{"id":1893,"date":"2024-03-20T12:50:05","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T12:50:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=1893"},"modified":"2024-03-20T12:50:05","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T12:50:05","slug":"cry-of-despair-93","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/cry-of-despair-93\/","title":{"rendered":"Cry of Despair #93"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color\">2005 RoD Awards! Karkarov: Nephandi, new levels of depravity; Babui: Scary Nursery Rhymes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"cryofdespair\">\n==============================================================================\n    Cry of Despair, Issue 93                                    March 2005\n==============================================================================\n\n                  - 2005 RoD Awards Results                     - by Alysira\n                  - Nations News                                - via Romani\n                  - Order News - Sanctus Irae                   - by Aslan\n                  - Deadly News                                 - by Vortok\n                  - Lessons from the Headmaster                 - by Karkarov\n                  - Babui's Babble Bubble                       - by Babui\n                  - A Game of Chance                            - by Babui\n                  - Wedding Congratulations                     - by Babui\n                  - Roleplaycrafts Face of the Month            - by Faya\n                  - Maximing Your PK Time                       - by Vortok\n                  - Character Sketches                          - by Lharrunien\n                  - Funnybones                                   \n                  - RoD Desktop Background Contest              - by Romani\n                  - Poem Contest                                - by Aragon\n                  - Room Description Contest                    - by Aslan\n                  - Cry of Despair Quest\n                      -  February's Quest Results                 - by Alysira\n                      -  March's Quest                            - by Alysira\n                  - From The Quill Of Alysira                   - by Alysira\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                                \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      2005 RoD Awards Results                                 by Alysira\n==============================================================================\n\nIt's what you've been waiting for! And my apologises for it being so late.\nCongratulations to the winners!\n\n1. Best Male Immortal:\nKali, Kinux, Edmond\n \n2. Best Female Immortal:\nSelina, Ceirana, Alysira\n \n3. Best Male Roleplayer:\nFalennt, Gildeth, several ties.\n \n4. Best Female Roleplayer:\nAmalia\/Amaris\/Cathrine, Rebeca, several ties.\n \n5. Best RoD Couple:\nHerne + Romani, Kali + Moonbeam, Nariel + Mazian\n \n6. Best \"New change\" to Realms:\nBarbarians, Wendle Mansion, Changes to Nephandi\n \n7. Worst \"New change\" to Realms:\nSneakers not showing on 'where', Apples of Life changes, Changes to Donation\nvaults\n\n8. Best Guild:\nGuild of Nephandi, Guild of Clerics, Guild of Mages\n \n9. Best Order:\nInconnu\/Maidenstone\/Baali, Dragonslayer, Arcanes\/Sanctus Irae\n \n10. Best Clan:\nCatarrh\/Maleficae, Excordis\/Feralis\n \n11. Best Area:\nUnderworld, Seth's Fortress, Mountain of Lost Souls\n \n12. Best Nation:\nElf Nation, Drow Nation, Half-Elf Nation\n  \n13. Best Food Item:\nToffee-Coated Imp, a cinnamon heart, several ties.\n \n14. Best Drink Item:\nMagical Spring, a shot of vodka with lemon juice, several ties.\n \n15. Best \"Treasure\" Item:\nMystical Eye of Foresight, several ties.\n\n16. Most Likely to DT:\nQaulorn, Vermicio\/Aragon\/Gablok, several ties.\n \n17. Best Dressed:\nMadazanirt, Rebeca, Eric\n \n18. Most Likely to be Balzhured:\nVir, Jearan, Chakavak\n \n19. Best Rename:\nYoglinde (Lifebane renamed to Frenchbane), several ties\n \n20. The \"Fruit\" Award:\nJearan, Zio, Aslan\n \n21. Best Social:\nNod, Laugh, Grin\n \n22. Best Male Player:\nRikkath, Zwanth\/Hauzal\/Rathmonicus, several ties\n \n23. Best Female Player:\nAkael, Kyrstal, Skaphia\/Mephie\/Linariel\n\n24. Most likely to get illegally PKilled:\nJearan, Aslan\/Gallant\/Kate, several ties\n \n25. Most likely to be the one to illegally PKill them:\nVermicio, Tae, several ties\n \n26. Most charismatic deadly:\nVermicio, Vortok, Faceripper\n \n27. Most charismatic peaceful:\nRikkath, Akael\/Grontak, several ties\n \n28. Most interesting help file:\nHelp Answers, Help Me I Am A Moron, Help Notmyfault\n \n29. Most interesting room:\nDarkhaven Square, several ties\n \n30. Best Runner:\nRikkath, Mirandee, Dobby\n \n31. Best explorer:\nTokai, Nelkum, Mirandee\/Kyrstal\n\n32. Next-to-Imm:\nTokai\/Rikkath\/Aleq, Mauzait\/Hauzal, several ties\n \n33. Most eligible Bachelor:\nOwyn, Sinistro, several ties\n \n34. Most eligible bachlorette:\nAkael, Amaris\/Rebeca, several ties\n \n35. Best Female Character Played By A Male:\nIlsensine, Hope, several ties\n \n36. Funniest person:\nKali, Stoneheft, Conran\n \n37. Sickening Goodness (the biggest Goodie Two-Shoes):\nAkael, Aslan, Loril\n \n38. Ugliest Player Name:\nJoandaxjimli, Faceripper, several ties\n \n39. Nicest Player Name:\nMoonbeam, Uilisia, Alysira\n \n40. Most Unique rename:\nKate - Lollerskates, Mephie - <3, several ties\n\n41. Craziest Player:\nBassam, Jearan, Chakavak\n \n42. Most Dedicated Leader:\nRikkath, Skaphia, Tokai\n \n43. Best Quest of 2004:\nDestre - Mousetrap, Destre\/Shadrack - Pirates Attacking Ocean Keep, \nSeveral Imms - Survivor\n \n44. Most Frequent to X-Chan:\nNariel, Tabitha, Amaris\n \n45. Most Likely To End Up With QWERTY On Their Forehead:\nGildeth, Mauro, Lopuis\n \n46. Most Likely To Have No Life:\nGallant, Aslan, Mephie\/Chakavak\n \n47. Most Frightening Immortal:\nKali, Blodkai, Edmond\/Moonbeam\n\n48. Most Frightening Player:\nGenge, Aslan, several ties\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                          \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      Nations News - Gith                                     via Romani\n==============================================================================\n\n*Written on fine parchment from the offices of the Surveyors*\nThis month sees further growth and expansion of the Gralthai lands with aim\nof slightly repairing and redoing some areas of our windswept nation. Although\nnothing has been planned yet we, the Gralthai people are furthering our sights\nto look towards the future. In other news, strange mages have been telling of\nghostly images of beast that seems to be wandering our lands, although this I\nfeel is far from a hoax.\n\n*Signed in the blood of the Ancients*\nKing Aslan Svengali de Rotheschilde, Gralthai King\n\n----------\n\nFrom the Opallinoc News Bureau:\n \nDateline Opallinoc: Spring Equinox\nPlans for the annual Spring Equinox celebration are now underway. Meeka has\npromised something special to \"bring out the best\" of the Uruk'hai attending.\n \nDateline Around the Realms: Three Uruk'hai-teers\nWhile sitting at the Great Bonfire, Klaatu decided some adventure was needed.\nCoercing the nearest Uruk'hai, Raj and Lanthaos, to 'tag' along, Klaatu set\nout on a personal quest. Mainly just what action is happening the the various\ntaverns and inns, around the Realms. The first stop was at the Grim Smile, in\nDarkHaven. Next, the trio headed westward to the Shire. There they sampled\nthe wares of the Green Dragon and the Ivy Bush, till the Thain's men helped\nus out. Further westward, was Old Thalos, were the Tavern of the Sun was \nclosed early by the Imperial Guards. Heading back toward Darkhaven, Raj said,\n\"Ofcol\". The trio nodded in agreement and besotted the Village Inn. Just \nsteps ahead of Marshal Diana, they exited and went to Nyle's Tavern in New \nOfcol. Checking out the Rathskeller denziens as a boring group, the trio \nstole off to Granny Jenkin's still room. Grabbing a few quarts, they ran off \nwith Granny in pursuit With Diana and the guards tracking them, the three \ndashed for Mahn-tor. There they ran afoul of minotaurs, at the Inn of the \nBroken Horn. Recalling to Darkhaven, the trio retreated to Miden'nir and \nBlack Jack's Saloon for the night. There they rented rooms and slept the \nadventure off.\n\n----------\n\nThis is PNN your source for Pixie News:\n \nThis just in, Princess Aristacia Arcannis is to Marry Air Chief Marshall \nPadraig. No date has been given for the Wedding. Last month Aristacia was\nengaged to Drow Leader Phalar. No reaction from the Drow as of yet.\nPixies should remain cautious,  due to fear of Drow reprisals.\n \nIn other news, a piece of the great pixie shield of legend is missing.\nThe shield was found with bite marks in it. Also at the scene was a small\npuddle of milk. If you see a pixie with a milk moustache and cookie crumbs\nplease inform the proper authorities.\n \nIn Sports, The Air Polo championship was played today. The Dunhill Sprites\ndefeated the Kontaur Imps by the score of 8-7. The winning goal was shot by\nDoozie O'Lootie, the team captain.\n\n----------\n\nWith great sadness I must express the grief of my grandmothers second cousins,\nbest friends nephew. Knuckel was such a dear boy and such a brave and strong \nwarrior despite his youth. When the green blob invaded the shire I was quick\nenough to get every Hobbit to the underground shelters. There we heard in \nhorror the senseless slaughter of our precious livestock. But when Knuckel \nheard the sound of his precious pig squealing he escaped the grasp of his \nelders and went out to fight the grotesque monster. I ran after him but it was\ntoo late, he lay dead, holding the head of his pig. Memorial services were \nheld for him and his precious pig and the other animals.\n  \nTimes have changed my beloved people, most every nation is complaining of \ninvasions or sickness. To protect our homeland some brave and hearty men and \nwomen will be moving to a new location to set up a new colony and military \nbase, so if extra protection is needed for the burrows it will be there. But \nalso to ensure the crops and livestock we have will have a chance to grow and\nflourish. This also gives a chance for our youth to spread their wings and \nfly, start new families; and yes it is a solution to the overcrowding of our \nhomeland, the Burrows. Do not worry my precious ones; I shall remain Thain \nover all. If you would like to be one of the lucky families to be on the wagon\ntrain (which will be well guarded) please request an application from Jono, my\nsecretary; he will be happy to help you as always -- Zasperlyn\n\n----------\n\nWith a single petal, a small promise of future was given to the few Elohai who\nhad known that it was discovered and now within the grasp of the Emerald \nOrder. The Lily of Shadows, snatched from the fingers of Miyaka in her search\nfor a cure, was no longer a rumor but a reality.\n \nWithin the swamps of T'Man, Miyaka discovered one who was keeping the Lily of\nShadows alive within a nearby cave. After graciously ridding him of the \nburden, she was attacked by several people who appeared to be humans. The \nflower was taken from her, a single petal still left grasped within her \nfingers as she made her return to Eldestra. A search party is being organized \nto seek out the ones who attacked her and retrieve the flower should it be \nfound among their corpses. \n\nAlthough the lack of an entire bloom might not be enough to create what was \nneeded for the curse that had befallen the Elohai, it was a start. In the \nhands of the magi, the work was to begin on finding what it was about this \nsingle flower that held the magical attributes for ridding the markings that \nhad shown months ago on those afflicted.\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                              \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      Order News - Sanctus Irae                               via Aslan\n==============================================================================\n\n*Written on a fine parchment laced with gold*\nDear all,\nAs the winter has drawn to a full close many merchants have begun adjusting \ntheir shops for the year, along with selling the old produce in Darkhaven and \nother cities. Sad news has come in the form of Weaver Shaiel stepping down \nfrom Leadership although a bright spark has stood up to the challenge, a hero\nby the name of Carnak. There are also stories going around the city that a \nsinister, dark and strange cult is taking shape. The cult members are only \nknown by their strange title, 'The Twilight Society'. Many stories have \nalready gone around about the purposes of this dark group as they only allow \nthe truly evil to join their ranks.\n\nThat is all for now,\n*signed with the Seal of the Rose*\nA lonely, educated Scribe.\n \nOOC NEWS:\nNewest Members: Valdor, Lermort\nNew Order Second: Carnak\nWe are currently accepting applications, please visit our website for further\ndetails: www.water-glass.net\/osi or HELP SI\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                        \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      Deadly News                                             by Vortok\n==============================================================================\n\nWhat's new in PK?  Remember, at any time you can type PKNEWS to see the latest\nand greatest enhancements to the pkill way of life.\n \nGeneral:\n- PK is dead.  Is this bad?  Read the article \"Maximizing Your PK Time\"\n- Moonbeam mortalizes and steps down as PKC Head... Kali continues to\n  lead PKC from the shadows.\n- Many people are switching clans.  Lots of mindset changes this month.\n\nCatarrh:\n- Catarrh slips slowly into the shadows...\n- Pat returns, and leaves again?  Huh?\n\nExcordis:\n- Telemachus steps down and Vortok assumes leadership of Excordis.\n  -- Atrayyu moves to #1 and Bargot to #2\n- Aylssa steps off to Disney land, have a safe trip!\n- Ray leaves PK after being 5v2 looted by Feralis.\n \nFeralis:\n- Tij and his clan dominate the victories this month, Feralis leads the way.\n- Vermicio\/Gherla assumes #2 position as Renmazou steps down to seek a\n  peaceful leadership opportunity.\n- Maq joins the Feralis team.\n\nMaleficae:\n- Gerad loses his VoDW, but keeps on ticking, way to be a team player!\n- Versatch remains unseen, where has he gone?\n \nPKC:\n- PKC has become inactive.\n  -- Immortal support remains strong, but members fail to take advantage\n     of it\n \nThat's it, not much this month.  Hopefully things will pick up soon.\nData Updated: 11 March 2005 by Vortok\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                          \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      Lessons from the Headmaster                             by Karkarov\n==============================================================================\n\nLessons from the Headmaster: Nephandi from the bottom up\n\nI have a new passion ! The Nephandi reaches new depths of depravity that an\nevil mage such as myself may only dream of. It is, I think, the most \ninteresting class I have played. Imagine this, a mage with 22 dexterity, and\nnatural 20 strength: thats what the Nephandi are.\n\nNephs unfortunately have a bad reputation for being weak and hard to level,\nthis is not entirely true. The are a little weak, in that their first attack\nspell dosn't come until level 6 (disruption), but so what .. they get strike\nat level 2 and if you your damage roll is high enough thats all you need for\na long long time.\n\nHere are some notable points of the Nephandi slist.\nlevel 3: execrate       - a room atack spell !\nlevel 4: venemous touch - poison ! .. lowest level any class gets poison\nlevel 5: word of recall - this is nice to get at such a low level\nlevel 7: mind fortress  - group +1 int and -6 spell saves\nlevel 14: nihil         - attack spell used against good things.\nlevel 15: trance !\n\n... Ah well .. I just realized the *whole* slist is full of highlights, so I\ncan't really list them all here .. but once you get nihil and trance that is \nreally all you need to av a nephandi :> There are a lot of other useful things\nof course, scry\/locate\/identify\/ passdoor, a few tanks spells, a great many \nspelldowns and finally at av level the amazing qlippothic shift attack spell.\n\nOne of the most fun things about Nephandi is the imaginative use of spell\ncomponents. 'a handful of blinding sand' is required to cast 'sands of hades',\nfresh\/cooked or embalmed body parts are required for several spells too. It \nis all enourmous fun collecting and using the required components.\n\nI suppose the biggest difference between mages and Nephandi is that the nephs\ndo not generally do spellups for others. Mind fortress is just really the only\none, and that depends on you being grouped with the caster. This means it \nisn't a utility class like genuine mages or clerics, but I'd tend to leave the\nspllups to the well established bots and brewers, Nephandi are still a lot of\nfun to play.\n\nOk .. you want a Neph how the heck do you make a Nephandi? For stats, well my\nlatest and greatest creation is a Drow with these rolled stats:\n              14 str 18 int 14 wis 15 dex 11 con 9  cha 14 lck\nINT is prime, DEX secondary, LCK deficient. Remember nephs have their own\nstr, dex and int spellups so maxing these stats is a little easier than on \nother classes. As for race, Drow and Gith are popular and easy to roll, pixies\nare annoying (honestly!) because they get high innate charisma which makes it\nhard to roll good numbers in the other stats, Humans .. I never liked humans\n(thats why I mud rather than go out).\n\nTo level a neph, I recommend boosting you damage roll as often as possible.\nSimply, without any attack spell until level 5 you will will need to rely on \nyour weapon and strike to bring down your foes. Even once you get attack \nspells such as distruption\/nihil and umbral spear, I really do not want to \nspend hour after hour trancing .. neither do I wish to spend a large fortune\non mana potions, so max the stats, max the DR and strike away! At the higher\nlevels it does become worthwhile using nihil and umbral, mostly because you \ncan trance up enough to get in a good many hits before requiring to quaff mana\npotions.\n\nFinally at av level there are some wonderful nephandi restricted items of \nequipment to wear: 'The Brand of Eternal Subjugation', 'the Horned Skull of \nthe Daemon Lord', and 'Nightmares Unleashed' amongst others, and believe me, \nthose items don't just have pretty names :)\n\nLevel a Nephandi, you cannot possibly ever regret it.\n\nKarkarov\nThe Headmaster.\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                          \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      Babui's Babble Bubble                                   by Babui\n==============================================================================\n\n*yawns***...I nearly fell asleep!\n\nAnyways, so I was thinking of the ducky song that Orugan was so determined\nthat I remind him how it goes.\n\nFor those curious:\n5 little ducks went out one day,\nover the hills and far away\nMother duck said quack quack quack quack\nbut only 4 little ducks came back.\n \nEh, you might sing it different, but that was how I sing it :( Poor little\nduckies, getting lost!\n\nAnyways, so I was thinking of nursery rhymes\/lullaby. Have you ever thought\nhow SCARY some of them are when you pay attention to the lyrics?\n\nFor example\n\nLondon bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down\nLondon bridge is falling down\nMy fair lady\n\n...so like...a bridge falling down is suppose to make me happy somehow?\n\nRock a bye baby, on a tree top..\nwhen the wind blows, the cradle will rock\nwhen the bough breaks, the cradle will fall\ndown comes the baby, cradle and all\n \n..visualise it. A baby falling from a tree? ARGH!\n \nRing around a rosie\na pocket full of posies\nAshes, Ashes\nand we all fall down\n \nWell, I use to sing that enough as a little kid. It was just great news to\nfind out later it was about a plague.\n \nANYWAYS. Yay for my random Babui Babble Bubbles.\n\nBy no means did I imply or mean that those songs ain't good and shouldn't be\nsung to children. Quite the opposite! They are classics! Every child should\nknow it! <3 But I personally prefer twinkle twinkle little star =P \n\nAnyways! SLEEP now, may you have sweet dreams about *points above* ;)\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                            \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n \n==============================================================================\n      A Game of Chance                                        by Babui\n==============================================================================\n\nIn this MUD game we all play in, there about 22,500 characters....(says Conran \n- accurate approximation!) What are the chances of meeting a certain person?\n\nWhat are the chances of finding someone you can call a close friend?\nChances are given, whether you take the opportunity, is entirely up to you.\n\nThis is a game created for chance. Well, for entertainment purpose too.\n4 lucky people will be given the chance to meet someone...someone you may \nor may not know...it is all up to...chance.\n \n|                             ,---')\n                            (  -_-(\n                            ) .__\/ )\n                          _\/ _\/_( \/        _.---._\n                         (__\/ _ _) ,-._   \/  o    \\\n                           \/\/)__(\\\/,-` |_| O  o o O|\n                       _\\\\\/\/\/==o=\\'      |O o  o O |\n                        `-' \\    \/        \\O o   o\/\n                             )___\\         `'-.-\\\\\n                            \/ ,\\ \\       ____)_(____\n                           \/ \/  \\ \\     '--..---,,--'\n                          \/()    >()        \\\\_\/\/   \n                          |\\_\\   |\\_\\       \/,-.\\\n\n\nExplanation of the process:\n\n- 4 guys and 1 girl, or 4 girls and 1 guy will be randomly selected on a first\n  come first serve basis. The 4 will choose a name to be associated with them.\n\n- Assuming this is the 4 guys 1 girl scenario, the girl will ask a question\n  and mudmail it to me. I will make 4 copies, and send them to each of the \n  guys, and they will answer in a mudmail to me.\n\n- Forwarding the 4 answers on a separate mudmail to the girl, the girl will \n  decide and choose 1 guy to be outcasted.\n\n- This continues - 3 questions, 3 guys outcasted, and the girl will meet up\n  with the remaining guy!\n \nNote:\n\n+ The questions must be general (eg, what is your favourite area?) and must \n  not reveal\/hint at a person's identity (eg, what organisation are you in?)\n+ The meeting will be arranged and logged, and after that, what they do is\n  their own business.\n+ The mudmails would all be posted to me, so it'll be anonymous - until the\n  final meeting where the girl will know who she chose and who she gave up!\n+ The results and questions\/answers will be published on the cry, so be ready.\n\nI am now accepting applications for this game. \n                   _________________________________________\n                   *                                       *\n                   * The next game will be 1 girl 4 guys   *\n                   *_______________________________________*\n\nA requirement before you apply is that you must be active. We cannot wait days\nfor the mudmails exchange.\nThis is a game, if you get outcasted, don't be sad, don't be mad, but have \nfun!\nBe ready to be shocked, be surprised, and be happy! Apply now!\nThis is a chance to meet a new friend, or catch up with an old one!\nSend a mudmail to Babui saying you're interested now!\nRemember to specify in the mudmail a nickname (don't be too obvious about \nyour identity and keep it clean please!) and whether you're a guy or a girl!\nIf there are any questions, please feel free to send me a tell or mudmail!\n\nBecause last issue came out late, there wasn't enough applications nor time\nfor the exchange of mudmails.\nSo last month's Game of Chance is postponed. Applications for this month is\nstill welcomed.\nHowever, this will be the last round of the Game of Chance. \n\nSo! Mudmail me your applications if you want to play! This will be your last\nchance! (Unless lotsa people complain and boycott and revolt and wants it back\n.. lol)\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                               \n==============================================================================\n\n\n \n==============================================================================\n      Wedding Congratulations                                 by Babui\n==============================================================================\n\nA friend just got married? Want to congratulate them along with the whole of\nrealms?\n \nYou just got married? Want to announce to the whole of realms your love for\neach other?\n \nWell, here's the place!\n \nSend me a mudmail with the couples' name, the date of the wedding, and any\ncomments you would like to make =)\n \nStart NOW by showing you care! Start NOW by showing you are truely happy for\nthem\/yourself! Start NOW by announcing to the world!\n \n_____________________,88888e \n______________,a888b.9888888i \n______________888888888888888 \n______________88888888888888Y\n______________'8888888888888\n________________\"S888888888\"\n__________________\"7888888Y \n_____________________\"e88j \n______________________-> HaPpY WeDdInG!\n\n\n                               mMm  _[_]_\n                              \/(_)\\  (_)\n                             \/\/)-(\\\\\/\/:\\\\\n                            \/(\/>O<\\)\\|-|\/\n                           \/ \/-\/`\\-\\ |||\n                           `\/       \\|||\n                            `-------'-'--\n                     ()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()\n                      }     CONGRATULATIONS!    {\n                      }                         {\n                      }   On 11th of Feburary   {\n                      }                         {\n               ()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()\n                }                                     {\n                }            Thivia Greyfire          {\n                }                 and                 {\n                }            Kiwen Doucette           {\n                }                                     {\n         ()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()\n          }                                                 {\n          }       declared their undyling love for each     {\n          }      other as their two hearts joined as one.   {\n          }                                                 {\n   ()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()@()\n\n\n            veULoveU                           veULoveUL\n         ULo        Lov                     ULo         ove\n       veU            veU                 veU             eUL\n     Lov                ULo             veU                 veU\n    ULo                   veU          ULo                   veU\n  ULo                       ove      Lov                       ove\n ULo                         veU    Lov                         ULo\n ULo        Theodore           veU ULo          Cheyana         Lov\n  ULo                                                          Lov\n   ULo         joined together in holy matrimony on           eUc\n    eUL                                                      ULo\n     ULo                   Feb 14th 2005                    veU\n      veU                                                  ove\n        ULo                                              ULo\n           ULo                                        ove\n              veU            Theodore:             Uco\n                ULo     I'll love you forever   ULo\n                  veU       and a day         ove\n                     ove                   ULo\n                        ULo             ove\n                          ove         ULo\n                            eUL     veU  \n                              Lov Lov\n                                 eU\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                             \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      Roleplaycrafts Face of the Month                        by Faya\n==============================================================================\n\nRPC's Faces of the Month\n \nThe Face of the Month is a series of interviews conducted for a chosen\nroleplayer (not character) each month. The interview highlights and outlines\nmajor aspects of the player's views on Roleplaying as well as on his or her\nmain character at the point in time and the creation of it.\n \nFor Faces 2005, two roleplayers are selected from the growing pool of new\nroleplayers in Realms and their responses have been quite enlightening in\nretrospect and interesting as well. Most of us MUDders do find delight in the\nstories and books we buy from the bookstores but how many of us actually found\nthe courage to venture into writing an epic or love story of our own right \nhere in this game? Here are the two who have taken up the mud-quill, so to \nspeak, to draft out their lifestories here in the Realms.\n \nCarnak\n \nCarnak started out as a roleplayer in the Half Orc nation before displaying\nhis worth and graduating to become the Leader of the Half Orcs. Now with an\nadditional passion to further his character, Carnak has taken on the mantle \nof Armsmaster of the City of Irae in which he has quite delightfully immersed\nhis abilities of roleplaying and storywriting in.\n\nRyven\n \nRyven was a recent discovery in the community of roleplayers and his hardcore\noldschool tactics of being in-character and being different has gained him an\namount of recognition from the Nation of the Elves as well as the larger\ncommunity alike, greatly bringing forth roleplay activity in the Elven Nation.\nA rarity indeed, it will be interesting to track this vampire on his\nroleplaying path in the Realms.\n \n1. What started you into roleplaying, and specifically here in the Realms?\n \nCarnak : Well, what initially started me on roleplaying was when one of my RL\nfriends invited me to a D session in the basement. I was about 10, and though\nit was hard to understand, I was always considered a wordsmith- so I took to\nthe RPing aspects quite quickly. I started playing on Realms seriously in about\n2001\/2002. I stumbled on an RP in National Visions, and that's when I found out\nRP was done here. I sat in and watched a few more before I started myself.\n \nRyven : I liked theatre, so RP was just another form of that. In Realms, I\nhad a couple great mentors back in the day. Seytin the Drow Mage and Serlar the\nElven Vampire were both taught very well.\n\n2. What is your preferred style of roleplay?\n \nCarnak : Its a hybrid between spontaneous and planned RP, if that makes any\nsense. There is a general guideline layed out of what I want to do, and it's\njust finding the right people and getting the scenes done that I rarely plan\nout.\n \nRyven : I don't really have a preferred style. I try to stay IC 100%, so I go\nwith the flow on most occasions.\n \n3. What are your latest plans in the realm of roleplay here?\n \nCarnak : I intend on focusing more on RP when I get my schedule set again,\nboth in Irae and with the half-orc nation. With some luck and heavy-duty\nencouragement, I may be able to revive the orc nation roleplay, which is\ndefinately amongst my primary goals.\n \nRyven : My latest plans are to attend my Trial and possibly be destroyed.\nBeyond that...\n\n4. When do you rp? How would you like other roleplayers to engage you in a\nplot \/ scene?\n\nCarnak : I RP pretty much whenever the opportunity arises and time permits.\nGenerally other roleplayers can seek me out (assuming I'm not already\nbacklogged with scenes to be completed), or I'll seek them out.\n \nRyven : I RP when I'm on. Engage me however you wish, as long as you keep in\nmind that I am an Evil Vampire Elf.\n \n5. What is the main thing you look for in what you consider as a good RP\nplot?\n \nCarnak : Room to develop and expand- mainly if it is able to accept new RPers\nand if it is able to change depending on the actions and reactions of all of\nthe characters involved in it.\n \nRyven : The players. Originality and spontanaety are great ways to make just\nabout any plot fun. It's all about keeping in character and living the scene.\n\n6. Who are the most memorable characters your character\/s ever engaged with\nin any RP plot here? Tell us about them.\n \nCarnak : Kruntak: One of the first people I ever RPed with, who was a member\nof the half-orc nation... he was a fun guy, but he vanished and I haven't been\nin contact with him in a while.\n \nShaiel: We had a good plot going on between the two characters, they were\nsworn enemies who eventually forgave eachother...\n \nRebeca: Once more, enemies turned friends. I had a really nice RP plot going\non with her just recently.\n \nAugustine: I think he's an awesome RPer, all the scenes I've done with him\nhave left me going \"wow, that was sick!\"\n \nI am sure there are many others, but I simply don't have space to mention\nthem all.\n \nRyven : I really wouldn't know. I don't think I've done any grand plots, I\njust enjoy my character and the reactions of those around me.\n\n7. What has been your favorite scene you have ever participated in, or not\nparticipated in but had read a log of?\n \nCarnak : Probably one of the scenes I did in SI, with Bertushanon and Dray.\nIt was about apprehending Bertushanon for commiting a crime which he did not\ntruly commit- it had a good balance of action and intrigue, and was rather fun\nto RP.\n \nRyven : Couldn't tell you, I've been reading scenes for so long, they tend to\nblend into one long, entrancing story from countless perspectives. It's all a\nmatter of what type of scene I'm in the mood for, I suppose.\n \n8. What do you think is the most important element of a good character or a\ngood story?\n \nCarnak : The ability to develop the character is what I think is most\nimportant- nothing floors me more than a character that is completely static.\nI try to RP Carnak's changes in scenes, as he would change (in my mind) due to\nthe events that have occured involving him.\n \nRyven : Consistency. Stay in your character's mind and you're gold. Unless I\nhate your character. Then you're dead. haha.\n\n9. What current plots are you working on, how can people join in if they want\nto?\n \nCarnak : I'm working with a plot in OSI right now, but other than that I'm\ndeveloping a plot for the half-orc nation. I've left a note in NV for other\nleaders of Nations or Groups to contact me ICly.\n \nRyven : My current plots and goals? My Trial. If you wish to attend or join,\nspeak with Aragon, Raivanna, Gildeth, or Shareed. Gil and Shar are my\nprosecutors. (I was informed this plot is already completed. For more\ninformation on the outcome, speak to those that Ryven has named.)\n \nAfter Question 9, both roleplayers were given a more personalized question to\nanswer, a question that is tailored to the character that this roleplayer is\ncurrently playing at this point in time.\n \n10. 'Carnak' has been described as a character whom has gone beyond the cast\nof a usual 'half-orc'. Did you have any strategies you used to push your\ncharacter beyond the norm? Do you think such non-conforming characters can be\neasily accepted in the IC society?\n\nCarnak : I guess one thing I've always tried to focus on while playing Carnak\nwas his human side. Though I kept some orcish attributes, I exchanged some of\nthe strength for average intelligence. In a fair fight, and as long as Carnak\nhasn't ditched his brain in a frenzy, Carnak could not best a half-orc. I tried\nalso to make this character more human in attitudes as well- he acts much more\nhuman than orc, and hey, half-orcs are orcs AND humans too, right?!?! # I\ncame into RP with an intent to break the racial stereotype of half-orcs. No\nmatter what game you play, half-orcs are generically displayed as evil, which I\nthought was an unfair outlook. Though orcs are inherently evil, humans could be\nconsidered neutral. So I took that into account, and I guess Carnak has come\nout as a more neutral character- he can be evil at times, but also good at\ntimes, depending on the situation.\n \nRPers, as far as I understand and in general, accept this kind of character-\nin fact, I've had quite a few comment me on it. However, I acknowledge that\nsome players may frown on the breaking of a tradition that has been kept for a\nlong time in RPGs, that half-orcs are evil. I simply did not like this\nevaluation... thus my decision to break the \"rule\" so to speak. # But if\nthe drow Drizzt can be a good drow, so can Carnak be a good half-orc. Just\nbecause the Players guide says they SHOULD be this alignment, doesn't mean\nthey HAVE to be.\n\n10. Elves are innately believed to be good. Has this stereotype trait been a\nproblem in your RP? Have you any advice for those who attempt to roleplay\nbeyond the stereotype?\n \nRyven : As to the stereotype... If you aren't willing to have people bully\nand berate you for playing, stick to the stereotype. I won't even go into how\nmany people harassed me, how many people went out of their way to mess with my\ncharacter just because I chose to be a bit darker than the norm. It shocks me\nto see how many people couldn't care less about RP, and saddens me that they\nwould have such hatred towards those who enjoy it.\n \nThey could ignore, but they choose instead to aggravate. So, if you don't\nhave thick skin and supportive friends, don't stray from that mold. It'll only\nnet you anguish and frustration. I had great friends helping me, or else I\nwould have given up ages ago. It just isn t worth it sometimes and it takes\ngreat people to remind you of the fun you had. So, good luck to any and all\npeople trying to enjoy their character, I wish you luck. You'll need it to\nsave your sanity from all the whiners and the bullies that only play for the\nimaginary equipment and not for the social fun of hanging out with friends\njust chatting and having a great time.\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                              \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      Maximing Your PK Time                                   by Vortok\n==============================================================================\n\nMany of you are aware of the fact that PK goes through it's ups and downs.\nActivity and Inactivity alternate almost instantly, and it's usually due to a\nmultitude of reasons.\n     \nSince there doesn't appear to be a way to fix this, as of yet, you may as well\nmaximize your time.  Here are some suggestions.\n        \nActive Periods:\n- PK to get\/lose EQ, enjoy the moment\n- Perform pk mob runs (if you are one of the deadlies that enjoys MK)\n- Encourage friends to come and pk as well\n\nInactive Periods:\n- This is a good time to level alts.  Make some lowbies (10, 15, 24, 30, 44)\n  -- Also an opportunity to get some ghetto eq for the naked alts\n- Explore the PK areas (if you don't know them already)\n- Arena PK with peacefuls\n- Provide ideas for getting PK active again\n       \nThese are just suggestions on how you can maximize you time.\n        \nVortok\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                           \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      Character Sketches                                      by Lharrunien\n==============================================================================\n\nTo whom it may concern,\n \nTo show my appreciation for the good folks at RoD, I'll be doing free \ncharacter sketches for any who wishes to have one. They're free of charge.\n \nWhat I'll need is a descrip using the same format as the equipment list. The \nsketches will be in pencil, gray scale, and I'll put them in a bitmap format \nfor you. Also, you will need to describe the pose they'll be in.\n \nIf you are interested in receiving your free character sketch, you can e-mail\nat cyberbreed@hotmail.com.\n \nDepending on the number of requests, it will take 3 to 7 days for completion.\n \nThank you all for your support, and I look forward to hearing from you.\n \n                    - Lharrunien, The Mist-Weaver\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                             \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      Funnybones                                              via Romani\/Tokai\n==============================================================================\n\nEkhinos the botdoctor-- NOT accepting new patients-- is DEAD!!\nKorisaurus knows there's no place like 127.0.0.1\nAkael utters the words, 'NC on'. You become more helpful.\nAltor McCane titles the mundane Scout|Mentor\nMorgrin Lite: Now 10% more 'appropriate'!\nKynin doesnt fear the Academy Parent-Teacher Association.\nAngua, contains elf by-products.\nHerne. def. Dust (n): MUD with the juice squeezed out.\nKryten 523P, Series 4000 Service Mechanoid.\nThrelith Nighthawk :: \"I idle, therefore I am.\"\nDetritus screams at people he doesn't know.\nTeddios knows he should have made a left at Albuquerque.\nOrvos if they cant cook there is no point in keepin them.\nBraddoc champion fleer.\nCrigen is deep in slumber here.\nZyll..Ice brewed for a naturally Smooth taste..(Nx-Gn)\nMinevra is a lover, not a fighter (Scout-T)\nSlivey the blacksheep. Baaa.\nRexoar is tired of blood and overpriced bubblegum.\nVel levels to gain experience.\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                              \n==============================================================================\n\n\n \n==============================================================================\n      Realms of Despair Desktop Background Contest            by Romani\n==============================================================================\n\nMinimum requirements: \n1.  Is your original work\n2.  Contains the following information\n     \"Realms of Despair\"\n     \"http:\/\/www.realmsofdespair.com\/\"\n3.  Either bmp or jpg format.\n4.  The Realms Motto: \"Endless Medieval Enjoyment\"\n5.  Use either (or both) sizes: 1024 by 768, 800 by 600\n6.  Images may use any other elements from the game to aid in your\n    creativity. \n7.  Images will be judged on the above elements and voted on by the \n    immortal community. \n8.  Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, place and be posted on\n    the website for download. All entries become the property of RoD\n    and may be used for advertising and distribution purposes. \n9.  Images are to be emailed to RealmsofDespair@cox.net\n10. Images will not be returned. Please keep this in mind when \n    sending in submissions.\n11. Email entries to: RealmsofDespair@cox.net no later than March 31, 2005.\n \nFor an example of previous works submitted, look under \"wallpapers\" on the\nRealms of Despair website.\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                         \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      Poem Contest                                            by Aragon\n==============================================================================\n\nStarting next issue, I will be hosting a Poem contest. the Grand Prize is 2\nmillion in gold. Runner up will recive 1 million, and 2nd runner up will\nrecive 500k.\n \nThere is no themes, or styles in which your poems must be written, But there\nis 3 rules: \n \n1) All poems Must be in to me Via Mudmail by the 24th of the following month.\n2) Poems Must be clean, IE no cussing or slanderization of imms or other\nplayers.\n3) And most important, Have fun with it.\n \nJudging will be done via the Note board outside the Cry of Despair office,\nVote for the Writer of the poem that you liked the most. Only vote once(no\nusing Alts to vote) The polls open on the 19th of March, So mark your\ncalenders.\n \nThere may be a big Surprise in store for the winning poet. So _Everyone_ try\ntheir hardest!\n \nAragon D'Elear\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                        \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      Room Description Contest                                by Aslan\n==============================================================================\n\nDear all,\nFor this months area review we'll be trying something a little different. I \nwant to test everyones creative spirit in the following small competition.\nThe scene setup is this, I am making a huge area that is based around the \nPalaces and structures of classical Venice but I am stuck short for a few \nrooms, and here is where you, the creative Architects come into play. I am \nlooking for room descriptions of the following:\n\n1) A courtyard outside a lavish church\n2) A market place full of life\n3) A canal and gondola dock\n4) A meeting spot over a covered bridge over the canal\n \nKeep in mind that this is classical Venice, one of the most lavishly wonderful\ncities known in the ancient world. The object being to submerge the reader \n(pretend it's going to be a new realms area and you want to impress a \nvisitor).\n \nRules:\n1) One submission per player (no alts)\n2) Don't abuse the word YOU, submerging a reader is easier without forcing\nyour feelings on them.\n3) No rude, racist or anti-national jokes or puns, just because it is \nclassical venice doesn't mean you can use naked women, slaves and the like.\n4) Room progs for your desc can be submitted but without the\nfun spoiling ifchecks etc.\n\nAll levels are welcome to attempt this competition please follow the \nsubmission guide below to enter, the top three descs will be chosen on April \n8th 2005 and posted in the Cry following afterwards, at which time the descs\nwill be handed back to their owners ;)\n \nHow to submit:\nPlease use the following format to submit your room desc,\nMail to Aslan\nMail subject Room desc submission [number of choice 1-4 here]\nThe body should continue the standard Room Name format followed by the body,\nfollowed by any programs that you wish to add.\n\nI am looking for the following in the competition, make sure you dont forget\nto read this :\n1) Uniqueness\n2) Lavish design, names and emotions that a viewer, visitor and reader can\npick up.\n3) No abuse of the word you, forced emotions\n\nTry to pretend you are a hired architect, your job is to impress the Emperor\nof Venice, which is never easy to do since even Michelangelo had a hard time.\nTake your time, make rough designs first and then make your desc a true work\nof art, but most of all have fun :)\n \nGood luck and enjoy,\nAslan de Svengali Rotheschildes\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                               \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      Cry of Despair - February's Quest Results               by Alysira\n==============================================================================\n\nLast month's quest was to write a romantic poem to a significant other. These\ntwo entries were selected as winners, congratulations to:\n                           Abaopa and Threlith!\n\nPlease see Alysira for your prizes ASAP. Congratulations you two! Their\nwinning entries are posted on the next two pages, please read and enjoy!\n\nPlease also enjoy this month's Cry of Despair quest!\n\n\nAbaopa's Entry: An Ode to Dave\n \nOne quiet night spent at Jed and Jack's Inn\nlay an unfriendly bed with no comforts there in.\nIn that bed I lay no sleep to be found\nSo I decided to look all around. \nThen down a scary flight of stairs I flew,\nand then through a lon'ly corridor too.\nThere he stood all pensive, (Perfection)\nand completely lost in introspection. \n \nA compassionate and sensitive poet,\nand a blustering and boisterous Bard.\nExtrovert and Introvert rolled into one;\nI could definitely see that he'd be fun. \n \nHe talked I laughed, \nI talked He laughed.\nWe shared stories, then thoughts, then fantasies,\nThen a table, some ale, and then a night cap.\nA once unfriendly bed then friendly.\nA once quiet bed then spent. \n \nThe next day he asked me to stay with him.\nAnd to this day I almost wish I had.\n\n\nThrelith's Entry: Ode to my Goldfish\n \n(1) I have a goldfish,                   (6) So I grabbed the phone book,\nand his name is Ray.                     and grabbed a stool.\nI got him last year,                     Four weeks later,\non Valentine's Day.                      I had my own pool.\n \n(2) I got him at night,                  (7) So into the pool,\nwhile on a blind date.                   went good ol' Ray,\nThe date went kinda bad,                 and that was only just,\nand the girl I now hate.                 this past Valentine's Day.\n \n(3) And since that day,                  (8) So by the gods,\nlittle Ray has grown,                    if Ray doesn't quit,\nbigger and bigger,                       I'll freak right out,\nhe's now pretty full blown.              and throw a fit!\n \n(4) He moved from a bowl,                (9) So please help me out,\nto the sink, to the tub.                 for I need the glory!\nThoric help me please,                   Because I know that,\nI can't afford his grub!                 this is no normal story!\n \n(5) Bigger and bigger,                   (10) I beg you to to listen,\nthe tub was too small!                   to heed my notion!\nLost with no clue,                       So I can rename my pool,\nwhat do to at all!                       to RAY'S PRIVATE OCEAN!\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                                \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      Cry of Despair - March's Quest                          by Alysira\n==============================================================================\n\n  W A W O P D Q R L L      This month, I've prepared a small Find-A-Word for\n  T A A A F V H Q A U      you. The theme of the hidden words is AREA NAMES.\n  H X S S C G D M G T      Simple find all the area names hidden in the\n  A A D T T I K O A G      Find-A-Word and MUDmail the words to me by the\n  L H O S E E E R L W      31st of March, and two correct answers will be\n  O P L U R L L I A J      selected at random! There are 7 area names hidden\n  S N Y Z O X A A X N      in this puzzle, find them all and MUDmail them\n  G W M T G Z H N Y M      to Alysira. Good luck and enjoy!\n  M T P X V C I J D B\n  R B U S L J F C S S\n  Q Y S E L O C F O V\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                             \n==============================================================================\n\n\n\n==============================================================================\n      From The Quill Of Alysira\n==============================================================================\n\nI apologise for the delay in this issue, but certain circumstances halted\nthe printing of it.\n\nNotice something? No more ads. Starting next month, the Cry of Despair will\nbe completely reshaped, reformatted, remoulded. A bunch of new writers, new\narticles, new everything. Look out for it, coming EARLY in April!\n\nIf you have a moment, please vote for us at:\nhttp:\/\/www.topmudsites.com\/cgi-bin\/topmuds\/rankem.cgi?action=in&#038;id=thoric\n\nEvery vote helps! How does it help? By getting more players and building our\nreputation with the MUD community. Your vote counts! Thank you!\n\nPlease enjoy this issue of the Cry of Despair!\n-Alysira\n\n==============================================================================\n                                                           \n==============================================================================<\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2005 RoD Awards! Karkarov: Nephandi, new levels of depravity; Babui: Scary Nursery Rhymes ============================================================================== Cry of Despair, Issue 93 March 2005 ============================================================================== &#8211; 2005 RoD Awards Results &#8211; by Alysira &#8211; Nations News &#8211; via Romani &#8211; Order News &#8211; Sanctus Irae &#8211; by Aslan &#8211; Deadly News &#8211; by Vortok &#8211; Lessons from the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/full-width.php","meta":{"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"class_list":["post-1893","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1893","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1893"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1893\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1917,"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1893\/revisions\/1917"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1893"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}