The Courant: February 2002

February 28, Thursday

News from NoW - Elv'eng

We recived some happy news from Necromantic order of Witches: Hail fair Lord or Lady, It is my pleasure to personaly invite you and the members of your guild to join us in the celebration of the return of my sisters. The Power of our Stone is almost to its fullest again. The event will be held on Sunday March 3th and starts at 8pm (cet), the place to be: de Tayrnagh Tavern of my sister Alauna (65°7'S 25°27'W just outside Vesper) There will be plenty of food, wine, music and fun. And as in good old times our 'Summon Chicken Contest', the winner price: 50k gold and no fee this time,. I would be honored to have you and your members, everybody is welcome! Greetings, Lady Anais http://www.uowitch.ezhoster.com

February 27, Wednesday

Course in Elven Role-playing - Elv'eng

News from the University: The Spiritwood University is proud to host a course in Elven role-playing. The teachers will be Elv'eng and Iwayhara of Andune, two well-known elven faces in the Europa role-playing community. The first lesson will cover elven creation, elven naming and basic acting, and everyone interested in role-playing an elf is welcome to attend. Place: Trammel Campus Date: Saturday, 9th march Time: 2pm GMT/15 CET Later we will offer one or more advanced lessons, open to those who attended the first lesson. To attend these, we would like you to create an elven character using the information taught in the first lesson, or, if you already play an elf with a proper name, you are welcome to attend with that character. The advanced lessons will takes us away from the dusty classrooms of the university to places more appropriate to learn about elven culture, customs and rituals. If you have questions about the course, contact Elv'eng [ICQ: 367356, e-mail: elveng@lemming.org] or Iwayhara [ICQ: 46242999, e-mail: iwayhara@hotmail.com]. To find the Trammel Campus, head east along the mainland road from the Skara Brae docks. When you come to the second road on the right, at the crossroads a short way inland, go south. Keep going south then east past the farms and homes, and soon you will arrive in Spiritwood. The University is on the far eastern side of the town, in the end of the clearing closest to the south-western corner of the Sosarian Hedge Maze. Welcome to the university! Ceinwyn Chancellor http://university.rper.org

February 26, Tuesday

Oracle's lecture on Wednesday - Videric

The Spiritwood University is proud to announce a lecture by the Oracle. He will speak about his philosophy of the Circle of Logic. Gaherius The Oracle himself says one of his books that "the Circle of Logic is to introduce new balance to philosophy of Britannia. It hasth not been created to replace Virtues, instead the values of Virtue art supported. By introducing a new philosophy for people to follow, the ever so broad path of corruption shall narrow." Everyone interested in philosophy and discussions is welcome to an interesting evening at the Spiritwood University. You can find more information about the university at http://university.rper.org. For more information on the Circle of Logic and other tomes, see The Tomes of the Oracle, at http://oracle.rper.org. Place: Trammel Campus Date: Wednesday, 27th february Time: 8.30pm GMT/21.30 CET To find the Trammel Campus, head east along the mainland road from the Skara Brae docks. When you come to the second road on the right, at the crossroads a short way inland, go south. Keep going south then east past the farms and homes, and soon you will arrive in Spiritwood. The University is on the far eastern side of the town, in the end of the clearing closest to the south-western corner of the Sosarian Hedge Maze. Ceinwyn Chancellor, Spiritwood University

Lost Fragments of ancient Elvin lore. - Elv'eng

More on the Lost Fragments of ancient Elvin lore have been recived from Spiritwood Last night the faithful gathered in the famed Spiritwood Tavern to once more take up the challenge of the mystery of the Lost Fragments of ancient Elvin lore. The Sage Basil of Moonglow met them there and together they read out Steveo’s latest translation of the final Fragment discovered, pulled from the very bones of the dead Elvin princess Elana of the Maeyar line of Old Glorindar. A hush fell over the crowd as the old sage read out the translated verses: “Awakening ancestors command devotion to make and end of doom. My final gift of the Holy Line in memory of a Magic Realm. Reverse this Void of Doom and follow the thread to Victory. My gift of treasure, Royal Queen’s Spirit, Maeyar. A preamble of some sort, followed by yet another of the mysterious Songs, the “Music Memory” of old Elvish lore. It read: A Music Memory of the forsaken City of Brilliance. Anger cloaked my race, wild void stirred in the homeland. Lament this horror between Royal Line made enemy to Royal Line. Ancestor Wizards awakened abominations with no name. Dread demon horde. Eternity of rage rushed in torrents across the realm. Oppression ruled. Knowledge forsaken, Holy Blood forsaken. Fading memory. Spirit of glory killed and my home a battle ground, Death, Emptiness, Lament the length of age that fading heirs in far lands wander outside the Home Land. Holy Treasure, jewel gift of Mother Queen is buried in fading gloom of the City of Brilliance. Mortals of outside might point to the forsaken treasure. Hidden in the strength of the West Tower, defending the Shore underground in the darkness of the City of Brilliance…..” The assembled crowd pondered these lines. Could it be a clue about where to find the mystery hinted at in the previous songs, The Lost Treasure of wisdom spoken of in past Fragments? They spoke of where this West Tower in the depths could be. Basil said he was now quite sure that this could only refer to the ancient Karas o Ril, the “City of Brilliance” which was the ancient capitol of the Elves located in the Lost Lands, their ancestral homelands. He spoke of the “eternal curse”, the one hinted at in the Fragments that spoke of unending war between the cursed remnants of those left behind after the exodus that apparently followed these damnable events, the Great Schism in Elf- kind, driving the bright and the dark apart. The assembled group pooled their various knowledge and determined that the “shore underground in the darkness of the city of brilliance” could mean the swamp in the depths of the place now called the Tarrathan Keep, which is indeed brooded over by the towers of a lost underground city. They determined to steel their nerves and explore this dread place. Basil bid them good luck and soon a large party had gathered to make its way to this fell place. After some confusion, a magical gate was opened and the Adventurers made their way to the fabled place called the Star Chamber, a sacred site of unknown powers, no doubt once connected to the glory of the Elder race, but now long abandoned. They struggled to get themselves across the barriers and from there out into the place where burned still the eternal flame. Immediately, they were spotted by the hideous beasts that lurked all about them, snake-like Ophidians and spider beasts known as the mighty Terrathans. Those unfamiliar with the depths of the lost city stared in wide-eyed wonder and fear broke out in beads of sweat upon their foreheads. In a desperate flight they fought their way through the infested corridors towards the place now called the Swamp. All about them vile beasts turned their malicious intent upon them and swarmed to consume them. In the midst of the fetid swamp itself, the dread Collector of Souls lurched up from his latest feast and turned his damnable eye upon these intruders, bellowing in rage at their temerity in entering His lair. In a flash they climbed the crumbling steps of the most Westerly tower, and there lo and behold, they espied a loose paving stone from bygone era. It seemed to have words engraved upon it. A riddle you find, for those who come after, In stillness’ reign, where sounds no laughter, Forsaken by their Elder Masters… For if you seek for treasures lost, You may well find too dear a cost. I bid you now, take care, be warned, Lest all thin efforts be forlorn. Yea, if seek you must- In these words trust- Look now into the chamber that is a Cruciform. In near panic they struggled with the words, “look now in the chamber that is a cruciform…” Could it be a ruse? Could it be the key to yet another mystery? Could it be a clue leading them yet further on into the horrid depths of the ruined City of Brilliance? Determined to follow the thread to the bitter end, they set out to explore the ancient twisted corridors of the accursed place, choked though they be with the accursed remnants of those who once dwelled therein. They battled on, every step hard won as first Terrathans and then Ophidians flew at them from all sides. Occasionally these accursed beasts would turn their wrath upon each other, fighting to the death over some ancient enmity. It was indeed a war zone…. At last they saw it, a cross-shaped chamber with tightly sealed doors and before it, yet another ancient stone engraved with some chipped lettering: You have done well to come through such hell, Though denizens here would seek to dispel, What future success? The diviners could not foretell… Herein see what remains of once great Glory A people cast down in time honoured story, The wondrous days of the City of Brilliance Now brought low by Demonic interference. And here stand thee now at the crossroads of thy quest, Which thou dos’t carry out at Ghostly behest, But will ye succeed in this troublesome test? Lo, fate will tell… Seek now that place where ancients divined, Across a gap filled with loathsome kind, Reachable only if you walk the Thin Line. There you will find that which hast withstood all time. As realization sunk in, those who had some past experience of the place whitened with dread. The thin line over a gap filled with… They knew the place, a death zone as no other, filled with Ophidian Avengers, Knight-errants, Zealots and worse, writhing in an impenetrable mass of destruction within corridors that narrowed into impassable doom. Yet onwards they pressed, determined now to see this thing through to the biter end. And end it was for many, as they fell under the wicked coils. Yet, miraculously, some pushed on, coaxing and hiding, ducking and diving, slipping through the grasping tails and flashing blades until at last they could dash into the pit and gaze up to the rope strung across to far ledge- And there, lo and behold, a Golden Box…… Many attempts it took, and much blood spilt, but at last one brave soul managed to leap up onto the rope and keep his footing long enough to skitter unsteadily across. Jordan of the Knights of Virtue was that lucky soul, and he quickly scooped up his prize, the mysterious Golden Box. They gathered again, fighting a desperate retreat as ever more of the vicious denizens of that dark place pressed upon them, now enraged at their possession of the Golden Box. Hawk of Glorindar, Bethor and Barak of Spiritwood, Durak the Dwarf of Dreamstone, one by one they and many more were cut down like stalks of wheat by the scythe and had to be dragged to safety. Enveloped in chaos, they ran for the outskirts of that accursed place, and then at last to where magic served them still, thence through a gate to safety finally. We know not who may have been left behind this night…. At last in a place of security, they examined the box, which had a cunning and ancient lock upon it. Steveo of the KoV, a perhaps over zealous adventurer, took axe in hand and swing recklessly at it. A seething gush of green fluid exploded upon him and dropping his axe to the floor with a sharp clang, he fell clutching at his throat in agony. The others were so stunned by this that their efforts to save him were slow and he collapsed into near unconsciousness at their feet. And still the Golden Box remained. They determined then to remove it intact to the safety of Spiritwood and consult further. There they found Basil the Sage waiting for them. They told the old scholar of their journey, and of the difficulties they had faced. Grave was his face as he theorized on what could have lead to this appalling situation. Perhaps the texts were right after all? Could it be that those among the ancient race who were unable to flee at the time of the great schism, a division brought about by dabblings in the Black Arts, were now hideously transformed and locked in eternal warfare? He speculated that the wicked Terrathans could be the transformed remnants of the servants of the house of Loth. And he spoke of the ancient symbol of eternally renewing wisdom of the ages, was that not the snake consuming its own tail? It was too horrible to contemplate. But yet, the mystery remained, for there on the grass before them lay the Golden Box. With some trepidation it was decided to force a way in and see what it held. The group made ready with spell and bandage, the old sage warned them all to stand back, Steveo raised up his axe once again and took a deep breath before bringing it down with a sharp crack. There was a flash of green and a moment later he was again clutching his throat and collapsing, but for the quick ministries of his associates who saved his life. Within the Golden Box was a strange book. Its title was etched in an unreadable series of runic inscriptions. The pages within carried a similar series of archaic sigils, baffling to all. Basil then speculated that it was a Language of Power like those spoke of in legends, probably very ancient and no doubt lost to the mortal realm. He suggested that they may need help in deciphering it. It was then that Aznagul of the Custodes Fati suggested that the old Witch, Sybil the Wise, might be able to contact an “intermediary” entity capable of reading the sigils within. Basil agreed and offered to report all of this to the old monk Michael, Chancellor Emeritus of the Spiritwood University, who in turn would endeavour to contact the Witch Sybil and arrange a meeting. This he has now done and Michael has invited all who are still consumed with curiosity about these matters to join him in the Spiritwood Tavern on Thursday the 28th of February at 21:30 CET, that’s 8:30 UK time, to learn more. All who wish to help solve these riddles are welcome to attend. The Fragments discovered so far are available to any who seek to examine them and can be found stacked on a desk on the ground floor of the CF tower library of Spiritwood. Shelby the Spiritwood Town crier

Dark Tides - Videric

This came from Preacher of uo-europe.com: "The sun burned red as it slowly dipped beneath the ocean. A mist swirled across the cooling waters, and the fading light cast long shadows across the tranquil bay. Suddenly, as if from nowhere, strange shapes came into view, like needles threading through the heavy sea fog. At first there were just two, but gradually more began looming out of the darkness that cloaked the quiet waters. But these were not needles, they were masts." Last night saw Skara Brae come under attack from a hoard of vicious pirates on both Drachenfels and Europa, marking the beginning of our latest ongoing quest, Dark Tides. Judging by the ease with which the invasion was beaten back, is this the end of the pirates invasion? After a battle (EU) Image of the huge Pirate ship (DF) More about Dark Tides here: UO Europe: Events

February 22, Friday

Quick update on the Lost Fragments Saga - Elv'eng

More on the Lost Fragments was sent to us today, from Spiritwood: It was just approaching the appointed time and guests were streaming into the Spiritwood Tavern expectantly. They murmured in hushed tones about the most recent discovery of the latest of what appears to be an ancient tome of Lost Elvin Lore, recently recovered from within the casket of the late Elana Maeyar, last Princess of old Glorindar. The lettering in gold leaf sparkled as though new: “Kuiv y-red kan dil enke tel o amarth. O ved anna o el ain lir i rin o gul arth. Nukwer el ia o amarth y khil el lain eno dasil. O anna o harma, Ar Arbredhel fea Maeyar….” And so it had continued for several more verses, apparently the final part of the missing lore of the eldar race…. Basil, the old sage from Moonglow, made his way nervously past the mercenary guards towards the Spirtiwood Tavern, his brow furrowed in worry. The scholars had labored hard to carefully craft the translation, pouring over the Elvin Lexicon word by tortuous word. Soon all would be ready, soon the crowded tap room would fall into a hush, all eyes would turn expectantly and ears prick attentively to hear the secrets revealed……. But just then, the sky fell down. Well, not exactly, but one of those strange phenomenon known as a “time warp” struck all into instantaneous unconsciousness and all thought of the evening’s events were cast aside. Oh but the fates are a fickle lot….. Basil the Sage shall return to the Spiritwood Tavern on Monday the 25th of February, at 21:30 CET, that’s 8:30 UK time, to pick up the thread of this continuing mystery. All brave souls are welcome to attend, but be warned, the next phase shall indeed be perilous. Any who wish to view the Fragments of the Lost Lore uncovered thus far may do so in the ground floor of the Tower of the Custodes Fati in the town of Spiritwood. Shelby the Spirtiwood town crier

February 19, Tuesday

Latest on the mysterious Fragments of the Lost Lore. - Elv'eng

We recived more on the Mysterious Fragments from Spiritwood Last night, the brave, bold and curious gathered in the packed Spiritwood Tavern to await the promised translation of the most recently discovered Fragment of lost Elvish lore. As some of our more avid readers will recall, the ghost of the late Elvin Princess of Old Glorindar has recently been haunting the lands, leading the curious to fragments of some ancient book. The bones of Princess Elana had apparently been removed by a mysterious marauder who ransacked the small chapel where they were kept. Last week, the scholar of Moonglow, Basil the Sage, was rescued from a pack of savage ancient dragons, who were threatening his most recent archeological excavations at the Lighthouse in the Lost Lands, where he was in search of more of the mysterious lost Fragments. Basil suggested that they must find the missing bones of the Glorindar Princess Elana. And so it was, the stage was set and the crowd restless as they jostled for position and awaited word on what had been decoded from the scraps of fading Elvish letterings writ into the recovered Fragments. Travelers had come from far and wide, and the hard working Aranlindale, barkeep at the Spiritwood Tavern struggled to keep their tankards brimming with the best ale in the realm. Finally, Steveo of the Knights of Virtue stepped forward and shared the translation he had been laboring over for the past several nights. It went something like this: In common: “Division stalked the halls of glory and blood flowed apart from itself, awakening timeless curse. He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind. Thence came fearful maelstrom of woe, scattering the Elder race and gripping the rest in curse of damning transformation. The Third Song is thus: (This part translated from the Elvin) “Light of Glory fading. A Father forsaken a Child. Despair then cloaked the Brilliant City, and cut in half the Elves. Emptiness and death followed”. (In common again:) Then did those that could of the First Race, stream like spilled waters from the Homeland, some seeping into earth’s dark embrace, others forming brilliant sparkling pools. Sacred hidden reservoirs of what had been. Lessons lost, secret lore forsaken… The Forth Song is thus: (This part translated from Elvin:) “Lament in final eternity. Slaves battle slaves, and The Elves lost all. Darkness and Despair came then to the City of Radiance. Nineteen thousand years of wandering the land, across and underground. No rest, Knowledge lost, Blood forsaken. Silence. The traditional is best- To walk apart from the House of the Queen is to walk to the Grave. Lust and Profit… (The rest of the book was torn away) Perplexed by these strange words, part of some long lost legends of the Elvin races perhaps, the people spoke of their next move. Some expressed their worry about not yet knowing the secrets contained in the first Fragment, known to be held by the Dark Elves of Naeloth. Others looked to the Elves of Andune for guidance, but found them as ever reticent about sharing their lore too freely. Some agreed that the Sage Basil may have been wise in suggesting that they seek the lost bones of the Princess Elana Maeyar. Then the monk Michael stepped forward and told them that he knew a Spirit Medium, a wise woman called Sybil the wise, or Sybil the Wytch by some, who had knowledge of the Occult Arts and might be able to invoke a denizen of the neather regions to answer their questions about where the lost bones might be hidden. Lead by Lady Uno of the Custodes Fati, the large group set out to find this Witch in her hut in the far cold reaches of Ice Island. Sure enough, after trudging through the frozen wastes, they soon came upon her hut perched high atop a cave of ice. By all accounts she was a belligerent old hag, who scorned their quest and demanded gold for her efforts, but soon enough she had gathered all within the darkness of the cavern below and set about her questionable practice. Demanding arrows, she stuck them in a line across the back of the cave, warning all to keep well back, lest the dark entity that would soon appear tear the unwary to shreds. She then placed a circle of sulpherous ash around a designating place, crafting a circle of summoning. Then, in horrid shrill voice, she began her chants, rattling bone charms and dancing in circles. The crowd waited in deepest apprehension for they knew not what strange being might materialize before their very eyes. But soon enough, their curiosity was satisfied, for but a moment later, there was a blue flash and out of what appeared to be a rip between realities stepped a huge red daemon! It hurled insults at them and loomed in a most menacing way at the shrinking mass of adventurers, but then, in seeming obedience to the Wytch Sybil, it answered their enquiries. “Foolish Questors, will you never learn? Seek if you must in the Lost Lands, in the tombs of the City of the Dead, the ancestral burial grounds of the ancient race” Then, in a flurry of further insults, it was gone, leaving a distinct burning smell hanging in the air. The Wytch Sybil threw them all out of her lair and the mass of adventurers quickly made their preparations to journey to the City of the Dead and seek further. Soon they gathered again near that dark place and began their explorations. The spirits of the dead swarmed on to them, skeletal Knights, Bone Magi, Liches, Wraiths, Wights and all manor of unspeakables soon surrounded them, but they bravely fought on, pushing into the mausoleums there to seek for clues. Eventually, one keen dwarven adventurer, Durak Blackaxe from the town of Dreamstone, spotted a small casket and upon closer examination discovered the very bones of the last true monarch of Old Glorindar, princess Elana within. Inside the casket they also found what appeared to be the final Fragment of the ancient Elvin tome of Lost Lore. They soon spirited this precious find away to the town of Deepwater, where they discussed their next steps. Clearly, the last fragment would need to be deciphered. Also, the bones of Elana Maeyar would need to be laid to rest once again. Fozza of the town of New Glorindar asked if he might be entrusted with them, and the monk Michael gladly handed them across in the knowledge that this would be her wish. He then suggested that those with the nerve, gather again on Thursday the 21st at 21:30 CET, that’s 8:30 UK time, in the Spiritwood Tavern so that the final translation might be shared and the next step of recovering the Missing Lore be discovered. But he warned them all, only the bravest need attend…. The Fragments thus far discovered are on view in the Spiritwood Library, within the tower of the Custodes Fati. All are welcome to come and study them there in the original language of the ancient Elves. Shelby, Town Crier of Spiritwood

February 15, Friday

Latest news on the Mysterious Fragments recently uncovered. - Elv'eng

We recived more news on this fragments that have been found: Last night, a large group of curious adventure seekers followed the road signs and made their ways to the lovely town of Spiritwood, where they gathered in the famed Spiritwood Tavern to learn more of the mysterious fragments of ancient lore that have recently been discovered in the dark town of Naeloth and in the midst of the ancient hedge maze of Sosaria. The scholar and monk Michael met the large crowd gathered there to discuss the recent sightings of the ghost of Elana Maeyar, last monarch of the old Elvin line of Glorindar. It is she who has apparently been leading adventurers to these strange discoveries. The mystery was intact still, as none yet had managed to decipher the strange language written in the fragments, but most guessed it to be an archaic Olvin tongue. After some time, Xirxin, master of the outcast Drow was seen to be discretely sitting in the corner listening in. When asked for information on what his people had found, he proved reluctant to share it. This hesitance was only to be exaggerated by the appearance then of Elv’eng of the Andune, who had been studying the second fragment. It seems that the ancient animosities between the two remaining halves of Elvin kind, light and dark, is as strong as ever, as neither was willing to reveal the secrets they held. It was then that the old monk suggested that there may yet be another who could help them to unravel the mystery, an old scholarly associate of his called Basil the Sage, a professor at the Lyceum in Moonglow. The keen adventurers soon set out to track down this scholar, but upon arriving at the Lyceaum, they met a Scribe called Abel, who told them that Basil had been missing for some days, and his office had been burnt in a mysterious fire. He handed over the notebook of the Sage that had been recovered from the flames, and it revealed something of what he had been studying… The notebook spoke of researches into the lost culture of the Olvin race, what we call the elves. It spoke of his desire to discover the resting place of their lost capitol city, Karas o Ril, the City of Brilliance. It spoke of his suspicions that dabblings in the dark arts of Occultism had awakened some unspeakable “Entities” that then somehow aided in the deep schism that arose within Elf-kind, and to the subsequent exodus from their ancestral home. All of this and more were hinted at in the pages of the scholar’s notebook, but he himself remained missing. Some hints at his excavations of a site of ancient ritual in the Lost Lands, and a bit of detective work, soon led the seekers to that place known to us now as the Lighthouse. They made their way there at once but were shocked to discover that the place was infested with great Dragons and Ancient Wyrms! Indeed, they soon spotted the Sage Basil clinging to a narrow ledge at the top, crying for help from the formidable beasts. After a difficult battle in the confined spaces of the old building and the narrow passage below, the great beasts were at last defeated and the Sage was calmed enough to speak. He told of his recent excavations and the discovery of yet another Fragment of a lost book, which he clutched tightly to his chest, along with the all important ancient elvin lexicon needed to decipher it. He told the assembled adventurers that he had come closer to uncovering the secret of the lost City of Brilliance itself, but feared that a dark curse still held it in its grip. This he said had come about through the explorations of dark magiks by some among the ancient elvin folk, whispering that some had even taken up the worship of a great deamon Queen of Spiders … Xirxin, the Drow, then stepped forward boldly and accused the sage of engaging in mere hearsay and senseless speculation. The others were less sure, and asked Basil to entrust the third fragment to them for closer scrutiny. He hesitated, and Xirxin too demanded that he be given possession of it. Others among the crowd balked at this and told Basil not to hand it over to the Drow. Again, the old Sage dithered, and finally gave it over along with the lexicon of Elvin languages to Steveo of the Knights of Virtue. He told them then that they must learn more of the missing bones of the late Princess Elana, that this doubtless would prove to be a vital key. After seeing the tired old Sage safely back to Moonglow, the party returned to Spiritwood where they once again meet the monk Michael and related to him what had happened. He considered their words closely and counseled that cooperation was perhaps the only way that the knowledge held in the three fragments, now held in turn by Drow, Elvin and Human hands, could be united and their combined lessons pieced together. He also took heed of the Sage’s advice about seeking the bones, and offered to introduce the assembled adventurers to a Spirit Medium he had the acquaintance of, an old woman by the name of Sybil, called Wise by some, Witch by others… She, said the monk, would perhaps be able to summon a being of the nether-realm through her obscure ceremonies, who could then in turn direct them to the lost tomb of Princess Elana, last of the Royal Elvin line of Glorindar. Michael the monk has since sent us word that the woman called Sybil the Wise has agreed to hear their petition for help. He will share more on Monday the 18th (At 21:30 CET, 8:30 UK time) to any brave adventurers who gather in the Spiritwood Tavern seeking to explore this mystery further. Shelby, town crier of Spirtiwood

February 14, Thursday

Spiritwood vs Valoria - Elv'eng

Another bagball match have been played: Greetings Sports fans, Shri here with the update I know you have all been waiting for- Bagball! This week saw a friendly match between Spiritwood United and the newly formed Valoria Vipers. The match started almost on time, and both sides were resplendent in team colors, flexing and strutting as they waited for the opening whistle. The match opened with a bang as the famous fast break of the Spiritwood side soon showed itself in fine form, and the mean green machine sprinted up the field to deposit the first of what was to become many goals over the Valoria line. Not ready to give up hope, the Vipers rallied, but found themselves struggling to hang onto the bag in the muddy conditions, and United raced past them and dropped another point over their line. In the heat of the moment a player from the Valoria side collapsed on the field with what can only be exhaustion and it took the combined efforts of the Spiritwood town Doctor Maria and the frantic teammates to revive her. The two teams then changed sides and after some spirited debates on tactics, a run in with hooligans in the crowds and some light fingered antics from the Spiritwood side, play began once more. Well, not wishing to go into all the gory details, the final score was Spiritwood 5 Valoria 0… After the final whistle, both sides retired to the famed Spiritwood Tavern for a few well earned drinks and a post mortem of the match. I am sure the Vipers will be hitting the field again soon vigorously practicing their form in preparation for their next match. The following communities have now registered their interest in joining the All Britannia BagBall League: Spiritwood Trinsic Moonglow Valoria Deepwater NbN guild Dfu Guild The Ghosts of Europa And the Guardsmen Militia Communities threatening to set up teams include: Templewood Naeloth Tel’mar Glorindar If you would like to learn more about Sosaria’s hottest new rage, go take a look at: http://run.to/bagball The basic rules are there as is an active message board. (The rest of the site is in need of update) Leave your contact details (ICQ if possible) and we will get in touch to discuss future matches. Shri Custodes Fati Spiritwood

February 11, Monday

Strange happenings afoot…. - Elv'eng

Shelby the Town Crier of Spiritwood sent us this: Last night the famed Spiritwood Tavern once more threw open its doors to all and sundry and hosted one of its well known and loved lotteries. The masses came from fare and wide and the tavern was soon a-buzz with the familiar press of crowds clutching their lottery tickets expectantly and clamoring for a good view of the proceedings. The ever-affable Aranlindale, general manager of ye Olde Spiritwood Tavern was in fine form as he ran through the procedures for all of the novice gamblers in attendance, then carefully rolled the dice and generated the three winning numbers. This week’s lucky punter is Kyp Durron of the Custodes Fati, who walked away with the 100,000 gold coin prize money. It was shortly thereafter that guests apparently started to notice a strange apparition drifting aimlessly about between the buildings. Some said it was the ghost of an Elvin maid, others suggested that it was none other than the spirit of Elana Maeyar, last princess of the line of Glorindar whose history is contained in the Glorindar Sagas within the Spiritwood University. It seems that this spectral wanderer lead the assembled onlookers into the heart of the ancient Hedge Maze of old Sossaria, where they came across a strange pile of rubble, beneath which they found a fragment of a book. This turned out to contain various verses in an ancient tongue, which Elv’eng, senior warder of the Andune and his companion Iwayhara took to carefully translate. But then the plot thickened when a chap by the name of Melkor Blood mentioned that a similar fragment of a book, presumably part of the same ancient tome, had been recently uncovered in the city of Naeloth by the Drow of the Ilythiiri Dobluth Empire who are based there. The people returned to Spiritwood to ponder the significance of these findings and to study the strange verses within the book. Then someone mentioned that the tomb of Princess Elana was located in Yew and that it was perhaps wise to take the investigation there, for if she was roaming in ghostly form now, could it be that something had disturbed her rest? The investigators then set off to Yew and soon found their way to the Shrine of Life, which is maintained by the monk Michael, where the tomb had rested since the death of the princess many years ago, as recorded in the Glorindar Sagas. The sight that greeted them was a shock to all, for the place had been completely ransacked and the grave robbed! The worried party returned to Spiritwood and discussed these findings. It was then that this Melkor Blood fellow returned, saying that his Drow “Masters”, having learned of the discovery of this second fragment of the book, had sent him to offer an exchange, ours for theirs. The people discussed this for a time, arguing about the untrustworthiness of any such offer. It was Elv’eng who then suggested that a forgery be created to exchange with the Drow, as the information to be gained from holding two parts would be too great a prize to give freely to such wicked malcontents. He subsequently drafted a reasonable facsimile in his own Olvin tongue and held it over a flame to give it the appearance of great age. A party of brave, or perhaps foolish souls then set out on the journey to dark Naeloth. There they found the denizens of that place, and after a tense negotiation, the book was exchanged for a similarly ragged looking fragment. The party from Spiritwood immediately left and took this back for closer examination. Needless to say it was a fake, thus proving once more, as if any proof was needed, that there is no trust betwixt the Dark Elves and their bright Elvin cousins. A party of Drow later came to Spiritwood to demand recompense, but gained nothing but the embarrassment of realizing that both parties are capable of equal deception. Of course they now actively seek the newly discovered fragment, but it is hidden far away…. The investigators have determined that their next course of action will be to consult with the monk Michael and ask for his guidance in these matters. A note from him has arrived suggesting that this be on Thursday the 14th in the Spiritwood Tavern at 21:30 CET, (8:30 UK time) Shelby the Town Crier of Spiritwood

February 10, Sunday

A Story begins, Tale of Kirstin - Videric

This is the begining of the story of Kirstin. It is in form of dialogue what happend to her in Britannia (in Trinsic to be more exact) already. Maybe you will meet her too and be part of the story. Thanks to Kirstin, for submitting this. Kirstin's story