Branin's Library: A look at Norrath


February 25th, 2000, Archives almost completed
I just found out how great an endeavor this truly was. Fortunately, several places keep whole archives of past proclamations (particularly EQVault and EQ Stratics. This was of great importance because my meager supply of personally copied announcements was pitifully small. In addition, the official sources for these messages, the EverQuest Gameplay Forum and the Official Ruins of Kunark Message Board, do not have a long term archive area. I am almost done going through EQVault, and EQ Stratics should have a small number of interviews or emails not covered by EQVault. Lastly, a quick scouring of the official message boards to find anything not submitted or covered by the two news sites.

February 20th, 2000, Archives updated
I've dedicated more time to the exhumation and examination of all the olde records of Norrath. Work has been slow, but much progress has been made. There are a great deal of interesting proclamations from the Gods regarding Norrth, and word of their intentions from the far past has been recorded and saved. Brad McQuaid in particular has a great deal of interesting statements, especially from the early age.

February 16th, 2000, New archive, and new paintings
I finally took out all the copies of announcements from the Gods and scribed them for all to read. I had been collecting them for almost 2 months ever since I returned to Norrath and I finally got off my lazy arse and stopped fighting enough to write them down. The message boards have a new area now, dedicated to keeping a verbatim and accurate summary of all the announcements from the Gods. Sources and links thereto (if they have not expired) are all recorded with each post. In addition, 8 new paintings have been put up for all to enjoy. Ye can find them in the gallery section.

February 5th, 2000, Book re-written
The library should appear much more spruced up now. New graphics, additional material, and a rewriting of older material should make it more accessable now. Visitors are welcome to stop by the message boards and give their thoughts on a variety of topics, most importantly role-playing and/or class balance. There are also new and updated links, new screen-shots, a revised and updated role-playing guide, and a Celtic font (in true type and post-script version). Ye can find the updated adventures of Branin and Kesrin in the StoryBook.

January 21st, 2000, Warrior message board is up!
Because I have never seen a place for Warrior's to meet or even discuss their trade, I have started up my own. Monks and Rogues enjoy a very strong community, and I feel that it is time Warriors had their own as well. Come in, and please discuss everything that is pertinent to our class (especially the recent changes). Ye will find this message board in the message area section, over here.

December 17th, 1999, Branin back from another sabbatical.
Learning the third mystical art of Norrath (not magic, not "chi", but engineering!), Branin has finally returned. Of particular interest may be the wedding of Sunmoon (webmaster of the Ranger's Glade) on December 19th, a Saturday, 7pm in Surefall Glade on the Veeshan server. In any case, now that Branin is back, his mishaps and travels with his partner Kesrin can continue. For the record, Branin does NOT at all believe or endorse the belief in "chi". Branin firmly believes in his mind that Kesrin's ability to do immense and incredible amounts of damage in combat is solely due to the magical interference of the Gods, much akin to a cleric or shaman's channeling. Never mind the fact that Kesrin is agnostic.

November 4th, 1999, Teir'Dal Invasion over
Though it is quite late (5 days hence) since the Teir'Dal attempted to invade Highhold Keep, I feel the need to report upon what happened. In short, Fires of Heaven used a great deal of unethical means by which ensure their members would not die in the war (i.e. having clerics outside the two guilds at war heal members who were fighting). Despite interference from the messengers of the Gods, the Teir'Dal managed to summon Innoruk to their side, and destroy the messenger of Tunare. As a result, the Plane of Hate is now open to mere mortals.

In short, I can only say that I have less of an opinion for the Gods than ever for letting such a travesty of behavior be displayed and unpunished. However, a benefit of this is that we have more ways that ever to express ourselves. The emotes page has been updated.

October 24th, 1999, Branin is back from Sabbatical!
Though I did not announce, I did take a leave of absence and am now back in Norrath. After spending the last few months streneously educating his stupid self in the arts of engineering and other artistic endeavors (not that engineering is artistic), I am once again ready for action.

In addition, make sure ye check out the gallery for many new paintings depicting several interesting events before Branin's sabbatical!

September 9th, 1999, Latest happenings
Kesrin and I have been busy trekking the whole world looking for the various pieces necessary for the completion of a set of crafted platemail. Currently, the last piece missing is the Werewolf talon, which we are confident we can obtain through some crafty luring methods. Next party seems to be aimed at the end of September category. A few weddings and other events sponsored by others should provide some good experience pointing out the do's and do not's of any event.

Oh, one last thing. Make sure you check out the links in chapter three. They have a variety of other interesting miscellaneous tidbits that I'm sure ye'll find fun to read.

September 2nd, 1999, Party Aftermath Publishing
The following pages have been put up by various groups publicizing the results of the party. If you didn't attend and were curious as to what stories were told and who showed up, these are the places to go! August 30th, 1999, Party results
The party had a wonderful turnout, just enough to have a great time in Tassel's Tavern, but not enough to make us all spin around and black out (known to some as lagging out). The following people showed up at some time or other: Atar, Shalara, Widan, Lalana, Dalyn, Mandate, Galilee, Grast, Barrett, Rhyannia, Alruna, Kilal, Aiela, Sodah, Ivian, Sulla. I know I forgot some others, or I mispelled names, if I did, feel free to send corrections to Branin. I am currently in the process of planning the second party with even more extravagent activities.

August 26th, 1999, Ball and Party on the 30th! (Time changed)
That's right, we finally pinned a date, it will be at 7pm PST (8pm Mountain, 9pm Central, 10pm EST) at Tassel's Tavern in North Freeport, Veeshan. Just look across the market square from the bank to find Tassel's Tavern. See ye all there, I'll be bringing a small amount of food (sandwiches, fillets, steaks, beer braised meat, stew, etc.), as well as some alchohol (store bought I'm sorry, with some home brew). Hope ye meet a great deal of other persons, and make some new friends!

August 19th, 1999, Upcoming parties!
That's right, there are two upcoming parties this weekend on Veeshan! August 18th, 1999, Recent happenings
Mail has been filtering in, and I am not dead! In fact, even though my mind may be elsewhere, my thoughts still do come back to me for a quick adventure or two. Recently, I have been busy acquiring a full suit of Crafted Platemail, and soon I shall be the proud owner of two suits, one silver, and one blue! Still working on various recipes of food and brew for the party, soon.

August 11th, 1999, More emotes added to Role-playing page
I have found a great deal more emotes to add to the Role-Playing page. Go ahead and have fun expressing yerself in new ways! (Assuming ye didn't know them already).

August 9th, 1999, Party and Ball update
I've gotten a lot of questions about this, and so I want to answer them all quickly. This is an inaugral party for the movement, and should be a great way to spread the word and meet new people, as well as to get to know each other. August 7th, 1999, Branin to disappear into wilderness
From the dates of Auguest 11th to August 28th I will be gone on sabbatical to something mystical known as home. Home for me is the wilderness, and I will seek out the lost continents of Vellious or Kunark. During this time, I may intermittently appear, or I may not. I will see ye all at a later time!

August 6th, 1999, More library listings
The library listings of other books and newpapers run by others have been updated with two new ones. I ask, that ye all spread the word, and bring as many as ye can to the message board to begin discussion of what they personally want out of this. Once this is quickly done, I will finish stockpiling of supplies for the party!

August 3rd, 1999, First public printing
Branin's library is now open to the public. If ye feel the desire for something more to Norrath than a long hackneyed brawl to age 50, feel free to read within and share yer thoughts. If ye do not see a navigation bar to the left, please direct yeself to http://www3.hmc.edu/~jhsu/everquest/.

Current activities include the planning of a dance and ball in northern Freeport. If ye have any ideas or suggestions, please send them to Branin.

-Branin Black'Lion