Atlantic’s unique Locations & other History

 

Unique Locations Felucca :

 

A Stone/Flame

A Stone with a flame trapped inside (the “blood god” of Stormreavers Orc Clan) 13o 1’N 48o 22’W

 

Archery Range

Archery Range 67o 52’N 6o 2’W

 

Atlantic Mage Tower

Atlantic Mage Tower Red Gate 48o 53’N 151o 11’W
Tower southwest of the Lycaeum in Felucca. Once the main location for magic users on Atlantic, full of magical effects and items. Several interesting features here including a red moongate south of the tower that transports you outside the arena on Isle of the Avatar. On the roof of the tower is a stone column with flames coming out of it, called “The Eternal Flame of Mages”. Saying “setra” on the roof will transport you inside the arena on Isle of the Avatar. Standing on the pentagram on the first floor transports you to Leiah’s Rune Library. There used to be an Annex behind the Tower but its long gone.

 

Arena 149o 56’S, 126o 38’W

this was used for mage battles. A red moongate outside the arena leads to the outside of the Atlantic Mage Tower, while saying “roclaf” from within the arena teleports you to the roof of the AMT. “roclaf” is backwards for “falcor”, who was the Seer that played the character Norab, the AMT’s sponsor. There’s another sign within the arena that says “This Arena Is Reserved For Seer Event. Thank You. Have A Good Day.” There is a locked down communication crystal outside the arena, which was used to announce fights.

 

Blackthorn’s Defeat

Blackthorn’s Defeat 27o 31’N 53o 5’W

 

Blackthorn’s Tomb

Blackthorn’s Tomb 15o 39’N 13o 25’E

 

Buoy

Buoy 104o 35’S 143o 43’E

 

Britain Invasion Memorial

Britain Invasion Memorial 9o 40′ S 5o 41’E

 

Christine & Flint

Christine & Flint 49o 3’N 40o 13’E
They were married in UO, and in RL, and ran a large guild. Supposedly one of them left the game, and the other one followed because it wasn’t the same for them. Plaque there says “Together Though Separate, Bound Beyond Life, Friend and Companion, Their Love Will Not End”. Tombstones say “In Memory of Christine” & “In Memory of Flint”. Moving to a certain spot on each platform teleports you across a small pond to the other platform

 

Claudia’s Cave

Claudia Raym’s Cave 119o 32’N 47o 15 E

 

Costume Chest

Costume Chest 90o 15’S 5o 29’W

 

Councler’s Guild Britain

Counselors Guild Britain 8o 16’N 13o13 ‘E

 

Councler’s Memorial

Counselors Memorial 8o 16’N 13o13 ‘E

 

Cromwell Estate


Cromwell estate 44o 2’N 172o 45’E

 

Dupre’s Camp

Dupre’s Camp Felucca 96o 51’S 25o 56’E

 

Ethereal Flame

Ethereal Flame 140o 22’N 55o 11’e

 

Flower Grove

Flower Grove 124o 44’N 9o 46’W

 

Grave of Coryn Ironhand

Grave of Coryn Ironheart 173o 25’N 3o 14’W

 

Grave of Gerald Tiggins

 

House of Norab

House of Norab 50o 0’S 166o34’E
Norab was a Character played by one of the Seers. He created the Red Gate and the Mage Arena at the Atlantic Mage Tower.

 

Igloo

Igloo (Well of Souls in Caina, Old “Order of the Ebon Skull” Guild Town) 125o 36’N 177o 37’w

 

Ironhand Gregory

Ironhand Gregory 177o 5’S 10o 37’W

 

Jou’Nar’s Stronghold

Jou’Nar’s Stronghold 96o 9’S 40o 4’E

 

Leiah’s Runelibrary

Leiah’s Rune Library 72o 14’S 32o 3’E
This is the first official Rune Library Atlantic ever had. It has been restored by the Roleplay Community of Atlantic and is fully functional.
Books were donated by Winterbreeze & Goodman’s Library and the interior is much the same as it was in Leiah’s time.

 

LOA Village

Loa Village 59o41’N 43o 1’w

 

Malabelle’s Prison

Malabelle’s Prison 56o 51’S 22o 51’E

 

Marble Temple

Marble Temple/Temple of Fate 35o 5’N 8o 34’E
Tis strange thing happened to me recently. The town criers were telling of a strange temple which should be located in a cove in the mountains north of Britain. After talking to two friends from the honorable Sunset Knights we headed north out of the town of Britain, along the graveyard until we reached the mountains. Sadly, we got separated soon and I was trying to find the place the crier hat spoken of. I worked my way from the western parts of Serpents Spine mountains along and past the small pass leading to the dungeon known as Despise. Soon after going another short distance along the mountain range I was greeted by a band of unfriendly orcs which were soon no more. A small entrance into the mountains was nearby and I already heard battlecries coming from the pass. Quickly I readied my spellbook and awaited the worst as I proceeded inside the mountains. I was greeted by some evil looking black archmages and a great number of heroes fighting these. In the middle of the place marking the dead end of the pass stood what looked like a small temple. There were four pillars in different shades of grey, two braziers and the most amazing sight, a green object looking like a skull that was yelling strange words. I think I heard the phrase “Thy fate has been tested”. Strange words were inscribed on the pillars and as I listened, I heard several people of the crowd chanting them. If I remember right, it were the words “MAL GU OM VARKA TALMA”. I soon had to find out the effect of those words as an uncountable number of undead creatures appeared inside the temple. Luckily these were quickly dealt with by the crowd which seemed to enjoy the ongoing slaughter. The crowd had no time to recover as soon another wave of lzardmen appeared charging everyone in sight. As warrior veterans know, those lizards don’t present much of a challenge, so the floor was soon littered with the corpses of the dead, when suddenly huge heaps of gold coins were drawing the attention of everyone. This seemed a deadly trap as just when everybody was grabbing for the gold a ring of blood elementals appeared. If you ever fought one of those creatures residing in the deepest caves of the dungeon Shame you know what that meant. Many a warrior found his death. As my reagent supply was quickly used up, I had to retreat after two of these beasts came chasing after me. When I finally got back to the fight, I found the place empty with just an inscription telling that the place might come to life again when the braziers are alight. When this will happen no one knows. The temple, named Temple of Fate still stands and may be visited by the curious traveller.

 

Moonstar Tomb & Armor Stands

Moonstar Tomb 43o 26’N 154o 49E

 

Moss covered Rock

Moss Covered Rock 100o 43’S 69o 18’E

 

Nujelm Wedding Chapel (Nujelm Palace)

Nujelm Wedding Chapel 30o 51’N 166o 8’E

 

Occlo Runes

Occlo Ruins 73o 54’S 158o 12’E

 

Outdoor Wedding Spot

Outdoor Wedding Spot 91o 25’N 0o 4’W

 

Palm Grove

Palm Grove 153o 53’S 29o 10’E

 

Pirate Island

Pirate Island 68o 34’N 66o 43’W

 

Pirate Hideaway

Pirates Hideaway 117o 9’S 4o 30’W
Saying “payment” at the locked door will teleport you inside

 

Rivendell

Rivendell 26o 48’S 6o 53’W

 

Seer’s House

Seer’s House 106o 15’S 37o 15’E
Red’s Curious Goods building. One of the first Seer locations, it’s mostly been cleared out. However, there are a few unique items here. A tree stump with an axe is outside the door. Inside, you will find more place settings at the table, a chest and spinning wheel in the back room, and crafting tools in the last room.

 

Serpent’s Cross Tavern

Serpent’s Cross Tavern 93o 53’N 23o 37’W

 

Serpent’s Hold Council

Serpent’s Hold Council 151o 57’S 114o 7’E

 

Talking Statues

Talking Statues 91o 40’S 22o 4’W

 

Tree of Knowledge

Tree of Knowledge 37o6’N 65o 52’W

 

Tree of Wisdom

Tree of Wisdom 66o 48’N 48o 43’W

 

UBB Guildhall

United Blacksmiths of Britannia Guildhall 13o 21’S 2o 2’E

 

Vesper Museum

Vesper Museum 57o 56’N 112o 34’E
The Statue of Nostur’yl in the Vesper Museum whom we managed to kill in the courtyard of the Hungry Halfling Tavern in Rivendell (where it sat till the Seers created the Museum to host it along with many other items from quests) thanks to some valiant efforts of Cesspool standing guard over the Obsidian post in Serpent’s hold at my request.

 

Vesper Councler’s Guild

Vespers Counselors Guild 60o 2’N 107o 13’E

 

Wisp Colums

Wisp’s Columns 6o 51’S 50o 16’W
The Wisp Circle

 

Yew Council

Yew Council 56o 37’N 49o 46’W

 

Yew Mill

Yew Mill 71o 1’N 53o 55’W

 

Yew Towncouncil

Yew Town Council 67o 46’N 59o 37’W
The Yew Town Council got one of the NPC houses in Felucca Yew (at that time simply known as Yew) redesigned as a Town Hall with a large meeting table and offices for the Mayor, Chief Justice and Militia Captain. As seen in the image this building also housed the Yew Town Council (YEW) guild stone. While at some point the dynamic objects which had been removed during the redecoration came back, the original decoration still exists and the banners in and outside the building show the purpose of the building when clicked on.

 

Yew University

Yew University 31o 23’N 64o49’W
Once possibly the most influential player group on Atlantic, this group of people helped train new users in all manners of UO play long before there were companions or other programs. As such, they received quite a few things to aid them in their work:

• WYU Boat transport – at the end of the road is a sign and boat. The sign reads: “to cross the river, step onto the boat and say, ‘I would like to cross.'” Takes you from (35o 14’N, 58o 21’W) to (36o 12’N, 63o 33’W) and back.
• Tree of Knowledge – Used to be a silver tree within WYU, placed when the original person who ran WYU, Silver Dryad, departed. Still has it’s name (36o 44’N, 66o 9’W)
• WYU Headquarters – Just outside the guardzone, this small house had a hedge placed around a small courtyard. (31o 27’N, 64o 53’W)
• WYU Building – Yew Farmhouse, converted to a school house. Outsides is decorated like a stables. Inside, additional books lie scattered on tables. A guildstone for the “House of Desires” resides in the building. (34o 58’N, 64o 45’W)
• WYU Magic & Tailoring Wing – Yew Farmhouse. The first part of the interior was converted into a magic training area. The back room was made into a tailor training area, full of tailoring equipment. Outside the building, combat and pickpocket dummies allowed fighter and thief training. (33o 23’N, 69o 15’W)
• WYU Smithing Area – Located one screen west of the WYU HQ, this small area was added to train smiths. (31o 38’N, 65o 52’W)

 

Unique Locations Trammel :

 

Adventurer’s Hall

Adventurer’s Hall 104o 41’N 81o 29’E

 

Archery Range

Archery Range 67o 52’N 6o 2’W

 

Architect Foundations Castle

Architect Foundation Castle 63o 37’S 43o 22’E

 

Bauble Hut

Bauble Hut 15o 43’S 5o 45’E
Part of the “Filberto the Tinker” Quest line. The books to follow the Quest are on display at the Winterbreeze Library (on the 3rd Floor)

 

Blackthorn’s Defeat

Blackthorn’s Defeat 27o 31’N 53o 5’W

 

Britain Fairgrounds

Britain Fairgrounds 22o 56’s1o 7’E

 

Britain Invasion Monument

Britain Invasion Monument 9o 40’S 5o 41’E

 

Castle British Throne Room

Castle British Throne Room (Statue, Shields and other Memorials) 0o 11’N 0o 29’E

 

Castle British War Room

Castle British War Room with Sherry the mouse

 

Companion House

Companion House 76o 43’S 160o 6’E

 

Counclers Hall of Britain & Wedding House

Counclers Hall of Britain 7o 55’N 12o 26’E

 

Councler’s Hall Wedding House

The 2 new Atlantic Event Moderators took the time to redecorate the old Hall in early 2009 and built the Wedding House to start of the new Wedding Program.

 

Councler’s Memorial

Counselors Memorial 8o 16’N 13o13 ‘E

 

Dolphins

Dolphins 160o 50’S 51o 32’E

 

Gerald Tiggin’s Grave

 

Flower Grove

Flower Grove 124o 44’N 9o 46’W

 

Igloo

Igloo 125o 36’N 177o 37’w

 

Inside Pirate Cave

 

Lose Floor Boards

Lose Floor Boards 65o 45’N 50o 7’W
Leftover from the “Candle of Love” Quest

 

Malabelle’s House

Malabelle’s House 19o 36’N 124o 45’W

 

Malabelle’s Corpse

Malabelle’s Corpse 91o 9’N 142o 1’E

 

Massacre House

Massacre House 11o 15’N 132o 33’W

 

Nujelm Armor Stands

Nujelm Armor Stands 43o 41’N 154o 49’E

 

Nujelm Music Stands

Nujelm’s Music Stands 38o 9” N 170o 0’E

 

Nujelm Wedding Chapel (Nujelm Palace)

Nujelm Wedding Chapel 30o 51’N 166o 8’E

 

Ophidian Defeat

Ophidian Defeat 13o 32’S 9o 8’W

 

Ophidian Demands

Ophidian’s Demands’ 54o 18’S 37o 45’W
Part of the Ophidian Invasion 2006

 

Palm Grove

Palm Grove 153o 53’S 29o 10’E

 

Pirate’s Cave Entrance

Pirate Cave Entrance 440 29’N 88o 39’E

 

Pirate Island

Pirate Island 68o 34’N 66o 43’W

 

Prison Cart

Prison Cart 42o 32’S 8o 9’E
Part of the “Ricardo the Thief” Event 2007

 

Ricardo’s Hideout

Ricardo’s Hideout 98o 10’S 3o 5’E
Part of the “Ricardo the Thief” Event 2007

 

Sealed Cave

Sealed Cave 6o 30’S 38o 57’W

 

Skara Brae Comunity

Skara Brae Community Center 45o 26’S 48o 52’W

 

Talking Statues

Talking Statues 91o 40’S 22o 4’W

 

Tor’s Boots

Tor’s Boots 63o 43’S 35o 47’W

 

Tuning Fork

Tuning Fork 5o 12’N 8o 38’E
Part of the “Filberto the Tinker” Quest line. The books to follow the Quest are on display at the Winterbreeze Library (on the 3rd Floor)

 

Tuning Fork Plans

Tuning Fork Plans 49o 45’N 134o 48’W
Part of the “Filberto the Tinker” Quest line. The books to follow the Quest are on display at the Winterbreeze Library (on the 3rd Floor)

 

Wind Ramparts

Wind Ramparts 49o 19’N 30o 14’E

 

Quest Ramparts 2

Quest Ramparts 2 34o 17’N 2o 44’E

 

Quest Ramparts 3

Quest Ramparts 3 27o 20’S 15o 49’W

 

Quest Ramparts 4

Quest Ramparts 4 20o 49’S 12o 5’W

 

Wisp Colums

Wisp’s Columns 6o 51’S 50o 16’W
The Wisp Circle

 

Yew Monument

Yew Monument 55o 28’N 51o 23’W

 

Corresponding Runes can be found at Goodmans & Winterbreeze Libraries

 

---

Other History

Gargish Dragon shares the following links :

The Movement Quest. This was run on Atlantic in August 98 by Seer Little and included a large part which was runnung during 1 week and solving it gave time and place for the final live event. The great report was done by Garulfo.

http://martin.brenner.de/uo/movement/movement.html

Seekers of the Wisp and the Conference

http://martin.brenner.de/uo/wispconf.html

Dragon Quests. These were run by the Ultima Dragons, an ancient Ultima fan club (http://www.udic.org), many living in Rivendell.

http://uo.stratics.com/xena/ (Stories)

The FOA quest on Atlantic. Famous was the large group of people guarding chests for several days.

The Hulkster fights. Starr Long alias Lord Blackthorn remembers this fight

http://www.gamespot.com/features/uosg/dev2.html

Green Acres Arena. A special arena was construction in “Green Acres”, which later became the Lost Lands. Special monuments allowed player to teleport to the area. Remains of the arena used for the “rematch” actually appeared in the Lost Lands on Europa later.

The Yew Town Council. This link contains history of the early Council, starting from June 1998 and including Lord British’s visit in March 1999.

http://uo.stratics.com/secrets/tc/tc_205.shtml
A lot of Atlantic’s history can be found in Town Cryer Articles:

http://uo.stratics.com/secrets/tc/tca_index.shtml

 

The Story of Elysium and the Knights of Sosaria

The player town of Elysium was formed in the year 1997 by the Knights of Sosaria. Especially by Lord Wolf and his daughter Lady Nova, the two founders of the KOS. Elysium is just south of where the old ruined town of Paws once stood. Wolf was born in Paws and had witnessed the destruction of it by the Orcs. As he came to age he settled down on the plains north of Trinsic, and formed Elysium. One core of the town was the Wandering Wisp Tavern. Another part was Leia’s Rune Library just a few stumbling steps from the away. Soon the town grew bigger as the number of Knights increased and their link to Trinsic was beyond measure. Several members of the KOS became Mayors of Trinsic or at least members of the Trinsic Council of Honor. But then came the discovery of Trammel and the lands of Elysium became empty. The Knights, however, placed a large tower and a castle on the same plains. The Tower served as new home for the KOS guildstone, while the tower, more or less in the same spot where Leia’s rune library is on Felucca, holds the Elysium Rune Library and the Drunken Dragon Tavern. Lord Wolf retired, leaving the guild business first to his friend Lord Breti (the owner of the Tower and the Castle) and later Sir Robert and Lady Arcana became co-Leaders. Those two also became (in the roleplaying scenario, not OSI endorsed) the Duke and the Duchess of Trinsic. Sir Robert took over the Wandering Wisp Tavern as well. Lady Arcana is today the Guildmistress of the KOS, Sir Robert had left the guild to start his own and Breti is more or less retired as well. The Knights are now located at Vesper / Trammel.

 

The Ghosts of Paws

By Gwendoly

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, I went to Trinsic to attend the Council Meeting. I had heard reports of strange ghosts haunting the lands of late and I hoped to learn more. These ghosts apparently were cursing people and someone even told me that the new town of Elysium was cursed. As my guild had put a lot of time and effort into creating Elysium, I wanted to help in any way I could to remove the curse.

I went to the Trinsic Meeting Hall and found a number of people already there. A few more came in after the meeting began. I counted thirty-one people in all. There was even a seer at the meeting, Seer Nikademus. I found this interesting because I have seen a green-robed seer only once before. The attendees included: Christian of RAV; Lenknat of KOP; Fizban; Magus Draco; Arturius of C^L; Zeromus; Alma Beoulve; several members of the Trinsic Council; some representatives of the Yew Militia; Gargish Dragon, the Mayor of Yew; Dyluck Blade of WYS; Aleph Aeirs of 2ST; and several members of my guild, the Knights of Sosaria.

Orchid, the Mayor of Trinsic, began by telling what she knew of the ghosts and their mysterious messages:
“It was brought to my attention that the strange events we have experienced began not last week, but actually some time before when an oracle of sorts visited Dalriada. He said of some forthcoming troubles he saw between Yew and Trinsic. Recently, as we all know ghosts started appearing – Sir Simon, Belle, etc – carrying messages speaking of curses upon Trinsic because they supposedly did not aid in their time of need. Who’s time of need? Apparently The long since destroyed town of Paws. Paws was attacked and destroyed by Orcs long ago, and it is true that Trinsic apparently did not show up in time to prevent it. In fact, only one survivor remained when they finally came. You may recall Crawworth. He was the survivor. Now I know not the reason why it took Trinsic so long to get there. It was long since before my time and there is nothing I could have done to aid. Apparently though, now they want revenge. But why now? What have they waited so long to seek vengeance upon us?” “It is the ghosts, of those I assume to be deceased citizens of Paws that want revenge. Last night, I am told they came with a message more frightening than any before.”

At this point, several people told Orchid of the ghosts who appeared to them last night. Fizban said, “Last night every ghost along with a few new ones appeared before WYU.” SunWolf was also a witness: “Ma’am Mayor, these ghost of some sorts had visited Abbey. Also Serpent Cross Tavern. They stated Trinsic Council will pay for their deeds at the meeting at next sun rise.” “I fear we may be in grave danger, though I am still not sure from what,” replied Orchid.

The discussion continued for some time, when, all of a sudden, I felt a chill behind me. I turned towards the door and saw a ghost walk into the room. His name was Sir Simon. The communication crystals that were set up for the meeting allowed us to understand all of Sir Simon’s speech. I faithfully wrote down everything he said:
“In a chest hidden by the best of thieves…this letter shall rest an eternity”

“false paladin….stole…my letter”

“the others…do not know…the truth”

“they will not….listen”

“they must…have peace”

“Paws…destroyed”

“I failed”

“false paladin…stole…my letter”

“they blame…Trinsic”

“the spirits…will not…listen”

“and neither…will He”

“follow”

At this point, Sir Simon left the room. We all scrambled to follow before we lost sight of him.

Sir Simon led us out of Trinsic and north along the road. We hadn’t gone far when he stopped and moaned something. Lenknat interpreted for us: “In Vain I died here.” Sir Simon then continued north aways. He led us east through the woods and stopped at a graveyard near the swamps. He began reading the headstones to us. It quickly became apparent that the people buried here were killed by the orcs that destroyed Paws. This is what he said:
“Belle….daughter…of Samuel…”

“child of Paws…”

“Poor Tremain…guard of Paws”

“Marianne…baker…of Paws”

“Sir John…Mayor…”

“Polly…Paws tavernkeep”

“only survivor”

“Farley…foolish drunk”

“he will not listen”

“Farley knows…the way…”

“Farley will not listen”

“foolish drunk…”

“seek Farley…he lives near”

“only survivor…”

“Tessa…..my Lady Tessa”

“My lady Tessa…I miss her”

“our son…Crawworth…all dead”

“all gone now”

“the spirits…will not rest…”

“Farley will not listen…”

“foolish drunk…”

“seek him”

Sir Simon suddenly disappeared, leaving us to speculate who this Farley person was. Sir Simon said something about him living nearby, so we began to search all the houses in the area for any signs.

We split up into groups to search the area faster. I know not who first found it, but we soon gathered in front of a small wooden house. The sign read: “Farley’s Hunting Shack – Go Away!”

After discussing what to do next, we decide to wait in front of the house in case the owner returned soon.

A strange looking fellow wearing the shiniest plate armor walked up and asked why we were gathered about the house. His name was Stratege. Lady Nova told him that we were waiting for a man called Farley. Stratege told us about someone he met a few weeks back in the woods who was trying to fight off a few ratmen near a chest. Stratege said that he helped kill the ratmen and that the man gave him part of the treasure, 500 gold pieces. He seemed to think that the man was named Farley, but he couldn’t be certain. Stratege seemed to be amused by our explanation that we were waiting because a ghost told us to, and he left with the words, “back to smithing.”

Remembering what Sir Simon said about Farley being a drunk, Orchid went to search the taverns for him. Some of the people in our group left to search other areas. I left for awhile as well.

When I returned to Farley’s house, there was still a good-sized group waiting. A few minutes later, Orchid returned from her search of the taverns without having found anything. A discussion began regarding what we learned about the ghosts and Farley, speculation as to who the master thief is, and how all this relates to Trinsic. It was feared that all this was a ruse to get us away from the city and that Trinsic was under attack. Callisto Gabriel rode to Trinsic and returned to report that all was peaceful there.

A few of the people waiting had taken to summoning elementals and sparring with them to practice their skills and help pass the time. While all this was going on, it was almost easy not to notice a small, gray-bearded man walk up from the west. Lady Nova was the first to say, “There he is!” We all turned and were glad to finally see Farley, the Treasure Hunter.

Farley walked up to his house, mumbled under his breath angrily, and said, “Get ye away from me house.” Lady Nova and Orchid tried to ask him some questions, but his reply was, “Ask ye questions to the swamp.” After muttering, “Away from me doorstep,” Farley went inside his house and locked the door behind him. We continued to wait outside his house in case he changed his mind about talking to us. We could hear him drinking.

Some minutes passed before Farley stumbled out onto his doorstep. He muttered, “Ye best be off, fore I get angry.” But we were not so easily shooed. Lenknat asked, “Can you help us?” To which Farley replied, “No one can help ye as no one can help me.” Orchid said, “We need help obtaining a letter sealed in a chest hidden by the best of thieves.” We tried to explain briefly why we were there and asked Farley many questions which he did not answer. Someone mentioned a test, and to this Farley responded: “A test I give thee. No one can best me in the hunt. I shall devise a test. Only I am able to find the treasures that others hide.” He then tried to scare us away with a feeble attempt at magic by muttering, “Corpus Por,” “Corpal Por,” and “Corpy Pory.” This, of course, did not work.

We asked Farley again about the test. He said, “A test I give thee. Ye shant pass test, give up now.” Someone mentioned the ghosts, and Farley muttered, “Evil spirits. The spirits haunt me dreams. I shant have thee cluttering me mind with these lies.” Orchid told him, “We can stop the spirits, but only with your help.” Farley said, “This map I give thee, ye not find treasure,” and then asked who was the leader among us. We told him that it was Mayor Orchid. Farley continued: “Ye not find this treasure, even me unable. If thee finds this treasure, me give what ye ask. Bring to me the completed map along with all gems and drink. If thee do this, me take to fake orc chest.” Orchid replied, “Its a deal.” Farley gave Orchid a tattered treasure map, muttered “Now begone from me hut,” and went back inside to resume his drinking.

We discussed what to do next and how we were going to find a treasure hunter. Lenknat’s father, a master cartographer named Maximun, came to see if he could help. Maximun tried to read the map and then announced, “Tis too difficult.” He told us that only a grandmaster cartographer could read the map. From this we knew that it was one of the most difficult types of treasure maps in the lands and that getting the treasure would involve fighting several of the toughest monsters in Britannia.

Several people sent messages via pigeon to friends to help locate a grandmaster cartographer, without any success. It quickly became clear that finding one could take awhile. Several of us went to the Wandering Wisp tavern to discuss the situation further over a good drink. Orchid decided that we should continue our search for a cartographer and return to the Wisp in two hours.

I went home get supplies for the hunt. When I returned to the Wisp, no qualified cartographer had yet been located. Callisto Gabriel soon had a lead and gave the information to Orchid. The Mayor contacted this cartographer, and he agreed to help us. Orchid brought the cartographer, named Cotton Picka of LoT, to the Wisp.

Cotton read the map and told us that the treasure was buried on a small island between Britain and Trinsic. We located two boats and then went to Leiah’s Rune Library. A rune was found to a nearby island so that our sailing time would be shorter. We gated to the island and then boarded the boats. Most of the people got on the first boat. I boarded the second boat with a few of my guildmates. We tried to keep up with the first boat, but managed to get lost. I was able to get the coordinates of the first boat via pigeon and then we were on our way again.

When we caught up with the first boat, they were already at the island and the treasure hunt was in progress. The corpses of several monsters lay on the shore. I witnessed the deaths of a lich lord and two elder gazers before the treasure hunt was over. All the loot was gathered, and we then gated back to the Wisp.

Mayor Orchid let each person chose one of the magic items from the loot as a reward for helping with the quest. She then asked us all to meet back at the Wisp tomorrow night at 8 o’clock to see if we can locate Farley again and show that we have passed his test.

This Sunday proved to be a very long day for me. I was glad to go home and get some rest, though it was an adventure not to forget!

-Gwendolyn

 

Draft of Book of Destiny story…

By Wolf

As a young boy, I lived a peaceful life in a small village known as Paws, between Trinsic and Britain. That is, until the days of Thornewood and the attack of the orcs. History books tell of the orc attack and how the village was destroyed. But few know the full story of evil, deception, and death…

When the orcs attacked, the men hid the women and children in barns and cellars, and then sent a call for help to the Paladins of the Trinsic Honor Guard. But the message never arrived.

Running to Trinsic, the messenger found a Guardsman on the trail and begged him to call the Guard to aid Paws. The Guardsman wheeled his horse, glowered down at the panting man, and struck him down with a single blow! For this Guardsman was an imposter who had infiltrated the Guard’s ranks. It was he that led the orcs against the town. His name was Thornewood.

Not knowing the messenger’s fate, the men and many of the women of Paws fought bravely against the waves of orcs that attacked their homes and families. But they never stood a chance against the horde. Blood ran freely over doorsteps and through the streets. Men, women and children were all cruelly slaughtered. And the mysterious Guardsman was never seen again.

In the end, Trinsic’s Honor Guard did learn of the attack and arrived to find the orcs in the last stages of the obliteration of Paws. Hartham himself strode through town demolishing orcs and searching for survivors. In one of the few houses not burned to the ground he beheaded an orc that had just killed some poor, brave woman of Paws. The story has been told that as Hartham turned to leave, he heard a sound under the floorboards. Tossing aside a rug he ripped open the trapdoor, ready to attack any vile creatures below. And there he found a young boy. Apparently, he was the sole survivor of the once peaceful town of Paws. His name was Crawworth, and Hartham raised the boy as his own. Years later Crawworth achieved notoriety in the battles against the Followers of the Armageddon, and in the initial explorations of the newly found Lost Lands, where he was eventually killed.

What many people have never known was that Crawworth was NOT the only survivor of Paws. Indeed, several years ago, it was discovered that Farley, a half-mad drunk living in the swamps, had been hidden in the woods as a child and was overlooked by the orcs. When the Knights of Sosaria were building their town of Elysium on the ruins of Paws, Farley played a part in quelling the angry cries of ghosts that rose up to complain to the people of Trinsic for not sending aid during the attack. He eventually told them of the false paladin who betrayed both Trinsic and Paws, thus finally allowing the ghosts to rest in peace. But soon after, Farley disappeared and has been seen no more.

I know this story well. It’s a dramatic history lesson that I’ve followed all my life. But it’s like the surface of a deep pool….it’s only a small part, the beginning of the story. Many may know that my daughter, Nova, and I founded the Knights of Sosaria and that we built our homes in Elysium, on the ruins of Paws. Few know much more about my history, and how I came to be drawn to the area. Perhaps by now you’ve guessed…

I am another survivor of the devastation of Paws.

 

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Few people know, or ever knew, that the small town of Paws held much more than taverns and shops. Deep in the woods west of town was a small, plain looking house. Tucked away in a thicket, most never even saw that it was there; but if they did, it looked so ordinary they paid little attention to it. Just a cottage inhabited by a few old men, living out the ends of their days telling each other stories of when they were young. Or so it seemed. But hidden away inside was a great secret.

Those men weren’t just telling stories of old lovers and historic battles. They were scholars and mages who had dedicated their entire lives to hiding, protecting, and understanding an artifact far older they. They called themselves the Elysians. Long ago they had joined this sect and vowed to give their very lives for this thing.

It was book. No one knew how old it was, nor where it came from. It was titled “The Book of Destiny”. After years, even generations, no one was able to decipher any more than that. It seems the title could be easily read, but the script inside was unfamiliar to anyone who ever saw it. They didn’t know if it was in code, or some ancient language unknown to anyone living.

But why had these men, and many others before them, dedicated their lives to a book that no one could even read? What made it so special? Miraculously, the book was sentient. At least, it could speak! Which is not to say that it would converse on mundane topics of daily life or even speak all the time, but it would speak. And more, it seemed to know of things throughout the lands, and perhaps even throughout time! I gather it spoke of historic events, and even seemed to warn of dangers to come.

I don’t know much more about the book. The only reason I know of it at all is because when I was a very young boy I was befriended by Thomas, one of the Elysians. Young as I was, I’ll never forget the time he took me in to see the Book; or perhaps it was for the Book to see me, I’ll never know. I thought it was a fair bit of magic when I heard it speak, though I was chilled to the bone by what it said. “Death soon surrounds this one.” A week later, Paws was attacked.

Looking back, I think Thomas must have hoped I would succeed him. And in a way, I have. I’ve dedicated my life to finding that book. You see, during the attack on Paws The Book of Destiny disappeared.

 

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I woke up to sounds of my father shouting in the next room. Mother was shaking me. “Wake up, wake up! We have to run!” She dragged me out of bed and into the main room. Papa pushed a large knife into my hands. It was like a sword to me. “Richard! He’s only seven!”

“Old enough, if need be. Don’t worry, you’ll both be safe there. And the Honor Guard will have word soon. Now go!” She kissed him, and grabbed me by the hand. In a daze, I tried to keep up as we ran out the back and headed through the woods. I glanced back to see my father pulling out his great viking sword that usually hung over the door.

“Orcs are attacking! And hundreds more where seen skirting ‘round the swamps. We have to go see Thomas,” she panted, “He’ll keep you safe”

As we rushed along, I remember hearing shouts in town to the south. Then some of the shouts turned to screams. We kept running. Thomas and the Elysian’s house never seemed so far.

Mother stopped short. Somewhere ahead we heard heavy footsteps, leather, and steel. Dragging me into the bushes, she said, “Stay down here. If they look this way, I’ll lead them south. When they go out of sight, run to Thomas’s house! I’ll meet you there.” I started to cry for her not to leave me, but she covered my mouth.

Orcs came around the bend at a slow trot. I had never seen an orc up close. They looked huge and mean. My hand tighten in fear around Papa’s knife. Just as they came past us, one of them stopped and turned, sniffing the air. “Remember to find Thomas” she whispered. Then Mother jumped up and ran across the path and into the trees. The orcs growled and followed her. I was frozen with shock and fear. Then finally, I got up and ran on.

I found Thomas and the others outside their house, listening to the sounds of battle in the near distance. “We have to prepare to leave”, they said.

“We can’t leave. Mother is coming! And the Honor Guard will be here soon.”

“They won’t get here in time, boy. We must protect the Book. I pray your good mother will be alright, but we must leave. And the Book tells us that you must come with us. Let’s get inside quickly!”

“Inside? I thought we had to leave? But I can’t leave my family and my home!”

Thomas comforted me, “We have to go, boy. Your parents would want you to be safe. And this is a great mission you are about to embark on.” He smiled. “We will leave by going inside. Come along and you’ll see.” We went in and he explained, “There is great power protecting this house, but even so, to protect the Book we have to prepare to teleport far away. In fact, we will prepare a spell to travel to another land. One where no other men of Brittania have yet gone. A mirror image of this world, but unknown to men. But since the Book has chosen you, I should tell you more about it, while the others prepare to leave.”

While the other Elysians packed the Book and some other belongings in backbacks, Thomas told me a little about the Book. “Some say the Book came from this other land ages ago. While the Book can talk, it often speaks in cryptic phrases that take careful study to understand. And even though the title can be read by all, we cannot yet translate the writing inside. And the Book can’t, or won’t, tell us what’s written inside. It’s believed to be a language from before all known history. Or even a language from some unknown land. We had hoped to search this alternate world for scrolls of translation that the Book tells us exist somewhere. I suppose that now we’ll get the chance to do just that. Come, it looks like we are ready.”

We sat in a circle and the men began chanting a spell unlike any I had ever heard. Then as they chanted, a stranger stepped into the circle. “I am Thornewood” he said, “I have come for the Book of Destiny! I can not let you leave!”

The Elysians looked up in fear, but they didn’t stop their chant. The one called Thornewood reached behind his head and pulled a strange wand from his pack. He held it high and also began to chant. The competing words of power rose to a crescendo just as I was covering my ears in pain and fear, Thomas pushed me back out of the circle. At that moment, it seemed there was a powerful explosion! I don’t remember much more after that.

The next thing I remember was wandering in the woods far from home. For months I struggled just to survive alone in the wilds, with occasional help from rangers and lumberjacks. I befriended a young wolf cub who’s mother was killed by hunters. As I grew, men began to call me Wolf, just like my constant companion. Eventually, I was able to find my way back to Paws. Or at least, where Paws once stood. And I found the remains of the Elysians house. There was little left of it. And certainly no sign of Thomas or the Book. But somehow I knew that the Book had not been destroyed, and vowed I would devote my life to finding it again.

And now the Book of Destiny has been found. After being gone for months, my daughter Nova returned with the Book. Then she disappeared again. I don’t know where she found the Book, or where she has gone, I can only hope she is safe and will return to us someday soon. Nova told us she was pursued by great danger and that we should keep the Book safe.

The Knights of Sosaria will devote ourselves to protecting the Book, and to understanding its revelations. And we will now search for the translation, for I hope that it may be found somewhere in Trammel. But even without it, the Book can tell us many things. Soon, when all safe precautions can be taken, we hope to make the Book of Destiny accessible to all the people of Sosaria. This is a great moment in history. And perhaps our own destiny will be revealed.