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. ;PThrough 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
