-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+- + ___ THE _____ _ _ _ + | / \_____ _____ _ __ ___ _ __ /__ \__ _| |_| |_| | ___ _ __ | + / /\ / _ \ \ / / _ \ '_ \ / _ \| '_ \ / /\/ _` | __| __| |/ _ \ '__| + | / /_// __/\ V / __/ | | | (_) | | | | / / | (_| | |_| |_| | __/ | | + /___,' \___| \_/ \___|_| |_|\___/|_| |_| \/ \__,_|\__|\__|_|\___|_| + -+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+- + Day of Working, 5th Month of Dragon. 1429 D.B. Volume 6 Issue 1 + -+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+- + + | +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ | + |R|e|v|e|l|r|i|e|s| |I|n|t|e|r|r|u|p|t|e|d| + | +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ | + BALL TURNED BLOOD BATH + | (| | |_/ | + | | | + | \/ \/ hat started off a charming- if a touch dull- masquerade ball ended with fiery explosions and piles of corpses up and down the Devenon streets. The 14th of the Twins, 1428 D.B. shall be long remembered as a day when lace and gems mixed with blood and serpents. The masquerade ball started off simple enough, with an overwhelming bounty of food and extravagantly dressed guests. Only the Lord of House Korbus of the other three Houses directly put in appearance, although House Rythus was nobly represented with the dutiful Azshan Ex'zl and the dashing Amarin. The lack of House Orum's presence was much noted, though not regretted. Lady Evalyn looked quite dashing with her opulent drapery of pearls and o' so fitting dragon mask while the young socialite Talianna looked equally fine with the ultimate accessory of Sir Amarin on her arm. The most interestingly dressed guest would have to be the mysterious figure claiming to be Xiahuo Xhun and masked with an intricate creation reminiscent of the Kobold creatures of old. All revelries and joy from such simple things were soon cut short however with the ominous calling out of citizens to the town square. Though many cowered in the Lady's ballroom, still dressed in their finery, this particular bardic author would like to point out that she bravely made her way to the fountain for the sake of reporting all to the citizens of Devenon. And what a site to report it was! Vipers writhed through the streets and from the sky rained burning pods of destruction and misery. Snares were dropped about the ankles of those helping the situation and those simply standing about, such as the Lady Evalyn for she did eventually emerge. Fingers were pointed and accusations few. The demonic Lokahal, who hours before had been innocently attending the ball, was blamed by many for part of the chaos. Cries of the newly proselytized God Raawn Mogh filled the air along with the doom and smell of blood. Though the vile L'shar known as the High Prior claimed it all came about by the God's will, many point to more easily visible, and punishable, figures. The long standing enemy of Devenon Bividar and the off-again, on-again city enemy Kalika were spotted racing about. Though the evil hag claimed to be "collecting" the snakes with her Druidic ways, *some* believe transition formed under her hand were not always from scales to staff but rather the other way about. Bividar's guilt remained un-questioned by all. Was the shrewish old woman and her flamboyant companion merely misguided, or has the growing cult of Raawn Mogh actually managed to snare members of truly devastating capabilities? Some wonder now, upon reflection, if the Lord Cotswald's harsh Druidic decrees were an attempt to stave off such a future we now face, or perhaps are to blame for alienating these wicked children of Amja and forcing them into the welcoming arms of Evilness. Regardless, the city waits, gripped in fear of the next attack and tending its latest batch of wounds suffered at the hands of foes of Devenon or perhaps just fate. | | + + | +-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+ | +========================|T|h|e|y| |D|i|d| |W|h|a|t|?|======================+ | +-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+ | + _____ + | () | | + | + | (/ his Just In! Marriage Between the Houses! | A *very* reliable source has just leaked in the month of the Dragon 1429 D.B. that there is to be a marriage between the House Dazui and the House Rythus! No, not Lord Tsang! The young and much gossiped about Lady Evalyn has apparently agreed to marriage with the noble and dashing Sir Amarin! It was noted in the month of Fishes, 1427 D.B. that he was looking for a fair skinned bride, but this scandal catches many by surprise! How will House Rythus take one of their own being tied to such a scandalous name as Dazui? How will the young bardress often seen in Sir Amarin's company, the socialite Talianna, take such news? Will Sir Amarin be switching his loyalties? Nobody knows yet, but be sure to read all about it in next year's Tattler! + + | , | + /|/\ + | | | | + | |_/obles far too easily shocked by public rowdiness + It was a rare sight indeed on the 7th of the Demon, 1428 D.B. The appearance of not one but two of Devenon's leading House nobles was witnessed at the fountain. Lord Tsang and Lady Evalyn were both lounging at the town square, claiming to be making themselves accessible to the city's citizens, when they suffered quite a shock. Apparently the nobility was unaware of the conditions the every-day civilian suffers at the location, namely in the form of squabbles between House underlings and guards that often endanger the public around them. When put to question about the situation, the Lady and most notably the Lord were unable to coherently respond. Master Jherek in particular offered the most witty and barbed of comments for the public's listening, completely shaming the nobility and revealing to all the incompetence and- already well known- snobbish attitudes they contained. See the accompanying feature "Have You Heard?" for more details on the Master Bard's master wit! + + | ,_ _ | + /| | | + | | | | | + | | |_/istake at the Knighting Office? + It appears there has been a mistake somewhere along the chain of command in recent days. A rather greasy Bulbar of mind boggling size going by the name Fug claims to be a new Knight in the court of Devenon. While this does stretch one's imagination, a glance at other Devenonian Knights such as the questionable character Gorvan make such a tale within the realm of possibilities. Many are skeptical and it must be noted that the creature has not been spotted acting in the most knightly of manners. Although when holding his actions up against those of the already standing nobility, it does make such a far fetch story that much more believable. What is befalling this city? + + | | + +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ + |==========================|O|b|i|t|u|a|r|i|e|s|============================| + +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ + | __ | + / () + | >- | + \___/kur Nobility Plagued By Vile L'shar As Well! + It appears Devenon alone does not take the brunt of the Shadow Ward's scorn. In another lashing out by the evil L'shar Warington, the noble Thorlaics was unjustly cut down while meeting with Devenonian citizens at the town square. A wicked creature, prone to lashing out at even the most undeserving of such cruelties, he has been seen prowling the Devenon streets on a growing number of occasions. | | + , + | /| | | + |--| + | | |)igh Prior Not All Bad? | It seems that even while committing unparalleled acts of sin and violence, even the most irredeemable L'shar can do a bit a good along the way. The most faithful servant of Raawn Mogh Vyxaggryth made the world a slightly better place within the last year by soundly beating down an obnoxious Nokling by the name of Nevhirion. In addition to putting a Psionist in it's place, the L'shar managed to nettle Devenon's sworn enemy by so thoroughly crushing one of their High Commanders. The High Prior would like it to be noted this was done with ease although originally he was assisted by his unknown assistant of growing reputation. Now if only the L'shar and Nok Empire could keep each other occupied in such a way for many more days to come... | +-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+ | +======================|H|a|v|e| |Y|o|u| |H|e|a|r|d|?|======================+ | +-+-+-+-+ +-+-+-+ +-+-+-+-+-+-+ | + __, + | / | | + | | + | \_/\_/nybody who's somebody was at Lady Evalyn's masquerade ball this past year of course. But those who missed out on the food and revelries are saved from missing out on the truly brilliant ballad composed by the Master Bard Jherek for the event. It is the Devenon Tattler's pleasure to reprint, in full, the piece in this year's issue. See this small child wander the street Desperate for a bite to eat. Her home was attacked during war, A story you hear more and more. "Collateral damage" she's called, "Small price to pay" for undead walled. Of coruse there's help, just wait and see, From Devenon's nobility. They have the gold, they have the might To take this wrong and make it right! She then went to each noble's place To tell her story; plead her case. Lord Tsang, when her sad tale was told, Gave her only two coins of gold. "This child, she needs to be employed "Now send her out, I am annoyed." He had no time for our small one For he had a city to run. The next noble, the distaff side, Was where our friend went to and cried. Lady Evalyn saw no tears, The child's cries never reached her ears. So enthralled in what she'd portray, The child was neglected twice that day. Lord Cotswald, no stranger to strife was next up to better her life. "Of course I'll help you, my dear child." As he reached for his sword and smiled. "I'll build you walls-- big, strong and stout "You won't mind not being let out." Next she went to Lord Kolodor, Who was fighting the Emperor. "I've no time for you liittle girl! "Join the army; Give it a whirl!" He's always far from Devenon. What use is a leader who's gone? Sad and alone; Hungry and cold. Her sad story is nearly told. Four nobles could not make things right It seemd as if she'd die this night. A farmer saw her on the street And simply gave her food to eat. "You can live with me and my wife "We don't have much, but it's a life." She just stood, eyes welling with tears Those words were music to her ears. The moral, of course, is just this More than not, nobles are useless. Our tiny friend's story is done and I've made my points-- all but one. Wealth does not make a good leader I trust this is now clear, Reader. Don't grovel to them, there's no need. Noble or Farmer Which should lead? + + | XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | + XX A picture of a sad little XX + | XX child holding a much worn XX | + XX doll accompanies the poem XX + | XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX | + + | If you have any news you would like reported or posted in | + the next issue of the Devenon Tattler, find and speak + | to the bard Charelee Liverwort. To receive all future | + issued of the Devenon Tattler, make your intentions known + | to her | + + | | + + | __ . . . , | + / `|_ _.._. _ | _ _ | *. , _ ._.. , _ ._.-+- + | \__.[ )(_][ (/,|(/,(/, |___| \/ (/,[ \/\/ (_)[ | | + + -+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-+-|-+-+-+-