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Volume
3, Issue 1 Editor:
Leyara Rin Contents: Welcome
to the first official issue of the Aradath Tribune. Much has taken place
in these lands during the last several weeks. A horrific plague swept
through the Spur and surrounding areas and wreaked great havoc. Citizens
lost memories, forget how to do things they did very easily before and
some didn't survive at all. With the plague came strange shifts in time.
You might have done something such as selling a pack full of things
at Symher's or elsewhere, only to be caught in one of these rifts and
find that you once again have a packfull of items still needing to be
sold. You might have just finished filling your belly with a meal fit
for a king, only to awaken to find yourself hungry all over again. This
turbulent world is once again becoming stable. The frequent rifts we
all experienced rarely happen now. Once again the Gods seem calm. Just
pray that it stays this way. Top
Fives Spurian most likely to be eaten by a mad bear. 1. Callik Who else but Callik would have the honor of being the one with the most votes here? I mean, maybe if he were actually running from something, and not just running his mouth...Well you get the idea. Next we have Busta the Flerian and Kissinda the Leuian, two who seriously love slapping and chasing each all over. I wish I knew why, Busta's behavior would make Sweetie proud. Kithrael and Tweak also made it on our list, aren't they so lucky? Spurian most likely to conjure up a spell that sets their underclothes on fire. 1. Demeralda Beware the ebil finger wigglers! Not only will they wave their hands in your face in an attempt to confuse you, annoy you or even poke your eyes out, if anyone will be getting all hot but not necessarily steamy it will be these five. Two Secians, A Leuian, and two Frontacians. I hope, hope, hope the town guards always keep the TS fountain full of cold water and keep an extra full bucket or two of water within grabbing distance. If weird unexplained fires began flaring up here and there, you can bet one of them didn't find water or get out of their clothes fast enough. Spurian most likely to faint at the sight of blood, even their own. 1. Alazam The one and only Desert Prince topped off this list and is one of four males that did. The Fir loving San elf Callik came next followed by Danecker, and Kagee, Callik's best friend, although he won't ever admit it outloud. Landoo rounds off the list. Spurian most likely to get lost even with a detailed map. 1. Aliyah Some consider the world to be a smaller place if they have a map in their hands. Well not for these five, give them the most detailed map ever created, and they probably still wouldn't know if they were coming or going. If any of you reading this paper now ever come across these five directionally lost souls, please offer them your hand to lead them, or your foot to kick them out of your way. At least by either method they will be either closer or further from where they need to go. And you can pat yourself on the back because of it. San Elf most likely to burn down their own house while mistaking it for another person's. 1. Foom Beware the Elf with a torch or that has the power of fire at their fingertips. The dark skinned elves are typically ruthless and conniving, often treacherous. If any have a fondness for watching things burn, then guard your house faithfully...But if you are one that loves the HEAT they are capable of.....Then by all means...make some heat of your own so you can meet in the night like fireflies, and make the night sky blaze with fire... Those
Rabid Zerkers! Imagine a Usil Elf having more favor with the trainer of Barb's than anyone else. Well he does! And his name is Cagliostro, Usil Elf, book lover, don't anger me or I will spit and make you wish you had never seen me, Diomedes. The not even close to being cute Oog-ra Cutesy seems to be slowly plundering their away along in second. Barracuda, one of two Humans in the top ten is in third. One of three Arachnians in the top ten, Fanglia has the fourth place followed by Mildain, one of only two Hithuals on this whole list. In the sixth and seventh positions we have two more multi legged beasts. Sonje, another Human took eighth and following her is a Monitanian and a Thugian who are neck and neck. 1. Cagliostro
Diomedes the Usil Elf Shandora's Box ::In a darkened corner of a deserted hovel a curious child wearing dirt stained clothes, smudges of grime upon his cheek finds a small platinum box with strange pictures and writing on the outside of it. He reaches down and releases the latch. All of a sudden the box opens itself with a flash of light and sound!! A voice rings out "Free, at last!" and so a new being is set upon the realm to watch and listen, so that they can bring to you the strange and sometimes funny things that are said through out the realm we live in. And so is the beginning of Shandora's Box:: Charlotte following her sweetie Thordon kisses him soundly upon the mouth. And Thordon, wishing to make Wolfgar feel a tad jealous, stuck his tongue out. Unfortunately for though him, he left it out a bit too long and Wolfgar, bad vision and all promptly grabbed it. Charlotte immediately poked Wolfgar but it was to no avail. Charlotte says to Wolfgar, "Don't damage that." Somehow even with his tongue hanging out of his mouth, Thordon managed to shriek like a little Flerian child running from Taath himself. Wolfgar asks Charlotte, "Aye,
eight legger?" Charlotte glanced down at herself
and wondered.... Thordon drooled on Wolfgar's hand a LOT. Charlotte asks Wolfgar, "Bad at math much?" As she snickered, the half blind
Leuian grunted like an ork and finally released the Human's tongue. Sytrik says to Robya, "Be a
good lad and die now" Guaire says, "Yeah, it's nice
in some ways, but it takes a lot of the fun out of slumming here" Kissinda says, "PB" Random exclaims to Sandy, "I
salt halt this instant!" Lestor says in Leuian, "Not
to many in my time have had much luck in killing me." Baejh says in Arachnian, "P
eoxdxr foyg rknjiifx zqahsci" Vinaya says, "Poor little demented
spider" Tion asks, "Aye, the freaks
come out at night, no?" Ravan says to Mashema, "I am
handling it like a Leuian. I am getting backup" Bael says to Kagee, "Not tonight" Mala yells in Leuian, "I think
I'm in love!...Ambrose, please can I see your moon?" Busta walked into a peace bound TSC, went up to Kissinda and exclaimed "You!" Then Busta promptly slapped Kissinda across the face. Well, as can be expected Kissinda returned Busta's slap. Busta then slapped Kissinda again and said "Stop it." Well, the slapping match continues for a little while, up until the point where Busta leaves to the south. After a short period of time, Busta returns to TSC, slaps Kissinda one last time and then turns and runs south again. From the South you can distinctly hear Busta's voice as he yells "Gotcha last!" Kissinda pondered for a moment
and turning to Guaire, asked him "Gotchya last?" "Isn't that a child's
game?" Guaire nodded to Kissinda in agreement and replied, "Well, he
IS child-sized, it fits." Kissinda pondered for a moment and then agreed
with Guaire. ~**Romani's
Love Wagon!**~ Is it thy heart that pulses or thy blood? Ah 'tis moonlight again. The hush over Spur is quite discerning. The Orb strains with unrest, as little has been shouted in the name of passion. I lay entwined with the swirling source of life. The grasp of thy soul is maddening. I feel the tiny threads of thy self-unraveling into round flakes of colorful light. Thy scattered being rushes hurriedly towards the call, breath escapes me. I feel the pulse. Ah an image! I dare say a rather peculiar one at that. Standing breathless in the center of town, a seductive Leuian female. She stares dreamily at a handsome Human lad, eyeing all but his backpack longingly. Her face begins to burn a deep ash-red hue. Identities of common nature tell me this would be one Mala the Leuian and the other Thordon the human. Share with me this vision through the vein. Mala asks
Thordon, "Pardon me for a brief moment?" I must ask that charming Human, is lust a beautiful thing when yer on the receiving end? I fear, not all here meets the stringent eye. Fog remains where the inspiring act of professing ones passion endured. Hence the globe will recite. Ones fairground of game and laughter may be another's dungeon of deceit and despair. Hold closely your missives, as you may come to believe them at hanging time. The release of my hold is always distorted. I feel lost and trapped in the same. Kind warmth fills me, the light shadows hold me. I am ready to walk this moon. I must say, it was the blood that bound and not the heart. I am in search of our next journey. Good eve to you and yours! Romani The
Coven Tree The Power of Flowers Flowers are a part of the intricate song of lyfe. Used as decoration, inspiration, food, medicine, for beauty, and for magick, these small but powerful forms of life have been around since the beginning of days. Flowers can symbolize new beginnings, rytes of passage, love, friendship, and even death. Old tales claim that red and white flowers in the same vase are unlucky, while blue and orange flowers may bring a calming peace to the home. Another tale says that yellow flowers mean love mixed with jealousy, or that you will have more children than you can handle. Flower Colors Red flowers represent animal life, initiative, energy, and passion. Orange or yellow signifies vitality, ego, creativity, and friendship. Blue flowers are associated with emotion, spirituality, sensitivity, and dreams. Purple or violet colored flowers may indicate prosperity, optimism, generosity, and luck. Pink ones stand for affection, artistry, beauty, and peace. Traditionally, flowers of a white color represent purity, health, and protection.Folktales of Flowers Tales from ages past indicate that certain flowers can produce different effects, or may have special properties. These include...Darling Pea, or Darling Lily: Said to have the power of binding in place for seven years. Foxglove: Known as the fairy plant, or witches thimble, foxglove in the home is said to be unlucky, and should never be taken aboard ship. Picking foxglove is said to offend the fairies, and may bring bad luck to the picker or their family. Honeysuckle: Said to foretell a wedding in some tales. Lilac: Can be worn about the neck to protect against drunkenness. Lily: Often used as a fertility symbol, lily has also been placed upon the graves of young innocents. Roses: A universal symbol of love, or desire, roses can also be used upon a tomb to appease the spirits of the dead. Flower Cures Some flowers have been used since ancient tymes as herbal remedies, and many are still in use today. Cowslip: cowslip tea can be used to insure a good nyte's sleep. Dahlias: Tea made from the leaves is used as a cure for epilepsy. Daisy: these flowers have been used to cure eye troubles, or to turn gray hair dark again. Old tales say that children who died at birth scattered daisies on the earth to cheer their parents. Dandelions: The seeds are blown and scattered to make a wish come true, while a tea made from the petals can be used to purify the blood. The roots make a strong diuretic, while the blossoms can be used to make wine. Red Poppy: Known as a sedative, it is also used in cough syrups, and can be made into wine, tea, or even ink. Rose: The hips of the rose can be used to prevent scurvy, due to their high vitamin C content. Spurian Cures Many healers shops around the Spur sell herbal or flower cures. The list below reflects a few of the better known herbal remedies sold in the lands. Goldenrod infusion: Said to be used by bards to improve their singing voice. Hop syrup: Often used to cure sore throats. Juniper sachet: worn about the person for luck and prosperity. Yarrow: Used in many forms to cure "Dragonds Breath". Blackcurrant tincture: taken to help cure internal wounds. Wormwood tincture: A well known cure for drunkenness. Flowers are all about us, and in passing many folk tend to forget their gentle beauty. The next tyme you are on a hunt, or out adventuring in the world, take a moment to stop and look about you, you will be surprised to find the world is full of these tiny, gentle little bits of magick. ...Take some tyme to stop and smell the flowers...your life will be the better for it! Merry Partings, and Bless'd Be, Glink News Those of us who reside within Aradath have arisen from a long and deep coma by abrupt physical changes, loss of memory, specifically professional skills, and even the mysterious and possibly permanent disappearance of a sizable chunk of the populace. Whispers through the treacherous underground, the dank streets and the haughty inner circles of the former nobility speak of a Great Plague that has mysteriously swept through all the realms. Further investigations will be conducted. * On the 17th day of the 4th month, the year 311, the Spurian Justice Department reported that by order of the Governor that "those justices that which serve the temple of Odarous are immediately dismissed from their positions within the city". The following positions are available to specified citizens who desire employment under Merlin, the Muatana-al:
Laws and regulations of Spur are subject to change. The Artist's Guild may soon possess a depiction of Odarous clawing the sheer walls of a steep incline. Good riddance to bad rubbish! * A very mysterious old Flerian man with the changing God marks and twinkling grey eyes was seen passing through Town Square recently, promising to sell rare and exotic goods in the future. He called himself Galuff Peddlefoot, and was accompanied by a scruffy little mutt named Gill. He claimed that he had come from "here and there", and had not been touched by the Plague. He was seen with the Set and subsequently the Unknown God marks. Later, Galuff was attacked by two Leuian assailants. One held a knife to his throat and demanded he hand over a valuable map. He snapped his fingers and vanished into a grey cloud of mist! His voice was heard saying, "I am also a man of many talents!" Keep an eye peeled for this strange peddler. He was dressed in a peculiar wealthy manner for a Spurian, and claimed he had acquired a special license to sell his wares. Indeed, he held official title of Merchant. * * The Secian race is in the midst of another brawling match. Two Secians, Mahtina Fynne and Midnight Raine, attempted to join the temple of Set. The two of them bailed out after public scrutiny, but the Secian community just couldn't let it rest. It seems like no one can keep those Orderly creatures from their moral spats. Just as a side note, Secians do not fit down the well southeast of TSC. They seem to have an uncanny ability to cling to the sides. * * Has the Artist's Guild has been immersed in heated debate with the temple of the Unknown? Virtuoso Fantastico, self-described star of the Saldaean theatre scene, dropped a scroll in the temple complaining that the Human Stanrar Mandor had terrorized his troupe with his blade, even cutting up one unarmed actress, because he did not approve of their theatrics. Kagee Predator immediately jumped to his defense, accusing Virtuoso as being the elusive Changeman Shadowlurk. * * The Aradath Tribune had the opportunity to speak with the Archon of the Unknown, Alynia Mandor, on the alleged forced censorship of artistic freedom. Q: Your temple members have been accused of rash and violent actions that have upset the balance. Your temple members maintain that those actions, for the most part, are personal and have little to do with your temple. Any comment? A: Let me begin by saying that it is indeed news to me that there was a debate in Unknown's temple at all with anyone from an Artist's guild. What occurred was a few people trying to cause trouble while many of Unknown's followers had gathered to greet new faces and ask any questions they may have had. I was disturbed by this and understandably annoyed that one of these "actors" was dressed as myself. A: Secondly, perhaps you should get your facts straight. Whether it is the Temple of Set or the Temple of Taath that you are accusing our Temple of committing violent actions against, you misstate your facts. Set's followers attacked our followers, and to date, no retaliation has taken place. As for Taathian's, we merely defended one of our Temple members, nobody was attacked unless they attacked first. Q: What is your position on your temple members attacking Spurians who disguise as certain people and act out skits that are offensive? Is it alright for your followers to attack those non-violent Spurians with a blade? A: As for offensive skits, I take no position on this since this is a personal matter and not a temple one. I would suggest that if they are planning on continuing these "skits" that they take a close look at the subject matter and whether it will offend people. If you wish to be an actor and take on subject matter that may offend, you may find yourself doing exactly that. And who is to say how the offended person or persons may react to it. It has nothing to do with Unknown's temple, it has to do with good taste, or lack of. Further, and more to the point, no one was attacked at all. Three thieves, who were seen walking through town were revealed when one of the people they were disguised as saw them. A: As
for the upsetting of balance, that happened as soon as certain people
took it upon themselves to harass our Temple members, thinking that
they could make it a Temple issue, or direct our Temple in a manner
"they" saw fit. It was a poor idea then, and it remains a poor idea
now.
* Rinannians were delighted with
the arrival of a mysterious dove in Town Square Central. It is believed that this dove, which
takes the form of a magickal talisman, was the one that was held captive by Loa'kass, the Ice
Devil. Peace fell over TSC for a short while. However, not all Spurians were delighted with the
intrusion. Baejh the Arachnian managed to lift the dove in it's statue form, leave TSC, and after
several attempts, broke and shattered the religious relic into pieces. The
Advocates THE REAL
CULPRITS... Whenever
disaster befalls, it is the natural tendency of all thinking folk to
wonder why. We wonder why we were stricken (or spared), we wonder how
exactly the disaster came to pass, and we wonder who, if anyone, was
responsible. But in the case of the recent plague, which killed so many
Spurians and rendered so many others pathetically weak, these wonderings
seem to have been muted. I have heard very few of the survivors speculate
about the plague, or indeed even mention it. Whether this is due to
fear, to apathy, or to some residual effect of the plague itself is
uncertain. In any case, I intend now to reveal the truth, or as much
of it as I have discovered. Some will disbelieve; no matter. The truth
is the truth, and the truth is this: the plague was concocted (in some
magical fashion which remains unclear) by high-level officials of the
Odarian temple, with the purpose of eliminating the Setite and Taathian
populations of the city. That it spread to the general population is
of course only another example of what happens when muscle-bound fools
attempt to perform tasks requiring some intellectual ability. I can,
of course, prove this. I have transcripts, provided by a spy who unfortunately
perished horribly in the plague, of conversations among the Odarian
plotters. I have already made these available to the city government,
with the result that the city's justice system has been taken out of
the hands of the Odarians. Thus there is at least some silver lining
to this horrible case of mass murder by the followers of the bully God.
I only hope that they do not attempt to take vengeance on the city by
unleashing another plague. I
have not traveled much in this city ever since that wretched plague
ran unbridled throughout our lands. But whenever I have ventured out
to travel or explore, the question has always been........why did this
horrible plague come upon us? I
have devoted much thought, prayer, and meditation to this issue. All
have been affected by it. All have suffered in some way or another by
it. But what was the cause of it? It was indeed a sweeping change that
swept through the land in the blink of an eye. But what caused this
change? My answer to that is a simple one. But truths of the world often
are simple ones. What could cause such an incredible change to blanket
the entire universe? My answer is simply this. What has always been
the greatest and most far reaching agent of change? What has always
been the greatest cause of disorder and disruption in the harmony of
the universe? The answer is obvious. Chaos. Pure, unadulterated, untainted
chaos. And where does chaos originate from? Where does it find a home?
It resides steadfastly in the hearts and minds of those who are creatures
of chaos. Those who thrive on chaos. Those who feed off chaos. Those
whose very existence is the result of chaos itself and seek to manifest
chaos in all forms it can assume. That is indeed the source of this
great transformation that has spared not even the very perpetrators
of it. When
I think of chaos that is so far reaching and so extraordinarily powerful
I am often reminded of the story of the Great Change that ushered in
the end of the Arachnian and Penthanian war. In seeking to gain an advantage
over their opponents, the Penthanian race released the Unmagick into
the world without realizing the overwhelming power and disruption it
would cause. They suffered from their own recklessness in tempting a
power they did not understand and were unable to control. They caused
an overwhelming change throughout the land that affected all it touched. Such
is the case here. I have not the names of those responsible for bringing
this madness upon the world, which seems to have brought nothing but
suffering and agony to all, even the very comrades of it themselves.
Nor have I the reasons why such persons would seek to wreck such overwhelming
havoc upon everyone, including themselves. But this is the only logical
conclusion that can be reached from the facts given. The world was,
as it always has been, balanced between the powers of order and chaos.
When a group of chaotics decided to unbalance the harmony of the world
by unleashing an awesome force of chaos that has seldom been seen before.
I know not if it was ignorance or arrogance that was the motivation
to bring about such an overwhelming change upon the world. But the group
did indeed lack either proper knowledge and/or constraint in releasing
this vile plague upon the face of the world. I
am indeed convinced that this was the work of more than one person.
As such an incredible force of power could not be summoned or invoked
by a lone individual. But all the facts surrounding this traumatic do
indeed point to the obvious conclusion that it was indeed engineered
by those who relish in the change and fluctuation that chaos does indeed
bring about. To those
who would challenge the validity of my claim I would ask only this.
Why would someone who favors an orderly or entropic life seek to bring
about such an incredible change to all upon the land? Including themselves?
Perhaps it was to help try to conceal their guilt. Perhaps it was they
simply lacked the wisdom, or I would dare say the very intelligence,
to fully understand the force they were reckoning with. But clearly
it is the result of those who seek to disrupt and unsettle the natural
order of the world. In my years I have indeed seen many regrettable
events where a person or persons foolishly brought about a terrible
change upon themselves by tempting powers they did not fully understand
or were beyond their control. Such is the case here. I know chaos when
I see it. And this is indeed nothing less than chaos unbridled in its
most damaging and destructive force. Its indeed a sad day for all when
the shortsightedness of a few cause much suffering to all. I am, as
always, Rynock
Gavinson As
always, if you want to compliment, confide in, threaten, or to advertise
anything at all, send us a scroll. Thanks for reading another mind-boggling
but stimulating issue of our paper! The
Tribune Staff |
02-01-2001