In the wee hours (according to my internal body clock)
of the 24th day of the 9th month, Puddleby was viciously attacked by rank
of Demonic Vermine, Orga, and even an Abyssal Hunter. Here's what I witnessed:
I happened to be in the North Field, slaying a few slimetubes (slugs) when
much yelling arose to the south. MUCH yelling. There were huge numbers
of Demonic Vermine attacking town and bodies were apparently dropping like
the proverbial flies!
Feeling some responsibility to my fellow companions,
and even the town (though I'm rather new in the area), I ran down to see
what I could do to help. Upon nearing the center of town, my ears were
pricked and my fur was standing straight on end. Something was definitely
afoot. Or a-paw, as it were. Those hellish yellow vermine were running
circles around most of Puddleby's finest and bloodied bodies were strewn
about like scattered corn for farm chickens. When two of those jaundiced
little beasts focused in on me, I did what any good fighter would do: turned
tail and ran. There was no way I could be of help in THAT situation.
I met up with Mega on the north side of town and we hurriedly looked for
reinforcements. The hive was 
empty, the north fields were empty, nobody was answering our calls. For
a minute, we pondered the thought that perhaps it was too late... that
we were the only two left standing! Mega thought we should head around
to the east side of town, so we made haste. Upon nearing the eastern entrance
we happened upon 5 other citizens who were finishing off an Orga and trying
to recover. With little planning (and much pressure), we ran back into
town to see what the situation was like.
Worse. More bodies littered the ground and the demonic
vermine were still running rampant. There were also several Orga milling
about. We took a few bad hits and then regathered and tried again. I was
frightened that perhaps there were too many of them.
Suddenly voices arose from the northwest part of
town! Scared voices. A giant red skeleton was spotted (those who spied,
died) and it was moving fast! Several of us looked at each other in disbelief.
How could this get worse? Somebody thought it was the fabled Abyssal Hunter,
but a positive identification was hard due to the death brought about by
it's proximity. Then, without warning, it was upon us... I tried
to attack -- in vain. One swift strike and I was massively wounded by the
beast from hell. I could only wait... and watch... and bleed...
It was such a traumatic sight! But all I could do was observe. It was running
willy-nilly, hell-bent on killing. The last thing I saw was Tori sprinting
by with the red death hot on her trail. That image is stuck in my little
feline mind... With little notice, the attack was suddenly over. A few
healers started getting people back on their feet and soon a mass of people
had gathered in the square. Turns out that an Orga Shaman has summoned
the attack on Puddleby and we were all at his mercy until somebody took
him out. Good thing, too, as there was not a whole lot left to do (except
decompose slowly in the sun should no rescue arrive). I am unsure of what
prompted this malicious attack, but I vow to train myself ever harder,
push myself beyond my limits, so I am better prepared in the future. I
would advise all to do the same. We were weak and we suffered greatly.
To all who healed and fought, I personally thank you. We rallied together
and we fought bravely. Next time (hopefully not) we'll be ready.
Whoever took out the Orga Shaman, you deserve public adoration!
Huzzah!
-- Kestrel
Greetings and Well Met!
I did not intend to write again so soon, but recent
events compelled me to once again put my thoughts on paper. After all,
it is not every day one has personal contact with the Ancients.
Yesterday, while meditating within the temple in
Puddleby, I felt a strange change in the pressure of the air and heard
a commotion outside. Exiting, I hurried to the center of town where a small
group had formed around the strangest being I have yet seen in the lands.
It was a glowing blue sphere, roughly fen'neko sized, which spoke in perfectly
understandable language. It's name hammered itself into my brain without
even asking: Xusirevert.
I had heard rumors of this strange Ancient, but
nothing could have prepared me for this encounter. Apparently he has spent
most of his life in the Astral Plane, but came to our world to find out
more about us. He seemed interested in the everyday life in Puddleby, asking
if this was the area people gathered and if there were any others. I answered
to the best of my ability, as did a few others, but unfortunately the majority
of exiles were behaving in the most unseemly manner towards our visitor.
Everyone seemed focused on obtaining favors or information from Xusirevert
instead of helping him understand our lives.
One particularly rude Gorak Zo (I was as shocked
as you) named Stone went to the extreme of cursing and even threatening
Xusirevert. He appeared to take this in stride, but when Stone persisted
in his behavior (despite requests from myself and another to stop), Xusirevert
asked Stone if he would like to see his home. Everyone appeared very excited
to visit the home of Xusirevert, and he said everyone who wanted to go
should stand next to him.
My friends, I tried to warn them. Even this humble
fen'neko knew that Xusirevert was not doing this out of the kindness of
his heart. It was a lesson, hard as many lessons are that come from these
powerful souls. Before I could say more than a short warning, I found myself
walking through the pearly mist of the Astral, along with a small group
of unfortunate exiles. Here other beings similar to Xusirevert flew effortlessly
through the air, striking down any in their path. I used my sunstone to
send a message to Xusirevert that I had no intention of wanting to come
here, but no answer was forthcoming.
Hastening about, completely lost, I managed to avoid
the deadly spheres until I saw an area of red mist up ahead. Thinking it
to be the exit, I ran forward.
I don't have the words to describe the Abyss I found
myself in. Fire, smoke, screams... it was very quick. Undine rushed about
me, and I was brought down by golden daemonic vermine completely unseen
in the confusion in a matter of seconds. I lay dying with other dead exiles
around me, all of whom soon let their Spirits depart. Two of note stayed
to keep me company for a short while, Binoche and Joy, but they too soon
left. I will not lie to you, I did not leave because I was afraid for my
soul. How was I to know that a Spirit departing in this foul Hell would
find itself back to Purgatory and not some far worse place. Terrified,
I stayed.
Amazingly, Xusirevert's booming voice entered my
head, speaking to me alone. "Are there any coming to rescue you?" he asked.
"Just answer out loud."
"No," I said. "I don't think anyone can reach me
here."
A second later, I found myself in Purgatory, fully
healed, without my Spirit leaving my body. To my knowledge, this was the
only time anyone has left the Abyss without departing, and I am indebted
to Xusirevert for his generosity. I don't know why he did it, the Ancients
are impossible to fathom, but I think there is a lesson in that I did not
ask for help, I was as polite and humble with him as I knew how, and I
did my level best to give him the information he was looking for. I can
only wonder at what he must think of us with the rabble he was subjected
to in town.
Think before you act, my friends, for all our sakes...
Good Hunting!
Pharazon of Fen'Norlan
Clan Rising Claw
Let's see now, how shall I begin; "Once upon a time...", no, no too unreal; perhaps "In the beginning...", no too serious; well I'll spare you this part; suffice it to say: A long, long time ago it came to pass that the Ancients created a land, a land of enchantment and mystery. In this land they also created a great peoples capable of anything. They were divided into 7 groups: "The People", Thoom, Men, Hobbits, Dwarves, Sylvan, and the Gorak Zo. I won't go into the rich details of every race, simply put they all have their distinctive backgrounds and special abilities. Now as these things came to pass i was summoned, not by the Ancients mind you, but of something else I know not what, and by this I came to be. My physical form was that of "The People", as they are so called, but my mind and spirit were of a different nature (which I will speak of later). As time passed I began calling myself "Forgoten" being as old as the earth and being of no lineage, but also because of the few people I encounter and actually take tome to talk to and train with, to them I am always a friend to others I am merely another face in the crowd. My mind was more complex than any of you can possibly imagine, the things that go through my mind are no to be spoken of, my turmoil is not meant for mortal men, but despite this fact I am always cheerful, ready to help a friend or defend the weak this is what I live for. My spirit is always in conflict with my mind, it is always hopeful and loving while my mind is full of despair, I hope one day to find someone to share my life with in every detail, but until then my life is no ones save mine to observe. Finally in closing I wish you all the best of luck, you can expect to hear from me in the future, but until then, Fare thee well.
-----Forgoten
"Nothing in life is impossible, put your mind to it and you can
accomplish anything"
As many exiles know Flame the fire drake came to
the island. While many gatherd to hear if he would spout poetry like
midsummer, others came to attack. After bieng wounded Flame took to flight,
vanishing from the island. Just after Flame left we recived a personal
meesage from him "Midsummer is evil, I shall return tto protect from
her evils."
We ask all of the exiles to first hear out hte drakes
then kill them.
EL Chupacabras
Clan of the Rising Claw
I have scribbled me latest
thoughts on an old crumpled up piece of parchment found lying on top of
me rickety, uneven writing desk (Me desk is in desperate need of replacing,
for one leg is shorter than the rest and I find it unbearably difficult
to concentrate whilst I am overtaken by a creative outburst). Putting that
aside, I hope your scribe finds it legible, and not creased beyond recognition,
enabling me thoughts to be read.
What I am about to say may
shock you. In fact, what I am about to reveal continues to shock me 'til
this very day. And yet, I cannot keep it a secret any longer. The fact
that I have held it to meself for this long, only goes to show that I am
now quite certain that there is something significant occurring within
the realm of me existence.
If you do not know it by
now, I have been exiled on this vermin infested, fresh produce lacking,
speck of an island for such an extended period of time that me memory fails
to recall how and when I first arrived ( I do seem to remember it somehow
involved legumes, but I cannot quite put me finger, paw, mit, hoof or digit
on it). Alas I digress, and when I say digress, I mean I drift off topic,
like a sailboat drifting onto the shores of Puddleby itself (which reminds
me, I be needing to get me boat onto the ocean sometime soon, as me soul
yearns for the calming influence of the waves on me nerves). Where was
I? Oh yes, me revelation of the forces that are conspiring against me.
Let me think.....I guess
it may have started back when I first set foot into Puddleby. Under me
first guise of many (for as you see, I have mastered the art of disguise,
by magical methods of course, thereby keeping one step ahead of the blasted
conspirators, yet this process takes quite a large amount of spiritual
energy to accomplish, therefore I cannot do it as often as I would like).
Have I wandered off topic once more? How unfortunate. Let me return to
what I be trying to explain here.
It is quite obvious. There
seem to be those who find it necessary to make me life difficult whenever
the opportunity arises. For instance, the moment I placed me right limb
onto the surf of Puddleby's shore, I have been fraught by attempt after
attempt on me life. I have had to be quick of wit, and a little on the
fortunate side to avoid being stomped into the earth like an insignificant
insect (Although one can hardly say that Myrms be insignificant, and for
that matter, Wurms as well!)
Whether it had been a bloodthirsty
pirate, ("Play nice" indeed! What in damnation was he referring too?),
a rather devious and famished Orga (Not ripe enough was I? Grrr), or even
a so called "spirit lord" (Now, lord you may be, but sometimes me wonder
where your spirit lie), I am the target of many a personal attack, with
the infliction of almost but not quite mortal wounds. These not be all
the incidents I can recall, for me memory fails me sometimes, amongst other
things. Methinks someone, or something be having a little fun. Well, I
be here to say, as the vegetable I am and always will be, that I will no
longer brush these incidents off as mere coincidence. I have taken notice,
and beware, for I have also taken action!
What do I be plotting you
may ask? I not be that foolish (although some of me past deeds may be at
odds with the statement in which I be interrupting here) as to boldly blurt
out what I plan to do as retaliation for the past offenses against me.
And yet, I may be unstable enough to give the forces conspiring against
me a subtle hint. Think GHERKINS! I shall say no more, for I hope to catch
some, if not all of them off guard. They shall have to find out for themselves.
Drat! I have spilt me ink all over the rest of the blasted parchment. It
seems me tale ends about here....
Rutabaga, a healer