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Happy Bifday Shroomington, have a good one Z

[img]http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp238/zleiphneir/Quests/createadevice.jpg[/img] [b]Electrified Mace[/b] Kidnap a small group of Tiny men from Golemus and explain that their job as a group is to keep the mace running, by running Take one Tiny Man and explain he is the first chosen one for such a serious task Place Tiny Man in sphere made of insulating material Wrap wound wire around insulating sphere Place sphere inside conductive larger sphere so it has enough space to rotate Cover conductive sphere in spikes made of same material In bottom of spikes place magnets of opposing polarities opposite each other on the sphere to create fields The Tiny Man will run and your mace will become electrified as electricity will jump from the wire to the outer sphere and spikes. Tiny Man...in theory...should be safe...sort of... [b]Switch one[/b] - Locks inner sphere revolution Place mace head on ground, twist handle right [b]Switch two[/b] - releases inner sphere revolution Place mace head on ground, twist handle left [b]Emergency Stop[/b] Place mace head on ground, push button within handle. A central arm will break the central sphere and squish the Tiny Man. Replace central enclosed power source to get it to work again. [b]Amplifier[/b] - dunk target in a river before use or make sure your target is a living being. NB: [size="1"]- King of Golemus has not sanctionned such a device - Tiny man may become exhausted, so good command of your power source is required - Im not a physicist but im assured by one that in theory this should work... - There were no rules against slave labour[/size] Z

Happy bifday! May you always have an empty coke bottle to hand in times of need. Z

Happy Bifday Z

Happy Bifday you two Z

I had to make you lose weight to fit into your new slippers, but I left your broken finger alone Will edit this post & images herein if I make changes etc. [img]http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp238/zleiphneir/Quests/gdszcw.jpg[/img] [img]http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp238/zleiphneir/Quests/gdszshoes.jpg[/img] [img]http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp238/zleiphneir/Quests/gdszht.jpg[/img] Z

At present I can't find a single person to give me positive honor. Not one. So im in the position that some think is ridiculous, but appear to also be saying well it has pros and cons so you cant have the best of both worlds. The fighting system is supposed to favour balance, it doesn't. The whole argument about Trees in defence only goes to show how tedious the fighting system has become. The new players have nothing to learn from and no challenge, just "easy wins". Its a nice way to keep the ignorant ignorant under the guise of helping them, but really its not fighting its just collecting points for upgrades. It makes the fighting system work on the same principle as something like farmville - which is fine, but lets call a spade a spade. Where relating it to skill is concerned I would relate it to....Some super strong gladiator (strength +100) walks up to a skinny nerd (strength +5) and beats him up. Not honorable. So it would make sense for you only to get honor from very few people, the people in the small pool that is your level if you are that powerful. Based on skill the system would be more reflective of that, but then your issue is the cap on negative honor (and maybe the fact that there isn't an npc gym ) Im not saying that is the solution, but I do agree that something being done about the situation would be good. Z

Happy Bifday! This is a time for drinking and much playing of a particular game... Z

Happy Bifday you two. Eat, drink and be merry! Z

Happy Bifday Z

yup Until it's fixed, I will bump this once a month Z

This is still an issue Z

I don't think I'd click on all of them. Diverse enough to hit different targets though as there are some I would definitely click on if I saw them. First one is my favorite, even with the spelling error Z

I can understand Rumi saying what he said, but BFH, you so are a legend Z

If the list is going in this direction then I nominate: Fenrir Greycloth - Consistently in the public eye for devious deeds - Consistently stirred the pot of entire groups of people with just one sentance - Involved in multiple accusations and trials McVitie - Known for having as manay active characters as word's font menu. Even if you think you don't know her, liklihood is you probably do. - Known for having a temperament like the UK weather - Involved in various devious deeds ooo controversial Z

Happy bifay Firsan and Darigan - what Shar said Z

Happy Bifday, although, if all goes well this should just look like a blur of pixels by the time you read it Z

[img]http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp238/zleiphneir/chillimd.jpg[/img] I can't get this to grow more, no matter what I try. I've been told its supposed to go red, but its been like this for months. My Sunflower died in a strange stalk tradgedy whereby it grew part of it's stalk as flat...which led to its demise. My tomatoes were going strong for a long time...that is until they decided not to actually produce any tomatoes. Flowers, yes, tomatoes? no. They were killed for their treachery. So here I present the most beautiful chilli in the world...its small, but mighty. Z

I've added the dates to the AL summaries. I was thinking it might really be better if something was coded in to link to the actual AL day logs, but I don't know how hard that would be? Also there is a concern that if that was possible then people might think those were new AL story sections. Thoughts? Thought it might also be good to do Jan - Sept Announcements and AL so its all homogenus? Anyone fancy that? Another issue that came to mind is that although it was said that AL and Announcements in calendar would be good, this will also mean continuous upkeep/updating if it isnt hard coded in anyway. Im not sure if thats a good or a bad thing, on the plus side it gives someone somthing to do every year, on the down side maybe nobody will actually do it. Thoughts? Z

Happy Bifday Z

Another 4 months on and I'm none the wiser as to anything happening with this, so as it's now only 3 months until September I've done the last two months anyway. If you're still alive Aysun then you can use this how you want whether you submitted anything or not, otherwise I'll just send it in when the community is done fiddling with it. Have a look, make your comments, additions etc and I'll add in and what not. There are some days where I could find very little. If you fancy padding out that info then that would be cool. NOVEMBER [spoiler] November NOVEMBER 1 – DAY OF BLOOMING • Ancient Rome: Celebration of Pomona • Norse: Ancestors Night • Roman Catholic/ Western Christianity: All Saints Day • Ancient Egypt: Festival of Hathor Pomona is the Goddess of Plenty. She is mainly associated with the blooming of trees, her name deriving from a word meaning fruit. Ancestors night is usually celebrated around a bonfire with candles lit to honor individual ancestors. All Saints Day celebrates all saints, known and unknown. Hathor is the goddess of fertility, love, beauty and joy. She is often depicted welcoming the dead into the next life. This was considered new years day in many ancient cultures. ~~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun – I am Bored reads through the book of Creatures which is filled with detailed images and descriptions. It is totally immersive, and he forgets where he is for a moment. 2008 • Announcements: Archer unit becomes available in War Hold in Loreroot on this day 2007 • Announcements: RPCs were each given an inner magic spell document to reward players with on this day in 2008. NOVEMBER 2 – DAY OF MEMORIAL • Norse: End of Winter Nights • Roman Catholic/ Western Christianity: All Souls Day All Souls Day is a day where prayers are offered for those souls who may remain in purgatory, with the aim of sanctifying them to allow them entrance to heaven Beware, for folklore tells that marriage on this day can only end badly. ~~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun – Uttering the word “Sand”, Bootes conquers the stone lions and enters Sage’s Keep thanks to Burns. 2008 NOVEMBER 3 – DAY OF RENEWAL • Ancient Egypt: Last Day of Isia; the rebirth of Osiris • Dominica: Independence Day The Isia celebrates the search of Isis for her son/lover Osiris. She collects his dismembered body parts and reunites them via magic powers. On this, the last day, Osiris is re-born. Crowds of people would shout “Hilaria” (Osiris has been found). Images of Osiris were made from grain, watered and once barley sprouted, sent down the Nile. This was a day of unrestrained rejoicing. This is also a traditional Celtic day for making new plans. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: Bootes enters Sage’s Keep and seeing a pedestal illuminated by candle light, he thinks he has found what he was looking for. He stands in reverence. On the Pedestal he finds a map that directs him through the maze-like hallways of the keep. Candle in hand, he sets off. He finds a study room, wall to wall in scrolls and books. He begins searching for one that will continue his quest. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: No One wanders in the dark and finds a fire. He thought there were only shadows. He leaves the fire and continues through the wasteland which seems dead. The sky is dark. He hits a cross road with a well in the centre. He finds not life here either, nothing but wind, dust darkness and…a vase… 2008 • Announcements: The first ever testing of a creature that drains principles, Dark Archer was used for this test. 2009 NOVEMBER 4 – DAY OF COMPETITIVE TASKS • Ancient Rome: Start of Ludi Plebeii Ludi Plebeii, or the Plebeian Games, were held from the 4th to the 5th of November and were in honor of Jupiter Optimus Maximus. The first week was reserved for plays and such, the last three days reserved for athletic events. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: Bootes finds a wooden box with some papers, which rattles when picked up. All the items bear the mark of the inner sun. 2008 NOVEMBER 5 – DAY OF DEVILISH DEEDS • Druidic: Turning the Devils Stone • UK: Guy Fawkes Night • Celtic: Feast Day of Kea In Shebbear in England a stone sits on the ground, said to have been dropped by the devil in a fight with god. Bellringers must turn this stone on this day every year or peril will befall the village. Although it is said this comes from a far older Pagan tradition, the UK celebrates Guy Fawkes night by burning the effigy of the man who tried to blow up parliament over a bonfire. It is also a custom to give a penny to any effigy of Guy fawkes. There are lots of firework displays also. Kea was a monk said to have tried to resolve royal disputes. People often ask for his help to cure toothache. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: The inner sun image on the lid of the box fades, revealing a scrambled picture. With Awiiya’s help Bootes shuffles them and clicks the last one into place. A congratulatory message displays and the box unlocks. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: No One trips and yells angrily at the shadows. Paranoid, he runs, watching his back. He trips again, over what he thought was a root, but terrified, he realizes it isn’t. Something rushes past him and he faints. 2008 • Announcements: Lifeline is elected King of Marind Bell. 2009 NOVEMBER 6 – DAY OF RISING FROM THE DEEP • Egypt: Raising the Djed Pillar • Babylonian: Festival of Tiamat Raising the Djed Pillar is a ceremony symbolizing stability and endurance. Tiamat is usually depicted as a dragon monster, she is said to embody primordial chaos. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: No One is awoken by faint whispers. He sees nothing, but shadows play at the edge of his vision. As the shadows draw closer, the whispers get louder and eventually No One cannot distinguish his own screams from those of the shadows. 2008 • Announcements: Invisibility/Ghost spell no longer detectable in triggers by ID. 2010 NOVEMBER 7 – DAY OF THOUGHT FOR THE FUTURE • Ancient Egypt: Festival of the Ploughing of the Earth • Hawaii: Festival of Makahiki The ploughing of the earth involves planting seeds in honor of Osiris. In honor of the god Lono, god of fertility, peace and music, this festival occurs in various ways between October and February, including this particular day. War and unnecessary work is forbidden during this time. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: Bootes opens to box and takes out a long metallic object with sliding pins on it that lock in place. “Is it a key?” he asks himself. He leaves and enters Necrovion. He hears a soul-wrenching scream somewhere nearby and hurries, hesitating before the entrance to the dark house. He sees several doors. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: No One shuts his eyes and screams until his throat is raw, when he opens them, he is alone. He tries to walk but stumbles, dust falling from his mouth. The shadows continue their game, but nobody can hear him scream. The shadows manifest into a puppy before him, he finds solace in this. He hopes it lasts. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: I Am Bored happily closes the book and decides to keep it. The fire has almost gone out, its fuel lost forever. I Am Bored leaves the fire saying “I want more books like this!” 2008 • Announcements: Hollow warrior changes upgrade costs and gains double anti-freeze aura. 2009 • Announcements: Lorerootian Archers gain the aimed hit ability. 2009 NOVEMBER 8 – DAY OF DANCING FLAMES • Ancient Rome: Mundus patet • Japan: Fuigo Matsuri • Celtic: Feast day of Cybi Mundus patet is a festival celebrating the dead, and is when it is believed the Mundus Cereris, the door to the underworld, is open. The festival is held to placate the “Manes”, the spirits of the underworld. Fuigo Matsuri, or the festival of the bellows, is to purify the bellows and furnace to celebrate the various deities of sword-making. Ricewine and mandarins are placed on the furnace. The mandarins are later thrown to children, it is thought to prevent colds. Cybi was a monk who has a healing well dedicated to him in the Teifi Valley. He is said to have made a miraculous return from a sea voyage. ~~~ NOVEMBER 9 – DAY OF FLOATING HOPE • Thailand: Loy Kratong • Cambodia: Independence Day On a full moon in November people float banana leaves or bark from the spider lilly full of coins, joss sticks, candles and food down a river. You make a wish and if the candle is still lit when it disappears into the distance, it will come true. It is often associated with Buddhism and is a romantic night for lovers. ~~~ NOVEMBER 10 – DAY OF GROUNDED GUISE • Latvia: Martini Festival The Martini Festival marks the end of winter preparations with a feast of Martini balls which are a local delicacy. They are made from peas, beans, potatoes and hemp. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: Bootes searches for documents, the house makes him feel ill. He sees the remains of a fire and discovers a strange door. 2008 • Announcements: Credit and Wishpoint codes do not have an unlimited lifespan. They will expire after a few days to a week. 2009 NOVEMBER 11 – DAY OF AVOIDANCE • Celtic: Lunatshees • Old England: Martinmas • Hindu: Chhath Puja • Angola: Independence Day Lunatshees is a day to celebrate heroes and to appease the sidhe (devilish faeries). If there was heavy frost on Martinmas it was believed that the following winter would be full of heavy rains. Chhath Puja celebrates the Hindu sun god Surya. It thanks Surya for sustaining life on earth and asks for wishes to be granted. ~~~ • Announcements: Rebel citizens system implemented. An official way to protest against land leadership. A certain number of land loyalty days are required in order to do this. 2010 • Announcements: King items can be forcibly returned to the relevant king, subject to certain terms. 2010 NOVEMBER 12 – DAY OF BLUNTED SWORD • Celtic: Feast day of Cadwalader Cadwalader was also known as the battle-shunner, hence this is a day to celebrate peace. ~~~ • Announcements: Land leaders receive access to all of the locations available in their land. 2009 NOVEMBER 13 – DAY OF RISEN ASCENT • Ancient Rome: Epulum Jovis (Feast of Jupiter) Epulum Jovis happens on two dates. One in November and one in September. It began with the sacrifice of a white cow and was a ritual feast celebrated during the Roman and Plebeian games. In Celtic tradition it is said that if this day falls on a Friday, those born on it will have the evil eye. ~~~ • Announcements: Awiiya morphs into a Tree. 2010 NOVEMBER 14 – DAY OF LEAPING AND SPINNING • Druidic: Feast of the Musicians • Eskimo: Aiyaguk On the feast of the musicians songs were sung around a bonfire and offerings thrown into it in honor of the gods of music. Aiyaguk, also known as the asking festival, allows men and women to become temporarily married thanks to the exchange of gifts should they so wish. Much dancing and feasting is done. In India blessings are given to children on this day ~~~ • Announcements: Wish shop active days requirement lowered from 60 to 40. 2009 NOVEMBER 15 – DAY OF NUMBER WEAVING • Japan: Shichi-go-san Shichi-go-san stands for seven-five-three, girls of seven and three and boys of five are taken to a shrine to thank the gods for their good health. ~~~ NOVEMBER 16 – DAY OF THE BLACKENED VEIL • Pagan: The Night of Hecate On the Night of Hecate animal sacrifices were made and left for her supper. Those wishing her to be their key goddess often chose this night for their initiation. For Wiccans in particular, this was also the night of paying tribute to the three-fold goddess. • AL: The Inner Sun: No One picks up the puppy and suddenly the land turns into a field of golden wheat. Surrounding him and the field is a shimmering transparent bubble, outside he can still see the horrible landscape. He touches the bubble, it remains intact. The sky seems blue inside the bubble and the puppy barks and runs around No One’s legs, seeking his attention. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: Bootes has trouble opening the locks, but he manages to open all the locks on the door. 2008 NOVEMBER 17 – DAY OF BLISSFUL ACCOMPANIMENTS • Ancient Rome: End of Ludi Pebeian • Hindu: Tulsi Vivah This signifies the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of the wedding season. It celebrates the wedding of Tulsi and Vishnu/Krishna. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: Bootes searches the vault, marveling at the other old books there. He finds a marked wooden box and opens it. He stuffs the documents into his pack and leaves. On his journey from Necrovion he feels excited and eager, the Howling Gates appear swiftly. 2008 • Announcements: Icons added to stats. 2007 NOVEMBER 18 – DAY OF MULTIPLE WINKING EYES • Persia: Ardvi Sura • India: Start of the Pushkar Camel Fair • Old England: The Liar Festival • Morocco: Independence Day The festival of Ardvi Sura was in honor of Ardvi, Persian goddess of the stars and was held under the night sky in her honor. Hundreds of Camels all gather together and are raced, bought, sold and taken for rides. At the Liar festival people gather and each tell ten minute tales to win the biggest liar in the world award. ~~~ • Announcements: Sacrifice alter at Fenths Press activated and now functional! 2007 • Announcements: The first MD promotional item is available to purchase- a mug. 2009 NOVEMBER 19 – DAY OF SANDED IMPRINTS • Aztec: End of Quecholli (The Precious Feather) An old wives tale tells that the first person you meet on this day is a warlock. You must avoid looking them in the eyes for fear of bewitchment. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: I Am Bored finds no further books of the kind he wants. He goes back to the remains of the fire and wonders “Did I burn it?”. He leaves, oblivious to the newly opened vault behind him. He wanders the dark corridors muttering to himself about his book, oblivious to his surroundings. Emerging from the tunnel he runs up some stairs two at a time, he sits at a desk and looks through his book. “Archer, Barren Soul, Knator … This book has all the creatures in it! Wow!!” 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: Bootes returns to his study exhausted. He sleeps a deep dreamless sleep. Hours later, refreshed, he sends a letter to Loreroot “We have a lot of work to do!”. Bootes stands back taking in the documents spread over every surface when he hears a knock at the door. “Penelope, I’m glad you’ve come” he says, not paying attention, but a gentle cough comes in reply “Circumstances have necessitated a change”. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: No One is dumbfounded, as laying back on the wheat the blue sky darkens and a pale orb appears amongst many sparkling dots. He looks around, the sky looks jeweled, the moon illuminating all of the surrounding land. Awe struck, in the distance he sees another strange light. • Announcements: Curse punishment spell to be used with or without notice for certain types of crimes. 2009 NOVEMBER 20 – DAY OF BLOOD AND RICE • Greece: Festival of Praetextatus and Paulina • Egypt: Festival of Sekhmet • Aztec: Start of Panquetzaliztli (The Raising of Banners) • Cambodia: Bonn Om Touk Praetextaus and Paulina are keeps of the Eleusinian Mysteries, the greatest and most sacred of all mysteries. Initiation, celebration and ceremonies. Sekhmet sustains the spirit of the deceased by bringing them sustenance. She is a symbol of protection and punishes wrong doers. Panquetzaliztli was a major festival in honor of the god Huitzilopochtli. Banners would be raised and parades would occur. Captives would dance and sing for the captors who had caught them and who had fasted for five days before this day. The dancing captives would be sacrificed to the god during this festival. Bonn Om Touk, or the water festival, is a wildly celebrated event celebrating the turning of the current of the Tonle Sap River. ~~~ • Announcements: Account resent no longer an option. 2008 • Announcements: New terms and conditions implemented. 2009 • Announcements: Weaken defence no longer stackable. 2010 NOVEMBER 21 – DAY OF LOST PARADISE • Celtic: Observance for Cailleach Bheara • Egypt: Feast of Hathor Cailleach Bheara is one of the three aspects of the crone, She shaped the world from primordial chaos and of her fifty children came all the races of mankind. Hathor is the goddess of love and happiness, keeper of the eye of Ra and goddess of the sky. • AL: The Inner Sun: No One sees another light, it is odd and surrounds Marind Bell. The sky lightens and the moon fades, No One hears a thumping and sees the puppy ramming against the bubble. Blood begins to smear the bubble and No One screams, the puppy finally smashes it. Shattered glass swirls around No One, slicing his face and arms. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: I Am Bored studies his book intently. He finds a wax seal, but no matter how he tries it won’t budge. He has a thought…”when I was sitting in the dark, a seal opened…” 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: Tarquinus and Bootes talk. They agree to return to the study room and get started. 2008 NOVEMBER 22 – DAY OF FLEECING THE RICH • Norse: Festival of Ydalir • Greece: Festival of Artemis Calliste • Lebanon: Independence Day Ydalir celebrates the God Ull and his hall; a god of hunting who strengthens warrior’s shields and has been known to rule in Odin’s place when needed. Artemis Calliste is celebrated today as the patroness of music. • AL: The Inner Sun: It is impossible to tell how long the two men have been working and puzzling over what has been found as the sun is defiantly stationary. Tarquinus asks “Bootes, could we still be missing some documents?” 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: In Marind’s Room Renavoid traces the word ‘Turmoil’ in the air with his quill and asks Amoran “What do you understand about personal strife?” 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: I Am Bored decides more seals will open on their own in time and keeps the book, impatiently awaiting each new seal opening and relishing the pages that he can already access. 2008 • Announcements: First ever penalty point assigned to a King. 2010 NOVEMBER 23 – DAY OF GLINTING REFLECTIONS • Norse: Festival of Weyland the Smith (Volund) • Japan: Shinjosai Festival Weyland the Smith is a legendary blacksmith and armour maker who made the very sword that slew Grendel in Beowulf. He is renowned for having pure Norse spirit, having turned his enemy’s children’s skulls into goblets, and teeth into jewelery, then sending these to their mother. The Shinjosai festival celebrates Konohana-Hime in way of a rice festival. She is the grand-daughter of Amaterasu the sun-goddess. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: "Personal strife is what leads us to our rewards," says Amoran. Renavoid nods and continues the lesson. "Hmm...but perhaps not quite so personal then? Perhaps we have need to include more people so that our hardships are not our own...I've been dreaming..." 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: No One screams, this must be a dream, but as the torrent subsides he sees there isn’t a scratch on him. Instead, far more disturbingly, he is covered in something thick, black and sticky like oil…or blood. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: Hearing a clamour, Bootes looks out of the door to see a figure with a book shouting and singing on his way out. Tarquinus scowls dismissively and turns away, but Bootes points and asks “Wait…what do you see there?” 2008 • Announcements: From this day, alliance members can achieve perpetual balance once they have over 1000 won fights. If they drop below 0 honor however, they lose this. 2008 NOVEMBER 24 – DAY OF GOOD MANNERS • Egypt: The Burning of the Lamps • Russia: Celebration of Baba Yaga The burning of the lamps is a festival dedicated to Isis and Osiris in celebration of their being reunited. Some say that this festival was not just for them, but for all goddesses of light and birth. Baba Yaga has been reduced to a folk lore witch, but once upon a time she was a well known and respected mighty diety who was celebrated on this very day. ~~~ • Announcements: MD moves to Alpha 8 with MP2 level implemented in the realm for the first time giving brand new players the ability to use the illusions interface. 2008 • Announcements: Last level art works for the soulweaver creature completed today. 2009 • Announcements: Land Rules implemented. 2010 NOVEMBER 25 – DAY OF SWEET SMELLING DIRT • Ancient Europe: Women’s Merry Making Day • Greece: Festival of Persephone • Old England: Feast day of St Catherine The day of women’s merry making is thought to have been a cover for an array of celebrations held on this day by very old religions. Although women were supposed to have this day free to do as they please, generally they were just given slightly less work than usual. Persephone is a goddess of the underworld, but also goddess of vegetation and sprouting seeds. St Catherine is the Patron Saint of Lace-makers. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: Ripping No One’s flesh off with each drip, the ooze strips No One to the bone. 2008 • Announcements: Anti - Discrimination rules and conditions defined. 2009 NOVEMBER 26 – DAY OF WAKING SEEKERS • Persian: Jashn-i-A’zam • Mongolia: Independence Day Jashn-i-A’zam is also known as the day of the covenant and is when the Baha’is celebrate the appointment of Abdu’l-Baha as the centre of Baha’u’llah’s Covenant. He was the founder of the faith. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: Renavoid continues, "When I sleep, I dream the same dream, almost everyday. It's a dreary dream of discomfort. I stand alone in my office, when dark overtakes the land. From the Balcony, I can see beautiful twinkling lights in the sky. But, the darkness does not stop. It creeps closer, drawing near and blinding me." Amoran listens. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: At the horrific sight of the puppy bursting apart, No One wakes up with a start, covered in sweat, still alone in Necrovion. 2008 NOVEMBER 27 – DAY OF WALKING IN CIRCLES • Hindu: Day of Parvati-Devi • India: End of the Pushkar Camel Fair • Thailand: Monkey Banquet Parvati was the third consort of Shiva the destroyer. Today is taken by a multitude of cultures as Wreath Making day. In Khmer ruins an annual banquet for monkey’s is held with over 600 money guests. ~~~ NOVEMBER 28 – DAY OF • Mexico: Start of the Festival de San Andres The festival of San Andres is the most important of the year and celebrates the patron saint. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: Bootes and Tarquinus discuss plans and ideas on how to obtain the page I Am Bored has. Uneasily, they decide on a plan and a message is sent to a spymaster. “Think of the greater good” says Tarquinus. In a dark corner of the archives four shadowy figures discuss their plan, with a nod of the head, the plan is set in motion. 2008 • Announcements: First ever MD Holiday Card Exchange. 2009 • Announcements: WP repeat reward limit dropped from 50 to 25. 2009 NOVEMBER 29 – DAY OF FOUNDATIONAL POUNDING • Ancient Rome: Saturnia Saturnia is dedicated to the sons of Saturn, that is Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto. ~~~ • Announcements: Clickable items, although not yet functional, start to exist in the realm. 2008 NOVEMBER 30 – DAY OF RISEN ENERGIES • Norse: Day of Skadhi • Greece: Day of Hecate at the Crossroads. • Mexico: End of the Festival de San Andres • Barbados: Independence Day The gods killed Skadhi’s father and she was livid. She marched to Asguard and made such a ruckus that the gods said she could marry one of them and they would make her father’s eyes into stars. She married Njord, but left him for her homeland which had always kept her heart. Later, Odin came to her doorstep with all his ways and she became his wife in the end. Hecate is the goddess of the crossroads among other things. She could see past, present and future, all three at once. Rituals were held at crossroads, considered places neither here nor there and so a gateway to the otherworld. For Hecate, food was left at crossroads. Always help travelers and strangers, especially if they have dogs, and never look back at the crossroads once you have departed. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: In all the noise of the Dojo, and distracted by his own blabbering about his new book to a complete stranger, I Am Bored does not see the man brush past him acquiring a paper he did not have previously. 2008 • Announcements: A committee of 6 people is chosen to hunt down people during the heads contest and throw them into more public locations. 2008 [/spoiler] DECEMBER [Spoiler] DECEMBER DECEMBER 1 – DAY OF COCONUT TROTTING • Mali: Start of the Crossing of the Cattle • Iceland: Independence Day The Crossing of the Cattle is an age old tradition celebrating desert herds crossing the river Diafarabe. ~~~ • Announcements: Public Logs right hand panel implemented. 2009 • Announcements: Muratus del Mur is declared just a character and his actions should no longer be considered the official actions of Mur. He forcefully assumes the role of King of the Tribunals. 2010 DECEMBER 2 – DAY OF STARING INTO THE MIRROR • Celtic: Feast of Arianrhod • Japan: Hari Kugo Festival • Egypt: Ipip Arianrhod is a goddess of fate representing the moon. Often referred to as the silver wheel disappearing into the sea, it is said she can transform into an owl, and with large eyes see into the very darkest depths of the human soul. Hari Kugo festival, or the festival of the broken needles, honors all goddesses and patrons of crafts and craftswomen. Ipip festival was yet another festival to celebrate Isis. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: Bootes and Tarquinus believe they have all they need. Tarquinus points to a rough diagram “I believe this is your next destination” he says. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: Renavoid tells Amoran he has other business to attend to and walks out towards the archives balcony. 2008 • Announcements: Win/Loss Balance now changed to Sword/Sheath balance to allow for better understanding of the concept. 2008 DECEMBER 3 – DAY OF LOST KEYS • Japan: Yomatsuri • Ancient Rome: Festival of Bona Dea • Greece: Festival of Rhea Yomatsuri is a night festival held in Chichibu, teams of men in costume drag illuminated floats around while kids do dances and drama on them. Music includes drums and flutes. Fireworks are fuelled by barrels of Sake. Bona Dea represents the earth and everything that springs from it. Men were not permitted to attend or celebrate the event, they were not even allowed to utter her name. Rhea is the goddess of wine, growth and procreation, but more than that, she is said to have given the Greeks their knowledge of city building. DECEMBER 4 – DAY OF RUNNING FAST • Greece: Feast of St Barbera St Barbera is the patron saint of anything connected with gunpowder, fire, thunderstorms and general sudden loud noises. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: Bootes is excited and begins what he thinks will be the final leg of his journey. 2008 • Announcements: Kings can now exchange coins into promissory notes of their land. Coins are now marked with the land they were created with, based on your land affiliation when purchasing from the shop. 2010 DECEMBER 5 – DAY OF ACROBATIC FLIPS • Ancient Rome: Faunalia • Nigera: War Dance Festival Faunalia involved merry-making and sacrifices. It was held in honor of Faunus, the horned god of the forest who could impart whispered wisdom as you slept and ensured you had good cattle stock. Decorated in chalk and animal skins, the war dance is conducted by warriors carrying baskets which hold three skulls. They dance to drum music. ~~~ • Announcements: Knator available to recruit for the first time. 2007 DECEMBER 6 – DAY OF PICK-POCKETS • Europe: St Nicholas Day • Finland: Independence Day St Nicholas Day celebrates this bishop of the 4th century AD who is the patron saint of children. On this day, all over Europe, St Nicholas is said to bring presents to all children who have been good. DECEMBER 7 – DAY OF LITTLE • Italy: Feast of St Ambrogio St Ambrogio was the Bishop of Milan and was one of the original four doctors of the church. DECEMBER 8 – DAY OF PRIDE • Buddhist: Bodhi day Bodhi day celebrates the day Buddah is said to have experienced enlightenment. ~~~ • Announcements: Country flags added to all players. 2008 • Announcements: At the request of the King of Loreroot, the Savelites alliance is disbanded. As this is the second time, it is now dead and will never be used again. 2010 DECEMBER 9 – DAY OF THROWING STONES • Aztec: End of Panquetzaliztli (The Raising of Banners) • Tanzania: Independence day DECEMBER 10 – DAY OF SWEET SMELLING DEATH • Aztec: Start of Atemoztli (The Decent of Water) • Ancient Rome: Lux Mundi • Turkey: Start of Whirling Dervishes Festival During Atemoztli Aztecs honored the bringers of rain. Blood-letting was done and men were to abstain from sex. Nobility celebrated this the most and sacrificed people of their choosing after adorning them with flowers. Lux Mundi celebrates Libertas for bringing light to the world. She is the goddess of liberty. Whirling Dervishes festival honors saint Mevlana with a spinning dance done to trance. This dance is called Sema. Mavlana is renowned for his words of wisdom and poems and is known as Rumi in the western world. ~~~ • Announcements: Fenths Wielder and Wasps Totem altars exist from today. 2007 DECEMBER 11 – DAY OF STRANGE HAPPENINGS • Ancient Rome: Septimontia • South Africa: Independence Day Septimontia honored the Seven Hills of Rome. Sacrifices were made somewhere on each hill. Some say that each hill once had a settlement and the coming together of these settlements formed a population which came to form what is now the city of Rome. ~~~ • Announcements: MD Script V.0.1 released 2008 DECEMBER 12 – DAY OF COLD SNAPS • Old England: Festival of Angels • Kenya: Independence Day The festival of angels involves producing ice sculptures. There is a parade with people dressing up as angels. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: No One pants and wipes the sweat from his brow, he daren’t close his eyes for the horrible images are still behind his eyelids awaiting him. He wanders the land seeing shadows at the edge of his vision, unsure if they are real or imagined or if it even matters. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: Renavoid comes back and tells his adept to go and find Amoran again. Amoran returns and the adept goes back to sleep. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: Bootes travels onwards to the Gates of Ages. 2008 DECEMBER 13 – DAY OF ACORNS • Guatemala: Start of St Thomas’s Day Festivities St Thomas’s day is celebrated with the traditional dance: “The Palo Volador”. It involves hanging from a thirty meter pole on a rope and swinging and spinning. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: No One suddenly drops to the ground, overcome with despair. The shadows within him far deeper than those that follows. “Is there nothing left of my humanity?” 2008 DECEMBER 14 – DAY OF POWER WITHIN • Japan: Samurai Festival • France: Fete de la Dindes The Samurai festival has a parade of 47 Ronin warriors accompanied by evil lords, dancers, music and floats. Fete de la Dinde, or the Turkey festival, is held the weekend before December 25th and allows Turkeys to run freely over the streets. A large food market is also held on this day. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: No One gets up, crying out in defiance. He runs through the land and sees the Howling Gates, he makes a dash for them. He crosses the threshold and keeps running until he reaches the Gazeebo of Equilibrium where he tries to relax. 2008 • Announcements: MD Shop comes into existence. 2007 • Announcements: Limited edition Christmas creature Tamed Reindrach is released. 2009 DECEMBER 15 – DAY OF POTENTIALITY • Ancient Rome: Consualia Consualia involved games and racing chariots to honor the god Consus, protector of grains. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: Bootes finds his way is blocked by a Drachorn flanked MRD, protector of Golemus. “I need to gain entrance” says Bootes “Okay, you’ll have to prove yourself” comes the reply. 2008 DECEMBER 16 – DAY OF NEEDING WATER • Nigeria: Igue • Bahrain: Independence day • Kazakhstan: Independence Day Igue is a week-long dance procession held for peace and progress. Full costume is worn for battle reinactments and offerings and sacrifices are made to Oba (the King). ~~~ • AL: The Traveler: The Traveler enters MD Realm. He has no face, no name and some can’t even understand it’s shape. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: No One hears a voice and gets distracted helping a newcomer. Helping the person makes No One feel at peace again. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: Bootes and MRD battle. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: Renavoid continues his story "The darkness, once it reaches me, continues to blind all of my senses, not just my sight. I can hear only my thoughts, though they are hushed. I feel only cold. It is most oppressing." 2008 DECEMBER 17 – DAY OF INSANE FLAILING • Ancient Rome: Start of Saturnalia • Turkey: End of Whirling Dervishes Festival Saturnalia celebrated the god Saturn. Sacrifices were made during this festival, colourful clothes were worn and the statue of Saturn was released from the ropes that held it for the rest of the year. This festival was so popular that having been extended from a day to a week, once it was attempted to reduce it again, mass riots broke out. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: The Traveler moves deeper into the realm. None can see him yet and his search continues. 2008 DECEMBER 18 – DAY OF CLOSING • Ancient Rome: Eponalia • Ireland: Closing the Gates of Derry Eponalia honored the goddess Epona, a protector of horses, donkey’s and mules. It is also thought she and her horses may well have led souls in the after-life. Closing the Gates of Derry is a historical pageant held to commemorate the siege of Derry in 1689. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: No One considers how helping someone made him feel better for a short time as his feelings of desperation return. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: The battle continues and MRD thinks he has Bootes, but Bootes check mates him. “Bootes, I thank you for one fine game of chess” he says. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: Renavoid tells Amoran how in his dream when darkness was overcoming him he would reach for his quill which he would channel himself into and which would continue to glow despite the darkness. The quill would glow like the sun and the darkness would be conquered. This is where he would wake up. 2008 • AL: The Traveler: The Traveler carefully approaches an agitated mob in Marind Bell. 2008 DECEMBER 19 – DAY OF PULLED CORNERS • Japan: Laughing Festival At the laughing festival there are many teams. The idea is you have to laugh for as long as you can with one breath, three times. The three times represent past, present and future. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: No One thinks that if he can help others then perhaps they can redeem him. He now wanders the land, a beacon for those who are lost. 2008 • AL: The Inner Sun: Renavoid tells Amoran that he thinks his story holds some important meaning that most won’t understand. Amoran wonders if she is one of those ‘most’. 2008 DECEMBER 20 – DAY OF THE WILD HUNTSMAN • Norse: Start of Jul Jul is the celebration of the Norse New Year where it is said Freyr flies the skies on a boar bringing light back to the world. The dead are said to roam the earth during this time. Children would leave boots full of sugar and straw out of Odin’s horse Sleipneir and in return Odin would leave them gifts. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: Amoran stands suddenly “I need to think about this” she says, and with that, she leaves. Renavoid sighs and says it is a shame we cannot get personal directions, but our paths are too unique. Renavoid is now Master Archivist and his inner sun is unlocked. 2008 DECEMBER 21 – DAY OF LACQUER • Ancient Rome: Divalia • Guatemala: End of St Thomas’s Day Festivities • Pagan: Winter Solstace Divalia honored the goddess Angerona. The rites of this festival were so secret that they even gagged the statue of the goddess herself. Winter Solstice marks the first day of the winter season and is also known as Yule. It celebrates the shortest day and longest night of the year. A Yule log is lit to conquer darkness and the mistletoe usually seen growing around sacred Oak Trees is revered as a positive symbol of life in the dark winter. DECEMBER 22 – DAY OF WANTON WISHING • China: The Dongzhi Festival • Inca: Capac Inti Raymi The Dongzhi festival celebrates the end of winter. Families would get together and eat dumplings in the belief that this would ward off any coming frost in the next winter. Capac Inti Raymi was the great feast of the sun. Humdreds of children were sacrificed on this day, buried alive by offerings of wealth and sustenance, later a feast was held and those men who got too drunk, swore or troubled the women in any way were killed. ~~~ • Announcements: Special edition Christmas creature released for the first time: The Nutcracker. 2008 DECEMBER 23 – DAY OF NO DAY • Ancient Rome: Larentalia • Mexico: Noche de Rabanos • Ancient Rome: End of Saturnalia Larentalia involved funeral rites at the tomb of Acca Larentia – a mythical woman held in high regard for leaving a fortune to the roman people. How she acquired that fortune is a long lasting debate among academics and bards. Noche de Rabanos, or Night of the Radishes, is a festival where people sculpt radishes of a special kind that are very large and can weigh up to 3Kg. Sculptures range from images of Jesus to folklore characters. DECEMBER 24– DAY OF ANTICIPATORY SLEEPLESSNESS • Christian: Christmas Eve Traditionally on Christmas Eve ghost stories were told. DECEMBER 25– DAY OF GOLDEN SHIMMERS • Old England: Plunging of Souls • Christianity: Christmas • Pagan: Birth of Mithras On Christmas morning in certain parts of England people would plunge themselves into the ice cold sea. Some would wear fancy dress. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ and has a host of traditions associated with it. The Birth of Mithras is also known as the day of the unconquered sun. You should not allow yourself to see a candle go out today. DECEMBER 26 – DAY OF TWISTED ARMS • Bahamas: Junkanoo Festival • Old England: Barrel Rolling Junkanoo festival marks the slave history of the country and is a nationwide celebration with street parades and music. In certain parts of England barrel rolling races are held on this day. ~~~ • Announcements: Creature transfers between alts restricted. 2009 DECEMBER 27 – DAY OF HOLES IN BUCKETS • Peru: Festival of the Virgin of the Carmen During the Virgin of the Carmen festival a dance called the dance of the Shepherdesses is done and 17th century poems are spoken to music. DECEMBER 28 – DAY OF LEMON GRASS • Chritianity: Childermass • Spain: Dia de los Innocentes Childermass commemorates King Herod’s slaughter of male children in Bethlehem in his attempt to kill Christ. Children are given sweets and parties. Dia de los Innocentes is Spain’s version of April Fools Day. In certain regions they throw flour at each other. Today is widely regarded as the most unlucky day of the year, starting projects today is seen as a very bad plan. ~~~ • Announcements: Slime at meeting of the roads comes into existence. 2007 DECEMBER 29 – DAY OF QUIET BARKING • Aztec: End of Atemoztli (The Decent of Water) DECEMBER 30 – DAY OF NOVEL DISAPPOINTMENT • Aztec: Start of Tititl (The Stretching) During Tititl a High Priest would dress as Ilamatecuhtli and other priests as other deities. A woman would be chosen to represent the presiding deity Ilamatecuhtli, she would sing and dance before being sacrificed. The priest dressed as Ilamatecuhtli would then cut off the dead woman’s head and sing and dance while holding it by the hair. Initiation into the merchant’s guild also took place during this time in private sacrificial celebrations. ~~~ • AL: The Inner Sun: Bootes steps into Golemus journeying onwards. He feels a hand on his shoulder and sees Nelya Setesh who embraces him and says he has much work to do. 2008 • Announcements: Morph indicator for creatures with that ability released. 2009 DECEMBER 31 – DAY OF EXCESSIVE WIGGLING • Mali: End of the Crossing of the Cattle • Norse: End of Jul • Scotland: Hogmanay • Pagan: Flaming Barrels Said to mean a night of slaughter or kiss me now, Hogmanay is Scotland’s most important traditional festive night. Redding (cleaning) the house should be done today and at midnight bells are rung and songs are sung to bring in the New Year. Men welcome in the New Year by carrying flaming barrels of tar on their heads, these can weigh up to 15kg. Their aim is to reach the unlit bonfire which they will each throw their barrel onto and at midnight everyone dances and sings around this bonfire. ~~~ • Announcements: land capitals now reveal the influence rebels have on a land against the king. 2010 [/Spoiler] Z

I had exactly the same issue a couple of days ago. The next time I used the links I did get the boosts though. Z

Happy Bifday Shem. Hope you have a great day. Z

etluhcs teragram: Bob: Your branches are as long as a Voyageur canoe, your trunk as strong as bamboo. You crave fresh water, no harm comes to you, not even a fly-swatter. I conclude in saying, before I go straying... etluhcs teragram: That you are a wonderful sight, with your magic and might. etluhcs teragram: ~Bob's Lament. Kiley: The calm quiet strength of a tree Kiley: Full of life from its roots Kiley: To the tiniest branch Kiley: The calm quiet strength of a tree Kiley: And oh, how it comforts me Kiley: How it teaches me Kiley: With just a sound Kiley: Then I realize at once Kiley: That this tree and I are one Kiley: In eternity