March 2011

The Commander’s Last Day Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on March 30, 2011 at 12:14 AM CDT Originally posted March 28th, 2011 by EM Elizabella on the Great Lakes EM Site: Christine Keel walked out of Castle Britannia. Magnus Grey was leaning against the wall of the old guard house. “Interesting letter of resignation, Captain Keel.” “How did you know? I only just dropped it off.” “Spy.” She smiled and then sighed. They walked to the closest tavern to talk of Dawn’s death, the spies and guards, and future plans. Letters of marque in her pocket, the new captain of the Crimson Pearl climbed aboard the ship that had been her childhood home. She felt truly at ease for the first time in more than a year. [Discuss This Article]

Virtuebane Banished, Magincia Cleansed Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on March 29, 2011 at 10:57 PM CDT Commander Christine Keel of the Britannian Royal Guard met a large throng of unruly citizens in the throne room of Castle Britannia. For the time to confront Virtuebane was neigh. The archdaemon's forces had withdrawn from public view, refocusing their efforts on the Isle of Magincia. With Danner of the Meer at her side, the Commander addressed the crowd: "Virtuebane has used the Crystal of Duplicity to cover the island of Magincia with copies of himself. His aim is to control the world as we know it, to tear down the Virtues and to bring his fortress, Death's Awakening, into this world. Each copy of Virtuebane may have a tiny, unstable, piece of that crystal. Danner is working on a spell that can use those pieces to cleanse the island. If you find a brittle crystal, please put it in the box on the Bane altar on Magincia. We know from reports from the Royal Spies that Virtuebane once fled from a rain of garbage. Therefore, we shall take the hint from Ricardo's broken ramblings and use Humble Pie to force Virtuebane back through his vile gate. This may seem an odd and ignoble weapon, however, we must each find the humility in ourselves to battle in the way that works rather than in the shining, glorious way we may dream of. Sometimes a battle is won by the small boy who opens a gate, rather than the army at the walls. Or as is said on the bagball fields: A win is a win. Let's go!" A gate was opened to the eastern side of the Isle and the impromptu army rushed through, the liberation of Magincia had begun. The Virtuebane duplicates towered over the warriors and began to hurl devastating spells. However, the sheer number of Brtannians overwhelmed the daemons, and one by one they fell. The warriors spread out across the island, bringing death to those who would enslave our world. Meer and Ethereal Warriors joined the battle, helping to destroy the copies and hell-hound-transfigured Chosen. Eventually, the original Virtuebane appeared several times to taunt those who were expeditiously defeating his forces. A hail of pie would greet the prideful daemon, causing him to flee the onslaught. Raucous laughter accompanied each departure. When crystal-created Virtubanes had been defeated, Commander Keel gathered the warriors at the dark rift shrine that had been built where the Isle's moongate once stood. As she gave the collected shards of the Crystal of Duplicity to Danner for use in his cleansing spell, Virtuebane appeared once more. The archdaemon's already pie-smeared form received its heaviest barrage of pastries, causing him to roar in anger. Brought low by this indignity, Virtuebane shoved his way through the crowd and retreated back to his own dimension. Claiming Britannia's victory, Commander Keel forcefully brought her sword down on the shrine's altar, destroying it. The black rift closed, sealing our world off from Virtuebane. The war was over. With only the cleansing the island remaining, Danner's spell was readied. The Meer had built an arcane circle where the old bank once stood. There he would use the crystal shards to renew the Isle. Once the crowd had calmed somewhat, he began: "I invoke these words of the Anskitas! I invoke the spells of Nystul and the Moon of Trammel! Here where this copy of Magincia was born, I invoke a spell to pierce the curse of Virtuebane and demonkind. This spell will cleanse the island." He then began to chant: "O axi-mur esh lum Ort-ku kans ista quas-ailem lap Uilem in-saengkt Magincia esh an-kal bal" Roughly translated from Gargl: "By The Three Principles and Humility Magically consume this duplication crystal You all protect Magincia and banish evil" The Bane Chosen have been crushed, The Isle of Magincia freed of its unholy taint, and the archdaemon has been banished. Britannia has won its freedom once more. Long Live Britannia! Martyna Z'muir, Library of Sosaria [Discuss This Article]

359th Session of the High Council of Britannia Postponed Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on March 25, 2011 at 3:24 PM CDT From the desk of Chancellor DaKaren: Due to Commander Keel's call for Royal Britannian Guardpersons on Monday, March 28th, the 359th session of the High Council of Britannia has been postponed. The 359th session will reconvene on Wednesday, March 30th at 8 pm under the Central Skies. Please attend the Royal Guard maneuvers on Monday to help rid our realm of Virtuebane's foul existence and honor Queen Dawn's memory. May the Virtues guide and protect you, DaKaren, Chancellor of the High Council of Britannia [Discuss This Article]

Royal Britannian Guard Meeting Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on March 25, 2011 at 3:05 PM CDT Originally posted March 25th, 2011 by EM Elizabella on the Great Lakes EM Site: “No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.” –Helmuth von Moltke All members of the Guard and concerned citizens are asked to meet in the throne room of Castle Britannia on Monday, March 28th, at 8 p.m. CDT. Arrive armed and ready to head into battle against Virtuebane. [Discuss This Article]

The Beginning of the End Submitted by UO_Herald on March 24, 2011 at 4:58 PM CDT Originally posted 24 Mar 2011 16:00:23 EST by EM Drosselmeyer on the UO Herald: Virtuebane towered over those who had followed him devoutly, his Bane Chosen, as he stood in front of them where they had assembled. They looked to him anxiously and eagerly awaiting his latest commands, curious as to the reason they had all been summoned here. Virtuebane spoke to the gathered in a voice that commanded their full attention, and all other chatter was silenced in a moment.  “Our time is at hand, my chosen! The Britannian’s leader, Queen Dawn, has fallen! They are losing morale, and soon will lose everything! I have promised you all that your faith and your devotion would be rewarded. Are you ready to follow me in this final step towards our victory?”  A resounding chorus of cheers and assent rippled through the vast army of Bane Chosen, the dragon riders rearing their ferocious mounts back on two legs while the hound masters commanded their pets to let out a harmonious howl. The clamor of metal on metal rang through the air as warriors and recruits smacked their weapons along their shields. Virtuebane’s face adopted as wide a grin as his inhuman features would allow.  “You have all been chosen, and your loyalty will now be rewarded! You will serve me in a greater capacity than you could ever have imagined.” With that, Virtuebane extended his hands and gestured towards his army. At first, it seemed that nothing was happening, but then a change began to take place. Rank after rank of the Bane Chosen found their bodies pulsating with power, their forms seeming to shimmer. Then in a moment of dazzling brilliance, what had been an army of dragon riders, recruits, and hound masters had transformed. Before Virtuebane now stood a vast swath of new troops, completely loyal to their master. Virtuebane gestured with a hand, and the horde of ancient hellhounds all rang out in one voice together. With this task complete, he stalked away to finish his preparations. To read the full story on the forums, click HERE.

Sparky’s World Tour Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on March 17, 2011 at 2:02 PM CDT Originally posted March 17th, 2011 by EM Elizabella on the Great Lakes EM Site: Sparky has disappeared! The gentle beetle, who lived under Trammel Brit. Gate for many years, is gone. The entrance to his cave is inaccessible. Whatever can have happened? Help look for him on Saturday, March 19th, at 4 p.m. CDT. We’ll gather at the Britain Counselor Hall. [Discuss This Article]

Flower Raid Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on March 11, 2011 at 4:20 AM CST Originally posted March 9th, 2011 by EM Elizabella on the Great Lakes EM Site: Michael of Moonglow has received a perplexing message and would like help figuring it out. Whatever could a “flower raid” be? Meet Michael at the Counselor Hall on Saturday, March 12th, at 8 p.m. CST. ***** Star-crossed lovers, pixies, magpies, and a genie! Magic swirls through Sosaria and sends a small elfin messenger astray. [Discuss This Article]

Fifth Magincian Crusade Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on March 9, 2011 at 12:18 AM CST From Galen Knighthawke, the Interim Grand Marshal of Virtue: Much has changed since the last Magincian Crusade. Our Queen is dead, our cities invaded, our people disheartened, our Virtues challenged. And, at the same time, nothing has changed at all. Our Virtues, our spirit, and our heart, though challenged, will not break. Love is betrayed and Truth is corrupted, but neither are broken, and Courage can, and will, carry the load. And, sometimes, retribution can be a virtue too. As we have our heart, so Virtuebane has his: The vile, Prideful, marble heart of Virtuebane remains on the island that once housed Magincia. He has fortified the island with the foul constructs known as blackrock golems. We must strike out again, for a fifth time, against the vile heart of our enemy. The Fifth Magincian Crusade will be this Friday, Marh 11, at 9pm Eastern/8pm Central. We will meet at the Yew Moongate in Trammel, and gate out from the Library of Sosaria banner, which is south of the Moongate. THE FATE OF MAGINCIA IS OURS TO DECIDE, NOT THEIRS!!! AVENGE OUR QUEEN!!!!!! JOIN THE CRUSADE!!!!!   -Galen Knighthawke Interim Grand Marshal of Virtue [Discuss This Article]

A message from the Interim Grand Marshal of the B.A.F. Submitted by Martyna_Zmuir on March 8, 2011 at 11:26 AM CST From Galen Knighthawke, the Interim Grand Marshal of Virtue: Dear Members of the Britannian Armed Forces: We've already had one direct confrontation with our enemy, Virtuebane. He is a tough opponent. As he survived the encounter, there needs to be at least one more. We need to practice for our next encounter with him. I can think of no foe more appropriate to practice on than the Slasher of Veils, in the Great Stygian Abyss. The beast will of course re-corporate as soon as he dies, so we will fight him multiple times. Meet at the Library of Sosaria Banner at 9pm Eastern time/8pm Central Time, Wednesday March 9. Someone else will run the raid in my place in the event that something happens to me before then. By coincidence, this marks the start of the season of repentance, Lent, in my religion. This Season, let repentance be retribution. -Galen Knighthawke, Interim Grand Marshal of Virtue [Discuss This Article]