Chaos ensues as the Crusaders are beginning to make an appearance. The loathing that exists between the Infernal and the Redeemers is palpable, and so very delicious to me. I cannot wait to see what happens when the battles begin, especially now that Dark Liege is aware of the Undead Lord's plans for his throne.

The Undead Tower, chipped away in brittle fragment betwixt a mass of forces, enemies drawn to them from their past actions. Even more amusing is the fact that these forces do not much get along amongst each other either, opening the possibilities to a melee of anarchic death and destruction.

Rest assured, I shall be certain to attend, entice, promote, and connive further circumstances to my own ends. What those are... are none of your concern, yet.

Did some relatively minor things on the mud, removing Easter references. Changed food item to a pixie-kabob (fry you dust flinging locust!). All the goblins in town became April Fools (hehe). The trainer is now Ruprecht from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (I just think Steve Martin is too damn hilarious jabbing a corked fork into an eye patch), somehow it seemed funny at the time. Gotten some interested parties asking about joining Crusaders so I set them to quest and role... we shall see who fulfills the requirements and who doesn't. I am waiting on members to fill the clan shop with equipment (everything else is done anyway) just to give them some ownership in what they would like in there. Clan has been empty pretty much before now anyway.

School started at the beginning of this week, and I am completely dragging in motivation on every front. I spent two weeks fighting with administration to get my iteration records declared (tracking the classes I have had, what got transferred, what was tested out of, what was given credit for from my previous degrees in the same school, etc.) without much luck and much frustration. I ended up losing my patience with the advisors. Excuse me for wanting to know where I stand, and what credits I need when I schedule. I don't trust someone else to do it for me in this circumstance, been burned by that business entirely too much already.

My birthday was on Sunday. It felt kinda eerie in its relation to the Pope's death. I was all caught up in watching that and being engrossed by the emotion and loss of that that I pretty much was ambivalent abou the whole birthday anyways. My uncle called from Florida, and my cousin (who shares my birthday) got to banter at each other for a good hour plus, like we always do. My brother didn't remember til today that I had had a birthday, which is fairly funny to me. (pats his brother on the head) I swear he's gonna be the one that loses his memory before me, and I have a four year head start. Mom got me a pair of snow boots to replace my old pair which suffered a terrible accident this last winter and had to be put down. (weeps for his ill fitting 9-year-old snow boots) Comfort me damnit!

To all the ToD mudders, it's the alien's birthday on April 10th! Make sure you give Ahri plenty of spanks, just round up the whacks by twenty to be safe about the age thing.

We Spring children rule (Kali, Ahri, me, etc), you other seasonal children just suck badly. Just admit it!

I was up to the wee hours of the AM doing my taxes to get it out of the way. Spent three hours doing law research to get ahead in one class by four weeks. Contemplating doing the same for a computer class to get ahead, but like I said earlier, i'm not terribly motivated.

Work work work. Had to deal with the people at work too, because its contract renewal time (school board grants yearly contracts only), so I had to deal with that funness. There is also a creditation of programs inspection going on, so all the records are out being cleaned up and calculated for the State. shudder

I am poor poor poor. My checking account is swooning with vapours. College books cost as much as freaking veal and just don't brown as well when you throw them on the barby. I feel so gyped.

I am fighting the urge to procure a drawing pad for my computer. I really want one BAD. I love to draw, and I'd really like to draw directly in the graphics programs. Bleh. Too expensive, and I'd rather save the money for an emergency (which are always inevitable) or buy something for someone else anyway.

Mother had her biopsy today for skin patch to check for cancer return. Will have to wait a few weeks for results (twitch). On top of scraping layers of skin off her chin, they also used liquid nitrogen on a part of her ear to remove another "questionable" issue. LIQUID NITROGEN!

There has been an upsurge in the Movement. The realms echo with the rise of the enlightened voices, seeking Redemption. The balance seemingly has begun to shift, long weighted down by the mass of undead wandering the world in the name of the Undead Lord.

It is time the Crusaders came to their own. Reaching for their destiny in wiping the face of the world clean of the abominable threat.

Lead them to oblivion, for there is only conversion, or death.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Love St. Patrick's day and am not an iota Irish either, hehe. Don't drink, don't smoke, nothing... just love the holiday. *grin* Maybe it's because the weather is breaking and you can actually go outside and have fun with friends.

Finally done with school til April 4. Boy do I need the break, my brain is fried. Got my research paper back already (A-), woohoo. No clue what grades I have, I imagine I got straight A's again. Haven't received the tuition statement for next quarter yet, which has be concerned, but que sera. Next quarter will be busy, have Juvenile Law, Criminal Law, Spreadsheet Applications, and Online Research.

Pony tail is gone! Got that irritating thing cut off, FINALLY! I like my hair short, just too freaking socio-phobic to get a haircut when I know I need too. Literally have to have a freaking b*tchfest with myself to get me to do it. Scruffy begone!

Made a few minor changes on the Mud. Wamba the Witless is now the questgiver in town, along with his requisite quotations from the book. What book, you ask? Why, IVANHOE of course. I suggest you read it! Quite an adventurously fun novel, and the language usage is quite colorful.

I opened Neutaquam Erro for levellers and base usage. The area is patterned as a huge university with mobiles from assorted college/school/stoner themed movies (Animal House, PCU, Dazed and Confused, Jay and Silent Bob, Heathers). I still have yet to puzzle out a means of getting the scoring system for the Battleball Stadium to work yet. I have blocked it off from entrance while I think upon the conundrum. Still have to fill some more of the classrooms with shops and other things (shhhh).

Spent a good part of yesterday morning working on a means of accessing the area that was amusing. Involves a gnome with a catapult machine that throws yer hide all the way to wherever you land. Can possibly land at the university... or against a wall (squish, thud, blood everywhere). What can I say, I like the potential for bloodletting.

This is finals week for the college chained paralegal student. Have to take a probate administration and a litigation exam on Friday, both of which are cumulative and royal pains in the posterior. I also have to have a ten page research paper done for Advanced Composition completed by Friday. I've selected the topic of Allergic Reactions for the topic, a relatively easy issue for me to write on considering my access to materials in EMS areas.

Not really been able to get much done on the mud lately owing to the fact that I have had so much work to do for the job and school. I am definitely relieved that after Friday things can settle down for Spring Break. And no, I'm not heading off to Ft Lauderdale or Panama City, no thank you.

My cold has turned into bronchitis. Nasty cough, general weakness, lack of energy, sweats, chills. Bleh.

Did a few quick changes on the mud to promote St. Patrick's day, which is one of my favorites. The players now are accosted by the drunk leprechaun, Shamus McCree, rather than the man hungry Mrs. Claus. All city fountains spurt green beer now. Create food makes your own heaping helping of corned beef and cabbage (nummer, eat it up!). I had planned to do a quest of sorts with some mobprogs but the blooming thing didn't cooperate and locked the mprogs on the whole mud several times. Gave up on that idea until I can puzzle it out a different way in my head.

I've left several posts on the forums, especially a Meet the Immortal/Moderator post opening up for questions from players. Not really gotten many responses, which is frustrating, but thats the way it is.

I hope to complete the University area sometime soon. I don't like leaving stuff half completed. Not sure about another hall or not, there are not many left to do. Perhaps one of the aspiring immortals that will be tested will be gifted and have a vision.

I finally completed the Tradewind clan hall today. I am quite proud of it. Check for additional details: http://www.blogsofroleplay.com/ToD/archives/2005_02.html#003110

I am entering a two week period of sheer torture for school. Two tests by March 4 over Probate and Litigation. A discovery writing project. A will writing project. 500 pages of reading to cover for just those two. I also have 6 composition journals to complete. Finals are March 11, and I have two comprehensive finals, a 10 page research paper due, and a final paper exam due.

In short, so much to do, so little Navarre to go about.

I've fallen asleep in the recliner with a textbook in my hands quite a few times already this week. And to top it all off, I have had to put in more hours at work also to get enough money to cover tuition/books overage for next quarter.

Anyone sharing in my headache yet? Say a prayer for the raven.

I got everything on the Tradewind hall completed today, save the 20 room maze to confound and mistify raiders, and the entrance guard. So, I am still pretty much on schedule to have it done prior to the end of the month.

I was told today that there were those that were in the hall confounded by the rooms, got lost, and couldn't find their way out. This is both amusing and annoying at the same time. Considering the fact the clan is getting so much more than it used to have: portal rooms, lockers, 2 shops, corral, two training dummies, quest giver, healer, altar, jail, donation room, etc... more can only be better. As raiders will get just as confused and lost if they don't know their way about, again, more can only be better. If it takes members a bit more time to get about, find portals, get equipment, etc., I consider it the price of progress. Take some time and learn your hall. Immerse yourself in the dynamics of the clan.

I found it profoundly funny to listen to the mortals, today, discuss the attributes of objects on the mud and make attempts to delve secrets out of the immortals. The things they come up with concerning what some of these objects have on them is just outlandish sometimes, one cannot help but feed their paranoia and watch them run with it to see where it ends, sometimes. That Ventriloquate enhancing face mask is priceless!

Had a thoroughly miserable night last night, dealing with this cold. Was forced to sleep the recliner just to be able to breath. Coughing, aching, stuffy-head, draining liquid like a seive... bleck, I hate colds. Was supposed to go to work today, but I called in because I'm far too congested and disgusting right now, plus who can think with their head full of nasty stuff. And to top it all off, being the last one in the house to get this thing, there are no more tissues left! Someone is going to pay.

One good thing I got out of being awake multiple times during the night, I was able to conceive of the means by which to customize each category archive page for this weblog. Now, if you click on the custom graphic for each category in any entry, or in the side category links, you will be taken to a category archive page for just those entries of the category, with its subsequent photo, and category description. Woohoo me.

I like this weblog stuff more and more. Can you believe I didn't blow up the thing once either. (and if you saw this place when I first got it following two blowups, you would see just how scary that can be).

I need to schedule for next quarter's classes prior to the end of tomorrow. I'm fairly irritated by the prospect because I can only take three classes so far, which total only 10 hours. (plus they are only offered this quarter so I can't skip one in favor of a higher credit hour class) I have to find a two or three credit hour class to remain full time and keep my grant... but have to keep it under 14 or 15 because the grant I get will not cover the difference of extra hours and I have to pay out of pocket. What a pain. Plus four classes worth of books. *mutter* Que sera.

His serpentine eyes glow with the sparkling effervescence of ruby spiritflame, radiating hatred beyond the fathoming of mortal ken. A dread promise lingers in a glance to sear any offending the burning orb to charred ash. A forked tongue plays across crocodilian teeth, drool spilling from the draconic maw in acidic pools, hissing in acrid smoke. Scales, lustreless and nebulous black, scrape in serpentine rustling across the length of a sinewy body to the tip of a viperous tail. Demonic wings surmount the dastardly creature's back, effortlessly lifting the vile creature from the shackles of the covetous earth. Devoid of rear legs, the beast's forearms are immense, surmounted in sabre shaped claws, tinted red with the stain of past kills.

Varraen sniffs the chilled air of the pregnant night, seeking his prey. The forest hushes in anticipation of the threat he poses, the stars themselves seem to dim, clouding over to refrain from witnessing the travesty he intends.

It was the cloying permenance of their goodness that drew him hence, like the pungent aroma of decay draws maggots in a gluttonous scourge. Through the fog shrouded mysticism of the sacred glade he sees them.

Milling, tense and wary, the herd has gathered together for comfort. The lead stallion stamps his hoof to the hard-packed earth repeatedly, insinuating his control and breaking the unnerved mares of their paniced milling.

Exhileration fills the beast, catching the herd within the heat of his unearthly stare. Tonight he shall wet his appetite.

Bursting from cover, he strikes like an asp. The venom from his bite, paralyzing his victim to instant immobility. Seizing the stallion in the coils of oblivion, he brings the beast low. The remaining unicorns scatter in a flurry of dust and fear-laden cries. The stallion falls to the ground under the weight of Varraen's attack, the whites of his eyes glowing in the night, the terror tangible, delicious.

Grasping the horn of the unicorn, as his serpentine coils encapsulate the unicorn's body into inescapable submission, Varraen positions himself to peer into the depths of the creature's eyes. An incantation breaks the dark interlude, the buzzing of locusts. Within an instant, the window of souls opens, drawing in the essence of the denizen... and he is gone.

Sheltered within the depths of the glade, the stallion recovers from the strains of the paralytic, slowly regaining its mighty feet like a newborn fawn. The sacred pallor of the unicorn's essence is forever defiled, however, its very essence corrupted. Its silver mane is glossless, fading to black. The golden purity of its eyes glaze, replaced by a ruby hue that grows and burns like an ember. The stallion rises, rears, thrusting its golden horn to the heavens and pawing at the air, before running off into the depths of the forests to return to the herd.

I decided to experiment with the wonders of the blog today and ran across a way to make the program automatically place an appropriate picture into an entry based on category type (or author). So now all my entries are differentiated further from one another by their own graphic representation. I like it much better this way, more eye candy to go with content. I hope it isn't too busy in appearance.

Took a test yesterday and I'm not so certain I did real well. Currently under the strains of a cold which makes my head get all flustered for lack of details. Anyway, its done at least and I can breath for a bit now. (at least til next week)

Need to come up with some decent blog entries. I'm tired of writing research papers (bleh). Fantasy must have fantasy!

I didn't wake up til 10:30 am today, sore and sick. Definitely should not have slept so long, but obviously it was in the cards today. Still have to study for a test tomorrow, plus work beckons with a newsletter to be finished.

I was able to add a few more rooms to the Tradewind hall today. They now have their brawl room system in place, accessible thru the palantir (find it, slackers!). I also put in a few more wagon ascii rooms (for the altar), a linker room for the corral, and the leader room is now done.

The jail wagon is now guarded by a frisky hound which has an mprog that reacts to people based upon their clan affiliation. I shall let those that get near him to find out exactly what his reactions are. He also bears the key to the jail wagon for those that get imprisoned for their raiding actions. I'm pretty sure he's less than willing to part with it easily.

Aside from that, I think its time to lie down for a bit ere I return to the books.

Been extremely busy the last two weeks with college issues and work. A bunch of tests. A bunch of reading. A bunch of research papers to write. At work, I have been working to complete a newsletter for First Responders which I have to get out some time this week. On the personal front, a friend of mine is having heart valve surgery (open heart) and likely will be coming to live with us to recover afterward, so have been preparing the house for that. Been pretty hectic, but the fires of the forge temper the steel.

On the mud I have been working on setting up the new Tradewind hall. It is being patterned as a gypsy convoy style of place with huge wagon houses that carry merchandise wherever the Traders wish to take them. This is only the second outdoor only hall type I have done, the first being the Keepers (which is basically a big forest), and I am pretty happy with it so far. Plenty of ascii wagons and a nice feel so far. Definitely not a shotty atmosphere, they are still going to be rich, extravagant merchants, but now they are free to roam the land and take all their belongings with them.

Currently their status is as follows:

rooms: 15
shops: 2
mobs: 6
objects: 47
mprogs: 3

Altar, clan stones, and clan spell has been tested and works on trigger.

I still need to complete:
- 20 room maze
- leader room
- brawl rooms
- connector rooms between wagons
- more ascii wagons for outside of indoor rooms
- devise an access means for invaders
- clan guard, clan key. prison guard, prison key.

In non-hall issues:

* AREA: Neutiquam Erro STATUS: CLOSED
I have the Neutiquam Erro university area populated with mobiles similar to the range in serial killer forest and red light district, but different aligns. Additionally the battleball stadium rooms are complete, just have to complete the mprogs dealing with scoring and tracking and add the necessary mobiles, etc. Tomes for all clans are done. Tomes for all immortals are done (save Ahri). Still need to put in more school rooms, at some point. Additionally I am considering some tomes to help with role play issues (ie on subjects of alignments/ethos/race/class) possibly. New maps have been added in the area.

* Aquest for Pyramid of OgDoad has been progressed another stage but still needs finalized. My ideas on that are cementing, just not had time to bring them to fruition. Mprogs take me so long to formulate and get working properly.

* I got off my worn out hide today and revamped the Rime and Slasher Retreat area quests, with the help of Meathe. Was approaching the problem from a direction that didn't pan out and his ideas and rewrites easily fixed the problem in a way i totally didn't see before (doy me).

I am excited by the premise of new immortals and projects on the horizon.

The cowl lifts but a fraction as Avarren's attention raptly locks upon the figure exiting the citadel, enough to reveal his glistening eyes, a pale yellow, touched with swirling specks of green, the slightest traces of madness tweaking the corners into a blinkless stare. A permenent, wide grin creases a corrupt face, erupting in uncontrollable, hyenaish mirth that he reflexively muffles with a billowing scarf that swallows all sound. Wrapped in a shroud of nebulous cloth, nary a trace of his body is seen, though his proportions indicate he is of smallish stature... obviously no bigger than a five year old human... were he human.

The power courses through him. Exhileratingly, maddeningly. His shoulders rock up and down in the throes of his muffled laughter as he watches the Undead Lord's manservant direct the cleanup of offal about the Citadel. The scavengers are run off, slinking back to the forest, peering on the loss of their banquet with hunger filled eyes and poignant sorrowful howls and caws.

Snorting derisively at the disgusting beasts, Avarren glides past the milling undead, unseen, unnoticed, undetectable. He pauses near the butler, a million devious plots and ploys playing through his mind, each precipitating its own laugh, before he shakes his head to clear his thoughts and moves on.

Into the very depths of the den of the Undead Lord he traverses, taking stock of the amassing troops, the sheer number of dead being raised by necromancers, the neophyte vampires lingering in the shadows awaiting the call of the dread master. Weaponry is being prepared. War looms upon the horizon. He laughs again, its just too deliciously intoxicating for him to take it all in. It draws him, like a moth to flame, he feeds upon it... the intrigue... the tense energy... the emotions of the place swirl, unseen by the inhabitants... tantalizing.

"Covetous of a title." *laugh* His weaselish voice sidles through the interior of his own mind as he shakes his head slightly. "Traitors... traitors... and more traitors in the midst." Gliding onward and ever inward, through the depths of the hall, he goes, unseen, unknown, even by the Demon Lord himself, mentally ticking off figures and statistics like an abacus.

Avarren's malicious thoughts tickle at his mind, prompting action, a plan of sorts takes form. His impromptu raid finished... he cannot help but snicker, shifting like the falling grains of sand through a crack in the wall and away, as formless as a shadow.

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

Lightning strikes across the sky as the small figure appears at the gates of the great castle. An ominous sign, to be certain, perhaps of wicked portents, ill meaning designs set in motion. Approaching the gates, the figure whispers in a conniving voice to the guards, "I have information for the Dark Liege." His voice grating to hear, like nails raked across slate. Supplicating himself appropriately, he hides a wide grin and muffles a laugh.

At long last I am FREE. Free of the endless void of nothingness and eternal torment. Such delicious, chaotic torment, but upon none to visit it. Pent up and restrained, I have saved up much wrath for those that placed me hence, so very long ago. They shall all pay, far into the reaches of their descendants' inheritance. Cursed and loathed, suffering beyond the normal ken.

My claws twitch for the throbbing beat of life's last measured sounding. Mine ears long to hear the sigh of release. So much time wasted in the confines of the void. And now, so much more time to foment that chaos which screams for release.

I long for the first kill. It has been so very long. I smell blood, ichor, viscera all around. The weak so close, demanding to be culled from the herd. So close... so very, very close...

(Continued from D'Sarian Lore, Lunar Listener, January 25, 2005)

The smell of carrion is intoxicating, surrounding this place, the Infernal Citadel, drawing scavengers from far and wide to the bounty of easily gained sustenance. That which is not used by the Infernal is cast off in the charnal wastes, to be set upon by flocks and packs of ravenous beasts - jackels, vultures, buzzards, and even crows. These, amongst the multitude of creatures upon which I hold sway, upon whom I rely to watch the movements of the brood. That which passes before their eyes, through their ears, becomes known to me.

Upon this chilled, moonlit night, the Dark God hath come forth, atop the heights of the Citadel, surveying the view.

I have not forgotten our last encounters, the timultuous conflict which met with no resolution. He, the parody of life, the abomination of Order. An evil incarnate, swathed in regal bearing, with power to seduce, obfuscicate, and enveigle the innocent to corruption. He is everything which I am not, everything which I loathe, despise. The Darkstar, the antithesis of all I hold and define dear. He bears close observation.

Tonight he seems unsettled, staring upon the moon with vapid eyes, speaking to himself. Perhaps he has finally gone mad, a most fortuitous event should it come to pass. His speech of armies and movements is most intriguing, echoing down amongst the uncaring scavengers, whispered within the depths of my far reaching mind.

"Time and tide is on our side. The momentum swings our way. If this battle brings on Armeggedon, then so be it. In the end, ONE shall be crowned king and the undead brood shall stand by the throne at my right hand! THIS I SWEAR!!! " Darkstar bellowed to the unswayed moon, his lips curled revealing the predatory fangs of his brethren, a rabid dog on a mission, surely.

His tirade is cut short by the arrival of his manservant, who like a sheepdog, leads his errant charge back to the depths of the citadel, and out of the chill blustered night.

I sever the connection, leaving my charges to their gormandic delights, cleaning away the stain left by the undead host upon the land.

"He covets that which he may not attain." A crazed voice speaks, echoing about the simple chamber.

"What do you care if the Dark Liege removes the pale poser with but a sweep of his broadsword. Surely the thought of the Beast cut in twain will not prompt tears to thine eyes." A weasilish voice snidely whispers.

I ignore them, as I ever ignored them, my thoughts taking in the depth of meaning of all that which the Undead Lord disclosed. A grin plays across my face.

And the ill suffering mind produces thus. One guesses that fever fugue is good for something at the very least. The symbol of the Dark Seraph (actually larger than this and clearer, but reduced to fit):

Bidden, I have come, rescued of the hellish doom that permeates in entropic sin.
Who hears my account of the horror filled waking dream, in bedlamous din.
Timid and awake, a fledge reborn to the nest, thrust from the protections of overseeing eye.
Wings unfurled, head held high, the black bird takes to the cloud pregnant sky.