ANNOUNCE NEWS #651
Date: 10/8/2006 at 0:36
From: Estarra, the Eternal
To : Everyone
Subj: Bards Guilds!

We are proud to release a new archetype as part of the anniversary
events! The bards guilds will be released in the order of placement in
the poetry contest.

First, Nirrti of Glomdoring will have the opportunity to found the first
bard's guild in Lusternia which will be given to them at no cost.

The following week, Aia of Magnagora will have opportunity to found the
second bard's guild at a cost of 1 million gold and 100,000 power.

The week after that, Ialie of Serenwilde will have the opportunity to
found the third bard's guild at a cost of 1 million gold and 100,000
power.

And the week after that, Raflein of Celest will have the opportunity to
found the fourth bard's guild at a cost of 1 million gold and 100,000
power.

We hope you will find the bard archetype to be unique and different, as
we have put a lot of thought into creating an innovative new archetype
that probably works differently than anything you can imagine. Bards
will be extremely useful supporting any other type of guild, as well as
supporting themselves. They are mobile and have a lot of flexibility in
combat.

I sincerely hope you enjoy this anniversary surprise!

Penned by My hand on the 8th of Estar, in the year 159 CE.

Estarra's voice shatters the cosmic equilibrium, "If I may have the Basin's
attention."
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Estarra's voice shatters the cosmic equilibrium, "It is time to announce the
winner of the poetry contest! It was a tough decision as each poem had merit,
but the divine scholars have come to a resolution!"
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Estarra's voice shatters the cosmic equilibrium, "The winner is....."
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Estarra's voice shatters the cosmic equilibrium, "Nirrti of Glomdoring!"
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Estarra's voice shatters the cosmic equilibrium, "Second place went to Aia of
Magnagora, third place to Ialie of Serenwilde, and fourth place to Raflein of
Celest."
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Estarra's voice shatters the cosmic equilibrium, "As such, Nirrti will be the
first to sing her poem to this strange globe that hovers over the Nexus of
Glomdoring and see why they crave such a thing."
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Before the Master Ravenwood Tree.
The stars twinkle in the clear night sky. Brennan Stormcrow paces here, his
cadaverous body twitching with sudden jerks. An animated skeleton stands here
with a ghostly outline of a bat around its skull. An animated skeleton stands
here with a ghostly outline of a spider around its skull. An animated skeleton
stands here with a ghostly outline of a beetle around its skull. An animated
skeleton stands here with a ghostly outline of a wasp around its skull. The
Master Ravenwood Tree towers over everything here, pulsing with an immeasurable
yet dark power. There are 8 shadowlord widowriders here. Casting darkness all
around, a shadow totem thrusts up from the ground, chilling the air. There are
10 dark nighthags here. There are 2 enormous black crows here. A sphere of
shadows floats in the air, not moving even in the wind. A black direwolf is
here, blending in with the shadows. A giant bat hangs here, wings folded about
its body and one beady eye open. A blackthorn sapling clings tenaciously to the
ground here. Mushrooms are growing here in a perfect circle. There are 2 piles
of dark lumber here. A bloody spinneret has been hacked from the body of a large
insect and discarded. Hyrtakos, Ward of Xenthos is here. He wields a
dragon-hilted claymore in his left hand. Spirit Warden Xenthos, the Ebon
Strategist is here. He wields a baleful rapier of darkened steel in each hand.
Fain, of the Red Masque stands here surrounded by a crimson miasma of wailing
souls. He wields a sleek katana forged of blackened steel and wreathed in flames
in His left hand. Thul, the Sleepwalker is here. He wields a colossal punisher
flail in each hand. Penumbra Calico, Servant of Death is here. He wields an
athame dagger in his left hand. Valarien, Eternal Devotee of the Lady is here.
He wields a cudgel of shadows in his left hand and a magic tome in his right.
Prince of Darkness, Diamante Stillwind, Night's Whisper is here. He wields a
midnight athame of darkened ice in his left hand and a magic tome in his right.
Darkened Druid Vanatul of the Glomdoring is here. He wields a golden sickle in
his left hand and a black feathered sling in his right. Estarra, the Eternal
floats here, surrounded by swirling energies.
You see a single exit leading north.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10551en, 11400w elrx-

Brennan Stormcrow bows respectfully to you.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10551en, 11400w elrx-

Estarra, the Eternal says, "Where is that globe..."
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10561en, 11400w elrx-

Realities shift and fold, swirling streaks of colour flaring, blossoming and
dissolving as they coalesce impossibly into Lord Morgfyre, the Legion, towering
over you.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

"Ahah!" Estarra exclaims triumphantly.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Estarra peers at a floating sphere of shadows unscrupulously.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Gorky appears out of thin air.

The rapid drum of galloping hooves and the bellowing call of the Hunter's Horn
announce the blurred arrival of Charune as He thunders into view.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

The Talons of Crow, Nirrti, Chosen of Blood Thirst clears her throat with a
small cough.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

The Talons of Crow, Nirrti, Chosen of Blood Thirst looks undecided and says, "I
have to sing?"
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Estarra, the Eternal says, "Nirrti, recite your poem to the sphere and let us
see why it craves to hear such a thing."
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Fain tilts His head and listens intently to Nirrti.

The Talons of Crow, Nirrti, Chosen of Blood Thirst folds her hands together,
folds her wings neatly down her back, and raises her voice in a soft song.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

The Talons of Crow, Nirrti, Chosen of Blood Thirst says, "There is no beauty
like Glomdoring's dark - Insidious as whispers on the breeze, and intricate as
tendrils in the bark shot deep by twisted vines that choke the trees, the Forest
Without Mercy works its way into the breast, the marrow and the bone, compels
the heart, entangled, to obey, until all fickle pride is overgrown like sickly
gardens by ferocious weeds of virile root and redolent with flower. Ensnared
within the web, each creature feeds the Forest, and becomes part of its power."
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

The Talons of Crow, Nirrti, Chosen of Blood Thirst says, "For nothing else
engenders such wild throes of longing as the filigreed array, the twining
silhouettes of gloomy boughs, when shadows coalesce to birth new day - upon the
midnight hour thickening, alive with murmur, writhing obscure shape - incite an
adumbrated quickening, weaving the bonds no mortal can escape - when Wiccan kin
slip through the woods unseen, their beauty in penumbra even fairer, and come to
form the Coven round their Queen, and darkness howls as they sow their terror."
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

The Talons of Crow, Nirrti, Chosen of Blood Thirst says, "Then Mother Night Her
charms coyly withdraws to lead Her shining mate on futile chase, and deigns to
grant the Basin in repose the chance to stir once more from Her embrace.
Sunlight descending through serrated leaves merely dispells a fraction of the
gloom that wreathes the rowans, and the forest eaves are startlingly revealed in
Wyrden bloom. Like nymphs ripped from the bonds of shadows cry, bewildered by
the beauty of the pain, mad ecstasy descends upon the eye confronted with the
Forest's stark domain."
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

The Talons of Crow, Nirrti, Chosen of Blood Thirst says, "The brazen light plays
on the silver stream that winds with muted sussurations through the solemn
woods, deep in narcotic dream, and sparks from shells of scarabs wet with dew
prismatic plays of light to tint the mist above the water. Kneeling in the silt,
a Druid runs his sickle 'cross his wrist, lets warm blood drip upon his cudgel's
hilt, a sacrifice to honour Mighty Crow."
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

The Talons of Crow, Nirrti, Chosen of Blood Thirst says, "He bows his head to
whisper to the ground the words that bind it with an emerald glow, and dark
wings burst in havoc all around."
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

The Talons of Crow, Nirrti, Chosen of Blood Thirst says, "The day subsides. The
twilight drops again, with terrible portent of reckoning. The Heart of Darkness
thrums its cruel refrain and sets the nocturne forest echoing, its pulse
resounding from the ancient Drums where shadows flicker immaterial wings on
tight-drawn skins, and buzzing locusts' hums accompany the beat. Glomdoring
sings, an eerie melody, with direwolves' bays - a choir unleashing notes of
furious yearning - the voices of the Forest offering praise, and fragments of
the Song of Dark Returning."
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

The Talons of Crow, Nirrti, Chosen of Blood Thirst flutters her wings in a
sudden burst of agitation as she sings the last verse.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

The Talons of Crow, Nirrti, Chosen of Blood Thirst says, "There is no summons
like Glomdoring's call - The ravening of Blood Thirst in the veins, the raucous
caws of carrion crows that squall as they descend upon their prey's remains.
Once beckoned to the hunt with barghest's howls, the Murder's outstretched wings
blot out the skies and pouring from the Ebon Wyrdling's bowels, with axe and
club, fierce warriors rain demise, their hands not stayed by mercy nor by doubt,
fighting to see the dark beauty unfurled - Dark Spirit's promise kept to the
devout - The Wyrd devouring the heathen world."
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

The floating sphere begins to spin, casting wildly undulating shadows throughout
the glade. As it turns faster and faster, a low hum begins to emanate from it.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

A keening voice begins to sing melancholy notes that reverbate throughout the
dark forest. As if in sympathy, the Drums of the Dead begin to pound, sending a
thunderous beat echoing throughout Glomdoring.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

The floating sphere implodes, contracting into a small pinpoint of violet light.
Simultaneously, the singing voice rises in volume, becoming a melodious moan
that makes your very bones quiver.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

With a loud cry, the sphere shoots up into the air.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Estarra puts Her hands on Her hips and goes "Hmmm!"
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Estarra, the Eternal says, "What is going on!"
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Estarra, the Eternal, sinks into a whirlpool of swirling energies, which
disappear in a flash of light and colour.
A dark nighthag smiles cruelly as Estarra leaves.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

The Drums of the Dead begin to beat rhythmically in Glomdoring, echoing
throughout the Basin. A glowing violet sphere shoots up from the dark forest,
trailing behind a stream of undulating shadows.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Mournful music spreads out from the violet sphere, driving the Drums of the Dead
to beat faster and faster. The violet sphere circles over the forest, its song
splitting and weaving intricate harmonies that causes shadows to dance and spin.
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-

Estarra's voice shatters the cosmic equilibrium, "What is this creature?"
2384h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10575en, 11400w elrx-
2500h, 2000m, 2665e, 5p, 10605en, 11306w lrx-

Someone powerful's divine voice echoes across the land, "I know that voice! It
belonged to the Elder Goddess Mahalla, one of the Keepers of the Great Song. She
hid her voices along with the rest of us during the Elder Wars. Alas, she was
consumed by Kethuru long ago."
2500h, 2000m, 2665e, 5p, 10615en, 11312w elrx-

The deep, melodious voice of Lyreth carries to you on the winds, "Alas,
Mahalla!"
2500h, 2500m, 2665e, 7p, 10695en, 11360w elrx-

You see Morgfyre, the Legion shout, "Lyreth, this had best not be one of Your
pranks."
2500h, 2500m, 2665e, 8p, 10695en, 11360w elrx-

Estarra's voice shatters the cosmic equilibrium, "Ah, then this is a dead voice,
a voice that holds some small sentience of itself because it held the power of
the Great Song."
2500h, 2500m, 2665e, 9p, 10735en, 11384w elrx-

Estarra's voice shatters the cosmic equilibrium, "Nirrti, your song has awoken
this voice, drawn as it has been to Glomdoring. Are you willing to give it a
home in Glomdoring? Will you be its caretaker and oversee the power that it
holds?"
2500h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10755en, 11396w elrx-

You see The Talons of Crow, Nirrti, Chosen of Blood Thirst shout, "I will do
what I must for Glomdoring's growth. Nothing matters but Glomdoring."
2500h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10915en, 11400w elrx-

You see Queen of the Night, Shayle d'Iasani Treeripper shout, "Glory be to
Glomdoring!"
2500h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10945en, 11400w elrx-

Estarra's voice shatters the cosmic equilibrium, "Very well then! Nirrti, you
shall thus be guildmistress and founder of a new guild! The first of the bards
guilds shall be founded in Glomdoring!"
2500h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10955en, 11400w elrx-

Druid Kundu of the Rowan shouts, "Glory be to Glomdoring!"
2500h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10955en, 11400w elrx-

You see Penumbra Calico, Servant of Death shout, "Glory be to Glomdoring!"
2500h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 10975en, 11400w elrx-

You shout, "Glory be to Glomdoring!"
2500h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 7235en, 11400w elrx-

Fain gives up a round of applause.
2500h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 7255en, 11400w elrx-

Gorky cheers wildly!
2500h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 7265en, 11400w elrx-

You see Charune, the Lord of the Hunt shout, "Congratulations to Nirrti, first
of the Bards in this age!"
2500h, 2500m, 2665e, 10p, 7295en, 11400w elrx-

Must. See. Skills.

I'm so excited about the new bards!