Knights Take Exams Too???

To My Dearest Ebbie,

The past week has been really scary and stressful as we have heard that the Order is downsizing some paladins that haven't been performing well, or have not been fighting up to its standards. In order to weed out all those who have deteriorated from lack of action, the top brass have devised a series of tests based on the several Knightly virtues for us knights and paladins. Those who pass get to stay in the Order, while those who get kicked out... might have to end up as mercenaries unfortunately.

There are eight Knightly Virtues. Humility, Compassion, Courtesy, Devotion, Mercy, Purity, Peace, and Endurance. We were all given a simple test for each. I really don't want to go into detail of what we've been through, so I'll just tell you the result of each test I went through.

Humility: Basically a test of humility. For some reason, I passed this one. It was a B.

Compassion: Who knew a swarm of beggars could be so annoying? I think I got a C+ here.

Courtesy: Being courteous to ladies is my thing but... did they really have to make us serve MEN? No, seriously sis. MEN. Not women. MEN. I got a B. (Seriously there is a lack of female paladins in the Order.)

Devotion: They made us recite the oath lots of times here. I got an A!

Mercy: We had to weaken as many enemies as we could without killing them. This was tough because I usually go all out. B- .

Purity: F as in FFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUU--- (I got an F!) I BLAME TEH PORNZZZZ AND I COULD NOT HELP BUT FAAAAAAAP *crai*

Peace: They were talking about inner peace here. But since I am quick to anger... (C+)

Endurance: HA! My specialty! I got an SSS here! (Um, that actually stands for Social Security Services Insurance because I got hit pretty badly after the test. I got an A for effort though.)

In the end, I actually passed despite my one failure being Purity. Argh. At least I got this nifty little badge in the end! Don't you think it looks cool?

I'll see you around Camp Steven soon.

Stay safe! Love ya!

From our Dear Brother,
Prawnt

Lingo.

To My Dearest Ebbie,

It has been quite some time since I've last written a letter to you. I have been very busy for the past days and weeks, as more and more monsters have been venturing out of the Drakos tower in hordes, and us paladin regiments were deployed in full force to act as a buffer to these incoming enemies. Strangely, many of these monsters were weak, and I was able to hold my ground even when the scariest-looking of monsters started to attack.

Anyway, after a few waves of monsters, I was sent by our squad captain to track down Forest Watch Gallia to ask for his help. He gave me a note because I was warned many Fungoids speak a strange language, and you'd have to perform an act of trust to these mushroom folk if you want to understand their language in an instant. I set off for the Forgotten Forest to look for Gallia.


Well, I was warned all right. He spoke some sort of gibberish when I approached him. Fortunately I had that note my captain gave me and he read it. The note was in Fungoid, to my surprise. With that he nodded and asked for my Camp Steven scroll just by pointing at what I was holding. In the end we were able to install all sorts of early warning devices around Camp Steven thanks to Gallia.

So performing an act of trust would make me learn another language? That would be awesome right? If that was true for other cultures and stuff. At least I wouldn't have to stay in school to memorize these:


I also heard the teachers for this language are real monsters.

Stay safe, and communicate!

From Your Dear Brother,
Prawnt

Started Working.

To My Dearest Readers/Fans/Friends,

I write this letter not as Prawnt the Tempura Knight but as Prawnt, the author of To My Dearest. First of all, I'd like to say thank you for all your support just by visiting this Dragonica blogfic. Now I'll be straight to the point. There will be a lag of updates now because have finally found a job after many months of searching and Dragonica was my means of entertaining myself through those long days, as well as creating this blogfic out of an orgasm of ideas.

My work now is pretty hardcore like most customer service related professions. I work six days a week, and only get one day off. I intend to grind my arse off during that one day and make the most out of fun.

Don't worry, I'm not shutting down the blog. I'll still be updating when I have the time. I also intend to jump into my shrimpy-sleeping bag and roll around in it to break away work anxiety and stress. xD (Hopefully no one coats me in egg and bread crumbs.)

Once again, I'd like to thank everyone for getting the blog this far. It's only been a month, but wow.

Till the next update,
Prawnt

P.S. Where I'm working? Hmm... it's not much... probably one of the most stressful jobs in the world with phone calls ringing every other minute... (but sometimes, I want to pretend that I am a knight.)


Yeah, imagine me behind that counter. It's hardcore AM I RITE???

And I Thought Fairies Were Friendly...

To My Dearest Ebbie,

After our little stay here at Frigid Canyon, I met up with some of my guildies after I was relieved of my post. They told me they were on the hunt for the Fairy Queen Arca who apparently has a huge bounty on her head. Siren Woods was near Camp Steven, so I was thinking of going to Camp Steven after this Arca hunt. We went deep into the freezing woods, as well as encountering many enemies like a large Yeti and a patrol of fairies. However, there was one fairy we came across that did not attack us, and she appeared to be injured.


The poor fairy told us her story about the fairy queen, Arca. Some evil force has taken over their queen and all her fellow fairies have been driven mad as well. Even their neighbours, the dwarves have also gone mad. She told us to defeat the fairy queen to find out more about what really happened, so my guildies and I went to investigate. This area was beyond my league. the monsters were tough and clever, and my usual tactics wouldn't hit as much as it used to. Fortunately, my guildies were strong enough to cleave through enemy mobs along the way.

It wasn't long until we encountered the Fairy Queen Arca, though I think it may be one of many impostors created by dark magic. There have been many theories about her origin, one was about a dragon's tear that fell from the sky to create her out of a flower, and another theory was that she was a spoiled little girl who wished to become the queen of fairies. Either way, we still had to defeat this fairy.

I couldn't hit Arca at all so I left all the hitting to my guildies. I supported them using my time magic, as well as clearing her reinforcements that spawned. Arca was terribly strong. Yes Ebbie, I'd advise you to be careful even if you've successfully forged your Spine of Lavalon weapon. She can ensnare you in some thorns and attack you with her flower magic from afar. If you're not careful, you might die in a instant. Luckily, with our combined effort, we were able to defeat her, and I was able to deliver the finishing blow, being the heroic knight that I am.

When she lay defeated, she used her last ounce of strength to escape from us. I didn't find anything of value form that battle, but at least I now know how the fairy queen would attack. As I'm writing this letter, I've finally reached Camp Steven, the Expedition's main base of operations near the Drakos tower. You could always purchase a scroll to Camp Steven, but I advise that you travel the traditional way. Walk. It's healthy, and you'll get to meet a lot of interesting things along the way.

Stay safe Ebbie, watch out for the fairies!

From Your Dear Brother,
Prawnt

Icy Beauty

To My Dearest Ebbie,

I got out of trouble earlier than expected. The Expedition was running out of Paladins in the Frigid Canyon area so out of desperation, they dispatched all incarcerated paladins like me to Frigid Canyon to replace the ones that got injured. From what I've heard so far in that area, numerous golem-like figures have started attacking the mining areas there, and the once peaceful fairies and dwarves have also been driven mad by some malevolent force. What we'll be doing would be peacekeeping mostly to keep travel routes safe.

(Burlune attempts to scare us with a pathetic ambush.)

Our base camp is in Ashmist Village, near the Van Cliff citadel. Since I had no business there, I immediately went through a large canopy forest along the way where we encountered the Burlune along the way, a gorilla that has been harassing travelers for quite some time now. We were able to defeat it and we headed for the rendezvouz point at Frigid Canyon.

Two main figures were pointed out at the Frigid Canyon. One was the power source or leader of the crystal golems called Pythanuth, and the fairy queen called Arca. Our sovereign Steven has commanded us to destroy these two when possible. I was assigned as rear guard en route to the rendezvous point but the mist kept getting thicker ad before you know it, I got separated from the rest of the group.

I was left alone. I assumed the other got separated by the mist that suddenly engulfed us as well. I then heard a beautiful sound. It was as if a beautiful soprano was singing her heart out. I turned around and saw this sparkling thing made out of ice. It was so beautiful that I wanted to touch it, but my instincts tell me it might be something dangerous. As the mist started to clear, I saw what it really was. It was a beast called the Fenrir!


It then shifted from a beautiful voice to a ferocious roar as it started to attack me. It was fast, as it blended well with the icy environment. I had a hard time defeating it, as almost all of my hits did not hit at all! Fenrir was tough to beat, but in the end, I reigned supreme! I suddenly felt tired though. It was probably from all that traveling, and the cold environment we had to endure. Fortunately, some of my party members found me and helped me get to the rendezvous point in no time. Warm soup, hot coffee, the works.

I'll only be in this place for a few more days though, as the stronger paladins would return to relieve our posts here and we'd be sent back to our respective areas of assignment. Actually I found this cute little Pinecone that kept following me around camp. It's so fond of us that the camp made it a pet! I don't really own the Pinecone, but really, I didn't know it could eat a whole supply of corn that fast!

Stay safe Ebbie, be careful when traveling!

From Your Dear Brother,
Prawnt

In Trouble...

To My Dearest Ebbie,

Well I got a bit carried away the other night so here I am writing to you in prison under a 1-week suspension from regular duties. What happened the other night you ask? Well, me and Dobby were downing some shots of vodka and tequila at the Wild Cocks Bar in Libra. Actually it was Dobby who took more shots than I did, because according to the report from eyewitnesses, I already got drunk after one shot and began to act differently.

(The evidence.)

Another eyewitness said that I kept proclaiming myself as "Don Pantino, master of panty-snatch" while inside the bar, and then Dobby joined in as we raided all sorts of places hunting panties here and there, oblivious to who they belong to. What do you expect Ebbie? We were both drunk. Dobby then went up to the roof of a house and started imitating a seagull. Eventually we got caught by the authorities and they confiscated all the panties as evidence. Poor Dobby was stripped of his equipment to be sent to the dungeons, while I was sent to another room to be court marshaled.

The big hairy guy who escorted me was really weird. He kept touching my butt A LOT and gave me his house address as well. I don't know what he was trying to get from me but I hated him because he smelled weird. You know that smell when you have your weapon refined at the smithy's? Yeah, it's something like that only ten times worse plus a little bit of manure smell added to top it all off.

I tried my best to plead with Commander Hoffman not to suspend my "hero" activities but rules are rules. I have a one-week suspension from heroics and other missions and as an added punishment, the big hairy guy requested that I spend time with him. This is really creepy. At least they let me keep my sword for that reason but for the next week, I'll be spending it in a small jail cell.

Stay safe Ebbie, and don't get drunk!

From Your Dear Brother,
Prawnt

I Actually Won?

To My Dearest Ebbie,

I'm still speechless my dear sister. You still remember when we were little that I desperately tried to win you that Woodie Plushie at the Odellia Town Fair back then? No matter how many times I played the ring toss, I couldn't get you that plushie you wanted so badly. Or remember the time when we checked who were the winners of the Dragonica Pageant the other night? It was a good thing you were there, otherwise Gatto would've been turned into fried fat cat. Now we had that other event where these vampires and werewolves invade town, and Gatto also held an event for this, yes? This is no joke Ebbie, I actually won that event.
I received news from Dobby one night saying that I was one of ten winners who won the "GM Monster Spawn Screenshot Contest" He kept cursing me saying that his entry should have won, and showed me where my winning entry was posted. I couldn't believe it. Out of hundreds who participated in this monster-whacking event, I was one of the ten winners! I didn't know how to react. I was also not sure what prize I would be getting. Should I treat all my friends to drinks and a tempura smorgasbord? Should I write to you about this? A lot was going through my mind that time as I was left speechless. I've never really won anything before in any contest.

I know, I know, it's just a silly contest. But you have to feel me Ebbie, and it may sound pathetic as well, but I won. I actually won and I feel so happy about it! It's not the prize that matters, but the PRESTIGE you get with it! I feel so big-headed right now I can actually raise my head up high as I do my daily rounds! Being declared a "hero" of a crazy event is a good thing Ebbie. Oh, I almost forgot. The prize I got was a Vampire Costume that I could wear for a month! Now I could continue masquerading as the Vampire Tempura Knight for a longer period of time!


As you could see in my latest picture, I felt proud enough to wear my Sambaba Helm as well! But that ain't the best part. It's not that I won the event, it's not that I get to wear the helm, but finally, I get to wear PANTS for A WHOLE FRIGGIN MONTH! THAT is why I'm so happy!!!

Oh right, I have a copy here of my winning entry for you to look at in case you're wondering what picture I took. I couldn't even think of a name so i just called it "DEATHBLOW!".

And in the end, I finally now know how it feels to win something. I don't care what prize I get if I win. I just want the prestige and honor that comes with winning it! You know how Dad always used to say to go for it! Why do you think Dad holds the most successful shrimp farm in Libra even to this day?

Stay safe Ebbie! Love ya!

From Your Dear Brother,
Prawnt

OOC: I'd like to thank IAH for choosing my entry as one of the winners, and everyone else who has congratulated me. Thank you all! ;D

Strange Events

To The Two Nosy Reporters,

I haven't seen anything interesting from your magazine lately, so I decided to share with you a few tips that you might find interesting. I know, the article about the Dragonica-related diseases raised awareness about it, yet it caused some panic amongst mentally unstable citizens. As you know, a trail of communication from person-to-person could easily be warped if spread by word of mouth. However, you might want to try being a bit more clear with these things next time. The other day, we were sent to dispatch an unruly mob almost overrunning Nurse Mimi's clinic in Libra.

It's not only the people that are becoming unruly, those dreaded sheep in the Windia Plains have also gone mad. The other day, they were able to form an "Angry Herd" and trotted towards town, bleating in a monotonous mantra: "Four legs good, two legs BAAAAAD." Now this line might sound familiar, but perhaps the sheep are really trying to form an uprising. I mean, they were even holding signs saying "NO WOOL AIN'T COOL" or "EAT LAMB? GET WHAMMED!" as they started to attack lowbie adventurers around the area.

We were able to hold off these guys but they swore they'd be back for more. Dun Morgan of Odellia has requested more strong adventurers to help reinforce Odellia if every they strike again. In other events, I was leisurely strolling through Libra the other day, until everyone heard a godlike voice in the sky, with this message:

(Click to enlarge.)

Hey, is Dobby a part of this? I definitely heard his name as everyone heard that announcement. Whatever it was, everyone sudden;y had a force field around them. Commander Evan didn't inform us of any wizards or mages involved in this so is this just a silly prank created by some bored magicians? I'll leave that to public opinion.

I guess that's it for now. And Mizureii, if you're reading this, give me back my pair of black briefs. I know you stole it, my drawer was practically full of the magic dust you warmages use for battle.

With Regards,
Prawnt, The Tempura Knight

Out of Commission

Hey there Prawnt,

Sup buddy? How's it going? Haven't been in touch with you (nor any of our friends for that matter) in ages. Have you been receiving news from them lately?

First off, I'd like to congratulate you on being promoted to the Order of the Paladins. You've certainly come a long way from being that overprotective brother of Ebbie, to being the protector of the people. Hahaha, I still get a good laugh when I remember those times when you would tell me about your goal when I was still your superior, but look at you now, you're achieving your goals already!

Ah the good 'ol days, can't really believe that you have already surpassed my rank that fast... guess all that training and tempura that you eat really isn't for naught, haha. How I wish I could continue my training again, so I may surpass you this time.

You see, I'm still out of commission at the moment. Just a matter of dumb luck. Three weeks ago, a damn hyperjump failed on me during one of my Steven Trading Port missions to fend off Shark Pirates, the blasted thing sent me flying in the air and down the ocean with the speed of light (a slight exaggeration, maybe?). That damn incident left me unconscious for two damn weeks! And right now, I'm still on rehab. >.> Those things are starting to get dangerous, I tell ya.

Should've just stuck to using the Bird Mobile, Garuda, instead. You still remember that, right? You know, the one that's always... parked on top of that model house building in the Port of Winds. Speaking of which, Garuda misses you, you should visit sometime. It's a safer way to travel, and its more GAR than those damn hyperjumps.

Anyway, will be writing to you again soon, when I'm done with rehab. Oh, Kureha dropped by earlier and says hi too. (Damn, she has some damn good assets -cough-) I think she and Milie were going to train along with Leongarde someplace. Not sure about it though.

So yeah, good luck on your adventures, buddy. Will be looking forward to doing missions with ya again. God speed. GAR SALUTE! o/

From your former superior,
Goryu.

P.S. Pardon the rather wobbly handwriting, My hands are still having a tough time after that long unconsciousness period. Heck, can't even wield this Lightning Sword that Zak sent to me properly. Haha.

P.P.S. Will be sending pictures next time. =D

The Doraemon Guild

To My Dearest Ebbie,

Funny story actually, I was somewhere in the Smoldering Swamps until I came across this big crowd. It wasn't a riot or anything, apparently all these people have been duped into thinking that there were some monsters wreaking havoc in the area, and they were dispatched by their respective guild leaders to investigate. Most of them were disappointed, while others just shrugged it off. Many believed that this was just another prank.


After getting out of that mess, I found out that many people were recruiting new guild members back in Libra, thanks to the many people I spotted in that crowd bearing cool emblems. I guess this was the time to look for another guild, as Joker is already doing well with his troupe as we speak. Many of these guilds even had recruitment booths where they handed out fliers and gave their mission-vision statements and other organization-related stuff.

My decision came down to three guilds. There was The Hakuron, The Apostate, and the Doraemons. I received personal invitations from these guilds but I really couldn't decide where to go. After writing a farewell note to Joker, I decided to think it over a basket of freshly-cooked, juicy tempura. Eventually, I went with the decision to go for the Doraemons. They seemed like a fun bunch. They even have their own snazzy headquarters.

I received a warm welcome from them after filling up my registration form. Lucern is a familiar face since he helped me with my Lavalon quest, as well as other people that I have met in the past. This seemed like a fun guild, I thought. I could already expect a lot of adventures with these people I joined up with. As a Tempura Knight, I shall protect them!

I even went out to test this toy hammer they told me to use. It was great. Although a bit light to hold and made of some artificial material, it did a good job slaying one of those pesky Draculs that have been popping about recently.

I guess this guild's trademark character would be all about chatty fun and the sort. So how's your guild Ebbie? Having fun lately?

Stay safe! Miss you!

From Your Dear Brother,
Prawnt

OOC: Many thanks to the people of Doraemon for their warm welcome!

Tights or Manskirts?

To My Dearest Ebbie,

You may know very well that for centuries, and perhaps even eons, us knights and gladiators have always been separated on the position on what should be our standard uniform. Well, armor is an obvious choice, but recently, it got narrowed down to one thing. Tights or manskirts? Allow me to explain. Us knights carry a lot of heavy armor with us, and our legplates are pretty much our only protection underneath. That is why under those legplates, we wear tights to be able to move around freely.

As for gladiators, they are fundamentalists in a sense as they still advocate the manskirt. They find it lighter, and easier to move around in than our bulky tights-legplates combo. Wait Ebbie, I know this is a waste of time telling you this because you're a woman and it doesn't really affect you. However, you must know why us knights and gladiators will always be different in some way.

According to my friend Ceaz, he has been wearing a manskirt ever since he became a rookie gladiator and hasn't gotten used to it ever since. He can't wear boxers like he did as a warrior, so he had to resort to using briefs as underwear instead. For us knights, we almost do the same thing except we use tights under our legplates. Sure, it protects us from the cold, but it could get real nasty once we go into higher temperatures. I wouldn't want to describe the smell as you might be eating something right now.


Now I'm in a dilemma here. I just picked up these Cursed Mercury Legplates that supposedly give a bonus to strength! I don't want to know how THIS would give me strength, but it really is tempting to deviate from my usual paladin armor and try other armor sets as well. Another dilemma is that I still have raging hormones Ebbie. What do I mean by raging hormones? Well, usually when I see someone I like, my little "friend" springs to attention, but it's not noticeable. Imagine if I wore these things when a hot woman came along! I'd better ask Ceaz.

Anyway, that'll be my letter for you for today. Remember that vampire costume I got? It's probably the first thing I've worn into battle that involves the use of PANTS. HOORAY FOR PANTS.

So stay safe Ebbie, and I'll probably get help from my friends regarding this matter. Tell me what you think as well!

From Your Dear Brother,
Prawnt

OOC: Manskirts or Tights? VOTE NOW.