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Newsletters
April 21, 2001
In this week's issue:
Congratulations
Interviews with the IMMS.
Ramblings From Seluctruh's Lair
News From Around the Realm
The Black Scar (continuation) - Marenil
Poem for Alexandra - Jieni
Ode to Zaradali - Vulcan
Cywry's Commentary
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Congratulations
~~~~~~~~~~~
CONGRATULATIONS to Marenil for achieving Avatarhood!
CONGRATULATIONS to Galdren for achieving Avatarhood, and for becoming Clan Leader of Guardians!
CONGRATULATIONS to Cyo for becoming Number One Guardians!
CONGRATULATIONS to Telaris on his ascension to Immortality!
SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS to Jieni for achieving both Avatarhood, and from there, rising swiftly to Immortality!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With the ascension of three new immortals to the realm, the question of why one would want to leave behind one's physical being and rise to the state of immortality is one that should be answered. Who best to respond, than those who have recently achieved this new state.
~~~~~~~
Interview with Testaur
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q: Why did you want to become a Darkstone Immortal?
~
A: If you build it - they will come...
~
The short answer is that I became an immortal because I wanted to build.
~
The longer answer is that, as a player, I was often frustrated by what I thought were glaring oversights in the game, and I wanted to do my part in fixing it.
~
I have been to and explored many nice areas in the game which are just plain inaccessible to their intended level range. Its frustrating to be punished (by death no less!) for trying to explore Darkstone, just trying to get to an area which the AREAS command says is for your level(!), all because of some intervening area or mob that makes it impossible to get to where you want to go. As a player, I explore a lot and therefore also tend to die a lot.
~
Is this good for the players or for the game or for the builder who took the time to design those areas? No. The end result is most players don't bother to get to those areas until they are level 50, if at all. Heck, I even know certain level 50 players who needed me to tell them directions to the Gypsy camp in Bar-Gith! (btw - I really wonder how they ever made level 50... was it by killing the same mobs over and over and over and over...? how fun can that be?)
~
Q: What projects are you currently working on?
~
As most players know, I recently opened up Preservia Wyld just east of Windy Bluff. Honestly, the feedback from most players has been very gratifying, I thank you all for that. I have been attending to problems as soon as they are being reported to me (a special thanks goes out to Saperio) and I am very interested if players have any good suggestions for changes - please remember it is supposed to be a lowbie-friendly area, although I am adding a few more surprises for highbies.
~
I have also volunteered to help Seluctruh cleaning up some of the problems in other areas.
~
I am continuing to watch Preservia with great interest, and want to repair any problems that players may encounter. And for those who have expressed interest, yes, part II of Preservia Wyld is in the works even as we speak.
~
Q: What do you feel is the role of an immortal in the realm?
~
A. There is no one simple answer to that. I think that Darkstone requires several different types of immortal, simply because it would be practically impossible to find someone who is good at every job that Darkstone needs doing.
~
Some immortals are strongly player-activity focused. They work very hard at devising interesting quests. Some are working at raising the level of rp in the game, which is always a good thing. Some are there to watch that the game's rules are followed, which are there to protect EVERYONE'S ability to have an enjoyable time. I'm the quiet builder-type. I like to make things that are unusual, maybe I can surprise even the jaded player who has seen it all.
~
Q: Do you have any comments you would like to make regarding the current state of the realm?
~
A. Yes. You know what? All those level 50 players, just hanging around the fountain in Windy, I wonder how old there characters are... 700? 900? 1300? How flabby and out of shape they must get at that age, especially when they aren't pounding the trails and slaying monsters on a daily basis, I wonder how sharp their +8 sword stays, I wonder about the rust that would weaken even magical armor that isn't routinely oiled, I wonder if spellcasters ever forget the words to spells they haven't used in, say, 200 years... hmmm... I wonder if maybe I talk too much? ;)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interview with Telaris
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q: Why did you want to become a Darkstone Immortal?
~
A. Mostly to help the MUD. Its got a lot of potential, and some problems, but with a little help, it could be great. :)
~
Q: What projects are you currently working on?
~
A. I've been an immortal here before. But at that time, I was more of a builder. I'm not even building yet here; I'm trying to generate RP. Thats my biggest concern, is getting roleplaying going. RP is what makes a MUD fun, when you get down to it. You can go to any place for hack and slash, but few places offer good, original, and fun roleplaying.
~
Q: What projects are you currently working on?
~
A. I don't exactly have any set projects yet. Mostly getting Dawnbringers off the ground, which has some problems, but is turning out well thanks to the rp of several players :)
~
Q: What do you feel is the role of an immortal in the realm?
~
A.. ICly, Telaris is the Keeper of Time. He has access to, essentially, anything that ever will be, ever can be, ever has been, and so on. That makes him pretty powerful, but it can also mess with his mind. But he has his own codes and refuses to glance far into the future, and strives never to change things. Telaris, in actuality, is a being that takes on host bodies of once mortals... Thats how Mav became Telaris. But Mav wasn't as strong as past hosts, and there was a hint of evil in the cleric Mav.. Enough to make Telaris rather zealous in his pursuit of returning light to the realms, breaching his own code of staying out of the affairs of mortals. As for OOCly, well, its less fun. To enforce rules, and to help the players have fun. That doesn't mean I'm here to walk people through things, but I am here to provide a place where people can come and enjoy themselves, so long as it doesn't offend others, break rules, or subtract from roleplaying. I've got a lot of ideas, and I hope to implement them. I'm also here so that players can submit their own ideas to someone-- I'll listen, and if I think they're workable right now, throw them at the higher powers.
~
Q: Do you have any comments you would like to make regarding the current state of the realm?
~
A. Dawn has come, and forces of Darkness best be on their guard, for we of the light will no longer suffer under the oppression of shadow and death...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interview with Jieni
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q. Why did you want to become a Darkstone Immortal?
~
A. A simple, yet honest question. I wanted to help Darkstone. Darkstone has given me months of enjoyment, and I felt a motivation to return some of my gratitude to the immortals who work so hard to bring everyone a cost free game. It first started when I attained Hero status, though I was still limited in what I could do to help out. I decided to become a Darkstone Immortal so that I could make the game more enjoyable for all the players.
Q. Now that you have achieved immortality, what are your goals within the context of the game?
~
A. Obviously I plan on expanding the realm by adding in new areas. Though I'm also going to track down exploited bugs and fix them. Since so many people are level 50, I plan on holding quests to keep them busy, though what they will be is undecided at this time.
~
Q. What projects are you currently working on?
~
A. Currently I am assisting Tatianna with the area she has been so diligently striving to complete. I have my own ideas for some new areas, however I want to help Tatianna finish her area before moving on to my own.
Q. What do you feel is the role of an immortal in the realm?
~
A. Immortals are responsible for making the game more enjoyable for the mortals. To that end they build new areas, hold quests, and role play. Role playing is the heart of Darkstone, whether it be a simple conversation with someone about the weather or recruiting adventurer's to join you to perform a quest. Many players just log on to kill anything and everything, and they eventually tire of it. The key to having an enjoyable playing experience is to expand your thinking beyond simple 'hack-and-slash'.
~
Q. Do you have any comments you would like to make regarding the current state of the realm?
~
A. Changes are everywhere. Players may not know it, but many new areas are being worked on at this time. They just need to wait for them to be completed. A well designed area takes time to build, it isn't something done overnight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ramblings from Seluctruh's Lair
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Greetings
~~~~~~~~
As Legend has predicted, a person of great power has risen to restore balance and order to the realm. It is indeed a great time to be alive and witness such an event. One that will create stories that will be passed down for many generations.
The person we speak is the great Saint, Augustine. He has been restored to his previous powers by a piece of the infamous Darkstone. No, that would not be completely accurate. The stone brought back his life. The stone brought to him powers an a magnitude nobody can predict. Yes, this is truly a great time in the realm. He will be protecting the innocent and laying down the law to those who step out of line. It is unsure how long this Legend will be among us. Get a glimpse of him while you can. Admire his great sword, cloak, shield, and armor. Feel his powers. Walk in his path if you wish. Challenge him if you dare. The choice is yours.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jieni has advanced through the hero stage and is now our newest Immortal. He has done so much work before, during, and after the pwipe. He continues to crave work and this is the best way to give him his fair share and help the mud. ~~~
Thanks to Jieni for all the hard work!
~~
The Dark Lord
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
News from Around the Realm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
City of Shadows Update
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beware, for deep within the heart of the City of Shadows lurk monsters who have grown in power. The Dark Lord has blessed them in his evil way and they can hurl fireballs, decimating any hapless adventurer who attempts to challenge them. Especially 'ware the shadow dragon, that is nearly invincible to all who approach it. It lives under the Dark One's protection and has become dangerous and deadly, not only to those who would dare to slay it, but even to those innocents who would inadvertently cross its path.
~~~
Welcome to Preservia Wyld
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A new area, conceived by Jornel, has been created within the realm by Lord Testaur. The area, which is located just beyond the dark forest east of Windy Bluff, is designed for lowbies between levels ten and thirty. This nature preserve contains many secrets within its heart, some magical and some amusing. An interesting and fun place to adventure, make sure that you enjoy the fine dining at Chez Cheylene's and pick up a souvenir of your visit at Paruziel's Shop.
~~~~
The Battle for St. Augustine's Sword
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The sword of St. Augustine was returned to Seluctruh by Marenil after a long and fearful quest. For his efforts, Marenil was rewarded and became a hero. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending upon your alignment, while Seluctruh was absent from his lair, the sword mysteriously disappeared. The Dark Lord' s heart was broken, yet, the next day, he awoke to find a replacement, which resembled the real sword, but was undeniably a fake, resting in its place. Suddenly there appeared before him the reincarnation of St. Augustine, who had returned from the dead to fight the evil that reigned throughout the realm. Lord Seluctruh commanded his minions to set out and retrieve the sword once again, knowing that he who held the sword wielded true power. Polyzor whose heart is as black as the Lord he worships, stole the sword from St. Augustine, and it once again lies in the hands of evil. The realm is unquiet though, and who knows for how long the sword will remain thus, as the perpetuators of light will surely not let this matter rest.
~~~
Late Breaking News
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Silver throwing daggers now work! Thanks to the persistence of Testaur and the patience of Persicus.
~~
The daggers can be thrown as follows:
~
wield dagger
scan (to select your direction and target)
throw direction targetname
~
you hit or miss depending on your skill rating.
~
I'd hate to be caught in somebody's crossfire!!!
-Testaur
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Black Scar (continued)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marenil paced his inner chambers. "Tleilaxu, my trusted friend, I know now what I must do". Tleilaxu had never seen Marenil's red eyes gleam like this before. "What would that be, Marenil?" said Tleilaxu with a shaken voice. "I have seen this world thrust into the light too far. I must counter this with a blessing of darkness." Tleilaxu thought for a few minutes, studying the gleam in Marenil's eyes. "I must shed my mortal form, and rise in power". Tleilaxu almost fainted at this. "My lord, how do you plan to do this?" Marenil snorted in disgust, "Do you dare doubt my powers?" Marenil studied Tleilaxu, knowing he meant no harm in what he said. "I'm sorry Marenil. I have faith in you". Marenil nodded, "I must speak to Lord Seluctruh at once".
~~~~~~~
Marenil left his chambers and proceeded to the temple of Seluctruh. Marenil bowed his head in prayer "My Lord, Seluctruh, I know you are thinking the same as me. Followers of Tarin are upsetting the balance". He looked up towards the heavens, and closed his eyes. "I have thought long and hard, and I think I may have found a solution." With this said, Marenil felt a strange sensation. Upon opening his eyes, he found himself in Seluctruh's lair.
~~~~~~~
Seluctruh stretched out in his throne, raising a questioning eyebrow at Marenil. "You say you have a plan, for this un-balanced world?" Marenil, not accustomed to being in the presence of such power, was speechless for a moment. "Y-yess my Lord. I have been witnessing clan Guardians, and Pantheons rise to power. One clan wants to preserve balance, the other wants to preach of the old days. Yet, both clans consist of leaders whom worship Tarin. Jieni, with his recent rise towards the heavens, is a follower of Tarin. I see this as my chance to rise in power, therefore restoring balance and well deserved respect to clan Shadows." Seluctruh thought a moment, and a smile broke on his face.
~~~~~
Meanwhile, back in the Shadow's clanhall, Tleilaxu was lost in thought. "What plans does Marenil have, how can he obtain such power?" the gnome thought to himself. Sitting in the observatory of the clanhall, looking into the heavens, "Could Seluctruh bestow this power upon him? Would Seluctruh bestow this power upon him?" he wondered, stroking his beard. Tleilaxu didn't know what to do, didn't know if he could do anything to help his leader. The short augurer lit his pipe, and decided to wait and see what happened.
~~~~~
Seluctruh paced his lair, thinking, studying Marenil. "What could this mortal do to prove himself worthy?" Seluctruh thought to himself. Marenil, worried at the long stretch of silence became uneasy. "My lord, I shall do any task you ask of me" spoke Marenil to break the silence. "Yes, I doubt not your loyalty, but rather your worth. Bring me the long lost sword of St. Augustine. Not only will this prove your worth, but it shall also stop it from slaying our kind." Marenil just nodded. "With pleasure my lord, I shall return this blade to you." With a wave of his hand, Marenil reappeared in the Shadow's hall.
~~~~~
"Tleilaxu, we have a journey we must partake on immediately. We must retrieve the lost sword of St. Augustine." Tleilaxu blinked a few times, looking shocked. "And where do we start?" As Marenil grinned, Tleilaxu knew he had a plan. The two friends headed for the Forbidden castle.
~~~~~
After two days travel, Marenil and Tleilaxu stood before a large castle. Vines twisted along the towers, the stone, burnt black. "A cloud of evil dwells over this place, makes me feel at home." Tleilaxu smiled at Marenil's remark. The two uttered words of a spell, both fading from existence. Ghouls, blood thirsty hellhounds, small vampires, and other creatures of evil, all unaware of their presence. They walked up stairs, through doors, and past danger, only thinking of the task at hand. As they came upon a dead end, Marenil spoke "Tleilaxu, prepare yourself." After muttering a few spells, and changing equipment, they were ready.
~~~~
As Marenil pressed the wall, it gave way. Inside stood the long dead body of St. Augustine. Rumors stated that he still roamed the halls of the castle, that his body was in an un-dead form. Marenil and Tleilaxu found this to be true, for the time being. The animated corpse lunged at the two friends. Tleilaxu unleashed spells of acid, while Marenil prepared to finish St. Augustine off, for good. After a few stabs with his dagger, Marenil muttered the words of a spell. A large inferno spewed forth from a gate to hell, melting all in its way. St. Augustine just met his final rest, burned to nearly nothing. The smell was horrible to the gnome, it didn't seem to phase the vampire.
~~~~
"Our quest is almost over Tleilaxu, this is it." Tleilaxu noticed a misplaced brick in the wall. "Is this the way to our goal, Marenil?" Marenil nodded. Over-joyed, as the gnome tended toget, he moved the brick. Black tentacles appeared from the thin air, and grasped Tleilaxu. "NOOOO!!" screamed Marenil, moving to strike the black arms which held his friend. But it was too late, Tleilaxu was gone. Marenil bowed his head in respect for his fallen comrade, "It should have been me, its all my fault. He is gone due to my negligence."
~~~~
Marenil quickly recovered, and made haste through the now opened door. Inside, on a pedestal laid a beautiful sword. Engravings of a knight slaying a dragon etched on the crosspiece, the blade inlaid with the symbol of the Holy Knights of the 7th Order. With the blade in his possession, Marenil was now ready. He decided to return to his clan hall, once again fading from existence, he was on his way.
~~~~~
As Marenil returned to the Temple of Seluctruh, in the home of clan Shadows, he once again knelt to pray. "My lord, I have accomplished your task. I hold the sword of St. Augustine." Once again Marenil opened his eyes to find himself in the presence of Seluctruh. "You have done well, Marenil. may I please have the sword?" Marenil bowed, and handed his lord the sword. "It has been a very long time, since I last laid eyes on this blade. You indeed have proved yourself worthy. The realm shall once again balance out, if not it may even lean towards our side. Well done, and congratulations." Seluctruh wiped a mist from his eyes that in any other might have been thought to be a tear of gratitude.
~~~~~
Marenil has just achieved Avatarhood!
~~~~~ For Alexandra...*smiles*
~~~~~
Walking along the road,
Under the clear morning sky,
With nothing to fear,
Nothing to hide.
~
Free as a bird,
Happy as a jay,
With no expectations,
With no attachments.
~
I was,
Walking along the road,
Under the clear morning sky.
~
One glance on the side,
One look into the eyes.
One miss of the beat,
One smile so sweet.
~
And I met you.
~
Nothing moved,
Nothing mattered.
My life had meaning,
The meaning was life.
~
It was a bond for life,
A bond forever.
A bond growing stronger with time.
Each moment, each day.
~
I am yours now and you are mine.
And we are one.
You and I,
One day under the clear morning sky.
~
- Jieni
~~~~~
Ode to Zaradali
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zaradali
you always were
and always will be
the greatest vamp
in history
Zaradali
master of wit
and master of charm
gentle giant
protecting from harm
Zaradali
not only smart
but also sturdy
level 45
you beat (the hell out of) me
Zaradali
killed vladimir
in just one try
women would swoon
men would cry
Zaradali
you'll be very missed
when I heard you left I was ****ing pissed
Zaradali, you're the man
P.S. I'll look after Siuanne .
Farewell Zaradali, and may you find happiness wherever you are.
*the mournful sounds of a great white whale are heard in the distance*
- Vulcan
Cywry's Commentary
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The realm has been busy since the publication of the last Newsletter.
~~
St. Augustine back to life!! Lord Seluctruh once again fighting his nemesis. Who would have thought such a thing could happen. The Darkstone that spawned Tarin and Seluctruh, does in fact, work miracles both for good and evil purposes.
~~
The nefarious thief, Drakan, has been terrorizing players, stealing their gold and equipment and generally wreaking havoc where he may.
~~
Sandoz has turned from his demonic ways and is now seeking revenge against his former clan members. He will be as formidable a foe against the Shadows, as he was an ally, I am sure.
~~
With new areas opening in the game, and mobs becoming more difficult, there are new challenges for all who are interested in meeting them.
~~
We have seen the swift demise of Clan Pantheons, and the appearance of a new clan, devoted to the Light, the Clan Dawnbringers. With the advent of this new clan, there is at last a fair challenge against the Darkness. Dawnbringers are advocating the Light and Shadows are attempting to maintain the reign of Darkness, with Guardians at the center, maintaining Balance over all.
~~~~~~~~~
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