Volume 4: Issue 2

"They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge." ~ Thomas Brackett Reed

Headlines

Derby Dog Hunting
by Chris Kuhn

In Derby, Dracos Panas has been seen searching for a gytrash in order to obtain its claws. Why Dracos needs the claw is unknown, but there are rumors that it's a similar reason to why Kisei needed gryphon feathers a few months ago. While searching, he met a shapeshifter named Synnove, who seemed to have had previous experiance with gytrashes. This, however, didn't help him when a small gytrash attacked them both. Luckily, Dracos caught on, and attacked the gytrash first. Unfortunately, he missed, and only caused the gytrash to trip. Apparently, after that the gytrash then broke Dracos' leg while it threw him over on top of a building. The gytrash then turned to Synnove. Dracos attempted to hurt the gytrash with fireballs, and eventually landed the fatal blow with his last dagger. Will we be seeing every demon to leave the shrines go on a dangerous quest? Who knows.


Mysterious Beast in the Forest
by Chenoan Cirocco


Not long ago, as the quest to find Xanth's long lost aide continued, the main quest group crossed into another dimension called Acantha. As they did this however, the gate guardian, rumored to be named Evadne, launched one final attempt to stop them from entering the foreign realm. This attempt failed however, with horrible drastic consequences. Evadne inadvertently dragged a strange beast into our world. As she did that, she sent the two questers who remained behind, Nymphadora Makani and Castalia, off to get help.

Nymphadora summoned the Shapeshifter Aide, Chenoan Cirocco, who came quickly to her side. Chenoan proceeded to have Castalia go for help, wile he made Dora lead him to the place the beast was last seen. Extremely weakened from prior events Nymphadora nearly collapsed more than once, but they pushed onwards.

according to our source, both Evadne and the mystery beast are no where to be found. Chenoan seems to have gone off hunting it, leaving Nymphadora alone tin the forest. What will happen? Keep reading the chronicles for an up to date report.

Stymphalian Attack
by Chris Kuhn


As many readers know, Daione Sidheanta has been leading a group of Elysians (Elise Theiroe, Laurel Chandler, and Zephyr Cairbre) on a quest for the feathers of both a Gryphon and a Stymphalian Bird. While resting the for the night in a cave, they were unexpectedly met by another group of questing Elysians. This group is lead by an unknown woman going by the name 'Fariah', and also contains Vampire Queen Scarlett Caye, Eilidh Dickson, Aiden Roy, and Faith. After the initial meet, the groups were rather friendly with each other, as many of them already knew one another. Tension, however, seemed to grow between the mysterious Fariah and Daione's group. Fariah then sent Aiden and Eilidh on a succesful mission deeper into the cave to find the web of a kumo spider, and later followed them herself. On her return, she informed Daione of where to find a gryphon. Daione's group got ready to leave the cave to continue on their quest while Fariah's group settled down for the night in the cave.
It seems, though, that Fariah has now left the cave, taking flight into the mountains around her. While she was out, a stymphalian bird attacked her, leaving major wounds. Eilidh woke up at the sound of the Fariah's screams, and ran out of the cave. She found a trail of blood, and then returned to the cave to tell the others the news. They now have to decide whether or not they will even continue on without a leader.
Zephyr also heard the attack, and found a separate trail of blood. In a preemptive strike, he threw one of his knives into a bush where the bird was, and the bird came out, attacking him as well, though he survived with lesser injuries than Fariah. Will Zephyr survive his encounter with this ominous beast? Time will tell.

Editorial

None! How sad :(

Weekly Feature

First and Last
by Kaida Tanili

8 years ago…

Walking through the Alaskan woods, Kaida winded in and out of the thick brush. Using her spear as a walking stick, she slowly ambled her way into the heart of the foliage, looking for the nearby lake. The sun was high in the sky, beating down, melting the snow around her. Normally, she’d prefer the ground to be caked in white ice, but she had to admit, walking on solid ground with the heated sun rays beating one her face was a nice change.

As she made her way through, Kaida considered shifting into her animal form.. but decided against it. It took a lot of effort to stay that way, and her mother hadn’t had time as of late to teach her. Her father… well he couldn’t do anything about it. He hadn’t had his blood tampered with. Closing her eyes as she slowed her pace, Kaida inhaled the crisp mountain air. Instinctively stepping over a root without even as much as glancing down, she heard the noise behind her.

It had been following her for… nearly a mile now. As of yet it showed no sign of being hostile, so she let it alone. As loud as it was in the trees, it made her curious what it could be. If it was trying to follow her… or sneak up on her, it wasn’t doing so very quietly. Rolling her eyes as a branch snapped, then fell to the ground, Kaida shook her head and continued on, not bothering to look behind her.

Nearly a half of a mile passed by with nothing happening, but the creature following her. Having this time to herself allowed her to think, but nearly every time she got into that state, the thing made another noise, drawing her attention away. Getting slightly irritated, Kaida suddenly spun on her heels and glared up at the trees. Alright, it’s getting annoying now. Beat it or show yourself. She demanded, one hand on her hip. When nothing happened, Kaida smirked, then turned to continue on.

Before she could take a step however, suddenly there was a thud upside the back of her head, making her stumble forward. Spinning around as her hand went to clutch her throbbing skull, Kaida looked up, then down around her. Rolling away, was a rather large, rather spiky pine cone. Her mouth dropped.

Clenching her jaw, she spoke in a low, demanding voice. I don’t know who or what you are, but rest assured, you throw something at me again, and you won- Then it happened. Splat! Cringing, Kaida lifted her hand to her face, and started to scoop off the fist full of mud splattered all over it. Spitting out the particles that entered her mouth, she wiped the rest from her eye. That was it, she’d had enough.

Running forward with a yell, Kaida brandished her spear, aiming toward the direction of the flying objects. Halting mid run, breathing heavily, Kaida looked down at the ground, focusing her hearing on anything unusual. This thing, whatever it was, it was clumsy and loud. She’d hear it before she’d see it.

Suddenly, without a peep of sound, a sharp pain exploded on her leg, which made her look down. A decent sized rock tumbled around her foot, the spot where it hit was red and sore. Gritting her teeth, Kaida looked up behind her, squinting her eyes. If only she could shift a single body part. Her mother had yet to get to that lesson as well.

Then she heard it. Laughing. Erupting in a fighter's yell, Kaida spun quickly in the direction of the noise, and hurtled her spear. Not a moment later did she hear the thud of it landing in a nearby tree. Running forward, lifting her leg mid step to retrieve her knife, she lunged at the creature her weapon had caught.

Either she had a lucky shot, or her hearing and aim were improving, but her spear had penetrated the creature’s tail, pinning it to the trunk. Rushing forward, Kaida didn’t stop until she had her knife at the animal’s throat. When it turned its attention to her instead of trying to free itself, she saw what it was. A monkey. What type, she didn't know.

Stunned slightly at the odd placement of species… she looked at it with a frown. Then… it grinned. Sneering at it, she near took its head off right there, but something stopped her. As if on queue, the monkey’s features began to deform as it changed shape from the animal with fur, to a young boy, probably her age.

Gasping slightly, Kaida stumbled backwards away from the shifter, nearly falling on her rump. It wasn’t until he laughed that she scowled again. She couldn’t help but be shocked though. This was the first time she’d ever met a shifter other than her mother. The shock quickly faded back into anger again, and she noticed her spear had fallen during his shifting.

Before she could get up to do anything, or even say anything, he gave her another grin, and a look of cockiness. Cursing aloud, Kaida flung her knife at the shifters head, but he’d already took off running, shifting back as he did so. She started to chase after him, but by the time she’d picked up her spear, he was out of sight. Shaking her head from the annoyance and intrigue of meeting this shifter, she walked forward to retrieve her knife, then headed back to the lake, glancing over her shoulder every now and then.

Employment Agency

Public Relations Officer

We're looking for someone to help spread the word about Elysia and keep our affiliates section up to date.

Responsibilities

+ Check our affiliates once a week to make sure they still link to us
+ Take down broken affiliates and replace them with new ones
+ Moderate the Billboard
+ Advertise Elysia at other sites using our standard form

Requirements

In order to update the affiliates section you'll need an FTP programme and knowledge of how to use it. You'll also be dealing with Javascript and although you'll be taught how to edit the file, please don't apply unless you're comfortable with coding.

You'll also need time to advertise and check our affiliates section.

Salary & Application

You'll be paid $100 per week by the bank. Please send your application by PM to Dazadi.

Volume 4: Issue 1

Men who for truth and honor's sake
Stand fast and suffer long.
Brave men who work while others sleep,
Who dare while others fly...
They build a nation's pillars deep
And lift them to the sky. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Headlines

Media Circus in LA
by Piper Kin

In the last two weeks a fledgling vampire has brought the city to its knees. With dozens of humans dead at the hands of 64 year old Betty Cooper, there's been a media circus revolving around the killings. Rogue slayers have been coming out of the woodwork to exact revenge and vampire queen Scarlett Caye has claimed dozens of her own people dead.

Concerned for the safety of her people, whose sanctuary is based in Los Angeles and only guarded by Xanth's magic, Scarlett has apparently asked the Aides for help but with Xanth no where to be found and ignoring their summons, another solution has been sketched.

Unfortunately for the vampires, this solution involves a mass exodus from the Crypt to the human sanctuary. This is by no means a perfect solution, but we've been assured it's only temporary. "Once the humans have gone back to thinking there's no such things as monsters - or in this case vampires - we can send you home," one Aide said. "That or Xanth can fix everything when she gets back."

There have been queries as to why vampires are being allowed to reside with what amounts to their dinner but Scarlett and Mayor Maximus Mills both have every confidence in their people to try and get along during this time of need. When asked why they couldn't at least move in with someone else, an Aide said, "The other races are having problems of their own right now." This vague reply is enough cause for concern and doesn't bode well for Elysia's future, but the Aides refused to elaborate and the governors in question have been unavailable for interview.

This reporter wishes all vampires well in their new home, and thanks the mayor and his people for their welcome. Let's just hope nothing bad comes from it.

Monthly Awards
by the Aides

For his diligence in Mayoring and being the General Cool-Guy, Maximus Mills receives the Staff Member of the Month Award. Stay cool, yo.

December's Member of the Month is Dazadi Dacre for Exceptional Roleplay and Lots of Activty. Congrats to you, Dee-dee. ;P

Through the portal they go!
by Tom Caye

Elysia’s newest band of explorers have reached new heights in the search for Elysia’s oldest Aide. This reporter is happy to inform you that Maximus, Elise, Daione and Zephyr have all safely passed through the portal into Acantha - not without sacrifice, however. Castalia and Nymphadora, although expected to be left behind, are now in the custody of gatekeeper Evadne. However, she in turn has problems of her own. By letting the Elysians through to their destination, the guardian of the portal has allowed a destructive Khimaira to enter the confines of Chandric Forest. This could spell bad news, not only for our adventurous nymphs, but also the residents of the nearby Fae Forest. The terrible beast could cause unknown amounts of devastation.

However, on the other side of the portal, things have been going altogether more swimmingly. Maximus Mills has conversed with the Dragon Yapet, who has allowed the group to pass. Despite this, it’s this reporters opinion that the group should tread gently - many dangers may lay ahead before they reach Namiko.

Weekly Feature

The Vampire Circus
by Piper Kin

Betty watched with a scowl as people passed by, her nostrils flaring as she smelled the blood that dripped down the wall near her last victim.

She was sixty four years old. Immortality was a rotten gift at this age. Forever cursed to hunt when her knees ached chronically and the arthritis in her thumb made it impossible to so much as open a jar.

She hadn't even wanted this. She'd welcomed death when the monster attacked her, hadn't even struggled as his fangs sank into her neck. She'd been right at the brink, disappointed to realise there was no white light - at least, not for her - when he'd pulled back and come to his senses. Cursing, his eyes filled with apology, he'd bitten into his wrist and held the wound over her mouth, forcing her to drink.

She'd struggled, of course, but one did not fight with a vampire. In the end, she'd passed out. Dead, she'd hoped. Only to wake up the next morning in the same alley where he'd attacked her, her nose far more sensitive (of course, she would have to learn that particular joy near a dumpster), her belly growling. She'd eaten three full breakfasts before she realised this wasn't a hunger that food would quench.

And so began her predatory migration through the city, learning to use her powers and avoid her weaknesses as she went. Two weeks now, two weeks of constant hunger and mindless need. She saw the horror on the faces of her victims, but she didn't bring them back. What was the point? Like her, they probably wanted to die.

Unlike her, they had the chance to do so and no guilty conscienced vampire to bring them back.

She'd seen her face in the papers of course. Her first attack had been messy and very public. Well, the waitress had been so tempting, a fresh cut still bleeding under its bandaid. Betty had needed no further temptation. Unfortunately, Chinese tourists at the next table had caught it all on camera. Since this was Los Angeles, most people wrote her off as a gungho eccentric actress looking to cause a stir for some kind of publicity stunt. No, it was the ones who believed in vampires to start with that were the problem. People who called themselves 'slayer'. She'd even been approached by some kind of scientist asking to study her. Of course, he was still rotting in her apartment, though she hadn't enjoyed him. Too old.

She found she liked the publicity, the thrill of the hunt. Knowing that at any time, someone might get smart enough, or lucky enough, to kill her. And even though she'd appreciate them doing so, she found herself fighting back, wanting to survive.

A sound behind her made her turn. Standing at the centre of the alley, black wings spread slightly, a huge sword raised ready to swing like some kind of avenging angel, was a woman. Beautiful, dark, a shock of blue tipping the ends of her hair. Betty turned fully to face her, knowing why she was here by instinct. The woman smiled faintly and nodded in return, then hefted the sword and swung.

Employment Agency

Public Relations!!!

EF needs you! *points* In an attempt to bump activity, we're asking every single one of our members to advertise our site. There'll be a sticky in the Billboard explaining how to do so and you'll receive $50 for every successful affiliation.

The best places to advertise are other RPG sites but putting a link to us at every opportunity will go a long way toward increasing awareness.

Thanks in advance,
Xanth and the Aides