| Michael Duggan 2005-03-12, 6:57 am |
| We're launching a new section on http://www.alandane.com.
If you like Play By Email games with a heavy emphasis on role-playing and
literature. Check it out.
Here's a teensy sample of what you'll find. For more, go to the website,
sign up for a game. It's fun!
BEGINNINGS...
³Well-well. So I finally have the honor of meeting the famous Varden
Creel,² whispered the old man. His voice crackled like paper... much like
his skin, actually. His pale countenance contrasted sharply with the rich
deep blue of his satin robe‹ complete with an array of stars and moons
stitched in gold thread across the mantle. His snow white hair fell
luxuriously across his shoulders, with a sheen that belied his age even as
it confirmed it. The old man didn¹t rise, even though Varden was himself a
Duke and he just a Count. But Varden didn¹t mind, for the old man himself
was a living legend. Besides, rumor had it that the old man was quite
infirm.
³Lord Gandor,² he breathed, ³long have I awaited the day when we might
meet.²
³Is twenty years a long time to wait?² asked Lord Gandor, smiling
gently. ³To one such as I, the years seem to mean less and less as I travel
through them.²
³Aye, Your Grace. But I hope that you will see many more years.²
³Thank you, my lord sage. Now, to what do I owe this honor?²
Varden was eager to begin, but of course he wanted it all to be said the
right way. This was for posterity, after all. ³My lord, I would have come
sooner‹ but of course that wasn¹t possible.²
³The Diamond Isle of Ironsword City was cordoned off, yes,² said the old
man. ³No one allowed on or off of its shores for two long decades‹ a
generation has all but grown up here without any sight of the outside world.
It is a wonder that you stand before me today, alive and whole.²
³The Great Curse appears to have run its course,² said Varden.
³Do you think so?
³Why else would you see fit to re-open the city to the outside world?²
Lord Gandor shrugged, ³possibly a million people live on this tiny isle,
Duke Varden. I_cannot keep them penned up forever... even if it is for
their own good. We have exhausted our resources on the Diamond Isle, and I
fear that if we do not allow those who live here the option of living
somewhere else... then they will perish from disease and starvation.²
³So, you do not believe that the Curse is lifted?²
Lord Gandor sighed, ³no, I_do not, Lord Varden. Curses don¹t simply
lift themselves.²
For a moment, Varden felt the grip of fear once more. ³But... but if
it is not lifted, then what about the people of this isle? What about‹?²
³What about the plague that takes all humans and makes nightmares of
them? What about the fate of an entire race... a race that no longer lives
anywhere in this Alandane but on the Diamond Isle of Ironsword City? What
about that?² asked Gandor, finishing the young sage¹s question for him.
Varden nodded mutely...
For more, check out the website... Thank you all!
Michael Duggan
http://www.alandane.com
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