This just in from EM Elizabella ………

Spring Flowers, Saturday, March 23rd, 8:00 p.m. CDT

*looks out the window at snow and bare trees* *sighs and starts typing*
Where is Spring! Spring is supposed to arrive tomorrow, but it seems unlikely she’ll turn up by then. She was last seen putting up “Missing” posters.

Meet at Britain Counselor Hall on Saturday, March 23rd, at 8 p.m. CDT.

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February Obituary Column

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Obit Centerfold Princess Amara

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Arilyn Moonblade

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blanc De blanc, Khyber, Magic Mike

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Buksav

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Destiney Mayfair

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Dworkin

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Jamie Lannister

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Riley

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Shadow Walker

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The Frog Prince and Charlatan

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General Janar

Bishop

Royal Spymaster Magnus Grey assembled the Royal Spies at their headquarters this evening with news from Michael of Moonglow.  “Michael believes he can make a connection to another of the prism worlds,” Grey announced.  The mission for the evening was simple:  travel to the new world, perform reconnaissance, and assess any threats to Britannia.  The Royal Spies departed to Lord Blackthorn’s castle to meet with Michael.

Michael of Moonglow awaited the arrival of the Royal Spies in the courtyard, standing next to his Ethereal Detector.  Warning that the detector was in need of repair, Michael informed the group, “I will need help from the other mages in your group to get the power,” securing passage to the next world through the prism gate.  Michael also warned, “[The prism] seems to pulse with a strange malevolent energy.”

The Gate to Tarna

Standing at the gate point near the blackrock dome, the runes now changed from an icy blue to a deep crimson, and a more triangular prism in place of the Anodunos prism, Michael instructed all of the mages to chant with him, “In Ort Vas Rel Por.”  It took quite some time to establish a connection to the next world, but once the connection was established, Michael ushered the Royal Spies through, waiting himself in Britannia near the gate.

On the other side, a strange, red goblin known as General Janar seemed most perplexed at the appearance of the Royal Spies.  “You look like a human to me, in spite of those silly wings you’re wearing,” Janar told a nearby gargoyle.  As more of the Spies appeared, Janar called out, “Halt!  Why are you not on your labor detail?  Humans!  Why are you not working?  All of you, why are you outside your area?”  Ra’Dian Fl’Gith of the Spies explained, “We’re from a distant land.”  “We conquered that,” was Janar’s reply.  While Fl’Gith tried to explain the situation, Janar became more incredulous, refusing to believe the incredible lies being told by the humans of various types (otherwise known as humans, elves, and gargoyles) before him.  Finally, Janar seemed to be done with the discussion, stating, “When humans get out of line, I always believe it is best to beat them back into place.  My mother taught me that saying and it is very wise.”  With little warning, many red-skinned goblins set in to attack the Royal Spies.

Perhaps it was Janar’s belief that the guards could not be felled by simple humans, or perhaps that he witnessed the tide going poorly, but after the guards had been felled, there was no further sign of the General.  Instead, the Royal Spies found a tunnel that led to a prison camp deeper in the complex.  One of the prisoners within, a man named Bishop, seemed surprised to see us.  “Shhh… don’t let the goblins on the walls see you,” Bishop warned.  “Why are you here?” he then asked.  “I told you not to come and rescue me.”  Again, Ra’Dian Fl’Gith took the lead in explaining the Spies’ situation, informing Bishop that the group was from off-world, seeking a blackrock prism that links the two worlds.  When Fl’Gith noted, “Sadly, we are facing a battle with Mors Gotha,” Bishop echoed her name.  “Has your world fallen too?” he asked.

Between Fl’Gith and Lady Martyna Z’muir, the pair filled Bishop in on everything to date regarding Anodunos, Beatrice, Mokpo, and the affairs with Mors Gotha and the blackrock prisms.  “So many of my allies are dead,” Bishop noted, and after the explanation of the pair, asked, “So you wish to close your world off from the others with this prism?”  Fl’Gith explained that the prism would be used to help defeat Mors Gotha as well, and Bishop pledged his aid.  “I am willing to help fight our mutual enemy.”  Bishop informed the Spies that he would go ask around for additional information in the camp, and advised the Spies to talk to others within the camp.

Goblin Attack

The tongue of one of the prisoners, a man named Marcus, had been cut out by the goblins.  Another prisoner, a goblin named Milenus, spoke of the last war between humans and goblins, noting that the goblins worship an unknown power called the Red Idol.  “It taught us dangerous blood magic,” Milenus spoke, “that let us wage war by famine and plague.”  The death and destruction brought by the plague prompted Milenus to aid Bishop with information, at least until he was caught.  Simon, a human prisoner, spoke of Bishop’s laughable escape attempts that ceased to be amusing to the goblins when Bishop made threats against the goblish Dictator Borne.  A final prisoner, Prince Felix, the last noble of the human kingdom Fyrna, spoke of his people, telling of their long plight against the goblins, which ended in the Crogus Mountains.  Only he and Marcus remain that he is aware of, though he hopes other knights remain.

As the Royal Spies investigated, a Tarnan ogre and several Tarnan trolls set upon them, however, the battle allowed for the final bits of information to be gathered.  Shortly after the humanoids were defeated, Bishop returned with information.  The prism, he noted, was not in the camp, but based on the proximity of the gate from Britannia, Bishop suggested it was likely within the goblins’ keep.  Bishop warned that with the chaos caused by the Royal Spies that the camp would be locked down soon by the goblins, so it would be difficult to enter the keep this eve, and suggested the Spies leave, and return another day when all had settled.

Returning to Britannia, the Spies informed Michael of the world beyond the gate.  Michael noted he would speak with King Blackthorn, and let the Spies return to their headquarters.  Much the same report was given to Spymaster Grey, but then a large debate over the next appropriate action broke out between various members of the Spies.  Some, like Lady Z’muir, Malag aste, and Ra’Dian Fl’Gith, stood fast that aid should be given to the peoples of Tarna to help them rise up against their goblin masters.  Others, like Lightning and Lord Neptune, felt that the focus should remain fully on the prism, and that if the opportunity presented itself to be of aid after Mors Gotha was no longer a threat to Britannia, then aid should be given.  With the discussion growing heated, Lord Grey suggested the debate be tabled until after the debriefing was over, and promised to speak with the King on the matters before the Spies.

History of Tarna by Bishop
I never expected to spend my final days writing a history of the world, but I never expected to waste away in a prison camp in the Crogus Mountains either.  Tarna was home to many different intelligent creatures, but the two largest populations were the goblins and humanity.  Centuries of war and uneasy peace had set up a tension between the hordes of goblins and kingdoms of humanity.  There was always a balance between the two, so neither could gain advantage.
      That changed a score and a half years ago.  The goblins started a brutal war with humanity, one that was different than all that came before.  The goblins had terrible magics, taught to them by a malevolent being from another world.  When this voice first called out across the Void, several sensitive monks of my order dropped dead from the raw power behind it.  I left my training to help.  Human kingdom after kingdom fell to the goblins, until only Fyrna remained.  I lead a small Resistance out of the barren wastes near the Crogus Mountains, hoping that Fyrna could turn the war around.  I had some information from Milenus, a goblin who served one of the dictators of his people, that led me to learn more about our enemy.
      His people had been visited by an emissary of their Red Idol, a human woman named Mors Gotha.  She claimed that with humanity almost conquered it was time for the goblin hordes to pay the tribute that was required.  The goblins paid for this with the blood and sweat of human labor.
      I spent this time trying to learn more about this Mors Gotha, reaching out to worlds and making allies.  Of these, Fissif and Beatrice are dead.  Mokpo has disappeared.  Only Altara and Zoranthus remain.  None were able to help my world as their own faced similar perils.  Eventually, the last human prince, Felix, was captured, and Fyrna fell to the goblin hordes.  With the final front of the war won, the goblins focused on every pocket of resistance.  Most of us were killed, but those deemed interesting or with useful knowledge or skills were put into prison camps.

UPCOMING EM EVENTS:

Royal Britannian Guard:
Tuesday, March 12th, 8:00 PM CST

Royal Spies:
Tuesday, March 19th, 8:00 PM CST
Tuesday, March 26th, 8:00 PM CST

Other Events:
Spring Flowers, Saturday, March 23rd, 8:00 PM CST
Farm Boy, Saturday, March 30th, 8:00 PM CST

The Royal Guard

Blackthorn in Anodunos

Mors Gotha

The Twin Prisms

On Tuesday, February 26, Commander Gwendolyn Kincade assembled the Royal Britannian Guards at the Warriors Guild in western Britain.  “Tonight,” Kincade informed the assembled Guard, “you will have the honor of protecting the king.”  The mission, as it turned out, was to accompany Lord Blackthorn into the chilling depths of Anodunos to recover its prism.  Without further ado, the Royal Guard transitioned from the meeting hall to Lord Blackthorn’s throne room to receive the final details of the mission prior to setting out.

“I know some of you are worried about the prophecy,” Lord Blackthorn noted, refering to a prophecy learned of by the Royal Guard while aiding Geryon the Ettin.  “I believe with the warning we have, we can avoid such consequences,” Blackthorn continued, reassuring the Guard.  With Lord Blackthorn surrounded by the loyal members of the Guard, the entourage set out for Anodunos with a simple mission:  Protect the King while he cast spells to free the prism from its chilly housing.

At first it seemed the mission might go without hindrance, but Lord Blackthorn seemed wary that the Guard might get cut off from the entrance, and so continued to order patrols between the prism and the entrance.  Almost prophetic in itself, the halls were suddenly filled with various strange spider-like beasts, all under the command of Mors Gotha, who was travelling back and forth between Anodunos and a point unknown, delivering her fiendish creatures.

The battles were each won, but they were definitely victories earned with the blood and sweat of the Royal Guard as some set back into the role of healer to ensure that the fallen were quickly raised and that magical healing was readily available.  “Vas An Hur Ort,” Lord Blackthorn continued to chant as the Royal Guard continued to defend.  “Vas Rel An Hur In Por Ort,” Blackthorn stepped up his spell as Mors Gotha stepped up her attacks.

Finally, as the prism neared freedom, Mors Gotha brought forth her darkest creation yet, a massive Thunder Lightning Spider that easily matched size and ferocity with the Underworld’s own Navrey Night-Eyes.  Gotha seemed certain her arachnid pet would be the end of the Royal Guard, but it was not, and as quickly as it was felled so too did Lord Blackthorn free the prism from its icy home.

Back in Britannia, the Royal Guard recapped the evening, seeing the twin prisms that had once linked Anodunos with Britannia.  “I will place these in the vault,” Lord Blackthorn stated to the Guard.  “We will likely never see Anodunos again.  The spell that froze their world is released.  But I do not know if any survived to rebuild.  Hopefully the ghosts cursed by that place are free to move on.”

UPCOMING EM EVENTS:

Royal Spies:
Tuesday, March 5th, 8:00 PM CST
Tuesday, March 19th, 8:00 PM CST
Tuesday, March 26th, 8:00 PM CST

Royal Britannian Guard:
Tuesday, March 12th, 8:00 PM CST

Other Events:
Spring Flowers, Saturday, March 23rd, 8:00 PM CST
Farm Boy, Saturday, March 30th, 8:00 PM CST

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MOA is Green, Gold and Fun

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This past Thursday was another exciting time at the MOA auction house. In honor of the month of March the décor was green, green, green and as always….. gold, as in gold give-a-ways from trivia.

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The staff was charming as always but for some reason Princess Melody was not in her MOA official outfit which accents the color green.  Hopefully the big cheese Pratt did not find out.  As Logan gated away from the Luna Bank the crowd filtered in which inspired DJ Scorp to comment on what a fine crowd and “impressive faces” there was that week which included Briar Rose in lovely shades of pink and lavender, Temptress tempting in deep purple, Lord Tiggermcat  dashing in red, Car’ a’ Carn deadly in black,  Willa of Yew-Wood organic in green, Hannah heavenly in blue and Sally O’Malley shining in bright golden yellow.  I sat with old friend Manx whom has not been seen around much these days. So absent has he been DJ Scorp commented on how Manx has not been seen in the monthly Obituary Column,( which will change soon).  Princess Amara and Manx are the queen and king of the Obits hands down.

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MOA is always a fun time not to mention festive. See you next Thursday !

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Monthly Net Toss

I am proud to announce a monthly net toss. I have always been a fan of FCB Guild which has a long history of hosting a wonderful net toss so I was excited to hear of one being hosted by another.

 Thorreain dropped a book in my Luna Manse mailbox informing me of a new monthly net toss and I would like to share the information with the great people of Great Lakes.

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Meeting Krett

This past Tuesday, February 19, Royal Spymaster Magnus Grey assembled the Royal Spies to continue investigating into the affairs surrounding Mors Gotha, the blackrock prisms, and the icy world of Anodunos.  This week’s mission was straightforward:  Find a way to break through the icy barrier separating the Britannian gate into Anodunos from the remainder of the world.  To that extent, Lord Grey had enlisted the aid of Krett, an expert on Exodus-style golems.  “You are to provide protection and support to Krett,” was Grey’s final order on the matter, though he echoed a question by Ra’Dian Fl’Gith that locating filanium was still a secondary goal of the Spies.

Heading to the blackrock dome in southeastern Britain, the Royal Spies met up with Krett and passed into Anodunos.  “You need me to work with unknown tinkering to get you through an unknown task.  Sounds like a lot of fun,” Krett said enthusiastically as the group travelled through to Anodunos.  “[L]ook for control panels under the ice,” Krett instructed as everyone spread out through the entry hall on Anodunos.  Many of the spies set out to work on decoding puzzles that locked control panels along the walls, and as more and more panels were brought down, a strange sentinel appeared, identified as Sentinel 868.  After the last panel was brought down, the sentinel attacked, but was quickly reigned in by the Royal Spies.  “Hmm… I hope it isn’t broken,” Krett noted as he began to tinker with the subdued sentinel.

Sentinel 868

Having the Royal Spies search for various pieces that had exploded off of the sentinel during combat, Krett was finally able to restore Sentinel 868 to working order.  In short order, the Sentinel was able to break through the barrier, allowing the Spies to proceed further into the icy world.  While the drilling proceeded, the Spies defended both the sentinel and Krett from Dire Ghosts.

Once through, the Spies encountered a corpse that was enshrouded with strange moving vapors of cold.  As the Spies fought off more Dire Ghosts, a friendlier ghost appeared by the name of Beatrice, presumably the ghost of the former Queen of Anodunos.  “Another world.  Hmm… Interesting…  The last one from another world doomed us…  This cold is the true evil…  Killed us all…  Why are you here?”  When told it was to search for the prism to help Britannia, Beatrice answered, “This world is dead.  No answers.  I haunt my failure.”  However, as the conversation continued, Beatrice seemed to understand a great deal more as to what was at stake, and also saw a glimmer of hope.  “Maybe you can set us free from this curse.”

Beatrice also explained that the reason the ghosts were attacking the Spies was because they felt the Spies had brought the doom upon them, however she understood that the Spies were in no way connected to the fate that had befallen them.  Finally, Beatrice revealed what she knew of the blackrock prism Mors Gotha had brought to her world.  “It is east of here, down a southern tunnel.  We tried to bury it.”

Filanium

Proceeding further, Sentinel 868 broke through two additional walls, one housing a great deal of filanium, an icy-looking ore, and the other protecting the Spies from a horrific fiend.  The battles were fierce but finally all was calm.  Beatrice informed the Spies that the golems continued to mine for filanium and that agents of Mors Gotha still returned monthly to retrieve what had been mined.

When finally the wall was reached in which the blackrock prism was encased, even the mighty sentinel could be of no aid, its gears cracking and grinding against each other, ultimately causing the golem to explode.  Within the icy prison, the blackrock prism sat, awaiting freedom, pulsing with the cold, but the Spies could tread no further.  It was time to return to Spymaster Grey and inform him of the eve’s events.  Galen spoke of a plan with which Lord Grey seemed to agree:  “Seems Mors Gotha’s minions arrive monthly to get filanium.  I’m thinking… if we can figure out the cycle… we lie in wait.  And, with any luck, end this right then and there.”

The Royal Spies meet on most Tuesday evenings beneath the Counselor’s Hall in western Britain, starting at 8:00 PM Central.  Tuesday, February 26, 2013, however, will be a meeting of the Royal Britannian Guard, which will convene at the Warriors Guild in western Britain, on the  opposite side of the bridge leading from the West Britain Bank.

Beatrice

The Final Days by Beatrice
I think of my beautiful city:  the streets where I walked, the museums and concert halls, the great bell towers that range sweetly in the summer nights.  I think of Anodunos covered in ice, and I weep.  And I know that it is my fault.
      I cannot blame my mages and advisors.  They searched for the means to save Anodunos at my request, and in the end, I was the one who agreed to the dark emissary’s terms.  I should have known then.  Some favors come at too high a price.
      We paid more than we had originally promised and in the end, I made the decision to stand firm against Mors Gotha’s dark master.  Anodunos would still provide filanium, but not at the expense of my people.  I believed we were allies.  I was wrong.  That is when the cold started, pouring out of the prism gate.
      We tried everything to close the gate and stop the spell, but nothing could break the prism’s hold over Anodunos.  We were freezing to death slowly, and we were desperate.  We sent out scouts with appeals to the northern empires, begging for refuge.  We moved what we could underground and built great ice golems to mine our filanium, the mineral being our last lifeline against the bitter cold.  I kept back some hoping that we could appeal for mercy, but no mercy came.
      The scouts we sent out to find an end to the cold have not returned.  Whether they died to the frost or could not outrace the cold, I do not know.  This is the end of Anodunos.  Most are slipping into a final sleep.  A few like Alorik have succumbed to a madness caused by the cold and fear of sleep.  I don’t even have the strength to order the golems to stop mining filanium.  I will rest a moment.  I am so tired…

Mokpo

On Tuesday, February 12, Lord Magnus Grey assembled the Royal Spies in a continued effort to investigate the strange, frozen world of Anodunos. The first order of business was to interview the person rescued from Anodunos the week before. Returning to the Inn near their headquarters, it was readily apparent than enemy forces from within the Spies’ own ranks were out to throw a kink in the plans. Several people, Dirty Underwear, Mr. Bubbles, Jerry Blotter, Anorexorcist-, Artimis Fowl, DontsmokeCigs, A-S-H-E-R-D, and more were witnessed casting multiple spells in an attempt to slow the progress of the Royal Spies. However, their efforts were for naught.

Mokpo, as the person from Anodunos later became known, awoke with a scream. “I must wake up!” Mokpo yelled, pinching himself in apparent disbelief. Attempts by members of the Spies to comfort him went unnoticed as Mokpo continued on in confusion. A loud explosion issued from the main room of the inn, and Mokpo himself ran outside. A couple of more explosions occurred, and in the confusion, Mokpo continued to run around outside of the inn. Both Galen and Ra’Dian Fl’Gith of the Spies tried further to calm Mokpo, but he suddenly called out, “Kal Hur Ort Por!” and disappeared in a strange vortex of wind.

Michael’s Detector

Before long, Michael of Moonglow appeared on the scene, noting, “I heard the rumble from the castle.” The Spies quickly filled him in on what had transpired, and immediately plans were set in motion to determine where Mokpo had gone. To that end, Michael placed a strange device on the ground. “It is based on the blackrock detector,” Michael explained. Martyna Z’muir responded with sarcasm, “Right… since that worked so well,” refering to the original blackrock detector that ripped a hole in Moonglow and opened up a transdimensional gateway to an alternate Moonglow where the Shadowlords reigned supreme. Michael quickly explained that this new detector would not echo magic off of blackrock like the previous detector had, but instead, would use “a small spell that is connected to the gate Mors Gotha cast.” Activating the device, it was quickly discovered that Mokpo was south of Luna, near the first bridge.

At the bridge, the Royal Spies encountered fallen paladins, and also witnessed Lucienne of the Bastion of Light attempting to lure Mokpo into his confidence. “We’re the good guys,” Lucienne told Mokpo, “the heroes of the land, the voice of the people!” Yet, Mokpo continued on in confusion, insistant that he was still dreaming and needed to wake up. As quickly as he was found, he vanished in another vortex of wind.

Xenve Anamolem

Returning to Britain, the Spies reported what had occurred to Michael, and again, Mokpo was tracked, this time to Xenve Anamolem, the gargish fortress on Fire Island. Rushing through the hallways of the ancient dungeon, Mokpo was quickly found, and this time was more talkative. “I came here because I saw a way back to the Void,” Mokpo explained, “But it doesn’t work. I can’t seem to wake up.” Trying to convince Mokpo that he was indeed awake, Martyna Z’muir noted, “We are the ones who Hawkwind said you should lead.” Mokpo paused at the mention of Hawkwind’s name, but before more could be learned, the Bastion of Light errupted onto the scene and a massive battle began. After the battle was won, Mokpo cried out, “What is wrong with you people? Killing each other? If this is real… why do you hurt each other?” Several of the Spies explained that they fought only in defense, but as they spoke, Mokpo’s hands errupted in flame, another explosion occurring. A gate opened to a desert northeast of the Royal City in Ter Mur, as Mokpo noted that he needed to get home.

Shrine of Spirituality

In the desert, Mokpo noticed a growth of dream spice, and indicated that he would need more of it in order to get home. The spies immediately set about helping him to do so, and quickly encountered Void Dreamers, strange beasts that seemed almost unreal. With the dream spice recovered, it became important to find a way into the Void. “How about the Shrine of Spirituality?” Martyna Z’muir suggested, indicating the Shrine in Ilshenar where Mondain’s Skull was being kept. “I remember that place…” Mokpo noted, “Hawkwind took me there. We should go there.”

The Bastion of Light must have somehow known what the next step would be, for they were awaiting in force within the Shrine, however, they were fairly quickly dispatched. Mokpo then ate the dream spice, eager to return home. “I am of the Void,” Mokpo spoke before he departed. “I was born on a world like yours. But I dreamed of the real world that connects all dreams together. So I found a way there. And now I can go back home. But I owe you a favor. When you come to the final world, I will help you find the final prism. Good luck on your journey. You are not alone.”

The Royal Spies returned to Britannia to report in to Lord Grey. An ally had been found.

My Home by Mokpo the Mighty
I am a being of the Ethereal Void.  I was born in a nightmare, but I woke into the stillness of the Void.  It is a place of immeasurable vastness.  There are many things I cannot tell you.  I do not have answers about the nature of my home.  I only know I was meant to be here.  I sometimes return to my nightmare, and it is cold and harsh and terrible.  In the Void, I am warm and happy.  Much of the Void is without shape or being.  In the beginning, the entire Void was without form, an area composed of undifferentiated ether.  Over the time, areas solidified and took the shape of the magics around them.  Moongates appeared and connected so many different dreams.  I sometimes like to stare through the gates at these imaginary places.

The forces seem to be a little tighter on Great Lakes this evening. At one time, for an extended period of time the -Y- Guild was the largest and the most active on Great Lakes. Of course as history has shown guild numbers, power and ranks can change with the wind.

Kid, the guild master of the -Y- Guild has joined alliance with an already fierce and active group of guilds including ENVY, GGs, B*R, AP3X, -420, E^F, ST*R, SOB, DN, FTT and K4R. This melting of guilds has been in the making for many many months and fruition is finally here.

Right after the marriage of -Y- to this shining group of players alliance chat was wild like fire. FireStar Farland voiced joy in being able to find friends easier than general chat. For those in alliance the shear number of avatars showing green is overwhelming. Princess Amara stated, ” It’s so easy being green “.

Some are claiming this is now the largest alliance ( number of players ) ever on Great Lakes.  Regardless if this is fact or not I want to congratulate all and wish happy hunting and safe journeys for all.

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Red Velvet Faire
Saturday, February 16th
4:00 p.m. CST, Jollier
Fairgrounds
(Gate from Counselor Hall)
An afternoon faire featuring: Naked
Archery, Teddy Bear Summoning, and a Kissing Booth!