The Orgas are once again on the move. This news, although disturbing, should hardly come as a surprise, as both earlier reports and the recent discovery of an Orga encampment not very distant from Puddleby can confirm this statement alone. But the news I have below is the most damning evidence of this yet.
Earlier today, a horde of Orga Furys made their way towards Puddleby. Our only warning of their approach was the combined sound of their heavy footsteps, which, from a distance, were mistaken for the sound of drums. Several people went east to investigate the sound, only to return screaming that Orgas were coming. With a band comprised 40-strong of mostly fighters, we were able to only just turn back the Orga threat in the east field. Being a relatively weak fighter, I can take little credit for the victory that we earned. Many of us were killed, more than once, by the horde. The battle continued for at least an hour before the sound of "drums" stopped and we were informed that the imminent Orga attack had just be averted. Enclosed is a sketch of this battle (Fig. 1). From the direction of their approach, we can only assume they came from the Orga encampment.
Immortal Soul.
Spriggins - elusive forest folk that historically have never been more than an unthreatening amusement. For as long as there have been exiles in Puddleby these amusing creatures have always stayed in their own forest home, and never offered anybody harm.
Lately things have changed. Perhaps it is a response to endless harassment, but for whatever reason the Spriggins have decided to come out into the world and make their presence known.
For those of you who haven't yet experienced a Spriggin, I will explain them. Spriggins are small fairy-like beings with a magical ability to 'Teleport' themselves from one place to another. In addition Spriggins have the ability to 'trip' you at distance. This latter effect drops all your balance and leaving you temporarily vulnerable to attack. Spriggins themselves will not physically attack you. In fact Spriggins will try to avoid any attempt at direct confrontation, and will 'warp' to a location behind you.
What the Spriggins have begun to do of late is to appear in areas where battles are likely to take place - the South Forest and the East Field for example, or even in town. When you least expect it, and often in the heat of battle, these cowardly creatures will 'trip' you, and then watch as you are wounded or killed.
So, I call you to arms. Be aware. We must defeat
this new threat to our security.
--Marcus Antonius
Over the last week I have heard many complaints and comments about the new policies enacted by the training masters. In response, I have sought answers from the masters themselves.
The following are excerpts from a conversation with Mirkus.
MA:Can you please explain the new experience system. There seems to be some confusion.
MIRKUS: I am always happy to help the Empire's exiles.
MA: <name surpressed> and some other exiles strongly believe that you don't get any experience at all from any creature lesser than yourself. This makes no sense to me, but would explain the very slow rate of advancement you have been giving me.
MIRKUS: No, that is not correct. Whatever gave them that idea.
We have decided that we were crediting you too easily, and for kills that were not worthy of your rank. I'm not saying to stop killing rats, mind you - they are a health hazard and should be eradicated.
What we have done is the following. We have increased the amount of combat needed to receive training. This will better prepare you for the training that we will give you.
In addition, as your skills improve we will give you less credit for creatures that you can kill easily, although you should still polish your skills against them. Eventually some of these creatures will be so easy to kill that there is no point in us awarding any experience, as the kills aren't teaching you anything.
MA: Thank you for your time.
--Marcus Antonius
It has come to my attention that Ogras have been more frequent then they have been in the past. I have come to the conclusion that Ogras are preparing to make a assault on the island and the town of pubbley(?) itself. Some people think otherwise that the Undine or the Darshak are in preparation to take over the island.
-Ertai a Warrior, currently a Gorak Zo, torn from my energy form by the
ogras.
The Squirrel Song
It is believed by some that they lack of squirrels on Puddleby is due to the lack of faith of the residents of Puddleby. Many have started singing the squirrel song to the Ancients whenever they walk amongst us in the hope that they will bless us with the presence of the sacred squirrels.
Bob the Sick
As everyone knows, Puddleby and the surrounding islands are a haven for those exiled from the Continent by Emperor Mobius. Some were exiled for the crime of thievery or murder, some merely for speaking out against Mobius's atrocities. But whatever the crime, brutal killers and unpopular politicians alike are sent to Puddleby. _All_ exiles are sent to Puddleby.
Except for the insane.
The insane are sent to a small island known, appropriately, as The Asylum.
Noone knows why the lunatics of the Continent are separated from the rest of the exiles... Why shouldn't they be sent to Puddleby with the rebels and thieves? Why waste the extra effort to send them to a different island? Noone knows. People who ask too many questions about The Asylum are usually sent there to find out for themselves.
One thing _is_ known for sure: The Asylum is a truly horrible place.
Reality is very... _thin_ there. The flora and fauna, as well as the terrain itself, are as mad as the island's inhabitants. Some of the creatures there are laughably absurd, others merely twisted... and others are as terrifying as any of your darkest nightmares.
Some people think that this weakening of reality is due to the amount of insane people on the island, that the high concentration of madness has become reflected in the surroundings. Others claim that the island was like that even _before_ any lunatics were sent there, and that Mobius sends them there now to suit his own twisted sense of humor... or possibly, some even more sinister reason.
It is said that at the bottom of the twisted labyrinth of subbasements below the large Manor (the only structure on the island), there is an actual _tear_ in the fabric of reality. Not a Gate, such as the mirror-portals, or the link from the Undead Temple to the Astral Plane - but a jagged gash, as though the air itself were rent asunder by a massive claw.
What lies on the other side, what could be waiting there, is anybody's guess. Perhaps the deranged minds of the island's inhabitants keep the tear from healing. Perhaps something is _feeding_ upon all that madness.
Perhaps Lord Mobius has a darker secret than anyone has yet guessed.
Of course, all of that is hearsay. (Heresy?)
What little we do know for sure about The Asylum, we know first-hand. The first escapee from The Asylum was RiffRaff, sentenced there for his general nonsensical nature and occasional attacks of bloodthirsty rage. A makeshift boat allowed him and a few others, myself included, to escape from that terrible place. We are now known collectively as the Laughing Academy.
Our numbers grow every day, as more people manage to escape from the Asylum. Some of Puddleby's regular inhabitants have joined us as well, due to our ethics of Beautiful Chaos and Absolute Freedom.
Maybe someday, we'll brave the journey back to The Asylum, and finally
learn the truth...
--Submitted by: Riff
Many have fallen to the Greater Death in the darkest reaches of the
Dark Temple. Through many acts of courage, Snrub, Martlet, and
Alostsoul were able to defeat it with assistance from Polerand and
Myself. I believe that we will be seeing more of these in the future
as puddleby grows. But I don't believe they will limit themselves
to the blackened reaches of the temple...We shall soon be seeing
them in the crossover rooms, and then it may replace the liche.
Soon it will explore Ash Isle, and may find a way to cross the sea
and reach to Puddleby. It is obvious that the Sentinel has
no desire to defend us from the perils of the many creatures that
stand ready to attack us. We must all wait, and watch.
The time is near. A great battle is at hand.
>From the mind of a madman,
Jam
This attempt was quickly foiled, but leads to further evidence of Darshak interest in our fine swords.
As the weapons master is a lonely man and rarely visited by strong warriors, I advise that warriors visiting town after their long journeys stop by and pay him a visit to share some companionship and look in on his well being. Previously, the only way we have found out about the Darshak threat is when we hear the screams of a fallen exile fresh to the island and looking to purchase a sword.
Let's at least try to keep
our town safe inside it's own walls, and curse the Sentinel for not watching
over then town docks as Darshaks slip by him!