[Mkguild] MKGuild Digest, Vol 88, Issue 4

[Andrew Vineyard]

That is correct. That is my email. Don't misspell it or else you might get
something very very different from your intended results.


On Fri, Jul 18, 2014 at 9:41 PM, Virmir <kendo at virmir.com> wrote:

> I think his preferred email is dimensional42 at gmail.com
>
> On Fri, Jul 18, 2014 at 9:37 PM, christian okane <chrisokane at optimum.net>
> wrote:
> > Just a small question to be official - what is the email address we would
> > send stories to?
> >
> >
> > Chris
> > The Lurking Fox
> >
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: mkguild-bounces at lists.integral.org
> > [mailto:mkguild-bounces at lists.integral.org] On Behalf Of Virmir
> > Sent: Monday, July 14, 2014 10:06 AM
> > To: christian okane
> > Cc: Metamor Keep; Jessica Nichols-Vernon
> > Subject: Re: [Mkguild] MKGuild Digest, Vol 88, Issue 4
> >
> > That is correct!
> >
> > He needs to update the submission info page.  :)
> >
> > On Mon, Jul 14, 2014 at 12:25 AM, christian okane <
> chrisokane at optimum.net>
> > wrote:
> >> I thought we decided on Andrew getting the stories from now on?   Am I
> >> right?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Chris
> >>
> >> The Lurking Fox
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> From: mkguild-bounces at lists.integral.org
> >> [mailto:mkguild-bounces at lists.integral.org] On Behalf Of
> >> kyle.vernon at gmail.com
> >> Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2014 3:16 PM
> >> To: mkguild at lists.integral.org
> >> Subject: Re: [Mkguild] MKGuild Digest, Vol 88, Issue 4
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Question, did we ever figure out who would take over for Virmir?
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sat, Jul 12, 2014 at 11:19 PM, <mkguild-request at lists.integral.org>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> Send MKGuild mailing list submissions to
> >>         mkguild at lists.integral.org
> >>
> >> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> >>         http://lists.integral.org/listinfo/mkguild
> >> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> >>         mkguild-request at lists.integral.org
> >>
> >> You can reach the person managing the list at
> >>         mkguild-owner at lists.integral.org
> >>
> >> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> >> than "Re: Contents of MKGuild digest..."
> >>
> >>
> >> Today's Topics:
> >>
> >>    1. Experiencing the Dawn part 3 - the final part (christian okane)
> >>
> >>
> >> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >>
> >> Message: 1
> >> Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 22:57:50 -0400
> >> From: christian okane <chrisokane at optimum.net>
> >> To: mkguild at lists.integral.org
> >> Cc: 'Furry Literature ML' <furry-lit at lists.integral.org>
> >> Subject: [Mkguild] Experiencing the Dawn part 3 - the final part
> >> Message-ID: <000001cf9e46$3c3cf180$b4b6d480$@net>
> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Here is third and final part of Experiencing the Dawn. Some questions
> >> are answered but yet others are raised. And it does end in a
> cliffhanger.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Chris
> >>
> >>    The Lurking Fox
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    The arrival of Father Philip Guthrey into the office of Cardinal
> >> Antione Bertu was something of an anticlimax. No being stunned and
> >> dragged, wrapped in chains. He was simply shown into the room with
> >> only Marchel as his escort.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    The man himself was of middling height and his black hair that was
> >> cut short as dictated by the rules of his order. His clothing was the
> >> black robes of a priest. The only sign of color was his white collar.
> >> He tried to hold himself with a calm bearing of one in full control,
> >> But that calm was only skin deep, His mind was in turmoil of questions
> >> and confusion. He had expected to eventually be brought before the
> >> cardinal at some point. he had not expected his reception to be so  . .
> .
> > firm. There had been no choice.
> >> He could go quietly or have the entire church and congregation
> >> dissolve into a riot. Guthrey wanted many things but hurting innocent
> >> people was not among them. His escorts had been calm and correct but
> >> had remained silent for the entire trip.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    To greet him was the cardinal who was standing as still as stone
> >> behind the desk. His face was cold and devoid of emotion, like the
> >> statues that festooned the exterior of many churches.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Marchel bowed to the cardinal. "Father Guthrey is here as you
> >> requested your Eminence."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    The cardinal gave a nod of the head. "Thank you. You are dismissed.
> >> Please leave the two of us alone."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> ********************
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Salona cocked her head to one side. "You're taking me where?"
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "A little trip into the sylvan mountains," Carlisle explained. "I
> >> think we both need time away from the guild to just relax and talk."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    A short carriage ride took them out of the city and to the south.
> >> Soon they were deposited on a small side road that lead towards the
> >> Sylvan mountains that loomed up ahead.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    She stood in front of a large field that was filled with new wheat
> >> that was barely knee high and was slowly rippling in the breeze. The
> >> only sign of civilization was a small group of farm buildings off in the
> > far distance.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "There used to be a farming estate here with a large villa. It was
> >> home to over two hundred people. At least it's still farmland."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    They skirted past several houses and a farm and soon left the
> >> cultivated fields and orchards behind as the ground started to rise.
> >> Looming up over them was the tall, glowering Sylvan mountains.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    The path in front of them led up the mountainside switching back
> >> and forth as it climbed higher. Carlisle paused a moment and checked
> >> the quiver of arrows on his back. Then he calmly strung his bow.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "Expecting trouble from mountain raiders?" Salona asked.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "No but I'm not taking any chances," he answered.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "The mountain folk are still causing trouble?" She asked with an
> >> amused tone in her voice.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "No one has conquered them," he said. "Not for lack of trying. The
> >> Dukes have attacked several times but failed. But they at least broke
> >> them of the habit raiding and pillaging us lowlanders."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "That is an impressive feat!" She said.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "They do come down to trade occasionally," the mage said. "But
> >> mostly they keep to themselves. I'm not worried about the mountain
> >> people. Them I can handle. There are things in these mountains far
> >> more dangerous than temperamental humans."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "I am well able to  defend myself." Salona responded, sounding
> >> mildly insulted.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "You are one of three known surviving automatons in the world and
> >> are very valuable. There are many who would dearly like to take
> >> possession of you regardless of what you want. Also many are not happy
> >> with your being revived," he said calmly as he slung his bow over his
> > shoulders.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "I'm not sure I am happy with it either," she said honestly.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "You were in limbo for over five hundred years," Carlisle
> >> countered. "No one or nothing deserves that type of cruelty. I'm glad
> you
> > are back."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Salona was silent for a moment. "Thank you."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> ************************
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Both the cardinal and Father Guthrey remained quiet as Marchel left
> >> the room. The oak door closed behind him with a solid sounding thump.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Silence filled the room. The father stood quietly and waited for
> >> the cardinal to speak and the elder cleric remained silent.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "Father Philip Guthrey." The cardinal said slowly. Finally breaking
> >> the silence.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "Your Eminence." the priest said and bowed.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Bertu gave the man a nod of the head. He picked the letter from off
> >> the desk. "I received your letter. You did not hesitate to state your
> >> feelings about Salona."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "I am not alone. I was simply stating the feelings of many people,"
> >> Guthrey responded nervously.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "Every living creature has a right to live and be happy but
> >> technically she is not a flesh and blood creature and therefore not
> >> living," the cardinal said calmly. "But Salona is mobile and can
> >> obviously think. She could be called living - sort of. She most
> certainly
> > does have a soul."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "I do not argue that point your Eminence," the priest countered.
> >> "What appalls me is that soul was ripped from its Creator-given shell
> >> and planted into another. A false counterfeit of a flesh and blood
> life."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    The cardinal glowered at the younger man. "I can understand your
> >> feelings on this but what I don't understand and will NOT allow is your
> > agitation.
> >> First you loudly railed against the cursed folk of Metamor and now you
> >> are agitating against the automatons. I can understand your feeling
> >> troubled over those. Both are difficult issues that must be considered
> >> carefully. But you have used phrases like 'demons to be cleansed.' and
> >> I have even heard you talk of a crusade." There was anger and disgust
> >> in the man's voice. We cannot afford such public displays," the
> >> cardinal said harshly. "We cannot allow such agitation. Marigund has
> >> seen too much of it in the past. You will behave yourself from now on,"
> > the cardinal ordered. "Father Larbourne."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    The priest opened his mouth to respond as his face filled with anger.
> >> Then surprise replaced the anger. "What did you call me?"
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "Father Franklyn Larbourne," the cardinal answered simply and in
> >> clipped words.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    That earned the cardinal several moments of confused silence and a
> >> puzzled look on the man's face.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    The cardinal gave a faint, wry smile. "Have you read Mister Rouis
> >> Mountbaun's book?" Bertu said coldly.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "I have read the Canticles and the prayer book," was the younger
> >> priest's cautious answer.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    The cardinal nodded and sighed. "I thought so."  He pushed a black,
> >> leather bound book across the desk.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Guthrey picked up the book and examined it. On the cover in white
> >> lettering was the title "The Burning. A History of the Marigund Civil
> >> War by Rouis Mountbaun."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "Read it," the cardinal ordered. "Perhaps it will teach you how to
> >> speak wisely and not loudly."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> ************************
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    The lower slopes were heavily cultivated and as they walked the two
> >> passed groves of trees interspersed with fields of grazing sheep. As
> >> they made their way upward the path grew steeper. The meadows and
> >> groves gradually thinned out, replaced by true forest until all trace
> >> of civilization was gone. All that remained was the forest around them
> >> and the trees that crowded close to the trail.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Salona kept climbing the path with the steady, untiring precision
> >> of a machine but Carlisle had to stop every so often to catch his
> >> breath. Finally the path leveled out into a small level area on the
> steep
> > mountainside.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "They say from up here you can see the whole country," the man sat
> >> down on a large flat rock.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Carlisle rested his back against a rock and stared down the
> > mountainside.
> >> Laid out below them was the fields and farmlands of the country. In
> >> the distance was the gray/brown shape of the city itself.  Beyond that
> >> was the looming, green mass of Tol Doron. Even at this distance the
> >> ancient forest looked foreboding.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "You can," the feline answered delightedly. Her eyes sparkled with
> >> excitement. "It's a spectacular view!"
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "I have always loved this view," Carlisle said. "I proposed to Gina
> >> up here."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "From up here I can see the changes time has wrought," Salona said
> >> calmly. "Towns and cities gone and farms and fields reclaimed by the
> >> wilds they were taken from."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "Things are always changing," the man said. "The one constant is
> > change."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    He turned to the metal feline. "Who are you Salona? We know what
> >> you are physically but what is the soul inside like?"
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    She didn't answer immediately but kept staring at the world below.
> >> "Who am I?" she asked in a whisper. "That's an excellent question."
> >> There was a long moment of awkward silence. "I don't know anymore. I'm
> >> lost in a world that has passed me by and is strange to me."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "Madog is still here," Carlisle responded and leaned close to her.
> >> "And you will always have a home at the guild."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "Thank you," she said simply.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>   "Watching you experience things for the first time has been a true
> >> epiphany for me," Carlisle said. "It's like seeing the world for the
> >> first time. I am seeing old things in new ways and new things in old
> > ways."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "What will happen to me?" She asked in a somber tone.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "I am not sure. Technically you were the property of the Guild. We
> >> are listing you as a guest, but that's only till we can make you an
> >> official member," the man responded. "There is a huge debate going on
> >> about exactly what to do."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    The feline gave a low growl. "There is always such a debate.
> >> Usually it all ends with killing, burning and destroying."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "You are safe with the guild," he said firmly. "We will never allow
> >> anyone to take you apart ever again. But we must tread carefully.
> >> Everyone is stumbling around in undiscovered country here. No one
> >> knows exactly how to handle this."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "So we aren't up to the smashing and killing phase yet?" Salona
> >> commented sarcastically.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "No. Hopefully we'll avoid all that. Marigund has already had too
> >> much of that in the past." He was silent a moment as he looked at the
> >> world spread out below them. "I have received several requests for
> >> private audiences with you," Carlisle said slowly.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "To be expected," Salona answered in a bored tone.  "Some self
> >> important person."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "The king himself has asked to meet you," the man answered in
> >> clipped tones. "And he is a man I hold in high regard."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "I have met too many leaders to hold any in high regard," the
> >> automaton shot back  "But you I do trust."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    The man smiled. "Thank you Salona. He is not a self important
> >> noble. I have met many of those myself. Alfred is ruler of this land
> >> and we must gain his trust and support if we are all to survive."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "Could he destroy me and the guild if he wanted?" The feline asked.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    The man shrugged. "I am not sure. But I'd rather not find out."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Salona nodded her head slowly. "I am all too well aware of how the
> >> game of politics is played. Unless the rules have changed."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Carlisle shook his head. "No it's done the same as in the empire
> days.
> >> There is lot less of the torturing and slaughtering of whole families."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    She gave a growl of amusement. "I guess that is an improvement."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    He gazed at her intently and with a seriously look. "We need to
> >> cultivate allies and Alfred has always been a friend of the guild."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "All right," she said. "I'll meet him. Who else desires a private
> >> audience?"
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "Three people you've met already," he answered. "Cardinal Bertu,
> >> Bishop Harson and Rabbi Arstein all wish to meet with you."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "What of the Lightbringer priestess?" Salona sarcastically, showing
> >> her teeth in a growl.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "She sent a long list of questions but has kept her distance,"
> >> Carlisle responded. "But that is not surprising. When we first showed
> >> them your culua she was hit with a bolt of light that knocked her
> >> twenty two feet across the room."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "I don't like her kind," she growled.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "So Madog informed us. He also told us why," the man said solemnly.
> >> "Lady Delminie is a good person at heart. She has good bones as my
> >> father would say. Very dedicated to protecting her people. You must
> >> meet with her at some point."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "Someday perhaps," she answered. "But not soon. I want to gain the
> >> measure of that female first."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "I think she wants to gain a measure of who and what you are too
> >> before even attempting a meeting. I understand how you feel about the
> >> Lightbringers. But high priestess Delminie is the leader of all
> >> Lightbringers in the Outer Midlands. As such there are hundreds of
> >> thousands who follow her command. She is someone we cannot afford to
> >> make enemy out of."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "She is already my enemy," she answered flatly.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "No," He said with more anger then he had intended. "She is not our
> >> enemy but if we are not careful she can be. You cannot compare the
> >> Lothanasi of the past with those of today. Five centuries has passed
> >> and great changes have occurred. Both to the people and to the
> >> Lothanasi itself. But do not misunderstand. King Alfred might not be
> >> able to destroy the guild but the Ecclesia and the Lightbringers could."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    The feline leaned close. "Could but will they?"
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "I do not know," the mage answered honestly. "It's plain that they
> >> don't know either. Yet." He sighed deeply. "What we do and how we act
> >> will affect automata for centuries. This can either be the rebirth of
> >> Automaton magic or its destruction."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "I will not let myself be taken apart again," Salona snarled.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    He placed an arm around the felines shoulders. "Salona my friend. I
> >> will not let them destroy but things aren't that bad. We must move and
> >> act carefully until we can consolidate our position."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "What happens if we do gain the ability to live here," she asked.
> >> "What happens then?"
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "We recover what knowledge that we can and relearn what we can't
> >> recover," Carlisle explained. "And we make sure that knowledge will
> >> never be lost again. That objective was, is and will remain the
> >> Guild's primary goal."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Suddenly Carlisle stiffened and cursed loudly in several languages.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "What's wrong?" Salona curled her lips in a snarl and looked around
> >> for any trouble.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    "Something just tripped wards and alarms back in Guild hall," the
> >> mage answered. "Someone is trying to break into the Automaton
> department!"
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    She looked down towards the city and using her magically enhanced
> >> sight soon found the Guild's property. It wasn't too hard as a pillar
> >> of blue, green and black smoke was starting to billow up from one part.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> ****************
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    The jewelry market was busy today. Everywhere the booths and stalls
> >> were filled with merchants trying to sell their wares. Misha and
> >> Caroline made their way through the crowd but quickly became the
> >> center of attention. Word had spread that not only was the fox a
> >> Brightleaf (a wealthy family) but was also rich and spent his coins
> >> freely. This meant that every merchant within range was trying to
> >> convince the Brightleaf of the wonders of their own merchandise.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Misha paused at one of the vendors' booths. The simple structure
> >> held a wide variety of jewelry. He picked up a silver cross inlaid
> >> with bits of what could have been jade. "Drift would have liked this."
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>    Madog raced up to them and danced excitedly in a circle around
> >> before coming to a halt in front of Misha. "Papa come NOW!"
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> The End
> >>
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> >>
> >> ------------------------------
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> MKGuild mailing list
> >> MKGuild at lists.integral.org
> >> http://lists.integral.org/listinfo/mkguild
> >>
> >>
> >> End of MKGuild Digest, Vol 88, Issue 4
> >> **************************************
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> MKGuild mailing list
> >> MKGuild at lists.integral.org
> >> http://lists.integral.org/listinfo/mkguild
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > -  Virmir | http://virmir.com
> > _______________________________________________
> > MKGuild mailing list
> > MKGuild at lists.integral.org
> > http://lists.integral.org/listinfo/mkguild
> >
>
>
>
> --
> -  Virmir | http://virmir.com
> _______________________________________________
> MKGuild mailing list
> MKGuild at lists.integral.org
> http://lists.integral.org/listinfo/mkguild
>
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