Tivili Games Galore!

There is an old saying in Arboria regarding the Tivili, to "accept all things with a smile, for it is a holiday for the Fates and the faeries." And how true those elfin words rang on the day of the Games!

The Day of Games were filled with surprises and unexpected winners, as the contests began before a royal audience that included the Dowager Empress, Marinia Dreven, as well as the Weaponsmaster, Chajar Shaldolf-Sundew.

The Pie-Eating Contest was first to establish the festive air to the Games, as men, large and small, young and old, dove into the stacks of pies with careless abandon for their belly's health. The winner was a surprise, as a young man by the name of Marius won the contest, narrowly beating out a mime, who playacted eating more pies than anyone! The young man stated that he would be happy to share his winnings, of his weight in pies.

The Horse-Race Contest followed, and brought the crowd to their feet in wild cheers. A race that showcased many fine Thermador breeds, the odds were running high behind the benches that one of them would win the race. But it seems the Thermadorian steeds may have exhausted each other out in the end, for it was Kavin Sterrin, a stable hand at the Crosswinds Tavern, who was riding a loaned mount, that came up and won in the last stretch of the race. Even more to shock the already wild crowd, was that one of the riders, who looked to have had the race won until the last bend, was the Pyromantic Arch-Magess, Shaftile Sabrese Pyreslake herself! Holding true to her temperamental reputation, the Arch-Magess stalked off angrily, after losing the race.

The game of archery held more surprises for the already bewildered crowd, as an elfin-trained dwarven ranger (yes you heard it true), won the Contest of Bows. By the name of Fakil Treehugger, the quiet and aloof dwarf surprised all with his exception skills with the bow, and was the recipient of the beautiful Hornwood Bow.

The Joust may have held the most drama and blood of the Games, as the brothers of the Courescant family were pitted against each other in the second round. The details of the face-off can be found in the following article, but due to the severe and nearly mortal injury inflicted upon Sir Samuel by his own brother, Sir Camerron, the two Knights withdrew from the Joust. They were quickly followed by Captain Volaraine Shakar of Wantlokin, who also withdrew from the competition, racing off the field to look to the Knights. Lady Theelda Leonhardt, a Solar Knight, was also disqualified, when she left the Joust to assist Annabella Morningstar, the Vivomantic Arch-Magess, in attending to the injured Knight. This left only Sir Elliot Orina, retired Knight working at the Crosswinds Tavern, to face Baron Lad Partaene, the current Lord Keeper of the feared Black Branch Knights in Balthazor. Decidedly the underdog, people say that it was the favor granted by the Dowager Empress upon the old Knight, that spurred him onto victory over the younger and faster Baron. The Lord General Niliahas presented the infamous Helm of Gorda to the old Knight. When asked for comment, the old knight said he would put his earnings toward building a display case worthy of such a historical item.

The Contest of Blades offered more bloodshed and violence in the name of celebration, as more warriors took the field, weapons drawn. Many fighters wooed the crowd in the early rounds with speed and precision, but following in tradition of Tivili, chaos and surprises were abound, as one of the fighters revealed himself to be an undead skeleton. Even as Silver Moon Knights rushed onto the field, the undead creature severely wounded one of the competitors, Edail Achiras, before fleeing from the scene. The Weaponsmaster was at hand, and overlooked the Vivomancers who rushed onto the field to tend to the fallen warrior. The Contest then continued on, as a warrior from Thermador, Sangreebia, went on to prove himself the victor. Chajar Shaldolf-Sundew presented him with the enchanted short sword, Armistice.

The Ring of Pain finished off the long day, as most gathered were already heading home, leaving only the rowdiest drunks in the audience. And the contest of "anything goes" reflected the stewed atmosphere as fighters of all kinds, women and men, human and halfling, took on each other in the ring, where only weapons and magic were prohibited. Tiberius Darklaw, a local bounty hunter, proved himself the tenacious of them all, being the last one left in the ring, and the winner of the chariot filled with gold.

On a sidenote, there was another altercation, one not in the Tivili agenda, as Knights rushed on to stop the battle of blades between Halvard Horbin, the famed Drakeslayer, and another stranger who has later been identified as Pwyll Stanard. It was reported that the reputed hero refused to allow legal authorities to intervene as was their right, insisting that the battle was his. The Knights later blamed the escape of Pwyll Stanard, who they believe instigated the fight, to Halvard Horbin, who's fame and popularity quickly seemed to be on the decline with the legal authorities.

Emperor's Ball a Grand Success

Tivili festivities culminated with a formal ball held at Taysàyad Keep in the Emperor's Ballroom, as the Emperor Tumian Dreven and Dowager Empress Marinia Dreven spared no expense in hosting this springtime celebration of love and commitment. Many of Lyran Tal's nobility attended, including the Arch-Magess Annabella Morningstar and Arch-Magess Irmaa Vep, the latter appearance putting to rest any rampant rumors of her death.

The Emperor, upon arriving, opened the festivities with an invitation for attendees to step forward and announce their Chosen. To the surprise those present, the Dowager Empress made the first announcement; not for herself, but for her previously unacknowledged daughter and the current Emperor's elder sister, Aslin Dreven. Marinia Dreven stated that the firstborn Dreven, Aslin, would be betrothed to Lord Baron Dorian Seldrin of Balthazor. The announcement seemed to catch everyone but the Dowager Empress unawares, and the elder Dreven daughter publicly refused the match. A second Chosen declaration was also made, that of Sir Samuel Courescant and Mechella d'Virte.

On the heels of the Chosen announcements, Baron Lad Partaene, a Knight of the Black Branch in Balthazor, approached the Emperor and declared his loyalty, which the Emperor graciously accepted. Some tension seemed to burn even amidst the festivities, between the Lord Keeper of the Black Knights and the Necromantic Arch-Magess Irmaa Vep.

As the evening continued, Emperor Dreven made a proclamation regarding his plans to improve communications between realms by having each of the seven regions of Lyran Tal send ambassadors to each other. Initially, the proclamation was met with strong vocal resistance from Irmaa Vep, but after a quiet exchange of a few chosen words, an understanding was reached between the Emperor and the Arch-Magess of Necromancy.

The Outlander Trial

The Attempted Murder case of Zharyka Jelahldoran became a trial of traditions when the Judicator's seat was taken by a man wearing a large cowl and the ancient robes of the position, rather than the Magistrate Arman Ban-Triam. The Magistrate instead took up the prosecution of Miss Jelahldoran while Aeolus Corindu, a member of the Order of the Rising Sun, provided defense.

The proceedings lurched along at first, with a defending Aeolus Corindu being stopped at every step he would take by a reminder of the rules from the Judicator, as well as objections from both defense and prosecution at every turn. The friction between Magistrate Arman Ban-Triam and Defender Aeolus Corindu was palpable even to the Judicator, who was required at one point to remind the Magistrate to treat the defense with the respect due to one of his position rather than as "some farm lad."

The Magistrate detailed the events leading up to the acts of which Miss Jelahldoran was accused, describing how Jorn Dagar, the alleged victim, suddenly began blistering with "unseen and unfelt" heat, and then burst into flames. The prosecution submitted a signed confession by the accused, stating that she had indeed used her powers to combust the man.

The defense argued that Miss Jelahldoran did not have mens rea, the intent to commit murder. He called upon witnesses Anna Little and Peter Lyonbrooke, both giving testimony to Jorn Dagar's attacks on Anna Little and attempted attacks on Miss Jelahldoran, thus giving rise to a plea of self-defense rather than attempted murder. However, when Vivomancer Iannon Destyranos was called to give testimony by the defense, the Judicator announced that Mage Destyranos would not be heard because his working relationship with the prosecution, Magistrate Arman Ban-Triam, put the Vivomancer in an ill position.

After hearing both closing arguments, the Judicator dismissed protocol by speaking directly to Miss Jelahldoran to ask a question. As he rose to query her, the Judicator stood to his full height and threw back the cowl that had masked his features throughout the entire trial, revealing himself as the Emperor, Tumian Dreven I. Gasps of astonishment resounded in the court room and many wide eyes stared in disbelief at the Emperor, but he seemed oblivious of it all. He then leaned forward and asked Miss Jelahldoran, simply, if she was an Outlander, and whether or not she had full control over her powers.

Miss Jelahldoran's final answer, after some clarification, was that she did not, at the night of the attack, have full control over the powers. After this frightening response, Tumian Dreven I, Emperor of all Lyran Tal, announced that Miss Jelahldoran was innocent of the charges levied against her. His shocking verdict was quickly followed by an announcement that he would not stand for his realm to be harmed any longer by Outlander magic, and that Miss Jelahldoran would be taken to Taysàyad keep to be tested by his mages.

Furthermore, the Emperor decreed, "Outlander magic is something we must somehow keep under watch and guard. Outlander magic, from here on out, will be Cause Illegal... outside the grounds and confines of a designated Nexus Portal boundary." Tumian Dreven then added that any Outlander magic "proven to cause harm outside any of these boundaries will be dealt with. Swiftly. Surely. And forcefully."

Official proclamations are to follow, although has yet to be released by the Office of the Magistrate.

A Bloody Feud in Tivili

The games of Tivili may be over, but the effects of the competitions will last for quite some time. The contests led to some surprising victories and noble defeats, but perhaps the most shocking of all was the pitting of Sir Camerron Courescant against his brother Sir Samuel Courescant in the joust. Each Knight had proven himself victorious in the first bout, but when the names of the brothers were announced to compete in the second round, a murmur of surprise and anticipation coursed through the crowd.

The elder Courescant proved himself quicker in his second go round than his first, winning the first strike. It was this lone strike that unseated Sir Samuel. In an unprecedented and rarely before seen display, Sir Camerron's lance pierced his brother's armor clear through, sending the younger Knight tumbling to the ground, his mount reeling. To the sounds of a gasping crowd, worried onlookers quickly rushed the field, including the Lady Aslin of Dreven and the Arch-Magess of Vivomancy, Annabella Morningstar. The arena however was quickly cleared, and Sir Samuel's bloody, near-lifeless form was carried off the field on a litter, followed closely behind by Lady Aslin and a shaken and pale Sir Camerron.

As the contests continued, the Arch-Magess of Vivomancy, a novice Vivomancer by the name of Shyla Gwinn Weir, and Lady Theelda Leonhardt, a Solar Knight from the Rock of Duval, all worked to heal the knight. Outside the Vivomancer Tent the crowd whispered of the death of Sir Samuel, for his wounds were extensive, and the horse he rode so bloodied it had to be removed from further contest. Rumors of his death were further substantiated by Sir Camerron's refusal to reenter the field, and his dramatic launching of both his lance and gauntlets into the arena. However, the Captain of the Silver Moon Knights of Luminii, Volaraine Deptonius Shakar, soon exited the tent, reporting that Sir Samuel had indeed survived the injury, and would recover. Sir Samuel was briefly allowed a visit from his brother, but was forced to spend the night in the Healer's Pavilion, under the care of Master Terish Bonjuelo, Vivomancer of Taysàyad Keep.

The feud between the Courescant brothers had been brewing since their brawl in the Crosswinds Tavern many tendays ago, and the unseating seemed to have only served to escalate the tension. For despite his injuries, Sir Samuel Courescant was able to attend the Emperor's Ball the next eve, escorting Mechella d'Virte, a local artist. Their presence at the Ball, however, was not welcomed by a fairly drunken Sir Camerron, who promptly made a scene, throwing glasses of wine to the floor and knocking over attendants. Witnesses report that he was heard to accuse his brother of "raping their family" before exiting the imperial ballroom in a rage. Although the incident visibly shook the injured and weakened Knight, it did not prevent him from announcing Lady d'Virte as his Chosen, following in the tradition of the spring festival. The announcement has been blessed by the Emperor Tumian Dreven who wished Nostrella's grace upon the happy couple.

More warm showers are in store for the Tivili aftermath, as if to wash away the drunken air of the festival. Expect sunny skies and humid winds, with sudden downpours scattered throughout the day.

Emperor's New Clothes

With the arrival of spring and the Emperor's Ball, it seems our great Emperor Sovereign has donned some new clothes, as well as a new outlook. As detailed in this very issue of the Gazette, he has made many new and surprising proclamations since the arrival of spring. Perhaps he is taking the season of rebirth and renewal literally, reshaping the political structures of his own kingdom. I for one, have my own ideas on the motives behind the ever-wise Emperor's agenda.

First on the plate, and perhaps the easiest, the Ambassadorial Proclamation. This was something that even I could have foreseen, what with the Cloosidian fiasco during the Dreven War. Rumors ran rampant after the end of the war about the Emperor's displeasure with Cloosidian's inability to lend aid to Dreven, as two Aeromantic Councilmembers, Breina Ashlyn and Ereledan Ashura, were turned away repeatedly at Taysàyad's Gates postwar. A little bird told me that they were sent to Dreven to beg for the Emperor's good graces... and discovered that it was a mission of futility that lasted through the better of winter. It was only at the Emperor's Ball, that Tumian Dreven finally gave them his answer.

Second on the plate of scrutiny, is the Emperor's judgment and proclamation at the trial of Zharyka Jelahldoran, and outlander who magically burned a mercenary at the Crosswinds Tavern. To the surprise of everyone attending, he announced that all Outlander magic will be considered illegal out of the immediate boundaries of the Nexus Portal. Furthermore, that crimes associated with Outlander magic, will be dealt with quickly and severely. This seemed to divide the crowd, as the natives of Dreven praised the new edict as their salvation against the unknown powers of the foreigners, while those not native to this land cried injustice and prejudice.

I for one, am glad to hear that finally there will be some order to the type of magic allowed in this land.

Last but not least, is the sudden and unexpected ban on Soniarium. To this, I only have to say... what are the Powers That Be.. thinking?? I don't even want to think about what kind of response both the dwarves and the elves will have, mostly the former since it is their most precious and expensive industry. And to prohibit even the Silver Moon Knights from using it? Does that not give their opponents, who are not likely to obey this law, an unfair advantage?

Like I said in the beginning, our Emperor is wearing some new clothes... and a new attitude. The nation is grateful to see that the rumors of horrible scars and deformities on him were untrue, as Tumian Dreven stood bearing no scars at the Ball. But my guess is that the redcap did leave some lasting marks on our ruler after all.

In and Out of Favor

Ah the fickle Fates. Tivili was their time to run amok, as the elves would say, as one surprise after another sprouted during the Spring Festival. It seems a favor of one upon another changed with the winds during the holidays, as heroes turned into scapegoats, and rulers were admonished by children.

Halvard Horbin, one of infamous drakeslaying fame, was blamed for the escape of Pwyll Stanard on the night of the Games. It seems this isn't the first time he has been seen in an unflattering light, as some still remember his defense of the known and wanted criminal Phelan Stormbringer, some many cycles past. Especially with the recent revelation that Phelan's victim, Aslin Dreven, is the very sister to the Emperor, I do not think our Hero, Hal, will hold that title... for very long in their eyes.

Speaking of losing titles, it seems a local cleaning maid in the Crosswinds, often called Mouse by the halfling cook of the tavern, is eager to lose her nickname. Managing to somehow fish an invitation to the Grand Ball, the young woman known as Anna Little, approached the Emperor Dreven, and publicly admonished him for his judgment and hand in her friend and companion Zharyka's trial. The Emperor showed initial amusement and tolerance for such unexpected behavior by a guest in his own House, but it was obvious his patience wore thin as she continued on. He succinctly reminded her of his concerns for his own people, as well as the dangers that Outlanders with powers, such as Miss Jelahldoran, represented in his land.

An Outlander herself, Miss Anna Little could be the Mouse that Roared... only that she did it in the Lion's own Lair.

Fallen From Grace

Lady Grace Ryan, fiancée to Baron-General Westin Knowles, was seen at the Crosswinds Tavern a few evenings ago, quite drunk. The lady seems to have acquired a taste for fireale, and at least on that particular evening, she did not live up to her name. Tavern patrons watched with amusement as she passed out twice, while the tenderess and her friends tried to take her upstairs to the rooms, to sleep off her drunken stupor. According to sources, this is not an isolated incident, and Lady Ryan is but a shadow of herself these days.

And if the absence of her baron-general-fiancé during the Tivili as well as the Emperor's Ball is any indication... my guess is that the expansive Knowles' estate is empty as her bottle of fireale.

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Soniarium Ban

Proclamation by the Emperor Tumian Dreven I

The dwarf-forged silent metal Soniarium, has been officially banned throughout Lyran Tal, and is now an illegal substance. The metal, called "'assassin steel" by some, was directly responsible for the death of Golaria Seamere, Arch-Magess of Oceanuus, and has been linked to many, many more assassinations.

Banned in Oceanuus over the past two years, Soniarium has finally been recognized by the crown as the dangerous creation it has always been. What other purpose would a silent metal hold than stealthy killing? The Silver Moon Knights do not use it, for they have no reason to skulk quietly about. Soniarium has proven to only be a vague bit stronger than honestly forged steel, and its only real advantage is in stealth. Thus its import from - and export to - Arboria is hereby banned.

Current owners of anything made of, consisting of, or containing Soniarium are asked to turn in those items to their local Magistrate's office, no later than Summer Solstice. Fear not your worth - good Dreven coin will be immediately exchanged for peacefully surrendered items.

Following Summer Solstice, persons found with Soniarium in their possession will have their belongings confiscated and may be subject to fines or imprisonment.

Ambassadorial Proclamation

Proclamation by the Emperor Tumian Dreven I

By years end, each realm that stands beneath the banner of the Silver Moon will have chosen and sent one Ambassador to each of the other six realms. These Ambassadors will be handpicked by their realm's Arch-Mage. The Ambassadors must be chosen well, for they will serve as the voice of their home realm, and will have the power to speak on their Arch-Mage's behalf.

The Ambassador's duties are simple: act as a line of communication between the two realms. Ambassadors need not be Mages; they need not be Lords or Ladies of high station-they must merely have their realm's best interests in mind, and must be capable of expressing those interests.

Host realms must accept the appointment of the Ambassador assigned and are encouraged to make every effort to welcome the Ambassador into their court. The Ambassador will hold the same station as any member of court, bearing a social status just beneath that realm's Council of Six. They will be allowed to attend formal council sessions, and their input should always be weighed and considered.

Host realms can, if they feel it absolutely necessary, dismiss a particularly uncooperative Ambassador, but only after that Ambassador's replacement has arrived and has been fully acclimated to the job. The Ambassador will be treated as a welcomed guest of their host realm, and will be accorded the respect due their position. These Ambassadors will have political asylum and should not fear for their lives or physical well being in the event that their home and host realms have a difference of opinion. "Shooting the messenger" died with Icaruss.

The death of an Ambassador will be immediately investigated by a joint cooperation. Dignitaries from the deceased Ambassador's home realm, as well as dignitaries from Dreven, will work diligently to discern the facts surrounding the late Ambassador's death. The dignitaries will not leave until they have accomplished this. Please understand - the violent removal of one bureaucrat will serve only to invite more bureaucrats to that realm's court.

Terms of service are as needed. An Ambassador might hold the position for several months… or for a lifetime. If the host's Arch-Mage is comfortable with the Ambassador, and the Ambassador's home realm is content with their Ambassador's performance, the Ambassador may very well hold this exalted position for decades.

The host realm will provide for, and support, the six Ambassadors - just as the realm supports its Council of Six. The Emperor understands that doubling one's inner court causes a financial burden, and has authorized each realm to enact an Ambassadorial Tax to support the monumental change, as each realm sees fit.

Dreven Ambassadors:

The realm of Shadokhan will welcome the Ambassadors given to it by the other six realms, and the Ambassadors will be invited to stay at Taysàyad Keep, in Dreven City, for as long as they wish. Ambassadors en route to the city are welcomed to stay at the famed Crosswinds Tavern, free of charge, until such time as they decide to come to Taysàyad, or find other housing of their own.