Tuesday evening, Lord Magnus Grey, Royal Spymaster, assembled the Royal Spies at their secret headquarters to discuss the latest mission the spies were being sent on. “The King shares our concern on the slowly expanding dome,” Grey announced, refering to Mors Gotha’s blackrock dome encasing a guard tower in southeastern Britain. “You will be working with Michael on this problem,” Grey added, “I believe Damion’s injuries and state of mind make him problematic to work with on this matter.” The Royal Spies headed to Castle Blackthorn to meet with Michael of Moonglow to learn what help he could be.

“As you have probably guessed, the prisms are connected to the dome,” Michael told the assembled Spies. “Think of the prisms as a sort of river of magic. They connect a bunch of lakes and ponds together. Using this river, Mors Gotha sort of poured a lot of magic into her spell to make the dome.” Michael then noted that the blackrock dome would likely grow into a large space, suggesting that perhaps it would eventually be large enough to house an invasion army. Michael also noted that Neptune’s suggestion that the blackrock dome acted as a sort of anchor was correct, and the plan then would be to direct the magical energies away from the dome. In order to do so, the set of blackrock prisms being used on the other end of the magical energies, those likely used by Mors Gotha, would have to be recovered. “I think we can reopen the gates Mors Gotha used. And send you somewhere else…”

Following Michael to the blackrock dome, the goal was to use one of the blackrock prisms to open a gate to the location of one of Gotha’s prisms and retrieve it. “When Mors Gotha opened her gate,” Michael explained, “the prisms started to behave strangely.” Pointing at a prism that had been placed near the blackrock gate, Michael noted, “This one got really, really cold.” Michael then requested the assistance of all mages and magical beings, asking everyone else to back away for safety’s sake. As Michael placed runes around the blackrock prism, the mages were asked to chant a spell: “In Ort Vas Rel Por.” Over and over they chanted, until suddenly there was a great explosion of energy, and a handful of Greater Frost Elementals poured through the gate, attacking the Royal Spies.

Once the monstrous elementals were defeated, Michael and the Spies returned to the blackrock prism. “I believe the path is stable now,” Michael announced, warning, “I suggest you do not stray far from the gate.” The group traveled through the now stable gate, arriving in a cold, frosty environ filled with equally chilling horrors. Facing Ice Golems, the battle was frenzied and chaotic, but eventually the Royal Spies prevailed, only to face Dire Ghosts. The second battle on the other side of the gate was far less hectic, and in time, the entrance was secured.

With time to inspect, two tomes and a warm, wrapped body were discovered. Michael hefted the wrapped body, noting that it was still breathing. A huge ice barrier barred further progression, and so Michael and the Royal Spies retreated back to Britannia to care for the wrapped figure, and to take time to figure out how to further progress. It was clear that Gotha’s first prism would not be recovered this eve. Placing the figure in the care of the inn near the Spies’ headquarters, the Spies themselves reported back to Lord Grey the events of the eve.

The following passages are the texts from the two tome found beyond the frozen gate:
 

The Frozen City by Alorik
Ours was a great city. Lead by our queen, Beatrice, it was a center of art and culture for the entire continent. Our people were prosperous because the warm climate meant we never went hungry, and deposits of filanium brought trade and wealth to our home.
      It was not to last. The northern empires waged war against us, and we lost [all of our] land but our walled city. In our moment of desperation, our mages cast desperate rituals to summon allies to our cause, but not demon or elemental could stop the hordes. Our calls through the Ethereal Void brought us to the attention of another power who sent its emissary to teach us in the ways of war for a price. With Mors Gotha’s help, we turned our filanium’s purpose from healing toward death. We brought destruction to our enemies.
      Our weapons were terrible, and even won, the war demoralized our people. The price we paid was even higher. We paid higher and higher tributes to this great being, [strip] mining away our wealth of filanium. Eventually, the burden became too great, and we refused to pay any [more]. We never expected what happened next.
      This faceless titan cursed our world, bringing a magical cold that turned our paradise into eternal winter. We did our best to survive for as long as we could, moving underground around thermal vents and building great golems to travel out into the cold. It was not enough. The world grew even colder, and eventually, so many of us [simply] went to sleep. Anodunos is now a frozen grave.

 

Filanium by Alorik
Filanium, the greatest resource of Anodunos, is a mineral prized for its use in healing magic and alchemy. In its unrefined state, filanium mud can be used in baths that promote good health. [The] mineral can also be dissolved in healing potions that can cure many different ailments.
      The mineral has other uses. That which it can heal, it can also destroy, so dangerous sorcerers have been known to use the mineral for harming spells and rituals. The mineral can also be used to bind together creatures of flesh and creatures of spirit. Some in the northern lands have been known to use this mineral to allow dead ancestors to speak through them.

 

The Royal Spies meet on most Tuesdays at 8:00 PM (Central) beneath the Britain Counselors Hall in West Britain (near the bridge leading to King Blackthorn’s Castle). Everyone is invited to attend these events. The next meeting of the Royal Spies will be on Tuesday, 12 February 2013 at 8:00 PM (Central).

Also, mark your calendars for the RED VELVET FAIRE on Saturday, 16 February at 4:00 PM (Central), an afternoon faire featuring Naked Archery, Teddy Bear Summoning, and a Kissing Booth!

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January Obituary Column

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Oog Blac

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Angel

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Aaron

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Enya Phace

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Frog Archeress and Princess Amara

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Jeff Spicoli and Malcolm McInness\

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Johnny Reb

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Lady Kayla

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Mack Truck

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NameTorque

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Night Striker

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Perrin

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Queen Beooch

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Shibazz

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Sigma

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THOR

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Tristan

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Veronica Lynn

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~ . ~

Gwendolen Kincade, Commander of the Royal Britannian Guard, assembled the forces of the Royal Guard this evening in the Warrior’s Guild across the bridge from the West Britain Bank.  After asking for a report of anything new in the land, Commander Kincade announced some grim news.  “The eastmost guard tower [in Britain] has become enclosed by a blackrock dome!”  The dome was completely enclosed by the dome which, as Kincade noted, had suddenly appeared, though, “Luckily, nobody was inside.”  Charged to investigate it, the assembled guard traveled via gate to the nearby guard tower.

Sure enough, the guard tower in south-eastern Britain had been completely encased in a blackrock dome.  Michael of Moonglow, a frequent aid to the Crown, was present, casting divining spells to determine the source of the dome.  As he stood near the dome, Michael cast a spell, “Vas An Lor Ylem Wis.”  Whatever he may have learned, he looked worried.  Of course, one of the assembled guard, one Mr.Bubbles, could not resist attempting to cast Armageddon.  “Vas Kal An Mani In Corp Hur Tym!” Bubbles cried out, but thankfully, he failed to ignite the assembled dome.  Michael of Moonglow, meanwhile, attempted to dig beneath the dome, determining that it was unlikely wise to dig under it.  Attempting to divine more, Michael switched to another spell.  “Vas An Lor Ylem Wis.”  Finally exhausted by results, Michael noted, “It reminds me of the other artifacts Blackthorn asked me to look at… That I shouldn’t talk about.  This was summoned.”  With that bit of news, Ra’Dian Fl’Gith, one of the Royal Guardsmen, stated, “I wonder if the strange woman who came through the gate last week might know anything.”  Michael followed that by adding that the dome was growing, but moving around things, like a plague beast, “So it won’t crush our buildings.  Just enclose them all.”  It was then that he suggested contacting the other blackrock expert.  “Please don’t tell me you mean that damn necromancer?” Galen of the Guard asked.

Unfortunately for the assembly, it turned out that Michael had indeed been suggesting Damion, who was in Umbra.  Damion was at first very busy, unwilling to pay much attention to the assembled guards, but when mention was made of the blackrock dome, he was immediately intersted.  As soon as Damion agreed to help though, members of the Bastion of Light assaulted the assembled team.  Though they were fairly quickly felled, Damion was stabbed during the altercation.  Damion survived, but was visibly shaken and angry that his aiding the Royal Britannian Guard nearly got him killed, but he seemed ready to help anyway, perhaps out of spite to those who had attacked him.  Returning with what few blackrock shards remained, and revealing that the mysterious woman from the previous week had been seen during the scuffle, he incanted a spell upon them.  “Kal Por Vas Wis Ylem.”

The splinters of blackrock on the ground began to tremble to an inhuman voice.  “Soon… soon… this world as with all others…” the voice spoke.  Suddenly a woman’s voice joined in with the chant.  “Vas In Jux An Lor Ylem!”  Suddenly the splinters on the ground formed themselves into a small dome.  “In Ort Tym Vas Rel Por!  In Ort Tym Vas Rel Por!” the chanting continued.  The splinters then began to swirl as if controlled by the magics of a moongate.  They then began to slither around on the ground like a snake, finally standing up and clumping into something resembling a mountain range.  The splinters then drifted to the side, forming a camp in a valley before scattering as though a wind had blown them apart.

“That wasn’t helpful,” Damion noted, “but I recognized the mountains.”  With a quick gate, the Royal Britannian Guard was off to the Serpentspine Mountains, where they quickly found the mysterious woman’s camp, and a few members of the Bastion of Light.  “An attack?” the woman called out upon sight of the Guard, “I will not allow anyone to disrupt my plans!”  Though the Bastion was again defeated, the mysterious woman was not yet done with her tricks.  “I will slay you with a creature born of my will!” she called out, and then cast, “Vas Corp Por Ort Xen!”  Suddenly an energy vortex of great proportion appeared, and though it proved a worthy challenge, so too was it felled.  “I am outnumbered,” the mysterious woman cried out, “but soon my legions will storm this world!  You will face the wrath of Mors Gotha!”

As Mors Gotha departed, a tome was found which read:  A month ago, one of the lost prisms called to us through the Void, screaming out as it was shattered.  They had been lost in time and space for so long, taken and hidden by our enemy, Hawkwind.  They were on an [sic] world that had not fallen to our shadows and demons.  I would go to be an emissary, to bring a [sic] unremarkable world into the fold.  I prepared an army to come with me when I opened the door wider.  Whoever they are, they managed to slam the gateway shut at the last moment, but not before I could slip inside.  Most of them weak, with pathetic magics, but I hav seen signs of powers.  I must bind a spell to this place to ensure our invasion plans.  The spell will grown in time, fed by the Ethereal Void, into a great blackrock dome.  Vas In Jux An Lor Ylem!  If I stay here, even with these allies, I risk my spell being undone.  I must escape back through the gateway.  For that I need a gem and another spell to unlock the door and keep it open.  I will open the door near my blackrock dome.  In Ort Tym Vas Rel Por!

Realizing that most of her text had come to pass, the Royal Guard rushed back to the blackrock dome, only to find Mors Gotha there casting her spell.  “In Ort Tym Vas Rel Por!”  With a sudden rush, what can only be described as a worldgate opened.  Through the shimmering gateway, many worlds could be seen, and it was clear that Mors Gotha was about to make her grand escape.  Suddenly a massive creature, a Nightmare of the Eight Worlds, apparently born of the void itself, came crashing through and began to attack the assembled guard.  The massive, shadowy beast flashed all over the place, flames licking the grounds and guards, fiery wrath exploding everywhere, and many of the Guard struggled to fell the foul beast.  A long, hard fought battle with the beast eventually resulted in victory, and the assembled Guard immediately turned its attention back to Mors Gotha.

“You have defeated two-bit demons and whispers on the wind,” Gotha taunted.  “You have not faced me.  I am General Mors Gotha.”  As she touched the dome, Gotha added, “I created this.  But it is evidence of my power.  Do not assume you are in the same league as me.  Soon…”  As she spoke her final words, she again touched the dome, and then entered the worldgate.  Shortly after her departure, the gate exploded in a rain of fire, closing.

With little else to do, the Royal Britannian Guard returned to report to Commander Kincade, where it was agreed the realm should be on high alert.  Kincade noted, “Michael and I will consult with the king and determine our next steps regarding the dome.”  Whatever threats Mors Gotha had made in passing back to her own realm, surely the last had not been seen of her.

The Royal Spies meet on most Tuesdays at 8:00 PM (Central) beneath the Britain Counselors Hall in West Britain (near the bridge leading to King Blackthorn’s Castle). Everyone is invited to attend these events. The next meeting of the Royal Spies will be on 5 February 2013 at 8:00 PM (Central).

From Galen Knightkawke, Grand Marshal of Virtue of the High Council of Britannia:

Monday 28 January 2013 8:00 PM Central/9:00 PM Eastern: Meeting of the High Council of Britannia. The Grand Marshal notes that he may or may not be able to attend, and requests someone inform him of the proceedings if he does not make it.

Tuesday 29 January 2013 8:00 PM Central/9:00 PM Eastern: Mission for the Royal Britannian Guards. “Foothold.” Meet at the Warrior’s Guild Hall (west of the West Britain Bank, across the bridge).

Wednesday 30 January 2013 8:00 PM Central/9:00 PM Eastern: Likely to be an exercise, mission, or patrol of the Britannian Armed Forces. Ask around as the day and hour approaches for more details.

Thursday 31 January 2013 8:00 PM Central/9:00 PM Eastern: Majestic Oaks Auction near Minoc.

This year’s journey to honor the memory of Brialla of the Seven Tears began as it has in previous years by meeting up outside of the abbey in Yew, with everyone encouraged to don monk robes and tread barefoot in honor of the journey made by Brialla between Yew and Minoc.  “Today is a bit unusual,” Lady Louisa Clark, host of the festivities, informed the crowd.  “The monks are expecting one of their own, Brother Vintonio, back from Minoc today.  He will be effectively walking the journey in reverse.”  Clark went on to inform the gathering that he was carrying a golden hourglass, a relic of days past with a dark history and perhaps a curse.  With those announcements out of the way, the journey itself began.

Heading from the abbey, the group made its way through downtown Yew, and then circled out toward the Yew Cemetary.  Nearby, the spirit of Brialla stood waiting, watching the entourage as it trekked by, a faint scent of lilac filling the air, a gentle smile upon her face, and a kindly wave as everyone passed by her peaceful visage.  From there, the travellers headed down the road, and began the long walk to Minoc.

Upon reaching the first guard outpost along the trip, the group encountered Jerry the Guard, who asked about the group’s journey along Brialla’s path, revelling in the idea of living during her day, wondering if he would have had the strength to return to Yew with the information of his travels like Brialla chose to do.  Travelling on, the group met up with Paule Steele, the watcher of the second outpost along the way, and here, grim news awaited the travellers.  The presumed corpse of Brother Vintonio had been found, a ruined map in its hands.  Lady Louisa Clark took the opportunity to share more about the hourglass.  “The golden hourglass was reputed to contain a map to a great treasure.  It was said to have a hidden compartment.”  As if to answer the unspoken question of monks’ interest in the hourglass, she added, “Empath Abbey can always use more funds for their good works.”

Deciding that the map had been destroyed beyond use, and dismayed that the hourglass had not been found with Brother Vintonio’s corpse, Lady Clark decided it was best to move on.  The entourage moved forth, getting nearer to the Yew/Britain/Minoc crossroads, but stopping first at the crossroads before the river.  There, a young guard named Trev waited to greet the group, and had an interesting tale to tell.  Originally from Cove, and a former member of the Bastion of Light, Trev hoped to one day travel Brialla’s journey.  He spoke of his decision to leave the Bastion of Light, mentioning a creepy mage, but noted he was not against Lucienne; he told too a tale of losing his mother and brother to orcs.  Trev seemed very conflicted in his thoughts, and ultimately decided to return home to Cove where he felt things might make more sense.

The assembly proceeded forward, finally reaching the crossroads on the way to Minoc, passing right through the hub of the Fishing Council of Britannia.  Within the massive guard tower stretching over the road, the company met up with one Robert McFarland, who spoke of having met with Brother Vintonio who was on a journey to Yew.  As the conversation progressed it became obvious that McFarland was rather inebriated, and he began to speak of at least still being on duty, mentioning that other guards had abandoned their posts and run off to join the Bastion of Light.

Approaching the next guard post outside of Cove, the group came to the quick realization that it was abandoned.  “There should be at least one guard manning this outpost,” Lady Clark noted, adding, “It seems… dusty.”  Moving on from the abandoned outpost, the group quickly met up with a strange orc just off the road who told of humans, elves, and gargoyles trying to kill him while he was hunting for squirrels and rats for food.  The assembled group figured from his description that the Bastion of Light was responsible for this too, and after Lady Clark provided the hungry orc with some travel bread, the crowd began the final leg into Minoc.

Finally under the protection of Minoc’s guards, the group made their way to the north end of town where Mayor Dave met them outside of The Barnacle.  “Happy Brialla Day!” Dave cried out.  “Good to have visitors in Minoc.  Won’t you all come and share a drink at the tavern?”  Everyone made their way inside, whereupon Lady Clark revealed the golden hourglass had been handed to her during the journey.  “So, anyone want to guess who handed that to me?”  Martyna Z’muir guessed, “The ex-Bastion member?”  Nodding, Clark stated, “Trev handed that to me when I have him the travel bread.”  Placing a note on the table, Clark added, “He also handed me this note.”

The note, titled “Monk, Map, Hourglass,” and penned by an unknown author, read:  Monks of Empath Abbey, Here is your hour glass.  I am very sorry to say that the monk carrying it is dead.  Please, please, please don’t wear orc armor anymore.  It is not safe for humans to wear such things in the woods now!  Guards are abandoning their posts and joining our, my former cause.  Be careful!  My friends, my former friends, killed your monk before I could stop them.  When they hit him, a map popped out of the hourglass he was holding.  After they all went to sleep, I put his body out to see [sic], along with the map.  Whatever treasure it led to could not fall into their hands!  I have brought your hourglass back.  I recognized it from when my parents brought me to Empath Abbey as a child.  I wish my return today had been different.  I am truly sorry and will try to make amends.

With discussions about the journey settled down, Lady Clark invited others to speak and share any tales they had.  Ra’Dian Fl’Gith was the first to speak to the assembly to share a tale, telling of a trip from the days of Minax’s assault on Trinsic, speaking of the lich Juo’nar and a boat journey he and another named Edguardo had shared, suggesting that perhaps the non-violent trip with the lich had perhaps in someway altered the outcome of the greater battle.  After his tale finished, a blind traveller, L’loura, spoke briefly about how she used to live in Minoc, and now spends her days among the wonders of nature, she and her animal companions helping each other to get by.

The evening drew to a close in celebration of Brialla’s travels, but also on the grim note that Lady Clark would have to return to the abbey in Yew to inform them of Brother Vintonio’s murder.  What more might arise from the affairs of the day are difficult to guess, but certainly one must wonder what treasures the hourglass kept hidden, and whether the ruined map is beyond use.

~ . ~

Thursday Nights Still Hopping At  MOA

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DJ Scorp and Dame Melian were running the MOA auction house without a glitch as usual this past Thursday evening. It had been many months since I last attended an auction. Lady Lava did not even make it to the festive annual MOA Christmas event. That was a first.

It was great to see the place full of excited patrons including Lord Eldenward, Lord Red, Malcolm MacInnes, Veronica Lynn, Artimis Fowl, FREMMEL, WhiteGirlWasted, Kathrina, Baxter, Lady Emily, boni hami, Lord Galen, Lord Chex, WILLIAM WALLACE, A Cup A Suga, Sully, Shumer, Ebony Northstar, Evista, T-Bone, CrEaPoR, Laretta, Jakob, Mommy Kitty, Lady Bruce, Iggy The Great and Zombie Cheddar to name a few.

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The evening started with trivia and a gold give away as it usually does. It was a hot night of bidding with such items as a forge set, origami set, runic hammers from a current IDOC, power scrolls, undertaker’s staff, cream pies, statues, a full set of potted plants, phoenix red pigment, a crimmy, rubble and much much more hitting the block.

This player run event happens most Thursday evenings through out the year and gates are provided from the Luna Bank and often the Brit Bank. One can always ask in General Chat also.

Thank you MOA for keeping this long history of player run events on Great Lakes alive.

Last evening, Royal Spymaster Magnus Grey summoned the Royal Spies in order to continue working with Damion the Necromancer on the issue concerning the blackrock prism.  For the safety of Britain, King Blackthorn ordered the experiment be conducted in the nearby graveyard to prevent any unexpected and undue casualties.  Meeting with Damion in the graveyard, the Spies were quickly greeted by his usual “cheerful” countenance.  “I can’t work under these conditions,” Damion spouted off to the nearby spies.  He then revealed, “This prism isn’t the right shape.”  With a little prompting from the nearby Spies, Damion suggested heading to a jeweler at Britain’s own A Girl’s Best Friend, and Martyna Z’muir, one of the Assistant Royal Spymasters, picked up the blackrock prism and headed off to do just that.

Upon arrival, Z’muir and the remainder of the Royal Spies herded into the east Britain jewelery shop, but were quickly asked outside by Jeremey the Jeweler, who was most certainly finding it difficult to breathe with so many people suddenly inside.  Z’muir revealed that the prism needed to be cut, and while surprised, Jeremy did not seem to be beyond the task.  “May I ask what it is for?” Jeremy inquired.  “Um… It’s something special,” was Z’muir’s response.  Several others had various answers, but Jeremy seemed satisfied as he inspected the prism further.  “This piece hasn’t been cut,” he noted, “Like it was a single crystal.”  Looking it over carefully, Jeremy agreed that he could make it into a perfect diamond shape, but asked for the sum of 5,000 gold coins to cover his time and expenses in doing so.  Several of the Royal Spies rushed off to return and pay him — likely paying him more than he had asked for.  Once paid, he instructed the Royal Spies to give him a half-hour to complete the work.

Returning to Damion, the Royal Spies informed him that the piece was being worked on.  “I guess we should do the other missing piece then,” Damion announced, and then revealed that he needed a book from a dead person of “great power” that had conveniently left a book that would have instructions on “transfering world-shaking magics around.”  This required a journey into the bowels of Malas’s dungeon Doom.  Wading through the usual habitants of the vile place, Damion and the Spies worked their way to the southwest corner of Doom, passing through unusual guardians that seemed to indicate the group was nearing the tomb of the powerful mage, Unthar.  Once the Tomb of Unthar was secured, Damion removed the lid from the sarcophagus.  Unthar, now a lich, asked, “Who dares trspass in my tomb?” but quickly caught sight of Damion and called out, “Traitor!”  While the Spies were quick to dispatch Unthar, Damion warned they should quickly leave, as Unthar would mend himself in short time.  Tome in hand, Damion and the Spies returned to Britain, there, Damion sending the Spies back to collect the prism.

Martyna Z’muir led the charge back to A Girl’s Best Friend, where a rather angry jeweler awaited them.  “How dare you use me for your king’s foul magic!” Jeremy the Jeweler cried out.  “The king’s blackrock prisms.  Everyone must have heard about them but me.  Another trick by ‘king’ Blackthorn.”  Though some gathered tried to diffuse the situation, others served to press the issue, and Jeremy finally yelled, “We won’t allow Britannia to fall into Chaos!”  Members of the Bastion of Light then appeared and a skirmish quickly broke outside of the jewelers.  Once dispatched, Damion showed up, and was immediately accused of setting the Spies up for a fall.  “I want an apology,” Damion demanded.  Entering the jeweler’s, the prism was found by Damion, who, giving up on an apology, said, “I don’t like you.  You don’t like me.  But we need to finish this stupid ritual so we can be apart.”

Returning to Britain’s graveyard, the ritual involving the prisms finally began, with Damion and some of the braver Royal Spies chanting, “Vas Ex Por Ort In Ylem Por.”  Swirling vortices of unleashed void energy ripped through the area, interrupting the casting of the spell, but again, the Royal Spies held fast.  Another casting of the spell, more void energies, and then a gigantic explosion wrapped up the ritual, a gate appearing in the center of the blackrock pieces, and there, standing, looking quite shocked, stood a myserious woman who regained her bearings, and then immediately fled.  Clad in chain and plate armors, donning a violet cloak, no more was seen of her as the Royal Spies lost her in a frantic chase throughout the graveyard.  When asked who she was, Damion responded, “I don’t know… but she isn’t from here,” but as the Royal Spies were chasing her, he cast a spell to dispel the gate through which she had come.

Lord Blackthorn appeared shortly after, and gathered the pieces of the blackrock prisms, asking the Royal Spies to escort him and the pieces back to the hidden vault. “I will look into these prisms more,” Blackthorn announced as the pieces were again secure, “and the stranger who entered Britannia.” King Blackthorn then returned the Spies to their normal duties, asking them to report in to the Royal Spymaster.

The debriefing wrapped up the eve’s mission with the assembled spies reporting on what had transpired throughout the night. Before dismissal, Lady Sarah Paumera had an announcement of her own to make: On Saturday at 8:00pm CST, Lady Louisa Clark will lead the annual celebration of the journey of the great explorer, Brialla of the Seven Tears. Meet in front of Empath Abbey and be sure to wear a monk robe. You can purchase a monk’s robe for a nominal sum from the monks at the Yew Winery. At the end of the walk, anyone who would like to may read a story they have written. The best stories will be placed in the Award Hall.

The Royal Spies meet on most Tuesdays at 8:00 PM (Central) beneath the Britain Counselors Hall in West Britain (near the bridge leading to King Blackthorn’s Castle). Everyone is invited to attend these events. The next meeting of the Royal Spies will be on 29 January 2013 at 8:00 PM (Central).

This just in from our EMs………..

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Brialla of the Seven Tears was the first to chart the mysterious north lands of Britannia. Brialla set out from Yew, in her humble brown monk’s robe and bare feet, to push back the dark corners of the map. Her journals are rich with illustrations and detailed descriptions of the terrain, its plants and animals, and the nomads she met along the way. She even found the mineral deposits in the mountains by what would become Minoc.

Every year, in late January, the people of Britannia celebrate Brialla’s journey by donning monks’ robes and walking barefoot from Yew to Minoc. There, they toast to her memory in the tavern. All are encouraged to tell whatever legends they’ve heard of Brialla’s journey or to describe their own adventures.

Meet Louisa Clark in front of Empath Abbey on Saturday, January 26th, at 8 p.m. CST. The road is likely to be unusually clear of monsters that evening, so you’ll have plenty of time to think up a good story for the tavern. The best tales will be added to the Award Hall.

According to Margaret Korbel, Royal Diplomat, the Royal Diplomatic Ministry is seeking submissions for a treaty with Tokuno.  “The treaty should suggest terms and conditions for an alliance between Britannia and Tokuno,” Korbel wrote.

Submissions for the treaty should be directed to EM Malachi via email (malachi AT uoem DOT net), and must be received no later than midnight on February 3rd.

This past evening, in a private ceremony held outside of Minoc, Lord Magnus Grey officiated a wedding ceremony between John Knighthawke and Tanda Adkins.  Lady Tanda currently serves as one of the three High Justicars of the High Court of Britannia for the High Council of Britannia based out of Compassion Grove, and John Knighthawke is the recently legitimized son of Grand Marshal Galen Knighthawke, leader of the Britannian Armed Forces.

In a break from the traditional walk of the bride to meet the groom at the altar, instead both Lady Tanda and Lord John began their walks from outside of the hall, coming in to meet each other at the altar from opposite sides of hall, Lady Tanda escorted by long-time friend, Chief Justicar Ra’Dian Fl’Gith of the High Court.  There, Lord Grey began the ceremony with two very warm and touching poems written by the bride and groom.

Paladin
A Knight is sworn to Truth, Lov, and Courage.
His heart knows only Virtue.
His blade defends the helpless.
His might upholds the weak.
His word speaks only truth.
His wrath undoes the wicked.

Pagan
Earthen mother — provider of all
Spirit teaches us to be walkers in the light
Air, fire, and water elements of power
Sacred life, harm to none
Incantation, charm, potion and spell
Skyclad we dance with joy
Celebrating life and love.
Sword and vine entwined
Cynic, Optimist; Knight, Alchemist
Armor of steel and visions divine
Thoughts and deeds taken to scale
Misdeeds avenged, needs stated
Love and beauty to unveil
Struggles and triumphs, through life are strewn
Love and death, equally-fated
As rough wood with plane is hewn
Confidant, Naturalist, Lover, Zealot
Yielding, soft, the feminine soothes
Forceful, firm, the masculine smoothes.

After the reading of the poems, Lord Grey proceeded to more traditional vows, which were then followed with a ceremonial candle lighting.  “This candle you are about to light,” Lord Grey spoke, “is a candle of Marriage.  Its fire is magical because it represents the light of two people in love.”  Once the candle was lit in unison by Lady Tanda and Lord John, Lord Grey then provided the couple with wedding rings as a “symbol of the unbroken circle of love.”  With a few final comments to conclude the ceremony, Lord Grey pronounced Lady Tanda and Lord John as husband and wife.

A celebratory meal was held in reception after the ceremony, and many attendees paid their respects to the newlywed couple.  Among the attendees were Lady Sarah Paumera, Willa of the Yew-Wood (Mayor of Yew), Martyna Z’muir, Chancellor DaKaren of the High Council of Britannia, Ariakas and Malag aste of the Royal Knights of Redemption, as well as several other guests.  The wedding chapel and reception hall were very beautifully decorated, including a sand garden raked into intertwining circles representing the Knighthawkes’ endless love.  Best wishes to the new couple!