Making Travel Plans (27 Dec 2002) On board the Black Ship, the heroes discuss what to do next - and Melchizedek explains more about Mirari's origins.

The Black Boat
A mid-sized boat of dense black wood, about the size of a yacht but with a long, flat deck. A door in the deckhouse leads into quarters large enough for four, or six if they squeeze in and share the bunks, when the nights on deck turn so cold that icicles hang from the rails.

Thomas turns and looks wearily to Hannah, then says, "It's not that simple, Hannah. Look, I know how horrid this must appear to you -- that some of us can shift and mold reality. It's a truth that burns, and one I wish I had not uncovered. But, it is the truth. And here is a situation, regarding one person, that can shed light on how, and to what extent we can alter things. Knowing that, we can forever free Mirari from the threat of the Destroyer." He sighs and shakes his head, then walks back to the center of the circle and adds, "You of all, you understand this. As Hawks, we search out answers. This could be our answer. This could be our solution for winning. And do you want to understand why I say this? Let me continue with something I started and discuss one Rule of Mirari that does need reshaping: 'The Rule of a Year'. It all comes back to Ryan Jordan, King Riordan ..."

Hannah returns quietly to her place among the others, but her face is a study of conflicting emotions - frustration, anxiety, sorrow, and a weariness strong enough to match Thomas's own. In a tightly-controlled voice she says, "Please forgive me. Truly, I meant no offense." Then she sighs and adds in a lower tone, "I already understand that the truth is rarely simple and sometimes painful. I can accept that. Yet I found it difficult to accept that we were spending so much time on this single issue, when so many others need to be considered. We seem to be coming back to them now, so please continue, Lord Thomas."

"Sometimes what seems like a single, nonsensical, issue may be the key that saves all, Hannah. Consider what I am about to say, and you may understand why I find this singular point about Simon important," Thomas replies, then turns his gaze to all those present. His arm snaps back, flicking his cloak out wide. It ripples loudly for a moment, then settles back over his shoulders and Thomas begins to speak.

"King Riordan - a name I am certain many of you are quite familiar with. He was the first King of Mirari some fifty Years ago. But, the truth behind him has been hidden in the mists of history until trials we now face have brought it back to us. The truth is, King Riordan -- Ryan Jordan,existed in both the Mortal and Fey worlds -- much like Redmane, Angel, and I do now. He was part of both worlds, and being thus, had special powers over this one. It was he who formed the 'Rule of a Year', because his mortal counterpart was faced with the fact he could not remain in Ainigton - Mirari's mirror. The short of it is, his Mortal family had to part from Ainigton, only a year after he arrived there and his Fey blood was awakened to Mirari. So, to ease the transition, he stated that a 'Year was all a King ever need rule', or thereabouts. It was that statement that set the rule in place."

Thomas pauses and takes a breath then adds, "Well, not entirely him, as two others who shared the mixed blood of Fey and Mortal were also here at the beginning: Lady Cherise and Lady Angelique - one of which still lives to this day in the realm of the mortals, I might add. But, I digress -- that's not important to the situation at hand; simply something I have learned. They modified the reality of Mirari to set that rule, perhaps unknowingly, as Redmane, Angel and I have." Thomas pauses for a moment to let what he has stated to sink in.

"So all of the others supported the Rule then?" Redmane asks, sitting with her hands in her lap. "He wasn't able to make the change just by himself, I mean?"

"That is my suspicion. As far as I know, they all supported it, even though they were unhappy to see him leave," Thomas replies. "And it does get worse -- but I will come to that when I have satisfied any other inquiries."

Lord Melchizedek stands silent, listening, as the others speak. After a short while, he says, firmly, "No. That is not the way it happened. King Riordan was of Mirari." He speaks confidently, without a trace of uncertainty. "I know. I was there."

Lord April, about to speak, closes his mouth again. It's clear that the secret history of Mirari that Thomas has painted disturbs him. His eyes go toward Lord Melchizedek, hopeful that there is a more palatable answer there.

"It was the way it happened. He walked beneath the statue and into 'Historie,' did he not? I wasn't there, so how would I know this? Simple: I spoke to Lady Cherise, the surviving founder, not too long ago," Thomas replies with equal certainty.

"How long did you know him before the founding of the Houses, Lord Mel?" Redmane asks the unicorn. "If you have very clear memories of things that had to have happened before Ryan Jordan could have been involved, it could tell us something more about how things work."

Angel looks up as the unicorn speaks. "Really?" she asks, all curiosity. The little princess has taken to bundling herself up in her traveling cloak again and despite the occasional shiver she wears a smile and looks to be in high spirits.

The black unicorn lifts his head, his red mane rippling in the cold breeze. "Hold a moment, and listen, Lord Explorer. I know the truth of what you speak; that Mirari's history has been changed and shaped by forces beyond our realm. I know it, because Riordan and I sought, deliberately, to tap the power of the children. We sought to change our land. And we did, more than even I knew at the time."

Thomas quirks a small grin. "Then, do tell us how you sought to use mortals, Lord Protector."

"Um, did you break something you didn't mean to?" wonders Angel out loud.

Redmane shifts in her seat, feeling -- and looking -- somewhat uncomfortable with the ideas being brought up by the unicorn.

Lord April turns paler as he sits up straight. "But-- Lord Protector, you have always been the greatest defender of Mirari's order. To deliberately seek to change it... I cannot think that possible!"

The Lord Protector speaks slowly now, with great care. "There was a time, longer ago than I can say, before the Land had a name or a Historie, when the Land was Wild. I do not mean 'wild' in your sense, of places where humans are uncivilized or absent. The Wildness of this realm was something other. Imagine living in a dream world, where nothing stays the same from one moment to the next. In each instant you are changed, transformed from horse to a dragon, or a man, or disembodied, or shapeless, or a spirit watching someone else's reality. Where once was swamp, a forest might grow, or the nothingness of space. Even the past was malleable. That transformation from horse to man could happen, and one would be left thinking you were always a man. Or, sometimes, one would remember."

Melchizedek glances to April. "It was this Wildness that I, and Riordan - called Ryan Jordan in the mortal realm - tried to reshape. We were gifted by more understanding than most of the malleability of our realm. We saw, and envied, the solidity of the mortal world, and we sought to capture some of it for our own. As you can see, we succeeded, in part, but failed, as well."

"It sounds like a nightmare," Redmane says quietly.

"Like Gabriel's room," comments Angel.

Ahearn whuffles, lowering his head to rest his nose against Redmane's shoulder. Lord Melchizedek gives a solemn nod to the knight's comment, broken by an amused snort at the princess's.

The princess wrinkles her nose. "But it's true! It's very dangerous, but -- oh! -- well you have seen it your lordship," she explains further. She glances around for support from her friends who have also witnessed the horrors of Gabriel's room but upon seeing the many grim faces seems to give up the line of though and busy herself with warming her hands with her breath.

Thomas huffs. "What did you buy this world, Melchizedek? A setting where Lords constantly fight and disagree? You brought stability, but you also cursed it. A world where a Destroyer exists because one of the mortals hated this world? And -- I have an odd curiosity as to how much you sought to protect it. What happened to those who sought the truth?" he asks, eyes dark and focused.

The unicorn flicks back an ear. "When you have lived in nightmares for all your life, you too might find that a flawed reality is preferable. Or perhaps you would not. What do you mean by 'those who sought the truth'?"

Peaking over her hands Angel offers, "I like Mirari," before returning to the busy task of hand heating.

Patting Ahearn's muzzle, Redmane notes to Thomas, "It was the truth, Tom. It was made to be the truth."

"The truth about the Destroyer. About how to end the ongoing cycle that torments this land. But, it does not matter. There is a task at hand, and the Destroyer now holds a key to shape Mirari to how he wishes. Or destroy it," Thomas replies with a shake of his head.

"Maybe he just wants a way to undo any changes we might make, Thomas," Redmane counters. "I think we'll need to get his cooperation now to end the Cycles."

"But what happens if he wants it one way and we want it another? Would Mirari get confused, or could it even work because he's just two and we're four?" asks Angel.

Lord April shivers from more than the cold. "Perhaps it is a blessing to be ignorant of the secret historie of Mirari, my friends," he says quietly. "But it is one denied to us now. When we act, we must act in full knowledge and forethought."

"Bargain with the devil, Redmane? That would be a useless gesture. He would use it to his advantage," Thomas says.

"Lord Eoin's very sneaky-sneaky," agrees the princess. "He even was mean to his own sister and brother."

"I do not understand you, Lord Explorer, and I think it does matter. I do not know how to end this cycle," Melchizedek says, his green eyes glinting. "Nor am I sure that I know the truth about the Destroyer. As Knight Redmane says, this was made to be the truth. Mirari fights to keep her own consistency, now. I was not even aware of how much things could change without my being aware of it -- if you follow my meaning. Some of the things I have done in the distant past are like dreams to me now; I do not know how much of them connects to my own reality, and what is mere passing illusion, irrelevant now."

"Get back to the part about using the power of the mortal children, Lord Protector," Redmane asks, following it with, "Please?"

The gaunt nobleman of April, former prisoner in the Destroyer's Keep, stands and paces along the rail, looking over it to the countryside beyond. "The Destroyer means to end Mirari, Lady Redmane. Of that I think we may be certain."

"Has anyone considered that the Destroyer is the chaos that was, before the lands were formed?" Thomas says quietly, then looks to the unicorn. "And now seeks to use the same power you used to unmake it."

Hannah nods at Redmane's comment, her hazel eyes focused on something far in the distance. "Yes, I think I would also be interested in hearing why the fate of Mirari was entrusted to the games of mortal children," she says quietly.

The princess scoots to sit up a bit straighter in her chair, and asks, "'The Destroyer is part of the land,' Tommy? I read legends that say his lordship is, but also that his lordship is a real person: Lord Eoin. Do you think he can be both? I'm not sure, except for how his eyes look."

The unicorn nods to Redmane's request. "As you will. I chose the young Harcourts because their game touched on the Land. It did not truly shape us -- the Land was not their fantasy world, not yet, not even close -- but I thought that they were the most likely to be capable of exercising influence upon it. I sought help from the Wild Ones. Riordan was one of them, one who had a little more self-awareness than the rest. He agreed that my plan was good, and sought to implement it. Between us, we fashioned a Siege after the model the Harcourts had suggested. Riordan walked that Siege, and in the mortal realm he became Ryan Jordan."

"That's why the story having to move away then, once his task had been completed?" Redmane asks.

Another nod from Melchizedek. "Yes. He chose the time of his departure. The Wild Ones -- they were not as substantial as you or I. He could not stay in Ainigton forever. He shaped the children's story as best he could, attempting to ensure that the world they made was fair, and just. That the Rules were set down, and immutable, so that our Historie and world would be firm. He was not as successful as either of us would have hoped, I fear. John Harcourt, among others, had influence on our land, even when we would rather they did not. But I digress. When the time came, Riordan left Ainigton, and returned to what had now become ... Mirari." The unicorn's eyes grow more solemn. "I thought he would then be able to enjoy the fruits of his labors, but he did not. He said he could dwell no longer as Ryan Jordan in Ainigton, nor as Riordan in Mirari. And so he passed into Historie."

Lord April stops pacing, turning to listen intently. "I do not believe that the Destroyer could be any part of Mirari, or at least any Mirari with which I would hold," he says quietly to the Princess in response to her musing. "But nor do I believe that he is ... a normal Fey or mortal. He is powerful, and he is cruel."

"I think Thomas may have suggested the truth about the Destroyer," Redmane says. "He is the spirit of the original chaos of this realm, given personification within Mirari through the efforts of John Harcourt. In which case... we can't just destroy him. That would probably destroy Mirari as well."

"I said he may be what was Mirari. Not what is, Lord April. And, that he wishes to return it to what was. He could simply be chaos given form, by binding to those consumed by hatred for what is -- like John Harcourt once was. 'Tis how Lord Eoin may have come to be," Thomas says with a nod to Redmane.

Lord April nods, acknowledging the distinction.

"So if he isn't like a regular Fey or a mortal, and, um, in the Wild everything could change, so - oh! And maybe that's what his lordship did to Lord Thomas, Lady Nymuae and everyone else. He made them different like the Wild used to?" Angel suggests.

Redmane stands up, and begins to pace now that Lord April has stopped. "And his means of destroying Mirari -- or returning it to chaos, which is pretty much the same thing -- is to assume the Throne? I'm not even going to speculate on our own involvement in this yet, Angel."

The black unicorn looks to Thomas. He lifts his head, ears swiveling back, then shakes it. "What the Destroyer wishes for Mirari is less than even what we once were. He yearns for the Void, not chaos."

"What's a void?" asks the princess.

"Nothingness," Melchizedek answers.

"Assuming the throne means becoming one for all of Mirari, does it not? If he is nothingness or chaos personified, then his taking the throne would be symbolic of it becoming the void. And, since Mirari is still malleable, and he has Simon with him to help push his will, I wonder..," Thomas says.

"Oh," whispers Alice in a tone that suggests she doesn't really fully understand it.

"What do you see when you switch off the lights at night, Angel?" Thomas says, glancing toward the girl.

"The stars. And sometimes the moon," answers Angel. "And it's very dark. Oh! And a nightlight."

"Why not just abolish the kingship then?" Redmane asks, stopping to look at everyone. "Wouldn't that break the cycle of the Year as well?" Distracted, she looks to the princess. "Oh... just imagine the space between your brother's ears, Angel!"

Ahearn interjects, Whether the Destroyer wants to end everything or just scramble it beyond all recognition, I will stand opposed to him. Unless knowing his exact desired ends is going to help us stop him, I suggest we concentrate on how to keep his armies from capturing the Palace and placing him on the throne.

"Remove the lights. Picture darkness and silence. The absolute lack of anything," Thomas says, with a glare to Redmane.

"Oh!" exclaims Angel. She nods understandingly. "Air. Air head, that's what Jenny called him once. So, it's like a black paper only, um, without the paper either?"

"Then we take the battle to him," Thomas says simply to Ahearn.

Ahearn gives a nod to Redmane's suggestion, but Lord Melchizedek shakes his head. "It is one of the earliest Rules, that Mirari will have a Ruler. It is written in the pages of Historie. You cannot change that on whim."

For her part, Hannah looks grateful for the lighthearted by-play of Angel and Redmane. Her expression lightens a little in response.

"So if we have to, well ... I mean, you know ... his lordship ... how do you do that with a void? Do you fill it up?" further inquires the princess.

"How do we break the cycle of the Year then, Lord Mel, if it too is a Rule?" Redmane asks the unicorn, then states, "Rules can be changed."

The princess blinks as if just catching something. "Oh, Her Majesty sent me to bring Sir Theodore to the Palace so he could lead Mirari's uni-fied ..." She beams at Lord Melchizedek. "... armies. The Golden Hawks and House Lords are already being told what happened since Lord Eoin got shooed out of the Palace."

Lord April smiles down at the Princess, and reaches out to rub her head. "Niece, do not concern yourself overly with these things. It may be best that you remain where Sir Theodore can protect you."

For a moment, the unicorn does not reply, then he answers Redmane, "The oracle said as much. But the Rules are all that separates Mirari from the Wild."

Angel squirms at the head rubbing and peers up at her uncle through her now much more messy hair. "Okay. But Sir Theodore should go to the Palace. Queen Mom said so. That's my mission!"

"We're not saying to abolish them, but to alter them. We need to complete what you and Riordan began. We need to solidify this world," Thomas says.

"Then let's get back to the Palace," Redmane suggests, listening to Angel. "If we're going to war, it would be good to see just how prepared Mirari is for it."

"And I quite agree, as long as you go with him," Lord April says with a small smile. "Then Seraph can decide what to-- what you ought to do next, niece."

"That is well, Princess," Melchizedek says, approvingly. "If the Lords can be united against the threat, we may yet repel the Destroyer's armies." He glances to Thomas, and bows his head in a deep nod. "On that, we are most assuredly agreed. If you believe you know how to finish this work, so long ago begun ... then I will lend you my aid, and brave the risks of it." He says the last with a solemnity that suggest he thinks those risks both real and grave.

"I simply want to see where Simon was seen last. I intend to find him and the Destroyer, regardless of what the rest of you do," Thomas replies simply with a shrug. "I fear the Destroyer having in his grasp some of the power that was used to build this world in the first place."

Ahearn scrapes a hoof against the deck. What do you think you can do to make Mirari solid? To prevent any more mortal children from having this power over us? he asks bluntly.

Angel turns her smile between Redmane and her uncle. "I asked Her Majesty to get the Golden Hawks because the Lords won't listen to each other. Oh, and Uncle? Could you try and be nice to Lord October? It doesn't do to have our Houses fighting. Especially with Void Eoin -- um, Lord Void, Lord Eoin being a meanie." Without skipping a beat she then turns to Lord Thomas and tells him, "I last saw Page Simon at the Palace. He went 'poof.'"

"Stop inviting them to come over and play would be a start," Redmane whispers to Ahearn.

"That I do not know," Thomas replies, then turns his attention to Alice. "Poof ... as in a cloud of smoke?" he asks.

Hannah turns to Thomas. "As in smoke, milord. Simon broke something against the floor of the Palace infirmary and used that as a screen while he slipped away."

And that begs the question, Ahearn replies to Redmane. If the Lord Protector solicited the Harcourts, did anyone solicit you?

The princess nods, which only serves to cause several strands of her hair to fall across her face. "Yep! It would have been a really neat trick except Simon was really mad at us ... well, me. And Her Majesty too." She frowns a little.

"I suspect that somebody did, Ahearn," Redmane tells the Lord of Horses. "Rebecca was contacted by House October for just that reason, I imagine."

Tom nods to Hannah and says, "Good. Then we have a trail. The smoke will have a scent and cling to him. There should be residue where he was last seen, from which we can gather the scent. It's a starting place, and it appears our paths will remain together a bit longer."

"I'd like to hurry back to the Palace," says the princess. "I'm worried about Her Majesty."

Lord April winces at Alice's request regarding his treatment of Lord October. His answer, sincerely made, is, "I have no quarrel with Lord October any longer, and I shall not seek one. I have been ... much misled."

Ahearn asks Redmane, Before or after your game began?

The little blonde girl turns again and smiles at her uncle. "Could you maybe shake his hand or give him a big hug uncle? I think it would help a lot if everyone saw that. Maybe the Seasons would get along better then," she requests.

"I can't be sure," Redmane tells the horse. "Rachel knows the details. But it was Rebecca who started the game of searching for the lost king."

Hannah looks askance at the Princess and grumbles, "If such an act would cause Lord February to listen to reason, then I shall be most amazed."

"Oh, and no one knock on a gargoyle's tongue. They hate that," adds the princess.

"So would I, Angel," Redmane says to the princess.

Lord April gives a chuckle, tossing his head back. "I can manage a handshake, I am sure. An embrace might be asking much from either of us, niece. But we shall see. I -- I have wronged him in the past, and I know it now. Whether he chooses to forgive that or not, we shall have to see."

"Me too," agrees the princess, nodding.

Thomas quirks an eyebrow and says, "Lord February? You shall have to tell me about him. I hope you put him in his place."

Angel glances back to her uncle. "Oh well he's very comfortable- oh, I guess it would be kind of embarrassing. Gabriel doesn't like to hug anyone when someone is watching either. Um. He's very nice though. A little serious, but I think his lordship would like it if Summer and Fall houses got along again. Just like old times. Old times if they were old, and not new times made old, or are newer than new times you know," she tells him.

"Well, since we're all in agreement on at least going to the palace, how about we get going and continue our discussion along the way? Otherwise, we waste what time we do have, yes?" Thomas says and glances at those present.

"We are agreed, then, that at the least we shall return to the Palace. The next consideration must be: how quickly? Theodore's knights are swift, but not so swift as this djinn-enchanted vehicle. And even that magic pales beside the speed of the Lord of Horses," Melchizedek observes. "So: do we keep together as one group, or do we travel separately for greater speed?"

"Do we have to row? I'm not very good at rowing. And, um, no candles this time," asks Angel.

"Agreed, let's collect Sir Lefallon and the boat's en-Djinn and get underway again," Redmane says. "We can take Sir Theodore with us, and let his troops catch up on the ground."

Ahearn nibbles on Redmane's hair in retaliation for the pun.

Lord April shakes his head with a smile to his niece. "The Djinn, Nashita al-Zephyr, will handle the propulsion of this boat, though I suspect that when she has accomplished the Lady Redmane's last wish, she will quickly depart for happier places. I only hope that she will not spirit away my erstwhile squire as well."

"I think we should tell the Palace we're coming before we arrive. I'd be very worried if a big black ship floated out of the clouds suddenly. It's kind of scary. Did it belong to Lord Eoin? I don't think he'd like pink," continues the princess.

"Well, I want as much time as I can have to try and get some tracking bearings on the missing Simon. Perhaps I should even begin my investigation in secret; the last thing I need is to have to answer a bunch of Lords' questions. No offense intended, but dealing with the court of Mirari is much like trying to herd cats. Irritating is an understatement," Thomas says.

"But it is a neat ship," quickly corrects Angel. "Just a little scary."

The Lord Protector snorts at Thomas's statement. "You do cats an injustice in your comparison. And they're even worse, if you can imagine that, with no sitting Ruler."

Lord April laughs. "No offense taken, for I have observed much the same myself, Lord Explorer. I have, in fact, much experience at both sides of the comparison."

Trying to wave Ahearn away from her hair, Redmane suggests, "If you rode out near the prow for everyone to see, along with Lord Mel, Angel, then we might not seem so ominous."

Hannah puts in, "I agree that a flying ship may not inspire, ah, confidence when first seen by those at the Palace, but unless anyone here has a messenger-bird that I am unaware of, sending word in advance of our coming will be difficult."

"Okay! I wanted to be at the front of the ship when we go anyway. I can see a lot of Mirari from there!" the little girl agree excitedly.

"Besides, making an impressive entrance may get the Houses to stop bickering long enough to pay attention," Redmane notes.

The white stallion looks confused and innocent at Agatha's handwaving. He offers to Hannah, I am no messenger-bird, but as the Lord Protector noted, I can outrun this ship. I could bring word of your coming.

"Mr. Ryland is busy scouting so he couldn't come," offers the blonde.

Thomas shrugs and says, "Can we not borrow a standard from Theodore's men and fly it on our prow? That would be easiest seen from the ground." Thomas them hmms and asks, "Could I ask for a ride, then, Ahearn? I would like to get my investigation going as quickly as possible."

Hannah smiles and bows slightly to the Lord of Horses. "I think that would do very well."

"You have my blessing, as if you needed it," Redmane says to Thomas and Ahearn. "Just don't stop at any taverns along the way, if you please."

"Are we all ready to get going then?" asks the princess.

Thomas gives Redmane such a look. "Do you think so little of me?" Thomas asks. "There's a job at hand. I'm not about to go on some ridiculous bender."

The white stallion stiffens, giving Tom a look. He snorts at Redmane's comment. I will bear thee, lady. But I am the Lord of Horses, not a tame gelding to carry whomever you will.

Thomas huffs and says with a smirk, "Worried I might discover that the stories about the Lord of Horses are a bit, ah, embellished, then? Afraid of what I might learn?"

Angel glances at her uncle again. "What's a bender? Wouldn't Tommy only go on serious benders?" she asks him.

Lord April ponders this. "Yes," he says, straight-faced.

"Ohhhh."

Ahearn just looks at Thomas for a moment, then turns his head to regard the scenery.

"As I thought," Thomas replies with a smirk.

With a sigh of exasperation, Redmane says, "Okay, Ahearn and I will go on ahead to let everyone know not to shoot the boat down. Thomas can jump off before you reach the Palace, if he doesn't want to get caught up in the homecoming hullabaloo."

Lord Melchizedek says, somberly, "I will collect the Lady Rachel. Perhaps her inquiries will have yielded some useful information. I believe Miss Al-Zephyr is seeing the sights in Elysia, such as they are, if anyone will tell her we are ready to go?"

For Angel's part, she looks quite excited at the though of homecoming hullabaloo. "Oh, oh! Can I tell her? I've never met a Djinn before!"

Hannah gives Lord Melchizedek a lop-sided grin and offers, "I will disembark and fetch the Djinn, if you like, milord. Although I may end up rescuing a knight, as well...."

Melchizedek considers the offer for a moment. "Perhaps you had best take the Lord Explorer with you, my lady. On reflection, they may prove hard to locate." With that, he starts down the landing of the boat.

Previous Log: Who is Simon?	Next Log: Packing for the Journey

Thread Links
	Previous Log: Who is Simon? Next Log: Packing for the Journey		Previous Log: Who is Simon? Next Log: Packing for the Journey
	Previous Log: Who is Simon? Next Log: Black Ship, Dark Concerns

---

This site serves as a chronicle of sessions in an online roleplaying campaign moderated by Conrad "Lynx" Wong and May "Rowan" Wasserman. The contents of this site are (c) 2001, 2002 by Conrad Wong and May Wasserman except where stated otherwise. Despite the "children's fantasy" theme of this campaign, this site is not intended for young readership, due to mild language and violence.