The Defenders of Defendery!

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One night Empathy was awoken by a great light. Stepping outside to see what had broken the darkness, Empathy was startled to see Statesman writing in a great book.

"What do you write Great Father?" asked Empathy in an awed voice.
"I write the names of those who have met the greatest challenges." answered Statesman.
"Do you write my name?" asked Empathy, lower still.
"Nay", replied Statesman. He shut his book, and darkness fell.

The next day Empathy set out to hunt with her siblings, determined to achieve great things. Together they faced a great monster. Her brother Trick stumbled too close and was struck by a powerful blow. Empathy knew her brother would be hard pressed to recover himself, and so reached out her gifts to heal him. He and the others thus rallied and defeated the foe. Trick turned, smiling, and imitated the voice of Scrapper saying, "Great heals sister!" All the company laughed, but Empathy was troubled that she had not yet met a great challange.

The next day Empathy again set out to hunt with her siblings, again determined to meet a great challange. Together they faced a great hoard of Skuls. Each was individually of little challange, but their numbers where so great that they Children of Defender would in time tire and fall. Empathy could speed and envigorate a companion, but one alone would not be enough. She therefore reached out her gifts and lent speed and vigor to Kin, who was thus able to share his gifts with all the others. The Skuls were defeated and all congratulated Kin on his help. Kin turned to his sister and said, "I know if the others don't, we couldn't have done it without you.". Empathy thanked her brother, but was troubled that she had not herself met a great challange.

The next day Empathy set out once more to hunt with her siblings, still determined to meet a great challange. Together they battled a force of the black clad Malta and brightly dressed Carnies. Empathy knew that it was important to make sure they not stun or disable Darkity or Radia, whose concentration on weakening their foes would be greatly needed. She concentrated much of her effort on keeping their defenses strong and their heads clear so that they would not become distracted. Thus freed to act, Darkity and Radia achieved greater things than Empathy could hope to herself. While they earnestly thanked her, Empathy still was troubled that she had not herself met a great challange.

That night Empathy was again awoken by a great light. Stepping outside she once again saw Statesman writing in his great book. Empathy spoke to him, quietly but earnestly, saying, "I may not myself meet great challanges, but write me as one who has gained the love of the Children of Defender."

Statesman showed her the book, and Empathy's name led all the rest.

- Jock Tamson, Mythologist
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"One little mistake, and the surviving 50% of your crew will never let you live it down." -Torg of Sluggy Freelance

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Statesman was proud of his son Blaster who strived always and never gave up, though he fell often. He desired, therefore, to give him a gift to reward him. So he called Defender to him and asked, "You have often hunted with my son Blaster and protected him with your gifts. Surely you must know as no other, what is my sons greatest weakness." Defender answered saying, "Why that he has no means to protect himself from harm. Tank and Scrapper have their armors. Controller has her allies, and I can blind and weaken my foes, but Blaster has no such gifts." So Statesman said to Defender, "I shall create from the darkness of night weapons that can smite and blind a foe such that Blaster might gain protection from his enemies as he fights them. Go tell your brother of this boon."

Now Defender quite liked the sound of such weapons, and did not wish her brother to need her aid any the less. So Defender went to her brother and said, "Our father spoke of you to me earlier today". "Oh?" asked Blaster, "What did he say?" "Well", said Defender, "he said the you clearly enjoy your ability to do great harm at distance, but for the sake of all, you should do more to weaken them instead. He said he would call you to him and change your gifts to make this so." Blaster did not wish to give up any of his great fires and energies and said, "This is terrible sister, whatever shall I do?" Defender replied earnestly saying, "Such things are my job brother. Tell Statesman that I will gladly take whatever he has planned for you, and that you wish it so. I am sure he will listen." So the next day when Statesman called Blaster before him, Blaster said, "Father, whatever you have planned for me, my sister Defender has agreed to take. Weakening our foes is her job, so I gladly agree." Smiling Statesman said, "If that is what you wish. Such generosity of spirit! Truly I am proud of you my son." Blaster was greatly annoyed when he realized what his sister had done, but with such praise from his father, what could he say?

- Jock Tamson, Mythologist
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"One little mistake, and the surviving 50% of your crew will never let you live it down." -Torg of Sluggy Freelance

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Defender's daughter Bubbles in her own time had many children. One of these was her son Shield. Shield was a diligent companion in seeing to the protection of his friends. After his duty was met, however, Shield would let his attention wander. If there were glowing prizes to be had, Shield would run of to claim them, even while his friends still fought.

One of Shield's friends was Blaster's son Dev. Dev's talents lay in tricks and traps. Talents Dev decided to use to teach Shield a lesson. So Dev took a brightly polished box and lined it with honey. Then he placed it near a spot where he and Shield liked to hunt.

The next day they hunted together, Dev lead them along a path he had prepared. Shield extended his gifts to protect his friend. Then Dev patiently began laying a series of traps. Shield watched for a while, then growing restless asked, "What ever are you doing!" "Laying a trap for someone.", replied Dev. Dev continued to patiently construct his increasingly complex set of snares. "This is taking forever!", complained Shield, "What could possibly be worth all this work." "Fear not!", answered Dev, "you will not soon forget the experience you gain today." Shield grew bored beyond his limited ability to bear and looked around for a way to amuse himself. Nearby, he saw the box shining in the light. "Ah", said Shield to himself, "shiny!", and rushed to open the box. Forth from the box came a cloud of insects. Many of them had stingers. All of them were annoyed.

Dev turned to see Shield jumping and waving his arms about in frustration, and laughed heartily to himself. Dev took much pleasure in repeating the tale to all who would listen. Always his favorite part was to immitate Shields motions. In this way, Shield was taught a lesson, and dancing was brought to the City.

- Jock Tamson, Mythologist
_________________
"One little mistake, and the surviving 50% of your crew will never let you live it down." -Torg of Sluggy Freelance

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You have read how the Spider came to the City from the Web that is the Universe. You have read also how when the Land of the Kora Fruit was shattered creatures came from the Void Beyond to dwell there and guard the fruit. Not only evil exists beyond the walls of the City. There is good also, and it, in time, also came to the walls.

Thus came the strange Kheldians to our land. They watched the Children of Statesman and were amazed and desired to become more like unto them. So one amongst them went to the each of the Great Progenitors to ask what most defined them.

"When are you most like yourself?" it asked Blaster. Blaster laughed and replied, "When I act before my foes and strike them down. When the battle is over ere it began. When I stand wreathed in fire and smoke encircled by my fallen foes. Then I am most like myself."

"When are you most like yourself" it asked Controller. Controller considered thoughtfully and replied, "When I move through the world with patience and grace, stilling and beffudling my foes. When my friends and allies, protected and strenghthened, move before me like an all consuming wave. Then I am most like myself."

"Whan are you most like yourself" it asked Scrapper. Scrapper answered without hesitation, "When all others have fallen or fled and I alone stand and finish the fight. When the all too clever cannot cut the knot, and I draw my sword. When I Scrap! Then I am Scrapper!"

"When are you most like yourself" it asked Tank. Tank considered briefly, then answered slowly but confidentlly, "When I stand at the center of a great host, and their slings and arrows avail them not against me. When I hold against the charge so my friends may shelter behind me. When I am a touchstone of strength for all who follow me; I am myself."

"When are you most like yourself" it asked Defender. Defender had long before considered this question and replied thus, "When Blaster stands encircled by his fallen foes. When Controller has all in her grip. When Scrapper stands alone against great odds and prevails. When Tank stands unharmed against a great host. When all these things occur. When all these things come to pass because I did what needed to be done at the moment it needed to be done, and they barely realize it. Then I am their Defender."

So the Kheldian resolved to be like Blaster when needed, to be like Controller when needed, to be like Scrapper when needed, to be like Tank when needed. To be what was needed, when it was needed. In this way, it chose to be like Defender.

- Jock Tamson, Mythologist
_________________
"One little mistake, and the surviving 50% of your crew will never let you live it down." -Torg of Sluggy Freelance

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Look brothers and sisters! Do you see him, or is it her? Standing on the ridge just there, silhouetted against the dying sun. His white vestments flowing over her shoulder in the wind. The Mighty Storm! Proudest of Defender's Children. A feat which requires a great deal of pride indeed. Powerful and changeable, many may mistake her way for the way of Chaos. Not you and I, brothers and sisters, we know that his way is the way of Controlled Chaos. What you may not know is that this was not always so.

Long ago a young Storm went on his first hunt with her uncle Tank. As they approached the first group of Skuls, Tank began to offer advice. Too proud already to take advice from Tank, Storm laughed and rushed ahead. Tank waited and watched, expecting his young charge to learn an important lesson in humility. No lesson yet for Storm, who drove her foes before her with a mighty gust of wind and pelted them with snow and ice. Then, laughing still, Storm stood within a great hurricane of wind and sent them flying about.

"Stop!" cried Tank, "you are just making them angry!" "They cannot reach me uncle!", laughed Storm, and threw another dozen nearby high into the air with a tornado. "You will have the entire park chasing us if you keep that up!" warned Tank. "Sounds like fun!" shouted Storm" setting a lightning cloud to chase another dozen. So in this way Storm worked a circle round the park, infuriated Skuls pursuing in ever greater numbers. Till at last Storm came full circle.

"Uncle?" said Storm.

"Yes little one?" Tank replied.

"Some of them seem to be getting through.", said Storm, with perhaps a tiny hint of concern.

"That is to be expected." called out Tank, "there are some four score attacking you."

"Do you think perhaps you might help me?", asked Storm, attempting to sound calm and confident.

"There may be some four score attacking you little nephew", shouted Tank, "but there were twice that again in pursuit. I am somewhat busy myself!"

So it was that Storm learned a lesson. What lesson was that you may ask? Later, as she tended her child's bruises, Defender did just that. "Have you learned anything from this?" asked Defender. "Yes!", replied Storm earnestly, "If you are being chased by a dozen score of Skuls, run in a straight line." Defender laughed and said, "That is very wise my child."

Much later Storm learned control, but that is a different tale.

- Jock Tamson, Mythologist
_________________
"One little mistake, and the surviving 50% of your crew will never let you live it down." -Torg of Sluggy Freelance

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The season has turned again, and once more the City is renewed. It streets and towers teem with life as the Children of Statesman seek out the new challanges set before them. We have seen some hard seasons in the past, and reaped some bitter harvests, but always there was also the joy of the new gifts a new season brings.

Look out over the City! See the crowd there at the new House of Trade. Here a line of Statesman's Children stand laughing and toying with bats as the wait their turn to meet the Avatar he has placed amongst us. Someday the Endless Winter may come, but today there is Spring and new life.

Someday the Endless Winter may come.

Turn now from the happy and lively sight of the City and our new Springtime and look with me into the future that may come. Here is Atlas Park, quiet and forlorn. A single voice calls out asking if anyone wishes to join a Hunt in the Sewers. No answer comes, his voice echoes across empty streets. We move on to the Land of the Pugs by the Great Pit. A few gather here. They stop us and ask if we are the one they seek, but Aitchelar has not been seen in this land for some time. Here is Perez Park. Ah brothers and sisters, do you remebers the crowds that gathered here once in the Springtime of the World. No crowds teem here now. Skuls gather and dance, but nobody watches. The Endless Winter has fallen.

Someday the Endless Winter may come.

But not today. Today it is Spring! And we go to play. Fear not the Winter today. In Statesman's City, while we play, the Winter shall not come.

- Jock Tamson, Mythologist
_________________
"One little mistake, and the surviving 50% of your crew will never let you live it down." -Torg of Sluggy Freelance

[Irruption]

In the end the servers will be empty and without voice. Statesman shall move across the City and close the doors one by one. The City has been filled with villains to defeat and challanges to be met, and Skuls to be hunted. In the end, villains, challenges and Skuls lose their appeal when there are too few to share them with.

So Statesman will call back to him his 5 Children, Blaster, Controller, Scrapper, Tank and Defender. He will give them new life and new gifts and they shall move into new lands to begin the tales again.

To Defender he shall give the greatest gifts: The Knowledge that supporting your friends in need can mean much more than it has meant before in other lands. The Knowledge that with great power their comes great temptation to break copyright laws. The Wisdom of Fruit Salad and Pointed Sticks. Then Defender and her Children shall move out into other worlds and change them for the better.

But Defender, who is timeless and thefore changes not, shall say, "Do I have to?" Then, brothers and sisters, if we have all been very good, Statesman shall build us a new City.

- Jock Tamson, Mythologist
_________________
"One little mistake, and the surviving 50% of your crew will never let you live it down." -Torg of Sluggy Freelance

[Irruption]

Oh, for a muse of fire that would ascend
The brightest heaven of invention!
- William Shakespeare

The fire has grown cold now. No warmth remains in these ashes. I had thought my tales here were done. The Spirit of Defender herself had perhaps inhabited and inspired me for a while, but Defender does not sit long in one place as Tank might. Hers is a restless spirit. It might touch and inspire you for a while. You might mistake what it brings for your own greatness. As many a Blaster and Scrapper has learned, mistake Defender’s might for your own and you will fall hard when her grace is withdrawn. So I sought to withdraw before I fell.

Yet here I stand again and stoop once more to build a fire in this hearth. Not because Defender’s grace has touched me, but because it has touched others and their tale must be told.

In the distant land to which they have withdrawn, the First Children of Statesman argue. This is the way of the Children of Statesman when taken away from his City. They gather to discuss and argue. One day it came to pass that debated the best set of companions with which to confront the Avatar of The Spider Statesman had recently placed near his City.

“Certainly one of my family”, said Tank. “Someone must distract The Spider while others destroy his web. He is unassailable while it stands intact.”

“You’ll surely need one of my kids”, said Scrapper, “To take care of all the dangerous brood he summons about him. Tank’s kid will be too busy calling The Spider names. Someone has to take ‘em down fast.”

“You will need some firepower to take down the web then”, chuckled Blaster, “a couple of my family to do that without having to run about like mad things would be wise. Besides, everything always goes better with the occasional large explosion.”

“Well you will need some of my grandchildren to protect you then”, said Controller, “or some of Defender’s. Haven’t you always said we are strongest when we stand together sister? I think some of all our talents would be needed.”

Defender smiled. “Send enough of my children and it would not matter who else came.”

“Who would hold of The Spider?” scoffed Tank. “You would never have enough strength to destroy the web!” cried out Blaster and Scrapper. “They are right”, agreed Controller, “if not one of Tanks children, then one of my daughter Illusion’s children to help hold off The Spider or he would destroy all.”

“Let us see then”, said Defender and moved her spirit out into the city.

J-BOT 247
Mental Giant
Bard Song
Dark Blue Demon
Vanessa Valentine
Esoterrorist
Totalitarian
Not Putzing

While others may debate about the need for a Child of Tank, while the Pugs may cry out for a healer, while others may worry about the team they take with them to confront The Spider’s Avatar, the Children of Defender do not need to worry themselves. We adapt to what is needed. Statesman has yet to set before us a challenge that Defenders cannot meet. These eight Victors demonstrated this truth once more. Others will follow, but remember these names: The first all Defender team to complete Statesman’s Task Force.

- Jock Tamson, Mythologist
_________________
"One little mistake, and the surviving 50% of your crew will never let you live it down." -Torg of Sluggy Freelance

[Irruption]

As the Children of Statesman are born into his city, they step forth weak and hesitant. Slowly but surely they learn their way and grow in knowledge and power. They face greater and greater challenges until at last they stand at a pinacle of power. Some then stand aside and pass their flame on to the next generation. A few linger a while and share their knowledge and refine their power. So that these few would have a challenge worthy of their measure against which to refine their abilities, Statesman set beside his City the Great Hamidon.

A Son of Tank and a Son of Scrapper were the first to come upon it:
"What is that cousin?"
"I do no know cuz. It is like something one would find in the back of a refrigerator written large. Let us confront it and see what we can learn"

..and so they learned the fastest way from the Land of the Hamidon to the place of healing. Clearly this was a challenge greater than merely two could meet. Support was sought. "Jello team Eleffem" they called out in the language of the Pugs. Soon a party of eight Children of Statesman set out to confront this strange new challenge. Little before had withstood as much. They strode forth into the Land of the Hamidon in confidence! They strode out of the place of healing in wonder. This was a greater challenge than even the Great Titan that once strode the land. Word was spread, the call went out, and soon a great multitude of the most powerful Children of Statesman where there gathered. En masse they attacked. En masse they fell.

Councils of war were called. Strategies were discussed in the meeting places. In time the Great Hamidon fell, and the victors were given rewards such as none had ever received before. The Great Hamidon did rise again, and again was defeated, until this too became routine and common place. The Hamidon would change and find new ways to fight back, the Children of Statesman would for a short time be shaken, but would always rise to the challenge. This is their nature.

The Children of Defender supported their cousins in this as is their gift and their curse for a rash question their Great Mother once asked. Many were content in this, but as they are their Mother's Children a few looked on and asked, "What do these others do that I could not? The Child of Scrapper there, we need him to defeat the parts of Hamidon that shrug off our blasts, but would we if enough Children of Defender took aim? The Children of Tank take the brunt of Hamidon's attack for us. With enough shared power could not Children of Defender do the same?", and so on.

Thus it was that a band of the Children of Defender gathered together to show that there was naught others could do they they could not. A score of them set out. Some took the role of the Children of Tank and looked to hold off the Great Hamdion's attacks from the others. Some took the role of the Children of Scrapper and sought to slay the aspects of Hamdion that are harmed little by attacks at range. Still more played the roles of Children of Blaster and Controller, seeking to quickly slay Hamidon's guardians. They were Children of Defender. They were powerful! Yet they failed.

A lesson was learned. We are not the Children of Tank, Scrapper, Blaster or Controller. Each has abilities we alone cannot fully match. We can achieve great things, but must not forget who we are. Do not seek to be what you are not. Find power in what you are.

- Jock Tamson, Mythologist.
_________________
"One little mistake, and the surviving 50% of your crew will never let you live it down." -Torg of Sluggy Freelance