20 May 2009
You might have noticed I've not been posting much in the last few days. The reason is that I've been busy elsewhere -- guild duties, none the less.

As part of GoMa's mission 'To Protect and Serve the Community, throughout the Cavern and Ages', I've been working with others to set up an outpost for the guild in another of the worlds to which explorers have dispersed -- much as we did in There over a year ago.

Just a few weeks ago, a new island chain was discovered in the far north of this other world. The land seems stable enough, though there have been recent reports of minor earth tremors.

The islands' inhabitants are friendly and helpful. Though the community seems caught in a time warp (Victorian era, I would say), some of the technology is intriguing and will repay further investigation.

On the main island is a village of sorts, with cottages reminiscent of those in Ireland, a pub, a village square, and a large building whose use I have been able to secure for GoMa.

What intrigues me most, though, is the island chain's name: Devokan -- the D'ni word for 'hope'. Is that just a coincidence? Or is there some deeper link?

21 June 2009
The day hasn't even really begun and I'm already writing. Disaster! These tremors. They are strong this time. Literally pushing out struts of lands onto buildings. They have pushed up land to the entrance to my area. Blocking me off. It's weird. I don't understand it. However it's not the most troubling of circumstances. The fireflies. That I disturbed down below. They have a shocking resemblance to the ones of Eder Kemo, however one difference. They are underwater. Eder Kemo's hated water. These seem to live in it. However right before the tremors started they came out of the water and flew away. I don't know where they went to. However I found it ironic that they moved right before the tremor, as if they knew. Or they felt it before I did. I must find them. Perhaps it will shed some light on the situation.

So we split up in search of the fireflies. Allowing Quin and Ametist to take the submersible and I to swim. I took the southside of the island near the village and found nothing. Made my way north where I met up with Ametist and Quin making their rounds. When I got to the Northeast corner and looked West I saw sharp edges of land shooting out from the ground. I quickly yelled for Quin and Ametist to come see. They saw them and flew off quicker than lightning. I flew over to them and dove under the water. And there on the west side of these sharp land spikes were some fireflies. We had found them. Right by the Cave of Books. Finally we could get some answers, I thought. So I was standing by the fireflies in the water and Quin accidently bumped me with the submersible. And I fell. Into a crevice deep beneath the water where there were even more fireflies. I could not stay down there long for the water pressure was too great. I swam back to the surface as Quin and Ametist went down the hole in the sub. Quin exclaimed that he saw a book and quickly brought the submersible back up to dry land.

We talked about it and Quin said he will put on his diving equipment. He did and went diving into the crevice. He dug and he dug I could only see a cloud of dust in the water from my point of view. But when the cloud settled. All that remained was the book Quin had said he seen. Quin disappeared. He's gone. We searched the whole island. Then in our time of need Dot showed up. And she pointed out more places for us to look for him. His blimp in the sky......nothing. He wasn't anywhere.

Ametist questioned if the book was a linking book. It was a possibility. However I thought it best not to see. We don't know where it goes. We don't know what it does. I didn't feel it safe to willingly just see what happens. That isn't how things are handled. Dot agreed. Ametist saw the logic behind my reasoning. I said that I would lock the book away. I will create a lockhouse that only few could enter with a password. We will discuss what to do with the book when Paislee returns. Hopefully we will see some sign from Quin then.

I went out and did a dive in the area and have to admit I could find nothing, not even his dive gear. That does not deter my determination from touching the linking panel and following his journey. I beseech the remaining two of the Trio [Dot and Paislee] to allow me to follow after Mr. Oddenfen wherever that may be. I quite grew to like the fellow in the short time I knew him and wish to help him in anyway I might. Mr. Kristen should know I am looking into hiring a super lock breaker to break into his locked room housing the linking book. I am determined!

Some of the better-looking pictures of SL I've seen.

It was time we got things rolling. If Quin was hurt or starving or something he wouldn't have much time left. I knew Light was capable of withstanding the elements. Surviving the unknown. So I decided to let him go through, after much thought and conversing with others. I brought him to the lockhouse, opened it, and watched him vanish. Before he left I commended him on his bravery and told him that I wish he did not linger too long, for I feared for his safety. He was gone for sometime but gave me disheartening news upon his return. All he found on the other side was a land and Quin's utility belt. He searched crude structures, and no Quin. He reported that the weather varied during the day and that the temperature was moderate, and the air crisp and fresh. But no Quin. Still stuck in the same spot. Quin is still missing.

I am getting nervous as I often find the door to my house open when I return in-world. I have no clue who is entering my house when I am away. I am looking into greater security measures. It is somewhat tough as I rent the house and don't own it outright. Perhaps I need to look into that. I don't know.

I met up with Lightkeeper yesterday. He took me for a sail in his new yacht -- a pleasant, relaxed interlude from all the current awfulnesses.

We sailed all round the islands, enjoying the scenery, putting the world to rights, wondering what Nyn and Wendall and Paislee were dreaming up in the building area, ...

At the north-west of Devokan, we had to turn back. Part of the GoMa building had collapsed into the waterway that divides the village from the other main landmass, blocking our route.

So we headed back to land at Lightkeeper's Cottage, meeting up with a very excited Wendall -- he had got part of his windmill to work!

Overnight, I was thinking some more about the GoMa building. Should we rebuild it? Is there a need for it? I really don't know. One thing I did do: First thing this morning I set to work removing the concrete blocks and chunks of metal from the waterway to clear a passage through.

Like Lightkeeper, I too have an uneasy feeling. Why was the linking book thrown in the fire? Is it something to do with Erik's report here? And why would someone try to destroy a happy memento of Uru?