"Okay I've had enough," said the loser, "I admit defeat." The chieftain of the group came over and stood between the two. "Well ladies," she said, "have you settled your difference of opinion?" "Yes," said the victor, mopping blood from a nail raked cheek, "I won. She does the washing up!"

Provoking Prose
(These two verses were heard by those attending the last performance by the famous elven bard Karliniar before his untimely death)

Below the Nightfire Mountains,
Under the Shadow of the Sun,
Lies a Cavern full of Fountains,
And the Temple of the One.

When bells chime and with many cares,
Beware the flitters in the air,
Beyond the idol climb the stairs,
To find the greatest treasure there.

From the Halls of Harzak-Dar
(Fragments translated from ancient dwarven scrolls discovered by Tarbol Jyre)

"...on the rise of the moon was Garmire awoken by the strange sound. Pale was the lunar light that fell on the stone arch, free-standing alone in the glade.Previously unseen runes now glowed in the stonework and following the words of the hairless stranger, Garmire took a deep breath and stepped through. By the Blade of Breldin did Garmire now walk in the dark crypts from that time when the pale ones lived..."
 

From the Secret Garden
(Celbirin of the Oaks reveals some of his finds in his recent book)
 

Gartler Seeds The slow growing tree called the Gartler produces a single seed case annually. It is about the same size as a coconut, hard, round and quite heavy. Once the seed case is at full size, the pulp inside produces a gas which after several weeks will be at very high pressure. The case will eventually explode, hurling seeds from inside over a large area. Extreme care should be taken in trying to collect the young seeds from a seed case but the reward is a very powerful spell component for greater magics.

News for the Front
(An interview with one of the villagers of Volgane from the Journal of Palgrim Gale)
'We who lived under the shadow of the Zandor Mountains ignored the ruins. For years and years it was nothing more to us than a man-made mountain. We warned those adventurers who entered it seeking gold and prayed from their souls when they failed to come out again. Several fortnights ago, strange lights were seen in the area. The bravest amongst us crept close to the gateway. They heard noises coming from within, noises fit to freeze the blood of a saint. It was then that the strangers came with their banners of the bone hand and their wagons loaded with huge urns. Elira was the first to disappear...'

Riddle of the Puzzle Masters
(From the notes of Sage Rathrand)
'I write here one of the great riddles which although some believe is astoff in origin, I suspect it comes from the spiritual leader of the Puzzle Masters himself. The name of their Lord is a secret they hold unto themselves, supposedly due to the power of the word, and only 'enlightened ones' may know it. Anyone who solves this riddle is said to be on the path to true 'enlightenment' and would have the respect of that strange sect;

A nomad shepherd found my first,
In desert wastes astray,
He gave it food, he slaked its thirst,
And, in his bosom closely nursed,
He carried it away.

Sad was my second to behold!
It needed food and rest;
With fear it trembled, and with cold;
But soon the shepherd sought the fold,
And bore it in his breast.

The sky had neither moon nor star,
As home his steps he bent;
But soon his troubles vanished are,
For clearly he beholds afar,
My whole within his tent.'

(GM - Anyone who thinks they may have solved this, please send me the answer with your group number and account number. A special prize possibly awaits those groups to get it right who will be well 'armed' upon encountering Puzzle Masters in the future.)
 

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