You arrive in Kodun with news of the Basilisk, but the famed Knights of Kodun are gone and the city appears in ruins. Talk to the citizens of Kodun and find out what has happened. Speaking with several Koduners, you discover that the Knights of Kodun left almost a month ago after hearing word that Mephisto, The Dark Lord of Terror, had found a way to break the Seal of Exile and was searching out magical artifacts throughout the land to enable his return. The Stone Eye of the Basilisk was just one of many he would need to break the Seal itself. The citizens of Kodun beseech you, the hero who was strong enough to fight the Basilisk of Beldrimor, to find out where the knights had gone... and if they are still alive.

The Oracle of Kodun tells you that the last she heard back from the knights, they were headed towards the Sand Dunes of Helmholt to consult with the sages who lived there on what Mephisto might need to break the Seal of Exile. Investigate the area, but beware of the hydras that hunt there. Deep in the moving sands, dune before you erupts in a plume of sand and blood. 9 ferocious heads lift majestically out from under the dunes, each one bearing razor sharp teeth. You battle the hydra for hours, two new heads emerging from the enormous torso for every one struck down. Without severing any heads, your archers blind the beast by striking only the eyes, leaving you an opening to thrust your blade directly into its heart.

Lord Gerrard, the First Knight of Kodun, lays bleeding and buried in the sand. Dig him out while defending the area against hydras. Your soldiers fend of hydras as you speak to Lord Gerrard. The dying knight breaths shallowly as he tells you of how they had been ambushed by a horde of firebreathing hydras. These unnatural beasts of magic nearly killed him, but he managed to take refuge in the sand dunes themselves. They had managed to meet with the sages and had heard that only the Elder Dragons were old enough to know the details of how the Seal of Exile was made, and how it could be broken. The only remaining Elder Dragon lived in isolation on the Isle of Solitude. That would be where the other knights would have headed.

The Isle of Solitude is a dangerous place where no man, dwarf, or elf has set foot for many years. Seek out the Elder Dragon in the isle, but beware the Sirens that have led many sailors to their deaths. Sweet music fills the air, but you and your soldiers remain vigilant. Deafening the sounds with the use of woolen ear plugs, you fight the Sirens of Solitude bravely. Through blood-soaked tears, you battle your way through the deadly chorus towards the Cavern of Hope. Home of the last Elder Dragon in this world.

Stalactites of pure crystal hang from the ceiling, with water so pure you can see a perfect reflection of yourself in its still surface. The Elder Dragon's lair is protected by an ancient sect of Merman Bodyguards. Defeat them to earn your passage to the Elder Dragon herself. Not far from the entrance of the cavern, you find yourself surrounded by a group of Mermen. Their tridents glow with a golden aura you have never seen before. With fierce determination, you and your soldiers charge through a small gap in their formation, achieving a strategic advantage sufficient for you to overcome their strength. You chain them to some entangled stalagmites and leave them heavily bruised, but otherwise injured as you venture further into the cavern.

Periodic blasts of hot air hit your face like a blazing furnace. Your audience with the Elder Dragon will not come easy. Approaching with caution, you hear a rumbling voice from the walls. "Who dares enter the Cavern of Hope?" The Elder Dragon's head rears up from the darkness, her wise eyes burning fierce red from the shadows. With a rapid movement faster than you can blink, her ferocious teeth envelope one of your swordsmen, and just as quickly the great dragon swallows him whole. You raise your sword with a yell and the battle ensues. For nearly a day you engage in combat with this creature from another time, until finally she collapses in exhaustion. "I know why you have come, and I have fought you in hope that you would cease your foolish quest. Where you are about to go you will surely die." The old Dragon rests her head and tells you the whereabouts of the Cavern of Despair, home to an old friend, and an old enemy.

You discovered from the Elder Dragon that King Tidas Kodun, the legendary healer who formed the Kingdom of Kodun nearly a thousand years ago, still lived... in some form, deep within the Cavern of Despair. He had sent his knights to search for the Fountain of Youth, in hopes of living forever. His knights never found the fountain, but King Tidas nevertheless found his goal another way. Venture into the Cavern of Despair and find the King. As you enter the cold bayou at the entrance of the cavern, you immediately sense something evil in the air. The water begins to bubble as corpses rise from their watery graves. You raise your weapon and cut a path through the living dead, as you race deep into the resting place of the ancient King.

As you hack off a rotting limb, you look at the emblem on your opponent's shield. The dead men who stand before you are none other than the once brave Knights of Kodun.

Your torch illuminates him. Once a healer, turned to the dark arts in search of everlasting life. His flesh has long since peeled away, leaving a pulsating layer of blood encrusted muscle tissue and bone. The once mighty Healer King Tidas Kodun now stands before you as the infamous Dark Lich of Kodun.

In a raspy voice, the Lich speaks, "I once protected Kodun from harm, but now my emotions have long since eroded from my soul. I no longer remember the secrets to the Seal of Exile, only the Dwarves of Icevale would hold the texts to such things. I hold Truthseeker, The Crystal Sword of Kodun... my old weapon from when... from when I was King. What I do know is that this blade, and this blade alone, can wound the Lord of Terror, and if you want it, you will have to fight me."

Recover Truthseeker, and travel to the Icevale Ruins to consult the Dwarves on the Seal of Exile.

[Story of Age of Castles, a Facebook game]

Since I don't have much to tell here (though I'm writing a very long post about Halloween, which will bu published after 31. October) I decided to publish an interesting story, of a Facebook game called Age of Castles. It's RPG-like, so I find it very interesting =]. To the ones interested in playing the game, I like it a lot because of the story. This kind of game usually just tells you what quests to do, you click on the "Quest" button and nothing special happens, which I find boring. In this one you have to do the quests in order to know what happened next in the story, so this motivates me to play. This story is what I'll publish here, so the ones who play it should not read it! = b
The story begins at the town you've chosen to play. So the first chapter I'll publish is called "Town of São Paulo", though we (luckily!) don't have any orcs around!
Hope you enjoy it!


The town is under attack by a band of orcish raiders. Quickly head to the gates to defend the Town of San Francisco from the marauders. You and your townsfolk strike swiftly at the attackers, driving them away from the gates. What are orcs doing so far from the Shadowgates? What could they be looking for?

Rumors are about of strange happenings outside of town. Some villagers have been missing for days now. As one of the strongest in the village, they have asked that you help search the Beldrimor Forest. Searching through the dense foliage, you find some interesting tracks. You've never seen such shapes in the earth before. They belong to no human, dwarf or elf. The edges look menacing... as if it had a set of sharp claws that no natural beast should bear.

Patrolling deeper into the forest, a shiver runs down your spine, as a foul smell invades your senses. You squint and peer into the darkness. A jaundiced gaze stares back, as the rusted platemail of an orcish soldier reflects the moonlight. You grimly raise your weapon. The orcs come upon you like a torrential wave of rotten flesh and steel. Your blades clash and blood splatters against your face. A shriek of pain sounds as the group of orcs quickly flee into the forest. They seem frightened, but not of you. In the center of their encampment lies a perfectly formed stone orc. Something else lurks within these dark trees that are of greater concern.

A castle resides just north of the Beldrimor Forest, where Echivald, a well respected wizard, keeps residence. Perhaps he will know what to make of these attacks in the Beldrimor. You travel swiftly through Beldrimor Forest and find Merricastle already under siege by orcs. You carve a path through the flank of the enemy and quickly take refuge within the gates.

Echivald tells you that Merricastle's walls burn at the hands of dark magic. Find the sorcerer leading the attack on Echivald's castle, and perhaps you will discover more about your findings in Beldrimor Forest. Guarded heavily within the opposing cavalry, you spy the sorcerer summoning enormous fireballs from the sky. Your archers fire a volley into the heart of the enemy ranks, your own arrow striking the dark wizard in the shoulder. In his final breaths, he gasps 'The Basilisk of Beldrimor shall have my revenge, and then the the Lord of Terror will come for The Stone Eye again!'

The air reeks with the smell of fear as you delve deep within the Beldrimor Forest. The journey to the lair of the Basilisk is fearsome, and the path known to you only by descriptions from the Wizard Echivald. You finish of stranded orcish soldiers, clearing the way toward the Basilisk's lair.

Deep within the Forests of Beldrimor lives a creature born of dark magic long ago: The Basilisk. Perform this task until you find The Stone Eye of the Basilisk, and take it quickly to the land of Kodun, where it may be held in the safekeeping of the Knights of Kodun.

Campos do Jordão, September 25th-27th

4º Encontro de Aikidoístas
(4th Meeting of Aikidokas)

From September 25th to 27th the 4th Meeting of Aikidokas (people who practice Aikido, a martial art) took place in Campos do Jordão, a small and cute town 200 km away from São Paulo. The event started on Friday, with a cocktail at Satélite Hotel, where the aikidokas would spend the nights. There was a pronouncement of Miranda Sensei, who, together with his wife Cris, organized the event, and a demonstration of Ivan Sensei and another whose name I unfortunately forgot.

On Saturday we had training at the Hotel from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. I thought it would be tough to train for so long (I'm used to 90 min classes), but it wasn't. Many Senseis ("teachers") gave short classes and each one made a speech before it started, so we had some time to rest a bit. The hardest thing, however, was to sit on my knees for so long - they kept complaining for a week! XD After the training we had lunch at the hotel and in the evening there was more practice, but I and my boyfriend ran away haha. I thought it would be a shame to travel to Campos do Jordão and not visit the town, so we visited the "horto florestal" (can anyone tell me how to say that in English? I can't find it in any dictionary!) and the downtown. An "horto florestal" is a place near a forest, sort of like a big park, where people take care of the trees and animals. Campos do Jordão's Horto is actually not so worth a visit, but it was a nice walk, and the way there is beautiful. Downtown was the same as I visited it last time: with cute little german-like houses. It was a very pleasant afternoon =].
At night I and my boyfriend had dinner downtown with some friends of our dojo ("school"). I had a lot of fun! We could get to know them better, and they're very funny, so it was very nice ^^.
On Sunday moning there was training again, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. After it we drove back to São Paulo. It was one of the best weekends I ever had. Not only it was the first time that I and my boyfriend travelled alone, but the teachings we had were very enlightening. I believe I'll always remember them!

Some Senseis we had training with
Kawai Sensei - he's the one who brought Aikido to Brasil. He made a very intersting speech, telling a bit of Aikido history and beliefs. Unfortunatelly, there wasn't time enough for him to say all he wanted, and he tough us one technique. All he said was translated, because he only speaks Japanease.
Reynosa Sensei - he's american (so his speech was also translated, though I think most of the aikidokas didn't need it) and has a self-defense Aikido style. Although, like Kawai Sensei himself said, Aikido is much more than just a way of knowing how to defend yourself, Reynosa Sensei's teachings were very interesting. His way of fighting is very agile and precise, so the opponent has absolutely no chance against him.
Nagao Sensei - he's my Sensei at São Paulo. He opened the event with a very spontaneous and funny speech, which is typical his.
Brasil Sensei - I liked him a lot. He gave a speech about how most fights happen because of misunderstandings, and how we should be friendly to everyone, specially to the ones who are not. His teachings were about using your whole body to put the uke (the one who attacks you) easily down.
Humberto Sensei - he seemed to be very serious, but his training was nice. He agreed with what Brasil Sensei said.
Matias Sensei - I wasn't there as he gave lessons, but he had dinner with us on Saturday. He seemed to be a nice person. He's married to Liuba (I'm not sure this is how it's written), Kawai Sensei's doughter, who is very kind and cute.
Arai Sensei - he's Japanease (or descendent). He tought us the six ways of escaping an attack (this doesn't mean I learned them all, because there was too little time to practice XD).
Hilário Sensei - he's a very serious person, despite his name. In the moment I can't remember exactly what he tought, I think he did the warm-up.
Ivan Sensei - extremely friendly. He did the demonstration on Friday night.
Bueno Sensei - his lesson was about how to be a good uke. It was very interesting and I'm trying to always remember it on trainings since then.
Santos Sensei - a funny person, who seems to have a lot of fun beeing an uke. He also tought us one technique, and I think he's training was the toughest. He called me Nicole-san as I practiced with him = b.

There probably were other Senseis we trained with, but I can't remember them all (it's clear there were many). Another thing I learned with this experience is not to be shy and ask others to practice with me. I am very happy because I realized that being Aikido a way of harmony, people who practice it are very kind. It's difficult to go to a meeting with 100 people you don't know and feeling nice because most of them is kind to each other. I thought this sort of group was something you could only find if you take part of a religious community, and since I'm not religious, I'm very glad to realize I found one in Aikido.

Ai - harmony
Ki - energy
Do - path