[NEWS]My Soul and Mine Heart, Pierced by Cupid’s Dart

[Merci d'Rue]

Through darkness and despair
Looking for Thee, Mondain
Alas, but in vain
My soul and mine heart
Pierced by Cupid's dart
Will never heal
Without Mondain's will
Love is a desolate land
Unless Thou, Mondain
Takest me by the hand
To thy youth fountain
-- Minax​

Tis often true that we cannot foresee the arrival of cupids tell-tale arrow. Love and relationships are an ever present part of Ultima Role-play. Lore itself has given us many notable figures and infused their loves stories, good and bad into our world. Let us begin with one of the most famous and if not most notorious love affairs, Mondain and Minax. It is said that she, his young apprentice fell in love with him, enamored with abilities and skill in the dark arts of magic. Minax was known for her never-ending passion, a passion that leads her to try to destroy our existence as well as that of other worlds. As the poem states above ever pining for her lost love.

The climax was the devastation of 2111, Minax's greatest triumph, when ancient civilizations born of love and beauty, wisdom and reason, turned on one another in hatred and destroyed most of the very earth that had nurtured them. If it were not for the time doors, we would not be here now. Only the ability to move in time enabled any living thing to survive..."
-- From the writings of Lord British​

Yet let us not only focus on the Notorious. There have been many great love affairs that are pure and true. Couples of great virtue that filled the hearts of Sosaria , let us look at Iolo and Gwenno. The love of a simple bard/bowmaker and his talented wife, they changed the tides of strife in Sosaria. Iolo’s song “Stones” still plays on many of the music box’s in Sosaria’s taverns to this day.

"Long ago ran the sun on a folk who had a dream
and the heart and the will and the power:
They moved earth; they carved stone; molded hill and channeled stream
that we might stand on the wide plains of Wiltshire.
Now men asked who they were, how they built and wonder why
that they wrought standing stones of such size.
What was done 'Neath our shade? What was pray'ed 'Neath our skies
As we stood on the wyrd plains of Wiltshire.
Oh what secrets we could tell if you'd listen and be still.
Rid the stink and the noise from our skirts.
But you haven't got the clue and perhaps you never will.
Mute we stand on the cold plains of Wiltshire.
Still we loom in the mists as the ages roll away
And we say of our folk, "they are here!"
That they built us and they died and you'll not be knowing why
Save we stand on the bare plains of Wiltshire.
-by Iolo FitzOwen​

Iolo so in love with his wife, erected this monument in her memory:

All of this leads us to inspiration and idea, Love a prominent feature in Lore and role-play is often expressed in many fashions. It transcends the beliefs of good and evil and lives in its own world. The unknown hit of cupids bow, striking our characters whether they be sitting quietly at a tavern or bustling thru a crowded marketplace.

So as cupids’ day of terror draws ever closer and we find ourselves with partner or not, let these ideals lead you to quiet stream of peace or sinful terrace in a tavern. Let us find the time to share a sweetened smile of love or a dark seductive look of passion…

Happy Valentine’s Day to one and all!​

Reporters Note:

For more information on Minax & Mondain see the following references:
Drawing and artist (Ceruleus)can be found here:
File:Minax manga.jpg - UOGuide, the Ultima Online encyclopedia
Minax (Ultima) - UOGuide, the Ultima Online encyclopedia
Minax - The Codex of Editable Wisdom, a Wikia wiki for Ultima and Ultima Online
Mondain - UOGuide, the Ultima Online encyclopedia

For more information regarding Iolo and Gwenno:
Gwenno - UOGuide, the Ultima Online encyclopedia
Iolo - UOGuide, the Ultima Online encyclopedia

 

[Bianca_CoD]

Thank you Merci for this wonderful article as well as including the reference links... something we should all get used to!

 

[WarderDragon]

Your piece reminded me of this tale.

Disruption of Ether: Prologue.

It is a scene involving Mondain and Minax written from the perspective of the Dark Enchantress.