{"id":1922,"date":"2024-03-20T14:13:50","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T14:13:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=1922"},"modified":"2024-03-20T14:13:50","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T14:13:50","slug":"cry-of-despair-103","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/cry-of-despair-103\/","title":{"rendered":"Cry of Despair #103"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color\">Interview With A Vampire &#8211; by Mari<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"cryofdespair\">\n ____________________________________________________\n\/ Contents - Cry of Despair, Issue 103, January 2006 \\________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n   News From Around The Realms   - Sub-Editor: Aslan    HELP CRY2-8\n     Order News\n       Ringbearers                 - via Aslan            HELP CRY2\n       Sanctus Irae                - via Romani           HELP CRY3\n     TS\/VC\/CoE Updates             - by Mari              HELP CRY4-9\n\n   Fun and Entertainment         - Sub-Editor: Babui    HELP CRY10-14\n     A Game of Chance              - by Babui             HELP CRY10-12\n     Cry of Despair Quest          - by Alysira           HELP CRY13-14\n\n   General Knowledge             - Sub-Editor: Genge    HELP CRY15-22\n     Interview with a Vampire      - by Mari             HELP CRY15-22\n\n   RP, Poems and Stories         - Sub-Editor: Mari     HELP CRY23-36\n     Nations News\n       Gralthai                    - via Mari             HELP CRY23\n       Uruk'hai                    - via Romani           HELP CRY24-25\n       Ilkhan                      - via Romani           HELP CRY26\n     RP\/Poems\/Stories Submissions  - by Mari              HELP CRY27 \n     Story Submissions                                    HELP CRY28-35       \n     Poetry Submissions                                   HELP CRY36\n\n   Realms Website Design Logo Contest - by Kinux          HELP CRY37\n\n                                                                      Page: 001\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n\n\n ______________________________\n\/ Ringbearers News - via Aslan \\______________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n \n      ___    ___       __________________       ___    ___\n ____\/ _ \\__\/ _ \\____ (------------------) ____\/ _ \\__\/ _ \\____\n(  _| \/ \\\/  \\\/ \\ |   ) \\  Ringbearers   \/ (   | \/ \\\/  \\\/ \\ |_  ) \n \\(  \\|  )  (  |\/ ) (___)  __________  (___) ( \\|  )  (  |\/  )\/\n  `   `  \\`'\/  ' (_________)        (_________) `  \\`'\/  '   '\n          ||                                        ||\n          `'                                        `'\n \nFirst and foremost - we would like to congratulate our beloved Reatha\non her recent Immhood.  We will miss her dearly, and wish her the best!\n \nThis brings us to the next reason for celebration, the recent promotions\nof Micael the Honorable, and Zabanire the Brave.\n \nElections are currently in taking place for Order 2nd.  Grontak the Wise\nand Xogo the Steadfast have both been nominated for this most honorable\nposition. The order eagerly awaits the outcome, as both are worthy and\nhardworking candidates.  Good luck to both!\n \nFinally, we would like to welcome back Fiebin to our ranks. Welcome\nback, old friend!\n \nHappy New Year and happy hunting!\n\n(End)                                                                 Page: 002\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n ________________________________\n\/ Sanctus Irae News - via Romani \\____________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n                   __________________________________________\n                   |\/--------------------------------------\\|\n                   ||  Happy New Year from Sanctus Irae!!! ||\n                   ||                                      ||\n                   ||  As life returns to its normal pace, ||\n                   || the Yuletide season is finally coming||\n                   || to its close. The city council's Yule||\n                   || decorations have been removed from   ||\n                   || her streets, and the shops once more ||\n                   || resume their normal business.        ||\n                   ||         ------------------           ||\n                   || The Moon Raven, after a successful   ||\n                   || season of celebration, is once again ||\n                   || frequented by only its regulars, with||\n                   || the exception to a few new patrons.  ||\n                   ||          ------------------          ||\n                   || Rumour carries like the ocean wind   ||\n                   || throughout Irae, carrying promises of||\n                   || an upcoming ceremony to be held      ||\n                   || within the City Barracks.            ||\n                   ||          ------------------          ||\n                   || All of this and more is expected in  ||\n                   || Irae's attempt to usher in the New   ||\n                   || Year. If you wish to join in the fun,||\n                   || pay a visit to the Inn of the Singing||\n                   || Rose.                                ||\n                   |\\--------------------------------------\/|\n                   ------------------------------------------\n\nOOC: The Order of Sanctus Irae would like to extend their best\nwishes for a Happy New Year and a great 2006.\n\n(End)                                                                 Page: 003\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n\n\n __________________________\n\/ TS\/VS\/CoE News - by Mari \\__________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n \n                         +-+-+ +-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+\n                         |T|S| |V|C| |C|O|E| |N|e|w|s|\n                         +-+-+ +-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+\n \nTS November 21, 2005\n \nFailed\n================================\nHall of Heroes and adding a written description about the reasons for the\ncharacter being there.\nAlthough this was a nice idea, it was not seen as something overly valuable to\nthe game. Further, the content could be unwanted by some of the nominees which\nshould be avoided.\nManagement of the text would also be an addional strain on resources that was\nperceived as unnecessary.\n \nConfig +noexp for Peacefuls\nThis idea has been brought up in the past and was denied mainly for abuse\nreasons. It was also suggested that if you have a low level character who you\nwish to remain that way, you can simple die a sufficient number of times as to\nlose enough experience to have levelling not be an issue.\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 004\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n\n __________________________\n\/ TS\/VS\/CoE News - by Mari \\__________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nTS December 5, 2005\n\nFailed\n=================================\nAuctions show auctioner, allow ignore - It was felt that to be able to\nignore a few spammers it was an unnesessary change and some people would\nrather not be shown when they auction it.\n \nTS December 12, 2005\n \nPassed\n=================================\nAdd Keywords to both Identify and Auction\n \nMy suggestion is to put Keywords into both Identify and Auction\nThis would be beneficial to all the members of the realms, as the only person\nwho truly needs to know keywords is the person who would be id'ing the item,\nbut it would help if you are about to go run that av mob that disarms, sac's\nthe weapons that include the \"xx\" keyword, and you'd like to make sure they're\nsafe\nProposed by: Lyn\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 005\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n\n __________________________\n\/ TS\/VS\/CoE News - by Mari \\__________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nVC\/CoE Updates, November 28, 2005\n\nPassed to CoE\nGive Mercuria to peaceful rangers\nMail forwarding\nCrowbar moustache physical trait\nMake flail the Augurer preauth weapon\n \nDenied by VC\nCustom Colourschemes - Many MUD clients allow colour mapping.\nPlease see News 9.\n \nGetting multiple items from containers - Aliases are available both here and\nin clients. There are means to repeat commands.\n \nMake the Staff of Baradur usable by all classes  - We are not generally open to\nchanging a builder's intent. It was not built that way in error. Other items\nare available.\n \nMake sentinel mobs ranged-weapon fireable if they are engaged in battle with\nsomeone in their room. - The concept is wide open to abuse, with one or two\npeople tanking and the rest sitting next door shooting with no risk to\nthemselves.\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 006\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n\n __________________________\n\/ TS\/VS\/CoE News - by Mari \\__________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nVC\/CoE Updates, December 19, 2005\n \nPassed CoE and on project list.\nMail forwarding\nInduct \/ Outcast messages\nAugurer weapon becomes flail\nAuctioning containers with items\n \nDenied by CoE\n \nMore character physical traits\nAs it is, the mustache is long. The facial hair is a toggle between goatee\n\/mustache\/sideburns, with beard not being allowed with the previous. It seems\nfine as is.\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 007\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n\n __________________________\n\/ TS\/VS\/CoE News - by Mari \\__________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n  _____________________________________________________________________\no(__    ___    _ __     ____  _   __     ____  _   __     ____  _   ___)o\n |                                                                    |\n |                        o( TS Member List )o                        |\n |                                                                    |\n |                                                                    |\n | Immortal Head: Cappadocius                                         |\n |                                                                    |\n | Immortal Member: Akael                                             |\n |                                                                    |\n | Mortal Head: Mari                                                  |\n |                                                                    |\n |   Aeryn          Mobine        Qaulorn        Vibra     Zistrosk   | \n |   Fenrir         Myceran       Rikkath        Wiglaff   Mainwarric |\n |   Haviland       Ordem         Sumitra        Wren                 |\n |   Maratsade      Oxnyx         Syniad         Zabanire             |\n |   Matanza        Padraig       Reuel          Zanzidor             |\n |                                                                    |\n |                                                                    |\n |__    ___   __    _____   __    _____   __    _____   __    _____  _|\no(_____________________________________________________________________)o\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 008\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n\n __________________________\n\/ TS\/VS\/CoE News - by Mari \\__________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n                                ,       ,\n                               \/(       )`\nHave you ever thought          \\ \\__   \/ |\nabout making a difference      \/- _ `-\/  '\nin the Realms?                (\/\\\/ \\ \\   \/\\\n                              \/ \/   | `    \\\nEver thought about how        O O   )      |\nthings work here?             `--'`<     '\n                             (_.)  _ )    \/ \nEver have an idea that        `.___\/`    \/ \nyou thought would improve       `-----' \/\ngameplay?          <----.     __ \/ __   \\\n                   <----|****O)))==) \\) \/========()\nWell now here is   <----'    `--' `.__,' \\\nyour chance to stand out        |   TS    |\nfrom the crowd and be            \\       \/ \npart of something exciting.  ____( (_   \/ \\______\n                           ,'  ,----'   |        \\\n                           `--{__________)       \\\/\n \nApplications are now being accepted for Open Positions within\nThe Symposium, Please visit [ http:\/\/ts.silverwolf-den.com\/ ]\nfor details on how to apply.\n\n(End)                                                                 Page: 009\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n\n\n __________________________\n\/ A Game of Chance - Babui \\__________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nAnd so..the results.......\n \n--- Question 1 ---\nwhat's your favorite quote?\n\nSoda Popinski\nok, well maybe I don't have a favorite quote, but a good quote is:\n\"Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not\ngiving the kiss the attention it deserves.\"\n-Albert Einstein\n \npillowfightsarefun\nIf there's a will, there's a way.\n \nAluvius\nmy favorite quote is.... Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the\nmost\" - Ozzy\n \nMr. T and the A-Team\n\"Is Wayne Brady gonna have to choke a bitch?\"\n\n***** Alvius aka SALGON is eliminated *****\n \nEveryone responded with equally good quotes, and I couldn't eliminate Mr. T\nand the A-Team, I pity the fool that would try....In the end honestly I just\ngot a die, and rolled to see who would be eliminated.\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 010\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n __________________________\n\/ A Game of Chance - Babui \\__________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n--- Question 2 ---\nWhat is your favorite Song?\n \nSoda Popinski\nmy favorite song is probably Beastie Boys - Sabotage\n \npillowfightsarefun\nRainbow Connection by Kermit the Frog\n\nMr. T and the A-Team\nMy Favorite song is Faint by Linkin Park.\n \n***** Soda Popinski aka GAFFANEY is eliminated *****\n \nSoda Popinski got eliminated cause I just don't like the Beastie Boys.....\n\n--- Question 3 ---\nThere was Robin Hood, his enemy billy, and his girlfriend Jessica. Billy\nkidnapped Robin Hood and threatened his life, and he told Jessica that the\nonly way to save him was to Sleep with Billy..... Jessica agreed to sleep with\nBilly for one night, Billy set Robin Hood free, Robin Hood left Jessica for\nwhat she did, and Billy took Robin Hood's place.....\nIn order, place these three characters in order from most moral, to least\nmoral \n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 011\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n\n __________________________\n\/ A Game of Chance - Babui \\__________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\npillowfightsarefun\n1. Jessica\n2. Robin Hood\n3. Billy\n\nMr. T and the A-Team\nRobin Hood, because he didn't really do anything wrong.\nJessica because she cheated on Robin Hood and then went to the person who she\ncheated with.\nBilly is the least moral, because threatening someones life in order to get\nsex is basically rape which is the least moral of all actions that took place.\n  \n***** pillowfightsarefun aka JOANNE is eliminated *****\n\nthe A-Team won for two reasons, they matched up perfectly to myself in\nanswers of when I saw that question, and in addition, I liked that he\nexplained why he thought what he did.\n  \n***** Tada. Mr T and the A-Team aka ORCADIAN gets to meet...LYN *****\n  \nThey said hello to each other, but didn't give each other hugs and kisses like\nI asked.\n\n(End)                                                                 Page: 012\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n\n\n\n _____________________________________\n\/ December Quest Results - by Alysira \\_______________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nLast month's quest was to tell us your ideal Christmas gift. There weren't\nmany entries, but the two \"best\" were selected. Congratulations to:\n\n                            Tortall and Qaulorn!\n\nTheir entries are below. This month's quest is much more fun. I promise.\n\nTortall: a Dragonslayers ideal xmas present\n*            _                                      _\n*          _\/(                -\\  \/-               )\\_\n*        .-   --.            \/---            .--   -.\n*     .--        --._       : \/-\\\/-\\ :       _.--        --.\n*  .--               ----.__: \\0\/\\0\/ ;__,----               --.\n* \/                        .\/\\. ^ .\/\\.                        \\\n*.                         |  ( )( )  |                         .\n*-----.        _.---._    \/-   U`'U   -\\    _.---._        .-----\n*      --. .---       ---|              |---       ---. .--\n*         -              |  :        :  |_             -      Die Wyrm *$*!\n* DEAR SANTA,            `\\,'  :  :  `.\/' ----._              \/\n* Please make there     .(___.'  `,___),--.___---.         \/\n* be more dragons in    - (((( ---- ))))      _.-  _)     | 0\n* the Realms for us        ---      ---\/`.--- _.---       '-|-]\n* to hack up.(ps pbliv 2 plz)          \\,-----             \/ \\\n\nQaulorn: December CoD Quest\nAt the risk of sounding monotonous;\nwith vim, vigor and much fuss...\nTrue to my way...\n   On Christmas day...\n      All I want is boobies... HOORAY!\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 013\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n\n _____________________________________________\n\/ January's Cry of Despair Quest - by Alysira \\_______________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nThis month's quest finds many immortal names hidden within the puzzle\nbelow. Find as many as you can and mudmail your entries to Alysira by\nthe 29th of January.\n\nA big thank you to Reatha for writing this month's quest!\n\n                          S B W Y H L R C W T L R T C D \n                          N H D B E N O P F O H E E N E \n                          J Y A A O N U E R A H I O B S \n                          R K K D R D H I D K R K F I T \n                          C A O A R E L A Z A E I X A R \n                          I E N R N A M U N E N V F G E \n                          R C D O I A C A M T I D I G Y \n                          O O T A N M W K X U N I K N F \n                          H S M T S U I C O D A P P A C \n                          T J H A U R D A U F H I L L L \n                          B U Z U N T E N H J S L I Y I \n                          S L O P U I S T O T R A N S N \n                          G I S S E L L E A M A K D I N \n                          I A K D O L B V H G D E A R O \n                          G A R T L A H E R N E E R A G \n\n(End)                                                                 Page: 014\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n ____________________________________\n\/ Interview With A Vampire - by Mari \\________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nGreetings All, I had the chance to interview Cappadocius for this month's Cry\nIssue, Enjoy.\n \n Mari:         What are some of your duties as an Immortal?\n \n Cappadocius:  Well, I am Head of the Symposium, the Deity of Inconnu and\n               I handle the implementation of socials.\n               As well as the other shared duties that we all have in terms\n               of administration and general day to day dealings of the MUD.\n \n Mari:         You have a full plate then! Which of your jobs here would \n               you say you like most?\n \n Cappadocius:  That's difficult to say. They all have their merits. I enjoy\n               all of it to be honest. Each for their own aspects.\n               Helping ideas come into the game is very rewarding. Being\n               Inconnu has always been an honour.\n               And everything I do lets me interact with some great people.\n \n Mari:         What are some of your responsibilities as a Deity?\n \n Cappadocius:  Inconnu keeps to ourselves but I would imagine my role is not\n               very different from that of other orders.\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 015\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n\n ____________________________________\n\/ Interview With A Vampire - by Mari \\________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n Mari:         For those who may not know, What is it that TS does?\n\n Cappadocius:  TS is the main conduit for players to suggest ideas that would \n               better the game for everyone.\n               It serves as a direct means for players to let their thoughts\n               be known to the Immortal community.\n               It uses the collective input of players to develop ideas that\n               can make the game more enjoyable and player friendly to all.\n               We encourage contributions from anyone. And no idea is too\n               big or too small.\n \n Mari:         How does the system work once it is passed or failed by TS,\n               what happens then?\n \n Cappadocius:  Proposals are brought to a TS Rep who then fleshes it out\n               and presents it to the group of TS members.\n               The TS members review the idea for its benefit to the game \n               being as objective as possible.\n               The proposal is then voted on by the members and a decision\n               is made of whether to pass it forward or to deny it.\n               If the idea passes, and most will in fact pass, it will be \n               forwarded to the Visionary Consortium for their review.\n               We then await their feedback.\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 016\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n\n ____________________________________\n\/ Interview With A Vampire - by Mari \\________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n Cappadocius:  If it fails, the player who proposed the idea will be\n               notified.\n               They are made aware of the concerns TS had on the idea and \n               if they so choose they can rework it and bring it back through\n               the process.\n               And if the merits are there, hopefully it will pass.\n               The role of TS is never to censor. It is rather to give an\n               idea the best chance of being passed upward in a clear and\n               concise manner.\n\n Mari:         Where can players find all the info on passes and fails?\n\n Cappadocius:  The Tome of Conception in Town Hall has all of our meeting \n               minutes and reasons for the voting.\n               We are making efforts to make those explanations more detailed\n               than have been there in the past.\n               And any questions would be welcome. We are happy to explain any\n               of the reasoning behind a vote beyond what is posted.\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 017\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n\n ____________________________________\n\/ Interview With A Vampire - by Mari \\________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n \n Mari:         If anyone wishes to join TS what should they do?\n\n Cappadocius:  We are always looking for new, fresh opinions and people with \n               an interest in the workings of the game are always welcome.\n               As far as joining the ranks of TS, players should first contact\n               me and I will guide them through the process.\n \n Mari:         Is there anything more you would like to say to players about\n               TS?\n \n Cappadocius:  The most important thing is having people who care about the \n               game and want to be active. Not entry requirements.\n               TS is in the midst of many very beneficial and exciting changes.\n               We are quite aware of past shortcomings and we have been\n               working towards making proposals go through the process faster,\n               being more responsive and helping players to really develop \n               their ideas.\n               What most people need to realize is that TS is the starting\n               point. It is the foot in the door so to speak. There are many\n               things to consider about proposals. Mainly coding resources and\n               implementation issues. We try not to make those issues sway the\n               voting but that being said, we try our best to work the proposal\n               into the most sucessful that it possibly could be.\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 018\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n\n ____________________________________\n\/ Interview With A Vampire - by Mari \\________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n Cappadocius:  This is something that you would not benefit from using\n               something such as the 'idea' command.\n               I would also like to address class changes for a second. Classes\n               are very large and resource intensive projects.\n               And understandably, they are some of the most interesting and\n               popular proposals and concerns.\n               However, because of scope, TS has little influence in those \n               regards. So please do not perceive us as unresponsive.\n               TS members are just as excited and anxious for those changes as\n               everyone else.\n               Resources are at a premium and that needs to be managed through\n               the immortal community.\n \n Mari:         Off Topic, there have been many changes on Realms over the\n               years, what would you say your fav\/least fav is?\n \n Cappadocius:  As far as the changes that have gone in, I would have to say\n               that the shattering is still one of my all time favourites.\n               It opened the door for a lot of beneficial changes. A new\n               philosophy of class distinction and restoring the subtle\n               nuances of the game.\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 019\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n\n ____________________________________\n\/ Interview With A Vampire - by Mari \\________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n Cappadocius:  Changes so that not every hitter wears identical equipment\n               are great and the fact that eq can be tailored to fit your \n               objective is also a wonderful benefit.\n               We have had some great creative areas come in too.\n               Kudos to the people who have made that possbile.\n               I enjoy them as an Immortal but far more as a player.\n               As much as I love being an Imm, I also love playing as a\n               mortal and do so regularly. It helps me keep in touch with\n               the game and the players.\n \n Mari:         What is your least favorite change?\n \n Cappadocius:  The limitations on astral travel had me very disoriented for a\n               long time. I wouldn't say that I disliked it, but it really took\n               some getting used to. Long walking travel times really makes you\n               have to pull up your pants and explore.\n               And honestly, I can't say that is entirely a bad thing :P\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 020\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n\n ____________________________________\n\/ Interview With A Vampire - by Mari \\________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n Mari:         If you could change just one thing what would it be?\n\n Cappadocius:  One change? That's tough. Every little change has its merit.\n               Well to extend your question a little, I think there are two\n               things I'd like to see. One being the further work on the\n               Classes. That has always interested me. Different uses,\n               different personalities. That is what this game has mostly\n               been about for me.\n               Secondly, I would like to see development for the lowbie side\n               of the game. This game should be as newbie friendly as possible.\n               And we should always keep that in mind.\n               (Proposals along that line are very very welcome)\n               Also, maybe making less of a race to avatar and having more\n               lowbie development. Fun at lower levels instead of number\n               crunching to get a good av base.\n               Those are the couple that pop into mind.\n               The learning curve is high. And NC does a fantastic job but it\n               is all too easy for us long time players to lose sight of how \n               hard it is to start out.\n               So especially if TS can help put things in game to help out\n               our new players, everyone would be better off.\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 021\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n\n ____________________________________\n\/ Interview With A Vampire - by Mari \\________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n Mari:         That's all I have I think, anything you want to add?\n\n Cappadocius:  I would just like players to know that TS is there to help them.\n               I don't take the position of TS Head lightly. I am here for a\n               reason. A reason that I think is very worthwhile. Every member\n               of TS has taken a promise to voice the concerns and\n               contributions of the players.\n               And we will do everything possible to fulfill that promise.\n \n Mari:         Thanks for taking time to talk with me and keep up good work.\n\n(End)                                                                 Page: 022\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n\n\n\n __________________________\n\/ Gralthai News - via Mari \\__________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nKingdom of Gralthai news:\n \n                 |    |    |\n                )_)  )_)  )_)\n               )___))___))___)\\\n              )____)____)_____)\\\\\n            _____|____|____|____\\\\\\__\n   ---------\\                   \/---------\n     ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^\n       ^^^^      ^^^^     ^^^    ^^\n            ^^^^      ^^^\n \nFirst Mate Log \n9 o'clock pm, Day of the Moon, 7th the Month of the Battle.\n \nWe have sailed to a new land, I have not yet gone ashore.\nThe seas are rough and show no signs of breaking. We will\ndock here for the night. I will add more information to the\nlog once I have more to report.\n \nAnshuna D'Advient, First Mate Gralthai\n\n(End)                                                                 Page: 023\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n\n\n\n ____________________________\n\/ Uruk'hai News - via Romani \\________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nFrom the Opallinoc News Bureau -\n \nDateline Western Trade Route: Uruk'hai attend Trade Talks\nThe Falcon's Nest Tavern was the site of commerce discussions by Nation's\nLeaders that have interest in the Northern Plains. Organized by the Ilythiiri\nValsharess Suliss, Quendi, Dwarven and Uruk'hai leaders and their agents\nmaster reprsented the Uruk'hai interests. Merchandise and services for commerce\nbetween the nations were listed and discussed. No set agreements were entered\nby the Uruk'hai, at this time. More conversations on trade among the Northern\nnations is in the near future.\n \nDateline DarkHaven: Festivus Begins\nThe pole is up in Darkhaven Square. Various activities are being done. Watch\nfor announcements. Remember about putting your tongue to the pole\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 024\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n ____________________________\n\/ Uruk'hai News - via Romani \\________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nDateline Opallinoc: Donations Thefts\nSome inconsiderate half-ogre has   been picking through the donations room.\nTaking a half dozen Neptune Tridents, almost all of the containers, most\nof the Dragon Pass hides and other various 'choice' equipment has crossed the\nlines of greed and abuse. The hard work and generousity of the Uruk'hai that\nregularly put quality items in the donations room has been tested to the limit.\nThe final straw was the theft of the haversack containing the food and drink\nneeded for the Solstice Festival. This almost caused the cancellation of this\nprestigious Uruk'hai event. One bad apple spoils it for the rest.\n\n(End)                                                                 Page: 025\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n\n\n ________________________________\n\/ Ilkhan News - via Romani \\____________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n                              --------------------\n  It has only been a matter of a few short days since the restructuring\nbegan, and I have been hunted since. Fleeing from bands of Il'Khan is\nnot how I intended to usher in the change of the year. However, I am\na fugitive now, my power no longer means anything and neither does\nmy title. The new council has willed it so.\n  And so I have been played like a fiddle, and now my strings shall\nbe cut and I shall be sent into eternal silence. But not while I\nstill have strength left to fight.\n  Though Mac Morna and his servants think they can cast me aside\nin such a manner, I will remain loyal to my kingdom, that of Krozloy,\nuntil I am killed. The people must know what is going to happen\nto them.\n                              --------------------\n                           --Torn from the Lesser Chieftain's journal\n                             and found, splattered in blood, beside\n                             a rotting corpse in the Barren Peaks.\n \n                              ++++++++++++++++++++\nOOC: The Il'Khan would like to wish the rest of you folks in the Realms\na very Happy New Year and the best of 2006.\n\n(End)                                                                 Page: 026\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n\n\n\n ___________________________________\n\/ RP\/Stories\/Poems Wanted - by Mari \\_________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n .__ .__    __..___..__..__ ._..___ __.  .__ .__..___.  . __.\n [__)[__)  (__   |  |  |[__) | [__ (__   [__)|  |[__ |\\\/|(__ \n |  \\|     .__)  |  |__||  \\_|_[___.__)  |   |__|[___|  |.__)\n \n          HH\n          HH\nBBB       HH                                        ,z.\n=== .___. HH     %%%%                   .o.       ,zZZZ>\nBBB |   | HH 838 \\\\\\\\ EEE    AAAAA     ,0X0'    ,zZZZ\"\nBBB |<<<| HH 838 %%%% EEE ## DDDDD    ,0X0'   ,zZZZ\"\nBBB | C | HH 838 %GR% +++ ## AAAAA   ,0X0'  ,zZZZ\"\nBBB | O | HH 838 %%%% EEE ## <>  ,0X0' ,zZZZ\"\nBBB | D | HH 838 %%%% EEE ## AAAAA ,0X0',zZZZ\"HH$HHHHHHHDDHH$HH\n=== |<<<| HH 838 \/\/\/\/ EEE ## AAAAA.0X0 zZZZ\"  EE$EEEEEEEDDEE$EE\n \nThe Cry needs you! Please send your poems and RP stories to Mari!\nIf you wish to submit simply follow the criteria below.\n \n1) Plagiarism of any kind will not be tolerated\n2) All notes are to be mud mailed to Mari before the 15th of every month.\n3) If your submission is a continuing story please inform me.\n4) Have fun!\n \nMari Fyremusik-Ke'Miravn, RP\/Stories\/Poems Sub-Editor\n\n(End)                                                                 Page: 027\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n\n _____________________________\n\/ Story Submission - via Mari \\_______________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nThe Rain Drenched Cloak \nBy: Prina\n\nPrina pulled her dark brown cloak around her tightly as she made\nher way through the streets in the pouring-icy rain. Despite the\noilskin of her cloak she felt the chill as she hailed for a carriage.\nThe carriage whisked past her, barely missing splashing her in\nthe puddles on the cobblestone streets of the city. The air so\ncold and wet she hardly noticed her hunger until she met the eyes\nof a man in passing. His pale gray eyes met hers with a smile.\nShe felt him behind her as she continued to walk, finally with the\ntap on the shoulder she stopped and turned. He was a big man, well\ndressed with his button over suit and umbrella. He held the umbrella \nover her too, and inquired, \"Miss, the streets are not safe this\ntime of night, and in this storm you should not be in where it is\nwarm. There is a boarding house down the street, or a cafe a block \nover. May I be so bold as to escort you to?\"\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 028\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n _____________________________\n\/ Story Submission - via Mari \\_______________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n  \nPrina smiled politely, her dark green eyes leaving his as they lingered\ndown his face to his neck. The white collar turned up slightly under\nhis black coat, the vein in his neck pulsing as he talked. He was a\nstrong one, good heart, and not usually the kind she sought to feed upon.\n\"You are most kind, good sir. I am quite sure I must look a mess, however\nI was merely going to the tavern down the...\"\n\nHis words cut her off as he raised an eyebrow. \"Goodness dear lady.\"\nHis words sounded startled as he spoke, then softened, \"My dear lady,\nthat is no place for you. Allow me to escort you to the boarding house.\nI am quite sure that a night there will allow you to warm and rest from\nthis terrible storm. Forgive my manners, I am a Doctor here in town...\"\nHis words trailed off as she listened to him and he hurriedly tried to \nwalk her past the tavern towards the boarding house. The scent of fresh\nblood wafted from the bar, causing her body to tremble, the good doctor\ntook her elbow to steady her, carefully guiding her down the street.\nYou are weaker than I thought miss. We should be there in a few minutes.\nHe said, his eyes growing with concern as he leaned her against him.\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 029\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n _____________________________\n\/ Story Submission - via Mari \\_______________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n   \nThe scent of fresh blood lingered in her mind as she looked to him, her\neyes meeting with the vein that pulsed forth his life's blood. Unable to\ntake it, and overcome with the rage and need of blood she pressed closer\nstill, her lips touching his neck. The good doctor did not notice until\nit was too late. In her blood lust she pressed to him further, pushing\nhim to the wall, her lips clamping onto the vein as she bit down, piercing\nit with a popping sound that sent a delicious chill through her body.\n\nHis heart, so strong, pulsed forth making the drinking as though it was \nfrom a fountain. Each beat of his now racing heart flooding her mouth with\nhis delicious blood. She drank deeply, her body moving in rhythm to his\nheart. She felt him begin to slump, the sad feeling from within her, as\nshe knew he was nearly drained. Withdrawing her teeth, she licked the\nblood from the wound and whispered, \"It is a dream\" before she stepped\nquickly into the shadows. She watched him for a time, he remained leaned\nagainst the wall for a few moments before he began to look around, seeing\nnothing, finding no one. \n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 030\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n\n _____________________________\n\/ Story Submission - via Mari \\_______________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n   \nShe made her way back to the tavern she had heard was frequented by those\nof her kind. As she approached, she took sent of the blood, now cold. She\npressed her petite hands to the door, glad for the strength found from\nher recent feeding. She pushed the door open and slipped within. Eyes\nfrom those within turned towards her, the flashes of light reflecting in\nmany, signaling she was indeed, where she had intended to come. She made\nher way to an empty table near the fire, sat down, and untied her cloak\nfrom around her neck. Her dark green eyes glanced about to see if there\nwere any familiar faces as she ran her fingers through her wet hair. She \nwas far from home, and doubted any would know her.\n \n            .... (To Be Continued)\n\n(End)                                                                 Page: 031\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n _____________________________\n\/ Story Submission - via Mari \\_______________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nNaughty or Nice \nBy: Prina\n\nPrina sensed the hunter as she made her way through the snow covered streets\nbetween the buildings. \"Where to hide\", she thought to herself, she had not fed\ntonight and felt weak. She knew she should have risen earlier and made it to\nthe pub, even the toughest of hunters would not enter there. Finally seeing a\nwindow open a bit in the distance, she made her way through a snowdrift\ntowards it. She gazed in the window from the side, noting how lovely it had\nbeen decorated for the holidays. \n  The scent of pine, cinnamon and spices mixed with that of young blood from\nwithin the house. Carefully she curled her frozen fingers under the edge and\nlifted, careful to watch gaze into the house in hopes that the window would\nslide easily, quietly. Finally having enough room to enter, a mere few inches\nup, she slipped in and turned to lower it behind her. She watched out the\nwindow for a few moments, seeing the hunters pass by, unaware of her hiding\nplace.\n  Breathing a sigh of relief, Prina took in the sights of the house through\nthe moonlight. The tree was decorated with cookies and strung candies. Candles\nwere placed on the boughs of the trees, half burned down. She noted how lovely\nit must look when they are lit. The house was silent, save for the crackling\nof the fire. In her shivering state, she approached it, almost like\napproaching her prey. Knowing it was nearing midnight, she felt safe from the\noccupants and was in need of warmth. She picked up a quilt from one of the\nchairs and placed it around her before snuggling into one of the chairs.\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 032\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n\n\n _____________________________\n\/ Story Submission - via Mari \\_______________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n  She half dozed in the chair, savoring the warmth. She sighed deeply before\nshe heard a little voice. \"Are you one of Santa's elves?\" Prina startled. The\nblanket still around her as she sat curled up in the chair. She looked down to\nsee a boy rubbing his eyes as he looked up at her. \"Yes... of course I am.\"\nPrina replied as she tried to regain her composure as she forced a smile. The\nchild moved towards her happily and climbed into her lap. The scent was\noverwhelming and she tried to push the thoughts of dining on his tender flesh\nand blood from her mind.\n  Trying to stick to the part, Prina asked, \"Have you been a good little boy\nthis year?\"\n  The little boy nodded and pulled himself into the covers, snuggling up to\nher. His tiny little neck just inches away from her face. Her senses were\nreeling as she breathed in his youthful scent. Unable to resist, she nuzzled\nagainst him, he giggled as she first brushed her lips to his neck. Her mouth\nbegan to water as she parted her lips, her eyes closing blissfully, her teeth\nbearing down as the came to meet with the succulent young flesh. There was\nbarely a pop as her fangs broke into the flesh. She drank deeply from the boy\nheld to her beneath the blanket, his young body not able to do more than\nsquirm.\n  As she opened her eyes, she saw before her Santa Clause. His mouth open in\nshock, standing there with his pipe in hand and satchel over his shoulder.\nPrina withdrew her fangs from the boy, sucked the blood from her lips in a\nguilty fashion as she looked at him.\n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 033\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n _____________________________\n\/ Story Submission - via Mari \\_______________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n  The boy cried and pulled from her embrace, running into Santa's arms. \"Well,\nand just what do we have here?\" Santa said with a scowling look of shock on\nhis rosy-cheeked face as he clutched the young boy to him.\n  Prina did not know what to say as she was still in shock from drinking from\nthe boy to ease her intense hunger, and at the sight of Santa Clause before\nher. Santa leaned down and examined the boy's neck, bleeding from the two\nfang marks on it. He took a cross from his satchel, forcing Prina to blink\nback a bit, and he placed it on the boy's neck. \"This will sooth your pain\nlittle one. Now to back to bed, you have had a very bad dream.\" He winked,\nsprinkling some magical dust over the boy's head. The boy smiled and moved in\nan almost dazed state back to the staircase and vanished back to dream land.\n  \"I.. I just came in and.. there was a hunter..\" Prina pointed to the window.\n\"Through there...\" Prina stammered. Santa raised his hand as though to stop\nher from speaking. \n  \"I never knew you existed, your kind. I heard stories of vampires, but never\nknew them to be real.\" Santa began to do his work of setting out presents\nunder the tree.\n  \"I never knew you were real either.\" Prina said as she narrowed her brow.\nShe stood, taking off the blanket and folding it to place back in the chair,\njust as she found it. Santa sat down in a chair across from her next to the\nfire and began to drink a glass of milk and eat a cookie left for him by the\nyoung family. \n\nContinued...                                                          Page: 034\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n _____________________________\n\/ Story Submission - via Mari \\_______________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n  \"Well, my work is done here.\" He arched an eyebrow. \"Is yours?\" Santa said,\nhis words harsh and hurried as he had places to be. \n  \"Yes.\" Prina said with an annoyed tone of voice. \"I had not planned on that.\n .. I just to hide in a safe place until the hunter passed.\" \n  Santa narrowed his brow, gazing at her for a moment. \"Prina...\" He paused,\n\"I remember you. You lived in the gypsy encampment in the edge of the woods in\nthe north.\" Santa chuckled. \"That was many years ago, many years ago indeed.\"\n  Prina nodded solemnly and turned to leave.\n  \"Wait..\" He said, placing his hand on her shoulder. \"I have something for\nyou. Prina turned to face him, gazing up into his sky blue eyes. He placed a\nrag doll into her hands just like the one she had when she was a small child.\nPrina smiled gently at him and wrapped her arms around in a warm hug. Her\nfingers instinctively slipped into his purse and come out with a few coins. He\ngrinned and winked at her, he had expected nothing less from a gypsy. She\nturned and slipped out the way she came, and to the safety of her pub.\n\n(End)                                                                 Page: 035\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n \n\n\n\n\n ____________________________\n\/ Poem Submission - via Mari \\________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nWalk Away \nBy: Maridia\n\n       _.--.                   Walk Away  \n      :.-'i.`._.--,         \n     {(:{} y`-.`,_`--.    We laugh\n    <`-;`-( _.'`.-`.' \\    We cry\n     \\  `i.' `  Y  },-,)    We live\n    .j-. |      :  \/ _j\\  And then we die\n   <_   `!      :_.'(  \/ The rains pours where we are caught \n    >-,  `---.,'  .'-j    So here we stand\n    \/   `.   ,<_  ( `. \\  Lost in our own thoughts... \n    '  j\\ `- \/ .Y-f    .\\   knowing we can't \n     \/ ,`--'\\ :|\\ \\___ ` _.---..  I love you\n    \/,'      \\:| \\ \\\/   \/ \/.'-'-`-,You say you love me\n    ('         \\| <\\ \\  <,' \\ \\ `_\/ Well, this is our cue\n             .-|-._\\ \\\/\/\\ __..-'   Are we meant to be?\n            .'-\/-  ,-\\ Y___     And as I watch you walk away...\n            \/- \/.\\ \\|  \\ \\\/    I know everything is done\n           |-| \\ `\/    \\ \\    But don't worry, I'll be okay\n           |\/ \\ .'  It doesn't matter very much now that it's all gone\n           \\  .'\n            \\'      By: Maridia\n\n(End)                                                                 Page: 036\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/\n\n \n\n\n\n _______________________________________________\n\/ Realms Website Design Logo Contest - by Kinux \\_____________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nWe are in the process of revamping the Realms of Despair website and thought\nit would be a great idea to bring back a logo design contest, drawing creative\ninspiration from our talented membership.\n \nInformation on the logo design contest is available via a link from the main\npage of the website or by going to http:\/\/www.realmsofdespair.com\/contest .\n\nBe sure to check out the webpage as it also has a link to a suggested font to\nbe used, as well as important information regarding submissions.\n \nThe top 5 entries will be awarded prizes. All entries must be emailed to\nkinux@game.org by January 31st, 2006. Entries will be judged by a panel of\nimmortals, based on criteria layed out on the contest website.\n \nIf you have any questions, please feel free to mudmail or email Kinux\n(at kinux@game.org).\n\n(End)                                                                 Page: 037\n_______________________________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\/<\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Interview With A Vampire &#8211; by Mari ____________________________________________________ \/ Contents &#8211; Cry of Despair, Issue 103, January 2006 \\________________________ |_____________________________________________________________________________\\ News From Around The Realms &#8211; Sub-Editor: Aslan HELP CRY2-8 Order News Ringbearers &#8211; via Aslan HELP CRY2 Sanctus Irae &#8211; via Romani HELP CRY3 TS\/VC\/CoE Updates &#8211; by Mari HELP CRY4-9 Fun and Entertainment&#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-1922","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1922","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=1922"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1922\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1939,"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1922\/revisions\/1939"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1922"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}