It is by now a truth almost universally accepted that the recent cataclysm and plague have much improved the city of Spur. The old order, with its dissolute aristocrats, its hypocritical Odarian "justice" system, its stultifying social rigidity, and its legions of swaggering bullies, has given way to the free flow of chaos. The rich as well as the poor are now subject to the exhilarating dangers of the untamed streets. Robbery, murder, and vice are no longer artificially contained, but infuse our days with purpose and reward.

Leading this wild rush toward the joy of chaos, naturally, have been the temples of Set and Taath. The wily, irrepressible Snakes and the fearsome, pitiless Vultures have become the icons and models of the new Spur. Strangely, though, just as they rise to the ascendant, the two dark temples find themselves sundered, the creative tension between them poisoned by some unseen hand and turned to open hostility.

Taathians have been attacked for hunting creatures the Setites hold as protected, and in turn Setites have been slain for those attacks. Setites have been accused of stealing sacred relics from Taath's holiest precincts, and some slain for it. In return a Taathian priest has been stripped, humiliated, and all but killed. The Taathian relics have been found in circumstances that on the surface seem to incriminate Setites, and again Setites have been slain for it.

What some will make of this is simply an old and familiar tale--a falling out among thieves, a fight amongst soldiers over the spoils of war. Others will say it shows a fatal weakness in the dark temples, a need for strife so powerful that it overcomes even our own best interests. And there is, indeed, a seed of truth in these claims. Setites and Taathians alike have been vain and rash, have sought to prove their strength rather than their judgment, their harshness rather than their shrewdness.

What they should have been doing, what it still not too late for them to do, is this. They should take a clear-eyed look at who benefits by the conflict between them.

Not Taathians, not Setites.

They should remember who their true enemies are.

Not Setites, not Taathians.

They should ask themselves if those enemies are dead or only sleeping; beaten, or only in hiding. The Odarians, the Drakes, the deluded rabble who follow Unknown, even the vanquished temples of the Lords of Chaos--these have ever been the enemies of Taath and Set. Are they not now sniggering at the strife between Snake and Vulture, and strengthening themselves in seclusion, and doing all they can to sow and cultivate the seeds of division? They are. Does the strife not result in large part from their intrigues and machinations? It does. And if the Setites and Taathians are too slow in seeing it so, then sad to say, this glorious epoch of chaos may end before it has truly begun.

-Foom

__________

      This point/counterpoint column is entitled the "advocates" or some such nonsense. It is presumably intended by the producers of this publication that my opponent and I advocate 'sides' or positions with respect to recent events within the context of divergent philosophies as practiced to greater or less success by myself and a Cleric of Nonsense.

        My colleague, Foom, "the Stoat", Thpptht, imagines that she advocates chaos while I will be advocating order. Idiotic as that sounds, she really believes it. Or, I should say, if one were to say, "I propose that chaos is good and order is bad," the Stoat would commend you as wise.

        But, I am already tipping my hand. She would, in fact, say with a gleam in her muddied eye, that chaos is good. In other words, she measures the state of the realms in terms of good and evil, neato and awful, bad and rippin', just like anybody else, it so happens that she thinks (wrongly) that chaos is a fine thing. Therefore, whether this simple fact can even be understood by the Shrew of Mud, she is advocating evil, which she mistakenly calls good, and I advocate the good. Unalloyed, unvarnished, pure good, (not the nasty "good" you get in the store with all those additives).

        Let us begin with the obvious. Chaos and order are two states of things which are morally inert. That is, two useful descriptions referring to the state of things. Most of the time Order is good, and occasionally bad. The opposite is true of order. Highly ordered things are mostly good. Take yer body, for example. It is a highly ordered complex machine imbued with many magics, if it were to fall to chaos, you would be in a bad way. Why even my colleague, Thhpthht, is a highly ordered complex piece of lovely machinery, unfortunately, she's bad. So, from time to time, one finds that highly ordered things are bad as heck! If Thhtthhppttt were to fall to chaos, that would be GOOD!

        But, for all her yappin' and yowlin' about how freakin' GREAT chaos is, she remains in a highly ordered state of existence! Of course, this makes her a simple hypocrite, but she's Taathian, so we aren't surprised.

        I nearly went on a raving there, excuse me. To the topic at hand. Having been fighting in Emjedah for months, I'm not up to date on the latest tomfoolery Spurians enjoy practicing. So, Thhthhppt, naturally, in an effort to torpedo my first ever column, has sent me half-truths and wild theories regarding an unfortunate and, no doubt, simple misunderstanding between two temples. Taath and Set. And, given the salacious rumors she sent me about this trouble, I am encouraged to advocate the Good with respect to this pranksterism.

        The Nagas are right, the temples are wrong. It's that simple. The Nagas were used as unfortunate foils to advance the career of one Taathian power grubbing cleric and advance the reputation of several Setite thieves. Whether as Thhttpppttt speculates, these "troubles" were organized by a third party is largely irrelevant. The fact of the matter is, a piece of cheese was to be had and the rats scrambled.

        And who suffered? The Taathians lost a painting or two (temporarily), the Setites gained gold. The Nagas were slaughtered and butchered by both sides (more so by Taathians, it must be admitted).

        Spurians of all stripes have been happily killing Nagas for years. Suddenly, the Setites are outraged! The Taathians in question who "hunted" nagas were doing what adventurers of all faiths have done. That is, kill Nagas and take their treasure. But, for some reason, this time, the Setites were gonna do something about it, despite the fact that plenty of Setites have been killing Nagas themselves.

        I could go on about the later events of Setites teaching the bad ole Taathians a lesson, how the Taathians retaliated, etc. But, the fact of the matter is neither side has been loyal to their faith. Ordinarily, that would be bad. But, since loyalty and fealty are foreign concepts to these lunatics, we can rest happy in the knowledge that while these maniacs kill the bejesus out of each other, Good is increased in the world.

        I must apologize for the brevity of my column as none of the bums who run this paper told me when this column was to be written, further damaging my chances of success. That's right, gentle reader! Not only has Thhtpptt not given me all of the facts regarding the Nagas matter, but the staff of the Tribune gave me this assignment and told me yesterday, for the first time, that this column was due in yesterday!

        I have faith in you, gentle reader. If you want this column to continue despite the underhanded efforts of some who are employed by or own the Tribune, please write. And, don't be afraid to accuse the staff here of lying and scurrilous deeds, there's plenty of it.

Submitted by Callik, the Good

The 'TG' Files

Case # 0147
"The Howling Monster"

The day started off a slow one. My partner Sulky, a female Leuian Bard of little importance, had just returned from the troll caves on a case of a sighting of a big ugly monster. Turned out of course to be nothing more then a very ugly troll. Who would have thought you’d find an ugly troll, in the troll cave. Anyway, so we had just finished the case, and needed to get in some practice, so of course we headed over to the arena to battle with a sparring partner. In mid-swing I got an urgent ESP, which begins this case, the case of "The Howling Monster!"

Sulky asks, "What is it Detective Xtazir?"
Xtazir exclaims as if excited, "I just received an urgent ESP! Of trouble near the arch!"
(Well, had you read of our last case you’d understand! I mean honestly.. a troll!)
The first Sparring Partner says, "Sounds important, you should go, we can practice more later."
Xtazir says, "Thanks Captain obvious!"
The first Sparring Partner smiles.
Xtazir rolls his eyes.
(So together Sulky and I traveled, from the arena towards the arch)
Sulky asks, "Are we there yet?"
Xtazir mumbles.
(Finally we arrive at the arch to find many people cluttered around a horrible beast!)

[Training Grounds]
You have arrived at the center of the basic training area. Go west to find practice targets and hone weapon skills. Basic information on Psionics can be found to the southwest. Northwest you’ll find the Supply Depot, where you can equip yourself. A bank lies to the northeast. You can learn about martial arts southeast of here, and directly to the east you can renew runes and learn about magick. The door to the Dean’s office is also here. An Arch, a crescent ivory door, and an open frozen blue crystalla door are here.

This room is illuminated.
In the room is Gander the novice Leuian, Pesterall the novice Secian, Drawindirt the novice Monitanian, Imdumb the novice Oog-ra, Guzzler the novice Hithual, Klickityclack the novice Arachnian, Beacon the novice Psycian, Sulky the Anthian bard, Xtazir the Noble Human Detective, and Howler the novice monster.
Obvious exits: northeast east southeast southwest west northwest

Klickityclack chitters, "Look it’s Xtazir the famous TG Detective!"

(Drawindirt scratches, Of course it’s Xtazir the famous TG Detective! I had Beacon glow me, so that I could ESP him, with a very urgent message, so he would come and....)

(Drawindirt scratches, see Howler, and hopefully help him out, because really it’s getting annoying listening to that thing, whatever it is howl like that, so duh!)

Xtazir glances down and walks all around the area reading the book that Drawindirt just wrote.

Xtazir exclaims to Drawindirt, "That’s simply amazing!"
Drawindirt blushes and nods.
Xtazir rolls his eyes.
Guzzler pukes right in front of you!
Sulky cringes.
Gander says, "What about me! I’m pretty, just look darnit, I’ll claw your face off if you don’t look at me, just look, how pretty I am, what is wrong with you people, you are stupid or something!"
Gander screams, "AHHHH!!"
Gander, I’m an angel, I’m so pretty, you all love me!!!! Just went through the arch.
Xtazir says, "Ok, who would like to tell me what is going on here?"
Klickityclack chitters, "Well you see.."
Xtazir glances at Klickityclack.
Xtazir says, "Not you! Or Dirtboy either"
Drawindirt blinks.
Sulky giggles.
Xtazir says, "Beacon, what seems to be the problem?"
Beacon pulls Howler closer to him.
Howler howls do I talk?!
Xtazir nods knowingly
Xtazir says, "I see, yes.. that would be the monster I was told of."
Sulky says, "He looks scary!"
Howler howls do I kill stuff?
Sulky asks, "What is it?"
Xtazir says, "Not sure.. but I can’t make out what it’s saying."
Howler howls who are you?
Xtazir says to Howler, "Can... you... talk?"
Howler howls give me sword!!!!!!!!
Xtazir says, "I say again, CAN... YOU... TALK?"
Howler howls give me sword!!!!!!!!!
Xtazir sighs.
Xtazir says, "It’s no use, it’s a complete idiot."
Sulky says, "Can’t you help it Detective? He’s just a poor howling thing."
Xtazir ponders the meaning of the universe.
Howler howls give me sword now or face my mighty powers of DeATh!!
Xtazir says, "You know, I can’t make out what that thing is saying, but that sounded rather rude to me."
Sulky nods.
Xtazir says, "Calm down there son, err gal, err well whatever you are. We’ll think of something!"
Imdumb asks Xtazir, "BASH?"
Imdumb drools heavily.
Xtazir retreats a bit to the rear.
Xtazir mutters.
Xtazir says, "Not yet big’n, lets try a more civilized way first."
Imdumb blinks.
Imdumb scratches his head.
Xtazir mumbles.
Xtazir says to Imdumb, "No"
Imdumb pouts.
Sulky snickers.
Xtazir glances at Howler, looking him over.
Howler howls I have slain you with a mighty fireball!
Xtazir pulls Howler closer to him by it’s foot.
Howler stumbles and falls down.
Pesterall lays her hands on Howler's chest.
Pesterall claps.
Pesterall exclaims, "Ihealedit!Ihealedit!"
Xtazir says, "Which would be wonderful! Were he hurt... twit."
Pesterall blinks.
Pesterall exclaims, "Ihealedit!Ihealedit!"
Xtazir rolls his eyes.
Xtazir glances closely at the foot of Howler.
Xtazir gags helplessly.
Xtazir says, "Well I found the problem, but I can’t fix it yet."
Sulky asks, "Why not?"
Xtazir says, "That smell is horrible!"
Xtazir says, "Ahh I know, a weave an adventuring Flerian once showed me."
Xtazir waves his hands around in an odd manor while chanting softly.
Very pretty runes begin to dance in front of Xtazir.
Very pretty runes fly towards Howler and circle around its feet.
The area smells better.
Howler stands up.
Xtazir sniffs the air again and blanches.
Xtazir waves his hands around in an odd manor while chanting softly.
Very pretty runes begin to dance in front of Xtazir.
Very pretty runes fly towards Howler and circle around its feet.
The area smells alot better.
Xtazir sniffs the air and nods.
Xtazir says, "That will work"
Sulky exclaims, "That was great!"
Xtazir says, "Yes, I thought so too."
Pesterall exclaims, "Oooocastitonme!Canyoucastitonme!Teachittome!Showme!"
Beacon, message Can't glow this, just went west.
Howler howls touch me and die by my flaming sword!!!
Sulky says, "Umm.. it didn’t fix him."
Xtazir says, "Of course not, that wasn’t what was wrong, it just stunk. Now I shall fix it."
Xtazir grunts as he bends down and carefully plucks a large thorn from Howler's foot.
Howler falls to his knees as a bright green mist starts swirling around him.
Sulky retreats a whole lot to the rear!
Klickityclack claps.
Xtazir grins.
Howler's eyes begin to close as its skin grows pale.
Howler stumbles and falls down.
Sulky says, "I think he’s gonna die."
Xtazir snaps his fingers.
Xtazir says, "That’s right! I nearly forgot, this magick needs a little kick, I’ve seen it before."
Xtazir advances a few steps.
Xtazir stomps hard on Howler's gut.
Howler inhales hard as he sits up.
The green mist circling Howler begins to spin faster, so fast it’s hard to see Howler at all.
Sulky says, "Is this suppose to happen?"
Xtazir says, "Ok"
Sulky blinks.
Suddenly the green mist rushes into the mouth of Niebo the novice Human.
Niebo blinks.
Niebo says, "Wow! That.. that!"
Xtazir says, "Fantabulous? Yes, of course it was."

(Everyone clapped and cheered here, especially Pesterall, so I’ll save you the horror of seeing it.)

Niebo bows to Xtazir.
Xtazir nods.
Niebo asks, "How can I ever repay you?"
Xtazir says, "Seeing a good deed is award enough, seeing the smile on your face, knowing that I have helped another is enough, the world is now better thanks to.."
Sulky taps Xtazir on the shoulder.
Sulky says, "Didn’t you send out the bill for the city collection officers to come find Howler, who is actually now Niebo for the cost of this case, also Drawindirt who was the one that did in fact ask for the help, before we even headed this way?"
Xtazir pinches Sulky.
Sulky winces.
Xtazir says, "Well, yes.. there is a matter of payment of course, but the officers shall be along to fetch that..."

Xtazir murmurs "Or to beat you into a bloody pulp, and leave you for dead someplace, while taking all your worldly belongings and giving them to me.

Niebo asks, "What was that.. you sorta trailed at the end there?"
Xtazir smiles and nods.
Xtazir says, "Oh you’ll know soon enough, don’t want to ruin the surprise, besides I must be off now, ta ta!
Sulky waves.
(Everyone else waves too)
(And off Sulky and I head, back towards our Sparring Partner who is waiting our return.)
Sulky asks, "Are we there yet?"
Xtazir sighs.

Thus brings us to the end of the case file 0147, "The Howling Monster" Perhaps now, we can get some good practice in, and maybe even a little rest. That is of course, until the next, "TG" File!"

Detective Xtazir
Oh.. and Sulky.

Note: All names and events might be false, any names resembling these are horrible. You should slap your parents and pick new ones, and thanks for reading!

News
Sarithiya Darklure

The 7th Day of the 10th Month of the Year 311

Spur's clocktower is surrounded by an impenetrable glowing barrier of crimson energy, the mark of Evoloch glistening upon it. Tendrils of this crimson energy field snake around the structure, striking the ground. The energy is powerful and disorienting, making anyone who stands near it lose their sense of time. Many may believe, in light of the current events, that the energy barrier has been placed there by the Muatana-al Lord Maloveous himself, who had been seen in Spur immediately following the crisis in Saldaea. However, there is word that an extremely powerful Sanene mage by the name of Malzor is responsible for its ominous presence. It is believed that Malzor and Maloveous are powerful rivals wrestling one another for the favor of Evoloch. Malzor seized the clocktower and sealed it off, locking time-altering magick within it the day after the events in Saldaea. This was the very same day Maloveous was seen in Spur.

Not all magickal items were dropped and left with Maloveous on the recent adventure to Saldaea. Rylek Grey claims that he returned with one glowing green ring, that when bound magickly will slow the target.

Last evening vultures descended upon Town Square Central, as Taathians gathered within their temple. Several followers of Taath had been privately visited upon by vultures who had left them each with a large black feather. A grey and black feather was dropped at the altar. Flower Firslayer said, "Only ancient vultures turn grey, and ancient vultures are special minions of Taath."

Considered a powerful omen from Taath Himself, followers immediately congregrated and awaited a sign. Ward Marlon entered the temple carrying vulture feathers, claiming that sacred birds had been slaughtered, angering many of the Taathians. A lone vulture then arrived within the central chamber of the temple. Followers tried to speak with the bird, attempting to communicate with it. Star-eyed Tale'sedrin exclaimed, "Hear me! Lead us, for we would know what is expected of us!"

Bushwig Bill said, "Yuz dum liztin to ah burd". A few minutes later, the small vulture walked ungracefully over to where Bushwig stood. It screeched loudly, gaining the attention of all who watched. The vulture pecked at Bushwig's stubby green-tinted hand, reopening a wound. Bushwig is a small Go-blin-al, and did not stand much taller than the vulture. The vulture licked greedily at Bushwig's hand, a rivulet of blood dripping off of its hungry beak. This event was taken as the awaited sign, and the anger that had simmered in the Taathians only minutes before began to boil into venomous hatred and violence. Lii Dvo said, "We have been blessed. Let us begin." Li Dvo led the congregation to Town Square, and given his hasty departure, whether he left before the entire message was given by Taath is up for debate.

The Taathian war party arrived in TSC, filled with bloodlust and a thirst for revenge. Several unknown Spurians had left vulture corpses laying all over the grounds of Town Square. Vulture screeches rattled people's ears. More vultures arrived, flying quietly and peacefully into the area. Nalpac the Draco sat in the Town Square Central, and perhaps as provocation proclaimed, "They are only birds". Then the fighting began. Not long after, a Go-blin archer arrived, firing his first arrow at Aliyah, who happened to be working very hard to keep Nalpac alive. City guard mages arrived, attempting fruitlessly to halt the violence. Then skeletal mages arrived in chaotic droves. There was violence, but not an excess amount of it. A surprising number of people survived the battle, though there were some deaths.

After the carnage, Bags Bluebeard said, "A flock of vultures...started to appear in town square. A group of 5 then 6 more, till der was over 21 one of em. We were more worried bout droppings den attacks at the time. We, me kyn an I ...said was a sign of sorts..not an attack. Den dat dragon started to attack em...it was quick an bloody. An dey had no chance. Nalpac was the only Dragon in the square." Another witness claimed that Ambrose and Wildthunder also slaughtered the vultures, and that Kyrinne had assisted them, even trying to strip the vultures of their feathers afterwards. When questioned Kyrinne replied "Was a Taathian attacking someone else I think and then the melee started".

Rosi Corinth the Secian said, "I cannot remember who killed what, the blades and claws and beaks were too fast a-flying." Rosi was later implicated in the death of a Go-blin archer and accused of murder. Scouts searched for her throughout the city. She was questioned in private within the Traveler's Hostel by a mounted city guard. The Tribune had the special opportunity to attend the interrogation.

Mounted City Guard: Do you know the charges against you?
Rosi: Why are there charges against me?!
MCG: Rosi, you are here to deliver your tale. I have heard the other eyewitnesses.
Rosi: What happened to the archer that was dead upon my arrival?
MCG: Rosi, if you have nothing to say, I am forced to take their tale.
Rosi : I am sorry..I'm disoriented. May I speak?
MCG: Yes.
Rosi: Hear the truth of it, then. I went east of town square, where the Arachnian Gravakiv was..A vulture was there as well, which is why I went in the first place. My inquisitive nature gets the best of me sometimes.."
MCG: Yes, yes. I am listening.
MCG: The charges against you are murder! Now, while I find that hard to believe, one Stanrar, whose name I have heard with great regard in the barracks, spoke against you. Speak up!"
Rosi: A guard mage came in... and while I don't wish to tarnish the integrity of the City Guard, I will speak the truth. The mage that cast at the vulture with a shimmering spell. I'm not sure what the spell was.
(Rosi blinked and mouthed the word "murder")
Rosi: The spell offended the Arachnian, and he began attacking the mage. I tried my best to heal the mage, but he was resistant to my spells, and transferring damage from him was terribly difficult, I know not why.
MCG: So, you are saying, you had nothing to do with it.
Rosi: I had a hand in healing Panthera, when she defended the Spider.
MCG: Yes, yes, but you did not commit the crime you are accused of?
Rosi: Of course not! I have hardly a harmful spell to my name."
(At this point, the mounted city guard removed his helmet and wiped his brow. He seemed confused.)
Rosi: Who.. am I "charged" with murdering, Guard?
MCG: Hm, well, yes, the thought of a Secian harming someone would send even me, a seasoned veteran up for promotion, I might add, to the point of shivering. I have the names of the two witnesses that came forth. Further questioning is required. Do not leave the city proper, Ms. Rosi.
Rosi: Of course I will not.
MCG: This Stanrar fellow...describe him for me?
Rosi: Stanrar? He is a human Sword Cleric of Unknown.. I have not seen him close up since the plague... my memory fails me.
MCG: Very interesting. Continue on with your normal activities, Ms. Rosi, but do not leave the Spur. I will assign an archer to...help you remember. Til then, you are free to go.

The two witnesses implicating Rosi in the murder charge referred to by the mounted city guard were Stanrar Mandor and Ranier the Usil Elf.

Rosi was present in TSC today. When asked if she had any more problems with the city guard, Rosi responded, "No, they did apologize heartily though".

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