Puddleby Post

TITLE: "The Battle of Four Armies"
SUBMITTED: the 27th day of the 7th month
UTHOR: Krake

Yesterday, we survived one of the largest raids ever performed against our small town. It was perhaps the bloodiest raid ever, with hundreds of casaulties. I have named this battle, "The Battle of Four Armies," for you shall see why.
It all started out with a drum beat. I was sitting in the pub, talking with my fellow clansmen (Mojo and Dro of the Spirit Clan) about what they've been up too lately, when I heard the drum beat. It came from the east field, but it was still fairly far away. But we all knew what was coming. It was the drumming of the Orga.
All three of us ran outside to see what was going on. The drumming persisted, and the entire town knew we had to stop Orga threat. The whole town heade to the East Bridge, hoping to block off the Orga. The drumming then stopped, and we found that it was not Orga, but something much, much worse.

Arachnoids! Running across the field, there were about six or eight of them, no match for our powerful band of warriors. We thought that it was over, that it was only a minor raid, until we got back to town.
The town was swarming with Myrms! No doubt they had been working with the Arachne to create such an ambush! The warriors were quickly overcome, not having been healed from the previous battle, yet the healers holed themselves up in the temple, and saved the warriors still alive. In time, they were overcome.
But it was not over, oh no, far from over! The Orga must have become frightened from the superior Arachne, because the moment the coast was clear of them, they forced there way through the gates of Puddleby, killing off both warriors and healers, leaving very few survivors. Luckily, the warriors who did survive were able to slay most of the Orga invaders, and the attackers retreat came easy.

It finally seemed over. I helped in checking the east field to make sure nothing was left of the Orga, Myrm or Arachne invaders. After awhile, everything seemed fine. Once again, we were wrong.

When gathering ourselves back toghether, I was bitten by a Deadly Arachne! After that, hordes of Arachnoids charged across the field, killing all in their way! I, near death, was able to stumble back to town, where I was healed up quite quickly. Some people said they saw the leader Arachne, and if we killed it, the rest would fall back. But we didn't have much time. Arachnoids were breaking through the gates. Several other people and I went on the hunt for the leader, being told that it was the color green. It didn't take long to find it. I tried to dispatch it in combat, and I nearly did, but I was soon impaled by its blood covered leg. I soon saw Mojo, and I moaned to him, "Kill the leader. . . . it went eastward. . . ." Whether the leader was killed or not is unclear to me. But the most horrific part of that expeirence was being forced to exit my body, knowing that everyone in town was already dead.

    We were able to revive the dead slowly but surly, and some brave warriors were already driving the Arachne back to the caves. It was then that I came face to face with our clan master, Firestar! I filled him in on all the happenings, and we were quickly able to organize a plan: Hole ourselves up in Puddleby and wait for the next attack, if there was one.
    Luckily, no other attacks came. There was an instant when the Orga Warlord came into town, apologizing, and telling us to come with him to an area filled with gold. Several people believed and followed him. They soon found out it was a trap, and they were soon killed by Bezerkers. After that, nothing happened, except for a small clean up job in the east field.
    After that battle, I believe everyone felt that the town needed to have more defense. Remember, always be on the look out, if you here drumming be alert, and if it has more than two legs, kill it!
    Sincerely,
    Krake

TITLE: "The Puddleby Orphaned people fund."
SUBMITTED: the 27th day of the 7th month
AUTHOR: Senator Soulcat of Neko No Kessha

More and more exiles are showing up on the island of puddlby...and with them more and more Families...And with the raids...more deaths and orphan children and kittens... But with your help we can find new homes...rescue and ressurect dead parents...Heal fatally wounded families...Save many of the people brutally exiled by Morbius. But we need your help...Please share generously, with the Puddleby Orphaned People Fund
Sponserd By Senator Soulcat of the Neko No Kessha

Happiness, Joy what are they,
A shadowy reflection of our true emotion,
A fragile Mask hiding the darkness within,
A thin veneer for the seething rage,
What is love compared to the pain of a broken heart,
What is friendship, joy until the eventual betrayl,
You look at me and see the thin layer of joy,
You don't see the pain and sorrow,
You see a smiling happy face,
You don't see the tears,
Tinged red from the blood of a broken heart,
Love, Hate, Joy, sorrow
Mere abstractions,
More ways to feel the pain.
"Illusionary emotions"

by soulcat

TITLE: "Heaven and Hell."
SUBMITTED: the 26th day of the 7th month
AUTHOR: Danilo

Recently since the great storm, I have heard people talking about returning to the temple after being almost mortally hurt, but instead being transported to a sort of limbo, Well after a unfortunate run-it with a island panther, I soon came to be in this "limbo" myself, at first I thought it was heaven but it had a cold presence like the ether plane, accessible from the dark temple, just without the guardians. After days of wandering around, I appeared back in the healers temple, later, I talked to ---- (name withheld) and he said that was heaven and evil people go to hell instead, I don't know about this, it will take more investigating.

TITLE: "The Story of Wood" by Marcus Antonius of the Brotherhood of Independents.
SUBMITTED The 25th Day of the 7th Month
AUTHOR: Marcus Antonius of the Brotherhood of Independents.

    Wood is a precious comodity that all of us take for granted. We see it all around us, but how many of us have appreciated it's importance?
    This past week builders have arrived east of town. These hard working individuals have been contracted to build a new pub and a Mystic Temple. Unfortunately the best wood on the island is guarded by viscous creatures, and the builders are afraid to collect the wood themselves.
    That is where we, the exiles, must do our part to help. When you are hunting monsters, keep an eye out for wood.

    Inspect it carefully, and take only the most useful pieces. Ignore pieces with rot, lightning marks, knots, or diseased patches. Also, be careful not to destroy the wood, while you work on it with your axe.
    Once you have collected your wood take it to the builders in the field just east of town - one is northeast, one is southeast. They will reward you for your efforts.
    Although the Draven Militia may object, I ask that you take your wood to the southern builder first. He is building us a Mystic Temple. Once he has enough wood, you can then deposit your wood with the pub builder.
    I wish you good hunting.

TITLE: "Orga Healers of the East"
SUBMITTED: The 25th Day of the 7th Month
AUTHOR: by Marcus Antonius of the Brotherhood of Independents.

The Shamans are a sadly misunderstood segment of the Orga population. The Shamans of our island have felt our wrath, and now are seeking our mercy.
Although their spell looks fearsome, it is not an attack. In a desperate bid for survival, these peculiar Orgas have begun to heal us. Any exile within the sight of an Orga Shaman will have a healing spell cast upon them.

    See how the Shaman casts his healing magic upon me. Unfortunately some misguided soul killed this Shaman shortly after. I truly hope it was in ignorance rather than in malice. I would hate to think that anyone so evil could live among us.
    Any exile who first sees a Shaman should immediately broadcast it's location so that all exiles may benifit from its powers. Do not harass the Shaman and he won't attack you.
     Thank you and may the Spirits walk with you.

The Wandering Gourmet
By Pete Chocolate Covered Myrms

1 Fresh Royal Myrm	40 Lbs of Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1 Lb Ground allspice	1 Lb Granulated Sugar
1/4 Fine Salt	10 Lb Butter

Serves: 40 People
In addition to the ingredients, you will need a big vat.     Royal Myrm shells tend to be tough and teeth usually can't penetrate it. The shell will soften if you boil it, but you'll get rid of many of the essential nutrients. I prefer to steam a live Royal Myrm. It softens the shell but doesn't remove the taste. I usually hang the live Royal Myrm above a big magma pool and pour water on the magma. If you can't do this, boiling the Royal in salted water works, but the taste suffers a bit. I steam the Royal for 40 minutes. If you boil the myrm, only do so for 20 minutes. If you boil the myrm, add salt to the water. If you steam, apply the salt beforehand.
    Divide the butter in half. One half is melted in a big vat. The other half is spread over the warm Royal Myrm. Once the Myrm is buttered, cut it into pieces. The size of the pieces doesn't matter as long as you remember, big pieces cook slower. To the butter melted in the vat, add the chocolate, sugar and allspice. When the mixture is bubbling, put the Myrm pieces on sticks and dip them in. A 1 foot squared piece of myrm usually should be left in for 5 minutes. Remove and place on cooling sheet or rank. Freeze overnight and you have a yummy taste treat.
    As an alternative, you can lay the myrm pieces down and pour the chocolate mixture over them. If you do this, you must cook the myrm for longer in the first stage.
    Next week, I'll give you my recipe for Candied Spriggins.

TITLE: "Puddleby's Predicament"
SUBMITTED: The 21st day of the 7th month
AUTHOR: Rutabaga, a healer

        Have I been deceived? I was led to believe that the town of Puddleby and it's noble denizens were capable of fending off any attempt at an invasion. My assessment may have been at fault, for you see, we are far from adequate in the defence of the place we call our home!
        At first, our exiled existence was plagued by numerous invaders, yet we had the resources, and enough cunning to handle what arose. Methinks things have changed, and changed for the worse. Gone are the days of swift and efficient removal of those who wished to subjugate us. We have become vulnerable!
        Where are our warriors? It has come to my attention that several of Puddleby's true champions have been strangely absent in many an hour of need. Alas, several healers have lost their focus as well. What chances do our warriors have without someone to rely upon to patch up their wounds? Of those who choose to help in the defence of our rapidly expanding metropolis, several of them lack the necessary training, or are poorly organized, causing unnecessary death and destruction. We have managed to keep some semblance of defence, yet I find it lacking in many respects.
        Now, do not mistake my intentions here. I do not wish to name names and I do not wish to berate everyone for their inadequacies. I only wish to improve upon our situation. I suppose we could continue to drive back those who wish to eliminate us with what we have, but at what price?
        Death reigns supreme at every additional encounter. Bodies are strewn all over the ground, and many of us trip over those who have fallen. We cannot continue as we are! We will not be able to survive. Yet all hope is not lost. Those who have many campaigns under their belts should be heeded, thus ensuring their aid when it is called upon. And something must be done about the guild's training or lack thereof. Have the masters forgotten their arts?! They must be relied upon, and yet they have begun to show their own weaknesses. I would hope they regain their former proficiency, and soon. We are always in need of their expertise. These are our most pressing concerns at the moment, and they must be acted upon with great haste. For if Puddleby does not improve upon itself, then I'm afraid it's inhabitants will suffer greatly.
        Heed my warning! Those of you who wish to survive to exact your revenge upon Mobius must do so. Those who do not, well, make peace with your gods, if you have any, for you will be visiting them shortly!

Rutabaga, a healer

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