View source for MZA The bell tolls for thee, Casca

<center><p><FONT color="#800000" face="Monotype Corsiva" size="15">The bell tolls for thee, Casca</font></p></center>


Another edict from our reigning tyrant regarding the famous Bell of Courage wormed its way out of Blackthorn's Keep yesterday evening...

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<I>By Royal Edict, the Bell of Courage has been removed from the secure location it was being kept at. It now rests on a balcony at Castle Blackthorn, ready to inspire and encourage Britannia's armies in the coming days.<br>
-Lord Casca</I></td></tr></table></p>

Traditionally kept in the fortress of Serpent's Hold on the Isle of Deeds, the Bell symbolizes one of the Three Principles which form the Virtues - Courage.  The Bell was kept on display until shortly before the first appearance of the Followers of Armageddon when it was used in B.Y. 310 by Sage Humboldt to help defeat the lich twins, Laithari and Kyrnia.  Rumor has it that it resurfaced briefly during the creation and exodus to Trammel, but no factual evidence can be found.

In today's era of unrest, one must question the sanity of removing a valuable relic from 'secure storage' to be placed on an easily accessible balcony.  The Shadowlords have already gone after the Book of Truth and the Candle of Love.  The Bell of Courage is a logical target.  However, since Casca is in league with these champions of evil it is little wonder he would want to secure the Bell for his masters...

Fortunately for Britannia, many valiant citizens deemed this state of affairs unacceptable and wished to return the Bell to its proper resting place.  Unfortunately, Casca's infinite cowardice has meant that access to Blackthorn's Keep has often been blockaded by magical gates leading to Deceit.

[[Image:BellofCourage-Deceit.jpg|left]]
It was deduced that something in Deceit must be the source of these gates, thus an expedition was readied.  They learned that an archeologist named Walter Drake had embarked on an expedition to the dungeon and discovered a secret chamber within.  He had returned to the dungeon to learn more at the behest of Casca.

Following a notebook which Drake had left in Castle British, Deceit was thoroughly searched for clues.  Once the hidden room was breached, they found a blue Moongate Control Crystal guarded by powerful undead creatures.  After they fell, the crystal was easily shattered by a powerful spell utilizing several pieces of blackrock.  Another notebook written by the Drake was found detailing the torture and starvation he endured by Casca's own hand.

[[Image:BellofCourage-Counterfeit.jpg|right]]
Since the gates protecting Blackthorn's Keep disappeared with the crystal's destruction, the angry mob stormed up to Casca's bedchamber balcony.  The bell resting there was obviously a poorly crafted fake which only the most inept of simpletons might accept as genuine.

Does Casca truly believe the bell on his balcony to be authentic?  He may be a cruel despotic scheming coward, but I scarcely believe him an idiot.  Where is the real Bell of Courage?  We must find this potent symbol before it falls into his hands, and thus the Shadowlord's vile grasp.

Keep your eyes open friends, the Bell must be found!  I fully expect Enforcer Morton to attempt tricking people into locating it for Casca - you must resist his corrupting influence and hamper his efforts in all matters!

<CENTER><FONT color="#FF0000" size=+3><B>DOWN WITH CASCA!<br>
DOWN WITH MORTON!<br>
LONG LIVE BRITANNIA!</B></FONT></CENTER>


<FONT color="#800000" face="Monotype Corsiva" size="5">Lady Martyna Z'muir, Library of Sosaria</FONT>


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