A Suicide Note?
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A log fragment and some notes. Recently, one of the Land's feared killers, James, died to a self-inflicted FOD. Was it the death of his companion, Moneypenny, that drove him to this desperate act? Did James really die? Read the two notes reproduced below. But before you think you know the answer, consider: the body of James was never found...

You have killed Moneypenny the mage.

It tortures my soul to know that of all my evil deeds this one surely set me apart as a depraved monster.

It all began on a dreary February morning. I was dealing with some routine paper work in my office when presently M arrived accompanied by a smartly dressed young woman whom he introduced as Miss Moneypenny. Moneypenny, as it turned out, had been assigned to act as my administrative assistant and to provide logistical support in some field work from time to time. I confess I did not cherish the thought of breaking in a new recruit; however, I did notice Moneypenny's obvious charms and judged that this assignment would have its compensation, too. Little did I know at the time the string of grizzly events that would result from this rather mundane beginning.

My misgivings with respect to Moneypenny's lack of experience were soon swept away by her exceptional, even astounding, aptitude for the kind of foul work that was soon to become our stock in trade. A true natural born killer if ever there was one. This of course lies at the root of the tragedy that was to come. The fresh new kid was about to unseat the veteran and I of course wasn't man enough to gracefully accept my fate.

Our first kill was a delight. We had only just begun, both at hero level, full of enthusiasm and eager to make a name for ourselves. I caught Fat32 the warlock at the rapids and in seconds Moneypenny was at my side; moments later Fat32 was no more. We were like children in a sweet shop. We celebrated long into the night, and this was when our relationship became something more than just professionals carrying out a public service.

The killings continued. By now we were both overcome with blood lust. Tethys the necromancer, Rainbow the warlock, Beermug the legend, Barney the warlock, Lestat the sorcerer, to name a few, fell to our onslaught. What I didn't know of course was that Moneypenny's prowess had been well noted at Whitehall and plans were set in motion to ease me out in favour of the dauntless Moneypenny.
When confronted with the news I flew into a cold venomous fury. How could this mage, who had come to mean so much to me, cast me aside to satisfy her burning ambition to make witch? I knew I had to stop her. She was good, she had the innate talent, but I had years of experience. It had all come down to a match of that talent and experience at the Classical Ruin. Of course I won the fight, but I lost what was left of my humanity in the bargain.

Classical ruin.
You are standing in the shell of a once great single-room structure built in the classical style. The roof has disappeared, and the marbled floor has cracked and broken, but you can still imagine some of the majesty of the architect's original conception. Still standing to the south is the building's loggia, but elsewhere are only the bleak walls that are all that remain of this proud edifice. Standing here is a lifelike statue (statue2) of woman.
Someone is about to attack you.
*k mm f wp
You are now using the axe0 to fight!
*Someone hits you (118/120).
You hit someone (18).
*Someone misses you.
You hit someone (9).
*vis foe
Your spell worked!
Moneypenny the mage has regained her visibleness!
*Moneypenny the mage makes some magical gestures.
Moneypenny the mage emits a bright magenta flash of light.
*Moneypenny the mage makes some magical gestures.
Moneypenny the mage has just fallen asleep.
*Moneypenny the mage has woken up!
Moneypenny the mage misses you.
You miss Moneypenny the mage.
*Moneypenny the mage makes some magical gestures.
Moneypenny the mage emits a bright magenta flash of light.
*Moneypenny the mage makes some magical gestures.
Moneypenny the mage has just fallen asleep.
*Moneypenny the mage has woken up!
*Moneypenny the mage makes some magical gestures.
Moneypenny the mage emits a bright magenta flash of light.
*Moneypenny the mage makes some magical gestures.
Moneypenny the mage has just fallen asleep.
*Moneypenny the mage has woken up!
Moneypenny the mage misses you.
You miss Moneypenny the mage.
*Moneypenny the mage makes some magical gestures.
Moneypenny the mage emits a bright magenta flash of light.
*Moneypenny the mage makes some magical gestures.
Moneypenny the mage has just fallen asleep.
*Moneypenny the mage has woken up!
*Moneypenny the mage makes some magical gestures.
Moneypenny the mage emits a bright magenta flash of light.
*Moneypenny the mage misses you.
You hit Moneypenny the mage (9).
Moneypenny the mage looks to have minor injuries.
*Moneypenny the mage makes some magical gestures.
Moneypenny the mage has just fallen asleep.
*Moneypenny the mage has woken up!
*Moneypenny the mage misses you.
You hit Moneypenny the mage (17).
Moneypenny the mage looks covered in wounds.
*Moneypenny the mage hits you (99/120).
You hit Moneypenny the mage (11).
Moneypenny the mage looks seriously injured.
*Your magical strength has worn off.
Moneypenny the mage hits you (94/120).
You hit Moneypenny the mage (5).
Moneypenny the mage looks seriously injured.
*blind foe
Your spell worked!
Moneypenny the mage has gone blind!
*Moneypenny the mage makes some magical gestures.
*blind foe
Your spell failed!
It works on you instead!
You have suddenly and magically gone blind!
*Someone hits you (92/120).
You miss someone.
*Someone misses you.
You hit someone (10).
*unblind
Your spell worked!
You have suddenly and magically regained your sight!
*Moneypenny the mage misses you.
You hit Moneypenny the mage (14).
Moneypenny the mage looks close to death.
*Moneypenny the mage misses you.
You hit Moneypenny the mage (15).
Moneypenny the mage looks close to death.
*Moneypenny the mage misses you.
You hit Moneypenny the mage (21).
You have killed Moneypenny the mage.
You have changed experience level from warlock to mage.
(+29,131 = 106,667).
A woodsman's old axe has been left within reach.
Moneypenny the mage has just passed on.
*roar

I knew I couldn't go on after I killed Spiderman the warlock early this morning. Even though Spiderman was a particularly odious sort, without my beloved Moneypenny to share in my perverse pleasure it was an empty triumph.

As they say, you haven't lived till you've died in Mud2. Well, it is time to die.

James

*fod me
Your spell failed!
It works on you instead!
Ah well, those who live by the fod, die by the fod!
Not updating persona.

This note was found recently on James' grave:

Ahhh, James, you poor smitten fool. The plan worked. Reports of my death were widely exaggerated. It did LOOK like you'd killed me, but it was meant to. 'Twas the only way to get you out of the way for good. Your true feelings had been showing for far too long and it couldn't possibly be tolerated much longer. Too many agents' lives depended on you. And you depended on me. You were to be replaced, my dear. And you couldn't accept your fate gracefully. M thought it might come to this and so the stage was set. You were the victor initially, but you are so predictable. M knew you wouldn't be able to live with the guilt if I died at your hand and that ultimately you would take care of the problem yourself. But James, I did love you so. The time we killed Fat32 together was one of the best memories of my life, and killing Tethys lost its flavour because you weren't there to share in that with me. I live, James and my only wish is that you lived as well. I'm deep undercover and no one will guess my true identity, but I miss working with you and can only hope that wherever dead mages go, there are mysteries to solve and adventures to be experienced. Because no one has ever made work more enjoyable than you, my dear James. Your zest for living and loving are sorely missed. May you rest in peace eternally.

Moneypenny