Khaene

I think a small partially ruined wall stretch across the north could add to the scenery and the story. Obviously we can't build a massive obsidian wall to keep everyone out, even that could be easily circumvented. Instead a small ruined wall could convey the fear of the undead and the sense of last ditch efforts to defend the rest of the south.

(( sorry for double post but I couldn't edit with my (not-so)smart-phone. )) . But we must find a solution to the spy problem. I will burn them out myself if I must, Oren laws be damned. For the North!

(( Alright since I was one of the few defenders present I'll address the rumors. When I logged in there was some shouting done by an undead. Alarmed I made my way to shut the outer gate but quickly opened to let in a known ally (might have been Maur). At this point I saw Luchian inside the wall opposite the gatehouse. Farmer Maxwell was standing on the wall shouting that "there's an undead up here!" Then war was declared. From the mobs spawning and fireballs within the city I believe they were already inside when they war decced. For what it's worth I climbed the high tower at the gate and killed the undead that had barricaded himself inside. Sadly his mob escort cut off my escape and cut me down. I was the only guard/ranger online. Khronos was online but said he was far from Alston. I believe there were only a handful of random defenders present. The gates were both up and we had no shortage of spies so the surprise attack can be RPed but for an event like this I'd hoped we'd coordinate for a big battle that could be enjoyed by more than just the undead and their minions. )) When I've recovered from my wounds I'll return to Alston. But for now I must rest in my wilds stronghold and rebuild my supplies. Perhaps there is yet hope for the North. B

There's always one dumb sucker who doesn't get the word. Commanderbly, there is no Alston.

Ideally we would defend Winterfell but without a lord that may prove impossible. Building on the work already started on this island, however, is the more realistic choice compared to building a new massive cobblestone structure. But no matter how high the wall is it is still vulnerable to what brought down Alston. The undead spies were allowed to freely come and go. They knew when the guard was weakest and launched an attack from already inside the city when they knew the vast majority couldn't fight back ((offline)). Nay, fixed fortifications are foolish. We must go to ground and conduct a war of attrition. We need to identify their spies and burn them out of their lairs. Without a network of willing slaves the undead will have lost their momentum.

You should see Fantasti's post about a wall similar to Hadrian's wall. It doesn't have to be large, or high, or even effective at keeping them out, and can be ruined in places, but I like the idea of having a landmark to show attempts to keep the undead from penetrating further south out of the snow biome.

(( It's a well written letter and yes, touching, but I'm wondering what happened to Bell from the time that you met her to the time of her death. The Bell my character met in Snowy Field's twilight days was full of vitriol and seemed to spurn the living, referring to us as "the riff-raff" and "you people," constantly dismissing the defenders and leaving on her own with undead. So my character wouldn't really understand a lot of these sentiments from others towards the mage, having only met her in Snowy Fields. Also I think too many won't comment because it would be out of character as we can't really see this letter. It was a good read though, sad. ))

*A heavily wounded ranger carefully reads the note, grimacing slightly at the strain of reading with his one good eye. Subconsciously he reaches up to the bandage covering his left eye and adjusts it slightly, as he's done countless times now since the Monks rescued him from the battlefield. One last, saddened gaze across the ruins of Alstion. Alstion, humanity's last settlement in the North, the last bastion of civilization in this frozen tundra. Perhaps it was the hard years he'd spent North combating the undead and their minions as a ranger, shivering in the frigid winter air, the air that always seemed to grow colder as he closed on their tracks. Or perhaps it was something else altogether. But as the ranger looked over the burning ruins of his beloved home he found himself filled with a seductive emotion, a feeling of betrayal and perhaps even contempt. We were weak. In our arrogance we believed we could maintain a moral superiority, we allowed the corrupted to walk amongst us, naively believing we could still save them. The ranger's mouth drew into a thin line, a determined look falling across his eyes. His turn towards the road was halted by the glimmer of light off the golden spires of the Ascended's new outpost. The features of his face momentarily relaxed, eyes unfocused as though deep in thought, but the hard expression just as rapidly returned. Buried deep in his mind, the ranger would have done well to remember a lesson from his childhood, but the teaching remained obscured by the harsh events of the past years. "He who fights monsters should be careful that he himself does not become a monster. For when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you." Slinging his satchel of recovered supplies over his shoulder, the ranger turned and began his journey South.

I have an obligation to Alstion so I must remain there, but the Gray Company has my support.

(( accosted might be more fitting ))

Thanks for the video tour. I like how spacious the architecture in Haven is. Sometimes things end up feeling really cramped in the populated areas. I feel bad returning to Alstion now, the chaos of rapid expansion from the influx of players, it's not too pretty.

I'll be swinging by again soon. I passed by your shop earlier but there were some unsavory types hanging around outside so we kept moving.

-snip- (Now irrelevant comment)

I don't have an immediate need for the 1000 minas. It's up to you.

Yuso, since he's away for a while I can send you 1000 minas to take care of the problem. Saint's debt to you will be transferred to me.

(( I don't know if it's just me but it seems the rate of mob spawning and use of lightning has been toned down a bit recently. There was a pretty fun fight at the keep earlier today and we were able to spread out and mostly deal with the spawns, if we were on open ground.

Expressing negative thoughts, while they may be your true feelings, is not appropriate in this time of mourning. While I may not have understood some of the mage's actions on the battlefield or her treatment of some of the soldiers, there is no denying her effectiveness in battle and her contributions to defending against the undead. She will be missed.

Are the undead's weak minded slaves making predictions now? I think you'll find true strength is found in the people, not just in their leader. Of course, arguing with your kind is pointless. Your mind was so easily dominated by the undead's promise of power, you'll never be able to comprehend the true source of power.

If you think we let our guard down even for a moment then you're a fool. Announcing the terms of a treaty and expecting the undead to stay true to their word are not the same thing. Not even close.

What of the plethora of independent swords flocking to the North to fight the undead? We have no authority over them and surely they will continue to attack the undead. I don't see this armistice holding for very long, we'll be ready in case it falls apart. And what of scouting? I will on occasion come into view of the keep just to keep tabs on any large movements. I have no intention of attacking but it can be interpreted as a hostile act.

With the influx of players from the fallen Snowy Fields I think we should put together a refugee tent camp. Outside the walls might be a good place for it, or we could cordon off an area inside the outer ring. This camp would look pretty ugly but that's half the point, it would portray the chaos and hardship brought about by the fall of Snowy Fields and the high demands on Alstion's already stressed infrastructure in this time of war. If outside the walls it might also provide an avenue for undead spies and other unsavory types to "infiltrate" and come up with plausible reasons for being around ((could be fun)). What do you guys think?

* takes a moment to rest and gazes up at the cloud-filled sky, only to see the masses of carrier pigeons flying every which way. * sighs and continues on his way.

Well I'm satisfied with how this has been addressed. Security is tight around Alstion for obvious reasons so expect to be grilled if you aren't a regular or if someone we trust reports suspicious activity. A little effort can go a long way, ie change skin and /setname Hooded Soandso. Do that and voila, no confusion over whether a guard should recognize them and with a little wordplay the stranger should be let in. On the flip side I've seen a 10+ min RP standoff outside of the Snowy Fields ruin wrecked by a random player running up out of the blue and start punching the prophet vex I assume just based on MC name (who was just there OOC to watch the RP as he had been recently slain). A ban request had also been submitted and processed for the serial wolf punching as well, fyi.

When? Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself? Lots of players enjoy playing the game in the region. Forcing something like this on them and destroying everything they've built in the process would be kinda lame.