The

June 20, 1009 Vol. 22 Issue #4

your source for news from The Princedom of Novashan Contents this Issue: News from Yardsmith torn Anadar. This has given His News from Yardsmith by Louis Panagopulos 1 by Louis Panagopulos Grace a chance to focus his at- – New Yardsmith Correspondent tentions to the troubled north. Popular Philanthropist Missing for the Mystic Quill by Alexandria Cunningham 2 In addition to this appointment… Small Farm Village Attacked; Chil- here have been many the Mystic Quill has learned that dren Carried Off rumblings out of Yardsmith The Regent has also installed by Murdoc MacPherson 2 overT the last several months. Count Gilbert Rosentretor to Travelers Beware This reporter caught wind the County of Shadowglade. by Murdoc MacPherson 2 of Nobles shifting and lands This news comes just 5 months All hail the birth of Daffyd Alek- changing hands. SO…I decided after His Grace, Duke Sir zander Belthshazarr. to make my way to the capital by Lawerence Lori 2 D’Kalin appointed Baroness and look into it. Strange Occurrences Related to Mys- Dame Felicity Ashenwood terious Forest The Mystic Quill has discov- of the Barony Autruche as by Shawn Guster 3 ered that His Royal Highness, Countess of the same. Orcs led by Human Cleric Prince Duncan Belthshazarr I of At the time of the printing of this by Christopher Thano the Princedom of Novashan, has Rumsey 3 article, the Mystic Quill has not ordered the installment of a new discovered the current standing The Little Things Regent of the Crown. by Navarr DuPhoenixx 4 of Her Excellency, The Count-

New Type of Squirrel Discovered! Lord Sir William Drakensburg ess Ashenwood; although ru- by Tola Ambersythe 4 was seated at the post early in mors are abound that she will be the year and has been hard at Where did all the game go?! offered a chance to follow His by Lapis Lazuli 4 work reorganizing the Princedom. Grace the Duke of Llymir to the First, he has reinstated the late Let it be known north, or accept a position in His Squire Leveer Silverleaf 5 Duke Wanderlusts lands under Highnesses’ Royal Court. a new Lord. His Excellency, A Humble Request The Mystic Quill has also Duke Sir Gustov Canter. by Isabella Cerra Hawtherne 5 learned of the installation of a Who are the bandits now? His Grace served as a high rank- new Knightly Order, The Order by Jeffrey Thruthwrite 5 ing general in the Grand Army of of the Scepter. I am told that the

Tribe Nation News 6 Novashan. His Royal Majesty Order has been established to asked his brother to award His protect the Crown. When asked The Calling by Mirias Gosmon 6 Grace with a position of note as about the status of the Order of a personal favor to the Kingdom. the Thistle, The Regents Her- My Travels in the South by Owen Lark 6 His Grace, Duke Sir Ki- ald, Joseph Ferdinand, informed me that the Order of the Thistle Help Wanted To Chop Down eran Shaidonni D’Kalin of the Monster Tree Duchy of Llymir has been freed as been assigned as the Prince- Tony Antion 7 of his duties to the ailing and war doms Knightly Order. Our World politics and current events I was a bit confused by this and inquired further. This is a lot of change to process, but as things “The Scepter has been tasked with the protec- develop in the coming weeks and months, you can tion of the Crown…while the Thistle will continue rest assured that we here at the Mystic Quill will maintaining the Rule of Law throughout the Prince- do our very best to bring you all the latest news and dom,” said the Herald. happenings.

Popular Philanthropist Missing one went looking for him until he did not come out by Alexandria Cunningham of his home for several days. report has just come in to the Quill from the The Mayor of Fenrest sent a message to the small town of Fenrest; More than a month town of Ilverash, where Master Brimblade’s rela- ago,A one of the towns most upstanding citizens, tives were known to live, but they have recieved no Ambrose Brimblade, went missing from his home word and no aid. Anyone who has any information on the eastern outskirts of the town. about the disappearance of this fine philanthro- There were some signs of a struggle, but no sign of pist should contact the Quill, who will forward any the house being broken into, and unfortunately, no information on to the mayor of Fenrest.

Small Farm Village Attacked; resisted, and many who did not. All of the children, Children Carried Off save one, were carried off by the brigands, as were by Murdoc MacPherson most of the valuables in the village. It was only the he Small Farming village of Tanners Rest, intervention of the Merciful Order of Silvermane located near the large town of Brenn, was that saved any of the villagers, though they were, viciouslyT attacked last month by brigands. Ac- unfortunately, too late for most. cording to one of the few survivors, the brigands Anyone who has any information regarding the came in and demanded that the villagers turn over missing children should contact the offices of the their children, and when the villagers would not, the Quill, and we will see to it that the information gets men attacked and killed any of the farm folk who to those who can deal with this menace.

Travelers Beware We currently have no knowledge of who or what by Murdoc MacPherson are behind these attacks, the survivors suggest t has come to our attention that a small group anything from gypsies to knolls to orcs. It is highly of bandits is located in the Crossroads region. recommended that if you are going to be traveling, TheI facts are unclear, but what we do know is that go in groups of no less than five, and have at least these bandits have been bold enough to raid farms, some combat experience or guards. Any informa- encampments and something as small as a village. tion regarding these attacks will be rewarded.

All hail the birth of Daffyd Alek- of Novashan but only made it as far as the capitol zander Belthshazarr. city of Baern of the County of the Baern before by Lawerence Lori her Lady took ill and needed rest. It was not 3 days orn on May 28th, 1009 TM, Prince Daffyd later that the birth of the new Prince came to be. In Alekzander Belthshazarr is welcomed with attendance for this occasion were Count Uistus loveB by his parents HRH Lady Iyleina Radveshi Stroud and some of his lesser court. I feel blessed and HRH Prince Duncan Belthshazarr. by this occasion and shall remember it always, said Uistus. And blessed we were, for the skies that The expectant couple was making their way back had been cloudy all week parted and the day saw to the capitol city of Valvendenn after a quick tour multiple rainbows giving way to vibrantly blue skies.

2 Strange Occurrences Related to Another popular account of occurrences near the Mysterious Forest forest has been told by a group of bards who report- by Shawn Guster ed camping near the wood’s edge. They recounted ince the mysterious growth of the forest that encom- a tale of enchantment during the night spent cele- passes the area that was once the barren stretch brating a successful performance at a nearby tavern. ofS land that marked the Bayomal Divide, reports have They spoke of dazzling lights appearing in their fire been of strange happenings surrounding the woods. In the as they celebrated, casting their camp in many colors, months following the shocking appearance of the forest, mystical accompaniment coming from the forest as three tales of the mystical woods have found their way into they sang, and an increased potency of the wine the common gossip of many taverns across Novashan. they drank, lending greater mirth to their revels. One tale spoke of a small group of soldiers that trav- Recently, scouts from the Silver Bow clan have eled into the forest to reach the Elven lands of Ashan. emerged from the forest to assist Novashan in the After three days being lost in the woods, the soldiers stand against the growing threats of Metrion and the left the forest at the very spot they had entered. When reemerging tribal Orcs. They reported being guided reporting their ordeal, all of the soldiers swore that they through the forest by benevolent nature spirits, and had never doubled back at anytime during their three their sages claimed that they felt a presence that has day adventure. Along with the revelation of their navi- long been lost to the wilderness in those woods. gation, each of the soldiers reported sighting creatures What these occurrences could indicate is uncer- of a magical nature amongst the plant life and trees, tain, as is the question of whether believing them to be some type of enchanted woodland the forest can be traversed to reach creature or fae. Almost every attempt to traverse the Ashan, but one thing is for certain, woods to reach Ashan has ended in a similar encoun- enchantment and magic seem to fill ter, some even finding themselves exiting a completely the stretch of woods now known as different forest miles south of the enchanted forest. the Bayomal Forest.

Orcs led by Human Cleric As the battle raged on, I was able to hear our forces by Christopher Thano Rumsey calling a retreat and my heart began to sink, believing this few weeks ago, as the May festival was coming was the end. This was luckily not the case. Those of us to an end, a young group of adventurers were who had fallen were taken hostage, and it was in this time recruitedA to go deal with an orc problem in the area. that I discovered the truth about their leader. While tied These adventurers who were relatively new to the to a tree with my tongue slit, preventing me from casting, lands were accompanied by a few more people, includ- I was able to hear their leader murmuring to himself in ing myself, that have been around a while and had the pitch perfect common. It now made sense to me how their experience to back them up if the worst should arise. leader had been able to reach such talented magic, but I still couldn’t make any sense of the motivations behind Everything was going as expected as we worked our way such a disguise. What motivation could this person have through the outer patrol and into the encampment. Un- to disguise himself as a leader of orcs? seasoned orcs were falling at the hands of our young war- riors. However, upon reaching the heart of the encamp- Later that same day, to our great content, a back up ment, we were met by a significantly more organized force, force was assembled and came to negotiate our release, and at the heart of it, an extremely powerful caster of the which they did successfully. Once were freed, healed up Earth and Water arts. To the naked eye, this leader and armed again, we turned right back around to destroy seemed to be an orcish shaman; but he was anything but. them. This however led to a showing of their caster’s true power. Almost as soon as we had mounted our as- Once it became apparent that our younger forces were sault, we learned that he had even mastered the 9th tier fighting a losing battle, those with more experience began of casting as he was able to cast a death spell upon me. to step into the fray. I began working through a line of orcs, From what I was told, the battle was long, but eventually cutting them down on the way to our front lines, but just won. However, the leader escaped, which leads me to before reaching them, I was paralyzed by their leader. This worry about the orcish forces that will be coming against paralysis spell is of an extremely high tier, one that is almost us during this agelong festival. unheard of within the means of most orcish shamans. 3 Of Earth, Water, Fire and Air agriculture, industry and news about Mother Nature

The Little Things found under every forest’s canopy and in every by Navarr DuPhoenixx sunlit glen. We have endured too much for too s the longest day approaches I call upon all long to allow our people to forget why we live and the peoples of Novashan to take the time for whom we are fighting. We are fighting for each toA appreciate the little things that make living other and for the worthwhile. A warm summer day, an old song well hope that tomor- sung, the blush of a maid, the laughter of children, row we will have to the feeling of a job well done, and the safety of a fight no longer. loved one’s embrace. Teaching a friend to whittle or whistle, learning to dance or draw in the sand. A field of wild flowers aside a field of grain. Do not let the drudgery of a day’s tasks inure you to the pleasures that can be found by looking past the obvious into the sublime wonders that are

New Type of Squirrel Discovered! the creatures, they attempted to get a closer look, by Tola Ambersythe when the torch bearer was suddenly attacked by the small group of adventurers recently came small animals. He was saved from a gruesome death across a very unusual creature that at first at the teeth of these creatures by his companions, glanceA appears to be some sort of squirrel. The who struck several ...the corpses of the squirrels party of adventurers was exploring a of the creatures exploded in rapid succession. network of caverns near dead, and the rest Halot when they found a quickly scurried small group of the fuzzy off. It was several moments later however that the creatures deep inside party was once again shocked, as the corpses of the the caverns. The squir- squirrels exploded in rapid succession. rel-like creatures were Adventurers and citizens alike are hereby warned eating what appeared to of the dangerous nature of these creatures, and be embers left from a small advised to keep their distance. cook fire when the party approached. Intrigued by

Where did all the game go?! ion of the next best guy… his cook Gabriel, “If you by Lapis Lazuli ask me, those Ilvereshians should drive the monster ocals of crossroads blame Ilveresh for the loss attacks away from here… prevent them before they of hunting! One local said that all the monsters happen, and maybe the game population will grow thatL are attracted to Ilveresh drive most of the some more in the area”. animals out. “Think about it!” Harold, a local of Can something like this “bring back the game”? crossroads says “When is the last time you saw any Only if those lazy bastards get up off their butts game around this area? Ever since people popu- and make an effort! But we’ll see what happens! lated that worthless swamp two decades ago there has been almost no hunting!” So what can be done to bring back the game? We got the opinion of the Questions? Comments? Want to cut me down? duke’s Harold… well, not really but we got the opin- Well too bad, deal with it!

4 Tales of the People writings for the people and by the people The views and opin- ions expressed by Let it be known. slaughter people for pleasure alone with no profit as your motive. Even the local criminal element our freelance writers o whatever criminal does not approve of your actions. And I suggest do not necessarily element organized the reflect those of the you take your operations out of Novashan, as if atrocityT that took place on Mystic Quill. I come across such carnage again, I will spend the a farmstead not far from rest of my long elven life finding each and every last Ilvaresh, I am sure you know one of you, and I will see to it that you will never be who you are. And if you went back to see what was able to harm anyone else again. In a very permanant keeping the men who you left to finish what you fashion. You may think me a simple squire, with no had started, I am sure you know what happened to connections into your world. But know that I was them. If you have trouble finding the once squire to Thane Aspen place again, look for a farmstead with Silverleaf. And I am still his kin. the corpses of about a dozen or so What you did was beyond What you did was beyond crimi- madmen who would kill and enslave in- criminal. It was savage. nal. It was savage. And if there nocent people. You will find their bod- were any survivors of the wrath ies rotting in the sun, feeding the local I took on them, they would tell you that I am just as carrion. And without their heads. It is one thing to savage to those who would visit out those crimes. live the life of a criminal. To steal what you need to survive. This I can at least understand as it makes Squire Leveer Silverleaf logical sense. Albeit immoral. It is yet another to

A Humble Request an Orcish camp and killed off nearly every Orc by Isabella Cerra Hawtherne who resided there. This year we fear that they will lves across the lands are preparing them- return to seek vengeance on those who attacked selves for Agelong night. The lack of num- them. I humbly ask that any able-bodied Elf come bersE this season is disheartening. The last few to assist on this Agelong night. Since I have been cycles have been very trying for the Elven people in Ilverish, I have not lost a battle during Agelong of Ilverish. Last cycle, the Elves of Ilverish invaded and I don’t intend to start now.

Who are the bandits now? mayor of another town. He simply took everything by Jeffrey Thruthwrite he wanted from me and my family. It seems to me ’m a simple man. I’ve been working in a merchant’s that the people of Ilveresh can take what they want warehouse for a few moons now and we were with no regard for the law. There seems to be a attackedI a couple moons back. We were able to way to talk or even buy their way out of their crimes. win in the fight against the attackers and then Well, if that is the way things are done in Ilveresh, proceeded to search them for identification. One then I’m wondering if they’re hiring. Being in a posi- scrap of paper stated one of the men was Gnip tion of power in Ilveresh seems to have its perks Gnop, a mayor of Ilveresh. We informed the town - perks so great that even the law applies. I read guard of the attack but for some reason the guards, recently (yes I can read) that he printed something who knew us very well, chose to believe the word of saying he lost his important document in a battle. people of whom they had never seen before. After Why, yes that is true-he lost it while he was trying the attack, we learned the people who attacked to rob us! So I’m sending a call out to all who wish us were not arrested or even detained or confined to be above the law-GO TO ILVERESH! It until they could be put on trial. I was maimed in the is a safe haven for the unlawful, but only if you have fight, losing the ability to use my right arm and leg the coin to buy the truth. As I write this, I am cur- and on top of that, I’ve lost my land to the town lord rently unemployed and homeless without my family, because I could not pay my taxes. He did not care who was taken by our lord to work off the money we about the attack or that I had been injured by a owe. Thank you Ilveresh. Payback is coming…. 5 Tribe Nation News gold from Bedgulok’s hut. We have an open door oblins calling themselves Black Tuth have to all of our friends and neighbors. Don’t let the become a nuisance on our lands. We will be actions of one person ruin this. There is a large searchingG out these vial creatures on this moon and reward for the capture of this thief. Punishments anyone who wishes to do the same can join us. will be “SEVERE” for the perpetrator!

Queen Tess’ return from the mountains was TUUUUUUUUUUUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! tainted by thievery. Someone stole the queen’s

The Calling the edge of the herd where the first cows would be by Mirias Gosmon heading in for the night. The sun was sinking at an ne memory, that’s all she has. As if her life unnatural pace and the cattle were heading for a began that day. One memory is all she can particularly dark and forbidding forest. pullO from the tangled web inside her head. One “Perfect.” She muttered as the moans and groans memory and it begins. The one memory is… of the walking undead leaked from the forest. She stood atop the hill-side, her auburn hair being Black birds struck out across the failing daylight as swept by the breeze. With a grim expression her the animated corpses started to stir. The soft pinks cold blue eyes surveyed the land. Cows grazed in a and deep oranges of the sunset played along the pasture nearby, eating their fill before darkness fell. tree tops of the forest and the birds flitted across Blood dripped from her blade as she removed her the sphere of the sun, its rays warming her face. It was weapon from the head of a now lifeless zombie. fooling her. The sunset was making the illusion that this forest was a place she wanted to go. As a traveler She chuckled bitterly at the thought of the undead of these lands, she knew that as soon as she stepped having life. “More like I didn’t let the walking dead foot inside that death trap, hell would break loose. continue to exist.” She corrected herself aloud. She took a last look at the sky above her, savoring The tall grass proved an effective cleaner for her sword the calm of the storm. The wind picked up again and and she sheathed it. The sun hung low on the horizon poked its fingers through tiny openings in her breast and she knew that it was important to find shelter soon. plate, bringing sweet relief to the sweat soaked skin Her hard leather boots squished through the mud as underneath. Her day had been long and hard, and it she marched off for the nearest village. was setting up to be an even longer and harder night. The cattle mooed piteously as she moved past Hair was going to be pulled, bodies were going to them when the idea struck her that there must be a be thrashed, skin was going to be scratched, and she farm nearby. The people were kind in this area and was still just thinking about the zombies. would surely play host for a noble warrior such as To be continued… herself. She examined the herd closer, looking for

My Travels in the South life is fairly simple in Lakeshire. The young folk fish by Owen Lark and snare small game, the men tend to fields and log reetings once again from the sweltering Bar- the woods, the ladies cook and clean… and guard the ony of Marwood. The air is thick with the village, and make some weapons… wield magics like smellsG of smallfolk cooking, and I don’t just mean adepts and foretell the future with the stars. And peasantry. I’m staying with Halen and Marnie of the the Elders eat and smoke long pipes. The women of Kingsford clan, in the halfling town of Lakeshire. the village also patrol the area, and I think I saw one The town is quaint, friendly, shadowed by the giant cheat me at cards and when asked about it she hit oaks and beech of the forest, and untroubled by me with a chair and informed me that I was mistaken, the mystery of the local haunted castle of Foxcourt. which I clearly was. Not unlike my dear and beloved The Kingsford clan have actually guarded the ford Cwm Pecl, where the men are men, the women are in the River Brae for the King since the time of the dangerous, and the sheep are above average. Until Ravenshunts, thus the name of the clan. The way of next month may the wind be always at your back. 6 Help Wanted To Chop Down - One person must bring a great axe or sword in order Monster Tree to chop this tree’s thick bark. ell it began last summer where I saw a little - The roots and vines regenerate, so bring fire spells tree growing in my yard. I thought it may be a to slow the regeneration down. fruitW tree of some sort, but as the moons went by the - There are about four roots closest to the tree that tree grew like a weed and by the beginning of spring will entangle anyone that gets close so bring at least the tree was fully grown. Then one day I was going five people in your party in order to escape from them. to cut the tree down, mainly because the damn tree - Air, earth, and water spells do not harm the tree, started giving me the creeps for some odd reason roots, or vines. Trust me, we tried. and I started having nightmares at night. So I took my If you manage to get rid of this killer chuck of fire- ax and prepared to swing when suddenly roots and wood, then I will reward the group with a large sum vines with thorns on them appeared from the ground. I of silver that the neighborhood has quickly ran before they could grab me and I knew then gathered up for the cause. My that I had to get rid of this tree right way. I rounded home is located on the far side of up my neighbors and friends to help me fend off the Crossroads and you’ll notice the roots and vines as I tried to cut the monster tree down. monster tree from down the road Sadly, my axe barely left a mark on the tree’s bark has you approach. and all we could do was fall back in order to regroup. Since the first attempt to destroy this monster tree, - Tony Antion the tree has become too strong and wild for simple people like us to try again. So here’s what I require from the party that wishes to take on this task:

Classifieds Moving sale Everything must Bardic Tournament Agelong Night go! On Agelong Night Aria MacNiel will be hosting a Bardic tourna- ment on the high trail. It will begin at 6:30pm so please have all Items of interest: entries in by 6 bells. Cost to enter will be 1 silver piece. Submis- Clothing sions may be vocal, instrumental, or storytelling. Please take time dishware into account when choosing your piece as some may wish to be Slightly used doomsday within the safety of walls before dark. It will be a joy to celebrate device life and friendship with all who wish to participate. Old toys Stuffed gazebo Books Wanted: Freelance Article Writers Antiques The Mystic Quill is looking for talented writers to submit Unstable lab assistant articles for publication. Articles must be at least 50 words Sleeper sofa to be considered and will be chosen based on content and quality. Writers whose articles are accepted for publica- Inquire at the glowing tion will be paid 1-5 silver depending on quality. red tower, 17 miles west ,north west For details on submission guidelines of Tarn see back page. Novashan, Prime material plane

7 OUT OF GAME Section

Dues collection will be in the parking lot 5pm-8pm Fridays 12noon - 6pm Saturday 12noon - 3pm Sunday While you are encouraged to come and play during these times, there are other options for those who are only avail- able after hours. You can now pay online by using PayPal. Or, on the field, you may locate myself (Jolene Naugle), Chad Naugle, or Paul Moran and let us know you need to pay your Kingdom Tax to be on the land. We all should have the means to get you taken care of on the field. If you are found on the field of play without making reasonable effort to pay your dues, you will be removed and asked not to come back until you have settled your dues, or made arrangements to do so.

The open position of BOD General Representative - Odd Year Seat will be elected upon during the second weekend of the week long event. KGE would like to thank Jenn Gill for her past services to our group.

The ballot nominees shall be: Travis W. Hamill - AKA Dust Kaine De Boer - AKA Tarnehel

Thank you, Tim Schafer - President of KGE Inc.

Freelance Article Guidelines Thank you to all who sent me articles this month! Keep them coming! - Must be at least 50 words long - 1-5 silver may be paid for approved articles. - We will be looking for articles that are well-written, well thought-out, and enter- taining or interesting to read. - Article must be written “by the player’s character.” The character’s name will be listed as the author, and payment will be issued to that character. - Submit articles to GM1 and Mystic Quill Editor for approval ([email protected] and [email protected]). - Not all articles submitted will be published, and it is not gauranteed that they will be published in the issue immediately following submission. - Theme Marshals and game staff that are required to submit articles are not eli- gible to be paid for submissions. - Classified Ads are not considered for payment.