December 610 Fletcher Quill, Publisher
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Silver vs. Gold (and Purple) – Lady Moira
As the Heroes of The Sutherlands dutifully answered King Devron’s rallying call and heroically faced the minions of the Dracobitch in the Four Winds Graveyard, the controversial Thomas made his presence known. Reports indicate that he law-tainted the ressurection circle in the Graveyard, and offered help in exchange for alliance against one of the Lords of Chaos. Some say he disintegrated a townsperson who displeased him, and rumors abound thatothers may have fallen victim to the dreaded Atonement ritual.
But who is this Thomas?
Many years ago, he served as the Court Healer of Devron’s noble court until he took brazen liberties with the legal system of the Sutherlands. In a personal vendetta against chaos, he ignored proper legal protocol and executed townsfolk under the charge of Treason for the very minor charge of desecration. As the story goes, he was killed and animated by an enraged lynch-mob of Sutherland citizens, and spent many humiliating months as a ghoul. Upon his return to the living, he showed his opposition to the legalization of desecration by gathering forces and mass executing the desecrated and any who associated with them. King Devron stripped Thomas of his titles in response.
Exiled and shamed, Thomas retreated to the plane of Law, gaining significant power and becoming the Primarch. For years, he tried to manipulate and force his way back onto the Kingdom Court, gathering troops under the banner of the White Rose, and calling for the Barons and Heroes of The Sutherlands to petition the King to return Thomas’s titles and place on the Court. He even went so far as to offer bounty on any of the refugee “abominations” from the Ghostwind in 604 that were delivered to him.
In 606, he was allowed to return from his exile in exchange for fixing the chaos-taint that had overpowered the resurrection circles across the Sutherlands. He disappeared mere hours before the destruction of the Palace at the hands of the Devourer in December of 606, not seen until now. Why the sudden reappearance? Where has he been for the last four years? Is he really a dragon? Inquiring minds want to know!
The Graveyard, Round Two
– Homer Goodwill
Once again the heroes of Clanthia stood at the gates of the Four Winds Graveyard, ordered to exact "Royal Vengeance" by decree of King Devron Nolaric. All of town gathered behind Baron Morgrim, as he used his cursed shield to break the fifth seal and open the graveyard gates. No sooner had the had the gates opened, did the brave charge forward under a half moon-lit sky. Instantly the forces of Clanthia were met with hordes of lesser undead, being commanded by many greater undead stretched across the grounds of the graveyard. Not long after the initial attack, the five forsaken guardians began their assault against the living. Normal to killing an immortal undead. Each of the five had preserved their essence in an object commonly known as a phylactery. Once ones' essence is preserved in such an object, they will continually reform over time, even if their physical body is completely destroyed. However, once a phylactery has been destroyed, the creature tied to it once again becomes mortal. And so the search for the phylacteries of the five began, with some of the quicker heroes scavenging the graveyard. Eventually a coffin was found towards the back of the graveyard, and when opened produced four skull shaped bottles. The bottles were quickly transported across the grounds, and thrown into the resurrection circle. The moment each bottle was in the radius of the circle it instantly turned to ash, utterly destroying the phylactery. After the first four phylacteries had been destroyed, the fifth had still not yet been located. By some miracle of chance or fate, the heroes had discovered that the fifth phylactery was actually the coffin itself! Brave and true, a team of adventurers once again crossed the length of the graveyard and recovered the coffin that still lay at the back of the field. As some lifted the coffin and began to carry it back to the resurrection circle, many others formed a protective barrier of swords and spells around the traveling group to ensure their success. Finally the group has reached the circle, and raised the coffin high before throwing it into the resurrection point. At last the fifth phylactery had been destroyed, and each of the five forsaken were mortal. At last, the true battle could begin. The next many hours were long and dreadful. Though the five were mortal, actually defeating proved to be a difficult challenge. Each of the five was incredibly resilient, and the moment their existence was in jeopardy they simply teleported or phased out to escape. Eventually, one of the five was finally defeated. The feeling of victory was short lived, as it became apparent that every time one of the five was killed, it's remaining essence and power was transferred and divided between the ones who remained. Indeed it would ultimately come to facing a single forsaken guardian with all the combined powers of the previous four. The forsaken guardians continued their assault and evade tactics against the forces of Clanthia. Quicker individuals, such as Illsin Auvriamitore of Sudbyr, were seen dashing through the darkness to locate the remaining graveyard guardians. More often than not, the first ones to locate the enemies were also the first to be attacked. As the quick engaged their targets, they could do little more than rely on their
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agility to keep them alive until the rest of the Sutherland forces managed to arrive in the fight. After many hours of fighting, the final remaining guardian was destroyed and a wave of relief swept over the hearts and minds of the now tired and bloodied heroes of Clanthia. Just as thoughts of warm meals and warm beds and begun to form in our heroes, Whisper appeared at the gates. As the Dracoliche blocked the one and only exit to the Graveyard, the whole of Clanthia was trapped to the ground by skeletal hands. Whipser then demanded that each of the Barons, along with Lady Lorelei, be turned over to her as a sacrifice. If her demands were not met with in five minutes, she would seal the graveyard gates and trap all of town with in the Four Winds. It is assumed the debate with Whisper did not go over well, as she promptly released a draconian roar that struck terror into the heart of anyone who was not a Knight of a member of the Isles D'Honig. As all of the other Barons and leaders ran as fast as they could to escape the Dracoliche, only Dame Lulu, Lord Lachlan, and Lady Lorelei remained to confront her. Just then, Lord Thomas appeared in a flash of silver light a few feet away within the resurrection circle. He too made an offer to help town escape from the Four Winds. If the whole of Clanthia would side with Lord Thomas and his forces of Law, then he would transport the entirety of Clanthia safely back to the local tavern. Looking back on the history of Lord Thomas, it looked as though either choice would be terrible at best. Just as time was running out, and it seemed that the entirety of town would be doomed to one of three horrible fates, our beloved King Devron Nolaric appeared. Using magic beyond what most can even comprehend, King Devron lashed out and attacked Whisper. The gates to the graveyard now lay open, and the time came for Clanthia to escape. Using powers of stasis, teleportation, and through raw force our King was able to save a few fallen heroes still trapped inside the Four Winds. Just as everyone had escaped through the gates, our King had sliced off two claws from the Dracolich, and passed them onto Baron Ba'al to be turned into weapons. His majesty then gave the order to seal the gates with him still inside. It is rumored that his final words before the gates closed, were of how very proud he was of all of the Clanthian heroes.
Back in Bla-White!
– Homer Goodwill
Somebody is back, and that somebody is Nobody. Rumored to have died his final death earlier this year, Nobody once again walks the streets of Clanthia after a death rogue version of him was rescued during the assault on the graveyard. Members of the infamous Rogues Guild attempted to permanently end the existence of Nobody, by luring him into the Pirate Pub and Obliterating him using formal magics. Though the ritual was successful, the criminal activity was discovered and harshly punished. Somehow, even through the obliteration process, some fraction of Nobody remained intact though not unaffected. Baron Morgrim claims to have trapped the real Nobody in the Four Winds long before the renegade ritual, so that Nobody could spy on Whsiper and her works as payment for all of his misdeeds. There are speculations as to who or what the Nobody was that actually suffered the ritual was. Doppelganger, Simulacrum, perhaps a master crafted flesh golem formed in his likeness? Or maybe, just maybe, The real Nobody was the one who was Obliterated, and it is simply a false copy of him who now lives in his absence. In any case the Black Dragon group was thoroughly over joyed, almost as much as when they scavenged through Nobody's belongings the day after his wrongful execution. Not many are able to return from their final death, and some wonder if Nobody will take this second chance to change his ways or if he will fall back into his old habits of stealing magic items and committing acts of treason.
No one is above the law, or beyond its reach
– Lady Moira
Over the last year, as a proper legal systemhas once again been introduced and enforced throughout the Sutherlands, a common argument criminals try to make in their defense is that they, as a Hero of Clanthia, have done great things for the Sutherlands, and as such do not deserve to be punished. We all fight for the safety and wellbeing of the Sutherlands. Every single one of us sacrifices money, items, blood, and life-force. This does not mean you are special,above the law, or beyond reproach. It means you are doing what every other loyal hero of the Sutherlands does for their country, and you are as culpable for your behavior as much as the most humble farmer. No one is above the law, Barons, Nobles, Heroes or Peasants. No amount of brave deeds, sacrifice, notoriety, experience, wealth, or power excuses anyone who has knowingly, willingly broken the Kingdom Laws.
You may try to justify what you’ve done and claim you do not deserve to be held liable under our laws, but if you choose to break the law, you choose to accept punishment for your crimes. Is it worth it? That’s your decision, one you should consider carefully before you break the law. If you feel you should break the laws for what you perceive as necessity, legal justice for crimes committed is simply a consequence you must weigh in your decision to act. The only ones who don’t deserve punishment are those who didn’t break the laws in the first place.
To break our King’s laws is an insult to our King and Country. Must you further spit in the face of what is just and right by belligerently demanding special treatment and claiming you are above the law and that the laws should not apply to you? Every one of us makes mistakes; every one of us makes a wrong turn or a bad choice. Our system of laws is not unreasonable, and exists to correct the deviant behavior we all occasionally commit. If each of us could swallow our pride momentarily and accept the repercussions for our misdeeds, we would each emerge a stronger, better person for it, which would in turn reflect better on our King and Country. It takes only a bit of humility to mark the difference between a selfish villain and a hero worthy of pride and glory.
Reward Offered for Missing Property Belonging to Members of the Isles d’Honig
The following items were lost by members of the Isles d’Honig, mostly during the last year or so. Any information on the whereabouts of these items should be brought to the attention of BaronWilhelm, Lady Court Healer Lorilei, Lord Marshal Radoc, or Lord Court Mage Lachlan of the Isles d’Honig. Please take special note of the most recent items listed at the bottom that were lost just this last gather.
Descriptions are given below, all items listed are magical. See Lord Lachlan if you have identified any item matching the descriptions below so that it can be assessed as to whether the item in question matches the properties of the item lost.
A reward, to be granted by Baron Wilhelm, is offered for the safe return for any of the below-listed items.
Lost prior to 609, unknown location:
• Shortsword made of Steel and Adamantine
Lost 03/609, most likely at Fort Grayson but possibly soon after Mass Word of Recall back to Clanthia:
• Ring of Elemental Fire & Ice
• Topaz Necklace
• Silver−plated Dwarven Knuckle−bone Necklace
Lost 04/609 at Carpathian Encampment near Clanthia at beginning of Zombie Invasion:
• Silver Ring with an Eye
Lost 09/609, lost in the Djinn Vault in Carpathia:
• Silver Ring w/ Ancient Patterns: Identifies as "Lord of Damasks Ring"
• Plain Hematite Ring
Lost 10/609, in the Graveyard:
• Necklace with green pointed gems like teeth and round blue gem spacers with skeletal hands below
• Ring w/ a skull
Lost 2/610, somewhere in town:
• Necklace with a Teardrop Purple/Brown Stone with silver filigree around it, identifies as “Shepherd’s Watch”
Lost 07/610, fighting orcs on Arcane continent:
• Wooden Axe w/Amber Head containing trapped insects
Lost 08/610, stolen by Carpathians after leaving the Coliseum:
• Mithril Shortsword w/Diamond Shaped Handle, blade says “FALLAN” in gold runic letters
• Adamantine Shortsword Covered in Frost, scribbled runes on the side identifies as “Terran Vos”
Lost 10/610, in the Four Winds Graveyard – the following three, specifically around the time some folks were being atoned and killing our people
• Meteoric Iron Longsword, will reveal name as “Sword of the All Brawl” if Identified
• Mithril Chain Necklace, has larger links on front half
• Mithril Chain with Heart Pendant
These items were lost on the way to the gate after the Five were defeated.
• Mithril Ring with Black Flame Design
• Emerald Longsword
•Gold Shortsword that says "Jonathan Grayson" on either side of the blade
Geebas on Parade, by Jennie Breeden:
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Rumors, slander, and innuendo
Some say that King Devron is still tainted by the Djinn of Vengeance, but who are we as loyal followers to say where one ends and the other begins.
Rumor has it that Warden Nadia has crafted a set of brass knuckles, and intends to use them as a disciplinary tool against undisciplined Sudbyrians.
After an accidental shifting of book shelves nearly five months ago, Vindicare has only just now escaped the libraries of Sudbyr where he has been trapped this whole time.
Bandolier Maelyndra would look quite dashing with a nice beard.
Sahde is now accepting Orcs into their Barony, but only if they learn proper elven manners....and survive "the shield gauntlet"
Don't spread yourself too thin, you can't be in two places at once.... unless you happen to be Alaiah, Nobody, or Cadicus.
Sessith of Rossanoe has apparently become a master seer, as he has been able to send replies to missives posted in the tavern with out ever having been there to read them in the first place.
Guild Master Tidus was seen giving information to Benvolio, the outlaw necromancer.
Lady Moira has issued a standing challenge to Colmillo, may the best poet win.
Dhalia has continued her spree of "Liberations", this time unleashing the Plane of Law. What is her issue with *existing*?
Songs of inspiration offered by Guild Master Aeolus have raised the hopes and spirits of La Rochell refugees. There has even been talk of rebuilding and repairing the battle torn city.
The last time we saw Lord Thomas, he was really a dragon in disguise. Is it really Thomas this time?