Derek/Kelderek's Vigil: Tonight we gathered for Derek's vigil as a Knight Candidate. Many excellent questions were posed both by the attendees and by the Candidate, and in the end, he was found most worthy of elevation to the Order of Chivalry. His elevation ceremony is slated on July 11th (Sunday) at 11pm CDT, 9pm PDT on ICQ. We encourage you all to attend and show your support. Well done, Derek!!Hothgar Initiated: Word has reached me from Sir Drone that Hothgar is our newest Initiate Defender on EverQuest. The roster has been updated. Welcome and well met, Hothgar!
Vector becomes an Adept: Tonight following Derek's vigil, we adjourned to the Tower on Great Lakes and there bore witness to the oath of Vector as he became an Adept Defender of the Holy Cross. Excellent job, Vector, and welcome to the ranks! The roster has been updated with the change.
Knight's Council for this Sunday cancelled: With the holiday weekend, this Sunday's Knight's Council has been cancelled. Since Derek's elevation is on the slate for the following Sunday, we'll just pick up again on the meetings on the third Sunday at Midnight CDT, on ICQ (that's July 18th). If you cannot attend, send any words you wish to share to me.
June 23, 1999
About Kelderek's Vigil: Seems we had the wrong Tuesday. He just sent word that his vigil is June 29th, at midnight, on ICQ. That's next week. I hope many of you will make it. It should be fun and informative. Please contact me with any questions.Daedin, (slightly confused) Herald of the Cross
June 20, 1999 Happy Dad's Day!
Logo Modification/Introduction Addition: I thought it was time to update the logo to reflect our growth. Don't worry, if you hate it, I have the old logo saved :) Also, I thought it would be helpful and informative for visitors to see a brief statement on what the Defenders are all about. *Please* comment to me on this change and addition.News from Knight's Council: Thanks to all who attended. We had an excellent turnout and a great chance to chat with each other! We are delighted to announce that tonight in the Council we witnessed the exchange of the oaths of Knight and Squire between Sir Elbryan and Methios. Congratulations to both parties!! Here are several other things that we discussed: Derek/Kelderek will be holding his Knight's Candidate vigil on ICQ on Tuesday of this week at midnight CDT (That's tuesday night/wednesday morning). This is his question and answer session, so I highly encourage people (especially newer members) to attend, as these vigils are a wonderful place to learn and experience what being a Knight Defender is all about. Lord Athelstan announced the Initiation of Bane on Great Lakes (roster has been updated). Welcome and congratulations, Bane! Adept Klimek has plans to set up a third Guildstone for Order wars on Great Lakes. Lord Athelstan continued with news from Great Lakes that PvP training is imminent. Details with dates and times are forthcoming. Members are encouraged to get alternate characters on the second stone for training and battles (see Lord Athelstan). Attendance at fight nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays is good, but of course all Great Lakes Defenders are encouraged to join these outings. Sonoma continues to be quiet, but weekly outings on Wednesdays are happening consistently, with excellent results. Cash flow has improved, so resources are more available to assist those who have newer characters there (contact Daedin, preceptress of Sonoma). We talked about prefacing messages on the board for those topics specific to EQ and UO by putting those initials in the subject lines when you post. Daedin reminded the Council that all changes in ranks and initiations should be relayed to her via ICQ so she can keep the roster updated. If you have recently joined us or have had a change in rank and your listing is missing or outdated, contact her via ICQ immediately, and she'll get you corrected. Remember that all members are required to have ICQ (there is a download link in the links section of the menu).
Respectfully Submitted -- Sir Daedin MacAoidh, Herald of the Cross (Web Chick)
Sir Zedd plays with an HCD chat room:
Sir Zedd and I fooled around with a java chat/IRC thing tonight (don't ask, I'm the technopeasant, remember?), with hopes that we can get a more stable chat room for meetings and such. We'll keep you posted on how that develops. *Looks pretty cool so far!!*
June 18, 1999
Knight's Council Sunday, Midnight CDT ICQ!
Sorry for the late reminder. This Sunday on ICQ, Midnight CDT. Please contact me if you have business and are unable to attend.Daedin--Herald of the Cross
June 14, 1999
Congratulations Squire Ulric!
I am delighted to post that Sir Drone has taken Ulric as his Squire on Veeshan! Another joyous milestone, as we welcome our first EverQuest Squire! Well done to both Squire and Knight! The roster has been updated.Daedin--Herald of the Cross and Web Chick :)
May 30, 1999
News from Veeshan:
EverQuest players are now holding regular fight nights on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm Central time. Contact Sir Delapour for details.Giffin (Marcos the Black) becomes an Adept Defender!:
News just in that our long-standing Giffin (Marcos the Black) has been sworn in as an Adept Defender! Hooray! This is our first Adept of the Teutonic Knights branch of the Holy Cross Defenders (Everquest), and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy (even if he did make a sexist crack at yours truly..shame on you, lad!). Roster is updated.More EverQuest Initiations:
Sir Delapour has informed me that Corbin has been Initiated in EverQuest. Welcome to the Holy Cross Defenders, Teutonic Knights Branch and congratulations! The roster has been updated, but I'm still waiting to get ICQ numbers from our new initiates...Daedin, Herald of the Cross (Web Chick, and considered "Sexy" by Giffin...heh)
May 28, 1999
Dragon Slayer becomes an Adept Defender!
Word from His Grace that Dragon Slayer was elevated to Guild Adept last night after fight night. Congratulations Dragon Slayer! Your listing on the roster has been updated! Good job!!Teutonic Knights make EverQuest Initiates!
Word from Sir Marco about the following Initiations for the Teutonic Knights of EverQuest: Welcome to Ulric, Guardian, Renror and Leviticus! I've tried to put more information on the roster for EverQuest players, but I am still sketchy on your names there. Also, TN Initiates should send me their ICQ numbers asap for the roster as well. Good job lads, and welcome to the Guild!
May 26, 1999
Letter from Sir Thumperspawn!:Hail Fellow Brothers,
Just wanted to drop a note letting everyone know that we had our largest attendance of Guildmembers on EverQuest last night (Sun). In attendance were: Myself (Shadespawn), Marcoval, Giffin (Marco the black), Zerobabbel (Sir Drone), Ulric (New recruit), Kelderek, Runnoner and another (my apologies for I was too battle weary to remember). Our guild had more members fighting together than any others I have seen and with the restrictions on Guilds in EQ I am confident that We will be leaders in the community as always.
I am heartened to see so many brothers adventuring together finally. And with the chat interface built into EQ we can speak to all guildmembers anytime or broadcast to just party members so it makes it alot more fun to chat across many zones and alot more heart wrenching to hear a brother fighting for his life and knowing there is nothing you can do to prevent it.
As I still hold Sosaria dear to my breast, Alas I call my new home Norrath. I fear that my days in Sosaria are over as I love this Land of Norrath more and more. It is truly an inspiring sight to limp battered and broken to the entrance of
Kaladim the dwarven city with Lightning flashing everywhere and knowing you have reached safety once again.Good travels and Good Hunting Brothers. I look forward to seeing you In Norrath...
In service of the Cross,
ShadeSpawn (Sir Thumperspawn) HCD GL, Teutonic Knights Veeshan
May 23, 1999
More Early Morning Tinkering:
Well Dingo (Mark), you certainly opened up a can of worms with all your great suggestions! My thanks again! Everyone, please have a look at the "For New Members" section, as I've added a bunch of stuff there, including stuff on the Guild Households. I will be bugging His Grace, Sir Elbryan, and Sir Marco for brief bios of their Houses to add to that section in the near future, and I'll let you know when I've posted that. Meanwhile, browse around the pages here and let me know what you think.Daedin, Your Busy Little Web Chick
May 22, 1999
News from the Sonoma Alliance:
The Sonoma Alliance War Council has just completed it's second Boot Camp guest lecture. The recountings of these lectures, geared towards player-versus-player combat, are informative and full of handy tips to survive and prevail in the pvp arena of UO. Please take a look at these articles, and stop by this page frequently to read more of these articles as they are posted. The URL link is posted in the links section. Please contact Sir Daedin for more details.Your Servant, Daedin, Web Chick
May 21, 1999
More Tinkering with the page...
Still looking for input. Apparently, Anakin reports that the roster looks screwy at high resolution in IE5, just another reason why certain Web Chicks think IE is satanic... Solutions? Suggestions? Please send em!Daedin
May 20, 1999
News from the Guild Wide Meeting:
Thank you to all who attended and tried to attend. Those gathered tonight bore witness to the elevation of Marco Valentino to the Order of Chivalry of the Holy Cross. Sir Marco was further granted permission to establish House Valentino in Everquest to further the glory of the Holy Cross! Thank you for your long service and contribution, and congratulations on your well-deserved elevation Baron Sir Marco! Gle' Mhath!!His Grace reminded everyone to read the message board and the news page here frequently for news and meeting times and such.
Respectfully submitted, Sir Daedin, Herald of the Cross (Web Chick)
Early Morning Web Page Revamp:
You may notice a couple changes in the web page, with more changes on the way. I hope you like them. My thanks to Dingo/Mark for the inspiration. He has threatened to make up a cool looking menu page, til then, feel free to make suggestions about things you would like to see.Daedin, your devoted Web Chick
May 18, 1999
Dont Forget! Guild Wide Meeting on Thurs, HCD Shard, 9pm CDT!!News from EverQuest from Sir Delapour:
Ok. Now that we have Guild approval, we need to get everyone added to the Guild and plot out what we are going to do about getting the Guild playing together, and a strategy to expand the Guild in EQ. And I want feed back from members playing EQ. So I am going to hold a meeting Sunday May 30, at 9 PM CDT. And the location will be on the Veeshan server. Temple of Marr bottom floor. In North Free Port.Sir Delapour
May 16/17, 1999
Late Night/Early Morning Update:
This reminder from tonight's Knight's Council...please make plans to attend the Guild Wide Meeting on the HCD Shard on Thurs, 9pm CDT. This is His Grace's first Guild Wide as our Holy Grand Master, so show your support and attend his words there. Help is available getting on the HCD Shard, just contact Sir Daedin or Sir Zedd.From HCD Sonoma:
Sir Daedin was recently appointed as Minister (Mistress?) of Peace for the provisional government of the City State of Nujel'm on Sonoma, along with her appointment as Pro Temp Commander in Chief of the Sonoma Alliance Army. She is chairing the meetings and organizing the boot camps for the Army, and welcomes any and all support of our presence there. For those of you unfamiliar with HCD Sonoma activities, there are URL/links (these have been moved to the links section) for the Sonoma Alliance Home Page, the Sonoma Alliance Public Message Board, and the homepage of the City State of Nujel'm Sonoma.Welcome to Another Initiate:
My apologies to (Sir) Doolittle for my previous omission in his announcement of Initiation. Welcome to the Guild Doolittle! The roster has been updated.Daedin--Webmistress
May 13, 1999
Welcome Initiates!:
The halls of the Defenders welcome Initiates Vector and Dragon Slayer! Woo hoo! (DS, send me your ICQ when you get a chance...). The Roster has been updated with the changes.Daedin, Web Chick
May 11, 1999
Even Later News:
Sir Delapour announced that EverQuest has accepted our Guild under the name Teutonic Knights. He reports that Marco is helping him get people set up and all as an officer of the Guild, so feel free to contact either of them to get in the Guild there. Thanks to Sir Delapour for all his work on this!Latest News:
If you haven't stopped by the message board recently, please do so. We're discussing problems with our Guild name submission on EverQuest. Again, all questions should be directed to Sir Delapour.Upcoming Schedule of Meetings:
Knight's Counil this Sunday, Midnight CDT, ICQ
Guild Wide Meeting Thursday May 20, 9pm CDT, HCD Shard. If you haven't loaded up Fuserun (see Library button to your left) and created an account on our shard, please contact me for details!
Speaking of loading things up, why not load up mIRC while you're at it (command of the HGM, doncha know...)
Daedin, Herald of the Cross (Web Chick)
April 29, 1999
Pictures from the Elevation:
Thanks for taking these, Shep! And sorry for spacing them on the post below. (Click here for pix!)Harken the Words of Lord Athelstan, Holy Grand Master and Leader of the Faithful!!
Hail all! As your new Liege Lord and Holy Grand Master, I hope to tell you on a weekly basis how I see things progressing for HCD, which orders I expect to be followed, and to inform everyone on upcoming events in HCD and on the GL shard. As has been true for our Guild in the past, I believe in the feudal rules of government for HCD. I will issue proclamations that I expect to be carried out without undue delay. My knights will advise me on any changes needed in these proclamations in our biweekly knights’ meetings, and I will issue these changes, if needed. I am sure mistakes will be made along the way, so it is up to you to provide input to your knights. That being said, herein are my new edicts:
Houses
There will be no overall preceptor on Great Lakes. Daedin will still be preceptor on Sonoma. All HCD members of Squire rank or lower MUST belong to a House. The Heads of each of the Houses will act as preceptors to their respective House. Any complaints/suggestions/criticisms will be handled by the household heads (any name suggestions for this rank? Earl? Baron?). I will speak to the Heads of the Houses on a regular basis. Please don't inundate me with these suggestions; inundate your household head. The Houses that exist currently are Starfire, led by Elbryan, An Tuath a'Mhonadh, led by Daedin, and Heimdall, led by yours truly. I encourage all Knights to form their own Houses or join with Starfire , An Tuath or Heimdall. Knight Loran may wish to make a mining/smithing house, for example.HCD Stone
I as Aethelstan will assume control of the HCD stone. All members are encouraged to participate in fight nights (TTh 10pm CST), and show a solid presence in all events and places on the GL shard. Daedin will retain the HCD stone on Sonoma and run fight night there (W 8pm CST). Especially in these incidents I expect all HCD to wear their HCD blue cloak and badge showing their rank, and to behave as proper Defenders. All members are encouraged to actively recruit all interesting and adept people into the ranks of the HCD. I know our presence in GL events and places will improve our recruiting substantially, but if you see some others on your travels, please do not hesitate to inform them which is the best Guild on all the shards.HCD Warstone
I as Athelstan will assume control of the HCD Warstone. Zedd is supplying me with his old stone. All members will wear the HCD color on a tunic or robe. None shall wear cloaks; no warguilds wear cloaks as it assists in targeting your opponent. All members must be able to fund themselves with all appropriate arrows/potions/reagents/weapons/armor. Expect to kill and be killed, so don't worry about fame/karma. All members must be at least dual masters in weapon skills. It would also be nice to have high magery, resistance, and wrestling for fighting outside of towns. The Warstone members will meet each weekend to receive instruction on PvP skills, and to have mock combats (a LOT of fun). I would encourage everyone to have at least one of your characters on the Warstone. The Warstone will remain an Order stone. I will also actively ally and declare war on this stone only. I will also have each of our stones declare war on each other so that we may actively loot the bodies of our fallen comrades, and so no mishaps occur when HCD members on the main stone wish to join in the mock combats.Security
No rune for the courtyard should EVER leave your bank box. No excuses. Tower keys will be given to all members of squire's rank or higher. Dorm keys will be given to all members of adept or higher. Smithy keys will be given to all miners/smiths of adept rank or higher. Tailor hut keys will be given to all active tailors of adept rank or higher. If you lose your keys, new keys will not be issued to you for a one-month probationary period. It is a very serious matter to lose the keys to buildings and possessions that others have placed there. Please report immediately to all HCD online if you have lost your keys, so that they may take appropriate measures to protect their belongings.Communication
All HCD members should, and all HCD Warstone members must, get the program IRC to communicate while they are in the game. It is a lot more stable than ICQ, and easy to keep hidden. Daedin will make a download link available in the Library section of the home page. While on UO, please keep the IRC channel open at all times. I will make a channel as soon as the Warstone is active, and provide the password to each of you privately.EverQuest
Sir Delapour is preceptor of all things EQ. He has submitted our Guild request there. Any and all questions about EQ should be addressed to him. Our Guild is on the Veeshan server. As Defenders, NO shadowknights ever in the Guild. Other than that, any class/race goes as long as the paladins of north Freeport do not kill them on sight. Freeport is the city where the HCD will try to base out of.Thank you for reading this long posting. Next week, I will provide more information on GL events and places, and in weeks to come I will put in information on PvP tactics.
Yours in service to the Cross,
Lord Athelstan
April 27, 1999
Ceremony of Elevation:
Herein is a recounting of the events of tonight (Click here for the text). Tonight on Alpha World, the Holy Cross Defenders bore witness to the installation of our new Holy Grand Master, Lord Athelstan, Knight of the Shield, Order of Eshmael, now Leader of the Faithful. It was a fine moment to see our Leaders, both present and past, Marco and Athelstan stand together on the altar that saw our beginnings so long ago. All Hail them both for the service they have given and that which they will give!! I am deeply grateful for the tremendous support I have had as Regent, and I am sure (as the Cross has told me) that you will give all of that support and more to Lord Athelstan. His first charge to us, the Faithful, is that we seek fellows worthy to join us in Defense of the Cross, both in UO and in EQ. He also mentioned something about us all wearing lightbulb helmets, but I didn't hear his words clearly (ahem), so that is really just a rumor, not an edict (right, My Lord?).We were met there by our old companion and fellow Defender, Squire Kyna, who was responsible for much of our building on Alpha World. I strongly support Marco's encouragement of you all to take time to go there and see her works, and the works of our fellows. Quite nostalgic!
Also, Squire Sepiroth informed us of the upcoming release of a screen saver from the SETI organization. His words: "On May 15 an amazing project is going to take place. The SETI organization is releasing a screen saver that helps them with the search for extra terrestrials."
I urge your support of this lofty endeavor!Knight's Council:
We meet next on Sunday night/Monday morning May 2nd, Midnight on ICQ. Much to discuss. Please contact me if you cannot attend.Roster Update:
I have cleared many old names, and have them archived in the event that these Defenders become active again. Also updates....If your name is no longer listed, contact me immediately!Lord Athelstan is allowing me to continue in my station as Herald of the Cross and Web Chick, so as ever I remain...your servant with the Cross - Daedin MacAoidh a'Mhonadh
April 22, 1999
Guild Wide Meeting Recap:We met tonight at the HCD Shard. I really appreciate everyone's patience and all, as I know the shard is still very buggy and weird. We headed to the Meeting Hall and began with Shard reports. Sir Elbryan reported that he is sorry that school has kept him from us, but is hopeful that Tuesdays will clear up for him soon. Methios reports that he has a line on an already placed Tower!! Keep watching here for news on that. Kalon Kalot has returned after a long hiatus, and we were glad to see him after so long. Please lend him your aid getting started on Great Lakes. Sir Daedin reported that there are some things happening on Sonoma...future possible Guild War. She'll post details here as they develop.
We moved on to discussion of the appointment of the new Holy Grand Master. Sir Daedin, as Regent, solicited opinions, and those people present and under consideration were asked to speak on their thoughts and visions. Those who spoke were Sir Elbryan, Sir Daedin, and Sir Athelstan. If you wish to speak with them or the other people mentioned and with Daedin, please do so before Sunday, as she has set that night to make her decision. Other people who's names have been mentioned are Sir Loran and Lord Granyte. We fielded some excellent questions and everyone was very patient with that. We were asked to post our thoughts on what our system of feudalism involves, so look for that string on the message board.
The announcement of the new Holy Grand Master will be made at the Ceremony of Elevation on Alpha World on Tuesday, April 27th at 10pm CDT (note time change from our regular meetings). If you haven't loaded up Alpha World, please do so before the meeting. The URL to download the free version is in the Library section of the Home Page. You'll be playing as a 'tourist'. It takes a while to load the screens the first time around, but our coordinates for the Defender's Keep are available from Daedin or Marco. We'll post them the day of the meeting as well. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Yours, Aye -- Daedin, Herald of the Cross
April 21, 1999
Guild Wide Meeting, Thursday, April 22nd (tomorrow):
We're continuing to work bugs out on the HCD shard, and it looks good to hold the meeting there tomorrow. If you want to have your character outfitted, contact me tonight and either I'll make myself available or send someone to help you get your character looking as you'd like. Remember, this is a start up character, so you won't be able to handle much in the way of armor. Also, when you get Fuserun loaded (go to the Library...you can get it there) you'll need the IP and Port numbers from me or Zedd. You dont need him to set up an account in advance, as the new version of UooS will create your account when you log in the first time. After you enter your username and your password (use a new password for the shard, not your regular one for standard UO play), you'll be denied access the first time in while the server creates your account. Re-enter the emulator and put your information in again and you should log in at that point. If not (and I'll be honest, we've had a few hitches), contact me or Zedd and we'll get you figured out. Some tips on your startup character...concentrate your skills on combat stuff...sword, mace, fencing, archery. Magery doesn't exsist, so dont waste skill points on that. Also, mining, smithing and that stuff will be mostly useless for what we plan to do, so just stick with standard combat skills...weapon, tactics, that sort of thing. Bump your strength up to the max, so you can at least wear *some* armor. It is just as likely as not that our characters will get wiped while the bugs get worked out in the new Linux codes. For purposes of this meeting, we're going for looks and to stress test what happens when we all get in there. Start at the park in Britain, and head for the Counselor's Building to the south. I'll try to have things there for you to dress your character in, or I may have to dress you, so dont wait until five minutes before the meeting to get in there. If you find the shard is down when you try it, contact me, or better yet, contact me before you try. If this all goes to pieces, we'll use the Great Lakes Tower as a backup, ICQ as a secondary backup. For those of you who no longer have UO, contact me and I'll talk to you individually about what's going on. Thanks for your participation!! I'm looking forward to getting the shard rolling with your help!!Daedin
April 15, 1999
Knight's Council:
This Sunday/Monday AM, Midnight, ICQ. I'll be away, so Sir Elbryan will chair the meeting. Please message him beforehand if you have something to bring up but cannot attend.Looky What I Got!!:
My thanks to Sir Elbryan for sending me this picture to share (sorry its sorta grainy. Trying to keep it from being a huge download). I'm the tall one with the blonde hair (just kidding!) You have to guess who is who, but that shouldn't be hard to do :) Again, my thanks to Zedd, Elbryan and Athelstan for a wonderful visit, and to Marco for being such a fine host. It's a shame that Marco's girlfriend isn't in the picture (she wasn't able to be there when this was taken)...she's a babe and you'd all be way jealous of him... Enjoy!Daedin, Herald of the Cross (WebChick)
April 11, 1999
Words of the Regent:
Well, I really want to try a test of the HCD shard, and I would like to use it to meet for the Guild Wide meeting on the 22nd. Please contact me or Zedd if you have any trouble getting in the shard. You need to send him your regular username, and a new password for the HCD Shard. If you haven't already, please go to the Library section of the home page and load in FuseRun. Zedd or I can send you the IP address and port. Please also do this before the 22nd, so your character will be ready!! I plan to start the meeting *promptly* at 9pm CST. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT. I am collecting opinions on my choice for the next HGM and I really want to hear from everyone on this. I plan to make my decision over the weekend after the meeting, and we'll decide at the Guild Wide when the actual turnover in Alpha World is to be made. I suggest Tuesday evening of the next week, but we'll see what date is best for as many as possible. Please contact me if you have any questions or if I can help you in any way.Daedin, Regent of the Cross
News from EverQuest/Sir Delapour:
Ok well 3 people showed up for the meeting I was hoping more people would show. Anyways we decided there would be NO shadowknights ever in the guild. Other than that we decided any class/race goes as long as the paladins of north freeport do not kill them on sight. As they are a test of purity. And we will make a push to get the guild made official in EQ. And Freeport is the main HCD city where we will all try to base out of. See ya later. --Sir Delapour*Keep in touch with him on this if you're playing--Daedin*
April 8, 1999
Early Morning Update--EverQuest News:
Ok everyone looks like I have been put in charge of getting the HCD put together on EQ. So I figured I would start by getting everyone to E-Mail me a short description of their characters and what server they are on. Mainly I wanna know what level they are and race, class, name, location, and any trade skills you might be focusing on. If we pull together we can focus our efforts to maximize our abilities. Second, I thought I would set up a meeting over ICQ to be held Sunday April 11 at 11 pm. If you do not already have it, my ICQ number is 3189346. One thing we must do is get the Guild recognized by 989 studios, so that our Guild is in the game. Hope to hear from all of you by Sunday night.Additional Note: When Delapour and I talked last night, he was considering holding the meeting in EverQuest. Please contact him before Sunday to work out those details. - Daedin
April 5, 1999
Urgent Message:Harken the Words of our Holy Grand Master, Holy Lord Marco:
Greetings Defenders,
I greet you having come from a weekend spent with many friends. Zedd, Elbryan, Daedin and Athelstan all came to visit each other, and me here in Seattle. Zedd spent his time chastising me on the hygiene of my computer, and I expounded on the virtues of personal hygiene to him. Elbyran spent his time recounting stories of his law school and drooling over the Wizards of the Coast store nearby. Soon after they left, Athelstan, Daedin and I spent the evening smashing fish at a place called the "Crab Pot" here in Seattle. A great time was had by all, and all three were brought into my confidence. They know what you shall know soon.
I joined the HCD out of the desire to find a group of people to play UO with. I had a religious persona in the SCA and wanted to join a guild which had some sort of faith based system. As we waited for the beta to start, I joined up with the Defenders, starting as a lowly initiate. At the time we had about 40 people on the list of Defenders of which only 5-6 played at all and really only 3 actively. I made friends in names that are no longer heard but still revered; Dhrun, Kyna, Sedic, Jakbaras, Murgen, Teflon, even Anakin. In hour upon hour of creating castles in the sky, on another world, we created the new HCD. Alpha World's creations still stand to this day and should never be forgotten
as the bridge between Neverwinter and Britannia.I soon rose to the rank of Squire and then my life changed. Since only one knight existed, the squires took on that role. As the ranks swelled, I prepared the men under my command for the UO beta. When the beta came, we took it by storm. Many nights were spent crashing every 15 minutes, trying to get just enough money together to buy leather armor, our characters being wiped every 2 days, our nerves were being stretched to the very limit. Only the Cross knows how we did it. Then the retail came and soon thereafter I was offered knighthood. Murgen had a funny way of promoting people. He just sent a guild wide message to everyone saying that the person was elevated. No ceremony, no nothing! When he sent this message elevating Dhrun and me to knighthood, I sent him a message saying, " you really like surprising people don't you?" and he replied, "Congratulations you are a Holy Master!". So, I was never knighted, and thus the Holy Council was born. A council of five people who would create the laws of the land instead of a feudal overlord.
Soon after this council of five was made, it failed. I was the only Holy Master playing for a good long time. No knightings happened at all for about four months. No alliances were approved, few members were elevated above their rank as of Murgen's departure. I was begged by the chivalry to step up as HGM and I accented. That was a year and a half ago. I have stood as HGM longer than any other in the position and I feel I have accomplished much. I created a guild based on a true feudal structure, where I not only owe my position to those who follow me, but their allegiance is unswerving. I laugh at the Syndicate on Atlantic as they celebrate three years as a guild, when we are going on five. People from the earliest days who no longer play with us, STILL call themselves HCD. It amazes me when every month or two I get a message from an HCD I heard from only in legend saying that he has followed the guild through the years. People with E-mail addresses like (name)HCD@aol.com. People who still bear the sign of our guild. But it does not surprise me too much, for I know why they are still HCD. They know that they are always welcome and can step back into our folds with all the honors bestowed on them before they left.
I hope I have fostered this feeling over the years, in traditions I have started. The practice of knights taking on squires and seeing them get knighted and take on squires has created a unique bond that I hope will continue for their entire lives. The ceremonial that Daedin and I made adds seriousness to the process of elevation that fosters brotherhood. And most importantly, by being VERY selective in the people who would be called knights, I feel I have created an order of knights who are so loyal that not one of them will betray the Cross or other members of the guild, and I value that. I know of few other guilds that knight people based on their real life character and honor. Any fool can work his butt off building up his character to super tank mage status or a blacksmith extraordinare, but only a few can do so with a sense of duty and honor that translates off this fantasy we call UO, or EQ, or Alpha World. I will not say I have not made my mistakes, I have. But I know I have behaved honorably in all my deeds, and done my duty as a Defender. In the end, this is all I can ask, and all I do, but all good things must come to an end.
Let it be known throughout the Vision of the Cross these words of Holy Lord Marco Valentino, Holy Grand Master of the Holy Cross Defenders. As time passes, so must the duties of leadership. As one year follows the next, I too must pass into the dusk. Therefore, let it be known by Initiate and Adept, Squire and Knight that I, Holy Lord Marco Valentino step down as Holy Grand Master of the Holy Cross Defenders. As is my right given unto me by the charter of our most noble Order, I appoint Sir Daedin as the Regent of the Defenders and command her to convene a meeting of the entire guild and to choose a new Holy Grand Master. After the new master is chosen I shall step down in the original castle of the HCD on Alpha World and pass the burden of leadership unto another. As was done before me, so let it be done. Long live the Cross, Long live the Defenders.
In Service to the Cross-I stand,
Marco Valentino(*Editor's Note: I travelled to our Alpha World holdings and it appears they have gone missing. Therefore, I anticipate that any ceremony involved in this change will have to take place in another venue. - Daedin*)
Guild Wide Meeting--April 22nd (this is a change):
The Guild will convene its general meeting on April 22nd (Thursday) at 9pm CST at the Tower on Great Lakes. We will have much to discuss. Please make every effort to attend, or send word to me before that time. I hope to convene the meeting on time, so please make arrangements in advance if you need a ride to the Tower. If you are not presently in the World of Britannia, but wish to comment on the selection of a new Holy Grand Master, please contact me via email or ICQ between now and the 22nd.Sir Daedin daedin@televar.com #1697903
April 1, 1999 No Foolin'!
More News:
Sir Elbryan and Sir Daedin have taken Anakin Leuqarte/Zakariya under their joint protection as Squire on Great Lakes and Sonoma respectively. The member roster has been updated with the change. Congratulations Squire!Treasure Hunt tonight...Great Lakes:
Sir Loran went on a map hunt last night and is heading up a treasure hunt for tonight, 11pm CST. I know that Squire Long John has a pile of maps too, so we're hoping to do some hunting tonight and perhaps next week! Contact Sir Loran for details.Sonoma Boat Launch:
Sir Athelstan, Squire Sepiroth and yours truly put our sturdy boat to water last night on Sonoma! The Star Prince II set sail immediately for Trinsic, where we were met by a throng of almost two dozens of our friends from the Sonoma Alliance! The People's Army of Sonoma was represented at the sendoff by their esteemed leader, King David. His armada was led by McDuff and friends, Rommel and Nash joined us in their boat, and a whole host of the Bavarian Metal Workers brought along their newly launched craft as well. The drinks flowed, and our fine boat was loaded to capacity as well wishers came aboard. Lord Marco, Lord Granyte, Squire Sabre, and Anakin joined us in Trinsic, and we set off. Donning our pirate hats and cutlasses, we made for our traditional swing around the southern coast, starting at Panther (Temple) Isle. Athelstan and Sepiroth met up with a Daemon, which they dispatched, we terrorized the local fauna and set sail again to Valor Isle. After a quick trip through the jungle there, we noticed some nefarious characters, and decided (since we had many brand new characters with us) to use the better part of Valor (heh...) and we set sail again. Next stop, Jhelom, where our guest Barbie, Granyte and Anakin ran off for some fun. Rommel, Nash and McDuff met up with us and bade us a goodnight. I presented them with memorial pirate hats and cutlasses to mark the occasion, with promises that we will do this again soon! We loaded up and headed home...a fine day at Sea indeed! Arr!Knight's Council this Sunday:
Council will convene at midnight CST Sunday/Monday morning on ICQ. I am travelling this weekend, so don't wait for me if you don't see me on at meeting time.Foolishly submitted--Daedin, Herald of the Cross (Web Chick!)
