Pixie Backlash! Mobs of RoD Unite! Life for a Life concludes
============================================================== THE CRY OF DESPAIR #34 ============================================================== Mortal Staff: Alendil, Alerious, Alisia, Apollonia, Azrakare, Barentin, Begaria, Conran, DekkatH, Elaria, Elbanon, Goomra, Laine, Loril, Nimue, Nitsuj, Odessyus, Saraphin, Sarig, Shingo, Thalasian Mortal Editor: Kuah Immortal Staff: Elisabet, Kyrnia, Lascivias Immortal Editor: Ayesh ============================================================== Desk of the Editor Feature: Pixie Backlash! The other nations speak! A Life for a Life PART 3! The Conclusion. Quest and Contest! Logo Results, A Quest Notice! Mobs of RoD Unite! Group News! Rol Na Feinne News. Poets Corner... Funny Bones! ============================================================== Desk of the Editor By. Kuah Cha'Din ============================================================== What's the good word? I wish to take this time now to say I am sorry for a few errors on my part last issue. First to Azrakare for a misprint on his story. and second to the QC and Elisabet for me leaving off a small part, but still an important one, from her submitted quest. (It was corrected later, but still a small error on my part.) Sorry people, I will work to not have it become habit. We had tons of feedback from last issue over the tiny and what I thought was interesting interview with Gwvyrn. So we have decided to take all the feedback and we went out and grabed comments and quotes from around the realms and made this backlash the feature. If you have a comment, gripe or something you want to submit to the Cry of Despair, you can reach us the CoD public board in the TownHall (e,s,2u,s,w,s from DH[]) or south of Quills and Parchments on Market Street. Or you can Mudmail me or Ayesh. As always, enjoy and thanks. Kuah Cha'Din ============================================================== Pixie Backlash! By. Kuah ============================================================== Was it pixie power or was it more like pixie propaganda? Like what was written by Shingo and his article with the Pixie Godmother Gwvyrn or not, it sure had people at National Visions talking... I thought she had some very good thoughts, especially about not judging a race from a few individuals. However, I do disagree with her statements of the pixies being the superior race. I do not feel any race is surperior to any other. Nimue Riannon, Elohai Leader Bah! Pixies the superior race? Everybody knows Pixies were created to serve Orcs. Pixies only have 2 uses, Pets and Food! Akinly, Leader of the Red Hand Clan I think she was wrong on what was said about Pixies being the superior race. Every race has its strengths and weaknesses, nobody is better then anyone else. Vernese Varamin Azrakare, a proud Half-Troll even went as far as to submit a way to cook Pixies... "Pixie in a pot" 2 carrots, diced 1 teaspoon salt 2 onions, sliced 1/2 teaspoon coarse black pepper 2 celery stalks with 1/2 cup white wine leaves, cut in 1 inch 1/2 teaspoon basil pieces. 3 pounds of fresh pixie Put Carrots, oinions and celery in the bottom of the crock pot. Add pixie. Top with salt, pepper and wine. Sprinkle basil and other spices (rosemary, thyme, garlic) over top. Cover; cook on low 8 to 10 hours. Eat and Enjoy! (If fresh pixie is not available, substitute with chicken.) The only thing that article proved was that pixie's can't stomach their liquor. one stiff human ale and she's spouting tales of pixie invinicibity again. Ardeth Serrelinda, Human Nation 2nd Well, firstly, I don't know where Gwvyrn gets the idea that hers is the most beautiful nation... but I suppose each nation is allowed to believe what they want... it's all relative. Of course, it's hard to take that comment seriously when the pixies I meet on a daily basis want me to remove my clothing... what's with the nudity? Don't they get cold? Or do they metabolise too quickly? Rhyl Mlezziir Ilharess Ul'Ilindith, Acting Drow 1st Pixies are cute. And they don't deserve to get their wings ripped off just for food. Jagr Lordaeron, Halfling 2nd Jagr gets a fried pixie wing from a red-green sack. Well, they get a bad rap at times. But, when they're congregating they sound quite obnoxious and flaky. They need to calm down and rest or something. Skaphia Divine I, as a proud member of the Olog'hai nation, took some offence to the Pixie Power article. I, as an editor of this paper, am happy it was done, it sparked conversation. Entertainment and sharing the news of the realms is all we here at the Cry of Despair shoot for. Thanks to those of the nations who took time out of travels and resting to speak with us. ============================================================== A Life for a Life By. Azrakare ============================================================== Time passed, as time does. The memories of that battle in which I fell wounded became the stuff of dreams in my mind, no more real than the nightmares that rampaged through my brain from dusk until dawn. Nightmares of old grey men and demon lords and things with fangs that go bump in the night. But I was an educated man then. I did not belive in all that foolishness as my master had. And although over 50 years passed my pouch of coins never emptied. Always full it was. I chalked that up to my own forgetfulness. I reasoned that I refilled it every night from my earnings and just forgot I had done it in the morning. 75 I was now. Ancient as a god as far as the villagers were concerned. And I was quite full of myself, too. Over the years I had used my influence to bend people to my will. If I did not like someone, I had them killed. And time passed farther untill the night of my seventy-sixth birthday. A loud knock on the door startled me out of my trance. All night I had been sitting at my desk pondering the matter of making more money. Annoyed, I rose and walked to the chamber door. Flinging it open, I growled 'What do you want, buffoon?'. I expected my fool servant to be there, but in fact, there was no one. I shrugged and turned to back to my chair. Yet now it was occupied by a figure. Dressed in a brown habit it was, the kind that monks wear. I could see nothing but the thing's eyes for the hood he had pulled around his face. Violet eyes, in fact, drawing me ever closer, ever deeper into them. I shook my head as painful memories tried to flood my mind. I held them back and turned my attention back to the figure. It just sat there, motionless as a statue. A life for a life, my friend. I have come to take what is mine. The words formed themselves clear in my mind, yet I knew that they had not been spoken. I gasped out 'Who are you?'. My next words contained the quiver of fright as the idea of who it could be formed in my mind. Be gone! or i will call the guards. No you wont. The words once again rang in my head. But again, there was no voice to accompany them. There was only this... thing. I shuddered. I gave you a life. You lived it. How well you lived it was up to you. I provided for you, provided enough to help you be happy. Are you happy with the life you've had? I should hope so, you have caused enough pain and suffering by your actions. The insult maddened me. 'Reveal yourself, Spirit.' I yelled at the figure hoping to gain the upper hand in the situation through forcefulness. But, to my dismay, he did as I asked. I blinked. The split second that my eyes were closed a change had come over the figure. A horrible change. No longer was there the stone grey monk. Now it was a nine foot tall monster. Deep purple were his robes and hat and pants, lined with fur and trimmed with gold. The only thing that stayed the same was the stone grey skin and the deep violet eyes. How do you like me now? Does this please you more? Does it make you more willing to give me what is mine? Though the words that resounded in my head had no tone I was able to detect anger from them. Motionless this monster stood, as a statue. I racked my mind for an explanation to this all. Only one word was i able to think of. 'Vampire!' I screamed. 'You are a vampire. Foul beast, be away with thee. Bother me not, else I will slay you!' Of course, there was no truth in my threats. The creature still stood motionless. But now the room changed. A scarlet mist seemed to form in all the corners, giving a tint of red to everything I saw. Anger radiated from this beast as sunlight beams forth from the sun. It hung in the air, making it hard to breath at all. The face of the vampire moved. It bared it fangs at me. I backed myself into the nearest corner and cowered there. You deny me my right? You dare defy me? The red tint grew very strong and then as suddenly as it had come it vanished. I could no longer sense any feeling from the beast before me. I awaited his next words in terror. But as they came, i was soothed. So be it. Calmly they came, flowing through leaving me feeling more peaceful than I had ever felt before. You wish to break your end of the deal, I shall break mine. I will not kill you. But now, its time to undo the deal The peaceful feeling once again washed over me as his final words echoed in my mind. I closed my eyes and all went black. My mind awoke to the rasping sound of my own shallow breathing. Alive I was. But death was surely better than this. The sun was setting and though I struggled to stay alive I felt myself slipping into a dark dream that was all too real. But this cant be, I thought. I've already been past this. I've lived through this! I breathed deeply with the last thought as if to accentuate it. The soul tearing pain that my side responded with told me this was not a good idea. But oh god, the pain. The pain! THE PAIN! I felt it as I did not feel it before. It grew and grew as a tumor inside me, filling me until it was if I was about to burst from it. I could feel everything that touched my skin as the cool wind blew debris from the battlefield onto my body and into the wound in my side. I wanted to die. I wanted the pain to be over. The sun set and I writhed in agony for hours and hours. Something was eating me from the inside. I could feel my body being digested by some force. Every nerve that should have not been active was. I could do nothing but lay there as the force ate away at my inside leaving me but a shell. But I realized that this was not my body I was feeling. The torture was on my soul. And then I knew that forever it would be as such. The agony brought me back to thinking about the deal I had broken with old grey vampire. I longed for him. I longed for him to be my savior. I called out his name in my mind even though I knew not what it was. Over and over I called him, once for every mind shattering wave of nausea that wracked my spirit. Come to me, please. Save me, please, save me from this. And so he appeared. Standing over me he was, in his brown habit (the kind that monks wear), his violet eyes drawing me ever closer, ever deeper into the blackness of his pupils. My mind pleaded for him to save me. I swore that never would I take for granted again what I had. I pleaded to him, telling him with my thoughts that it was only now that I realized how grand of a gift he had given me. His habit fluttered in the wind as he looked down upon me. I cannot save you as i once did. That chance was taken and long gone. I rejoiced in his words. He spoke to me and for that I was grateful. I pleaded for him to help me. Save me. I cannot save you. But I will bring you peace. The pain stopped momentarily as the old man before me became animated. He moved as a human did, motioning to something in the distance. Although I could not see with my eyes, my mind could see the happenings. And so the creature spoke, 'This one is with the blade of a wight. Take care of him.' Those were his only words. And then he walked away. In my minds eye I saw him depart. Within a second, he was replaced by two figures coming towards me. These were true monks. They would save me, I knew it. The thing had commanded it! Blood stained their brown robes as the fleshy men picked up my body and threw me unceremoniously into the back of a cart. The exploding pain came back as my twisted, mangled, form was jostled around over the rest of the dead bodies in the cart. The horse pulled the cart slowly and within a few moments the it stopped, reaching its destination. It tipped backwards and I fell. It was only a short drop but I felt my weakened bones shatter as I hit the pile of wood in the pit that had been dug. Other stinking corpses landed on top of me. The last words I heard before the roar of the fire drowned my senses were 'Die quickly, else you may never do so.' A new sensation came over me. I was burning. It was enlightening. I felt no longer trapped in my body, and I rose free to meet my dead friends who waited for me at the gates of the dark forest. That is the end, my friends. No more can be told of Martin. A gruesome tale it was, but a moral in it lies. In all our lives we are given a chance that will forever change us. We must take this chance and use it to better ourselves and our lives, as well as the lives of others. For after all, the greatest sin is to waste the gift of life on foolishness. ============================================================== Quest and Contest By. Quest Council ============================================================== The web page logo contest had a pretty good turn out. The winners are: 1st Place: Kuah 2nd Place: Herne 3rd Place: Dron Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. Regards, Tical Dreamseeker ----- Hello fare residents of New Darkhaven! I seem to have mixed a few things up in my adventures, and I need your help in solving them. Please watch for more information to be posted on the Archives in New Darkhaven on Thursday, May 25 at 1pm EST/system time. With many thanks, Lady Elisabet ============================================================== MOBs of RoD Unite! By. Begaria ============================================================== It was like any other day. The day itself was the 29th of the Month of the Dragon, about 12 o'clock am...when it happened. A conspiracy ran amuck in Darkhaven and dark rumours spread about the land that the MOBs of the land...were to unite and overtake the land of the Realms. Ah yes, it was a dark tale of those bloody days when they did attack...but my story has not even reached the beginning. The day began normally, with bright eyed travellers pulling on their armor and weaponry, and stamping their boots to get there feet settled in. Aye, even myself awoke along these young warriors and magic users and I climbed down the tree of the Vallenwood and stood under the tree, breathing deep the fresh morning air...when my nose caught a whiff. It was far worse than even that of the Ogress' cook kitchen. This stench...was the mark of monsters. I slowly drew my trusty sword, Doomgiver, and carefully began to stalk around the city when I heard a citizen scream, "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALP!". I rushed towards the sound, along with 30 other seasoned avatar's and what we came upon...was hideous. We came upon Bahamut flying over Darkhaven square...which was no big thing since that is where he drops you off...but in his mouth..was the corpse of the citizen who screamed for help. One of the avs, Herne by name, screamed, "FOLLOW ME!" and we did so, grouped, and rushed off towards Bahamut. As we chased that sucker down, we didn't really expect to run into the entire KoTR gang. They blocked the north gate of Darkhaven and stood impassive, with their weapons drawn. We weren't going to chance being crushed by these fearsome warriors, so we fled south all the way to south gate....but we found THAT one blocked by the Seth gang. Our hearts pounding, we fled to Darkhaven and to the west towards the next gang, but there, waiting for us...was the DP dragons, Shade, and the Olympus gang. By this time, we were a little frightened, but we didn't give up! We fled to the east to the next gate...and even before we got there, we knew what was waiting there for us. Mandor, Nelson, Ben, Legba and Vortex waited there for us. Obviously, all the ways out of Darkhaven were blocked and there was no way out. Suddenly there was a scream at the town hall. We rushed towards the fray, and bumped right into Bahamut. We quickly prepared for battle, and Herne started to slash away at the fearsome dragon. We slashed, hacked, pierced, and cured until Bahamut layed at our feet dead. We gave a small cheer and started into the Town Hall...when we heard a grunt behind us. We turned around quickly, drawing our various weapons, and what we saw was NO laughing matter. Bahamut was up off the ground and staring at us with cold, black eyes. That dragon roared...and roared...and roared and flew up into the sky and off to another part of Darkhaven. We looked at each other, and stared at the spot where Bahamut was, thinking hard, and how he could have got up just as soon as we slaughtered him. Herne says "How about that...? No Immortals are near, for I cannot sense their presence...so....how...?" We grouped around inside of our thick heads, searching for an answer when we heard manical laughter coming near the Guild of Clerics. Mecil says "Quick! Let's go check that out! There's only one MOB that laughs like that!" We understood of course. Only Lord Seth could laugh that evil...and that mad. We ran towards the guild, drawing our weapons for battle, and what we came to see, was hideous. It was not, in fact, Lord Seth. Balzhur, the Immortals legendary pet, was eating clerics for lunch. Doyle made wretching sounds and puked all over the ground. Doyle says "Oh my god! How could that thing gotten free?! The Immortals usually keep a tight rein on that beast! What have we done to deserve this?!" Balzhur turned slowly and looked at Doyle with small, evil, beady eyes. Doyle shrank back and we began to prepare for battle. However, Balzhur just laughed that evil laugh and disappeared. We stared around dumbfounded. Azrakare says "Wh...where'd he go?....He just...disappeared!" Oh yes...there was something very fishy about this whole operation...why would MOBs over run Darkhaven, seal it up, and start terrorizing the folks? We needed to get to the bottom of this, and soon. We ran to Darkhaven Square and ran into reinforcements, about 20 avs and 30 lowbies who looked like they had a little experience in this world. Pelmen says "Hey! :| What the heck is going ON around here?!" I replied "We don't know...strange occurrences have been happening, we're trapped here in our own city, and MOBs disappear and resurrect like nothing!" DekkatH says "To make matters worse...I don't think there will be any immortals coming to our rescue." I stared at DekkatH in shock...we all did. I realized that DekkatH is right. If we were going to be rescued by some Imms, than we would have by now. The MOBs must have done something to block them off from us. Basically, we were on our own. DekkatH says "What we have to do is find their source of power and destroy it. Or we will never be able to free ourselves from this horrible dilemma the city is in." DekkatH was right. We needed to find the source of power...but where...do we start to look? Continued next issue... ============================================================== Group News By. (Submitted by Kaan Eredluun) ============================================================== __ __ __ __| |__| |__| Rol Na Feinne News __|__|__|__|__| _|___|___|___|| ___|___|___|__| The Order of Rol Na Feinne would like \_|__|__|___|/ to congratulate its newest knight, Sir \__|____|__/ Moonfire, on reaching the rank he has |||_|_|_|| so long sought. Also, we wish to honor ||_|_|||_| Vrakk of the ilKhan Nation for winning |_|_|_|_|| the International Joust which the Order ||_|||_||| sponsored. Congratulations Vrakk! We are |_|_|_|_|| planning on holding more such events in |_|||_|_|| the future for the enjoyment of all! ||_|_|_|_| We would also like to remind all who ||_|_|_|_| wish to enter the order to seek out a |_|_|_|_|| Scout for an interview. Our thanks, and ||_|_|_||| be well! |_|_|_|_||_ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ /___|___|__\| |__| |__| |__| |__| |__| |__| |__| |__| |_|_|_|_|_|_||__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__| ||_|_|_|_|_|_||__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__| ============================================================== Poets Corner By. CoD Staff ============================================================== What light do I see down yonder path? Is it that light that soothes and warms or warm vittles simmering by worn down hearth or torches of soldiers on the march Could it be a dragon with wings unfurled, who tilts his beak as the flames within stir Or mayhaps it is the beacon of maiden fair who craves rescue from some dark lord's lair what sound is that I hear in the mist? that echoes through this mysterious wood it could be a demon's hiss or the magiks of a wizard old and grey perhaps it is nothing more than an injured beast but it may be the sounds of goblins rallying to the feast That light may be no more than a glowing pool reflected on by the moon The sounds no more than wind cutting through the gloom. But questions my heart must ask nonetheless, for the pride of the adventurer is not to overlook and always upon viewing to second-guess. Alendil DarkRaven ============================================================== Funny Bones By. CoD Staff ============================================================== From Alexian's log, Feb 14th 2000, sitting in Morgul Vale: <1255/1562 706/863 977H> All those wishing to attend the wedding of Aurale and Shingo should send a tell to Sarah or Valanna. ... 20 minutes later ... <1268/1562 719/863 977H> Shingo and Aurale are joined by the pact of matrimony. <1268/1562 719/863 977H> A chorus of orcs begins to sing "Where there's a whip, there's a way!" You roll on the floor laughing hysterically. Amerlea openly traffics: c'mon no one wants an action figure to call their very own? you can hug it and pet it and love it until it dies.. Lorkon openly traffics: it dies? Amerlea openly traffics: my action figure will spank you til the cows come home Amerlea openly traffics: *wink* it ain't called action for nothin! Vanzank openly traffics: ok I'm convinced! Lemme get rid of my man first then I'll buy your figure! FUNNY TITLES Alendil DarkRaven gigolo for his sugahmomma Marian. Varin: show off your eq to me, you shall be ignored. Wraegn says 'A night with sunshine is like the day.". Havoick is still looking.... he forgot what for though. Plorg has been level 46 for 20 years. Skaphia Divine is wookin pa nub. ============================================================== Thank you for reading, from the Society of Scribes! ============================================================== THE CRY OF DESPAIR #34 ==============================================================