The Tavern Of The Eight Virtues, Virtue Village and the United Pirates (1998/1999)
Mostly forgotten these days, but in the very early days of Catskills, when the worlds were still young, there was a tavern in the woods near Vesper called ‘The Tavern of The Eight Virtues,’ run by the ‘Lords of The Eight Virtues.’ It was a guild created around the principles of the Virtues, with one Lord, one knight, and one squire for each virtue. The guild was founded by Lord Rho, Lord of Humility. After his early departure to other worlds, Lord KugelBlitz, Lord of Honor, became the leader of these fine Lords. He had one noteworthy squire named McBykar, who later became a famous pirate called Hawkeye Pike, founder of the United Pirates.
The Tavern opened its doors in May 1998 and was heavily frequented back in those days. Unfortunately, not so honorable folks also frequented the tavern, finding it amusing to steal furniture and harass the guests. Two months of almost daily furniture rebuilding followed, but finally, a mystical man in a green robe showed up and expressed interest in the place. A few visits later, Seer Illuceous brought a skilled carpenter named IronWill (~August '98) to decorate the tavern.
Lords and guests started settling around the Tavern soon after. Sonata the Bard, Lizarda, Sam & Kat, Lofwyr, Lydia, Rochelle, Kyle Duskwalker, Szordrin, and many others whose names I have forgotten. A small village grew naturally around the Tavern, and on October 14th, 1998, the Village stone for Virtue Village was placed by Lady Laurana. It was a good time. People married, celebrated in the tavern, and new houses and towers were built.
South of the woods surrounding the village, there was a bay. Around the time the tavern was blessed, a boat landed, and a group of pirates appeared. After a while, the Jolly Roger Inn was built by Hook and Hawkeye Pike. The bay was named the ‘Red Skull Bay,’ becoming the first headquarters of the mighty United Pirates. The Pirates engaged in many battles against the landlubbers of Virtue Village. Hostages were taken, plunderings, fights … tales of love and war were sung by bards all over Britannia in now long-forgotten songs.
There were two events that led to the decline of that area. First, the European servers came into play. In the early days, the population was mostly European, so when the new servers Drachenfels and Europa were created, there was a significant loss of citizens. Second, Felucca and Trammel - after the worlds split, most inhabitants slowly moved to Trammel. One house after the other decayed, and one day even the Tavern was gone.
When one explores the region today, there are no remnants of the adventures and heroic deeds that once occurred. The battles fought, the conflicts, the blood of pirates and villagers have long been washed away, and the few remaining relics, like bones and corroded weapons, lie buried deep underground. The graves of those pirates and villagers have long vanished. It is possible that someday, archaeologists in a distant future might discover hints of the area's earliest inhabitants.
I am sitting here by a campfire, close to the clearing where the tavern once stood. It's hard to read what I write, and I'm trying my best to remember the happenings from back then when the world was young.
- Paron, servant of the noble KugelBlitz, Lord of Honor
P.S.: For a while now I own a house which is located a short walk along the coast from modern Jolly Roger Inn to the east. The House Sign reads 'Pirates Curse - ViV'
