April 30, 2003
Orga Invasion; Gerag's Cave

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Aravir has a report on an orga invasion and a new archaelogical entry on Gerag's Cave.

Posted by Para at 11:03 PM
Suncrystal and Sungem Line

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Exiles are lining up in town for Zorton to upgrade their sunstones to suncrystals and sungems. The sunstone needs to be fully tuned before the upgrade.

Posted by Para at 10:58 PM
TMN Ad Art Contest Deadline Extended

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Only three exiles have entered the contest so far, even though there's 10,000 coins in prizes available. I'm going to extend the deadline to give people a little more time to work on their submissions. The new deadline is the end of the day on Sunday, May 4, 2003.

TMN is still seeking sponsors to help pay for the prizes.

The rules for the contest can be found here.

Posted by Para at 10:37 PM
April 29, 2003
Foothills Journey

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Opxe reports on a recent trip to the foothills in his most recent journal entry.

Posted by Para at 07:32 PM
Hunting Kismia's Island

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Azriel has a report on a recent hunt on Kismia's Island.

Posted by Para at 07:24 PM
Advanced Sunstone Research

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Aravir has a report on the advanced sunstone research of Leth Nimbletoes in his latest journal entry. He also reports on the Slime Cave.

Posted by Para at 07:15 PM
April 28, 2003
Enhanced Sunstones

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Rincewind and Hista recently spoke with Leth Nimbletoes (Nimbletoes once helped Amberdrake) about gathering materials to enhance sunstones. Rincewind provided this report to TMN:

It all started when Poesy mentioned to me that she thought the name "Leth Nimbletoes" was significant somehow ( a blank exile on the player's list at the time), but couldn’t remember why . . . so I located him.

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He quickly responded that he was an inventor and was researching how to improve on the function of sunstones, and asked me to come visit him. I met Hista along the way and she kindly volunteered to escort me there. We found his hideaway and chatted with him at length, and he asked for our help to find certain things he needed for his research:

A raw sunstone (which Lorikeet has kindly donated)
3 sunstones (which Kiriel is kindly offering to donate)
3000c (which Kiriel is kindly offering to donate)
6 glasses of fish oil (to help the research)
3 cabus leaves (special plants known to the centaurs, and found in the forests of Centaur Isle)

He also needs to talk to a skilled sunstone tuner at some point.

We went to Orionwood and found one cabus leaf, but couldn't find any more before we ran out of time, even though we looked all over and also up by the hut north of the zoo. So there are still 2 more leaves needed.

He said once he received the ingredients, it would take some time to test out his research, so not to expect instant results.

If anyone can contribute, it would be most welcome -- especially if they can find the 2 missing cabus leaves. If anyone finds one, could they please let me, Hista, or Kiriel know, or pass it on to someone to hold in the meantime so that we can gather all the bits in one place.

Regards,
Rincewind

Posted by Para at 10:58 PM
Tenebrion Gets Lost

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Praetorius Xar sent this report to TMN:

Earlier today, Sarir was in town seeking Tenebrion. It said it sensed Tenebrion in the east. Several exiles went with it and found Tenebrion in the East Farms, napping on a bed. His memory was cloudy and he could not remember how he got there or how to get home. We offered to help and escorted him safely back to his conference room.

Xooga!
Praetorius Xar

Click on the links below for more images.

Tenebrion in bed
"Open the Gates"
Tenebrion gives thanks

Posted by Para at 10:09 PM
Green Thoom Hunting

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Hor has been hunting with a green Thoom. Read about it in his latest journal entry.

Posted by Para at 08:26 PM
April 27, 2003
TMN Ad Art Contest (Updated)

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The one-year anniversary of the ThoomCare Media Network is coming up soon, and I have decided to celebrate by holding an ad art contest.

Exiles are encouraged to submit their original artwork in the form of advertisements for TMN.

The prizes have been significantly increased thanks to some generous benefactors (see the list of sponsors below):

First place: 7000 coins
Second place: 2000 coins
Third place: 1000 coins

Winners of the TMN Ad Art Contest will receive their prize from Paramedic the Thoom, wearing the ceremonial TMN "Golden Trout" Cloak donated by the Antiscian Tribe.

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The following exiles and organizations have contributed to the prize fund:

Aravir
Antiscian Tribe
Hunk
McBain
Odesseus
Opxe
Rising Claw
Ziff Rengar

There's still time to help sponsor the contest; we could use some more donations to help cover the costs of the prizes.

The deadline for contest submissions is 43 Winter 550 (Thursday, May 1, 2003). Updated: new deadline is the end of the day on Sunday, May 4, 2003.

Read below for more updated information!

Who are the judges?
The judges are Paramedic and Odesseus.

What is the subject?
The subject is an advertisement for the ThoomCare Media Network.

What size should my submission be?
Please keep the ad to a size smaller than 250x250 pixels. There's some flexibility here. An ad the size of the traditional TMN logo (360x152) would be a good size to use, for example.

Where should I send my entry?
See "Contact Information" in the right-hand column of TMN.

May I submit more than one piece of art?
Exiles are limited to two (2) submissions each. There is a limit of one (1) prize per exile. The better of your two submissions (should you choose to submit two) will be considered for a prize award, in other words.

Are animated GIFs acceptable?
Certainly, yes.

What sort of style should I use for my ad?
You are open to select any type of style, IC or OOC. Feel free to be inventive with this. What would a TMN ad look like on a signpost in Puddleby? On a parchment delivered to the Darshak? How would a TMN ad look if done in the style of ancient Egyptian art? Italian Renaissance? Art Deco? Medieval illustrated manuscript? Anime? Atari 2600? CNN? Star Trek? Soviet propaganda? Any of these and countless others could provide interesting inspiration.

Posted by Para at 05:40 PM
New Slime Cave

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I recently visited the new Slime Cave, located in what used to be the cave of Gerag the Drake. Unfortunately, all the slimes had recently been killed just before I arrived. Click on the links below for some other images.

Checking out the waterfall
Curious Thooms investigate the pond

Posted by Para at 05:10 PM
Fiery Bubbles

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Connie Crete sent TMN the following images from the new island of lava being created by the 'Brion brothers.

Connie wrangles bubbles
Snowlion surrounded

Posted by Para at 01:58 PM
Orga Eye

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Feauial reports on acquiring an orga eye and on hunting in the Savannah in his latest journal update.

Posted by Para at 01:18 PM
Return of Fayack

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Thoom Fayack has returned to Puddleby. Bones and I were glad to witness her re-initiation into Clan ThoomCare.

Posted by Para at 12:37 PM
April 26, 2003
Black Widow Battle

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Gunslinger sent TMN the following report and pictures of a battle with a Black Widow:

On a recent hunt to Noids, we ran into a Black Widow in the outer chamber. It put up quite a fight, but we finally managed, with the help of many, to slay the creature.

Soon afterwards, Kani wanted to chain the Black Widow to the Coliseum. but was unable to get the chain attached. Devil, also having tried, pointed this out to Kani: since the Black Widow has a ranged attack, it is not permitted into the Coliseum.

The hunt was a good one and much fun. A small group continued to kill noids afterwards.

Click on the links below for more images of this hunt.

The Beginning
Devil gets webbed
Engaging in battle
The Kill
The Kill part 2
Fun at noids

Posted by Para at 07:46 AM
April 25, 2003
Pitch Den Disaster

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Kiriel reports that the Noids in the Pitch Den have grown more stubborn and refuse to leave the entrance area. Click on the links below to see some pictures of the scene.

Pitch Den 1
Pitch Den 2

Posted by Para at 11:37 PM
Exploring with Opxe

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Opxe reports on the Noid Caves and North Forest in his most recent journal entries (12-13 Winter 550).

Posted by Para at 11:13 PM
Sasquatches and Spiders

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Norm reports in his journal entry for 18 Winter 550 (4/25/03) on a visit to Menebrion's Keep and on a close call in the Noids cave.

Posted by Para at 10:04 PM
Sah Blehd Moves

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Aravir reports on a move for the woodworking workshop construction site in his latest journal entry.

Posted by Para at 09:55 PM
Revenge on Spriggins

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Hor reports on getting his coins back from greedy spriggins in his latest journal entry.

Posted by Para at 09:38 PM
April 23, 2003
Travelling with Feauial

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Feauial's latest journal entries describe recent trips to Tenebrion's Island and the Noid Cave.

Posted by Para at 05:40 PM
Quakes and Vermine

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Aravir reports in his latest journal entry on some recent earthquakes followed up by death vermine invasions.

Posted by Para at 05:05 PM
Chaos Storm #282

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Chaos Storm #282 has swept the Lok'Groton island chain. Please post any changes you have observed and wish to share with others in the comments. If you don't want to read possible spoilers, please do not read the comments.

Posted by Kiriel at 04:44 PM
April 21, 2003
Chain Report

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WormTounge provides TMN with this report on chains:

Dazzle's been selling chains cheaply lately. Today, she announced in town that she could make a chain out of two pieces of metal, and 400 coins.

I asked her how she was able to make a chain for less than 500 coins and she replied that it was a trade secret.

May be something to investigate further.

Wormy

Posted by Para at 10:42 PM
Archaeology with Aravir

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Aravir has has two new updates to his journal. The first is a welcome return to his archaeological work, with an investigation of various sites on Tenebrion's Island, along with a report on a hunt in the Dark Chamber with the Bane of the Black Heart. The second update concerns a visit to Sah Belyd, who is building a woodcrafting workshop.

Posted by Para at 10:32 PM
Orga Drums in Noids

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Baff sends TMN the following report:

Something odd in Noids. A few of us were hunting there last night. We had a wall of noids in front of us when suddenly we heard orga drums. The drums quickly built up to a crescendo and then stopped, and *poof* all the noids were gone! No sign of noids or orga anywhere. A few minutes later noids started appearing in their normal fashion.

Nobody outside of noids heard the drums or reported any other oddities.

Posted by Para at 10:23 PM
Cove Hunting

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Hor reports on hunting at the Kismia's Island Cove in his latest journal entry.

Posted by Para at 10:08 PM
Luring Cobras

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Azriel reports on a trip to Kismia's Island in his journal entry for 2 Winter 550.

Posted by Para at 10:00 PM
April 19, 2003
TMN Ad Art Contest

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The one-year anniversary of the ThoomCare Media Network is coming up in a couple of weeks, and I have decided to celebrate by holding an ad art contest.

Exiles are encouraged to submit their original artwork in the form of advertisements for TMN.

The pool of coins available for prizes is as follows:
First place: 1000 coins
Second place: 500 coins
Third place: 300 coins

TMN is looking for sponsors for the contest to help pay for the prizes. Sponsors will receive special recognition as the contest proceeds.

The deadline for contest submissions is 43 Winter 550 (Thursday, May 1, 2003).

For more technical details about the contest, read below.

Who is the judge?
The judge is Paramedic the Thoom.

What is the subject?
The subject is an advertisement for the ThoomCare Media Network.

What size should my submission be?
Please keep the ad to a size smaller than 250x250 pixels. There's some flexibility here. An ad the size of the traditional TMN logo (360x152) would be OK too.

Where should I send my entry?
See "Contact Information" in the right-hand column of TMN.

What sort of style should I use for my ad?
You are open to select any type of style, IC or OOC. Feel free to be inventive with this. What would a TMN ad look like on a signpost in Puddleby? On a parchment delivered to the Darshak? How would a TMN ad look if done in the style of ancient Egyptian art? Italian Renaissance? Art Deco? Medieval illustrated manuscript? Anime? Atari 2600? CNN? Star Trek? Soviet propaganda? Any of these and countless others could provide interesting inspiration.

Who is sponsoring the contest?
Current sponsors: Paramedic

Posted by Para at 11:56 AM
Opxe Moves His Scrolls

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Opxe has moved his scrolls to a new location: http://opxe.pucks.org/

Posted by Para at 10:26 AM
April 17, 2003
When Slime Comes to Town II

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Aravir reports on a slime attack in West Puddleby.

Posted by Para at 11:02 PM
Island of Lava

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The rocky lava island apparently being constructed by the 'Brion brothers is now accessible by landing via boat.

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NightBird (seen above after an unfortunate encounter with a Sunwyrm) reports to TMN: "When the island first showed up you could bump it and get a 'You see a forming Brion island' message."

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The island contains lava pits and dangerous fiery bubbles.

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A locked hut is located adjacent to a lake of lava.

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ThoomCare accompanied the Winds of Dawn on a recent hunt to the newly accessible island. Read more in Himitsu's recent journal entry. She also has a report on the island in Eyes of Puddleby.

Posted by Para at 07:28 PM
Hunting the Sunwyrm

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Azriel has a report on hunting Sunwyms in his journal entry for 77 Autumn 549.

Posted by Para at 06:40 PM
Yor and Cave Cobras

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Hor has a report on exiles in the Coliseum in his latest journal entry.

Posted by Para at 06:28 PM
April 14, 2003
Vagile's Forum Needs a Name

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Vagile's new forum, which includes the Clan Lord Suggestion Box, needs a new and unique name. If you have some ideas, please suggest them to Vagile.

Posted by Para at 11:35 PM
Ruen and the Tree Giant

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Ruen reports on an unfortunate encounter with a Tree Giant in her journal entry for 60 Autumn 549.

Posted by Para at 11:25 PM
Opxe in Undine

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Opxe reports on a trip to the undine hut in his latest journal entry.

Posted by Para at 11:18 PM
Fens Visit Tenebrion's Keep

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Both Feauial (mid-Autumn 549) and Hor report on trips to Tenebrion's Keep.

Posted by Para at 10:58 PM
April 13, 2003
Charlos Steps Carefully

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I had the honor of hunting Kismia's Island with an excellent group yesterday. I fell rather more often than I'm used to on such trips, but thanks to my experienced travelling companions, such setbacks were mere inconveniences. My thanks to Charlos, Crunch, Manx, Michael, Siolfor, and Ziff Rengar for a successful and profitable trip. Click on the links below for more pictures.

Forest fighting
Lyfes rush in
Snowy battle
The lamb lies down (actually it's the exiles)
Manx surveys the damage

Posted by Para at 11:28 AM
Stuffed Large Vermine

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Ruen has passed the Large Vermine Challenge and has been hunting in Noids and the Savannah. Read more in her journal entry for 49 Autumn 549.

Posted by Para at 08:17 AM
No Bones About It

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Bazal has beaten McBain's skeletal challenge record (191) and collected a 4000 coin reward.

Posted by Para at 08:03 AM
Pink Zos

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Thanks to Alatar for sending to TMN these pictures of a recent pink Zo exhibition in Town Center.

Posted by Para at 07:39 AM
April 12, 2003
Letters, We Get Letters

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TMN now has a "Contact Information" section in the right-hand column, making it easier for readers to submit stories for publication.

Posted by Para at 02:33 PM
Clan Lord Weekly

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Clan Lord Weekly is a new source of information. GMs will post to and moderate this forum.

Posted by Para at 07:15 AM
Beetles, Wyrms Turn Up the Heat

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Puddleby came under attack from Fire Beetles and Ember Wyrms yesterday. East Farms was briefly lost to the invading creatures, but they were eventually repelled.

Posted by Para at 06:02 AM
April 11, 2003
Opxe Contributes to the Suggestion Box

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Opxe has updated his journal, with news of a Thoomamid in town center and a call for exiles to get involved with the new Clan Lord Suggestion Box project.

In related news, I have added the Suggestion Box to the list of TMN permanent links, in the Forums category.

Posted by Para at 10:44 PM
Arachnes Drawn to Local Dwarf

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Norm's journal entry for 50 Autumn 549 features reports on various recent events, from the rift to the Boardwalk (where he acquired some cans of paint) to the recent deal with the 'Brions.

Posted by Para at 10:39 PM
Himitsu Meets Hardew

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Himitsu reports on a trip to Noth and on her recent training in her newest journal entry.

Posted by Para at 10:27 PM
Grand Master Azriel

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"I am very pleased that Swengus finally decided I was a Grand Master."
- Azriel

Read more about it in Azriel's journal entry for 50 Autumn 549.

Posted by Para at 10:14 PM
April 10, 2003
Savannah and Marsh

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Ruen's journal update for 90 Summer 549 tells of hunting in the Savannah and getting lost in the marsh.

Posted by Para at 10:01 PM
Anchors Away

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Hor has a report on a naval disaster offshore of Kismia's Island in his latest journal entry.

Posted by Para at 08:54 PM
Healing Changes

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Azriel reports in his journal entry for 47 Autumn 549 on changes in the glow provided by moonstones and on a sucessful use of his protective catsbane necklace.

Posted by Para at 08:46 PM
Woodcrafting Workshop

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Sah Bleyd is building a woodcrafting workshop in East Forest. Aravir has more details in his recent journal entry.

Posted by Para at 08:39 PM
April 09, 2003
Chaos Storm #280

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Chaos Storm #280 has swept the Lok'Groton island chain. Please post any changes you have observed and wish to share with others in the comments. If you don't want to read possible spoilers, please do not read the comments.

Posted by Kiriel at 07:17 PM
April 08, 2003
Azriel on Ice

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In his journal update for 34 Autumn 549, Azriel reports on hunting on Kismia's Island.

Posted by Para at 01:46 AM
April 07, 2003
Yosaku's Chain Rescue

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Thoom Wayfarer sends TMN this report:

See, there was this drake in South Forest, so a bunch of us went to say hello. I was running for the safe tree north of the mirror, and had almost made it when the drake picked me up and threw me in. A little bit later, Yosaku, dwarven chainer extraordinaire, was running around picking up fallens, and when he ran by the tree, Oranges somehow slipped inside and started bouncing around. Wish I'd been quick enough to take a visionstone, but the sketch is all I had time for. After Yosaku got everyone on his chain, he ran all the way back to town with us. This sketch was made just as we entered east farms. There's at least three or four more fallens on the chain off scene to the south. It was some ride; Yosaku was in pretty bad shape himself, but he managed to get us home. Well done, Yosaku!

Wayfarer, Thoom, Day 20, Autumn, 549.

Posted by Para at 02:45 PM
Exiles Polled on Darshak

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#313: Do you support a pre-emptive war on the Darshak?
10 (18%): Yes. We must kill them now before they attack us.
3 (5%): We should wait for sanctions to work.
8 (14%): I support a half-assed war with misguided tactics, not enough soldiers, and poor supply lines
21 (37%): War is our last option. But if we go to war we must be fully prepared to overwhelm our enemy, the Darshak
12 (21%): None of the above
3 (5%): Abstain

Posted by Para at 10:20 AM
On the Boardwalk

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Hor tells about his trip through the rift in his report on the Boardwalk.

Himitsu has also filed a report in Eyes of Puddleby on the rift to Boardwalk.

Lundar's journal entry has links to reports on previous April Fool's rifts.

Posted by Para at 07:14 AM
Winds in Snagglewood

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Himitsu has updated her journal with a report on a Winds of Dawn trip to Snagglewood.

Himitsu has also filed a report in Eyes of Puddleby on the rift to Boardwalk.

Posted by Para at 07:05 AM
McBolie's Cave

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Feauial reports on a trip to McBolie's Cave in his journal entry for early autumn 549.

Posted by Para at 06:51 AM
April 04, 2003
Clan Lord Guide

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Alby has created The Clan Lord Guide, an extensive resource with guides to various aspects of life in Puddleby as well as easy Web access to the USENET newsgroup comp.sys.mac.games.adventure.

Posted by Para at 04:05 PM
Orga Watching

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Aravir reports on some recent unusual orga activity.

Posted by Para at 11:48 AM
April 03, 2003
Quester Audition Report

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Poesy's latest journal entry (for 68 Spring 549) has a full report on her Questor audition.

Posted by Para at 12:09 AM
April 02, 2003
Revenge of the Scarmis

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Lundar's newest journal entry tells of some new ELF prospective members and a Scarmis hunt that turned into a rescue.

Lundar also reports that ELF has a new discussion forum, The Campfire.

Posted by Para at 11:46 PM
Cats and Trees

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Hor's latest journal entry covers his recent hunts in the Valley and the TGBG.

Posted by Para at 11:32 PM
Drablak's Hideway

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Drablak has implemented a new discussion forum, Drablak's Hideaway.

Posted by Para at 11:25 PM
Tranquilis Shrinks?

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Azriel's journal entry for 14 Autumn 549 includes an encounter with a Tae-su lyfelidae, a comparison of training with Urgelt, and some thoughts on the strangely shrinking Master Tranquilis.

Posted by Para at 11:18 PM
April 01, 2003
Rift to Boardwalk

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A rift has opened in Puddleby, leading to Boardwalk, an beachside amusement park with costumes and games. More details forthcoming.

Posted by Para at 12:35 AM