Newsletters

May 30, 2001

In this week's issue:

THE DARKSTONE NEWSLETTER
Volume 4. Issue No. 6 - May 30, 2001


Congratulations

Special Congratulations to Cyo who has become the Clan Leader for Guardians, and to Gelltor, who has advanced to Number One, and to Draegar who is the new Number 2 Guardians!

Congratulations to Rezyn Omen, Leader of the Newly Formed Guild of Fighters!

Congratulations to Zendel, Tatianna's Captain and leader of the OrderWhiteTigers.

Congratulations to the new leaders of Shadows Clan.. Ahirent, his Number One, Drakan, and Number Two, Saroth!

Congratulations to Sandoz, leader of Dawnbringers, and to Ganat, who is Number One of Dawnbringers!


Finally, my most heartfelt congratulations to Testaur, who has now become the new Darkstone coder. The expertise and time that he is devoting to the realm can only benefit everyone who plays here.

Passages

This month has seen the departure of Galdren from the realm of Darkstone. Galdren led the Guardians clan for a short time, sharing his wisdom and warmth with all of his clanmembers. He will be sadly missed by many.

The Order of the White Tigers

First, and foremost, the Order is but an officialized version of the Army of Tatianna. The Army has always been present throughout the Lands, in the past. Although I've been part of it for a long time now, I know only of two members prior to this newest incarnation, those being the General Brakkis and Captain Relentless. The Army has a history of indifference to clan politics, and other general matters of the land. We exist primarily to enforce the will of Tatianna, and in some case avert catastrophes that would directly and permanently affect the spirit of the Land...i.e massive invasions by malignant foreign forces, monsters, and other such ilk.

The Army is also a select group dedicated to the leadership of Tatianna's followers. The Order of White Tigers is but an extension of that idea. Foremost, we are the most loyal of Tatianna's followers, foregoing the distraction of clan membership, and taking on no other duties that are not related with our Goddess. We exist primarily to serve Tatianna and blaze her intended Path through the trials of mortal life. After the turmoil and the uncertainties of these present times, Tatianna has decided that the time has come for her Army to become more officially present in the Lands; hence the creation of the White Tigers at the grand opening of her great Temple, which is located north of Eria (great place to visit, if you are of her faith, by the way). We also are responsible for her worshippers, and educating those of the faith. We are not, however, responsible for the worshippers if their actions are not directly related with Tatianna...let this be made perfectly clear.

Our Order is currently very small, and will most likely stay small. Presently, we are not seeking any new members, but in the future, our inductions will be few. Our standards are high, and much is required of an order member. Of utmost importance, though, the primary requirement of an Order member is complete devotion to our Great Goddess, and the will to sacrifice everything, for her.

-From the Members of the Order of White Tigers

Tatianna's Temple

Tatianna's Temple had fallen to ruin while she was gone from the realm, but with much love and effort on her part, it has now been restored to its former beauty, and is open to all who wish to worship there. Its lovely gardens are in full springtime bloom, and the immaculate temple is a joy for all of her loyal to discover.

The Guild of Fighters

Rezyn Omen has kindly provided us with an overview of what the Guild of Fighters stands for. Following is an article written by Rezyn.

The Guild of Fighters exists to help those who wish to both excel and profit from their combat and fighting skills. Magic-Users and those of a religious inclination are neither welcomed nor wanted. Sheer brute strength and a warrior instinct along with excellent combat skills will get you far.

The Guild also exists as a mercenary organization, and those who wish to hire a strong arm or a powerful fighter should apply to the Guild leaders. In times of danger, city leaders will often apply to the Guild for help. It is the decision of the Guild leaders as to whether these calls are answered. All Guild members are expected to abide by the decision.

The guild of fighters will do anything from kill a single person, or fight a full out war with a clan. But the price must be right. For every head of your enemies brought to you, payment will be demanded. If payment is not given on delivery of the package, you too will end up on our kill list. At any time, the price may rise, depending on the difficulty of the target, and expenses used on killing the target.

Fighters of the realm are more than welcome to apply to the guild.

Currently, Rezyn is the highest representative in the guild, and Sarvulis is directly below him. The third member of the government has yet to be found.


Ramblings From Seluctruh's Lair

Greetings!

Many exciting things have begun since the last submission I wrote. The most important is the advancement of our first new coder in many years, Testaur. I am sure he will make us all proud.

That said, I am sure we can all expect to see many things fixed in the realm that could not be done until we got someone new with the skills to make them happen. What might these changes be you ask? I will keep you in suspense. But, they will be for the better. Nothing to sorry about, and no pwipe is planned :)

So, many new things have been going on behind the scenes. I can honestly say we have the making of one of our best immortal group ever. It takes time, but things always seem to work out well. In the month of June, we can finally start promoting the mud again after over a year of improvements to the game. For those who do not know, we have a newbie challenge. If you bring a new person online who stays longer than a week, you get a glory point. (Only one glory point per new player).

I am sure many older players remember the days when we had many new players a day. This wasn't by luck of course, it was by many hard hours ( and some advertising dollars) promoting the mud. But, like any mud, the lifeline of the mud is the players. If you make new players feel at home, you will be rewarded with some new friends and a more fun game.

So, in the month of June, remember to help the new players and have a good time. We will all be rewarded with many, many more years of memories that time can't steal.

-Seluctruh

Caperea's Column

Caperea Tells the Future

Caperea walked through Bar-Gith, hungry for some sort of stimulus. He stopped before a fortune teller. "Come in", the mystic said. "Good day", Caperea mumbled. "I can tell you the future, weary traveler. It'll only cost you 50 gold coins." "What a rip-off", Caperea thought as he dug in his pouch for the cash. Oh, how he was surprised when the medium revealed the future right before his very eyes....

Justen - unbeknownst to others, Justen was forced to quit Darkstone after going to jail for not paying 217 parking tickets. He is currently serving a 22-month sentence.

Drakan - Drakan gets caught stealing from Tatianna and is helled for 3 years, at which time he returns to a life of mischief in the streets of Windy Bluff, at which time he is helled for stealing from Seluctruh.

Marenil - Marenil stays hero for a while, eventually becoming immortal, and deserts the mud for months at a time, continuing the tradition.

Aserak - Returns to the mud after several months, crashes it repeatedly, and is banned once again. Later on, he forms a satanic cult with 21 others who commit suicide to "break on through to the other side".

Saperio - continues playing for a few years, the one day claims he has been abducted by aliens. He remains at the Chalco Springs Mental Institution in Brasilia, Brazil.

Vulcan - After being slain and looted, Vulcan runs away to the ocean to kill himself, where he is promptly eaten by a great white whale.

Saroth - Quits Darkstone to fulfull his dream of balloon sculpting professionally. He has competed in over 2 tournaments worldwide.

Magus - Works full time for Brian Danna Sportscards, where they sell over 17 cards in only 3 years.

Galdren - Galdren becomes a model immortal; holds quests, judges fairly, and lives until a ripe old age until he dies being hit by a bowling ball.

Ahirent - After successfully beating everyone in the arena, Ahirent tragically dies from asphyxiating in his own crapulence.

Ydnat - Leaves the mud and forms a computer company (Tandy), which becomes very successful.

Cywry and Jornel - After having lived a happy life as druids, Cywry and Jornel inevitably get married, have 3 grandchildren, and manage a pet shop in Sacramento, California.

Tarin - Becoming so nervous about his wedding, Tarin sweats his fingers down to the raw bone, making it painful and uncomfortable for him to type, forcing him to remain offline.

Oak Park Players - Sadly, the players from Oak Park all perish in a terrible fire started in the school computer lab. Experts say there were too many plugs attached to the outlet.

Caperea backed away from the fortune teller, dumbstruck from the information he had just heard.

Cywry's Commentary

War decimated the spirit of the realm. People crept about in fear of their lives, unwilling or unable to leave the safety of their homes or their sacred places. Areas that were known to be safe, were suddenly safe no longer. The war turned friend against friend, and brother against brother. Destruction was everywhere. The sweet springtime air was befouled with the odour of rotting corpses, until disease and pestilence awoke and reared their ugly heads, and the land ran with blood. The sickening stink of decay was everywhere.

Where once there had been courage and openness, suspicion and greed took root, and like a twisted malevolent vine, grew, choking out the light and leaving only an unholy darkness beneath which the good people of the realm grew weak and lost their will to live. Tempers flared in the stressful environment, and it was difficult to see what the realm would be like beyond the days of war, for no one knew if peace would ever again return.

Eventually, though, it came. After much trial and tribulation, and many deaths, the war finally has ended, and peace again reigns throughout the land. Like fresh air on a spring day, peace has brought with it a sense of lightness and freedom, as people again are beginning to walk about, fearing neither the night nor their brothers.

Trust will return in time, and in the meanwhile, many have extended their hands once again in friendship, preferring to put the ugly past away and begin anew.

The war caused much harm, and much damage, but it must not be allowed to overshadow the many good things which are also Darkstone.

Tatianna has returned. Her bright star shines down upon us, and her beautiful temple has opened its doors. An order devoted to her ideals has sprung up, led by honourable warriors who stand for her and who would die for her without a moment's hesitation.

The magic of the realm is shown to be great. Anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting Preservia Wyld cannot help but take away knowledge of special secrets that give life to the land, and bring a smile to their hearts.

There is a new area being created by the great bardic god, Nema Mena, a place that promises great mystery and excitement.

The void has opened more frequently of late, spilling new life into the realm. Young ones arrive almost daily, with much to learn, and who will perhaps grow to greatness or to notoriety, or perhaps fade into the mists, but who will no doubt bring with them their own gifts to Darkstone. The young ones arrive untutored and ignorant of the both the laws of the land and the many good things that can be achieved. They come virtually helpless, weak and unarmed as any newborn. We who have already lived through their struggles, and have now achieved a level of knowledge and experience that allows us to travel safely and successfully throughout the land, have a responsibility to help those new arrivals, aid them on their journeys so that they too will come to love the land as we do, and perhaps remain with us for a long time. The land is nourished by the people who inhabit its dark forests and open plains, traverse its deserts and mountains, and engage in commerce within its cities and towns.

As immortals strive to make the land a safe and exciting place, so we mortals may strive also, by giving of themselves, their time and their efforts, to help those in need, and to strengthen the land.

Newsletter - Part II

A special story written by Caporea is an additional part of this newsletter, please see Part II of this edition.
(hope everyone will like this tale as much as I do)

Until next time, fare thee well to all players, and may you walk in sunshine or in moonbeams and be at peace within and without the realm of Darkstone!


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