Gyrfalcon

Hm... Valdar mentioned that you preferred Argent Dawn, Yui-chan... so, before people get too entrenched on Icecrown, a mini-poll: Who wants to be on what server? Personally, I wouldn't mind Argent Dawn, as my main is there (50-odd levels!) and thus I have the cash on hand to start a guild (and provide leather goods to people!) Otherwise, I'd be starting from the ground up anywhere else, though I'd prefer Icecrown or Shadow Council as I already have characters started there.

*provides a Half-Elven Hug to Yui-chan* Well, see, the wonder of this plan is that we're forming the guild... which means that given a stable collection of Pennites, it should be a lot more certain to have the guild suceed.

Heya all, mostly trying to see who's willing to start a character on the Icecrown server and form a Mighty Pen guild... mostly for the possibility of seeing and talking with each other, as well as providing some questing and crafting support. Tamaranis and I are already there - Alliance Humans, he's a paladin and I'm a mage. I know Valdar has a few alliance characters in a guild on that server. Yui-chan: Sorry the whole Argent Dawn thing didn't work out... sadly, you came in just before everyone moved on to one of the new servers. =P Otherwise, if there are other Pennites playing WoW who want to start a new character on Icecrown, feel free to come! Right now, I'm working on leveling up, with the faint goal of making enough money for the guild charter in the process.

After a day of thought, I have come to the following conclusions. 1) It's a nifty idea. Finally, being able to truly experience Half-Elven Hugs! 2) Yet... it was created by testing vibrating jackets on chickens. Chickens with vibrating jackets... why? 3) And who's paying scientists to stick chickens in vibrating jackets? And why?

Happy birthday, Zariah! Hope your 21st is safe, happy and fun!

Happy birthday, Appy!

*laughs* Ah, what horrible dark humor your quote possesses.

Glad to know you're doing well, Salinye, as is the baby. Also, it's good to see that your life is as busily hectic as normal - it gives a constant in the world.

Happy Birthday, Ayshela, hope its a good one.

Gyrfalcon crouched near the jump pod, casting around for tracks in the strange misty grayness before standing and looking around at their surroundings. “Wherever this is, is isn’t under the fortress. There’s a distinct lack of a visible ceiling... and it just doesn’t sound right for a cavern of some form.” He left unsaid that in the muffling gray fog, it didn’t sound right for being outdoors either. The whole place was odd. Daryl sat at the base of the lander and clutched his head. He had been fine before they had made their ill-fated jump into the unknown, but his vision had split apart and a headache had started as soon as Knight had thrown that switch. The buckling, tumbling, and arcs of magic coursing through his form had only made the headache worse, and now he sincerely hoped that his head would just stay together for a few minutes. More then anything, the werefox wanted his headache to go away or an aspirin the size of his head... or both. Knight and the others started and pointed at the sky, but Daryl ignored them as he closed his eyes and pressed his hands against his temples more tightly, desperately wishing for his headache to disappear and that aspirin. Gyrfalcon blinked in surprise as a vision of Valdar and another – Appy? waving happily at the party for a moment in the sky before the vision faded away and the opaque grayness returned. “This place is really, really strange.” the half-elf said, showing his surprise by stating the obvious. “You think?” Mira said dryly before turning to glance at Daryl. “What’s up with you?” he asked as the werefox opened his eyes and looked around, surprised. “Hey, my headache went away!” Daryl said happily. Knight frowned. “Anyone hear a whistling sound?” he said in confusion, looking around. Behind him, there was a crack of stone meeting stone and a stream of profanity. He whirled around to see Daryl clutching his head with something lying to the side. Mira bent down to inspect the object while Gyrfalcon quickly checked Daryl. “You’re lucky you’re so hard-headed.” Daryl informed his friend as he used the corner of his cloak to dab away a bit of blood from Daryl’s head. “And a lycanthrope, the scratch is already closed up.” Mira held up the object, which was roughly the size of Daryl’s head. “There’s a word stenciled across this... ‘aspirin’.” he said in confusion. Daryl looked at it in confusion... “I was just wishing for an aspirin the size of my head.” he said. The party looked at each other, confused. Mira was the first to see the possibilities. “If what we wish can become reality here, then-“ Knight broke in “We can wish to find Sweetcherrie and Gryphon!” he said as he realized the possibilities. Gyrfalcon began to grin. “It’s worth a try, the worst that can happen is nothing happens. At the very least, we might pick up a sense of which way to go to find them.” Mira nodded “Lets try to think the same thing, I’d hate to go straight to them and land in the middle of a bunch of trolls because Daryl decided to wish for a big steak or something.” he said, casting the werefox a wry glance. “Hey, I don’t always think of food.” Daryl said, crossing his arms. “Money tends to be another big one. And sleep.” he said, grinning. Gyrfalcon shook his head and laughed as he gathered up his quiver and bow. “Ready to go?” he asked as the others gathered up their equipment. They nodded and focused their thoughts on finding Sweetcherrie and Gryphon.

Daryl trots in and looks around, then yerfs and yips to gather attention. When people have finally quieted down enough and regarded the fox with curiosity, he yaps and grins broadly and gesturing with his muzzle as Gyrfalcon walks in, a long scroll clutched in his hand. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, the results have been tallied-" Gyrfalcon said. "And he near gave himself a headache tracking down and organizing everything." Daryl confided in a stage-yip, earning a glance of aggravation from the half-elf. "Anyway, before the fuzzball started adding his own opinion... the results have been tallied. Lists will be appended to the Role Call at the end of this announcement, but I'd like to congratulate the fifty-two people who participated in this Roll Call. To those forty-four people who earned their first Weenie... don't despair, for it'll be easy to make that disappear. And for the ninety people who earned their double-weenie... well, the same goes for you. In particular, thank you to Valka D'Ur and Starlight, honored guests who helped the Pen Roll Call. Otherwise, Initiate Kandara was granted a bye, as he was accepted only a few days before the end of the Roll Call." Gyrfalcon rolled open the top of his list and eyed the writing inside. "In percentages... of the 185 on the active membership roles, 27% responded to the roll call, 24% scored their first weenie, and 49% scored a second weenie. Before too many of you have heart attacks, most of these double-weenies come from our Initiates and Pages, and thus most likely from people who made an initial commitment to the Pen and then became busy elsewhere, found another writing community that suited them more, or became Initiates to better read the fine stories and poetry written here." Gyrfalcon coughed and took a sip of water from a water glass before continuing. "So, on to the point of this announcement. As in previous years, to earn off a Weenie award, simply write something new and creative, be it a short story or poetry, and in the sub-title indicate that the piece is for the purpose of removing your Weenie award. Once an Elder has a chance to read your work, you'll have your Weenie Award removed, as simple as that." "For those who have earned a double-weenie, with the exception of Doctor Evil, of course... They will be moved to the rolls of the Distant Wanderers, which will be split off the active membership roles and given its own section in the Lists of the Pen. Double-Weenies can have both Weenie rewards removed for the price of one creative piece, just the same as those with one Weenie. Otherwise, they just need to send me a Private Message to have them moved from the Distant Wanderers to the active membership list. Their normal rights attached to their rank and their title as Weenie will remain the same... mostly because I don't want to tack on ninety 'Double-'s to their Weenies." the half-elf explained, grinning with the last statement. Hm... otherwise, if anyone has questions, I'll be happy to answer them, here or via Private Message. Otherwise... here's the lists, names are listed in alphabetical order." the ranger finished, moving to the Roll Call board and tacking the list to it, letting the scroll roll down the wall to trail onto the floor.

Annnd... as of yesterday at midnight, the Roll Call is now over. Thank you to all who participated, please stand by for tallies of those who participated, and those who earned their weenies and double-weenies.

Gyrfalcon coughs and looks around. "It came to my attention that noone's started the celebrations for our most recent birthday people, so without further ado..." "Happy Birthday, Tralla and Seii! Even better, it's your 21st birthday! That means your friends are obligated (at least if you're in America) to try to get you drunk." Gyrfalcon gravely handed Tralla and Seii each a Brutewiser. "Happy birthday to you both." he says with a grin and a wink.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Yui- fixed Finnius' and Mira' forum permissions too, should be the last of the Guild Leaders that needed fixing.

Daryl followed after Mira, Gyrfalcon and Knight, glancing back at the package, then at his three companions. Finally, he darted back and picked up the t-shirts, figuring that they might make decent bandages, despite the poor quality of the cloth. He started away, then stopped and thought and went back for the lemonade. A few more steps and he picked up the cassette tape, then sighed, dumped everything back into the box, and hefted it into his arms, trotting quickly to catch up with his friends. Mira glanced back as they entered Knight’s quarters and frowned at the sight of Daryl with the box in his arms. “Didn’t I say to leave that behind?” he asked in annoyance. “You did, but I think some of the items might be useful.” Daryl replied, flashing a grin as his tail wagged back and forth behind him. “Look, the lemonade is probably bad-“ “Might be a decent poison, or depending on how acidic it is, a mild acid.” “The shirts are horrible-“ “Could be turned into bandages in a pinch.” “The music is dreadful-“ “Turn it up to full blast and aim it away from yourself – it’ll probably stun or kill anyone in an arc in front of it.” Mira was growing annoyed, especially with the growing laughter behind him. “What about that flashlight? What possible use would it have without batteries?” Daryl set the box down and lifted out the Idiot’s “Flashlight”, inspecting it carefully. “Looks like it’s just missing the lens and the clip that holds that on, besides the batteries. If Knight has a few batteries I can use, it should work again with a little work. It might be useful for you if we end up in a dark area, so you don’t have to rely on a light spell.” Mira growled, turning to flash a glare at Gyrfalcon, who was laughing helplessly now. “What about the rubber band, huh?” he demanded, dreading what off the wall idea Daryl would come up with for the broken rubber band. “That? I just picked up the box, and it was in there. I can’t think of anything practical to do with a broken rubber band.” Daryl said, flicking the sad piece of rubber into a trashcan. Mira sighed and threw his hands up. “I give up. You want to carry these things along, you carry them.” Daryl just grinned and bowed graciously before they trooped into Knight’s vessel. A few minutes later, Daryl was bent over the remains of the flashlight, expressive ears twitching as he carefully inserted a piece of glass into the front of the flashlight, trying not to jostle the jury-rigged clips on the flashlight. Mira started talking, but Daryl didn’t look up to see to who, carefully adjusting the clips before working to secure the new assembly with some duct tape. “Yes, you are. I'm looking right at you where you float!” He turned around suddenly “Who was that?” “It sounded like Jechum, from what you were saying,” Gyrfalcon replied absently, entranced by the complexity of the technology being displayed on the monitors. Knight, absorbed in plotting the vessel's trajectory on a notepad, had appeared not to notice the conversation. “Didn't you recognize the other voice?” pleaded Mira. “What other voice?” Gyrfalcon said, even more absently. Daryl hid a grin behind the tip of his tail before flicking on the flashlight, causing Mira to squint as the bright light illuminated his face. “Hey, stop that!” he said. Daryl chuckled and turned the flashlight off before securing it to his belt. “Alright, calculations look good... ready to go everyone?” Knight said, laying down his notepad. “Of course.” Gyrfalcon said determinedly Daryl flashed a cock-sure grin “Ready to roll!” Mira sighed “As ready as I’ll ever be.” he said. Knight nodded and strapped himself into the pilot’s seat, the rest likewise making sure they’re strapped in properly. “Alright, we should just appear on the other side of that barrier, in the AVV. From there, we can find out what happened and where Sweet and Gryphon are.” Knight said, carefully inputting coordinates into the navigation console. “Sounds like a plan.” Gyrfalcon agreed, tightening his shoulder straps. Knight nodded “Alright, here we go!” he said, pulling back on a lever. The world fragmented.

Happy birthday, cryptomancer!

Daryl sighed contentedly and stretched out on his favorite rafter above the Pen Keep, in his human form for once. He glanced down at the crowd idly, watching people jostle as they leave and depart, but for the most part no one had been belligerent this evening. This was always to Daryl’s liking, and with a grimace he decided he’d probably be better off doing what bouncer work needed being done around here as a human. For some reason, people just didn’t take a fox seriously until they’re on the floor and trying to find out if all their limbs are still attached or not. He glanced again at the doors, gauging who was coming and going, and saw a dark, cloak-swathed figure enter. It paused in the entrance way and surveyed the crowded tavern, and Daryl turned his attention back to studying the roof above him. A horrible scream pierced his ears and he instinctively jerked, falling from his perch as the Pen Keep descended into silence in the wake of the scream. Daryl landed with a thump, crouched with a hand extended to steady him and facing the newcomer. “Greetings all, my name is Caralyn.” the black-furred stranger said with what was probably a friendly smile. A few of the more normal patrons still paled and backed away a bit in case it meant “I’m hungry, and you look like food.” though. Daryl rose and shook his head, thumping the heel of his hand against one ear to try to shake the ringing from them. “Well, since everyone else seems to be a little stunned by your way of attracting... attention... I suppose it falls to me to greet you. I’m Daryl, resident werefox and part-time bouncer for this lovely tavern. The bartender over there... the half-elf with the sword... is Gyrfalcon, he’s sort of my boss. If you want a drink, he’s the one to talk to.” Daryl paused and eyed her for a moment before continuing. “By the way... please don’t scream like that too often, otherwise we’ll get a flood of heroic types coming in to see who’s being murdered and to try to stop it. While more patrons are great, heroes generally don’t drink too much when they’re on the job... except for dwarves... and Brute.” Daryl gestured towards the bar “There’s some seats at the bar, and there looks to be an open table over in that corner there. Otherwise, welcome and feel free to mingle.”

*hugs Ayshela* Have you considered sindicating your life for a TV show yet? *grins wryly* Glad to have you back, and I hope that life gets less hectic for you soon!

Happy birthday, Racouol. *grins* *Daryl yerfs and puts a new frying pan with a bow tied on the handle in the pile, grinning cheekily*

*laughs* Congratulations, Thinas, since this also your weenie award buyoff, and I'll accept it for the Role Call. Otherwise, a fun poem, and funny in a dark-humored way

Hrath looked around at the small band as they trotted along the road, frowning slightly as his gaze swept across Jade and Lelianye, and counting the other three horses. Three horses... he counted again, then realized that Matthias was missing. “Did anyone see where Matthias went?” he asked, reining his horse around to look back the way they came, thinking it quite possible that Matthias had been slow to start out... thinking back, he couldn’t really remember seeing Matthias much beyond leaving the stable. None of the others had seen Matthias leave either, many not having seen him since that morning, with Lelianye giving him a confused shrug. Only Jade could remember seeing him after they left the compound, leading his horse down a side road soon out of the gates. Hrath cursed softly to himself and shook his head “Well, that’s a fine time to go visit his family... he was supposed to do that yesterday!” he complained as he swung his horse around again and lead the procession towards a crossroads. “Well, if he doesn’t catch up with us by the time we reach Glenfurel, I’ll have to report him as AWOL.” Lelianye and Jadros exchanged surprised looks. While neither knew Matthias personally, this sort of behavior wasn’t exactly in line with the Third’s reputation for excellence, or the caliber of soldier that Katherina Lumenda would select for this mission. The group took the left-most path and continued down the road, soon Hrath blinked and squinted. The otherwise empty road contained a single traveler on a chocolate-brown horse that trotted towards the traveling group. As the traveler came abreast of Hrath, he saluted casually. “The road is empty for the next three miles, sir, and there’s no sign we’re being followed.” Matthias reported in a quiet, calm voice. Hrath shook his head and frowned. “And who told you to go scouting without a word to anyone, Matthias?” He said with a mixture of irritation and humor. “I’m a scout, sir. It’s my job to make sure that we won’t run into surprises or find one tailing us.” Matthias said in an uninflected voice, his eyes locking with Hrath’s for a moment before being deferentially lowered. Hrath shook his head and sighed. “Well, next time tell me before you go haring off like that, if only for the peace of my mind!” Matthias saluted. “Yes sir.” he said, swinging his horse into line at the back of the traveling column, patting the gelding’s neck. The rest of the day proceeded uneventfully, with a few quiet attempts at conversation breaking up the monotonous travel, but the majority of them lost in their thoughts. Matthias thought it likely that many of them were still absorbing the scope of their mission – a decapitating blow to the Loom Rebellion, the loss of one of their foremost leaders! As darkness began to fall, they made camp in a small clearing at the side of the road with a small stream running along the edge of the clearing. Hrath efficiently assigning each of them tasks, showing despite whatever bad qualities he might have, he was a good enough commander on the road. Perhaps as punishment for disappearing without orders, Matthias was assigned to care for the horses, unsaddling them, grooming out their coats for burrs and snags, and making sure they had access to sufficient grass and water for the night. By the time the horses were squared away, a fire crackled warmly in the center of the clearing, and Jade was stirring a pot hanging over the fire... from the smell of things, some form of soup or stew. He walked over to his saddlebags and rooted around in a compartment, finally coming up with some wrapped bundles, which he brought over to Jade. “Here you go, Sergeant. Some wild onion, sage, a bit of lemongrass... should make the stew a bit more tasty.” he said quietly.

Gyrfalcon hummed to himself as he leaned back in a comfortably padded chair, flipping a page quietly as he read one of the latest books to be delivered to the grand library of the Pen. His humming ceased as words exploded into his mind with unexpected force. “Urgent message to all pennites!!! *sshsshsh* stranded on an unknown plane *sshshss* Help us!! *sshsshsss* beware of trolls and other *sssshshsh* We- *ZAP* I can’t hold them off much longer, Sweetcherrie!! The Alliance of Vagabonds and Vanguards needs your help! *sshssshssh* Almost done here, Gryphon! Aaaaarggg…..Spiders!!! I hate Spiders, get us out of here!! *Shsshsshshsshshsh……*” He clutched his head as mental static rushed through it, then blinked his eyes open as even that static cut off, leaving his mind once again his own. The half-elf’s eyes narrowed is he stood, letting the book fall to the floor unheeded as he quickly strode out of his library and across the suite of rooms, throwing open the opposite doors to stride into his armory. Only minutes later, he strode back out, clad in studded leather armor and with his cloak swirling in his wake to reveal the hilt of his katana at his waist on the right-hand side, a quiver on the opposite hip and the shaft of his longbow rising over his shoulder. He looked around the room once and then nodded before racing out, thundering down the stairs at breakneck speed, leaping entire flights of stairs as he sped down and out of the tower. Reaching the ground floor, Gyrfalcon burst through the portal opening out onto the common grounds, legs stretching out into a sprint as he started towards the gate leading deeper into the Pen and towards the Alliance of Vagabonds and Vanguards. He stopped though as he heard something thump to the ground heavily behind him. Gyrfalcon turned and blinked at the fox morph who rose from a crouch, flexing his hands and starting towards Gyrfalcon with a determined expression on his face. “Come on, you don’t think I’d leave Sweet and Gryphon in trouble, do you?” Daryl said to the half-elf’s startled gaze. Gyrfalcon shook his head mutely and looked up... and up... finally finding the only window Daryl could have come out of, at least three stories up. Daryl met the half-elf’s incredulous expression with a shrug. “Faster then the stairs.” he said, brushing past Gyrfalcon before turning at the gate. “What are you waiting for? Come on!” Gyrfalcon chuckled to himself as he ran after Daryl, following his friend’s russet tail as Daryl darted into the central keep and ran through the many corridors. Daryl darted around a corner that would take them to the stairs leading down to the lower levels and Gyrfalcon followed after. Suddenly, there was a distinct clang ahead before Daryl bouncing back into view, lying on the ground and rubbing his forehead. “Ow, watch where you’re going!” he complained illogically. Gyrfalcon slowed and peeked around the corner to see a giant armored dominion chuckle and extend a hand to help up Daryl. “Are you alright? And who... or what... are you?” Daryl agilely jumped back to his feet and grinned, shaking the dominion’s hand with his own. “Hi, I’m Daryl and I’m a werefox, and you’re an impressive wall!” Knight chuckled again, and then caught sight of Gyrfalcon. “Gyr! Good to see you, I assume that you’re coming to see what’s going on with the AVV?” Gyrfalcon nodded in acknowledgement and looked between the two. “Daryl, Knight. Knight, Daryl. I’d like to talk more, but right now, let’s go see to our wayward Pennites.” The ranger slipped between Daryl and Knight and led the way towards the stairs leading down to the Alliance of Vagabonds and Vanguards, with the werefox grinning before following right behind him.

Congratulations, Katzaniel!

And now to open this roll call... "The dust-streaked knight worked his way up the hillside, cursing the day he had accepted this dragon-slaying gig. At the time, he thought it'd be all about charging the beast on his charger and slaying it with a lance. Noone had told him that dragons tended to choose lairs that were hard for people without wings to get into. Now, finally, he had reached the dragon's lair, when he looked up to see..."