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Qadariya
Qordinn Morte
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re: The Legacy of STC, the Beginning, by Lord Itannar

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Our Legacy
--A MUST READ, this journalistic account
by Lord Itannar recounts our beginnings in Britannia, and how we were brutally
attacked, our home destroyed, and we were left naked and dead, and how even
from those ashes we have overcome and grown to be the most wonderful and
successful group of people in all Britannia.

BACKGROUND
STC's very first building was a small forge and was erected on a small grassy field south-southeast of Yew, just below the barrack/fort on the road leading to the crossroads to Britain and Minoc. It was purchased by a collective effort of several Saints, but primarily by Gloik's very generous contribution, and was placed by (the then) Regent Saint Max, recently appointed Overseer of UO for the Saints of the True Cross.* The forge was what Pegasus Bay is now: a location where Saints could meet, hone skills, work, and enjoy the game as it was meant to be enjoyed.

As I entered the game later than many, and despite being new to it, I nevertheless was allowed to assume the highest post in the new guild as its Archon. Saint Max was appointed Chancellor, the experienced and true leader in the game. I was escorted to the forge one night and began a much-needed tutelage of game mechanics, especially smithing, by the ever-helpful Brutis and Grunt. Most of us logged in and out at the forge, and so several of us would often be there at any given time. In no time, much wealth, in terms of arms and armor, had been produced by Brutis, Grunt, and others who helped mine ore, so that the forge was stockpiled with supplies for us all to use. Like all the others, I was well-equipped with chain mail, weapon, shield and helm, by the pioneering, generous, selfless, and hard-working Saints. In addition, I was given a copy of the key to the forge by Saint Max.

Maverick (who was playing as Fenril) states what was true for most of us: "It wasn't very long after I created my first character. I hadn't even begun to learn the ropes yet when I was first pk'ed on that day."

THE BATTLE BEGINS
It was on one fateful October night, the 27th, 1997, while I had been learning how to smelt ore and tinker, under the direction of Brutis, that we were attacked. Several Saints were there, inside and outside of the forge: myself and Brutis, Achilles, Golem, Iceman, Fenril, Javan, and others who came after the alarm was sounded on ICQ, like Rama. It was said that one of the attackers had met a Saint, feigned friendship, and learned of the forge's location, and so they came fully intending to kill, loot, and pillage, instead of joining or befriending us.
There were three of them: Sams II, Roland III, and Draven**, experienced veterans of gameplay, having played since the Beta. They had worked long and hard to increase their skills and stats, especially magery, for PvP. They knew all the tricks and bugs, for I caught up with Draven who was paying a Healer gold coins, one by one, until his notoriety was restored to an appreciable level, allowing him to do more killing AND re-enter town. All wore plate, despite the fact that, back then, lightning did much more damage to those who wore it than other types of armor, and at least two of them were riding horses.
As I saw it from inside the forge, the three appeared from the northwest forest together, entering the green area where the forge sat, the only structure there at the time. I was horrified to see bolts of lightning blast from the sky into Saints milling about in front of the forge. Other spells had been cast, but I did not see their effects or the words of power.

Golem remembers: "I was standing SE of the front door of the forge, busy practicing one trade or another. Two strangers entered my view. Before I could even say "Hail", I saw one of them say "An Ex Por." At the time, I had no idea what that meant. But suddenly I was frozen, unable to move a single finger. I watched in horror as the next words came from the strangers mouth. They were "Corp Por." Another set of unfamiliar words. Then the pain, as my flesh was burned from my bones. I fell quickly, unable to warn my brothers or offer any resistance."

Another to quickly fall was Maverick. Hit repeatedly by lightning and possibly other spells, he fell almost immediately. He recalls the scene vividly:

"I had been entrusted with a forge key, as well as a horse, and I decided to linger about inside for awhile as others went off on their hunt - I was definitely not ready to go up against whatever it was they were hunting, I could barely hang with a measly cat. Anyways, I was getting bored and not quite knowing the real threat of pk's I decided to go out for a bit and pretend to let my horse graze. As usual, Maverickalways has the best timing. A few short seconds after I strayed from the forge, I saw two men on horseback strolling my way. Just as I was about to greet them, I was hit dead on with paralyze. As I was trying to fight off the effects of the then deadly spell, I was showered with a few lightning bolts. I, as well as my horse I believe, fell to our deaths, and I was looted of everything - including the forge key. As I ran looking for the nearest healer I knew we were being robbed of everything we strived for. I knew that my foolish mistake cost us our legacy, and that nothing would be the same again." (Editor's note: Most of us had keys to the forge on us at the time; it just happened to be Maverick's bad luck to be outside when the attack came. It is my belief that he made no more mistake than any of us, and while I respect his view of his actions, they did not cost us our legacy. Rather, they established it, as his account describes further below.)

Others also attacked bravely: Javan ran outside, only to be slain on the front steps by lighting bolts, as it appeared he was seized with lag. The three moved cavalierly to the front of the forge, casting spells on all those who dared to attack or whom they could see to target.
Brutis recollects: "The battle that took place that day was the first for me. When they showed up at the old Smithy I originally took on a lot of damage, I ducked beside our shop. (Not knowing that if they had transparency on they could still see me.) I waited for my health to come back up. Then I attacked Sams while he was on his horse. It wasn't long before my health was almost gone. I ran back behind the house thinking I could heal and then attack a 3rd time. Unfortunately this time they saw me and I think it was Roland who finished me off with a fireball."

They looted the bodies of our beloved brothers and got keys to the forge. Within, waiting to counterattack, hoping to bar the door, defend our goods, and wait in hope for reinforcements, Achilles and I stood, side by side. When the door opened, we both attacked, but lag and my inexperience made our attacks futile. Achilles was slain, then myself, whether by blow or magic, I do not know. They then proceeded to loot our corpses and pillage our supplies, even donning the robes we wore in mockery of us.

I learned quickly what it was like to be a ghost, but had enough knowledge to run north northwest to find a healer. In gravely weakened state, I returned to the forge where other Saints had resurrected also and were regrouping. The three had left momentarily (to place caches of stolen goods in the forest, apparently), then returned to attack us again and again. As I started to flee, weaponless and unarmored, a lightning bolt took me down a second time. Again I went to be resurrected. As Saints showed up randomly, they were, in turn, attacked and killed, including those who returned to collect the items from their own corpses.

Rama remembers: "I came to the forge because I got an ICQ about some pks attacking us...and I came upon a few Saints laying dead on the ground and 3 Dread Lords...one of ‘em might have been a Dark Lord.... they were on horse back. I fired a few lighting bolts at them getting their attention and they chased me for a minute or two and finally got me up North from the forge in the forest....I went back to the forge as a ghost...and was talking to some of the other Saint ghosts for a bit."

Maverick's account continues: "I soon found a healer, and made my way back to the forge. Picking up a few items strewn about on the ground, I armed myself and went into the hut. Just as I was about to enter, one of them appeared. I didn't know which one it was--my heart was racing and mixed emotions were flooding through me. Then and there I stood before a monster. I knew I couldn't win against him--I was nothing but an inexperienced squire against a seasoned warrior. But I could not live with myself if I didn't try to defend our home. I swung at my foe with all the strength of the Saints combined in my heart, but the outcome was, of course, no good. I was weak in both body and spirit and I knew nothing could be done.
"Run boy." I still remember his taunt as if it were yesterday. I wanted to end his life, but it was impossible. Even the most fantasy orientated games will always lack something--the power of one's spirit. So then I fled, not proud, but not in disgrace. I would one day exact my revenge--no, I would exact justice. But now was not the time to die. There would be no honor in my death now, but someday--there would."

THE PLUGGERS, AVENGERS OF STC
After resurrecting a second time, or another, I realized our Plugger allies were nearby and would come to help us. Others also had the idea: I saw Golem ahead of me running toward Plugger valley (now called Ratman valley). He arrived ahead of me and spoke to them, telling one of them about the situation.

I ran near to the forge ahead of them, and watched as Draven, who was outside, ran to attack me and others. Then the woods all around me literally swarmed with green-robed, and green-cloaked warriors as they charged into the battle. Draven was surrounded and quickly annihilated by them. In macabre fashion, but seeing justice dispensed, I thrilled to watch his corpse drop to the ground and his ghost appear. Next came Sams, as he and, for a time, Roland, failed to perceive the force that was coming for them intent on their destruction. When Sams fell, Roland, on horseback, galloped away to the west, leaving his friends to their fates.

Golem says: "My spirit wandered a short way from the forge, and was reunited with my charred body by a friendly wandering healer. I quickly ran around the mountain into Plugger valley, where I saw another Saint. (Editor's note: This was me, Itannar) The two of us recapped the current happenings to the Pluggers, and they offered their assistance. I returned with the Pluggers and proceeded to use my tracking ability to lead the Pluggers to our foes. I was killed and resurrected 3 more times while continuing to track our enemies. I saw 2 of them fall."

Hunter Lothsbane of the Pluggers gives these details:
"About 8 Pluggers were sparring in Plugger Valley approximately 1 month after the game started. Rama of STC (Editor's note: This was, in fact, Golem) came running down into the valley (we immediately noticed he had very little health) and told us that 3 powerful pks had ambushed the STC members who were at the forge and were looting the forge. We immediately stopped sparring, gathered round, and cast heals, reflective armor, etc. on ourselves. We began running up towards the top of the valley and to the STC base following Rama. There were about 8 of us Pluggers and Rama. We stopped just short of the base and quickly co-ordinated an attack plan. Those of us who had not yet honed our magical skills would rush in with halberds and viking swords. The others would hang back and strike hard with lightning bolts and fireballs. We rushed them after that and the plan worked to perfection. I personally got the hit in (with my halberd) that killed Roland III. Roland III and Sams II were dead in a few seconds after being surrounded by 4 or 5 Pluggers with halberds and being hit with lbolts from Skyblade, Plug, and Zarr. Draven used "hide" skill and fled as we were looting Roland III and Sams II. We gave chase and eventually caught and killed Draven in the woods just northeast of the STC base. Draven was attempting to use "hide" skill under a tree when we found him) He ran a short distance but was unable to outrun us before we cut him down. Evidently Roland III did not return that night because we saw no more of him. Sams II had returned to the STC base and begun looting anew while we were chasing Draven. He ran and used hide skill just north of your base as we chased him when we returned. We criss-crossed the area multiple times until we located his position by "bumping" into his invisible form. We lit the area up with firefields and he was forced to run again to keep from being burned up. This happened several times until we finally caught and killed him again. He returned again a 3rd time fully stocked a few minutes later and we realized that he had a backpack of reagents and supplies hidden under a tree somewhere north of the STC camp. We also realized later that there was a wandering healer just north of your base. This time we played "cat and mouse" with him for a long time as we chased him about in the forest north of the STC base. He ultimately was able to escape the 3rd time, and we didn't see anymore of him that night. We later found his backpack under a tree north of your base, but it was relatively empty. The backpack was dyed green and was almost indiscernible unless you looked very closely as you walked under the trees."

Skyblade of the Pluggers recounts his outstanding role in the battle: "Well, if I remember correctly I ran in first. Sams II and Draven tried to L-bolt me but I had MR (Editor's note: Magic Resistance) up. I kept MRing and they tried L-bolting again. Plug and someone else was L-bolting them as they kept trying to L-bolt me. They both died and Roland fled. All through the night Sams and Roland tried killing us....we got Sams at least 2 more times. Roland kept fleeing in time. They had eq[uipment] close to your base and they kept hiding around the area."
Rama reflects on the turn of events after the initial onslaught and his demise: "Then the pks still stood there waiting for more victims I guess....and I saw a army of men in forest/swamp type green colored clothes come across the screen..(I believe there was at least 10 of them, maybe more)...The Pluggers (people in green) swiftly killed two of the pks and chased the third into the forest (I'm not sure if they killed him). The Pluggers resed us and we got what was left of our stuff back."

THE AFTERMATH
Some of the Pluggers remained to talk and resupply us with goods taken from the pks, but we lost most of our supplies in addition to numerous forge keys. Sams and Roland kept coming back until the wee morning hours (4 a.m. CST), long after the Pluggers and other Saints had departed the area. I stayed up to tell them to their faces what spineless curs they were, and that they could never keep us down. I was slain many more times as a result, but I wanted to let them know that Saints do not fear death as much as they fear dishonor and cowardice--something that fully characterized them and their actions that night.

Nevertheless, I went to bed with my heart broken and my morale completely shattered. I felt that one in a leadership position such as mine should have made provisions for the eventuality of an attack of this kind, by posting guards and sending scouts to keep watch. I failed out of inexperience and bad judgment. Shortly thereafter, I stepped down from my position, due partly to my lack of leadership in this bittersweet battle. I appointed Saint Max to succeed me. However, I did not do so out of feeling disgraced. Indeed, I felt no shame, for my actions in the battle nor anyone elses'. There was no hint of dishonor on anyone's part. In the end, we were simply victims of mindless brutality perpetrated by bullies utterly devoid of honor and thoroughly enslaved by greed. It took me a long time to realize that and to forgive myself.

THE VILLAINS' EPITAPH
Never again did those three brutes succeed in such wholesale slaughter of innocents, though they continued to ply their gutless trade along the north coast of Yew for months to come. Roland was eventually relieved of his head by vengeful Saints with the help of Lord Plug; Draven was cornered again a few nights later, like a scared dog, in a building. He was slain repeatedly by Pluggers whenever they could chase his craven self down. Over the course of about a month, Skyblade fought, killed, and looted, SamsII so many times that he finally vacated his House of Death on the the north coast, leaving it to collapse. Sams and Roland eventually fled to another shard as a result of their plight. Evil does, in the end, gets what it richly deserves, and they got theirs in spades.

EPILOGUE
The three villains are gone.. like shadows devoid of substance, hollow and aimless, they have disappeared from the stage. Only the curse of their memory remains. The forge still stands, however, as does STC. We are stronger than ever. Thus it is fitting to call it the Legacy forge, and commemorate this great battle. For the legacy of STC, our song and battle cry, in this game, and in all lands where the soles of our feet may tread will be proclaimed by us in victory, and by our defeated and scattered foes in grudging admiration:
Death before dishonor! Courage against all odds! Perseverance in adversity! Victory from defeat! A Fellowship, a brotherhood, in Covenant, united, eternal, and True!
Long live the Saints of the True Covenant!! I salute you, one and all!!!

Lord Itannar of STC
November, 1998

* STCross was formed as a Diablo guild in May of 1996 and did well while that game enjoyed its heyday. Before UO Beta even appeared, its King (Guildmaster), St.Clair, indicated that he would support the players of UO with their own bulletin board and other features at the guild's web site. Shortly after the game appeared, and after St.Clair played a while on the Beta version, he elected not to join the large contingent of his subjects who had already begun playing UO under the direction of Regent Saint Max. Furthermore, he decided not to establish any support for it at the guild's web site. This was a total reneging on his promises and resulted in disaffection of most of its members, climaxing in an enormous split within the guild's ranks. This schism led to the formation of the Saints of the True Covenant under the initial direction of Itannar, Saint Max, Javan, and Achilles. Positions of leadership were soon established with Golem, Rama, Iceman, Maddog, and Gloik also having appointments in its early government. Members were quickly added and the ranks of STC swelled. The name was chosen because one of the requirements in the old guild was the adding "of STC" to members' characters in UO, but also because, unlike what had happened to us in our former guild, we pledged undying loyalty to one another and to the precepts of honor that we all share. Hence, our Covenant is True, not false, nor just a name chosen at random. For the record, it was Saint Max' idea, and a good one, I might add.

** I initially planned to omit their names, but since they appear in most of the personal testimonies supplied, I went ahead and published them. However, let their names be held anathema, accursed, and accountable for their crime, listed in the Book of the Dead, for all time.
ADDENDUM: I spoke to Roland III before he exited the game, though not for the last time, I hear. He offered no apology--even boasted of his murderous exploits. Nonetheless, I was satisfied that he had paid the price for his crime, though I did not, and will never, forgive nor forget it. He confirmed what I maintain--there are two kinds of people who play games like this--the same kinds of people who are what they are in Real Life: the givers and the takers, the good and the bad, the righteous and the evil, the brave and the cowards, the honorable and the dishonorable. And, unless roleplaying what they are not, thus it will always be. I am proud to be aligned with those of good heart--for the war we wage for ourselves is not one of person and property, but for our very souls--something the shallow-minded, grasping, and evil of heart will never understand, but will ultimately lose.

This tale was penned by our guild archivist and one of our founders Lord Itannar
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