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Renaissance

Ultima Online: Renaissance has been published today!

Adventure theater, by Andre

While Patrolling the streets of Delucia, I came across a large group of Citizens fighting valiantly against the second most horrifying creature I have ever encountered, the first being Juo'Nar. The creature did not look exceptionally strong, but it was! It looked like a Mummy, but it was Green. It hit with level 5 poison, and left at least 30 warriors to rot on the city streets.

In the end it fell to an estimated 20 warriors,and about 5 archers. Magery had almost no effect on it. One onlooked called it "A God!". I don't know if it was a god or not... but with it dead, I will sleep better tonight!

New Grandmaster

Nicce's Axeman, Gareth Jax, is GM Anatomy. Congrats!

A Birthday Not Soon Forgotten, by Seven of Nine

The night sky was clear over the peninsula just west of the horseshoe of mountains that contained the Wrong Dungeon. The air was damp and smelled of sea salt. The Trammel moon bathed the large brick in its brightness allowing only a fireplace and the candelabras on the dining table needing to be lit. The atmosphere was warm and comfortable for the two old friends as they sat and shared a bottle of foreign wine and reminisced of their friendship over the past year.

The man, GEB by name, was a foreigner in a foreign land. His hair, long and the color of steel, accented his intense black eyes. The slight smile on his lips softened his eyes a bit and even revealed a hint of mischief there. His accent was thick when he spoke the native tongue and added color to any conversation. He had invited Seven to share a bottle of wine to celebrate his birthday and especially their yearlong friendship. The times they had shared could well have been a lifetime of events. There were very few days that they did not talk and accompany each other on adventures.

Laughter filled the cabin as they spoke of specific events. Seven was talking

"I remember the first time you sent me a message... you were offering to have the guild move their mining event to your hut in the mountains so it would be safer. You were a new member and I did not know you but I was touched by your devotion to the guild."

"Yes, I should have run from you then! I would not get blowed up so often from your saying '...you can open the treasure chest now, GEB' then BOOM I die!" he teased her with warm laughter.

"Hey now! I only did that a few times!" She said laughing. "Poor you, you were my guinea pig."

"You are saying I was a pig?" He looked at her confused, his wineglass halfway to his mouth.

"No, no... a 'guinea pig' means I used you to experiment on." She said smiling. He gave her a leery look and smiled. She often had to explain phrases to him that were used in English and sometimes taken literally in his translation. Their friendship was such that his accent was like a song on her heart and a comfort to her soul.

"Your getting blown up makes up for all the times I have sacrificed myself saving you from the savages in this neighborhood you call home. Remember the time we were each overtaken six or seven times! What a mess! The healer knew us on a first name basis. I think all the spawn in Brittania was here that night." She sipped her wine grinning.

"Aye we have lived and died together many times my friend." He replied. "You know," he said more seriously now, "it really hurt me when you left the guild." Seven focused on his face. "Yes, I know it did... even though you tried to hide it, I knew. Given the circumstances, it was the only choice that made sense," she said sadly.

"What makes sense to the mind does not always make sense to the heart, carissima," he said, putting his hand on hers as their eyes met.

"So true, sweet friend, so true," was her reply.

"A toast!" Seven raised her glass in hopes of keeping their spirits up. "May we live and die together for many more years to come! AND a Happy Birthday to my very dear friend!" His glass met hers in the air and they drank the red wine. He lifted his glass again.

"And to my best friend, and my advisor... I bow in reverence to you," he said as he stood and bowed deeply, something she had only seen him do one time before. Seven stood also and bowed back with a smile. "I am most honored, MiLord." Their glasses pinged and they drank to the toast.

"BOOM!! BOOM!! BOOM!!" The banging on the door startled them as it pierced the quiet night air. GEB ran to the door and opened it to find grande fappe.

"Come in, come in, amico mio," he said as he stepped aside and let fappe in. Grande fappe was a humble man, pure of heart and known for his generosity.

"Hail GEB, hail Milady," he said, bowing and out of breath from his fast ride to the house. "I am scared I have some bad news." His accent was of the same origin as his close friend, GEB's.

"What is it?" GEB asked as he closed the door. He looked from fappe to Seven and back again... the moment was filled with anticipation.

"Its BRiaNNa, " fappe began, "it seems she has traveled to the Terathan Keep with some friends and has stumbled upon a Balron and is captive there! There are also some murderers there who are sabotaging every attempt to rescue her!" He said it with anger and worry in his voice.

"We must go at once!" Seven said, heading for the door.

"Yes. Fappe, call all the available Golden Warriors and anyone they can bring. If we are to fight a Balron and murderers, we will need much help," GEB said as he began to make ready for the journey and the fight.

"I make contact with them," fappe said, "We meet at Papua bank."

Seven was getting ready to head out the door. She looked at GEB as he turned to look at her. "Papua bank?" he asked. She nodded. "I have to pick up Sevens at the stable and get a few things, then I will be there." He nodded to her as she stepped out into the moon-bathed night.

***

The crowd at the bank was a restless one. The purple capes of the Guardians filled the bank lawn. Each member of the Golden Warrior squad was equipped and ready. Nicce, shirtless in a beaver mask and leather pants, was his normal calm self. Udo Ostenwald held the air and dignity of the guild diplomat, his eyes held wisdom beyond his years. Richard, his loyalty quite apparent, was ready to defend any guild mate to the death. Andre waited anxiously, anticipating the battle. Richard Langdow was calm and confident on his mount, awaiting instructions. Draven was nervous, questioning why Brianna was in the Balron room to begin with, yet ready to fight for her. Ashram had his bow in hand, his worry for his sister evident on his face. Karl Urr, in his deer mask, awaited instructions with determination. Xtinct stood on the side. He was very calm and jeering a bit with Draven, there was a slight glimpse of heroism on his young face. Metalman leaned nonchalantly against the bank wall, but his eyes were sharp and did not miss a thing. He had fought many a Balron but add in a few murderers and it was never a pretty site.

GEB, grande fappe, and Seven arrived at the same time. Only GEB was on foot of the three. Donned in his red magicians robe and hat, he was a respected figure. All eyes of his squad turned to their leader.

"We all know what we face, right?" he asked the crowd. They all nodded their reply or said a firm yes.

"OK. Who has rune?" GEB took command.

"I do," Seven replied as she started to rub the herbs together and say the magic words that would transport them to the Terathan Keep.

"Everyone use night sight and magic reflection if you have it, and stay close." She looked at GEB for the command. He nodded.

"Vas Rel Por-Gate Travel"

The blue light of the moongate filled the lawn as it formed. Every member walked through into the swamp beneath the Terathan Keep. The Keep contained the Spider People: a screaming, savage lot who were enslaved for life in the palace of the Balrons. They did not like intruders. The Balrons lived in the bowels of the Keep and the Spider People were determined to kill any that would dare to disturb their masters.

Upon landing in the swamp, the Golden Warriors instinctively formed their small fighting groups consisting of a mixture of meleers, archers, and mages. This fighting style had won them five championship medals in guild competitions. The site they saw was very frightening. The Spider people must have anticipated their arrival for there were at least four dozen of these monsters waiting on them. Their eyes were fierce and wild, their slobbering was like acid as it hit the swamp waters.

GEB gave the command for the attack.

"Let's go! Watch each other's lives and stay together!" he yelled across the swamp. His own small group, consisting of himself, grande fappe, Seven, and Ashram led the larger group forward. Fappe, the meleer of the group, was a few steps ahead of GEB and Seven, Ashram a few steps behind. Whatever grande fappe hit with his sword, the two magicians would cast ebolts upon and Ashram would finish with his deadly arrows. The mages kept the group healed from the acid wounds the horrible spiders inflicted.

Udo, his face serenely concerned, was striding along a path carved for him by Nicce, Richard and Karl dancing the swords, and the fires that leaped from his own hands. In the group beside them, Draven parried the striking blows of their enemies with his mighty shield while Andre's quarter staff knocked them senseless. A quick thrust from Richard Langdow's katana finished them.

Metalman and Xtinct fought side by side but independently as experienced fighters. Metalman, switching from parrying to fencing to magic was also able to keep Xtinct healed when the need arose. Xtinct used a deadly combination of magic, a katana, and a magic halberd. The deadly pair helped one another as needed as they plowed through the screaming enemy, lightening and fire fields lighting their way.

Despite the deadliness of the brave group, the Terethan's kept spawning replacements for their dead. The battlers grew weary, the mages drawing upon their last bit of mana. Suddenly, they heard an eerie sound from behind them. Those in the back turned around to see a hoard of Ophidians approaching the battle from behind. Ashram was the first one to find his voice.

"Lord GEB! We are being attacked from behind!" He yelled, trying to keep his voice under control.

GEB turned to look and his shock turned to a slight smile.

"Spread out but stay in your groups!" He commanded.

As the groups opened up space between them, the Snake people never turned their gaze from their ancient enemies, the Spider people. The mighty slithering Ophidians hissed as they raised their double bladed halberds against the horrid spiders. Lightening split the air as the matriarchs chose one target after another for their deadly magic. Seeing that the Snake people had the upper hand and would soon turn on them, GEB gave the command for the Golden Warriors to enter the Keep.

The narrow door and tower opened into a larger room. Two more Spider guards were easily dispensed of upon entry. Each group recomposed individually and as a group. All bodies were bandaged, or healed with magic herbs.

"Richard Langdow and metalman! You know this place, lead us please," GEB's voice was full of concern for the unknown and for their fallen squad mate. It was a race against time and it was going to be a close one. Richard and metalman led the brave band of warriors into a nearby room. All was quiet except for the distant screams of the Snake and Spider battle. The air was thick with the smell of death. Evil surrounded them and made the hair on the back of their neck stand up. Cutting their way through huge thick spider webs, they made their way into a short hall. Metalman stepped on something in the dim light. He looked down to find an archers bow. He picked it up and handed it to Ashram who confirmed it was BriaNNa's. Suddenly from a room at the other end of the hall, they could hear her yelling a warning... and then they saw it. A shadow darkened the hall in front of the door of that room, the image filling the entire opening. The Balron stepped into the hall and turned to face them. It stood thirty hands tall and was as black as midnight. The name 'Seeker of Souls' filled each of their heads. His eyes were fire, his mouth an eternal snarl. The sword in his hand was made of onyx, shiny and sharper than any steel sword could be forged.

GEB analyzed their situation, then gave his commands.

"Meleers put away your swords, you will heal. The hallway is too narrow for more than two abreast and two fighters would never last against him. We must use our magic and our archery."

The groups reformed. Mages in front followed by healers, then archers. This combo repeated itself down the hall. Xtinct and metalman were the first to advance toward their enemy. There was no way to distract him and get to the room, they had to go through him. They could only hope to get him to retreat and then someone could run into the room to reach BRiaNNa. Ashram was ready, his arrow nocked. Metalman cast the first spell and failed in poisoning the beast as it resisted. The Seeker of Souls began to advance upon them turning all of his energy and focus on him. Metalman cast again and this time managed to inflict poison. One look with those fiery eyes, and metalman was frozen in his steps. The paralyze spell leaving him defenseless, he could do nothing but wait when the barely recognizable words "KAL VAS FLAM-FLAME STRIKE" bellowed from the monster's smirking lips. Udo, seeing his friend's plight, spoke the words In Por Ylem-Magic Arrow and freed metalman from the evil grasp and then followed that with a greater heal spell. Metalman was already drinking healing potions from his pack when the firewall hit him. With the help of Udo's spell and his own potion, he was able to survive the first blow. Ashram was letting arrow after arrow fly, bombarding their ancient enemy with all of his might! The arrows were hitting true to the mark of a grandmaster as they whittled at the evil monster. Xtinct, in the meantime, had already begun his deadly combination of casting Vas Ort Flam-Explosion, Corp Por-Ebolt, and Kal Vas Flam-Flame Strike! With his mana drained, he equipped his magic halberd and bravely awaited his fate looking into those fiery eyes with determination. The beast snarled at Xtinct because he was a distraction from the destroying of metalman and turned on him! Udo, standing behind Xtinct, was ready to heal when the first flash of lightening hit. His spell already cast, he healed X within seconds in time for the next blow, a huge fireball that lit up the hall. Xtinct took the hit adwavered. Udo healed him again, and he dropped his halberd. Having gained enough mana in the last minute, he whispered In Jux Sanct-Magic Reflection, covering himself in time for the Balron's next fireball. The Beast's scream echoed throughout the keep, as the fireball reflected back upon him. It looked fiercely at its aggressors, advancing upon them quickly as it sent a poison field and then a meteor swarm down the hall. Metalman, Xtinct, Udo, Draven, and Ashram took most of the damage, their lives draining from them every second. GEB quickly ordered a retreat into the room at their end of the hall. The warriors at the rear turned just in time to see three members of the CCC guild unhide in the small room behind them and cast a spell that instantly built a brick wall in front of the door, sealing off their exit!

Grande fappe, Nicce, and Richard Langdow immediately made their way to the back of the group. Seven cast An Grav-Dispell Field onto the offending wall and fell in behind them. The wall quickly dissipated exposing the sneering murderers. Grande fappe stepped through the door and attacked Amy Grant of CCC with his mighty sword, parrying his opponent's blows. Nicce attacked, interrupting all spells from their now victim. Richard Langdow was bandaging the two and Seven was healing him from damage made by the other two CCC, the Unsavory Mini Me and the Murderer Crazy Horse, they were attacking Nicce also, inflicting severe damage. He fell under their magic but not before he helped grande fappe kill Amy Grant. Seven started picking up Nicce's things before the thieves could get them, and she too came under attack! Richard Langdow and fappe turned their attention to the Murderer Mini Me, who was yelling the words Corp Por -Ebolt and pointing his hands towards Seven.

Down the hall, Draven, with all of his attention on healing his squad mates, soon collapsed from the poison engulfing his being. Karl, GEB, and Udo began casting cures and heals on their friends while Ashram, feeling quite ill himself, began to collect what he could of Draven's belongings.

GEB watched in anguish as his Golden Warriors were being attacked from both ends! He decided to help fight the Balron and instinctively cast a flame strike and targeted the enraged beast. His heart was torn, however, as he saw Nicce fall and Seven under attack from the enemy mages while she desperately tried to save Nicce's belongings.

He yelled up the hall, worry and deep concern in his eyes, "Richard! Andre! GO! Help Seven! DO NOT let her die! She MUST NOT die!!" Richard ran through the throng and right up under the Murderer Crazy Horse's horse. He started dancing the swords with the horseman, thus distracting the attention from Seven. Andre had let an arrow fly before all of the words were out of GEB's mouth, draining one-fourth of their enemy's life. Grande fappe healed Seven from the e-bolt as she was recovering the rest of Nicce's things. The Unsavory Mini Me struck her with another ebolt! In his greediness, he was determined to have Nicces' things AND hers! Fappe continued to apply bandages to her wounds as they quickly advanced upon the thief with Richard Langdow drawing his sword to join them. The three boxed in their enemy and his one sword was no match for their three katanas. He quickly fell and now there was only one murderer left. They turned to him in time to see Andre join Richard, healing him as he parried hits from Crazy Horse. Karl Urr turned and cast a well place ebolt, and the murderer fell from his horse.

GEB ordered a retreat and the warriors regrouped in the room at the end of the hall, quickly healing their ill and wounded. The dead would have to wait to be resurrected as the Seeker of Souls was advancing down the hall upon them. Before the last wounded were healed, their enemy was there. GEB ordered everyone to stand back and he cast a paralyze field across the door opening buying them some more time.

"All mages who can cast meteor storm come forward!" he shouted.

All of the mages stood in a row prepared to cast, the two archers backing them up. GEB waited for the paralyze field to dissipate then he shouted the command.

"NOW!!"

Seven mages yelled KAL DES FLAM YLEM- METEOR SWARM and opened their hands toward the arched doorway between them and the Balron. The fifty or more fireballs lit up the surrounding rooms and the hallway. As the smoke cleared, they were appalled to see the Seeker of Souls had survived their deluge and was still advancing. Its mana almost drained, it sent an ebolt through the door to their commander and GEB was taken aback with the blow.

"EBOLT!!" He commanded!

In tandem, the mages yelled Corp Por-Ebolt! And directed their spells onto the snarling beast. That did it! His huge form wavered just inside the doorway.

GEB yelled, "Ashram! Finish him!"

"My pleasure, MiLord!" Ashram slowly nocked his bow, savoring the moment. He looked into those fiery eyes and let his arrow fly. The crowd let out a mighty cheer as his arrow met its mark and the horrible Seeker of Souls hit the floor. Terathans screamed in the distance as their master's dark soul disappeared.

Ashram wasted no time. He ran down the hall to his sister. GEB ran also, healed in mid-flight by a healing spell from Seven of Nine. Richard and grande fappe, the squad vice marshals, were resurrecting the dead and seeing that all of their belongings were returned. Xtinct and metalman were collecting the belongings of the murderers and enjoying dispersing them to their squad mates.

Seven and Udo Ostenwald trotted down the hall to guard the resurrection of BRiaNNa. GEB had just finished when they arrived.

BRiaNNa, in her deathrobe, hugged her brother fiercely. With tears in her eyes and a big smile on her face, she said,

"I knew you would come for me!"

She turned to looked at GEB and said as she bowed, "I thank thee, MiLord."

Upon her rising, he held out his arms and smiled as they embraced.

"Has been most amusing," he said with a grin.

They all laughed and made their way back down the hallway to rejoin their group. GEB looked at Seven.

"Let's go home, MiLady."

"As ye wish, MiLord," she said with a smile as she opened a gate back to the GWoJ squad house.

***

Congratulations and re-enactments of the battle filled the small squad cabin and spilled out into the lawn as the Golden Warriors relaxed after their victory. GEB and Seven, sitting on stools, had found a quiet place to talk in a corner of the small room.

GEB began, "You know, I was very scared for you down there. My heart pulled me to save you and then to command the squad. It was very difficult choice."

"You made the right choice, my friend. Tis better to think of the group. Thank you for your concern, and for sending more help, that meant a lot," she said with a smile.

"I will always do that for you," he said as if swearing an oath. They embraced for a moment, grateful for their friendship.

Seven looked at him. "Tis been quite a birthday for you," she said grinning.

He chuckled, "Has been most amusing, I will not soon forget it."

Seven stood up and raised her voice for all to hear.

"Hey everybody! Lets drink a toast to GEB on his birthday!"

Richard and grande fappe opened the wine bottles and poured the wine and they all stood in a circle, their glasses in hand.

"A toast!" Seven began. "To our noble and honorable leader, GEB, and many more adventures for the Golden Warriors of Justice! AND, a very happy birthday to you, Milord!" She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

All of the glasses met in the middle of the circle of smiles and birthday wishes as they all drank to the toast.

GEB and the Golden Warriors would have many more adventures, but this would be one birthday he would not forget.