The Camyrmhive

The last days were rather quiet, i enjoyed some small hunts and rescues. On one evening a small group decided to check wether it was already possible to hunt for Camyrmeggs, which are needed to enter the Dean Castle. Due to severe injuries and curiousness more and more Arilonians arrived, until finally more than 20 were roaming the Camyrm-Queenchamber. The queen still proved more than a match for us, so we sealed it away at the western entrance.
Our numbers allowed us to survive several reinforcements of Camyrm despite the chaotic behaviour. Luckily we could capture 2 eggs in the process. All in all it was a funny experience, although the temperature in the hive was way too high for me, even though i already have my summer fur.

Later that day i went to NiamphSpiders together with Neleth, Penthka and Kathius. I know all of them for a long time and wanted to help them search for spiderlegs. We encountered and defeated lots and lots of Mammuts, but were rewarded with very few intact legs. Still, it had reminded me of the time before the great storm, which shall never be forgotten.

A Kyttyn in the Dark

Oh, what a day it has been! I am really glad that we Kyttyn have eyes that easily adjust to the dark, otherwise i maybe wouldn not have survived my adventures, especially the boattrips in dark night.

First i was invited to a trip to the Caverns of Darkness. Although the first levels are flooded with water, i accepted, knowing the danger is not too great with a group and hoping for the money and experience there. We did quite well and cleared all the Worm- and Golemcaves.

Some rescues in Howling Woods, Ponyland and Snowland later i decided enough people were there to give the gloomy Mynna Crypt another try. I could convince nearly everyone to join and so a sizeable force of up to 19 Arilonians made its way to Mynna. As it seemed my set of rules had been sufficient, except for some spoken trouble the group worked together really good.
After we had fought our way through the entrance, we headed for the northeastern chamber to reassure us of the Pickaxe-Trader. The southeastern chamber was next, as i remembered tairs in a corner there. We did quite well against the strong skeletton guarding the chambers treasure and soon we had gained a second Ancient Dagger!
Unfortunately the stairs were protected by a password, which was yet unknown. So we cleared the other chambers with treasures, guarded by minor Skelettons, whose bodies we then traded for a pickaxe. In the fights the group showed what coordination it was able to: Mordus and Leda were rodding the bosses with some healers, while the rest killed minor monsters until all concentrated on the main target. In the meantime Crash had arrived with the 3 previously attained Skelettons in his bag. Not knowing how many graves we would have to open or how long it might take, we got another Pickaxe, which proved a mistake later on. Nevertheless, the Pickaxes helped us opening grave after grave, most haunted by spooky Undead. In one of them we found a nearly rotten note, with a single word: malseki. We went back to the stairs - and it worked!
Down in the next floor we found another Maqua researcher. He would trade harder pickaxes for 5 Skelettons. Unfortunately we had given all the skelettons to the first Maqua, so we needed new ones. We got one more, but then we headed back for the exit as most people wanted to meditate.

A few people had stayed and we discussed what to do. Finally we decided to try to explore the rest of Dean Valley, a shadowy, dark region of passes. We killed some Tigris and due to being just a small group decided to go through Trengi, which went very smooth. Soon we arrived in Dean and ventured into the western parts. We completed a circle and finally were back in the village near Yaramida. Suddenly Gravier yelled to us to come quickly! He had crossed the bridge guarded by watch towers and there - in the middle of steaming chasms - stood a gigantic castle. We went in and spoke with the door guard, to discover his master wants as many as 100 Camyrmuseggs, before we are allowed to go inside!
With the fixed intention to quickly buy 10 bags and find the 100 eggs, we then set out on the way back through Yaramida, as i felt i had had enough of boats for a day. But we were ambushed by a pack of Pirates on a narrow bridge and Tarra was wounded too severely for Kathius to heal. So Gravier took his chain and dragged the Lepori behind while we all headed from shelter to shelter first through Dean and then through Treangi. We even made it back to the teaseller-safe in Aroona! But then, in the treacherous waters just beside it, Kathius became victim to a jellyfish. Luckily Dresko is an apt chainer as well and so we three fighters made our way back to town, dragging the fallen healers behind.
A big thanks to everyone for the great day with lots of dangers, but no departs (save for those who had to leave early) and quite a lot of improvement in the search for the Ancient Daggers.

How to travel quickly

Once more a lot of people had gathered at the well in Arilon, so we decided to try our luck with hunting Glaciomyrms. Sadly no mage can open a portal into the Tundra yet, but Gravier led the group through several paths in a very clever way north. On the way i even discovered one path previously unknown to me. Soon we stood in the mud of the Grendelpass and started fighting the immense monsters. Sadly the third one proved a little strong, but we wanted to go on anyway.

When we arrived at the Glacier, we found the Royal and Noble Myrms to be easy prey when fighting one at a time. We killed quite a lot of them, but found no diamonds.
The Queens glittering skin looked too tough to bore through and her mandibles too strong to try to fight her, but her whole royal household fell to our weapons. When we could find no more big Myrm, we made a makeshift safe with the help of sturdy Kudzus. It is amazing that they even grow on totally frozen ground. Sadly i felt an urgent need to meditate then and had to run home. Thanks to Paads instructions it didn´t take very long until i was back in town and in the tower.

Exploring Dean

When i woke up yesterday, the same picture as all the last days awaited me: a peaceful town and quite a lot of well-known, new and longtime not seen faces. This time i went hunting in Niamphjungle with Penthka, Zarok, Zoid and Gravier. Although Gravier fell rarely, we found quite a lot of leather. Twice he could show his chaining skill, as all but the two of us fell deep in the jungle. Luckily we are both skilled pathfinders, so the way back to Niamph Bridge, where helping hands awaited us was quickly covered.
When the healers wished to meditate after the second time, we looked for a more dangerous target. First we thought of Boanyoo, but while Gravier ran for his gloves, we decided it´d be nice to explore Dean a little. A first surprise was waiting at the docks: a Fearless and several other Orga were patrolling there, but had not yet erected huts. One can only speculate if they didn´t because we already got the sabre and there´s nothing left to protect or wether they don´t want to draw our attention.
But quickly we were in Yaramida, heading south. Soon we had encountered and killed several Dean Wendeckas, when two of the large kind "persuaded" us to retreat to the village and advance more wary next time. We made good progress this way. It turned out that the boats near the village were leading down a river and not a lake. We kept the mountains always on our left, while the way led south. Suddenly we found ourselves in a small cave and heard different sounds outside. A quick look confirmed that we had landed in a different region: Aroona! We were in the most northeastern-corner, the caves north must be those also leading to Treangi, if you keep west at the bridge. Unfortunately Lafaborn was killed by the waiting Tigris and so we searched for a way home. What proved not so good for us, will lead to good in the future: the incomplete map of this part led to some quick approaches in different directions searching the fastest way home. I hope i memorized it correctly so i can adjust the map accordingly. On the way back first Zarok and then Tarra fell too and Sophos, whom we met in the Aroona village, could not help any of them. But we were nearly back into safe regions and so everyone was rescued after a short while. I´m looking forward to the next trip to explore more of Dean.

Hunting in Ardvell

Yesterday a lot of people were around and to refresh memories of good old days before the big storm, a huge group set out to hunt Ardvell Spiders. First stop was the local graveyard, where Lafaborn bought a skullcap to be protected better when trying to recover the teeth of spiders in death struggle.

Sadly, we still have to take boats to get to Ardvell and some Sekats turned my boat upside down twice.
Cleaning and drying my fur took some time, but the hunt was worth it. We ventured towards the portal cave, where Leda learned to her dismay that she was unable to study making a portal from Arilon to Ardvell. Then our way led always south, through lots and lots of gigantic Ardvell Mammutspiders, whose teeth bit through armour like a hot knife through butter and only the quick reflexes i studied to pass Firutins test preserved me from falling even more often. We had several critical situations, but the group was big and well-trained enough to survive them.
The way home was more pleasant: Leda was able to open a portal the other way and so i was spared to enter a boat again. Like every time i nearly forgot to run in the portal, as the marvellous look of the magical pass can make you forget time.

Back in town, we decided there was still time for another hunt and so we ventured southwest, to visit the T'rool once more. Frenzymac did a great job in keeping us alive against the numerous enemies, but although we met quite a lot of red T'rool, once more none of them carried a stone. Even the Sharaq-Boss, whom we captured with Kudzu pretended not to understand our questions where they hide the precious stones.

A dwarf coming to Arilon

The day started very pleasantly: Lee, a newly arrived Wanderer (rumor says the way to the Arindal has become easier to find from the outside world) needed help. I gladly showed him around a little and watched him becoming a fighter apprentice. After Etta showed him the basic hunting grounds, we went to SF for some starting money. Shortly after a Wendiehunt started and we took Lee along. Although he had to take lots of blows, he managed to hit quite a lot of the apes and was so tired after that he went meditating immediately. I hope to see him in the lands for a long time.
Another unsuccessful T'roolhunt later, a small group made its way into the Orga Camp. Soon we had come close to Camp 2, where we burst into a gathering of Zerks. But they have become a rather easy enemy, especially for groups and so it didn´t take long until we continued. Lots of Trotzkis tried to bar the way into the Camp itself, but a few tries later we entered the tunnel leading towards Camp 3.
Quite a lot of Furies were around to guard this Camp and we had a nice time killing every one we could lay hands on. While entering the Camp had still provided some difficulties, staying in the Camp and killing Orga-reinforcements proved no greater difficulty.
On the way back to town we discovered that the way north of the river is now full with Large Dark Vermines. Although we dearly liked to challenge one and try to recover its fur, the 3 watching the ladder seemed too clear a depart to risk it.

Clash of the Titans

Yesterday the match of the year took place: TeamPlayer versus TeamGM in Capture the Flag! We met early in the evening and Qwert tried to teach us the basics, which didn´t went very well. Finally we decided that tactics would have to be learned in the match itself.
For a fire to dry myself and a meal after the game i had let myself even be persuaded to enter the flagtowers, which were really mean: their basement was filled with water! But this should prove only one minor of many painful experiences that evening.
When both teams had gathered, the Players chose blue shirts, the GMs red ones. Of the matches themselves i can´t tell everything, there was just so much happening at once. Only this may be said: Surprisingly TeamPlayer could decide the first match for their side, while the two following games went to TeamGM. We players had an advantage in numbers, but the GMs learned at an incredible rate and even those who were easily killed in the first match proved overwhelming enemies in the last. We also experienced several more of the mighty skills of GMs, such as lots of dangerous monsters appearing, morphed GMs, chaining and teleporting of players, bombs, lightening, sudden selfheal, earthquakes, summoning of several well known individuals such as Ugh and Merown and meanest of all: rainclouds over our heads. And i swear this time i did not imagine the water hurting me! But i will let some quick paintings speak for themselves now.

After the match was over, Aerandir granted us another round of monster roulette, this time in the arena. We encountered Ravyn Mares, Jellyfishs, Zerks, Frostgiants, Dean Wendeckas and more. Twice we were overwhelmed, but Aerandir (who looked very pleased about our behaviour) came to our help and guaranteed a happy ending to an exhausting, yet funny evening.

Oh Happy Day

Yesterday was (nearly) a perfect day, just one of my undertakings didn´t bring the hoped for result, while i could achieve several goals.
A hunt to the bagseller with Frenzymac and Balaforn marked the beginning of the day. Here we witnessed the effects of spring, as dozens of Wendeckas had chosen that snell for the place to search a mate. Our intrusion was not looked upon gently by them and so we found ourselves in a long, but victorious struggle with the primates. Luckily we also found an intact Wendieskull, so that after the hunt i was able to purchase a skullcap.
We had just sat down to rest, when we were asked if we would help in testing the strength of a bunch of animals captured in Ravyn, an area said to lie east of the Wasteland. Of course we agreed and soon we found ourselves surrounded by dozens of Bisons, some of them more than twice as big as any seen before. Some Mosquitos also mingled in the crowd that chased us, but after some time we gained the upper hand and reported our observations. Maybe we soon find an entrance to this area where we can fight the monsters on their own ground.
Again just a short rest was allowed, as the cries "There are Orgas and Pirates in town!" were heard. Indeed, once more a sizeable force of them came streaming in from the West. At first, odds looked bad and Frenzymac as the only healer had much more to do than he wished for. But when more healers reinforced us, we could drive the Orga back to the northwest of town, where they had quickly erected one of their huts. A tough battle later, our town was saved from another Orga scouting party.
Our next destination were the T'rooltribes. We cleared all three main chambers, two of them even twice. Unfortunately, none of the red T'rool had been carrying one of the precious stones, tokens of their tribal loyalty.
The sun climbed higher and a good many people were leaving MediTower, so we looked for a nice destination. Someone mentioned all the things we need for the weapon against the Dor'Shak and soon we were on our way to the Docks, to search the first Pirateship for the blade-part of the broken Sabre. The deeper we went into the belly of the ship, the fiercer the Pirates fought us and we always had to retreat several times before we could establish a foothold in the next room and finally take it. The deepest room, with no place for the Pirates to retreat to, saw the bloodiest battle of all of them. But one by one we hacked the Pirates down until only the Captain of the ship remained on his feet to face us. With one hand he tried to kill us while his other desperately clutched a bag. But we were many and steeled from previous fights and against this he didn´t stand a chance. Puppy opened the bag and found what we had come for: a blade of a sabre! The way out to the air proved to be nearly as hard as the way in had been, but soon we had made our way back to town, carrying the blade with us. Now we just need to get enough Ancient Daggers to trade against the oil we need as the last ingredient of the weapon recipe.
After some relaxing of the aching muscles and tending the last wounds, i decided it was time again to try to pass the test to the 3rd fighter circle. The whole day i had been very optimistic, but when i entered the room with the monsters, i got doubts. I found them approved only a moment later, when both the Zerk and the GV had hit me once while i hadn´t even landed a single hit. But i found my concentration and always thinking of my lessons killed both of them without any further trouble. Soon i had trapped the Fury in a corner and was slowly wounding it more and more. Suddenly it turned and wanted to run away. I became hasty, as i thought myself close to killing it and neglected my defense, which immediately resulted in some hard blows. My heart pounded so hard, i thought it would crrack my chest, until suddenly the giant Orga sank to its knees and Firutin announced that i was allowed into the next circle of the fighter guild.
I was so pleased that i had achieved my aim to become the first Contego to be allowed into the 3rd circle, that i fell on the way back because i wanted to recover some Lyfelidaeskins. But i was rescued soon and started buying drinks and then invited everyone to TC for some beer, wine and milk to celebrate. All in all this was propably one of the most happy days since i first came to Arilon.

Yesterday was one of the more quiet days. In the morning we hunted in the Pyramide, because Jago wanted to reinforce her gloves. In the ground level the biggest challenge was to stay on your feet and not get too dizzy from the gases pouring out of the Mummies. In the top floor lots of stronger Mummies appeared and nearly the whole group fell and, after several brave rescue attempts from Sharelock, Elaine and Jago nearly everyone had to depart. I was lucky and got out alive, though.
The evening held a long discussion about a hunting destination. All of the time people wanted to hunt somewhere else than the rest, had to leave, wanted to join...At one point i was in the maze leading into the Ardvell Forest. I wanted to catch a glimpse of the forest again, but an Ash Urso ended this way more quickly than i had expected. Tarra eventually rescued me and we set out to Boanyoo. On the way we visited the small town in Barwidgee, where Leyenda bought thick leather. Uncommonly lots of bears were around and we recovered some nice furs and found honeycombs.
Boanyoo proved to be a tough challenge for our small group, but we managed well and after a visit to the northern village, which looks really sad, we eventually returned safely to town to sleep.

Kissed by a butterfly

The day started with a hunt in Tigerland. We looted lots of nice furs, but suddenly Gravier, Frenzy and me found ourselves amidst a huge pack of Tigers, who hunted us down. Luckily reinforcements came out of the tower and eventually rescued us from what had seemed a sure depart, thanks!

In the evening we had a meeting with Ziyal and Aerandir, with whom we discussed how to increase the dwindling number of Arilonians and potential dangers of that.Afterwards, Aerandir granted us a session of his famous Monsterroulette, where you have to guess two numbers x and y and he will then release y monsters, which stand in place x in his list. This is mostly very dangerous, but always great fun. This time we "won" Ghidoras, catapults, Barrakudas and purple Arachnoids among others.

Back in town several butterflies were searching for flowers. I managed to trap one and get transformed by it. The rest of the day i felt really light, it was a nice experience.Of course this strange body had some disadvantages as well, so i had to be really careful not to burn my wings in Boanyoo, where we hunted late in the evening. I also experienced that i had to avoid any enemy touching them, as any contact immediately lessened its usefulness. Luckily Newt and Brommi knew how to tend butterflies and so i survived the challenging hunt, at the end of which Crash even found the long sought-after Sanddollar, which he needed to buy a Warhammer.

All Quiet on the Western Front

Two days ago a storm swept the lands. As so many times before i hoped it was strong enough to sweep the treetrunks away, that block the way west in Niamphjungle. I took quite some risk, but managed to run there alone and found the way still blocked more than Nor-high.

I had just arrived back on the plateaus, when i met several Arilonians who had come to rescue Reindinho. After he was up, i turned and went with them, to hunt some Mammutspiders and Wildhorses.
Quite a lot of them had been driven out of their hide by the storm and we had an exhausting, but interesting hunt. Although Gravier was with us, we managed to find leveral leather.

Since then a lot of other places have been checked, but as can be seen in the Stormlog, which is maintained by several inhabitants of our wonderful town, nearly nothing seems to have changed with the storm.

Boarding the Pirate Ships

After buying a new mind crystal i went hunting T'rool with Gravier, Pit Bul and Dolphins. We quickly cleared the Paghorim boss chamber, where Pit found a stone while rummaging through a dead red ones pockets. We then went on to the Rugumonds, where Tarra replaced Pit. With the help of some Kudzus we managed to clear the chamber in just one try as well. So we went to Sharags, where we had to plant a large Kudzu wall before we could find a position to stand against the T'rool. Sadly we didn´t find a stone from these tribes.
In the evening enough people had awakened and we decided to search the recently docked pirate ships for parts of a broken sabre. Lider had informed us they were parts of the weapon against the Dor'Shak and most likely to be found in the posession of pirates. Despite some struggles at the beach we reached the docks quickly, thanks to Gravier. After a first view of the ship (at least these look as if you are not consantly reminded of being on water all the time) we rumagged through the slave-dens of the first ship.
The slaves were pityful to watch, but somehow they seemed to have gone mad under the pirates' treatment, as they fought us with no thought about their own survival. Even killing their guards did nothing to slow their frenzy, so i guess killing them was the best we could do for them.
Several of the lower floors seemed to have small holes, allowing water to intrude, but my try to sink the whole boat proved fruitless, the timbers were too thick.
We went on to the second ship, finding it to be much the same. Here we entered the rear cabins and fought our way through the crews bunks and the treasure room down to the hindmost room. The Captain with his personal bodyguard was present when we entered and we accepted the fight and came out on top. Balaforn saw a sparkling in the Captains bag and that was how we discovered the handle of a broken sabre. Now we only have to find the snapped off blade matching the fine handiwork of this item.
Of course we took our success as a sign to try to enter the corridor leading into the back of the first ship once more. At first we managed to gain some meters, but soon it evolved into a stale-mate. When we wanted to heal up and gather outside we found the deck guarded by more than a dozen pirates from the docks who must have been alarmed by our going aboard. Thanks to Gravier, Pit Bul and Newt i was healed later in a safe on the beach. I´m sure if we search the first ship thoroughly we will find the blade. If not there´s always the pirate bar near the docks which attracts a lot of pirates, one of whom may keep the blade or at least know where we can find it, if only we ask with enough pressure.