ISSN: 1089-3636
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LightRaider NET No. 9 (Late) April 1997
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
~ LightRaider NET News ~ Survey?
~ Storyteller's Fire ~ The Legend of Wilderland Hold
~ the DragonRaid List ~ New commands and new options
~ the librarian's desk ~ DR Web Sites!
~ Addresses ~ FTP and Web sites: DragonRaid
~ Background ~ What is the LightRaider NET
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~ LightRaider NET Survey ~
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We want to know what type of things you like to read
in the LightRaider NET. So we would like to hear
from the read and see what they think.
Here's our 4 point scoring system (kind of like grades
in school!):
1 - give it up!
2 - hmmm... needs work...
3 - Pretty good! But don't stop working on it!
4 - Great! Keep up the good work!
How would you rate these categories:
___ ~ News from afar ~ Special feature articles and news
___ ~ DragonRaid Corner ~ News and stories about
DragonRaid
___ ~ Bard's music ~ album reviews and music links
___ ~ Storyteller's fire ~ stories about LightRaiders
___ ~ Librarian's desk ~ Reference links and helps
___ ~ Artist's gallery ~ Inspirational artistic sites on the
Web
___ ~ WordRune Corner ~ WordRune #51: Puffed-up
Poof
___ ~ DragonRaid List ~ recent discussion topics
___ ~ Addresses ~ FTP and Web sites about DragonRaid
___ ~ What about making the LightRaider NET into a real
web-zine and use email to notify of new articles ?
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~ Storyteller's Fire ~
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copyright Jeff Smith thehold@telport.com
The narrative actually starts in the Dragon Lands, about two hundred
years before the Great Rescue. Those were the days when a multitude
of kings, dukes, earls and other rulers taxed the hearts and souls of
the people with their bickerings, and their graspings for morsels and
driblets of power. Talania was broken into hundreds of small
principalities and provinces. Some of these joined themselves into
uneasy alliances as they strategized to clutch after temporal gain,
while others grew into empires and kingdoms. WilderLands Hold was to
be found within the boundaries of one such, located in the Eagle Peaks
along the eastern edge of the continent, on the protrusion into Sharks
Bay known as Point Grieve.
Unlike today, when growth of the fishing industry has brought people
into the region, the Eagle Peaks were generally considered a bleak and
desolate wasteland, devoid of anything of value save the rich virgin
forests blanketing the slopes and valleys. On many maps, it was referred
to simply as a wilderness, or "the wilderlands" as was common usage of
that day. But, for those few who braved the harsh winter storms and
short, wet summers, it was a place of many blessings. There are always
those who consider the press of people a nuisance, preferring the silence
and peace of the wild to the congestion and discord of a city. Others
drift toward remote regions for more pragmatic reasons -- among them,
the avoiding of the legal apparatus of magistrates and princes, whether
they be good or evil. Thus, the limited population of the region south
of Point Grieve to well north of Cape Fear was made up of equal parts
the dreamers and the devious; the peaceful and the perverse; the
law-abiding and the lawless.
There was a supposed ruler over the territory, its name now lost in the
mists of obscurity; a selfish and arrogant forest troll named Grundgin,
who lived on the end of Cape Fear in Lobster Bay. His rule was largely
in his own mind, abetted by the self-serving prevaricators who surrounded
him. In reality, the wide-open forests allowed many to run free of any
oversight by him or his minions. He had gathered to himself most of the
less-desirable elements of mankind and dark creatures, who were drawn to
his misrule for reasons of their own.
Our history of the Hold begins with a loose association of trappers,
farmers and others living in the hills, who had run afoul of one of
Grundgin's most-feared henchmen, an unusually massive and evil-tempered
water troll named simply Quag. The original forty had their number reduced
to nearly a quarter that before they were able to evade him, his loyal
cohorts and, most importantly, his vicious hunting dogs, and escape to
Point Grieve, a few hundred miles to the south and east along the coast.
One of these was called Leonidas, an honest widower who had moved into the
area from Port Boasting only a few years before. There were tales whispered
about him even then; about his opposing the dictatorial and greedy Earl of
Port Boasting, and paying for it with his family and livelihood. However,
like many living in that place and in that time, details of his life
before coming to the area were vague at best. It was he who gradually
became leader of the fugitive settlers, establishing a small freehold in
the upland cliffs of Point Grieve. Inaccessibility protected them at least
as much as Grundgin's indifference to the now-absent, nonconformists --
the point is known even today for its horse-hindering marshes, nearly
unavoidable poison oak, and boot-devouring volcanic rock.
A period of several years passed, and the group grew more than ten-fold
from the original struggling survivors. Although better than half of
these were able-bodied men, there were also the old, the halt, and the
widows, plus the wives and children of the men. The band went nameless
for many years before they began calling their hidden settlement and
headquarters, "Wilderlands Hold". Leonidas remained a fair and just
leader, which is why the abused peasants of Point Grieve looked to him
for protection from the sporadic irritations of Grundgin's lackeys. But
he was a man of peace, not war, and sought to not directly confront the
growing evil of distant Cape Fear.
As is often the case with those who simply desire peace, however, a
conflict was in the wind, and not to be avoided.
The fugitives remained a sore spot for Quag who, in turn, passed his
frustration on to his master. Grundgin became increasingly concerned over
their perceived threat to his established order -- the very real loss of
income he felt he deserved for provided "protection". The concern was
little justified for, although the Hold aided the local trappers, traders,
foresters and freeholders to resist the more wicked of Quag's efforts to
squeeze tithes and tribute, it was neither an organized nor conscious
opposition.
As it sometimes happens, though, the perception became reality after Quag
led a series of attacks against the lands of many of those under the
protection of Wilderlands Hold. In a rare display of indignation, Leonidas
rallied the men of the Hold, and a number of others living nearly, and
smashed the grendel's forces in a decisive night battle. With Quag dead,
his dogs destroyed, and his mercenary band in tatters, most of Grundgin's
support faded. He, in fact, was deposed by an ambitious nephew within the
year, who fell himself only a few years later. None who came after him ever
gained the dominion he had held. Many castles, towers holds and even small
villages have, each in their turn, been built over the site of his rough
wooden stockade, so that today that end of the cape is several feet higher
than the surrounding terrain. Rumors from the region tell tales of
construction that has recently begun there again but, if history is any
indication, it's not likely to last beyond a single generation.
Wilderlands Hold, however, remained -- and grew!. When Leonidas approached
the time of his own death, heirless, he deliberated, prayed and fasted
(for he was a righteous man in an unrighteous setting), seeking wise
counsel on the subject of his replacement. From that search of the will of
the Judge of Evil came a procedure that remains largely intact to this
very day. To prevent a future leader of the Hold from developing too lofty
a view of himself, no title could be used or accepted. Instead, merely the
name "Leonidas" would be allowed, to constantly remind its holder of the
humble founder of the Hold; a double fugitive who fought evil, but was
loath to ever go to war or take another's life. It is said tokens of the
original Leonidas, as well as all those who have followed him, are given
to the new leader when he is chosen. As to the nature of those tokens,
however, no information is available, for it is a very private rite.
So clearsighted have been the counselors of each succeeding Leonidas that
Wilderlands Hold was one of the few places and peoples who, to a man,
accepted the OverLord when he came (the population of the Hold had, by
that time, stabilized at about twenty, with forty or fifty nearby holdings
under its protection), some nine generations after the death of the first
Leonidas. Although willingly abandoning the Hold and its property in the
Dragon Lands, the Leonidas of that time (one Yoglyra, a remote descendant
of one of the original trappers) and those with him founded a new
WilderLands Hold in the Liberated Lands. So angered were the dragons by
the wholesale defection of the society of the Hold they utterly destroyed
the former site. Today, the only remnant of the former location is a lone,
dead, hollow oak, deep in the cleft of the cliff where Wilderlands Hold
once stood, several miles to the east and north of the present village of
Point Grieve.
There have been few families who have held leadership at WilderLands Hold
over the years, and none for more than three generations. The principles
laid down so long ago are strait, and it's a rare youth who holds as
strongly to the right as did his father or grandsire. The present Leonidas
began his life as a member of a tight-knit warrior nation in the most
mysterious regions of the Forest of Horrors. A relatively virtuous group,
the tribe had nonetheless rejected the OverLord when he came to them, since
he did not do or say things in the manner their traditions and expectations
had been interpreted to say he should. Even so, the young y'Kasheth ba'ar
y'Kaytz came to believe the prophecies of his people were fulfilled in the
OverLord of Many Names. Through a series of physical and emotional trials,
young Sheth (as he was known) came by an arduous and circuitous path to
accept the Great Rescue. In time, he traveled to the Liberated Lands where,
after a distinguished career as a LightRaider, SaltWarrior and, finally,
instructor at DragonRaider Academy, he eventually retired. Soon thereafter,
he was called to lead WilderLands Hold.
One of the more notable efforts of WilderLands Hold since its transfer to
the Liberated Lands is the Lion's Trial -- in fact, that is all most know
about the Hold, or think of when they hear the name. Carefully chosen
LightRaiders -- chosen by a means none save those at the Hold know -- are
invited to participate in this challenge to their reason, character,
wisdom and faith. No one except those who win know what their reward is,
but all who are merely invited receive honor simply by the fact of that
invitation. Even the content of the trial is a matter of conjecture, the
scraps of information scanty at best and, oddly, seem to be contradictory.
The timing of the Trial is irregular, usually known only after its
completion by the announcement of a successful effort by a LightRaider or,
more often, a RaidTeam. Some think the Trial is more frequent, perhaps even
constant, but that success is rare. However the Lion's Trial is actually
determined, or what is required to successfully complete it, it has as its
primary purpose the improvement of those LightRaiders who attempt it.
Thus it is that the legacy of the original Leonidas, and of
WilderLands Hold, continues into our era.
(Editor's note: the web site is much nicer with it's graphics
and formatting!) http://www.telport.com/~thehold/wilderland.htm
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~ the DragonRaid List ~
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The DragonRaid Automatic Mailing list has split!
Now there is a 'normal' list and a 'digest' list.
To join the 'normal' DragonRaid mailing list:
send a message with the subject of "subscribe" to
dragonraid-request@associate.com
Or if you prefer a digest of the list (with a day's worth of messages
digested into one large email each day ):
send a message with the subject of "subscribe" to
dragonraid-d-request@associate.com.
(There's even a rumor of the AM's trying to start a third list!)
cb
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~ the librarian's desk ~
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I've tried to update the our DR web page. For starters we renamed it to "
Grey Water DragonRaid web site.". Also tried to update the DR web page's
links to other DR sites: Let us know if we missed anyone! It should look
something like this:
DragonRaid Links
A Brochure about the game --
ftp://earth.usa.net/users/dragonraid/intro/brochure
DragonRaid FTP Page at
http://www.alaska.net/~cass/draid/dr-ftp.html
DragonRaid Resources Page at http://www.voicenet.com/~sezovr/draidres.html
DragonRaid Chat Guidelines at http://www.voicenet.com/~sezovr/chat.htm
DragonRaid Web Sampler --
http://www.associate.com/Innovative/DragonRaid/index.html
Grey Water DragonRaid web site at
http://www.alaska.net/~cass/draid/index.html
Institute For Christian Small Groups The Lamb's Bride Project's web --
http://www.groups.org
LightRaider NET email newsletter at
http://www.alaska.net/~cass/draid/lr-net.html
Masters' Page Resource Page at
http://www.alaska.net/~cass/draid/referees.html
WilderLands Hold at http://www.teleport.com/~thehold/ where you can find
out about the Legend of WilderLands Hold at
http://www.teleport.com/~thehold/legend.htm
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~ DR Addresses ~
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DragonRaid Links
A Brochure about the game --
ftp://earth.usa.net/users/dragonraid/intro/brochure
DragonRaid Resources Page at http://www.voicenet.com/~sezovr/draidres.html
Adventures at http://www.voicenet.com/~sezovr/adv.htm
DragonRaid Chat Guidelines at http://www.voicenet.com/~sezovr/chat.htm
Miscellaneous at http://www.voicenet.com/~sezovr/misc.htm
Supplements at http://www.voicenet.com/~sezovr/supp.htm
DragonRaid Web Sampler --
http://www.associate.com/Innovative/DragonRaid/index.html
Institute For Christian Small Groups The Lamb's Bride Project's web --
http://www.groups.org
WilderLands Hold at http://www.teleport.com/~thehold/
Legend of WilderLands Hold at http://www.teleport.com/~thehold/legend.htm
Grey Water DragonRaid Web page http://www.alaska.net/~cass/draid/draid.html
LightRaider NET email newsletter
http://www.alaska.net/~cass/draid/lr-net.html
Masters' Page Resource Page http://www.alaska.net/~cass/draid/referees.html
DragonRaid FTP Page http://www.alaska.net/~cass/draid/dr-ftp.html
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~ Archives ~
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We've set up yet another way to get archive copies of the
LightRaider NET. We won't promise that it is faster than
the other method we were trying, but it is easier for us to
keep it up-to-date. Also it will mean the most recent issue
is available as so as we get it out. Also we don't know
how long we will have the other account open.
This method is simply to send an email to
cass@alaska.net with the Subject of LRNET007 or
LRNET008. No message is needed. It may take a day
even as we have to login with THE computer and check
mail etc. for it to happen.
CB
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~ Background ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LightRaider Net is an electronic newsletter for
adventurers!
We discuss the DragonRaid (tm) game designed by Dick
Wulf (ftp://earth.usa.net/users/dragonraid), tell stories
and experiences we have had and talk about new
adventure ideas. We also share what books and music
and graphics have inspired us and maybe what we have
used to enhance learning.
We would like to hear from people who have played
DragonRaid (tm). Reply to this message or send email to
cass@alaska.net to let us know that you want to continue
to receive the LightRaider NET. Feel free to forward it
to anyone you think would enjoy it!
A LightRaider is a strong and adventurous TwiceBorn
who is sent out on missions in the service of the OverLord
of Many Names. If you have never heard of LightRaiders,
here is a good source to learn about them:
New Player Briefing --
ftp://earth.usa.net/users/dragonraid/game/NPB/npb.1
Intro to DragonRaid --
ftp://earth.usa.net/users/dragonraid/Readme
A Brochure about the game --
ftp://earth.usa.net/users/dragonraid/intro/brochure
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LIGHTRAIDER NET (ISSN 1089-3636) is a 'fan-zine' and
is not sponsored by the makers and distributors of
DragonRaid (tm) and is published electronically and
irregularly (as in when we have enough material and time
to do it). All articles are copyrighted property of their
respective authors. Reproducing or republishing an
article, in whole or in part, in any other forum requires
permission of the author or the moderator.
LR-NET is an electronic journal discussing Christian
games and other media related to or potentially inspiring
Christian games. Unless otherwise noted, copyright 1997
Jill Oviatt (jillo@pobox.alaska.net) and Charlie Banders
(charlie@mat.net).
Reproduction for personal and non-profit use is permitted
only if this copyright notice is retained. Any other
reproduction is prohibited without permission. Mail
charlie@mat.net or jillo@pobox.alaska.net with comments,
questions or submissions.
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Text file Source (historic): geocities.com/heartland/5268/dragonraid/lrnet
geocities.com/heartland/5268/dragonraidgeocities.com/heartland/5268
geocities.com/heartland
(to report bad content: archivehelp @ gmail)
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