[State Of Ymph 1st Edition]

[PanamaLane]

Pages 1 & 2



Pages 3 & 4



The Archaeological Sociey Press (William Bell, Chair)

Heinrich Von Lubek - Managing Editor
Jawl Highwind - Contributor
Galleous Albedos - Contributor

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The Militia


//Open the thumbnails and then click on the image to focus. Stories are repeated below in case you have trouble reading them//

[PanamaLane]

"The Kingsman Brawl"
Heinrich Von Lubek - Managing Editor

A brawl erupted in the Kingsman last night between a large contingent of the Fleet of the First Bolt and The Stygian Armada. At least five persons were confirmed killed, including prominent First Mate Lyrin of the Fleet. It is believed however, that all casualties were brought back by the grace of the gods and coins from coffers.

Though brought by to life herself, the famous adventurer Otula Tauvivi is believed to have been sold into slavery at the hands of Fransico De Olid. Others also remain missing and hope is in short supply for their return.

The fight is said to have erupted over a dispute regarding an earlier attack. The famous adventurer Otula is said to have struck the first blow, though your reporter did not witness this himself and has received varying conclusions. The final blow, however, is know to have been struck by Francisco de Olid, who won the day for the Armada.

The fighting was pure chaos, with spells and elementals flung at opposing parties, bodies hitting the floor on both sides as inn patrons dove under tables for cover. Kingsman himself was stuck somewhere between anger at the commotion in his establishment and extreme fear for his own life. After the prolonged battle, about ten minutes all told, he begged for the Armada to take their victory and go. To their credit, they did, although not before lining their pockets a bit first.

Its is your reporters humble opinion that this is only the beginning of a rivalry that may pin ship against ship and man against man. We can only hope too many innocents are not caught in the middle as they were in the Kingsman.

In the end, this brutish example only goes to prove that more militia presence is needed in out blossoming city. To have such death and violence erupt in the oldest and only established inn on the ziggurat was a real travesty. If we are not careful, these thuggish gang wars could consume all of us, inhibiting progress forever.

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"The State of the Militia"
-Galleous Albedos, Contributor

The development of a government in Nebedzzos is developing slowly. While there is a core of brave men and women volunteering in the milita, its needs remain high. Additional funds through donations are required to purchase uniforms, equip soldiers in more than rusty chain or with clubs. Right now, each militia volunteer has to supply their own arms. I have taken it upon myself to try to recruit local tailors, and smiths rather than foreigners to aid in the equiping of our brave militia. I have supplied some members with armor and weapons when required, and will continue to accept donations for this purpose.

Yet, the militia still requires volunteers. Its purpose is noble, it forsakes indeological conflicts or political intrigues and exists to protect us all from monsters and maintain the peace. There have been notable failures, this is true-the lost battle at the Kingsman, the frequent replacement of Commanders, but these problems are normal in a developing force.

Instead, the militia's successes are growing. It successfully repelled a nightriser attack with the aid of adventurers roughly two weeks ago. In the last week, it repelled an assault by lizardfolk-the defense force this time was predominantly militia members.

To continue these successes, the militia is actively looking for recruits, donations, and supplies. While some may discuss taxes, the militia is still a volunteer force that desires to be supported by a community effort only. It organizing itself more and more effectively, to avoid looking like a battle-cult of Tempus or Helm, their has been a new addition of Alyssara Nolten as co-commander of the force. As a priestess of Ishtisia, Alyssara can guarentee further changes for the better with our volunteer militia.

As a civilian overseer for the militia, I will continue to aid in its growth, development, and oversight. The militia will continue to operate as openly as possible, and continue to maintain the peace within Nebedzzos and with our allies.

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"The Third Tier"
Jawl Highwind - Contributor

If you are reading this, then you are certainly familiar with the Third Tier of the Ziggurat. On the southern face you can find Kingsman's Inn (or Public House, depending on who you ask). You can also find the center for Trade in the Ziggurat, full of merchants, civilians, and Sanctuarians. The Third Tier is a place of hustle and of bustle; of activity and commerce. I pray to Waukeen that we can move the rest of those merchants down there and off the portal.

The Third Tier, that is, what you're reading right now, is a source of news pertaining to those posters you see around the Ziggurat. You know the type; advertisements for bounty hunters, trade of adventuring gear, and short weapons for short people. Well, the former may be more in line with what you would see in Gobsquat, while the latter is just a head scratcher. In this first segment of The Third Tier, we will be looking at the middle one, however; merchant advertisements for all sorts of things, from armor and weapons to potions and wands. Grabbing the easiest to find posters that are not in terrible condition from the rain, join your humble author in a short review of our local merchants and their attempts to flag down your business.

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Drudo Beser, a gnomish Engineer of Gond, and our local Senator of Divinity, can be contacted at Kingsman's Inn. The good Senator is in the business of invention, and to this end he has a small assortment of wands for sale. Healing and basic divine spells such as Strength are only an order away, with colorful names and reasonable (if not exactly generous) prices neatly listed. This is just the sort of clever, efficient flyer design you could expect from a Gondite. Runner-up for Highwind Award for Greatest Merchant Advertisement.

Goblock, Shaman. You could easily assume that a person like this is a Goblin, but stranger things have happened than a man named Goblock. You might be teleported to the middle of nowhere by the relic of an ancient civilization. Goblock offers Shamanistic potions, presumably Arcane in nature. Unsurprisingly, he offers these services in the city of Gobsquat. His unremarkable advertisement is made memorable, however, by the mere fact that he made it; a goblin with business sense is a rare thing. Can we expect great things from our neighbour city? Maybe, if Goblock is any indication. Discounts are available to frequent visitors of Gobsquat.

Kalev Koit, arcane wandmaker. The greatest variety of wands currently advertised on the market, and his Strength wand is 20 coins cheaper than Drudo Beser's. Mind you, only a fool forgets the distinction between Divine and Arcane wands. Kalev Koit's advertisement features plain but legible text with no real invention or creativity, but his delightfully-named "Lesser elemental assault wands" have awakened the sleeping consumer in your humble author. The Hanging Goblin is Mr. Koit's personal post office; if you can't trust a half-drow with your mail, who can you trust?

Artificers of the Art. Forgive an author her bias, but this may be the single most underappreciated advertisement currently visible around the Ziggurat. I am in a unique position to say that not nearly enough people take advantage of my scribing services. One very special and unique potion is "Awareness", which allows the imbiber to see all hidden traps within a colossal radius. You can contact the Artificers of the Art at the Archaeological Society.

Malatesta Mercantile, far and away the Winner of Highwind Award for Greatest Merchant Advertisement. The blazing phoenix between dual Ms stands as a symbol of their strength and resolve; once wealthy and important merchants from Sembia, and now merely hobbled together with the rest of us on a haunted island. From the ashes, they show a dedication to trade that is truly noteworthy, and is certain to have a great impact on how the market on the Ziggurat is run. They buy, sell, and trade adventuring gear, and will even identify artifacts for you at a price of 10 coins each. A tip to save money: If you have a stack of indeterminate darts, show them one and work out the rest on your own.

Tim the Seller, Winner of the Highwind Award for Most Paranoid Merchant, does not want you to write on his poster. He does not want to write down a price. He does not even want you to know where to find him, as there is no address listed on his advertisement. Nonetheless, it's worth it to indulge him as he plays "Merchant", because his selection of wares is very interesting and unique. Your humble author was moved to acquire the Lightning Bolt wand, but was also far too busy to track down this mystery merchant. Try Kingsman's Inn; doesn't everybody take letters there?

Quinn Sanders. You're familiar with Quinn Sanders, right? He and his brother were targets of the Black Arrow, despite public pleas to distance themselves from what they considered to be mistaken associations with undesirables. Now Quinn is in the market business, and if you're the sort in need of a suit of armor then you might be willing to overlook the questionability of his past actions. Steel armors, mail, splint, and chain, and a small assortment of adventuring gear are within your grasp; all you have to do is write to him at Kingsman's Inn.

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"The "T" Word"
Heinrich Von Lubek - Managing Editor
Opinion Editoral:

As our city continues to grow in population and in structure, questions of government have become a popular debate. The established presence is admittedly weak, for the moment, but few have doubts that a strengthening of governmental influence is inbound for our little Island. With government comes the aged old question: will taxes be levied upon ordinary citizens? It is said that opinions on taxes are like backsides, everyone has one. So, where do I stand on the issue?

It is clear to me that communal funds could be put to very good use in our virgin city. For one, the militia needs more influence and numbers. Funding would provide both of these. The events of the Kingsman, among other instances of thievery and murder prove that we will not survive much longer without being able to strongly uphold a letter of law. The state of nature is a state of war and only by coming together and agreeing to laws as a society can we prevent that. It is one thing, however, to agree to laws and entirely another to uphold them. Taxes would make this maintenance possible.

Taxes could also be useful for a number of other programs. The newly established fisheries, for example, likely could use funds for nets or to build a fleet of rowboats. The farmers could use funds for plows, and other agricultural tools. The archeological societies missions to discovering the history and purpose of this place could also use funding. These are services to which all of the Ziggurat will put to use, and could speed up their establishments with a communal kiddy.

Now, I understand that most of you readers out there are thinking, "why does my money have to go to protecting people who can not protect themselves?" This is a valid complaint, especially for those of you out there who have worked hard to grow strong enough to take care of yourself. However, all of us must realize that without stability in the Ziggurat, we are all doomed to death. Only the druids can argue different, and who counts them anyhow? So, the real question is not should we tax or not, instead the question becomes, who do we tax and how? The complex bureaucracy needed would make it difficult to tax every person individually. Additionally, those who have nothing should clearly be exempt from paying into the system until they are able.

I believe the solution lays in taxation of merchants. Through passing on the added price to the public, we can limit the impact of taxes only on those who are buying the most. Those buying the most, are taking the most advantage of the infrastructure and also are in the best position to contribute. While I gather my suggestion will make a lot of Waukeenites and merchants upset, including my good friends the Malatesta's, I believe it is the next step to establishing a true operating society here on Ymph. I hope moving forward, it is at least considered among all of the people who now call this tiny island home.

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"Ordinary People"
Heinrich Von Lubek - Managing Editor

Brothers Sam and Quinn Sanders are very much your ordinary, hard-working Ymphians, struggling to make it in this new and dangerous world. Like many here on the Ziggurat, before arriving here they were employed as adventurers. In fact, over 80% of the persons interviewed since my arrival have been adventurers. Why the ziggurat chooses to focus its attention on the likes of this profession, is still a mystery. One thing is for certain though, there are clear advantages for these people in adapting to this new home, who tend to suffer from wanderlust to begin with.

In the case of the Sanders Brothers, this holds true. They seem to have adapted very well to their new environment and in truth not much of their lives has changed. They still work hard at odd jobs for coin and spend their nights at an inn with a pint of ale. Sam and Quinn, however, do hold one important distinction in this place. To date, they stand as the only pair of persons who knew one another before their trip through the Ziggurat.

"I arrived here about a half hour before my brother," Quinn notes. "I had been sleeping upstairs, when I woke up, I was standing in the rain." Sam was on his way upstairs to check on his equipment when he was taken. "Quinn is a heavy sleeper, I wanted to make sure no one nicked our stuff. Before I knew it I was here."

Of all the persons in the world, why the ziggurat would choose these two brothers to be brought here together, remains a mystery. The question really becomes, is the Ziggurat a thinking essence? Were the Sanders brothers brought here together for a reason, or is it a random occurrence that is bound to happen when you roll the dice so many times? Theories on this overarching question plague us at the Archeological society, and trust that many of us have evidence for differing conclusions. However, its clear that the Sanders Brothers case deserves serious consideration and carefully study.

For their worth, the Sanders brothers won't be thinking too hard on it. There is money to be made and adventure to be had in this world and that seems enough to keep them happy. Like most of you readers out there, they are just ordinary people, trying to get by. "We've been thinking of joining the Fleet, you know?" they tell me. "They seem like the type for a good adventure." I hope you both find what you're looking for. Meanwhile, I will continue to seek my own grail, the solution to your, and in fact all of our mysteries.