Morticon Becomes Wizard

Morticon, the noted wallaby and head of the Society of Evil Doers, became a wizard on May 25 with the surprising success of another scheme to try to take over the muck. Though to date this has not resulted in the sudden doom or reign of evil many had expected the full effects of the change have yet to be understood.

Events began late Sunday evening when Morticon appeared in the Rose Garden with a microwave-like device and a bit of fluff he had taken from Amalfi, the little-seen, decrepit plush rabbit which is the ultimate wizard, dbref #1, and which has the sole power to create or retire a wizard. To the amazement of the watching crowd Morticon's plan succeeded, with the rabbit very soon appearing and focusing its attention on Morticon.

Morticon then seized the rabbit and escaped to the beach, N0 E1, though a small team and Cye pursued. Morticon took from Amalfi a golf ball-sized sphere on a gold chain which was identified as the ``Spindizzy Jewel'' (see additional story this issue). Informing the residents through a series of business cards (as Amalfi has never been observed to speak, and is only barely observed to move) Amalfi explained the jewel was ``what we are.'' The jewel, a semitransparent item with what appears to be a miniature landscape of all Spindizzy inside, immediately called into doubt the longstanding assumption that Spindizzy is a city floating in space. Whether it may instead be an attractive trinket in a toy's posession could not be confirmed by press time.

After taking hold of the jewel a strange change overcame Morticon, and very quickly a new character tentatively identified as `EvilAustin' appeared on the beach -- and was promptly toaded by Morticon. Morticon then vanished into the sort of undetectable darkness which only wizards can achieve; and @shouted to the entire population of his new power. At this giant vixen Cye commented she thought we might all be in a great deal of trouble.

Quickly a team began organizing to catch Morticon and try to undo whatever chaos might be unleashed on the world. Though Morticon was believed still in the room attempts to find him by relying on his henchmen -- who were as startled as anyone else by the wizardship -- failed. Notably, cheetah-bat hybrid KevMan's hold on SED high-ranking future mustelid Mouser was broken when Mouser shattered as if he were a million ball bearings, fell to the ground, and reformed. Mouser spent much of the remaining evening checking that everything was back where it belonged. Latest reports hold that they are.

As attempts to track Morticon's movements proved futile Amalfi apparently took a hand in giving gifts to the remaining characters. A full accounting of events is yet to be determined, but among them were a zinc `Metal Men' type suit covering lead male centaur Argon like a fursuit; a remote control given to Cye which was quickly proven able to change the color of the sky, the size and fur colorings of primary otter Gilead, and the musical soundtrack of the room; and in some way energized the powers of faerie kangaroo Roofus_roo. Roofus_roo demonstrated his powers in a test in which he restored the color of giant cougar Brenda's fur after Cye experimentally switched it to hot pink.

Since his ascention to wizard there have been no reported triumphs for evil actions connected to Morticon. This is largely because most of the wizardly powers are related to the creation and @toading of characters, which have few particular moral tones; the chowning of unclaimed rooms on the Spindizzy grid to individuals who want to build, which is done for any person who wants any area marked by a period (.) on the main +map; the assignment of MUF bits, which are granted by the common approval of all the wizards; and the restoration of lost passwords, which again has few moral tones.

The appearance May 25 was the first appearance in person by Amalfi since April 23, 2001, over two years and four weeks previous. Amalfi is rarely seen and its appearances are generally correlated with the granting or removing of a wizard's status. Very often, as was observed that night, minor additional powers and roleplaying niches are assigned those who are in the vicinity. In form it is an old stuffed rabbit, torn and slightly broken, with bits of ancient stuffing on the verge of leaking out. As noted it has never been observed to speak, but communicates through a series of business cards which appear in the appropriate person's hands. In past appearances Amalfi has always vanished into the Void; following this one it has remained on the Beach where last observed to move. Its motives, and the motives of its player, remain a mystery.

As many SpinDizzians witnessed last Sunday night in the Rose Garden, the evil-but-inept wallaby Morticon somehow managed to summon Amalfi, 'god' of SpinDizzy, and stole from him the SpinDizzy Jewel and then disappeared, presumably back to his secret SED Headquarters.

It is unclear what the nature of the SpinDizzy Jewel is or its powers over SpinDizzy. Some say that it has the power to control and reshape SpinDizzy itself to the wishes of whoever can control the Jewel. Others believe that the Jewel is the 'essence' of SpinDizzy itself, and that SpinDizzy and everyone in it gives it power, rather than vice-versa.

Not wanting to take any chances though, local Jedi Knight Brenda Derlin set upon herself to find Morticon, take back the SpinDizzy Jewel, and return it to its rightful owner, Amalfi. Assembling a search party consisting of SpinDizzy Judge Adara Skye, Eternal Elitist Kevman, Detective Sergeant Alicia Vulpine-Foxx, and herself, Brenda set out to find Morticon's current secret SED Headquarters, the only logical spot for the evil SED Leader to hide. The search took the party all over SpinDizzy and eventually found them on the actual UNDERSIDE of SpinDizzy itself, where they found a strange-looking yellowbrick road that led to an Emerald structure amid a vast wasteland. There was no doubt that this is the new SED HQ.

So with the help of the resident cute macrovixen Cye and banana-loving fruitbat Kinsor, the group followed the yellowbrick road, off to see the evil-but-inept 'wizard' Morticon. There they faced many dangers, including tanks, glue mines, a very small dragoness with a very large hammer, a 7 foot ball of fabric rejected from an Indiana Jones movie, and a large glue-and-feathering cannon. But despite all these obstacles, Brenda and her entourage emerged successful without a single casualty (though Alicia suffered from extreme exhaustion, Adara wound up with an injured leg, and Brenda herself ended up looking more avian than feline in the end).

The SpinDizzy Jewel is now safe from the clutches of evil, including those with butterfingers. As of presstime, the Jewel itself is currently sitting in an undisclosed safe location, awaiting the Great Amalfi to reawaken and reclaim his stolen property.

Ba'ar, local Bear and organizer of the SpinDizzy Puppeteers' Guild, woke up earlier this week as a Beartaur! Apparently, the article last week by Mavra, local Centaur concerning the TAURS (Temporary Appendage Uplift Reiteration Syndrome) was more prophetic than intended. Being a Centaur myself, I thought it would be interesting to see how Ba'ar was adaping to four hooves, and I thought @Action News readers would be like to know too. Ba'ar graciously agreed to an interview for @Action News which follows. Argon says, "Ok, lets start..."
Ba'ar growls, "What would you want to know Argon?"
Argon says, "Ba'ar, you're well known as a local Bear, but last night, you showed up in the Rose Garden as a Beartaur. How did this happen?"
Ba'ar growls, "Well..The previous day I was feeling rather dizzy and sick. I woke up yesterday morning and found myself transformed into a taur. I'd read about the TAURS virus in the local paper so I'd assumed I had caught it from somewhere." Argon says, "Do you still feel 'sick'?"
Ba'ar shakes his head "Surprisingly since I woke up yesterday I've never felt better.
Argon nods, "So describe for our readers what's changed about you, please."
Ba'ar growls, "Well..I'm still a bear from the chest up...from the stomach down, I've assumed the form of a black furred, heavily padded clydesdale (Horse)."
Argon says, "Do you still enjoy honey and Salmon, or do you find you desire cereals and things more 'Equine' in nature?"
Ba'ar growls, "I still enjoy honey and salmon all right...just more of it... That's another thing about TAURS..increases your appetite to feed the additional mass."
Argon says, "You're taller, and, even for a Bear, heavier than you were, just bigger in all respects. Has this been inconvinient for you, and how have you adapted?"
Ba'ar growls, "It has been inconvienent for me in some ways..I've previously mentioned I'm not as agile as I was when I was in biped form. I've adapted by becoming more aware of my surroundings and perhaps moving a little bit more carefully."
Argon says, "What about your home, your 'Den', have you had to make any changes there?"
Ba'ar growls, "I've had to do some moving to widen the spaces between the furniture. I've also put away some of the porcelean hangings so I don't hit them."
Argon says, "Do you find yourself sleeping while standing, or can you still use your bed?"
Ba'ar growls, "I can't use my bed any more. I sleep standing up nowadays as horses do."
Argon nods and asks, "How long did it take for you to adjust to the extra limbs?"
Ba'ar growls, "A few hours. It was somewhat akin to learning how to walk all over again."
Argon says, "Did it feel like you had an extra pair of legs or arms?"
Ba'ar growls, "Yes...."
Ba'ar contunued, "At first....felt kind of awkward I got used to it."
Argon says, "How about the tail? Of course you had one as a Bear, but the one you have now is a lot longer. How does it feel?"
Ba'ar growls, "I like my new tail...so much more versatile than the old one...especially for swatting flies and keeping me cool in the hot weather."
Argon smiles.
Argon says, "Does it bother you that so much of your form is now out of reach?"
Ba'ar nods "Yes...especially since I can't tend to as many areas as I used to be able to."
Argon nods knowingly.
Ba'ar growls, "scratching them...bathing them...etc."
Argon says, "Your Equine aspect seems to be covered with fur, rather than hair like a Horse, or... well, like I am. Have you paid any special attention to your coat?"
Ba'ar shakes his head "I haven't paid very much special attention to it...no. I haven't been doing anything special to it because I don't know where to go for the special treatment. And I can't reach everywhere you know."
Argon says, "I seem to recall that, as a Bear, you wore pants. Are you uncomfotable not wearing them as a 'Taur?"
Ba'ar nods "I did. It is rather uncomfortable for me to not wear them as a taur.. but I probably will have to adjust because I don't think I can dress myself any more and I don't know anyone who makes clothing for taurs.
Argon says, "I don't know any of us who wear them."
Ba'ar nods, "It's too hard to dress yourself isn't it? So you and Mavra and now I can do without."
Argon says, "As you first came to the Rose Garden in 'Taur for about 24 hours ago, you'll probably recover soon. Is there anything you'd like to do while a 'Taur before you change back?"
Ba'ar thinks a bit "No not really."
Argon says, "Well, you seem to be taking it very well. Some folks would have freaked out. But before we conclude, I have some other things I'd like to ask."
Argon says, "First of all, how did you find SpinDizzy?"
Ba'ar growls, "How did I find spindizzy? Oh geez..it's been so long ago that I don't remember. As I recall I was looking for a fun, friendly place to live and Spindizzy seemed to fit the bill nicely."
Argon nods.
Argon says, "How long have you been here?"
Ba'ar growls, "About 2 and a half years."
Argon says, "Well, tell me about the Puppeteer's Guild that you lead."
Ba'ar growls, "The Spindizzy Puppeteers' Guild is just an informal meeting that allows puppeteers of all stripes to talk puppet shop."
Ba'ar growls, "I founded it because alot of the furs here were puppeteers and I thought it wouild be nice to have a place to share skills and experiences."
Argon says, "When and where does the group meet?"
Ba'ar growls, "Every Saturday night at the Puppet Theatre Workshop T# 10605 from 2100 muck time till the last fur leaves."
Argon says, "I assume you have puppets, care to tell me about them?"
Ba'ar growls, "I have a whole bunch of puppets...mainly Folkmanis puppets, though I do have the Axtell Expressions bear puppet..This last one is a 44 inch giant...professional quality full body vent puppet."
Ba'ar growls, "I have too many puppets to name..but the Big Axtell puppet I call honeypot."
Argon says, "Well, in general, what to you think of SpinDizzy?"
Ba'ar growls, "It's a nice friendly place where anything can happen. I love it."
Argon smiles.
Argon says, "Anyting else you'd like to tell readers of @Action News?"
Ba'ar growls, "I'm just glad that people have accepted me in my new form."
Argon says, "Well, thanks for taking time to answer my questions, and I hope you recover soon from TAURS."
Argon smiles.
Ba'ar nods "Thank youi..I hope I do as well."

As of Thursday, Ba'ar was back to his usual Ursine self, eating honey from BarterGarter's cart.

Every other week, I will be calling attention to the new members of our community. (Editor's Note; ...with the permission of each of the new folks featured, of course. Folks who don't want to be featured in this series, will of course, have that wish fufilled.) This is not to embarrass them, but rather I do it in the hopes that it will encourage everyone to give them a special welcome and friendship.

The following members are new to our community as of a week or two ago at most. Please give them a warm welcome and offer assistance if needed. Who knows, you might even make a new friend or two!

• Harappa - female husky
• Phocks - male fox
• Arcturax - Male Egyptian Fruitbat (Rousettus Aegypyiacus) - "Thanks for the welcome everyone! Great to find a muck with some fellow bats too!"
• Beej - Male Blue Kittie - "Beej Kat: A snuggly blue kitty!"
• Weiran - Male Black Fox - "Weiran(r) - The Freshmaker(tm)!"
• Babsy - Female Vampiric Arctic/Fennec Vixen
• Veston - Male Black Elf
• Nego - Male Normal Wolf

This week, Argon asked folks, "I'm doing a survey for @Action News. The question this week is, 'If your character wore pajamas, what pattern would they have on them?'

• Brenda ponders before answering Argon "clear? er, wait a minute..." *blushes a bit to that*
• KevMan says, "my pajamas pattern would be my own fur pattern, made of silk."
• Arcturax chirps, "Hmm, Egyptian Heiroglyphics"
• Butterfluff says, "Stars and planets. And TIE fighters."
• Mouser hisses, "I'm already wearing pyjamas, Argon..."
• Pandamonia says, "Wallabies being put in medieval torture devices on them."
• Penance hrms. "The names, signs, and gates of the Elder Gods."
• Vesper humms, "Argon, I would have a 'fire and ice' pattern!"
• Fiona -- She'd wear blue silky shimmery pajams!
• Weiran says, "I would wear invisible pajamas."
• Adara purrs, "Argon, I'd wear...pajamas with cherries on them, because cherries are cool"
• Ba'ar -- "My character would wear feetie pjs with teddy bears on them.
• Gilead thinks he'd wear camoflage to bed, so he can avoid predators as he sleeps.
• Suri has two pairs of pajamas: One with horizontal black and white stripes, and one with a pattern of little periodic tables with zinc highlighted.

Submitting a story or artwork for @Action News is easy! Just send it to newspaper@spindizzy.org or qmail or page Argon about it.
@Action News is published weekly on or after 12:01 AM Eastern Time on Sunday. Most any type of story or article will be accepted. Generally, we'd prefer things that aren't out and out lies or flames about other folks, and have a basis in the reality of SpinDizzy. Things that occur in public areas are fair game. The things reported don't have to have actually happened, (any more than anything that happens here does) but make sure you don't overstep the social boundaries and rules of interaction that we have. These are pretty broad guidelines, but we expect good sense to apply.

Thanks! Argon, Editor @Action News