Tisselles Titilator
Spring 978, Annals of Pandaria
Kazlonia defeated
South of Ugrod the Nomad forces, enraged by the insensitive nature of Lord Kaz advanced towards the southern fortress that protected that city. Lord Kaz awaited them with his Gazgar masters and was soundly defeated in the battle that followed. sacrificing the Imperial cavalry from the empire of the Eternal Flame.
In a kindness rarely shown in warfare Wizard Lord Raedil spared the lives of a few Cavalry officers, perhaps respecting their right to life and freedom as mortals allowed them to return to their imperial masters to spread the word of the perfidity of Lord Kaz.
Niga speaking in her new dress
Niga mans the breastworks
Deep in the south of the Grey Hills the hill giants including Nig mustered to the summons of the Eye Tyrant. At the battle of Elorinar fields the Eye Tyrants forces were once more soundly defeated by the Mederyn
Niga, the gorgeous Hill giantess wife of Nig was left to defeat the Stronghold against allcomers. In fact she was secure in the belief that the Orcish army would protect her any incursion from Kaldor. THe treachery of the Eye Tyrant knew no bounds however and casting aside her pleas the orc army fled into the grey hills fearful of the Rangers of Kaldor. Niga, bravely put on her best bloodstained dress, last worn it is rumoured during her wedding which was interrupted by various legendary heroes, notably Blodgett and Freda. She ordered the remaining hill giants and thei orc slaves to withstand any siege by the opposing forces and held out, awaiting for her husband to return.
Vouglas croaks with Golotha.
The renegade Duke Vouglas of Istrar unwilling to accept the will of his people following his overthrow has sought to conquer the independant city of Golotha. The puppet of Kazlonia, allied as they are to the lawful Gazgarians seeks to bring law and order to the city. Alas in a asingle season he finds a quarter of his yeoman return home to Istrar to their peaceful farming existence under benevolent rulership. Another quarter fill the sodden pits with their bodies as swamp fever ravages his army as it camps outside the city. Even the knights grow restless and they are grateful that their horses have not succumbed to an equine strain of the disease.
The Dukes rallying cry of "Glory or Death", now has an unfortunate ring to it as his troops wade through stinking bog and desperatly try to find dry ground to camp on. It is rumoured that several of his knights have been heard croaking to each other in the deep of night
News from the frogs, Temple of the Frog surfaces
The true enemy is revealed, Melderyn and Quendor mages have finally revealed the location of the hidden city. The Temple of the Frog has been rebuilt. So far little is known of this place, but it is expected that investigations will be carried out this year.
We hope to bring you news and pictures of the Temple in later issues and have despatched some brave reporters in order to bring you the latest news from that region.
We can reveal that Eclavdra, the drow priestess was due to surface last year at the behest of Grazikus, however she found pressing matters below as the Lolth demon worshipping drow had overextended themselves in an attempt to obtain the riches of Khuzan. Just shows you can't trust a drow.
The drow are now embroiled in a major civil war, that will only weaken the nation as a whole. Clearly this can only be good for the surface nations as the best way to deal with drow is to let them fight amongst themselves. If they dare show their black occursed head above ground they shall be harvested as ripe corn.
The following is our artists impression, note the frog worhispping at the shrine to the left, out of decency we have avoided showing the altar.
Ugrod-Sa Summit
In a historic meeting Margar Calenus, Clan-Chief of the Macraggen met with Raedil, Wizard Lord of Quendor after the battle of Ugrod before the gnomes returned to their mines.
Their discussions covered several topics including the recent battle and the current times.
Chief Margar was grateful for the exercise and not completely dissapointed that the enemy fled as the Gnomes arrived, clearly he felt that the presence of his imposing force did enough to dissuade the Kazlonian's from continuing to fight.
Both leaders felt that the expansionist policies of the Theocratic imperium and that of the Gazgar empire should be halted. Though chief Margar was particularly concerned by the Kazlonian alliance with the kobold nations, though grateful that they had suffered significant losses the previous year.
It also seemed that both nations were not overly concerned with the expansion of the Frog-humans to the south. As long as they did not impinge upon their lands. Chief Margar was not worried by any advances as they never threatened the hills during their last reign. The Warlord perhaps now sees, or even has always seen the war in the South as something he and a few other elves have an interest in but does not overly concern Quendor. Kazlonia and Gazgar probably provide a much greater threat.
With the emergence of the Golden One and the elves she led south to her glorious victory at Demons Vale perhaps the warlord wishes to see no more blood spilt in the Vale. It does not seem likely however that Raedil will give up the new lands to the Southern Kings and priests easily, preferring elven allies to rule in their stead.
OTHER NEWS IN BRIEF
Kaldor spring offensive
In this issue of the Melderyn, Kaldor has spent vast amounts on advertising for the recruitment of pure humans to fight the enemy. With the reforming of the Queen's cavalry complete the army can only now be expanded.
The Current issue of The Melderynian
Bretaine resists the Imperial Flame.
Bretaine has resisted the call to be annexed by the Theocratic empire, the last of the truly independant petty kingdoms in the North now must fight alone unless Leonia and the High Elves are willing to aid them. It is suggested however that the Empire is patient and the success of its spy network in subverting the other nations to its control means that perhaps Bretaine has a few more years of independance before the noose of undeath tightens. By then the
Chybisa aids Melderyn
Chybissan warriors marched to aid Melderyn at Elorinar fields this spring, aiding them in the battle against the Orcs. Chybissa itself is at peace, and the beachcombers this year have already. Unseasonable storms further out to sea have brought ashore the wreckage of several Zishian ships and their contents.
Araby2. Thay
Tristan Nehimaih, of Tisselles has been
following the progress of the
Melderyn army and reports back on
Casualties, success and opponents found in
the Ash Wastes.
***
Many have diesd of thirst and exposure to the heat. The army has
been
harried by the local Gnolls.
3. Steading
The prince of Kaldor has many elven friends
amongst its troops, especially
some of the rangers and scouts.
Raedil once worked with Kaldor as a scout
in the area and still
retains "friends" from those days. He seeks to
find
Turin Strongbow, a half elf ranger to find out what has
become of the army
that once defended the steading.
*** OK.
Most rangers are human nobles. The Rotting Eye Tribe goblin
army
withdrew to their capital, Black Scar. Giants and their
orc slaves hold out
in the Steading (and various cave complexes
& minor forts throughout the
region).
Raedil will also do a clairvoyance on the Steading (from
outside) and of the
Giant Chief's Wife if possible, for an
updated report of Niga's doings
*** The hatches are battened
down. I expect the Kaldoric forces are nearby.
You didn't have
any facts for last season's Niga report, so why now??
4. Istrar Army in Zadara
Again Raedil will do a clairvoyance
on these troops, but will also look to
continue the
distribution of leaflets especially to the militia and to
the
yeomen. No doubt some will desert and will be
interrogated/questioned upon
their return.
*** A very sorry
bunch - you have trouble locating them. No result from
leaflet
drops - the ones clever enough to read have run away already.
5. Gnomes at Stumblehole Leigh.
Raedil some time chatting to
the gnomish chieftain looking to cement the
relationship, and
see what can be done for the Gnomes, also to discuss the
growing
threat of the Thardic republic and to gauge the Gnomish
attitude
towards them. The Gnomes also probably have closer
relationship with the
Peran barbarians and raedil would like to
see if they can be accomodated in
a greater alliance. He is
worried about the Gazgar=Kazlonian alliance and
what that will
do as well as the Frog God/Thardic republic mobs...
***
Interview will deal with this.
6. Ugrod
Well the Raiders should find lots of information,
from captured Cavalry men
about the state of the empire, Raedil
will also try and greet some of the
senior commanders so that
word can be taken back to the Imperial throne,
informing them
of the dangers of allowing Kazlonia to allow Gazgar troops on
her
soil and to continue to treat with that empire. It seems strange
that
Kazlonia can be a vassal state of two empires at
once...
*** Yep, I would've thought so too. But aside from the
withholding of the
Zombie Legion, no sanction seems to have
been applied. It should be brought
to the attention of the
Theocracy (no need to trouble the Emperror himself).
Several will be released to take word of their treachery. They
will also
carry a message from Raedil to the Imperial
hierarchy.
*** Send messages to Paul S and cc me, please.
7. Zvol
The Raiders can scout this centre and see what
pickings it migt provide...
what do we know about it?
***
You tell me!
8. Kazlon
The Raiders can scout this centre and see what
pickings it migt provide...
what do we know about it?
***
Mostly human city. It's basically just Kaz and his immediate
cohorts
that are vampires.
9. Thessus
Cuthbert of Tisselles is a well travelled
merchant who will investigate this
nation sending back messages
by bird and river to see what this city state
(?) thinks of
Gazgar and he can spread the word of Kazlonia's alliance
with
Gazgar so that the Thessians might be attacked on two
fronts soon, unless
Kazlonia is put down.
*** Not bothered.
They have been surrounded by enemies for centuries. If
they get
attacked by Kazlonians instead of Nomads from that quarter,
it'd
make a pleasant change.
10. Demon Vale
Well there must be one loyal soul who will
bring word of the doings there...
*** Demon's Vale. No loyalty
and no soul - but see the Drahena Interview...!
11. Coronan
Capital city of Melderyn where rumour is rife
from all parts of Pandaria,
the half elf, Lissa will reveal
what she can from the streets and the court
of Melderyn.
***
The capital of Melderyn is Cherafir. Many rumours, yes...
Worry
about the reported return of the Temple of the Frog. The people
think
Cherafir will be safe, of course, but many want the army
to prevent refugees
from outlying towns flooding the city. The
frog-folk may take advantage of
the civil war in Tharda to gain
power - The King should intervene to end the
war sooner. The
renegade self-styled 'arch-mage' Herodious and his rebels
should
be dealt with. He is known to have dabbled with demonology and
most
unsavoury things. He has been charmed by Drahena of Chaos
and is in her pay.
The Mentalist College tried unilaterally to
stop Herodious. They failed and
the King may punish them, yet
the Evocationist College who treacherously
blasted the army
escape any punishment. Several top mages gathered one
stormy
night recently for a mysterious ceremony. Scandalous rumours
continue
to circulate about certain prominent Guild members.
12. Gazgar
Difficult to know what goes in within the mighty
empire of Gazgar, raedil
will find out whether any barbarians
have been to this land at all or if any
have knowledge of
it.
*** Nope.
13. Greenheart Forest
How does the fight fair in the
Greenheart forest, he will thanks the
Centaurs, Mage and
Knights for their attendance and the centaurs for their
bravery,
and their skill. If they can continue to harass the
empire,
especially at the choke point of Landshut on the route
south this will be to
a great advantage and one day the woods
of Quendor and Greenheart can be
joined once more...
***
Normal raiding and counter-raiding only.
14. Peran Hills
Frongh of Tisselles tarvels often to he
Peran hills and the priests of the
town know the region well,
what is happening in the hills, who are the most
powerful war
leaders and will they send aid should we ask, whom would
they
prefer to fight.
*** They are quite likely to aid the
people of Tisselles, despite continuing
concerns about the
Elves and their apparent expansionism. The Warlord Raedil
has
been seen plotting with other non-humans, namely the Gnomes...
15. Fields of Elorinar
Friendly troops wihin the Melderyn
army can bring us word of the fight,
Captain Leaf knows much of
what occured during the battle, he saw the fall
of the Thardic
spearman and the crushing of the Melderyn knights, what news
of
after the battle with the castle captured the forces of the
goblins
dissapated but they were hardly beaten. Do his scouts
think that they will
be back, did they declare that in the
insults they flung?
*** You're better placed than I to say what
insults they hurled. But would
the Tyrant confide his future
plans to loud-mouthed goblins?
Hero Herodius
Drow civil war.
From the underdark,
Top ten attractions for Heros out to make a name
EYE OF STONES
Just the minor matter of the owner who might now want his place trashed for a second time. "Iiiiiiiiiii", The beholder was disgruntled after the last invasion of his privacy and untimely death of his pets, future visitors can expect no mercy, but the war chest of the Eye Tyrants forces is still believed to be held here.
LAIR OF THE HILL GIANT :
Nig is Mad, but with his Giants raiding Kanday perhaps now is the time to raid the steading and carry out the treasure. Is anyone at home?
TEMPLE OF THE FROG :
Return to the greatest triumph, find out whether the Frog God has been raised again and then replicate the feat of three long dead kings.
CORONAN :
The doomed city, join with Herodius the pessimistic in his lone attempt to stave off the massed hordes of the Hajj.
DEMONS VALE :
Destroy the besieging army and then defeat the three dragons, one of which is half demon. Auguries reveal "Those who survive will be rich". The dungeons run with gold.
UGROD :
Join in the sacking of the Kazlonian city, treasure and wealth for all. The centuries of wealth that Kazlonia has gained will be redistributed.
SEARCH FOR VALOR:
Valor was a flaming sword, an artifact of Pandaria that was lost in the Glacial Rift, home of the Frost Giants.
DUKE VOUGLAS:
Find and destory Duke Vouglas, the vampiric minion of Lord Kaz.
SWORD OF FROST:
More powerful than the legendary three swords and yet lost for all time, or is it? Will this weapon turn the tide of War.
RESCUE PRINCE ANDRAY:
This charismatic man could raise a rebllion in the Nrth West against the Theocratic Empire. This would be a daring rescue from under the nose of King Lembair. Once he is found will Andray be himself, or will he have been corrupted by the Imperial inquisitors.
SEARCH THE GAZGAR EMPIRE :
Little is known of this massive country to the East, is it once more seeking to annex Pandaria or is it becoming more decadent and ripe for Invasion.
The Golden One reveals Aura.
Thardic noble stabs himself at ceremony.
The representative that Grazikus sent to pick up his award stabs himself in the thigh whilst approaching the Dais.
978 Oscar Nominations
It is early in the season but the committee are seeking new categories and nominations for this year to follow those of last year.
Most Ignominious Death
Most Spectacular death
Worst Prediction
Send your inspirations to the editor
