--- deliantra/server/pod/books.pod 2007/01/03 12:06:36 1.9 +++ deliantra/server/pod/books.pod 2007/01/03 12:20:26 1.10 @@ -294,13 +294,13 @@ =head2 Volume VI: Sixth Millenia EK -5524 EK: The Meteomage Grab of Ledh fails an experiment, making the weather mad for a while, an event remembered as “The Weather Madness”. +5524 EK: The Meteomage Grab of Ledh fails an experiment, making the weather mad for a while, an event remembered as "The Weather Madness". Late LVIth Century EK: The Great Schism between the Simplifists led by Mish the Toon and the Stabilists: The Sedition Wars. 5581 EK: Battle of the Glowing Crystal: the Order of the Careful Coders is disbanded. -5598 EK: The Simplifists exile themselves into the Pocket Dimension of Daï-Moh-Nî, “The World With a Future”, in Ancient Daigojij Language. +5598 EK: The Simplifists exile themselves into the Pocket Dimension of Daï-Moh-Nî, "The World With a Future", in Ancient Daigojij Language. =head1 Recent Historic Events, by Khalis. @@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ =head2 Past and Destruction -Ah, Euthville - “City of the Pearl”, in Old Hemdalite, has indeed a +Ah, Euthville - "City of the Pearl", in Old Hemdalite, has indeed a rather sad story!! If you went there about half a millenia ago, you’d have seen something @@ -400,16 +400,16 @@ of the city, playing with his flute, laughing whenever he saw one of the demonstrations the powerful wizards and engineers failing again and again. -After several days, the Commander noticed the Boy, and said: “who -are you to laugh, you, who has only a flute ?” “I have only a +After several days, the Commander noticed the Boy, and said: "who +are you to laugh, you, who has only a flute ?" "I have only a flute for sure - but there’s more in my simple pipe than in those -legions of wizards.” “Really ?” said the Commander, half-laughing, -half-curious, “so you think you can solve my challenge ?” +legions of wizards." "Really ?" said the Commander, half-laughing, +half-curious, "so you think you can solve my challenge ?" -The Boy smiled. “Not only I can, but I shall - and my price will be -quite acceptable to give you the energy you need.” “And that would -be...?” - “A new pipe.” came the reply “That one is becoming -old.” “Agree, you have your chance.” +The Boy smiled. "Not only I can, but I shall - and my price will be +quite acceptable to give you the energy you need." "And that would +be...?" - "A new pipe." came the reply "That one is becoming +old." "Agree, you have your chance." The Boy then started to play an amused melody. It sounded like an invitation to a great feast, the opening of a meeting where everybody was @@ -418,9 +418,9 @@ leaving a great hole from which flames emerged. But the fire seemed to dance at the rythm of the music itself. -The Boy then said to the Commander: “As long as you keep playing for +The Boy then said to the Commander: "As long as you keep playing for the Demons there, at least 23 hours each day, you’ll get them to make -whatever you need.” And he gave them the score, took a brand new silver +whatever you need." And he gave them the score, took a brand new silver flute, and left, and never was seen again at Euthville. At first, things seemed fine, and the Commander couldn’t believe his @@ -482,8 +482,8 @@ Euthville, Farkennis, as a gift for the 18th Birthday of his daughter, Sannista. That’s the boat that was stolen by Fax when he fled from Euthville, and that he used to get to Khelens. Giusitta the Verbous then -sailed it back to the Continent, and hid it “somewhere in the mountains -of Euth”. +sailed it back to the Continent, and hid it "somewhere in the mountains +of Euth". So I *guess* she would have put it there, although I’m not *sure*. Many people thought the story was speaking about the mountains just east of the @@ -497,24 +497,24 @@ the various names of this, our World. In this tome I wrote down all my knowledge. Be careful with it, else it might overwhelm you, as it did me! -In Khelens and most of its territories, it was named “The Earth”, -while the major western landmass was called “The Continent” while the +In Khelens and most of its territories, it was named "The Earth", +while the major western landmass was called "The Continent" while the eastern landmass was called "the Wilderness". -Fendrakis used “Raxida”, which is also the name they gave to the Fox +Fendrakis used "Raxida", which is also the name they gave to the Fox Lady, Mother of All Things, deity. -Elves traditionally use “Eänella”, which translates as “The Land of -Green” +Elves traditionally use "Eänella", which translates as "The Land of +Green" -Dwarves of Khorolizov use “Herdankaupf”, “Country of the Horses”, +Dwarves of Khorolizov use "Herdankaupf", "Country of the Horses", which is a reference to their mythology (see the legend of the Twelve Days for that) -The Orcish name is “Knâgsh-Ishzeh”, “Rotten Branch” +The Orcish name is "Knâgsh-Ishzeh", "Rotten Branch" -The people of the Old Wall, used the name “Harinappa”, “Bottom of -the Pit”, to designate the world. +The people of the Old Wall, used the name "Harinappa", "Bottom of +the Pit", to designate the world. Most people nowadays use the old Khelenti name ("The Earth") or its direct translation in local languages/idioms. @@ -745,11 +745,11 @@ On the Third world, of course, none of the resident Gods wanted to cooperate with the other. Both created their own races: the God who fought for darkness created many kinds of fierce, brutal monsters he named -“Demons”, while the God who fought for light created many kinds of -skillful, swift warriors he named “Angels”. Befittingly, these Gods +"Demons", while the God who fought for light created many kinds of +skillful, swift warriors he named "Angels". Befittingly, these Gods were named by their enemies, and not their followers: the demons gave the -light god the name of “Valriel“, and the angels gave their enemy god -the name “Gorokh“. +light god the name of "Valriel", and the angels gave their enemy god +the name "Gorokh". And on the Fourth world, the patron Gods kept true to their philosophy and created not one, but innumerable races, in the hope that one of these @@ -874,8 +874,8 @@ His new companions and servants. And as soon as Valriel had millions of new companions and servants, Gorokh -said, “so now you won’t need me anymore, I can leave and find my own -companions and servants”. And this made Valriel unhappy because He was +said, "so now you won’t need me anymore, I can leave and find my own +companions and servants". And this made Valriel unhappy because He was the only and true Lord, but Gorokh wouldn’t recognize that, and so it was Gorokh who eventually taught men to rule over other men instead of paying respect to the one true ruler of all. @@ -996,8 +996,8 @@ new companions and servants. And as soon as Valriel had millions of new companions and servants, Gorokh -said, “so now you won’t need me anymore, I can leave and find my own -companions and servants”. And this made Valriel unhappy because he +said, "so now you won’t need me anymore, I can leave and find my own +companions and servants". And this made Valriel unhappy because he believed he should be only and true Lord, but Gorokh couldn’t agree to that, and so it was Gorokh who eventually taught men to rule over themselves instead of paying respect to one self-appointed ruler of all. @@ -1058,7 +1058,7 @@ upon the task of killing all the most valuables of Gorokh they could find. Gorokh was consumed with sorrow, and devised a way to spare these faithful servants, by allowing them to raise again from the grave even -after their deaths. But the servants of Valriel found these “un-dead” +after their deaths. But the servants of Valriel found these "un-dead" an even greater abomination, and set forth to hunt them, and Valriel delighted in the war and carnage that ensued. @@ -1100,7 +1100,7 @@ of Ore and Forge and himself. Till he decided it was time to start forging. And then, first of all, he forged time, so that he could separate after from before, and so that he could exist absolutely - as opposed to, -at the same “time”, existing and not being created yet, which was the +at the same "time", existing and not being created yet, which was the case if time didn’t exist. Then, with things in order, he began forging things. The first thing he @@ -1210,7 +1210,7 @@ popularity of the city, Skud didn’t found it: it was in fact created by Tabb the Dark, a Builder that left very little information about him behind. According to the Codex Skudensis that was discovered in the depths -of the Old City, “Scorn” would have been the real name of Tabb the +of the Old City, "Scorn" would have been the real name of Tabb the Dark. @@ -1302,7 +1302,7 @@ barbarians that lived there. The elvish people fled, and many of them settled in a place they called -Vkovzerov, “The Country of the Three Waters”, as it was a rather +Vkovzerov, "The Country of the Three Waters", as it was a rather unique meeting point between a river, a lake, and the sea. There they enjoyed a great prosperity, working with the local sprites to build Tashkeren-tah, The City of the Wooden Towers. @@ -1328,20 +1328,20 @@ carefulness. Using their most powerful summoning spell, they convocated one of the Greater Aquomons before them. -“Who are you, you creatures with pointy ears, to dare awaken me from my -dreams, me, Vërno, the Fourth Drop ?” +"Who are you, you creatures with pointy ears, to dare awaken me from my +dreams, me, Vërno, the Fourth Drop ?" Elven Princes exposed what they wanted to Vërno, and the creature seemed very interested at the idea of grabbing all the richesses of Scorn, and bringing them back into his dark kingdom of the depth of the sea. -“Very well, said Vërno, but you know, I suppose, that we are all bound +"Very well, said Vërno, but you know, I suppose, that we are all bound by the Law of Equilibrium, established by the gods themselves when the world was new and the seas infinite. And for my services, you’ll have to -pay the price.” +pay the price." - And what do you want for a price ? - Well, my needs are rather -modest. I’ll only claim a tenth of your own lands as a reward.” +modest. I’ll only claim a tenth of your own lands as a reward." The Elven Princes quickly discussed the matter, and came to the conclusion that it was a rather fair price to pay - after all, their territories @@ -1350,7 +1350,7 @@ peasants, but who cared about them more than of the vengeance against Scorn ? -And so they answered: “The Fate of Scorn is Sealed, then. We accept.” +And so they answered: "The Fate of Scorn is Sealed, then. We accept." What happened then is too long to tell in details here, as it belongs to another story. In short, Jovidjevska the elven girl, who had heard @@ -1360,8 +1360,8 @@ only emptiness. Vërno, furious, came back to the Elves with a big smile, and told -them: “I did what you wanted, and flooded the territory on which Scorn -was established. Now I take my due price.” +them: "I did what you wanted, and flooded the territory on which Scorn +was established. Now I take my due price." And that said, he selected the area on which the Elven City itself was built, and covered it with water, its inhabitants trapped and killed there @@ -1386,7 +1386,7 @@ For years, he studied the Arcanes, hunting for traces of the city, as he was convinced that the lost wisdom of the elves of Vkovzerov would give him a great power. And, finally, after 20 long years of searching, he -concluded that the secret was in the area now called “Lake Country“. +concluded that the secret was in the area now called "Lake Country". And there, he came, and there was a small house made of wood, and there was a tree, and there was a young elvish woman, dreaming at the stars, @@ -1394,9 +1394,9 @@ love, and they both watched the stars. But soon, Butakis felt the need of getting back into action, and finding the lost city and getting its power. -The lady told him: “The true wisdom is in those stars, and in that +The lady told him: "The true wisdom is in those stars, and in that tree, and in that house you see. You’ll only find unrest by aiming for -more.” +more." But Butakis had already made up his mind, and he brought back engineers, and sappers, and miners, and they all worked to build a huge machine to @@ -1428,9 +1428,9 @@ That, Butakis had waited for long, but he didn’t expect what she told him then. -“Ten years you were away, and ten years I watched the stars with +"Ten years you were away, and ten years I watched the stars with Twak. And now for him, and for he choose me and my heart, I’ll -disappear, and so does your dream.” +disappear, and so does your dream." Butakis understood that he had been fooled, that she only kept her attention away enough for Twak and three of his faithful men to sabotage @@ -1460,10 +1460,10 @@ =head1 The Wizard School of Blue -“Although the School disappeared with the Empire itself from The World, +"Although the School disappeared with the Empire itself from The World, several wizards claimed to be the heirs of their ancient, secret wisdom, -and nicknamed “the Blue Ones”, a reference to the color of the School -Banner.” – Gros, the Irrelevant One +and nicknamed "the Blue Ones", a reference to the color of the School +Banner." – Gros, the Irrelevant One =head1 The Great Heliograph @@ -1494,7 +1494,7 @@ Black Art. Both of them tried to improve the life of the people living all around their house, and introduced the use of cats as spirit-watchers in Scorn. Unfortunately for them, they were burned by an angry Brestian -fanatical mob for “illegal use of Arcane Powers”. +fanatical mob for "illegal use of Arcane Powers". =head1 Ilrya, The Mountain Huntress @@ -1513,8 +1513,8 @@ =head1 Khorolizov -One of the three great dwarven kingdoms. “Khorolizov” means “Green -Gold”, which is a reference to the Green Sand, an alchemical component +One of the three great dwarven kingdoms. "Khorolizov" means "Green +Gold", which is a reference to the Green Sand, an alchemical component the dwarves of Khorolizov are the only ones to produce. It is probably the oldest of the three kingdoms, founded long before the Old Empire of Khelens reached the shores of the Continent. @@ -1532,8 +1532,8 @@ =head1 Cromli, The Rocky One Crolmi is the Dwarven Spirit of Rocs and Mountains. It has no temples, as -it is said that buildings made of stone anger him (it is like “building -with his own flesh”). +it is said that buildings made of stone anger him (it is like "building +with his own flesh"). =head1 Glamdri, The Darkness Breaker, The Last Standing One @@ -1551,12 +1551,12 @@ Rhyz was an Archmage of the Blue School during the Old Days of the Empire. -“(...)Unlike Dhelyy Olyy, his contemporary rival for the Seat, Rhyz +"(...)Unlike Dhelyy Olyy, his contemporary rival for the Seat, Rhyz focused mostly on closing the gap that existed between the art of fighting and the Arcane. While Dhelyy Olyy believed in the dual association of the Warrior and the Wizard, each with its own strength increased by a long specialization in their respective fields, Rhyz believed in the idea of -a “super warriard”, a combination of a powerful wizard and a strong +a "super warriard", a combination of a powerful wizard and a strong warrior. As such, he devised many items that increased the strength and combat capabilities of their wearers, hoping that wizard apprentices would so be more inclined to learn the battle skills of warriors. @@ -1564,7 +1564,7 @@ Unfortunately for Rhyz, most of his followers relied more and more on magical strength more than physical training, leaving them to a severe defeat at the Battle of Moriach, when Dhelyy used an anti-magic field over -them.” +them." (Quote from the Codex Simochusianus, Volume XVII) @@ -1581,7 +1581,7 @@ created by daemons for people who were seeking short-term power, but would thus head directly for long-term soul slavery. -Xebinon is sometimes called “The faceless one”, as it is said that the +Xebinon is sometimes called "The faceless one", as it is said that the daemon trapped him by stealing his visage. This may explain why magical artifacts wearing his name are often helmets. @@ -1596,7 +1596,7 @@ Argoth was a dwarven city built on one of the highest mountains known, rooted in the depths of the sea, and climbing so high in the skies that -uneducated travelers said that it was a “stairway to the gods”. On the +uneducated travelers said that it was a "stairway to the gods". On the top of the mountain, the Imperial Governors built the Two Towers, who were visible from Scorn, about 200km far from them. @@ -1751,9 +1751,9 @@ joyful foxes, and they welcomed Lorkas and his men (and women) warmly. Soon, they learned to understand each other enough. -They called themselves “The People of the Mother”, and they had -never seen the “Flat-Eared Giants” before, although they already met -“Flat-Eared Beards” and “Flat-Eared Greens” before. +They called themselves "The People of the Mother", and they had +never seen the "Flat-Eared Giants" before, although they already met +"Flat-Eared Beards" and "Flat-Eared Greens" before. But there was a lady called Sonja. And, although she wasn’t human, she seemed brighter, smarter, more beautiful than any other woman Lorkas had @@ -1771,14 +1771,14 @@ eyes. But so much the inhabitants liked it, so they thought that a valuable friend was much better than a valuable statue. -And so they said: “Take the bird as a gift of us to your masters, to +And so they said: "Take the bird as a gift of us to your masters, to show them we want to make friendship with them. Welcome are the friends of -the children of the White Bird.” +the children of the White Bird." And so Lorkas left, promising Sonja that he’d soon return. -The people of the Golden City also told him that “The Bird is imbued -with powerful magic: the one owning it will always keep hope.” +The people of the Golden City also told him that "The Bird is imbued +with powerful magic: the one owning it will always keep hope." =head1 Story of Lorkas the Fallen, Volume IV @@ -1809,7 +1809,7 @@ And still, each day, he spent hours waiting, watching the line where the sea met the sky, hoping that one day, one would sail back and tell him: -“we found the Golden City !”. And always he hoped, but never received. +"we found the Golden City !". And always he hoped, but never received. Nearly all of his companions were now dead, and the Horizon had been retired long ago, now slowly rotting in the bay, fading souvenir of a long @@ -1829,7 +1829,7 @@ Nobody knows exactly where he went. Was he even dead? Nobody knows. But everybody kept hope that, one day, he’d reach the Golden City again. Lots of people tried to find the Bird after that event. They all -accused Lorkas of having “stolen” it. The story became legend. The +accused Lorkas of having "stolen" it. The story became legend. The legend became fairy tale. And the fairy tale got forgotten by most. Yet, Centuries ago, deep in the oldest parts of the Old City of Scorn,