Tales from The Outpost

The Little Library of Guildmate Adventures (1997-2000)

Johanna's Spirit

by Hauntess

The halls of Hell, so narrow, so dark and damp..and although I cannot feel the stench of the rotten flesh and foul beasts, it wraps the stairs and walls with a thik cloud. Everything seems cursed, the air itself is a warning of an immense danger, not only to the body but even more so to the soul. My eyes catch the glimpses of quick shadows lurking in every crevice and cracks of the walls. Shadows that whisper, that taunt occasional warriors passing the halls. I can see them, I can hear their hearts beating like a bird in the cage, I can almost feel their pulse beating through the skin.They pass me by, and as i feel tiny charges tingling my skin that is not there, my heart calls out to warn them...But they slowly proceed ahead, not knowing of the danger that I have seen. I float further into the Hell's belly. Dark cloud that is thinly spread across the floor starts rising. Its cold, and I hear noise, a high pitched noise coming from all around me. I turn to the human and call out. The human is silent , his eyes light up at the site of the big rat scurrying in the corner. My voice that is heard by the dark cloud, however does not exist for the human. With a wild, greedy glow in his eyes he throws a dagger at the rat. The beast squeals miserably and leaving bloody trace on the stone floor crawls into the dark corner to die.

A grim smile shoots across human's face. Satisfyed, it seemed... I shivered, and floated higher to the ceiling, for the dark cloud started engulfing the room. I placed myself straight above the man, looking at his shiny armor lit by dim torches. The man stirred..and a noise came from the next room. Human drew his sword and leaned against the wall, patiently waiting. I sensed a large creature, I senced its hunger for blood and gold.

A massive ettin slowly walked into a room, sniffing the air, and growling at the shadows. I floated to the corner, to watch the battle. The man made a quick and skillfull attack at the beast, his first blow peircing the ettin's ribs. The ettin groaned, and charged towards the man...

I looked at the clowd, it grew thicker, but nor the ettin or human could see it. I could almost see the tentacles protruding from its gaseous mass, moving..waiting..slowly creeping upon the poor soul. It grew quiet, and only a light breeze rushed through the dark room, through the cracks and tiny windows, making howling sound. I looked at the figure in the center.

Human knealed before the slain ettin, his eyes burning almost red with greed, as he hurried to loot the gold off his kill. His movements left flickers across the room, and I noticed a second movement in the room. No, not saw, but felt..I felt another presence,a tiny electrical charge rushing through my weightless body...

The man was still knealing before the corpse of the beast, when suddenly a bolt shot through the room, piercing him right in the middle of his back. I noticed a glimpse of a shadow, cloaked in black, creeping slowly along the wall.

Wounded man make a gurgling noise, and twisted his body still on knealing, trying to reach the bolt sticking out of the back. His eyes were mad, filled with pain and fear.

The shadow silently moved closer to him, and I saw a blade cast a small sparkle off to the corner. The man dropped on his hands, blood dripping from his mouth, gold coins rolling away.

I saw a hand, reach out of the darkness and grab the man's hair. His head was jerked back,and at that moment he was looking straight at me. His eyes, supprised and pleading looked right at me, crying and screaming. I turned away, hearing the blade cut through the tight skin, through the flesh, through the bone. I saw blood sprourting on the wall across from me - grotesque fountain that made a disgusting splashing sound. The man let out his last gurgle and fell to the floor. The blood still dripped from his armor,sending tantalizing echo through the room. The dark cloud started moving around the corpse, its tentacles moving quickly about, in and out of the body as if it was not there. It seemed to be devouring the essence of the pile of guts and bones that once was a breathing human being. I turned away, as nausea filled my throat. Floating up to the ceiling I caught a glimpse of the dark shadow of the second man, collecting his victim's gold. The cirlce starts again, and the dark cloud awaits its next meal.

I pierced the slimy walls rushing up to the sun and fresh air of outside. It was releiveing, purifying, but i still could hear the whispers and laughter of the cold halls of Hythloth.

- Hauntess


Circle Continues...

by Hauntess

The young girl laughed, adoringly looking at her companion. Her red curls bounced as she ran cheerfully towards him, reflecting soft morning sun light.

He picked her up and hugging her closely whispered something in her year. She laughed again, little silver bells sending echo through the forest. Nature was waking up, stretching and blossoming with every leaf, flower fern. Everything is pure, and love..and light…

I landed on a branch of an old oak, to watch the two love-birds play. Hidden by the thick vegetation, I bathed in the sunlight washing throughout my weightless form. The couple was sitting right below me, chatting, chittering love struck fools.

He picked a flower and placed it gently in his lady’s hair. She blushed and smiled . I chuckled to myself seeing the lad’s embarrassment. The girl looked at him with nothing but pure adoration and said something. The lad blushed as well, and pushed her away playfully. The girl in her turn jumped and giggling started to run away. I moved closer to see the play, swiftly flying through the greenery of the trees.

The lad followed his love. Playfully hiding behind the bushes, started sneaking up on her. She leaned against the tree, not breathing , not making any sounds. Peeking occasionally from her cover, she saw him search the nearest bushes.

Suddenly a cold chill burst through the trees, making them whisper.. The leafs seemed troubled, the birds ripping out of the greenery abandoned their usual spots and soared up to the sky. The forest grew quiet - something was oddly wrong.

I looked about me, feeling the odd sense of danger. Familiar smell filled the air -smell of dread and death. I floated up higher to find the girl, and saw her still hiding behind the tree and looking for her companion. He was nowhere to be seen.

And then, the forest’s calm was interrupted by a terrible screeching sound. Rustling leaves and grasses, as if something large was moving quickly through the bushes towards the girl. The girl heard it as well. She turned around, and around to see what it was, going pale. She cried out her friend’s name, but he was too far away to hear it.

I floated even higher with hope to find the lad, and give him a warning. But there was something else that I saw, a large harpy moving quickly through the forest straight towards the girl. If leaped with one mighty movement at the frail figure, its claws digging into her skin. The girl cried out and fell to the ground, her hands defenselessly trashing around. The harpy mercilessly clawed her prey, scratching and tearing the flesh, wings smacking the poor creature around. The girl still cried and hollered from blinding pain, and her dress started to get soaked in blood. My heart dropped when I hear the lad’s voice, who also heard his lady’s cries. He ran through the forest, trying as hard as he could to get to her. I flew right above him, mentally praying for the girl.

We both arrived to the horrible scene. The girl moved or cried no more. The harpy stood on the mutilated corpse, and ripping the flesh with its dagger-long claws devoured the flesh. The lad’s face..i will never forget it…He fell to his knees, not being able to take his mad gaze from what used to be a beautiful young girl. Bloody mass of skin, flesh and hair, remains of a blue satin dress..

I looked in horror at the beast that still devoured its victim’s war flesh. It saw me.

With an evil grin the harpy winked at me. Its little beady eyes, menacing, cruel seemed to be laughing. It shoved another peace of flesh in its bloody mouth and took off. And behind it, left the trail of dark cloudy mass, its tentacles moving along the ground, as if searching for the new victim.

I hung above the lad, who still stood on his knees before the young girls remains. His face full of hatred and helplessness, staring at the blood…

I started backing away, for I felt he needs not another presence. As I rushed through the forest, through the trees..I hear a loud holler of pain behind me. A man crying with all his soul..His voice echoed through the forest for a long time, and sometimes I still hear it, about the same time each year. The man is still hollering from his pain. And only me and the trees can hear him.

Bard Night Tales: Dyanthys' Story

recorded by Hauntess

Dianthys: I am but a poor traveling minstrel
Dianthys: my voice is better suited
Dianthys: to a tavern, I fear, than to
Dianthys: a tower
Dianthys: but I shall tell you
Dianthys: a story that I have heard
Dianthys: on my travels
Dianthys: of a sad Lady and her misfortunes
Dianthys: and then set to a rhyme of my own
Dianthys: by me, then I shall play my part." So spake Lady Rilara, when Lord Hammyl made
Dianthys: "I came into this marriage
Dianthys: with a heavy ice-cold heart
Dianthys: But if ye will do right by me
Dianthys: then I shall play my part."
Dianthys: So spake Lady Rilara
Dianthys: When Lord Hammyl
Dianthys: made her a bride
Dianthys: She said she'd never
Dianthys: love him, but she'd stay loyal at his side
Dianthys: Their marriage alliance made,
Dianthys: they needs must have an heir
Dianthys: And they eagerly awaited
Dianthys: the son that she would bear
Dianthys: Somehow the stories began
Dianthys: of the Lady's love affair
Dianthys: Of why she seemed so coldly quiet
Dianthys: and why her son was so fair
Dianthys: The people never loved her
Dianthys: They called her outland witch
Dianthys: They called her silver slanting eyes
Dianthys: the mark of the Eldritch
Dianthys: Lady Rilara's lover was never more than tale
Dianthys: But the rumor spread the same
Dianthys: throughout town and wood and dale
Dianthys: Black was the day the slander finally reached Lord Hammyl's ears
Dianthys: He accused her where all could see
Dianthys: Paid no heed to her tears
Dianthys: "My Lord I am innocent.
Dianthys: I have never betrayed you.
Dianthys: These tales are terrible lies.
Dianthys: I am faithful and true."
Dianthys: But Lord Hammyl's ears were closed,
Dianthys: in his anger he'd not hear.
Dianthys: Enraged he bellowed for the guards
Dianthys: while the court cowered in fear.
Dianthys: The Lady was imprisoned, along with her little son.
Dianthys: Lord Hammyl said that she'd regret the wickedness
Dianthys: she'd done.
Dianthys: In a dungeon they were kept
Dianthys: on moldy scraps they were fed.
Dianthys: The guards began to have a taste for flesh so gently bred.
Dianthys: The Lady bargained with her Goddess
Dianthys: to guide and protect the boy
Dianthys: Whom the long incarceration must otherwise destroy
Dianthys: With the breaking of the dawn, the Lady lay upon the floor
Dianthys: She told her son to turn away and stand beside the door.
Dianthys: She closed her teeth on each wrist
Dianthys: and one by one rent the veins
Dianthys: Her scarlet blood fountained forth
Dianthys: and swirled down the drains
Dianthys: There was a green flash of light
Dianthys: and the boy-child disappeared
Dianthys: He was just outside his father's lands
Dianthys: weeping sad and lonely tears
Dianthys: "I came into this marriage with a heavy, ice-cold heart.
Dianthys: And you did not do right by me, though I had played my part."
Dianthys: The Lady's life bled away as she lay there full of pride
Dianthys: On that bright and sunny morn
Dianthys: Lady Rilara died.
Dianthys: Thank you

( Story told by Dianthys for the Spirituality Shrine Tower Bard Competition)

Bard Night Tales: Daniel LeBaun's Story

recorded by Hauntess

Daniel Lebaun: As I said good people
Daniel Lebaun: A bard is not only a teller of tales...
Daniel Lebaun: he is a moderator on the world and its moods...
Daniel Lebaun: its hopes and its ideals
Daniel Lebaun: *pauses*
Daniel Lebaun: But who among you has seen the Lords among or people betray these ideals?
Daniel Lebaun: I have....
Daniel Lebaun: So I give you a tale of Virtue
Daniel Lebaun: A tale of partial Honor....
Daniel Lebaun: A path of wholeness... left incomplete
Daniel Lebaun: I tell you the tale of "The Paladin's Pride"
Daniel Lebaun: *clears throat*
Daniel Lebaun: (In Rhymed Verse)
Daniel Lebaun: oh Bonny Trinsic, Home of the Blessed Paladins
Daniel Lebaun: Warriors of Faith and Truth... Protectors of this land
Daniel Lebaun: Yet how are ye on Humility?... for power corrupts my friend...
Daniel Lebaun: I know that singing of your deeds will bow you to my hand...
Daniel Lebaun: I know ye love the fight,,, and the feast,
Daniel Lebaun: But your honored heart... will stilll kneel to some mental Beast...
Daniel Lebaun: I care not how well you are known... Nor how many noble deeds you've done
Daniel Lebaun: You salute your own perfection... But on the path, you just begin...
Daniel Lebaun: For Virtue is and Eight Fold Trail...
Daniel Lebaun: My Honored...
Daniel Lebaun: And...
Daniel Lebaun: Prideful Friend
Daniel Lebaun: So goes the story of the failing in Virtue in these times...
Daniel Lebaun: The Avatar taught us that without humility we only cloud ourselves...
Daniel Lebaun: Even the greatest among us... must know that he or she cannot forget that...
Daniel Lebaun: Pride can bring done the Most Glorious Lord... even the honored Lord British
Daniel Lebaun: *looks to the crowd*
Daniel Lebaun: remember well that Pride is a Vice....
Daniel Lebaun: For which pride itself inclines you to find in others....
Daniel Lebaun: what you have within yourself...


(Also from Bards Competition at SS Tower)

Bard Night Tales: McSam's Song

recorded by Hauntess


Mc Sam: Well I must say
Mc Sam: I am a fletcher and not a bard
Mc Sam: but singing in the woods
Mc Sam: makes working easyer
Mc Sam: And well ony the birds can hear me
Mc Sam: We heared alot of virtues of all kind
Mc Sam: the song I am going to sing
Mc Sam: is more a tavern song
Mc Sam: For a good dram.
Mc Sam: *clears throat*

Mc Sam: There were three men cam frae the west
Mc Sam: Three men both great and high
Mc Sam: and they have sworn a solem oath
Mc Sam: John Barleycorn should die
Mc Sam: The ploughed him deep intae the grun
Mc Sam: Pids sods upon his heid
Mc Sam: And they have sworn a lomen oath
Mc Sam: John Barleycorn was deid
Mc Sam: Gentle sping came kindly on
Mc Sam: showers began tae fa
Mc Sam: John Barleycorn rose up again
Mc Sam: And sore surprized them a'
Mc Sam: The lang host summer it soon came
Mc Sam: sin it brightly shone
Mc Sam: John he's gew a lang lang beard
Mc Sam: and he became a man
Mc Sam: They took a knife baith lang and sharp
Mc Sam: Cut him below the knee
Mc Sam: And they've tied him fast upon a cert
Mc Sam: Like a rogue for felony
Mc Sam: And burnt him over the scorching flame
Dianthys: *smiles and winks*
Mc Sam: The blood ran frae his banes
Mc Sam: The miller used him worse than that
Mc Sam: Crushed him between two staenes
Mc Sam: John Barleycorn's a hero bold
Mc Sam: Of noble enterprize
Mc Sam: And if you do but tast his blood
Mc Sam: Twould mak your courage rise
Mc Sam: Here's a health tae John Barleycorn
Mc Sam: Esach man his glass in hand
Mc Sam: And may his great prosperity
Mc Sam: Never fail in Auld Scotland
Mc Sam: *raises a glass of whiskey and cheers to the audience*

Bitter Little Creeps

by Hauntess

There is a snake pit inside one's mind, you cannot know for sure in which dark cavern of tortured conciousness it exists, but sure enough you can feel the cold sleek bodies, hissing and softly scribing scaly sides along the inside of your skull.

She would wake up often awoken by the snakes, hissing and hissing, nonestop, at times driving her to shake head furiously to shut them up.

Madness, perhaps, her worst fear of going mad, was setting in slowly. Day by day each minute was more obvious with its passing. Time however stopped the moment she wished a particular
cituation to be gone. But she told herself, it'll pass. Somehow, it will go away and all will be all right. All will be peachy.

Rooms are dusty, uncleaned, smell of stale fabric and yellowed books fills the atmosphere of the cursed house like a fog. She cant see it, but it suffocates her. It became un-pure.Everything became un-pure, especially the desires.

Dark thoughs flodding, usually ending with her craving something savage, cruel and nonetheless tempting. Rooms, once nicely decorated with finest materials and masterly crafted furniture in expectation of its inhabitants, now looked meanacing. She hated the colors, she chose herself, hated the draps, the books, the sentimental reliques of her life.

She hated it all. Vaguely remembering, found her way to the 'lttle' room, like a ghost, no seeing just sencing the disturbing cheerfullness of it. Blindly touched the covers of the 'little' bed, 'little' chair, 'little' dress she layed out a long time ago. It felt dirty. Jerking hand off of it, blinked. The room came into focus, and hatred towards its false
inviting outlook forced her to drag the 'little' dress off the bed. Hollering like a wild beast she shredded the silky material to tiny strips, scratching her own arms. It didn't want to be destroyed, the material twisted and stretches. At last it was nothing more than a pile of rags.

Not looking back, she threw the remnants of something precious into the pool of black liquid, that was to be 'little' bath. She laughed, hard and hearty, hysterical howls of a wounded beast. It all was un-pure now. Still laughing, she went on, out of the 'little' room unto the kitchen. Thrashing and screaming in her blissfull rage and helplessness she crated destruction and chaos. Chaos of broken glass, wood, remnants of food all flew about her, every single thing she created she was destroying.

She screamed out names, places, arguments and things that had to be said. Madness was setting in slowly. But blissfull it was. Nothing but disdain and regret of a blissfull rage.

******

Once the storm calms down, she looks about, he hands scratched and hurting. Once cheerfull and neat house was now laying in ruins. Its scarred walls were crying with her, the bitter tears of regret.

But the dress would not be put together, it floats as a wreath in a pool of black mirky water in the back of the 'little' room with 'little' bed and a 'little' chair. With beatiful spring-green carpet and a toothless doll made of rags on the night table.


Softer Side of Madness

by Hauntess


Moonlight was forgiving. It didnt let too many detailes through, and thus did not distract her from the seemingly meaningless task of organizing her
regents and spice bottle and jars. She loved this house so...
Collections of shells, often she would go through them savoring the memories of how she found each and every one. A box of scraps of paper, some containing recepies of the dishes she never made, some were notes of what had to be done. Most were few years old.
Old clothing chest, she had not looked through it in year. A simple forest green dress, its skirts grazen by moth. She bunched the material in her hands, smelled the aroma of dried flowers and dust. Smiling she remembered being extatic with joy, when Trinsic tailors got this cloth for the first time.
How she rushed over to buy a big roll of it, and spent the whole day crafting a new outfit. She cherished that dress, she wore it often. But its been forgotten on the bottom of the chest for many years.

Chest of dried flowers, neatly tied with wool strings. She remembered the tiny violet flowers, now withered nonetheless fragrant with its magical essence. She gathered those near Britain, during her long walks. During the hunts that became a sight seeing adventure full of discoveries and amusement.
White flowers once belonged to the maze. She gathered them looking for him. White flowers were left untouched in the box. The yellow ones were passed too, they also belonged to the maze once. Now they layed dead in her box of the past.

But not all of her treasure she enjoyed seeing. Some were painfull to look at, and she would close her eyes hiding them in the corners and drawers and bottoms of closets. She made herself forget the contents of those boxes possibly holding anything that was of a real value.
There were too many things to do all the time. whether cleaning up the disorder created day ago during one of the moments of rage, or mending old dresses. But she felt herself healing everytime the candles would flicker and the crickets did their best to keep her awake. Only then, she would become forgiving. And she almost forgave herself, and it was warm and cozy. It was safe to be alone.

Hand-written copies of books, including one wrapped in deep maroon velvet, and a silk ribbon tied around it in a fancy fasion. that book was a gift, from two people actually. But it was left also untouched, and out together with the white and yellow flowers. But she read other books, laughing or crying, and letting the words fill her, images take her away from this house.
She remembered this particular book, given to her by a stranger in a tavern. She was so young back then. she never read it, although heard the name of it being mentioned quite often. But she did not like political reading. And the Socialist Maniphesto was left untouched as well, forgotten lonely book.

Sliding it from under the bed,she touched the unblemished edge of a heavy sword. Steel gleamed and sparkled, its weight was now alien to her. She gently touched the handle, richly decorated with silver strands, inter-laced with small gems.That sword was precious to her, probably more than most of the things here. Given to her by her sister, she never dared to bring it to battle.
Knowing that a weapon like that would not cost a small amount, she did not want to even scratch the precious blade. And so it went back in its sheath and back under the bed. She called it Deamon's breath.

Coconut shells. Smiling uncertainly, the traced her finger over their surface, feeling the rough texture. They went into the box with white and yellow flowers and a velvet covered book.

Horrible pastel-jasmine dress with a silly looking floppy hat and bulky shoes. she laughed remembering this bridesmaid outfit, she remember how cold it was wearing that on the coldest island on the planet. She though of the people who were there, a modest wedding in the middle of the icy-cold tower. The couple was so happy, but now only the gown remained.Gently folding the gown of the color she disliked,she carefully placed it in its separate box.
she though of her old friend, his words to her, his warm support through the worst time. Oh, how she wished at times he was here, the silly viking who risked his life for her and her people.Her brother.

Box of cards, most of them Valentine cards. Cheery colors jumped and flickered among the pile of old junk. She read the names, and most of them brought a smile to her face. False sence of security flooded her for a moment or two, untill a couple of the light blue ones. They also, went into the box with white and yellow flowers and a velvet covered book and coconut shells.


Suddenly she was aware of the time. The sun would be up soon, and the madness will set in. Hurriedly she gathered everything thats left, stuffing it all together, unsorted, leaving the sweet labour for another night.


Leaving the house, she hid the box under the cape, foolishly fearing someone seeing her commiting the 'crime'. Inhaling deeply, she stepped out into the jungle forest. Icy-cold dew immediately soaked the hem of her dress and a shiver ripped through the body. Lighting her way with a dying oil lamp, she managed to get through ferns and branches towards the cemetary.
Gratefull for the lamp's sad attempt at a light, she sat it on one of the tombstones. Digging furiously with a small wooden scoop, the hole soon became about two feet deep.
Then went in the small golden box containing the white and yellow flowers, velvet covered book, coconut shells and two Valentine cards.

Expressionless she watched the dirt cover the shiny surface of the box. Without looking back, she started on her way to her house.

Strange cheerfulness swept over her as she hummed rather inappropriate for her joy words:
"River, river, hold me deep,Hold me deep so I can sleep.
Death with you is hardly more, Than a thousand of deaths before.." Then she laughed lightly. She liked that song.

Ray of Sunshine that is Lesser

by Hauntess


She never bothered naming her pets, although calling lesser a pet would be nothing but insulting the poor creature. However, no known name seemed to suit this creation of Guardian’s sick mind. So, she contended herself and lesser with calling him lesser. Lesser didn’t mind, he couldn’t care less in fact what humans called him as long as he was given his daily share of food and pettings.

Lesser was a mongbat. Not a regular winged one, but a strange cousin of the vicious little rodent-like creatures that lurked in the woods. Not one of those that strike fear in the hearts of Dread Lords, for the reasons far too complex to explain, nonetheless those weak and extremely stupid creatures could make a grown man cry.

Lesser was something between a rat, cat and a hamster, magnified to the size of a young child. He had a long rat-like tails, rodenty paws, big void-black eyes, whiskers and brown short fur. And a purse. How he started fancying himself with a purse, Hauntess couldn’t remember, perhaps he saw humans walking around with massive bags filled with goodies and decided that he was entitled to one. And so, after seeing him carrying an old bag that he found on the city’s streets and filling it with junk, she couldn’t separate the two. His bag was his little place of HIS things. However Lesser was anything but greedy, mainly because being a dumb animal with intellect slightly larger than a cat’s and wasn’t capable of being greedy or dishonest. Often, Hauntess spotted him giving things to people. Useless junk in this creature’s eyes were treasures. And Hauntess loved him for that, because she could relate wholeheartedly, being a packrat.


At any rate, Lesser carried a rather large bag filled with unspeakable junk that often smelled.

Sometimes, during her reading sessions, however rare that happened, she would bring Lesser to the forge letting him run around. He didn’t really run around. Asides from getting fat from the sugar that she fed him, he also remembered painfully the water-bucket incident. Often, he would scowl at Hauntess, as if reprimanding her for such exquisite torture that she accidentally put him through. However Hauntess will disagree and will explain her side of the story.

Lesser’s side: Shiny thing. Must get. Hauntess grab . Me go bum. Me wet. Bite Hauntess. Hauntess no chomph.

Hauntess side: As I sat reading my book peacefully, I noticed the fat rodent starting to climb on the counter. Not only he left about a dozen of muddy paw prints all over my counter, he also crushed my favorite nautilus shell. I rushed over before the beast can do any more damage to my home, and picked him up. Actually it was more of an ATTEMPT to pick him up, the fat bastard that he is. Screeching, seemingly upset by my ungentle handling he squirmed swiftly in my arms and I coulnt hold him. Unfortunately the bucket full of cold water happened to be right there, in which of course Lesser landed making a huge splash. He was so utterly shocked and upset about the incident, that he made no attempt to get out of the bucket, but just sat there, in chest-high icy water looking at me and chittering disapprovingly. Upon my attempt to retrieve now a wet, slimy fat rodent from the bucket, he bit me on my arm.

After that I did not acknowledge his presence, just to teach him that biting will get him nowhere. Unfortunately for me and Lesser he got hungry.

"Chomph!"- There he was, standing in front of me, brown fur all matter and wet, with pleading beads of eyes. I shook my head reminding him of the red teethmarks on my arm. He did not understand, only tried smiling. He often mimicked facial expressions of people, but being a mongbat they always came out either satirical, or downright obscene. However smiling of a mongbat she was quite used to, and although it was breaking her heart she sternly said: " No chomph. You bit me, little miserable rat."

It was time to put the books away and get Lesser to Chippy’s, because she didn’t mind watching the beast.

The large rodent with a bag over his shoulder followed her around, chittering miserably and tugging on her skirt. "Chomph? Chomph!! Chitter chomph!!!" Interrupted by occasional: "Mumphchie" What was a mumphchie I didn’t know, but after about ten minutes of this display of absence of conscience I gave up and fed him the last of maple muffins.

Lesser ate carefully, like a rat, holding the food with both paws, and chewing vigorously. I petted him and started brushing his fur which now smelled like a wet rat.
************************************************************************************************

Lesser was a peaceful creature. Of course they did have problems with him adjusting to being domesticated. Few times she had to beg the healer to work his magic on the poor rodent, after being cut up by the town’s guards for lashing out at the passerby druid or scribe. But lesser learned fast. DragonFly, seeing the advantages of having a non-human accomplice taught him to pick locks, sniff out things and disarm traps. She exploited him shamelessly, but although never admitting it publicly, held a dear and tender affection for the little creature.

But Lesser didn’t seem to mine being exploited, because everything seemed like a game to him. Running from an ettin -game. Stealing a pumpkin from a farmer - game. Misplacing Shiela’s study notes - game. Leading a huge bug into Chippy’s bedroom - BEST game ever!

In his free time, which he usually had a lot of, he would either attempt to meet more humans in distant towns, in which he appeared by stepping through big beautiful blue things. Other times he would collect junk. And sometimes he would be spotted running through the vilest of places, mostly Deceit, looting liches. Now that Hauntess gave up her practices of backing, he was free of the last real errand he had to do.

But sometimes it seemed that Lesser is not an animal at all. He learned, he sympathized, he got angry or sweet if fed a lot. One cannot help but think that maybe after that rat-cat-monkey exterior a warm knowing soul , craving love and attention is waiting to be discovered. However that thought disappears quickly when he starts climbing your bookshelf, knocking down most of the precious souvenirs (sentimental value = 500 gold!), and leaving scratch marks on the walls. And then he gets hungry and follows you around. Squeaking.


Trinsic Swamp Battle

by Hauntess

Stepping through the shallow and sticky mud puddles of the swamp, I cursed myself for venturing yet on another pointless adventure. I did not have much interest, nor strength to be of any help to anyone, and yet I let Comet convince me that ‘its all a fun game’. All right, game it is then. Coming up on the vast expanse of Trinsic swamps , instantly I was overwhelmed by the sea of blue that moved around me, filled with voices and scents. There must have been hundreds of people, huddled together between the old tombstones of an ancient cemetery, brambles and rocks. All of them dashed out in horrible blue clothes, that made them look like a huge hive of blue, rowdy and drunk bees. Pushing through the crowd, trying to avoid being stepped on or stepping on someone I searched for Comet. Almost immediately someone grabbed hold of my arm:
" Blue Lady, you must wear blue!" - I could smell the ale on the man’s breath.
" Blue? I am afraid it will clash with my bag, Milord." - I squirmed my arm free from the rude peasant, and started walking away.
"Nay Lady, you must wear blue if you don’t want to be massacred. We all wear blue today."
"And why is that Milord? " - I touched the rough surface of the blue robe he was handing me.
" So we know who are the good guys are, of course!"- He shook his head, and threw the robe at my feet.
Becoming more and more aggravated, I picked up the robe, and unwillingly pulled it on. It smelled musty, and had large oil stains on it. Shivering from disgust, and cursing to myself once again, I proceeded to weave through the people.

Some were drinking, some stood solemnly counting their potions and regents, some were begging people next to them for more potions and regents. A few were taunting a couple of young boys, who were visibly very new to the art of carrying a sword properly.
A larger group, seemed to be more orderly than most were standing in a formation, listening to the man that was apparently leader. I recognized Balandar among them. Clutching his sword, he listened carefully to his guildmaster, occasionally swatting the swamp flies. I waved to him through the crowd, but he couldn’t see me.
Getting exhausted from all the pushing and noise, I sat on the rock and opened my pack.
"Ham for the lovely Lady!" - someone screamed in my face.
I jumped and looked up. Before me stood a young man, eyes wild, hair sticky and unbrushed. He held a large ham in his hand.
" The ham will guard you Lady!"- Wide smile revealing missing teeth spread across his face. Carefully, not to touch his hand, I picked up the ham and thanked him for it. Giggling and cheering he started skipping towards his next victim. "Ham for the brave warrior!" I heard him in the distance for a short time, until his voices was drowned by the chorus of hundreds of others.

It was getting late. I sat on my rock, quietly. Occasionally someone would step on the hem of my dress, or poke me quite rudely in my ribs, but all in all I decided that its not so bad. I watched the warriors, peasants, mages, and bards, talking excitedly. They all awaited impatiently for the battle. The chest that contained, or so people said, something extremely dangerous stood as a monument to greed. Many knew that its not the contents of the chest, nor the desire to do good, or protect the weak, that brought most of these blue-clad fighters here. No. Many of the remembered how sweet were the pickings at the first battle, the one Arielle has told her so much about. She spoke of people ripping each other’s throats out for mere gold coins, stealing and stabbing each other in the back like rats. No, not rats, even rats are incapable of such pathetic display. And yet, here they all were, waiting for the dark menace to come and get their chest.
As the time passed, the mob grew more impatient. Some were fighting amongst themselves, others trying to start a fight. I heard the sounds of someone recalling in the midst of the crowd, looking back, I saw a figure outfitted in a red kilt. "Whatever fool would wear red among the pack of bulls?" I got up from my rock, and standing on my toes, was trying to see who the fool was. Then I saw my friend Tata, standing amidst drunken and weary warriors, he hair and red skirt blowing in the wind. The crowd got nastier.
"Tata, recall!"- I screamed, trying to save her from the inevitable. But she couldn’t hear my voice among the angry cheering. "Tata, blue! Recall!!" I pushed and punched my way closer to her. The someone thrust the first sword. Very soon, the crowd died down, leaving a bloody corpse of a young woman on the ground. Cursing aloud and punching blindly I rushed over to her. She was dead. I yelled out to her ghost to appear, but nothing came.
Frustrated and upset by this animal display, I came back to my rock. Waiting became a nuisance. I felt the wave of impatience and anger to swallow me, and much to my discontent I itched for a fight. With anyone. Anyone at all.

Distant shouts broke the nervous buzzing of the crowd:
"They are coming! I saw them!"- All turned around, trying to see the one yelling. People started flowing north, trampling each other, bumping and pushing like cattle. I too, carefully not to fall, pushed my way to see. There it was. Like a plague spreading through the land, I saw dark shadows coming down from the north of the swamps. Fires and screams were starting as the dark shadows moved on.
Fighters and mages took their battle stances. ‘An Ex Por’ and ‘In Por Ylem’ , chanted the mages. I positioned myself between the group of Purple Guardians, who I knew were much more orderly than the rest, and the row of broken tombstones. It was hypnotizing. Men or beasts, wearing black armor mowed down rows and rows of fighters. I strained to see the shadow figure’s faces, and I did. Pale, emotionless, lacking any hint of life in their eyes. Undead Lords they called them. I saw their leader, one they called Terror. And rightfully so. He was tall, too tall, towering over the crowd, hurling bolt after bolt, cutting plate-clad warriors down like grass. Few brave ones surrounded him, and started their deadly chants of spells. Rage filled me, as if intoxicated by the screams of fear, anger and pain, I readied my spell. Satisfactory wave of animal pleasure swept through my body as I hurled the strongest bolt of energy right at the leader of Undead. My face hot and palms sticky, I watched as it flew through the air, lighting the battle ground, and with forceful thunderous roar…bounced off the Undead . He looked up, pitch-black eyes, searching through the crowd. Startled, and weak from the unexpected, I stared back. He saw me, and sized me up as if I was an insect. An insignificant annoyance. "Corp Por’, he uttered the spell.
I could see the blue energy bolt heading right at me.
The pain, a blinding jolt of pain hit me square in the chest, as I felt my body being thrown back. I hit my head on the tombstones, and everything went black for a few moments. Maybe minutes, but I couldn’t remember.
After what seemed an eternity of nothing it I opened my eyes. Someone was shaking my shoulder:
"Haun’ess, get up!"- Comet’s excited face towered over me.
"Huh? What’s going on?" - cringing from paint in my every joint I looked around. The sounds of battle seem to have died down. The fighters were gathering their belongings and that of the people dead next to them. Some were still fighting over trinkets and armor of the dead. The minions of death have vanished, and only the minions of greed remained.
Comet dragged me on my feet, and started pulling me away from the crowd.
"I saw Elestria." She proclaimed happily, pulling out an arrow out of her quill.
"Elestria who?" -rubbing my temples did not bring the images around me into focus.
"Ya know. That girl who kilt Cassy." - Comet’s eyes quickly scanned the swamps, now dark and frightening, lit only by fires of left-over fire-walls and few campfires.
I remembered DragonFly ranting about some girl, who attacked her and Casseandra in the Maze few days ago. From what I heard that girl was quite a force to be reckoned with. But Comet led me, and blindly like a sheep I followed her. Death to a lone rogue would be more settling than remaining in the midst of this beehive of greed.

I tried catching my breath, and followed Comet through the swamps. Stench of mud and decaying plants have become stronger with the coming of the night. Then Comet found her target. A figure of a young woman, decked out in silver glittered through the brambles. Comet licked her lips and readied the bow. Steady arm, steady gaze…’Swizzzzzz-Thump!’ Someone yelped. The arrow hit the target, and the silver figure started running away. Trying hard to see in the dark, I readied the paralyze spell, and blindly cast it on the silver flicker. The movement stopped. Comet grinned , her face lit by moonlight was disturbing. A hunter looking at a deer. A deadly dangerous deer, nonetheless a cornered beast awaiting its death. She pulled out another arrow, and targeted the bow.
My breathing became shallow, as I felt blood pumping in my temples. The hunt makes the blood boil, logic and compassion disappear. ‘Corp Por" I chanted preparing my body to release the spell. The bolt of energy flew, a cascade of electrical charges. But the pain in my chest suddenly took my breath away. Gasping loudly I let go of the spell, and it weakly dispersed itself before reaching its target. Comet, with wild noises that almost terrified me flew through the air to catch up to her prey. They both disappeared into the shadows.
Weak and hurt I dragged myself back to the crowd. Leaning on the big rock, I rubbed my throat and chest, trying to get rid of the throbbing pain that got hold of my breath.
Someone offered me ale, and I took it gladly. The confusion and running-about died down. Now most of the fighters were bandaging their wounds, counting their potions and regents, or taunting other fighters from other parts of the swamp. The chest remained untouched.
Few of the blue fighters were dismembering the corpses of the Undead. Some were bickering and arguing who should get their heads. I saw the corpse of Terror, big black mass of flesh and metal. I shivered.
An hours must have passed, it was getting cold. A lot of people started on their way home.
Then the unseen drums of war started beating again. The dark figures emerged from the shadows, and as blue figures darted and jumped away startled, I started trembling. There they were, Undead lords, walking fully armed, fully regenerated. And the battle resumed. Fire and energy, bolts and arrows, and metal clinks, deafening screams and cursing.
I snuck away from the battle and started running towards the forest. There was no point of staying and dying. Even less reason to die and let some bearded plate-clad man kill another bearded plate-clad man for my skirt. I did not look back, until I reached the trees. I observed from the safe distance, laughing nervously at the dancing of flames and puppet-like shadows. Fires burned for a long time, almost all through the night. I watched for hours, as Undead fought, fell down under the blades of blue figures, then got up and fought again.
I have not seen Comet again that night.
Morning came slowly, reluctant to reveal the swamp. Now covered with blood-soaked blue cloth, body parts, armor, pieces of metal, glass and food, the swamp looked more like a garbage dump. There were still few blue figures left. Still searching the dead for trinkets. Still arguing about who gets the head.
I was tired and pain. I looked at the chest: It was still standing untouched and forgotten.
I left the Trinsic swamp, clutching my spell book. For a week I could barely breath from the hit of energy bolt in my chest. I don’t remember what exactly happened to the chest or the contents within. Not too many people spoke about the battle either. Only the case of a suicidal maniac who mass murdered about twenty fighters from Trinsic by a hidden bomb was remembered as the brave deed of the day. I suppose it was. Twisted and cruel, nonetheless funny.


I am the Ruler of Britannia

by Hauntess

Lord Magnus and Hauntess’ battle for the throne.


Shiela burst into our forge that day looking surprisingly excited:
" Come on! Get your outfit of today on and lets go to British’s castle!!!"
"Oh no…not another of those anti-violence protests are there?"- I lazily rummaged through my wardrobe chest not really wanting to come out of the house at all today.
Shiela giggled exclaiming:
" No way! Someone named Magnus just proclaimed himself the new king of Sosaria"

A bit puzzled I stood for a moment staring at my deranged sister, then examining the new skirt I just made to wear today I wondered:
" and..it is our concern how? I mean who cares if , for example, Xtinct comes into the throne room and proclaims himself the new royal jester? "
Shiela grinned even wider: " He just did."

Pondering for a while I finally realized what she was saying. There was someone out there who not only proclaims himself to be the new royalty to be worshipped by the meek and the noble of this land, but also he somehow lured the best jester to his side.
He had to be stopped. Chuckling I got dressed, grabbed my halberd (just in case), and we finally arrived at the castle.

In the king’s throne room there was a small crowd, gathered around a man sitting on the throne. We approached quietly, listening to the pompous cheers to the new ‘king’ and seeing the eyes of his followers glistening with tears of joy and pride. Me and Shiela looked at each other seeing Xtinct right there by his side, wearing his usual neon green jester hat and shoes..nothing else. He seemed to be content, however something did not seem right. That man on the throne , dressed in a fancy suit of black plate definitely was not my idea of a king who would deserve such a jester. Shiela whispered in my ear: " Go on! Come on, it’ll be fun! Challenge him."
Not completely sure about what am I doing, I approached the man. He greeted me with polite coldness of a king, introducing himself as Magnus. I smiled politely:
" Greetings Milord. I have heard the news of you overtaking the throne, and I agree such a pretty castle shoudnt be without someone to occupy it."
" Aye, indeed. I shall rule with fairness and heart."- Magnus exclaimed proudly, looking over the adoring faces of half-witted peasants surrounding us.
Looking about the room, then examining Magnus, a bit nervous I inquired:
" Forgive me If my question would seem a bit…- I coughed a bit to ease my own tension- well…what right and what rule establishes your crown on this throne? I mean, although extremely mythical, Sosaria is believed to have a king already. Would that not confuse the people?"
After short pause Magnus replied seemed surprised by my question:" Well..Milady.. The err..’king’ never disputed not challenge my claim to ‘his’ throne, then I suppose its only right that a man of my statue and nobility takes upon himself a task of governing the suffering people of this land." The peasants started applauding to him, cheering for their new ruler. "Magnus! Magnus!" their words echoed through the castle walls, but didnt seem to bother the royal guards whatsoever.
‘Very well, I suppose if the king did not dispute or challenge your claim, it is automatically is decided the throne is yours? Am I understanding you correctly Milord?" - I looked at him crossing my arms.
" Well, yes, it makes sense woudnt it? " He looked back at me with a hint of confusion and aggravation in his eyes.
" Well, then it also makes sense if someone is to challenge you and win the throne would be theirs?" - I wasn’t sure how logical my conclusion was, but judging by Magnus’ reaction I knew I hit the right spot.
" Yee.ss.." - he nodded sinking in the throne a bit.
" Then I challenge thee Milord! Let us decide on who shall rule this land, and since the third party..the king wishes not to interfere, it is up to the two of us to decide on the future of Sosaria."
I heard Shiela snickering behind my back, and I was ready to finally say I am just joking and thank Magnus for being a good sport..when he looked up at me and nodded.
"Very well, Milady, if you wish to challenge me, you may. What do you have in mind then?"
He got me stumped. I have not planned to even come to this silly gathering today, much less likely to make up competitions with some deranged noble for the throne of the land.
" Hmm..good question. How about…we do a standard battle? "- I cheerfully shook my halberd hoping he would decline and I can go home and go to sleep. Instead he looked at my weapon, then sized me up…
"Hmm..Mayhps we also can do an intellectual competition of some sort?"- He smiles broadly, attempting to flex through the steel of his plate armor to show me that I stand no chance against him on the battle field. However I knew that without any doubts. He was indeed a big man, and somewhat frightening- looking individual.
The peasants around us booed a bit, getting disappointed that they dont get to see some blood spilled and guts turned inside out.
" A game Milord?"
" Aye, a game is a lovely idea. Maybe this would be the second part of the competition".
Xtinct snickered: " Let us all have a game of chess, checkers for the intellectually challenged."
We laughed, then I confessed that I have no idea how to play chess.
Magnus sat thinking for a while, while Xtinct listed all the possible games: " Hide-n-seek…stuck-in-the-mud..dammit, how about we just flip a coin for the throne?"

After some time, the peasants around us were starting to get tired and rowdy, Magnus offered:
" I tell ye what Milady. I shall notify you of my ideas, and you will send me a letter of yours’. When all is decided we shall hold the challenge and whoever wins shall have this lovely throne." He lovingly patted the arm of the throne getting up.
" As you wish." - I smiles politely, and wishing him farewell pushed Shiela out of the throne room. She burst into tears laughing right after we left the building.
" I cant believe you actually going to do this!!!" - Patting me on the back we walked towards the bakery to pick up some of those lovely Britain’s muffins for Erdrick.
I cursed underbreath not believing what I have gotten myself into.

Later that day I was swarmed with letter from all over the world, my friends, new and old all congratulating me on the potential ownership of the crown and a right to rule them all. Annoyed and tired I prayed Magnus would forget about me and I can resume my goat hunting in Wind.

A couple of days later Magnus sent me a letter:
" Dear Lady, as I recall you have made a challenge to me for the throne of Sosaria, and as I recalled the events later on I realized that it was foolish of me not to let you know…That it all was a joke. I never did plan to become a king, just me and some of my friends decided to do on a boring afternoon, and I never did expect a lovely lady disputing my ..rulership.I hope it is not a dishonor to my name to decline the challenge. I really cannot say if I will have time available for this sort of thing, and I do not with to interfere with your activities either.
I hope we part on good terms. Its been fun.
-Magnus."

I smiles to myself, relieved to learn I do not have to go on with the stupid challenge,
but somewhere inside of me there was a little voice asking me: if your opponent declines a challenge, does that mean you are the undisputed ruler of Sosaria? I nodded to myself, and going to sleep that night my heart was content with the secret knowledge that I am the queen of sosaria, unchallenged and undesputed..but no one knows it but me. And Shiela who still picks on me for challenging a big man with mean looking sword to a fight.

And that is the story of me and Magnus.


Related links: King Magnus' screenshots

Delly and Flare by the Mill

by Hauntess

Delly stuffed the fish in her basket chewing on the piece of bread. Fish started to stink and she couldn’t wait till she was done with this boring chore. She would rather torture frogs any time than fish and cook for ‘her majesty’ Hauntess. But she was told to either do her part or find another place to sell her goods, so Delly had no choice.

Delly heard footsteps. And annoyed that someone invaded her little private corner behind the mill she yelled out:
"What tha hell do you want?" - she spun around and saw a lady standing before her. The lady was familiar to her, she has seen her around Yew quite a few times. She wore a deep forest green robe with a hood. He eyes were bright and knowing. People called her Seer, Delly wasn’t sure what it meant, maybe someone who goes around and looks at things. But she was never too interested to find out.
The lady approached:
"I apologize for interrupting your fishing. I wont take long." - the lady sat on the rock near her and looked for something in her bag.
"Umm…all right. I still have to cook all this crap." - Delly gave her a dirty look.- "you wanna pie?" Delly held out one of the pies she made earlier, careful not to let the empty bottle with a green label roll out of the bag. The lady shook her head in turn pulling out a small book.
"Here, take this. I am afraid my time is coming to an end. I need you to keep this book safe." - the lady patted it lovingly and with slight hesitation handed the book to Delly.
"What is this? " -Delly curiously looked it over. - "Some kind of a diary or somethin’?"
"Aye, sort of. Just few things I jotted down over the time. Can I rely on you to keep this book hidden and safe? Some information in it is quite sensitive."
"Are you crazy or something?" - Delly looked at the Seer with wide eyes. - "No one trusts me even to leave house keys, and you giving me a book!"
"I think you are much more trustworthy than that, Delly." - Flare smiled with knowing look.
Delly looked at the book and hiding it in her bag looked up at the sage:
"Ya sure about that?"
"Yes, I’m quite sure. You may read the book if you want to , but make sure you are the only one who opens it." - Flare got up, and straightened her robe. - "I must be off now child. I wish you good fortune."
With sad look, Flare took off, walking slowly, touching every branch and bush on the way, as if saying goodbye to the whole world. Delly watched her intently, not comprehending what was going, on, nonetheless something inside made her feel bad for the green lady. She just seemed so sad, so lonely.

But, the life must go on, and so do her chores. Forgetting about the sad green lady, and about the book, Delly headed off to town with her heavy load of fish. In the bank, she carelessly tossed Flare’s book in one of her boxes of trinkets, not bothering to read it. Chanting and mumbling something evil to herself she headed off to the bakery to cook all this wretched fish.

The book remained unread and untouched in Delly’s bank. And Delly never bothered to find out who some of her friends are. Perhaps no one ever will.



A Day in the Life of a Baker with 37HP (OOC)

by Hauntess

Part I

It all begam with the usual looting, PKing, NPKing and a side of annoying people in Atlantic Bucs den. Me and my friend Gorath had a few unfortunate run-ins with few unpleasant men, however did meet a couple of really cool guys. Nothing too special, I did manage to piss off a red by playing around with my fire-ball wand and completely preventing him from recalling, healing, para-ing or doing anything else associated with magery. I guess he was really pissed, because he completely forgot about 7 people chasing him and charged at me with a hally. Being a timid and feeble creature, I departed from the scene promtly.

Pretty much the Atl-Bucs became a bore, especially after I was eaten by someone's Ice Wyrm and wern't able to report, and after reporting the unjustice to a GM (mind to tell you I dont whine and bitch to a GM about every little thing) and getting the 'Ever-Useless-Garbage-that-Is-Jakarta". Its funny, whenever I have a REAL problem to report I get her. And everytime when she replies, it feels like she is really playing EQ at the moment and answering players calls are a bother to her. But anyway. I moved on to Catskills, and went to Kinship for some good, down-to-earth RPing. Where else can one find a peacefull corner to sip some whine and listen to an evlen bad tell wonderous tales.


Part II

Yes, tales indeed I heard. I missed most of the however, because Darien posted a good post which was fool-proof to catch my attention ( The Stupid Bitch is the name, if anyone wants to read for the reference). However, soon the tavern emptied out, the patrons went home. Just the three of us sat and chatted for a while, untill a fella name Gorin (or something) started circling the tavern like a shark with his ice wyrm. Now, I knew what was going on, and had not a slightest intention of coming out. However the mystical PKing tamer claimed the lives of two passer-byers and we had to go and do something. NoT arrived shortly after my distress call, and my new-found Dragonling friend Drakon got 'his main'.We slayed Gorin. Then we slayed his Wyrm. Then we scorned a smurf for being dumb. The smurf noticed it not and went on his merry way. As we were leaving, thinking that maybe at last we'll be able to get some quiet quality RPing time! Trinsic of course! Its a good thing Sithas was sitting at Keg and Anchor, bored. So we came there. Me, Not, and two newbies who wanted to discuss bitches and bacon. Dont know why.
Then Sithas killed a Drow. That was sweet to see, since she was obnoxious and mean little piglet. As I promised Sithas shall have a shrine. His own shrine.
Anyway, after some time talking about nonesence, dead males, virgin blood, roasted pigs and bacon, Countess Bathory's sexual preferences, and my possible engagement to Sithas, I received a distress call from an orc.
Apparently he found an un-picked chest near x-roads, along with some nice fresh juicy Paladin-corpses. It was time to abandon RPing once again and go bring some smackdown on the unworthy.


Part III : The Smackdown.

We arrived at the spot, Orc named Fidjit gated us. Hedgie, and Alyssia and Loric came,Granox the Immortal, plus Outpost's brave newbies Dynasty and Ebb (sorry Dyn:), and our guild pet mongbat Lesser.I think is would be interesting to note that Ebb was still drunk from however many ales he had at Keg and Anchor. He was hiccuping and doubling over almost every two minutes. It was quiet at first. We popped the chest open, loosing Lesser in the process due to a massive 'bum'. A red came by. We rezzed Lesser and started fighting an ogre lord that popped out. Lesser died again. Two reds came by.
Granox decided to spice things up and went for the red Vegabond. And then it began.

The next 15 minutes of my life consisted of:
Healing Loric and Alyssia that were melee-ing the ogre lord, watching our valiant newbies die (Ebb was still hiccuping and doubling over fighting a PK on horseback), screaming at Hedgie for eb-ing a dread spider, that I wish would move faster after the red. Also, i watched Granox to fly by every once in a while with the two reds after him, healed him for a while, ran out of mana, watched an orc being killed in a matter of seconds, gating in almost hysterical frustration with the stupid freezes, then seeing that half people cannot get through, trying to meditate again and blocking the reds from Granox at the same time, meanwhile, waiting for the newly-rezzed Fidjit to come back, so I can gate again.
All grew quiet. Only the ghost of the poor lost Dynasty was wondering around the battle field, and Fidjit gathering his belongings.
Gated, cursed at the orc, gate is bugged, Cannot get through. No mana left, PKs, just finished off another man in our party, closing in. Must..Live...
Hid. Recalled. Outpost!
Looked in the bag of regs, apparently I recalled on my last mandrake. Ahh..good.

Dynasty lost, wandering about the area.

But quiet at last! peace! safety!

Part VI: Smackdown#2, A 3-sided box.

Recalled to Yew bank roof, grey inside , called guards, he had a dragon with him. Gawd, they already doing it in town. "Wack", the grey was dead, and I peacefully counted my poor regs, or what was left of them. Perhaps 70 or more went on healing and gating and such. Oh well.Dragon flew away from his owner, and got stuck on the roof. Great, I though, last thing I need after today's adventures.

Sounds of a fight downstairs, who do i see fighting you may ask? Of course none other than NoT. He apparently found a wandering grey in the bank and promtly attacked him.
Grey Satan is an archer, not good.


Recalling back to the Outpost, running to Smitty's vendor, buying regs (Smitty's vendor rules, just west of the O, usually well stocked!). Flying back to the Abbey to heal Not. Sadly 3 of the grey's friends were there too, healing and RA'ing the newly-blue Satan. Then it became funny. Not coudn't hit Satan. Satan coudn't hit Not. Each had two healers. Then they found some other dude. then they decided to box Not. In the midst of that retarded circus act, I heard Not yell at them : "You need FOUR people to box! FOUR!" Apparently the opponents realized that they probably DO need a fourth person to block Not in. Most of the times they suceeded in blocking their own guy in anyway. I started running out of regs again, Luigi, who promtly came to the resque coudn't keep up with both of them.
The owner of the dragon came up to us in the middle of this performance, and started : " Stupid newbies. you are all so gay. duel me instead." As the dragon roared next to him.

Apparently our opponents just like us realized that the battle is going absolutely nowhere. Its been half an hour! Or seemed like it. They also probably were getting out of bandages and regs. They pleaded stop. We pleaded stop. The fighting finally stopped. But Satan didnt want to give up.
Followed by his guildmates' screams of : " STOP!" he charged at Not once again, and as they ran outside, I was able to grab more regents and head after them. The battle resumed, however for some odd reason Satan suddenly ran off to the corner, yelled " Ill BRB!" and recalled.
We were tired, beat down, and extremely out of regs. It was time to sleep.


And that was my day in UO.

However thinking back at the events of the day past its interesting to note Outpost's present condition.
We have quite an odd motley crue of individuals.
We have a Lesser mongbat, a sweet creature who can do a lot of usefull shit. Yet noone can understand what he tries to say.
We also have Ebb, a week-old newbie archer on speed, who will not hesitate to run up to a young drow and scream in her face : " Where is my bacon, bitch?"
We have Dynasty, well...that is when we can find him.
We have NoT, the avatar of justice and secretly a d00d. (Supprised?)
We have Hauntess, aka me, the 37 hp wonder who DId manage to stay alive through Wyrm, two ogre lords, two PKs and a possible heart attack.
We have Luthor, but little is known about him, other than he is much like Ebb.
And..AND! We possible might have Luigi on board. Who Luigi is, many of us know, the man needs no intruductions. Lets just say if we have Luigi, I woudn't be afraid to war anyone.
We have Tripps, sorta. He is a wandering member, although he claims he quit O, noone really quits Outpost. It just doesnt happen.
Oh, and of course we have the newest addition in the form of Countess Bathory, who , as she admitted favors dead men over live ones and prefers virgin blood to any other drink. I think she is rather charming lady.


I'd say we're doing very well. Most likely we are becoming the #1 hated group by certain circles in the RP-country club, but hey, its nothing new.Its rather flattering actually.

Thanks go out to all who responded to the calls and went out to fight, also our brave newbies who fought back despite the many ales they had before, and to everyone else who joined in. Of course special thanks go to Luigi and Granox who were invaluable in the whole ordeal.


-player of Hauntess, the 37 hp wonder.

Most Precious of Moments

by Hauntess

It was still dark when Johanna awoke. Glancing at her side, she smiled at her daughter, who stole her blankets and now was snoring quietly, smiling in her sleep. Johanna tried not to make a sound, and just laid for a while, watching her precious, savoring every moment.
She couldn’t remember the time she was feeling more... at home. If she was to define happiness, she would point at her sleeping child. Helena’s little round face was lit lightly by the glow of the crystal, that Johanna used for a night-light. Her hair, so carelessly thrown about on the pillow, the half-open mouth that occasionally gave off that un-earthly smile of an angel.. she was flawless.
Johanna laid and watched her daughter, a thousands of thought rushing through her mind.

" Things happen, mama" - Her daughter was the only voice of reason she has heard in a long time. It was ironic, to be looking for answers and wisdom to help her live again and finding them in this three-year old child.


Johanna couldn’t help but being amazed at what an exceptional person Helena was. Although she could never claim that she was a part of her wisdom, or her knowledge, yet, her motherly pride filled her listening to the girl. Lena knew and understood...and most of all she ACCEPTED it. Johanna been around for so long, and yet, this child accomplished all that she can only hope to do, most of all - forgive and accept.


Brushing the golden locks off Helena’s forehead, Johanna silently thanked whatever is was that brought them two together again. By chance, by accident...by miracle. This child might be her only salvation. Perhaps she could deliver her from the constant circle of questions with no answers, hatred, rage and regret.

‘things happen, Mama, I understand."- Johanna smiled, with a hint of tormenting pain, the child made more sense than anyone else who had tried giving her comfort.
Not a stranger, and yet a person she has yet to learn about. But whatever would become of this morning, last night, or the future, Johanna just laid quietly, knowing that nothing will ever compare to the feeling of happiness she felt right now.


Haunting PKs

by Hauntess


It was a very long time ago. Me and Shiela hung around Brotherhood of the Dragon, Krynn and Belgrath, wonderfull people. They lived just a bit east of the Shrine of Spirituality, a lovely area. Except for one very important disadvantage, they were right next door to the tower of the most feared, and at the time almost un-beatable band of murderers known as sSs. That morning Krynn, getting fed up with constant attacks from their neighbors decided to attempt to make a truce between the guilds.
As faith would have it, a ghost of their leader, named Jade happened to be wondering around their guild hall in her ghostly form. Spying, or simply taking a walk, they were glad that she happened to be there. Shiela, who was best at understanding the speech of the dead started the negotiations. Jade, being a wize and rather logic woman agreed to at least have a meeting between guilds leaders and perhaps agree on a truce.

Later that day, Jade, and her right hand in command Cadence and a couple of high ranking officers of sSs gathered in the meeting hut with Krynn, Belgarath, me and Shiela. The negotiations started. At first everything was going great, Jade and Cadence, surprisingly agreed that its very unwise to start a fight in their own backyards, however neither of them had true power of controlling the band of their minions. It was HATE who decided that a truce should at least bring some gold to them, if they are to loose a steady flow of loot from the Brotherhood. He demanded 100k, and Krynn politely noted that they did not have that kind of money.
However, we were able to convince Jade that her having fighting would be leaving themselves very volnurable from their more powerful enemies. As Jade was ready to sign the agreement, the unfortunate occurence truined it all. A few of her people, who were walking around the house, patrolling around against ambushes, were spotted by the newly arrived Brotherhood members. They, unfortunately knew nothing of the meeting, a great oversight by the BoTD leader, and opened fire at the red-clad brigands. Jade and Cadence, immediately unsheathed their bows, and gunned us down like a pack of sheep. Then mayhem outside unraveled into a full scale battle, and very shortly, the BoTD layed dead, once again.
sSs took no casualties, and upon retreiving the belongings of the slayn, they threw the pact on the corpse of Krynn and departed. They were outraged that the Brotherhood would deceive them that way. Krynn's ghost sadly looked over the battlefield, and was too distraught to make any decision.

My heart felt like a little clump of dirt, seeing them all dead. Their best intentions and hopes for a peace layed on the cold grass, rendered to peices.

As I floated towards the sSs tower, my ghostly form allowing me to easily pass through obstacles. I had a clear thought in mind, locating anyong in the tower, and attempting to talk to them.
Upon passing through the doors of the castle, I saw a morbid scene, head, rows and rows of head on the shelves, hung along the castle's main hall. Jade carefully and almost lovingly was placing her newest trophies on the empty spots. I saw my own head, eyes still wide open in surprise, pale, with blood still dripping from my mouth. If I could, I would hurl, but a ghost has an advantage of remaining rational. I floated around the room, thinking feverishly of what to do next. Talking to them would only end up in me being ignored by them forever. But my luck have turned and fortunately I have spotted another ghost. The ghost was one of their people, his forms dark and broody grin on the hazy shape of a face. He floated down from the ceiling support and landed next to me.

" Cool. someone to talk to." - the ghost said. He watched his friends sorting the loot and heads, and was visibly upset by something.
"Whats the matter?" - I attempted to make a connection with thie evil spirit. After all he can be my lead to Jade's ears.
" They wont rez me. I asked like 10 times, and they forget. Ive been a ghost for like 5 hours already." - He watched hungrily, as the brigands sparred, laughed and drunk. I almost fell sorry for this creature, although the thought of him alive was making me sick.
"Sorry to hear that." - I was sencere.
"So, who you spyin' for?" - he asked me as-a-matter-of-fact-ly. - "Dont worry, we get a shitload of spies, used to seeing ghosts around here."
I shrugged, trying not to sound too desperate." Not spying at all. Just trying to talk to Jade."
"Oh. Want me to tell her u looking for her?"

I nodded quickly, almost beaming with sudden burst of sympathy for this red-ghost. He meditated for a few moments, apparently sending a message to his leader. Jade looked my way, nodding slightly. She did not bother to talk to me yet, just simply told Cedrick (the unfortunate ghost's name) to tell me to wait. Eventually she'll get few free minutes to talk.
I agreed instantly. Wait or no wait, it was worth it. Me and Cedrick just sat there on the ceiling support beams and watched the small army getting ready for yet another deadly excursion. They were extremely excited. Putting on their best armor, choosing weapons, counting regents and potions. Cedrick was getting more and more upset.
"I cant belive they would leave me!" - he was almost crying with envy, seeing them getting ready for the 'hunt'. I felt truly sorry for him, he was still young. Perhaps to him killing people was a big game. Big exciting, bloody game.

The army moved to outside, and now were trying to decide where to go. Cedrick, unable to remain in his ghostly form, forgotten and left out, floated outside, and started hollering like insane. His hollers were that of a mad ghost, outraged and hurt. Jade, finally getting fed up with that noise uttered "An Corp".
In a few minutes Cedrick was standing in flesh and blood before them. I curiously looked at his face, I was right - a rather young man,coudn't have been more than 18. He was stil angry, but dared not to say an ill word to Jade. Jade, coldly sized him up, reprimanding him for being a nuisance and ordered him to get ready as fast as he can if he wants to go hunting. Cedrick ran to the tower, stumbling over everythging in his path.
In about two minutes he finally emerged, his armor slightly crooked from being put on in a hurry, swords and bandages sticking out of his bag, hair messy and a huge scrape decorating his excited face. He was shining and beaming with happiness. I floated above them, chuckling to myself. If one would forget that they just slayed about ten of my good friends in a cold blood, one would find this whole incident very amuzing. Jade finally made a decision : To the Crossroads!
Cedrick had an honor of transporting the army, since noone else wanted to waste their regents. Cedrick, reddening from the responsibility and pride, started searching his bag for the rune. Potions, regents and runes were flying as he finally held out one of the rune. "I found it!!!" Pushing his mage hat straight on his head, he prepaired the chant : "Vas Rel Por"
After about 5 fails he finally managed to get the blue portal open, and the murdererd poured in. Jade and Cadence stayed behind to make sure everyone got through. As they were getting ready to step into the blue light, a ghostly form of WarPig appeared infront of them, madly waving his weighless hands, hollering over and over : NO NO NO!! DONT GO THROUGH!
Jade and Cadence, stopped, confused. there was no way WarPig could be killed so fast, he was one of the best. the HATE went through, his transparent form floating clumsily back through the gate. then the portal dissapeared. Jade stood, almost yelling in anger :

"what the HELL happened?! WTF is this? Where are the others?!" - as the ghosts of the knights of death floated before her, lowering their heads in shame. Jade received a message from one of the officers 'We are in Ocllo.'
"CEDRICK!!!!!" - Jade thrashed in her fit of rage. She was screaming about the dumbass who did not check the runes first. "THATS why i always tell you- CHECK YOUR RUNES FIRST!" Apparently from waiting for an hour for everyone to get ready, this fiasco was the last strand in her patience quilt. She cursed and screamed at the two ghosts, at Cadence, and most of all at Cedrick, who for some reason was not answering her messages at all. Finally, after about half an hour, after Jade's namless accomplice gated the rest of the ghosts from Ocllo to the tower, Cedrick bothered to answer the mad calls of his leader.

"Wehre the HELL are you?"

Cedrick, shortly appreared infront of the tower, unharmed and with a big grin on his mug.
"I was buying regs." - he answered casually.
"WHAT?! You are a DREAD LORD! How can you go buy regs in town?!" - Jade was ready to scratch his eyes out, Cadence just coudn't help but laugh at the cituation.
"I dunno." - Cedrick shrugged, carefully placing his regents neatly in his bags. -"Everyone was crying guards, no guards came. So I though, why not do some shopping while I can."


At this point, the desire to laugh out loud filled me, but I did not have the nerve to reveal myself to enraged Jade. I flew over across the forest patch, and tehre, alone, surrounded by trees, laughed for about an eternity.

Two hours sSs were ready once again, Cedrick, yelled and cursed at by everyone, was taken away his rights to ever gate anyone anywhere. I spend the rest of the day with these people -beasts. But how the rest of the day came, I shall tell in another story.