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- Archive Page Four -

ESTATE BARON STRUCK DOWN BY UNKNOWN ASSAILANT

Dateline: 18-08-515

Friends and family of Baron Kel Tempestra gathered today at Castle Tempestra in western Winterward for the funeral of the popular nobleman, who was murdered on his estate last week.

Witnesses report that the Baron was walking on his estate grounds while recuperating from an earlier injury when he approached and challenged an intruder, who pulled out a knife and fatally stabbed the Baron. “The outlaw was subsequently killed by Baron Kel's loyal knight, Sir Samson Highborn, who fell upon the fiend after hearing the Baron's cries for help, only to arrive too late”, said Petter Snodgrass, the late Baron’s Steward.

The Baron was laid to rest in the family Tempestra's ancestral plot on the estate. He had requested in his will that no flowers be sent, as he suffered badly during his life from hay fever, but instead asked guests to make a donation to the Royal Berenian Army's Widows and Orphans Fund.

Some of those that attended questioned whether this was a random attack by a petty footpad, and speculated that the Baron may have been deliberately targeted by an assassin. However efforts to identify his assailant have been in vain. “It may be a little difficult now as Sir Samson has rather gone and chopped him up a bit,” said Mr Snodgrass.

Subject to confirmation by the Royal Courts, Baron Kel is expected to be succeeded by his unmarried cousin Kei Tempestra, his sister Germayne having renounced her rights to the title to follow the adventuring life.


MYSTERY POET BAMBOOZLES BERENY

Dateline: 19-08-515

In a spot of light relief for the people from the fear of Goblin invasion, a mysterious poem has appeared posted on walls, gateways and in taverns all around the Kingdom. The poem appears written on scraps of vellum, but the words and the handwriting are always exactly the same. In none of the cases where it has been found can anyone recollect seeing who posted it. The text of the mysterious poem in full reads:

The Hooded Poisoner

Power!

Can man look at himself like a Sun or just a cheery soul?

All is quiet, but is quiet man's own lull in life?

Can an elf child quest to die?

Buying a gift or buying ten,

Watch for the Chanters!

“It appeared on the notice-board in “The Boot and Breadstick’ one evening,” said Harry Ditchman from the village of Larik in Home Ward. “I looked at it and thought, ‘What a load of old tosh - someone must certainly have had a few too many to have written that’. But then I heard about it appearing all over, like nailed to the door of Castle Cheveris, and I got to wondering, so I did.”

Handwriting expert Sherbert Tasslecleave has examined one of the parchments and tells The Bugle “The handwriting is probably that of a male - neat and tidy and with nuances of a noble and well-educated hand - just look how positively the ‘t’s are crossed. Someone whom one would expect to be well spoken and articulate in person.”

It is believed that the multiple copies were magically created, probably using an enchanted quill that repeatedly rewrites the last thing it wrote. This is a reasonably well-known magical technology, and is not dissimilar to that used to disseminate this periodical.

No-one seems to have any idea what the mystery poem means, however, or who the mystery poet might be. Some have suggested it might be an obscure practical joke, or part of some over-elaborate marketing campaign. The notices have now mostly been torn down, but many think it likely that the mystery poet might strike again.


THE SHADOWBUILDER CASTS A SHADOW OVER ICEHAUNT

Dateline: 28-08-515

The Dark Elven Shadowbringer known as the Shadowbuilder, who has brought terror into the area around Icehaunt Catacombs, has struck again. “Two Knights have been killed less than a stone's throw from the entrance to Icehaunt by The Shadowbuilder and his minion flare dragons”, said Trent, an eyewitness from within Icehaunt. “I'm kind of curious, but not so curious that I want to poke my head up above ground right this instant on account of the fact it would most likely get burnt right off by the dragons.”

The Shadowbuilder has been described as “very tall, very powerful, supernatural in nature, equipped with a magic flail, and not to be messed with”. At least two flare dragons are reported to be accompanying him.

Tabby, who first reported the Shadowbuilder’s presence near Icehaunt last month, told the Bugle of her lucky escape. “I made it OK. In fact, he didn't even come after me after that initial encounter, so who knows. Maybe someone should go take a look at the situation and try to take care of him soon”.

So far, with the Regent and the bulk of the army fully engaged in the north facing the goblin invasion, the Crown has failed to take any action over The Shadowbuilder. The Office of The Regent released a statement saying, “Organised monster incursions onto Berenian soil such as this should be reported to the Office of the Regent, so that he can make sure the authorities respond appropriately.”

Meanwhile adventurers in the Icehaunt courtyard have been advised to move away from the entrance from the surface in case the Shadowbuilder or his draconic minions seek to enter the dungeon.


THE GOBLINS STRIKE BACK!

Dateline: 29-08-515

The Kingdom’s forces have suffered severe reverses at the hands of a new wave of goblin attackers. Poldoon has come under renewed threat, and attempts to board one of the goblin’s flying fortresses have met with determined resistance. Casualties among the Kingdom’s forces are said to be heavy.

At Poldoon, there were some successes, as the elite goblin regiment called ‘King Slime’s Own’ was destroyed. However a new goblin threat has appeared on the scene in the form of a trio of huge goblin behemoths.

Witnesses at the city describe the behemoths as giant goblins, massively muscled, standing over 10 feet tall, and wielding massive iron clubs. Those who have been unfortunate enough to be downwind of them say also that they stink of rotting meat. They are believed to be some sort of mutant goblin.

These behemoths are now advancing on the city, bellowing their names in challenge as they come. Other goblin units which had been driven back in disarray have taken fresh heart from the appearance of these monsters and are rallying and regrouping. Although such huge mutated goblins have been rumoured to exist in the past, they are supposed to be very rare. However there are reports of similar creatures prowling the borders of the Great Forest.

Near to Poldoon, at the site where the goblin’s flying construct (technically known as a ‘dirigible’) is landed, a party from the Walkers on the Edge have tried to board it. However they found the lower deck populated by up to 100 heavily armed goblins. “Our spearhead against the goblin’s Captain in the dirigible has ground to a halt due to casualties and major injuries in the supporting troops,” the groups commander, Erin, reported back. “The Captain’s bodyguards are wielding highly magical weapons and have carved through us. We have a bridgehead but need help - only two of us left now”. BAR commander Baroness Farissa deTorfane has ordered the survivors to abandon their assault and fall back to Poldoon.

Attempts by other adventurers from the WotE to storm a goblin-occupied castle near Meadowbrook also took casualties. “The advance scouts were ambushed by a unit of 50 Goblin Champions wielding enchanted short swords”, reported Baron Marcus D'Alembert, the Guild Leader. “They were very efficient and have killed several of the scouts.” The Baron also reports that an epic duel is being fought between the monk Alexander Monkson, of the Silent Pond, and a giant goblin wielding a pair of fiery nunchuku.

 

BERENY’S AMBASSADOR IN POTENTIAL SLAVERY OUTRAGE

Dateline: 05-09-515

Rumours have reached this reporter that the Ambassador to Kyr, Baron Ephraim Stryker, also Lord Commander of the White Tower, may be condoning the practise of slavery, and may even have bought slaves himself in Kyr.

Slavery is considered an abhorrent practice in the Kingdom, having been long outlawed. It is known that both the Province of Derwent and the Empire of Kyr continue to follow the practice of slavery and even fouler behaviours.

Several individuals have been sighted within the walls of Rasaiad, a Kyrian City near to the border with Bereny, named "ibn Stryker" potentially indicating an unhealthy association with the good Baron.

The official offices of the Tower have refused to confirm or deny this report but unofficial sources close to the leadership are quoted as saying "Obviously the ambassador is seeking local guides and aides de camp to staff the embassy and advise of local customs. The term "ibn" denotes an official decree of relationship not a contract of ownership. It should be noted however that whilst the ambassador does not agree with the practice of slavery he is respectful of the rights of other nations to self-determination within their national boundaries".

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