Echoes from the Caverns

Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with the continuation of this wonderful story from Andartianna, entitled

Odd Tidings From The Bear Tavern: A Court House

Background music by Smartsound

Chapter 4, “Office, Overhead, Otherwise.”

Dr. Zazeriz got up and left the office where the interviews had occurred and walked back downstairs. Clarke was waiting behind the desk. “Good day, Governor Zazeriz. I hope the interview process has been pleasant for you so far.” said Clarke.

“It was an interesting interview. I was told there are rooms where I can stay while waiting for the first round of interviews to complete.” Dr. Zazeriz said.

“Yes, Governor. There are rooms available in two row houses nearby the court. I will put them on your map so that you may find them more easily. As soon as I get any news, I will let you know immediately.” Clarke said.

“Thank you, Clarke. I will go and rest for now.” Dr. Zazeriz said.

Dr. Zazeriz exited the courthouse at Beran’s Reach and headed to the row houses that Clarke had indicated. She entered the row house on the left and found the fires blazing hot inside of it. It was a simple enough place; sparsely decorated but appropriate for visiting dignitaries. Dr. Zazeriz climbed to the roof of the row house and found some outside seating. She sat down by a blazing fireplace, and Falkes flew in and landed from overhead.

“Hello, Falkes. I hope you are having a pleasant day.” Dr. Zazeriz said.

Falkes cooed affectionately.

“Nothing suspicious I hope.” Dr. Zazeriz said.

Falkes shook his head indicating that there were no issues, then looked over to the fireplace.

“Go ahead. You can sit in the fireplace.” Dr. Zazeriz said.

Falkes screeched approvingly and hopped into the fireplace and sat on the burning logs. Dr. Zazeriz watched as the snow fell late into the evening.

After two days of waiting, Clarke knocked on Dr. Zazeriz’ door and said, “Governor Zazeriz. I have a message for you from the magistrate reviewers.”

Dr. Zazeriz opened the door. “Thank you, Clarke. I will take that message from you.”

Clarke handed Dr. Zazeriz the message and then walked away after saying goodbye. Dr. Zazeriz unrolled the message and began reading it.

“Governor Andartianna Zazeriz,

We are honored to tell you that you have been selected to proceed with the second round of interviews. We have scheduled you to meet the reviewers at 3 p.m. today. If you are unable to attend at that time, please let us know. Otherwise, we will see you then.

Signed

Astor Cerberus, Clerk of the Courthouse of Beran’s Reach”

Chapter 5, “Wrong, Want, Where.”

The day, while waiting for the reviewers to come to a decision, went slowly. Dr. Zazeriz was beginning to think that it would take more than a few days to complete their work. A loud knock on the door got Dr. Zazeriz’ attention. She went to the door to see who was there. Dr. Zazeriz was expecting to see one of the clerks standing outside of the door, but when the door opened, Sara Dreygon was standing outside.

“Sara? Is something wrong?” Dr. Zazeriz asked.

“What? Do you think if I show up something has to be wrong?” Sara Dreygon asked.

“Well, I don’t know if it’s always wrong, but you certainly like to chase things that want to eat us.” Dr. Zazeriz replied laughing.

“I won’t argue that point with you. I do, however, need your help.” Sara Dreygon said.

“Alright. How can I assist you?” Dr. Zazeriz asked.

“You know that clockwork dragon that attacked our cities? I think I found where they are constructed. It’s a place in Blood Bay called K’rul.” Sara Dreygon said.

“Ah, yes. The ship to Blood Bay is nearby. Let me leave a note for Astor telling him I am leaving to assist you while waiting for the reviewers’ answers.” Dr. Zazeriz said. She quickly wrote a note for Astor,

Hello everyone! On my own this week, here is the exciting news from Shroud!

* The Making of Bloodriver Outskirts (update)

* Spring Telethon Weapons Update: Thorn Mace, Staff, Wand, and 2 Handed Sword

* Free Trial Test 3: May 10 – 31

* In the News: Getting2Alpha, Pong to Pokemon Exhibit, UbiTalks

* Summer Telethon 2017 Part 1 Update

* Music Weekend Flash Sale

* Join the Localization Team!

* Community Livestream: The Outskirts, Part 1

* Upcoming Events Calendar

* Trophy Room Contest

* Community Event: RPOTA Writing Contest

* Community Spotlight: Novia Market

* Community Resources – Players Helping Players

* Recommended Project to Back – Torment: Tides of Numenera

Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with a wonderful story from Andartianna, entitled

Odd Tidings From The Bear Tavern: A Court House

Background music by Smartsound

Chapter 1, “Familiar, Fairly, Falkes.”

Beer and Banter. Bears they be.

A peaceful world for all to see.

A courthouse grand for laws to teach.

Erected now in Beran’s Reach.

They the Magisters of lawful sight

Call out the failures with voice of might.

Sentence villains for justice please

For law is fact based, not endless pleas.

A loud knock on the door to Dr. Zazeriz’ bed chambers shook her awake out of a deep sleep. Dr. Zazeriz yawned for a moment. Who could possibly be knocking at this hour of the day? The Pub of Extraordinary Thoughts was always open to allow scholars to read and drink, but Dr. Zazeriz’ private chambers were always off limits.

Dr. Zazeriz yawned once more and said, “Who is it?”

“Begging your pardon, governor, but a notice from the Courthouse of Beran’s Reach has arrived for you. I thought it might be important so I brought it right up.” Said Glenda the bar keep who kept the pub running while Dr. Zazeriz was away.

“Very good, Glenda. Please place it on my powder table. I will come and take a look.” Dr. Zazeriz said.

“Yes, Governor.” Said Glenda, who placed the notice on Dr. Zazeriz’ powder table then walked down to the bar.

Dr. Zazeriz slowly got up out of bed and walked out to her dressing room. The cold stone floor felt oddly refreshing on her feet as she walked. She enjoyed carpets on the floor as well, but there was something special about feeling the smooth natural stone on her feet. Dr. Zazeriz opened up her wardrobe and began pulling on her clothes. Depending on the message, she might have to change them again, but for now she put on her normal daily wear clothes.

Dr. Zazeriz walked over to her powder table and picked up the letter Glenda had left for her. It was addressed simply with Governor Andartianna Zazeriz on the cover. The paper was, however, very ornate with a golden bear paw seal on the back. Dr. Zazeriz had visited Beran’s Reach on many occasions while traveling, so she was familiar with the people of that city. She opened the letter and began to read it.

“Most Honorable Governor Andartianna Zazeriz,

You have been nominated by the votes of your peers to become a magistrate of the Courthouse of Beran’s Reach. If you accept this nomination, we invite you to visit Beran’s Reach to begin the confirmation hearings where a group of distinguished leaders from across Novia will evaluate the core of who you are and your abilities to judge fairly and impartially as a magistrate. Please address replies to the Clerk of the Courthouse of Beran’s Reach.

Signed

Astor Cerberus

Clerk of the Courthouse of Beran’s Reach”

Dr. Zazeriz rolled up the note after reading it once more through. It occurred to her that it was very peculiar that a courthouse had been constructed in Beran’s Reach. She had visited the courthouse on a few occasions while traveling the area. What was interesting was that the entire city of Beran’s Reach had been built around the comradery of the Bear Tavern, which is at the heart of the city. That the tavern had spawned a courthouse would take some research for historical context for Dr. Zazeriz to understand its creation.

Dr. Zazeriz wrote an acceptance letter, then waved her arm and summoned Falkes. The phoenix stared up at Dr. Zazeriz with reproachful eyes.

“Don’t look at me with complaining eyes. I sealed the letter in a fireproof container.” Dr. Zazeriz said.

Falkes squawked loudly and looked at the floor.

“Yes, I know it’s far and covered with snow. I’m sure you can fly over the mountains north and catch a down draft into Beran’s Reach.

Hello everyone! Welcome to Release 41! Here is the news of the week!

 

* Play Release 41 Now!

* Moondial Madness

* The Oracle (update)

* The Making of Highvale Outskirts (update)

* The Making of Bloodriver Outskirts (update)

* New and Improved Store Purchasing Interface

* Autism Awareness Month Sale – Final Weekend

* City+ Property Weekend Flash Sale

* R40 Lot Deed Raffle Winners

* Join the Localization Team!

* Community Livestream: The Rise of The Fall

* Upcoming Events Calendar

* Trophy Room Contest

* Community Events: Welcome Quest R41 and May Day

* Community Resources – Players Helping Players

* Recommended Project to Back – The Bard’s Tale IV

Hello everyone! Here is the news of the week!

 

* The Oracle and Grannus

* Spring Telethon Weapons: Leaf Shield & Spear, Thorn Bow & Sword

* The Making of Highvale Outskirts

* The Making of Bloodriver Outskirts

* The Making of The Fall (update)

* Autism Awareness Month Sale

* Decorations Weekend Flash Sale

* Tech Talk Tuesday Episode 4

* Join the Localization Team!

* Upcoming Events Calendar

* Trophy Room Contest Begins!

* Community Spotlight: Port Phoenix – Player Owned Town

* Community Event: Prism Presents a Grandmaster Tutoring Event

* Community Resources – Players Helping Players

* Recommended Project to Back – HoBLotH IV

Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with the conclusion to this great story from Olthadir, entitled

The Darkness in the Waste

Background music by Smartsound

Chapter 2, “The Waste”

We arrived at the crater at midday – at my expressed intent. The sun was hot overhead, but it allowed us a good deal of time in the light.

The shards were scattered around a crater, floating. And there was a central cluster made up of large pieces that were much larger than myself. And they were black, very black, but still, thankfully, earthly black.

Maybe Savenroc was a dream.

Sonya got straight to work, measuring the shards, testing their density, collecting samples of the earth below. She wrote a good deal in her book. She spent the whole day and far into the night writing her observations.

The night was peaceful – thankfully. I watched the campfire light reflect dully off the floating shards. I remained a safe distance away from the crater. Far enough to see her while she worked, but far enough from the shards themselves. She worked through the night. I simply watched.

The stars wheeled overhead and nothing happened.

We didn’t talk the next day. She kept working and I grew anxious. Either something was going to come and devour us or I was truly mad. I began to wonder if I imagined the events of Savenroc forest. Did my friends even exist? Were my last few years of reclusion a lie? If nothing was happening here I began to question the validity of my memory.

I could hardly stand it. I went towards Sonya and began talking – asking questions to see if my recollection of events matched what I told her days before. She ignored me, raising a hand to hush me.

“Listen. That hum. The frequency… I’m trying to measure it.”

I spoke to her again, trying to get her to understand but she hushed me. The look in her eyes was terrible. A moment later she returned to scribbling in her book.

I grew even more anxious, feeling the low humming in my chest now as I walked around her and looked over her shoulder at what she was writing.

Lines. Waves. Scribbles.

She turned the page and scribbled on. It was nonsense. I looked for her first volume and flipped through it. She started coherently, speaking about physical measurements, harmonics, apparent weight of the shards versus how high they levitate. Then halfway through the book, scribbles.

On the fourth last page stood a testament to her madness. It was a page so full of ink it bled through to the back cover. She drew a circle hundreds if not thousands of times, creating a frightening representation of the void I saw years ago.

“You didn’t want me to come here originally,” Sonya said, standing a safe distance before me, dagger in hand. “It’s because you wanted this all for yourself. You couldn’t finish your own research, you were too afraid. So you want mine.”

I started walking backwards. She matched me, step for step.

“There is no research,” I said, turning the book towards her. “It’s only scribbles.”

“Of course it is!” She screamed, her shrill voice echoing off the shards. “I don’t want you or anyone stealing it. I have learned so much. The void is endless, unfathomable. If I can use it…” she trailed off, her eyes wild and wide, furious at my perceived betrayal. She stopped in mid step and the sun set.

Above her I saw purple lightning arc between shards. I smelled ozone and felt the cold chill wind of emptiness. It was here, I recognized it. I wasn’t mad, it was all real and unimagined. Before I could search the darkness for a sign of the void Sonya lunged at me.

I don’t carry weapons. I stopped after Savenroc. I saw no point. If I was killed by a weapon, I would find peace.

Hello everyone! Asclepius is back!! Here is the news of the week!

 

* The Making of Solace Bridge Outskirts (update)

* Release 40 Postmortem Recap

* Autism Awareness Month Sale

* Telethon Goal: New Flame Pattern Stained Glass Oil Table Lamp!

* Patterns Weekend Flash Sale

* Upcoming Events Calendar

* Community Livestream: The Making of Verdantis Mines

* Community Event – The Great Wood Duck Hunt

* Community Event – Prism Presents a Grandmaster Tutoring Event

* Community Resources – Players Helping Players

* Job Openings

* Recommended Projects to Back

Hello everyone, this is Asclepius, with a wonderful story from Olthadir, entitled

The Darkness in the Waste

Background music by Smartsound

Chapter 1, “The Visitor”

When you see and experience what I have experienced I would wager you would not have done what I am about to tell you. I should have known not to have dabbled in the Darkness again, but as you will see, its pull was stronger than I fathomed.

Years after the events of Savenroc Timberland I again encountered the dark mysterious magic of the Obsidians. Even after being the sole survivor of my first encounter, I was still drawn to learning all I could about it. Perhaps I will never be rid of it.

It did take time. It may not seem that way to you, dear reader, poring over my records decades, maybe centuries later – if someone hasn’t already destroyed these volumes.

I returned to Ardoris after the terrifying events of the Savenroc Timberland. I busied myself with menial tasks of everyday people: cooking, sewing, shopping at the market, all the trappings of a regular life.

When I gathered a small amount of courage I went to the local library or bookshop and read some stories – simple pleasant stories. I cared not for the dark mystery of the Obsidians that engulfed my time months before. That is what I told myself.

I met a young, excited traveller there. She was a fiery woman determined to explore and learn. She reminded me of myself years before but she held much more confidence.

Her name was Sonya, and she told me of the Shard Falls. She told me of stories she had heard and books she had read. She was planning on going to one of these craters: Grundvald Shardfall in the barrens to the north.

I politely listened but my palms sweated at my side in clenched fists as she spoke. She was a young excited explorer fully engaged in her curiosity. She did not begin to understand the dangers she may unlock and unleash on herself.

I could not hold it in any more when she showed me an illustration of a Shard Fall in a book she carried. It was done in black ink. I looked at the crystalline chunks of floating obsidian and was taken back to Savenroc, the gaping void that drew in kobold and friend alike. I grabbed the book from her hands, slapped it shut and threw it down. I looked at the woman and pleaded with her to stay away. Whatever she read and learnt about was nothing compared to what she would learn if she went there. She had no idea of the danger she was getting herself into.

I was about to relate my tale to her. She shook her head and reached for the book. I told her there was a darkness beyond black that the Obsidians awoke and there would be nothing for her, a fate worse than death, something she could never come back from. She picked up her book and walked quickly away, muttering that I was crazy.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Time passed. Years. Colour returned to the world. I felt the echoes of happiness, I remembered warmth. The darkness returned to being a fact after the sun set, something that would always fade with the rising of the sun. My dreams became mundane and pedestrian.

Then she came back. Sonya. She looked for me, searched me out. She was clearly older, more than the years would have aged her. She had bags under her brown eyes. Her hair, once neatly tied, hung around her ears out of a messy bun, broken and dry. Her clothes were torn and dirty from long, long travel. She recognized me by sight, grabbed my arm and said: “You were right.”

Then it all came back.

The void, the emptiness and the nothingness beyond death. The screams of human and kobold as they were torn from reality. The scent of the forest air tinged with ozone and an odd unearthly scent of space and stardust.

She was helping me up then. I must have fallen – fainted. She propped my head up with a pillow from a nearby cha...

Hello everyone! Asclepius is back!! Here is the news of the week!

 

* The Making of Solace Bridge Outskirts (update)

* Release 40 Postmortem

* Summer Telethon 2017 Part 1

* Free Trial Test 2: April 6 – 10

* Weapons Weekend Flash Sale

* Tech Talk Tuesday Episode 3

* Community Livestream: TRAMMUCCA!

* Upcoming Events

* Community Events of the Week

* Community Resources – Players Helping Players

* Job Openings

* Recommended Projects to Back

Hello everyone! Lord Baldrith all ALONE here still…Excellent to be playing release 40!!!! Here is the news of the week!

 

* Play Release 40 Now!

* Q2 2017 Schedule Update

* Free Trial Test 2: April 6 – 10

* The Making of Verdantis Mines (update)

* Shroud in the News: MMORPG.com & IGN Unfiltered

* Novia Renamed to TRAMMUCCA

* R39 Lot Deed Raffle Winners

* Pattern Packs Weekend Flash Sale

* Tech Talk Tuesday

* Community Livestream: Kas Ruins – First Look

* Upcoming Events

* Community Resources – Players Helping Players

* Recommended Projects to Back