General Janar

Bishop

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

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

The Gate to Tarna

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

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

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

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

Goblin Attack

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

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

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

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

UPCOMING EM EVENTS:

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

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

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

Meeting Krett

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

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

Sentinel 868

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

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

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

Filanium

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

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

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

Beatrice

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

Mokpo

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

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

Michael’s Detector

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

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

Xenve Anamolem

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

Shrine of Spirituality

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

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

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

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

The Frozen Gate

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…”

Elemental Battle

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.

Anodunos

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.

The Warm Body

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!

John Knighthawke

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.

Tanda Knighthawke

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.

The Ceremony

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!

The Reception

This evening, Sarah Paumera and Royal Spymaster Magnus Grey announced that several of the Royal Spies had been granted honors that are recorded upon the . These honors currently consist of three different Orders and Honors: The Most Noble Order of the Ivy, the Most Ancient Order of the Trail, and the Most Honourable Order of the Bloodhound.

According to Spymaster Grey, the Most Noble Order of the Ivy is bestowed upon those who have handled among the most difficult of spy missions, the infiltration of the enemy. The Order of the Ivy has four ranks: Knight Grand Sword of the Ivy, Knight of the Ivy, Commander of the Ivy, and Officer of the Ivy. The Most Ancient Order of the Trail is awarded, according to Spymaster Grey, to those Royal Spies who have performed activities in the arena of scouting and other activities. The Order of the Trail has four ranks which are, from highest to lowest, Knight Grand Ankh of the Trail, Knight of the Trail, Commander of the Trail, and Officer of the Trail. Finally, Spymaster Grey noted that the Most Honourable Order of the Bloodhound is granted upon those who have excelled at investigation and detective work. The four ranks of the Order of the Bloodhound are Exalted Bloodhound, Distinguished Bloodhound, Accomplished Bloodhound, and Recognized Bloodhound.

Spymaster Grey indicated that these honors are for “activities above and beyond normal spy missions,” often taking place “between missions.” Grey added that there are likely to be future honors added to the list, but that these three distinguishments are in line with the most recent activities of the Royal Spies. Among those honored, there are a few who have, according to Grey, “gone above and beyond the call of duty, time and time again,” and have been recognized with higher ranks and multiple honors.

Distinguished names on the honors list presently are: Galen, CI, OT, RBH; Malag aste, CI, OT, RBH; Martyna Z’muir, CI, OT, RBH; and Neptune, OI, OT, RBH. Galen, Malag aste, and Martyna have each achieved the second rank in the Order of the Ivy, and first rank in both the Order of the Trail and Order of the Bloodhound. Neptune has achieved the first rank in all three orders. Several others recognized have achieved ranks in two of the three orders.

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 22 January 2013 at 8:00 PM (Central).

Damion the Necromancer

Royal Spymaster Magnus Grey summoned the Royal Spies this evening to follow up on a prior adventure to locate the remains of a blackrock prism that had crashed into Fire Isle near the Demon Temple.  “While the prism didn’t seem to cause any permanent harm when it returned to Britannia, the King believes this is a problem, and has tasked you with working with an expert to repair it,” Grey told the assembled crowd.  When the expert was revealed to be one Damion, a necromancer of ill repute, several of the spies seemed to question the wisdom in relying upon him.  Grey acknowledged that Damion’s Umbran roots were the source of trust issues, he also noted that King Blackthorn believed working with him was “a necessary evil.”

The assembled spies proceeded to Blackthorn’s Castle, and met up with the necromancer.  After a lengthy conversation with initial suggestions of time travel or hundreds of years searching Fire Isle for the remaining fragments in order to restore the prism, Damion finally noted that he had an idea that seemed to be of merit.  Experimenting with a small piece of blackrock, Damion noted, “For a moment, the blackrock [prism fragments] on the table seemed to transfer the spell to this other piece.”  While that piece eventually exploded, it gave Damion hope that were a new prism grown from crystalline blackrock and formed in the appropriate shape, the spell within that prism might transfer into the new one.

Vas-Lap-Lem of Minoc

With that information in hand, the Royal Spies were tasked with accompanying Damion into Malas to locate a pure heart from a greater crystalline elemental or two.  Although the task seemed daunting, the spies quickly performed the task, and then accompanied Damion to Minoc in order to secure a mining claim for blackrock.  Vas-Lap-Lem, the gargoyle in charge of claims in and around Minoc, responded to the request for a blackrock claim, noting, “That is unusual and restricted.”  However, learning that the assembled spies were a part of the Ministry of Security, Vas-Lap-Lem acquiesced to the request.  Damion seemed excited to be owner of a blackrock mine, but Martyna Z’muir, a member of the spies, reminded him, “You do not [own the mine].  You are an agent of the crown.”

The mine itself was located through the Minoc pass into the Lost Lands, where a huge deposit of crystalline blackrock was found.  Damion quickly realized that something was eating the deposit, and in short order, huge, mutated beasts returned for another meal.  With coordinated effort, the Royal Spies easily dispatched them, and Damion recovered the necessary blackrock components.

Krett the Tinker

The last stage of the mission turned out to be locating a tinker who could build a mold to shape the crystalline growth.  Vas-Lap-Lem suggested reaching out to Krett, a local tinker at Gears and Gadgets, who seemed at first challenged by the problem, but then came up with an potential solution.  “Did you ever grow crystals as a kid?  From salt or sugar?” Krett asked, “And notice how they grow on everything?”  Noting that power crystals used by creatures inhabiting the Exodus dungeon were likely grown, Krett indicated the method to make them had never been closely studied because getting ahold of them was so easy.  However, a special process was certainly used in creating them, and so an excursion to the home of Exodus was the final step in order to find a device used to create power crystals.  Quickly making their way to the dungeon, the Royal Spies readily dispatched Crystal Growth Overseers within who had exactly the devices that Krett felt necessary to institute his plan.

With everything in hand, Krett set about to work on the device to form the crystal, which Damion will then use to create a duplicate prism.  Work for the evening done, the Royal Spies returned to their base to report in to Spymaster Grey.  The spies reported the details of the mission, with Galen adding “Damion will betray us before this is over,” prompting Grey to set additional guards to watch over Damion’s actions.  Though the future is uncertain, the plan to restore the blackrock prism is well on its way.

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 22 January 2013 at 8:00 PM (Central).

Magnus Grey and Sarah Paumera convening the meeting of the Royal Spies’ promotion ceremony.

Lord Magnus Grey and Lady Sarah Paumera convened a special meeting of the Royal Spies in the throne room of King Blackthorn’s castle for the purpose of recognizing the active members of the Royal Spies in a promotion ceremony.  The first order of business was the reading of a declaration from King Blackthorn regarding the Royal Spies.  “By order this day in the year 484,” Lord Grey announced from a royal scroll, “I approve the new charter for the Royal Spies and promote its provisional leader, Magnus Grey, to Royal Spymaster.  May they continue to protect Britannia from all of our enemies.  Signed, King Blackthorn.”

A member of the Royal Spies receiving a special token of promotion.

With the announcement out of the way, Royal Spymaster Grey and Lady Paumera began calling forth the members of the Royal Spies for promotion.  Each promoted member recieved a special token — a pair of leather ninja pants in the color of the Royal Spies — emblazoned with each member’s individual rank.

After the ceremony concluded, Royal Spymaster Grey and Lady Paumera invited the Royal Spies back to their base located beneath the western Counselors Hall in Britain (reached by secret passage opened via the suit of armor) to discuss some of the great things expected in the days to come.

The Royal Spies meet on most Tuesdays at 8:00 PM (Central) beneath the Britain Counselors Hall in West Britain (just outside of 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 15 January 2013 at 8:00 PM (Central).