PAXOKU, TOKUNO - December 21, 2006

PaxOku adventurers sought out and found a rare fire beetle for the Winter Solstice Ceremony at the PaxOku Gardens and Shrine.  The fire beetle was led to the Shrine where it was set free to join her brother, the Sun, to bring more warmth to the Realm.  This is the first of a regular, annual ceremony celebrating the Winter Solstice.

The adventurers were Kethus Ellendale, NANOC, Braden Mason, Monk, Winmere, Winfield, Justin Credible, and Ashlynn.  They dared to enter the Yomotsu Mines on Homare-jima, Tokuno fending off Yomotsu Warriors and worse.  Deep in the mine, they tamed a fire beetle then quickly returned.

They passed through knee-deep snow to and from the mine, making their travel slow and wearisome.  Even the horses had difficulty making way at times.  More snow had fallen overnight and everyone felt a sense of urgency to conduct the ceremony before all of the lands became frozen solid.

Once at the Gardens, the fire beetle was led to the Shrine where words were spoken: "We bring you here noble child of fire and release you to join your brother in the sky.  May your warmth shine down upon us all and breath new life in the coming year."

THE PORT OF PAXLAIR, FELUCCA - December 22, 2006

Construction workers brought ships loaded with materials to an outcropping area west of PaxLair City today. The foreman instructed the workers to start laying planks on the land to make a hardened area for heavy loads of goods.  PaxLair is attempting to stay ahead of the imminent trade rush expected during PaxLair's upcoming Age of Enlightenment.

The Port of PaxLair, just west of PaxLair City Felucca, is destined to be one of the heaviest trading ports in the Realm.  Merchant vessel guilds were already preparing contracts to move goods between the PaxLair cities and the Britannian cities.  Some are also working on a trade route to possibly extend to Guardians Gate.

Port of PaxLair has already proven to be a dangerous place with many winter reapers and other perils.  The port is sometimes defended by the reapers, and at other times by the wandering healers.  Workers stopped their construction momentarily when they heard breaking wood just beyond the water barrels that mark the port's land entrance.  They then saw a flurry of magic to the southeast.  Out of the smoke came a single wandering healer brushing dust and wood chips off his robe.

Construction is expected to continue for at least another month before a ribbon-cutting ceremony opens the port for business. 

See the Zoomified Maps of the port here: 1024x768 or 1280 x 1024

SILENT ROSE LIBRARY, 3000 MONKS CROSSING, PAXOKU, PAXLAIR, CHESAPEAKE - December 23, 2006

Many people gathered at the Silent Rose Library in PaxOku on the evening of December 23, 2006 for a Christmas Story Telling Contest!  Five stories were told with donated 5M gold winnings going to help new people get started in UO Chesapeake over the holidays.  After the contest, Sunta Clompz, an orcish Santa, taught everyone an Orkmaz song and then handed out gifts to all the singers.

As usual, the evening event was met with enthusiasm and everyone had a great time.  Those in attendance were: Ashlynn, Angel Storm, Tatania Karthina, Winfield, Sunta Clompz, Winmere, Zelda of Zed, Phoenix, Lord Future Guy, Elrohir Helyanwe, NANOC, Salty Jim Faber, and SoxnStuff.

Five stories or poems were told by: Sunta Clompz, Ashlynn, Winmere, Winfield and Angel Storm.  All of the stories were so wonderful that it was impossible to choose a single winner.  So all five story tellers were declared winners.  5M gold for all prizes was retained at the contestants' requests to be used to help new people entering the Realm.  Most of these stories will be placed in books at the Silent Rose Library.

After the stories, everyone moved outside for a special event planned by Sunta Clompz.  Sunta taught everyone an Orkmaz song.  The song was sung in rounds with everyone participating.  Here's this wonderful song for everyone to enjoy! This is the twelth round. Sing the song to the music of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

We wish Everyone a very Merry Christmas

'Tis the Season for Joy and Celebration

DRAGONS WATCH, FELUCCA - December 27, 2006

Viceroy NANOC of Dragons Watch has declared their "hang out" location to be the Dragons Watch Tavern located at: 129-01N 121-25E on Felucca.

This is a place where Dragons Watch citizens and visitors may come any time of the day or night and meet others.  People are encouraged to visit the "Hang Out" location when they are looking for something to do, reading the ethereal skyboards and pages, or just resting.

PAXOKU, TOKUNO - December 27, 2006

Viceroy Tatania of PaxOku has declared their "hang out" location to be the Dueling Arena and Hunting Hall located at: 91-21N 67-30W on Homare-jima, Tokuno.

This is a place where PaxOku citizens and visitors may come any time of the day or night and meet others.  People are encouraged to visit the "Hang Out" location when they are looking for something to do, reading the ethereal skyboards and pages, or just resting.

Notice:  The use the arrows to move forward and in reverse through the Pictorial. Captions are provided below each image.