PaxLair Celebrates 7 Years!
New Mayor Appointed, Events and Celebration All in One Night

PAXLAIR - Wednesday night the City of PaxLair held a celebration commemorating the end of its Seventh year on the Felucca Moon of Chesapeake!

The festival was attended by over sixty people some who participated in the tournament, net toss, tours, listened to speeches and were on hand to witness Mayor Minsk announce her retirement and appoint Lord Winfield as mayor once again!

The events began at 8:00pm EST on Wednesday the 26th of January, exactly 7 years and one week since the first building had been placed in PaxLair (19th Jan. 1998).  Event hosts John Duke and Winmere passed out food at the PaxLair Malas Orc Fort Outpost and welcomed guests from noteworthy guilds such as *V*, GOC and dozens of others from around Chesapeake.

The party moved upward to the Auditorium floor at 8:30pm and the introductory speeches were made by Mayor Minsk, followed by addresses spoken by former mayor's Don Martin and Winfield...

At 9:00pm tournament signups were held, and the group split into two halves: some went to tour the Tokuno Outpost and others braved the Feluccan Seas for a net toss.  At 10:00pm a tournament was held in PaxLair Felucca by Blue Collar of the [CFC] where Ga'kuct and Apple Jacks battled it out for first place, the latter ultimately winning!

The last event took place after the tournament at the Order Tower where Mayor Minsk Cimber-Dawn announced her retirement, and appointed Winfield as mayor once again!

Introductory Speeches at the Malas Outpost

Mayor Minsk gave the Introductory speech at the Malas Outpost in front of a large crowd, here is the text of that speech:

PaxLair is a place not made of wood nor stone but a place that lives in everyone's heart.  No person or group can ever destroy the true ideal of PaxLair once you place it in your heart.  Though many have tried over & over again, we are all living proof that PaxLair is not dead nor will it ever be.  As long as it lives in one person's heart then it exists, PaxLair will ne'er die.  *looks at all the faces*

This dream came to life 7 years ago through a guild called "The Band".  Many have left this world but their and our dream still lives today and will continue to live.  They have passed the dream down to willing hands and we have kept it safe and enriched it.  They would be proud of us for what we have achieved from their humble beginings.  PaxLair started in the minds of those citizens and from there grew.  We have only continued the dream.

*pauses*

I reflected back when I became Mayor and am very amazed on how far we have gone with the dream.  PaxLair started in Felucca but look how it has grown.  I did not even think we were going to go this far.  It brings great happiness to my citizens and myself seeing this and there is still more greatness to come, just watch and see.

Always remember "I have a dream", and this dream is your dream & my dream.  From my willing hands, I give my dream to you.

Thank You.

Mayor Minsk then handed the attention of the crowd over to Former Mayor Don Martin who gave this address:

Don Martin Speaks of Sir Emmeril Cimber [PxK]

Good evening my friends and thank you Madam Mayor for allowing me to join you today.  *remembers a brave little girl whose father was a Hero of the PaxLair Knights*   I just logged into PaxLair today, and boy, are my fingers tied.  But seriously folks..  *is laughing hysterically deep in his chest without showing it.no really I am*  Good people of PaxLair.  It is good to be back among you.  And look, no Archers protecting the building.  *grins as he remembers the old times*  Happy 7th Anniversary to one and all.  7 years come and gone. Who'd have thunk weed all still be here.  I do have a life, really.  *tries to look convincing with facial expressions and hand motions*

I can still remember the first day I came. It was the first time I ever saw Old Man Winfield.  I couldnt tell you what we were there to celebrate, but I can tell you that it was the grandest thing I had yet seen in the short time I had been in the realm.  I came to PaxLair from Minoc, by way of Skara Brae. A long story that I will save for another day.  I was a green recruit in the once mighty Veiled Alliance.  There must have been 30 or 40 people there paying their respects Mayor Winfield.  It took 30 minutes for me to get the courage to speak to him.  I dont remember what I said, but at the time it sounded cool.  When I look back I am still taken back by the respect that the top man would show to a newbie.  *Salutes Old Man Winfield*

But this simple old man that is so nice to you has always been so.  He was just this kind and caring when he held the ears and the hearts of the Gods.  PaxLair has always been a wonderful place to be because of her citizens.  I got to know a lot of adventurers when I bartended at The PaxLair Survival Shop.  Those were the days of high adventure; I even befriended a vampire or two.  But we will have plenty of time later for the wild stories of an old man and his search for Truth.

For now let us celebrate the prosperity and the expansion of PaxLair.    *pours some of the crystal blue, bubbly elixir into a goblet and holds it up high*  Ahh, how I love PaxLair KoolAde.  What's that you say?  What's PaxLair KoolAde?  Well it's Orcish Ale.  Brewed for Courageous Spring.  It will set your head on fire and make your kidneys scream.  Ah, it sure is good.....

Let us pour a little on the ground for our fallen heroes.  *Pours a little out and watches the smoke as it eats into the floor, then raises the goblet up high*

*dodges the pieces of toast thrown but Winmere, Neo and Eli*

To absent friends and to PaxLair.  And remember, we are only a year old in dog years.  *trys to look sincere* 

Good night and a pleasant tomorrow.

And finally, Mayor Minsk called Former Mayor Winfield up to say a few words:

Hail my friends, I found my 7 scrolls of speech material, but all is erased & signed John Duke!  Anyway....

I was a mayor way back when... and now just a fisherman... er also...  the Chancellor of PaxLair locations in Felucca.  These locations include PaxLair City and Dragons Watch.  Hopefully you can see both tonight, 9PM at Dragons Watch and 10PM at PaxLair City.  Each year we have these anniversaries to remind us of the past, meet old friends, and also look to the future.

You know, my friends, this Realm is a strange place.  It has its ups and downs. Some things change, other things don't.  I still can't seem to sell my fish steaks on my table at the West Britain bank.  People still steal my fish, laugh at me, and then chop up my table.  Some things never change.  But what does change is what we can do around here.  Look around and see the wonderful buildings and people working hard.  See the adventures people go on. My goodness, I personally would not dare go and fight a Paragon unless it was interested in talking to a GM talker!  And, I haven't found any Paragons willing to talk to me.  All I seem to be able to say to them is "Oooo OoO OooOoO". Oh well.

Still, all these things are fascinating and there's much to do.  And the community of friends keeps growing.  You are the Community of Friends, here and now.  I hope you enjoy this 7th Anniversary. PaxLair has not stood still and neither have you.  There is much to see and Mayor Minsk and all the rest have done a lot to prepare things.  Be safe when going to Felucca of course. Safety in numbers is always a good rule.

Thanks everyone, and have a great Anniversary Celebration!  Dragonspeed to you all!

Tokuno Outpost Tour Led by Lady Winmere
Written by Lady Winmere

Starre Jumps

Net Toss in Dragons Watch Hosted by SNOOPY

SNOOPY of ATD hosted the 7th Anniversary Net Toss off the coast of Dragons Watch at the same time as the Tokuno Tour for those brave enough to go to Felucca.

The waters were fierce and with no pirates in sight, a square of boats was formed and the nets were tossed into the sea.  Xotche of Meade from Gyldenfeld even brought along a fabled fishing net, and many died to the Leviathan.

Each boat had four nets total, and all were used up in no time at all!

After the net toss ended, the PaxLair Tournament was scheduled to begin at the North Tower Arena in PaxLair, Felucca.

PaxLair Tournament: Apple Jacks [!C!] is Champion

As the evening drew near an end, Blue Collar of the Chesapeake Fight Club refereed a quick 8 fighter tournament based on a point system to win each match.  Here are the results of the tournament which Apple Jacks of ATD and !C! won in the end.

Round	Competitors	Winner	Image
1st Round	Apple Jacks -vs- Moriens	Apple Jacks
2nd Round	Cross MacLeod -vs- Exedore	Exedore
3rd Round	crimson -vs- Ga'kuct	Ga'kuct
4th Round	Sheila -vs- Starre Fyre	Starre Fyre
1st Semifinal	Apple Jacks -vs- Exedore	Apple Jacks
2nd Semifinal	Starre Fyre -vs- Ga'kuct	Ga'kuct
Consolation Match	Starre Fyre -vs- Exedore	Exedore
Championship Match	Ga'kuct -vs- Apple Jacks	Apple Jacks

And the final results and prizes were:

1. Apple Jacks [!C!] - pixie swatter
   
2. Ga'kuct [Orc]  - polar bear mask
   
3. Exedore [BDC]
4. Starre Fyre [GOC]

Closing Ceremony & Mayoral Retirement

As the evening came to an end, one last stop was made at the PaxLair Felucca Order Tower, the very building which had been placed in PaxLair exactly seven years and one week ago.  Mayor Minsk gave the closing speech and thanked everyone for making PaxLair great during these last seven years.

Then she hit the crowd with a shocker, Mayor Minsk announced that she would be retiring as Mayor of PaxLair.  And even more shocking, Minsk appointed former Mayor Winfield as the New Mayor!!!  It was a true changing of Royal power, and Monk, Lord of the Knights was asked formally to become the protector of Winfield.

The Old Man accepted the appointment, hid, changed clothes then reappeared in a shining suit of valorite platemail, compete with a red sash and the staff, Goldenrod, in hand.  He then spoke:

Mayor you do me great honor.  I want to first thank you for the honor and the privilege to serve once again as the Mayor of PaxLair.  You served superbly as Mayor through the toughest times.  You led through the transitions to Trammel and through the various invasions on PaxLair City.   You also led wisely to have Dragons Watch become part of the larger PaxLair.  For all this, I am personally grateful!

For seven years now PaxLair has existed as a town, later a city, and now more of a community of two towns and several outposts.  Great change has occured since seven years ago, since the days of Dread and Great Lords.  Since the days of constantly re-furnishing of our buildings.  Since the days of having to sell things over a counter with no vendor servants.  Since the days of gods, seers, and counselors.  Since the days of epic quests on Felucca with the darker guilds.  Since the days of massive campaigns against evil, like that led by Exedore against Juo'nar.  Many days are gone, but new days are upon us.

PaxLair changes with changes in the Realm; it adapts and moves forward.  Moving into the eighth year of PaxLair, I sense a growing community not just in PaxLair but throughout the Shard and Realm.  Old spirits are rekindled and I see old friends awakened to these new times.  I see new friends with goals and achievements that give our Realm hope.  I see PaxLair is still a crossroad for many people of many interests.  I see PaxLair continuing to meet and know a wide variety of guilds and towns.

I am old, as most of you know, and I look back on history as one potential guide for the future. But our real guide is people like you, you people who care enough to take on a role in this community whether it be for dark or light purposes, for adventure or quest, for helping others or attacking others ... all with a common understanding of respect.

As the Mayor of PaxLair, I pledge to serve you in all ways that I can.  I pledge to lead PaxLair with all the fervor of my soul and spirit.  I pledge to be honest, fair, and open to all.

PaxLair is more than a place, it is people... and those people are more than citizens.  PaxLair is more of a concept of people working together for a variety of goals.  That is my concept for this coming year.  And as always, the one philosophy in all this is the sense of Respect of one another.   In all situations, Respect can lead us further than we have ever gone before.

In closing, I serve all of you. I am committed to do the best I can.  Mayor Minsk has a legacy that will be hard for me to live up to, but I will try.

Therefore, PaxLair and Friends of PaxLair, Dragonspeed to you all into the next year!!

Winfield was then congratulated by many friends, Mayor Minsk was given hugs and gentle words from all of the citizens, all while a massive fireworks display erupted from the tower roof!

Thank you to everyone who attended this great festival, and to everyone who has participated in, or has even visited or learned about PaxLair in any way during the last seven years!  Cheers to another seven, or seven of those!!

PaxLair 7th Anniversary Guestlist:

God, Magni, Lissa, SNOOPY, Crom, Sweet Dreams, Blue Collar, Casera Lee, Marcela Mariutza, Exedore, John Duke, Eli, Monk, Tari Val'istar, Talia, Klug Da Stu Makr, Katriona, Ravenlord, Aelfwyn, Don Martin, Winmere, Minsk, Winfield, Benito, Neo Of Lothlore, Xotche OfMeade, Cross Macleod, Moriens, Gwydion, Linda, Draven, Wizard of Id, kimmy, Jennings, Kara, Kahlan, Aragorn, Sheila, PurPLE TurTLE, Buddy, Devin, Ga'kuct, kane, Starre Fyre, Arig'lak, Eltian Therol, Scruffy Rumbelly, Apple Jacks, Miranda, Demoth Sarrkhan, Grimlar Mithrax, King Id, John McBain, crimson, and a few average Feluccan PKs...

Written by Neo Of Lothlore, Chancellor & Scribe of PaxLair, Tokuno Outpost Article Written by Winmere