Getting Up To Speed

Haiku Duel Between Colonel Somme and Mr. Drinkwater at the Duchy of Caledon Primvernesse

Well, it would appear that alot has happened in the last month. I must beg my readers' forgiveness for being so slow to returning to my diary. At the best of times, I am not the most diligent of writers, and the hectic and fast-paced events of Caledon has kept me from my duties in regards to my journal.

How can I even begin? To start with, I returned to the land of the living May 11th. After 40 days and 40 nights in the Underworld with no blood to sustain my Vampyric tendencies, they were weakened to the point that Dr. Darien Mason was able, through the use of ancient and arcane means, to restore my spirit pristine to to my Fae body, purified from the taint of Vampyrism. I once again walk the land of the living, as one of the living. The same Dr. also kindly restored my son Elijah Bastillion, freeing him from that curse as well, through the usages of Magycks even I am fearful to call upon (such as invoking that Nameless Ancient One, Cth***). Sadly, while I was gone, evil forces managed to kidnap my daughter, Raivyn Elizabeth, and until I can recover her, she is yet infected. Hopefully, the stasis spell I have placed upon her will keep her safe till she is once again in my arms.

Caledon is indeed the place of parties. It seems like upon my return, there were more parties on my social schedule than I almost could handle. We celebrated my Rezz Day at my pavillion the night of my return, as well as it being a welcome back party of sorts. It was indeed a pleasurable time. We also during this past month celebrated both the Honourable Kate Nicholas' and Her Grace the Duchess of Loch Avie, Lady Eva Bellambi's Rezz Days. Of course, there was also the party launching the opening of Her Grace the Duchess of Carntaigh, Lady Gabrielle Riel's "Radio Riel". We had the final ball of the Caledon Spring Social Season, and the Relay For Life Pirate's Ball event. As usual, most of these events "degenerated" into raves, with topless Baronesses and Duchesses, Mr. Drinkwater in a thong, and many men just wearing kilts. There were several infamaous Duchess sandwiches, with Red Caliber, Kate Nichols, and myself all serving as luscious meats. We even had a mud wrestling match once (very humorous).

There was a magnificent Haiku Duel (another Relay For Life event), between Caledon Librarian J.J. Drinkwater and Colonel Exrex Somme. Sir ZenMondo Wormser served as Mr. Drinkwater's second, while Colonel Hotspur O'Toole stood as Colonel Somme's second. The beautiful Shylah Garmes moderated. It was a close match, quite humorous and bitingly sarcastic at times, but both gentlemen ended the duel in a most honourable manner, and Mr. Drinkwater won the event. Lots of money was raised for Relay For Life.

Another big event was the Tournament For Life, held by Duchess Eva, and her friend Telemachus Dean, whereas there was an exchange of cultural ideas between Gor and Caledon, and a magnificent series of duels. Though our Colonel Hotspur O'Toole was smaller than the Gorean warriors, he held out quite well during his match, and though he lost, he did so bringing honour to Caledon. Once again, much money was raised for Relay For Life.

J.J. Drinkwater held several events of note. One was a very fascinating discussion on steam-powered, armoured naval vessels during the Victorian era at the library. Another was an exposition on the Brownings. Both were very informative. I myself am grateful for Mr. Drinkwater's contribution to the intellectual expansion of Caledon!

Some really exciting news is how fast Caledon is growing. With over 500 residents, Caledon now has 18 sims. Caledon Kittiwickshire, and Caledon Eyre, are it's newest additions. By the look of it, our great Guvnah, Desmond Shang, has at least 10 more sims planned, with two large mountainous islands to the north of the mainland, and a middle sea. You have to see the map of what Desmond has planned at the Guvnah's Mansion in Victoria City, if you haven't already.

Recently, I visited the relatively new Victorian Wild West sim of Tombstone. Contrary to the rumours I have heard from others, it is NOT a bad place. I saw no shootouts. I was treated quite gentlemanly by the Sheriff, Thaddeus Riel, and also by it's Mayor, a certain Mr. Wraith (his last name sadly escapes me). The residents are very friendly. One in particualar, Navajo Elder Waya Babii, took 98 and I to her village, and we were shown great hospitality. Though it does not have the amenities of civilaztion to which I am accustomed that Caledon, New Babbage, Neualtenberg, or Steelhead have to offer, nevertheless, I highly recommend a visit to the Tombstone. It would appear that they are in a sort of feud with a rival sim named Tombstone Arizona. As I firmly believe in the addage that one who meddles in the disputes of others is like one who grabs a lion by it's private parts, I am steering clear of those hostilities.

Finally, it seems that trouble still lurks Caledon. Even as the winds of war with Neualtenberg calm down, a new threat looms. There is a rumor of a werewolf roaming Caledon. I have not seen the creature myself, but numerous reliable witnesses attest to having seen the lycanthrope. Colonel O'Toole gives a description of his chase of the beast, ending at my pavillion, though I swear I never noticed it pass by.

There is also something of persoanl importance to me, that has taken place, but I will reserve that for my next post!

April Blahs

Live as a benign Fey Vampyress has its difficult moments. Indeed the dark forces are arrayed against me. My soul has been imprisoned. First it appeared that I suffered what seemed to be a tenuous connection with the world of the living...[aka losing DSL and accessing SL through dial-up]. For about 6 weeks I suffered this malady, slogging slowly through the Moors, hills, forests, towns and cities of Caledon. Yet I could talk to people, and they could see me, even if at times I hovered in a realm between worlds, half-there, half not. But finally my fey powers conquered that attack by the Keeper of the Dead. On March 31st, I returned fully to the world of the living. I was overjoyed.

However, it appears the Keeper Himself found away to torment me even worse for escaping his clutches. April 1st, the rezz day of my brother Colonel Gottried Lord Eusebio, 15th Baron of Bauerhoff de Caledon, started as any other day. I was able to do some building for my Ballroom Pavillion in the Moors. I took a respite from my work. When I woke up, I found that the Nameless One had put a veil of death around me. I lost contact with the country I love....Caledon, and the world of SL at large [aka death of a computer, and being forced to use a friend's computer that only has Windows 98]. Now, like a wraith using seances to communicate with the living, there are a few I can talk to, in an other-worldly channeling method [aka Yahoo IM]. Perhaps soon I can escape the clutches of this evil demon that is determined to keep me away from the land I love, my native country of Caledon. Perhaps there are those who can hear my howls as they pass by my grave. Soon, soon, I shall find a way to escape, and rejoin my friends and loved ones....