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by Charisena, Queen of the Bhagwalli Most glorious Lemming, you speak the truth, a truth that has been hiddens for many centuries, but has again been brought to light. The Annals of Amazonian history report the following. We have no proof of its validity, but we humbly believe the following to be true... "In the days of Medieval times, three score past the reign of Pelikoor in the land of Travinok, lived a great wizard and leader in the Wizard Kingdom of Aguinara. There was an evil king by the name of Kalineshazar, who was jealous of the love the people had for that great wizard, known simply as Naj. One day he made a simple request of Naj - to go to the dungeons of Tristram and bring back the head of Blood Lust. Naj had made this route dozens of times and saw little danger. What he did NOT know was that the dungeon had shifted in dimensions to a Hellish realm, via an unholy pact between Diablo and Kalineshazar, and that the mana potions he had bought for the trip were in fact colored water, not life-sustaining mana potions. Naj was met at the base of the stairs to the level of Blood Lust with a volley of yellow blood stars that would have utterly melted the heart (and the body!) of any lesser man! Purely by instinct he teleported away before a dozen slammed in into his body. He let loose streams of Chained Lightning, but... to no avail!! They were, IMMUNE! Never in the history of time had such a nightmare been envisioned, much less seen. Naj was unphased and quaffed the blue nectar - only to find out it was blue water. Soon his powers waned and he had to dodge and weave, without even the power of a teleport left. He was far from the stairs now, and he could see literally a hundred burners of souls with evil in their hearts and wickedness on their lips. Naj knew for sure... this would be the day he would die. As he turned around a corner into a room he hoped might bring safety, the vile Blood Lust was there to great him. Naj grabbed the mighty rod of his friend and oft-companion Onan, and desperately sought to bring her end. This kept her occupied, but her rock-shattering blood stars made it clear no golem would win the day against her. Just then, a pack of eight Soul Burners turned the corner, cackled with evil laughter, and raised their arms to send the death volley of stars - for Naj was cornered, with his mana shield gone. ... Onan, great Ostrogoth Champion, was concerned. [This very news may surpise modern Goths, but our records indicate he was the first known Gothic Champion.] The mission on which Naj was sent made no sense, and Kalineshazar was far too happy to make the request. He would travel to Tristram and learn what he could. While a good distance yet away, he passed a hamster fleeing from Tristram. He asked the golden one why the frantic pace, to which the reply "Wheeeeeecht!!" which could only be taken as "A great and vile evil has taken over the dungeon of Tristram! The inhabitants are no less than tenfold stronger, and their are rumors that magiks have lost their power! Run!!" Onan touched the young hamster, and told him that if his Gothic nation could assist his people - so it would be. [This is rumored to have led to one actually taking the Gothic training and forming and alliance!] The hamster, calmed by these words, was able to point out a band of Amazons in a Rogue Encampment nearby. Onan immediately made his way to the camp. ... "Boastful male!! How dare you come here to our camp? Will you threaten us, or make words with your mouth you cannot back up with your sword?!" said the leader of the camp. "My good lady - I come not to fight or to quarrel, but to beg! There is great evil in Tristram this day, and if I do not get help from a worthy group of _fast_ adventurers, this day will die the greatest Wizard who ever lived!" "Pah! Who would mourn the loss of a wizard?!" Onan strode up, tall and proud, looked here square in her eyes and said "I would. As would any decent human being. But if you are too scared to..." Meloura the leader bristled at the words and her hands flew to the hilt of her sword. Just as fast did fly the hands of Onan, but not for his sword, but for her wrist. It was not a painful action, and there was no fear or anger on his face. And yet it was clear that no force on the earth would break its grip or draw that weapon. Meloura was both shocked and... aroused. "Amazons!! Grab your bows! We make haste for Tristram!" ... Three. Only three of the bloodstars wracked the body of Naj - the other five he somehow managed to dogdge. And yet... if three could do that kind of damage, the next volley would finish him. Again the burners gloated and cackled, and raised their hands. Death was imminent. What was that noise, wondered Naj... Eight pairs of hands were raised, and eight soul burners fell dead to the ground - each with a tight cluster of arrows in their back. The Amazan Annals record their names: Meloura, Allisandra, Ellymanya, Gaileoustra, Carissa, Erim Diana, Thunder Dance, and Latira. No sooner had the eight burners died than a large canteen was midair, thrown from Carissa to Naj. This sealed her doom, but would save the great Wizard. In the confusion Blood Lust slipped away, and now the other 92 Soul Burners were on the way. Such pain had never been inflicted on Amazon bodies before, nor had these particular haught Burners known such pain and fury from arrows. Naj turned many into statues and beat them with the Rod of Onan, but it took innumerable hits to kill even one. The tide was again starting to reverse. Five of the brave Amazons were down - only Meloura, Carissa and Latira were left. They were facing still two or three dozen soulies, and Blood Lust had returned. Her pride was her downfall that die - she made the mistake of going for Naj. A thirst-quenched, full-strength Naj. He put on a special cap he had made, just 'in case' things went bad this trip. And he summoned forth a fireball that would melt the very core of the earth. Its heat and power almost stunned the Amazons as well, and Lust was utterly immolated and consumed. Latira's bowstring snapped, and the valiant lady took up her Battle Axe and charged the burners - it would be her last charge. Carissa had by then taken up the shield. With her canteen of blue missing, she could take no more damage, and she tried to shield for the small party, blocking scores of bloodstars. The remaining soulies, in a fit of inspiration, all cast bloodstars... simultaneously. Carissa's heart sank - she could dodge, and likely see her comrades die, or she could hold her ground... and die. ... A mighty warcry leapt from the lips of Naj, and he did squeeze the mighty Rod with dire urgency. Blood appeared, oozing from his fingertips. A groan filled the chamber and a mound of rock and clay arose directly in front of Carissa of the Bhagawalli, and the volley of death slammed into it. She expected it to shatter instantly and be killed by the residue, and yet the blood golem sustained more damage than she thought possible. The only problem was that Naj himself was taking, vicariously, the damage of nearly a thousand life points. As the last star was absorbed, both the golem and the wizard collapsed to the ground. Now it was 22 on 2. Odds the two Amazons were used to facing, and winning, but not in a dungeon as hellish as this. ... Wheeeeecht!!!! A half dozen of the largest golden animals you have ever witness leapt out of the stair well and onto the necks of the nearest soulburners. Their powerful teeth sank into the vile flesh and did not let go until on or the other was dead. Just a few seconds behind did appear a man - no longer dressed as a diplomat, but as a battle champion! His Obsidian Gothic Plate bore a Lion's crest, and his shiled was of the purest emerald. Onan's blade was deadly and true, and in and instant he was teleporting and disemboweling the burners. None know how, for it has not been repeated in the days since, but an mighty yellow aura surrounded the feet of the comrades of Onan - they felt renewed and as mighty as the sun. The remaining soulies were cut to ribbons, pincushioned, and clawed to death. In the end there was Onan, Meloura, Carissa, a collapsed but living Naj, and five golden ones. Hamalder was slain. The only room left was that of Lazarus. The fool had left himself in a room with but one escape - it was truly a massacre. Red Vex was placed upon the altar, and carefully cut - her blood dripped down and burned the ground. Yet its vile stench did reach the nostrils of Naj, and he awoke. With tears in his eyes, he thanked his new friends, and grabbed the staff of Lazarus - "Let us away!" ... Although the treachery was evident, the evil king Kalineshazar had the loyalty of the army. Naj and Onan, the Amazonian tribes of the wilderness, and the proud animals therein, joined forces to overthrow him. Naj of Aguinara, the beloved, was named leader. At a ceremony he spoke the following words: "This day has the nation of Aguinara been saved by an unexpected ally - the Amazons. We are grateful to them, and shall teach a band of their choosing, our arts. These spellbinders will know the ways of the magi - and one day, will surpass us, when in the east the power of cold is harnessed. We shall forge them Regal gifts and imbue them with great magiks. Today also, this nation shall be known as a Gothic nation! My friend and hero Onan has extended and invitation to teach us their ways and formally welcome our alliance. Brave ones taking this challenge shall be sought tomorrow, and they shall be called Gothmogs! Commanders of Might and Magic! Behold the staff I have taken from Lazarus - it has been imbued with my own life force, and though it shall be a Puzzler to many, with no offensive powers, one day may it save the life of its wielder. Behold also the shield worn by Carissa - it has been imbued by the Goth Nation of Onan with powers most marvelous, defensive heft unequalled, and the Goth Heraldic symbols. I have stamped by own personal royal plate with its image, that we may remember the bonds formed this day - between the Wizards of Aguinara, the Goths of Onan, the Amazons of the Black Marsh, and the brave warriors that frolic and live in the fields outside of Tristram. Hazaa!" Thus ends the tale recorded in the ancient Amazon Annals. Few know this story, but may those who hear today learn from this story, and may they learn... to trust!! For these annals represent our past, but soon, fellow Amazons and friends, we shall meet our future and destiny, for I can sense in my spirit, impending doom and utter desolation. We must adapt, learn new ways, and not forget the old, if we are to survive in the times ahead. Prepare, my friends, for a journey across the desert... to the East... The Swan Song of... ChariSena(AMZ) |