Week Five

Easter Greetings

Salutations all. I hope you're enjoying the (sometimes) beautiful weather and the chance of an extra day away from work. As you can see, I'm so dedicated to this job I'm even posting blogs on holidays - no, no, put the medals away thanks...

Of course, I haven't mentioned that I'm munching away on my third Easter egg of the day - I'm going for a record. Last year I managed six... I was, of course, ill for the rest of the week - chocolate poisoning is truly an unpleasant experience. But in the name of a challenge, I will rise to the occasion. I'll let you know how I do...

On a more serious note, you lot were so quick that we found the identity of the latest ghosts in minutes. They were Charles Dickens and King George II. In order to prevent what happened to the last ghosts we discovered happening to them, I've tried to put word out through contacts from my past. I hope against hope that it helps and we are not responsible for the demise of two more good people and defenders of our home. I pray the small things I am managing to do are in some way helping.

But if the peril that I've been told is coming is as great as I fear it might be, there might be little point in anything until the moment arrives. We shall see...

21st April 2003

A Sombre Day

Just as I was sitting back and hoping against hope that things had taken a turn for the better, Smoke and Mirrors posts again. But this time, his message contains something truly horrific:

"Philip Locke of Blackpool... indeed the very person who confirmed for her the destruction of the ghosts, just as I had described... is dead"

He goes on to claim that the body was not found, but there was blood in his bed.

Everything he's written is true.

Philip Locke was indeed an old, dear friend. He was one of the few people I had known since childhood and of the fewer still who knew about my ancestry, indeed, it was from him that I gained many of the papers I now have, as well as the little information I possess.

But he is gone. And I do believe he's dead.

Smoke and Mirrors - did you kill him?

I care not one whit for your clues. If you know the peril coming, act like a warrior and speak the truth. Hiding behind the cloak of anonymity does nothing more than delay your justice due to you, if indeed you are a murderer, or the harbinger of one.

I grieve for my dear friend. But he is just one of the many who have fallen in the fight against the darkness. And you, my new, dear friends, you are brave to stand by me. But be prepared.

On a lighter note, good news for those of you baffled as to how we could possibly wrap up Ghosts of Albion: Legacy in one more episode - surely there�s just too much plot to cram in?

I can now reveal, however, that we've decided to run adventure over seven weeks instead of five. I can sense you smiling already...

Rob and the animation team felt that releasing Legacy in slightly smaller chunks would be the best route to take - watching an episode and solving the clues is a lot to deal with in one sitting, especially if you�re sneaking a look at it in your lunch break!

It also gives me a chance to set you extra puzzles, and allows the animators time to make the final battle look even more shiny and extra-special.

22nd April 2003

Are you out there?

I am aware that my words yesterday were strong and ferocious in tone. This is because I am starting to feel a wave of something unfamiliar, yet strangely comforting, in the wake of imminent danger.

As you know now, and have seen over the last few weeks, my ancestry is an important one. The inheritance, if only of knowledge and the belief in good, that I gain from being the descendent of William and Tamara Swift is an asset. A weapon if you like. Because, though I am no Protector or practitioner of magic, the very things that are ingrained in me stand me in good stead for what's happening now.

Smoke and Mirrors has delivered a chilling message. Someone close to me has died. This is the first I've come to facing anything remotely dangerous or supernatural. I always thought I'd be a terrible coward and run and hide if bad things started to happen. I really meant it when I wrote, a long time ago, that I'm scared of ghosts. But I'm more afraid that what happened to my ancestors might happen again.

I hope if the Protector is out there, they have been following this site. I trust that they will appear when (and optimistically, if) what Smoke and Mirrors predicts is coming, actually does come. This is the hope in me still working.

23rd April 2003

Not yet the end

Today should have been the day I started this site's final week of blogs. You lot would be watching the final episode and exciting conclusion of the animation that we launched this very day five weeks ago. But, hooray! We've been given a longer stay of execution (if that's the right word to use.)

So, instead of saying au revoir, I'm saying hello again, and hold onto your seats as the action just gets better and better. This time round, Tamara and William find themselves translocated right into the heart of the (bloody and evil) action.

No more brothel visits this time. No siree. Instead, they're in the thick of it all, and are going to have to rely on the short but intense dose of magic tuition they've received. Let's hope they're up to it.

As for the modern day action. As those of you who have been following my site from the start will know, things have not exactly been quiet on this front either. No more words from the elusive smoking gun... but I'm pretty sure he will be back. Stay tuned!

24th April 2003

Gods and demons

I want to talk some more about the peril that is coming.

Smoke and Mirror's last post warned once more about the peril coming. This time, he left a clue. Blood and iron. Some of you have been very busy looking into this, and have come up with some great info and ideas.

There's been talk of Ogun, a Nigerian god of iron, who also happens to be the Lord of war and bathes in blood. Other names mooted (and they all happen to be gods) are Mars, Tyr, Mithra and Horus.

All are powerful beings, in the case of Mars, Mithra and Ogun, they are even gods of war, but... and this is a big but, they are GODS. I looked up the word god in the dictionary - it is defined as a spirit or being that is worshipped as having supernatural power.

Nowhere is the word evil attached. Yes, Gods do fight and go to war, but seldom do they use their powers to wreak havoc on earth with a view to creating hell instead. They are not demons or lords of hell. To me, this is important.

I believe that whatever's coming is much less noble that these mythical figures. Something with nothing more on its mind then destruction and death.

Something dark and evil.

On that gloomy note - have a nice and safe weekend.

25th April 2003