Carved in Stone

2007-07-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

Long ages have my people revered the blood red Quo'in gemstones. Bewitched by the fire and Ga held within, it is believed that when Our Lord Bu made his sacrifice for Siberlee's child, his blood was spilt upon the world. There it soaked into the ground and became that which my kin prize above all other treasures of the earth. And now the Quo'in stones adorn my tomb.

My name is Goran Tulken, as spoken in the Common Tongue of Men. Long is it since I passed beyond the veil of sight and sound of the mortal realm, but Death was not to be my fate. I have forsaken the corporeal world to become a Disciple of Elsen; my spirit lives in the earth itself. From the barren mountain tops to the fertile tilled field, from the sand on the shore to the endless Caverns of the Sunless Deep, I roam all of Mernac. The rocks and stone are my domain and my control over the rocks of the earth is absolute.

I was born of flesh and blood to the Azeman clan of Meng’alion. The House of my Fathers claim direct descendency from Tringle himself, as do all who remember and honour that name. Yet only the Meng’alion lay claim to the ruins of Tar’Nual, the fabled Azeman City of Dreams and Tringle's crowning glory. Early in my youth the Priest's of my Clan foresaw that my destiny lay not in the chaos and blood that befalls most of my kin. My path lay instead for the strength and eternalness of solid rock. I was born to endure. Those rare Azeman skilled in the arts of the Humustulen Path became my mentors and I retired to their hidden mountain retreat. Many seasons I studied and my skills grew. In time, the Student became the Master and I returned to my Clan. Here I became a benefactor to my people; clean mountain streams and springs where diverted to provide fresh water, the ground remained ever fertile, providing food aplenty. The Great Western Wall was repaired providing ample shelter and I brought forth the riches of the earth providing my clan with wealth and metals. The greatest prize of all was the Heart of Bu; a Quo’in gem the size of an Azeman skull. It burnt with a red fire that captivated and entranced all who saw it. The very air about the stone crackled with energy. Such riches stir jealously in the heart of many and eyes where drawn to the Hidden Vale. The mightiest of these was BlufKrag the giant. Many of my kin joined our Glorious Dead in their defence of our home that day, until, at last, in the Umbra Vale I brought down the giants ruin. He lies there still beneath the weight of the mountain where only the rocks can hear his cries. Our Lord Bu did not answer our calls that day, but my actions did not go unnoticed. My victory over BlufKrag drew Elsen’s gaze and I became known to him.

Where BlufKrag failed through strength of arms, others may succeed through guile and cunning. So it was that the Grey Pilgrims, that noble heroic band of adventurers, stole into the Hidden Vale and bore away the Heart of Bu. The wrath of my kin was terrible and the grey Pilgrims were pursued across Mernac. But the Grey Pilgrims where themselves deceived, for agents of their sponsor, the shadowy figure known as the Creeping Doom, took the Heart to a secret location in the City of Oranisis. The walls of that city were stout and the eyes of the guards, ever keen. No Azeman force could breach the defences by force or stealth. I summoned all my strength and called upon the powers in the earth to tear down the city walls and shake the foundations of the city. In the chaos of the collapsing city, my kin were able to retrieve the Heart. But there, amidst the flame, dust and death, Elsen revealed himself to me and claimed me as his Disciple.

And so it was that I passed from sight in this world and my Clan thought me dead. They erected a grand tomb in the heart of the temple before the Great Ziggurat of Tar’Nual and adorned its walls with Quo’in gemstones. From here I observe and still converse with the priests who possess some small training in the path of Humustulen. Where possible I guide and aid my people still, but I have little time for such distractions. It is to Elsen that I now, willingly or not, offer allegiance. Old vows are broken and sacred oaths betrayed. The rocks show no compassion or prejudice.

The existence of other Disciples was a revelation to me. Vickie and Anemo seemed fickle and insubstantial. Like the wind and fire they personify, they are sly and unpredictable. They taunt my strength and call me slow to anger, but cannot deny the purpose and power in my actions. They assume I am inflexible and always tease and press with riddles to discover my thoughts. Yet they know me to be dependable and loyal.

The very ground may shake at my touch and I am a bringer of death, but a giver of life also. Following in the path of Vickie’s fires, I bring forth that which life needs to grow from the ashes of her doom; where dust and sand prevail I bring fertile soil. Know then that I am the very foundations of the world and, as prophesised so many years ago, I will endure.

I'm back

2007-05-19T05:52:00.001-07:00

Ahhh the joys and pressures of work. Yup, Real World concerns have occupied a lot of time over the last few weeks and so this update is somewhat overdue. Ricks big scheme is now shaping up and if you are in any way interested in fantasy art or writing you should check out these links. One competition in writing and art each every month for a year. The response to the art comp for May has already been astounding with many high quality entries and many more contributions from, I presume newer members. Way to go guys and gals!

Big things afoot

2007-04-27T04:36:00.000-07:00

Sunday approaching and more hints and teases keep coming from Rick and the gods at Mernac. VP of Good anyone? And what is Dear Mr. all about? All will become clear on 29th April but it would appear that money is involved. Perhaps it has something to do with Rick's attempts at interesting a literary agent?

Ahhh the suspense is killing me!

The Rocks talk

2007-04-27T02:38:00.000-07:00

I feel it all around me. A disurbance in the rocks. As feet pass over stone and voices call out in the valleys, the rocks listen. Beyond the hearing of normal races I hear their murmurings, relayed like echoes about the world. The breezes call to Siberlee and she listens. News of the Fathers actions do not go unnoticed. Grumby, that stunted fool, has also been touting his tales of the world. Sibeelee apparently feels he is useful and worthy of sharing the tales of Mernac that should be written in the rocks. Clearly Siberlee has heard news of the Fathers recruiting Disciples and seeks to recruit her own. Little good that it will do her. Changes are coming to Mernac and this can only be good news.

OOC: What's up doc?

2007-04-25T04:15:00.001-07:00

In the role of disciple to Elsen I have been given the task of heading up any work on the RPG modules side of things over at Mernac This will require me to:

Encourage others to write modules and assign statistics to monsters, races, and classes as well as doing those things myself.
Use DM experience to help others desiring to make modules of their stories.
Provide ideas to make the modules exciting not only through fighting, but also roleplaying opportunities such as stimulating strategies, traps, and puzzles.
Ensure that all Mernac statistics and modules are balanced in power and consistent with the original stories of Mernac.
Promote the modules made in Mernac to the gaming community.

Quite a big but exciting task! Initially all such modules will use the D20 Open Gaming Licence system. This will of course be familiar to any of you who play D&D currently. The reasons for this are many fold but mainly stem from the need to reach as wide an audience as possible. (We stand to make more money that way, as well as achieve greater fame and glory).

The first step in the process is to wade through all the legal gumpf associated with the OGL in order to fully understand what can and cannot be done with the constraints of the Licence. I've done this and am now working through the D20 SRD to try and see how to match Mernac stories, characters classes and so on. Anyone who would like to get involved in this project (contributions can be anything from full complete modules, to ideas and character sketches should pop over to Mernac. You'll find a whole lot more there-great stories artwork and frindly helpful people.

I dream of Gods

2007-04-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

All Mernac holds its breath. Something is coming, something important. The rocks feel it. I feel it. In my dreams I was told a message, hits of what is to come. I reveal that message to all Mernacians now that you may further ponder its mysteries...

1) If you are a writer it would behoove them to get as many stories published as they can. When they do, think of one word; "fantasy"
2) If you are an Artist think about one word “fantasy” and start an art piece based on that word – do not submit it yet
3) All active members should have their own blog – it could help make them money.

Welcome

2007-04-18T02:58:00.000-07:00

My name is Goran Tulken. Once I was an Azeman but I left my heritage behind when I became an Ethereal Master and followed the Path of Earth. Long ages have I slumbered deep in the earth of Mernac, but now have awoken. My Lord Elsen has need of my talents and new tasks await. Stories shall be written of deeds past and yet to come. The Scribe and audience shall join to determine each others fate in these 'module' scrolls. I have been assigned the task of overseeing their creation and the power contained within them. Many are the roads that lead from here and I hope to meet many travellers in my journeys. So return here often and do not fear for though the legends of my wrath and power are not exaggerated I am slow to anger and very patient.