.****************************************************************** Vol. 1 THE MONTFORT MIME Issue # 10 "Knowledge is Power" ****************************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------ | Rosh Valdokka (Greg Dewey).............Editor-In-Chief | | Drywen Regelli (Becca Ward)............Assistant Editor | | Zzaann S. T'aevyl (Sheli Ellwood)......Local News Editor | | The Eagle (J. Endicott)................International Editor | | Trouble Windwalk (Adrienne)............Classifieds Editor | | Calin Shadow Dancer (Paul Chisholm)....Advice Columnist | | Tyal (Von Sleigher)....................Thieve's Source | | Kit Tvyvar (Cathy Mosley)..............Investigative Reporter | | Baslet Beetlegob (Robert Douglas)......Reporter | | Gimli (Daniel Pallotta)................Food Reporter | | | | Reach us at: 3mfpl7n@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu | ------------------------------------------------------------------ ***************************NATIONAL NEWS********************************** HEIR ISSUES OPEN INVITATION TO CORONATION, FESTIVITIES [King] The MIME recently received an open letter from the Heir to the Throne of Claremont, Robert I, inviting all residents of Montfort, as well as those of any other part of the kingdom, to attend his coronation on High Sun Day, the summer solstice. The text of the letter follows: * * * Greetings citizens of Claremont, We, Robert I, acting King of Claremont, and Duke of Bleckner, do hereby invite you, all citizens and other inhabitants of Montfort and any other areas of the Kingdom, regardless of your religious affiliation or the government which rules you, to attend the coronation festivities, which will be highlighted by the crowning of ourself, Robert I, as King of Claremont. The festivities are to begin around one week prior to the coronation itself, which will occur on High Sun Day, and is hereby declared a National Holiday, in honor of the new King. Lodgings will be provided to all by his Majesty, and the curious should inquire at the gates of the city with proof of the rank they wish to claim, where they will receive instructions. The festivities will include several circuses, many open air theaters, and hundreds of vendors. All vendors and entertainers must register at the New Palace before they conduct business or performances. Come one, come all! * * * High Sun Day is approximately 1-1/2 weeks away. The message was also accompanied by a note saying that the King's servant was very sorry he was not able to deliver the letter to the people of Montfort in person, but that the multiple deaths recently in the area surrounding Montfort made such an appearance impossible. [Admin: The curious should also register with <sand@iglou.com>, who goes by the name of Jon Endicott. PROSTITUTION LEGALIZED IN BLECKNER [King] About a week ago King Robert I, sovereign of the kingdom of Claremont, declared that prostitution in the capital city of Bleckner would now be legalized. The decree calls for the establishment of a guild for prostitutes, and for generous operating fees. All of the ladies wishing to engage in the newly legal trade will be required to purchase a license from the crown, as will all establishments in which these activities will occur. The decree did not explain exactly how these activities will be policed. Previously, prostitution, though illegal, was allowed to operate in certain establishments and areas of a less than good reputation, basically because efforts to stop it were considered a waste of time. Now that anyone can purchase a license, we may see a change in the traditional districts of Bleckner. The decree did detail, however, the exact manner in which it will take effect. As King Robert has yet to be crowned, he is king in name only, currently holding the position of Steward of Claremont. There is no precedent in Claremont to detail what happens to decrees of the Steward upon the new King's coronation and assumption of the throne. The second part of the decree legalizing prostitution states that "any and all Decrees made by the Steward retain their Powers only after the newly crowned King has Signed said Decrees." Many insiders at the palace attribute this last provision to King Robert's first advisor, Ramon, who runs the day-to-day business of the kingdom. Sources stated off the record that Ramon hopes that temporarily legalizing prostitution will generate funds for the coronation festivities. The celebrations are due to begin in under two weeks, and King Robert is not expected to affirm the decree. TWO VILLAGES WIPED OUT BY UNKNOWN ATTACKERS [Hunt] Ifreann continues to be a dangerous world for small communities. The entire populations of two small farming hamlets in Claremont have been wiped out in recent weeks by unknown attackers. The village of Sourroot, population 96, was the site of the first massacre; the other village, about 15 miles southwest of Sourroot, was too small to even have a name. Alec Greentoe, our reporter on the scene, said "This is the single most gruesome thing I have ever seen. What manner of beast could have done this carnage?" Investigation has been hampered by the lack of any surviving witnesses to the attacks. The cause of this crime may not be known, but a detective is on the scene. Nallix Black-cloak, who boasts varied experience with this type of endeavor and who currently resides at the Red Dragon's Inn, seeks people to help in his investigation. But, Nallix says, be forewarned: "We're hunting something powerful enough to slaughter two whole towns..." Interested parties should contact Nallix at the Dragon's Inn c/o <nallix@pointbbs.com>. *****************************LOCAL NEWS*********************************** REPUBLIC TROOPS CONDUCT TRAINING EXERCISES, WAR GAMES [Order/Church/Politi/Amulet] Republic troops, including Limpia and CRS under the command of Colonels Delgado and Garcia, conducted training exercises and various war games in the woods north of Montfort last night. As explained in an official press release, the night-time outing was designed to maintain the troops' peak efficiency so that the Republic might better keep order in Montfort. The Republic also used the wargames as an opportunity to respond to the recent week's deadly attacks by wild animals. As reported in previous issues of the MIME, several families and a number of individual travellers have been killed in a series of bloody incidents. The most recent victim of the animals reportedly was a peddler by the name of Tullin, who was caught outside in the north woods after dark. As part of their training exercises, the Republic troops hunted down and killed an unspecified number of large, wolf-like creatures thought to be responsible for the attacks, and burned the bodies afterwards. "It sure makes me feel safer," said Ernald Dobbins, 57, who lives on the Dobbins family farm with his wife and their eight sons and six daughters north of Montfort. "That Tullin fellow oughtn't to 'ave been out after dark like that. We would've took 'im in if 'e'd thought to come to our place." Dobbins and other residents of the north woods commended the Republic troops for their efforts. MERGOVIAN PRINCE AIMS TO RID AREA SOUTHWEST OF MONTFORT OF BANDIT KING [Honour Bound]; by Shaun Coley Prince Godfroi de Boullion has completed recruiting for a planned campaign to drive bandits from the region southwest of Montfort, and re-establish a kingdom for himself and his bloodline. When questioned by one of our reporters, Godfroi elaborated on his goals. "I must admit that this task is not entirely without reward to myself. I hope to replace the bandits with a new Mergovian kingdom which will, if all goes as planned, become a new centre of learning and culture for peaceful folk of any race or creed." The large party of adventurers will be staying in Montfort for some time more to undergo "specialist" combat training, to attend briefings, and to purchase any personal supplies they may need. Godfroi also stated that although he felt he already had assembled a satisfactory group, he still is willing to interview any particularly experienced adventurers of good character for a position. WOMAN KIDNAPED FROM PUBLIC STREET, KILLED IN EMPTY BUILDING [Malikai/Hunt] Onlookers were stunned yesterday to witness the kidnaping of a young woman from a public street just east of the Avenue of Triumph. John Harcourt, 53, one of the witnesses, reported that a figure dressed in a white cloak ducked out of an alleyway and snatched the victim from the sidewalk. "Big fellow it looked like," Harcourt said afterwards, "just grabbed 'er and drug 'er away 'fore anybody could do a thing." The young woman's body was found on the ground floor of a building owned by Quinar Brace, a glasswares merchant who closed his shop six months back and moved to Bleckner. Witnesses reported hearing the woman scream. "I ran for help -- there was a Limpia trooper just the next block over," Harcout continued, "but by the time we got there, she was already dead." Though the woman reportedly was identified by witnesses, her name is being withheld until her next-of-kin can be notified. STRUGGLE WITH ICE ELEMENTAL RESULTS IN INJURIES [Honour Bound] Godfroi de Bouillon, who has been recruiting adventurers in Montfort to help combat a "bandit king" and re-establish the defunct Mergovian "empire," [see article in local news, above] experienced some interference this week. While Godfroi and his band of merry men (and women) were sitting in the common room of the Dragon's Inn, an ice elemental appeared at the entrance and called out a challenge to Sharra, who has enlisted in Godfroi's forces. "Well, several of us were gathered down in the common room when the temperature dropped rather drastically," commented Marcus, yet another of Godfroi's recruits. A number of the adventurers attempted to force the ice elemental away from the Inn's entrance when, Ae'Tellis, a wizard, attempted to "gate the creature into another dimension." Marcus further reported that Ae'Tellis had some success: "The wards on the inn somehow seperated the creature into two equal halves, and Ae'Tellis destroyed one while Godfroi destroyed the other." The blast that vaporized the ice elemental tossed Godfroi some distance. A number of the adventurers, including Marcus and Sharra, suffered minor bruises and frost burns. *****************GOSSIP: WHO'S NEW IN THE DRAGON'S INN******************** Given the short time between Issues 9 and 10, the list of new and returning characters appearing in the Dragon's Inn is noticeably shorter this time around. The roster includes, in no particular order whatsoever: Maximillian of the gates (wraith, no email address available), a man ajingle with bells and garbed in fool's motley; the bald Raise (mmi@eden.rutgers.edu), a red-hued man identified as a warlock; Jespern Avenlue (wgh55674@Jetson.uh.edu), whose yellow sash marks his clan and who goes by the alias Nunc Velat; Othello (obalding@pacificrim.net), a seemingly young man who is "looking for adventure of any kind, whatsoever"; Shane Toll (tbutler@airmail.net), a tall haggard man with a blood-debt to exact from the Church of the Redeemer; Donna Twotrees (firefly@iinet.net.au) who appears under [The Way Home] thread heading [see Classifieds]; Francis Quentin Nordon II (quentin@ccsinc.com), a young draconian searching for a way home, a navigational officer in Colonial Starfleet, who has turned his shipwrecked vessel into Fortress Graywolf with the assistance of the medical demoness Clussh; Sir Gildore (CGlover7780@Vax2.winona.msus.edu), from the far Kingdom of Avalon, a scar-faced man seeking to avenge the death of his beloved Kara; an unnamed stranger (fclifton@cdsnet.net) with sorcerous talents in search of comrades; and Pexel of Gui (p01004@psilink.com) who looks like "nothing else but a four foot tall quasimodo rock golem in spandex" who eats -- among other things -- coal, bricks, and stoneware mugs. There you have it, for what it's worth. --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- THE MONTFORT MIME - CLASSIFIEDS ---------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------- *************** Come Celebrate the Coronation *************** with Quisling Brother's Circus of Renown Thrills, Chills and Fun for the Whole Family Coming to Montfort -- Soon! ************************************************************** ---------------------------------------------------------------- Come to the B E S T B O O K S T O R E I N T O W N for: - first class reading - ancient manuscripts of power - foreign literature - all sort of maps - Sage advice of any kind - reasonable rates Visit Librandt's Bookstore at any hour, you can find it just below the bright yellow sign. Up to date directions are floating around on a magical panel through The Red Dragons Inn. Come soon you will not regret it ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- **** PERSONALS **** ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- PEOPLE OF MONTFORT - REJOICE! ...for your salvation is at hand. Come to the Church of the Holy Redeemer each morning at sunrise and find the happiness already afforded many of your neighbors. The Church is here for you, be you of high blood or low, rich or poor, it matters not to us. We are here for your soul! ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- **** WANT ADS **** ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------- BRAVE ADVENTURERS SOUGHT to assist in investigation of massacres. Applicants should be stout-hearted and able to defend themselves, as the danger is great. Contact Nallix Black-cloak c/o nallix@pointbbs.com. -------------------------------------------------------------- ADVENTURE SOUGHT: Young man looking for adventure of any kind, whatsoever. If interested, contact Othello c/o obalding@pacificrim.net. -------------------------------------------------------------- PLAYERS WANTED: The interplanetary corporation of Hither Thither and Yon Oddities would like to announce a new opening in St. Yerron, on the planet of Loria. The first hundred customers get a free gift certificate for two free fish curls at Gerrok's Tavern. For reservations contact Erzats c/o (samsong@earthlink.net), or for more info, set you magical document viewers to: <a href="http://home.earthlink.net/~samsong/">http://home.earthlink.net/~samsong/</a> -------------------------------------------------------------- PLAYERS WANTED for [draft] thread; must have tendency to forget to edit "Subject:" line before posting to the ad-i newsgroup. The edit-impaired should contact Cathy Mosley at storytlr@maniac.deathstar.org --------------------------------------------------------------- WANTED: TROOPS Brave men and women to join the forces of the Republic. Ability to think independently not required. --------------------------------------------------------------- WANTED FOR HERESY: THAI SILVERRUN! Anyone who can give information leading to the arrest of former Deaconess, Thai Silverrun, will receive 1,000 pieces of gold and the eternal gratitude of the Holy Church. If you have such information, contact Inquisitor Blayne at the Church of the Holy Redeemer in Montfort to collect your reward. --------------------------------------------------------------- CELEBRANTS SOUGHT: Anyone interested in participating in the [King] thread or in helping to crown that hero to millions (of fleas), Robert I, heir to the throne of Claremont, should contact Jon Endicott at <sand@iglou.com>. Thank you for your support. ---------------------------------------------------------------- ARCHIVED POSTS AVAILABLE FOR THE ASKING: Are you missing a post from long ago? Do you want to know the beginning of the Church? Did you know that a Dragon attacked the Inn a year ago today? Well, if the answer is YES to any of these question and you would like to read some of the old posts from the Dragon's Inn, assistance is only an email away. Just send a request to: wmvon@airmail.net and I'll dig it up for you. All that is needed is time frame, character name, thread name, or even give me all of it ... and <poof> it is in your mailbox, all 100 meg worth. I have posts from 8/95 to the present; posts from 4/95 to 7/95 are scattered in my database somewhere. And you ask what is the charge for this service? Well, the answer is 'dinner,' if I ever come to your part of town. If I never show up, then the service is *FREE*. Yes, that is what I said, FREE. No string, no rings. Well, it will eat up a lot of your harddrive space. Just let me know and it is yours.. See you at the Inn.. -Von P.S. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you my favorite food is... Just guess for now. I hate traveling... --------------------------------------------------------------- HELP WANTED: Female halfling seeks companions for quest to find her way home. Interested parties should contact Donna Twotrees c/o firefly@iinet.net.au. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Admin: the following are examples I used because I didn't receive enough submissions. --------------------------------------------------------------- ADVENTURERS WANTED: Example: The [Macho] group has just lost its healer. We are desperate for another. Inquire at the Dragon's Inn, ask for Bruno (bruno@macho.org) -This would be someone's actual email address. --------------------------------------------------------------- VILLAINS WANTED: Example: The [Churchianity] group needs another arch villain to work with Proctor Johannus. Must look human and work well with commoners. Magical ability a must, illusionism a plus. --------------------------------------------------------------- LONELY HEARTS: Example: Single vampire seeks regular blood donor for meaningful relationship. Meet me in the alleyway behind the Dragon's Inn at midnight. --------------------------------------------------------------- **********************WHERE TO SEND SUBMISSIONS********************** FOREIGN <a href="NEWS">NEWS</a>: The Mime offices are always eager for out-of- town news. Please send all submissions to Allercan Casour, c/o sand@iglou.com. LOCAL <a href="NEWS">NEWS</a>: For those of you closer to the home front, we will be pleased to receive submissions or leads about the goings- on around Montfort. Contact Zan c/o shansu@axxis.com. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: If you would like to express your views on something you have seen in the MIME, or events in Montfort or elsewhere (plus see your name in print), address your letter to Rosh Valdokka, Editor-in-Chief, c/o 3mfpl7n@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu. CLASSIFIEDS/ADS: Classified ads, personals, and advertising of all kinds should be submitted to Trouble Windwalk, c/o gtraxler@holli.com. GOSSIP: If you are a new arrival at the Dragon's Inn, and want to have some control over how you are written up in the gossip column, please submit information to Drywen Regelli, c/o rdw1@midway.uchicago.edu. ADVICE: Torn between two lovers? Tearing your hair out at your mother-in-law's endless interference and uncertain how to tell her to mind her own business? (After all, who wants to upset a woman who can turn into a dragon in the blink of an eye?) Write to Calin Shadowdancer, c/o chisholm@buffnet.net for advice. ************************************************************************