I'm beginning to feel a little concerned. I still haven't caught up with Quin in the cavern, to show him the new hood for Devokan -- though with everything else going on it is difficult to find time to go looking for him. Could you keep an eye out for him, please?

All sorts of things are happening at the Guild of Maintainers:

• a celebratory party is being planned by Jishin and others for the weekend of 5-7 March;
  
• Andy Legate is writing Ages again;
  
• the GoMa server blew up and was rapidly replaced by Nynaveve (with the support of friends of GoMa -- many thanks!);
  
• Monty's Twitter community plans;
  
• as well as catching up with old friends and new, catching up with their news, exchanging KI numbers -- you know the sort of thing.

Then on the Sunday, a joyous gathering in The Meeting Place hood and their Eder Delin -- as their regular Sunday meetings return home to Uru!


Back at the Keepsafe at Winterfell Reverie, Nalates and Fax are maintaining their journals on the bookshelves in my office. DMom has been talking more of her plans to help us all keep in touch, wherever we may link to. As she put it (The D'ni Voice, 22 Feb 2010):

Quote:

We moved out into the metaverses and it is obvious that we will be living in more than one now. It is time to expand outside of just the world we started from and grow in many directions. We have the ability to link to more than just the Cavern and its ages and to do it in many cases simultaneously while being in the Cavern. We took our culture with us and made an impact where we went in exile. Now we come back with new ideas, outlook and vision. Additionally we are bringing new people back to the Cavern with us.

I share that hope.

_________________
Resources for open-source Uru: OpenUru; rel.to
Cross-world story and project planning: Devokan forums

Devokan now has its own blog -- http://blog.devokan.net/

See it as work in progress!

_________________
Resources for open-source Uru: OpenUru; rel.to
Cross-world story and project planning: Devokan forums

When I went back to the Keepsafe today, I saw that Quin must have been there earlier.

He had left us a note on his lab table, saying not to be concerned, that he was taking the same Journey that I had embarked on some three years ago now.

He has taken some supplies from the store -- enough for a couple of weeks.

I must catch up with Ametist and see how she judged his state of mind.

_________________
Resources for open-source Uru: OpenUru; rel.to
Cross-world story and project planning: Devokan forums

Oh yes, I met with Quinquifid in city! Saw his name in the agelist and presented myself. We went his Relto and he seemed to be well. Said something, in his ordinary very humble way, about not finding any comfortable clothing though .

Seemed he thought this was a very interesting place, I told him to visit the garden ages and relax a bit. Those past events with Devokan must have been exhausting. He also said that he needed some time to himself because of that. He knew his friends Dot and Paisley would worry about him ( and I see he wrote a letter to you, Dot and Paisley, so you wouldn't worry:D.

All the time I talked to him I was thinking about how very interesting it was to meet him there, an inhabitant from another age, travelling through the city! He thought Devokan and cavern must be close dimensionally in some way, he had already found similaritys between our worlds. I do hope he finds it a nice place to visit, relax, study or just socialize in . And I really hope to meet him again, I want to hear what conclusions he make about it all!

Thanks for the update, Ametist. It's good to have confirmation that Quin is bearing up.

I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before, but all this time I could have simply sent him a KImail.

Anyway, I’m hoping we might be able to meet up soon so that we can work out a way of safely travelling to the spheres’ source world as a group.

I know DMom is interested in visiting there too — she’s just started keeping her own journal in Keepsafe, alongside Fax and Nalates (and myself of course!).

_________________
Resources for open-source Uru: OpenUru; rel.to
Cross-world story and project planning: Devokan forums

I've heard back from Quin! He sent this KImail:

Quinquifid wrote:

Shorah, Miss Dot

Thank you for your KImail. I suggest that we meet up in Eder Gira to discuss possibilities of travel to the spheres' source world. I will send you an invitation so that you can use the Nexus machine to link here.

I would appreciate some help with manipulating some wooden structures while you are here. The constants of physics on this planet are unusual and unpredictable, to say the least.

I have heard from Miss Ametist -- she mentioned the interesting machinery in Eder Gira, and I have indeed been investigating its original purpose.

Trusting that you and Miss Paislee are both well. Please say 'Shorah' to Skydiver Jim for me.

Sincerely
Quinquifid

With today's news about another world disappearing -- the Eder Devokan hood and various GoMa places were based here, as well as many friends from Uru -- it seems all the more urgent that we make this journey.

_________________
Resources for open-source Uru: OpenUru; rel.to
Cross-world story and project planning: Devokan forums

As arranged, Miss Dot arrived at Eder Gira and, after helping me with those troublesome fish baskets, we linked back to my Relto and from thence to Devokan Keepsafe.

There I explained how to link to the spheres’ source world, and potential problems and difficulties. Dot was not to be persuaded otherwise: she was determined to visit this other world — she said how some friends of hers were about to lose their own home base in a world called There, and how she hoped there might be a possibility of finding a place for them in this new world.

So we linked. For once, the journey went remarkably smoothly. Things seemed much the same as I had left them. My laboratory in the sky was still intact, though the machinery sounded as though it could do with a few more squirts of oil.

Dot was most interested in how the small sphere was held in place. I based that machine on a more primitive kind I found in what I assume is a temple of some description, on the island I have called Devokan Deepwater. (Though I say ‘more primitive’, if I am honest with myself, the magnitude of the flux measurements I took in Devokan Deepwater astonished me: that ‘primitive’ mechanism is able to cope with forces far greater than I would like to test in my laboratory.)

I warned her not to get too close to the sphere: it hovers over what warrior Nalates would call a spacetime ‘wormhole’ -- an ugly term ill-suited to the depth of beauty and majesty that can be glimpsed within it.

We then descended to the island of Devokan Skysong and, there, to my shock and Dot’s immense surprise, were greeted by a man. She had met Mr Mat Mahogany before; the last time in Selenitica, when it was about to be burned up by its sun. He was there in his spaceship and helped with the evacuation. (In this photo of that event by Baron Livingston, Mr Mahogany’s ship is on the left, and on the right is the Devokan Flyer.)

The subsequent discussion we had, which lasted well into the small hours of the morning, is likely to have momentous consequences in the days to come -- particularly, it is hoped, for Dot’s friends.

A whirlwind of activity this weekend...

First there was that strange encounter with Mat Mahogany in the spheres' source world. I'm still thinking through the implications of what we saw in that world, and our discussions. For I suspect we have just been offered another chance to 'find a way, make a home'.

Then there was GoMa's Return to Uru Block party over the whole of the weekend. Friday saw me in the Maintainers' pub, meeting new members and old friends (good to see you all!). On Saturday I attended the Eder Gira photoshoot and helped out a little with distributing invitations -- the ims were coming in fast and furious, and it was quite hard at times to keep up. I hope I didn't miss anyone out -- apologies if so.

Also on Saturday was a meeting for Winterfell residents in the Green Fairy pub in Winterfell Abisinthe. That was very well attended. Plans were outlined of a new ferry system that will serve the entire community of some 13 islands, going as far as Caledon Cape Wrath, the northernmost town of the Independent State of Caledon.

And on Sunday was the wonderful (but sad) tour of friends' creations and homes in There, organised by friends in The Meeting Place hood. DMom published some of her photos in today's edition of the D'ni Voice. No doubt others will be posting their photos and memories in the days to come.

During that tour, I was able to mention some of the things Mat, Quin and I had discussed. Whether anything will come of this, I do not know. But whatever happens, we will still be able to meet our friends in the Cavern...

_________________
Resources for open-source Uru: OpenUru; rel.to
Cross-world story and project planning: Devokan forums

Some of us spent the weekend working.

Going back to what happened before the weekend, when Miss Dot and I met with Mr Mahogany on the transported but bare Devokan, he took us to his home island in the spheres' source world -- many miles by sea, though a few seconds by his teleportation device. We were shocked to recognise that it had the familiar terrain of Devokan, though the buildings were alien.

Yes, in this new world there are two islands with the same terrain as Devokan. Mr Mahogany was as puzzled as we were.

Because the instruments I have in place in the laboratory over the island I have called Devokan Skysong, next to the transported Devokan, were indicating a further build-up of flux in the spheres, I decided to investigate further.

So, while Dot spent her time socialising, I linked back to Devokan Keepsafe to pick up some more equipment.

Just as I was placing the last device into its heavy-duty travelcase, Miss Paislee turned up, full of curiosity about what was happening. She asked if she may return with me -- for she had been struck by that world's eerie beauty when she had inadvertently been linked there before.

I was initially reluctant, because of the potential instability. However, she was most insistent, and so I agreed.

We linked, and at once Paislee saw the cause of my unease: the two islands sharing the same terrain. What is more, they are now side by side -- something I had not expected! I have heard of parallel universes, of course, but seeing this happen in reality was quite startling.

I am hoping that Mr Mahogany might be able to shed some light on this mysterious occurrence.

This is a difficult entry for me to write.

OOC: With There closing, several of us lost the world where the parallel adventure began when we were exiled from the Cavern just two years ago, and with just a week's notice. We spent the week getting in touch with friends, trying to help There members who knew no other virtual world to find their way into Uru, which was not a straightforward task given the communication problems for new explorers who might not know that getting a KI is a priority.

We also brought forward plans of opening up the new areas being built on the OSgrid so that people would have a place to continue designing and creating content, as well as to meet up with friends. With Mat generously running a server, we now have a chain of at least seven islands plus areas of open sea.

All of this will take some time to put together. But given all that needs doing practically -- and a personal need to catch breath after the events of the past three months -- perhaps it is sensible to draw this chapter to a close a little earlier than intended.


IC: An hour before the world known as 'There' was due to vanish, I linked in to Uru Island where many from The Meeting Place hood and other friends had gathered.

I left after a little while, to spend time alone in Eder Devokan, the mountain valley in Aurora Island that sengel, Ivy and I had purchased deeds for in early May 2008. Slowly, I walked around the neighbourhood, saying a personal farewell to Eder Devokan, and to each of the areas so carefully developed and built by people like Paislee, Ilf, Lareh, blutec, Ivy, sengel, Stejovis, as well as remembering those by JimQ and Nynaveve.

As midnight approached, I climbed to the top of sengel's waterfall to watch and wait:

A few seconds after taking this last photograph, I blacked out. Destruction had come.

I awoke a moment later in Relto. I checked my KI, and saw one by one the names of friends and neighbours appear on the list. They too were linking to their Reltos. I used the hood book and waited there, by the fountain. And so we gathered -- an exodus from the world many had made their home since the first exile from the Cavern, together with friends who had known no other. I waved to Kaylea, and to her friend Pilot, whom we had tried to help the day before to get hold of a KI, relieved to see that he had made it. It was an emotional time for many.

I still had work to do: I linked back to Devokan Keepsafe, but Quin and Paislee had not returned from their travels. So once again -- this time on my own -- I followed Quin's instructions and made it back to the spheres' source world. Both were safe and well, speaking of their intentions to remain in this world, to maybe settle there, saying how Mr Mahogany had invited them to do just that.

We talked some more: what should be done about Devokan Keepsafe and the cottages in Winterfell Reverie? I agreed to take on the task over the next few weeks to wind down their affairs there. In the meantime, Quin would continue with his research over Devokan Skysong, and Paislee would work with Mr Mahogany in landscaping and building.

I wonder what I shall see the next time I go back there? Whatever it is, I know it will be good.

_________________
Resources for open-source Uru: OpenUru; rel.to
Cross-world story and project planning: Devokan forums

I have been looking everywhere I can, but still I cannot find my old diary.
I had it before the light and the planet shook, and I lost my mnd.
All that remains of it was one entry I found strewn on the floor, torn from my book.
And so I have copied it here as an earlier entry to remind me of something that happened.

The gentleman called Quinn has given me a new book, as a gift to make my record in.
And so today I ill write as though it was the first day, the new begining to my life.

Today...

I have only just found my senses, I believed it all to be a dream, and that each day that passed, I would rise up, and see old familair ground. But as each day passed, that dream faded and so, I have come to realise, finaly, that from now on, this is what is, and all that was has been. It is no more.


I notice, it is different here. Not just because of the way that the islands are now merged and mixed up, but in other ways too.
I feel a sort of tingling in the air.
There is a metal taste in my mouth, and the smell of the sea is very strong. The fish have left me too, so I have to go to other places.

I walked today, over the newly formed islands to explore.
This was where I noticed the harsh flavours were more obvious.

The identical Island named 'Touchstone' is possibly the most electrying.
I can feel the hairs on my arm rise up and my pulse quicken. As though I can feel the very insides of the planet want to pull me over.

Its different and I think it will not be the same again.

Mat

Over the past week I have been systematically pacing the islands in a grid pattern, using a portable flux monitor to map out readings in each area.

While I would not put it quite so poetically as Mr Mahogany, I can confirm that there is indeed a build-up of activity on the island to the west of inhabited Devokan, the 'new' island of Devokan Touchstone that we suspect is the one that the spheres transferred across.

The flux is particularly strong towards the southeast, roughly where Miss Dot's keep was in the old world.

As a precaution, I have moved my sky laboratory from Devokan Skysong to Curiosity.

A quick update on progress:

Quin popped in the other day to clear out his experiments and other paraphenalia from the Keepsafe at Winterfell Reverie (SL). He seemed to be in a good mood; and the atmosphere round the building certainly improved once the long-standing chemical experiments he has had bubbling away were cleared up and put away.

The rent for the land had been paid up to the end of this month, so once Quin's furniture was packed away, and that of my own office, it was time to rase the building itself. It all went remarkably smoothly.

The adjoining plot, Winterfell Eve, was where Paislee and I shared a house, and Jim had a cottage too. I like the Winterfell country -- its ancient woodland, the waterways, the people too -- so when a smaller corner plot became available on the same island, and one with open views across the ocean to the south and west, I snapped it up.

I talked things over with Jim, whether he would like to move his cottage across to the new plot; the answer was 'yes', so that took place over the last week. Paislee too came across and helped with replanting the area (she is far better than I at such landscaping). Pepper, the village cat, is now basking in the weak afternoon sunlight on the back steps of Jim's cottage. He purrs happily when you stroke him, so I guess he is coping with all the moves of recent weeks (probably more so than his human companions!).

I've emptied out the house that Paislee and I shared. It was sad to put the furniture and lovely curtains into storage, not knowing if they would ever be used again. Finally, I tackled the little library next the sea; Paislee's pride and joy, and previous home to Pepper (he loved sleeping on one of the bookshelves). Over the next day or so I will have the task of clearing the buildings, then this plot, too, will be relinquished.

So where am I living at the moment? Where is my office? All I shall say at the moment is that plans are underway...

In the meantime, over at the spheres' source world (OSgrid), I can report excellent progress in building a new home for our little community. As Paislee wrote in her journal a week ago:

Paislee wrote:

Looking out over Curiosity toward Devokan this morning, I finally feel I’m home in this new land. Ships at anchor offshore promise adventure and new friendships. The strange familiarity of my new surroundings brings comfort and ease.

Busying myself with settling in here has soothed the loss of our beloved Devokan. Life is strange… The old saying about the closing of one door opening another has come true for us.

This house on the hill is for all to share — a place enjoy the sweet music of this new world, to remember old joys and shared experiences of the past, and to savor the company of friends, both new and old.

Only meant to write a quick line! Must take my leave to lay a fire in the fireplace and prepare for company…

I wonder what the future holds?

=====
Keep an eye on the blog...

For at this point, the story here comes to an end.

Shorah b'shemtee!

_________________
Resources for open-source Uru: OpenUru; rel.to
Cross-world story and project planning: Devokan forums

OOC: You might have noticed and wondered about this thread's new home and title -- that it has moved from the 'Off-topic' to the 'Creativity' section and gained the words 'Fan Fiction' in its title. This is to try to make clear the thread's status, as outlined in IC/Roleplaying vc. OOC. I am grateful to the MOUL forum moderators for their help and support in finding a way to continue to tell the story of Devokan in this forum -- as you can see from the previous post, I originally thought I might need to move it solely to the Devokan blog.

IC: So, what has been happening over the last week or so?

Well, over the last weekend, I was popping in and out of the Cavern, doing various stints at the GoMa table of the Guilds and Groups weekend initially set up by Marcus Wheeler, held over from the previous week. It was great to meet up with friends, old and new, and to welcome some new members to the guild. Throughout the weekend there was an encouraging number of visitors and stall holders

On the Saturday evening, I linked back to Winterfell to attend a Town Hall meeting for all residents. A strange time-shift was reported, in that the period the islands in Winterfell span has contracted: whereas before there were islands representing periods from medieval to Victorian, the time-span covered is now medieval to about 1750 -- i.e. early industrial revolution. I don't think this will affect Devokan's area, in that Quin has moved all his paraphenalia out now. We'll have to see how things develop.

Then on the Sunday, Christian Walther held a Fissure Party at his Relto, inviting us all from The Meeting Place hood plus various visitors who had dropped by at just the right time. His photos of the event give an idea of the fun we had (beware: there are some spoilers in the photo captions). And as Christian said on the TMP forum:

Christian wrote:

I particularly like the number of newcomers we had. You walk into a random hood on a Sunday afternoon or evening and are taken along for the ride – how cool is that?

But enough of that: What has been happening in the spheres' world? I'm afraid I haven't been able to speak with Quin recently -- he has tended to hide away in his sky lab for some reason when I've visited Paislee in her new place.

Mat Mahogany has been working on what looks like a cruise liner, building it to the south of the island of Devokan (the inhabited one). He has commissioned Paislee to help with the interior fittings. He made no mention of any developments on the twin island that Quin reported in his last post here. I must remember to ask about it when I next visit.

Then, on an island to the west, a new building has appeared. It seems that 'warrior Nalates', as Quin calls her, might be behind this. Her journal entry of 4 April 2010 is interesting...

_________________
Resources for open-source Uru: OpenUru; rel.to
Cross-world story and project planning: Devokan forums

Hello to every one.

OOC:
I am mat mahogany. I will be posting in future as myself, not mateus. I have decided that I need to make a place here for mat mahogany. So here I am.

IC:

As you have read, things have been happening in touchstone recently. Since the spheres and the amazing transformation of Devokans arrival here. I am truly amazed at the speed things have moved at.

My first post made a few entries above, shows that somekind of force is present.
I was awoken late the night before last whilst I have been working on the boat. Some huge cracks have appeared on touchstone and I feel the same force as previously but I am sure its building up to something?

Last night the same happened again, I am going to investigate, but in case I don't get a chance to post, I am informing you all here. I do not know what is going on, but its getting more powerfull.

So hopefully all being well Ill post later after I've been to touchstone.

Mat