I found Governor Markus in Skara Brae just as he was donating $2,000,000 to help the other city treasuries.    Though he was busy, I was able to interview him.

“Thank for allowing me to interview, as I know you are very busy with your duties.”

“I am always willing to help a citizen of Britianna, ” he replied.”

“My first question is, what city are you governor of and what makes it unique?

“I am the governor of New Magincia.  What makes my city unique is the presence of a vendor bazar.

“My next question is related to the last ones.  “What makes New Magincia special to you?”

“Since I am a merchant, the fact that New Magincia is a city of commerce, it makes it a perfect fit.  I own a well stocked pet vendor.  I enjoy providing needed pets to the citizens of Britannia.” he told me with pride.

“What is you vision for New Magincia?”

He thought for a minute. “My vision is to make New Magincia thrive again with vendors and trade.  There is a great opportunity here since we rebuilt the city.”

“Has your city entered into a trade agreement with any of the trades or cities?”

“Yes, at this time we have the Merchant guild.  We have not made a trade agreement with a city yet.”

“Now for some more personal questions. I promise none of them will be embarrassing.” I said with a wink.

“As I trust you, I’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.  But I will hold you to your promise.”

“How long have you been a citizen of Britianna and what city was the first one you lived in?”

” I am one of the older settlers as I  arrived in these land 16 years ago.  I think my first home was in Skara Brae.  Being so old it is hard to remember that far back.” he said with a smile.

“You are not old.”  Smiling back  I asked, “What was you job before becoming Governor?”

“I have had many different jobs.  Since I am a vendor, I tame the animals I have for sell.  I also gather resources for the crafters in my family.  But my favorite job has been helping the new and returning settlers to our lands.”

“Wow, you do work hard.  When you do have time to relax, what do you like to do?”

“I love doing a variety of things. One day you might find me hunting or looking for treasure.  Another day I might be crafting or building skills.  Right now I am becoming a stronger tamer. I am also in the guild TF though another member of the family is thinking of joining another guild.”

“One last question, is there any thing you wish to tell this citizens of Britannia?”

“I live in these lands because I enjoy having so many things to do.  If you get bored of one activity, there are more that you can do.  Community is important. Here you can find support to develop and grow.  You can build a guild with friends and towns or cities with them.  Anyways, I took the  office of Governor to try to help and give back to the community.  To give assistance to new and returning citizens and to communicate with other concerned people who would like to see our lands grow. To develop opportunities to attract more people to migrate to our lands. ” He explained. “Now I must return to my duties.

“Governor Markus, thank you so much for your time to share with the citizens of New  Magincia and Britannia.” I said as I bowed. “Be safe in your travels.

Returning my bow, Governor Markus recalled away.

Citizens of Britannia be on alert for the evil sorcerer Vaeg and his disciples.

Intelligence believes Vaeg is planning to attack soon. Please be aware of your

surroundings as you travel.

The Royal Guard and Sargent Major are asking for your assistance in tracking down

Vaeg and his disciples.

All reports can be made in book form and dropped in the Guard Headquarters

Mailbox. Access to the Headquarters is via the suit of armor outside Castle British.

Guardians of Britannia

XVIII

Skara Brae

Minoc

Trinsic

Magincia

Vesper

Britain

Jhelom

Moonglow

Yew

The Governors of Britannia are combining their forces to stop the invasions in Blackthorns Dungeon.

We calling out to all Citizens to help us with this danger.

Please assist us and meet us on Friday the 22nd at West Britain Bank at 20:30 CEST.

We are stronger in numbers!

[Discuss This Article]

The Royal Guard assembled in the courtyard of Castle Blackthorn to receive

promotions and training tonight.

Presented with promotions are as follows-

Private Lady Rayna

Corporal Lady Dreamy

Lance Corporal Lady Water Sprite

Corporal Kariny Stormsong

New uniforms were distributed to the Royal Guard.

The Healer Corps are to wear white cloaks on the battle field and for dress uniform.

The Sargent Major stated that Vaeg has been sighted in towns all over. More

Disciples of Vaeg have been reported in various towns as well.

The Disciples of Vaeg need to be located and Vaeg hunted down. Royal Guards are

asked to perform patrols inside cities and across the countryside. All reports are

to be dropped in the Royal Guard Headquarters mailbox. The suit of armor outside

Castle British will take you to the HQ.

Sargent Major then led the Royal Guard on a mini Void Pool raining exercise

outside headquarters.

At the council meeting last night, the King introduced a new proposal to deal with governor’s that fail to appear for meetings. The three governors in attendance agreed that it was not unreasonable to expect attendance for at least one out of every three meetings. As a result, the King ruled that effective immediately any governor that fails to show up for three consecutive meetings will be removed from office. Replacements will be picked by the King either through audiences, or assigned to the other candidate in cities that were contested.  

Just before the meeting adjourned, Governor Thom of Trinsic discussed citizenship with the assembled council. He stated that people were confused as to the benefits of citizenship in a city. He claims most people mistakenly think that as a citizen of one city you are only subject to being dealt with by officials in your city. “We are all citizens of the same Kingdom,” said Thom. When questioned by Wild as to how he would handle a citizen of Trinsic being arrested in Britain, the governor responded that he would expect Britain to handle it as the laws should be respected by all. The King agreed with the statement and responded that “the idea behind establishing elected officials was not to create autonomous city-states.”

and

Drachenfels

Presents

The Week-end Madness

Edition Number: LXXVIII

The void pool was a challenge for the best on Friday.

We captured several Pirates in the Tokuno waters on Saturday.

The Exodus event was another success on Sunday thanks to the hard work of the community that collected the keys.

Please do not forget to join us next Sunday for Nachteule memorial event with EM Borbarad!

[Discuss This Article]

Posted by Bonnie Armstrong | 2014 Aug 15 20:37 -0400 GMT

We followed Dahlia through the gate and back into the hedge enclosure. Yanice the Odd was no longer there, instead we meet by Shanna the Quiet.
“Um, Hello there?” greeted Dahlia.
Shanna the Quiet simple said ” A dream, or a nightmare.  Which one will you choose to defeat?”
Without hesitations, Manitcore shouted. “Nightmare!”
Putting it to a vote, Dahlia asked,” Which one do we choose?”
The vote cast, discussions finished, “Okay, nightmare then.” Dahlia told Shanna. “After all does it matter?”

“Look, there is the nightmare, we will defeat it! Dahlia shouted and leapt in to battle.                                                                                                  “KILL THE NIGHTMARE!” yelled A Sad Panda.
Shanna the Quiet quietly said, “Then go on ahead and try.”
Everything around me dissolved into darkness as A Dream’s burning eyes filled your vision
A Nightmare  tautened, “Come, sweet death… embrace these mine enemies. Behold my power, weaklings.”
The battle was long and hard.  Many of died trying to protect Dahlia.  Our mages braved death themselves to resurrect us.  At last the Nightmares were defeated.
Puzzled, Dahlia said, “We defeated the nightmare, but nothing happened. Will you show us this way?
“Awake from your slumber and see the true terror.  The monsters not in the safety of your dreams when you can easily awake from. Be careful, careful you do not wake from the dream you do not know you stumble in.” warned Shanna the Quiet opening yet another gate.
“The dream, we do not know we are in? How can that be? asked Dahlia.
“Perhaps we were drugged passing through the doors?” suggested Thalia.
“Let’ see…” and Dahlia stepped through the gate.  We followed close behind. The gate lead us to a graveyard filled with deadly flowers.
Looking carefully at them Dahlia pondered. “Aren’t they the one we found outside of Occllo?” But as we were examining  them, we were yet again attacked.

When the battle was over, “Come,” Dahlia said as she opened a gate back to the meeting hall.
If she is not missing, We still haven’t found Evidias,” said Lady Thalia.
“Unless she is off with Merrick somewhere.  If not… we will have to wait.”  Dahlia nodded at Thalia. “Stay here while I go check with Marouk.”
Suddenly a Mysterious Woman appeared.*lifts her ghostly head*
Richard Cranium was the first to notice her, “hiya,” he greeted her.
Lifting her head, the Mysterious Woman gave a warning , “Beware… Beware Ixum… he watches you now.”
“Ut oh,” Richard Cranium moved way from her.
Thalia asked, “Ixum?”
Mysterious Woman: Oh mighty Ixum… they know not why they come to you.” was her only reply as she faded away leaving a strange statue behind.
Mysterious Woman: Mighty… Ixum…. *fades*
“Just my luck, Marouk says she had not returned yet. At this rate I’ll have to send the spies after her too.” Dahlia muttered. “Merrick what are you doing?”
Richard Cranium asked her, “Did you see the ghostly lady? She left an evil looking statue behind.

“Statue?” asked Dahlia.
“While you were gone a strange lady came.” explained Richard Cranium. “she left that statue.
“We received  a warning. said Lady Thalia pointing to the statue.
“She stated we are being watched by Ixum.” Richard Cranium added.
Richard Cranium: and stated we are being watched, warned
“Where did it come from?” Dahlia asked Thalia and Richard Cranium.
“A ghostly lady dropped it there” they both replied.
” It’s… creepy…” Dahlia shivered. Trying to pick it up it pulled itself back down with its growing weight. “Hum”  Dahlia tried pushing it. It simply settled back in place. “Would someone take it away, its like it is looking at me.”
“I tried, but I am not strong enough.” Richard Cranium said.
Dahlia touches it again and hears a crow crowing.  “Did anyone else hear it crow?”  All of us except Richard Cranium shook our heads no.
Ewwwwwwwwww.” Tupac-Shakur said.
” Okay… when statues start crowing…” Dahlia quickly moved away from it. ” Let’s just talk over here.
“Lady Thalia, “These notes you handed me earlier. did you search Vesper for who Merrick was trying to meet?”
“No Dahlia, I just focused on the two locations of coordinates.” he replied.
“Hmm, you might want to try again. I didn’t think Merrick would go to Adama.  Merrick might know where Evidias is.”
“Thalia, did you give me the coordinates, in Trinsic, you said? Are they in the notes?”
“Yes,” Thalia replied, “One is the Trinsic Meeting Hall. The other are ruins near Trinsic.”
“Thank you for picking up on this, Thalia.” nodded Dahlia, “I’ll have a spy watch the Meeting Hall  for now.”
“I must leave you now, it is time for  Corian and I to have a talk.” Dahlia said as she walked into a gate.

Stepping through the gate, we arrived in a room.  In the middle stood a platform with squares and rock.  Dahlia studied the platform for a while. “Perhaps some, sort of puzzle? Maybe the rocks go on the squares.” She began to move the rocks, “Heavy things.” Then as she placed one of the rocks she heard a click. “Hum, nothing has happened, are we…missing something?”
“Yanice the Odd, said the other side. ” reminded Richard Cranium.
“Both sides… other side? but what does it mean the other side?
“Fel, Felucca? said Restless, Thalia and Sabeth as one.
“Felucca, well…I guess that’s another side. ” said Dahlia thoughtfully.
“Ya, Fel side of here, like a mirror? suggested Manitcore.
“Well… I guess that’s another side?” Dahlia said casing a gate, Here we go.” When we arrived through the gate, we found another platform matching the one we had just left.  The same except for one detail.

“Symbols in place of the squares, so… they look like pairs, well most of them but what does that mean.
“So…what does that mean?” asked Scared One.
Manticore was the first to notice that each symbol also had a word.  He began to put them in order ,”Dark Moon Blotted Out the Sun Light From One to One.”

Thinking about what Manticore said, Dahlia opened a gate. “Why are you waiting? Back to Trammel!” Dahlia shouted excitedly.  Once we were back,  Dahlia began to put the rocks on the squares using the order of  Manticore’s  sentence.

When the last stone was placed a gate opened.  But to where?  We began to discuss where the gate might lead.
” We are to return where?” Dahlia pressing her hand to her head.
“Back to Fel?” asked Richard Cranium
While Restless suggested, “back to the door?
No,” disagreed Dahlia, ” “It said, “Return, return, backward”
After thinking for a bit, Richard Cranium said, ” Back to the cave?”  Manticore agreed.
“Backwards? Why not couldn’t hurt.” Dahlia laughed and stepped through the gate.
Looking at each other, I said with a grimace, “Where have we heard that before?”  Nodding we prepared, warriors drawing their weapons, Mages reading spells, and dragons put on guard.

When Dahlia called a meeting of the Royal Spies, the King requested that I attend.  Arriving early, I noticed  few had arrived.  But the hall quickly filled up until there was standing room only.  People were quietly discussing the treasure hunt, the recent pirate attacks and Merrick’s role.   When Dahlia arrived the room became silent as we stopped our discussions.   Looking around, she began to frown, “Has anyone seen Evidias, did she step out?”
” I haven’t seen her,” replied Richard Cranium.
Lady Thalia said, ” She seems to be following clues from Merrick”
“Her investigation is still going on,” added Meanie Monster.
“Following clues from Merrick, what are you talking about?” Dahlia asked in a puzzlement.  Lady Thalia handed her the book of clues that she had found.
As Dahlia readed the report frown lines began to form.
” When I talked to Adama,” said Lady Thalia, “he  said Evidias read some notes from Merrick and rushed out.”
Slightly irked, Dahlia closed the book, ” He has been busy then. When I asked her earlier, she lied to me saying that she hadn’t.  Did she at least finish this?”

Looking at each other, no one replied.  In frustration Dahlia kicked the table and grabbed the crook of of it. ” Wo… ah… what… woah…” Where did these items come from.  Is this crook the key we have been looking for? I sent Evidias to finding a way to finish a key for the door outside of Occllo.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   “The wheel  was use to make the keys.” reminded Zippy Bubblelips

” Perhaps so, can you use it on the orb?” asked Richard Cranium:
“Come we need to go to the door in  Occllo to test it.”  and she started for the door.  “Wait… wait a minute,  I haven’t been outside of Occllo in a few days.  I’m not sure how safe it is. Before we get going we need to be prepared. Others are after what’s behind the door.””
“I’m sure its not,” Restless said as he called for his dragon to follow and guard him.
Quickly we followed Dahlia though the gate she had cast. ” We must have gotten here first.”  as she  looked around.  Suddenly Bloody Flagon pirates attacked.  ” I spoke to soon,” she shouted and the battle began.

Out numbering the pirates the battle was quickly over.  ” Perhaps they didn’t have a way in, and wanted to take ours?” Dahlia said as she approached the door.  “So do I just…?” and she waved the staff around the door.  When nothing happened, she tried tapping the door with the crook. Again nothing happened.  “Does anyone have any, experience unlocking magical doors?”
Sabrina Banana replied pointing at Meanie,  ” Meanie does.”
Everyone looked hopefully at him.  “I’m sorry while I have opened magic chests.  I haven’t had experience with doors.” he said shaking his head.

”
People began shouting out suggestions.  “Kick it,” suggested Jinx.  *
Dahlia kicked the wooden door with no luck. “You said, Evidias got off to somewhere, or something of Merrick’s?  Did you find out what it was?”
“Yes.  we found several of Merrick’s notes in Trinsic, but the trail ended at two sets of coordinates.” replied Lady Thalia.
“What did the Weld, or Marouk have to say about it?” she asked Lady Thalia. knowing she has a special relationship with the Weld.
Shaking her head, Lady Thalia replied, ” I did not see her at Mongbat village. I did not ask Marouk”
“Bah, Coordinates, don’t have time to track down coordinates. Dahlia said with disgust.
“There has to be something more to open the door.” Dahlia poured Dreamshade into the lamp.  It is time to try… things.” with that she dipped the crook into the lamp. “Alright… this might not be safe…”
Remembering what had happened before with Dreamshade,  “My lady are you sure you want to do that?” I asked backing up.
“Well…oaky then” Dahlia said with a determined look and proceeded to prod door with the Dreamshade enchanted staff.
Slowly the door opened. Smiling Dahila said, ” That seemed to work,”  leading us through the door.   To our surprise we ended up in a cavern that had several passages.  “It seems so empty, why so empty.  I guess we need to spread out. ” Dahlia said as she started down one of the passages.   We began to search the passages and found our selves back where we had begun.  “Is this a maze or some kind of joke?’ Dahlia said angrily as she lead us back  down the passages and into a gate that suddenly appeared.   Walking through the gate we found ourselves surrounded by an enclosed hedge area.  In the corner stood a strange person, Yanice the Odd.   Dahlia approached, “Hello, yes you.” she said as
Yanice the Odd, slowly seemed to notice her, and answered with a riddle, “It winds around, and disappears beneath when tread upon.”
Thinking about the passages we just went through Dahlia said, ” A road?”
Yanice the Odd looked at the Dahlia, “How can you answer an unfinished riddle?”
“Excuse me, go on?” Dahlia blushed.
Yanice the Odd continued, ” It melts into the air at dawn, refilling under the crackling sky, teeming sky.  If you trip, it will carry you away, and if you do not struggle it will take your breath.”
All of us began to think and discuss possible answers.  When Manticore  said “Water?”
Richard Cranium nodded his head in agreement, “Water.”
Dahlia nodded to Manticore and Richard Cranium,” Water… a river?” she asked Yanice the Odd.
Yanice the Odd answered with a wise smile, “They say swim, we say struggling; struggling is all life is.  Against time, or a current.”
Puzzled by the answer, Dahlia asked, “Is there more to the riddle?”
“No,  just advice.” Yanice the Odd replied.
“Which is?”
“If you can see both sides of a situation, perhaps you can solve anything, even this.” But if you are too naive and blind, then you will be lost for all of time.”
“Thank you,” said Sylvar.
“Yes, thank you, but again, what do you ask of us?  asked Dahlia.
“Proceed through the gate to the other side, and remember what I said. Yanice the Odd replied disappearing .