jazet
Clueless newb
Posts: 97
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Post by jazet on May 9, 2015 20:38:10 GMT -5
For lulz and anyone else who might be interested. If there's one of these you'd rather know about over the others first, I'll cover it first. I'm going to sit down with Alaire and try to come up with names that I may be forgetting from over 15 years ago. I remember some of them better than I do people I graduated high school with, and that's what good immersion and storytelling are all about. I'll try to add to this as I can with stories from that clan and group, giving the rundown of the tale, the people involved and then what I took away from it as a player. Over time I plan to cover: 1. The day Allanak sent an army to attack Tuluk, fell off the shield wall and Blackwing killed -everyone- and ended up with 10 Templars robes (blue and red) several pieces of metal jewelry and lots of loot. 2. The trip to Tuluk when we were invited over for a party at the Reynolte estate, but in reality we were offered an assassination on Vivienne Reynolte by the Kadians. (hint: the kades screwed us). 3. In the aftermath of #2 when we took -everyone- to Allanak to trade, Isar himself showed up to get revenge by killing the majority of the children of the village. (Isar played by Becklee, husband of Vivienne Reynolte's player). 4. Our discovery that the spire in the tablelands was, no shit, the most evil and haunted location in all of Zalanthas, filled with zombies, vampires, evil mages and bullshit. And the rpt that happened. Yeah, true story. 5. Hunting down Naatok (cool dude)'s mul with all hands on deck, and ending up in a bloodbath in Luir's. 6. My impressions of Halaster's Blackwing of doom. 7. The rpt where we had a selection for the new Heru. 8. The "time travel" storyline that happened right before I came in, but was a big tale just prior to the generation of "elders" who taught the crew I was with. 9. "The gaunt, yellow-eyed elf" who was the last of the desert elf assasins. 10. I guess a who's who of characters from the time.
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jkarr
GDB Superstar
Posts: 2,030
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Post by jkarr on May 9, 2015 21:24:17 GMT -5
my order prefs
#4 #5 (naughty tok was the shit) #9 (recognize the sdesc) #1 is last but only cuz ive heard it, still worth the share for everyone, one of those rare crazy lucky moments that raider/antagonist pcs dream in text about
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jazet
Clueless newb
Posts: 97
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Post by jazet on May 9, 2015 21:53:10 GMT -5
Before we get into any of these stories, we need to understand the people we're talking about. Leadership at that time included: Miannon, the Heru of Blackwing. Malkah, the Hamod, or advisor to the Heru. Kithian who was an Iyan (hunter/scout) elder and would eventually become Brother-Maker. Jazet who was a Tutan (guard/warrior). Laen who was a Nuli (merchant/tradesman). Krenn who was a Tutan and a raging alcoholic. Esau who was an Iyan, and the subject of that great Blackwing vs Sorcerer log (that was me when I was on staff in an npc) Achrolum who was an Iyan, (the gaunt, yellow-eyed elf). Arbedark who was a Tutan (previously was Serbitar the J'karr) Jeslek who was an Iyan (previously was Ulathe) Annun who was a Nuli and secretly a preserver. Nekkaz who was an Iyan, and the bravest man I've ever met. (you'll hear that tale) Rhiannon who was an Iyan and...complicated. Osa who was a tutan and...complicated. Neen who was an Iyan. Almathia who was a Tutan.
I am forgetting a ton of players, because this clan when it was rolling was -huge- and always had new blood coming in and getting killed. We defended the tablelands with ferocity, while being very selective on who came in to trade and who didn't. Being that we were there and had so many established characters for as long as we did, most of these people would only be recognized from the OUTSIDE by their sdescs, which will seriously tax my memory, but I will try to drudge them up as best as I can. Fifteen years later though, I can think about the name of the character and really remember their personality traits and something about them that amused me. This was the kind of clan and group you really want to be part of if you're playing an immersive game like Armageddon. You'll likely hear and not be shocked to find that a good number of these ended up on staff, or were staffers at the time. Kithian being the best example. City-folk would have known him as Rahnel. And let me tell you, Halaster knew how to tweak the absolute shit out of his characters to really make them as game breaking and defining as possible. It was like going into a fight in the middle ages where everyone is armed and armored and ready to swing swords...and some jackass shows up with a Sherman tank. But, to his credit...Halaster was all about the staff contract and he would do anything and everything to not kill every fucking pc in his path that was against us. But if we opened those doors, he sure made a point to support the show. So, with that as a preface, I'll start churning out tales and stories for your amusement.
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Post by lulz on May 10, 2015 2:53:56 GMT -5
Giddy with anticipation. I'd love to hear about #s 5 and 9 first, but I'm down to hear anything and everything you have to share about the Blackwing.
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Post by sirra on May 10, 2015 11:16:03 GMT -5
serbitar! haha this is all going to be fun to read If he ever stops cockteasing us and comes out with it. I especially want to hear about #1. I remember hearing about that on one of my very first Armageddon characters. Missing out on Blackwing is one of my major Arm-related regrets. Although, I did have one or two characters in the late 90s, it's a complete blur of faffing around and dying in the Byn. And more or less being a horrible person.
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jazet
Clueless newb
Posts: 97
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Post by jazet on May 10, 2015 23:17:30 GMT -5
Sounds like #4 will be the first tale I will share. So, expect it to come tomorrow when I get a chance to put it into form.
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jazet
Clueless newb
Posts: 97
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Post by jazet on May 11, 2015 12:17:54 GMT -5
It was a strange time for Blackwing, the elders who had defined the previous generation including Miannon, Malkah, Bashare and Mordaga had either grown too old to take an active hand in defending the Abi'li Pah or had died. The Brothermaker, Kelwin, had also grown old and had passed the title over to Kithian, who though younger than the leadership of the tribe, was experienced and well respected in Blackwing. Kithian, though, despite being an Iyan of exceptional skill had a secret that only a few in the tribe really knew and were aware of, and that was of his preserver magick. The Heru, Miannon and her advisors knew well what power Kithian had available to him, and it had served the tribe well for many, many years and adventures, and unlike in other civilizations, it wasn't something that would instantly have him vilified and killed. Young tribemates were starting to earn respect in the tribe, with skilled Iyan like Esau and Achrolum and Tutan like Jazet, Krenn and Arbedark defending the Pah with skill and prudence, with trade flourishing in the Blackwing fort with Laen and Annun overseeing it. It was a time if growth and prosperity for the village.
With all good things and times of stability comes inevitable change, and a tribal council was called, every elder, leader of the Pah's, being Nuli, Tutan and Iyan, as well as all adults of the tribe were invited. Numerous odd, hollowed out corpses, not only of local wildlife, but of elves of the tribe were found, over several months, drained completely and entirely of their water, the dried out husks growing more and more frequently discovered on Iyan scouts. The elders were concerned as the bodies were discovered closer and closer to home, and eventually inside the camp itself. Suddenly a scream broke the air as a young elf emerged from the tent of the former Brothermaker, Kelwin, bleeding and torn open. Some ancient evil had overtaken Kelwin, and she hastened her escape from the camp through preternatural speed and ability, as well as her skill with Vivadu. Scouts were sent out to track down where Kelwin had escaped to, and the skilled Iyan tracked her down, impossibly, to the great Spire in the center of the Pah, which to this point in time, was simply a landmark to guide yourself with.
Esau and Achrolum returned from their scout and told the elvish leaders what they had found, forms milling around atop this great spire, shambling and terrible. The council of elders took a few moments and came to the only logical conclusion, that they would mount an assault on the spire and destroy everything that lived atop and inside of it. The warparty was filled with Blackwing of exceptional skill, including the Heru herself, Miannon. The only ones who didn't accompany would be all of the Nuli Pah, including Laen and Malkah and Bashare, who despite being skilled, were aged to a considerable level and no longer able to make the run. Warpaint was donned, quivers were filled, poisons applied and moccasins were pulled on, the tribe was going on the offensive.
Reaching the base of the spire, eroded smooth with not a single handhold in sight, the Blackwing looked from the ground, high up into the sky, uncertain of how to proceed. It was then that Kithian called upon his magick and summoned a bridge of beams and rope, upon which the warparty would ascend to the highest levels of the spire. Immediately on reaching the summit, battle commenced. Twisted and writhing forms of misshapen gith protected what was obviously some sort of manor or castle atop the spire, with mages throwing spells of assault and protection against the, ill prepared, Blackwing forces. Every single member of the Blackwing party were faced at times one against two, and some cases three. When the worst and unexpected happened, a great flash of magic hit the Heru square, blinding her and burning her eyes. One of the Tutan extracted the Heru from the chaos of the battle, who used the way to inform Kithian and Jazet that they would be left in charge of the assault. The fighting commenced, as the Tutan of Blackwing used sword and spear, club and axe to fight the misshapen gith and undead elves that scuttled out of the manorhouse atop the Spire, some of the Iyan, lead by Esau, firing arrows in volleys into the packs of enemies, while Achrolum would close the distance with longknives to assist his tribemates in need with well timed, very lethal strikes. The battle was blood and chaos, screams and death on both sides as the Blackwing utilized everything at their disposal to fight their way simply off of the platform to try and enter the manor, when one massive gith approached, spear in hand, muttering words of magic, aiming a spear for Jazet, intent to kill. Kithian, for the good of his kin, exhausted from the fight and trying to protect his people, did the unthinkable. Lowering his hand to the ground, Kithian summoned energy from the Pah itself and threw protective shields around Jazet, at the last instant, saving his life from what was certain death. The battle for the platform and spire had suddenly turned in Blackwing's favor, but at what cost?
The manor atop the spire was sprawling and expansive, bodies of various races littering the courtyard, entryway and alcove, the ragtag crew of Blackwing kicking down doors, killing everything inside, and proceeding forward, but always, evading, whatever the creature was controlling this small army was not to be found. Exhausted, trying to coordinate their kin and trying to keep everyone together ended up being a task almost as important as survival, the sprawling estate holding ancient trophies and grim and gristly artifacts of war and death. The gith and elvish minions kept coming, but the more that fell, the weaker their following charges seem to be. Not a single Blackwing in the warparty was without serious wound or emotional toil. The Iyan stepped to the forefront, tracking the instigator, and found a secret alcove, which lead to an ominous set of stairs that descended deeper into the heart of the spire.
With no idea if retreat would be possible, or if certain death would be found in the depths of the Pah, the Blackwing party split into two different groups, one to cover a retreat and to secure the escape and an offensive squad prepared to breech the heart of the enemy. Kithian, Esau, Arbedark and others would cover the retreat and continue fighting the shambling forces while Jazet, Achrolum, Jeslek and some of the skilled youth would descend into the depths to end this enemy once and for all.
The dark stairwell and tunnels seemed to go on forever, deep into the depths of the Tablelands, the stagnant dripping of water and low, tortured moans of pain and abuse resonating to the sharp of ear, sending tingles and shivers down the spine. There, at the base of the stairs was what was an obvious crypt, with an elegant and ancient looking overweight man standing there. His clothing was shabby, threadbare and obvious expensive, at one time. He spoke in sirihish, making bold statements of his age and how he'd survived for generations in that manor and would continue to do so, at the expense of every drop of Blackwing blood. But obviously, the Blackwing warparty wasn't one for hearing longwinded monologs from demonic figures and they attacked, with everything they had. Achrolum struck with longknives, Arbedark with axes and Jazet with the Sword of the Tutan, while Jeslek had somehow gone missing. The fight was brutal with blood, spit and darkness, the evil creature fighting with brutality usually reserved for giants and mekillots, each strike bonecrushing. After what seemed like hours of fight, the strange man fell, withered and instantly turned to ash on the ground, scattered with a footfall and breeze.
Searching this creature's layer yielded odd and interesting things. Ancient tablets that appeared to be written in other, arcane languages, what were described to be rare and terrible magick components, artifacts that glowed and hummed with sinister power, weaponry that looked to have been seized from another time, odd signets from Houses both northern and southern and numerous scrolls that could not be read. To this as well there was the body of Kelwin, the previous Brother-maker, tunnels that lead out of the spire, out into the Tablelands, crypts, vaults and storage areas. The manor itself looked like it had been there for years and would stand there for many more. Because everything down there was evil and had been tainted, no loot nor booty was taken by anyone from the warparty. It was not their way.
So after allowing Kithian to take the time to seal the exits of the spire that were found with his magick means, and assured that the evil inside the spire would remain there until the seal was broken, the warparty left and dragged themselves back to camp.
The consequences of this adventure were long lasting and varied and would change the Blackwing people to the very core. The Heru, Miannon, was now not only old but blind and would begin to have to consider vacating her role because she was no longer able to guide and lead her people directly. Because he actively defiled, even in the face of saving his kin, Kithian assured the Heru that he had used all of his power and had lost his ability to produce magick. The Heru though, was not convinced and banished Kithian from the tribe. He would take the name Rahnel and have adventures elsewhere in the world, those would be tales others would share, though I know some. Jazet , Krenn, Arbedark, Esau and Achrolum, though young, would win honor for the way they handled the assault and take steps to greater leadership in the tribe. Something in the tunnels happened to Jeslek, but that too would be for another day. But Blackwing and the Pah would be forever changed because of this. And that too, is an entirely different story, one that will eventually be told here as well.
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My Notes: 1. The first time I found out that the Sun Runners are living atop the spire, I laughed, because the entire tale that was presented to us was that the Spire was the house of the most evil, non-Dragon shit in the entire world's history. It was supposedly an ongoing plot that was branching out elsewhere in other clans, but that the spire, according to staffers I talked to, was like a magnet of terrible, horrible fucking evil. Retcon anyone?
2. Combat spam is brutal, and is one of those things that really can distract the story. However, it's like gravy. You're not going to get full on gravy, but Christ does it make everything else taste better.
3. Kithian was the precursor to the Plainsman, is my thinking. That guy was max Sorc/Ranger and Halaster really knew how to run a godlike character hard. Overpowered as hell, but some of my best times in game were just hanging out with Halaster's character either stirring up shit, getting into the role and playing. At least with Halaster's mischief, there was some transparency for the bullshit he was doing, like it was a secret everyone kind of knew about. Halaster was -great- for Armageddon and I think his loss is one that the gamewide story feels to this day. Even if he was a rampaging dork when it came to supercharging his characters, the guy was was amazing.
4. Blackwing always seemed to have no less than ten to fifteen people on at all times during this period. There just always seemed to be a shitload of people around. The guys who were regulars in the clan over the two years or so we played there together were people to this day I think about fondly and miss talking to and hanging out with. I wonder sometimes what happened to them, I've just not taken the time to go digging. We went to APM's together, and really caused some shit. For -me- this was my favorite time on Armageddon.
5. I feel bad in combat rpt's for those who are playing merchants and such. Alaire's character, Laen, was one of TWO characters who were left behind because they couldn't find an IC reason for her to be there. Huge scale combat/lore rpt and you get to stay home. Sorry, wife.
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jesantu
Displaced Tuluki
Posts: 339
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Post by jesantu on May 12, 2015 1:30:20 GMT -5
Halaster was an abusive prick. Creative? You betcha. But you won't have fond memories of the guy unless you fell under his nepotistic jurisdiction. For the rest it's unlikely you'll see his departure as a loss for the game. It's just a shame the more current staff haven't got an ounce of creativity in them. When magically moving volcanoes is the best you can come up with it's time to pass the torch to someone who's actually inspired.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2015 7:23:08 GMT -5
Halaster was an abusive prick. Creative? You betcha. But you won't have fond memories of the guy unless you fell under his nepotistic jurisdiction. For the rest it's unlikely you'll see his departure as a loss for the game. It's just a shame the more current staff haven't got an ounce of creativity in them. When magically moving volcanoes is the best you can come up with it's time to pass the torch to someone who's actually inspired. I never had anything to do with him, but I'd rather have a game where a somewhat questionable admin (he wasn't nearly as bad as Nyr) makes shit happen on a regular basis, compared to today's Arm where not a fucking thing goes on. The game is so stagnant and empty now, despite the fact that a lack of other RPIs has left Arm with even more players than before. Staff is still abusive, they're just no longer making the game interesting at the same time. It's actually astonishing how bereft of noteworthy activity the game is when it has as many players as it does. I've never seen anything like it. MUDs with a third of Arm's playerbase manage to be vastly more active.
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Post by jcarter on May 12, 2015 9:56:04 GMT -5
i don't agree with halaster's super-powered inclusion in things because it seems more like he's using the game as his personal sandbox, but he seemed to have the right spirit. which, if gun-to-my-head-have-to-choose, i'd take that over senior staff (nyr, nessalin) condescension and comic book guy attitudes.
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