Good Times! More Funny Snapshots

Ah, good times. Partying with friends and getting into a little trouble is all in a day's work for me.


The Arch of HH: Gotta love that Amulet of the Warlich. Also makes for a nice arch to shade myself from the hot Mirthian sun.


While chasing Chasms in the Desert of Mohrum, Duex and I get a frantic call for help from one of our guild members: Etim Doow (aka Hardhead aka Vegedip). Seems the little wood mite got stuck on a shelf behind the Barkeeper (who everyone knows HATES wood mites). All he could do to save himself from death was to feign death. A quick portal to Trinst, and we swoop in for the rescue. However, since the Barkeeper is 100th level, fighting him was out of the question.


There was only one thing left to do: port back to the Desert and away from danger.


Etim returns as Hardhead, and we set off to the City of Tanorous to fight desert skeletons. In our excitement, we fall off the steep slopes of the ocean cliffs, battling both undead and sliding sand.



Oops! We did it again... Lets try a flight spell this time?



Aw.. Vaeikdawr loves Hardhead, Duex, and I.


Gotcha! The LK Paparazzi catches Hardhead without his dragonform during a moment of magic reversal. But.. pink gloves? Hmm... I have an idea...


Once more, the LK Paparazzi has caught another candid photo of Hardhead without his dragon clothes (the glacial imps cast a spell reversal that undid the dragon magic). However, the photos reveal that we are still the fashion twins. Yes, the only thing that distinguishes us is our shields. Without this difference in accessory, you can't tell us apart!



Vengeance is mine! Akath Sur has killed many a hapless adventurer searching for apprentice elephant armor from the Aquatic Visage. This one's for Elviron and Myself. He has hindered (and killed) us too often!

Naked Halfling Run

Trinst was abuzz with excited chatter. I followed the streams of Mirthians to the South Gate and found it swarming with Naked Halflings.



I moved for a closer look, wondering what all the commotion was. The large group gathered before Daddy Haggis, who sported a NHR Staff Tshirt. They were getting ready to begin the Great Naked Halfling Run. Wiliband (Boliele) and Fredeger (Alderen) of Salvation were among those who started the race.



Without benefit of armor, spells, or weapons, the young halflings started the long and dangerous journey to Kauldur by foot. Many will start, but few will finish.



Many crash and die along the way. Fredeger among them, but I follow Wiliband closely, though I can do nothing to assist her. She is among the few in the lead, but predators stalk the helpless halflings nearby.




Crossing Jakareth and into the Eastern Wasteland is the most dangerous of all paths. It is in the Eastern Wasteland that Wiliband was attacked by a Carrion Beetle and perished.



However, Wiliband perseveres and eventually makes it to the finish line to win a special Tshirt. She is pictured here with Daddy Haggis, who did a great job "babysitting" the naked halflings LOL



The finishers line up for pictures, triumphant in their accomplishment. The winner (Bolorun) wins prizes of Scrolls of Learning, Books of Learning, and Fortified Potions.



Everyone gathers for pictures and partying to celebrate the occasion.

Guild Parties

Though I will be away for a few days, I will carry with me the happy memories of the past few days. Reaching 75 has been a memorable journey, and spending time with my guild members and friends has been a blast.

As I look out across the dark landscape of the Eastern Wasteland, I recall the journeys that led me there. Fighting Ghurezan with Yorii, FEAR, Elviron, Alien, Skaterboy, EvilNecro, and of course Duex.. then on to Ghashan in the humid Jakareth Jungle... and then the deep cold of the Frostbite Islands with Hardhead, Zsarius, Siegfried, Skaterboy and more... now we fight dragons and wear their Blightborn armor like a bright trophy.

I cherish every moment with my friends and guildmates, which is so much like a family to me. Of course, I must eventually return to the beautiful landscape of the Anidaen Forest to farm for treant bark for my armor craft, then return to Jakareth to collect cobalt from monstrous golems. It is my hope that my friends will journey with me there, and soon I shall post pictures of the good times we have shared so far.

Even as a lift a hand to shield my eyes from the terrible dust storms sweeping across the blighted landscape of the Easter Wasteland, I turn my thoughts to the future.

Keep partying, my friends, have fun... and I will see you soon.

Good Times! Snapshots with Friends.

A few fun pics with friends. Good times!! Enjoy ;)

What is deep within the Frostbite Island Seas? The Sky, of course!!!


Tired from Casting, I'm using a Tiger as a chair. (Pre-Salvation days)


New Beginnings and a Brighter Horizon


Friends: Salvation Is Born (Check Out Skaterboy's Flaming Hands!)


Keeping the Aquatic Visage Company while waiting for Elviron to come. (We were looking for App. Elephant Set, I was keeping Elviron/Hardhead company and killing Shards in Frostbite)


New Hat and A Designer Shoe (I'm wearing the Invader from the Alien Collection, New for Fall!)


Desert Beetle or Desert Millipede?


Revealer Spell Gone Bad? No, Elviron Is Looking At China!!


STREAKERS!!

Treant's In Pairs! What Are They? Married??


Free Fall Into the Mirthian Void


New Fashion Alert: Get Your Volsh Dragon Shoes and Magic Bubbles are FREE!


A Kitty's (Alien) Home


The Beautiful Boliele

Salvation Can Sometimes Be Difficult

I sit along the cold white Frostbite Island beach, warming my feet beside the small bonfire. My eyes capture little of the warmth in that fire and instead glow brightly with the shine of tears. I think of all the many changes that have happened in the past couple of weeks. I have seen a great guild (Freedom) dissolve, only to spawn a few other new guilds, one of which I have joined (The Horde), and have now left behind...

I poke the fire absently with a stick while I wait for an Aquatic Visage to respawn. The small pop and crackle of the flames is my only answer to the difficult thoughts racing through my mind, and of the events that have led to this moment.

The fall of Freedom began with an argument, which escalated into Belkar leaving the guild. Soon, the great guild which was my family was torn asunder and have spawned many new guilds, one of which I recently joined and departed: The Horde.

I had so much hope for The Horde, and was delighted to see my friends eventually fill the roster. Eventually even Vaeikdawr joined, and all seemed to be well. But whispers of arguments and enemy guilds disturbed me. A few of the same people whom I once roamed Mirth with was now supposed to be my enemy? I begged Belkar to change this policy, to change the guild's Message Of The Day, which was not positive and only served to fill me with dread. But he merely admonished me to ignore it. With continued difficulty, and a flicker of hope that things will get better, I tried.

Other events have only added to my unhappiness. Most recent was FEAR leaving The Horde. I had missed him and Boliele, and worried for both of them. Furthermore, speaking with a dear friend, I was filled with a deepening dread and a kind of despair. I thought about what was said; about the good and the bad, and I weighed my feelings. It was then I realized that I felt so unhappy, and I saw that my guild members were unhappy too. We lost that feeling of family, and that realization filled me with such profane loss, I felt weighed down by it. People say this is just a game, but unlike a mere game, real people with real feelings play it. They are not puppets, nor toys, and should be treated with dignity, kindness, and respect. My thoughts in turmoil, I tried speaking with Belkar. Unfortunately, he was away and left no message indicating such. I thought so many things, and soon all those thoughts came rushing to the surface like a surging geyser.

Impulsively, I blurted out my thoughts of possibly leaving The Horde. I did not intend nor prepare for the events that soon followed, for I only sought to let my fellow guild members know why I intended to leave. Next thing I knew, there was talk of a mass exodus out of the guild, and the forming of a new one. The idea snowballed into the formation of a new guild: Salvation.

And in a manner of minutes, I found myself in a difficult position. A vote was cast, and I soon found myself the elected guild leader of Salvation, but I have also lost one of my dearest friends in the process. I gazed upon my family of friends, both new and familiar, happy and carefree and together again... but the cost of happiness was high.

I lost my first MoM friend, my oldest friend on here. Despite what some may think, I did not leave The Horde because of a cloak, though it did fuel the flames for my anger at him. That incident, however, made me realize just how important I was (which was not very much) but I may have tolerated and forgotten if, if I didn't have a talk with a friend. The talk shall remain private, but the things that were discussed did disturb me. And it wasn't that I believed in rumor or gossip or hearsay, for what was pointed out to me, I have witnessed. No, I left because a guild should not choose your friends. I do not believe in discrimination, nor should members feel forced into doing anything.

I sigh and turn toward the sunset. I listen to the happy chatter in the guild, and a smile touches my lips. Through these storms, I wish I did have a big umbrella to shelter my new family under. I long to protect them, help them, give them hope, and find salvation... a haven. Where they are accepted, and can be themselves (minus weird pervs of course!).

My friends and guild mates tell me that if HE really was a friend, he will come around. But his anger was great, and I have hurt him so deeply, I fear that it shall never be resurrected or mended again.

Questing for the Tales of Mirth, Paladin Epic pt. I, and Combat Casting

I sat on the hill overlooking the hill, felt the soft crunch of grass beneath me, and thought with fondness of my friends. I recalled times when we'd fly all over Mirth on adventures and how I'd wish that my Airy Melody was just a little bit stronger. After all, I have had my trusty spell for over half of my adventuring life. The tomes I collected prove that there is a better bard spell out there, Sapre's Airy Anthem. All I need to do is obtain the right song.

Determined, I sped to the Rogues Guild to speak with Sapre. I explained to him my dilemma, he handed me a journal, and sent me off to Mt. Zharim to speak with Kadazeer the Telluric. My only problem was, since I was speaking with many different players about Combat Casting and the Paladin Epic, I was a little confused. I brought the wrong items along and had to return to Trinst.

After a quick stop for supplies at the Broken Keg, a visit to the Banker, and small succession of travel buffs, I was back on my way. I soon found myself before the gaping Greystone Cave which sits along the right wall of Mt. Zharim. Curious, I stepped past the dwarven guards and was immediately engulfed in darkness. Soon, lanterns lit my way and I tried speaking to many dwarves, but all seemed to ignore my attempts at conversation. Confused and a little saddened, I returned to the light and made my way across to the hill of where an earth elemental sat looking out toward the horizon.

Before Kadazeer told his tale, I needed to prove my worth. He asked for a Giant Skull, and though I have collected many on my journeys throughout Mirth, I had none with me. With a long sigh, I flew across the river to battle towering stone giants who flew at me with boulder-like fists. I have fought many giants before him, and he soon fell quickly beneath my blows. With skull in hand, I returned to Kadazeer and set the heavy giant skull before the earth elemental.

With a nod of approval, Kadazeer began his tale, and I wrote everything down dutifully... when the Tale of Mirth was finished, the elemental turned back to the horizon and watched the sun go down... Sighing, I returned to Sapre and presented the notebook with Kadazeer's words splashed across its pages. A small smile touched the corner of his mouth, and he presented me with a scroll of Sapre's Airy Anthem in reward, a more powerful flight spell than my simple Airy Melody.

By the end of the day, I was a little tired from my travels, and found myself at Freedom Hill. I opened a basket of cookies for my guildmates to share, and sipped a small cup of coffee. Though I felt proud at finally attaining the Airy Anthem spell, I had yet to attain the coveted Combat Casting skill, and I still needed to complete my Paladin Epic Quest charged to me. With a small sigh, I gathered my thoughts and prepared for the Paladin Epic.

Fun Snapshots

Caption: Hardhead and FEAR play Ostrich


Caption: Durukan The Unliving, I thought it was Boliele, and it killed me mid-air


Caption: Vaeikdawr avenges me by destroying Durukan the Unliving. Thanks Vae!


Caption: Literally wading in animal friends!


Caption: Combat Casting Arena with Zakk and Duex. Thanks Zak! Coming soon: Entry on obtaining the insanely difficult Combat Casting Skill. People, take notes if you haven't gotten it yet!

What Is He Doing???

Appropriately Titled: "Giant Wedgie" LOL

Farming for Crystals

Upon returning from my vacation, I gazed upon the familiar skies of Mirth. Perhaps the air is a touch colder than I have grown used to and the ghostly cries of the undead ring through the night, but it is home.

I make my way to the Freedom Guild Hall and am welcomed warmly by my compatriots. I have missed them dearly indeed! We catch up on gossip and news, and I realize so much has changed since I've been gone! But, my fellow friends are stalwart and steady, and we quickly fall into old rhythms. Some things change... and some things never do.



I watch the sky grow darker, the air a tad bit cooler. Sunlight sends its final golden spears winging across the rooftops of Trinst, and I make a quick stop at the Forge vendors to pick up a few armor crafting supplies. Shouldering my pack, I sing my Airy Melody and fly toward Mt. Zharim.

Upon entering the mountain pass, I hear a call upon the wind. Nahuris urges me to join in on one of the mountain peaks where he battles the great dragon Charune. With a whirl of fists and flashes of power, Nahuris battles alongside his Elder Air Elemental and brings down the great beast. He presents me with a magnificent bow and other grand treasures then points me towards the Wraiths that drop the crystals I need for my armor crafting. Elated and thankful, I thank my friend and send him a message to give to his fiance Hecate, wishing her well.

I have a few more hours till dawn, and buffed to the hilt, I wade into battle with the Wraiths. The ramshackle house no longer has a roof and the trees beside it have long since withered, but I collect my crystals through each wave of wraiths. Their moans are deafening and their almost transparent bodies are frightful to behold, but I call upon Galeel's light to strengthen me.

Laughter on the wind, and I turn to find a beautiful blue dragon standing beside me. At first I am frightened, flashbacks of my encounter with a deadly blue dragon float behind my eyes, but I quickly recover: It is my dear friend Boliele. She heals my wounds with a hug and we chat and catch up.

The sky starts to lighten and as the last of the wraiths fall, we pass the time on gossip and killing the occasional grizzly. We fly around the withered trees and attempt to perch like birds upon its gnarled branches. We complain about the difficulties of farming crystals for armor crafting, and exchange cooking/brewing tips. As if hearing our girl talk, Kaden calls from the guild hall and asks for beer or ale. Laughing, I leave the crystal farming to Boliele and hold up my Essence of Void. With a surge of power, the Essence disappears and I find myself at the Trinst Bind Stones beside the Broken Keg.

A quick stop at my private vault, and I gather my small hoard of beer that I've crafted. I am a little tired from the long night of crystal gathering, but glad to be back at the Hill and home.

Message In a Bottle: My Vacation to the Great Island

I look out across this unknown island filled with soaring mountains and beautiful crystalline waters. The lava flows are like black frozen rivers, so much like the lava fields of Jakareth. And so much like Jakareth, do those black rivers stand still amidst lush forests kissed by mist. My head tilts toward the west and I watch the sun set beyond the horizon, and think of home.

But this time away from the harsh rigors of adventuring serves as a vacation for the spirit. Here, I can commune and come to terms with myself. I have watched mermaids play in crystal clear waters amidst turtles and dolphins, and have tried to perfect their song to enhance my bard skill. Jumping from place to place amidst towering waterfalls helps train my revealer's portals. Lastly, the spiritual energy of this ancient and deeply religious place allows my stalwart paladin to be more in touch with Galeel. Yet, as I turn toward the horizon, I think of home.

Sometimes I wonder why I left all that I have known and loved to travel so far. Farther even than the reach of my guild. If my message reaches them, it is my wish to let them know that I cannot access the forum, and myspace remains unaccessible to me. Here, I am in virtual isolation.

Most of all, I miss my dear friends and wish them well. It is my hope that they continue to grow and bond, though I am not there to share with them. I plan on returning sooner than scheduled, for I cannot stay away from Duex for so long.

And so, I wish this message in a bottle speed to fly to Mirth and let those I care for know I am okay and returning in a few days. Perhaps Friday? Galeel willing, it may be so. Until then...

LadyKayden Riven
writing from The Great Island
sent by a message in a bottle

Diamond's Are A Girl's Best Friend (Hazeroth Keep)

I am no stranger to the desolation of the Eastern Wastelands, but today was my first visit to Hazeroth Keep. Buffed to the hilt and invisible to boot, Duex and I crept through the valley expecting the worst. We researched and questioned other adventurers regarding their experiences, and with each telling the horrors only served to fuel our fears. But venture forth we did, and all for a tiny crafting material called diamonds.

Hardhead, a friend of mine, has been collecting them for us in exchange for Scrolls of Learning. However, we wanted to give Hazeroth a try and see if we had the power to do it ourselves (besides, we wanted to give Hardhead a break). We knew that the Warling Chief drops diamonds on occasion, and research reveals he is the same level as I.

As we topped the small rise, we saw the bones of a bohemoth sprawled along the length of the valley. It's huge maw served as a sinister gateway that serves as the Warling's outpost. Armed to the teeth and moving forward with caution, we easily overcame the Warling Chief, and recovered no diamonds. Several battles with Basilisks, Warling Captains, and more Chiefs provides me with beautiful crystal foci, yet the diamond eludes us.

Tired and uneasy, we ventured further along the impossibly long spine of the bestial bones which served as an elevated walkway. Ready to give up, we decided to try one more battle with a Warling Chief. Our efforts paid off and we discovered a diamond! It made us both appreciate the many diamonds that our friend Hardhead recovered for us. Along the way, I was also happy to see our friend and fellow guildmate, Boliele. With a drive-by hug, she flew between the towering rib bones and into the sky like a beacon of silvery blue. With a smile and a wave, we carefully stowed our precious find and ported back to Trinst to rest.

Items and Crafting

Lately, I find myself hopping all over Mirth. I have gone as far south as the Jakareth Jungle and Eastern Wastelands for Platinum Ore, emptied out buckets of sand from my boots looking for Foci, been stomped on by giants for Obsidian, and picked on halflings and gnomes for armor... and for all this I have learned one very important lesson: save everything.



I think back on the times, as a lower level bard, when I would expunge bits of Foci because I didn't understand its use. I have even thrown away rare Ivory, Obsidian, and Platinum before I realized its worth; now I find myself hunting for the very things I overlooked. Even now, I help other friends with gathering widow venom sacs and rabid slime for poison making: all are items from creatures we no longer gain experience from.

But, the journey is always worth the extra efforts, so I never feel I am wasting time. We meet with friends, maybe make a few more, and along the way we have a blast. I have also recently learned, much to my utter despair and elation, that adding a /craft macro to an attack macro helps further boost the crafting skill.




Hardhead taught me that, and I shall always be grateful for that little tip. Duex and I used to do it the old fashion way: Open craft window, insert craft objects, press button, transfer item into inventory and repeat. We even tried to craft that way while traveling and fighting. As a result, we find ourselves running into walls and getting killed by enemies.



Furthermore, on my travels I have heard tales of glorious dragon armor, worn by high level adventurers. Being the armor crafter that I am, I dream of making armor even half magnificent. So, as a kind of joke, a few of my guildmates (Vegedip and Julius) turned into little dragons so they could be my "dragon armor".



We stood outside the Muldin Follower huts and flew around in alternating jerks and soars just trying to get the perfect shot. Here, I hold Vegedip like a carry-on purse, while in another Julius and Vegedip act as my dragon shoes.



Community and comraderie is important, not just with guildmates, but with other fellow adventurers. I feel it helps build a better experience and also passes the time during long sieges of item hunting.