GideonRye

THE SEVEN ASPECTS OF WYTCHLORDAIN Citizens of Britannia, Many thanks to everyone who answered my call for service. In short time, the research components I required were gathered, and the book I desired was recovered from the hold of Miridian's Eye. However, my research continues, and I am still in need of service. And so, once again, I have a story to tell, and an offer for the interested... In times long forgotten, just after Relvinian's maze manifested west of Britain, the citizens of Vesper were in mourning. Nine children had been abducted in a week's time, and the Royal Guard had not yet named a suspect. Local militias patrolled the streets, and the entire city was placed on curfew, as the investigation continued without success. Three kidnappings later, forensic specialists finally had a breakthrough; at the site of each abduction, they discovered traces of soil indigenous to Covetous. A foray into the depths of the dungeon led to a horrific discovery: the children had been gutted, their entrails set upon an altar engraved with the markings of Kronus, their corpses thrown aside as waste... However, the worst was not yet discovered. In a cave near the buried temple, a healer from Minoc known as Wytchlordain was kneeling before a demonic statue, covered in blood, his eyes aglow with dark energy. The hearts of his victims laid out before him, he was oblivious to the presence of the soldiers, locked in a trance, speaking in tongues long forgotten, using a voice not his own. Barely containing their rage and disgust, the Royal Guard descended upon the makeshift shrine, destroying the icon and dragging Wytchlordain from the cave. His lack of resistance, and the sick smile spread across his face, set them on edge, and they nearly crippled him with beatings before carrying him from the bowels of Covetous, towards the cell set aside for him at the Court of Truth. However, he would never see this cell, for the citizens of Vesper were waiting outside the dungeon's entrance. Overpowering the guards, they took possession of the corrupted healer, and carried him to a nearby clearing, where a circle of mages had assembled around a pentagram. Lying his body at the center, the mob stood back as the mages performed a series of rites, bringing a rain of tangible energy down on the murderer's body. Silence echoed throughout the assembled masses as they witnessed Wytchlordain's spirit being torn from his body. Legend has it that the sun went dark as his soul was shattered, his spirit ripped to pieces and cast about the realm. It is said the mages sealed away the seven aspects of Wytchlordain's soul, binding them to separate locations so that he would never be able to reform for resurrection... Which brings us here, to the Age of Shadows. Once again, I am unable to proceed in my research, as I lack an ancient text containing a key configuration. However, auction records procured from Nujel'm's archives demonstrate that the book I require was purchased by none other than Wytchlordain, so many years ago... In this, the pursuit of knowledge, I have no choice but to attempt to reassemble the spirit of this murderer, so that I may determine where he has hidden the text that I seek. This is a vast undertaking, requiring travel to some of the most dangerous destinations in Britannia, and, consequently, it is a journey I am not prepared to make on my own. Instead, I will be outsourcing this task, to men and women that have proven themselves trustworthy... On Thursday, August 28th, at 8:00pm Eastern, I will be offering an open contract of employment to all interested citizens, involving the fulfillment of a death warrant for the criminal known as Tyrian Crawworth. This individual, while guilty of numerous crimes against the Royal Court, is not known for his prowess in battle, so all citizens, regardless of class or profession, are encouraged to participate. The group or individual who succeeds in bringing this criminal to justice will have proven themselves reliable, and, in turn, I will offer them the opportunity to capture the first of seven aspects that comprise the soul of Wytchlordain. A reward of 25,000 gold will be paid for proof of Crawworth's death, and a reward of 100,000 gold will be paid for the capture of the first aspect. To reiterate, a death warrant for the criminal Tyrian Crawworth will be offered to all interested citizens on Thursday, August 28th, at 8:00pm Eastern, with a reward of 25,000 gold for fulfillment. The group or individual that brings this man to justice will have an opportunity to earn an additional 100,000 gold, if they succeed in capturing the first of seven aspects that comprise the soul of Wytchlordain. Those wishing to participate should gather at 7:45pm Eastern, in the Counselor's Hall of Trammel's Serpent's Hold. -Gideon Rye

Citizens of Britannia, Many generations ago, long before the facets split, the Royal Guard used a ship known as Miridian's Eye to distribute arms to soldiers stationed throughout the lands. With the rise of the Followers of Armageddon, and the tribulations that followed in the wake of the Second Age, the Royal Guard began distributing more powerful equipment to its soldiers, and Miridian's Eye was sent to deliver the arsenal. However, rumors of the shipment of magic weapons and armor spread to Buccaneer's Den, and soon, pirates were planning an ambush off the coast of Dagger Isle, intent on capturing the cache for themselves. Indeed, Miridian's Eye was later attacked by three pirate vessels as it sailed away from Moonglow City; however, armed with the weapons and armor they were set to deliver, the crew was able to deal massive casualties to the pirates, forcing them to retreat, and allowing the Royal vessel to escape. Details are vague at this point, but it is known that the pirates regrouped and pursued the fleeing vessel as it sped north, past Dagger Isle, and into the volatile waters of the north. The legend has it that after two days of chasing the ship just over the horizon, the pirates finally caught up to Miridian's Eye... ...only to find the ship drifting abandoned in a strange haze, the decks and mast stained crimson with blood. Massive, dark shapes swam just below the surface surrounding the ship, and the pirates, fearing dark magic was involved, opted to return to Buccaneer's Den, where the story of the fate of Miridian's Eye was told over many an ale. Many considered this tale a hoax, an urban legend intended to scare off those that would interfere with the Royal Guard's shipping lines. However, dockmasters that had seen Miridian's Eye many times insisted they never saw it again after the story surfaced, and so the truth of the matter remained disputed. Which brings us to the present, here in the Age of Shadows. My research has uncovered documents that detail the fate of the ship, and an investigation has revealed that the vessel remains drifting aimlessly, with its cargo somehow still intact. And, coincidentally, a book I have been searching for is said to be on board... In the pursuit of knowledge, it is often necessary to outsource responsibilities, for efficiency's sake. I cannot take the time off from my research to capture Miridian's Eye myself, so I have devised a method of choosing who I can trust to undertake the task on my behalf. On Thursday, August 21st, at 8:00pm Eastern, I will be offering an open contract of employment to all interested citizens, involving the collection of a number of items I need for the next phase of my research. This task might be considered a "scavenger hunt", of sorts. I need nothing of significant value, and most citizens, regardless of class or profession, are capable of acquiring the items on the list. The three groups or individuals who return the list of items to me in the least amount of time will be provided with a contract of employment for the recovery of Miridian's Eye. All treasure, weapons and armor found on board may be kept by whoever captures it, and a reward of 100,000 gold will be paid for the delivery of the aforementioned tome into my hands. To reiterate, a "scavenger hunt" will be held on Thursday, August 21st, at 8:00pm Eastern, with three winners receiving a contract of employment for the recovery of a lost ship, with the potential for a 100,000 gold reward. Those wishing to participate should gather at 7:45pm, away from prying eyes, on the third level of Trammel's dungeon Wrong. Bring a lantern. - Gideon Rye

Citizens of Britannia, Many generations ago, long before the facets split, the Royal Guard used a ship known as Miridian's Eye to distribute arms to soldiers stationed throughout the lands. With the rise of the Followers of Armageddon, and the tribulations that followed in the wake of the Second Age, the Royal Guard began distributing more powerful equipment to its soldiers, and Miridian's Eye was sent to deliver the arsenal. However, rumors of the shipment of magic weapons and armor spread to Buccaneer's Den, and soon, pirates were planning an ambush off the coast of Dagger Isle, intent on capturing the cache for themselves. Indeed, Miridian's Eye was later attacked by three pirate vessels as it sailed away from Moonglow City; however, armed with the weapons and armor they were set to deliver, the crew was able to deal massive casualties to the pirates, forcing them to retreat, and allowing the Royal vessel to escape. Details are vague at this point, but it is known that the pirates regrouped and pursued the fleeing vessel as it sped north, past Dagger Isle, and into the volatile waters of the north. The legend has it that after two days of chasing the ship just over the horizon, the pirates finally caught up to Miridian's Eye... ...only to find the ship drifting abandoned in a strange haze, the decks and mast stained crimson with blood. Massive, dark shapes swam just below the surface surrounding the ship, and the pirates, fearing dark magic was involved, opted to return to Buccaneer's Den, where the story of the fate of Miridian's Eye was told over many an ale. Many considered this tale a hoax, an urban legend intended to scare off those that would interfere with the Royal Guard's shipping lines. However, dockmasters that had seen Miridian's Eye many times insisted they never saw it again after the story surfaced, and so the truth of the matter remained disputed. Which brings us to the present, here in the Age of Shadows. My research has uncovered documents that detail the fate of the ship, and an investigation has revealed that the vessel remains drifting aimlessly, with its cargo somehow still intact. And, coincidentally, a book I have been searching for is said to be on board... In the pursuit of knowledge, it is often necessary to outsource responsibilities, for efficiency's sake. I cannot take the time off from my research to capture Miridian's Eye myself, so I have devised a method of choosing who I can trust to undertake the task on my behalf. On Thursday, August 21st, at 8:00pm Eastern, I will be offering an open contract of employment to all interested citizens, involving the collection of a number of items I need for the next phase of my research. This task might be considered a "scavenger hunt", of sorts. I need nothing of significant value, and most citizens, regardless of class or profession, are capable of acquiring the items on the list. The three groups or individuals who return the list of items to me in the least amount of time will be provided with a contract of employment for the recovery of Miridian's Eye. All treasure, weapons and armor found on board may be kept by whoever captures it, and a reward of 100,000 gold will be paid for the delivery of the aforementioned tome into my hands. To reiterate, a "scavenger hunt" will be held on Thursday, August 21st, at 8:00pm Eastern, with three winners receiving a contract of employment for the recovery of a lost ship, with the potential for a 100,000 gold reward. Those wishing to participate should gather at 7:45pm, away from prying eyes, on the third level of Trammel's dungeon Wrong. Bring a lantern. - Gideon Rye