All I wanted to do was Read Some Books!

[Chernobyl_Glow]

It was late afternoon and there was nothing to do. I decided to go visit the library. Neversummer has an excellent library. Much history and other topics can be studied. Plus a good friend, Anubis, recommended that I see the librarian, Rica. She was great. We spent a little time discussing my interest. She offered me an eloquently bound book called the History of Greatswords in Aetheria. In it, were details of the Alzarra Guardian's Sword and another called Firebrand. The pennacle of Greatswords is the Lumi Sword and what a sword that is!!

I also, met some friends there. Helmes, Draco, Bunny and Peter. We were all having a fine time until…

There was an enemy raid. We tried to protect the Good Librarian but could not. As students, not yet fully trained, we were quickly overwhelmed. We did our best but the invaders were simply much better trained. The Silver Striders and Fists of the North Guilds train their students well.

In the end, the invaders defeated us and looted the library. The Neversummer Sharpshooters came and ran them off but the good librarian was hurt pretty bad.

I only hope she’ll be ok.

Now where did that book go…

– Glow –

Here's a photo of us in the Library. Left to right are Draco, Bunny Boo, Glow (Girl) and Hermes.


…

Thanks to Anubis for another nice quick event. I know you must be tired. You've been putting in a lot of effort in lately and it is greatly appreciated.

Nice work by the Opposing factions:
Netya’nis Eldaquen, Raynefire Quinn, Morik {FON} and Angela Moon.

Well done.

[--Ashe--]

(NC Perspective)

Long had been the day, the battles well fought upon many a front as the forces of the Forest and the Way did make their way finally to a well earned rest. Exhaustion had set in, for the acquisition of the far flung relics of power had been a chore indeed, but had finally been accomplished. The Circle held sway, with we, their steadfast allies, Fists of the North by their side and ever at their back.

Trudging past the glimmering lights of Neversummer City, twas heard the whispers of a grand delivery making its way to the city. Concerned for the balance, our Forest bound companions sought to seek out and divine the measure of this "package", whether goodly or ill. We of the Fists promptly agreed and set off to discover the secret which the Last Alliance so sorely sought to conceal.

Setting upon the well guarded gates of the city, the forces of stone did rise up from the earth and bind the guards in place at the beck of our druid cousins. Interrogating the soldiers proved for naught, as they refused to speak on the imminent delivery, each choosing death over the betrayal of their faction. Our suspicions rose at the silence of the Alliance arsenal... what could be so important as to illicit the choice of death to merely speaking the truth. What were they hiding? Our efforts produced but one clue from the lips of a dying soldier... "Glow..""

Upon our travels we had noted the presence of a warrior known as Glow... surely this person is the source of the whispered delivery. We set off to locate the mercenary and question them concerning the rumors floating about the city. Quickly we scoured Neversummer City, defending ourselves from numerous attacks, as we attempted to locate the individual that surely held the answers to our quest. Twas in the midst of the scholarly districts that we located our quarry. She, however, proved as tight lipped as previously questioned individuals, choosing death over revealing Alliance secrets. The citizenry continued to speak of an imminent arrival of a secret package... our search became more heated... surely twas in our best interest to intercept such a highly lauded delivery, for the betterment of all!

We again searched the local districts and the roads leading to the city, hunting down all that held information, each tidbit pointing more and more solidly to the fact that the item would be delivered to the Library in town.... and soon. We marshalled and gathered our forces and surrounded the edifice, seeking to halt the delivery of the item ere they could retreat into the austere establishment. As we questioned all that approached, we were ruthlessly set upon by more members of the Last Alliance, contributing to our growing dread that whatever was to come to pass meant ill will to everyone... the Balance, the Way... the realms itself.

Our zeal took hold, in the certainty that we were stopping a great wrong from occurring, we did storm the building, entering the library and making our way into the inner sanctums of the second floor. We found there heretical rites being conducted by members of the Alliance over solidly bound chests... the cloying scent of candle wax and incense was choking to inhale... the flickering of lights portented wickedness. We were set upon by those in attendance ere we could say a word... the holy wrath set in as the Fists and the Striders sought to protect one another and claim the defended chests from the despots inside.

After a long battle, we were able to clear the room of the heretics inside, bashing the containers and claiming the "package" ere the reinforcements downstairs could steal it away to safety. Even as we accomplished this, the ringing tone of iron clad boots, in formation and great numbers, resounded up the stairway, heralding the advance of more trouble to come. Quickly we set ourselves to defend, and hopefully escape, from the cruel place intact and with the long sought secrets.

The heretics appeared, en masse, as a horde of locusts through the door. Cutting through our small party as a scythe through grain. Dragon fire consumed many a parchment in the room, candles exploded in blasts of heat forming pools of slick wax on the floor mingling with the pooling blood. Rakshasa dispels and ice storms rang about the room, bludgeoning any that came too near, the breath of the combatants forming freezing clouds with each breath. The ring of a greatsword slashing through Legionnaire armor rang with the roars of the great fighter. My own prayers sought to bolster my allies... healing them as they were overcome, raising them as the ever growing horde advanced... until......

Tis only now that I contemplate the mysteries of how it all ended. The dead arose as if at the beck of an unknown power.... our blows struck as if upon a rocky exterior, causing no damage... our spells failed to strike even the simplest of target, fizzling into the ether as if a flame being smothered of air. Even mine own divine powers failed... though mine god did answer each prayer. We all fell.

Awakening elsewhere we discovered we had maintained the portion of the secret that was so hard sought... though we had escaped with out lives, the Last Alliance had managed to defend half of the booty. The mysteries of the day continue to haunt us. So many things unexplained. What new power is this?

Raynefire Quinn {FoN}

[Chernobyl_Glow]

Ahh. Secrets.

At times, the Secrecy of even the most mundane piece of information can create great longing and desperate desire. Upon the revealing of many secrets we often realize that the greater satisfaction comes from Knowing the Secret - more so than gaining a benefit from it. This is why the Wise Ones say Knowledge is Power.

Truth be known, this Secret was not as impressive as you may have anticipated. For me, it was simply greater understanding so that I may set more clear goals for my development. I do not share the details as they are secret which you did not uncover. Yet fear not good bard, as this secret holds no value for you or your faction.

The guarded chests were never opened for us. They may have been intended as gifts for our City Officials. Some of the collection may have had enchantments to magically return the items if they were stolen. Perhaps this is why you were unable to leave them. This is speculation though as I do not know. I do know that the items were not offered to the trainees though. Neversummer leadership kept the loot for its original intent. We gained little other than a bit of experience.

Yesterday’s was not a good fight Sir Quinn as our meager student core could not compare with your well trained swords and casters. However, it was a fair fight and that’s all that should be expected. I appreciate that you won with dignity and did not taunt our fallen corpses. We did not offer much diplomacy during the course of the event. Perhaps in the future we all should as some wounds could have been avoided. None of my wounds will leave scars thankfully so no ill feelings.

FoN and TSS have occasionally been fine allies of the Brethren and HNs. Many of our fundamental truths are aligned though our factions may not always agree. We often band together against evil and should stay that course where possible. I’ll gladly stand next to you and your team in those events.

And Now?… back to my training.

– Glow –

…

To clarify above. The event winners were inarguable. Our team was entitled to nothing. Lathander rewarded only one member, Draco, with 1000 xp for his bravery. This was well justified. He was the lowest level (4, I think) and was just trying to help.

We didn’t collect any gear and I’m not complaining. No one should expect to win every time. I just didn’t want you to have the impression that a Robin Hood effect had occurred. All was fair, I believe.

Nice write up. – g –

All of the defenders received the same reward, although I didn't state that in talk. The attackers were able to obtain half of the transported items, the rest remaining property of the Neversummer Guard .

-edited by Apokriphos