********************************************************************** **** The Havilah Times **** ********************************************************************** **** July, Year 2 Edition **** ********************************************************************** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - ****NEWS ARTICLES**** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Some of the far southern lands have warmed and cleared, bringing hope to an end of the relentless winter in the north. [Article submitted by Beauford (64)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Diary: We were surprised by the appearance of scouts in our village - obviously our foreign policy minister needs to be fired. Visitors are to be expected, after all... just as we are visiting other lands. Our hand will go out in friendship but we live by the motto TRUST BUT VERIFY! In the meantime, our first attempts at expansion are starting to take place - we move west! [Article submitted by Stormriders (74)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Kunlun have long hesitated to join their old comrades. In an alliance long, long ago in a realm long forgotten we fought together. However that realm is again vivid in our thoughts the moment we recall the most memorable battle in the history of Atlantis. But before any memorable battle can be fought in this world we have to join the old comrades first. [Article submitted by Kunlun (88)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- No winter can hold hold us back. Monsters could. But no winter. Speaking of monsters. And casualties. Why? Seriously, why? An army of 500 men lost an elder warrior on a second day of the march due to some skunk spreading his stink onto his boots and this warrior was shaking his head so hard it just fell off. What, do they spend the left 28 days of the month to bury him and mourn this great loss? For 28 day they dig the grave, find a priest and probably shave their heads to cover it with freshly made ashes from the nearest burnt huts of some wilder men? The loss of a single man stops the army for a month. I could understand a half of army lost, or even a third part, damn, a quarter, that makes sense, because the coroners should do their job. But no single man, or a couple should stop the army. You all know well the historical... and histerical... cases when a kamikaze squad of several men with a brave general tactician entered a fight with many thousands of enemy troops, cut off one clumsy head, died all 10 of them and stopped the move of the huge army for the entire month. Well done! We will build a statue of the Heroes. The main reason for enemy army to stop, I believe, is that they have their guts falling off of laughter. [Article submitted by Knights of the Past (26)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Here we are again! We are very much interested to find out who was the fool who wrote that rumor. He thinks he knows something about us but doesn't even has the wits to write our name properly. Even though we think answering to rumors is hopeless thing to do, this is our answer: Pretending to be smarter than you are, eh? Anyway... you suddenly like and respect things about Beigtais, but know what, Beigtais doesn't give a dead rats arse about your respect and your like or dislike. Your stinky flesh will be cut from your bones and fed to Beigtais's slave dog Anuii. Then this slave dog will be buried alive in a shallow grave and then Beigtais will spit on your place of final rest, you foolish writer of dumb rumors. We seriously doubt that you have enough courage to tell the world your name so that we can find you easily. It means it has to be done the hard way... But enough about fools. Let's talk about other things. Life is easy and wonderful these days. Yeah, we suffered a defeat, lost some men, but hey - do you really think that we are such a weaklings to simply disappear because of that? There are more of us, we are in many places and we are becoming rich by killing monsters. You never know when and where Dii Minores will appear. Maybe we are here, BEHIND YOU... Beigtais [Article submitted by Dii Minores (42)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "You know, you can tell alot about a man by the type of socks he wears." - Bob The Unpredictable [Article submitted by AFCG (38)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The sisters sat around the mountain precipice. small camp fire illuminating their faces. the 7 of them dreamed of decending from the mountain tops into the town, seeking the warmth and comforts that the town held. the winter would soon clear and then they could movto warmer climates. [Article submitted by The Elven Garden (76)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Male vivet, quisquis nesciet bene mori. Seneka [Article submitted by Zbojcerze (85)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The book was dusty, it obviously hadn't been touched for decades. Brewster had chanced upon it on one of the trips to the ruins by the forest. The day that Crompton had made excuses and stayed behind to polish his cufflinks. Anyway, a sudden gust of wind as if from nowhere blew through the archway as Brewster opened the cover, and a shiver ran down his spine. He laughed in a manner more sinister than he had ever done so before without even noticing. Brewster had changed. [Article submitted by Summoners of Xebec (27)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Oh dear, this winter in the forest. It feels oh so long. Plus its cold. And it snows. [Article submitted by Stratego (39)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- In the desert of Metberdmas roams the Anacondas (514). Free the world from this menace and be rewarded! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Rigel was pleased, at long last the diplomat had made it to the fertile plains of the south. Their message had been delivered into the hands of the empire located there. And just as promised, troops and men were awaiting them. A new foundation to a prosperous empire was being laid even as he read the message. Production of horses, metals, wood and now the tax base to support a vast empire was being realised. To add to the boon, news from across the seas, both to the east and the west, brought news of possible friends and trade allies. Rigel hoped that his first contact would soon join them from their voyage across artic seas. It would be perilous for them in the winter, but the Ice Man they first spoke too was a tough and hardened veteran. [Article submitted by Orion (71)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Lord Critchen III was a nervous man. the powerful empire to the south communicated very rarely, the powerful empire across the sea to the north threatened mass invasion. All the while he was caught in the middle trying to etch out a small area for his mage guild. soon a titanic battle would be joined and he could see his lovely fields and coastline being the staging poin for a beach head. time to start looking for either more allies or greener pastures. this minnow did not want to be crushed between two Behemoths. [Article submitted by Havilah Trading Co Op (75)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Zoroaster said: ‘All quiet on the Eastern front?’ The First Disciple said: ‘Yes, we still call it quiet.’ Zoroaster said: ‘How quiet is quiet? The front at the moment is not really a front. We are combatting the Fallen Angels, the Naughty Princesses and the Deathscarab in several regions. So let me rephrase my question. Tell me about the battles between their armies and our armies in the plains of Enheim, Ka’oma and Hasfolk, in the deserts of Unhangsa and Clagobi and in the jungles of Adee and Stockjeng.’ The First Disciple said: ‘We still call it quiet, because we see the last battles just as skirmishes before the great event. The total numbers of the 7 battles are in fact: They attacked us and the city guards in the village Gintpra and conquered the village. They attacked us and the city guards in the city Chebas and lost the battle. We attacked the city guards in the city Nuburn and conquered the city. They probed our forces twice and offered two scouts for information. They killed one of our scouts. We assassinated one of their scouts. The total number is as follows: They lost 191 men, we lost 42 men, They received 20 swords and lost 3 swords, we received 61 swords, They received $975 silver and lost $415 silver, we received $3.044 silver.’ Zoroaster said: ‘You are right, the great event has still to come.’ The First Disciple said: ‘Yes, as I said, we still call it quiet.’ [Article submitted by Zora (46)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Last summer, the Crypt of the Banished Warriors was discovered again. A small elvish squad from Durshire was exploring the desertic tundras when one of the scouts reported the existence of a strange mound of stones a few miles to the south. Time goes so fast in Durshire, and Vyninr is for their inhabitants only a name lost in a long list of City Governors. And Peter and his milita has completely disappeared from History. So those men knew nothing about the Banished Warriors legends. Only a mount of stones lost in the tundras, and maybe a good source of stone. One of the resources they are looking for as no suitable source of stone has been found in the forests and plains to the north of the Island. And when it was found that there was no stone in the place, but the remainders of an old temple, it didn't deter them to explore the place. The cave standing to the east end of the main hall seemed a good place to camp: the only entrance would be easily defended by just one guard, and it would provide them protection against the cold wind rampaging the tundras. Nobody warded a small hole at opposite end of the cave. So when Peter came in commanding his army of undead and skeletons and fell over the sleeping bodies of Durshire soldiers their fight just took a couple of minutes. Behind, in the darkness, a strange shadow seems to smile. When he was alive he was a great mage, maybe the greatest one than ever stood in the souther islands. But that was ages ago, a lot before Vyninr was born and got to govern Isshire. A lot before Isshire was given that name, actually. He was there when Peter and his militia was imprisoned in the Crypt and they both made a dark agreement to grant each other revenge against those that brough them disgrace. Now he and Peter were free again, and their army is getting stronger each day... [Article submitted by Mathoyoh (13)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Still looking for that silver lining! [Article submitted by Gizmos (8)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Go into all the world, and tell all people of your fall from grace. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- During winter months ice was forming over the ocean. Elven Hive sent several scouts over ice, but none returned. Elves grew in number. Soon they will assimilate the ocean waves. Soon. [Article submitted by Elven Hive (59)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Baron slumped in his chair. "I am bored, Wizard. Bored!" The Wizard sighed. "That is because everything is going according to plan. Your detailed plans leave nothing to chance." The Baron sulked. "My Plans? Sometimes I think you are the true rules here with all your whispering and planning and charts and graphs." "I take inspiration from your billiant guidance," replied the Wizard. [Article submitted by The Iron Ring (24)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Why are all of these people here in the nexus? [Article submitted by Drummers (91)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- When he arrived in town, everything seemed quiet and peaceful. Pretty soon it became not so quiet. Now he wonders how many people should be killed to make it look peaceful again... [Article submitted by Beastmasters (84)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Blinking in the darkness, Loki noticed several gates arranged in a octagon around him. Choosing by random he lunged through one. Into the fire he passed, cast down from Valhalla into this new world. What will become of him in this new world..... will he regain the threshold to Valhalla? time will tell..... [Article submitted by Valhalla Rising (90)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- In the jungle of Dacria lurks the Great Apes (971). Free the world from this menace and be rewarded! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Beigtais is like vermin. They multiply fast and build up numbers, while their harassment of my loyal followers is threatening society. Having learned what Beigtais is, new plans to fix the daily recurring problems must be found. Randomly killing Beigtais has no measurable effect, there are still many more Beigtais as recent times articles have proven. Anuii Pest Control will have to look in every corner and make sure that none are left, or the problem will keep coming back. To my neighbours: be warned, the recent outbreak of Beigtais is not under control just yet. Please report any sightings immediately, and approach them with care - it is still unknown whether they carry disease. [Article submitted by Anuii (16)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Next shameless excuse for few silvers. [Article submitted by Frozen Sails (67)] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- - ****RUMORS**** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 years 10 months till construction of the Black tower is complete!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Heard in the streets of one of the cities of the Zoroastrians: ‘In the Times, again a letter of our dear Gunter in the city Rolkfield to his mother. The self-proclaimed Viking Overlord of Rolkfield is complaining.’ ‘Yes, I read the letter in our esteemed newspaper. You expect some dignity of a Overlord. But, even the self-proclaimed Overlords of the Naughty Princesses develop delusional conclusions. Men accusing the City Guards of foul play have lost reality. City Guards are always allied with all factions, even with hostile factions, who want to kill them. It is the tragic fate of all city guards to be killed by the factions they ally.’ ‘Indeed. To be accused of foul play by somebody, who you are protecting, is even more tragic. Our dear Gunter is getting more and more unreasonable. He is also talking about attacking other forces. I am very curious about his reaction on the suicide attack of his comrades on the city guards of Chebas. Perhaps, he is thinking about suicide himself?’ ‘Difficult to predict, He is very unreliable. On one hand he speaks about attacking and on the other hand he speaks about being friends of convenience with all inhabitants of the city of Rolkfield.’ ‘Speaking about opportunities, he could abandon his general Apathy. But the joke is that he appreciates his involuntary laziness during his forced stay in Rolkfield more than a sensible way to preserve his life.’ ‘Indeed, it is funny, but also so sad.’ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Zora and Disaster sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-Gee the secret alliance has been unveiled! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Heard in the corridors of the headquarters of the Zoroastrians: ‘I remember well the words of Zoroaster, when he rephrased the words of the late Lady Calamity’ ‘You mean her statement that ‘going to war early would make for an interesting game.’ ‘ ‘Indeed, and I remember how Zoroaster continued. He said: ‘We respect the efforts of our Princesses to survive and we consider their humor as unbeatable. People with humor are familiar with unexpected witticisms. Be on the alert!’ ‘We were on the alert, but the last witticism of the Naughty Princesses was beyond our comprehension. The attack on one of our leaders in a city defended by 120 city guards was interesting, unexpected and enjoyable, but suicidal.’ ‘Yes, losing 173 men for the fun is for us astonishing, incomprehensible and of course unbeatable.’ ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Observer reports about the alliance against the Zora Noizy Tribe: prosperous, joyful and now expanding on wings, Investigations: quiet, withdrawn and introvert, Deathscarab: swarming, creeping and losing his first battle Naughty Princesses: again routed, again lost and more clinging to life than ever, Fallen Angels: quiet, crumbling and entertaining for the last time, Dii Minores: crushed, almost annihilated and going insane. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dii Minores and Anuii are faking it! Don't believe either one! They will unite and destroy you! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Naughty princess wears gold whilst eating golden beatles and golden Goat dumplings ----------------------------------------------------------------------