Volume #1, Issue #5. (Aug 1, 1993)

Genesis Man/Founder: digdug@iastate.edu
Hack and Slash Man/Editor: msphil@tsrv1.ts.wm.edu

Reporters this issue:
    Andy Merritt (amerritt@armltd.co.uk)
    Eric Boyd (boyd@eecs.umich.edu)
    Justin Larue (laruedm@ucsy.colorado.edu)
    Kyriakos Sgarbas (HA+3) (sgarbas@grpatvx1.bitnet)
    John Feldmeier (johnf@astro.as.utexas.edu)
    MELANDRA, INSANE ELF. (MCSPIKGFM@CLUSTER.CC.DUNDEE-TECH.AC.UK)
    Neodig Beowulf (PHY_SHAFFER@EXODUS.VALPO.EDU)
    Johanna Tunon (tunon@alpha.acast.nova.edu)
    Mike Phillips (msphil@tsrv1.ts.wm.edu)

World Index

1. Forgotten Realms
   
2. Greyhawk
   
3. Dark Sun
   
4. Mystara
   
5. Original
   
   1. The Darklands
      
   2. Alexandria
      

Forgotten Realms

Waterdeep: GUILD ADMITS MISSING MAGE DEAD
Azrik, an accomplished mage, who failed to attend the Mage's Guild's AGM to give a report on his research has been reported dead! A group of adventurers who were sent to investigate have reported that a struggle took place in his laboratory, and numerous strange and lethal creatures were seen roming the area. It is suspected that Azrik's research went wrong, creating these vile things by mistake, and that they proved too powerful for him to deal with. Azrik's body has been recovered, and he is likely to be raised, however, in the meantime the adventurers are attempting to eliminate all the vile creatures, although a nearby village may be in danger.

Waterdeep
NEW STREET LIGHTING SCHEME HIGHLY ACCLAIMED BY CITY WATCH
The recent street lighting scheme introduced by the city authorities, whereby continual light spells are cast by teams of mages on street corners to allow Waterdhavians to walk home more safely at night has been announced highly successful by the city watch. Criminal incidents at night in the lighted areas have reduced significantly, and plans are afoot to extend the street lighting into other parts of the city in the city's latest push against crime.

Waterdeep: CALIMPORT IN FLAMES
With the breaking of the winter thaw, rumors of civil war in Calimshan have reached Waterdeep. Calimport is rumored to be descending into anarchy with large sections burned. The pasha has supposedly been assassinated but details are vague.
A band of adventurers known as the Starlit Knights have headed south in the company of the pasha's brother, who was exiled for his part in a failed coup against the pasha. Legends speak of the day the Prince and the Twelve will conquer Calimshan at the cost of the prince's fiance's life! This could be the prophecy spoken of by Alaundo of Candlekeep.

Easting: UNDEAD HORDE ROUTED
A band of unknown adventurers, the Moonshadows, have uncovered a conspiracy by the Black Priest to destroy Easting with an undead horde. Over 100 civilians were killed in the final battle. Only the efforts of the adventuring band prevented further destruction. The Moonshadows are believed to be heading east to Eveningstar escorting a dwarven caravan.

HUTMENT ON FIRE
The hutment near the harbour of Loon Village (Goliad River) was set on fire under unknown circumstances. During the day only beggars could be found in the huts but it is rumored that at nights the hutment accomodated thieves, assassins and other criminals. The fire was put out due to enourmous efforts of the residents and by the guidance of a group of young adventurers and two twin paladins, thus saving the village's granary and wine-store, located among the huts, as well as the 80% of the hutment. It also seems that the fire scared off the criminals who disappeared from the huts, although temporarily.

Damara/Barony of Polten/Trailsend
DR1149 (FR1359-Year of the Serpent)
Saturday, 16th of March (Ches of the Sunsets)

SHIP DISAPPEARED
The ship OSTRIA that was expected to arrive at Trailsend on Friday, March 15th, seems to have disappeared. The ship was routing on Goliad River, from the City of Goliad to Impiltur. It was reported to arrive normally on Wednesday, March 13th at Heliogabalus where it stayed for 4 hours for supplies and then sailed South. No one heard from it again. OSTRIA was an old ship but capable for many more years of sailing. The ship was property of the Barony of Bloodstone, and Baron Gareth Dragonsbane is rumored to be very annoyed by its disappearance. The ship was officially reported to carry coal but some sailors in Loon Village said that it looked like it carried something much more heavy. If the rumors of the reopening of the bloodstone mines in Galena Mountains are correct, there is a possibility that a huge amount of treasure has also been disappeared along with OSTRIA . . .

It is considered to be a good omen, that now in the dark of winter, the city filled with mercernaries about to march in the snow to Dragonspear castle to fight devils, that a cleric of Torm, the god of defense, is in the city to set things right.

Waterdeep: Pre-Avatar, Hammer 1355
DWARVEN COMPANY TO LEAVE WATERDEEP
The Company of the Red Shield, an excusively dwarven mercernary company will be the first company to march south to fight the devils of Dragonspear Castle. "Let the humans sit and freeze, while we win the day," snarls Immar Deepaxe, leader of the company. The company, with its unusual shoes that allow it to walk onto deep snow, is mobilizing far faster than the human or other companies. It is ordered to go to the Way Inn, and set up a command post for other companies to follow.

Greyhawk

Saltmarsh: SMUGGLERS CAUGHT IN "HAUNTED HOUSE"
A small band of smugglers were apprehended by a group of adventurers and a local paladin named Paxanari. The band also reinvestigated the house later and caught a wanted Assassin with the help of a Bounty Hunter. Rumours of limitless wealth found within the house have been squashed by the group moving into a cheaper inn. All rumours of skeletons being sighted in the house have been denied by the Town Council.

Dark Sun

Tyr: A NEW "DRAGON" ON ATHAS?
There are new rumors flying about that during the recent gladitorial games there was a FAILED attempt on the life of the Sorcerer-King Kalak. It is rumored that he was trying to jump to "Dragonhood" to the form of a true dragon when he was attacked, it is also said his progress was stopped before he completed the process. The city is now in an uproar over what has happened . . .

Mystara

The Grand Duchy of Karameikos, Specularum
DUKE STEPHEN KIDNAPPED BY PERSONS UNKNOWN
The Grand Duchy was sent into turmoil today by the news that Duke Stephen Karameikos I was kidnapped almost a fortnight ago from the royal palace. Through arcane means, the duke's wherabouts were determined to be on a ship headed for the Isle of Dread, almost a 1000 miles to the South. A ship, sent to free the Duke, has encountered troubles with low winds and malignant creatures of the deep plaguing them. From the newest report released by the palace, the rescuing group of adventurers and some 50 of the Kings best men at arms have reached the Isle, and have suffered horrendous casualities from the exceptionally dangerous creatures lurking on the Island. There have been signs of intelligent life, but no direct confrontation with the kidnappers has occured.

The group of adventurers sent to rescue the Duke is well known to the people of Specularum, and for their recent destruction of a Undead army, and its Dracolich leader, sent against a small town to the East of Karameikos. They have helped the Duke in the past and although casualities have been high on the island, they have vowed to carry on until they find him. Rumours that the Black Duke is behind the kidnapping could not been substantiated.

The Republic of Darokin, Fort Hobart
HUMANOID HORDE ROUTED FROM FORT NELL
An army of mixed humanoids overran Fort Hobart, but were stopped by reinforcements heading to the fort. The humanoids were reported to be armed with crossbows, and, coming on the heels of similar reports from Fort Nell, officials are worried that the humanoids have settled on the devastating weapon. Reconstruction of the fort is commencing immediately, with the able assistance of several wizards specialized in earth magics. With the humanoid horde smashed, it is expected that the fort will be repaired and rebuilt as necessary within the next couple weeks or less.

Alfheim, Alfheim City
SHADOW ELF CAUGHT IN ALFHEIM CITY
Due once again to the hard work of the Alfheim police, a Shadow Elven sympathizer, suspected to be behind the disappearance and murders of several officers, has been apprehended. He is currently being carefully questioned.

Glantri, Viscompty de Malinbois
WERE-HUNTERS ATTACKED IN GLANTRI, MOST SLAIN
The representatives of the Fellowship of Were-hunters were attacked during the night by unknown assailants. Only one of the half-dozen hunters is expected to live, and his wounds are severe. The Viscomptess has apologized profusely and is now ruthlessly taking steps to track down the attackers. Several of her guards were slain in the attack as well, and she is reportedly livid.
Bounty hunters, armed with magical and silver weapons, are flocking to the area and searching like mad, though many are meeting with foes more powerful than expected.

Glantri, Crownguard
INVESTIGATION YIELDS LACK OF INFORMATION
The Darokinian emissary, researching the pedigree of Angus and Conor MacGregor, has determined that such names, while such persons exist, as used by the mysterious assailants of Armstead must be aliases. There have never been brothers named Angus and Conor, much less have any enrolled in the Glantrian School of Magic.
The emissary, after dispatching a report back to Darokin City, is heading to the School of Magic to investigate records there in hopes of determining an actual identity of the wizards.

The Empire of Alphatia, Sundsvall
MYSTERIOUSLY RETURNING NOBLE NEGOTIATING FOR ALPHATIA
The mysterious reappearance of a nobleman of the House of Haaken has subsided, despite the bizarre circumstances, and the skyship owned by the noble was last seen headed towards the west. Rumor has it flying near the mysterious nation of Sind at this point, though court intrigue continues to attempt to undermine the nobleman as an imposter.
Reports of trade negotiations and the discoveries of new nations are said to already be coming into the hands of Eriadna, but this is unable to be confirmed by reporters.

The Grand Duchy of Karameikos, Dymrak Forest (Vyalia Woods)
HOMESTEADER RETURNS, ONLY TO LEAVE AGAIN
The Sukiskyn homesteader Stepan Petrov was returned today by a paladin of Petra named Natasha Strekozya and her companions. They reportedly recovered him from Nithian ruins some distance to the north, ruins once named Xitaqa. Natasha and her group are said to be leaving for Threshold, to follow up on a map recovered in the ruins.

The Grand Duchy of Karameikos, Threshold
ORC ARMY SIGHTED
A large army of humanoids, apparently orcish, was sighted not too far from the city of Threshold. The inhabitants are wary, but not overly concerned yet.

Hollow World, Tanagoro
NITHIAN FORCES MORE CAUTIOUS THIS TIME
A second Nithian force, this one carefully cautioned against any violence against the native tribes, has been moving through the territory held by the Tanagoro tribesmen. It is rumored that peace offerings have been left to the Tanagoro, to prevent hostilities such as those which wiped out the previous force.
Some unreliable reports indicate that a similar-sized Milenian force is also currently in the area, continuing to prosecute the exceedingly successful campaign that prompted this move by Nithia in the first place.

AErth

AEgypt, Town of Soleb
SUPPLIES AND FORCES HEADED TO FORT
A supply caravan left a couple days ago, heading for the fortress Nefer-Khufu on the AEgyptian border with Keshu. They were followed shortly by a column of troops bound for the same fortress, and rumor has a squad of Nubian archers heading for the same fort.
Rumors flying from the army indicate some unexpected action along the Keshu border, and this shifting of troops without the materiel to support them seems to support these rumors.

AEgypt, Keshu-AEgypt border
BORDER RAIDS INCREASING, SOME LOOTING REPORTED
Border skirmishes have peaked recently, resulting in some fairly major raiding from Keshi nomads. Not surprisingly, there has been some small looting of tombs as well. The AEgyptian army officers in the area are said to be both furious and worried, as this is the most directed the raids have been in some time, and the violation of tombs is a very serious matter.

Original

The Darklands

Nath, Adventurers enter Nath
CRYPT MAY YET BE BESTED!
A report from the town of Nath, near the Badlands, brings hope to these gloomy people. They say a pair of adventurers has entered the town and that it appears they were sent to abolish the evil spirits that currently reside in the Crypt of the Eagle. The Crypt, situated in the Badlands, has been overrun with evil for the past 30 years, Standard Reckoning, and the evil has pervaded the entire area. The few good people left in the town were preparing to move out and burn the town when the adventurers came, out of the forest and in two different directions.
They first went to the old sage, Father Hop, who read the signs and directed them to the Crypt. Then, entering the inn, they are preparing to hire a band of townfolk to help them clear the crypt. If this succeeds, the entire town will rejoice, as will all of the Darklands.
The two adventurers, Arloch and Perrin, seem nervous but have adapted marvelously well to this turn of events. They decline any previous knowledge of the crypt and say they were simply wandering in the forest.

Alexandria

Alexandria, Time: May, 335, Third Dynasty
POISONING OF THE AETUS STOPPED BY THE DOGS OF WAR!
The poisoning of the Aetus River was stopped by a new adventuring group yesterday. Calling themselves The Dogs of War, The foursome forged up the Aetus some 40 leagues from Alexandria. There they found not only a nest of Goblins, but what appeared to be a mass grave. They battled into the center of the Goblins Lair and found the most disturbing thing this reporters has heard in many years. At the very center of complex was a temple dedicated not only to Set, but also to the othewrworldly god evil, Cyric. One only needs to ask a citizen of Wol's Lock their opinion on Cyrics minions to gauge the true depth of this foriegn god's evil. The minions of the Dark Sun have been plauging that once illustrious since the last Opening. If Cyric and our own Most Hated Fiend, Set, have teamed up in some way, It can only bode ill for the fair citizens of Alexandria.
On a side note, The Dogs Of War are seeking additions to their company. They can be found at The Wimpering Dog, a pub on Sand street, Which they use as a base of operations.