Dragon Whimsy

Rubylicious!

2010-11-12T10:05:00.001-08:00

I can’t believe I haven’t posted this before. But this past August I met my best friend (Mavenore/Dawsen/Sylerrinn) and her husband in-person finally after knowing her for 3 years online.

I would post a picture of them but I think Mavenore would kill me so in the interest of my health I’ll skip that. I will tell the world that Mav is geeky enough to own an Alliance Tabard however. Yes that’s right. An Alliance Tabard. How I wish I’d taken a picture of her wearing it. THAT one I’d have posted no matter the consequences. *grins evily*

Anyway we had a fun time doing touristy things like visiting the Space Needle, Wild Waves, and Point Defiance Zoo. There was also a truly epic game of Rock-Paper-Scissors when we couldn’t agree on a movie but you have to have been there to appreciate it.

They were wonderful and those three days were definitely the high-point of my summer. Maybe I can convince them to come to PAX next year…

In addition to all the fun we had they also gave me what I think is the most awesome gift ever. They dumped a large box on my lap packaged up in red wrapping paper and a silver ribbon. On opening it I found… well what you see in the pictures below. A picture of an adult Ruby in drake form that Mav drew with her mad art skills and a keepsake box that matches the dragon in the picture perfectly.

I have never been given such a thoughtful gift in my life and I <3 them both for it. Thank you so much Mavenore and Hubby for the gift as well as a truly happy summer memory that keeps me warm even as winter approaches!

Rubylicious indeed!

A new home and some neighbors.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Terren Bruce,Ruby Astherion,Rublestrasza,Mavenore

The Tiny Lioness.

2010-09-20T18:07:00.001-07:00

I have a new kitty! She’s adoooooooorable. And she’s only been here a day and already so loving! She’ll come right up to me and start nuzzling and purring. I <3’s her already.

Unfortunately most of the pictures I took didn’t come out well as of yet but I did manage to get one good pic with her on her favorite spot on top of the sofa. So without further ado I present to you the little Lioness (name still pending)…

Wyrmhearth happenings 2

2010-08-27T01:02:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on July 27th, 2010.

Another busy night at the Wyrmhearth last Saturday. Highlights included Leon truly taking his place as a Dragonsworn member, even submitting himself to "unmasking" when in the presence of his Matron and burning his Scarlet Crusade tabard.

Meanwhile Ishuzugosa dealt with the after-effects of the death of her Flight's Aspect: Malygos with her apathy toward the world only growing. Though the Dragonsworn tried to comfort her their efforts were in vain. Leon Rosette tried to engage her in another way, angering her and driving her to attack him in an attempt to make her fight... for anything. This worked too well and nearly saw the end of the Paladin at the hands of the blue drake.

Leon is expected to recover. Probably.

What will happen next week? Attend and find out: Saturday at 8pm!

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council,Wyrmhearth Tavern

Sapphire Fury Pt. 13: Assault on the Nexus

2010-08-26T01:01:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on July 27th, 2010.

At the beginning of March the DSC began it's Nexus War storyline. On Wed, July 21st that story came to it's final climax as the armies of the Red Dragonflight, the Kirin Tor, and the Dragonsworn Council launched an all out assault on the Nexus in an effort to bring down Malygos the Spell-Weaver.

Assembling at Amber Ledge the Dragonsworn Council were given their mission briefing by Matron Rublestrasza before setting out to Coldara. Bringing the Spell-Loom that Lexix had taken from Nilligos during the Siege of Wyrmrest Temple the Dragonsworn used the powerful artificat to disrupt the arcane ley lines and denied Malygos their use in the battle. While the forces of the Red Dragonflight and the Kirin Tor distracted the armies of the Blue Dragonflight the Dragonsworn confronted Malygos in a final epic battle where the death knight Lexix brought the Spell-Weaver down at last.

The Nexus War is over.

Thanks go out to everyone who attended who helped make the adventure so memorable: Exziber, Kylatriorna, Lexix (Dragon-Bane!), Ogumel, and Rublestrasza.

However the legacy of the Nexus War lingers on. Will the Blue Dragonflight be able to rebuild and resume their proper duties as given by the Titans? What will be the ultimate fate of Nilligos the Warden who is now in Dragonsworn custody? And will Ishuzugosa ever find peace?

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Sapphire Fury Pt. 12: The Siege of Wyrmrest

2010-08-25T01:01:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on July 15th, 2010.

Last night the fury of the Spell-Loom was unleashed! Nilligos the Warden led a vast army of the Blue Dragonflight against Wyrmrest Temple itself in an effort to break the Wyrmrest Accord in a single blow and leave the Kirin Tor standing alone in the Nexus War.

Nilligos used the Spell-Loom to redirect the arcane energies of the Azure Dragonshrine against the Life-Binder. Alexstrasza managed to call up a magical shield to protect the Temple from complete destruction, but it took all her power to do so and she could not hold out long. At the same time the Blue Army engaged the forces of the Wyrmrest Accord, who found themselves leaderless, as Korialsrasz was forced to stay focused on his threatened Queen.

In this darkest hour the Dragonsworn Council flew into the battle, their new enchanted battle banner flying in the wind. As the armies clashed the Dragonsworn were able to hit the Azure Dragonshrine from the flank. Battling through Nilligos' personal guard, they finally reached the elder wyrm himself just as the Temple's shields collapsed and the Life-Binder's powers failed, leaving her at the mercy of the Spell-Loom's power.

Considering the Dragonsworn beneath his notice Nilligos froze them in place using the Spell-Loom and then flew to the Temple to take capture of kill the Life-Binder. Chasing after the elder wyrm the Dragonsworn arrived at Wyrmrest Temple to find it's defenders spent and lying helpless against Nilligos' judgment.

But even the mightiest among the great powers can be brought low by the smallest among us.

Striking as Nilligos was distracted the gnomish death knight Lexix death gripped the Spell-Loom out of the dragon's hands and into her own... turning the Spell-Loom against it's master!

Even with the artifact's power on the side of the Council the battle was long and difficult and nearly destroyed the entire core of the Dragonsworn. None of the defenders escaped unscathed and many were gravely injured, including Matron Rublestrasza.

The battle came down to each breath... any moment could bring victory or defeat... and even the fates could not know the outcome of this epic confrontation.

Finally the powers of the Spell-Loom, the rallying magics of the Dragonsworn Banner, and the sheer stubborness of the Council prevailed forcing Nilligos to try to retreat... only to be brought down at last as he fled.

Rather than face execution Nilligos surrendered himself into the custody of the Dragonsworn. Being bound to his gnomish form by Korialstrasz, Nilligos is now in Dragonsworn custody. After a year and a half the Siege of Wyrmrest Temple is over at long last!

However, despite this monumental victory the Nexus War is not won. For waiting in the Nexus is Malygos himself. Until he is defeated the Dragonsworn cannot know peace.

Meanwhile... what will become of Nilligos and Ishuzugosa as those who keep them move against the Aspect of Magic himself? The Nexus War storyline comes to a final end next week! Hope to see you there!

Thanks to all those who attended this week and made this event so epic: Exziber, Lexix, Kylartriona, Ogumel, Rublestrasza, Steelshatter, and Wayhelm.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Sapphire Fury Pt. 11

2010-08-24T01:01:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on June 12th, 2010 as the intro to the penultimate adventure in our Nexus War storyline.

Korialstrasz surveyed the battlefield from the top of Wyrmrest Temple just as he did every day since the siege of Wyrmrest Temple had begun months ago. The blue assault seemed weaker than usual... were they running out of drakes to throw against the Accord at long last?

Tragic but it offered an opportunity.

"It is time we take the Sapphire Dragonshrine! Press the attack!" Korialstrasz bellowed to his draconic army.
The red drakes and elder wyrms were no longer merely in a defensive posture, but instead leaped forward to the attack. Korialstrasz watched with both sadness and satisfaction as the blues seemed to melt away, the survivors falling back even as the reds pushed forward.

Suddenly Korialstrasz felt the hairs on the back of his shape-shifted form stand up on end. Something was wrong... then he spotted it, a very large, blue scaled wyrm and from it Korialstrasz sensed... the Spell-Loom!

"Titan's preserve uss... it'ss a trap!" Korialstrasz cried out.

The air of Dragonblight cackled with arcane power as the blue wyrm Nilligos seemed to suck in the magic pouring from the Sapphire Dragonshrine directly by using the Spell-Loom, drinking it in... and then unleashing it on the helpless reds.
"Fall back!" Korialstrasz screamed but it was already too late. Scores of red dragons and wyrms were falling from the air as Nilligos unleashed the full fury of the Spell-Loom.

Even as a few stragglers made it back to the Temple Korialstrasz knew they no longer had the numbers to hold the Temple even without taking into account the Spell-Loom's awesome power.

Then the sound of multiple portals ripping holes in the fabric of reality could be heard. As Korialstrasz looked on in horror blue dragons of all types began filling the skies of the Dragonblight in numbers unheard of. This must be at least half the forces guarding Coldara Korialstrasz realized as with a sinking heart he knew Malygos was going all-in with this assault.

Korialstrasz turned, already trying to think of a way to force his Queen and consort Alexstrasza to flee... while she still could.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Wyrmhearth Tavern happenings.

2010-08-23T01:05:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on July 11th, 2010.

A eventful evening could be found at the Wyrmhearth Tavern last night. A seemingly constant stream of people came and went while the Dragonsworn Council itself had a strong presence with both new memembers and long-time members who had lately returned attending.

New member Exziber, the sometimes night elven druid, sometimes shape-shifted ogre signed up to become the Wyrmhearth's new bouncer. Meanwhile the orb of the black dragonflight was brought by Jaara and given over to Dragonsworn custody. The orb's previous owner is expected to make a full recovery from it's corrupting influence.

The missing druid Mavenore, often a decoration of the Wyrmhearth's mantle in kitty form, made his return, having escaped the clutches of the troll priest that had been holding him for some weeks.

The big news of the night however was the return of Archmage Vargoth's staff which had been stolen last week from the Dragonsworn's vault below the Wyrmhearth. The thief, a dwarven woman named Hildwyn, returned the staff after it kept... talking to her. Apparently the staff is quite annoying. After a stern speech from Matron Rublestrasza Hildwyn understood the seriousness of her mistake and it's negative effect on the Nexus War in the north. The imprisoned Arch-Mage Vargoth continues to be the Dragonsworn's only contact within the Nexus. Hildwyn is currently indentured to the Wyrmhearth Tavern as her punishment.

The night wrapped up with an injured woman arriving in the need of healing, and a heated arguement between a Paladin of the Scarlet Crusade and the Argent Crusade. Hope versus cynisism? Light versus a bloody grey?

As always anything can happen at the Wyrmhearth and often does! We hope to see YOU next Saturday at 8pm.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council,Wyrmhearth Tavern

The Ruby Dragonshrine is liberated!

2010-08-22T01:01:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on July 11th, 2010.

One and a half years ago the sacred Ruby Dragonshrine located near Wyrmrest Temple in Dragonblight was occupied by the souless minions of the Scourge. There they used their fel necromatic magics to raise emberwyrms from the fallen of the Red Dragonflight.

This could not be allowed to stand.

Last Wednesday the Dragonsworn Council assembled at the gates of Wyrmrest Temple and set out into occupied territory to find the Ruby's Heart. Once the center of the Ruby Dragonshrine it had been corrupted by the Scourge. Restoring it would open the way to a massive aerial assault by the Red Dragonflight.. and the liberation of the Ruby Dragonshrine.

Fighting their way through geists, abomonations, necromancers, and the death knight Orbaz Bloodbane the Dragonsworn were able to cleanse the Ruby Heart and call forth the wrath of the Red Dragonflight... the Ruby Dragonshrine has been liberated!

The following Dragonsworn have the thanks of not only Matron Rublestrasza but of Alexstrasza the Life-Binder herself: Exziber, Leonrosette, Lexix, Rublestrasza, Sark, and Turk. Aiding the Dragonsworn were Jaara and Perianna, the later of which joined the Dragonsworn at the end of the adventure. Thanks to everyone who attended and made the event so much fun! And extra thanks to Turkmuzan who GM'ed the adventure this week!

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Foiled!

2010-08-21T01:10:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on June 23rd, 2010.

A secret meeting transpired between Nilligos the Warden and Ishuzu, sometimes known as Ishuzugosa. His attempt to bring her back into the fold of the Blue Dragonflight found an unsuspected snag when he discovered that Ruby's previous attempt to convince Ishuzu that mortals weren't so bad only convinced her instead that dragons were just as guilty!

Sometimes even failure can lead to success it seems. However though defeated in this attempt to gain an edge agains the Dragonsworn Nilligos still has possession of the Spell-Loom and some sort of offensive is expected soon.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Supply Run

2010-08-21T01:05:00.001-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on June 23rd, 2010.

Dragonsworn supplies that were being stored in the Wyrmhearth have recently gone missing! Hatchling Sark led the investigation which led to a cave in Loch Modan guarded by Dark Iron Dwarves! He summoned the help of Ishuzu, Turk Muzan, and Rublestrasza and together the Dragonsworn confronted the Dark Irons and uncovered the master they were hired out to.. a blue drake!

After a tough battle the Dragonsworn managed to slay the Dark Irons and the Blue Drake and recaptured the supplies.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Sapphire Fury Pt. 10

2010-08-20T01:05:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on June 11, 2010 and written by Turkmuzan the official loremaster of the Dragonsworn Council.

Yet another entry in “Chronicling the Dragonsworn Council For Mortals – Korialstrasz” is written:

June 10th, in the King’s Year 625

Entry Chronicling Activities of the Dragonsworn Council, currently led by Ruby Astherion.

The Dragonsworn have recovered their matron. We are all pleased to hear of the dedication and loyalty the Dragonsworn have shown to one of our own flight. However, they have lost sight of their greatest prize: the Spell Loom.

The Dragonsworn began in their guild hall. Assembled were Anthus Steelshatter, Sark Black, Moralynn Reid, Lexix Extinction, Biorn Wildbraid, Rhune Astherion, and Turk Muzan. Upon leaving their guild hall, the dragonsworn returned to the mouth of Blackrock Mountain, and spotted some fresh wagon tracks heading to the north. Following the tracks, the dragonsworn came upon a sundry-laden wagon driven by a goblin and stuck with a broken wheel. They decided to help the goblin repair his wheel in exchange for some information regarding his destination. In fact, he was fulfilling a delivery to Garren Flametongue.

The goblin was persuaded to allow several of the party to masquerade as his guard as he delivered the supplies to the camp to ascertain whether Ruby was in the camp. Rhune, Anthus, Sark, and Lexix were unknown to Garren, so they were the members who accompanied the Goblin. The signal was given to the others, who were hiding on a nearby rise when Ruby was located, and she was in a feral state. In the camp were Garren, a priest, and two iron golems. The party was unable to acquire Ruby from Garren at any price. Garren and his companions were suspicious of the guards, and on the arrival of the rest of the party, the Flametongue began the attack.

The golems were first to fall, and Garren was seriously injured by Biorn, Sark, and Anthus. Anthus was able to pick the lock on the cage holding Ruby, and she was too emaciated to flee. Lexix and Turk kept the priest at bay, but Garren went into the cage with Ruby, holding a knife to her and shielding himself with her body. Unable to negotiate Garren's surrender, the party seemed at a standstill. Turk failed to offer himself in exchange for Ruby, and no attack could be pressed because of the danger to Ruby. At that point, the Druid Mavenore showed up and roared mightily at Garren, startling him into dropping Ruby and fleeing. Mora healed Ruby enough to bring her to some semblance of awareness, and seeing the situation, she attacked Garren and tore his throat out. The priest fled, and was able to escape. She was not pursued.

The party then took Ruby back to the Wyrmhearth, and she was able to recover a little that evening when presented with familiar things.

The Spell Loom is still at large. I am certain that by now, Nilligos has it in his possession. Whatever he is planning, it is very troubling.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Sapphire Fury Pt. 9

2010-08-19T01:05:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on June 4th, 2010 and written by Turkmuzan the official loremaster of the Dragonsworn Council.

You find another entry in “Chronicling the Dragonsworn Council For Mortals– Korialstrasz” penned by the Life-Binders Majordomo as follows:

June 4th, in the King’s Year 625

Entry Chronicling Activities of the Dragonsworn Council, currently led by Ruby Astherion.

Paladin Muzan's report gave us relief. In short, the dragonsworn think they have found the area where Ruby Astherion is being held and are currently planning an assault on the Dark Iron dwarves led by Garren Flametongue.

Rhune Astherion, Ruby's adoptive human father, was able to uncover information that led the dragonsworn to the depths of the mountain, to the Grim Guzzler tavern. After questioning some of the staff, the mortals were able to ascertain Ruby's location. They obtained this information from a goblin named Ribbly they bribed in Blackrock Mountain.

Disturbingly, Turk mentioned that he tried to "... judge Ribbly for his crimes, but [his] companions overwhelmed and detained [Turk]." Present in the effort were Rhune, Lexix, Biorn, Moralynn, and Turk, and all of the other four "...made efforts to curtail [his] just and holy pursuit of retribution." To avoid confusion, let it be known that violence against cooperative or uncooperative informants is not condoned by us. Paladin Muzan will also hear this from me directly when I pen my response to his report. Biorn, as acting leader, is going to be instructed to take disciplinary action as well. We will not allow such acts to be carried out in our name.

We are interested to see of what these dragonsworn are made, now that they are on the line for such an important task.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Sapphire Fury Interlude III

2010-08-18T01:12:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on May 28th, 2010 and written by the typist of Anthus Steelshatter the beloved of Rublestrasza.

"My poor Ruby..."

The rogue sat in his apartment, amidst the dust and memories. Holding his Runestone in his hands, he fiddled with it for minutes at a time.

"Your sire failed you, my dear. I should have been there... I could have defended you." He puts his head in one hand, speaking into his private connection to her. He wasn't expecting any response... but he hoped she'd hear his voice. "You know I'm coming for you, Ruby. I'll save you."

He rises to his feet, attaching the Runestone to the collar of his shirt. Slipping on his breastplate and spaulders, he snatches his daggers from the table.

"Now to find you."

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council,Rublestrasza,Ruby Astherion,Anthus Steelshatter

Sapphire Fury Pt. 8

2010-08-18T01:01:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on May 28th, 2010 and written by Turkmuzan the official loremaster of the Dragonsworn Council.

After a week, the latest entry in “Chronicling the Dragonsworn Council For Mortals– Korialstrasz” is penned by the Life-Binders Majordomo as follows:

May 28th, in the King’s Year 625

Entry Chronicling Activities of the Dragonsworn Council, currently led by Ruby Astherion.

We are disappointed with the lack of progress the dragonsworn have made in recovering the Spell-Loom, and the implications that arise from its ownership by Nilligos. We are also growing worried for the safety of Ruby Astherion, since no progress has been made in the effort to recover her as well. As the sun sets each day, the likelihood of her safe recovery wanes. If this continues, at some point we will have to direct the dragonsworn to halt the search. However, as events in the Nexus war proceed through them, their efforts are best left to their choosing.

On a side note, this report came much more coherent, if detached and entirely factual. Paladin Muzan seems to have regained his composure, and he apologized in this report for the state of his previous correspondence. Not surprisingly, Rhune Astherion has joined Ruby's dragonsworn and is lending his power to the search for Ruby.

We are quite interested to see how this unfolds, as the Bronze remains silent, as usual, on the subject.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Sapphire Fury Interlude II

2010-08-17T01:05:00.000-07:00

Vereesa Windrunner,

I must hereby take a leave of absence from the Kirin Tor and the Silver Covenant for the foreseeable future. I will be joining the Dragonsworn Council in their efforts to rescue *scratched out* Ruby */scratched out* Matron Rublestrasza from the talons of the Blue Dragonflight.

I am sorry for the short notice but my efforts on their behalf will only strengthen our alliance with the Red Dragonflight.
If I survive this war intact I will of course take any punishment you deem proper.

-Rhune Astherion

Rhune rolled up the parchment and handed it to a Kirin Tor apprentice who would deliver it to it's final destination. He would already be gone from Dalaran by the time it did.

"I have lost enough recently. I will lose nothing else. I will have my dragon back."

And with that Rhune Astherion called upon the surrounding ley lines and was gone... teleported to Iron Forge... and beyond... Wyrmhearth Tavern.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council,Rhune Astherion

Sapphire Fury Interlude I

2010-08-16T01:03:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on May 22nd, 2010

Reward Doubled for the Fugitive Amarestine the Traitor!

The Matron of the Dragonsworn Council has been taken by mercenaries working for the Blue Dragonflight. The only lead to her whereabouts is the woman who brokered the deal between the forces of Malygos and the Dark Iron mercenaries... the freelancer rogue Amarestine!

As a consequence the reward for Amarestine's capture is now doubled if Matron Rublestrasza is returned alive to us as a consequence of the rogue's capture.

*a finely rendered drawing of Amarestine is included... finally*

The Dragonsworn Council can be contacted at Wyrmhearth Tavern in Thelsamar, Loch Modan.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Sentinels server,Role-Playing,Dragonsworn Council,Amarestine,Rublestrasza,Ruby Astherion

Sapphire Fury Pt. 7

2010-08-15T01:05:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on May 21st, 2010 and written by Turkmuzan the official loremaster of the Dragonsworn Council.

You begin to read the latest entry from the journal entitled “Chronicling the Dragonsworn Council For Mortals– Korialstrasz”:

May 20th, in the King’s Year 625

Entry Chronicling Activities of the Dragonsworn Council, currently led by Ruby Astherion
The latest report has arrived, penned in an unfamiliar hand, and signed by an unfamiliar name. Ruby had informed me of this change to her council, so I read Paladin Turk Muzan’s report on the latest developments in their prosecution of the Nexus War. The current state troubles me greatly, and I fear for Ruby’s safety. Yet that also pales in light of the development that Nilligos is likely to have acquired the Spell-Loom. Turk’s report seems disjoint and is at times nearly incomprehensible, but this is what I have gathered:

Ruby has announced a bounty on a human female by the name of Amarestine, whom she wished to interrogate. Moralynn Reid has been promoted to a rank of “Elder,” which gives her some measure of responsibility to the dragonsworn. She has been given the responsibility to keep the tavern/guildhall of the dragonsworn running. Biorn has also been promoted, and has been given charge of combat. Turk Muzan has been given the title Loremaster, and is charged to pen and deliver reports of the dragonsworn’s actions. All of these decisions were made known to us prior to their announcement. No objections were noted.

Ruby tasked the dragonsworn to permanently close the portal the Blues were opening on the island in Stone Cairn Lake. The clear intent of this portal was to transport a sizeable army of dragonkin and blue dragonsworn held in the thrall of Malygos, and “rescind the gifts of the arcane from the mortals,” according to Nilligos (through Turk). Ruby was summoned to Aerie Peak for an urgent meeting, and she left the assault on the island to the remaining dragonsworn. Present were Biorn, Moralynn, Lexix, and Turk.

A battle was fought on the island, and the drakonid summoner attempting to open the portal was slain, closing the portal. Next, they began to engage Nilligos, who was harrying the party through the attack on the summoner. They were certainly undermanned for the encounter with an elder Blue, but they fought bravely until they heard Ruby’s distress through their Wyrmstones (note that these stones are carried by all of Ruby’s dragonsworn and enable them to communicate verbally over great distances). Upon hearing this, Nilligos taunted the party, calling their efforts a waste of time, and ultimately Biorn called a retreat from Nilligos in order to assist their besieged Matron. It is unclear whether the closure is permanent, but at minimum, they have delayed the army’s invasion. The mission was probably a success, but our Bronzes would tell us that it is always too early to know anything until it happens. Lexix bravely volunteered to remain behind and distract Nilligos to delay his arrival at Aerie Peak; an act for which she should be commended. The remainder of the party went to the Hinterlands to assist the defense of the Spell-Loom.

Upon their arrival, it became clear fairly quickly that the battle was over. They were joined by the mage Ishuzu, who also heard Ruby’s distress and came to help. The dwarves guarding the keep were found slain, except one who indicated that the assault originated from underground. The party descended into the keep, and found out that a group of Dark Iron Dwarves had assaulted it and taken the Spell-Loom. Much to their dismay, the party found no sign of Ruby, save her monocle. We remain hopeful that she is alive, and we will get to see her again. During a search of the heart of the keep, where the dwarves and Ruby made their last stand, the party was attacked by a new team of Dark Iron Dwarves. From the report, Turk writes that

“Four were purged by the Light, and the Flametongue clan’s fate is sealed. They shall all be brought to Justice at my hand. One named Garren fled back underground, where the Light’s Retribution could not reach him. I beg your forgiveness for my failure; I will not let him survive our next encounter.”

The dragonsworn were able to capture and interrogate one of the Flametongue, presumably the fourth, who gave them the name of Amarestine as the one who brokered the deal to hire them to kidnap Ruby and steal the Spell-Loom. It would appear that after giving this information, Turk slew the dwarf. For one sworn in service to the Life-Binder, this worries us. “I was able to cleanse the soldier after he gave this information,” he wrote, “and we begin with renewed vigor our search for Amarestine. I will paint the halls of the Wyrmhearth with her blood for what she has done.” That last sentence he had scratched out, but I was able to decipher it. As I said, we are worried about him. It is curious that Ruby chose Turk for her Loremaster.

Above all we worry for Ruby’s safety and the safety of all mortals. This development is troublesome. We will send word to Biorn, acting as leader in Ruby’s absence, if we can assist.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Sapphire Fury Pt. 6

2010-08-14T01:06:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on May 19th, 2010 (it was late).

On the night of April 28th the Wyrmrest Accord intercepted a message from Coldara to Blue Dragonflight forces in Azshara to be on the lookout for an escaped prisoner of great importance in their area. The Dragonsworn Council was dispatched to Azshara to retrieve the escapee before the Blue's could recapture him.

Undergoing this dangerous assignment were the following Dragonsworn: Amikaria, Biorn, Dagin, Leonrosette, Lexix, Turkmuzan, and Rublestrasza.
A search through the forests and ancient ruins of the area did indeed turn up the escaped prisoner, an apprentice mage of the Kirn Tor, but it also turned up a deadly Chimaera that had decided to make the mage his dinner!

The Chimaera was chased off, but during the return trip the Dragonsworn were ambushed by a Blue Dragonkin search party. The Dragonsworn Council were caught in the open while the Dragonkin were hidden in the woods and we took a great deal of damage during the opening of the battle. To make matters worse the Chimaera returned to sow chaos and snapped up the Matron of the Dragonsworn herself in an effort to get a free meal!

Yeah... that means me.

It wasn't pleasant.

At all.

So there I was clutched in the claws of the Chimaera. What did our brave and fearless Leon Rosette do? He threw his shield at the beast... but unfortunately his aim was less than true and he hit me in the face!

I'm still bruised. Sometimes I think mortal form isn't worth the trouble.
Biorn and the escaped prisoner hid behind the roots of an ancient tree... he seemed to think they would provide some cover but the Dragonkin seemed to disagree on that theory... their withering fire of arcane missles proved to be too much for such weak cover. At that point Biorn decided the best defense was a good offense... well... more a straight up bear charge.

Our new shaman Amikara kept us from faltering, her healing energies restoring us somewhat, but even Amikara was hard pressed to keep us up against so many enemies.

Lexix, our gnomish death knight was punted... literally punted... by a Dragonkin. You never think it will happen to you... till it does. You should have seen the look on her face when she went sailing by.

Dagin tried to bring the Chimaera down but the beast avoided the attack and used the only projectile it had at hand to return fire... ME! I went tumbling into Dagin and we were both knocked down and winded.

Finally our superior numbers and the healing powers of Amikara began to tell and the tide slowly began to turn. Lexix gained her revenge by downing one Dragonkin, while Leon slew the other. Biorn managed to slay their leader, a dragonspawn mageweaver. Finally the Chimaera could take no more against the combined might of the

Dragonsworn Council and was taking down by a killing blow by Dagin.
Returning to the Wyrmhearth after the battle we discovered that the apprentie's master, Archmage Vargoth, was still in the hands of the Blue Dragonflight, imprisoned deep within the Nexus. An enchanted staff the apprentice was carrying would allow us to communicate with him... if we could manage to find a way to power it.

I think the intelligence Archmage Vargoth has of the Nexus could be invaluable. The Dragonsworn will be pursuing this lead with vigor.

More reports as events warrant.

-Rublestrasza, Matron of the Dragonsworn.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Sapphire Fury Pt. 5

2010-08-13T01:02:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on May 19th, 2010 (it was late).

On the night of April 14th a daring commando raid by the Dragonsworn Council liberated Azora Tower from the blue magus Nerath, capturing the mage in the process! Not only has this robbed Nilligos of his second-in-command, it may very well lead us to discovering just what it is the Spell-Loom is capable of if the mage can be "convinced" to part with the information.

Valiantly taking part in the battle were: Amikaria, Biorn, Dagin, Indii, Leonrosette, Moralynn, and Turkmuzan. The Wyrmrest Accord should thank each of them for their heroic efforts in the Nexus War.

Even as the Dragonsworn Council interrogated it's new prisoner the forces of Nilligos launched an all out assault on the Wyrmhearth to break that prisoner out! As the Battle of Wyrmhearth raged outside the freelance spy known as Amarestine used the distraction to free the prisoner herself. Caught between the blue dragonflight forces on one flank and Amarestine and the mage known as Nerath on the other, the battle was almost lost!

The Dragonsworn managed to rally at the last moment (not to mention get really lucky) and slay Nerath just as he was on the verge of escape, sending the forces of Nilligos into full retreat. Amarestine is currently on the run and wanted by the Dragonsworn Council.

The following valiant Dragonsworn took part in the Battle of Wyrmehearth: Amikaria, Biorn, Dagin, Dubb, Indii, Lexix, Moralynn, and Turkmuzan.

Repairs to the Wyrmhearth Tavern are underway. Unfortunately our resident engineer has gone missing and new security measures are not in place. We have begun a search for our missing Elliat.

-Rublestrasza, Matron of the Dragonsworn Council.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Sapphire Fury Pt. 4

2010-08-12T01:05:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on May 19th, 2010 (it was late).

Korialstrasz,

I apologize for the lack of reports of late. Nilligos has harried us quite well and I have much to catch you up on.

On the night of April 2nd a council of war was held at the Wyrmhearth Tavern and it was decided the powerful Spell-Loom must be taken to Aerie Peak as the nearly insurmountable defenses of the fortress will help to keep it out of the Blue Dragonflight's hands while we begin to unlock the artifact's secrets and discover a way to defeat Nilligos the Warden.

The Dragonsworn sent a strong protective escort to keep the Spell-Loom safe while in transit: Biorn, Elliat, Indii, Leonrosette, Lyryll, Moralynn, Turkmuzan, and Rublestrasza.

As the Dragonsworn flew on gryphon back toward Aerie Peak they were intercepted by a group of blue dragons led by an elder wrym. A fierce battle ensued and the Dragonsworn were shot down one by one. A long game of cat and mouse through the forests and fields of Hillsbrad ensued until finally the blue drakes trapped the Dragonsworn in the final pass to Aerie Peak itself! The Dragonsworn's valiant stand there killed or forced the remaining dragons to retreat and the Spell-Loom was finally secured in the Wildhammer fortress.

We believe this had bought us time but we also knew that Nilligos would not have given up.

-Rublestrasza, Matron of the Dragonsworn Council.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Sapphire Fury Pt. 3

2010-08-11T01:06:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on March 30th, 2010.

Korialstrasz,

I hope you and her Majesty are well and that the war in the north is not taxing you both too much. The war here in the south is beginning to heat up and much has happened here so I will get straight to my report.

The Dragonsworn Council gathered at Westbrooke Garrion in Elwynn Forest to plan our search for the elder wyrm Nilligos. Promotions were given to Ellliat Shortfuse and Leon Rosette to full dragonsworn and then we settled down to go over intelligence given by SI: 7.

Before we got far however the Garrison came under attack by a platoon of blue dragonkin and mage hunters in the service of Nilligos... the Battle of Westbrooke had begun!

Standing at my side were Dragonsworn Council members Anthus, Biorn, Elliat, and Leon. However facing us was one drakonoid, four dragonspawn, and five mage hunters! The battle looked grim as the dragonkin hit us hard, gravely wounding Biorn and Leon, and Anthus was flung into a tree! Meanwhile the Mage Hunters mercilessly hit us from afar with their spells. I was knocked unconcious during the battle, my wing being nearly broken.

The Dragonsworn Council was about to be broken right then and there...

That is until Indii arrived to reinforce us, hitting the blues from the rear with her area-of-effect spells. Her spells helped bring down the Mage Hunters and Biorn beheaded a dragonspawn. The Drakonoid still had us on the run however until Elliat threw a bowl of her special chilli which splattered all over it's head! Some of the chilli got into it's nostrils and mouth causing it to scream in agony. It ran toward Mirror Lake and we found it drowned there later, apparently it's need for water to douse the chilli rendering it mad.

One Dragonspawn escaped and we chased it in pursuit though Anthus had to carry me such was my wounds. We pursued it to Fargodeep Mine where we found a large group of Snobolds mining a strange blue crystal that practically hummed with magic according to Anthus. Such was it's draw to the mage that I was told it was hard to pull him away.

The snobolds attacked using their mining equipment in the attack. Their numbers were enough on their own to give us a dangerous challenge, there were 10 snobolds in all, but the crane claw and mining digger only made things even more dangerous for us.

I do not think we would have emerged from those mines if Moralynn hadn't found us and lent her healing magics, reinvigorating the group. This helped to turn the tide though it was a very near thing indeed.

Pressing on we emerged from the Fargodeep Mine through a long passage and found ourselves outside the entrance of Jasperlode Mine! We had travelled underneath the breadth of Elwynn Forest!

We hid as overhead we heard the flapping of wings and the roar of a dragon. In the distance we could hear the rough voices of dragonkin. We had found Nilligos' base in Elwynn Forest. Our wounds were too great however to press on. We took the intel we had gained and we withdrew to prepare our assault.

Now I have called a council of war to make use of the information we have gathered. We must decide how best to take on Nilligos and to protect the Spell-Loom.

More reports as events warrant.

-Rublestrasza, Matron of the Dragonsworn Council.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Sapphire Fury Pt. 2

2010-08-10T01:07:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on March 22d, 2010.

Korialstrasz,

The Dragonsworn Council has completed it's second mission for the Accord: an expedition to recover a powerful magical artifact called the Spell-Loom which may be instrumental in ending the Nexus War. On behalf of our allies in the Kirin Tor we penetrated the defenses of the warlock coven that operates out of the Slaughtered Lamb tavern in Stormwind. The leader of the coven was killed and most of it's members fled from our attack. Dostya "Gun Bunny" stayed behind to guard our exit. With the coven defeated we decended into the crypts beneath the city.

There we encountered an animated stone face in the wall that spoke to us... apparently it was some kind of ancient alarm system that no longer had a purpose. The poor thing was lonely and when Temlin offered to keep it company once a week it told our operatives what it knew about the crypts defenses.
Deeper into the crypts they found a mana wyrm in a room filled lit by blue torches. At first it seemed friendly until the mages Anthus and Temlin got too close to it. Then it tried to drain the magic from them! Luckily Tilby from the Bronze Wing managed to trap it in his... hat.

He still has the mana wyrm. Maybe it will come in handy one day.
Then Lyryll discovered that one of the torches was a sort of switch and when turned the torches turned red in color. At first our operatives thought they were in immient danger but nothing seemed to happen.

Moving on they accidently triggered a trap, even with the warnings of the animated stone face who had told them of it ahead of time. Leon Rosette found himself paralyized by a beam of light that came from the ceiling... his energy slowly being drained from him. Turk tried to save him but got caught in the beam himself and became ensared as well. Tilby was able to walk through the beam unharmed, perhaps because of the mana wyrm or perhaps just because he isn't... techically... alive. Temlin got caught as well before Lryrll came up with a creative solution with a coffin lid that allowed them to push everyone through.

They found themselves with a choice then. To their left was a stairway down but the way was blocked by some sort of purple mana shield. Straight ahead of them was another passage. Tilby went straight for the mana shield and passed through it unharmed. Unfortunately the barrier prevented the passage of anyone else and they found they could now neither see nor hear Tilby.

Tilby found himself facing a warlock and a voidwalker. Though he was able to dispatch the warlock the void walker seemed beyond his abilities. Tilby was left to face it alone.
Meanwhile unable to pass through the mana shield the others continued down the second passage. There they found an imp. At first it seemed they could negotiate with it but diplomacy soon broke down. It attacked and called upon a swarm of flame puppets from the next room.

With Tilby nearly overwhelmed by the void walker and the main group under assault by the imp and it's minions the outcome was very much in doubt.

Lryrll and Temlin kept the fire puppets back, Moralynn used her healing energies to keep the party alive, and Leon and Turk killed the imp by decapating it. With the imp's death the fire puppets dissolved and the battle was over. In the room beyond the imp's they found another room lit by strange torches... red. One of these was a switch as well and upon turning it the fires turned purple.

Turning back to the stairway they found the mana shield gone. It would seem blue torches plus red torches mean a deactivated purple mana shield.
They also found Tilby running hurriedly back to their position with a VERY powerful Void Walker hot his his heels.

Leon, Turk, and Lryrll moved to engage the demon in close quarters while Moralynn attempted to keep them invigorated once again and Temlin hit it at range. Leon was wounded in the battle and Turk was grabbed by the demon and used as a living shield.
It was at this point Turk was wounded by his overzealous companions.

And wounded again.

And again.

Eventually, though perhaps not soon enough in Turk's opinion, they managed to strike a blow against the eyes of the void walker forcing it to drop Turk on the ground after which they were finally able to dispatch the demon.

Returning to the room the void walker was guarding they discovered the Spell-Loom waiting for them. It too was guarded by a mana shield but with his mana wyrm companion Tilby had no trouble passing through unharmed and retrieving it.

Making their way our of the crypts and the Slaughtered Lamb they tended to their wounds. Tilby refused to give the Spell-Loom over to Nillian Fizzlefury, the Kirin Tor represenative who accompanied them on the mission, and Nillian grew angry. Transforming into an elder blue dragon he attempted to take the Spell-Loom by force.
It would seem that Nillian Fizzlefury is actually Nilligos the Warden, a very powerful dragon in the service of the Blue Dragonflight. Yes, we almost delivered the magical artifact that might end this war... right into the enemies hands!

Luckily he wasn't ready to take on our entire force and was forced to flee in the direction of Elwynn Forest. We had managed to retain possession of the Spell-Loom but we have no idea what it does or how to use it. However I refuse to trust it to the Kirin Tor as they were so easily fooled by Nilligos.

We shall have to discover Nilligos' plan and just what the Spell-Loom is on our own. To that end I am putting together a mission in an attempt to track Nilligos down.
May the Life-Binder bless our efforts.

-Rublestrasza, Matron of the Dragonsworn Council

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Sapphire Fury Pt. 1

2010-08-08T02:05:00.000-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on March 10th, 2010.

Dear Matron Rublestrasza of the Dragonsworn Council,

As the Nexus War begins to turn in our favor and the forces of Malygos begin to falter we must look toward dealing with the Aspect of Magic himself. In his own domain he is nearly invulnerable however as he has altered the world's ley lines to converge upon the Nexus giving access to immense power even in comparison to what he would usually be capable of.

The Kirin Tor/Wyrmrest Accord alliance must nullify this advantage before we can continue.
Deep in the tombs of Stormwind lies the resting place of Nielas Aran, once the court conjurer for Stormwind and the father of Medivh. Entombed with him is the Spell Loom, a magical amulet of ancient origin that once beloned to the High Elves. We believe this amulet's unique properties will help us bring the war against Malygos the Spell-Weaver to a close.

Such a powerful artifact is not unguarded however. Be wary.

-Nillian Fizzlefury, Magus of the Kirin Tor.

Ruby relaxed against the back of her chair and pondered a moment, her brow winkled in thought. Then she turned and exclaimed: "Anny! Gather the family! Our allies need our help The Dragonsworn Council is on the move!"

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council

Prepare for the Sapphire Fury…

2010-08-08T01:01:00.000-07:00

From the beginning of March till the end of June I ran the Sapphire Fury storyline for my guild the Dragonsworn Council. Consisting of GM’ed adventures and more conversational RP during the interludes between those adventures. It has been an epic storyline that spanned from humble beginnings at the Slaughtered Lamb Tavern in Stormwind and reached all the way to the Nexus and an epic confrontation with the Aspect of magic himself: Malygos the Spell-Weaver!

There were of course journals kept of this storyline as it progressed.
First by myself and then later on by Turk Muzan who is the official lorekeeper of the Dragonsworn Council.

Originally posted to the DSC forums these fictional accounts will now be posted to DragonWhimsy.net as well. One post a day until the storyline is completed.

I hope you enjoy!

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Dragonsworn Council,Sapphire Fury

A Matron’s Journal Pt. 2: Distractions

2010-08-07T01:01:00.000-07:00

Originally posted on the DSC website on May 20th, 2010.

Rublestrasza, Matron of the Dragonsworn Council, sat in her office in the basement of the Wyrmhearth Tavern, a table covered in reports and requisition forms. "Office" being a grand term for a currently unoccupied guest room.

"Why do mortalss make everything sso complicated? Parchment, parchment, parchment! Nothing but parchment!" Ruby sighed to herself. "I thought when the Life-Binder gave me thiss job I'd jusst tell people what to do and they'd do it. Humph!"

Ruby could smell the Hot Dragon Wings cooking in the kitchen upstairs and knew Mora had begun the business of getting the Wyrmhearth ready for Saturday. Such a blessing that Mora had volunteered to take the reigns of the Wyrmhearth so Ruby could concentrate on her duties as Matron.

Oh how she longed to go upstairs and stick her nose in everything though! Hear the latest gossip of Dragonsworn members and Wyrmhearth guests alike. Help solve their problems, because Life-Binder help them... they NEEDED her.

Only natural of course. For mortals to need guidance of a dragon. The natural order really.

No, no, no... that would have to wait. Parchment first. Then later tonight she could head upstairs... as a guest... and make sure everyone was alright. Relax after a hard day's work.

And maybe ask if Mora had any Strawberry Ice Cream.

Or talbuk.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council,Rublestrasza,Ruby Astherion

A Matron’s Journal Pt. 1: Beginnings

2010-08-06T02:50:00.001-07:00

Originally posted to the DSC website on March 22nd, 2010.

Star Ruby recording: March 22nd, 28th ADP (After the Dark Portal)

"Thiss iss my official voice journal as Matron of the Dragonsworn Council. Korialstrasz says recording my thoughts and plans for the Council iss very important. And I ssupposse he iss right. What if I sshould fall in battle? Nor sshould time make the memories of our effortss here fade."

"Sso journal I sshall."

"The last three weekss have been hectic. Forming the Dragonsworn Council hass been a lot of work. I'm not sure I could sstay ssane without my beloved Anthus' comfort at the end of each day. We have recruited members, taken over the Wyrmhearth Tavern in Thelsamar as our guild hall, opened the Wyrmhearth to the adventuring community on Saturday's, and completed two missions on behalf of the Accord: the defeat of Omen in Moonglade and the retrieval of the Spell-Loom from the crypts beneath Stormwind."

"We have alsso made an enemy in Nilligos the Warden who works on behalf of Malygos. We sseem to now be fully involved in the Nexus War. I know the men and women we have recruited sshall not falter however."
"Already we have had promotionss. Tilby was promoted to Exarch on behalf of the Bronze Dragonflight and Moralynn, Temlin, and Turk were all promoted to full Dragonsworn."

"Current matterss of concern are tracking down Nilligos, an upcoming mission for the Bronze Dragonflight, and opening the Wyrmhearth again after a week off."

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Dragonsworn Council,Rublestrasza,Ruby Astherion

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 28: Guilt in Moonglade

2010-08-04T01:05:00.000-07:00

The voice diary of the whelpling Rublestrasza(hissing intentional).

“Yessterday wass… heartwrenching… though not really all that unexpected.”

“We gathered at Moonglade for the wedding of Eon and Mavenore. The green dragon Nomaura officiated and though I was a little late I was there as Best Woman!”

“It was a very majestic location and Eon was truly lovely standing there in the glow of the Moonwell. Mav’s brother Adiros was there and Dragonsworn member Perianna was there as a witness (she’s always interested in alien customs).”

“We had everything except a groom.”

“Possibly you can ssee where thiss sstory iss going.”

“After a long and awkward wait Mavenore finally arrived. The ceremony began and Eon swore herself to Mavenore and it was then hiss turn…”

“That’ss where thingss went wrong.”

“Mavenore couldn’t do it… his guilt at ‘abandoning’ his dead wife and moving on to another love… even after sseven yearss… was jusst too much for him. He felt he couldn’t be true to Eon by marrying her. That sshe deserved better.”

“He told uss that and then he left. Jusst like that.”

“Nomaura, Perianna, and I all ran to comfort Eon of coursse while Adiros went after hiss brother. I told them about what had happened at the Thelsamar graveyard lasst night and the troubless Mav wass having while doing my besst to assure Eon he would come back to her after he had worked through thingss.”

“Adiros came back a sshort while later announcing that Mav wouldn’t be coming back."

“Yeaaaah, thanks Adiros.”

“He went on to call Mav a coward for not comforting Eon himself. There was much conversation after that about how besst to deal with things including a brilliant and bold plan by mysself that was eventually rejected after much careful consideration (it really wass a good plan if I do ssay sso myself).”

“Eventually Eon went to stay with Nomaura for the night and I went after Mav. We had a long talk which wass much like the one we had the night before. I’m ssure now that Mav has never mourned his Nyara’s death, merely rushing headlong into battle after battle to escape his pain. For him it might as well as have happened yessterday.”

“Hiss memories of Nyara are daggers twissting in his heart when they sshould be treasured memories. He must mourn her… face these emotionss headlong… or he will never know peace.”

“Meanwhile Eon waits… and hopes…”

“Life-Binder will that it iss not in vain.”

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Ruby Astherion,Rublestrasza,Mavenore

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 27: Token of friendship

2010-08-03T03:01:00.001-07:00

The voice diary of the whelpling Rublestrasza(hissing intentional).

“It was another busy night at the Wyrmhearth Tavern. The Horde sstopped by again. I have no idea why they’re so obsessed with our Hot Dragon Wing recipe.” *resigned sigh*

“In happier news the Dragonsworn Council gained a new recruit in Hildwyn. Though sshe has a sshady passt even in relation to the Wyrmhearth Tavern I see much potential in her if her skillss can be given a productive outlet.”

“The big newss of the night however wass that Mavenore and Eon announced they had decided to get married before he completed hiss life-quest!”

“More than that… they want me to host the happy event!”

“Even more than THAT… Mav invited me to his and Eon’s new house in Thelsamar (right across the street from the Wyrmhearth) and gave me a gift. A beautiful rose from the Emerald Dream and then he asked me to be his Best Woman for the wedding!”

“I’m not overly familiar with mortal mating rituals but it sounds really important!”

“He says I’m supposed to carry Eon’s wedding ring… maybe he’ss afraid of thieves or ssomething. Well I’m certainly the best woman to defend it as I’m the fiercest whelpling you’ll find.”

“BEST Woman.”

“ME.”

“I guesss it’ss traditionally a best MAN but I think I’m as fierce in protecting wedding rings as any man could be. Or anyone taller for that matter.”

“I think it really jusst meanss we’re besst friendss though.”

“After I accepted the job of Best Woman I left Mav and Eon alone together. They later returned to the Wyrmhearth and announced they would be getting married TOMORROW!”

“I don’t have any time to prepare! Arrrrrrrrrgh!”

“Despite all thiss I worry about whether Mav will be able to let go of his previous wife Nyara who died in the Battle of Mount Hyjal. It’s been eight years and he still hasn’t truly let her go.”

“I found Mav at the graveyard in Thelsamar after the Wyrmhearth closed and he was holding his old wedding ring. We had a long talk and… I’m sstill worried about all thiss. I hope it turns out alright.”

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Ruby Astherion,Rublestrasza,Mavenore

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 26: Buddies

2010-08-01T17:29:00.001-07:00

Dedicated to my real-life best friend who is Mavenore’s typist.

The voice diary of the whelpling Rublestrasza(hissing intentional).

“In recent monthss I’ve become closse friendss with a druid named Mavenore. He’ss Dawsen’ss uncle on the Sidael sside of the Astherion family and hass taken to stopping by the Wyrmhearth Tavern and perching on our mantle place.”

“Don’t ssnicker. If you’ve never tried perching then you can’t know how enjoyable it iss.”

“Somewhere along the way between my trying to teach him proper resspect and hiss trying in his… uh… unique… way to teach me humility we have formed a ssort of sister-brother style bond.”

“Ssomehow hiss way of teaching alwayss involves me ending up drenched in a nearby body of water.” *sighs*

“Anyway… he hass ssomehow taken it into hiss head to make it hiss life-quest to bring peace between the Alliance and the Horde.”

“During thiss quest he hass fallen in love with a Blood Elf magistrix named Eon Manaborne. He has brought her to the Wyrmhearth frequently where I have had a chance to meet her. Sshe sseems quite lovely despite the tensionss between her people and those I have adopted in the Alliance.”

“During one of her initial visitss to the Wyrmhearth sshe and Rhune had an unfortunate misunderstanding about her intentions which led to a bit of a ruckus between Rhune and Mavenore. The bloodletting was minimal.”

“Mavenore can be very… protective it seemss.”

“Mav recently announced that once his life-quest has been achieved he intendss to marry Eon! I of coursse immediately volunteered the Dragonsworn’s services in thiss noble endeavor.”

“After all peace between the Alliance and Horde is something to be sought after.”

“My desire to see more Sidael hatchlings had nothing to do with it.”

“Or would it be kittenss? I’m not ssure how that workss.”

“That’s when matters got complicated. Ssoon after Mavenore was kidnapped by a troll shadow priest named Sgrios who wished to use him in a plot against the Dark Lady Sylvannas. He had ssome delusion that peace between the Horde and the Alliance would weaken both factions and make them vulnerable to some looming darkness.“

“Sgrios intended to use Mavenore to make ssure thiss would not happen. Not only would it discredit Mavenore with the Horde but an Alliance agent trying to assassinate a Horde leader would put an end to any other attemptss.”

“The only information we had is that thiss Sgrios wass often to be found in Silvermoon. I’ve never taken any other form than that of my true form and that of a gnome. But I felt I really had no choice.”

“I studied the blood elven form for a week non-stop before finally making the attempt. If you have never shape-shifted before it iss hard to describe. I picked the gnomish form because it’s weight and balance were mosst comfortable to me. The Blood Elvish form however… they’re so… THIN and TALL. It made me dizzy!”

“I’m not joking. It took me sseveral hourss before I felt like I wouldn’t throw up.”

“Ssomething to do with inner-ear balance.”

“Also… I had no idea how ssensitve an Elf’s earss were. I may need to have Anthus explore that idea at a later date.” *giggles*

*coughs* “Anyway… I journeyed to Silvermoon with Anthus, Eon, and Ishuzugosa my “squire” from the Dragonsworn Council. The guards let us through with no problemss. Thosse came later at a tavern in Silvermoon City when I got in a minor altercation with a troll who was talking about how he’d fought and killed a red dragon.”

“A Blood Knight named Seana broke uss up before anyone was killed. Sshe wass very sstern and I think I am lucky I did not end up in jail!”

“They take law and order very sseriously in Silvermoon City.”

“We did eventually meet with Eon’s contact and he told uss of many locationss where this Sgrios may have taken Mavenore to be corrupted.”

“Having accomplisshed our mission we left. But there were unseen consequences as apparently the troll from the tavern is an important figure in the Horde military. The Kirin Tor later sent Brantiela to arrest me for questioning!”

“Humph. I remember when the Kirin Tor were wiser.”

“Eventually we got that all cleared up and Mavenore returned as well… but he iss sstill not fully free of Sgrios plotss. It would sseem Sgrios has convinced Mavenore that he is right!”

“Now I have to decide how to sstop Mavenore from willingly involving himself in ssuch foolishness.”

“Mavenore is alwayss bringing me trouble it sseems. He iss my besst friend though. We have been through many good timess… and many dark timess…”

“We have laughed and found comfort in one another…”

“We have stubbornly fought one another… at times with a fiery fury and at other times with a coldness that was nearly beyond endurance.”

“I think we have over time found our balance together though. We have come to understand and accept our differences as well as the things that bind us together. We have through the joys and pain made the other a better person I think.”

“Mavenore iss no dragon. But his iss my brother and always sshall be.”

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Ruby Astherion,Rublestrasza,Mavenore

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 25: Wedding!

2010-07-31T18:51:00.001-07:00

The voice diary of the whelpling Rublestrasza(hissing intentional).

“It hass been ssome time ssince I updated my journal and a lot hass happened in the meantime. Among other thingss I have played a pivotal role in the Nexus War.”

“That tale you will be able to find in the transcripts of my reports to the Wyrmrest Accord ssoon.”

“Today I wissh to dwell on other eventss.”

“In June my long-time friend Brantiela was wed to Chelia in a lovely ceremony on a hilltop overlooking the shores of Stranglethorn. Bran was beautiful! And Chel was quite lovely as well. The besst part came when the priestess prepared them for their vowss. Sshe has quite a way with wordss and she made my monocle all misty! Made me really wish Anthus had been there with me so we could have sshared the moment together.”

“Afterward we all went to the Wyrmhearth Tavern to celebrate. I have to ssay I was quite honored they chose my tavern as the location of ssuch a happy event.”

“They got to open presents… I didn’t know that was part of the mortal mating ritualss or I’d have gotten them ssomething. I felt so guilty. However I think I made up for it by making all drinkss for the night on the house!”

“Then they threw the bouquet… which they had two because they were both brides. I was told whoever caught them would be the next to get married. Why a bouquet serves as an oracle for the humans I am not sure. I jusst knew I wanted to catch it!”

“I didn’t though… too sshort.” *sighs*

“I hope Mena and Shayis are happy with their impending marriages however.”

“I knew I should have been in whelpling form.” *sighs again*

“Alsso… it iss a sshame about a complete lack of hatchlingss that will result from this union. But as long as Bran and Chel bring each other happiness then I am happy too. I wissh them much joy together and a long life at each other’s sside.”

“Next up I want to talk about my friend Mavenore and how much trouble he iss. No really. More ssoon!”

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,Ruby Astherion,Rublestrasza

The List

2010-07-02T07:06:00.001-07:00

When not RP’ing I’ve found myself drifting a lot in-game lately. So the other night I decided to write out a list of everything I’d like to get done before the Cataclysm expansion hits:

-Obtain the Battered Hilt and reforge the prismatic sword Quel’Delar. Not for the elves who lost it, but for the Wyrmrest Accord who forged it. -Completed!

-Replace mining and level Alchemy to max level so it’s transmutes can help Ruby’s JC’ing.

-Get the raptor mount from Zul’Gurub.

-Obtain a passenger mount of some type.

-Get Ruby every color of dragon whelpling pet.

Gather the following items to complete Ruby’s RP battle gear:

-Nightslayer Chestpiece

-Bloodfang Belt

-Bloodfang Pants

-Bloodfang Gloves

-Either a Blood Talon or Thrasher Blade

Gather the following emblem gear:

-Mark of Surpemacy

-Wristwraps of the Cutthroat

-Boots of Captain Ellis

-Belt of the Twilight Assassin

And the final thing I’d like to get done before Cataclysm hits is…

-Save the Ruby Sanctum from the Black Dragonflight’s assault by completing the Ruby Sanctum raid.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing

Ruby’s new UI- Ruby Sanctum

2010-06-21T23:44:00.001-07:00

I spent the last two days creating what I think is the ultimate UI! Well for me anyway. I’ve been using Spartan UI but I just felt really cluttered and realized I didn’t need every button showing after all. So I got down to work and came up with my Ruby Sanctum theme based heavily on the BornabeUI BTex Druid skin. Much thanks to Bornabe from the WoWinterface forums for creating the original!

I’ve designed the UI to only show what I need to see, when I need to see it, and to otherwise just be inspirational art. I’ve posted two pictures, one when my character is doing absolutely nothing and the other with everything showing (though there is no time that all of the buttons would be showing at once).

The first picture is of the UI in it’s natural state. The only parts of the game interface you can see is the mini-map with my lore mod button right below it, Ruby’s portrait, and a single row of buttons along the bottom allowing me to sprint, mount, a steath timer indicator, and my Gryphonheart Items button. Besides those it’s nothing but artwork from the Ruby Sanctum!

Next is a picture with everything activated. The chat window only shows when people are chatting, Recount and Omen only show when I call them up, all of the buttons above the minimap and Recount as well as the bags only show up on a mouseover, and finally the rest of stuff you see only shows up during combat.

The combat buttons near the chat window are done 3x4 as it corresponds to my Razer Naga mouse. They’re just there to remind me which button is what when I forget.

The result is a clean and uncluttered UI that to me helps enhance the game rather than take away from it.

The following mods were used to create this UI:

-Btex Graphic UI Mod

-BornabeUI BTex Druid Skin

-Sexymap (not only lets me move the minimap but it provided the leafy border to match the rest of the UI).

-XPearl frames

Also used was the artwork from the Ruby Sanctum loading screen and a red drake taken from WoW Model Viewer.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Ruby Sanctum,WoW UI,WoW Hud

Whimsical Day

2010-06-19T23:17:00.001-07:00

What do red dragons do when they’re not busy guarding Azeroth from the horrors of the Old Gods and their pawns? They have a relaxing day in their Ruby Sanctum. Enchantment and wonder ensure!

Just thought I’d share an image of a wallpaper I made for my desktop featuring Ruby and… Alexstrasza! It was made for a resolution of 1152x864 pixels as that is the resolution of my screen.

I know Alexstrasza’s size is a little bit off but I thought the feel of the scene was more important than realism. I’m super proud of it and think it came off well. At the very least it makes me smile every time I minimize my browser.

Of course when the Black Dragonflight assaults the Ruby Sanctum soon… Ruby will be pissed. Can’t a dragon have anywhere to just hang out and be themselves?

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,WoW Wallpaper,Red Dragonflight,Alexstrasza,Rublestrasza,Ruby Sanctum

/Wyrmhearth

2010-06-13T01:08:00.000-07:00

The Dragonsworn Council is pleased to announce the creation a new IC chat channel for the Sentinels server. /Wyrmhearth will allow players to role-play even while grinding, questing, PvP’ing, instancing, and even raiding! A perfect way to liven up a day when other aspects of the game are starting to wear thin or to meet new RP contacts that you might not otherwise encounter.

/Wyrmhearth by default is set in the Wyrmhearth Tavern in Thelsamar, but when not otherwise in use it can be used for other settings temporarily.

The rules are as follows: Keep it PG-13, please be courteous to the other players in the channel, and listen to the Wyrmhearth’s staff the rare times they may need to moderate. The Wyrmhearth Tavern is run by Moralynn and Rublestrasza.

Please note: Your desire to be an ass does not trump the right of others to feel comfortable. If a moderator tells you to stop something, even if they’re wrong, they’re still right. Just move on to another topic.

Technorati Tags: Sentinels server,Role-Playing,Dragonsworn Council

What is DragonWhimsy.net?

2010-06-12T15:51:00.001-07:00

Quick summary:

DragonWhimsy.net is a role-player's blog for World of Warcraft containing character journals, fiction, articles on role-playing, reviews and reflections on how the game can effect the typist.

Longer version:

DragonWhimsy.net is a blog about bringing out one’s creativity, imagination, and sense of wonder through the use of an MMO (in this case World of Warcraft) and the interaction with like-minded people and their characters that can only be found in such a form of entertainment as well as how life on a role-playing server in an MMO can effect the typist’s real life as well.

Going forward you can expect the following kinds of articles:

-Articles on role-playing. Tips, advice, and just thoughts on the art in general.

-Quick reviews on World of Warcraft merchandise from a loregeek’s perspective.

-Journal entries from my in-game characters.

-The adventures of the Dragonsworn Council, the heavy RP’ing guild I founded.

-Observations on how life in an MMO can effect the typist.

The author reserves the right to occasionally offer comments on other non-WoW fantasy related geekery.

The Characters:

The following characters are covered in the journal entries:

Ruby Astherion: Ruby is currently my main character for RP’ing. She is a crimson whelpling who has learned to shift far too early for her own good. She’s small, cute, fierce, wise, and innocent all at the same time. She is quickly reaching her drakehood however and is more teenager than child. She loyally serves Alexstrasza the Life-Binder.

She is also known by her true name Rublestrasza the Noble.

Elitists may want to read this blog entry before passing judgment:

I play a dragon, deal with it.

Rhune Astherion: Ruby is Rhune’s “pet” though it may be more accurate to say Rhune is her pet instead. Perhaps “adopted father” is closer the mark. He is my previous main character for RP though he is currently in semi-retirement after being played almost uninterrupted for the two years prior to my rolling Ruby up as a gnome.

He was the center of a great many storylines which all took place prior to my creating this blog unfortunately. He still shows up from time to time and I have the feeling it is only a matter of time before the spotlight shines on him again.

He is also the patron of the Astherion family which at one time was a large family of characters played by various friends of mine that has since faded somewhat.

Rhune serves the Kirin Tor and it’s pro-Alliance faction the Silver Covenant.

Dame Faylian Lanstryde: Faylian is my death knight and the character I turn to when I want to play someone a bit “darker”. She has the same goals as most adventurers in the current war: the destruction of the Lich King and the Scourge, but she will achieve that aim at any cost. She is a very dark shade of morally grey. Sorrow has also rendered her not entirely sane and those that meet her will find her either ice cold or very emotional. There is never a middle ground with Faylian.

Faylian is ultra-loyal to Highlord Mograine and the Knights of the Ebon Blade.

The typist responsible for all this:

My name is Terren Bruce and I am a proud geek and bookworm. Favorite pastimes include World of Warcraft (Sentinels RP Server), StarCraft 2, Dungeon's & Dragons 4th Edition, and Battletech.

I have a passion for writing and storytelling. Nothing makes my heart go pitter patter more than a well told story or crafting such myself.

Dragons and magic, worlds of enchantment and wonder, epic tales and whimsical adventures... those are what I love.

Technorati Tags: World of Warcraft,Role-Playing,Sentinels server,DragonWhimsy.net

A Dragon’s Heart Pt. 10 (Afterword)

2010-05-31T01:04:00.000-07:00

((This part I’ve written as straight fiction as opposed to a journal entry. I just thought a journal entry would lose the emotion I was trying to convey. As always Ruby’s hissing/lisp is intentional.))

Rublestrasza felt her heart grow heavy as she neared the usually tranquil Darnassus graveyard. In the distance she could hear the low hum of the elven city, and all around her were the happy, yet still strangely sorrowful chiming of the wisps. She had come to say goodbye to Sylerrinn… and… to make her amends to the fallen priestess of Elune.

Was Sylerrinn here now? Was she one of the wisps floating about the city? If so… perhaps Rin would hear her words and understand.

Perhaps.

Ruby halted as a new sound drifted down the path toward her… the sound of a man crying. Her heart tightened as she recognized him… it was Rhune Astherion… Sylerrinn’s husband and the man that Ruby had failed utterly.

For a brief moment she thought of turning around before she was noticed. But she knew that would not be worthy of one of the brood of Alexstrasza… Life-Binder and mother to all.

No, her role was clear… as it always was for her. Despite the shame of her failures… her role as ever was to protect and comfort.

Continuing down the path she could soon see Sylerrinn’s grave and the form of her widow kneeling beside it, finally giving in to his sorrow now that Rin’s killer had been put down like the rabid animal that he had been.

Coming to a halt beside the mage Ruby faced Sylerrinn’s grave and gave a crisp salute with her right hand. Her left hand clenched tightly down near her hips, and her lips trembled as her monocle began to mist up.

This was so hard… her human was in pain…Rin was dead… and it was all her fault… it was too much… too much…

Ruby maintained the salute a moment more, closing her eyes, trying to force down her emotions that threatened to overpower her. Then she felt a presence… someone caring… someone forgiving… someone who gave her strength. Was it the Life-Binder? Elune? Was it the spirit of Sylerrinn herself? Ruby could not tell… but when her right hand fell once again she felt herself begin to calm. She would be strong… for Rhune’s sake.

Turning to her human she pulled his head against her chest, letting him cry into her tabard, hugging him close to her as he cried. She whispered: “I’m here Rhune… I’m here…”

Time passed, Ruby was never sure after how long, only that the sun had sunk much lower into the sky. She too cried at times, during other moments she would coo at him gently, trying to comfort them both, a strangely motherly presence for one who usually considered herself his adopted daughter.

Finally the crying slowly stopped, both of them being too emotionally drained to continue. Ruby began to push him away as she sadly and guiltily whispered to him: “I’m sso ssorry Rhune… sso ssorry…”

“No!” Rhune shouted, hugging onto her tighter. “I promised Vissic he wouldn’t break us… and he won’t. Ruby… you made mistakes… terrible mistakes…we both did…”

Rhune sighed sadly before continuing: “So often in life we try to excuse evil… blame ourselves instead… so that we feel we have some control over events. We can control our own actions and so we feel if it’s our fault… maybe it won’t happen again. Maybe we can do better next time.”

“Yes, you shouldn’t have made Vissic an ally… shouldn’t have given his darkness a chance to take root in our lives… and yes I should have killed him in the Storm Peaks… but in the end we are not responsible for Vissic’s actions.”

Ruby hugged him back and then looked up into her adoptive father’s eyes as her own began to mist up and she asked: “That’ss what thiss wass really all about… wassn’t it? I thought I could control thingss… make them the way I thought they sshould be… change you all sso I wouldn’t lose you…”

She began to cry even as she pressed on: “But I can’t… can I? Sheer willpower issn’t enough… and red sscales don’t give me the right to do sso even if I could.”

"No… you can’t Ruby. But you can gently guide… you can nurture when needed… shield them against the darkness. You can do all those things. You can set an example that shines so bright that it forces the darkness in our hearts back.” Rhune said, as he gently brushed her hair away from her tear-filled eyes.

Rhune smiled at her, sad, but proud of how she seemed to understand the lesson on her own: “I think that is the most anyone can aspire to Ruby. Vissic never understood how weak he was… he took the easiest path… the most primal… only caring for himself. It takes true strength to shine brightly Ruby… a lesson we have both been slow to learn. And because we were stubborn… the cost of learning it has been high.”

“Almost too high to bear…” Rhune trailed off.

Ruby looked to Rhune with sudden concern: “But we don’t have to let it all have been in vain… we can honor her by replacing her light with our own. We can sshine brightly for her.”

Rhune nodded. “And we will.”

Ruby hugged him close and whispered into his ear: “And we will.”

A Dragon’s Heart Pt. 9

2010-05-30T01:03:00.000-07:00

April 19th, 29th year after the Dark Portal

Nearly a month after the fact I find it hard to write down my thoughts of that final night with Vissic in Nagrand. I made him a promise you see… that I would never think of him again after that night.

I have to break that promise this one time… for history must remember that there is a consequence for killing an Astherion. For snuffing out a light as bright as that of my wife Sylerinn Astherion. My Rin.

It all started very suddenly. After Vissic was driven from the Caverns of Time I decided to gather his enemies to press our advantage. Of course I started with Ravine. Who else? No one has wished for his death as vehemently as she has.

I tracked her down in Nagrand. There she lay hidden from the authorities of Stormwind and Dalaran that still searched for her, and she was hidden from Vissic who desired her death as much as she yearned for his.

I flew over Nagrand on the back of a young red drake named Nialstrasz, one of Ruby’s friends from Wyrmrest Temple. As I approached the village of Telaar I could see below us the violet proto-drake that was Vissic’s signature… and on it’s back was the warlock himself… he had found Ravine first!

Vissic is nothing if not resourceful. I have to give him that.

The great proto-drake snapped at Ravine with it’s massive jaws… roaring it’s challenge. She stood alone, staff raised, fighting for her life and for the vengeance she had long sought… and for the peace that had long eluded her.

She would not end as a meal for the drake however. That is not Vissic’s style. Oh no. To kill her could never be enough. Nothing less than stealing her soul and making it his personal toy would satisfy him.

Vissic always DID have issues.

The warlock leapt from the back of the proto-drake and confronted Ravine himself. Fel fire flashed, sword clashed against staff, and I could hear Vissic’s gloating even from my great height.

Ravine was hard pressed and driven back. Vissic smirked as only he can and seemed certain her soulstone would soon be clutched in his hands. Death was mere breaths away for her… her soul’s eternal torment at Vissic’s hands mere heartbeats away.

I admit it was not Ravine I saw as I urged Nialstrasz downward. I saw only my Rin… as I had seen her last… worried that I would get myself in over my head as I tried to save poor Ruby from Vissic’s dark “help”.

My rage was not heated… it was cold. Unlike Vissic I felt no need to kill the one I hated myself. Just the fact of Vissic’s death would be enough for me. And I had no doubt that would be the result of that night’s battle. The only question in my mind was if he would take me with him and leave my children parentless.

And so Nialstrasz and I dove down upon Vissic, the red drake’s talons outstretched, the dragon sharing my mood and shrieking it’s own anger at such a vile villain.

Vissic’s attack on Ravine was halted as the warlock dived desperately out of the way of our strafing attack. Nialstrasz’s claws missed him by mere inches and we landed in front of the warlock.

But we were not the only one’s looking for Ravine that night. Even as Vissic tried to regain his feet Scheen suddenly appeared out of the shadows… an annoying habit of hers now used to deadly effect. Strapped to her back was a tank hooked to a nozzle she carried in her hands. Scheen decided to ignore the usual banter and get straight to business. Simply saying: “I’ve been waiting for this…” she fired the contraption at Vissic unleashing something… I don’t know what it is… I am no engineer… only that it was HORRIBLE… Vissic knew it too and hurriedly dodged out of the way and redirecting the firestorm he was about to cast at me on Scheen instead.

We of course took advantage of this distraction.

I urged Nialstrasz upward and we soared past Vissic, and landed so as to block any possible escape. Meanwhile Vissic summoned a Fel Guard which was intercepted by Scheen, though she was forced to abandon her infernal contraption and rely on her rogue talents instead.

Nialstrasz took a deep breath and then exhaled a great gust of fire at the warlock causing even Ravine and Scheen to scramble for cover. Vissic was quick to react, hoping to take advantage of the dragon fire, he threw a small gnomish explosive device at us…

A loud boom echoed across the night, and a searing heat hit me. Nialstrasz screamed as he took the brunt of the blast and with a screech the drake collapsed and began his death throes, throwing me from his back. As I lay dazed looking up at the Nagrand night I could hear his slowly dwindling whimpers as death took him. For a moment I imagined it were Ruby instead and I thanked the fates that she was not a grown drake, for if she were, she would have surely been dying in his stead.

Still I lay there dazed, but eventually I could make out Ravine’s voice: “You’ve taken….

and taken…”

Slowly getting back to my feet I surveyed the scene. Both Nialstrasz and Vissic’s Fel Guard Thootom were killed in the explosion, while Vissic seemed to have been badly wounded in the blast as well.

I felt determination fill me and I half gasped, half growled: “Last… life… you… take… Vissic.”

Vissic struggled to get back up on his knees having been hurled to the ground in the explosion. His only response was: “And none of you have anyone to blame but yourselves. You're all just as guilty as I am for their deaths."

Time seemed to slow down then as Ravine slowly approached the fallen Vissic, her hands dripping with wisps of shadow. Resting her staff on Vissic’s pauldron she simply said: Mayhaps, but now… now their souls will finally know peace.”

Seeing death mere moments away Vissic did what he was best at, trying to prick us with one more barb, saying we would remember him forever. That he would haunt us, a reminder of all our failures.

That is when I made him the promise. That I would never think of him again… instead I would only remember the love Sylerrinn and I had shared. A promise I intend to keep after this night….

And then so suddenly it was impossible to take in Ravine struck the final blow, her soul fire ending Vissic’s life, putting an end to his darkness forever.

As his body collapsed I felt a sense of peace come over me. As if now that Rin could rest peacefully… so too could I. Though I still had one last duty…

I turned Vissic’s body to ash right there and then. With warlocks you cannot be too careful after all. His nutrients will feed the grasses of Nagrand… and one day he will become clefthoof dung.

A fitting end I thought.

A fitting end.

My New Geek Hub…

2010-05-27T23:56:00.000-07:00

Check out my new computer workstation/desk! It’s the Ikea Fredrik and I loves it very much! The desktop and both shelves can be set at different levels to customize it just the way you like. For mine I set the middle shelf down low to put both my screens at just the right height while keeping everything looking clean and organized.

In addition to the adjustable heights I got the accessories kit which gives you lot’s of little doodads to customize things even more. On the right side facing in you can see two cloth holders: the top one holds my cell phone and the bottom one has pens/pencils. On the right side facing outward there’s a place to hang my headset and a large cloth waistbasket that I use to just hold random stuff. Clipped to the top shelf are paper holders, useful for things I need to remember for IRL as well as gaming.

The wooden keepsake boxes I also found at Ikea. The only two packages they had left. I thought they were sorta neat and matched the desk really well.

And of course I had to add some of my own personality in there… so the dragon-head bookshelves I got for Christmas finally found a place to loom, as well as a glassware dragon, and a wizard and a dwarf made from the ash of Mount St. Helens that I’ve had since a child.

And a wizard magnet stuck to the inside there… because I’m just that much of a geek.

Finally there’s a piece of plexi-glass cut to fit that protects the desktop from drinks and stuff. Can’t be too careful!

All in all I couldn’t be happier with it!

And for those noticing my small collection of games doesn’t include World of Warcraft… err… I may have a shelf elsewhere dedicated to World of Warcraft merchandise. Maybe.

Hush! I never said I wasn’t a geek!

A Dragon’s Heart Pt. 8

2010-03-13T17:50:00.000-08:00

The voice diary of the whelpling Rublestrasza(hissing intentional).

“Tonight wass the night… Vissic and I entered into the Caverns of Time to travel to Mount Hyjal and take a piece of the World Tree in an effort to discover the secret to immortality. All in an effort to make ssure Anthus, Rhune, Dawsen and all the otherss I care about will not be taken from me… ever!”

“Coursse things didn’t go as planned.”

“If by “didn’t go as planned” you mean a complete disaster on a magnitude you can’t really comprehend and makess you rethink everything you thought you knew.”

“I arrived to find Vissic confronting my beloved Anthus and another Retribution of Arathor member named Roiya! How they discovered our planss I still don’t know but they boldly declared they had been ordered to investigate the death of Sylerrinn Astherion and had evidence it had been Vissic all along!”

“Vissic denied the charge and I called my hireling Amarestine to our sside in the hope of making Anthus and Roiya think twice about an attack. I love Anthus dearly but I thought for ssure he wass wrong about Vissic. Why would he threaten our alliance before we were finished? To hurt Rhune who ssaved his life? It made no ssense.”

“Little did I know how much Rhune’s ambush in the Storm Peaks had enraged Vissic, for Anthus wass right and when confronted with evidence Vissic laughed and admitted his guilt, seeming to find joy in the revelation.”

“I’m not ssure what happened during the next few momentss… I ssat there in shock as I realized that her death was my fault… that I had set all these events in motion with my actionss despite being warned by… everyone… of Vissic’s nature.”

“There were ssome demands for Vissic’s surrender I think… I can’t recall… and then suddenly I was in whelpling form and diving at Vissic, talons outstretched, my only intention to rip out his throat as a red, feral rage overtook me.”

“That’s when Amarestine leaped into action… on the sside of Vissic! That treacherous she-wolf! She jumped up and grappled me from the air. That’s the lasst time I hire a mercenary.”

“As I vainly sstruggled in her arms to free myself Anthus blinked forward and began his attack on Vissic, not with a spell, but with his fists. This seemed to take the warlock by surprise and the seemingly mighty Vissic found himself forced on the defensive as he fought for hiss very life againsst my beloved. Roiya ssupported Anthus with her healing magics and this combination seemed to be the perfect counter to Vissic’s fel magics.”

“Meanwhile I had broken free of Amarestine’s grip and pursued her, letting out great gusts of dragon fire and shrieking my rage.”

“Amarestine managed to dodge and evade my attacks but found herself unable to launch an attack of her own against my small and darting form. But if there iss anything she has shown it is patience. Waiting for just the perfect moment she threw some powder in my face causing me to sneeze. I roared in rage at the seemingly insignificant attack. Pressing forward I ssuddenly found mysself growing drowsy... and then I blacked out.”

“Damn tricky roguess!"

“When I awoke I found myself too drained to do anything. Vissic and Anthus were still locked into a deadly duel and both seemed to be fading fast such was the ferocity of their battle.”

“To my astonishment I found Rhune had arrived! I can only assume Roiya called him on the Retribution guildstone. Finding out Vissic had been responsible for Sylerrinn’s death he seemed taken by a cold fury. He engaged Amarestine, using his mana elemental to flank her and help pin her in place while he launched barrage after barrage of arcane missiles at her. Being the mercenary that she is Amarestine soon fled the scene leaving Vissic to stand alone.”

“At thiss point Vissic and Anthus were both gravely wounded and even Roiya could not keep Anthus standing. Rhune was now free to attack the warlock directly and not feeling inclined to mercy as he was toward Vissic in the Storm Peaks the warlock knew his lies were useless and fled the scene of battle as fast as he could. AGAIN.”

“That iss the lasst time Vissic. We’re united now. We’re coming for you. You’re time iss OVER! You will not escape uss again."

“With Vissic and Amarestine having fled there wass nothing for uss to do except pick up the pieces. My planss to grant thosse I loved immortality lay in ruinss and worse my beloved… his wounds from his duel with Vissic…”

“They were mortal.”

“His body burned by fel fire and his lifeblood draining onto the sands of the Caverns of Time… he lay dying as I wept. All my fault. Rhune’s mate… my mate… all dead because of me.”

“They all told me and I wouldn’t listen. I was too stubborn.”

“Why couldn’t I listen?!”

“Just becausse they are mortal? That can’t be… can it? I love them all sso much. That can’t be the… but it doesn’t matter. Only the resultss of my actions matter.”

“Then suddenly Anthus’ wounded body was encased in ice and and vanished! Gone jusst like that!”

“Sitting in his place was a scroll telling us of a failsafe he had enacted that would activate should the battle against Vissic go poorly. My Anthus… always prepared and sso much more cautious than I.”

“The scroll ssaid we would find his body at Wyrmrest Temple and that is indeed where we found him when we arrived at the Temple later that night. I was frantic of coursse… and even the Life-Binder’s presence could not calm me.”

“There had alwayss been concern among my kin that I had given my heart to Anthus. Partly because I was sso young, and partly because he was mortal. That terrible evening however something wonderful happened. For his previous service to the Wyrmrest Accord and for his valiant protection of… well… me… because I was too naive to protect myself… the Life-Binder gave proof of her approval of the match by allowing the Titan-gifted life energies of the Red Dragonflight to be used to heal his wounds… powers beyond what any mere mortal priest could ever hope to employ.”

“Anthus was restored to uss. My beloved would live.”

“My heart sings with relief and gratitude toward my mother. But Rhune’s mate Sylerrinn is sstill dead. And it’ss still my fault. Going forward I can only hope the costly lessons learned will help me lead the new Dragonsworn Council wisely. By doing so can I give Sylerrinn’s death meaning. Only in thiss way can I honor her memory.”

Wyrmhearth Opening Night!

2010-03-10T16:24:00.000-08:00

The opening night of the Wyrmhearth went better than our wildest expectations! Thank you to everyone who attended and made it such a fantastic event.

An extra big thanks to the Wyrmhearth crew who made it all possible. Fantastic job guys.

Interested in checking out the Wyrmhearth Tavern? We’re open every Saturday at 7pm on the Sentinels Server, Thelsamar in Loch Modan!

Highlight's of the night included:

-Our house specialty: Hot Dragon Wings.
-A gnome who tried to steal the recipe to our Hot Dragon Wings
-A drinking contest
-A passed out and naked gnome who lost the drinking contest.
-At least three romantic dates that I could count
-A murloc who claimed our fireplace mantle.
-A minor earthquake, but not to worry no one got hurt.
-A mage who got into a minor infraction with the guards.
-All the Darkmoon Reserve you could drink... plus plenty of other drinks.
-A mysterious drink called pygmy oil being given out for free!

We hope to see you again next Sat at 7pm!

The Wyrmhearth Tavern

2010-03-10T16:14:00.000-08:00

Rublestrasza,

With our kind in increasing contact with the mortal races thanks to the Nexus War we are stepping up our efforts on observing our allies. While the Kirin Tor and the Alliance are already under close observation watching over the more free-spirited and unaligned “adventurers” has proven to be more difficult.

Instead we have decided to let them come to us.

We have purchased a tavern in Loch Modan and are gifting it to you. You are to observe your clientele and make regular reports on the pulse of the adventuring community.

We have chosen you for this mission because you have spent your entire, albeit short, life among them. You are outgoing and love talking with people. The Life-binder and I are certain you will be a natural in the role. You are the best dragon for the job whelpling or not.

Make your Flight proud Rublestrasza.

-Korialstrasz

The Dragonsworn Council

2010-02-26T09:38:00.000-08:00

Time for a big announcement… dun! dun! dun! Those that have seen Ruby running around with a Dragonsworn Council guild tag may have been wondering exactly what that meant. Vanity guild? Obscure guild no one has heard of? Or is she starting a guild of her own?

The answer is that Ruby is indeed starting her own guild. The Dragonsworn Council will be a heavy role-play guild on the Sentinels server with the objective of creating a warm, family-like atmosphere both ICly and OOCly.

So why a new guild? A new year is a time for new beginnings. I have learned so much during my last three years on Sentinels, developed many ideas and theories on how to generate RP and stories in an MMO and I feel I would really like to put some of those ideas and theories into practice. Having considered the matter from every angle I could think of I decided that could only be done as GM of my own guild. Luckily I am not entirely inexperienced in such matters as I served as the RP officer of the Retribution of Arathor for the majority of 2008.

So what are my objectives for the Dragonsworn Council?

-Create a warm, family-like atmosphere both ICly and OOCly. We’re not a military organization as that didn’t seem particularly draconic to me. Instead the guild will feel more like a family or clan.

-Put a heavy emphasis on STORY and thus create a PURPOSE for RP.

-Generate and publicize RP on the Sentinels server in addition to providing RP for our own guild members.

-Create a heavy RP guild in the true meaning of the word. The officer’s duties will center around creating RP and events, not raiding or any other such distractions.

-Stories require conflict. The guild is structured in such a way as to provide conflict within the guild when no such conflict can be found outside of it (and computer controlled mobs do not count, sorry Arthas), while at the same time keeping the guild united in theme and purpose.

-Ally with other RP guilds in an effort to strengthen the Sentinels community.

In addition the Dragonsworn Council will serve as a player faction in addition to being a guild. This means that characters already in another guild can still join the DSC much like you would join one of the factions already in the game (for example the Scryers or the Kirin Tor). IC and OOC channels will be custom channels and so even as an unguilded DSC character you will have full access to the community within the game.

If you are a mature and able RP’er we want you to feel like you can be part of our community… PERIOD.

More information can be found on our recruitment post or our guild page:

Dragonsworn Council.

The Matron of the Dragonsworn

2010-02-26T09:34:00.000-08:00

Rublestrasza the Noble,

In light of recent losses the Accord has suffered in the Nexus War and the efforts of mortals in said conflict, the Life-Binder has decided to reinstate the old practice of allowing mortals to swear their allegiance directly to a dragonflight. In ancient times such men and women were known as Dragonsworn.

As you have lived among mortals since hatching the Life-Binder has decided you know mortals in a way even dragons who have watched over them for centuries do not and you already care for them in a way few others of our kind can. More importantly you are trusted even by those who know what you are, something an adult dragon would find much more difficult.

Moreover in the entire history of dragonkind there has been no dragon less effective at hiding their true identity. The Life-Binder hopes you will be more suited to duties that require less discretion.

Do not doubt yourself in this matter Rublestrasza. As you grow into full drakehood you will also grow into your new role as Matron of the Dragonsworn.

Please report to Wyrmrest Temple immediately for complete instructions.

Know that the Life-Binder has the utmost confidence in you daughter. As do I.

-Korialstrasz

Starcraft 2 Beta

2010-02-24T21:33:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to take a quick moment from our usual WoW based content to give a shout out to StarcraftMethod.com. They have been providing live streams of Starcraft 2 games and a glimpse of the SC2 beta whether we have beta keys or not. I’ve been enjoying watching them quite a bit lately especially Lumi’s stream who is often entertaining and humorous in his own right.

If you have any interest in Starcraft 2 I highly recommend their site!

Love is in the air…

2010-02-17T04:25:00.000-08:00

…and two hearts dance as one! Despite the recent tragedy in the Astherion family with the death of Sylerrinn Astherion as well as Vissic’s imminent reach for immortality with the help of Rublestrasza; love cannot be denied as Anthus and Ruby found time to enjoy the holiday and share their love.

A Dragon’s Heart Pt. 7

2010-02-15T00:54:00.000-08:00

February 12, 29th year after the Dark Portal

Sylerrinn… my life and love… you are gone and not coming back. It is time I accept that. You are dead. No hoax. No resurrection. Nothing. Just a void in our lives that will never be filled.

We had our problems the last year and more. But wherever it is you have gone I hope you understand my love for you never stopped.

My heart has died with you Rin.

Dawsen and Ruby are all grown up and no longer need me. Only our daughters keep me from slowly fading and returning to your side. You will continue to live through them my love.

I live for Lamorra and Lakorra.

And…

…to find out who stole every happy year you had ahead of you and make them suffer beyond human comprehension.

My promise to you my heart.

-Your Roo

A Dragon’s Heart Pt. 6

2010-02-15T00:52:00.001-08:00

The voice diary of the whelpling Rublestrasza sometimes known as Ruby Astherion (hissing intentional).

Sobbing and sniffling can be made out before the sound of a throat clearing and the voice of a heartbroken Ruby can be heard: “Rhune’s mate Sylerrinn iss dead.”

“Ssomeone took her away… stole everything sshe had or would ever be… like it wass nothing.”

A howling can be heard, a young, high-pitched funeral dirge that can only have come from the throat of a dragon.

“My poor human… oh Rhune what will become of you now?”

“We don’t know who… the Retribution of Arathor is sstill investigating… but we know it was foul play… we know it wass not Rin’s time.”

“Rhune issn’t well. I’ve been watching their twin daughterss… the only time Rhune seemss alive is when I bring Lamorra and Lakorra to him. Otherwisse he just sitss there. Alone. In the dark if I don’t light a lantern for him. He seemss to alternate between thinking sshe will somehow come back and scouring Northrend for her killer.”

“What worries me iss he hasn’t done the later. It’ss what one would expect from him in particular. But he hass no passion anymore. Even the fires of vengeance seem to have burnt out.”

“I… I don’t think he’d sstill be alive if I didn’t constantly bring the twins to him. I don’t know how to ssnap him out of it. He’ss losing weight. He’ss so pale.”

“I’m afraid for him.”

“For myself… I know I can’t go through thiss again. It iss more imperative than ever that my alliance with Vissic is successful. I have to ssave all of the others. Lryrll says I should ask anyone I intend to make immortal firsst… but… death iss… I HATE IT! I WON’T LET THEM GO!”

“NEVER AGAIN!”

“Sylerrinn’s killer has taught me everything I need to know about death. I hope to return the favor.”

A Dragon’s Heart Pt. 5

2010-02-14T02:40:00.001-08:00

The voice diary of the whelpling Rublestrasza sometimes known as Ruby Astherion (hissing intentional).

A moan of pain can be heard followed by a grunt of annoyance. The high pitched but strangely subdued voice of Ruby Astherion can be heard recorded on her magical star ruby: “Scheen can… uh… really fight.”

Sounding embarrassed she continued: “And I don’t mean jusst with her ussual snowballss. But let’ss start at the beginning.”

“Vissic found me in the Wayward Sson tavern and accused me of luring him into an ambussh! He ssaid a letter with my handwriting had told him to meet me in the Storm Peakss where he found Ravine, Rhune, Scheen, and some death knight named Ariadne waiting for him.”

“I assured Vissic I wrote no ssuch letter. And it’ss true!”

Ruby’s growling can be heard and then: “Scheen… I knew it could only have been Scheen. That’ss the real reason she wanted my novel manuscript.”

“Sso of coursse I confronted her about it later. She admitted her duplicity and claimed sshe was doing it to save me from Vissic. Hah! I may be a whelpling but a hatchling I am not! I’m nearing my drakehood after all and I told her in no uncertain termss that I had everything under control.”

“She gave me that annoying smirk of herss and assked me if I really thought I wass such hot stuff that I could deal with Vissic. Sshe sseemed amused when I said I could and would handle him.”

“Then sshe began goading me to attack her and prove it.”

“Normally thiss would not have worked on me… but I wass hurt that sshe didn’t care about my manuscript and… well… Scheen iss Scheen… you can’t help but want to smack her even when sshe’s NOT trying to be annoying.”

“Sshe watned a fight and I was determined she knew better than to trifle with a dragon.”

“I sswooped down on her in whelpling form, sscreeching my battle cry, talons outstretched! It’ss all a blur after that except I remember broken images: her shooting me with a rifle and me melting the incoming bullet with dragon fire… my landing on her shoulder digging my talons in… her throwing me off and trying to knock me from the air with a blunted harpoon… me back in gnome form leaping at her kneecaps… and finally me on my back seemingly helpless…”

“Until she kneeled and tried to help me up…”

“I lunged… trying to tear her throat out with my teeth! Sshe moved at the last moment and I missed the artery… but I sstill had the ssatisfaction of tasting her blood and hearing her scream in shock and fear…”

“Till she punched me in the face and thingss get blurry again.”

“I know what you’re thinking… maybe I went too far. But in my defense I AM a dragon… and in battle we can be a little… uh… feral. That’ss why you DON’T TRIFLE WITH A DRAGON. Besides she tried to use a HARPOON on me! Harpoons make me nervous.”

“Random fact: Scheen doesn’t tasste like chicken. More like Talbuk but with a slight aftertasste. I think if sshe weren’t sentient I might give her another try.”

“Mmm… Talbuk.”

“I lay there dazed and sstunned while Scheen was busy trying to staunch the blood from her neck. We were both exhausted and I think we both had a new respect for the abilities and will of the other. That’ss when sshe mentioned she had actually edited my book and very much enjoyed it.”

“You think sshe’d have jusst said that earlier and ssaved uss all a lot of trouble. Or maybe sshe did and I didn’t hear. As I ssaid… we can be somewhat feral.”

“I forgave her… sshe was only doing it to protect me and she DID like my book. So I forgave… but I will not forget.”

Memories of Winter’s Veil

2010-01-04T01:20:00.000-08:00

Ruby had a wonderful first Winter’s Veil as a gnome, getting to participate in all the things she only got to watch with draconic curiosity in her first two Winter’s Veils. In addition to all the fun and games she also gained the Merrymaker title raising her cooking from 21 to 325 in the process.

This wasn’t a problem for her however as she can now cook talbuk steak in addition to many holiday goodies. :)

Arriving at the Servants of Lothar Winter’s Veil party.

Lining up for the reindeer race.

The race is on!

Listening to Winter’s Veil carols.

Snowball fight!

Anthus and Ruby under the mistletoe! Did smooches follow?

Presents! Greatfather Winter has come!

A Dragon’s Heart Pt. 4

2009-12-31T00:01:00.000-08:00

For a brief summary and roster of characters in A Dragon’s Heart head here.

December 13th, 28th year after the Dark Portal

Our ambush of Vissic began well… and ended in disaster.

We waited for Vissic at an abandoned temple in the Storm Peaks near Ulduar. Scheen had forged Ruby’s handwriting using the manuscript from Ruby’s romance novel and sent Vissic a letter telling him to meet Ruby there.

All of us were there. Myself, Ravine, Scheen, and a death knight named Ariadne whose death was apparently Vissic’s fault. In addition Ravine had her voidwalker present and I had my mana elemental.

When the time came Vissic stood alone with his felguard.

Our initial ambush took Vissic completely by surprise. I couldn’t believe how easy it was. Scheen and Ariadne lay hidden within the temple while Ravine and I swooped in on dragon back. Together we hit him fast and hard. He fought back but given our numbers and the element of surprise he never really had a chance.

Until Vissic did something truly unexpected: he surrendered.

As an agent of the Kirin Tor I had no choice but to take him into custody to be tried for his crimes. My compatriots however did not see it that way and attempted to cut him down in cold blood. I fought in the villain’s defense though it weighed at my heart to do so. My companions were relentless however and the battle soon turned against me. In the ultimate irony Vissic was able to escape in the confusion, taking to the skies on his violet proto-drake after he knocked Scheen unconscious.

In a show of unbridled determination Ariadne leaped onto the proto-drake’s foot even as it began to lift off, trying to bring it down through sheer necromatic-given strength but not before the proto-drake shot forth a great blast of fire engulfing the foolhardy death knight. Badly hurt she fell to the ground below and Vissic’s proto-drake began it’s escape.

But not without pursuit.

Ariadne’s efforts managed to delay Vissic long enough for Ravine to mount her Netherdrake and give chase. What followed was an epic aerial duel in the skies above that almost brought the death’s of both participants and their dragons.

Even as fel magic and dragon fire brightened the skies above, a wounded Ariadne confronted me for my actions down below. I have decided to disregard the bloody nose I got as a result of that confrontation given her valiant if misguided efforts earlier.

Finally the aerial duel came to an end with Vissic fleeing for his life and a very battered Ravine and nether dragon landing before us.

The battle was over. Vissic had escaped.

Light… what will we do now? How will we stop him? How will we protect Ruby from… herself?

Comment away!

2009-12-30T18:40:00.001-08:00

Seems I had this blog set up so that only registered users of various services were able to post comments while thinking I had it set so anyone could do so. Oops!

I’ve now changed the settings so that ANYONE and EVERYONE can now post comments to DragonWhimsy.net. However if you post something nasty I still have powers to annihilate such a post.

So post away to your hearts content. Because writers and bloggers love feedback. Live for it even.

Seriously though I can hear you breathing.

A Dragon’s Heart Pt. 3

2009-12-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

“Jusst a few ssmall updatess” Ruby spoke into her enchanted star ruby, beginning a new entry in her voice journal.

“Firsst up I’ve hired a freelance… uh… well… spy. Her name is Amarastine and I originally hired her to sspy on Vissic. Allied with him for the moment I may be, but I’m not sstupid. No matter how naive Rhune thinkss I am.”

“Through her effortss I have learned that Vissic operates out of Dalaran, likely in the depths of the Underbelly.”

“Rhune will jusst looooove that.” Ruby said drily.

Ruby continued: “With that mission completed I have put her to spying on Ravine, Rhune, and Scheen. Thiss iss too important to allow their protectiveness of me and wariness of Vissic to get in the way. I have to keep all of them alive. I won’t let their mortality take them away from me.”

“In addition to Amarastine I have found another ally in Philomene who I think iss interested in the idea of an extended life. She’ss usually more humble so perhaps this iss another encouraging ssign sshe iss coming out of her shell. She will also be watching after Ravine, Rhune, and Scheen when she iss able and may be useful when we go to… well I can’t say that out loud.”

“At least I’ve been able to talk to Scheen about something not related to this whole mess. She’s interested in the romance novel I am writing…”

“Oh wait… did I not mention that yet? Well I am. Scheen introduced me to the concept of the romance novel and I found they were a great deal of fun… however they’re always about MORTAL romances. It seemss to me there should be a novel about DRAGON romance… after all we love too. In our own way.”

“Anyway Scheen volunteered to be my editor and I gave her my handwritten manuscript to look over. She seemed very excited about it.”

“It felt sso good to be able to reconnect with her despite our disagreements of late. She’s a good friend.”

A Dragon’s Heart Roster

2009-12-29T00:15:00.000-08:00

To make following the “Dragon’s Heart” story easier here’s a list of important people and a description of who they are.

Each of these characters have a part to play as Vissic reaches for his ultimate goal: immortality and Ruby allies with him to find a way to keep her mortal friends and family alive against the eventual ravages of time.

Amarastine: A freelance spy Ruby has employed to keep an eye on both Vissic AND those opposed to him.

Anthus: Ruby’s true love and confidant and a magus in the service to the Red Dragonflight.

Ariadne: A woman who was risen as a Death Knight and blames Vissic for her death.

Philomene: A priestess who may be interested in the secret to immortality herself and a possible ally of Ruby’s.

Ravine: A warlock and friend of Rhune and Ruby’s who is a long time adversary of Vissic’s.

Rhune: A magus of the Kirin Tor and Ruby’s “adoptive father” with a long history of distrusting warlocks and for being very protective of his family.

Ruby: A red dragon whelpling who has lived among mortals all her life and has learned to shapeshift too early for her own good, taking the form of a red-haired gnomish woman. Known for caring very deeply for those she considers family or friend.

Scheen: A mischievous rogue who always has a snowball at the ready (even in summer!). A friend of Ruby and Ravine’s and an enemy of Vissic’s.

Vissic: A warlock who often manipulates and uses those around him to his own dark ends and who is currently obsessed with becoming immortal.

Greaterfater Winter has come!

2009-12-28T03:33:00.001-08:00

My favorite gifts that Santa brought me this year (i.e. my very loving family):

Dragon Ring: Imagine the ring with a very deep purple/blue stone depending on the light. I’ve named the dragon “Whimsy” of course! It’s my very favorite gift this year.

The Razer Naga MMO Gaming Mouse: It’s hard to get used to but once I do look out! Will I finally stop being a point & clicker? Hope so! It looks even sexier in person with the blue being daker and more eerie and the logo fading in and out. It looks like it has been enchanted. A mouse of the arcane indeed. Who needs engineers?

Dragon Age: Origins: I’m all about storytelling and Bioware always delivers. However this time I’m told they have really upped their craft. I’ve barely started but already the lore is the most in-depth I’ve ever seen from an original setting with no prior games. Even only having dipped my toes in so far there is a feeling of being part of a truly epic story. The music, the character interactions, the lore, I think this is going to be something really special. And the mapmaker is supposed to be incredible. I can’t wait to tinker with that too!

In addition I got the collector’s edition of the strategy guide which includes 50 pages of lore that the normal version does not as well as additional pages with concept art, an interview with the creators, and it is also hardback. I mention it because it is the most enjoyable strategy guide I can remember buying. Though it has the usual walkthroughs a good portion of the book is dedicated to FUN stuff. Lore, tactics, character builds, and how to interact with the characters. And the production values are fantastic. I enjoy just looking through it. The World of Warcraft strategy guides could learn a thing or three from this one. I highly recommend this version of the strategy guide to anyone interested in the game.

To everyone out there I hope you got the sugar plums you were dreaming of as well.

Merry Winter’s Veil! (And Happy Holidays too!)

2009-12-24T01:42:00.000-08:00

Whatever holiday you celebrate Dragonwhimsy.net would like to wish you a joyous time this holiday season. Coming up next week we will have a montage of Winter’s Veil pictures, new A Dragon’s Heart entries, and the expansion of this blog into new territory!

As well as an announcement that will be shocking to some, and obvious to others. Just what is the Dragonsworn Council? For those who have noticed the guild tag over Ruby’s head in-game you’ll know what it means next week!

A Dragon’s Heart Pt. 2

2009-12-02T09:22:00.001-08:00

Sylerrinn Astherion sipped at her tea and tried her best to seem absorbed in her book. Her husband Rhune drummed his fingers on the kitchen table, not looking at all like someone who was in a good mood. She glanced at Rhune worriedly whenever she thought he wouldn’t notice.

Sylerrinn knew he had not been pleased with the outcome of his talk with Ruby. She was concerned for him, he was so close to the dragon. And of course their daughters Lamorra and Lakorra adored the little whelpling.

She knew Rhune would work it out. He always did eventually. In the meantime she could only watch him carefully. Be there to comfort him and make sure he did not do anything… rash.

Peaking over her book she snuck a glance at what it was he was writing in his journal:

November 22, 28th year after the Dark Portal

I tried talking with Ruby with less than optimal results. She is a dragon and an Astherion, adopted or not. That means she is stubborn. Too stubborn to talk out of something she has her mind set on.

I’m going to have to approach this from another angle.

Vissic. Deal with the snake and the problem goes away. I have already worked out a plan that should work with Ravine and Scheen. It is dangerous but it is the only course left to us. Each of us has our own reasons to end the threat Vissic represents. We all know what we are getting into.

Scheen represents her own problem. She’s flighty and undependable. Arrogant and distrusting. Worse… she’s annoying and a prankster. I will have to be careful she is not a hindrance to the operation.

One way or another, Vissic’s days are numbered.

To set matters in motion we will need an example of Ruby’s handwriting…

Sylerrinn felt her stomach tighten in knots. Rash had been an understatement.

A Dragon’s Heart Pt. 1

2009-11-30T08:43:00.001-08:00

The sound of someone munching on toast can be heard and then between bites the high-pitched voice of Rublestrasza is also heard: “Sso today I hope to run into Anthuss…”

More munching can be heard, sounding as if the person eating is in a rush.

“Gotta hurry… Rhune will be here any minute… and I’d really like to avoid him today. I think he talked to Ravine or Scheen and…”

“Ruby Astherion!” the voice of Rublestrasza’s adopted father/pet human can be heard exclaiming.

Ruby groaned: “Fel’ing luck.”

Rhune continued, “What is this Ravine tells me about you allying with Vissic? VISSIC of all people? One of the most corrupt warlocks on Azeroth?! You KNOW what he is Ruby. How can you do this?”

Ruby breathes in deeply and clears her throat, sounding very much like someone preparing themselves for battle. An epic battle. Very possibly the most epic battle of all time.

Nothing unusual for the Astherion household of course.

“I know exactly what it iss I am doing Rhune. You don’t have to sscold me like a child. I’m nearly a drake now you know.” Ruby said sounding somewhere halfway between an indignant child and the adult she claimed to be. “I have good reasonss for doing what I am doing.”

“Do you? Then perhaps you could explain them in a reasoned manner instead of hiding from me like a child who has broken a window?” Rhune scolded.

"Rhune!” Ruby gasped. Then she continued in a more halting manner, as if he had indeed landed the first blow, “I… I’m doing it for you. And Anthus… and Dawsen… for all of you. Vissic thinkss that he may have found a way to extend your lifespan, it would also heal Dawsen whose time you KNOW is limited Rhune. I’ve checked over his plan mysself and it soundss possible. Very possible.”

“Ruby…” Rhune tries to interrupt.

Ruby pushes on, “No Rhune. You don’t know what it’ss like. Knowing I’m going to outlive all of you. I’ve tried to deal with it. I play matchmaker for everyone, trying to preserve ssomething of you through your children and grandchildren. But thiss iss sso much more than that. I won’t losse you… any of you… ever!”

“It is my duty to preserve life. And there’ss no better place to start than with those whom I love the mosst.” Ruby finished with determination.

“And what is this plan of Vissic’s exactly?” Rhune asked an edge to his voice.

Ruby stubbornly replied, “No Rhune, I cannot tell you. I can’t trust you not to try to stop uss. I wish I could, I truly do. But I cannot. You will jusst have to trusst me.”

“I know how hard trusst iss for you.” Ruby added sounding hurt despite the irony of her statement.

“Oh Ruby…” Rhune sighed in sympathy despite her barb at the end. “This isn’t like when you started seeing Anthus or wanted to learn how to fire juggle… this is VISSIC. He is evil and corrupt and nothing but evil and corruption can come from his works. Good is never born from darkness Ruby. You know that.”

Ruby responded stubbornly and defensively, “But I KNOW what he iss Rhune! I’m watching him carefully and I would never let him push me into doing anything… bad. I have everything under control.”

“You just think you do. He’ll twist things Ruby… and before you know it…” Rhune tried to interject.

“It will be FINE.” Ruby interrupted. “I am going to sstay with Anthus until thiss iss all over. Jusst sstay out of the way and everything will be fine. Dawssen will be healthy and all of uss will never have to be sseperated.”

“Ruby wait!” Rhune shouted.

The sound of a door slamming can be heard and then the chime of Ruby’s magic star ruby being turned off.

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 24

2009-11-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

“Preserver Anthus Steelshatter, defender of the Red Dragonflilght and magus in service to the Life-Binder!”

Ruby giggled.

“Perhapss more grand than my beloved would care for but I have a right to be proud!”

Her voice was filled with a joy that had not been heard in some weeks, not since… Coldarra.

“My ssire is sstrong, cunning, and sskilled. But for so long now he has felt empty… feeling he should use his skillss for something greater. He had that desire even when I first met him. Perhapss one of the reasons I was attracted to him for a desire to serve something greater beatss in every true dragons heart.”

“Even the Retribution did not seem to satisfy this desire. And as bogged down as the Retribution has become in politicss and false smiless I cannot blame him.”

“And so after monthss of service to the Wyrmrest Accord as a freelancer he was granted an audience with the Life-Binder herself. Together we stood before the queen of all dragon-kind and he humbly asked to enter her service loyally and with honor for the rest of his life.”

“Now this is not completely unheard of for a mortal to do such a thing. In ancient times there were mortals known as the dragonsworn who served the dragonflights. Many suspect the descendants of these dragonsworn, after many generations near my kin, eventually became the wrymkin. In more recent timess many adventurers have worked for the Accord as freelancers in the Nexus War.”

“The Queen heard his petition and questioned him at length. Anthus stood up under the pressure despite his nervousness before entering the audience chamber. I wish I could say I held up as well. The Life-Binder still… uh… awes me. Just a little. Tiny bit.”

“Ok… Anthus had to tell me what happened afterward because I was too nervous to take in anything… and… uh…” she coughs before continuing, “Well… he… err… had to drag me off when the audience was eventually over. And I may have forgotten to bow on the way out… and I hope she wasn’t offended but I was nervouss and…”

“Ah, but we’re getting sside-tracked.”

“The Life-Binder asked me my thoughtss on the matter and I stammered out my response which I assume was filled with confidence and all those reasons I love and trust him… but which I for the life of me can’t remember because my mind didn’t register anything till I left Alexstrasza’s presence.”

“However whatever it was it seemed to help as the Life-Binder soon agreed to accepting Anthus’ oath of service and when my beloved did finally drag me away he did so as a defender of the Red Dragonflight!”

Ruby giggles again before concluding: “Perhapss I sshouldn’t be ssurprised. He’s won the heart of one dragon… why not the trust of another?”

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 23

2009-11-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

A crystalline chime can be heard as the magical star ruby belonging to the whelpling known as Rublestrasza begins recording and the the voice of the dragon herself can be heard:

“Much hass changed ssince my lasst recording. My training is complete and I now fight alongside my kin in the Nexus War. Since arriving in Northrend I have known ssorrow and pride in equal measure.”

“I have begun serving in Coldarra. There I found my still being an whelpling meant I was not… er… taken as seriously as I might have been. In fact the drakess snickered and the elder wrymss ignored me. Even the humanss of the Kirin Tor seemed uncertain what to make of me despite my Retribution of Arathor affiliation.”

“There was however an exception. During a mission for the Kirin Tor I happened to rescue the elder dame Keriastrasza from Malygos’ clutchess. She was grateful and took me under her wing. She soon came up with a grandiose plan to delay the Spell-Weaver’s planss and enlisted my help. During the time we worked together I came to respect her… even to ssee her as an example of what it meant to BE a dragon.”

“The plan to lure out Malygos was successful, but with a horrendouss price. He took Keriastrasza as his consort, warping her mind to his service. I and a band of mercenaries were sent to find her and free her from the Spell-Weaver’s grasp… by any meanss necessary.”

“This we accomplished.”

A muffled sob can be heard, as if the speaker where crying into a pillow, and then Ruby’s voice in a barely audible whisper: “I killed her..killed her… killed her… killed her.”

More sobbing can be heard and then the sound of Ruby forcing it down as she continues bitterly: “And now having killed my new mentor… my kin respect my abilities. They gave me a tabard and accept me gladly in the Life-Binder’s forces. All for showing my abilities in sservice to the Queen… more like for killing one of our own!”

“I know it was necessary… I couldn’t leave her like that… but…”

“I killed her… I killed her… I killed her… I killed her…”

As the sobbing continues a click can be heard and the recording ends.

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 22

2009-11-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

The contents of a letter recently delivered to the Wyrmrest Temple:

My Queen,

Since the expedition to the catacombs beneath Wyrmrest Temple I have learned that the true reason for Tilby’s excursions are to decipher a mysterious scroll the death knight found in Silithus. The next part of decoding the scroll required locating an ancient book of magic located in the abandoned dwarf library in Grim Batol.

I accompanied Tilby on this expedition in part to keep an eye on him and in part to take the opportunity to spy on or reach out to the Black Dragonflight depending on what I would find there. My apologies your majesty if I took too much upon myself. However what I DID find there I believe you will find of much interest.

Tilby led us to a cave system located in the Wetland hills. After passing through a series of smaller caves we passed around a large underground lake and eventually we came to a back entrance to Grim Batol though it was located high above the cliff face. Luckily it was no trouble for me to shift into whelpling form and carry a robe up for everyone else to climb up.

We emerged into a large cavern with buildings carved into the sides. It reminded me very much of Ironforge. Tilby knew the library was on a higher level however so we began a search for a way up.

I checked out a vent on the ceiling and unexpectedly found myself covered in a strange dark goop for my trouble. Luckily someone caught me or I’d have fallen and broken my neck before I could recover. Future agents should avoid the vents. Also the goop stinks and feels icky.

Just saying.

While investigating one of the buildings we heard sounds outside and knew we had attracted unwanted attention. Attention of the black-scaled variety. We shut the door and tried to find another way out… but there were no other doors nor were there windows either. We did however find another method: the old (and thankfully not used for hundreds of years) sewer drain.

Down and down we tumbled until we reached the bottom, which did not improve our situation any as the bottom had a very large dragon of the black-scaled variety. At this point I must emphasize the word large. Possibly as large as your majesty’s consort, or even your majesty.

It was big. Just saying.

And it was fiery with lots of heat and flames. And metal. It was covered in armor plating. I think you know who I’m talking about. Yeah. HIM.

I was scared. Anyone would be.

Luckily for us he was also asleep. We tiptoed out of there but not before Tilby picked up one of it’s scales that was laying there. We emerged into another large city-cavern and there it was… the library. Not on an upper level after all. So much for Tilby’s supposed knowledge of the layout. However he DID know about the back entrance so I won’t hold it against him.

We distracted a pair of Wyrmkin guards and slipped inside. There we encountered… books. Lot’s and lot’s of books. As we began our search I had a brief scare when I thought a black whelpling was attacking me but it turned out to be merely a large bat that I had startled.

Finally we found the tome we were looking for and I managed to make sure it was in my possession. We teleported back to Ironforge and there we found ourselves in a standoff as I did not trust Tilby enough to give him the book as I still found his intentions murky at best.

I thought it might actually come to violence until Tilby offered to give me the black scale from… HIM… in exchange for the book. I accepted, as I believed proof of what we had found in Grim Batol was more important than whatever it is that Tilby is up to. And perhaps the scale might even come in useful.

And that ends my report on the expedition to Grim Batol. However I did make another deal with Tilby: in exchange in my help on an expedition to Capital City in Lordereon in order to find the next key in deciphering his scroll he would allow me to read the scroll when he was finished decoding it. This trip was successful though not without watching two idiots almost catapult themselves into Capital City’s outer wall, two encounters with the Forskaen, and a run-in with an exploding barrel filled with the Forsaken plague.

The final result of this latest expedition is that we now know the scroll creates something or is describing an item that creates something.

I also got to visit his lab afterward. I found nothing that would require its incineration at this moment. Unfortunately.

In summary: Deathwing is alive and well.

Your faithful servant and daughter,

Rublestrasza.

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 21

2009-11-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

A click and then Ruby’s high-pitched voice can be heard: “Despite how well my personal life hass been going not all of my endeavors have gone as well. My attempts to bring the albino dragonss into the Accord have sso far met in failure.”

With a sigh she continues: “Failure may be an undersstatment. I may have accidentally gotten my only friend among the albinoss exiled. Err… alright I flat out did and I feel terrible about it.”

“They did more than exile her. They… hurt her. Badly.”

“A young red drake was overzealous in it’ss duties and an albino whelping was killed. Kali was an easy target for the albino’s rage given her closeness with me.”

“I’m not ssure what to do. No matter what I do it seems one faction or the other is sstuck in it’ss old ways. Bitterness runs deep in the albino dragons and uncertainty remains high in the Accord about the albinos. Trust is nowhere to be found on either side.”

“The accord will never trust dragonss that have no Titan-given purpose. And the albinos will never put aside their bitterness toward us, nor find a true purpose as they are too buried in memory of what hass been done to them and merely surviving to think beyond to greater matterss.”

“I am thinking of going to the albinos personally to negotiate in person and apologize for our actionss. This will be dangerous but it iss the only way I think.”

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 20

2009-11-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

“Hello there again… I’ve been a bit lax on thesse voice recordings lately sso I’m just going to go over ssome of the things that have been happening briefly to catch up…” Ruby said and then paused as the sound of… something can be heard whining and growling.

Ruby giggled and then continued: “That’ss my new pet… Razzi. He’s my new raptor hatchling. I found the poor dear in Stranglethorn Vale after some trolls had wiped out the rest of his… yess…yess! I’m getting you food Razzi! Calm down!”

The sound of a knife chopping meat can be heard as Ruby resumes: “I have a full report to make to the Life-Binder soon about matterss relating to my duties to the Wyrmrest Accord. Thesse include an expedition to Grim Batol and the ruins of Capital City, and the latest on the problems with the Albino dragons. Expect a full update on those ssoon.”

The sound of a clay platter being placed on a hard surface can be heard, and then the sound of a knife sliding across a cutting board as it pushes the morsels of meat onto the platter, and then finally the sounds of Ruby’s hands being washed in water follows.

“Today I’m going to sstick to my personal life. I’ve met a lot of people lately including: Doderic… he’s really shy but always makes sure the Lost Traveler Tavern has strawberry icecream for me, Nesepha… she’ss shy too though she tries to pretend that she’ss not, Philomene… she’s a mute through choice and can be a bit stand-offish but I know she has a good heart, and Maesaeloria… a druid who I find to be very wise and serene, and a very gentle soul as well.”

“Doderic, Nesepha, and Philomene each seem to have problems with romantic entanglements…usually the lack of them. I’ve been trying to help them fix that in my own way. In addition I’ve been trying my best to help Philomene become a more ‘people’ person. I just know she’d be a lot happier if she thawed out a little and relaxed and I’ve seen some progress on that front already. She’s even wearing a dress lately.” Ruby says with a giggle.

The sound of the platter being placed on the floor and a very excited raptor hatchling can be heard. “There you go Razzi… that’s enough meat for even a dragon.” Ruby says with amusement to the raptor hatchling.

Ruby resumes for the star ruby recording: “The biggest development though is my relationship with Anthus. Ssince the last recording we have grown MUCH closer. We’ve been on a number of dates from diving from the waterfalls of Stranglethorn and hunting together in it’s jungles, to relaxing on the beaches of Teldrassil, to visiting Aerie Peak the home of his adopted family before their death.”

Ruby sighs in contentment: “We have grown so close I can no longer imagine my life without him to be honest.”

“I know not everything is ideal. Hiss short lifespan iss something I will have to come to terms with and we cannot have hatchlings together. Both of these things are unfortunate… especially so in combination with one another. I know Anthus dwells on these facts more than he should but I do my best to emphasize everything else and distract him when he gets stubborn about it.”

“I have grown very good at learning how to… uh… distract him.” Ruby says with a cackle.

“The truth of the matter iss that I love him. Nothing else matters anymore. He’s captured me heart and soul and there wouldn’t be anything I could do even if I wanted to. He’ss so strong, but kind and gentle. He’ss not afraid of his emotions like so many other mortals, which is good because I have a lot of my own and he is well equipped to deal with them. He doesn’t mind what he calls my “red headed fiery spirit” nor my draconic… uh… quirkss… but neither will he allow himself to be pushed around.”

“Matterss have grown serious enough that Anthus and I have told Rhune about our relationship. This went well for the most part… once I reassured Rhune that Anthus was an addition to my life and not a replacement for him. I still love Rhune and the Astherions as much as I ever did. I just… want what Rhune has with Rin. Or Tana with Adiros.”

“Rhune did however request Anthus always get me home by dawn. And by request he threatened to turn Anthus into a turtle if he didn’t.” Ruby sighed. Then added in a pout: “As if I’m some ssort of child!”

Ruby added in a fairly good, if high pitched imitation of Rhune’s voice: “As long as you live under my roof you’ll obey my rules…”

“Even worse Anthus agreed! Well we’ll ssee about THAT.” Ruby said firmly.

“I have yet to talk to the Life-Binder directly about my relationship with Anthus either. Our relationship is… not common among dragonss. I admit to being nervous about that conversation even though Anthus has been working hard on behalf of the Wyrmrest Accord of late.”

“Anyway that’ss all for now. More thoughts later.” Ruby said before a final “click” is heard and the stone shuts off.

True friendship!

2009-11-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

There are friends… and then there are FRIENDS. True friends. It can be hard to tell the difference on the internet sometimes, but they can be found even here. You can tell the difference if you stop a moment and think. They’re the ones who ask if you’re alright when something goes wrong. They’re the ones who do so even when they don’t have to, even when it’s not socially expected.

Sometimes they even follow up and check in on you as time goes on. Because they actually care. They can take a moment and see beyond themselves. You can tell when someone is just going through the motions. They’re the ones who just want the conversation to end.

It’s true that in such times it is rare anyone can truly help you. When sorrow strikes what use are words? But it’s not the words, it’s the attempt that matters. Just the knowledge someone cares is enough.

There have been those who have helped me in this way the last few weeks. To them I offer thanks and I earnestly hope I will be there if and when you too need a true friend.

You know who you are. And you are the awesomesauce!

First steps along the path…

2009-11-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

As mentioned in my last post I have set myself a goal of where I want to be… a person I want to become… and that I have a year to get there. Not being one to waste time I’ve taken the first few steps along that journey already.

Step one: I’ve always wanted to draw. Well no more excuses. With some of my birthday monies I bought DragonArt by J "NeonDragon" Peffer. This book is 127 pages of easy to follow instructions on how to draw dragons.

I’ll say right now I love this book.

It’s in full color, softbound but of high-quality glossy paper, and attractive and well laid out. The artist’s *cough* whimsical humor is evident throughout. And it is very easy to follow along.

She starts off with an introduction that introduces the reader to some basic concepts and then launches right into how to draw a basic dragon, slowly advancing the reader step-by-step to drawing ever more complicated dragons, covering many different angles and poses.

I have yet to begin my instruction using the book but it looks easy enough the way she has it laid out. And the fact the book is in full color is more than just eye candy, as the lines you are to draw in the current step are in red while the previous lines are in blue, making it very easy to keep track of what it is you’re supposed to be doing.

All-in-all it looks like a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see how far I’ll come on dragon drawing by my next birthday (see why it’s such a good birthday gift?).

Step two: I’ve been looking back into the past in recent weeks and I’ve realized I’d really wished I’d been journaling all these things. It doesn’t seem right that my character’s lives are chronicled so well but I pay so little to writing about myself until heartbreak comes.

All that changes now. I will be on a journey of sorts over the next year and it should be chronicled even if just for myself. It will keep me on track. Very important if I want to get where I want to go.

I’ve started a new blog which will act as my journal. You know… for the typist. Yeah seriously. For real even.

This has the added benefit that THIS blog can go back to being what it was supposed to be about: character fiction and role-playing articles (the later of which I DO intend to start posting like I originally promised).

So far it just repeats the latest three posts here. But from here on out it will diverge. You can find it here: Journal of a Whimsical Dragon.

Just the lone tiger now…

2009-11-16T04:47:00.001-08:00

It’s been a week since my last post and nearly three weeks since the official breakup. Has it really been so long? It seems like last night… except it also seems like an eternity ago.

A lot has happened in the last week. I’ve gone through everything I have on my computer that had to do with her. Chatlogs, e-mail, pictures, all of it. I dreaded doing it. I knew it would bring up so much sadness and regret. But I also knew I needed to do it. I needed to embrace what we had one last time so I could let her go. So much warmth and caring. I was reminded that she did love me once. She had to have. All of that couldn’t have been an act. And that means I can be loved again.

After I was done I put it all in a folder and buried it as deep in my computer and hit “invisible”. It’s there still. I can’t delete nearly a year of my life… or all evidence of the first person I ever loved. But it’s all out of sight and out of mind. I’m not going to look at it again for a very long time I think.

I also had a birthday. This means I’m a year older. This would normally depress me, in fact it should depress me MORE now as I’m further from where I wanted to be than I was earlier this year.

Except I don’t think I AM further away after all. I learned so much from being with her… about relationships and about myself. What I’m looking for. I don’t think I was ready to be in a relationship when I met her despite how much I wanted to be in one. I’m a lot closer to being there now however. I think NEXT time I will be ready if I can find the right woman.

I just need to get over the last one first.

And I need to get my own life straightened out too.

I’ve done nothing but think about this topic for almost three weeks now. And I’ve come to this conclusion: this is a do-over. Not just for relationships but for everything. My entire life. It’s time to become the person I want to be. It’s time I put as much effort into myself as I do my in-game avatars. The woman I eventually find needs to be worthy of the love I can lavish on her. But I need to be worthy of her too.

This will mean less time in World of Warcraft to an extent. But I’m not going away. I do not see World of Warcraft as a negative experience in the slightest. In fact I know if I hadn’t been playing WoW I’d have been doing something less productive. It wouldn’t have changed a thing for me. At least in the game I’ve met some good people, had a chance to express my creativity, practiced writing, and learned a lot about myself. More than I would have without the game I think.

It’s not about leaving. It’s about finding a balance.

The hardest part isn’t leaving the game-play, or even the role-playing. It’s that after three years in the game I’m used to never being alone. There’s always someone on. There’s always chatter to listen to. There is always someone to talk to. I was such a loner once and now I can’t stand to be alone for even a moment.

AIM only helps so much. Maybe Battle.net 2.0 will solve this little problem for me. Blizzard just needs to HURRY UP ALREADY!

I made a vow to myself right before my birthday: One year from now my life will be back on track, I will have a steady financial income, I will have gotten in the habit of writing more and be drawing, and I will be a whole and complete person and ready to meet my future wife.

2010 is my year. I intend it to be the pivotal moment in my life. Everything is going to change forever.

My Happy Ending

2009-11-09T06:27:00.000-08:00

The title is a song by Avril Lavigne and it pretty much represents my entire life at the moment. Not Rhune’s life or Ruby’s life, but their typists. Probably didn’t notice right? No you probably didn’t. I’m too good at pretending everything is fine.

But everything is not fine. I am NOT alright. Sometimes I wonder how it is no one around me has noticed.

Deep within my own mind I scream and rage… cry and lay broken… and when I do not feel those I am too numb to feel anything.

Time has passed since we ended. I thought the feelings were supposed to fade? They’re not fading. I don’t think it’s supposed to be this way. I think something is wrong.

It’s not like I haven’t had closure. I know why we broke up. I know where things went wrong. I’ve had my last conversation with her. I’ve gotten to say goodbye. The feelings should be fading now. I’ve done everything one is supposed to in order to move on.

I really should. She certainly has.

I have certainly tried. But then I’ll remember the sound of her voice, her playful smile, her loving words. They still make me smile, how do you let something like that go?

I need to dump all her e-mails and pictures. I need to delete the link to her photobucket and pandora profile pages. I REALLY need to eliminate her from my gmail contact list. Seeing when she is online is not helpful. Nor is her gmail contact picture amusing and cute as it is, as it always is no matter how many times she changes it.

I realize that. I really do.

Maybe tomorrow.

Interesting fact: Did you know if the sorrow is great enough you can scream and it’s completely silent? I do. Never felt so close to Faylian either. Which is why I don’t play her currently.

Whispers in the Dark Pt. 8

2009-10-08T21:04:00.000-07:00

October 6^th, 28^th year after the Dark Portal was opened

Brightvalor Residence

Dalaran

Faylian Lanstryde seemed nervous as she approached the front door to the Brightvalor Residence, the home of the only friends she had remaining in the world: Andryen & Myrandriel Brightvalor and their newborn son Alexandros. Faylian was dressed in the only finery she possessed: a stunning dress of an icy blue and white color. She seemed uncomfortable and awkward in it however as she carefully smoothed the dress out in an attempt to look her best.

Only the Brigthvalors could make her feel nervous and she hated the feeling. In fact only the Brightvalors made her feel at all. Forcibly calming herself Faylian knocked on the door firmly, announcing her presence boldy. Or so she hoped.

The door opened and the mistress of the house was before her. Myrandriel smiled and greeted her: “Fay! Welcome dear, come on in, the tea is just about ready.”

Faylian nodded somewhat stiffly, her posture one of a knight in full plate armor rather than that of a woman in a dress. She walked though the entrance and simply stated: “Tea will be fine Myra.”

Following Myra back toward the kitchen she stopped as she noticed a small basinet on the table. She looked down and peered over the blankets at the fresh face of baby Alex. As she had the first time she had viewed the babe she felt a maternal feeling overcome her, something she had not felt since… Capital City.

“I thought Alex would enjoy your company as well Fay.” Myrandriel said with a knowing smile at the death knight.

Faylian placed a velvet gloved hand on the babe’s brow and her lips twitched in an almost-smile. “He is as beautiful as the first time I saw him Myra.”

“I would have had Mourne baby-sit him but I was sure you would want to see him again too.” Myrandriel was still smiling at her.

Faylian tensed as the voices returned suddenly.

“Mourne is a threat to the child. He must be killed.”

“Myra would never forgive you if she found out.”

Faylian sighed. The voices had seemed to grow worse since she has met baby Alex. They had not used to speak to her when she was in public. Outside she could sense Pavel her black horned owl. It had refused to enter the Brightvalor Residence but she knew he awaited her in the skies above Dalaran.

“It could be made to look like an accident. Or blame can be set upon another. Rhune perhaps.”

“No! You must remain true to the Brightvalors in all things or there won’t be anything of any worth remaining in you. However there is nothing wrong about having him watched…”

Faylian smiled as the voices fell silent again. Myra returned with the tea and poured them both a glass before asking, “So what is new with you sister of my heart?”

“I have taken a squire under my wing… a death knight named Zinwrath. He has proven to be… hard to break in. Stubborn. Mule-headed. However I have every confidence that one day he will suffer well for the Ebon Blade.” Faylian responded, trying to sound confidant.

“He is not loyal to the Ebon Blade, only to you, this you know! He cannot be trusted when his infatuation fades.”

“Infatuation or love? Love is a strong bond, this you know as well. And he learns. In his own way.”

Faylian forced the voices away and focused on Myra. That always seemed to help somehow. Sipping at her tea she merely listened to Myra chatting with her, responding when it seemed necessary and soaking in the presence of Myra and baby Alex.

……

Some time later she returned home to the Slaughtered Lamb. Taking out some parchment and an inkbottle she dipped a quill into the ink and began to write:

To: Sir Alan Mithra, Agent of the Ebon Watch

The Necromancer known as Mourne has come to my attention. He is loyal to no one but himself and must be watched carefully lest he interfere with the goals of the Ebon Blade or reflect badly on the order with his experiments.

You are ordered to set agents to observing his movements immediately. All information of interest should be forwarded to me immediately. I regard this mission of the utmost importance.

-Dame Faylian Lanstryde, Inquisitor of the Ebon Watch

Gaming on a virtual table top

2009-10-04T02:58:00.000-07:00

My other hobby besides WoW is table top gaming, my current favorite being Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition. In an effort to play more often I have started a new group using Wizard of the Coast’s new community features on their website.

The Virtual Table Top Gaming Group is dedicated to not only helping you find a table top RP game to play online but to help build a strong and reliable community of people to play with again and again. Something I think is sorely lacking in the online world right now.

You can set up a game using any system (even non-WoTC games) and use any method to play online you like (i.e. Fantasy Grounds II, Maptools, chat system, whatever). There are also forums dedicated to the community and campaign or character journals as there will be blogs on the topic of gaming on a Virtual Table Top.

It’s a brand new, very young community. But sign up and join and hopefully we’ll be a booming community in the near future helping gamers everywhere get their game on.

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 19

2009-08-01T01:10:00.000-07:00

“Anthus and I REALLY need to tell Rhune about our relationship… or this ssneaking into the house in the morning iss going to get annoying.” Ruby said into her star ruby; which once again was activated and recording her every word.

The sound of Ruby opening the basement window of the Astherion house can be heard before she resumed: “Everyone should be asleep thiss early so it shouldn’t be any problem sslipping through my window…”

“Ruby!” Lamorra shouted happily.

“Welcome back!” Lakorra joined in.

The sound of Ruby groaning in dismay can be heard and then the sound of a window closing.

“Where were you Ruby?” Lamorra asked cheerfully.

“You weren’t here last night.” Lakorra observed.

“Sshh! I was hunting alright?” Ruby said with some annoyance. “What are you doing in my bed anyway? Sshouldn’t you be in your own room?”

“Papa and momma wanted to spend time together last night. So they sent us to spend the night with you! Only you weren’t here so we just camped out waiting for you till we fell asleep.” Lakorra explained.

“Dun worry! We didn’t tell papa.” Lakorra added. “We thought you might be with Anthus.”

“Oooh! Ruby’s blushing! WERE you with Anthus?” Lamorra asked giggling. “No lying if we’re sisters now.”

There is a pause for a moment and then Ruby reluctantly answered: “I WAS hunting… but yess I was hunting with Anthus. The first hunt together is a very important in dragon courtship rituals. It signifies wishing to be more than just… uh…”

“Just… uh… what Ruby?” Lakorra asked.

“Errr… well… for those who wissh to announce they want to do more than have hatchlingss… er… children together.” Ruby tried to explain.

Lamorra asked sounding a little confused: “Isn’t that backwards? Wouldn’t you only have children with someone who you wanted to spend time with?”

“It’ss… different with dragons. But it doesn’t matter ssince Anthus isn’t a dragon and we can’t possibly have hatchlings anyway.” Ruby said sounding embarrassed. “Now enough about that.”

“Then why does he have to go on a first hunt with you if he isn’t a dragon?” Lakorra chimed in.

“Becausse he respects the traditions of my kin and wants me to know that… and because we had fun Lakorra.” Ruby tried to explain.

“But what did you hunt?!” Lamorra asked in a rush.

“And did he kiss you?” Lakorra giggled.

“We hunted bears in Dun Morogh and…” Ruby trailed off suddenly.

Lamorra and Lakorra can suddenly both be heard giggling together and Lakorra burst out: “Ruby’s blushing again! He kissed her!”

Lamorra squealed: “Think he did!”

“I taught him to hunt as a dragon…” Ruby continued trying to ignore them. “We firsst tracked down a bear and while Anthus distracted it I leaped from the top of a hill onto it’ss back and killed it. It was… nice. We worked together as a team and he didn’t sseem to mind the more feral aspects of a dragon on the hunt.”

Ruby paused and then: “He… he really does seem to love everything about me… no matter how alien I must seem to him at times.”

“You’re not alien Ruby.” Lamorra chided.

“You’re our sister in everything but blood.” Lakorra added.

Ruby laughed, the sound seeming joyous and affectionate: “I am indeed. But dragonss and humanss can be drastically different in outlook and tradition… but Anthus doesn’t care about that at all… in fact I think I worry about it more than he does.”

“Anyway…” Ruby continued, “Next Anthus tracked a bear of his own which I then distracted and Anthus brought down the way I had taught him. Then I ate of his kill and he ate of mine and the ritual wass finished.”

“What else happened?” Lamorra asked eagerly.

“Didn’t take you till morning to do that.” Lakorra agreed.

Ruby paused again and then relented: “I may have… pelted him with a ssnowball or two… though I think that wass at the beginning… and after the hunt we rode down to Loch Modan and sat overlooking the lake. We talked a lot… and…”

“And?” Lamorra persisted.

“You’re blushing again Ruby… I think he kissed you!” Lakorra giggled.

“You ARE more red right now than when you are in dragon form.” Lamorra snickered.

“Yess… well… fine you little busy bodiess… we kissed.” Ruby finally relented. “But don’t go telling anyone.”

“Ruby and Anthus sitting in a tree… K…i…s…s…i…n…g.” Lamorra and Lakorra both sung at once.

“Sshhhhhhh!!” Ruby hissed in embarrassment.

Giggling once again Lamorra said: “We won’t tell. We’re happy that you’re happy.”

“We really are Ruby.” Lakorra said seriously.

“Thank you,” Ruby said seeming moved. “Now let’ss try to get SOME sleep before your papa and mamma wake uss up.”

And with that the star ruby was turned off with a click.

Whispers in the Dark Pt. 7

2009-07-31T01:01:00.000-07:00

June 29th, in the 28th year after the Dark Portal was opened

Mage District

Stormwind

Faylian looked into the shattered mirror in her room at the Slaughtered Lamb and glared at the very angry woman she saw in it’s shattered pane. She just stood there looking at herself seeming lost in frustrated thoughts.

That Fel’ing necromancer had defeated her attempts to locate his sanctuary. Damn Mourne anyway!

“As long as he is hiding away in his tower being secretive he could be a threat to Andreyn and Myrandriel. Moreover he is a necromancer not under the control of the Ebon Blade. He could become a threat or rival to the order. Even if his motives are pure his failure could reflect badly on the Ebon Blades and turn opinions in the Alliance against us.”

“You should trust Myra’s instincts more. She trusts him. You trust her. That should be enough.”

It had all started when Faylian had encountered one of Mourne’s undead constructs in the common room of the Slaughtered Lamb. Leigan had not seemed particularly intelligent and she had befriended it. Even gifted it with a ghoul of her own creation to help supplement Mourne’s growing list of undead servitors.

Of course that ghoul had been altered slightly. It had been magically enhanced so that she could locate it anywhere on Azeroth. But when she had stormed the scene with a squad of Ebon Knights accompanying her they had found nothing. Leigan had apparently not brought the ghoul home after all.

And so here she was back at the Slaughtered Lamb starring at her newly broken mirror in frustration.

But only for now. She would have another chance soon enough she was sure.

Whispers in the Dark Pt. 6

2009-07-30T01:01:00.000-07:00

June 28th, in the 28th year after the Dark Portal was opened

Mage District

Stormwind

Dame Faylian Lanstryde, Knight of the Ebon Blade, paced back and forth impatiently in her rented room in the Slaughtered Lamb. The whispers were back. Not as insistent this time, not demanding she go one way or another. Instead they just commented. Sometimes they gave advice. But whisper they did even now that she was awake.

She had spent much of the night talking with Myrandriel Windmoon-Brightvalor. She had learned much about both Brightvalors in that conversation. Learned how they had met along with much of their shared history as well as just how strong their bond really was. They made Faylian’s heart ache as she remembered her husband Pavel as well as Alanus. She envied and admired them. They were like a precious jewel that she liked to take out and examine for it’s beauty but never wear for fear it might be damaged.

“You like the Brightvalors. You see in them what you could have been. You find acceptance and a feeling of family from them and you admire the bond they have with each other.”

“You owe them a debt. You must repay it if they are to be useful in your mission.”

So what if she did like and admire them? She was allowed that wasn’t she? She’d earned such an indulgence hadn’t she? She was allowed ONE connection surely?

“Until the Lich King takes them away too. And then where will you be? Can you withstand another personal loss of that sort?”

No… no she could not Faylian knew. One person could only endure so much. Faylian knew where her breaking point was and it was very near. The pair was as much a weakness as they were a strength for her.

“Then protect them. Make sure what has happened to you will never happen to them.”

“If you insist on this WEAKNESS then I agree. Use any means necessary to keep them safe. Eliminate any threat to their safety with extreme prejudice.”

Faylian relaxed as the voices agreed. Finally she had a course of action. She would aid them in their efforts as she had promised last night but even beyond that she would keep them alive and together… at any cost.

SOMEONE would live happily ever after Faylian decided. She would see to it.

Other things had been discussed during her talk with Myrandriel. Faylian had told her more about Alanus as well as hinted at some of the darker things even the dream had not shown the pair. Myra had called her beautiful and said that she had a large heart. Had told her she was still HUMAN even if she were dead.

Faylian had been shocked. The thought seemed so alien to her. But Myra claimed she could not have loved those who had been taken from her so very much if she was heartless and Faylian could not fault the logic try however she might.

They had discussed Faylian’s pet, the black owl she had named “Pavel” after her husband. Myrandriel had seemed quite distressed that it seemed to dislike her… and everyone else. She had tried to talk to the animal and she had claimed it could not speak “owl”. Then she had tried to project thoughts into Pavel and discovered he was not a natural beast. Almost as it it were only half in this world at all.

Well Pavel had always been a little strange. It had just shown up one day not long after the fall of Capital City during Faylian’s long trip alone to find refuge… a refuge she ultimately found in what would become the Scarlet Crusade. It never seemed to require food from her. It never seemed to require anything form her at all in fact. It was just always there. Encouraging her mission and seeming to hate anyone who drew near her.

It was a strange kind of loyalty but a loyalty nonetheless.

The owl was always there. Even after she had become a Death Knight. And then when she awoke yesterday there it had been at Ebon Hold waiting for her return. Just like that.

“Some things just are. You have more important things to consider.”

Of course she did. She had to help Andreyn and Myra. She had to keep them safe. And in time the Highlord would have a new assignment for her and she needed to push herself so she would be fully recovered at that time.

Whispers in the Dark Pt. 5

2009-07-29T01:01:00.000-07:00

Faylian awoke and found herself on the ground of the ruined New Avalon church, her head resting peacefully in Myrandriel’s lap, who was looked down at her with concern and… affection? Andreyn was harder to read but he seemed to Faylian to be less stern and just a little less gruff than usual.

Faylian felt weak after her long sleep and remained where she was. She could feel Myrandriel brushing her hair from her face and for a brief moment Faylian felt as if she were safe and loved… as a child would with her parents.

She listened as they told her of recent events. Of the fall of the Scarlet Onslaught and how Dominika had risen to take control of the final remnants of the Scarlet Crusade. Andreyn and Myrandriel’s own separate attempt to restore a TRUE Scarlet Crusade free of all corruption from the Burning Legion.

They came to her because they needed her. Or more accurately they needed General Abbendis. She was to raise Abbendis from the dead and then serve as a liaison between the new Scarlet Crusade and the Ebon Blade.

She would serve two Highlords it would seem: the Father and the Son. Alexandros and Darion Mograine: one a spirit residing in the Paladin before her, and the other a Death Knight and head of Faylian’s order.

In the form of the Lich King death had become the enemy. But now it would seem death would also become a second chance to make matters right.

Whispers in the Dark Pt. 4

2009-07-28T01:01:00.000-07:00

“He cannot be host to Alexandros Mograine’s spirit. Blasphemy!”

“You are still here even though dead are you not Faylian?”

Andreyn straightened, turning to face the newcomer. "So we come to the end, eh? Will you answer the call of the Flame, and the Son, or will you continue to hide here inside this prison of your own making?

"I hide from nothing!" Faylian shouted.

Yet another Faylian emerged from the mists, this one dressed in a fine icy-blue dress, though still with the physical look of a death knight. The newcomer arched a brow and commented: "She hides from me."

The Faylian-in-saronite glared with hatred at the newest arrival.

Andreyn rumbled quietly to himself... subsiding a bit. "So. We come to the truth of the matter."

From the skies above the cry of a bird of prey sounded, and an owl black as midnight landed on Faylian's saronite-clad shoulder, it's talons clutched her possessively. "I repeat, I hide from nothing," she said more calmly.

"I suggest you both leave now," the death knight continued sternly. "While you still can."

Myrandriel narrowed her eyes slightly as the owl appeared, eyeing the creature. "No, I don't think we will. My Lord and I came for your help, and we've no intention of leaving without it."

“Kill her and his strength will be gone.”

In the real world Faylian’s hand suddenly grasped Myrandriel’s throat tightly and began to squeeze.

Back within the dream Faylian hissed warningly: “Leave!!”

The Scarlet paladin watched the armored death knight evenly. With a thin smile, he rumbled, "Light's will be done..."

Raising a hand a blast of blinding red-laced Light arcs across the space between them, straight for the owl. "You took the oath of the Flame, Crusader. To walk always in the Light."

The Owl glared with hatred at Andreyn before vanishing in a burst of light. The saronite-clad Faylian growled: "The Light has done NOTHING for me! I owe it NOTHING!"

Back at the ruined church outside of the dream Faylian’s grip tightened on Myrandriel’s throat beginning to strangle the life out of her now.

Andreyn stepped in front of the armored death knight seeming to loom over her small frame. "And WHAT have you done to GIVE IT CAUSE?" he thundered. "How long have you wallowed in your self pity, never looking beyond your own misery? Do you think others have not suffered as greatly as you?"

"I have lost my -home-, my -Order-, and my -life- to the Scourge," he growled. "It is only through the Light that I -have- this life... and the hope to start the Crusade anew. As it SHOULD have been."

The Faylian clad in the icy-blue dress walked over to Myrandriel in the dream. "She did find love once after her death you know..." she trailed off with a sad smile. "We did almost feel alive for a time."

Faylian glared at her twin* "Silence! Or I'll squeeze the life out of her!"

Myrandriel’s physical form in the real world begins to gasp as she desperately tries to breathe.

"She sees me as a weakness... wants to deny I ever existed," the Faylian in the icy-blue dress continued. "She's been fighting against me for months.”

Myrandriel’s mental form flickered, but she still smiled to the Faylian in the icy-blue dress. "So it often is. I don't doubt even I had fought myself, once. Tell me about this love of yours?"

"He was my mentor... the one who taught me how to survive as a death knight. His name was Alanus and even under the Lich King he was free... worked against him. Always he was a paladin at heart. The Lich King could not break him. He was so much stronger than I ever could be."

The saronite-clad Faylian laughed bitterly: "He was too weak to do what was necessary to win, and he could not stand to look at us anytime he suspected the truth!"

Myrandriel tilted her head. "I wouldn't say that. You're here, aren't you?" She smiles softly, reaching over to place a hand on Fay-in-a-dress's shoulder. "All of you are here...all of you can be one, and whole."

The other Faylian smiled sadly: "He made us feel human and alive, and he would not allow us to get away with being anything less. No matter how hard we tried."

The saronite-clad Faylian sneered: "Survining is not victory. Would there be death knights in the Retribution without MY efforts? Would Rhune have been eliminated as a threat or Dominika cowed? Ha! -I- dealt with them! Not Alanus. Not YOU. My methods. Nothing else!"

Andreyn snorts, "Dominika has hardly been cowed. If anything, she's become more of a threat than before.”

"She did not interfere with the Highlord's intentions for the Retribution. That is all I need concern myself with." The saronite-clad Faylian answered back.

"She knows Alanus would have left us if he found out what we did. That is why she hates me... because I care that he would have," the Faylian in the icy blue dress responded.

"As I said... weakness," the saronite-clad Faylian whispered.

"I wouldn't call love weakness." Myrandriel shook her head. "It is my love for my Andreyn that gives me strength, my love for my land that gives me my power...no, love is not a weakness."

"It only creates pain and sorrow!" the saronite-clad Faylian screamed with rage.

Andreyn graveled softly, "At its heart...was it not the love of a son for his father that freed the Blade? Not the rantings of that fool Fordring; he would have –died- without Darion's sacrifice."

"It's too much... I can't go through what I have twice already yet again... I just can't..." the saronite-clad Faylian whispered desperately. "I don't want to rejoin with her. Please... don't make me... I can't do what I need to with her in here with me."

Myrandriel’s face in the phyisical world begins to turn blue as Faylian’s seemingly iron grip remains in place.

Myrandriel’s form flickered again, even seeming to fade slightly. "Faylian, dearling...it hurts. I know it hurts. But would Alanus truly want you to be so miserable on his behalf?"

"He'd be disappointed in me... he was always disappointed in me when he knew... whenever he found out... how can I hope? What is left for me now? Just vengeance and oblivion,” the saronite-clad Faylian said in a small, hopeless voice.

"Without heart," the red-clad paladin rumbled, "You cannot appreciate what you have to gain as much as you feel the pain of what you have lost. You become a machine... and whether Ebon Blade or Crusader, you would be wasting the Son's gift to ignore it.”

He regarded her critically, "There is much to gain here, Lady Lanstryde. But you will never see the potential of it if you deny hope."

“I should have died that day in Capital City... I don't have the right to anything more than my simple goals." Faylian said all emotion drained from her.

"On the contrary. It is because you lived that you deserve far more than this." The slowly fading Myrandriel placed both hands on Fay-in-a-dress's shoulders, turning her to the saronite-Fay. "You were happy. You must remember that happiness, and strive to reclaim as much of it as you can."

Andreyn rumbled quietly. "All things happen for a reason, whether we as mortals can see them. I served the naaru for nearly two years... if there is one thing I know, it is that. You were raised in Faith, you fought beneath the colors of Faith. How can you turn away from Faith now, when at last you need its comfort?"

The Faylian in the icy-blue dress stepped forward holding out her hands: "Reclaim me... you may even find me useful in your mission. We still want the same things my twin."

The Faylian in the saronite armor stepped forward slowly, glancing at the others uncertainly and seeming very vulnerable for someone clad in the armor of a death knight. Very slowly she clasps the other Faylian's hands in hers.

"Th... they wouldn't help us if they knew what we had done." she whispered.

Andreyn stepped back slightly, watching. His outline seemed to have stopped blurring, though he did look subtly different somehow. "We all have pasts. What is important is that we learn from them in order to move forward."

Faylian’s grip began to ease on Myrandriel’s throat and the druidess managed to suck in a breath of glorious air.

"It does not matter. We have all...done something we regret. The past is there to learn from, but not to rule us." Myrandriel smiled softly, her form starting to solidify. "Become one again, Faylian. Be yourself from now on."

Faylian’s hand released Myrandriel’s throat and fell to the floor at her side.

The Faylian in the icy-blue dress smiled encouragingly and the saronite-clad Faylian took a deep breath and released it.

Then in a flash the dream world was gone.

Whispers in the Dark Pt. 3

2009-07-27T02:40:00.000-07:00

Faylian watched the pair from both everywhere and nowhere at once. Watched as they stared around in horror at the mutilated wreckage that had once been her husband and children.

"She was...oh, Goddess..." murmured Myrandriel in shock. "Faylian...? Lady Faylian? Where are you?"

She watched as they discovered the wall behind which the safe room was that had hid her past self from the Scourge. But before they could find a way to open it another Faylian walked into the room; one dressed in full Scarlet Crusade regalia and tabard. Her eyes burned with a zealot’s fire. "She won't be any good to you now you know..."

“We came to seek the help of both of you, Sister." Myrandriel stated.

Faylian hissed in response: "She cannot help you. She is useless and weak. She sat there in that safe room and listened while her husband and children were dismembered and eaten alive!"

"Did she? And you would not have, I assume?" Andryen rumbled quietly, brilliant blue gaze resting on the woman.

"What could she have done?" Myra spreads her hands, shaking her head. "Against the dead...what could she have done to save them?"

"I would have opened the door and died with them!" Faylian’s past self screamed.

Andreyn merely asked, "To what end: one more meal for the ghouls? Or perhaps a soldier for their master..."

"Coward! I should kill her myself." Faylian started toward the wall.

Andreyn snapped out a hand to catch her and not particularly gently either.

Faylian's eyes narrowed at Andreyn. "Remove your hand from me."

"I would have opened the door and died with them!" Faylian’s past self screamed.

Andreyn merely asked, "To what end: one more meal for the ghouls? Or perhaps a soldier for their master..."

"Coward! I should kill her myself." Faylian started toward the wall.

Andreyn snapped out a hand to catch her and not particularly gently either.

Faylian's eyes narrowed at Andreyn. "Remove your hand from me."

"This is not the action of a Crusader," he stated quietly, though his voice had steel under it. "A warrior of the Light does not lash out blindly. Focus, and turn your betrayal into a weapon against the true source, not against things you cannot change."

"Do you want to see what a true Crusader is capable of?" Faylian sneered.

Faylian looked at Myra coldly as the mists swallowed the room up once again and then pull back, revealing a new room. Now the pair stood somewhere deep in the dungeons of Tyr's Hand. Faylian now stood before them as a full Inquisitor of the Scarlet Crusade. Before her is a rack with a Cultist of the Damned strapped upon it.

Faylian's face seemed perfectly at peace for once as she said: "I know I have broken you hours ago... have taken what you knew... from this point onward it is only for my own amusement corpse lover. I intend you to give me DAYS of enjoyment."

"Torment of the wicked--hell on earth, exacted by the victims. Am I not correct?" Myrandriel asks.

Faylian stared Myrandriel down, "I have the right."

Andreyn rumbled ominously. "And you would waste your time in this when your duties should occupy your mind and heart?" He grabbed her shoulder and spun her to face him. "Fool. Giving in to this is equally as worthless as groveling in terror and fear. You waste your time, and waste your efforts to no good end."

Faylian blinked at Andreyn and nodded slowly. "Perhaps."

"There is no perhaps. This is the path of falsehood and unrighteousness," Andreyn growled, that scarlet haze rippling around him. "We do what we must, but we do NOT give in to the temptations that cling to our enemy. THIS is what gave the Legion its claw hold in MY Crusade. A true Crusader knows the difference between what is needed and just and what serves only the self."

"YOUR Crusade? And who are you to claim ownership of the Crusade? To pass judgment over ME?" Faylian sneered.

"I. Am. Your. HIGHLORD." It barely sounded like Andreyn...and for a moment, just for a moment... he didn’t look like Andreyn at all either. Instead he seemed possessed by the spirit of Alexandros Mograine himself, original patron of the Scarlet Crusade.

Faylian took a step back, hesitation showing in her eyes. "You... are not the Highlord... he wouldn't consort with the likes of HER." Faylian pointed at Myra disdainfully.

Myra smiled softly to herself. "On the contrary. Highlord Mograine oversaw my oath himself. He knows the value of the skills other races may bring to the Order."

"This is no longer the heyday of Lordaeron. Have you looked around you lately? With the betrayal of the Onslaught, Lordaeron is shattered, empty. Stormwind's King is obsessed with the wallowing Horde. I have the sense to see that we need what allies we can find that will accept the banner of the Flame, regardless of the color of their skin. This is a war of the living against the dead, Crusader. Remember that."

"She cannot understand. You speak of events that have not happened to her yet HIGHLORD," a cold voice says. A new form emerges from the mists from behind Andreyn, this Faylian clad in the Saronite Armor of an Ebon Blade. "I understand. The Lich King unified us all with death's embrace."

This Faylian looks at the pair coldly, with none of the fire that Inquisitor Faylian showed, but with equal determination and resolve. “Now you must deal with me as I am today.”

Whispers in the Dark Pt. 2

2009-07-20T01:01:00.000-07:00

June 27th, in the 28th year after the Dark Portal was opened

New Avalon

Eastern Plaguelands

The voices were whispering. Always whispering.

The last thing she could clearly remember was standing on the streets of Stormwind a letter clutched in her hands and then… the oblivion of the mists overtook her and she knew nothing else. She knew the mists could not be real. She knew the towers she could just barely make out through the fog could not truly be Capital City for it had long since been lost to the Scourge.

The only thing she truly knew were the whispers in the dark.

“Awake! You are a weapon forged by the hand of the Lich King himself. Weapons do not slumber. Weapons do not dither. Weapons do not stay locked with indecision! You have a special destiny: to slay the hand of he who forged you. Kill him and those he has taken from you can rest.”

“You are not just a weapon. Awake and discover you are still human. Awake and put the past behind you. Honor those you have lost by beginning anew.”

The whispers pulled her from the mists but in opposite directions. She could not decide.

“Remember your husband. Remember your children. Remember Alanus! HE has taken them all from you.”

“Remember the red haired young woman with freckles on her nose you once were. Remember the light in your husband’s eyes and the laughter of your children. Remember Alanus’ smile.”

“A weapon. An instrument of vengeance.”

“Human. An instrument of healing and hope.”

“Avenge them.”

“Honor them.”

Images assaulted her mind of those long stolen away from her. She screamed then and the whispers faded as they always did. Only when sorrow overwhelmed her and she screamed did they ever leave. It was almost a relief to be rid of them despite the emotional turmoil.

Thus it had been for so long that those memories of a time before had begun to fade into the distance.

Then unexpectedly something new happened.

Faylian felt something… a hand on her face? Yes, that was it… something from outside the dream had reached her. She was aware of something.

Her scream ended abruptly at the warmth on her cheek and the whispers returned.

“They can help you. Welcome them.”

“They will shatter your resolve. They must not be allowed inside.”

A presence hovered at the edge of the dream then and an image of a Kaldorei woman with antlers accompanied it. Faylian sent out a wall of pure rage and sorrow at the intruder and the presence vanished with a gasp.

Then it returned and another presence accompanied it… this one a blazing light… and behind that light a human dressed in the armor and tabard of the Scarlet Crusade?

Again Faylian sent forth a wall of her emotions but this time it was not enough. Together they were too strong. She withdrew further into the mists. Let them follow if they dared.

“That won’t stop them. Can’t you sense their love? Together they are stronger than you are.”

*screeches angrily*

The Kaldorei and the human entered the dream then and were confronted by a young woman. She had shoulder length red hair, green eyes, with just a touch of freckles on her cheeks. She wore a formal dress but she was holding her skirts up just enough to enable her to skip along the path as if she enjoyed life too much to allow such dress to constrain her.

Faylian viewed her former self with shame and disgust. Had she truly been that innocent and naïve once?

“They need to understand you if they are to help.”

“It matters not at all. When they see what you become they will look at you with horror.”

The pair introduced themselves to her younger self as Myrandriel Windmoon-Brightvalor and Andreyn Brightvalor. She introduced herself as Lady Faylian Lanstryde and asked the pair if they were here to watch Prince Menethil’s victory procession as he made his triumphant return from Northrend.

Then the mists shifted…

…and the pair were on a balcony overlooking the procession, Prince Menethil at it’s head as they marched to the King’s Palace. Across from them watching on another balcony was Lord and Lady Lanstryde, their two young children eagerly trying to get glimpses of the excitement.

Shifting once again the mists revealed…

…what was apparently once the bedroom of Lord and Lady Lanstryde. Now it was a scene of ghastly horror. The furniture was in shambles; blood was splattered across the walls and floor, and the dismembered body parts of Lord Lanstryde and the two children where everywhere. Under close inspection one would note the victims remains would appear to have been chewed on. From the handprints that could be seen in the drying blood it was not hard to deduce this had happened while the victims were still alive.

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 18

2009-07-19T01:05:00.000-07:00

A click can be heard as Ruby’s Star Ruby is activated: “My reading and writing lessonss continue and I think I am showing vast improvement.” Ruby said proudly. “Rhune really is a good tea…”

Lamorra’s high-pitched voice suddenly interrupted: “Whatcha writing Ruby?”

“Let me see!” Lakorra exclaimed followed by the sound of parchment rustling.

“Give that back!” Ruby yelped sounding strangely embarrassed.

“In a minute Ruby…” Lakorra promised. Then the sound of a parchment being unrolled can be heard and she continues: “Gee you sure wrote this word a lot. An…th…us.”

Lamorra can be heard giggling before commenting: “Not the only words she wrote a lot either. Ruby St…eel…shatt…er.”

“Give that back right NOW!” Ruby growled angrily but at the same time sounding very embarrassed indeed.

Lakorra joined Lamorra in giggling: “Lot’s of hearts drawn all over too…”

The sound of Ruby grabbing the parchment can be heard with both twins continuing to giggle. Then Lakorra begins chanting: “Ruby loves Anthus… Ruby loves Anthus…”

Lamorra quickly joins in: “Ruby loves Anthus! Ruby loves Anthus!”

“He’ss just a friend.” Ruby says trying to sound firm. “That’ss all.”

Lamorra snickered: “A friend whose last name you really want to add to yours?”

“A friend deserving of…. 1… 2…. 3… 10 hearts!” Lakorra squealed in amusement. “Let’s go see what papa thinks!”

Sounding desperate Ruby broke down: “Alright! I… care for him. A lot. And I think… I think he caress for me too. This is a secret though. You two can’t tell anyone until we’re ready… not even Rhune. It’s a ssacred pact of ssissterhood. If you break it then no one will ever tell you anything ever again.”

Suddenly serious Lamorra asked: “You think of us as sisters?”

“Yess of course I do.” Ruby said sounding surprised that anyone would think otherwise.

“You… you never told us that before Ruby.” Lakorra said sounding very moved.

Ruby paused a moment before saying: “Well I do… I jusst thought it was obviouss and went without saying.”

“We feel the same way Ruby.” Lamorra responded.

Lakorra added: “We do! And we promise not to tell anyone!”

“Not anyone.” Lamorra said firmly. “Sisterly pact.”

Ruby sighed in relief and with a tone of deep affection she simply said: “Thank you both.”

“Now tell us all about him!” Lamorra giggled.

Lakorra lent her support to the idea: “Yes do tell!”

“Alright… well he’s very sweet and kind…” Ruby began before the clicking of the Star Ruby being shut off can be heard.

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 17

2009-07-19T01:01:00.000-07:00

A click can be heard and then Ruby’s high pitched gnomish voice saying: “Another quick update.”

“We returned the Dragon Sphere to mother and she sseemed very moved to ssee it again. She wass so pleased she didn’t even punish uss for entering the catacombs without permission. In fact she gave each of uss a reward and after sseeing my newfound dedication to reuniting the Dragon Flights mine was the Dragon Sphere itself! She said it was to keep me on my chosen path and to inspire my effortss.”

“I’ve never been so honored in my life!” Ruby exclaimed.

“Lyryll had a long talk with mother and it became apparent that she believed very strongly in the Red Dragonflight’ss purpose and had a deep respect for mother. She has the heart of a red dragon I think. And I think mother thought sso too because…”

“Lyryll was given the egg fragments I had brought back with me as her reward. With the Life-Binder’ss blessing she ground them up and then using other materials created two chokers… one for her and one for me… and then imbued them both with the essence of mother’ss shell. Now we each carry a part of the Life-Binder with us.”

“I hope very much to ssee Lyryll again. She is most interesting.”

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 16

2009-07-18T01:01:00.000-07:00

“We entered into a room that modeled all the environments of Azeroth: forests, marshlands, deserts, tundra, and more. Placed throughout the room were pedestals with statues of the Aspects themselves as whelplings. Blue, black, green, bronze... every Aspect was there except red whose pedestal was stood alone and empty.”

Ruby paused and then in an awed voice: “Looking at them I somehow knew these were carved during the time when the Aspects WERE whelplings by someone who was there when they hatched and who was there to see them grow.”

“Though the room and statues were beautiful there seemed to be no way to exit the room except the way we had entered. Katzghan suggested I stand on the pedestal that must have once been for the red dragon statue and not being able to think of any better ideas I did just that.”

Ruby falls silent for several minutes.

“It was...”

“I felt...”

Ruby trails off again sounding overcome by emotion. After several more minutes she clears her throat and continues.

“I saw... no... I WAS mother... Alexstrasza the Life-Binder herself... as a whelpling. We... uh... she... was so young but then so was the world itself. We played as whelplings often do with our siblings: the other Aspects. The focus of the game seemed to be a small sphere that was decorated with engravings of dragons. It was a joyous time and mother felt so much love for them... the depth of her emotions nearly overwhelmed me.”

“So yeah... that's where I get that from.”

“I'll never forget that moment. I've never felt so connected to her before. And seeing all of them playing together as siblings...” Ruby sighed wishfully. “I can't even begin to explain what it meant to me.”

“And then I was being pulled from the pedestal and the moment was over. A door seemed to have opened in the wall while I was enthralled by the vision of my mother. Pulling myself back together we stepped through the door and entered another large room.”

“A large but shallow pit filled the middle of the room. It’s floor was littered with egg shell fragments. Was this where mother and the other Aspects were hatched? Was this the room where our race was born?”

Ruby coughs: “I admit I… uh… may have palmed one of the red hued fragments.”

“Rising from the middle of the pit was a large pillar and hanging from chains just above it was a small sphere decorated with engravings of dragons. The very same sphere from my vision.”

“Shifting into whelpling form I flew up to the top of the pillar and with the help of Lyryll’s sprite darter hatchling we managed to get the sphere loose but it’s weight proved to be too much and we watched helplessly as it fell to the ground. The Life-Binder must have been looking after us however as Lyryll managed to catch it.”

“She pushed a button on the sphere and it began to make a clicking sound and then… the most beautiful music began to play. It was perfectly harmonious and I immediately called to mind the vision I had of the Aspects as whelplings playing, learning, and working together… they were unified. They were harmonious just as the Titans had intended.”

“Just as the Dragon Flights will one day be again.” Ruby said with determination. “In that moment I decided that it would be my life mission to see all of my kin reunited and once again serving the purpose we were created for.”

A clicking can be heard as Ruby pushes the button on the dragon sphere and once again it’s ancient and beautiful melody can be heard.

“Life-Binder preserve me. Why must I always choose the difficult path?”

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 15

2009-07-17T01:01:00.000-07:00

Music can be heard in the background, music both ancient and beautiful, music so harmonious as to make the heart ache for better times. The sound of a young gnomish woman sniffling can be heard as well.

“This music iss so beautiful… it moves me everytime.” Ruby said with a wishful sigh. “If only… well let’ss not get ahead of ourselvess we’d better start at the beginning.”

As Ruby continues the story she sounds oddly at peace and the usual hissing to her words are strangely absent though if she is aware of this unusual fact she gives no sign.

“It all started with a Death Knight named Tilby the Necronaut who serves with Manifest Destiny. I had met him previously in Dalaran where we had solved a murder mystery together. I suppose the Kirin Tor owes me one for that.”

“Anyway I didn’t think much of him. He’s one of THOSE: a Death Knight that revels in raising the dead. I really loathe that sort. In addition he seems to have problems being civilized with anyone of the female persuasion. I do not think there is a single woman alive who has met him that did not end the encounter wanting to slap him.”

“I ran into him again many days later at the Wayward Son. I have no idea why I started talking with him but I did. It came up that I had no idea just where my kin had come from and this notion seemed to horrify Tilby. I had no idea why at the time; it’s a Flight’s purpose that matters not where it comes from. But this idea seemed foreign to him.”

“He convinced me to join his expedition to the depths of Wyrmrest Temple. I wouldn’t normally have agreed but he convinced me I might find something to either defeat the blue or black dragonflights or bring them back into the fold.”

Ruby paused and then added drily: “I think I really went just to make sure he didn’t damage anything.”

“And so two days later we found ourselves at Wyrmrest joined by Katzghan of the Retribution, as well as Varcel and Lyryll of Manifest Destiny. It seems adventurers have been called in to deal with problems below Wyrmrest of late and so our presence was not seen as strange by the drakonoid guards.”

“Tilby quickly located the area he had been told led to the hidden catacombs and we were able to find an area of the wall that sounded “hollow” when knocking on it. We weren’t able to find a way to open a hidden door though so I’m afraid there was some… collateral damage to the Temple before we gained entry.”

“My apologies to mother and the entire Wyrmrest Accord for that.” Ruby said sounding very embarrassed.

“Lyryll took the lead while Katzghan seemed to hover protectively over me. Tilby follwed with Varcel taking up the rear.”

“It was sweet of Katz to look after me Death Knight or no… but I can take care of myself!” Ruby said slightly annoyed. “But I suppose it speaks well of him so I couldn’t bring myself to complain.”

“We saw many wondrous things though not all of them were… safe. Along with ancient Titan workshops and artifacts there were dangers as well including an ancient titan defense emplacement and the undead remains of one of the Catacomb's previous explorers. From an ancient Titan tablet we discovered there was an artifact somewhere in the catacombs that would give us very powerful knowledge. Eager to find this artifact we pressed on.”

“And that's when we came to the room that would change my life forever...”

Arcane Destiny Pt. 6

2009-07-16T21:51:00.000-07:00

July 14, 28th year after the Dark Portal

We’ve all been dealing with the after effects of Morri’s death. It was so sudden and tragic we’re all still in shock, especially poor Dawsen. He’s coming to live with us for a while. He needs his family. And say what you want about us Astherions we always stick together through anything.

Stubbornness CAN be a virtue

Arcane Destiny Pt. 5

2009-07-05T01:02:00.000-07:00

Rhune and Sylerrinn Astherion sat at the end of the pier at Crystal Lake with their feet dipped into the water while they enjoyed the warmth of the late afternoon sun. Ruby was watching the twins at home and the day and night belonged to them alone.

Sylerrinn was fishing, a determined look on her face while Rhune took the opportunity for a brief update to his journal:

July 1^st, 28^th year after the Dark Portal

Rin and I are enjoying a quiet day out thanks to Ruby watching the twins. Rin continues to be depressed much of the time but at least fishing seems to focus her and she seems like her old self for a time. I will have to take her fishing more often.

It has been good to have Ruby back these last two months. I think that a part of me was missing while she was away. I feel a lot more balanced now. It makes me wonder how the events of a few months ago would have gone if we had been together through them.

It’s amazing how she brings out the better part of me. I’m more patient for the most part. More relaxed.

Speaking of which I met with Dawsen’s girlfriend Morri today. We talked about a lot of matters. I think we came to understand and respect one another while many misunderstandings were cleared up. She had an idea on how to stop Dawsen’s accelerated aging and she wanted my help with a little problem she has with politics in the priesthood. The meeting went very well I thought.

As I said I’m more relaxed and patient of late. It was a good day.

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 14

2009-07-05T01:01:00.000-07:00

“Oooh! That’s pretty Ruby… it matches your scales when in dragon form,” a young girl’s voice said sweetly.

“Where’d Ruby get that?” another young girl’s voice joined in.

“It’ss my star ruby… my voice diary… pleasse give that back Lamorra… I think you’ve accidentally turned it on…” Ruby responded sounding just slightly annoyed at Lamorra Astherion, one of Rhune’s twin daughters whom Ruby had sworn herself to protect with her life.

“But Lakorra hasn’t had a chance to see it yet.” Lamorra noted.

“That’s true!” Lakorra added.

Ruby sighed and then blinked: “Wait… don’t touch it there or it’ll start replaying…”

“Quiet down over there! Ssome of uss are trying to hear ourselvess think!” came Ruby’s recorded voice.

“Light! Yes… yes! Oh light!” an unknown feminine voice screeched.

Lamorra and Lakorra can be heard giggling. “Whose that Ruby? Did you record this at the Cathedral?” Lakorra asked with genuine innocence.

“Uh… yess… where elsse would I have?” Ruby answered with a blush, remembering her unfortunate stay at the Lion’s Pride Inn. “Now give me back my sstar ruby!”

Lamorra sighed and then said: “Alriiiiiight. We were going to go play with one of Dawsen’s tonks anyway.”

As the Astherion twins can be heard running away and giggling Ruby held up the star ruby and spoke: “Well that wass… a good reasson to hide my star ruby. What if Rhune had been here? I think I would have ssunk into the floor. Or wissh I could. Anyway jusst a quick update today because I need to keep an eye on the twins...”

“Sso I was sstill moping about Rylass and Januara and to take my mind of thingss I went to Dalaran to practice my jewelcrafting. At the blacksmith there I ran into a draenei woman named Astralle. We hit it off right away and I think even that firsst night we became good friends.”

“She wass determined to get my mind off of matterss and to do that she brought over a man… I guess she thought that would distract me or build my confidence but I didn’t understand what she was trying to do… I thought she’d brought the man over for herself… and so I was trying to talk HER up… while Astralle was trying to talk ME up.”

Ruby pauses a moment and then snickers: “It wass very embarrassing.”

“We did finally get things ssorted out and Sir Valkhan and I seemed to get along. Ssince then we have been on two dates both of which I’ve enjoyed very much. So I guess Astralle’ss plan worked because I’ve hardly even thought of Rylas since. I guess it really was just a silly crush.”

“Obviously I sspend far too much in this mortal form.” Ruby drily.

Ruby’s voice turns more serious: “Sir Valkhan seems to have disappeared of late. I hope he’s alright.”

“I’ve met another man named Anthus. He’s very ssweet and I feel very comfortable around him. I think we’ll be good friends. He’s a companion for the Golden Veil… which aren’t like harlots at ALL… because I guess they’re educated and listen. It’s like renting a good friend is the best I’ve been able to figure out.” “

Ruby continued: “But Anthus is still in training and can’t become a REAL companion until he getss hiss first customer. I’d really like him to ssucceed, even if hiss occupation is very strange. Sso I’m keeping an eye out for someone to be his first customer.”

“Meanwhile on the Albino dragon front the Albino elders haven’t decided if they trust my kin. I don’t think Kali trusts uss either.” Ruby says with a sigh. “I’ve offered that since they must prove themselvess by passing mother’s testss that they may ask of me something to prove our ssincerity as well. I’m still waiting for their response.”

“I hope they’ll give us a chance. I know I can make this work I just need them to give just a little!”

“Lastly the Midsummer Fire Festival has started and I’ve been training with an expert fire thrower on how to juggle… flaming torches! Just wait till Anthus sees me!” Ruby exclaims with a giggle.

A crash can be heard along with Lamorra and Lakorra both yelling at the same exact moment: “YOUR fault!”

“Ugh… well I gotta go. More updates later.” Ruby said before clicking the star ruby off.

Arcane Destiny Pt. 4

2009-07-04T01:02:00.000-07:00

Note to readers: You should scroll down and read A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 13 before reading this post.

Dolls and tonks lay scattered across the floor. Among the debris lay the sleeping forms of his twin daughters Lamorra and Lakorra as well as the whelpling he had named Ruby who was currently shifted into the form of a gnomish woman with red hair and wearing a somewhat rumpled but otherwise dignified shirt Rhune thought in approval.

It was official Rhune observed with a smirk: the twins could indeed tire even a dragon.

May 4th, 28th year after the Dark Portal

After long weeks our dear Ruby has returned to us intact and well. The girls were excited of course and even Rin seemed to cheer up some. But for myself I admit…

I am bursting with pride for her.

I have never heard of a dragon learning to shift as a whelpling. Though Ruby may have an advantage having lived among us her whole life and observing us so closely but it is still an amazing feat.

I think our little Ruby will be an impressive example of her race when she grows into a full drake.

That she picked a gnome as her form I find endearing. I would ask her why but I would not want to embarrass her or make her doubt her choice. I think I can guess in any case. She seems to really want to be seen as an adult but I think deep down she doesn’t want to stop being my little dragon, thus a compromise.

There is no reason for it, she will always be my dragon no matter the form she takes, but I love her for it anyway. And it does seem to suit her well.

It is so strange to hear her talking, to speak with her and then hear her thoughts on something. It is strange but wonderful. We have always been in tune with one another but this is so much better. Finally I can talk with my best friend.

I long suspected she could speak common though every time I asked her directly she would pretend to be asleep. But then she’s always been as stubborn as any Astherion by blood.

Or are we as stubborn as a dragon? I am not sure.

I would be angrier with her for not telling us where she was all these weeks if I hadn’t gotten Brantiela to fill me in. Part of me chuckles at Ruby being embarrassed to admit she couldn’t shift back to dragon form. But another wishes she had been able to come to me about it.

Once again we come to the pride and stubbornness of this family.

I am going to keep mentioning for a while how worried I was. I think that’s enough and will stop a repeat of what happened this time. She is very sweet and loving and I don’t think she deserves to be embarrassed over the matter. But Light help her if she vanishes without telling us again.

She used to sleep with Rin and I or with the girls. I guess she will need a space of her own now. I admit to wondering just what a dragon’s room might be like. It will certainly reveal a lot of her personality.

For now everything is right with the world. The Astherion family is fully reunited for the first time in months.

And that is more than enough for me.

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 13

2009-07-04T01:01:00.000-07:00

The chimes of the Stormwind clock bell can be heard as well as the background hum of the city itself: kids playing, merchants shouting, and the hooves of a horse walking on the cobblestone road.

And then the high pitched but serious voice of Ruby Astherion spoke: “I think I might throw up. I’m not sure why… I’ve given up on trying to eat raw squirrel in this form. But the closer to Rhune’s house I get, the more queasy I become.”

“This is the day. The day I sshow him that I’ve learned to sshift form. The day I admit I can sspeak not only draconic, but common too… and have been able to all along. Thiss iss the day things change between uss forever... that he realizes I’m growing up.”

Ruby sighed. “I WANT to grow up. I WANT everyone to treat me as an adult. Everyone… except him. Life-binder preserve me… I don’t want him to ssee me any different. But I AM different. I can’t help it and I can’t hide it any longer without worrying him.”

“It hass to be today.” Ruby said with another sigh.

“I’m outside the door and… I’m not ssure I can bring myself to knock. I think I may be ill. I’m ssweating, I still feel like I might throw up, and I think maybe I should do thiss tomorrow…” Ruby said nervously and then broke off as the door to the Astherion residence can be heard opening unexpectedly.

Ruby gasps and then a very long and awkward silence follows until…

“Hello?” the voice of Rhune Astherion asked. “Can I help you young lady?”

Ruby’s panicked and suddenly bewildered voice stammered: “Uh… err… well…”

“Rhune’s voice takes a gentler tone: “Is something wrong miss?”

Ruby could only manage: “I… feel ill…”

“Would you like to come in out of the heat? I can conjure you something cool to drink or…” Rhune trailed off his voice showing concern.

“Yess… please… thank you…” Ruby said desperately trying to calm her nerves.

Steps can be heard followed by a door closing and then the sounds of chairs creaking and water splashing into a glass. Finally Rhune said: “There we go… just sit and relax… you can stay here as long as you need to.”

Ruby can be heard gulping down some water and then a long silence.

“Why do you look at me like that?” Rhune asked sounding puzzled.

Ruby gulped: “Well… I… I think it will be just easier to SSHOW you.”

Abruptly the flapping of wings can be heard followed by a very shy sounding squawk.

“R… Ruby?” Rhune gasped in surprise.

Ruby took a deep calming breath and then simply answered, “Yess. I am sso ssorry Rhune.”

“Ruby… you have nothing to be sorry about dear one.” Rhune said simply. “I don’t understand why you felt you had to keep this a secret from us for so long or why you disappeared, but you have no reason to be sorry about when it comes to just being who you are.”

Ruby looked up at him nervously and then asked him quietly: “Y… you’re not disappointed that I’m not your little whelpling anymore?”

“You are always going to be my dragon Ruby… even when you are looming over me and eating entire mammoths for dinner.” Rhune said with a smile. “And I am always going to be your human. Nothing can change that dear heart. Not ever.”

Ruby landed on the table and stretched out her neck so as to nuzzle Rhune’s face with her snout. Purring she asked: “And we’ll soar above the clouds together?”

“Of course we will. There is nothing I look forward to more. Just as soon as you are large and strong enough to carry me we will do just that. As often as possible Ruby.” Rhune said grinning.

“My name… is actually Rublestrasza.” Ruby commented.

Rhune blinked. “Is it? That’s a very beautiful name Rublestrasza. Very beautiful indeed.”

Ruby smiled and added: “I like it… but it’ss not half as beautiful as the name you gave me at my hatching.”

“Then Ruby it will be. I am glad to finally know your real name however.” Rhune said scratching Ruby under the chin.

Ruby purred, pleased that he always seemed to know just how itchy the scales were there. Pressing her chin against his hand she returned simply “Ruby ISS my real name as far as I’m concerned.”

“I have so much to tell you Rhune! I wanted to prove I could stand on my own and I’ve done so much! I can shift, and breathe fire, I fought a blue dragon, and learned a really important lesson from a boar… and the people of Darkshire call me Ruby the Noble…” Ruby said excitedly and all in a rush.

Rhune smiled fondly at the dragon: “I can’t wait to hear all about…”

Rhune was forced to break off as the voices of his twin daughters Lamorra and Lakorra suddenly interrupted with: “Ruuuuuuuuuuby!”

“However I think someone else has a prior claim on your time for the moment.” Rhune said chuckling. “Go… you can tell us all about it at dinner.”

“We have new tonks Ruby!” Lamorra burst out in a rush.

“And dolls!” Lakorra added.

“I have a lot to sshow you too dearlingss.” Ruby said with a giggle before following the twins upstairs and turning her star ruby off.

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 12

2009-07-03T01:02:00.000-07:00

The sound of a creature sniffing and growling could be heard nearby, and then the sound of a young woman groaning in pain even nearer still.

“Wh...what hit me?” Ruby asked of no one in particular and still sounding dazed.

A loud crack could be heard followed by the crash of another large branch impacting the ground sounding very close to the star ruby. Ruby yelped in fright and the boar squealed angrily in response.

“Oh... right...” Ruby said with increased nervousness as recent events began to come back to her. “I ssee your sstill with me mister boar.”

Ruby laughed weakly and then abruptly went silent as the boar began to growl and the sound of branches rustling could be heard as it tried to find a way to the half-buried whelpling who was currently still in the form of a gnome.

“Uh... sstill no sense of humor... right then.” Ruby sighed. “Determined aren't you? You're stubbornness is truly worthy of a dragon you know.”

The boar snorted in response.

“Uh... no really... I'm not just ssaying that. Look I'm a dragon myself I know what I”m talking about.” Ruby said with a genuine tone in her voice. She continued: “Alright, you have no idea what I'm ssaying but maybe I can sshow you... though thiss is going to be a little painful with my broken wing...”

The sound of a whelpling screeching in pain could be heard and the boar grunted in confusion.

“I know... I don't look or ssmell anything like that witch of a gnome that tried to make you her dinner... where'd sshe go?” Ruby said, her now draconic face grimacing in pain but her golden eyes glinting mischievously. “She'ss gotten away from you... better go find her mister boar.”

The boar could be heard sniffing and squealing in frustration while the sound of a whelpling snickering could be made out faintly. Then the sound of movement in the snow growing more and more distant until the sound was gone entirely.

“Well... goodbye mister boar.” Ruby said with satisfaction. “Now where did my sstar ruby go... oh there it iss... and still on... recording my embarrassment for all time. Of course. Well... now to get out of here...”

The sound of a small whelpling digging her way out of the snow and fallen branches are followed by yelps of pain and growls of annoyance.

“There! Free! Now to teach that boar a lesson!” Ruby said with satisfaction. “I AM after all a dragon. And an Astherion. I can be sstubborn too.” The sound of snow being brushed off clothing can be heard as Ruby shifts once again to her gnomish form.

“Indeed mister boar... in my own way I am the most sstubborn person on Azeroth.”
The crunching of Ruby's boots in the snow and her heavy breathing are the only sounds for a time.

Then the sounds of branches being pushed aside and a high pitched voice cursing can be heard awhile later.

And finally a sudden intake of breath...

“Oh! It's not MISTER boar.... it's MOTHER boar!” Ruby said with astonishment. “And those piglets look hungry... the poor thingss... you couldn't go looking for food today because you were protecting them from me...”

Ruby cleared her throat having become overwhelmed by emotion. Sounding rather guilty she spoke into her star ruby: “Well... trying to kill her doesn't seem in the spirit of Noble Garden at all.”

“I think I have another idea...”

**********

As the sun rose over Dun Morogh the mother boar smelled something it had smelled before: the scent of that vile little gnome that had so abruptly disappeared last night. Struggling awake despite how tired she was from the long night she glanced around looking for any danger to her piglets.

There it was... with her younglings! She had one of the piglets in her lap which was sucking from some contraption of hers while excess milk was running down its chin. The majority of the piglets already looked satiated.

The gnome looked at the mother boar and coughed nervously. She reached into a bag at her side and pulled out a large fish offering it to the boar tentatively. Noise came out of her mouth then but the words meant nothing to the mother boar. The tone sounded apologetic however, and she didn't stare the mother boar in the eye, conceding dominance to the mother boar instead.

The boar grunted reluctantly and stepped forward sniffing at the fish. The gnome made another sound then that the boar didn't understand but it sounded calming and without malice. The mother boar relaxed and began to give the fish her full attention.

**********

As the boar began to relax Ruby allowed herself to do the same. With a relieved giggle she simply said: "And it wass a Happy Noble'ss Garden for all."

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 11

2009-07-03T01:01:00.000-07:00

Teeth can be heard chattering and a high pitched gnomish woman’s voice can be heard: “Uh… I’m REALLY ssorry about the wanting to eat you for dinner thing… maybe we can just call a truce?”

Something large can be heard stomping in the freshly fallen snow below and an angry squeal can be heard echoing from the darkness beneath her branch.

“Well yess…. I can see why you might be angry about the whole matter. But try to see it from my perspective! A whelpling needs a LOT of food as they come into their drakehood! I’m soo hungry all the time and I nearly ate Bran’s entire pantry! I jusst can’t help it.”

“Truly… ssorry about the whole matter.” Ruby said doing her best to sound contrite.

The boar responded with a snarl.

“Uh… well that’ss a new sound for you isn’t it?” Ruby laughed weakly. “Well… uh… no truce then?”

“Is this thing still on? Bah!” Ruby mutters something unintelligible and then continues: “Don’t judge me. You can’t see this boar. It’s a real monster! And… well… I admit to being a little nervous after having just recently being mauled by a blue dragon.”

“It all started in the Trade District of Stormwind. There was a priest of the Light by the name of Gideone preaching about the… well the Light. What elsse would he be preaching about? I stopped and joined the crowd listening to his speech and then… she arrived.”

“Demosthenes. A pawn of Malygos and a blue dragon in human form.” Ruby said with disgust. “You may remember about my run-in with her at the St. Patorick’ss party.”

“I tried to warn everyone what she wass. But no one would believe me! As if I had a reason to lie!”

“I… became rather heated. A spy was sitting there right in our midst and no one would do anything. Gideone took me aside and we spoke for some length. He seemed very understanding but explained how there was alwayss more than one side to a story and how it is never too late to redeem ssomeone. He counseled patience and an effort to understand her.”

“He is a very wise example of his speciess and very kind indeed. I really must try to take his example to heart if I am ever to prove worthy of my Flight.”

“That’ss when Demosthenes revealed she had been listening in on our conversation the whole time. Obviously this did not help my opinon of her in the least. But remembering Gideone’s words I chased after her and did my very besst to understand her and explain our reasons for starting the Nexus War.”

“It didn’t turn out so well. Let’s just say she could spend some time talking with Gideone.” Ruby says in nearly a whisper sounding a little scared as she begins to remember.

“She… she attacked me. I shifted into whelpling form and she used her arcane magics against me. I was clearly outmatched and was nearly killed. Then… she threatened to go after Rhune. Enraged I did something I had never been able to do on purpose before… I breathed fire.”

Ruby continues with a strange mixture of shock and pride: “I’m not sure which of us was more surprised honestly.”

“This bought me some time and briefly turned the battle in my favor. I then launched myself at her, all four of my talons grasping onto her leg while I tried to tear her knee out with my fangs.”

“Oh how she howled with pain… but she was not through yet. Forcing me off of her with a spell her booted foot came down on my wing, severely injuring it. Which by the way is why I do not shift to whelpling form and fly away from this sstupid tree.”

“I came at her again on foot, determined to go down fighting. She then did a very odd thing… she summoned a portal and left rather than destroy me. I am still not sure why. Maybe Gideone is right… maybe she really can be redeemed, and through her the entire Blue Flight as well. I pray to the Life-binder that is sso.”

“In any case I took a beating… I lost… and now my confidence is gone… and now thiss stupid boar won’t let me leave…”

The boar growled as if in acknowledgement of that fact.

“Well you can stay there all night and freeze then… you’re not getting me…” Ruby started then squeeked as the branch she was sitting on creaked alarmingly. “Uh… a lot of snow has really piled up on this branch hasn’t… Aiiiiieeee!”

A loud cracking sound is followed by a scream; the crashing of snow and tree limbs, and then a soft thump as a small body hits the snow drifts below.

Finally all is silent except the sound of a boar walking nearer, sniffing the small unconscious gnome that has fallen at its feet.

The boar squeals in triumph…

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 10

2009-07-02T16:34:00.000-07:00

Ruby sat on a branch high above the ground. In the distance she could see the merry lights of the town of Kharanos. Around her snow fell silently and she shivered in the cold. Below her growled a very large and temperamental boar.

Of course Ruby had tried to make the boar her dinner… so perhaps it was justified she thought to herself. Not that this made things any easier for her at the moment.

“It’ss starting to get dark… I don’t think anyone iss going to find me before morning. We might as well continue…”

“Mid-week Kali and I began our journey to Wrymrest Temple. We met at Valiance Keep and headed toward Amber Ledge first as I needed to make sure Red Dragonflight patrols wouldn’t stop uss. Avoiding the blues would be tough enough after all.”

“I was very nervouss… I’d never been to such a dangerous place without Rhune with me before and I still didn’t know Kali or her capabilities that well.”

“We crossed the bridge out of Valiance and entered what was once an Alliance village but was now infested with the Scourge. The horrors we witnessed there… we were quickly surrounded by ghouls and other forms of undead… cultists of the damned… and evils of all sortss. I was knocked unconscious during their attack. When I awoke Kali stood there unscratched and all the scourge were destroyed or driven off.”

“Obviously the albinos can take care of themselvess.” Ruby said with a chuckle.

The Boar squeeled angrily at her and Ruby stopped chuckling. “Yess… I hadn’t forgotten about you.” She said with a sigh.

“After escaping the Scourge we arrived at Amber Ledge and we met with a great sire of my people. Surristrasz was disappointedly arrogant. He had no liking of Albino dragons… nor the patience to speak with whelplingss.”

“At first I feared our trip would be for nothing but we did eventually strike a deal. If Kali and I delivered supplies that Surristrasz did not have the drakes to spare to deliver then he would schedule an appointment for us with the Life-binder herself.”

“We had no choice but to agree.”

“Our long journey to Wyrmresst then began. Yess it was filled with peril for we had to defend ourselves from Wolvars and Blue Dragonkin. But it was alsso filled with wonder as we rode on the back of a giant sea turtle to reach Dragonblight and met the Tuskarr, a mosst kind people.”

The whelpling’s voice then took a disapproving tone: “Kali and I then got into an argument… she claims the Tuskarr make good eatin’… can you believe it?! This munching on sentient creaturess really must end if the Albinos are to join the Accord.”

“After delivering the supplies to a Night Elven encampment in Dragonblight we journeyed the final stretch to Wyrmrest Temple itsself. We were taken sstraight away to see the Life-binder.”

“Mother sseemed surprised that I had learned to sshift so early. She seemed proud enough but warned that I wass going to have to deal with emotions and feelings I was not yet ready for even after having spent my whole life among mortalss.”

“Yeah… tell me about it. I think I discovered that on my own.” Ruby sighed.

“Then I introduced Kali and urged mother to accept the albinos into the Accord. Mother sseemed dubious at best and father wass outright against it. In fact Korialstrasz was rather… uh… firm on the matter.”

“We had a very…” Ruby coughs, “…lively discussion on the matter. I’ll spare you the details. Mother did finally offer them a tesst to gain admittance. Firsst they must gather the pieces of their shattered and lost dragonshrine and surrender them willingly to the Accord. Second they musst find a true purposse for their Flilght beyond jusst their own survival.”

Ruby snorted: “Kali took neither of those conditionss well. Even now I am not sure what Kali will decide. I really need to talk to her again ssoon.”

Down on the ground below the Boar squealed with rage and continued to stare up at the young whelpling in gnomish form.

“Uh… if I ever find a way down from here. I hope someone finds me ssoon. It’ss so cold here.”

A Dragon’s Whimsy Pt. 9

2009-07-02T16:32:00.000-07:00

The newly minted Rublestrasza “the noble” was currently trapped high in the snow-covered branches of a tree located not far from the village of Kharanos. Only a short distance away children and adults alike were celebrating Noblegarden with candies, festive clothing, and cute bunnies. Ruby on the other hand was starring down at a very angry boar.

Make that an ENRAGED boar.

Looking down at the boar a little nervously Ruby sat very still, as she wasn’t sure her chosen branch was quite up to the task of staying attached to it’s tree while holding her weight. Her voice lacked her usual confidence as she spoke into a small star ruby: “Alright… sso my firsst hunting attempt could have gone better I admit.”

She sighed: “Actually… it couldn’t have been worsse without my being gored by my prey.”

“As the boar I had intended to be my dinner doesn’t seem like it wantss to go away and it may be ssome hourss before anyone wanders along in thiss direction I guess I had better catch up on my journal. It hass been a very interesting week.”

“The week sstarted with my running into Dahlia, a paladin within the Retribution of Arathor. Sshe aided me with putting down the latesst riot inside the Sstormwind Sstockadess. Afterward we talked and got to know one another a bit… it wass sstrange… it sseemed almost like she was a clutch mate… or perhaps from the clutch just before mine. She sseemed very wise and compassionate and we jusst got along very well together. I very much enjoyed our talk together… for the mosst part.”

“She is also very observant. Enough so that she discovered something even I didn’t know… I have a crush on Rylas it seemss.”

Ruby sighed: “I can’t help it… I jusst do. We just danced the one time and I don’t even know him! And he’s… well he’s not a dragon. It doesn’t make any sensse!”

Sounding frustrated with herself Ruby continued: “I’m just a silly whelpling who hass spent too long in this gnomish form.”

“Not that it matterss. He’s seeing someone… a priestess named Janaura. In fact I found out later that sshe’s pregnant with his child. Which… is good… I guesss. I mean that’s what I wanted right? That’s why I put him on my bloodline list.”

Ruby growled: “So why don’t I feel happy?”

“What is worse is that Rylas can tell something is wrong with me… and he wanted to talk to me about it. Yeah right… he’ss JUST the person I want to talk to.” Ruby said with a roll of her eyes.

“I think there is a reason whelplingss aren’t supposed to learn to sshift forms. I’ve progressed too early… I’m feeling things I don’t know how to handle yet.

Ruby began to shiver. “It’s begun to snow… the boar is still waiting for me below… I’m cold, hungry, and alone. Today is not my besst day. I hope someone wanders by soon.”

“I just hope it isn’t Rylas.”

Fast and Furious

2009-07-02T16:30:00.000-07:00

Over the next four days I intend to post two journal entries a day until Rhune and Ruby are caught up to the present time. Then starting on Monday I intend to actually have this blog go “live” by… uh… actually advertising it’s presence and stuff.

With the journal entries caught up I’ll start putting more varied content up and using further journal entries only to fill up empty days rather than as the primary content as there shouldn’t be THAT many journal entries a week once everything is caught up.

Lot’s more news will be coming up next week.

Whispers in the Dark

2009-06-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

June 26th, in the 28th year after the Dark Portal was opened Ebon Hold, Eastern Plaguelands

A scream of unbearable sorrow echoed throughout the lower levels of Ebon Hold. Sir Roam Loreth, Knight of the Ebon Blade, could not stop himself from flinching. No matter how many times he heard her scream he always flinched. He would ALWAYS flinch he knew. For though he was dead he was not without emotion and none with any soul could help but feel the anguish of the person before him now. Not even an Ebon Blade. ESPECIALLY an Ebon Blade... for who else could better understand her pain?

Once again Dame Faylian Lanstryde screamed. He knew she could go days standing there in absolute silence. Then abruptly and without any apparent cause she would scream like she was now. He'd timed her once and her record was two hours straight without pause. It still made him shudder to remember.

Then just like that she was silent.

The sudden silence was almost as unnerving as the scream itself had been. Her eyes were open, she seemed to stare right through him as if he were not there, and she took no notice of the room around her at all. She appeared to him to be trapped in a world all her own.

She had been a powerful weapon in the Highlord's arsenal once. She had kept a tight reign on the Revenants of Lordaeron, a temporary unit of Ebon Blades, until the living could trust them enough to integrate Death Knights into the Alliance's elite: The Retribution of Arathor. She had identified the person who was the most outspoken against such integration; a man named Rhune Astherion, and had manipulated events to eliminate him as a threat.

Rumors spoke of an alliance between her and Malygos the Spellweaver and the kidnapping of Rhune's wife who was nearly broken as a result. Some said that she had used this event to create mistrust between Rhune and the Retribution. Others stated that she had stolen an artifact of great power from Rhune's Violet Eye allies and that she had betrayed Malygos after he was no longer useful and had destroyed his servants in the Sapphire Circle.

Only the Highlord knew for sure.

With the successful completion of her primary objective Faylian was thought to be a rising star in the Knighthood until something unexpected happened: the Scourge had destroyed her mentor and close friend, an Ebon Blade by the name of Alanus. Rumors were rife about that as well: that the two had been far more than teacher and pupil. Whatever the truth of the matter Faylian had been found just as she was now at a mailbox in Stormwind and holding the very letter that informed her of Alanus' death.

And so she had remained for the last four and a half months. Until now.

"She is to be taken to New Avalon at once. There a potential new ally will prove himself by making this weapon useful again and gain a uniquely qualified liaison with the Knighthood in so doing. Or he will fail and prove that he is useless," Roam said as he gestured and four ghouls stepped forward and surrounded Faylian.

"It is time that you once again suffered well Dame Lanstryde."

Picking up the shattered pieces

2009-06-16T05:06:00.000-07:00

Just when you give up on someone they can surprise you.

I don't know what that will mean in the future except things are no longer bitter and cold, we are at least civil with one another, and there is at least an honoring of what was once between us... long, long, ago.

I can't say anything was fixed. I can't say we're the best of friends again. I can't even say I'm comfortable around her. I do know it will never be the same again and the page has turned on that chapter.

But maybe there's still something for us in the next chapter. I really don't know yet, but if not we're still better off than we were.

The winners are in: Blizz writing contest

2009-06-08T21:51:00.000-07:00

The winners are in for the Blizzard Creative Writing Contest… and I am not among them. *sniffles*

Alright I didn’t REALLY expect to win given the HUGE amount of entries. Not only were World of Warcraft fans submitting stories but Diablo and Starcraft fans as well. So many stories were submitted that they were forced to delay the announcement of the winners by several weeks.

But that’s alright. The real point was just to write a complete story from beginning to end and do it on a deadline. Which I did and am very proud of that fact. Something I intend to continue to do. That it turned out to be what I thought was a very fun and whimsical adventure is yet another bonus.

Expect to see the story posted here soonish.

You can see the winners here: Blizzard Creative Writing Contest.

White Flag

2009-06-07T05:53:00.000-07:00

Shattered Friendship Redux:

We failed.

Simple as that really. Despite all our efforts and the aid of close friends we who were once best friends and inseperable are now strangers in every way that matters.

She tells me we have "no connection anymore"and if she truly feels that way then I envy her. I wish I could just shrug my shoulders and disconnect like that. I really do. It's just not something I can do easily. I imagine that is why I get close to so few people because it's a very dangerous place for me to put myself.

I am still not sure why I did so with her. Other than we were both lonely, needed someone, and we could feel that in the other one. We also both had a similar life situation and that created a comfort zone and understanding.

She tells me I like to play the "noble friend" and she "isn't dependent on me anymore." She says it like I'm her father or older brother and she needs to escape me to "grow up". Except I wasn't playing the noble friend at all... I needed her as much as she needed me. In a year when my grandmother and the cat I adored both died, and my brother who I was close to was away in Canada our time together was very important in my staying sane.

Long, long ago that must have been where things started to go wrong. When in her efforts to stop leaning on me I suddenly found myself with my own support gone and stumbled around in an effort to stay upright. What was a bid for independence and strength by one of us was a hurtful and unexplained distancing for the other. The natural reaction was of course repaying that distance in equal measure which seemed just as unexplained to the one who'd started the process. And it built... and built... a thousand disagreements... all of them petty and small. None of them mattering at all. But the emotions behind them did.

And here we are. Things have been said that cannot be unsaid. Any sense of being comfortable with her is gone and... I really don't think it can return this time. It was just too easy for her to give up. And then she took what she must have thought was her most hurtful arrow in her quiver and used it on me. It didn't work as well as she thought... but she used it. She thought it would hurt and dig deep and she used it... and the attempt is all that matters.

She was right. It did hurt. Not the words but what she wanted them to accomplish.

There was a time when the intensity of our fights was strangely reassuring, because at least it meant we deeply cared for the other. But now all of that has burned away from us and there isn't anything but a calm coldness.

That's how I know we're done. That's how this is different than every other time.

And yet I'll miss her anyway. I'll miss never being alone. I'll miss logging on early and staying up to the very last moment and often times far beyond just to be with her. I'll miss the long intimate talks. I'll miss the humorous moments, the sense of closeness and comfort, the sense that someone cared who wasn't forced to because of shared blood.

I'll even miss her pessimism because I am far too optimistic than I should be and enjoy wearing my rose colored glasses far, far too much.

It was a good two years and I can't say I regret them. I hope when the opportunity to be so close with someone comes again I'll still be willing to do so. I don't know if it will because I somehow went through my entire life without having done so before. But I'm different than I was when I met her for better and worse.

Anything is possible and a new page turns... another chapter starts.