------------------------------------------------------------------------------- .. .. .||. ||.. ... || || || ||.|| `|.. || || `|.. ..|'''.| '|| || '|| '|' ' .... . .... ..||.. ... ..., || .... || '' .|| || || || || .| ' || .|...|| '|. | .|' || || || || || || || || ''|...'| '|..'|' ||. ||. '|..' .||. '|..| ||. '|...' ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 24.1 16 Ansmonth, 590 1 Coin --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greetings, good readers, and welcome to a new issue of the Canticle. We recently heard news that the coastal town of Gemynd, in Infidian, has finally been opened to people from Anguish. We have sent a reporter over to study the place, and will hopefully have their results back in the next paper! In the meanwhile, this paper contains news on the strange people we reported on in the previous issue - the artificers. We have also located a guild in the far north, called the Snowfolk. This means there is much cultural exchange to do these days! I would like to thank Orev, Smythie, Dubanka, Adinos, the Frosty guildline, Dafeon, Kasmune, Sianan, Argon and Methos for their help with providing material for this paper, and Scarecrazy for checking it, as she often does. Note on volume 24.1: We have added an extra page to the paper about upcoming Stars and Trivia tournaments. Keep an eye out for announcements! Thaddeus Jr. Aspiring Editor-in-Chief The Canticle --------------------------------------------------------------------------- <*> CANTICLE INDEX <*> -------------------------------------+------------------------------------- News In Brief......................2 From The Poets' Board..............6 Kind Retirees......................3 Dubanka: Early Years...............8 Artificers "Just Rule".............3 Otter's Book Reviews..............12 Helpful Snowfolk Up North..........4 EXTRA: Tournaments coming!........13 The Frosty Anthem..................4 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 24.1 16 Ansmonth, 590 Page 2 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- N E W S I N B R I E F ----------------------------------------+---------------------------------- The bartender at the Crossed Swords bar | The renowned library of the in Neville seems to be in need of some | Common Church of Tantallon has change in his life. He might see fit to | been opened to the public. reward adventurers willing to help him | Members of the clergy scurry to out. | hide their favourite titles from ----------------------------------------+ the excited visitors. Dafeon warns he heard a dwarven friend +---------------------------------- say his bloodthirsty cousins of the | The Eldar guildhall has been north have gotten reinforcements. The | brushed up with a storage box Canticle found it difficult to find a | and House Crests. reporter brave enough to seek the lost | Incidentally, a while earlier, clan out even before this... | Boki began to keep a list of ----------------------------------------+ the feats of the Scythe members. Methos has joined the Law team. Brog | Might guild pride be spreading? expects interesting new bounties to +---------------------------------- follow. | The alchemist holding shop by ----------------------------------------+ the necromancer guild hall has Due to the introduction of birth | a truly vicious brew set up in control to the peoples of the wood, | his store. A customer reported Argon has successfully limited the baby | accidentally tossing in a knife, thrower clan's collateral damage. | and it simply melted away. ----------------------------------------+---------------------------------- _____________________________________________________________|_|_ --------------------------------------------------------------\ \ \ \ Many among us spend a good amount of time devoted to \ | worshipping an obscure deity, or live under the iron | | grip of an archaic despot that controls their actions, / / their finances, and ultimately their minds. We of the |/ Scythe think that the most valuable good a sentient being can possess is freedom. We call upon the warriors of Ancient Anguish to come join us as brothers and /| sisters, and to believe in ourselves, above anything / / or anyone else. So come check us out! Our regular | | meeting place is not far from the main village. | \ We ask little and offer a lot. \ \ \_ \__________________________________________________________ |-|--------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 24.1 16 Ansmonth, 590 Page 3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kind Retirees Advise The Next Generation It is not often one can witness such concern for the hopes of the future as we have seen at the home of the two retired adventurers, Drais and Leau. After a long career at adventuring and experience both on the hand-to-hand battle and magical lore, they have settled down some ways north from Tantallon, not too far from Neville, and welcome those new to the profession to learn the basics of adventuring with them. We took a look at their extensive library and exchanged a few words, and left the house impressed, and a few hints richer. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Artificers Not Out To Destroy World - "We Just Rule, You Know", Comments Member It has been confirmed that artificers are not out to destroy the world. We interviewed people on the street, who were generally very relieved by this finding. "One of them even made me a good luck ring!" commented Dermott, a fishmonger and hobbyist fisherman. We tried to interview one strange character about the profession, but all we got out of it was a metallic "COMMAND ME!" A helpful passer-by directed us to Drakhiya for more information. Luckily, as we were packing supplies for going to Drakhiya, we ran into Caeculus, a wandering scholar. He has had many dealings with artificers, and assured us that the group is certainly not evil, simply different. Apparently they can build companions out of metals and other ingredients by the use of arcane formulae. Caeculus has grown fascinated by these formulae himself, and has made many artificer friends through the shared interest. He was asking us about rumours of new, rare formulae, but we found that we were unable to help him. The Canticle will continue to observe this strange phenomenom, and maybe we will find the travel budget to go to Drakhiya to see the mysterious salamander construct, eternally aflame, that was apparently recently uncovered and placed into the artificer shop. We have heard rumours that mages have provided means to get to the artificer hall swiftly, without ever setting foot to the foul Grympen Mire. This calls for investigation. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 24.1 16 Ansmonth, 590 Page 4 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Helpful Snowfolk Look After Travelers Up North A group of adventurers set out to confirm the rumours of a giant white dragon got more adventure than they were looking for. The group got lost in a snowstorm, and would certainly have been killed, were it not for a group of helpful residents of the north. They rescued the adventurers and took them to a house out of ice, which they called an igloo. The people had learned how to live in harmony with the icy north. The adventurers reported that the group is led by a big, friendly man called Frosty, and that they are now accepting new members to their guild. As word got out, many other adventurers found the guild igloo and joined, and even had magical doorways set up to encourage people to visit. At this point, even our reporters could not chicken out, and we went to see what the guild was all about. When we got in, there was a large celebration over at the ice cream shop - the shopkeeper, Heldo, had built a much-needed refuse bin by methods typical to the Snowfolk: by using the available resources in ways beneficial to both people and nature. The slightly intoxicated partygoers were singing the Frosty Anthem, and inventing new verses to it as they went. We recorded some of the verses for the paper with their permission: The Frosty Anthem As Partially Improvised By The Frosty Line Watch out where the penguins go, _ _ .. .. don't you eat that yellow snow! /_/ \_\ '\ /' If you're drunk on cloudberry booze, \\// \\// stay indoors for the sob'ring snooze! /\_\\><//_/\ _.__\\\///__._ \/ //><\\ \/ ' ///\\\ ' Chorus, repeated after every verse: _//\\_ //\\ We don't fear either ice or snow \_\ /_/ ./ \. we wander where the cold winds blow '' '' Join us by the glaciers blue and may the frost be with you too! The Frosty Anthem continued on page 5 ... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 24.1 16 Ansmonth, 590 Page 5 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Frosty Anthem, continued from page 4 ... o Before you start a snowball fight o : o you better pack your snowballs right! '.\'/.' A prudent man knows how he blows :->@<-: that icicle right from his nose. .'/.\'. o : o You hunt for food, eat what you find . . o but leave alone the thinker kind, _\/ \/_ making new friends is all good form _\/\/_ they might save you in the next storm. _\_\_\/\/_/_/_ / /_/\/\_\ \ Survival is the key to life, _/\/\_ 'though sometimes it's a mighty strife /\ /\ Look after for the frail and small ' ' and proudly follow Frosty's call! Our people came to search for gold but what they found was snow and cold: mosquitoes fill the summer air '.| |.' and winter storms mess up your hair! . ~~\ /~~ . _\_._\/_._/_ But following a bad luck spree, / ' /\ ' \ we were saved by heroes three ' __/ \__ ' With mighty magic of the cold, ' .'| |'. they built our home - or so I'm told. First Warra with the snow-white hair who quite enjoyed the freezing air Aprano then, with all his might but orcs, they gave him quite a fright... . : The slim girl, Urta, was the third '.___/*\___.' strange stories of her we have heard \* \ / */ They left when their great deed was done - >--X--< we've looked for them, but they're now gone. /*_/ \_*\ .' \*/ '. There was this hardy snowman Stan : he even tried to get a tan, ' But as the springtime sun came out Hardy Stan filled a rainspout. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 24.1 16 Ansmonth, 590 Page 6 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From The Poets' Board: The Ups And The Downs from Orev Hating this _, .--. You once were my light on a dark night ( / ( '-. When the wind blew cold on my back .-=-. ) -. And your smile was the sun that warmed my heart. / ( .' . \ \ ( ' ,_) ) \_/ You swore love for me, neverending (_ , /\ ,_/ I dared to believe that this was true '--\ `\--` How deluded I must be to think this _\ _\ As you put the distance between us. `\ \ _\_\ Where once there were open spaces `\\ Now there are walls, solid cement and brick \\ That love you first showed seems to -.'.`\.'.- Have shrivelled up and died. I'm mad, I'm angry, I'd like to take something from you And make you hurt as badly as I do My heart just seems to cry here too. The other day you asked me What was wrong? I asked you about us Which you ignored the question and went on Blind like a fool, like the fool I'm learning you are. I'm the fool too My dear, because you've gotten in Yet again, and torn my heart To shreds. From the Poets' Board continued on page 7 ... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 24.1 16 Ansmonth, 590 Page 7 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the Poets' Board, continued from page 6 ... .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .' `._.' `._.' `._.' `._.' `._.' `._.' `._.' `._.' `. A New Time In My Life The sun comes over the meadow To the mists and fog unfurling like tentacles across the grass. Cool air hits me as I drive through the fog Sand crunches under my tires, breaking the silence of the morning. There you stand, in the far off distance. An old love, a young boy come to haunt me anew. As I drive closer, you mature into a wiser older man - Someone I realize I live for and love very much. You asked me once, why I loved you.. The truth is I wasn't sure why but I knew I did As you left a lasting impression inside me That time didn't erase or keep far from me. In the morning, you're first on my mind At night, you are the last person I see Before my eyes close into dream's sleep. You are someone I don't want to live without. Our time together was too short. We look to the future to be together. Our own issues entangle our lives a bit. I know it won't be too long before I'm with you again. You are my old friend My new lover Whom I can't wait to discover A new city and time of my life with you. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .' `._.' `._.' `._.' `._.' `._.' `._.' `._.' `._.' `. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 24.1 16 Ansmonth, 590 Page 8 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dubanka, The Early Years: The King's Personal Guard The Eldar Guild Master, Dubanka, is known for his fascinating war stories told to the adventurous members of the guild over a cup of Lanara's magnificent tea. He has agreed to share another story with the Canticle readership. Smythie: Okie! Finally. Here we go again. Hi Dubs, welcome again to story time. Dubanka: Oh, hello! What happened to my usual interviewers? Smythie: They've betrayed you apparently. Dubanka looks sad. Smythie: They're filthy tainted flesh now. So we have to make do with my newest Eldar. Dubanka: You must have worked pretty hard to get this job, then! Smythie: Oh I DID. I totally had to shell out all kinds of money to... Er I mean yes! I worked VERY hard. Smythie: Only that you were going to tell us about a king. King abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz or something like that. Dubanka: *sigh* Amateurs. Smythie: Their writing is pretty horrible, see. Dubanka: Well, I had promised them I would tell them about the time I was a personal guard to King Albalachalabal's father, King Maklaklamalkak. Smythie: The personal guard? How prestigious! Dubanka: I never was a guard to King Abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz. He didn't trust immortals. Smythie: Well. He did have a good point, ya know? Dubanka: I think I was a Mooserider back then, anyway. Smythie: That certainly explains it. Dubanka: So. After I left the navy, I thought it would be a good idea to get an easier job for a while. One on land, without threat from vampirates. Smythie: good choice Dubanka: Fortunately for me, there was an opening in Balan for guard- work. Smythie: Very fortunate! Dubanka: Now, there are always openings for guard work around the realm. It's a dangerous time we play... Er, live in. Guards tend to have very low life expectancies. Especially for kings and captains with good equipment. Dubanka, The Early Years continued on page 9 ... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 24.1 16 Ansmonth, 590 Page 9 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dubanka, The Early Years, continued from page 8 ... Smythie: Most definitely. Smythie: How did you hear about this particular opening? Dubanka: Back then Balan always had openings for guards, so it was just a matter of passing or cheating on the drug test. Smythie: You passed or cheated the test, I assume. Dubanka: Wouldn't be much of a story if I didn't! Smythie: True enough! So you passed/cheated your test. And then what? Dubanka: One of the benefits of the low life-span of the guard profession is that one can be promoted quite quickly. If one does not die. Smythie: Always helpful. The not dying part. Dubanka: Plus, I was very good at my job. Along with being immortal, I was old enough that I didn't even allow people to sneak past. Smythie: *whistle* And the king? What was he like? Dubanka: King Maklaklamalkak was a very nervous man. Smythie: Oh? Dubanka: You may not know this, but at the time Balan was constantly threatened by a Beast who roamed the mountainside. Smythie: No! A beast in Balan! I had no idea! Dubanka: King Maklaklamalkak's life was in constant danger. Smythie: Poor man. Poor you too. That must have been a super dangerous job. Dubanka: And between the Beast and those wacky adventurers, I was promoted to be King Maklaklamalkak's personal guard in no time flat. Smythie: Wow! You must have been good at your job! Dubanka: Well, it was easy protecting King Maklaklamalkak from adventurers. The Beast was one tricky son of a beast, though. Smythie: How was he tricky? Dubanka: Well, he often came in disguises, trying to see the king. Smythie: Really? I would think being a beast, he'd be hard to disguise. Dubanka: Oh no! He was brilliant. He'd come dressed as noblemen, babies, the queen, Prince Albalachalabal... you name it. Smythie: Wow! He was pretty sneaky! Dubanka: I could tell it was him because when I'd shout "ARE YOU THE BEAST!!!!" he'd flinch. And sometimes cover his ears. Smythie: Ooo, that's very tricky of you! Dubanka: Once, when the king had gone three days without a single visitor that wasn't the Beast, he called me in and I told him of the plots against him. Dubanka, The Early Years continued on page 10 ... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 24.1 16 Ansmonth, 590 Page 10 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dubanka, The Early Years, continued from page 9 ... Dubanka: Needless to say he was flabbergasted, and promoted me from door-guarding to personal-guarding so I could keep an eye on him. Not long after, there came a knock at the door, and it was the king's mother! Smythie: Aww, how sweet! Dubanka: Now, I had never met his mother before. But it was obvious where King Maklaklamalkak got his physique from: his mother was huge! Dubanka: Taller than me! And she had the prettiest claws. Smythie: They say that runs in families! Dubanka: She was a bit hairier than I expected, but I suppose she might have had some dwarf-blood in her. Well, she asked for privacy and being the considerate person I am, I stepped out for awhile. But before I could even start my knitting, King Maklaklamalkak started yelling for me. Smythie: *gasps* Dubanka: So I charged in, and somehow the Beast had snuck in! Smythie: Oh no! Dubanka: The king was in bad shape, but fortunately his mother had already escaped. Smythie: Oh thank goodness! Dubanka: I managed to chase the Beast away, but I never saw King Maklaklamalkak's mother again. Smythie: Oh that poor woman! The poor king must have been so sad! Dubanka: I don't blame her, with an experience like that. Of course, that wasn't the last time the Beast tried to attack the King. Smythie: No? Dubanka: One time King Maklaklamalkak received a magnificent gift from King Drin. Smythie: Ooo. Dubanka: It was a giant pileated woodpecker made out of wood, left just outside the castle doors. Smythie: *claps* That was SO nice of Drin! Dubanka: Well, naturally I rounded up a gang of guards and had them push it inside. Smythie: Naturally! Dubanka: But that very night I was awoken by a giant crash. I ran out to find the gift had been smashed to bits! Smythie: Who would do such a thing??? Dubanka, The Early Years continued on page 11 ... --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 24.1 16 Ansmonth, 590 Page 11 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dubanka, The Early Years, continued from page 10 ... Dubanka: Well, we'll never know for sure. But I have a theory. Smythie: Oh? Dubanka: I decided that I should wake the king and tell him of the tragedy, and lucky that I did, for the Beast had snuck in again and was attacking the king! Smythie: Oh my gosh! Dubanka: So I think the Beast had snuck in, saw the gift, and destroyed it out of spite. Smythie: Oh, that's just mean! Dubanka: Well, it was a savage creature. Smythie: It certainly was! Dubanka: Well, that was the last I saw of the Beast. Dubanka: I was fired the week after, when Prince Albalachalabal took power. Smythie: Oh no. Dubanka: He never did like me. Smythie: *grumbles* Why didn't he like you?? Dubanka: Well, when the king disappears like he did, some people will always blame the guard. Smythie: He disappeared?? Dubanka: Alas, yes. Just when his throne was finally getting fixed. Smythie: Awww. What happened to his throne? Was it because of the beast? Dubanka: No, but I think the King was feeling uncomfortable on the throne because a throne repairman came by. Big man, looked familiar. But as a guard you see a lot of people come and go. Well, after the repairman came and left, the throne seemed good as new but King Maklaklamalkak was nowhere to be found. Smythie: Oh no. Dubanka: We searched for him, but to no avail. Smythie: Do you think he could have gone to visit his mother? Dubanka: That was my theory too, but Prince Albalachalabal took power anyway and fired me. So I never did find out. Smythie: what a mystery! Dubanka: And that was the end to my guarding career. Nice work, but I don't think I'd want to do it my whole eternal life Smythie: Wow, I'm impressed. So many adventures you've had! Dubanka: Next time, I'll tell you my small but critical role in the Gnoll- Ilderian wars. Smythie: Excellent! Thanks for yet another thrilling story Dubs! Dubanka: My pleasure. :) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 24.1 16 Ansmonth, 590 Page 12 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Otter's Book Reviews Tip of the week: Take books with you when fishing or prospecting! The books reviewed can be found from the Tantallon or Snowfolk libraries. Adventure: The Dragon's Treasure, by Firebird This 22-page story tells the tale of five orcs who band up to steal the dragon's treasure. It builds on strong dialogue, with occasional repetition used for powerful emphasis. The Dragon's Treasure describes the existential crisis of a predator when facing an even greater predator. The surprising end is built on acute cultural observations. Thriller: The Nature of Evil, by anonymous This epic forms a study into the nature of man and the relativity of evil through a thrilling life story of a girl born to a lower class Tantallon family. It explores the concept of evil in breaking the laws, in the quest for gold and prosperity, evil doable in defending of one's territory, exposure to evil through loyalty and malicious manipulation. Battle: The Ice king's tale, by Frosty This short book relates a fierce battle between the Ice king's troops with a group of fire spirits. The dramatic story builds up to a sharp ending that leaves the reader wanting for more. Scientific: The Far North, by Trazan Rustbeard, first assistant to Drute This book found in the Snowfolk guild library provides a good overview for any adventurer planning to explore the northern areas. It describes the wilderness beyond the Claw Mountains, passing useful warnings about dangerous creatures and also citing interesting rumours about fabled monsters in the area, such as the Ofkling monster. It also discusses the prospector phenomenom and the Snowfolk. Hobbies: How to build an igloo, by Frosty This short book describes how to build an iglo in six simple steps. It also has practical advice on how to cook in an igloo, how to make it even stronger and what kind of equipment to bring. This is a must-read for anyone planning a trip to the north. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Volume 24.1 16 Ansmonth, 590 Page 13 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stars and Trivia *EXTRA* *EXTRA* GRAND TOURNAMENT *EXTRA* *EXTRA* We have just heard from the Senate that there will be two world tournaments coming, with a grand prize of 10 000 gold coins - fame and fortune are calling! There is no entrance fee. The games will be announced on the Adventurer class board and the Announcements board in the Tantallon town hall. Wizards should participate in mortal form only, with the exception of apprentices, who are allowed to participate as themselves - if an apprentice wins the tournament, however, the money prize goes to the top winning mortal. The Trivia tournament will be taking place in a time known as "November", which starts in Moonset 590 and lasts for 6 months. The Stars tournament will follow in "December", or Harvestmonth 590, again lasting around 6 months. This is also a time when guilds compete to decorate a fir tree in the Ancient Inn of Tantallon. For the next few months, the Canticle crew can be found in the various libraries around the realm, trying to cram for the fierce competition.