Well, it would appear that love is in the air once again (kind of like toxic waste, or cheap aftershave), so welcome to our "touchy-feely" issue of FreeWheeling (some might say that it goes quite well with our "touchy-feely" players; We won't though, cause we're too nice....). In addition to the regular stuff, this edition has a selection of your anonymous and not-so-anonymous Valentine messages, so if someone suddenly starts ignoring you, maybe you should have sent in that message, after all! Anyway...Happy Valentine's Day from everybody at FreeWheeling; enjoy!
BabyGirl & Bliss (Editors)
CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE:
Cub, Ronan, BabyGirl, Cupid, and lots of lovelorn souls with throbbing
hearts and Valentine's Day messages to get across!
Well, you might be forgiven for thinking that not much has gone on recently but, as usual, there has been heaps and heaps of work going on behind the scenes to make sure that TerraFirmA continues to be interesting and challenging to play. The biggest upcoming change will be the installation of the new majick system. With five levels of increasingly powerful spells available to players, magick promises to boost your abilities and options for playing the game as well as increasing your enjoyment of TerraFirmA! Look for it to appear sometime in the coming months. You can read some of the latest news about the development of the majick system, as well as other developments, at the News section of the Web site (http://www.terrafirma.ohl.dk/news).
We welcome Etrimon into the ranks of recent Apprentices. A big congratulations goes to Firefly, who was promoted to the Court as Advisor a few weeks ago.
In other player news, Cub and Vardick got mud-married in a particularly speedy and clandestine way on February 3... although we're told that there is no truth in the rumour that shotguns were involved at any stage in the proceedings! There's also talk afoot of a planned U.K. mud meet next month in Reading (Saturday March 14th). For more information read and/or post to the Hamelin discussion board on the game (P.S. - We want photos for the Web site guys!).
Work to improve and update the TF Web site is ongoing. Looking for that particular something at the site? Check out the new site search engine which will search the whole site for keywords! You can use the simple search, or alternatively use more advanced options to filter your search (there's a link to "search tips").
In the meet area, check out some of the new links to players and Untouchables pages that have gone up recently. Players take note that if you are level 11 or above, you can get your own web page at the TerraFirmA site! Just mail or talk to BabyGirl about it. Also don't forget that we're more than happy to put a link on our "meet the players" page to your own personal home page elsewhere.
This is part two of a three-part story which began
in the last issue!
(For a copy of the last issue, visit the FreeWheeling Web site at http://www.terrafirma.ohl.dk/fw/)
A sudden feeling of nausea came over Blake and he began to stumble. Trying desperately to grab hold of something he heard a booming voice from above him, " Global Reset Enforced!" But just as fast as it came the dizziness left. "Global Reset Complete," the thundering voice rang out again.
"What the hell was that?" Blake spat.
Now he began appraise the situation. And things were not as they had been before he hit the Stone. Most notable was the fact that he no longer stood in a dim light room 300 feet below ground. He was standing in a small shady clearing surrounded by a lush green forest. At the centre of this area was a stone, similar to but slightly larger then the one in the old wreckage.
This was either a dream or something had seriously gone wrong. Blake wiped his eyes and peered around trying to see through his surroundings as though they were but part of a picture he could leap through and escape. Little forest creatures scampering by were stopping to stare at him as if he were out of place in their world and not the other way around. The fresh scent of spring hung in the air and Blake took notice of the complete lack of smog and stench here. There was one other thing which caught his eye, the path leading south. And having no other avenue, save getting lost in the forest, he began down the path.
After a few minutes stroll a structure of some size began coming into view. Two grey stone towers stood over an open city gate. The walls from the guard towers were quite high and ran out of view east and west. Through the city entrance was visible many scores of rooftops and several taller spires. Above the gateway was a connecting arch with a banner that read : Hamelin, The Northe Gate. And here Blake saw some hope as this offered some possibility of finding some one that may have a solution to his present situation.
After passing through the Northe Gate the ambience changed from calm and peaceful to bustling city life. Movement along the hard-packed main road was slow due to the traffic of carts, horses and people. Lining the sides of the route were houses of various construction interspersed with shop and other places of business. There was a draper's shop across from the Hamelin prison. Further down a tavern and the Towne Hall which held some promise of information. The street crowd was diverse as well. Farmers, town guardsmen, peddlers, a street clown and a knife thrower ranked amongst the many coming and going on the main avenue. Past these Blake arrived at the Towne Square. This was quite the centre of commerce, filled with small tents and dealers pushing every kind of ware.
All around the square could be seen small gatherings of locals fervently discussing the current politics, food vendors shouting out their goods list and a few hardy and shady characters. Blake noticed only now how odd it was that, however misplaced his attire here, no one paid him any undue attention. But regardless of that he badly wanted to mix better with this new environment. First on his mind was clothing, then some information and perhaps findng someone he could trust. His primary drive was in the end to get out of this foreign land, regardless of its apparent tranquillity. It was not his world.
Blake toured by the dozen or so tents then headed back north toward the store he had seen earlier.
The sign over the doorway read : Pawne Shoppe. The inside was quaint and very inviting. The shelves held various items for sale and several articles of clothing hung in a little side room. The Pawne Shoppe keeper stood by a short counter with one hand resting on a small trolley. The keeper was a small man with a well weathered face. His apparel suited his visage, loose shirt, tough canvas pants and a dusty pair of hiking boots. His eyes followed Blake moving through the aisles.
"Is there something I may help you with my friend?" the keeper asked.
"Ummm yes, I need some clothes, something a little more local than what I have now" answered Blake.
"Are you from out of town then?"
"Could say, yeah"
"How much are willing to trade?" This posed a problem for Blake as he had no money.
"Well I have no currency," Blake said in a humble voice.
"Now, now, you will have to come back when you can afford it," returned the Pawne Shoppe owner, "Unless, you would trade in some of your goods." This was a possibility.
After some initial haggling Blake had a shirt, pants, a light coat and a pair of hard-soled leather boots. The keeper also threw in an old hat. The trading cost Blake his clothes which the keeper considered quite unique. Both men considered it a good deal. And after some more conversation Blake returned to the outside feeling a bit less conspicuous.
Across the way and just south from the Pawne Shoppe was the Towne Hall and an information centre. Blake headed straight for the little Tourist Bureau. Once there, he knew this was a good starting place. There were a couple of maps on one wall and several little information sheets on the counter. The room was vacant. But what was here was an excellent beginning. Examining the maps on the wall Blake made out one for he town of Hamelin itself and another somewhat more vague outlining of the areas outside the city walls. Hamelin was laid out like a perfect grid of streets running north-south and east-west. The main road going north and south through the city was Hamelin Streete. Crossing this route at the Towne Square was Water Streete heading east and west. Other smaller avenues met these two principal ones.
The second map showed a large rectangular outline with a "#" symbol at each corner. The well marked legend allowed for easy reading of the layout. The structures indicated by the "#" were listed as Airlocks. Quite a technical term for this world so far as Blake had seen. There were mountains indicated in the west and along a path running between the northeast and northwest Airlocks. Beyond these were a town, named Beilefeld and a castle, Nibelung. Around the northwest Airlock and spreading to the north and west was a vast forest. To the east a shoreline marked the end of the mainland. Further east an was an island surrounded by The Galapogus Sea. South of Hamelin a small farm and a large pymamid structure sat on the edge of an immense marshland dotted with clumps of wasted rocky outcroppings. In the middle of the four Airlocks another forest grew, south of which was nestled Hamelin whose Water Streete became the passages to the southeast and southwest Airlocks.
After many more minutes of studying the wall maps, no one had arrived to assist Blake. He decided that he would need to seek advice elsewhere. On his way out he grabbed one of the sheets left on the service counter. It was upon reading it that he found his next establishment to visit.
A short walk from the information building was the Turfe Taverne. It was a stone and plaster construction and ranked among the oldest of places seen around Hamelin Streete. The interior was cheerful and welcoming, filled with the chat of a score of people. Half a dozen round wooden tables spaced through the room were circled by chairs occupied by local citizens. The bar on the far side of the room was tended by a stout bearded man chatting with three rough-looking travellers. Two other exits were visible, one behind the bar and a door to the east with a sign over it that read: The Reading Room. Blake drew up to the counter and sat on one of the barstools. The bartender moved down to him.
"Can I serve you a drink?" asked the barkeep.
"Not right now thanks," replied Blake. " but you can answer me this, I am looking for some one called the Bard. Do you know where I might find him?" he continued.
"Ahh the Bard, he sits over there," said the barkeeper pointing to the other end of the bar top.
"Thanks again," Blake said as he headed towards the Bard.
The Bard did not seem one who was as well travelled as the information pamphlet would have Blake believe. He wore a simple wool tunic and woven trousers. He did not appear very old either. Certainly this could not be a person who had knowledge from every corner of this strange land. The Bard sat calmly picking out a soft low tune on a little stringed instrument.
"Hi," started Blake, " I hear you can provide some information about this part of the world. I am looking for a way to leave here and return to my country."
"And are you asking me for a hint?" said the Bard still strumming his song.
"A hint? For what? I am not looking for hints, I would just like a source for hitching a ride outta this place. Can you tell me where I might find someone to help me?" asked Blake.
The Bard glanced up at Blake and said, "You don't have enough credits for that."
"Money? Is that what it's called here? Ok, then I can trade. Or do you know of a job somewhere that I might work for some credits?"
Once again the Bard looked at Blake, "Knowledge costs, come back when you have enough."
At this point Blake was becoming somewhat irked by the Bard. Had there been less people around he may have considered roughing him up a bit.
"Ok listen, I am asking you where I can get some credits for you, so I will 'have enough'."
"Sorry, you do not have enough," the Bard replied in a most unsympathetic voice.
That was it, Blake was just about to grab the content, stringpicking Bard and throttle him when the main door flew open. Blake wheeled around to see what was going on. Wearing black body armour and carrying a frightfully large sword, a woman burst through the doorway and ran over to one of the sitting tables. Blake was amazed, from what he could gather, this traveller would probably be able to help. He began to move to the wild-looking woman.
She was a well-fit individual, shoulder length hair and eyes that beamed of determination and experience. The muscles of her arms bulged as she vividly tried to explain something to the two men sitting at the table. Her stance was wide and solid, indicating an alertness to danger at any moment. Her legs were well protected by studded leather pants which met a pair of knee high black boots. A wide belt wrapped snugly above her thighs just below her navel. This was used to carry little pouches and one slightly large bag swinging from her left side. Also tucked into the belt was an old stick. Her tunic was a tight-fitting piece with finely crafted interwoven metal rings. Slung over her back was the sheath for the longsword she had now placed down on the table.
Drawing closer allowed Blake to fully view her soft facial features. It seemed strange that for one who apparently has had some adventure in her lifetime that she should still have such a tenderness about her. Most notable beyond this was her eyes. A tiny sharp glow of light could be seen within the dark centre of her pupils. There were no bright lights in the tavern to explain this as a reflection.
More peculiar still was that the two other people here at the table also had the glint of white in their eyes. It was as Blake was noticing this fact that they stood up and began to congratulate the now gleeful woman.
"Ummm, excuse me, I was wondering if you could help me out," Blake said to the three.
There ensued a silence just a tad longer than was comfortable for Blake.
"Help? With what?" the woman broke the silence as the other two exited the tavern.
"I seem a little lost, and although I asked, the Bard over there was no help," Blake was trying to stay calm as she reached out and took deliberate hold of her sword. This did not appeal to Blake in the least. He slowly inched one foot backward anticipating a rather quick exit of his own.
"I haven't much time right now. I'm running, and others are too. I will answer a quick general question. No more," she said, resting on her sword hilt.
"Well, I don’t know where to start, I need to get outta this place, back to my country. Supposedly the Bard is well knowledged but he won’t tell me a thing unless I pay him. And you look like a person that has seen more of this world than "
Blake began to explain but stopped short, watching impatience grow in the sword bearer’s face.
"First: I don’t want to hear how worthless our priceless source of hints seems to you. The Bard has saved my life more then once with his hints! They are worth every credit!
"Second: one quick question, I know there is lots on your mind right now, but I will be leaving as soon as my partner shows up, I would love to sit and chat but I don’t have that long here."
"Ok tell me where I can get some credits, a job somewhere or something?" asked Blake.
"Ask the Bard for a Farm hint he should be able to provide you with a direction for that. Did you just arrive straight to the tavern?"
Just as Blake began to respond another weapon wielding, armour adorned woman threw open the door, " We gotta go!"
Without hesitation the warrior before Blake shot over to the end of the bar counter. Once there, she dropped a small bag into a wide mouthed spittoon sitting on the floor. She grinned mischievously at Blake then ran out the doorway.
Blake slowly walked to the spittoon. It was quite wide at the top and rounder still at the base. It was three feet high, but oddly the bag made no sound when it was dropped into the receptacle. He halted next to the mysterious container. And carefully peered into it.
There was no bag at the bottom. In fact there was nothing at all, except a faint crackling from within the blackness. There was no bag, no dust, not spittle, not even a bottom.
Blake grabbed a napkin from the bar top. He held it over the spittoon and let it go. Upon reaching the lip of the oversized bowl the napkin simply vanished. . . .
...watch for the conclusion of this story in the next issue!
Want to write a Terra Tale for inclusion in FW? Contact one of the editors!
(Try )
REMEMBER: It could happen to you, so beware these signs of Terra Addiction!
YOU KNOW YOU'RE ADDICTED TO TERRAFIRMA WHEN....
YAZ WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT SHE HASN'T ACTUALLY
DONE ALL OF THESE,
ESPECIALLY NOT THE GETTING UP EARLY BIT.
In the last edition of FreeWheeling we asked you to match the character with their New Year's resolution, and now, after having literally _SEVERAL_ replies, we can reveal the answers:
| THE RESOLUTION: | WHO MADE IT! |
| 1. I resolve to actually log on sometime and do something! |
Cryogenius |
| 2. I resolve to use more left-handed smileys. (: |
BabyGirl |
| 3. I resolve to be as wicked as CYN. |
Firefly |
| 4. I resolve to learn how to type QUIT <return>. |
Cub |
| 5. I resolve not to keep walking blindly into Deathrooms on the way back from completing quests. | Robert |
| 6. I resolve to actually go through with my MUD-marriage this time. (*cough*) | Bliss |
| 7. I resolve to devote more time and effort to freeing young, virginal damsels in distress, rather than taking advantage of their chained-up state when I free them from the wrath of dragons. | StGeorge |
| 8. I resolve to keep my hands to myself and to stop doing that dying thing. | Ted |
| 9. I resolve to get to at least level 6 and to solve at least one quest a month! | Hatfield |
Well, there you go....maybe all those involved will let us know how their resolutions are progressing! *grin*
"The love we give away, is the only love we keep." Elbert Hubbard
Hard to believe, but it's that time of the year again! And this is the 3rd Annual FreeWheeling Valentine's Issue plus Valentine's Messages. It's good to see that there's still a lot of love going around the world of Terra... so sit back and get that warm fuzzy feeling inside as you read the messages of affection below.
To Dios
Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
If you're not careful,
You'll get kissed by a grue.
From your secret Valentine, xoxoxo
Dear Ted,
When I think of you, Natalie Imbruglia's "TORN" is playing in my head.
To Wildthing
Lots of kisses and love. Feeling lonely without you
xxx
Dear Lucas,
You're by far the most gorgeous man on MUD. So leave Bambi and have me instead.
Lots of love,
Your Secret Admirer
Dear Bliss,
Thanks for being caring, and a truely great friend. You've always been here and listened when I was feeling low. Thank you Bliss!
Have a great Valentines Day, Hon.
From: The Guy With A Smile.
XXX
To: Black Boots
I saw you in my dreams tonight and you still said no!
From: The Trier
To Vardick
I'd climb the highest ocean..
I'd swim the deepest mountain
Just to be with you.
There is a goddess so divine,
Far to good to be mine.
Even so, my heart's a whirl,
Say you'll be my BabyGirl.
To LittleMindy.
Wow! You're ace! :)
Lots of love,
Id.
Dear Zaphod,
My heart is pounding, my lips are wet.
If you dont kiss me, you'll need a vet!
For Cyn, to the only woman I'll love....from an admirer.xxx
To: anyone female except Emily on TerraFirmA,
Especially Bliss, BabyGirl, JustMe and Emara and Elora
"One moment of love is worth ten thousand deaths and more."
To Cub: *smile*, *kiss*, *smooch*, *hug*, *hold*, *hapsigh*, *scl*. Well, they _do_ say that actions speak louder than words... xxxxxxx
To BabyGirl
TerraFirma seems a much lonelier place when you're not there.
luv and hugs
Me
My dear darling Thistle
You stand under mistle(toe)
But when your lips touch mine
I think not of women and wine
Why don't you shave your bristle?
My Little Pickle...
Come to me in the silence of the night
Come in the speaking silence of a dream
Come with soft rounded cheeks and eyes as bright
As sunlight on a stream;
Come back in tears,
O memory, hope and love of finished years.O dream how sweet, too sweet, too bitter-sweet,
Whose wakening should have been in Paradise
Where souls brim-full of love abide and meet;
Where thirsting longing eyes
Watch the slow door
That opening, letting in, lets out no more.
To Mindflayer.
I don't suppose you have to be a rocket scientist to work out who this is from, but hey....
Have a Blissful Valentine's Day, hon. and thanks for being around when I've been hysterical/irrational!
xxxxxxx
Cyn
You make it all worthwhile.
Love you loads.
To Miranda....you sexy babe....from an admirer.
Dragon Slayer:
Have you figured out yet whether I'm the damsel in distress or the monster? I doubt it....
All my love,
The Dragon Lady
Happy Valentine's Day, Zaphy!
And I'm sowwee for trying to tell you what you think; you know I can't help it! :)
Anyway, take care, Sweetie, and try not to kill any "ickle" people. *grin* xxxxxx
To Firefly
Anonymouse sends you a deep red rose in a box: [@>-,-'--]
To Luckyspin...You're the greatest! You're simply the nicest, sexiest, most wonderful person on TerraFirmA. I love you!
From Luckyspin.
To Flea:
There was once a young elf called Flea,
To be found dancing upon a tree.
And when she looked down,
Her face creased in frown
For missing the love sent from me.
Lucas:
Roses are red,
Violets are not.
If you offer me another Scrumpy...
You WILL be shot!Happy Heart Day from a Not-At-All-Secret Admirer
To My Scarlett:
The sunlight and the moonlight are beyond my control,
and there are stars in the heavens that I'll never own.
But if Dreams give you power, then I'm strong enough.
To offer my heart and never give up [because] you love me.Happy Valentines Day Sweetness!
Hatfield
StGeorge,
I'd give you hugs.
I'd give you kisses.
If I was 20 years younger,
I'd be your missus.
LOVE LINKS
A few Web sites that just might help make your Valentine's Day a little more fun!
JERRY'S VALENTINE PAGE
For eight hundred years prior to the establishment of Valentine's Day, the Romans had practiced a pagan celebration in mid-February commemorating young men's rite of passage to the god Lupercus. The celebration featured a lottery in which young men would draw the names of teenage girls from a box. The girl assigned to each young man in that manner would be his sexual companion during the remaining year.For more on the origins of Valentine's Day, try this page at http://wilstar.net/valentn.htm
SUGARPLUMS E-ZINE
As a noted Southern California psychiatrist observed, "There are three basic needs in life: money, food and sex. And combining the last two can be lots of fun!" In that spirit, Sugarplums offers you a feast of love to satisfy your most passionate appetite.This sensual, scentsational site can be found at http://www.sugarplums.com/ezine.html
BUILD-A-DATE
"Fantasy love is much better than reality love. Never doing it is exciting. The most exciting attractions are between two opposites that never meet." -- Andy Warhol. We all daydream about our ideal man or woman. The sophisticated Build-a-Date service can bring your dream to life.Discover your perfect "Dream Match" at valentine.com -- http://www.valentine.com/vdate.htm
ROMANCE CLASSICS
Some associate it with a place. For others, it is sparked by a song. It can develop over a lifetime or emerge in a moment. The one feeling that can rekindle the experience of youth and its wonder is now here whenever we need it.Tips on rekindling love and keeping the romance alive in your life: http://www.romanceclassics.com/
LOVE STORIES
"At the touch of love, everyone becomes a poet" -- Plato. Advice, stories, chat and discussion, and a multitude of other resources related to that most powerful of emotions.Share the love at http://www.lovestories.com/
Well, if that lot doesn't have you crying into your keyboards, then we don't know what will (with the obvious exception of physical pain), so take care of yourselves, and remember, on February 14th, tell that special someone how much you care (or, for the more emotionally crippled amongst you, insult, tease, ignore and be generally mean to the person you care about, and then wonder why they want nothing to do with you!). Whatever you're doing this Valentine's Day, have fun, and if you don't get as many cards as you'd hoped for, then just remember, it's probably because people think you're just too gorgeous and unattainable!
ALL LOVE IS SWEET, GIVEN OR RETURNED. COMMON AS LIGHT IS LOVE, AND ITS FAMILIAR VOICE WEARIES NOT EVER. -SHELLEY
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