The following was posted on Stratics Catskills EM Forum  and on EM Barnaby and EM Leonidas’ Website

by Barnaby

King Blackthorn has requested the assistance of Detective Thorpe in discovering a solution to the problem in the fields of Skara Brae.

Please visit Thorpe in his office in Serpent’s Hold. This event can be done at any time between now and early on Thursday, November 1st.

For more details on the Investigator system, consult the EM Website.

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Tomorrow we are all a part of history! The majority of us know how old Stratics is and here are some interesting facts Stratics.

Stratics will be hosting a Livestream tomorrow at 2:00pm EST, 1:00 pm CST, 11:00 am PST and 7:00 pm BST and the thread to share their own memories.

Stratics encourages anyone interested to attend. During this live hangout, Stratics will be giving away beta keys, merchandise, and a brand new Razer Naga gaming mouse.

You won’t want to miss the festivities.  Happy 15th Anniversary Stratics!

by Barnaby

It was the cool Autumn air that had brought Andrew from his manor this afternoon. He strolled the streets of Britain, his home, unable to recall the last time he was able to do such in peace. There were still some who protested in the streets, but much of the discontent that had plagued the land in the past year had subsided – departing with the oppressive heat of an unusually warm summer. He smiled as a small group of children ran past him, chasing each other over the cobblestone path he walked. Things were not yet back to normal – what constituted “normal” he was unsure – but the air was no longer thick with despair. Blackthorn had returned from his journey of the land and immediately began directing efforts to distribute food and medical aid where it was most needed. With the immediate symptoms treated, efforts were turning to some of the root causes of what ailed the realm. A cautious hope had come to Britannia, and Andrew shared in it.

As he rounded the corner near the Salty Dog tavern, he spotted a familiar face through the window. This person had seen Andrew, too, and gestured for him to wait.

************

The Knight Dupre stared into the bottom of an empty mug, as if frozen in a trance. Around him were the comforting, familiar sounds of a tavern. Some wondered why he drank as he did – was it to forget some horrible memory, or to distract himself from his exhausting, and at times gruesome, duty? Perhaps it was simply that underneath the legend that people saw in him, he was just a man who enjoyed a good time. In truth, he thought, it was all these things to some degree. But more than anything else, he took comfort in the atmosphere that came with drinking. The constant noise (be it from speech, instrument, or other device), the tasteless jokes, and the camaraderie – whether you called it a tavern, a pub, a bar, or a saloon, they were all the same. Language and race didn’t matter, if you could find comfort in these establishments it didn’t matter how far you traveled because you would never be far from home.

He was taken from his musings by a hard slap on the back, and the offer of a kind drunk to buy him another round. Dupre was about to oblige when he looked out the window and saw Sir Andrew looking back at him. He waved to the fellow knight and excused himself from the generous stranger.

************

“Join me for a round?” Dupre asked, as he exited the Salty Dog.

Andrew smiled broadly behind his great red beard, “Nay, another time though for sure. I was just out for a walk.”

“Then I shall join you. My legs could use a stretch,” Dupre responded as he stretched his back, stiff from having sat so long at a bench. “Tell me, do you still have reservations about what is to happen?”

“Don’t you?” Andrew inquired as he resumed his walk with new company.

Dupre chuckled before replying, “Yes, I suppose I do. But I also believe it is something that ought to be done. It is what is best for the Kingdom.”

“Perhaps, and I certainly stand with you on this decision. I just feel as though this is what he wanted from the start,” Andrew paused before finishing, “THAT is what makes me uneasy.”

“Fair enough,” Dupre nodded, “I don’t doubt that he had this in mind since his return. I also don’t doubt that he will act in the best interest of the people, however. If he feels that he should be the one, well, then I agree with him.”

The two men walked in silence for a few minutes, both in contemplation. They walked passed the Cavalry Guild, and approached the Great North Road. As they turned onto the road and neared its large bridge, Andrew broke the silence.

“And what of the philosophy he so famously espoused in the past? Are you to tell me you believe in that, too?” he questioned.

“I think…,” Dupre began, “I think that he sees that he cannot rule a kingdom with Chaos as its foundation – especially not THIS kingdom. But neither will he govern by Order through the Virtues. And if he has indeed been truthful, and it is truly only balance that he seeks, then the Virtues will continue to be the guiding light for the lives of every Britannian – though I imagine some of the conflicts of old may rise again.”

“And if he hasn’t been truthful?” Andrew asked, quietly.

Dupre nodded to his fellow knight’s sword and replied, “I see you still carry a blade, though you have called yourself ‘retired’. Do you plan on leaving it at home any time soon?”

Waiting for Andrew to shake his head, Dupre continued, “Neither do I. I nearly ran him through when I first saw him upon his return, but he has earned my trust – until such a time as he loses it.”

Both men stopped when they realized where their walk had brought them.  Across a great moat, rising impressively into the sky, was the new Castle Blackthorn.

Dupre clapped Andrew on the shoulder and exclaimed, “But enough of this talk! It is wise to hold some reservations. But for now we have a party that needs planning! Everyone will be coming.”

Andrew nodded as he stared at the magnificent structure in front of him. It was a cautious hope he held, but it was hope nonetheless.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Castle Blackthorn

WHEN: Sunday, October 14th

TIME: 7pm EST

_____________________________

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by Barnaby

Blackthorn could feel the tension as soon as he entered the room – it hit him as a strong wave might strike a ship, temporarily giving him pause.

Gathered before him in one of the meeting rooms of this new castle, his new castle, were the remaining nobles and leaders of Britannia. Most were good men and women, some were not. Their character mattered little, though, in the face of their failure to come together on the problems that beset the realm. Protests. Violent riots. Crime. This was not the Chaos that Blackthorn had championed for all those years, but rather something darker, bordering on a dangerous anarchy where few looked out for any interests save their own. Temporarily lost in thought, he almost didn’t hear when one of those gathered spoke:

“The last time we were summoned to a castle by a man wearing robes, things didn’t go so well,” a rather severe looking woman in her middle years stated accusingly.

Blackthorn studied his dark robes briefly, recalling that not long ago someone professing to be a healer helped to establish a new Council in order to try and control it. “Surely you recognize me though, Lady Constance,” he replied to the noblewoman from Minoc.

Before she could speak, another replied, “Ah, but that is the problem, is it not? You appear to be Lord Blackthorn. Yet you do not look the same as the last time you were seen. You will understand if we don’t quite trust you,” this from a thin, balding man clothed in pure black.

“Of course,” Blackthorn nodded, his jaw only a little clenched. “I had hoped that Dupre would explain my situation to you before I arrived, Halabi.”

So prompted, the Knight stood from his chair at the long dark slate table that the group was assembled around, “The Vizier is well aware of the situation with Exodus, and your imprisonment. He simply seeks to try and show his power by implying that his trust is even desirable – he has a tendency to forget that he is merely the emissary of the Sultan of Nujel’m and not the Sultan himself,” Dupre growled.

Halabi’s retort was cut short as another stood from his seat and spoke, palms out as if to ward off an attack, “I believe what Vizier Halabi means to say, in his own way, is that deserved or not, you are seen as a villain in the eyes of many. There is much discontent among the people as it is, and the sudden appearance of a new Castle Blackthorn and the rumor of the return of its’ Lord has not been met with joy by many. I think it would be best if perhaps you explained why you summoned us, and what your intentions are now that you have returned.”

“Very well. But first let me say that I am happy to see you still living, Sir Andrew. I remember your exploits as a knight very well,” Blackthorn smiled as the old knight chuckled. “As you have said, there are those who would sooner see me dead than see me reclaim my title and noble responsibility. I understand this. I also understand that our land is troubled. I want to end these troubles. I will not do it as Lord Blackthorn, however, but rather as you see me now – a Healer. I shall leave tomorrow evening on this quest across Britannia. I will visit the various towns and attempt to understand the problems that plague them, and endeavor to find the solutions to those problems. This will not be done as a noble  sending edict from on high, but rather as a man who will listen to the concerns of the people, for their problems are his as well. Perhaps then, I will be rehabilitated in the eyes of those who hold doubt.”

Blackthorn finished and studied the faces of the others, attempting to gauge their reaction. Some wore their skepticism overtly on their faces while others looked as though they were at least willing to give him a chance. He nodded, and left them to discuss his words amongst themselves. He had preparations to make.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`~~~

During the coming days Blackthorn will be walking across the Britannian mainland, ending in a town each evening.

 These encounters will be centered largely on Role Playing opportunities.

 Keep an ear out for news from Town Criers regarding his current location.

His journey starts late in the evening on October 20th.

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Catskills Sports Report

Updated – August 23, 2012

Here are the numbers for Baja.

Total cures turned in                        1470
Total participants                                  41
Highest #of cures turned in              214
Sashes awarded                                     41
Staves awarded                                     25
Amulets awarded                                    9
Bracers awarded                                     1

To see the original post from UO Herald click here.

This interview kicks off, what I hope to be, a series of interviews of Baja’s wonderful and creative residents and a tour of their home. If there is someone that you would like to see interviewed please send me a PM.

A Zombie is one of those people who make this game just so much more interesting and tries to make this game fun for others. Below is a brief interview with Zombie. I hope you enjoy it.

What was the inspiration for the zombie Mausoleum?  

A place to keep brain museums.  Plus zombies need a place to call home too, ya know?  (OOC I just like doing things umm differently and  I wasn’t aware of another “mausoleum” in existence)   Also being placed in Felucca gives non-allied players a chance to “tap the zombie” so to speak .  That’s right, I’m speaking to you “real tough guy!”

You’re charging a one brain fee to enter. Do you have visitors that actually donate a brain? I find that rather odd.

 Funny thing is, there are about 20 brains in the box.  And odd is my middle name. Wesley Odd Zombie the 3^rd_.

Why do you have exhibits on the Town Guards and the Girl Scouts? 

To prove to all the other zombie wannabes out there that I am one bad mutha…..   I chose the Town Guards because they are my sworn mortal enemies, and I wanted to make an example of what happens to those who dare try to thwart the zombie.  And I chose the EVIL girl scouts out of begrudging respect.  Compared to them I am like the bud light of evil.  There is also the added bonus of managing to creep out our last two EM’s.   That in itself is worth the effort.

How did you become a zombie? Do you have a girlfriend?

1^st part long story.

2^nd part  No… 2 words … Dry Rot.  I did have a special she zombie friend a while back.  But she claimed I only loved her for her brain so it didn’t last.

OK so how I became a zombie …  I was alive once, a simple farm hand to a family of nobles.  I fell in love with the beautiful daughter, Buttercup, but I had no means to support her.  So off I went to make my fortune.

 I fell in as an errand boy to a somewhat incompetent necromancer.  This was a huge mistake, becoming an apprentice to someone who calls himself “The Slug” simply can’t end well.  After an unfortunate accident involving demon blood, nightshade, blackrock, mongbat testicles and a cauldron, I woke up feeling kinda funny.  As time passed I realized that my flesh was decaying, I stank horribly and I had developed a real taste for living brains. I had also been freed from the mortal views of “virtue” and good and evil. 

To make a long story even longer, I returned to my family of nobles, and of course, ate their brains.  I offered Buttercup the chance for immortality, but she declined, citing the fact that immortality was far too malodorous for her liking.  I left her alone, since her brain would not have made even a decent midnight snack.  I then built myself a mausoleum and starting slinking around Britain, thinking that there might might be a few decent sized brains left there .

Has the way you play the game changed since you first started playing UO? If so, why and how?

Kinda OOC but I’ll answer anyway.   

I’ve been around since ’97 (beta actually) off and on. The game has evolved, obviously, and so have I.  I have gone from being a wide eyed newbie myself (back when you you couldn’t set skills, there were no guilds and spellbooks weren’t even blessed) to pking newbies in chicken form, ( I had a mage named “a chicken” for a while)   Then I got involved in an anti-pk guild (simply called the Knights, then Elder Knights, then Great Horny Toads)   The Great Horny Toads still exist today, but only 4 or 5 real people left and I have no desire to re-grow the guild.   I attempted (key word being attempted) PvP up until about the time of Samurai Empire, when things got too complicated for me.  Since then a few large guilds, UG.K, AFK/UTB 2 stints in C@S and M!S for a short time.  (I am in the Town Guards now) But the drama and rules of being in a large alliance got to me so since then I have been more or less on my own with a small group of trusted friends.

Who do you hang with ingame now? Or should I be asking.. who hangs out with zombies ingame?

Hey that’s not nice !!   *hmph*    I even took a bath about 100 or so years ago! 

Needless to say I try to hang out with whoever has a brain, but for some reason, those with brains tend to avoid me or just run away.  *sighs*

Who are some of the people that inspire you ingame?

Anyone who does their own thing and goes their own way really.  Corporal Brackus is a major role model, I have nothing but respect for the way he plays this game.  Handalf, of course.  Mama Faith, Jocasta, Al, you Amber, Sally the Pie Girl, and many more that I have either forgotten or just too lazy to list.

What do you enjoy doing ingame?

 Just relaxing and having fun.  EM events are always fun, and doing pretty much anything with my alliance mates, or other like minded people .  I’m not a PvPer, RPer or anything else.  I’m simply me, that’s all.

Anything else I should be asking that I’ve forgotten or that you would like to say?  

*moans *    *spits*   *squish*    *flaps*   OK I think I about covered  it.

A Tour of Zombie’s Mausoleum

The following was posted on Stratics Catskills EM Forum  and on EM Barnaby’s Website

Posted by EM Barnaby

Howdy folks.

Given that I am the only EM on Catskills for the moment (a situation that we are working on changing!), I am going to make an effort to give you a monthly calendar of sorts. I may not be able to provide all details of the event until it gets closer to the date, but at least this gives everyone a heads up that something is a’ foot.

July 12th, 12:01am EST – The “Midnight Marksman” archery tournament. Location is to be determined. This event is part of the ongoing Catskills Archery League – details are on the Catskills EM Site. PLEASE NOTE THE PROPER DAY FOR THIS. We will start registration late on Wednesday night, and begin the competition very early Thursday morning.

July 15th, Morning – To be determined. Check back later.

July 28th, 9pm EST – To be determined. Check back later.

I also would like hold a community meeting some evening this month. Once I figure out a date for that I will post it here along with the topic(s) for discussion.

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Well I learned something… after I recorded it. The software only records up to an hour at a time. So guess what? The end didn’t get recorded. But here is a good portion of it. The footage of the battle is pretty amazing and the sheer number of people engaged in battle was impressive. This was an epic battle!

Hope you see yourself somewhere!

The following was posted on Stratics Catskills EM Forum  and on EM Barnaby’s Website

by Barnaby

Citizens of Britannia!

The Sultan of Nujel’m cordially invites all to this year’s Festival  of Masks! Come with your best disguise and take in the beauty of  Nujel’m. The streets in front of the palace are open for all to enjoy a  night of merriment. As is tradition, it will be assumed that all those  wearing a mask are part of “The Game”. A replica of the great ruby, the Eye of Dahsk,  will secretly be given to one person to carry while all other attendees  try to find out who has it, steals it, and returns it to myself, Said Halabi, the  Master of Ceremonies and Vizier to the Sultan. The winner will receive a  special recognition of a value far greater than that of the replica Eye.

In addition, all brewers, distillers, and wine-makers are asked to  bring a barrel of their finest to share. After all have had a chance to  sample, a vote will be taken to declare the best!

The Festival begins promptly at 10pm EST, and will last two hours. Please note that this event takes place on the Felucca facet.

Sincerely,

The Grand Vizier to the All-Powerful and Very Handsome Sultan of Nujel’m

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