'Twas a sad day for the realm indeed; even the town criers now lament for the fallen. But what events came to pass last night? Ahh, was a memorable evening, for many good reasons, and one extremely tragic one. Our tale begins inside the Councillors Hall as always, where we gathered to respond to the threat of Kwi-Lan and his minions...
Fortunately the eternal undead must have heard the chanting, and with the wisdom of age realising that youth is wasted on the young, opened up a gate into their world and immediately proceeded to try and take the life blood from as many of us as possible.
The first hellspawn we ran into was Izzert the Guardian, and around him were various vampires;
As it approached, Iljian called for enlightenment, presumable to enjoy the death of Nathan... our hearts were high and doom far from our minds so entering into the spirit of jocularity I cast the required spell... and it was Izzert who fell instead. Around the corner, we found Granesh. Protector of Kwi-lan, a creature of the Crimson type, now green and decayed with age as his predecessor;
Beyond this beast, we found the habitation of the vampires; “[Nathan Hawke]: SECURE THE AREA” Forgive the clutter of the next shot, this was the only record I have of this part and I wanted to include the full bestiary. Centre we can see one of the vampires fighting a pixie... who brings a pixie to a fight anyway? To the left and bottom you can see purple Putrifiers.
(Thumbnail, click for full size)
The one peaking between my mystical runes I personally slew, for battle honours I can now recount... out of character a moment!
It seems that the EMs were using this event to introduce or trial the new loot changes and suggestions from previous Meet & Greets; on the corpse of the Putrifier I found a dyed backpack, and inside was the following;
I heard one other person say they'd found a ring, and Nimuaq also found 3 daggers inscribed the same, also in backpacks, 2 of which were on public corpses people had left behind; so we're not sure how many were included and how many survived the event to be safely looted. But this was a change we'd long asked for, so it's good to see.
Forging on from the habitation, we found a mysterious row of graves, and then;
[Sparrow]: “HMMM a Golden Dragon thatll be tough”
But Nathan wasn't by it. When asked where he was, all I could state for sure was;
[A Golden Dragon]: Come, sweet death... embrace these mine enemies
But it was his turn to cross the river Styx, not ours.
Our mettle was soon to be truly tested however, as across one of the mysterious rock bridges we traversed, we ran into a tribe of undead Savage Bodyguard. These proved a difficult foe to master, as they cross healed, cast chain lightning and mass poison everywhere, and had a huge number of hit points. I don't have any screens of this part as the battle was too intense, a feeling widely shared it seems.
“[Nathan Hawke]: DOWN” was, I believe his victory cry in context. Strangely however, despite wrestling with the not so noble savage for nearly 10 minutes mostly solo, I did not get looting rights to it. Talking control of the situation, Nathan continued to direct us to the loin-clothed lunatics; “[Nathan Hawke]: THERE IS ONE HERE BRING IT DOWN”
And it is fortunate he did; beyond the Savages were more vampires, at which point people started to get confused and lost. There was a row of white gateposts blocking the way forward, so people ran back into the maze to try and find an alternative route, whilst Nathan led the main body through, the gates curiously dropping as he approached. Almost as if someone wanted Nathan to come closer...
their lust for vengeance didn't flag... not even in the face of his foul aura, not even when a good number of our friends and companions including my Little Nose died. (Kwi-Lan seems to have been a remodelled Medusa, as amongst the combat log I can see “[12/03/11][21:03:22] You have been poisoned by Medusa's snake-like hair!”)
But no whetstone can make a sword as sharp as the arm that swings it in the name of Justice; Kwi-lan was to prove no match for the righteous blows rained upon his consumptive carcass. Where he fell, I did not see. His body was mysteriously absent. And yet, after a moment's confusion, I knew for sure that he did...
[12/03/11][21:04:30] You have gained a little fame.
[12/03/11][21:04:30] A reward of katana has been placed in your backpack.
Out of character again; I'm pretty certain then that this was the new “Top 10 Damage/Healing” code for EM events. So not only was it well scripted, but an awful lot of thought went into where the rewards would be...
Once the fizz of spell and clash of steel had settled, the crowds began to raise the fallen and cure the remaining maladies. But slowly, the final certainty of Nathan's fate began to seep in;
The name looked familiar, like the one Kwi-Lan had mentioned. But as I record the day's events now, I realise it's not quite the same name. What meaning could it have? In Nathan's name, we must locate the person behind the one inscribed there...
I would like to think that, as Nathan leaves this world and his direct influence ends, that someone new walking in and discovering how they can become involved tomorrow is a fitting tribute to the real meaning Nathan's life had. And still has; as a famous author in the world of the avatar once wrote; "No one is finally dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away -- until the clock he wound up winds down, until the wine she made has finished its ferment, until the crop they planted is harvested. The span of someone's life, they say, is only the core of their actual existence."
If we can thus raise a suitable memorial to Nathan, the core meaning of Nathan's life will remain. And if we do not get more than someone wondering how to cram more people into a bedroom today, tomorrow someone may one day someone stand beside Nathan's grave and wonder what sort of deeds could inspire such heartfelt testimonials... and they will in turn reach out to the world, and through their own actions escape the grave for that brief, but oh so essential moment that truly defines life.
And as long as they do, Nathan Hawke will remain with us too.
(And like all of you, I hope that this isn't an indication that someone else's story is ending... Sarakhan? We hope you'll reassure us of that sometime soon.
Thanks to Nimauq for sharing his clear pictures of the post death parts of the event)
Learn these words well! For a new craze has taken over the young of the land; repeating these 3 words constantly. In the most inappropriate places. Everywhere you can think of. Because who knows when they may take you to a realm overflowing with riches, eh?! I've cut out some of the repetitions in the Councillors for brevity...[Perry Ragus]: Hello Nathan
[Traveler]: oh nice to see you alive
[Brynhild]: *Sketchy salute*
[Nathan Hawke]: Ahh nice and comfy seat
[Nathan Hawke]: *smiles*
[Nathan Hawke]: So its good to see you all here
[Nathan Hawke]: Evening
[Myph'zar]: Evening Nathan
[Brynhild]: Came to see if you'd survived.
[Jack Flash]: good to see dupren brought his best armour
[Nathan Hawke]: I suspect you will need it
[Nathan Hawke]: Alright
[Nathan Hawke]: *looks stern*
[Dupren]: death is much safer
[Nathan Hawke]: You all know why you are here?
[Hex]: no
[Perry Ragus]: not sure
[Aaron]: recap
[Nimuaq]: nope
[Jack Flash]: to sie sounds like
[Franz]: Aye!
[Jack Flash]: die
[Franz]: To Die
[Nathan Hawke]: Quick recap
[Brynhild]: Kill a vampire before he kills you?
[Thiefy]: we set up a micetrap cage.. place you inside and wait
[Thiefy]: then we make the trap snap!
[Hex]: not kill it after Bryn?
[Nathan Hawke]: Tonight is a simple search and destroy mission
[Melissa]: simple !?
[Nathan Hawke]: We are entering the vampire lair
[Brynhild]: Up to you Hex, I don't mind either way.
[Brynhild]: *Innocent look*
[Hex]: =)
[Nathan Hawke]: I expect stiff resistance
[Barbaretta]: "simple" must have a new meaning...
[Tyranissa Wrath]: *blinks*
[Traveler]: simple survive
[Nathan Hawke]: I will take you to the location from where the vampires are attacking
[Nathan Hawke]: We will use the words
[Nathan Hawke]: Ver Nel Klep
[Aaron]: Ver Nel Klep
[your Granny]: Ver Nel Klep
[Tyranissa Wrath]: Ver Nel Klep
[Thiefy]: Ver Nel Kelp...
[Franz]: Ver Nel Klep
[Nathan Hawke]: Hopefully the vampire elders will open a gate from their subterranean lair
[Myph'zar]: VeR NeL KleP
[Lanfire]: ver nel klep
[Hex]: Ver Nel Klep
… snip ...
And follow we did... but despite his bravado in the face of personal threats, the first gate Nathan tried to cast to the lair was a fizzler and lead nowhere.
We arrived east of Skara Brae; what did the entrance to these foul beasts lair look like? Fellow adventurer, let us see if you can locate the quest amongst the following snippet of representative dialogue;
Stand back they most certainly did not however, despite Nathan appealing for order for some time after; as one sagely put it “[Barbaretta]: shame vampires dont eat brains... we'd starve them today”
Fortunately the eternal undead must have heard the chanting, and with the wisdom of age realising that youth is wasted on the young, opened up a gate into their world and immediately proceeded to try and take the life blood from as many of us as possible.
The first hellspawn we ran into was Izzert the Guardian, and around him were various vampires;
As it approached, Iljian called for enlightenment, presumable to enjoy the death of Nathan... our hearts were high and doom far from our minds so entering into the spirit of jocularity I cast the required spell... and it was Izzert who fell instead. Around the corner, we found Granesh. Protector of Kwi-lan, a creature of the Crimson type, now green and decayed with age as his predecessor;
Was this a unique set of insults? I suspect Granesh may have been a stealer of techniques too, but I am not sure where from; it must have been a place with good food however, as I fed it's meat to my companion and he looked so much happier. Nathan then declared “HEAL THE FALLEN” before we moved on...
Beyond this beast, we found the habitation of the vampires; “[Nathan Hawke]: SECURE THE AREA” Forgive the clutter of the next shot, this was the only record I have of this part and I wanted to include the full bestiary. Centre we can see one of the vampires fighting a pixie... who brings a pixie to a fight anyway? To the left and bottom you can see purple Putrifiers.
(Thumbnail, click for full size)
The one peaking between my mystical runes I personally slew, for battle honours I can now recount... out of character a moment!
It seems that the EMs were using this event to introduce or trial the new loot changes and suggestions from previous Meet & Greets; on the corpse of the Putrifier I found a dyed backpack, and inside was the following;
I heard one other person say they'd found a ring, and Nimuaq also found 3 daggers inscribed the same, also in backpacks, 2 of which were on public corpses people had left behind; so we're not sure how many were included and how many survived the event to be safely looted. But this was a change we'd long asked for, so it's good to see.
Forging on from the habitation, we found a mysterious row of graves, and then;
[Sparrow]: “HMMM a Golden Dragon thatll be tough”
But Nathan wasn't by it. When asked where he was, all I could state for sure was;
Eventually those of us reducing the dragon to dragon chops caught up with him again;
Had he taken too many blows to the head, or was this laughing and repetition part of a joke we had missed? We may now never know. Sniff. But we are not near the end of the days events yet! Let us continue with the better times!
This was not one of our finest ones though; Nathan then lead us into, well, one of those... So back upon our own tracks we returned, until [Nimuaq]: “oh dear, the dragon” and the fight began! Not as tough as we would perhaps fear from it's striking colouration, for even the spells and insults cast were suspiciously familiar...
[A Golden Dragon]: Come, sweet death... embrace these mine enemies
But it was his turn to cross the river Styx, not ours.
Our mettle was soon to be truly tested however, as across one of the mysterious rock bridges we traversed, we ran into a tribe of undead Savage Bodyguard. These proved a difficult foe to master, as they cross healed, cast chain lightning and mass poison everywhere, and had a huge number of hit points. I don't have any screens of this part as the battle was too intense, a feeling widely shared it seems.
A mysterious voice from on high! Perhaps Nathan heard it too, as whilst I was desperately bandaging, bandaging, bandaging he came and stood by the long bonded pair of Little Nose and I; ”[Nathan Hawke]: FOCUS ON THIS ONE” Yes, I was rather hoping you would![Hex]: savages heal from killing summons?
[Aron Swordmaster]: isnt that the old code from LBR savages? They used too iirc
[Aron Swordmaster]: they dont seem to want to die
[Hex]: i think its the summons
[Lanfire]: NO PETS
[Aaron]: these things are silly
[Nimuaq]: ok, this doesnt work at all
[Aron Swordmaster]: My armours breaking now, due to all the AoE... and I can't tank any down
[Elder EM Emile Layne]: You guys took out a much bigger group of these about a year ago
[Elder EM Emile Layne]: Just got to remember what you did that time
[Hex]: we all concentrated on one
[Leodegan]: these just dont wanna die
[Elder EM Emile Layne]: *Winks at Hex*
[Aron Swordmaster]: Yes, but they didnt plan to kill Nathan last time, we're not fighting them that hard in case they do
“[Nathan Hawke]: DOWN” was, I believe his victory cry in context. Strangely however, despite wrestling with the not so noble savage for nearly 10 minutes mostly solo, I did not get looting rights to it. Talking control of the situation, Nathan continued to direct us to the loin-clothed lunatics; “[Nathan Hawke]: THERE IS ONE HERE BRING IT DOWN”
And it is fortunate he did; beyond the Savages were more vampires, at which point people started to get confused and lost. There was a row of white gateposts blocking the way forward, so people ran back into the maze to try and find an alternative route, whilst Nathan led the main body through, the gates curiously dropping as he approached. Almost as if someone wanted Nathan to come closer...
Nathan seemed to know the place well too... I had to rely on Nimauq to pick me up and lead me to the pit, but Nathan walked unconcernedly straight towards it. When I arrived the mood was jocular again. It would not sadly remain so for long.
At this point, Kwi-Lan broke free of the stone wall around the bit, and the pent up rage and misplaced humour of Nathan's companions in arms were turned against him. He spewed his vile poison around, as he flew across the cavern, striking people from all sorts of unexpected places, but[Nathan Hawke]: OK I THINK WSE ARE ALL HERE
[Sir Pepperoni]: Ver Nel Klep
[Sir Pepperoni]: Ver Nel Klep
[[Sir Pepperoni]: Ver Nel Klep
[Ayara-Bee]: that Kwi-lan´s been busy
[Brynhild]: Do we truss Nathan up before we put him in the sacrificial fire pit?
[Caroline]: Ver Nel Klep
[Caroline]: Ver Nel Klep (Yes. Really. But that's enough Ver Nel Klep for today I think!)
[Nathan Hawke]: Whats this?
[Nathan Hawke]: Oh very funny
[Nathan Hawke]: Anyone seen Kwi-Lan?
[Aron Swordmaster]: Beware Nathan, even now they may aim to roast you on that pit
[Nimuaq]: No
[Franz]: Not yet
[Hex]: thought i did earlier
[Sir Pepperoni]: 1Hes In There!
[Sir Pepperoni]: in the pit!
[Nathan Hawke]: In where?
[Sir Pepperoni]: he has to be!
[Bill Brakespeare]: Yes he's a big blue-balck Balron
[Sir Bolo]: uh oh the pit is opening...
[Sir Pepperoni]: it opens!
[Sir Bolo]: hmm he's down there!
[Thiefy]: i see him!!!!
[Franz]: Twi-Fan is there...
(Our impending doom was not horror enough, but now we have to spend a potential eternity with squealing Twilight fans?! Oh, he meant Kwi-Lan. Sorry!)
[Padme Amidala]: i want a purple demon
[Padme Amidala]: hes behind you!
[Ayara-Bee]: almost purple
[Padme Amidala]: can we keep him i like him
[Padme Amidala]: he looks almost sigil to me
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: Ahh I see you have defeated my minions and my protectors.
[Sparrow]: big bugger aint he
[Aron Swordmaster]: And Nathan remains alive! Your plan has failed!
[Sir Pepperoni]: THEY WERE NOTHING!
[Sir Pepperoni]: THEY WERE WEAK!
[Sir Pepperoni]: THEY WERE WEAK!
[Sir Pepperoni]: THEY WERE WEAK!
[Ozimandius]: demon claws!
[Nimuaq]: its talking to us
[Padme Amidala]: *kidnapped kwi-lan and keep him as a pet*
[Sir Pepperoni]: you need new protectors!
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: I do hope you are proud of yourselves.
[Aron Swordmaster]: We stole your crafted items too
[Sir Pepperoni]: WE ARE PROUD!
[Sir Pepperoni]: THEY WER EBAD!
[Nimuaq]: We are quite proud people
[Sir Pepperoni]: THEY WERE WEAK!
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: But at least one good thing has come out of this...
[Sir Pepperoni]: YOU SHALL DIE
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: you have brought me my prey at last!
[Padme Amidala]: that was a good thing right?
[Brynhild]: That was sort of the idea really, usin' Nathan as bait.
[Aron Swordmaster]: We bring you nothing but Justice
[Silver Shade]: Look! It's Tinky-Winky!!
[Padme Amidala]: id rather not pray, im not religious
[Sir Pepperoni]: your a Coward!
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: Yes... the mortal known as Nathan Hawke forever my enemy...
[Sir Pepperoni]: Come out and fight!
[Sir Pepperoni]: your a Coward!
[Nathan Hawke]: Your enemy? I have no idea...
[Aron Swordmaster]: You two have history? He told us nothing of this
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: *reaches out and grabs Nathan Hawke*
[Brynhild]: Probably not the only thing he's upset.
[Padme Amidala]: byeeeee
[Franz]: Stop him
[Aron Swordmaster]: Unhand that Hawke!
[Nimuaq]: oh oh, nathan is in trouble
[Franz]: Go Nathan Go
[Nathan Hawke]: You don’t scare me. And what is this nonsense about being your enemy forever?
[Aron Swordmaster]: The rising collosus will save him
(There was, at this point, about a hundred summons on top of the two of them, sigh)
[Franz]: 10 shillings on Nathan
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: You don’t remember do you?
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: She put that spell on you so long ago...
[Nimuaq]: he'd remember a giant blue daemon
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: And you did promise her a boon
[Sir Bolo]: Mizara?
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: in return for her help all those years ago when you rescued Dorian from the Void?
[Lanfire]: dont take nathan! we need him to give us shinies!
[Nathan Hawke]: Mizara Khan? But ... she …
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: She was my wife and you stole her from me all those years ago!
[Padme Amidala]: *gets popcorn and watches*
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: tried to turn her your way...
[Tyranissa Wrath]: Uh oh...
[Sir Bolo]: the old witch was married?
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: and you nearly succeeded if it hadn’t been for our alliance...
[Nathan Hawke]: Alliance?
[Aron Swordmaster]: Apparently the evil underworld practices incest on a humungous scale. Coming up next; Son of Bride of Cousin of Mizra
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: You still can’t remember can you?
[Nimuaq]: I think this is rather a private matter between Nathan, Mizara and her husband
[Nimuaq]: maybe we should go
[Padme Amidala]: maybe we should leave them to it!
[Perry Ragus]: kind of threesome maybe ?
[Nathan Hawke]: *looks confused*
(This is the last known image of Nathan.
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: Would it be a gift to you to unlock your true past?
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: How you served us?
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: How you argued so much with the blonde haired one Jurrel?
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: How you tried to betray him?
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: I think it is much more fitting that you never know...
[Nathan Hawke]: Why you! *swings his sword and slashes Kwi-Lan across the chest*
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: *swings at Nathan Hawke and draws blood from his cheek*
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: *swings at Nathan Hawke and draws blood from his cheek*
[Nathan Hawke]: *falls back slightly, dazed*
[Padme Amidala]: its a handbag fight!
[Sir Pepperoni]: WORST FIGHT
[Sir Pepperoni]: EVER
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: *grabs Nathan Hawke by the arm and pulls him close biting at his face and head*
[Nathan Hawke]: *grimaces swinging his sword into flesh and cutting deep*
[Aron Swordmaster]: I am apparently outraged by this fight I cannot see, but fortunately can hear being narrated!
(Bloody summons!)
[Nimuaq]: I think we need to interfere
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: *bites and mauls Nathan Hawke’s chest ripping off the armour*
[Nathan Hawke]: *laughs and drives the sword into Kwi-Lan’s leg*
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: *smiles as he punches his fist into Nathan Hawke’s chest*
[Silver Shade]: Stay tuned for more action after these messages from our sponsors....
[Nathan Hawke]: *his body sags as he slumps down*
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: *laughs and leans forward his mouth opening wide to devour Nathan Hawke whole*
[Sir Pepperoni]: !!!
[Padme Amidala]: munched
[Aron Swordmaster]: It can't end like this!
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: Uuuugh
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: *Chews*
[Ayara-Bee]: ehm
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: Uuuuhg
[Tamino]: I WILL MAKE YOU PAY!
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: Baaaaad
[Aron Swordmaster]: Come out of there and we'll carve him free from your very stomach, fiend!
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: q
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: q
[Nimuaq]: did it just ate Nathan???
[Ayara-Bee]: you are Nathan?
[Aron Swordmaster]: He qq's us!
[Padme Amidala]: it did indeed
[Padme Amidala]: in one mouthful
[Nimuaq]: we gotto kill this thing!
[Aron Swordmaster]: And told us to QQ! The destard!
[Brynhild]: And chewed him *giggles helplessly* Sorry
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: *Gags*
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: *Gags*
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: *Gags*
[Kwi-Lan The Vampire Lord]: *Spits up body parts*
[Aron Swordmaster]: I hope Nathan chokkes you!
their lust for vengeance didn't flag... not even in the face of his foul aura, not even when a good number of our friends and companions including my Little Nose died. (Kwi-Lan seems to have been a remodelled Medusa, as amongst the combat log I can see “[12/03/11][21:03:22] You have been poisoned by Medusa's snake-like hair!”)
But no whetstone can make a sword as sharp as the arm that swings it in the name of Justice; Kwi-lan was to prove no match for the righteous blows rained upon his consumptive carcass. Where he fell, I did not see. His body was mysteriously absent. And yet, after a moment's confusion, I knew for sure that he did...
[12/03/11][21:04:30] You have gained a little fame.
[12/03/11][21:04:30] A reward of katana has been placed in your backpack.
Out of character again; I'm pretty certain then that this was the new “Top 10 Damage/Healing” code for EM events. So not only was it well scripted, but an awful lot of thought went into where the rewards would be...
Once the fizz of spell and clash of steel had settled, the crowds began to raise the fallen and cure the remaining maladies. But slowly, the final certainty of Nathan's fate began to seep in;
We returned to the dungeon... reluctantly in the case of my companion Little Nose, who honked twice and refused to budge until coaxed back into the appalling scene with the promise of meat. As I walked behind the main body of mourners, I finally noticed this display near the entrance;[Aron Swordmaster]: did we get him? I didnt see him go down
[Padme Amidala]: we did get him
[Brynhild]: *Looks at the mangled bits of Nathan*
[Trent Edwards]: I just realised what this means
[Trent Edwards]: our only leader left is Alaster!
[Brynhild]: Goin' to be difficult to get up from that one.
[Brynhild]: *Shakes head and sighs*
[Sir Pepperoni]: !
[Trent Edwards]: Smidge of ointment
[Ayara-Bee]: *looks at the remnants*
[Trent Edwards]: he'll be right as rain
[Padme Amidala]: aye just a smidge
[Aron Swordmaster]: And alaster isn't here to lead us.
[Brynhild]: I think we're talkin' full-blown necromancy here, that's the only thing'll get him up.
[Brynhild]: And then he'll be a lich lord or somethin'.
[Brynhild]: *Shrugs*
[Barbaretta]: mummy seems more likely
[Barbaretta]: might need the bandages to keep him in one piece
[Aron Swordmaster]: We should try and recover his remains at least
[Brynhild]: Oh yeah, good point.
[Nimuaq]: I think we should bury him
[Aron Swordmaster]: do we have any necromancers here?
[Traveler]: shall we go via new gate?
(at this point, a moongate has opened at the far left wall of the cavern)
[Brynhild]: We ought to do something *nods* memorial of some description
[Nimuaq]: I agree Brynhild
[Nimuaq]: we cant let him rot there
(Slowly, people start to file out into the moongate; it leads back to the Councillors Hall. But it is forlornly empty. Only we are there, the main stage remains unhaunted.
Back at the Cavern, a few people (including Nimauq) have remained behind to try and respectfully cremate Nathan's remains:
(At the hall though, we sit around, and try and make sense of it between our shell shocked senses. It's nearly 5 minutes before anyone speaks.)
[Iljian]: What are we looking at? Hawke won't thay goodnight, will he...
[Aron Swordmaster]: If only Alaster were here
[Ayara-Bee]: yeah...
[Brynhild]: Dunno actually ...
[Barbaretta]: if he does say goodnight i think he have new things to worry about
[Iljian]: Would he make anything better?
[12/03/11][21:12:31] [Aron Swordmaster]: But maybe this is something we need to handle ourselves
[12/03/11][21:12:34] [Brynhild]: Sort of habit to come back here.
[cernunnos]: now what
[Nimuaq]: I guess burning his remains will do too, which Gah! helped
[Sir Pepperoni]: !
[Ayara-Bee]: but we need him to tell us what to do with Nathan´s undies
[Aron Swordmaster]: *checks the bookcase*
[Aron Swordmaster]: We'll never know how he got into here now
(Nathan, and his infamous arrivals from the A-B shelves. As we sat around, I looked for anyone who may take a lead. I so much wanted Alaster to be there, but alas he was not. Nor were any of the other former candidates for Lord Protector there, except Nathan Hawke, who now only existed in our minds as a horrible, and ghoulish death just minutes before. I decided then to perhaps to step forward myself...)
[Aron Swordmaster]: Well ladies and gentlemen
[Iljian]: Look folkth, he really won't be here to hold a talk.
[CaNNiBaL]: AILEA COME SIT OVER HERE
[Aron Swordmaster]: I guess we truly are on our own. I hope you don't mind me speaking for now
[Sir Pepperoni]: i do
[Sir Pepperoni]: not!
(at the first “I Do”, I considered sitting down again, just one of the many. But the “not!” persuaded me perhaps here was some slim thread we could all grasp, if I tried to find one end of it...)
[Aron Swordmaster]: I will do my best to inform the Lord Protector
[Aron Swordmaster]: (in real life he's not been online for a few days)
[Aron Swordmaster]: Um...
[Aron Swordmaster]: And I guess Fynn must be informed
[Nimuaq]: ELV and Gah! burned his remains
[Bill Brakespeare]: and Commander Skaros
[Brynhild]: *Nods*
[Aron Swordmaster]: *nods* A fine cremation for a sturdy warrior
[Nimuaq]: we couldnt reach him for a proper burial
[Aaron]: [i have this sword as a reminder of him
[Aron Swordmaster]: Does anyone else have any ideas?
[Nimuaq]: no Aron, you should do this
[Aron Swordmaster]: *looks around*
[Traveler]: we can call Fynn
[Nimuaq]: a eulogy?
[Franz]: *raises hand*
[Aron Swordmaster]: It's all a little sudden, I've not had time to think, I didnt expect him to die, not with us all here to protect him
[Aron Swordmaster]: Franz?
[Aron Swordmaster]: Franz?
[Franz]: yes
[Aron Swordmaster]: Your hand went up...
[Franz]: seems someone got a sword?
[Aron Swordmaster]: Franz?
[Franz]: yes
Elder EM Emile Layne tells you: Fynn is at his tower
(In game, I didn't see this message; I'm not sure why. I need to check the chat settings in all my tabs. But I apologise to both Emile and the community for missing this potential roleplay opportunity)
[Sir Pepperoni]: me
[Sir Pepperoni]: !
[Padme Amidala]: i did too
[Franz]: i have no sword ?(
[Sir Bolo]: me too
[Hex]: me too
[Lelleck]: and me
[Sir Pepperoni]: you needed to do damage i believe
[Aron Swordmaster]: (OOC: The loot appears to be in bags on the pre-spawn, ring and dagger crafted by Kwilan)
[Mimi Foxglove]: and me
[Salvation]: me
[cernunnos]: me too
[Caroline]: me
[Sir Pepperoni]: no
[Sir Pepperoni]: it was
[Sir Pepperoni]: crafted by nathan hawke
[Ailea]: i got ring
[Trent Edwards]: *swish swish*
[Aron Swordmaster]: (ooc: the final loot seems to be top 10 maybe according to the new loot mechanic, sword by nathan yes)
[Aron Swordmaster]: (i'll equip it, one second)
[Engelbert]: There's a few around so I think any reasonable damage
[Nimuaq]: anyone from Duchy want to do the eulogy?
[Franz]: ok... so as was first to die i get nuthing... seems fair =)
[Aron Swordmaster]: I did not see the dagger, but I believe Nimauq got one
[Aron Swordmaster]: Sword I am holding
[Thiefy]: hmpf.. i casted many flamestrikes fireballs and EVs^ next time i become a melee figther°!
[Brynhild]: Duke might, he likes speeches.
[Sir Pepperoni]: well
[Sir Pepperoni]: i did 3 WoD
[CaNNiBaL]: ima mage i casted and got sword
[Sir Pepperoni]: 650 damage each
[Sir Pepperoni]: !
[Brynhild]: We ought to try and see about a memorial stone or something?
[Ayara-Bee]: yes, the suke is a good choice
[Aron Swordmaster]: But ladies and gentlemen, a suggestion
[Ayara-Bee]: duke
[Aron Swordmaster]: Bryn, you read my mind
[Nimuaq]: I think that would be the best
(At this point, I have cut out the horse trading of rings for daggers; it would not be in the best taste to commidify over our dead companions)
[Aron Swordmaster]: We should all make one final report for Skaros; and include in it our memories of Nathan
[Aron Swordmaster]: A testimonial and a farewell
[Aron Swordmaster]: (and also, just in case there's RI points for today)
[Aron Swordmaster]: Let us all remember Nathan in our own way!
[Ozimandius]: doh
[Bill Brakespeare]: Here comes Fynn
[Jack Flash]: flynn
[Sir Pepperoni]: Fynn Barrett!
(Sorry to make you run from your tower fynn!)
[Brynhild]: Cleanin' the bugs out of the latrines again then.
[Fynn Barrett]: *Looks around*
[Sir Pepperoni]: *salutes*
[Fynn Barrett]: I thought I heard something
(I sit down at this point)
[Brynhild]: *Looks over at the door*
[celine dion]: prankster
[celine dion]: °-°
[celine dion]: °-°HOOBY JOOBY°-°
(Someone has all the old phrases from EM events on a macro it seems?!)
[celine dion]: salutes
[Fynn Barrett]: *Salutes*
[Aron Swordmaster]: Fynn, we have terrible news
[Fynn Barrett]: Good evening
[Salvation]: salutes
[Moira]: good evening
[Myph'zar]: Evening
[celine dion]: °-°HOOBY JOOBY°-°
[celine dion]: °-°HOOBY JOOBY°-°
[celine dion]: good evening
[Sir Bolo]: Tragedy struck the Royal Guard
[Lelleck]: Hello Fynn
[Fynn Barrett]: Oh dear? Bad news?
[cernunnos]: err its not good
[Brynhild]: Depends how you define good....
[Mimi Foxglove]: *sobs*
[Nimuaq]: we need a eulogy
[Ayara-Bee]: something has happened
[Aron Swordmaster]: I took the liberty of speaking whilst you were not here. But we are glad to see thee now
[Fynn Barrett]: I'll guess I"ll sit down for that
[Fynn Barrett]: What is the new?
[Fynn Barrett]: s
[Aron Swordmaster]: He's been eaten, eaten like Kou devours a cookie!
(This was in Event chat, couldn't resist away from the roleplay
[CaNNiBaL]: WE LOST A MAN
[Ozimandius]: Nathan got eaten
[CaNNiBaL]: =[
[Brynhild]: Aron stop making me laugh!
[Fynn Barrett]: What!?
[Padme Amidala]: Nathan got munched
[Fynn Barrett]: Nathan Hawke?
[Jack Flash]: whole
[Sir Pepperoni]: Nathan Hawke was on the Menu for today
[Ozimandius]: And spat out
[Brynhild]: Chewed up and spat out.
[Jack Flash]: down he went!
[cernunnos]: yep
[Padme Amidala]: and chewed!
[CaNNiBaL]: THE DEAMOn went NOM NOM NOM!!!!
[Fynn Barrett]: *Looks shocked*
[cernunnos]: gone in one
[Fynn Barrett]: That's horrible!
[Aron Swordmaster]: Alas tis true. Kwi-Lan has consumed poor Nathan, over some slight in his past he accused Hawke of commiting
[Melissa]: swallowd Whole or eh half
[Traveler]: and we got his katana named "seeker of lies"!!
[Traveler]: not truth
[Fynn Barrett]: *Looks shocked*
[Aron Swordmaster]: Melting like a choc chip in the tummy of kou...
(Event chat again, he he)
[Fynn Barrett]: What a terrible loss
[Sparrow]: At least Kwi-Lan has paid for it
[CaNNiBaL]: dont forget he got spit up
[Sir Pepperoni]: who else will give shinies?
[Sir Pepperoni]: :<
[Sir Bolo]: We brought Justice on Kwi-Lan
[Sir Bolo]: but too late
[Fynn Barrett]: Yes? You defeated Kwi-Lan
[Sir Pepperoni]: yes!
[Padme Amidala]: we did
[Fynn Barrett]: At least that is some good news
[Sir Pepperoni]: he was weak!
[CaNNiBaL]: we pownd
[Iljian]: Theeker of lieth? Maybe Hawke found a decoy?
[Aron Swordmaster]: We assume so. I did not see Kwi's body
[Fynn Barrett]: But Nathan Hawke got eaten? So...
[Fynn Barrett]: There isn't even a body to bury?
[Padme Amidala]: yeah Kwi-Lan must have been hungry
[Ayara-Bee]: yes
[Ayara-Bee]: there is
[Aron Swordmaster]: These relics attest to it... but seeker of lies? Now I wonder, or perhaps just hope, it is some strange test
[CaNNiBaL]: but we cant reach it
[Padme Amidala]: but he spat him out again
[Sir Bolo]: there are some mangled remains
[Fynn Barrett]: Where is it?
[Sir Bolo]: not a pretty sight
[Sir Bolo]: in Kwi-Lan's lair
[Ayara-Bee]: in the dungeons of Kwi-lan
[Nimuaq]: we burned the remains..
[Fynn Barrett]: Howeer mangled. Hawke deserves a proper burial
[Nimuaq]: well, ELV and Gah!, nobody could leave the remains like that anyways
[CaNNiBaL]: we should go get him!!!
[Fynn Barrett]: His body is in Kwi-Lan's dungeon? I will arrange for it to be retrieved
[Aron Swordmaster]: Kwi Lan at least made no threats against you Fynn. I will follow you to the body if you think it can be retreived
[Ozimandius]: Erm, he was in two bits...
[Fynn Barrett]: So we can have a proper burial for him
[Aron Swordmaster]: We could not reach, it was behind a wall of stone [Thiefy]: i marked a rune!
[Thiefy]: so we can get his body fast
[Fynn Barrett]: *Nods* Now is as good a time as any I guess
[Fynn Barrett]: *Sighs heavily*
[CaNNiBaL]: yay!
[Thiefy]: *hands rune over*
[Thiefy]: i cant cast here...
[Fynn Barrett]: Thanks
The name looked familiar, like the one Kwi-Lan had mentioned. But as I record the day's events now, I realise it's not quite the same name. What meaning could it have? In Nathan's name, we must locate the person behind the one inscribed there...
[Fynn Barrett]: *Looks horrified*
[Fynn Barrett]: *CLibs over the rocks*
fFynn Barrett]: Poor Nathan
[Sir Pepperoni]: Blibed?
[Sir Pepperoni]: clibed?
[Salvation]: cries
[Sir Pepperoni]: how do you clib?
[Fynn Barrett]: He didn't deserve this
[Thiefy]: *opens the crematory
[Mimi Foxglove]: *sobs*
[CaNNiBaL]: *sheds a tear for a fallen mate*
[Fynn Barrett]: Ok, let us take his body back home
[Brynhild]: I kind of feel bad now, jokin' about trussin' Nathan up before puttin' him out for bait.
[Fynn Barrett]: *Gently picks up the remains*
[Fynn Barrett]: Where do you think we should take him?
[Sir Pepperoni]: my house
[Sir Pepperoni]: !
[Engelbert]: There's a handy pit right there...
[Sparrow]: grounds of brit castle
[Brynhild]: Castle British?
[Aron Swordmaster]: Next to Queen Dawn, who he served in life so well?
[Brynhild]: 'swhere he worked, more or less.
[Lanfire]: A fair suggestion would seem to be a cemetary
Sir Pepperoni]: Cremate the body!
[Sparrow]: Next to Clainin maybe?
[Ayara-Bee]: or Hannah´s garden
[Traveler]: near Clanin
[Fynn Barrett]: *Nods* Ok, we will lay him at Castle British. Until we can give him a proper burial
[Leodegan]: just not an open casket
[Aron Swordmaster]: Lay him in state? That would be a good idea
Oh indeed. But not just a corpse; there lies the remains of a man who, despite his personal flaws, and despite my having every reason to dislike him when he ran on a campaign for Lord Protector against me, I could still not find it in myself to hate him. He was too good a man for that, and he did his best for us all with all the facilities at his disposal. No matter what we eventually discover about his past, the years he spent leading us were done with only the interests of the realm at heart. His life was free and untainted then, because with him, so we were we; and whatever Kwi-Lan's influence upon a younger Nathan, through his service, he truly had escaped the Vampire.[Fynn Barrett]: The queen's old room
[Aron Swordmaster]: Another body on the bed of Sosaria? Tis a sad da
[Sir Pepperoni]: well
[Sir Pepperoni]: i guess
[Sir Pepperoni]: it was literal when they say hes being put to sleep
[Fynn Barrett]: We will let Nathan rest here. Until we can bury him
[Sir Pepperoni]:
[Brynhild]: What about puttin' out a book of condolence?
[Fynn Barrett]: And wake over him
[Padme Amidala]: looks comfy there
[Sir Pepperoni]: ill wake on top of him if thats what you mean
[Sir Pepperoni]: *winks*
[Brynhild]: In case anyone wants to write somethin' about him.
[Fynn Barrett]: cr 4082
[Sir Pepperoni]: whats that mean?
[Lanfire]: cr 4082?
[Aron Swordmaster]: Fynn is so overcome with grief words have failed him
[Brynhild]: That how old he was?
[Thiefy]: naming things^
[Thiefy]: we cant do such things
[Aron Swordmaster]: (or he's entered a command in the wrong window
[Fynn Barrett]: If you want to, you can leave a message in this bbok
[Thiefy]: nope he missed the . infront
[Fynn Barrett]: *Swallows hard*
[Fynn Barrett]: I...
[Fynn Barrett]: I think I need to be alone for a little while
[Whisperer]: great my message just got wiped
[Sir Pepperoni]: mine too
(at this point too many people are trying to access the memorial book, and it's bugging out)
[Sir Pepperoni]:
[Engelbert]: probably for the best
[Fynn Barrett]: I will call you for the funeral
[Ayara-Bee]: please do
[Iljian]: No report bookth tonight then?
[Nimuaq]: we can write messages and put them into another bag which EMs can collect and paste to a book later
[Fynn Barrett]: *Salutes Nathan Hawke*
[Fynn Barrett]: Oh yes, I'm sure Skaros wants a report on this incident
[Aron Swordmaster]: I suggested earlier we could write our remeberences in the report Fynn.
[Aron Swordmaster]: Perhaps you can collect them from there for the book later?
[Fynn Barrett]: *Nods* That's a very nice thought Aron
[Tigurius]: Well, well, well...
[Fynn Barrett]: And yes, I shall
[Tigurius]: What the bloody hell is going on here?
[Fynn Barrett]: I will retire for now
[Tigurius]: How many people can you fit in a bedroom?!
[Fynn Barrett]: *Salutes*
[Ayara-Bee]: do we hand in an attendance book as well?
[Salvation]: salutes
[Engelbert]: byebyeee
[Brynhild]: It's a morgue right now, not a bedroom.
[Tigurius]: What is going on?
[Aron Swordmaster]: We have lost one of our dearest comrades
[Brynhild]: *jerks head towards the bed*
[Aron Swordmaster]: (End of an EM event, check Europa Stratcis or uoem.europa.net
[Brynhild]: Nathan Hawke is restin' in pieces.
[Tigurius]: Ah I see, a corpse
[Ailea]: *smiles*
[Tigurius]: Oh
I would like to think that, as Nathan leaves this world and his direct influence ends, that someone new walking in and discovering how they can become involved tomorrow is a fitting tribute to the real meaning Nathan's life had. And still has; as a famous author in the world of the avatar once wrote; "No one is finally dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away -- until the clock he wound up winds down, until the wine she made has finished its ferment, until the crop they planted is harvested. The span of someone's life, they say, is only the core of their actual existence."
If we can thus raise a suitable memorial to Nathan, the core meaning of Nathan's life will remain. And if we do not get more than someone wondering how to cram more people into a bedroom today, tomorrow someone may one day someone stand beside Nathan's grave and wonder what sort of deeds could inspire such heartfelt testimonials... and they will in turn reach out to the world, and through their own actions escape the grave for that brief, but oh so essential moment that truly defines life.
And as long as they do, Nathan Hawke will remain with us too.
(And like all of you, I hope that this isn't an indication that someone else's story is ending... Sarakhan? We hope you'll reassure us of that sometime soon.
Thanks to Nimauq for sharing his clear pictures of the post death parts of the event)