2002: Templewood
Note: This was originally posted on the short-lived uo-europa.com official page, rather than on uo.com.
In addition to the small feature we ran on the town we have an article from guest reporter Weisshaar of UOWorld for our Travel Guide.
A day in Templewood
My darling and I had heard so much about this wonderful place that we decided to look for it. Driven by our curiosity we immediately saddled our horses, starting our journey in Vesper, where we had slept the night before, and rode along the street towards Britain. The journey was tiresome and we had a strenuous escape from a Golem. Finally, we reached a (described) crossing close to the desert. By then we had to rely on our compass, we rode straight up North through woods and meadows, until we finally saw a small village close to the coast: Templewood! We made it.
After passing the first houses, we suddenly stood in the shadow of the huge town hall. We were quite intimidated by the mighty edifice, however, we dared to enter this public building and found a huge table for townsfolk meetings. Impressed by the number of chairs, which probably mirrored the number of townsfolk, we further explored the village and found ourselves finally in front of the small tavern “The Wild Mare”. Tired and thirsty we had hardly entered the tavern as the inn-keeper already welcomed us and friendly asked us to stay. He offered us a strengthening drink, and seeing the condition of our horses, he gave them wholesome feed. We enjoyed a very nice evening with candlelight, and warm milk, and later that night he even offered to introduce us to the mayor. Said, and done…. And an instant later both of us “strangers” were standing in front of the first man of the village, who welcomed us in the most heartily manner. Because it was quite late at night , he offered us a town tour for the next day. Happily we accepted this offer and thanks to the generosity of our hosts our return journey was by a magic gate, which we gratefully accepted after our strenuous day.
Hardly kissed awake by my sweetheart the next morning, we rode in a speedy gallop to Templewood. Knowing the route from the day before we now could use shortcuts.
As we arrived at our destiny Rangarig, the mayor, and Berman, a paladin of the templars of the village appeared in order to show us the city. Amazed my sweetheart and I wandered through the village and were greeted in the most friendly manner by the townfolk. We even were allowed to enter the consecrated hall of the Templars, which is a mighty tower with a very special aura.
As visitors we saw Templeton from its best side, only a golem , which had followed us incessantly through the woods, troubled the harmony of the evening slightly, but Berman lured it away from our group and killed it with strong arms and a mighty sword.
The townfolk met for a meeting in the town hall, therefore Rangarig said good-bye to us and left us to stay with the brave Berman. The latter however, did the only error of the evening! He led my beloved and myself to the commercial area of the town and by then she was hardly seen. She searched all salesmen of the forge, of the magic shop, and of the tailoring, that badly that I already worried about our small savings. But before she fell into a spending mood the library of the runes attracted her attention and our gold was saved.
By now it was very late, so we gratefully said good –bye, and we were sure that this was not the last time we had seen this beautiful and friendly town.
Berman gave us his best wishes and a wonderful present. After a long ride we finally arrived in Britain. We went to bed in the guest house completely exhausted but happy because of this wonderful evening.
Thank you Templewood
Final remark: For friends of a “nice game” this town certainly is worth a visit. It offers not only numerous guilds, purchasing, and meeting opportunities but also the most important in UO: Nice people!!!!
