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Rumour Has It / The Tale of the Broken Arc

« on: June 03, 2008, 10:59:48 pm »

 

[SIZE=16]*A group of bards gather from around Layonara in the town of Dalanthar. A circle forms, a crowd behind, listening in awe as the sky glows red on the crumbling Horizon of the Thunder Peaks. An elf in subdued blue garb opens his mouth slowly as he stokes the fire before the crowds. His voice is melodic, composed, and suddenly as he speaks his plain garb seems to reveal the sparkling of perfectly placed hidden accents of rubies*[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Listen well friends, listen well enemies... for the fate of a king of kings hangs on those horizons.. and it is by both your hands that it crumbles. It began with the High Boyer, sensing the storms of the giant known as Essrantor Aldtorskel approaching too near to the cities of his domain. He sent word for adventurers, and adventurers they came. Dozens of the best known warriors of our time heeded the call, though they knew not what stood in their path. And for that path I'll start with the end, for the beginning of things never truly start with any other place then where we've just ended no?[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*He takes a deep breath as the skies darken all but his red-lit face over the fire*[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Four figures stood, a grey hued giant with a stone crown upon his head, a dwarf of fire and ore, an elf of bone and flame, and the mist of a spirit of an adventurer sacrificed. Ever fading, the ghostly adventurer stood. His name was Fenrir Thornaxe, and as the story tells, he was the blood birthright of Axela and Thorn Losthammer, of the dwarves of olden spirit in these peaks high above us. Fenrir stood, fading and distant, until the king spoke the words of release, and reborn his physical being was. Behind him the mists of the veiled lake swirled about in turmoil. The sounds of crashing echoed so loudly that the hair of the many heroes surrounding waved in the wind of the noise. A tower on the horizon of the lake crumbled, and the stone of the great Thunder Peaks fell around the scene. You see... Fenrir had led the assault on Essrantor Aldtorskel the Ether Giant known for his Arc Clan. And now he stood before his Thane by blood, redeemed of a treacherous past in kin. So how did a spirit thane, a dead lord, and a olden Giant come to redeem this dwarf before his allies amongst the falling skies of Thunder? That is a tale unlike any I have told dear listeners, and not since the days of Bloodstone's fall have will you witness such deeds so heroic.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*The bard slaps his hands together over the fire, causing sparks to erupt in a swirling cloud of air over the fire* Thunder Struck! ...over the armies of three. One army to hold a pass, one army to perform the ritual, and one to storm the tower of storm itself. Their journey had been long, through deep drifts of snow, threats of falling into the wintery abysses around them, and venturing in the realm of spirit's minds of ages long past. It had begun with a battle on the outskirts of Essrantor's realm, at the foothills of the peaks. Clashing with an army of infinite horizon, the armies looked upon each other before they set off into the snows. They each knew their tasks, and they knew that'd they relied on the success of the other. Many would fall in their efforts, some would find the soul mother's grasp upon them. But the war was more important then any one adventurer, and it would be their friends who's lives would one day soon hang on the outcome of their efforts.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]The first party of adventurers would seek out wisdom of old. A hammer they sought and a ritual of times past which might break the seals of Storm Tower. The second party would set off for the ruins of Losthammer in the great chasm of bridges. They would need the knowledge of the dwarven spirits from whom Essrantor had stolen his secrets. The last group would split on itself many times. For many battles needed fighting, and many questions needed answers. To uncover enemies of the Arcs they would set themselves toward so that their fight would not be in vain with such an overwhelming army ahead. This last party knew that they would one day hold the key to defending the high passes so that others might succeed, and all would hinge on their success.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]The many warriors of many epic tales set off in a large group toward the ruins of the Losthammer Clan. They'd retrieved the knowledge of an ancient blood rite in which they might see the past of a kindred clan. So with the wisdom of the Runic Anvil they found themselves before the great chasm of Losthammer. The rune was drawn, the words spoken, and three dwarves of different clans spilled their blood upon the stone of Losthammer. The tale they tell is one of great wonder, for as the first drop hit, time stood still. The dwarf known as Grohin watched as his blood circled the rune, and time slowed around the group. They found themselves looking upon a scene of old, as the history of the clan reversed around them. The wars waged between the giants and dwarves upon the magnificent bridges, and they watched as the scenes unveiled themselves. A young giant, a young Essrantor, stealing the pages of the runic tome of Losthammer from scribes throughout the years. The war waging, the battles lost, their own magics and materials turned against them. The dwarf known as Fenrir Thornaxe watched as his kin fled in cowardice to save their only child, but only later would he find the truth of the scene being of his own blood. The final blood drop fell from the dwarf known as Kobal Bluntaxe, and in a grand room the group found itself, time still working it's way around their ethereal reality. [/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*He stamps his foot on the ground in rhythm, stoking the fire with a stick to spray sparks around into the crowd* [/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]A Thane stood before 15 warriors and 3 lords. The walls around them thundered. The war was lost, the Thane of Losthammer now spoke of it. Behind them stood a book, the tome of so many secrets that Essrantor had now stolen. The group of heroes watched helplessly as the Thane spoke the final rites. An oath to the clan, an oath to Vorax, and they ran toward the tome in unison, a roar of dwarves echoing throughout the already deafening halls. One by one they perished, and their souls turned to fire. The oath was made you see... and they would forever defend their clanhome from the Arcs... for they had offered their spirits in a final and lasting defense. The dwarves died willingly so that they might fight forever, and the heroes now watched as their souls transformed into a lasting hatred of Essrantor.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*He claps his hands over the fire and looks to the crowd dramatically* And suddenly they stood before a dwarf of ore and fire. A soul of burning fury, demanding that they explain their use of the blood rites on the Losthammer clanhome. For the king had sensed the blood of a Losthammer, the blood of a dwarf who's soul would honorably be a spirit fighting still for the clan. He grabbed Kobal at first, lifting him by his head off the ground to look in his eyes and touch the blood from his arm, then he grabbed Grohin. Both were cast aside, thrown across the great throne room, sliding with great speed into the stone walls, and left unconcious. Finally, the king grabbed Fenrir and roared with fury and confusion. How could a Losthammer bleed blood still![/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]That of course, is a question that needed answering. But the story was unravelling beyond the chasm with the other parties, and not until we understand their tales will we understand where Fenrir Thornaxe's fate lied.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*The bard turns to an elderly human who steps forward with a book in hand. Without looking up he begins to read, a slow and steady elderly voice which seems to rattle with the vibrations of the winds around you.*[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]A few notes have I, a few tales to be told. Many of you know me as Nus, and many stories have I heard to find the peices to this tale, this tale that ends with the fires in the peaks. Hear them.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]No sooner had a plea gone out for heroes to rally to the cause of Boyer when one by one, each with their own tale to tell on the why and how they were there they arrived; Argali, Jin, Ferrit, Grenna, and Arkolia.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Though none had been there to hear the pleas on behalf of Boyer they came nonetheless having heard the call for aid second or third hand. Indeed it appears they had hoped to meet with others with first hand knowledge but none were there and time was pressing that much they knew. [/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]They petitioned Amoran IIyon, the elder sage of elven lore, for knowledge, certain that much of the lore of the rise of Assrantor could be found at Willows Weep. This information was not so easily obtained, Amoran seemed reluctant to have the group stir trouble, but soon realized the scale of events, he handed them a solitary scroll; a song, Elphonse's reposte. This it appears was the only surviving document, however it's very nature alluded to the existence of further hidden lore. [/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]First though it demanded in verse that three key words be found to gain the support of magic, nature, and healing. The would be heroes rightly assumed this was some test of resolve and character. The secrets were held among the faithful of Aeridin at North Point, the Druids of the Wilds and a shrine to Lucinda. Time prevented them gaining nature's word and this was later to prove a troubling loss.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Solving some remaining verse they decamped to Thunder Bridge and quite out of tune I might add began singing the song...soon birds appeared and eventually a man who declared himself a wizard of the Higher Path, and duty bound to help the bearer of the scroll. He impassively revealed only that of which he was asked and then provided a way to a concealed crypt. Key words were spoken and they entered to find undead and nature's defences still intact. They fought them all without turning, without complaint, aware others needed there absolute effort. Two fell and were nearly lost forever and so when they found a runed hammer mentioned in the song they turned back, not certain they would survive if they remained. What lore lay beyond their grasp we may never find out....[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]By magical portal they returned to an oak that marked the way and stood in a high mountain valley...[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*The elderly human coughs and takes a breath and flips to the next chapter* Counterpoint...[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Below an army of Boyer was spread across the valley intent on distracting Essrantor's forces. Serg a wizard with that army quickly joined the heroes on the mountain and explained the armies movements. Torn between helping the army which looked to be in trouble or taking the hammer to the lead groups. I am told it was with no small discussion that they decided thus; the hammer was to be taken to Kobal and the lead group bypassing the army, and another group poised to divert Essrantor at a fort ahead. Bypass they did, turning aside for none they climbed, caved and sneaked there way to the lead group, and made splendid time as to be mentioned in Boyer dispatches. However they did not leave Boyer's army to certain doom for Arkolia, one of there number alone turned back to warn them of hidden dangers.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*He looks up, clearing his throat and catching eyes over the fire to be certain all listen* Boyer's Dispatches...[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]From the shadows four figures arrive at Kobal's campsite high in the thunderpeaks. Two half-elves, one male and one female, a human in wizard robes, and a dwarf. As they enter the light they are revealed, the Mystic Jin Lun Lee, the Scout Ferrit, the Mage Serg, and the Defender of Vorax Argali. How they reached there through the lines of giants is certainly an epic story.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]"Greetings Kobal. The Grace of the Longstrider to you and your companions."[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Jin Lun Lee looks over the dwarves in the group. [/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]"Is that Master Grohin?"[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]"Well here I have an artifact for you. Ragnor's Hammer. As well as this poem, by the bard Elphonse."[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]"It is likely that this Hammer can be used to destroy the pillars of Essrantor's Veil and restore the use of the weave. The there are four rune on the hammer. The first three we have discovered: Heal-Aeridin, Magic-Lucinda, and Nature-Katia. The fourth rune we do not know and cannot read. Our best guess is that the forth rune is Craft-Dorand."[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Jin hands Kobal the hammer and note. He looks across to the tower.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]" You have in your hands an artifact of rune magic. May the Longstrider Guide your path that you may use it with wisdom."[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*The old man slams the book shut and nods to the crowd*[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]The rest is a tale to be told, not now, but very soon.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*The ruby-adorned bard leaps forth toward the crowd and begins to speak*[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Elsewhere, in the peaks high above the storms suddenly raged down on a band of adventurers set forth toward a different task! Seeking the kin of the Arcs they were, and they would soon indeed find them, for the cards of fate spelled doom for all, and that doom came in the form of falling snowflakes.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*His fingers dramatically wiggle from above his head down and he gazes about the fire*[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]The storm was relentless they say, burying the adventurers to their knees, then waists, then necks... and then the storm struck and they found themselves tumbling and turning and blowing with the winds and snows and Essrantor's rage in the form of storm itself![/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*The bard tumbles and rolls about on the ground as he sees a few frightened children listening. He rolls around one of them, winking at each passing and turn of his eyes to the scared child until the young girl begins to giggle. He renews his tale and his eyes flash over the fire*[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]They found themselves in the whitest of white lands of snow and ice. And buried around them they found giants! But not living were these giants, but rather stone! The adventurers devised a plan, and soon they found the means to revive one. Before long their stood the proud and intelligent Ether Giants, kings amongst all, rulers of the storms and skies... still furious at the betrayal of the Arcs in times past. One stood higher then the rest, a king of kings or lord of lords! [/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*The bard skips to the side and gestures toward a gnome who steps forth with a parchment in hand, and he begins to read*[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]The Ether. Here is my record of what the adventurers told.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*The gnome takes a deep breath then begins*[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Helmuut looked down. The little people faced him, and his fellow giants surrounded him.[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]"Sit, and I will grant both wishes." [/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]All complied. Helmuut, standing a head taller than even the tallest Ether, surveyed the crowd. [/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]"For what you have done," [/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Now he looked directly at the humans and solitary elf staring up at him. [/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]"I will pledge myself to your cause. I have faced no other Arc as merciless and cunning as Essrantor. You will need all the help you can get, though I fear you may have brought us back only to have us march back to a swift demise. Now, as to the state in which you found us. I should begin with a small bit about the history between the Ether and the Arc. Though cousins by divine creation, we are not family. Enemies. Ours is a relationship built on an eternal feud. Of all giant-kind, none can compare to the cunning and wit of the Arc. None except the Ether."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Hemuut paused. He spread his arms, each one thick as a tree trunk. [/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]"We are all that remains of the Ether that settled the mountains you call the Thunder Peaks. The Arc's jealous hatred wittled us down into near extinction. And herein lies the distinct difference between the Ether and the Arc: We, the Ether, crave peace and learning. The Arc craves nothing but power. Though we were truly no threat to them, in the mind of the Arc we are an afront to their supremacy, not to be subjucated like all other creatures, but hunted, tortured, and killed. We fought back, of course, but we are admittedly not as skilled in killing. Such has never been the focus of the Ether. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]"As I said, we are the last, were the last, and thus at the time I made a decision. Two pillars of thought supported this decision. The first is that we, as a people, were destined to die at the hands of the Arc, and we had no where else to go. The Arc followed the Ether to these peaks, and we had no reason to believe they would not chase us were we to leave. The second is that we believed the destructive nature of the Arc would eventually lead to their demise. Such is the natural way of things. We did not, however, anticipate the rise of Essrantor. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]"I decided, and the Ether agreed, that we should go into hiding until such a time that the Arc had moved on or destroyed themselves. Knowing that if we yet lived, the Arc would find us, we chose to die, if but for a time. We turned ourselves into stone. Granite statues to outlive the ages, and buried ourselves in the mountain snow. Only one remained alive."[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Again, the great giant paused, this time bowing his head. A stillness settled over the gathered. Even the mountain winds hiss became a whisper. The moment passed, and Helmuut began anew. He spoke a name, loud and reverant and sad. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]"Rorch. My son. A talented weaver of the Al'Noth. He would hide himself in magic and lie in wait until such a time that he might release us from our self-inflicted curse. You can imagine my surprise when it was not my son but an elf that restored me to flesh. But then you tell me what Essrantor has done. Severing the Al'Noth doomed Rorch. He had poor health for an Ether, a fact he made up for with his grasp on the Al'Noth. Had he tried, I suspect he would not have survived the trek down from the mountains without the use of the magic. He must have realized this, and chose instead to die near us, as you found him, a statue of ice instead of a statue of stone. My son, my loyal son, who can never be replaced. If we survive the attack on Essrantor, the Ether will take the proper time to mourn him, and I will open for him with my bare hands a proper grave in the mountain cliffs.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Helmuut squated down, yet even like this, only the tallest humans could look him in the eyes, those great orbs of green that pierced the adventurers Helmuut now faced, sincerity and determination flooding their senses.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]"Rise, small ones, and face me. I have answered both requests. Now you must tell me everything you know of Essrantor and your fight with him, that I may devise something to help in the coming battles......."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*The gnome bows and steps into the shadows as the ruby adorned bard takes a long drink of ale and presses on in his tale*[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Meanwhile in the peaks other battles were being waged, other tasks brought to measure.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]In the thick mists of the valley fellow adventurers were vying in a political struggle for the allegiance of the large bandit village we of Dalanthar have come to despise. It was rumored that a relic of the runes was kept amongst the bandit lords, and that should it take blood, it must be retrieved for those above to succeed.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*The bard scratches his head a moment and looks around*[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]I did tell the tale of their goal and cause aye?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*A man, wobbling drunk in the crowd yells "no!" and the bard jumps up on a boulder by the fire*[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]The pillars you see! They were to fell the pillars of antimagic. For with the pillars gone, so would the magic and domain of Essrantor, and the Boyer Kingdom safe from rogue lords of the peaks.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]So you see.... these rune were the peices of puzzle to break the many curses laid upon the pillars of storm tower, the pillars that once shot into the sky with antimagical energy so great the world has never again witnessed![/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]The adventurers in the mists prevailed you see, and both rune and allies they secured.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*He jumps down from the boulder and hovers again over the fire, using it to illuminate his face dramatically for the audience*[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Another group of the armies of adventurers had in these times found their way up Warrior's Ridge to seek council with the great glacier dragon of the peaks. Once a myth, the drake Iliarn was known to sleep on the mountainside, resting and creaking, covered in the ice of old as he slid down toward the lowlands below. This, of course, is partly false. For the Drake known as Iliarn is not the glacier, but he does indeed sleep within it's snows.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Within the halls of coldest ice and wind these adventurers delved in search of the drake. They had a task, to secure the last of the old allegiances... the great dragon spirit Granarock the Silver. They knew not how to call this spirit, nor if he would hear their request in aid against Essrantor. Nor even did they know if the ancient Iliarn would know the means to call his part-kin dragon of old, or if he would desire to aid them.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]You see... Iliarn has been known for some ages by adventurers.  Reclusive, impatient, unwilling to speak to the mortals of the lands below. Sliding beneath the ice and snow of the land he rests, avoiding all save for what he must eat. But the adventurers delved into his caverns, and called forth for his meeting.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*The bard jumps forth and rattles a young boy's shoulders in vibration*[/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]The earth trembled! The ice of the cavern's ceiling crumbled... and suddenly! *He points behind the crowd to the distance* ... a sight rarely seen appeared on the horizon... something moving beneath the snows, through the ice... a large beast burrowing below toward them. *The bard claps his hands loudly* And suddenly the ice drake Iliarn shot forth from the snows below to stand before the adventurers.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Would he know of the means to call the olden Granarock... would he aid the adventurers... or would they be eaten in their insolence of entering his domain....[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]That is a tale you will soon find the end to...[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]But first we turn our eyes to the tombs below the ancient grove, and a runestone in Fenrir's hand.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]The weeping widow kneeled, blue tears of magic everlasting dripping forth toward the puddles forever swirling below her. Wisps of written words swirled in the pools of tears, words that spoke of the sorrow of the Le'tennodins.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Fenrir stood with his group of adventurers before the two runestones of warding which blocked the entry into the Le'tennodin Catacombs. Their venture they knew was hopeless, for most of them knew of what lay beyond... the foes of undeath that even the bravest and capable of heroes knew to fear. Only three times before had adventurers dared brave the catacombs... and always would they turn in fear or carry the body of a friend away, their souls gone forever.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]He pulled the runestone from his pack, and held it to the stones before him. He knew not what to do, but he recited his willingness to succumb the magic of the Losthammer Rune. At once he doubled up, seizing on the floor in agony they say. He could not breath, he could do naught but writhe on the floor in pain. And soon he lay dead. The adventurers amongst his group were horrified, for the means to their salvation were to have laid in the magic of this rune and Fenrir's blood. Strange and old winds began to pass over his lifeless body, his skin and body began to wither away. And then he lay, but a skeleton on the ground.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*The bard goes silent and leans back from the flames and into the shadows of the crowd, allowing silence to fall over them. Suddenly he springs forth from the other side of the crowd with a loud clap*[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]It stirred! The bones of Fenrir stirred and rose, and he found his voice still within, his mind still within. He looked down at his hands of bone... even then they seemed to be still withering away, and a light aura incapsulating him. The group of adventurers were in shock, their dwarven friend now in the clutches of apparent undeath. Fenrir now passed beyond into the realm into Essrantor, his allies followed. The Keepers... the most dangerous of undead stood at the entrance beyond, their headless bodies seemingly staring at the adventurers as they approached.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Fenrir spoke, he spoke that he of the Losthammers had come to call on Le'tennodin's allegiance still. The hall fell silent for an uncomfortable time... then the echoes of voices in unison peirced through the silence.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]"And how is it that a Losthammer defies the curse of the Ether abomination and enters these hallowed halls..."[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]Fenrir held the hammer of Cainforge Mountlus Losthammer and spoke, that he was the last of the Losthammers and he had come to call on the allies of old. The Keepers were distant, their minds almost an echo of reason... but they heard the ring of the hammer of old and told the party of their allowance to pass. But fear they should this group of the living... for the minds of the cursed below would not hear the voice of ally nor friend.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]And so the adventurers passed beyond into the darkness of the catacombs.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]What would happen to them you wonder? Aye, as I heard it from their mouths I wondered it as well. But the night has been long, and the many children of our fine audience show weakening gazes. Tomorrow we bards of the lands will assemble again, and tell the end to this tale of ages.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

 

[SIZE=16]*The bards of the circle bow and smile to the applause around them, as the crowd withers into shadows under moonlight, candles lighting in windows of the town in succession as the crickets come out again to dominate the silent landscape of noise under the peaks of broken thunder.*[/SIZE]

[SIZE=16][/SIZE]

[SIZE=16]Thank you to Mixafix and Milty for their contributions thus far.  More to come with the rest of the tale.[/SIZE]

22

Just for Fun / Euthanasia

« on: May 22, 2008, 08:12:08 pm »

Last night my son and I were sitting in the study and I said to him,

"I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle to keep me alive. That would be no quality of life at all,
If that ever happens, just pull the plug."
 
...

...

...

...

...

...

So he got up, unplugged the computer, and threw out my coke.

23

General Discussion / Boredom and illustration..

« on: May 16, 2008, 10:58:19 pm »

So I haven't a clue where I might post this.. I was tempted to add it to Poetic Liscense..but given this isn't a written work it wasn't really applicable.

So.



Nothing much.. working on a portrait of Karvus for my own amusement. It'll eventually be a full painting in photoshop..but for now, forgive my scribbles *bows humbly and skips off*

24

Just for Fun / Glubble

« on: May 06, 2008, 06:00:53 pm »

My fiancee was browsing Firefox add-ons today and she discovered this very cool parental controls add-on for Firefox called Glubble. For anyone with a family-shared computer who uses Firefox (on any platform), Glubble will make browsing the net for the yungsters safe and sane. Seriously, this is an awesome thing for any family computing environment.

So, without further delay... check out GLUBBLE!

Cheers!

25

General Discussion / Update

« on: February 27, 2008, 04:09:01 pm »

Soon the canyons of isles once only seen on the horizon will close in around you, the steady breeze from a channeled and ancient wind pressing against your face.



And soon, you'll find why no ships sailed there before...



As the chittering of cunning foes echoes in the high cliffed forests around you...



And only passing moments of peace are found to admire what you've naught seen before.



Soon old enemies will take new forms.



And perhaps a few new tricks they'll have learned just like you...



You'll seek out their new domains with much wonder..



And perhaps... you will learn again to run...



And then run faster...



And yet faster....



Until you can no longer run.



I'll see you all in there soon enough.  Look for Dorg's big announcement!  Look for the new spells bursting in the air around you, the new monsters thundering towards you, the flicker of an unseen relic on the ground, and ever the expanding horizon of new lands.

:)Be careful out there folks.

26

General Discussion / A Slice of Life

« on: February 26, 2008, 12:12:09 pm »

I've always thought of Layonara as a never ending movie where we the players get to puppeteer the stars, but what does puppeteer really mean? Well, I believe that when one plays a character, regardless of how much effort is put in, we are exhibiting characteristics of our own mind, personality and soul. There is so much depth to every single one of us that is often left completely undiscovered. Some people prefer to not explore themselves and so we only get to witness a sliver of their true self but the ones that do explore are often the ones that pour themselves into their RP and do so over the course of more than one character.

While we all tend to act differently in RL than our characters IG, even in RL we are playing the role of our real lives with real stakes at hand. This is why RL Always Comes First.

While Layonara is Just a Game there is none-the-less a bond that's seeded, nurtured and grown through the life we breathe into our characters. I like to think of this bond being represented by the 10 Soul Strands. When a character is first created, the bond is fresh, new and full. As we explore the world through the shoes of the character we're able to learn about ourselves in ways not available to RL. We are given the opportunity to explore the truth and consequences of our actions in a setting where when it really boils down to it, there's absolutely nothing to loose and everything to gain because it really is Just a Game.

As the strands wilt over time [be it short or long] we are all hit personally with that pang in the chest and burning of the heart. We are tangibly loosing a slice of that bond between our heart and our alternate self; the character. Having that bond broken by a permanent death will inevitably impact the RL self to some degree. Sometimes the break can be so extreme as to bring one to the point of rejecting the mere thought of allowing one's self to grow another bond. This is natural, we are only human and our hearts can bleed in more ways than one.

However, we must always remember that with each and every permanent death; a void is born in the world and a new chapter in the history of Layonara is waiting to be opened. Regardless of how big or small the chapter is, there is a new slice of your self just waiting to be given the chance to see the first light of a new Layonaran day. Rejoice in the accomplishments of the past slices, learn from their mistakes... where there was an avenue blocked from your exploration due to alignment or other RP restrictions, perhaps now that avenue can be explored through a new slice of life in Layonara.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with maintaining the characteristics of a past slice in the new personality. In fact, I'd highly encourage it. Take the best aspects of every character you've ever played and imbue them into a new one. Inevitably this will cause a new mix of experiences which bring out new traits you'd never even thought of before.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm speaking for myself and I'm not trying to hype Layonara up or push anyone to continue playing when they in fact do not wish to do so. All that I want to do with this posting is to share with you all how I feel about the inherent impermanence within the realm of Layonara. It forces us to come to terms with emotional transitions in-game that mimic similar emotional cycles and transitions found in real life but in such a way that allows us to adapt [and / or harden] ourselves to the realities of real life in a positive and relatively risk-free environment. I've always loved D&D of old for this and in our modern day D&D has given way to learning opportunities on a massive scale with the advent of multiplayer RP games.

Hoping this made sense to someone out there,
OneST8

27

General Discussion / Reminder About Player Etiquette

« on: February 17, 2008, 01:17:07 pm »

[SIZE=16]I have recently run across a couple of examples that warrants reminder about player etiquette. [/SIZE]
 
 [SIZE=16]If you are involved in an impromptu quest, please do not send tells to all your friends having them to report to a location. If the GM wants other people or the rest of the server informed, you will probably see a shout like *anyone that is outside sees a bright light reflecting off the clouds in the direction of Hlint*.[/SIZE]
 
 [SIZE=16]Another example, please do not run past people in a CNR area to gather the CNR before the first party gets to it. The best way to handle it is through RP. Stop and ask the original party if they are on their way out or in. You may be able to join, or just come back later. RP is the key. If you are confronted IC'ly about running in front of people, using a Wizard's Tome of Teleportation usually will send the matter to OOC tells; especially if there is no RP to justify your actions.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16] [/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]Examples listed below are not acceptable:[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]- I saw a really huge level gap and cause one can't party with more than seven levels of distance I figured you were just RP-ing.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]- I can't play with a good friend cause they're more than seven above me.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]- The room I went into needs a thief to open. I thought you were a cleric?[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]- I don't talk often.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]- People start spamming listen checks as I'm usually disguised so it isn't much fun.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]- Everyone mostly knows I'm (insert evil deity here) from the forum, so if I speak to them then I get frustrated.[/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16] [/SIZE]
 [SIZE=16]There are real life players playing these PCs, please have consideration for everyone.[/SIZE]

28

Just for Fun / NASA - Total Lunar Eclipse

« on: February 16, 2008, 10:59:24 pm »

"On Wednesday evening, February 20th, the full Moon over the Americas will turn a delightful shade of red and possibly turquoise, too. It's a total lunar eclipse—the last one until Dec. 2010."

Read the full NASA - Total Lunar Eclipse article for more info.

To everyone who has the time and a camera, let's try and take pictures to post in our gallery for the non-Americas people to see as they're sort-of left out of the full experience.



Edit: minor corrections to last paragraph.

29

Poetic License / dwarf poetry

« on: February 06, 2008, 08:58:02 pm »

*zafar wanders into the tavern and recites a poem he heard as a child*


The Ancestors Rest Lightly

Lightly doeth the dead sleep
Still linked by silver cords
To those they loved,
The living.
I can feel them gather round,
Just beyond the veil and
In candle flames their smiles appear
As their whispers from the shadows
Tickle my mind.
“Do you remember this?” they ask.
And I do.
And I do in love and reverence
Tell their stories to the young
Whom never knew them
For their souls were gone before their birth.
I call them to my mind
Holding them in my heart
For when it comes my time to pass on
They will joyously be waiting
To fold me in their love again.

In the last days of Lokakuu
The dead rest lightly.

Strommni Skull Krusher Ragnison
Lokakuu 2007

30

Layonara Server / Donation Chest Theft - Everybody read

« on: January 27, 2008, 12:03:32 pm »

Hello folks,
 
 Everybody knows the rules on theft on the server. Stealing is not allowed on this server and we trust everybody in the communtiy to abide by these rules without the team having to babysit. We need your (the community as a whole) help to make sure this stuff does not continue. Don't let yourself get bullied in to this and don't for a second think it is okay, it isn't.
 
 Sadly we have a group of friends that have targeted a donation chest and are indeed stealing items from the donation box. We know who you are (see below for our PARTIAL database entries). I am giving these individuals (and you know who you are) 24 hours to come foward and admit this then tell the team why they should not be banned outright. If you have not come foward within 24 hours (all of you) the team and I will take actions in to our own hands. One of these individuals started this on the 24th (our logs show that detailed information), you know who you are.
 
 Time for all of you to come clean. Send myself, Harlas, or Dorganath a PM.
 
 

Code: [Select]

 +--------------------+----------------------+---------------------+
  | name | object | time_stamp |
  +--------------------+----------------------+---------------------+
  | ************* | furn_crate1lg1123055 | 2008-01-26 07:00:42 |
  | ************* | furn_crate1lg1123055 | 2008-01-26 11:28:39 |
  | ************* | furn_crate1lg1123055 | 2008-01-26 11:29:31 |
  | ************* | furn_crate1lg1123055 | 2008-01-26 11:31:01 |
  | ************* | furn_crate1lg1123055 | 2008-01-26 11:38:14 |
  | ************* | furn_crate1lg1123055 | 2008-01-26 12:17:26 |
  | ************* | furn_crate1lg1123055 | 2008-01-26 12:22:41 |
  | ************* | furn_crate1lg1123055 | 2008-01-26 16:43:11 |
  | ************* | furn_crate1lg1123055 | 2008-01-26 16:43:37 |
  | ************* | furn_crate1lg1123055 | 2008-01-26 16:44:08 |
  | ************* | furn_crate1lg1123055 | 2008-01-26 16:47:35 |
  | ************* | furn_crate1lg1123055 | 2008-01-26 16:49:20 |
  | ************* | furn_crate1lg1123055 | 2008-01-26 16:50:54 |
  +--------------------+----------------------+---------------------+
   
 All times are PST (GMT -08:00) timezone.

31

Just for Fun / Hey, no recursing

« on: January 25, 2008, 10:10:05 pm »

32

Just for Fun / Everything I Need to Know in Life, I Learned from Layo

« on: January 15, 2008, 08:18:46 pm »

(With apologies to Robert Fulghum)

~Violence Never solves anything~
- Those kobolds will always just get another stick.  Monsters respawn, and everyone else goes back to their bindstone. -

~Don't Talk to Strangers.  At Least the ones who refuse to remove their hoods.~
- They're evil.  Four times out of five. -

~If things seem too good to be true, they probably are.~
- Gee, I get ALL THAT GOLD, and all I have to do is beat up a couple of goblins?  Sweet! -

~Good things come in small packages.~
- Halflings, gnomes, and dwarfs can be really fun to RP with, when they're not trying to chop your kneecaps off. -

~Money can't buy happiness.~
- It can buy platinum full-plate and mithril swords however.  Ask yourself how much happiness is worth. -

~With age comes wisdom and experience.~
- See that old man over there?  He's a level thirty barbarian.  SURE he's a tailor, but all the best tailors tend to be tougher than all of the sailors in the Docks -

~Pie is good for you.~
- Insufficient quantities of pie may lead to reduced attack and damage rolls.  You do the math. -

33

Layonara Server / Server configuration change -- EVERYONE PLEASE READ

« on: January 09, 2008, 08:26:05 pm »

Hello all,

I sadly must take some time to inform you all about a change we have to make to the configuration of our game servers.  This change may result in people being unable to log into any Layonara server when Bioware's Master Server is down.

Last night, between the hours of 22:00 GMT Jan. 8th and 00:00 GMT Jan 9th, there were 6 Bioware accounts and characters accessed by someone to whom they do not belong.  This person was able to do this because our server was set to permit logins when the Master Server was down, so that everyone could continue to enjoy Layonara during periods of outage, planned or otherwise, in Bioware's server.  It's a calculated risk, but one which has not caused us any problems in all the years I've been here.  Unfortunately, due to another case of a few (or in this case, one) spoiling things for everyone else, we have made this change to protect the community.

During this period of time, this individual targeted six people and logged on with their characters.  This individual used this access to remove gold from bank accounts and character inventories among other actions.  Two characters were killed while controlled by this individual, one of which died 5 times in 9 minutes and lost 2 soul strands in the process. I am still gathering reports from those players who were affected, but there is also at least one report of item(s) missing from character inventory.

This is disappointing to say the least, and while only six characters were directly affected, this is in fact an assault on everyone in the community.  

After pouring through our database, server logs and forum logs, I am confident in the identity of the person who did this.  I am in the process of banning this individual and once that is done, I will post a follow up for everyone to see.

To close on a positive note, I'd like to thank those players who have been affected by this with their understanding and cooperation.

34

General Discussion / Happy New Year

« on: December 31, 2007, 10:03:33 am »

Take that 2007!

Hello 2008.

35

General Discussion / Strike Text Out!

« on: December 30, 2007, 10:40:09 pm »

This isn't anything special, just a quick fix for a missing BB Code tag. As you can plainly see, [strike]this text[/strike] has been crossed-out. To start crossing out your own text, see our forum's vB code page.

Enjoy!

36

Layonara Server / Heads up/Warning on Flags (and abusing them)

« on: December 16, 2007, 09:38:22 pm »

Folks,
 
 It has come to my attention that some people are abusing the flags (Flag of Might for instance). Please do not abuse these flags or we will just rip them out of the module. We put them in there in good faith and trusting the community to not make us jump through hoop after hoop fixing exploits and such.
 
 A good example of abuse is carrying around five Flags of Might and using them in short periods of time...or using them in dead/wild magic zones. It is a pretty clear cut example of common sense and keeping within the spirit of the server. And yes...at least one individual is doing exactly this. This is an exaggerated abuse example as carrying around even two of the same flag and using them back to back and/or in wild/dead magic is abusing things a little too much.
 
 We will not go down the path of coding for special rules on these things, we just don't have the time. We will just rip them out of the world....so be nice to the community and don't abuse them.
 
 Spread the word.

37

General Discussion / Did I Say the Final Stroke of V3 Before?

« on: December 12, 2007, 06:22:53 pm »

I again find pictures a good snare for you unfortunate readers.  Thanks to the work by numerous developers on the Layonara Team, there's another update coming soon.  So I suppose that last update was not the final stroke after all!

I'll leave it to Dorganath to give you the full update on what's new when the time comes.  Until then, a few screenshots to let you know what's coming.

















See you in these regions soon enough.  

38

Rumour Has It / A last goodbye...

« on: December 12, 2007, 05:05:09 pm »

* Three dwarves are seen by many as they pass from Hlint to Spellguard carrying an old man in blue robes reverently on a shield, held high on their shoulders. The dwarves are recognized by some as Varka Cleaveson, Gravas Hrendhamar and Kobal Bluntaxe, while the lifeless body on the tower shield is that of the well known wizard Godim Harjumaa.

His long silvery-white beard looks to have been carefully groomed and his robes repaired in many places. Even so, clear evidence remains of the sword or spear thrusts that must have killed the old wizard.

One last time Godim Harjunaa enters the splendid city of magic - Spellguard. His retinue consisting of the three dwarves and others who knew him, follow the train as it moves towards the temple of Lucinda.

The clergy here were already notified because a priest stands at the entrance, seemingly waiting to accept the old man into the loving embrace of the Lady of Spells. Two acolytes step forward to accept the burden and carry the shield into the temple grounds, where the body is to be prepared for burial.

The adventurers and dragon-called remain to pay Godim their last respect before his body is returned to the earth. *

39

Just for Fun / A Friendly Reminder to NPC Mages about Abusing the Magic System.

« on: December 03, 2007, 02:19:39 pm »

It has come to our attention that the spawned enemies of the server have been abusing the magic system in such a way which is not in the spirit of the server.  This has got to stop.

Firstly, it is poor sportsmanship and metagaming to exploit the system and not harm your own allies with area of effect spells which should be damaging to oneself when cast in small quarters.  Clearly if a mage player's fireball immolates his own party when cast, it is just poor form to cast it at point blank when being attacked, knowing full well that if it weren't for the bioware hardcoding, you and your own allies would be so immolated.  Hellball and meteor swarm were never meant to be cast upon the self or the allies.  A succubus should never dance around in her own black tentacles!

We have also heard numerous reports about NPC mages casting large litanies of spells without the appropriate spell components or the corresponding eschew feats.  This is clearly abusing the system, and we would ask that in the future all you NPC mages would either please plan your spells per day around a non-componented selection, aquire the eschew feats at the earliest opportunity or invest in material components.

Furthermore, we would ask that your bodyguards would cease and desist all attempts to lure the player characters by wandering around corners, into other spawn points or fleeing past other species of critters to assault the party.  It is clearly metagaming for a frightened ogre to flee behind an ancient dire bear which would, if not for the hardcoded bioware factions, maul the ogre without another thought.  The same goes for ogres and cockatrices, worgs and jaguars, goblins and falcons, and all other mismatched pairs of opposition.  Please at least RP your interactions and provide a CDT detailing *why* an ogrillon would not be eaten by a wild bear, and we may consider it.

In conclusion, we would kindly ask that the gnoll shamans, ogre mages, succubi, balor, raksasha, fire giant shamans, the giant shamans on east, the thundering shamans, the dark druids, the dark spiders and their treant-friendly webs, the troll shamans and all other NPC casters please report to the GM area for mandatory flogging.  This means you, Caustic Bones of Krandor!  Clearly acid sheath mixed with acid clouds that you are immune to are an "I-win" card!

40

Layonara Server / Emergency Maintenance - 11/24/2007

« on: November 23, 2007, 05:23:52 pm »

I just noticed that the foxpro databases (it is what Bioware choose to use for NwN) are almost at their max size. I must bring the servers down tomorrow morning (probably around 5am or 6am) for maintenance and to shrink these files. All servers will be down for about 2 hours. I will get them back up ASAP.
 
 11/24/2007 around 5 or 6am Pacific.