The Courant: September 2001

September 28, Friday

The Reward - Elv'eng

A new tale can be found at the offical UO page. Exhausted, Guilhem tossed down his spear and sat heavily on a stone in the swamp. The small party of surviving savages took notice of his mood and warily drifted away from their aggravated leader. Weeks ago the Master had ordered him to increase the tribe’s attacks into the human cities, but now they had been forced to settle here, defeated. He had known going into the fight that the odds of holding even one of the cities were slim, and he had tried to express that to the Master. But once an order was given, it was expected to be followed to the letter. Guilhem had seen the penalty for disobedience and had no desire to again, especially from the victim’s point of view. He wondered again what the penalty for failure would be and shuddered. When the Master had first given him this assignment he had almost been insulted, although he had dared not show it at the time. Lead an unimportant tribe of primitives into the orc lands and drive them away. Live as one of them, gain their trust. To his surprise, after his time with the tribe, he’d become comfortable. He had learned their customs and traditions, even made friends. Never before in his life had he felt guilt, but now it consumed him. Guilt for being the instrument that led the savages away from their home and into the slaughter. Absentmindedly he rubbed a few flakes of his kin paint off of his itching chin. He would soon need to reapply his tribal markings. The itch manifested itself on his arms and then spread down to his legs and soon encompassed his whole body. Within seconds his skin was numb and he could not move or speak. Light faded from his eyes and his mind went blank as the sensation of movement filled him. Reality blurred and he lost all concept of time. Then slowly, he could feel his thoughts return and feeling prickled itself back into his flesh. He was no longer in the swamps. He lay on cold stone. Around him he could hear a slight clicking sound and lights danced on the other side of his closed eyelids. “Guilhem, I trust I did not interrupt anything vital?” said the Master. “You were to report in weeks ago! Explain yourself!” barked the Master’s lackey. Fighting the initial shock of his journey, Guilhem pulled himself upright and into a standing position, shading his blurry eyes from the bright lights in the room. Despite his dislike for the Master’s servant, he carefully kept his face free of any disdain. If he was going to report a failure, he wanted to keep every chance of living through it. Guilhem responded steadily, “The humans took the cities back from us in days. They were too powerful; the tribe had no chance of success. We were forced to retreat to the swamps. I beg forgiveness for my failure, Master; my only wish is to serve you.” He knew the last words were a lie even as he spoke them. The master paused for a moment and then spoke. “Guilhem, you have performed well. I do not consider your distraction a failure.” “Distraction?!” Guilhem cried, trying desperately not to let his anger show. Hundreds of the clan, perhaps thousands were slaughtered… all for a distraction. “A distraction, M’lord… I do not understand… You sent orders that I was to take the tribes into the cities and hold them. We were defeated.” “Indeed,” said the Master. “Your primitives occupied the Britannians quite well. Our efforts here were not discovered, thanks to that diversion.” “However, our assets are far from secure.” A deep voice took Guilhem by surprise. In his nervousness he had not noticed a figure standing in the shadows, concealed by a dark cloak. “We still have the issue of the renegades.” The stranger spoke in low tones, but with an air of power behind his words. “They have been making attempts almost daily to expose us. If the humans found the city now, they could shut down production of our forces. The savages did distract the Britannians, but it is still too soon for us to be discovered. We need more time.” Guilhem stood tensely. He had never heard anyone speak that way in front of the master, as if they were an equal! He had seen men die for far less a transgression. To his surprise, the Master responded to the stranger, “What do you suggest?” “That we launch the golems now. The Britannians are still unfocused after the chaos caused by the orcs and savages. The renegades remain a nuisance. Enough golems have been produced to afford us the ability to have the Controllers both search for the renegades and divert attention away from our work. That should give us enough time to establish our security structures.” There was a long silence as the whirring sound increased and then settled. “Phoseph, notify the Controllers of our new plans. They are to begin as soon as possible.” He paused while the lackey made some notes on a scroll and then left the room. “Guilhem, step forward.” Guilhem knew as he stepped forward he could not hide the slight shaking of his legs or the look of anxiety on his face. His mind raced with anger and confusion. He tried not to look in the direction of the dark stranger who was moving silently across the room. He stopped behind Guilhem, casting a slight shadow over him. “Guilhem, don’t presume to be able to hide anything from me. Although you performed your task well, your growing fondness for the primitives is clear.” The Master spoke in his usual calm tones. “I… I have come to know them, M’lord. My purpose remains to serve….” “Your purpose is mine to decide, as is your reward. You still wear the marks of the primitives. You wish to live as one of them.” A dark blue light enshrouded Guilhem and he rose a few inches off of the cold floor below him. He tried to scream but his face froze in astonished horror. “And you shall die as one.” Guilhem felt the warmth of his own blood running down his body as he was impaled from behind by the dark cloaked stranger. Through the pain of his spine breaking in two he imagined the home of the savages and let himself have a quick, bloody smile before slumping to the floor. “I have matters to attend to elsewhere. We are not yet secure,” said the dark figure, not giving a thought to the blood on his cloak. “For the moment,” replied the Master. “But soon we shall be. The Britannians will not be able to withstand our forces. The renegades shall soon be found. The land will be ours.” Silently the figure moved out of the room, leaving a small trail of crimson droplets behind him. The tale can also be found here. Among with alot of other old Britannian history.

Factions of War update - Videric

Factions of War has been compleatly rebuild to state better what caused the conflict where the Factions were born. The Factions of War

September 26, Wednesday

Cove Tavern night on Thursday! - Videric

This Thursday (the 27th), begining from 20.00 (CET) We welcome everyone to drink and have merry to Cove tavern night. So doth come to enjoy and perhaps take part to knife throwing competition, to determin this week's champion. The tavern is located North of Cove on the Trammel facet. More detailed map can be found at http://cove.rper.org/. I hope I see thou there, Traveller, Gaveston Family

September 22, Saturday

Pad O'Lion has been rescued - Videric

You can read the story of Pad's rescue and return here: Rescue of Pad

September 17, Monday

Tavern night at Cove on Wednesday! - Videric

This Wednesday (the 19th), begining from 20.00 (CET) we shallt once again open the doors of the Tavern of Cove. We welcome everyone to drink and have merry, and perhaps take part to knife throwing competition. The tavern is located North of Cove on the Trammel facet. More detailed map can be found at http://cove.rper.org/. I hope I see thou there, Traveller. Videric and Reynard Gaveston

September 3, Monday

Yoldran continues his interviews - Elv'eng

We recived a message from Yoldran today, and he have now intreviwed another person in the Moonglow Council. This is what he have to say: This is the third part in a loose sequence with the intention to introduce the people holding positions in the Moonglow City Council. The goal is, that you better get to know them and can thus directly address the correct person, if you want a problem solved in Moonlgow. Today: Squonk - the treasurer of Moonglow. Q: Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself? A: Of course. I spent my youth living in Britain with my foster parents, and after their death, with my grandfather. Although I had dreams of becoming a warrior I had to spend much of my time fishing to make ends meet. It was however by the banks of the river in Britain that I met Captain Shiva. Hardly before I knew what was going on I was stood in Moonglow, a place I had never visited before, and was enrolled into the Moonglow Guards. This was just before the attacks on Moonglow by Kazari. My life in the Moonglow Guards has given me much valuable experience. Moonglow became my new home and I have made many friends there since. I never dreamed that I would enter the world of politics, but after the plottings of the traitor Vice Mayor Gathis, I felt it my duty to the people to stand for election as his replacement to help bring stability back to Moonglow. I was elected and served in that post until quite recently. I am now happy to serve the people of Moonglow as City Treasurer and proud indeed to have been recently promoted within the ranks of the guards to be "Mayor's Bodyguard". Q: You are the treasurer of Moonglow. What do you do for the Council in this position? A: Primarily I safeguard the coins in the Council coffers. Obviously a city like Moonglow has many demands upon its' purse and it is my job to ensure that the coins are spent wisely. Also, I am always looking for ways to add more coins! Q: What ways are there for an institution like a City Council to earn money and what does the Moonglow Council spend it on? A: The Council earns money from a variety of different sources. The main one of these is council run events. For example we hold a regular Beer Garden on Monday nights to which all citizens are invited to have a good time! Any profits made from the sale of food and drinks, and of course the famed Moonglow Party Hats, goes into the treasury to fund future events. In addition to regular events like the Beer Garden, we also hold periodic festivals in which people compete for prizes in various competitions and buy and sell goods. Such events are not only good for the coffers of the council but bring more people into Moonglow, benefiting the entire community. Any such events are always posted on the Council skypage, so be sure to keep an eye on that if you would like to take part. Mainly we spend our funds on sponsoring the many events and facilities that the council provides. There are the Moonglow Guards to support, to keep our streets safe and "The Moonglow Mongbats" bagball team to forward the city in sporting endeavours. Bagball strips do nay pay for themselves! If we are in need of property to house a certain Council facility then we may also spend funds in that manner. Basically, if the Council sees a worthy need that can be aided by the injection of funds and will benefit the people of Moonglow - this is where we spend our coins. Q: What are your visions for Moonglow's future? A: I see a peaceful city where honest folk can come to trade, talk and learn without fear or danger. I see a city full of events where people can socialize and enjoy themselves. I see a city that people will be proud to live in and call their own. Many thanks for this interview! If you want further information about the Moonglow City Council please head to the skypage: http://stop.at/moonglow Yoldran, -- Town Crier of Moonglow. Thanks Yoldran