Journal for New Britannia

Mirrors remind the lady of moongates. Time tells the truth in a mirror. Fireangel stands before it, looking upon the reflection with clear sight. The young girl is long gone, leaving life changes upon skin, hair and expression. Pale hands reach up to fluff the curls at her forehead, noting the fading of the flaming red hair with the passage of years. She takes a hard look.

Life is at a lull. The lady recently overcame the blackest time in her existence. She has her petite figure back, though it took more grit than ever, and maintaining it takes more than it did in youth. Food is not merely about taste anymore, but about health first, and taste second. The old friends she adventured with wanted her to be the same person as she once was, but she could not, and she told them that they were not the same people either, if they were honest. Change comes. Time passes.

Lands where Fireangel had adventured with her friends grew more dull. They all began to seem like the same land. The quests felt like the same quests. The rewards seemed to lose their meaning. Feeling the distance grow between her old friends and herself was cold. One had grown closer to her, but it was never always good, even so. Not knowing whether she would find aloof silence or romantic warmth left her uncertain.

The Light of the One True God still held the most important foundation within her soul. The virtues Fireangel had learned so long ago still held wisdom. The flame of the Burning Heart still warmed her soul, and she longed to see the embers rise, though she did not know if they would or could rekindle fire. Others carried on in the light that they had in the lands where they roamed. Then a day came when one of the newer members of the old guild shared news that put a spark into the lady. He put up a message to all the members, and the lady read it.

"Always, there is hope, and in this case maybe something more." Fireangel's brow raised. She saw the friend pointed her to seek Lord British's recent declaration. Her curiosity was roused, and the lady went to see what she would find. The banner of Lord British stood at the public declaration to stir interest, and it did just that. Other people were reading it as Fireangel did. It was a declaration that promised to reveal more on a certain day, at a certain time.

This caused the lady to search everywhere to learn what mystery was to be forthcoming from Lord British, who had called her to her beloved Britannia so many times in the past. Wasn't that the happiest time for Fireangel and so many of her dear friends? She was watching over the thrill she felt in her heart, lowering her expectations. Long the lady had realized that you could not regain the glory of the past.

The time and day came for the declaration's promise to be revealed. Lord British boldly declared that a new world was opening. He was challenging adventurers to answer his call. This was the declaration of 'Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues'.

Fireangel and many followers of Britannia flocked to learn what this could mean. Lord British asked for help from all who were willing to open a new realm. Fireangel was one who pledged what coin she could to aid the endeavor. She continued watching and listening for any new information.

Lord British and his team began to appear and speak regularly across the world to his followers. He said the world would be as grand, as vast, as challenging and full of wonder in accord with what all of the people could build together. He promised to make certain that their voices would be heard, and would guide the forming of the world. He showed the people what shadows of land had already formed, and there lay moongates and gypsies, enemies and magical creatures.

Daring to hope, the lady willingly brought what gifts were in her hand to Lord British. She saw others doing the same, and admired the vast talent of the community. The wait would be long, but they were encouraged often by Lord British and his team, and shown the wonders as they began to grow in what would be called 'New Britannia'.

Cheer came upon Fireangel. She chatted with the others who waited to hear the latest news, and stood to see the latest possibilities forming within the new land. She encouraged others, and enjoyed the encouragement given back to her. The new friends joked in good humor with those who gathered, and though some arguments broke out over what should be important in the new world, most kept the peace. They all settled in for the pieces of the puzzle of New Britannia to form and fit together, knowing that when they did, a new moongate would open, and they would enter. The lady thought each time she found one of these pilgrims to New Britannia that shared some of her ideas, that in ways it felt almost like looking into a mirror.

 

--there were some beautiful things in old UO. I once saw a butterfly garden in the "player city" of... hmmm.. Rivendale? Chesapeake Shard as I recall.
--"All that is gold does not glitter."

 

I'd like to humbly request the next chapter! If and when you feel it is time, of course. ;-)

 

Fireangel's Journal - [Release 3] [Pre-Alpha]