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As the night’s briefing commenced, it was immediately obvious that something was causing Lady Amandine great annoyance. Whether it was the subject of our mission, the HOAX news report that she had just thrown at the chamber pot or something else altogether, it was hard to tell.

She explained to us rather curtly that the mission was diplomatic in nature, and needed to be done in order to maintain proper relations with the gargoyles. She reminded us that the people of Ver Lor Reg had been invited by Queen Zhah to enter the Royal City as refugees, but many had resisted believing themselves capable of defending their city from the threat of Exodus. While it would not be a forced evacuation of Ver Lor Reg, Queen Zhah had asked for a contingent of Knights in order to stress the danger of remaining where they were. We were informed that we would be meeting with Queen Zhah at the steps to the Royal City and as Lady Amandine’s opinion on the gargoyles is very well known, she did not accompany us.

“Ah Britannians… The Lady Knight does keep her word. We bring you Greetings.”

We were greeted warmly by the gargoyle Queen upon our arrival at the steps of her Royal City, but before we could begin our escort we were interrupted by the sudden arrival of none other than Professor Yusef Ad-Din. He quickly introduced himself to the Queen before turning to us all, explaining that he had been investigating the signals between the dungeon and the Nexuses with chilling results. Decoded, the signals translated to the phrase Lightning War, the coordinates of Ver Lor Reg and a countdown… Which was due to end in mere minutes. “Whatever they are doing, they are doing it tonight.”

With haste we headed to Ver Lor Reg to warn the gargoyles of the impending danger. We were met by the gargoyle Marisudrol in the western part of the city, and while he greeted the Queen with utmost respect, his confusion at our presence was evident as we tried to explain the situation. “To think this is an overreaction.” He asserted that they could handle the minor incursions coming from the east and that they believed there to be no risk of any major attacks. The stubborn refusal of the Ver Lor Reg gargoyles to realize the danger they were in began to frustrate the crowd, as they continued to try and persuade them to accept the Queen’s offer. “To think this is not needed….” Marisudrol trailed off as a variety of mechanical creatures suddenly swarmed the city. “Arm yourselves!” It had begun.

The overwhelming crash of metal on metal rang out, mixed with the incantations of spells and the cries of tamers attempting to coerce their pets into attacking the mechanical monstrosities. They came in wave after wave, Minion Lords and Overseers, juggernauts and constructs, and even some of Callie’s unholy offspring that hadn’t been destroyed in previous battles. Above all the chaos, a commanding, mechanized voice rose:

THE GODS OF METAL AND LIGHTNING HAVE COME!!!  ALL BEND THE KNEE OR BE DESTROYED! THIS CITY IS FIRST; BUT NOT LAST!!! THE PAST HAS BEEN REMADE, AND THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THE METAL GODS!!!

Undeterred, the Knights of Britannia continued to fight, attempting to drive the forces of Exodus out of the city and buy time for the gargoyles to evacuate to Ter Mur. The minions of Exodus stepped up their game by bringing in the Exodus Attack Brutes and Gargoyle Stompers, resulting in dozens of casualties, but still the Knights fought onwards, fuelled by their determination. Realizing they were losing despite their massive numbers, the minions of Exodus recalculated their attack and brought in an Exodus dragon to attempt to wipe out those still defending the city, but not even the dragon could defeat the combined power of the Knights who opposed it. The battle was won.

Everyone had once again gathered at the fountain to find that Marisudrol and the gargoyles had finally realized they’re position was unsustainable and wished to reconsider Queen Zhah’s offer of refuge. “Your people here have a proud history. I will not see that heritage lost. Here or among our people.”

With our mission completed and a final message of gratitude from Queen Zhah, we returned to Britain.

“Citizens of Britannia, We wish to thank you for uniting our people once more. Today is a sad day, the loss here. But a new day comes.”

Faeryl Tyr’athem
Atlantic News Reporter
Knight Major of the Crux Ansata

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.

From the Desk of Lady Amandine of the Knights of the Crux Ansata,

Have you ever wanted to visit one of Atlantic’s many player-run towns, but weren’t sure where to find them? Problem solved!

Atlantic has finally received it’s Town Banner hub!

The hub is located along the south wall of Luna, opposite the Fairgrounds, and can take you any player-run town you desire, simply by double-clicking the respective statue.

MURDER! Grisly Murderer Jimmy Nardello Strikes in Minoc and Trinsic, Who is next?! 

Jimmy Nardello, the common criminal who had defeated the Crux Ansata and fled Britain, has committed at least four murders as of Tuesday. One in Minoc, two in Trinsic and one in Magincia. At all four scenes an Ouroboros ring was discovered, as well as a Nardello pepper in both Minoc and Magincia.

Based on other evidence at the scenes, the two in the area of Trinsic have been identified as Lady Serian and her son Mikhael, both of Magincia. The identity of the victim in Magincia has yet to be determined. The victim in Minoc has been identified with the help of Adamu Wellings, but further information is currently being withheld due to certain circumstances.

One of the pages torn from Lady Serian’s journal proved to hold some significance, as it mentioned the Ouroboros families being in great danger. Part of a name could also be discerned, the rest having been torn and lost. “Must tell Lord Well…” It was determined by the small group investigating that night that Lady Serian must have been speaking of Lord Adamu Wellings. We journeyed to Magincia to speak with him.

Adamu was found in the wooded area on the west side of Magincia, and seemed rather surprised when the Ouroboros families were brought up. We quickly informed him that Jimmy Nardello was likely behind the attacks and that four bodies had been discovered so far. After a quick stop at the inn, Adamu asked us to show him the bodies. Our first stop was the one by the beach to the north.

While Adamu confirmed that the victim, who had a Nardello pepper in his mouth, had descended from someone Important, he unfortunately couldn’t tell us who it was. He also seemed confused when told that Lady Serian had been in Trinsic, until told that she had been there looking for her son, who was a part of the guard there. Our next stop would be the Rusty Anchor inn in Trinsic.

The remnants of a destroyed journal lay on the front steps of the inn, thrown from a window on the upper floor. Inside, the remains of Lady Serian, her ring, and several pages of her journal remained. After taking a moment, Adamu began to tell us some backstory of the Lady.

“Lady Serian was a widow. She married another noble. But, when he died, she inherited a second ring. She gave it to her son, even though it was not meant for him. By blood it should have gone to another. I told her this. But people do not always do as they are supposed to. She loved her son; I cannot fault her for that.”

 We arrived at the guard tower to look over the remains of the guard Mikhael. His clothing had been chewed and his bones picked clean by the large population of rats in the forest. Aside from his ring, there wasn’t much else to see, so we were soon on our way to the small cabin on the edge of Minoc.

 At first, we had believed this victim had been a Knight of the Crux Ansata, but we were informed otherwise as Adamu pointed out that the armour had been ceremonial. “More of a scribe… A dear friend to many.” When asked how many rings were given, Adamu began to further explain their origins.

 “Twenty-four rings were given… Many families were given them, a very long time ago. Men and women, with certain destinies. Important people, people that held something in their blood, or their future. Decisions they would make, actions they would take… Or not take. People with names like Cromwell, Desryn, Saul, Raym, Jerison… The rings were to be passed down to their first born. Through the generations. Always the first.”

 He told us that while most of those families are now gone, the line would always continue. “Rings can be lost, and found again by those who they are meant to find them. I do not remember why I gave them… a maddening thing, to remember details of something… But forget others.”

It was probably more surprising than it should have been to be told that Adamu himself had given the rings to these families when he had donned the white cowel. “I gave them to the ancestors of many of the people you may know. Or at least heard of.” He continued speaking as we contemplated possible motives for the killings.

“I cannot answer to our friend Jimmy… You asked why he is killing them. First you must understand, it could have been simply rage at being denied his birthright. Or it could be, he is trying to undo something I set into motion ages ago in the past. You see… Lady Serian’s step son was one James Nefran. Her Lorded husband died. His son James should have gotten his ring. Instead she gave it to Mikhael. I asked her to follow the line. Even though she didn’t see James worthy. I cannot force anyone to do anything. I can only suggest they follow a course of action. James Nefran is the man you are looking for I think. James Nefran is Jimmy Nardello. An Alias. A new name for a hardened criminal.”

He told us that he would warn the others who carried the rings. They were not a secret, but could be objects of great jealousy. He explained that he had adived those who carried them to keep them secret, and they were never meant to be such an important thing, just a mark of destiny. He also told us that he feared they might gain a sinister meaning over time.

A curiosity though is that if James Nefran had simply been angered over being denied the ring of this father, why leave it with Mikhael’s body? And why take two victims that had no obvious connection to him or his family? Is there another motive, or does he believe he can erase the past and begin anew?

Who Jimmy Nardello really is, and whatever his motive may be will hopefully be known soon enough. For now though, it is imperative that Lady Amandine be informed of these latest developments.

Faeryl Tyr’athem
Atlantic News Reporter
Knight Major of the Crux Ansata

There will be an EM Tiberies event, this Wednesday May 9, at 8:30pm Eastern.
Start point is the Lycaeum (Verity Isle).
Come to help Professor Yusef Ad-Din investigate the Exodus Nexuses. He’s going straight for the source.
The title of this event is “The Awakening: Under Blood Red Skies.”

If you are unsure where the Lycaeum is…

1- From Moonglow take the Western Road which dead ends at the Lycaeum.

2- Too lazy to walk? From downtown Moonglow,  take the North West teleporter pad in the hedge maze.

Today marks the 14th anniversary of the Serpent Cross Tavern! Bottles of player made ale will be handed out in celebration of this special time, so stop by this evening to enjoy a drink, reminisce, or just say hi to the staff!

Please also note that the Tavern has been a neutral ground for all over the years, so please be polite as to not spoil the fun for others.

Hope to see you there!

There will be an EM Tiberies event, Sunday April 22, at 8:30pm Eastern Time. Please gather at the Sacrifice Shrine in Ilshenar, at the request of Marisudro of the Meer, whom you have helped before.

The title of this event is: “The Awakening: Dreamer/Deceiver.”

Tomorrow or Friday an announcement should be added to the in-game Town Criers.