Dear Siege,

Notice to all Investigators:

The King has tasked me with investigating the source of rumors regarding a strange illness that has appeared in Britannia.

I ask that you meet me at Castle Blackthorn to receive your assignment.

~Thorpe

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This event will count towards the “Investigator System”. Please read the book on “Reports” that is placed next to Thorpe.

Initial reports are due by the 8th, while follow-ups can be filed throughout the month of February.

<Discuss this Article>

The following was posted on Stratics Catskills EM Forum  and on EM Barnaby’s Website

by Barnaby

After seven competitions and thousands of arrows fired, the regular season of the Catskills Archery League has come to a close. Congratulations to Adrian Monk, who finished atop the standings with 48.6 points, including two impressive victories during the season. For the complete final standings, please visit this page.

The CAL Championship Tournament will be held in February, with the top archers from the regular season being invited. Thank you to all the participants this season, and congratulations to the invitees.

CAL Championship Roster:

Adrian Monk

Kyrnia Lathiari

Lil Ernie

Balerion Drogon

Gallion

Jonah Black Heart

Lora DeBlood

pk ghost

Spanky

Dr. Sucio

Psych

Irulia D’Arkaith

Nynaeve

Catlord

CAL Championship Alternates:

Tristan

Blackhawk

Todd

If your name is on this list and you did not fill out a registration book during the season, please contact me with your character name and email.

by Barnaby

As promised, there is one last event in the regular season of the  Catskills Archery League. It isn’t too late to compete and possibly earn  entry in to the Championship that will be held next month.

Registration will begin at 8pm at the EM Hall in Britain. Please note  that this is for Archers only – as usual bows will be provided for your  use. The format for this final event will be a little different than we  have used in the past.

Also, the start of a small event arc will begin late this month and run  through early March – I will be announcing the dates of the first events  after the competition, as well as some other information for upcoming  happenings on Catskill (this information will of course be posted here  as well).

[Discuss This Article]

From the Siege EM board:

Hi everyone!

I’ve been reading on Siege forums about  your requests for events and want to assure you more are coming!

When I came aboard Siege last February, I wanted to take the time and get to know your community and for you all to get to know me. Siege is not an easy shard but that has always been the lure for me. It’s challenging no matter what event or storyline you come up with to factor in a 24/7 Felucca ruleset.  (If you could have seen my smiles and nods during the Siege Olympics where at least a 10 minute break was required between events for everyone to gather their belongings *smiles*)

I believe in being up front and honest with discussion, especially after Siege had a bit of a turnover with EMs. After all, this is the 13th seat, the perilous one. 

As far as holiday decorations go for Siege banks and areas, I was able to put some up at the Reward Hall and the Counselor’s Hall in Britain, but I’m subject to the same gift boxes each year as everyone. That will change over time or special requests to be made in advance. I’ll keep that in mind for you.

The Community Garden was a way to have an ongoing ‘event’ that mattered with everyone able to put their stamp on Siege in a personal way. The other events were more in line with the story arc and we’ll see a continuation of that in the coming months.
The Aurora’s Pit has been tested from some key pvp’rs to help me make sure it actually works. Mesanna put in a rez ankh and changed the exit locations last month for us.  January will see some fun pit events.  Alrdic and Cora are always ready for adventure too, both in their own RP ways so look for their updates to follow in 2013.

The end of the year is always a good time to reflect and question what’s next.  I welcome those questions as well as suggestions for what works on your shard because it is, overall, your history. I’m just here to enhance it. I look forward to the coming year and know 2013 will bring more adventures for us all. 

The following was posted on Stratics Catskills EM Forum  and on EM Barnaby and EM Leonidas’ Website

by Barnaby

King Blackthorn has ordered gold and supplies be sent to Yew in  order that that town may hold a feast. The purpose of this feast is not  only to feed the hungry, however, as he hopes the gold will be used to  “spruce the town up” and make it attractive to potential residents  (especially those skilled in a craft).

The King himself will be making an appearance from roughly 2pm until  3pm, during which time all citizens (especially those who reside in Yew)  are invited to share the ideas for improving the town as well as all  the realm. Once this is finished, a small mini-event shall be held until  about 4pm, to be immediately followed by an archery competition that  will count towards the rankings in the Catskills Archery League (The season is drawing to a close! This is the next to last event to  earn points before the top archers are invited to a Championship  tournament!).

{Discuss this Article}

by Barnaby

It was the cool Autumn air that had brought Andrew from his manor this afternoon. He strolled the streets of Britain, his home, unable to recall the last time he was able to do such in peace. There were still some who protested in the streets, but much of the discontent that had plagued the land in the past year had subsided – departing with the oppressive heat of an unusually warm summer. He smiled as a small group of children ran past him, chasing each other over the cobblestone path he walked. Things were not yet back to normal – what constituted “normal” he was unsure – but the air was no longer thick with despair. Blackthorn had returned from his journey of the land and immediately began directing efforts to distribute food and medical aid where it was most needed. With the immediate symptoms treated, efforts were turning to some of the root causes of what ailed the realm. A cautious hope had come to Britannia, and Andrew shared in it.

As he rounded the corner near the Salty Dog tavern, he spotted a familiar face through the window. This person had seen Andrew, too, and gestured for him to wait.

************

The Knight Dupre stared into the bottom of an empty mug, as if frozen in a trance. Around him were the comforting, familiar sounds of a tavern. Some wondered why he drank as he did – was it to forget some horrible memory, or to distract himself from his exhausting, and at times gruesome, duty? Perhaps it was simply that underneath the legend that people saw in him, he was just a man who enjoyed a good time. In truth, he thought, it was all these things to some degree. But more than anything else, he took comfort in the atmosphere that came with drinking. The constant noise (be it from speech, instrument, or other device), the tasteless jokes, and the camaraderie – whether you called it a tavern, a pub, a bar, or a saloon, they were all the same. Language and race didn’t matter, if you could find comfort in these establishments it didn’t matter how far you traveled because you would never be far from home.

He was taken from his musings by a hard slap on the back, and the offer of a kind drunk to buy him another round. Dupre was about to oblige when he looked out the window and saw Sir Andrew looking back at him. He waved to the fellow knight and excused himself from the generous stranger.

************

“Join me for a round?” Dupre asked, as he exited the Salty Dog.

Andrew smiled broadly behind his great red beard, “Nay, another time though for sure. I was just out for a walk.”

“Then I shall join you. My legs could use a stretch,” Dupre responded as he stretched his back, stiff from having sat so long at a bench. “Tell me, do you still have reservations about what is to happen?”

“Don’t you?” Andrew inquired as he resumed his walk with new company.

Dupre chuckled before replying, “Yes, I suppose I do. But I also believe it is something that ought to be done. It is what is best for the Kingdom.”

“Perhaps, and I certainly stand with you on this decision. I just feel as though this is what he wanted from the start,” Andrew paused before finishing, “THAT is what makes me uneasy.”

“Fair enough,” Dupre nodded, “I don’t doubt that he had this in mind since his return. I also don’t doubt that he will act in the best interest of the people, however. If he feels that he should be the one, well, then I agree with him.”

The two men walked in silence for a few minutes, both in contemplation. They walked passed the Cavalry Guild, and approached the Great North Road. As they turned onto the road and neared its large bridge, Andrew broke the silence.

“And what of the philosophy he so famously espoused in the past? Are you to tell me you believe in that, too?” he questioned.

“I think…,” Dupre began, “I think that he sees that he cannot rule a kingdom with Chaos as its foundation – especially not THIS kingdom. But neither will he govern by Order through the Virtues. And if he has indeed been truthful, and it is truly only balance that he seeks, then the Virtues will continue to be the guiding light for the lives of every Britannian – though I imagine some of the conflicts of old may rise again.”

“And if he hasn’t been truthful?” Andrew asked, quietly.

Dupre nodded to his fellow knight’s sword and replied, “I see you still carry a blade, though you have called yourself ‘retired’. Do you plan on leaving it at home any time soon?”

Waiting for Andrew to shake his head, Dupre continued, “Neither do I. I nearly ran him through when I first saw him upon his return, but he has earned my trust – until such a time as he loses it.”

Both men stopped when they realized where their walk had brought them.  Across a great moat, rising impressively into the sky, was the new Castle Blackthorn.

Dupre clapped Andrew on the shoulder and exclaimed, “But enough of this talk! It is wise to hold some reservations. But for now we have a party that needs planning! Everyone will be coming.”

Andrew nodded as he stared at the magnificent structure in front of him. It was a cautious hope he held, but it was hope nonetheless.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Castle Blackthorn

WHEN: Sunday, October 14th

TIME: 7pm EST

_____________________________

{Discuss this Article}

Library of Arcane Knowledge – September 07, 2012

by Merik/Gareth Library of Arcane Knowledge, Kijustsu Anei Village in Tokuno *Imperium News Service*

Stay toon’d!

EM Events For the Month of May

Tuesday, May 8th 2012 @ 8:30pm – Fortune’s Fire Casino Open

Saturday, May 12th 2012 @ 9pm – We’ll Cross That Bridge

Sunday, May 13th 2012 @ 9pm – Hall of Commons Meeting

Tuesday, May 15th 2012 @ 8:30pm – Desert Desserts

Friday , May 18th @ 8:30pm – Knight to King’s Pawn

Sunday, May 20th @ 9pm – Hall of Commons Meeting

Wednesday, May 23rd @ 8:30pm – Shard Wide Call to Arms

Friday, May 25th @ 8:30pm – Fishing Tournament Kickoff

All times listed are Eastern Time. All events begin by entering a gate at the Luna Bank.