bae@fisher.UUCP (Shiva the Destroyer) (01/23/85)
Volume 1, Issue 1 Athron Advocate April 7, 868 A.T.
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Contents:
Erelhei-Cinlu Freed!!!!
Temple of Dionysus Established
Welcome New Adventurers!
The Church of Set - Fact or Fiction?
Thron - Are They Nearby?
A Guide to Athron Eating Establishments
Classified Ads
ERELHEI-CINLU FREED!!!!
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The noble and ancient city of Erelhei-Cinlu, ancestral home of our
Empire's staunch allies, the Drow, has been freed from Ithillid occupation
after 3 days of bloody fighting. Casualties on all sides were quite
heavy. The forces involved in the battle were the elite Black Dragon
unit of our Emperor's personal guard, along with a number of regular
Empire troops; 6,000 of our new allies against the Mind-Flayers,
the Githyanki, who journeyed from another plane to aid us; the
remnants of the once-mighty Drow army, which amounted to 10,000 Drow,
plus roughly 20,000 Drow partisans who rose up from the city once the
battle had begun and many forces summoned up by the Drow clerical
heirarchy; 10,000 Warriors of Donblas; 8,000 Slaad warriors;
an unnumber quantity of Byakhee, Deep Ones, and Shoggoth, evidently under
the command of Brewster; 50,000 Kobolds, 100,000 Goblins, 50,000 orcs,
50,000 Hobgoblins, 5,000 Hill Giants, 3,000 Frost Giants, 500 Fire Giants,
3,500 Dark Trolls, 40,000 Trolls, 1,000 Two-headed Trolls, and some
other unidentified creatures, all under the command of 4 of the Dark Lord's
Lieutenants; 2,500 Dwarves, allegedly from Thunderhold; 35 cohorts of
Mind-Flayer regular troops (~40,000 Mind Flayers; and several other
miscellaneous forces. Casualties for each forced ranged from
50% to 100%. No Imperial troops were reported amoung the casualties.
It is not known at this time exactly which forces were on which
sides. Many of the forces, notably the Dark Lord's and Brewsters'
devoted a lot of their energies to fighting each other. The Slaad
forces ignored the battle main, and instead cut a path directly
towards two of the Emperor's commanders, at which time both
the commanders and the entire Slaad force disappeared in a flash
of light. The Dwarven forces made several sorties into the Drow
city, captured a citadel, and then withdrew, having gathered as
much loot as they could carry. Unfortunately, while they were
gathering in their captured tower, many of them were killed, as the
tower was entirely reduced to rubble through the action of several
Elemental Lords whose presence has not been satisfactorily explained.
All that is truly known is that a treaty between The Dark Lord, The
Dragon Empire, and the Mind-Flayer Empire was drawn up after three
days of combat, declaring Erelhei-Cinlu to be a demilitarized zone.
Both The Dark Lord and the Ithillids had taken heavy casualties
at this point, and the battle seemed to be a stand-off. We speculate
that neither side valued the city enough to take futher loses.
The terms of the Treaty:
No military units are to be permitted into the area. Free trade routes
are assured to all parties in the treaty. The Ithillids will no
longer relocate Drow citizens to the interior of their Empire for
the purpose of making them cattle. The Drow council of nobles
will be given responsibility for maintaining civic order at this
time, a radical change from the previous democratic government which
ruled the city.
We shall bring you more information on this startling development as
soon as it becomes available. However, the Advocate feels that this
defeat of the Mind-Flayer forces may indicate trouble brewing within
the Evil Empire, for it is known that the Mind-Flayers had many more
troops available to commit than they did in this action. Whatever
the cause, the Mind-Flayers have lost the city, and our allies are now
free from their tyrannical rule, free to live and trade as they will.
Our intelligence sources reveal that even now, there are expeditions being
formed to reopen trading ties with the city of the Drow.
We speculate that this peace will not last for very long. The
Ithillids have a reputation for never abandoning a goal. Their troops
were extremely well organized and trained in this battle - they were
only defeated due to innovative combat techniques used by our forces
against them. Once they regain their strength, and learn to
counter our tactics, they will be back, and in force.
TEMPLE OF DIONYSUS ESTABLISHED
------------------------------
Our sources indicate that the Church of Dionysus is planning
on moving into Athron very soon. The Church has acquired several
large tracts of land, contracted with the quarry for large quantities
of dressed stone, and begun to hire or import workmen. The Church
seems to be constructing two large complexes, fairly close to each
other, near the center of town. The first complex seems to be a
very large temple of Dionysus, complete with a winerie and other
essential things. The other building project is a large ampitheater,
which from the plans we have seen should seat about 40,000 people.
We have managed to locate a Church representitive to interview.
When asked why the Church was building these large settlements, he
replied "The Temple is going to be our main temple, and the ampitheatre
is for performance of plays and so on during the Dionysiac Festivals.
We plan on allowing the city to use the ampitheatre for performances
of other plays and events, providing they are ideologically correct."
When asked why the Church chose Athron for this effort, our informant
replied "Athron is a town with a future. We of Dionysus feel that
it would be advantageous to all for us to bring culture and civilization
to this wilderness area."
The Advocate speculates that there may be more to this than is
immediately evident. If the High Temple of Dionysus is to be located
in Athron, then the High Priest of Dionysus will be here also. The
current High Priest of Dionysus, Prince Lafite, has recently been
involved in many important political and military events. We feel that
perhaps Lafite wishes to settle down in a quite place for a while. This
is fine with the Advocate, for if the Church settles here, it will bring
with it a good deal of income and employment opportunities. However,
the Church of Dionysus and the Church of Set are sworn enemies, so if
the rumours of Set infestation of the area are correct, we could end
up with armed conflicts in the street. Whatever the story, be sure
of one thing - people will be thinking twice before mugging winos in the
back allies - it may well be the High Cleric of Dionysus!
WELCOME NEW ADVENTURERS!
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The town of Athron wishes to welcome the new wave of immigrants
who have declared their profession as "adventurer." Of the immigrants
who have arrived in the past week, 85 of them have indicated that their
primary occupation is "adventurer" when collecting their settling award.
The Advocate feels that this influx of powerful and dedicated adventurers
will be beneficial to the development of the town, and will enable Athron
to swiftly explore and protect its territories. All you adventurers,
we're behind you all the way! Just remember, Athron is an orderly
town, and will tolerate no violence in the main streets. We
wish you all Good Luck.
THE CHURCH OF SET - FACT OR FICTION?
------------------------------------
Some of you may have noticed an advertisement posted on the town
bulletin board by the Committee for the Eradication of Set. This
advertisement indicated that there was a settlement of Set worshippers
near our town. Our investigative reporters have looked into this claim,
and find it partially justified. Old records in the city of Viridistan
indicate that when the Temple of Set in Viridistan closed down 1100 years
ago, that the displaced worshippers of Set "vanished into the night,
heading into the West, where they were not ever heard from again."
This would have occurred many years before the last Thron invasion
so it is likely that whatever settlements of Set which were established
here, in what was at the time a desolate wasteland, would have been
destroyed by the advancing Thron hordes. So, if there is a surviving
temple or other installation nearby, it is VERY well concealed.
The Committee for the Eradication of Set was challenged to produce
the "ancient map" which they claimed to possess. So far, they have not
deigned to contact our offices. We have been unable to locate any
members of the Committee for comment.
If such a settlement exists, the Advocate feels that it would
represent a serious threat to the security of the region, and we urge
the Regeant to investigate the matter thoroughly. As an incentive to
all you adventurers out there, the Advocate is offering a 3,000 GP reward
for information leading to the discovery of any such installation, and
a 8,000 GP reward for the location of the installation and proof thereof.
THRON - ARE THEY NEARBY?
------------------------
How serious is the Thron menace? The Advocate feels that many people
in the city have been spreading unsupported rumours about the Thron which
should be corrected. There have been no accounts of Thron activity within
20 miles of Athron. No farmlands have been burned, no virgins kidnapped
for sacrifice to strange Thron gods at midnight, no Thron armies have massed
to wipe Athron off the map, no Thron spies are skulking in the shadows.
None! Not a single one! For goodness sake, people, Thron are INSECTS!
They CAN'T sneak around town, they DON'T want to rape our women OR steal
our children. It is the Advocate's position that the Thron are overestimated.
The town of Athron is hundreds of miles away from what we suspect are the
Thron heartlands. No Thron patrols or anything have been reported.
No activity of any sort has been reported. The Advocate feels that the Thron
must be hibernating at this time, for they have made no attempts to
contact us, in either a friendly or hostile manner. So please, quit
spreading rumours. It will only hurt Athron's economic growth. The Advocate
is sufficiently confident in its position that we will offer a 5,000 GP reward
to the first verifiable evidence of Thron activity within 30 miles, and a
10,000 GP reward for the body of a Thron killed within 30 miles of the town.
A GUIDE TO ATHRON EATING ESTABLISHMENTS
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Recently, several new inns and taverns have opened in Athron, to support the
new influx of adventurers. The Advocate has dispatched its food and
entertainment critic to review each establishment, for your information.
Here is his report:
The Ki-Rin Inn
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The Ki-Rin is a very quiet and clean establishment. The clientele
seems very respectable, perhaps even boringly so. The atmosphere is
pleasant, with live entertainment provided by several minstrels singing
heroic ballads. The food I tried was acceptably prepared, although
a bit expensive. All in all, the Ki-Rin is a place to go to impress
your date, but I wouldn't recommend it for daily dining and entertainment,
for you are likely to die of boredom.
The Dancing Demon
-----------------
In contrast to the Ki-Rin, the Dancing Demon is a very lively
place. The denizens seemed to be less well-to-do, and certainly less
civilized, than the inhabitants of the Ki-Rin. The atmosphere is
certainly unique. The entertainment is provided by several bards
singing off-key ballads of a somewhat risque nature, as well as an
array of dancing girls, bad magicians and jugglers, and so on. Often
there were interesting sideshows to the main entertainment when
some of the diners disagreed with others, and carried out eloquent,
albeit bloody, discussions of the merits of their point of view.
The food we ordered bore no resemblance to what was delivered to
our table, but was at least edible. It was certainly inexpensive.
If you can deal with the clientele, the Dancing Demon is certainly
an interesting dining experience.
The Ox and Lion Inn
-------------------
The Ox and Lion Inn, unlike the previous dineries, offers no entertainment.
The clientele seemed happy with the situation, enjoying the relative
peace and quiet of the establishment. The food served us was nicely
prepared, and in copious quantities. The prices were reasonable, and
the service quick. If you just want a quick, honest meal, this is the
place for you.
The Storm Inn
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The Storm Inn is a brand-new establishment, but our roving reporter
managed to secure a table at the opening night dinner celebration.
The Storm Inn is a very nice place. The atmosphere is very lively,
with entertainment being provided by a very skilled bard singing
tales of heroic episodes in our Empire's history. Unusually, the
bard takes requests for stories and songs from the audience, and
seems to possess an extraordinary selection of songs and tales. Other
entertainment was also provided in the form of an illusionist light
show to go along with some of the tales. The Storm Inn has a
truly incredible bar, with wine selections far outstripping any other
establishment in the town. The quality of the drinks served was superb.
The food served was good, but otherwise unexceptional, although the
service was good. The prices at the Storm are reasonable, although
higher than that at the Ox and Lion. The Storm seems mostly geared
towards liquid, rather than solid, consumption. The two bouncers at
the Storm were frighteningly efficient the few times people exceeded
the bounds of civilized behaviour, so don't be mislead by the
somewhat boistrous atmosphere and step out of line...
Rhomba's Bar and Grill
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Rhomba's Bar and Grill has by far the best food available in town
today. The service was quick and family style. At Rhomba's, you
pay by the hour to eat or drink, and are entitled to as much as you
can consume. Be warned - your diminuative waiters are greatly offended
if you do not partake in hobbit-like quantities. The entertainment is good,
consisting of a varied array of short acts. The clientele is quite vocal in
expressing their opinions of the entertainers, applauding and cheering
the good ones, throwing food and drink at the bad ones. If you are
looking for a fun place to consume mass quantities while having a
good time, Rhomba's is it. Just don't make any short jokes...
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--------------
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If you have a question, of any nature, we can answer it for a price.
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The House of Kilgrade Wants YOU!
The House of Kilgrade is looking for good men and women to
join its expansion in the Athron area. Good working
conditions, good pay, good fringe benefits.
The House of Kilgrade is an Equal-Opportunity Employer. However,
Evil types are not required at this time.
please reply to P.O. BOX #6
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Are you a young Ranger without a job?
If so, contact Expedition Consultants. We are currently hiring bright
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Dorien's Magic Shoppe and Expeditionary Emporium
We offer the finest selection in magic items available. Anything
we don't have in stock, can be special-ordered, and delivered anywhere
you require. All forms of hard-to-find expeditionary impedimentia are
also available at our fine store. We have had hundreds of years experience
fulfilling the function of expedition outfitter, and believe that you will
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SPECIAL SALE - THIS WEEK ONLY!
1/2 price special on ALL magic-user spells of levels 1-4
Drop by our store, or reply to the address below for private consultation
or special orders.
Dorien's, P.O. Box #13
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The Reagency of Athron is willing to pay for information concerning the
territories to the west of the immediate vicinity of the city. Maps
and expedition logs, if verified, will be purchased from adventuring
parties for reasonable sums.
Contact: The Reagency of Athron, P.O. Box #1
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I, Bilbous the Mighty, am looking for adventuring companions to explore
the Western Marches. Only those of stout heart need apply. You can
find me at The Storm Inn, in the corner booth by the stage.
Be warned - the expedition I have planned is not for those of meagre
spirit and no courage!
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--
Brian A. Ehrmantraut
Ad Maioram Gloriam Hasturi!
UUCP: {allegra, astrovax, princeton, twg} !fisher!bae
BELL: (609) 452-8991 / (609) 734-7761
USnail: 184 Little Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544