Sultana Myra sent me to. Kwainin has troubled me with dreams of

"a place  I believe to be Valor." She went on to tell him extensivly of her dreams

When she finished she took a deep breath, "I would be honored to be admitted 

into Valor."

"We can't go againest the wishes of Gods and Sultana's now can we?"

[159] Kannar: Kannar's dream....?

Sat Jan 10 17:55:47 1998

To: all

.     Little ol Ms. Crackmore carried her basket of eggs to her home

when all of a sudden she heard a loud crash.  A huge pile of oranges

flew out around the corner from the grocery.

.     "My stars!" she proclaimed as two figures burst from around

the corner, taking many other small stand-up shops with them.  She

was knocked over by the first, who was about to stop to help her up

untill he thought better of it, and found time to scold them both

as they ran towards the city gates to the east.

.     Kannar squinted through his blood stained eyes.  Damn, he

he thought, as he raced down towards the east gates and what he 

would be safety.

.     Rixon had caught him by surprise again.  He had dealt with

Rixon before, and knew there was no fight to fought.  Bravery had 

allways been a striving force in Kannar's mind, but standing up to

this particular assasin was suicide.

.     He scolded himself loudly.  He knew better to be wandering

town without his gaurd up.  He didn't have the wagons to run to

anymore.  Since he'd become a renegade he had seen new enemies form

old friends, clansmembers, and even people he had never seen or

heard of in his entire life.

.     But that was all futile at the moment.  He knew that if he 

hadn't used that split second advantage to run, he'd have been

killed with just a single blow.  And that blow was gaining on him

by the minute.

.     Even as he ran accross the desert, he could feel death behind

him.  He didn't feel safe, in fact, untill he had crossed the Dragon

sea and fled into Kender Forest.

.     But he was safe now.  He knew that Rixon had long given up the

chase.  He just couldn't feel safe unless he knew for sure that 

there was absolutely no way to be found.  Exausted, he fell asleep

.     He woke with a start.  Goblins!, he thought.  He was 

surrounded by about 400 hundred of them.  A goblin was no match for

his blade, but he knew that they're shere numbers would soon 

overcome him.  Standing slowly, he heard what seemed to be the 

leader speak in very crude common.

.     "You come us!", he the thing demanded.  "You trespasser to our

forest!  We no not how you get by guard, but you leave!"

.     Kannar was confused.  He couldn't remember ever seeing a

goblin in Kender Forest before.  Yet this was a whole army of them

claming the forest to be 'thiers'.  Never the less, he followed

them.  He didn't have much choice in the matter.  Yet, the moment

no one was looking at him, he darted up one of the trees skipped his

way back to the Dragon Sea.

.     As he retreated, he could hear the sound of wolves growling

loudly.

.     "Heh.", he said allowed.  "That'll hold em for a while."

.     But the sounds were gaining on him!  He could hear thier bark

mixed with the warcrys of the Goblins.  Strange.  He'd expected the

wolves to attack the goblins, but now both wolf and goblin seemed to

be gaining on him.  This day had taken a strange turn.  Too strange

for him to work out at the moment.

.     He reached the sea much sooner than he thought he would, and 

nearly fell from his perch.  What he saw before him would be stuck

in his mind for a long time to come.

.     The sea was huge!  He had never seen a sea this big, none the

less this sea which he'd crossed more times than would fit to 

memory.  And something else was different.  There were ships.  Too

much for him to bother to count.  Many of them had massive orange 

sales, while others were black as night.

.     This took the cake.  There was no way that many ships could

have been set asail in the short ammount of time it took him to run

to Kender forest.  He had raced accross this very sea, at least he

was almost sure it was this very sea, no more than a few hours

before.

Too obsorbed in his thoughts to notice the oncoming raiding party,

he hardly notice when one of the wolves began to climb the very

tree he was in.  But when he did notice, he was given a strange

sight.  The wolf had a rider.  A goblin!

[160] Kannar: Kannar's dream....?  Part II

Sat Jan 10 18:01:28 1998

To: all

.     Kannar turned to run, which he later found wasn't a good move

at all.  He fell off his branch, and to the ground where a large 

group of goblins, all riding wolves, were waiting for him.  He never

had a chance as the group dashed at him, tearing him lim from lim.

.    He awoke screaming in pain, sweat drenching his face.  He

punched at air for a while untill he figured out what had just 

happened.

.     Sighing, he picked up his things, and walked towards Arkane.

.     Before he left, however, he thought he'd noticed a large 

crack in the ground near where he'd been sleeping.  Shaking his 

head, he continued on.

Kannar:  Another useless storyn. :P

[161] Christine: Nathaniel

Sun Jan 11 17:39:58 1998

To: All

Waves gently crashed against the shore where Christine lay staring up at

the night sky.  She was physically worn out from searching for her love,

whom had been missing since the Marauders had fought with New Thalos. 

What if he's...  Dead?   Christine quickly shook the thought from her

head and rolled over onto her side.  Suddenly a deep pain enveloped her,

causing her to clutch her arms around her stomach tightly and cry out in

anguish.  My child!  No, it can't be.  I have to find Trey...  I need

him" Slowly, Christine climbed to her feet and looked around.  In the

distance Christine could see smoke billowing out of a small cabin. 

Painfully, she inched her way to the door of the cabin and knocked on it. 

An old human woman answered the door.  "May I help you?  " Christine

cleared her throat and whispered, almost inaudibly, "Please...  My child. 

Get Trey...  I need my love.  " Pain shot through Christine's body again

and she collapsed into the woman's arms.  The lady motioned to a few young

girls to bring her some fresh blankets and some water, then took Christine

into the guest room.  After a long, painful night, the cries of a woman were

met with the cries of a newborn baby, just as the sun awoke from its

slumber.  Completely worn out, Christine craddled the tiny baby close to her

chest, gently brushing her lips across it's forehead.  "What will his name

be, Milady?  " whispered the woman as she smiled down at the tiny baby

boy.  "Nathaniel...  I love that name.  " After Christine was well

rested and fed, she bid the her goodbyes and set off for...  Home?  I have

no home now.  But Oge had offered his help to me...  A home if I wished

it.   He had even offered to help find Trey for me.  He's changed...  

Christine shook her head slightly.  Oge is not the same person that he

once was.  No, he has a heart now...  " With a swift nod of determination

and hope, Christine confidently set off for her new future and home... 

Althania.

[162] Kannar: A change of face...

Sun Jan 11 18:46:01 1998

To: all

.   Kannar awoke, his face drenched with sweat.  He had had the same

dream that had been haunting him every night since his encounter

with the Malice assasin almost a week before.

.   Kannar cursed himself loudly.  Why couldn't he beat them.  Or at

least fight them off enough to make an escape.  A bunch of goblins,

wolf riding or not, shouldn't be able to beat him so easily.  He

knew he was better than that, but every time the wolf-riders would

attack, he'd find himself freeze.  In his greatest moment of need, 

he could'nt feel Nadrick anywhere.  It was like he was fighting

completly alone.  A feeling he only felt when attacked by Malice.

.   "Damnit!", he screamed aloud. "Why arn't you ever there?"

.   Hardly after he'd spoken those words, a dark shadow, so black

that he couldn't see the back of his own hand, was cast over him.

Then, as if the shadow was speaking itself, he heard a voice.

Sinister, yet calming.  Unlike any voice he'd ever heard in his 

lifetime.

.  "Nadrick is not here.", it spoke. "He's never there when you

really need him.  Just when he's sees risk of loosing a follower."

.   Kannar started to respond, but found himself choking on his own

words.  Why respond to a shadow?  There was a voice penetrating his

Let it speak.

.   The blackness continued to speak.  Kannar kept trying to pin

where the voice was coming from, but it seemed to be all around him.

"Nardrick cannot penetrate my darkness.  He is foolish and weak."

.   This comment brought Kannar quickly to his feet.

.   Bite you're toungue, darkness!  You seem to contain some power

of the night which I cannot begin to explain, but comparing you're

power to the God of honor i..ugh!"

.   His words were cut short as a searing pain shot through his 

body, piercing his flesh, and stiffening his joints.  Exausted, he

fell.

.   He could not tell if he was sleeping or not.  Either way, it was

pitch black and he could still hear shrieking laughter all around

him.

.   "Ha!  Foolish mortal.  Don't resist.  Let the night surround

you.  Take control of you.  Comfort you.

.   Kannar tried with all his might to resist.  He screamed at the

top of his lungs for Nadrick to come to his aid and pull him from 

this darkest of dreams. ... But the god of honor did not come.

Kannar was alone.  Just like all the other times he'd needed his

god, Nadrick was no where to be seen or felt.

.   Worn and exausted, Kannar quit his struggle and let his mind

rest.  The pain left quickly, but he did not try to take advantage

of it by continuing his struggle.  He just laid there.  Waiting for

for the darkness to do whatever it had in mind.

.   "That's right.  Lie still.  Don't resist.  Let the darkness take

control.  Wrap yourself in it's blanket.

Kannar could feel it.  He could feel a blanket of darkness envelop

him.  It gave his a sense of calmness that he'd never felt before.

Not even when Nadrick was at his closest.

Kannar spoke. "Who are you?", he asked.  "I need to know."

.   The voice answered simply by saying, "You know who I am.  I am

all around you."

.   With that, the darkness disapeared, and his forest home

returned.  He understood what he'd been told.  It had been exactly

what he'd seen.  Nothing more.

.   He had been visited by the Master of Darkness.

.   "Necrucifer."

[163] Kannar: Change of face II.....

Sun Jan 11 20:46:26 1998

To: all

.   Kannar had made up his mind.  It had been some time since his

visit from the Master of Darkness, so he'd had plenty of time to 

ponder his choices.  Keep his honorable values close to his heart as

they had allways been, or enter the darkness.  The warm, bright 

darkness that was Necrucifer.

.   He was in the lush Kender forest which had been his home for all

these years, but he knew there was something different in the air

today.  He could feel it.  These feelings showed true as he was

suddenly plunged into total darkness.

.   He heard it.  The voice he'd longed to hear these passing days.

A voice that sent chills up his spine, but at the same time fill his

body with a warmth uncomparable.

.   "Young one.  My patience grows weary.  For days I've awaited

you're answer, and though both of us know what it is, I've recieved

no answer.  No sign.  Not a prayer.  The fact that I had to summon

you disturbes me greatly."

.   Upon these words, Kannar could fell the voice turn to a sinister

snarl.

.   "Maybe the dark road is not for you.  Maybe you're mind is too

feeble to truly understand my darkness."

.   "No!", Kannar fumbled, his voice not the strong demanding force

that he was used to.  With Nadrik he'd felt high up.  A person with

position, but the Master of Darkness forced into his head the

realization of the pebble he was.  He was just able to force his

next few words from his lips.

.   "I mean yes.  ... or n..I do ,..or..I am ready.  I do 

understand!" To his dissapointment, he sounded like a scared rat.

.   Necrucifer burst out with laughter.  I sinister, evil, almost

phsycotic laughter that sent Kannar cringing, looking for something

cling on to.

.   "You do not understand, young one.  Though you may think, or 

hope that you do, you don't.  Even many of my strongest, most 

faithfull followers cannot truely understand my darkness.  It is 

beyond mortals.  Far beyond."

.   Mustering all his courage, Kannar answered into the night.

.   "But then how am I to follow you?  When I have no idea what it

that I follow?"  He choked on his last words, his heart still

frozen with fear..

.   "You will know why you follow me.  In the haven that you recieve

from my night, you have only tasted the first of a thousand miles

of how far my power can stretch.  Yes, young one, you will know when

I bid it."

.   Suddnely Kannar felt a sharp object slowly creep along his arm.

It felt of cold steel, but he could no blade.  What he did was his

arm being cut from one end of his bicep to the other.

.   At first he thought his wound was simply scabbing quickly, but

he soon realized that his blood had turned night black.  A black

that sooned hard hardened back to the skin.  What was left in the 

end was black ring circling round the bicep of his right arm. 

He liked it right away.  It suited him like a finely placed tatoo.

.   "There.", said Necrucifer. "You're soul is mine.  I am you're

new master like so many before you. Serve me well."

.   With that, the Master of Darkness left.  Night turned to day, 

and the forest returned once again.

.   That night, Kannar would have his dream again.  This time it was

different though.  Hundereds of wolf-mounted goblins attacked him as

before, but this time he was not alone.  He could feel the darkness

all around him.  Calming him.  Setting his mind straight, and 

commanding his movement.  Both his blades glowed black as took every

one of his enemies down in single blows.  The ones that tried to 

escape were quickly killed off as he summoned a massive earthquake

which made the tree topple on top of them, crushing thier small 

bones.

.   He awoke suddenly, but this time his face was not drenched with

the sweat of fear.  He was not alone anymore.  He had a new allie in

combat and a new driving force in his life.

[164] Nara: The ink is complete!

Sun Jan 11 22:01:08 1998

To: all

It was the dead of night in Althania.  Nara, as usual, was outside

walking the streets.  She walked past the sleeping bodies of guards,

pondering things she could do to them.  Her despicable train of thought

escaped her when her eye was caught by a flicker inside the fountain in the

Temple Square.  "What could this be?  " she thought.  Slowly she crept

up, and took a sip of the fountain.  While sipping, she managed to get a

good look at the object.  It was a bar of gold.  Normally, she would have

dismissed it and let it sit.  But not this time.  This time she was on a

quest for her Lord Raije.  She needed to find the final ingredient, pure

gold, for a special ink.  With that ink she could transcribe a copy of

Raije's Books of Laws, as all of the priests and priestesses of Raije have

done over the years.  Now she could be a true follower.  Now she could truly

honor the great Lord Raije.  She picked up the bar, and put it in her

backpack.  It made a clinking noise as it touched one of her diamonds. 

There was a slight movement.  A guard had awoken!  She quickly drew her mace and prepared to cast a spell of blindness on the guard.  She mauled the

guard with her mace, and blinded him.  She summoned the powers of Raije, and

struck him down!  Nara panicked, and hid the corpse hastily in an abandoned

building, and looted the once living guard.  She discretely went to a few of

the stores by market square, and sold the items the guard had.  She had

enough for another diamond!  This was truly a great day.  "This must be a

sign from our great Lord Raije," she thought.  She hastily went to the

magick shop, and purchased parchment.  The ink was complete...  Now she may

begin!

[165] Lidstrom: Pendraghon and Lidstrom, 1/4

Mon Jan 12 00:06:59 1998

To: all

The Dark Knight and his followers had been raiding

and burning houses on the outskirts of Mahn-Tor.

It was about 6 o'clock when it happened. There

was a pounding on the door. Lidstrom, being only

3, had been napping and abruptly woke up, letting

out a cry. Pendraghon, the older of the brothers

looked to the door.  Dark shapes moved in the

shadows out of the window, and his father, Arolith,

knew them for what they were. He quickly grabbed

his sword from the shelf, and unsheathed it. Their

mother, having been prepared for the day this would

inevitably happen, grabbed Lidstrom and motioned

for Pendraghon to folow her. As they sliped out the

back, the front door burst open in a shower of

splinters. Their father charged the dark figure,

letting out the cry, "May your blood stain my horns 

and turn my vision red with rage!" That was all they

had time to see. Their mother then hid them in the 

forest, and returned to assist their father. Little

did they know that when she waved, it was the last 

time they would see her.

Pendraghon at age 12 was responsible for taking care

of his younger brother.  He knew a little about the

forest and made a crude structure of mud, stone,

and sticks that served as their home. He hunted

rabbits and foxes for food. The years past, and they 

lived a life in the forest.

[166] Lidstrom: Pendraghon and Lidstrom, 2/4

Mon Jan 12 00:08:23 1998

To: all

8 years later, when Pendraghon was 20, a note appeared

at the entrance to their dwelling. It spoke of knowing

who they were, and adventuring to find the Dark Knight.

At the bottom, it was signed by Merlin. The letter told

Pendraghon to be prepared to leave at mid-night, and 

that it would be safer for his brother if he stayed

behind.  Pendraghon did not tell his brother of this,

and packed a few supplies. At midnight, a figure

arrived in front of the dweling, and Pendraghon 

cautiously approached him.

As it turned out, it was a band of Rangers, led by the

druid Merlin. As they adventured, they taught Pendraghon

many things. First, just of how to fight. Later, they

started teaching him the ways of the forest. Training

him to be a Ranger. 

5 years later, still tracking theDark Knight, they 

re-aproached the dwelling. To Pendraghon's horror

it lay in ruins, a skeleton of a goblin lay decomposing

in ruins. It was clear to Pendraghon what had

happened. A band of goblins had some upon the dwelling,

finding his young brother they had taken him, and

probably killed him. Pendraghon cursed to himself for

being fool enough not to have taken his brother with

him. However, there was nothing he could do, and they

continued on to Mahn-Tor. 

[167] Lidstrom: Pendraghon and Lidstrom, 3/4

Mon Jan 12 00:11:03 1998

To: all

In the city, Pendraghon went to the arena to watch a fight, 

hoping to rid himself of the tragic memory of his brother's 

end. He read the schedule and was pleased to find that it was 

going to be an impressive fight. Being a follower of Raije, 

he had always loved to watch fights. He hoped this one would

be good enough to distract him of his sadness completely.

When the fight began, a giant ogre entered the arena on one

side, and a hude minotaur on the other. The minotaur neared

When the fight began, a giant ogre entered the arena on one

side, and a hude minotaur on the other. The minotaur neared

10 1/2 feet, it would be an impressive fight indeed. As the

fight started, the minotaur cried out, "May your blood stain 

my horns and turn my vision red with rage!" Pendraghon 

remembered those words too well. That was what his father had

said, but this was not his father... could it be... Lidstrom?

The ogre soon lay waste in a pile of it's own intestines.

Pendraghon tried to enter the living quarters, but was stoped

by a guard. The guard would not listen to any reason,

Pendraghon was forced to draw his sword and begin walking

toward the guard. The way he moved, the way his eyes looked,

the guard had seen it before in their most prized fighter,

The guard paled, and motioned for Pendraghon to follow him.

Lidstrom was cleaning the blood from his horns as a minotaur

approached him. He looked up, and took a step back, it looked

like... his brother. The traitor that had abandon him when

he was only 12, no, it couldn't be. His vision went red with 

blood, and hedemanded what the minotaur wanted of him. The

other minotaur only whispered in a horse voice, "Lidstrom?"

[168] Lidstrom: Pendraghon and Lidstrom, 4/4

Mon Jan 12 00:12:46 1998

To: all

They soon worked out the anger Lidstrom had aquired, and told

each other what had happened during the 5 years. Lidstrom, had

been attacked by goblins when he was 16, a little over a year

ago. He had killed one and fled from the others, reaching

Mahn-Tor, he had looked for shelter, and found that he could

make a living in the Arena. There, he was taught to fight, and

trained in the way of the gladiators also known as barbarians.

Pendraghon told stories of what the rangers had been teaching

him to do: calling animals to his aid, dispearing into the 

bushes, and other forest-related things. 

The brothers then traveled together in search of the Dark Knight.

Later, meeting a ranger by the name of Haydon, they joined the

ranks of Valor to help vanquish the world of evil. Pendraghon

continued his training under the supervision of Haydon and

Arodax. Now, he has completed his training.

[169] Bronstin: Bronstin's Past and Present.....and Future.

Mon Jan 12 02:35:05 1998

To: all

I was a follower of Nadrik.  I was a follower of Devion.  I was a cleric in a far away land.  I was not Bronstin.

I was born and raised by a priest of Nadrik in a land across many oceans

from Althania.  I grew up and was taught in the ways of the Clerics of

Honor.  I prayed to my god Nadrik and worshiped him with my total being.

Then one day during my private prayers I had a vision.  It was a vision

of a small, impish man.  He made loud high pitched squeal that did not

conform to any kind of language I had ever heard.  He danced about me screamin.

I felt a sharp pain in my back and then the image vanished.  I was once

again kneeling before the alter of Nadrik in my fathers temple.  But no

longer did I belive that it was Nadrik that I served.  I left home that

night.  The vission I had been praying for was to be one of Nadrik.

He was to ask me to join his priesthood.  Then my learnings of the ways

of magics and battle would begin.  However, it was not Nadrik who had

appeared.  It was the small pathetic god Devion.  So when I left my home

that night I left with no magics to call upon and only the ingrained

sence of battle that all Minotaurs have to help me serve my new god.

I journied across my home land.  Picking up skills as I could along the

way.  I had little money, which I spent on equipment, so I had to hunt

for my meals.  I learned some basic battle skills over time, but I was

still no warrior.  Eventually I reached a small port town and stowed

away on a ship bound for a land I had never heard of.  A land called

New Thalos.  I killed a passenger on the ship and took his cabin.  When

I did this I felt a sharp pain in my back.  I tossed the feeling aside

as a mere discomfert over my first kill of an intelligent creature.

When the ship reached New Thalos I found myself lost in a strange land.

This was a place where all of my skills were for nothing.  I was totally

lost in this new place, but my determination and my Minotaur intelligence

allowed me to quickly learn the skills needed to survive in this world.

I became a thief and a small time thug.  Soon money wasn't a problem

I would steal whenever I needed funds, and I would murder any who saw

me comit a crime.  Eventually I left and wandered west.  I reached

the city of Althania.  It was the most splended city I had yet seen

in my short life.  I proceded to make a place for myself in this new

city.  I made enemies quickly.  And true to my nature since leaving

home, I made no true friends.  I gained in skill and ability, until

I came across a young Cleric woman named Nara.  I had heard a rumor

circulating around town that she was ranting about some book she was

writing for her god.  Many overlooked her as yet another fool.  I,

however, thought that there might be a key to my strugles in her thoughts.

I approached her with an offer to group together for a few battles. I

needed the money, and I could teach her some skills in combat.  She

agreed and we set out to my newest hunting ground, The Hidden Temple

of Evil.  When we arived we proceded to slay many of the pilgrims who

had come to the temple to worship.  When we mounted the first set of steps

I lost all sence of conection with the world.  I felt a stabing pain

in my back.  As if a knife had been plunged between my ribs.  Then I

heard it.  The hideous screaming of my god.  Devion had returned to torment

I do not know what really happened, or how long it lasted.  Devion

danced around me screaming and squealing noises not fit for living

ears.  Then, suddenly, the imp was gone.  And in his place a huge flaming

sword floated in air.  It's tounges of flame were the shade of blood

mixed with fine wine.  I continued to hear the screams of Devion, but

they were no longer aimed at me.  He was screaming at the sword.  I

could not see him, but I was sure that his rage was being poured out

in full upon this intruder.  Then he was back.  He lay groveling before

the sword.  Then with a shriek he lept up, and pulled a dagger from

my back.  He then turned to the sword, spat, and broke the dagger upon

the floor.  The sword then made a deep, almost musical, rumbling.  Devion

screamed and lept for me.  I was unable to move.  My body would not

respond as Devion lept for my throat.  He clutched at me and then...

he pulled a knife from my throat.  I was sure I had gone mad.  No.

I am sure I must BE mad.  No dagger had ever been plunged into my throat.

It had not been placed there by mortal or god, yet he pulled it free.

[170] Bronstin: Bronstin's Past and Present.....and Future.  (Part 2)

Mon Jan 12 02:45:35 1998

To: all

Devion lept from my throat, shrieked a final time, and was gone.  Then the

sword spoke.  Not in a language of words such as you or I would use, but

in a deep rumbling that pervaded my entire being.  I felt at peace

for the first time since my vision in my fathers temple.  Then I felt

the sword say "You are now mine.  Devion has pulled his dagger from your

throat and you belong to him no more.  You have served my servent well.

now you will serve me."  Then the sword flew up to the greatest reaches

of sky, and too my most total horror began to come screaming towards

me.  I could not move, I could not think.  I stood there as the sword

cleaved me in two.  But I felt no pain.  No agony.  I simply heard the

sword say "I am Raije.  God of War.  You now serve me.", and then it was

gone.  

gone.  

I awoke from my stupor to find that Nara was no longer with me.  I was

not startled by this since I could not be sure how much time had passed

since we had reached this room.  I returned to the temple in Althania

and found Nara sleeping in front of the healer.  I asked her to come

with me to the hiding place which I had to protect me from those who

wished to spill my blood.  There I told her my vision, and implored

her to tell me what it meant.  She was, after all, a Cleric of Raije.

She told me that the meaning was unclear beyond that Raije had chosen

me to serve him and that I must ponder on my own how I was to do that.

I now serve Raije.  I grow stronger every day.  My skills increase

ten fold.  Soon I will be feared by my enemies.  Raije is with me.

For now though, I must strive to serve him, and to further his cause in

this land.  I am alone, except for my only friend Nara, the one who

will help me truly follow Raije.  May Raije's sword be at my side.

Bronstin servant of Raije

[171] Nara: Bronstin: Part 1

Mon Jan 12 07:22:59 1998

To: all bronstin and all my Raijan homedogs

Nara was out with Bronstin.  After buying potions at the witches shop,

they pushed their advance upon the hidden temple of evil.  It was a long and

hard journey, and it took days.  When she and Bronstin finally arrived, they

reached a cave.  They hid their lights, and advanced.  After easily

dispatching two unidentifable foes, we went down into the temple.  "We

have arrived, my friend.  This temple is truly amazing.  " Nara said. 

"Yes, it is.  " Bronstin replied.  And so they trodded on the temple,

Nara screaming the haunting words of Raije amongst the infidels, and she and

Bronstin crushing they're foes in a few swift strikes.  And after they

killed a long series of foes, they set down to rest, finding Thorin

Oakenshield there.  They spoke, and Thorin needed to leave.  They went to

sleep in the vile place, only after praying for protection.  Nara awoke

shortly, as she was only mildly wounded.  Bronstin was awake, in a stupor. 

She waited for hours, but he would not awake.  So she prayed for

transportation as she didn't know the way back.  As she arrived at the

Temple of Althania, she saw Bronstin there in a few hours.  It was the dead

of night.  After she and Bronstin talked, they worked for hours, Nara

studying the minotaur tongue with the best teacher: a minotaur.

[172] Dhar: A new family

Mon Jan 12 15:08:46 1998

To: all

While leaving Shalonesti City, Dhar and Darby ran across the same elf they met on their way in.

"You lost again," the elf asked?

"No, me and my minotaur companion were just leaving your fair city," Darby replied.

" We're you headed to," the elf asked?

"Well I was hoping to see the city of Arkane.  They are supposed to have all kinds of Magical I tems there," the minotaur answered.

"You mind if I travel with you?  I'm getting bored sitting around the house.  I can't go to Arkane, but I can go most of the way," the elf replied.

"Fine by me.  How bout you Dhar?"

" Its OK by me," the minotaur said.

"Good my name is Jakkal," the elf said.

The three travelled back through Althania, and then on past New Thalos.  Then, the party had to hire a ship to fairy them across the Dragon Sea.

After they crossed the dragon sea, they party skirted some cliffs and came upon a large forrest.

"Dhar give me all your money before we go through the forrest," Darby said

"Why?"