Callie’s Notes: Part 2
EM Godiva

Callie brushed a lock of blonde hair from her face as she finished posting the last of the fliers.

Event: Callie’s Notes (Part 2)

Date: Thursday, May 17th, 2012

Time: 7:00 pm PST / 10:00 pm EST

Location: EM Hall

Sleep, Interrupted: Part 3
EM Godiva

Between her own uncertainty of what, exactly, happened to her in Exodus’ Dungeon after she lost consciousness and the reoccurring nightmares she has been plagued with, Callie begins to wonder if her initial trip there might be what triggered the catastrophic chain of events leading to the recent attacks on Ver Lor Reg by Exodus monsters.

“Tell me again.” Callie said simply, foregoing all pleasantries.

Balthan calmly retold the story of that night in Exodus’ Dungeon, as he always did, for what seemed like the hundredth time.

“And?” she asked.

“I do not know.” Balthan replied patiently.

“You must know SOMETHING.” Callie insisted.

“I do not.” Balthan assured her, a hint of sadness in his eyes.

Instead of turning away from him, this time Callie whispered, “Take me back.”

Balthan said nothing.

“Take me back!” Callie repeated.

“I will not.” he responded.

“You KNOW what this means to me.” she pleaded.

“I do.” He said.

“Then I’ll find someone else!” she threatened, her stomach knotting up.

“I know.” Balthan looked away.

Ver Lor Reg Prepares to Evacuate
EM Sangria

The high council of Ver Lor Reg was in session – again. As usual the main focus was the increasing numbers of Exodus overseers and treasure hunters. It was odd putting exodus overseers and humans into the same category, then again, perhaps not so odd.

In times of plenty, the treasure hunters going through Ver Lor Reg to get to the Exodus dungeon entrance would have been a boon. But these were not times of plenty. Supplies were extremely limited so the treasure hunters bought as much as they could in Ver Lor Reg. Even more treasure hunters were now coming to Ver Lor Reg to sift the sands outside their beloved city. There wasn’t enough for all.

“We must bar the humans from the Exodus dungeon and our city to prevent further damage!”

“That would start a war! The humans have greater numbers!”

“I’m surprised we are not already at war with the humans after Killibrut’s attacks on them using those Chaos Minions.”

This comment silenced the room.

“Has Killibrut been seen since?”

Again, silence.

“Very well, send the humans a message informing them that Killibrut has been made an outcast of Ver Lor Reg for his crimes against them. They may do with him as they wish.”

This decision didn’t fly well with many of the gargoyle council members present, but all of them knew they needed the humans’ help. The Ver Lor Reg gargoyles were at war, with the Exodus machines. The majority of the Ver Lor Reg citizens had already left, but those who remained behind would need to be evacuated. Yes, evacuated. The Exodus machines were winning this war. There were also supplies, documents, art, historical artifacts and other items that needed to be moved and transported.

“Also, send a message to Queen Zhah saying that we accept her offer and would like to meet as soon as possible to make final arrangements. In the meantime, prepare the city for evacuation.”

*Posted with permission from the author Shadow Riter

My Carrier pigeon arrived late Tuesday evening. As I expected it was from Daniel.
I got out me decoding book as I had yet to master all the complex codes Daniel used.

QKIG KMA AZMCUFVN. IGGA VA KMC MUMVE QEVLFGUAPLG UDKA. FK LKA HG EVAG.
Come out Thursday. Meet at our usual clandestine spot. Do not be late.
I felt good about that. I packed up my classroom essentials and was ready for whatever Daniel threw at me.

When I arrived I found a nice place to sit with ample room at a table. Daniel soon entered the room.
He looked around cautiously and once he was satisfied locked the door. He then started to speak.

“I have been asked by Amonos to help find the one who is inciting the raids in the cities.” He looked right through me and I felt a shiver go up my spine.
Ansatsu Shouted out, “I heard someone talking about a Jenny when I was out gathering information.”
“Jenny You say? “
Moxxi was quick to nod.
Chocolate Moose added “Didn’t we lock up a couple Fake Alchemy prodigies? They seemed to know something.
Daniel agreed and we set off to torture and interrogate – erm – I mean question them politely.

The Alchemists we captured some time ago were in the Nujel’m Debtor prison. As soon as they saw us they started their protests and rants.

Let us out you have no right to detain us.
yes let me out
You have the wrong people
WE did not start the riots.

Queen Mum did not agree and informed them that we had not found any evidence to prove their innocence.
“It was the other woman!” Stated the skinny one.

Perhaps if you Tell us what you Know. Give us a name, suggested Charly Don’t Surf

“It was that other woman. Something with a J or Jen”

Then they started to argue with each other

“I want out the food is bad”
“All you think of is your gut”
“No I want freedom”

“Freedom comes at a price” added Miri, hoping they would come back to what was being asked by us.
“Talk or we will make you talk” Rylo was happy to add.
I do not remember

Rajesar Wej grimaced and added “Remember or stay in here and rot. Seriously Daniel can’t we make them tell us?”
At that, the one squeaked. Seems the way Rajesar scowled at her was enough to get the name Jenny out of her.
“We need more than that.” demanded Goumon as he honed his dagger.

“She was very pushy. Said she was going places” The fat prisoner was ready to talk but the skinny one was not going to let her have the last word.
Well I am not staying here if she is getting out.

Daniel stared at them. That piercing look that rattled your bones. “No one gets out until you tell us where.”

“Ilshenar some city there.” They were talking at the same time now.
“Go on, where exactly?” Hatshesput added. She was not planning to walk all over Ilshenar with all the trouble to be had there.
“maybe a meer city?” again the skinny one squeaked.
“Are you sure a meer city?” Venekor asked. “Because If not I am coming back for more questioning.” He gave a knowing look.
They both nodded quickly and we head out as they cried …. “Hey you promised to let us out!”

“Not until we know you have lead us straight.” said Daniel.

We traveled to Ilshenar by way of the public moongate system. After arriving in Compassion we headed North then west until we found the Meer town. It was peaceful and healers were walking about enjoying the warm sun.

“Hello” Lady Trixie said as she approached a kind looking woman in healer robes.

She nodded and smiled at us
“good healer we ask your help” started Maethoriel.
“How can I help you?” She seemed puzzled “ You are neither injured nor sick.”

“No ma’am.We are hale.” Neptune and Orion flexed their muscles while Jinx rolled his eyes at them.
Jinx then got to the point. “Have you seen a human here. perhaps causing trouble?”

She seemed to be in thought. ”We have seen much trouble lately. There are many strangers here. There are treasure hunters and looters around the ruins of the Juka fortress and Exodus. They sift all day and tempers flare. We see many who are hurt from fights that could have been avoided.”

“Maybe a woman with reddish hair?” piped in Lord Clint.

She raised a brow. “please remember that there is much unrest here now. Some in Britain blame the citizens of Ver Lor Reg and gargoyles in general for the events in Britain, despite the actual details of the riot. These angry citizens have been causing all kinds of trouble both here and in Ter Mur. These actions have stress relations with Ver Lor Reg. On top of that the conflict and strife between our people and the Juka continues.
Yet wait.
A Woman was here. Her name was Jenny. She kept to herself mostly. She looked a bit tattered.
Let me think. —–Where was Jenny heading?

Said she was heading to Britannia. Yes said she was going to hit all the Virtue towns.
She left for Yew about an hour ago.

We thanked the healer and head to Yew after politely turning down her kind offer of rest. Yew was my City and I was not going to wait for it to be in ruins again.

The raiders were very unorganized when we arrived. The town guard seemed to be keeping them down.

We quickly looked for signs of the red haired Jenny. As I passed the healers I spotted a piece of torn gown. It matched the colour that the meer healer had described Jenny wearing when she fled.

Around the back I could hear shouts of what… victory? I scooted around to see a woman being dragged by Meanie Monster and Neptune. They held her up to be seen by all.

“Hello Jenny” smirked Daniel Ravens. He was enjoying her discomfort.

Jenny eyed the rabble with distain and looked ready to bolt.

Daniel shook his head. “no… no…Stay there we have you surrounded. Why are you so nervous?”

“No real reason. Large crowds make me uneasy.” spat Jenny

Daniel was going to try to get info in a sneaky way. “Do you know a couple Alchemy prodigies in Nujel’m?”

Jenny laughed. “Is that what they claim to be? HA! They could not make a potion if their life depended on it.”

Daniel was calm. “So you know them?”

“I know OF them.” She stressed the OF.

Daniel felt he was getting somewhere.”Why do you know of them? They are not famous. He raised a questioning brow.

“This is ridiculous”. Jenny snorted “I was in the city when they were taken. I do not have to answer to a group of scruffy.“ She was staring at us. “What are you anyway? Thugs? You are not Guards.”

Daniel was grinning now. “No we are not guards. We are just looking for work…
We were hoping you could tell us how we could sign on with *he looked about then whispered* you know your raiders?

“My Raiders?” Jenny played her innocent role well. “I don’t think so. Why would I trust you?”

“Look at us.” Remarked Ansatsu “You said we look like thugs. We need work Hard times and all.”

Jenny took a moment to size them up, “hmm, you need to see Clarence. I do not know where he is. Perhaps in Skara?” she grinned evilly

Daniel sighed “so you can not take us to him”

“No .” Jenny shook her head. “He might be in Jelhom *grin* or Trinsic. You will have to look around.
And you did not hear about it from me!”

Now Daniel seemed smug.

“Grab her Katrina and Moxxi.We take her to the jail for further questioning.

We all escorted Jenny to Yew Prison. Venekor had pulled out an old oil rag and stuck it in her mouth. He was about to tie her arms when a knife seeming from no where appeared in her hand. ABA noticed the flash and yelled “Knife!”. As the words left his mouth, Maethoriel grabbed Jenny’s arm and quickly disarmed her.

“How dare you handle me like that.” Screamed Jenny. “I trusted you. I am not staying here!”

Daniel pulled his mouth in a strange grimace. “We will feed you from time to time.”

Then he looked at us. “We will report to Amonos our findings. He will let you know what is to be.

Ignore her. Come over here for a moment.

I have other business now. I suggest you check out the other towns and find this Clarence person and report back.

I kept a watch over the cities. It seemed we must have angered the raiders as they came with a vengeance over the next few days. I wondered if the turmoil would ever stop.

I talked to Amonos a couple days later. He had Jenny moved to join her friends in Nujel’m where she will stay until we find out more.

~Shadow Riter

From the Sonoma EM Events website …

Queen Zhah asks your presence at the Tur Mer Throne room…

Queen Zhah read the  report her captain had handed her. The rumours were true. The large number of humans Gargoyles and elves that had flocked to VLR was causing great inflation and food was getting scarce. The poorer families were already going hungry. This disturbed the queen. She did not like her people to be with out food. She knew many of the Gargoyles in Ilshenar did not feel kindred to the Ter Mur Gargoyles but she also knew she could help them.

Exodus Overseers have already assaulted the city.  More are on the way.

There had to be an answer.

*(Meet at the Ter Mur Throne room at 6 PT 7 MT 8 CT 9ET  on Thursday May 17 to see how you might be of service)

Want to go hunting but don’t have a big enough group? Are you looking for good guides to dungeons you’ve yet to explore?

The community hunts are open to everyone! Come show your support for the Lake Superior community and take a walk on the wild side at the same time. Meet some new and old friends and have a bit of a challenge along the way.

 

Covetous Dungeon crawl
Date: Tuesday, May 15th
Time: 8:00PM CST
Starting Location: Skara Brae Community Center, next to the bank
Host: Taeara Mi’Aken

Community Peerless hunt
Date: Wednesday, May 16th
Time: 8:00PM CST
Starting Location: Skara Brae Community Center, next to the bank
Host: Taeara Mi’Aken

Grave Robber hunt
Date: Thursday, May 17th
Time: 8:00PM CST
Starting Location: Skara Brae Community Center, next to the bank
Host: Taeara Mi’Aken

Community Champion Spawn hunt
Date: Friday, May 18th
Time: 9:00PM CST
Starting Location: Skara Brae Community Center, next to the bank
Host: Taeara Mi’Aken

 

And remember, these hunts are for everyone, regardless of their skill level or guild affiliation. Come meet new friends, see new places, gain experience and just have fun.

Sabina Nikolai,
High Marshall, Community Hunt Organizer
The Order of the Silver Rose

The Pink Pickers

EM Borbarad sended out several messages to find a team to represent our shard at the international competition on TC1.

They need to go up against the Legend Gold Diggers in a T-Hunt Competition on the 27th of May.

But we only found one team who is brave enough to face the challenge to defend Drachenfels Honor.

They call their team The Pink Pickers!

The team leader is Cassandra.

And her team with:

Russ

Barbatos

Willi

Sophia

So the first meeting with EM Borbarad and the team have been turned in a first practice to show how the challenge will go on TC1.

Borbarad brought a friend to help with the practice.

They would get a map from level 1 to 7.

They had to find the spot,kill all guardians and loot the chest completely and then come back and then do the next one until all maps are done.

We could follow in General chat how our team was doing.

With looting and killing the guardians our team did extremely well!

Finding some of the maps where still a bit tricky.

After the team did all the maps and returned , the Pink Pickers new what points they still need to work on to beat the Legend Gold Diggers.

The next training session will be Tuesday at 8pm CET starting again at the chessboard in Nujelm.

Supporters are also welcome to watch!

New Frarc, Drachenfels News reporter.

[Discuss This Article]

Sleep, Interrupted: Part 2.
EM Godiva

Callie brushed off a log near her tent and sat down. She knew some of what had happened to her and what little she did know she could recite in her sleep. She had made Balthan, the guide from Ilshenar, replay that night over and over…

* * * * * * * * * *

They were in Exodus’ Dungeon. Balthan was uneasy. Callie was determined.

“This will be the find of the century, you know. It’ll be put in the Vesper museum with our names on it and they’ll never forget us.” Callie said, removing a strange panel from the wall.

A rumbling erupted from somewhere as she tore the panel from the wall and soon the entire dungeon seemed to be vibrating.

“Time to go.” Callie said, turning to Balthan.

Callie pulled out two Recall scrolls. She handed one to Balthan. They both began casting. Balthan did not realize her spell had fizzled.

“And?” she always asked.

“I do not know.” Balthan would reply patiently, as he always did, when he reached this point in the story.

“You must know SOMETHING.” Callie would insist.

“I do not.” Balthan would assure her, with a hint of sadness in his eyes.

At this point, Callie would always slip into silence and turn away from him.

* * * * * * * * * *

“What am I missing?” she asked herself.

Callie pulled out a small satchel of coffee grounds, knowing she would not be returning to sleep.

She surveyed the excavation site as the pungent aroma of Occloean Roast filled the camp. One of the workers stirred and then awoke, offering a sleepy grin as he approached.

“Yer up early.” he commented, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Coffee?” Callie asked, forcing a smile.

“Sure.” he replied, yawning as he stretched his back.

They sat in silence as the coffee finished brewing.

“Almos’ fergot. Somethin’ came fer ya las’ night.” he said accepting the mug from her with a nod.

He walked back to his bedroll and retrieved something before returning to Callie. He made a clicking sound as he tossed it to her.

Callie’s brow furrowed as she looked over the parchment.

“Somethin’ wrong, ma’am?” he asked, sipping his coffee.

“Exodus monsters have been spotted in Ver Lor Reg.”

“Where them Gargs live?” he leaned over and passed wind.

“Mhmm.” Callie continued reading.

To be continued…

Sleep, Interrupted: Part 1.
EM Godiva

(Global fiction pertaining to this can be found here.)

Callie awoke, drenched in sweat, her heart pounding violently in her chest. She had another nightmare and, as usual, she could barely remember the details. She closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on the flashes in her head.

A Control Panel…

Callie’s hands reached out instinctively.

A Rumbling…

Callie turned her head to the side.

A Recall Scroll…

Callie mouthed the words, “Kal Ort Por.”

Electricity…

Callie flinched.

Darkness…

Light…

A Presence…

Callie froze.

Darkness…

Light…

Whispers…

Callie arched her neck to listen.

Darkness…

Light…

A Necklace…

Callie opened her eyes and shivered.

She had repeatedly declined to comment on what, exactly, happened in Exodus’ Dungeon but the truth was that she simply did not know. Images, whose legitimacy she could not discern, haunted her dreams. Were they memories, fantasy, or some combination of the two?

Callie swept a mess of blonde hair away from her damp face and pulled it back into a ponytail. Then she pulled her shorts on and walked outside the tent, listening to the chorus of insects echoing through the night.

To be continued…

With the exception of Darius the wise, a well behaved crowd gathered at the Lycaeum to assist Professor Yusef Ad-Din. It was widely known the higher ups assigned him the task of studying the Exodus Nexi popping up all over Sosaria. Some knew of his reluctance in doing so.  During the inspections he witnessed the devices summoning evil creatures which made up close examination virtually impossible. When he relayed his findings to the staff they cared more about their inquisitive nature than for the Professors safety. It was rumored The Dean himself had said there was no price that is worth more than the truth, sadly that included Yusef’s life as well it seemed.

 

Upon his arrival he appeared rather eager. Eager to get the dangerous task at hand completed and get back home to Theresa. Those in attendance soon found out there would be no simple walk around those homes infested with the Nexi but would be journeying to the heart of the Power Core it’s self. A few in the crowd looked more than a little worried, while a smaller group seemed to have been longing for that type of news. Some of the smaller group had already made their opinions of Exodus well known, and had even made veiled threats to some of The Crux Ansata leadership because they had the nerve to disagree with their opinion.

 

Armed with his scimitar, and some type of magical buckler that was designed to detect and record the magical signals of the Nexus devices, the Professor had high hopes he would be able to decode the signal if he could get close enough to the source. When asked if we would accompany him not a person in attendance turned him down. With a reminder for us to stay close to him Yusef forged ahead of the mob to open a portal to one of the locations.

 

With anticipation, excitement and concern the legion of ragtag companions waited. They looked around for the portal and waited even longer. With concern for the Professor’s safety we all looked around to each other wondering if he had met his demise too quickly. Thoughts began to creep in that the portal would never come. Dread filled more than a few who were wondering if we would have to break horrendous news to Theresa. Finally word began to trickle through the crowd about how the Professor, in his zeal to get the job done, had cast the wrong spell. He was alive and fine! He was merely doing his best to remember the incantation needed to open the portal. Finally the magical portal opened, and with a couple of complaints which were being drowned out by much laughter at the Professor’s expense, the mob entered.

 

As we trickled in the Professor was already hard at work trying to record and decode the signals. Out of thin air appeared a machine ghost that was trying to attack Yusef in attempts to stop him. The mob took it down without even breaking a sweat. As we continued along more of the ghost’s appeared along with Exodus Lords, each of which were put down faster than the town drunk can down a shot or liquor. Most were relieved as we were seemingly in for an easy night. Too many times the good Professor had called us to his aid, and a bloodbath ensued. A nice leisurely stroll with him with an occasional rogue that could be knocked off in seconds was a nice change of pace.  

 

Things were progressing great. Yusef appeared to have the reading under control, and we had the beasts under control, until one of the dreaded golden exodus lords reared its nasty head. The thing about Ilshenar is just when you think you have things handled, it loves to throw a curve to you. All Kill could be heard almost in unison from many tamers in the crowd. To which the pets shook their heads and walked off as if they were saying, “Hell no! You handle it.” Left with their spells, weapons and wits everyone rallied and eventually overtook the golden rascal.

 

The Professor began explaining some of the coding and how it started off with a bunch of ones and zeros, but also had another layer of coding along with it. Seeing as how we had things under control to a fair degree he began chatting to us about the technomancy as he called it, and wondering about the power and how it fuels it’s self. It was at that time everyone in the group began wondering. In unison we all wondered how we would survive. Out of the darkness stepped a huge red Exodus Dragon. I am not, nor have I ever been a linguist. But during our battle I came to understand that Mur Kal Ort is Exodus Dragonese for “You will fry”. Every time the red abomination uttered those words people would definitely fry. We eventually slayed the beast, but the fires still raged. Quite a few died in the inferno as they tried to retrieve their spoils of victory. One everyone was resurrected by skilled healers and dressed for more battle it was time to journey to another location.

 

Immediately upon arriving you could not avoid noticing the lone person standing in the open area. Arlem Dudro stood motionless. When the Professor approached and began examining him he noticed his heart was where a Gargoyles heart would be, however the man seemed to be human. That would only be the tip of the iceberg when it came to strange things about Arlem. He rambled on about his machine father Exodus transforming him into the being he is now. He babbled about his father representing diligence, and how Ver Lor Reg would be the first but not the last.

 

In all honesty, I lost track of Arlem’s rants. Everyone’s attention turned to more pressing matters. As we were all focused on the half human-half gargoyle total monstrosity that is Arlem Dudro it left our left flank vulnerable. Rather large Cult Destroyers started attacking. The Destroyers were fierce and formidable opponents, but the mob prevailed as usual. Once the assault had ceased we once again turned to this thing called Arlem.

 

Once again he began his spiel and this time admitted he was from the Cult of the Diligent and Exodus, his machine father, was their God. Once again our focus had been diverted. We allowed ourselves to be sucked into the drama and left an opening. Before anyone realized yet another Exodus Dragon materialized out of thin air and began frying people again. During the ensuing battle, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Yusef wrapping tape around the mouth and head of Arlem. I guess on occasion even a very inquisitive Professor of Antiquities grows tired of babble. I could not avoid snickering.

 

Thankfully on occasion patterns emerge. The battle with the second Exodus Dragon went much like the first. The only difference being some of the names of the corpses littering the floor. Once we recovered we ventured to our last area of the night.

 

The area was a rather small one. It was dark, dank and smelled more than a little like death. Cries of night-sight please, could be heard. More than a few in the crowd began whispering about how such a confined place is never a good thing. Many, many bloodbaths have taken place in such areas. A slight sense of gloom and doom filled the air. Even the bravest of the fighters in the crowd held their weapon a little tighter and if they had shields they were moved to a better defensive posture. The tamers pushed forward and made sure their pets were ready to strike at the first sign of aggression. Some of the braver spell casters were already casting their most powerful spells, while the more timid mages were already casting the reliable invisible spell. Through the darkness we could not see the Gargoyle Stomper crouched in the corner, but it was there, waiting patiently.

 

When the group drew within striking distance the Stomper did not merely spring into action, he vaulted. With the quickness of lightning, the sound of thunder and the fury of Hell he attacked. He tore through our front ranks like a Succubus rips through a noob. Fortunately we were ready for an attack, just not an attack of his magnitude. The losses would have been devastating had we not been ready on some level. I am not entirely sure how, or when, we got the upper hand in the fight. But we did. Somehow, someway, we had…. Or so we thought.

 

We continued throwing everything we could at the savage barbarian and at some point must have made it beyond angry. Sure, the fight had been tough up to that point, but suddenly it shifted from tough to impossible. The creature bounded around the room in a fit of rage. It pummeled, bashed, and stomped everyone and anything in its path. In the wake of his attack corpses and death robes littered the ground like blades of grass. He had not killed us all, but had gotten very close to it. The battle raged as survivors fought feverishly while trying to get companions back on their feet to help. Almost every time we got back to half ranks, the vile beast would once again stomp us back into the ground. It seemed like a pointless battle. Had we not been able to see the life force being beaten out of it slowly but surely, a large portion of the crowd would have run away. Eventually more companions learned how to defend the beasts fits of rage and survive the onslaught. After what seemed to be an eternity three corpses of Gargoyle Stompers lay dead on the blood soaked floor.

 

Our task for the night complete we journeyed back to the Lycaeum. Once we were all bandaged up so we would not stain the floor red and coherent enough to understand Professor Yusef went into some of the things he discovered during our quest. If I understand him correctly there are two signals. One signal he is unable to decode. The other signal seemingly has two variables in it. One variable is a set of letters and numbers; it appears to possibly be coordinates. The other variable is a number but it keeps decreasing itself at regular intervals. Most in the crowd and the Professor agree that sounds like a countdown, which is seldom a good thing.

 

It would seem everyone’s efforts have uncovered a few things. There is a bizarre cult being led by their God Exodus. There is a probable countdown underway; for what we honestly don’t know, but most countdowns are accompanied be a rather large explosion or invasion afterwards. The main thing we have uncovered is the Professor is adept in decoding signals. When the Professor left us for the evening he gave us his thanks, and urged us to be careful and cautious. It seems only fitting that I close this out for thanking Professor Yusef for taking on this monstrous task (even in the face of The Dean’s tyranny) in hopes of helping us all. We all urge you to be careful, cautious and swift in decoding the rest of the signal. Godspeed Professor, all of our futures and lives could hang in the balance.

 

Until next time, may The Virtues guide our path.