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MacLear: Vanguard
MacLear: Vanguard

"The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong... but time and chance happen to them all."

Clan MacLear is a roleplay guild, essentially. We began on September 30th, 1997, as Hand of Virtue in a game called Ultima Online with the greeting, "Mi faultich thu co sàor neach !"

If you're interested in an online family of mature gamers, consider joining us via the link below.

Join Clan MacLear

Author: Nosferum; ~May, 1999

About two months after release, Gamaeliel (one of our four founders) got his character deleted. He contacted a Game Master but it took about a week to resolve it. Taking the opportunity, we hosted a roleplayed event where we escheloned out from Halas to the ruined temple in Everfrost Peaks in two columns, walking (a rare event) and carrying torches. Palladius (lead GM) showed up, roleplayed a god and returned Gamaeliel. There was an additional bonus to this event. Once done, Palladius met us again a few minutes later and created the guild. The very last picture (at the bottom) shows the VERY FIRST version of Clan MacLear in EQ (Xegony server). If you're wondering what I mean, look at the picture. We were created as the second guild on the server, then deleted. By the time Palladius was able to recreate us (perhaps 10 minutes) we ended up as the 4th guild on the server. For several years, when you typed "/who all maclear", the server returned that the guild was "number 4". There never was a "number 2" on our server, as far as anyone else knew. We knew otherwise, however. The second guild on the server was the short-lived crustaceous CLAM MACLEAR.

The Resurrection of Gamaeliel
As the moon waned the unnamed members of Clan MacLear began to gather to Halas again. Gathering fram as far as Faydwer and as close as Everfrost, their bretheren did come to the Pub and greet each other with the love only a Clan can appreciate. I cannot tell you all that transpired, as it is the sole knowledge of the Clan, but I can tell you of the Great Resurrection and the two Gods who did show themselves for the Clan.

Heads were held low as, while the Clan was supposed to celebrate this night, one of it's sons had met the final death the night before. Gamaeliel, half elven decendant of Lord Lear, had been swept up by the final death, and was unable to attend the initial gathering.

MacLear acted quickly, though. Mustering all the power given them they did walk, in formation of 6 fingers, from Halas to the chill broken temple of Everfrost. The Clan fought to wipe the frozen tears from their cheeks so as not to lose faith that Lord Lear would return their kinsman to their embrace. Once arriving at the temple, they immediately called upon all manner of God and Spirit to return the soul of MacLear to this shell. Our Shamans and Sages welled up powers and magics beyond imagining to impress the Gods in hopes they would be swayed. The first volley of spells, while taking their tole on MacLear's casters lit up the cold sky like day. The Warriors and a lone Monk bid the Gods come and restore their kinsman, bowing in humility. The second volley of magics shook the silt below as a God appeared before the Clan in a flash of brilliance. His light shone so powerfully that the family knelt one one knee each and prayed in silence; letting only Chief Tormod represent them in speech.

"I, Tormod MacLear, Chief heir to Clan MacLear, summon you now to bid my calling. Gamaeliel, or kinsman, has been taken from us without cause. MacLear will not stand for this, as we have done nothing to condemn our souls. I ask your hand in leniance."

The Spirit, clad in green, did speek, "Tormod MacLear, we shine on you still. We have not taken your kinsman from you... he is simply lost in the Guf. I will find him and return him to you in one full day."

The Clan rose and cheered on high as the God engulfed in flame and was gone.

With this done, they still had to return to Halas in reverent formation-- two by three in lines-- and commit to memory all that had transpired that night.

On the slow trek back to Halas they met a flying God named Palladius. He wore black metal and commanded the Clan stop the funeral procession. Not only had he met with the soul of the fallen lad, he was to bestow Clan MacLear with "God reognized" Clan status. They would walk Norrath with Clan MacLear's name to shine with them. Lads and Lasses, Kinsman and Lady alike, washed back their tears and praised the eve as, one by one, officers were appointed and the family was crested.

Never before had one night brought together so many Gods with their children since the First Awakening and the Spirits walked Norrath. Let it be rung aloud "Gamaeliel walks with us again as a MacLear!" "For Halas! For MacLear!"

Now, MacLear meetings are truly secret, so gettting a series of pictures from one of their ceremonies is highly unique. Here we have 8 pics (if I remember correctly) starting from Procession Formation to the Gathering at the Ruin, to the Summoning, to The First God, to the Meeting with Palladius to the Officiation of MacLear (albeit misspelled...;).

© Chris Chandler 2006.