Sielk has changed the address of his journal (the link in the right hand column of TMN has been updated) and reports on his new series of scrolls about the various Hunt Challenges. He also has a report on his quest to pass the 6th circle test.
I received word from ThoomCare member Rizal today that she is leaving Puddleby and returning to the mainland. "By the time you read this," she says, "I will have left Puddleby, most likely permanently. I can't go into details, but certain Thooms I knew on the mainland had some pull with certain Empire officials who have arranged my transport back to the mainland -- if I say anything else, there will be a lot more exiled Thooms showing up in Puddleby pretty soon. I just wanted to thank you and the other Thooms for all the assistance you provided when I first arrived in Puddleby."
"If I ever meet any family members of you or the other exiled Thooms, I will let them know that you are safe and working hard to keep others healthy, I think they will appreciate it."
All the Thoomiest,
Rizal
Rizal has been a valuable member of ThoomCare™ for a very long time, and it is sad news to learn of her departure. Rizal has generously donated the remainder of her coins to the ThoomCare clan fund. Look below for more pictures of Rizal, and to read her account of how she first arrived in Puddleby.
As printed in Fishwrap #31: "Monks, Music, and the Mist Key"
[February 23, 2001]
Rizal's Story
I'd like to start by saying that I never imagined that I would be here. Becoming an exile was just about the most unlikely thing I could have guessed would happen to me. But I can't change the past, so I will tell you the story of how I came to Puddleby.
I was born in a town on the western border of the Thoom lands, on the mainland. We were across the river from a Sylvan town, and we had a lot of trade and contact with the Sylvans. They were very friendly. Some of my fondest memories were swimming in the river with my Thoom friends and the Sylvan children.
My family had a long history of being healers -- both my mother and my father were healers, they provided medical help at the local clinic, which served both the Thoom and the Sylvans across the river. I was named after a great-uncle on my mother's side, he too was a healer who provided medical assistance to the Halflings and Fen'neko during the Uli Rebellion. Perhaps my parents gave me his name because they wanted a boy Thoom. But they got a girl. I didn't have any brothers or sisters, I was an only Thoom.
We didn't have much contact with the other races -- sometimes some Dwarves would come to visit, and occasionally a Human patrol of Ascendancy guards would come through our town as well, but mostly, we kept to ourselves. As you know, while the Thooms are officially governed by the Ascendancy, we mostly take care of our own affairs, and the Ascendancy did not bother us much at all.
Once, an Ascendancy patrol came through our town, and of all things, a Ghorak Zo soldier was in the patrol. I had heard of them, but of course I had never seen one until that day. I found them fascinating! Of course, being an Ascendancy guard, he was not very friendly and did not let us approach him closely, but still, even from a distance, I could tell that there was something about the Zo which I wanted to know more about.
In any event, time flies when you're a young Thoom, and before I knew it I was applying to medical school. I did not get in to the Thoom Academy, which is every Thoom's dream, but I did get into a respectable medical school in Mer d'Syl, which, coincidentally, both of my parents attended. So I spent two years there, learning the fine arts of the medical profession, along with many other Thooms and Sylvans.
In my second year in the medical school, when I was twenty, it was announced that there would be a medical exchange program -- with a Ghorak Zo hospital in Mountain's Reach! Even though I was only a second year student, and the medical exchanges are usually reserved for the fourth year students, I had to apply. I never had the opportunity to travel when I was younger, and I still had this fascination with the Zo. So I applied, and somehow, I was selected! I was so excited. I would be spending my third year of medical school in Mountain's Reach, spreading advanced Thoom medical knowledge to another race, and learning more about the Zo than most other Thooms would ever have the opportunity to learn.
So, that summer as school ended, I made arrangements to travel to Mountain's Reach. The first part of the journey was with a Dwarven trading caravan which started in Mer d'Syl and passed through my hometown, so I had the opportunity to visit my parents. If only I knew it would probably be the last time I would ever see them!
I spent my time with the caravan providing minor medical assistance for those bumps and bruises you can get on the road, and helping to care for the pack animals. The trip was a lot of work, but it was also fun, as every night, the Dwarves would gather around the campfire and sing jolly songs and drink beer until they passed out. That may not sound like much fun, but at the time, it was new and different for me.
The Dwarves then went to their home of Stonybrook. From there, I had the opportunity to go to the Human Capital with another caravan, and then go to Mountain's Reach from there, or I could stay with the first caravan which was going to make a long trip to the Fen'neko and Halfling lands, and then visit Mountain's Reach at the end of the summer. I thought to myself, I have the time, and I may not have a chance to ever visit the Fen or Halfling lands, so why not take the scenic route?
So after a few days in Stonybrook, we set off for the Rennod Pass, our destination being the Fen'neko lands just west of the Sword of the World mountains. By the time we reached our first Fen'neko town, it was almost mid-summer, which, as everyone knows, is one of the high holidays throughout the Ascendancy. It was here in this town, which I never knew the name of, that I learned more about the Ascendancy than I ever wanted to know.
Before we continue, I just have to say this about the Thooms. We celebrate all holidays, regardless of their origin. Any excuse for a party, is what it comes down to. Mid-summer's day was always one of my favorite holidays, since there was no school or work, and it was always very hot, but we got to swim in the river all day. I realize now that the Ascendancy holidays are not always looked upon favorably by everybody, but since we Thooms never really felt any oppression from the Ascendancy, we always treated the Ascendandy holidays like a Thoom holiday.
And on mid-summer's day of 536, I was in this Fen'neko trading town in the shadows of the Sword of the World Mountains, and I was expecting, well, a party. However,the way the Fen'neko celebrated this "holiday" was more like a funeral. There was a silent procession through town, and everyone in town, as well as any visitors, were required to stand silently to watch the procession go by. Everyone was quiet, and everyone had their heads down, even the dwarves. I was thinking to myself, "This isn't a proper holiday! This place needs some holiday cheer!" So I tried to lighten things up.
I thoomed.
The effect was not exactly what I had in mind. The procession stopped, and everyone looked at me. I realized I had made a mistake, but I did not understand just how badly I had offended my hosts.
Now, I'm not ignorant, and we do study history in our Thoom universities, so I knew that there were some bad feelings between the Fen'neko and the Ascendancy. But until you've really spent time in a place, you just can't understand how the people feel. I realize now that the silent atmosphere of the Ascendancy's biggest holiday is the People's traditional way of showing their "respect" for the Ascendancy. And by breaking the silence and celebrating the holiday, I was, in effect, showing support for the Ascendancy.
Never mind that this was not my intention. I tried to apologize, but the local townsfens wouldn't listen. I have never been so frightened in my life, with all of the People looking at me with venom in their eyes -- especially remembering the campfire stories that my friends and I used to tell, about the fierce cat-people of the north who like to eat Thooms. I was taken away by the local authorities and held in a dark cell for several days. I never saw my friends among the dwarves again. I only hope they tried to see me but the Fen'neko wouldn't let them. I guess I'll never know.
A trial was held, and the town elders made the decision to have me serve the Ascendancy's highest criminal penalty, since in their eyes, I loved the Ascendancy so much. After another month in the Fen'neko town, an Ascendancy guard patrol came by to pick up prisoners. The next four months were a neverending series of dark cells and rides in a locked wagon to the next cell. Other prisoners,of every race, joined the caravan along the way. I tried to use my medical knowledge to keep the other prisoners alive, but some didn't make it, the conditions were too harsh.
We finally reached the Capital, and after another month in a prison, we were herded aboard a boat bound for Puddleby. We arrived in the spring of 537. And that's how I came to be an exile.
As a footnote -- I've been here for two years now, and I have to say that it's not as bad as I thought it would be. There is a very pleasant Thoom community here, and they were kind enough to take me in and almost make me feel like I was at home. I've been fortunate enough to find a group of Thoom healers who wish to provide Puddleby with the best medical service, so I've joined ThoomCare, and I spend a lot of time in the South Forest hospital. And even though I never made it to Mountain's Reach, I'm still considered the ThoomCare expert on Ghorak Zo medicine. I've had the opportunity to work with many wonderful Zo fighters in the South Forest hospital.
And on a personal note -- for a long time after my arrest, I thought I would never be able to thoom again. Fortunately, with the help and support of the Thoom community here in Puddleby, I am comfortable enough to thoom once again.
-Rizal
Chaos Storm #296 has swept the Lok'Groton island chain. Please post any changes you have observed and wish to share with others in the comments. If you don't want to read possible spoilers, please do not read the comments.
Also, check out this Clan Lord flyer from MacHack!
Himitsu writes about completing her training in the Sylvan language and beginning to learn the language of the People in her latest journal entry.
Azriel reports on solo hunting Greymyrs and a group expedition with Larno, Panos, and Dongle to Melabrion's Island in his journal entry for 46 Winter 551.
Ruen has acquired a fashionable feral head. She has also spent some time hunting at the Lily Pond and at the Tree Giant Breeding Ground. Read her journal entry for 28 winter 551 to find out more.
Himitsu contemplates whether or not she should pursue the skill of location in her most recent journal entry.
ThoomCare Associate Narse appeared in town this evening after a lengthy stay in the library.
Nopey of Rising Claw has acquired a purgatory pendant.
Kirth Gersen has verified reports today that he has not been eaten by an orga. TMN will continue to bring you breaking news of exiles who may or may not have been eaten by orga.
In Hor's latest journal entry, Relkin gets butted, Captain Stinkfist explores the inside of a Sand Wurm, and Suu'ub III shows that he knows exactly what to say to get his picture posted on TMN.
Aravir reports that he has mastered the Zo language; Lundar reports that Narsilion has become an ELF Hopeful.
Kirth Gersen has not been seen in Puddleby for quite some time. Has he been eaten by an orga?
Nallia and Smitty are working on building a hut in the first snell of the Cold and Snowy portion of the Dark Cloud. You can help out by contributing to Nallia. Azriel (19 Winter 551) and Norm (18 Winter 551) also have reports on this new builder.
Aravir reports on a hunt of Bane of the Black Heart in his most recent journal entry.
A large party of exiles from many different clans, including Darkhorse, Dwarven Militia, Light & Shadow, Neko No Kessha, Pogue Mahone, Puddlebean Ornithological Society, Red Quill, Rising Claw, Sun Dragons, ThoomCare and others are presently engaged in moving the portal back to the Dark Cloud.
Update: what follows are some images from the return of the portal to the Dark Cloud.
Odesseus teleporting
Running with the portal
Pulling the portal into Orga Camp
Portal returned to the Dark Cloud
Klur of Pogue Mahone has posted about the moving of the portal here on TMN in the comments to a previous message. His message is reprinted here:
Hmmm...so the portal is in DP. Cool, what a challenge for the "community" (Google for my view on this word). I'm sure you all will have a blast deciding its proper destination organizing a group and setting things right.
I believe Paramedic has been offering his support to get it back to the cloud. Sounds like a group could have a lot of fun doing this and would probably feel good about their actions. You will probably learn a few things in the effort.
For me, I'm happy with what I did. I believe all the doors in CL have reasons and I think this portal has its reason. However, when I run into it in places I don't approve of, I will do everything in my power to make sure it does not remain in those locations.
Pogue Mahone
Azriel has a report in his journal entry for 3 Winter 551 on the brief period when the portal went to the Trainers' Grotto.
ThoomCare member Fishwinkle was recently observed helping to keep Puddleby safe from undine.
Town Center was filled with blue butterflies yesterday.
Today Himitsu hosted a push-a-thon competition. The winning team was HarborSloth, Chmee and Caber, pushing Archemar.
The Newbielympics closing ceremonies are tomorrow (Sunday) at 12pm PDT. There will be food, drink, and music as well as a drawing for prizes for all Newbielympics contestants. There is also one last competition, the Crafting Competition, which ends at the closing ceremonies. Please see the Newbielympics Scroll for more details. All exiles below lord/lady status (550 ranks) are eligible to compete for prizes and all exiles of all levels are welcome at the closing ceremonies party!
A faintly glowing image of you in Dred Passage appears in the mirror.
Your passage is prevented by a distant force.
What mirror? I don't see any mirror. And who put the portal in the Dred Passage?
Updated: various exiles are reporting that the broken portal is a result of a Pogue Mahone plan gone awry to take it to the Foothills. The distant portal does not work apparently because it is in a restricted area. Pogue Mahone was not involved in moving the portal to the trainers' grotto.
There were two Newbielympics competitions today hosted by Farhope. There were two levels of competition in the Newbielympics Falling Contest. In the exile category Mestoph came in 1st and Sativa came in 2nd. In the Master/Mistress category 1st was Rodan, 2nd was Lathienne, 3rd was Hessian, 4th was Shay, 5th was Emer, 6th was Vandergroth. In the Newbielympics Cer'vae Sampling Contest Mestoph won 1st, Rodan was 2nd , Yhoo was 3rd and Greyfox was 4th.
Tomorrow (Saturday) will be the final Newbielympics competition, the Push-a-Thon hosted by Himitsu at 1pm PDT. Please see the Newbielympics Scroll for a complete listing of events. All exiles below lord/lady status (550 ranks) are eligible to compete for prizes!
In her journal entries for 43 and 56 Autumn 550, Ruen reports that she has received her Starbuck Harp, and she tells of a hunt on Melebrion's Island.
Himitsu reports on her progress in language study and on the Newbielympics in her latest journal entry.
Azriel reports on hunting and rescuing on Melabrion's Island and the East Cove of Kismia's Island in his latest journal entry.
The portal that used to lead to the Dark Cloud now leads to the Trainers' Grotto.
Is this a good change? A bad one? Who moved it?
In his latest journal entry, Hor reports on coin-hunting, a slug invasion of town, the new artwork by Leos in the Puddleby Museum ("To Fly in the Heavens," in honor of the lost land of Alchera) and the Newbielympics dance contest.
The Newbielympics Indoor Pushball competition hosted by Himitsu took place today. The red team (Rodan, Emer, Shay, Roffian and Evangeline) won. The results from yesterday's Bunny Falling Contest are now in as well. The team that won consisted of Zell, Caber, Sabriel, Scon, Mind’dra (bunny).
Tomorrow (Friday) there are two events, both hosted by Farhope. There will be a Falling Contest at 12pm PDT and a Cer'vae Sampling Contest at 4pm PDT. Please see the Newbielympics Scroll for a complete listing of events. All exiles below lord/lady status (550 ranks) are eligible to compete for prizes!
The Newbielympics Dance Contest hosted by Poesy took place today. Roffian came in 1st and Towser came in 2nd. The Sun Dragon Clan hosted Bunny Falling Contest was also held today but no report has been filed yet on the results of that competition.
Tomorrow (Thursday) there is an Indoor Pushball competition hosted by Himitsu at 5pm PDT. Please see the Newbielympics Scroll for a complete listing of events. All exiles below lord/lady status (550 ranks) are eligible to compete for prizes!
Lundar has a report on a recent joint hunt with E'las Loth'mon Ferindril and Sun Dragon Clan. He also has a report on the Newbielympics.
Azriel has a report on hunting in the Valley in his journal entry for 81 Autumn 550.
Chaos Storm #294 has swept the Lok'Groton island chain. Please post any changes you have observed and wish to share with others in the comments. If you don't want to read possible spoilers, please do not read the comments.
The Newbielympics Exile Hunt hosted by Himitsu took place today. Amfi came in 1st place, Radinka was 2nd and Sabriel was 3rd.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) there are two events. The Dance Competition hosted by Poesy is being held at noon PDT, you can meet with the organizers an hour earlier for warmups. Poesy has posted some dance macro help that you may want to read before the event if participating. At 5pm PDT there is a Bunny Falling Competition hosted by Sun Dragon Clan. Please see the Newbielympics Scroll for a complete listing of events. All exiles below lord/lady status (550 ranks) are eligible to compete for prizes!
The Newbielympics Boat Race competition was held today. Emer won 1st place, Wayfarer came in 2nd and Joly was 3rd. Greyfox won a special prize for all his hard work.
Tomorrow's event (Tuesday) is the Exile Hunt (5pm PDT). All exiles below lord/lady status (550 ranks) are eligible to compete for prizes!
The Newbielympics Hide and Seek competition was held today. The hiders were very good and it was a very difficult challenge for the contestants. Radinka came in 1st place and there was a tie for 2nd between Greyfox and Therian.
Tomorrow's event (Monday) is the Boat Race (5pm PDT). Several event times have been modified so please see the Newbielympics Scroll for the current event schedule. All exiles below lord/lady status (550 ranks) are eligible to compete for prizes!
The Newbielympics have begun! Today the Newbielympics opening ceremonies and trivia contest (hosted by Bob the Archer) were held. The winners of the trivia contest were 1st: Shay, 2nd: Vusun, 3rd: Yesod, 4th: Vandergroth.
Tomorrow's events are the Hide and Seek (1pm PDT) and the Boat Race (7pm PDT). See the Newbielympics Scroll for a complete event schedule!
Hor points out in his latest journal entry why it's important to bring Thooms along on hunting expeditions. Note the presence of ThoomCare healer Wise.
The Newbielympics will take place between July 12th and 20th. For more information (including a schedule of events), see the Newbielympics scroll. The Winds of Dawn are looking for participants as well as contributors for the prize pool.
Azriel reports on his training with Swengus in his journal entry for 59 Autumn 550.
Ruen reports in her journal entry for 39 Autumn 550 on a hunting trip to the Dark Cloud.
Aravir reports on a trip by the Clan Bane of the Black Heart to Tenebrion's Keep in his latest journal entry.
Also, Aravir passes along news of an new opportunity for those of you considering creating your own journal. Click below to find out more:
Aravir reports:
Macrobyte Resources, the company that runs the free-conversant.com site where my notebook (along with Lundar's Journal and Himitsu's Eyes of Puddleby) is located, is considering a special service for Clan Lord journals. The idea is to offer a hosting package that includes the new Weblog II plugin (note: Aravir's Notebook is already using this new weblog) and a look-and-feel which is more compatible with the game. You'd also have your own domain name and be on a much faster server.
The proposed cost would be $5/month, with a one-time setup fee of probably $29.
If you would be interested in a service like this, please contact Seth Dillingham at sethNO2SPAM@macrobyte.net. (Remove NO2SPAM from the address.)
Aravir Eldanar
art by Sor and unknown artist
Thooms Merlisk and Bones (shown above, left to right) have had an altercation. Two opposing Letters to the Editor are hereby presented at TMN. Despite the calls herein, ThoomCare cannot take sides between two ThoomCare Consulting Physicians. Should fortune shine upon Thooms, as it usually does, this matter will be resolved quickly and fairly.
Letters to the Editor
Dearest Paramedic,
I write you in regards to a grave matter.
After trading jibes with Althea, she took grave insult and challenged me to a duel. I fought her champion, Bones. Alas! Thoom against Thoom is bad!
Nevertheless, I won. Bearing the shame of defeat, Althea accused me of cheating! Then, she hunted me down and killed me. Her slave, Glug, raised me and she killed me again!
I propose we ban her from all ThoomCare™ healing from now on.
I consider this is a grave injustice.
With heavy hand I write this,
Merlisk
---
Dear Paramedic,
I know Merlisk the Thoom will be sending you a letter calling for a boycott of ThoomCare™ healing services on my person.
Tonight he insulted me. I challenged him to a duel but he refused to fight me. Instead, he fought Bones.
As you can see from the attached photos, he wasn't exactly fighting fair. He repeatedly called on Algernon to heal him in the middle of the duel. Bones, on the other hand, fought valiantly and bravely, in the manner befitting a true GentleThoom.
Bones is a hero. Merlisk is a cad.
After felling Bones, I asked him to take up the glove and fight me. He did. I dropped him.
Now he calls for a boycott on me and says he will use ThoomCare™ to get me back.
I trust you will respond wisely. Thank you in advance for listening.
Althea
Jazz sent TMN the following report on skydiving:
I am a huge fan of airborne sports and when I heard that you could now skydive above Puddleby, I had to try it. So I did. And I survived, amazingly enough! I am now going to look into creating a Puddleby Skydiving Association (affiliation) and will be happy to offer future tours for exiles interested in this fast-growing adventure sport. I will provide all food en route (of course!), transport to various jump sites (depending on wind velocity and direction), instruction for beginners and the all-important retrieve pickups (or chain rides) for those unfortunates who have faulty parachutes or drift too far from the intended landing zone. Celebratory kegs for groups of 10 or more (15% gratuity is automatically added to the bill). Fees will be nominal but required . . . I've got to cover my costs after all. Please pass on the word.
The Newbielympics are coming to town! They will take place between July 12th and 20th. For more information, see the Newbielympics scroll. Winds of Dawn is taking donations now for prizes, so if you'd like to contribute, please contact a Winds of Dawn member.
Sor sent the following report to TMN:
After a mildly successful weekly clan hunt, we realized that the time was good to attempt getting a so-called Orga Stone for our Mystic Leonin, and decided to give it a try. Sun Dragons gathered in the meadow and although it didn't look very good at first, we managed to get support from raid-experienced exiles like Salandra, Frozen Shade and J'nder.
We slowly made our way through Orga Camps, eventually going back to let in more healers and strengthen the rod. The last snell was under control with a lot of time to spare, and we patiently waited for the Magician to appear and build up power. Then we charged through furious fire and lightning, and the next thing we knew, Leonin was triumphantly holding a warm and strange-looking black stone! Thanks all for your support, patience and advice. Let's have another soon!
Click on the links below for larger images:
The sport of skydiving is rapidly gaining popularity among the citizens of Puddleby. But as this image shows, not everyone survives the trip intact. TMN welcomes reader's reports on their skydiving experiences in the Comments section.
Ruen's journal entry for 33 Autumn 550 tells of a trip to the Coliseum and Aravir's gift to her of starbuck antlers.
Lundar reports that Poly Carver's woodworking shop is now open. More news on woodworking can be found in the comments for the TMN entry on the most recent Chaos Storm.
Aravir also has a report on the new woodworking shop.
Hor reports on visiting the Foothills in his latest journal entry. Notice in this picture several long-time citizens of Puddleby: Zorton, Tater, Yor, and ThoomCare member Kensington.
Himitsu has completed her ethereal training and is exploring her new ethereal abilities.
Babajaga has posted new updates for weeks 26 and 27 of her journal. She comments on the unanswered questions surrounding the Dark Cloud and the mirrors, as well as the strange phenomenon of exiles leaping off the cloud to see if they can survive the fall. She also writes of PTF, and its significance in the exploration and research of the Ethereal Plane.
Azriel has two new journal entries. In the first entry, he reports on visiting Kismia's Island and on passing an important milestone in his training. In the second entry, he reports on tests he conducted with a glowing club and a bright club and some important changes with regard to "sticky weapons" and "friendly" Tae-su Lyfelidae.
Hex has recieved his Higgrus ledger after exactly 600 trainings at 12:39pm on Gradi, day 28 of Autumn, 550. Congratulations, Hex!
Zeitgeist sent TMN the following report:
Chaos Storm #292 brought considerable unrest to the lands. This huge pack of ferals was encountered north of the Orchard on Lundi, day 27 of Autumn, 550. With plenty of assistance from healers Tater and Wrapper, the final count of pelts was 48 with the funds being shared between the three exiles. Northwest Forest and South Forest seemed to be equally active.
- Zeitgeist
Chaos Storm #292 has swept the Lok'Groton island chain. Please post any changes you have observed and wish to share with others in the comments. If you don't want to read possible spoilers, please do not read the comments.