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

by Barnaby

Calling all archers!

The first season of the Catskills Archery League is drawing to a close this month with two events before the big Championship Tournament. Meet EM Barnaby at the EM Hall in Britain at 8pm EST on January 5th. Once everyone has arrived and registered, a moongate will be opened to the location of the competition.

For full rankings, visit THIS PAGE. Points for each event are awarded based on how you finish, and how many people participate. There will be 14 spots in this year’s Championship, with the winners of each regular season event gaining automatic entry. The rest of the spots will be filled based upon the final season rankings. This means that even if you have not participated in one of the previous five events, a good showing in the remaining two could get you into the Championship! For those of you sitting high in the standings, don’t sit these last two events out – finishing in the top spots will give you an advantage during the Championship.

Hope to see you on Saturday!

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

by Barnaby

The Holiday Event that I am sure many have been waiting for will be on the 22nd, at 8 or 8:30pm EST.

More details will follow shortly, but I think you’ll enjoy this  one…there won’t be any crazy turkeys (at least no in the literal  sense).

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From the EM Board:

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!).

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

by Barnaby

Howdy folks.

Please note that additional information will be released as we near the date of each event.

Thursday, the 15th ~ 10pm EST – A Problem With Pests, Part II

The efforts of Thorpe’s detectives has yielded the potion needed to deal  with the pests that are plaguing the fields of Skara Brae and limiting  the production of food. Meet Lady Aila at the docks on the mainland of  Skara Brae.

Sunday, the 18th ~ Early afternoon (exact time TBD) – Yew Community Day

Recognizing a lack of skilled farmers, ranchers, and crafters in the  city of Yew, King Blackthorn has decreed a “Community Day” to be held  there. This will largely be a “role playing” opportunity, but mini  competitions will also be held, including the next match in the ongoing  Catskills Archery League.

Friday, the 23rd ~ 8:30pm EST – Black Friday

You’ll have to wait and see on this one, although I can tell you the  wheels are already in motion, so keep an eye peeled for anything out of  the ordinary.

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

by EMLeonidas

A member of the Royal Guards will be waiting at Britain Hall.

Anyone willing to help in the capture of Dark Heart should meet there at 10 pm.

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

by Barnaby

King Blackthorn has requested the assistance of Detective Thorpe in discovering a solution to the problem in the fields of Skara Brae.

Please visit Thorpe in his office in Serpent’s Hold. This event can be done at any time between now and early on Thursday, November 1st.

For more details on the Investigator system, consult the EM Website.

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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

_____________________________

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by Barnaby

Blackthorn could feel the tension as soon as he entered the room – it hit him as a strong wave might strike a ship, temporarily giving him pause.

Gathered before him in one of the meeting rooms of this new castle, his new castle, were the remaining nobles and leaders of Britannia. Most were good men and women, some were not. Their character mattered little, though, in the face of their failure to come together on the problems that beset the realm. Protests. Violent riots. Crime. This was not the Chaos that Blackthorn had championed for all those years, but rather something darker, bordering on a dangerous anarchy where few looked out for any interests save their own. Temporarily lost in thought, he almost didn’t hear when one of those gathered spoke:

“The last time we were summoned to a castle by a man wearing robes, things didn’t go so well,” a rather severe looking woman in her middle years stated accusingly.

Blackthorn studied his dark robes briefly, recalling that not long ago someone professing to be a healer helped to establish a new Council in order to try and control it. “Surely you recognize me though, Lady Constance,” he replied to the noblewoman from Minoc.

Before she could speak, another replied, “Ah, but that is the problem, is it not? You appear to be Lord Blackthorn. Yet you do not look the same as the last time you were seen. You will understand if we don’t quite trust you,” this from a thin, balding man clothed in pure black.

“Of course,” Blackthorn nodded, his jaw only a little clenched. “I had hoped that Dupre would explain my situation to you before I arrived, Halabi.”

So prompted, the Knight stood from his chair at the long dark slate table that the group was assembled around, “The Vizier is well aware of the situation with Exodus, and your imprisonment. He simply seeks to try and show his power by implying that his trust is even desirable – he has a tendency to forget that he is merely the emissary of the Sultan of Nujel’m and not the Sultan himself,” Dupre growled.

Halabi’s retort was cut short as another stood from his seat and spoke, palms out as if to ward off an attack, “I believe what Vizier Halabi means to say, in his own way, is that deserved or not, you are seen as a villain in the eyes of many. There is much discontent among the people as it is, and the sudden appearance of a new Castle Blackthorn and the rumor of the return of its’ Lord has not been met with joy by many. I think it would be best if perhaps you explained why you summoned us, and what your intentions are now that you have returned.”

“Very well. But first let me say that I am happy to see you still living, Sir Andrew. I remember your exploits as a knight very well,” Blackthorn smiled as the old knight chuckled. “As you have said, there are those who would sooner see me dead than see me reclaim my title and noble responsibility. I understand this. I also understand that our land is troubled. I want to end these troubles. I will not do it as Lord Blackthorn, however, but rather as you see me now – a Healer. I shall leave tomorrow evening on this quest across Britannia. I will visit the various towns and attempt to understand the problems that plague them, and endeavor to find the solutions to those problems. This will not be done as a noble  sending edict from on high, but rather as a man who will listen to the concerns of the people, for their problems are his as well. Perhaps then, I will be rehabilitated in the eyes of those who hold doubt.”

Blackthorn finished and studied the faces of the others, attempting to gauge their reaction. Some wore their skepticism overtly on their faces while others looked as though they were at least willing to give him a chance. He nodded, and left them to discuss his words amongst themselves. He had preparations to make.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`~~~

During the coming days Blackthorn will be walking across the Britannian mainland, ending in a town each evening.

 These encounters will be centered largely on Role Playing opportunities.

 Keep an ear out for news from Town Criers regarding his current location.

His journey starts late in the evening on October 20th.

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Library of Arcane Knowledge – September 07, 2012

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