Darkness Conquered....?

1. Darkness Conquered....?

   #1

   
   This is the long version.
   
   The hacker circled the Citadel like a jurassiced (yes, used as a verb) raptor looking for a slinged cow to feast on.  A fog of darkness descended on the site allowing the hacker to slide through an undefended and unknown portion of the Citadel. Under the cover of the impenetrable darkness he did his nefarious work. First, a subtle hand laid gently down a new file with a random file name. Inside this file he filled, with silent dexterity, a number of files, trojans and redirects in order to capture unsuspecting peasants from the lands beyond. While the Citadel remained safe and protected, the lure drew in those from the surrounding net countryside. But the trap was not yet fully set. A deft flick of the hacker's wrist removed the powerful .htaccess from its redirecting perch and threw the Citadel into chaos. The Guild remained safe and the entrance could be found but the labyrinth and knowledge of the Citadel remained lost. The Citadel remained immune to this planted evil but many from outside the land were drawn into the darkness. (It was a random folder that was basically impossible to get to from strolen.com or anything I host. It was linked to from other sites so don't worry, you WERE NOT affected by anything that happened except the site being down)
   
   
   And it happened that there were many that called the Citadel their home and in their pain they cried out and their voice was heard. The guards were roused and the protectorate was awakened and order was once again established. But this peace was not to last. Not once, not twice, not even thrice but at least four times this back and forth, give and take, destroy and rebuild was to take place. The ultimate fight of good versus evil was taking place and the final winner was yet unknown. The Citadel guardians were gaining no ground...
   
   
   And so it was that a mercenary company had to be hailed from lands beyond the Pacific. Fighters from the Philippines that knew the secret of the phantom hacker that has caused so much discomfort. But alas, even these knowledgeable mystics knew not the ways of the hacker and once again the battle fell into the ditches. It came to pass that the a visit must be taken to the man on the mountain. His wisdom must be heeded. The words he spoke told of a rebuilding that must be undertaken. That foundation of which the Citadel had been built must be destroyed and brought up from the ashes.
   
   
   With a heavy heart and fear in his finger the creator did that which caused a major upheavel and the shaking of the foundation of all that is. The Citadel collapsed upon itself and the land was once again a flat untainted pasture, the land of the llama. And with a wave of the creator's hand, and much concentration, the Citadel once again rose from the dirt. The debris drew together and reformed into the glorious Citadelian construct that once was so powerful. And the world looked right....for a moment.
   
   
   Rangers traveled the land and found disturbances in other areas. In the land of the Llamas the knowledge had been lost. In the land of the Llama Shirts, the knowledge had been lost. In the land of the RPG links, the knowledge had been lost. Again, there was great despair and fear. The past must be revisiting and the knowledge recorded. Once more the Citadel was torn asunder and the land leveled. The elder Citadel was brought forth again from memory and all the resurrected knowledge was quickly collected by scribes under the supervision of the great ones. Once the knowledge was safe once again the Citadel was torn asunder as before and reborn through the freshness of a new install. The data was preserved this time and all looked well.
   
   
   The masters from the islands were once again invited in to review the land and ensure its safety. But in their wondrous work and powers from untold sources it was soon found that the master of the Citadel himself had been inadvertently trapped outside the walls. During this time the memory of the Citadel was under attack. Day after day he remained trapped outside. All his tricks and attempts gained him no foothold. Knowledge inside filled to overflowing and the faithful were rejected with errors in their memories. Errors abounded as untold evils plagued the hallways and rooms of the Citadels with none to defend. For days the master pounded and yelled from the surrounding lands trying to gain access but it seemed like all hope was lost. He went from hamlet to hovel looking for entrance or reason for his banishment. The power was still with him, the only power he had left so he once again, with fear and hope in his heart, he pointed his finger and waved his hand and the Citadel was destroyed and raised yet again.
   
   
   Alas, he was still locked out, but a portal to allow information to pass was breached and communication was reestablished. More mercenaries from the islands joined in the work to bring the Citadel back under control and a coordinated effort broke through the ban. The ability to traverse the hallowed hallways was reestablished. The familiar halls were a sight for a battered soul. His fingers lovingly caressed the walls as he walked the walls and looked over what he sorely missed. Order was restored but there was much damage to repair and perhaps the work is only now just starting. With sleeves rolled up, he threw himself into his work to ensure order and stability once again reigned supreme. His only thought was for the comfort of those that have given so much to the Citadel, for those that have given so much and have spent such creative energy to make this powerful fortress of wonders, for those that he can, without hesitation, call friends.
   
   
   Thank you for your patience through all the difficulties of the last week (and all the other times my actual tinkering did cause the issues :) ). I think the server is reset and in good repair. Just a few touch ups and hopefully we are stabilized. Thank you for your patience and friendship!

2. Re: Darkness Conquered....?

   #2

   الحمد الله و ان شاء الله كل شي بخير
   
   Now that that's out of the way, us among the faithful never gave up hope that the Citadel would be restored to it former splendour, these foul interlopers from the land of Hack repulsed, and all would be good in the world.

3. Re: Darkness Conquered....?

   #3

   Many thanks for your efforts in stamping out the cowardly actions of dark forces, while also preserving the wonders of the Citadel.

4. Re: Darkness Conquered....?

   #4

   Thank you for not only driving the invaders back, but also for creating and mantaining the best RPG related site on the internet! Kudos!

5. Re: Darkness Conquered....?

   #5

   Agreed.  Well fought, Strolen!  And thank you also for building the house which many of us call home.

6. Re: Darkness Conquered....?

   #6

   ...and there was much rejoicing!
   
   Good work, Strolen. Did I ever tell you that you're my favorite Strolen? It's true.

7. Re: Darkness Conquered....?

   #7

   I give this post a 4.5 Strolen. I have to ask, at the risk of being really annoying though...
   
   I searched through forum threads, but didnt' find anything apropos, so i have to ask, (granted, I'm sure there is a very good reason for this, which I am not aware of, because I am ignorant)
   
   WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CHAAAAT?????!!!!!
   
   
   (Like I said, I'm sure I somehow missed a perfectly reasonable explanation somewhere along the line.)
   
   ummm...
   
   WHERE IS THE CHAAAT!??? (Room, if not flash. Flash if not room)
   
   
   LOVE the new look and layout of the site btw!

8. Re: Darkness Conquered....?

   #8

   The rebuild screwed it up massively.  The valiant Strolen is actively trying to fix this vital portion of the site, but unfortunately, being that magical time of year that is the mass of Christ, there is a distinct lack of time between other commitments that it might be a little bit.  See here, http://strolen.com/guild/index.php/topic,5286.0.html cheers.

9. Re: Darkness Conquered....?

   #9

   Thank you, wise Pariah.
   
   (Without at least main-site flash chat, I feel naked, unwholesome, and querulous)

10. Re: Darkness Conquered....?

    #10

    (Without at least main-site flash chat, I feel naked, unwholesome, and querulous)

    
    
    And a tad lumpish?  :D

11. Re: Darkness Conquered....?

    #11

    I feel inadequate.
    
    I just can't do all the work the chat requires on this tiny netbook. Otherwise I will break it and it will probably take me breaking the site all day to getting it working.
    
    Unfortunately, until I am able to move out of the hotel we are sort of out of luck on that one. Very much hoping to be in there by 9 Jan.

12. Re: Darkness Conquered....?

    #12

    Actually, even if Chat is not restored, I am just grateful that the Horde From The Dark Hack was unable to take out the Citadel. All Kudos to Strolen, the greatest of Llamas, for his tireless defense of the Citadel.
    
    (Actually, Strolen, well done! I know nearly nothing about websites, the care and feeding thereof, or I would volunteer to help, but for heavens sake don't burn yourself out! Better 95% back than have it all go under.)

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