Lord_Sauron_

An elf with weary shoulders and a melancholy air stops by the parchment. He reads it with effort, seeming as though the tiny act of darting his eyes back and forth causes him pain. Lifting his arm up, he writes on one of the available spots. "In the end, we are all but pawns in a aimless game. There is something out there that manipulates this world, parts great and small. It has a mind of madness, and controls what we see and do without knowing its own direction. This thing is no god - it controls what we see as gods. It can mold our very thoughts without us being ever aware, and can banish any imagining of power that we have. We have not even the power to live if it does not allow it. And that thing drove me to the brink of ending it all." -Vanir Laefien

Warning - Swearing encased within this link. But... It is worth it. Read the page that comes up... You'll understand soon enough. http://www.gizoogle.net/index.php?search=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lordofthecraft.net%2Fforum%2Findex.php%3F%2Ftopic%2F87216-may-newsletter-most-noted-player-a-fantastic-promotion-more%2F&se=Gizoogle+Dis+Shiznit

Not bad writing. Though I don't play much anymore, I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for these guys in events reported on forums.

Awesome! I remember checking out this server with WS half a year before I finally decided to apply, and missed it when I came back. Thanks for reinstating it!

Vanir shakes his head sadly. "Then try not to die."

"I was but jesting about the Halflings. However, our weakness still stands. As far as our not being able to take anymore, I agree. A little more pushing and we'll crumble even farther than we already have. However, we should nurse our wounds, not strike back and lose more. It may get all of us exterminated if we sit and try to survive without counter-attacking, yes. However, if we do strike at them and aggravate the situation any more, that chance is all the greater. Mali unity has been torn apart... Trying to aid conflict is the last thing that must be done."

Tempted to get a fishy looking link that has a picture of this dog behind it and send it with that message. Just for the lulz.

((I wouldn't be so sure about the mentality, because I'm just waiting for a chance to die in a meaningful manner. Vanir has no problem throwing his life away for something he believes in. He and I share that view - sacrifice, no matter how great or small, is what keeps us all from being self-serving bastards.)) Vanir sighs and shakes his head. Quelling his inner opinion that Mali unity is doomed forever, he responds with a resigned tone. "Listen, I understand the intent, but we can't match anyone with force or even support. Demeaning as it may be, we have to cower for now. I agree that we as Mali should be ashamed, but we cannot put effort into something like that. We have to concentrate on becoming strong from within before our attitudes can return to pride. I'd bet that a few brazen Halflings could sabotage our entire government right now... ...actually, knowing the Halflings I've talked to, if they suddenly gained the inclination to do something like that, we'd all be doomed." ((Jovial little bastards are plannin' something, I tell ya))

((That's out of line. I love to lose as much as the next, but Vanir believes that what you suggest is a suicide mission. I believe that OOC as well, but if you seek to insult me out of character for my decisions in character, then you should think long and hard about RP etiquette. And yes, I am a little annoyed if you couldn't tell.))

An astute choice to represent he situation...though a bit depressung.

Vanir scoffs at the poster, rolling his eyes. "Yes, yes, provoke the Roses. Sounds like a wonderful idea," he mutters. "Mrm. We're all doomed anyways."

I might be more worried about land and items... if I had any...

Yeah, that's all that I can think of reading through those screenshots.

I have a feeling that would either give you some closure or be an even more agonizing punishment than complete non-access. Which, I dunno.

((I noticed things sounded a bit weird on this one. I did that at 1 in the morning, I have a good enough excuse. I was far too tired to check it over and figured a few mistakes wouldn't be amiss :P In other news, who needs sleep! Coffee is the savior!))

((On the contrary, the style of the text fits the situation. How often do you get ancient messages that tell you where the relic is buried? No, you get a history of the religion and the last war of the high gods which points to a certain temple filled with undead goons that they sealed the relic in for fear of the underworld ascertaining its location. It has to be convoluted - and is fun to puzzle out like that. I got the meaning, more or less - and if I can do it, it shouldn't be that hard!))

Vanir, again noting the messages which appear to be scrawled all over, eagerly begins translating them. Though he has of late been...distracted from his quest to figure out what those who came before were and why they left, the messages always excite him - and the excess of text this time promises at least some answers. Vanir can, by now, read the Mathic script without needing the aid of his key. As he records it in his journal, a growing sense of unease appears within his feelings. The shortness of the sixth and seventh messages, to him, brought images of destruction and rebirth. Looking around to find himself alone, Vanir wriggles a bit to get comfortable as he examines the messages together once more. The light that shines through the hole in the roof of the light shrine mentioned earlier sinks lower as he puzzles over the meaning. ((I can actually read the text unaided, though I am slow at it... I need a life))

You actually got me, mate. I thought this was real. *slow clap*

Vanir shakes his head as he scribbles yet another response. Nay. I am no hero. Just a herald who knows of what is to come. Your response about Malinor getting better... Ha. Apathy will take over before that. And by the nature of what you say... It worked.