****************************************************************** Vol. 1 THE MONTFORT MIME Issue # 7 "Knowledge is Power" ****************************************************************** ------------------------------------------------------------------ | Rosh Valdokka (Greg Dewey).............Editor-In-Chief | | Drywen Regelli (Becca Ward)............Assistant Editor | | Natile Gifford (Vandi Williams)........Copy 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 | ------------------------------------------------------------------ ***LOCAL NEWS***************************************************** DISEASE DECLARES WAR ON CITY Dave Wendt (Freelance Reporter) - [Horsemen] In addition to being tormented by famine, Montfort is becoming a breeding ground to disease. Over the past two-and-a-half-weeks, a wide variety of particularly lethal diseases have been identified in the city.
In pairs and in singles, no fewer than fifteen citizens have died from at least nine different viruses. Dr. Voit Tyrell, an epidemiologist studying the strange outbreaks, reports that there appears to be no common denominator among the victims, the locations of the occurrences, nor the types of illnesses themselves.
"All the victims, however," Dr. Voit adds, "have died in less than twelve hours after exhibiting the first symptoms of their infections. Thankfully, so far none of the viruses has shown any signs of contagion." Public rumors about the diseases have connected the outbreaks to rats; some of the victims are said to have seen the "filthy rodents" during their fever dreams. The illnesses have ranged in variety from boils to intestinal infections, and have included not only brain fevers but also "social diseases." The parents of two victims of virulent strains of sexually transmitted diseases disavow any knowledge of how their daughters could have contracted their illnesses. "We have no idea how our girls got _that_ sort of disease," stated John Boyle, father of the late Kathleen Boyle. "They were both good girls... and so young," he said on behalf of himself and Mr. and Mrs. Alan Hultman, the parents of the other victim, Deborah Hultman. RUNE KILLER STALKS MONTFORT Dave Wendt (Freelance Reporter) - [Horsemen] For the past two weeks, bodies have been discovered throughout the city which have been mutilated with similar-looking runes. The first body was found in the north central part of the city, not far from a second human corpse which had been carefully skinned and decapitated. Since then, the rune-marked bodies have appeared one at a time, at intervals of two to three days each. Authorities have not been able to identify a pattern in either the location of the murders or in the type of victim. A language expert has identified the runes as being from a rare dialect of elvish.
"Clearly, the murderer is attempting to send a message to someone specific," opined Sterk Odelson, a noted philologist with the Institute for the Study of Historical Etymology. "But with only six runes so far, it's difficult to say what that message is. My best educated guess, based on the runes used so far, is that it is some sort of challenge, but to whom and of what type is still unknowable." STAND-OFF AT WEAVERS' HOUSE ENDS WITH FOURTH DEATH [Church/Politi] The short siege outside the Weavers' House ended this week with a final assault by Grand Inquisitor Blayne that resulted in one death.
Four members of the guild, including the head of the House Lanaera Koltke, had been trapped behind a wall of wardings following the original Cleansing by the Church. After forty-eight hours of a quiet stand-off, the wardings began to disintegrate, and fully dissolved under the Grand Inquisitor's renewed attack. According to a short statement made by Koltke afterwards, Johanna Pierce was killed in the final assault. Pierce, 57, was a master weaver in the guild and an eight-year resident of Montfort. Pierce's death brings the total number dead from the Weavers' House to four. Kallin So, a master in the guild, further reports that the weavers believe the Grand Inquisitor has arrested three others: two apprentices, Linnell Seris and Uralia Brooks, and a journeyman, Wyland. Koltke and the other two weavers trapped in the House with Pierce managed to escape and have joined the other guild members in hiding at an undisclosed location. Pierce is survived by her husband, Richard Pierce, and by their three adult children and four grandchildren, all of whom live abroad. WOMAN'S BODY DISCOVERED IN WOODS NORTH OF MONTFORT [Church] The severely-mutilated corpse of a young woman was found on the road that runs through the woods north of Montfort. Farmer Haoreld Berker said that as he was bringing a load of wood into Montfort when his horse spooked at a large mound lying in the mud. Mr. Barker explained that in the heavy early morning mist, at first he was unable to identify the object. Upon closer observation, Mr. Berker found that the mound was the half-eaten body of a horse. Not far from the equine he found the young woman's mutilated body. Berker said, "She seemed to 'ave put up a fight 'gainst her attackers," because he found a bloodied sword beside her. He further noted that the mud surrounding the body her was covered with smudged tracks. Mr. Berker also found a silver amulet beside the woman, representing a single eye, which led him to belief that she might have been some type of religious follower. She was also wearing white, hooded robes. The only other statement Mr. Berker made was that he assumed she had been attacked by large animals. He reached this conclusion from his observations of large, though partially smudged, paw prints, and the fact that the wounds on both woman and horse were made by claws. MORE BODIES DISCOVERED IN THE NORTH WOODS [Church] Not far from where the body of a young woman was found by Farmer Haoreld Berker, the bodies of the Wellker and Iniesh families were found. These, too, seemed to have been torn apart by a large animal.
Farmer Louis Miater was led to the bodies by his three hounds while he and the dogs were out hunting rabbits. Mr. Miater said that he found no tracks, except those made by family members attempting to flee, but that all of the bodies had been brutally savaged. He also noted that the families seemed have been traveling together, because he also found packs with household goods and clothes. Mr. and Mrs. Wellker were merchants by trade, and had a small vegetable stall in the marketplace. Mr. and Mrs. Iniesh were bakers by trade, who also owned a stall. Three young children, ages 3, 5, and 8 were among those killed in the attack. WATER-MONSTER SLAIN BY LOCAL FISHERMAN [Sapphire] A creature from the deeps was slain last week by a local fisherman. The hero, Jamus Hooker, 47, former priest of the Light of God, came upon the beast while fishing for silvertail in the river near Montfort. "It came up out of the water like an angry god looking for sinners." Hooker said. "It grabbed my arm and tried to drag me under, into the depths of Hell." Hooker managed to sever some of the monster's many tentacles with his gutting knife before swimming to shore and beating the creature to death with an oar. Hooker describes the creature as "Big, black spidery-looking thing, with a maw that could swallow a horse."
Hooker described a "nightmare fight" that lasted almost until dawn. "It tried to get away a couple of times, but I didn't let it go. It might have attacked someone else. Some poor old lady, maybe." Hooker kept attacking the monster "until it quit moving." He explains that the creature had wounded him slightly, and he needed to rest. "When I opened my eyes it was dawn, and the thing was mostly a pile of goop. Smelled like fish guts, only worse -- rotten-like." Hooker suspected that the beast "must have been evil, to rot away in the light like that." When asked about the set of footprints and the broken trees at the scene, he thinks that "It must have been someone coming to investigate the smell, or something." Hooker says that the noises heard in the woods lately must have been connected to the dead creature. "It was out hunting, most likely, and the noises were its poor victims. They live with the Light now, forever."
The brave hero will be rewarded by the Mayor in a public ceremony later this week. The populace of Montfort is invited to attend and meet their savior. STRANGE SOUNDS SPOOK RESIDENTS, FOREST TRAVELERS [Sapphire] An odd assortment of moans, groans, crashes and screams has been heard issuing from the forests around Montfort as of late. These sounds have been noted and reported both by residents of the city and travelers moving through the woods. Taydor Pickett, 15, claims to have heard the sounds. He said that "They was eerie. Screams, this weird whining sound, and lots of voices- but there weren't no one there." Pickett said he heard the sounds not long before dark while herding his small flock of sheep home from the high pasture. Curious, he decided to investigate with his dog Blue. Within a few yards his dog "Got real nervous, jumpy-like" and refused to continue. "Blue's a smart dog." Pickett states. "If'n he don't wanna go in there, I recon I don't neither." Several other Montfort citizens have reported hearing the noises, but no one has ever seen anything that might be causing them. A strange golden glow was also reported by one witness, but this has yet to be confirmed. DIABOLIST SUMMONS DEMON; DEFEATED BY GROUP OF ADVENTURERS [The Glippard] A group of travelers on the main road leading west out of Montfort were attacked three nights ago by a number of abnormally large bats. Cromwell Blackthorn, one of the travelers, stated that "Sublicant the Diabolist" summoned both the bats and a demon.
Blackthorn and his traveling companions, The Glippard, Pax the Minotaur, Sindaria, and Aron destroyed the bats and the demons. "Unfortunately," Blackthorn noted, "Sublicant himself managed to escape." Blackthorn said that the adventurers intend to "pursue the Demonspawn, and vanquish him from this plane of existence." The attack on Blackthorn's group is yet another in a continuing series of assaults upon travelers and residents on the outskirts of Montfort. (See related stories). BANDITS ATTACK AGAIN- LEAVE MAN DEAD [Sapphire] Another bandit attack was reported from the Montfort woods last week. This one claimed the life of a man who remains unidentified at this time.
Although bandits and cutthroats have used the woods for sanctuary for many years, the attacks seem to have become more frequent of late. When polled as to the reasons for this, many Montfort citizens blame the influx of strangers and wanderers visiting the town in search of fame, fortune and adventure. Many citizens, including Mica Sinclare, 32, support the formation of a group of warriors that would police the woods and eliminate the bandits.
"Property could be returned to the owners, and the warriors could keep the gold." Sinclare suggests. "Any gear found with the bandits could be sold, and the money divided up among the group. That way, everyone wins... except the bandits!" Sinclare is the proprietor of Mica's Metal Goods, a shop specializing in the sale of used armor and weapons. RED STAR SIGHTED OVER MONTFORT [Incarnation] Tackett Hirsley, 13, amateur astronomer and member of the Young Guardians, reported seeing a red star appear over Montfort last night. According to young Hirsley, the single red star "just popped up out of nowhere and bled all over the sky for a really long time." Laurelyn Hillrover, a story-teller and teacher of the Young Guardians, confirmed Hirsley's report. Ms. Hillrover explained that the Young Guardians were on a special field trip to study the night sky and to learn the constellations when Hirsley first spotted the red star. The star seemed to fall to earth once the moon started to rise. A local resident, Ellie Schmetzer, 67, speculated the next day that perhaps the shooting star was an "omen" foretelling a long and prosperous reign by the soon-to-be-coronated King Robert. ***FOREIGN NEWS*************************************************** DEMON ARMY INVADES PAS DE MER [MIX] "The city of Pas de Mer seems to be in some kind of a state of civil war," said Baslet Beetlegob, reporter for the Mime. "As our ship approached this morning smoke and flame could be seen in the center of the city. Many explosions and castings can be heard, even from our ship. It seems that some demon army has been gated into the center of Pas de Mer," said Beetlegob. A subsequent report from Beetlegob was too garbled to understand. DESERT NATION ANNOUNCES CORONATION/ENGAGEMENT Dave Wendt (Freelance Reporter) - [no thread] Mikhael, a former member of Montfort's City Watch, recently took the throne of Eikyu No after his father stepped down to enjoy the "glories of the desert in [his] declining years." King Mikhael served in Montfort's City Watch under the command of his brother Prince Kristov, who was recently killed in a fire in Montfort. King Mikhael's foreign relations officer indicated that the new ruler intends to strengthen ties between his nation and Claremont. King Mikhael also announced his engagement to Katarina, a woman native to his country. King Mikhael and his betrothed have not yet announced a date for the wedding. Mikhael's subjects seem pleased with his choice of Queen, and preparations for the nuptials are already underway. ELVEN LEADER RETURNS AFTER DEFEAT Josh Gallagher (Freelance Reporter) - [Throne] Unconfirmed reports state that the High Marshall of the Royal Army of Tynntangial, Jon Lin Sandor, has returned to Kil-Glenfol after the elven forces suffered defeats at the Northern front at the hands of the Dark One's army. Exactly who this allegedly centuries-old enemy of the elves is remains unknown, as does the land from which his armies come. An anonymous source from inside the palatial grounds of Kil-Glenfol, in North West Tynntangial, reports that a meeting of high-ranking officials has taken place at a state dinner. Among those believed to be have been present are the Protector-Marshall of the city, Jarryn Sandor; the brother of Lordholder Daven and Marshall of the Daven troops, Nayestair Daven; Captain Ithrag Gorm of the Dwarves; and representatives of both the Korrhan barbarians and House Gilaen. Rumors have it that there has been much friction within the city between the elves, dwarves, and humans. ***GOSSIP: WHO'S NEW IN THE DRAGON'S INN************************* As always, the interval between the last issue of the Mime and the present one was filled with the comings and goings of new characters to the Dragon's Inn. Benjan Ve'gier has found at least one traveling companion for his journey to Port Blackhaven in the person of Irnaan (holmesc@vaniercollege.qc.cq), a golden-haired beauty with a tattoo on one wrist marking her as one dedicated to her unnamed Goddess. Janus Segop (hart@soli.inav.net), a red-headed young lady has had some success in signing up adventurers to help her gather the six stones of Sarmoti to free her father. (Janus is played by Iain Messenger, who is not Matthew Hart.) Her companions seem to include Sarah Malik (Temiel@direct.ca), a half-elven woman with an ax of jade and Emerald (donovan@kestrel.is.und.ac.za), a girl with bandaged hands and strange green eyes. Two threads have picked up new players in the common room of the Inn. Matera Luna (Heidi.Hough@i-link.net), a vaguely elven-looking woman whose gray robes hide gossamer wings, has fallen in with the [Identity Questers]. In [Vampires], Shaena (Heidi.Hough@i-link.net), a half-elf with purple hair and silver eyes, who was pleased to meet Krelosh Darkmoon and his brother Dalyuni (polaris@xensei.com). Aeschere Scyld [Esher Shield] (etakayamant@alpha2.curtin.edu.au), has received a warm and friendly welcome into the arms of the [Amulet]-related circle. [Church] may have picked up two more characters, one new and one familiar. Vinash (etakayamant@alpha2.curtin.edu.au), a Templar of Sh'al marked his arrival in Montfort by turning two starving peasants and one bound and gagged woman over to the Grand Inquisitor. Selene (prk@tartarus.uwa.edu.au) was the lady wronged after having the misfortune of encountering the ruthless Vinash on her way back from Bestwyxian. Other familiar faces who have appeared before and have now returned include: Shari (mcox@ihug.co.nz), a red-haired green-eyed mage who had an easier return from Bestwyxian to find herself greeted by an old friend, Ladar (wmvon@airmail.net); Keernan <104032.1126@CompuServe.COM>, with his black tiger, Bagha, and his silver eagle Silta; Myrlight, Timothy, Deeder and Illick the kender, and kitten Bupu (EW9349@CONRAD.APPSTATE.EDU), who were thrilled to see their old friend Keernan; Lady Sarah (godfrey2@coventry.ac.uk), an old and frail woman in search of the dragon Vark; and Coban (tonyysmn@argonet.co.uk), a young shapechanger fresh from [Blood], who is looking to hire on to another adventure; and Elwynn Evindem and her cat Icarus (patrick.ocampo@utoronto.ca), recently returned from ending a dwarven war in the north, recovered from "a particularly nasty encounter with a magical bolt of lightning." A pair of gentlemen seem determined to compete with Karyn Silversheen and Laurelyn Hillrover for the privilege of entertaining the patrons with musical performances. Aragon Calagore (Jules@shae.demon.co.uk), a patient long-lived paladin, wearing "the colours of long forgotten Anauria," demonstrated his skill with a lyre and singing -- to the delight of an unnamed belly-dancer (kismet@fred.net). Meanwhile, Tobit (MTroy@sisna.com) brought out his lute. The appearances of several new characters may be the beginnings to two new Montfort-area threads. Tomas Synden (phocas@atcon.com), of the Company of the Mancatchers, has been sent to Montfort by Alembert, the First Seeker of the Company. Likewise, Morthon (c9404397@student.anu.edu.au), black of skin and red of eye, has been ordered to Montfort on a mission to restore the balance of neutrality. [Psychic] The Order of TEMPT, a new thread, recently had its debut with the introduction of the Potentate Ehrmann and his Generalis, Heinz (Apollyon@ix.netcom.com). The roll call of other new faces includes: Zyarif (lramsay2@cln.etc.bc.ca), a Dragon-Mage with golden mane and gray-silver scales whose magic has been stolen by "that wretched Anzerh"; Sarkis Zartarian (netrider@spacestar.com), an elf whose silver hair is matted with blood, who burned a scroll and threw himself on Hugh's charitable tendencies; Hawke Whytestone (vus559@freenet.mb.ca), a shape-shifter or were with short white blonde hair dressed in brown leather shorts, who may need help in returning to her family, crew, and love in Cawrydon -- she was a thief accused of murdering a "local bigwig with the Church"; Baiganx (baiganx@lincup.com), a warrior banished from his home kingdom of Aljeria; Laurensale, an elf of exquisite beauty, and her friend Zeda, in a red robe, who came in sniping at each other and seem inclined to pick a fight -- in violation of the anti-violence wards of the Dragon's Inn (cchallice@TrentU.ca); Gennrin (AE032MJS01@ntu.ac.uk), a mage, who has recruited assistance in tracking down his wayward student Ares in the [Slaves] thread; Jhahn Nomanson (jrotten@infinet.com), a tall lanky Ronin warrior; Jon (dhensley@polaris.mindport.net), a winged dragon-human crossbreed looking for "People Interested In Hunting For Treasure," and who has approached Europa (lulagrek@atcon.com), daughter of the shape-shifter Proteus to inquire about her "dangerous, yet glorious quest"; Blark (wilde97@acsworld.net), who has had at least preliminary responses to his advertisement for adventurers to explore an ancient empire from Elsha Thornestar (gmanas@mastnet.net), a tattooed, well-armed bounty hunter, and Wind (Jules@shae.demon.co.uk), dressed all in black with a mask over his face, bearing two swords; Althene (rflores@sec.miracosta.cc.ca.us), directed to Montfort by an old, blind soothsayer; Cirnyallistina, Cirnya for short (samsong@earthlink.net), a strange creature who seems to be part deer, part elf, who tried to help Althene find her way through the forest; and Richard (M.Becker@IDS-Scheer.de), fresh from the farm and unsure how to walk with a sword strapped to his side. ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ THE MONTFORT MIME - CLASSIFIEDS ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 **** ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------ [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, illusion is 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 NEWS: The Mime offices are always eager for out-of- town news. Please send all submissions to Allercan Casour, c/o je002d@uhura.cc.rochester.edu or visit his office on the second floor of the MIME building. LOCAL NEWS: 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 beccaward@delphi.com. 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.