On the new Pristine server, I am known as the character Sheridan Washburn. Sheridan is a member of the Lakeview Deed which is a participating community in the Wurm Academy Alliance. Recently, I revealed my big, hairy, audacious plan to construct a 'Big Build' on the plot of land I cleared.

In Lakeview there is a large area leveled with plans for a House, Archer's Shop, Inn & Pub, Alchemist Lab, Priest's Gem Shop, and Winery.

Once the property is built, the plan is to host LIVE trivia game nights with real prizes (possibly Gold, Silver, Drake Armour, and of course other valuable items).

"So go forth as the finest men and women of the Jenn-Kellon School of Archery I have ever had the privileged to oversee." And with that six long years as an apprentice and student in the Academy ended! The graduation ceremony and speech were the icing on the cake, but all Aendi and his mates wanted to do now was cut loose and celebrate. They had spent the last several years of their lives in a rigid, unforgiving, concentrated, focused academy devoted to the art of archery. Everything from selecting the properly aged tree branch for shafts, to collecting feathers from the finest pheasants had been covered. They knew the ideal target regions on both large and small game - from hell hounds and fire spiders to passing deer and wild boar. Although their practice had been confined mainly to the walls of the academy - their aim was true, and their marks were sure to fall.

From the outcropping of rock reaching out above the trees, Summitch Salmagundi could see far below into the sweeping valley. He watched as merchants loaded cargo onto caravels in Freedom Harbor. And he imagined the sound of the small waves of Crystal Lake lapping against the shore's edge. It was here that the valley descended deep into the dark waters below.

High behind him, Summitch could see the peak of Dragon Fang Mountain catching the bright sunlight. The rich ore veins that decorated the hard stone face of the mountain reflected streaks of light back down to him. The summit of the great mountain seemed to beckon to him. He had been a climber since he was small. Often it was the only way to avoid the beatings of larger boys at the orphanage.

The morning light gave everything before him a fresh and crisp appearance. Perhaps it was the opportunity to start anew on an untouched island that no one to date had ever knew existed. Perhaps it was a magic in the air that came with this wonderful place. Already reports of strange creatures, odd plants, and extraordinary geological formations had begun to trickle back into the makeshift camp. Pristine was going to be a perfect place to prepare for the arrival of The Order and the new kingdom. However, at this early stage, no settlement had yet been established at the place they all came to call Blossom.

Breaking his small camp and stowing his personal articles in a tough leather backpack, Sheridan Washburn set off for higher ground. Looking about he could already see many small fires burning in the slightly foggy morning. People were making temporary encampments all over this newly found island. It was at once inspiring and beautiful - and yet - Sheridan knew the calm serenity of the place would not last. Settlers would begin vying for positions and placing deeds on ever unturned patch of soil that promised a good harvest.

The rolling sea tossed Sheridan Washburn from his swaying hammock below deck - time to wake and face another day at sea. Sheridan thought leaving Port Merevalin following the massive break up of Dragon's Beard was hazzardous. Navigating through the debris washed off the several islands north of Independence certainly slowed movement, and damaged many of the ships. But they had all eventually arrived at Kinoss Bay, and the ports of Pheonix Enterprises.

Emerging from the hold, Sheridan had to cover his eyes from the sun glaring down on the wide deck of the caravel. This massive ship was just one in a fleet stretching for several nautical miles. The thin line of ships were headed for the region that used to be the fiercest mark upon any map. The Dragon's Beard! Now it was only a memory, and more than that, an open expanse for exploration.

Woken before dawn to the creaks and groans of the structure swaying in the strong wind Sheridan Washburn was certainly not pleased. He'd been up late the evening before - staying too long at the tavern and neglecting the duties of the following day. Now the strong wind shook him out of his straw mattress, completely upending the maple-wood bed frame. Standing to his feet Sheridan dashed for the small window facing the broad western sea.

Below him Sheridan watched the small village of Port Merevalin come alive with activity for such a late hour. The sleepy island village was one of the first ports for returning captains, and served them well with a variety of taverns and modest inns. This was also one of the first lines of defense for Independence.

In the telling of any tale it is important to establish some history. History compels characters to press onward through perilous obstacles. These obstacles forge a future which is nothing less than legendary.

Our tale is one such epic concerning the foundation of a kingdom. A kingdom whose return was hoped for in the prayers of the people, but whose demise was plotted before inception by the sinister forces of this world. As events and adventures unfold they introduce The Adventurers who would finally establish the mighty kingdom one by one.

Fording the wide, but shallow and slow moving river, Blackbird McAllister hauled the final load of thick cedar planks onto the shore.  After nearly a week of chopping towering cedars into long timbers. Blackbird had spent the last few days reducing the trees into roughly hewed planks. Luckily he was rewarded with a pile of useful wood chips which would make fine kindling. There would be a lot of refining ahead if he had his way.

Now on the bank of the river, Blackbird begin stacking planks into the three small carts parked along the shoreline. The babbling river could be crossed here more easily than any other spot for several miles in either direction. But this still wasn’t the best place to harvest wood, or spend time with attention consuming distractions. The area was swarming with Lava Spiders and they had passed by Blackbird’s temporary camp much too closely several times.

Rounding the bend, Blackbird had to stop and catch his breath. He was getting too long in the tooth to scale such high mountains without the aid of a paved path or sturdy mount. The oppressive heat and musty humidity weren't helping. Droplets of water pooled and fell from his brow. His hair matted itself to the sides of his face where it hung down damp with sweat. The journey to find his lost charges had taken him to many corners of this unfamiliar continent, but the brilliance of this tropical place paled them all by any comparison.

Reaching into this backpack to draw out the waterskin, Blackbird was angered but not surprised to find it empty. He would have to seek out water, and soon if he wanted to find a suitable camp before darkness fell. The irony of his situation was not lost on Blackbird. Finding one self halfway to the peak of a mountain when water ran downhill would be a tough position for anyone. Forward to the peak, or back toward the brook he passed hours ago?

The straps of the rough leather backpack were pulled tightly, securing a meager collection of tools and food supplies. At least the carving knife was sharp, and the compass was true. Even in the short time spent exploring around the Glittershore fortification the compass proved it's worth more than once. It seemed such a waste to let a corpse rot in the sun when good meat and glands were at hand. Although Blackbird hadn't been trained in culinary arts - he could at least make a palatable assortment of cooked meat fillets. Thank goodness for the bartender who called the fortified walls his home. More than one meal was spent at his table the last few evenings.