Vallhalla, the place where warriors go when they die, has a new guardian tonight.

Tis been a while. Lot's has happened. The Gumba and Bard have moved south, tired of the Northron region and all the ice and cold. South to the land of sunshine, where birds sing all year and it NEVER snows.

Kerry the Bard began the trek to the far Northron Reaches for she had sensed danger in the wind.Laboring against the vicious air elementals, those dark beings of the wind, at long last the Red Prince delivered the Great Gumba to his Sky Chariot and did he join with the Bard.Many were the lessor hordes that sought after them as they went to pay their respects to the Wise Old Prophet of the Mountains, a man of such stature and greatness, that those who adored him knew as Pops.Like some swarm of hungry gnats, mosquitos and otherwise annoying insects, the Lessor Hordes to gather some piece of the Wise Old Prophet to themselves. Yet the Great Gumba would be having none of that, for he sucked in a giant deep breath, torrents of wind shrieked, and the Lessor Hordes screamed as they were devoured by the mighty Legend of Eating.The mighty meadows of the Great Northron Reaches were once again cleansed, as Pops prepared to make his final sojourn to Mt. Olympus. There he would contemplate the nature of the universe and toss down the occasional thunderbolt until rejoined by his mates.Beloved is the name of Pops, Wise Old Prophet of the Mountains. Huzzah to Pops, Huzzah to Pops, HUZZAH and safe passage to our dear Immortal.

-as was written by the Grey Sage, 6/21/2009

Millennia ago, or so the story goes, in a little town amongst the dunes of the desert, ruled by the great Roman Empire, there was a star in the sky that King’s followed far and wide, to find the fulfillment of a prophecy.

A star that shone very brightly, unlike any star had shined before, for it was foretold to be a beacon, a marker, a sign that the prophecy had come true. All the animals in the area wandered towards the star and people from all over the world traveled far and wide to find the point where the star shone most brightly.

For under this star was a small stable, full of animals and on this most joyous of nights also with three people.
The Romans had required all to go to their place of birth so they could be counted for a census, so a couple, Joseph and Mary whom was with child, traveled upon a donkey, whose name was Nestor by the way, to a little town called Bethlehem to be counted in the census.

To there amazement, when they arrived there was no room at the Inn or any Inn for that matter, but the innkeeper had pity and told them they could stay in the stable this night.

When the moon rose and the stars began to shine, the pilgrims and kings started to journey towards the star once again.
Mary gave birth that night, the most holiest of nights, to the one whom would fulfill the prophecy.

The wise men came, and bestowed upon the child in swaddling, Frankincense, Mir, and Gold. The shepherds beheld angels in the fields and all was good with the earth this night.

This holiest of nights, brings peace, and goodwill to all who will listen to there hearts.
Give kindness, friendship and warmth this season and always.
Hug your family and tell them how much they mean to you.
Be at peace, for the world did not end as many feared it would on that night, but it was reborn, with the promise of peace, tranquility and goodwill.

Only man can make it so, for man has it in his power to either co-exist in peace and harmony, or not.
Choose wisely the way you travel, show kindness to all, do not covet that which is just things, for the world is a joyous place if you let it speak to you.

Peace on Earth, Good will towards mankind and as Tiny Tim said so eloquently,
“God Bless us, everyone”.

To all that call the Great Gumba and Kerry the Bard, friend and even foe, may the season hold you in it’s peace and tranquility, this is what we wish for you.

Light a Yule fire, celebrate the solstice, dance, sing, and be merry.
Feast well and drink much.
The time of family, friends, peace and love is upon us.
Embrace it, with all your might; remember those who have left this earthly realm.
Keep their memory always.

Huzzah to the Great Gumba,
Huzzah to Kerry the Bard,

So sayeth the Great White Sage of the Northron Regions.

Love is universal, it transcends time, distance, race, religion and all of the seven deadly sins.

Immortals love stronger than mortals for we have more time to love, more time to enjoy the emotions and companionship that love brings us.
We as Immortals, love stronger, for we know that the next battle could be our last. This is not to say we are better in any way, in fact in some ways this is a curse.

For when we lose someone who is dear to us we grieve most languishly.
No quantum of solice for Immortals, for we are who we are.

Why do I speak of such?
The Immortals have lost a dear and beloved great beast, the protectorate of the Red Princes castle and of the Otter Queen and the little curmudgeons.

Today we celebrate the life of Bailey, the golden haired great beast who was always smiling.
Always ready with a wag of her tail and a touch of her cold and wet nose, ready to comfort and to snuggle with those she loved and protected.

A quiet dog, never barking unless necessary, just being.
A silent, vigilant beast, with caring and compassion in her heart and eyes.

The Gumba remembers when the golden flocked one came to the Mans Fields of dreams, it was a joyous day, a day the Red Prince waited for, for a long time.
Why did he wait? For great beasts choose their masters, not the other way around.
They were a perfect match for each other, she would calm him and make him laugh when he needed it most.

For over 111 years, Bailey guarded the castle and hearts of those she loved.

For all that is good, all that is great, nothing can compare to the love of a great beast to his or her master, for they would lay down their life without hesitation to protect the ones they love.

Your name shall reside in the Red Book for Eternity,

"Bailey, protectorate of The Castle of Gray Meadows".

You will be missed, always loved and remembered fondly, always.

One day we shall meet again, play fetch and ride and walk along the shores of Vallhalla.

Long live the Red Prince, Otter Queen and all whom hold them dear.

Huzzah

The Gumba feels chastised and he knows not why??

Yesterday was the day of the day that the Red Prince was born, a day of much joy for Immortals and much fear for the lessor hordes.

A day, when royalty was revered and loved, such was the day the Red Prince was born.

Who is the Red Prince and why is he in league with the Great Gumba.

For the answer to that question we must go back in time, to a time of great wars and turmoils, a time when Immortals ruled the lands and the lessor hordes were just a nightmare in the minds of the gods.

The Red Princes exact origins are a mystery, so our story begins when the Red Prince first met the Great Gumba and Tempest and Mournblade met also.

Wait.......... was that the first time, or was it the time of the full moon and the dance of the goddesses, all wet and silky, swimming in the buff under the light of the full moon, or was it the first feast of meaty goodness, when strawberries were naughty and the cream needed to be whipped for it.

Perchance it was the time the Red Prince went into the seven hells to forge Mournblade for his great friend the Gumba, or was it the time of the great meeting at the centerfields with Lord Simone.

Was it when the fabled Homer, with arms like tree trunks and blazon red hair, not a man like you or I, tormented the Great Gumba and sent his mighty stumprangers to harass and defile the Great Gumba and the Mage Jim, and the Red Prince sent along the amulet of anti lisping and the gauntlets of limp wristedness.

Maybe it was the birth of the curmudgeons, or the crowning of the otter princess.
Could it have been the time the Star of David was almost turned into a pile of lickspittle by the great Katherine of Khatadin.

Or could it have been when The Great Gumba Entered into eternal bondage with his Mighty and wondrous Bard.

Perhaps it was the time when the Red Prince found the little imp's which sat upon the Gumbas shoulders and talked nonsense into his brain or the first time the wicked gas was used to defend Castle Catalano in the Norr Woods.

No, I think it was the time when the great hounds became the protectorate of Kerry the Bard, or the time that the great dark magic encompassed the Gumba.

Wait, I know, it was when Racing Ma and the White haired Hermit paid the ferryman and sailed to the halls of Vallhalla, or was it the time when the Gumba just needed someone to talk to.........

It has always been and always shall be the two immortals, together, fighting the battles, righting the wrongs, feasting forever.

My friend, you have written many chapters in the Gumbas life, and I of you.
Your journey is beginning and the Bard and I are here to help you along your's as you helped us through ours.

You are loved, revered and always welcome at the feasting table of the Great Gumba.

Happy Day of Day's my friend.

Long live the Red Prince and Otter Queen.

Huzzah to all who call them friend and family.

So sayeth the Great White Sage of the Northron Region.

Twas nine years ago today that the ceremony of eternal bondage took place.
All whom were and are important to the Great Gumba and Kerry the Bard were there.
Racing Ma, The White Haired Hermit, Gallant Pop's, Golden Judy, Ground Chuck, Dark Laurie, Sapphire Sue, Dark Roger, Catherine of Khatadin (with twin voluminous peaks), Karen the pro creator (later to be known as Kareen the Protectorate).
The Best man, The Red Prince and the Maid of Honour, The Otter Queen, The Star of David and lest we not forget the Otter Princess.

Our gallant band of merry makers faced the full fury of Floyd, fought and won the day.
The Bard looked radiant as her Brother led her up the steps of the chapel of Mount Olympus.
The Great Gumba and the Red Prince looked dashing waiting for the Bard.

The Moment arrived and the words of eternal bondage were spoken and a deafening Huzzah filled the skies around Mount Olympus for two of the greatest Immortals were finally joined in Bondage.

Pegasus, the winged stallion, took the newlyweds to the hall of Artful shower curtains, where many tasty crustaceans were devoured mightily and you left your hat on in the process.

It has been eight years filled with Joy, Sorrow, ups and downs, but they were always filled with Love, Understanding and Caring.

The Gumba is proud to have the Bard by his side in battle and beyond, no one fills the Gumba's days with such joy as the Bard.

Long life and prosperity to the Bard, for without her the Gumba is not the mighty Immortal everyone believes him to be.

The Magical blue chariot awaits to transport the Bard to the hall of justice this morning, but the Gumba has a surprise for his Bard.

If she knocks on the passenger side dash three times and opens the hidden compartment below, she will find a wondrous celebration of the past eight years.

Love and hugs to the Bard, the Gumbas soul mate, I love you with all my heart and soul.

So sayeth the Gtreat White Sage of the Northron Regions.