{"id":1968,"date":"2024-03-20T19:42:42","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T19:42:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=1968"},"modified":"2024-03-20T19:42:42","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T19:42:42","slug":"cry-of-despair-135","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/cry-of-despair-135\/","title":{"rendered":"Cry of Despair #135"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color\">2009 RoD Awards, Pixie war, Duke Luther silent on economy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"cryofdespair\">\n __________________________________________\n\/ Issue 135 - February-March 2009  \\__________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n This Month's Special:\n   Valentine's 2009                      - Romani     CRY2-3\n   On Guilds, with Destre                - Nevarak    CRY4-9\n\n Monthly Article      \n   Roleplaying With Fire\n             Writing Descriptive Text    - Alessio    CRY10-CRY15\n\n   Order News\n     Order of Sanctus Irae               - Alessio    CRY16-CRY17\n\n   Nation News\n     Uruk'hai                            - Klaatu     CRY18\n     Ilythiiri                           - Alzeria    CRY19\n     Khazad                              - Stoneheft  CRY20\n     Quendi                              - Annale     CRY21\n     Olog'hai                            - Leala      CRY22\n     Tyrrhenu\t                           - Farlina    CRY23\n     Elohai                              - Stela      CRY24\n     Dunedain                            - Yoshio     CRY26\n     Voice of the Rukhas                 - Vokith     CRY27-CRY29\n\n   TS News                               - Akael      CRY30 \n\n   Quest News\n     January CoD Quest Results           - Falennt    CRY31       \n     February CoD Quest                  - Falennt    CRY32 \n\n    Announcements and Advertisements\n    Valentine Poem Quest 1               - Falennt    CRY \n    Reunion 2009                        \n           RoD's 15th Year Reunion       - Romani      CRY26-CRY27\n           15th Reunion Logo Contest     - Romani      CRY\n    Desktop Wallpaper Contest            - Romani      CRY28-CRY34\n\n    Cry of Despair Staff\n    Vache's Column                       - Vache      CRY\n    Ask COE                                           CRY36\n    Wanted - DEAD                                     CRY37  \n    Letter from the Editor                            CRY38\n    From Falennt's Inkwell                            CRY39\n\n\n\n2\n\n ______________________\n\/ Valentine's 2009 \\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n          ......       ......\n        .:oOOOOo:.   .:oOOOOo:.\n      .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:.   Valentine's Quest 2009\n     .:oO:'    ':Oo:oO:'    ':Oo:.\n     :oO:        ':O:'        :Oo:  Find the match of your \n     :oO:          '          :Oo:  dreams for Valentine's\n     ':oO:    Valentine's    :Oo:'  day. Have fun and meet\n      ':oO:      2009       :Oo:'   players from other walks\n        ':oO.             .Oo:'     of life on RoD. \n          ':oO.         .Oo:'\n            ':oO.     .Oo:'         Fill out the simple \n              ':oO. .Oo:'           questionnaire and submit\n                'oO:Oo'             it by February 10th at \n                 'oOo'              midnight mudtime to enter.\n                  'o'\n\nSubmit entries via mudmail to Romani or Bulgroth (See HELP MUDMAIL)\nMail your entries in the post office in Darkhaven no later\nthan February 10th at midnight mudtime.\n                                                                     \n                                                                     Page: 02\n3\n\n ______________________\n\/ Valentine's 2009 \\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n1. Would you prefer your Valentine to wear Leather or Lace?\n2. Do you like the Lights on or off?\n3. Do you wish your Valentine to be Male\/Female\/It?\n4. Should your Valentine be Peaceful, Pkill or a Bot?\n5. Are you a Lover, fighter, RPer?\n6. As a pet on RoD would you prefer a nice steed or a pesky gremlin?\n7. Would you prefer to give\/receive a long black leather coat, or a pink lace\ngarter?\n8. For a dinner with your dream date would you prefer wine and dine or beer\nand chips?\n9. For your Valentine's Date would you like to explore the far reaches of the\nlands or spend a quiet evening surrounded by other friends at recall?\n10.Write a short love letter to your date explaining why they should chose you\nabove all the men\/women\/its on RoD: \n \nMudmail your responses to Romani or Bulgroth no later than midnight on \nFebruary 10th at midnight (mudtime) to Romani\n                                                                     Page: &03\n\n4\n\n ______________________\n\/ Valentine's 2009 \\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nCongratulations on those that took the time to enter Valentine's Day \nQuest 2009. Below are the top three male and female entries. Please see\nRomani for your prize. \n \nPWomen:\nCiska\nBulgroth\nLina\n \nMen:\nKlaatu\nHurley\nOdessyus\n \nTo all those that entered keep in mind that your matches may have different \nmatches of their own. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day.\n \nomani & Bulgroth\n                                                                     Page: 39\n\n2\n\n _____________________\n\/ Reunion 2009 - Romani \\_____________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n         R  E  A  L  M  S     O F     D  E  S  P  A  I  R\n              F I F T E E N T H     A N N I V E R S A R Y\n@@@@@@@   @@@@@@@@  @@@  @@@  @@@  @@@  @@@   @@@@@@   @@@  @@@  \n@@@@@@@@  @@@@@@@@  @@@  @@@  @@@@ @@@  @@@  @@@@@@@@  @@@@ @@@  \n@@!  @@@  @@!       @@!  @@@  @@!@!@@@  @@!  @@!  @@@  @@!@!@@@  \n!@!  @!@  !@!       !@!  @!@  !@!!@!@!  !@!  !@!  @!@  !@!!@!@!  \n@!@!!@!   @!!!:!    @!@  !@!  @!@ !!@!  !!@  @!@  !@!  @!@ !!@!  \n!!@!@!    !!!!!:    !@!  !!!  !@!  !!!  !!!  !@!  !!!  !@!  !!!  \n!!: :!!   !!:       !!:  !!!  !!:  !!!  !!:  !!:  !!!  !!:  !!!  \n:!:  !:!  :!:       :!:  !:!  :!:  !:!  :!:  :!:  !:!  :!:  !:!  \n::   :::   :: ::::  ::::: ::   ::   ::   ::  ::::: ::   ::   ::  \n :   : :  : :: ::    : :  :   ::    :   :     : :  :   ::    :   \n                           Reunion 2009\n FIFTEEN YEARS OF ROD == FOURTEEN YEARS OF ROD\n\nIt is coming faster than you think. Dates and details to come\nsoon for the 15th Annual RoD Reunion. Come and help celebrate \n15 years of mudding fun. \n\nSee also: Help Reunion Hotels, Help Reunion Committee\n          Help Reunion Directions, Help Reunion Events, Help Reunion Travel,\n          Help Reunion Camping, Help Reunion Auction, Help Reunion Donations.\n                                                                     Page: 02\n\n3\n\n ____________________\n\/ RP With Fire - Alessio \\____________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n\n                          Roleplaying With\n                 @@@@@@@@ @@@ @@@@@@@  @@@@@@@@  @@@\n                 @@!      @@! @@!  @@@ @@!       @@@\n                 @!!!:!   !!@ @!@!!@!  @!!!:!    !@!\n                 !!:      !!: !!: :!!  !!:         \n                  :       :    :   : : : :: :::  :.:\n             |=========================================|\n               Volume Four: How to Build a (Story) Arc\n \n  Now that we have dealt with the elements of character building,\nthe many aspects of roleplay scenes, and the effective writing of\nemotes and oemotes, it seems proper to further this series by\naddressing the culmination of all three of these elements: the\nplot, or story arc.\n  While many players prefer spontaneous roleplay, with its hassle-\nfree, no-string-attached approach, there are also a large number of\npeople in the Realms roleplay community who enjoy a storyline\nthrough which they may develop their own characters while advancing\nthe overall story of the world in general.\n  These storylines (or plots) are the lifeblood of Realms roleplay,\nstringing together any number of scenes into a cohesive string of\nevents from which the players may take any number of experiences\nand apply them to the overall development of his or her character.\n  In this volume of Roleplaying With Fire, I will address the\n\n\n                                                                     Page: 03\n\n4\n\n ____________________\n\/ RP With Fire 2     \\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nintricacies of plotting within the Realms of Despair roleplaying\ncommunity: casting, setting, logging, and so forth.\n  So without further ado, let us begin!\n \n                        Part I: Initial Planning\n  It should come as no surprise that the initial phase of development\nfor a plot is, well... plotting.\n  As with any storyline, you will need a number of elements to make\nothers interested in what you have in store:\n               1) A general premise: what is going to happen\n                  that is so worth talking about? \n               2) A protagonist and an antagonist: who will be\n                  the main character(s) of your story, and why?\n               3) A setting: Where will it happen?\n  It seems pretty evident that the answer for number three is 'The\nRealms of Despair,' but Despair is a pretty big place. Be a bit\nmore specific: will it happen within a nation? Or how about Darkhaven?\nWhat is the scope of the plot? Will it involve multiple locations?\n  Keep in mind that, if you plan to involve a specific organization,\nyou should probably consult with the leader of that group beforehand.\nThis is seen as common courtesy, and you will likely find that said\nleader is more than willing to co-operate, if you are reasonable and\nexplain your idea in clear terms.\n                                                                     Page: 04\n\n5\n\n ________________________\n\/ RP With Fire 3     \\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n  The major roles should be filled as soon as is possible. It should\ngenerally be understood that a plot should not be attempted with any\nfewer than three people, though the more involved, the healthier it\nmay be -- within reason. Too many chefs can spoil the broth just\nas easily as too few.\n \n                        Part II: Casting the Plot\n  The casting of roles can be just as important as those fundamentals\nwhich we have spoken about. As I have previously stated, characters\nare the flesh and blood of the roleplaying community: without them,\nthere would be no stories to tell.\n  In general, one player should not play all or most of the major roles\nwithin the story. This not only removes any element of unpredicatability\nfrom the plot, but it also makes those other players who are involved\nfeel small and it can ruin the experience for everybody.\n  Try to cast the other key roles with other players, whenever possible.\nObviously, this can become difficult when there are more roles than\nplayers. In this case, fill in the gaps with alternates or NPCs, and make\nthose characters available to all, with the understanding that story\ndevelopment needs to stick to the original plan as much as possible,\nto progress toward the end goal.\n  It is highly recommended that the players who are given major roles\nare dependable: they are not likely to leave you hanging in the middle\nof a plot, or to drag OOC happenings into the IC world.\n\n                                                                     Page: 05\n\n6\n\n ____________________\n\/ RP With Fire 4     \\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n  Many good plots have been ruined or damaged by inactivity or\noutside drama. It is recommended that you avoid this entirely by\navoiding the casting of unreliable players in major parts.\n \n                       Part III: Setting the Plot\n  So, you have your characters, you have your chain of events, and\nyou have an idea of where the story will unfold. That's good! Now comes\nthe real fun part.\n  To properly set a plot, you need to have some understanding of the\nplace in which it will occur. This means research.\n  A great place to start, if you are basing the plot off of an existing\narea, is the area itself. Walk around it a few times, and get a feel for\nit by reading the room descriptions, checking out the mobs and items,\nand etcetera. Familiarize yourself with the environment in which your\nevents will unfold.\n  Then, try to find out if anything has happened in this area in the\npast, RP wise. If you can find logs of that roleplay, that would be\ngreat. Often, however, you have to go by word of mouth. So ask around.\n  If the roleplay is based in a nation, check with past leaders (if\npossible), and with the Nations Advisor, to see what all has happened\nthere in the recent and distant past. It never hurts to know these\nthings.\n  Other people to consult: the area creator (if possible), and other\nroleplayers, of course!\n\n                                                                     Page: 06\n\n7\n\n ____________________\n\/ RP With Fire 5     \\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n                        Part IV: Recording the Story\n  It can be ridiculously fun to play out a roleplay plot. But at the\nend of the day, when you're trying to work out what all has happened\nwith your character and where to go next, you'll find a well-archived\npacket of logs to be a nearly indisposable resource.\n  There are many schools of thought on logging, but the common consensus\nseems to be that there's no harm in doing it. While many clients seem\nto have built-in logging capabilities, some prefer to do it while involved\nin the roleplay, by copying and pasting into Microsoft Word, Notepad, or\nsome other program.\n  Whatever way you see fit to do it, logging can never hurt. Whether as\na reference for character development, or just to share with your fellow\nroleplayers and the rest of the Realms, or to store for later reading\n(either as a means of entertainment or to track your own progress as a\nroleplayer), logs can be very valuable tools.\n \n                                Conclusion\n  Throughout the course of this edition of Roleplaying With Fire, I\nhave attempted to tackle the various aspects of plotting a story arc.\n  I hope that you, the reader, find some useful tips within these\npages. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me\nvia tell (if I'm online) or MUDmail (if I'm not), and I will be more\nthan happy to answer them for you.\n  Have a happy January, and check back next month!\n\n                                                                     Page: 07\n\n8\n\n ___________________________\n\/ Guild of Clerics - Indira \\_________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n\n \n                             Greetings everyone!\n \nThe Guild of Clerics would like to officially welcome two new members!\n                                        \n                             Klare & Sirrion\n \nIf you would like to join us, please refer to the other page for info!\n \n           We hope you had wonderful holidays and we wish you all:\n \n                              HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!\n\n\n                                                                     Page: 08\n\n9\n\n ____________________\n\/ Guild of Clerics 2 \\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n                                   Join us!\n \nIf you would like to join the Guild of Clerics, just jot down the following:\n \nRequirements: Level 15+\nDirections:   NW, 2W, 2N, E from [] \nWebpage:      perdaea.com\/dirtycarrot.html\nOnce you read the guide (retrieved in \"The Clock Chamber\" by saying \"guide\",\nyou can contact anyone with \"CoC or CoC-T\" in their title or a leader to \nrequest an interview! \n \nWe hope you have a great January, please feel free to come by or send us a tell\nif you have any questions, concerns or just would like to chat!\n \nRegards, Haviland (Guild Master), Indira (First) Torianne (Second)\n\n                                                                     Page: 09\n\n10\n\n ________________________\n\/ Sanctus Irae - Alessio \\____________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nThe New Year yields many changes for the City of Lions.\n \nWith the rightful Marquis of Sanctus Irae, Alessio di Rossetti,\nstill missing and nothing but rumors to suggest where he may be,\nTrademeister Jurevicus Galilee has been only too willing to\nassume the mantle of leadership in his absence.\n \nDubbing himself the Interim Marquis, Galilee's eagerness to\nreplace Alessio has spawned many conspiracies about the true\nwhereabouts of the rightful ruler of Irae.\n \nMeanwhile, the hard winter that had been predicted by the\nTrademeister continues into its second month. The city, buried\nas it is with inner turmoil and the thick sheet of snow that\nhas fallen upon it, struggles to survive.\n \nMerchants continue to eke out whatever living they may, though\nthe import of new material and merchandise becomes increasingly\ndifficult and the tourism of old begins to fade.\n \nBrigands and vagabonds of all stripes and allegiances have taken\nto the streets, engaging in open acts of violence and thievery\npreviously unseen within the walls of Irae. And the once-vigilant\nguard continues to fall into chaos and disrepair with the absence\n\n                                                                     Page: 10\n\n11\n\n ____________________\n\/ Sanctus Irae 2     \\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\npreviously unseen within the walls of Irae. And the once-vigilant\nguard continues to fall into chaos and disrepair with the absence\nof a proper leader.\n \nDisregarding these many problems, Jurevicus Galilee has extended\nan open invitation to any refugees of the war between the Free\nPeoples of the Realms and dissenting nations, insistent that Irae\nwill stand as a free port of trade and sanctuary for those left\nwithout their rightful homes.\n \nWhat new treacheries will surface within the City of Lions? Will\nthe strong arm of law be restored, or will skulldiggery continue\nto run rampant within her four walls? Will the cold bite of a\nharsh winter relent, or will the elements stubbornly persist in\ntheir assault on the city? Only time may tell...\n\n                                                                     Page: 11\n\n12\n\n ________________________\n\/ DragonSlayer Pride     \\____________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n\nAvatar          Brimstone.       ______(____    {IC} (Dragonslayer)\nAvatar          Brimsteve.      (___________)        (Dragonslayer)\nAvatar          Steveo.          \/         \\         (Dragonslayer)\nAvatar          Dunlop.         \/    THE    \\        (Dragonslayer)\nAvatar          Kixel.         |   BREWERY   |       (Dragonslayer)\nAvatar          Kixal.     ____\\             \/____   (Dragonslayer)\nAvatar          Kixil.    ()____'.__     __.'____()  (Dragonslayer)\nAvatar          Ardeth.        .'` .'```'. `-.       (Dragonslayer)\nAvatar          Camaxtli.     ().'`       `'.()      (Dragonslayer)\nAvatar          Stryder.  --  -- --  --  --  --  --  (Dragonslayer)\n\n                                                                     Page: 12\n\n13\n\n ________________________\n\/ Uruk'hai News - Klaatu \\____________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nFrom the Opallinoc News Bureau:\n \nDateline Opallinoc - Restricted News\nThe Uruk'hai, as part of the Free Peoples, have limited news releases to keep\nmobilization information from the general populace. News items will need the\napproval of the Tribal Council before being sent to the News Bureau.\n \nDateline Northern Plains - Inahir Protectorate\nThe Inahir Protectorate of the Uruk'hai, in the Northern Plains, has begun\nherding their eltor beasts closer to the Camp. Inahir warriors, led by the\nHuntress herself, have been seen moving the beasts. The corral in the camp has\nbeen expanded to accomodate the additional numbers. \n \nDateline Opallinoc - Solstice Fest\nThe winter Solstice Fest was somewhat subdued this year. Free Peoples agents\nwere in attendance making observations. Meeka's swill was in big demand\nthroughout the Fest. Songs of legendary Uruk'hai were sung at the Bonfire.\n \nDateline Darkhaven - Duke Luther \/ Mayor Noran Mul silent\nThe silence of Duke Luther over the rise of the Free Peoples has a number of\nmerchants in Darkhaven worried. Prices for commodities are fluctuating. An\nincrease in the price of ale has a number of races grumbling about economy.\nDarkhaven Mayor, Noran Mul, has also had no commentary on developments and\nhas been seen in the gaming parlors above the Grim Smile more than his office.\n\n                                                                     Page: 13\n\n14\n\n ____________________\n\/ Ilythiiri - Alzeria\\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nA Cry in the (Under)Dark\n \nAll was not well in the Underdark and the meager population of Iniquity began\ngrowing restless. Rumors grew and spread in the more fearless circles  rather\nthe circles where they thought the Valsharess could not hear...rumors that no\ndrow but the boldest of the dissidents-followers of Vhaerun- would dare speak\naloud. These rumors spoke of a silence unlike any before except one...\n \nIf Lloth was silent, not of her own chaotic free-will, but because of attack,\nit would be enough to make the city vulnerable. Certainly an inopportune time\nfor such things, considering events on the surface and a proclamation stating\nthat the Valsharess had ruled that the Drow Nation would opt to join those of\nthe surface who were resisting, rather than lower themselves to scrape before\nsome undead, troll-bait pixie or their own hated, pale-skinned 'cousins'.\n \nA new look was on the young Valsharess's face when she made this announcement\nto the people of the Underdark. Some speculations were made as to what it was\nthat was different --some thought that she had spent too much time at Lloth's\naltar sacrificing, others thought perhaps a strange vision had changed her to\nsome degree or another, and still others thought that the glow the Valsharess\nhad was indicative that she was with child--much to the amusement to those of\nthe Veldrin'Velve that knew the Queen had kept largely isolated in prayer for\nthe past months. Yet...something -had- changed, and more surely would change.\n\n                                                                     Page: 14\n\n15\n\n __________________________\n\/ Khazad News - Stoneheft  \\__________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n\nWar has been declared. The pixies have actually declared war against us.\nNot only us. The damned insect people have accepted the surrendur of the\nelven nation and declared war on all others. I know it sounds funny, but\nit is not a joke. I suggest wearing a helmet and braiding your beards so\nthat the nasty little bugs don't get all tangled up and irritating while\nthey have their tirade.\nThis probably will not be a proper war where we can march against their\ninferior armies, kill them and come home to celebrate. I have noticed in\nmy meeting with their Doom King Vermicio that they rely on their charisma\nto take what they are after. They will try to beguile us with their pixie\ncharm and make us feel comfortable in opening our doors to them. Well do\nnot be fooled. Just because they will not fight bravely does not mean that\nwe can not vanquish them bravely. Trust no one! If a pixie tells you that\nit comes in peace, that is sure proof that it is trying to make you feel\nat ease so that it can use its magics on you and turn you against your\nbrothers!\nWatch the skys! Take up your axes, swords, hammers and fly-swatters!\nBetter safe than sorry. Wear long sleeves, they might bite when excited.\n \nStoneheft Gemstone, Khazad Prince\n\n                                                                     Page: 15\n\n16\n\n ______________________\n\/ Quendi News - Annale \\_______________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n \n\nQuendi join the Free Peoples of the Realms\n \nAfter a brief battle, the Quendi people have joined the Free Peoples of the\nRealms, lead by King Vermicio.  Arms have been laid down and all resources\nhave been pledged to his aid. Life upon the Island continues as usual, with\nonly minor adjustments as set out in the Contract of the Free Peoples of the\nRealm.\n \nTari Annale betrothed\n \nThe Quendi people congratulate Tari Annale and King Vermicio on their recent\nengagement.  Little information surrounding the engagement has been released\nnor has the date of the wedding been set.\n \nHappy New Year!\n \nA festive and happy New Year to all! May it be spent in good company and in\ngood cheer!\n\n                                                                     Page: 16\n\n17\n\n _______________________________\n\/ Voice of the Rukhas - Vokith  \\_____________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n       ____   ____    .__                       _____\n       \\   \\ \/   \/___ |__| ____  ____     _____\/ ____\\\n        \\   Y   \/  _ \\|  |\/ ___\\\/ __ \\   \/  _ \\   __\\\n         \\     (  <_> )  \\  \\__\\  ___\/  (  <_> )  |  \n         \\___\/ \\____\/|__|\\___  >___  >  \\____\/|__|  \n                              \\\/    \\\/               \n                      __  .__           \n                    _\/  |_|  |__   ____ \n                    \\   __\\  |  \\_\/ __ \\\n                     |  | |   Y  \\  ___\/\n                     |__| |___|  \/\\___  >\n                               \\\/     \\\/\n        __________       __   .__                  \n        \\______   \\__ __|  | _|  |__ _____    ______\n         |       _\/  |  \\  |\/ \/  |  \\\\__  \\  \/  ___\/\n         |    |   \\  |  \/    <|   Y  \\\/ __ \\_\\___ \\\n         |____|_  \/____\/|__|_ \\___|  (____  \/____  >\n                \\\/           \\\/    \\\/     \\\/     \\\/\n====================================================================\n||First Week         ---------------           Month of Liberation||\n==================================================================== \n\n                                                                     Page: 17\n\n18\n\n _______________________\n\/ Voice of the Rukhas 2 \\_____________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n \n|                 We've been fooled: Revolutionary                 |\n|                                                                  |\n| It has been a little over two weeks since High Chieftain Vokith  |\n|Drah'zi's controversial 'Necessary Sacrifices' speech, and former |\n|Rukhas Revolutionary Army Leader Brukh Ironhand has finally issued|\n|a statement.                                                      |\n| The two page letter, written on cured elfskin, claims that the   |\n|people of Krozloy were fooled, and that Vokith Drah'zi has sold   |\n|the half-orc race over to another dictator.                       |\n| \"Vokith Drah'zi is elfblood scum!\" claims the letter. \"He took   |\n|us from under the boot of one cruel master, only to surrender us  |\n|to another. Never have I seen such cowardly action from the High  |\n|Chieftain of our people. He should be removed at once!\"           |\n| Meanwhile, loyalists like eldest-orc Warchief Threnkth continue  |\n|to tow the line: \"Vokith Drah'zi has only done what is necessary  |\n|to ensure the future of our race. Vermicio represented a clear    |\n|threat to our already unstable government.\"                       | \n|==================================================================|\n|             Branding Unacceptable, claims Tanskin                |\n| A branding station was overrun and destroyed by a tanskin mob    |\n|early this week after operatives sought out, captured, and branded|\n|a number of Rukhas children.                                      |\n| \"This branding is wrong,\" barked the leader of the mob as his    |\n|people burnt it to the ground. \"It is what we would expect from   |\n\n                                                                     Page: 18\n\n19\n\n ____________________\n\/ Voice of the Rukhas 3 \\_____________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n|Bonehewer the Brutal, not Vokith. This branding is wrong!\"        |\n| When asked to comment, the High Chieftain said only that it is   |\n|a 'necessary sacrifice' that all Rukhas'dul will have to make.    |\n| \"I'm doing this for the Rukhas,\" Vokith said, \"we will all make  |\n|a necessary sacrifice, for our survival. It is the way of things.\"|\n|===============================END================================|\n                                                                     Page: 19\n\n20\n\n _____________________________\n\/ The Symposium News - Akael  \\_______________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n\nTS news from December 2008\nPassed by TS\n- Alternative Gash Proposal\n- Gash Extension\n- Modification to Dispel Magic\n- Autodeletion Reminder Emails\n- Emergency Passwords\nPassed by Liaisons\n- Using Smoking items in \"Hold\" position\n- Thief Professions\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------\n         For older TS news, visit http:\/\/ts.silverwolf-den.com\n------------------------------------------------------------------------------\nSee also: Help TS, Help TSinfo\n\n                                                                     Page: 20\n\n21\n\n ________________________________\n\/ December COD Results - Falennt \\____________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nNot included in this online issue.\n\n                                                                     Page: 21\n22\n\n ______________________________\n\/ January COD Quest - Falennt \\______________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nNot included in this online issue.\n\n                                                                     Page: 22\n23\n\n\n _______________________________\n\/ Elven Nation Quest - Creemore \\_____________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n                       Elf Nation Quest!\n \nThe Elf Nation held a Poker Run Quest Sun Dec 28th\n10 players took part, rushing about the realms\nsearching out the 7 Dealers. \n \n The top 3 winners     Hand           Prize\n \n         Bolotomus     three 7s       Av Thief\n         Wysper        pair Aces      Av Cleric\n         Iohan         pair Jacks     Av Barbarian\n \n Many Thanks to Romani for taking time during the\nholidays, to help us run this Quest and supplying us\nwith the dealers.\n \n The Elf Nation will be looking at hosting more quests,\nruns, and games in the near future.\n \nCreemore Springs and Annale Firestorm\n\n                                                                     Page: 23\n\n24\n\n ____________________\n\/ COD Funny Pages    \\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nFunnies \n\nCeirana> my forgiveness to those of you who are actually blond\nCeirana> What did the blonde say when she opened the box of cheerios? \n(51) Kinux> does toe-hair count?\nCeirana> Look, donut seeds!\nRomani> Kinux has blonde toe hair?\nCalin> ...\n\nCranker: Ceirana supports the beating of women :(\nCeirana: I guess if anyone was allowed to be cranky...\nCanker: I am that as well\nCeirana: oh look, a sore!\nQaulorn: Err... not what you want to hear a chick say.\nCanker: I seem to have lost my R :(\nCanker: Anyone seen it?\nCanker: I swore i just had it...\nWanker: Perhaps, I'll go check.\nWanker: <--- its incredibly big over here\nCeirana: funny how one little letter can change a word.\nCranker: It is\n\nRomani snorts in disgust.\nRomani says 'My cat just scanned and printed her butt'\n\n                                                                     Page: 24\n\n25\n\n _______________________\n\/ Silly Titles - Romani \\_____________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n \n\nTitle fun...\nGauthyr: If they let me code, I wouldn't complain as much. \nCeirana: If we let him code, everyone would complain more. (Ascendere) \n           [Council of Elders]\nHonemakmiut Belforte: It means 'snowflake' in Inuit.. okay? is hovering here.\nTreenpix refuses to prove that she exists. (Ascendere)\nHurey is passive-aggressive. (Ringbearers)\nGawen Ael'ir: Against fire and bombs through the roof. (Number One, Arcanes)\nFolio blame is for God and little children.  Darkfaith.. (Ringbearers)\n\n                                                                     Page: 25\n\n26\n\n ______________________________\n\/ 9th Realms of Despair Awards \\______________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n \n          ......       ......\n        .:oOOOOo:.   .:oOOOOo:.\n      .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:.   Valentine's Quest 2009\n     .:oO:'    ':Oo:oO:'    ':Oo:.\n     :oO:        ':O:'        :Oo:  Find the match of your \n     :oO:          '          :Oo:  dreams for Valentine's\n     ':oO:    Valentine's    :Oo:'  day. Have fun and meet\n      ':oO:      2009       :Oo:'   players from other walks\n        ':oO.             .Oo:'     of life on RoD. \n          ':oO.         .Oo:'\n            ':oO.     .Oo:'         Fill out the simple \n              ':oO. .Oo:'           questionnaire and submit\n                'oO:Oo'             it by February 10th at \n                 'oOo'              midnight mudtime to enter.\n                  'o'\n\nSubmit entries via mudmail to Romani and Bulgroth (See HELP MUDMAIL)\nMail your entries in the post office in Darkhaven no later\nthan February 10th at midnight mudtime.\n(Continued)\n                                                                     Page: 26\n\n27\n\n _______________\n\/ RoD Awards 2  \\_____________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n1. Would you prefer your Valentine to wear Leather or Lace?\n2. Do you like the Lights on or off?\n3. Do you wish your Valentine to be Male\/Female\/It?\n4. Should your Valentine be Peaceful, Pkill or a Bot?\n5. Are you a Lover, fighter, RPer?\n6. As a pet on RoD would you prefer a nice steed or a pesky gremlin?\n7. Would you prefer to give\/receive a long black leather coat, or a pink lace\ngarter?\n8. For a dinner with your dream date would you prefer wine and dine or beer\nand chips?\n9. For your Valentine's Date would you like to explore the far reaches of the\nlands or spend a quiet evening surrounded by other friends at recall?\n10.Write a short love letter to your date explaining why they should chose you\nabove all the men\/women\/its on RoD: \n \nMudmail your responses to Romani or Bulgroth no later than midnight on \nFebruary 10th at midnight (mudtime) to Romani\n\n                                                                     Page: 27\n\n28\n\n _______________\n\/ RoD Awards 1  \\_____________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nCongratulations to all the 2009 RoD Award winners from the HA and CRY staff!\n\n1. Best Male Immortal\nKinux, Conran, Stoneheft\n\n2. Best Female Immortal\nDestre, Romani, Ceirana\n\n3. Best Male Roleplayer\nVermicio, Yoshio, Miyaki\n\n4. Best Female Roleplayer\nAnnale, Talisha, Nariel\n\n5. Best RoD Couple\nGrunthos and Loril, Petrograd and Babui, Ciska and Jethren\nHonorable mention: Odessyus and Calin\n\n6. Best \"New change\" to Realms\nNew Solace Housing, Path of Murder for mages, Sects\n\n7. Worst \"New change\" to Realms\nSects, No Cleric Paths yet, Removing \"recall\" from sect commands\n\n8. Best Guild\nGuild of Clerics, Guild of Mages, Guild of Nephandi\n\n                                                                     Page: 28\n\n\n29\n\n _______________\n\/ RoD Awards 2  \\_____________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n9. Best Order\nAscendere, Dragonslayer, Baali\n\n10. Best Clan\nMaleficae, Feralis, Catarrh\n\n11. Best Area\nNevermore, Otherland, Valley of Crucifixion \n\n12. Best Nation\nPixie, Half-Elves, Human\n\n13. Best Food Item\nBBQ Chicken Wings\nReindeer Poop\n steaming plate of mashed potatoes and gravy. \n\n14. Best Drink Item\nBeer, Guinness, A glass of blue oasis\n\n15. Best \"Treasure\" Item\nWhich is the most prized treasure of the land? \n\n                                                                     Page: 29\n\n\n30\n\n _______________\n\/ RoD Awards 3  \\_____________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n16. Most Likely to DT\nVermicio, Malkatov, Jimothy\n\n17. Best Dressed\nPetrograd, Korith, Meldrew\n\n18. Most Likely to be Balzhured\nVache, Kox, Chyort\n\n19. Best Object Rename\nOblivious (Kekoz), Silence through Perfection (unknown), \nPerfection through Silence (Vermicio)\n\n20. Best Social\ngrin, innocence, salt\n\n21. Best Male Player\nPetrograd, Owyn, Raistlin\n\n                                                                     Page: 30\n\n\n31\n\n _______________\n\/ RoD Awards 4  \\_____________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n22. Best Female Player\nFoxarius, Annale, Mephie\n\n23. Most likely to get illegally PKilled\nJimothy, Nariel, Vache\n\n24. Most likely to be the one to illegally PKill them\nQaulorn, Kali, Stoneheft\n\n25. Most charismatic deadly\nVermicio, Geothe, Kox\n\n26. Most charismatic peaceful\nBabui, Alex, Owyn\/Raistlyn\n\n27. Most interesting help file\nBarbarian Help files, Answers4, \"me I am a moron\"\n\n                                                                 Page: 31\n\n\n32\n\n _______________\n\/ RoD Awards 5  \\_____________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n28. Most interesting room\nDarkhaven Square, Edel Long Table\n\n29. Best Runner\nMeldrew, Foxarius, Raistlin\n\n30. Best explorer\nPetrograd, Foxarious, Meldrew\n\n31. Next-to-Imm\nRaistlin, Annale, Owyn\n\n32. Most eligible Bachelor\nOwyn, Conran\n\n33. Most eligible bachelorette\nAnnale, Romani\n\n                                                                     Page: 32\n\n\n33\n\n _______________\n\/ RoD Awards 6  \\_____________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n34. Funniest person\nOwyn, Stoneheft, Anya\n\n35. Ugliest Player Name\nHonemakmiut, Ugliah, Drulialirica\n\n36. Nicest Player Name\nOwyn, Sunfall, Lina\n\n37. Best Vocalist\nArlo, Hurley\n\n38. Channel Soloist\nTonitrus, Kox, Menta\n\n39. Most Dedicated Leader\nFoxarius, Aleq, Rathmonicus\n\n40. Best Quest of 2008\nThe entire Pacman Quest, Dragon-Taming, \n\n                                                                     Page: 33\n\n\n34\n\n _______________\n\/ RoD Awards 7  \\_____________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n41. Most Frequent to X-Chan\nLoril, Ceirana, Exchan(Excane)\n\n42. Most Likely To End Up With QWERTY On Their Forehead\nVache, Chyort, Miguel\n\n43. Living Bot\nQaulorn, Alihan, Chyort\n\n44. Most Frightening Immortal\nCalin, Loril, Romani\n\n45. Most Frightening Player\nMiyaki, Raistlin, Cyril\/Qaulorn\n\n                                                                     Page: 34\n\n35\n\n ____________________\n\/ CRY Writers Wanted \\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n \n _____ _______     __         __   _____                        _     \n\/ ____|  __ \\ \\   \/ \/        \/ _| |  __ \\                      (_)    \n| |    | |__) \\ \\_\/ \/    ___ | |_  | |  | | ___  ___ _ __   __ _ _ _ __\n| |    |  _  \/ \\   \/    \/ _ \\|  _| | |  | |\/ _ \\\/ __| '_ \\ \/ _` | | '__|\n| |____| | \\ \\  | |    | (_) | |   | |__| |  __\/\\__ \\ |_) | (_| | | |  \n\\_____|_|  \\_\\ |_|     \\___\/|_|   |_____\/ \\___||___\/ .__\/ \\__,_|_|_|  \n                                                     | |                  \n\n _       _             _    _                __          \n(_)     | |           | |  (_)              \/ _|         \n _ ___  | | ___   ___ | | ___ _ __   __ _  | |_ ___  _ __\n| \/ __| | |\/ _ \\ \/ _ \\| |\/ \/ | '_ \\ \/ _` | |  _\/ _ \\| '__|\n| \\__ \\ | | (_) | (_) |   <| | | | | (_| | | || (_) | |  \n|_|___\/ |_|\\___\/ \\___\/|_|\\_\\_|_| |_|\\__, | |_| \\___\/|_|  \n                                     __\/ |               \n                                    |___\/                \n\n                                     _ _               \n                                    (_) |              \n _ __   _____      __ __      ___ __ _| |_ ___ _ __ ___\n| '_ \\ \/ _ \\ \\ \/\\ \/ \/ \\ \\ \/\\ \/ \/ '__| | __\/ _ \\ '__\/ __|\n| | | |  __\/\\ V  V \/   \\ V  V \/| |  | | ||  __\/ |  \\__ \\\n|_| |_|\\___| \\_\/\\_\/     \\_\/\\_\/ |_|  |_|\\__\\___|_|  |___\/ \n\nFor more information, seek out the Cry of Despair board in the Darkhaven\nTownhall, Fourth Floor, West exit from the stairs. (look map if you get lost) \n\n                                                                     Page: 35\n\n36\n\n ____________________\n\/ ASK COE            \\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\nTHE CRY OF DESPAIR IS PROUD TO HOST\n\n           ###     ######  ##    ##     ######   #######  ########\n          ## ##   ##    ## ##   ##     ##    ## ##     ## ##\n         ##   ##  ##       ##  ##      ##       ##     ## ##\n        ##     ## ######   #####       ##       ##     ## ######\n        #########       ## ##  ##      ##       ##     ## ##\n        ##     ## ##    ## ##   ##     ##    ## ##     ## ##\n        ##     ##  ######  ##    ##     ######   #######  ######## \n\n  If you had a chance to ask the Council of Elders something about\n  gameplay, what would you ask?\n  Do you want to know when we are going to have pasta somewhere?\n  Do you want to know why thief mobs only keep a percentage of what\n  they steal?\n  Or do you want to know something else?! If so, mudmail Falennt or Linda with\n  your questions today! \n\n                                                                     Page: 36\n\n37\n\n ____________________\n\/ WANTED ... Dead!   \\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n\n   _________________________________________\n0=(_________________________________________)=0\n  |                     ___  __  _        \/\n   |    |   |  \/\\  |\\  |  |  |   | \\      |    \n   |    | x | :__: | \\ |  |  |-  |  ;     |     The CoD Staff\n   |    |\/ \\| |  | |  \\|  |  |__ |_\/      |     invites any deadly\n   |                                      |     to post a bounty on\n   |    \/\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\"\\      |     another deadly.\n   |    |     :   ,''\"((\") |       |      |    \n   |    |     |  \/         |       |      |     You set the bounty\n   |    |     ,-: .*\"    \"*;       |      |     and the number of \n   |    |     ;    (o)  (o)|       |      |     bounties you are\n   |    |     `-.      ,   |       |      |     prepared to pay and\n   |    |       :     ___  '       |      |     Falennt    \n   |    |       |`.   -   \/        |      |     can collect the  \n   |    |     _.:  `-.__.'         |      |     skived skin of your \n   |    | ,-\"'\"  `-.__.-''*-._     |      |     target from bounty \n   |    .-----------DEAD-----------.      |     hunters. You may also\n   |    _   __              _   _         |     share your reasons\n   |   | \\ |   |   |   \/\\  | \\ | \\        |     for wanting the target\n   |   |_\/ |-  | x |  :__: |_\/ |  ;       |     dead.\n   |   | \\ |__ |\/ \\|  |  | | \\ |_\/        |     The cost of this\n   |______________________________________|     service is 1 million\n0=(________________________________________)=0  gold coins. The Cry of\n                                                Despair may also award\n                                                successful bounty hunters\n                                                with additional gold!\n(Thank you Romani for the Ascii art) \n\n                                                                     Page: 37\n\n38\n\n ____________________\n\/ CRY Editor Wanted  \\________________________________________________________\n|_____________________________________________________________________________\\\n \nLetter from the Editor \n\nCurrently the Immortal Sponsors are looking for a new editor.  If you are\ninterested then please write a short note saying why you would like the\nposition.  Please include your normal online times so that the immortals can\ninterview you. \n\nThanks in advance for your interest. \n\n                                                                     Page: 38\n<\/pre>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2009 RoD Awards, Pixie war, Duke Luther silent on economy __________________________________________ \/ Issue 135 &#8211; February-March 2009 \\__________________________________ |_____________________________________________________________________________\\ This Month&#8217;s Special: Valentine&#8217;s 2009 &#8211; Romani CRY2-3 On Guilds, with Destre &#8211; Nevarak CRY4-9 Monthly Article Roleplaying With Fire Writing Descriptive Text &#8211; Alessio CRY10-CRY15 Order News Order of Sanctus Irae &#8211; Alessio CRY16-CRY17 Nation&#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-1968","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1968","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=1968"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1968\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1989,"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1968\/revisions\/1989"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/realmsofdespair.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1968"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}