Archive

Falcon2001 Poet Posts: 456 (1/8/03 4:57:23 pm) Reply Heh heh heh -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks everyone, it actually was meant as a song, and I actually have a guitar line to it I created by messing with the smells like teen spirit guitar line.

Gyrfalcon25 Elder Posts: 787 (1/13/03 10:39:49 pm) Reply Re: The Long Good-Bye -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well done, Tasslehoff! I like this piece a lot.

Judicator84 Weenie Awardee Posts: 17 (12/18/01 11:52:49 am) Reply Re: All points of tense aside -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- heh...you sound like my teacher....I have always had problems with tenses....it's just a habit of mine that I never got out of me...lol....I'm actually a pretty bad English student, so this probably came out better than it could've. RL's taking up time, but I'll get a new one in sometime....Christmas break might give me the time to do it, we'll see...

peredhil31 Elder of Lists and Manners Posts: 709 (12/17/01 12:37:14 pm) Reply ezSupporter All points of tense aside -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'd welcome another covering of the battle from the other point of view as you originally intended. Pick up a Pen and start writing!

Eniigma7160 Visitor Posts: 1 (12/3/01 5:40:05 pm) Reply Re: The Empire's Great Loss -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is an interesting story, I will enjoy reading your next issue, but you really need to fix the spelling and grammar mistakes, and you need to watch it when you shift from past tense to present tense. Good luck, and keep writing.

Judicator84 Visitor Posts: 1 (7/5/01 6:13:05 pm) Reply The Empire's Great Loss -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was a long time ago, the fighting, the wars, the glory, the defeat. I was one of the greatest, decorated by the emperor himself, but now he's dead, they're all dead. It was the final battle. The emperor's army's had all assembled upon the 5 hills surrounding the city of Vestigues, the capital of our enemy, the Palits. We were 50,000 strong, with 7 contingents of 2,000 high lords lancers, 26 battalions of 1,000 regulars, and my force, 10,000 Imperial Royal Guardians. We were the best. Armed with decorated armor and weapons of the finest caliber. We had seen battle after battle in the name of his majesty, yet none would prove more trying, and more deadly, than this one. Vestigues was a well-fortified city. Its walls were as deep as the length of three men. Walkways were built for Palit archers, some of the best in the region. Stables and barracks well within the fortified walls, making it hard to bombard with catapults. Palit forces laid out defenses across their territory. Every man, woman, and child was armed with weapons. The Palit army itself numbered near 125,000. Most were regulars, but some belonged to the elite Huchkata band, a special group of archers trained for the most precise and deadly shooting capable of a bow and arrow. We didn't know the number of Huchkata, but we assumed there couldn't have been more than 20,000. The plan was simple. Bombard the walls and outer parts of Vestigues until they're built defenses were crushed, then send raiding parties to gather information and destroy anything that could be used against us. Finally, we launch major attacks from the five hills, sweeping the valley and eliminating all forces that we meet. We had food and supplies to last us 9 months of heavy battle, 17 if we stretched the fighting out; we were prepared, or so we thought. It was the 3rd night of the new moon. We had been catapulting the city for nearly a month now. We took out most of the defenses beyond the walls on the east and north fronts, and part of the wall had crumbled on the south end. We had no losses; we estimated the death of over 1,000 Palit soldiers. We saw success near. That's when it all went wrong. On that night, 5,000 Palit forces escaped beyond our lines into the valleys beyond the hills. We had not seen them move out into the next valley because our troops had taken to drinking, feeling there was no way the enemy would attack. Our base camp on the Vestul hill was ambushed. By the end of fighting, a contingent of lancers and 6 battalions of regulars were all dead, with enemy losses only around 500. This was a huge blow to our forces. We lost our entire defensive planning because of this, and now we have to spread our forces thinner than before in order to protect the hill. We thought we were ok, and then, there was more... It seems some of those Palits that survived did not return with their commanders to the city. Instead, these soldiers sabotaged our 1st and 2nd catapult battalions. When ordered to launch, the catapults stopped half way, sending the container of burning oil upon the soldiers firing them. We lost what was equivalent of one catapult battalion. We merged the 1st and 2nd into one, but now, we didn't have catapults bombarding the Eastern side, which was weakened as I mentioned before. To add to our ailings, the emperor fell sick. He was dying of a weak heart, according to our healers. His strength had been growing weaker for some time now, but none assumed he was this badly gone. Still, the Emperor was quite determined to see this final campaign through. He started 5 years ago with the invasion of Palit forces; he wished to see its end. The emperor decided not to wait for the defenses of the city to be destroyed. He decided it was time to march and take the city. This proved to be the final battle none would ever forget. His majesty wanted the demise of the city and its inhabitants to be quick. The operation was to take less than 10 hours. It included the destruction of all stables, barracks, and the elimination of all Palit troops. Any civilians found assisting the enemy were to be eliminated, and those that survived were to be brought into slavery. We would invade in three waves. My Guardians were to hit first, taking out preliminary defenses. 3 lancer contingents and 5,000 regulars would then march and secure a large amount of the city along with my guardians. Finally, the last 3 lancer contingents and 34,000 regulars would make the final charge, with 5,000 regulars as reinforcements if needed. The plan was simple,my Guardians would charge the Southern flank, after heavy fired would be laid out upon the Western and Northern fronts with moderate bombardment on the South so as not to attract attention there. Once our forces have taken out any Palit soldiers both on the walls in the South and whatever troops or civilians we may end up meeting, we'd signal for the second wave to begin the assault, and the third would soon follow. I will lead the first wave, the second wave will be led by Simplit, a general trained by the emperor's father himself, and finally, the last wave will be lead by the Emperor, in his final campaign. We are to take out a force over twice our size, and all we have is our faith in our emperor and his decisions, but on those beliefs, we shall fight till the end. The attack itself is to begin late in the night. The bombardment is to begin near sunset while the first wave attack is not to happen for quite a while longer. We waited at the base of hill in the South, called Mudra, or Widow's Peak. That name would come back to haunt many wives of these soldiers about to die. There was a large trench on the bottom of the hill that gave us the perfect launching point for attack. Soon after sunset, the bombardments began. All sides except the East were bombarded by large containers of flaming oil, boulders, and small metallic balls used much like stones on a slingshot. Our soldiers prepared themselves for the fight of thier lives, as sounds of men and women dying ringed through our ears. After about an hour, the valley towards the city was clear and an opening large enough for troops to march in 5 columns was opened. We decided now was the time to attack. We couldn't wait any longer, lest the Palits reinforce the broken wall. We Charged. We Charged with every god forsaken gift we had. We charged with courage, faith, loyalty, and honor. Our troops made a clear pass to the wall with only a few soldiers shot down by Huchkata archer's on the remaining part of the wall. An alarm could be heard throughout the entire city. Children could be heard crying as mothers frantically tried to take them to safty behind the makeshift lines being formed by Palit regulars to stop us. My forces were unable to climb the wall at our present location, and the only chance we had of not being cut down my the Huchkata was to rush towards the watchtower that sat adjecent to the wall. We could climb the tower and cut down the enemy's best in a matter of minutes. To do this, we needed to break down a civilian blockade set up by the local militia. I sent 6,000 of my Guards to attack. One could not avoid the blood to come next. My 6,000 charged the line, but found themselves in oil pits dug by the civilians directly in front of the blockade. Huchkata arrows of flame streamed through their own city as I saw 6,000 of my finest burn to death. We knew we needed to signal for reinforcements, so we went around the fire pits and found a latter placed next to the wall further down from the battle field. We climbed. We climbed for dear life, for the shred of hope that someday we'd be able to tell our children how the empire would save us from certain doom once again. We had to leave all but thirty forces on the bottom to safeguard the latter from the Palits, in case we needed a route of escape. Several of the Thirty with me were quickly cut down by Huchkata. As I sent fifteen one way and fifteen the other in hopes of cutting down the archerers, I looked upon the grounds where our reinforcments waited. What I saw next would burn a lasting imagine within my mind that not even the gods themselves could wash away. It was a trap. The whole time we were secure in the thought that we could catch any attempt to break pass our lines after the incident on Vestul was shattered. I watched as the emporer's forces were cut down by Palit arrows, but not fired from the city, from the hill where the emporer was to attack to. They flanked us. The flanked us, and they took our catapualts. I watched as thousands of imperial troops where sliced down into nothingness, into the oblivion of death. There were no reinforcments, they were defeated, crushed, and now, we have nothing. My soldiers are dead, the empire's soldiers are dead. That day, we lost more than we bargained for. The Emporer was killed in a fight with a Palit soldier. We lost everything. 15,543 prisoners were captured by the Palits. Those dead numbered tens of thousands. The Empire not only lost an army, but it lost thousands of fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, and friends loyal to a cause. And now I sit here...drinking my ale, remembering the old days. Watching a new group of soldiers ready to march for the empire, but I must ask, to what avail? Till our countrymen lie all over the world, spilling wasted blood and sweat over territory that is not even ours? No. No more. I will not stand for it. I never will again. I am an old man, and will not watch yet another generation of souls sent to thier makers for the greed of the empire. Not anymore. You ask what I can do? Huh! Plenty. You just watch...or perhaps, you'd like to join us? How about it? humph...I'd expect you'd say no, assassination is never easy, just pray that perhaps, someday, you'll be there when an emporer isn't blood thirsty and greedy, until then, men like me will always be around. Good day sir. Ok..This is my first try, so give tell me what you think...credit to Peredhil for convincing me to do this, and I hope you like this. The spacing might be odd, so I apologize for that if there's a problem with it. As for the story itself, it's actually part one of a series on this I'd like to write. I'm working on other parts that will look at the same scene over and over but from drastically different points of view. Enjoy! Reply Gyrfalcon25 Visitor Posts: 1 6/29/01 6:02:12 pm Reply | Edit Re: The Empire's Great Loss I think this is a great story. Please, keep them coming. If you wish, also post it in the Archmage UBB Conservatory. =) I would, but I have to find my PW...

peredhil31 Elder of Lists and Manners Posts: 734 (12/22/01 6:09:57 am) Reply ezSupporter And any season... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It is difficult to accept that I live in a country where the garbage disposals eat better than approximately 30% of the world's children... Donate food to food banks, and clothes to shelters. Carry fast food gift certificates to give to homeless. Give.

Foe Calibur Page Posts: 20 (12/22/01 12:36:56 am) Reply Christmas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This time of year, very littel goes through the mind of a child... the simple sight of presents sends them bounding away with excitement and anticipation for that one morning. That one morning who's influence sends children around the world on a year long dramatization of good. This morning fast approaches us, and though the excitement nears and the presents sit awaiting me, tantalizing my imagination... begging me to be opened... after all it is only 4 days 'till Christmas, I can't help but think of all those who don't have the luxuries of a merry christmas. Can you look past a childs tears, as his first pet lay by the roadside, to see the childish bliss he once enjoyed? To live here in this world of ours, the one we created, the one we so aptly named earth, our home, we ignore some of its most important inhabitants. The one's who's lives will nurture the society we live in and the love we share. Yet how many children lie cold on the streetside, staring at that empty road, longing for that which was, or maybe that which he's only seen in movies. I know there is little I have done, and pitty solves nothing, but it's there. I donate to the food banks, I give money to the homeless funds, when I was younger I was a very avid UNICEF collecter. To have no money at christmas doesn't take it away, for christams is not bought from stores, but as a child that is hard to understand, and for a parent, hard to endure. Thought may be the essence of that which was, that which is, and that which will be... but it alone will not help those who need help the most... especially at christmas, when the world should embrace those who may otherwise be ignored. Just a few thoughts,

peredhil31 Elder of Lists and Manners Posts: 707 (12/17/01 12:34:42 pm) Reply ezSupporter Re: Is Archmage can be spelled like Cupid? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life is INDEED full of odd surprises! I'm of the opinion that people tend to seek others in their comfort zone. Which explains for me why the Archmage ABB attracts and holds so many intelligent creative people. Not that intelligence or creativity relates to emotional control or maturity! But at least there is a mental echo received when you read others and feel a shock of recognition - that "I understand what they say and how they say it" - even if you don't agree with them. Given that creatives seek creatives and intelligent people seek intelligent people, then it surprises me not that they should pair off in couples when the personality match fits closely. So, yes, Archmage may act as Cupid's medium, and further, maybe the Pen will hone Cupid's point further... -Peredhil (still bearing Cupid's first arrow, and therefore immune to subsequent shots)

Lady Celes Crusader Initiate Posts: 28 (12/6/01 8:03:03 pm) Reply Re: Is Archmage can be spelled like Cupid? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jechum: Styler told me loots of good thing about you and I'm finding it out in a pleasant way why As I said, getting a boyfriend through the Net was the last that would have sprout out of my mind. Zadown: Well, I'm glad for your happiness. About us being pionners, I agree with you. You should see my mom's face when I told her how I met Styler. Signe: I'm sorry to learn about your ex-boyfriend. I think this happens much more than we think indeed. I've got an interesting view of the AM female players. One big part of them are someone's girlfriend or sister or relative, the other part are those who came on their own and these are the one who are more likely to fell in love with another AM player. Life is sure full of odd surprises.

Signe Green Page Posts: 23 (12/6/01 4:07:13 pm) Reply Re: Heehee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I met my ex-boyfriend through AM. it happens a lot I think.

Falcon2001 Page Posts: 132 (12/6/01 1:03:02 pm) Reply Heehee -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Me Andrea 'Nuff said

Zadown Bard Posts: 163 (12/6/01 12:54:58 pm) Reply Re: Is Archmage can be spelled like Cupid? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As many know, I'm right now in San Diego, CA, living with my girlfriend Fortrix Enigma, who I met through Guardians of the Rift's IRC channel. Wherever people meet, pairs form, sooner or later. And as the technology gets better and more and more people join the online communities, this will just get more and more common ... right now, we are still the pioneers.

Jechum LoreMaster Posts: 199 (12/6/01 5:59:27 am) Reply Re: Is Archmage can be spelled like Cupid? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I personally like both Aegon and Styler from my internet conversations with them. Seems you all had luck in finding each other. Personally, I'm not a big fan of purely internet relationships but different strokes for different folks. I thought I'd add these two address for more information on internet romances. www.internetromance.org/discussion.htm www.internetromance.org/d...dont's.htm Jechum Newbie, Mage of Shadows the Pen is Mightier than the Sword - Lore Master http://www.internetromance.org/discussion.htm http://www.internetromance.org/do's_an..._dont's.htm

Lady Celes Crusader Initiate Posts: 27 (12/6/01 1:33:03 am) Reply Is Archmage can be spelled like Cupid? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I was navigating in Steel Dragon's Gallery site and I've stumbled into Yui's description. In it, she says that she found her boyfriend (Aegon) through AM. Oddly enough, I did found my boyfriend (Styler) through AM as well. To be sincere, meeting someone through the Internet, especially a boyfriend, was the last thing that came across my mind. When I join TFM, my Ager's guild, I've talked a bit through the forum with him. Then, I've got the idea to download IRC when he spends most of his time and we chat much more and know more about each other. This last summer, Styler organized a TFM party in a camping and I joined the fun. This is where I met him for the first time. During the car ride (he offered to me and to another mage a lift) we chatted and get to know more and more of each other. After several get-outs together, we finally admitted our love toward each other. One week later, we announced about our love on TFM's forum (one of Kaneda's text was his gift for our new found love). The moral is... never underestimate the power of the Internet... never

Minta Rose Bard Posts: 36 (11/27/01 11:58:56 am) Reply I Came, I Saw, I Quantified -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tzimfemme hands Imposter a set of calipers and a balance crafted of brass, reserving one full set for herself. She applies the calipers to a length of poetry and lops off precisely ten feet, then places it in one pan of the balance and tosses long and short beat weights into the other side until the balance is in equilibrium. Twirling a pipette baton-like between her first two fingers, she points it at the ideas and whispers caustic questions into the pipette, dissolving away the dross of metaphors and leaving only the message. Beware science.

Jechum LoreMaster Posts: 174 (11/27/01 5:10:17 am) Reply Re: What is all this about? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsure about what? The Pen will be what we make of it. Nothing more nothing less. I dream big! Jechum Newbie, Mage of Shadows the Pen is Mightier than the Sword - Lore Master

Rezure Quill-Bearer Posts: 26 (11/26/01 6:07:27 pm) Reply Re: What is all this about? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You knw Jechum... I thought I knew the answer to that question, but your reply made me much less sure ~less-sure Rezure~

Jechum LoreMaster Posts: 171 (11/26/01 7:34:18 am) Reply Re: What is all this about? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Currently we are in the process of saving the universe. Well at least a single verse. I guess we do a little of all of the above and some only some. I recommend you read the Codex. We are a new site and still growing most of our current members are Archmages. I welcome you to look around and join in the fun. Jechum Newbie, Mage of Shadows the Pen is Mightier than the Sword - Lore Master Edited by: Jechum at: 11/27/01 5:03:25 am

Larywen Viewer (11/23/01 9:42:39 pm) Reply What is all this about? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please see topic title for the first line of what appears to be a rather long and flowery topic. I am obviously a newbie here, and I am curious as to the nature of this board. What is it that you all DO? Do you share your works and give feedback, talk about writing and poems and whatever else is deemed literary, or what? Hmmm...I seem to be asking many questions of this nature since I went on my great "Role-play Game Other Than WOT or Dl" quest.

Cheye69 Quill-Bearer Posts: 53 (11/13/01 5:45:27 am) Reply Re: A legal question... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well, in any case, I did not want to be in trouble or get the Pen in any kind of legal issues either. Just wanted to be sure. Thank you for taking the time to investigate though Wyv.

Wyvern00 Elder Posts: 245 (11/12/01 8:19:49 pm) Reply Re: A legal question... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Actually, having discussed this subject over IRC with Joat, I believe that it's only considered illegal archiving someone elses work if you're doing it for publicity or are charging for it's viewing. Otherwise, as long as you give the author full credit, it's by no means considered illegal to archive their works.

Cheye69 Quill-Bearer Posts: 50 (11/12/01 7:24:23 am) Reply Re: A legal question... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- thank you!

Falcon2001 Page Posts: 111 (11/10/01 3:29:53 pm) Reply Re: A legal question... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I believe that it may be illegal if you just post the entire story, but you could probably just 'quote' the entire thing and give credit to the author to prove legalities...even though I don't believe anyone would or could sue you/us/anyone. Cioden Darkeye Page of The Mighty Pen Owner of the Reply Raven - Enemy to all those who never post responses Ashaman - WoT - Blitz II Council - The Hunters - Blitz II Leisure Officer - SFV Ultima - Beta

Cheye69 Quill-Bearer Posts: 49 (11/9/01 5:17:54 pm) Reply A legal question... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I want to share a children's book with you all, reading it to my daughter only takes about 2 minutes so it is short all told but...what about the copy write? Can I post it here as long as I give credit to the author?